Getting Ready to Spring Into the Nola Summer

With just a few weeks left of calendar spring in New Orleans, it's time to talk about one of our least favorite subjects, the return of hot and humid weather and the health concerns that come along with it for you and your pets.

Our client, Sadie, chilling safely indoors.

We seem to have a catch 22 situation going on here in the Crescent City when it comes to our weather; either conditions are too wet - which means lots of mold and ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes, or too dry - meaning hot, humid, and without rain. Both these situations are prime conditions for allergens and other health concerns, including and especially fleas.

Even if your fur baby doesn't spend prolonged time outdoors in leafy or grassy areas, chances are you do - and that could mean picking up a hitchhiker in the form of a flea or tick when walking through or brushing up against tall grass or weeds. All it takes is one, and if eggs get inside the house...

Flea bites are a top cause of allergic reactions in pets, and if unchecked can lead to other problems such as dermatitis or even infection. Because bites are not easy to spot on companion animals it's important to check your pets regularly (see the link below), especially if you see an increase in licking, biting or scratching at their skin. Don't forget - fleas can also spread tapeworms so it's important to be vigilant!

Our client, Olive, enjoying some time in the yard.

Hot weather and more mosquitoes mean an increased potential for heartworms. Just because your fur baby stays indoors it doesn't mean they aren't at risk. Every time you enter or exit your home, bring in groceries or packages, hold the door open for a guest... mosquitoes have an excellent opportunity to slip inside - even in a multi-story apartment building. While cats are considered more resistant to heartworm than dogs, not only can they get it, they can develop serious lung issues from it. Worst of all, there is no heartworm treatment for cats.

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) there are more than 70 species of mosquitoes capable of transmitting heartworms, and believe it or not, people can be infected as well. Even though like cats, incidents of heartworms in humans is way less than in dogs, multi-pet households will do well to take preventive measures.

Heartworm facts; click for enlarged view 

Since mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases to humans as well, you'll want to do everything you can to discourage them from visiting your home, but take care using repellent sprays and lotions. The last thing you want is for your fur baby to become a victim of accidental poisoning.

Ticks may not be as big of a threat to indoor animals as fleas and mosquitoes, but they are still of concern to every pet parent of a dog, especially those who take their BFF on outings such as hikes and camping trips. In addition to Lyme disease, ticks carry bacteria that can lead to other illness, and it's possible for a single tick to infect a human or animal - including non-canines - with more than one disease.

Tick populations continue to increase and the CAPC is predicting higher than normal incidents of Lyme Disease for this year. Fortunately there was only one positive case found in Orleans last year, (none so far this year) but the disease was found in a couple surrounding parishes so keep that in mind if planning a hike, camping trip, or other outdoor adventure.

The 2018 CAPC Lyme and Heartworm Disease forecasts. 

Other biting and sucking insects of potential concern to pet parents include lice and mites. Though generally less common of a problem than fleas and ticks, these critters can come into the home as hitchhikers or slip in through cracks on their own. Their effects range from skin irritation to the causing of diseases and transmitting tapeworms.

Our curious clients, Pizza and Sonny, peering outdoors. 

It should be noted that parasitic diseases can be passed on to us accidentally by our own pets as well as strays and ferals through contact with garden soil and sand boxes. Click this link to learn more about two prevalent parasitic U.S. diseases.

Things to remember:

--Use a heartworm, flea & tick preventative monthly to protect your dog or cat. If one brand isn't working try a different one. Talk to your vet about which treatment is right for you pet. The prescription brands, while more expensive, are usually the most effective and safe. 

--Keep pets clean and healthy to lessen their risk of exposure, and never bring a bird's nest found outdoors into the home.

--If your pet is scratching a lot, repeatedly licking and chewing its paws, don't just blow it off; have a look - even if they are not suffering from a parasite reaction/infestation it be sign of an allergy.

--Make your yard less hospitable to ticks by keeping the grass cut and keeping weeds under control.

--By the way, all those feral chickens roaming around the city? They could be carrying bird mites.

--If you live in an apartment building pests can spread to your home from other units.

--While many allergies are seasonal for both pets and people, your fur baby can experience year round symptoms.

--Anything you put on your skin, from sunscreen to mosquito repellent, can end up on your pets as well and even potentially in their mouths.



See also:

Spring Has Sprung

The Heat is On

Springtime Pet Care



Useful Links:

Spring Health Tips

ASPCA's Hot Weather Safety Tips

Favorite Hiding Places of Fleas and Ticks

What Does a Flea Bite Look Like?

5 Ways Indoor Cats Can Get Fleas or Ticks

7 Ways to Mosquito-Proof Your Apartment

June Means Hurricane Season - Are You Prepared?

Yes, it's that time again. Though many of us in New Orleans may shudder at the thought post K, living so close to the Gulf Coast means living with the ongoing threat of a "tropical" system occurring being very much of a reality. While the official start of the Atlantic Hurricane Season is June 1, hurricanes can actually happen at any time of the year.

As stated in our recent newsletter, as we get closer to August and September hurricanes can become more active. Petit Pet Care could potentially be caring for as many as 20 pets on a given day, and in the event of a mandatory evacuation it would be impossible to move them all to safety. It is extremely important that you have a plan in case a storm arises when you are out of town.

It is equally important that you have a storm plan in case a system heads our way that does not require an evacuation. High winds are known to bring down tree limbs and wreak havoc on power lines. It's not unheard of to be without electricity for days after a storm has exited the area.

Our client, Milo, with the hurricane kit his mom put together.

That means that both people and pets could have to suffer through some very hot days and dark nights. Lanterns for each room as well as battery operated fans are must-have. Other important battery operated items include radios and televisions to be able to keep up with weather reports. (Of course you'll need batteries too...)

New Orleans hasn't been directly impacted by a storm since about 2012. This is both a good thing and a bad thing because those who moved to the city post K and have not experienced a storm first hand will not understand the necessity of advance preparation for something that may not even happen. It's important not only to gather supplies, but to do so early in the season so that you don't run the risk of important items being out of stock should a storm threat arise.

Even when there is no tropical system, rainstorms frequently cause flooding and ponding on metro area roads making them impassible. That means that in addition to the possibility of a power outage, you have to plan for the possibility of your route to or from home being inaccessible or even the need to move your vehicle to higher ground temporarily.

Make sure you have several gallons of bottled water for you and your fur babies. If they require medications, make sure you have extra on hand as well as additional food, potty pads, kitty litter - anything you might need if you were cut off from replenishing household supplies for a few days. Be sure to include cleaning supplies in your storm prep shopping.

If for some reason you are out of town when a storm hits arrangements may have to be made to move your pet to safety. Be sure to provide an emergency contact who would be willing to evacuate with your pet should the need arise. If no one is available and Petit Pet Care has to evacuate your pet we will need access to your pet's most recent vaccination records, up-to-date vaccination tags, and their carrier/crate as well. (Note there will be a per pet, per day charge.)

If you are new to the area, or haven't experienced hurricane season with a pet before, you may find the following helpful in the event you have to evacuate:


Pro tips for evacuating with pets:

• For cats, pick up a couple of disposable litter boxes and make sure to have extra litter.
• If your pet gets anxious while traveling, talk to your vet about a sedative. Dogs can safely be given Benedryl, but speak to your vet about the proper dosage.
• Music can help soothe an anxious pet while in the car. Try playing some classical music or something like Frank Sinatra.
• Keep your cats in their carriers when in the car and transporting. They feel safer in their carriers than loose. If loose in the car, they will try to hide under seats and may bolt once a door is open. Make sure the carrier is big enough for your cat to move around and has a towel or blanket for them to lie on.
• Make sure your cat or dog has a collar on with their rabies tags and contact info in case they do get lost. Have your pet microchipped if they aren't already. Tags can fall off, so you can try this low-tech trick: write your phone number on the inside of your dog's collar with a permanent marker.

For more tips and information about hurricanes and how to prepare for them, please see our Pinterest board, Hurricane Season and Disaster Preparedness.

Have some tips you'd like to share? Please post them in the comments.


Useful Links:

Red Cross Pet and Disaster Safety Checklist
Get A Game Plan
NOLA Ready
LASPCA Disaster Preparedness

The Benefits of Hiring an In-Home Pet Sitter

Companion animals aren't just pets, they are part of the family. Unlike the rest of the family though, they tend to spend a lot of their time home alone while everyone else is away at work and or at school. This means they are left to their own devices to get into all manner of mischief until someone returns home to feed, play with, exercise, and entertain them. Even the most loving and well-behaved of pets can engage in less than desirable behavior when left alone for several hours at a time.

Our client, Della waiting patiently by her bowl.

So how can you make sure your fur (or feathered) baby isn't bored or engaging in destructive behavior when you're away from home during the day? Hire a pet sitter! (And we know a really good one!) The average home visit is about 30 minutes. When you schedule a visit from a certified pet sitter to pop in on your BFF during the workday, you're actually providing them with a social life and the necessary stimulation that will help to keep them healthy and happy.

If you're gone for long periods during the day, you really don't want your dog to have to "hold it." It's not any better for their bladder than for yours, and let's face it - being regular and staying healthy means having the opportunity to go as needed. Even a quick let out for bathroom business and the ability to romp around for some brief exercise will go a long way to the quality of your dog's day (and prevent unnecessary accidents for you to clean later.)

Our client, Benjamin, patiently awaiting a treat after a walk.

Cats may seem like finicky loners, but they really do crave affection and attention. A bit of quality time with a trusted caregiver after you've been gone a few hours will go a long way in keeping them out of trouble. Also, cats need regular exercise just as much as dogs do, and even though they can be pretty good at entertaining themselves, it's always more fun to play with a pal than on your own.

Our client, Sidney enjoying a little play time.

There are additional advantages to having someone reliable pop by for a pet play date as well. Your sitter can bring in your delivered packages, administer medications, and send you text updates and photos to provide you with the peace of mind that everything is okay at home. This can be a huge advantage parents of senior pets, those with health concerns, or animals recuperating comfortably at home after minor surgery.

Our client, Olive, in her car seat on the way to daycare.

Petit Pet Care also offers pet taxi service for our established clients to get pups and kitties to their veterinary appointments so moms and dads don't have to miss work to take them. We can also drop your baby off to daycare for you so you can get to work on time. In addition, we offer lockout service for pet parents who have misplaced their keys and can't get into the home back to their babies.

If you happen to be outside our service area, or if your pet is larger than 40 lbs, we will happily refer you to another sitter. Just like a nanny or home health worker, a pet sitter visit provides quality time - play, exercise, stimulation - as well as a second pair of eyes to let you know if anything is amiss with your pet.

For more information about Petit Pet Care's services and pricing, or to book a sit, please visit our website: http://www.petitpetcare.com


Please also see:

What Your New Orleans Pet Sitter Can Do For You


For more information on playtime and stimulation:

The Importance of Play and Your Cat

Playtime 2016: Some of Our Favorite Pet Toys