PetSugar

To the Rescue: Antibacterial Hand Gel

PetSugar — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 03:00:00 -0800

For those times when your fingers are less than fresh, stash some antibacterial hand gel to wipe them clean. I keep Bath and Body Works' handy 3-ounce bottles ($4) in my apartment, in North's car seat, and in my purse. Because I like to bring North on adventures around the city, there are times when I don't want my pet-touching and cleaning up after hands to also be my cupcake eating hands, for example. After trips to the park or when strangers are petting your dog at cafés, it's nice to keep everyone's hands germ-free!

Cat Owners Eight Times More Likely to Have MRSA at Home

PetSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:55:01 -0700

If you're not familiar with it already, MRSA is a bacteria resistant to certain antibiotics, dangerous because of, well, its drug resistance. The first cases in pets popped up about five years ago in therapy dogs exposed to patients or healthcare workers, but the tables could turn, putting humans in more danger any day.

Typically, humans usually infect pets (and not vice versa), but animals can serve as a reservoir for the bacteria and pass it back to humans. Healthy animals rid themselves of bacteria in a matter of weeks.

According to a study this Summer, Elizabeth A. Scott and colleagues at the Center For Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College in Boston swabbed household surfaces and found that one variable that overwhelmingly predicted the presence of the germ was the presence of a cat - they were eight times more likely than others to have MRSA at home.

To learn some tips to keep your human (and furry) family safe, read more.

Wash your hands or use antibacterial hand gels before and after playing with a pet or handling wastes and food.
Don't let pets lick near your face or any cuts or sores, and be sure to keep your broken skin bandaged up.

Do Tell: What's Your Top "Keep Clean" Item For Life With Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 10:30:08 -0700

I already shared my first fave – antibacterial hand gel – but I also couldn't survive life with North without a lint brush or Tide-to-go minis. He doesn't get his muddy paws on me that often, but I have quite the obsession with keeping a stain-removing pen in my purses, desk, car . . . pretty much everywhere.

What people products are your essentials to improving lives with furry friends?

Pampered Pals: Doggies Stylin' Car Seat

PetSugar — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 09:03:55 -0700

North spent all of his early life in New York City, accompanying me legally (and quasi-legally) on many adventures in one of his seven dog bags. We traveled on buses, subways, ferries, and airplanes but, for nearly four years, his only car experience involved taxicabs. When we moved to California last August and got a car, I invested in a monogrammed car pet seat from Brookstone (from $89.95). Not only is he secure and able to see out the window, I feel better knowing that he can’t get his claws into my leather interior. Secured with a seatbelt behind the passenger seat keeps him safe from front seat airbags, and makes mischief checks easy. The seat comes with a pull-out drawer perfect to stash adventure essentials (like his leash, dog waste bags, antibacterial hand gel, emergency food/treat supply, portable bowls, and a bottle of water). Car seats come in two sizes for dogs up to 30 pounds; if your dog is larger consider a harness and car seat cover instead. Now that we have this seat, North can safely come along on all my adventures and peek-and-greet at new friends from afar!