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Your Pet is Lucky to Have You!

Trey&Bear
It's a great feeling when you get a new pet and heart wrenching if they have a sad story of where they came from. But did you know that even if your pet is "lucky" to be with you now, he/she has actually moved on from the past experience? Many pet owners will treat their pets differently if they feel that a pet has had a "tough life" until the time that they were adopted or taken in. However, in most cases, pets live for each day and do not let their past weigh on the current time. They may have a fear of something that seems irrational because of past experiences, but on the large scheme of things, the pet is just as centered and normal as any other pet. They do not require any extra attention or doting because of their past. Much like humans who have had less than perfect childhoods, the past does not effect every aspect of every day. All pets should be treated with respect and love. But there is no need to feel sorry for your pet every day. In fact, a pet that is overly "babied" can actually become rather aggressive and territorial. If you carry your small dog, cat or bird with you throughout the house and constantly put them up in your lap (or shoulder for a bird), the animal will learn that you are their property and may become aggressive if anyone attempts to move them from their place. This can become a rather large problem if you have small children or a pet that everyone wants to touch. You are doing a disservice to your friends and family by allowing your pet to behave in an aggressive way. A disservice is also being done to your pet who is becoming stressed over things that are unnecessary. All pets love to be loved and deserve it completely. However, keep in mind that they are still pets and that, just like humans, they deserve to not be stressed about simple things. As a pet-parent, you can teach your pet to be friendly while allowing them to enjoy your love and attention.

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Do You Know Your Pet Kennel?

Who is Watching Your Kids?

PlayTime
For most pet owners, the pets that we have are more like our children than mere pets. So isn't it just as important to know who is watching them when you are out of town? Shouldn't you ask some questions to the people who will be caring for your "child" while you are not available? Of course! And the people of Alpha K9 Pet Services are ready and willing to help you feel comfortable and prepared for any trip. We have someone on premises at all times (day and night) to help care for all of the pets that come to stay with us. This way, even if the weather gets a little out of hand, your beloved pet will always be close to someone who cares. We have play time every day on our doggie play park so that every pup has a good chance to get out those wiggles and extra wags. Want to know if your boarder has experience? All of our staff has been working with animals of every kind for years and there is no kind of pet that our staff is not familiar with. No matter what the situation, we have the accommodations that your perfect pet will love. And if you want that "extra touch" of a home environment, we have room in our Holidog Suites. Have a pet with special needs? Just let us know when you make your reservation and we will make sure to accommodate them entirely. We treat every pet as our own and we know that every care matters when it comes to pets. Alpha K9 Pet Services was specifically designed with your pet in mind. We are always excited to see them come in and sad to see them go. But we always look forward to the next time they come by!

Some quick Q&A about us:

1. What is "Feeding Time" at Alpha K9?

Feeding time for adult animals is usually between 4 and 5 p.m. However, if pets require earlier feeding, or, more frequent feeding, the schedule is adjusted to take care of these needs. Fresh, clean water is provided throughout the day. Both food and water is served in stainless steel bowls which are cleaned and disinfected daily.

2. How often do the dogs get to play in the park?

Play park time depends upon weather and is flexible depending upon the number of pets being boarded. Time is a minimum of 30 minutes per day.

3. How many dogs and cats can your kennel hold?

Our capacity is approximately 80 to 90 dogs and 12 to 16 cats.

4. How often are the kennels cleaned?

Kennels are cleaned, deodorized and disinfected starting at 7:30 a.m. Throughout the day an attendant makes rounds at least every 30 minutes to check for any pet that may have soiled the kennel and immediately cleans up.

5. Can I bring my pet's personal bedding along for an over-night visit?

Owners are encouraged to bring pets favorite bedding, but we cannot be responsible for

damages to the items. We provide clean towels for bedding each night and for smaller pets an open travel type carrier with towels.

6. What kind of food do you use to feed the animals?

Over the years we have tried practically all the better types of dry food available. For the past 12 or 15 years we have found Pedigree to be the most widely acceptable to almost all of our pets. Owners may bring the pet's favorite food in zip-lock bags, providing one or more per day, per pet. There is no extra charge for feeding when the food is brought to us in the prescribed manner. If the food is brought in a bulk bag, we charge $1.00 per day extra.

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Should your cat go on a diet?

Helping Fluffy be Less "Fluffy"

Fat Cat Weight control issues are not just for humans, many cats are overweight as well. Like humans, cats come in different sizes and thicknesses, but every cat has an ideal weight range. To find out what the appropriate weight for your cat should be, take a quick trip to your vet's office. If your cat is on the heavy side, there are several things that you can do to help your furry friend take off some of that extra "fluff."

- Switch to a "Lite" food or one specifically for overweight cats.

This will ensure that your cat is getting fewer calories at each meal.

- Feed your cat a smaller portion.

Regulating your cat's food intake will help teach your cat how much food makes a "meal."

- Make sure fresh water is always available.

Just like humans, cats need to have access to fresh water to keep them healthy.

- Make the food harder to get to.

Feeding your cat on the counter or on top of the refrigerator will create obstacles for your cat in order to eat.

- Play time, play time, play time!

Playing with your cat is not only fun, but helps your fluffy friend burn some calories in the process.

Have fun keeping your cat happy and healthy. Your kitty will thank you and you will be able to enjoy many long years together.

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A New Pet

Welcome to the Family!

Did you get a new puppy or kitten this past Holiday Season? If so, it is time to learn the basics of being a responsible pet owner! Owning a pet at any age can be a ton of fun if you follow some basic guidelines:

1.   Learn about your pet’s breed – What is the breed’s temperament like? How large with the pet get?
2.   Pick a form of pet identification – In many cases, a simple pet tag can be used. However, if your pet will be outside quite a bit, an implantable pet ID chip may be preferred.
3.   Start potty training – Is your pet potty trained? What method will you use in order to train your new pet?
4.   Get shots – Does your pet have his/her shot records? What shots does your pet need? What veterinarian will you be using?
5.   Do some exercise – How often does your pet need to be exercised? Should you play in the house or go out for a walk? Should the walk be a short, brisk one or a long and slow one? Is play time in a field or large living room sufficient?
6.   Food – What kind of food does your pet require and in what amount? How often should your pet eat? Does your pet have any special food needs (i.e. weight control, puppy/kitten, adult, supplements, etc.)?
7.   Get into training – What kind of training should you do with your new pet? What classes are available in your area of town for your pet? Do you want to train your pet in a class setting or send your pet to a trainer for a couple of weeks for intense learning?
8.   Spay/Neuter – Will you be spaying/neutering your pet at the age of 6 months? In most cases, unless your pet is a pure breed and will be used for breeding purposes, the pet should be “fixed” as soon as he/she comes of age.

All of these items are very important when it comes to raising a new furry member of the family. Pets need just as much time and effort put towards them as any other member of your family. Without the proper care and attention, any animal can become aggressive and isolate different family members. Please research as much information as you can about your pet so that you can be a responsible pet owner. If needed, contact your veterinarian for more information about any of these topics.

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