Frequently Asked Questions

Rosie

Didn't you used to take care of cats? Yes, and we're still taking care of our existing kitty clients but we're focusing on off leash dog hikes now and not accepting new kitties at this time.

Can you recommend a good pet food? Don't let the packaging fool you, read the labels. Ingredients are listed by weight. Some ingredients weigh more than others, so keep that in mind. A label that reads "lamb, rice flour, rice bran, brewer's rice..." has way more rice than lamb. Your local pet supply store will generally carry better quality pet foods than what's in the supermarkets. The exception is Paul Newman's line of pet foods, which is a good quality petfood found in supermarkets.

What you want to look for is a whole meat source or single-source meat meal as one of the first two ingredients (chicken or chicken meal for instance, not poultry meal). You also want whole unprocessed grains, vegetables, and other foods.

Keep away from food fragment's such as brewer's rice and wheat bran. Also keep the meat by-products somewhere below the top five ingredients.

Hallmarks of low-quality food: generic fats or proteins (animal fat is bad, beef fat or chicken fat is good). Artificial preservatives including BHA, BHT or Ethoxyquin. Artificial colors, propylene glycol, and sweetners like corn syrup, sucrose or ammoniated glycyrrhizin.

Can you recommend a good vet? I like the people at the SPCA clinic on Baldwin St. in Oakland, Montclair Veterinary Hospital, Creature Comfort in the Dimond District and Park Centre in Alameda. See the Health Care Referrals page for more info

What does a free consultation entail? We come to your home to meet you and your dog. This usually takes about 30 - 45 minutes. During that time we will answer any questions that you may have, go over the paperwork, interview your dog, and pick up keys. Please have your forms filled out and keys made prior to the consultation. New clients are required to pay in full at consultation for their dog's first scheduled visits. No forms are needed for Reiki, just call Karen to set up an appointment.

How do I know if my pet's collar fits properly? I often find my client's pet's collars are too loose or too tight. Too loose on a dog and he will be able to slip out of it on a walk. Too tight and your pet may have trouble breathing or eating, not good. You need to make sure that you can place three fingers easily under the collar while your pet is wearing it. Also try slipping it off. If it stops at the ears your fit is good. If the collar slips over the ears, it's too loose. Remember to check your growing puppy or kitten's collar every week and adjust if needed!

When I walk my dog, he/she pulls me down the street. Can you recommend a better leash or harness? I like the Sense-ation/ Sense-able and Easy Walk harnesses. There's no adjustment period, just put it on with the ring in front, fit it loosley and go. I also recommend ALL small dogs wear harnesses because they are prone to get collapsed trachaeas from pulling in a regular collar. A martingale collar is nice too for dogs that don't really pull much.

I DO NOT like the head harnesses, most dogs don't like them and they can slip off or be too tight and dig into your poor dogs face and leave a mark. I also DO NOT like chain or pinch/ prong collars. They do more damage than good! Your dog will pull anyway; with these collars he/she can damage their tracheas.

My pet just died and I'm devastated. I need to talk to someone that understands what I'm going through, can you help me? I know how guilty and lonely I felt after the deaths of my many pets over the years. I didn't know of any support groups and I went through my grief alone. You are not alone, there are people that can help you!

Try calling the UC Davis Pet Loss Hotline for counseling over the phone at ph.530-752-4200. There is also a Pet Loss Support Group the 2nd & 4th Tuesday of each month, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm in Walnut Creek. For more info call facilitator Dr. Cecelia Soares at ph.925-932-0607

What will happen to my pet if I suddenly become incapacitated or I die? My family doesn't like pets and I don't want to burden my friends. This is something EVERY PET GUARDIAN should think about. It's not just a problem for seniors. I had a very young client in her early 20's suddenly become incapacitated. Being so young and healthy, she had no trust fund for her puppy. The puppy was taken by Animal Control to the Oakland Animal Shelter and had only 15 days before she was either to be put up for adoption or put to sleep! Fortunately for the puppy a friend volunteered to foster her until her owner could take care of her again.

Don't let this happen to you! Please have a trust fund set up for your pet. Call Hopalong and ask about the Pet Survivor Program.

How can I be a better pet guardian? I recommend that EVERY pet guardian take the Pet CPR and First Aid class offered by the Red Cross or Pet Tech. More info on Links pg. 1.