Dog Toys: Teething Saviors

While a puppy is born deaf, blind, and toothless; the average dog accumulates forty-two permanent teeth in their mouth. It’s no surprise that young pups depend on chewing to cope with the loss of their baby teeth and to help position their permanent teeth. Teething can be a painful process for poor pups. Provide your growing canine with some helpful dog chew toys to avoid your favorite shoe falling victim to your pup’s phase. Supplying dog chew toys, dog bones, and rawhides will help keep your doggie’s teeth focused on items other than your furniture and belongings. If you notice your teething pooch gnawing your household favorites, firmly tell them no and replace the item with one of the chew toys before offering praise (“Here is your toy, good boy!”). If your pup does well with teething on their given toys, reward them with a delicious dog treat for their good behavior. Frozen rubber teething rings are also helpful for relieving some of the pain your pup’s cutting teeth create. If you can’t keep your pup from chewing the furniture it may be wise to also invest in a dog crate to keep your canine in while you aren’t home to watch them. Stay patient and re-load on dog chew toys as needed. Most dogs calm down after their terrible teething phase, but chewing is inevitable – keep prepared!

Dog Recipes: Give Thanks to Your Dog

November is a month of giving thanks and enjoying hardy meals with loved ones. Instead of feeding your pooch a routine dish of dog food whip up something special this season for your caring canine. While everybody enjoys a filling Thanksgiving dinner, why not treat your pup to their own tasty meal? Making a homemade Thanksgiving dog dinner for Fido is a great idea because it’s more nutritional than commercial dog food. It can also be a great bonding experience for you and your deserving dog. Your happy hound will feel included in the family festivities with such an extraordinary dish before them. A delectable homemade Thanksgiving meal for your pooch can never be duplicated, so your canine will have much to be thankful for! This simple, creative Thanksgiving concoction is made from scratch, and can be made again later with leftovers.





Nutritional Information
Per 1-cup serving
Calories 321
Protein 44 g
Carbohydrates 16 g
Dietary fiber 1.9 g
Fat 7.7 g (with gravy; less without)

Portion Size
For small dogs, ¾ cup; medium dogs, 1 ½ cups; larger or more active dogs, 3 cups
Calcium
Add 400 mg calcium per 1-cup serving (600 mg if using bone meal)

Recipe
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Makes:
9 1-cup servings


Ingredients
3 lb/1.3 kg skinless turkey pieces
1 cup of cooked oatmeal
1 lb/450 g sweet potatoes, cubed
2 tbsp cranberry sauce
4 tbsp turkey gravy (optional)

Directions
Use turkey leftovers or roast the turkey:
-Preheat oven to 350 F. Lightly oil a roasting pan.
-For boneless breast or thigh, cook 30-45 minutes; boned breast or thigh, 45-60 minutes; whole turkey, 1 ½-2 hours or until the meat juices run clear when pierced with a skewer. Let cool.
-Remove all the bones and dice the meat into large pieces
-If using fresh sweet potatoes, roast with the turkey for about 25-30 minutes or until tender. Let cool, then peel and dice.
-Meanwhile, cook the oatmeal according to package instructions.
-Mix together the turkey meat, oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. If using gravy or oil, add it now and mix thoroughly. (If your dog is at all prone to pancreatitis or other fat-related upsets, omit the gravy.)

Serve your pooch their Thanksgiving dinner when everybody is gathered around the table with their own delicious dishes, and enjoy!

The Perfect Chicken Dog Food Recipe

Have you ever checked out the labels on commercial dog food? Some of the ingredients found in store bought dog food aren’t the best for your pup to consume. Making your dog some homemade dog food is simple, tasty, healthy, and inexpensive – it makes the decision easy.

Ingredients:

1 cup of boiled chicken, chopped
½ cup of cooked brown rice
½ cup of boiled (or steamed) vegetables
3-4 TBSP. of low sodium chicken broth


Directions:

Mix the above ingredients and serve! Leftovers are good up to three days in the fridge.

Dog Boots and Raincoats: Your Dog and the Rain

It’s impossible to avoid the rain some days. While many dogs aren’t excited about venturing out in the wet conditions, there are ways to make the trip outdoors more pleasant. Before you take your pooch out on a rainy day protect those puppy paws with a set of dog boots made to resist even the toughest of weather circumstances. It is also wise to invest in a dog raincoat to protect your canine’s coat in the rain and also keep your furry friend in dryer form. Don’t forget a sturdy leash and bags for waste pick up. Once your pooch is all geared up to withstand the wet weather try to find an area where rain and wind is blocked so your pup can relieve themselves more comfortably. Also, bring an umbrella along for yourself and try to share some with your furry friend. Keeping your dog completely dry in the rain is impossible, but taking these steps will help Fido feel much more comfortable about walking under those gray rainclouds. Since protecting your pup from the rain only does so much, have a towel handy for wiping off those unavoidable raindrops. With the help of some doggie raingear the wet outdoors won’t be as dreary and dreaded for your furry friend.

Dog Toys: Happy Dogs Make Happy Holidays

The holiday season is a time of family, friends, and gifts. More and more owners are involving their furry friends in the festive fun by placing a stocking alongside theirs for Santa to fill. Just like children, dogs are excited to receive a new toy to play with. With such a wide selection of holiday dog toys to choose from it shouldn’t be too hard satisfying your deserving dog this Christmas season. There are adorable plush Christmas character dog toys that your pup will be sure to love. If your dog prefers a Frisbee or doggie tug toy we also carry holiday versions of both that will leave hours of entertainment for you and your pooch. Picking out which holiday dog toys to place in your pup’s Christmas stocking will be easy this season. If you are indecisive we even offer a pre-made rawhide holiday dog stocking packed with goodies that will last your happy hound well into the new year. Such a giving season is only once a year, so make it count!

Make Your Own Dog Greeting Cards

Greeting cards in the stores are becoming pricey and generic, so save your wallet while adding a personal touch by making your own! Dog greeting cards are becoming a favorite among proud owners; they are being used as holiday cards, thank you cards, welcome cards, birthday cards, and more. Not only will people appreciate the special cards you give them, but it’s also a fun craft to do. This home project is fairly easy and doesn’t require too much invested time. To begin, have some white card stock on hand – this will be folded in half to make the greeting card base. Pick out a favorite picture of your furry friend and print it out using a color printer. Use scissors to crop the picture accordingly, you may even use zig-zag edged scissors to give the photo a fun twist. Pick out your choice of colored or patterned paper to then glue the cut picture onto – the paper will act as the border for your photo. Cut the paper down to your preferred size of border. Once your dog’s picture has a border you may then securely glue that to the front of your folded card stock to serve as the front of your greeting card. Add decoration to the card with your choice of colored markers, stickers, glitter, and/or ribbon. On the inside of your card write what you wish using the colored markers, or even print your greeting from the computer and glue to the inside. It’s an enjoyable craft that everybody will love!

Trick-Or-Treating With Your Dog

Bringing your dog along for the Halloween traditions of trick-or-treating can be a fun time for the both of you. More people are deciding to join their pooch in for the festive fun. Before heading out on October's spooky night make sure to have all the necessities for you and your furry friend. Nobody enjoys being dressed in itchy tight clothing. It's important to pick out a dog costume that is cute, but also comfortable on Rover. Check the measurements to ensure that your dog costume isn’t too big or too small. If you are venturing onto gravely roads, dog boots are a great idea (and even some reflective dog gear for after sunset). There are quite a variety of dog costumes to chose from – try on different ones to see which your pooch prefers. Let them get use to their costume before Halloween night. It’s promised that everybody will get a real kick out of your costumed canine. It may be beneficial to bring along some water for your furry friend to help quench your happy pup’s thirst. As always, remember to clean up after your pet during the walk – there will be a lot of people also enjoying the Halloween evening. A short leash will prove handy on this busy night; keeping your dog close to your side during trick-or-treating is a good idea. Providing some dog treats will help keep your dog behaved (and since they can’t have the treats being handed out at the door a few dog treats will keep them involved with the tradition). Pay close attention to your pup to make sure any dropped wrappers or candy aren’t spotted with Spot’s snout – chocolate is highly dangerous for pets. It is important to make sure your pup is enjoying the evening in a safe manner. Halloween is only once a year, so make it a good one for you and your dog!

Running With Your Dog

Dogs are great companions for many activities, including a refreshing outdoor run. Exercise is a healthy way to bond with your pooch (and they will be sure to keep you on your toes!). Smaller dogs may start running alongside you by six months, and larger dogs by a year. If you run your pup too early it may interfere with their bone development. Dogs of smaller size should relax on rigorous runs around the age of ten, and large dogs by the age of seven. If you decide to start your dog on running, ease them into the routine. Investing in a pair of dog boots will help keep pads on your pup’s paws from being harmed on rough terrains, rocks, and glass. If you opt out of dog boots be sure to always check your pooch’s pads for tenderness. If the pads on your dog’s paws are tender, raw, or bleeding then give your pal a break until all is healed. It is also very important to remember water not only for yourself, but for your dog running companion. There are convenient portable water feeders for your furry friend that prove to be a great dog item to have on hand during your enjoyed runs together. Hydration is vital for any work out. Running on trails is scenic, shaded, and typically provides a softer surface for your dog’s joints. It’s also important to take the weather into consideration; it is easier for your pup to overheat in hotter weather. If you notice that your dog is fatigued or overheated, wet them with cold water and get them to cooler conditions. It is advised to keep even the most obedient of dogs on a reliable dog leash during outdoor exercising. Running with your dog is a great way to keep active while spending time alongside Rover. What are you waiting for? Grab your faithful friend, the appropriate gear, and get ready for a good run.

Dirty Dog Eyes

It is typical for dogs to collect tears, dirt, and dust in the eyes. Some dog breeds; such as the Maltese, Shih Tzu, Poodle, Pug, Beagle, and St. Bernard, are prone to aquire dirty eyes that could develop into serious health issues if they are not cared for correctly. If doggie eyes aren’t cleaned regularily, bacteria could form and cause infections with side effects as significant as blindness (in more extreme cases). Keeping those puppy dog eyes adorable can be done with some basic necessities; including blunt scissors (for longer haired dogs), sterile dog eye wash or dog eye wipes, and a damp cloth. If your pup has longer hair that grows in the way of their eyes, use the blunt scissors to free-up any stragglers in the way. Unruly hairs can scratch the eyeball, leading to discomfort and a possibility for infection. Rinse doggie eyes with either a sterile dog eye wash, or use dog eye wipes to rid the gunk that has formed. Some dogs may show restraint, so using dog treats as a reward may help. There are even tear stain removers for dogs that come in flavors which can be sprinkled on dog food. After the cleaning process has been accounted for you may then use the damp cloth to gently press over the eye area. Doing this will assist in removing any missed gunk and finalize the cleaning process. Clean eyes make for a happy dog!

Five Great Halloween Treats for Your Dog Under $15

Halloween always seems to creep up. Before you know it the seasons have changed and everything goes from red and blue to black and orange. Before those black and orange colors are traded in for a more festive red and green, treat your dog without tricking your wallet. There are plenty of fun little Halloween surprises to spoil your pup with that are under $15!

1. Creepy Cutie Dog Toy - $4.99
Halloween pet toys have never been so delightfully devilish as our Zanies® Creepy Cuties. Plush bat, ghost and pumpkin designs; each with a squeaker inside.

2. Spooky Night Dog Collar - $7.99-12.99
Our Casual Canine® Spooky Night Dog Collars are perfect for Halloween walks. Spooky designed polyester overlay is stitched on nylon backing for added durability. Collars feature plastic buckles and a nickel-plated D-ring. Coordinating Leads are available.

3. Gourmet Halloween Dog Cookies Box - $9.99
Barkworth Gourmet Halloween Cookies are tasty, all natural dog treats in five spooky Halloween shapes. These dog cookies are made from natural ingredients for a tasty, wholesome treat.

4. Doggie Doodles Bandanas - $5.99
Dress up any canine friend with these Aria™ Doggie Doodles Bandanas. Measuring 19" square, they can easily be cut down to size for smaller dogs. These eye-catching dog bandanas are a great way to add a touch of color and style. Great for Halloween, or any time of year.

5. Gruntin’ Pumpkins Dog Toys - $8.99-$14.99
These Grriggles® Gruntin’ Pumpkins are not only great for Halloween time fun, they’re an adorable addition to any pup’s toy selection. The grunter and crinkle paper inside add tons of fun.