Introduction

Going on vacation can be a wonderful thing, but it always leads to that age-old question. What about the pets? Most of us know that we are going to have to leave our pets at one time or another. But you don’t want to leave your babies with just anyone. Not to mention that some of the kennels are more like concentration camps than daycares. This doesn’t have to be a painful process. We are going to outline the dos and don’ts of kenneling your pets. Before you know it you’ll find a kennel that your pet’s like so much, they won’t even realize that you’re gone. 

Choosing your Kennel

Now this is a subject that will require some homework on your part. Ask around to find out where your friends and family board their pets. If you are new to the area, ask your vet or just pop open then phone book. The list might be longer here but it does give you a place to start. Once you have your list of possible kennels it is time to call them up and ask a few important questions. 

Questions to Ask

The first question to ask is always whether or not the kennel is licensed and accredited . If the answer is no, then thank them for their time and hang up the phone. You want to know that the kennel staff has gone through at least some basic training, and accreditation will at least give you that. Plus it shows that the owners are serious about their business and have taken the time to fill out the paperwork.

If the answer is yes then you need to ask some deeper and more probing questions . While you need to make a list of what is important to you, here are some questions to get you started.

• Are the dogs put in runs or cages?
• Does the size of the dog decide their placement?
• How much time to the dogs get outside everyday?
• Are cats caged or put in a free roaming room?
• What are your feeding procedures?
• How much hands on time will my pet get everyday?
• What is your cost per night?
• Can I bring my pets toys and bed from home?
• Do you provide bedding?
• What do you do if my pet will not eat?
• Should I bring food and treats or do you provide them?
• What do you do if an animal becomes sick?
• Does anyone on your staff have any medical training?
• How many animals do you board at a given time?
• How often are the rooms cleaned?

If they answer your questions in a manner that pleases you then it is time for a first hand visit. 

Touring the Kennel

If you like the sound of a kennel good enough to visit it, then chances are they said something that grabbed your attention. Now you want to make sure that they were not lying to you. It is easy to say something snappy over the phone, you just need to double check what they said.

So the first thing you are looking for is whether or not their answers match the reality of their kennel. Remember that you might have a different definition of a run or a kennel then the staff does. And you want to see first hand where your animal will be staying. What sounds great over the phone might not look so wonderful in real time.

You also just want to get a general impression of the place. Is it clean? Does it smell terrible? Look around and see just how secure everything is. Is the staff careful to shut doors and gates, or are animals wandering in places where they should not be. Is the staff friendly? Or do they give you a bad feeling? You will know very quickly if this is some place you feel comfortable with. Trust you gut.

Your Pet’s First Stay

Once you find your kennel of choice, remember to book it early . If you decide that this is just the perfect place for your pets then chances are good that a lot of other people feel the exact same way. Plan ahead and mark the days in your calendar and make sure to reserve it in theirs.

Make sure to ask the kennel staff what you need to bring with you. In almost all cases this will include a copy of your pet’s medical records . This is something you want them to ask for. By making sure that all of the animals in the kennel are up to date on their vaccinations , your pet is protected from some nasty diseases. You also want to know about bringing food, treats, toys, a leash, bedding, and medication. Take the time to double check before you leave; you don’t want to forget anything important. It can also be a good idea to take a special treat for your pet, something like a can of food they don’t often get or a new toy.

If you are planning to leave your pet for a long period of time it might be a good idea to do a practice stay . This means taking your pet to the kennel for one night while you are in town. This way if they just do not tolerate the kennel stay you can deal with the problem before you are several hundred miles away. It is not uncommon for an animal to need medication to help them through the transition. And the last thing you want is to discover your pet has anxiety issues after you have already left.

When the time comes to drop off your pet try to avoid long drawn out good byes, and remain clam. The more anxious you are the more your pet will pick up on it. The calmer you are, the easier it will be on both of your. Also make sure not to over feed your pet. If they are suffering from anxiety a full stomach can just lead to vomiting. Plus by allowing the kennel staff to offer them a special meal when they arrive it can help to build trust. 

Happy Homecomings

When you go to pick up your pet they will usually be overcome with joy. This does not mean that they had a terrible experience at the kennel. It just means that they are happy to see you. They are your baby after all! Give them some time to run if the kennel has a yard and the ride home will be more pleasant for everyone.

When animals return home it is not uncommon for them to gulp down any and all food in sight. Again, this does not mean that they were not fed at the kennel; it is simply a sign that they are happy to be in their own familiar environment. Because of this pick up their food for a few minutes after you first get home. If they over eat they are likely to suffer from diarrhea and vomiting. Give them time to calm down and then offer them their normal meal.

Also, don’t be surprised if your pet sleeps more than normal on their first few days home. Kennels are exciting places for animals, and they are simply full of stimuli. After all of the excitement it is common for a pet to need some extra rest. Take it as a sign that they had a really good time!

If instead, you’re looking to travel with your pet and need to find a pet friendly vacation rental home, condo or hotel that accept pets be sure to checkout Pet vacation homes. Else, if you’re looking for the perfect vacation rental home, condo for Florida family vacation see Vacation Rental World.

Introduction

When you make the decision to make a pet a part of your family it is your responsibility to take the good right along with the bad. Everyone loves to play with the new puppy or kitten and love on them, but often help becomes scare when they make a mess. Which, let’s face it, animals often do. Even the most housebroken animal can have an accident now and then, and there is always the chance of them getting sick. First you have to control your temper, and then you have to know how to clean up the mess. That is what we are focusing on in this lesson. We are going to give you some tried and true methods to make sure that your house survives your pet.

House Soiling

The Reason Behind the Mess

The first step to keeping your house fresh and clean is finding out why your pet is making the mess in the first place. If your pet has been house trained for years and now they are suddenly soiling the floor , there might be a medical condition to blame. Conditions ranging from heartworms to anxiety have been known to cause this behavior. You definitely want to consult your vet before you take any drastic measures such as banning the animal to the great outdoors for the rest of their natural life. If a medical condition is not to blame then it is time to go back to square one and work on house training once again. These steps are the same no matter if you have a dog or a cat.

Cleaning up the Mess

No matter the reason for your pet’s new messy habits, you still have to clean up the mess. You have to remove the stain completely for several reasons. First it can cause health problems to have animal waste in your home. A build up of these substances can cause allergic reactions as well as carry diseases. Also, if you do not completely remove the stain then it just encourages your pet to use the same area again. It is similar to them marking their territory out in the wild. Once the catch their own scent then to them this is an acceptable place to mark. So how do you do it?

There are a variety of products on the market today that claim to completely remove odors . While most of them work to varying degrees, the most important thing is to catch the mess as quickly as possible. If it dries then it is just that much harder to clean the fabric, especially when we are taking about carpet. If you need help finding all of the spots try using a black light. The urine stains will glow under the light. Soak up as much as possible with a clean towel or paper towels before you try to clean. If you just go straight to scrubbing you end up spreading the stain over a larger area.

For stains that are already dry you might consider using a steam cleaner . These machines are available to rent at most grocery and hardware stores. These types of high quality commercial cleaners help to clean all layers of your carpet where scrubbing only works on the top. Since you want to remove the whole stain, not just the part that you can see, you need a more powerful tool. The machines instructions are usually pretty easy to follow, so just stick to the plan.

Once the area is cleaned use a high-end pet odor neutralizer on the affected area. This will help to kill any remaining odor. These products are available at just about any pet retailer. If you have a question about which brand to buy, just ask the sales clerk. They know what is popular and what has worked for other customers. Remember, if you have used any kind of chemical on this area in the past, then the neutralizer will not work at all. The enzymes in the neutralizer will use them selves up on the chemicals and never touch the stain that you are want gone. If you want them to work you have to rinse out every drop of the previous cleaners, and even that might not be enough.

When all else fails, the only other option is to remove a small section of the carpet and padding. If you replace the carpet then you can know without a doubt that the stain is gone.

If the item is safe to machine wash , such as a rug or article of clothing then run it through on hot cycle . When you remove it from the wash check to see if you can still smell any odor or if you can still see a stain. If you do then you need to wash it again. Repeat the process until there is no evidence remaining. This will help to keep your pet from soiling the item once again.

Solving the Problem

If your pet finds and area that they are drawn to then the best thing that you can do is make it difficult for them to reach it. Shut the door, block off the area, or cover it with a rug, anything that will deter your pet from soiling the area. You want to do everything that you can to make that particular area as unattractive to your pet as possible. If your pet is scared of something, like plastic bags for example, then put it in the area. Be creative and use whatever weapons you have at your disposal.

The next step is to make the appropriate bath rooming area as attractive as you possibly can. Clear access, treats, and positive reinforcement are all great tools to use. Like we said earlier you might have to go all the way back to the beginning and start potty training all over again. Even older pets that have never had a problem before might become confused in a new environment. So if you are moving to a new house, be ready to help your dog or cat acclimate. You need to set the boundaries and they need to learn them.

Introduction

We know that bringing a new pet home to join your family is a fun and exciting experience. We also know that it is one that your home might not be quite ready for. In fact, it is likely that your home is filled with potential hazards to your new dog or cat. In this lesson we will look at easy ways to make you home safe for all who reside there. This way you can rest easy knowing that you have provided a safe environment for your pet.

Common Hazards

Electricity

Puppies and kittens are notoriously curious, and for some reason electrical cords are often an undeniable temptation. When they find them, they chew them, and this can lead to a very unpleasant outcome. To avoid electrocution , keep electrical cords away from your pet. This means unplugging appliances that are not in use, and keeping cords neat and out of the way. If your pet is especially drawn to cords you might have to tape them to the baseboards in your home. This is not a lesson that you want your pet to learn the hard way. 

Doors, Windows, and Porches

This may seem like a small thing, but it is really very important. Get in the habit of closing all of your doors and windows . Pets are terrible to dart out of open doors. From there it is an easy thing for them to find their way to the street or just get themselves lost. Millions of companion animals are lost every year, and a large number of them never find their way home. Take care of this problem by shutting the doors and windows. If there is no exit then there is no escape.

Now window pose a special problem as many companion animals, especially cats, are drawn to ledges . It is not uncommon for pets to fall or jump out of windows. Maybe they see a squirrel or bird that they want to chase, or maybe they just lean out too far and fall. But the height of the ledge doesn’t seem to really matter; broken bones are very common as is death. In fact, this happens so often that it has a name, High Rise Syndrome . If there is no open window then there is no way for them to fall or jump out of it.

It is the same situation with porches . Pets often try to jump when their bodies cannot handle the fall. If you have a porch you need to make sure that your animal cannot fit between the rails. If it is a large dog then you can leave them out there to enjoy some fresh air. If it is a cat or small dog you should be out there with them. 

Garbage Cans

For a pet, what could be better than a garbage can ? Think about it, they must smell wonderful to your cat or dog. Filled with all sorts of wonderful treats that they are not allowed to have. Well, these “treats” are off limits for a reason, many of them are hazardous to your pet. Things like chicken bones or raw chicken skin smell great to your pet, but can carry bacteria or cause your pet to choke. To avoid this use garbage cans with lids. Just a simple lid will work fine for some pets, but others require more drastic measures. Look for heavy cans that are not easily tipped over, and lids that lock. If that doesn’t work, put you trash in a small room, like a pantry, laundry room, or utility closet, and keep the door shut. You don’t want you pet to get sick or injured, and you don’t want to keep cleaning up the mess. 

Plants

While houseplants are beautiful, many of them are poisonous to dogs and cats. Common plants like Lilies and English Ivy are among the poisonous varieties. Since different plants affect different species of animals, ask your vet before you bring your pet home. They can let you know what you should avoid for your specific pet. It is okay to have plants around the house, just make sure that you have the right ones. Cats especially are known to chew on houseplants. 

Tempting Edibles

Keep in mind that dogs and cats are attracted to shiny objects . This includes things like needles, glass, sequins, Christmas ornaments, and fire. Now, now of these are things that you want you pet to ingest, as it would mean a definite and painful trip to the vet. We know that there is no way to keep your pet away from all shiny objects, but you do want to pay attention. Try not to leave things out where your pet can get a hold of them. Use some common sense. Set up your Christmas tree where your pets can’t get to it and keep candles up out of your pet’s reach. This is easier said than done when it comes to cats so you may have to be more careful especially with candles. If your cat is drawn to the flame you either have to burn candles that have the flames enclosed, stay right with your candle so that you can watch your pet, or give up candles for other forms of air fresheners.

Poisons

What is considered poison to your pet might be just fine for you. Things like medication, cleaners, insecticides, and automotive products can all prove deadly to your pet. This is why you never give your pet human medication with out the express direction from your vet. You also need to be particularly careful when it comes to antifreeze. The liquid has a sweet taste that attracts animals, but it is deadly. If you use it around your home make sure to thoroughly clean the area to avoid puddles from forming.

As always, if you suspect that your pet has been poisoned then you need to head immediately to your vet’s office. 

Using Common Sense

The most important thing is to always use common sense when bringing home a new pet. Don’t leave them alone for long periods of time until you know their personality. Are they an animal that you can safely leave to their own devices, or do you need to limit their roaming unless you can watch them? It may take some time, but before you know it you and your pet will know each other’s limits. You just have to take the time to set them.