FairyDust News

Special Pet Care Responsibilities Needed During COVID-19 Crisis

I am not sure I truly feel life is awakening completely from COVID19 but there is slight progress. That is something to celebrate. Happy June everyone!

June begins with increased heat and humidity. A reminder to always carry water for you and your pup when walking or playing in the yard. Dogs especially need water to maintain their normal body temperature since they do not have sweat glands like humans. Heatstroke can happen very quickly.

A fun fact about June is it contains the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the most daylight hours, and the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, the day with the fewest daylight hours (excluding polar regions in both cases).

Enjoy your month and continue to stay healthy!

Separation Anxiety After Quarantine!

There have been many joys with the "stay at home" order and one has been the delight of extra time spent with our pets. They have made us laugh and have kept us company throughout this ordeal.

But as restrictions are slowly lifted, our faithful friends may become confused by the changes ahead. They have all become accustomed to the extra snuggles and hugs over the past months, and now they may even be a little over-dependent on us.

If your pet had anxiety issues before lockdown, you can expect him to have them when you go back to your regular routine. If your pet didn't have them before quarantine, that's great, but even so, most pets will benefit from easing into a new routine.

Signs of anxiety to look for would include barking, howling, whining, meowing, changes in appetite, over-grooming, chewing, scratching, and other destructive behaviors. None of us want our buddies to stress out, so it's in everyone's best interest to slowly get our pets comfy as we transition to our new schedules.

Here are some ideas to help your pets get on board with the changes ahead.

Start with "no attention" periods. Put your pet in his crate if you use one, or you can go into another room and close the door for a bit. Do this for short periods several times each day. Depending on how your pet reacts, it may be as little as a few minutes to start but gradually increase the no attention periods just a little bit. Make sure your pet has a safe, comfy spot to relax in. You may want to give him a toy or stuffed Kong to occupy him for a while; this will help teach Fido that alone time can be fun. After a few minutes or so, let him out and give him a hug (don't go overboard). Even if your pet whines a bit, leave him be, as long as he is not destructive.

Start instituting the leave for work routine you used to keep. Maybe you took a shower, had breakfast, fed the pets, let them out, grabbed your keys, and left. Start doing that again, even if you don't have any place to go yet. Take a short walk or drive. When you come back if things look ok, give your pet a treat and a hug and move on, don't make a big deal out of your return.

Every day on top of the leave for work routine, start leaving them alone. Go for another drive, a bike ride, or go to a park and read a book. Start small, just a few minutes but gradually increase the time you're gone.

If your pet had anxiety before or seems over the top now, you may want to have your dog wear a ThunderShirt or play some classical music to help your pet stay calm. If your pet needs more help talk to your vet about medications or CBD to help him relax. Remember, our pets feed off our emotions so do all of the steps above with a calm, happy demeanor.

We are happy to help you in any way your pet needs. We will take Fido on walks or have a playtime in the backyard if that helps. We do the same for cats; we'll have a playtime, treats, and some snuggles to help them with the routine changes.

Start this now, even if you're not back to your old routine yet. The more slowly you work into this, the less stress we'll all have!

Fact and Fiction About Fleas and Ticks

Test your knowledge - try and guess if these statements are fact or fiction.

Fleas are harmless.

Fiction! Fleas can cause more than just itchy skin and allergies; they can also spread tapeworm and bacteria. Worse, they feed on blood and can cause anemia in puppies and kittens.

Fleas and Ticks are a problem all year long.

Fact! Both fleas and ticks can be active all year round (depending on the weather) and will survive in a cold climate.

Ticks are only found in the woods.

Fiction! Ticks like grassy areas and live in both your yard and in the woods.

City pets or indoor pets don't need flea and tick protection.

Fiction! They are everywhere, even in cities. Some ticks spend their entire lives indoors at kennels or the groomers. Flea and tick control is essential for every pet.

A few fleas are not a problem.

Fiction! The truth is you may only see a few fleas, but where there are a few, there are likely to be hundreds more. FYI, most infestations happen on carpet, bedding, and furniture - where they can be hard to see.

All ticks carry disease.

Fiction! While many ticks do carry disease, not all of them do. The problem is you don't know which do and which don't!

Fleas and ticks are only a problem for our pets.

Fiction again! These critters can find humans in the home and cause illness for us too.

Ticks transmit disease as soon as they touch your pet.

Fiction! Ticks have to latch on to your pet, which usually takes a few hours, then they need to have a meal on your pet; this can take up to a day.

Fleas and Ticks can jump on you or your pet.

Fact and Fiction. Fleas are jumpers. Ticks crawl, but they are faster than you imagine.

Flea and tick medications are poison.

Maybe. These medications are undoubtedly toxic to fleas and ticks. Pets occasionally have reactions to them. Always use these medications exactly as directed. Visit the vet and discuss your options, including natural products. Whatever method you choose, be vigilant.

The fact is, to keep our pets pest free and healthy, we have to be on top of fleas and ticks. Always feel your best friend for fleas and ticks when you pet them.

Check both yourself and your pet when you come in from a walk. Always keep your pet's bedding clean and vacuum frequently!

Did You Get A New Quarantine Pet?

How exciting! We hope your new pet has had some time to relax and feel secure in your home. The first article about how to get pets ready for a new schedule will help your new best friend too. However, puppies and kittens have some special requirements for being alone at home.

First, of course, is safety. If you're going out or are going back to work, you'll need a safe place to leave your new pet. It may be a crate or a blocked off room. Just make sure this area is pet-proofed (no electrical cords, nothing she could get stuck in, and safe toys only). Make sure your pet has a nice comfy bed and maybe a blanket or towel that smells like you.

Did you adopt a feline friend? Don't think just because you have a kitten she doesn't need to be occupied during the day. Maybe a cat can handle more alone time, but a kitten needs a little more love. We can come in and give your kitty a mid-day snack and playtime if you'd like. Or try leaving a blanket with your scent on it and a few treats hidden it in.

How long can a puppy "hold it" while you're gone?

• 8 - 10 weeks: 1 hour or less
• 10 - 12 weeks: 2 hours is the max
• 3 - 6 months: generally 1 hour of holding power per month. So a 3-month-old puppy will need a potty break every 3 hours.
• 6 months +: at this age, they can hold it like an adult dog, usually about 6 hours

How long can a puppy stay alone in a crate? (Below are the maximum times, don't resort to doing this every day).

• 8 - 10 weeks: 30 - 60 minutes
• 11 - 14 weeks: 1 - 3 hours
• 15 - 16 weeks: 3 - 4 hours
• 17+ weeks: 4 - 5 hours

If you have a young pup or kitten, you'll need to make arrangements for some potty breaks and playtime for them. If you can get home for lunch or have a family member that can help - that's great.

If not, we are experts at puppy and kitten care, walks, and playtime! We can help you out, contact us!

Great Pet Links!

Great links we found around the internet this month. Enjoy!

June is:

• June is Microchip Your Pet Month, Learn More Here
• Just in Case, Prepare Ahead of Time for a Disaster
• Pet Comedy Photo Images
• Healthy Diets for Senior Pets