Embrace Pet Community blog

National Pet Dental Health Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month!  From AVMA:

Don't turn your nose to Fido's or Fluffy's bad breath! That odor might signify a serious health risk, with the potential to damage not only your pet's teeth and gums but its internal organs as well.

Products like the Triple Pet Dental kit ($8.19), which include enzymatic toothpaste and a triple-sided tooth brush, can be simple ways for pet parents to help keep their pet's teeth clean, and their breath fresh.

We'll be featuring more products for dental care throughout the month.  In the meantime, check out Embrace Pet Insurance blog posts on dental wellness.

 

Fashionable and Functional Raised Feeders

After reading this two part series on the causes and prevention of Bloat I have a new appreciation for the severity of this condition.  Second to cancer, Bloat is the biggest cause of death in dogs.  There are some simple prevention steps we can take, including cutting back on the amount of fat intake, feeding several smaller meals, and avoiding activity for an hour after eating.  But the two biggest, and easiest changes we can make for our pets are to feed using raised feeders, and slow down bowls.

There are lovely raised feeders out now, like these custom mosaic feeders from Pawsitively Elegant.  They're made with stained glass, wood, and steel bowls, to include your pet's name.  So, as one of their pet parents says, "Not only are they functional, but they are visually appealing and the ability to customize the pieces is fantastic!"  These platforms come in three heights, and start as little as $65 for the single bowl version.

There are also lots of bowls to help slow down speedy eaters, like the Brake-Fast Dog Food Bowl ($26).  But, there are a couple of ways a trainer might suggest slowing down an eater, using your existing bowl and raised feeder.  First off, if your dog's bowl has a inverted bottom, like this bowl, just flip it upside down and feed them in the outside ring.  Another quick fix: stick a kong or durable toy in the bowl, so your dog has to eat around it.  Either trick will slow down your dog's rate of intake, aiding digestion.

And, while we can never completely prevent bloat, it's a good idea to consider an Embrace Pet Insurance policy, just in case.  As Bloat is always an emergency, it often requires ER visits and surgeries, starting at $2000.  Read how Embrace's accident coverage helped Kylie (shown left.)

 

 

Costco for Pets

After our vet tech recommended Costo's Kirkland brand lean dog food to help our dogs drop a few pounds, we got our membership.  While Lula hates being on a diet, she loves the new dog bed we found for her there!  I think it's about 40" wide, very plush, and helps keep her well insulated from the cold hardwood floors.

And, I've never had a pet bed with cedar filling, but I have to say it's really nice.  It smells very fresh and clean, and the cedar smell even rubs off and masks a little of her doggie odor.  Ok, so she smells a bit like a hamster, but sometimes good smelling hamster is better than stinky dog.

The dog bed they had in-store was just $19, but they have other large, cedar filled beds on their website, like the 42" bolster bed with back pillow for $39.99  The bed is tall and plush, so Lula does roll off of it sometimes, so maybe the back-pillow is a good support option.

Talking Valentine's Day Hearts

  Candy Conversation hearts are one of my favorite things about Valentine's day, and now these Talking Pastel Heartswill be your dog's favorite.  Every time your dog squeezes the toy, it says "I love you!"  They're in 8 different sizes for every love of your life, and on sale until February 1st.

Your pup may also enjoy the Tuff Grunts Hearts, or Heart Throbs.  All are at DogToys.com

We'll See You at BlogPaws!

From our friends at BlogPaws:

BlogPaws 2010 is the first-ever pet bloggers conference, where more than 250 bloggers, writers and companies passionate about pets will come together for networking, learning and fun.

Taking place April 9 & 10, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio, BlogPaws 2010 will feature keynotes, panel discussions, breakout sessions and social events. You'll have the opportunity to learn about and discuss a variety of topics.

Who Should Attend BlogPaws 2010?

If any of the following describes you, we encourage you to pause in your daily tasks and give BlogPaws a try. We guarantee a terrific, worthwhile experience!

• Pet bloggers who blog for fun, profit or on behalf of a company.
• Marketing and PR professionals interested in working with the online pet community.
• Organizations or individuals who have just launched a blog, are considering a blog or just want to connect with bloggers.  
• Business owners who want more information about blogging to help increase awareness for their products or services.
• Frankly, anyone involved or interested in the online pet community. There's something for everyone at BlogPaws!
  
  If you agree that BlogPaws will truly be an exciting, unique event, don't wait to register! Register today!

Save 20% off Registration with promo code: VIP-LB

Life Unleashed with Pet Bus

Have you ever wondered how pets are transported in those unusual cases where their family is relocated cross country?  Sometimes it's manageable to pack a pet in their crate and haul them cross country, but other cases call for services like those from Pet Bus.  The Pet Bus offers comprehensive door-to-door ground transportation services available for pets.  They will help you transport your pet cross country, even internationally, by land, air or sea.  They'll facilitate moves or vacations for families, military personnel on deployment, or even professional athletes that are relocating. 

Stop by for a free price quote, for information on relocation services for pets, or to save 10% off on travel services for your pets, with promo code EPI2010.

Savvy Snax

In Clover

 recently launched a new healthy treat for dogs, called Savvy Snax. They contain natural ingredients – chlorophyll and anise to freshen breath, Green Tea for tartar reduction, and fructooligosaccharides to aid in digestion.  You can give them just one a day, or  as many as you want for treats or as training aids.

 

As an added bonus, Savvy Snax contain no wheat, soy, sugars, animal fats or artificial preservatives, they're also corn and dairy free.  Check out where you can buy online, to help keep your dog's smile clean and fresh.

Winter Seasonals for Canine Comfort Foods

WagginTails.com has a delicious four pack of dog food flavors from Merrick, their Winter Seasonal collection.  $8.99 for the pack, including one each of  Wisconsin Winter, Plymouth Rock Dinner, Sunday Supper and Susie's Shepherd's Pie.  Yes, Shepherd's Pie!  That sounds wonderfully cozy and delicious!

I think after a long walk through the crisp winter air and across the slush and ice, any pup would love a bowl of Shepherd's Pie, perhaps warmed just a bit? 

Now, if only we could find hot chocolate for dogs too.

Be sure to login to our Deals Page to get a 10% discount on any non-sale item at WagginTails!

Why Didn't I Mention the Sporn Before?

In 3+ years of blogging, I've looked at dozens of harnesses and walking aids for dogs that like to pull.  But somehow, I've neglected to review my own favorite walking harness-the Sporn Training Halter.   My dog, Lyger, is a terrible puller, and he hates every other harness we've tried.  He tries to rub the Gentle Leader off, and some harnesses don't do much for pulling, but the Sporn is GREAT!  It's easy to put on-you just slip the collar over their head, and put their legs through the sherpa-lined arm-bands.  Lyger knows to pick his foot up to help me, so we get it on in seconds and then we're off on our walk.

It's great for pullers, or dogs that need to reduce strain on their neck or throat.  For just $21.95 I need to get a second one for my other dog, to replace the Gentle Leader Easy walk that we've been using for her.  The results are similar, but it's easier to get on and I feel confident that a dog can't slip out of it.

Chew Guard Technology

I took Lula shopping last night, so we could spend her PetSmart Christmas money.  I kept hoping she'd actually pick something out, and luckily, when another customer squeaked a Baby Dragon, her ears perked up, and she seemed interested.  The sales associate came to tell us that these are very durable toys, with a thick mesh underneath the fabric exterior.  They have a squeaker, a grunter, and they crackle-all good stuff for a dog to play with.  Plus, there is no stuffing, so no messes.

So we spend the $14.99, (yes, $14.99 on a stuffed dog toy) and head home.  Remarkably, the dogs played tug with the baby dragon, and it stayed perfectly in tact!  I could even see the look on my Lab's face--this toy wasn't like the others. 

But, then, when he got it away from Lula, he took it aside and went to town, pulling at the exterior with his teeth.  There are lots of little prongs and protrusions to pull on, and he liked that.  He's pretty brutal when he starts gnawing on things, so within 15 minutes he had two small holes in the exterior fabric.  Baby Dragon was wounded!

I took it away, so that there might still be some Dragon left when Lula wants to snuggle with it.  I think the dogs loved it, but, I'm not sure that Chew Guard is up to the challenge of a Rottweiler and a Lab when they set out to destroy.  I think it would be money well spent for a dog that plays nicely with their toys.  The good news is, according to the sales associate, the manufacturer will replace the toy if we send it in.  However, I'm not sure how many Baby Dragons I can bear see brutalized. 

Maybe we should have gone with the Jolly Ball?

Organic and Delicious

The people at Complete Natural Nutrition know that people love organic and natural pet treats.  More importantly, they know that dogs love cheese!  Cheese Please is a 100% natural dog treat made from just one ingredient, baked Wisconsin cheese. Each nugget contains only 3 calories of 100% pure cheese.  Doesn't that sound delicious?  Great for training, rewards, or a bedtime snack.  Bags start at $4.95.

Check out their other products, including the Terra Bone, or other food toppers for your pet.  It looks good enough to try myself.

Stock up for 2010 on Pet Wellness and more

PetLandPlus.comis offering $5 off any purchase over $75, so now is a great time to stock up on all of the wellness supplies you'll need for your pets in 2010.  They've got Frontline, Advantage, and BioSpot for the Flea & Tick prevention, kits for home dental care, as well as supplements like Brewer's Yeast and Glucosamine.  They offer lines for Cats, Dogs, and even birds and other small animals.  And they sell more than just wellness-shop their toys, treats, feeders, and more. 

It's really a one stop shopping trip, but be sure to enter "embrace10" to get your $5 off.  It's the best way to start the year off, stocked up, and at a savings.

Collar Mania!

Collar Mania is the perfect name for this crazy collar website.  I could not believe how many options they provide-it's truly a "design your own collar" experience.  Leather, Ribbon Overlay, Nylon, embroidered...and that just lists the material styles.  Then you can pick from chain or loop martingales, quick release buckles, or slide collars.

If you're stuck indoors on a snowy day, spend an afternoon designing a new collar for your best friend.  Or, if the options are just overwhelming, shop their "ready to wear" selection, currently up to 25% off.