PetSugar

Shop Spotlight: North's at Pet Camp!

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:10:33 -0700

I've alluded to my fave home-away-from-home for my lil guy in other posts, but I've never taken the time to explain why I love it so much. First off, North's practically a celebripup at Pet Camp – I think his hyperactivity must be pretty impossible to forget! I always feel comfortable dropping him off there and I know he's having a blast.What's he doing you ask? He's scampering on artificial turf with a playground that rivals many parks for two-legged kids with slides, tunnels, and other equipment for him to explore. There's both a group and individual yards for friendly or friendless days on over 6,000 square feet of outdoor fun!

To find out what special treats they offer read more.

Once dogs get back inside, there are plenty of add-ons for your most pampered pal – VIP playtime, swimming sessions, Yappy Hour (cold doggie beer served in a frosted bowl with a bully stick), and Bizzie Bones (PB frozen Kong). North's favorite is something called a pupsicle – it's a homemade recipe similar to this one except theirs has bananas, too. Mmmm.

While I'm spending the weekend celebrating a friend's birthday in Portland, I know North is off having a great time, too! They'll be composting his poop to generate electricity, treating him well, and snapping his photo – I hope to see his next Camper Cameos when I get back!

Get Up and Go: Bring Friendly Reminders For Your Pet

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:15:14 -0700

I've got travel on my mind since I just returned from a super-fun wild adventure! Now, I'm waiting 'til next week to share my details of swimming with dolphins and snorkeling with rays, but it was def sad leaving my lil pup at home. Way back when I picked up North from the breeder, she suggested I place one of my unwashed tees on his bed in the crate so he'd get used to my smell and feel snuggly and sleep better. When I left North for the first time, I brought along a square from that shirt for him. Now, he's used to going on overnight adventures alone . . . but, what do I pack in his travel bag? To find out, read more.

Whether they're going to a hotel with you, or daycare all by themselves, it helps to pack a little travel bag – like this Weekender Pet Travel Gear Bag ($15.69) – for your pet. I'd include:

Dog Bed. If possible, bring along the bed your pup sleeps in. If your dog sleeps with you, consider packing a sheet.
Food. Although North's camp provides food, if it's not the food your pet is used to, his tummy can have a tricky transition. Make it easy on him (and the employees) and pack single meal plastic bags of dry food from home. That way mealtime will be smoother.
Treats and Toys. Consider bringing along some treats for your pet. If you have an overweight pup, this can help with portion control, and bringing those familiar toys will make him feel at home . . . away from home.

Do Tell: What Do You Love About Your Boarding Facility?

PetSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:00:25 -0700

I've raved about my fave so now it's your turn to tell me what you look for in a boarding facility – from special touches like phone calls or email updates to make you comfortable to pampering ways to let pets feel like kings and queens, what special features do you want when you need to get away without a furry friend?

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Get Up and Go: Do You Call to Check In?

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

Talk about separation anxiety! When you leave your pal at daycare or with a sitter, how often do you call to check in? Now, there are times when I like to hear what's going on with my pooch, especially if he's at a new place, and I'd hope I'd get a call if anything went wrong. For those of you frequent phoners on there, I'm curious – what do you ask, what do you want to hear, and what's the craziest thing you've asked or heard? After you answer the question, share your stories in the comments below!

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To the Rescue: Bordetella Basics

PetSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 03:00:49 -0700

Ever wonder why it seems nearly impossible (for me, anyway) to get off a long plane ride and not come down with a sniffle the following week? I've heard that it's in part because of the close quarters, shared air, and low cabin humidity that makes germ transmission all too easy. But what does this have to do with pets, you may wonder? Turns out, like the common cold, the same factors can come into play with the canine cough, too.

Sometimes called "kennel cough," this is a complex of infections usually consisting of the bacteria called Bordetella bronchiseptica and two viruses called Parainfluenza virus and Adenovirus and even an organism called Mycoplasma.. And, like the human version of the common cold, the organisms that cause canine cough are airborne and can spread quickly and easily in any closed environment. If you board your dog, you'll see Bordetella on the list of required vaccinations, but not all vets will standardly suggest this shot. Learn more about it when you read more.

While there is a risk of transmission anywhere pooches congregate, kennels, daycare, and boarding facilities often have a similar environment to the airplane – a large number of dogs, or people, in one enclosed spot makes it a germy danger zone! This vaccination can be administered either as a shot or drops in the nose – with the intra-nasal Bordetella vaccine producing immunity slightly faster than the injectable version and lasting between six and 12 months. If your unlucky pup happens to come down with this illness, it's not usually a life-threatening disease but, like reverse sneezing, it's a noisy problem that sounds like something is caught in your pup's throat. The dry, hacking cough can last from 7 to 21 days but the majority of dogs with the ailment continue to eat, sleep, play, and act normally . . . except for that persistent, annoying coughing that is.

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The Scoop: JetBlue Doubles Prices for Underseat Pets

PetSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:30:15 -0700

All this talk of what the airlines are charging for the details, got me thinking about my lil detail, North. He loves being included in my life – and lets me know when he doesn't feel that way – but, boy, can the price of plane tickets get us down! When looking into a summer trip with my pooch this week, I realized a very shocking (and troubling) fact: JetBlue has doubled the price of a cabin pet from $50 to $100. I spoke with a representative from the airline's corporate communications department who shared some information on this change. Learn what I found out when you read more.

On May 1, 2008, the nonrefundable fee for a high-flying pet became $100 each way. This airline still only allows small pets – weighing up to 20 pounds inside a carrier – to travel under the seat counting as your "personal item." The price change was part of an effort to combat the continual rise in the cost of operation – I was told that a lot of thought was put into this decision, and it could be considered a last resort as the industry is encountering a unique environment because of the price of fuel these days.

The news hits pretty hard, especially considering this airline is known for having some of the lowest one-way fares around – $100 each way could very well put your pet's ticket cost over that of your own! I can definitely understand bringing a doggie or kitty onboard for a big holiday or important trip, but this price point makes it often cheaper and easier to keep pets grounded at a fab boarding facility instead. What do you think? Share your opinions in the comments below.

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Do You Always Go to Your Vet for Vaccinations?

PetSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:00:39 -0700

Even though North loves his vet – and I make sure to take him to necessary evaluations – he also spends time around other pups both at daycare or Pet Camp while I'm away. Several boarding facilities require Bordetella vaccinations performed every six months . . . which is more often than he needs to go in for a checkup. Now, North doesn't get that much QT with a vet, and many docs also charge an exam fee per visit (in addition to this shot). When my pooch needs his Bordetella updates, I often take him to a mobile service that will just administer it on a per-shot basis. Do you ever use services like this to get your pets vaccinated?

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Get Up and Go: Prepping For a Sitter

PetSugar — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:00:14 -0700

Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, there are those times when you can't get your pet into a boarding facility. So, if you can't take them with you on your adventure, then you'll need to find a sitter care for your furry pals while you are away. If you're lucky enough to have trustworthy neighbors or family members that can come by to feed and care for your pet, then there are a few things you'll want to make sure you do before you jet off on your vacay, to ensure your pet (and sitter) remain as comfortable as possible.
Food:

Make sure your pet's food is fully stocked, and ready to scoop. If you use bagged food, let your sitter know which scoop you use to prevent over (or under) feeding. It's also a good idea to let the sitter know where any extra food bags (or extra cans, if you use canned food) are located even though you think you've stocked enough.
If your pet eats home cooked meals, make the food beforehand and separate meal-sized portions to prevent any confusion, and to take that duty off your sitter's hands.

There's a few more tips if you read more.

Home:

Close off any areas of your home that you don't want your pets accessing. Since just shutting doors might not be enough if your sitter forgets to close them up again, putting up pet gates can ensure that, if your pet's aren't allowed in, they won't get in.
Also, check to make sure your outside accessing doors are locked, as well as your pet doors. You don't want your pet roaming around outside with no one home to watch over them.
Don't leave your house keys for the sitter in a "hidden" spot outside your home. If possible, meet up with them ahead of time, not only to exchange keys, but to go over all the details of your pet's routine, and to show them around your place so they get the lay of the land.

Pet Comfort:

Leave plenty of toys for your pets to play with. Having a treat-filled Kong or mouse to distract and occupy the time will prevent your pet from getting bored and gnawing on your couch or scratching the carpets!
Clean and wash pet bedding and blankets before you go. Having a fresh house to come home to is way better than having a smelly, long-overdue-for-a-wash house. Plus, I'm sure your sitter will appreciate it too!
Leave extra supplies of kitty litter, since you never know what could happen. Stress from your absence can cause weird things to happen to your pet's digestive system!
If your pet is accustomed to having a treat at night, make sure you note it for your sitter. Since you want your pet to be comfy, you should list as much information about your pet's routine as possible.

Sometimes it may seem like you are doing more prep for the family members that are staying home than for the ones that are going away! But, just by making sure that all your bases are covered – from house, to food, to pet comfort – you and your pet will be happier and safer.

Have any other tips to add? Share them below in the comments!

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