Does My Pet Need A Bed??
I look at it this way: Your dog is part of your family - he/she is not just “something” to have around for petting pleasure when you feel like indulging in some furry love. I would not expect ME or my significant other to sleep on the hard floor, even though it may be carpeted. Well, okay - MAYBE sometimes I feel like shoving my significant other on the floor when he won’t stop his snoring - hehe. I would never MAKE my children sleep on the floor unless they had their “good to minus 20 degrees” sleeping bags for their sleepover parties. But to MAKE my pets sleep on the floor??? Nuh-uh!!! Personally, I always preferred that my dog sleep on my bed but then she always demanded more than her share of the mattress. I always ended up with a sliver of mattress, like it or not. She is gone now but that is one of the memories I have of her that always makes me smile. And she would hog the mattress so effortlessly!!
So, anyway, the answer folks is, YES!! Your pet DOES need a bed - just not yours. He/she needs a place to be comfortable and know that it is a special place just for them to spend the night until it’s time to wake up Mom or Dad to go outside to relieve themselves in the morning.
Having their very own bed could possibly help with them constantly climbing up on the furniture too. They know it’s the place for them to go to sleep or relax. If your pet feels better sleeping or relaxing where you are, get another bed for the living room or wherever it is you spend your hours before going to bed at night. That will make him more like he’s part of the family too - being right in the middle of everything going on and not missing a trick and watching it from his very own spot.
There are several types of beds that you can get. One type is a ”cushion bed type”. This one is like a big overstuffed pillow. Mostly, they come stuffed with either a type of foam cushioning or cedar chips. The beds with cedar shavings can get “lumpy” sometimes though and require constant “plumping”, otherwise they can become uncomfortable and your pet may end up not using it at all. The fragrance of cedar can help keep fleas away but you will want to make sure your pet does not find the fragrance objectionable.
Next there is a ”nest or oval bed type” bed, which is cylindrical in shape with 5 to 7 inch walls and allows your pet to curl up. A lot of pets like this type of bed because it makes them feel “secure” and comfortable in their curled up position.
Then there is a ”mat type” of bed. These can either be a fleece type of mat with very shallow sides (good for crate beds) or just a totally flat mat. Some of these mat beds have a system for heating in the winter months or cooling in the summer months. There is an inner core in the beds that you soak in hot or cold water for 30 minutes (depending on the season) and then insert back into the mat itself. These mats definitely make your pet more comfortable if he/she likes to spend a lot of time in the outdoors.
The best one yet, resembles the ”Papasan type” chairs. These are for the the pets that just love being “up” on something. They are round and cushioney and give that feeling of security since they can really only curl up in this type of bed. Very nice!
So I say “spoil away”. There is no other animal on earth that deserves our pampering more than our furry family members. Why shouldn’t they have some of the same comforts we have!! You can find all of these beds and others located in our store at FurandFlora.
Boarding Your Pet - The Big Decision
SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT BOARDING YOUR PET WHILE YOU ARE AWAY
If you need to go out of town or are going on a vacation that does not allow dogs or cats, a reputable boarding kennel can offer you peace of mind in knowing that your pet will receive quality care. However, before you make the decision to board your pet, you will need to find the kennel or professional pet sitter that is the RIGHT kennel or caretaker for Buster or Fifi. Your baby always depends on you for the loving, wonderful care you provide every single day. You need to invest some time into looking for someone (professional pet sitter) or somewhere (a reputable boarding kennel) to take great care of him or her while you are gone. The following are a few issues you might want to consider before leaving your pet for any length of stay at a boarding kennel:
- Is there a FULL TIME veterinarian on call in the event you pet needs medical attention at any hour?
- Is the facility clean, light and airy?
- Are the individual kennels clean (a surprise visit in late afternoon might tell a better story.)
- Does the staff seem friendly and caring?
- Are the individual kennels sized appropriately for the size of the pet? Are they indoor/outdoor kennels where your pet can go outside for exercise in a spacious run? Are the runs protects from the weather elements (rain, snow, direct sun with NO shade? Your pet may want to spend time outside but will need a shaded area in the warmer months.
- Do they offer individual attention and play time just for your pet? It may cost a few extra dollars a day to have the individual attention but it can mean a world of difference to your pet.
- Do they require that ALL pets have the proper vaccinations before boarding?
- Is there an elevated “bed” for your pet to be off the cement floor?
- Are cats and dogs separated?
- If you are boarding a cat, are the individual crates/cages large enough for your pet to move around. Are the litter box and food/water bowls well separated?
- Are you allowed to bring your own food for your pet and give specific instructions on how to feed your pet?
- Can you have your pet bathed and groomed (might be a good idea for the day or day prior to your return)?
- Last but not least, know all of the “incidental” charges such as individual attention, giving daily medication and if you have to pay a full day even if you return in the morning to pick up your pet.
In order to prepare your pet for a stay at the kennel for any length of time (a week or more) try leaving them for a day or two if you go away for a shorter period of time. Or even if you do not go anywhere, arrange for your pet to stay a day or two to see how they adjust before leaving them for an entire week or longer. Make sure your pet sitter or kennel understands any behavioral problems your pet may have or any fears, such as thunder or medical conditions, such as epilepsy. Make sure they understand about any specific food they require or medications that they will need to take while you are away.After all is said and done and you have found the perfect “home away from home”, go and enjoy your vacation! Just make sure you leave your contact information in case anyone needs to get in touch with you! With a little homework, you will be able to ease your mind and know your baby is being well taken care of while you are off taking care of yourself!
Online Canine Con Game-Caution!
An article recently appeared in the AARP Bulletin (April 2007) under their Scam Alert. Today, more and more dog buyers are relying on the Internet to find and purchase their family pets. There are many legitimate breeders who advertise via their own websites. However, buyers must be cautious before parting with their money. Nothing is more disconcerting than paying for something you never received because you’ve been scammed. Somehow, it seems even more hurtful when it’s a warm, fuzzy living creature that you never get to hold in your arms.
Buyer diligence should extend as well to rescue groups and other pets, in addition to dogs. Always make sure a legitimate health certificate, signed by a licensed veterinarian accompanies the pet you are purchasing. Health certificates are generally required by the airlines and to cross state lines, so there should be every reason to expect one to accompany your pet. Puppies should have their initials shots and be wormed. Rabies vaccinations are usually required in dogs over the age of 4 months.
Some things you can do to protect yourself when you purchase online:
- Make sure the seller has a working phone number posted on the site. Check it against online telephone directories.
- Do NOT wire money. Once it’s left your hands it’s gone. There is much greater safety in a credit card where you are covered by fraud protection.
- Request a photo of your purchase with some form of dated proof such as a newspaper headline or just a date written large enough to read in the photo.
Most of these people who defraud the public are experienced thieves. They are difficult to catch and they have the knowledge of how long they can safely leave their sites up and when to fold and run. When they shut down, they immediately set up a new website with a new name, generally using stolen credit cards to pay for the new site. If you have been caught in a scam like this you should contact local law enforcement, your state attorney general, and even the BBB. Unfortunately, the chances of recovering your lost funds are small. The best protection is to be proactive.
If you would like to read the article in the AARP Bulletin, here is the direct link:
http://www.aarp.org/bulletin/consumer/scam_alert_canine_con.html. We value your opinions and if you have comments, your own experiences or additional advice to prevent this fraud, we welcome your post.
We would love to have you visit our website at www.FurAndFlora.com where we carry a great selection of pet and garden supplies.