New Years Resolutions you can make with your Pet
2019 is almost here! And here are some fun ways to include your pet on your New Years resolutions.
It’s almost 2019, which means its resolution time! And this year why not include your pets in your resolutions? Here are 5 ways you can include your furry family members in the fun.
Go outside more:This one is both important for you but also very important for your pet. If you have a dog you may take them on walks but how frequent are those walks? Once a day? A couple times a week? Or less? Dog’s love going on walks and smelling the world around them. It is something for them to look forward to and it helps them discover your neighborhood and city. Cats can go for walks too! They do make leashes for cats if your cat is strictly indoors. As a dog walker I have never meet a dog that wasn’t grateful after I had taken them on a walk. If you are already an avid walker you can take this resolution up a notch by extending your normal walking time by 5 minutes or to be off the phone and be present with your pet. Which leads to our next resolution suggestion.
Spend More time in the present away from technology:We all do it, when we are watching TV snuggling with our pet we bring out our phone during a commercial break and scroll social media. And our pets sense our distraction in our devices. I have had numerous clients tell me that when they are on their phone, their pets act out by growling or even using their paw to try to get your attention. Next time you get the urge to look at your phone and you have your dog or cat near you, reach from them instead. Give them a belly rub and butt scratch or a kiss. We only have a short period of time with our pets on this earth and little moments like these mean the world to them.
Take more day trips with your best friend: This one we love because living here in Pasadena there are so many great options of pet friendly day trip activities! You could take them for a hike, or go to the Huntington Dog Beach. There is Mammoth Lakes or Big Bear for a fun snow day. Also there are several dog friendly restaurants in our area. These outings help deepen your bond with your pet and they are fun! Its fun to go on a hike or to the Dog beach and see all the dogs being carefree and happy.
You both try to eat better: Many New Years resolutions often include eating healthier for most people. If this is one of your New Years resolutions, you can also apply this to your pet. There has been a lot of ground breaking new research on the pet food industry and what is actually healthy for your pet. If you are looking to get your pet in shape as well as yourself consult your Veterinarian on the best ways to help clean up your pets diet. That way you both are in this one together!
Spoil each other: Self-care is another big resolution for lots of people this year and it is important to take care of ourselves and the ones we love most; our pets. If you have a groomer that offers a mini massage for your pet maybe splurge a few times this year to pamper your pooch or cat. If your dog has a favorite toy or treat maybe you could give them a little extra once a month. In return your pet will spoil you with unconditional love and devotion, which is really the best reward.
We hope you enjoyed and are inspired by these recommendations, and let us know in the comments below if you are going to try any of these 5 suggestions. Thank you!
12 Days of Christmas Gift Giving Guide
Our Annual list of gifts that also help animal charities.
Every year since we started in 2014, we have done a 12 days of Christmas Gift Giving Guide. And each of the gifts we pick as a part of our list; are not only great gifts but also give a portion of the profits to animal charities. Animal Charities are very close to our heart and we are always looking for new ways to give and spread the word.
If you missed any of the gifts we mentioned on our Instagram or Facebook pages here they are as well as the links to the items. We hope you enjoy! And if you have any suggestions for items for us to include next year please leave a comment below. Thank you!
Day 1
Pawzaar Aromatherapy car diffuser: Each gift includes a card featuring a photo of a shelter pet whose kennel your purchase helped to sponsor.
Day 2
Dishraggs.com Tote Bag.:This company has a whole section of gifts and 40% of the net proceeds go to America’s Vet Dogs.
Day 3
N:Philanthropy Dog Mom Shirt: This company donates 10% of net proceeds to Children’s Hospital of LA, ASPCA and SPCALA and other local animal charities.
https://nphilanthropy.com/products/harlow-bff-tee-dog-mom
Day 4
Wholesome Culture Hat: 15% of the proceeds for this hat will go to animal rescues like The Gentle Barn and Sale Ranch Sanctuary.
Day 5
Rescue Candle: A portion of their profits from every candle on their website go to animal charities. And with each purchase you will receive a card so you know exactly where your donation went.
Day 6
Tito’s Vodka Dog Toy: Net Proceeds will go towards helping Emancipent make spay/neuter services as well as veterinary car affordable and accessible to all pet owners.
Day 7
One Heart Coffee Christmas box: Proceeds from the purchase of this box go to Home Fur Friends Rescue.
https://www.oneheartcoffee.net/shop/product/1830447422
Day 8
Pet Play Dog Bed: For every Artist or Original Collection pet bed purchased, a special edition chill pad will be donated to a pet in need.
https://www.petplay.com/royal-crest-lounge-bed-253/?color=79&size=72
Day 9
Alex and Ani Prints of Love Charm Bracelet: 20% of the purchase price goes to the ASPCA.
https://www.alexandani.com/prints-of-love-charm-bangle-cbd17polrg.html
Day 10
Grounds and Hounds Rescue Roast: 100% of all profits generated by Rescue Roast are donated to a new rescue organization every month.
https://groundsandhoundscoffee.com/products/rescue-roast
Day 11
Stray Faces Custom Pet Socks: For every $20 spent on their website, 1 KG of food will be donated to a stray animal in need.
Day 12
Rescue Chocolate 4 Paw Collection: For each chocolate purchased, 100% of the net profits are donated to animal rescue organizations around the country.
https://www.rescuechocolate.com/collections/holidays/products/gift-box-samplers
Fourth of July Safety Tips
For our dogs, the days leading up to the Fourth of July, can be terrifying. Fireworks can trigger anxiety attacks and sometimes leads dogs to run away out of fear. Luckily, there are things we can do as pet-owners and pet-lovers to help ease their stress.
The Fourth of July is an exciting and celebratory day for Americans. However, for our dogs, this day and the days leading up to it can be terrifying. The unexpected loud sound of fireworks and their irregular noise patterns often make many animals feel vulnerable and afraid. The loud sounds of fireworks can trigger our dogs' “fight or flight” instinct, as well as other anxiety attacks. This can lead to behavior problems or worse; a dog that will run away out of fear in search of safety. Luckily, there are things we can do to ease our dogs anxiety.
My number one safety tip is to make sure your dog’s microchip is up to date. If your dog doesn’t have a microchip, make sure they have a secure collar on that has your current phone number. Making sure your information on their ID tags and microchips are up to date helps ensure that, if they do run away, they have a better chance of being returned safely back to you.
Before the Fourth of July, you can start the desensitization process with your dog to the sound of fireworks. To start this process, find firework sounds online or on YouTube. Then play these sounds at a very low volume; make sure that your dog is not fearful at this volume. Then while this noise is playing give your dog their favorite treat. Continue this for several minutes. If your dog begins to show signs of anxiety, stop this exercise. The goal of this process is to replace your dog's fearful behavior with calm and relaxed behavior. this can take some time to get to that point. But you never want to push your dog past its threshold. As long as your dog is calm and taking treats you can slowly increase the volume. Do these training sessions for only a couple of minutes each day.
Additionally, there are great holistic anti-anxiety medications and chews with melatonin or cannabinoid (CBD) oil that works wonders in calming down an anxious pet. Melatonin is a hormone that is naturally found in all of our bodies and is used to tell us when to sleep and wake up. Melatonin is also used as a calming aid. If you have an animal that is only mildly anxious Melatonin chews would be the perfect way to ease their anxiety, my favorites are NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Soft Chews. If your animal is extremely anxious and can become destructive at the sound of fireworks using a form of CBD oil can be helpful. CBD oil is a compound found in cannabis and hemp. Most CBD oils have little to no tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the substance that can produce psychoactive responses (Dogs Natural Magazine). I have seen very anxious dogs become calm and relaxed with just a couple of drops of CBD oil. You should always contact your vet before adding anything else to your dogs diet or medication routine.
Finally, if you are going away for the night, make sure your pet is as comfortable and secure as possible. Turn on the TV or classical music. Classical music has been found to have the same relaxing effect on animals as it does on humans and can ease their stress. Take your dog for a long walk before the fireworks start. These activities will help rid their systems of extra energy and stress, helping them to cope with the additional stress of fireworks. If possible, keep your dog indoors. Being in a safe space can help ease the stress as well. This will also reduce the risk of them running away.
Using these general guidelines and tips, you can help make this year's Fourth of July a happy and safe one for your whole family, including your dog! Always discuss diet and medication changes with your vet to prevent any concerns.
Happy Celebrating!
Edited By Tara Rico
Is the Raw Food diet the right decision for your pet?
With Raw pet food sales at an all time high, is this diet something that would benefit your pet? In this post I look into both the benefits and the drawbacks to this diet.
These days, more and more people are asking what exactly is in their personal products and food. We are constantly in search of ways to be healthier. This includes wanting to improve the quality of life for our pets, too! Many new diets and trends exist today for our pets. Since the pet food industry is largely unregulated more people are looking into what is actually in their pets food. One diet in particular, the Raw food diet, has recently gained a lot of popularity. With many of my own clients exploring these new options, I set out to discover what information might be useful if you are considering this route for your pet. Remember, you should always consult your veterinarian before changing your pet’s food regimen.
In 2017, raw pet food sales grew to a new high, and more pet stores were starting to sell raw food either in freezer form or in the freeze-dried form; this is according to Maria Lange, business group director for GfK (German Society of Consumer research). So, is this just a fad in the pet food industry? Or, are there real benefits to feeding your pet a raw food diet?
A raw food diet for dogs includes meaty raw bones, organs, and some produce—also raw or cooked at low temperatures. The philosophy behind raw pet food comes from the idea that dogs need a completely balanced diet. That includes raw meat to provide a diet compatible with how they ate pre-domestication. The pre-prepared raw food includes the minerals and vitamins needed for a dog to thrive according to supporters for the diet. One of the leading voices advocating for the raw food diet is Dr. Barbara Royal from the Royal Treatment Center in Chicago. She is a pioneer in holistic medicine for animals. She has even written a book called, The Royal Treatment: A Natural Approach to Wildly Healthy Pets. Her top raw food recommendations are Darwin’s Food, Answers and Raw Bistro. Some other brands my clients recommend are Just For Dogs for large dog breeds and The Honest Kitchen for dogs with intestinal issues. If you have a favorite raw food brand, list it in the comments below!
Royal also recommends that you look at the nutritional ingredients of your pet food. She says that your pets food should have 45% Fat, 45% Protein and 10% Carbs. Again, please consult with your veterinarian before you go raw. Every dog is different with different health conditions, and a raw food diet may not be ideal for every animal.
The benefits of a raw food diet, according to pet owners who have switched, have been noted as improved eyesight, shinier coats, cured cancer, weight loss in overweight dogs, cured allergies and the reduction in need of oral medication. However the FDA conducted a study in 2010-2012 on raw food diets in dogs and they found raw pet food was more likely to be contaminated with disease-causing bacteria. Like Salmonella and Listeria.(FDA)Some other disadvantages of this diet are that it is significantly more expensive. Finally, it is time consuming to prepare, compared to dry kibble.
As I mentioned before, I have seen a few of my clients switch to the raw food diet and I have seen vast improvements in their dogs. These pets have gone from having stomach or intestinal problems such as colitis, to having no signs or issues within a month. There is, of course, a transitional period. Just like with any change in food, the stomach is getting use to the new food but in my experience, I have only seen positive results from this diet. Going raw for your pet is a personal decision for each family, and something to discuss with your veterinarian. However, because I have seen positive benefits, it seemed timely to share some information and resources.
I hope you enjoyed this topic and found it informative. Let me know in the comments below! Thank you!
Edited by Tara Rico
How FIT is your Dog?
As pet parents we always want the best for our animals. In this blog post I go over the recommended amount of exercise your dog needs to have a full and happy life.
As pet owners, we want the very best quality of life for our animals. We do lots of research on what breeds, products, and foods are best. We read books and articles about how to train them. We spend hundreds on leashes, toys, and other treats. And sometimes, we take them to dog training and other specialists for extra support with the comfort and happiness of our pet. It seems there is nothing short of what we will do for our extended furry family members. However, with our busy lives, we can forget a very important part of their health: their physical activity.
Exercise is key for any dog, no matter the breed. Although the amount of exercise needed varies from dog to dog, it is a general rule of thumb that your dog needs between 30 minutes – 2 hours of exercise each day (PetMD)! Thirty minutes would be more appropriate for toy breeds like a Shih-tzu. 30 minutes of exercise would also be appropriate for dogs with health conditions, like hip dysplasia, such as an English Bulldogs. The needed two hours would be for a puppy, or a dog from the working group like a Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, or Golden Retriever.
Now, I know that after a long day at work it can be hard to find the energy to take your dog for a walk. And our pets can be convincing couch potatoes. What if there is something good on TV? What if the weather isn’t perfect? BUT!-- the benefits are endless. Physical activity for your pet increases healthy development, and exercise can help curb their destructive behaviors. According to the School for Veterinary Behaviorists, regular exercise helps stop chewing, going to the bathroom in the house, and other obsessive behaviors.
Does your dog sometimes exhibit behaviors that make it a chore for you to walk them; such as excessive pulling? You can stop these behaviors with simple switches like using a harness or a gentle leader instead of attaching the leash to your dogs collar. By changing the tools with which you walk your dog, can help you control your dog more easily. Thus, making the walk more enjoyable for you both (high-five!). If you continue to have problems with pulling on walks after changing the tools you use, I would recommend spending time with a trainer or animal behaviorist. Taking these small steps now can help save you and your loving pet from heartache later.
Finally, professional dog walkers are always a great option to help you when you are running late, working, or if you are sick. Professional dog walkers are skilled in handling many different breeds of dogs and can give you peace of mind that when you are unable to provide physical exercise, someone else can. Crisis averted!
I hope you enjoyed this blog post! Let me know what you thought of it and if it was helpful in the comments below. Thank you!
Edited by Tara Rico