Keep Thanksgiving Happy

Help On Four Legs

How many of us treat our pups as family members?

*Raises hand sheepishly.*

Thanksgiving is a holiday of grazing. We eat, and eat, and eat. Turkey, stuffing, pies, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, casseroles (or as we Midwesterners say, “hot dish”), cookies, roasted veggies, the list goes on and on and on…and on. Then we take a turkey-induced nap, then we eat again.

When our furry relatives look up at us with those big, beautiful, pleading eyes, our hearts melt, and we hand over our leftovers.

But beware: some foods that humans can consume without a problem are toxic to dogs and can turn your holiday upside down. Erin Callaghan, a dog trainer and consultant in the Bay Area, sent me a really great list of things to be sure Bright doesn’t get ahold of this Thanksgiving:

Chocolate – Erin explains that the more theobromine in the chocolate, the worse…

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One in 500 dogs will be diagnosed with diabetes!

Foods that are safe for doggies :)

Lola's Corner

In light of Lola’s recent post regarding food and dangers to our furry friends, she’d like to let you know about a few foods that you can safely give your pups.  They will thank you for it!

Courtesy of the I ♥ Dogs Site (theilovedogssite.com):

7 People Foods You CAN Share With Your Dog

Look at that face. I mean can anyone really say no? We all know that tablescraps are typically bad for our four-legged friends, but isn’t there something we can share? Much to our luck, there is! In fact, there are a few people treats we can pass over to our pups. But remember, all of the items on this list are without any extras – no butter, no salt, no sugar. They are as is, and believe it or not, your pooch will probably love them! Just remember that they are still treats, so you…

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Baby It’s Cold Outside (For Your Pet)

How to Survive Your Puppy’s First Vet Visit

So You Want a Puppy

The shelter gave us a voucher for a complimentary vet visit in SF, so I had to call around the East Bay to see if anyone would honor it. After checking reviews on Yelp, I finally found one that would. We still had to pay for the shot and pills but hey, every bit helps.

Here’s what you need to know for your puppy’s first checkup.

Bring a copy of the paperwork. The shelter gave us a copy of the health records that showed that our puppy had received all of his shots. Even so, our vet recommended that our puppy get vaccinated against a waterborne bacteria that was prevalent in our area. Good thing because our puppy has definitely taken a few gulps of brackish puddle water.

Ask the vet’s office for what to bring. If I hadn’t asked, I wouldn’t have known that the vet recommended saving some…

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The Best Natural Supplements for Puppies

Just as many people take nutritional supplements and vitamins in order to boost their own diet, it’s important to consider adding similar vitamins and supplements to your new puppy’s diet. Many name brand dog foods promise that your pet is getting the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants it needs in order to live a long, healthy life, but the fact is that is not always true. Supplements for puppies will ensure that your new four-legged friend’s nutritional needs are met, and also help to boost its developing immune system. The right puppy vitamins can help prevent disease, injury and illness, and give your pet the best life possible.

Supplements for Dogs

Nutritional supplements designed specifically for dogs can help protect your dog against disease and also strengthen its bones, which can ultimately prevent future injuries. You might want to consider purchasing fish oil supplements for dogs, which are designed to protect your dog from allergic reactions and also works as an anti-inflammatory. If you have found that your puppy is constantly licking its paws or itching after playing outside, fish oil could be the perfect supplement to add to your dog’s diet.

Vitamins for Dogs

Puppy vitamins can help your new puppy better absorb essential nutrients and minerals and also aid in digestion. The right vitamin supplement will promote strong bone development, and also boost your puppy’s immune system. While a pet multivitamin provides plenty of health benefits, there is a chance these same vitamins can make your new dog look more beautiful, too. Vitamins have been shown to improve a dog’s coat, allowing it to appear shiny and feel soft at all times. Different formulas are available, depending on your dog’s breed, lifestyle and stage of life.
It’s important to work with your puppy’s veterinarian in order to choose the best dog food as well as the right puppy vitamins and nutritional supplements. Your vet can help you identify the specific nutritional needs for your dog’s breed and lifestyle. Whether you are raising a show dog, or you simply adopted a new puppy for extra love and companionship, you will want to make sure your puppy gets the best start in life. Consider choosing a nutritional supplement such as NuVet Plus, which is created from the highest quality human-grade ingredients. It can help support your puppy’s developing immune system and allow it to grow into a healthy, energetic adult dog.

NuJoint Plus®

NuJoint Plus^® contains a precise combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM, and Vitamin C (Ester C^®) to support hip and joint health with anti-inflammatory properties that go directly to the source.  NuJoint Plus^® helps to protect and heal naturally, with targeted therapy to protect healthy joints, rebuild cartilage, lubricate joints for fluid movement, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility.  NuJoint Plus^® is scientifically formulated to help heal, strengthen, and protect hips, bones, and joints for dogs of all ages.

Glucosamine provides the joints with the building blocks needed to repair the damage caused by osteoarthritis.  Acting as a catalyst, Glucosamine helps animals synthesize new cartilage needed to replace damaged cartilage caused by wear and tear.  Hip dysplasia occurs when normal wear and tear breaks down the cartilage.

Chondroitin attracts and holds fluid within cartilage tissue, helping to lubricate joints, increase mobility, and reduce discomfort caused by hip dysplasia.  Chondroitin neutralizes the destructive enzymes that are known to damage and destroy cartilage.  Chondroitin aids the absorption of Glucosamine into inflamed joints.

MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) supplies biologically active sulfur to animals’ joints.  MSM has been shown to reduce the rigidity of cells in the soft tissues of the body.  By increasing the cells’ flexibility, fluids are able to pass more freely, helping to reduce cell pressure, thereby reducing inflammation and pain.

Vitamin C (Ester C^®) promotes cartilage growth and tissue repair and is a key factor in the immune system, helping white blood cells to function properly.  Prolonged Vitamin C deficiency will cause existing tissues to deteriorate.  Ester C^® Calcium Ascorbate is a unique and patented form of Vitamin C.  It is made using a proprietary, water-based manufacturing process which results in a pH-neutral product that contains naturally-occurring Vitamin C metabolites.  These metabolites activate the Vitamin C molecules, making it easier for the body to transport them from cell to cell for numerous health benefits.

NuVet Plus®

NuVet Plus^®contains a unique, synergistic formula designed to provide exceptional immune system support that is unsurpassed by other supplements.  In addition to supporting all the internal systems, NuVet Plus^® also helps to beautify the skin and coat with natural omega fatty acids that are unavailable from most foods and other supplements because they are destroyed through heat treating.  Instead of being cooked, NuVet Plus^® is cold-processed to retain the nutritional potency of its natural antioxidants, amino acids, herbs, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, and it does not contain any artificial binders, fillers, or flavors that can interfere with their effectiveness.  When given as a daily nutritional supplement, NuVet Plus^® helps protect pets against free radicals and other dangerous toxins they encounter on a daily basis.

NuVet Plus^® contains many unique ingredients. A few unique ingredients found in NuVet Plus^® are Evening Primrose Oil, Pine Bark, and Papain.  The Pine Bark (Pycnogenol^®) in NuVet Plus^® is extracted from the bark of French maritime pine trees and contains a natural blend of bioflavonoids.  One of the most effective antioxidants known, it reduces oxidative damage to cells and vital tissues caused by free radicals.  It also exhibits significant anti-inflammatory properties, and it has been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and arthritis.  Evening Primrose Oil is high in Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA), an essential fatty acid that is used by the skin cells to produce energy and retain moisture.

In addition, Evening Primrose Oil aids in the management of arthritis and rheumatism, and it also helps reduce the risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.  Papain contains digestive enzymes that aid in protein absorption and metabolism, and it also helps to cleanse the tissues and walls of the gastro-intestinal tract.  These highly nutritious ingredients, along with the many other nutrients in NuVet Plus^®, work together to strengthen the immune system and support the overall health of your pet.For more details visit to www.nuvet.com