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to the rescue

Pet Halloween Costume Tips
pet Advice

Dress, Not Duress: Getting Scaredy-Cats (and Dogs) Costume-Ready

It's nearly the most fur-raising time of the year as humans and pets alike prepare creepy getups for All Hallows' Eve.
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It's nearly the most fur-raising time of the year as humans and pets alike prepare creepy getups for All Hallows' Eve. But if this is your pet's first time going incognito — or he's a little spooky around dressing up — it's important to take it slow. You may think his costume is the cat's meow, but he's going to need some extra TLC while getting comfortable with his cute new outfit so you don't end up in the doghouse!

Kitty, Meet Costume
It's important to introduce the costume and allow him to get acclimated to the actual item before his big debut. I recommend starting at least a week before Halloween, especially if he's not used to being dressed up. First, let him sniff the costume and get used to its scent. Then place it on top of (but not fully on) him and reward him with praise and a treat. Consider this your pet's dress rehearsal!

A Pup in Disguise
Never force a pet to wear a costume. Talk to your pet in a soothing voice as you dress him up. Some pets dislike certain parts like the over-the-head or under-the-belly process, but this shouldn't be a huge struggle. If your pup doesn't appear to approve of your costume choice and fights back, by all means stop.

Have a Happy Halloween!
If at any time during the festivities your pet looks uncomfortable, take off the costume. Make him feel extra special by lavishing him with praise and special attention. And watch out that the clothing doesn't get caught on ordinary household items. That can ruin the fun of a costume really quickly! Since Halloween comes only once a year, don't forget to take plenty of pictures of your pet and his awesome disguise, and feel free to provide him with an extra pet-safe treat or two!

How to Choose a Shelter Cat
Advice

To the Rescue: Choosing a Shelter Cat

Getting a new pet is an exciting time.
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Getting a new pet is an exciting time. . . but choosing one can be very overwhelming! It's hard not to get caught up in the "awwwwww" factor before considering the reality a new pet will bring to your family. The first thing to consider will be the amount of time you have to dedicate to your new pet. It should never be an impulse buy, so here are some quick tips to making educated choices:

  • Adult cat or kitten? While kittens are adorable, adult cats are often calmer and already trained. Check with the staff to see if the kitty is litter trained and spayed or neutered. If you're choosing an adult, it helps to ask about the cat's background as well.
  • How does she look? It's not just about beauty – make sure the cat appears healthy. Look for bright, clear eyes, clean noses and ears, and nice, unmatted fur. Listen to the cat's breathing as well.
  • How is she behaving? I'd recommend selecting a few to look at close up. Consider each cat's behavior towards you (e.g., clawing or relaxed), and towards the other cats (e.g., listless or playful). It is important to see how this kitty's attitude will fit into your lifestyle, especially related to other pets and small children.

More tips of your own? Share them in comments!

Source: Flickr User Christie D. Mallon

How to Check Your Pet's Temperature
Health

To the Rescue: How to Check Your Pet's Temperature

OK, now that you're aware of how to check your dog's pulse, let's move on to temperature taking.
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OK, now that you're aware of how to check your dog's pulse, let's move on to temperature taking. The easiest way to do this is with an ear thermometer like the Pet-Temp Instant Ear Thermometer ($40). It measures the infrared heat waves coming from the ear drum. Pet-specific versions are best because they have a long probe that can fit deeply in the ear canal.

The other option is to use a rectal thermometer like this Vet-Temp Rapid Digital Thermometer for Pets ($15). Coat it with a water-based lubricant, insert about one inch, and wait for the finishing beep. While it's a cheaper option, if your pet dislikes this process, you will need to have someone else hold him and distract him while you measure the temperature. See the normal ranges for both cats and dogs when you read more

Halloween Pet Safety Tips
Halloween

Ways to Keep Halloween Fun, Not Frightful, For Furry Friends

The decorations are up and the candy's bought, but have your prepped your pets for this big day?
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The decorations are up and the candy's bought, but have your prepped your pets for this big day? Remember never force an animal into an outfit and keep him out of harm's way.

  • Who are you? Where am I? Costumes are scary and seeing Mom and Dad in masks or other bizarre ensembles can freak out your furry family (and kids). Similarly, all those spooky decorations, especially those that move and talk are equally frightful for observant pups.
  • No loose animals today. Don't leave pets in your yard on Halloween and bring indoor/outdoor cats inside. Disguises can cause people to behave differently and you don't want a pet to be teased, injured, scared (or worse!) by pranksters tonight.

    • Keep reading for two more Halloween pet tips!

How to Safely Pick Up a Cat
pet Advice

To the Rescue: How to Safely Pick Up a Cat

As often as you see mama cats carrying kittens by the scruff of the neck, this is not a safe way to hold a grown cat — even lightweight felines are too heavy to be supported properly by just that excess, loose skin.
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As often as you see mama cats carrying kittens by the scruff of the neck, this is not a safe way to hold a grown cat — even lightweight felines are too heavy to be supported properly by just that excess, loose skin. However, you may still see your vet use this technique (with another hand under the rear), since it causes the cat to go limp long enough to lift her on the table or slip a med.

So what's the best way to approach and pick up a kitty pal? Find out when you read more

Advice For Playing With a Cat
Cats

To the Rescue: Make Kitty's Playtime Fun (For Both of You)

Pets provide endless hours of entertainment but, keep in mind, what's funny to us, may not always be fun for them!
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Pets provide endless hours of entertainment but, keep in mind, what's funny to us, may not always be fun for them! When frolicking with a feline, feathers and other temptations are commonplace, but you've got to let her (or him) win!
I don't mean always giving in and tossing over the prey toy, but think how annoying keep away is . . . if you always keep it away.

Get three playful tips to remember when you read more

Dogs With Firework Fear
Advice

To the Rescue: Fireworks Are Scary

Fireworks can be very frightening to a dog.
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Fireworks can be very frightening to a dog. Since it's the season of sparklers, I'm offering some quick tips to help your pets cope with these scary sounds.

  1. While it's fun to include dogs in your activities, this is one they should definitely sit out! Please keep your animals inside during the noisemaking. If you've got a pet that goes out, make sure he does his business before the display or can wait until after it's done.
  2. Close all doors, windows, curtains, and blinds. Turn on the television or radio to drown out the noise (as best as possible).
  3. Try to distract your pet with special guests, brand-new toys, or rare treats right before the display starts, if possible in a room furthest away from the noises like a basement.
  4. If your pet takes off into hiding, let him be. Trying to lure out a frightened creature while the scary stuff's still happening is not a good idea . . . and extra stressful!

If you're looking to build up your pup's ability to cope with the loud blasts, consider these free downloads (when you right-click). To use these audio effects with a pet, start playing at a low volume and build up to normal volume over time. If you play repeatedly, furry friends can get desensitized to the noise (at a level from inside the house).

Remember, if it's loud to you, it's definitely too loud for your dog — canines can hear sounds at an ultra-high frequency (like those "silent" dog whistles) and can register sounds three times greater than your ear can — keep your pets safe!

Safe Winter Activities For Dogs
Advice

To the Rescue: 3 Outdoor Wintertime Activities For Pets

Just because some wintertime activities are dangerous doesn't mean your pups have to sit this season out.
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Just because some wintertime activities are dangerous doesn't mean your pups have to sit this season out. With plenty of fun activities brought on by the white stuff, like scampering through the drifts and fetching snowballs, as long as your pets are warm enough, it's a lovely time to play. Topping my list of cold weather activities for doggies are:

  • Cross-country Skiing: Open fields and dog-friendly trails are a great place to explore with furry friends. Voice-trained pups can run alongside but remember to keep the jaunts short so pets don't get too chilly.

  • Skijoring: Intermediate or advanced level cross-country skiers can test out skijoring, where a dog helps pull a person along with a special belt.

  • Snowshoeing: Snowshoeing or even hiking with pets spices up their walks with new scenery — they need the bathroom breaks anyway. Be careful letting pups off leash and out of sight (since snow makes dogs lose their scent), especially if there are things they're tempted to chase nearby.
Dangerous Winter Activities For Dogs
Advice

To the Rescue: 3 Dangerous Outdoor Activities For Pets

Winter walks are the norm — unless your pooches use indoor potties — but remember that bitter temps require shorter trips and closer attention to his body temperature.
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Winter walks are the norm — unless your pooches use indoor potties — but remember that bitter temps require shorter trips and closer attention to his body temperature. It's actually extra risky to let a pooch off leash on snow or ice because they can lose their scent and easily become disoriented, especially during the storm itself. Check out three activities that may pose a problem.

  • Sledding: Most people won't take a dog on a sledding adventure — it requires solid sit-stay skills in chilly weather and it's just not fun for the animals. However, also be careful if your off-leash walks pass by a sledding area. Dogs can confuse flying sleds with something OK to chase, but the dangerous part comes from the sledder's difficulty stopping if a dog decides to run in front.

Get the rest when you read more