Gifts You Still Have to Find for the Furry Members

He’s making a list, checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty and nice…

Santa Paws is coming to town.

Most of the gifts are purchased and wrapped and under the tree, right? Well, maybe not, and maybe some of the gifts you still have to find are for the furry members of the household. You’ve put some catnip or a bone in a stocking before, but maybe this year you’re looking for something different. 

Bestproducts.com has a slideshow of ideas. 

The Howliday Box : a gift box with a variety of gifts for that hard-to-shop-for dog.

Facial Massage Roller for Cats : more ways for cats to prove they’re in charge of what you do for them.

Apollo Peak MosCATo wine: for those nights cuddling in front of a crackling fire (don’t forget to pick up some human wine for yourself).

The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth: for those dogs who like a gourmet touch to their food.

And if you are that horse-lover who always really wanted a unicorn, you can get your horse its very own unicorn costume!

One thing to be aware of is that if you wrap up a great food treat and help the dog open it, it is entirely possible that from that day forward, the dog will think that every present is for her and will want to help you unwrap it.
And if you have cats, there’s nothing they’ll like better than the boxes the presents come in. 

Trick AND Treat: Keeping Pets Safe on Halloween

On Halloween, kids aren't the only ones doing tricks for treats. All the excitement around costumes, trick-or-treating and decorating can get your pet riled up and ready for some fun, too. Get them involved by picking out a festive four-legged costume and taking a few precautions to make sure your whole family enjoys the holiday safely.

People Treats vs. Pet Treats. As pointed out by Parade magazine this week, all those Halloween candies that we just can't get enough of, especially chocolate, are not safe for pets to eat. The plastic and cellophane wrappers they come in are no good for dogs, either. Keep your trick-or-treat candy bowl covered and out of reach of your pet. Instead, you can find festive pet treats for an extra special something for your sweetie. Visit our lobby for some spooky and delicious options that will keep your pup busy munching away.

Ding Dong Dog. During prime trick-or-treat hours, it is best to keep your pet enclosed in an area away from the front door or wherever children will be visiting. The constant flow of guests can be stressful on your pet, not to mention the risk of a cat or dog sneaking out the front door as you hand out treats. Keep everyone safe and secure by giving them their own space away from the costumed kiddies.

Decor Gore. Be sure to check for decorations that could prove dangerous for your dog. As much as we love to put out pumpkins, candles and other witchy decorations this time of year, a curious or agitated pet may decide to do their own redecorating while you're not watching. Just like candy, keep these festive pieces out of your dog's reach, and be especially careful with flames or electronic pieces.

Take Care with Costumes. Sparky might look perfectly spooky in that ghost costume, but make sure your pet's outfits on Halloween do not limit their visibility or movement. You want your pet to be comfortable in their attire, so make sure their cute costume fits well and is not restrictive in any way. Read tips on getting your dog used to their costume on our sister company Morris K9 Campus' blog, A Dog's Life.

Not sure what kind of costume would fit your dog best? We offer tons of cute and creative pet costume ideas on our "Pet Costumes" Pinterest board. Visit for a dose of inspiration as everyone's favorite spooky holiday approaches! 

Treat Tips

Some dogs do not adhere to the 24 hour clock we humans base our days on, but rather an internal clock with a milk-bone or juicy kibble bits representing each pivotal hour of the day. Like clockwork, you may notice your significant fuzzy-buddy sidling up to the treat stash or you may watch your dog morph from a slumbering angel to a slobbering and very vocal canine in a matter of minutes when that special time rolls around. Treats, whether you use bones, biscuits, or chicken strips, have become an intrinsic addition to the canine diet. Unfortunately, treats have also become the leading cause of canine obesity, transforming slender dogs into generously proportioned chubsters. To help keep your adorable pet as healthy and fit as possible, we’ve outlined some tips to help you tackle the tricky treat quandary.

Moderation

All dogs should enjoy an indulgence from time to time. That said it should be done so in moderation. It is often a good idea to break the treat into small pieces. Your dog will still savor each of those small bits and you can save money on treats by using less!

Count Calories
It is a good idea to check the packaging on your dog’s treats to find the calorie content in each treat. You might be surprised by what you find. The Woof Report suggests that treats should only take up 10% of your dog’s daily calorie count.

Healthy Alternatives
We often think our dog will only be attracted to juicy hunks of meat, but many dogs salivate over carrots, little slices of apple, and green beans. However, remember to steer clear of grapes or raisins, which can be poisonous to dogs. Try substituting these healthy, low-fat alternatives into your dog’s diet. Now that it's summer, try a small seedless slice of watermelon or even some crunchy ice cubes that will cool your dog off and keep him or her happily occupied.

http://www.dogtipper.com/

There is no doubt that treats make our dogs happy, so there is no need to deny your precious pooch tasty treats. Just remember that in order to keep your dog healthy and happy, opt for low calorie, low fat options, and use your treats sparingly. Most importantly, get the whole family on board. It won’t work if Grandma is sneaking extra bacon under the table! It takes all hands on deck to provide the best quality of life for our special four-legged friends.