Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Pet Safety Tips

Hi everyone,

As you have probably heard, in a matter of hours here on the East Coast we will get to experience a solar eclipse...how cool! For those of you who don't know what one is, according to NASA "Sometimes when the moon orbits Earth, it moves between the sun and Earth. When this happens, the moon blocks the light of the sun from reaching Earth. This causes an eclipse of the sun, or solar eclipse. During a solar eclipse, the moon casts a shadow onto Earth." We all have been warned to not look directly into the sun or to wear special protection glasses. However, the big question that seems to be buzzing around is 'what about our pets safety?'

Thanks to the good folks at Chewy.com, they have written up a quick article that we wanted to share with some pet safety tips.

"Dogs and cats, just like us, are at risk for damaging their retinas if staring at the eclipse,” warns Dr. Alison Birken, owner and DVM of Victoria Park Animal Hospital who recommends that all pets stay safely indoors during the hours of the solar eclipse. And Dr. Stephanie Liff, DVM, medical director of Pure Paws Vet Care of Hell’s Kitchen and Clinton Hill points out, “In general, with strange phenomenons in terms of the weather and lunar cycles, we can see strange and anxious behavior increase in our pets.” While animals typically know not to stare directly into the sun, “I recommend putting pets inside for the total solar eclipse,” relays Dr. Liff. “I think it’s always better to be safe than sorry."

To read the full article, click here: https://www.chewy.com/petcentral/total-solar-eclipse-2017-pet-safety-tips/

Remember to keep your pets safe and enjoy the eclipse if you are able to!!

Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food while you're away

Good morning,

Today we are sharing an article from The Humane Society on professional pet sitters entitled 'Choosing a Pet Sitter: Pet sitters do much more than provide your pet with food and water while you're away.' If you are going out of town and have been debating on whether or not to board your pet or hire a professional to come in-home, then this article is for you!

"Pet sitters do much more than provide a pet with food and water while their guardian is away from home. A good pet sitter also spends quality time with the animal, gives them exercise and knows how to tell if they need veterinary attention. What's more, pet sitters typically offer additional services, such as taking in mail and newspapers and watering plants. But just because someone calls themself a pet sitter doesn't mean they're qualified to do the job." To read the entire article and learn why a professional is the best choice, visit the article link here. 

That is why it's so important to hire a PROFESSIONAL! Your pets are part of the family and their care should be left in the hands of reliable, knowledgeable sitters with resources to share. That's why at Walking Wetnoses, we work hard to keep our pets (and their owners) in the Leesburg, Virginia area so happy. We are a full-service pet sitting company with years of experienced pet lovers on staff. To learn more about our affordable services visit: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/

Inconsistent Schedule? Not a problem!

Good afternoon pet owners,

We often get asked, do we accommodate inconsistent schedules? And the answer is... absolutely!

While we do have clients with consistent schedules (Monday through Friday, or every Tuesday and Thursday, for example), we also have clients who work from home and have to go into the office sporadically for meetings. Or we have clients who work shifts that change every few weeks or months. Once you are signed up as a client, we will work with you to provide services that meet your schedule. We prefer at least a day’s notice to add a visit – the shorter the notice is, the harder it might be to get your primary walker on the schedule. As always, you can cancel a regularly scheduled visit by 8 am the day of the walk at no charge.

Does this sound like it might work for you and your pets? Do you live in Leesburg, Virginia or the surrounding area?  If so, give us a call or text today at 703-951-PETS (7387). You can also learn more or read other frequently asked questions by visiting our website, www.walkingwetnoses.com.

Preparing Your Pet For Disaster

Good afternoon,

Although none of us like to think about it, natural disasters can happen to all of us. Depending on what area you live in can change the nature of the disaster. However we always think about preparing ourselves and our homes in case a disaster should happen,  but often times overlook our pets. Does your disaster emergency kit contain things for your furry loved ones? If not, this article might be for you!

Sharing from Modern Dog Magazine, this article talks about ways in which you can prepare your pet for disaster if it were to strike. "No matter where you live, it is important to be prepared for the types of disasters that can occur in your area, such as hurricanes or tornadoes. Some disasters can even be so devastating they require evacuation. In this case, Angela Clendenin, public information officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team (VET), said it is best to take your furry family members with you.

“After a disaster strikes, the area in and around homes can be quite dangerous for pets,” Clendenin said. (http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/preparing-your-pet-disaster/108718 )

For example, downed power lines can create a tremendous danger for animals, especially where a power line has fallen into a home or backyard. Additionally, fencing that has fallen or broken into pieces also can cause injury or death in pets."

It is also important to have a preparedness kit for disaster when you go away for vacation, etc. All of our pet sitters are professionally trained in case of disaster, however it's important to go over everything with your pet sitter before you leave. This is especially true if you have older pets or pets with special medications.

To learn more about our professional pet sitting and dog walking services in Leesburg, Virginia visit us at: http://www.walkingwetnoses.com/

9 Tips on How to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer

August is only a few days away and with it comes the hottest temperatures we usually see during the year. With warmer weather, your pets are more likely to get over heated. So how can you help keep your four-legged friends a bit cooler in this weather?

This article from dogster.com, entitled '9 Tips on How to Keep Dogs Cool in Summer,' provides a few suggestions from one dog owner.  Some of them, like keeping the water bowls filled and adding ice cubes might seem pretty straightforward. But others, like using rubbing alcohol to help lower your dog's body temperature aren't as known. Take a look at these nine tips and see what you think!

http://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/summer-dog-health-tips

All of our professional pet sitters and dog walkers are accustomed to be aware of overheating in dogs and know what to do to help prevent it. If you want to hire a professional dog walker in Leesburg that you can trust, contact us today! www.walkingwetnoses.com 

RV Camping Tips For Your Dog

Summer is in full-swing and some of our clients love to enjoy the adventures this country brings by taking RV trips. For those trips that you cannot take your dog along, Walking Wetnoses is here to care for them.

However for some people, taking their small dog along for the trip is part of the adventure. Thanks to this article from Modern Dog Magazine, it details some dog-friendly tips to help make your RV camping trip as dog-friendly as possible.

http://moderndogmagazine.com/articles/dog-friendly-guide-rv-camping/108381

If you are planning a summer vacation and can't take your dog with you, contact us today! We serve the greater Leesburg, Virginia area and would love to come watch your pup and give you peace of mind.

www.walkingwetnoses.com

More Than 1 Pet= Okay By Us!

Good afternoon,

Continuing our series on some frequently asked questions, today's question is this: Do you charge more if I have more than one pet?  

The short answer is no.

The long answer is that with our services, you pay for the time block that you need. Sometimes having more pets mean a longer time block is needed to take care of all of them properly. But we will discuss your particular needs during the initial consultation, so have no fear!

To learn more about our services and other FAQs, visit: www.walkingwetnoses.com