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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12
Aug 2019
Long gone are the days when dogs ate only scraps from our dinner tables, but who hasn’t sneaked a tasty morsel of “people food” to their dog from time to time? Dogs do not have a magic instinct that keeps them from eating things that won’t agree with them. Though treats from your table may be tempting to your pup, there are several common foods that can actually be harmful. By no means an exhaustive list, the items below should stay on your plate and not in your dog’s bowl. Xylitol......
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04
Aug 2019
Many dogs get kennel cough during their lives, and though the hacking, raspy cough may sound serious, the condition itself rarely is. In fact, it usually clears up without needing treatment. The main symptom of kennel cough is a harsh, hacking cough. Like so… Apart from the cough, your dog should otherwise be unaffected and still have a good appetite and normal energy levels. Kennel cough is a respiratory infection in dogs caused by any of a host of bacteria or viruses. Because it is not caused by one specific pathogen, there......
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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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24
Jun 2019
We’ve all been there: You’re out on the beach or at the dog park, and when you cheerfully call, “Spot, come!” your dog blithely ignores you, or worse yet looks you straight in the eye and then runs away. A good recall is one of the most important skills you can teach your dog. Here are some ideas for getting a reliable recall that will work in the real world. 1. Always use the same command. If sometimes you say, “C’mere, Spot” while crouched down with arms outstretched, and on other occasions......
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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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29
Jul 2017
Life with roommates can bring joy or misery, and the result starts and ends with basic compatibility and conscious coexisting. This principle is no different when you’re considering introducing a new fur roommate. If you rent an apartment, like many young adults in the Seattle area, you may wonder how life with a pet works when you’ve signed a lease. If you feel you’re ready to become a pet parent, here’s how to successfully share close living quarters with your future roommate — and soon-to-be best friend. (Bonus: If you’re already sharing......
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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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15
Nov 2016
We know our clients consider their pets an important part of the family. When you care so deeply for your pets, it’s natural to want to make sure they are happy and healthy. When the sun is shining, it’s easier and far more desirable to spend loads of time outdoors with walking and playing with our dog friends — but what happens in fall or winter when it’s too cold and dreary to be outside for long? Just like you, your dog needs to follow a regular exercise regimen to stay healthy......
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19
Oct 2016
As the holiday travel season approaches, your family’s plans are likely beginning to come together. For many, a vacation away from home may be in the cards as invites roll in from out-of-town relatives. In the coming weeks, you’ll be arranging transportation, time off from work, last-minute home duties — and if your furry friends won’t be coming along for the ride, you’ll also need to secure pet care. In this case, the two primary options for pet owners to consider are checking your pets into a boarding facility or enlisting the......
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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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08
Aug 2016
It’s no secret that even the shyest pets tend to imprint on their owners. While this can mean a whole lot of love, snuggles, pets and playtime, it can also spell trouble when the lovefest must be placed on pause from 9 to 5. Dogs and cats who suffer from separation anxiety can become anxious, distressed, or act out while you’re away — and this can the form of potty accidents, excessive barking or vocalizing, hiding, chewing your personal belongings, shredding the furniture, or other destructive activities. Ease your fuzzball’s stress by planning......
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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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05
May 2016
When you adore your dog, but just can’t stand the shedding fur all over your sofa, it may be time to train your four-legged buddy that this piece of furniture just isn’t a welcome place for him to be. These tips for keeping your dog off the couch are tried and true, provided that you’re consistent and patient … Discipline Training is crucial to your dog following your rules, and if you’re unable to start teaching your dog that the couch is off-limits right from puppyhood (for instance, if your dog is......
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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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