Happy Caturday!

Every Saturday the internet gets taken over by cats.  Saturday is the most popular day for people to post pictures of their cats to the internet. So why not us?  Bewaggle celebrates Caturday!

Abyssinian Cat By John Morton

Today we are going to start with the Abyssinian. There is a lot of controversy concerning the origin of the Abyssinian. The breed was developed in England. The first Abyssinian to come to England was from Ethiopia formerly known as Abyssinia. However, this breed most likely originated in Egypt.

These cats are energetic, playful, and love to be around people, however, they are not lap cats. They love to know what you are up to. They like to be helpers and are said to be very loyal and very intelligent.

Energetic cats need to get plenty of exercise or they can develop behavioral problems. You can use feather toys, balls, lazer pointers (avoid shining the light in their eyes), or even take your cat for a walk.

I would now like to direct you to catsinsinks.com  - my fellow cat lovers - enjoy :)

Be Wise... Bewaggle!

About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

What to do for Your Pets in Case of a Hurricane

Hurricane season is June 1st - November 30th!

You should stock up on gallons of water, keep your gas tank full, and have an evacuation plan. The best thing to do is to take your pets with you. So you will need to keep your pets' needs in mind. Make sure you have their food, bowls, medications, grooming tools, and some of their toys (help with the stress). You should prepare a pet travel bag (today) that should include travel bowls, a couple toys, a bag of food, grooming tools, and anything else you think you might need. Medications can be stored with your medications or in the travel bag. Keep everything you will need organized so that you don't forget anything important and so that you aren't stumbling around trying to find stuff. If you can't take your pets with you then find someone that can take care of them. If you think you have no choice but to leave them at home contact the ASPCA or a local shelter/rescue group - they might be able help you figure something out and they will give you some good advice.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit courtesy of ready.gov and FEMA

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Summer is Coming - Be Wise... Beware

Summer is coming and all pet owners need to prepare and become aware of the dangers that summertime brings. The summer heat can be fatal to our beloved pets and hurricane season officially starts June 1st. Here are some things to watch out for to keep your pets safe this summer.

Leaving Pets Outside

Your pets should never be left outside unattended especially not when it gets hot out there. If you have to leave your dog outside on his own for an hour or more you need to make sure that he is safe. Make sure your dog is secure in your yard. Please don't use a chain - it will get very hot in the summer sun. Your dog's skin is sensitive too ya know. Your dog must have access to shade or a doghouse or some other form of shelter. You will also need to leave plenty of fresh clean water.

The Same Rules Apply to Your Cats 

To be honest all pet cats should be indoor cats for many reasons  - including their safety. You can let them out if they can be safely contained in your yard or if you have a catwalk or catio. In the summer you need to make sure that they can still get to shade and water or come inside.

A Note About Car Safety

We have a chart here showing what the temperature is outside and what it would then be in your car. Here in Florida the best parking is not the spots closest to the door - it's the ones that have shade. Shade makes a difference but even in the shade it still gets incredibly hot in the car. If you have to leave try to park in the shade and roll the windows down and make it quick.Even when you park in the shade and roll the windows down it is still going to be really hot. It's still hot outside and your car is still baking in that heat. You can leave for a few minutes but half an hour is too long. Rule of thumb: if you think it might take you close to 15 minutes take your dog home first. Life happens and things take longer than we anticipate too often. Too many dogs die in hot cars every year and this is easily prevented. Bottom line you can't leave a living thing alone in your car for a long period of time unless you leave the a/c on.

Keep an eye out for the next post in the next few days. It will be about what to do for your pets in case of a hurricane.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Do You Have a Pet First Aid Kit?

We have first aid kits and supplies for people in our homes and in our cars but our pets tend to get overlooked. Your pet is a valuable member of your family and pets are just as likely to get injured or have an accident as any other member of your family. So be prepared and have the tools that you need for when your pet has an accident. You will be happy you did.

The ASPCA suggests that your first aid kit should include:

• Pet First Aid Book
• Phone numbers: veterinarian, nearest emergency veterinary clinic (and know how to get there!), poison-control center or hotline (such as ASPCA poison control center at 1-800-426-4435)
• Paperwork (in a waterproof container or bag): proof of rabies vaccination status, copies of other important medical records, current photo of your pet in case he gets lost
• Nylon leash
• Self-cling bandage (Stretches and sticks to itself but not to fur—available at pet stores and through pet supply catalogs)
• Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting (as long as pet is not vomiting, choking, coughing, or otherwise having difficulty breathing)

Basic supplies

• Absorbent gauze pads
• Adhesive tape
• Antiseptic wipes, lotion, powder or spray
• Blanket (foil emergency blanket)
• Cotton balls or swabs
• Gauze rolls
• Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting when directed by a veterinarian or poison control)
• Ice pack
• Non-latex disposable gloves
• Petroleum jelly (to lubricate thermometer)
• Rectal thermometer (your pet's temperature should not rise above 103°F or fall below 100°F)
• Scissors (with blunt ends)
• Sterile non-stick gauze pads for bandages
• Sterile saline solution (sold at pharmacies)
• Tweezers
• A pillowcase to confine your cat for treatment
• A pet carrier

Additional useful items

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) if approved by a veterinarian for allergic reactions. Vet must specify correct dosage for your pet’s size.
• Ear-cleaning solution
• Expired credit card or sample credit card (from direct mail credit card offers) to scrape away insect stingers
• Glucose paste or corn syrup (for diabetic dogs or those with low blood sugar)
• Nail clippers
• Over-the-counter antibiotic ointment
• Penlight or flashlight
• Plastic eyedropper or syringe
• Rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) to clean thermometer
• Splints and tongue depressors
• Styptic powder or pencil (sold at veterinary hospitals and pet supply stores and your local pharmacy)
• Temporary identification tag (to put your local contact information on your dog’s collar when you travel)
• Towels
• Needle-nosed pliers

In addition to the items listed above, include any items recommended by your veterinarian specifically for your pet. Check the supplies in your pet first aid kit occasionally. Replace any items that have expired.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Dog Walking Troubles?

Does your dog misbehave on leash? Your dog pulling on the leash is a potentially dangerous situation. Some dogs won't stop pulling and start choking themselves. When your dog pulls he might get away from you. You could fall and get hurt and your dog can get lose and get into a dog fight or get hit by a car.

The best way to teach your dog not to pull is to use a gentle leader (head halter). 

When you buy a gentle leader it comes with an instruction video that shows you how to put it on your dog. The nose piece should be a little loose but the other piece should be snug up by your dogs ears. This type of collar works because dogs have to go in the direction that their head is pointing. If your dog does pull on the gentle leader he won't be able to pull very hard because pulling will be uncomfortable for your dog. You should also reward your dog for walking loose on the leash so that it becomes a habit.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

Product Review

We were recently asked to try out a line of products from Vintage Doggie Spa by our veterinarian  friend, Dr. Cathy Alinovi.  She recommended the products because of their natural ingredients.  We tested the shampoo, refreshing spritz, and conditioning detangler on our two personal dogs. One of our dogs is older so we are always concerned about using new products on her. Our other dog is not quite 2 years old.

Neither of our dogs had any kind of allergic reaction to any of the products.  They left both of their coats clean, shiny, and soft. The dogs also smell nice.  The products come in a variety of fragrances, and we especially like the lavender and the citrus fragrances.  Everything worked nicely on our dogs, however neither of our dogs have long hair, so we can't tell you how well the conditioning detangler works on dogs with long hair. The thing we liked best about these products is that they are made with all natural and organic ingredients.

For more information or to order some to try on your own pets go to www.vintagedoggiespa.com 

Be Wise... Bewaggle!


About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!

How to Handle a Fight

Dogs and cats are territorial creatures so fights are always a possibility. Animal fights are scary especially if your pet is in the middle of one. Here are some things you can do to prevent a fight from happening in the first place and things that you can do if a fight breaks out.

First you should always know the difference between a fight and play. Cats are fighting when the ears are flat back and they are growling, hissing, and showing their teeth like they are about to hiss but no sound comes out. For dogs you need to watch body language, growling, and snapping.

For Cats:

When you have multiple cats in the home they work who is the alpha cat who gets to control what territory. If you are living in a small or crowded place cats are more likely to fight with each other. The solution for this is to build cat shelves, cat trees, window seats, etc in order to provide them with more space. If space doesn't seem to be the issue it could be a fight to determine dominance. If you are always breaking it up the cats don't get an opportunity to figure out who is top cat. If you let it continue one of the cats should cry uncle before either of them get seriously hurt (consider this as a last resort).

If your cats are in a fight don't try to use a broom or reach in and separate them. This can make the cats more aggressive and get you injured. The best way to break up a cat fight is to dump cold water on the cats. If you don't have water handy make lots of noise like yelling and clapping. Loud noises usually stop cat fights.

For Dogs:

When outside be sure to keep your dog on a leash. Dogs are less like to become aggressive on leash. Be sure to know the difference between play sounds and fight sounds that your dog makes. 

When you come across an aggressive dog turn around and walk in the opposite direction. Keep your dog close and stay calm and walk - don't run. Running will only make matters worse - you will get chased. 

If you have a fight don't jump in and try to separate the dogs. This increases the chances for injury to you and the dogs. The dogs could also become more aggressive. If at all possible dump cold water (you can use any kind of drink) on the dogs. The shock should be enough to end the fight. Your other option is to make lots of noise to distract them. You can throw a shake can at the ground near the aggressive dog's feet. You can make a shake can with a clean soda can. Put 10 pennies inside and seal the hole with duct tape.

Be Wise... Bewaggle!

About Bewaggle:

Bewaggle is a pet services company located in DeLand, Florida. We offer pet sitting, dog walking, puppy training, basic obedience training, and more. We are bonded and insured, with background checks and references. Be wise... Bewaggle!