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- Thank You! | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
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- User Agreement | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
User Agreement The following terms govern Customer’s use of any Software except to the extent particular Software (a) is the subject of a separate written agreement between Customer and HAPPY PAWS - PetCare; or (b) includes or references a separate license agreement. If any Software is identified in a Purchase Order, invoice or proof of entitlement issued by HAPPY PAWS - PetCare (collectively, “Proof of Entitlement”), Customer’s license to such Software is subject to any additional terms and conditions contained in the Proof of Entitlement, including, without limitation, the term of the license (“License Term”), applicable license fees (“Fees”), applicable devices or types of devices (“Applicable Devices”) and limitations with respect to use on a single hardware device, number of devices under management, number of ports or other quantitative limits (“Quantitative Limits”). The Software provided or made available to Customer may include features or functionality (e.g., the E, V and Z features of EOS) that Customer may not use unless Customer purchases a separate license to such features and functionality. Information about the license terms applicable to the Software (including, without limitation, EOS, EaaS, CloudVision and CloudVision Lite) is available on the HAPPY PAWS - PetCare website. Limited License Grant. With respect to the specific program modules, feature set(s) or feature(s) of the Software identified in any Proof of Entitlement, and subject to Customer’s compliance with the Limitations and Restrictions section of this Agreement, including, without limitation, Customer’s payment of any applicable Fees, HAPPY PAWS - PetCare grants to Customer a limited, revocable, nonexclusive, non-sublicensable and nontransferable license, during the License Term to: (1) download, install and use such Software consistent with the use and restrictions set forth in the applicable Proof of Entitlement and only for Customer’s internal business purposes; (2) reproduce, copy, modify, and create derivative works of any such Software that is provided in source code format, only for Customer’s internal business purposes; provided, however, that if any Software is provided in source code format, Customer shall not create any derivative works of the Software that contain Open Source Software nor shall Customer use the Software or portion thereof to merge with, link to, make function calls to, or share data structures with any Open Source Software, if any such combination or use of the Software would require the Software to be made available royalty free or in source code form; (3) use the Software in conjunction with Third Party Software in a manner consistent with the terms of this Agreement; (4) review the Software including, without limitation, unpacking archives (such as ZIP, SWI and RPM files provided by HAPPY PAWS - PetCare), and accessing underlying operating system facilities; and (5) extend the Software provided in source code format and linking Customer-developed software to the Software. As used in this Agreement, “Open Source Software” means any software made available by a third party under a license approved by the Open Source Initiative, or any substantially similar license. Limitations and Restrictions. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the foregoing license grant excludes any right to, and Customer shall not: (1) sell, transfer, assign or sublicense the Software or Customer’s license rights under this Agreement, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, to any third party, directly or indirectly, and any such attempted transfer, assignment or sublicense shall be void; (2) use or allow use of the Software on any hardware other than the Equipment or Applicable Devices; (3) modify, reproduce, decompile, decrypt, disassemble, reverse engineer, create derivative works of or otherwise reduce to human- readable form any Software (other than Software that is provided in source code format); gain access to trade secrets or confidential information in the Software; circumvent any copy-protection or license enforcement; or attempt to do any of the foregoing, except to the extent expressly permitted by applicable law; (4) combine, commingle, or integrate any Software with Open Source Software or incorporate Open Source Software into any Software that may add any additional Open Source Software requirements, obligations, or licensing terms to the Software; (5) disclose to any third party any results of benchmarking or other testing generated in connection with Customer’s use of Software, including without limitation any comparisons of the Software or Equipment with any other products; (6) provide a third party with a copy of or access to the Software (including, without limitation, source code) (if Customer does so, Customer will be responsible to HAPPY PAWS - PetCare for all acts of such. third party); (7) remove from the Software (or fail to include in any copy) any readme files, notices, headers, disclaimers, marks or labels; and (8) use or allow use of the Software in violation of any applicable law or regulation or to support or facilitate any illegal activity. Customer shall be liable to HAPPY PAWS - PetCare for any damages, injury or harm caused to HAPPY PAWS - PetCare as a result of Customer’s violation of any of these limitations or restrictions. Evaluation License. HAPPY PAWS - PetCare may make certain Software available in object code form to end users only for evaluation, training or other limited non-commercial purposes without charging a Fee (“Evaluation License”). Where HAPPY PAWS - PetCare has provided an Evaluation License, all of the terms of this End User License Agreement shall apply except that (i) Customer’s license rights shall be limited to the evaluation of that Software, (ii) Customer shall not be required to pay a Fee for the evaluation of that Software and (iii) HAPPY PAWS - PetCare shall have the right to revoke the license to the Software at any time and for any reason. Updates. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to any upgrades, updates, bug fixes or modified versions (collectively, “Updates”) or additional copies of the Software. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement: (1) Customer has no license or right to use any such Updates or additional copies unless Customer, at the time of acquiring them, already holds a valid license to the Software associated with such Updates and has paid any required Fees for such Software; and (2) use of additional copies of the Software is limited to backup purposes only. By downloading or using any Updates, Customer’s rights with respect to the Updates are subject to the terms of the latest revision of this Agreement posted at the time of receipt of the Updates, HAPPY PAWS - PetCare then-current policies and procedures, and Customer’s Proof of Entitlement for the Software associated with such Updates. Proprietary Notices. Customer agrees to maintain and reproduce all copyright and other proprietary notices on all copies, in any form, of the Software in the same form and manner that such copyright and other proprietary notices are included on the Software. Except as expressly authorized in this Agreement, Customer may make such backup copies of the Software as may be necessary for Customer’s lawful use, provided Customer affixes to such copies all copyright, confidentiality, and proprietary notices that appear on the original. Reservation of Rights. The Software and documentation are owned by HAPPY PAWS - PetCare and its licensors, and is protected by copyright, patent, trademark, and trade secret laws of the United States and other jurisdictions, international conventions, and all other relevant intellectual property and proprietary rights, and applicable laws. As between Customer and HAPPY PAWS - PetCare, the Software, including without limitation intellectual property rights therein and thereto, are the sole and exclusive property of HAPPY PAWS - PetCare or its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and/or its third-party licensors. All Software is licensed to Customer, not sold. HAPPY PAWS - PetCare reserves all rights not expressly granted in this Agreement, and no rights or licenses shall be deemed or interpreted to be granted or transferred hereunder, whether by implication, estoppel, or otherwise. Fees and Payments. Unless otherwise specified in the Proof of Entitlement, any license or subscription Fees with respect to the Software are due and payable no later than thirty (30) days after the date of invoice or first use of the Software by Customer, whichever is earlier. Late invoices shall be subject to interest of 1.5% per month (or the maximum rate permitted by law if less) plus any expenses of collection. HAPPY PAWS - PetCare reserves the right to suspend and/or terminate access to the Software if any Fees payable hereunder are past due. Such suspension or termination shall not relieve Customer from its obligation to pay all amounts due under this Agreement. Taxes. The Fees do not include any foreign, federal, state or local taxes, or any sales, use, excise, ad valorem, value-added, withholding or other taxes or duties that may be applicable to the purchase of Software (collectively, “Taxes”). Fees pursuant to this Agreement may not be reduced to reflect any Tax or other mandatory payment to government agencies. When HAPPY PAWS - PetCare has the legal obligation to collect Taxes related to any invoice, unless Customer provides HAPPY PAWS - PetCare with a valid and acceptable tax exemption certificate prior to issuance of said invoice, the appropriate amount shall be added to Customer’s invoice and paid by Customer. If a tax authority subsequently finds that any Tax payment related to any sale or service to Customer was insufficient and requires additional payment by HAPPY PAWS - PetCare, HAPPY PAWS - PetCare will make such payment and Customer will reimburse HAPPY PAWS - PetCare for such additional Tax payments (including, without limitation, any interest, and levies. penalties). lNOTWITHSTANDING THE FOREGOING, ANY SOFTWARE LICENSED UNDER AN EVALUATION LICENSE, ANY SOFTWARE THAT IS PROVIDED WITHOUT CHARGING ANY FEE, ANY MODIFIED SOFTWARE AND ANY THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE ARE FURNISHED “AS IS,” WITH ALL FAULTS AND WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION OR ASSURANCE THAT THE SOFTWARE, OR ANY EQUIPMENT OR NETWORK RUNNING THE SOFTWARE, WILL OPERATE WITHOUT ERROR OR INTERRUPTION, OR WILL BE FREE OF VULNERABILITY TO INTRUSION OR ATTACK. CUSTOMER MAY NOT MAKE A WARRANTY CLAIM AFTER EXPIRATION OF THE 90-DAY WARRANTY PERIOD. EXCEPT AS SPECIFIED IN THE LIMITED SOFTWARE WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT, ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR MEETING CUSTOMER’S REQUIREMENTS, NONINFRINGEMENT OF ANY THIRD PARTY’S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS, COMPATIBILITY OR INTEROPERABILITY WITH ANY HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, SYSTEMS OR DATA NOT PROVIDED BY HAPPY PAWS - PetCareSATISFACTORY QUALITY, OR FREEDOM FROM INTERRUPTION OR ERROR, ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND EXCLUDED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. TO THE EXTENT AN IMPLIED WARRANTY CANNOT BE EXCLUDED, SUCH WARRANTY IS LIMITED IN DURATION TO THE 90-DAY WARRANTY PERIOD OR OTHERWISE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW. BECAUSE SOME STATES OR JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW LIMITATIONS ON HOW LONG AN IMPLIED WARRANTY LASTS, THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY TO CUSTOMER.
- Evaluations | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Evaluations Help us Find the Perfect Pup for You! Name: Phone: Gender: Email: Address: Age: Diagnosis / Illnesses: Household Information Please list the members of your household & their ages (including children): Please list any of pets in your household, breed & age: Have you owned a dog before? Have you trained a dog before: Do you rent or own your home? What type of dwelling is it (apartment, house, etc.) Do you have a yard / outdoor area? Please describe the area & approximate size: Owner Information What are your goals for having a psychiatric service dog? How do you plan to care for your psychiatric service dog? How will you spend your time with your psychiatric service dog? What qualities are you looking for your psychiatric service dog to have? When do you plan to get your psychiatric service dog? Any additional information you’d like to add? Submit Thanks for submitting!
- Caregiver Profile - SK | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare
Samantha K. Certified Animal Care Provider, Dual Trained in Pet First Aid & CPR 1276 Reviews 4.8 Stars Location: Denver, CO Education Veterinary Technology, SUNY Ulster College Animal Behavior & Dog Training, Karen Pryor Academy Applied Science Veterinary Technology, Medaille University Experience Veterinary A ss istant, Macedon Animal Care Veterinary A ss istant, Companion Animal Hospital Professional Dog Trainer, DOD Dog Training Corp. Volunteer Animal Attendant, Rochester Animal Shelter Certifications & Insurance Animal First Aid & CPR, American Red Cross Pet First Aid and Emergency, CPD Certification Premium Member Coverage, Pet Sitters Associates Insurance Specialities in Animal Care Speciality Care for Elderly Pets Speciality Care for Pets with Disabilities Oral & Injection Medication Administration Care for Exotic Animals, Mammals & Reptiles Care for Animals with History of Anxiety and Aggression Photo Gallery Member and Insured Through
- Contact Us | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
Contact Us You've got questions, we've got answers! Please email us with the form below. Let's Chat Name: Select your service: Address: We're sorry! Unfortunately we're not acceting new clients in your area at this time. For current clients looking to rebook, please contact your care provider directly. Submit Phone: 720-400-0027 | Follow us
- Lab Puppy for Sale | FULLY TRAINED & Certified AKC
Lab Puppies For Sale Labrador Puppies | AKC Registered Top Rated Breeder in Colorado Contact Us What Makes Our Labrador Puppies Exceptional PROFESSIONAL TRAINING Our Pups Come FULLY Trained AKC REGISTERED AKC Certified Purebred HEALTH GUARANTEE: Veterinarian Checked & Certified Why Choose Us? Loving, Family Environment Our lab puppies are raised as part of our family. They're raised in a caring, nurturing environment to help them gain the experience they need to perfectly fit in your family. FULLY Trained in 12 Tasks All our pups go through extensive training with highly skilled expert trainers to become well-versed in obedience tasks. This training produces the most incredible pets and some even go on to become service dogs. Veterinarian Certified Health Our labs have been health checked and approved by veterinarians. They receive all vaccinations, de-worming rounds, and passed all their puppy health tests. Description We offer top of the line, purebred, AKC Registered Labrador Puppies. All puppies have been health and temperament tested. Our puppies come with a health guarantee, all puppy vaccinations, and American Kennel Club Registry paperwork. When you go with Happy Paws, you can be sure you're not supporting puppy mills and unsafe breeding practices. All our lab puppies come fully trained in obedience commands including: sit, stay, down, come, watch me and leave it. We also train them on impulse control and leash walking. We even start their potty training! They've been well socialized with other puppies, dogs, and children. They're raised in a loving home environment from day one until they're paired with their forever home. We take extra care and consideration when it comes to choosing their pet parents. Our AKC Labrador Puppies are $2,995. READY TO GET STARTED? The first step is to contact us! Contact Us
- Digging | HAPPY PAWS - PetCare ®
digging OBEDIENCE TRAINING 101 GUIDE Common Reasons Why Dogs Dig Out of boredom when they’re not getting enough physical and mental stimulation. Digging up dirt to lay in can keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They may smell something that’s buried or they may want to bury something. If they see humans digging (gardening) they may want to join in on the fun. Fertilizer is very attractive to some dogs. Some breeds like terriers and labs are instinctually prone to digging. How to Stop Digging The number one way to stop your dog from digging is to supervise them. We have to be there to guide them to make the right decisions. If you catch them in the act of digging, make a loud noise to interrupt the behavior like a loud clap or “uh-uh” sound. Then redirect them to play with an appropriate toy instead. Consider giving them an area of the yard where it is ok to dig. A sectioned off part of dirt or a sandbox will do just fine. If you catch them digging somewhere else interrupt the behavior and redirect them to this spot. Encourage them to dig in this spot by hiding tasting treats or bones for them to find. If they learn they find good things in that spot, that's the spot they'll want to dig in. Be consistent with your rules. If you deem an area that is ok to dig in then that's the rule and they are never allowed to dig anywhere else. Provide your dog with adequate exercise and mental stimulation. Give them a nice game of fetch, a stuffed chew toy, or a bone to entertain themselves. PRINT
- Blog/Posts
My Items I'm a title. Click here to edit me. Everything You Need to Know About Pet Nail Trims Nail trims are an essential part of your pets health. It’s an easy thing to overlook primarily because it’s not something new pet owners usually think about when getting a new pet. Most new owners know that they need to get their pet vaccinated and have regular veterinary check ups to maintain their pets health. But the more regular maintenance like teeth brushing and nail trimmings often go unnoticed. What You Need to Know The importance of having your cat or dogs nails trimmed to a healthy length usually becomes apparent when one of two things happens. Either you or a family member are injured by the overgrown nails, or the pet themselves are injured. For the most part, nails that are a little too long won’t be very noticeable. You may be able to hear some clicking sounds when they walk on certain surfaces but other than that, there’s not very many signs. But in the event that they catch a long nail on human skin, a carpet, or any other surface, you’ll soon realize why it’s so important to have them properly trimmed. A nail that gets caught can be ripped out completely. If you’ve ever experienced this in your lifetime, then you know that it is extremely painful. To make matters worse, they can also become dirty and infected much easier than ours because they’re often touching more surfaces with the open wound. This means the a vet trip is usually in order. Sometimes the nails will partially break, requiring local anesthesia to numb the area and in some cases they can end up needing the remaining nail pulled out. Prevention is KEY Although these are scary scenarios to have to picture, the good news is that it’s all completely preventable! Keeping up with their regular trimmings will immensely decrease the risk of injury. Most vets recommend about 4-6 weeks in between trims. A great way to tell if it’s time for a trim is by examining your pets nail yourself and looking at the distance between the quick and the end of the nail. You’ll want to keep this as short as possible. You should also check with your vet to ensure that you’re feeding a high quality diet for your pet. Just like with humans, what they eat affects their overall health. Vitamins and minerals are what forms health nails and without these nutrients in the adequate amounts, you may notice brittle nails that are easily split or broken. If your pet have issues with brittle nails, you can ask your vet about potentially adding fish oil to their diet as this will help with their coat and nails. Know Your Specific Pet’s Schedule Whether you have a cat, dog, or guinea pig, they’re likely to develop a pretty regular grooming schedule. Once you know what it is, it’s up to you to stick to it. We recommend putting a reminder on your phone or calendar to help prompt you to successfully follow the schedule. You can easily trim their nails at home or hire a cat or dog trimming service to help you get the job done! In either case, maintaining a regular schedule should always be a top priority. More Summer Safety for Dogs! In the upcoming weeks in many areas of the US the majority of people will be experiencing temperatures that can be too dangerous for your pet. However, there are lots of of tips and trick to beating the heat that we’ll cover today! Most pet owners know that leaving a dog in the car while you go grocery shopping or run errands can be extremely dangerous for your dog. But in certain areas like Denver, it’s common for us to have our dogs go with us everywhere. Making it difficult when we’re faced with obstacles like needed to go to the store but already having our dog in the car from a hike we did that morning. There’s no one size fits all solution here, but the goal is to cover as many alternative options as possible so that you’ll have some viable solutions when the time comes. Plan Ahead The best way to avoid having your dog in the car in summer is to plan ahead as much as you possibly can. Think about your day plans and adjust as needed to ensure you pup won’t need to be in the car, if that’s not possible for your plans then figure out an alternative. If you know you’ll need to go a grocery run that afternoon, maybe let your dog stay home that day. If you usually take them to work with you but you plan on hitting the gym on your way home, that’s another time where they’d be safer at home. You can also plan for a dog sitter to come and let them out if you’re worried about them being alone at home for too long. Know the Options You Have When it comes to a situation where you must go inside somewhere and it’s too hot outside, think about the options you truly have. If it’s a pet friendly place, you can bring them inside with you. If it’s not, you can have someone stay with them in the car with the AC on, or worse case you can leave your car running for them while they wait alone. Keep in mind, this should only be done in cases where there’s no other option. Also ideally, you’ll want a car that allows you to lock the doors while it’s running, not all cars will do this but more and more these days do. Be Smart, Be Safe If you get yourself in a situation where let’s say you never to get dinner for tonight but you’re in not able to let the car run with the doors locked and it’s not a safe place to let you car run unlocked, that’s ok, but learn from it. Be smarter going forward with your planning choices. Consider alternatives like order dinner instead or getting your groceries delivered. Risking your dogs health is never the answer! Be sure to take your time to plan accordingly for your day and always have back up options in case things take an unexpected turn. More How to Care for Your Dog with Hip Dysplasia Find a trusted vet There are quite a few illnesses that can mimic hip dysplasia in dogs, including cancer, which is why it’s absolutely necessary to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis from a trusted veterinarian. A veterinarian will also be able to determine what stage of the illness your specific dog has and what steps you can take to manage the issues that typically accompany the symptoms as well as how to prevent further progression of the symptoms. Simply put, just like with disease processes that affect humans, there are various factors and treatment options that will be specific to your dog’s needs. Although there are several environmental variables that can affect hip dysplasia, it’s often times a genetic factor that plays the biggest role. If you have a larger breed dog who’s more susceptible to these sorts of conditions, it’s always good to know the ins and outs of prevention and treatment. This is why talking to your vet is so helpful! We also highly recommend finding a trusted dog sitter to care for your pup anytime you're away. Educate yourself Next, you’ll want to take some time on your own to research the common problems that are associated with hip dysplasia so that you can be aware of any related issues that may arise. In addition, educating yourself will give you an even more in-depth understanding of the condition that your vet will likely not be able to cover in a single vet appointment. Knowing how to prevent the progression of the condition is probably the most important thing to focus on as this will give you the overall best improvement with your pet, as long as you’ve caught the condition early enough. On the flip side of this, once your dog has already developed serious symptoms of the condition, there’s much more that needs to go into their daily care. Basic things like diet and exercise are going to need to be properly adjusted for your dog. Usually, having a healthy diet will help decrease current weight issues and avoid weight gain in the future which puts extra stress on their joints resulting in increased pain. Exercise is also a key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle with hip dysplasia as a body in motion, tends to stay in motion. There are many supplements that can also help with joints these days like glucosamine and chondroitin. Many of the commonly recommended supplements are thankfully easy to purchase online and at local pet shops. Take care of the dog in front of you Although this tip sounds straight forward, it becomes more complex once you start to understand what it’s truly like to care for a pet with a disability. Especially if you’ve had to watch your pet deteriorate in front of you. It’s easy to research the symptoms but it’s much more mentally challenging to watch someone you love struggle. This is why we always recommend taking care of the dog in front of you. Not the dog you had yesterday, or the dog who your vet saw last week. Simply put, it’s ok to adjust their care as you see fit daily or even in the moment. Your dogs health will vary and so will their care needs, so remember that being flexible with them and with yourself should always be a priority. More Do You Need a Pet Sitter for your Bearded Dragon? Make sure you hire a great pet sitter who covers all the essential care needs of your bearded dragon! These reptiles come with extensive care needs from lighting to heat to live food requirements. In this post we’ll go over all the different care aspects for them and why they’re important to your pet’s health. Lighting Needs Bearded dragons have special lighting needs that are crucial to their overall health and well-being. In their tank they should have 3 different lighting types including a UVB light. Another light should be to provide an outdoor type light environment and the last is to give them warmth. All of these lights should be assembled in a certain way to mimic a natural outdoor environment. Humidity Levels These reptiles live naturally outdoors in desert type environments. We want to do our very best to replicate their normal habitat by keeping their tank at the right humidity level. Typically, a common guideline is between 35% - 40% humidity. If you need to adjust the humidity, you can use humidifiers or dehumidifiers to do so. The lamps may also help to adjust the humidity levels in their tank. Habitat Upkeep Since bearded dragons use the environment to regulate their body temperature, it’s important to have their tank set up to allow them to do this properly. For instance, you should always give them a basking area where they can go to soak up light and warm their body up. You can use a stick or structure they’re able to climb up to achieve this. On the other side of the tank you should have objects for them to get cool under. Pet stores and online retailers sell items that resemble caves to provide them with these options. Feeding Requirements & Handling Knowledge These guys have an interesting diet and it’s much more complex than your typical cat or dog. It also varies depending on their age. Younger dragons will have higher food consumption needs whereas older ones usually need much less. They’ll often eat crickets or roaches in addition to greens and even fruits! Their diet requirements have a very wide range so we recommend speaking with your veterinarian about what’s best for your individual dragon. Before even becoming a reptile parent, you should do some research on the handling basics. If this is a family pet who will likely be handled by small children it’s also important to educate your kids on the right and wrong ways to hold your bearded dragon. Because of their body temperature regulation needs, this isn’t a pet who should be held for extended periods of time. If your home is standardly kept at a higher temperature, then you may be able to keep them outside of their tank for a longer period of time but it’s not advised to allow them to walk around freely for hours on end. Again, we’d advise speaking to your vet about the right treatment for your specific situation. If you’re planning an upcoming trip, be sure to book a pet sitter who is knowledgeable on all the intricate details of your dragon’s care needs. More How to Properly Care for Fearful Cats Whether you’ve got a brand new kitten who has a more nervous personality or you’ve adopted an older cat who has an established pattern of nervous behavior, it’s not uncommon for cats to be fearful. By nature, they tend to be more hesitant around new people, in new situations, or in new environments. However, there are fortunately many things you can do to help properly care for them and to make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible! Let Them Come to You The best thing you can do for most cats is to give them time to adjust. This isn’t always the easiest thing for us humans to do although, it is quite simple. Cats will often just need some more time to acclimate to new people or surroundings. Typically, people’s instinct is to move towards the cat, look at the cat, pet the cat, or even touch the cat. But to a fearful kitty, this can be way too much too fast. They may panic and end up hurting you or themselves to avoid this feeling of anxiety brewing inside of them. The easiest solution here is to let them come to you in their own time. Don’t pressure them and try to force them out of their hiding spots. Create Positive Associations Usually with younger kittens, this is a fun and exciting process. However, if you have a cat who’s endured some sort of trauma or abuse, this process may take more time and become much more complicated. Ultimately, there are some cats who can never be won over. But the best way to try is to create positive associations with your presence by giving them food, treats, toys, or even play time if that’s something they enjoy. Nowadays we have so many options for kitty treats and toys. We also have access to endless puzzle games at the touch of a button on popular apps like Amazon or Walmart. Pairing your presence with these positive experiences will help build a bond between you two. Above All, Respect Them and Be Patient After your interactions start improving you may be tempted to rush the process and try to go for a face snuggle or some lap pets. For some cats, this will be well received but for others this may reset your progress with them and end up taking longer to repair the relationship than would have initially been needed. This is why we must remember to respect them and their space and be patient always. Keep in mind that you are building this relationship for the long term benefits and that although it may be difficult to fight your human urges for some kitten cuddles, it will likely be worth it in the long run. On the bright side of things, it may be a hard long process to get a cat to like you or even just to trust you, but for most of them, once you’ve been approved you’re good to go! They typically build strong bonds with their “people” whether that be their foster parents, forever parents, or their pet sitter . Once that bond is formed, it’s a great foundation to create a long standing relationship of love and trust. More The 3 Best Nail Trim Hacks Hack 1: First, BE Prepared Yourself With pets taking so many of their behaviors cues from us, it's crucial that we give lead by example. When it comes to something potentially stress-inducing like nail trims, there's no such thing as being too prepared. The best way to prepare yourself is to do some research into the nail trimming process with your specific pet. Whether that’s a cat, dog, or another small mammal, there will be specific instructions to follow for each and different tactics that will work best. When doing your research, be sure to watch some videos to get a better understanding of the full picture and the details in getting that perfect trim. For larger animals, it’s usually helpful to have another person to help you hold them and keep everyone safe during the process. Getting the proper grooming gear is also a big part of preparing. You’ll want a top rated pair of clippers and some styptic powder in case you accidentally cut a nail too close. Hack #2: Get Them Prepared Getting your pet ready for their nail trim is a process that can happen over a period of weeks and ideally should start as early as possible. First, you’ll want to start getting them used to body handling, having their paws picked up and held, and being held by another person during these exercises. Doing these exercises repeatedly helps desensitize them to the trimming routine. It will also help you to know if they’re ready to begin or if they need more time getting used to the pre-steps. If you’re starting with a young puppy or kitten, it’s best to begin doing these handling exercises when they first come home. This works in your favor to prevent future body sensitivities. If you’re going to be trimming an older animal, you’ll want to take a slower, more gradual approach. Hack 3: Make it Positive Creating positive associations is the most important thing to focus on above all else to ensure your pet will be a great participant in their nail trims. You can do this by always pairing all of your exercises with something positive like a treat, praise, and pets. When you’re practicing, be sure to let them know how amazing they’re doing and then spoil them to pieces when the exercises are complete. You’ll follow these same steps during the real trimmings as well. This helps to make the animal feels positive or at least neutral about the activity as a whole. It also gives them something else to focus on during the procedure so they don’t get as overwhelmed or stressed out. Typically, vets offices will offer you this service when you’re there but sadly a large animal of pets are uncomfortable when they’re at the vets office which can lead to anxiety or even aggression during nail trims. When done properly, at home nail trims can be a breeze. But if you’re struggling, we’re always here to help with our mobile grooming service ! More Need a GREAT Sitter for your Exotic Pet? Welcoming a new pet into the family is always exciting! But it definitely comes with undeniable challenges, especially when that new pet is considered “exotic.” Basically anything besides a cat or dog can easily claim that title these days! But not to worry, whether you have a reptile, ferret, rabbit, or a guinea pig, we’ve got you covered with our exotic pet sitting service ! Our care providers are trained in a variety of pets individual care needs. It’s never easy to take a trip away from your pets, but when you have a pet with specialized care needs this can make it incredibly difficult to feel “guilt-free” while you’re away. It’s unnerving to some the thought of being so dependent on another person and knowing that in your case, it’s not just a situation of throwing down some cat food so them to munch on and scooping a litter box. Exotic pets have a wide variety of special care needs ranging from having unlimited access to fresh hay to getting dust baths to keep their coats healthy. At the end of the day, it’s very similar to having a kid with specialized needs. The Main Principles As pet parents, we of course always want the best for our little ones. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that while you’re away, you have someone you can 100% trust will know and understand how to provide the absolute best care. It’s also helpful if you’re able to find someone with a history of medical problems associated with your animal. Especially if they’ve had past medical problems. But in particular, it’s important to be able to spot if an animal is unwell in these cases because these specific species have very unique signs of illness. For example, with a cat or dog it’s usually pretty easy to notice if they’re not feeling well by their overall demeanor, unusual changes in bathroom habits, or appetite fluctuations. These are all signs that other species are unwell also but they may be displayed differently and harder to pick up on to someone without a past knowledge of common illnesses or conditions. Changes in behavior for these animals may also be more subtle or hard to spot for someone who’s unaware of what the normal behavior for this particular animal is. What to Look For in a Sitter We also want to point out that due to the various care factors that go into proper treatment, there are simply more factors to go wrong during their care time. For instance, some reptiles require a specific amount of light in their tanks to provide them with adequate warmth. If these warmth or lighting needs are not adequately met, you may see a decline in appetite and energy. Some reptiles may appear lethargic or just not as interested in their meals as they usually are. These small changes are hard to notice when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. This is why it’s so crucial to go over your specific animals typical behavior versus some of the warning signs that they may be experiencing some type of stress with your care provider prior to your travel plans. Most pet owners are really great at knowing what their animals normal behavior is compared to what behaviors they may display in time of stress, so it’s just a matter of communicating those to your sitter. More Are You Looking For A Sitter For Your Elderly Cat? How to Locate the Ideal Cat Sitter for Your Kitty Finding a new sitting company can be difficult for numerous reasons. There's sometimes a process of filling out form, meeting the sitter themselves, and then actually having them care for your cat. But this all becomes a much more complicated process when you have an elderly cat, or even multiple elderly cats that you need care for. It's not always easy to know by someones outward appearance if they'll be a good fit for you. But there are some steps you can take to make sure you're getting the absolutely best care possible for your kitty. The most pressing thing to address when considering hiring someone new is their amount of experience and what that experience encompasses. Ideally, you'll want to find someone with background in caring for sick and elderly pets. Although your cat might be completely healthy at the time you leave them, it's not uncommon for cats to have adverse reactions to their humans leaving. They are certainly creatures of habit and they don't usually like their schedules being disrupted. Once You've Narrowed Down Your Options, Take a Closer Look On the surface, many pet sitters look the same. But to truly compare them, you'll want to take a deep dive into their history. Do they have any veterinary medicine background? Have they cared for pets like your before? How often have they done this? Do they have first aid and CPR certification? Are they insured? These are all critical things to bring up when searching for a good match. It's also important to note that although someone may have experience in a certain field, they may not have as much as another. Or they may not have been in the field for the past 5 years. Now, this doesn't mean they won't do a good job. But it does bring up the question as to what their current abilities are and what they're able to handle if your cat experiences any sort of distress while you're away. Cats in Their Golden Years Need Special Care When leaving your elderly cat, you'll want to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Plan for the worst meaning, be prepared to provider the caregiver with your vet's contact information in case of an emergency, also be sure to let them know if this vet has emergency hours or not. In addition, there's some small things you can do to make a big difference in your cat's comfort level while you're gone. Leaving some extra yummy food and treats behind is a great start! Have some readily available so your cat sitter is able to provide it in the event that your cat isn't taking their regular food or if they need food to help with a bond with your kitty. We also recommend using the spray "Feliway" if possible. This has been shown to reduce cat's stress levels. More How to Find the Right Pet Sitter for Your Anxious Dog So You're Planning Some Time Away, But You Have An Anxious Dog At Home.. Now What? First things first, you should take some time to really access your pets behavior to see if anxiety is something they truly struggle with. And if so, what type of anxiety it is. Just like with humans anxiety can come in many shapes and sizes and the best treatment for them depends highly on the type of anxiety they struggle with. Separation anxiety, for example, can most definitely be significantly helped by a dog sitter coming more often! The more interaction your dog has with others will help to ease the feelings they are dealing with. The exercise will also help to calm their mind and body, just like with us. If however, they are anxious about new people near them or inside their home, its extremely important to hire a well-trained and experienced pet sitting company . Make Sure You Hire Someone Who Understands Dog Body Language As crazy as it may sound, dogs say so much more than we do just simply with their body language. Something like looking all the way to one side and exposing the whites of their eyes is a very common example of this. In the animal behavior world, this is known as "whale eye." It's a tell tale sign from a dog that they are uncomfortable. A knowledgeable sitter will know that a dog displaying this behavior should be handled with extra caution and care. Notice and Note the Behaviors Your Dog Displays Many dogs when placed in anxious inducing situations will become defensive and even aggressive. This is a completely normal behavior! This is their way of telling you to back off. Typically this includes behaviors like growling, air snapping, showing their teeth, and crouching down or backwards. When you notice your dog showing any of these signs, it's crucial to note them for your care provider. It's also helpful if you're able to provide further context and background on what and how exactly the pup displayed these behaviors. For example, you could note that Fluffy will growl if you get near his food bowl while he's eating. This will cue your sitter to make sure they feed Fluffy appropriately to avoid making your dog feel like he or she needs to be defensive. You may also note things like Fluffy will crouch backwards and protect his toys if you go for one of his favorites. This is a very typical sign of an anxious dog. They can sometimes feel the need to control things around them so having someone touch or move their toys can push them over the edge. Knowing When You've Found The Right Pet Sitter Comes From a Feeling Within When it comes to someone else looking after your fur baby, this is often a "gut feeling" we either do or don't have about someone. It's not always a good match with everyone so it's important to do your research to find someone who's qualified and experienced in working not only with dogs in general, but with dogs who have a history of anxiety. For dogs struggling with anxiety, it's best to keep their routine as predictable as possible. This includes who you let look after them. So when you do find the right sitter for you, hold onto them! More Need a Pet Sitter for a Diabetic Cat? If you have a diabetic cat you probably feel even more nervous than most owners about taking a trip. With the endless options for pet sitters it's hard to know which way to go with care options, but Happy Paws - PetCare has you covered with our top rated Cat Sitters ! Sure, you may be able to employ the high schooler down the street to help with pet care, but in cases where your pet's health is a real concern, its always best to go with a professional. Your mind will be much more at ease knowing that you'll have an experience profession cat sitter who understand the special cat needs of your kitty. When it comes to specific diabetic care needs, it's important for your care provider to not only know how to properly care for your cat, but also know how to recognize if your cat is showing signs of medical issues. Since cats are more easily prone to stress than dogs, noticing signs of distress is something that our sitters are all throughly educated on. Cats are especially prone to changes in appetite related to stressful events or changes in routine, like when you go away on vacation or for a work trip. This is why we closely monitor your cat's stress level by getting a baseline for their normal behavior during your meet and greet, and then continuously noting any behavior changes during your visits. In addition to behavior monitoring, our cat sitters are also trained in the latest AVSAB recommend treatment protocols. These include procedures like giving shots, fluids, and monitoring blood levels. We're also able to properly check for signs of dehydration, poor blood circulation, and hypoglycemia. Knowing the Essentials of Handling Diabetic Cats No matter what company you choose to go with, it's crucial to pick one thats highly educated in caring for animals with health concerns. First and foremost, your care provider should have experience administering shots. While some diabetic cats may become easier to handle over time, others can be extremely difficult to administer medications to, especially when it involves needles. It also can be upsetting for some cats to be held and restrained by a stranger. This is why having a meet and greet with your caregiver prior to your travels is so vital. Your cat is much more likely to be accepting of a new human when your able to introduce them on good terms before any medications need to be given. It's also helpful overall to the kitty to be able to get to know their care provider personally so they can gain trust for the person who will be caring for them while you're away. Above All ELSE... While having a sitter who is experienced in administering your cat's medications is of the utmost importance, it's also extremely important for the sitter to build a good relationship with you and your cat. Cats can be highly sensitive creatures and adding the stress of you being away from home can sometimes be enough to upset their routine. This why is you'll want to be sure that whoever you entrust with the honor of caring for your kitty is trustworthy, kind, and in-tune with your individual cat's needs. Submit a Reservation Request form today to book an excellent Cat Sitter! More Top 5 Toys for Your Cat & Cat Sitter to Play With When your cat sitter comes by to care for your kitty while you're away, you'll want them to be able to have fun and bond together! That where having some amazing cat toys comes in. Not only will your kitty love playing with their new toys, it'll also give them some positive interactions with their sitter. The Classic Jingle Balls The classics are classics for a good reason. There's just something about a jingle bell inside a rolling ball that gets kitties everywhere all excited! They LOVE the sound, the rolling of the ball, and most of all: chasing after it! You can get a 10 pack of these at any local pet store, Walmart, or amazon for less than ten bucks. They make a great first set of toys for a new kitten or cat and they certainly won't break the bank. Try out different colors, or sizes to see which ones your kitty loves the most. Old Fashion Mice Toys Again, here we have a classic toy that just ranks on the top of all cat lovers lists. These are another affordable toy that are a huge hit with most cats. They typically come with some kind of sound maker inside whether thats a rattler or a jingle bell. Some even come with catnip scent already on them. The only down fall to these babies are that they easily end up lost. Most finding themselves under beds, couches, shelves, etc. Their size makes them a super fun toy to bat around but that's usually how they get wedged somewhere and lost forever so plan to have to keep buying these ones at least once a year. Rolling Ball & Scratcher Cat Toy Definitely grab yourself one of these 2 in 1 scratcher and rolling ball toys! These are more on the expensive side but they're pretty commonly found at thrift shops because older cats tend to get tired with them over the years. But for a kitten, they are pure bliss! They can bat the ball around in circles to keep themselves happily entertained. But the best part of this toy is the scratching piece in the middle. These cardboard pieces are typically replaceable so don't worry if your kitty tears it up! That's the purpose of the center piece, to be a scratching outlet for your cat. They can even keep their own nails groomed this way saving you the time and effort of a nail trim. String Chasing Cat Toys These string chasing toys are most definitely a MUST for the younger kittens! They come with long sticks where you can attach strings, other toys, feathers, etc. This is a great way to start bonding with a new kitty since it requires you to be involved in the playing process. It's also great exercise for your cat so it can be helpful for those who ay be carrying around a few extra pounds. Interactive Cat Toys Lastly, we have our interactive cat toys. These are fantastic additions to your cat's space or play around because they are very much a "set and forget about it" type. These are a hit or miss for some, but the ones that do like them, really love them! These also tend to be a bit pricier but they can be found used for pretty cheap. If you're looking for help with your cat's care don't forget to check out our Cat Sitting service! More Best Chew Toys to Get Your Dog While Your Away on Vacation These are the Best Options to Give Your Pet Sitter for Your Dog While You're Away Why do this? When you go on a trip, it's SO important to leave your pup with some high quality chew toys. Chewing help reduce stress and anxiety. It also significantly decreases the likelihood of your dog causing damage to your home while you're away on your trip. Not sure which ones are the best to pick? We'll go over which are the best options below! The Do's and Do Not's of Bones Whenever considering a new chew toy for your dog, you should first educate yourself on the difference of the current choices on the market. High prices do not always indicate better products, especially in today's economy. It's easy to go to any pet store and pick out a chew toy sure. But keeping these do's and do not's in mind when shopping will help you make a better choice: Will it be safe for your puppy or dog? Will it be worth the money you spend? Will it last long enough to keep your pup happily entertained? These are the questions you should ask first before purchasing anything. Durability and Strength for Your Dog Durability goes hand in hand with the quality of the chew you're buying. This is primarily because the cheaper chews are going to break or disintegrate much faster than a high quality chew. There are a few brands you can trust to provide you with good products: Nylabone and Kong. These brands have been around for a long time and have had the time to test and perfect the products you see currently on the market. They specifically test for safety and durability with their products. When going with either of these companies you can be sure you're going to get your money's worth. These brands make a variety of different chews including imitation bones, antlers, and tree branches. The reason they use imitation products is because they've perfected the formulas to replicate what it is your dog loves about these items, while making them long-lasting and durable at the same time. A regular bone or tree branch can easily be broken and splitter becoming a danger to your dog and a potentially costly vet bill. But they've found a way to make these products with materials that are safe for your dog and can withstand even the most aggressive chewers. Overall Best Practices with Your Puppy or Dog There are some overshadowing best practices to follow when picking out a new chew. Look for something that will not be easily chewed or potentially digested. Look for something thats marked with the words "for aggressive chewers" or "extreme chewers." You also want to look for the two brands previously mentioned: Nylabone and Kong. In addition, looking for products that you can see are well made overall is going to give you the best bang for your buck. When it comes to chews, it's always better to spring for the more expensive, well-made type. This is because your pup will go through the cheaper ones so much faster and they're much more likely to be the kind that can be accidentally ingested. In the past, pet care professionals had recommended items like rawhide to many of their clients. We've now come to know that rawhide can be a huge veterinary nightmare. It can cause blockages in your dog's digestive track leading to expensive surgeries. This is why it's so important to research the types of chews you buy before you go out shopping. Or if you're shopping online, take some time to read the reviews and see what kinds of experiences their other customers are having. More
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My Items I'm a title. Click here to edit me. Everything You Need to Know About Pet Nail Trims Nail trims are an essential part of your pets health. It’s an easy thing to overlook primarily because it’s not something new pet owners usually think about when getting a new pet. Most new owners know that they need to get their pet vaccinated and have regular veterinary check ups to maintain their pets health. But the more regular maintenance like teeth brushing and nail trimmings often go unnoticed. What You Need to Know The importance of having your cat or dogs nails trimmed to a healthy length usually becomes apparent when one of two things happens. Either you or a family member are injured by the overgrown nails, or the pet themselves are injured. For the most part, nails that are a little too long won’t be very noticeable. You may be able to hear some clicking sounds when they walk on certain surfaces but other than that, there’s not very many signs. But in the event that they catch a long nail on human skin, a carpet, or any other surface, you’ll soon realize why it’s so important to have them properly trimmed. A nail that gets caught can be ripped out completely. If you’ve ever experienced this in your lifetime, then you know that it is extremely painful. To make matters worse, they can also become dirty and infected much easier than ours because they’re often touching more surfaces with the open wound. This means the a vet trip is usually in order. Sometimes the nails will partially break, requiring local anesthesia to numb the area and in some cases they can end up needing the remaining nail pulled out. Prevention is KEY Although these are scary scenarios to have to picture, the good news is that it’s all completely preventable! Keeping up with their regular trimmings will immensely decrease the risk of injury. Most vets recommend about 4-6 weeks in between trims. A great way to tell if it’s time for a trim is by examining your pets nail yourself and looking at the distance between the quick and the end of the nail. You’ll want to keep this as short as possible. You should also check with your vet to ensure that you’re feeding a high quality diet for your pet. Just like with humans, what they eat affects their overall health. Vitamins and minerals are what forms health nails and without these nutrients in the adequate amounts, you may notice brittle nails that are easily split or broken. If your pet have issues with brittle nails, you can ask your vet about potentially adding fish oil to their diet as this will help with their coat and nails. Know Your Specific Pet’s Schedule Whether you have a cat, dog, or guinea pig, they’re likely to develop a pretty regular grooming schedule. Once you know what it is, it’s up to you to stick to it. We recommend putting a reminder on your phone or calendar to help prompt you to successfully follow the schedule. You can easily trim their nails at home or hire a cat or dog trimming service to help you get the job done! In either case, maintaining a regular schedule should always be a top priority. More Summer Safety for Dogs! In the upcoming weeks in many areas of the US the majority of people will be experiencing temperatures that can be too dangerous for your pet. However, there are lots of of tips and trick to beating the heat that we’ll cover today! Most pet owners know that leaving a dog in the car while you go grocery shopping or run errands can be extremely dangerous for your dog. But in certain areas like Denver, it’s common for us to have our dogs go with us everywhere. Making it difficult when we’re faced with obstacles like needed to go to the store but already having our dog in the car from a hike we did that morning. There’s no one size fits all solution here, but the goal is to cover as many alternative options as possible so that you’ll have some viable solutions when the time comes. Plan Ahead The best way to avoid having your dog in the car in summer is to plan ahead as much as you possibly can. Think about your day plans and adjust as needed to ensure you pup won’t need to be in the car, if that’s not possible for your plans then figure out an alternative. If you know you’ll need to go a grocery run that afternoon, maybe let your dog stay home that day. If you usually take them to work with you but you plan on hitting the gym on your way home, that’s another time where they’d be safer at home. You can also plan for a dog sitter to come and let them out if you’re worried about them being alone at home for too long. Know the Options You Have When it comes to a situation where you must go inside somewhere and it’s too hot outside, think about the options you truly have. If it’s a pet friendly place, you can bring them inside with you. If it’s not, you can have someone stay with them in the car with the AC on, or worse case you can leave your car running for them while they wait alone. Keep in mind, this should only be done in cases where there’s no other option. Also ideally, you’ll want a car that allows you to lock the doors while it’s running, not all cars will do this but more and more these days do. Be Smart, Be Safe If you get yourself in a situation where let’s say you never to get dinner for tonight but you’re in not able to let the car run with the doors locked and it’s not a safe place to let you car run unlocked, that’s ok, but learn from it. Be smarter going forward with your planning choices. Consider alternatives like order dinner instead or getting your groceries delivered. Risking your dogs health is never the answer! Be sure to take your time to plan accordingly for your day and always have back up options in case things take an unexpected turn. More How to Care for Your Dog with Hip Dysplasia Find a trusted vet There are quite a few illnesses that can mimic hip dysplasia in dogs, including cancer, which is why it’s absolutely necessary to get a thorough evaluation and diagnosis from a trusted veterinarian. A veterinarian will also be able to determine what stage of the illness your specific dog has and what steps you can take to manage the issues that typically accompany the symptoms as well as how to prevent further progression of the symptoms. Simply put, just like with disease processes that affect humans, there are various factors and treatment options that will be specific to your dog’s needs. Although there are several environmental variables that can affect hip dysplasia, it’s often times a genetic factor that plays the biggest role. If you have a larger breed dog who’s more susceptible to these sorts of conditions, it’s always good to know the ins and outs of prevention and treatment. This is why talking to your vet is so helpful! We also highly recommend finding a trusted dog sitter to care for your pup anytime you're away. Educate yourself Next, you’ll want to take some time on your own to research the common problems that are associated with hip dysplasia so that you can be aware of any related issues that may arise. In addition, educating yourself will give you an even more in-depth understanding of the condition that your vet will likely not be able to cover in a single vet appointment. Knowing how to prevent the progression of the condition is probably the most important thing to focus on as this will give you the overall best improvement with your pet, as long as you’ve caught the condition early enough. On the flip side of this, once your dog has already developed serious symptoms of the condition, there’s much more that needs to go into their daily care. Basic things like diet and exercise are going to need to be properly adjusted for your dog. Usually, having a healthy diet will help decrease current weight issues and avoid weight gain in the future which puts extra stress on their joints resulting in increased pain. Exercise is also a key ingredient to a healthy lifestyle with hip dysplasia as a body in motion, tends to stay in motion. There are many supplements that can also help with joints these days like glucosamine and chondroitin. Many of the commonly recommended supplements are thankfully easy to purchase online and at local pet shops. Take care of the dog in front of you Although this tip sounds straight forward, it becomes more complex once you start to understand what it’s truly like to care for a pet with a disability. Especially if you’ve had to watch your pet deteriorate in front of you. It’s easy to research the symptoms but it’s much more mentally challenging to watch someone you love struggle. This is why we always recommend taking care of the dog in front of you. Not the dog you had yesterday, or the dog who your vet saw last week. Simply put, it’s ok to adjust their care as you see fit daily or even in the moment. Your dogs health will vary and so will their care needs, so remember that being flexible with them and with yourself should always be a priority. More Do You Need a Pet Sitter for your Bearded Dragon? Make sure you hire a great pet sitter who covers all the essential care needs of your bearded dragon! These reptiles come with extensive care needs from lighting to heat to live food requirements. In this post we’ll go over all the different care aspects for them and why they’re important to your pet’s health. Lighting Needs Bearded dragons have special lighting needs that are crucial to their overall health and well-being. In their tank they should have 3 different lighting types including a UVB light. Another light should be to provide an outdoor type light environment and the last is to give them warmth. All of these lights should be assembled in a certain way to mimic a natural outdoor environment. Humidity Levels These reptiles live naturally outdoors in desert type environments. We want to do our very best to replicate their normal habitat by keeping their tank at the right humidity level. Typically, a common guideline is between 35% - 40% humidity. If you need to adjust the humidity, you can use humidifiers or dehumidifiers to do so. The lamps may also help to adjust the humidity levels in their tank. Habitat Upkeep Since bearded dragons use the environment to regulate their body temperature, it’s important to have their tank set up to allow them to do this properly. For instance, you should always give them a basking area where they can go to soak up light and warm their body up. You can use a stick or structure they’re able to climb up to achieve this. On the other side of the tank you should have objects for them to get cool under. Pet stores and online retailers sell items that resemble caves to provide them with these options. Feeding Requirements & Handling Knowledge These guys have an interesting diet and it’s much more complex than your typical cat or dog. It also varies depending on their age. Younger dragons will have higher food consumption needs whereas older ones usually need much less. They’ll often eat crickets or roaches in addition to greens and even fruits! Their diet requirements have a very wide range so we recommend speaking with your veterinarian about what’s best for your individual dragon. Before even becoming a reptile parent, you should do some research on the handling basics. If this is a family pet who will likely be handled by small children it’s also important to educate your kids on the right and wrong ways to hold your bearded dragon. Because of their body temperature regulation needs, this isn’t a pet who should be held for extended periods of time. If your home is standardly kept at a higher temperature, then you may be able to keep them outside of their tank for a longer period of time but it’s not advised to allow them to walk around freely for hours on end. Again, we’d advise speaking to your vet about the right treatment for your specific situation. If you’re planning an upcoming trip, be sure to book a pet sitter who is knowledgeable on all the intricate details of your dragon’s care needs. More How to Properly Care for Fearful Cats Whether you’ve got a brand new kitten who has a more nervous personality or you’ve adopted an older cat who has an established pattern of nervous behavior, it’s not uncommon for cats to be fearful. By nature, they tend to be more hesitant around new people, in new situations, or in new environments. However, there are fortunately many things you can do to help properly care for them and to make them feel as safe and comfortable as possible! Let Them Come to You The best thing you can do for most cats is to give them time to adjust. This isn’t always the easiest thing for us humans to do although, it is quite simple. Cats will often just need some more time to acclimate to new people or surroundings. Typically, people’s instinct is to move towards the cat, look at the cat, pet the cat, or even touch the cat. But to a fearful kitty, this can be way too much too fast. They may panic and end up hurting you or themselves to avoid this feeling of anxiety brewing inside of them. The easiest solution here is to let them come to you in their own time. Don’t pressure them and try to force them out of their hiding spots. Create Positive Associations Usually with younger kittens, this is a fun and exciting process. However, if you have a cat who’s endured some sort of trauma or abuse, this process may take more time and become much more complicated. Ultimately, there are some cats who can never be won over. But the best way to try is to create positive associations with your presence by giving them food, treats, toys, or even play time if that’s something they enjoy. Nowadays we have so many options for kitty treats and toys. We also have access to endless puzzle games at the touch of a button on popular apps like Amazon or Walmart. Pairing your presence with these positive experiences will help build a bond between you two. Above All, Respect Them and Be Patient After your interactions start improving you may be tempted to rush the process and try to go for a face snuggle or some lap pets. For some cats, this will be well received but for others this may reset your progress with them and end up taking longer to repair the relationship than would have initially been needed. This is why we must remember to respect them and their space and be patient always. Keep in mind that you are building this relationship for the long term benefits and that although it may be difficult to fight your human urges for some kitten cuddles, it will likely be worth it in the long run. On the bright side of things, it may be a hard long process to get a cat to like you or even just to trust you, but for most of them, once you’ve been approved you’re good to go! They typically build strong bonds with their “people” whether that be their foster parents, forever parents, or their pet sitter . Once that bond is formed, it’s a great foundation to create a long standing relationship of love and trust. More The 3 Best Nail Trim Hacks Hack 1: First, BE Prepared Yourself With pets taking so many of their behaviors cues from us, it's crucial that we give lead by example. When it comes to something potentially stress-inducing like nail trims, there's no such thing as being too prepared. The best way to prepare yourself is to do some research into the nail trimming process with your specific pet. Whether that’s a cat, dog, or another small mammal, there will be specific instructions to follow for each and different tactics that will work best. When doing your research, be sure to watch some videos to get a better understanding of the full picture and the details in getting that perfect trim. For larger animals, it’s usually helpful to have another person to help you hold them and keep everyone safe during the process. Getting the proper grooming gear is also a big part of preparing. You’ll want a top rated pair of clippers and some styptic powder in case you accidentally cut a nail too close. Hack #2: Get Them Prepared Getting your pet ready for their nail trim is a process that can happen over a period of weeks and ideally should start as early as possible. First, you’ll want to start getting them used to body handling, having their paws picked up and held, and being held by another person during these exercises. Doing these exercises repeatedly helps desensitize them to the trimming routine. It will also help you to know if they’re ready to begin or if they need more time getting used to the pre-steps. If you’re starting with a young puppy or kitten, it’s best to begin doing these handling exercises when they first come home. This works in your favor to prevent future body sensitivities. If you’re going to be trimming an older animal, you’ll want to take a slower, more gradual approach. Hack 3: Make it Positive Creating positive associations is the most important thing to focus on above all else to ensure your pet will be a great participant in their nail trims. You can do this by always pairing all of your exercises with something positive like a treat, praise, and pets. When you’re practicing, be sure to let them know how amazing they’re doing and then spoil them to pieces when the exercises are complete. You’ll follow these same steps during the real trimmings as well. This helps to make the animal feels positive or at least neutral about the activity as a whole. It also gives them something else to focus on during the procedure so they don’t get as overwhelmed or stressed out. Typically, vets offices will offer you this service when you’re there but sadly a large animal of pets are uncomfortable when they’re at the vets office which can lead to anxiety or even aggression during nail trims. When done properly, at home nail trims can be a breeze. But if you’re struggling, we’re always here to help with our mobile grooming service ! More Need a GREAT Sitter for your Exotic Pet? Welcoming a new pet into the family is always exciting! But it definitely comes with undeniable challenges, especially when that new pet is considered “exotic.” Basically anything besides a cat or dog can easily claim that title these days! But not to worry, whether you have a reptile, ferret, rabbit, or a guinea pig, we’ve got you covered with our exotic pet sitting service ! Our care providers are trained in a variety of pets individual care needs. It’s never easy to take a trip away from your pets, but when you have a pet with specialized care needs this can make it incredibly difficult to feel “guilt-free” while you’re away. It’s unnerving to some the thought of being so dependent on another person and knowing that in your case, it’s not just a situation of throwing down some cat food so them to munch on and scooping a litter box. Exotic pets have a wide variety of special care needs ranging from having unlimited access to fresh hay to getting dust baths to keep their coats healthy. At the end of the day, it’s very similar to having a kid with specialized needs. The Main Principles As pet parents, we of course always want the best for our little ones. That’s why it’s so critical to make sure that while you’re away, you have someone you can 100% trust will know and understand how to provide the absolute best care. It’s also helpful if you’re able to find someone with a history of medical problems associated with your animal. Especially if they’ve had past medical problems. But in particular, it’s important to be able to spot if an animal is unwell in these cases because these specific species have very unique signs of illness. For example, with a cat or dog it’s usually pretty easy to notice if they’re not feeling well by their overall demeanor, unusual changes in bathroom habits, or appetite fluctuations. These are all signs that other species are unwell also but they may be displayed differently and harder to pick up on to someone without a past knowledge of common illnesses or conditions. Changes in behavior for these animals may also be more subtle or hard to spot for someone who’s unaware of what the normal behavior for this particular animal is. What to Look For in a Sitter We also want to point out that due to the various care factors that go into proper treatment, there are simply more factors to go wrong during their care time. For instance, some reptiles require a specific amount of light in their tanks to provide them with adequate warmth. If these warmth or lighting needs are not adequately met, you may see a decline in appetite and energy. Some reptiles may appear lethargic or just not as interested in their meals as they usually are. These small changes are hard to notice when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for. This is why it’s so crucial to go over your specific animals typical behavior versus some of the warning signs that they may be experiencing some type of stress with your care provider prior to your travel plans. Most pet owners are really great at knowing what their animals normal behavior is compared to what behaviors they may display in time of stress, so it’s just a matter of communicating those to your sitter. More Are You Looking For A Sitter For Your Elderly Cat? How to Locate the Ideal Cat Sitter for Your Kitty Finding a new sitting company can be difficult for numerous reasons. There's sometimes a process of filling out form, meeting the sitter themselves, and then actually having them care for your cat. But this all becomes a much more complicated process when you have an elderly cat, or even multiple elderly cats that you need care for. It's not always easy to know by someones outward appearance if they'll be a good fit for you. But there are some steps you can take to make sure you're getting the absolutely best care possible for your kitty. The most pressing thing to address when considering hiring someone new is their amount of experience and what that experience encompasses. Ideally, you'll want to find someone with background in caring for sick and elderly pets. Although your cat might be completely healthy at the time you leave them, it's not uncommon for cats to have adverse reactions to their humans leaving. They are certainly creatures of habit and they don't usually like their schedules being disrupted. Once You've Narrowed Down Your Options, Take a Closer Look On the surface, many pet sitters look the same. But to truly compare them, you'll want to take a deep dive into their history. Do they have any veterinary medicine background? Have they cared for pets like your before? How often have they done this? Do they have first aid and CPR certification? Are they insured? These are all critical things to bring up when searching for a good match. It's also important to note that although someone may have experience in a certain field, they may not have as much as another. Or they may not have been in the field for the past 5 years. Now, this doesn't mean they won't do a good job. But it does bring up the question as to what their current abilities are and what they're able to handle if your cat experiences any sort of distress while you're away. Cats in Their Golden Years Need Special Care When leaving your elderly cat, you'll want to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Plan for the worst meaning, be prepared to provider the caregiver with your vet's contact information in case of an emergency, also be sure to let them know if this vet has emergency hours or not. In addition, there's some small things you can do to make a big difference in your cat's comfort level while you're gone. Leaving some extra yummy food and treats behind is a great start! Have some readily available so your cat sitter is able to provide it in the event that your cat isn't taking their regular food or if they need food to help with a bond with your kitty. We also recommend using the spray "Feliway" if possible. This has been shown to reduce cat's stress levels. More How to Find the Right Pet Sitter for Your Anxious Dog So You're Planning Some Time Away, But You Have An Anxious Dog At Home.. Now What? First things first, you should take some time to really access your pets behavior to see if anxiety is something they truly struggle with. And if so, what type of anxiety it is. Just like with humans anxiety can come in many shapes and sizes and the best treatment for them depends highly on the type of anxiety they struggle with. Separation anxiety, for example, can most definitely be significantly helped by a dog sitter coming more often! The more interaction your dog has with others will help to ease the feelings they are dealing with. The exercise will also help to calm their mind and body, just like with us. If however, they are anxious about new people near them or inside their home, its extremely important to hire a well-trained and experienced pet sitting company . Make Sure You Hire Someone Who Understands Dog Body Language As crazy as it may sound, dogs say so much more than we do just simply with their body language. Something like looking all the way to one side and exposing the whites of their eyes is a very common example of this. In the animal behavior world, this is known as "whale eye." It's a tell tale sign from a dog that they are uncomfortable. A knowledgeable sitter will know that a dog displaying this behavior should be handled with extra caution and care. Notice and Note the Behaviors Your Dog Displays Many dogs when placed in anxious inducing situations will become defensive and even aggressive. This is a completely normal behavior! This is their way of telling you to back off. Typically this includes behaviors like growling, air snapping, showing their teeth, and crouching down or backwards. When you notice your dog showing any of these signs, it's crucial to note them for your care provider. It's also helpful if you're able to provide further context and background on what and how exactly the pup displayed these behaviors. For example, you could note that Fluffy will growl if you get near his food bowl while he's eating. This will cue your sitter to make sure they feed Fluffy appropriately to avoid making your dog feel like he or she needs to be defensive. You may also note things like Fluffy will crouch backwards and protect his toys if you go for one of his favorites. This is a very typical sign of an anxious dog. They can sometimes feel the need to control things around them so having someone touch or move their toys can push them over the edge. Knowing When You've Found The Right Pet Sitter Comes From a Feeling Within When it comes to someone else looking after your fur baby, this is often a "gut feeling" we either do or don't have about someone. It's not always a good match with everyone so it's important to do your research to find someone who's qualified and experienced in working not only with dogs in general, but with dogs who have a history of anxiety. For dogs struggling with anxiety, it's best to keep their routine as predictable as possible. This includes who you let look after them. So when you do find the right sitter for you, hold onto them! More Need a Pet Sitter for a Diabetic Cat? If you have a diabetic cat you probably feel even more nervous than most owners about taking a trip. With the endless options for pet sitters it's hard to know which way to go with care options, but Happy Paws - PetCare has you covered with our top rated Cat Sitters ! Sure, you may be able to employ the high schooler down the street to help with pet care, but in cases where your pet's health is a real concern, its always best to go with a professional. Your mind will be much more at ease knowing that you'll have an experience profession cat sitter who understand the special cat needs of your kitty. When it comes to specific diabetic care needs, it's important for your care provider to not only know how to properly care for your cat, but also know how to recognize if your cat is showing signs of medical issues. Since cats are more easily prone to stress than dogs, noticing signs of distress is something that our sitters are all throughly educated on. Cats are especially prone to changes in appetite related to stressful events or changes in routine, like when you go away on vacation or for a work trip. This is why we closely monitor your cat's stress level by getting a baseline for their normal behavior during your meet and greet, and then continuously noting any behavior changes during your visits. In addition to behavior monitoring, our cat sitters are also trained in the latest AVSAB recommend treatment protocols. These include procedures like giving shots, fluids, and monitoring blood levels. We're also able to properly check for signs of dehydration, poor blood circulation, and hypoglycemia. Knowing the Essentials of Handling Diabetic Cats No matter what company you choose to go with, it's crucial to pick one thats highly educated in caring for animals with health concerns. First and foremost, your care provider should have experience administering shots. While some diabetic cats may become easier to handle over time, others can be extremely difficult to administer medications to, especially when it involves needles. It also can be upsetting for some cats to be held and restrained by a stranger. This is why having a meet and greet with your caregiver prior to your travels is so vital. Your cat is much more likely to be accepting of a new human when your able to introduce them on good terms before any medications need to be given. It's also helpful overall to the kitty to be able to get to know their care provider personally so they can gain trust for the person who will be caring for them while you're away. Above All ELSE... While having a sitter who is experienced in administering your cat's medications is of the utmost importance, it's also extremely important for the sitter to build a good relationship with you and your cat. Cats can be highly sensitive creatures and adding the stress of you being away from home can sometimes be enough to upset their routine. This why is you'll want to be sure that whoever you entrust with the honor of caring for your kitty is trustworthy, kind, and in-tune with your individual cat's needs. Submit a Reservation Request form today to book an excellent Cat Sitter! More Top 5 Toys for Your Cat & Cat Sitter to Play With When your cat sitter comes by to care for your kitty while you're away, you'll want them to be able to have fun and bond together! That where having some amazing cat toys comes in. Not only will your kitty love playing with their new toys, it'll also give them some positive interactions with their sitter. The Classic Jingle Balls The classics are classics for a good reason. There's just something about a jingle bell inside a rolling ball that gets kitties everywhere all excited! They LOVE the sound, the rolling of the ball, and most of all: chasing after it! You can get a 10 pack of these at any local pet store, Walmart, or amazon for less than ten bucks. They make a great first set of toys for a new kitten or cat and they certainly won't break the bank. Try out different colors, or sizes to see which ones your kitty loves the most. Old Fashion Mice Toys Again, here we have a classic toy that just ranks on the top of all cat lovers lists. These are another affordable toy that are a huge hit with most cats. They typically come with some kind of sound maker inside whether thats a rattler or a jingle bell. Some even come with catnip scent already on them. The only down fall to these babies are that they easily end up lost. Most finding themselves under beds, couches, shelves, etc. Their size makes them a super fun toy to bat around but that's usually how they get wedged somewhere and lost forever so plan to have to keep buying these ones at least once a year. Rolling Ball & Scratcher Cat Toy Definitely grab yourself one of these 2 in 1 scratcher and rolling ball toys! These are more on the expensive side but they're pretty commonly found at thrift shops because older cats tend to get tired with them over the years. But for a kitten, they are pure bliss! They can bat the ball around in circles to keep themselves happily entertained. But the best part of this toy is the scratching piece in the middle. These cardboard pieces are typically replaceable so don't worry if your kitty tears it up! That's the purpose of the center piece, to be a scratching outlet for your cat. They can even keep their own nails groomed this way saving you the time and effort of a nail trim. String Chasing Cat Toys These string chasing toys are most definitely a MUST for the younger kittens! They come with long sticks where you can attach strings, other toys, feathers, etc. This is a great way to start bonding with a new kitty since it requires you to be involved in the playing process. It's also great exercise for your cat so it can be helpful for those who ay be carrying around a few extra pounds. Interactive Cat Toys Lastly, we have our interactive cat toys. These are fantastic additions to your cat's space or play around because they are very much a "set and forget about it" type. These are a hit or miss for some, but the ones that do like them, really love them! These also tend to be a bit pricier but they can be found used for pretty cheap. If you're looking for help with your cat's care don't forget to check out our Cat Sitting service! More Best Chew Toys to Get Your Dog While Your Away on Vacation These are the Best Options to Give Your Pet Sitter for Your Dog While You're Away Why do this? When you go on a trip, it's SO important to leave your pup with some high quality chew toys. Chewing help reduce stress and anxiety. It also significantly decreases the likelihood of your dog causing damage to your home while you're away on your trip. Not sure which ones are the best to pick? We'll go over which are the best options below! The Do's and Do Not's of Bones Whenever considering a new chew toy for your dog, you should first educate yourself on the difference of the current choices on the market. High prices do not always indicate better products, especially in today's economy. It's easy to go to any pet store and pick out a chew toy sure. But keeping these do's and do not's in mind when shopping will help you make a better choice: Will it be safe for your puppy or dog? Will it be worth the money you spend? Will it last long enough to keep your pup happily entertained? These are the questions you should ask first before purchasing anything. Durability and Strength for Your Dog Durability goes hand in hand with the quality of the chew you're buying. This is primarily because the cheaper chews are going to break or disintegrate much faster than a high quality chew. There are a few brands you can trust to provide you with good products: Nylabone and Kong. These brands have been around for a long time and have had the time to test and perfect the products you see currently on the market. They specifically test for safety and durability with their products. When going with either of these companies you can be sure you're going to get your money's worth. These brands make a variety of different chews including imitation bones, antlers, and tree branches. The reason they use imitation products is because they've perfected the formulas to replicate what it is your dog loves about these items, while making them long-lasting and durable at the same time. A regular bone or tree branch can easily be broken and splitter becoming a danger to your dog and a potentially costly vet bill. But they've found a way to make these products with materials that are safe for your dog and can withstand even the most aggressive chewers. Overall Best Practices with Your Puppy or Dog There are some overshadowing best practices to follow when picking out a new chew. Look for something that will not be easily chewed or potentially digested. Look for something thats marked with the words "for aggressive chewers" or "extreme chewers." You also want to look for the two brands previously mentioned: Nylabone and Kong. In addition, looking for products that you can see are well made overall is going to give you the best bang for your buck. When it comes to chews, it's always better to spring for the more expensive, well-made type. This is because your pup will go through the cheaper ones so much faster and they're much more likely to be the kind that can be accidentally ingested. In the past, pet care professionals had recommended items like rawhide to many of their clients. We've now come to know that rawhide can be a huge veterinary nightmare. It can cause blockages in your dog's digestive track leading to expensive surgeries. This is why it's so important to research the types of chews you buy before you go out shopping. Or if you're shopping online, take some time to read the reviews and see what kinds of experiences their other customers are having. More
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Blog Posts Welcome to the Happy Paws - PetCare Blog! Covering everything pet owners need to know. Macey Lopez Sep 4 How to Care for Your Dog with Hip Dysplasia Marcy Downs Aug 21 Do You Need a Pet Sitter for your Bearded Dragon? Stephanie Wilcox Aug 7 How to Properly Care for Fearful Cats Beth Tanner Jul 24 The 3 Best Nail Trim Hacks Kelsey Carlson Jul 10 Need a GREAT Sitter for your Exotic Pet? Sara Watson Jun 26 Are You Looking For A Sitter For Your Elderly Cat? Stephanie Wilcox Jun 12 How to Find the Right Pet Sitter for Your Anxious Dog Marcy Downs May 30 Need a Pet Sitter for a Diabetic Cat? Beth Tanner May 15 Top 5 Toys for Your Cat & Cat Sitter to Play With Holly Baxter May 1 Best Chew Toys to Get Your Dog While Your Away on Vacation Nicole Coleman Apr 17 Having a Hard Time Crate Training Your Dog? Sara Watson Apr 3 Hyper Puppy? Read THIS! Stephanie Wilcox Mar 20 How to Train a Puppy Who is Not Food Motivated Macey Lopez Mar 6 What is Puppy Enrichment? Mary Scottson Feb 20 Where to Start with Training Your Puppy Heather Mason Feb 6 Did You Get A New Puppy for Christmas? Sara Watson Jan 23 Should I Take My Dog to the Dog Park? Stephanie Wilcox Jan 9 What's the BEST Dog Food for my Dog? Kelsey Carlson Dec 26, 2022 How to Train Fearful & Anxious Dogs Nicole Coleman Dec 12, 2022 How to STOP Your Puppy From Barking Heather Mason Nov 28, 2022 The MOST Common Household Items That Can Poison Your Puppy or Dog Stephanie Wilcox Nov 14, 2022 What Does Your Dog's Breed Tell You? Kelsey Carlson Oct 31, 2022 How to Stop Your Puppy From Pulling Heather Mason Oct 17, 2022 How to Stop Your Puppy From Jumping Sara Watson Oct 3, 2022 What to do BEFORE You Get a New Puppy Holly Baxter Sep 26, 2022 How to Help Puppy with Separation Anxiety Stephanie Wilcox Sep 19, 2022 How to Fix Puppy Nipping with Dog Training Macey Lopez Sep 12, 2022 What are the BEST Dog Training Treats? Beth Tanner Sep 5, 2022 3 Most Important Dog Training Tools Stephanie Wilcox Aug 29, 2022 How to Crate Train Your Puppy Marcy Downs Aug 22, 2022 Positive Training for Your Puppy Holly Baxter Aug 15, 2022 How to Potty Train Your Puppy Kelsey Carlson Aug 8, 2022 How to Understand Anxiety in Dog Training Macey Lopez Aug 1, 2022 Puppy Training & Car Sickness Stephanie Wilcox Jul 25, 2022 The 5 BEST Puppy Toys Stephanie Wilcox Jul 18, 2022 Puppy Training: Socialization vs. Vaccination Marcy Downs Jul 11, 2022 How to Help Your Puppy Training Succeed Sara Watson Jul 2, 2022 5 Most Essential Tips When Raising a Puppy Nicole Coleman Jul 1, 2022 Top 3 Mistakes When Dog Training Sara Watson Jun 27, 2022 Why Lab Puppies are the BEST! Nicole Coleman Jun 13, 2022 Which Cat Sitting Company is Right for You? Marcy Downs May 30, 2022 Why You Want an Experienced Dog Sitter Stephanie Wilcox May 16, 2022 Is Board and Train Right for You? Stephanie Wilcox May 6, 2022 Dog Sitting vs. Dog Boarding - Which is Right for You? Sara Watson Apr 20, 2022 When to Start Dog Training Marcy Downs Mar 27, 2022 Looking for the Perfect Cat Sitter in Denver? Beth Tanner Mar 8, 2022 How to Find the Best Dog Sitter for You Macey Lopez Oct 16, 2021 How to Teach Your Puppy Their Name Heather Mason Sep 12, 2021 The Top 5 Commands to Teach Your New Puppy Kelsey Carlson Aug 23, 2021 How to Find the Best Puppy Training in Denver
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