Could Your Cat Be Allergic to YOU?

We all know someone who is allergic to cats. But did you know that cats can be allergic to people? The culprits are human skin cells and dandruff. Consider that humans replace their outer layer of skin every day or two and you'll see that it is very possible for your cat to be allergic to his environment.

Symptoms of feline allergies are similar to humans' and include sneezing, coughing and runny nose. As always, it's best to contact your vet if you see any continual symptoms. Medical treatments include steroids and inhalers. But you can start by making changes at home such as replacing chemical cleaning products with natural ones. You can also change your cat litter to something like shredded newspaper. And, in the meantime, you can have sneezing contests to find out who is more allergic to whom.

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Million Dollar Dog

If you love your pet, you think they are priceless, that no amount of money is enough to ask for their love. But in China, an 11-month old Red Tibetan Mastiff, just got a home after his owner paid 1.5 million dollars for him.

The dog who’s name means Big Splash in Chinese, is the worlds most expensive dog. Thought to be one of the ost pure breed dogs on earth, his lineage can be traced back to ancient China.

Tibetan mastives are highly regarded in Chinese culture. Thought to be holy animals that provide their owners with blessings of health and security, the breed is commonly identified as independent, intelligent and very protective of its owners and their property.

I bet there are a few million dollar pooches at the local shelter, who would be happy to have you, at a much more reasonable price.

10 Fun Historical Facts about Dogs

1. The most dogs ever owned by one person were 5,000 Mastiffs owned by Kubla Khan.

2. During the Middle Ages, Great Danes and Mastiffs were sometimes suited with armor and spiked collars to enter a battle or to defend supply caravans.

3. All dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus, a direct forbear of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.

4. The first dog chapel was established in 2001. It was built in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, by Stephan Huneck, a children’s book author whose five dogs helped him recuperate from a serious illness.

5. Plato once said that “a dog has the soul of a philosopher.

6. Alexander the Great is said to have founded and named a city Peritas, in memory of his dog.

7. The earliest European images of dogs are found in cave paintings dating back 12,000 years ago in Spain.

8. The names of 77 ancient Egyptian dogs have been recorded. The names refer to color and character, such as Blackie, Ebony, Good Herdsman, Reliable, and Brave One.

9. Dogs have lived with humans for over 14,000 years. Cats have lived with people for only 7,000 years.

10. In early Christian tradition, Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers, is sometimes depicted with a dog’s head.

Make sure to show your dog how much you appreciate them by not sending them to a kennel. Leave your dog with one of our amazing WagWatchers.com pet hosts when you’re out of town! We promise he’ll have a vacation he’ll remember forever.

Find a real home for your dog to stay while you are away OR find out how to become a Wag Watchers pet host.

Browse to see what areas we cover in Florida and New Jersey to find a pet care provider in your area or call us at 1-866-749-1551

Dog Boarding and Doggie Daycare in "Real Homes"

Wag Watchers offers excellent care for your pup while you are away. Dog boarding in "Real Homes" has become a popular alternative to commercial dog kennels and boarding facilities. Our trained and experienced pet hosts and pet sitters welcome your beloved dog into their homes and care for it as if it were their own.

Wag Watches pet hosts either work from home or are retired so they can care for your furry friend day and night. Each pet host has a 1 to 4 guest maximum at each of our locations. We are committed to offering personal attention to your pet in our homes while you are away!

Our priority is your dog's happiness and well being.Your dog is not confined to a crate or cage surrounded by the noise and chaos of a commercial kennel or exposed to kennel diseases but has free run of the pet host's home, unless you specify differently. We strive to follow your dog's own routine and habits, including long walks, games of fetch, and cuddling on the sofa.

Wag Watchers strive to make your dog feel at home and dedicated to providing professional and personalized care for pampered pooches in a variety of locations in Florida: Bradenton, Boca Grande, Cape Coral, Celabration, Ellenton, Englewood, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Longboat Key, North Port, Orlando, Osprey, Palmetto, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Rotonda, Siesta Key, Sarasota, Tampa Bay and Venice. In New Jersey: Belmar, Brick, Manchester, Point Pleasant, Spring Lake, Wall and Whitting.

Go Take a Walk

Often times dog owners underestimate the importance of a walk for their pet. In the hustle and bustle of day to day life, owners think a quick romp in the yard is enough. While that play time is fun, walks are essential.

A proper 30 minute walk at least twice a day is one of the best things you can do for your pooch. Walks help your relationship with your dog, who looks to you for leadership. Properly walking your dog on a lead commands respect and helps to lessen behavioral issues.

The health benefits of a good walk for you and your dog are evident. The exercise will keep your dog lean and agile, and help with joint issues. A good walk also helps to calm a hyper active dog.

If possible a dog should be walked for 30 minutes before breakfast, at lunch and after dinner.

Wag Watchers has a great dog walker program, so if you need help walking your pooch, give us a call, we are always happy to help!

Four Pet Dental Facts to Chew On

1. Eighty percent of humans brush their teeth at least twice a day, but very few pet owners brush their pet's teeth at all.

2. Signs of periodontal gum disease include the yellow and brown buildup of tarter around the gum line, inflammation and bad breath.

3. One of the most common dental problems is broken or chipped teeth, some of which is caused by aggressively chewing on hard objects. Senior dogs are more prone to this problem.

4. More than 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by age 3, and that's a big deal in dog and cat years.

Make sure to show your dog how much you appreciate them by not sending them to a kennel. Leave your dog with one of our amazing WagWatchers.com pet hosts when you’re out of town! We promise he’ll have a vacation he’ll remember forever.

Find a real home for your dog to stay while you are away OR find out how to become a Wag Watchers pet host.

Browse to see what areas we cover in Florida and New Jersey to find a pet care provider in your area or call us at 1-866-749-1551

For Power Chewers, Try an Elk Antler

If you have a prodigious chewer among your canine companions, and even if you don't, consider giving your dog naturally shed deer or elk antlers. Look for antlers that are processed as little as possible - cleaned without toxic chemicals, cut into appropriate sizes, and packaged.

Most dogs love antlers, which are hard enough to clean their teeth and gums, but soft enough to be safe chew toys. Please choose an appropriate size antler for your dog.

As with all chew toys, take the antler away when it gets so small that your dog might swallow it.

Make sure to show your dog how much you appreciate them by not sending them to a kennel. Leave your dog with one of our amazing WagWatchers.com pet hosts when you’re out of town! We promise he’ll have a vacation he’ll remember forever.

Find a real home for your dog to stay while you are away OR find out how to become a Wag Watchers pet host.

Browse to see what areas we cover in Florida and New Jersey to find a pet care provider in your area or call us at 1-866-749-1551