http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:25:38 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-2502 Theresa Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:16:00 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/#comment-2502 As a pet sitter myself I agree with the vet. Just love the pet you are sitting with like he/she is your own. Be careful about things around your house that the pet might eat, make sure he/she goes out and gets plenty of exercise. You can also leave he/she home and have your petsitter , like myself, stay at your home. As a pet sitter myself I agree with the vet. Just love the pet you are sitting with like he/she is your own. Be careful about things around your house that the pet might eat, make sure he/she goes out and gets plenty of exercise. You can also leave he/she home and have your petsitter , like myself, stay at your home.

]]> http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-2455 troy Mon, 21 Jul 2008 20:21:37 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/#comment-2455 My dogs sense when we are packing for a trip. They usally dont eat very well while we are gone They are sure glad to get back to there home usally sleep for a week. It has to be hard on a dog being in a strange surrounding for few days. I heard that some towns are getting people to come to there houses while you are gone leaving the pets at there home. My dogs sense when we are packing for a trip. They usally dont eat very well while we are gone They are sure glad to get back to there home usally sleep for a week. It has to be hard on a dog being in a strange surrounding for few days. I heard that some towns are getting people to come to there houses while you are gone leaving the pets at there home.

]]> http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/comment-page-1/#comment-2453 barrie Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:10:39 +0000 http://blogs.dogster.com/vet_blog_information_advice/why-do-your-pets-get-sick-while-youre-on-vacation/#comment-2453 As a pet sitter, may I add a suggestion to your list? I refuse to do fewer than three visits a day for dogs. Even if the dog has access to the outdoors to potty, how many dogs do you know who are accustomed to spending 23 hours a day (most pet sitting visits average about a half an hour) by themselves? So, don't try to economize your vacation by shorting your dog's visits! I'm always happy to bump clients up to 4 visits a day. Most professional pet sitters offer discounts when you "buy" three or more visits a day. Second, make sure that your dog is very comfortable with your sitter. Most professional pet sitters are happy to do some play time or walks with your dog while you are still at home. Yes, you will have to pay them for their time but this way your dog has lots of fun, positive associations with the person who is going to be caring for him/her while you are away. Lastly, stress is a huge factor in my opinion! You can help decrease stress on your pet in your absence by increasing his/her exercise and also by keeping him/her busy while alone using food puzzle toys like Kongs, Molecule Balls, etc. which should be introduced to the pet as far in advance of your planned absence as possible. I have been pet sitting off and on for the last sixteen years and I can honestly say that I have never had a veterinary emergency with any of the animals in my care. I did have to rush a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the vet in the middle of the night because of bloat when I worked at a boarding kennel and I have had plenty of medical issues to deal with with the animals in my charge (subcutaneous fluids, allergy shots, making sure that flighted parrots all get their antibiotics, etc.) but by following the above guidelines and also with I am sure more than my fair share of luck, I have never had an emergency with an animal I was pet sitting for. As a pet sitter, may I add a suggestion to your list? I refuse to do fewer than three visits a day for dogs. Even if the dog has access to the outdoors to potty, how many dogs do you know who are accustomed to spending 23 hours a day (most pet sitting visits average about a half an hour) by themselves? So, don’t try to economize your vacation by shorting your dog’s visits! I’m always happy to bump clients up to 4 visits a day. Most professional pet sitters offer discounts when you “buy” three or more visits a day. Second, make sure that your dog is very comfortable with your sitter. Most professional pet sitters are happy to do some play time or walks with your dog while you are still at home. Yes, you will have to pay them for their time but this way your dog has lots of fun, positive associations with the person who is going to be caring for him/her while you are away. Lastly, stress is a huge factor in my opinion! You can help decrease stress on your pet in your absence by increasing his/her exercise and also by keeping him/her busy while alone using food puzzle toys like Kongs, Molecule Balls, etc. which should be introduced to the pet as far in advance of your planned absence as possible. I have been pet sitting off and on for the last sixteen years and I can honestly say that I have never had a veterinary emergency with any of the animals in my care. I did have to rush a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog to the vet in the middle of the night because of bloat when I worked at a boarding kennel and I have had plenty of medical issues to deal with with the animals in my charge (subcutaneous fluids, allergy shots, making sure that flighted parrots all get their antibiotics, etc.) but by following the above guidelines and also with I am sure more than my fair share of luck, I have never had an emergency with an animal I was pet sitting for.

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