This is a quote from  one of our new clients about using  our pet sitting service for the first time.

 Here is her testimonial:  

“Our consultation with the sitter was SUCH a pleasant & comforting surprise, because I had never used a pet-sitting service before, & every friend & family member who knew my pets were ALSO going away to the same place I was going! I admit that I was nervous UNTIL our consultation when my pets gravitated to Amanda!!

Peg M, June 2013

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Chandler, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post TLC Pet Sitter Consult appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

 TLC offers regular litter box cleaning as part of our service. But it is more than just changing the litter. Our sitters are trained to monitor the scoops they make each visit. Among the things we look for are color (signs of blood in the urine or stool), odor (anything unusual), size of the urine clump (urinary tract concerns) and parasites in the stool.

 Not all the clues reside inside the litter box. If there are not the expected number of urine clumps our sitters can alert you to this change of behavior. Peeing outside the box can be an expression of misdirected aggression (see previous post) by your cat. Somehow her environment is not to her liking and you can take steps to correct the situation.

 An abnormal litterbox does not automatically portend trouble but regular monitoring is a sure way help prevent trouble from brewing and keeping your cat happy.

The post Importance of Cat Litter Scooping appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

Dog walking

“If your dog is fat, you aren’t getting enough exercise.”

 The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention tells us that out of America’s 77.5 million dogs 35 million can be called overweight and 6.7 million are downright obese. Those extra pounds can take away an average of two years from our dogs’ lives and contribute to joint problems, respiratory diseases and a host of other ailments that can affect a dog’s quality of life.

 And it is not just your dog’s physical health that is adversely affected by a lack of exercise. Regular exercise and companionship are critical to your pet’s mental and physical well-being. A stimulating break in a lonely day can curb destructive behavior and alleviate separation anxiety in your pet. Exercise helps promote a daily bathroom routine and break the lifestyle cycle that can lead to obesity. A dog accustomed to regular exercise is generally a better candidate for training. Activity reduces stress and a calmer dog is less aggressive and easier on your house.

 Of course, like us dogs that have spent their lives as couch potatoes are not ready to leap into a vigorous exercise routine. At TLC our sitters/walkers are attuned to the exercise requirements and capabilities of different breeds at different times in their lives. We will not give a dog more to do on a walk than what she is capable of. 

 With most us working full-time, or even more, pets don’t always fit into a busy schedule. Do you realize that with just a 20-minute walk with a TLC sitter every day your dog will walk far enough in his lifetime to cross the United States? But dogs aren’t the only pets that benefit from exercise. Your TLC sitter will play with your cat or let your hamster out for a run on the wheel during a scheduled visit.  All dog walking is kept to minimum in summer.  TLC sitter’s can still exercise your pets with out having to walk your dogs outside. 

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Chandler, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Importance of Exercise for Your Pets. appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

No one likes to leave a beloved family member behind when they leave the house. For decades the only choice pet owners had to care for their animals during a vacation was a boarding kennel or cattery. Now there are also professional pet sitters to provide care and companionship. What’s the difference?

Routine. We all get a bit cranky when our daily routine gets thrown out of whack. Animals are no different. A pet sitter will provide feeding, exercise and bathroom breaks on the schedule you have set up for your pet. At a kennel these needs are met on their schedule.

Reduce Stress. Keeping a regular schedule and same diet is especially important for any pet especially a puppy or kitten.

Same Environment. Staying in the familiar home environment will also reduce any stress on your pet during your absence. And who doesn’t prefer sleeping in his or her own bed – or couch, as your dog prefers? 

Personal Attention. Even the best-staffed boarding kennels cannot deliver the same one-on-one attention as a pet sitter provides your dog or cat. A pet sitter will also be equipped to better handle special needs. At TLC House & Pet Sitting we can also stay with your pet through the night. 

Multiple Pets. According to statistics from the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association half of all pet owners keep both cats and dogs in the house. Throw in fish and birds and reptiles and you have a menagerie that no boarding facility can handle.

Diseases. The close living quarters of a kennel promotes the spread of contagious diseases. You may not want to expose your pet, especially vulnerable young animals, to these conditions. Or you may not want to give your dog the vaccinations that some facilities require. 

Communication. There is no substitute for Peace of Mind when you are away from your pet. At TLC lines are always open to your pet sitter with voicemail, texting and daily notes.

Other Services. During a home visit a pet sitter can gather mail, water plants and generally keep your house looking “lived-in” while you are away.

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Top Reasons Why A Pet Sitter is Better Than A Boarding Kennel appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

During the summer months in the valley, temperatures can be lethal for humans as well as our pets.  While outside with your dog, please be mindful of the signs of heat exhaustion, which could lead to a potentially fatal heat stroke.

Heat Exhaustion Signs in Dogs

1.       Heavy panting – The first sign of heat exhaustion is heavy panting.  Since dogs are incapable of sweating, their only way to cool their internal temperature is through panting.

2.       Pay close attention to certain breeds – Certain breeds with heavy coats (such as Shelties or Chow Chows) and other breeds with short snouts making it harder for them to breath (such as Boxers and Pugs) are much more susceptible to heat exhaustion and should be watched closely while in hot temperatures.

3.       Weakness – Dogs may experience weakness in extreme heat.

4.       Disorientation – You may notice that your dog is unaware of his/her surroundings while experiencing heat exhaustion.

5.       Vomiting – This may also occur during heat exhaustion.

Heat Stroke Signs in Dogs

1.       Heavy panting – This is also the first sign of heat stroke.

2.       Disorientation – Another characteristic of heat stroke.

3.       Diarrhea – This often occurs in the event of a heat stroke.

4.       Seizures and/or coma – Another very serious symptom of heat stroke.

Treatment

It is very important to spot the signs of heat exhaustion early before a heat stroke occurs, as heat strokes are often times fatal. Pet owners who observe serious signs of heat stroke or heat exhaustion should seek help from a veterinarian immediately.  In the mean time, there are some things that can be done to cool down a dog displaying signs of heat exhaustion:

1.       Provide plenty of water

2.       Keep the pet in a cool resting place

3.       Place a cool, wet towel around the dog’s neck

4.       Ice packs may be placed on the dog’s arm pit area or neck area

Prevention

Some very simple steps can be taken to avoid the serious effects of heat stroke and heat exhaustion in pets.

1.       Avoid taking your dog out during the middle of the day in the hot summer months.

2.       Walk dogs only during the morning and evening hours when the temperature is cooler.

3.       Provide plenty of fresh water at all times.

4.       Never leave your pet outside, tied up, unattended, or in a vehicle during the summer months.

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Prevent Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke for your Pets appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

The beautiful spring weather may inspire you to enjoy the outdoors with your pets while working on the yard or garden.  However, your pets may be in danger from hazardous contact with weed killers, insecticides, and poisonous plants.

Experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) offer some tips on what to look out for while gardening:

Insecticides – Always store insecticides in a safe area, out of your pets’ reach.  APCC warns specifically, “The most dangerous forms of pesticides include snail bait with metaldehyde, fly bait with methomyl, systemic insecticides with the ingredients disyston or disulfoton, mole or gopher bait with zinc phosphide and most forms of rat poisons.”

Fertilizer – If ingested in large amounts, your pet could get very sick.  Keep fertilizer out of your pets’ reach.

Toxic Plants – Some of the most common toxic plants include: sago palm, rhododendron, and azalea.  For a full list of toxic yet common plants, please visit the ASPCA website.

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Pet Friendly Gardening Tips appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

Your plans are set. In a just a few weeks time you’ll be off on a 10-day vacation to see the family. Or perhaps you have splurged on a luxurious cruise. You spent a bundle and the last thing you feel like doing is shelling out more to hire a professional pet sitter. Surely getting the neighborhood teenager to check in once in a while will do the trick.

 Wrong! Leaving your pet and your home in the hands of someone you who is less than reliable could not only be dangerous for your pet, it can leave your house vulnerable to all sorts of accidents. Below you’ll find seven reasons why a professional pet sitter is the way to go:  

1.  Alternative Pet Care. A professional pet sitter does more than feed your animal. He or she will make sure it gets the exercise it needs on a daily basis. They also are skilled to give your pet any medication should the need arise. It’s important that they stay on their own diet.  This is for the health and safety of your pet.  
2. Tailored Services to Your Needs. Each pet and each home is unique. With TLC House and Pet Sitting Service you receive individualized care geared towards you and your pet’s needs.  TLC pet sitters will tailor our services to you and your pet’s personal needs. We can combine any services for your needs  and our pet sitters follow your specific home and pet care instructions.
3. Convenience. You never have to deal with transporting your pet. With the combination of home care and pet sitting services in one, you take care of two big chores at the same time. Two things less to worry about.
4. Safety. You want to be sure your loved one will be kept safe. If, by chance, your pet should fall ill or have an accident, a pet sitter doesn’t hesitate to take your animal to the clinic or ER. We have your information already set up with your vet when you fill out our  vet release form.
5. Quality, Personal Care. Just like people, pets get lonely. A good pet sitter comes in and actually pays attention to your animal. That’s what they are paid for! You’ll come home to a happier animal as a result. Your animal almost feels like you never left!
6. You Work Long Hours. Some pets just don’t do well left alone for long periods at a time. If you have a demanding job that requires you to work well into the evening, then getting a professional pet sitter will ensure your pet gets the exercise and attention it needs.
7. Keeping Your Pet Healthy. They say in their own home and are not over exposed to unnecessary vacantions.  This eliminates exposure to illnesses from other animals
8. Familiar environment.  Sleeping in a strange place, in a new bed or cage can be stressful for an animal. Hiring a pet sitter ensures your pet’s routine remains nearly the same. It gets to stay in the home it knows and loves.
9. You Want to Keep Your Friends. Even the best of friends get tired of looking after your animal each time you leave town. And the more you ask, the more irritating it becomes. After awhile they won’t be putting much effort into the task. Best to leave the job to the professionals.
10. Peace of Mind. You want to enjoy your vacation, not worry about the safety of your pet or if your house has been broken into. A pet sitter will collect your mail, change the lights, and make the place look lived in. At TLC House and Pet Sitting Service our staff follows your specific house and pet care instructions, to the T. You come back to a home that appears to be lived while you were away.

 So taking the time to find a trustworthy pet sitter will do more than keep your pet and home safe, it will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy your time away. If you work long hours or just take an occasional vacation, then getting a professional pet sitter ensures you return home to a healthy and happy pet.

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post 10 Reasons You Should Hire a Professional Pet Sitter appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

Pet Care Certification Credential

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the nation’s leading nonprofit professional pet sitting organization, is pleased to announce Kara Jenkins of TLC House & Pet Sitting Service in Chandler, AZ, has earned the NAPPS Certification credential. 

The NAPPS Certification Program provides pet sitters with a broad-ranged and in-depth program in pet sitting. The state-of-the-art curriculum, which requires the time commitment of a semester college course, includes topics in pet care, health, nutrition and behavior, as well as, business development and management, and a complete pet first aid course.

 TLC is a professional pet sitting service that cares for all types of pets in your home while you are away.  We offer Daily, Mid-day walks, and overnight visits and promise to “treat” your pets as if you never left. We provide service in Paradise Valley, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, Gilbert and west Mesa.  TLC is recommended by veterinarians and groomers and we are Licensed, bonded and insured.  TLC has over 20 years of experience and our mission is to provide qualified, experienced, trusted and personalized care to our clients offering them peace-of-mind while they are away from home.   We are the best “Alternative to Boarding.” 

 “I’m very proud to be among the select group of professional pet sitters who have earned the NAPPS Certification credential,” said Kara Jenkins, owner.

 “NAPPS Certification acknowledges that the pet sitter is a serious professional who has obtained a very high level of expertise through personal study,” said Cathe Delaney, CAE, executive director of NAPPS. “We congratulate Kara Jenkins for achieving this distinction.”

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) is a national nonprofit trade association dedicated to promoting the concept of in-home pet care, supporting the professionals engaged in at-home pet care, promoting the welfare of animals and improving and expanding the industry of pet sitting. NAPPS provides valuable credibility, networking and education to help foster the success of their members. For more information about the NAPPS Online Certification Program, please visit www.petsitters.org.

For more information on TLC House & Pet Sitting Service, please contact: Kara Jenkins at 480-588-1364, Info@tlpcetsitter.com, www.tlcpetsitter.com.

The post TLC receives NAPPS Certification Credential appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

Parasites may be the most common way for infected cats to transmit disease to humans.

One of my clients in Scottsdale, Arizona who is a cat-lover, asked me if there are any diseases that could be transferred from cats to humans?  In my experience, I had never seen this happen, but I thought I should do a little research on the topic and share it.  Turns out that it is possible for diseases to be carried from cats to humans (also known as zoonotic diseases), although it is rare.   People with lower immune systems, such as: the elderly, infants, women who are pregnant, individuals going through chemotherapy or with AIDS are the most susceptible.  The only way to contract a disease from an infected cat is to come in direct contact with bodily fluids, excrement, or fleas / ticks/ parasites.

Here are some tips for keeping you and your cat safe:

• Maintain good hygiene in your home such as washing hands regularly
• Take your cat to the vet for a yearly check-up, vaccinations, and/or whenever he is sick
• Continue to use safe flea and tick control
• Avoid letting your cat lick your face or any dishware / utensils that you use
• Regularly dispose of waste from the litter box
• Clean litter boxes with hot water and detergent weekly
• Cover your children’s sand boxes whenever they are not in use
• Keep your cat indoors only
• See a doctor if a cat bite appears to be infected

Maintaining proper hygiene in the home is the best way to prevent the transfer of diseases from cats to humans, and to ensure a happier, healthier home for your cat.

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Scottsdale Pet Owner Asks, “Can I Catch a Disease From My Cat?” appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.

I have the pleasure of caring for a beautiful black lab in Scottsdale, AZ, whose owner is very particular about her diet.   Each week she prepared for her dog, a large supply of fresh oven roasted turkey, rice, and veggies.  This Scottsdale dog owner knows that her pet’s nutrition leads to a longer, healthier life.  However, many of us don’t have the time or budget to prepare home-made meals for our pets, although we really do care about their nutrition.  I’d like to offer some sound advice about healthier pet food alternatives, to promote longevity.

Holistic vet, Dr. Jane Bicks knows that dogs are capable of living 25 to 30 years, but the average life span is 13 to 14 years, mostly due to poor diet.  She offers sound advice about the do’s and don’ts of dog food.

Beware of Conventional Dog Foods (Canned and Dry) Containing:

• large amounts of sodium
• by-products
• chemical preservatives
• artificial colors
• high carbohydrate ratio leading to obesity
• mite infestations in pellets leading to disease

Consider These Safer Practices and Food Choices

• find alternative pet foods (canned or dry) which offer low sodium, no by-products or chemical preservatives, low carbohydrates, and high protein
• read the pet food labels, and find pet foods with real meat as the first ingredient
• to avoid mites, keep the area where you feed your dog clean and dry, store your pet food in a dry, cool place, and don’t keep food sitting in the bowl on warm, humid days

My client in Scottsdale would say, “Your pets will feel happier, healthier, and live longer if you feed them nutritional food,” and she would be right!

In-Home Pet Care, Dog Walking

Scottsdale, Arizona

480-588-1364

The post Scottsdale Dog Lives Longer by Eating Healthier appeared first on TLC Pet Sitter Chandler Gilbert Tempe Mesa Scottsdale Paradise Valley.