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Updates
If you are a frequent visitor to our website and are wondering about the
latest info or updates, this is where you'll find it.
If you are a frequent visitor to our website and are wondering about the
latest info or updates, this is where you'll find it.
4/1/10
April Newsletter Articles
Cutting Your Pet's Nails
Keeping your pet's nails short and their paws clean is very important. I recommend starting a
weekly, bi-weekly or monthly ritual of cutting your pet's and cleaning their paws. Nail
trimming should be a positive process, so keep treats nearby and reward your pet. There is no
set rule that you have to cut all the pet's nails in one sitting.
Below are some links demonstrating nail clipping
Dog Nail Trims
Cat Nail Trims
If your dog suffers from allergies, many vets will recommend foot baths. Below is a link
featuring Dr. Karen Becker.
Foot Baths
If you are not comfortable cutting your pet's nails, please take them to a groomer or vet. If you
need a recommendation for a Groomer or a Vet, please send us an email. We would be happy
to share the contact information of our favorite Pet Professionals.
3/22/10
Check out our step by step videos on how to use the new Power Pet Sitter scheduling software.
3/1/10 March Newsletter Articles
Behavior Problems with Cats
Home Sweet Home attended a Cat Behavior seminar led by Veterinarian Dr. Ciribassi of
Chicagoland Veterinary Consultants on February 27th. We attended this seminar because we
see and hear from our clients the frustrations they have with cat and certain behaviors they do.
Here are some topics Dr. Ciribassi covered. I will also list contact info for him and his practice.
How many litter boxes should I have?
1 box per cat plus 1 additional. You should also spread them out throughout your home. When
you put all your cat boxes in one room, the cat see that room as one giant litter box.
Is there any particular kind of box, brand of litter or liner I should use?
You should use whatever litter material your cat likes. Not all cats like the same kind and doing
trials of different litters can show you which one they prefer. As for liner, you should not use
them. Most cats do like them. Cats have also shown that they don't prefer the covered litter
boxes. Those covers are more for our benefit than theirs.
How can I tell if my cat is having toileting problems or is just marking?
You should first rule out a medical problem. Your vet should be performing the following tests
to completely rule out a medical problems
that cats get bacterial infections. Blood means inflammation not bacterial. If your vet makes a
diagnosis of a bacterial infection without doing any test, press him for more or find another vet.
Facts on Marking:
Marking typically occurs on vertical surfaces and along the perimeters of the room.
How can I stop my cat from urine marking?
Contact info:
Dr. Ciribassi (630) 231-1544
www.chicagovetbehavior.com
The American Veterinary Society of Animals Behavior
http://www.avsabonline.org
2/1/10 Feb. Newsletter Articles
Pet Insurance
As most of you know, I am a new puppy owner. Finley is a Chocolate lab and she melts my
heart! As I was preparing for Finley to join our family I did tons of research on pet insurance. I
did eventually purchase insurance for her but since I haven't had much interaction with our
new insurance company I really don't have a strong opinion one way or the other yet. Here is
an article written by Joel Walsh.
Should you consider buying a dog health insurance policy?
Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses
have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately,
veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups,
preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of
dollars. Why not get some help?
Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts
Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts
With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance
companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog health care plans. In short, if you
care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you
should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.
How to brush your pet's teeth
Dental disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in our canine
companions. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable diseases. Fortunately, we can
reduce or even prevent dental disease by giving appropriate chew treats, toys and frequent
tooth brushing.
You will need a soft-bristled tooth brush and veterinary toothpaste.
Start by offering your dog a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the
toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the
tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle
slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from back to front, making small
circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do
not try to brush the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the
upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease -
prevention. If your pet eventually allows you to brush most of his teeth, so much the better.
Even with the best tooth brushing, some dogs may still need an occasional professional
cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet's teeth daily and curtailing the amount of
periodontal disease, you may reduce the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and
provide your pet with a healthier, sweeter smile.
12/06/09
Operation Santa was a huge success. Over 25 pet families signed up to have their photo's taken
with Santa. Go A huge THANK YOU to Fontenaz Photography and Go Dog Go.
8/10/09
Home Sweet Home pet sitting recently joined the Oswego Chamber of Commerce. We are
thrilled to learn more about other businesses in the Oswego community and become an active
member with the Chamber.
2/21/09
We have a star as a client!
Kai, a 2 year old Border Collie, attended puppy, beginning and advanced obedience classes.
He also began visiting at nursing homes when he was about 10 weeks old. He earned his CGC
and passed the evaluation for Therapy Dog International before he was 18 months old. In
December 2008, he became a Therapy Dog Inc (TDInc) registered therapy dog. Kai has now
been accepted to the Animal Assisted Therapy Dog program at Edward Hospital in Naperville.
Edward's AAT program is the largest hospital-based therapy dog program in the country.
There are 100 volunteer therapy dog teams working in the program that began in 2002 and Kai
is the first Border Collie to be accepted. Kai's Sheltie "brother", Sam, was a member of the
Edward AAT program from 2002 to 2008.
BRAVO KAI!!!! and congrats to his owner Debra for her perseverance in all she achieved.
01/01/09
2009 is going to be a great year for Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting. We recently joined the
Yorkville Chamber of Commerce and also the LEADS Group II. Check back for more
information regarding our new referral program
12/05/08
PRESENTS FOR PETS
Thank you for all your support. The Fox Valley Animal Welfare League received so many
donated items. The received toys, food, towels, leash, collar and much more. It took 2 full car
loads to get all your donations delivered!
03/04/08
Pet Sitters International has put Home Sweet Home the March 4, 2008 Member Spotlight. Check
out the article.
09/17/08
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Thanks to all your donations, Home Sweet Home pet sitting was able to give $422 to the Fox
Valley Animal Welfare League. Your donations awarded us second place and we were
awarded some treats, which we happily donated back to the FVAWL. We could not have done
this without you. Each person who donated will be receiving a letter from the FVAWL in the
mail which will serve as proof of your tax donation.
02/04/08
Jessica recently completes two Independent Study Program classes offered through FEMA's
Emergency Management Institute.
April Newsletter Articles
Cutting Your Pet's Nails
Keeping your pet's nails short and their paws clean is very important. I recommend starting a
weekly, bi-weekly or monthly ritual of cutting your pet's and cleaning their paws. Nail
trimming should be a positive process, so keep treats nearby and reward your pet. There is no
set rule that you have to cut all the pet's nails in one sitting.
Below are some links demonstrating nail clipping
Dog Nail Trims
Cat Nail Trims
If your dog suffers from allergies, many vets will recommend foot baths. Below is a link
featuring Dr. Karen Becker.
Foot Baths
If you are not comfortable cutting your pet's nails, please take them to a groomer or vet. If you
need a recommendation for a Groomer or a Vet, please send us an email. We would be happy
to share the contact information of our favorite Pet Professionals.
3/22/10
Check out our step by step videos on how to use the new Power Pet Sitter scheduling software.
3/1/10 March Newsletter Articles
Behavior Problems with Cats
Home Sweet Home attended a Cat Behavior seminar led by Veterinarian Dr. Ciribassi of
Chicagoland Veterinary Consultants on February 27th. We attended this seminar because we
see and hear from our clients the frustrations they have with cat and certain behaviors they do.
Here are some topics Dr. Ciribassi covered. I will also list contact info for him and his practice.
How many litter boxes should I have?
1 box per cat plus 1 additional. You should also spread them out throughout your home. When
you put all your cat boxes in one room, the cat see that room as one giant litter box.
Is there any particular kind of box, brand of litter or liner I should use?
You should use whatever litter material your cat likes. Not all cats like the same kind and doing
trials of different litters can show you which one they prefer. As for liner, you should not use
them. Most cats do like them. Cats have also shown that they don't prefer the covered litter
boxes. Those covers are more for our benefit than theirs.
How can I tell if my cat is having toileting problems or is just marking?
You should first rule out a medical problem. Your vet should be performing the following tests
to completely rule out a medical problems
- Urinalysis
- Urine Culture
- CBC
- Chem Profile
- Total T4
that cats get bacterial infections. Blood means inflammation not bacterial. If your vet makes a
diagnosis of a bacterial infection without doing any test, press him for more or find another vet.
Facts on Marking:
Marking typically occurs on vertical surfaces and along the perimeters of the room.
- Urine is found on personal items
- Stool is rarely used to mark in domestic cats
- Marking occurs after the cat reaches maturity.
- The chance of a cat in your house increases as the number of cats increase.
- Spraying is always marking
How can I stop my cat from urine marking?
- Once you figure out which cat is marking there are many thing you can do to stop the
behavior. - This seems simple, but maintain good cleaning practices. Scoop each box daily. Wash
completely every week in hot water only every week if using non-clumping litter. Wash
monthly in hot water only every month is using clumping letter. - You should put 3-4 inches of litter in each box.
- Place a litter box in the area the cat is marking in.
- Do litter trials to find which litter he prefers. Set up a new, clean box with a new litter, if
not used in 2 days try a different kind, etc. You can also do this for different types of
litter boxes. - Try different litter materials. If your cat is eliminating on carpet or other soft surface, try
using rags in a litter box. - Marking is only one way cats scent mark. (cat mark by scratching, face rubbing, and
eliminating). If you cat is marking with urine, try giving other scent marking options like
scratching posts and scratching toys and cat combs. - Properly clean the urine marker area with K.O.E. or Anti-Icky-Poo. these 2 brands are
proven to eliminate the smell. Natures Miracle does not work and neither does steam
cleaning. - Confine the cat with his preferred litter & box to one small area. Once he shows he
consistently will use the box, gradually increase his area. - Try placing Feliway to area's the cat has marked. Sometimes this generic Pheromone can
deter the cat.
Contact info:
Dr. Ciribassi (630) 231-1544
www.chicagovetbehavior.com
The American Veterinary Society of Animals Behavior
http://www.avsabonline.org
2/1/10 Feb. Newsletter Articles
Pet Insurance
As most of you know, I am a new puppy owner. Finley is a Chocolate lab and she melts my
heart! As I was preparing for Finley to join our family I did tons of research on pet insurance. I
did eventually purchase insurance for her but since I haven't had much interaction with our
new insurance company I really don't have a strong opinion one way or the other yet. Here is
an article written by Joel Walsh.
Should you consider buying a dog health insurance policy?
Dog health insurance saves you money. As with just about all other costs, veterinary expenses
have increased rapidly in recent years. Without dog medical insurance (or more accurately,
veterinary insurance), you are responsible for paying for everything: routine checkups,
preventive procedures, emergency care and disease treatments. That will run into hundreds of
dollars. Why not get some help?
Dog Health Insurance: Quick Cost Facts
- Health insurance for your dog, like health insurance for yourself, has annual premiums
and deductibles. - Pet insurance premiums depend on the breed of your dog and the type of policy you
decide upon. If you have more than one dog, there is usually a reduced rate after the
first policy. Dog health insurance deductibles can vary as well. The average annual
deductible is about $100. - You may choose among different coverage plans which are based on your dog's age,
breed, and per-existing medical conditions. Some policies even consider the dog's
lifestyle; for instance, whether your dog is purely a pet or a watchdog, too.
Health Insurance for Dogs: Quick Coverage Facts
- Dog insurance health care plans can vary greatly. Some canine health plans are quite
comprehensive, covering annual checkups, routine care, vaccinations and other
preventive medications, and spaying/neutering, as well as illnesses and accidents. Others
only cover unexpected sickness or injuries. - Dog insurance can have waiting periods for illness and other claims.
- Your dog's age can affect your dog's health insurance coverage. Typically, policies begin
veterinary health care coverage when the dog is 6-8 weeks old, although some will start
when the dog is younger. Similarly, some dog health insurance companies only will cover
dogs under 8 years old unless the animal was already insured with them before turning 8. - Many dog health insurers will not cover your pet if she has a preexisting condition or a
terminal illness. Some will insure the dog only if the condition is controlled or stable,
usually for 6 months.
With all these options, it is important you check out the various dog health insurance
companies, their pet insurance policies and corresponding dog health care plans. In short, if you
care about your dog, you should care about his health. If you care about your wallet, you
should care about your dog's health insurance coverage, too.
How to brush your pet's teeth
Dental disease (especially periodontal disease) is the most common disease in our canine
companions. It is also one of the most preventable and treatable diseases. Fortunately, we can
reduce or even prevent dental disease by giving appropriate chew treats, toys and frequent
tooth brushing.
You will need a soft-bristled tooth brush and veterinary toothpaste.
Start by offering your dog a taste of the veterinary toothpaste. The next time, let him taste the
toothpaste, then run your finger along the gums of the upper teeth. Repeat the process with the
tooth brush. Get the bristles of the brush along the gum line of the upper back teeth and angle
slightly up, so the bristles get under the gum line. Work from back to front, making small
circles along the gum lines. It should take you less than 30 seconds to brush your pet's teeth. Do
not try to brush the entire mouth at first. If all that your pet lets you brush is the outside of the
upper teeth, you are still addressing the most important area of periodontal disease -
prevention. If your pet eventually allows you to brush most of his teeth, so much the better.
Even with the best tooth brushing, some dogs may still need an occasional professional
cleaning, just like humans. By brushing your pet's teeth daily and curtailing the amount of
periodontal disease, you may reduce the frequency and involvement of dental cleanings and
provide your pet with a healthier, sweeter smile.
12/06/09
Operation Santa was a huge success. Over 25 pet families signed up to have their photo's taken
with Santa. Go A huge THANK YOU to Fontenaz Photography and Go Dog Go.
8/10/09
Home Sweet Home pet sitting recently joined the Oswego Chamber of Commerce. We are
thrilled to learn more about other businesses in the Oswego community and become an active
member with the Chamber.
2/21/09
We have a star as a client!
Kai, a 2 year old Border Collie, attended puppy, beginning and advanced obedience classes.
He also began visiting at nursing homes when he was about 10 weeks old. He earned his CGC
and passed the evaluation for Therapy Dog International before he was 18 months old. In
December 2008, he became a Therapy Dog Inc (TDInc) registered therapy dog. Kai has now
been accepted to the Animal Assisted Therapy Dog program at Edward Hospital in Naperville.
Edward's AAT program is the largest hospital-based therapy dog program in the country.
There are 100 volunteer therapy dog teams working in the program that began in 2002 and Kai
is the first Border Collie to be accepted. Kai's Sheltie "brother", Sam, was a member of the
Edward AAT program from 2002 to 2008.
BRAVO KAI!!!! and congrats to his owner Debra for her perseverance in all she achieved.
01/01/09
2009 is going to be a great year for Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting. We recently joined the
Yorkville Chamber of Commerce and also the LEADS Group II. Check back for more
information regarding our new referral program
12/05/08
PRESENTS FOR PETS
Thank you for all your support. The Fox Valley Animal Welfare League received so many
donated items. The received toys, food, towels, leash, collar and much more. It took 2 full car
loads to get all your donations delivered!
03/04/08
Pet Sitters International has put Home Sweet Home the March 4, 2008 Member Spotlight. Check
out the article.
09/17/08
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Thanks to all your donations, Home Sweet Home pet sitting was able to give $422 to the Fox
Valley Animal Welfare League. Your donations awarded us second place and we were
awarded some treats, which we happily donated back to the FVAWL. We could not have done
this without you. Each person who donated will be receiving a letter from the FVAWL in the
mail which will serve as proof of your tax donation.
02/04/08
Jessica recently completes two Independent Study Program classes offered through FEMA's
Emergency Management Institute.
- Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness
- Animals in Disaster, Module B: Community Planning
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© 2007 Home Sweet Home pet sitting
