How To Properly Care For Baby Hamsters

March 28, 2019 By Joey Buchan 1 Comment

Caring for Baby Hamsters

Expecting, are we? It can be unexpected but not surprising.

Hamsters sexually mature quickly. They can reproduce as early as 4 weeks of age. If you bought them at a pet store recently or already have them as pets, it could be that the female hamsters were sharing a cage with the male ones.

How To Tell if Your Hamster is Pregnant?

You can tell that a hamster is pregnant if she appears to have gain weight. A noticeable bulge in her abdomen just over her hips can be seen days before the delivery.

She acts restless and agitated. She hoards more food than usual and begins to add more bedding materials to the nest.

It can be a bit tricky not knowing when the mating took place. Before you know it, the pups are on their way and you are totally unprepared. [Read more…] about How To Properly Care For Baby Hamsters

There’s an App for That!

March 27, 2019 By Joey Buchan Leave a Comment

Apps for Pet Lovers

Ever hear the phrase “There’s an app for that”? Pet lovers everywhere are rejoicing because there’s literally an app for almost everything to do with pets. Photo taking, travel assistance, first aid, tracking devices, subscription boxes, pet-friendly hotels and so much more can be accessed right from an app on your phone! How convenient is that? We’ve worked to compile a list of some of our favorite apps for pet lovers just for you! [Read more…] about There’s an App for That!

National Puppy Day 2019

March 21, 2019 By Joey Buchan Leave a Comment

National Puppy Day

Did you know that National Puppy Day is March 23^rd? While celebrating the “magic” of puppies can happen any day, there is one day each year that focuses on saving orphaned puppies across the globe. It also is a day that is in existence to help bring to the light the “horrors” of puppy mills.

Who created National Puppy Day?

Colleen Paige, founder of National Dog day and National Cat Day, has made it her mission to create days that help recognize and improve the lives of animals and the people that love them. Colleen is a celebrity Pet & Home Lifestyle Expert and Author. She carries many titles and her advice is highly sought after. She is known as an animal behaviorist, writer, interior designer, photographer and more. [Read more…] about National Puppy Day 2019

Tips for Finding a Lost Dog or Cat

January 18, 2019 By Joey Buchan Leave a Comment

As a pet owner, as well as a local pet sitter, I can’t think of anything more frightening than the thought of a lost cat or dog. The fact is that 15% of pet owners report having lost a cat or dog sometime in the past 5 years. Of those pets, about 93% of dogs and 74% of cats eventually find their way home safely. Taking a few precautionary steps early on and also getting an immediate start once something happens can help to increase these odds.

An Ounce of Prevention

All dogs (& most cats) should have a collar with their name and contact information, either on a tag or printed on the buckle or stitched into the collar. About 15% of found dogs were returned home just because of this very simple and inexpensive step. Microchips are another very useful tool, but a dog (or cat) must be at a shelter or a veterinarian’s office in order to be scanned. A collar with their name on it is the fastest way for someone to get in contact with you. [Read more…] about Tips for Finding a Lost Dog or Cat

A New Puppy for Christmas

December 14, 2018 By Victoria Rouch Leave a Comment

Havanese puppy, Bailey

While pet experts agree that a new puppy for Christmas isn’t usually ideal, the fact remains that a new dog or cat often tops the Christmas list for children and adults.

Bringing home a new puppy or kitten can be an exciting time, but having a pet is a commitment that requires research, preparation, and consideration not just of the humans in your household, but your other pets as well.

The New Dog

Step 1: Research

This begins with research. Breed choice matters, even if you are adopting from a shelter instead of buying from what we hope will be a reputable breeder if you go that route.

Dogs are loveable, but they are not all alike. They are bred to exhibit certain traits and behaviors, and prospective owners should not go by looks alone. The beautiful Border Collie you see on television is intelligent and good at tricks, but as a herding breed, it will also be a high energy dog with a high prey drive. Those pugs you like are adorable with their expressive, smushed in faces, but if you enjoy hiking in the summer, that flat face will make it more prone to hyperventilation in the heat. [Read more…] about A New Puppy for Christmas

Raleigh Dog Parks

November 3, 2018 By Lauren Pescarus Leave a Comment

Whether you are looking for a quiet spot to read a book while your pooch runs around, or you are searching for a thriving canine community to commiserate with, there are at least one or more Raleigh dog parks for you and your pups to enjoy. While Raleigh has four major dog parks in the city limits, not all are created equal. This is why we’ve put together a handy list of our six favorite dog parks in the Raleigh area. All are off-leash, for your convenience.

Check them out and let us know what you think: [Read more…] about Raleigh Dog Parks

Raleigh Dog Parks – What to Look Out For on Your Next Trip

October 24, 2018 By Lauren Pescarus Leave a Comment

Millbrook Exchange Dog Park

With a recent article on WRAL detailing plans from city officials to increase the number of Raleigh dog parks, it might be a good time to check out what the city already has on offer. Raleigh is well-known for its human-friendly green areas. From William B. Umstead State Park to the inner-beltline Lions Park, it has relatively few spaces dedicated for the largest grown demographic of the city; our canine friends.

While new dog-friendly pop-up parks might be on the way soon, there are plenty of Raleigh area dog parks to enjoy in the meantime. Here is what you should know before grabbing your leash and taking Fido on a field trip. As a bonus, we include a list of our favorite dog parks in the Raleigh (and surrounding) areas.

Benefits of Dog Parks

Have you ever tried to maintain a routine of going straight from work to home and back again with no breaks for excitement or entertainment? Of course not! Life is about enjoying new environments and getting together with friends to relax and have fun. Your dog feels the exact same way, except they don’t want to go to parties or concerts to have fun. They want to get out and run around with you and other furry friends. That’s why dog parks are so important for your dog’s routine. Dogs who stay home with just the occasional trip around the block can become depressed and anxious.

Benefits of Hiring a Professional Pet Care and Pet Sitting Service Provider

September 21, 2018 By Lauren Pescarus 1 Comment

Why Hire a Professional Pet Care Service?

If you are in the market for a professional pet care provider in the Raleigh area, you probably already know all the options available to you, from your Aunt Susan to the boarding facility over in North Hills. With online apps popping up full of strangers looking to care for your pooch for just a few bucks, it can get tempting to cave and hire that hobby sitter over the trained professional.

What many pet parents don’t know, though, is all the benefits that come with hiring a professional pet care and pet sitting and walking service over the casual sitters available online. From continuing education to best care for all your pets to minimizing the stress your absence creates, professional pet sitters are worth their weight in gold. Here is why you should consider them over their more temporary alternatives:

Dog Training: 5 Steps to Stop Leash Pullers in Their Tracks

August 24, 2018 By Lauren Pescarus Leave a Comment

It’s a classic story: a dog goes on a walk, dog hauls owner all over the sidewalk. By the time you get back home, your shoulder is sore and you are contemplating getting a gerbil instead. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be like this.

Whether you are just starting your journey of reforming a chronic puller or you have a long relationship with a dog who hauls you around the neighborhood, there are several steps you can take to convince them to cut it out. Here are five steps you can take to help your dog improve their leash manners and stop running you ragged on walks:

Change Their Collar to a Harness

Unfortunately, the traditional buckle collar for pups is one that is most comfortable to pull against. Switch your tug-happy dog to a chest harness, like this one, to discourage pulling. Harnesses apply pressure to the front of the chest when the dog pulls, and, if you attach the leash to the front clip of the harness, pulls the dog to one side. Your dog will dislike the feeling when they pull and will self-correct with time.

Well-Behaved Dogs: Observing Good Dog Etiquette

February 25, 2018 By Aurora James Leave a Comment

Every neighborhood has that one house with a dog that won’t stop barking. The one whose owners are apparently deaf to the sound and certainly deaf to the complaints and shouts of neighbors who are tired of having their sleep disrupted. The erosion of dog etiquette is surely an indication that common courtesy is not what it once was. Excessive barking, leaving a dog’s feces on a neighbor’s lawn, and failing to prevent a dog from inappropriately sniffing a visitor are some of the common etiquette transgressions that dog owners either ignore or assume that others won’t mind. One of the most distressing things about breaches of dog etiquette is that so much of it comes down to common courtesy. No one expects a dog to be perfectly behaved, but it’s certainly reasonable to expect that dog owners would intervene and correct their pet’s behavior when their furry friend gets too ornery.

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