When a dog or cat starts gaining weight, the advice usually sounds pretty simple: feed less and exercise more. And sometimes, yes, that’s part of the answer. But after years of talking about pet nutrition with customers at Leo & Lucky’s, I can tell you that healthy weight is rarely a conversation I want to reduce to a measuring cup and a calorie count. There are plenty of reasons a pet’s weight can change. Age, activity level, metabolism, medical conditions, medications
One of my favorite things about owning a neighborhood pet store is the conversations I get to have every day. Sometimes they’re funny, sometimes they’re heartbreaking, but they almost always start with a simple question. This month, the conversation went something like this: “Rachel…my dog has another ear infection.” Living in Florida, I hear that question more often than I’d like. Our warm, humid climate is wonderful for beach days and backyard adventures, but it’s also the perfect environment for ear infections. If
Practical Support from Leo & Lucky’s in Manatee County Every year around this time, I can almost predict the conversations I’m going to have. A customer walks into our store and says, “My dog spent the entire Fourth of July in the bathtub last year.” Another tells me their dog starts shaking the minute fireworks begin. Someone else is worried because their normally confident dog suddenly refuses to go outside after dark. If your dog struggles with fireworks anxiety, you’re definitely not alone. At Leo
One of the most common questions we hear at Leo & Lucky’s is: “What’s the best food for my dog?” And honestly, the answer usually isn’t as simple as raw versus kibble. Over the years, I’ve worked with hundreds of pet parents feeding all different ways—kibble, gently cooked, freeze-dried, raw, homemade, or combinations of several styles. What I’ve learned is this: there is no single perfect approach for every dog. At Leo & Lucky’s in Manatee County, our goal is not to
If you’ve lived in Florida for any length of time, you know May is when everything starts to shift. The air gets heavier, the pavement heats up quickly, and suddenly the same walk your dog handled just fine a few weeks ago feels like a challenge. At Leo & Lucky’s here in Manatee County, we begin talking about heat safety early because, in our climate, prevention truly makes all the difference. Every year, we see dogs struggle with overheating, and in
Why Microchipping Your Dog or Cat Is One of the Most Important Safety Steps You Can Take If your dog or cat ever got lost, how would someone find you? Most pet owners rely on collars and ID tags, and those are still essential. But collars can break, tags can fall off, and sometimes pets slip out the door before we even realize it happened. That’s why one of the most important safety steps you can take for your pet is
Introduction If your dog is suddenly chewing their paws, scratching nonstop, or dealing with red ears — spring allergies in dogs are likely the culprit. Here in Manatee County, Florida, spring brings heavy grass and tree pollen. While we might get itchy eyes, dogs typically show seasonal allergies through their skin. At Leo & Lucky’s, we see this every year. The good news? There are natural ways to prevent and reduce spring allergy symptoms in dogs before they turn into infections or steroid
Okay, let’s talk teeth — your dog’s and/or cat’s teeth. And before you panic… no, this is not a lecture. 😉 If you’re anything like me, you didn’t grow up brushing your dog’s teeth every night or peeking into your cat’s mouth on a regular basis. But dental health plays a *huge* role in overall wellness, and the good news is it doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. At Leo & Lucky’s, we take a natural, preventative approach to dental care
There’s something about a new year that makes all of us pause and think, Okay… how can I do things a little better this time around? More movement. Better food. More intention. And honestly? Our pets are right there with us. They don’t make resolutions (if they did, it would probably involve more treats), but they do thrive when we show up for them with the same care and consistency we try to give ourselves. This year, what if your New Year’s resolution
Unbeknownst to many parents of furry, feathery, or scaly kiddos, some popular holiday houseplants can be dangerous to pets. A few common harmful plants include pine tree, amaryllis, holly, and mistletoe—just some “seasonal” varieties! Pet owners should always check before bringing new plants home, as many common houseplants are unsafe for pets. If your pet does ingest something toxic, act quickly by taking them to the vet immediately for treatment. The good news? There are beautiful, easy-to-care-for houseplants that are completely safe for
