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Overnighter Dog Suitcase: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:30:20 -0700

A pet may count as one of your carry-on items (if you're flying high), but would you also tote this designated suitcase just for the fur ball? It's got clearly labeled pockets - in case he knows how to read? - but, all kidding aside, I like the organization of a place for everything and everything in its place. The Overnighter Dog Suitcase rings in at $29, do your frequent furry fliers need one of their very own?

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Get Pet Moving Tips Inspired by Matthew Broderick

PetSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 09:00:05 -0700

Who'd think that a picture of Matthew Broderick walking a dog would give me such inspiration!? While he and SJP prepare a home for two lil (baby) bundles, movers cleared out their house, he brought out the family pooch . . . and reminded me of three simple tips:

No pets left behind With unfamiliar faces lifting heavy items (that could then fall), take your pet out during the packing and loading process. For cats, it may mean securing them in an empty room or carrier - movers can't pack the chair when kitty's trying to hide under it! For dogs, get a pal to puppysit or pop a pooch in daycare (I dropped North down the street when my movers relocated us to SF!)
Keep it together Store pet supplies in one box or, do as he appears, and stick them in an empty carrier so you won't need to be reading labels or digging around for the goods. If you've got an emergency kit locked and loaded, leave that aside to guarantee having key items . . . not taped in.

Get one more tip and glimpse one more pic when you read more.

Don't pack it all in Seems Matthew forgot to leave out a leash as a rope does double-duty as a lead for the lil pup. Prevent this measure and put a leash in your purse before you start . . . you won't pack that in a box (I hope)!

Wenn.com

Tropical Island Bamboo Bed: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 06:00:34 -0700

I can see this canine chaise chilling in the wraparound, screened patio of my dreams. You know on my own private island. All jokes aside, this lil lounger comes with a drawer to stash your pets' things (or a DIY trundle if you're creative).

The Tropical Island Bamboo Pet Bed is made of environment-friendly bamboo for small pets up to 30 pounds. It's 90 bucks – tropical island, not included – are you buying in?

DIY Dreaming: Could You Re-Create This Dog Bed Made of Old Flip-Flops?

PetSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:30:39 -0700

Regardless of how bad they are for my feet, I can't get enough of flip-flops and own more pairs than I'd care to count up. So, my flipping and flopping obsession aside, when I spotted this super-cute dog bed on TrendHunter, I saw a DIY project in the making for all my old shoes. Stay with me here . . . Since the bed's created by Australian designer Ilya Frieman, I'm not sure where (and if) you can buy this creation stateside, but it illustrates a good enough case for me to want to test it out. Not only does rubber attract and hold dog hair, it's much easier to keep clean than fabric beds. Get started on your own version by gathering up 18 flip-flops, popping out the thong part, and using an X-Acto knife to divide the flat part into fourths.

For this fancy model, the new rubbery part will eventually fit into that base for another pet-friendly hammock, but I'm betting you could (nontoxic) glue the shoe pieces together to make a rubbery, easily washed dog mat perfect for Summer. What do you think about attempting this project at home?

Source

Fabric Scraps Plus Catnip Equals One-of-a-Kind DIY Mice

PetSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:30:07 -0800

Did your lil kitty get everything her heart desired over the holidays? If you've got extra time to kill – or think your pal could use an extra toy to kill – check out these one-of-a-kind catnip mice. Wouldn't you rather see this laying around than a real mouse?!
Get started on the DIY project spotted by a pal of mine (Thanks, Casa!) by gathering the following supplies:

Patterned fabric for mouse body
Scrap fabric, preferably with a loose weave, for catnip pouch
Cotton cord, ribbon, or rick rack for the tail
Embroidery floss for face details
Catnip
Polyfil stuffing
Needle and thread

Get instructions when you read more.

Print out this pattern and cut out fabric as shown.
Tie a knot at one end of the cord for the tail and set aside.
For catnip core pouch, fold fabric and half, stitch two sides, add catnip, sew closed, and set aside.
Embroider a mouse face on the main fabric.

Lightly mark small circles on one side piece (two pins seen above towards the left side), the large circles on both side pieces (the blue dot), and begin by sewing the two sides together as shown (along the green dotted line) skipping the pinned parts.
Pin the tail at the large circle, match the slightly pointy end of the bottom piece to the large circle on the sides and pin together. Then sew back-and-forth, alternating sewing from tail to nose on one side and nose to tail on the other for reinforcement but don't sew between the two small circles.
Turn mouse right-side-out, gently poke out the nose with a pin. Add polyfill, catnip pouch and a bell or crinkly stuff if your pet's into that sort of the thing making sure to bury it well.
Sew the mouse closed and hand it off to kitty to enjoy!

(See the detailed instructions with step-by-step photos on Craftster.)

Source

Give Back: Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Was

PetSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:30:25 -0800

Do you have something you could go without? Even if you can't sacrifice your daily caffeine fix, think about other consistent things you spend money on. For me, that meant deciding I don't really need a daily, afternoon frozen yogurt break. Whether you say no to a second cup of coffee, cocktails or one less meal out, take the extra money and put it aside. Save it up, then use it to put food in the mouths of needy pets at a shelter near you. I bet even my pals Fit and Savvy would approve of this!

Source

Pet Peeves: Kitty's Got Dandruff

PetSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:20:47 -0700

Q: I notice flakes when I brush my beautiful black Persian – what should I do?A: Don't you just wish they made Head and Shoulders for cats?! Well, actually I'm not even positive they still make it for people but those commercials sure stuck in my head ("You're head and shoulders above the rest!"). All joking aside, before I talk about treatment I want to make sure that you don't also notice scabs or crusting on your kitties' fur because that can be a sign of insufficient fat in her diet or a more serious skin condition.

Vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids are essential to healthy coats in dogs and cats. Checking a label for these nutrients is the first step, and the next is offering supplements that can improve the metabolism of fats in the skin's tissue. Find out what simple adjustment you can make your pet's diet when you read more.

I recommend a fish-oil supplement (made for pets obviously). There are different dosages for dogs or cats – for picky pets, pick up a package of Yummy Chummiesto give some omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to dogs or for cats, too.

Source

Groomer Has It Recap: "House Calls"

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 12:50:40 -0700

With only two episodes left, the four remaining groomers paired up to make housecalls this week – clean the van, drive the van, and groom the pets all under tight time constraints! Now with the obvious problems aside – two NYCers driving in LA without GPS – the fatal elimination error regarded the quick of the dog. If you cut your pup's nails yourself, you've probably heard this term before.

It's recommended that you trim your pets' nails once or twice a month by starting at the tip and snipping a bit at a time. Be extra careful as it's harder to see the blood vessels, or quick, in dark nails. If you do hit the quick, apply steady pressure with a coagulating powder (like Kwik Stop) to halt the bleeding. What error did the losing contestant make with regards to the quick? Find out when you read more.

Kathleen was sent home this week for telling Artist she had this styptic powder without checking first. When the dog's quick was cut and started bleeding, the duo did not have the proper tools to make it stop . . . and they never told the dog's owner! Kathleen wasn't my fave, and now only three groomers remain!

Quiz: The Trick's on Me!

PetSugar — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I am rushing out the door so often, I wish I could substitute running late for a workout. All joking aside, one such afternoon when heading out for the day, I grabbed a snack for myself and a dog treat to give my dog as I left. I grabbed my purse and went to pop the brownie into my mouth. In defense of my tastebuds (and my baking), it only took one chew to realize that my brownie should not be hard and crunchy. Oops! I looked down and saw the brownie still in my hand. I spit out the dog biscuit, realizing it didn't taste all that bad despite a comparative lack of flavor. I immediately went to the kitchen to read the label of my pet's all-natural dog biscuits.

I've listed six actual biscuit ingredients alongside six dangerous foods for pets in my quiz below. Do you know which of the following food items were on the label? Take my quiz and find out!

Take the quiz