Love Your Pup? Try SquarePet #DogFood

April 4, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Got a dog you love? Us too. In addition to our own pack, we constantly rotating pups as we are involved in rescue and fostercare. You can definitely call us “dog people”. Our pets and our foster pups are a huge part of our lives, even traveling with us at times. If you are followers on Instagram or Twitter, you’ll know that we are always out and about with them, and the dogs are always into something interesting, haha. (Not to mention, I think both Shayna and Cooper have a nicer wardrobe then I do!)

We recently got to try out this new dog food, and they really liked it. We were send the low fat variety, and while none of our fur babies are hefty, they still really enjoyed the food. I tend to cook for the dogs since that horrible dog food scare a few years ago, but I always keep a bag of dry food on hand for the days that I run out. Which I do, not irregularly. But I won’t give them just any dog food- it has to be good quality, and I won’t give them anything I can’t pronounce or know what it is. Some people make fun and say they are “just dogs”, but really- your dog is family. Mine are. And I think they should be treated as such.

They really loved the food, and I think your pups will as well. If you are looking for something to try out, or to upgrade your current dog food, I would definitely give SquarePet a try. Your pups will thank you.

cute puppy

More About SquarePet Veterinarian Formulated Low-Fat Solution Dog Food 

  • VFS Low Fat Formula contains two key protein sources from Pacific cod and ocean whitefish meal which are certified by the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) to be sustainable and wild caught.  These lean and high-quality fish are combined with highly digestible sources of carbohydrates including USA grown non-GMO rice, and vitamins and minerals for complete and balanced feeding to help support gastrointestinal health.
  • Providing precisely balanced nutrition that has been developed by a veterinarian and a board-certified veterinary nutritionist, SquarePet VFS Low Fat Formula leverages the inherent nutrition found within natural high-quality ingredients to create veterinary inspired solutions-based diets.
  • Its proprietary soluble and insoluble fiber blend supports a healthy gut microbiome and is fortified with antioxidant vitamins and minerals to help defend against free radicals.  In addition, the diet is packed with crucial Omega-3 essential fatty acids, including DHA and EPA which support the immune system and cognitive health
  • VFS Low Fat Formula from SquarePet is free of artificial flavors, artificial colors, and preservatives.
  • It is proudly made in the USA with no ingredients from China.
  • SquarePet’s VFS Low Fat Formula dog food can be purchased online and at local pet specialty retailers nationwide.
  • Available online and at independent pet retailers throughout North America.
  • MSRP of $71.99 for a 22-pound bag

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Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet

July 21, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet 

There is nothing better than going on for a vacation. It becomes more joyful if you bring your pet alongside with you also. What could be better than going on vacation? Bring your baby in fur for fun, of course. But before planning your trip with your pet, keep in mind that having an animal by your side can complicate matters. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with pets.

Take your pet on a trip.

It would be best if you made your pet habitual for the road trip, and it is better to take your pet on short car trips to assess how well they drive the car. If they better get used to the car, take them frequently for short distances.

Once you are on the road, it is essential to take breaks. You should always wear a harness and strap before exiting the car for safety reasons. Put a litter box on the floor behind the seats instead of risking getting them out of the car if you travel with a cat.

Always keep windows and sunroof closed when traveling with animals to prevent them from escaping. There is a need for pet seat belts in their vehicles, as some states require pet owners to keep their pets safe in vehicles.

Room with your pet in a hotel

If you are staying at a hotel with your pet, it is essential to book with a pet-friendly hotel that is also affordable. Not all hotels accept pets and those that generally charge extra per night and pet. These charges will depend on the particular hotel.

Even if your hotel accepts pets, pets will not run like they would at home. Understand and follow the rules for pets at your hotel. Pets are often not allowed to be left unattended in the room or must be packed if so.

Keep your pet calm and safe while traveling.

Whichever method you use to travel, you can take a few safety precautions to make sure your pet is always safe.

You should also identify the closest emergency veterinary clinics to your hotel if there is a medical problem that you cannot handle by yourself. You can also contact the hotel concierge for recommendations about identifying a clinic.

To keep your pet relatively calm, there are a few things you can try. Items like a favourite blanket or t-shirt you recently wore can ease travel stress by bringing the scent home for the trip. However, please note that you should only bring these items in the car; Toys, blankets, and other items in your pet’s baby carrier can pose a safety risk during air travel. Heavy jackets provide comfort, like wrapping a baby in blankets. You can also divert the attention of your pet and keep them calm by giving delicious pet treats during the trip. Treats that have health benefits and also suit the palate of your pet are guaranteed to keep him happily busy for some time.

How to prepare your pet for the trip

You need to check in advance for the immigration rules for the countries you are traveling to. If you want to know about the immigration of pets, you can easily find it on Google.

Traveling with a pet by plane

Please note that the Transportation Control Administration has special pet control rules when you arrive at the airport. You will have to remove them from their support just before starting the control process and take them with you,

Filed Under: animals, evergreen, traveling Tagged With: , , ,

Traveling with Your Pet: What to Consider

June 25, 2020 by Leave a Comment

Traveling with an animal is a lot like traveling with a child – perhaps even more difficult! Not all places allow animals, so if you can’t bring them with you, you have to find alternative care, which is expensive. While we love our fluffy companions, navigating how to travel with them can be tough. 

Here are some tips on how to travel with (or leave behind) your precious fur baby.

One Way to Bring Your Pet Everywhere

Getting a registered Emotional Support Animal is a sure-fire way for your pet to be allowed access everywhere with you. However, not just any pet can be registered as one. You’ll need to  prove why you need one. 

We’ve all heard of service animals, which are meant to help the disabled population function easier in society and aid with daily tasks. But Emotional Support Animals are different. These are animals that are meant to provide comfort from a symptom or disability, primarily of the mental health variety. 

They are not trained to deal with or help with any disability. Emotional Support Animals are allowed on airlines and no-pet housing. Emotional support animal registration is fairly easy: you will need a letter from a licensed mental health professional saying that you could benefit from an ESA. If you’re granted it, your pooch (or other smaller animal) will be allowed into hotels, restaurants, and planes with you. 

How to Keep You and Your Animal Safe

If you’re traveling by car, it’s not safe to leave your pet free to roam about. If you were to get into an accident (Heaven forbid), their tiny bodies would likely not be able to withstand the impact. Keep your pet in a carrier for two reasons: 1) they’ll have protection if you crash, and 2) they won’t be a distraction to you and potentially cause you to crash. 

Don’t Forget About Rest Stops

When you’re not at home and in your regular routine, it’s easy to forget things like letting your pet go to the bathroom. Make sure every time you stop for yourself, you stop for your fur baby too. They also need to stretch their legs! Let your animal walk around for a few minutes at every rest stop as well. 

Flying with Your Pet

If your pet has a “flat” face, found in some dog breeds like Pugs, they may be more prone to oxygen deprivation. Be careful when choosing to fly, and try to see if the airline will allow you to keep the animal in the cabin with you (for an additional fee). You will have to call the airline in advance to make sure this is possible. 

Hotels and AirBnBs

Some hotels and AirBnB listings will allow pets, but most of them will not. You have to do your due diligence in specifically calling or looking at the listing to see if they allow pets. Even if the website says they do, it’s still a good idea to call and make sure, or ask if there are any additional fees for bringing a pet. 

Is it Better to Bring Them or Leave Them?

Traveling isn’t always comfortable for pets: being stuck in a crate for hours with limited visibility and not understanding what’s going on is enough to make any animal anxious and uncomfortable. This is truer if your trip involves flying. If you’re driving cross-country, having your pet with you might be a fun ride!

If figuring out logistics for bringing your pet along is starting to become a huge hassle, it may be time to consider either leaving them at home and hiring a pet walker, asking a friend to check in on them, or boarding them for a few days. 

While it might be fun and less expensive to take your pet with you on a trip, it will also take a lot of planning their meals, water, bathroom breaks, etc. If you’re only going out of town for a few days, it might be better in the long run to leave them behind. If you’re going to be gone for quite some time, like 2 weeks or more, then it would make more sense to bring your pet with you. 

 

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Can Probiotics Supplements Help Your Cat?

May 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

The rising popularity of probiotics in the past two decades has raised a question, can your cat or other pets get benefits from it? You may have seen so many varieties of probiotic supplement jars in the mart stacked one over the other in the mart shelves. That clearly indicates there are so many people across the world that use probiotics for better health and well-being. 

 

We always want to think about our cats perceiving human habits. That being said, it is rational to think cats being mammals also might be benefitted from probiotics. The short answer is, yes, probiotics can help cats. But probiotics for cats are different than that for humans. I’ll tell you everything you will need to know about cat probiotic supplements. 

What Are Cat Probiotics?

Like humans, cats have a bacterial environment in intestines, also known as, flora. This environment has a good balance between good bacteria and bad bacteria. This balance is crucial for your cat to remain healthy. 

 

When there’s an imbalance, your cat might suffer from diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues and also alleviate the immunity. That said, it is important to maintain the balance of flora. 

 

Probiotics are a combination of one or more strains of bacteria present in the guts which when ingested creates a favorable environment for good bacteria and benefits the host. This microorganism can treat a variety of diseases, especially gastrointestinal ones.

 

Generally, choosing the right supplement for your cat is important while there are too many available. Well, scientists suggest that the probiotics containing the strain of the bacteria that reside in a cat’s intestine are good ones. You can always check the label of the product and check the strains present in the supplement. In any case of confusion, you can seek your vet’s help.

Benefits of Probiotics

There’s been some research done on human probiotics that proves the benefits of probiotics. But for cats, there are some studies which suggest, probiotics also work for cats.

 

Probiotics improve digestive health which often eases up some clinical signs like low appetite, stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, and it makes bowel movements consistent. As we all know, better gut health keeps away many other diseases, probiotics, in general, give your cat’s immune system a boost. All in all, probiotics contribute massively to your cat’s health and well-being.

 

One of the diseases, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), is caused if the balance of flora is thrown out. Probiotics can maintain a healthy balance of bacteria and can save your kitty form IBD. The disease is common in cats and can be seen in adult and senior cats often.

 

However, sometimes the cause of IBD becomes a mystery for us. We feed kibbles to our cats and in fact, kibbles are the form of food that’s unnatural. Eating kibbles for a long period of time may cause certain gastrointestinal problems, including IBD. That said, probiotics also may help to keep away some other GI diseases. 

 

One veterinarian has also claimed that probiotics can reduce the duration or shorten the reoccurrence of gastroenteritis.

Can You Give Your Cat Human Probiotics?

Veterinarians and feline nutritional experts suggest going with probiotics specially tailored for cats. As I said, good probiotics for cats contain the strains of bacteria present in the guts of a cat. So when you consider human probiotics, that won’t contain those strains. 

 

Moreover, there is no research available that proves how human probiotics can affect a cat. It may be beneficial but also can be dangerous. In a nutshell, only use probiotics available for cats. 

Risks Associated With Cat Probiotics

There are no evident side effects of probiotics in cats. Also, it’s rare to see any adverse effects in felines. But you should always be selective when choosing the right probiotic supplement for cats. Most supplements or food industries work on meager regulations. So it is important that you know how to read the label of the product.

 

Moreover, there are no institutions that require manufacturers to prove the presence of the amount of CFUs (Colony Forming Units) of bacteria and their strain as mentioned on the label. Considering this, there is one institution that has oversight on cat probiotics, National Animal Supplement Council. So always prefer to buy the product which has the NASC label.

 

Nevertheless, there is not enough research available to see how exactly probiotics can improve the flora environment. So it is better to go with ‘common sense’. Not all probiotics work for all cats. If you see significant improvement in your cat’s overall health, that’s the right probiotic for your kitty.

The EndNote

Like human probiotics, there’s a rise in popularity and trend to provide your cat with probiotic supplements. As we have discussed, probiotics in humans are different than those for cats. There are many benefits of probiotics but in a nutshell, they boost immunity and make health better. Studies have shown that probiotics are helping your cat but there is a lot of research yet to be done that can say how exactly it works.

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Our New Additions To The Family #DontShopAdopt #RescueMe

May 18, 2020 by Leave a Comment

So, as any followers on Instagram my have noticed, we have added to the family. We recently added two adorable pups to the pack. We went for one, but ended up with two. You know how that goes. We just couldn’t stop thinking about that adorable little face, so we had to go back.

Welcome home, Shayna and Kofi!

rescue puppy

And tiny Shayna, my first “little dog” ever (foster or personal pet).

 

rescue chiweenie

We are so excited to have new bundles of love around here. They have made the pandemic more adventurous, that’s for sure!

I post a lot of photos on Twitter and Instagram, so if you aren’t following and like to see puppy photos, link up 🙂

Happy Monday, all.

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Dog friendly places in San Francisco

November 11, 2019 by Leave a Comment

In a city that ranks in the top 10 for ‘outdoor pet friendliness,’ you should have no problem finding things to do and places to stay with your pet. Here are some of them. 

If you like your dog to be off-leash, head to this park close to Mission District. Dolores Park is great for pets and their owners. Picnics happen in the main space of the park regularly too. If you’re looking for some more exercise, get to Skyline Boulevard and enjoy a whole day of exploration at Fort Funston. There are beach spaces and nature trails to explore here. By far the most popular park in the city is the Golden Gate Park. It is also the biggest pet-friendly park here. Sit on a bench and watch life pass by, or get up and play a game with your pet in any of the four off leash areas the park has. If your dog loves the water (and which dog does not) go to Crissy Field. This is an off-leash beach and your four-legged friend can have a wonderful time chasing the waves here. 

If your young dog and you have a lot of energy to burn, you should certainly head to the many hiking parks in San Francisco. For example, the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. Put your dog on a leash for this hike and explore to your heart’s content. Many birds call this space home, making their dwellings in a forest that’s over a century old. You may be able to spot some wildlife too. The Bernal Heights Park is another joyful space that is known for its spectacular views. Take a picture of your dog against the San Francisco Bay or the Golden Gate and make a great memory. A very popular hike with the locals is Grandview Park. There are wooden stairs here and the trail is soft and sandy, so watch out for that. The trails are small, and the plants along the dunes are a pleasure to see. Another park that’s talked about often is Lands End Trail. Check that out for some spectacular coastline and gorgeous flowers. San Francisco also has a host of bars and restaurants that welcome dogs and their people. 

The city also has a host of hotels that are happy to accept your dogs. Close to Crissy Field is the Inn at the Presidio. This hotel is a bread and breakfast and has a bowling alley to book, too. The architecture is simple and the property has some lovely eucalyptus groves to meander through. The Inn is happy to host your pet for a fee. On Post Street, look for Hotel Adagio. It takes its dog-friendly tag seriously and offers the visitor rooms on pet-specific floors. What’s more, bowls for food and water and doggie treats are also part of the service. Check with the hotel for the closest dog park or store and you’ll get good directions. Other choices are the Argonaut Hotel, Hotel Emblem, Kimpton Buchanan and Triton, among many others. Do check the hotel policy (fee, size of dog, on leash, etc.) and then plan your stay. Additionally you can also check the Top 15 pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco by clicking the link.

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Top Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

July 17, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Here are some top tips to consider when traveling with your dog 

Did you know that 85 million Americans own some type of pet? While there are all different kinds of pets out there, undoubtedly, the most popular pet is the dog. 

 

In fact, over 60 million households in the US have a dog. And it’s no wonder why so many people own dogs – they can be absolutely life-changing. 

 

However, with all the benefits that come with owning a dog, there are some drawbacks. For example, figuring out what to do with your dog when you’re on vacation can be a huge hassle. 

 

But we’ve got some good news for you. 

 

You no longer need to leave your pup behind and make accommodations for it. Instead, you can take your dog on vacation with you. But, before you travel with your dog, there are some things you need to know. 

 

Check out this guide to learn the top tips for traveling with your dog. 

1. Choose Dog-Friendly Locations 

First things first, you want to plan for traveling with your dog ahead of time by picking a location to travel to that is dog-friendly, starting with the country. 

 

It may come as a surprise to you, but many destinations around the world are not suitable for domesticated dogs. So, be sure to check the US travel site about your country of choice to find out how pet-friendly the location is, if your dog will need any shots, and any other precautions you need to take. 

 

In addition to the country, you should also make sure you choose a dog-friendly accommodation. Luckily, dog-friendly accommodations are wildly popular. For example, check out these dog-friendly cottages. 

 

Lastly, you want to make sure the airline or form of transportation you take is also dog-friendly. And, keep in mind that some airlines require your dog to sit below with the cargo. If you’re not comfortable with this, you’ll want to choose a different airline. 

2. Pack for Your Pet 

Just like humans, dogs also like to have some creature comforts with them when they travel.

 

Dogs love routine, so try to keep everything as close to their routine as possible by bringing all of their creature comforts from home. This includes food, treats, bowls, leashes, brushes, and medications. 

 

It’s also usually a good idea to bring your own water from home. While this may sound excessive, dogs can have major sensitivities to different water systems, so it’s best not to tempt it. 

With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a great vacation with your pooch

3. Be Prepared for Emergencies 

No matter how careful you are when traveling with your dog, emergencies can happen. For example, you can lose your dog or your dog can get sick. 

 

If you’re traveling in a country where you don’t speak the language, then make sure you can say some “dog-friendly” phrases in the local language. For example, “I lost my dog”, “Have you seen my dog?”, or “Is this place dog-friendly”?

 

Also, you want to be prepared in the event your dog gets sick. Talk to your veterinarian, and see if they can recommend a local vet in the area that you are traveling to. 

 

With these tips in mind, you’ll be sure to have a great vacation with your pooch. Comment below if you have any questions about these dog-friendly travel tips.

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How to Set up a Cat Litter Box

March 26, 2019 by Leave a Comment

Does your kitty spray and do her business outside of the box? You have been setting her litter box up all wrong! Cats are our family and like other members, they need their stuff to be perfectly placed. Yes, for instance, their litter box shouldn’t be under the car in a garage just because you won’t have to look at her poop.

 

There are many other things to consider while setting up a litter box. So it’s always better to focus on the correct way to set up a litter box rather than only researching and testing automatic cat litter boxes in order to solve litter problems.

How Many Litter Boxes Do You Need?

Have at least one litter box per cat, plus an extra one. That means you’ll need 2 of them if you have a cat, 11 for 10 cats, and 5 for 4 cats. Keep in mind that all the litter boxes are not in the same room placed side by side.

 

The ideal no. of litter boxes is no. of cats + 1 and all of them should be placed separately in different rooms at ‘socially important places’. So that your cat will have enough litter boxes to spray and poop in to mark her territories.

 

In a nutshell, it is important where you place them. If your cats are doing fine otherwise, never spray or poop outside the box, you have limited space in the house, and your cat litter problems are solved then there’s no need to put extra ones out there.

Place Litter Boxes at Socially Important Places

Some of you believe, your cat needs privacy to do their business. They need a box which has a hood over it or the litter box which is disguised as a cabinet in your drawing room. But that’s ridiculous because if your cat had her way, she would poop and pee in your yard in front of the door. It’s us who don’t like to see her litter box open.

 

People would put litter boxes where they don’t have to look at her poop often such as behind the washing machine, in the mudroom, under the car in a garage, or in the bathroom etc. I too resent it but the truth is you should do the exact opposite. Put the litter box in a drawing room or in the bedroom. Socially important places are important for ‘catification’.

 

Well, “Catification is the art of making changes and adjustments to your home that meet the needs of both you and your cat (aesthetically and spatially).”, according to Jackson Galaxy, aka Cat Daddy.

 

Moreover, if your cat is feeling insecure and marks territory in some places, place the litter box on that spot. That will help you solve litter problems.

No Deodorizers Around

Cats have aversion to  some scents and that includes the scents of deodorants. That said, you should not use any plug-in or sprinkle-on deodorizers around their poop box. I don’t believe in using scented litter because a cat always like a clean litter box and a clean one never stinks.

 

All you need to do is scoop litter regularly and wash the box every week. This will keep the litter box fresh and it won’t stink. Deodorizers and scents may lead to an aversion to the area and the litter box which will add to litter problems.

Provide Multiple Exits to the Litter Box While Catifying the Setup

As we discussed, catifying is the process of environmental enrichment for you and your cat without precluding your aesthetic sense. So when you catify the litter box arrangement, you might want to put the whole box in a corner or the way one of its exits/entrances facing too close to a wall making it only open from one side.

 

When another cat, dog, or a human comes behind them while kitty is doing her business inside, she won’t have any option left but to feel being ambushed. This situation can trigger fear, stress, and anxiety in a cat.

 

So make sure the covered cat litter box has multiple (most commonly 2) doors so that cat can leave the box whenever they sense danger from other pets or humans.

Try Different Litter Boxes of Litter Problems Are Not Solved

It is possible that you have tried everything but still, your kitty sprays and mark territories in the house. Some of the adopted cats might have a bad memory with their litter box in their previous parents’ home. When they are confronted by the similar litter box in your home, that might trigger fear and anxiety as a result of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

 

To litter train your cat, use litter boxes of different, color, shape, size, and depth. There’ll be at least one box which will be the most suitable to her.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a litter box for a cat is not difficult but there are certain points to keep in mind. Wrongly set up boxes can lead to cat litter problems which are harmful to you and your cats. Keep these points in your mind and that will be all to easily set up the litter box. However, cat litter problems won’t disappear if you do not clean it properly. If you have to share something with us, drop a comment in a comment section below.

 

Author Bio:

Clara Lou is Co-founder and the Head of Marketing at Petlovesbest.com. Petlovesbest is a one-stop solution for all your pet supplies shopping and pet-related queries.

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