August 2020 - Page 2 of 2 -

August 9, 2020January 17, 2021

Should I Microchip my dog and cat?

Certainly, YES! It is a foolproof way to identify your pet, provided you have registered your current contact info with the correct registry. Veterinarians have universal scanners to I.D. the chips. Unlike a collar, once a chip is inserted it rarely gets lost, even if it does most likely it can still be scanned. When you microchip your dog it holds the key to a quick reunion with your little buddy.

What exactly is a microchip?

A microchip is a small 12mm chip about the size of a grain of rice. The microchip itself has a unique identification number and phone number of the chip registry embedded into it. The chip uses radio frequency technology to hold information. A veterinarian or animal shelter volunteer can use a microchip scanner to retrieve the information linked to it… Most use a universal scanner that can detect multiple types of chips. It is very important to register your current contact information with the national Pet chip registry. This is the most comprehensive database for the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. You should microchip your dog or cat as soon as possible.

Most importantly, registering your current information with a pet microchip registry, is the only way the chip can get your information. Your contact information gets linked with the chip’s unique identification number. There are different brands of microchips that use different frequencies depending on where you are in the world. Fortunately, a vet’s universal scanner can read the most different frequencies. It is not a perfect system, but regardless it is immensely valuable. Registries do their best to work with shelters to provide universal scanners.

Are you ready to microchip your pet ?

Your veterinarian or local shelter tech can do the procedure safely and quickly. For your little buddy, it is a quick procedure that usually doesn’t even require anesthesia. It is similar to getting a shot or vaccination. A veterinarian uses a needle to insert the small microchip under the skin, between the shoulder blades. The chip doesn’t emit a signal and is harmless to the animal. It is permanent and stays with your pet for his entire lifetime. In most cases it doesn’t shift and it easy to find and scan.

Here is Southern California, when adopting from a local shelter, microchipping is included, (and required), as a part of the adoption fees. Although, if your new family member doesn’t already have a chip, most vets offer this service for $40-$65. Protecting your pet from harm is an owner’s responsibility. In other words, keeping your pet safe is an important part of pet ownership. Discovering that your dog is missing can be heartbreaking, however, a dog or cat that had a microchip has a better chance of a safe return. In conclusion, microchipping offers peace of mind and extra insurance of seeing your pet again should they wander.

“In a study of animal shelters, only 22 percent of dogs without microchips were reunited with their owners, while 52 percent with microchips returned home. cats without microchips had even lower return rates: just two percent made it home, compared with 39 percent of microchipped felines. Why did some pets with microchips fail to be reunited with their owners? The owner’s information either was never registered or it wasn’t current. “ – VetStreet

Does a pet chip track my dog or cat ?

No, a microchip is not a pet tracking device. In other words, it can not tell you where your pet currently is or where they have been. Fluffy will have to share his adventures upon his safe return. In conclusion, a microchip only has your valuable contact information. An active dog can’t lose or break it, unlike a collar with pet tags attached. Microchips are a reliable dog identifier even without a collar.

Senior dogs can get lost or disoriented and wander out of the yard without their collar

Imagine yourself, being your curious pet, running free and then realizing you can’t find your way home? What if you lost your collar with id tags during your great escape? What if you are now thirsty and hungry and unfamiliar with this new neighborhood you discovered? Without the collar, no one knows your name or where you live. No one knows who your human family is, or how to let them know where to come to get you. It was fun at first, but now you really could use a familiar loving face. Gratefully, your owners had you microchipped and they filled out their information and on a pet microchip registry. They kept it accurate and updated with every move. Thanks to their thoroughness, soon you will be reunited with your family.

Shelter reunited beloved cat three years later thanks to MIcrochip !

As you can see, it is important to have both a microchip and collar with a current I.D. tag, for your beloved pets. August 15 is National Check your Chip day. Pizza and I recommend you take a moment to verify your information. Certainly, pets are a special part of the family. The should be home with the family, but accidents do happen. A pet with both a collar with a pet id, microchip, and your current info on a pet microchip registry your dog or cat should have better odds in getting home quickly.

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August 5, 2020September 3, 2020

What To Look For When Choosing A Rescue Cat

Tips to consider in choosing a new cat or kitten

Getting or adopting a kitten from a rescue or shelter location can be an amazing and rewarding experience. There a a few important things to look for when choosing a rescue cat or kitten. Still, you should take a few considerations before setting out to find the kitten that you’ve wished for.
Number one, you need to decide how much time you should spend on your new family. Maybe you’re busy and need a kitten that requires a significant amount of care? Or, all you want is to open your heart more and take responsibility for adopting a special needs kitten that may have social or health issues, and may require extra time or financial resources to give your new love a shot at life?
It is admirable to rescue a neglected or abused kitten from a shelter. However, make sure you are ready for the engagement. Thus, to help you search for a new healthy kitten, keep in mind these seven signs of illness in a kitten. Again, these are not necessarily reasons to avoid a particular cat and be aware of the extra care the cat may require.

Seven important things to look for before choosing a rescue cat or kitten.

Weight: If the cat is skinny or if its ribs show, the kitten could be malnourished or sick. Conversely, an overweight cat may have been fed inappropriate food, and it may not be easy to convince him that he should eat a healthier diet. Guidance is needed to return the kitten to a healthy weight. Particularly for an overweight cat, a rapid weight loss can be dangerous. Also, if the kitten is thin, it may have worms. Medications can alleviate this condition.

Skin: Cuts or broken skin, matte or matted fur may indicate illness or neglect. Check for fleas (you may see small droppings on the surface or the skin). This can be corrected with medication, but a severe infestation can mean that the kitten is anemic, which can be a bigger problem.

Ears: If you have dirty ears or the kitten shakes its head frequently, this may be a sign of ear mites. While this can also be corrected, it often requires lengthy treatment.

Eyes: Eyes or runny nose may indicate illness or infection. The third eyelid, a semi-transparent protective sleeve that folds to the corners of the eyes closest to the nose (also called “haw”), should not be seen.

Mouth: Pale gums may indicate poor health, and redness or swelling of the gums may be an indicator of inflammation. Poor appearance or missing teeth can indicate neglect.

Respiratory: Any discharge or extreme dryness of the nose may indicate a problem. Any cough or shortness of breath can indicate a serious health problem.

Tail area: Moisture or the presence of fecal matter may suggest a disease.

It is important to have veterinarian look at and examine your new pet.

Schedule a new kitten exam and preventive care consultation as soon as possible. There are things your vet may notice that you don’t. Consider talking to your vet about microchipping or other methods of pet identification. Look for every opportunity to train your kitten into a relaxed, confident, friendly, caring and well-behaved family member. A healthy cat is a happy cat. When you look for your perfect rescue cat or kitten remember most common issues can be easily resolved. Even a healthy kitty will need your vet’s help to keep it that way.

In conclusion, it is important for you to always be on the lookout on these listed factors above if you want to choose a rescue cat, but these hints into full consideration. There are many places to begin your search. Try Adopt a pet website to find a shelter near you.

August 5, 2020May 17, 2021

How to Choose the Right Indestructible Chew Toys for Your Dog

You love to see your dog playing, right?

Our best friends love toys, but beware, not all of them are suitable for all dogs. It can be hard to choose the right indestructible chew toy for your dog. The furry ones also have their personal preferences. In this post, we give you some tips to find the most appropriate toys for your pet. Why are dog toys important? Play is an important part of your dogs life.

There are simple factors to help choose the right chew toy for your dog. Consider age, as a puppy has different needs than an adult or senior dog. Different breeds have different needs as well. Labradors, Border Collies, Chihuahuas, Beagles, and Jack Russels are more aggressive chewers and require indestructible toys when possible. How active is your dog? Is your dog alone during the day and needs stimulation? or does he have a buddy to hang with?

During puppyhood, a toy is a relief when they are teething and have the need to chew a lot. Toys also provide comfort and entertainment. In addition to regular lessons, puppies also learn through play. Proper toys are very important to their happy development. Puppies are very active and need stimulation to keep them out of trouble and positively entertained.

Bring a new puppy home to meet a cat

As an adult dog, toys serve to reinforce the bond with their owner and also helps it develop its intelligence and control the biting instinct. Even dogs like puzzles. It is important adult dogs have safe toys to play with when home alone. Toys help combat boredom and offer aggressive chewers a way to stay busy and without being destructive.

For senior dogs, play helps delay cognitive decline. Play is a great way for older pets to get some exercise and stay mentally active as well. Choosing interacting toys for your old furry friend helps keep their brains sharp and active.

Finally playing is FUN! Seeing my dog play with her stuffed monkey brings me as much joy as it does for her. Bonding and playing with your pet is a stress relief for both of you. We all need more joy and laughter.

What factors to consider when choosing a lasting toy for your dog

If you are looking to choose the for the right toy for your dog you will have to take into account the particular characteristics of your pet:

1.Age – It is not the same if you are looking for a toy for a puppy than an adult or a senior dog.

2 .Size- The same happens with small, medium, or large breeds; each one has different needs according to its size.

3. Behavior and activity- The most active dogs will need a tough, almost indestructible toy. The importance of choosing one or the other is not only that the toy can break quickly or that the animal does not enjoy it as much as we would like, but it is also that, if it breaks or is torn, the dog could swallow some part obstructing the trachea or the intestine. Sometimes it will take some trial and error to find the best toy solution suitable for your dog.

Save 50% on select Yo Telim Aggressive Chewer Toys

Types of Dog Toys

When you choose a toy for your dog, you will see that there is a great variety and that they are made of different materials. . There are literally hundreds of option, balls, ropes, treat dispensing, and interactive toy options. For your pets safety try to choose an indestructible chew toy so there is peace of mind Fido can safely play while you are away. Below we will see some of them. Each one is indicated and is appropriate for a type of dog and specific activity.

• Stuffed or Plush Toys Who doesn’t love a stuffed animal? They are soft, squishy, and made of cotton stuffing. These qualities can benefit puppies that are not yet strong in their jaws and do not harm their teeth. But if your dog is big and very restless, it will be a nightmare because it is most likely that he breaks it immediately and you will have to be all day with the broom behind him sweeping stuffing. Also, the insides can be a choking hazard or cause intestinal issues if swallowed. Yikes! Some soft toys often have squeakers, bells, or crinkly sounds to stimulate dogs. Soft toys for loving dogs, yes, but not for the unruly ones. Ideal for: Puppies or senior dogs without much desire to gut. Fortunately, you can choose a plush animals without stuffing , vitually indestructible chew toy providing hours of entertainment.

• Latex toys- Toys made of 100% latex are stronger than stuffed animals. If your puppy asks for some fun, give him some with one of these that will not harm his teeth, and endure a playful puppy. and all that energy. Ideal for: Puppies.

• Rubber toys- If perhaps, you are searching for a durable, heavy, and stiff toy, the rubber one is ideal. They are best suited for adult dogs with a tendency to break toys. Ideal for: Adult dogs of medium breeds.

• Vinyl toys Something harder than rubber? Yes, of course. Are you looking for an off-road toy, for the furry active pet you have at home? Vinyl toys are the hardest and most resistant. But watch out! You have to look at its shape and measurements; ideally, it should have a sufficient thickness and a strong texture so that the dog does not swallow it or break it in two. Ideal for: Large breed adult dogs.

• Natural Treats. Although I appreciate that treats such as hooves, ears, and rawhide are whole natural products, they also have risks. Rawhide, especially can splinter, pose a choking hazard, and cause intestinal problems rawhide is not easily digestible. It can also harbor bacteria. Dogs do enjoy the flavor, and they are fun for active chewers. It is one toy that should only be given under supervision. A great alternative is a bully stick. Still a natural product but more easily digestible. They are also long-lasting and highly caloric perfect for a growing puppy.

Natural Pet Treats

Here are a few more important things to consider

To keep Fido safe and healthy, I recommended that you read the labels and make sure you purchase only BPA and phthalate-free products. Your pet will be chewing and playing with these toys and have the potential of breaking them down. Your pet’s health is important and there is some evidence to suggest that chemicals in things such as vinyl and plastic and rubber can leech out and cause harm. However, with a little awareness, it is easy to find the best chemical-free toy. In addition, when introducing a new toy with a different material look out for signs of an allergic reaction.
YES ! even a dog can have a latex or plastic allergy! Fortunately, it is usually not an issue. If you do notice new unusual itching, bumps, rashes, or hair loss consider a new toy as the culprit.

Are you clearer now, which is the most suitable toy for your active canine? The key is to opt for one with a size appropriate to your dog’s morphology and needs

August 4, 2020September 3, 2020

Four basic puppy obedience training commands

What every puppy should know

Now that you have brought your new family member home and your new puppy is settling in it is time to start his obedience training. Puppies can begin their obedience training as early as seven or eight weeks old.

There are several very basic commands every new puppy should learn. Dog training can be fun for both you and your dog. Teaching a puppy requires patience and time. Often they have very short attention span of 5-10 min at a time so lessons should remain short. Positive reinforcement is more effective than punishments. Hitting or loudly scolding your puppy is a short term solution to an immediate problem. That kind of discipline may lead to more behavioral problems down the road. However, praise, affection and using positive reinforcements like training treats, are more likely to lead to a happy obedient dog.

Four basic obedience training tips every puppy can learn

The first command you should teach your puppy is :

Come

While enjoying your time together, sit with your dog with some favorite treats in hand. Begin by just saying come and his name, followed by a reward and praise. Slowly distance the treats on the floor and continue to encourage him by saying his name when he comes to get it. Continue to move further away and toss the treats further and call his name. Toss a treat , call his name, allow him to get used to paying attention and turning towards you when you call him. It may even turn into a game of chase, as long as your puppy comes back to you even to get a treat, praise, praise, praise. In no time, your dog will come when called. Then you will be on your way to an obedience happy pet.

Here is the next helpful training command you can teach your puppy

Sit – Method #1

Now that your dog knows his name, and comes when called. Learning to sit is a good way to begin teaching good manners. There are two popular methods both involve praise and treats or a “lure”. By now you probably know your puppies favorite treat. To begin teaching him to sit, Hold the lure in your hand and hold it near his nose. As soon as he goes for it and naturally sits back to get the treat, praise him for sitting and reward him. With repetition, consistency and praise this will be a quick command to teach.

Sit – Method #2

Sometimes a puppy may be very active and has a hard time focusing even during a short 5-10 minute session. One clever way to teach is to catch him in the act of sitting THEN praise or reward. In no time, your smart new family member will connect the two things. Once your puppy sits with a treat, it is very easy to replace the lure or treat with a verbal command. Remember to praise and pet for good sitting behavior. Your well mannered eager to please puppy will be ready for the next obedience training session.

Stay

Once your new pal has mastered come and sit, stay is a natural progression of puppy training . By now you both should look forward to your time together. Your dog will be familiar with the sessions and understand that good behavior = reward.

In order to train your puppy to to stay, start with the commands he already knows. Have Fido sit. Stand in front of him with your palm facing him and say STAY. Repeat this process a few times be sure to praise your puppy for good behavior. Begin the process of telling him to sit, tell him to stay and begin distancing away from him, keep your palm up and repeat the word “Stay”. This is more advanced command and may take more patience and repetition. However with time and patience your puppy with become a well behaved pet that stays when told.

A good tip in teaching this trick is to consistently offer praise when you come back to the puppy, NOT if the puppy doesn’t stay and trying to follow you.

Down

The fourth and last puppy obedience training tip is to teach your puppy to lay down. This should be a relatively easy trick to teach. As long as your puppy is disciplined and can sit and stay, “down” is another basic command.

To begin this lesson, have a treat or lure in your hand and sit on the floor next to your student. Allow him to sniff his reward in your hand. Guide him to the down position with the command of DOWN. As soon as he is fully on the ground , then reward him with his treat and praise. Repeat the actions several times.

These are the four first basic things that a puppy should learn as soon as possible. Puppies are playful, but also eager to please and looking for direction. Spending ten or fifteen minutes each day enforcing the lesson, and tricks both encourage bonding between you and good behavior. Puppies also enjoy playing with plenty of stimulating chew toys.

August 1, 2020September 29, 2020

Pal of the Week Meet Frankie oh those eyes

This is A Wandering Pet Pal of the week, Frankie

He lives in California and loves his California sun. Isn’t he a handsome guy? He looks like quite the tomcat.