Free of pesticides and herbicides and responsibly farmed, The Pleasant Pet uses premium quality hemp flower grown locally in Maryland and produced and formulated by Fingerboard Farm. The Pleasant Pet is available for purchase and shipping nationwide HERE via Pet and Home Care.
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April is Pet Fitness Month so we’re sharing some helpful tips for keeping your pets in shape! Pet obesity is an increasingly common ailment amongst cats and dogs and the best remedy (along with a vet-approved weight loss diet) is exercise! While many of us love our chubby cats and dogs, obesity can cause pain, lack of mobility, and lethargy in pets. Overweight and obese pets are also more at risk to develop cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. With this in mind, here are our top tips for getting your pet moving this month and beyond!
While many dogs love to fetch for hours on end, others are a tougher sell. Toys and other rewards like treats can motivate pets to play and exercise. Try out different toys with your cat or dog to see what they like and match games to their interest. For instance, terriers may prefer tug of war while border collies or Australian shepherds may be inclined towards frisbee fetch. Cats can be even more variable in their interests, so rewarding play with a gentle massage or a treat can be a great motivator.
The spring and summer months are the perfect time to take your dog (or cat!) outdoors to explore. Try out any of the numerous hiking and walking trails around the Maryland capital region with your pet. Not only will it help them stay in shape, it offers an enriching experience for their mind. Pets who spend a lot of time indoors can become bored or anxious if not provided with enough stimulation. Hiking is a great way to eliminate boredom and encourage exercise, while creating a bonding experience between you and your pet.
Going back to work soon? Try sending your canine to doggy daycare. Not only will they make new friends and get all-day attention from loving caretakers, daycare is a great way to get your pup outside and running around all day. Give us a call at (301) PET – CARE to hear more about our pawsome daycare and dog taxi service. For the busy pet parent we also offer walk and in-home visits!
Over the last year, pet adoption rates have skyrocketed across Maryland, D.C., and the entire United States. Animal companionship has helped many of us get through the isolating lockdowns and quarantines brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of new puppy owners has also gone up significantly! Here are our best puppy care tips and words of advice.
Reward good behavior and discourage behavior that will become troublesome as your pup grows. Don’t wait for your puppy to misbehave before giving them attention. Jumping may be cute when they’re a small puppy, but as a fully-grown dog, it can become a difficult habit to break. Similarly, teaching good leash behavior early in your puppy’s life can save you from pulling and tugging later on.
Acquainting your puppy with different people and dogs can be a major boon to you and your pup. Visiting the dog park, meeting up with friends and their pets, or sending your puppy to daycare are all great options for socialization. Be sure to introduce new experiences slowly and don’t let your puppy get overwhelmed. High-stress situations can cause dogs to lash out or become traumatized, which can make future experiences difficult. Always be mindful of your dog’s body language.
Pets love to have a daily routine. Routines allow your puppy to know what to expect throughout the day. This can encourage good behavior and facilitate housetraining while alleviating pet anxiety that can lead to destructive or harmful behaviors. Good things to include in your daily routine are regular feeding times, walks, and playtime.
With all that being said, don’t expect too much from your puppy. Teaching the basics is more than enough to prevent bad habits. There will be plenty of time to teach your dog to sit, stay, high-five, and roll over as they get a bit older. Focus on socializing your puppy and having fun with them in a safe way. Lastly, make sure to take lots of pictures of your pooch. Puppyhood goes by so fast!
For puppy training, doggy daycare, pet sitting, and walks, we’ve got you covered! Our team of pet care experts is always available to make your life (and your dog’s) easier! Give us a call at (301) PET – CARE to learn more or visit us online petandhomecare.com
Along with the blooming flowers and gorgeous weather, springtime allergies have also been making a comeback recently. Did you know pets can experience seasonal allergies? Dogs and cats can have a variety of different symptoms that can cause pain and irritation during the warmer months. Read on to learn how to correctly identify and treat your pet’s allergies.
The most common symptom of seasonal allergies in dogs and cats is itchy skin. Your pet may be biting, scratching, or rubbing their skin which can cause painful lesions, scabbing, hot spots, and hair loss. Dogs may also be prone to recurring ear infections caused by seasonal allergies. Your dog may have an ear infection if they are shaking their head, rubbing their ears on the ground, or showing signs of pain. Dogs and cats may also experience symptoms like red, swollen eyes, a runny nose, and fits of sneezing. Take your pet to their veterinarian for a formal diagnosis.
Vets can prescribe supplements and medications to ease your pet’s worst allergy symptoms. Dogs with moderate to severe allergies may do best with allergen injections over a period of time. If your pet only experiences mild symptoms, they may be fine with over-the-counter antihistamines. Some pets can be prescribed food specially formulated for managing skin allergies. Always talk to your vet before starting your pet on a new medication.
Although medication can be a big relief to pets that are suffering from an allergic reaction, there are also ways to prevent or mitigate an allergic response in the first place. After coming inside from a walk or playtime, wipe your dog’s paws to remove allergens from the skin. Weekly baths in lukewarm water with an oatmeal shampoo can soothe your dog’s skin as well. Prescription lotions and sprays can also be helpful.
For more helpful tips on preventing springtime pet hazards, click HERE!
Give us a call at (301) PET – CARE to hear about our pet care services including walks, doggy daycare, and overnight boarding. In the springtime and beyond, we’ve got your back!
While the winter season and all of its weather-related hazards are finally behind us, springtime also brings with it a host of potential dangers for your pet. Keep an eye out for these springtime hazards to keep your pet safe and happy.
Bugs like bees and ticks start to become a concern again in the spring. If your dog is stung by a bee, scrape away the stinger rather than attempting to pinch it with fingers or tweezers. Use ice if the area swells. Applying a veterinary-approved flea and tick preventative is the best way to keep pests at bay.
As the weather heats up in the coming weeks, be mindful of your pet’s hydration, and don’t leave them in the sun for too long. Dogs left outside should always have a shaded area. On particularly hot days, feel the pavement with your hand before taking your dog for a walk. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Never leave your dog in a car unattended unless the air conditioner has been left on. Temperatures can skyrocket in cars within just a few minutes.
There are many common plants and flowers that are poisonous to pets. Azaleas, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, and lilies can potentially be life-threatening to your pet if ingested. Along with poisonous plants, weed killers and insecticides are extremely dangerous for pets. Keep all gardening and landscaping tools and chemicals out of reach of children and animals. Even if your pet does not consume them directly, pesticides and weed killers can be absorbed through paws or ingested while grooming. We recommend you use this pet and human-friendly weed-killer recipe by pet safety expert Denise Fleck:
After a harsh winter, it’s time to get your pets back outside! Don’t have time to take your pooch for a walk? Let us handle it! Our pet care professionals can help your pet get the extra love and exercise they need. Book care now at www.petandhomecare.com or give us a call at (301) PET – CARE.
Hemp Oil is a natural medication that is becoming increasingly popular amongst pet owners for its many health benefits. Derived from the leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, hemp oil can remarkably improve chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments in pets.
Administering Hemp Oil
Most hemp oils are mild in odor and flavor, making them an easy sell to dogs and their pickier feline counterparts. While it can be administered directly into your pet’s mouth, drizzling the oil over their food or on a treat is the easiest method for most pet owners. If your pet is still able to detect the oil, it can be mixed into peanut butter or pumpkin puree to more completely mask the flavor.
Storing and Shelf Life
It’s important to keep Hemp oil stored in a cool, dark place. Light and heat have been shown to degrade the quality of the oil and reduce its potency. Don’t refrigerate the oil, as it may coagulate. Properly stored oil can last between 1-2 years. You can tell if your oil has gone bad if it has a funky odor or rancid taste. High-quality oils with high-quality plants, ingredients, and growing process generally last much longer than low-quality products.
How to Choose A High-Quality Hemp Oil Brand
Make sure the hemp oil is:
If you’re the parent to a fur baby, you know that your pets feel pain just like we do. Senior dogs, overweight dogs, and dogs with medical conditions are especially prone to chronic pain. Here are our best tips for identifying chronic pain and our #1 secret for managing it!
One of the signs your pet may be in pain is heavy breathing. While it’s normal for a dog to breath heavily after exerting themselves, respiratory distress should be monitored. Excessive grooming and sudden aggression can also be signs of stress or pain. Perhaps the most obvious of all, if your pet appears to be limping or has trouble getting around, they may be experiencing chronic pain.
Our #1 secret for managing pet pain is with hemp oil supplementation. Hemp oil contains compounds known as cannabinoids, anti-inflammatory properties that ease pain in the body. Many pet owners have seen improvements in their dog or cat’s well-being with hemp oil supplementation. Hemp oil can also stimulate appetite, aid sleep, and ease anxiety and nausea.
One of the greatest benefits of hemp oil is its potential to minimize the need for pharmaceutical drugs. Veterinary pain relievers can damage a pets’ liver and kidneys, and cause issues with digestion and overall behavior. However, it’s important to consult your vet before forgoing traditional medications. Hemp oil can show great results in dogs of any age, but senior pets, in particular, may benefit greatly from it. Senior pets are more likely to suffer from ailments including arthritis, obesity, and cancer, and joint pain. Large breeds or overweight dogs are especially prone to developing joint pain. Hemp oil and its natural pain and anxiety-relieving properties may be a great choice for your pet! Obese dogs of any age can experience joint pain which should be relieved with weight loss. If you’re in the process of helping your dog lose weight, or they have started to develop joint pain, try hemp oil to put some spring back in their step. Studies have also shown that hemp oil supplementation can mitigate or even eliminate convulsions and seizures in pets.
For information on how you can choose the best hemp oil for your pet, click HERE!
Returning to work soon? Many pets, especially those adopted during the pandemic, aren’t used to being left home alone. Pets can experience separation anxiety when their owners leave for periods of time. Dogs and cats can also feel anxious going to the vet or to other unfamiliar places. While it’s normal for pets to feel anxious, prolonged bouts of anxiety can potentially lead to the development of an anxiety disorder and other behavioral problems. Here are our best tips to understand and ease your pet’s anxiety.
Separation anxiety causes distress in pets when their owner leaves the house. According to the American Kennel Club, separation anxiety is experienced by around 14% of dogs. This number may increase as pet owners start to spend more time outside the home and away from their pups. Fear-related anxiety can be caused by a variety of things such as being in an unfamiliar place (i.e. the vet/groomer/in the car), loud noises, or other animals.
Separation anxiety can manifest in a variety of unhealthy behaviors such as excessive barking, drooling, digging, pacing, destroying things around the house, and defecating or urinating inside the home. Fear-related anxiety can lead to other nervous behaviors and even aggression towards people and animals. Dealing with this anxiety is essential for the safety of your pet and others.
Pets are calmed by having a regular routine. Routines allow your pet to relax because they don’t have to worry about what will happen next. Exercise and socialization are a great part of any routine. If you aren’t able to walk your dog every day, hire a dog walker or treat your dog to regular dog daycare. Making this a part of your dog’s daily regimen is a great way to reduce anxiety and promote healthy behaviors. See the difference in your pet by booking pet care with us!
Talk to your veterinarian to make sure no underlying health conditions could be causing their behavior. Veterinarians can also help to identify your pet’s type of anxiety. Many pet owners try to desensitize their pet to the source of the anxiety in small doses. Rewarding good behavior can go a long way in changing your pet’s mindset. Try enlisting the help of a professional dog trainer to help you choose the right approach.
Hemp oil is a natural medication that is becoming increasingly popular amongst pet owners for its many health benefits. Derived from the stalks, leaves, and flowers of the hemp plant, hemp oil can remarkably improve chronic pain, anxiety, and other ailments in pets. Hemp oil can be an effective treatment for pets with both fear-related and separation anxiety due to its calming and relaxing effect. Supplementing with hemp oil during stressful times can make things go much more smoothly for both you and your pet. Although there are many prescription drugs that can ease anxiety in pets, traditional pharmaceuticals often have harmful side effects and can cause damage to the kidneys and liver. One of the greatest benefits of hemp oil is its potential to minimize or eliminate the need for pharmaceutical drugs. Studies have found that it even works best when used daily.
When deciding which brand to buy from, always make sure the hemp oil is free of pesticides and made in the USA or locally in your home state. Hemp oil should always be THC-free and organic, so as to remain untainted by pesticides or heavy metals. Make sure you buy hemp oil (made from the leaves, stems, and flowers) rather than hemp seed oil. Hemp seed oil does not have the pain and anxiety-relieving benefits of hemp oil. Stay tuned for our big announcement related to hemp oil!
Got your vaccine and itching to travel this spring break? Here are our top tips for a safe trip!
Although many of us may have the desire to start jet setting to faraway destinations, we recommend a staycation in Maryland or a surrounding state. There are many great places to visit in and around the DMV. Take advantage of the beautiful spring weather at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland. For beach lovers, make a trip to the Eastern Shore to feel the sand between your toes! Although it may not be as exciting to stay local, it’s safer and cheaper!
Even if you or your family members have gotten the COVID-19 vaccine, it’s important to still follow guidelines pertaining to the area that you’re visiting. For most areas, this will mean wearing a mask in public and keeping your distance from others. Vaccinated individuals can still infect people if their cough or sneeze contains particles of the virus.
Travel insurance is a great way to protect yourself in the event of last-minute cancellations or other potential financial losses that can occur while traveling. The best time to buy travel insurance is immediately after booking your travel plans to extend the window of coverage. Make sure to choose a plan that works best for you and read all documents carefully.
Booked your getaway? Leave your pet care needs to us! Drop your dog off at our dog resort for their very own vacation, or schedule in-home visits for any of your pets. Visit our website petandhomecare.com/services or give us a call at (301) PET-CARE to learn more about our services including walks, overnight pet care, and house cleaning. And don’t worry if you have to cancel your trip, we only have a 12-hour cancelation window!
It’s Professional Pet Sitters Week! From March 7-13 we’re shining a light on the viability of pet sitting as a career and the importance of using professional pet care services.
This week, we’re celebrating by showing our appreciation for the talented and loyal pet sitters of Pet and Home Care. Check out these videos to learn more about our pawsome managers, resort staff, and sitters. To learn more about why you should always choose a professional pet sitter, click here!
Did you know that Pet and Home Care is lead by three women? It’s no coincidence that International Woman’s Day is during Professional Pet Sitter Week! Meet our fabulous managers!
Our Resort Team is ready to give your pup a safe & friendly place to stay! Whether it is playing fetch in the yard or celebrating holidays & birthdays with your pups – you can count on us. We love to give them the BEST experience. Meet our amazing resort staff!
Our pet sitters are top-notch and strive to exceed your expectations at every visit. Cats and dogs may be our bread and butter, but our sitters have so much experience with animals of all sizes and types. Meet our fantastic sitters!
