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The Ins and Outs of Pet Grooming

Posted on 28 January, 2018 at 18:54 Comments comments (5593)
THE INS AND OUTS OF PET GROOMING
By Guest Writer Carrie Norberg

Every pet owner is different when it comes to grooming.  Of course, time and money play a role in how and how often you groom your pet.  Some like to do it themselves and others like the convenience of professional groomers. 

All pets are different too and breeds play a role in the type of grooming needed.  The information and tips below will help you better understand your pet’s grooming needs and the options that are available to you.
Breeds dictate the how and what of grooming

These links will inform you of the grooming needs for a variety of dog and cat breeds:

Dogs

Cats

Benefits of professional grooming

All professional groomers boast skilled stylists, professional products, and convenient hours but there are many more benefits.

Health
Professional groomers are trained in, and have extensive experience in identifying and mitigating pet health risks.  They can provide expertise in:

·         Avoiding harm (e.g., trimming nails too close, nipping an ear or skin, detecting skin conditions and parasites, etc.)
·         Discovering early warning signs of illnesses
·         Alleviating human allergies to pets
 
Well-being
Regular grooming will help your pet feel his or her best and generally make your pet nicer to be around.  And just like us, our pets like to be pampered.   You can choose to let the professionals handle that with services such as:
·         Nail trimming and grinding
·         Removal of tangles, burrs, and mats
·         Flea/tick removal and maintenance

Aesthetics
There are many reasons owners care about appearance, from those who enter their pets in shows to those who just want a nice looking pet.  Professional groomers can help with:
·         Haircuts styled by breed
·         Trendy styling if desired

Range of grooming services available

There are service and price ranges to fit every pet owner’s need and desires. 

Large pet stores
Going to a large pet store for grooming, like Petco or PetSmart, offers affordable grooming and multiple groomers, making it likely you can get in on pretty much any day you want.  However, expect to leave your pet there where he or she will wait in a kennel for their turn in an often noisy environment.

Boutique pet groomers
There are many in the Medford area to choose from, offering anything from basic grooming services to high-end pampering.  You can make a dedicated appointment time and it’s up to you if you’d like to leave your pet longer to meet your schedule.  With so many options, you’re likely to find a price range and services that fit you and your pet’s needs.

Mobile pet groomers
For a stress-free, convenient, and fast grooming experience, try a mobile pet groomer.  Especially great for senior pets and those who can be a little anxious.   While this option offers a one-on-one experience, most mobile groomers are run just by the business owner and that can mean a limited schedule.  Pricing tends to be higher than other grooming options.

Yelp’s list of the 10 best groomers in the Medford area:


Kelly's Pet Sitting in Medford, Oregon can be a great resource for your pets.  We can recommend groomers based on our experience or mobile groomers.  We can also provide pet taxi service to and from your grooming appointments (pending availability.) 

Avoiding Pet Depression

Posted on 14 November, 2017 at 17:51 Comments comments (5561)
Avoiding Pet Depression
 
Let's face it; it’s becoming a trend that our pets are developing very human-like issues.  Or maybe we just didn't think to notice before.  A generation ago, you never heard about pets getting cancer, and certainly not having the emotional and psychological issues that are becoming so common and often treated medicinally these days.
 
But pet depression and anxiety are real.  These sweet beings thrive on love and attention.  So it makes sense that they might succumb to the same negative psychological reactions we humans do when encountering stressful situations.  Research shows that leaving them alone for extended periods of time creates true anxiety in our pets.  Let’s take a look: 

Cats abhor change.  They crave a stable environment where they feel safe and loved.  You are a big part of that stability and when you’re away, that is a significant change for them.  Boarding is not often an effective solution since cats are territorial.  They experience stress because not only are you gone but now they are in an unfamiliar environment with the sights, smells, and sounds of other animals to boot. 

We know that dogs are pack animals and crave companionship.  Regardless of how emotionally healthy you believe your dog to be, he is likely to experience some level of separation anxiety in your absence. While boarding can provide some needed social interaction, there is the risk of aggressive situations and in most cases; your dog is left caged and alone at night in an unfamiliar place.

We care about our pets as if they are family.   We want them to be happy.  But life happens and you need to be away from them sometimes.

At Kelly’s Pet Sitting, it’s important to us that your pet is cared for both physically and emotionally while you’re away.  We come to your home where they are safe and comfortable, and we spend quality time with them. We recommend at least one visit daily for cats and two to three visits daily for dogs.  Our visits are never less than 30 minutes and we offer 45 and 60 minute visits as well.  We also offer overnights for your pet to get the maximum amount of loving and attention.

Let us relieve the inevitable guilt of leaving your pets.  We treat them like they are our own.

 

Pet First Aid Kit - Be Prepared for Emergencies

Posted on 1 December, 2016 at 14:49 Comments comments (3746)

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
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.
collar or harness and leash.
A pair of tweezers for splinter or tick removal.
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.
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.
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 Comments comments (2004)
How to Bring a Scared Cat Out of Hiding

I was recently reminded of how much patience this requires while on a Kelly's Pet Sitting visit. The female cat in question ("Hen") was ill and didn't have a cat or dog companion, so it was of the utmost importance that I get her out from under the bed and make friends with her. 
 
In my experience, there's always something that will catch a cat's attention and bring them toward you. Usually this response is instilled over time by the pet's parents. I've trained my own cats to come to the sound of a fork being tapped on the edge of a small glass dish I use to feed them canned cat food. No matter where they are (indoors or outdoors), they come running to the ringing of that dish.   
 
Other cats are crazy for a certain toy, such as feathers on the end of a piece of string, and flicking the feathers near their location will bring them leaping out. Playing hide & seek with your hand under a pillow or magazine can also bring out the hunting instinct in cats. As the cat moves toward your hand, pull the pillow or magazine back little by little, until the cat is out of his hiding place. You'll want to back up as well, so the cat doesn't feel cornered when he sees you. Speaking softly and offering a treat or a head scratch may encourage him to stay with you and not go back into hiding.  
 

Some cats love to be scratched, so the sound of your finger nails raking across the carpet or on your own pant leg will be more than they can resist. If they have a favorite comb or brush, making a scratching noise with that will often get their attention too. Always move slowly when working with a cat that doesn't know you. Fast movements or loud noises will often drive them back into hiding. 
 
In Hen's case, it was the noise made by shaking her bag of treats - a common motivator for many cats. Once she poked her head out from under the bed, I made a line of treats that brought her closer & closer to my location. I spoke to her softly and gave her a good scratch when she was near. Soon, she followed me into the kitchen, went to the sliding door to watch birds, and even let me brush her fur. I repeated the treat trick each time I visited Hen and she always came out to partake & get a little extra attention.  

Like people, cats are individuals with various life histories, so it's up to us to discover what they can't live without. Once you do, you'll be on your way to a permanent place in that cat's heart. >^..^<

                                                     Beth Berghofer, Pet Sitter
                                                     Kelly's Pet Sitting


Note From Kelly, Owner of Kelly's Pet Sitting:

We are often told before we begin a cat sitting job that "you'll probably never see the cat" from the pet parent.  Our sitters have extensive experience caring for cats and kittens. It is our greatest joy when we are able to coax your kitty out for play and loving.  If you want a cat sitter with a big heart for your precious kitties, be sure and give us a call for your pet sitting needs!

Dog Park Etiquette - Kelly's Pet Sitting Medford, OR

Posted on 28 May, 2015 at 1:45 Comments comments (2675)
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 Comments comments (1597)
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.


Why Does My Cat Do That?

Posted on 4 February, 2015 at 3:10 Comments comments (1294)
WHY DOES MY CAT DO THAT?

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.

  1. Feliway. This is a product that uses the facial pheromones of cats to relieve stress and help prevent unwanted behaviors. It seems to help upset cats to become calm. It comes in a spray or a plug-in. I use the spray on my clothes when meeting cats that may be fearful of new people. You can also spray it in their room (never spray on the cat.) The plug-in works well in a room where the cats hang out and are in a stressful condition, such as moving to a new location, fireworks or thunderstorms, pet parent leaving for a trip, etc.

  1. Aluminum Foil. Cats do not like it! You can tape it on an area that you don't want a cat to scratch. Or if a cat is spraying a certain area, put up a sheet of foil there.

  1. Plastic Carpet Runners. This is the type that has the bumps on the back. Turn it upside down. Cats don't like the way that feels and you can use it to keep them off of things or out of certain areas.
  1. Double Sided Tape. If your cat is scratching your furniture or getting up on counters, you might want to try this (or one of the other suggestions).

  1. Spray Bottle. I have found that this works well to stop unwanted behavior – like a cat getting up on counter tops. But when you use it, don't say anything or they will simply relate the negative consequence to your presence. Be sure to reward your cat with treats or praise when doing the behavior you want, like using their scratching post or staying off of the counters.




The Dangers of Antifreeze

Posted on 5 January, 2015 at 18:54 Comments comments (1449)

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 Comments comments (977)
The Holidays are just around the corner. Time for family traditions: Christmas Trees, Dinners, Gift Giving, Celebrating.

But if you have cats it is best to know some ways to keep your cats out of harms way.

Many families enjoy having a Christmas Tree in their home, but often this is a cause for concern for pet owners. Cats may see the ornaments and lights as fantastic cat toys and the tree is for climbing, right? And cats are very curious by nature.

Here are some tips to help keep kitty safe around the Christmas tree.

  1. Wrap aluminum foil around the trunk. This will help discourage climbing since cats don't like the the feel of it.
  1. Remove the lower branches. This serves many purposes. Cats are very good climbers and this may make it harder for your cat to climb the tree. This will also eliminate the lower hanging ornaments that will tempt kitty to play with.

  1. Do not use tinsel on your tree. To a cat, tinsel looks like a shiny string to play with but is very dangerous if your cat were to ingest it. This can cause serious injury to your cat resulting in expensive veterinary bills, or worse.
  2. Watch the electrical cords. Chewing the cords can cause serious harm to your pet. You can tape the cords to the wall to prevent chewing but it is always best to unplug cords if you are not there to supervise your pets.   

5 REASONS WHY PET OWNERS ARE CALLING KELLY'S PET SITTING

Posted on 11 November, 2014 at 23:57 Comments comments (729)
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.

YELP – 5 Star Reviews here: Reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/kellys-pet-sitting-medford


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!