Couch-Friendly Canines: The Right Way to Let Fido on the Furniture

Guest Post

No matter how you feel about the goings-on in Washington, D.C., you must admit the White House is a pretty cool pad for a pooch.

There's a dog-friendly apartment on the second floor, and 43 dogs have called the White House home since FDR and his beloved Fala lived there, according to the Presidential Pet Museum.

4 Fun Water Adventures To Experience With Your Pup

Guest Post

You and your dog are kindred spirits — two peas in a pod who share the same zeal for outdoor adventures.

From evening walks to weekend hikes, being outdoors with your pal is the favorite time of day.

If your wanderlust has kicked in, and you're yearning for a getaway, bring the pup and plan an adventurous trip to any of these fun and aquatic destinations.

From Wags to Riches: Tails of Dogs on Broadway

Guest Post

From the scruffy mutt in "Annie" to the spoiled chihuahua in "Legally Blonde," a new pack of four-legged talent is taking the stage.

Canine counterparts to the stars are finding a new life under the spotlight. Hoping for little more than unconditional love, these famed canines were not always the well-groomed actors they are today. Homeless, abused and shelter bound, Broadway's underdogs came from humble beginnings.

Without so much as a dance lesson, these talented pups successfully stole the show (and our hearts) and paved the way for aspiring canine thespians.

5 Ways to Help Pets on Your Drive Home From Work

Lending a hand for pets in need is always a nice thing to do, but it doesn’t have to be a huge production. Sometimes, it’s the littlest gesture that makes the biggest impact. Here are a few pet-loving tasks so simple, you can do them for your local shelter or rescue on your drive home from work.

1. Take a Dog for a Walk or Offer Some Playtime

This is an easy, fun, and incredibly helpful way to lend a hand. By volunteering to stop by the shelter and take a dog for a quick walk or play chase-the-mouse with a cat before heading home, you make the lives of those running the shelter (who are likely spread a bit thin) a little easier, and you give a pet some well-deserved attention. You might even make a new friend in the process.

2. Bring Office Supplies

Helping pets can start with helping the people working for them. A simple way to help out your local shelter is to drop off a few office supplies every so often. Pens, pencils, Post-Its, legal pads, paper clips -- anything your office has in surplus they’d be willing to donate, or anything you have lying around your home. People tend to forget the clerical side of running a shelter, but as anyone who has ever worked in one can attest, there is no shortage of paperwork.

3. Bring Over Dinner

As quick as a trip to the local pizzeria, throwing your shelter an impromptu pizza party is a great way to let them know how much you appreciate them. Two pies and a couple of two-liters are the universal sign for “thanks.” Homemade goodies like a batch of cookies will score big, too. Just be careful about bringing homemade treats for the pets -- shelter rules might not allow the workers to share anything unlabeled by a manufacturer with the pets. But you can always bring some extra store-bought treats.

4. Give Some Cleaning Supplies

Things like soap, hand sanitizer, or all-purpose cleaner are often on short order at animal shelters, so if you have time to stop in to the local supermarket and drop a few bucks on cleaning supplies, everyone at your neighborhood rescue would be grateful.

5. Give Them All the Plastic Bags

You know that pile of plastic bags under your sink, or in your closet, that is starting to get out of control? Why not take half (or all) of them to some people who can put them to some real use? Just think -- if your local shelter is home to 40 dogs, that’s 80 walks a day, and 80 good reasons to have a plastic bag on hand. Cats need litter boxes cleaned every day, too. Your shelter staff will seriously thank you.

Guest post: Sam Bourne is a pet lover and dog and cat parent lucky enough to get to write about them for a living on PetCareRx and The Wet Nose Press.

Tips for Better Apartment Living with a Pet

Guest Post

A national survey conducted by Apartments.com in 2013 revealed that three-quarters of apartment dwellers are pet owners, a 32 percent increase from 2012.

The majority of those indicated they owned either a cat (45 percent) or a small dog (38 percent), although one out of five reported having a medium or large-sized dog.

A little more than two-thirds of renters said they faced some difficulties in finding places that will allow their pet. Fortunately, that search can be made a bit easier, whether you're looking for a pet-friendly abode in a small town or a major city by perusing sites like ForRent.com.

For example, when searching for apartments for rent in Atlanta, the results can be tailored not only specific areas like Athens, but also can be narrowed down to include pet policies, such as those that accept cats, small dogs, or even large dogs.

Once you've moved into your apartment, consider these tips for making living with your pet in a small space easier as well as improving his or her quality of life.

Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise

One of the drawbacks to apartment living is not having a yard, but this can actually be an advantage as you'll have an excuse to go outside and meet the neighbors, as well as some of their pets. You don't have to have a dog to take your pet for a walk either.

In fact, cat behaviorist Jackson Galaxy believes leash-walking a cat can help burn off that extra feline energy. Both dogs and cats need plenty of exercise and playtime.

If you have a neighborhood dog park, this can be a great way to allow your dog a bit of freedom and socialization with other dogs. Helping your pet become more comfortable around new people is also important for better apartment living. During your walks or visit to the dog park, allow strangers to gently interact with them.

Be a responsible pet owner

If you hope to remain in good graces with your landlord, as well as the other tenants, being a responsible pet owner is a must. Remember that not everyone loves animals as much as you do, and you'll need to respect that. Try to keep your pet quiet as much as you possibly can, particularly in the early morning hours and at night.

Being woken up by a yowling cat or a barking dog is enough to make anyone's blood pressure rise. It's also important that your pet's vaccinations are up to date so that they don't spread any diseases or parasites.

Give your pet its own space

Pets need to have their own space to retreat to, just like humans. If you're gone during the day, it's even more important to make your pet feel comfortable while he or she is alone. You might lay out a comfy pillow and blanket for your dog along with a few favorite toys, or set up a special area for your cat with a scratching post and a place to hide. Cat trees are great as cats naturally love being up high so that they can keep an eye on what's happening below.

Guest post by Joel Mccoy. Joel is a pet photographer who is scared of any dog larger than a poodle.

Study Shows Taking Your Pet to Work Relieves Stress

Thanks to Ron Mcmahon for this guest post. Ron is a mobile app developer and tech blogger with three boys, two dogs and one very tired wife.

A recent study has discovered one groundbreaking method of lowering stress at work. It doesn't involve prescription medications or stronger coffee — and it's free! For many, it doesn't get in the way of business at all. The method? Pack Fido in the car along with your briefcase when you head to the office.

Some companies have begun embracing the 'bring your pet to work' philosophy, and it's working. According to a recent study out of Virginia Commonwealth University, employees who are allowed to bring their pets to work demonstrate drops in stress as the day goes on, as opposed to their petless coworkers, whose stress levels rise greatly during the course of a day.

Image by Al Abut via Flickr

Although fewer than 20 percent of businesses in the U.S. allow employees to bring pets to work, the benefits of being around your pet throughout the day are well-documented. According to Huffington Post, having pets around lends the workplace a more positive atmosphere and forces employees to take much-needed breaks. Plus, the very presence of a beloved pet can make stress levels plummet.

So what's the upshot? If you wanted to make a case to your supervisor about allowing pets at your workplace, you wouldn't have to look too hard to find a boatload of support. These three companies have already taken the plunge.

                                                                                                                            Image by mant via Flickr

Printing for Less

If you order business cards at Printing For Less, you'll be guaranteed that your promotional materials came from a pet-friendly atmosphere. Many of Printing For Less's employees bring their pets to work on a regular basis. Collies, golden retrievers, and even tiny dachshunds bring a happiness to the atmosphere that only fuzzy friends can.

Replacements China Shop

The world's largest china shop, located just outside Greensboro, NC, is... pet-friendly. Sound like an oxymoron? According to the company's PR manager, people break china all the time, but pets have never caused damage. Replacements welcomes both employee and customer pets and has seen dogs, cats, ducks, pot belly pigs and even opossums.

Pet Therapy

Some dogs don't just go to work with their owners, they actually work with them. According to the Mayo Clinic, pets can help people recover — or at least better cope — with pain from long-term treatments. Sometimes pet therapy is even used during children's dental treatments. What better way to deal with a filling or an extraction than to have a soft, furry friend on your lap?

Some companies allow employees to bring pets to work only on national 'Take Your Dog to Work' day; others have limited times and/or spaces where pets are welcome, in order to provide a pleasant working environment for those who aren't as enamored by pets.

If you're not one of the fortunate few who are able to bring your pets to work each day, it might be worth your while to talk to your supervisor about loosening up the regulations. If that doesn't work, just remember to make the most out of the time you do have with your pet. And next time you're stressed, remember that scratching Fluffy behind the ears is one of the very best types of therapy available.

Can you bring your pet to work? Let us know in the comments below what companies you know of that are pet-friendly... and if they have any openings!

Six Summer Hazards for Dogs

Rocco takes time out to cool off  in the shade

Thanks to Kat Sherbo for this guest post.

Summer is in full swing, and that can mean some new hazards for our dogs. Just like we have to start thinking about sunscreen and drinking more water again, our furry pals will need similar sorts of attention or changes to their routine.

Take a look at these six summer pet hazards, and how you can help your pooch avoid them.

1. Overheating

Dogs usually like to have a lower body temperature than we people do, which means that summer can be tough for them, especially in really warm climates. Be sure to keep your dog inside during the hottest parts of the day, and take them for walks in the early morning or after the sun does down. Too much heat can cause heatstroke in dogs, which can unfortunately be deadly in some cases.

Dogs with short noses are called brachycephalic breeds – like Pugs and Boxers. These dogs can have a very difficult time breathing in the heat, so keep an extra-close eye on your short-snouted dog.

Rocco and Nicky stay cool on a wooded path

When you do go out for a stroll, think about your pup’s paws, too. If the sidewalk is too hot for you to walk barefoot on, your dog might not like it either. Consider a dirt path for your walk if there are any such trails nearby, or get some booties to protect your dog’s paws.

Finally, beware of shaving your dog. It can seem like this would be a perfect way to keep them cooler, but some dogs, like Siberian Huskies, use their coat to regulate their body temperature in the cold and in the heat, and shaving their coat will actually cause them to overheat. And all dogs’ hair protects them from sunburn. If your dog is a breed that will benefit from a haircut, remember to be extra cautious about being in sunlight, and pack a dog-safe sunscreen for any longer jaunts.

Symptoms of heatstroke are excessive panting, disorientation, increased body temperature, blood in their stool, or seizures. Any of these are a sign to get your dog inside and cooled off, and bloody stool and seizures are always reason to call your vet.

Rocco and Miko are always supervised poolside

2. Swimming Pools

Some dogs just love to splash around and cool off, but just like with small children, dogs who slip into a pool unattended are in danger of drowning. Keep your pool fenced off and have only supervised swim sessions.

3. Fleas and Ticks

These pests love the summer, and they love to bite dogs who wander by them. Fleas and ticks usually thrive in moist, shady areas, which is unfortunate, since that’s the type of place an overheated dog might seek on a long walk or hike. Make sure your pet is protected with an oral or spot-on medication, or a collar. Dealing with flea or tick borne diseases is never fun.

You can also your pet when they come inside, checking for ticks especially if you live in an area with lots of tick activity.

4. Summer Thunderstorms

Some dogs will bolt when they hear loud and scary noises, which means they could get hit by a car or get into other danger. Think about calming remedies if your pet gets frightened by the sounds of thunder, and definitely make sure windows and doors are closed.

Supervised backyard play is the only way!

5. Wildlife

Summer isn't just fun outside for dogs and people; coyotes, porcupines, foxes, raccoons, and more will be out in the warmer months, and if you have a curious or very territorial dog, this could turn into a fight, even in your own backyard. Never leave your pet outside all day while you're not around (you shouldn't do this anyway, for heat reasons), and check on your pet every few minutes if they're enjoying the backyard on their own.

6. The Backyard

You might think your own lawn is the safest place for your dog to play, and that is true—most of the time. The fertilizers and pesticides we use on our lawns can be dangerous to pets, though. If you’re spraying your lawn or yard with any chemical products, be sure to read the label carefully and keep your pets away from any treated areas for the needed amount of time. It’s also a good idea to remove pet toys or doghouses before spraying anything.

Kat Sherbo is and editor and blogger at The Wet Nose Press and PetCareRx.com. She's a Colorado native living it up in New York City, and is a lifelong dog parent.