PetSugar

Safe Biking For Spring!

PetSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 12:30:49 -0700

If you enjoy touring the town on a bicycle, there's no reason why your little dog should be excluded from your sunshine-y fun. Products like this Buddy Bicycle Basket ($65) let a pooch come with, no problem. I've got a few recommendations when considering a carrier for your furry friend:

Go pet-specific or stay home. Don't just toss a tiny pet in a normal basket and hope for the best. Prior to take off, purchase a carrier meant for animals.

See two more suggestions when you read more.

Check weight recommendations. Even if Fluffy fits in the basket dimension-wise, check pound limits to make sure the bottom can hold up to her heft.
Be secure. First off, I wouldn't recommend riding a bike with a pet that's easily distracted – a harness attachment is essential to safety but you still don't want a furry friend likely to leap out and smell the roses (read: chase a squirrel).

Some carriers come with tops or peek-out windows – use your best judgment as you know your pet and her limits – and do a test ~~run~~ ride around a quiet neighborhood before hitting any big city streets.

Fight Flab and Fill Out a Food and Fitness Log For Furry Friends

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:20:43 -0700

Most of the time losing weight comes down to dieting and exercise for people . . . and for pets, too. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 44 percent of dogs and 57 percent of cats are estimated to be overweight or obese – eeks!

If your pet could stand to drop a few, Spring's the time to start getting in shape – there's more sunlight for indoor and outdoor activities and the weather's improving in many places. If you're super serious, Kijiji is offering a Pet Fitness Sweepstakes in six US cities (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Atlanta, and Houston) to motivate you. Even if you're not in that area, commit to change by filling out a Pet Food & Fitness Log (refresh your memory on canine calorie counting here) and get ready to see results!

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Do Tell: What's Your Favorite Workout With Furry Friends?

PetSugar — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:30:09 -0700

Not only do they lift us up when we're feeling down, but our pets pretty much eliminate any excuse not to get at least some exercise. Rats. In addition to jogs around the park or rousing catch'n'chase games, many gyms (mine included) offer activities like this Ruff Yoga or Doga – what's your favorite workout to do with your pooches?

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Do You Have a Dog Walker?

PetSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 07:00:25 -0700

Most of you have admitted to taking your dog on walks for 10 to 20 minutes a day, but I know some people don't have the opportunity or time in the day to take their busy friends on walkies.

Have you ever hired help to keep your dog healthy and happy when you're stuck at work, on vacation, or too busy to give him the cardio he needs?

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One in Five UK Dogs Miss Their Daily Walk, Pack on Pounds

PetSugar — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:30:49 -0700

Chubster pets are on the rise in the UK because a fifth of dogs are missing out on their daily walks.

According to a recent survey of 3,000 pet owners, hectic work schedules and the fact that many people fail to appreciate how much exercise pets actually need to stay healthy have created a generation of unfit dogs. The study noted:

More than a quarter of study participants admitted they only exercised their dogs once a day or less.
The amount of exercise dogs are getting varies from breed to breed, but even the more active ones are struggling, with more than a quarter being taken for a walk less than once a day.
One in 10 dogs in the area go on “walkies” less than once a week.
Nearly two million dogs in Britain are suffering from obesity, with lack of exercise and over-feeding thought to be the cause, according to the PDSA.

In an ideal world dogs need daily exercise and stimulation to stay happy and healthy, but it's not always possible. What do you think of the statistics?

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How Long Are Those Walkies?

PetSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 07:00:58 -0700

While sometimes my pup gets a quick walkie around the block, other times we take a more leisurely stroll. I like to keep his daily walk time pretty consistent – except on weekends when he's a bit more spoiled – and make sure he gets adequate exercise. Can you total up the average number of minutes your pup spends on a leash on a typical day? If you've got more details to add, share in your comments below!

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Got the Day Off? Get Out With Your Pup!

PetSugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:30:44 -0700

It's Memorial Day and I'm using today to take an extra long walk with my Boston. He's a fairly energetic dog who can walk quite quickly (as long as it's not too hot), and we're gonna go on a street roaming adventure! I know some of you have big dogs and others have little ones, so everyone's speed needs will be different. The latest issue of Self magazine provided a couple tempo tips that I wanted to pass along:

Stroll: 3 mph Breeds including French Bulldogs and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do well at a leisurely tempo like this.
Brisk Walk: 3.5 mph Higher energy small dogs can benefit from this speed, like Miniature Poodles and Yorkshire Terriers, for example.
Jog: 5 mph Golden Retrievers and Jack Russells have lots of energy . . . best burned off at a quick pace!

Now see my advice when you read more.

When taking to the streets with your pups:

Make sure you walk at an appropriate tempo! If your pet is huffing, wheezing, or trying to stop, he may be trying to tell you something – you both can slow down and smell the roses.
If your dog is tugging and pulling the leash, he may not be acting naughty, he could just need more exercise. Walking quickly, or even jogging, with higher energy breeds can help them work off steam and (hopefully) be a bit calmer when it's rest time!
Some pooches, North included, enjoy mixing it up. Try walking quickly for part of the time, and more of a stroll for the rest. This allows doggies, and you, to burn off a tad more calories, but not come home totally pooped. I like to walk on a street busy with people, then duck onto side streets for this purpose. On the busy streets, we have to navigate the crowd and my dog wants to sniff "hi," but, on those quiet streets, he's ready to pick up the pace!

As always, if it's hot where you are, carry water and take breaks on any long walks. Getting fit should be fun for you both!

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Take on a 5k . . . With Your Dog!

PetSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 15:00:29 -0700

Spring is a great time to get outside and run around . . . and I don't mean just for your dog! Make it a team effort and train for a 5K that your furry pal can participate in as well. There are plenty of fun runs that benefit not only your health, but the animal shelters and programs that host the events get a much-needed bump in funds from all those entry fees.Running can seem like a scary sport to break into if you aren't the natural-born runner, but Fit assures us that it's easier than we think. Plus, with your fur-laden companion by your side, it just might be fun and gives you a good chance to meet 'n greet new people and pups for you and Fido to befriend (and possibly doggie date)! Who knew fitness could be great for filling up your date book as well!? To scour my list of doggie dashes and furry 5Ks taking place through May, just read more.

See Spot Run 5k Run/Walk
Saturday, March 29.
JF Gregory Park
Richmond Hill, GA

Richmond SPCA Dog Jog and 5k Run
Saturday, March 29
Robins-Starr Humane Center
Richmond, VA

Dog Day 5k
Saturday, April 5
North Carolina University Club
Raleigh, NC

Mutt's N Masters 5k Run
Saturday, April 12
Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center
Las Vegas, NV

Hound Dog Hustle 5k Run
Saturday, April 19
Oak Grove Park
Grapevine, TX

Walk The Dog 5k
Saturday, April 19
Bill Burke Park
Salina, Kansas

Animals For Life 5k Run for Rescue
Saturday, April 26
Quassy Amusement Park
Middlebury, CT

Run and Romp
Saturday, April 26
Shoreview Community Center
Shoreview, MN

Miss Reveille Dog Walk and 5K Fun Run
Sunday, April 27
Texas Medical Center
Huston, TX

Atlanta Dog Jog
Saturday, April 28
Piedmont Park
Atlanta, GA

Canine Canter for Cancer 2Mi Run/Walk
Sunday, May 4
Como Park
Saint Paul, MN

HS Run For the Dogs
Saturday, May 10
East Lake Village Park
Lees Summit, MO

Doggie Dash 5k
Saturday, May 31
William Land Park
Sacramento, CA

Know of any that I'm missing? Add the info in your comments!

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Never Throw a Ball Again . . .

PetSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 14:45:58 -0800

It's like tennis or batting practice . . . for your pooch. Using that similar technology, dogs who just can't get enough of fetch deserve GoDogGo ($149.95). Think about this sad story actually . . . after a while your arm will inevitably get tired, and I'm willing to bet that's gonna be long before the pup gets tired of chasing a ball. You'll feel guilty, there will likely be much nose nudging of your leg, possibly a bit of barking and definitely some annoyance on both parts. Then, to the rescue, (and minus the red cape) comes this machine to dispense tennis balls every seven or 15 seconds in automatic mode, magically shooting them for either 15 or 30 feet. The machine holds up to 15 balls and comes with a nifty remote control to give slower or faster pooches a run for your money. The GoDogGo will work for about five hours continuously on batteries, but if you've got outdoor outlets the fun never ends. The only downside is you'll still have to reload the bucket yourself until you can use the included instructions to train your pooch to do it himself.

New Product Alert! Neko Habitat

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:20:14 -0800

Dish up a sweet resting spot. New from Neko Habitat are three bed styles, all featuring reversible cushions in a rainbow of options.

Fitting cats or small dogs, the transparent acrylic frames wipe clean and pillows can get the once-over with a pet-safe vacuum. Sleek and stylish, the designer duds don't come cheap. Consider the Wave ($235), the Cradle ($250), or the Pan ($245) to be a real investment in your furry friend's sleepy-time future to last for years and years. Still, is the pretty product worth the investment or will you take a pass on these loungers?