You want your pet to be in the best possible hands when you go out of town, but which boarding or sitting option is the right choice? Traditional petcare options include:
- Pet sitting in your own home; typically, this involves paying a sitter to stay at your home or drop by at pre-scheduled times to feed your pet and let them outside.
- Pet boarding, which may take place at a standard boarding facility, someone else’s house, or a veterinary office.
Many pet owners believe that their dog or cat will be most comfortable if they’re able to stay in their own home, but this can be problematic if the sitter only stops by a few times per day. Your pet may become lonely or bored, prompting them to engage in destructive behaviors.
Dog boarding apps have become popular in recent years; however, these apps raise several safety concerns. Most of these boarders are not trained animal professionals, and pet parents may feel uneasy leaving their fluffy family member at the home of a complete stranger.
Leaving your pet with a standard boarder is another option, but the quality of care provided in these facilities can vary greatly. Additionally, many boarders and pet hotels rely on gimmicks like “luxury suites” and cutesy decor – features that end up costing you more, but that your pet won’t even notice or care about. So, what is a loving pet owner to do?
Why Veterinary Boarding is the Best Option for Your Pet
Finding a reliable vet with boarding services is a smart idea, as you’ll have a single go-to expert to take care of all your pet’s many needs. Over time, your veterinarian will develop trust with both you and your pet. Who better to care for your beloved pup or kitty in your absence than someone with whom you already have an established relationship?
Truthfully, your pet only has a few basic needs when it comes to feeling safe, happy and comfortable each day: a cozy place to sleep, a quiet and calm environment, plenty of food and fresh water, daily exercise, and loving one-on-one attention.
Boarding your dog or cat with your vet will tick all of these boxes, with the added bonus of knowing they are in expert hands if they become sick or stressed. After all, no one is better prepared to handle a pet health emergency than a trained team of veterinarians.
When you board your pet with CityVet, you can trust that they will have plenty of space to play and roam each day, along with endless hugs and pats from our team. The cozy sleeping quarters will appeal to their natural den-dweller instincts, making them feel secure and comfortable even in your absence.
There’s no need for your pet to “ruff it” while you’re gone – find a vet with boarding services near you, and rest easy knowing that they’re in reliable hands while you’re away.
Why Is Dog Ear Care Important?
Dogs’ ears are sensitive, and as wax and oils build up inside the ear over time, they can become increasingly prone to infections. External factors like excess moisture or allergies can further elevate the risk of infections.
Signs that your dog may have developed an ear infection include:
- Foul odor around or in the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Swelling or redness of the ear canal
- Excess pawing or scratching of the ears
If you notice any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment for an exam and ear cleaning with your vet right away.
How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears at Home
The good news? Regular cleaning and care can help prevent ear infections in the first place. Get into the habit of inspecting your dog’s ears regularly; around once per week or every other week. Not only will this help you detect potential problems early, but it will also get your pup comfortable with having his or her ears touched.
To clean your dog’s ears at home, you’ll need to select a gentle, pet-formulated, ear cleanser. Hold your dog’s ear flap upright, and dribble a small amount of the cleansing solution into the ear canal. As the cleanser seeps down into the canal, use your fingers to massage the base of the ear for around 15-20 seconds.
Your dog may want to shake their head after this part of the cleaning process is over; a towel can help to avoid messes. Use a clean cotton ball or pad (but not a cotton swab, which could damage your pup’s ears) to wipe out the excess solution and any loosened earwax.
Helpful Dog Ear Care Tips
Wondering how often your dog’s ears need to be cleaned? In general, once per month is a good rule of thumb. Breeds with long, floppy ears or dogs who swim frequently may need to have their ears cleaned every other week, or even weekly. After bathing or swimming, be sure to properly dry your pup’s ears.
Good general grooming – such as keeping the hair around the ear flap clean, neatly trimmed and free from matts – will make cleaning your dog’s ears easier. Above all, be as gentle as you possibly can, and never insert objects directly into the canal. Doing so could irreversibly damage your pup’s hearing.
Ear cleaning can be stressful for dogs, so it.s important to make it a positive experience. Only clean your dog’s ears when they are already in a calm state, and reward them with plenty of treats during and after the process.
Knowing how to care for your dog’s ears is an essential part of their complete care routine. With occasional ear cleanings at home, regular professional groomings, and staying up to date with vet check-ups, you can help ensure your pup’s ears stay healthy for life.
Find your CityVet to get the best care for your dog.
Preparing your pet for an emergency is an extremely important part of pet ownership, but can be easy to forget about or overlook. Don’t wait until your family needs to evacuate due to a disaster, or until your pet becomes lost or injured – start preparing today with the tips below.
Microchip Your Pet
Microchipping your pet can make the difference between whether or not they return home safely after becoming lost. It’s a quick and easy procedure that can save your pet’s life and prevent heartbreak. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if you are interested in microchipping your pet.
After the microchip is implanted, it’s important to register the microchip and make sure your associated contact information is accurate. If the pet is ever rehomed or if your family moves to a new address or acquires new telephone numbers, the microchip information will need to be updated accordingly. Outdated information is useless for finding your lost pet.
Create a Pet Evacuation Kit
In the event that your family ever needs to evacuate, prepare an easy-to-carry, waterproof go-bag stocked with pet supplies. Store the bag close to an exit like an entryway closet or a laundry room that is adjacent to the garage for easy access.
Evacuation Kit Checklist:
- A two-week supply of medicine*
- Collar or harness with ID tag & a leash
- Current picture of your pet
- Familiar items (toys, treats, etc.)
- At least 3-7 days of food*
- Plenty of water
- Crate or pet carrier
- First aid kit
- Sanitation items (litter, trash bags, paper towels)
- Extra blanket or bedding
*These items must be rotated and replaced to ensure they don’t expire.
Caring for Your Pet After a Disaster
After any disaster, be sure to survey the area inside and out to identify sharp objects or other hazards that may harm people and pets. Comforting each other is also important. Petting and snuggling with your dog or cat will help reduce any anxiety for the whole family. Make sure to examine your pet closely; if you observe injuries or any signs of stress, discomfort or illness, contact your veterinarian to schedule a checkup.
If your pet has become lost, visit your local animal control or shelter daily. Some of these agencies also use social media to post information regarding lost and found animals. Post images of your lost pet on social media and your local neighborhood app. If you have microchipped your pet, notify the microchip registry that your pet is missing.
1. Punish him for behaving like a dog. Your canine companion is a creature of opportunity, and when you give him opportunities to “misbehave” by leaving tantalizing items within his reach, he’ll take advantage. Translation: don’t leave food or scraps where he can smell or see them.
Don’t leave him in the bedroom alone with your slippers or socks. Ensure the only opportunities you provide your dog are ones he can succeed at.
2. Tell her “no” over and over. If your dog is doing something she shouldn’t be doing, telling her “no” will probably cause her to stop the behavior temporarily. But saying no to a dog without offering an alternative turns your “no” into merely an interruption, not a request or demand.
Unless you show your dog what you want her to do instead of what she’s doing, chances are she’ll be right back doing it sooner or later.
3. Give her a variety of verbal commands for a single behavior. Many pet guardians assume their dog or cat knows English, and therefore knows that “drop it” and “leave it” mean the same thing, or that “get it” and “bring it to me” are the same.
Train your dog to respond to simple, preferably single-word commands (sit, stay, come, down, pee, poop, etc.) and then use those words, and only those words, to communicate. Otherwise, you’ll create stress in your dog because she knows you want her to do something, but she doesn’t know what based on the words you’re using.
4. Tell him “it’s okay.” Many dog guardians tend to say this phrase to their pet when something decidedly not okay is about to happen. For example, you’re driving your dog to the groomer, which is a place he’s not fond of. You’ve driven him there often enough that as always, he starts to whine when the grooming shop comes into view.
And as always, you say, “it’s okay” in an effort to comfort him. The second you utter those words he knows without a doubt where he’s going, and his stress level shoots through the roof.
“It’s okay” becomes a verbal cue to panic. Instead, help your dog learn to relax and cope more productively with anxiety-producing situations.
5. Pull his leash. A dog that has been properly trained to walk on a leash doesn’t typically do a lot of pulling, so if you feel the need to constantly yank the leash to redirect him, it’s probably time to refresh your pet’s leash manners.
It’s also important to anticipate that your dog will naturally stop and sniff as often as possible, and pull in the direction of someone or something interesting. Be kind and understanding – allow your furry friend a reasonable amount of time to smell-inspect his outdoor territory and pick up his pee-mail without yanking him toward your destination.
6.Hold him while you hug or kiss him. Canines really don’t get these human expressions of affection and can be confused by them – especially when the hugger or kisser is a relative stranger. Also, since dogs are typically being held (restrained) during the bear hug or smooch-fest, it increases their stress level.
Imagine how you would feel if someone large and in charge grabbed hold of you and wouldn’t let go. It’s not a good feeling and does nothing to generate trust, right?
Unless your dog is remaining contentedly still on his own while being hugged or kissed, it’s best to stick to stroking and petting, which most dogs can’t get enough of.
7. Stare at her. Most people are uncomfortable being stared at by other people, so it’s easy to imagine how unsettling it might be for your dog. The canine species views staring as a confrontational sort of a “Let’s get ready to rumble” signal, which naturally triggers a stress response. There’s no need to stare at your dog unless you’re returning her gaze.
8. Point or shake your finger at her. The finger pointing/shaking thing is a universal stress inducer for dogs (and many humans). That’s probably because it’s usually done while you’re standing over your pooch in a menacing posture, or while you’re speaking in a tone of voice that signals your displeasure.
Many a guilty dog look is the result of the finger-pointing thing, but your pet isn’t so much feeling guilty as uncomfortable, wary, confused, and yes… stressed.
9. Tell him to “get down” when he jumps up. If like most people you use the verbal cue “down” to ask your dog to go from a sit to a lie-down, it’s not going to work in situations where he’s jumping up on you or someone else (or a piece of furniture). Train him to stop jumping with the verbal command “off” or “paws on floor” instead. You’ll save your dog the confusion and stress that comes from trying to understand your command, and you’ll potentially save yourself or a guest from a friendly mauling.
10. Wake her up. Unless there’s a pressing reason to awaken your four-legged family member from a nice snooze, try to avoid it. Being shaken or shouted awake is stressful for all of us.
This condition is caused by a buildup of plaque on the teeth and formation of bacteria around the gums. Over time, periodontal disease can lead to a range of health concerns, including tooth loss, systemic infections and internal organ damage.
The sad reality is that 85% of all pets develop dental disease by age three. Fortunately, it is entirely possible to keep your pet’s teeth in tip-top shape with proper oral care. Yearly professional teeth cleaning for your dog or cat is important, but it is not enough. Below are steps you can begin taking today to ensure good dental health for your pet.
Pet Dental Care & Cleaning at Home
The best way to care for your pet’s teeth at home is by getting into the habit of regular brushing. Daily brushing would be excellent, but if this is an unrealistic goal for you and your pet, aim for at least 2-3 times per week. It only takes a few minutes, and can prevent your beloved pet from developing serious health concerns over time.
The only tools you will need are a soft bristled toothbrush and a pet-formulated toothpaste. For small pets like cats a finger brush may work best. Toothpastes for pets are available in tasty flavors like poultry, beef and seafood – find one your pet loves, and you can transform brushing from a chore into a treat.
It may take some time for your dog or cat to get used to having their teeth brushed. Take things slowly to ensure they are comfortable with the process, and the experience will soon become easier for both of you. At the beginning, you may only be able to brush a few teeth at a time – baby steps are better than no steps!
Some pets will be more resistant to brushing than others, even with regular practice. In these cases, it is important to supplement with dental-formulated foods, water additives and treats, which can round out your pet’s complete oral care plan. These products are specifically designed to remove plaque buildup, and may also freshen your pup or kitty’s breath.
Professional Pet Teeth Cleaning
In addition to regularly cleaning your pet’s teeth at home, it is essential to schedule professional cleanings on a yearly basis. Annual dental cleanings should begin when your cat or dog is around 1-2 years old.
Your veterinarian has a trained eye that will quickly be able to identify signs of dental disease, such as inflamed gums, bleeding or yellowish buildup on teeth. Veterinary offices are stocked with the right tools and technology to clean those hard-to-reach spaces in your pet’s mouth, ensuring no nook or cranny gets missed.
Another benefit of having your pet’s teeth cleaned by your veterinarian is that if they notice something isn’t right, they’re equipped to provide treatment onsite. While a standard groomer is great for supplementing your pet’s dental care, they can’t offer that same level of care.
When to See Your Vet
Your dog or cat is very good at hiding pain, which can make noticing a serious dental problem tricky. If you observe any of these tell-tale signs of dental disease, it would be wise to schedule a consultation with your vet right away:
- Chronic bad breath
- Inflamed, red or bleeding gums
- Yellow-brown tartar on teeth
- Difficulty eating or chewing
- Blood left behind on chew toys
- Excessive saliva
Oral hygiene is a critical part of your pet’s overall health and wellbeing, just as much as proper nutrition and exercise. If your dog or cat is overdue for a professional dental cleaning or checkup, don’t wait – find a location near you and schedule an appointment today.