Be Prepared If Your Pet Needs to Be Evacuated

If you and your pet need to evacuate your home, you may not have a lot of time to figure out what to take along.  The list of items below are what you should have packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. Keep these items at an easy to access place.  Placing them in a large covered plastic container (expect, of course, the kennel) works well. 

This list is handy whether you are taking your pet with you or having the pet stay somewhere safe.  Right now, make a list of friends, relatives, pet-friendly motels, and kennels outside a potential disaster area so you can contact who ever you need in case of a pending evacuation.

THE LIST

  • All pets, need a collar and  identification tag.  The tag should have your cell phone number on the tag, not your home phone.
  • Current photos of your pet in case they get lost
  • Copies of updated vaccination certificates (this will be required by shelters)
  • Food- a minimum one week’s supply of food in water-tight container
  • Water – a minimum one week’s supply of one week’s supply of water
  • Leash and harness
  • Litterbox and litter for cats
  • Appropriate size pet carrier
  • Newspaper or towels for crate lining
  • Trash bags for pet-waste disposal
  • Any toy that your pet needs for comfort

Planning ahead for an evacuation route for your family and pets is crucial.   Do it now and be safe later!

Petmate Portable Pet Home – Product of the Day

Portable Travel Home for your Pet
Petmate’s portable pet home has been around for a while, but we chose this flexible home (for any type of furry pet) because many people are traveling during the holidays and don’t want to leave their pets home.

The flexibility allowed for pet owners with this home is tremendous.  Easily assembled and very roomy for your pet – it features window covers for outdoor use and 6 different sizes.

The heavy duty canvas construction is durable and water resistant. It also features storage pockets for all your dog or cat’s travel essentials.

The carrying case is also rugged and four ground stakes are included in all sizes except mini.

Halloween Tips for Your Dog

Halloween can be a stressful day for your dog, especially if your dog gets nervous with strange people around the house or people knocking on the door or ringing the door bell.  For the safety and health of your dog, it is important to take some precautions on that day to ensure that it goes smoothly.  Here are some safety tips for you to follow on Halloween:

  1. In case your dog decides to make a break out the door, make sure that your dog has a collar with a tag on it.  The Safe-T-Tag Pet Collar ID Tag is a great ID tag to put on your dog’s collar.  This tag is made of reflective material and has a flashing light to get a driver’s attention.
  2. If your dog likes to escape from the house when the door is open, then it is a good idea to keep your dog kenneled in a crate.   By keeping your dog in the crate, it will be less likely for your dog to escape get lost or cause trouble for your visitors.  The Vari Kennel is a great kennel for any dog to use and makes a safe, secure, and comfortable for your dog.
  3. Place your dog’s favorite toy or treat in the crate to help keep your dog entertained when in the crate.  This is helpful if your dog likes to get excited easily with all of the visitors because it takes his mind off of the visitors.  Use a treat like the RedBarn Meaty Dog Bone.  This bone is ideal for keeping your dog busy chewing.
  4. If your dog has a tendency to get excited or nervous every time the door ball rings, use an anti anxiety remedy to help calm his nerves.  Use a product like Pet Calm by Richards Organics to help relieve your dog’s anxiety.  This natural product works quickly and gently to help reduce your dog’s stress in a variety of situations.

Unique and Practical Holiday Dog Gifts

The holiday season is quickly approaching and now is a great time to get the dog or dog owner in your life the perfect dog gift for the holidays.  When choosing a gift for a dog, it is a good idea to find out if he or she is in need of anything in particular.  If not, then you are free to get creative.  Regardless of your circumstance,  unique and practical dog gifts make ideal gifts for any dog.  There are so many to choose, but here are a few of my favorites:

One of my favorite items for dogs is the Ultra Bubbler Pet Fountain by Petmate.  This stylish water fountain is designed to provide a dog with a constant supply of fresh water and is very practical, while being fun to use.  Just fill the fountain with a gallon and a half of water in the morning and the air pump system will oxygenate the water by creating bubbles in the water all day long. The water tastes fresher and cleaner and your dog will be able to notice the difference.  The continuous supply of bubbles is also great for helping to prevent the growth of bacteria.  This item is ideal for any size dog.

To keep the dog in your life cozy and warm, choose a dog parka like the Square Quilted Zip Pockets Dog Parka.  This cute little parka is perfect for keeping any dog warm in the snow and cold temperatures and comes with sleeves and a hood.  It is available in red or black in a variety of sizes to fit a wide range of dogs.  In addition to providing warmth for your dog, this parka also has a two zip up treat pockets for good behavior.  When it gets dirty, just throw it into the machine in cold water and in the dryer on low to dry.  Any dog would appreciate this stylish yet warm parka!

Nothing is more luxurious and practical for a dog’s comfort then the All Season Snuggly Sleeper Dog Bed.  This bed is made of soft, cozy material and may be heated in the winter and cooled in the summer to help keep your dog the perfect temperature any time of the year.  It is available in two neutral color combinations that blend in well with any decor.  Dogs love the soothing warmth of the bed throughout the year and enjoy the coolness on really hot days in the summer.

Choosing an unique and practical gift for your dog is easy and fun when you have a lot of choices.  For more great holiday gift ideas in a wide variety of price ranges, check out GregRobert Pet Supplies.

Keep Your Dog Warm and Toasty Outdoors this Fall

Most dogs love to spend time outdoors as much as possible, but when the weather gets cold, it becomes harder for them to remain outside.  By providing your dog with a heated outdoor space, you can extend the amount of time your dog can stay outdoors.  To create a heated outdoor space, here are some essentials that you will need to have:

  1. First, start off with some durable and sturdy shelter for your dog.  A wooden dog house works great for protecting your dog from the elements.  One of my favorite dog houses is the Premium + Aframe Doghouse that is made of natural wood.  This dog house is designed to safely protect your dog from rain, snow, and other elements.  It also has a clear plastic door that is sold separately for keeping wind, rain, and snow out.  By adding a dog house to your yard, your dog will have a place to go if he gets too cold or the weather is unbearable.
  2. Another piece to creating a warm outdoor space for your dog is a heated pad.   The Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed is ideal for keeping your dog warm when outdoors.  The pad may be used inside the dog house or in another type of sheltered area.  This pad is great because it offers a soft, warm place for your pet to rest, may be easily cleaned with the wipe of a damp cloth, and has a chew resistant cord.
  3. If you plan on keeping your dog for a longer period of time, it is a good idea to offer your dog a dish of heated water.  The warm water will help to warm your dog inside and make his stay outside more comfortable.  Choose a heated dog dish like the Heated Pet Water Bowl by Farm Innovators.  This dog dish is thermostatically controlled to keep your dog’s water at a constant temperature and holds one and a half gallons of water.

Your dog will be able to stay outdoors longer if you create a warm and cozy outdoor living space for your dogs.  By using a dog house, a heated dog pad, and a heated dog dish, you can easily create a warm place for your dog to enjoy throughout the fall and winter. 

Here is a nice article about the heated cat beds that GregRobert donated this week.