Back to School Pet Safety

School has started. Daily routines are settling. Soon the neighborhood kids and new school friends will be spending the afternoon at your house. Weekend sleepovers will have your living room filled with sleeping bags and toys. Science projects, art supplies, homework, backpacks, & lunch boxes will fill the house. Brushing up on some pet safety tips could prevent an emergency!

Toxic Items 

We are all familiar with the lists that circulate every holiday on items to keep away from your pets. But it is not just holidays when we have to worry about our pets getting into items that can harm them. Did you know that many of the school supplies your kids use every can be harmful to your pet if ingested? Here is a list of items that attract your pets that could be potentially cause choking or a blockage if ingested. According to the ASPCA’s Back to School Safety Tips for Pets, “If a pet gets into a backpack and pulls out art materials, a good place to start in assessing risk is to ask the owners about an ACMI seal. These seals will typically either read AP (approved product) or CL (cautionary label).”

• Fidget Spinners
• Erasers
• Glue (sticks or bottled)
• Loose Change
• Small toys like action figures
• Bouncy balls
• Crayons/Markers/Colored Pencils
• Pencils/Pens 
• Paperclips
• Plastics in lunch bags & backpacks
• Ice Packs
• Chewing Gum
• Grapes & Raisins

If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic item or may be suffering from an intestinal blockage, contact your veterinarian or local animal emergency clinic! 

Open Doors

Kids are notorious for leaving doors open. Pets are notorious for running out open doors. Having your child’s new friends from school over means going over safety rules, not just for the children but also for the pets. In addition to reminding them to not feed the pet people food or non-edible items, it is equally important to remind them to keep the doors closed and to watch out for Fido & Fluffy before opening a door. Kids are smart. Kids love animals. Being honest with your children and their friends about what could happen to Fluffy if she has access to the pool or that Fido could be hit by a car if they leave the door open could prevent an unnecessary accident. 

Proper Introductions

Dog bites are becoming front page news every day. Your child’s new friends need to be properly introduced and educated on how to greet your pet and where they can pet them to prevent bites and injuries. Be clear and direct that Fido does not like hands near his face or that no one is to get near him when he is eating. Spare Fluffy the stress and make it known that pulling her tail will not be well tolerated and could end up in a scratch or a cat bite. Kids can be sneaky, so it may be necessary to keep the family pet away from the sleepover shenanigans. If you have a pet that does not do well around new people, it may be best to leave them in a quiet room alone for their safety and the children’s safety. 

Written by Julie Gajewski, CPPS. Julie has been pet sitting and working in the veterinary industry as both a technician and hospital administrator since 1997. She is a pet business consultant and a guest blog writer for pet sitters across the world. She lives in Florida with her husband and furry children, 2 Pugs and 4 cats. You can find out more about Julie by visiting her website.

Why do cats need wet food?

Cats by nature are carnivorous animals. Their diet should consist of mostly protein, water, and very little carbohydrates. They are prey animals and like their big cat cousins who kill prey in the wild, they need a diet that consists of less than 10% carbohydrates. Because cats do not process carbohydrates like humans and dogs do, their diets need to be higher in protein. Wet cat food offers a high protein content while also giving your cat a higher moisture content, which is closer to their natural diet.

Obesity and the House Cat

Obesity is growing epidemic among cats. More than half of all cats are obese. The increase in overweight cats is due to the popularity of free feeding dry food. Dry food is high in carbohydrates and when offered in unlimited proportions, it can lead to obesity, diabetes, and other diseases. By feeding wet cat food, carbohydrate content is decreased and a habit of eating a meal is established so your cat can eat at certain times of the day. By feeding meals, you are in control of how much and when your cat eats, versus your cat eating unlimited amounts of food every day.

What if my cat refuses to eat wet food?

Cats are finicky. Some refuse to eat wet cat food. High-quality protein dry food diets that consist of  20% or fewer carbohydrates are available for cats and raw diets are on the rise. 

The folks over at Pet Things in Douglasville can help you choose the best cat food to feed your finicky feline. 

Written by Julie Gajewski, CPPS. Julie has been pet sitting and working in the veterinary industry as both a technician and hospital administrator since 1997. She is a pet business consultant and a guest blog writer for pet sitters across the world. She lives in Florida with her husband and furry children, 2 Pugs and 4 cats. You can find out more about Julie here.

Let’s face it, cats can be fickle creatures! If your cat could talk, she would tell you that she would much rather have a staycation at home while you go away vacation, then spend a week in a boarding facility. Cats are homebodies and prefer the comfort of their own domain.  Hiring a professional cat sitter to watch Fluffy in the comforts of home, is the perfect solution for you, your cat, and the security of your home!

Professional Cat Sitters Provide Peace of Mind

Professional cat sitters are serious about their job and they are serious about taking excellent care of your cat and your home. They are bonded, insured, and trained in emergency first aid & Pet CPR. Many professionals have completed continuing education and received certifications to ensure your home and your beloved pet is well taken care of.In addition to checking in on Fluffy, a professional will also check on your home to ensure everything is in working order during your reservation. They will also collect the mail, the newspaper, & and packages that are delivered while you are gone. They take the security of your home very seriously and will give your house an“at home appearance” while you are gone by placing out trash & recycle for pick up, rotating lights, as well as opening & closing curtains. Hiring a professional cat sitter like Top Dog  Pet Sitter will leave you at ease knowing your home and your feline friend are well taken care of!

Professional Cat Sitters Help Keep Fluffy Safe

Although cats can be pretty self-sufficient, they need daily human interaction and mental stimulation to keep them out of trouble. Cats are curious and can often find themselves in perplexing situations. Keeping Fluffy mentally stimulated is one of the many things professional cat sitters are good at! They know all the fun games and activities your cat enjoys playing. They know what situations Fluffy might get into when left home alone and take precautions to prevent injuries. Top Dog Pet Sitter is serious about your cat’s well-being and safety! No one wants to come home and find their cat stuck in a closed bedroom or hanging from the blinds!

Professional Cat Sitters Care About Your Cat 

Every cat a professional cat sitter cares for is just as important as the next. They may care for many cats, but they know each of those cats all by name and what each cat prefers to eat! Your feline friend is a part of your cat sitter’s extended furry family. They take the care and well being of your cat just as serious as you do. This is not just a hobby to a professional cat sitter, it is a passion and a profession. 

Let Christina & Mike treat your cat like royalty while you are enjoying your next vacation! Click here to check out our services page to find out more about our services. Remember, when hiring a professional cat sitter, be sure to check all of their credentials! Professional cat sitters are bonded & insured, CPR First Aid Trained, have a clear background check, and hold other professional certifications and training certificates.

Written by Julie Gajewski, CPPS. Julie has been pet sitting and working in the veterinary industry as both a technician and hospital administrator since 1997. She is a pet business consultant and a guest blog writer for pet sitters across the world. She lives in Florida with her husband and furry children, 2 Pugs and 4 cats. You can find out more about Julie here.