Category: Uncategorized

Spruce up pet spaces this Spring

Dog in bed

It is the season of Spring cleaning! It’s the perfect time to give our pet’s belongings a little clean-up to reduce odour, and parasites and to support the general well-being of our fur kids.

While our pets love familiar scents on their bed, blankets and toys, it comes a time when all these items need to have a good wash – or get replaced altogether!

Pet beds: Most pet beds can be washed in the washing machine, however, it’s best to check the manufacturer’s instructions. But before the bed even makes it into the washing machine, remove as much pet hair as possible with a vacuum. Then give it another once over using wet hands or sticky tape wrapped around your hand to pick up any extra hair. Choose a hot or cold setting for washing, based on the manufacturer’s instructions and opt for unscented detergents to prevent skin irritations for your pet. Leave the pet bed to dry in the sunshine and ensure it is completely dry before your pet uses it again.

Food bowls: If your pet’s water bowl is looking a little green and slimy then it’s certainly time for a good scrub. Pet bowls that aren’t cleaned regularly can harbour bacteria that could cause skin irritations around the mouth and chin, or lead to upset precious pet bellies. Stainless steel food and water bowls are better options than plastic or ceramic bowls which are harder to keep clean. The simplest way to clean pet bowls is to soak them in hot soapy water, scrub them with a clean brush or sponge to dislodge any hidden food debris, rinse and then dry with a towel or cloth before leaving to completely air dry.

Pet toys: Wash soft toys in the washing machine or by hand but check the manufacturer’s instructions for the best wash setting. Review hard toys and discard any that have jagged edges or pieces that your pet can chew and dislodge. Cleaning hard toys can involve a good wipe-down with a clean cloth. You can also use equal parts vinegar and water to soak toys, then thoroughly rinse and allow to dry completely before giving back to your pet pal.

Animal-loving pet sitters can help maintain clean pet spaces during their stay. Find an experienced live-in house and pet sitter to provide personalised care for your pet.

Hefty Paws: Pet Obesity and the next steps

Ginger Cat

There are various physical and mental health risks associated with excess weight gain for our beloved fur kids.

Worrying statistics reveal that in Australia over 40% of dogs and more than 32% of cats may be considered overweight or obese. These figures highlight the need for greater awareness and education about the causes of pet obesity and the steps to take, to help protect the health and quality of life of our pet pals. Continue reading “Hefty Paws: Pet Obesity and the next steps”

Sensory experiences for pet stimulation

Sensory activities pets

Animals use their sense of smell, touch, taste and sound to learn about their surroundings, find food, hunt, play and more. Their senses are attuned to their environments and just like humans, engaging the senses of our pet pals in various ways helps keep their minds engaged and sharp.

There are various ways to engage your pet’s senses. Many of which you may already do. Here are a few ideas to spark your pet’s imagination.

Sight:

Bright colours and moving objects are ideal forms of visual stimulation that will capture your pet’s attention. Interactive toys such as laser pointers for cats or the humble bouncy ball for dogs can serve as visual stimulation for your pet. Colourful bedding and toys not only add a splash of colour to your pet’s special space, it can also attract their gaze and intrigue.

Sound:

Pitch, volume and different noises serve as auditory stimulation for your pet. Many pet parents leave the radio on for their pet pal during the day for familiarity. Music and audiobooks can be another good source of auditory stimulation throughout the day. When a calming mood is needed, sounds of nature help soothe our fur friends.

Touch:

Our pet pals are always eager for a cuddle or a roll around in the backyard. Human touch plays an important role in providing a stimulating experience, in addition to strengthening our bond with our animal companions. Other ways to offer tactile stimulation for our pets include providing bedding or play mats with different textures.

Taste:

Feeding does more than fill our pet’s tummies. It is also an opportunity to engage their sense of taste. Treats and food puzzles make mealtime fun and engaging. Food puzzles also help challenge pets and engage their minds to work for their food. Offering a variety of flavours and textures during mealtimes is another exciting way to engage your pet’s sense of taste.

Smell:

Animals have a very powerful sense of smell. Scented toys can be used to intrigue or soothe your pet. Hiding treats for your pet to find using their sense of smell is also a clever way of keeping them stimulated.

Providing our pet pals with sensory experiences will help keep their minds and bodies active and engaged. Remember to suit the activity to your pet’s unique needs, age and breed. With a little time and thought, offering sensory experiences will enhance your pet’s environment and enrich their life, health and happiness.

For the times you can’t be there with your pet pal, engage a live-in pet sitter to provide sensory stimulation for your doggo or kitty while you’re away.

 

Pawesome winter warming ideas

pets in winter

As the winter chill begins to set in, it’s important to care for our pet pals’ comfort, health and safety needs as the temperature drops. Whether you have a playful pup, a curious cat, or a cuddly bunny, here are some tips to keep your beloved pets warm and cozy this winter.

The comforts of a warm bed

Blankets that pets can snuggle into will help insulate pet pals from the cold. Adding pillows or old towels to their sleeping quarters will help cushion their bodies and provide an extra layer of protection against the chill of the ground. Continue reading “Pawesome winter warming ideas”

Minding our pet’s mental wellbeing

pet health

We’ve all read the stats and facts that our pets boost our mood, improve our health and bring positivity to our lives. Now it’s time to turn the tables to consider the well-being of our pets and ways we can support them to thrive in life.

As pet parents and carers, we often look to the physical wellness of our pets, rather than dicing a little deeper to see what else could be happening under the surface. Continue reading “Minding our pet’s mental wellbeing”

Paw-Rated Reviews

Dog with Laptop

“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde.

We all like getting compliments or feedback on our efforts or how we can improve. It helps us grow in confidence, in skill and learn for the future. That’s why online reviews matter.

At Mindahome, we have introduced a review system where owners and sitters can leave reviews for each other. If the home and pet owner has invited a sitter to a position and the sitter has accepted, a review for each party can be included on the Mindahome website. Continue reading “Paw-Rated Reviews”