Curious about trying a raw diet for your pet, but still have a few questions or concerns you'd like to clear up first? The following is part of a serious of blog posts that should prove quite helpful and informative to anyone considering a switch to a raw diet for their pet. It addresses a number of the more common concerns people seem to have about feeding raw, including salmonella and choking.
Switching Your Dog To A Raw Meaty Bones Diet - Dogs | DoggyBytes.ca
If anyone does decide to switch to raw, please feel free to get in touch with me with any questions you might have. Raw pet food is without a doubt one of my favorite conversation topics!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Sunday, December 27, 2009
iPhone apps for pet lovers
Those of you who follow me on Twitter will not be too surprised to hear that I have recently learned of not 10 but 11 exciting iPhone apps for dog lovers! Here is the link to Mashable's list of the 10 Best iPhone Apps for dog lovers, and here is a link to a natural pet therapies iPhone app that I stumbled upon a few days ago.
The only app that I personally have tried myself is the PetMD Finder app. I chose to download this app for two reasons: 1)it's free and I can't resist a good freebie. 2)As a pet professional, I wanted to check out their pet services directory app. Of course, I then realized that I'd better hurry up and list myself in their service directory. Not surprisingly, they offer a free basic listing and then several paid upgrade options. My hunch is that they can afford to offer the app for free if pet professionals like myself choose to pay to be listed in their service directory!
My verdict thus far: I think it's pretty great that I can instantly & effortlessly find the closest dog parks, veterinarians and emergency clinics based on my current location!
So tell me: have any of you heard of any of these apps before? Tried them? Positive reviews, negative reviews? Any other apps I should add to my list? After all, if we can come up with just one more app that would be one app for each of the 12 days of Christmas...
The only app that I personally have tried myself is the PetMD Finder app. I chose to download this app for two reasons: 1)it's free and I can't resist a good freebie. 2)As a pet professional, I wanted to check out their pet services directory app. Of course, I then realized that I'd better hurry up and list myself in their service directory. Not surprisingly, they offer a free basic listing and then several paid upgrade options. My hunch is that they can afford to offer the app for free if pet professionals like myself choose to pay to be listed in their service directory!
My verdict thus far: I think it's pretty great that I can instantly & effortlessly find the closest dog parks, veterinarians and emergency clinics based on my current location!
So tell me: have any of you heard of any of these apps before? Tried them? Positive reviews, negative reviews? Any other apps I should add to my list? After all, if we can come up with just one more app that would be one app for each of the 12 days of Christmas...
Monday, December 7, 2009
Help for Your Fearful Dog
As the owner of a dog who was somewhat fearful when I first adopted her, I am always grateful when I stumble across useful information about working with fearful dogs. Debbie Jacobs offers a wonderful website and series of articles on the examiner.com that will hopefully provide you or perhaps your friends with some useful tips and ideas for working with a scared or shy dog.
The most important guideline to keep in mind while working with your dog, according to Debbie Jacobs: "Most important is that you work on building a positive, trusting relationship with your dog."
Her website also contains tips for dealing with storm and sound phobias.
Another great resource for those of you concerned about a fearful dog: The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell.
The most important guideline to keep in mind while working with your dog, according to Debbie Jacobs: "Most important is that you work on building a positive, trusting relationship with your dog."
Her website also contains tips for dealing with storm and sound phobias.
Another great resource for those of you concerned about a fearful dog: The Cautious Canine by Patricia McConnell.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Pick of the Month - December 2009
It has been several months since I've announced a "pick of the month" product, but this cold weather has renewed my appreciation for one of my favorite pet products on the market: BioBags.
These poop bags are one of the most eco-friendly options available. Many poop bags marketed as biodegradable (such as Bags on Board) are polyethylene bags that simply break down into smaller pieces of plastic. BioBags, on the other hand, are biodegradable and actually compostable since they are made from corn (a renewable resource to boot).
However, what I most appreciate about these bags on a day to day basis is how easy they are to open. With many brands of poop bags, it takes a few seconds or even minutes to separate the plastic at the top before you are able to successfully pick up your dog's business. BioBags, however, open smoothly & quickly even in the dark when your hands are either numb from the cold or you're wearing gloves. This might not seem like the biggest deal in the world, but I am reminded of how grateful I am for BioBags each time I leave the house with some other brand of poop bag in my pocket--especially when it's cold and late at night.
These poop bags are one of the most eco-friendly options available. Many poop bags marketed as biodegradable (such as Bags on Board) are polyethylene bags that simply break down into smaller pieces of plastic. BioBags, on the other hand, are biodegradable and actually compostable since they are made from corn (a renewable resource to boot).
However, what I most appreciate about these bags on a day to day basis is how easy they are to open. With many brands of poop bags, it takes a few seconds or even minutes to separate the plastic at the top before you are able to successfully pick up your dog's business. BioBags, however, open smoothly & quickly even in the dark when your hands are either numb from the cold or you're wearing gloves. This might not seem like the biggest deal in the world, but I am reminded of how grateful I am for BioBags each time I leave the house with some other brand of poop bag in my pocket--especially when it's cold and late at night.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
The Intellidogs Advent Calendar
As someone who was always delighted by advent calendars as a child, I could not resist posting a link to The Intellidogs Advent Calendar.
At this point it's hard to tell what's in store, but supposedly it will offer up training tips, interesting stories and holiday goodies you can make!
Welcome to December!
At this point it's hard to tell what's in store, but supposedly it will offer up training tips, interesting stories and holiday goodies you can make!
Welcome to December!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month
Because October is Adopt-A-Shelter Dog Month, West Asheville Dog Walking & Pet Sitting is offering a 10% discount off any monthly package of regularly scheduled dog walks to any new client who can show proof of adoption from a shelter during the month of October. Perfect for those who work long hours away from home and don't want to worry about cleaning up accidents or picking their pooch up from doggie daycare when they get off work. Convenient, affordable and healthy for your pet! Daily dog walks will also help ease the transition of bringing a new dog into your home, since exercise helps improve most canine behavior problems including destructive chewing and hyperactivity.
Remember: this offer expires on October 31, 2009 so call for your free consultation today: 828.989.8517.
Remember: this offer expires on October 31, 2009 so call for your free consultation today: 828.989.8517.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Destructive Chewing? Hyper Dog? Try Some Exercise & Enrichment
Do any of these less than desirable behaviors sound familiar to you?
* Destructive chewing, digging or scratching
* Investigative behaviors, like garbage raiding
* Hyperactivity, excitability and night-time activity
* Unruliness, knocking over furniture and jumping up on people
* Excessive predatory and social play
* Play biting and rough play
* Attention-getting behaviors like barking and whining
If so, then I highly recommend the ASPCA website's free Virtual Pet Behaviorist Tips & Articles. The ASPCA lists all of these behaviors as a result of lack of exercise and play.
The following two articles offer tips on how to set your dog up for success when he's home alone and how to keep him entertained with his own interactive toys (like a Kong stuffed with food, for example) so that he won't resort to chewing on your socks.
They also list a several ways to exercise your dog that don't require a lot of energy on your part. These include food puzzle toys, hunting for dinner, fetch, Hide & Seek and my own dog's new favorite: Find It.
ASPCA's Fun, Easy Ways to Exercise your Dog
ASPCA Tips: Enriching Your Dog's Life
* Destructive chewing, digging or scratching
* Investigative behaviors, like garbage raiding
* Hyperactivity, excitability and night-time activity
* Unruliness, knocking over furniture and jumping up on people
* Excessive predatory and social play
* Play biting and rough play
* Attention-getting behaviors like barking and whining
If so, then I highly recommend the ASPCA website's free Virtual Pet Behaviorist Tips & Articles. The ASPCA lists all of these behaviors as a result of lack of exercise and play.
The following two articles offer tips on how to set your dog up for success when he's home alone and how to keep him entertained with his own interactive toys (like a Kong stuffed with food, for example) so that he won't resort to chewing on your socks.
They also list a several ways to exercise your dog that don't require a lot of energy on your part. These include food puzzle toys, hunting for dinner, fetch, Hide & Seek and my own dog's new favorite: Find It.
ASPCA's Fun, Easy Ways to Exercise your Dog
ASPCA Tips: Enriching Your Dog's Life
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