Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe This Halloween

Halloween is such a fun time of year, and of course we always want to include our pets in the family's festivities. Wanting to involve them is fine, but there are some pet safety tips you should heed this Halloween to ensure that your pet is safe, secure, and happy. Take a look at some of the tips the PetCot Company is sharing this week:

Use Caution When Dressing Your Pets in Costume
Pets in costume, it's super adorable, right?! Well, yes... but if your pet isn't used to or keen on playing dress up, this could cause your pet to feel nervous or stressed. If you do decide that Fido or Kitty needs a costume, costumes should not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe. You should supervise your pets while in costume so that if something goes wrong, it can be addressed right away.

Keep Candies and Other Treats Away from Pets
Several Halloween treats are toxic to pets, so it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid allowing your pets any treats from the candy bowl. All forms of chocolate—especially baking or dark chocolate—can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs.

Avoid Leaving Pets Outdoors on Halloween
Vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Black cats are especially at risk for pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. Besides the dangers of pranksters doing harm to your pet, the constant noise and people walking by your yard can cause your pet to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Prevent Your Pets from Escaping into the Night
On halloween, if you live in city limits, you're likely to have several trick-or-treaters knocking on your door. Strangers on your doorstep dressed in unusual costumes can be scary for our furry friends, which can result in escape attempts or unexpected aggression. Putting your dog or cat in a secure crate or room away from the front door will reduce stress and prevent them from becoming aggressive towards visitors or darting outside into the night.

Make Sure Your Pet has Identification
If your dog or cat does escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that he or she will be returned. Make sure that your pet's collar tags are up-to-date and secured to their collar. This will help anyone who comes across your beloved pet quickly be able to contact you. Another very important and permanent form of identity is to have your pet microchipped. Collars can get lost or removed, so the only sure way to effectively ensure your pet's safe return home is to microchip and make sure you routinely update your information.

By following these simple tips this Halloween, you'll keep your pets safe, healthy, and happy! And don't forget to get your fur babies a treat they CAN have and will LOVE! Make sure you've got a comfy place for them to rest their heads after such an eventful evening. Get a premium dog bed from PetCot. Our PetCot beds are one of the most comfortable and durable on the market. Visit our website to order yours today!

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Is Your Dog a Nap Champion?

Ever notice how much your doggie seems to love to snuggle up and take a little snooze... seemingly every time you turn around? It may seem over the top and alarming, but most dogs actually require quite a bit of rest to maintain their energy and health. So why do our dogs need so much sleep? There's actually several very good reasons. Let's find out!

They Need to Regenerate Energy
If you really think about it, dog's sleep periods typically don't last for several hours at a time like ours do. For humans, We typically go all day without a snooze, then catch up by resting for about 6-9 hours during the night. Dogs, however, don't sleep like we do. Instead, they take brief "catnaps" throughout the day and rarely sleep very deeply. So are they really actually getting a rested sleep when they do lay their heads down for a nap?

Breed Makes a Difference
The amount of sleep dogs need also depends on what they are bred to do. For example, dogs who are bred for working tend to stay awake because of the desire to work and stay active that are engrained in their DNA. Dogs that have tasks to hold their attention will spend most of the day active, dedicated to completing those tasks. Dogs that aren't bred for a specific purpose and lead more sedentary lifestyles, however, will spend most of the day laying around catching some shut eye.

Factor in Dog's Age and Size
On average, dogs spend about 12-to-14 hours of the 24-hour cycle sleeping. Older dogs typically need more sleep because like human seniors and the elderly, day-to-day living presents more challenges and they tire more easily. Puppies spend their awake-time exploring, playing and growing, so they need as much as 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day to recharge their batteries. And of course, all dogs need sleep, but it tends to be the bigger breeds that are known for constant dozing probably due to their rapid growth and shorter life span.

Your Dog's Health
Sleeping is an essential part of dogs' everyday routines, so you shouldn't be concerned if your dog sleeps often. However, if you notice a sudden or dramatic change in your dog's sleeping habits or something seems a little off, it's a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Excessive sleep has been linked to conditions such as canine depression, diabetes, and hypothyroidism.

Life Changes Can Affect Your Dog
Just like humans, dogs can require some time to recoup after experiencing any sudden life changes. Because dogs adapt so well to their original environments, any shift in their usual experiences may affect them. So if your dog has experienced an alteration in their normal schedule or lifestyle, such as a move to a new home, losing a companion, or even an addition to the family, you may notice a change in their sleep habits. Understandably, dogs may need extra sleep to get their mood and energy level back to normal.

Regardless of how often or how little your fur baby sleeps, one thing is certain. Your precious pooch needs a comfy clean place to rest that adorable head when nap time comes calling. Be sure that your dog's comfort is top of mind with a PetCot! PetCot raised dog beds provide optimal comfort and support for dogs (and other pets) of all sizes. These premium raised pet beds protect dogs from the breeding ground of bacteria and odor found in traditional lumpy pillow dog beds, while keeping your dog cool and cozy.

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3 Reasons Your Pets Need a PetCot

When pet parents ask what items they need to purchase for their dog, a good dog bed is always at the top of the list - along with a collar, leash, food, and feeding dishes. Dog beds are extremely important. In fact, we consider beds essential for all dogs regardless of size, breed, or age. Pet beds provide more than a place to rest their heads, they provide security. While many people think that their dogs can curl up on the floor, in many cases that isn't the most ideal option for your furry friend. Here are a few reasons that a PetCot bed will benefit your pup's life.

1. SUPER EASY TO CLEAN
Just like humans, dogs can be rather messy. The dander, dog hair, sweat and drool can often cause their beds to be disgusting. A PetCot bed is easy to clean, so that you don't have to worry about what is living inside that plush bedding. The suspended bed also allows for plenty of air movement, so your pet is always getting plenty of air, and the bed can fully dry out when they are not using it. We have many accessories you can pair with your PetCot bed to make it even cleaner for your pet.

A dog bed can also help keep your home clean! By giving your pet a place to sleep and rest, not only will it keep them off of your couch and bed, but it can limit the amount of hair that gets on your furniture as well. It's much easier to take the cover off of a PetCot bed than it is to wash, vacuum, or roller your entire living room set. Purchase one of our easy to clean pet beds today and see how much faster it is to keep your area clean!

2. PROMOTES GOOD HEALTH
As your dog gets older you may find that they begin to suffer with health problems. Anything from joint issues to hip pains can all be even more painful without the proper tools. A PetCot bed gives them a place to lay down and take the pressure off of their aching joints. While our beds are perfectly designed so that even your older dog won't have trouble getting off of it, we also sell accessories to make it even more comfortable for them. We offer an orthopedic dog bed insert that is made specifically for your PetCot, and your older dog in mind. The extra foam will ease aches and pains, making recovery easier.


3. A PLACE OF THEIR OWN
Sometimes your pet just wants a place that they can call their own, especially if you have more than one. A pet provides them that place where they can nap peacefully, re energize from a long day, or even go when they're scared. Our premium raised dog beds come in many sizes, so your dog will have the space they need to spread out and get comfortable.

Another thing to note, is that giving your dog a place to sleep can help keep him from sleeping in the areas that you don't want him to. If your bed, and the couch are off limits, he needs a place that he can call his own without laying claim to your spots. To make sure that he'll use it though, you have to make sure and get the right size.

MADE WITH CONVENIENCE IN MIND
Our beds were made to fill a need in the pet bed industry. They are fully assembled when you receive them and ready to use immediately. Our pet beds are also stackable, so if you have several of them and need to store them for a short period, or travel with them, they will be more convenient. If you are ready to join the PetCot family and learn how our beds will improve your pet's life, order online today!

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Make Your Recent Adoption an Easy Transition

At the PetCot Company, we love to hear all of the happy stories that come about when a family opens their home to a pet in need. This can be a big change for your family, though, especially when you get an older dog who may need some correctional training or extra special love after a less than ideal situation. So, in honor of October being Adopt a Dog month and because we care about you and your pet, we have a few tips to help make the your recent adoption an easy transition.

Keep Calm
When you bring your new pet into the home, you should try to keep the excitement to a minimum. When adopting a dog from a shelter, it's important to keep in mind that you may not know the history of the dog and may not know if something will trigger a less than ideal reaction. If your recently adopted dog was picked up off of the street, there is a lot of history that you do not know. By keeping everything calm in the new environment, you can help keep stimulation at a minimum. Your new dog may have reactions to situations that are unexpected because of previous "training" and when you keep a calm demeanor, you can help your dog work through those reactions.

Give Them a Space
Give your new dog a space that they can call their own. It's important, especially in a busy household, that your dog has a spot that they can go to where they aren't required to interact. They can sleep, relax, watch you play, and have a safe spot to do all of those things. Our raised pet bed is ideal for your new pet because it gives them a space to call their own. You can customize it with a blanket of their very own, putting a few toys on it, and before you know it - they will love it. The best part is, our premium pet beds are easy to clean, do not harbor bacteria, and will grow with your pet whether you adopted a puppy or a full grown dog.

Create a Schedule
Ease your pet into their new life with a consistent schedule. In addition to exercise, dogs crave love and attention and thrive on an established routine. This is especially important in terms of potty breaks and feeding times. Also, dogs need enough sleep to function effectively When your dog knows what's expected of them during certain times of the day it can create a safe environment for him to relax and enjoy.

Decide Your Commands
Determine which commands are most important for you to use with your new dog and make sure the entire household knows what they are and how to use them. You want your new dog to adapt to their home, know who is the boss, and keep some continuity. This can all be achieved when everyone is using the same commands, and everyone is training together. Even with young children in the house, it's important to make sure that they know how to work with your new family member, and what is appropriate for interaction.

Work With a Trainer
Don't be afraid to hire a trainer, or at the very least, work closely with your vet. When you first bring your dog home, they may still be shy and timid. They may not know how to react to situations, and they may overreact in some instances. By having professionals working closely with you and your pet, they can help you overcome hurdles that you may find at the very beginning, or that may surface months later as they get acclimated and you get to know them better.

Welcome Home!
We are so excited that you've opened your home to your new family member. There may be a lot of new changes for everyone in the next few weeks, and it's important to have all of the tools you need from the beginning. When you bring your new dog home, introducing them to their new PetCot is a great way to welcome them to their new space. Visit our website today to find the perfect size and color, and give Fido some love from the entire PetCot Company.

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