[DOGS and CATS]

With Independence Day fireworks to start well before July 4th and last at least one day after, make sure that your pets have a safe place to hide.

Many pets HATE the loud noise that fireworks make, and may go through a lot of anxiety and stress.

If you know that your pet will be adversely affected by the loud noises, either take them to a friend or relative's home where fireworks won't be a problem (fat chance of that!) OR do the right thing and stay home and comfort your pet.

You may think it an imposition to stay home when everyone is enjoying the fireworks, but as a pet owner you may have to enjoy them by watching the display on television.

Do the right thing!

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS]

If you're using one of the new retractable leashes, keep your eyes on your dog to prevent a surprise dash into traffic.

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS AND CATS] KEEP YOUR PETS HYDRATED

Now that the weather is heating up, be sure to keep fresh water available for your pets. If you're going on an extended walk during the heat, consider buying a pet watering bottle that has an attached bowl on it for ease of use. REMEMBER, if you need water, your pet will need it as well.

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS]

Now that flea and tick season is upon us, talk to your vet about effective treatments.
When walking your dogs, stay out of the tall grass. After a walk, run your fingers over your ENTIRE pet and remove any ticks that you find. If you don't know how to remove embedded ticks, check YouTube for instructions.

Also, don't forget to check yourself for ticks after a walk!

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS] BEWARE OF POISON IVY

When we walk our dogs, we like them to be able to sniff in and around grassy areas. It's a joy to see their noses seek out all of those yummy smells that we (fortunately?) aren't able to smell.

We're already aware of the dangers of mosquitoes and ticks that potentially carry horrendous diseases. What we may not be immediately aware of is the danger of Poison Ivy oils that are being deposited on our dogs' furs as they brush against Poison Ivy plants.

And guess where those oils end up when we lovingly stroke our dogs after a walk? We can then spread them to other parts of our bodies when we scratch ourselves.

Our walkers have a supply of baby wipes handy that they use freely (with latex gloves on their hands) whenever Poison Ivy contanimation is expected.

That's not a bad technique to get into if you're alergic to this vile weed.

If you don't know what Poison Ivy looks like (or Poison Summac, for that matter), consult an internet source ... Google it and find a picture for easy reference. Poison Ivy has its tell-tale three leaves, that once identified, will always stick in your mind.

FYI, a non-poisonous plant, the Virginia Creeper, looks just like Poison Ivy with the exception that it has five leaves instead of three.

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS] PROTECT YOUR DOGS' PAWS IN WINTER

Many of us purchase coats for our dogs in order to keep them warmer during our winter walks. There's one other precaution that we should take, however, especially after salt has been spread on our sidewalks and roads after a snow storm.

That salt can easily get caught between your dogs' toes and irritate the skin, causing cracks and bleeding.

A quick fix for this problem is to use baby wipes to clean off the paws. Make sure to buy baby wipes that are dampened with baby oil and not alcohol; the alcohol will only exasperate any skin problems that will have already occurred.

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829

[DOGS] BEWARE OF THE SUMMER HEAT AND HUMIDITY

Our business tends to pick up whenever inclement weather threatens. Understandably, just as there is an aversion to getting out of doors on freezing mornings to let one's dog do its business, so it is uncomfortable to do the same thing in the Washington, DC heat and humidity of summer.

Sometimes I think that professional dog walkers are the saving grace for dogs of less-than-aware owners who don't realize that dogs suffer as much as we do, if not more, on these hot days. Unlike people, dogs don't have sweat glands that aid in cooling them down. Their cooling mechanism consists primarily of panting which I don't think is as efficient in cooling a body as sweating.

Additionally, black or just dark-furred dogs also attract more sunlight than lighter-furred dogs, and this makes everything so much worse. Just think about wearing a black shirt versus a white one on a summer day. The difference in comfort is very noticeable, and so it is with dogs.

Therefore, if you're going to walk a dog in this heat, be sensible. Stay off any blacktop or concrete as much as possible. They trap heat which can and will burn your dogs' paws. Whenever possible, let your pets walk on grass.

Also, try to stay out of the sun as much as possible. Seek shady trees whenever possible, and limit your walks to a sensible amount of time that is commensurate with the temperature and humidity of the day. Back home, have plenty of water available and freshen the water bowl often.

Finally, and I can't stress this enough. DO NOT LOCK YOUR DOG IN THE CAR, even for only the "few minutes" that you're going to be away in the store or wherever you have to go. Leaving the windows cracked does very little to keep the temperature down to safe levels for your pet. In such an enclosed area, the temperature can rise very quickly and kill your dog. It's happened before; don't let this happen to you. In such instances it will be better to leave your dog at home, even if it has to be crated for the duration of your absence.

Chris and Ray
Christine's Pets
703-626-3829