The Great Debate - Regular Leash or Retractable Leash

Whenever I go to a inhome consult to meet with a new pet sitting client, I usually ask them what type of leash they use.  If they use a retractable leash I respectfully let the potential client know that we prefer to not use them and if they don't have a regular leash we will bring one with us.

Once I get that out there, I am always asked why don't we use retractable leashes.

This blog is about The Big Debate... should you use a regular leash or a retractable leash when walking your doggies.  I am going to spell out the differences and the problems that can come from using the retractable leash.

The Good:

• Retractable leashes are great when walking your dog in an unpopulated area (trails and parks).

• They are great to use on dogs that are already well trained on a regular leash.

• They can be a safe way for you to enjoy areas your dogs usually can't enjoy "off-leash". And some towns do have "leash" laws in place.

The Bad:

• If your dog is not trained to walk well on a regular leash, a retractable leash might encourage pulling and other "bad" behavior that will make it hard for you to control.

• Dropped retractable leashes can frighten your dog and cause them to run in fear very far and very fast with that leash trailing behind them.

• Retractable leashes can present a safety risk to dogs. Never attach a retractable leash to a prong or choke collar or a head halter. Make sure you call your dog back before he reaches the end of his retractable leash, otherwise he could flip himself when he gets to the end of the leash at a full run.

• These leashes can be dangerous to humans and have even caused amputations. Most retractable leashes now have "warning" labels on them.

• If you are walking your dog and another dog approaches, which may or may not be friendly, you could be too far way to keep your dog safe from a possible attack from the other dog.

• Your dog could approach a human being who does not "like" dogs and again you are too far way to get your dog away from that person.

• Retractable leashes are not recommended for dogs who react to noises, environments etc., that make them nervous.

The scariest part of a retractable leash if if you are walking in an area with heavy car traffic and your dog goes out full length and the leash gets "stuck" at the full length and you have a car coming your dog now could run out into oncoming traffic and you cannot pull him back in time.

Leashes should be used to keep your furbabies safe.  If you feel that a retractable will not keep your pet safe then please don't use one.

I personally prefer the standard 6 foot regular lead... it keeps my dog close to me, out of trouble and out of harms way.

If you do choose a retractable, make sure you train your dog to walk well with one and always keep your eyes open for any problems with the leash.  If it starts to break down, purchase a new one.

I hope that helps in your decision about whether a regular leash or a retractable leash is the right choice you and your beloved furbaby !!!

Flea & Tick Control Treatments - Are they safe?

Now that we are moving into the warmer months everyone starts thinking about buying the flea and tick control products and using them on our pets.

Have you ever wondered if these products are safe for your pet?  I do, it is a pesticide so I thought I would do some research on what exactly these products do and are they actually safe.

You can find many brands of flea and tick products at supermarkets, pet supply stores, online retailers, and through your veterinarian. Before you use any of these products on your pets, it is critical to read their labels and consult with your veterinarian. They may contain ingredients that could harm pets and people.

At least 1,600 pet deaths related to spot on treatments with pyrethroids were reported to the EPA over the last five years, according to an analysis of EPA pesticide incident exposure data by the center. The EPA assigns risk levels to all pesticides for their potential dangers to humans and some flea and tick products contain chemicals, specifically permethrins, that are "likely to be carcinogenic to humans."

The center reported that pyrethroid spot-ons also account "for more than half of 'major' pesticide pet reactions reported to EPA over the last five years—that is, those incidents involving serious medical reactions such as brain damage, heart attacks, and violent seizures. In contrast, non-pyrethroid spot on treatments accounted for only about 6 percent of all major incidents."

The Center For Public Integrity's study said pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments are approved for sale by the EPA, and they are readily available in powders, shampoos, dips, sprays, and other forms, "but they are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies."

So now that you know the risks you are probably wondering what can I do? What should I look for on the ingredient list?  The following is what you should look for when purchasing this type of product:

Besides pyrethroid-based products, ingredients to be wary of are organophosphate insecticides (OPs) and carbamates, both of which are found in various flea and tick products. The only OP currently found in flea and tick products in the U.S. is tetrachlorvinphos. This chemical is classified by the EPA as being "likely to be carcinogenic to humans." There are questions about the effects of long-term, cumulative exposures as well as combined exposures from the use of other products containing OPs and carbamates. Permethrin is another chemical that the EPA has classified as "likely to be carcinogenic to humans" if ingested orally.

If the ingredient list includes carbaryl or propoxur, the product contains a carbamate. According to the NRDC, the potential dangers posed by these products are greatest for children and pets. Propoxur is considered to be a "probable human carcinogen" by the EPA. As of September 2010, Carbaryl will no longer be permitted for use in new pet products. However, existing stock of flea/tick products containing carbaryl can still be sold. The HSUS recommends that pet products containing carbaryl should be disposed of and not used on pets.

Here is what you can do:

• Start with chemical-free methods and use chemical treatments only when necessary.

• Wash pet bedding (and your bedding, too, if your pet sleeps with you) in hot, soapy water.

• Vacuum often to remove flea eggs, and replace the vacuum bag frequently.

• Comb your pet daily with a fine-toothed flea comb. Dispose of any fleas you find.

• If needed, try products made with essential oils of lemongrass, cedarwood, peppermint, rosemary or thyme.

• If you are getting a new cat, keep it indoors so that fleas and ticks will not be a problem.

• If non-chemical methods haven't worked, look for lower risk products. Check the label to make sure the product does not contain tetrachlorvinphos or propoxur or any of the other high risk chemicals. Make sure the product is suitable for your pet and follow the instructions carefully. The safest options, according to NRDC, are pill-based flea treatments.

Visit NRDC's http://www.greenpaws.org for a comprehensive list of brand-name products with their chemical ingredients and more information about health risks from pesticides.

I hope this helps in your decision on what to do for your pets.  Whatever you decide to do, make sure you are keeping everyone in your family safe including your furbabies !!!

Spring is here, however, be careful what you plant !

Well, Spring is almost here.  Yay !  However, as pet owners we must be very careful about what types of flowers we plant around our homes.

Yes, some plants can be very harmful to our beloved fur babies.  I found that out last year when I planted a flower that I liked then found out it is extremely harmful to pets.

This blog post is about flowers/plants that are harmful to our pets, so when you are thinking about what to plant this year, this information may be helpful on what to plant and what not to plant next time you are at your favorite nursery.

If you ever do have a pet that eats anything that is harmful, please contact the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center at 1 800 548-2423 or contact your veterinarian.

Below you will find a list of flowers that are harmful.  I have listed the most dangerous first so you can just completely avoid these when you go shopping.

Flowers and plants that cause death
Agapanthus
Azalea (in large amounts)
Cyclamen
Delphinium
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia)
Foxglove
Lantana
Larkspur
Mistletoe
Oleander
Rhododendron
Sago Palms

Flowers and plants that cause organ damage
(Kidney, liver, stomach, heart, etc.)

Azalea (in small amounts)
Crocus
Foxglove
Juniper

Flowers and plants that cause rashes 
(Dermatitis)

Cactus
Chrysanthemums
Ficus
Poison Ivy
Poison Oak
Pothos Ivy (in small amounts)
Primerose
Schefflera
Sumac

Flowers and plants that cause upset stomachs

(Vomiting, diarrhea, and gas)

Amaryllis                                      
Aster

Baby's Breath (Gypsophila)

Boxwood

Cala Lily

Carnation

Chrysanthemums

Clematis

Cyclamen

Daffodil (Jonquil)

English Ivy

Freesia

Gladiolas

Holly

Hyacinth

Hydrangea

Kalanchoe

Peony

Morning Glory

Poinsettia

Pothos Ivy

Scheifflera

Tulip

I hope this list will help in your decision.  Happy Planting everyone !

Food and Nutrition for Pets

It is so scary every time I hear on the news about another pet food or pet treat recall. What is going on? Because of all of this I decided to research natural pet foods for pets. There are a lot of them out there but you still have to be careful you may not know where the ingredients are coming from. Outside of the USA, companies are not scrutinized by the FDA so some of those ingredients may still be your pet’s food.

So, I started reading about natural pet foods and I finally chose one that I liked. It is made right here in the USA, it is a family company and they are top notch when it comes to choosing the ingredients and where those ingredients come from.

I am talking about Flint River Ranch 100% all natural holistic food. I like them so much I decided to become a distributor for them. If you would like to check them out go to: http://www.frrco.com/123411

If you want to search out what natural pet foods are good for your pet, there are quite a few good articles on the web about what to look for but I have listed below what you should look for when you are on your search.

-Lots of animal protein at the top of the ingredients list
-A named animal protein (beef, chicken, lamb and so on)
-An animal protein meal
-Whole vegetables, fruits, and grains.
-A “best by” date that’s at least six months away.

What you DON’T want to buy is:
-Meat by-products or poultry by-products.
-A generic fat source’
-Added sweeteners
-Artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives (i.e., BHA, BHT, ethoxyquin).

It really does matter what we feed our pets !