The 10 best movie dogs of all time

It's Monday and you might be tired from the weekend so today we are sharing a lighthearted and fun post! According to a recent article published from USA Today, here are the 10 best movie dogs of all time:

1. Dug from Up

2. Marley from Marley & Me

3. Beethoven from Beethoven

4. Buddy from Air Bud

5. Hercules, aka The Beast from The Sandlot

6. Lassie from Lassie Come Home

7. Uggie from The Artist

8. Toto from The Wizard of Oz

9. Lady and the Tramp from Lady and the Tramp

10. Chance and Shadow from Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Do you have a favorite movie dog? Maybe one from this list? To view the orginal article and the author's explanation of each one of these talented pups click on the article link here. 

If you are looking for a professional dog walker or sitter for you pup in Loudoun County, Virginia then contact us today to learn more at: http://www.loudounpetsitting.com/

Help Prevent Lyme Disease in Pets

Spring is here and soon enough the temperatures will begin to consistently stay warm bringing grass, plants and unfortunately ticks. With tick season being right around the corner we thought it might be good to share this article from Modern Dog Magazine about how to help prevent Lyme Disease for yourself and your pets.

"Lyme disease can affect both humans and companion animals,” Esteve-Gasent said. “Lyme disease is caused by the bacterial pathogen Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted by Ixodes ticks—also known as blacklegged or deer ticks. The ticks feed on infected animals—mostly wildlife—and, incidentally, feed on humans and companion animals, which spreads Lyme disease.”

Photo credit: Modern Dog Magazine

'One of the most common signs of Lyme disease in humans is a “bull’s eye” rash on the skin. People who are infected commonly experience flu-like symptoms, including fever and muscle and joint pain. Pets (mostly dogs) that are infected with Lyme disease experience transient fever, anorexia and in some instances arthritis, and can go asymptomatic for long periods of time." (Modern Dog Magazine)

So what can you do to help prevent the risk of Lyme Disease for you and your pets? Do everything you can to prevent tick bites. Luckily for dogs there is a vaccine but for us humans and our equine pets there aren't as many options. Here are a few suggestions to help prevent tick bites:

• Take advantage of vaccines and preventatives when available
• Wear long pants and socks when outdoors
• Tape your socks to your pants to avoid access to your skin
• Keep longer-haired dogs' coats trimmed to avoid longer hairs for ticks to grab on to
• Use essential oils and other tick repellant sprays 
• Do a quick check over after long periods outdoors

Tips for the First 30 Days of Dog Adoption

Here at Loudoun Pet Sitting Company we love animals of all kinds but we hold a special place for those pets who have been saved and adopted. Today, thanks to our friends at PetFinder, we are sharing an article with tips for the first month you bring an adopted pet home.

For example you might already know that "On the way home, your dog should be safely secured, preferably in a crate. Some dogs find car trips stressful, so having him in a safe place will make the trip home easier on him and you."

But did you know that you should continue to "stick to the original schedule you created, ensuring your dog always has the food, potty time and attention he needs" even after they have fully adjusted?

To read more tips for the first 30 days at home with your new dog visit: https://www.petfinder.com/dogs/bringing-a-dog-home/tips-for-first-30-days-dog/ 




If you are looking for help caring after your newly adopted dog while you are at work or away then contact us at: loudounpetsitting.com to learn about our professional pet sitting services in Loudoun County Virginia! 

Items you need in your pet first aid kit

Good afternoon pet lovers!!

Today we are sharing an extremely helpful article from Pet Sitters International entitled 'Items you need in your pet first aid kit.' Do you have a first aid kit for your beloved pets? If not have you ever thought about what you might need in one? "Just like people, most pet accidents happen in or nearby the home. Examples of the most common pet accidents include: toxic ingestion, dog bites, high rise syndrome, ripped toenails, foreign body ingestions with gastrointestinal problems, eye emergencies, broken bones, trouble giving birth and being hit by a car. One way to be prepared is to have a pet first aid kit on hand.

An article in a previous issue of PSI's Pet Sitter’s World magazine offered these suggestions for your Pet First Aid Kit, provided by Pet Poison Helpline®."

Dog and Cat Pet First Aid Kit contents:

• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (within the expiration date)
• An oral dosing syringe or turkey baster (for administering hydrogen peroxide)
• Teaspoon/tablespoon set (to calculate the appropriate amount of hydrogen peroxide to give)
• Liquid hand dish washing detergent (i.e., Dawn, Palmolive)
• Rubber gloves Triple antibiotic ointment with NO other combination ingredients—NOT for use in CATS!)
• Vitamin E oil
• Diphenhydramine tablets 25 mg (with NO other combination ingredients)
• Ophthalmic saline solution or artificial tears
• Can of tuna packed in water or tasty canned pet food
• Sweet electrolyte-containing beverage
• Corn syrup
• Vegetable oil

Based on recommendations from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), you should also consider including these additional items:

• Gauze
• Nonstick bandages (or towels/cloth strips)
• Adhesive tape for bandages (Do not use human adhesive bandages.)
• Milk of Magnesia
• Digital thermometer

To read more about other things to consider when putting together your pet's first aid kit, click on the original article link here.  

If you are looking for a trained professional pet sitter in Loudoun County, Virginia then contact us today to learn more! 

 http://www.loudounpetsitting.com/

Puppies, Puppies, Puppies!

Everyone loves puppies, but they do require extra care and attention! It is important that you can find the time to care for a new puppy or find a caring professional like Loudoun Pet Sitting to help when you can't!

Did you know that it is recommended that puppies get a potty break every couple of hours that they are months old? For example, a 3 month old puppy should have a break every three hours.

We will work with you to create a potty break schedule that includes plenty of socialization, play time and any necessary cleanup. If your puppy isn’t quite ready to be treated as an adult at 6 months, that is fine and we can accommodate!

Learn more about our professional pet sitting and dog walking services by visiting: http://www.loudounpetsitting.com/