November 2013 archive

Pet News: Turkey Day Edition

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  • She’s just being Miley? Well in this case being Miley includes performing in front of a lip-syncing cat gif. What do you say, cute or crude?
  • Dog lovers, rejoice! The National Dog Show will return to broadcast on NBC this year. Catch the competition between the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and some NFL football. We all know it’s not really Thanksgiving until John O’Hurley graces our screens, right?
  • We’re all about luxury and extravagance, but what about for your cat? Some businesses are taking it to the next level with luxury cat hotels. Via The Guardian, “Each suite at the Ings has “stunning panoramic views”, underfloor heating and bespoke wrought iron four poster beds “complete with cut glass crystal balls and the softest cotton bedding with goose feather cushions.” Flat screen TVs come as standard, permitting the pampered pet to watch their favourite DVDs, such as looped footage of a fishtank or butterfly meadows, and an optional a la carte menu offers dishes such as pan fried sea bass with organic butter and steamed prawns.”

 

Tips for feeding cats and dogs Thanksgiving leftovers

Thanksgiving Day - I give thanks for...

Thanksgiving Day – I give thanks for… (Photo credit: RaGardner4)

Thanksgiving is definitely one of our favorite holidays and meals, but sometimes we think turkey sandwich leftovers can  be better than the main dish. Who doesn’t love a turkey sandwich with white bread and some delicious mayonnaise? It might be tempting to spread the sandwich love, and leftovers in general, with your dog or cat, but consider these tips before you give up your scraps.

  • If you’re sharing turkey, be sure to remove any excess fat or skin from the meat. Also, turkey bones are dangerous to dogs, make sure they stay far away from your pet.
  • Potatoes are safe to share, but mashed potatoes contain ingredients that pets should avoid: butter, cheese, sour cream, etc.
  • A small serving of cranberry sauce is safe for dogs.
  • We shouldn’t have to remind you, but chocolate is off the table.
  • Fresh vegetables such as green beans make for a safe treat, again just be careful they don’t contain additional dairy and alliums (onions, garlic, scallions, shallots, etc.).

Pet News: Cat Bark Edition

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  • A kitten barking like a dog? You have to “hear” it to believe it! Watch the video above to hear Bun Bun’s unique purr.
  • #theoandbeau love. Daily photos of an adopted puppy and a toddler napping have gone viral. Jessica Shyba, who adopted the puppy, started posting the photos on Instagram and her blog, Momma’s Gone City. Check out the pictures for your daily dose of #love.
  • We’re going to keep the sweet stories rolling. Coming out of Philadelphia are eight month old lab/pit bull mix brothers. Their story is especially heart-warming because one of the dogs is blind. It took the animal shelter some time to notice, but once they did, they could see that the other dog has been acting as a seeing-eye dog for his brother. The two dogs are always cuddling and never leave each other’s sides.

Testimonial Tuesday: White Fur Edition

Our little Bolognise “Annie” was always biting or scratching her body and discoloring her white fur. After just a few days of using the Skin eze she began to clear up and her lovely fur is beautiful and white again. I don’t know what she is allergic to but the Skin eze took care of it. She reminds me it is time for her tablet if I don’t get to her at the right time. I think it may be the cheese it is wrapped in and not the tablet that she is so crazy about but in any case it works! Thank you for this product.

Shop Skin-Eze from Allergic Pet.

Pet News: Hunger Games Edition

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  • We love the LATimes for sharing this video on cats remaking The Hunger Games.
  • In slightly depressing news, a man has apologized for microwaving his cat for a YouTube video. Unfortunately, this incident happened in Lebanon, where there are no animal protection laws.
  • Authorities are currently trying to identify a dismembered body after a dog brought home a human leg.
  • NBC News has a story about canine evolution and a genome mutation that may have led to dogs’ friendliness. Clive D. L. Wynee, the head of Arizona State University’s Canine Science Collabroatory is currently writing a book about the evolution.

Did we miss anything this week? Please feel free to share in the comments section!

Winter Dog Exercise Tips

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Now that it’s starting to get chilly outside, it can be challenging for your dog to get the exercise it needs. Taking a walk doesn’t necessarily sound as exciting in sub-freezing temperatures. However, exercise is vital for a dog’s wellness, so it’s important to consider alternate cold weather options. Here are a few of our favorites

Hide and Seek - Also giving you a good opportunity to practice “come” with your dog, hide and seek can keep your pup warm inside and mentally stimulated while looking for their favorite toy or treat.

Stairs - Why should your dog being the only one getting exercised? Utilize the steps inside your house and go up and down the floors with your dog on a leash to get your heart pumping, too.

Dog Yoga – Don’t call us crazy. Dog yoga is a real thing. “Doga”, as they call it, can be a great way for your dog to stretch and de-stress.

Suck it up! – Bundle up and get outside! It might be chilly at first, but trust us, a brisk pace will feel great in the colder temperatures.

Dog Allergies Home Remedies

English: 10 wks old, female. She snorts but is...

English: 10 wks old, female. She snorts but is super loveable, great with housebreaking, other dogs, cats and kids. I noticed some grass allergies on her belly. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dogs, just like people, can suffer from allergies. Allergies occur when the dog’s immune system starts to react to everyday substances as if they are a danger to the animal. This can lead to scratching, scabby skin, hair loss, runny eyes, runny noses and sneezing.

If your dog is suffering from allergies, his life is quite miserable. The good news is there are things you can do to ease his suffering, even without a trip to the vet. In fact, natural treatments that you can do at home are often the best way to tackle a dog’s allergies.

One of the first things you can do to deal with allergies is locate and remove the allergen, if possible. Common allergens for dogs include:

  • Ingredients in their food
  • Plants, either indoors or outdoors
  • Cleaning products
  • Shampoos and other topical treatments
  • Flea control products
  • Fleas and other pests
  • Dust and dust mites
  • Feathers
  • Dander
  • Rubber or plastic

Dust is a common trigger. If you suspect this is a problem for your dog, start by cleaning your dog’s bedding once a week and vacuuming your home twice a week. Vacuum any materials, including the curtains and couches, that could gather dust.

If you suspect food as the problem, switch your dog to a specialized diet, or consider cooking food yourself for a while. If the fillers in the dog food are the source, the problem should clear up in a few days.

Bathing your dog regularly can help remove environmental allergens from his coat. However, you will want to avoid cheap shampoos that may have allergens and perfumes in them. Talk to your vet about an allergen-free shampoo you can use.

If your dog’s skin is irritated, cover it with a mixture of oatmeal and water. Leave it on his skin for 10 minutes, then rinse it off. This can soothe irritated skin. You can also treat hot spots with a mixture of equal parts water, baby oil and Listerine.

Finally, consider investing in air filtration for your home. This can help remove airborne allergens, like mold spores and dust, so your dog can live in your home free from allergies.

Remember, whenever possible, treat your dog’s allergies naturally. This will help avoid adding more allergens to his system as you work to control these uncomfortable symptoms.

Testimonial Tuesday: Lax-eze Edition

English: A domestic cat, Felis catus in Kibaha...

English: A domestic cat, Felis catus in Kibaha, Tanzania (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We love receiving positive testimonials from our customers. This one definitely made our day!

Lax-eze save my cats life. The Vet wanted to put him to sleep a year ago. This product keeps him happy and beautiful. His name is Nino. He also save my life as he wakes me up when i stop breathing. I could say this product has saved both of us.

Shop Lax-eze from Allergic Pet.