How to Prevent Hairballs in Your Cat
How to Celebrate National Pet Parent Day
Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog Mentally and Physically

How to Prevent Hairballs in Your Cat
We love our cats. They are fun, cute, cuddly, sometimes sneaky, sometimes like to knock things off the table, and then there are the hairballs. If you have a cat who gets hairballs, what can you do?

When you first encounter a hairball it can be quite undesirable and nasty to look at. Your cat basically will vomit up the hair, according to the article, “How To Treat Cat Hairballs” at PetMD.com.

The hairballs occur because of your cat grooming himself and then swallowing hair. While some “hair will pass thorough their digestive tract and into their feces with no complications,” the article said, sometimes in cats the hair gets into the stomach and becomes a hairball. “After hair has accumulated in the stomach and a hairball is formed, it will then be vomited as a long, tubular hair mass that may be covered in slimy mucus.”

There are things you can to do prevent and treat hairballs. The PetMD article offers the following tips:

• Laxatone, an oral gel that binds hair in the stomach so the hair passes easier
• Over-the-counter hairball diets available in certain cat food formulas
• Prescription diets that you can discuss with your veterinarian

You can try to prevent hairballs in your cat as well. According to the article, “7 Tips to Prevent Hairballs” at PetSafe. Some things you can do include:

• Brushing your cat and do it more during shedding seasons. “Removing the loose and dead hair from your cat’s coat before your cat can ingest it is probably the best way to prevent hairball from forming in the first place,” the PetSafe article said.
• An active cat who engages in regular exercise and play can keep the digestive system working.
• Try pumpkin, a great fiber-rich treat.
• Ensure your cat has lots of water.

How to Celebrate National Pet Parent Day
There’s a day for just about everything. And while we have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, did you know there is a National Pet Parent Day? It’s a great way to celebrate being a parent to your pet.

Celebrated on the last Sunday of April, this year the day falls on April 24. Thankfully, back in 2007, this very special day started “to acknowledge the many Americans who consider their pets to be beloved members of the family,” according to the article, “Ways to Celebrate National Pet Parents Day” at PetPlace.com.

Pet parents take care of their pets on a daily basis by feeding them, walking them, cleaning the litter box, taking them to the veterinarian, playing with them, and even taking them on vacation.

How can you celebrate this very special day? Here are some suggestions, according to the article:

• Go to the park with your dog. Your dog will have a great long walk and you both can take in the sights and smells.
• Cuddle up with your pet in your lap. Provide extra kisses and belly rubs.
• Get out and go for a drive. You can even choose a destination.
• Prepare a special meal that you can share.
• Organize a pet food drive and bring together your community to help pet parents in need.

You can even make it memorable. According to the article, “Top tips to make this National Pet Parents Day one to remember” at Animal Wellness Magazine, consider these suggestions:

• Adopt a shelter pet and become a wonder pet parent all over again.
• Buy your pet a new toy and bask in the happiness it brings.
• Volunteer at your local animal shelter

Whatever you decide to do to celebrate National Pet Parents Day, remember it’s your day so celebrate it in your style.

Best Ways to Exercise Your Dog Mentally and Physically
Since April is Canine Fitness Month, it’s a great time to exercise your dog both mentally and physically.

As with people, dogs can become sedentary, become obese, and lack mental stimulation. According to the article, “Canine Fitness Month: Exercises Anyone Can Do” at Vet Organics, dogs need to be active at least 30 minutes a day and so do humans. “Now is the time to build exercise, playtime, and games into our daily habits to keep all of us, canine companions included, mentally healthy and physically fit,” the article said.

The article offers some ways to get out there with your canines:

• Walk at any pace that is comfortable for you and your dog. If you’re just starting, begin with a shorter walk.
• Fetch anyone? It’s a great game. You can try a Frisbee, ball, or stick.
• Take the stairs, but be mindful of senior dogs.
• Try obstacle courses, which you can do at home.

According to the article, “Enriching Your Dog’s Life” at Fetch by WebMD, while we all have lives that are busy, our dogs are often home alone a big part of every day. “If you give your dog ‘jobs’ to do when she’s by herself, she’ll be less likely to come up with her own ways to occupy her time, like unstuffing your couch, raiding the trash or chewing on your favorite pair of shoes,” the Fetch by WebMD article said.

Provide a food puzzle toy for your dog. These sturdy containers have food or treats inside but dogs have to work to get the food out. They “require time, patience and problem solving,” the Fetch article said.

There are so many activities you can do to help stimulate your dog mentally and physically. It will help you both in the long run.

What You Should Know Before Adopting a Pet Pig
How to Prepare for Your New Puppy or Kitten and Reasons to Adopt
Thanks for Supporting Second Home Pet Resort During the Pandemic

What You Should Know Before Adopting a Pet Pig
Some people love pets. Some want to bring home a dog, or a cat, or a hamster, or bunny. There are those who want to bring home a pig. Is adopting a pig the right thing for you and your family?

“Some people adopt a pet pig without fully educating themselves about the behavior and care requirements of these intelligent animals,” according to the article, “Potbellied Pigs as Pets” at BestFriends.org. “As a consequence, potbellied pigs are surrendered to shelters and sanctuaries all over the country, not only for being a ‘teacup’ or ‘mini’ pig who grew too large, but for medical, circumstantial and behavioral issues.”

Pet potbellied pigs are very smart and love companionship. Pigs love their bellies rubbed and taking walks. They also need humans who know how to care for them who can provide love as well as mental stimulation, according to the article.

If you are considering adopting a potbellied pig, the article suggests the following:

• Ensure where you live is zoned for a potbellied pig. If it is, find out if there are any restrictions.
• Educate yourself about potbellied pigs and their behavior and caring for them.
• Learn about pigs by volunteering at a pig sanctuary.

Other important things to consider include what to feed your pig and where they should sleep, according to the article, “Is a Pig Right for You?” at PigPlacementNetwork.org.

It is not a really good idea to keep pigs in an apartment. “Pigs need ample outdoor space, which cannot be provided in an apartment or condo,” the PigPlacementNetwork article said.

Learn about “piggy proofing” your home. Pigs can get into things such as cleaning products, medicine, makeup, and gum!

Educate yourself and find out as much as you can before deciding whether to adopt a pig into your family.

How to Prepare for Your New Puppy or Kitten and Reasons to Adopt
It’s a wonderful time to consider adopting a puppy or kitten because there are many waiting at shelters and rescues to find a home.

You will help save a life and get a great animal, according to the article, “Top reasons to adopt a pet” at The Humane Society of the United State (HSUS).

Roughly 1 million adoptable dogs and cats are euthanized each year in the U.S. “Most shelter pets wound up there because of a human problem like a move or a divorce, not because the animals did anything wrong,” the HSUS article said. “Many are already house-trained and used to living with families.”

After you have decided to adopt, prepare your home for the new arrival. Start with a vet visit to ensure your pet is in good health.

According to the article, “Top 5 Ways to Prep Your Home for a Puppy or Kitten” at ASPCA.org, there are some important things to consider when bringing home your new family member. They include:

1. Get low to the ground to see things from a pet’s point of view. This will help you pet-proof your home. Things may be on the ground that your new pet can choke on. Keep dangerous items out of reach!
2. Make sure plants are not toxic to pets. Click here for information.
3. Trim or bind electrical cords and cords from blinds.
4. Close cabinet doors and use child-proof locks.
5. Bring home everything they need. That includes litter box, litter, food and water bowl, ID tags, scratching post, and toys for kittens. Provide leash and collar, ID tags, food and water bowl, possibly a crate, and toys for puppies.

The more prepared you are, the safer your new puppy or kitten will be, and you’ll be off to a great start.

Thanks for Supporting Second Home Pet Resort During the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic that started almost two years ago has taken a toll on people all over the world as well as countless businesses. Many small mom-and-pop businesses truly suffered with many not being able to keep their doors open.

At Second Home Pet Resort, we worked hard to keep our doors open and were thankfully successful.

On March 29, we celebrate National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day. The day is not necessarily for just moms and pops. “Generationally owned small businesses brighten our neighborhoods and connect our communities, so we celebrate them on National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day,” according to the article, “National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day” at National Day Archives.

Oftentimes, it’s the mom-and-pop businesses that have a local connection, striving to provide great customer service to those in a community. “They also give us the colors and flavors that make our community unique,” the article said.

Did you know that:
• Small businesses positively influence your local community?
• Mom and pops “might make fewer sales, but locally owned retailers earn triple what their chain competitors make for every dollar of sales,” the article said.
• Since 2001, small businesses were responsible for 65 percent of net new jobs.
• “Local businesses retain 77 million U.S. employees,” the article said.

Second Home Pet Resort thanks all of our clients for their dedicated support through these past two years during COVID. It has not been easy for anyone. We are ever so grateful to each of you for helping us during this difficult time.

We hope for things to get better for everyone. Please stay healthy and safe, and we hope to see you and your pets soon.

How Do You Show Your Love for Your Pet on Valentine’s Day?
February is Pet Dental Health Month: The importance of Dentals for Your Pets
The Importance of Spay/Neuter for Pets

How Do You Show Your Love for Your Pet on Valentine’s Day?
February means Valentine’s Day and showering your beloved with flowers and gifts. But wait! Your pet also needs love and there’s many ways to show it.

Since our pets love us so unconditionally, make sure to do right by them. You can’t give them chocolate because it’s dangerous to their health. There are many other things you can do to show your pet the love, according to the article, “Ten things you can do to show your pets you love them,” at Best Friends. Here are some ideas:

• Ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet. Discuss with your vet and check out the American College of Veterinary Nutrition at acvn.org.
• Get out and exercise with your pet. Whether it’s walking, running, flyball, agility or playing games, you and your pet will be better for it. “For cats, try interactive play with wand toys (we like Da Bird) or balls,” the article said. “Some cats can be taught to enjoy walks outdoors wearing a harness and leash.”
• Try relationship-based training. “Reward-based training classes help you to build a relationship with your pet, provide her with mental (and sometimes physical) enrichment, and let you just have fun with her,” the article said.

According to the article, “Ways to Show Your Pet You Love Them” at ASPCA.org, there are other great ways to show your pet some love including:

• Spend an entire day with your pet either on a walk or hike. Try a new adventure or route.
• Your pet loves treats, so why not make some homemade ones? “But be sure that any recipes you choose are pet-friendly and veterinarian approved before making them for your pet,” the ASPCA article said.

Remember to show your pet all the love on Valentine’s Day but also continue to show it throughout the year.

February is Pet Dental Health Month: The importance of Dentals for Your Pets
We all know how important it is to care for our teeth. Your pet’s dental care is also just as important. Good dental hygiene is important for all-around health for humans and pets.

It’s pretty common for dogs to have dental disease, according to the article, “5 Reasons Why Dog Dental Care Is Important” at PetMD.com. “By age 3, over 80 percent of dogs have some form of dental disease, also known as periodontal disease,” the article said. Without proper dental care, it can be serious.

Dental disease in dogs “affects the teeth, gums and structures that support and surround a dog’s teeth,” the article said, adding that it starts with plaque buildup. When that hardens it turns to tartar.

The article advises to watch for the following signs of dental disease in dogs:
• Broken teeth
• Loose teeth
• Bad breath
• Painful, bleeding mouth
• Refuse or unable to eat and drink
• Drooling

Other issues to be mindful of include discolored teeth or teeth covered with tartar, and swelling around the mouth, according to the article, “Pet dental care” at American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

If you notice any of the above issues, it’s time for a visit to your veterinarian. Be on top of your pet’s dental health as he may have periodontal disease, the most common dental issue in dogs and cats. Early detection is important. “Periodontal disease doesn’t just affect your pet’s mouth,” the AVMA article said. “Other health problems found in association with periodontal disease include kidney, liver, and heart muscle changes.”

Treatment is done by a dental cleaning by your veterinarian and under anesthesia.

Stay on top of your pet’s dental health by brushing their teeth to keep them healthy between cleanings, the AVMA article said. And, get your pet’s teeth checked yearly.

The Importance of Spay/Neuter for Pets
February is known for Valentine’s Day, and it’s also Spay/Neuter Awareness Month. Show your pets love by ensuring they are spayed or neutered. It helps to slow down overpopulation of pets and also has many health benefits.

With many reasons to spay/neuter, there’s no reason not to do it for your pets. “The average lifespan of spayed and neutered cats and dogs is demonstrably longer than the lifespan of those not,” according to the article, “Why you should spay/neuter your pet” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

Unaltered pets are more likely to roam, which puts them at risk of fights with animals. Altered pets are less likely to roam. Additionally, altered pets are less likely to get certain cancers. Altered males are not at risk of testicular cancer. Females who are not spayed are at risk of pyometra and uterine, mammary gland, and other cancers, the HSUS article said.

“When you consider the potential long-term medical costs incurred for an unaltered pet, the savings afforded by spay/neuter are clear, especially given the plethora of low-cost spay/neuter clinics now available,” the HSUS article said.

Additionally, your altered pets are more likely to be better behaved. They will typically be less aggressive and “less likely to engage in territory-marking behavior such as spraying urine in your house,” according to the article, “Reasons to Spay or Neuter Your Pet” at Fetch by WebMD.

According to the Fetch article, other positives include:

• Spayed female cats and dogs will not go into heat.
• Pets will not gain weight. “A pet who gets enough exercise and eats a healthy diet in moderation will remain fit and healthy,” the Fetch article said.
• The fight against overpopulation of pets helps keep more animals out of shelters.

Celebrate Spay/Neuter Awareness Month by spreading the word.