Summer Must Haves: Help Your Dog Beat The Heat!

Summer is in full swing – Don’t let the rising temperatures cramp your pup’s style! Summer’s longer days leave ample time for outdoor fun, but sweltering heat can really wear on your furry friend. Here are our must have products for staying cool and avoiding the dangers the summer presents presents:

Dehydration: Keep your dog well hydrated when playing outside. Our Handi-Drink for dogs is an easy way to transport water on the go – It’s handheld, compact design is a water bottle and drinking tray in one!

Heat Exhaustion: Our Cool Pup Dog Coat is made of a lightweight, heat releasing fabric and has re-freezable cooling pack inserts to cool your dog off in extra hot weather. We also have a Cool Pup Dog Bed that stores cooling packs to give your canine companion a comfy and frosty place to rest his head.

Water and Boating Safety: Not all dogs are good swimmers - If your fur baby plans on taking a dive into deeper waters, our dog life preservers will keep them afloat and visible, whether at the pool or on a boat. These flotation devices have dual layers of flotation material and quick grab handles on the back, for emergency rescue.

Sunburn: Our pooches are vulnerable to sunburn just like humans! Dogs with short hair, light colored hair, and dogs with shorter legs (due to sunlight reflected from the ground) are most susceptible to getting sun burnt. Dog t-shirts and dog tanks are perfect for blocking out harmful UV rays and shirts in lighter colors reflect the sunlight better, and are better for keeping your dog cool.

Eye Strain: The sun’s bright rays are just as harmful to your pup’s eyes as they are to humans. Block out those dangerous UV rays with our Doggles ILS dog goggles and our K9 Optix dog sunglasses. Their shatterproof lenses give 100% UV protection and were designed explicitly for dogs, ensuring a proper fit!

Water Fun: A dip in the pool always cools you off! If your furry friend loves water, our Splash About Dog Pool is a must have. These portable dog pools are easy to carry, simple to fill and empty, and are made of extra tough PVC for  long time use. 

With a little planning and preparation you can keep your four legged friend (and yourself!) guarded from the dangers summer heat threatens and enjoy summer to the fullest!

Dog Days of Summer Sale: Save 15% off of Everything!

Today marks the beginning of Doggie Vogue's Dog Days of Summer Sale! Does your beach bum need new a new dog bikini?  Maybe a new dog collar and dog leash for those summer evening strolls? Or even new dog toys for some fun in the sun? Act now to save 15% off every thing in our store (excluding sale items). Use the coupon code "DOGDAYZ" now to save big on summer gear for your dog. This coupon is good until Monday, 7/2 @ 11:59PM.

Strawberry Banana Pupsicles

Cool off your hot dog with this fast and simple popsicle recipe! These are not only easy to make, they are also a healthy way to satisfy your four legged friend’s sweet tooth during the hot summer months. These tasty treats will not only make your dog drool – They’re good for humans too!

Ingredients:

• One 8oz container of plain yogurt
• 1 cup strawberries, hulled
• 1 banana, peeled and chopped
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

1. Pour all ingredients into a blender and puree.
2. Add just enough water to make the mixture easy to pour.
3. Put mixture into ice cube trays or popsicle molds.
4. Freeze until solid, which takes about 4 to 5 hours.
5. Devour!

(Recipe courtesy of bestbullysticks.com)

Protect Your Pets: Summer Parasites and the Dangers They Impose

Summer’s hotter temperatures and sunshiny days bring loads opportunities for both you and your pets to have fun outdoors. But with the warmer days comes an influx of pesky parasites that are more than just annoying – They can seriously hurt your pet, even to a deadly level! With the rather tepid winter we had nationwide, parasites are going to be even more profuse this year but, thanks to modern veterinary science, there is much we can do to keep our furry friends safe from these unwelcome guests.

Fleas are most likely the first summer parasites that come to mind. These insects spread from other outdoor animals, such as neighbors’ pets, feral cats, opossums, and raccoons. These animals continually re-infest yards. Fleas living outdoors climb onto your pet, feed on their blood, and lay their eggs. These eggs will drop off and invade your carpet, rugs, and bedding. Symptoms of flea infestation include itching, scratching, hair loss, and scabby skin. If you part your pet’s fur, you will see the actual fleas and “flea dirt”, black or brown specs that are flea feces. Some dogs are allergic to flea saliva. This allergic reaction can cause hair loss, dermatitis, and infection. A flea infected with tapeworms can give them to your dog if he swallows a flea while scratching himself with his teeth. Fleas are both easy to avoid and get rid of. There are numerous topical solutions, collars, shampoos, and chewable tablets to fight fleas that vary in effectiveness. Your vet can help you pick out the right preventative for your dog.

Mosquitoes are one of the most bothersome parasites out there. These blood sucking insects’ bites leave red bumps that itch for days! They also carry the awful West Nile Virus, of which there is no protection from. The best course of action in avoiding the West Nile is to keep yourself and your pet inside at sunset and around early evening hours when disease ridden mosquitoes are hunting for blood. Mosquitoes also pass on heartworms, which can be deadly. These are long, threadlike worms that cause heart and circulatory problems with dogs. Prevention of this parasite is important to summer time survival and fortunately, very simple. There are variety monthly products your vet can prescribe to fight off these pests. Ticks thrive in trees, long grass, and shrubbery. These parasites grab onto your dogs’ fur and then latch onto their skin, feeding on their blood. On top of blood loss and anemia, they can also give your dog Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that can cause lameness, painful joint inflammation, and loss of appetite. This can also be spread to humans from pets.

Ticks are easy to see. If you’ve taken your pet into wooded or grassy areas, visually check your dog once arriving home. If you discover a tick, grab onto its head and pull it directly out of your dog’s skin. Once you remove it, put antibiotic ointment on the area. Many flea preventatives also include tick prevention as well, which makes them a very convenient way to combat these summer parasites.
 Roundworms and hookworms are intestinal parasites your pet can get when coming in contact with feces contaminated soil. These pests can cause vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss and anemia and can be given to humans. Multiple doses of medication may be necessary if your pet is infested with worms, but they are pretty easy to get rid of once diagnosed. Make sure to wash your hands and your dog’s paws if you come in contact with contaminated soil to avoid these worms.

 Parasites are very unpleasant and can wreck your summer fun. The warmer months of spring, summer, and early fall are the worst time for these pests because this is when their hosts – you and your dogs – are most accessible but, with preventative methods and a watchful eye, you can keep both you and your four legged friends from suffering through a lot of pain and discomfort. Have a preventative plan in place with your vet in advance and if you notice your pet displaying any unusual behavior make sure to take them in for a screening.

Trend Alert: Brightly Colored Hues For Your Furry Fashionista!

One of the hottest trends taking on the fashion world this year is bright hues for your hair – Streaks, bright dyes, pastel washes, dip dyes, oh my! Celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Avril Lavine, Juliette Lewis, and Jordan Sparks have been spotted on the red carpet with bold dye jobs. This fun trend doesn’t have to be restricted to just humans – Let your dog enjoy the fun with our totally non-toxic and odor-free semi-permanent hair dye gel for dogs. These vegetable based dyes are specifically made for dogs and will not hurt them in any way. The gel formula is easier to work with than similar liquid formulas and leaves less room for a mess. This dye comes in 15 great colors and usually lasts 4 to 6 washes, but varies according to the type of dog and coat it is used on. Independence Day is almost here and our Wicked Red and Midnight Blue are great choices for your patriotic pooch to show their pride!

Our dye gels for dogs work best on coats of a lighter color – The lighter your dog’s coat, the brighter and more intense the outcome will be. Prior to coloring your dog’s fur, you’ll want to remove and mats or tangles by brushing out the coat. As with any other product, test the dye on a small patch of fur before proceeding, to make sure that your dog will not have an allergic reaction. Wash your pet with shampoo and rinse the fur thoroughly, then apply the dye to wet fur. Leave on for 15 minutes. Make sure to stay away from areas too close to the eyes – You don’t want to chance getting the dye in them. If the color is not bright enough, leave the dye on for a longer period of time for more intense results. Rinse the dye completely out of the fur, until the water runs clear and then dry your dog’s coat. You can use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to set the color. Make sure you wear gloves to prevent stains on your skin! FYI: For even more fun, we have Stencils for Dog Hair Dye! Add hip designs to your dye job with one of our 8 stencil options. Our Dog Hair Styling Gel is great for spiking your punky pup's mohawk! If you need a little assistance, our Dog Hair Dye Accessory Kit has clips, combs, brushes to apply the dye... Everything you'd need to make your dye job easy as pie!

Getting Off On The Right Paw - How To Prepare For A New Puppy

Adding a furry new addition to your family is so exciting! With a new puppy comes many hopes and dreams… With a little pre-planning and getting ready, you have a great chance of having those come true! The first few days can be a little shocking for your puppy – He’ll be in a new place and away from his mother and litter mates for the first time, with new people and different obstacles. In order to make the change in environment smoother, it helps to get your family prepared and your house puppy ready ahead of time.

 Your new puppy isn't the only one who will go through changes – a new baby, even of the furry variety- means much responsibility. Make a schedule for bathroom breaks and feedings and divide the responsibilities among the family. Make a list of supplies you’ll need – food, bowls, toys, grooming supplies, bedding, a dog collar and leash, and a crate are just a few of the must-haves for a new pup. You’ll need to puppy proof your home by eliminating things that could hurt your puppy at his level, such as rugs, tablecloths, plants and things that break, such as glass. Secure electrical cords down with tape or cover them so that they are protected from chewing. Store harmful chemicals up high, and remove any stray articles such as shoes or knick knacks your puppy might be tempted to chew on. Pick a space just for your puppy – A nice quiet spot for him to relax with a comfortable dog bed to sleep in. Puppies need a great deal of rest and time outs from playtime! Set up his dog crate in this spot. You might want to also invest in baby gates… You won’t want to give your new puppy freedom to roam the whole house right away. This could confuse and scare him, and could be a setback with his house breaking. Scheduling a vet visit within the first 24 hours is a great idea - You want to make sure that your puppy doesn’t have any congenital disorders or heath issues, and you’ll also need to set up his vaccination schedule.

 When the day comes for you to go get your puppy, you’ll want to inquire about his feeding schedule and copy it once you come home. If you want to change his food and feeding schedule, you should do this. Puppies have sensitive stomachs and drastic changes will upset them. On the way home, the puppy should ride in the back seat either in someone’s arms or in a crate or carrier. When you get to your house, you should take your puppy to the area of your yard that will be his potty area before going inside. This will begin set house breaking in motion right away. From here on, you’ll keep up your pre-made schedule for feeding, naps, time outs and playtime. While your new fur baby will need lots of cuddles, love, and attention, he’ll need time spent in quiet and solitude as well, so that he can get the rest he needs. A dog crate is perfect for this purpose, though your puppy might disagree at first. It’s very likely he will show his dislike by whining and crying, but don’t give in! By comforting him when he commits bad behavior, you telling him that his actions are okay and that they will get him what he wants! Rewarding your dog and lavishing him with attention for good behaviors will affirm that these actions are what you want from him and what make you happy. By starting off correctly, you will end up with a happy and healthy puppy!

For The Patriotic Pooch : Top 10 Items Under $20

 Let your pup show their American pride with one of our stylish yet inexpensive Independence Day items!

1. Majestic Fabric Dog Collars ($5.99) – This simple but trendy fabric dog collar is available in USA Flag, Bandana, and Plaid Prints.
2. Stars and Stripes Dog Bows ($1.99) – These fashionable grosgrain ribbon bows have a sparkling star accent that really shines! Has a rubber band backing for secure attachment.
3. Americana Bone Tuggers ($9.99) – This fun toy combines soft plush with tough cotton rope ends for endless fun! Comes with a squeaker inside for added enjoyment!
4. Ceramic Dog Dishes ($3.99-$13.99) – These sophisticate ceramic dishes are inspired by popular French Bistro style stoneware and offer an attractive striped pattern.
5. Color Paw Glitz Dog Nail Polish ($4.99) – This glittering, shimmering dog nail polish comes in 6 colors to make your posh pooch more stylish than ever!
6. All American Pup Dog Collar ($7.99-$12.99) – This nylon dog collar features a patriotic flag design in a classic bone shape!
7. Star Explosions Dog Toy ($8.99-$11.99) – These hard rubber dog toys are made to withstand hours of chewing fun and have gum massaging nubs that improve dental hygiene!
8. Americana Peace Flag Dog Tank ($13.99-$19.99) – This unique, lightweight tank is a great choice for summer! Has a fun and trendy peace sign with American Flag design.
9. Americana Rope Peace Sign Dog Toy ($13.99) – This exciting toy features patriotic colors and a retro peace sign. Thick poly cotton rope will keep your pup busy for hours!
10. Ribbon Bone Dog Bandanas ($2.49) – These colorful and bright bandanas come in patriotic colors and have a cute bone pattern.