pets Archives - Serendipity Mommy

Preparing to Get a Family Dog

November 16, 2020 by Mandy

Getting a new pet is an exciting time. Or in some parent’s case, it may be a case of just being prepared to give in after years of Santa letters from the children asking for a pup of their own.

Dogs are a big responsibility, and the decision shouldn’t be taken lightly, but if you have gone over all of the pro’s and con’s and are ready to take the next step, this guide is for you!

First Things First

Getting your first puppy or dog can feel slightly overwhelming. After all – you are bringing a brand-new family member into the house! Not to mention one that you have to feed, wash, look after, and take for walks! Dogs often enrich a family’s life, and much like having children, it is often a trial and error situation, as dogs, much like children, are all different.

There is a lot to learn, but there is no need to let that put you off. Remember to take things one step at a time and be patient with yourself too!

Get Ready to Prepare Your Home

Much like when you are expecting a baby’s arrival, it is likely that your whole way of living will change. Things that you wouldn’t need to be concerned about before now need to be at the forefront of your mind. Things like cables that can be chewed through need to be stored correctly or out of reach, your favorite pair of shoes need to find a home much higher off the ground, and other collectibles such as socks should be out of sight. Another tip is to keep the trash lidded and secure or in a room where the pup won’t be in with your supervision, as they are likely to smell something they will want to get their little paws on.

Prepare the Family

Now the home is sorted, it’s important to prepare the family too. There will be big changes around the house and also to routine. Children will need to be on the same page when it comes to training your puppy as it must be consistent, and everyone will need to understand that having a dog will alter a lot of the aspects of general life. It is recommended that everyone do as much reading as possible from great sources such as happyfitdog.com to learn as much as possible before your new furry friend comes home!

Gather Up Some Supplies

Possibly one of the most exciting parts of preparation for a new pup is getting all the toys and treats that you cannot wait to give them! There are plenty of comprehensive guides out there to ensure you are prepared for every situation possible upon getting your pup, but there is no need to go overboard. A bed, a couple of toys that are different in nature, such as a ball, a soft plushy and a squeaky toy, a water bowl, and some good quality dog food are the very basics you need for welcoming your pup home. Don’t forget a collar, poop bags, and a lead for when they are ready to go outside!

What to do if your dog disappears

March 12, 2020 by Mandy

For most people, dogs are more than just pets. They are friends; they are family, they are loved. When a loved one disappears the panic and anxiety can be overwhelming. It may seem impossible, but the first thing you need to do if your dog disappears is to stay calm. Take a few minutes to let all the emotions wash over you, then take a deep breath and follow the procedures outlined below:

1. Start a search

Begin by searching for your immediate area. Visit areas that your dog is familiar with and think of the places he likes to pee as these will have his scent and be comforting to him. Dogs often run off when they get scared and will seek a comforting place. Slowly expand your search area outwards by either walking or driving in a circular pattern. Ask neighbors, the people you walk by, postal workers, and delivery people if they’ve seen your dog. Ask them to keep an eye out for your dog and provide them with your contact info and a recent photo of your dog.

2. Utilize the power of the internet

Apps like https://shadowapp.com/ are specifically designed to send messages to people about found and missing dogs. They also provide a personalized plan for helping you to locate your dog, as well as providing a missing flyer that you can post around your neighborhood. Utilizing an app like Shadow can increase the volume of your message, allowing you to get the word out quickly and efficiently.

Social media is also a great resource for connecting members of a community. Messages spread quickly, and people can get organized efficiently. It’s a much faster way to get the word out about your lost dog then by simply going door to door. There are pet and neighborhood-specific groups where people will often post to say they’ve found a dog or alert people to keep an eye out for their missing dog. Additionally, you can also try sites like Pet FBI, Center for Lost Pets, Fido Finder, Lost Dogs of America, Lost Pet USA, and Missing Pet Partnership

3. Reach out to local animal shelters and animal control agencies

Contact all the animal shelters within a 60-mile radius of your home and file a lost pet report. If possible, visit the nearest shelters every day. It’s essential that you provide the shelter or agency with a detailed description of your dog, including fur color, markings, and whether they have a microchip. You also need to provide a recent photo of your dog that clearly shows their face. It’s important to visit the shelter every day because shelters tend to be overwhelmed with animals, and they may not recognize your dog from its photograph. By visiting the shelter and asking to see any new dogs that have come in, you know for sure that your dog hasn’t been overlooked. If there isn’t a shelter in your area, then you should contact your local police department.

4. Spread the word as far as possible

Even though the internet is far-reaching, it can’t grab people’s attention the same way a flyer does. Therefore it’s a good idea to advertise as far and as wide as possible. Put up flyers in community centers, grocery stores, boutiques, libraries, veterinary offices, traffic intersections, pet supply stores, and anywhere else you can think of. Additionally, it would help if you placed advertisements in local newspapers. When designing your flyer, it’s important to describe your dog’s sex, age, weight, breed, color, and markings. However, to avoid getting fraudulent calls don’t include identifying characteristics such as floppy ears, curly tail, etc. When someone calls saying they think they’ve found your dog, ask them to describe the dog so you can know for sure that they’ve truly found your dog. If the caller doesn’t include the identifying characteristics that you left out of your advertisement, then he may not actually have your pet. Be on the lookout for people who want you to give them money for the safe return of your pet.

Things to Consider When Selecting A Dog Collar

December 18, 2019 by Mandy

Although choosing a dog collar may seem as if buying a dress from a mall, there are still a few things to keep in mind before you proceed to the market to purchase a dog collar. Here there will be a few points that you can tick on to make sure you have got the perfect collar for your loved pet.

Why is the collar necessary?

A dog collar and leash are necessary to train the dog. Dog leashes help its owners to have a lookout on them so that they do not get lost while they go out on a walk with it, for instance. It is important to tie the collar in such a manner so that you can place fingers between the neck skin and the collar. Many prefer a choke collar, although it can not be used for puppies. This choke collar stiffens itself when the dog tries to pull the leash.

How the collar must be?

For everyday use or maybe if your dog is trained for any particular reason, always choose a collar that is strong and flat. These collars do generally have a clip to fasten and they are collars made from different materials in the market. Nylon collars are good for day-to-day use but if you are using your dog for training purposes then you must choose the belts made of better alternatives like leather or a more strong and flexible one.

Make sure that the collar fits around the neck correctly and make sure the collar is strapped on in such a manner that the hair can grow around their neck.

Not all dogs have the same collar size, which means that a collar for the greyhound, who has a thinner neck will not fit for a bulldog breed dog who has a broader neck. The dog collar should ride in the middle of the dog’s neck. Most prefer to use use the leather dog collars due to their sturdiness and attractive appearance. A disadvantage of the leather leashes is that it can produce a poor smell due to the oil released by the dog’s skin. Nylon dog collars are lightweight.that goes well with puppies and smaller dog breeds. Canvas and woven fabric collars for options if you are looking out for collars that are extremely sturdy and fast-drying once you wash them/when coming out from a pool game.

Collar Tags

The most important feature of the dog collars is their tags -which can be used to identify various ways like to display the vaccinations, permits, identification, etc. The tag is a very important thing to be attached to the collar, especially the identity tag as this will help someone who may have found your lost dog to return it to you.the identity tag attached to the collar must contain the following details:-pet name (optional )your name, street name, city, state, and emergency contact.

Different types of collars available

Dog collars come in various colors and designs as well. For example; there are spike pink dog collars almost more than a decade ago which is waterproof. Also, the lead is double-sided and the rubber is thick enough that gives good protection to the neck as well as a very soft handle so that there are no marks on the person’s hand who handles the leash. There is a also stud range that is designed for fashion purposes. This is also equally waterproof and like the other leads, it is also double sided. Gold laced dog collars as an exquisite collection. Designer dog collars are bought to showcase glamour.

Hands-Free Leash

A hands-free dog leash is a good choice if you are someone who does not like to hold on to the rope all day long. Another new invention that has been making rounds is the retractable leash that is attached to the dog’s collar.

Length of Collar Lead

There are some things you want to determine the length of your lead. The factors include- the dog’s vigor, dog’s behavior and where do wish to take the dog most often or whether you wish it stays at home most of the time.

If the dog belongs to a larger breed, it is important to have a long and durable leather or strong rubber lease, while or smaller dogs you can go with lightweight and comparatively smaller leads. Long leads can turn dangerous if you are not walking near roads /other people and dogs.

Final Words

Choose the collar that meets your needs. With the best information in hand, you can make the right choice about selecting that perfect collar for your beloved pet. As a part of the final review these are the factors you must look into while selecting the collar- dog’s size, how active is the dog and of course the style of the collar to make it look more attractive.

Best Fences To Install For Your New Dog

September 24, 2019 by Mandy

Any good pet owner knows that keeping your dogs on a leash or in a cage is not the most optimal way to raise them. At some point during the day, dogs need to be walked or at the very least, let out of the house to for sun and fresh air. To make this possible, a good fencing system must be in place to keep your new (and old) dogs safe within your property.

But what kind of fence works best for a new dog? While old mutts could have undergone training to not cross the threshold or your gate, new pups would need to be taught of which areas they can and cannot cross. This can be done through familiarizing them with boundaries. Start off by doing some research on fence installation.

Panel Fences

Usually sold in 8-piece sets, panel fences are a go-to choice for owner who wish to have a fence they can use both indoors and outdoors. Panel fences are usually created with heavy-duty plastic which can weather the elements outside. Some come with rubber pads which is ideal when one wants the fence inside the house.

Steel Panel Fences

For greater outdoor use, one can also get panel fences made from steel. After speaking with a fence contractor Sacramento, we discovered that many people these days on the part of the fence facing the inside of their property will choose coated steel since it is safe from rust or other weathering elements. Steel fences are also available with at least 40” height so bigger breeds can find it challenging to jump on.

Convertible Play Pen

New dogs can learn lots of tricks so make sure to keep your training fun all over the house. Configurable play pens can be turned into fences thanks to its panels that can be lined to look like gates so it stretches as wide as it can reach. This can also be relatively easy to transport when traveling.

Freestanding Dog Fence

One can also invest in one single-panel fence which can be used to block walkways and doorways. This can also be useful on stairs to prevent small dogs from falling off steep staircases or if you simply do not want dogs within the bedrooms.

Invisible Dog Fence

On the more modern side of fencing is the electric fence. This type of fence does not have a physical barrier but its main feature is a collar worn on the dog that delivers non-lethal shocks to the dog to remind them not to stray too far. But worry not as these shocks simply startle the dog and the shock level is far from painful.

Flea Medication for Dogs Should Never Be Used on Cats – Here’s Why?

May 2, 2018 by Mandy

Casually picking up a pack of spot-on treatment for dogs for your pet cat from supermarket shelves just because you couldn’t find the ones for cats can prove to be a costly mistake. It’s a mistake that has taken the lives of hundreds of cats. In most of these cases, pet owners ran out of cat flea medications and they accidentally used a spray or spot-on ampule meant for dogs. This happens because cats have a metabolic deficiency that makes them highly vulnerable to certain types of pesticides that are commonly used to make dog flea medication. The only way to keep your cat safe is to read the product label before buying and applying any product that contains pesticides. If the product label doesn’t specifically mention if it’s for dogs or cats, it’s best to look for an alternative. Following are a list of ingredients found in dog flea meds that should never be used on cats.

Tea Tree Oil: How can something natural be harmful? By that logic cobra venom, a completely naturally occuring chemical, should be completely safe for everyone. Be smart, don’t fall prey to labels such as ‘herbal’ and ‘natural’. Some manufacturers sell 100% tea tree oil. When properly diluted tea tree oil can kill fleas and ticks but when used raw, this can lead to dangerous side effects in both dogs and cats. Even though it sounds safe, pure tea tree oil is a natural schedule 6 toxin. Products often lack the proper instructions, which leads cat owners to apply undiluted tea tree oil on their pets. This can lead to some serious health issues and even cause death due to toxicosis. Even when properly diluted, pets should be monitored after the application of tea tree oil. Cats, for example, are incessant self-groomers and there have been cases where they accidentally ingested the tea tree oil following a topical application. Ingestion of tea tree oil can lead to coma, tremors, seizures, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Citrus Oil or Extract: This is another example of how a natural ingredient can turn out to be highly toxic. Citrus oil extract is often present in shampoos and sprays. The trouble with citrus oil is that even in small doses it can potentially kill a healthy, adult cat. Make sure to keep a look out for this ingredient if you are buying shampoos, dips, and other pet products for your cat.

Pyrethrins: This a pesticide that’s often used to make dog flea medications. However, when used on cats this ingredient is a killer. Extracted from a flower, pyrethrins is less potent than it’s synthetic version, pyrethroid. While cats are more sensitive to pyrethroid, picking up pyrethrins to treat a flea problem in cats can be a deadly mistake. Be safe, keep a look out for this ingredient.

Organophosphates: From collars to dips, this is a group of chemicals that’s often used in making a lot of anti-flea products for dogs. It’s commonly listed as fenton, malathion, coumaphos, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, fampfhur, cyothioate, and terbufos. Organophosphates are also commonly found in yard and home flea treatment products.

Pyrethroids: A more potent variant, pyrethroids are synthetically produced pyrethrins. It’s often labeled as allethrin, deltamethrin, cypermethrin, permethrin, and cyphenothrin. Permethrin, in particular, is used in a lot of spot-on treatment solutions for dogs, so be careful.