PhilaPets.com Newsletter: November 2006
Happy Thanksgiving!
We hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving and had time to relax and be with family and friends.
The PhilaPets team has lots to be thankful for.
First off, we get to work with you pets each and every day. Our job is to spend time and give love and attention to your furry, feathery, and scaly friends. How cool is that? You trust us to care for your furry family and for that, we are truly grateful. We love it!
We can also be thankful that the weather has been so nice. Hopefully, it will continue and we will have many more of these beautiful days.
Lastly, we (Zeth and Deirdre) are truly thankful for our wonderful and caring staff of Pet Care Specialists. They are a wonderful bunch of people and they make it all possible. Thank you all very much!
PhilaPets News and Information
2007 PhilaPets.com Client Calendar Contest
We've extended the deadline for the 2007 client calendar contest to this Friday, December 1st.
We want your cutest, cuddliest, awwwwww inspiring images for the 2007 PhilaPets.com Client Calendar.
The top twelve pet pictures will receive a free calendar with their pet's picture and five free pet visits.
Entries can be sent to calendar@philapets.com. Please be sure to send high-resolution photos (at least 640 x 480). Landscape format is preferred.
Entries must be received no later then November 25th, 2006. Winners will be announced in the December newsletter (due out around December 15th).
See cover girl, Hazel, and the other eleven winners from 2006.
All entries become property of PhilaPets.com and may be used in future marketing campaigns.
Holiday and New Years Services
Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, and New Years will be here before you know it. You can put off shopping, but please be sure to book your holiday services now.
Our holiday availability is limited so book early!
Looking for the perfect gift?
The PhilaPets.com gift certificate is a great holiday gift! It comes in all denominations and can be personalized with a message from you and sent directly to your special someone. Remember, we can only help the animals that live in our service area.
To have a PhilaPets.com gift certificate sent to your special someone, just send us an email. Please include the denomination, who and where to send it to, and what message you would like to include in the card. We'll take care of the rest!
Auto Pay Available
PhilaPets is proud to announce a new service for our clients, Auto Pay.
You no longer need to remember to leave a check for the pet sitter! We can store your credit card information and automatically charge your card every two weeks. It is safe and secure and hassle free.
To enroll in Auto Pay, please complete the Credit Card Authorization Form.
Pet Health
Why is chocolate bad for your pets?
Ever wonder why chocolate is bad for pets?
Chocolate is made from the fruit (beans) of the cacao tree. Theobromine, a component of chocolate, is the toxic compound in chocolate. (Caffeine is also present in chocolate, but in much smaller amounts than Theobromine.)
Theobromine's effect on the body:
- Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant
- Cardiovascular stimulant
- Increase blood pressure (mild)
- Nausea and vomiting
For more information, see the full article on about.com.
Winter Grooming Tips
In most parts of the country, the winter months are tough on skin and hair - not just for humans, but for pets, as well.
Val Penstone, Director of Grooming for Best Friends Pet Care, answers some common questions and debunks some myths about grooming your pet during the winter.
Is it safe to bathe my dog in winter?
Contrary to popular opinion, your pet actually needs regular shampooing during the winter months to keep his skin and coat healthy. In fact, done properly, a bath can help to reduce dryness, matting and related skin problems. Don't be tempted to use your own hair care products on your pet. Animal's skin has a different pH from human skin, so choose products specially formulated for pets. If your pet's skin seems especially dry or scaly, he may need a medicated treatment.
Should I leave my pet's hair long in winter to keep him warm?
If your pet is a breed that requires regular trimming, it's important to maintain his haircut schedule year round. Allowing his hair to "grow in for the winter" can result in increased matting, which is a major cause of skin problems. If you decide to leave his coat longer for the winter, be prepared to brush him daily to prevent matting.
If you're concerned about your pet being cold when he's outdoors, a sweater or fleece coat is a better option than leaving his coat long.
My dog seems to itch a lot more during the winter. What can I do?
With windows closed and heaters on, low humidity indoors can make your pet's skin dry and itchy. Regular brushing stimulates the natural oils in the skin and helps to counteract dryness and keep your pet more comfortable.
Is your pet's coat matted? Matting is a major cause of skin problems during the winter months. Matting holds dampness against your pet's skin and can cause redness, irritation, and odor. Regular brushing will prevent matting.
Why do my pets nails seem to grow faster in the winter?
When pets have fewer hours of exercise, nails can become overgrown because they are not being worn down with normal activity. Dog's nails will need more frequent clipping during the winter months. The ideal length for a dog's nail is barely touching the ground when the dog is standing still.
Do dogs really need to wear booties in the winter?
Salt used for de-icing roads and sidewalks can cause your dog's pads to become cracked and sore. If your pet won't wear booties, be sure to wash toes and pads with warm water after walks to remove any salt residue. Dry them thoroughly, and apply a protective product like Protect-A-Pad (similar to Chapstick, for paws).
Also, keep the hair on your pet's feet trimmed. Long hair can form uncomfortable mats between and under the toes and can cause snow and ice to become packed in the pads of the feet, causing irritation.
If there is something that you would like to share with the PhilaPets community, tips, events, jokes, or other interesting tidbits, e-mail them to newsletter@philapets.com and we will try to make it a part of our next month's newsletter.