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pets

How Well Do We Know Your Pets?

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January 19th is Get To Know Your Customers Day. We feel pretty confident that we know your pets pretty well, but we always want to learn more.

Let’s talk about how we get to know the Floofins in your household. 

First, we alway do a meet and greet before taking on new clients. We get all of the information on your home, your pet’s schedule, the feeding preferences, etc. It’s important to us that we make your absence feel less stressful to your pet by keeping them in their routine.

We also spend regular time with them. If you are a midday walk client, we know the pace your pet likes to take and are able to notice when they speed up or slow down or even when something is askew. 

As a client, I have had my Floofins staff member note any small lumps or bumps and any odd behavior (like that time Ginger insisted she take her water buffalo horn on her walk). It’s helpful and informative.

But did you know that you can always contact us with additional information above and beyond what is in your profile? We always document information there for consistency between staff and the office. But, you can always reach out to us with feedback about our service and staff. We encourage communication. 

Finally, if you are satisfied with the service you receive, consider leaving a Google Review, Yelp Review, or a Facebook Review. Those words of praise and affirmation make a huge difference when potential clients are researching pet care companies. We note it and appreciate it.

So, tell us more about you, our customers. And if you want, let others know how you feel about us. We believe in hearing our customers, so always let us know how we’re doing. 

The Facts On Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day

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No one likes to think about cancer, especially for our pets. But, early detection can save lives. That’s why we want to talk about the facts of canine lymphoma.

November 7th is Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day. You may be wondering what that is and how to detect it in your pet.

According to Canada Pet Care, lymphoma is a common cancer that derives its name from the white blood cells the cancer attacks. It is so common that according to AKC Canine Health Foundation, 1 in 15 dogs will be impacted in their life time.

Symptoms you should be on the lookout for include:

  • Loss of Weight
  • Swelling in the Area of Lymph Nodes
  • Loss of Interest in Doing the Physical Activities
  • Being Extensively Lethargic

Canada Pet Care has identified the four major types of lymphoma:

  • Multicentric Lymphoma: This is the most common type affecting the dogs. This kind of cancer is not painful but it enlarges the lymph nodes of neck, armpits, and groin areas causing redness all over the areas surrounding.
  • Extranodal Lymphoma: This is rarest of all. It happens away from the common nodal and can develop near eyes, skin, lungs or even nervous system.
  • Alimentary Lymphoma: This causes the effect on intestines and results in vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
  • Mediastinal Lymphoma: This is rare and it affects the organs in chest.

Remember that like people, early detection can make all the difference in implementing effective and potentially successful interventions. While the cause isn’t fully known, it tends to impact larger breed dogs more so than small breeds. 

Just another reason why careful observation of your pet’s normal behavior and regular medical visits are an important role in keeping your pet healthy. 

National Hedgehog Day Pops Up February 2nd

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While most of us are familiar with February 2nd being the day we use a groundhog to determine whether spring or winter weather is ahead, there’s another holiday celebrated the same day. National Hedgehog Day!

According to MentalFloss.com, there are 17 different species of hedgehogs. But, none of them are native to America. Which might explain why we are celebrating groundhogs on the 2nd, here in the States, rather than hedgehogs!

It turns out that when German settlers arrived in America and couldn’t find any hedgehogs, they turned to a similar animal – the groundhog – to use as their winter weather predictor.

And while the popularity of these tiny creatures has blossomed, there are still some states where you cannot legally own them as pets. States like Arizona, Georgia, and Pennsylvania still categorize them as wild animals, making them illegal to possess as pets.

Let me give you a couple more interesting tidbits before closing.

Did you know that the hedgehog got its name from one of its favorite locations? Apparently, these little guys have a taste for insects that made them particularly popular in English garden. Their preference for spending time among the hedges coupled with the pig-like grunts they make earned them the name.

Hedgehogs can hibernate but not all of them do. Their poor eyesight is most effective in the dark which suits them since they are nocturnal by nature. And don’t expect to run into an “array” of them (that’s the name for a gathering of hedgehogs). They are solitary animals that don’t typically spend time with others of their species (unless it’s time for romance).

You can take a look at the entire list by going to the following website: https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/56004/16-fun-facts-about-hedgehogs

January is Adopt A Rescued Bird Month

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Did you know that you can adopt a rescued bird rather than buy one? Yup! Its true. And January is Adopt A Rescued Bird Month.

So, what do you need to know before adopting? 

The typical concerns for any pet adoption, generally. Consider the expense for food, toys, veterinary care, and commitment time and energy. Birds are social creatures and some breeds can live for many decades. 

Fortunately, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) devised a list to help you make a decision. By scrolling through a list of statements, you can find the match that makes the most sense for you. 

To decide what breed would fit most effortlessly into your household consider some of these suggestions from the ASPCA: 

“I don’t have much space.” Choose any bird, as long as you allow for a large enough cage and time out of it almost every day.

“I am concerned about how my new bird will get along with other pets and young children.” Adequate space and close adult supervision will promote harmony among birds, children and other pets. You will need a room in which you can close off your bird for his or her protection when you are not present, even if you are just in another room. If you have a very large bird, such as a macaw, you may need to protect your children and other pets from the bird if he has been provoked inadvertently.

“I don’t like a lot of mess.” Choose small birds, such as parakeets, canaries, finches or lovebirds.

For other ideas, visit their website by clicking here.

No matter what type of bird you choose, you can feel good about bringing a rescued pet into your life. 

Avoiding the Summer of Separation Anxiety

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As we watch vaccination rates increase and society slowly tiptoe towards one another again, one thing those of us with pets will be attempting to avoid is separation anxiety. 

My dog, like most people, has a routine. And she likes to keep things in the rut in which she has grown accustomed. Just like humans, pets need to acclimate to new routines in order to mitigate the most severe reactions of separation anxiety that could occur.

As summer nears, people and pets may find themselves struggling to readjust. Just as you would prepare your children for bedtime hours in the days leading up to the end of summer vacation, you should consider how to manage your pet.

What to Consider

If your pet has grown used to having you home all day long and you immediately disappear as you begin to work outside the home again or go on vacation, your pet may demonstrate separation anxiety. It could be as simple as an involuntary urination in the house or as destructive as chewing drywall or breaking through windows or doors.

The best way to avoid any extreme reaction is to transition your pet back to your typical routine. Floofins & Co. can assist you by helping you get your pet out the door and back to a normal midday walk with our pet care specialist. We can also help you build up extended periods of your absence to reacclimatize them to potential travel periods.

What You Can D0

If you have a new puppy, you want to build times into your schedule where you leave them alone. Also, you want to get them used to a dog walker during the day. Exposing them to different schedules and people, with safe social distancing, will help to prevent separation anxiety.

We want to help you get out and be in the world again while making sure your floofin has had the time to remember what those periods away from home will feel like.

Hopefully, you can avoid any behavior issues from separation anxiety by taking steps now to get your pet readjusted slowly to different routines. Contact us to find out how to schedule your pet on walks with us and ask about any special accommodations you may have. Stay safe, transition slowly, and avoid separation anxiety.