St. Patrick's Day Extravaganza!

St. Patrick’s Day is on the way! Give your pooch the luck of the Irish with one of our outfits! We have a plethora of green dog clothing guaranteed to keep your pup from getting pinched and starting today we’re offering 20% off of everything in our St. Patrick’s Day category! Deck your dog out with a Shamrock Dog Bandana! Give your pooch a fun new dog toy! We even have green Dog Hair Dye Gel for the daring party pup! Act now to save big on all of your St. Patrick’s Day needs! Simply use the code: LUCKY20 when checking out. Offer ends Monday, 3/4 @ 11:59PM.

Shamrock Dog Treats

St. Patrick’s Day is on the way! You can imbue a little luck o’ the Irish in your pooch with this delectable and very festive dog treat recipe. In place of food coloring, these healthy yet tasty dog treats get their gorgeous green hue from mother nature! A nutritious snack guaranteed to help your pup paint the town green!

Ingredients:

 1 cup of whole wheat flour

 1 cup of frozen peas, cooked

 1 cup of chopped spinach

 1/4 cup canola oil

 1 egg

 1 tsp sea salt

 Optional – 1 additional egg for egg wash

Directions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

2. In a big bowl, add flour and sea salt.

3. Puree the peas and spinach with the canola oil.

4. Add the green mixture to the flour, and crack in your egg on top.

5. Blend together until dough forms.

6. Wrap in parchment paper and put in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.

7. Sprinkle dough with flour and roll out to about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick.

8. Use a shamrock cookie cutter to cut out shapes.

9. Lightly beat an egg and brush it on top of the treats to make them glossy. (This is an optional step)

10. Bake for 20 minutes.

Recipe courtesy of My Dog's Breakfast.

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

Any day is a good day to give your pup a reward but tomorrow, February 23, is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day; a perfect day to offer your deserving dog with something extra special! It is not known who created this holiday, but it had to be a dog lover!

Dog biscuits have existed for a very long time – at least since the Roman Times. The dogs biscuits found back then were much different than the gourmet options our furry friends have today. Primitive ‘dog biscuits’ were really just hard, stale old bread. Old bread in those days was called ‘dog’s bread’ -a long shot from a meaty Beggin’ Strip! In the 19th century hunters offered their dogs hard barley meal biscuits to supply them with ample energy when out on a hunt. The early grain only biscuits expanded to encompass vegetables, meat, and bone meal. In the late 1850’s an electrician from Cincinnati named James Spratt observed a pack of dogs eating the rock hard biscuits sailors kept to eat on ships, inspiring an idea. In 1860 he invented Spratt’s Patented Meat Fibrine Dog Cakes, composed of real meat and sold as dog food. Shortly after, in 1908, F. H. Bennett Biscuit Co. created a hard-baked, bone shaped biscuit made of meat products and cow’s milk, called the Milk Bone.

 As dogs advanced from guards, hunters, and workers into positions as companions and family members, dog treats advanced as well. There are still numerous plain dry biscuits on store shelves but there is also a myriad of other dog treat choices to pick from - healthy, gourmet, crunchy, chewy, meaty, jerky, cookie, with or without icing… The list is endless!

 International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day is one of the simplest holidays to observe. Just do what us dog lovers do best – Pamper your precious pup! Give your dog an old favorite, try something new, or make something homemade… No matter how you choose to celebrate, your canine companion will be pleased!

National Love Your Pet Day

Happy Love Your Pet Day! We adore our canine companions every day of the year and don’t really need a holiday set aside but today is a great chance to offer your furry friend a little additonal time and affection. Here are a few things you can do to show your fur baby you care:

1. Take them for an extra walk
2. Offer them a special treat
3. Purchase them a new dog toy
4. Give them a bath or extra grooming time
5. Prepare them a homemade meal in place of their normal food

Our pups love us unconditionally and are thankful for everything we do for them, big and small. We all have hectic schedules. and can get caught up in the hustle and bustle of work, chores, family, etc. Skip a few tasks today and lavish your pups with some extra attention they deserve.

National Spay and Neuter Month

The month of February is appropriated National Spay and Neuter Your Pet Month, with the 26th of the month being World Spay and Neuter Day. It’s difficult to comprehend that in this age of information and technology there are still so many people who are not educated on the benefits of  spaying and neutering. Every year 3.5 million cats and dogs are euthanized because of pet overpopulation, yet so many pet owners allow their pets to have unwanted litters. There are many misunderstandings about spaying and neutering that people use to legitimize their decision to keep their pets intact but the reality is that having this procedure done allows your pets to live much happier, healthier lives as your companion, as well helping to cut down the pet population. How could we not want that for our furry friends?
Spaying eliminates heat cycles, which keeps males from being drawn to your pup. The risk of mammary gland tumors and ovarian/uterine cancers are eliminated if the procedure is done before the first heat cycle. Neutering reduces or eliminates the need for males to spray and mark. The risk for testicular cancer is eliminated and the risk of prostate disease is greatly decreased. Both spaying and neutering help your pets live longer lives, gets rid of unwanted litters, decreases aggressive behavior, and leaves them with less desire to roam.
There are many misconceptions about spaying and neutering. It will not make your pet fat- Lack of exercise and overfeeding are what cause your pet to put on extra pounds. Some pet owners think that spaying and neutering leaves their pet sexually frustrated or they believe that they are harming their pet by depriving them the right to reproduce. Some think that they need to allow their dog to have one litter before fixing them. All of these ideas are preposterous. Animals only breed because their hormones tell them to. If you eliminate that hormonal push, the desire to breed completely goes away. Allowing your pet to have a litter before spaying greatly increases her chance to get cancer. Even if you manage to find homes for every puppy/kitten in a litter, you are handing a death sentence to a dog or cat in an animal shelter. Financially speaking, getting your pet spayed or neutered is far less expensive than not. The cost of caring for an unwanted litter is much more costly, not to mention that there could be complications from the birth that require surgery or hospitalization. If you cannot afford to pay full price at a vet’s office, there are many free or low cost clinics that will spay/neuter your pets.
In addition to benefiting you and your pet, spaying and neutering benefits your community as well. Shelters are over run and are forced to euthanize otherwise healthy and lovable pets. Stray animals cause disturbances and spread sickness and disease, cause automobile accidents, and destroy property. There are no reasonable excuses not to spay or neuter your pet. If you have an unaltered furry friend, be kind to them and give them (and all their four legged peers in animal shelters) the gift of a longer and happier life on World Spay and Neuter Day!

Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show 2013

Yesterday evening  marked the exciting end to the 137th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Banana Joe (or Joey for short), an precious monkey faced affenpinscher, captured the distinguished Best in Show title making him the first affenpinscher in the show’s history to bring home the much desired prize. This audacious pooch is no stranger to victory; he’s won 86 best in show titles overall. His handler said “He’s won a lot of big shows, but not like this one!” Joey’s bouncing step and cheerful pink tongue were on parade as he did a victory lap around the room. His sixth birthday is next month and he will retire, as many Westminster winners do. He will leave Pennsylvania and go back to the Netherlands, where he was born and bred. The judge of last night’s title, Michael Dougherty, was positive he picked the right pup for the title. “This little fella seemed to want it a touch more,” Dougherty said. “He’s a fantastic affenpinscher, with a fantastic face, a great body. I’ve never had my hands on a better affenpinscher.” Best in show winners receive no monetary prizes for winning at the Westminster but they do win a silver bowl and a lifetime of recognition and esteem. Congratulations, Banana Joe! Enjoy your well earned retirement!

Obesity and Our Pets

Recent surveys taken by various pet organizations all attest identical results – More than 50% of the pet population in the US is overweight and 21% of those overweight pets are obese. We adore our furry friends and most of us consider them them to be family members. The idea that we are killing them with food is a very disturbing one. That is what obesity - or even just being overweight - does to our pets. It decreases their lifespan and complicates it with illnesses, such as high blood pressure, crippling arthritis, diabetes, and cancer. On average, extra pounds shorten a dogs’ life by about 2 -21/2 years.

Many pet parents have overweight pets and don’t know it. A study by Pfizer Animal Health showed that while 47% of vets believed their canine patients were overweight, only 17% of owners concurred. Observe your pet. You should be able to touch your dog’s ribs without pushing and your pup should have a distinct ‘waist’ between the back of the ribs and the hips when you view them from above. If your pooch fails this test, they are probably overweight. Talk to your vet. Some dogs have metabolic, thyroid, or heart disorders that bring on weight gain and some just consume far too many calories. Your vet will be able to help decide if your pet does need to shed pounds and what the root of and solution to the problem is.

Prevention really is the best medicine. Purchasing your pooch a high quality dog food with meat as the top ingredients will go far in bettering his health. Dog food made chiefly of corn and grains is not very healthy and offers little actual nutrition for your dog. Quality dog food will fulfill all of your dog’s needs. While a cheeseburger is a lunch for you, it’s the equivalent of 5 days worth of calories for a small dog. Portion control is key. Read the label on your dog’s food and feed him the recommended amount for not his current weight, but the weight he should be. Increasing activity will benefit your pet both physically and mentally. A brisk 20 minute walk twice a day is sure to help burn extra fat. A happy dog is a healthy and fit dog. The healthier your pet is, the longer he’ll live to enrich your life.

Winter Clearance Extravaganza

Winter is slowly winding down but that's not keeping the snow and chilly temperatures away! We are gearing up for spring and have marked many of our popular items down – Some as low as 75% off the original price! Now is a perfect time to stock up on winter essentials to keep your pup toasty warm in the final months of cold weather. We've marked down selected dog coats, dog jackets, boots and sweaters, making for huge savings for you!  Supplies are limited, so shop our clearance section now to save big!

Top 10 Dog Grooming Tools Under $20

 A freshly groomed pup is a happy pup! The perks of dog grooming reach beyond just making your dog beautiful- It also enhances your dog’s mental state and behavior, is good for his health, and keeps you from getting scratched. The key to a awesome at-home groom is having the proper tools. Here we've composed a list of our favorite grooming tools, all under $20!

1. Ergonomic Nail Trimmers ($9.99-$12.99) – Get grooming salon results at home! These dog nail trimmers offer comfortable, non-slip rubber grips and a built in safety guard to prevent over-cutting.

2. Nail Files for Dogs ($5.99) – After a nail trim, your pooch’s nails can be quite sharp. Protect yourself by filing them smooth with these nail files! Has two textures for twice the value!

3. Medistyp Styptic Powder ($5.99-$11.99) – Accidents can happen when trimming dog’s nails. Stop bleeding from a nail cut too short quickly and effectively with this styptic powder. Helps reduce the risk of infection and has benzocaine to alleviate pain.

4. ClearQuest Tear Stain Remover for Dogs ($5.99) – This easy to apply gel formula safely and effectively removes unsightly tear stains around your pet’s eyes.

5. Fresh Dog Shampoo ($9.99) – This dog shampoo has a clean, fresh scent that will stop pet odors in their tracks. Added conditioners give your dog’s coat a bright sheen and helps prevent mats and tangles.

6. Microfiber Dog Drying Gloves ($12.99) – Dry your wet dog quick with these ultra-soft, ultra-absorbant microfiber gloves!

7. UGroom Finishing Spray for Dogs ($7.99) – This great smelling spray is perfect for deodorizing and conditioning dog’s coats. Perfect for after baths or in between grooms!

8. Rotating Pin Combs for Dogs ($9.99) – Rotating pins glide without snagging, for a pain free way to keep coats free of dirt, debris, and excessive hair.

9. Top and Tail Wipes ($7.99-$10.99) – These pre-moistened wipes make clean up quick and easy! Comes in a stay fresh, flip top dispenser pack.

10. Color Paw Nail Polish ($4.99) – Formulated just for dogs, this chip- and water-resistant dog nail polish is the safe way to bright up your dog’s paws! Quick drying formula is perfect for wiggly pups!

Super Bowl Sunday: Protect Your Pooch!

Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner and for many of us, a party is being planned. While Super Bowl parties are very exciting for people, all the company, noise, and festivities can make our furry friends uneasy. Here are a few tips to keep your four legged friend comfortable and safe this Sunday:

1. Make sure to keep fearful pets crated or secured in a cozy spot. Football games mean cheering and loud voices, arm waving, and if you’re having a party, strangers. Shy or fearful pups will be much more content away from the action in a secluded spot. This can also help keep pets from getting loose outside as guests come and go.

2. If you decide to let your pooch join the party, be sure guests don’t offer them food they aren't allowed to have. Alcohol, chocolate, raisins, and onions – among others- are poisonous to your dog.

3. Buffalo wings are a popular party food. If you serve wings, make sure your pooch doesn’t get a hold of the bones! Chicken bones can splinter and damage your dog’s intestines and stomach and they can also get lodged in your dog’s throat and choke him.

4. Make one person in charge of watching the dog, so that your pet is being monitored throughout the party. If a dog is being secluded, make sure he is checked on and isn’t forgotten.

5. Give your furry friend something to occupy his focus, such as a dog treat or dog bone, or a dog toy you can stuff with peanut butter or yogurt. Chewing and licking are calming activities for your pup.

 With just a little preparation before the big game you can score a touchdown for your Super Bowl party with canine safety!