Safeguarding Your Furry Friends: The Importance of Microchipping

As we celebrate Chip Your Pet Month, it's the perfect time to talk about a tiny device that can make a monumental difference in your pet's safety and well-being: the microchip.

Why Microchipping Matters

Imagine this scenario: Your beloved furry friend dashes out the door during a moment of excitement or curiosity. Despite your frantic search efforts, they seem to have vanished without a trace. This nightmare is a reality for many pet owners, but microchipping can turn the tide.

1. **A Lifesaver in Lost Pet Situations**: Microchips are a permanent form of identification that can't be lost or removed like collars or tags. When a lost pet is scanned, their unique ID number links back to your contact information, increasing the chances of a happy reunion.

2. **Security Against Theft**: Sadly, pet theft is a reality, especially for certain breeds or valuable animals. A microchip adds an extra layer of security, deterring thieves and providing a means of proving ownership if needed.

3. **Complementing Collars and Tags**: While collars and tags are essential, they can fall off or be removed. A microchip acts as a reliable backup, ensuring your pet's identity is always accessible.

---

The Microchipping Process

Many pet owners are curious about the microchipping procedure. Here's what you need to know:

- **Quick and Painless**: Microchipping is a simple process, often done during a regular vet visit. The microchip, about the size of a grain of rice, is inserted under the skin between your pet's shoulder blades.

- **Universal Scanning**: Nearly all shelters and veterinary clinics have microchip scanners. This universal compatibility means that wherever your pet ends up, their chip can be read, leading them back to you.

At Viva La Pet, we prioritize the safety and well-being of every furry friend. This Chip Your Pet Month, we kindly remind you to make sure your pets are microchipped and verify their chip info is up to date. You can verify the chip info by having your vet give your pet a quick scan.

---

Good to note: In celebration or Chip Your Pet Month, many vets offer discounted microchipping all throughout the month of May.

Remember, a tiny chip can lead to immense peace of mind. Let's chip in for our pets' safety!

**Stay Connected:**
FB: Viva La Pet

TT: Viva La Pet

IG: Vivalapet


*Disclaimer: Always consult with your veterinarian for personalized advice on microchipping and pet care.*

Pet Obesity Awareness Day

Take a moment and look at your pet. Do they have a waist? Compare them to a photo from January of last year… Does it look like they’ve packed on some “covid LB’s”?

Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, Viva La Pet, like many business, took a huge hit. Six months and some weeks into the pandemic, as businesses reopen, we at VLP are still experiencing hard times. With most of our clientele working from home, our daily walk services have dropped by a number that’s a bit too daunting to type out and publish in a blog post.

As people begin to venture out a bit more, we have gotten calls from those in our beloved #VLPfam to visit some pets we haven’t seen in months. We’ve been ecstatic to see those wagging tales again! But, (there’s always a but, isn’t there?) we’ve noticed a little change in some pets… their weight.

October 14th is Pet Obesity Awareness Day, so this is a great time to address the “number one health threat that pets face”. We know all pet owners want to provide their pets with their best life, especially our #VLPfam. We’re also learning that working from home doesn't always allow us to give our dogs the 30-120 minutes of daily exercise they require or provide our cats with the 20-60 minutes of daily exercise they need.

Viva La Pet is here to ensure your pets are living their best lives. Contact us today for a customizable exercise visit. We guarantee, with a regular schedule of exercise visits from us, your pets will lose that extra weight and gain more happy years with you.

Coronavirus & Your Pets

We want to let you know that however you’re feeling is okay and not being okay is also okay. Okay? (a little humor is needed in times like these, amirite?)

A common question we are asked is, “Can my pets contract Covid-19?” Well, like everything else during this time, there is no definitive answer to that. 

What we can tell you, at this point, there is very little evidence that our animals can get sick from the virus. As per the CDC, “there is no evidence at this point to indicate that pets can become ill with COVID-19, or that they can spread it to other animals or to people. Out of an abundance of caution, the CDC does recommend that if you are ill with COVID-19, you should limit contact with your pets.  If possible, have someone else take over the routine care of your pet while you are sick.  If this is not possible, wash your hands and wear a face mask while walking and feeding your pet, and avoid hugging, kissing, petting or sharing food with your pet.”

Simply put, continue to do what you’re doing by taking precaution. Part of safeguarding your pets includes proper prep in the way of stocking up on supplies that may be running low in pet stores, considering the pet supply mail delivery services are running 7-10 days behind (did we mention that we are offering supply pick up and porch drop off during the pandemic?), having care set up for your pets if you or someone in your family gets ill and asking your vet to fill an extra month’s prescription to keep yourself from having to make the trip. Also, be sure your pet has ID tags on their collar and that your pet's microchip information is up to date. It’s always a great idea to have a document saved for easy print-out that includes instructions for your pets’ care, behaviors, vets, ER contacts, favorite toys, daily routines, and more.

We’ll do another blog post detailing what to include in your Pet’s Prep Kit. 

Last, please keep taking your pets outside. Walks, playtimes, enrichment games, trick training sessions, etc are always needed. Get some sunshine, exercise and fresh air. We promise, it will make you and your pets feel a little better. Be sure to follow our social media for fun games and enrichment activities to do with your pets. 

Wishing you warm wags.

7 Intentions Your Pets Want You to Make

Like clockwork, it’s that time of year again - when we set new goals and try to improve our lives. If you're like us, your efforts to keep those resolutions are often less than stellar. So, we are dropping the term resolution and all the weight that comes along with it and taking some time to set intentions instead. Since Viva La Pet is For Pets & Their People, we’re sharing some of our pet-related intentions for the new year.

Here are some easy intentions that will improve your pet's health, happiness, and relationship with you. We guarantee many will benefit you as well!

Do a diet audit. Is your pet food high quality? Are the treats healthy and low calorie? Is your pet overweight? Is the portion size appropriate? Make 2020 the year of mindful consumption for both you and your pets.

Go for a brain workout - learn something new! Your pet's mental health should be a top priority, and learning helps keep their brains sharp. Join a training class, set aside 5 minutes for training every day, or teach them a fun trick. Wipe off your paws after a snowy walk, perhaps? Mental exercise will also keep your relationship strong. There are many facebook groups just for canine enrichment. The members share great ideas, most of which do not cost a penny!

FYI: January is National Train Your Dog Month!

Play more! Most of our pets would prefer tugs (playtime) over hugs. Buy them a fun, new toy and play with them. Toss a ball, laugh, and have fun - you'll both be glad you did. When we can’t get out to our favorite, local & independent pet store, we hit up Homegoods for inexpensive toys (which are on the “okay to destroy within 5 minutes” list because we only spent $2.99).

Treat your dog to an extra walk each day. January is also - Walk Your Pet Month - so let's try and get in one more walk - even if it's just a short potty break with a little sniff time. Or, vow to clean the litter box a bit more often. Viva La Pet can help you accomplish both!

Build your tribe by making a few new canine and people friends this year, it will be good for both of you. Visit a local park, walking or bike trails, training classes, or call friends and neighbors to schedule a cup of tea and a doggie playdate. On those frigid days, stroll through a pet store with your pup. Click the box below to see Viva La Pet’s e-book, Exploring Morris County With Your Pets! We have some pet-friendly, hidden gems listed there!

Schedule a wellness visit. Have your vet take a look at your pet every year; it's an essential step to staying healthy.

Last, and an extremely important step to take, create an emergency plan and an emergency fund. We never know when an emergency will arise. Having a plan in place as well a fund will make a stressful situation a little less overbearing. Viva La Pet is always happy to be listed as one of our client’s emergency contacts.

“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.” We wish you and your pets the best in 2020!

Fun Facts on Cats!

Cats: Facts Not Fiction!

Here is a collection of "facts" about our beloved felines. How many do you know?

• The Turkish Angora often wades or goes swimming. American Shorthair, Maine Coon, and Bobtails are breeds that enjoy the water too.

• Just like dogs, chocolate will make your cat sick.

• Most calico cats are female; the coloration gene is on the female (x) chromosome.

• Your kitty can't taste anything sweet (it's a genetic thing).

• Cats sweat through their paws! They also pant just like dogs.

• Cats spend about 70% of their lives catnapping! Regular siestas are entirely natural!

• Cats don't have collarbones; this allows a big cat to fit in a small space.

• Do you know the proper terms for a group of cats or kittens? A group of cats is called a clowder. A group of kittens is called a kindle. (who knew?)

• Your kitty’s nose print is as individual as human fingerprints.

• Most cats love catnip; this includes lions and tigers (oh my!).

• Who is the world's most wealthy cat? Japan's Hello Kitty has earned over 1 billion dollars in sales and royalties.

• Cats have a dominant paw. Is your kitty right-pawed or left-pawed?

• Believe it or not, a cat has been a mayor of an American town. The folks of Talkeetna, Alaska chose Stubbs the cat as their mayor in 1997. Ok, his job was an honorary one, but 30 - 40 people a day came by to visit Stubbs!

• Australia, Japan, and the U.K. all consider black cats to be lucky charms!

• Cats have 230 bones in their bodies - humans have 206.

• Purring is useful! A cat's purr is in a frequency range of 25 - 150 Hertz.

• This sound range can promote healing and increase bone density!

• When your cat isn't snoozing, they spend half of their time grooming.

• Humans shake hands when we meet another person; cats greet each other by touching noses.

• There are about 73 million cats in North American homes and only 63 million dogs!

Cat TALES

Your cat's tail is actually telling you a tale. Animals communicate with vocalizations and body language. How your cat holds or moves its tail can be a good indication of their mood and what types of behavior to expect. Be aware that the following tail tales only apply to cats - some of these mean the exact opposite when applied to a dog!

Tail straight up in the air: This shows a confident, happy cat. When their tail is up like this, they usually welcome attention, snuggling, and interaction.

Question mark tail: When their tail is up and curled at the end this often means your cat is in a good and curious mood. This would be an excellent time for some interaction, perhaps a game, or some petting.

Low tail position: Back off when your kitty's tail is low to the ground! This means your cat is unsure, agitated, and maybe feeling a little aggressive.

Swishing slowly back and forth: This means your cat is very focused. If your cat is looking at a toy, their next move may be a pounce.

Puffed out, arched tail: This often happens when a cat feels afraid, angry, or when they feel in danger. It's often accompanied with an arched back and possibly some hissing! This would be a great time to leave your cat alone (as long as they are not in any danger).

Tail curved under them or around them as they sit: This is more of a submissive posture, and it could indicate your cat is nervous.

Fast moving flicking tail: When their tail slaps the ground or whips back and forth, they are irritated, angry, or feeling aggressive. This is a great time to give your cat some space and private time!

Humans are so keyed into verbal communication that we forget to try and read our pet's body language. But, once you start reading your cat's tail tales, you'll quickly get good at knowing what your cat is trying to tell you!

Cat Tail Video