We like to think our dogs are resilient in the winter, with their thick fur coats and padded paws. Long haired dogs do have extra protection in the winter, and outdoor dogs grow a fuller coat as the weather cools.

However, that doesn’t mean a domesticated, pampered house pooch can handle extreme elements as a fully adapted wild dog or a trained sled dog. While pet insurance companies exist to protect your furry family all year long, even owners who have dog insurance should use common sense during the winter.

A simple indicator that it’s too cold for your dog is if your nose gets cold when you are walking them, that is the level of cold their feet are getting. Dogs are safer staying home in the winter as opposed to taking car trips, especially if the dog will be left in the vehicle for a longer period of time. While cars become ovens in the summer as they trap heat, they become refrigerators in the winter too. Keeping the car running poses the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning unless the windows are open.

According to doctors in certain cases cold winter temperatures can cause added pet health issues such as stress, which can be taxing on pets. If a dog has underlying hypothyroidism (an under-active thyroid) or a medical condition where he can’t regulate his temperature normally, this is never recommended. Doctors also warn of possible side effects from breathing in cold air for extended periods of time. Some rare dogs have cold-induced asthma/bronchitis, and can’t exercise as well in cold weather. The common signs of such situations would be coughing, shortness of breath, and exercise intolerance.

When any changes occur in a pet while exposed to harsh elements, having pet insurance for your dog will ensure that your best furry friend can be quickly evaluated, treated, and sent home warm and comfortable.

The popularity of pet sitting is growing rapidly over years. Today pet sitting is regularly in the news and the largest pet sitting franchise in the United States opens 4-5 new locations every month.

A pet sitter is someone who visits a client’s home once or several times a day to feed, water, walk and play with pets while clients are at work or out of town. Often pet sitters also perform home services such as mail collection, garbage disposal, and plant watering. Pet sitting is an alternative to boarding and offers the benefit of keeping pets in a familiar environment and maintaining their regular routine.

The positive angle

Some pet-lovers love pet sitting as they get to interact with many different pets. At a pet sitting visit you are paid to play and spend time cuddling with the pets, what could seem less like work?  Pet sitting is a small business that can be started with low start up cost and low overheads. You can grow the business as you grow your business skills. You are also able to start the business part time while continuing to work a day job. It is a great business to start if you have not previously owned your own business as you can learn along the way.

The negatives

Pet sitters take on a lot of responsibility while caring for pets because pet owners are relying on the sitter to manage their pet’s health and well-being in their absence. Pet owners also trust you with the keys and security of their home. As a pet sitter you need to be organized and keep track of scheduled visits, keys and contracts. You must be comfortable entering customer’s homes and walking around neighborhoods with dogs to walk them at night.

The busiest times of the year for a pet sitting business are during major holidays such as Christmas and during school holidays. You have to be prepared to work on these holidays and on weekends while your family and friends are enjoying time off.

As a pet sitter you must be prepared to clean litter boxes each visit and clean up accidents in the home whenever they occur. This often meant cleaning vomit, poop and pee from carpets, hard floors, and pets. Pet sitting is something you have to make a total commitment to pursuing as you will have to be there when the pets need you.

If you love animals and want to make money simultaneously, why not combine your interests and passions into your own profitable business? It’s possible. Hear are few pet-related business ideas that you might want to think off;

1. Pet Grooming:

If you love animals then you would probably enjoy running a business of this nature. Many people own at least one pet, commonly a dog or a cat, and a lot of people own more than one. Grooming a pet involves showering the pet, trimming its hair, giving a pedicure, etc. With a bit of advertising and the right equipment you are good to go.

2. Dog Walking:

This may not sound as a lucrative options, this can be a relaxing way to earn a little extra money. Everyone needs their dog walked and not everyone has time to do it themselves.  Walking an animal is not all that hard to do if you have experience working with pets and have control over the animals you are walking. There are many people who hire somebody to do their duty to pets with some little extra money.

3. Pet Sitting:

You must have heard of babysitting. Like wise pet sitting has become a fashion these days. It is the same concept as babysitting – perhaps the owner is going out of town for the weekend and can not take the pet or pets, but does not want to leave them in a kennel. You take care of the animal for exchange of some cash. This practice is now on growth in majority of metropolis and can be a decent income idea too.

4. Breeding Purebred Pets:

One would probably need a fairly large yard and home to pull this one off, but if you do have the room for it, breeding purebred dogs and cats can be not only a lot of fun, but profitable as well. And all you need to start are a male and female purebred dog of the same species. The only technicality in this idea is that you should register the puppies as potential buyers will want proof of being purebred.
 

Every place needs active energy and love. Pets give us both. And pets allow us to express our love, too. Pets are often looked on as members of the family, and as such, should be considered when you are reviewing the Feng-Shui of your home.

The positive energy and liveliness means we have an active home even when we aren't there, making our homes more "yang." Dogs, for instance, also provide protective energy for our homes helping us to feel more secure and safe. When dogs bark and wag their tails happily, they give us lots of joy. Petting and caring for any animal gives us and them great Feng-Shui energy. As we know displays of love are always wonderful Feng-Shui.  The worst case scenario is when pets are not cared for properly. If the fish tank isn't clean and clear, the fish don't do as well - and neither do you. Fish represent success in Feng-Shui and wealth, and if the water is dirty, then both may get away from you. As per Feng-Shui dirty water can also lead to health problems.
 
So, while it's nice to have a pet, the first priority must always be the pet's health, safety, and care. If you don't have the proper space or time to care for the pet, then its better not to have them because, simply put, having animals in poor condition(s) is very bad Feng-Shui.

Also pets should not be allowed on furniture unless it is the furniture designed and kept specifically for them. This puts them on equal footing with people. Pets should also not be allowed on bed, particularly for couples. This divides the couple and gets in the way of romance, and sometimes, the relationship. If it comes to choosing between pets sleeping in the room on the bed or the floor, go with the floor, never the bed.

Dogs are wonderful for infusing a home with lively energy, fish bring success, turtles symbolize longevity, and cats are symbols of financial luck (i.e., lucky cats seen at Asian businesses). So, as hard as it might be, take a long look at your pet situation to make sure that your pets aren't harming your Feng-Shui and are enhancing your life.