2 Hounds Design: No Pull Harness – We liked this one so much, we actually arranged for a giveaway for our readers. You see, our little guy is a puller. He likes to lead us when we take him out of a walk. Because of that, we like to use a harness over a leash. While using a harness make the pulling stop, the patented martingale loop on the back of this harness allows the harness to tighten gently around your dog’s chest, giving him or her a gentle reminder to discourage pulling. It doesn’t stop the behavior, but it does make it a bit more controllable.

The Dog Lover’s Guide to Massage: What Your Dog Wants You to Know – We know far too many dogs that get freaked out over the littlest thing – fire trucks, trips to the vet, someone cutting the yard. Little did we know that massage could help to calm them right down. The perfect gift for anyone with a dog, but in particular, this is great for someone with an anxious little one.

Fur Shui: An Introduction to Animal Feng Shui – Recently noted on CBS The Morning show as being a new “west coast trend,” Fur Shui picks up where Feng Shui takes off, promising that now you can have more love, abundance, better skills, more balanced health all by having a bit of fun as well as a closer bond between you and your pet!

Pepper & Tanky eau de parfum – Our little guy is NOT a fan of the bath. He’s also not a fan of the brush. He is sadly, a fan of sleeping tight and close even when he’s a bit past his prime and some might say stinky. Lucky for us, there’s Pepper and Tanky’s eau du perfume just for the smelly dogs in our life. Puppy Love is a personal favorite, but we’ll let you decide.

Pork Chomps – What dog doesn’t like pork? What dog wouldn’t love Pork Chomps Dog Chews? These pork skin products are more readily consumed and don’t cause any digestive or stool challenges and are a safe and healthy alternative to beef rawhide. But your dog won’t know that, he’ll just know that he loves when he gets one.

Yummy Chummies Treats – We’ve been treating our boys with Yummy Chummies for the past year or so. This dried wild Alaskan salmon treats drives both our cat and our dog crazy and begging for more.

Nurtured Pets Anti-Lick StripPrevent – I don’t know about you, but if left to his own device, our dog would like his leg raw from time to time. The folks at Nurtured Pets realized this and came up with a “Band-Aid” for pets, the Anti-Lick Strip Prevent. It not only stays on, but it deters dogs and cats from licking wounds and hot spots.

Marshall 8-Ounce Small Animal Bi-Odor – Don’t let bad odors or a stinky letterbox ban your cat from this year’s holiday parties. Marshall’s GoodBye Odor will virtually eliminate all feline odors with just a few pumps a day. Just add it to your cat’s food or water daily.

EzyDog Element Coat – The weather outside is frightful, but this Element Coat is so delightful! Don’t let the harsh winter elements ruin your dog’s love of adventure.This windproof, waterproof, fleece=lined coat acts like a barrier in bad weather keeping your four-legged friend warm and comfortable.

Dogstar Flying Disc and Fido Flyer – For the playful pooch on your list, the Dogstar Flying Disc and Fido Flyer are durable, non-chew toys that are sure to provide hours of fun. They’re sure to keep your pup busy during the long winter months.

Stella and Chewy’s Carnivore Kisses – Are you looking for the pawfect stocking stuffer for our furry little one this year. Both cats and dogs alike are going crazy for Stella and Chewy’s Canivore Kisses. Stella and Chewy’s believes that dogs deserved to be pampered and spoiled every day. So why not spoil them rotten with some freeze-dried yumminess and be on the look out for those puppy kisses!

Dog Tornado – For the smarty paws on your list The Company of Animals, founded by animal psychologist Dr Roger Mugford, introduced innovative pet puzzles just in time for the howlidays. The reasoning behind the line of pet-friendly games (our guy loves the Tornado) is to combine mental activity for your pouch while reinforcing the canine-human bond.

Happy Tails’ Sparkle and Shine Holiday Duo – We’ve been using Happy Tails in our home for just over a year now. Our favorite by far has to be the Dry Dog Instant Clean (he really doesn’t like to take a bath) and the Itchin’ For Relief spray for his summer allergies. We love the products are eco-friendly, cruelty-free and all natural. But most importantly, we love the way they smell and how effectively they work. So why not treat your barkster to a little sparkle and shine this holiday season.

Disclosure Policy

All pet collars are not created equal, and for North Carolina company 2 Hounds Design this could not be more true.  These collars and leashes are handcrafted with fine fabrics, and the company’s location in a former textile capital has allowed it to recruit some truly skilled craftspeople.  Alisha Navarro, the company’s founder and self-proclaimed collar addict, has some real hand-made jewels in her collar catalog.  But the good things about this small business don’t end there: in her spare time, Navarro helps organize auctions and issues special editions of 2HD collars to raise funds for hard-luck pups in adoptions groups worldwide.

Now, Alisha and the great folks from 2 Hounds have given us a beautiful collar and leash to award to one lucky reader, and 2HD will even custom size it for the winning pet.  Enter today, and cruise on over to 2 Hounds Design’s website to check out the other cute and stylish collars they offer.

View 2 Hounds Design’s catalog of designer collars and leashes at www.2HoundsDesign.com and enjoy free shipping on purchases with the coupon code freeshipping4you.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A DESIGNER DOG COLLAR AND LEASH

Most advice you find on the internet recommends washing your dog just several times per year!

Either these people have outdoor dogs or the articles were written a long time ago when the quality of pet shampoos was very poor! Times have changed! Today, dogs enjoy shampoos and conditioners that are on par with the best human shampoos- that don’t have harsh chemicals and that don’t strip the hair of all of it’s oils.

The arguments against washing your dog too often are generally about stripping the coat of natural oils. The more often you wash something, the more often the sebum (oil) is going to be removed. Think about your own hair. If you don’t wash it, what happens? It gets oily. Is the oil good for your hair? Probably, but we wash our hair everyday anyway so that it’s clean!

There are several factors you should consider when deciding how often to wash your dog which include:

1. Does your dog live indoors or outdoors, and does your dog sleep in your bed?

If your dog lives in your house with you and more importantly, if he/she sleeps in your bed, then you are probably going to wash your dog regularly–depending on the breed anywhere from once a week to once a month. I know this is radical thinking, but, if your dog sits on your sofa, you probably don’t want him dragging in dirt, poop, insects and other grime onto your sofa. So, the trade off is that your dog’s coat ~might ~ be marginally drier but you will have a fresh smelling dog that you can cuddle without the fear that gross stuff is getting into the sheets.

2. Breed of dog

Dogs that have dry skin can be bathed less frequently than dogs with oily skin. Harsh-textured coats repel dirt pretty well so they don’t get as dirty as a soft-coated dog. Dogs like Maltese, Yorkies, Afghans and Shitzus should be bathed once a week. Harsh-coated breeds, like Shelties and Collies, can be bathed once a month. If you’re not sure, remember, a clean dog is a happy dog!

One of my dog’s is a Maltese and I can’t imagine washing her less than once every week. Little white dogs pick up lots of dirt and by weeks end they are looking brown instead of white. Also, I hate to mention it but long-coated dogs get those famous cling on poops stuck to their bottoms.

My other dog, a Westie, who has a thicker coat, doesn’t get so dirty, but, I have to wash her every week due to the next point– allergies.

3. Is anyone in your household allergic to dogs?

If so, you SHOULD groom & bathe them as often as possible. According to the American Lung Association, doing so will help remove the dander that accumulates on a pet’s fur.

I am allergic to one of my dogs and when I don’t wash her once a week I get wheezy and sneezy.

4. What activities does your dog partake in?

Do you take your dog to the dog park? Does you dog play in the sand or dirt? Does your dog roll in the grass or go swimming or hiking? What about sniffing butts, eating poop or drooling?

Well, if you have a normal dog, she probably partakes in several of the above activities– all of which warrant regular bathing. Again, you have to think of the trade off. Your dog’s coat may be marginally drier HOWEVER, he will be cleaner, smell better, and most important you will be more likely to give a clean dog lots of love. Those smelly dogs we tend to keep at arms length.

5. Does your dog suffer from itchy skin?

Unlike humans who absorb most environmental allergens through their noses and mouths, dogs tend to absorb allergens through the skin. Weekly bathing can prevent itchiness, by washing allergens away before they get a chance to penetrate the skin.

So at the conclusion of all of this — the answer for MOST dogs is to wash them once every week to once a month, depending on the above circumstances.

But remember, use a gentle pet shampoo and conditioner (we recommend our own line, Happy Tails for all your pet grooming needs). Do not use your own shampoo. Click here for an article of why you should not use your own shampoo on your dog.

Also, if you simply can’t wash your dog for a prolonged period of time you can use a dry shampoo. This is a really effective spray on bath replacement that helps to get rid of bad odors. Also, if you feed your dog a non-commercial, all natural and organic diet chances are your canine companion will be less smelly. Our favorite is a dehydrated raw pet food from the Honest Kitchen

Lorna Paxton, otherwise known as the Pet Industry Guru, is an entrepreneur, business owner and coach helping small businesses launch new products into the pet industry. Paxton entered the pet industry seven years ago when she started happytails, a spa, grooming and wellness company where she oversees the development, production, sales and marketing of all its products. If you have any questions for Lorna, you can contact her via email.

Some might just call it puppy love, but more and more people are considering their pets when buying Valentine’s Day gifts.  With Valentine’s Day tomorrow, there’s no need to panic about finding that “purrfect” gift to show your furry friends how much you love them.

Consider the next best thing to a home cooked meal, chunky chicken casserole dinner for dogs (or seafood & caviar for the cats) from Evanger’s.  To keep your pet safe and stylish, consider an IDTAG.com identification tag that allows you to create an online profile for your pet with all their vital medical and contact information – it’s like an Amber Alert for your lost pet.  And for those playful walks in the park, how about a flexi retractible leash (we own three of these – one for each car and one for his walks). 

CLICK HERE TO ENTER FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN ONE OF TWO PUPPY LOVE PAMPER PACKS

I lost my mom to breast cancer when I was four, so I know no other way to be in the world than with grief in my heart. It’s “old hat” to me, it’s just a part of me that seems like it’s always been there. I’m in an odd way, comfortable with it, so it somehow brings me peace to be able to comfort others who are struggling with grief and loss.

With that said, I guess it makes a lot of sense that I would end up starting a pet memorials company (peternity.com). It’s just not what I ever imagined that I would end up doing. But I like that about life. The unexpected. The surprises.

In 1970 when I lost my mom, things were different and families didn’t have a lot of options for grief support. We got through it somehow and I think I turned out alright, but it wasn’t easy and I wouldn’t wish the loss of a parent or family member on any child. Lucky for me and my sister, we have remarkable Father.

I’ve always wanted to find a way to reach out to children who have suffered significant losses and to somehow help them. Being that most children’s first experience with death is through the loss of their pets, I decided that this would be a wonderful place to start.

There are many other creative ways that you can help your child to take an active part in honoring the life of their pet, and without spending a lot of money. At Peternity, we’ve created a special product  called Kidoodlyrocks to help grieving children. Kidoodlyrocks are pet grave markers onto which we engrave children’s drawings of their pets.  Engaging children in the creative process really helps to shift their focus from the pain and the sadness to something; something fun, honorable and meaningful.

The best ways for children to work through grief is by expressing their feelings – through writing, drawing, dancing, anything creative that helps them to get in touch with their feelings and get their feelings out and expressed.

Children are empowered when given the opportunity to help create the memorial to their dear pet. When children have something creative to focus on their focus shifts and they stop dwelling on the sadness and the pain so much. This makes space in their heart for some healing to begin.

Creative activities also give you the parent or caregiver an opportunity to talk about what your child has created and the feelings behind the creations. Having a project in motion gives you a forum, to help your child/children address their sadness. You can sit with them and draw them out of their sadness and confusion by asking questions about the animal they loved so much: how they felt about them, their memories, what made them laugh, etc.

You can be the impetus to help your child create any number of types of memorials. Here are some ideas:

• A special box that you decorate together that can hold all of your pet’s treasures like the collar, tags, photos, favorite toys.
• Flowers that you plant together in the yard in your pet’s memory, maybe in your cat’s favorite spot to lie in the sun, or your dog’s favorite spot to lounge in the yard.
• A book that you create together that chronicles all of your favorite stories, memories and photos of your pet.

These precious shared moments, dedicated to encouraging your child to express their joys, laughter and sadness through words and drawings, can work wonders with recovery for both of you. You will also be helping your children to lay a foundation for life, a foundation that will help to support them in dealing with other losses that they will experience later in life.

Colleen Mihelich is the founder & creative director of KidoodlyRocks.com and Peternity.com.  For more information in helping to deal with the loss of a pet, check out Peternity’s blog.

Yes yes yes, I know you’re all busy reading the The Deathly Hallows and all that, but if you haven’t been hiding from the media to avoid all the spoilers you’ll know all about a real evil monster who’s been making the news this week. Michael The (insert rhyme of choice) Vick.

If there is one good thing to come out of the Michael Vick story, it is the fact that dogfighting has been brought to public awareness as a growing problem. The reaction to his federal indictment has brought a wide range of reactions, from outrage to disgust to ambivalence and even support. I was shocked and a little repulsed to see, on a message board of veterinarians, some “old school” guys basically shrug their shoulders and say, “Man loves bloodsport. What are you going to do.” If men whose lives are spent protecting animals are saying this, what is the rest of the country saying? What are we going to do? Plenty. This kind of violence and antipathy to other living beings should not and cannot be tolerated, not even in a famous sports figure. Or should I say, especially in a famous sports figure.
read more from "Why Michael Vick matters"

Last week at work, I had the occasion to answer questions from a very nice couple about how one becomes a veterinarian. We weren’t overly busy, and the ant bait their dog ingested was fortunately minimally toxic, so while poor Buffy sat in the back vomiting it all back up (don’t worry, we made him do it) I had a few moments to talk.

I shared with them the same advice I had received as a wide eyed vet school applicant- “Lots of people get into this field because they love animals more than they love people. But you have to like working with people or you are going to fail miserably.” And it’s so true. After all, no matter what an animal needs, if you can’t convince their owner you are suggesting the right and necessary course of action, it’s all in vain.
read more from "Faith in Humanity"

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Fourth of July is a booming time for shelters and emergency veterinary clinics. (Like that? No more puns, I promise.) Aside from the obvious- dogs eating corn cobs or too many hamburgers, there are several less often thought of dangers during this holiday. The problems of heat stroke and drowning were covered in an earlier blog entry, but don’t forget the dangers of fireworks.

For you, it’s a loud, smoky display of patriotism. For your dog, it may be Armageddon. This is one of the busiest days for shelters as thousands of terrified dogs across the country flee their homes and end up lost, and all too often injured by cars while running for their lives. Pets are even more sensitive to sound and smell than we are, so to have the unexpected stimulus of a fireworks show can send sensitive dogs and cats over the edge.
read more from "Fourth of July- Pet PSA"

As I was leaving the grocery store today, an older couple exited the restaurant next door, having obviously just enjoyed a late brunch. They walked down the parking lot aisle just ahead of me, and unlocked their car. To my shock, a small poodle popped up from the backseat and jumped into the owner’s arms.

I stood there in the 80 degree heat with my jaw hanging down, debating whether or not to say anything.
read more from "Summer Pet Safety"

This has been a terrible couple months for pet owners and the pet food industry. It started with the initial recall in March- clients coming into veterinary offices with pets in renal failure, mentioning something about a pet food recall. “What?” asked the vets, wondering why they weren’t made aware of it so they could ask the right questions. That is how it started, and it still hasn’t stopped.

Vets found out the same way everyone else did- through CNN, the nightly news. There is no national database of veterinarians that can be alerted of a massive problem like this, so we rely on word of mouth, or maybe contact from the pet food representatives who were, in this case, silent. First it was aminopterin, then later, melamine. People who fed their pets “premium” foods and thought they were safe, found out that some varieties of Ol’Roy and Eukanuba were made side by side in the same plant, from the same tainted ingredient.

People switched to dry, and thought they were safe. Then Hills m/d was recalled. People switched to super-premium foods, ones without wheat gluten, and thought they were safe. Then Natural Balance announced rice protein concentrate was contaminated with melamine and pulled several brands of their food off the shelves. Are we safe now? How about now? What will tomorrow bring? It hasn’t stopped YET, and even yesterday Royal Canin USA added multiple prescription and over the counter diets to the recall. The widening is getting broader and more alarming each day. The latest theory is that melamine was deliberately introduced in order to artificially inflate the protein concentration in these products imported from China, bringing the debacle to a new, horrifying level.

This recall has shaken this industry badly. When you look at the statistics, the pet food supply is even now safer than the human food supply. With home cooking at a very low level, food borne illness was and continues to be a very rare problem with pets. One of the things that bothers me the most about this is how little trust we can have now in this industry. The suppliers may have lied to the producers like Menu Foods (if indeed this was a deliberate contamination.) The producers waited for a good month before revealing that they knew there was a problem. Some pet food companies, scared of revealing a link to Menu after the story broke, hid from pet stores the fact that they used Menu in some of their production lines. Some of the pet food companies themselves were unaware of the source of their products, as happened with Royal Canin Canada. There was not just one failure here, there were failures on the part of EACH and every member of the chain here, and that is what is truly mind blowing.

So now what?

If you continue to feed your pet commercial food, you are still making a good choice. The number of confirmed deaths represents 0.005% of the US pet population, or 1 in 100 million. The companies are more vigilant than ever right now about the safety of their foods. You can switch your foods up to dilute the risk of any one food being contaminated.

You can choose to home cook. This is a challenging, time consuming proposition, especially in the long term. It is highly advised to consult with a veterinary nutritionist if you are choosing to do this, as finding the right amounts of additives can be tricky and requires specific weight related calculations. BalanceIt is one example of a reputable online source for recipes. UC Davis also offers services to clients and veterinarians- call (530) 752-1393 for more details. It is not recommended to follow any home cooked diet more than a month or two without follow up with your veterinarian to make sure your pet is receiving adequate balanced nutrition. Nutritionists report about 1-3 in 100 pets eating homemade foods do end up with imbalances or problems, so the risk is real. You also run into the risk of food poisoning that is the same you face yourself. It can be done, especially if you are vigilant and motivated, but just be aware that it is actually still safer to stick with commercial food unless you are going to follow all the involved recommendations and do it correctly. Raw diets are a subset of this group of foods, but going into detail is beyond the scope of this article at this time.

For More Information:

FDA Pet Food recall list
Sign up for FDA e-mail alerts
Recall List at Itchmo
Recall Info at Howl911

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