 By Katy Cable-TWR /A 4 min read Ahhhhhh the holidays... Not only the most wonderful time of year but also, when it comes to travel, the busiest. If you’re staying home and love pets, you may be considering making some serious cash by offering your services for dogs staying “HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS!” You’re probably thinking it’s easy money and how hard can it be walking a dog and setting out a bowl of food. Before you agree and add pet sitting to your Google calendar, be advised! Today’s pets are the new royalty and you’re more likely to see dogs in strollers and toddlers on leashes. A pet sitter is often required to be a highly skilled professional accommodating incredible demands. Even a seasoned pet-sitter may be shocked at the efforts involved in caring for a pampered pooch these days. Take my recent experience for example: Nothing could have excited me more than to receive a call to pet sit for a certain celebrity pup while her parents went away on business. The rates they offered were 3xs more than I would’ve considered charging for even the most difficult dog. And honestly, I would’ve considered paying THEM to watch this darling, healthy, FAMOUS, 4 year-old pug, Petunia.* I thought I’d hit the pet-sitting Lotto and was about to embark on the easiest “JOB” I’d ever had! As I sat down with Petunia’s millennial pet parents* to review the schedule, I realized pet sitting today is anything but a simple “walk in the park!” Petunia * is a princess and lives a pug life that’s beyond reach for 90% of most humans much less dogs. This pug’s wardrobe, grooming, nutrition and health-care budget rivals a competitive athlete. Her parent’s would saw off an arm before they’d dream of using a pet-sitting service or boarding facility. After careful vetting and extensive research, they reached out to ME! With over 1 million social media followers, sponsors and major endorsements, Petunia isn’t just a pet, she’s a regular “PUG-lebrity.” Her Instagram alone has nearly 250K users that don’t want to miss her latest outfit, treat or adventure. I had to laugh at the fact I offer pet parents tips that will save them a rent payment in vet bills and I’m lucky to get a follow. -And that’s probably someone only interested in me trying their new health supplements. Petunia’s schedule included everything but leisurely dog day afternoons. Her jam-packed itinerary made my mom-ager duties for my daughter’s professional acting career look laid-back. Here’s a look at my daily “pet-sitting” regimen: Dearest Nanny Katy, Thank you for watching our baby! You know how difficult it is for us to leave her😭 Please text or call if you have any questions or need anything!”🎁❤️❤️😘😘 7:00AM PETUNIA GOES OUT FOR HER AM POTTY Please ONLY use the lawn on the corner, (it’s NOT treated with chemicals.) After she goes bring her home for breakfast. Please use the hypoallergenic paw wipes by the door and clean her since her allergies are awful this time of year. 7:30AM PETUNIA’S BREAKFAST IS IN THE FRIDGE Remove her evening meal from the freezer and let it thaw in the fridge. Petunia is a very sensitive pug and her RAW, homemade diet is delivered each week Her meals consist of free-range turkey with a purée of sweet potatoes, kale, green-lipped mussels and a cocktail of vitamins and minerals. It seemed excessive for anyone not battling a life-threatening disease much less a healthy dog, but just one look at Petunia and you could see the results. A glistening soft coat, sparkling white teeth, a lean muscular body, bright eyes and remarkable disposition. Petunia attacked her breakfast like a fight dog. Her head didn’t rise from the bowl until it had been licked so clean, it looked like it had just come out of the dishwasher. It was like a pig at the trough, snorting and slurping. This was an Instagram moment if ever there was one. When her face finally emerged from the ultra clean bowl, half her meal was buried deep into the folds of her darling wrinkles on her face. I laughed hysterically while giving her an after-breakfast facial. 12 NOON-1:00PM PETUNIA’S WALK IN THE PARK (Leashes/sweaters/coats in the closet) Stop by the La Croissant on the corner where Petunia gets a treat. A walk in the park was anything but. It took me nearly 40 minutes just to select the perfect ensemble. -Oh the choices! “Sweaters, and collars and leashes OH MY!” It was too much! I finally chose a fall-colored, bedazzled argyle sweater with a matching beret and scarf. A lovely understated LV harness with matching leash and Petunia was perfected poised for the park. I, on the other hand, had to up my game since ripped sweats, old Converse kicks and a baseball cap would’ve had someone quickly reporting Petunia stolen by a hobo. First stop was a darling French Bistro on the corner. Petunia is a regular and they always have a treat for her. Today’s seasonal snack was an organic pumpkin biscuit baked with coconut flour. I grabbed a turmeric, chai latte which ended up all over my shirt as petunia darted for another biscuit. As unfortunate as my spill was, it was ridiculous to think I could've managed a latte while also shooting IG’s of Petunia. Everywhere she went people recognized her and wanted to pet and snap a selfie with her. It was so wonderful to see how she brightened everyone’s day. -Including mine. Watching her prance down the street with her head held high and her cute little double-curled tail filled me with joy. 1:00-3:00PM SOCIAL MEDIA UPDATES Please tag the outfits, sponsors, and pics with the list on the desk. I have left some fun hashtags and ideas. I admire your creativity but ask that you please stick to the list since we don’t want to go “off brand”! This put me in a panic! Instagram isn’t a fun hobby but a JOB! My pictures were average at best and the videos were atrocious. Lots of bad footage of my shoes and the sidewalk. Thank God there was a library ready to go and I just had to select a few things I liked. I spent the next 2 hours going through Petunia’s scroll, 💕💕💕pics and responding with kind endearments until my eyes were bleeding. And I still hadn’t made but a small dent in the staggering number of comments. By 3:00pm, It looked like Santa’s workshop on Christmas Eve. The entire living room was filled to the brim with the day’s delivery of products for Petunia. Hopefully she would try them, use them, love them and give them a shout-out on social media. In addition, her fans sent new products and everything from artwork to exquisite one-of-a-kind jewelry. Petunia’s afternoon/evenings were filled with a variety of “Yappy-Hours” events, premieres, grooming appointments and yes, DOGA (-yoga for dogs.) 6:00PM DINNER/FACE-TIME CALL. Please call us after Petunia finishes her dinner. We don’t want her to feel abandoned. ABANDONED????!!!! That was a laugh! Petunia was far FAR too busy. That dog got round-the-clock love and attention every waking (and snoring) second. My husband on the other hand, DID feel completely abandoned! He thought I’d lost my mind jumping through all these hoops and didn’t for the life of him understand how people could go to such lengths for a “DOG” -Until he learned the annual income Petunia brings in. 8:00PM PETUNIA GOES FOR HER EVENING POTTY ON THE CORNER. Again, wipe her paws when she returns home. 8:30-9:00PM BRUSH PETUNIA’S TEETH/GIVE HER A MASSAGE WITH CBD OIL. She loves cuddling in bed and should fall asleep immediately. I was so exhausted adhering to Petunia’s schedule I literally forgot to brush my own teeth. Petunia shares a bed with her mommy and daddy and she wasted no time attaching herself to me like Velcro. I was amazed how cramped a king-sized bed can be when a 17lb Pug is always underfoot. The entire night was filled with interrupted sleep. Petunia’s snoring was so loud, not only did she keep me from getting any sleep, occasionally she’d wake HERSELF UP out of a deep sleep. . By day four I was out of gas and ready to drop from exhaustion. I badly underestimated the stamina it takes looking after a high-profile pug. Thankfully Petunia’s parents were returning home. The second they walked through the door, Petunia sprinted over to them crying and squealing as if she’d been left alone inside a cardboard box all week. She was so excited to be reunited with her family, I didn’t get so much as a goodbye. Don’t get me wrong, I had an unforgettable time watching Petunia and I really miss her, but I was seriously delusional about the demands of pet sitting these days. And while Petunia is far from the norm of a typical pet -sitting gig, I want to warn you, the requirements can be anything BUT a cake-walk job! So, pet sitting may be the perfect way to earn some much-needed cash this holiday season, just be prepared that it may not be the simple walk in the park you’re expecting. -Especially if it’s a pampered, celebrity pet! *names and details have been changed to protect privacy 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable- 3 min read Halloween may be over but don’t go smashing your pumpkins just yet! I bet you didn't realize what a nutritional powerhouse pumpkin is. -And not just for you, but your fur babies as well. I specifically saved this blog for today so if your pets get into something "naughty" and wind up with an upset tummy+ this may be the perfect cure-all! -Read on! These amazing tidbits about Pumpkin are guaranteed to make you feel all lit up and warm inside. 🎃 I learned about the Great Pumpkin many years ago. I vividly remember coming home from a quick trip to the market. The second I walked in the door I found my Pug Raisin on top of my dining room table, devouring the contents of a gift basket like a ravenous grizzly bear. A dozen gourmet marshmallows were long gone, and he was halfway through a tin of Almond Roca, (gold foil wrappers and all.) I raced him to the vet and after a thorough examination he was luckily given the OK to return home. The vet advised me to add a few spoonfuls of pumpkin to his diet. Well, genius that I am, I raced into the nearest market and grabbed pumpkin pie filling! But it still worked like magic! Since that incident, canned pumpkin is now my secret weapon for tummy troubles. I recommend every pet parent stock-up while it's readily available and keep a can or two in their cupboard year-round just to be safe. Your Halloween pumpkins may get an interested sniff from dogs but raw Jack-o-lantern pumpkin is not suitable for human or dog. However, canned and cooked fresh pumpkin, along with pumpkin seeds, is the new "SUPER FOOD" ! It can be a healthy addition to their a regular diet as well as a perfect ingredient to use in treats. Just look at all the health benefits it can also provide for you AND your dog.
Before you race out the door with your pooch to grab a few cans (and a Starbuck's Pumpkin Carmel Spiced Latte) consider this... The typical 13oz can of pumpkin contains around 29 tablespoons, and lasts about a week in the refrigerator. Unless you're catering for a small shelter or pack of canines, this is far too much pumpkin for your average dog or two to consume in a week. In an effort not to have this bounty end up in your garbage can, I suggest freezing extra in ice cube trays. Simply freeze, and pop out the cubes into a freezer bag. Thaw one out when you need it, mix with a spoon to blend any separation of water, and refrigerate the leftover pumpkin cubes to serve at your pet’s next meal. If you don’t want to retrieve pumpkin cubes from the freezer every other day, count out a week’s worth of servings into small freezer containers. Put them into the freezer and take out one container at a time to thaw and serve to your pet throughout the week. 🎃Just a note to those of you who may be considering buying a small jar of baby food. While the jar size may make it tempting, unfortunately pumpkin by itself is not a commercial baby food flavor; it’s usually mixed with sweet potatoes. So it’s not a good idea to feed this form of pumpkin to your pet. While pumpkin is readily available this time of year, good luck finding a can of it when you might need it in, say, April. Out of season you can still find it at many PetSmart stores. I like their brand of Authority, 100% pure canned pumpkin which runs between $2-3 for a 13oz a can or .70 cents for a small 4oz cat sized can. After my recent blog on how crummy most store-bought treats are, (MIS-treating your dog??) I now enjoy making my own creative delicacies using this super-food. These treats are far less expensive than most store bought ones and also healthier. An added benefit is baking the biscuits also makes your house smell wonderful! Now your sweet doggie can also enjoy a bit of the season while you are savoring your own slice of pumpkin pie. 🎃Crunchy Pumpkin Biscuits🎃. Makes 75 small biscuits/50 medium Preheat oven to 350 degrees 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin 1/4 tsp sea salt 2 1/2 cups organic brown rice flour/or coconut flour 1 tsp ground parsley (optional) 2 eggs *unsalted organic creamy peanut butter/coconut oil/dried cranberries for decor if desired Combine eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add salt, parsley, and slowly add in flour. Roll mixture out using additional flour if needed for sticking. When dough is 1/4 - 1/2" thickness, use small or medium cookie cutters to make biscuits. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn biscuits over and bake for another 20 minutes. Drizzle or dip warm biscuits in organic, unsalted creamy peanut butter or coconut oil that has been melted in a microwave for 30 sec. Add dried cranberries for decor. Place on wax paper until cooled and dipping sauce has hardened. 🎃🎃Pumpkin Pops🎃🎃 1 can organic canned pumpkin 1 cup organic, plain Greek yogurt/plain Kefir/coconut water or milk 1/2 cup organic, creamy, unsalted unsweetened peanut butter unsweetened organic coconut flakes/dried cranberries if desired. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into ice cube tray. You can add coconut flakes, dried cranberries, if you wish. Freeze for 12 hours and add to meals or as a cool treat. So whether you're enjoying the cooler fall temperatures or an Indian summer, I've got you and your fur baby covered with some Great Pumpkin options. And, best of all, neither one of you needs to feel guilty about indulging in a few tempting pumpkin delights. Enjoy!🎃🎃🎃 +This blog is not intended to take the place of veterinary advice/care! Always consult your vet if your pet is ill. 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 For more great ideas, tips and events follow me on social media and subscribe to The Weekly Runt by clicking the button below.  By, Katy Cable-TWR A 3 minute read It's time for a change! This Sunday, November 4th, if you live in the US, you’ll get an extra hour to sleep in -or be lazy in bed. Saturday at 2AM is when we (in the US*) FALL BACK! I love the extra time in the morning and think it’s a fair trade to have it dark at 4:50PM. For me it’s much more difficult trying to get my “dog tired” butt in gear to “spring forward!” It got me thinking...”What about our dogs?” “Can your dog tell time?” Many people claim that their pets know, to the minute, when it's mealtime, walk time, or time for their owners to arrive home. Is it true? Can dogs tell time? As research shows, the answer is an overwhelming YES! It seems clear that dogs are aware that time is passing, but many pet owners are amazed by how well pets are able to learn household routines. Dogs are highly adaptable and able to tell time well enough to stick to a schedule. They can also quickly adjust to a new one. Dogs, in particular, have evolved to be very skilled at picking up social clues and reading human behavior. You may not realize that your body language sends subtle cues about your mood and intentions, but your dog certainly does. Maybe you always grab the leash or your commuter mug before you venture out on your afternoon walk. Perhaps you stand up and walk toward the kitchen just a little more purposefully than usual when it's feeding time. If your dog is paying attention, they may be able to convince you that they're anticipating your every move in advance. Most dogs are also quite good at figuring out associations between events, so your dog probably knows that when you pick up his leash, it's time for a walk, and that when they hear a can opener or the pitter-patter of kibble, it's mealtime. And those are the “no-brainer” cues. They also seem to know when you're preparing to travel long before the luggage appears. The stacks of clothes, the way things are being organized and you're general demeanor is a dead giveaway to your dog. Internal Clocks: Like most living things, dogs derive most of their time sense from their circadian rhythms. Earth takes approximately 24 hours to rotate once around its axis and experience a full cycle of night and day, so most life on the planet has evolved to wake, eat, survive, and sleep on that 24-hour schedule. Scientists have observed this in humans, dogs, cats, and interestingly enough, insects, fungi and even some microbes. An animal's circadian rhythm is governed by it’s genes, but these cycles are also very dependent on light and dark. Your dog's circadian rhythm probably plays a big role in when your dog thinks it's time to play, sleep, or eat. This was very clearly demonstrated by my dogs always waking at the exact same time of the morning even though the time had changed. It also explains why as the daylight hours get shorter they will adjust to the new time and sleep a bit later. This internal clock along with aligning to the circadian rhythms is what gives all of us, including our dog's, the sense of time. If your dog is having some trouble with the time change, I advise these 3 easy tips: ⏰ 1. Begin slowly adjusting feeding and walk times by 10-15 minutes the week PRIOR to the time change. They should be adjusted within the week. Since, in this case you didn't get the memo until AFTER the time change, you can still slowly adjust time their schedule in 10-15 minute increments until your dog has transitioned. Then, in the SPRING start a week prior. 2. What I personally do is keep my feedings & walks not at a specific time but within a 1-2 hour time window. I get up and walk Olive between 7 & 8 AM, then feed her when we return home. I have the same 1-2 hour window for walks. This makes it an easy adjustment not just for time change, but also when we travel or have unexpected delays that throw off our schedule. 3. Another easy tip is to tire your dog out with more exercise to help them sleep and adjust to transitions. I have also found Treatibles, (Tap to visit site.**) CBD/Hemp products, can drastically help a pet having difficulty adjusting to the new time or a schedule change. Your dog should adjust easily to the shorter daylight hours and new time change. You, on the other hand might want to hold off on taking your dog for pa run after work (since it’s going to be pitch dark) and enjoy morning yoga or meditation while you adjust to the return of longer sunny days!. Happy FALL! Pugs and 😘 kisses! -Katy🍁🍂🦃 *Arizona & Hawaii are the only 2 US states which don’t participate in Daylight Savings Time and therefore stay on the same time schedule. **www.treatibles.com (For 10% Discount on your order use code: WEEKLY RUNT at checkout 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By KATY CABLE-TWR/ A 3 min. Read TRICK or TREAT??? It's that time of year again. And now, even pet retailers are getting into the act by offering costumes and Halloween dog treats in every shape and size. And it's not just because it's almost Halloween. Take your dog for a walk around my neighborhood on ANY given day and they'll be offered a plethora of Pup-peroni, Milk Bones, and Beggin'Strips before you even reach the corner. Many local shops also have water bowls and treat dishes filled with doggie delectables right at the entrance door. Of course any pet shop is certain to have goodies at all the check-out stations. Basically everyday is a "trick-or-treat" opportunity for canines. We all love rewarding our dogs and giving them goodies. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the joy dogs get devouring treats. Let's face it, isn't my charming personality that's winning over the hearts of most dogs I meet, it's THE TREATS! ☠️ But don’t be tricked! Many treats can be downright dangerous for your pet! My first Pug, Raisin knew exactly where to walk in our neighborhood to get the goods and would drag me on his preferred route. As Raisin aged I began to notice a direct correlation between the treats and the tummy issues. I learned many expensive lessons so hopefully I can save you some similar pitfalls. Here are a few startling facts as well as some nutritious alternates to keep your pet happy, healthy and "well-treated!" When it comes to pet treats use extreme caution!☠️ It's not just your pooches waistline that can suffer. I was given the Halloween scare of a lifetime when I began researching this blog and learning about all the toxic chemicals being used in many popular pet treats. This has resulted in numerous illnesses and fatalities. What’s most alarming is that these products continue to be sold today in many large retail pet stores.* SIZE MATTERS: Treats should be tiny (yes, tiny) morsels of food you use to reward your pet for training and reinforcement of positive behavior. But remember, even tiny amounts of treats can add up over time. Dog's can quickly start packing on pounds or stop eating their more nutritious meals. And much worse is the fact some of the most popular treats contain preservatives, flavor enhancers, colorings and even toxic ingredients.* These can make a pet, especially a sensitive one or a pet with a compromised immune system, deathly ill. For starters, many popular pet treats are not bite-sized morsels, but biscuits as big as SmartCars. Not only are they too large for most dogs, they contain harmful ingredients like those highlighted.. Here's a list of a few "No-No" ingredients found in many popular varieties of treats currently sold in most grocery and large retail pet stores. I personally would stay away from any treat containing these ingredients but most certainly those highlighted:
BUYER BEWARE! Some of the worst, deadliest treats can also be the most deceiving. Such as the case with RAW-HIDE. You can't go into a big-box pet store or even a pet section in a large retailer without seeing numerous raw-hide products. Bones in every shape, size and color are front and center. Like me, most pet parents ASSUME if it's sold at a popular retail chain it must be safe! That couldn't be further from the truth. Rawhide is extremely dangerous and in my opinion should be pulled from the shelves of every pet store. Just watch the short video below by expert pet Blogger, Rodney Habib to see the truth about how this junk is made. Such as the case with those packaged jerky poultry/meat/fish dog treats. What many people don't know, is that seemingly safe bag that reads: “All Natural Made-in-the-USA” was completely misleading. In fact, in an effort to cut-costs, these treats contained toxic additives from China that killed thousands of dogs. Rumor has it the problem was identified and sourcing was changed but with piss-poor regulation and no accountability, I personally stay away from any and every treat that I don’t make myself or that doesn’t come from a trusted source. If you've just realized you're feeding your dog toxic treats or they are not up to par, don't panic or feel guilty. There are lots of healthy options your dog will love! Dr. Karen Becker, the world's most popular integrated vet, makes AMAZING natural, holistic treats and supplements: DR. BECKER BITES www.drbeckerbites.com/ When I attended the SuperZoo pet-product convention, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Becker as well as her lovely mother and niece Blair who run Dr. Becker Bites. I stuffed my convention tote with as many samples as I could get away with without being too conspicuous and my pug Olive literally DANCED every time those goodies came out. TREATIBLES makes amazing hemp-based, organic, natural biscuits that are not only healthy and delicious but contain hemp oil which is a miracle cure for dogs suffering from anxiety, excessive barking, seizures, joint pain and a number of other issues. The woman-owned company has been a leader in holistic medicinal hemp for over 26 years. If your looking for some healthy options you can grab at the pet store, I am thrilled to announce NULO has introduced a wonderful line of healthy treats. They offer bite-sized training bites, soft jerky strips, and individually wrapped protein sticks. All treats are made with the same thoughtful consideration that goes into their food: Low carb, high human-grade animal/fish/poultry protein/no corn, wheat, soy, or molasses and amazing patented probiotics. These are pet feet for sensitive pets. Grab some next time you're in Petsmart or your independent pet retailer. Now when I'm out and about and kind people want to offer my pets a treat, I give them my own to feed them. If you don't have treats, in a pinch, Cheerios are a far better alternative to toxic treats. Small, gluten free, low sugar morsels. Right now they even offer pumpkin flavored ones. That way dogs won’t risk getting sick and everyone is happy. Plus it's often a great an opportunity to meet new friends and tell them about wonderful healthy treats options they can look into. When I'm at home with Olive I use blueberries, apple slices, carrots and broccoli as tiny treats but Olive is a PUG! A dog with a pickier pallet may not go for those options. I recommend if you're cooking and have any meat trimmings or organs, cut them up in small bites and freeze them for healthy treats or toppers. Lastly, for those of you in the mood, here are some treat options you can make yourself. These treats are easy, healthy and will work for even a very sensitive dog. They are also far less expensive than what’s available in stores! So toss out those toxic Milk Bones and give a few of these options a try! 🎃 🎃Crunchy Pumpkin Biscuit🎃. Makes 75 small biscuits/50 medium preheat oven to 350 degrees 1/2 cup organic canned pumpkin 1/4 tsp sea salt 2 1/2 cups organic brown rice flour/coconut flour 1 tsp ground parsley (optional) 2 tablespoons dried milk 2 eggs *unsalted organic creamy peanut butter/coconut oil/dried cranberries for decor if desired Combine eggs and pumpkin until smooth. Add salt, parsley, milk and slowly add in flour. Roll mixture out using additional flour if needed for sticking. When dough is 1/4 - 1/2" thickness, use small or medium cookie cutters to make biscuits. Place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn biscuits over and bake for another 20 minutes. Drizzle or dip warm biscuits in organic, unsalted creamy peanut butter or coconut oil that has been melted in a microwave for 30 sec. Add dried cranberries for decor. Place on wax paper until cooled and dipping sauce has hardened. 🎃🎃Pumpkin Pops🎃🎃 1 can Organic Pumpkin 1 cup organic, plain Greek yogurt/plain Kefir 1/2 cup organic, creamy, unsalted unsweetened peanut butter unsweetened organic coconut flakes/dried cranberries if desired. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour into ice cube tray. You can add coconut flakes, dried cranberries, if you wish. Freeze for 12 hours and add to meals or as a cool treat. ☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️ For more information, watch this short, entertaining video by Planet Paws blogger Rodney Habib: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetPaws.ca/videos/ *(In researching this blog, the pet food manufacturers make the argument that these chemicals are used in very trace amounts and not enough to be worried about. Well after millions of recalls and pet deaths I'm not taking any chances or trusting their word.) 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable-TWR/A 3 min. Read BOO👻! It's Halloween time and nobody could be more excited! What’s more fun than dressing up as whoever or whatever you want while also going door-to-door scoring free candy. I will never outgrow that! I love that all the cobwebs and dust around my house just enhance the scary decor! I was so eager to begin the season I dragged out all our scary decorations before we were even in the month of October. But in all my excitement I completely lost sight of little Olive. My husband Rick, who loves this holiday as much as I do, came out in a scary mask looking like a 200 year-old crusty sea monster, and Olive started frantically barking and darted behind the couch for cover. We felt terrible giving her such a fright. Even when Olive watched Rick slowly put the mask on in front of her she still barked and ran away the minute it covered his face. And it only got worse. My little Pug Olive isn’t alone when it comes to “getting spooked” by Halloween! Think about it, a dog witnesses a barrage of boisterous costumed strangers pounding on the door. Their normally safe environment is now dark or billowing with fog, candles, and flashing lights. Their highly sensitive ears pick up sounds of dogs barking, cats hissing, chains clanking, footsteps, plus deafening screams and moans. If you’re not careful, pets can literally be “scared to death!” Many pet owners, myself included, get so caught up in the fun they can easily forget how frightening things can be for a fluffy and Fido! Halloween is one if the busiest holidays for pet emergencies so here are a few “TRICKS AND TREATS” to keep your pet safe! 1. Keep Your Pet Calm: A frightened pet can react by barking incessantly, losing bladder control, racing out the door or escaping, and often with aggression and biting. Keep your dog happy and calm with natural CBD tests by Treatibles. These natural treats contain none of the harmful THC and will do wonders for calming a frantic pet. 2. Keep your pets safe inside. Not everyone has good intentions and there are always several awful stories about killed, tormented, injured, or stolen pets on Halloween. Don't allow your dog to be the helpless victim of an evil prankster. 3. Keep your pets away from the front door. The constant knocking or ringing of the doorbell and excited chanting "trick-or-treaters" can send dogs into protective mode. Don't risk your doggie bolting out the door and running away or getting hit by a vehicle. Also, you don't want your terrified dog biting a costumed visitor. 4. Be careful with decorations. I've seen wagging dog tails knock over candles and nearly burn down a house. I've witnessed many excited pets jump up on tables, knocking over candles, eating harmful foods and causing total mayhem! Make sure all decorations are secured and not in reach of pets. Check that they cannot get trapped or entangled in large spider web decorations. Also, they may think decor is a chew-toy and eat something hazardous if it's within their reach. 5. It should go without saying not to give your dog candy. Chocolate contains theobromine, which can be lethal if ingested. Lollipop sticks can be a chocking hazard or cause damage to internal organs if swallowed. Ditto for caramel apples and the wooden sticks. Foil wrappers can be as sharp as razors if swallowed. The very worst are the sugar-free treats which contain toxic Xylitol. Dogs love the smell and bright colors of sugary candy and it just takes a few minutes of distractions to realize your dog has consumed an entire bowl of Halloween goodies. Even dog treats can cause major GI problems if too many are consumed. Remember, ONE dog treat, or a few healthy nibbles is PERFECT! 6. Use good judgement and think twice before you take your dog in the car or out with the kids trick-or-treating. All the crowds and excitement might turn your normally chill dog into a terrified, aggressive or protective bully. It may be way too distracting to manage both costumed kids AND a dog that gets freaked! 👻If you do venture out with your pet for Halloween festivities here are a few tips: 1. Give costumes a trial run to let your dog get used to them. Make sure their costume is not too binding or restrictive and that your pet can walk normally. Be very careful of masks. Dogs need to be able to see and breathe with ease. Nothing should go over their nose. Be extremely careful about dogs overheating, especially Pugs, Bulldogs and other flat-nosed (brachy) breeds. Make sure dogs can freely drink water in their costume. Some dogs (like my Olive) simply don't do well with costumes. Perhaps a lighted collar, decorative harness or bandana would be a better option. 2. Make sure your dog is micro-chipped and wearing a collar or harness with your contact number on the tag. If you will be out after dark, add reflective strips to your pet's costume and grab a small light to attach to their collar so they remain visible. 3. BE AWARE! While you are admiring those amazing costumes, your dog could well be devouring chocolate bars someone tossed on the sidewalk. If you are planning on hosting a Halloween bash, consider keeping your dog safe at a boarding facility like PetSmart's PetsHotel. http://pets.petsmart.com/services/petshotel/ With guests coming in and out, even if your dog is secluded in a quiet bedroom, it just takes one person to open a door and BOOM! Your dog escapes. Loud guests in strange costumes can scare and overwhelm even a normally easy-going dog. Some guests aren't familiar with pets and don't know alcohol, sweets and many human-foods can be deadly. A well-intentioned guest wanting to indulge your dog may bring them undue harm. Even if they aren't offered, a cup left on a table or half-eaten plates of food and desserts laying around can be far too tempting and could make your dog very sick. It's very difficult to keep your eyes on pets while hosting a party. Don't take the risk. PetsHotel and other boarding facilities have special packages and fun activities planned. This way you won't end up with a real Halloween horror of a sick or injured dog on your hands. Halloween may be a perfect night to bake some healthy treats, stay in, cuddle up and enjoy watching a Halloween movie with your furry best-friend. If you can't stay in with your dog, give them some yummy CBD calming treats by Treatibles, put them in a quiet room with some soothing music, low lights and douse the room in some lavender oil. I recommend, if possible, take your dog out during the day for a good run, a long brisk walk and plenty of exercise. This should wear them out and burn off excess energy. Make sure they potty before all the festivities begin at dark. If you're looking for some fun Halloween activities you can do WITH your dog, check my home page for events in the So Cal. area. http://weeklyrunt.weebly.com/ So go EAT, DRINK, and be SCARY! 👻 Have a wonderful 🎃Halloween! Pugs and Kisses! Katy & Olive 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-TWR-A 3 Min Read Fleas suck! -Pun intended! Unlike bees that pollinate our planet and keep us alive, or ants who are brilliant little armies of team players, capable of. carrying an entire picnic a GA-ZILLION times their own size and body weight on their tiny backs, what purpose do fleas and ticks serve anyway? Here in Southern California fleas can be year-round invaders. Although the dog days of summer days are over, your pup may still be wearing more than a cute collar and bandana. Right now, no matter where you live, chances are these blood sucking monsters are just waiting to spread like wildfire on your pet. The FDA recently released an alert warning pet owners of the potential dangers of popular brands of flea/tick preventatives containing the drug Isoxazoline.* While effective and safe for most pets, a notable number of otherwise healthy dogs and cats have had adverse neurological reactions including seizures, and muscle tremors. Brands mentioned include: Nexguard and others. Pet owners are urged to discuss flea preventative options with your vet and report any unusual side effects that may arise. Click the link below to review the full report The first few years we had our Pug Raisin I tried, honest to God, EVERY flea prevention product on the market. It started with OTC products whose effectiveness diminished after each passing month. Following that I tried all the RX brands my vet had in her arsenal and again, I had to apply harsh chemicals more and more frequently for them to work. I tried relentlessly cleaning, scrubbing, and vacuuming my home. I tried flea foggers, flea baths and flea combs on Raisin and still, nothing worked. I even called a non-toxic exterminator with a perfect track record and a money-back guarantee to get rid of these invaders. Guess who was the first customer to receive a FULL-REFUND! What started out as a few fleas soon turned into a terrible infestation of fleas, spiders, and eventually termites. I was frustrated and out of ideas. The final straw was when I came face-to-face with cockroaches as big as my size 6 foot. I then brokedown called an exterminator. Three days and several thousand dollars later, I was finally PEST FREE and never had another flea problem. When I rescued my current Pug Olive she was on Revolution, a monthly flea and heart-worm preventative I have used successfully in the past. Although Olive doesn't have fleas, she did get suffer a terrible allergic reaction to a flea bite. I raced a sneezing, coughing, incessantly itching Olive to the vet. Upon examination, the vet discovered red bumps all over her and was convinced it was an allergic reaction to a flea bite. I couldn't see how that was possible as she was on flea prevention. The vet explained that even with protection, fleas can jump on and bite a pet before dying. If a pet is allergic, that's all it takes. After Olive's incident, I am extremely diligent about washing her and keeping fleas away. I have discovered some excellent natural alternatives to products containing harsh chemicals. I currently apply organic coconut oil, to Olive's coat. It acts as both a great moisturizer and flea repellent. I also make sure to bathe her following adventures where she may have been exposed to fleas. I also am SO happy I replaced all my carpets with wood and tile flooring and “knock-on-wood”, haven't had another issue. Believe me, it's much easier to keep fleas away in the first place than it is to get those pests to leave once they've invaded. My advice, use something strong and powerful to kill them then hopefully you can lighten up and use some natural, less toxic remedies to keep them at bay. This does bring up a good point: It certainly doesn't have to be a harsh, toxic chemical for your pet to have a horrific reaction. Just like a human who can't touch a strawberry or a peanut. -Be it an unsalted raw one or a Reese's cup, pets too can have adverse reactions or even die from wholesome, organic products if they happen to be allergic. Before trying ANY product or food, I urge YOU to first research it. Check out the company, the ingredients, where it's produced. Talk to trusted vets and pet parents and always test it out with a very small amount first. So while natural products are usually preferred, even those can have disastrous outcomes if your pet has the rare allergy. Also fleas, ticks and other parasites may be resistant to some natural, less intense repellents and your pet won't be protected. Hopefully you can try a few of these tips and find a perfect, less toxic balance. And, as always, a clean healthy pet with a strong immune system will naturally repel more parasites than a sickly one. That starts and finishes with a nutritious, balanced diet 😃. Every flea season I consult with frustrated pet parents looking for flea repellent shampoos. I always advise against strong, harsh, shampoos loaded with chemicals. Any soap and water will kill and remove fleas. For heavy infestations. Here's a recipe for a gentle, non-toxic, flea repelling shampoo you can make at home. I use this on my shelter/rescue dogs who typically come in poor shape infested with fleas. Again, always sample a small amount first to check for adverse reactions. 🐞ALL-NATURAL FLEA BUSTER SHAMPOO: Slice 1/2 lemon and add to 1 Cup boiling water. Stir for 5 minutes then remove from heat, steep and cool. Remove lemon parts, drain juice into large canning jar or bottle. Add 2/3 Cup Dr Bronner's Purecastle Soap Add 1/2 cup Apple cider vinegar 1 TBS organic coconut oil 15 drops pure organic lavender oil Mix together and WASH your PUP! In addition, here are some recommendations for healthy flea/tick control: 🐾Remember, there is simply no chemical based pest control pill, dip, solution, shampoo, or collar that is without the potential for side effects. Just because a compound is applied to or worn on your pet’s fur doesn’t mean it’s completely safe. Remember: what goes on your pet goes in your pet, by absorption through the skin or ingestion during grooming.
*https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/ResourcesforYou/AnimalHealthLiteracy/ucm620940.htm *https://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm620934.htm 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable-A 4 min. Lifesaving Read “It’s Cancer!” Hearing those dreaded two words can feel like a kick in the gut and would make most of us to go into a fear-induced coma. During October, it’s hard NOT to think about cancer. The month has gone has gone from pumpkins, ghosts and Halloween decor to PINK! In honor of breast cancer awareness, we’re dressing, running, walking, playing sports and purchasing pink with ribbons. And, while all this support and enthusiasm towards the fight is great, the bad news is, this horrific epidemic has also taken our pets hostage at alarming rates. It’s bad enough when the “C-word” strikes a human, but when your dog receives that dreaded diagnosis, there’s a whole new set of challenges? You may be thinking, “Can I afford treatment?” “What will their quality of life be?” “What level of care will be required?” And of course...”How long do they have?” Many people view a dog or cat as a measly pet, but for other “crazy, obsessed, pet parents” like myself, this is a beloved family member who holds the key to your heart in the palm of their precious paw. And while we want to do the best for our four-legged babies, when it comes to cancer the options for support, community and treatments can also be far more limited and difficult to find. Last year, I wrote an eye-opening, exciting (and popular) blog: “Is The Cure For Cancer In Your Dog’s Bowl” It showed how a simple, inexpensive “Ketogenic” diet was reversing deadly aggressive cancers in dogs. A year later, I’m back with more exciting news! Popular dog vlogger, Rodney Habib and Dr. Karen Becker, the world’s most followed integrated veterinarian, have unveiled “THE CANINE CANCER SURVIVOR SERIES” which is a must-see for any pet owner. I had the opportunity to catch up with Habib and Dr Becker at the Super Zoo pet expo in Las Vegas this past June and discuss their amazing new project. Together, they spent the last two years traveling the globe meeting with over 50 leading cancer researchers, oncologists, and veterinarians and their findings are astounding! Their documentary is broken down into 6 different segments filled with innovative insights and practical tools that can be implemented immediately. This series will provide pet parents with answers, inspiration and HOPE if their pet is fighting cancer. This series also provides a wonderful opportunity for ALL pet parents to take healthy, proactive steps in an effort to prevent cancer and other metabolic diseases in their pets. Unlike most medical research, Dr. Becker and Habib present facts, research, tools and information in a fun, simple manner that ANY pet parent can understand and follow. It’s anything but a dry, depressing medical video. As an added bonus, viewers have the opportunity to join the exclusive community where they can chat with other pet parents, as well as Habib and Dr. Becker themselves. Up-to-the-minute advances, stories and issues are addressed in real time and not only is this a wonderful support system, the healing is nothing short of miraculous! If you’re in the throws of this fight with your pup, in addition to purchasing and watching this series, here are a few lifesaving things to do NOW: 1. First of all, YOU must prepare! -Emotionally! This isn’t the time to enter a complete state of hysteria and despair. You must stay strong, positive, hopeful and be your dog’s advocate. It will only make matters worse and add stress to their immune system if you’re falling apart. Get your support team in order. Reach out for help! This is not the time to cower and hide but lean in and FIGHT! Cancer can be beat! Healing can happen even with the most deadly aggressive forms. The resources and tips here could very well save your pets life. 2. Make your environment as clean as possible. Remove toxins, pollutants, smoke, and other chemical hazards. Don’t add more stress to an already compromised immune system. Toss pesticides, toxic fertilizers, cleaning products, shampoos and FOODS and go as natural and organic as possible. There’s an entire episode devoted to cleaning up your pet’s environment and hidden environmental toxins. 3. Start exercising your pet! This isn’t the time to let your “sick” dog flop around in their doggie bed sleeping all day. GET THEM MOVING! The electric voltage in a healthy cell is critical for recovery. You get that by upping your pet’s metabolism through movement and exercise. Even slower, older dogs can benefit from fresh air and exercise. Not only will this strengthen their body and keep muscles from atrophying, it will help fight depression. If your pet is older, badly out of shape or in chronic pain, CDB* (I use Treatibles which is verified for purity and potency ) can dramatically help with pain relief and appetite without any ill side effects. 4. Start feeding your pet a Ketogenic diet. This simple diet has become one of the leading tools in the fight against cancer. (Click on the link above and read my blog then message me if you’d like a free copy of the diet.) Cancer lives on glucose. This diet basically starves cancer cells and heals the body by drastically limiting carbs and putting the body into a state of ketosis. This is also discussed at length in the series. 5. Discuss medical procedures and treatments with your vet. Many cancers can be surgically removed and treated with chemotherapy. These procedures can be lifesaving and often necessary. When combined with the other natural options, the success rate can be even higher and chances of re-occurrence much much less. Ask about using hyperbaric oxygen therapy which naturally increases pure oxygen to all the body’s cells. Cancer tumors can’t thrive in environments with high oxygen levels. Pure oxygen also promotes healing and rejuvenates all cells in the body. Another innovative solution without any harsh side effects is biomodulation therapy. Electro stimulation delivers pulsed electromagnet currents into the body which greatly increases the body’s healing process. It also provides quick pain relief. Pets gravitate to this relaxing sensation and it’s extremely cost effective. I am always saddened to hear of your pet’s health problems and cancer is particularly scary. It is my wish that one day soon cancer is completely eradicated. Until then, I hope this blog has given you some exciting new options to investigate. Please keep me posted! -Pugs and kisses! follow the conversation on Facebook at: DOG CANCER SERIES Ketogenic dog group Order Dog Cancer Series: https://www.dogcancerseries.com/ *I use Treatibles CBD which is verified for potency and purity. Click the link for info. Use: WEEKLY RUNT code for 10% off at check out) https://treatibles.com/ 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By Katy Cable-TWR a 5 minute read Calling all teachers! Pay close attention because I'm going to give you my best kept secret for success in your classrooms this school year: A PET! I had my eyes opened 12 years ago when therapy dogs were just being introduced for reading programs in select elementary schools. My then eight year-old daughter, Karley had been approached about training our pug Raisin for such a program. Three months later they became the youngest therapy dog team in the nation. Each week Karley took Raisin to local elementary schools and worked with struggling "at-risk" students. While she (and Raisin) were beyond excited, I was as scared senseless. These were not the well-mannered children seated Indian-style in a circle calmly petting a dog, but boisterous, out-of-control kids, screaming profanities, throwing tantrums and chairs. These children were more than most behavioral specialists and seasoned teachers could manage, let alone a new therapy dog team as green as Kermit-the frog. What I witnessed over that school year was nothing short of miraculous. Just having a dog in the classroom for these students to sit with, talk to, read to, and pet, completely turned them around. Behavior dramatically improved because they were motivated not to miss their "reading with Raisin" session. By the end of the school year, every child was reading at or above grade level and best of all, confidence and enjoyment in school was off the charts. These children once labeled "problem kids" destined to fall through the cracks, were instead pronounced "success stories". And it was all the result of a free therapy dog program. Just bringing a dog into the classroom brought more positive changes than you can shake a stick at! Just look: 1. Decreased Behavioural Problems: In some of the schools we visited, behavior problems were an extremely serious issue. Typically, 3 out of 10 young students suffered from a behavior disorder bad enough to interfere with learning and development. Students had far fewer disciplinary actions after dogs were introduced. Their behavior greatly improved towards both their teachers and fellow students. Additionally, parents reported that children seemed more interested in school as a result of having the therapy dog visits. 2. Reduction in Truancy Problems Many elementary schools we regularly visited had severe truancy problems. Typically the students with the poorest attendance records were also participating in our program. A handful of students previously missing 40 days of school or more, had nearly perfect attendance once the therapy dog program was introduced. Seeing the dogs was a key motivator to come to school each day. 3. Improved Reading Skills Watching children practice their skills by reading to a dog was fascinating. Normally shy, embarrassed students, came alive choosing stories and doing their best to read to the dogs. The dogs never judged or made fun of them. Quite the opposite! They loved the attention. On top of spending time with a favorite therapy dog, students were also offered incentives. After reading 10 books, students earned a book of their choice “pawtographed” with a stamped paw print of their favorite Therapy dog Karley was so inspired by the children's curiosity about her Pug Raisin, she wrote and published a heartwarming and inspiring story "Raisin, -A Doggie's Tale..." which taught children to be responsible pet owners and was the fictional story of Raisin's own "RUFF" beginnings. This book motivated the kids to meet their literacy goals and is currently available at the link below. 4. Social Development Having dogs in the classroom was especially helpful in teaching students social skills. There was a notable decrease in discipline issues and tension in the classroom with the addition of the dogs. Students learned that their behavior and actions make a difference and are important. Students showed an increase in sensitivity and awareness for the feelings and needs of others—both animals and humans. Interestingly, young boys who, in our culture, often don't get the chance to practice nurturing skills the way girls do, became much more compassionate. 5. Teaching Responsibility Having a dog or pet in the classroom may be a student's first opportunity to care for another living thing. With dogs or even smaller classroom pets, teachers can distribute chores among the class. Involving students in the daily care of classroom animals helps teach responsibility. Simple tasks such as filling the hamster's water bottle or measuring the cup of kibble to feed the rabbit each day, are wonderful learning opportunities. Often a child follows through in their own grooming as they see the importance of brushing their teeth and washing. 6. A Decline or End in Bullying Bullying is a serious problem in so many classrooms, with children anxious about school for fear of taunting and abuse. Dogs can make a huge difference in the fight against bullies. Dogs visiting schools teach kids about compassion and fairness. Kids identify with animals, and show empathy for dogs. It was found that violent behavior in participating students declined by 55%, and general aggression went down 62%. 7. Help With Autism Children with autism typically have trouble with concentration and interactions with others. Having a dog in the classroom helps with both socialization and focus. Autistic children were able to sit calmly and work for longer periods with the presence of a dog. The children were also far less anxious and rigid. When the children did get upset it was less likely to become a tantrum. 8. Allergy Alerts Just as dogs can be used to detect drugs, bombs, and blood sugar levels, they can also be used to detect life threatening allergies such as to peanuts. Although schools often enact policies designed to help students avoid the problematic allergens, mistakes can happen. For students with severe allergies, these dogs can be life-savers and also provide peace-of-mind to parents and schools. Should any of you teachers wish to bring a pet or therapy dog reading program into your classroom you can expect more than just happier students. Shari Young Kuchenbecker, Ph.D., research psychologist at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, points out, “The child who cares for a pet knows that what he does matters, and so he’ll want to do more of it. The more successfully he feeds, walks, or emotionally bonds with the pet, the more confident he’ll feel.” In fact, studies conducted by the Waltham Centre have shown that children with pets have higher levels of self-esteem than those without pets. I hope more teachers go out on a limb and utilize this new and innovative approach to learning. I would love to hear your feedback. To purchase "Raisin, A Doggie's Tale" click here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1453699929/ref=cm_sw_su_dp_nodl) For more information about Therapy Dogs visit: Therapy Dogs International: http://tdi-dog.org/ For More information about the No More Bullies Program Visit: http://www.handinpaw.org/pawsitive-living-and-no-more-bullies.php 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable -TWR A 4 min. Read With deadly So Cal brush fires popping up out of nowhere, this is a perfect time to remind EVERYONE, regardless of where you live to HAVE A DISASTER PLAN. Waiting until the last minute to have an emergency plan and supplies in place is not only foolish but may be deadly. So, in the midst of this crisis, while it's fresh on everyone's minds, I hope each and every one of you will take a few minutes and: Make a Disaster Plan for Your Pets! Here are some important tips to keep pets safe in natural disasters and emergencies: 1. HAVE ALL YOUR PETS MICRO-CHIPPED and make sure they are wearing ID collars when home alone. You'll increase your chances of being reunited with pets who get lost by having them micro-chipped; make sure the micro-chip registration is in your name. I advise having your vet scan it to check its working next time you're in for a visit. But remember, the Good Samaritan who finds your pet likely won't be able to scan for a chip, but they will be able to read a basic tag! Put your cellphone number on your pet's tag. It may also be a good idea to include the phone number of a friend or relative outside your immediate area in the event you have to evacuate. 2. *PREPARE AN EMERGENCY KIT: Include essentials such as:: 🐾2 weeks of clean drinking water & non-perishable food. Store in water-tight containers. 🐾First aid kit (I use this one: https://www.rcpets.com/Pet-Safety-Products/Pet-First-Aid-Kit/Product.aspx 🐾Any medication you pet takes plus first-aid meds: (antacid/sm can pumpkin/Benadryl/baby aspirin) 🐾Crate labeled with photo of pet and ER contact # 🐾comfort toys/in crate 🐾booties or baby socks 🐾T-Shirt/warm coat/sweater/blanket/pillow 🐾reflective harness/leash 🐾Life preserver 🐾Puppy pads/poop bags 3. BEFORE DISASTER STRIKES: Make sure there's a sign on your door for emergency personnel that you own pets and where they typically hide in the house if scared. Entrust a neighbor with a key who can get your pet's in the event of an emergency and you are away. Be sure the person is comfortable with your pets and your pets are familiar with them. Show them where your pets are likely to be (especially if they hide when they're nervous) and where your disaster supplies are kept. I like to keep a backpack in a small travel crate. If you have a pet-sitter, they may be able to help. Discuss the possibility well in advance. Also make a plan with a specific meeting spot to retrieve your pets should there be an emergency. Make arrangements with friends or relatives. Ask people outside your immediate area if they would be able to shelter you and your pets—or just your pets—if necessary. If you have more than one pet, you may need to arrange to house them at separate locations. Prior to a storm hitting, check with hotels and motels outside your immediate area to find out if they accept pets. Ask about any restrictions on number, size and species. Inquire if a "no pet" policy would be waived due to an emergency. Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home. For help identifying pet-friendly lodgings, check out these websites:
Contact your veterinarian's office. Ask for referrals or services in outside areas. Make a list of boarding facilities and veterinary offices that might be able to shelter animals in disaster emergencies (make sure to include their 24-hour telephone numbers). Check with your local animal shelter. Some shelters may be able to provide foster care or shelter for pets in an emergency. But keep in mind that shelters have limited resources and are likely to be stretched during a local emergency. I highly recommend playing it SAFE! If there is a threat- Evacuate early. Don't wait for a mandatory evacuation order. Some people who have waited had to be evacuated by emergency officials and their pets were often left behind. The smell of smoke, rapidly rising water, or the sound of high winds or thunder may make your pet more fearful and difficult to locate or load into a crate or carrier. Evacuating before conditions become severe will keep everyone safer and make the process much less stressful. IF YOU MUST EVACUATE, TAKE YOUR PET: This goes without saying. If it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. You have no way of knowing how long you'll be kept out of the area, and you may not be able—or allowed—to go back and retrieve your pets. Pets left behind in a disaster can easily be injured, lost or killed. If you cannot get your pet, do not leave them chained, tied up or locked in a crate. At least give them the opportunity to escape. 4. IF YOU STAY HOME, PLAY IT SAFE: If your family and pets must wait out a storm or other disaster at home, identify a safe area of where you can all congregate.
More likely than a category 5 hurricane or F5 tornado, are everyday emergencies such as sweltering heat-waves, severe winter storms, and brush fires. There may be times that you can't get home to take care of your pets. A sudden brush fire or icy roads may trap you away from home overnight, or an accident may send you to the hospital. But you can make sure your pets get the care they need by making arrangements NOW :
HEAT WAVES: Just an hour or two in the sweltering heat can be life-threatening. If you stay at home during a summer power outage, check your local emergency center for pet-friendly cooling centers in your area. Keep a cooler filled with ice and water handy if sweltering temperatures are in the forecast. If you cannot leave, during a power/AC outage, set-up a cool zone in a bathroom where pets can sit in a tub filled with a few inches of cool water. If you have a full tank of gas, you can drive around in an air-conditioned car. (Do not for any reason leave a pet in a car unattended with temperatures over 70 degrees.) WINTER STORMS: Don't be fooled by your pets' fur coats; it isn't safe to leave them in an unheated house. Paws need protection from freezing ice and snow so have jackets, booties and blankets on hand should you lose power in your home. REMEMBER plans aren't only essential for the safety of pets. If you're responsible for other animals, make sure you have disaster plans for them as well. That would include feral or outdoor cats, horses and/or other farm animals. I hope if an emergency or disaster strikes, these tips will protect both you and your beloved pets! Let's keep our friends in the midst of these devastating fires in our thoughts and prayers 🙏🏻🙏🏻💕 *RC Pets has wonderful safety/outdoor/ products that I use. I encourage you to check out their website and entire product line: https://www.rcpets.com/ to donate to relief efforts visit: http://www.redcross.org/ https://secure.humanesociety.org/ 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾  By, Katy Cable-TWR A 4 min. Read Last year I attended the LA premiere for the documentary film: PET FOOleD, which exposes the unsettling truth about the pet food industry. I prayed it evoked the same positive change the documentaries BLACKFISH and DOLPHIN COVE had on the orcas and dolphins at Sea World. And not to downplay those worthy causes but this crisis is so much bigger, literally affecting every cat and/or dog owner in the nation who purchases commercial pet food. Currently we are in the throes of a worsening epidemic of obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes and cancer. And guess what, our pets have also been impacted. Current statistics show 1 out of every 2 dogs and 1 out of every 3 cats will succumb to cancer and/or diabetes at far too young an age. Why is this happening? Look no further than our diets. Most pets are being fed a diet consisting entirely of processed foods loaded with sugary, starchy carbs, poor-quality meat by-products, plus a plethora of fillers, additives, and preservatives, -some of which are toxic. And, the sad thing is, most pet-parents and even veterinarians have no idea what is really going on. So here's the shocking, ugly truth PET FOOleD exposes: Currently there are 5 large food corporations that own 99% of the well-known pet food brands. Nearly every pet food option offered at a grocery store or large retail chain (as well as many featured at independent pet stores) is owned by one of these corporate giants. In addition, the prescription foods sold in veterinary offices, and even the larger chains of those very veterinary clinics also fall under these corporate umbrellas. In regards to pet foods, large food corporations have figured out how to make billions of dollars on the WASTE not allowed to be used in their human products. All the leftover fillers, meat and poultry by-products as well as other unusable cheap ingredients are plopped inside enticing cans and bags featuring beautiful images of fresh meat, fruits, veggies, and healthy pets. A few catchy tag-lines such as "Holistic", "Healthy", "All-Natural", and "Fresh" are added and then, VOILA! These pretty bags filled with garbage are sold for top dollar. The industry first came under scrutiny when in 2007, thousands of pets became ill or died when Menu Foods, a large corporation responsible for a variety of pet food brands, made a common cost-cutting move, substituting a pricier protein found in the wheat gluten, with melanin, which was far cheaper. -Come to find out, melanin was toxic. To make matters worse, instead of informing the public of the problem, Menu Foods kept their lips tightly sealed denying any wrongdoing. After another two weeks lapsed and thousands more pets unnecessarily died or fell gravely ill, they had no other choice but to come clean. Over a million of bags of food were recalled in what was the largest pet-food recall in our history, and consumers got scared. The corporations scurried into "damage-control" mode, revamping labels and commercials assuring the public the oversight had been corrected. But was it? Now, 10 years later, one can walk into most large grocery or retail stores carrying pet supplies and find shelves full of popular pet foods that are mislabeled and /or contain lethal ingredients. The slick packaging makes it virtually impossible for the average consumer to detect any difference between a horrible product and a healthy one. -Even price is not a factor. Sadly, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. It's business as usual for the big pet food corporations, and only a few people are on to the game. One might wonder how this can be? Aren't there regulations on what goes into pet food and truth in advertising? Unfortunately, the answer is an astounding, "No!" While the FDA does have rules and regulations on the processing and handling of pet food, further investigation into what is allowed to be used as ingredients , would turn your stomach. The other main organization, the Association of American Feed Control Officials: (AAFCO), is a self-appointed, self regulated industry that acts only to VERIFY ingredient labels. As long as the active ingredient ratios meet the minimal guidelines to be considered a "balanced diet" for that animal, anything goes. There are NO RULES on quality, sourcing or mixing ingredients with harmful chemicals, additives, and fillers. As we learned after the 2007 debacle, should these huge companies find themselves guilty-as-charged with sickening and/or killing millions of our pets, the worst case scenario is some bad PR and possibly a few thousand bucks to the distraught pet owner. Because pets are considered property, the legal and financial ramifications for wrongdoing amount to nothing more than a hand-slap and some loose change in the scheme of things for these huge, multi-billion dollar corporations. Certainly nothing serious enough to warrant a change. Kudos to the brilliant filmmaker Kohl Harrington who, in the style of Michael Moore, has taken a subject matter that could be as dry and boring as dog kibble and made it quite entertaining. In addition, it's extremely emotional to hear the plight of poor victims who've lost beloved pets at the deceptive hands of these greedy, corporations. The film unveils the real ugly truth and clearly demonstrates how the industry works. And his campaign is working! Pet parents are getting wiser and demanding better choices. It’s now entirely possible to find high quality, humanely sourced pet foods on store shelves right next-door to those "popular" brands. In addition, most pet food retailers now offer frozen and refrigerated fresh foods. Petco is adding kitchens to their stores nationwide and will be offering fresh-fare made to order by Just Food For Dogs. These new options have begun to make a dent in the market share of the big giants and they are taking notice. To meet the growing demand of savvy consumers and more holistic veterinarians insisting on "grain-free" higher quality pet foods, the Goliath’s have had to reformulate and offer better options. But are they? It appears to be no more than gimmicky, deceptive marketing. While the war has gotten underway, it is certainly far from over. Each and every day I consult with pet parent's, rescues, shelters, and veterinarians who are concerned, frustrated and/or confused about what to feed pets for optimum health. After reading labels, showing research, sharing testimonials and photos, many of them are still highly skeptical and return to that "better-known" large pet-food brand because it's a name they can trust. As upsetting as it is, I get it. After all, I was the same way until I saw my beloved Pug Raisin succumb to health issues caused in large part by a prescription diet pet food.. I too fell for those heartwarming commercials that come on every night. I even appeared in some. These brands sponsor large animal organizations as well as major dog shows, and high profile events. They underwrite most veterinary degree programs. The prescription varieties of food are sold in nearly every veterinary clinic. Recalls and lawsuits are kept quiet and consumers have either long forgotten the horrific recall or assume it has been corrected. In order to "kill the giants" and not merely "stub their toes" it will take much more. I am asking everyone who cares about this issue to PLEASE TAKE ACTION! Pass this blog on to a friend, your vet, -or both😜! SEE the film PET FOOleD and recommend your vet, groomer, pet retailers, pet-sitters plus anyone and everyone interested in the well-being of pets also watch this film. Visit pet advocate Susan Thixton’s website: TaPF (Truth About Pet Food) which is dedicated solely to the transparency of pet food companies. It’s a wealth of information containing recall information, lawsuits, “Best and Worst Pet Foods” lists, and must-read articles on issues concerning our pets. Most importantly this site is supported 100% by consumers. Instead if throwing more money at the pet food giants, support top-reviewed smaller brands such as Nulo, Stella & Chewy, Honest Kitchen, Only Natural Pet, etc. and when you see your pet thriving due to a switch to higher quality foods, share your experiences with others. Finally, What you put in your pets dish is the single most important thing you can do for their health. -No FOOLIN'! It is a big deal! It's the reason I became a pet blogger and why I am so excited about the opportunity to be a brand ambassador for Nulo pet foods. I hope you will be an informed consumer and see this film. Stop supporting these big companies at your pet's expense. You are 100% responsible for what goes in their bowls. WE are their voice so let's start "barking on their behalf" and get this high priced poison OFF store shelves. Don't be PET FOOleD any longer! 🐾❤👍🏼 PET FOOleD can be seen on VOD, Amazon, YouTube and wherever movies are streamed. http://www.petfooled.com/ 🐾Katy Cable is a former actress appearing in “Back To The Future” and starring in the TV series: “Safe At Home” & “ Fired Up!” In addition to her dog health & lifestyle blog/vlog: The Weekly Runt, (https://www.weeklyrunt.com/) she’s a contributing writer to numerous publications including Thrive Global, & The Huffington Post. Cable lives at the beach with her husband, Rick and her rescue Pug, Olive.🐾 |
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