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I’ll never forget the first time I had to take care of a dog for an extended period of time. My younger brother suffered from bad allergies, so we never had one growing up, and thus I never had the chance to learn about proper pet care. Sure I’d read a few Web sites and had received some tips from friends, but there’s no substitute for real experience. I’ve never been more nervous than I was on that first walk, especially after realizing that my new buddy Porter liked to growl and bark at every other dog he saw on the street. Apparently he liked to assert his dominance.

It was a long month, but by the end of it I was sad to give Porter back to his owners. After taking the time to read up on proper pet care and soliciting even more advice and tips from my dog-loving friends, I was finally starting to feel comfortable and truly enjoy spending time with the big guy. Since then I’ve pet-sat many times for a variety of different dogs, cats, fish and what have you. But I’ve never forgotten some of the important tips I learned that first month – especially in regards to keeping your pet safe from the hot summer sun.

Below are some of the most important tips I learned about proper summer pet care, all of which I still follow today.

• Keep them hydrated. Just as water is important for you and me in the hot summer sun, it’s also vital for your pets. Make sure they have access to fresh water – both inside and out. Keeping them hydrated will not only help to cool them down, it can also help to prevent heat-related problems, including heat exhaustion and even the more serious heat stroke.
• Take frequent, shorter walks. Rather than one long walk every day, take your pet on several shorter walks on hot days. This allows them to still get the proper exercise they need while also making sure they don’t overheat in the sun. Overexertion is one of the biggest causes f heat-related illnesses in pets. Shorter, more frequent walks will help prevent this, and can also help to keep you fresh as well. If possible, try to time your walks for early morning or evening hours when the sun is less intense.
• Don’t leave your pet in the car. We’ve all been tempted to take our dogs along with us on an errand or two, but you should never leave your pet alone in the car on a hot summer day. Even with the windows down, the inside of your car can reach a scorching 120 degrees. You wouldn’t leave your pet in the oven – at least not while it’s on – so don’t leave them in your car.
• Watch for heat-related issues. Just like you, your pet can suffer from both heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Keep an eye out for the different symptoms of exhaustion and heat stroke so you can be ready in case of an emergency. The most common signs include panting, staring, anxiety, rapid pulse, vomiting and collapsing. If you think your pet might be suffering from a serious heat-related illness, contact a veterinarian immediately. You should also attempt to lower your pet’s body temperature by applying cool – but not cold – towels to the chest and neck area.
• Be aware in crowded areas. While it might seem fun and harmless at first, it is usually not a good idea to take your pet with you to a crowded summer party or event. This can include concerts, Fourth of July parties and fireworks shows. Loud noises and stress associated with the large crowds can be dangerous for your pets when combined with the summer heat. If you do take your pets with you, keep an eye on them and make sure they are tagged and leashed at all times.

Mike Tennant is a freelance writer, columnist and dog lover from Orange County. Mike currently works with Air Conditioner Home as a content developer to help consumers make the right decision when looking for the best portable air conditioner.

This is a guest post, from The Doggie Den in Northborough, MA. If you’ve adopted a dog in need of a forever home, CONGRATULATIONS! You’ve done a wonderful thing. Adopted dogs come from all kinds of backgrounds, sometimes with limited “social skills” development. Foster homes may have provided the opportunity to play with a permanent canine family member, your new pet may have occasionally romped in a dog park, or your pup may have been crated or caged a good percentage of the time. None of those situations allows a pup to meet other dogs and new people under the skilled supervision of dog professionals.

In fact, dogs often acquire dangerous habits when left to play unsupervised, like getting what they want through dominance or aggression. It’s a bit like a school yard: if there are no adults around some kids turn into bullies. Similarly, dogs with limited social skills tend to jump up when meeting a new person and to try to monopolize that person for themselves.

The role of a dog play attendant is to interrupt behaviors that aren’t acceptable, just like on a kids’ playground. With dogs, though, the line between excitement and aggression is quite thin. Rambunctious play easily explodes into a fight – it’s just the nature of the beast. In the wild, dogs use play to practice their hunting skills, and there’s some of that predatory instinct left in pet dogs. But trained dog attendants know when to step in between pups who are overly excited before any aggression shows up. The pups get affectionate praise for turning down the intensity of their play, and are separated (and possibly temporarily crated) if they insist on being rough with each other.

The best environment for your dog to play safely with other dogs and to meet new people is a doggie daycare. Good doggie daycares hire and train employees with a view to creating just the right environment for maximum fun and minimum risk. There are rules for meeting a new person, like not jumping up on him or her. Dogs learn to say hello by wagging their tail and looking at the new person with a doggie “smile”. Pushing or scaring other dogs away in order to be first in line for attention leads to a “time out” rather than to affectionate attention; as does mounting another dog, excessive barking or trying to monopolize all of the available toys (this is called “resource guarding”). Appropriate play leads to praise and cuddles and games of fetch with the human supervisor.

So taking your adopted pet to a good daycare a couple of times a week has the benefit of improving his or her social skills, which makes him/ her lots of fun to have around. Because the dog has a life outside your home, he/ she will also acquire self confidence. Pup will feel fine about being away from family for the day; and even better about being picked up at night! And the big plus for us owners is that after a hard day at work, we have an exhausted pup who just wants to curl up next to you in the evening. Of course, it’s important to check out a daycare before leaving your dog there. Get references from people who are or have been longtime customers. Ask around to see if dog owners have heard of the establishment. Your vet may also be a good source of information about local daycares. Look for one where the employees have lots of dog experience, and the canine guests get to play, and not be crated for much of the day.

For an example of a good daycare, check out The Doggie Den!

Today Adopt-a-Pet.com was featured on PEOPLEpets! We took the opportunity to highlight the life of Emily who is listed on our website in search of a home. Emily was found running alone in an Ohio cornfield, presumably left by her previous owners. Taken to the local Wilmington Area Humane Society, the possible whippet-Mountain Cur mix soon became a staff favorite. “Emily is.. Finish reading at PEOPLEPets.com

June 3rd, 2010
Abbie Moore, executive director of Adopt-a-Pet.com, released the following statement regarding the death of actress Rue McClanahan, whose image appears on the non-profit’s web site: “Everyone at Adopt-a-Pet.com is extremely saddened to hear of Rue McClanahan’s passing. Ms. McClanahan, a noted animal lover, generously donated her time, energy, and likeness in support of pet adoption by appearing in an episode of our web series, The Save-a-Pet Show. She also appears on the Adopt-a-Pet.com web site, fittingly, on the page where visitors can search for a shelter cat to adopt (http://www.adoptapet.com/cat-adoption). We’ve always thought of her as our ‘Cat Ambassador’, greeting and encouraging all who come to Adopt-a-Pet.com with the intention of saving a cat’s life.

“In the episode of the Save-a-Pet Show in which she appears, Ms. McClanahan revealed the bottomless compassion she felt for all animals, dogs and cats alike. In fact, she said, during the filming of The Golden Girls, she had eight cats and six dogs, all adopted from shelters or rescued as strays from the streets. We thank you, Rue, for everything you’ve done to spread the word about pet adoption and the great example you’ve set as a wonderful human being.”

Adds Dr. Pia Salk, who interviewed Ms. McClanahan in the episode of The Save-a-Pet Show: “Rue graciously invited us into her home to shoot the episode and we surprised her by bringing some shelter kittens with us. There was a very sweet ‘little girl’ quality to her that comes out in the episode as she cuddles each shelter kitten and helps me name them! She was really lovely and so genuinely concerned for these kittens specifically, as well as the overall plight of shelter animals. She will be sorely missed by 2 –and-4 -leggers alike.”

The Save-a-Pet Show can be viewed here: http://www.adoptapet.com/save-a-pet-show/index.html, or on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_lTujC5bBw

While begging for hot dogs might seem like the perfect dog day, what comes after on July 4th isn’t so K9 or Feline friendly. At night the bangs and screeching of fireworks elevate your pets’ fight-or-flight drive. This can cause them to panic, wet the floor, tear up things, try to escape, run, or exhibit other distressed behavior. Be Aware! This is the busiest time of year at shelters Nationwide. Even if your dog or cat has never tried to escape or run, this may be the time. They may seem fine and then suddenly bolt out an open door or gate. Fireworks can start days in advance, so use our tips as soon as needed. You can help your dogs and cats stay cool and safe this day of independence. Here’s how:

1. Check that your pets collars are secure, with up-to-date, readable pet ID tags. Call to verify that their microchips have your current contact information.
2. Keep your pet inside!
3. Turn on the TV or loud music to minimize outside sounds.
4. Don’t coddle dogs when they are scared – that rewards scared behavior. Talk in a normal voice, act indifferent to the sounds.
5. Give your dog a special food-stuffed toy or long-lasting chew treat, to keep their mind focused on that, not the noises.
6. Give your dog his or her normal “big” exercise session every day. Exercise helps relieve stress.
7. If you know your pet gets highly distressed during fireworks, talk to your vet about possible short-term medication.
8. Keep doors closed – and, if possible, keep pets locked out of rooms where a door to the outside might be opened.
9. If at all possible, do not leave your pets alone, especially outside, during these events. If you must leave them alone, leave them inside with a TV or radio playing.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

This post is from a friend of ours all the way across the Atlantic in Ireland. Gillian lives in rural Ireland and cares for a variety of animals. Recently she wrote a comprehensive blog post about how to raise a newborn kitten. It covers: how to feed a newly born kitten, how to handle and care for a kitten, how to introduce solid foods, how to introduce litter trays, and how to clean the kitten. Her post includes videos and is easy to follow. You can read how to raise a kitten on her blog here.

Got a high energy dog? Need help adopting out a Dalmatian or Pointer? Channel that spirit and liveliness into a fun, bonding game by teaching your dog to jump through a hula hoop! First, hold up the hula hoop with the bottom rim on the ground. Hold a piece of high-value treat through the hoop, and if your dog pokes his nose, face or body through, reward him with the treat. If he goes around the hula hoop, no treat is given. He will begin to see that moving towards or poking through the hula hoop gets him some yummy food! Encourage any interaction with the hoop by praising your pup.

Once he is putting even a little bit of his body through, lure him completely through the hoop. Practice this a few times, always making it a fun, positive experience for your dog, and begin to pair the activity with a command, such as “jump”. (Even though at this stage, the hoop is still resting on the ground, and your dog is just walking through it.) Keep practicing and luring your dog through the hoop, saying “jump” and then you’re ready for the next step: toss the treat through the hoop and ask your pooch to “jump”! Throw a party of praise for him when he does it right, and go over that drill many times. If he does not jump through the hoop, take a step back and practice luring him through again.

Once your dog jumps through on command, which takes time and practice, you will gradually be able to start moving the bottom rim of hoop up off the ground higher and higher, and even adding other hula hoops to teach him to jump through so he can jump several hula hoops at a time! Jumping through hoops is not only a great party trick, it’s also a terrific way to direct your dog’s energy into an agility game, while bonding throughout the activity. For very high energy dogs, letting them expel their vigor in an appropriate way helps curb bad habits from forming due to excess energy.

PeoplePets.com is working with Adopt-a-Pet.com to raise awareness of pet adoption. Here is this week’s post: For every pet living with a happy family, there is an animal in a shelter waiting to find a loving home. So today, in honor of Adopt-A-Cat Month, we’d like you to meet Wobbles, a determined 1-year-old cat we met through Adopt-a-Pet.com. When Wobbles was rescued, the pretty kitty had an injury to her back leg that caused it to fuse in a straight position.

According to Theresa Bachu of the For Animals rescue, Wobbles can’t bend her leg, but that doesn’t stop her from running, jumping and exploring like any normal cat… continue reading on peoplepets.com

This week news of a interesting way to raise awareness about pet adoption. The Nevada Humane Society  hosted a marathon Pet Adoptathon at its shelter on Longley Lane, where they stayed open for 36 straight hours.

You can reduce or even eliminate allergies to your family pets, just by following some very simple steps! Cats and dogs are the most common pets that cause human allergic reactions. While it is rare for a human’s allergies to a pet to be so severe (and unresponsive when all these tips are used) that they can no longer live with that pet, that doesn’t mean they are fun. So try our easy tips below, and you won’t have to give away your family dog or cat to solve an allergy problem in yourself or your kids!

To learn why I’m an “expert” on pet allergies, you can read below my tips. DISCLAIMER: these are just my personal tips. They are not a substitute for medical advice from your doctor.

Step 1: Reduce allergens in your life.

The more your body is having to put up a “fight” to allergens, the harder it is for it to win. Do you know everything you might be even slightly allergic to? An allergist can test you for a few dozen allergens, but in the battle against allergies, it may be easier to start out with reducing as much as possible the most common allergens in your life. Pet dander, dust, mold, pollen… they all float in our home’s air and stick to every surface! When you reduce ALL the allergens in your home, you reduce your allergic reaction to your pet. Here are just some ideas how:

• clean your house daily with natural, perfume free cleaning products
• vacuum what you cannot mop, such as couches, your mattress
• get a sealed “allergy” vacuum – that filters & traps dust/allergens inside
• use pet hair rollers daily (or more often!) on fabric surfaces – we like the sticky washable ones
• replace carpet with hard surface flooring, or keep pets out of carpeted rooms
• if you cannot remove carpet, steam clean monthly (or weekly/biweekly)
• if you must have rugs, replace wool with cotton, & wash using 140 degree+ water weekly
• replace curtains with hard surface window coverings that can be wiped down weekly
• invest in high-quality HEPA air purifier – starting with one in the bedroom
• cover mattresses and pillows with specially designed allergy covers
• wash blankets weekly on hot using hypo allergenic laundry soap
• wash your clothes and  yourself in non-perfumed soap and shampoo
• leave your shoes at the door to avoid tracking allergens inside
• try eliminating or drastically reducing dairy (milk, eggs) from your diet
• try eliminating other common food allergens from your diet (wheat, soy, peanuts)
• avoid scented body care products

Step 2: Reduce allergens from your pet

If you are having a reaction to a newly adopted pet, often simply letting another family member or friend (or paid pet cleaner) handle that pet and cleaning as much as possible for you, while you slowly over a few weeks get used to that new pet, can be a huge help. Here are some other tips to try to help as well:

• Big News for 2020: Purina’s “LiveClear” cat food has been shown to reduce allergens in cat hair and dander by an average of 47%. For sale at most pet supply stores like at Chewy.com here.
• wash your hands immediately after handling your new pet
• brush your pet daily – dogs outside your home, cats in a bathroom with a closed door, surfaces wiped off  afterward (ideally done by a nonallergic family member)
• after brushing, using a towel dampened with water, wipe off their fur, then wash towel (do not reuse)
• bathe dogs weekly – use a gentle moisturizing unscented pet shampoo, or alternate one week with just an unscented conditioner
• once a week, wipe down pet using a pet allergen reducing liquid like Allerpet for Cats or Dogs (about $7) available in pet supply stores or online.
• use a damp towel to wipe down pets that go outside, before they come inside, to wipe off outside allergens
• clean litterboxes daily, outside, and wash out completely weekly
• use unscented dust-free cat litter
• wash pet beds weekly in unscented laundry soap & hot water
• wash your pet’s toys weekly
• feed your pets premium food (helps keep skin healthy)
• if your pet has dry or flaking skin, with your vet’s approval, feed a skin & coat supplement
• keep pets out of your bedroom… or at least off the bed!

Then, slowly, one by one… You may need to start out using ALL the tips above to reduce your allergies enough to be comfortable. But then, try not using one, for a few weeks, and see how you do! For example, let’s say you’d prefer to have your pets sleep in your bedroom. However, at first, you may do best with no pets in you bedroom, keeping the door closed. Then in a few weeks (or months), try the door open with a baby gate or screen keeping pets out. Then allowed them in the room but not while you are in there sleeping. Then try your pets sleeping on the floor… and then, if you want, a pet on the bed! If at any point your allergies become uncomfortable, take one step back.

How I got to be an “expert” on pet allergies… I suffered from allergies my entire childhood. I had asthma and hay fever and was allergic to pretty much anything that bloomed or walked on four legs! I spent the latter half of my childhood living in the lush countryside with all sorts of animals, so I have decades of experience dealing with allergies to pets. I still have to follow many of the steps below to keep it that way, and new pets and certain times of the year or environments (a field of goldenrod) will make my nose and eyes tingle, but that mild reaction is just a faint reminder of the full-blown inability to breath, itchy eyes, and runny nose symptoms I used to suffer from on a daily basis.

I now live in a home with many dogs and cats and am almost totally allergy (and medication) free!

Photo credit: evah