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Is your dog overweight?

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Recent surveys indicate that about 50% of America’s dog population is overweight.  Recent surveys also suggest that way less than 50% of Americans think that their pets are overweight.  There are several tell tale signs that your pup may be a little pudgy.  One way is to stand your dog up and view over the top of him or her.  There should be an inward curve just behind the rib cage.  If there is a straight line from head to tail, then you may need to put your pooch on a diet.  Also, if you view your pet from the side, there should be an upward curve right behind the rib cage.  If there is no curve or there is sagginess in the belly, your dog is more than likely in need of losing a few pounds.  When you run your fingers over the dog’s rib cage, you should be able to feel each individual rib. If you feel sheets of fat and your hand doesn’t easily slide across the rib cage, there is too much fat!  I have found that most people think that you should not be able to see ribs on their dog, but that is actually not the case.  One of the perks of having a pet sitter is your dog will be walked regularly and that keeps them healthy and exercised.

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!

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!

DOGTV

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Have you heard of the cable channel dedicated to entertaining your dogs while you are away from home?  It is called DOGTV and according to the network’s creators, their research has proven that it really does appeal to dogs.  The theory makes sense…you are at home on a quiet night with your dog curled up next to you on the couch watching tv, when something peaks your pup’s interest.  They get up, get close to the television and stare at the screen.  Why not create a 24 hour channel with things like bouncing balls, dogs playing at the park together, and grassy fields that your canine friend can enjoy?  The channel offers three to six minute segments with sights and sounds that your dog will love.  Pair this with a favorite bone or chew toy and you will have entertainment for hours.  The channel started out in California, but is now available right here in Lawrenceville, Buford, and all of Gwinnett County through DirecTV or online.

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.

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.

Gas Prices Poll

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When Gwinnett Pet Watchers was started, gas prices were on average $2.64/gallon. We have tried to keep the prices of our services down, but if prices keep rising and reach the $4.00 mark, we’ll be forced to increase prices. So, since this decision affects our clients, we want to hear from YOU on how we should charge for gas. We’d like for you to tell us whether you would rather us put in a gas surcharge per visit, or just give ourselves a cost of living raise? Take the poll below to give us your preference!

[poll id=”2″]

December Newsletter

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IN THIS ISSUE
Holiday Donations to Pet Orgs
Last minute holiday sitting
Dirty Muttini Recipe
Pet Sitting with Latrece

FEATURED ARTICLE

We encourage you to make a donation to your favorite rescue group or animal non-profit organization this holiday!

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RECENTLY ON THE GPW BLOG

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LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY SITTERS

Forgot to book your sitter for the holidays? Though limited, we still have availability this season.

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Winter 2011

First and foremost we want to express our gratitude to all of you for a wonderful 2011. Working with you and your pets has made this past year  so wonderful for us! It is hard to believe that the year is almost over. Everyone at Gwinnett Pet Watchers is incredibly grateful that we are able to do what we love while working with such great people (and animals!)

 

Although 2011 has been a successful year for Gwinnett Pet Watchers, we want to acknowledge that there are many who are not so fortunate and have had a rough year, which also means a rough year for their pets. Donations to shelters and non-profit animal organizations have decreased and they are not getting the help they need. Because of this, Gwinnett Pet Watchers will be making donations to two of our favorite animal organizations, Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen and Mostly Mutts, in lieu of giving gifts this year. We want to encourage you to do the same by donating to your favorite pet charity; instead of giving your sitter a gift, consider making a small donation in their name. Together we can make a difference!

 

Not sure what organization to donate to? Visit our Links Page for a list of our favorite Rescue Groups and Pet Charities!

 

Happy Holidays!

Dirty Muttini Recipe
 At the end of a rough day, Vinny likes to unwind with a little something for the discerning dog. A Dirty Muttini will do the trick.Ingredients:

  • 1/2 water
  • 1/2 chicken broth with NO onions (onions are toxic to dogs)
  • Chicken jerky strip

Directions:

  1. Be sure to use chicken broth with no additives, especially no onions.
  2. Mix with broth and water. Serve in your mutt’s favorite dish.
  3. Garnish with a chicken jerky strip.
  4. NEVER give alcohol to your pet!
 Do you ever make a special drink for your pooch? Maybe something warm on a cold day or a cool treat in the summer. If so,email it to us with a picture of your pal (preferably enjoying his libation) and we’ll feature it on Facebook and in our next newsletter!

Pet Sitting with Latrece
   Latrece Barcik, one of Gwinnett Pet Watchers newest sitters, has really wowed us all with her love of animals and the bond that she shares with them. We wanted to highlight her this month by letting her share some heartwarming stories from her pet sitting!     Each pet I have sat for throughout the years has given me a very special and unique experience. Not that we don’t have favorites, but I consider it a privilege that I am able to be a part of an animal’s life for any length of time, whether it is for a few days, a week, or longer. Here are a couple of fun, extra-special moments I’ve experienced in the recent months…A Springer Spaniel I sit for loves to take me to the stream behind her house. She always wades in for just a minute or two, but one day she seemed like she wanted to stay longer. I waded in with her and we ended up walking further down the stream. She was so happy, how could I say no? Obviously, it was warmer then!There was a Chihuahua that was such a bundle of energy that I thought he needed more exercise. Apparently that wasn’t the case because he didn’t go for any of it. He just kept jumping up and nipping at my hands and shirt – I couldn’t make him stop! Finally, I sat down (since walking and playing wasn’t his thing) and he jumped up in my lap, leaned against me and laid his little head on my chest, looking at me like I was the best thing since sliced bread. All he really needed were some extra snuggles! We sat that way for 20 minutes and he was calm and happy as a clam after that.

 

I try to figure out what a pet needs and deliver it. Does a dog seem a little bored? I’ll introduce them to the wonders of a peanut butter-filled Kong. Extra snuggles? Always welcome. An elderly kitty that is content to stay on her heating pad? No problem. I’ll try to be as quiet as possible to not disturb her. I’m almost always at a visit longer than I’m scheduled to be and 9 times out of 10, it’s purely by choice. I don’t set a timer; pets aren’t a meatloaf where it’s Ding!and they’re done. I just want to make sure a pet’s time away from their family is as comfortable and stress-free as possible.-LatreceSee below for details on discounted pet sitting from Latrece! 
Thank you for using Gwinnett Pet Watchers for your pet sitting needs and happy holidays!

 

Sincerely,
Robin Taylor
Gwinnett Pet Watchers
Save on pet sitting!  
For the month of January, we are offering a 10% discount on pet sitting when you mention the

“Welcome Latrece Special!”