Best Large Dog Breeds for Apartments

Few decisions are as lovely and life-changing as adopting a dog, but should your square footage limit which pup you give a home? Of course not! The truth is, a dog’s size isn’t always an indication of how big a home it needs. Some little dogs just want to run around all day, while some big dogs are couch potatoes.

As long as you’ve done a bit of research and know that your prospective pup’s breed is a good fit for apartment living, then you can adopt them, big or small, and know they’ll have happy lives. A loving home is much better than another month at the shelter, after all. While this is far from a comprehensive list, here are a few pointers when it comes to large dog breeds for apartments.

The Gentle Giant: Saint Bernards

Beautiful and loyal, Saint Bernards are large fluffy dogs who just love a nap. While every dog deserves a long walk or two a day, Saint Bernards will be more than happy between exercise to lay around with their families. These big guys and gals are calm and loving, so you don’t need to worry as much about stubbornness, tantrums, or home-wrecking behavior.

The Coach Potato: Golden Retrievers  

You definitely saw this one coming. This classic dog breed isn’t just cuddly, loving, and calm, but they’re also super dedicated to their families and easy to train. As far as big apartment dogs go, you can’t do much better than a Golden Retriever! Most people will still be able to pick up their Goldens when they’re fully grown (maybe with some effort!) for vet trips and car rides, and when the time comes to binge watch on lazy Sundays, you have a sleepy foot warmer who’s just as excited to relax as you are.

The Sleepy Sprinter: Greyhounds

They’re big, tall, and made to run — but Greyhounds are often recommended as great apartment dogs. Why? Because they love a long nap and family time just as much as you do.   Famously low-demand pets, Grey Hounds are great apartment companions. Again, all dogs need sufficient exercise every day, but your Greyhound won’t be nearly as antsy and needy as, for instance, a Husky! They might be fast, but they have low stamina, so a quick jog or park visit will make them super happy to lounge around for the rest of the day.

The Lovable Watchdog: Great Pyrenees 

Great Pyrenees are big, white, and fluffy dogs weighing up to (and sometimes over) 150 pounds. These lovable bears are very lazy and very family-oriented, so they’ll be happy hanging out around the house when you’re home and holding down the fort when you’re gone. Like the other breeds on our list, Great Pyrenees are calm and can live happy lives in apartments as long as they get outside for a walk a day! 

The Perennial Parent: Bernese Mountain Dogs

This big, classic fluffball is widely known as a smart and loving addition to any family. In fact, when it comes to being gentle around children, Bernese Mountain Dogs are at the top of the list! They love hanging out with kids, long lazy afternoons, and a good walk a day. Better yet, they aren’t really barkers, and they’re super friendly around other dogs — which is great news for apartment dwellers who need to worry about their neighbors.

Help a Dog, Help Yourself 

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch, give us plenty of love, and protect our families. When you adopt a dog, they’re rescuing you too. If you’ve been thinking about getting an emotional support animal, training your dog to become one, or exploring animal-assisted therapy, then I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me.

How Long Can You Leave a Cat Alone?

Cat lovers know that their feline friends aren’t nearly as solitary as conventional wisdom would tell them. The truth is, cats also love to socialize, hang out around their people, play with toys, and just explore! But since most pet-owning households are a revolving door of people coming and going from work and other obligations, how long is too long when it comes to leaving your cat alone?

Am I Leaving My Cat Alone for Too Long?

Before we get into it, understand that there’s a very big difference between cats and kittens. If you’re raising a kitten under four months old, then you should never leave them alone for more than three or four hours — they’re just too delicate and needy! By the time a kitten hits six months, it’s ok to leave them alone for the typical eight-hour workday.

Now, adult cats are another story. Since cats don’t need to be walked every day, or let out to do their bathroom business, they’re much lower maintenance. As long as your cat has food available and plenty of fresh, clean water, then leaving your cat alone for a typical 8-hour workday is no big deal. In fact, as long as you’re giving your cat plenty of facetime and stimulation when you’re home, most cats can live perfectly content lives around their pet parent’s full-time schedules.

Where things get more complicated is when you’re going to leave for a day or more (consider a cat sitter, just to be safe). If your cat will be alone for 24 hours, there’s a bit more to take into consideration. For instance, if your cat eats wet food, bugs might get to it within that timeframe, making it unpleasant or inedible. Water may also get dirty, and your cat’s litter box may get too full or smelly to use.

More than that, the home will just feel so empty! You simply being present is stimulating for your pets — and they really, really notice it when you’re gone. So, if you’re going to leave your cat alone for a day or more, make sure you give them plenty of play time, companionship, and entertainment before you go — and make sure you do these five things.

Five Things to Do Before You Leave Your Cat at Home

You can’t take your cat everywhere, unfortunately! While leaving your cat alone for 24 hours at a time is mostly ok, it shouldn’t happen frequently. That said, there are a few things you can do to make your stay-at-home cat as comfortable and happy as possible! Here they are:

• Air Conditioning: What’s the temperature going to be while you’re gone — especially if it’s for one to two days? Make sure your set the thermostat to a comfortable level. For your cat’s sake, don’t turn it off! It can get really cold or really hot faster than you think.

• Additional Litter Boxes: While you’re gone, there won’t be any litter scooping, so your cat’s litter box can fill up and, more importantly, get really unpleasant really quickly. To make sure your cat can use the bathroom without distress, put out a second litter box in a visible spot a day or so before you leave. 

• Leave on Music or TV: I know it sounds a bit silly, but cats are social animals just like us. They need stimulation, and there’s nothing more dispiriting than days in an empty, silent household. At a low volume, play a calming music channel or television channel to spice up your cat’s atmosphere. It really does help — just not too loud!

• Lay Out Dry Food: Wet food, as I’ve mentioned, can get pretty gross left out in the open for too long — especially if there are bugs around. If you’re going to leave your cat alone for a day or so, make sure you have dry food they’re acquainted with available. It’ll stay fresh, even if it isn’t as tasty as those wet canned foods!

• Go Overboard on Water: As a rule of thumb, overestimate how much water you should leave out. Fill up your cat’s typical bowl, and then leave out a few more bowls in different rooms. Automatic water bowls are a nice amenity, but they aren’t necessary as long as your cat has plenty to drink!

Thanks for Taking Care of Your Cat!

It’s hard to part from our furry companions, but they’ll be glad to know that you’re taking care of them even from afar! Did you know they can take care of you too? If you’re a cat lover, then you might be interested in learning about emotional support animals or animal-assisted therapy. Well, I’m here to answer any and all of your questions! Feel free to send a message.

Unbeatable Holiday Gifts for Pets and Pet Parents

There’s no better time of year to show our pets just how much we care about them. After a year of unconditional love (and maybe a tantrum or two), the holidays give us the opportunity to give back to our furry friends. Whether you’re shopping for your own pets or for a pet parent, here are some can’t-miss gift ideas to inspire your shopping!

A Comfy Padded Harness

Dog walks are the best. Even if we aren’t always in the mood to take them, they keep us healthy and give us the chance to watch our pets enjoy the various sights, sounds, and smells of nature. But anyone with a “puller” knows that collars or strappy harnesses can be really uncomfortable. Dogs are always troopers about discomfort, but one big quality-of-life improvement you can give your pet is a high-quality padded harness to make walks less painful!

Puzzle Toys for Smart and Stubborn Pets

If you’ve heard one-too-many stories about your friend’s restless and cunning Husky or stealthy and mischievous cat, then puzzle toys are a great idea. From IQ balls, which only release treats if they’re rolled in just the right way, to maze-like puzzles that require pets to move pieces around the board to “unlock” their food, these tricky toys are sure to keep them occupied.

Matching Pet and Person Sweaters

That’s right; these exist. Believe it or not, there’s no shortage of clothing companies and independent artisans who make matching holiday clothing for pets and their people. If your friends or family have multiple animals, you could even find a dog, cat, and mom-and-dad combo! Opening up a matching sweater gift will make any pet parent smile! 

Treat-Tossing Pet Cameras

Leaving your pets alone at home is always a heartbreaker, but you or your pet parent friends can feel a bit more comfortable if you can see what your pets are up to (and even toss them a treat from your phone). That’s where dog cameras come in. Using an app, you can simply check in on your pets. Some cameras even notify you if your dog begins barking — meaning they can double as a security camera! Not a bad investment.

Humorously Luxurious Pet Treats

Sometimes crossing the line gets a big laugh. From luxury dog macrons to high-end cat snacks, an assortment of ridiculous pet treats will put a smile on any pet parent’s face. You could even put together a five-star pet snack pack including fresh-ingredient entrees, a pack of high-end snacks, and a fun pet desert.

Motion-Activated Cat Toys

Any pet parent who works from home knows just how tough conference calls can be with a needy cat. Motion-activated cat toys are a great way to keep those kittens occupied. My favorite is an automatic laser toy that senses your cat’s presence and begins moving a laser pointer around. It’s a big help, and it’s fun to watch!

Doggy DNA Kits (for Health and Fun)

If your friend has always speculated about what type of breed their dog is, then a DNA kit could be a great gift. The results can be pretty shocking — not only will you find out why your dog’s ears stand up or what breed mix they are, but you’ll also get a bunch of prospective health information so you can make sure your pet lives a long and happy life.

Custom Pet Portrait or Pillow

Imagine opening up a gift and finding a comfy throw pillow with your dog or cat’s face tastefully woven into the fabric — it’s a heartwarming gift that will keep on giving. These types of custom pet items are pretty common now. You can even commission hand-designed pet portraits to hang up on the wall! If you’re feeling really crazy, there are even companies that create exact replicas of your pets — right down to their size and the way their fur feels.

Happy Holidays to You and Your Pets!

Hopefully this little guide gave you some big ideas for the upcoming holidays. If you’re interested in giving yourself a gift, consider learning about emotional support animals or animal-assisted therapy. Let’s make this next year your best yet. I’m just a message away!

Your Guide to a Dog-Friendly Hotel Holiday

With the holidays just around the corner, it’s time for pet parents to start asking themselves that all-too-familiar question: how are we going to bring our furry friend on our trip? In this article, we’re going to cover everything you need to know to take a pet-friendly hotel holiday — from planning and packing to travel and lodging!

What’s a Hotel Holiday?

Whether you’re visiting family and friends or not, your whole family will love to get away from it all with a quick hotel holiday trip with your pet. It’s pretty self-explanatory — a hotel holiday trip is just a chance to get some new scenery and hang out with family without all the stress of a full-fledged vacation.

That’s perfect for dog owners who might otherwise worry about keeping their pets in someone else’s house or hiring a pet sitter. Instead, you can just hang out in a pet-friendly hotel and explore the area. This is also a great option for longer vacations where it just wouldn’t feel right to leave your dog behind!

Planning Your Dog-Friendly Hotel Holiday

First, figure out where you want to go and what activities your whole family can do once you’re there. I recommend using Google Map’s street view feature to see how walkable the area is. Key things to look for are dog park availability (to get some of that anxious energy out), the dog friendliness of nearby shops (signage and outside water bowls are a good indication), and the availability of dog-friendly hotels.

When it comes to hotels, it can get a bit tricky. Read carefully about what specifications dog-friendly hotels have. Some, for instance, only allow dogs under 50 pounds. Others only allow breeds that they consider “non-aggressive.” It can be a bit frusterating, but make sure your pup will be allowed in once the time comes to check in! That isn’t a surprise anyone wants after a road trip.

Finally, remember to have all of your dog gear packed. That includes medication, potty bags, bowls for eating and drinking, enough kibble to last the whole trip, a leash and harness for walks, a seat cover or blanket for coziness and stain resistance, relevant paperwork like vaccinations, and plenty of treats to reward good behavior!

Tips for a Flawless Holiday with Your Dog

While it introduces plenty of new considerations, if you’re bringing your dog on your holiday trip, then it’s going to be a lot more fun too! Let’s go over a few best practices and pet etiquette tips to make sure your holiday is as smooth as possible.

Bag it Up: Always, and I mean always, have potty bags available. You never know when your dog is ready to go. I find it helpful to tie two to the leash handle so they’re always nearby!

Anxiety Means Exercise: If your dog is being anxious, moody, or high-maintenance, remember that they aren’t just deciding to be that way — they need help and don’t know how to ask for it! Nine times out of ten, my dog just needs to burn some energy to get back to her fun-loving self.

Leashed and Attended: If you’re in public, then never ever leave your dog unattended. Don’t hand them to a stranger while you grab a quick coffee or tie them to a post. It’s scary and could put them in danger (or others if your dog gets reactive from being left alone!)

Make it Home-y: To help your dog settle in at the hotel room, bring a familiar blanket, dog bed, and toys. The familiar smells always help ease my dog’s tension, and it helps them understand that this is going to be home for the next few days.

Restaurant Etiquette: Pretty much all food establishments won’t allow dogs inside, so expect to eat in outdoor seating areas. It’s key to bring treats and long-lasting dog chews in this situation. If your dog is easily distracted, dining during off hours might help too!

Learn More About Service Dogs & Animal-Assisted Therapy

Your dog will be thrilled to come along on your trip—and they’d be happy to help you in other ways too. Animal-assisted therapy is a great way to strengthen your bond with your dog (or a therapy dog!) and learn more about what you need in life to be happy. If you’ve been thinking about getting an emotional support animal, training your dog to become one, or exploring therapy, then I’d be happy to give you more information. Feel free to read more here or contact me.

Let Your Pets Help You Quit Smoking

We all know that smoking is harmful, but it’s less widely known that secondhand smoke can cause the same devastating effects to the people around smokers. As it turns out, pets aren’t any different. Pets who live with smokers can experience shorter lives and serious health complications as a direct result of their owner’s secondhand and thirdhand smoke. Whether you’re taking care of dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, fish, or any other living thing, smoke particles are a serious threat to their well-being (and yours). That’s why, in this article, we’re going to explore why smoking harms pets and how looking out for their health can help you look out for your own!

Why is Smoking So Bad?

As the FDA writes on its website, the residue of smoke that sits on walls, clothes, and skin, which is referred to as thirdhand smoke, also attaches to pet fur. Since there’s no risk-free level of smoke exposure, smoking around family and pets could also subject them to illnesses and diseases. In people, this can include lung cancer, heart disease, hardened arteries, asthma, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome. Let’s take a closer look at how this happens.

As people smoke, the nearly 600 ingredients in unlit cigarettes react with one another and, once burned, release over 7,000 chemicals. Over time, these chemicals layer onto the body, surfaces, and pets. Some of the cancer-causing compounds settle on the floor in a layer of house dust. Others settle on walls in as an oily substance that’s hard to remove. Since children and dogs spend so much time on the floor, they will collect those compounds on their bodies and make contact with their mouths, eyes, and ears. Even if someone goes outside to smoke, they will still bring thirdhand smoke back inside with them, which will settle into seats, floors, and walls. As their pets lick or rub up against them, those compounds will still be transferred to their coats and bodies.

What Does Smoking Do to Pets?

For dogs, the FDA states that smoking affects their airways and lungs similarly to humans. Their thick coats, time spent on the floor, and tendency to groom themselves increases their exposure to harmful smoke compounds. For instance, for dog breeds with longer noses, smoke particles spend more time in their sinuses and accumulate. As a result, long-nosed dog breeds, such as Greyhounds or Borzios, are at double the risk of nose cancer if they’re exposed to tobacco smoke. In breeds with short or medium noses, fewer smoke particles are stopped within the sinuses, and more make their way down into the lungs. As a result, short-nosed dog breeds, like Bulldogs and Beagles, more commonly get lung cancer. 

Cats are also affected by secondhand and thirdhand smoke. The FDA points to research that found cats in smoking households were two to four times more likely to suffer from a mouth cancer known as oral squamous cell carcinoma. This cancer is often developed when thirdhand smoke particles collect under the tongue. Because cats are such dedicated groomers, it’s little wonder how those particles get into their mouths.

Of course, the harmful effects of tobacco smoke and smoke particles aren't limited to pets. The people who are smoking the cigarettes that let out these compounds are getting direct and massive doses of these harmful chemicals. And other pets, like fish, birds, and reptiles, can also experience life-threatening effects as a result. 

Help Your Pets, Help Yourself

Pets are remarkable at keeping us healthy — they get us off the couch to go on regular walks, give us plenty of love when we need it most, and might even encourage us to watch how we eat as we manage their diet to keep them healthy and think about our own. Let your pets' health motivate you to stop smoking too! As a certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist, I’d be happy to help you and your pet make tomorrow just a bit better than today. Contact me now with any questions you have. I can’t wait to help you along your journey.

Here’s Just How Happy a Pet Can Make You: Animals and Mental Health

There’s a reason pets have become an indispensable part of so many people’s lives. They aren’t just cute little friends — they’re family members with profound effects on our physical and mental health. In this article, we’re going to explore the positive impact that pets have on our lives, particularly dogs and horses (though cats are great too!), which are the focus of most research.

It’s also worth noting that all pets are beneficial whether they’re trained as emotional support or psychiatric service animals or not! Whoever you bond with will be a great addition to your family. And if you happen to need the specialized training of service pets, then they’re always an option.

1. Pets Get You Outside and Moving

One of the first things a new pet owner will tell is just how much they’re walking now. And that’s a good thing! Whether you work from home or just tend to spend a lot of your day sitting down, getting regular light exercise can have a massive impact on your health and wellbeing. As I mentioned in a PsychCentral article, people who own dogs get about 22 more minutes of walking than non-dog owners a day. That really adds up.

Whether you’re struggling with mental health or general wellness concerns, getting fresh air and light exercise every day can be life-changing. It’s also a great way to chat with your neighbors or meet new people at dog parks. Of course, if you have physical disabilities, then a lower-maintenance pet like a cat or an older dog might be ideal. They’d be thrilled to lounge around too!

2. Pets Can Change Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

One remarkable and consistent finding is a correlation between owning a pet — particularly a dog — and having a lower heart rate and blood pressure compared to non-pet owners of similar physiological and socioeconomic backgrounds. Something about having a companion at home plays a protective role in your heart health.

The research has been so compelling that the American Heart Association actually released a scientific statement in 2013 letting people know that adopting a pet could reduce their risk of experiencing a cardiovascular disease. Likewise, the CDC released a paper stating that pets also help lower cholesterol levels and triglyceride levels.

More than that, heart attack patients who have pets at home tend to survive longer than those who don't, and elderly pet owners make 30% fewer visits to their doctors than those without pets. Think about that next time your dog asks for a bone!

3. Pets Can Help With Depression — and the Blues

Whether you struggle with clinical depression or are just prone to bouts of sadness every now and again, pets can be a big help. One WebMD article explains that pets interrupt the loneliness cycle that tends to exacerbate depression. Rather than coming home from work and shutting yourself inside, pets greet you at the door, encourage you to go outside for a walk, and give you plenty of love when you get back home.

In other words, pets light up your home with a bit of life and plenty of unconditional love. Just petting a dog can increase your mood and reduce stress hormones, and since you’re responsible for their wellbeing, your days will have more structure. That means it won’t be as easy for you to lay in bed all day and spiral — instead, you’ll be feeding, walking, napping, and playing with your pal.

4. Pets Help With Anxiety and Stress

For those who struggle with anxiety, pets can help you break down those boundaries, rewire your brain, and make you a more confident and less anxious person. It’s little wonder why — pets are great at enjoying the moment! They don’t dwell on the past, worry about the future, or catastrophize their lives. They just want to have fun and hang out with their owners.

If you’re anxious after a hard day at work, about going outside, or being around other people, just follow your pet’s lead! They will help calm your brain down and show you that you don’t have anything to worry about. All that matters is the moment, and whenever you feel that anxiety creeping back in, you can just reach down and hug your pet for support.

Consider Animal-Assisted Therapy

It’s clear that pets can have a massive impact on our overall health, but they’re also a pretty big responsibility! If you want to learn more about how you and a pet can improve one another’s lives, take a look at my animal-assisted therapy page, and feel free to contact me with any questions!

Maintaining Your Life Goals During Summer Relaxation

The summer is the season most associated with having fun and spending time relaxing with family and friends. However, life doesn’t stop during summer, and you’ll still need to be actively working on your life goals to ensure that you meet your milestones and continue to make progress physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Here are a few ways to help you achieve balance, particularly in summer, so that you can take time to renew your mind while still working toward professional and personal progress. 

Take Advantage of the Weather

Get out in the sun and take up all the beauty of the season; it could inspire you to continue reaching your life goals. If you’re planning a trip to the beach with friends or family, take with you any tools for personal improvement such as self-help books or seminar notes so you can continue to learn the steps you need to take toward personal, emotional or financial freedom. You may be able to better absorb the information when you’re looking at the calming waves of the ocean and soaking in the warmth of the sun. Let nature inspire you and remind you that everything in the ecosystem works in the way it should and at the time it should. This can reinforce the notion that you need to pursue any longtime career-related and relationship goals that you might have. When you’re sitting outdoors and enjoying the weather, this may also be a good time to write in your journal and clearly outline your goals and chart your progress. The vitamin D that comes from the sun also helps to soothe your mind and keep you from being overwhelmed with everything you have to do to accomplish certain tasks. 

Move Your Body

Be sure to stay active during the summer, so you’ll have the energy to maintain your weight loss and your overall health goals. When you’re in a better state of mind, you can think clearly about your goals and customize them as necessary. Being active can also give you the confidence you need to go on interviews or even confront people in your personal life, since you’ll know consciously and subconsciously that you’re doing your best for yourself, which allows you to give your best to others. Activities like water aerobics, jogging in the cooler hours of the day (early morning or evening) or even playing with your kids outside can give you a workout and can increase circulation to help you feel your best. Once you see progress in the way your body looks and the way you feel overall, you’ll be more motivated to keep working out, even after summer has ended. 

Finally, a strong support system is necessary when you’re going after major life goals. You’re likely going to have more leisure time to spend with loved ones, and you should let your friends and family know what you’re working on if they are trustworthy and will serve as accountability partners. For instance, if you’re planning to return to school, let your best friend know your plans and ask him or her to keep you on track when it comes to enrolling for school and learning about your new career. Even though the summer is usually associated with being out of school, tell someone you can trust about what you plan to do so you won’t get too lax about doing something that will make you a better person in the long run. 

Organizing Your Budget For the Second Half of the Year

It’s hard to believe that the year is nearly halfway over. You’ve likely recovered from the financial strain of the holidays and might be planning a summer vacation. These are just some of the reasons that you’ll need to take special care to stay organized when it comes to money in the last part of the year. After all, summer will be over before you know it and it will be time to start planning for the holidays and next summer, so it’s best to get a hold of things now. 

Literally keeping tabs on yourself will help you finish out the year strong when it comes to your finances. Keep folders for each of the money goals you’re trying to accomplish by the end of the year. For instance, if you want to pay off a credit card or have a few more car payments left, keep track of this and put a little money aside each payday to accomplish this goal. Every time you make a deposit in your savings account for the goal, make a note of it. When you make a payment toward an account, note this in the folder. This is also a good way to make sure you have a record of your financial habits if there are any disputes with your creditor. 

It's also a good idea to start making some life adjustments if you want to accomplish a short-term financial mission before the year ends. If you tend to eat out every day for lunch, make it a point to make some of your favorite foods for dinner so you can take the leftovers to work for lunch the next day. You could save between forty and sixty dollars a week (sometimes more) in most cases, and this money can be used to pay for your gym membership without having to touch other parts of your finances, or the money could fill your gas tank up for the week. For larger financial goals, refinancing your mortgage or downsizing your living space could also help you save money so you can invest in the projects you want to pursue in the coming year. For example, if the startup costs for your business can be taken care of when you move to a place where the mortgage is cheaper, you’ll have to make these adjustments to make sure you have what you need to get your company off the ground. 

Finally, don’t forget to reward yourself when you display integrity when it comes to organizing your budget. For example, if you’re at the grocery store and you stick to your list and search for a few coupons, reward yourself by getting your favorite ice cream. Or, if you have money left over from paying off one of your bills in full, use the money to buy one thing for yourself, then put the rest in savings. A large part of keeping your budget organized is realizing that unexpected things will come up, so remember to be prepared for surprises so that your living expenses and major financial goals won’t be extremely compromised.