DIY Dental Treats, Mouth Wash, and Toothpaste (Tutorial)

A huge THANK YOU to My Mountain Husky Channel in Youtube for filming this video/DIY Tutorial. The receipes are so easy to make that it inspired me to head to the market and pick up the ingredients to try on my bullies. The fact that these ingredients are all organic and natural makes me feel good about sharing this on the blog. Let us know if you decide to try these at home. Love to hear from you guys!

Dental Health Month Continues: 3 Buying Tips for Dental Chews/Treats

Do you ever get overwhelmed by the amount of products available for your pet? I certainly do - it drives me nuts! I’ll start with one product and then somehow end up in a blackhole of reviews, comparisons, and just overall doubt on everything pet. I have gone so far to ‘X’ out of the page completely to forget about the item only to start my research once again (ugly cycle).

Like most pawrents, I just want products to be safe, effective, ‘natural’ (we’ll post on another day why I quote the word natural) and did I mention safe? Trial and error seems to be the name of the game.

Initially, I was going to post the top 5 best dental chews and I quickly realized that this was completely impossible. Not because I couldn’t but because it wouldn’t be fair to my pawrents who read this blog. Every pet is different. Not two are alike - even in the same breed category, not one. No argument when talking about characteristics, its the same but it is different when talking about their health concerns/issues. Most of this is based on the pawrents life style. Instead i was curious to know what they (pawrents) thought. The researcher in me had to compare what other pawrents were saying. Naturally, I went on Amazon.com and started reading reviews. Fair to say that some pawrents had similar thoughts as I did on the several products. (I am not a crazy dog-mom after all, yay!)

All of this to say here are the top 3 tips to help you choose the right dental chews/treats for your pet.

1. Select the right size of the dental chews. This is an obvious (not so obvious) tip. Many pawrents will buy in bulk extra large or small chews to save a few extra dollars. Yet, you do not want to jeopardize your pet’s health for a few bucks. Most companies do supply pawrents with a measuring/size charts that will guide you to select the correct treat for your pet. This will help you in knowing the amount of treats your dog should get in a day without compromising their health.

2. Select digestible ingredients. No matter how many reviews a product receives, it shouldn’t be the definitive factor in purchasing the product. As mentioned earlier, not all pets are the same. Knowing what ingredients are in each treat, should be an indication on how your pet will react.

3. Look out for VOHC Seal of Acceptance. The Veterinary Oral Health Council “exists to recognize products that meet pre-set standards of plaque and calculus (tartar) retardation in dogs and cats. Products are awarded the VOHC Seal of Acceptance following review of data from trails conducted according to VOHC protocols. The VOHC does not test products itself.” For a full list of accepted products click here.

Regardless of what product you decide to purchase for your pet, make sure to keep an eye on the reaction it gives him/her. If it helps, write down the ingredients of the particular product for future reference. You are the best investigator/researcher for your pet.

Happy National Pet Dental Month

Ah, February, the month of ‘love’. Most of us are either celebrating or just trying to miss it completely. But one thing is for sure, your pet will be your biggest cheerleader or your shoulder to cry on. Our pets are the only beings on this earth who are loyal AF! Let's face it (pun intended), they’ll lick (kiss) you if you're happy and they'll lick (kiss) you if you're sad. Don’t brush them off if their breath is kicking rather pay attention as this could be a sign of health issues down the road.

It’s a perfect coincidence if you ask me that February is also celebrating pet dental awareness. Don’t get me wrong, cleaning your pet’s teeth is vital in a healthy lifestyle and should be done year-round. But we don’t mind a few extra, fresh kisses.

Did you know that by the age of 3, your pet is more likely to develop periodontal disease? If effective preventive measures aren’t taken this could worsen as your pet ages. The AVMA sponsors National Pet Dental Month and they have created a short quiz to test your knowledge in this subject. So, how well do you know your pet’s dental health? Take this quiz to find out!

Dental health is important to the overall well-being of your pet because it affects the health of the heart, lungs, and kidneys which is why it is imperative you give your pet the proper daily dental care before there is a problem.  Here are a few tips to help you start getting in the habit of brushing your pet's teeth. Remember it takes practice and patience to get a routine.

1. DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE. It contains detergent and we (humans) are conscious to rinse and spit it out. Your pets, not so much. Many different pet health platforms carry tons of flavored toothpaste for your pet.

2. Introduce brushing your pet's teeth gently and gradually. This is not a race and must be done consistently.

3. Purchasing dental chews is a great addition to your pets dental hygiene. They aim to mechanically and chemically remove/reduce any tartar build-up.

4. Keep in mind that mouth-wash for pets can help prolong ‘the beneficial effect of professional dental scaling’. So ask your veterinarian first before purchasing.

5. Last but definitely not least, make your own toothpaste. Pinterest alone can give you so many recipes and hacks to help you. When it comes to DIYs (and we are experts on this) DO YOUR HOMEWORK. Please read up and get educated on the effects of different ingredients and how they can affect your pet.

Stay tuned for more tips throughout the month of February. Up next, the top dental products everyone is raving about.

Dogs get cold too!

I log into Facebook and start scrolling through my feed. I find myself enjoying all these videos that paw-parents upload, from the husky playing in the snow to the dachshund trying to catch snowflakes. You giggle and awe at the cuteness and start thinking about your own dogs. Happens to me all the time.

Then there are other videos of careless nonsense that basically ruins the moment. I came upon such video. A short-hair chihuahua being walked in the snow without a coat on. The poor thing was shaking all over the place. It was torture to watch, to say the least. As much as I wanted to contact this person and tell them off (sorry, not sorry) I stopped myself. I began brainstorming ideas on how to conspicuously advise —not just this parent but all parents— on the dangers of frigid temperatures. The internet has a plethora of websites dedicated to this subject. I narrowed down the most common and important tips so you won’t have to.

Winter Safety Tips For Dogs

Proper Paw Care

• Humans won’t go outside without their shoes, so why would it be different for dogs? The booties are a great way to keep your dog's paws from cracking and/or getting injured. Most have brushed booties as a ‘ridiculous’ dog trend but the fact is, they are a preventative tool to keep your dog safe.

• If you opt-out of the booties, make sure that play-time isn’t longer than an hour (if playing in the snow). Know their limit! Take breaks in-between play time. Clean off any excess ice from the paws, legs, and belly.

• The hair on the feet of long-haired dogs can form ice balls between pads and toes. Keep them well-trimmed, cutting the hair so that it is even with the surface of the foot. Most groomers have “express” services where you can book for just this particular request.

• Invest in a good, natural, organic balm. The combination of dry air and streets coated with de-icing substances can cause painful and cracked paw pads.

Layering

• COATS! Breeds like the Huskies and the Akitas don’t really need this type of protection from cold temperatures. But short-haired breeds do actually get cold despite what most parents think. Invest in a thick warm coat that wraps the neck and covers the belly.

• Fully dry your dog when coming back from a walk. Moisture in the fur when not dried properly can cause odor and create knots.

Beware of ANTIFREEZE

• The sweet smell of the toxic substance can lure your pet and cause them to lick it off the street. A small amount ingested can be life-threatening. Be very vigilant when walking your dogs. Be alert to the signs that your dog has swallowed some of it, which include drooling, vomiting, seizures, excessive thirst, panting, lethargy and a drunken appearance. If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze, it’s important to get to a vet as soon as possible. 

Leashed and Seen

• Daylight savings often means walking our dogs in the dark. Wear reflective gear and keep your dog close when walking in the street.

• There is a higher percentage of dogs getting lost in the winter time due to the snow covering up familiar scents. Often this causes dogs (even the most trusted ones) to panic and run away. Strong recommendation to microchip your pooch!

Ending 2018 right, starting 2019 with a BANG!

Merry holidays everyone!

Pawtanicals turned 5 months this December (WOW) and we couldn’t be more grateful and appreciative of the love and support the community has given us! Our goal was to create a loving and safe space for families and their pet-children. What was thought a “chore” or a “task” of washing one’s pet becomes more of an experience. We couldn’t be happier with the outcome and the pouring support from our neighbors.

As many entrepreneurs will say, it is not easy running a business. You are the manager, receptionist, janitor, social media strategist, and everything in between. It could be tiresome (let’s be real), yet, the most rewarding (the moment your customers whole-heartly thank you, ah!). Eric and I have learned so much about ourselves, our community needs, and pet-children in general and we are taking all of our lessons and applying it to 2019.

Great new additions to our shop will be rolling out and we can’t wait to share with you all.

Cheers to everyone and praying you all receive abundance of love, light, health, and happiness.

Eric + Daniela

Thanksgiving Dinner for your Pets

‘It’s-so-good-you-have-to-lick-your-plate’ kind of dinner.

Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful and thankful for all the good (&bad) we’ve experience this year. It has sort of become the ‘unofficial’ ‘official’ holiday season kick-starter. It gives us permission to set up the Christmas tree and many other decorations — not just at home but everywhere! I am sure you’re listening to Christmas radio non-stop.

As grateful as you are, I am sure you want to “treat” your dog to a good Thanksgiving dinner. Though, there are a couple of DON’Ts you should be aware of, here are few items that can be plated to serve your loving dog:

• Turkey’s white meat. Avoid the skin (too much seasoning can upset his/her stomach) & bones.

• Cranberry Sauce. If too sweet, dilute the sauce with a bit of water.

• Pumpkin. Not pumpkin-pie. Just the plain & pure kind.

• Veggies. Anything steamed and plain. No casseroles please.

• Yams + sweet potatoes. Again, the plain & pure kind.

• Mash Potatoes. This is before you add in the butter and any other ingredient.

• Gravy. Mix chicken broth + and pure pumpkin.

A few cautious steps can avoid an emergency room visit, so please take the time to consider your furry children. Expect a couple of wet kisses afterwards. Your furry child will thank you and appreciate the ‘extra’ love at dinner time.

!HAPPY THANKSGIVING!