Embrace Pet Community blog

Nulo Bloggers

My fat dogs are cute, but so are the other chubby pets participating in the Nulo project.  If you want to follow their stories, here are their blogs:

Cats:

Noah @ Just Meowin'
Xena & Velvet @ Average Jane
Disco @ Curlz & Swirlz
Romeo & Pugsly @ Romeo The Cat
Marbles @ Terri Rimmer's blog

Dogs:

Judy @ Dogingham
Koa @ Pawcurious (shown right)

 

Nulo Intervention (part two)

Our Nulo challenge starts next week, and we've been trying out the web-based tools that will help me track my dogs' progress.  I setup profiles for each pet, including starting weight, their ages, and body score.  (The tools are free, all you have to do is setup a profile.) 

The tools are pretty handy, such as the body score, visual tracking bar.  Slide the bar, and the image gets "fatter" until you found where your dog fits in the Body Score range.  Here's Tahlula's score, based on what she looks like from the side and above:

 

Once we start the program, we'll enter activity levels, track weight loss, and our milestones will appear as we gradually approach our weight goal.  If you've ever used Weight Watchers online tools, it's surprisingly similar.  The only feature I hope to see added is an option to take measurements, instead of weekly weigh ins, simply because it's hard lifting a big fat dog into the car for a weekly vet trip.

 

We placed our order for the dry foods.  We'll be testing out the Lamb & Brown Rice formula (great for sensitive Shepherd tummies) and the Salmon & Brown Rice formula (which includes Tahlula's favorite-Tomatoes!)  Because the food ships directly from the warehouse, no sitting on retail store shelves for months at a time.  We can even setup an automated shipment, so we'll never run out.

 

There are wet foods and treats available too, but we're starting off with just one food switch for now.  And, don't forget that Nulo offers cat foods too-you can follow the progress of cats like Disco.  We'll post the list of all participating pets and their blogs next week.

 

Nulo Intervention (part one)

 

Disclosure: Nulo has generously provided free product and other benefits in exchange for our participation in the Nu Campaign to fight pet obesity. We are happy to be a part of this awareness campaign, however, all of the opinions about the product are mine and not dictated in any way by the company.

Our Nulo Intervention (part 1)

I've been in denial about my dog's obesity for a long time now.  Despite the fact that people have called Lyger "Twinkie" and someone once asked if he was pregnant, I thought it was just "fluffiness".  And poor Tahlula was so emaciated (58 Lbs) when we adopted her, that it felt cruel to withold food from her.  But her history (and breed) made her appetite that much more intense-and before long she'd eaten her way to 90 Lbs!  People teased me about my fat dogs, yet I think I am still in denial about how bad it was.

Earlier this year, my vet's tech had an intervention.  During a checkup, she told me that Lyger looked exceptionally healthy for a 10 year old-except he was overweight.  Hearing it from a professional made it seem like a much more real problem.  And it suddenly became clear to me: my pet's weight was putting pressure on their old arthritic hips, causing pain and lameness.  In hindsight, the obesity was even a major factor in Tahlula's ACL tears a few years back. 

So, we started feeding them the weight-loss formula kibble made by Kirtland (Costco).  It was affordable, the dogs liked it, and it worked!  Both dogs started to lose a little weight, and no one seemed famished. 

Then, in the summer, when I dropped the dogs off for a week of boarding, the boarder was surprised by how much I was feeding-nearly 2 cups per meal.  So even though they were on weight management food, it wasn't fully effective.  So that was intervention #2-and it really worked!!  Tahlula has even dropped enough weight that we were able to wean her off of her hip pain medications!!

Now, we're at intervention 3: Nulo.  Nulo is partnering up with several bloggers, in an effort to better promote pet obesity awareness.  Starting next week, my pups will start the 90-day Nulo trial. 

So, as with any good weight management program, we have our before:

Lyger is at 60 Lbs.
Tahlula is 80 Lbs.

Tomorrow, I'll explain a bit more about the how the Nulo program works, and the weight loss support features that are available to help pet parents.

“Disclosure: Nulo has generously provided free product and other benefits in exchange for our participation in the Nu Campaign to fight pet obesity. We are happy to be a part of this awareness campaign, however, all of the opinions about the product are mine and not dictated in any way by the company.”

Tips for College Students with Pets

Best Colleges Online just posted some very helpful advice for college students considering taking their pet along to school.  Their post "10 Tips for Students Bringing Pets to College" starts:

For some incoming college students, leaving home without their best friend isn’t an option. Who wants to experience the best time of their life – which can also be one of the most difficult times – without their number one companion? The health benefits of keeping a pet are well-documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol level and triglyceride levels. Additionally, they can create opportunities for you to exercise and socialize. So when you’re suffering through a break-up, ol’ Fido can console you, help you trim the “freshman 15″ and lead you to your next lover. If you’re planning to bring your pet to campus, it’s important that you understand the responsibility that you’ll have to undertake in order to keep him or her healthy and happy. Here are 10 tips to consider when brining your pet to college.

The tip list includes advice about planning your budget, making arrangements with room mates, and pet proofing a dorm room.  Great advice for students looking to prevent homesickness and depression.

Disney Resort for Pets

We've been talking about travel with pets, while over at BlogPaws they just linked to a NY Times Article about the new Disney resort suites for pets: 

"Starting Aug. 27, while you and your family are cheering on Mickey and friends in the morning parade, your dog or cat can watch television on a raised bed in one of the V.I.P. suites ($69 to $76 a night) and your dog can attend day camp in one of the two 1,100-square-foot “camp rooms” that open onto a yard or frolic in the 1,300-square-foot water park." read on...

Sounds like Goofy and Pluto won't be the only dogs in the Magic Kingdom for much longer.  What do you think?  Would you be more inclined to travel to Disney if you could keep your pet nearby?

Checklist for Boarding Your Pet

Have you ever boarded a pet?  Were you surprised by the amount of effort it took?  Or did you think it was surprisingly simple to leave your pet with strangers?

Here are some helpful tips for things to remember when boarding your pet:

• Plan early if possible.  The best facilities can book up way in advance on holidays.  It may be wise to get signed on with a boarding facility before you actually need it, in the event that you need to leave town in an emergency.
• Make sure that your pet meets their vaccination requirements.  If they do not have requirements, it would be wise to talk with your vet about their recommendations before your pet's stay.
• Consider cage-free versus kennels.  Kennels may be best for dogs that are easily overwhelmed or elderly, but cage-free might be better for more energetic or socially motivated dogs.
• How many pets stay at the facility?  Do you feel that the staff can give adequate care to the number of pets staying there?
• Talk to the staff about their policies.  Do they walk dogs outside, or do they go to the bathroom indoors?  What sort of training do caretakers have?  Do pets have any playtime with people or animals?  It might help you have a better understanding of the experience your pet might have.
• Be sure to take your pet's food and medications, along with your contact info and vet info.
• Talk to the staff about bringing bedding or toys, but remember to leave anything that your pet might chew up and swallow at home.
• It's ok to call and check up on your pet.  Kennels expect it.  Many places also offer routine photo updates or webcams so you can peek in on them when you want.

Part 2: Traveling Without Your Fourlegged companion

One of the biggest obstacles for me to book a vacation is what to do with the dogs.  My neighbors are gracious enough to check in on them. (Though I can't bear to ask the neighbor that got stuck cleaning up 5 days of UTI pee puddles while we were in Florida last year.) I feel reluctant to take them up on it all the time, for fear of taking them for granted.  Making plans to pay them a stipend or arrange trade always works better though.

Leaving your pets is a bit more complicated when they are sick or elderly, since you need to worry about medications or careful monitoring.  In those cases, you may want to consider boarding at the vet or a facility with trained staff.  But then, do you go for kennels or cage free? 

More often than ever before, people are hiring pet sitters.  The services vary, and some sitters come to your home for visits, stay overnight, or board your pet in their home.  Carrie posted another great Examiner piece about how to find a good pet sitter, and what you should expect while you're away.

The upsides to in-home care include your pet staying in their own home, while other folks might prefer the pet to go into the sitters home where they might get more time and attention.

What do you think?  Have you ever had a pet sitter?  Did you enjoy the service?

Check back next week, when I post the story of Lyger and Tahlula's recent stay at the Doggie Spa!

Part 1: Traveling with Pets

It wasn't until BlogPaws East in April that I really thought about what it takes to travel with a pet in tow.  I met Ronnie and Rex from Bella's Pain Relief, and realized that Rex had made the trip all the way from New Jersey to Ohio, and then camped out in the hotel while Rhona worked the conference.  Fortunately, Ronnie had the foresight to hire a dog sitter to visit with Rex in the hotel room while she was out and about, so Rex wouldn't feel anxious in a strange room.

Embracer Carrie posted an article at Examiner last month, with 5 helpful points that you might not have considered before you travel with your cat or dog in tow:

1.  Book a pet friendly hotel.  Dogfriendly.com has a terrific list of pet friendly hotels, complete with a list of any additional charges or stipulations that may be required for bringing your fuzzy family member along for each hotel. Dogfriendly.com also lists campgrounds and RV parks that welcome pets.

2. Plan pet-friendly activities for your family and your pet.  Many beaches and parks allow dogs, but you will need to check ahead of time to be sure your four-legged companion is welcome.  Dogfriendly.com has a list of beaches, parks, stores, even outdoor restaurants that welcome your pets. 

(Read the rest here.)

I was recently pondering a roadtrip with Lyger- about 8 hours from Cleveland to Philly to attend a conference.  I thought it seemed like it might be an American adventure, a bonding experience for a girl and her dog.  But, It would have been long days for me, and longer days for an anxious dog, so I opted against it.

What sorts of tips do you have for people that might be planning to travel with their pets?

Adopt-A-Cat Month: Meet Flower

Lovely as a summer day, here's Flower.  She's a beautiful adult cat, and one of many adoptable through Humane Society for Hamilton County.  Flower and her friends, Tasha (shown left) Jasmine and Zita are just a few of the lovely ladies patiently waiting for their forever homes.

Find your new feline friends at your local shelter or rescue group, and you'll be glad you did!

Meet June Bug, Firefly, Spring and Summer!

Official Take Your Dog to work Day

Start packing a lunch for your dog, because tomorrow is Take Your Dog to Work day!  Pet Sitters International is hosting a fun photo contest, and offering an action pack for people and businesses setting up a dog friendly workplace.

Embrace has a pet friendly policy for dogs and cats.  It's fairly informal, we just coordinate who is coming a day before, so that we don't mix cats and dogs, or have too many furry friends at once. 

In honor of the day, upload your pet at work photo to our Facebook!  We want to see them enjoying all the perks of a pet friendly workplace!