Fun Fall Activities to Enjoy with You and Your Pets
Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Your Pets
Feeding Pumpkin to Your Dogs: What Are the benefits?

Fun Fall Activities to Enjoy with You and Your Pets
It’s fully fall. And we all know what that means. It’s cooler outside and that comes with enjoying fun, outdoor activities with your pets. It’s a nice relief after hot summer temps and being stuck inside.
While you’re getting ready for the great outdoors, think about your beloved pets when making plans.

Many people took their vacations over the summer, so now is a great time for that “off-season travel destination,” according to the article, “11 Fun Activities to Do With Your Dog This Fall” at Vetstreet.com. “Many beaches allow dogs during the off-season — and as a bonus, travel prices are often lower,” the article said.

Go take a hike. For real! Whether you’re hiking in and around the city or taking a drive out of town, autumn is a great time to enjoy being outside. “Just be sure to consult your veterinarian before starting a new exercise routine and consider your dog’s physical fitness level before choosing a path,” the article said. It’s a good idea to be sure your dog is protected with flea and tick preventives first.

Get out and play. With the cooler weather, you can get out there to play with your dog. Bring along a Frisbee, a ball, or your dog’s favorite toy, and just have fun!

Along with football season comes those tailgating parties. You can get your dog involved starting with mascots all the way to dog apparel. “So huddle close and get ready for the game plan!” according to the article, “6 Great Fall Activities for Dogs” at be.chewy.com.

If you really love the outdoors, take that camping trip and bring your dog. “From the splendor of the leaves to the scents in the air, hiking trails abound, and an eager dog captivated by it all,” the be.chewy.com article said.

Trick-Or-Treating Safety Tips for Your Pets
October doesn’t just mean cooler temps, it’s the month celebrating cute costumes and treats on Halloween. Sometimes it can be scary for pets, but there are ways to ensure their safety.

According to the article, “10 Halloween Safety Tips for Pets,” at PetMD.com, the following tips can keep your pets out of harm’s way:

• Keep Halloween candy away from pets, especially chocolate, which can be deadly for them. “Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs,” the article said.
• Ensure pets are safe inside the home. They could be at high risk if left alone in the yard.
• If you plan to open the door for trick-or-treaters, keep pets safe in a separate room and/or in a secure crate far from the front door.
• “While glow sticks can help keep people safe on Halloween night, they can add some unwanted drama to the holiday if a pet chews one open,” the article said.
• Keep lit pumpkins away from pets.
• Only dress up your pet in costume if he is OK with it, and be sure to supervise him. “Costumes should not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe,” the article said.
• Pets should always wear ID in case they dash out the door and escape. Microchips are even better. Always make sure your information is up to date on tags and chips.

If you are decorating your home, note the decorations that can be a threat to pets. These can include lit candles, rubber eyeballs, fake blood, fake cobwebs, potpourri and strung lights, according to the article, “Halloween safety tips for pets” at The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

The HSUS article suggests creating some pet-friendly decorations, such as making a haunted house out of cardboard boxes for your feline.

Feeding Pumpkin to Your Dogs: What Are the benefits?
The season calls for everything pumpkin, from that pumpkin spiced latte you’ve been craving all summer to pumpkin scented candles and pumpkin pie. But what are the benefits of feeding pumpkin to your dog?

Pumpkin is considered good for your dog and “contains essential micronutrients and fiber that make it a very nutritious treat,” according to the article, “Can I Give My Dog Pumpkin?” at Fetch by WebMD. It also helps alleviate diarrhea in dogs.

According to the article, other benefits include:

• It’s packed with minerals and vitamins such as A, C, and E.
• It’s great for your dog’s digestion, It has “high soluble fiber content,” the article said.
• Prebiotics found in pumpkin help “support the presence of important bacteria in the digestive tract,” the article said.

Don’t overdo it with too much pumpkin and speak to your vet about how much to give your dog. Be sure to distinguish between plain, canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with added fat, sugar and spices, the article said. Stick with plain, canned pumpkin without additives.

Pumpkin is also good for urinary health. According to the article, “3 Ways Pumpkin Can Help Keep Your Dog Healthy” at PetMD.com, “Oils found in pumpkin seeds and flesh are believed to support urinary health. Dogs with urinary incontinence, in particular, may benefit from a little pumpkin in their diet.”

It also can help with eye health. “To prevent the development of night blindness and other eye degeneration, the beta-carotene found in pumpkin flesh is an integral nutrient in any pup’s diet,” according to the article, “Benefits of Pumpkin for Dogs” at be.chewy.com.

Dogs will also benefit from pumpkin because of its high content of water along with key nutrients vitamin A and zinc, which is good for your dog’s coat and skin.

How to Get Your Pet Used to Boarding for Long Trips
Dog Parks: They Can Be Fun, But Be Aware to Keep Your Dog Safe
How Often Should You Get Your Dog Groomed?

How to Get Your Pet Used to Boarding for Long Trips
If you’re going on a long trip and have decided to board your dog, you can prepare your pet beforehand. Planning is your best friend when it comes to boarding your dog.

First, be sure your pet will be in good hands by researching boarding facilities.

According to the article, “Doggy Daycare and Pet Boarding Do’s and Don’ts” at be.chewy.com, that means “calling up each pet boarding facility and asking lots of questions about their services and what your pet’s itinerary will be like during their stay.” Check facilities offering doggie daycare for high-energy dogs. Tour facilities you are considering and meet the staff.

Ensure your pet is up to date on vaccinations and speak with staff before boarding, as “it is still essential to go over your pet’s food, medications and any behavior quirks that your pet may have.”

First-time boarders “might consider short, overnight stays at the kennel prior to an extended boarding stay to help him or her get used to boarding,” according to the article, “Boarding Your Dog (and Cat)” at PetMD.com.

Our pets are very in tune with our emotions, so try not to make the goodbye too emotional. “Your pets can be made to feel unnecessarily anxious about the kennel visit if they are subjected to this kind of dramatic display,” the PetMD article said.

Leave an item that reminds your pet of you or home, such as a special blanket. You can also “bring them a T-shirt or towel that smells like you and their home,” the be.chewy.com article said. “These comfy items will give them something to cuddle at night, and they have a familiar scent to ease their stay in a new place.”

For information on boarding your dog or cat at Second Home Pet Resort, click here.

Dog Parks: They Can Be Fun, But Be Aware to Keep Your Dog Safe
Dog parks continue to pop up across the country wherever there are dogs and people who love them. While they are great for many dogs and their people, there are things to keep in mind to protect your dog.

Safety tips are important when you take your dog to the dog park, according to the article, “Dog Park Safety: 6 Tips for Pet Parents” at PetMD.com. They are:

• Ensure your dog has all her vaccinations. This will protect your dog from “transferable diseases.”
• Visit dog parks with different play areas for large and smaller dogs. Place your dog in the area that suits her size. This can prevent dangerous situations and injuries.
• It’s best to keep unvaccinated puppies who need socialization away from dog parks.
• Your dog should know basic training commands especially “come,” and she should respond automatically.
• Check for trash. The dog park should be clean and free of things that can be dangerous to your dog.
• Watch your dog closely. A bad situation or dog fight could start in an instant, so it’s best to pay attention to your dog.

There are other important things to consider when you take your dog to the dog park, such as making sure your dog is on a leash until entering the dog park area. “Do remove your dog’s leash before he joins the other dogs to play,” according to the article, “Play It Safe and Be Polite: Dog Park Rules You Should Never Break,” at Vetstreet.com.

Your dog should enter the dog park area in a calm yet orderly fashion. It’s best to keep unaltered dogs out of dog parks, as that can cause a lot of conflict. And, just as your dog should have manners, show your own by cleaning up after your dog.

How Often Should You Get Your Dog Groomed?
From long coats to short coats to fur or hair, there’s so many types of dog coats. With so many, how often should you get your dog groomed?

“The answer depends on what type of coat your pooch has, how much they shed, and how much brushing and bathing you are willing to do at home,” according to the article, “Ask A Groomer: How Often Should I Groom My Dog?” at iHeartDogs.com.

According to the article, the following are tips on grooming and a dog’s coat type:

• Short-haired dogs need “minimal brushing” and an occasional bath.
• Double-coated dogs (softer undercoat and coarse top coat) should be groomed “at least four times a year to help pull out the dead undercoat,” the article said, adding it’s a bad idea to shave these coats.
• Long hair and double-coated dogs may need a trip to the groomer to cut the hair around the feet, legs, bellies and butts. These dogs can get matted easily.
• Silky coated dogs have fine hair needing professional grooming at least every four to six weeks or as long as two to three months to prevent matting.
• Wiry-coated dogs get matted much less and can be groomed every two to three months. However, they should get the occasional bath and brush out but don’t over-bathe!
• Dogs with curly or wavy coats are more susceptible to matting. Brush a couple times a week. See a professional groomer every four to six weeks.

“Most pets should have their nails trimmed every 2 to 3 weeks,” according to the article, “Grooming Your Pet” at American Humane.

If you decide to clip your dog’s nails yourself, start by making sure your dog gets used to you handling his paws. Speak softly, have treats close by, and have someone nearby to help.

How to Help Kids and Pets Cope When Summer is Over and School Starts
How to Search for High-Quality Pet Food
The Dangers of Retractable Leashes

How to Help Kids and Pets Cope When Summer is Over and School Starts
Summer is winding down and kids are preparing for the school year to begin. Many kids have those back-to-school jitters. And, there are the family pets who will now have to adjust to the new normal when their best friends head back to school. You can keep your pets in the mix so they don’t feel left out.

According to the article, “4 Tips on Preparing Your Dog for Back-to-School Season” at Petful.com, the following tips can “ensure your dog has the best experience possible once your family’s fall routine goes into full effect.”
1. Before school starts, practice the new routine. This can include setting your alarm and getting up early, taking your dog for a walk the time you will do so on school days, feed your dog at the new meal times, and start leaving your dog in his crate to get used to it.
2. Set times for extra exercise before school and work as well as after. “Just like you, your dog needs physical activity and exercise to stay healthy,” the article said. “They also need it to prevent boredom, which often leads to chewing or other bad behaviors.”
3. Stimulate your dog during the day with puzzle toys or leaving on slow music.
4. Keep it low key when you leave for the day and when you return.

Consider a playdate with a friend who has a dog, and you can return the favor another time, according to the article, “10 back to school tips for your dog” at Dog’s Best Life.

“Hire a dog walker or ask a retired neighbor to take your dog for a walk during the day,” the Dog’s Best Life article said.

For a special treat, try doggy day care. Check out Second Home Pet Resort’s Doggie Day Care.

How to Search for High-Quality Pet Food
An important part about having a pet is the right food. With so many options out there and different types of pet food, how do you choose? Start with research.

According to the article, “How to Choose the Best Dog Food” at PetMD.com, “A good food will keep your dog’s hair coat shiny and sleek. It will strengthen his immune system.”

The article points to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) that “has established guidelines for regulators to govern claims a pet food company can make on its label.”

Things you should do to find the right pet food include:

• Read ingredients.
• Consider glutens and grains in pet food. Note that dogs are rarely allergic to gluten.
• Check by-products.
• Check the pet food’s nutritional adequacy statement.
• It’s a good idea to get your veterinarian’s advice when it comes to food and your dog’s age, lifestyle, genetics, etc.

If you think you have a pet who is allergic to his food, consult your veterinarian to find out what’s going on, according to the article, “6 Things Your Vet Wants You to Know About Dog Food” at Fetch by WebMD.com.

Remember “premium” food is not always better. “Stores tend to group dog foods into the categories of ‘popular’ and pricier ‘premium’ or ‘gourmet’ diets, but there aren’t any nutritional requirements for these labels,” the Fetch by WebMD article noted.

For dogs allergic to animal proteins, a vegetarian diet might do the trick. While it might “be tricky to find the right balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates, and nutrients for vegetarian pooches” it can be done.

Also be sure not to overfeed your pets. Determine the correct serving size based on your pet’s weight, the Fetch by WebMD article said.

The Dangers of Retractable Leashes
Many people love retractable leashes and use them for their dogs on daily walks. Then there are those who feel the leashes are very dangerous.

Some toss up the negatives to human error, while others says its “an accident waiting to happen,” according to the article, “Why Retractable Leashes Are Dangerous” at Petful.com. “Common sense and vigilance is what is needed to walk a dog on a retractable leash properly.”

On the pro side, for a dog who is trained and an owner who properly uses the leash, a dog can walk anywhere from 20 to 30 feet away and have freedom without being off leash.

Then there’s the con side, often associated with human error to include “human frailty, human stupidity and lack of judgment,” the article said. Some cons include:

• A label warns about dangers to fingers that can get entangled. Other injuries include rope burns and gashes.
• People in the way of a retractable leash can get hurt and dog fights can occur.
• These leashes can cause trauma to your dog as they can “wrap around a dog’s leg and cause much more serious injury than a traditional leash,” the article said.
• Retractable leashes can undo training by allowing dogs to pull and not listen to commands.

Oftentimes, the dangers when using a retractable leash happen very quickly and before the owner has a chance to prevent the incident. Dogs darting into traffic while on their leash have been hit by cars.

“There have been cases of dogs getting twisted in the cord and having a tail or leg amputated by the deep cut made when the cord retracts,” according to the article, “Retractable Leashes: Dangerous And Deadly For Dogs And Humans” at Dogtime.com. “These things happen quickly, often too fast for the handler to react.”