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Simple Tips for Keeping Your Furry Friend Safe and Healthy in the Colder Months

Shepherd dog running in snow carrying a large stick in it's mouth

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Winter can be a hard time of year for many people, especially those caring for a dog or cat. Keeping your furry friend healthy and content during the colder months requires a little extra effort and attention, but it doesn’t have to overwhelm you if you know what to do! We’ll share some simple and effective tips for having a healthy and fulfilling winter season with your pet.

 

Exercise and Playtime

Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your pet can skip the exercise! Make sure they have ample opportunities to move around indoors, so they don’t get restless or bored. Maybe you could let them run around the house, play fetch inside with their favorite toy, or learn a few new tricks. If you have a dog, there are plenty of indoor dog parks where they can get their energy out safely; you just have to know where to find them!

 

Proper Nutrition

Nutrition is a building block of life, but it’s especially critical during the winter months when your pet needs extra energy to stay warm. Make sure your pet is eating a balanced diet, and use vitamins or supplements as recommended by your veterinarian.

 

You may also want to provide more high-calorie snacks like cheese or peanut butter as an additional source of energy during this time of year. Just be sure that your pet is getting that exercise so you aren’t feeding them too much in the less active winter months!

 

Grooming Routines

You want to ensure your pet’s coat stays healthy and strong as temperatures drop and humidity levels lower. Regular brushing will help remove dead fur and dirt from their coat while stimulating blood circulation to keep them warm throughout the day.

 

Also, consider investing in a new sweater or jacket if they spend extended periods outdoors in colder climates; this could provide the extra layer of warmth and comfort they need to thrive. And don’t hesitate to take your pet to a professional groomer if you don’t have the time (or patience) to do it yourself.

 

Finding a Trustworthy Pet Sitter/Dog Walker

Having a reliable pet-sitting or dog-walking service like Whiskers to Tails at your disposal can be a game-changer when you’re a busy pet owner. You need someone you trust to look after your beloved animal when you’re away so that you can relax and know your pet is in safe hands. A pet sitter or dog walker will provide the necessary attention, exercise, and care your pet needs as you travel or deal with other commitments that keep you from being able to attend to your pet yourself.

 

When it comes to finding a reputable pet-sitting or dog-walking service, you must consider many factors. Do your research and look for a reliable company that has good customer reviews and is properly licensed and insured.

 

Make sure you ask questions about the care they provide, ask for references from past customers, and ensure they have the appropriate training and experience to take care of your furry companion. Above all else, you need to feel comfortable leaving your pet in their care, which means trusting they will treat your beloved animal with tender, loving care every time!

 

Conclusion

It’s not always easy to care for a pet in the winter, but following the steps above will simplify the process of keeping them happy and healthy all season. Maintaining their exercise, playtimes, diet, and grooming will go a long way, but make sure you have a reliable pet sitter or dog walker you can call when necessary. Spring is coming soon, and you and your pet can cruise into the new season without missing a beat!

 

Would you like to read more helpful content or learn about our exemplary pet-sitting services? Visit WhiskersToTailPetSitting.com today!

 

Guest Author: Nick Burton is the co-creator of Our Best Doggo. He is a proud parent to three rescue dogs, together with his wife, Mary. When they lost their oldest dog, Willie, a 15-year-old lab/terrier mix, the couple decided to create a website where they can share all types of dog information to help people cope with mourning the loss of a fur baby.

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Preparing Your Pet for a Pet Sitter

woman sitting outdoors under a tree holding a treat for a labrador

Image via Pexels

The holidays are almost here. If you’re planning a trip in the near future, you’ll need to make accommodations for your pet. A pet sitter can not only take care of your pet’s needs while you’re away but also provide some comfort and companionship. Read on to learn how to prepare for a pet sitter.

Reduce Your Pet’s Stress

While you might be tempted to take your pet to a boarding kennel while you’re on vacation, this may not always be the best idea. It can cause significant stress for your pet because of the new environment, unfamiliar confinement, and strange animals. Some dogs and cats do well in a boarding facility, but for pets who are anxious, very young or old, or have special needs, staying in their familiar environment may be best. In that case, you can hire a pet sitter to come by each day. Your pet may still be somewhat stressed, but the pet sitter will provide regular meals, companionship, and plenty of attention. This can reduce stress and allow you to return home to a happier, healthy pet.

Find the Right Pet Sitter

Of course, you’ll want to find the right pet sitter in the Twin Cities. To hire someone, research online for pet sitters in your area. Be sure to read the reviews and testimonials as well as check to make sure they provide the type of care you will need. Whiskers to Tails Petsitting offers premier pet sitting services to ensure you have peace of mind while we care for your beloved pet.

Set Up for a Pet Sitter

In the days before you leave, set up for your pet sitter so that everything is in place for your pet’s best care. Have a supply of food on hand, make sure you have enough litter/poop bags, and write out feeding and other care instructions. Your pet’s favorite toys, grooming tools, leashes, litter box supplies, and other care items should be easily accessible. You may even want to consider leaving a piece of clothing or a blanket that smells like you out for your pet to help keep them relaxed.

Send your care instructions to the pet sitter (you can also leave a paper copy in your home for further reference). Whiskers to Tails uses a fantastic software that allows you to input all care information right into your secure client portal for easy access.

If you need to purchase some new products, be sure to read reviews from pet experts before you buy. This way you can be confident that your pet is getting the best.

Communicate with Your Pet Sitter

Before you leave, let your pet sitter know how to communicate with you in case of an emergency. With Whiskers to Tails, our software makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your pet sitter. You can communicate directly through the app and you’ll receive service reports with notes and photos after each visit to let you know how your pet is doing.

Be sure leave a list of emergency contacts with your instructions. You can input one emergency contact into your client portal, but having other people available to help in a crisis, such as your regular plumber or furnace company could be useful. Your pet sitter should know the name and number of your pet’s veterinarian and of a friend or relative who can step in to help. Make sure that your emergency contact is someone who will be in town while you are traveling.

Preparation Creates the Best Possible Experience

You can give your pet the best possible experience during your vacation by reducing stress, finding the right pet sitter, setting up thoroughly, and communicating well. You’ll come home to a happy pet. Be sure to contact Whiskers to Tails Petsitting for reliable and compassionate care for your pet!

 

Guest Author: Linda Robinson is a working mom who dabbles in photography and French cooking in her spare time. She created her website, YouDidYourBest.org, to connect with other parents who work to bring out the best in their kids by encouraging them to chase their dreams and forgiving themselves when they fall short.

 

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Please Don’t Go: Pet Stress and the Return to Work

Many of us can see the light at the end of the pandemic tunnel. Maybe your company has announced a return to work date. Maybe you are starting to travel again, either for business or pleasure. But what about our pets? They’ve been by your side 24 hours a day for the past year and will struggle to adjust or readjust to the new normal. How do you help prepare your pet for that eventuality? And how do you help them cope with the adjustment when you do return to normal?

 

How to prepare your pet?

The most important thing to do is start preparing your pet for the coming change now. According to Marjie Alonso, the executive director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, we have to remember that our pets are individuals and just like us they are having differing reactions to this quarantine. Now is the time to start helping them adjust to the upcoming transition. Here are some tips from animal experts to help you help your pets:

  • Teach your pet independence and how to be alone comfortably.
    • Catch your pet being calm throughout the day, especially when the dog is ignoring you, and reward him or her with calm and pleasant attention.
    • Give your pet something delicious when you leave. Alonso states that “If you start stuffing that Kong with mashed potatoes and roast beef every time you walk out the door, the dog is going to be like, ‘Here’s your coat.’”
    • Provide separation with baby gates or doors for short periods of time, giving your pet a special treat or a puzzle toy, slowly allowing your pet to self-soothe and accept being alone.
  • If you are home all day, make sure you ignore your pet sometimes and do not give him or her constant attention or give in to constant demands.
    • You should not set attention and activity levels now that are difficult or impossible to maintain when you transition back to work, according to Mikel Delgado, a cat behavior researcher at the University of California-Davis.
    • Delgado also states that owners should not work in places (like the sofa) that pets associate with cuddles or play to avoid sending mixed cues to their pets.
  • Make sure your pet has alone time daily.
    • Alonso suggests that you make sure your pet has alone time. If you used to leave for work at a specific time go through your normal preparations (put on shoes, grab purse or briefcase and keys) and leave the house for a short period of time.
    • Dog trainer Tracy Krulik, who specializes in separation anxiety, agrees with Alonso, stating “take time away from your dog daily, even if it is to sit under a tree or take a work call from your car.”
    • Laura Sharkey, a dog trainer in Arlington Virginia, reminds owners that if your dog was previously crated when you went to work, he or she should still have some alone time in their crates. Crate training can give your pet a safe space and can help your pup learn that being alone is ok and is even sometimes preferable.
  • Provide mental stimulation for your pet, both while they are alone and while you are home.
    • Sharkey tells owners to take breaks form work to run through obedience cues or teach new tricks or give meals in food puzzles. It’s important to give your pets mental stimulation so that they are better able to cope with their alone time.
    • Fear Free veterinarians and behaviorists suggest that owners meet their pet’s physical, social and exploratory needs every day with routine, scheduled activities including play, positive reinforcement training, leashed walks, or environmental enrichment.
    • A tired pet is a less destructive pet. Make sure you provide mental and/or physical exercise before your pet spends hours alone. This way they are more willing to settle down for a long nap instead of chewing on your favorite pair of sandals.
  • Make sure your arrivals and departures are not a big deal. If you make a fuss over your pet when you come home or leave they may be more likely to believe it is something to stress over.
    • Dr. Katherine Houpt, professor emeritus of behavior medicine at Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine, gives owners the following advice: “When you are heading out for your first day back at work, it would be best to give them a brisk walk or a game of fetch before you leave. Before you leave be sure to leave a long-lasting treat such as a rawhide or a Kong toy with frozen melted cheese inside. When you come home don’t greet them until they are calm and not jumping on you or running in circles.”

What to do when you go back to work/school?

  • Continue the routine: As much as possible, maintain the routine you established during quarantine. Take a morning walk or have a morning playtime, get ready for work, then give your pup a frozen Kong or your cat a puzzle toy and head out.
  • Utilize the tools at your disposal: Don’t forget that you can use calming pheromones, supplements, or comfort vests to help your pet stay calm during this transition until they have adjusted to the new normal. This blog post goes into more detail about separation anxiety and the tools that may help.
  • Don’t wait: If your pet is showing signs of developing or increasing anxiety contact your veterinarian. Left untreated, anxiety often worsens over time.
  • Get help: Pet sitters and dog walkers can help with this transition! Pet sitters can come give your cats some socialization and enrichment time to entertain them while you are at work. Sitters can also come play with or walk your dog to help them deal with any anxieties that have resulted from your return to work. Check out our services and rates to find one that fits your needs and let our sitters help you and your pet!
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