2 Paws up Pet Sitting| Dog Walking and Dog Training Service

Woman combing British cat on white background Want to bathe your cat, but don’t want to be scratched to ribbons? Check out these tips. #1 Ask yourself if a bath is necessary. Long haired cats need a bit of help but healthy shorthairs tend to keep themselves clean.  If your pet has oil or something nasty on its coat, then bring out the soap, but if you think your pet needs washing just because, then reconsider. #2 Buy pet appropriate products.  Shampoo for bipeds can be harmful to pets, so make sure you have a cat shampoo.    #3 Think cat. Cats are attacked from above, so use the kitchen sink, not a bath.  Also, stay away from eyes and ears if you can. They’re too delicate for you to handle and your pet can deal with those privately. #4 Prepare. Get your towel and soap ready before you get your cat. If you can, use a sink with a tall tap and have it running on luke warm before you start. The shorter the process, the less stress. #5...

Cats need their teeth checked just like we do.  If you happen to be one of the very few people who’s cat is used to having its teeth brushed – congratulations!  Most of us live with the other kind of kitty, the type that turns into a tornado of tooth and claw the second you say, “Open wide, please, my meow.” You can wrap your cat in a towel, turn him on his back in your lap, and gently explore.  However, it’s stressful for you both, and it doesn’t guarantee good results. Here are some simple tips for another approach. First of all, if you’re having trouble seeing inside your pet’s mouth, the simplest way to look is to take a photograph when your cat is yawning. Then load the image on to your computer or phone, and enlarge to see into various parts of the mouth. To get to your kitty at the right time, sneak up with the camera at the ready at nap time. Second, look for tell tale trouble signs like red gums, plaque, dark spots on teeth and ulcers.  If you’re not sure...

Nobody is sure when the first dog biscuits were made, but in 1828 Charles James Apperley, an English gentleman who wrote a column under the name of Nimrod for The Sporting Magazine, extolled the virtues of Mr Smith’s dog biscuits.                                       Undoubtedly Nimrod a shill for Mr Smith but from this and similar letters and posters, it seems that the Georgians were as interested in pet food as we are. Cheap dog biscuits in those days were made from wheat and oat flour, and some manufacturers added premium ingredients such as vegetables, blood and minced meat. Today we still argue over the pros and cons of dog diets from BARF or Biologically Appropriate Raw Food fans to pure kibble lovers. Where you stand is up to you, however, here are some useful pros and ...

There are dogs that have a famous penchant for water, namely the Irish Water Spaniel, Labrador retriever and Nova Scotia Duck Toller, all of whom were originally bred to work as a team with duck and game hunters. However, most dogs adore going swimming, especially on a warm summer day. Swimming is a fantastic activity for pets because it’s healthy fun exercise that’s low impact.  For older pets, or dogs with hip issues, a swim can be a lovely way to firm up muscles and work out. It has a novelty factor too, which your pet will love.  If you have a floating toy, a game of fetch becomes a super special event – especially because your dog will adore showering you with water after!  Dogs like a practical joke as much as we do, right? If you have a canine pool near you, a swim can also be an ideal play date.  Your pet will meet other dogs, and splash about in a shallow pool.  The benefits include clean safe water, and if there’s a problem, it’s a simple m...

Purrs are wonderful, right?  There’s you and your kitty, sitting together, with you cuddling and your pet purring.  It’s classic contentment. But purring is really rather a mysterious and complex behavior. #1 First of all, nobody is sure how the purr works.  One theory is that the hyoid, a horseshoe shaped bone in the back of the throat is involved. People who support this idea classify cats into roaring cats and purring cats, pointing out that big cats like lions, tigers and jaguars roar but don’t purr, whereas domestic cats purr but don’t roar. Now, this looks like a useful idea because the roaring cats have a soft hyoid whereas pet cats all have a hard hyoid. As is typical with cats though, there’s a problem: snow leopards have a soft hyoid but they purr! #2 We all know what the happy purr looks like.  This is when your pet is having a seriously good time, like maybe being stroked or waiting for something particularly yumm...

  When you have a dog you will be very happy with the results, there is no doubt that you need to love the upsides that come from it. How could it be any better than waking up to a smiling face and knowing that they love you always? Here are the proven benefits of having a dog. You will be happier right away! When you spend just a few minutes with a dog per day you will love the fact that you will be able to enjoy yourself as well as feel more relaxed and happy. When you play with your puppy you will be able to know that you are increasing your levels of dopamine and serotonin and that means that you will feel much better. The fastest way to improve that is to play with your pet right away. Petting your dog will lower your risk of heart disease! When you have high blood pressure you will feel much better when you are petting your dog. You will be surprised to know how much a few minutes with your pet can reduce your anxiety and ensure that you are able to feel much bett...

No pet parent wants to know the fear and angst that goes along with having a lost pet, after all, it is our responsibility to keep our fur babies safe and sound. But sometimes, despite our best efforts, events such as a pet wandering away from home, escaping his outdoor enclosure, or even being taken by another person can happen. It used to be that posting “LOST!” signs on utility poles and in veterinarian offices was the best method of notifying neighbors to be on the lookout for a lost pet , but thanks to our current world of technology and social media, there are so many other options available to aid in the search for a lost four-legged friend. If you ever experience the despair of losing a pet, take to social media immediately, but be aware that how you share a post matters a great deal. It is proven that Facebook, Instagram and other social sites have shown great results in tracking lost pets and returning them home safely, but the manner in which you ask for the help ...