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Ways To Relocate with Pets

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Planning to relocate and it includes packing up your four-legged family members? Moving with pets is never a fun-filled party. It is a stressful time and it is just as stressful for your pets. Your pets do not really understand what is happening, and it is up to the pet owners to make them comfortable. Read on for some tips to make moving into your new as stress-free as possible for everyone especially your pet.

Preparing Your Pets

Consider taking your dog to your new neighborhood for walks before you move in. In order to get your dog familiarize itself with the scents of the new place, do walk by your new house. If possible, bring your dog into the new house. Another option is to try to bring something from the new house to your dog so he can familiarize himself with its unique smell.

Try not to isolate your dog in a dog crate when you are packing. Instead, include him while you pack and move boxes as this would allow him to investigate and check out the activity. An isolated dog in a crate or a room by itself while you and your family are packing, may result in your dog feeling nervous.  This could lead to stress-related behaviors such as hyperactivity, jumping or barking.

What Should You Do with My Pets On Moving Day?

Moving day is chaotic for dogs when they see strangers carting off their favorite furniture and familiar surroundings. Do assign a responsible family member to be the dedicated dog sitter. It might be less stressful for your family and your dog if you have a dog-loving friend watch your dog for the day. When it’s time to leave for your new home, pack your dog into the car last, so he/she won’t overheat. Cover the dog crate with a light blanket, so your dog won’t see the passing scenery, which can be frightening.  You can remove the blanket once your pooch has calmed down.

If you are moving long-distance, your pets will need to be crate-trained well before your move. On the day of your move, your pets should be wearing collars including up-to-date rabies tags and your new address and phone number.

Prepare Your Dog for Change

This is easier said than done, but the best way to keep animals calm when moving is to stay calm yourself.  Here are more ways to prepare your dog for the big move.

A couple of days before the move, reduce your dog’s food servings by one-third, so that he/she won’t have a full tummy when it is rocking on a plane or bouncing in a car.

Make sure the dogs are microchipped and have ID tags with your new address on them. If they escape during the move, they can easily be traced back to you.

For international move, do work with your veterinarian to find out what tests, vaccinations, paperwork, or inspections are required by your destination country.

Do assemble and tape some boxes several days before the move, so your dog becomes accustomed to the new look and sound of his home.

If you are transporting your pet in a carrier, let he/she smell and inspect it before move day.

If you are looking for reliable dog transportation services, you may want to visit Shiply, an online delivery platform that connects customers with rated transportation companies.  Instead of spending time searching for the perfect dog transport service, Shiply allows the services to come to you.  All you need to do is fill up some details on their platform and within 30 minutes, you will receive personalized quotes in your inbox.  You will be able to compare the quotes and also look at the reviews of any services for peace of mind.  

Fleas in Your Home? Here’s What You Should Do!

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Fleas are terrible! Once they infect your pet, they can infest your house, too, meaning they’re in your carpet, in your bedding, where you eat, sleep, and go to the bathroom. You can’t just bathe your dog and hope the soapy water has drowned them in one go. Fleas are persistent, and you must properly clean them out or risk an infestation. Here’s what you need to look for, and what steps you should take when you realize your dog has fleas and has likely brought them into to the house with him:

De-Flea Your Pet

Fleas come into your home through your pet. If you notice them scratching incessantly, you will need to check if they have fleas. You can’t clean out the house until the main source of the fleas, your pet, has been treated for their fleas. First, you need to start with a fine-tooth metal comb, or a flea comb. Signs of fleas are both fleas and flea faeces, which look like little black commas. Drop any fleas you find into soapy water to kill them. Once you’ve cleared out the adult fleas, it’s time to get some flea and tick prevention for dogs that will kill not only the adults, but the larvae, too.

Flea lifespans are complicated. At any time only a small percentage of the total fleas on your pet will be adults, the rest will be either eggs, or larvae, waiting to replenish the adult population. Medication is the only way to combat them! Topical medication typically needs to be applied monthly, whereas flea prevention collars can last up to six months.

Clean Your Home

Fleas can jump. They can jump from pet to pet; they can jump from your pet to the floor. Knowing this, it is crucial to clear your home as much as possible so that the floor is accessible to your vacuum. You don’t have to bother with the heavy furniture that is flush on the floor, as the fleas wouldn’t be able to get under them.

Next, clear your home out of children and pets. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you will either have to wash any bedding that your pet uses, or destroy/get rid of it completely. You’ll have to continuously wash these items for up to a month to ensure you have killed all cycles of the flea.

You can tell fleas have infested your carpet by the small black bits (known as “flea dirt”) they have left behind for their larvae to feed on, or by spotting the fleas themselves. They like to hang out in darker areas of your home. Vacuuming is the best way to get rid of them, as it sucks up not just the adult fleas, but also the younger cycles. You can also use insecticides to finish the job.

Flea infestations are terrible, but it is important to remember not to be discouraged. It can take weeks to fully clear them out of your home! Commitment and repetition will get rid of the eggs, larvae, and pupae that you missed on the first clean of your house and dog. Keep at it, and you’ll be in the clear!

How to Improve Your Dog’s Health

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All pet owners will want to ensure their dog lives a long, happy and healthy life. Unfortunately, many people often make big mistakes when it comes to their canine’s diet, exercise and hygiene routine. For this reason, we’re providing some effective tips on how to improve your dog’s health.

Avoid Processed Dog Food

We are all aware of the dangers processed food can have on our own general health. However, many people believe shelf-stable food is fine for their pet when it could be causing their health more harm than good. Don’t settle for harmful processed options, as there are plenty of healthy and affordable natural dog treats available on the market. Look for products created from natural ingredients that are high in protein, low in fat and free from artificial preservatives, flavors and wheat.

Don’t Overfeed Your Dog

You might be tempted to overfeed your dog when those puppy dog eyes are staring up at you for more food, but don’t give in. Those little moments of indulgence can cause your pet to pile on the pounds, which can shorten his or her lifespan and damage their health.

It’s essential you only feed your dog the amount of food he or she needs to gain, lose or maintain a healthy weight. If your dog is overweight, we recommend feeding him or her earlier in the day, so there is time to work it off.

Start Exercising

Everyone needs exercise to live a healthy and active lifestyle. Unfortunately, many pet owners are guilty of neglecting their pet’s physical activity due to busy schedules. It’s important to realize that diet and exercise should go together. To boost your dog’s health, aim to walk your dog for at least 40 minutes every day. Not only will this improve their physical activity, but it can aid their bowel movements and boost their general happiness.

Care for a Dog’s Ears

Did you know that an ear infection is the most common reason dogs need to visit a veterinarian? It’s also more likely if you have a floppy-eared pooch. Ear care is an essential part of caring for your dog, as their ears are different to humans. They have a 45-degree turn before they reach the inner ear, so it can often house much wax, dirt, debris, moisture and bacteria.

The debris may prevent your dog from hearing well, and he or she may scratch their ears or shake their head to remove the blockage. To prevent this from happening, aim to regularly inspect and clean your dog’s ears to ensure he or she remains happy and healthy.

Teeth Cleaning

Anyone who has ever suffered toothache will know how painful an experience it can be. Unfortunately, dogs can also experience the same level of pain if they have poor dental care. Not only can it result in your dog losing his or her teeth, but poor oral hygiene can also increase their risk of heart disease, gum disease, abscesses, tooth decay or infection.

Care for your dog’s dental health by having his or her teeth regularly checked by a veterinarian, who can provide professional teeth cleanings to maintain a pet’s oral health. Don’t forget to brush their teeth and care for the gums, while feeding your pet the right food.

Dress Your Dog up as a Star Wars Character for Halloween or Other Celebrations

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It won’t be long until it is Halloween again, and plenty of people are already considering how they will dress up their dog. Besides Halloween, there are lots of other occasions where dog costumes may be relevant, even if it is just a normal day. After all, what is cuter than a small sausage dog in a hot dog customer, with some ketchup or mustard on their back, in a plain or sesame seeds bun? This costume is one of the most popular ones around, but there are many others as well. Consider, for instance, the Star Wars saga.

Star Wars is something that has gripped the world for many decades now. Nothing is impossible in those movies, so why not find out whether your dog has “the force”? Dogs are part of our family, and they are allowed to have fun just as much as we do. Hence, whether you’re trick or treating or you’re just out for a laugh, the following Star Wars costumes may be perfect for you.

3 Top Dog Costumes

There are lots of costumes available on the market for dogs of any size. It is very important that you choose one that properly fits your dog. Measure your animal’s neck circumference, the broadest part of their back, and the length between the base of their tail and that of their neck, and compare this to the sizes listed on the costume. Don’t be tempted to just pick an S size because you have a small dog, you really have to pick the right size so that they are comfortable in their costume.

Here are the three best costumes for a Star Wars-inspired dogs:

  1. A cute hot dog.

This is a particularly popular costume, albeit mainly for small dogs. The dog is wrapped in a costume with two buns, one on either side of the animal. You can choose seeded or plain buns, and they can even be embroidered to make it look like ketchup or mustard. Usually, these costumes stay in place through Velcro, so they are super-comfortable.

  1. The pumpkin dog.

If you are on the lookout specifically for a Halloween costume for your pet, then a pumpkin really is the way forward. This is a great costume for larger dogs, in which they are wrapped in a big pillow that looks like a pumpkin. Do make sure you add a little green stem hat to really complete the look. It’s up to you whether you choose a plain pumpkin, or a Jack O’ Lantern design.

  1. The “adorable, you will be” dog.

This is a great Star Wars-inspired costume whereby your dog is made to look like the great Yoda. A good model will come with a big eared, green headpiece and a type of jumpsuit that will make it look like your dog is ready to take on a philosophical debate. Why not turn your dog into the greatest of all Jedi Masters, particularly if you are a Star Wars fan yourself?