Picking the Perfect Toys for Your Pup
With Spring in full swing, the nicer weather makes everyone feel more playful! Toys seem like a great way to both reward your precious pooch and help burn up extra energy, but with all of the different choices out there today it’s hard to know what to buy. There is nothing more frustrating than purchasing toys your dog either shreds to bits or turns his nose up at. The first step to both pleasing your pup and saving your wallet from wasted purchases is to figure out what type of toys are right for your canine companion.
Balls and Flying Discs for Dogs are perfect for pups who love to play catch. Flying discs are a great way to get your dog moving and make for a fun interactive way to spend time with your pet. Rubber balls are easy to clean and are good for both tossing and chewing. An important safety tip to remember: Always make sure that the ball you choose is not too small, or it could get lodged in your dog’s throat! Alternately, make sure that the ball is not too big as well or your dog won’t be able to play with it.
Plush Dog Toys are great for snuggling, fetch, and carrying around. These soft toys retain the dog’s scent and often contain squeakers for added fun. When looking for plush toys, it’s important to only pick toys made for dogs. Generic stuffed toys can be filled with irritating fibers or Styrofoam pieces that can upset your dog’s stomach. Toys made specifically for dogs don’t have this. Plush toys are often not a good choice for dogs that play aggressively or tear up toys; Dogs can easily shred these toys if they try.
Rope and Tug Toys for Dogs provide ample opportunities for fun. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and are great for fetching, chewing, teething, and tug of war games. Some dogs can rip these toys up with extended chewing, so if you have an aggressive chewer it’s important to monitor your dog so that they don’t ingest the fibers.
Rubber, Latex, and Vinyl Toys for Dogs are a superb choice for chewers. These toys are great for exercising dog’s mouths and jaws. These are good for non-interactive play and can keep them occupied for hours. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you’ll want to both supervise him and makesure that you pick a toy made of heavy duty rubber that will withstand a lot of abuse.
Interactive Dog Toys keep smart dogs entertained. These fun toys dispense treats in a random pattern or when a dog makes specific movements with the toy. They are excellent for keeping your dog mentally fit, as well as physically. You may need to work with your dog to teach them the concept but these stimulating toys are worth the time invested!
National Pet Week: Celebrate Your Pets!
This Sunday marked the start of National Pet Week, which celebrates the important role our furry friends play in our lives. National Pet Week was founded in 1981 by the American Veterinary Medical Association with the purpose of promoting responsible pet ownership and commemorating the special bond between pet owners and their pets. It was also created to promote public awareness of the importance of veterinary medicine.
While we can never repay our four legged companions for the countless joys and unconditional love they bring into our lives, this week is a perfect time to do something special for them. Here are a few ways to indulge your devoted dog:
Go Out And Play! It’s easy to get caught up with our busy lives and forget that while we’re out rushing around, our pets are stuck at home, bored and waiting. Take time this week to add some much needed stimulation to your patient pooch’s life. A trip to the dog park, a game of fetch in the backyard, or a long evening walk are all good sources of exercise.
Keep Your Dog Healthy! With Spring in full swing and summer on the way, now is a great time to take your dog in for a yearly check up. Flea and tick season is just beginning and these parasites are more than just an annoyance – They spread disease and cause skin problems as well. Heartworm prevention is a must for this time of year. Heartworm disease causes serious illness in your pet and diagnosis and treatment are very expensive – It’s much more practical and safe to prevent heartworms with medication.
Pamper Your Pup! Take your pooch for a day at the doggie spa! Regular grooming and bathing not only make for a pleasant smelling pet, grooming can also prevent health problems. Matting of the hair causes discomfort and is a breeding ground for skin infections, not to mention excess hair in the summer time can make for one hot dog! New dog toys and dog treats are another great way to spoil your canine friend!
Save Lives! Spaying and Neutering your pets not only helps them to lead happier, healthier lives, it also helps better the animal world by cutting down on unwanted litters and lowering the number of animals left on the streets and in shelters. If you are on the market for a new fuzzy friend, adopting a pet is a wonderful choice and helps save the life of an animal in need.
Think Pink: Top 10 Pink Items Under $20
Every little girl loves pink! Treat your dog (and your wallet) to one of our inexpensive best sellers!
1. Pretty in Pink Dog Bows ($2.99) – This set of bows offers four ways to look pretty in pink, with a mix of floral, striped, polka dot, and heart-patterned designs. Each bow has a rubber band backing for secure attachment.
2. Color Paw Dog Nail Polish ($4.99) – This quick drying nail polish is formulated specifically for dogs. It’s water- and chip-resistant and comes in 26 different colors, including 4 different shades of pink!
3. Pocket Pups Pearl Dog Collar ($13.99) – This cute leather dog collar is adorned with adorable pearl accents and is perfect for your pocket sized pup! Comes in 11 different colors.
4. K9 Optix for Dogs ($12.99) – The only sunglasses made just for dogs! These sunglasses offer 100% UV Protection and have shatterproof lenses. Features a three strap adjustable system to fit any dog’s head with an extra wide bridge designed to fit a dog’s face.
5. Pink Flower Dog Harness ($14.00) – This beautiful cotton harness is sure to catch attention on walks! Features cute lace accents and flower appliqués.
6. Cosmuttpolitan Dog Toy ($11.99) – The perfect toy for the discerning doggy! This pink cocktail comes complete with a lemon wedge for added flair. Your dog will love to bite into this soft, plush, playful dog toy!
7. Anti-Skid Dog Bowls ($2.99-$11.99) – These stainless steel bowls are durable, easy to clean, and scratch resistant. Their anti-skid base prevents spills and knock overs. This best seller comes in trendy colors and comes with a lifetime guarantee.
8. Heart Felt Moppy Tug Toy ($6.99) – This toy is perfect for pulling, snuggling, tugging, and chewing. Has two fun textures – rope and moppy fabric – for hours of doggy fun!
9. Heart Dog Socks ($11.99) – These adorable socks keep your pup’s paws warm in cold weather. These adorable socks have skid-free pads to prevent sliding in slippery surfaces. Great for dogs who slip and slide on hard floors and as an in-between under boots to provide a better fit!
10. Fairy Dust Dog Tee ($14.99-$19.99) – This dog shirt is simply magic! This comfy shirt features sparkly fairy wings for an added touch of glamour!
Scruffy and Snicker’s Lavish Wedding
Last weekend in California, two lucky pups were wed in a luxurious $5,000 wedding. The newlyweds, Scruffy and Snickers, were joined in holy matrimony with many friends in attendance – including those of the canine variety – in a beautiful ceremony complete with a live band, a wedding cake, and an open bar. In light of the poor condition of the economy, this furry pair and their owners have fallen under much criticism for the excessive expense but it was all for a good cause; In lieu of wedding gifts, the dogs’ owners requested that the guests make monetary donations to the Humane Society in their area. The mother of the bride said “The whole thing just took a life of its own and kept growing and growing, but that was okay because the donations we collected for the shelter were just amazing!” What a great way to both have fun and support a good cause! If your impassioned pooch has wedding fever, we have a wide selection of formal dog clothing - from dog wedding dresses and dog tuxedos for the bride and groom, to dog shirts for the wedding party and dog bow ties for the guests. Everything your pup needs to tie the knot!
Bow Wow Brownies Recipe
Does your food hound have a fondness for sweets? Satisfy your pup’s sweet tooth with Bow Wow Dog Brownies! This non-chocolate delicacy is an easy to make, dog friendly version of the human favorite.
Ingredients:
6 cups oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 eggs or egg replacer
1/3 cup corn oil
3/4 cup molasses
1 cup rice
1 can plain pumpkin
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Lightly grease a non-stick baking pan.
3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well.
4. Pour ingredients into baking pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
5. Cool completely and then cut into squares. Enjoy!
(Recipe courtesy of Simply Pets)
Earth Day and Your Pets
Every year we become more conscious of our impact on the Earth. This Earth Day, include your pet in the fun! Did you know that owning a medium sized dog has the same impact on the ecosystem as an SUV driven 6,000 miles a year, based on the land needed to grow food for each? That is quite a hefty impact. Here a few ways you can reduce your pup’s carbon paw print:
1. Pick up after your pooch! Unscooped poop pollutes water and spreads disease if it is not picked up and then processed properly. Instead of using plastic bags, use Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags.
2. You are what you eat. Buying organic and grain-free foods is another way to help your pet go green. A plus to this is that feeding your dog a grain-free food means there will less filler and therefore less poop to scoop! Buying in bulk also helps – This cuts down on gas used to and from the store and less packaging is used.
3. Prevent Pet Overpopulation. Spaying or neutering your pets keeps overpopulation in check by keeping unwanted litters and abandoned pets out of shelters, as well as providing your pets with a more enjoyable, longer life.
4. Get a “recycled” pet. Adopting pets saves lives! Giving a great home to a homeless pet is an incredibly rewarding way to save the planet. If you aren’t on the market for a new furry friend, donating to a local shelter helps too. Donations don’t have to be limited to monetary ones… Shelters are always in need of gently used collars, leashes, towels, newspapers, bedding , and toys.
5. Buy pet products made from recycled materials. It’s easier than ever to buy “Green” products these days, including ones for your pet. Need a dog bed? Our West Paw Design Dog Beds are made out of a fabric crafted from recycled plastic bottles. If a dog carrier is what you need, our Traveler Carriers are made out of recycled bottles as well. We even have Pet Placemats made of recycled goods!
With just a little effort on your part, you and your pet can go a long way to becoming a solution to the pollution problem, instead of just being a contributing factor. Have a fun and very green Earth Day!
Distracted Driving – Unrestrained Pets Are Unsafe!
We love taking our furry friends with us wherever we go, but dog lovers beware – Taking your pooch for a ride can be dangerous to you, your pet, and to others on the road! Nearly 60% of dog owners have driven while distracted by their pets as passengers, according to a recent survey by AAA. The problem is so widespread that two states, Rhode Island and Tennessee, are considering banning unrestrained pets all together. Only about 1 in 6 pet owners use restraints when their pets are riding in the car. When left unleashed, our canine companions can prove to be quite distracting by climbing into the driver’s lap, crawling on the foot pedals, or interfering with the ability to steer. Pets are also not safe in the front seat – An airbag deploying could cause serious injury! In order to keep ourselves, our pets, and others safe, we need to buckle up our furry passengers in the backseat. A dog car harness is a good idea for larger pets – These comfortable harnesses buckle to the car’s seat belt and keep your pooch in place. For smaller dogs, a dog car seat might be a more practical option. These cushy seats give your pup a comfy place to relax while riding and have safety straps that hook to the dog’s harness to anchor them in place. Most are at least slightly elevated, which give smaller pups a better view. With just a few minor adjustments, a dangerous drive can turn into a safe trip for everyone in the family.
Easter Safety for Your Pet
With Easter only a few days away, time is running out for dying eggs and filling baskets! Spring is in the air and the Easter holiday is a great time to enjoy great weather, family, and fun. But before the Easter Bunny comes hopping to your town, let’s take a moment to consider our furry friends… While Easter brings to mind thoughts of warmer weather, greener grass, and Spring time fun and games, this holiday can also pose some potentially harmful threats to your pets! Here are a few precautions to keep in mind during your celebrations:
Easter Lilies: These beautiful flowers are a hallmark of the Easter season. Though these flowers are lovely to behold, they also incredibly poisonous to our furry companions. When eaten, these flowers are toxic and can even be fatal to cats! They can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and kidney failure. Keep these flowers far away from your pets’ reach and if you think your pet has ingested any part of the plant, call your vet immediately. Tulips, Calla Lilies, Daisies, and Daffodils can all be toxic as well.
Easter grass: Easter baskets aren’t complete without colorful Easter grass but this bright decoration can be very harmful to your pets if ingested. Consumption of artificial grass can cause minor problems like constipation and vomiting, but there is also the chance that major problems can arise as well; The long strands of this grass can wrap around intestines, causing a major blocking that requires surgery intervention. Make sure to keep Easter baskets in a safe place and consider alternatives, such as tissue paper.
Chocolate: While it is widely known that chocolate is toxic to dogs, our wily canine pals still find ways to acquire forbidden treats. Keeping chocolate off of the floor and out of your pets’ reach would obviously be the first line of defense, but kids wrapped up in the excitement of the day might forget to keep pup’s safety first and leave treats unattended. Make sure to educate kids about the dangers chocolate imposes and remind them to keep chocolate out of reach. Some symptoms of chocolate poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, lethargy, increased thirst, elevated heart rate, and seizures. High levels of the toxin found in chocolate are toxic to both the nervous system and heart and could be fatal.
Xylitol: This popular sugar substitute is highly toxic to pets! This is usually found in sugar free candy and causes a rapid drop in blood sugar and can lead to seizures and liver failure.
Easter eggs: Whether you use real eggs or plastic, these brightly colored decorations can be harmful to your pet. Consumption of real eggs can cause an upset stomach, and if the eggs are swallowed whole a blockage could occur. Egg shells are not easily digested, so days of discomfort could ensue. Eggs that are hidden during an egg hunt and not found become irresistible to your pet the more they smell and eating rotten eggs never has a good end result! Plastic eggs can’t spoil – but they are also indigestible and could cause an intestinal blockage if eaten.
By heeding to the above warnings, you and your pets can have a safe and happy Easter. In order to make the holiday special for your pet, try getting your pet their own special Easter dog treats !
Dog Rain Gear
No matter how many times you sing for the rain to go away, there’s no avoiding those spring showers. While most dogs may not mind the raindrops, dog raincoats and rubber dog boots are practical for keeping canines dry and warm on wet (and sometimes chilly) days. Providing your pup with raingear is especially beneficial for smaller dogs and breeds with less fur. Pick from different size, color, and pattern options for your pooch’s perfect doggie raincoat match. Since a dog’s body temp is higher than that of a human’s they are more sensitive to climates; a chilly rainy day can leave your pup’s inner thermostat to drop, leaving them susceptible to illness. Protecting your pooch from the wet conditions will also make for less drying off when it’s time to go back inside; no canine appreciates being soaked to the bone. Plus, nobody enjoys the smell of a wet dog – dog raingear will help eliminate unwanted odors that tend to linger. Likewise, a set of PAWZ rubber dog boots will help keep puppy paws dry, as well as protect against outdoor hazards like lawn chemicals, fire ants, and hot pavement. The great thing about PAWZ rubber dog boots is the fact that they can be used several times and they are biodegradable – so they help our planet stay green. On those needed days gearing your furry friend up will not only have them looking stylish, but it will help keep them safe and healthy. Stay dry this spring!
Flowers Dangerous to Dogs
Spring is finally here – the grass is green, the trees are budding, and the flowers are blooming. It’s a great time to get outside with your pooch and enjoy the fresh air and nature, but before you take your pup outdoors be sure to brush up on vital dog safety information, including knowledge of which flowers and plants that are poisonous to canines. Stay safe and enjoy the weather with your faithful friend!
Azalea – These colorful, sweet scented flower shrubs may cause vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, coma, and even death if ingested by your furry friend, so admire from a distance.
Cyclamen – These spring flowers are beautiful both outside and in a bouquet, but can create rather ugly symptoms including excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, and death for a hungry hound.
Daffodil – The various vibrant yellows and oranges, mixed with settling whites make for gorgeous flowers, but the bulbs of Daffodils are toxic if ingested, and dogs may experience vomiting, salivation, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, and heart arrhythmias.
Foxglove – This particular flower may be a lovely sight with its bell flowers and pink hues, but it doesn’t settle well when consumed and can mean heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, and death for curious canines.
Hyacinth – These flowers are also quite colorful and aesthetically pleasing, but are poisonous to pups and include symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea, depression, and tremors.
Oleander – Be careful around the Oleander flowers. While they look innocent with their tiny petals of pinks and whites, the Oleander should be kept away from canines to avoid vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, shallow breathing, muscle tremors, and cardiac failure.
**If you see or think your dog has consumed a hazardous plant or flower, contact your veterinarian
