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Dog Care for Busy People

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Have you been wanting to get a dog, but you are afraid that you won’t have time to properly care for it? Are your kids pestering you to get them a four-legged friend, and are you terrified at the idea of having yet another creature to take care of and take to medical appointments? Or are you already a dog owner and struggling to make time to properly care for your pet? These tips will help you figure out how to take proper care of a dog when you are on a busy schedule.

Combine your and your dog’s exercise routines

Everyone needs to exercise! Dogs are renowned for needing to be walked several times a day, for both toileting and exercising purposes. For at least one of those times, find a routine which allows you both to exercise, such as running together in the park or playing a fast-paced game of fetch. Even walking itself can be a form of exercise if you do it fast enough. Here is a list of ten workouts you can do with your dog. Spoiler alert: it even includes a suggestion on how to improve your tennis skills while playing with your furry friend!

Find a walk-in vet clinic

One of the reasons why many people with busy lives are put off pet ownership is the thought of having to schedule appointments with the vet on top of medical appointments for themselves and possibly their kids. The solution to this problem is to find a veterinary clinic which offers walk-in appointments, such as the twenty practices which easyvet.com have across the United States. These vet clinics also offer an online waiting list as well as scheduled appointments, giving you plenty of flexible options for fitting your dog’s healthcare into your busy diary.

Hire a dog walker

Dogs get lonely really quickly and leaving them alone for a long period of time can make them miserable – which in turn will make them more likely to wreck your home. If your job takes you out of your home for most of the day, an obvious solution to this problem is hiring a dog walker to take care of your dog while you are at work. Dog walking and dog sitting are now established industries, and you are likely to be able to choose from several companies and individuals in your area, so follow these tips to make sure you find the best pet sitter for your dog.

The obvious disadvantage of relying on dog walkers is that it can be an expensive service. If money is an issue for you, consider joining a time bank or setting up another kind of skill swap agreement with someone you know. For example, your retired neighbor might have time to walk your dog during the week while you are at work, and you might be able to repaint their walls or do other house jobs for them at the weekend. This way everyone benefits!

What Should You Be Thinking About When You Get A Dog

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Owning a dog is a fantastic experience and it is a rewarding one too. Getting companionship, a faithful companion and unconditional love can really turn your life around and can help give it further purpose and meaning. So, now you know the physical and emotional benefits of owning a dog, what else should you be considering and thinking about? Getting a dog is a big commitment, and in terms of years it can be a commitment of 15 years plus, so getting questions answered now, before you make the commitment, is essential.

Knowing The Time is Right for a New Addition

Of course, there is nothing such as perfect timing, but there is a good time to get a dog and this is when you are financially and physically in a good place. Dogs are expensive to look after, you need to think about care, quality of life and veterinary bills as well as food and bedding. If you cannot comfortably and easily accommodate these needs, then maybe it is not the right time for you to get a dog just yet. If you are unsure about whether it is the right time for a new addition, look at your life as it stands and be honest with yourself. Do you have enough time and do you have enough disposable income?

Care for the Times When You Are Not at Home

Something that is often overlooked when getting a dog, is the care of a dog when you leave the home. Now when you go out to the store for a couple of hours you should be OK, but if you are going to work for 8 hours a day or you are going away overnight who are you going to get to look after your pet. Getting a provider in place like those at exceptionalpets.com will ensure that your dog receives high quality care and attention, even when they are not in your company. Good pet care gets booked up quickly, so thinking about who you will use and when is advantageous, and it will ensure that you get the care your pet deserves at all times.

The Breed, Age and Background

Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and getting the right dog, with a breed and personality that suits you and your home is just as important as anything else. So, what breeds are you looking at, what do you like? Are you specific about a breed, or are you going to look at getting a rescue mongrel? All dogs have their own personalities, but some breeds have traits which may or may not suit your family. So, for example, do not get a border collie, unless you want to be walking every day for long distances. Do not get a greyhound in the hopes that it will join you on a morning run, as this will just not happen.

Getting a dog is a big commitment and to ensure successful integration into your life and home you will have to ensure that everyone within your home and family is on board with your decision.

7 Reasons to Get a Dog

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When it comes to choosing a new pet for the home, the dog is one of the most popular options, and it’s easy to see why. In fact, there are around 90 million household dogs in the US. Whether you’re a single occupant, a couple, or a growing family, there’s always a place for a faithful companion.

If you’re considering getting a dog and are wondering exactly why you should, here are 7 reasons why a dog could be the perfect pet for you.

1. They Help Maintain an Active Lifestyle

Dogs are ideal if you want to get out more and have more discipline when it comes to exercise. With a dog, you’re guaranteed at least one good walk a day and there’s always more opportunity to explore new places outdoors. There won’t be any excuses not to take a walk if you have a faithful friend waiting to explore.

2. They Are Great for Companionship

Dogs also provide a comforting presence in the home. For those living on their own in particular, dogs can combat loneliness or simply provide extra company.

3. Dogs Provide Unconditional Love

There’s nothing like the feeling of coming home after a long hard day and having your dog absolutely ecstatic to see you. Dogs will love you and care for you in the same way that you do for them. This unconditional love is a rewarding experience when it comes to a new family member.

4. Their Health and Wellness is Easy to Keep on Top Of

With a dog, all the information you need is out there. You won’t need to find a specialist for any treatment or advice, as regular vets like veterinarianmidlothianva.com will always be able to provide every treatment your dog needs on a regular basis.

This means you can easily plan their health and wellness schedule without having to worry about where you’re going to source specific items from or where you can find a vet which specializes in your specific pet (such as if you went for an exotic animal, for example).

5. They Can Help with Positive Mood

When you’re feeling low or you’ve had a bad day, all it takes is a cuddle or play time with your dog to perk up your mood. Furthermore, stroking a dog can actually help to combat stress and anxiety, as the stroking movement can be very soothing for both of you.

6. Dogs Provide Structure

Dogs will require a very structured routine for feeding and walking, which in turn, means your routine will need to be structured, too. This can help with those who want a little more organization and like to have a day which is well planned out. It gives you a reason to get out of bed at a certain time and be home for a certain time, too.

7. They Help to Teach Responsibility

Lastly, dogs help to teach responsibility. This can be ideal for growing children who need to learn or even for an adult who has never had to care for anything else before. Dogs help to encourage responsibility and a focused routine.

Everything You Need to Know about Preventing Worms in Your Pets

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Worms are a relatively common occurrence in pets, both cats and dogs. They can cause a lot of discomfort and make your animal sick. Fortunately, they can be easily prevented. Here is everything that you need to know.

How often should I de-worm my pets?

You should speak to an experienced vet, such as those from heartandpaw.com, regarding how often you need to be de-worming your pets. However, on average, it is recommended that you de-worm your pets at least three times per year, and preferably every three months. This is especially important if your animals spend a lot of time outdoors, in public parks, and playing with other animals as all of these factors will increase their risk of developing an infestation.

What are the symptoms of worms in pets?

Contrary to popular belief, it is not always possible to see intestinal worms in the animal’s feces with the naked eye. Even if you can see worms in the feces, this is a sign that the infestation has reached a critical level and that veterinary attention is required to resolve the problem urgently. Other earlier symptoms to watch out for include:

  • Reduced appetite and a general lack of interest in food.
  • Sudden and significant weight loss.
  • Frequent bouts of diarrhea, often with specks of blood.
  • Straining to defecate, but often to no avail.
  • Vomiting.
  • A dry, lackluster coat.
  • Fatigue.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is evident that your dog or cat is unwell even if worms are not the underlying cause. So, either way, be sure to get him or her to the vet for a check-up sooner rather than later.

What are the different types of worms?

Four main types of worms tend to affect cats and dogs. They are:

  • Tapeworms
  • Roundworms
  • Hookworms
  • Whipworms

Only tapeworms and roundworms will be visible to the naked eye.

How dangerous are worms?

Worms are quite severe as they can result in several awful symptoms, and nobody wants to see their beloved pet suffer. Some types of worms can even lead to respiratory problems, and brain, lung, and liver damage. However, they are rarely deadly. Only in very rare cases can worms prove fatal. This may be the case if the infected animal is especially young or old, or if he or she is suffering from another health condition that may weaken his or her immune system.

Can my family be affected by worms?

Yes. If you or another family member come into contact with an infected pet’s feces or saliva. Therefore, it is essential to de-worm every single member of the family at the same time as de-worming the pets at least three times per annum.

How is a worm infestation treated?

If you suspect a worm infestation in one or more of your pets, your first stop should be the vet. He or she will test for the presence of worms and, if detected, follow up with de-worming medication which should sort the problem out quickly.

The bottom line? Prevention is better than cure! De-worm your animals regularly and visit your vet for check-ups every six – 12 months.

5 Important Things to Check Before Hiring Your Dog Walker

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Having a pet requires a lot of time and effort. If you have a dog, you cannot just leave them at home for prolonged hours and expect them to be healthy. You might have to spend a lot of time at work, but that does not mean that you cannot have a dog. Hiring a dog walker ensures that your dog gets the daily exercise they need, and they get to go out to defecate as well. But before you entrust your precious pooch into the hands of a stranger on a regular basis, you need to make sure of a few things.

Experience

You do not want to leave your dog in inexperienced hands. Look for dog walkers who presently own or have owned dogs. Ask about what experience the person has with dog walking. Your dog-walker-to-be might have come recommended by someone you know. But in case you do not know anyone who has hired the services of the dog walker how you can check their credibility? Veromi.com can provide you with the solution. Veromi.com allows you check up on whether your dog walker does have experience handling dog.

Timings

Most dog walkers do not walk dogs as their primary source of income. Your dog walker will come to take your dog on a walk at their convenience. Discuss and check if they are available to take your dog out at set times every day. Your dog walker should be able to come every day unless they have some emergency. You can even ask your dog walker if they can find someone else to walk your dog on days that they cannot make it.

Contact Details

The contact information of your dog walker is crucial. You should never entrust your dogs to someone whose contact information you do not have. Many people might abduct dogs by pretending to be dog walkers. Do not take the chance of putting your dog in danger. Visit Veromi.com and search for your dog walker’s details. That way you can check if they have provided you with their correct phone number, address, and even identity.

Comfort Zone

You should always let your dog interact with your dog walker before you leave them together. By giving your dog time to familiarise with their dog walker in your presence, they will feel more at ease. It is essential to see how your dog walker handles your dog, to ensure that you are not forcing your dog into an uncomfortable situation.

Walk Pack

If your dog is not socialized with other dogs, then they might end up getting hurt when they suddenly meet other dogs on a walk. Dog walks are excellent ways to socialize your dog. But you need to be sure that your dog walker understands if your dog is not very social and is able to handle that. Your dog walker can slowly introduce your dog to other dogs and help your dog socialise better.

Check your dog walker’s credential and capabilities of handling your dog before you let them take your dog for walks.