Dawn Ellerman - Pet Sitter Extraordinaire

Basic Spring Pet Care in Atlanta

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:33:21 -0900

Spring is here in Atlanta and so is the pollen. Dogs have allergies too. If you notice your dogs tearing a lot, it's most likely the reactions to what's in the air. If it's continual, contact your vet, or better yet, an animal allergist.
Keep you pets well groomed during this season. Pretty simple: the cleaner they are, the cleaner your house is. Your white sofa is not "Spring Pollen" for a good reason. There are slip covers for that.
Out door water bowls; are they yellow too? It's Spring and a great time to let the pups outside for good parts of the day. If you do this, please remember to change their outside water-bowls frequently. Would you want to drink a bowl of yellow allergens?
Our critters attract other critters. Pets love to roll and romp in any and all. This is an excellent way for them to bring home fleas and ticks. It's spring and the suckers are out! Continually check pets for fleas and ticks and possibly spray the yard with preventitive remedies to keep the evil-doers at bay.
Oh ya, Mosquitos. We here in the South often get an early induction to the nasty buggers. Spring rains brings puddles pain. Mosquito beds that is. Please keep an eye for places where water will stand. You know... in that empty flower plot on the deck you've been meaning to fill. Many pets are actually allergic to bug bites. Do your part around the home to keep them comfortable.
Bees! Don't let your pets catch them with their mouths or paws. Let's keep this Spring happy and safe!

Holiday Pet Care in Atlanta

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:04:13 -1000

Holidays in Atlanta are generally wonderful. Our weather is usually nice, not too cold; great for our animals but there are a few things to consider this time of year:

It's still fall. Winter doesn't actually happen here until after the New Year which means your animals might be affected by fall allergens. Keep an eye on watery eyes, red paws, excessive scratching etc. We also bring a lot of the outdoors inside for decoration and could be adding to the problem without realizing.

Oh the bountiful table! Turkey, roast beef, ham, sweets etc. We love the food... so does you pet. Be extra careful of overfeeding during this season. It's not healthy for animals to get too many scraps and they may be getting double doses from you holiday guests. If you must give your pet some table treats, a good idea is too save it for their feeding time in their bowl and request guests to refrain from free-feeding Fido from the table.

The Tree! The Tree! Cats love them... oh, all those shiny ormanemts. Dogs might want to mark them. There are so many what if's here that it is wise to secure the tree Really Well and keep animals away as much as possible.

Okay, what would the holidays be without candle light? Please make sure to extinguish all fire in the home before calling it a night. Cats are often drawn to the candle flames only to burn their wiskers. It's a huge hazard and with our water shortage this year... you definately don't want to be the family on the block to have a house fire.

Speaking of house fires... make sure to have stickers placed on a window or door visible to firefighters if there shoud be a need, telling them how many animals are inside to rescue.

Play it safe this holiday season. It's a great time for you and others to enjoy and be thankful for the pets in our homes.

Summer in Atlanta: Pet Care Precautions

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 14:35:08 -0900

It's here... summer. In Atlanta, that often means unbearable humid weather. For dogs it can be especially bad.

Here are a few things to remember and employ this season to help keep your furry friend more safe and comfortable.

It's always best to walk your dogs every day... just try to keep it to the mornings and later evening when the temps are cooler
If you must take midday walks, keep in mind shady trails. Also, carry a travel friendly water bowl... sometimes referred to as a "gulpy"
Remember hot asphalt happens. Even though dog foot pads are tough, it can still be painful. Grass is better or again; early and late hour walks.
Atlanta thunderstorms! Hopefully we will have plenty this season but keep in mind how afraid dogs can be of these. Check your weather before leaving for work and make arrangements for Fido to deal best with the possibility of a storm
Fourth of July in Atlanta! Oh ya.... Really similar to Storms. Dogs often freak out and disappear around the 4th. Please remember to keep your dogs indoors during this mayhem.
CARS. This of course is a no brainer. If you must take your dog anywhere with you in the car this summer, NEVER leave them in the car unless the air-conditioning is on. A cracked window doesn't do jack and many dogs die this way.
Big dogs Love to get cool with the hose. Remember how much fun it was to run through the sprinkler? Give them a treat.

Keep it Cool and Safe this season!