Does your dog scarf down his food?

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Sometimes dogs so things very fast…puppies grow up fast, dogs run fast, play fast, and wag their tails fast.  Some dogs even eat fast, which is not something that we, as pet owners, want them to do.  The risk of eating too fast is that they can suffer from bloat.  Bloat is when speedy eating and gulping cause excessive amounts of air, food, and liquid to fill the stomach and it blows up like a balloon.  The result is a trip to the vet and about 25-40% of dogs do not survive.  Luckily, pet owners have an easy solution for their pets ravenous eating.  It’s called the slow feeder dog bowl.  There are many different brands, but they all do the trick.  We, at Gwinnett Pet Watchers, have many clients that use these bowls for their dogs and they work great and save lives.  Do not take any chances if your dog is a rapid eater.  Go get yourself (and your pet) the slow feeder dog bowl!

The hottest new trend in dog training…there’s an app for that!

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Still having trouble getting your dog to sit, stay, or down? Well, the answer is in your pocket. Just take out your phone and download an app that will walk you through the training process. 2014 will be the year when pet training apps blow up. They’ll have an answer for all of those unexpected issues, like say when you’re at the dog park and your dog just won’t stop humping the other dogs, or won’t come back to you because he doesn’t want to leave yet. I expect they will also feature emergency information such as how to administer first aid or where to find the closest 24 hour veterinarian. Some of the apps that I have looked at for our canine friends are Dog Park by Dogster.com, Pet MD Dog’s First Aid, Puppy House Training, The Dog Whistler App, Clicker Training, and The Dog Translator.  Some of these apps are really neat and I highly recommend them!  I have tried some of these apps with my clients at Gwinnett Pet Watchers and have really enjoyed them.

Rabbit Hunting

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I just took care of some beagles last week that are used for rabbit hunting.  When Robin, Kim, and I were at the meet and greet, we were all very curious as to what rabbit hunting actually is defined as.  We asked many questions, and I did my own research when I had a chance at home.  It is more of a sport than actual hunting and killing rabbits.  It gives the dogs a chance to do what they are bred to do and get lots of exercise, making them a much calmer and well balanced pet.  The owner likes to run his beagles in field trials and runs the rabbits, but very rarely shoots them.  I think all of us at Gwinnett Pet Watchers were happy to hear that!  We are all animal lovers.  Beagle field trials are a performance event through the American Kennel Club.  There are many different categories in these trials.  It is always very interesting to learn about something that a dog breed was actually meant to do and what they were bred for.

What Are We Feeding Our Pets?

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Do You Realize What Harmful Ingredients Are In A Popular Dog Food Brand? 

 

I used to feed my dogs Iams food. Thirty years ago when I first started training dogs, Iams and Eukanuba were considered  very good dog food .  Did you know that Iams and Eukanuba yep, Proctor and gamble. Back then I was training dogs for an organization called  Bad Dogs Inc. The owner Bob Moorefield, was a big believer in good nutrition.  Bob also  feeding a good food meant cleaning up less waste.

Over the years the formula for both Iams and Eukenuba has changed. I know that I don’t know everything there is to know about dog food but I do know enough that I no longer put  Iams no longer  on my list of good dog foods.

Both Iams and Eukanuba contain Ethoxyquin. Ethoxyquin is a fat preservative used in some dog foods that is controversial. Some of these fears are linked with the product also being used as a pesticide and in making rubber. Most experts agree that when use properly the  additive is not toxic. For this reason after repeated investigations the United States FDA has ruled the additive may be safely used in animal feeds when used according to regulations.

 

Read more about Ethoxyguin later …

 

Do you brush your dog’s teeth?

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Dental health is very important to your dog’s health.  Get yourself a toothbrush made especially for canines; you can even get a full kit that includes the toothbrush and toothpaste.   It is important to get toothpaste made especially for canines or make a paste out of baking soda and water. Never use fluoride with dogs under six months of age—it can interfere with their enamel formation. And please do not use human toothpaste, which can irritate a dog’s stomach. Special mouthwash for dogs is also available—ask your vet.  After you have the correct supplies, taking these steps will make brushing a lot easier for the both of you:

  • First get your dog used to the idea of having her teeth brushed. Massage her lips with your finger in a circular motion for 30 to 60 seconds once or twice a day for a few weeks. Then move on to her teeth and gums.
  • When your pooch seems comfortable being touched this way, put a little bit of dog-formulated toothpaste or a paste of baking soda and water on her lips to get her used to the taste.
  • Next, introduce a toothbrush designed especially for dogs—it should be smaller than a human toothbrush and have softer bristles. Toothbrushes that you can wear over your finger (or a clean piece of gauze) are also available and allow you to give a nice massage to your dog’s gums.
  • Finally, apply the toothpaste to her teeth for a gentle brushing.
  • A veterinary exam beforehand may be helpful to find out if your dog’s gums are inflamed. If your dog has mild gingivitis, brushing too hard can hurt her gums.
  • Try to brush two to three times per week.

Following these simple steps can prevent gum disease and tartar on your dog’s teeth and we, at Gwinnett Pet Watchers, recommend it for all of our canine friends!

Grass Eating

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Why do pets eat grass?  Well, there are a few different reasons.   Some dogs and cats love the taste.  Grass contains fiber and some pets find it tasty.  Another reason could simply be boredom.  Stuck in the back yard by himself, your pet may just decide to eat his troubles away.  Are you providing enough exercise for your pet?  Another theory is that grass eating could be a form of self-medication.  If the behavior starts suddenly, then this could be the case and it could be a sign of something a little more serious if the behavior is not typical of your pet.   Whatever the reason, there is no need to panic.  Veterinarians consider grass eating among pets to be normal and as long as there are no harmful pesticides or chemicals on the grass, then your pet should be fine.  To keep your grass eater safe, use only non-toxic products on your lawn and when in public, keep a careful watch of what your pup puts in his mouth.

The Best Pet Sitter in Gwinnett County!

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Last Friday one of my sitters was having car trouble so I had to fill in. This was not a planned vacation so it gives me an excellent opportunity to check in and see how my sitters are treating our clients.
At one home I found a note thanking Amelia taking the time to pick up a little as she was washing the pets bowls. At another house the client came home while I was still walking their dogs so I had a chance to visit the owners. They could not say enough about how wonderful Amelia is. The praises range from her wonderful text messages, neighbors seeing how happy the pets are when being walked , and the fact the owner know the pets love her!
I am not saying that it is easy to find good people, but it sure is easy to recognize good people when you find them. A very special that a girl to Amelia, obviously you are going above and beyond to take care of our clients. Thank you for all you do every day!

amelia and her jack

If you live in the Lawrenceville, Buford, Sugar Hill, or Suwannee area and would like to have Amelia take care your pet(s) give me a call 404-819-3641 and we will set up a free consultation.

Snow Storm 2014

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What a crazy day at Gwinnett Pet Watchers. We all knew that the snow was coming, but I don’t think any of us had any idea that everyone was going to head home at the same time. This caused absolute gridlock in the city of Atlanta Georgia.

Gwinnett pet watchers is a pet sitting company that covers Gwinnett County. Gwinnett County is a northern suburb of Atlanta. Most of our clients do not work here in Gwinnett, but work inside the perimeter.

Around 1 o’clock on January 28, 2014; my phone started ringing off the hook. Many of my clients were tied up in the traffic trying to get home; and they were worried about their pets. The roads in Lawrenceville, Buford, Dacula, Lilburn and Snellville were just fine. The biggest problem we were running into was the traffic around schools where parents were picking up their children.

We have four sitters that cover Gwinnett County. So we split the clients up and  used our knowledge of back roads to  stay away from all schools. We were able to get all  of our clients home and take care of their  four legged kids. Everyone  got out to use the bathroom. We gave them  fresh water and food and got them settle down to wait for their parents to come home.

Yet another good reason to have a relationship with a pet sitter. You never know when an emergency will strike and you will need help with your fuzzy little friends.

A Trip to the Vet

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Jake split one of his nails playing fetch over the weekend. I took it to the vet this morning to have the nail cut back and see if he needed any antibiotics. You know these crazy people with their pets who are so overprotective that they actually make the dog nervous and obnoxious, oh my God I am That pet owner!!
When the vet tech came in I explained that and Jake is very skittish and i was concerned that he might nip if he was frightened. I proceeded to put a box muzzle on him to protect him from himself. She then put a leash on him and was going to walk him to the back room to get weighed and get is now clipped. As she was leading him through the door he put on his brakes and looked at me with those big brown eyes. I told her he might not go with her and that I probably should walk with them. She looked at me with the same look I give my clients and said trust me as soon as that door is closed and he can’t see you I will have better control of him.
A few minutes later they came back in. She had the muzzle in her hand and Jake was wagging his tail. she said he had been perfect. He had let them cut his nails and got his rabies shot. She said he was a perfect gentleman not a whiner and did everything they asked him to.
It’s funny how I know all this stuff and put it into practice daily, but when it comes to my pets I turn into “That” pet owner.  I really could be one of my own clients.

New York Governor Signs Puppy Mill Regulation Bill

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What a great victory for animal rights.

I don’t know if you have walked through any of our shelters lately, they are overflowing with pets who need homes. I hear the well meaning message from  rescue groups “don’t buy a puppy until all animals  in our shelters have homes.” While this is well meant it doesn’t address the root of the problem. We must put  puppy mills and backyard breeders out of business or  we will continue to fight a losing battle against the overpopulation in our shelters.

Many of you who know me know I think less government is better. However government should stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. That would include the elderly, children, and animals.

Obviously the laws that we have on the books right now either are not being implemented or just don’t work. It is time to make some changes. Good job New York, the state of Georgia could take a list lesson on this one.