The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pet Toys The Pet Tree House - Where Pets Are Family Too : Pet Toys
Showing posts with label Pet Toys. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pet Toys. Show all posts

Thursday, July 6, 2017

Rockville, Maryland: Montgomery County Humane Society is in Need of Supplies for the Animals – Please Share!



Montgomery County Humane Society: We are low on a few items:

*Fabuloso 
*Toilet paper
*Paper towels
*Canned kitten food
*Dog & cat toys 
*trash bags (30 gallon)

If you can help us, our hours to drop off are from 
11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. daily at 
601 S. Stonestreet Avenue, Rockville, Maryland
20850

Thanks you guys so much for your support!




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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Want a Pet? Living on a Budget? Tips on How You Can Do it…Without Burning a Hole in Your Pockets


There are few things cuter than a puppy or kitten, but for those seeking a new pet without giving an arm and a leg might want to consider adopting from a shelter.

Read on for some tips on how to welcome a four-legged friend into your home without burning a hole in your pockets.

Q: How can I save on food, toys and supplies?

Buying pet food in bulk is a good way to save over time, but you'll want to make sure you're buying quality.

"Food isn't an area you want to skimp on," Scott Giacoppo of the Washington Humane Society said. "I wouldn't recommend buying the cheapest food the same way I wouldn't recommend someone to serve Oreos at their Sunday dinner."

Giacoppo said your vet or employees at pet supply stores like Pro Feed, Petco or PetSmart should be able to recommend food and other supplies for your pet.

Also, remember that you don't need to buy everything for your pet all at once. You might be able to start out with just bowls, food, a collar and a few toys, and then learn more about your pet to determine what else he or she needs. Of course, a dog will need a leash, and a cat will need a litter box, but you don't need to spring for top-of-the-line models.

Sign up for deals websites such as Groupon, which often have deals on pet supplies and services -- just make sure you actually need the item; otherwise, you won't be saving money at all.

Also, search pet retailer websites for coupons or special discounts. For instance, Petco.com offers 20 percent off for signing up to receive emails, and free shipping for orders of $49 or more.

Learn how to perform basic pet grooming skills yourself, such as nail clipping, to save on grooming fees. If you're able to, bathe your dog yourself in your bathtub or outside in the yard. If you can't, consider visiting a DIY dog-washing business, where you can use their shampoos and professional-grade tubs for about $20 -- still cheaper than paying for professional grooming.

Q: What are some preventative tactics I can take to avoid mishaps and large vet bills?

One way to cut costs before you ever see the vet is to adopt from a shelter, because "when you adopt, the animals are sterilized, they're up to date on vaccinations and they've been house trained," Giacoppo said.

If you buy a puppy or kitten from a breeder, you'll pay for these costs out of pocket. Sure, they're cute, but they can end up much pricier in the long run than adopting an older dog -- and by adopting from a shelter, you'll actually be saving two lives, not one (here's why).

The Washington Humane Society also provides one year of pet health insurance and low-cost spaying and neutering if your new buddy hasn't been altered already ($130 for dogs, $80 for cats).

Make sure to "pet-proof" your home so that any hazards or harmless substances are kept out of your new pet's reach. And remember that what's safe for humans might not be safe for dogs or cats. (See the Pet Poison Hotline's list here.) 

Q: Which breeds of dogs/cats tend to be cheaper to care for?

Generally, smaller ones. The cost of care for cats and dogs doesn't vary much based on breed (unless you have a breed that requires extensive professional grooming), but smaller animals simply tend to consume less food than larger animals. Same goes for items like toys, treats and beds -- larger ones usually cost more.

However, the best way to reduce costs is to take care of your pet well, both physically and psychologically. Giacoppo says Parvo, for example, is a life-threatening disease that can cost thousands of dollars to treat, but can be avoided for a small price.

"Take a Saturday once a year, wait in line for an hour and pay $10 for a shot that can save your pet's life," he said. The Washington Humane Society offers low-cost vaccinations Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Also, be sure that your pet has a social life and gets plenty of exercise. Leaving pets tied up or left alone leads to psychological problems and boredom, which can cause behavioral problems, damage to your home or property, and ultimately physical problems that need treatment.

Q: Where can I find affordable pet insurance (and is it worth it)?

Pet insurance can be tricky because there are a few different kinds, and it's not necessarily about what injuries or illnesses your pet could endure, as dog owner Sarah Kliff noted in a recent Vox article. Kliff pays $40 to $50 a month for pet insurance and says the real question is actualll "How much are you willing to pay to spend to save your pet’s life?"

For her, it would be a lot. "If I got a very large bill, I would likely pay it," Kliff wrote. "I would pay bills big enough to make it difficult for me to put a down payment on a house."

To sum it up, you might pay a premium for pet insurance that you never use to make a claim. But a few $400 trips to the vet or an unfortunate $3,000 surgery to remove your pet's favorite toy from its stomach could eventually surpass the price you paid for the insurance. Kliff also points out that many people pay renters' insurance and never file a claim, but the peace of mind can be worth it.

The website PolicyGenius advises people on which types of insurance they should buy, advising some pet owners not to invest in insurance at all.

Kliff writes that Jennifer Fitzgerald, the co-founder of the site, said the right consumer for pet insurance has "low ability to pay (to save their pet's life) but high willingness," so it's not for everyone.

Alternative options include pet wellness plans. For instance, PetSmart's Banfield Pet Hospital chain offers a wellness plan with a focus on prevention and early diagnosis, with potentially lower costs than traditional pet care services. Plans include a set number of wellness visits per year, may cover the cost of shots and offer discounts on other forms of care.

Q: If I need to travel, should I take my pet, hire a sitter or board at a kennel?

It depends. The cost of a travel crate can range from $30 to $100, and overnight care can be costly, too. Your best bet: Find friends or family member willing to do watch your pets. Or, get to know a pet-owning neighbor and offer to trade pet care: You'll watch their dog or cat for a weekend if they'll do the same for you another weekend.

If you're thinking of boarding your pet, check business reviews on a site such as Yelp. If you find several well-reviewed spots, call around to get the best rate. And don't be afraid to ask about any special deals: Will they give you a discount if you pick up your pet before a certain time, for example?

If you hire someone to watch your pet at home, beware of an apparent "bargain." Giacoppo said it's best to use a referral.

"You don't wanna hire someone who says they will just come over for five dollars," he said. "You have no idea how they will treat your pet."


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Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Americans Spent $58 Billion on Their Pets in 2014


Picture of bucket of money
Pets are a member of our family these days. They protect us, love us, make us happy, and love spending time with us. Not only this, but our pets love us unconditionally when it seems no one else does. This is why, according to a report by the Columbus Dispatch on March 6, Americans spent $58 billion on their pets in 2014. This not only includes buying pets but pampering their pets as well as making sure they are healthy and happy.

The $58 billion was spent on 397 million pets in this country alone.

So where did the money go? The money went on many different things to make peoples pets healthier and happier. Here is a rundown of what the money was actually spent on according to the American Pet Products Association.

The American Pet Products Association measured the money spent on five different areas for pets. These five different areas included $22 billion on food, $15 billion on vet care, $14 billion on supplies for pets which includes beds, bowls, collars, and over-the-counter medications to help prevent fleas, ticks, and colds. Also, $4.8 billion on other things for their pets and $2 billion on buying pets themselves.

Although vet care is included in this equation, according to the Mansfield News Journal, vet care was either unchanged from the year before or down just a little bit from the previous year. However, these expenses range from lifesaving to the exotic which means plastic surgery.

The ‘other’ category included grooming, walking, boarding, day care, training, not to mention trips to the spa. Yes, trips to the spa! People are spending more and more money on these things since the ‘other’ category is the one that increased the most since last year when it comes to spending money on pets.

People are spending more and more money on exotic things for their pets. However, there is another thing that people are spending more money on for their pets and that includes new types of food. This new type of food that people are now spending on their pets is as high grade as human food.

As well as people spending more on better tasting and more high quality food for their pets making this category increase in sales from the previous year but pet sales itself was down last year. This is actually a good thing because it means that people are no longer buying from puppy mills or at least not as many people are buying from puppy mills and the like. This is also good because it means the cracking down the Humane Society and other animal services did on these puppy mills is actually working.

How much money did you spend on your pet in 2014? How much money have you spent on your pet or pets this year already? Sound off with your comments in the comment section below and let everyone know how much you love your pets.

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Sunday, November 23, 2014

Santa Will Be Visiting Coolridge Animal Hospital To Take Donations of Any Unopened Pet food, Pet Accessories and Even Money to Be Donated to a Local Rescue or Shelter


Picture of Santa and pets
Camp Springs, Maryland - We are very excited to announce that Santa will be visiting Coolridge Animal Hospital this year! He will be taking donations of any unopened dog or cat food, litter, toys, beds and even money. All proceeds will be donated to a local rescue or shelter! In return for this donation you will receive a picture of you and Santa!!

Stayed tuned for date/times TBA next week.

Santa has asked that all the fur babies write to Santa via Facebook or by email coolridgeah@gmail.com, and let Santa know if you have been naughty or nice this year, and what your little heart desires from Santa.

The best Dear Santa Letter will receive a special gift from Santa!

The Pet Tree House will post the date and time next week!


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Saturday, September 27, 2014

How To Tell If Your Pet Is Bored, And What To Do About It


Have you ever seen your cat try to climb a wall, repeatedly jump on your shelves to knock items off or leap onto the chandelier? Or has your dog ever tried to dig up your wall-to-wall carpeting or decided that it’s fun to play tug-of-war with the curtains? These could all be signs that your pet is not getting enough mental stimulation.

Dr. Wailani Sung, a Washington veterinarian, is sharing ways that you can tell if your pet is suffering from boredom — and easy ways to change that.

To read more on this story, click here: Is Your Pet Bored?




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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Americans Spent $50.96 Billion on Their Pets in 2011



For the first time in history more than $50 billion has been spent on pets: dogs, cats, canaries, guppies and the like, reports The American Pet Products Association.

Food and vet costs accounted for about 65 percent of the spending. But it was a service category - one that includes grooming, boarding, pet hotels, pet-sitting and day care - that grew more than any other, surging 7.9 percent from $3.51 billion in 2010 to $3.79 billion in 2011.

APPA President Bob Vetere said 2012 should be another banner year for services, predicting it would grow 8.4 percent to an estimated $4.11 billion in 2012.

Owners are taking care of their pets, said Dr. Jessica Vogelsang, a San Diego veterinarian and author of pawcurious.com. "They are planning ahead. When they go on vacation, they want to make sure their pets are well cared for," she said.

Spending in 2011 was up 5.3 percent from 2010, when it totaled $48.35 billion, Vetere said. He estimated 2012 sales would total $53 billion.

In 2011, people spent $19.85 billion on food, $13.41 billion on vet care, $11.77 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines, $3.79 billion on other services and $2.14 billion on live animal purchases.

In 2010, they spent $18.76 billion on food, $13.01 billion on vet care, $10.94 billion on supplies and over-the-counter medicines, $3.51 billion on other services and $2.13 billion on live animal purchases.

Food sales did slow down, Vetere said, even though the 5.8 percent growth exceeded projections of 4.1 percent growth.

APPA numbers indicate that animal sales and adoptions are flattening out and the number of people who switched over to high-end food products is topping out.

Pet ownership is becoming less of an impulse decision, Vogelsang said. "I am seeing a lot of people saying, 'This isn't the time for us.' People are more interested in pets than ever before but they are taking their time, once they make the commitment, to do it right."

"I don't think this is a bad thing. I am proud of the owners," she said.

Pet insurance is another area that is expected to grow briskly, Vetere said. Included in the veterinary care category, insurance was estimated to be $450 million in 2011 and expected to grow to more than $500 million in 2012.

"Insurance makes such a difference in the health of an animal," Vogelsang said. "I can't tell you how many times I have had a pet come in and the only reason (the owners) were able to afford catastrophic care is because they had insurance. It's literally a life-saver and I'm really glad people are embracing the concept," the veterinarian said.

The pet industry is also a major attraction for entrepreneurs and investors looking for creative and innovative products, Vetere said.

Vogelsang believes the trend is toward "very specific items geared to the specific needs of pets. We are seeing a lot of puzzle feeders for dogs - not just toys but ones that are geared toward the mental needs of the animal. Then there are bionic toys for destructive chewers, a lot of very niche items," she said.


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