Animal Planet - Pet Trends blog

Road Trip 101

Time for Spring Break and you're going on a road trip with your pet!  Here are some tips for making sure that you have a fun and safe trip. 

• Pets (like myself) are creatures of habit.  Do whatever you can to avoid disrupting their daily routine.  While driving, you should plan to make pit stops as often as your pet typically goes to the bathroom while at home.

• Bring along the food they are used to eating and if you can toss their favorite bed in the car, bring it too.  When making pit stops, hydrate!  Give your pet plenty of water.

• BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT, make sure that the hotel you are staying at is pet-friendly.  There are great websites you can check when deciding where to stay.  Try officialpethotels.com.

• If you are staying with a friend or family member, NEVER assume they are inviting both you and your pet.  That would be a faux-paw.  Ask before you arrive!

• Find a local veterinary hospital near where you are staying in case of emergency.  Better to be safe than sorry.

• Bring all of their identification (medical records, immunization charts, etc).

• When packing, if the climate is gonna be chilly, pack their trendy jackets, sweatshirts and rain gear we've been gushing over in past blog postings!

• While you are "on the road again", make sure your pet is in a carrier built for car trips.  They can't be wandering all over the car distracting you.  Too dangerous!  The rule is the same for pets — buckle up!

Happy trails to you!

Safety First

We all want to keep our pets safe (and trendy ... hee, hee) and did you know that the Red Cross now offers a Pet First Aid guide with instructional DVD and Pet First Aid Classes?! I wanted to learn more about this so I turned to my good friend, Pam King, who works at the Red Cross for tips and advice. She put me in contact with the veterinarian, Dr. Deborah C. Mandell, who wrote and advised the Red Cross on their new emergency preparedness guides, Dog First Aid and Cat First Aid.

      

I had a bunch of questions for her and here's what she had to say: 

What are the most important things pet owners need to know to keep their pets safe?

• Provide shelter from harsh environments,
• Establish a relationship with a veterinarian and have at least yearly checkups. Make sure they are up to date on vaccines, especially rabies,
• Get them spayed or neutered so they will be less likely to want to get outside and/or roam,
• Keep dogs on leashes when outside – a squirrel or other animal is just too much temptation,
• Give them plenty of exercise,
• Know how to perform CPR and provide basic first aid and care,
• Know what is normal – check gums, breathing, pulse/heart rate, eating/drinking, urinating, weight and look for early warning signs:
  • are you filling the water bowl more?
  • are they not finishing a meal like they used to?

What made you want to write these guides?

Every day, dogs will wag their tail and lick your face countless times – no matter how they are feeling. Dogs (and cats) hide their signs or will only show subtle signs when they are sick until a disease or problem is very advanced. Having owners know what is normal for their pet and having them be able to recognize changes early, can make a huge difference in treatment success.

Being prepared in an emergency will also help pet guardians and their furry friends. Teaming up with the American Red Cross, who has played a pivotal role in first aid for humans, just seemed like the natural thing to do.

What are your favorite pet trends?

• Microchips for identification
• Pet insurance (may not be for everyone)
• Organizations and areas trying to crack down on animal abuse
• People accepting behavioral problems and modification

What are your special safety tips in time for spring?

One of the most important things is to slowly let your dog get acclimated to the nice weather. Heat stroke is most common in the spring. Dogs are not accustomed to the warmer weather and on the first nice day, they run around like crazy which can lead to heat stroke.  Make sure there is plenty of shade and cool water for your cat and dog.  Monitor your dog carefully while outside - they won't stop running until it is too late. Start heartworm, flea and tick prevention.  Be careful with all of the chocolate during Easter, which is bad for all pets.

Tell me what someone will learn at the Red Cross Pet First Aid course?

Through a combination of course materials, skills demonstrations and practice, class participants learn how to:

• Be prepared for emergencies involving pets,
• Protect themselves and their pets from further harm, injury or suffering during emergencies,
• Provide prompt, effective first aid and care until veterinary care is available.

So there ya have it!  I'm glad to be "in the know" now and feel good about being able to help Dixie in an emergency. 

Visit the Red Cross Store to purchase a copy of the Red Cross Pet Safety Series for your family or favorite pet owner.

Locate a Red Cross Chapter near you to see if they offer a Pet First Aid course.

Pet Head

Dixie and I both love to pamper ourselves.  For myself, I prefer Kiehl’s, Ahava, Mario Badescu and I treat my locks to Bed Head.  Now, Dixie can too!

Pet Head, by the makers of Bed Head, debuted at the Global Pet Expo and I was able to get the inside scoop.  I brought a big 'ol bag to the expo so that I could take home all the different products from the line to try out on Dixie.  Not only do all these rock, but I give the head honchos at Pet Head major kudos for taking the time to come up with fabulous names.  When the owner asked me if I’d like some "Dirty Talk," I was a little worried ... until I saw the bottle. 

Some of my favorites are:

Life's An Itch - skin soothing shampoo so doggies won’t scratch
Dirty Talk - deodorizing shampoo to make mutts smell sweet
Spoil Me - conditioning crème rinse to give any dog an extra pampering treatment
Furball - detangling spray for smooth brushing

Not only are the products great for a dog's coat and skin, they come in the same trademark, edgy and funky packaging that you're used to seeing from the Bed Head line.  The only problem is making room in my bathroom for Dixie's stash.

And don’t even get me started on the clothes and beds! They have designed FOUR separate lines with different pet personalities in mind.

Clockwise from Top Left: Grungy Pop, Punk Princess, City Soul, Biker
Photos Courtesy: Pet Head/Skaffles, LLC

Grungy Pop – This line reminds me of falling in love with the bad boy you just know will break your heart.  Smells like dog ... er, teen spirit!

Punk Princess – This line is for the sassy gal with an edge.  She’s sugary sweet, but don't let the pink fool ya, she's all about girl power!

Biker – This babe needs nothing but the motorcycle.  I wouldn’t mess with this dog.  From the leopard print, round bed with the bright red border to the absolutely adorable leather tutu, this line is bitchin'!

City Soul – Take the attitude and personality of a metropolitan city and put it into clothes and beds and ... poof, you have a line that trendy dogs are gonna be proud of. 

Be on the lookout for this new line of beds, clothes and grooming products to hit stores this Spring! 

Now, the only question remaining is ... when are they coming out with a cool line of bedding and clothes for ME?!