Tips & Trends: November 2017

Switching Pet Foods 101

Switching Pet Foods 101: How to Transition

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Switching Pet Foods 101

Food for Every Stage of Life

There are many reasons to switch pet foods, including changes in your pet’s healthy, activity levels, age, or behavior. Just like people, pets have different nutritional requirements at different stages of life. A puppy or kitten’s needs are vastly different from that of an adult dog or cat. The same holds true for your senior pet, who may have difficulty digesting what was easier to digest as a younger pet.

 

Making a Pet Food Switch

There are other reasons for switching pet foods, however. Maybe you want to try a new formula, such as ingredient or brand preferences (GNH has a variety of high-quality pet food brands available, such as Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo).

According to the Taste of the Wild blog, it’s important to note that if your pet suddenly stops “enjoying” his current food, you should consult your veterinarian before making a switch. If your pet is sick, it can actually do more harm to change his or her diet before the illness itself is resolved.

 

The Right Way to Change Your Pet’s Diet

No matter the reason for switching, you should always transition slowly to a new kind of pet food or your pet may experience some bad belly aches and digestive upsets! By practicing patience, however, your pet can make the transition seamlessly to his or her brand-new diet.

 

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

You should take at least 7-10 day (or up to 14 days for pets with sensitive stomachs) to transition from your current pet for to your new pet food. The idea is to add a little bit of new pet food each day, while subtracting the same amount of old pet food. This method allows your pet’s system to slowly adapt to the new food, and prevents jarring digestive troubles. You can visualize the transition this way:

Switching Pet Foods 101

Switching Pet Foods 101

Beware of Switching Too Often 

A word of caution: It might seem like a good idea to change your pet’s diet whenever you see a sale on new pet food, but think again. You might end up paying more in the end for vet bills if your pet’s diet is disrupted too frequently.

The best feeding practices for your pet’s good health is to choose a brand you trust, and stick with it – unless your pet has a specific, adverse reaction, or if his life cycle changes. Consistency is better for your pet’s overall digestive health.

 

Sources: https://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/how-why-to-change-your-pet-food/

Repair, and Protect Gutters

DIY: How to Clean, Repair, and Protect Gutters

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Repair, and Protect Gutters

Making sure that your home’s gutters are clear of debris after the autumn leaves have fallen is an easy way to prevent potentially significant water and ice damage later. Since your homes gutters work to control the flow of water, and help to prevent damage to the exterior of your home, it’s vital that you keep them in proper working order.

Here are six steps to getting those gutters in tip top shape:

 
Cleaning Gutters

Step 1: Clean Out the Gutters

 
Begin by removing the debris and leaves that collect in your gutters. Most find that handheld blowers or even wet/dry vacuums are effective tools for removing debris. If the debris is dry, you’ll find it easier to remove. Blow out as much loose debris as possible and collect it into yard bags.

If you find that the plant matter is really packed in, use a gutter scoop to remove the compacted debris. Simply attach a bucket to your ladder and then scoop out the debris and place it in the bucket. Begin at the downspouts and work your way over. Do not push debris over, rather scoop it out.

You will also need to check out the downspout. Clogs often occur here. Generally, a garden hose on full blast will manage to dislodge the clog quickly.

 

Step 2: Fully Inspect Gutters

 
Always take the time to inspect your gutters. This will let you know if they’re in need of repair, and help you assess the scope of work ahead of you. If your gutters show any signs of corrosion, make sure you look for holes or leaking joints and check for loose, missing or even bent gutter hangers. A great tip is to use masking tape to mark where a problem area so you can go back to it quickly when you get the supplies needed to make repairs.

 

Repair GuttersStep 3: Repair Small Holes and Cracks

 
You’ll want to repair small holes or cracks in your gutters and downspouts with a gutter patching kit from your local GNH Lumber store.

It’s always easier to fix small issues early on as opposed to making costly repairs later (such as replacing your gutters altogether). Gutter patching kits are easy to use, and can help prolong the life your gutters and prevent damage to your home.

 

Step 4: Replace Sections with Large Leaks and Tears

 
Sometimes parts of your home’s roof gutter may be damaged to the point of no return. This can happen if they are not properly installed, or if they have been damage over time because of weather and wear. These sections are best replaced to keep the gutter functioning properly.

 

Step 5: Adjust Pitch of Gutters

 
More than likely when your gutters were installed, they had a pitch of about 1/16.” You’ll want to measure the pitch and make adjustments if necessary. This is very important because improper pitch can equal poor or no drainage.

Any high or low spots can often be corrected by slightly bending the hangers that support the gutter itself. You may need to add additional gutter hangers to raise or lower the slope of the gutter at any given point also.

 

Install Gutter GuardsStep 6: Install Gutter Screens or Guards

 
Once your gutters have been cleaned and fully repaired, you’ll want to keep them that way! One way to prevent gutters from filling with leaves and other debris is to install metal gutter screen or an aluminum gutter guard. Gutter guards simply extend across the entire width of the gutter blocking debris but still allowing water to enter. It helps to prevent clogs and makes cleaning out your gutters much easier.

 

By following this step-by-step guide for cleaning, repairing and protecting your home’s roof gutters, you can rest assured that they will work without clogging during the worst of rainstorms, protecting your home from the elements, and prolonging the life of your siding and foundation.

Home Exterior Maintenance Project

 

Questions or concerns about your home exterior maintenance projects? Stop in to your local GNH Lumber! We’re always glad to offer guidance, tips or suggestions, or point you in the right direction for just the product needed to get the DIY project done.