A dog for the holidays?

This is the time of year when a lot of people get a dog for the holidays. The holiday season makes a great time to get a dog, whether as a gift for a child, or loved one or as a companion for oneself. The problem is that some people get caught up in the idea of the gift and do not think about the responsibility of owning a dog.

We are very large proponents for dog ownership!! We love our dogs and dogs in general. Dogs are truly man’s best friend. That being said, it is very important to wait until you are ready for a dog. There is a lot of responsibility, and training that goes in to owning a dog. Not to mention the amount of time that must be committed when the dog is a puppy.  

The puppy stage, while it’s the cutest stage of a dog’s life it is the most difficult. Puppies have to be trained to go to the bathroom outside, which requires a lot of effort. They need to be let outside quite often. This means a lot of attention from you the owner!! Getting a puppy when you work 10 hours a day and have no one that can check on the dog is probably a bad idea. Puppies also have a lot of energy they need to burn off. They will become very hyper and want to run around, followed by an hour nap! If you are going to get a puppy be sure you have enough time to get them outside to run around and burn off the energy.

There is always the idea of adopting an older dog that has already been trained to go to the bathroom outside. Don’t let this idea fool you, adopting an old dog is still going to require some work from you. More often than not older dogs have had more than one owner and may be a little nervous. With an older dog, you must gain their trust and they must know you are their master. This is something that will require lots of love and attention. Also an older dog with bad habits will require a lot of work.  We are very much for adopting older dogs from local shelters, as they need love too!!! Just keep in mind that it will still require a lot of effort in the beginning.

We believe that everyone should own a dog, because you will never know unconditional love like that of a dog!! This is just a caution for those who may be thinking about getting a dog for the holidays, just make sure you are ready for the responsibility of pet ownership!! It requires a lot of work, but it is also the most rewarding work you will ever do and very much worth it. Please enjoy the holiday season, and be sure to look at your local shelters if you are in the market for a new companion. Some of the best dogs are waiting for a family this holiday season, why not yours? 

Thanksgiving Has Gone to The Dogs

Now that we have reached November, I am curious whether or not people spoil their pets on Thanksgiving or not? I have done some research and will share! The results were pretty much as expected.

I know that when it comes to my household the dogs are very spoiled around the holidays! I usually don’t feed a lot of wet food to my dog, but when I do my pup loves the stuff. Last Thanksgiving I switched from a canned food (Merrick Thanksgiving Day Dinner) to one of the new “Tubs” available at Poudre Pet and Feed Supply. There are quite a few different brands who make a tub, but for Thanksgiving it only made sense that I give my dog the “Earthborn Holistic Toby’s Turkey Dinner.” This was great because my dog ate what my family ate on Thanksgiving! The Toby’s Turkey Dinner has Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Carrots, Green Beans, and Apples. It was a nice way to make the dog part of the family.

My neighbor on the other hand takes it to another level. He like me rarely feeds wet food. But on Thanksgiving Day his dogs eat very well! He makes his dogs a plate of human food. He doesn't go too crazy just a plate of Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, and Stuffing. I have seen this happen and while probably would not feed human food to my dogs, I could see how happy his dogs were and how it made them part of the family.

I asked a co-worker what she did for her dog on Thanksgiving, and she told me she fixes her dog a plate of turkey, sweet potatoes, and stuffing. Apparently I am the only one not fixing my dog a plate of food.

I decided to do some internet research. It would seem that a lot of people give their dogs a plate of human food on Thanksgiving. In fact if done properly it can be a very healthy snack and a great way to include your pet in the festivities. Many of the items we eat are actually good for our dogs. The pumpkin is great for digestive health, Cranberries are great for urinary tract health, and green beans are a great source of fiber. If you treat your dogs to the proper things on Thanksgiving you can actually be helping their health! Things to avoid on this day would be turkey bones!! They are very similar to chicken bones and can splinter and chip which can hurt your dog.

People definitely enjoy spoiling their dogs on Thanksgiving, and it would seem some people take it further than others. There is nothing better than spoiling your dog especially around the holidays. We are always open to more ideas for spoiling your pets, so feel free to send some our way!

http://www.varietypetfoods.com/1282/how-to-make-thanksgiving-a-treat-for-your-dogs/

http://fourmuddypaws.com/blog/thanksgiving-traditions-your-dog-will-love

Company Profile: Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo Company began like many foods, a pet with health issues and owners who want to keep said pet healthy. Bill and Jackie Bishop creators of Blue Buffalo and owners of the aforementioned dog named it after their Airedale “Blue.” Blue Buffalo uses quality protein as the first ingredient in each formula (Chicken, Lamb, and Fish). The interesting part of Blue Buffalo and what makes them different from other quality pet foods is the LifeSource bits. Which are as they put it “a precise blend of nutrients and antioxidants that have been cold–formed for greater potency. Our exclusive LifeSource Bits include a combination of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that help maintain a healthy oxidative balance, support pets' immune systems and provide support for their special life stage requirements.”[1]

The Company was started in 2002, and is based in Connecticut. They offer a wide variety of products. Blue has a full line of dog and cat foods, grain free options, canned dog and cat food, and a treat line for dogs with added vitamins and minerals.

The Company has seen tremendous success in recent years, and has grown into a top food in the retail market. Growth of this proportion can be scary to consumers, but the company remains privately owned by Bill and Jackie Bishop. They have done a lot of advertising and have really done a great job with visibility in the pet food market. For now there is no reason to worry about Blue as the owners’ number one priority still remains the pets! Their slogan is “Love them Like family, Feed them like family.”

The company has been expanding their product line recently. Blue offers numerous new dog and cat food varieties, and even released a new cat litter recently.

You can find Blue dog food at any Poudre Pet and Feed Supply location where our knowledgeable staff is ready for any questions you may have. If you are in the market for Blue Buffalo we have the best price in Fort Collins, so do not hesitate to come see us!!

[1] http://bluebuffalo.com/company-history

Larimer County Pet Laws

Larimer County laws on licensing a pet are as follows:  

1. All dogs and cats over 4 months of age must have a license - regardless if the animal   is kept indoors or not.

2. To obtain a license the owner must provide proof of a current rabies vaccination.

3. All cats and dogs must wear a rabies tag and license on a collar.

For more information on laws/rules for pets in Larimer County Visit the following site: http://www.colocode.com/ftcollins/municipal/chapter4.htm#sec4d31. For the sake of this entry I will be focusing on the licensing laws, since they are easy to follow but often overlooked.

It is very important to keep your dog current on their rabies vaccine. For some time the rabies virus was not a problem in Northern Colorado, but over the last 2 years there has been a surge in rabies cases. The local skunk population has been spreading the virus. Please keep your pets up to date on their rabies vaccine. Rabies is a life threatening virus for our pets. In order to license your pets in Fort Collins (which you must do in the city limits) you must have proof of a rabies vaccination.

Once you have the rabies vaccination taken care of you can license your pet. This can be done at the Larimer Humane Society, or at any Poudre Pet and Feed Supply location (Cash or Check payment only)!! Your pet must be licensed after 4 months of age. The cost breaks down as follows:

License Fee	License Fee For Seniors (62+)
4 mo. to 1 yr. - $12.00	4 mo. to 1 yr. - $5.00
Altered Over 1 yr. - $12.00	Altered Over 1 yr. - $5.00
Unaltered Over 1 yr. - $35.00	Unaltered Over 1 yr. - $35.00

All pets are required to wear a rabies tag, and their license at all times. Be sure to keep these on their collar when in public areas as you can receive a citation for not having proof with you.

These are some simple rules to follow that can keep you from receiving a citation or any kind of trouble. If your pet is ever lost this makes it much easier for them to be returned to you if picked up by animal control! Happy, healthy pets are what we love so please be sure to keep your pets current on all vaccines!!!!

Dog Days of Summer

Summer is the best part of the year to get over winter isolation! The key to enjoying summer with your dog is making sure you and your four-legged buddy stay cool!

Dogs have a difficult time cooling themselves due to the fact that they do not have sweat glands like humans(only on paws and nose), and they have thick fur coats. Dogs cool themselves by panting and drinking water.  Be sure to keep plenty of fresh water around for your dog in the summer time.  If you have outside only dogs make sure there is plenty of shade so they do not overheat. Having a dog house in the shade for them to relax in is a great idea; there are plenty of cooling products that can be put in a dog house like a “cool bed.”

A tip to keep your dog from overheating is to make sure you take walks in the morning or evening. If the concrete is too hot it will burn the pads of your dog’s feet and cause them tremendous pain. If it is too hot to touch with your hand it is probably too hot for your dog. Do not be afraid to cut the walk short if you need to. Your dog will understand and most likely tire sooner on a hot day anyway.  As always be sure to take water with you on your walk to keep your dog cool!

Don’t have air conditioning? There are plenty of other ways to keep your pets cool during the peak heat of the day. The easiest and most effective is a kiddie pool!! Just find a shady spot and fill it up, then relax and watch your pups rumble in the water. The sprinkler is another option to keeping your pets cool, although some dogs may not be a fan of the sprinkler you never know until you try. A little known fact is that dogs cool from the bottom up, so rubbing their paws and belly with a cold damp towel can go a long way to helping them feel more comfortable in the heat.

A quick note on summer heat: Please never leave your dog in the car when it is warm outside this chart illustrates what I mean!

These are just a few tips, and there plenty more out there. What it comes down to, is be conscious of the heat and HAVE PLENTY OF WATER AVAILABLE FOR YOUR PETS!!

Keeping Dogs Calm on 4th of July

The 4^th of July can be quite the celebration, but for our dogs it can be quite the nightmare. With barbecues, and fireworks there is plenty to keep us humans busy, the only downfall is the way our dogs respond. Most dogs don’t do well with the flash and bang of Fireworks. This can be a stressful night for our pups.

More dogs are lost on the 4^th of July than any other day of the year, so be sure they have Identification on them! Even if your dog is not an escape artist the stress of the Fireworks can make even the calmest dog bolt. “If you know anyone who makes their dog stay outside, please urge them to keep the dog indoors on the Fourth of July in order to prevent him or her from escaping or getting injured.”[1]   

One keep tip to keeping your dog calm is to wear them out. On the 4^th be sure to get your dog plenty of exercise during the day, this way the will be tired and a lot calmer when the fireworks go off.

The key to keeping your dog calm when the fireworks start is to keep yourself calm, and keep them distracted. Whether this is just being near them and petting them, or giving them something to chew on. This is a great time to use frozen raw bones, because they will keep your dog distracted for a good period of time and they are very appealing to most dogs!!

Having a place where they can hide and feel safe is always a benefit. I usually keep my dogs kennel in the same room as me and cover it with a blanket. I do not close her in, but her kennel is her safe spot so this is where she likes to hide. By covering it with a blanket she feels more protected from the flash of the fireworks.

If none of these tactics work you may try a thundershirt which has a calming effect, or try some calming pheromones (comfort zone) which may also help.

These are just a few tips, and there are many other ways to help your dog through the 4th of July. Enjoy Independence Day as I know I will, and be good to your pets!!

[1] http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2012/07/03/easy-ways-to-help-dogs-cope-with-fireworks.aspx

[2] http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/seasonal/fireworks

Company Profile: Merrick Pet Care

I thought it might nice to do a profile on one of our best-selling foods, so our readers can understand why we recommend it!

The Merrick Pet Care Company was founded by Garth Merrick and his wife Susie in 1988. The company started on their family’s ranch in Hereford, Texas. Garth wanted to create a true family-owned company which is true still to this day. They started by making treats, which were such a success they grew to making their own dog food. “Garth's son, Tyler, created Merrick's line of 5-Star entrees with the goal of making pet food fun and creating mealtime experiences for owners and their pets by offering them a menu of quality recipes. His recipe for Grammy's Pot Pie (Grammy was Tyler's childhood moniker for his grandmother) became Merrick's signature product.”[1]

By creating the “Flossie” all natural dog treat Merrick put themselves at the forefront of manufacturing all natural pet treats, which they are still known for today.

The line of food has grown from the original Grammy’s Pot Pie to a line now including over 65 wet and dry food combinations. “Merrick takes a simplistic, yet innovative approach during recipe creation. Merrick uses real whole foods that are locally sourced and processed as little as possible in order to retain the natural benefits. We hold true to our five star promises to ensure that our food is of the highest standard. This is how we raise the bar, not just for us, but also for the entire pet food industry. It's Food Worthy of a Fork™.”[2]

Merrick owns every part of their manufacturing plants. The dry food, canning, and treat facilities are all within minutes of one another which allows for greater quality control.

Merrick’s canned dog and cat food are some of the most interesting and palatable foods on the market. The line is large and has very unique flavors such as Cowboy Cookout and Smothered Comfort.    

Merrick released a new line in 2009 called Whole Earth Farms. This is a line that keeps with the Merrick tradition of quality ingredients, with an affordable price tag.  

In 2012, Merrick began a new “Food Revolution” staying current with the most up to date research on pet nutrition. They now have a Classic, and Grain Free Line that use only the best USA sourced ingredients and are some of the top foods on the market. One bonus to feeding the Merrick pet foods is the large amount of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in every bag, which is good for pets with joint problems and for those who like to take preventative measures.

[1] http://www.merrickpetcare.com/our-story/meet_garth_merrick/

[2] http://www.merrickpetcare.com/our-story/merrick-history/

Canned Food

Why feed canned food to your dog or cat? A lot of people don’t know much about canned food, but it has plenty of benefits. Canned food tends to have a higher overall protein content then kibble. The moisture content is great for both dogs and cats, and it almost always gets finicky eaters to gobble down their meal. The downside is the cost, bacteria if left out, and it can cause weight gain.

Canned food tends to have more protein then kibble because the meats in the food are closer to their original state, they also require less carbohydrates and binding agents which are used to keep kibble together. This is especially great for cats since they are carnivores and do not need grains. This provides great protein rich food which both dogs and cats thrive on.

The moisture content in canned food is an awesome feature. Cats generally don’t like water, so it is a nice way to sneak moisture into their diet; because they will generally lick up the gravy in canned food. For older dogs or dogs with dental issues the high moisture content helps make it easier for them to get the food down without the need to chew.   

Finicky or picky dogs can be a pain. Some dogs are just stubborn and will go 2-3 days without eating to prove their point. Dogs will not starve themselves, but as an owner it is alarming when your dog goes this long without food. If you have never tried canned food as a topper we at Poudre Pet and Feed Supply highly recommend it for these situations. Most dogs cannot resist the food when you put a little bit of canned food on it!

There are a few things about canned food that make some people steer away. The cost is usually the first. Canned food tends to be a little pricey if you are trying to feed it alone. We recommend a good mix of can and dry food.  When feeding canned food, do not leave it out for more than one hour as bacteria will begin to form much quicker than dry food. Since canned food is much higher in protein and fat than kibble it is easy for us humans to feed too much. This can cause obesity in our pets which will lessen their quality of life, so again we will recommend a mixture of canned and dry food which will keep pets at a healthy weight!

In the end do not be afraid of canned food, it is a great way to keep your pets happy and healthy and there is nothing better than that!!

Sources
http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/choosing-dog-food/canned-or-dry-dog-food/
http://www.doghealth.com/nutrition/wet-food-vs-dry-food-for-dogs 
http://www.catinfo.org/?link=cannedfoods

Cat Facts

We tend to do a lot of blogging about our canine friends here, so I thought it would be good to change it up and give some love to our feline friends! Now, I personally am no cat expert having never owned a cat myself (although I have been around them a lot). So my first instinct was to head to google and see what I could find. I stumbled upon a lot of interesting Cat factoids. I thought I would share some for those who have never done this.

“On average cats spend 2/3 of their day sleeping.” Seriously? Do cats really sleep that much? This made me think for a minute. I thought about our store cat Ohso, and sure enough I think every time I see Ohso she is sleeping somewhere throughout the North store. This means that a 9 year old cat has really only been awake for 3 years of their life. Weird fact, but at least when they are awake they are hunting and taking care of rodent problems!

“Female cats tend to be right pawed, while male cats are more often left pawed.” I thought this fact was very interesting. How can you tell what paw is dominant. Does this have to do with which paw they use to swat more often, or just a blatant lie? This led me to search and find out. It appears as though there have been many studies conducted to find out. From what I gathered the criteria for deciding is which paw they use for foraging. The numbers do not seem as concrete as male versus female, but more that the majority of cats are ambidextrous but there are cats that have a dominant paw!

“Some cats have survived falls of over 65 feet, due largely to their “righting reflex.” The eyes and balance organs in the inner ear tell it where it is in space so the cat can land on its feet. Even cats without a tail have this ability.” We all know that cats always land on their feet; but that is quite the fall to survive. Cats are quite resilient.

“A cat rubs against people not only to be affectionate but also to mark out its territory with scent glands around its face. The tail area and paws also carry the cat’s scent.^” I had to share this fact, because I always wondered why cats would continue to rub against you even when they know you don’t want them to. Marking their territory makes a lot of sense.

These are just a few facts about cats that interested me, and there are a lot more out there. Cats are quite an interesting animal with a lot of skill and ability. We love cats here at Poudre Pet and Feed Supply, so if anyone has any interesting cat facts please share with us either here or at any of our locations!

Sources

http://facts.randomhistory.com/interesting-facts-about-cats.html

http://pets.thenest.com/cats-dominant-paw-8318.html

http://www.petplace.com/cats/cat-paw-preference/page1.aspx

Bathing your Dog the Bad the Good and How!

The Bad:
There is no real downfall to bathing your dog, the only thing to be worried about is potentially bathing them too much. If bathed too much, your dog’s skin and coat will dry out much like our hands do when we wash them excessively.  Bathing your dog removes the natural oils of the skin and coat; so they should only be bathed when they are really dirty, or excessively smelly. If bathed too much they can develop dandruff.

The Good:
Now for the positive! The one that comes to everyone’s mind is the smell. Dogs get stinky that is just the way it goes, but a good quick bath will always take care of that! One of my favorite reasons for bathing my dog is to help with shedding. Bathing your dog will wash away the dead hair that is trapped within your dog’s coat, so it will not continue to end up all over your clothes and furniture.  Another very good reason for bathing your dog is that it allows you to check them for any irregular lumps or bumps that may need to be checked by a vet. By bathing them on a regular routine, but not too often you will know if there is a new lump that was not there before[1]. The ASPCA recommends bathing your dog every 3 months[2].

Tips For How:
The key to a positive experience with your dog’s first bath is to make sure they stay calm, and you stay calm. The first bath is usually a challenge, it was for me anyway; the only thing my dog wanted to do was jump out of the tub. Be sure you are very calm and positive when going into a bathing situation to keep the dog from having a bad experience. One bad experience is very difficult to overcome as they will associate this activity with a negative state of mind, making bathing difficult for a long time. A good way to keep them from fighting you in the beginning and for any bath time really is make sure they are tired when you decide to bathe them. A good way to do it is play fetch beforehand, or take them for a nice long walk[3]. Another small thing that can cause your dog to panic is water temperature. If the water is burning hot, or freezing cold your dog will most likely do anything they can to get away from it. Find a good warm water temperature and go with it. Start with a light stream of water, then increase the water pressure slowly and begin lathering the dog with soap starting with the shoulders. Save the head for last as this tends to cause the most anxiety. Be sure to rinse the soap completely as to not leave behind itchy residue. The key is to remain calm and in control of the situation. As long as you keep it a positive activity and make it part of their routine you should have successful baths for years to come. Dogs will most likely never enjoy a bath, but if done properly they will learn to tolerate them!

[1] http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-articles/bathing-your-dog

[2] https://www.vetsecure.com/canyonsmallanimalhospital.com/articles/252

[3] http://www.cesarsway.com/dogcare/grooming/How-to-Successfully-Bathe-Your-Dog