Kelly's Pet Sitting
Loving In-Home Care For Your Pets
PET LOVERS BLOG
Blog
The Ins and Outs of Pet Grooming
Posted on 28 January, 2018 at 18:54 |
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Avoiding Pet Depression
Posted on 14 November, 2017 at 17:51 |
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Pet First Aid Kit - Be Prepared for Emergencies
Posted on 1 December, 2016 at 14:49 |
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This is a comprehensive pet first aid list complied by Dr. Becker that I want to share with my pet sitting friends. As a professional pet sitter, I have had pet first aid training and also carry a well-stocked pet first aid kit in my car. At every visit, the sitters at Kelly's Pet Sitting will assess you furry friend's health and we are prepared for emergencies if they should arise. By Dr. Becker If you’re like most people,
having a first aid kit handy is not something you’re terribly concerned about
-- until you really need one. And a first aid kit for four-legged family
members may be the furthest thing from your mind. But when faced with an
emergency involving a beloved family pet, many people literally cannot think
straight. And the more dire the situation, the less able they are to be
effective. That’s why having a pet first aid kit prepared and easily accessible
for emergencies is an excellent idea. It can take some of the guesswork and
wheel spinning out of the equation, while also providing tools that can help
you help your pet. And what you might not realize
is that a pet first aid kit is a snap to put together, and you never know -- it
might just help you save the life of your precious companion one day. Getting Started: A Clear
Plastic Container and an Emergency Phone List It’s a good idea to keep the
contents of your pet’s first aid kit in a clear plastic container so that one
quick glance will tell you you’ve found what you’re looking for. A very
inexpensive solution is a good-sized plastic zipper bag big enough to hold the
supplies listed below, including a bath size cotton towel. The first thing you’ll need for
your kit is an emergency telephone list with the following information: ·
The phone number and address of
your pet’s veterinarian. ·
The phone number and address
(and directions, if necessary) to the closest emergency animal hospital. ·
The phone number of your local
animal ambulance or transportation service, if one is available. ·
The Animal Poison Control
hotline at 1-888-426-4435. You can either tape the list to
the outside of the kit, or place it inside, positioned where you can read it
without even having to open the kit. Recommended Supplies for Your
Pet’s First Aid Kit A muzzle the right size for your pet. It may seem
cruel to place a muzzle on a sick or injured pet, but it’s important to protect
the humans handling and caring for the animal. The most docile, gentle pets in
the world can become snappish out of fear or due to pain. A collar or harness and leash. A pair of tweezers for splinter or tick removal. A nail trimmer or clipper. A pair of blunt-tipped scissors to trim hair away
from a wound, or to clip out foreign material caught in your pet’s fur. Pre-soaked povidone iodine (Betadine) pads to clean out cuts, wounds or abrasions, and bottled
water. The wound should be flushed with water after using the pre-soaked
pads. Saline solution. Regular human contact lens saline drops can be used to flush
out dirt, sand or other irritants from your pet’s eye. It can also be used to
flush away debris from a cut or scrape. Triple antibiotic ointment to apply to a wound after it has been cleaned with povidone iodine
and flushed with water. Sterile water-soluble lubricating jelly. You can apply water-soluble lubricating jelly around your
pet’s eyes if you need to use soap or povidone iodine to clean a wound close to
the eyes. Sterile non-stick pads to cover a wound before bandaging. Bandage material, either elastic bandages or gauze to
hold a non-stick pad in place over a wound. Hydrogen peroxide 3% to induce vomiting,
but only if your vet or the Animal Poison Control hotline instructs you to do
so. Always call your vet or the hotline if you believe your dog or cat may have
ingested a toxic substance. Hydrogen peroxide should not be used to clean a
wound, as it is known to actually slow the healing process. A clean cotton towel that can serve multiple
purposes, from a pressure bandage, to a blanket, to a sling to lift a larger
pet that isn’t able to walk. A flashlight. Sometimes a bright light source can help
you more readily identify that thorn in your pet’s paw or the tiny tick in
between her toes. Other Items You Might Want to
Include: ·
Cotton balls and swabs ·
Ear cleanser ·
Benadryl for hypersensitivity
reactions ·
Bach Rescue Remedy for stress ·
Homeopathic Aconitum for shock ·
Styptic/clotting powder to stop
bleeding from broken toenails ·
A thermometer If you’d prefer not to make your own kit, you can also buy a ready-made pet
first aid kit. |
How to Bring a Scared Cat Out of Hiding
Posted on 8 April, 2016 at 16:31 |
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Dog Park Etiquette - Kelly's Pet Sitting Medford, OR
Posted on 28 May, 2015 at 1:45 |
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My dogs love going to the dog park to
socialize and be off leash. Sometimes they want to play with other
dogs or chase balls and other times they would rather just accompany
me around the park as I walk or lay down and relax. Either way, we
all get to unwind and enjoy ourselves.
Now that summer and warmer weather is
here, a lot more people will be taking their dogs to the dog park to
socialize and exercise. Here are eight tips for having a happy dog
park experience. Take a pre-park walk. With our busy
schedules, we dog owners often use a trip to the dog park as a way to
get all that excess energy out of our pups. That means the dogs
coming in are at their peak level of energy. This may be the first
real exercise they have gotten in hours, sometimes all day. You know
this is what happened whenever you see a dog charge through the gate
and head face first into trouble. The dog park should be used for
socialization as well as mental and physical exercise, and to do that
safely a pup needs to come in calm and relaxed. If your dog is
unable to enter the park without having any self control, take a
pre-park walk around a block or two. Mind the gates. Many dog parks have at
least two gates you have to go through before getting in our out of
the main park area. One of the reasons for these gates is to keep
unleashed dogs inside. No matter how eager your dog is to get inside
and join the fun or to go home, make sure you enter and exit safely.
You should only go into the “leashing and unleashing” area when
there is no one, or no other dog inside. If someone is already in
the process of going in our coming out, stop, step aside, and wait
your turn. Always close and secure each gate behind you as you move
through it. Just because your dog is ready to move on safely, that
doesn't mean a dog on either side of the gate is ready to do the
same.
Go leash-free. If a dog park is
off-leash, you need to take the leash off your dog. Do so in that
area between the two gates when there is no other dog around and you
can make sure your dog is calm, cool, and collected before heading in
to be with the masses. A dog on a leash, when all others are off,
can cause trouble. A leashed dog is a magnet for other dogs to come
check out and when that happens the poor pup on the leash can easily
get scared because of his inability to react in the way the unleashed
dogs do – the ability to get away if needed. This can be a recipe
for a brawl.
Stay Calm. When a bunch of humans are
put into one area with our furry babies, there can be differences of
opinions and protectiveness of our pets. I've seen rational humans
morph into insane lunatics in reaction to something or someone. Calm
down, take a deep breath, and walk away – do anything that helps
you NOT become “that guy.” When you put a bunch of dogs together
and then add very opinionated owners, you are bound to have a scuffle
now and then. As long as no one is hurt, pick yourselves up. shake
it off, and move on. Dogs will react to the emotions of the humans
around them, especially THEIR humans. When you go crazy, your dog is
sure to follow, and that isn't good. Follow the rules regarding age and keep
kids close. Many dog parks prohibit children under a certain age
from entering. Even if they are allowed, they need to be closely
watched (as in stay right next to them). Just because your dog is
good with your kid, that doesn't mean other dogs will be. Letting a
child be unsupervised around unfamiliar dogs, who are just being dogs
in a park designated for their kind, is unfair and unsafe for both
species.
Keep the party small. Be aware of any
rules you dog park has limiting the number of dogs one person can
bring. Even if there isn't a rule, only take as many dogs as you can
watch at once, and reasonably control if things get out of hand.
Leave human food at home. DO NOT bring
human food into a dog park – EVER! You are just asking for
trouble. And it's also a good idea to leave the dog treats at home
too. If other dogs smell the food or dog treats, they may be
food-possessive, and this can trigger a fight.
Let the dogs teach each other. The
best thing that can happen to a puppy at a dog park is to learn
manners from their elders. Puppies may not heed another dog's “get
back” warnings and may find themselves being disciplined for their
bad behavior. They may yelp, but they are being taught a lesson. If
this happens to your puppy, do a quick check to make sure he is ok,
but let him walk it off and absorb the lesson. He will be better off
when he learns common courtesy. If you tend to be overprotective of
your pooch and don't let dog lessons happen, you may be inadvertently
teaching your pup to be afraid of other dogs and react negatively.
Which is the exact opposite of why you are going to the dog park in
the first place. Do you have any tips for the dog park?
Share them in the comments below. Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, OR can help keep your dog happy during the day by providing daily dog walks while you are at work or on vacation. We also provide play time which can mentally and physically satisfy your dog's need for stimulation and interaction to help prevent destructive behaviors. |
How Your Pet Sitter Can Help Train Your Puppy
Posted on 19 April, 2015 at 18:41 |
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How Your Pet Sitter Can
Help Train Your Puppy Having a new puppy is such an exciting
time! They are so adorable, playful, and well, just FUN.
FACT: Puppies require a LOT of time. A
new puppy's needs can be overwhelming and most pet parents have jobs
to go to or other responsibilities and just don't have that kind of
time in their day; so let the professionals do it for you. That's where Kelly's Pet Sitting comes
in. Our experienced pet sitters understand that your pup needs to
stay on schedule in order to have success at potty training and to
begin experiencing life in a positive way.
Crate Training If you are crate training, the rule of
thumb is 1 hour in the crate for every 1 month of age. So if you have
a 3 month pup, you can only expect him to hold it for 3 hours between
potty breaks. We love nothing better than to take them outside,
praise them for doing their business and help them understand that
their crate is a safe place to hang out. As they grow, their time in
the crate can be increased.
As your pup grows, we can work with you
if you would like to have an area of your home gated off to contain
the pup until we know they are reliable in their potty training.
Having a potty trained dog makes everyone's life easier! Manners/Training We will work with you while you are
training your pup basic commands and manners which is a vital part of
raising a puppy to be a polite member of your family. We will discuss
with you which words you want to use with your pup to keep it
consistent and reinforce these basic commands in a positive way.
Exercise Young dogs have a tremendous amount of
energy! They need time to run and play, chew and receive love and
cuddles. We believe that puppies (and all dogs) need a healthy outlet
for all of that energy so they don't turn to destructive behaviors in
order to entertain themselves. A tired dog is a happy dog!
So, if you have a new puppy that you
would like some help with, or even an adult dog who could really use
some attention, love and exercise during the day, please contact
Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, Oregon. We LOVE pets and want to
help you to have a happy pet while also fulfilling your daily
obligations. Our pet sitters are bonded, insured and background
checked for your peace of mind.
Call us today at 541-601-7461 or visit
our website: www.kellyspetsitting.net.
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Why Does My Cat Do That?
Posted on 4 February, 2015 at 3:10 |
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I have been studying Pet Sitter's
International Certification Program Coursework to further my
education in the areas of pet care, health, behaviors, etc. in order
to be the best pet sitter I can possibly be. I wanted to share some
of the information I am learning with pet owners, particularly CAT
owners in this blog. Cats are not fond of change, so pet
sitting is the best option by far for taking care of a cat while the
owner is away. But there are still issues with cats that pet sitters
need to recognize, know what's behind the behaviors and how to deal
with them.
Our cat companions can be a real
challenge at times. Sometimes we just don't understand why our cats
are acting strange, or being destructive. As a professional pet
sitter, I know that sometimes cats can act differently for a pet
sitter than they do with their pet parents. And, I am also owned by 3
cats myself, so I know how perplexing cat behavior can be.
Here are some possible explanations for
“WHY do they do it?” A
good example of that is going outside of the litterbox. The cat may
have had a sub-clinical medical problem and when you add any sort of
stress, it goes over the edge. That's why a problem seems to appear
suddenly – out of the blue. An experienced pet sitter can alert you
to any changes in litterbox habits that may indicate a health concern
that would warrant a check up by your veterinarian.
Some cats you
sit for, you may never see. You peek under the bed and there they
are! With a cat like that, you don't want to reach in and try to
haul it out Believe what it's telling you. If it's looking for a
fight, leave it alone. Make sure your pet sitter is experienced in
cat behavior in order to make your feline feel relaxed and
comfortable while you are away. I find that almost every cat I have
cared for comes out eventually to see me, even if I have been told “I
will probably never see the cat.”
You've got to
give a cat an opportunity to be a cat or it will act out. Cats are
predatory, playful, territorial. Providing a cat with the attention
it needs, whether it be petting, lap time, chasing after toys or
laser lights, are all easy outlets for you to provide for your feline
friend. Cats need daily interaction with their humans. For social
and active kitties you may want to have your sitter visit two times a
day. A lot of people
get injured by introducing a cat to a dog by holding it out and
saying, “Kitty, meet Doggy.” You are the nearest vertical object
and that cat wants to get away and high up to safety. At this point,
you simply become an obstacle to go over or through. If you try to
handle the cat, you'll get bit or scratched. Cat scratches or bites
can be very serious – always seek medical attention. Also, it is
best to let your cat be the one to initiate contact with a new person
in your home at their own comfort level.
Cats are the
best blackmail artists in the world. They will meow and meow and
they won't give up! They know they'll eventually get the attention
they want. A dog will ask for a while, then go away. Not a cat. See
if you can figure out what your kitty is asking for. Is it
affection? Play time? Wanting to be petted? Note: Sometimes they
are just beggars for more treats or food. Be sure you are feeding
them a nutritious diet and the proper amount to keep kitty at a
healthy weight. But, a couple treats never hurt, right?
Destructive
scratching is usually territory marking, exercise or claw sharpening.
Be sure you have several scratching posts available for your kitty.
Kittens need to be taught where it is appropriate to scratch. I
sprinkle cat nip on the areas I want kitty to scratch and I provide
vertical and horizontal scratching opportunities in various locations
throughout my home.
Cats need a
place to “do their business” that is private and away from their
feeding areas. The general rule is one litter box per cat, plus one
extra if you have multiple cats. They should be placed in different
areas of the house and cleaned daily. If you need to change the type
of litter you use, it should be done gradually. Cats do not usually
like change and may go outside the box when there are sudden changes.
THE “FELINE
TOOL BOX” There are some
things that I have found useful in my profession as a cat sitter, as
well as sharing my own home with cats.
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The Dangers of Antifreeze
Posted on 5 January, 2015 at 18:54 |
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The Dangers of Antifreeze My blog this month is a post by Dr. Jeff Grognet and Mike Annan at ACE Academy for Canine Educators. Antifreeze is so deadly that I wanted to highlight the importance of keeping it out of reach from your pets. Without immediate veterinary treatment the prognosis for recovery is very grim. Dogs and cats are very curious by nature so I felt this was extemely important to share. Ethylene glycol, the most common type of antifreeze commercially available, has an extremely sweet taste. This means that pets, wildlife, and even children are attracted to it. Unfortunately, ethylene glycol (EG) is also very toxic. Once it is absorbed through the intestinal lining, it is metabolized in the body to a chemical called oxalate. In the blood, oxalate causes little harm, but when it concentrates in the kidney tubules, it forms microscopic crystals. These crystals plug the tubules, block urine flow and shut down urine production. With nowhere to go, toxins build up in the bloodstream and poison the pet. When EG is first consumed, the animal suffers from vomiting and delirium but, in many cases, owners do not notice these symptoms. Over the next few days as kidney function deteriorates, drinking increases significantly. Once toxins reach a toxic level, which is normally three to four days after EG consumption, appetite falls and the legs become weak. Over time (a few more days), the toxins cause extreme lethargy and dullness. Pets can then slip into a coma or begin convulsing. Death soon follows. Treatment, once signs are evident, is considered futile. The kidneys are already damaged beyond repair. The only ones that recover from EG toxicity are ones that are caught consuming EG and treated immediately. If therapy begins within an hour of consumption, the conversion of EG to oxalate can be inhibited and the poisoning averted. The treatment for EG poisoning is administration of ethyl alcohol (the one you drink) intravenously. The high level of ethyl alcohol in the blood saturates the enzyme that converts EG to oxalate and stops oxalate from being created. The EG is eliminated from the body and causes no harm. Alcohol intoxication must be continued for 48 hours. Because EG poisoning is so deadly, it’s not surprising it is the number one cause of fatalities in dogs and cats. It is also an issue with children who may find the bright, often yellow container attractive and consume it. This has led to pressure from both veterinarians and animal welfare groups against antifreeze manufacturers and government for change. Years ago, and even now, groups promote the use of the non-toxic antifreeze propylene glycol instead of EG. Labeled as “pet-safe”, propylene glycol is slightly more expensive than EG, bit it is a great way to protect dogs. You can ask your mechanic to add this instead of the traditional antifreeze on the next radiator fill up. The other way to protect pets is to make EG unpalatable. This is done by adding a bittering agent. British Columbia was the first province to enact laws protecting dogs from this toxic antifreeze. Legislation took effect January 1,2011 and it makes it mandatory to add an extremely bitter substance to antifreeze and engine coolant. But, this only affects EG sold at the retail level in BC. Though the bittering agent will lessen the appeal of EG to pets, it does not eliminate its toxicity. You still need to be careful when handling or disposing of any antifreeze product. And, a loophole is that mechanics aren’t required to use the safe antifreeze because they aren’t selling it. So, make sure you know what is added to your radiator. Dr. Jeff Grognet and Mike Annan ACE Academy for Canine Educators [email protected] |
Keeping Kitty Safe at Christmas
Posted on 20 December, 2014 at 3:24 |
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5 REASONS WHY PET OWNERS ARE CALLING KELLY'S PET SITTING
Posted on 11 November, 2014 at 23:57 |
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5 REASONS WHY PET
OWNERS ARE CALLING KELLY'S PET SITTING Written by Kelly Hall,
Owner of Kelly's Pet Sitting, LLC Our business has been growing steadily
in the 10 years we have been providing pet care to Medford, Oregon
area clients. So we have to ask, Why are pet owners calling Kelly's
Pet Sitting for their dog and cat sitting needs, instead of another
professional pet sitter in our area? WORD OF MOUTH: Many of our new
clients come to us because one of our existing clients referred us to
them. We feel this is the greatest compliment of all when we hear the
wonderful things our clients have to say about us and that they want
their friends, family and co-workers to receive the same great care
that they have experienced. PEACE OF MIND: I have clients
tell me that Kelly's Pet Sitting gives them the Peace Of Mind that
they have been looking for. What creates this Peace of Mind?
Several things: Trust, Reliability, Knowledge of Pet Care, Behavior,
Health, etc. Some have tried boarding their dogs in kennels and their
pets returned to them stressed out or sick with kennel cough. Others
have used friends, neighbors or family in the past and were not
satisfied with the care their pets received (or even worse, no one
showed up!). Others tell me, they are tired of imposing on friends or
family (even if they do a great job) but even well-meaning friends or
family sometimes forget, or make other plans, after saying they would
sit for you. Not surprising that people have a life of their own, is
it? That is why you hire a professional pet sitter who does this for
a living! At Kelly's Pet Sitting, your pets are
are #1 priority. You schedule with us and you no longer have to worry
about your pet's care. We will be there EVERY time as promised,
giving your pets the top quality care and attention they deserve. We
also keep in touch with you while you are gone. You can receive a
daily text from your pet sitter, photos, etc. to let you know
everything is going fine at home.
ONLY
THE MOST QUALIFIED PET SITTERS:
Our clients love that we can offer flexibility in scheduling for our
client's convenience. We are a small family owned business, not a
large pet sitting company that feels like a chain store! Besides
Kelly, the owner, who pet sits and manages the business, we have a
couple of wonderful pet sitters on staff. Our pet sitters are:
bonded, insured, experienced, back ground checked, and of course,
true animal lovers. The only sitters I have on my staff are the ones
that I feel completely comfortable having the sitter in MY home,
caring for MY precious pets. Having more than 1 sitter enables us to
back up one another in case of injury or illness, busy times, and
allow the sitter time off to spend time with family and friends (very
important!). No one can work 7 days per week/365 days per year
(believe me I have tried), yet we are able to offer pet sitting
services to you and your pets throughout the year! AVAILABILITY: Because we do this
on a full time basis (and how we make our living) we have more
availability. Some “pet sitters” do this on the side and have to
work around their school or work schedule which may not be convenient
for you and your schedule. When they can't accommodate you, you are
back to square one, wondering who will care for your pets.
GREAT CLIENT REVIEWS: You can
also check out our online reviews.
GOOGLE – 5 Star Reviews here:
https://www.google.com/local/business/u/0/b/115621546768558161079/reviews/l/16762404956830713857?service=plus YELP – 5 Star Reviews here:
Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/kellys-pet-sitting-medford FACEBOOK – 5 Star Reviews
here:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Kellys-Pet-Sitting/113658275375055 ANGIE'S LIST: we have had some
great reviews on Angie's List, but unfortunately they require more
PAID Members for them to show up :(
Once clients have used our pet sitting
services they are excited to tell other pet owners they know about
us, so that they too can enjoy stress-free vacations or work days,
knowing that their pets have the excellent care they deserve.
Whether you need dog sitting, a cat
sitter, or any other type of pet care, we do that! We offer daily
visits, overnights or dog walking while on vacation or at work.
Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, OR is here to help!
SO WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Visit our website for more information: www.kellyspetsitting.net CONTACT US: E-MAIL: [email protected] or PHONE: Call us today
at 541-601-7461 to discuss your pet care needs and to set up your
complimentary “Meet and Greet” to meet you and your pets at your
home. You'll be happy you did and your pets will be too! |
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