Best Life Hacks: Pet Edition

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Best Life Hacks: Pet Edition

By: Emily Griffith

We all have that one friend who functions as the MacGyver of your circle. You call this person for substitutes when you run out of milk in recipes. You text them to help with kids’ science fair projects. They just know everything! Thanks to the emerging geniuses who have furry friends, we have found some truly incredible and thrifty pet-based lifehacks! Whether you are remodeling your home and wish to add a pet space under your stairs or you just want a quick and simple toy, you’ve come to the right place! Here are some of our favorites from the brilliant pet parents of the internet:

1.)DIY Treat Dispenser

If you have a high-energy pup like I do, you will relate to your animal being extremely playful and in need of mental stimulation as well. I love DIY treat balls from a tennis ball, because they provide a certain level of physical activity coupled with some mental exercise as well. The steps are very simple. Take a regular tennis ball from any local sporting goods store and carefully make an incision with a knife or scissors. Be sure to clear any loose or hanging rubber from the inside before inserting any treats. To insert the treats, simply squeeze the ball, forcing the incision to flex open and outward. Drop the treats inside, preferably something with a decently sturdy texture, and then its playtime! For an even more effective way to tire out your pet, sit uphill and roll the ball down a gentle grade. Be sure you know if your breed has any health issues, such as hip dysplasia, before doing so to prevent injury. Remember, a good dog is a tired dog!

2.)DIY Pet Home/Nightstand

Sometimes the crates and other homes we give our pets can be well, unsightly or just imply clutter the room. Solution: Take a piece of furniture, say a nightstand or small dresser, and remove the bottom drawers to allow plenty of headroom for your pet. Try to keep a top drawer so that it can still function as your furniture while still being your pet’s own special space. Place a pillow and all your pet’s favorite toys there and you have yourself a stylish pet house that is also stylish for your human home!

3.)Food Safety Hack

Most pets have a healthy eating rhythm, but for others, food can be a stressful event. Some pets get so worked up, especially dogs, when food or dinner time is near and they end up choking on food from eating too quickly. This is such a task if you own a pet who is prone to inhaling their food, but not anymore! Place a tennis ball in the bowl and allow it to cover the food. Now your pet must pause and nudge or move the ball in order to access the food below it. This is just enough of a delay that it may help reduce the risk of choking due to excitable eating.

4.)DIY Dog Dentist Hack

Okay, before anyone jumps to conclusions, you can NOT be a pet dentist for any reason, unless that reason is a license! But, a quick tip to fix bad breath: Parsley. Sprinle some fresh parsley over the food as it has properties that help to rid of bacteria that causes bad odor. Most pets enjoy the taste and it is good for them, so give it a try. I advise that you first consult with a veterinarian to ensure there are no sinister underlying health causes that would require treatment from a licensed professional.

5.)Pet Hair Cleaning Hack

We know how much you love them, but we could ALL live without the excessive amounts of pet hair. Your animal, just like you and your hair, sheds and often that shedding attaches to our couches, in our cars, and all over our clothes of course. When it comes time to clean around the house and car, grab a standard garden glove, like the yellow ones your grandma waters her roses with. That magical rubber glove is perfect for gathering every last hair into a vacuum-ready pile. I personally use this hack specifically for when cleaning my car. Think about all of those narrow crevices, in between your seat and center console, the part where the window meets the back headrests. Take your hand an grab and lift away the dirt and hair, keeping your vacuum on hand to eliminate whatever loosens up.

6.)Now That IS Progressive

Many people who have pets have probably never thought about how to cover them in terms of insurance on your vehicle. First, call your insurance company and ask if pets are covered in automobile accidents, especially if you have a family-based policy. Progressive insurance definitely offers coverage for pets in car accidents, offering to even cover veterinary expenses from the incident. Be sure to contact yours today and see where you stand. In the event that your company doesn’t offer such a plan and you don’t want to switch, look for an emergency credit card, just for vet bills or perhaps with perks pertaining to such. Care Credit is rumored to be perfect for just this because they do not charge interest for the first year on veterinary expenses.

7.)Travel & Lodging Hack

If you are like me, you either take your pets on vacation or you don’t take a vacation! Luckily, I have two fantastic hacks for this one. First and foremost, if you are reading this, you know who we are. But if you are new, remember to call Gwinnett Pet Watchers to meet your pet care and sitting needs. We do a wide array of visit types, from drop ins an 15 minutes all the way to moving into your home for the duration of your trip so that your pets are in their own home and never alone with plenty of love. Second to this, certain hotels and other lodging options offer up the chance to bring your pet along on vacation. The LaQuinta allows you to bring your pet, no charge, however this is not the commonality in regards to fees for pets. While they still ask for a deposit, I’ve used Atwood Vacation rentals in South Carolina for places near Edisto and Charleston. We were able to keep our loud barker, but otherwise a good dog by our sides during our trip. For that convenience, the fees will always be worth paying in my opinion.

Like what you are reading? Great! There are more pet hacks, helpful articles, and food and travel tips to come! Stay tuned and thank you for reading.

Is Heartworm Prevention Enough?

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Is Heartworm Prevention Enough?

By: Emily Griffith, GPW (2016)

We are all familiar with your run-of-the-mill ailments for pets: hip dysplasia, heartworm, fleas and ticks. But, could there potentially be another hidden danger that is growing quickly in commonality? It turns out, the answer is yes. Whip worm is something I had no idea even existed until I had my own encounter with it as a pet parent.

A little over a year ago, I was living in a rather large, third-story apartment located in a big city with a sizable complex to boot. Once I found some sort of balance in my life after several tragic circumstances were cast unto me, I decided to channel my misguided energy into something constructive again, being a pet parent. I swiftly adopted Rupert after a need arose locally for homes and it is the absolute best decision I have ever made. I quickly fell in love with my fur baby and today we are inseparable. He has even led to a major career move or two in the direction of the interest of pets and pet parents. Rupert was small as a puppy so apartment life was great! He potty trained quickly and often wanted to go out for a walk. We would stroll around the premises, smelling and remarking where other pets had been to do their business. He loved to retrace other residents’ steps through smell, winding throughout the buildings and trees. After a little time passed, Rupert began to grow…and grow… and grow! As a shelter pup adoptee, we weren’t too sure what he was as far as breed, but all we needed to know is that he was growing too big for our space and his activity level was requiring more room as well. After a brief house hunt, we found the perfect place in the country with space and fenced-in fresh air. Rupert fully embraced this change of freedom, enjoying the lack of leach and digging many holes upon move in.

Early that fall season, we took Rupert to a new veterinarian than the one we had taken Rupert to in the city for a heartworm medicine refill. Our new veterinarian asked us a few questions regarding our pet’s lifestyle and addressed if any changes had been made. When we told him yes and he specified that before refilling as procedure states, he was going to have to draw and test Rupert’s blood with a panel. These panels check for any abnormalities in the blood, like spikes or drops in blood cell counts. Rupert’s test came back, and it was positive for something. My heart sank.

“Your pet has whip worm.”

A statement no pet parent ever wants to hear- that their beloved has something wrong with them. After the veterinarian was able to calm me some and explained what whip worm was, he sent me home with treatment tailored to my animal’s severity and weight, among other extraneous factors. This brings us to several essential questions in terms of whip worm.

WHAT IS WHIP WORM?

Trichuriasis, or whip worm, is an intestinal parasite transmitted by ingestion of infested matter or rarely, by contact of an affected animal. The parasite itself, Trichuris trichiura, can infect both dogs AND cats.

HOW DO DOGS AND CATS CONTRACT THE PARASITE?

The parasite is most often ingested, however, whip worm eggs live in environments for almost any amount of time- from months to years, in a dormant stage. They are most commonly found in soil, water, food, feces, and animal flesh. They can also pose a risk to pets at any age in the life cycle.

WHAT SYMPTOMS SHOULD I LOOK FOR IN MY PET?

Sometimes, like with my Rupert, whip worm is nearly asymptomatic. This means that you have little to no measurable symptoms as an indication to an infection. Some pets display intestinal symptoms: bloody diarrhea, large bowel inflammation, dehydration, weight loss, and anemia. Only a licensed professional can diagnose whip worm through proper testing methods, such as a fecal floatation or blood draw. If you suspect your pet may have been exposed to or contracted whip worm, go to your veterinarian for help as soon as possible.

IS IT TREATABLE? HOW?

Trichuriasis can be treated, luckily. In our case and most often not typical of results, Rupert received a swift and timely round of medication that was to be repeated in successive three week to three month series. As it turns out, Rupert became infected from our soil at our new home. I asked the veterinarian about treating the soil for them in order to eradicate the threat, but he advised instead to alter Rupert’s protection and prevention from my old heartworm to a new method, as opposed to trying to change his world or environment. As he explained, due to the dormancy stages that whip worm can transcend to, it is nearly impossible to eradicate them, especially if you are expecting to do a one-time treatment.

WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT?

I didn’t know this until my experience, however, only certain brands provide protection against other parasites such as whip worm. Information on brands is still emerging, but Interceptor markets itself as both heartworm prevention and a broad spectrum parasiticide, just like Trifexus. Trifexus is now Rupert’s prevention; a flavored tablet given once monthly. I definitely recommend it over large syringes full of antibiotics. The price is only a few extra dollars per pill and it will save you money and heartbreak later, not to mention pain and misery for your animal.

To close, I want to remind and encourage all pet owners to ask questions, especially when in the presence of a professional to answer them, like you veterinarian. Protect your pets from harm, large or microscopic, both can have irreversible and negative consequences if you don’t.

*For more information regarding whip worm, please consult your veterinarian. Inquire if the prevention you use is enough for your beloved pets.

Gwinnett County Parks

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Hi! I’m Robin and for those who don’t know me, I’m the owner of Gwinnett Pet Watchers. When I am not taking care of your pets, you can typically find my own dogs and I at one of Gwinnett County Parks. I’ve had several people ask what park we like best, so I will be covering all the great parks we have in our area to give you an idea what the county has to offer!

Rabbit Hill Park is located at 400 Rabbit Hill Rd, Dacula Ga 30019 and is at the cross roads of Rabbit Hill Rd and Hurricane Shoals Rd . You can also get to the park using Fence Rd.

Rabbit Hill Park has wonderful paths for walking or running. Also, they have a few youth soccer fields, baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a playground, pavilions, and several restrooms. The park has three different dog parks to suit your needs. One is for all dogs, one for larger dogs, and the last is for the small dogs. Inside the dog park areas there are dog friendly fountains and some agility play activities. It’s a great park for your whole family to enjoy!

My crew loves to walk the trails and play in the dog park here. The people who use the dog park, for the most part, are very responsible owners who pay close attention to their pet(s) and calm things down when the pups get rambunctious. Owners also tend to be very good about picking up after their pets which unfortunately isn’t the case at all dog parks.

Some of you may know that I have a young German Shepherd, Gabby, who loves the dog park! She especially loves Rabbit Hill since she has lots of friends to play with and there is even a group of German Shepherds and their owners that get together there. They even have their own Facebook page called the German Shepherd club of Rabbit Hill. How fun is that?!

Not only is this park close to my dogs and I, it’s definitely one of our favorites! Please let me know if this is helpful and what park you would like us to visit next.
If you are new to the dog park experience I suggest you read a great article from The Bark; Behavior; Dog Park Tips. When you know what to expect it will be a great experience for you and your best friend.

left to right; Lucy, Jake, Gabby, George

left to right; Lucy, Jake, Gabby, George

2015-01-16 10.56.12

Dachshunds

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Dapple

The Dachshund, or more commonly known as the “Weiner Dog” is long but short-legged dog that was originally bred to find badgers, rabbits, and prairie dogs who is part of the hound group. The name Dachshund means, “badger dog” and currently, the Dachshund is on the top 10 dog breeds in the United States, according to the AKC. Now, they are primarily family dogs, being great with children. They are mostly popular amongst those who live in apartments, ranking in the top 100 for dogs living in major US cities. Do you have a Dachshund? Send us your little ones pictures!

 

Photo credit

The Boston Terrier

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Are you looking for a big dog in a small dog’s body?  The boston terrier may be your pick.  Originating in the United States, the breed is nicknamed the “American Gentleman” for its tuxedo patterned coloring and its refined and pleasant personality.  He is a compact little guy, with erect ears and a slick coat and short tail weighing between 15 and 25 pounds.  They are generally happy-go-lucky and eager to please, given a patient owner.  They can be protective which can lead to aggression towards people and other animals, if not properly socialized.  They require very minimal grooming.  Many bostons cannot tolerate extreme heat or cold temperatures due to their very short snout, known as Brachycephalic dogs.  This characteristic makes them more prone to snoring and reverse sneezing.  Boston terriers are usually rather quiet dogs and only bark when necessary.  This makes them perfect for apartment dwellers.  They typically enjoy being around people and are usually good with children, elderly, and other pets.  Some common health problems are cataracts and other eye problems, luxating patella in their legs, deafness, heart murmurs, and tumors.  I can personally vouch for the breed because I have owned one myself for six years now.  My beloved Higgins is a wonderful family dog and the whole family adores him.  I highly recommend the breed to anyone that wants a tough little dog that can run with the big boys!

A Common Saying…

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I am sure you have seen posted far and wide the saying, “All you need is love…and a dog.”  From Facebook to Twitter to wall signs…I have seen it just about everywhere.  Why is it seen from coffee mugs to t-shirts?  Because it is the universal truth.  Our dogs keep us healthy and happy.  Literally.  The American Heart Association found that pet owners lowered their risk of heart attack. And people who have heart disease and who own a pet are more likely to survive a heart attack.  Even the CDC has a “Healthy Pets, Healthy People” portal on their website dedicated completely to pet owners.  No doubt, pets are a huge part of our lives.  Reading and watching all of the scary things that go on in our world, our pets keep the innocence and sanity in our homes for us.  Whether they are licking your face, curling up next to you, or wagging their whole body when they greet you when you are coming home from work, all you need is love…and a dog!

Bogan Park in Buford

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Has anyone ever been to Bogan Park in Buford?  It is located off North Bogan Road and has easy access from Hamilton Mill Road.  The park is 83 acres of pet friendly walking trails and a huge indoor aquatic center.  There are multiple playgrounds, outdoor basketball courts, a seven field baseball/softball complex, and a football field.  They also have sand volleyball courts and some outdoor pavilions available to reserve.  The two miles of walking trails are beautiful and are situated in a wooded area surrounding a small body of water.  You will always see multiple dogs getting walked on the trails or hanging out under the pavilions during family get togethers or events.   The park is very shaded, so even in the hot summer, it is comfortable to walk your pet.  I have not seen an off leash dog park at this facility, so that is something that they can look in to adding in the future.  I have taken my dogs to this park before and they really enjoyed the atmosphere and there is no shortage of people to interact with on days with nice weather.  Plus, if you have children, there are many activities for them to partake in, so you will have entertainment for your two legged and four legged children.  I give this park four out of five paws up!

Scoop that Poop at the Dog Park!

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With the bipolar weather in Georgia, we have to take advantage of the nice days for our pooches and venture out to the dog park when the weather permits.  I have noticed that, despite signs, a doggy clean up station, and free disposal bags, not everyone thinks that they should have to clean up after their dog.  This is not okay!  Some dogs may carry contagious bacteria in their feces.  This may spread to other dogs and cause an unnecessary trip to the vet where money must be spent, again, unnecessarily. Also, I do not want to step in poop and neither do my dogs!  Some people may see someone else not pick up their dog’s waste, and assume that it is okay for them not to do it as well.  Let’s all set a good example and prevent unneeded catastrophe at the dog park.  Please clean up after your pooch!

Events for Saturday, September 20th

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There are two events on Saturday, September 20, 2014.  The first is Bark for Life Canton.  The American Cancer Society sponsors it and it is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer.  Go walk for a great cause!  The other event the 10th annual Hot Lips Hustle 5K in Marietta. This fast, flat, certified 5K race in Marietta is fun for the whole family (and dogs, too)! Chip timing, live DJ, trophies in 14 age groups, prize giveaways and great t-shirts define the Hot Lips as the must-run race of the fall. Entries will be capped at 500 participants for this celebratory event, so register now! Families, dogs, runners and all walkers are welcome. All dog participants receive special collar tags and the top three dog finishers receive special awards. This race was founded by a Marietta girl born with cleft palate who wanted to give back to needy families with children who cannot afford treatment for this crippling birth defect. Since inception, the Hot Lips Hustle has changed over 200 children’s lives through The Smile Train.  People are encouraged to let their dogs participate for an additional $5 per dog.  Both of these activities are benefiting great causes!

The Rainbow Bridge

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After recently losing my beloved dog, Polo, everyone in the dog world told me that he would be at the Rainbow Bridge waiting for me. But, what exactly is the Rainbow Bridge?  The poem goes like this:

‘There is a bridge connecting Heaven and Earth. It is called the Rainbow Bridge because of its many colors. Just this side of the Rainbow Bridge there is a land of meadows, hills and valleys with lush green grass.

When a beloved pet dies, the pet goes to this place. There is always food and water and warm spring weather. All the animals who have been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Her bright eyes are intent; her eager body begins to quiver. Suddenly she begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, her legs carrying her faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together, never again to be separated.’

I hope that this concept of a paradise where pets wait for their human owners is true!  The animals do not simply wait for their owners, but they also help each other learn and grow, and recover from mistreatment that they may have endured in life.  Several of our sitters at Gwinnett Pet Watchers have lost a pet recently and it has been very hard for all of us.  This blog is dedicated to anyone who has lost a pet.  I hope this poem gives you encouragement and cheers you up.  I know that it has given me hope and is helping  me to get through.