Archive for year: 2018

As the holidays quickly approach, and you think the perfect gift is a dog, there a few things to consider beforehand. Bringing home a pet and surprising your family on Christmas morning comes with some careful considerations. A pet can’t be put back in its wrapper with receipt in hand and returned! When searching for that perfect dog, you must keep in mind that a pet isn’t just a cuddly Christmas gift, it’s a long-term commitment.

1. Who really wants a pet for Christmas?

Having any pet has to be a family commitment. Make sure your family or friend really want to be raising a pet. If you have a puppy or dog in mind remember that the life expectancy of a dog is 12 to 15 years!

It may be a wonderful idea to have a cute puppy sitting by the tree with a big red bow around its neck waiting for the family to wake up. Make sure the recipient of this live gift is going to be as excited as you are and not totally upset.

2. How to pick a Breed that will be a perfect match for your family.

Don’t make a mistake and settle on the best dog choice for 2018! Research ahead of time into which breed of dog is the best choice for your family and lifestyle.

Consider the age of your family members, the size of your dwelling, rambunctiousness of the breed, your location, etc, before you decide on which breed is right for you.

3. Which are the best dog breeds for your lifestyle?

If you have a smaller home then a Pomeranian, Basenj, Maltese, Terrier, Spaniel, or Chihuahua may be suitable.

Some dog breeds that are known to be great with kids are the Bulldog, Beagle, Collie, Newfoundland, Irish Setter, Labrador/Golden Retrievers, Poodles, and
Bernese Mountain.

If you are getting older and want a great breed for companionship then the Schnauzer, Cocker Spaniel, Chihuahua, Terrier, Pug, or Shih Tzu may be what you have in mind.

4. How to schedule family chores fairly.

Children are notorious for saying they’ll look after a pet, but in reality, this novelty wears off. Chores must be appropriate to the age of the family member and distributed fairly.

Add variety to the duties so smaller children don’t get bored with repetitive jobs. Even a young child can wash the dog’s dishes; fill food and water bowls, and help brush your animal’s fur.

5. How to survive the holidays with a new dog.

The holidays are packed with celebrations, decorations, confusion, and travel. Having a new dog for Christmas is one more thing to juggle during this busy time. Setting up dog boarding, doggy daycare, or asking a family member or friend to look after your pet ahead of time will save you a lot of stress and anxiety.

Be aware of the hazards a new pet can find around and under the tree! Keep small toys, wrapping paper, bows, and chocolate out of sight of wandering doggy eyes. Dogs have an incredible sense of smell so don’t leave wrapped candy and chocolate under the tree!

If you need help with your new pet’s care and grooming before and after the holiday season, please contact Pet City Canada for professional, quality services.

As the hot weather of summer rises, so does the accidental incidences of pet heat exhaustion. Since dogs don’t sweat out excess body heat, they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Pet owners should know the signs, symptoms, treatments, and preventions associated with pet overheating. When dogs become symptomatic of overheating you need to act quickly to prevent heatstroke, kidney failure, and/or cardiac arrest.

If you suspect your dog has heat exhaustion, monitor his/her body temperature and heart rate closely. If your dogs’ temperature rises to 102 degrees Fahrenheit or above your pet needs to be seen by a Veterinarian. Your pet is considered to be at risk of heat stroke or cardiac arrest if his/her body temperature reaches 106 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Always contact a Veterinarian before starting any home treatments. Read more to learn about the signs, symptoms, treatments, and prevention of Pet Heat Exhaustion.

Signs:

• Excessive Panting and/or drooling.
• Lethargy (slower at responding and drowsiness), or restlessness.
• Rapid heart rate and increased respiratory rate.
• Glazed eyes, dizziness, lack of coordination.

Symptoms:

• Gums or tongue may turn blue or bright red, and ear tips turn red.
• Collapse or convulse.
• Increased body temperature.
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea.
• Gasping for breath.

Treatment:

• Consult a Veterinarian as soon as you suspect your dog has heat exhaustion or other health concerns to avoid delay in starting treatment.
• Remove your pet from direct sunshine, hot enclosures, or areas with poor ventilation.
• Move your pet into an air-conditioned room or near a fan.
• If near water such as a lake, river, pool, sprinkler, or garden hose, wet your dog slowly. Put your dog in the bathtub if you are not near another source of water.
• Check body temperature using a rectal thermometer (normal canine body temperature is between 101 – 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 38.3 – 39.2 Celsius).
• Monitor temperature closely and bring it down to 103 degrees Fahrenheit if it is elevated; you don’t want to decrease body temperature too quickly or too low. You can also use a dog cooling mat for your furry friend to lay on during the day.
• Offer cool or lukewarm water and plenty of it! A small amount of salt can be added to the water to replace the minerals that have been lost due to drooling. Don’t give your dog ice chips as this will bring down body temperature too quickly.

Prevention:

• NEVER leave a pet in an enclosed, hot area or vehicle even in the shade!
• Make sure the pet enclosure is well ventilated with good air flow.
• Carry a container of water and keep your pet well hydrated. You can find many options for dog water bowls travelling without having to bring a large dish.
• Don’t over-exercise your pet during hot or humid weather.
• Give your dog shady and cooler places to rest often.
• Take walks in the morning or evening when the heat of the day is not so intense.
• Keep walks confined to parks and forests, try avoiding walking on hot pavement.

Younger dogs, older dogs, and dogs with thicker coats are more at risk of heat exhaustion than most. If your home isn’t air-conditioned you may want to consider Doggy Daycare while you are away during the day. Make an appointment with one of our qualified Pet Groomers at Pet City Canada to condition and clip your dogs’ coat for the summer’s hot weather.

Grooming your pets goes much further than simply washing, drying, and brushing your furry companion. There is much more to consider when grooming your dog than leaving him or her with a clean and shiny coat. How many of us are skilled in recognising ticks, hot spots, or ear mites?

The type of coat your dog has will determine how often he or she needs to visit a groomer. Longer, thicker-haired dogs will need to be groomed more often than shorter, finer haired dogs. Keeping your dog well groomed will promote a manageable coat and better health.

Experienced pet groomers are trained and qualified to find early-stage medical conditions that inflict our pets. They not only wash your pet, they also observe and assess any acute or newly developing symptoms and concerns. A professional groomer will check your dog’s skin, ears, eyes, nails, teeth, and pads, noting any health changes. Keeping your dog healthy and well groomed takes time and knowledge towards keeping them clean, safe, and happy!

What Makes Appearance So Important?

• Cleaner, well-groomed dogs look more approachable and cared for.
• Hygienically, they smell better!
• Grass, dirt, and debris are easier to remove from well-groomed fur (and makes it easier for anyone suffering from seasonal allergies).
• Less chance of dealing with skin, eye, and ear irritations.
• Your pet’s fur is de-matted and untangled.
• Groomers use products that are specifically designed for animals to keep their coats clean and shiny.

What does a Professional Groomer do that the average pet owner might miss?

• They will cut nails properly to avoid them from curling into the toe pads (how many pet owners are nervous to trim nails?).
• Groomers skillfully check for disease, parasites, and skin conditions.
• They know and understand the subtle changes in our pet’s health that are indicative of illness.
• A Groomer is skilled in using shedding blades which removes dead hair before washing.
• Groomers know how to clip and strip dog hair for all breeds and sizes.
• They give special care to the eyes and ears of your furry friend, looking for any abnormalities or injuries.

What do you gain with having a Groomer tend to your dog?

• You gain a longer, healthier lifespan for your dog.
• You won’t have to purchase the tools for grooming or learn how to use them effectively without harming your pet’s skin.
• How about gaining more time to play and enjoy your dog instead of the time invested in grooming?
• A clean, safe environment that is worry free!
• Your dog is dried with a special dryer manufactured for animals so it doesn’t cause skin irritation or dry skin.

Keeping your pet healthy and clean should be an art, not a chore! Choosing a professional Groomer to bathe and groom your dog is a rewarding experience for both you and your pet. Using the same a qualified, dependable groomer each time will help with consistency in spotting changing health conditions. Always consult your Veterinarian if any problems arise with your pet that doesn’t improve over a few days.

At Pet City Canada, we have sincere, qualified groomers that will lovingly wash and groom your pet. Our two Professional Groomers have over 45 years of combined experiencing grooming animals of all kinds.