Prepping Your Pet For All Your Holiday Visitors

November is here, which means everyone is quickly ramping into the holiday season. Although this time of year can feel like a whirlwind, there are a lot of things to enjoy. As you’re pulling together all your plans for different holiday events, one issue you’ll probably be thinking about is hosting visitors at your home. Whether they’re stopping by for a party or staying with you to celebrate, people are a huge part of what makes this season so special.

Even though there are plenty of reasons to be happy and excited for holiday visitors, you shouldn’t feel guilty if part of your emotions involve stress. Hosting visitors for any amount of time does require some work. Fortunately, you can help minimize your stress and maximize your enjoyment of this experience by taking care of your planning sooner rather than later.

As you’re going through all of the tasks you need to do before your guests’ arrival, as well as any important things to remember while they’re in your home, one issue to keep in mind is how your pet is going to feel. Just about every dog and cat owner knows from personal experience that these animals all have very unique personalities.

Some pets thrive with strangers, while others have reservations about someone new coming into their space. And there are plenty of animals who simply aren’t comfortable with this type of change. Since it’s natural to want your pet to enjoy all of the holiday festivities as well, here are our top tips to prep your pet for lots of new faces:

Start with the Front Door

Plenty of dogs get very excited when someone knocks or the doorbell is rung. Cats can also get quite worked up about this type of activity. While it may not be possible to completely break your pet of that habit in a short amount of time, a useful tip for both dogs and cats is to exercise them prior to guests arriving.

Then once they’ve burned their energy, you’ll want to ensure they have a safe and comfortable space to themselves. Initially putting your pet in this type of area and then bringing your dog or cat out for an introduction once all your visitors have settled in will minimize negative reactions in your pet related to stress. Keeping your pet’s food in this location will help prevent it from getting territorial in other areas of your home.

Special Considerations for Younger Visitors

Chances are all your adult visitors will understand how to be polite with your pet and respect any boundaries. But the same isn’t always true for children. If younger visitors want to interact with your pet, emphasize the importance of staying calm and be sure to supervise at all times. It’s also best to avoid feeding your pet when there are any kids in the process of wanting to play.

By being strategic about dealing with front door noise, creating the right space for your pet and using extra caution with younger visitors, you’ll be able to make all holiday interactions in your home quite pleasant for your dog or cat!

The Spring Cleaning 2016 Checklist for Dog Parents

Humans aren’t the only ones who can benefit from spring cleaning. This is also a great opportunity to take care of some important tasks for your dog. Here is a list of the things that your dog will be appreciative of you for getting done:

Deep Clean Dishes and Bowls

Most dog owners periodically rinse out their dog’s water dish and wipe out their food bowl. While that’s completely fine, spring is a perfect time to scrub these items with soap and hot water. As you’re doing that, if you notice any chips or cracks, it’s a good idea to replace the bowl so you don’t run the risk of your dog injuring its nose or mouth.

Wash Dog Beds, Blankets and Covers

Whether it’s a dog bed, special blanket or a cover on another piece of furniture, your dog likely has at least a few favorite spots throughout your home. Take the time to wash these items in hot water. And for things like dog beds that don’t currently have a cover, adding one now can make it easier to keep it clean without needing to replace the main item.

Check Your Dog’s Collar or Harness and Leashes

Given how much a dog wears its collar or harness, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can get quite dirty. However, it’s easy to forget about washing these items, which is why now is a great time to take care of that task. And if you notice a collar or harness is starting to fray, your best bet is to replace it. The same is true if you’ve had any recent issues with a leash.

Update Your Dog’s Tags and Microchip Information

Directly related to the previous task, be sure that the information on your dog’s tags and/or microchip is up to date. If you need to update your phone number or address, changing your dog’s ID as soon as possible will give you peace of mind in the event your dog ever wanders away from home.

Get Rid of Old Dog Food

If you have one or more bags of dog food that have been sitting around for awhile, the kibble inside them may look completely normal. However, the nutrients in dry food doesn’t last forever. So if it’s been a few months or you’re not even sure how long a food bag has been in your home, the best thing to do is toss it out.

Tossing out old food is also a great opportunity to evaluate what you’re feeding your dog. If you’re still going with a type of food that you originally picked out because it’s what was sitting on a store shelf, we encourage you to learn more about Pet Wants food and how our fresh and nutritious blends can help your dog live its best life!

Dog Park Behavior and Etiquette Tips

Dog Park Behavior and Etiquette Tips

Dog parks provide a great way for your dog to get some exercise and to socialize with other dogs. Although dog parks are generally very fun places, it’s completely normal to have some anxiety about taking your dog there for the first time. Not only do owners worry about their dog’s safety, but they also want to be sure they don’t make any mistakes that will upset other owners.

As someone with a dog, you’ve probably noticed that most individuals who identify as a “dog person” usually have very positive attitudes towards other dogs and their owners. The good news is those are primarily the type of people who go to dog parks. So as long as you know some basics do’s and don’ts of going to the dog park, you can confidently enjoy the time you spend there.

What You Should Do at the Dog Park

Prior to going, make sure your dog is up to date on its vaccinations. And if you have any specific health concerns, be sure to bring them up with your vet. When you arrive at the dog park, take a minute to survey your surroundings. While you shouldn’t be nervous, if there is anything that gives you a bad feeling, listen to your gut and either wait to go into the dog park or save this experience for another day.

Once you’re in the dog park, keep an eye on your dog. If your dog goes to the bathroom, use one of the bags provided by the park facility or one of your own to pick it up. As you watch your dog, focus on feeling calm, confident and happy. Dogs can sense how you feel, and projecting this type of attitude will help yours enjoy dog park time to the fullest.

Things to Avoid at the Dog Park

Now that you know the basics of what to expect and do at a dog park, we want to cover a few things to definitely avoid. If your dog is really young, wait until it’s at least four months old to go to a dog park. For dogs who are especially sensitive, it’s a good idea to avoid overly crowded dog parks. And while it can take time for a dog to adjust to socializing in a dog park, don’t force your dog if it seems completely uncomfortable.

While toys and treats are fine to use in more isolated park areas, avoid bringing them to a crowded dog park. Playing with other dogs is an important part of this experience, so avoid hovering over yours unless an actual problem arises. By avoiding those few things, you can truly enjoy your time at the dog park! - Pet Wants