 When the weather outside gets frightful you may be inclined to want to stay inside, but your dog still needs exercise and mental stimulation in the cold, dark winter month. We’ve got some tips for fun activities that can motivate you to bundle up and get outside with your pooch plus some creative ways for dog-friendly inside fun, too! Why It’s Important Keeping your dog active can help keep them happy and healthy. And while that may be harder as the cold weather sets in, there are plenty of activities that will help as long as both of you are safe, of course. Something as simple as walking around the block and looking at holiday decorations can be lots of fun. And if you live in an area where it snows, head out and play in the snow with your dog–-there’s nothing like chasing snowballs! If it really is too cold or icy outside, consider indoor options, such as indoor dog parks and games in your own home. For an indoor dog park, remember that the same outdoor dog park rules generally apply (check out our Care Corner post for safety tips on dog parks). While inside, try hiding treats for your dog to find or creating your own obstacle course with furniture, shipping boxes or anything else. Be creative! Colder weather and shorter days can be challenging for dog moms and dads, but with some planning and some creative dog-friendly ideas, you can both get through the winter months and get some energy out. Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for more on how to have cold-weather indoor and outdoor fun with your dog. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information.
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 Pets can get stressed out just like people do. And while meditation and deep breathing can help people, when it comes to de-stressing, our pets might need a little extra attention and help!
Why It’s Important Pet stress could result in vomiting and diarrhea and may even contribute to lifelong conditions like heart disease and diabetes. And the signs of pet stress may be subtle or more extreme, so it’s important to pay attention to your pet’s behavior. For instance, hiding or backing away, lip smacking, pacing, panting and aggression, as well as destructive behavior toward the furniture, could be signs that a pet is stressed out. And there are a number of common situations that may stress out a pet, too, such as having guests over, moving, construction in or near the home, or just being exposed to loud noises. Once you know what might trigger your pet’s stress, you can take steps to provide them with relief. And there are some simple things you generally can do to help ease pet stress. For example:
And speaking of pheromones, Phinney’s friend Dr. Rachel Geller, who provides free cat behavior counseling, was recently quoted in an article by Fear Free Happy Homes, which educates people on how to prevent and alleviate fear, anxiety and stress in pets. Rachel discussed synthetic pheromones, which she says can be used to calm a kitty when unfamiliar objects or fixtures are brought into the home (or the cat is in a strange place, such as their own new home). The article noted that there are now products on the market to help dogs de-stress, too. If after trying some or all of these tactics your furry friend is still stressed, it might be time to contact your vet for some extra guidance. Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for resources on how to help a pet who’s stressed out. And if separation anxiety is stressing your pet out, check out this Care Corner post. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information.  We've got a special treat for you! Check out our all-new video about Sparkly the dog who gets help from Phinney's and learn tricks on how to ensure your pet's safety and well-being this Halloween. With Halloween coming up next week we've got a dog-gone adorable treat for you plus some tricks for keeping your pets safe this Halloween!
Our all-new Monsters of Cuteness video features the heartwarming story of how Phinney's has helped Sparkly the dog, his cat sister, Freya, and their dad, Barry. Click here to see Sparkly's "adhorrorable" film debut! We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone of a few tricks that can help ensure that pets stay safe this Halloween, including to:
Phinney's wishes you and your pets a hauntingly happy and safe Halloween!  Many people like to add plants to their homes, but if you have pets, it’s important to know which plants may be dangerous to your furry family member(s). Why It’s Important Plants can give warmth to your space, but not all plants are pet-friendly. Some can be toxic if ingested or cause allergic reactions if a pet has a plant allergy. So, exposure to the wrong plant could put a pet’s health at risk and result in costly vet bills, too. Since pets can get into virtually everything, it’s a good idea to research prior to bringing a plant (flowering or otherwise) into your home to ensure that they are relatively safe for your pet–and you can also go the extra step to cross check any information you find with your vet. Keep in mind, too, that according to the ASCPA, even non-toxic plants could result in vomiting and gastrointestinal upset, so take steps to ensure that your pet cannot eat any plants! Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for links to resources that can help identify which plants are toxic and likely non-toxic for pets generally. And, again if you have specific questions about the toxicity of a plant talk to a licensed veterinarian. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information.  At some point, your pet is likely to need medication for one reason or another. And while prices can be high, there are ways to save so your pet’s medication is more affordable.
Why It’s Important Medication can be a necessity for maintaining a pet’s health and quality of life. But, in some cases, the cost of pet medications may become a financial burden, especially when the cost of virtually everything goes up! Fortunately, with a little research and some helpful resources, you may be able to save on your pet’s medication. First, when your vet writes a prescription for a brand-name medication, ask if there’s a generic version of the medication that may be cheaper to purchase. Also, you can always shop around with the pet’s prescription in hand as cheaper versions of medications given yearly, such as flea and tick as well as heartworm protection, may also be available elsewhere. (As a best practice, if you have concerns about generic vs. brand-name pet medications, consult with your vet.) Next, look for resources that generally may have the pet medication you need at a cheaper price. Here are some ideas to get you started below.
So, when it comes to finding affordable pet medications, a little research just might help you save some money! Check Out These Resources Visit Phinney’s Care Corner for additional resources on ways to save on pet medications. Our Get Help page also provides a list of resources if you’re looking for affordable vet care services and more. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit Get Help for more information.  When it comes to ensuring the well-being of people and their pets, Phinney's believes that knowledge is power! We are committed to sharing information we think can help people be the best parents they can be!
Check out our tip sheets and infographics below, and for even more resources on how help take better care of your beloved pets, visit our Care Corner resource page. Diabetes in Pets Diabetic Dog Care Costs Pet Behavior Tips on How to Blissfully Co-exist with Your Cat Pet Preparedness Preparing Pets for an Emergency Weight Management Healthy Food Guidelines for Your Pet  Cats love looking out windows. But hearing one loud noise or seeing an enticing bird could cause your cat to push against the screen with their paws. They could fall out, leading to serious harm or even death. And you might be surprised how easily some screens pop out. Even if there’s just some slight give, the screen probably isn’t secure enough to prevent a spooked or playful cat from pushing through it. Since it doesn’t take much to startle or excite some cats, take steps to prevent a window-related safety hazard for your cat(s). Why It’s Important Cats aren’t generally afraid of heights, and if a cat falls out a window, their claws can’t grab onto concrete or brick like they could with a tree. And when the weather is nice out (think spring and summertime in New England!) and people open their windows, more cats are at risk to fall out of windows. The good news is that this can be an avoidable situation with some minor precautions. Here are 3 tips to help ensure window safety for cats:
You want to keep your cat safe, so make sure to cat-proof your windows. Enjoying fresh air in your home and having cats can be mutually compatible when you plan ahead and put your cat’s safety first! Check Out These Resources You can visit our Care Corner web page for resources that can help you research and secure the window safety apparatus that’s right for you and your cat. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information. Our thanks to Rachel Geller, Ed.D. Certified Cat Behaviorist, who contributed to this Care Corner post. For more tips on Living in Cat Harmony, check out our tip sheet How to Blissfully Co-Exist with Your Cat.  Securing affordable housing can be stressful, and many low-income pet parents may experience an added layer of anxiety because that reasonably priced place to live also needs to accommodate their pets.
Why It’s Important Having stable, safe, and affordable housing is important to the quality of life of so many people and their pets. And being able to identify pet-friendly housing options can be critical for making sure the fur family can stay together. Here are 5 ways to help make the process of finding pet-friendly housing go more smoothly:
Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for resources that will make your search for low-income pet-friendly housing just a little easier. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information.  June is National Pet Preparedness Month, so what better time than right now to remind everyone about the importance of having a plan for you and your pet in the event of a natural disaster or other emergency. Doing a little preparation ahead of time can help ensure that your whole family stays safe in the event something unexpected and potentially catastrophe happens.
Why It’s Important Emergencies aren’t exactly predictable, but there are some simple steps you can take so you’re prepared to jump into action if you need to and can ensure you and your pets’ well-being. For instance, emergency preparedness experts recommend that pet parents:
Prepping ahead can help make a stressful situation just a little less worrisome. Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for more information on how best to prepare in case of an emergency that requires you to leave your home. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information.  That little unassuming food bowl in the corner of the kitchen that your dog or cat eats out of may be doing more harm than you think. Every day you feed your pet and place that food in a bowl. But are you handling the food properly? When was the last time you cleaned that bowl? Mishandling pet food and food bowls can lead to bacterial contamination–and both could harm pets and their people.
Why It’s Important Taking care of your pet’s food dish as well as the way you handle the food is an important step in keeping the whole household healthy. A recent study reported by CNN reveals that found that pet food dishes ranked highly among the most contaminated household objects and may even have bacterial loads close to those of toilets! A dirty pet food dish could breed bacteria like E.coli and Salmonella, which could lead to diarrhea and other health-related issues. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Animal Health Literacy Campaign notes that if food is left in pet bowls too long, microbes could develop and lead to illness in those who come in contact with it. To help minimize risks, it recommends washing and drying pet dishes, scoops and storage containers prior to refiling them. Taking precautions like these can help keep everyone healthy. Check Out These Resources Visit our Care Corner web page for more information on the best way to handle your pet’s food and dishes. What You Can Do To Help Phinney’s believes in keeping people and their beloved pets together. We do this by extending a helping hand to pet parents in need when these emergency vet visits become too costly for some to afford. Ways you can help include donating to Phinney’s or volunteering. And, anyone in need of help in caring for their pets can visit our Get Help page for more information. |
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Phinney's is an all-volunteer registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that helps low-income people keep their pets. U.S. federal tax ID 94-3475924. All content on this website is the property of Phinney's Friends, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
PO Box 425, Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: 617-203-2053 Fax: 617-979-8705 |
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