Furry Footsteps Professional Dog Walking and Pet Sitting in Ypsilanti MI

Dog Walker and Pet Sitter Services

Professional Pet Care
  in Ypsilanti, Belleville,
and Superior Township, MI
millicent@furryfootsteps.com
(734) 879-1981

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Our Dogs Have No Idea There Is A Pandemic: What I Am Learning From Them

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I remember when I first saw how fast the latest strain of coronavirus, COVID-19, was spreading throughout China and next, Italy. I thought to myself, “we had better prepare; we are in for a rough time when (not if) it reaches the United States.”

My husband and I watched with dread as the first verified cases reached the United States and then, our area. I immediately felt a sinking feeling in my stomach as I began to think about how it would affect my pet sitting company, Furry Footsteps, LLC.  I was preparing for the oncoming busy vacation season, which is typically my busiest time of year beginning with spring break. I have a ton of clients that reserve their dates for the whole year beginning roughly  the middle to end of December, with bookings really rolling in after the New Year. By the time the virus hit our shores, I had reservations through November. [Read more…] about Our Dogs Have No Idea There Is A Pandemic: What I Am Learning From Them

Can Dogs and Cats Contract the COVID-19 Strain of Coronavirus?

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The wide spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus has the world on alert as the virus continues to infect people throughout the globe. After my husband alerted me to an article where a dog in Hong Kong that belongs to an individual infected with COVID-19 tested for low levels of the virus in its nose and mouth, I decided to do some research on the impact of the virus on companion animals. As a professional pet sitter, it is of utmost importance that I protect myself and the families that I service from any possible contagion. [Read more…] about Can Dogs and Cats Contract the COVID-19 Strain of Coronavirus?

Read This Before You Rehome Your Dog

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When we decide to share our lives with a dog, the assumption is that we are gaining a furry family member that will enrich and improve our lives. The bonds that we share with our dogs are incomparable to any other type of relationship in our lives and we anticipate that this bond will be ’till death do us part.’ [Read more…] about Read This Before You Rehome Your Dog

Ways to Keep Your Cat At A Healthy Weight

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Did you know that 60% of cats in the U.S. are obese? Obesity in cats are one of the main contributors in developing diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, kidney disease and more serious health issues. Obese cats also have a shorter life span than cats with a healthy weight.

Read on if you are interested in the healthiest way to keep your feline’s waistline slim and trim! [Read more…] about Ways to Keep Your Cat At A Healthy Weight

What To Know Before Adding A New Dog To The Family

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Adding a new dog to the family, whether a puppy or adult, is an exciting experience if you are a pet lover.  The thought of adding a new friend to the family brings about feelings of love and anticipation of the future wonderful memories and experiences that you will share together.

One of the big decisions that must be made before adding that bundle of furry joy to your household is where you will obtain your pup. Many people opt to adopt from a private rescue or Humane Society, while some people choose to purchase a dog from a breeder. Whatever decision you make, let’s go over a few guidelines to make certain that you choose the happiest, most healthy dog that is well suited for your family and lifestyle. [Read more…] about What To Know Before Adding A New Dog To The Family

New in the Medicine Cabinet: CBD Oil for Pets

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If you’ve heard the whispers at the doggy park you might have heard the new treatment for various disorders in pets – CBD oil.  CBD oil is closely associated with cannabis, despite not always being produced from marijuana plants, so its use in veterinary medicine is very new and relatively unstudied.  Now, however, vets have started turning to CBD oil as a solution for a wide variety of symptoms in pets – from seizure prevention to pain management.

Here is some information about what CBD oil is, what it is being used for, and why this new treatment is so controversial. [Read more…] about New in the Medicine Cabinet: CBD Oil for Pets

What Is Lurking In Your Pet Bowl?

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Scuzzy, cloudy, grimy…none of these are adjectives you want near your pets’ water or food bowl.  Despite this, sometimes the cleaning routine slips away from you and you find yourself looking at a bowl definitely in need of a scouring.  Let’s take a look at what happens when you don’t clean your bowl regularly, and whether it is anything to get your fur mussed over. [Read more…] about What Is Lurking In Your Pet Bowl?

Pet Incontinence and Its Causes

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When coming home to suspicious yellow puddles around the house, an owner must turn into an instant sleuth, and we are here to help.  Furry Footsteps LLC is exploring the reasons for cat and dog medical incontinence, and what to do about it when discovered. While behavioral urination is always a possibility when you find urine around the house, we will be exploring incontinence due to medical issues.  Please read on for more information! [Read more…] about Pet Incontinence and Its Causes

Vital Essentials Dog Food Recall | April 2018

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April 16, 2018 — Carnivore Meat Company of Green Bay, WI, is voluntarily recalling two of its Vital Essentials freeze-dried dog foods because they may be contaminated with Salmonella.

What’s Recalled?

Affected products can be identified by comparing the following images and lot numbers:

  • Vital Essentials Freeze-Dried Beef Toppers
  • 6 oounce (170 g) package size
  • Best by date: 06/04/2019 or 06/20/2019
  • Lot #: 13815
  • Product UPC: 033211006059

  • Vital Essentials Frozen Beef Chub Entrée for Dogs
  • 5 pound (2.27 kg) package size
  • Best by date: 12/27/18
  • Lot #: 13816
  • Product UPC: 033211008817

What Caused the Recall?

The issue was discovered when a single package of product produced on the same day was collected and tested by FDA for the presence of Salmonella.

About Salmonella

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever.

Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms.

Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting.

Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans.

If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

What to Do?

As of this writing, we are unable to locate any public information regarding this event anywhere on the Vital Essentials website.

All information included within this article has been derived from a third party communication received on April 16, 2016, by The Dog Food Advisor.

The company encourages consumers to discard the affected products included above safely in a covered trash receptacle.

Contact your retailer for a replacement or refund.

No other Vital Essentials products are subject to this voluntary recall.

If you have questions, please contact the company at 920-370-6542.

U.S. citizens can report complaints about FDA-regulated pet food products by calling the consumer complaint coordinator in your area.

Or go to http://www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints.

Canadians can report any health or safety incidents related to the use of this product by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form.

Source: www.dogfoodadvisor.com

Vestibular Disease – What to Know If It Happens to Your Pet

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A fancy word for a complicated illness, vestibular disease is very likely to happen when you least expect it. Also known as “Old Dog Disease”, though it can affect both cats and dogs, it is more likely to happen when your pet approaches their grey muzzle years.  While vestibular disease often resolves itself, the symptoms can be unnerving for the unprepared.  Read up on the different types, causes and treatments for this illness that can occur at any time and without warning. [Read more…] about Vestibular Disease – What to Know If It Happens to Your Pet