Our Petit Year in Review: 2018

Another year is coming to a close, and so far December 2018 has been a typical ebb and flow of warm and cool weather here in New Orleans - unlike last year when we experienced an early hard freeze that seemed to have set the stage for an unprecedented two more in the weeks that followed. It was a long cold winter, and we were more than happy to see the arrival of spring.

This time of the year, the arrival of cold weather always brings us back to the question of "How cold is too cold for pets?" as well as "Does my pet need a sweater?" In our "Yes, It's Winter," post at the beginning of 2018 we discussed the best way to help your fur baby stay warm and cozy indoors when you're away from home.

Our client, Rufus, was all set for the cooler weather in his cute vest on a recent walk with Christy.

When it comes to pets in cold weather outdoors (think 40 degrees), it's always better to err on the side of caution. Senior pets, those that are short-haired, very thin or small-breed animals, and especially pets without an undercoat, are all more susceptible to feeling the cold. A light layer or even just a set of booties may be enough, but keep in mind that in New Orleans cold temperatures are often accompanied by wet weather so be sure you're BFF's winter wardrobe includes rain gear as well.

With January and Twelfth Night just around the corner many Nola locals are already thinking ahead to Mardi Gras, which in 2019 occurs in the first week of March. (Keep an eye out for PPC's Christy marching with the Pussyfooters throughout parade season!) If your fur baby needs inspiration for their Fat Tuesday costume, be sure to see our Pinterest board, Because It's New Orleans.

As we look ahead to 2019, we'd like to remind everyone that holiday fireworks (and other loud bangs) are extremely loud and upsetting when your hearing is significantly more sensitive than that of a human's. Dogs and cats can both hear sounds occurring at higher frequencies than people and from further distances. To help your companion animal make it through firecracker season, try giving them a calming soundtrack in the form of soothing music or "white noise," keep windows and doors closed and covered, and be sure to see our holiday hints Pinterest board for additional ideas.

Continuing our recap of 2018, in February on the blog, we introduced you to a number of useful apps to help pet parents plan play dates and manage health and first aid issues. We hope having this information readily at your fingertips has helped alleviate worry, answer questions, and even find new friends.

In March, we realized we'd missed one app when we covered the very important subject of Lost Pets and the resources for locating them. While we we hope you never experience the pain and stress of having a pet go missing, we hope the resources provided in that post will prove to be invaluable if you ever need them.

Of course in April we would have been remiss if we hadn't reminded our readers of all the great benefits there are in hiring an In-Home Pet Sitter.

Our client, Olive, taking advantage of Petit Pet Care's taxi service for established clients.

We also hope you found our pre-summer blog post informative and helpful in getting prepared for everything warmer weather brings this past May, including and especially the threats posed by insect pests and parasites. (Did you know it was possible for heartworms to be transmitted to humans?) Of course as summer progresses and the heat wages on there are additional concerns as noted in our July post, Survival Of The Furriest.

Our clients, Pizza and Sunny, enjoying looking outdoors on a nice day behind the protection of a security door.

Special needs pets have become our forte here at Petit Pet Care. A number of our clients require medication that has to be given during the workday while their humans are away from home. In our two-part series in September and October, we introduced you some of our friends who require a little extra care and discussed their specific needs.

Our client, Ramona, gets her hyperthyroid medicine in a blob of cat food.

It has been our absolute pleasure this year to continue to be the "loving care when you're not there" for all of our Nola extended pet family. We understand how stressful it can be to have to be away from your babies for extended periods when work and other commitments keep you apart from them. We are thankful for the trust you have put in us over the past six years.



See also:

Nola's House Call Veterinarians

In Case of Emergency - Pet First Aid

June Means Hurricane Season: Are you Prepared?

Pet Microchips: What You Need to Know

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

What Your New Orleans Pet Sitter Can Do For You

Our furry family members hold an important place in our lives and taking care of their needs is a top priority. Unfortunately, because many pet parents are forced to spend much of their day away from home due to work and other obligations, their babies are often left unattended for hours on end without entertainment. This is where having a pet sitter to call on can come in handy.

Is your fur baby getting enough quality time? These days most of us have come to realize that having a pet at home involves quite a lot more than just feeding, occasional bathing, and picking up after an animal. We understand that dogs, cats, and other cuddly critters have some of the same need for stimulation that their human caregivers do. They crave attention and affection, and keeping them active is important to both their physical health and emotional well-being.

Our client, Harold, enjoying a good head scratch.

Having an insured pet sitter visit your home at least once a day while you're working ensures that your fur baby avoids boredom - and doesn't engage in destructive behaviors. It will also keep your BFF from being too sedentary - which can lead to obesity and other unwanted health issues.

In New Orleans, Petit Pet Care provides in home service to households with "petit" pets up to 40 lbs. Dog walking services are available in the morning, afternoon or evening, and pet sitting services are provided 7 am to 7 pm all seven days of the week. Insured and bonded, we are members of Pet Sitters Associates, and we're Red Cross certified in dog and cat first aid as well as pet CPR.

Our client, Benson, after returning from a walk.

Many pet parents work full-time jobs and are up and out very early in the morning on weekdays. That can mean a quick let-out in the morning with your pup is all there is time for. Having a professional pet sitter come over to walk and play with your BFF is a great way to make certain he won't have to wait all day to relieve himself again, and he'll get to have fun and even enjoy some beneficial exercise.

Hiring an in-home caregiver is an especially good idea for those living in apartment buildings without the benefit of a real back yard. Your New Orleans pet sitter can pick up your dog while you're at work and take him to City Bark or one of the other local off-leash dog parks for a good tiring out. As everyone knows, a tired dog is a better behaved dog.

Our client, Tillie, looks suspicious because she knows her pill is coming. 

Older pets in particular, and those with special needs, can especially benefit from the personalized care a professional, in-home pet sitter provides. At Petit Pet Care we have experience caring for pets with medical needs and can administer your pet's topical and oral medications, as well as insulin injections.

In-home pet sitting isn't just for when you're at work. In the event that you have to travel, in-home sitting offers a number of advantages over boarding. Your fur baby gets to stick to her routine in her own familiar surroundings where she's most comfortable and be a lot less stressed while you're away. In addition, you get the peace of mind of knowing she won't be exposed to any of the potential risks that can come with kenneling.

Our client, Olive, taking advantage of pet taxi service.

Petite Pet Care doesn't do pack walks; that means your pet gets our full attention. We also provide additional services for our established clients such as pet taxi and lockout assistance. On extended sits we also bring in mail, water plants and will turn lights on and off as needed.

For more information on our dog walking and pet sitting services please visit our web site.

Useful links:

The Benefits of Hiring a Pet Sitter

What to Expect From Professional Pet Sitters

Choosing a Pet Sitter

Happy Halloween!

I have a tradition of inserting a photo of my cat Gonzo into a spooky Halloween themed image every year. I know better than to try and dress her in a costume. Cats, and black cats especially, are target by evil people around Halloween to do cruel things to. So keep those kitties inside if you let them out and be extra careful they don't sneak out.

I'm sharing these important Halloween tips from VetLearn.com. They cover treats that are poisonous to pets, "stranger danger" how trick or treaters and party guest may scare your pets and the dangers of decorations and costumes. I don't want to be a downer but a real downer would be having to rush your pet to the emergency vet. Have a safe and fun Halloween!

The Importance of Play and Your Cat

Cats are predators who in the wild (or on the streets) hunt and kill smaller animals for food. They practice their hunting skills even as tiny kittens by stalking their littermates and pouncing on them and attacking toys or fingers. If your cat goes outside I’m sure there have been times when they have either brought a dead animal to you, or brought a live animal into the house with them to continue playing with. Even though our domesticated house cats get fed well (sometimes too well) they never lose the urge to hunt.

This urge to hunt or practice their hunting skills is why I feel it is so important to keep toys on hard to keep your cat stimulated. A bored cat – much like a bored dog – will find something to do to fill their hunting needs, usually something destructive. They will knock things off counters or shelves; they will drag clothes or other things else around the house. Keeping toys on hand for your cat when no one is home is very important for your cat’s well being. Walk into a pet store and there is a huge variety of cat toys. I can’t tell you how many toys I’ve bought over the years. What appeals to one cat doesn’t to another.

I feel it’s very important to play with your cat as well. Teasers are great, so are laser pointers. Some cats will actually fetch a ball or toy. When I was in college, I had a cat, Cleo, who would steal my roommate’s ponytail holders. She loved it when I would shoot it across the room. She’d chase after it, pick it up then drop it by my feet to do again. Playing with your cat strengths the bond between you. I think they enjoy showing off their acrobatic skills and hearing your praise. Plus, your cat’s antics can be hilarious. Many times when I play with one cat, one of my other cats will sit back and watch with great interest or jump in and join the fun.

When raising your cat, they might try to bite or scratch your hand or arm, not understanding this hurts you and is unwanted behavior. Keep a plush cat toy on hand so when your cat “attacks” you, you can put the toy in the way so they can redirect their aggression. Praise them when they do.

I have a basket in my dining room I keep the cat toys in. It’s full of balls, plush, catnip toys, fake mice, and “teasers” with feathers and other things on the end of a wand. When I vacuum, I collect the toys from throughout the house and put them back in the basket. Over time, toys will slowly migrate into other rooms. Our black cat, Gonzo, loves to grab one of the wands with feathers from the basket, drag it into the living room when my husband and I are watching TV, and triumphantly drop it in the middle of the room. We verbally praise her mighty hunting skills and prowess. She seems so pleased with herself!

What really reconfirmed my belief in the importance of play was watching a videos of large cats in captivity playing with pumpkins and lounging in cardboard boxes. These lions, tigers and panthers look just like the common house cat playing.

• This article “Interactive Play Therapy” talks about the benefits of play and gives great tips for how best to play with your cat. 
• Another good article  "How to Play With Your Cat. Maximize your bond while improving his health and well-being" also talks about what should not but used as a toy.
• "Use Cat Toys When Playing For A Happy Cat" explains when to play with your cat and the difference between "ground hunters" and "sky hunters"

What are some of your cat's favorite toys or games?

Service updates

Free dog walking

We now offer buy 9 get one free dogs walks. Pre-pay for 9 walks and the 10th walk is free!

Lock-out service

Also, don't forget our lock-out service. If you are a client and lock yourself out, give us a call and we'll let you in for $15. One of our clients who had the misfortune to use this service said "if not a life-saver, definitely a face-saver. Thank you so much!"

Cat box cleaning

For $10 we will clean the litter box! We'll scrub it out and make it smell good again. $5 each additional box. Can be added on to a pet sit; not a stand-alone service.

Nail trimming

For $10 I will safely trim your pet's claws/nails. Can be added on to a pet sit; not a stand-alone service.

Tooting our own horn

We just got this wonderful recommendation from Paisan's mom. Thank you!

Paisan awaiting his dinner.

"I hired Petit Pet Care to cat sit while I was on an extended work and vacation trip in the summer of 2012. I was so happy with the service and care that Christy provided. I had not been on a trip like this for a long time, and knowing that she was there watching my cat Paisan made it possible for me to first concentrate on my work, and then actually enjoy the vacation part of my trip. She took such good care of him. She took photos of him the first few days to ease my mind, and she gave me updates. She was very professional. And I know that she was loving and attentive to Paisan, because even though when I got home, I know he missed me, I could tell he was pretty happy and content! It was invaluable to have someone as great as Christy taking care of my pet. The peace of mind was a great thing."

Happy New Year!

I want to thank all of my wonderful customers for a great year. I look forward to seeing you and your furry critters again soon.

I also want to thank my fellow pet sitters who gave me advice and sent me referrals. We have some wonderful and caring animal lovers here in NOLA.

New Services

I now offer 20 minute pet sits for $20 a visit.
This is best for 1-2 cats.

Litter box cleaning - This is an add-on to a scheduled cat sit.
For $10/box I will scrub it out clean and fill with new litter.

Nail trims - This is an add-on to a pet sit.
For $10 I will safely trim your pet's claws/nails.

Tell a friend

I'm looking for new clients so please tell you fellow pet owners about Petit Pet Care!

Holiday Pet Safety - Plants

Photo by Petr Kratochvil

The kennel at which I also work got a beautiful poinsettia arrangement delivered yesterday. I remember thinking while it was a very thoughtful gesture, didn't the sender know poinsettias are poinsonous to dogs and cats?!?! This promoted me to do some research and this is what I found.

The Pet Poison Hotline website states that poinsettas are mildly toxic to cats, dogs, horses, cows, and birds and may cause drooling, vomiting and possibly diarrhea but it doesn't sound like it would kill your pet. That's a relief, but I think I'll err on the side of caution anyway in my home.

Apparently there are other plants that are far worse for your pet. They include lilies, holly or mistletoe. I love lillies and never knew they were poisonous. Thankfully I've never had a cat eat them.

You might also want to deter your pet from drinking the water in the Christmas tree stand. It could have preservatives or bacteria that can upset your pet's digestive track.

Sources:
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/2011/02/are-poinsettias-poisonous-to-cats-dogs/
http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/poinsettia/
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/christmas-tree-water.aspx

The Holidays at Home with Your Pet

Photo from Foster Cat, Inc.

We are now on the downward slope of the holiday season. Thanksgiving is Thursday followed by several holidays in December. Then there’s New Year’s Eve, college football bowl games and the Super Bowl. For us here in Southern Louisiana it doesn’t end there because we still have Mardi Gras to get through. Pshew! That’s a lot of celebrating taking place over the next few months. The holidays can be stressful for your pets. Some pet love meeting new people while others do not. Routines get out of whack and there are so many temptations for pets to indulge in. If you are hosting festivities at your home, please take the safety and comfort of your pet in mind.

Things to consider during the holidays:

• Strange people in your house who may not know how to interact properly with your pets. Your pet could get stressed out or frightened, or even escape and run away.
• People food can make your pet sick or can even poison them.
• Holiday decorations or open flames from candles could potentially harm your pet.

Precautions to take:

• Designate a “safe room” for your pet to escape the commotion.
• Make sure your pet is micro chipped and wearing identification in case they run away.
• Know what food is off limits for your pet. It’s tempting to share food from your holiday feast with your cat or dog but it can make them very ill.
• Know what plants are dangerous to your pet and keep them out of reach or out of the house all together.
• Know the signs of stress in your pet. Take time out when it’s quiet to give them some TLC.
• Try and stick to your pet's routine with regular feeding times, walking etc. That will help reduce their stress. Heck, taking Fido for a walk also gets you out of the house for a little while to relax.
• If your dog is particularly high-strung or energetic, you might consider boarding them at a kennel

These tips are general, but you can find detailed information on these websites:

About.com – a list of all their pets and holiday related articles.

PetEducation.com has a ton of great articles that go into great details. You can also download the articles as PDF to save.
Holiday Safety Tips for Cats
Holiday Safety Tips for Dogs
Holiday Safety Tips for Ferrets
Holiday Safety Tips for Your Bird
Holiday Safety Tips for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, and Other Small Pets

Trick or treat and tips.

It's Halloween! Time for candy and costumes, great fun for humans but not so great for pets. If you follow me on Facebook, you've already seen this tips. I got them from VetLearn.com, a web site I visit to supplement my Vet Tech learning. They have a great 2-page PDF you can download by clicking here.

Halloween Hints — No Fright, No Fear for Pets This Year!
Halloween is one of the most fun times of the year, and it’s natural to want to try to involve your family pet in all the activity. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that not all Halloween activities are fun or safe for pets. A few simple precautions can keep your spooky celebrations fun for everyone in the family, whether they are two footed or four footed.

You may also read the article on-line. VetTech.com Halloween Hints

Today is National Cat Day

Miss Gonzo in the clover.

Did you know October 29th is National Cat day? (Of course if your household is like mine EVERYDAY is cat day.) According to the website nationalcatday.com the holiday was started in 2005:

...to help galvanize the public to recognize the number of cats that need to be rescued each year and also to encourage cat lovers to celebrate the cat(s) in their life for the unconditional love and companionship they bestow upon us.

You are encouraged to adopt a cat, or volunteer at a shelter. If you can't, please consider a donation to your local shelter. Did you know black cats are the least likely to be adopted? I love my black kitty Gonzo. I found her at a restaurant in a rural part of Louisiana. She was just a kitten but so sweet and came right up to me. I also have a stray black cat, Dexter, I feed. He showed up one day when we were feeding our other stray cat, Twin. I think someone had him neutered and released because his ear was tipped. He's a little jumpy but is the sweetest cat.

I even have a separate blog for my kitties, thought I don't update it as much. When Gonzo and Harold were kittens I took a lot more photos. It can be hard to photograph cats but I love the challenge. And when I'm having a bad day, just looking at photos of my kitties cheers me up.

Links
National Cat Day web site.
My cat blog: gonzoforcats.blogspot.com
Smithsonian article "Judging a Cat (Wrongly) by the Color of its Coat"

Breed of the Day: Welsh Corgi

Corgis are one of my favorite breeds. My first introduction to this breed was through my friend's dog, Baily. I used to pet sit Baily and we'd have a great time running around the back yard, Baily trying to "herd" me. Corgis are definitely petit, standing only about 12 inches high and weighing under 30 pounds. They would be taller except they have unusually short legs. Corgis are working dogs; they herd livestock, cattle, ponies, sheep and supposedly geese and will hunt vermin. They nip are the heel of the animal (or in Baily's case, the human) to get them to move forward.

There are two types, Cardigan Welsh Corgi and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Cardigans are the larger of the two with a longer body, rounded ears and a long tail. Pembroke have pointed ears and shorter tails, either through breeding or docking. Thankfully many countries are starting to ban tail docking. Both have a fox-like face and head and very agreeable disposition.

If you are an Anglophile like myself, you know that Queen Elizabeth of England has corgis. I came across this article about the passing of one of the Queen's corgie, Monty, who was buried in Balmoral (the Queens Scottish residence). If you watched the 2012 Olympics, you saw Monty in the James Bond opening show with the Queen.

Animal Planet's Dogs 101 about Corgis:


A cute entry written from the corgis' point of view: http://www.goldengatecorgis.org/articles/truth_article.htm
Wikipedia entry - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welsh_Corgi
The Daily Corgi - http://thedailycorgi.blogspot.com/

Breed of the Day: Maine Coon Cat

One of the largest breeds of domesticated cats, these gentle giants are a very popular. And very furry! They have 3 coats of fur and big bushy tails to help keep them warm in the snowy winters of the northeast. Average weight is 17 pounds but they can weigh up to 25 pounds and measure 40" long. Their coat can be a variety of colors. They also have big paws, said to help them walk in the snow. I know one Main Coon who is also polydactyl - he has extra toes on his paws and they are huge! They have a sweet and gentle temperament and are said to be skilled hunters.

There are a lot of theories of how Maine Coons came to be. I think I like the idea they came over with the Vikings and are are descended from the Norwegian Forest Cat.

Here's a video about them by Animal Planet.



Wikipedia entry on Maine Coons -http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maine_Coon
Maine Coon Cat Nation website - http://www.maine-coon-cat-nation.com/index.html 
Catster's entry on Maine Coons - http://www.catster.com/cat-breeds/Maine_Coon