Posts Tagged ‘cat sitting’

The Seasonal Holiday (aka Christmas) is an exciting time for most people, but it always pays to take some extra precautions with your pets. There are many dangers around at this time of year, below are some suggestions on how to ensure your cat stays safe during the Seasonal Holiday (aka Christmas) period.

OUR BIGGEST & BEST TIP IS….  Keep your cat inside the home !

Were you aware that it is illegal within the Gold Coast region to allow cats to have unrestricted access to the outdoors especially anytime after sunset and before sunrise.  Cats found outside of your property are classed as “strays”.  If you really MUST allow your cat unrestrained and mostly unsupervised access to the outside, please ensure the cat is registered and microchipped (and the microchip details are correct).   If your cat dislikes wearing a collar (Marnie is one unfortunately), this is even more reason to keep your cat inside your home.

click here for a great article: Make Your Outdoor Cat An Indoor Cat

Still want to allow your cat unrestrained and mostly unsupervised outside access?  Then please take heed of the following to ensure the safety of your cat:

Traffic / Cars:

In some neighbourhoods, this means an increase in traffic with more people coming and going visiting family, friends and other celebrations.  This is also one of the ways for cats to go missing (or die) through no fault of their own as they can sometimes curl up within an engine or the car interior itself to have a nap.  I speak from personal experience thus the reason why Marnie is an indoor cat (and so was her predecessor) as I’ve had cats go missing as well as be killed (one right in front of my eyes – not something I would wish upon any person who cares for their cat).

Ticks:

Need I say more ?  Ticks can and do kill.  Ticks are attracted to cats just as much as dogs.  The downside is that if you do not inspect your outdoor cat regularly for ticks there really is nothing more you can do to ensure their safety because a lot of the tick medications are only suitable for dogs.  Cats can find the tick medication (aka “monthly spot on treatments”) fatally toxic.    The Gold Coast region is always plauged by ticks due to our weather.

Snakes:

Snake bite poisoning is a very serious danger to cats, especially in the warmer months.  Click here for more information on first aid for cats bitten by snake bites.

Heat Stroke:

Another medical emergency is heat stroke (also known as hyperthermia). If you suspect your cat has heat stroke, seek veterinary attention immediately.  This applies for both inside and outdoor cats:  for indoor cats, ensure there is plenty of air and cool areas for your cat to enjoy; for outdoor cats, ensure there are areas where there is shade for most of the day as well as access to cool areas for your cat to enjoy.

Whilst indoor/inside cats will be a lot more safer over this period than outdoor cats – there are still many dangers to minimise or eliminate to ensure the safety of your feline family member:

Christmas Tree/Decorations

The only fool proof way to keep your cat away from your Christmas tree  is to put the tree in a room the cat can’t access. Unfortunately, this is often not practical. So the next best solution is to make the tree as safe as possible.  Real Christmas trees are more dangerous to cats than fake plastic ones. Pine needles can puncture internal organs if eaten, they are also toxic to cats. If you do have a real tree, make sure the drink stand has plenty of water to prevent the tree drying out & losing needles. It is important that your cat isn’t able to get to this water & drink it as it could result in poisoning. Ensure the tree has a good solid base so it won’t easily be knocked over by your cat. Try not to have the tree near furniture & or shelves which the cats could use to jump onto the tree.

Be careful with tinsel, if you must have it on your tree, place it at the top of the tree where the cat is less likely to be able to get at it. Tinsel can be caught around the base or move down to the intestines & stomach & cause a blockage, which will result in emergency (and costly) surgery to remove it.   A safer alternative are the strands of beads. Ornaments should be securely attached to the tree to prevent them being knocked off. Also place delicate ornaments up high where they’re less likely to be knocked off & broken. When there is nobody around, unplug Christmas lights, you may want to try applying a cat repellent  such as bitter apple to the lights to deter your cat from chewing the wires, obviously if this was to happen it could cause a fatal electric shock.

Artificial snow is toxic to cats, so is best avoided.

Candles are especially popular over the Seasonal Holiday period, be careful to make sure your cat can’t get close to lit candles.

Please note, your cat isn’t a novelty item & it’s dangerous to try & decorate your cat with ribbons etc.

Plants

Holly, mistletoe, poinsettias are all popular plants to have in the home at Christmas, especially in the northern hemisphere. These plants are toxic to cats so should be placed where your cat can’t get to them.

Food/Sweets/Chocolate

Many cat owners enjoy giving their cat the occasional treat of “human” food & generally this doesn’t harm the cat.  However, it is important to remember that some foods which are fine for humans to eat can be toxic to cats. The odd sliver of chicken or turkey (off the bone) is fine, however it really isn’t a good idea to give them large quantities of such food as this can lead to gastrointestinal problems.  Never give your cat cooked chicken or turkey bones, these bones can splinter & can become lodged in your cat’s throat or puncture the intestines & stomach. Chocolate is toxic to cats, the darker the chocolate, the more toxic. Chocolate contains both caffeine & theobromine, which are both toxic. If you suspect your cat has eaten chocolate watch for signs of restlessness & vomiting, if in doubt, see your vet.

Cats will often scavenge for food in the garbage so be aware that if you’ve covered your turkey with foil & thrown it in the bin, your cat may drag it out & chew on it which could make the cat sick. Cooked turkey bones will also attract your cat. Be aware of this & if possible, take your food scraps etc., to your outside bin.

Xmas ribbons/wrap

Rbbons etc., pose the same problem as tinsel, if eaten, it may lead to intestinal blockages. It’s important to ensure all ribbons/wrap etc., are safely disposed of.

The last danger during the Holiday Season is having someone who is without Pet CPR & First Aid skills “in charge” of the welfare of your beloved felines !

You may save a couple of dollars using friends, family or the person who is doing pet sitting for $10 per visit (generally speaking, most professional pet carers charge $20 minimum for cat sitting visits) however when presented with any pet emergency …. will they cost the cat its life due to their lack of skills ?  This situation is easily solved through having whomever is “in charge” of the care of your felines do a Pet Tech Pet CPR, First Aid and Care class which are held regularly on the Gold Coast.

I have not personally verified if this story and thus if the pictures are true. If you can verify the story and/or pictures are true or false please contact me via the comments below.  Even better if you know who is the original author ?  None-the-less, it’s a great story no matter if it is true or not and that’s all that matters in my opinion. ~~ Vanessa xox

The story begins with the rescuers finding this poor little guy they named Ralphie. Someone had already taken him under their wing but they weren't equipped to adopt.

Ralphie, scared and starved, joined his rescuers..

I wouldn't think anything could live thru this.... but we were wrong.

This little lady also survived that wreckage.

Here she is just placed in the car - scared, but safe.

and then..they are no longer alone!

Instant friends, they comforted each other while in the car.

Add two more beagles found after that... the more, the merrier!

Oh boy, a new traveler to add to the mix... (Note: the cat coming over the seat needing shelter...) Now just how is this going to work? (and remember they are all strange to one another )

It's going to work just fine, thank you very much!

Wow! The things we learn from our animal friends... If only all of mankind could learn such valuable lessons as this. Lessons of instant friendship. Of peace and harmony by way of respect for one another -- no matter one's color or creed. These animals tell you... "It's just good to be alive and with others." Yes, it surely is. So... Live, love, laugh.

Life’s a Gift … Unwrap It !

Did you enjoy this story ?  Please share with others as I have shared with you.

Playful Pets

All pet owners enjoy watching the playful antics of their pets. In fact, most pet owners consider this one of the most enjoyable aspects of pet ownership. If you’ve ever wondered why pets play, what you can do to encourage your pet to play or what makes a good toy for your pet, read on.

Why do pets like to play?

We have bred our pets to have juvenile personalities all their lives. So while puppies and kittens especially love to play, even adult animals will play given the chance. Mature aged pets can also be encouraged to partake in a little gentle play. When young, play is practice for life. Kittens stalking and pouncing on toy mice are learning to hunt. We have now replaced hunting and retrieving prey with games and bonding time.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT http://www.purina.com.au/all-about-pets/cat/living-together/best-behaviour/Training-Your-Cat.aspx

Image via Wikipedia

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Initially inspired by Cesar Milan’s “Fun Fact Friday”  - As admin I made the decision to do the same so as we can learn more about the wonderful animals in our lives as well as in the world at large.   Unlike Tip Tuesday, these are “animal facts”.  Tip Tuesday is about helping provide the best type of care for Pet Parents !

Just search “tip tuesday” or “fun fact friday” in the search bar at the side to find all our blog posts.  ENJOY !

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Angela Love from http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hugalicious-Ragdolls/170819502928084 has the following fun facts to share with us !!

Fun Cat Fact - The largest cat breed is the Ragdoll. Males weigh twelve to twenty pounds, with females weighing ten to fifteen pounds. The smallest cat breed is the Singapura. Males weigh about six pounds while females weigh about four pounds.

Fun Cat Fact - If your cat is near you, and her tail is quivering, this is the greatest expression of love your cat can give you. If her tail starts thrashing, her mood has changed — Time to distance yourself from her.

Fun Cat Fact - The average age for an indoor cat is 15 years, while the average age for an outdoor cat is only 3 to 5 years.

***

Have you any fun facts you can share with us ?

This information has been provided to you from Vanessa, the owner of Gold Coast Pet Sitting.
For more information please go to http://www.goldcoastpets.com.au  

From PetSitUSA’s blog:

If you’re looking for a pet sitter for the first time, you really need to get busy. You’ll need to  allow for enough time to meet with at least one pet sitter before you hire someone. Since you’re hiring someone to care for your pet and home, you don’t want feel rushed into making a decision that may not be a good fit. Planning early can help.

If you already have a relationship with a pet sitter, and need pet care between now and the end of the year, give him or her a call right away! If not, you’ll risk hearing, “I’m sorry, but I”m booked!”

{ read full article here }

If you are a current client of Gold Coast Pet Sitting, I’m already “book out” for Live In House Sitting and Overnights on select dates. If you are a new client, I would strongly advise you to get into action sooner rather than later:  we do offer two free meet n greets with every booking to help you.

As I am the Founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers Gold Coast, if I cannot be of assistance I will be able to be of assistance to you by finding the appropriate available pet carer for your requirements.  At the same time, the majority of Network members are already quite busy for the last two weeks of December and first week of January.

by Dr. Mercola

REPLY POSTED BY: Dr Becker

Kennel cough has a number of different causes, only one of which — the most common cause — is the Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria. Many people think bordetella is kennel cough, but that is technically inaccurate.

In fact, dogs that acquire the bordetella bacteria usually have a virus that makes them more vulnerable to infection. Some of these viruses are the canine adenovirus, distemper, canine herpes, and the parainfluenza virus.

Kennel cough is a form of bronchitis and is similar to a chest cold in humans.

How Dogs Get Kennel Cough

Kennel cough is contagious, so whether your dog has the illness or you know of dogs that do, make sure to keep them apart until they are well.   { read more here }

Treatment for Kennel Cough

Since most cases of kennel cough resolve without medical intervention, I don’t recommend immediate or automatic treatment withantibiotics or other medications. Allowing your pet’s body to heal itself naturally is always advisable.  { read more here }

About Vaccines for Kennel Cough

Many veterinarians recommend bordetella vaccines – either by injection or nasal mist delivery. I’m not one of them, however. { read more here }

WEBSITE: Mercola Healthy Pets

Do you believe in the vaccine ?

What has your experiences been with Kennel Cough ?

Is it because of Kennel Cough you use a pet sitter ?

It is wonderful to have pets in our homes; they help us relax on stressful days. For some of us, pets are our only reliable companions. Our pet dogs not only will help us relax and provide companionship that we need, they also guard our property. There are so many other benefits in owning a pet. However, there are number of complications as well in owning pets. Even though we may not be extensive travelers, there might be occasions in life that would force us to travel for a couple of days or we might like to take a vacation for a week to rejuvenate ourselves after a stressful year. In all these situations life can get bit complicated when we own a dog or other pets because travel and pets or vacation and pets are very bad combinations. Not all our friends may be that passionate about having to visit your home to help care for your pets. We cannot travel with our pets either in most situations. How do we handle such situations?

This is where the role of Professional Pet Sitters comes into play. These days we can get professional pet sitters who will be interested in taking care of our pets ( for a fee ) while we are away. This service creates a win-win situation for both parties. You, as the pet owner, can have stress free travel with the thought that your pets are being taken care of and that they are safe and at the same time the professional pet carer too continue doing what they love to do.

Professional Pet Sitting is becoming one of the most popular services these days as the number of people who own pets is also increasing day by day. Soon we will need more pet carers than baby sitters. More and more people realize the benefits of having a pet at home. Though there are some discomforts and responsibilities that come with it, families are still interested in owning pets. Services like Professional Pet Sitting come as a very timely service for pet lovers.

As founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers, I can attest to the fact that the number of pet sitters are also increasing !  Only because there is an increasing demand for this type of service. Professional Pet Sitters will take care of all your pets needs, they will provide your pet with food and water at regular intervals and ensure that they are fed in a healthy way. They will also spend time with your pet engaging them in playful activities and give them the exercise that they need so that when you are back you will not find a depressed and hungry pet but a happy and active pet.

With Professional Pet Sitting services, you don’t have to worry about putting your dog with other animals in the kennel boarding where they can contract infections or where they can be bullied by stronger dogs. (The same can be said about catteries.) It is important that you should find a reliable and experienced Professional Pet Sitter in your locality.

If Gold Coast Pet Sitting cannot be of service, as Founder of the Network of Professional Pet Carers Gold Coast, I can have a variety of other professional service providers contact you or you can easily find a Professional Pet Sitter in your suburb by using the Network’s website, which has a comprehensive database of Professional Pet Sitters in almost all the Gold Coast. Visit www.goldcoastpets.com.au/petwise to find your Professional Pet Sitter today.

Contact Vanessa at Gold Coast Pet Sitting for your free no obligation quote !

Tess (Left) + Kimba (Right) | Photo by Vanessa | © Gold Coast Pet Sitting - All rights reserved

From Vanessa (The Owner):

1 – My clients (the dogs) always have a positive attitude !

2 – Plenty of the pet parents have commented on my slender frame – this is because my “job” keeps me fit !  At the same time, do not underestimate my strength.

3 – I love making Marnie jealous !

4 – I’m a forever student amongst the animals.  Animals are the best teachers and listeners in the world.

5 – My love for all the animals in my care and life is endless and it is returned ten-fold.

Connor (Left) + Tosh (Right) | Photo by Francy | © Gold Coast Pet Sitting - All rights reserved

From Francy:

1 – It’s not work, it’s going out for a play with my four-legged friends

2 – A dog’s tail wag is not fake and wider than any human’s smile !

3 – Your “customers” are always happy to see you

4 – Because walking, running, playing and laughing keeps you very healthy

5 – As a professional pet sitter I get to “hang out” with a great variety of all kinds of animals and also discover some great hidden walks, lakes and forests on the Gold Coast !

As a founding member of the Gold Coast Network of Professional Pet Carers, I’ve noticed the business of dog sitting has grown considerably! Dog sitters make sure that your beloved pet is walked and fed properly while you are away or at work.  Dog sitters are also known as pet carers, pet sitting, dog minders or dog walkers.

If you’re trying to figure out what to look for in a professional dog sitter, consider the following:

• What is your budget ?

Whilst using a friend, family member, neighbourhood kid and so forth is the obvious affordable option as they will do it for free I can assure you as a professional pet carer who has “job shared” with family friends or relatives or neighbours, the saying “you get what you pay for” (or in this case do not pay) is true.  These people have their own lives and usually their own animals thus may not put the needs of your animal(s) at the top of their list or even miss visits because they know you have employed the services of a professional dog sitter.

At the same time, using someone who is obviously doing this for some extra side cash or a paying hobby (thus not charging the same price as professional services like us at Gold Coast Pet Sitting) isn’t always the next best option.  No doubt they have a passion/love for animals (and may have plenty of their own) or else they would not have opted to do this for some extra cash or a paying hobby!  Please be very aware that these people are doing this around their current life and jobs.  They will most likely be doing it all by themselves without a support network behind them or even procedures/systems in place for all the situations that can arise or just not have the same professionalism. Since they are not a full time business (only a paying hobby or extra side income), their own lives will come first.  Even the vet nurse working at your vet who is offering dog walking or pet sitting isn’t the best option.  This vet nurse has to be available for any last minute emergencies at her current workplace first and foremost thus may work long hours.  If you work long hours that are emotionally and physically draining (“on your feet”), you know you are not always going to be operating at your best at the end of the day.

• Does your dog sitter have an Australian Business Number, Company Number and/or Registered Business Name ?

This along with the next point below is the huge point of difference between someone doing this as a hobby or extra income versus a professional dog sitter.  Leaving the care of your beloved animals should be approached just like you would if you were to hire any contractor such as a plumber or electrician.  This shows that the person has determined they want to be different and more professional than the “kid next door”.

Just a note in regards to registered business names: after the first year of having the business name it costs the owner of the name to acquire a current certificate from the Office of Fair Trading. Not all business owners will opt to purchase this certificate + instead will give you their current business name number instead. If you really want to do your research, you’ll have to invest up to $50 to get a “business name extract” from the Office of Fair Trading to receive further details (such as when the business name is due for renewal, if it is a current business name, and so forth.

You can check to see if a business name is currently registered by clicking here and you can check if someone’s ABN is in fact their own ABN by clicking here.  It is illegal for someone to use an ABN that is NOT in their own name.

• Does the dog sitter have their own public liability insurance ?  Can they show you a copy of the certificate of insurance ?

Do not just take their word that they are insured.  Organisations such as Australian and New Zealand Pet Sitting Organisation will only list businesses who have shown proof of insurance – ask for the same proof when you meet them!  It is easy for anyone to “say” they are insured.  This insurance will also help with your peace of mind.  This person is taking the responsibility of the care of your home and property (which includes your animals as they are legally considered property) seriously. This point alone can separate a lot of people because insurance is costly and some people are not planning to do this for that long.

• Trust Google versus the Yellow Pages

If the business fails to show within the first or second page of your organic (not paid) search results on Google please do not bother with them as a business.  Anyone can be listed in the Yellow Pages – it doesn’t take any skill, effort or investment to have a basic listing.  Not just anyone can be listed and show up on the first or second page of organic (not paid – ignore the yellow paid listings) search results on Google.  This takes an investment by a person whether their own time, effort and/or skill or hiring someone else to do so.  This also reflects on the quality of the business too.

When searching for professional pet carers to join the Gold Coast Network of Professional Pet Carers, I did use the Yellow Pages online to contact people. The difference between the quality of professionalism with the people I found via Google and the people listed within the Yellow Page astounded me !  It still does to this day.

Along the same lines, check that the website you are visiting is up-to-date!

• Find an independent website to search for reviews and check references

I encourage this even with my own business.  Anyone can create a testimonials page!

Gold Coast Pet Sitting purposefully became a member of the Ask Erni directory of businesses because it is independent.  The team behind Ask Erni will interview businesses (as they did me) to ensure they are a good fit for the directory.  This ensures you, as the consumer, are only given quality business listing within this resource.

Do not trust reviews you see on Google Maps as these can be created by anyone with an email account. There is no real verification in these reviews.

I hope the above has been of assistance in helping you to find the best dog sitter for you.