Archived Blog for Professional Grooming Services

Jul 23, 2015

5 Ways to Volunteer with Your Dog
By Ashley Bennett

Article Taken from: http://www.cesarsway.com

Volunteerism is not just restricted to humans. There are now a lot of opportunities for pets to get involved, too. All dogs can help out in some way, shape, or form, whether they participate in a charity walk, visit hospital patients, or donate blood.

Here are five simple ways you can volunteer with your dog.

1. Donate pet blood: We all acknowledge the need for human blood, but there is also a need for pet blood. There are veterinary blood banks across the country that store blood for pets in need of transfusions due to sickness or injury. Most dogs are eligible to donate blood if they are fully grown and in good health, although they will have to pass a physical before they can get started. A blood donation session will be a quiet affair for most dogs, as there is minimal pain and they will lie there peacefully until it is over. Some veterinary clinics will give you free pet food or a free health exam for your dog as a gift for contributing to the cause. Talk to your veterinarian to discuss if your dog is a good blood donor candidate.

2. Charity runs or walks: Usually, most charity walks and runs allow dogs to join in as well. It is a fun way to raise money for a good cause, get some exercise, and bring your dog out for support. There will be the option to donate money or simply run in support of the cause. You can sign up for the event as usual, but make sure that they allow pets to attend.

3. Bring your dog to work: Bring your dog to work is an annual event sponsored by Pet Sitters International. The event has become more popular in recent years, so a lot of employers honor the event by allowing employees to bring their pets to work. Your dog can stay with you at your desk as long as there is a comfortable place to sit or lie down while you work. Be sure to bring along some snacks and toys to keep your dog entertained!

4. Open your house as a foster home to help shelter dogs socialize with your dog: Shelter dogs often need to be socialized before they are adopted into families. It can be challenging for dogs from tough backgrounds to get used to being around people and other pets. This is why some shelters organize temporary foster homes for dogs to get them ready to be adopted. To volunteer, contact a local animal shelter, then be prepared to allow the dog to stay in your home for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. Give the dog, your pets, and family members some time to get acquainted with one another, because shelter dogs often need time to adjust.

5. Therapy dog at a nursing home or hospital visit elderly senior citizens: Sick and elderly patients at hospitals and nursing home facilities often love to have pets visit them. Studies have shown that exposure to pets during a time of illness can boost morale and aid in the recovery process. Almost any type of dog can work as a therapy dog as long as they are well-groomed, well-behaved, and love people. Contact a local hospital or senior citizens’ home to get more details about how to get started.Volunteering with your dog is a fun way to support positive causes and have a lot of fun in the process. Always ask for permission to bring your dog before you attend any event and make sure that your dog is comfortable at all times, with time to rest and snacks in between. Other than that, have fun and give back! Do you volunteer with your dog? Share your experience with us.

Article Taken from: http://www.cesarsway.com

Jul 13, 2015

Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

How, where to cool animals down when temps soar

Original Article Found at Humanesociety.org

The summer months can be uncomfortable—even dangerous—for pets and people. It's difficult enough simply to cope with rising temperatures, let alone thick humidity, but things really get tough in areas that are hit with the double blow of intense heat and storm caused power outages, sometimes with tragic results.We can help you keep your pets safe and cool this summer. Follow our tips for helping everyone in your family stay healthy and comfortable when the heat is on (and even if the power isn't).

Practice basic summer safety

Never leave your pets in a parked car

Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car.

Watch the humidity

"It's important to remember that it's not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet," says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. "Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly."Taking a dog's temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs' temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog's temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke.

Limit exercise on hot days

Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise by the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

Don't rely on a fan

Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don't cool off pets as effectively as they do people.

Provide ample shade and water

Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and the sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don't obstruct air flow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat—in fact, it makes it worse.

Cool your pet inside and out

Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they'll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn't find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.

Watch for signs of heatstroke

Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs—like Boxers, Pugs, Shih Tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles—will have a much harder time breathing in the extreme heat.

How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke

Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian.

Prepare for power outages

Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble."

Original Article Found at Humanesociety.org