PetSugar -- Girl's Best Friend.

Treat Chubby Tummies With This (Instead of Kibble)

PetSugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:30:49 -0700

Some pups – mine included – can eat (and eat and eat) without ever seeming to get a full belly. And, as you can see, North's already a big fan of pumpkin. Adding one to the other, and I wanted to share yet another use for this can o' goodness – weight loss. If your pup's a touch overweight (maybe it's those puppy-dog eyes pleading for another peanut butter yum), consider adding some pumpkin to his normal meal plan. Substitute pure, canned pumpkin (not pie filling) for one-third of your pet's diet. This roughage has a similar texture to canned dog food and happens to be vitamin-filled and super filling, too.

Reward Good Behavior Instead of Punishing the Bad

PetSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 03:00:30 -0700

I know January's the beginning of the year, but for many lucky kids (pets are like our children, right?), September kicks off a whole new start. In honor of back to school, I'd like to add even more advice and tips from me – and all of you – to the site!
Do you have problems you want to work on? Submit them to my Pet Peeves group. I'll be tackling them as they come in . . . and even asking the rest of you to chime in as well. Just think of this as your own support group for your furry friends.

To start it off, I wanted to share a simple training trip I learned from Teresa (of Greatest American Dog):

We use positive reinforcement and clicker training a lot. When Leroy does something that I like, I click and treat. It's not necessarily food, I could use a ball or a frisbee as his treat. When he does things that I don't like, I redirect him to something else that he could be doing. So it's not 'no, no, no, no,' it's what else can I give you to do so you can't do the wrong thing . . . so you can get praised which leads to the right thing being repeated. I'm trying to get as many correct things out of him as possible.

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Try This Trick to See If Your Cat's Dehydrated!

PetSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:15:32 -0700

Wow, there were so many great suggestions for that kitty who just wouldn't drink! We can all agree that it's an important problem that should be addressed pronto, and I'd like to give a special thank you to TsuKata for offering this tip from the vet who shared it with her after she had a cat that refused water. She writes:

Grab at the kitty's loose skin a little, not a pinch, just a gentle grasp that moves the skin up. It should be almost like you're scruffing her but not so much that you're lifting the kitty and not necessarily at the scruff. See if the skin has elasticity and goes back to the body immediately when you release. If it does not, your cat is dehydrated and should be taken to a vet to be given fluids immediately. If it does go back quickly, even though the kitty hasn't theoretically had water two weeks, your cat is likely drinking from a sink, toilet, or other source . . . and you just need to find that source.

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Word to the Wise: Permethrin Poisons Cats!

PetSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:00:52 -0700

It's definitely flea and tick season, and I wanted to share a special tip for all you kitty owners – or those that have cats and dogs in your furry fam! Although some solutions are meant for both, never use one made just for dogs on cats as it can contain an ingredient that's fatal to felines. If your meds include Permethrin, keep them far out of kitty's reach! To learn about this chemical

I Need Your Help . . . My Puppy Is Wearing Down His Nails!

PetSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 03:00:38 -0700

I know a lot of pet owners who don't like to cut their pet's nails in fear of cutting too far, which usually leads to a trip to the groomer, but what about those pets that wear down their nails naturally just by walking? This question comes from LilPeaPod about her smooshy, Samson:

We had Samson's nails clipped for the first time by our vet tech the day he got his final shots. She did a great job, and Samson didn't fuss much at all. The problem is, now that we are able to take him out on walks, a few of his nails have worn down to the quick! I'm not sure if this is a problem or not, since he doesn't seem to be in any pain and they aren't bleeding. I'm worried, but don't want to stop walking him now that we're in the middle of potty training, and he really does need his exercise. Any advice?

Do Tell: Would You Bring Your Pet to Work?

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:00:24 -0700

I've shared my tips for tomorrow's big day – if you could bring a pet to work, would you? Those of you who have, or work in a dog-friendly spot, share your stories and experiences – the funnier, the better!

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Don't Forget This If You're Bringing a Pet to Work . . .

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:10:28 -0700

Tomorrow's Take Your Dog to Work Day and, for those of you participating in the 10th anniversary of this holiday or lucky enough to bring your pooches to work every day, I've got a couple tips for making their office visits go swimmingly.

Puppy Proof the Place Nothing sours the experience like something unexpected . . . and bad. Make sure you keep trash and food out of the way of your pup and ask others to do the same. Check around for wires, poisonous plants, and anything else you think they can get their noses into.

See the four remaining tips when you

Five Simple Ways To Cut Pet Costs

PetSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 00:30:00 -0700

Now more than ever, cutting costs is becoming a way of life. I know my drive up to the Napa Valley a few weekends ago cost me a bundle in gas – even though my car is pretty gas friendly – which in turn had me cutting corners the rest of the week to make up for the price of filling the tank. Of course, when it comes to North, I'll spare no expense if he needs something, however these days you may not find me adding a doggie perfume into my virtual shopping cart just for the heck of it. We can all use a crash course in how to cut back our living costs, whether it be due to the economy, because we want to save up for a rainy day, or maybe you're a closet penny pincher who loves finding great deals. Whatever the reason, I have a few simple tips that you can incorporate easily into your daily routine that can help you save some cash on pet costs.

Find out what they are when you

To the Rescue: Kitty's Outdoor Catwalk

PetSugar — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:30:00 -0700

Okay, so maybe the stroller didn't go over that well with most of you, but what about a more traditional walk? I've already scoped out some harnesses for uncommonly leashed pets (i.e., not dogs). But what happens when you do buy one of these – how do you get kitty to walk? My friend took a little outdoor adventure with her adorable cat on a sunny weekend and snapped some fun pictures – and shared some advice to make things go smoothly. Find out her advice (and mine) when you

Spring Cleaning: DIY Pet Safe Cleaners

PetSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:30:26 -0700

Happy Spring Cleaning! By no means do we neaten up our homes only once a year, but 'tis the season to start fresh. I'm trying to live a greener lifestyle and, as an former English major, I can't even pronounce half the chemicals in several household cleansers. I've done a little research and found that many items I already have at home can do double duty as a pet safe cleaner!

Lemon Juice Lemons are sour, acidic, and generally unappealing to pets. Using a dilution, this can be added to things you don't want pets to chew (electronic cords or plants) as well as actually cleaning many surfaces on its own. The acid in lemons can neutralize hard water stains, eat away at gummy buildup and tarnish, and even remove dirt from wood floors.
White Vinegar You'll remember I suggested vinegar as a deterrent for those countertop-loving cats but d'ya know that it also works well as a cleaner by itself? If a pet has an accident on the floor, it not just controls the smell but also discourages a pup from revisiting his old marking grounds. Plus, you can use it to clean out a kitty's litter pan. Just be certain to rinse it out well afterwards and add a layer of one of our other DIY safe cleaners. What is it?

Find out when you

Quick Tip: Carrots for Clean Teeth

PetSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:00:01 -0800

In the spirit of National Pet Dental Health Month, try a different approach to cleaning a pet's teeth – feed him a carrot instead! Although not meant to eliminate the need to get teeth cleaned professionally or do it yourself, a raw carrot can also help scrub away plaque. Who knew?!

North had never tried a carrot so I was excited to test this out. I washed it off and offered it to him. In typical North fashion (with no trepidation), he snatched the yum right out of my hand and brought it to his bed . . . and I followed to observe. He started out licking and nibbling on it before eventually gnawing off small pieces and eating them. I didn't have any full-sized carrots in my fridge so I gave him a baby carrot and he seemed to get the idea that he was supposed to break off pieces but, as with any edible bone or toy, monitor your pet to make sure he's not biting off more than he can chew (or not chewing at all). I think a larger carrot may work better or even a frozen one – I think it was the gnawing that helped his teeth the most! To learn the other benefits,

To the Rescue: Leashes Aren't Just for the Dogs

PetSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:20:03 -0800

For dog owners, taking a walk is a must-do . . . and for other pet owners, it can be a do, too! Equipped with special gear, you can take a stroll around the block with your pig, cat, ferret, rabbit, iguana, or even bird. Animals can benefit from out of cage time, and even if it's just a stroll around your home, a harness and leash ensure they don't scamper (or flutter) off somewhere unreachable.

Get your pet used to wearing a harness indoors for short periods of time. Start by just putting it on during playtime in a secure area (for small pets). Harnesses work best on these pets because it is harder for them to wriggle out.
After she seems somewhat comfortable with the harness, tie a rope or scarf to the harness so she gets used to the feel of something attached to it. Let her drag it around to feel the pull.
Finally, you can attach the leash and take a walk. Try it out inside first and, when you feel like she's ready, take it outside during a quiet time of day. Have a pocketful of treats (or pieces of her food) to lure her to walk with you. Let her investigate the grass and trees but take her inside if she becomes spooked.

To see some harnesses for these animals,

To the Rescue: Greeting a Guide Dog

PetSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:00:04 -0800

Today marks the anniversary of the establishment of The Seeing Eye, one of the first organizations to train dogs to assist the blind over 75 years ago. I've offered up some quick tips when meeting and greeting a working dog in public based on information from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

First and foremost, remember guide dogs are responsible for leading someone who cannot see and should never be distracted from their duties. Remain calm in your approach and mannerisms in the pup's presence as to not take away concentration.
It is okay to ask someone if you can pet their guide dog, but you should never simply stick your hand out to do so. Before asking, make sure the duo has completed the task at hand.

To see a few more tips,

Pet Peeves: C'mere, Kitty!

PetSugar — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 09:00:35 -0700

Q: My cat won't come to dinner! When it's time to feed her, she pays no attention – I know sometimes cats eat throughout the day but I swear when I get home, the same amount is still in the bowl. I've even tried different foods and meal times. The weird part is, when I bring it to her, she'll eat most of it right front of me. I know this is a bad habit, but I can't think of what else to do? Help!

A: Try teaching this one at mealtime, or anytime you want your cat to come. If she's especially attentive when you return home, start by saying your cat's name followed by the command "come" even if she is already on her way over to you. Pet her, then take a couple steps back and repeat, giving her a few pieces of her food as you do this. Continue moving until you get near the bowl. When she gets to the bowl, praise her lavishly and fill it up. Repeat this each day. Eventually, your cat should associate the food and praise with the command and then you will be on your way to owning a trained cat.
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And now I wanna hear from you! To learn how to post your own solutions (or challenges) in my new group, "Pet Peeves,"