How To Shop For the Pet-Obsessed

It’s that time of the year again. Work starts slowing down as your coworkers peel out of the office for holiday vacations. School work starts piling up with “over-the-holiday homework.” Your wallet is feeling lighter and lighter between purchasing travel arrangements, celebration decorations, extra booze (for coping with families, obviously), and all the goddamn gifts you need to buy.

So, last year we put together a list of things that would be great to buy as a pet owner, you know, for both pet and owner to benefit from. This year, we’re going a little different. Send this article to all your friends to give them an idea about what they can gift you this season – because other than pets, it’s really all about the owners (aka us).

Anything That Lumps Animals and Alcohol Together

Here’s the thing about me. I really love Puddle. And I really love wine. So naturally, something like this really really speaks to me. Check out this awesome reminder in the form of a wine glass on Etsy, this set of dog beer glasses from Pier 1 Imports, any of these pup wine-bottle holders from Walmart, or even this beer bottle opener from Williams-Sonoma.

 

Anything That Supports Animals in Need

Visit WWF’s Gift Center here!

Does your friend love elephants as well as their pet? Or are they active in the No-Kill movement of shelters? Or maybe they just really love dogs and want to encourage adoption of those in need? Consider making a donation to an organization that protects endangered species or an animal shelter in their name.

Or maybe they want both – they want the thing, but they also want to save the animals? No prob, man. Goods like this wine-mimosa scented candle are awesome because 1) alcohol 2) candles and 3) a portion of the proceeds goes to dog rescue groups. Here’s a list of gifts that all donate back to animals upon purchase as well!

Anything To Help Them Relax

Like I said before, I really love Puddle. That being said, when I work a full day, spend two hours commuting, take time to workout after the office, run errands, and still have things on my to-do list for the evening, coming home to a mess that Puddle made while I was out can be super stressful. Bath time is stressful, travel is stressful… even just him whining for attention is stressful. Maybe I’m too stressed?

Because of that, anything relaxing is way up there on the list of pet-owner gifts. Relaxation can come from the aforementioned alcohol/animal combo, or in another form. Laughter is great for cutting the stress, and these Underwater Dog Prints from Little Friends Photo are sure to cheer your friend up. Other ideas include helping them get organized with a Pug Mug calendar from Amazon to take that off their mind, or getting them this awesome pig-face blanket from Zazzle for cozy movie-nights in.

Anything Personalized (legit just ANYTHING)

Listen – human parents love their kids and want to show them off. This is the same for animal parents! You could:

• Get them stuff with their baby’s face on it, like a custom tote bag from Uncommon Goods or a custom pet-pillow from Etsy
• Get them stuff with their baby’s name on it, like this personal cookie jar from Personalization Mall (which you can fill with Blair’s ginger cookies for furbabes!)
• Get them stuff for their baby, like a personalized pet tag from Shutterfly
• Make them something, like the glitter prints Delaney made Blair and I last year, or the stockings Blair made for Del and I. Possibilities, galore!

Anything Extravagant

Fur-parents love watching their fur-kids rejoice, so getting the pet themselves something special is always a good way to make sure your friend loves their gift. Get their pet something silly or crazy, like these awesomely-named dog beers from our partner YoDog Snackery (as modeled by Mia on the left), something necessary like a fancy coat or pet carrier from BarkBox, or something completely obscure like this laptop-shaped scratching pad from Uncommon Goods.

 

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice (for dogs)

Happy Howl-o-ween from the Not About Men crew!

I hope everyone out there had a fun and safe Halloween this year! I didn’t do a whole lot, but Mia had great fun dressing up and greeting trick-or-treaters!

So, fun fact about me: when fall rolls around, I always want to bake. Now, this is weird, because to be honest, I’m not much of a baker. I’m a cook. I like cooking, not baking. Baking has too much chemistry involved, and every recipe makes like minimum 24 – 36 servings. Like, yeah okay, you don’t have to eat all 36 cookies in a day, but let’s be real here. If there are 36 cookies, I’mma want to eat 36 cookies.

In an attempt to stave off diabetes, I long ago swapped baking for humans for baking for dogs. It’s really an ideal choice:

1. Your dog will literally never complain about how your baking tastes (or how it looks).
2. Dog treats are 100000000% easier than human cookies
3. You avoid the shame of eating 36 cookies in a single sitting
4. You get the delicious baking smell wafting through your home without the temptation of eating 36 cookies in a single sitting.

It’s seriously such a win/win. So in honor of the Pumpkin Spice Season, here is a delicious, Mia-approved recipe to get you in the Fall spirit!

Pup-kin Spice Cookies

Okay, so firstly, these will make your house smell ahh-mazing, and tbh you might be a little upset that you aren’t baking for yourself. ALTHOUGH, you can totally technically eat these, but they aren’t gonna be…you know…full of butter and sugar and all the stuff we love about cookies.

Secondly, idk if it was the smell or if Mia just knows when I’m baking for her, but she was 100% on board with helping.

For example, quality control:

Also, looking cute AF in my apron:

Side note: I bought Mia a chef’s hat and apron of her own after this shoot because she NEEDED one.

Thirdly, I used these awesome jack-o-lantern cookie cutters for my treats, but feel free to use whatever- bones, pumpkins, hearts, stars, (horseshoes, clovers & blue moons)…etc.! My only recommendation would be to consider the size of your dog so you aren’t making pancake sized cookies for a chihuahua, ya dig?

Finally, I don’t usually ice my dog cookies, and here’s why: 1. At the end of the baking I’m over baking and don’t want to make icing, 2. Icing adds a LOT of calories to the treats which can add up super fast; 3. Icing is usually pretty rich and can easily result in an upset tummy for your pup. However, if you want to add icing, you can smear with peanut butter, do a simple egg white wash to make the cookies shine, OR check out this website for ideas if you are into cake boss level of decorations.

PUP-KIN SPICE COOKIES

Ingredients:

• 3 Cups whole wheat flour*
• 1 can 100% pumpkin puree
• 2 Tbsp Blackstrap Molasses
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Farenheit
2. Combine the pumpkin, molasses, cinnamon and ginger until thoroughly mixed together.
3. Slowly add in your flour until you form a thick dough. It will be pretty sticky, and I’ve found that kneading everything works better than trying to use a spoon.
4. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to 1/4 inch thick. You may need more sprinkles of flour to keep dough from sticking to literally everything. Use a cookie cutter of your choice to cut out cookies. I used these cute jack-o-lantern cookie cutters for Halloween!
5. Bake treats for 20-25 minutes, then turn your oven off and let them set for another 45 minutes (or overnight) or dry out. Or, if you are like me and can only bake one sheet of cookies at a time, you can remove them from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool. HOWEVER, they will be more chewy and less crunchy that way (but refer to point 1 at the start of this article)

RECOMMENDED STORAGE: Store in fridge for 1 – 2 weeks, or store in freezer for several months! Mia recommends giving treats to all your friends, and then you don’t have to worry about storage.

*If you prefer grain free, you can sub the whole wheat flour with oat flour. Just throw some oatmeal into a blender and blend until you get a flour consistency. Or, do a half-and-half combo!

Decide to give these treats a whirl? Let us know what you think in the comments! And if you post a picture on Instagram, be sure to tag us in it @nubtailcutie!

Happy Howlidays!

Saving Money on your Pet

If you’re anything like me, you’re honestly probably hella broke. Like, you make ends meet, and have a little bit of fun money, but you could stand for a raise. Being a broke bitch can be sorta fun, because you learn how to approach life a little differently; you can make some super fancy ramen, and also con your parents into buying you $50 worth of groceries…all in the same day! But it can also be sorta scary when you realize that you’re a single pet mom.. and that your precious baby angel is a damn money pit.

But I’m here to help! Because I am the self-nominated queen of finding cheap ways out of necessary purchases. Yet somehow I haven’t figured out how to do that with unnecessary purchases….

Rebate Apps

Holy crap I love these things. The girls at work have turned me onto them, and they are seriously so handy! For shopping in-store, use apps like Checkout 51 (which I haven’t tried) and Ibotta (which I love). They simply ask you to scan the bar code to make sure it matches the current offer, and then take a photo of your receipt to confirm your purchase. It’ll then transfer your cash back into your account for you to redeem later in the form of a PayPal transfer or gift cards. Plus, did I mention that Ibotta has rebates on WINE AND BEER??? Because drinking while playing with your pet is awesome.

If you’re an online shopper at places like Jet or Amazon, check out Ebates! You’ll get upwards of 10% cash-back in certain stores. Amazon always seems to have cashback options, so pet food and supplies are bound to pop up periodically. Plus you can download the Google Chrome extension and it’ll pop up telling you if there is cash back at the store you’re shopping at!

Manufacturer Coupons

Keep an eye out for these. An old fashioned newspaper is where you’ll find most of your manufacturer coupons. Plus they can be paired with store coupons sometimes for extra savings! For example, Fromm pet foods (which is what I feed my babes) lets you save the UPC codes and mail them in for a free bag of food after you’ve purchased 12 bags of food.

Store Sales

Most stores have weekly advertisements with a list of products on sale. Check out your local stores for details!

Shopping Lists

I’m currently learning the art of shopping lists. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from it though, its that if you stick to the list, you’ll stay within your budget. If you only have $25 budgeted this week to buy pet food, don’t splurge and buy pet toys at the same time. Trust me, your furbaby will be okay without another toy.

I hope you can take some of my suggestions to help alleviate some of your financial burden. They may not be a cure-all, but I promise they’ll help! Now go forth and save money!

Home Remedies

If there is one thing I’ve learned from having pets, it’s not to panic about vomit or weird poops. While there are definitely times when you should immediately take your furbabe to the vet (IE the presence of blood/black discoloration, lethargy, lack of appetite, refusal to drink water, etc.), most of the time vomiting and/or diarrhea are just signs of an upset tummy and don’t require a vet visit*. There are plenty of things you can do at home to help your pet feel better! Many of these home remedies I’ve learned from my vet (who recently retired, much to my utter despair), so I’m here to share them with you and save you some worry – and possibly some cash!

Please note, most of these are for dogs and cats, though many can be applied to other pets (like piggies) as well. Use your own good judgement, google, or call your vet if you aren’t sure something can be fed to your furbabe.

Pumpkin Puree
100% pure pumpkin (NOT PUMPKIN PIE FILLING, please read the ingredient list before purchasing!!!) is really great at firming up your dog or cat’s stool. AKA, if your dog or cat has diarrhea, pumpkin helps clear it up. Why? Fiber! Pumpkin is loaded with fiber which is the key to having healthy, happy poops (for humans, too). Add about a spoonful or two for small pets, and as much as half a cup to a cup for larger pets. You can’t really give too much, but don’t be concerned if your pet’s poop has a slight orange tinge to it if you feed them alot.

Extra Pro Tip: you can add a spoonful of pumpkin to your furbae’s diet every day if you want to give them a bit of extra fiber. This is especially good if your dog is on a grain-free food.

Plain Greek Yogurt (nonfat preferred)
We are talking no fruit, no flavoring, no sugar added. ALSO REALLY IMPORTANT: DO NOT BUY ARTIFICIALLY SWEETENED YOGURT. Lots of artificial sweeteners are DEADLY to dogs. So find something that is basically just milk and live bacteria cultures. Fage is a GREAT brand, and I’ve also used Chobani. Again, PLAIN yogurt. Not vanilla. Not coconut. PLAIN. Just like with people, dogs/cats can deplete the natural bacteria cultures in their digestive tract if they are vomiting/suffering from diarrhea. This happened with Clark when I first brought him home and transitioned him to dry food, and my vet recommended a small spoonful of greek yogurt in his food to help “reset” his system. It worked like a charm! Add a small spoonful for small pets, and a tablespoon or two for larger pets.

Oatmeal
Is your dog a bit constipated? Oatmeal can help soften stool and make it easier to pass. One of my neighbors had a very old small dog named Jack who had difficulty pooping, and the older he got the worse it became. By adding a small portion of cooked oatmeal to his food (unsweetened, made with water NOT milk) every day, she found it helped him a LOT with his straining. If this is something you might want to consider doing, talk with your vet to get his/her opinion and to determine a good portion size.

Brown Rice + Chicken
If your dog or cat has had a rough go with an upset tummy, sometimes their normal dog/cat food can be a bit heavy for their systems! Typically, if your dog or cat vomits/has diarrhea, you should withhold food for 24 hours to let them pass whatever is bugging them and to let their stomachs settle down. Jumping right back to a dense kibble can be a bit of a shock to your pet’s system! It’s just like if you have an upset stomach, you eat soups and crackers, not lasagna or whatever. A good “chicken noodle soup” alternative for your pet is plain brown rice mixed with boiled, unseasoned chicken. This combo is a great, temporary substitute for traditional dog/cat food if your furbabe needs something bland and easy to digest while their digestive system recovers. You can also use canned chicken in water, just read the nutrition label and avoid seasonings as much as possible (especially avoid garlic and onion) and choose the brand with the least amount of sodium.

Benadryl
I learned this one from one of my good friends whose poor pup Hank suffers a lot of allergies and used to have a problem getting into fire ants:

Normal Hank

Hank After Fire Ants

One time, a similar issue happened to Mia (I don’t have a photo, but she looked a lot like Hank after his fire ant drama). Luckily, I had just recently heard about Hank’s issues from my friend, so I called my vet up to double check the proper dosage amount for Mia. Generally, it’s 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of body weight, and a normal drugstore tablet of Benadryl is 25 mg. This helps with allergic reactions, like fire ants or stinging nettles, and it can also help with mild seasonal allergies (some dogs suffer hay fever just like people). Or in Moose’s case, it helps keep his cherry eye from getting itchy and irritating. However, I do recommend talking to your vet before giving your pup Benadryl, especially if you plan on using it as an ongoing treatment for seasonal allergies!

Coconut Oil
I LOVE giving coconut oil to new foster dogs. If your dog has itchy dry skin or a brittle coat, Coconut Oil might be your new best friend! You can drizzle a spoonful over your dog or cat’s kibble (taking into consideration that over time the extra fat could lead to weight gain, so adjust accordingly), or rub some oil into your hands and then over your pet’s coat. A lot of foster dogs come to me with thinning hair and dermatitis just because poor nutrition + Texas Heat + fleas. Coconut Oil helps soothe and heal these issues quite quickly, both from the inside and from the outside! Olive Oil can be used in a similar manner.

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*Please note that this article is NOT a replacement for professional, veterinarian consultation. ALWAYS use your best judgement when determining whether or not to seek medical attention for your pet. If you are not sure what to do, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and take your pet in.

Snacking With Yer Bestie(s)

Alright guys, let me tell you about one of my favorite pastimes – snacking. Seriously, I just freaking love snacking. In fact, I love it so much that when my company eliminated my department last summer, I took that “spare time” as an opportunity to study, test, and become a real, certified Nutrition Coach.

Did somebody say snacks? I’ll get up if there are snacks.

Now, I have to admit, Puddle and I have quite a lot in common. We both love to nap. We’re both real into cuddling (but only with each other). We like gloomy days, we like lazing, and, yep you guessed it, he’s just as big of a snacker as I am. Lucky for him (and for me too, really), pigs tend to have iron stomachs – other than chocolate and avocados, there’s not all that much that pigs can’t eat. That being said, just like humans, there are some foods that are better than others. Blair already ran us through choosing your pet’s main food, and some DIY pet treats, but here are some tips and tricks on how to snack with your pet like a pro.*

*disclaimer: this is specifically what Puddle eats, but Blair and Delaney give their furbabes similar snacks too.

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1. Leafy Greens 
   

   Greens/Mom’s hand

    

   Puddle just cannot get enough greens. When I make my salads for lunch every day,
   the little nugget just stands there waiting for me to “accidentally” drop some for him.

   This includes pretty much all greens – spinach, lettuce, kale, arugula, you name it. Since its low in sodium and high in fiber, this is a great healthy treat!

2. Veggies 
   

   Gimme dat, Mom.

   Puddle is real good about eating his veggies. Honestly, there isn’t much he doesn’t like. He’s not a huge fan of cucumber or celery, and avocados are toxic to pigs (sucks to suck, Puddle), but other than that, he’ll eat pretty much anything we give him.

   Tomatoes, carrots, broccoli, zucchini, brussel sprouts, potatoes – you name it, he likes it. We try to limit the starchier ones like broccoli and potatoes just because the calorie content is a bit high for his lil baby belly, but carrots and tomatoes he can’t get enough of!

3. Fruits
   

   I said gimme dat!

   So, this one is a little bit trickier. Because here’s the thing – fruits ARE healthy. But, unfortunately, they have lots of fructose, natural sugars, which can be a little more than a little pet needs.

   That being said, we do like to treat him sometimes – you know, like you #treatyoself. His fave treats include apples, bananas, strawberries, blueberries and watermelon.

4. Nibbles
   
   

   Idk what this is.. but I eat.

   Puddle, just like me, is all about things he can continuously munch on. These foodsare great to use as a reward, particularly when training. Puddle’s faves are Cheerios (plain), popcorn (unsalted/no butter), and raisins (red). Again, not too much though – Cheerios don’t have that much nutritional value, and raisins are high in sugars, so you definitely want to monitor the amount. Careful though – raisins are highly toxic to dogs!

   As a side note, pigs also love olive oil, and it’s great for their dry skin! We give Puddle about 1 tbsp a day on his dry food. When he’s sick or it’s particularly hot, we will also give him a little bit of Gatorade to make sure his blood sugar doesn’t drop too low and to keep him hydrated. His favorite is the red one.

5. Specialty Items
   

   Every dog loves a cup of whipped cream!

   One cool thing to keep in mind is that, with the growth of pets as kids, there has also been a growth of people-food turned pet-food. Starbucks makes pup-a-chinos, our
   amazing partner YoDog Snackery (check out their guest post here!) has some (phenomenally named) dog beers and jerky, pup ice cream exists, and there are more and more dog friendly bars and restaurants that have doggy menus too!

   As for pet-specific treats, I highly recommend Whimzees – they’re vegan, good for dogs (and pigs!) and promote oral health.

6. Keep Aways
   

   After we snacks, we naps.

   Since there are so many things that any specific pet should avoid, I won’t list them out here, but here are some helpful links when feeding your pet:

   Dogs
   Cats
   Pigs

   Other than that, stay away from junk food! Chips, cookies, soda – all bad for you, and for your pets too (come on, I said I was a nutrition coach; you knew this was coming).

 

 

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Bottom line – use your judgement! If it’s something your doctor would recommend for you, it’s probably okay for your pet. Keep in mind though that, again just like humans, different animals like different foods, and more importantly, different animals are allergic to different foods. When introducing a new food, give a little at a time and watch for any sort of unhealthy reaction.

Warning: Blueberry at your own risk

Happy snacking!

Plants & Your Furbabe

After an impulsive day off earlier this month, I have managed to find myself in the position of being a new mom. Please help me in welcoming little miss Luna!

Luna came to me from Homeward Bound Animal Shelter (which is also where Moose came from!) at the age of 9 weeks. Guys, she is seriously SO SMOL. And because she is so damn tiny, I’ve found that she fits perfectly in some of my flower pots, which gives her the perfect opportunity to get herself into some serious trouble.

After doing some not-so-extensive Googling, I’ve found that there is a lot of stuff out there that is actually super toxic to our furry pals! So that’s cool I guess.

But what common household plants are actually toxic? Here are a few you may find around your house! Click here for a full list.

Aloe Vera

While aloe is excellent for clumsy cooks like myself, it is not exactly belly-friendly to your furbaby. Topical use of the gel found inside of the leaves hasn’t been found to be an issue, but once ingested, it may cause major digestive irritations.

Philodendron

These plants are common picks for those of us that like a low maintenance option, aka we’re lazy. But beware, because convenience comes with consequences. If your pup decides to munch on these plants, they can get anything from swelling and burning of their mouth and tongue, to digestive issues, spasms, and possibly even seizures.

Devil’s Ivy

A cousin of the above listed philodendron, pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, is another hard to destroy plant. Unfortunately the plant’s hardiness comes with the same symptoms as the philodendron if ingested.

Poinsettia

These festive, Christmas-time beauties are not nearly as toxic as all the hype may say. However, if the milky-white sap is ingested, your pal may have vomiting, drooling, and sometimes diarrhea. Skin exposure to the sap may also cause mild skin-irritation.

Lilies

Many types of lily plants, including peace lily, calla lily, amaryllis, lily of the valley, autumn crocus, and palm lily are all considered to be dangerous to dogs by the ASPCA. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal upset, anorexia, tremors, and even depression.

I bet now you’re all like “okay great Delaney, there goes half my house plants. What the hell am I supposed to do about them now?” Well, as I am one of those people who refused to give up my aloe (I’ve had it for 3 years and haven’t managed to kill it, I’m not giving that up!), I feel you. It may sound like a pain in the ass, but there are some options!

• Put your plant in an area that your pet can’t access it; a plant stand, a shelf, etc
• Swap out your toxic plants, for some equally pretty, nontoxic ones! Find a list here
• Fake flowers are always an option, plus you can’t kill those!
• Plant a pet-friendly potted garden. Check out these instructions for a cute cat garden.

Before we part ways, if your pet happens to ingest a toxic plant, or any toxic item for that matter, check out the Animal Poison Control Center . They’re available 24/7!

Benefits of the Great Outdoors

Summer in Texas isn’t just sunny weather and hitting the lake. It’s 90 degrees at 6:30 am with a high of 105; heat advisories warning you to stay indoors; cars so hot they can bake cookies on their dashboards; and, as always, there is drought – though thankfully the flooding the past two years have refilled lake and river levels. So, what on Earth can be healthy about THAT? Okay, to be fair, Texas during July and August requires air conditioning and a cold beer, but we still know how to have fun in the sun, and spending time outside can really affect both your mental and even your physical health!

Everyone has heard of SAD, or Seasonal Affective Disorder, right? If not, click the link. So, this is a legit condition, but a lot of people can suffer moodiness and melancholy during the colder, darker months without falling into a full depression. One of the (possible) reasons for this is Vitamin D deficiency, which is often a result of not getting enough sunlight! You don’t need to spend all day in the sun, but a healthy dose of sunlight on a regular basis enables your body to get all the vitamin D it needs. Unfortunately, most of us work inside of offices, wear lots of sunscreen, and spend minimal time outdoors. This prevents us from getting enough Vitamin D. NO – I AM NOT SAYING TO AVOID SUNSCREEN, but doing something as simple as taking a walk or enjoying your morning coffee outside can help tremendously.

So what about pets? I am not sure if vets have started recording SAD in pets, but Delaney, Renee, and I can all attest that our pets enjoy the sunshine.

Especially Puddle. Puddle loves sunbathing.

In addition to soaking up the sunshine, getting outside usually ensures you are staying more active. Obviously spending a day at the lake or going on a hike are both really fun things for us to do during the warmer months, but dogs need that kind of stimulation, too! A lack of exercise can definitely lead to things like excess weight, but it also can start to affect your dog’s mental health, as well! Even the calmest dog needs to get outside, burn off some energy, smell new smells, and stimulate their bodies and their brains! Without this, dogs will start to become unruly, destructive, hyperactive, and can even result in major frustrations that could lead to aggression!

Taking your dog swimming or on a nice hike out in nature is a great way to burn off both physical AND mental energy for your pup, PLUS its a great bonding experience for you and your dog. Mia has gone tubing with me on the river, kayaking in Lake Austin, sailing down off the coast of South Padre Island, and has roadtripped with me as far as Marfa for hiking adventures (Brady and I hope to roadtrip with the dogs to Colorado one day soon).

Spending time outside is also a fantastic mental boost! A study from Stanford found quantifiable evidence that walking out in nature could lower the risk of depression! Specifically, the study “found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural area, as opposed to participants who walked in a high-traffic urban setting, showed decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with a key factor in depression” (from the article linked above).

So get outside, go camping, go kayaking, go BBQ by the lake. Find your nearest park and take a short walk among the trees! Your body and brain will thank you for it!

Pets and Mental Health

Honestly, this topic is so easy to write about. All I have to say is that pets are real cute and you understand how pets have help to improve your mental health. But like, really, there are so many reasons that pets are great, and only like 5 of them have to do with how cute they are.

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1. They give you a sense of purpose.
   
   

   My entire purpose of being is kissing that sweet lil snout!

   Pets have this magical ability to make you see your worth. Having a pet can help give you a reason to get out of bed in the morning, a reason to go for a walk, a reason to keep living when you feel like you have no other reason. And they offer you the love and affection necessary to keep you going. Sometimes, all I need to be cheered up is a little nudge from my munchkin to remember that I have meaning.

2. They get you outside and moving.

   Be it inside or out, your pets will encourage you to move more and play more. Even Puddle, the laziest little bug in the world, gets me to chase him around sometimes for fun. Moving can increase the amount of endorphins in your body, making you feel almost instantly happier.

3. They reduce stress by making you live in the moment.
   

   How could you not pet him!?

   One of the best ways to tune out stress and anxiety is by tuning out your thoughts of the past or present, and really just being present. The rhythmic motion of petting your cat/dog/pig/turtle/whatever, or just sitting with them and playing, can help you block out all the thoughts that can cause stress.

4. They’re great listeners…

   Well, most of them are. I say most of them are because honestly Puddle doesn’t listen very well and he definitely interrupts me sometimes, but he has more important things to say anyway so that’s alright. Moose, Mia, Clark, and Axel are all great listeners, so Puddle is the exception – not the norm.

5. They lessen isolation and loneliness.
   

   Puddle keeps me company when I work at my desk!

   Sometimes you need some time to yourself, and sometimes you need someone around to love you unconditionally. Pets offer both. When it’s just you and your pet, you’re still getting the alone time you want, but you have someone near by to love and cuddle you. Where Puddle is lacking in the listening skills, he definitely makes up for in the cuddling area.

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So whether your a dog person, a cat person, a pig person, or whatever kind of person you may be, mental health is vital to a happy life. Consider rescuing that dog you’ve seen at the shelter or even just offering to cat sit for your mom could help bring a little more light, laughter, and love into your everyday life.

Hiking With Your Pup

Summer is finally here! Woohoo! That means kayaking, beaches, music festivals, and one of my personal favorites, hiking!

Now, when I say hiking, I am not referring to actual mountain hiking. Michigan doesn’t really have mountains. We have hills. And while they may be pretty big still, they’re definitely not like the Rockies or anything.

Hiking is great because there are trails for every level of experience! Check out these Michigan trails for a good list of options. It is family and pet friendly, and is a great way to spend an afternoon. But what should you expect when you take the crew hiking? Well, I can’t really vouch for the whole family aspect of it, but I can totally help with the furball aspect!

Pre-Hike

First and foremost, make sure your pet is up to date on his or her vaccinations and that he/she is treated with flea and tick medication (talk to your vet for a med that works best for you). I know a lot of people think it’s icky and they don’t want to put it on their pets (FYI there are oral options if you want to avoid topical), but trust me when I say that it’s way easier to do that than to pull a gross, embedded tick out of your pet’s skin. If you want proof, google it. It’s nasty. IF, by some chance, you or your pet are unlucky enough to get a tick, it helps to know how to remove it properly. Follow this link for instructions. A tick key is also a handy tool to keep on your key chain!

Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, make sure your dog has its collar with tags that have your current information, and it is never a bad idea to microchip or make sure the information linked to the microchip is accurate and up to date. You NEVER know if and when your dog might get loose, and it is always a good idea to make sure their tags and chip are current before going on any sort of trip!

Next, you’ll want to make sure your bag is packed and ready to go. You will want to pack the following things:

• Plenty of water, for both you and your pet
• A water bowl- These collapsible ones are great!
• Treats (bring a few with you in case your dog gets loose and you need to entice them, or if you just want to reward good behavior!)
• Extra food (I keep this in the car, it’s helpful to have just in case)
• Poop bags (remember to bring a few extra just in case)
• Leash
• Towel (to wipe pup down before getting into your car)
• A bear bell– it hooks to your dog’s collar and jingles as the dog moves. It alerts bears of an approaching animal, and scares them off. This is only necessary if you live in an area where bears are present.
• First Aid Kit (depending on the intensity of the hike, you can leave this in your car, but it’s important for your pup AND you)
• A doggy backpack for your pup to carry their own water, poop, etc.

Enjoy your hike!

Yes they make backpacks for dogs, and yes Mia carries her own water and poop!

Remember to always practice proper hiking etiquette when on the trails, ESPECIALLY with your dog! Keep your dog under control at all times, especially if hiking off leash, and don’t let them bother the wildlife or other hikers! And most importantly, PICK UP AFTER YOUR DOG. Always. If you want parks to continue welcoming our four legged friends, keep the trails clean!

PS- Make sure you offer your pet lots of water breaks on the trail!

Post-Hike:

Once you’re done with your hike, make sure you give your pup, and yourself, time to rest a bit. This would also be the time to fill a bowl of water for your furry pal. I also like to turn on the car and get the air conditioning going while I wait.

Once you feel rested enough, and your car is sufficiently cooled, wipe your dog down so they don’t track mud, sand, etc into your presumably clean car. Once they’re relatively clean, make sure you do a thorough search for ticks and other bugs on your dog and yourself! Refer back to the link above for where exactly to check and what to do if you find one. Also check your dog’s paw pads for any stickers, cuts, or abrasions. If you’re in the clear, you can head on home!

That’s basically it for the whole hiking thing. It’s really all about being prepared and making sure your pet is well hydrated. I hope you all get a chance to do a few hikes this summer! Make sure you take lots of pictures! If you’re on Instagram, tag Moose @Moosedog14, and we will see them!

I’m not fat, I’m fluffy!

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I know. Nobody likes talking about weight issues, even when it comes to their pets. Ironically, while people are often condemned for being overweight, pets are thought of as “cute” and “extra cuddly” when they have packed on extra pounds. I’m not here to debate the issue in humans, but I am here to tell you that obesity in pets is a real problem. Let me just lay a few charts on you from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention:

In case you need a summary: over 50% of dogs are overweight or obese, and nearly 60% of cats are overweight or obese. THAT IS A HUGE PERCENTAGE!

Also, this problem is not just for dogs and cats. Obesity is the most common health problem among the pet bird population (source, source), for example, and it can also affect our piggy friends! All pets are susceptible to being overweight and / or obese, and  according to the study conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, “90% of owners of overweight cats and 95% of owners of overweight dogs incorrectly identified their pet as a normal weight” (source).

That is a serious problem. Why? Because there is a string of health problems that accompany excess weight in pets. The primary risks associated with excess weight include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes
• High Blood Pressure
• Heart and Respiratory Disease
• Cranial Cruciate Ligament Injury
• Kidney Disease
• Many Forms of Cancer
• Decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years)

So what’s up? Why are pets getting so fat and how are owners not noticing?

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In a nutshell, excess weight gain and obesity are most often caused by an imbalance between calories in versus calories out. In short, your pet eats more food than it can burn off. There are other causes for weight gain including hypothyroidism, insulinoma, and hyperadrenocorticism, but more often than not pets become fat because they are overfed and under-exercised.

Overfed

Dog and cat food is incredibly calorie-dense, especially with the trend in grain-free foods, so overfeeding is a huge problem. I know, I know, feeding your 60 lbs dog one exact cup (not heaping, one cup exact) of food in the morning and evening (which is what Mia gets) seems like starvation, but when it is a high quality, nutrient dense kibble, one cup is all they need. Another major contribution to pet obesity is table scraps; what seems like a small piece of food to a human is extremely high in calories for a pet, especially the fatty meat scraps a lot of people like to share with their furry friends. And of course, too many treats. Just like for people, if your pet is enjoying too many treats on a regular basis, those calories add up.

Under Exercised

Although I am 100% a loud and proud supporter of neutering your pets and keeping them indoors, I also recognize that both of these things can result in weight gain. This is due entirely to the fact that neutered pets are usually calmer than their intact counterparts (meaning they aren’t running around like crazy horn dogs all the time), and that indoor pets are not getting the roam time that their outdoor counterparts do. Also, newsflash, letting your dog out in your backyard for a few hours a day is NOT exercise. Not only can this lack of exercise lead to behavioral problems caused by pent up energy and boredom, but it also leads to excess weight because your pet is not burning off what they eat.

So how do I know if my pet is overweight?

First and foremost, TALK TO YOUR VETERINARIAN! It can be extremely difficult for most people to recognize if their pet is fat. Why? Because the images of pets we typically see are often too heavy, and we don’t understand what a healthy weight pet is supposed to look like.

A good impromptu assessment you can conduct is the rib coverage test. VCA Animal Hospitials sums this test up nicely: “If you hold your hand palm down and feel your knuckles with the flats of the fingers on the opposite hand, this is how your dog’s ribs should feel just behind the shoulder blades.”

Your pet’s stomach (specifically dogs and cats) should have a nice tuck to it as well. Here are a few infographics to help visualize healthy weights for dogs and cats (click on the image to enlarge):

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Conclusion

Don’t feel bad if your pet is overweight. My fiancee’s dog was obese for awhile and needed to lose 30 pounds (that was nearly 30% of his body weight, folks)! Thankfully, with guidance from our vet, we’ve been able to whittle his weight down slowly over the course of a year and a half (he still has some lbs to lose!). My cat, Clark, was obese for awhile, weighing in at nearly 20 lbs! He, too, has been on a vet-guided weight loss plan for almost two years now! Even Mia packed on a few extra pounds last year without me realizing it, due to how much I was feeding her (which was only about 1/4 cup more than she needed per day) and how many treats she was getting (which of course was a lot).  Interestingly, at her most recent annual exam I was slightly worried she was UNDER weight; to my surprise, my vet actually recommended she lose two or three more pounds to reach her ideal weight!

My point is, it’s an easy problem to develop if you aren’t careful. Happily, it is also an easy problem to prevent, and it’s a solvable problem if it happens. Stay tuned for more info on how to live a happy healthy life with your pet!