Pet Sitter Education Month: Tips on Finding the Best Pet Sitter for Your Furry Friend

This September, during Pet Sitter Education Month, we’re focusing on helping you locate the perfect pet sitter for your furry companion. By following the tips below, you can travel with confidence, knowing that your beloved four-legged family member is well cared for.

Pet Sitter Education Month: Tips on Finding the Best Pet Sitter for Your Furry Friend

We all know that feeling. The one that tugs at our heartstrings when we have to leave our beloved pets behind. Whether it’s for a vacation, a business trip, or any other reason, leaving our furry companions can be a tough ordeal. But life happens, and sometimes, we need to find a loving and trustworthy pet sitter to care for them in our absence. This September, during Pet Sitter Education Month, we’re focusing on helping you locate the perfect pet sitter for your furry companion. By following the tips below, you can travel with confidence, knowing that your beloved four-legged family member is well cared for.

7 Tips For Finding The Right Sitter For Your Pets

Tip 1: Ask for Recommendations

Reach out to friends, family, and fellow pet owners for recommendations. Personal referrals can be a great way to find reliable pet sitters who have a track record of excellent care.

Tip 2: Check for Certification and Training

Ensure that your potential pet sitter is certified and has received proper training. This shows their commitment to providing the best care possible for your pet.

Tip 3: Conduct Interviews

Meet potential pet sitters in person or via video call. Ask them about their experience, how they handle emergencies, and get a sense of their personality to ensure a good match for your pet.

Tip 4: Check References

Don’t hesitate to ask for references from previous clients. Hearing about their experiences can give you valuable insights into a pet sitter’s reliability and professionalism.

Tip 5: Discuss Your Pet’s Needs

Clearly communicate your pet’s specific needs, routines, and any special instructions. A good pet sitter will be attentive to these details and follow them diligently.

Tip 6: Perform a Trial Run

Before your trip, consider having the pet sitter do a trial visit or overnight stay to ensure that your pet and the sitter are comfortable with each other.

Tip 7: Trust Your Instincts

Trust your gut feeling when choosing a pet sitter. If something doesn’t feel right or you’re not comfortable with their approach, keep searching until you find the perfect match for your pet.

Caring for Your Pet's Well-being: Your Guide to Peace of Mind

Finding the right pet sitter is crucial for your peace of mind when you have to leave your pet behind. Use these seven tips to help you locate a reliable and caring pet sitter who will treat your furry companion like family.
And when you return from your trip, don’t forget to schedule an appointment for a wellness check for your pet.. At Animal Wellness Center, we provide comprehensive veterinary services to keep your furry friend healthy and happy. From routine check-ups to preventive care, vaccinations, and more, our dedicated team is here to support your pet’s well-being!

Dog Swim Safety: Do These Three Things

Swimming is the perfect summer exercise activity – especially for senior dogs with joint health issues and cold-weather dog breeds. However, swimming isn’t 100% safe; it poses some risks. Before you head to the lake or river with your pup in tow, consider the following top three safety tips for swimming with dogs.

Dog Swim Safety: Do These Three Things

Swimming is the perfect summer exercise activity – especially for senior dogs with joint health issues and cold-weather dog breeds. However, swimming isn’t 100% safe; it poses some risks. Before you head to the lake or river with your pup in tow, consider the following top three safety tips for swimming with dogs.
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Three Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog Swimming

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1. Swim Lessons
Although most people associate dogs with water, not all dogs can or like to swim. There are certain breeds, like retrievers, that have a predisposition to spending time in the water. Other breeds, however, might not be so comfortable. So, be sure to start out slowly with your pet. Test the water in a shallow area where there is no current and stay close. Watch your dog closely to see how they react. Do they dive right in and paddle away? Or do they seem apprehensive to get their paws wet? Take cues from your dog and don’t try to force your dog to swim, if they don’t seem like they want to.
2. Avoid Toxic Algal Blooms
From mid-June to September in Wisconsin (and elsewhere), blue-green algae is a problem and a risk for pets swimming in fresh water. These algal blooms contain cyanobacteria and are highly toxic and are usually fatal for pets who swim in them. Swimming in a harmful algal bloom (HAB) can quickly turn a fun day at the lake with your pet into a tragedy by late afternoon or evening
3. Know Your Dog’s Limits
Just because your dog can swim and enjoys swimming it doesn’t mean they’re ready to swim Niagara Falls or maybe even in a swift creek. If your dog is a puppy or senior, has short legs, is brachycephalic, is a small breed, or simply isn’t the best swimmer, be sure to stay in places where there is no current and the water is shallow enough for them to touch the bottom.
It’s smart to invest in a life vest for your dog – whether they are a strong swimmer or not. This will prevent your dog from getting overly tired or too cold and struggling to stay afloat.
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Talk Dog Swimming Safety With Our Expert Veterinarians in Wisconsin

If you aren’t sure about whether your dog can swim safely or what their limitations in the water might be, we recommend scheduling an appointment with a veterinarian at Animal Wellness Center in Wisconsin.