How to Avoid Obesity in Dogs

Pet Health Articles

Did you know that 55.8% of dogs were classified as clinically overweight in 2018? That means an estimated 50 million dogs are unhealthily heavy, based on 2018-2019 pet population projections from the American Pet Products Association (APPA). And these numbers are likely an underestimation considering the surge in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic; many have been guilty of hibernating with our pets, packing on the additional pounds along with our furry friends.

To further shed light on National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, here are 4 tips on how you can prevent your dog from gaining unhealthy weight.

4 Tips to Avoid Obesity in Dogs

1. Talk to your veterinarian

The best way to prevent your pet from becoming overweight is to start with gaining an awareness of their body condition. To do this, speak to your veterinary professional about your dog’s current health, find out about exercise and activity requirements and ask how many kilocalories (kcal) they should intake daily based on breed, age and lifestyle.

2. Find the right food for your pet

Not all breeds require the same type and amount of food. Be sure to consult your vet for various food suggestions for your dog.

The “right” foods to maintain a healthy weight also depend on your pet’s particular circumstances. Age, breed, pre-existing conditions, activity level and even environmental temperature can all affect your pet’s nutritional and caloric needs. Controlling portions is key for all pets, regardless of how “low-calorie” a food may be. In general, younger pets tend to be more active and require food higher in caloric density vs. older, more sedentary pets. A good quality protein source is important for all life stages.

Most veterinarian-approved foods meet the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards for testing, nutritional content, labeling, guaranteed analysis and ingredients. It’s no small or inexpensive undertaking to create a safe, effective, palatable and nutritionally complete pet food. Some mom-and-pop shops that use colorful logos, promise “real” or “fresh” food and sell terms that are merely descriptive that can mean any number of things should be avoided unless approved by your veterinary health care professional.

For pets with specific dietary needs such as a low-fat diet for pancreatitis-prone patients, your vet may advise a calorie-controlled, prescription food to prevent obesity and manage pre-existing disease.

3. Treat them wisely

Who doesn’t love giving their pet a tasty treat in between meals? They’re always excited for treats, and you’re always delighted to offer them. However, remember that treats are not nutritionally complete and balanced. As such, they should contribute to no more than 10% of overall kcal intake.

If you’re unsure what store-bought treats your pet should have, consult your vet for recommendations. You can also serve your pet fun, human-friendly options too! Healthy snacks for your dog can be apple slices, frozen yogurt “pup cups”, bananas, carrot sticks or frozen blueberries. Some owners even reserve a small portion of their daily kibble ration to be dispensed as treats. Your pet won’t know the difference, and you can effectively control intake while offering more treats throughout the day.

4. Develop healthy habits

Just as humans can develop unhealthy habits, our pets can, too. It’s imperative to your pet’s health that you help them create beneficial daily habits. Develop good routines such as a long morning walk, or for senior pets, several short daily walks.

Other dogs may enjoy playing fetch, a run at the dog part or a game of hide and seek, which involves hiding a toy in the yard or house to be sought after. To mix things up, you can even try hiding so your pet can find you! For elderly pets, swimming is a particularly healthy activity that aids sore joints.

So, why should we be evaluating our pet’s weight throughout their life and ensuring they maintain an ideal weight? We witness the same physiological changes in our heavy pets that we do in overweight humans. Obesity leads to an increase in joint pain, generalized inflammation, diabetes and other metabolic issues and respiratory disease, as well as heart and kidney functional changes. It reduces life expectancy and is a financial drain on pet owners to treat obesity-related conditions. And most obviously, it compromises our pets’ ability to participate in exercise or activities with their owners, which decreases their quality of life.

At Pet Butler, we want your pet to feel their best and be their healthiest. That’s why we specialize in caring for your pet by scooping up their waste. Learn more about our services or call 1-800-PET-BUTLER to learn how we can make your pet’s life happier, healthier and cleaner.

To continue learning about obesity in pets, check out our articles on how to determine if your pet is obese, how to help your pet lose weight, obesity in senior pets and more!

Parasites: What You Need to Know for Your Pet’s Health

Pet Health Articles

By definition, a parasite is an organism that lives in or on another host and gets its nutrients or at the expense of the host. There are three types of parasites that affect dogs, cats, and humans: ectoparasites, helminths, and protozoa.

What does this mean to you, a compassionate and responsible pet owner?

There are creepy crawlies, some visible to the naked eye and many invisible, that can live on or in your furry friend and cause them harm. Some parasites can even be passed back and forth between humans and their pets. But no need to fret—we have effective ways to diagnose, treat and prevent parasites from hurting you and your four-legged friends.

Types of parasites in dogs:

Ectoparasites, like fleas and ticks, are the easiest to diagnose. Though the egg and larval stages are tiny, barely the size of the period at the end of this sentence, engorged ticks and adult fleas can be seen with the naked eye. Ticks like to feed in places they aren’t likely to be found, like on ears, between toes, under the tail and near the groin or elbows. Fleas are fast-moving pests that tend to congregate where they can’t be reached by a chewing dog’s chompers, namely near the base of the tail; however, they can be caught crawling just about anywhere. It’s more likely you will find the tell-tale evidence of flea “dirt”, flea fecal material, that looks like ground pepper and turns a red-brown color when placed on a damp paper towel. A fine-toothed flea comb can be used to grasp hairs and trap flea dirt to test.

Internal parasites such as heartworms, whipworms and giardia are more difficult to detect. Blood tests will indicate the presence of heartworms. Microscopic inspection of a fresh stool sample is necessary to diagnose parasites that infect the gastrointestinal system. To compound the matter, not all life stages of parasites are detectable on laboratory tests. For this reason, your veterinarian may request multiple blood or fecal samples given over several weeks to months.

How do dogs act when they have parasites?

What are the symptoms your pet may have a parasite problem, and how alarmed should you be? Puppies and kittens are often infected with intestinal worms through nursing and during pregnancy. It’s not uncommon to see a new pup present with diarrhea and a distended-looking belly.

Vomiting is another common symptom of intestinal parasite infection. Transmission and re-infection occur in pets when fecal material containing parasites eggs or cysts are ingested. Sometimes direct contact with a parasite, such as hookworms, occurs through broken skin.

Heartworm larvae are transmitted by the bite of a mosquito, and tapeworms can be acquired through ingesting an infected flea. Symptoms of both infections can cause weight loss and lethargy. In the case of heartworm disease, difficulty breathing, exercise intolerance, and in severe cases, ultimately death.

Fleas can lead to intense itching and hair loss while ticks often go unnoticed until the diseases they carry, such as Lyme disease or rocky mountain spotted fever, cause signs of illness. Tick-borne diseases can be great pretenders, often mimicking the symptoms of other illnesses. They can cause low platelet count and bleeding, lameness, lethargy, coughing, vomiting, diarrhea and general malaise.

How are parasites treated in dogs?

The good news is that most parasite infestations are very treatable.

Deworming medications such as ivermectin are effective at killing many internal parasites. Heartworms can be treated with a series of injections, though side effects of the treatment can be severe and the treatment costly. Protozoal parasites such as coccidia and giardia can be treated with oral medications such as fenbendazole or sulfadimethoxine, an antibiotic.

There are several topical treatments that can be used to kill fleas and ticks. Many of the same medications used for treatment can be used topically as prevention. Advantix, Revolution, Frontline and Bravecto are veterinary-prescribed products with a high degree of efficacy. Newer oral medications such as Simparica Trio kill fleas and ticks, as well as internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms and heartworm larvae before they mature in the respiratory tract.

How to protect your pet from parasites:

Topical and oral preventatives should be given to your dog year-round to minimize the opportunities for parasites to reproduce.
Attend your pet’s yearly vet visits to update vaccines and receive regular check-ups.
Keep up with the housekeeping. Wash bedding regularly and vacuum couch cushions and along baseboards.
Maintain your yard. Eliminate brush and yard debris, and pick up pet poop daily. If eggs can’t hatch and pets can’t consume fecal matter, the likelihood of infection decreases.
Do not feed wildlife or encourage stray animals to visit your yard by setting out shelters or food.
Eliminate free-standing water so heartworm-carrying mosquitoes can’t breed. Empty your outdoor water bowl and only refill when needed. Also, check for various puddles of water in your yard and ensure your pet cannot reach them.
Check your dog’s fur for hitchhiking ticks when you return from an outdoor adventure.
Be a good human; pick up your own pet’s waste if you are out on a walk or at a dog park!

At Pet Butler, we want your pet to feel their best and be their healthiest. That’s why we offer affordable pet waste removal services for your yard.

What Causes Pet Depression?

Dog Behavior Articles

We know that our canine companions are sensitive, intuitive creatures. They pick up on their owners’ emotional states, changes in routines, and their environment. It’s no wonder they are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions and moods including depression. That’s why Pet Butler wants to help you identify the situations that are causing your pet’s depression.

What are common triggers of pet depression?

Changes to a dog’s environment are one of the most common causes of pet depression. Dogs are dependent on us and their familiar home base for comfort and stability. Something as simple as an environment change can cause a chain reaction. Changes like moving, going through a divorce, or returning to work can be unsettling to your pet.

One of the more common situations is the loss of another animal or family member. The absence of another companion can lead to signs of depression. Animals experience feelings of grief and loss though we don’t know exactly how they process the concept of death. Your pet can often sense a companion’s illness/death and respond by exhibiting behavioral changes consistent with pet depression. For pack animals such as dogs, it’s no surprise the loss of a bonded companion leads to sadness. Because dogs are so attuned to our moods, they may also respond to the physical manifestations of human grief such as crying, detachment, and lethargy.

Pet depression can be exhibited because of a simple shift of schedule causing their owner to not be home as often. Changes in routine brought upon by increased work demands can cause anxiety, stress, and boredom which lead to signs of pet depression. Dogs are creatures of habit and a change in their daily activities can be unnerving. They gain confidence and reap the physical and mental benefits of having a “job” and regular exercise. When those neurons and muscle fibers aren’t firing, hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, and endorphins aren’t released, and signs of pet depression may be observed.

Pet Depression - Image

What if it isn’t pet depression?

Dogs can’t tell us when they are physically ill or in pain but changes in behavior offer clues. Some dogs that aren’t feeling well physically may show signs of pet depression. Endocrine disorders like hypothyroidism cause dogs to become sluggish and mopey. Neurological diseases such as seizure disorders or tumors affecting the central nervous system may cause mood changes. Anytime your pet exhibits a shift in their behavior that isn’t easily explicable, always rule out a medical problem by visiting the veterinarian. By determining the root cause of your dog’s depression, you can make changes to improve their mental health and well-being.

At Pet Butler, we want to help you give your pet the best care possible. That’s why we offer pet waste removal services so you can care for them why we do the dirty work. Sign up with your local Pet Butler today at Petbutler.com.

Is Your Pet Depressed?

Dog Behavior Articles

Dogs are complex animals with social, mental, and physical needs much like our own. They thrive in safe, nurturing, and consistent environments that provide companionship and routine. So, what happens when those environments are disrupted by a change in work schedule, a new location, or a life alter event? For many of us, returning to work has been an adjustment, but not just for humans. Some dogs exhibit clinical signs that can only be attributed to pet depression. Of course, we can’t ask them how they are feeling, but we can be aware of how these changes in routine can lead to sadness and depression. The real question is, what we can do about it?

What are signs that my pet might have pet depression?

Many dogs exhibit symptoms consistent with their human counterparts including those of pet depression. If your pet is normally excitable and friendly but has been spending more time hiding behind the couch, they could have pet depression. Some signs include:

Not wanting to go on their normal walk
Sleep excessively
Changes in appetite or no appetite
Shaking & whining
Not wanting to play with their favorite things
Excessive sniffing, circling, and/or licking
Aggression
Relieving themselves in naughty places

What is causing my pet’s depression?

To treat pet depression, we need to look at what changes may have triggered the condition. First, have your dog examined by a veterinarian. The vet may recommend blood tests or other diagnostics to determine if a physical ailment such as arthritis pain or endocrine disease is present. Certain medical problems can lead to behavior changes that mimic or lead to depression.

If your dog is otherwise healthy, be aware of shifts in the environment that may have led to pet depression. Is your pet not receiving enough exercise or attention due to a job change? Have you recently moved? For many of us that have returned to work, our pets are not receiving the companionship they have come to rely on.

How can I treat my pet’s depression?

Quality Time – Spend additional time with your pet if you think they are lonely. Make sure you have a consistent routine that includes plenty of exercise. Dogs are creatures of habit that come to anticipate positive interactions, grooming, and feeding times. Mentally stimulating games and classes such as obedience or nose work can provide a depressed pet with a social outlet and a confidence booster. Some dogs love car rides, vigorous brushing, or fetch. It sounds simple but do more of what your pet loves!
Train Them – While you may want to comfort a depressed pet with treats and positive affirmations, save the food rewards for when they exhibit desired behaviors. Pets with depression should be taught to relax in stressful situations. Use recorded sounds played for a short duration, at low volume while petting or feeding to get them. This will help get them acclimated to the stressful triggers. Provide a secure, quiet space and reward them when they can respond to commands such as “settle”, or they resume eating in the presence of the trigger. You can use sounds like the jangling of your keys, the hairdryer in the morning, or starting your car. Any sound that signals a change in the environment is coming.

The good news is most dogs that have pet depression are sad for a short duration of time. Once the inciting cause has been addressed, their mood improves. For dogs without any other physical ailment that continue to behave unusually, a visit to the vet for a prescription of canine anti-anxiety drugs or medication for depression may be in order. Pets usually show a positive response to the pharmaceuticals within 6-8 weeks. They can often be weaned off after less than a year.

Stay plugged into your pets’ changing moods and habits. The sooner we identify and treat pet depression, the more quickly we can get those tails wagging! For pet wellness tips, you can go to Petbutler.com/wellness-guide. At Pet Butler, we understand that your pet is family. We know you want quality care and advice when you need it. That’s why Pet Butler is in the business of helping care for your pet’s needs. We provide waste removal services to keep your yard poop-free for you and your pet. Go to Petbutler.com to sign up for our poop scooping services today!

A Guide To Pet-Friendly Flower Gardens

Pet Safety Articles

Now that spring is in full bloom, you’ll want to plant flowers and shrubs to spruce things up in your garden. However, don’t overlook the dangers that some plants can cause to your dog or pet. As a pet owner, keeping your pet safe is your priority, but as a homeowner, you want to keep your garden looking beautiful too. Pet Butler has compiled a guide to help you choose the right pet friendly plants that will also look in your garden.

What Are Pet Friendly Garden Flowers?

While you want to make sure that you choose the right flowers your geographical region, you also need to choose the right ones that are safe for you pets. Below are some pet safe flowers that you can plant in your garden this spring.

Pineapple Sage – The Pineapple Sage offers colorful red booms that smell divine and attract hummingbirds but are safe for your dogs.

Snapdragons – Snapdragons are classic and popular flowers that are safe and non-toxic for dogs. Snapdragons can be found in a variety of colors and are easy to master, even for beginning gardeners.

Daylilies – A Daylily might become your dog’s favorite outdoor spot because they provide cool leaves to chill out under on a warm day. Although Daylilies are fine for dogs, it is worth noting that they are toxic for cats.

Marigolds – Marigolds are attractive flowers that come in a myriad of colors but offer more benefits than just their beauty. The Marigold is not only pet-friendly and attractive, but it’s also a deterrent to insects.

Roses – Roses are beautiful, elegant, and safe for pets. Color your garden with roses in many shapes, colors, and sizes.

Asters – With over 200 varieties of Aster, your choice of color and size can bring an ambiance like no other flower can. All while being very pet friendly.

Gerber Daisies – No matter what gardening zone you are in, you’ll likely be able to succeed in growing non-toxic Gerber Daisies. These annuals offer a classic look and fit in with any landscaping style.

Flowers That Are Safe For Your Pets image

How Can I Protect My Garden From My Pets?

Fence off part of your garden to protect your pet from certain plants or vice versa. It’s a good option to keep certain delicate plants, shrubs, or flowers from being trampled or disturbed by your dogs. Be sure to include a spacious area that is your pet’s special place to enjoy. Here are some ideas to make your dog’s special place amazing.

Make a Sunflower Pyramid Doghouse – Sunflowers are easy to grow and mold into a pyramid that can serve as a tent that offers comfort and shade to your pup. Your dog might find a nice napping spot or a natural doghouse that can house their food and water bowl.

Provide Dog-friendly Herbs – Certain herbs are calming and healthy for dogs. You might add chamomile and lavender to provide health benefits to your curious pet. Be sure to check with your dog’s vet first to make sure your choice of herbs are pet-friendly.

Include Outdoor Fun – If your garden has space, you can add a sprinkler feature or climbing element to allow your dog to take outdoor enjoyment to the next level.

The temperatures are starting to rise and summer will be in full effect soon. It’s the perfect time to have the best of both worlds – a colorful garden full of flowers and an oasis for your dog to enjoy all year-round. One part of keeping your garden beautiful is clearing away your pet’s waste. It can be a full-time job to keep up with, but Pet Butler offers a solution that makes life easier for the pet owner.

At Pet Butler, we work hard to help bring you quality information so you can make the right choices for you and your pet. That is why Pet Butler makes it an easy decision on who should help keep your yard poop-free. If you want to learn more about the services we provide, follow the link here!

How Do I Give My Pet Medicine?

Pet Health Articles

Giving your pup medication isn’t always the easiest task; humans aren’t the only ones who don’t like taking pills or swallowing a bitter liquid. Just one lick of medication can make some dogs suspicious of anything that’s not beef jerky. Luckily, there are alternatives to the traditional offensive tasting medicine and ways to get your dog to take them. Just make sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions as some medicine must be taken on an empty stomach.

What foods are best for hiding pills and powders?

Pill Pockets – Soft dog treats like pill pockets, easily disguise meds that come in the form of a pill. Keep in mind, the smaller the treat, the less time your dog has to chew and discover the pill. The less your furry friend tastes of the medicine, the easier it will be for you to give him meds in the future.

Creamy Textures – Dogs typically like peanut butter and cream cheese, so they are great choices to mask the taste and smell of medication. Check with your vet if you think you may need to open the capsule or crush the pill first as some medications can’t be altered.

Use Cheese – Baby Bell Cheeses or American cheese are great hiding sources. Make sure to use a small amount as some dogs have a dietary sensitivity to dairy. Avoid any foods with garlic, onions, or xylitol.

Get Smelly – In general, dogs like food that are stinky. Liverwurst, meat sticks, baby food, wet cat food, and rotisserie chicken are all great options that have potent flavors that are appealing to canines.

Trick-Or-Treat – This method is consisting of treat, pill, treat. The first piece of cheese is fed unadulterated. The second one is quickly offered and hides the pill. The third is a plain piece of cheese. By ending on a positive note, the dog associates eating the cheese with a happy experience and is more likely to take the bait the next time!

How do I mask a liquid medication?

Medicine doesn’t always come in pills. Liquid medication is commonly prescribed for smaller breeds. Canned goods are perfect for mixing liquid medication. Ice cream or whipped cream can hide these medications if your dog isn’t sensitive to those specific foods. You don’t need to add much, just a couple of tablespoons to mask the unpalatable flavor. You want to make sure that you give a small amount in hopes that your pup will consume it entirely before tasting the unfavored flavor. Best to have a few extra teaspoons in case your dog rejects the first attempt.

How do I administer liquid medication without a food aid?

If you must administer the liquid medicine by hand, it’s easier to have a second person to help. It’s best to bring medicine to room temperature first, but make sure not to microwave it. Tilt your dog’s head back and insert the syringe tip just behind your dog’s canine teeth. You should angle the syringe so that the medicine dispenses onto your pet’s tongue. Slowly release the medicine so your pup has time to swallow. If your dog spits out some of the medication, consult your vet prior to re-administering medication.

Do I have any other options?

Other options for making the medicine go down include having your pet’s prescription custom compounded. Flavored tabs, liquids, or even a gel that can be applied inside the ear flap can be created at a compounding pharmacy familiar with pet medication. While a salmon flavored syrup might not sound tasty to a human, dogs love it! Transdermal (through the skin) medication may also work best if your dog has medical conditions such as pancreatitis, inflammatory disease, or food allergies.

What happens if I miss?

If you suspect your dog consumed even a partial dose, don’t re-dose without talking to your veterinarian first. Empty gelatin capsules can also be filled with small amounts of liquid medication. You can ask your vet if this method of dosing might be an option. You can also request a few extra pills from your vet until you master your technique.

After administering your pet’s medication, always spend a little extra cuddle or play time with him. It will calm his nerves and reinforce a positive next experience with medicine!

Here at Pet Butler, we understand how important it is to provide the best care for your pets. That’s why, at Pet Butler we provide pet waste removal services to keep your yard clean so your pets can play all year long. So, call 1-800-PET-BUTLER to learn how we can make your pet’s life happier, healthier, and cleaner.

Preparing Your Pup For Day Light Savings Time

Dog Behavior Articles

For some people, Daylight Savings Time can throw their sleep cycle slightly out of sync. For our canine friends, it affects them much more. Dogs don’t live life by the digits on the clock. Time is driven by their human companions. Dogs use their internal circadian rhythms to tell them when to sleep, eat, use the bathroom, and other activities throughout their day. You would think that dogs can adjust to Daylight Savings Time just as well as humans, but in reality, they don’t. That is why it is important to understand why and how you can help your dog.

How does it affect your dog?

Their Bathroom Habits

Dogs typically need to use the bathroom first thing in the morning, or if they’re accustomed to a schedule, they expect to relieve themselves then. With Daylight Savings, your dog may be confused why you aren’t waking up to take them out, or why you’re waking them up early for their morning bathroom time. We all know that “when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go.” So, pay attention to your dog who may be whimpering or creating unwanted surprises on your rug.

Their Eating Habits

Just like you, your pooch typically eats around the same times throughout the day, especially since you’re the one providing them the food. If you’re off an hour on feeding, you very well could find your sweet dog behaving differently like chewing your favorite shoe or knocking over the kitchen trash.

Their Behavioral Habits

Your dog’s behaviors may change if they are conditioned to you coming home from work at a specific time. Your dog is just like any other family member that misses you during the day. Some dogs even await their parents at the door or watch for him/her in the windowsill. Just an hour off from their normal schedule, can induce anxiety and lead to destructive behaviors such as chewing objects or potty accidents.

Is there a way to prepare your dog for Daylight Savings Time?

Yes, and it’s important that you think ahead to prevent unnecessary stress for your furry friend! Some of the best practices require you to be proactive.

To adjust your dog’s sleep patterns, you can start training him a couple of days ahead of Day Light Savings Time by waking them up a couple of minutes early each day. This will allow your dog’s circadian rhythm to gradually change and adjust to the new wake up time.

You can do the same to prepare your canine friend for different eating times. Their circadian rhythm tells their stomachs when it is time to eat. Start a few days earlier than Daylight Savings and adjust your pup’s eating times by a couple of minutes each day. By doing this, your dog won’t feel confused and aggravated and feel like he needs to beg for food.

To adjust your expected welcome home time, come home a few minutes later for a few days. Gradually transitioning the time will lessen your pet’s anxiety of wondering where you are.

In any transitional situation, your pet’s expectations are the most important place to start. When you notice Daylight Savings coming up on your calendar, think ahead and give your pet a little extra attention. Absorb the extra cuddle time and enjoy your extra hour of sleep. At Pet Butler, we understand how important your pet’s expectations and schedules are. That includes the expectations of a clean yard to play in. Call the pet waste experts for a quote. We understand that consistency is key for your pets.

Should You Get Another Dog?

Pet Adoption Articles

You may not realize it, but your dog benefits from your companionship, both emotionally and physically, just as much as you do. With this thought, you may find yourself wondering: Would my dog be happier with another furry companion? Is my attention enough? Is my pet lonely without me during the day? With many questions to consider, it may be time to start thinking about adding a few more legs to the family.

When should you consider getting another dog?

If your dog is anxiously awaiting your arrival home and exhibits excessive energy, it may be time to consider another canine companion. By giving them a playmate, you may find your dog less needy at the end of each day. Other considerations: Is your dog interested in other dogs or is territorial? Have you recently lost a second dog? If so, you may want to hesitate before getting a new companion. Note that dogs grieve the loss of companionship just like humans.

Q&A’s To Consider When Contemplating On Getting Another Dog

Questions – How old should your pet be before adopting a new friend?

Answer – It’s best for your current dog to be at least a few years old before introducing a new dog into your family.

Question – Will it infringe on your current dog’s space?

Answer – Consider the size of your home. Decide on whether you have enough room to add another animal into your home. Think about your lifestyle and what you’re willing to possibly give up. Adding another pet to the home may alter your current home function.

Question – Do I have time for more than one dog?

Answer – You also want to make sure that you have the time to devote to training your new pet. It’s best not to add another dog when you have upcoming distractions such as travel, renovations, or visitors. Not only will the new dog need attention, but you’ll need to pay extra attention to your current pet.

Question – Is everyone in my house onboard?

Answer – All family members should be on board with bringing a new dog into the family. There will be additional responsibilities with training, cleaning, and expenses if you expand your family. Everyone needs to be willing to commit to the level of love, attention, and care that your current and the new dog will require and deserve. You also don’t want the family to be strapped financially. Think double vet, food, and grooming bills. If these costs aren’t in the budget, it’s not the time for a new dog.

Question – What type of breed is right for your home?

Answer – Think about what kind of dog will be the best companion for your current pet. Do you want a playful pup bouncing around your home? Dogs of the same breed typically do well together. When looking at a different breed, think about your current dog’s temperament and energy level. A calm laid back dog may not particularly jive with an energetic, hyperactive dog. If your dog is older, it may be good to add a puppy to the family as they don’t come into the relationship with established behaviors. Do you have the time, patience, and energy to train a puppy? If not, consider adopting an adult dog

Question – Are you open to rescuing?

Answer – Think about what kind of dog will be the best companion for your current pet. Do you want a playful pup bouncing around your home? Do you have the time, patience, and energy to train a puppy? If not, consider adopting an adult dog

As you search for another canine companion, include your current dog in the process! Bring your pet to adoption days and see which playmate he naturally warms up to. Observe your dog at the dog park and see if he tends to play with or avoid a certain breed. Likewise, he may be drawn to or avoid dogs of certain sizes. Your dog will tell you best through his behavior and actions what he needs, including whether it’s time for you to add another dog to the family.

Expert Vet Advice

At Pet Butler, we encourage our readers to take the time to research your local rescue shelters. Many pets are waiting for their forever homes you just have to find them. Pet Butler believes in donating our time and leveraging our business platform to bring local awareness to the needs of animal rescues, shelters, and pets in need of adoption. According to the American Humane Society, annually 2.7 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States, simply because there are too many pets in shelters and too few people consider adoption when looking for a pet.

To find local rescue shelters near you, click here.

What To Do When My Dog Eats Chocolate

Pet Safety Articles

An inevitable truth: with the holidays comes chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. And this means that we must keep an eye on our sweets to keep our pets safe.

Another truth is that chocolate is toxic to dogs and may hurt our canine friends; however, the toxicity level depends on many factors, including how much chocolate a dog has consumed, the type of chocolate and the size of the dog. As dog parents, it’s important to understand the potentially harmful situationn that can arise when our pets indulge in our holiday treats.

So, what do we do if our pet consumes chocolate, and how do we recognize the signs of possible chocolate poisoning in dogs?

How do I prevent my dog from indulging in chocolate?

First, chocolate candy and baking items should be handled like toxic cleaning supplies. Keep them sealed and out of reach.

When storing chocolate items, think about the dog’s size, behaviors and ability to jump and climb. If the dog can access the counter, this isn’t a good hiding place. When throwing chocolate goods in the kitchen garbage or outdoor trash cans, be sure that the lids are tightly shut. If you have an extra curious pup, you might consider using child-proofing hinges or bungee chords to ensure your furry friend keeps their nose out of the trash.

Around holidays such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day, pay a little extra attention to the food items being brought into the home. Easily forgotten items such as hot chocolate, baking chocolate and cocoa powder are a risk and must be stored just as safely as pre-packaged, holiday-themed candy. Visiting family members and guests should be reminded of this safety precaution.

What do I do if my dog eats chocolate?

DO NOT PANIC! Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine which can raise the dog’s heart rate and excite the nervous system. Unlike humans, dogs metabolize theobromine slowly. If consumed, there may be changes in the dog’s behavior. If your dog exhibits physical or behavioral changes, it’s important to call the veterinarian. If you don’t notice changes right away, pay careful attention to your dog as symptoms may not arise for up to 6 to 12 hours.

Common symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs:

Vomiting
Diarrhea
Hyperactivity
Rapid breathing
Increased heart rate
Rigid muscles
Increased urination
Excessive thirst

Extreme symptoms include seizures and cardiac failure. However, there is no need to hit the panic button and fear the worst if the dog has only consumed a small amount of chocolate. As a dog parent, calling the vet is still the smartest option.

What should I know moving forward?

Being aware that certain chocolates are more harmful than others is an important tool in a dog parent’s arsenal. A general rule of thumb is the darker the chocolate, the more toxic it is. The toxicity level depends upon the pet’s weight and the amount ingested. For every 10 pounds of weight on the dog, approximately 1.5 ounces of dark chocolate is toxic. For more diluted chocolates like milk chocolate, every 10 pounds of weight on the dog, 3.5 ounces of milk chocolate is toxic.

Before dialing the vet, it would be helpful to know the weight of the dog, what type of chocolate was consumed and how much was consumed. Typically, dogs vomit the ingested chocolate on their own; however, your vet may want to see your dog to err on the side of caution. In this case, they may induce vomiting to expel any undigested chocolate and toxins, flush the dog’s stomach or give it a dose of activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins before they reach the bloodstream. Keep in mind that early treatment will help the dog recover more quickly.

As you purchase candy this season, be wary of the chocolate brought into your home. In some cases, eating chocolate can cause mild to fatal symptoms for our pets. Be sure to keep the chocolate out of sight so that you can enjoy it without worry!

Why Picking Up Dog Poop Is Important

Pet Health Articles

Dogs are the best in just about every way. They’re always happy, they give the best snuggles, and they make every day just a little bit brighter. For all the love that they give to us, it’s only fair that we take ownership of their safety and ensure that they’re cared for. However, there is one duty that is often avoided or overlooked, picking your dog’s poop. By neglecting this job, you can cause havoc on the environment around you. Not to mention, the impact on your dog’s health and vulnerability to disease.

Should I Pick Up My Dog Poop?

When owners don’t pick up after their dogs, neighborhoods face several adverse consequences. The most direct and obvious of those consequences’ manifests in the environment. These are the reasons why you should pick up after your dog.

The area that the dog poop sits makes the grass dead and decayed. This is because dog poop is acidic due to the high protein content in dogs’ diets.
Dog poop can also be swept into waterways like our sewage and plumbing systems. This runoff is a problem because it can carry disease and spawn underground algae.
The Environmental Protection Agency labels dog excrement as both a nutrient and a pathogen. When waste does pollute in these ways, the results are serious problems.

What Happens to My Dog If I Don’t Pick Up Dog Poop?

The next, and arguably more impactful reason people need to deal with their dog’s poop, is because it can lead to disease. When a dog sniffs, licks, or eats the feces of another animal, there is a chance that parasites, harmful bacteria, or viruses are involved. Some problematic issues include:

Parasites like roundworms and coccidia, viruses such as parvovirus are infections that spread entirely through the digestive system.
The pooch will suffer from a variety of symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever as it becomes a host.
Even when your pet seems to be feeling fine, they can still be carriers for disease – so if their waste is not handled properly, it could affect other dogs.
Other contaminants like hookworms, giardia, salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter serve as great examples of disease-causing organisms.
Humans can become infected by some of the same bacteria, viruses, and parasites that affect dogs.

According to research by iHeartDogs, most natural ecosystems are built to sustain about 2 dogs worth of waste per square mile. In urban areas, not to mention cities, the number of dogs per square mile can be upwards of even 125. Imagine if even 10% of those dogs had waste that wasn’t removed from the environment… you’d be seeing a lot of that on a daily walk. Don’t contribute to the destruction of the ecosystem.

How Often Should I Pick Up Dog Poop?

Being a dog owner can be difficult and time consuming. If you have one dog, you should pick up your dog’s waste at least once a week. If you have more than one dog it can be challenging to pick up all that waste in a timely manner. Don’t worry, if you’re struggling with finding time to pick up the dog waste you can hire a professional like Pet Butler.

Pet Butler has been taking care of yards, so you don’t have to. With many great services, Pet Butler understands the importance of picking up dog waste for the safety of you, your pet, and the environment. At Pet Butler, we know that life gets busy. So, call 1-800-PET-BUTLER to learn how we can make your life cleaner, healthier, and easier.