How to Help Your Senior Pet Maintain a Healthy Weight

It is just as important for pets to be at a healthy weight as it is for their human owners. Overweight pets are at a risk of developing arthritis, pain, and lameness. They also can develop intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) that can lead to paralysis, especially in long-backed breeds like miniature dachshunds. Overweight dogs take more time to recover from surgery and often experience sub clinical conditions such as inflammation, high cholesterol, and high lipids that lead to pancreatitis, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disease. Obese dogs frequently experience breathing difficulty and heart problems. When senior pets are overweight, their age and weight combine to contribute to a higher risk of developing these health concerns. That’s why it is crucial for senior pet owners to help their four-legged loved ones maintain a healthy weight.

Change your pet’s diet

Your veterinarian is in the best position to help you determine exactly how overweight your senior pet is, what his diet should consist of, and how often you should feed him. Your vet will guide you through helping your senior pet lose weight in a healthy and safe way. It is likely that your vet will instruct you to lower your senior pet’s intake of carbohydrates and help lose weight slowly over time rather than drastically changing his diet. Your vet will also most likely ask you to stop feeding your senior pet table scraps and other people food, as it is often high in sugar, salt, and carbohydrates. A balanced, nutritious diet is best for your senior pet. Orijen Senior dog food is a great choice. 

Sometimes, pet owners do not recognize how many treats they give their senior pets in one day. While we understand that you love your pet and want to reward him or show him affection with a treat, you are not doing anything to help him maintain a healthy weight. Consider tracking how many treats you feed your senior pet in a day if you think that you may be contributing to his weight problem.

Another option is to avoid giving your senior pet high-calorie, processed treats and instead choose healthier treats for him. Carrots are a healthy snack for pets, as are apples without the seeds or core, blueberries, green beans, and frozen bananas. Keep in mind that raisins and grapes are poisonous for dogs. You should also avoid peaches, plums, and persimmons because of their pits.

Be sure your senior pet gets plenty of exercise

No, your senior pet should not be running a marathon with you every day. But, your senior pet should be getting plenty of exercise. Of course, discuss your pet’s new exercise regimen with your veterinarian before you begin to ensure that you don’t overdo it. One of the best ways to exercise your senior pet is to go on vigorous walks. Dedicate time each day to at least one thirty-minute walk. If your schedule prevents you from walking with your senior pet, hire a dog walker who can get him outside when you cannot. Most dog walkers have flexible schedules, so you should be able to hire one who can work around your schedule.

Swimming is an activity that is ideal for older dogs because it is low impact and easy on their weakened joints and muscles. Swimming also builds strength and is relaxing and comforting for most dogs.

Playing tug-of-war is an exercise option that is great for exercising older dogs. This game strengthens their bodies and is good for their jaws, neck, and shoulders. Just be sure to be gentle and avoid hard or violent tugging or swinging that can cause your senior pet to strain a muscle or cause dental damage.

Other exercise options include playing with your senior pet. Fetching a ball or a Frisbee can be a fun exercise for your pet and yourself. He may not be able to chase a ball as quickly as he once did, but your pet will enjoy playing with toys with you and engaging in activities that get him to run, jump, and chase to the best of his ability.

Your senior pet deserves to be happy and healthy to the end of his days. By helping him maintain a healthy weight, you will increase the chances that he will feel good and play with you for as long as possible.

Visit Mickeyspetsupplies.com

This blog post is courtesty of Janice Miller.

Janice Miller is a veterinarian and also runs a non-profit that helps place shelter dogs with foster parents until they go to their forever homes. She helped co-create SafetyToday.org because she wanted to have a way to spread reputable pet health and safety resources to pet owners everywhere. The site seeks to provide homeowners, parents, and pet owners with the information they need to keep themselves and their loved ones out of harm’s way.

Image via Pixabay by bykst

15 Made in USA Dog Toys Your Dog is Sure to Love

Hugglehounds Made in America Bear dog toy

Made in Vermont from soft wale corduroy. It measures 12 inches. This handsome bear is stuffed with hypo-allergenic fiber fill with a large loud squeaker in its belly.

SodaPup Can Toy

Can Toy is a natural rubber chew toy that is sustainable, non-toxic, and biodegradable. Stuff this treat dispenser toy with treats, watch the fun begin, and keep your dog entertained for hours. 

American Dog Tommy Turtle dog toy

Made from 100% Cordura 1000D(An extremely resilient spec material being used by the military). Fabric is sourced in US from North Carolina. This durable toy has double stitched seams, tug straps for tossing and throwing and a squeaker for added fun! 

Unbreakoball

Virtually Indestructible Ball is gorilla tough, and constructed from safe, non-toxic polyethylene plastic. Provides hours of fun. Won't tear, break or burst!

Ruff Dawg Super Tug

Rugged and durable, made from a superior grade rubber.  This made in USA dog tug toy is gentle on teeth and gums and a great source of exercise. Perfect for large puppies that like to chew. Plus its Vanilla scented!

Doggie Styles and Kitty Too Moo Choo plush

Moo Choo cow is one of our favorite companion toys. Made of cow print plush material, stuffed with hypo-allergenic fiber fill, and a squeaker. Made in USA- from Vermont.

Jolly Pets Bounce N Play Ball

Puncture resistant, made in USA tough dog ball. This ball has amazing bounce and a each color is scented differently. This is like the popular tug and toss ball without the handle. It is made of a flexible plastic, so it gives to your dog's bite and bounces well. It will not deflate and does not need air. It's great for pouncing, bouncing, chewing, chasing and floating. 

Jolly Pets Jolly Egg

Designed for constant, erratic motion, the Jolly Egg has a fun oval shape that dogs love to chase. These egg shaped balls really get dogs moving and now little dogs can exercise too! The shape of the egg ball makes it shoot away when your dog tries to grab it, then the chase is on.They can never quite get a grip on the Egg, but they love to try! Since the toy constantly escapes your dog, it gives your dog a safe, fun outlet for their prey instinct. This is a very sturdy toy and we recommend this for those dogs who seem to destroy everything.

JW Pet Megalast Ball

Made of durable Megalastomer, bright translucent colors, and infused with vanilla for great taste. Not to mention it floats!

Planet Dog Orbee Ball

What could be more fun for your dog than this super tough and durable ball that has a map of the world on it. Plus it is Minty too- to keep your dogs breath fresh. This ball is rated a really tough and durable 5 out of 5 chompers- Great for aggressive chewing dogs. 

West Paw Design Hurley

These dog toys are designed to be recyclable and to create virtually no waste during our manufacturing process. Hurley dog toys are all the fun of a ball and a bone in one durable toy. West Paws dog toys are made from extremely pliable, one-of-a-kind material, Zogoflex. This versatile dog toy is bound to give your favorite dog chomper hours of enjoyment - Guaranteed.  

West Paw Design Floppy Toys

floppy, flat and fabulous, the stuffing-free Floppy dog toys are designed for dogs that have a tendency to love traditional plush toys to pieces. Great for pouncing, shaking, tossing and retrieving, these lively toys have two squeakers sewn inside. Because they’re made with baby-blanket soft material, Floppy toys are as soft and snuggly as they are fun.

Kong Wobbler

KONG- shaped food and treat dispensing toy that provides a new way to entertain and challenge your dog. The Wobbler sits upright until pushed with a dogs paw or nose, then wobbles, spins and rolls, dispensing treats through a KONG-shaped hole near the top. Dogs quickly learn that motion causes treats to fall out, but the unpredictable movement keeps the toy challenging, even for seasoned Wobbler users. The Wobbler is Made in the USA of durable, FDA food-approved, high-strength polymer.

Katie’s Bumpers Firehose Sqwuggie dog toy

The Sqwuggie has a strong sewn-in loop tug handle for playing fetch or retrieval and a muffled squeaker so they are quiet for the 2 leggeds among us but perfect for the sensitive ears of every dog. These dog toys are made of recycled USA fire hose. These toys are water resistant, machine washable and dryable.

Mutts and Mittens Timber Duck

This big duck measures 19 inches long and about 13 inches wide, making it great for a big dog. Soft, snugly, durable, washable and dryable! Superior workmanship, 100% Made in USA with US materials and labor, double stitched cotton thread. Each handcrafted plush toy contains a durable squeaker.

You will find the largest selection of all made in USA pet supplies of any store. We are proud to support our small local manufacturers here in the USA,

Take 10% off your purchase of  Made in USA dog toys with code  MUSTUSA at Mickey's Pet Supplies. 

Call 877-863-5431 to order by phone.

Low cost shipping and FREE on orders of $75 or more. 

Shampoos That Are Safe For Your Pet

Everyone has their own favorite routines to bathe their pets. Many owners just use human shampoo to maintain a fresh smelling coat. But there’s a reason why pets have their own special shampoo, and no, it’s not just because of marketing purposes.

Good pet shampoos are superior to human products, and here’s why. Most human shampoos can be very harsh on your pets, even for us humans! The chemicals and fragrances in most brands are actually working against your pet’s natural ability to maintain their beautiful skin and coat. They may smell better, but it’s negative damage overall. Often the damage is so gradual that many pet owners don’t notice the effects.

The fact is, pets have more sensitive skin than we do and human shampoo is much more likely to dry them out and make them itchy. In fact, some owners are quick to suspect allergies when the real culprits are the types of products being used for bath-time!

If your pet has rashes, or has somewhat irritated, dry, flaky, and/or peeling skin then it may be time to re-evaluate what you’re using on them. If that’s already the case, try a natural oatmeal shampoo, also made for pets, which can relieve such irritations.

So now we’ve talked about human versus pet shampoo, but what makes one pet shampoo better than another? There are so many different options that it can be very overwhelming. When in doubt, read the label. An ideal pet shampoo will contain no soap or detergents, and even better if it has either low fragrance or no fragrance at all.

“But I want my pet to smell really good!” I know, we all do. But understand that a pets sense of smell is much higher than ours and adding to much fragrance to your best friends coat can be irritating and make them uncomfortable. I promise, if the pet shampoo you pick out does what it should, your furry friend should smell great even without a fragrance. “What about baby shampoo?” Believe it or not, your pets skin is actually more sensitive than a baby’s because it is covered in fur.

Back to the no-soap talk. “But isn’t soap what cleans my pet?” Well, yes, it does, but that’s because soap is a powerful surfactant that removes oil secretions from the skin. Is it needed in a pet shampoo? No. Why? Some breeds and species are prone to sensitive skin and others suffer from allergies. A soap-free shampoo will help soothe itching and keep your best pal clean at the same time. Plus, if you are using a flea treatment, only soap-free shampoos will not remove the treatment from your pets because the flea treatment needs the natural oils of your pet to absorb into the skin.

Avoid commercial shampoos with polyethylene glycol, a petroleum used as a base for cosmetics that can be an irritant; sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate, both detergents frequently found in canine shampoos.

Good pet shampoos made without soap generally contain ingredients such as oatmeal, coconut, essential oils or aloe vera. Look for labels that read ‘organic’ or ‘natural’, but always check the ingredients to be sure the product doesn’t contain soap.

“But wait, what about conditioner?” It’s not needed. A conditioner’s main purpose is to cover up the damage done by shampoo by replacing natural hair oils with artificial oils. If you are using a soap-free shampoo, you are already using a wonderful product to clean your pet without removing all of its natural oils, so there is no need to ‘cover up damage’. Conditioners stay on the hair and get absorbed by your scalp. Imagine how much fur your pet has compared to your hair. That is a lot of absorption!

Looking for a great start to soap-free shampoo? Mickey’s PetSupplies has some wonderful shampoos for every need!

• For general bathing: Cloud Star Buddy Wash Lavender and Mint and Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Shampoo.
• For dogs that need some coat whitening: Veterinary Formula Snow White Shampoo and Tropiclean Awapuhi White Coat Shampoo.
• For puppies and kittens: Tropiclean Puppy and Kitten Shampoo.
• Facial Cleanser: Spa Lavish Tear Stain Remover.
• And our fragrance free shampoo: Earthbath Oatmeal and Aloe Fragrance Free (perfect for all animals over 6 weeks)

Choosing Healthier Food and Treats for Your Dog

Choosing Healthier Foods And Treats For Your Dog

In the shadow of recent reports of poisons and toxins found in locally manufactured dog foods and treats being shipped in from overseas, pet lovers are becoming more vigilant about what they’re feeding their four-legged friends. And for good reason, since thousands of deaths have been linked to toxins found in these pet products and blamed for other illnesses and diseases that have crippling our canines. 

Labels - Labels - Labels

When it comes to feeding our beloved animals, it can’t be overstated the necessity of reading labels when it comes to making these important pet purchases. For example, corn is commonly listed as the first ingredient in many different brands of dog food. This cheap and starchy filler is often used by manufacturers to meet Federal guidelines for caloric requirements.

 But corn and other types of grains can have a number of adverse effects on our pets, everything from digestive issues to skin allergies have been reported. When choosing healthy dog food for your canine, be sure the first, foremost and largest ingredient listed and used in production, is protein found from meat sources and not corn, which isn’t fully or easily digested by the majority of dogs.

More Natural Choices

While more natural and healthier options for treats are fairly easy to find these days, even hypoallergenic choices are available online, many people are looking at the many benefits and availability of fresh fruits and vegetables when it comes to feeding our pets. People may actually be surprised by some of the many healthy foods dogs find appealing.

For example, many canines enjoy eating raw carrots and believe they’re some kind of a chew toy and will gnaw them to ribbons and consume the leftovers as well. During summer months, some canines are treated with “pumpkin pops” easily made from freezing solid packed pumpkin in ice cube trays. Both of these orange additions to their diet are packed with vitamins and minerals and pumpkin also aids with doggie digestion.

Other Options & Those To Ignore

There’s plenty of vegetables to supplement your dog’s diet, greens like kale, spinach, beans and broccoli are all excellent choices. Blueberries are high in antioxidants and fish oil has a number of benefits. But there are also some dangerous “people” foods that need to be deleted from a canine’s menu. While we all know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs:

●       The artificial sweetener xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum and some desserts, can cause toxic events in our pets.

●       Grapes and raisins have adverse reactions in many dogs for some unknown reason and even though it only occurs in certain canines, they should still be omitted.

●       Along with chocolate, caffeine should also be avoided in a canine’s diet.

●       Nuts, especially macadamia, are also dangerous for dogs.

●       Avocadoes cause all kinds of animals of different problems and perils, so don’t let your dog anywhere near the guacamole dip, not to mention the risk of the choking hazard presented by the pit.

Other foods and beverages that aren’t healthy for humans shouldn’t be consumed by dogs either. Things like alcohol, salty snack foods unrisen yeast doughs should also be avoided.

Other Meats To Consider

When it comes to getting more meat and less grains in our dog’s diet, sometimes we overlook other types of protein sources that aren’t as traditional. There’s more to meat than beef and poultry, fish, bison, rabbit, deer, even kangaroo should also be considered as healthier alternatives.

Some animals can develop allergies or other adverse reactions from being fed the same thing for extended periods of time, so think about mixing it up a little when it comes to your pet’s feeding time. Especially when it comes to foods that contain a great deal of grains, these can take a toll on a dog’s digestive system over time. Think about it this way, in the wild, would dogs be eating things like corn, barley, wheat or rice?

While you should always check with your veterinarian before making changes to your dog’s diet, they’ll agree with some healthier choices in most circumstances. Depending upon their current eating regimen, and other factors like age, size, breed, activity levels and so forth, healthier alternatives are always a good option when it comes to feeding our beloved four-legged friends. 

Contributing author is Amber Kingsley. Amber is a freelance writer who has donated countless hours supporting her local shelters in Santa Monica, CA.  Her focus with writing is on pet related topics such as pet food, health and training. 

Courtesy of Mickey's Pet Supplies- a natural pet store specializing in high quality made in USA treats, toys, grooming products and pet health products. 

5 Unusual Summertime Threats To Our Pets

As animal lovers, we all hope that everyone has gotten the message, loud and clear, never leave an animal alone in a hot car, not even for one minute! 

But during the warmer months of summer, there’s many other perils out there facing our pets. Aside from looking for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion, we should also be careful to avoid some other risks under the afternoon sun.

Always provide plenty of shade and cool water for your pets. 

 Here are four lesser known threats that face our pets during the dog days of summer:

#1 - Coolant Calamity

Before it gets too hot (or even too cold), many DIY motorists will change out the coolant (or antifreeze) in their automobiles. The main ingredient in these products, ethylene glycol is highly toxic for animals. Just a few drops of this sweet-tasting substance can cause acute life-threatening conditions like renal failure and death in some cases.

Be sure you keep this dangerous chemical away from your animals at all times and be on the lookout for this deadly substance in driveways, puddles and parking lots in your area.

#2 - Surface Stings

Many of us forget how hot the pavement, sidewalks and other outdoor surfaces become under the searing summer heat. For example, on a typical summer’s day, when the exterior temperature reaches 95℉, concrete rises to 125℉, red bricks commonly found on patios soar to 130℉ and black asphalt on the street climbs to a blistering 140℉. Beyond the threshold of pain at just 120℉, at temperatures of 140℉, permanent damage from burns and scarring can occur.

Before you consider letting your cat out onto the patio or taking your dog for a walk, consider their sensitive paws on these hot surfaces. Unless you’ll be out there with them barefoot, at least feel the temperature of the ground before putting them in harm’s way.

#3 - Bad Barbeque

This is the time of year when all our friends and family stop by for a delicious backyard barbeque, but this environment can be tricky for our animals. Imagine a cute little toddler running around with a piece of delicious, barbequed chicken that is quickly snatched by a passing pooch. Or perhaps a neighbor cat is rummaging through the trash and consuming harmful leftovers. When you’re cooking out, consider keeping your pets indoors or at the very least:

●       Be sure garbage containers have tightly fitting lids

●       Keep them away from insecticides like citronella candles and other toxins

●       Make sure the hot grill is monitored at all times

During the Fourth of July, many animals are frightened by fireworks, the noises, explosions and bright lights. But remember, immediately after the festivities have fizzled, be sure to dispose of all these items safely since the mere scent or taste of these fireworks can be hazardous for pets.

 #4 - Faulty Food

Nothing says summertime like a refreshing fruit salad, although some of these ingredients are actually healthy for dogs and cats, others are dangerous. For example, grapes and raisins can cause a number of different dilemmas for animals. While we all know not to give dogs chocolate, other foods to avoid include:

●       Sugar free dishes with xylitol can cause vomiting, seizures liver failure or even death.

●       Hot dogs can be swallowed too quickly and cause a choking hazard

●       Dips that come with chips can contain onions and garlic which can be poisonous

●       Nuts, especially macadamia, can also be toxic for pets

#5 - Pet Sunburn  

Our pets need protection this summer from those burning rays too.  Exposed pink noses and ears can get sunburned.  Make sure you dab a little on those susceptible precious areas. We recommend Doggles Pet Sunscreen as it is non-toxic and safe.  Absolutely, do not use anything with Zinc Oxide as it is toxic to your pet. 

Don't shave your long hair dog as those hairs are protecting him from the sun. Just use an undercoat rake to remove excess hair.

We can all enjoy the summer months without risking injury or illness by being a little more vigilant and paying some more attention to our pets. So go ahead and beat the heat while keeping an extra eye on your four-legged friends this summer

Contributing author is Amber Kingsley. Amber is a freelance writer who has donated countless hours supporting her local shelters in Santa Monica, CA.  Her focus with writing is on pet related topics such as pet food, health and training. 

Courtesy of Mickey's Pet Supplies- a natural pet store specializing in high quality made in USA treats, toys, grooming products and pet health products. 

Katie's Bumpers Firehose Made in USA dog toys

Have you wanted to play with your dog in the water or woods and really wanted a durable toy that you could find?

Try Katie's Bumpers dog toys. These toys are made of a rugged firehose material and have a wonderful gripper handle. Katie's bright colors make it so easy to spot.

They float and easy to toss for a great game of fetch and retrieve.

They are just the right weight for your dog to carry. When they get dirty just toss them in the sink with some soap and water or toss in the dishwasher.

They are so many styles to choose from.  You can do the Frequent Flyer that are a triangular or square shape with squeakers inside. They toss great and work on land, water and snow. There are the double handled-tugs and of course for smaller dogs, the mini-tugs.

These interactive dog toys are used by K-9 police trainers, dog trainers, dog behaviorists and come highly recommended by anyone that has used them.

They are made in the USA from rugged, pre-consumer recycled fire hose material.

These toys are tough, but should be used with supervision and not given to any dog as a chew toy.

Mickey's Pet Supplies has a large selection of high quality Made in USA dog toys.

You can call their toll free number 877-863-5431 to order or visit their website at http://www.mickeyspetsupplies.

Wholesome Hide Reviews

Mickey's Pet Supplies has the largest selection and low prices on Wholesome Hide made in USA rawhide.
You will find the greatest selection of all the Wholesome Hide product line.

Why rawhide?
It's only natural for your dog to enjoy chewing rawhide. After all, for centuries, wild canines chewed on the hides of their hoofed prey. Not only does it just "feel right" to a dog, chewing hid provides cleaning action for teeth, exercise for gums, soothing for older dogs, and is a source of sport for puppies.

Why choose Wholesome Hide?
Wholesome Hide rawhide is sourced fresh from USA cattle.  This company uses only the highest quality hides that are shipped by refrigerated trucks to their Chicago facility.  There the hides are thicker, tastier and made without those pieces and scraps that you find in the imported rawhides. These made in USA rawhides are the safest and best choice for your dogs because they are the only company that has fully USA sourced and produced rawhide chews.

The Wholesome Hide difference:
These rawhide bones are fresher, thicker, long lasting and safer for your dogs than the imports. The tasty collagen layer is left intact due to minimal processing, which means a more flavorful chew that your dog will surely enjoy. Because the hides are fresh and made to order, they are easier to "wet down" and tear off into smaller pieces than the dry and brittle rawhide you find in the big box stores. Wholesome Hide rawhides are Whole Dog Journal tested and recommended. Once you try Wholesome Hide rawhide you will see the difference immediately!

What rawhide products are available?
Rawhide can be formed into an amazing number of products. From little chips to giant rolls and bones, there's a rawhide treat available that will be sure to please your pet. Here are a few popular choices.

• Flat knot bones
• These last longer than sticks or chips. Thicker bones keep dogs chewing longer.
• Rawhide rolls
• Dogs enjoy playing fetch with these. Super-thick rolls last a long time. Some even contain pork skin rolled within them.
• Twists
• Small dogs do well with these stick shaped treats.
• Chips
• These are chewy treats and can be given as rewards. Chips are usually eaten quicker than other rawhides.
• Chunkee rawhide treats
• These provide a quick crunchy treat and are great for senior pets because they are easier to chew and don't contribute to weight gain.

How often should I give rawhide to my dog?
How often you allow your pet to enjoy its rawhide treat depends upon how aggressively it likes to chew. A good rule of thumb is to let your pet chew a rawhide an hour a day.

Our customer reviews say it all:

• “I have two German Shepherds who consume most "long-lasting" chews within 15 minutes or so. These, on the other hand, keep them working for hours. They have been particularly useful in keeping my 1yr puppy from chewing on other things, like my furniture! I'm happy to have found such a great distributor as the Wholesome Hide Rawhide products can be hard to find.”
• “My dogs go crazy over the wholesome hide twists! Delivery is always fast. This company really cares about their customers and their products.”
• “I tried these for the first time recently for my 5 month old Golden Retriever who is a voracious chewer.  He loves them.  He chews for about an hour per night, til I take it away, and one lasts for a least a week until I feel it is getting too small.  He used to consume the ones from the pet store in one night. If you've got a strong chewer, even a young puppy, I recommend these.  Also of note:  He has no digestive upsets from these bones.”
• “Quality product that is safe and made in the USA.  They might cost a little more but worth it.   I ordered these for my son's lab puppy because my two labs love them so much except I get the larger super thick.  Mine get so excited when the box arrives.   As always, the service is excellent.”
• “We recently discovered these jerky bars and after seeing how excited the dogs were to get them, I bought 3 more bags. There are a lot of treats in a bag! My husband ran some of these through his band saw to make smaller pieces for our small dog, while the larger dog gets a bigger piece. They seem to love the crunch and taste. I like the quality of Wholesome Hide products.”
• “I will say, my dog simply LOVES anything rawhide and this was a perfect treat for him!!  I search and only buy things Made in the USA and was THRILLED to find this website!!  I received everything so quickly and I am a customer for life!!”
• “I like the Wholesome Hide Large Beefhide Chips because they are made in the USA and my dogs love them. They actually sit in front of the shelf they are on and look up to see if it is time. I am a repeat customer of Mickey's Pet Supply because it is easy to shop at home, ships very fast, and reorders are a breeze.”
• “These are a favorite of all three of my dogs.  We have used the WH 9-10 inch Retriever Rolls for several years and decided to try the bacon basted ones when they came out.  They go to these first every time!  I love that Wholesome Hide is made exclusively in the USA and that they are made of a single, thick piece of hide - no little chips hiding inside for the dogs to choke on.  Highly recommended!”

Our customers are treated like our family.  We love to talk with you and are happy to recommend the right size Wholesome Hide made in USA rawhide for your dog.  Give us a call at 877-863-5431.

We are a small business and truly cater to our customers.  We inspect all our products individually to assure that you receive only the best.  We care about your pets!
Visit Mickey's Pet Supplies and take $5 off your $40 order with code BLOG626

Training Your New Puppy

Every interaction with your puppy is a training opportunity.

The first few days of bringing your new puppy home are extremely important. Don't let the excitement of your new puppy sway you from the rules you have set in place. It's very confusing to a dog to allow them on the furniture or to jump up on you at first and then later decide that you don't like it. You must set your boundaries from the start and stick to them.

It will be very tempting to let your puppy out of his crate and up on the bed with you so that he doesn't cry all night, but by doing this you are starting a whole new set of problems. By letting your puppy out when he whines and cries you are teaching him that when he fusses you are going to give him what he wants meaning whenever he wants out of his crate, back inside, up on the couch, up on your bed, your food at the table, or anything else, he is going to whine and cry and bark because he has learned that doing so gets him what he wants.

If that doesn't convince you to want to keep your pup in his crate, also remember that by allowing him freedom at night you are setting him up for failure because your puppy does not know how to hold his bladder all night and you are likely to wake up to a big mess the next morning. Not to mention all the items your puppy will likely find to chew on in order to soothe his aching teeth and gums.

It's hard to ignore the crying of your new bundle of fur. Your new puppy has just been taken away from his mom and litter-mates. He is vulnerable and impressionable. What he needs now is security and routine. It sounds like a good idea to take a few days to spend with your new puppy, but this is actually the worst thing you can do. Your puppy needs to get used to the routine of the household from the start. If you are gone during the day or night, your puppy needs to get used to this right away. Otherwise he's going to be even more confused and upset when he's been used to seeing you all the time and suddenly you are gone. This creates separation anxiety in dogs and can become an extreme health problem if not addressed. To help your puppy sleep better through the night, think about getting a Snuggle Puppy which is a soft puppy toy with a warmer and a heartbeat that helps your puppy to not feel alone and mimics being back with his mom and litter-mates.

Remember, your puppy is very impressionable. Puppies learn very quickly when given the proper instruction. Never hit your puppy or give harsh reprimands. Your puppy does not mean to misbehave, as he is simply being a puppy. And if he does something wrong it is because he has not been taught the rules. Teach your puppy to play with his toys. Make them fun and exciting. If you catch your puppy chewing on furniture, tell him "Off!" and immediately give your puppy a proper chew toy and praise him for chewing on it.
Grannick's Bitter Apple Spray works great as a chew deterrent. This no chew spray has a taste most dogs find unattractive and will help stop your pup from chewing on the item that has been sprayed.



If you don't catch him in the act, don't do anything, your puppy will just be confused. Many people believe their dogs know when they have done something wrong because they look guilty, this is not true. Dogs do not feel guilt, that is a human emotion. The dog looks that way because he knows you are angry and he is trying to send calming signals by crouching down and giving you sideways looks so that you will not hurt him.

When training your puppy, remember these key things:

• Be patient.
• Be consistent.
• Be confident.
• Use treats/toys.
• Try the replacement theory.
• Hold the leash properly.
• Utilize confinement (the crate).
• Learn from others (socialization).
• Stop the biting (teach bite inhibition).
• Use discipline, not cruelty.

For all of your puppy supply needs such as toys, chews and treats, visit Mickey's Pet Supplies.
Take 15% off your first order with code FORPUPPY. with any order from our For Puppies category, excluding Orijen Puppy Food.

For more tips on training, go to www.calm-training.com or email Heather at calmtraining@outlook.com

Does your dog have a Jumping problem?

Most dogs engage in friendly jumping as a way to greet people or play with them. First and foremost, most dogs have been trained to jump-up since puppyhood. When the young pup jumped and pawed, most people patted it on the head and scratched it behind the ear, because they were too lazy to bend down to puppy level. And then one day the dog dutifully jumps-up to greet its owner, who in turn greets the friendly furry with a whop on the butt or a knee in the chest. The dog’s only crime? It grew!

Pawing, licking, and jumping-up are all friendly appeasement gestures – the dog’s way of saying “Welcome home. Pleased to see you. Please accept my presence. Please don’t hurt me.” By punishing your dog for jumping up, the dog has two reasons to show deference – the initial reason and the fact it must now appease an angry owner. And how does it try to appease the owner? By pawing, licking, and jumping-up! This is one of the many paradoxes in training – the more one punishes the dog, the more the behavior increases in frequency.

In the case of jumping on guests, jumping must be prevented 100 percent of the time, but you may not be capable of doing so 100 percent of the time. Let me introduce the concept of “training mode” and “non-training mode.” Training mode is where you actively work on the exercises you have been assigned when guests arrive, and a non-training mode is where you practice management, perhaps having the dog crated in another room when guests arrive, rather than actively attempting to train. You should be in training mode 80 to 90 percent of the time, and in management mode infrequently, such as during a dinner party when training is impractical.

The dog must have a clear understanding of the alternate behavior you prefer. In this case, a Sit or Sit-Stay is an appropriate alternate behavior. The stronger the sit and sit-stay behaviors are by the front door without guests present, the more likely the dog will be to perform the behavior when guests are present. It is essential you reward your dog for being calm in the presence of people.

Begin practicing the Sit and Sit-Stay cues at or near the front door when no guest is present. Make sure the dog gets plenty of obedience practice in all greeting locations he has failed in before or where he is likely to greet guests in the future. Working basic obedience exercises around mild distractions (e.g., opening and closing the front door) will also teach the dog to focus on you and help develop impulse control. This will be beneficial when you begin working with visitors.

Once you see your dog has begun to understand the cues in the appropriate places, test them out! Upon returning to your home, instruct your dog to sit, and delay greeting the dog until it does so. If your dog sits, gently praise the dog. If your dog does not sit, keep trying until he does. Do what it takes – take hold of the dog’s collar and keep hold until the dog complies. This is no more difficult than routinely dealing with the dog in everyday distracting situations. Only this time, you shall persevere, and eventually, your dog will sit and be suitably praised for its trouble. Other reprimands and punishments are neither necessary nor advisable. Your dog will soon learn he has to sit before you will begin to say hello.

Once your dog’s exuberance has waned following the customary display of sniffs, licks, wags and wiggles, slip out of the house by the back door, ‘return home’ via the front door once more and request your dog to assume the appropriate position. This time, however, it should be much easier to get your dog to sit as he is not nearly as excited by your return because he has only just greeted you seconds beforehand. After greeting your dog for the second time, leave and repeat the procedure a third time, and then once more and so on. Your dogs performance will improve with each repeated re-entry.
Post by Heather at Mickeyspetsupplies.com

Pet Nutrition (aka How to tell what food and treats have the best nutritional value for my pet)

We all know nutrition is important, but it’s not just important in our diets, it’s also important in our pets diets as well. Pet parents want the best for their pet, but it can be difficult to figure out what that may be. For best results, we recommend talking to your vet, but we’re going to go over a few things that may help the average pet owner understand their pets nutritional needs a little better, as well as guide them towards food and treats that have great sources of vitamins and nutrients your pet’s need.

But how do you know if your pet food is giving your pet the right diet they need? Every pet food is going to claim they are the best and that they offer the best nutrients and diet needs for your dog or cat, but not everyone can be on top. So what pet food has the best benefits for your pet? To know this, first take a look at the ingredient list on your dog food. Pet foods must list their ingredients by weight, starting with the heaviest. Some people claim that getting a dog or cat food where the first ingredient is meat means it is a great dog food, but keep in mind that meat is about 75% water, and without that water weight the meat probably would fall lower on the ingredient list.

Meat meals, such as chicken meal or meat and bone meal, have most of the water and fat removed which concentrates the animal protein. So, although real meat is a great ingredient, make sure you look for these meat meals to really get the protein your pet needs.

What about byproducts? Those can’t be good for my pet right? That’s not entirely true, and veterinarian’s say that it’s really a matter of personal choice to allow your pet to eat a food containing any. Liver, which is a byproduct, is rich in nutrients such as vitamin A. Meat byproducts also contain blood, bone, brains, stomach, udders, and cleaned intestines, according to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Byproducts don’t include hair, horns, teeth, or hooves. Meat meal can also include esophagus, tongue, and diaphragm. Although these ingredients may sound really gross to you, your pets would disagree. So don’t necessarily turn a pet food away just because byproducts are on the list.

Next, look for a statement of nutritional adequacy on the label. Many pet food makers follow model regulations set by the AAFCO that establish the minimum amount of nutrients needed to provide a complete and balanced diet. The statement may say the food is formulated to meet AAFCO standards or that it has been tested in feeding trials and found to provide complete nutrition.

Now, a human should be getting 20% Protein, 50% Carbohydrates, and 25-30% Fats & Oils in their diet each day, but your dog and cat have a completely different set up for their diet. Dogs should be getting 40% Protein, 15-20% Carbohydrates, and only 10-15% Fats & Oils. Cats should by getting 40% Protein, only 5% Carbohydrates, and 30% Fats & Oils. We’ve included a lovely pyramid, just like the food pyramid a human has, that shows different sources of the things your dog needs (there isn't one for cats, their diet can be loosely based off this but they do require different things and it's best to ask your veterinarian) in their diet, water being the most important of course!

Another step in helping to figure out if your pet food as the right balance for your pet, check out the guaranteed analysis. This will list the minimum amount of protein and fat in food and the maximum percentage of fiber and moisture. Some pet food labels also list the percentage of other ingredients, such as calcium and phosphorous.

My dog food is labeled as “natural” or “holistic”, doesn’t that mean it’s better? No, not necessarily. Food labeled as natural should contain few, if any, synthetic ingredients. Holistic, along with premium and super-premium, are marketing terms and there is no rule that controls how they’re used.

So what are some good pet foods and treats that contain the kind of nutrients my dog or cat need for a healthy diet? Orijen, Ziwipeak, Fromm, Acana, and Evanger’s have a wonderful selection of food and treats for dogs and cats that are formulated for a healthy diet.

We hope this has been helpful in giving the best for your furry family member! Check out this website that has a Nutritional Calculator to help you with how much your four-legged pal should be eating each day to be the appropriate weight!
Visit Mickey's Pet Supplies and take $3 off your $25 order with coupon code BL316.

Calming Aids for Dogs, Cats, and other Animals

When dogs cannot adapt to stress, it can lead to anxiety, nervousness, hyperactivity, excess barking, abnormal urine marking, trembling or shivering, and destructive or aggressive behavior. Animals have emotions too. They feel fear, anger, jealousy, depression, happiness and joy just like us. Unfortunately, we are not able to ask our pet why it acts depressed, but we do know if it misses a friend or gets overly excited around new people and that is how we select the correct remedies for our animals. Let me tell you about a few products that can aid in the calming of your pet when it is stressed out.

Bach Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy Pet is an alcohol free variation of the original stress relieving formula Rescue Remedy that has been available for more than 80 years. It can be used to create a calming effect in any stressful situation, or when your pet needs help overcoming a variety of emotional or behavioral problems.
Rescue Remedy Pet contains a blend of 5 of the 38 Bach Original Flower Remedies, as developed by Dr. Edward Bach, which help your pet cope with different emotional aspects of stressful situations:
• Rock Rose, for terror and panic
• Impatiens, addresses irritation and impatience
• Clematis, for inattentiveness and lack of interest
• Star of Bethlehem, for shock or trauma
• Cherry Plum, for a lack of self-control
Bach Rescue Remedy can be found in a 10ml bottle with dropper and you can either put it in your pets food, water, on a treat, or directly in their mouth.

Pet Naturals Calming Chews

Calming is an advanced formula that contains a combination of ingredients not found in other calming formulas, such as L-Theanine (Suntheanine brand), and Thiamine (Vitamin B1), all of which support neurotransmitter balance and relaxation to address stress-related behavior. L-Theanine is known to support dopa-mine and GABA balance, while Thiamine supports normal disposition and a healthy appetite. They are available in a small size for dogs 25 pounds and under, and a medium-large size for dogs 26 pounds and over.

Sam’s Yams Dailys Calmly Chamomile

Sam's Yams DAILY'S are formulated to provide healthful support for your dog’s well-being. DAILY'S are chef created in small batches and made daily in the quaint town of Wild Rose WI, home of Front Porch Pets. They slowly dehydrate these snacks at low temperatures to preserve the nutrients and lock in the wholesome goodness and flavors your dog will love; the perfect natural reward with healthful benefits.

Chamomile has long been used to relieve anxiety and sooth inflammation. These snacks are simply made with sweet potatoes, apples, chamomile tea and chamomile. The perfect snack to ease stress and relax your dog. Sam's Yams Dailys come in a 9oz bag with approximately 60 treats per bag.

Composure

The ingredients in Composure work synergistically to support relaxation without changing your dog’s personality or energy levels. The C3 colostrum calming complex supports stress reduction and cognitive function; L-Theanine helps the body produce other amino acids to bring specific neurotransmitters back into balance; and B vitamins (thiamine) affect the central nervous system to help calm anxious animals. When combined in this formula, they provide a calming effect to support a relaxed state without causing drowsiness or impaired motor skills. Composure is easily administered in a tasty chicken liver flavored soft chew and can be used as a daily supplement or, as needed in stressful situations. They are available in a small size for dogs and cats up to 25 lbs and a large size for medium to large dogs over 26lbs.

Vet's Best Travel Calm

Vet's Best Travel Calm is a dog calming aid for helping to reduce stress, tension, and anxiety caused by travel or loud noises. This soothing, calming mix gently helps ease the stress and tension from travel, motion and loud noises. Contains Ginger, a common and delicious spice traditionally used to help maintain normal digestion and calm tummy troubles, as well as other key ingredients (Valerian Root and Tryptophan) which may help ease and calm your dog, as well  as any tummy troubles associated with traveling. Perfect for dogs of any size (large breed or small breed) 10 months or older, and can be given every 6 to 8 hours (use as directed). National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Seal of Approval. Made in the USA. Vet's Best Travel Calm has 40 chewable tablets.

HomeoPet Anxiety Relief

All-natural HomeoPet Anxiety Relief Natural Homeopathic Remedy for Pets is 100% natural, safe and gentle on your pet. Easy to administer liquid helps sooth and calm anxiety caused by stressful situations like vet visits, separation from familiar surroundings, kenneling, shows, and more. HomeoPet Anxiety Relief Natural Homeopathic Remedy for Pets is a homeopathic remedy for relief of general anxiety in pets and can help with the unwanted behaviors associated with anxiety in pets like crying, spraying, marking, whining, inappropriate urinating or defecation and stress licking. Safe for dogs, cats, birds, rabbit, hamster, ferrets and pot bellied pigs of all ages. HomeoPetAnxiety Relief may be given directly into the mouth, in food/treat or in water/milk. There are approximately 350-375 drops per bottle. Made in USA.

Mickey's Pet Supplies offers free shipping on orders of $75 and very low cost shipping on orders under $75. Take 10% off calming aids with coupon code CALM2016  at checkout.