Protecting Your Dog and Cat in the Winter Months.

harsh winter weather.  All too many of the ones that will suffer this season are pets, dogs and cats left outside during bitter cold.  It seems that people would just understand that dogs and cats need to be inside during the cold weather, however every county has Cruelty Investigators that respond to all too many cases every year about animals being left in the cold. 

• Keep your cat inside.  Cats can freeze or become prey to wildlife looking for their next meal.  Coyotes and foxes become more driven to get food in the winter months, so they come closer to homes and neighborhoods. Provide shelter for stray animals that you see may need your helps.  Leave food and water, as stray need to increase their
  
  food intake 15 -20% in the winter for survival.
• Wipe down your dog’s paws, legs and stomach when he comes in from the snow, sleet, or ice.  Dogs can easily ingest salt, antifreeze or other life threatening chemicals from their paws or pads.  
• Provide a warm dog bed, preferable elevated outdoor bed, shelter, dog blanket, water in a thermal bowl, if left outside for any length of time. 

• If you know of stray animals in your area, please try to provide them with water, food, shelter and dog blankets.  They too need help getting through these cold winter months.
• Just like in the summer months, please do not leave your dog or cat in the car during the winter months.  Your car acts as a refrigerator and can easily cause death to an animal.
• Dogs lose most of their body heat from their paw pads, ears and through respiration, so dress them in a dog coat and dog boots if you plan to have them outside for any length of time.
• Listen to your dog when you have them outside…signs that your dog is uncomfortable in the cold include, whining, shivering, anxiety or lethargy. 
• Puppies and old dogs do not tolerate the cold as well as the average dog, so be sure to keep them inside as much as possible.  Puppy training may be more difficult in the winter months, so you may want to try paper training and work towards full house training in the spring.
• Exercising your dog is still important in the winter months.  Apply paw protection to their pads to help protect them from ice and snow.  Dog boots and a dog coat will help protect your dog on a walk. 
• Antifreeze is deadly to dogs and cats and can be completely preventable.  Dispose of antifreeze properly and don’t leave an antifreeze container in an area that your dog can get to.  If a spill occurs hose down with water until it no longer has a green color. 
• Watch out for cats that may seek shelter in car engines.  Stray cats are trying to find a warm place to sleep and often climb up in the car engine.  If you know you have cats around your area, make noise and tap your car hood before starting your car.

Happy New Year!!!!

It's that time of year again when many of us begin to make  New Year's Resolutions.  Did you know that an estimated 40% of people make resolutions and only about 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals?  With those statistics, I have decided to scrap my resolution and create realistic goals that I would like to keep - something other than losing weight, eating healthy, etc.

According to the experts if we change our attitudes and our goals we can achieve real results.  So, I have decided to do just that.  I have taken bits and pieces of the advice to create a goal that has real meaning this year.  Shop for Paws is my new business and I have great dreams and goals for what I would like to accomplish in 2015.  I have a vision for my business and feel I am well on my way now.

Here are just a few of the goals that I would like to share with you at this time.

• Social media is an ongoing learning experience for me, as I have not been involved with any social media before opening my business.  I have to admit, I am actually liking it.  One of my goals for 2015 is to have  "X" number of followers on Facebook and Twitter (I'll share my number this time next year - and let you know if I reached my goal).   
• Merchandise - I plan to keep my pet supply business with quality pet products and continue to add suggested items from my customers.
• Work diligently on my business to create a pet supply website that focuses on quality and customer satisfaction.
• Most Importantly - I will continue to create a site that will allow me to give back to animals in need.  At this time I will be giving 10% of all proceeds to non-profit organizations that support the most vulnerable animals. 

Christmas Gift Ideas for Pets or Their Owners?

Christmas presents.  I know my Bailey, Callie, Jett and Bear will certainly have their chew bones, new dog beds and dog toys under the Christmas tree this year.  As we all begin to shop for gifts this year, I decided a Top 10 Pet Gift List is worth the effort.  After all, it’s a great time of year to replace those dog items that should be replaced yearly.
10. DONATE - One of my personal favorite gifts for my pets and the pet lovers in my life.  Find your local animal shelter or animal rescue’s list of needy items and take your dog on a shopping day.  Pick all the great stuff on the list and deliver it in person.  Great outing for you and your dog.  Donate to a local or nationwide pet rescue in the name of your family member or friend. Print off a certificate - they will love it.    

Traveling with your pets over the holiday?

•   -  Carriers - Most cats do not like being in a car as it is, so give them a place that lets them feel comfortable and safe.  Cat carriers are perfect for keeping your cat safe in the car.  It’s important to restrain your pet carrier, so that you and your cat are safe.  Do this by securing the carrier with a seat belt around the front of the pet carrier.
• ·      Carriers for dogs are also essential for keeping you and your dog safe during your travels.  Some dogs feel safer and more comfortable in a dog carrier traveling dog crate  or dog kennel while in the car.  It’s a great way to travel long distance, as your dog can have their dog bed, dog bowl and a toy to keep them busy. 
• ·      If a dog carrier is not for your dog, the next best thing for keeping your dog safe is a seatbelt, although it has not be proven that seatbelt are effective for protecting your dog in a crash.  Restraining your dog in the car keeps every safe.  Dog seatbelts are perfect for keeping your dog from roaming in the car and distracting the driver.
• ·      Just like our children, the front seat should be left to adults.  So whether your dog is in a dog crate or in a seatbelt, he or she should be in the back seat.
• ·      Now, my dog loves to hang his head out the window, but this can certainly be a danger as they can be hurt by debris, so it is best if dogs keep their heads inside the car.  If you are using restraints of some kind, then this would not be an option anyways.
• ·      Make frequent potty stops for your dog as you are traveling.  Remember to freshen up the water, food and toys at each stop.  Keep your dog on a secure lead, leash or harness.
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traveling, pet’s health care during your travels, what pet carrier is required by the airlines, and how long will your pet be alone before getting on the plane. 

• If you will be flying with your cat or dog, see if the airlines allow pets in the cabin.  If they do and your dog is small enough for this, by all means this is the best way to have a pet fly with you. Traveling pet carriers are essential to keeping them safe.
• If your dog or cat will be flying in the cargo hold of the airplane, you should definitely do your research on the airlines. 
• Check airline pet policies, requirements and restrictions before booking that flight.