Tea Tree Oil: Friend to Humans, Foe to Pets

For years most of us have assumed it safe to use tea tree oil on our pets. Better than safe, in fact, since using an essential oil seems to be a much safer, more natural way to treat problems like hot spots or other skin irritations. Well, you know what they say about assuming…..

It turns out to be quite the opposite. Although many pet products like shampoos or sprays containing tea tree oil are marketed in just this way, tea tree oil is, in fact, quite toxic to our dogs and cats. These products contain teeny-tiny amounts of tea tree oil, which is harmless in a shampoo, but the average pet owner might see the product and get the idea that applying undiluted tea tree oil to their pet's skin is even better. Wrong!!!!

Even though tea tree oil is well known for its antibacterial, antifungal and even antiparasitic effects, the Pet Poison Helpline states that "As little as 7 drops of 100% oil has resulted in severe poisoning, and applications of 10-20 mls of 100% oil have resulted in poisoning and death in both dogs and cats."

From the veterinarywatch.com website, regarding tea tree poisoning:

"Most patients have clinical signs of central nervous system depression. Dogs and cats with tea tree oil toxicosis will appear weak, obtunded, uncoordinated, ataxic, and usually have muscular tremors. Cats may exhibit signs of liver damage. Toxic components are fat soluble and rapidly absorbed via skin and GI tract. There is no antidote. Treatment involves general detoxification, supportive care, bathing with mild detergents, using activated charcoal if ingested."

So there you have it. I love tea tree oil and I will continue to use it every day in my lotion, but CeCe had better keep her paws off!!



Pet Poison Help Line: 800-213-6680

How to Fulfill Feral Kittens: The Search for the Perfect Cat Tree

When I really love a product, I promote it, and I think that the following might be useful to people like me, who spoil their animals beyond reason.

As some of you know, a few months ago (June, 2010) I adopted two feral kittens, and it has been a real challenge to keep them satisfied indoors. No matter how much time I spent with them, playing with dozens of toys, they were still wreaking havoc on my poor condo: climbing all over everything, smashing things, opening the freezer, turning the oven on....you name it. And the little cat tree I bought them from Canadian Tire was a waste of time. Since it is extremely important to me to make them feel happy and fulfilled as indoor cats (and save my bloody home!!), I did some research into cat trees, and boy, did I find the answer - The Fantasy Cat Tree!

I wanted to share this with all of my cat people, because my cats absolutely ADORE this tree, and they spend much of their time climbing, perching, playing, sleeping and eating in it. It's like a feline jungle gym for them: they chase each other around the trunk, and even dangle from the lower perches, hoping to swat an unsuspecting canine or two. And when they don't want to interact with any resident (or visiting) canines, they happily snooze in the upper pods, well out of harm's way. It's soooo important for all cats to have their own space/safe haven, separate from any visitors, be they human, feline or canine. I can't imagine anything else giving them so much exercise and joy indoors, or making them feel so safe and comfortable.

David Harvey of Cloud 9 Cat Trees is the man behind the tree, and he came to my place for a consultation armed with a book of photos, and even some carpet samples so I could choose my own colours. Together, we figured out the best options for my cats (and my condo!), and even added, at my request, a custom feeding perch to the design! Our tree also has two sleeping pods in it, plus four other perches/steps. You can add as many pods as you like, and there's even a hammock option, which is pretty darn cute.

Cloud 9 Cat Trees makes all sorts of cat trees (big and small), and has even made versions for dogs - why not?! I love the fact that David is a real person; one guy who makes cat tree art. Whenever possible, I like to support local and independent small businesses, so I was happy to pay for the quality and individual attention I got from David.

Now, keep in mind that I got the super-deluxe version, but he makes cat trees of all shapes, sizes and price points, so there's something for everyone and every budget.

Links:

Cloud9CatTrees: http://www.cloud9cattrees.com/

More photos of my cats in the tree: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=291714&id=16226840539

A great resource for help with your cats & kittens, feral or domestic: http://www.torontocatrescue.ca/store/index.asp

So You Want to Start a Dog Walking Business??

So you want to start your own dog walking/pet sitting business, eh? Well, it's a great idea and a wonderfully fulfilling career for many people, but IS IT FOR YOU??!! While the following is by no means a comprehensive guide to being a dog walker/pet sitter, I do believe it answers most of the questions commonly asked by newbies, and gives some good advice on how to start things off on the right paw. If you can master everything listed below, you will indeed be a true professional and your business has a good chance of being successful. Today's pet owner is very saavy, and if you don't know what you're doing they will call someone who does. Someone like me. :) After almost a decade of super-amazing dog walking and pet sitting, here is my advice to you:


Almost every week, I get emails and phone calls from enthusiastic dog lovers looking for a life change and wondering how to go about starting up a dog walking business. It's a long discussion to have, and there are so many things to consider before taking on a commitment like starting a pet care business. I've learned that some people think that it's a walk in park (literally and figuratively), and an 'easy' way to make money without working too hard. In reality, running a pet care business is a huge (and often stressful) responsibility, and entails an exhausting amount of physical labour.

Who Should be a Dog Walker?

Not everyone, that's for sure. Loving dogs isn't enough - you have to have a very broad base of knowledge to be an excellent dog walker. There are a thousand things can that go wrong, including medical and behaviourial issues, and even if you've owned dogs all of your life, you're not necessarily prepared for looking after dozens of other people's pets. Owners very rightly expect you to have expertise in a wide range of topics, from canine psychology and breed traits to health and nutrition. They will come to you with questions about housetraining, local veterinarians, dog parks and a million other things! Being a dog walker goes way beyond simply walking the dog once a day; you become an important resource for the owner, and provide support and advice on an ongoing basis over the years. It's this relationship that separates the true professionals from everyone else.

What do I Need to Know?

In short - everything!! In addition to having experience handling dogs of all breeds & temperaments, here are some topics that you should be thoroughly educated on before you think about becoming a professional dog walker:

- Study all dog breeds, know their genetics and traits. Why is a Beagle a flight risk? Which breeds are prone to bloat? Why should a pug wear a harness and not a collar? What the hell is a Chinese Crested?!

- Know all of the 'lingo'. If you don't know a hot spot from an undercoat, you've got a lot of learnin' to do!

- Canine psychology: knowing how a dog thinks and what drives him is your most valuable tool. It's essential when controlling a group of dogs. Read books, blogs, watch the positive-reinforcement training shows on TV, attend seminars, meet trainers, take classes with your own dog, and spend lots of time in the dog park. If you're not observant, no amount of reading will help you. Hone your instincts!!!

- Health & Nutrition: Know the commercial food & treat brands currently available (keep an eye out for recalls); what's good for a dog and what's toxic, and educate yourself on commercial food vs. raw food vs. home cooked. Learn what constitutes a healthy dog and what are signs of underlying problems. Get used to talking about parasites, anal glands and bloody diarrhea! Oh, and form your own opinion on subjects like flea & heartworm prevention and vaccinations - there are 2 very hotly debated sides to those topics, so be informed. Are the vets always right? Helllls no!!

- Equipment: every dog is different, so you must be able to recommend a product that fits the dog and the situation. There are hundreds of products to know: booties, sprays, training (spray) collars, martingales, Haltis, Gentle Leaders, harnesses, leashes, coats, crates, toys, beds, pheromone diffusers, etc, etc.

- All current training methods: the difference between Brad Pattison and Ian Dunbar, puppy training, housebreaking, aggression, separation anxiety. Know how to stop a fight before it even starts.  This is an endless topic, and no pet care professional should ever stop educating themselves.  Again, hone your instincts.

- Local trainers, behaviourists, groomers, holistic vets & regular vets: know who to refer, and who to avoid

- Get advice on how to walk multiple dogs; learn how to match dogs by energy, size, age & temperament. Figure out the logistics of picking dogs up and dropping them off (including how to introduce dogs for the first time), keeping things calm and organized. What's the best way to hold 6 leashes without getting tangled?

- Develop an EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN


How Do I Start my Business?

- Apprentice with an experienced dog walker if you can swing it.
- Pet Sitters Insurance
- City of Toronto dog walker's license
- Register your business name with the city of Toronto
- Pet First Aid certification - VERY important! And don't do a cheesy online course; make sure it's in-class and hands-on
- Professionally designed logo, website & business cards
- Research different areas to determine whether or not they can support another dog walking business
- Look into furthering your dog-related education with training, lectures, seminars, etc. Learn from the pros
- Join Pet Sitters International (good resource for business start-up as well)
- Make contact with pet stores, vets, and other dog walkers in your area once you've started taking clients. Networking is essential to get referrals to build your business. You will also need them when you take vacation.
- Have a list of 'Phone Screening Questions' at the ready when you take new client calls. Know which dogs & cats to take on, and which to decline.
- Have a 'New Meeting Checklist' to help you through your meetings. You need to know what questions to ask and what information/advice to offer.
- Develop your own (as in, don't steal someone else's) Information Sheet, Pricing, Policies & Procedures for your business.
- Start advertising and networking - and head to the dog parks!


Who Should be a Cat Sitter?

First of all let me point out that most people start out with the dog walking business idea, then take their cue from other established businesses and add on the cat sitting service as a way to make additional income. Which is fine, as long as they are equally as dedicated to (and knowledgeable about) cats. Cat owners are every bit as invested in their pets as dog owners, and they expect a high level of service and expertise. Just as some dogs are 'easier' than others to care for, some cats are higher maintenance than others and may have special needs. With cats, health problems can be harder to detect, so you need to know which behaviours are normal and which may constitute a red flag; that way you'll know immediately if something's wrong and be able take action before it's too late.

If you are a cat owner, love cats, and have done your research, you will probably make a good cat sitter. Here are some topics that you should be thoroughly educated on before you think about becoming a cat sitter:

- Common cat breeds, behaviour & terminology

- How to administer medication

- Cat food and equipment/supplies currently available on the market

- Hairballs

- Feline diabetes

- Fleas, ear mites, ringworm & other parasites

- Plants, etc. that are toxic to cats

- urinary tract infections (UTI)

- the importance of preventing and treating feline constipation

- Viral and Other Infections like feline infectious enteritis, rabies, cat flu, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), and the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). Some of these are highly contagious and can be spread by YOU!



Ok, I think I've covered the most important topics, but I should add that above all else, you MUST be reliable, honest, organized, quick-thinking, patient, have loads of common sense, and an amaaaazing sense of humour.

Good luck, and stay off my turf!!!!! :)

Yvette

Cats: Should we let them roam our Concrete Jungles?

It's been long debated whether or not cats should be kept as exclusively indoor pets.  I know that some people feel that it's cruel to keep cats, notoriously nocturnal hunters, locked inside all day and all night instead of roaming free as nature intended.

On the other hand, some will point out that a cat can only function as it would in nature if it exists in its natural environment.  That is, in the wild, without traffic and the other hazards of civilization.

As a cat owner, can we really be confident that our pet is street savvy enough to avoid the many pitfalls of our city?  Is it worth taking the chance?  Vehicle traffic is the biggest danger, but let's not discount poisoning, dog attacks, cat fights, cat napping (it happens, especially for laboratory testing), infectious diseases, parasites, extreme weather and many other dangers.

Also, if a cat is de-clawed (another debate entirely) and/or intact, there are even more potential problems.

Although I don't have all the answers, I will say this: as a pet sitter, I walk the neighbourhoods of downtown Toronto all day long, and every single day I see countless posters taped to poles by distraught cat owners in the hopes of recovering their lost pet.  And every day I see cats run in front of cars, often avoiding the tires by a whisker.

I also see dead cats.

Many dogs are just as street smart as cats, and every bit as naturally wild, so why don't we let them roam free?

Knowing that we can exercise and stimulate our cats indoors (or outdoors, with a leash and harness as many do), while keeping them safe....why would we do otherwise?

Fat Cats, Dumpy Dogs, & the Crap they're Fed

People will never stop overfeeding their cats and dogs, just like they will never stop overfeeding their human kids.  And the garbage masquerading as food that many pet owners are suckered into buying is half the problem.  I blame the pet food companies' slick marketing campaigns and extremely comfortable business partnerships with veterinarians for that.

What actually goes into most pet food and the animals that suffer in the development and production of many of these brands will be the topic of a future post, but for now, I want to briefly  raise awareness of two things:  1. the consequences of allowing your pet to become overweight and/or live on a diet of low-quality food; and 2. the fact that veterinarians probably know less about animal nutrition then you do.

While I am by no means an animal nutritionist, I do educate myself as much as possible, and I question everything and everyone.  And if I can change the habits of even just a handful of pet owners, I'll be pleased.

First off, I want to be clear on something.  If you allow your pet to become overweight, you will compromise his quality of life and reduce his life span.  Sorry, but it's true.  So all those extra treats you give him to make him happy and show your love?  You're doing him a serious disservice.  Think about it:  robbing your pet of months or years of life when he's only around for a few years to begin with?  Very sad.  Show your love by walking your dog or playing with your cat.

Secondly, while I have no intention of recommending any brand over another, PLEASE READ THE LABLE before you buy a bag of kibble or a can of wet food.  If the ingredient list has things like corn or soy at the top of the ingredient list, it's crap.  Look for chicken, beef, duck, etc. as the first ingredient.  And if the term 'by-product' or 'meat' is used anywhere, DO NOT BUY IT.

As a general rule, if you bought it at the grocery store or the corner variety store, IT'S CRAP.

Don't be fooled by multi-million dollar ad campaigns and fancy packaging; just read the label.

Here is a link to PETA's companion animal food guide; it has a list of companies that do not test on animals, and in most cases use better quality ingredients than the by-product-filled grocery brands.  http://caringconsumer.com/resources_foodguide.asp

The important thing to know is that if you allow your pet to become overweight, there's a good chance that in addition to reducing his life span, you are also putting him at risk of developing hip/joint problems and a host of other health issues.

Veterinarians love to push the Hills Science Diet brand of 'vet recommended' pet food.  That food is, in my opinion, C. R. A. P.  I will not going into more detail here, but I will say this:  read the label and decide for yourself.

There is HUGE money involved here, just like when human medical doctors push certain brands of drugs.  We're talking big business here (think $16 billion big), and everyone wins, except you and your pet.  The truth is, if you do a little bit of research into the pet food industry and pet nutrition, you will undoubtedly know more than your vet.  They spend about a day on pet nutrition while in vet school, and guess who gives that lecture?  Anyone?  Anyone?  Yup - the pet food industry.  See how that works?

If you really want an eye-opening look at the underbelly of the pet food industry, check out this CBC documentary, called 'A Dog's Breakfast':  http://www.cbc.ca/doczone/dogsbreakfast.html 

To really understand what the pet food industry is, and how to read labels. PLEASE read this:

http://www.api4animals.org/facts.php?more=1&p=359

Welcome to my blog!

As a pet care professional and animal lover, I have a lot to say about a lot of things.  People are constantly asking me my opinion on pet issues, so I decided to put it out there for everyone to read.

Many dog and cat owners don't know the first thing about animal psychology, pet nutrition, health & safety, etc., and since I spend a lot of time educating myself in this area, I thought it would be mighty nice of me to share what I've learned.  Also, sometimes my job is really hilarious so I might write about that, too.

In short, I'm going to write a bunch of Stuff about Cats and Dogs.