How to Turn Your Home into a Pet Paradise

Guest Post by: Dirce Guerra

If you consider yourself a pet lover, there’s no doubt that you want the absolute best for your furry, finned, or feathered pals. Whether you have dogs, cats, birds, or other animals, it’s important to make sure that they are safe, happy, and comfortable. After all, your home is their home! Make sure you take a few simple steps to turn your home into a paradise for your pets so they can thrive. When pets are comfortable and happy, they’ll be healthier and likely live longer, too. Read on for some tips that will help you make a few simple changes to create the ultimate pet paradise.

Dogs

Happy dog.

Dogs are man’s best friend, and that’s why it’s vital to keep them comfy and happy at home. Here are some tips for setting up a pooch paradise:

  • Designate a dog-friendly resting space: Dogs like soft, comfortable areas where they can sleep and feel safe. Create a sleeping spot in your home that’s up to their standards, such as a cozy corner of the living room or perhaps even a spot near your own bed. Dogs prefer natural fabrics like cotton, so look for dog beds made of this or other organic materials. The softer the dog bed, the happier they’ll be.
  • Keep their space tidy: Your home is your dog’s territory, so it’s important that they feel free to move around. Keep your home free of clutter, and don’t block your dog’s line of sight. Dogs need to be able to see through doorways and out of windows. A neat, clean space will make your pup comfortable and help them to feel like they’re able to protect their home since they can see any activity that’s going on around them.
  • Don’t use cleaning chemicals: Heavy-duty household cleaners often contain harsh, potentially toxic chemicals that can cause health problems in dogs (and other pets). Use cleaners that contain natural ingredients that won’t be dangerous if they’re ingested or breathed in. This won’t just benefit your dog – it will also benefit everyone else in the household, too!
  • Avoid using essential oils or strong fragrances: Essential oils can make your home smell wonderful, but they can also be highly toxic to dogs and other pets. Stay away from using any essential oils that can be accidentally ingested or breathed in since they may cause a number of serious health problems for canines and many other animals. Stick to other means of freshening the air in your home, like potpourri or scented candles made without essential oils as fragrance. Certain scents like citrus, ammonia, and perfumes can be upsetting to dogs, even if we humans aren’t bothered by them.
  • Designate a place for food and water: It’s in your dog’s instinct to protect his food and water. To make him feel comfortable, select a place in your home that will be used solely for feeding. When you create a “dining space’ for your dog, they’ll feel comfortable and in control of their environment and won’t have to worry about potential “predators” sneaking up and stealing their food.
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Moving Tips for Your Fur Babies – DogBlog

Guest Post Contributor: Karli Jaenike

In all the excitement of moving some people forget that it can be an incredibly stressful time for your pup. They don’t inherently know what’s going on, and may feel unsure about their place in the move and where they are heading.

To make your dog feel extra secure, there are certain things you can do. For example, before the move, it can be helpful to have some boxes out a few weeks early so that they get used to them. You can also ensure you spend lots of quality time with your furry friend to assure them they are still #1 in your heart.

During the move, remember to keep them safe by either crating them or taking them to a friend or family members house. Ensure they always have their collar and tags on just in case they escape. After the move, it can be helpful to spend a few days around the house with your dog to reassure them that they are safe.

Our friends at at HireAHelper put together a list of tips that dog pawrents can use to keep their pets, happy and calm during a move. You can see it below!

Help your pet adjust to a new home

Advice for Dog Owners in the Moving Market

Guest Post by Bernie the Boxer

Black german shepherd

Image via Pixabay

Relocating is exciting, but it is a lot of work. Not only do you have to work with a real estate agent to find a new place, but you also have to help your family adjust to the changes that lie ahead. One family member that may have a particularly difficult time is your dog. He doesn’t really know what is going on, but he can sense that there is a big adjustment coming up. Dogs can pick up on human distress and start to experience it themselves. As they struggle with these feelings of anxiety and not knowing what is coming, they may start to show destructive behaviors as a reaction.

These behaviors include:

  • Excessive licking of self or others.
  • Chewing on furniture, shoes, or other non-chew toy items.
  • Barking at inappropriate times.
  • Howling at night or when separated from owners.
  • Digging holes in the yard.
  • Going to the bathroom indoors.
  • Hiding from owners.
  • Darting out the door or digging holes under fences to escape.
  • Pacing nervously.

If you want to help prevent your dog’s anxiety as you move and make the transition as comfortable as possible for him, take these following precautions into account. By finding the right place that fits your pup’s needs, sheltering him during moving upheaval, and taking the time to help him acclimate to your new place, you can make moving easier for your dog. Continue reading

Dogs and Hardwood Floors – DogBlog

Guest Post by: Aedan Kiernan
Digital Marketing Executive
Wood Finishes Direct
Folkestone, Kent, UK

For many home owners, who are also dog owners, hardwood flooring is but a dream. Dogs claws, vomit, urine and dirty paws are all things that can cause havoc to a hardwood floor. However this doesn’t mean hardwood floors are out of the picture. Providing you choose the right wood, finish, sheen and cleaning products, your dog and floor can coexist in relative harmony. Although there is no way to stop damage altogether, you can reduce and limit the damage.

Wood – Choosing the wood will be the first thing you do, and there are so many woods available, oak, pine, walnut, ash, cherry, maple, the list goes on, but which one is best. The key to choosing wood flooring for a home with dogs is finding one which is strong and light in colour. You want it to be strong so it stands up well to your dogs claws and light in colour so any damage is less visible. This sums up oak perfectly as it is one of the strongest woods available, is naturally light in colour, and it is affordable. Although you could try an aged or distressed looking wood so any damage look like it is intentional.

Finish – Now that you have chosen the wood, now the question looms, what finish should I choose? Your new hardwood floor needs a finish to protect it from dirt and wear, otherwise it will quickly become damaged and eventually ruined. There are two main finishes on the market for floors and these are oils and varnishes. Oils are very popular as they offer a natural look and feel, but they are not suited to standing up to the wear caused by dogs. For this reason a floor varnish is the best choice of finish to provide the resilience you need. A varnish offers a hard and durable protective coating on top of the wood, helping to prevent damage and protecting the wood. The great thing with a varnish is multiple layers can be built up to increase protection. Make sure you use a specific “floor varnish” as these are made for floors and have increased protection to other generic varnishes. You can find a range of floor varnishes at Wood Finishes Direct. Continue reading

Is your garden pet ready for summer

Guest Blogger: Aedan Kiernan
Reflect Digital

Most dogs adore summer and see it is a fantastic opportunity to explore and run around in new places. There are several steps you can take to ensure your dog has a glorious healthy summer without becoming ill or having an accident. Some of the most important tips include keeping your dog hydrated at all times and preventing them becoming sunburnt. You may also wish to keep them away from toxic plants, lungworm and artificial grass. Let’s explore some of the best ways to get your pet ready for summer.

Thwarting sunburn

Dog at the parkSunburn can be just as harmful to pets as it is to humans. Too much sun can lead to skin cancer, and certain dogs are at significant risk of sunburn. These include white-furred, hairless, light-coloured and short-haired dogs. If your dog does become sunburn, you can apply natural treatments like aloe vera to the red or raw area. Make sure your dog has breaks from the hot sun and benefits from an adequate amount of shade. It’s essential that you don’t leave your dog out in the hot sun for too long.

Investing in artificial grass

Soil and natural grass tend to play host to a number of hazards including snails and slugs. Your dog can become affected by lungworm if he or she swallows a slug or snail so it’s a good idea to remove them from your garden as soon as you spot them. Some dog owners are now investing in installing artificial grass in order to avoid the lungworm problem. By using fake grass you can massively reduce the number of slugs and snails in the your garden in the first place. There are plenty of synthetic grass companies like Forever Green Lawns who supply and install artificial grass which is pet friendly.

Learn about toxic plants

It’s wise to know which plants do and don’t pose a threat to your dog. Obtaining a list of toxic plants will help you work out which plants you shouldn’t be keeping in your garden if you have a dog. If you don’t want to get rid of your plants you could consider making the area in question inaccessible to your dog. Some plants can be more hazardous than you might expect – apple seeds pose a significant risk.

Give them the water they need

Hydration is just as important for dogs as it is for humans. Dogs can become dehydrated frighteningly quickly, so always ensure there’s a good supply of water at home and when you’re out and about. Grooming is also important. Long hair can cause accidents and make your dog uncomfortable, so it’s wise to give them a trim as the temperatures rise. Claws can also become snagged and cause accidents. Regular brushing should help your dog remain comfortable. A dog tag with your contact details on will help if you become separated from your dog.

Do you need a dog kit?

It’s a good idea to invest in a pet kit for when you and your dog are on your travels. Kits tend to include everything you might need to keep your dog happy when you’re away from home, including food, bowls, treats and toys. Chilled gel packs placed under the collar will also keep your dog comfortable whether they’re playing in your garden or out walking. You can even invest in special jackets to keep dogs cool. Some dog owners have even purchased special boots for protection from hot sand, glass and many other hazards.

Planning exercise

Sudden bursts of activity can lead to pain, so if you do like to take your dog out for a long runabout at the weekend, make sure they also get ample exercise during the week. By taking note of a few simple instructions, you can give your dog the summer he or she deserves, prevent them from getting ill, becoming lost or being hurt in an accident.

Photo:  Copyright Julie Walton

Reason God Made Dogs

Aren’t you thankful that God looked down on his wide eyed children and said “They need a companion” – so God Made A Dog.

God said I need somebody willing to wake up, give kisses, pee on a tree, sleep all day, wake up again, give more kisses, then stay up until midnight basking in the glow of a television set – so God made a Dog.

God said I need someone willing to sit .. then stay .. then roll over …

We are so thankful that God made Dogs! I’m sure he had a good reason to create cats too, but dog lovers see the wisdom of this wonderful gift – The Dog.