You love your pets! The Veterinarians, Technicians and staff at Cumberland Vet Clinic love them too, and understand how quickly they become members of your family. They also know how stressful it can be when your cherished pet may require treatment. For over 20 years, they have been committed to providing the best possible care for your animals.

Here our Vet Experts share a tip on seasonal care for your pets:

Heat Stroke
Heatstroke may kill or seriously injure your pet - but it can easily be avoided. Never leave pets in cars on warm days; exercise during the cool part of the day; look for rapid breathing;loud panting; or staggering. Professional help may be needed, but in the meantime quickly get the animal to a shady ventilated area, and sponge off with cool water.  

Flea Season
As a loving pet owner, you'd do anything to prevent your cat or dog from suffering. After all, they're part of the family. Yet every year when flea season begins, the suffering sets in. It's like an old broken record. Fleas bite, and the scratching and chewing starts again. It's a painful and irritating routine for you and your pet. But that's just the beginning. Adult fleas jump on your cat or dog. They bite them to feed on the blood. Then the fleas produce eggs. Eggs drop from your pet to the ground or carpet. The eggs develop over time into adult fleas. And the cycle starts all over again.

An Invisible Threat
The adult fleas on your pet can actually cause serious medical problems -- like flea allergy dermatitis or tapeworms, and in some extreme cases, anemia. Flea-related diseases account for more than 50 percent of dermatologic cases presented to veterinarians and more then 35 percent of the total small animal veterinary effort.

When to Start Treating?
Ideally, flea control should begin as flea prevention -- before flea season starts. Depending on which part of the country you live in, your flea season can last for four months or it can be a year-long problem.

Where to Turn?
If you are in the midst of flea season and still have problems with fleas, do not despair. Your veterinarian is a flea expert and can advise you on the latest new products that kill adult fleas, eggs, and larvae, and that take care of fleas in your environment. They will base their recommendation on your regional weather conditions (high humidity and heat means more fleas on the way), your pet's health and level of flea infestation.

Pets and Fireworks Don't Mix
The sound of fireworks can terrify your animal. It may run away, perhaps into traffic. A pet's ears are more sensitive than ours. Explosive noises may damage your pet's hearing, or the pet may be injured by a falling firecracker. Remember, pets and fireworks don't mix.  

Dont Let Your Pet Go Back to School
When the school bell rings, don't let your pet go back to school. Many dogs and cats will naturally follow kids--or will be encouraged to tag along. Many become lost, injured, or cause a nuisance around the school yard. Keep your pet confined when children leave for school. If you drive, don't take the pets with you. Animals learn quickly and may find their own way to school later on. Brief separations during the days just before the new school year will help those children and pets that are especially close. And if your pet is missing, call the school first.

Holiday Safety For Cats
The holiday season is a time for celebration, but can also be a time of trouble for your family cat! For example, mistletoe and artificial snow are poisonous; Christmas ornament fragments can perforate the stomach; string, ribbon, and tinsel if swallowed may cause painful intestinal problems; frayed light cords cause shock or burns. Don't spoil your holiday with a medical emergency. As the winter months and holidays approach, you need to take time to ensure that your pets enjoy a happy, healthy holiday season.  

Housing
It is best to keep pets indoors during the winter months, but if this is not possible, outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet, and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. Water sources may be heated to permit constant access to unfrozen water; thermal units designed specifically for this purpose are readily available. Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm, so feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.

Roaming Cats
Roaming cats, as well as house pets and wildlife, may climb onto vehicle engines for warmth during cold weather. Be sure to check under the hood before starting your vehicle and honk the horn to startle any animals seeking shelter inside.

Frostbite & Snow Removal Salt
Snow and salt should be removed from your pets paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible for further care. Snow removal products should be stored out of the reach of pets and small children as their toxicity varies considerably.

Toxic Plants & Holiday/Winter Product
Plants and other items associated with the winter and holiday season can be toxic to your pets. What follows is a general guide. Please consult your veterinarian, animal poison control, and the manufacturer for specifics. Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the better for your pet!  

Low toxicity
Poinsettia leaves/stems; balsam/pine/cedar/fir; angel hair (spun glass); Christmas tree preservatives; snow sprays/snow flock; tree ornaments; super glue; styrofoam; icicles (tinsel); and crayons/paints.

Moderate toxicity
Fireplace colors/salts; plastic model cement Moderate to high toxicity holly berries and leaves; bubbling lights (methylene chloride); snow scenes (may contain salmonella); aftershaves/perfumes/alcoholic beverages; and chocolate (dark is more toxic than milk).

Highly toxic
Mistletoe (especially berries); expoxy adhesives; and antifreeze. Please note that some items have special problems. For example, whereas angel hair is usually considered to be of low toxicity, it can irritate eyes, skin, and the gastrointestinal tract; the content of Christmas tree preservatives varies and often effects depend upon the amount ingested; styrofoam, small parts from Christmas tree ornaments and toys, as well as tinsel, can cause mechanical obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract; snow flock can cause problems if sprayed into the mouth and inhaled; and chocolate, of any type, should never be given to a pet. Antifreeze deserves special mention because even a very small amount can be rapidly fatal to pets.

Other Holiday Concerns
If you plan to take your pet with you during holiday visits, make sure that your pet is welcome first (with all the activity, it may be better to board your pet or hire a pet sitter). Holiday treats, such as rich, fatty food scraps, bones from fish, pork, and poultry, alcoholic beverages, and chocolate, can be harmful or toxic to pets. Do not allow friends and relatives to give your pet special treats it could ruin everyone's holiday (including your veterinarian's). Do not allow pets to play with ribbons, yarn, or six-pack beverage holders and don't put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck. If you want to decorate your pet, invest in a holiday collar. These last for many years, are more attractive, and are a lot safer! Cover or tack down electrical cords. 

Find Cumberland Vet Clinic online at www.cumberlandvetclinic.com they are our TRUSTED VET EXPERTS or go to their listing here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com ..THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

You love your pets! The Veterinarians, Technicians and staff at Cumberland Vet Clinic love them too, and understand how quickly they become members of your family. They also know how stressful it can be when your cherished pet may require treatment. For over 20 years, they have been committed to providing the best possible care for your animals.

Here our Vet Experts share a tip on Breeders:  
 

 Buying from a reputable breeder gives you the opportunity to interact with the pets family, siblings, dam, also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the pet you take home. 
  
A responsible breeder is a good source for a well-bred, healthy pet. The breeder will carefully select the parents to emphasize desirable attributes and minimize faults in their progeny. Some people breed animals only to produce pets to sell. These individuals have no regard for the advancement of that breed; they are motivated solely by profit. Responsible breeders will never breed without considering the advancement of the breed. Each generation should improve the quality of breeding stock, resulting in healthy animals with improved breed soundness- that is, physical and mental health- that are an advancement toward the ideal.

Another good reason to buy from a breeder is that gives you the opportunity to interact with the pets family, siblings, dam, also possibly the sire. You can, therefore, form a general impression of what the future holds for the pet you take home.

Buying from a breeder means that you are part of an extended family. Most breeders expect a call if the pet has a crisis at any stage in its life, so they can help you understand and cope with the problem. This can be especially comforting for the first time pet owners who can't even imagine what kinds of questions they'll have in the future.

Visit as many breeders as possible for your breed. Examine the premises to make sure they are clean and that the animals appear to be well cared for. Pets should be clean, well fed, lively and friendly, without any signs of illness such as runny nose or eyes, skin sores, or dirty ears or fleas.  
 
Cumberland Veterinary Clinic of Saskatoon offers exceptional care for your pet's needs. 

Find Cumberland Vet Clinic online at www.cumberlandvetclinic.com they are our TRUSTED VET EXPERTS or go to their listing here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com ..THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

You love your pets! The Veterinarians, Technicians and staff at Cumberland Vet Clinic love them too, and understand how quickly they become members of your family. They also know how stressful it can be when your cherished pet may require treatment. For over 20 years, they have been committed to providing the best possible care for your animals.

Here our Vet Experts share a tip on Animal Shelters:

 Resources are seldom adequate to support the large number of animals taken in by shelters. As a result many animals are euthanized.

Animal shelters, or what used to be known as pounds, are either governmental or private organizations that provide temporary homes for stray, surrendered, or abandoned pet animals. They most often house dogs and cats. The animal is kept at the shelter until it is reclaimed by the owner, adopted to a new owner, placed with another organization, or euthanized.

Unfortunately, resources are seldom adequate to support the large number of animals taken in by these organizations. As a result, animals that are not claimed by their owners, or that have temperament or health issues that cannot be corrected or treated within the resources of the organization, are often euthanized. Shelters that receive a disproportionate number of animals compared to available adopters may also euthanize animals because of space concerns.

A small number of shelters have chosen to be "no-kill" shelters, which support healthy and adoptable pets for the remainder of their lives or until they are adopted. However, as funding is limited, the number of animals that can be accepted by these organizations can be low, and some animals may not be accepted because of behavior or health concerns. "No-kill" shelters often do euthanize if they receive animals with these problems. There are no clear standards for assessing these issues, and so statistics cited about how many "adoptable" animals are euthanized or adopted can be meaningless.

Some people obtain their pets from pet stores. Millions of these pets are taken to shelters or abandoned when they get sick or are no longer wanted. Animal Welfare groups and volunteers are attempting to change that point of view by educating owners and potential owners about the lifelong commitment involved in adopting an animal, how to be a responsible pet owner, about the large number of adoptable animals available at shelters, and about the often poor condition of pet shop pets.

Animal control agencies, or nonprofit organizations contracting for animal control duties, also enforce animal-related ordinances. Some animal shelters also provide low-cost spay/neuter surgeries or veterinary care, behavior training or resources, "safe havens" for animals of abused spouses, or other services.

By contrast animal sanctuaries will look after animals for the rest of their natural life, without necessarily attempting to find them any other home. Some establishments combine the qualities of an animal shelter with those of a sanctuary.

An animal shelter can be started by anyone who has the commitment, time and desire to help homeless animals. There are many resources available to assist in establishing an animal shelter, sanctuary or animal foster home. If an organization chooses to qualify for 501(c)(3) non-profit status, there are certain criteria outlined by the Internal Revenue Service (United States) which must be met. Additionally, running a non-profit animal shelter requires good business practices and skills. The best method of determining if one has the capability to run an animal shelter is to volunteer their time at a local Humane Society or shelter facility. 
 
Cumberland Veterinary Clinic of Saskatoon offers exceptional care for your pet's needs. 

Find Cumberland Vet Clinic online at www.cumberlandvetclinic.com they are our TRUSTED VET EXPERTS or go to their listing here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com ..THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

You love your pets! The Veterinarians, Technicians and staff at Cumberland Vet Clinic love them too, and understand how quickly they become members of your family. They also know how stressful it can be when your cherished pet may require treatment. For over 20 years, they have been committed to providing the best possible care for your animals.

Here our Vet Experts share a tip on Cat Vaccines:

Does Your Cat Need Vaccines?

Does your cat need vaccines?

Kittens: All kittens should receive a series of FVRCP core vaccinations. This immunization series begins at six to eight weeks of age and continues every three to four weeks until the kitten is 16-18 weeks old. The rabies vaccine is usually given at the last vaccine visit. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that kittens receive leukemia vaccines whether they go outside or not. Adult cats: If you have recently adopted a cat and do not know your cat’s immunization history, the cat will need to receive core vaccinations. A dose of the FVRCP vaccine should be given immediately and a second dose should be administered three to four weeks later. The American Association of Feline Practitioners recommends that adult cats have a FVRCP and rabies vaccinations every three years. Your veterinarian can help you decide if your cat needs any non-core vaccines.

In a word, yes.

“No other medical development has been as successful as vaccination in controlling deadly diseases in companion animals,” says feline veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick.

However, Dr. Plotnick and other veterinarians acknowledge that, rarely, vaccinations in cats have been linked to the development of fibrosarcoma, a type of cancer that may occur at the site of injection. Studies of these sarcomas say the prevalence ranges from one in 3,000 to 10,000 cats.

Many groups are intensely studying this problem, including immunologists, vaccine manufacturers, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners. The Vaccine Associated Feline Sarcoma Task Force has studied many factors: type of vaccine, location of vaccine, additives to the vaccine, and genetics of the cats. The most recent study was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. This showed that the safest injectable vaccines were recombinant vaccines. These have newer technology and are much more purified. This paper also demonstrated that the sarcoma problem can happen with other injections such as antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, not just vaccinations.

Do your indoor cats, which have little to no contact with other animals, even need to be vaccinated?

According to Plotnick and other leading veterinarians, vaccinations are indeed essential to a pet’s well being as some infectious agents are airborne and do not need direct cat to cat exposure. “To not vaccinate our pets is not an option,” said Dr. Plotnick. Instead, veterinarians must work closely with pet owners to devise a vaccination schedule that best meets a cat's individual health needs. Vaccine manufacturers have also stopped putting aluminum salts into vaccines.

Vaccines for cats are divided into two categories: core vaccines that are essential for every cat, and non-core vaccines that may or may not be necessary based on a cat’s lifestyle. For example, vaccines against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are non-core vaccines that may or may not be necessary based on a cat's lifestyle. For example, vaccines against feline leukemia virus (FeLV) are non-core vaccines that are generally not recommended for indoor adult cats. One core vaccine is called FVRCP, which protects against panleukopenia (feline distemper), rhino, and calici virus.

The rabies vaccine is also a core vaccination. There are two types of feline rabies vaccine: a killed vaccine that can be given every three years and a recombinant vaccine that is offered by one vaccine manufacturer. The findings of the recent AVMA article suggest the recombinant rabies may be safer, but it does need to be given annually.

If your cat is up to date on core vaccinations, then your cat may be able to receive boosters every three years, rather than every year. Check with your veterinarian to confirm whether your community requires annual rabies vaccination or permits the three-year vaccine. Also, ensure that your feline has a physical exam every year.

Sources:

CatExperts

American Association of Feline Practitioners

JAVMA, Vol 241, No 5, September 1, 2012. Comparative vaccine- specific and other injectable- specific risks of injection site sarcomas in cats.

Find Cumberland Vet Clinic online at www.cumberlandvetclinic.com they are our TRUSTED VET EXPERTS or go to their listing here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com ..THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!

Being a Trusted Business on the Saskatoon directory comes with alot of responsibilty...no other directory, advertising medium or ' watchdog organization' puts businesses through the process we do before we promote and endorse them...in fact,the most other organizations offer is checking that the business has a valid business license, and maybe that they have insurance and don't have an bad rating..most don't even bother with that ..they rely on the consumers to provide ratings..which are all unverified and un-qualified. 

The Trusted Saskatoon businesses become Partners...and we promote the mantra that 'only together are we Trusted" ..we all have our parts to play to ensure the directory maintains the standards and high level of integrity that it does.

Trusted then enters into a contract, where the partners sign to uphold the 5 Trusted Guarantees ..these are the foundation of our business and they are the Guarantees that our Trusted Saskatoon businesses offer their clients...to ensure that our partners are upholding these guarantees on a daily basis we have a MYSTERY SHOPPER PROGRAM, where we mystery shop a minimum of 10% of our Trusted Partners on an annual basis... we get our mystery shoppers to fillout a report to tell us about the experience....

Our latest business to be mystery shopped is Critters Pet Health store(s) your Trusted Saskatoon Pet Store  in our Saskatoon Vets and Pets Category lets tell you how they did!

TRUSTED COMPANY: Critters Pet Health Store ( Lawson location)

Date: September 2012

MYSTERY SHOP CHECKLIST

1. How was the greeting/ welcome/ call answered?  :

I was greeted as soon as I had walked into the store, even though the staff member was busy with another customer.

2. If retail: Appearance of the store / staff and showroom?:

The store was very neat and clean, laid out well with lots of space for shoppers and their animals to move about, and the staff member was very neat in appearance and very friendly.

3. Product/industry knowledge of staff?:

As I did have questions about the nutrition content of the food I wanted to purchase, I asked numerous questions about the merits of the different dog foods out there, and found that the staff member certainly knew her products! She also provided info on how to phase in my dog’s new food, and things to watch out for. She also had let me know about some changes that could occur and how to look out for allergic reaction. Very impressive.

4. If a quote is required is the quote well laid out/ clear?:

 Not Applicable

5. Did they ask where you found them?:

 No

6. Overall experience 1-10.:

 10

7. Would you return as a customer/ recommend them to close friends?:

I would definitely return and will be a customer, and I will recommend Critters to anyone who owns a cat or dog.

8. Did anyone stand out as exceptional? If so who? Why?:

As there was only one staff member, she did stand out! All of my questions were answered fully, and her manner was very professional and helpful.

9. If you made a purchase/booked a job how was the process? If so refer to the Trusted Guarantees and give an overall mark on each if applicable.

TRUSTED GUARANTEES

1. Provide the service and quality promised.

2. Complete the job on time.

3. Charge the price quoted with NO surprises.

4. Communicate honestly and be responsive to customer needs.

5. Resolve any issues with customer satisfaction in mind

Please share any other comments relating to your experience with the company.

I feel that all of the guarantees were met and/or exceeded. The service was great, the quality is top-notch. All of our communication was professional and extremely helpful, and I have a very satisfied pup! She loves her new food, and digs in every time!

WHAT  A GREAT MYSTERY SHOP CRITTERS !!! Yet again showing you deserve the Thumbs up from www.TrustedSaskatoon.com  

We all want the very best for our pets, and that is part of what makes Critters Pet Health Store the best choice for  Saskatoon pet owners. They have set a very high standard for the products that they carry, offering top quality foods, treats, toys and other necessities for your pets. Additionally, Critters is the only locally owned and operated pet store in Saskatoon that focuses solely on dogs and cats - this means that when you ask them a question, or have a concern they give more in-depth and specialized advice regarding proper nutrition and care. After just one visit, you will find how passionate the staff at Critters are about animals, and providing the very best for them.

Critters Pet Health Stores are your Trusted SASKATOON PET Experts for advice on Pets!

We all want the very best for our pets, and that is part of what makes Critters Pet Health Store the best choice for pet owners. They have set a very high standard for the products that they carry, offering top quality foods, treats, toys and other necessities for your pets. Additionally, Critters is the only locally owned and operated pet store in Saskatoon that focuses solely on dogs and cats - this means that when you ask them a question, or have a concern they give more in-depth and specialized advice regarding proper nutrition and care. After just one visit, you will find how passionate the staff at Critters are about animals, and providing the very best for them. Critters Pet Health Stores are your Trusted SASKATOON PET Experts for advice on Pets!

 Here is their latests trusted Pet Tip on your Pets aging!

Many believe at the age of 7 pets become seniors, that however can be a myth. Most dogs become senior when they start acting senior which can be shown by the following symptoms: slowing down, becoming stiff, or gaining weight. Sometimes we do not see these signs until our dog is older than the age of 7.

When we notice these signs in our pet, we often think of switching them to a senior diet which is not completely necessary. Some senior diets contain lower calories and joint supplements added diet the food. Instead of changing foods you can start reducing feeding amounts if the dog is gaining weight after all it is just about regulating calories if someone is losing or gaining weight. Take a look at our own lives, Grandpa does not have any special meat prepared for his meals but he may eat smaller portions. If we notice the dog is becoming stiff, sore or is hesitant to do stairs, then adding a joint supplement into the diet is very common. Most people have heard that senior diets have joint supplements in the formula which may help improve their joint mobility but we need to look at the levels of the supplement included. The joint supplement levels are provided in mg/kg which means you have to feed 1kg to get the dose indicated. Many diets have levels of glucosamine around 500mg/kg that would require you to feed 1 kilogram (or 2.2lbs) of food in one day to get the 500 mg dosage. Therefore it is more efficient and beneficial to the pet to supplement a powder into their regular food to give a sufficient dosage which will help your pet with its joint problems.

We suggest adding in one of the many supplements that we carry which are pure and natural products. We carry joint supplements that have been scientifically proven to support the regeneration of damaged joint cartilage and joint fluid. A lot of the time, you only need to add in about an 1/8th of a teaspoon for the pet to get the recommended dosage, which is more cost effective, and allows the pet to start feeling better faster. Normally the cost of adding the supplement in separately only costs around $3-5 a month.

When the time comes to re-evaluate what you’re feeding your pet because of its age or other reasons it may not be necessary to change it’s diet. Instead we welcome you to stop by any of our 4 locations and our knowledgeable staff would be more than happy to help you out! We’re proud to be a Saskatoon company, that has been serving this city since 1994.

 Thanks, Critters

Critters Pet Health Store 4 Locations in Saskatoon...Find them all on their listing in the Saskatoon Vets and Pets category they are your TRUSTED SASKATOON PET STORE  

Trusted Saskatoon.com THE Saskatoon Directory   is proud to be hosting a Talk to the Experts show " The Trusted Show' Every Month on Newstalk 650 ..the first show aired June 9th.

This latest show we are featuring is the TRUSTED SASKATOON LIFESTYLE EXPERTS SHOW

 
Aug 11th Talk to the Experts Show with www.trustedsaskatoon.com  featuring Trusted Owner/Founder Sara and Trusted Partners

They are answering questions from the Trusted Saskatoon.com facebook fans..this is a unique concept and we are the ONLY directory that works for YOU the public....Trusted really is the smart and simple choice!

Part 1-  Dental Procedures abroad

Part 2 - Magda from Cumberland Vet Clinic

Rachelle Nieman  a Trusted Saskatoon Facebook fan  Congrats..Brent picked your GREAT question and you win an Apple TV , Nucerity Skin Solution from Adele at Global Healthcare Connections  and a wonderful Prize package from Cumberland Vet Clinic - it always pays to be a fan or a follower  ( on twitter @Trustedcanada ) of Trusted! 

Contests and things to be won all the time!

We all want the very best for our pets, and that is part of what makes Critters Pet Health Store the best choice for pet owners. They have set a very high standard for the products that they carry, offering top quality foods, treats, toys and other necessities for your pets. Additionally, Critters is the only locally owned and operated pet store in Saskatoon that focuses solely on dogs and cats - this means that when you ask them a question, or have a concern they give more in-depth and specialized advice regarding proper nutrition and care. After just one visit, you will find how passionate the staff at Critters are about animals, and providing the very best for them. Critters Pet Health Stores are your Trusted SASKATOON PET Experts for advice on Pets!

Here is their first Trusted Tip

Choosing a healthy pet food:

Pet Food is a very important part of our pet's life. Many consumers are confused when choosing pet food with every company saying their food is superior, however no pet food is better then the ingredients it contains. When talking about pet food the ingredient list should be used to prove that it is in fact healthy. We should be ignoring commercials, fancy images on bags and any other marketing that may try to influence your decision. Pet food is the nutrition that will help our pet's grow, build a strong immune system and overall live long, healthy lives. When choosing a pet food a common practice is to look for meat as your first ingredient, which is important, but it is much more complex then that. The other term used a lot is to avoid "fillers", our standard for no fillers is much higher then any other pet stores.

Canines and felines are classified as carnivorans; the dogs digestive system is designed to process mostly a carnivorous diet, while the cat is exclusively meat. Many pet foods have a grain overload which could possibly lead to healthy issues with some. Some pet foods can have meat as their first ingredient but then follow with many partial grains, vegetable proteins or by-products, in turn the protein is derived from those ingredients rather then high quality meat ingredients. Critters recommends foods that offer premium nutrition by using whole ingredients instead of fractionated ones.

Critters also search for natural pet foods that focus on purchasing the highest quality ingredients instead of having large marketing budgets. Generally this means you get more value for your dollar because a large marketing budget can inflate the price; for this reason higher priced pet foods does not always translate into high quality. There are many Canadian products on the market that offer you exceptional quality at a reasonable price. Our healthier pet foods can be more economical to feed as well considering, even though the price per bag may be higher, the lower feeding requirements drives down the price per day. At Critters we're able to help you decipher complex ingredient lists to find a diet that best suits your pet(s). We have many diets in our store that meet our strict standards and would love the opportunity to help you find a healthier diet for your pet(s).

We are the only locally owned and operated pet store in Saskatoon that focuses solely on dogs and cats which allows us to give more in depth and specialized advice regarding nutrition.

 Thanks, Critters

Critters Pet Health Store 4 Locations in Saskatoon...Find them all on their listing in the Saskatoon Vets and Pets category they are your TRUSTED SASKATOON PET STORE  

306-665-5600

 www.critterspet.com  

Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/critterspet  

www.trustedsaskatoon.com  is thrilled to have welcomed 3 more Trusted Partners to the local SASKATOON DIRECTORY of excellence in this last week .. 2 in the category of SASKATOON VETS & PETS to provide 3 wonderful Trusted options in that category and the final Trusted partner was announced in the tasty category of CATERING AND BAKERIES.  Lets tell you about our Trusted Saskatoon Pet Store first!

CRITTERS

when you type TRUSTED SASKATOON into Google ..about the 3rd or 4th listing that comes up is Critters...and this would have been the case LONG before www.trustedsaskatoon.com was around..Critters is a Trusted Saskatoon family business that has been improving the lives of pets since 1994...now we are so pleased that it's official!  

They have four convienient locations in Saskatoon that offer the highest quality of pet foods available along with treats, chews and supplies, and they are the only locally owned and operated Saskatoon pet store that focuses solely on dogs and cats which allows them to give more in depth and specialized advice regarding nutrition. Their staff provides a new level of customer service and expertise on pet products to make sure your pet is living healthy, and it is no wonder that they have been Voted #1 Pet Store Saskatoon in Planet S AGAIN!!. Like Trusted they are proud to be truly locally owned and operated!

We could go on and on about how wonderful they are...but we prefer to share what their actual clients have to say.....as it really speaks volumes about them as a business and as individuals!   

Here a just a few of the many words of thanks and appreciation on their wonderful Facebook page ... now only if we can convince them to get a CRITTER TWITTER so we could retweet this stuff!   

So, as you can see the Critters team are there to help and advise you in anything Cat and Dog....true local Saskatoon Pet Health experts that are invested in your satisfaction..and in the community they serve. They give back in many ways and support many local animal organizations....including the New Hope Dog Rescue and the Size small Dog Rescue to name just a few! 

They are your TRUSTED SASKATOON PET HEALTH STORE and they are well deserving of all the Kudos we will continue to heap on them! Welcome aboard the Trusted Train Critters...we give The Thumbs up to all 4 of your great Saskatoon Pet stores, and we look forward to your expert Saskatoon pet tips!  

Find them online here ..or check out their listing here in SASKATOON VETS & PETS on the SASKATOON DIRECTORY of experts!

Stay TRUSTED my Friends..SAFE & TRUSTED Saskatoon!

You love your pets! The Veterinarians, Technicians and staff at Cumberland Vet Clinic love them too, and understand how quickly they become members of your family. They also know how stressful it can be when your cherished pet may require treatment. For over 20 years, they have been committed to providing the best possible care for your animals.

Taking the Hassle out of Housetraining Your Puppy

Your home has just been blessed with a new puppy who arrived cuddly, warm, and ready to be loved. Unfortunately, it did not arrive housetrained. Housetraining your new puppy can be easy and effective if you dedicate the necessary time and patience. A successful plan includes supervision, confinement, and encouragement. With these elements, most pups can be trained in a relatively short period of time.

Getting the message across

-If you want your puppy to eliminate outside, you must be aware of various conditions and activities that typically stimulate puppies to eliminate, including feeding, drinking, playing, and waking from naps. Learn to be aware of these activities and be alert that your puppy needs to eliminate. Begin to condition your puppy by using a command such as “out” as you take it outside. With time, your puppy will learn to signal if it has to go out.

-The next step is to teach your puppy where you want it to eliminate. To accomplish this, you must accompany your puppy every time it goes outdoors. Choose a specific location with easy access. The area will soon become a familiar spot as the pup recognizes the odor from previous excursions. Mildly praise any sniffing or other pre-elimination behaviours and consider associating a unique training command such as “potty time” or “hurry up” with the act of eliminating. When your puppy eliminates, praise it heartily, offer a tasty food reward, or start playing. Your puppy will soon learn what is expected of it whenever it goes outside and hears the special command. As you begin housetraining, try to take your puppy outdoors every one to two hours. As it grows older and gets the hang of things, you can wait longer between outings.

Scheduling puppy’s dinnertime

Controlling your puppy’s feeding schedule provides some control over its elimination schedule. Most will eliminate within a predictable time after eating, usually within the first hour. Because of this, it is best to avoid feeding a large meal just before confinement. Offer food two or three times each day at the same times, and make it available for no longer than 30 minutes. The last meal should be finished three to five hours before bedtime.

Preventing mistakes

The most challenging part of the housetraining process is preventing your pup from eliminating indoors. Until it is housetrained, you will need to provide constant supervision. You should not consider your puppy housetrained until it has gone for at least four to eight consecutive weeks with out eliminating anywhere in the home. Until your pup accomplishes this, keep it within eyesight of a family member 100 percent of the time. A leash is a handy tool to keep your puppy nearby when you are preoccupied and it might wander away. When you are unable to provide constant supervision because you are busy, sleeping, or away from home, confine your pup to a relatively small, safe area. Always take your puppy out to eliminate just before confinement. A wire or plastic crate provides an excellent area in which to confine your puppy when you cannot observe it. A crate has some limitations. Do not use it for longer than your puppy can physically control elimination or for more than four hours during the day. Most puppies will quickly adapt to the crate if you make training fun. Feeding in the crate, tossing toys inside for the pup to chase, and hiding treats in there should all encourage your puppy to look forward to being in the crate. If your puppy is home alone each day for long periods, confine it to a larger area such as a small room or exercise pen. The area should provide enough space for it to eliminate if necessary and to rest several feet away from a mess. For easier cleaning, place paper at the sites where it is likely to eliminate. It is important to associate good things with the confinement area, rather than making it solely an isolation area. Spend some time in the area playing with your puppy or simply reading nearby as it rests there.

Returning to the scene of the crime

To help prevent your puppy from returning to previously soiled areas, remove urine and fecal odor with an effective commercial product. Saturate areas of soiled carpeting with odor-neutralizing products – merely spraying the surface is not as effective. If your puppy begins eliminating in certain areas of the home, deny access to these areas by closing doors to the rooms, using baby gates, or moving furniture over the soiled areas. Motion alarms will teach your puppy to avoid an area. Most pets avoid eliminating in areas where they eat or play. Feeding or placing water bowls, bedding, and toys in previously soiled areas can discourage elimination at those spots.

Keeping your cool !

No puppy has ever been housetrained without making a mistake or two. Be prepared for the inevitable. It does not help to become frustrated and harshly discipline your puppy. Punishment is the least effective and most overused approach to housetraining. A correction should involve nothing more than a mild, startling distraction and should be used only if you catch your puppy in the act of eliminating indoors. A quick stomp of the foot, loud clap, tug on the leash or abrupt “No” (given with enough intensity to interrupt the behaviour without frightening your puppy) is all that is necessary. Immediately take your pup to its elimination area outdoors to finish. A correction that occurs more than a few seconds after your puppy eliminates is useless because it will not understand why it is being corrected. If the punishment is too harsh, it may learn not to eliminate in front of you even outdoors, and you run the risk of ruining the bond with your puppy. And don’t even think about rubbing its nose in a mess. There is absolutely nothing it will learn from this, except to be afraid of you. Some pets will squat and urinate as they greet family members. Never scold them. This problem is due typically to either nervousness or excitement, and scolding will always make the problem worse.

With a little patience and a consistent approach, your puppy will be as housetrained as the rest of your family!!!

Find Cumberland Vet Clinic online at www.cumberlandvetclinic.com they are our TRUSTED VET EXPERTS or go to their listing here on www.trustedsaskatoon.com ..THE Saskatoon directory of excellence. They are YOUR Trusted experts right here in Saskatoon!