Senior Dogs Have Special Needs

I've had so many dogs in my life and as I watch them age I wanted to share with you all the things that make their senior dogs life so much more enjoyable. It starts with the little things, like a heated pad made especially for dogs to keep those old joints warm and agile as they age. We also pay special attention to their teeth so none of that terrible bacteria goes to the rest of their bodies. I make sure to give all of my dogs The Missing Link everyday to help with their immune system and their fiber content. I'm sure to give an easier diet when I see they are having a hard time digesting. You know, we used to eat whatever we want well not so much as we get older too. So, as my dogs age I incorporate some raw and canned food into their diets for easy digestion.
 One of my dogs Lucy is hard to wake up after sleeping and becomes startled easily if we approach from behind.  Hearing loss or deafness may be a reason for this. There isn't a lot that can be done for age-related hearing loss, but a vet exam should be done first to rule out other medical problems, such as an infection, growth, or foreign body in the ear.
                                    
*If your dog does experience hearing loss, take care to protect him/her from hazards, such as cars and kids that s/he may not hear (or see). Dogs do learn and adapt well using hand signals to come, stay, sit, and so on. It is a good idea to "cross train" your dog early in life to recognize basic hand signals. C

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  Cody had Cloudy or "bluish" eyes - As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging. Vision does not appear to be affected. This is NOT the same as cataracts. Cataracts are white and opaque. Vision can be affected by cataracts. Make sure to provide a safe place for your furry friend and don't move the furniture around once you have provided a safe path for your pet to go to and from.

When it comes to jumping, I try and make things easier by providing ramps and stairs depending on the size of the dog. We want to protect their hips and knees and make sure we get some good exercise with some steady walking. I also make sure to give Answers Raw Goat's Milk it's like giving the best probiotic ever. The dogs love the taste and it makes for a great morning treat because it's real food. Talking about food, don't forget the fresh veggies that will help with their immune systems too.
So, think of all the things you may have changed in your life to give you a long and healthy life...let's do the same for our furry friends. They'll kiss you for it!

What's Up With All The Recalls?

A record number of pet food recalls has happened in the past year. Contrary, to thinking that the pet food manufacturers are not working harder to prevent positive test for Salmonella and other bacteria in their products, just the opposite is true. Just about every food manufacturer now has a "test and hold" program in place. No product gets released for resale until it comes back with a negative test for Salmonella. So, why do the recalls keep happening?
Turns out the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act  which became a law in January, 2011 is to "ensure the US food supply is safe by shifting the focus from responding to contamination to preventing it."  Hence, the FDA is testing more foods. The more you look the more you find.
In March 2013, an FDA directive explains why we've had so many pet food, treats, and pet nutritional supplements recalls lately. FDA agents were instructed to collect and analyze 300 samples for Salmonella in the pet food industry. They specifically were looking at pet items that are fed in the homes and were directly handled or ingested by humans. So, from March through September 2013 the FDA did their job.
Salmonella has been with us humans and our furry friends for thousands of years. As long as a pet food manufacturer uses good ingredients and good practices we'll survive minor contamination. Just remember to wash the raw chicken off your kitchen counter while preparing your families dinner.

FDA Update on Jerky Treats Making Our Pets Sick

If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.

The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.

To date, FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has conducted more than 1,200 tests, visited jerky pet treat manufacturers in China and collaborated with colleagues in academia, industry, state labs and foreign governments. Yet the exact cause of the illnesses remains elusive.

To gather even more information, FDA is reaching out to licensed veterinarians and pet owners across the country. "This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," says CVM Director Bernadette Dunham, DVM, Ph.D. "Our beloved four-legged companions deserve our best effort, and we are giving it."

Meanwhile, a consumer fact sheet will accompany the letter to veterinarians so they can alert consumers to the problem and remind them that treats are not essential to a balanced diet. The fact sheet also explains to consumers how they can help FDA's investigation by reporting potential jerky pet treat-related illnesses online or by calling the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator for their state.

What to Look Out For

Within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruit, some pets have exhibited decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), increased water consumption, and/or increased urination.

Severe cases have involved kidney failure, gastrointestinal bleeding, and a rare kidney disorder. About 60 percent of cases involved gastrointestinal illness, and about 30 percent involved kidney and urinary systems.

The remaining cases reported various symptoms, such as collapse, convulsions or skin issues.

Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China. Manufacturers of pet foods are not required by U.S. law to state the country of origin for each ingredient in their products.

A number of jerky pet treat products were removed from the market in January 2013 after a New York State lab reported finding evidence of up to six drugs in certain jerky pet treats made in China. While the levels of these drugs were very low and it's unlikely that they caused the illnesses, FDA noted a decrease in reports of jerky-suspected illnesses after the products were removed from the market. FDA believes that the number of reports may have declined simply because fewer jerky treats were available.

What FDA Is Doing

More than 1,200 jerky pet treat samples have been tested since 2011 from antibiotics to metals, pesticides and Salmonella. 

Inspections of the facilities in China that manufacture jerky products associated with some of the highest numbers of pet illness reports did not identify the cause of illness. However, they did identify additional paths of investigation, such as the supply chain of some ingredients in the treats. Although FDA inspectors have found no evidence identifying the cause of the spate of illnesses, they did find that one firm used falsified receiving documents for glycerin, a jerky ingredient. Chinese authorities informed FDA that they had seized products at the firm and suspended its exports.

To identify the root cause of this problem, FDA is meeting regularly with regulators in China to share findings. The agency also plans to host Chinese scientists at its veterinary research facility to increase scientific cooperation.

FDA has also reached out to U.S. pet food firms seeking further collaboration on scientific issues and data sharing, and has contracted with diagnostic labs.

"Our fervent hope as animal lovers," says Dunham, "is that we will soon find the cause of—and put a stop to—these illnesses."

This article appears on FDA's Consumer Updates page, which features the latest on all FDA-regulated products.

Oct. 22, 2013

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If Your Dog Is Walking Slower It May Be More Than Old Age

Thanks to some great nutrition available to our dogs our canine friends are living longer these days. My Moms' dog (on Pet 's Healthy Choice food) just passed away at age 17.  The passing of time also can bring on inflammatory diseases like arthritis. This can make it difficult to get up, walk without hurting and have playtime. Most dogs will take those long walks with you and that afternoon be unable to move off the floor, or in the case of my dogs' off the couch.

Today, there are so many great supplements to help. I really like adding glucosamine to my dogs' diet. There are several ways to do that. Some people choose regular people glucosamine for their dogs. I prefer a more flavorful way with a product that includes even more benefits. The right glucosamine dosage for dogs depends on various factors.  The main factor is the dog’s weight.  Generally speaking, a dog that weighs under 10 lbs. should only take 300 mg of glucosamine daily; dogs that weigh from 11-29 lbs. should have twice this much.  Dogs that weigh from 30-59 lbs. should have 1200 mg of glucosamine daily, and dogs that weigh from 60-120 lbs. should have a dosage of 1800 mg. My product of choice is  The Missing Link it is a sprinkle and you use one teaspoon per 25 lbs of dog. The other benefits include omegas for joint and heart health and a beautiful coat. It also has flaxseed for the immune system along with the glucosamine. I have used The Missing Link for over ten years now and it works wonderfully.
Most of our clients who use it come back with some amazing stories about how their dogs are moving so much better. Recently, one dog was having such trouble getting up the stairs they tried the sprinkle now they are so thankful they discovered this product. With Winter soon approaching, it's time for you to consider adding this to your furry friends diet for a comfortable aging process. Recent science tells us not to wait until symptoms appear but, to include it after age two years old as a preventative for our pets.The Missing Link a great product to keep out furry friends happy and healthy! Call, email or stop by our store for more information.

Hairballs! Yuck!

Cats get hairballs. They just do. Ok, so what to do about them? First, make sure you're feeding a high quality kibble, canned or raw diet. Fiber is the key to less frequent hairballs. In the wild, cats took care to add fiber with yes, feathers and fur while eating their prey.  Today, if your feline is indoors and not out hunting make sure to add fiber to the diet if you are having frequent hairball issues. Read the cat food label to look at the fiber content within the guaranteed analysis. 8% is a good number. If you are wanting to add more fiber to the diet you can accomplish that with pumpkin (canned with no sugar, please) or veggies. Although, most cats are not into veggies (kinda like the kids). Cats are carnivores and as meat eaters that is what excites them. If all else fails, there are natural supplements on the market today to help. NutraVet makes a hairball gel that works. If you have any questions, just let us know we're here to help! Furry Friends Inc.

Rotational Diets

The pet food nutrition experts are talking a lot about rotational diets for dogs. This means you want to change up the diet as often as you like   If you ate the same food everyday you might become bored and you would most likely not get all the nutrients the body requires for optimum health. Changing up your dogs diet means changing the protein source or keeping on the same kibble and adding some high quality canned food or raw food to their diet.  This allows your dog to get excited every time you feed him.

Try and stay with more common protein sources like chicken, lamb, pork and beef. A dog can get an allergy to anything at anytime. Chances of getting an allergy is when you are feeding that same diet all the time. Mixing it up is a good thing. If at all possible, try to stay within one manufacturer food sources. The basic ingredients are typically the same and there is less of a food transition concern. If your dog has a sensitive stomach try some canned pumpkin during the switch  or use the Fruitables product called Switch. Don't try the more unique protein sources like duck, rabbit or kangaroo. If your dog has already been exposed to these protein sources the allergy may extend to all of those and you will be out of luck if and when an allergy strikes. Remember, the common signs of an allergy include hot spots, ear infections and licking paws. If you see any of these symptoms, it's time to change the diet as there may be a food sensitivity.Check out the new interactive feeder

What's New At the Zoo?

I just got back from Super Zoo in Vegas where we walked four football fields of new vendor products looking for just the "right stuff."  I also attended some great educational seminars by leading industry speakers. I went to seminars on weight control for pets, skin and coat issues, and nutritional reviews by leading scientists and veterinarians. In the coming blogs, I will be sharing this info with you. Today, let me share with you what was new at the Zoo! First, let me tell you about the awarded best products. There is a new feeding "bowl" that doesn't look like a bowl at all. It is made of a hard material that sits up like grass. The pet food is poured into the bowl and it truly slows the pet down while eating. There is a video showing a dog eating in a few minutes with an old style bowl and now the new bowl takes the pet about twenty minutes to complete a meal. Now, that is an effective product.
The next product that won first place is called ifetch. Ifetch is a ceramic container with two holes.  The first hole is on the top for putting balls into and the second hole spits the ball out to throw the ball for your dog. How about that?  It plugs in or uses batteries. It is in its infancy stages right now and going to manufacturing. It was a lot of fun and your dog can actually learn to play ball on his own. Of course,it's no fun to play by yourself. Moral of that story, get out and play with your pet.

Allergies or Yeast?

Seasonal Allergies? Or Yeast Infection?

Allergies can get pretty expensive with testing, changes in foods, supplements and the list goes on. But, is it really an allergy? Does it appear in the spring and then go away in the fall? You might want to consider yeast being the culprit. Check out the symptoms of a yeast infection: chewing or licking the feet, scratching the ears, or head shaking, cyclic manifestations of symptoms, hair loss (especially on the tail and upper back), Speckles, like black dots on the underbelly, a foul smell and/or greasy hair, baldness and black skin when associated with hair loss. All of these symptoms point to yeast, and when it happens the local immune system doesn't function properly and yeast starts to bloom and invade the body. Veterinarians often miss these early signs of yeast infection. We often recommend a product called DerMagic Skin Hot Spot Salve. It is an all natural product that heals and absolutely makes your pet a happy camper again. So, before you spend all that money and think your pet has allergies try a natural way. Check out DerMagic here

I've Tried EVERYTHING And My Dog Is Still Fat!

I hear that comment on a daily basis. Every dog is unique and every dog can benefit by a custom diet. Just like us people, we don't all respond to the same thing when it comes to losing weight. So, experiment...try a lower calorie kibble, or switch to a raw diet or both. Most importantly, check out the REAL number of calories your furry friend should be eating every day. Feeding a couple of times a day helps the blood sugar stay at an even level which helps a dog feel satisfied and content. This also helps with a dog that has a food anxiety. Rule of thumb, feed twice daily. 
Now, let's talk about that raw diet. I'm not talking about going to the store cooking chicken and adding rice. This can really backfire on you because your dog is not getting the right nutrients. We want a complete and balanced diet that has all the vitamins and minerals your dog needs daily. Check out Nature Variety's line up which we carry at the store and online. Check out a good raw diet here If you have any questions, let me know. We're here to help.

Should I Switch Dog Food?

Today there are several brands, flavors, sizes of kibble, protein sources and variety of dog foods. Sometimes you have to wonder should my dog eat the same thing every day of his life? The short  answer is probably not. Rotational diets have become popular today for good reason.  Dogs eating the same thing all the time can develop allergies or food sensitivities. One of the common protein food sensitivities is chicken.  Today we carry chicken, lamb, duck, turkey, wild boar, duck, bison, venison, whitefish, salmon and the list goes on. Each source provides different nutrients to your furry friends like it does for our human bodies.  Some folks like to stay with the same kibble and add some high quality canned foods. Remember, no sugars and no chemical preservatives. If your dog has a sensitive stomach go extra slow transitioning to a  different food. There are also products available like Switch which makes transitioning to new foods easy. It is a combination of different types of pumpkin and ginger. Check our new foods here
Let me know if you have any questions and mix it up your furry friend will appreciate it.

Where Did All The Chicken Jerky Go?

Safe USA Chicken Jerky Treats

We've had several clients come into the store recently wondering where their dog's chicken jerky treats have gone to. They go to the grocery store and just can't find it anywhere. Let me solve that mystery for you. The FDA continues to get reports of sick dogs sometimes resulting in death from these chicken treats made in China. If you are feeding treats made from China (check the very fine print) you need to reconsider and throw them away. It is not worth the risk!  We have heard of dogs in kidney failure and bouts of pancreatitis that can kill your dog.
If you are feeding duck treats or other treats from China-throw them away!  The FDA cannot seem to find the cause however, there have been some discussions of the glycerin being the culprit in these treats. Whatever the cause, please buy USA treats. Yes, you will pay more, but knowing the safety standards from these treats far outweigh the cost.  I have a few clients dehydrating their own chicken however, I caution that you do that process correctly. One woman came to us telling us she almost killed her own dog when she did not cook the chicken properly. She spent a lot of money at her vet getting her sick dog well.
Please make sure to read the source of the treats. Some companies are putting "packaged in the United States" on the packages however, it does not say MADE in the US.  I know your furry friend is part of your family. So, just like our children be careful and don't be fooled by high level marketing.  Come to our store or look online at our safe and healthy treats for your pet.

Treats can be Natural

Treats-what to do? We all like to give a little something to that great big or little furry friend in our home. The problem comes when we don't look at the labels. Pick up most pet treats at the grocery store or chain store and you may be asking for trouble. Products made with questionable ingredients from foreign countries without strict food guidelines. This creates a big concern and can cost you thousands of dollars in vet bills. Sick pets and budging tummies are what we get from feeding these kind of treats.
Why not think natural? Pets light up with a simple green bean. Other fresh vegetables might be broccoli, cauliflower,carrots,celery and the list goes on. Make sure they are fresh or frozen and not from a can. We don't want to upset the system with extreme amounts of sodium (something humans need to remember too).  If you do end up purchasing your treats please make sure to buy them from an independent pet store that cares about your pets and researches every ingredient and country of origin. Check our furryfriendsinc.com and know and trust that all of our treats are safe. Look for low calorie treats and watch those calories. Every calorie counts in the battle of the bulge!

Weight loss tip and tricks for your Furry Friend

Did you notice our furry friends are getting fat? I talk to more clients every day trying to get the weight off the couch potatoes. So, what do I tell them to do? First, think small! Pretend your small dog lets say is 14 pounds. Would you feed a 14 pound child as much as you're trying to feed your pet?   Would you give your "child" every treat and left over in the kitchen. I believe if you can think of your pet in these terms you'll realize you need to think small. Even if your dog is 70 pounds that's about the size of a ten year old boy. I think about my grandson and how big he might become if I let him have all the french fries and chocolate shakes he could ever ask for in a day.  Thinking small is a BIG idea to help get the weight off . Stay tuned for some more tips...