Copy
Paws First Pet Sitting News!
View email in your browser

Paws First News!

We have to say it again... Thank You to our wonderful clients that have reached out to support us. Your generosity means so much!

We are still offering 20% off your invoice for essential workers, including all health care and public service workers. And anyone that is elderly, is physically unable, or is immunocompromised too. We want to help our community.

We are still dog walking, doing our taxi service for your fur friends, grocery shopping, drug store runs, post office drop off and pick up and other errands. Call us and tell us what you need at 732-947-6719.

Don't forget our pre-paid packages and gift cards. Purchase now and use them when you need pet services or errands. Use them now or in the future! Buy your PrePaid Package or Gift Card here.

Staying At Home With Our Pets!

Many of us are finding Social Distancing a challenge, but it would be twice as hard if we didn't have our beloved pets with us. They help us to manage stress, make us laugh, get us moving, and are great listeners.  Let's use this time we have in positive ways.

Routine

Our pets find routine comforting, so if your dog usually gets a walk in the morning and another one after you come home in the afternoon, try and keep to that schedule. That doesn't mean you can't add one after lunch, exercise is great for everyone (the more exercise, the better for all of us), but keep the regular "routine" going as much as possible, it's less stressful for your pet.

With everyone at home, your cat may be missing nap times. So, if your cat seems grumpy or is hiding, be sure to offer him some space. Try finding a private room he can relax in, or a bed in the sunshine away from the action. One of these days, we're all going to get back to our former lives - more or less - which means if your pet is usually left home alone while you work be sure to leave them alone now and again while we are all at home. We don't want your pet to stress out when we change our routines again.

Make sure you stick to feeding routines too, nothing is more discombobulating to our pets than having their feeding times change!

Exercise

Some of our pets may be getting more exercise and playtime with their pet parents home all day, while others that usually go to dog parks, doggie daycare, or have regular pet sitter visits may be getting less activity. If your pooch is missing the dog park, try and take her on a few extra walks each day. That exercise is good for both of you. Be sure your walks are a mix of walking and sniffing; both activities use a lot of energy and result in a tired dog.

Although cats are often a bit more independent than dogs, they will benefit from extra playtime and some cuddling too.

This is an excellent time to bond more deeply with our pets since we benefit from a strong relationship as much as our pets do. Don't forget we are still dog walking and are happy to do no contact walk pick up and drop off for your dog.

Games

Both inside and outside games will relieve some of the stress and boredom both you and your pets may feel from time to time, so if you have a safe area, play catch or toss a frisbee for your dog. There are a lot of inside games that use up mental and physical energy too.

Find it is a favorite game for many dogs. Make the game easy in the beginning, until they get the hang of it. Toss a treat and say, "find it."

When your dog gets the treat, let him know he did it right! Then let him watch you while you put the treat farther away. If your dog won't sit and stay, have someone hold him (this break is a great time to do some training too). Then tell him to find it. Keep moving the treat farther away until it's around a corner. If your pooch has trouble with that one, help him a little and tell them how smart he is when he finds it. Soon your dog may be hunting through the house for hidden treats; it's a fun game for everyone.

A box or bag is an excellent game for both cats and dogs. Hide some treats in the box or bag and tell your pet to find them (keep an eye on him to be sure he doesn't eat the bag or box). Your cat may take a snooze in the box when the game is over!

Work From Home

For those of you working at home, you may have noticed that your pet often behaves like a 2-year-old when they want some attention. Just start a video conference and bingo, the dog begins to bark or the cat lounges on the keyboard. We may think our pet crashing a video conference is adorable, but as hard as it is to believe, not everyone finds it as endearing as we do. If you don't have the luxury of a private office where you can close the door, then the best bet is to be prepared.

Dogs can often be distracted with a frozen Kong toy. Fill the Kong with kibble, yogurt, or peanut butter and give it to them just before your video call. This can keep Fido busy for a good half hour. Your cat may be able to entertain themselves with a bag or box that has some special treats in it. If you've got a puppy or a kitten, all bets are off, and it may be wise to ask a family member to watch them. You could schedule a walk or playtime with us if it's an important call. Just let us know!

Let's enjoy the together time with our pets. You'll probably miss it when it's over! Remember, we are always here to help you if you need it!

Here are some fun games for cats.
Build an epic castle for your cat (great project for kids too).
Great games to play with your dog.
Even more dog games.

News You Can Use!

Vet care

Most veterinary offices are open and practicing social distancing. Some vets are doing FaceTime or phone calls for an initial appointment so you can describe to your vet what is going on with your pet. Many have contactless vet visits; you drop your pet off at the door, and they have the appointment in the exam room with you on the phone in your car (or via FaceTime). So if your pet is having any health issues, don't hesitate to call your vet.

Pet adoptions!

There has been an uptick in pet adoptions since the pandemic started. That is always good news. We all know how comforting a pet is, and we are so glad that more people are adopting from the shelters. Many shelters and rescue organizations are doing low and contactless adoptions. Most have online profiles for their adoptable pets and will schedule an outdoor meet and greet that is within social distancing guidelines. If you have been thinking of adopting a dog or cat (or any shelter animal), now may be the perfect time to do so if you or your family are at home. The extra attention will help with potty training, learning the household ropes, and maybe a trick or two.

Pet Food, Supplies, and Pet Rx During Quarantine.

If you order your pet food or supplies online, be aware that many companies are behind with their delivery schedules. Don't wait until you are out of something to restock in case the delivery is delayed.

Where did COVID-19 make the jump from animals to people?

Right now, they are still trying to unravel this mystery - as of this writing - they think it came from a bat, who then infected a pangolin (find out what a Pangolin is here). Pangolins are one of the most trafficked and endangered animals in the world, and they are eaten and used in folk remedies in Asia and Africa. This article will help you understand more about this.

Does my pet need a mask when we go out in public?

There is no reason to put a mask on your pet. If you are going to a place where you won't be able to social distance - wearing a mask is recommended for people, but your cat and dog do not need one.

Is there more information about pets contracting Corona Virus?

Last month we discussed this, and there is a bit more to report now, as this pandemic evolves we learn more about this disease. It does seem like both cats and dogs can get a mild form of COVID. But the main driver of COVID-19 is human to human transfer. As of this writing, there are no reports of a pet to human transmission. When you're out walking, it's a good idea for not only you but your pet to social distance too. Although pet fur isn't a good agent for the transfer of COVID-19, the AVMA is recommending that you don't let your pets interact with people you don't know right now.

Below are a couple of links you can check to keep up to date on COVID-19 and our pets.

The CDC website
The American Veterinary Medical Association

Great Pet Links!

A lot of fun links this month since many of us are spending more time online. We hope some of these links will make you laugh. Enjoy!

May is:

National Pet Month
Chip Your Pet Month

May 3 -  Special Abled Pets Day
May 10 - Hamster Day
May 23  - World Turtle Day
Website
Facebook
Email
Copyright © 2020 Paws First, LLC, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp