5 Tips to keep your pet busy while you’re at work
Every pet parent knows the guilt of leaving their pet home alone all day while they go off to work. At Fetch! Pet Care, we believe that even in your absence your pet can still have a great day! Whether it’s wrestling with a Kong for their food, finding a hidden treat or going for a great 60-minute walk, your pet can have a fun filled day that will leave them tired and ready for some cuddling when you get home. Here are our top 5 tips for keeping your pet busy while you’re at work:
1. Hunger Games: It’s time for your pet to bring home the bacon! There are great toys that make your pet work for their kibble or treats. The Kong and The Bob-Alot are great examples. The Kong has a hallowed out cylinder where you can insert treats that are almost out of your pet’s grasp. With work they can get their treats and have a great time. The Kong has both dog and cat versions of the toy. The Bob-Alot is an egg shape toy, weighted on the bottom so it wobbles around when pushed. Once the treat or kibble is inside, your pet will push it around the floor. The more pushing, the more the kibble comes out! You can put your pet’s whole meal in The Bob-Alot to make a meal last a lifetime!
2. Paper bags or boxes: If your pet has not discovered the joy of a paper bag or box then they are missing out! A simple paper bag or box can keep your pet occupied for hours as they throw the bag around, crawl inside the box and push it around the floor. Sometimes simple everyday items like these can be so entertaining for your pet. For safety purposes, please remember to poke holes in the bags or boxes, and never use plastic bags.
3. Satisfy the need to chew: Pets love to chew, so it’s important they have some great chew toys so they don’t go after your shoes! Chewing is great for dental hygiene and will keep your pet busy for hours! We recommend using nylon bones over rawhide, which can break off into pieces, get lodged in your pet’s stomach, and cause major problems. For kitties we recommend catnip mice and other fabric chew toys. Get some great chew toys and your pet will have a happy, productive day!
4. Fetch! Pet Care Walks/Pet Visits: Pets love to have a daily walk or visit from a Fetch! Pet Care pet sitter or dog walker. We can take your dog on a 30-, 45- or 60-minute walk, or for dogs with extra energy we provide fast-paced walks, designed to truly get your dog’s heart rate up and send him home “dog tired”! For cats we provide fun games and circuit training to engage your cat’s feline prey instincts. A daily visit is a great way to break up the long day.
5. Hiding treats: Our pets are notoriously curious, especially cats and small dogs. You’ll often find your kitty or pup curled up in a small, concealed cubbyhole or hidden spot. Seek out these spots and hide a yummy treat, small chew toys, or a crinkly fun toy! They’ll be lured in by the treat and then stop for a relaxing afternoon nap!
Although nothing substitutes a nice day with their owners, these tips can help your pet have a great, busy week until you’re home for the weekend!
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Tips for Selecting a New Family Pet
Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake Offers Three Tips for Selecting a New Family Pet
As more and more parents choose to get pets for their children, local professional pet sitter Trisha Stetzel recommends families give careful consideration to choosing the best possible pet.
Demographic surveys of pet owners sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) show that families with children are more likely to own a cat, dog or other type of pet. With pet ownership at an all-time high and continuing to grow, many parents in the Clear Lake area are likely to welcome new pets into their homes this year.
While having a pet offers many positive benefits for children, Trisha Stetzel, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, encourages parents to choose wisely when selecting their family’s next pet.
Stetzel recommends families consider the following questions before deciding on a new pet:
1. What type of pet is best for your family? While dogs and cats are still the most popular species, more households than ever before own small animals, reptiles and fish, according to 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. For families with small children or very limited time to care for a pet, animals like hermit crabs, fish or even snails may be better options. Families with smaller living spaces should think carefully before bringing in a larger dog (or even a puppy) that would require room to exercise frequently. For these families, cats, cage pets or aquarium-based pets may be more ideal. Families with fenced-in backyards and/or ample time for walking and play are best suited for more active dogs. For families seeking a dog, retrievers, boxers and collies are often noted as ideal breeds for children.
What is your budget? Caring for a pet is a financial obligation, so it is important for families to consider how much they are able to invest when deciding on a new pet. The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates the average costs a pet owner will incur within a year range from less than $300 for fish or small birds to more than $1,000 for dogs, cats and rabbits. These estimated costs include food, veterinary care and miscellaneous items like collars, leashes, litter boxes and crates. The age of the pet can also play a factor in anticipated expenses. For families with dogs, many find older dogs to be more “budget friendly” as they do not require the training and house-breaking items that puppies require. However, depending on the pet’s health, older dogs could also incur more veterinary expenses—so it’s important to consider the pet’s needs, age and health when budgeting.
3. Who will take care of the pet? Families with older children may be able to teach about pet care and responsibility by having the children take on tasks like cleaning the litter box or feeding the fish. Parents with small children who require a lot of attention may need to consider if they have the time to devote to a puppy or other pet that requires frequent exercise or care. For parents who work long hours or juggle multiple family responsibilities, easier-to-care-for pets like fish or reptiles may be the best options to offer their families the joys of pet ownership without the time commitment required for caring for other pets like dogs, cats or birds. Families with limited time can also benefit from the services of a professional pet-sitting service like [Your pet-sitting business name]. Professional pet sitters can offer a variety of pet-care services for parents working long hours or when the families travel out of town and are unable to take their pets.
“Pets bring such joy to families’ lives,” notes Stetzel. “Considering your needs, budget and availability can ensure you select the perfect fuzzy, feathery or scaly new addition to your family.”
Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake is a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters. To learn more about Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, visit clearlake.fetchpetcare.com or call 866-342-4625. To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com.
As more and more parents choose to get pets for their children, local professional pet sitter Trisha Stetzel recommends families give careful consideration to choosing the best possible pet.
Demographic surveys of pet owners sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) show that families with children are more likely to own a cat, dog or other type of pet. With pet ownership at an all-time high and continuing to grow, many parents in the Clear Lake area are likely to welcome new pets into their homes this year.
While having a pet offers many positive benefits for children, Trisha Stetzel, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, encourages parents to choose wisely when selecting their family’s next pet.
Stetzel recommends families consider the following questions before deciding on a new pet:
1. What type of pet is best for your family? While dogs and cats are still the most popular species, more households than ever before own small animals, reptiles and fish, according to 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey. For families with small children or very limited time to care for a pet, animals like hermit crabs, fish or even snails may be better options. Families with smaller living spaces should think carefully before bringing in a larger dog (or even a puppy) that would require room to exercise frequently. For these families, cats, cage pets or aquarium-based pets may be more ideal. Families with fenced-in backyards and/or ample time for walking and play are best suited for more active dogs. For families seeking a dog, retrievers, boxers and collies are often noted as ideal breeds for children.
What is your budget? Caring for a pet is a financial obligation, so it is important for families to consider how much they are able to invest when deciding on a new pet. The Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) estimates the average costs a pet owner will incur within a year range from less than $300 for fish or small birds to more than $1,000 for dogs, cats and rabbits. These estimated costs include food, veterinary care and miscellaneous items like collars, leashes, litter boxes and crates. The age of the pet can also play a factor in anticipated expenses. For families with dogs, many find older dogs to be more “budget friendly” as they do not require the training and house-breaking items that puppies require. However, depending on the pet’s health, older dogs could also incur more veterinary expenses—so it’s important to consider the pet’s needs, age and health when budgeting.
3. Who will take care of the pet? Families with older children may be able to teach about pet care and responsibility by having the children take on tasks like cleaning the litter box or feeding the fish. Parents with small children who require a lot of attention may need to consider if they have the time to devote to a puppy or other pet that requires frequent exercise or care. For parents who work long hours or juggle multiple family responsibilities, easier-to-care-for pets like fish or reptiles may be the best options to offer their families the joys of pet ownership without the time commitment required for caring for other pets like dogs, cats or birds. Families with limited time can also benefit from the services of a professional pet-sitting service like [Your pet-sitting business name]. Professional pet sitters can offer a variety of pet-care services for parents working long hours or when the families travel out of town and are unable to take their pets.
“Pets bring such joy to families’ lives,” notes Stetzel. “Considering your needs, budget and availability can ensure you select the perfect fuzzy, feathery or scaly new addition to your family.”
Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake is a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters. To learn more about Fetch! Pet Care of Clear Lake, visit clearlake.fetchpetcare.com or call 866-342-4625. To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com.
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