DOG FRIENDLY VACATIONS IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS

Pretty much all our vacations are dog friendly vacations these days! We have really grown to love our dog friendly vacations in the Blue Ridge Mountains, especially in the towns of Blowing Rock and Boone.

Following the September, 2024 devastation of Hurricane Helene, there was a lot of damage done in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. We worried that one of our favorite vacation spots had damaged hiking trails and towns beyond repair.

 

Hiking the Boone Fork Trail in 2024, just before Hurricane Helene hit

It's been difficult finding out the status of some of the Blue Ridge Mountain towns. However, here it is one year later and we decided to take a road trip to see for ourselves how our favorite dog friendly vacation places has been recovering.  We were a little nervous. We didn't know if the roads would all be passable, and we worried about the stores, restaurants and hiking trails we loved. 

We were so saddened by all the devastation the hurricane had caused, the families impacted have been in our thoughts and prayers all year. We'd seen on the news that homes, businesses, and beautiful forestry had sustained a lot of damage. We were afraid of what we might find when we got there.

Fortunately, we were able to book a room the hotel we like in Boone. The place looked exactly the same, like nothing ever happened! 

We ventured out into downtown Boone to take a look around. The town looked great! You'd never know a fierce storm had slammed in just one year ago. Most of the stores and restaurants were still there, only 2 or 3 of them were no longer in business.

After spending the afternoon strolling through downtown Boone we stopped in at the Local Lion, a fabulous local coffee shop we love. I was so happy to see they were still there, and didn't appear to be damaged by the storm.

The next day we drove 8 miles South to check out Blowing Rock, a lovely mountain town we also really love. We tentatively drove down the winding road leading into town, and were quickly met with the quaint houses we always love seeing on the way into town. As we entered Blowing Rock's Main Street, we were met with the familiar riot of gorgeous flowers that line the entire street. This was a sign that things had definitely gotten back to normal! Check out the beautiful flowers in this short video clip:

We parked the car and started to stroll along Main Street. I was delighted to see all the stores and restaurants we love still standing and looking pristine! I spent a couple of hours going in and out of all the quaint stores, admiring the beautiful artisanal crafts and other unique items. Afterwards, we got giant bowls of ice cream at Kilwins - oh how I Love Kilwins ice cream and chocolates!

Next it was time to see if Price Lake and the hiking trails were still intact. Much of the storm damage was along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is where Price Lake and most of the hiking trails are. 

We enjoy kayaking on Price Lake, and we love so many of the hiking trails off the Blue Ridge Pkwy. We were thrilled to see that Price Lake was not only open and totally in tact, but their boat rental area looked like it had a bit of a facelift. We rented kayaks for an hour and had a fabulous time kayaking around the lake!

Kayaking on Price Lake, Blowing Rock NC

Tell me I don't look like the biggest dufus in that hat LOL!! But it was so much fun kayaking. Kayak rentals at Price Lake are reasonably priced, the kayaks are in great shape, and best of all they'll help you in and out of the kayak if you need it. And yeah, we needed it!

After a wonderful morning of kayaking on Price Lake, we headed to our favorite hiking trail in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Boone Fork Trail. Here is where the everything-looks-just-fine sentiment ends. Sadly, there was definitely some damage on the hiking trail.

We parked and headed to the foot bridge that leads to the Boone Fork trailhead and were promptly hit with a warning sign, saying to hike at your own risk due to storm damage.

Warning sign at the Boone Fork Trail 2025

No, we didn't turn around. We cautiously forged ahead to the trail. It wasn't the spectacular all day hiking event we had come to love on this trail. We hiked for only about 40 minutes, then turned back and called it a day. Here are some video clips of our hike. Although short, we really enjoyed our hike and were glad we went. More importantly, Jessie had a great time! In this video, you can see some damage, but the trail was still fun and largely passable:

We look forward to visiting the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountains again soon!

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🐾 I'm excited to share some of my Etsy products with you! 

Adorable PET MOM BAG, TECH ESSENTIALS BAG and TRUCKER HATS. 

TRUCKER HAT WITH ADORABLE CRAB PATCH is great for sunny days. TRUCKER HATS FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN are fun and inspirational! 

Pet Mom Bag is the perfect bag for proud Pet Moms! It's a great cosmetics or toiletries bag for everyday or for travel. It's also a great bag for a day out with your dog or cat! This stylish, small bag is surprisingly roomy.

In the spirit of Back to School, this Tech Essentials Bag keeps tech essentials organized. Whether you're headed to class, the office, or catching a flight this charger bag fits neatly into backpacks, totes, or carry-ons so you can stay powered up anywhere. 

Find them all in my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters 🥰

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DOG FRIENDLY VACATION SPOTS, TRAVERSE CITY MICHIGAN

We are always searching for dog friendly vacation spots like Traverse City, Michigan. Traverse City is surprisingly dog friendly and there are a lot of fun things you and your dog can do together in the Cherry Capital of the World! 

DOG FRIENDLY VACATION IN TRAVERSE CITY

Dog friendly activities in Traverse City include hiking, beaches, wineries, breweries, and restaurants with outdoor patios that allow dogs. There are even camping grounds and lavender fields that welcome dogs! 

Jessie resting on a rock along a Traverse City hiking trail

I would say Spring through Fall are the optimal times to travel to Traverse City with dogs. A Winter vacation might be fine for Huskies, German Shepherds, and other double coated fur breeds, but it may be too cold for some breeds like Chihuahuas, French Bulldogs, Yorkies, and Pugs. These dogs may not be comfortable spending long periods of time outdoors in the cold Michigan Winter. But consult your Veterinarian to be sure.

DOG FRIENDLY HIKING IN TRAVERSE CITY

Most of the hiking trails in and around TC allow dogs. We had a great time hiking the trails with our Silky Terrier, Jessie. Here's a short video of one of our hikes in Traverse City;

The trails aren't too difficult. They don't require you or your dog to have expert hiking skills, they're fairly easy hikes. 

Please ensure you have plenty of water for your dog, and be mindful of the sun if the weather is hot. We hiked on a couple of hot Summer days when we were in Traverse City, but we had lots of water and took breaks in the shade. 

You see Jessie off leash in the video, which I usually never do, but there was no one in the parking lot or on the trail that morning so I let her off leash for a short while.

RESTAURANTS, WINERIES, BREWERIES, AND SHOPS THAT ALLOW DOGS IN TRAVERSE CITY

Most of the restaurants in Traverse City allow dogs on their outdoor patios. One of the things we loved is that there are several beautiful wineries and breweries in Traverse City, and most allow dogs.

We loved The Little Fleet, which is a really unique area in the town of Traverse City with bars and wonderful food trucks. It may sound a little strange, but these are higher end food trucks and believe me the food is delicious! It's mostly open air with picnic tables set up in the middle of all the food trucks. 

I didn't think we'd appreciate it much, but we loved it. What a fun experience! There were kids, dogs, everyone out there having fun and enjoying wonderful food truck cuisine. They also have live music and DJs at certain times throughout the Summer. It's pretty cool!

There are so many terrific restaurants and breweries in Traverse City, and for the most part if they have an outdoor dining area, dogs are welcome! There are lots of great eateries to choose from.

Traverse City has a number of beautiful wineries in the area as well. Most of them allow dogs outside. Mari Vineyards and Chateau Chantal Winery are just two of the dog friendly wineries in Traverse City. If you enjoy sampling local wines and taking in the beauty of a vineyard, grab your dog and visit one ... or several of them.

Many shops will allow your dog to accompany you inside. I suggest you verify that dogs are welcome before bringing your dog inside a shop though. 

Another really interesting place we took our dog to in Traverse City was the Secret Garden at Brys Estate, a gorgeous Lavender field!  Jessie had so much fun trotting through the rows and rows of Lavender plants in full bloom. We took lots of photos and some video with her in the Lavender fields.  

At this particular Lavender grower, customers were able to pick out and cut their own bunches of Lavender! I would have loved to do that, but we had a long road trip ahead of us and I wouldn't be able to keep them in good shape while traveling.  

Me and Jessie, dog friendly Lavendar field, Traverse City

There was also a fabulous gift shop on the property where you could get Lavender flavored ice cream they make themselves. They also sell beautiful Lavender sachets they make themselves, most in charming antique handkerchiefs. They had Lavender soaps and other beautiful products as well. I didn't think we would love visiting the Lavender field as much as we did!

DOG FRIENDLY BEACHES IN TRAVERSE CITY

There are a couple of beaches along Lake Michigan in Traverse City that allow dogs. We took Jessie and her adorable friend Pepper to one of the beaches. They loved it! I was surprised at how this giant lake looks more like an ocean than a lake. There are even good sized waves! 

It's a bit rocky along the shoreline, and some rocks can be slippery. I suggest wearing water shoes if you go in the water, and be mindful of your dog's paws in and around the rocks. Here are a couple of pictures of Jessie and Pepper up on a large boulder along the shoreline.

Jessie and her friend Pepper on large rocks
at a Traverse City beach

If you're looking for pet friendly vacation spots that will be fun for the entire family including your dog, check out Traverse City, Michigan!

Does Traverse City sound like a dog friendly 🐾vacation destination you'd like to visit? Let us know in the comments, we'd love to hear your opinion!

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🐾 I'm excited to share a few of my Etsy products! Stylish PET MOM BAGs  and TRUCKER HATS. My TRUCKER HAT WITH CUTE CRAB PATCH is perfect for breezy, sunny days. My This Girl Can and Floral, hearts & butterfly trucker hats are fun and inspirational. Trucker hats make great back to school gifts for teens and college kids! Right now I'm offering 40% OFF my This Girl Can and Floral trucker hats. Hurry! This amazing discount won't last.

The ultimate small Bag for Pet Moms is perfect for a day trip with your dog. This stylish bag holds a lot! 

The bags will fit a 16 ounce water bottle, small water bowl, treats, wipes, poop bags, a small toy, cell phone, and a small bottle of hand sanitizer. Toss it in your backpack or tote bag. It's a great cosmetics or toiletries bag for everyday or travel as well. 

Check out the video on my Etsy listing, to see how much these Pet Mom Bags can hold!

Find all these and more in my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters. I'd really appreciate it if you'd check out my shop! 

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You may also be interested in these Dog Travel blog posts: 

DOG FRIENDLY VACATION IN THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS 

 

DOG TRAVEL ESSENTIALS;  

Everything you need for a hassle free vacation with your dog!

HOW HOT IS TOO HOT FOR DOGS

In hot weather, dogs face the same risks and level of discomfort as people dog. You may be wondering, how hot is too hot for dogs? 90 degrees Fahrenheit is considered too hot for dogs to spend time outside. But with high humidity, a dog could easily be at risk from just 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot weather is a concern, but high humidity can make it even more dangerous for your dog to be outside in hot weather. 

Heat and Humidity can pose serious dog health risks

What Temperature Is Too Hot For Dogs?

Dogs sweat through their paw pads. Panting is how they keep their bodies cool. A dog's normal body temperature is between 100.5 and 102.5. Heatstroke occurs when a dog's body temperature reaches 106 and heatstroke in dogs can be fatal.

If a dog is a brachycephalic (flat or short nosed) breed of dog, such as a French Bulldog or Pug, they are at greater risk of heatstroke and other heat related medical issues than other dog breeds.

Medical conditions like obesity or diabetes can exacerbate the risk of medical issues due to excessive heat.

On Stella & Chewy's web site I saw a chart where they share a method of factoring in humidity as well as temperature to determine if the heat index is safe for your dog:

"If the temperature (in °F) + humidity level add up to 150 or higher, avoid exercising your dog outdoors. For example, an 80° day with 80% humidity is too hot to walk your dog."  

(80 + 80 = 160, 10 degrees too hot).

If you click the Stella & Chewy link above, you can see a chart that illustrates this method. I'm unable to copy/paste the chart from their web site here, I don't have the rights to do so, but you may want to check it out. The method was recommended by Dr. Justine Lee, Veterinary Specialist.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs

🐾 Limit walks to Short Walks and walk during the coolest times of day, so your dog spends less time outside walking in the heat. And be careful of hot pavement! It can burn dogs' paws.

🐾 Make sure dogs have access to lots of Shade when they're outside.

🐾 Provide plenty of access to cool, fresh water to drink all day inside and outside.

🐾 Never, ever leave a dog in a hot car. A hot car can heat up to dangerous levels within minutes.

Some Symptoms of Overheating in Dogs

🐾 Extremely heavy panting

🐾 Elevated body temperature, over 102.5

🐾 Drooling

🐾 Vomiting

🐾 Diarrhea

🐾 Unstable walking, or disorientation

🐾 Collapse

If you think your dog may have heatstroke, that is a medical emergency and the dog should be taken to the Veterinarian right away! Contact your Vet immediately. Try cooling down your dog with a damp cool cloth on the head, armpits, and paws. Don't use cold water or ice, just use cool water to slowly cool down the dog's body.

Many pet parents use cooling products for dogs to help keep their pups cool in the heat. Cool mats, Cooling vests, Cooling neck wraps, Dog Cooling coats, shirts, or hats, Cooling Dog Beds, even Cooling socks for dogs! You can find these online wherever pet supplies are sold.  I had a cooling mat for my Husky, Icy, and it worked really well.

My dog Icy loved her Cool Mat, from the Green Pet Shop

A small kiddie pool in the yard can also help your dog cool off if she's feeling over heated.

PIN THIS!

How Hot is To Hot for Dogs to be Outside?

We've seen a lot of hot weather and heat waves, pretty much globally the last couple of years. I hope this post gave you some ideas on how to help your precious pooch beat the heat!

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🐾 I'm excited to share some of my new Etsy products! I have a new bag for pet moms, my PET MAMA BAG which is now available. I also have a super cute Summer hat. My TRUCKER HATS WITH ADORABLE CRAB PATCH are perfect for those breezy sunny days!  Visit my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters.

Brand new, the perfect bag for Pet Mama's! It's a great cosmetics or toiletries bag for everyday or for travel. It's also a great bag for a day out with your dog or cat! This stylish, small bag is surprisingly roomy!

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

     

How to Choose the Right Boarding Facility for your Dog

   

How to Keep Dogs Cool and Safe in Summer

WHY YOUR DOG NEEDS A LIFE JACKET

Recently, there was a very disturbing news article about a man who brought his dog to a beach in California. Their day ended tragically, and it really drives home why your dog needs a life jacket whenever they will be near water. Whether you take your dog on a boat, to the beach, lake, or swimming pool, a life jacket is an important safety tool for dogs. 

My dog Icy wearing her life jacket 

The tragic incident I'm talking about occurred at San Francisco's Ocean Beach, one of California's most treacherous beaches.

A 59 year old man took his dog to Ocean Beach, and the dog went into the water, and was not wearing a life jacket. At some point, for some reason the man thought his dog was in distress in the ocean. He bounded into the water, fully clothed, apparently to rescue his dog.

While in the water, the man suddenly collapsed, for unknown reasons. Two women were able to pull him of the water and call 911. The man received CPR from First Responders, and shortly after San Francisco Emergency Responders transported him to the hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he did not survive.

His dog eventually made it out of the water by himself uninjured. If his dog was wearing a life jacket, perhaps the man would never have ventured into the water and might have survived. Who knows what the condition of this man's health was, but I can't help thinking that even if his collapse was eminent it may have happened under different conditions, in a place where emergency medical help could have saved him.

People assume that every dog is a born swimmer, but that is not the case. Thousands of dogs drown every year. With an unexpected twist, in this particular incident it was the owner that died because he believed his dog was in distress and tried to save him.

Icy in her OUTWARD HOUND life jacket 
 at a local beach park

There are many reasons why dogs drown, but one of them is exhaustion. They're trying to swim to safety, they tire out and just can't swim anymore. A life jacket can keep your dog safe in the water and could save your dog from drowning. 

A life jacket for dogs is not about fashion, it's about dog safety. As this tragic story shows, if could even be about safety for the owner as well as the dog! Friends please, if your dog will be around water, have a life jacket for them and stay safe!

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🐾 I'm excited to share my new bag designs! You'll find my DOG MOM BAG and TECH BAG, in my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters. Please come check it out! These bags are so useful, and they make great gifts. One for proud Dog Moms, and the Tech Bag for students or business professionals to help organize chargers, power cords, power banks, USBs, ear buds and more!

Bags from my ETSY store, Nature and Critters

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If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:

 

Safety Tips for Taking Your Dog to the Beach

   

Can Dogs Get Hantavirus?

BEST NEW DOG PRODUCTS OF 2025

I recently attended Global Pet Expo 2025, in Orlando Florida. Global Pet Expo is the largest trade show for the pet industry in North America. I had so much fun discovering thousands of amazing pet products! I scoured the show floor for the Best New Dog Products of 2025 (with 2 for cats!).

Global Pet Expo is presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Global Pet Expo is where pet industry companies showcase their products to retailers, distributors, and other members of the trade, as well as members of the media. 

Global Pet Expo 2025!

As a Content Creator in the pet space, I attended the event as a member of the media. I attend this exciting pet industry trade show to find what I think are the best dog toys, dog treats, dog health, and other innovative pet products to share with you! So without further adieu, here are my 2025 faves!

Glacier Peak Holistics, Pet Tolerance test

This was my favorite of the hundreds of new products I saw at Global Pet Expo. I was so impressed that I entered it in Honoring the Best in Pet: BlogPaws Best Award Winners at Global Pet Expo 2025 awards, and guess what? They won the award for Best Health Product! I was so thrilled that they won this award. Congratulations, Glacier Peak Holistics!

This impressive pet wellness product uses biofeedback technology to detect which foods and environmental factors trigger a dogs health issues. It helps pinpoint sensitivities so dog owners can make adjustments for their dog's health.

Glacier Peak Pet Intolerance At Home Test

I love that this test is an easy to use home test. You only need to gather samples of your dog's hair and saliva. No blood tests or urine samples needed! Just mail the sample to Glacier Peak Holistics in the envelope provided, and get an easy to read and understand pet health report. 395 food and environmental factors that may be causing your dog discomfort, are tested and reported on in the test results.

Vetnique Glandex  Anal Gland Support Supplements

I wanted to learn more about Glandex, because I had heard it was an effective digestive health and anal gland supplement. If you read my earlier post about when my dog Jessie experienced some scary issues with her anal glands. you'll know why I was so interested in this product. I've learned that anal gland health is an important part of overall dog health! Anal gland issues in dogs should not be ignored. 

Glandex by Vetnique

Glandex uses a fiber supplement blend to promote bulky and firm stools, which helps support the natural emptying of the anal glands in dogs and cats. Glandex comes in powder form and in a soft chew form. I've started Jessie on Glandex chews. She loves the taste!

Pet Kit Holistic AI Driven Cat Products

I normally cover dog topics on the blog, but I was pretty impressed seeing the Pet Kit line of AI Driven cat products. These products can be used individually, or integrated together for a holistic approach to support cats overall health.

Pet Kit AI driven products; Litterbox, Fountain, and Feeder

Their Self Cleaning Cat Litter Box (with camera!), Intelligent Pet Smart Feeder, and Smart Water Fountain can work together to form an interconnected system where smart devices, software, and services are integrated to provide comprehensive pet care. The feeder and water fountain can also be used for dogs.

LuftPets Pet Care and Supplies

LuftPets provides fun and useful products for dogs such as washable pee pads, cage liners, snuffle mats and dog chew toys. They have a wonderful variety of engaging pet toys.

Snuffle Mat with lick mat from LuftPets

One of my favorite items at the LuftPets Global Pet Expo booth was the large Snuffle Mat with Lick Pad. This unique toy is beautiful and will keep pets busy and engaged for quite awhile. It can even slow down their eating! 

P.L.A.Y (Pet Lifestyle And You), iHop Breakfast Sampler  

This fun collection of plush "breakfast" toys was a collaboration between P.L.A.Y. and iHop. 

Breakfast will never be the same with this adorable dog toy!

This toy collection features a Pancake Pup Stack, Thick 'N Fluffy French Toast, Eggcellent Play Platter and the iconic Barking Bean Brew. Serve up some tail wagging Fun with this assortment!

Bionic Dog Toys for tough chewers

Many of us know what it's like to have our dogs tear every toy into a million pieces within minutes. That was my beloved Husky, Icy. No toy was safe once Icy got a hold of it. We went through countless dog toys. I wish we'd had a dog toy that was as tough (and safe) as Bionic toys. We've spent a small fortune on dog toys!

Visiting their booth at Global Pet Expo was quite interesting! We saw Bionic representative Keith actually place one of their dog toys in a blender, and watched it come out virtually unscathed! They're made of an FDA food grade durable proprietary rubber, free of BPA, lead, and phthalates. Check out this impressive video!

Icelandic Pet Treats

I love Icelandic's dog treats. We discovered them last year and I really appreciate that they are made with all natural ingredients like wild caught cod fish and salmon, freeze dried beef liver, and freeze dried lamb. My dogs went crazy for their Fishy Bites and Cod Fish Skins!

Yummy Iceland Dog and Cat treats!

I visited their booth at Global Pet Expo, and was delighted to see that not only do they have tons more treat varieties, but they also make cat treats. So our feline friends can enjoy the fishy goodness of Icelandic treats too! 

I had the pleasure of being selected to work on Icelandic's Instagram dog treat campaign last year. We created an adorable video, starring my girl Jessie, who was the perfect little starlet✨ You can see the video on YouTube below as well as on Instagram: 

BlogPaws RealTalks

While at the Global Pet Expo, I also attended a press release for the newly released BlogPaws Pet Talks. This initiative spotlighted the first of a series of informative talks about pets given by pet experts. These short form talks are about the pets who shape us, the lessons we learn from them, and the bond we share.

The speakers all did a wonderful job. Watch the first Real Talks by BlogPaws here! 

I guess wasn't the only one scouring the Global Pet Expo show floor for the best dog treats and other products. I saw this cutie pie making the rounds too!

I hope you feel inspired by some of these great pet products. Let me know in the comments which ones you might like to try for your pets!

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🐾You'll find beautiful, useful pet themed products in my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters, like the Pet Health Record and Tracker, Digital editable Dog Party Invitations, Pet Emergency Preparedness Checklist, and if you've added a new pup to the family, a fun and dramatic Editable Digital Dog Announcement!

Visit my Etsy shop, Nature and Critters!

I'd love it if you'd visit my Etsy shop today! 

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CAN DOGS GET HANTAVIRUS?

Following the widely publicized death of legendary actor Gene Hackman and his wife, authorities discovered that Hantavirus was the cause of his wife Betsy's death. Hantavirus is spread by coming in contact with the feces, urine, and saliva of infected rodents. After all the publicity of these tragic deaths, many pet owners like myself began wondering, Can dogs get Hantavirus? What about cats?

Several types of wild Mice and Rats could carry Hantavirus

I was already aware of Hantavirus. Since we hike a lot with our dogs, I watch a lot of hiking videos. I recall a story about a young woman who was hiking and camping for several months. While staying at a  camp ground she became very ill but doctors couldn't figure out what was making her so sick. 

She finally mentioned to medical staff that they had a mouse problem in the shelter she was staying in. The mice continually ran in and out of the shelter getting into everything, searching for food. They were relentless, as mice usually are! 

The doctor finally tested her for Hantavirus, and sure enough that was the problem. She was fortunate, her illness didn't progress to the severity that Betsy Hackman's did and she was able to recover. Ever since that video, I'm acutely aware of the dangers of Hantavirus. It may seem like a mouse getting into your tent, backpack, house or barn is trivial and poses no threat, but that might not be the case!

I felt Hantavirus was a good topic to cover on the blog since so many of us love to share outdoor adventures with our dogs and cats. Even while hiking, pets or their people could stumble upon a rodent nest.

I began researching Hantavirus and the impact to dogs and cats, but something odd happened. I found different information from different sources, which happens but it's a bit unusual. When that happens, I look for the most authoritative sources I can. In this case, I relied a lot on information provided by U.S. government sources, namely the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the National Park Service government web sites.  

These government web sites were definitely aligned on the key facts about Hantavirus. One of the reasons I trusted these government sources is because incidents of Hantavirus are mandated to be reported to local health departments and National Parks, as Hantavirus incidents are considered a public heath concern. Therefore, these government agencies would have the data!

Both cats and dogs could encounter rodents infected with Hantavirus

Having said that, I want to share the key facts I found out about Hantavirus, including as it pertains to dogs and cats. I've linked to the 3 government sources I used, and their Hantavirus web pages below.

HANTAVIRUS IN DOGS

Just so you can immediately let out a sigh of relief;

🐾 Although dogs and cats can become infected with hantavirus, they do Not get sick from hantavirus infection. 

🐾 In addition, dogs and cats do Not spread hantaviruses to people.  

🐾 Hantavirus is Not transmitted from person to person either.

Whew! Feel better? I know I did when I learned these critical facts!  Bear in mind however, your cat or dog could potentially catch a mouse or rat that is infected with Hantavirus and bring it home. Even though your pet may not be at risk of becoming clinically ill from the virus, you should keep your distance. If the rodent is still alive, make sure you do not come in contact with it's waste or saliva, and be sure it doesn't bite you. You could contract Hantavirus.

WHAT IS HANTAVIRUS?

Hantaviruses are a family of viruses carried by certain rats and mice.

Hantaviruses are shed in the urine, feces, and saliva of infected rodents. Humans can get Hantavirus by coming in contact with infected mouse or rat droppings, urine, or saliva. The infectious particles can be inhaled, ingested (through food contaminated by an infected rodent), or transmitted through a bite from an infected rodent. Hantavirus is not transmitted from person to person, or from dogs and cats to people.

Hantavirus is carried by deer mice as well as several other mice and rats. It is nearly impossible to tell if a mouse or rat is infected with Hantavirus so it is recommended that you treat any mouse or rat droppings as though they could be infected with the virus.

In North America, Hantavirus can be spread by; the Deer Mouse, the White-footed Mouse, the Rice Rat, and the Cotton Rat. 

The US geographic range of the Deer Mouse is very broad. They are found in most areas of the United States, but are not prevalent in Florida. The White Footed mouse is found in many areas of the United States, but are not prevalent in Florida or the West coast. The Cotton Rat and Rice Rat are found mainly in the Southeastern US. These rodents also have a presence in Canada.

Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome (HPS)

Hantavirus can potentially attack the lungs of people, causing Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a severe, sometimes fatal respiratory disease in humans. This is what claimed the life of Betsy Hackman.

Hantavirus Symptoms usually start one to eight weeks after contact with the urine, feces, or saliva of an infected mouce or rat. But most cases develop symptoms within 3 weeks of exposure. 

Early symptoms of HPS include fatigue, fever, and muscle aches, and may also include headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Four to 10 days after the initial phase, late symptoms of coughing and difficulty breathing appear. The mortality rate of HPS is 38%. 

Anyone who is exposed to infected rodents or their waste is at risk for Hantavirus. Rodent infestation in and around the home is the primary risk.

 

People can get Hantavirus by:

⚠️ Breathing in air contaminated with mouse or rat urine, droppings, or nesting materials from an infected rodent.

⚠️ Touching contaminated mouse or rat urine, droppings ,or nesting materials and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.

⚠️ Being bitten or scratched by an infected rodent. 

⚠️ Eating food contaminated by urine, droppings or saliva from an infected rodent - this is the one that really creeps me out! Mice and rats are relentless at trying to get into our food. If you ever see mice or rats in or around your home, seal your food up tight and keep open food packages in the refrigerator.

Activities that can put people at risk for Hantavirus are:

⚠️ Cleaning up mouse and rat urine, droppings, and nests without wearing protective gear such as rubber or plastic gloves.

⚠️ Participating in recreational outdoor activities where exposure to mice and rat habitat may occur, like staying in trail shelters, camping, and even hiking!

⚠️ Going inside a home, shed, camper, or cabin infested with rodents.

⚠️ Working in areas where mice and rats may live, such as barns or vehicles.

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How To Prevent Hantavirus

Keep rodents out of your house! 

✅ The best way to protect yourself and your family from Hantavirus is by keeping wild mice and rats out of your home and cleaning up after rodents very carefully.

✅ Inspect your home to ensure there aren’t any gaps or holes that may allow mice or rats to squeeze through. Don’t leave pet food or pet water bowls out where rodents may access them. If you see what looks like rodent waste, clean it up right away but do it carefully so you don’t come in physical contact with or breathe in their waste. Sometimes it’s best to hire a professional to remove rodent waste, and to look for and seal up any gaps in your home.

✅ Bear in mind that your cat or dog could potentially catch and even kill an infected rodent. Your pet may not get sick from the infected rodent, but be careful you don’t come in contact with any of the rodent’s body fluids.

✅ Avoid wild rodents and safely clean up any rodent urine, droppings, or nests in or around your home, barn, shed, etc. 

Stay alert for wild mice and rats, and steer clear of their waste and saliva. If you suspect a rodent issue in or around your home, contact a professional pet management company! Better safe than sorry.

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Dog Bandana Collar for girl dogs in my Etsy shop!

Get 20% Off this super cute bandana for a limited time in my Etsy Shop. The bandana is available in 4 sizes; Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. 

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SOURCES: Along with reports and press conferences from reliable news sources, the 3 government web site pages I used as my main sources for the Hantavirus information in this blog post are:

The United States CDC (Center for Disease Control)  Hantavirus web page. Definitely check out this page, it has some terrific educational infographics!

The United States government web site, NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH), Hantavirus web page  

The United States National Park Service government website Hantaviurs web page 

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