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.