PetSugar

Do Tell: Do Your Pets Snore?

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:00:58 -0700

Although those kitty eyes are open wide now, the biggest problems come when Hazel's taking her catnaps! TeamSugar is petsitting for a friend and has been sharing tales about this delightful feline . . . turns out the furball snores up a storm and keeps waking poor Team up during her sleepytime. My pooch definitely has his "old-man-who-smoked-too-many-cigs-for-too-many-years" snoring sound, as many smooshies do, how about your pets?

Do Tell: Renting With Pets?

PetSugar — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:00:53 -0700

I spent agonizing weeks searching for pet-friendly apartments both in New York and San Francisco – it wasn't easy to find a place that welcomed my lil guy! The Dogs Trust offers these helpful tips for finding a home with your animals:

Write a pet résumé including dog's breed, size, age, activity level, and special accomplishments or training.
Get pet references from prior landlords, trainers, or others that know your pet well.
Offer proof from a vet of vaccinations, neutering, and any deworming and flea medications.
Explain his daily routine (e.g., visitors, dog walkers, daycare) to show how your pet will be cared for in your absence.

Have you ever had trouble finding a place to live that would also open its doors to your furry friend? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!

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Do Tell: Comparing Yourself to Mommies of (Human) Babies?

PetSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:40:45 -0700

I know it's not the same thing, even if you don't call yourself mommy, but pet parenting can seem very similar to human parenting at times. You've now got a dependent who needs you for his basic needs, and there are changes that need to be made to your day-to-day lives . . . sacrifices that nonparents sometimes can't understand. From working late or grabbing happy hour drinks to staying over at a boyfriend's house or taking off on a moment's notice for the weekend, there are things that aren't always possible with furry family patiently waiting for yums or walkies. Have any of you had to make changes or explain to friends that you can't do something "because of the dog?" Please share it with all of us in your comments below – I know I can empathize!

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Is Your Cat Crazy For Catnip?

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 10:40:51 -0700

Now my childhood cat reeeeally enjoyed her fragrant toys, but somewhere out there you'll find furry felines that love staying catnip free. Bottles, blossoms, or birds, can your cats ever get enough of the green stuff?

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I Need Your Help . . . Dealing With Irresponsible Pet Owners

PetSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:40:18 -0700

Turns out it's not just pet owners leaving doodoo on the sidewalk, but other places pups play as well. A TeamSugar user wrote in about this problem encounter:

I like to run every day and often I run on the track at my local public high school. There are way more dog walkers than joggers there! While I don't have a problem with dogs, the vast majority of them are not on leashes. Over a year ago while I was running there a dog came charging at me and I thought it would dodge or run alongside me, but it ran straight into me and knocked me over! I was fine and the owner apologized and was very concerned. What if I had been an elderly person? I could have gotten hurt.

The other problem is that most of the dog owners don't carry poop bags and there's a lot of doggy doo on the football field. I doubt the high school would be happy to get a call about the matter, but it's unlikely that they'll do anything. I sometimes want to tell dog owners to put their dogs on a leash, but that feels like it would be rude and there are so many irresponsible dog owners doing this. And there's no way of knowing which dog exactly is pooping on the field. What should I do?

I'm assuming this isn't officially a dog-friendly space, but I know from experience that makeshift dog runs turn up in the most surprising spots in places with limited fenced-in areas or safe parks – there's a tennis court near my apartment that's commonly used for this. It may be a problem for the officials, but please share any tips in your comments below.

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 Tell: Does Your Pet Have a Fave Spot at Home?

PetSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 16:15:39 -0700

Whenever my friend's pooch is feeling moody, or if there are too many people in the apartment, the dog heads straight into the bedroom and takes cover under her boyfriend's desk! During muggy summers in NYC, North loved to lie down on the cool bathroom tile floor and now, whenever I take a bubble bath, my naughty pup tries to hop up on the couch for snuggly shuteye before I can shoo him. Do your pets ever take refuge in a favorite spot . . . for better or worse? I wanna hear all about the nooks and crannies your furry friends call home in your comments below.

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How Many Times a Day Do You Feed a Pet?

PetSugar — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:30:28 -0700

Even though many vets recommend that growing puppies eat three times a day, by adulthood, some choose to feed a dog once a day and some kitty owners leave just one meal out all day long. Regardless of how often dinner (or breakfast or lunch) time comes at your home, make sure you follow the directions on the bag – it usually lists portions based on daily servings. Divide accordingly for multiple meals (and don't forget to factor in the treats, too). What's this process like at your house?

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Does Your Pet Try to "Use" the Toilet?

PetSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:30:51 -0700

So I already addressed toilet paper and poor Bella's failed toilet training attempt of Milo and Minou but what about the toilet itself?! Many pets show interest in the ~~magical fountain~~ toilet . . . either drinking the water or, like this clever cat, flushing it! Do your pets exhibit any of these bizarre behaviors?

Share in your comments below!

Protect Toilet Paper From Nosy Paws!

PetSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 16:00:57 -0700

Pets get into the darnedest things! From the valuables coming with electrical cords to the unmentionables in the trash, having a furry friend in your home means always being out the lookout with pet-proofed spaces. There are many dogs and cats that love to unroll paper towels or toilet paper (like our POTD B-Bop), and lilsugar told me about a great product to keep your TP safe from baby hands . . . that works just great for puppy paws and kitty claws, too! Find out what it is when you read more.

This neat product is the TP Saver 2 Pack ($5.97). Just slide the tube into the roll and attach the plug end into it to hold down the top sheet and save your roll. You can even add it after the toilet paper is on the holder so it's easy to detach and reattach when you need to use it.