Apr 16, 2019
Funniest Pet Moments: Be Prepared to Laugh
We have been doing quite a bit of talking. This week we just want to make you laugh. Grab your tissues because you’ll be laughing so hard you may cry.
Enjoy!
Click here for extreme laughter.
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Funniest Pet Moments: Be Prepared to Laugh
We have been doing quite a bit of talking. This week we just want to make you laugh. Grab your tissues because you’ll be laughing so hard you may cry.
Enjoy!
Click here for extreme laughter.
Give Your Pet a Job!
Putting Your Pet to Work
Cats and dogs are genetically wired to spend time on activities that increase their likelihood of survival. They still have those instincts today. The opportunity to play. The opportunity to socialize. The opportunity to eat. The opportunity to explore.
Food is the main necessities of life, so we’ll focus on this one. Each species is programmed with a method to acquire food. Generally… hunting.
Finding food requires both mental and physical exercises. They spend their time and their energy on locating and hunting down their meal.
Enriching their Environment
In order to provide our pet (cat or dog) with a stimulating environment, this is a need we can assist them in meeting. We want them to have time to relax and sleep of course, but we also want them to have time to get their ‘frustrations’ out.
DIY Food Puzzles
We have included a video with a few different do-it-yourself dog food puzzles you can create quickly. Pick one and see what your dog thinks. If she loves it, great. If she isn’t a huge fan, try another! And, most importantly, have fun!
What Takes My Dog So Long to Poop?!
Regardless of the weather, our dogs still have to go outside to use the bathroom.
Sometimes this can be an excruciatingly painful task… especially when there’s two feet of snow on the ground during the winter.
Why do our dogs take SO LONG to decide where to go poop? Seriously?!
Some dogs have to sniff literally everything before they pick the perfect spot to use the bathroom. If you have a dog who does this, join the club of those dog lovers who will be spending their lifetime outside waiting for their dog to find their place of choice.
Research suggests there are four main reasons for this:
· Other dogs’ scent
· Distraction
· Anxiety
· Magnetic poles
Pooping for Communication
Our dogs communicate by smelling other dogs’ business (AKA poop and pee).
With a sniff or two, your dog can find out where a dog has been and what she’s been doing.
The smells your dog senses can tell her how many dogs have been in that area and how long ago they were there as well.
The Anxiety
If your dog is generally anxious in her day-to-day activities, there’s a high probability she’s nervous about where she should use the bathroom too.
Dogs with anxiety might only poop in one certain area that’s a bit hidden. Or, she might find an area where she feels comfortable and stick with it using only that one spot. Never straying away.
The surface your dog uses the bathroom on also matters to some dogs. If your dog has a surface preference, he probably developed it at a young age for some reason.
Some dogs want soft, grassy areas to do their business. Others want a completely ‘free of debris’ surface.
Magnetic Poles
Does your dog spin around in a circle before going poop?
If so, it’s generally because some dogs prefer to align their body with the North-South axis.
Interesting…
Distractions and Procrastination
To be honest, some dogs just might be stalling. They just plain out don’t want to go back inside the house. Not at all. They want to be outside enjoying the weather.
If your dog only goes outside or spends most of the time outside only to go potty, she might take her good old sweet time walking around and enjoying her outdoor time to stay out longer.
Weird, right? If you have any questions, get ahold of us on Facebook by typing in Petkey Pets in your search bar or clicking here.
Let’s Take a Poll! Visit us on Facebook!
This week, here at PetKey, we want you to visit our Facebook page by clicking here or entering the following URL into your web browser:
https://www.facebook.com/helpmefindmypet
The poll? The most popular dog names! Let’s figure it out! Share your dog’s name with us (and pictures if you have some, too)!
Fun Winter Adventures for Max!
Got Snow? Let’s Go!
Here at PetKey we all know how overwhelming the winter season can be with nothing to do. But there are some benefits to winter. Many people who live in places of snow galore enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and sledding.
Did you know there’s an activity you can include your dog in, though? You heard that right. A winter activity you can enjoy with your doggies.
Snowshoeing!
At first this might not sound like the most glamourous activity, but you’d be surprised at how peaceful and enjoyable it is once you’re out there.
What’s the Human Need?
If you don’t know much about snowshoeing (don’t worry- most don’t), you’ll need a few things to prepare. Don’t fret, it’s not expensive.
Here’s what you’ll need: Cozy winter clothes, insulated hiking boots (or boots that stay warm), and snowshoes. If you want added balance, grab yourself some poles too.
You can rent or buy snowshoes.
When you’re looking at snowshoes, you’ll see there are a few different types to choose from.
You might want snowshoes tailored for walking on the frozen lake nearby or you may simply want to hike up your favorite mountain. Or, take it easy and walk down a regular snow trail.
Before you go out, make sure the weather won’t be too bad especially if it’s your first time.
A Dog’s Snowshoeing Accessories
Before you and your dog hike into the great outdoors, be certain to check the rules and regulations of place you’re choosing.
There are some places that aren’t dog-friendly, and you don’t want to get in trouble. That won’t make for a fun experience.
You should consider your dog’s health and fitness level before choosing your destination.
Pick somewhere both you and your dog will feel comfortable. And, don’t choose anything too strenuous if you and/or your dog have never done this before.
Even though it’s cold outside, your dog (and you) will still need to remain hydrated. Don’t forget the water.
Does your dog need a coat, too? Remember, if you’re cold there’s a good chance he’s cold. An insulated dog jacket could make a significant difference in your trip.
As we talked about earlier in the year, those dog booties also come in handy. We don’t want our dog’s paw pads to freeze. Grab those winter boots for your pup.
Stay Safe while Snowshoeing: Dog and Human
As with any hiking excursion, always let someone know where you’re going.
There are many people who go out wandering without letting people know where they’re going and end up lost somewhere.
If you are gone too long, and happen to get lost, people will know where to find you (approximately) and you’ll have help on the way much quicker.
Stay aware of your surroundings. The wilderness is beautiful, but you should remain alert for yourself and your furry companion.
Finally, prepare for the unexpected.
You can’t never be ‘overprepared’ when going on a hiking trip.
Don’t worry so much your trip is stressful. Just be sure you have packed all the essentials: extra food, extra water, an emergency kit, a compass, and a GPS if you have one.
Let’s Go Snowshoeing!
We highly recommend you dig deeper into this if you’re interested in this activity with your dog.
We want to make sure you’re as prepared as possible and don’t want you to take on any activity you or your dog are not ready for.
As long as you’re prepared and ready for your adventure, you’ll have a wonderful time together snowshoeing and exploring the beauty of Earth with your furry companion.
Most importantly- have fun!
What Gifts Did Santa Paws Bring?
Hello, everyone! This week we waited to post this week’s blog post to find out what your furry friends received from Santa Paws! Do you have any videos you would like to share? If so, please send them to our Facebook page by clicking here.
Happy Holidays from all of us here at PetKey!
5 Winter Care Tips for Your Dog
Some dogs love winter whereas others would rather cuddle up with you under a warm blanket by the fireplace. Either way, she must go potty at some point. And, you should be ready to protect her from the bitter cold outside.
The Risks During Winter
Most pet parents believe the common misconception that a dog’s coat is enough to protect them from the cold. This isn’t always the case. Some dogs can handle the winter weather better than others, but all dogs should be protected and observed carefully during the winter months.
If your dog stays out for too long, there’s a risk of her getting frostbite. Frostbite begins when your dog’s body gets cold. Once your dog’s body (ours works this way too) gets cold, blood is pulled away from her extremities to maintain warmth at the core of her body. As your dog continues to be outside, her ears, paws, and/or tail could then form ice crystals and damage the tissue.
Frostbite is a scary thing because it’s not immediately recognized. You can watch for pale or grey skin and feel her skin to check to see if it feels cold.
The other life-threatening condition you need to worry about is hypothermia. Hypothermia sets in when your dog spends too much time outside in the cold temperatures. Dogs who are wet, senior dogs, and dogs with health conditions will likely be affected sooner.
In mild cases of hypothermia, your dog starts to shiver and her ears, tail, and/or feet get cold. As hypothermia continues, she might appear sleepy, depressed, and weak. Her muscles will begin to stiffen, and her heart rate will drop.
The general guideline is, if it’s cold to you outside with your coat on, it’s too cold for your dog. We’ll talk about more tips to keep your dog happy, healthy, and warm this winter below.
Tip 1: Let the Sun Shine
Avoiding times where the sun isn’t shining is a helpful tip. Take your dog for walks when it’s a little warmer and the sun can reflect off her coat. Plus, on top of keeping her warmer, you’ll both soak up some Vitamin D.
Tip 2: Is the Floor Cold?
If your floor isn’t carpeted, or you don’t have heated floors, the floor could become quite a cold place for your dog to sleep. Choosing the right bed can help your dog stay warm while indoors. A nice, comfy bed is just what the doctor ordered on those cold winter days.
If you have an older dog, you may want to consider purchasing a heated bed. Senior dogs may have aches in their joints which will worsen when they’re cold.
And, finally, make sure you don’t place her in a ‘draft-zone.’ Usually, this is next to a door or an old window. Make sure you pick out a warm spot in your home.
Tip 3: Avoid the Heaters
You don’t want your dog in a drafty area of the house, but your also shouldn’t put her bed right next to the heater. If she’s too close to the heater, she can easily get burned and/or overheated.
Tip 4: Moisturize Her Skin
You may have noticed when it’s cold and dry outside (like many days in winter), your skin also dries up and you need to go grab the lotion. Your dog’s skin is the same way. To prevent dry, itchy, flaky skin, you can rub her with coconut oil on an as-needed basis.
Tip 5: Take Care of Her Paws
We don’t know about you, but many people develop ‘foot cracks’ in the winter. Just as people do, dogs can develop cracks in their paws.
If your pup has furry feet, trim the hair that grows between her pads to prevent ice from building up.
The salt laid out in the winter can also become a huge problem for your dog’s sensitive paw pads. Winter salt is toxic and will burn your dog’s pads if it’s not washed off. If you go for a stroll around the block, be sure to wash her pads off afterwards. Or, if your dog will accept them, doggy booties can be worn to protect her pads from the cold temperatures and winter salt.
The Bottom Line
Don’t be afraid to enjoy winter with your dog but keep these tips in mind to make sure your dog is safe. And, don’t forget winter time is the best time for snuggles!
20 Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Dog or Cat
Let’s shake it up a bit from our normal blog posts and take some time to learn a few neat facts about the dogs and cats in our life.
If you have any neat facts (not on the list), you would like to share, drop us a comment!
1. Newfoundland dogs have a water-resistant coat and webbed feet. Their job was once to help haul nets for fisherman and rescue people from drowning.
2. There were three dogs who survived the sinking of the Titanic- two Pomeranians and a Pekingese.
3. Puppies have 28 teeth. Adult dogs have 42.
4. Dalmatians aren’t born with spots. They develop their spots as they get older.
5. A dog’s normal temperature is between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Dogs can only sweat from the pads o their feet. That’s why they use panting as form of ‘heat release.’
7. A dog’s nose is wet due to a thin layer of mucous covering their nose to assist in absorbing scent.
8. A dog’s sense of smell is up to 100,000 times better than ours.
9. Most people know the Chow Chow by their blue-tinged tongues, but they’re actually born with pink tongues. Their tongue doesn’t change color until around 8 weeks old.
10. Dogs kick after going potty because they use the scent glands on their feet to mark their territory.
11. When comparing the genome of the house cat to the tiger, there is a 95.6% match. They’re more like their ancestors than we thought.
12. A cat named ‘Lucky Nicky’ was born in 2004. Nicky was the first cat to be commercially cloned. The owner of the cat shelled out $50,000 to replicate his favorite cat, and has stated the personality of the two cats is extremely similar.
13. You truly can train a house cat to use the toilet.
14. Cats have an extra organ that allows them to taste scent!
15. Female cats are generally ‘right-pawed’ whereas males are ‘left-pawed.’
16. Cats can become pregnant as young as 4 months old! Unless you want kittens, you should get your cat spayed as soon as your veterinarian recommends.
17. Have you ever watch the Aristocats? And, the kittens are drinking that yummy warm milk…? Contrary to popular belief, many cats are lactose intolerant, and shouldn’t have any milk other than milk from their mother at birth.
18. Spaying or neutering your cat may extend his or her life according to a study by Banfield Pet Hospital. Male cats were found to live an average of 62 percent longer than cats who weren’t neutered. Spayed female cats were found to live an average of 39 percent longer than cats who weren’t spayed.
19. Cats have scent glands in their face and body. When a cat is rubbing their body or face against you, they may be marking you as their territory.
20. Cats have over 100 vocalizations they use to communicate.
There are hundreds upon hundreds of facts we could share with you… but we want to hear from you! What’s the most interesting fact you can find about your furry companion?