Quarantining with Furry Family
Hello Everyone!
I am Mary Jo, owner at Go Healthy Pet, a family-owned boutique all-natural pet store, located in Wilton Manors, Florida. This is for those of you who are finding it hard to work from home these days while occupying your furry family members! I am one of the fortunate ones to have an essential business, so I haven’t had a major change in my daily work routine. Lately, one of the biggest challenges my customers, who are now working from home, seem to be facing, is being able to focus long enough to be productive. The family is always nearby, and the canine fur baby wants to go out every five minutes. To top it off, a quick bathroom breaks away from the computer results in the cat standing on the keyboard, erasing the pending email that took 20 minutes to write, or even worse, their little paws somehow found a way to add additional content to said email, and send it on its way!
Below are a few suggestions that may help you stay on task during the workday, while still providing your fluffy friends with the love and attention they are craving:
Try to keep your pre-quarantine schedule for your pets when it comes to feeding, walking, and playing. If the schedule and food menu changes too often, you will find it may be harder on your pup and/or kitty to readjust when you eventually return to work. A difficult readjustment period may result in unwanted destructive or retaliatory behaviors. Maintaining consistency during this time will help prevent this from happening.
Provide new and interesting toys. Puzzle toys are great, are mentally stimulating, and can even provide exercise. Kibble balls, for example, are an easy way to make your fur babies work for their meals or treats, and yes, you can use these for kitties too! I love the Outward Hound Puzzle toys by Nina Ottosson. They even have varying levels of difficulty. The Busy Buddy toys for a treat or food-dispensing are also an excellent option. My favorite brand is West Paw out of Montana, as they make strong, safe, interesting chew toys, puzzle toys, and soft squeaky toys!
Chews. There are a million out there! Even though many people may find them to be unappealing, an all-natural, one ingredient chew is the best way to go. Bully sticks shouldn’t smell if they are made correctly. There are, however, multiple other options if bully sticks are not for you, such as tendons, esophagus sticks, trachea, beef cheeks, hooves, lamb horn, elk antler, duck feet, and chicken feet, just to name a few. All of these are great for cleaning teeth and are the best source of glucosamine, and chondroitin for joints. My favorite is Frozen Raw Marrow bones straight from the freezer on a hot day!
Now for our feline friends. Even though they can be independent and aloof, cats can be trained. If you have a kitten, now is a great time to harness train them, so they can go with you on walks. Be sure to have treats they love on hand as you get them used to the harness, and every day, let them wear it a little longer. Start leash walking indoors first, prior to venturing outside. It can be helpful to put them in a carrier with the harness on, and then, once in a quiet area, you can let them venture out.
If you can’t go outside with your kitty, no worries! You can make a fun-house with boxes, paper bags, and other cat-safe items they enjoy. My little Gracie loves playing hide and seek, and will do amazing acrobatics with our favorite “made in the USA” cat toys, by FROM THE FIELD. They also make the best, and most fresh, organic catnip!
Last, but most importantly, have you noticed your pet’s health lately? So many changes have happened for all of us, which means we need to be extra aware of our own health, as well as our pets’ health. If possible, provide your dogs and cats with the highest quality foods that are free of corn, wheat, soy, by-products, and chemical preservatives. If you need assistance with improving your pet’s health naturally, please don’t hesitate to ask, we are here to help!
If you are interested in learning more about any of our products, feel free to check out our website at http://www.gohealthypet.com/
Stay Healthy... Be Happy!
Meet the Author
Mary Jo
Owner of GO HEALTHY PET
(954)712-1226
2209 N Dixie Highway
Wilton Manors, FL 33305