Vail Daily.com published an article asking owners, "What are you really feeding your pet?" Most pet owners would like to find the answers to this question. With the numerous food types from different manufacturers, each having their own ingredients and special mix, pet owners must be careful in choosing what they feed to pets.
It is important to check the food label, especially the ingredients before feeding anything to pets. From the article in Vail Pets, here are some important ingredients to look out for to help owners determine the nutritional and health value of their preffered pet food.
1. Corn, wheat and soy: Many animals have allergies to these ingredients. They are not necessary to your pet's health. Corn and soy are not easily digested.
2. Animal by-products. These are unspecific and unidentified parts of the animal and can be the scraps off the floor of a factory. These fats can contain heavy preservatives and are difficult to digest.
3. Food coloring. These are not necessary to your pet's health.
4. Sugar, corn syrup or other sweeteners. These can cause highs and lows in animals just like people and interfere with an animal's ability to absorb other needed nutrients. Sweeteners have been linked to changes in an animal's behavior and onset of diabetes.
5. Salt. This is used to make foods more palatable to animals. Consuming too much salt can cause numerous health issues. Some foods use small amounts of sea salt, a healthier alternative.
6. Meat or meat meal. When the meat is unidentified it calls into question the quality. Be sure the meat is defined like whether it is lamb, beef or chicken.
7. There are many more things to be aware of, and it is easy to do research online if you are concerned about certain ingredients.
Pet owners should also have in mind that an expensive brand will always be organic, healthy and nutritional. A good, healthy and nutritional food does not have to be expensive. There are numerous healthy dog gourmets, patisseries and snacks that are affordable but offers great nutritional value. If you want to have an idea of the brands and stores offering this type of food, you may want to checkout the Healthy Food and Gourmet Treats resources from America Outdoor, a premier site providing Petsafe products and other pet care and training supplies. There you can find pet bakeries, food stores, and other pet treat places you might want to check out. Always remember that your pets deserve only healthy treats and quality food.
(above is a dog feeder available at America Outdoor)
If have big heart for the pets, you are reliable, honest and hard working, and are interested in a career that is both fun and challenging, you'll want to join the wonderful world of professional pet sitting and dog walking. That way the pets can do all the hoop jumping for you (which will really only be when you're sitting or walking circus pets).
There are two ways to get your foot in the proverbial door of this job. First of all, you can join an already established agency or train under someone who has set up a solid business and needs to hand jobs over to someone else. Or open door number two and start your own pet sitting company. Of course, both options have their ups and downs. Working for someone else will mean a boss, and perhaps less money than if you were working for yourself, but you’re also not doing the difficult behind-the-scenes tasks, such as getting clients, liaising with clients and dealing with problems as they arise so better get ready and always be prepared. Just make sure you are reliable when it counts.
If you do decide to work for yourself, you need to build a reputation. Bully all your friends into using your services and get their friends to hire you, too. Post ads on veterinary bulletin boards, Craigslist, and pass out fliers around town. It may take awhile to see the fruits of your labor, but usually the larger the effort, the larger the payout.
Must when Dog Walking:
Get License. Research the business license requirements in your city. Call your local city hall and ask if dog walking businesses need a license. Inquire about city guidelines for dog walkers such as the number of dogs allowed on a leash at one time. Some cities have certain regulations.
Get Pet Supplies You Might Needed.
You will need a pooper scooper
Dog toys and tag toys
Dog treats & cookies
Water & Portable Dog water Dispenser
Contacts of your clients
Multi-lead leashes and extra leashes
Equip yourself with good communication skills with dogs
Business cards and flyers for advertising will also be helpful.
Join The Professional Dog Walkers Association. Visit their website for information on membership. They are an international association for professional dog walkers. They can provide information on getting started such as if you should become bonded and get liability insurance.
Talk with dog owners before you start walking. Ask if their dog has had a rabies vaccine. Discuss duration of the walk and if you will be going to off leash parks. Inquire about any special dietary restrictions.
Regardless which path you choose, pet sitting is just as much about the client, as it is about the client's pet(s). When meeting a potential client, remember that person is letting you into their home and entrusting you with their beloved companion. Treat each client and animal with the respect they deserve. Be yourself and take the time to get to know the animal; it may take awhile for it to get adjusted to your presence.
If the person wants to hire you, take notes, listen closely and do everything you can to make the client feel comfortable with you being in their home. If they have a dog, then definitely make sure dog walking is part of the package. Often, this can lead to a regular dog walking gig. You should never limit yourself to purely pet sitting. Dog walking is very lucrative, especially in big cities where people are too busy making money to walk their dog during the day. Likewise, dog walking can lead to pet sitting, too.
Reminders when you do dog walking. Be certain that you have good physical fitness; dog-walking can be a strenuous activity, especially with medium to large dogs. Always be cautious around the dogs that you are not familiar with! Don't let the dog off the leash until you have really gotten to know them and they listen well to you. Don't let the dog off the leash unless you have a fenced area so the dog won't run away. And always remember, this is not your dog so take care of it as it is yours.
When you are dog walking or pet sitting, you will have access to people’s private homes. This does not mean you can make yourself at home and throw parties. And don't even think about drinking their booze. Treat all spaces you are allowed into with the utmost respect and make sure it looks as good as when you walked in. It is just common courtesy. Enjoy your new career. You are going to make some incredible four-legged (and even feathered or scaled) friends.
For more tips, resources and pet supplies on caring and servicing pets, check more author articles at Pet Street Mall, a premiere pet supplies and online retailer site.
Being a pet owner is one of the most exciting and fun experience one person can have. Studies even show that owning a pet provides great health benefits. People have different reasons why they want to have the most domesticated animals like a dog or a cat. Most seek the loyal companionship, active playfulness, great comfort or unparalleled joy that they give. To reciprocate all these pleasant things that a pet brings, owners must ensure that they are also able to provide for the various needs of their dogs and cats. There is more to their basic needs. They also need love and affection.
There are 4 important aspects that every owner must look at to ensure proper pet care. These requirements can be greatly supported by pet products specifically made for them.
Pet Grooming
What’s the first thing people notice in a pet? Of course, it’s the look.
Every pet must have proper grooming. Good hygiene must be observed. Regular bathing, clean paws or short claws, and well-combed smooth fur are the most common practices of keeping pets clean and pleasant. Dogs are usually taken to groomers for professional service, but for those who are not willing to spend, dog grooming supplies are available. Why not design a personalized groom shop right inside the house? Get a dog tub, dog shampoos and conditioners, paw-dicure set, etc.
Pet Health
Most pet owners focus on maintaining or improving their pet’s health. Providing nutritious food and complete pet supplements are the usual ways to achieve it. There are a number of food brands containing various minerals, same as the numerous pet meds with different vitamins.
Some pet accessories today have also been designed to benefit pet health. Injured pets can get a lift from pet strollers. Old and arthritic dogs can be relieved of sore joints inside an orthopedic heated dog beds, and as for cats, there are thermo heated cat sills and mats.
Pet Training
Dogs and cats are two of the most easily trained animals. Some owners even take training very seriously. Some take their pets to training schools, while others do the training themselves. For pet owners who don’t have much time, they usually seek training aids. Petsafe is one of the most reliable names when it comes to dog training collars. Safe and effective, dogs can learn quickly without too much hassle for their owners.
A well-behaved and obedient dog is the result of using a Petsafe dog training collar backed by proper training techniques. Other training aids also include shock collars, bark collars, and beeper collars.
Pet Safety
Another important priority for every owner should be pet safety. Pet owners want to be sure that their favorite four-legged friends are away from harm.
Having a reliable pet containment is the easiest way to keep pets secured.
There are numerous fencing products that can safeguard pets. The wireless dog fence Petsafe dog containment is one of the top selling dog fence today. Working on wi-fi technology, protecting pets there will be no worries of the dog getting out of the house, or messing the living area, or worse causing trouble and facing accidents somewhere else.
Focusing on these 4 important aspects, pet owners can have the best dogs and cats. Just remember: A well-groomed pet is a key to ensure good health. Healthy pets can have the energy for training and ability to learn. Most of all, safe and secured pets, means happy owners.
