by Rachel McGinnis Mourning the loss of a pet takes a toll on all of us. When are you ready to add to your family? Will you ever be ready? Is it too soon? Did I wait too long? All of these things that went through our minds. I must say from experience, everyone is different. Many of you know that Patrick and I had the loss of our Maltese, Gnocchi, a little over two years ago. After a two year battle
On July 12, 2018, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a brief stating they are investigating recent case reports of a type of canine heart disease known as dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, in dogs not genetically predisposed to the disease. The brief cited a theory that some dogs with DCM may have been fed certain types of diets, and that further research was being undertaken to determine if that theory had merit. That research is expected to take
Food Transitioning If you’ve decided to change your pets’ food today, be sure to take the time to properly transition your pet(s) from the old food to the new food to avoid upset stomach and bowel issues. This is especially important if you’re making a drastic change, such as from a conventional food to a raw diet. The transition period should last up to ten days. Start with mixing 75% old food with 25% of the new food for 2-3 days.If this
Stewardship to the pets of our community is one of our company’s core values, and something that we take very seriously. As such, we have been monitoring the FDA’s studies on grain free dog foods quite closely. On June 27, 2019, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration posted an update on a condition in dogs known as Dilated Cardio Myopathy (DCM) which included reports it has received regarding pets with DCM. The update listed a few pet food brands by name as foods that some pets
Ugh, fleas. They make pets’ lives miserable, and their human parents begin to itch just at the thought of them. Pet consultants are often asked what method of treatment works best to eradicate a flea problem. The true answer is that there is no “magic bullet” that will make your entire problem go away overnight. However, the good news is that with a little understanding of your foe and their characteristics, along with carefully following a few key steps, your
Pet owners: have you heard the term “BARF”? This acronym stands for Bones And Raw Food, and is a feeding method that is highly recommended by many veterinarians and pet care professionals. This diet is supposed to mimic how an animal would consume food in the wild, providing pets with a diet that closely resembles their natural eating habits. Raw food formulas are species-appropriate, and highly digestible, which allows for easy absorption of essential nutrients. Believe it or not, raw foods are easy to feed! Many come ready-to-serve,
If you’re on social media, brace yourselves: it’s time for “new year, new me” messages to take over your feed. A New Year is a nice, clean slate that can be used as a catalyst to adopt some major modifications into your family’s life. Don’t forget about your pet – they can also benefit from some fresh, positive changes, too! Here are some easy ways to incorporate your pet into your resolutions: Exercising more – together!Walking your pet is one of
If you’re an online shopper, you’ve likely noticed that in recent years the major e-retailers have been utilizing third-party sellers to increase their offerings without increasing their inventory or staffing needs. While this seems like a good idea for the retail giants, what many consumers don’t know is that there is real danger in ordering from third-party sellers: counterfeit goods. According to the Government Accountability Office’s WatchBlog, Customs and the Postal Service are having a hard time keeping up with inspections
Unbelievably, it’s that time of year again. While you’re making your holiday list, and checking it twice, don’t forget your furry friends! There are so many options for cute and useful gifts for pets. Fill their stockings with things they’ll love! Dogs Our most faithful companions are usually fairly easy to shop for, since we know the way to their hearts is through food, and fun! Mini treats can be given throughout the day without disrupting a balanced diet, and can also
We hear of this scenario often: a pet owner returns home from work or an errand to find that their bed has been “mistaken” for a litter box, or there are scratch marks on the door, or their favorite shoes have been destroyed. What’s going on with your pet? When it comes to behaviors like these, anxiety is often the most common denominator. Pets express these feelings in different ways, including destruction, vocalization, eliminating in the wrong places, and aggression.
