18
Sep 2019
Most dogs absolutely love riding in the car. However, traveling with dogs in your vehicle can pose a lot of safety risks. Seat belts and air-bags aren’t designed with canines in mind. And a dog who is unrestrained in the car can provide a distraction to the driver rivaling that of a cell phone. Some countries and states require that dogs be properly restrained or crated in a moving car. Regardless of the laws in your area, it’s wise to make sure your dog doesn’t “help” you drive. Crates Are Best When......
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02
Aug 2019
Dogs are like magnets for many children, drawing them in with squeals of delight and grasping little fingers. Nevertheless, the same gestures, sounds, and posture that might reward a child with a chocolate chip cookie from Great Aunt Mable could result in a growl, nip, or worse from an unfamiliar dog. Fortunately, there’s a handy and highly alliterative way to remember how to greet an unfamiliar dog: PAT, PET, PAUSE. PAT: Pat your leg to encourage the dog to come into your space. Don’t invade his. PET: Pet the dog on his......
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07
Jul 2019
Foxtails and grass seed awns are designed to do one thing: burrow. This is how the grass spreads as the seed slowly works its way deeper and deeper into soil. Unfortunately for our canine companions, this mechanism works just as well on your dog’s skin as it does on dirt. Due to the unique shape of this seed, it’s always moving forward — never backward. As a seed burrows into your dog’s skin, it has the potential to cause an abscess or other injury. The most common areas for your dog......
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15
Nov 2017
For families who are prepared to offer a lifetime of safe, compassionate, and enriching pet care, adopting can be a deeply fulfilling experience for animals and pet parents alike. Your rescued friend may even end up returning the favor and rescuing you! In addition to facilitating adoptions, local shelters and rescues often maintain a strong community presence and serve as a resource for fellow animal lovers. These seven Western Washington area nonprofits are at the top of the local animal welfare game. In no particular order, let’s take a look at the......
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29
Aug 2017
While they’re pretty to look at, often smell good, and can serve several functional purposes for humans, many household plants can prove toxic for curious canine and feline grazers. In no particular order, let’s review six of the most common poisonous suspects, and learn why it’s safest to keep these out of your house or garden (or limit and monitor your pet’s outdoor access). Azaleas: Also known as Rosebay or Rhododendron, this springtime bloom causes vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and even cardiac failure in dogs and cats, often even if a small portion......
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05
Jul 2017
When temperatures start to climb, there can be little escape for those without air conditioning. This is especially true in the Seattle area — a region that notoriously lacks air conditioning in homes and rentals. While you may spend much of your day at work, your pets must endure the temperature in your home. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways to help keep your pets cool at home during the dog days of summer. It’s important to note that certain pets are at greater risk than others. Pets that are very......
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28
Nov 2016
Now that we’ve wrapped up Thanksgiving (and, consequently, the heaps of leftovers we’re bound to be reheating every day for the foreseeable future), there’s only a handful of weeks left in the holiday rush! Are you ready? For pet owners, being “ready” for the holiday season takes on some added meaning. Between the usual bouts of careful planning and attention to detail, we’re also responsible for making sure our furry family members feel the holiday love… and that means keeping them safe, healthy, and happy in the midst of all the merriment......
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27
Sep 2016
Seattleites are used to talk of “The Big One” — the megaquake projected to happen sometime in the Pacific Northwest’s not-so-distant future. Should a natural disaster strike, you and your family want to be prepared with an evacuation plan and a stockpile of emergency goods. You may already have a disaster kit ready to go for the human members of the family — but what happens to your fur babies in the event of an earthquake or other unforeseen event? If your pets aren’t yet part of your emergency plan, it’s best......
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22
Aug 2016
Our beloved furry friends only grow more endearing as they reach their golden years. But it can be heartbreaking to watch senior pets experience aging symptoms such as vision or hearing loss. The good news is, with a combination of the below techniques, pet parents have the power to boost any blind or deaf pet’s quality of life! Safety-proof your home You’ve likely already completed phase one of pet-proofing your home just before and after you first brought home your bundle of joy. Senior dogs and cats require special consideration as they......
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18
Jul 2016
When it comes to your pet’s laundry list of needs and preferences, you know every detail by heart — and when you leave your dog or cat in a new sitter’s hands, you’ll want to arm them with the same knowledge. Lucky for Sarah’s Pet Care clients, our state-of-the-art software, powered by Precise Petcare, streamlines this process. Does your dog or cat have any food allergies? What kinds of treats are Fido’s favorite? At the same time you register, schedule or pay for our services, you also have the opportunity to provide......
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06
Jun 2016
Most pet service providers focus on dogs, and we’ve definitely talked plenty about our canine companions on this blog. But of course dogs aren’t the only one with needs–cats also need attention, stimulation, exercise, and love. The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease One of the primary reasons dog owners are often more aware of their dogs’ needs is that dogs are, in many ways, harder to neglect than cats. Neglected dogs will whine, bark, or become aggressive, and when they act out they’re capable of doing a lot more damage to things......
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09
Mar 2016
As we discussed in our last blog post, bloat is one of the most life-endangering and sadly common threats to the health of your dog. During bloat – also known as Gastric Dilation-Volvulus (GDV) – the stomach swells, often rotating 90° to 360°, trapping any food or liquid inside and slowing or stopping blood flow. Bloat can kill a dog in a matter of hours, and it’s crucial that every pet owner knows what to do if they detect signs of this deadly condition. Go to the Vet Immediately If your dog......
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27
Feb 2016
Many dog owners aren’t aware of one of the most common and dangerous threats to a dog’s health: bloat. Also known as “stomach torsion,” or Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), bloat is the second leading killer of dogs, after cancer. As such, it’s imperative that you know how to help prevent bloat in your dog, and how to detect bloat if it should occur. What is Bloat? Bloat begins when a dog’s stomach fills with air or any combination of air, fluid, food, or foam, causing the stomach to swell (also known as dilation).......
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11
Feb 2016
If you are a dog owner and dog lover, you can easily conjure up an image of groups of dogs running freely across a field, fetching sticks or balls, rolling in the grass and playing with one another. In fact, that image probably brings a smile to your face – because, for one thing, you love to see dogs having a good time. But you also probably understand intuitively that off-leash time is a great source of exercise for a well-socialized dog. So how do you know if your dog is appropriate......
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12
Jan 2016
Most people know how they should feed themselves. A healthy human diet is balanced, low in “bad” fats, sufficient in “good” fats, high in protein, and sourced from natural ingredients. Less nutritious treats are ok every once in a while—and even an important aspect of your quality of life—but should be consumed in moderation. Many pet owners don’t apply the same logic to their pet’s diet as they do to their own, causing inadvertent harm. An astonishing 90 percent of the aliments affecting domestic cats and dogs may be related to their......
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28
Dec 2015
When deciding upon a caregiver for your dog, the selection process should be as thorough and careful as choosing a babysitter for your child. Not only should your dog walker be experienced and reliable, but attitudes and beliefs regarding pets and their care are equally important. For instance, Sarah’s Pet Care believes that dogs respond best to positive reinforcement and rewards-based training and care. These methods have proven far more effective and long-lasting, with fewer negative repercussions, than those based in fear or aggression. In fact, when caring for dogs in small......
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26
Sep 2015
Microchipping of Animals FAQ Microchipping of Animals: Information Check the Chip Day Q: What is a microchip? A: A microchip is a small, electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice. The microchip itself does not have a battery—it is activated by a scanner that is passed over the area, and the radiowaves put out by the scanner activate the chip. The chip transmits the identification number to the scanner, which displays the number on the screen. The microchip itself is also......
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03
Jul 2015
Humans may “Ooh!” and “Aah!” at the thundering booms of fireworks displays this Fourth of July weekend, but pets are far less impressed. In fact, many dogs and cats are deeply frightened by fireworks displays, and can injure themselves — and even run away — trying to escape the nerve-wracking racket. “The Fourth is the busiest day of the year here because so many dogs get freaked out,” said James Dress, community engagement manager for Sonoma County Animal Services. Dogs left in back yards, for example, can panic at loud sounds they......
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27
Jun 2015
By Barbara Elisse Najar July 9, 2012 Summer is here, and we’ve shed our coats. Dogs and cats don’t have that luxury, but their fur, which keeps them warm in winter, also protects them in the summer by preventing them from taking on too much heat. It’s a fine system until it gets too hot, at which point it can be overwhelmed, with potentially dire consequences.Dogs and cats are homeotherms, meaning they maintain a fairly constant body temperature of 101 to 102 degrees, according to James H. Jones, an expert in comparative animal exercise......
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26
May 2015
Dental care isn’t just for humans. Dogs and cats need it too. “Taking care of our pets’ teeth doesn’t only make them smell better but it contributes to a longer, healthier life,” Dr. Dan Carmichael, a veterinary dentist at Animal Medical Center in New York City, told CBS News. “Not only can dental problems cause pets to have oral pain and infection, but the bacteria from oral disease can spread through the bloodstream to the vital organs,” he explained. Carmichael treats a variety of dogs, cats and even Bronx Zoo animals. He......
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