Mickey's Pet Supplies Blog

Some Pet Tips for this 4th of July Holiday

2018-07-03T11:44:00.000-07:00

Fireworks, picnics and other Fourth of July traditions can be great fun for people; but all of the festivities can be frightening and even dangerous for animals. Noisy fireworks and other celebrations can startle animals and cause them to run away; holiday foods can be unhealthy; summer heat and travel can be dangerous; and potentially dangerous debris can end up lying on the ground where pets can eat or play with it. On and around the Fourth of July, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) sees an increase in calls concerning pets who have ingested fireworks, or are having issues due to the loud noises they make.

Whether or not you’re planning your own Independence Day celebration, it’s important to take precautions to keep your pets safe both during and after the July 4th festivities.

Preparing in advance:

Make sure your pets – cats and dogs alike – have identification tags with up-to-date information. If you have horses, you might consider marking a safety (breakaway) halter with your contact information and leaving it on your horse during this stressful time.
If your pets aren’t already microchipped, talk with your veterinarian about microchipping. This simple procedure can greatly improve your chances of getting your pets back if they become lost.
If your pets are microchipped, make sure your contact information in the microchip registry is up-to-date.
Take a current photo of all of your cats, dogs and horses – just in case.
If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, or if you have reason to expect potentially harmful reactions, consider behavioral therapy to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems. Some pets may need medication. Consult your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist.
Make sure the environment is safe and secure. If your neighbors set off fireworks at an unexpected time, is your yard secure enough to keep your pet contained? Are pasture fences secure enough to keep horses or other livestock confined? Evaluate your options, and choose the safest area for your animals; and make improvements if needed to make the area more secure.

Safety during July 4th celebrations:

Leave your pets at home when you go to parties, fireworks displays, parades and other gatherings. Loud fireworks, unfamiliar places and crowds can all be very frightening to pets, and there’s great risk of pets becoming spooked and running away.
Consider putting your pets in a safe, escape-proof room or crate during parties and fireworks.
Keep horses and livestock in safely fenced areas and as far from the excitement and noise as possible.
If you’re hosting guests, ask them to help keep an eye on your pets to make sure they don’t escape. Placing notes on exit doors and gates can help both you and your guests remain vigilant.
Keep your pets inside if you or your neighbors are setting off fireworks.
Keep sparklers, glow sticks, fireworks, charcoal and kabob skewers away from curious pets.
Don’t let pets get near your barbecue grill while it is in use or still hot.
Avoid the urge to feed your pets table scraps or other foods intended for people. Be especially careful to keep them away from these common foods that are actually toxic.
Remember that too much sun and heat (and humidity!) can be dangerous to pets. Keep them inside when it’s extremely hot/humid; make sure they have access to shady spots and plenty of water when outdoors; don’t leave them outside for extended periods in hot weather; and know the signs that a pet may be overheating.
Never leave your pet in your car, especially when it’s warm outside. Vehicle interiors heat up much faster than the air around them, and even a short time in a locked car can be dangerous to pets. Even when the temperature outside is a balmy 72 degrees, the temperature inside your car can rocket to a fatal 116 degrees in less than an hour’s time.
If you’re travelling out of town for the holiday, consider leaving your pets at home with a pet sitter or boarding them in a kennel. If you need to bring them with you, be sure you know how to keep them safe.
Follow safe food handling and hygiene practices to protect your family and guests.

If your pet has a fear of or aversion to loud noises:

Something as simple as turning on some soft music and moving your pet into an interior room with no windows can be helpful.
An anxiety vest may work in some cases—if you don’t have one, try a snugly fitting t-shirt.
If you and your veterinarian do decide that anti-anxiety mediation is your pet’s best bet, there are a few things to remember. First and foremost, give a practice dose of the medication before the big night to see how your pet responds to the medication. Second, never share the medication with another pet or give more than the recommended amount. If you do, you may end up spending the holiday at your local veterinary emergency clinic.
While noise phobias are not as common in cats, they can and do happen. Fortunately, cats tend to hide when frightened. Checking in on your cats, having some quiet music on and keeping them indoors during the height of the fireworks is always a good idea.

After the celebrations:

Check your yard for fireworks debris before allowing pets outside to play or relax. Even if you didn’t set off fireworks yourself, debris can make its way into your yard, where curious animals may pick it up to play with or eat.
Check your pastures and remove debris to protect horses and livestock.
If you hosted guests, check both your yard and home for food scraps or other debris that might be dangerous to pets, such as food skewers.

Check out our website for some Calming Aids for Pets that will help stressful situations such as fireworks, thunderstorms, travel, etc! www.mickeyspetsupplies.com

What To Know About CBD Oil For Your Dog

2018-04-25T12:48:00.001-07:00

What is CBD and will it make my dog high?

Cannibidiol (CBD) is a substance that is found in cannabis and hemp. Unlike its counterpart Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which gives marijuana its psychoactive properties, CBD is not a psychoactive stimulus, rather, it provides your dog with a calming sensation and pain-relaxing sensations without harming them with potential intoxicating effects. You may be interested to know that both humans and dogs have the same endogenous cannabinoid system. CBD acts by targeting these receptors located in the brain, organs, central nervous system, and immune cells that stimulate relaxing effects. In short, your dog won’t get “high” from CBD oil.

What benefits does CBD have for my dog?

The benefits of using CBD for your dog it incredible! Products containing this substance have opened up a whole new world for pet care and those who believe in natural remedies!

Anxiety
Does your dog suffer from separation anxiety or noise phobias? If you have ever suffered from anxiety, then you know that it is awful, and it would be the same for your dog too. Many dogs suffer from anxiety and have been known to be depressed and extremely anxious in certain situations. This can result in destructive behaviors such as chewing objects, urinating, pacing, and more. CBD has been extensively studied for its effect on stress and anxiety. It helps because it is a relaxing stimulant that calms your pet.

Seizures and Epilepsy
It is estimated that up to 5% of dogs suffer from seizures. Most dogs with seizures are put on drugs such as phenobarbital and potassium bromide. While they may help control the seizures, they can be extremely harmful to your dog’s liver and other organs. And the drugs don’t work in all cases. That is why many dog owners turn to CBD when their canine suffers from seizures and epilepsy. CBD has been shown to work well in drug-resistant epilepsy. In one study, 7 of 8 patients with epilepsy that were resistant to drugs saw a definite improvement within 4 to 5 months of taking CBD. High levers of CBD can manage your pet’s seizures, and over time, it has been known to reduce the frequency of them, and in some cases get rid of the seizures altogether.

Cancer
Unfortunately, dogs can get cancer too, and when they do, they have symptoms of nausea, loss of appetite, and chronic pain. CBD allows your part to feel comfortable during those difficult times and helps to reduce the side effects that cancer can have on your dog. Pet owners are also giving their dogs small doses of CBD daily as it have been proven to aid in preventing and killing cancer by: Helping the immune system to kill cancer cells, Blocks the cancer cells ability to produce energy, and Contains anti-tumor properties. CBD can also help increase the efficacy of conventional cancer treatment.

Chronic Pain/Arthritis
Even dogs can’t escape arthritis, but CBD can help with that. The cannabinoids in CBD work so well for pain that scientists are considering it as a new class of drug for the treatment of chronic pain. Arthritis is the inflammation of joints that case aching, pain, and other degenerative illnesses. As CBD is a pain reliever, it targets these aching joints and gives your dog relief. Not only that, but it soothes the chronic inflammation that prevents your pet from healing properly.

Boost Appetite By Decreasing Nausea
When a dog loses their appetite, it can be hard to know the reason why. Majority of the time, however, they lose it due to nausea. As a human, we won’t eat when we feel like that unless we take something to alleviate the digestive issue and receive pain relief. CBD can do this for your pet. The National Cancer Institute reports that CBD increases appetite and carries this extra benefit, in addition to controlling cancer. In animal studies, CBD has also been shown to help with vomiting and nausea, even when they’re the result of toxins and drugs.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Animal studies show that CBD can prevent colitis (IBD) and restore normal gut motility in inflammatory bowl disease. CBD also has antibiotic properties, including Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Chronic Inflammation and Autoimmune Disease
CBD has been shown to decrease the production and release of inflammatory cytokins that can cause allergies, hypersensitivities and autoimmunity. It can also suppress something call Th17 dominance, which is a major cause of autoimmune disease. CBD also inhibits the production of inflammatory macrophages and decreases chronic inflammation. On top of all that, CBD is also a powerful antioxidant that’s shown to be more powerful than vitamins C and E.

Cardiovascular Health
Just as veterinarian Dr. Bassinthwaighte discovered, CBD has been linked to heart health. Studies show it can reduce the damage from damaged blood vessels and irregular heart rates, protect blood vessels from damage and dilate the arteries, and reduce heart rate and blood pressure associated with stress and anxiety.

Neurodegenerative Diseases
For dogs suffering from degenerative myelopathy and other spine and nerve issues, CBD shows a lot of promise. It’s been shown to help patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease by protecting the brain cells from toxicity. For senior dogs, CBD has been shown to protect the brain from cell death caused by free radicals and toxins.

Is CBD Oil For Dogs Legal and Safe?

With so many studies showing the health benefits of CBD, the most encouraging result is that CBD appears to be safe, even when taken in high doses and over extended periods of time. It can decrease the activity of liver enzymes used to metabolize many prescription drugs, so if your dog is on medication you might want to check with your holistic vet before using CBD. Most CBD oil for dogs and other pets is derived from hemp oil, so it contains no or very small traces of THC. Because of this, all 50 states have approved the use of hemp-based CBD for human and animal products. The bottom line is, CBD oil could be a healthy (or even life-saving) herb for your dog. More and more pet owners and holistic vets are drawn to its diverse and marked health benefits and they feel good knowing the side effects are mild and animals don’t appear to build up a tolerance.

Dr. Tim Shu, founder and CEO of VETCBD, says that interaction of cannaidiol with the endocannabinoid system in dogs can provide relief from a wide variety of physiological and neurological conditions, by ‘modulating the chemical components’ responsible for nausea, stress, anxiety, pain, and even gastrointestinal conditions brought on by infection.

Additionally, he goes on to say that unlike other traditional medications that veterinary clinics might suggest, CBD has no significant or life-threatening side effects if administered in the proper dose. It also does not do any damage to internal organs, nor does it get the dog high – unlike sedative medications which alleviate symptoms by simply ‘masking’ the underlying condition, cannabidiol is a physiological component that actively works to reverse “non-normal” functioning.

In addition to alleviating pain and nausea, CBD oil for dogs is also increasingly being used to mollify overly-aggressive dogs, or easily frightened/skittish dogs that are sent into panic mode by things like loud noises, mailmen, or their owner’s roommates.

Choosing a good CBD Oil for your dog

Not all CBD oils are created equally. You’ll want a high quality CBD oil that works, so here are a few things to look for:

Make sure the product is organic: If it isn’t organic, your CBD oil contains pesticides, fungicides or solvents.
Don’t cheap out: The higher the quality and purity, the higher the cost. Don’t price shop. Make sure your CBD oil is free of additives and has a good amount of CBD.
Get the analysis: Ask for a lab analysis of the amount of CBD in the product. Many CBD oils contain only small amounts of CBD. The manufacturer should provide a certificate of analysis. You’ll also want to make sure there is little or no THC in the product.
Buy CBD in a tincture: You can buy CBD chews but the best form is in the tincture. This way, you can adjust your dog’s dose drop by drop to make sure he gets the most benefit.

A few things to note that will come in handy

Start your dog off slowly but don’t let the naysayers tell you CBD isn’t a good option for your dog. The research is being done and the results are very promising.
Keep a journal of your dog before and for several days if you decide to use a CBD product. This will help you decide whether it’s having a positive effect. Better still, record video of your dog to document their progress, or lack thereof (this will help you overcome the flaws of human memory). Or ask friends/family whether they’ve noticed any difference in your dog without telling them that you’ve been giving your dog CBD (the closest you’ll get to a blinded study).
Keep CBD safely locked away. Like so many other things, a dog that finds a stash of CBD or other hemp products will probably eat more than they should. This will be more of an issure for an edible product like a CBD dog biscuit, but to keep your dog safe be sure that you keep any CBD (and definitely any THC products) well out of your dog’s reach and, ideally, behind a locked door.
Even if CBD lacks the same psychedelic kick as THC, you should be careful how much you give your dog. Also, be careful that an unwitting guest, or even a child, doesn’t accidently lay it on heavy with the CBD treats. Keep these treats separated from your regular treats and let people know if and when it is OK to give one to your dog.
And of course, if you have the means to work with a veterinarian (particularly one that has experience in CBD products for pets) by all means make sure you do so. The only thing you might run into is a vet who’ll reprimand you for wanting to give your dog cannabis and tell you that you need to be using prescription meds instead.

What brand of CBD oil and treats do we recommend?

Treatibles--Why? Well, let us tell you a bit about this company and it's products.
Treatibles was founded on the values of compassionate care, quality ingredients, reliable information and integrity. All Treatibles products are Compassion Certified® and proudly made in the USA. Treatibles are reliable and benefical bag to bag, capsule to capsule, bottle to bottle and application to application. The full spectrum hemp oil is third party lab tested for cannabinoid content and to rule out heavy metals, pesticides and biocontaminants.

Additionally, final products are tested to ensure consistency and potency. Treatibles products are non-psychoactive, non-toxic and virtually free of THC. Lab tests are available here.

Their chews are manufactured in Safe Quality Foods (SQF) certified facilities using GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices). This ensures accurate dosing and product uniformity, which cannot be replicated in a commercial kitchen.

Compliant

At Treatibles they take compliance seriously – in their manufacturing, packaging, marketing and more. Treatibles is a member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), which operates under strict guidance from the FDA/CVM.

Mickeyspetsupplies.com carries the entire Treatibles Chews and PCR Hemp Oil line.

Check out our website for many more made in USA pet products! www.mickeyspetsupplies.com

Go Dog dog toys - Tough toys for tough dogs

2018-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

If your looking for a toy to stand up against your pups tough play style, Go Dog may be just what you're looking for! Their toys are made with Chew Guard Technology, double stitched seams, and puncture-resistant squeakers to make them last longer than your average plush toy.

I'm sure now you're asking what's Chew Guard Technology? Well to answer that question I will take a passage right from Go Dog themselves.

Chew Guard Technology is a manufacturing process that adds a super tough, durable liner to soft plush toys. The Chew Guard lining was specifically engineered to withstand tough play. All seams are double stitched and reinforced!

Even though no dog toy is indestructible, Go Dog toys are tougher and last longer than standard soft plush toys, and they guarantee it! Go Dog offers a free one-time replacement within 30 days of your purchase date.

You can find these toys and more tough dog toys by visiting our website at mickeyspetsupplies.com or by giving us a call at 877-863-5431.

Why a Kong is a great investment for your dog

2018-02-21T10:54:00.000-08:00

We all know how much energy dogs can have, and it can sometimes put a strain on your day to day life when you can't seem to expend all of it. Somehow, no matter how much playing or how many walks, dogs always seem to have an excess of energy left over. If you ever find yourself questioning why that is, it's probably because while your dog has exerted his physical energy, his mental energy hasn't peaked yet. So how do you expend mental energy? By giving your dog a job to do! Now, by a job I don't mean you need to train your dog to do some kind of task, although it would probably be a fun training experience! You can help your dog expend mental energy by giving your dogs puzzles and dispensers that he has to try and figure out in order to get the kibble inside. This will keep your dog from running around the house like a mad-man and will keep them from chewing on things they shouldn't. So what does this have to do with Kong? It's one of the greatest treat dispensing toys every created! Many trainers swear by them as they are the perfect tool to help train your dog. It's great for crate training, teaching what is appropriate to chew on, helping with separation anxiety, and calming down an excitable dog. So let's dive more into it!

What is Kong?

KONG founder, Joe Markham, loved his trained police dog, Fritz, but did not love his destructive chewing habits. Where other dogs might have chewed your shoes or favorite purse, Fritz loved to crunch on rocks, sticks and other harmful items. Fritz’s teeth were wearing down and his need for stimulation and play was not being met, and Joe was frustrated.

One day, while working on a VW Bus, Joe began throwing out car parts to Fritz to lure him away from those rocks. Fritz was immediately taken with a rubber suspension part and dropped it in Joe’s lap to play. The erratic bounce and toughness of the rubber inspired Joe.

They’ve been making KONGs from their own proprietary, pet-safe, built-to-chew rubber ever since. Dogs love KONG. The way it bounces keeps them engaged and ready to play. It has a soft mouth feel for a satisfying chew and, of course, it’s super durable. Owners love KONG too; they can stuff it, throw it, leave it out in the yard — KONG keeps coming back for more.

Dogs and their owners choose the original KONG and all of their other favorite toys because they’re fun. KONG toys are the best of the best in quality, originality, variety, safety, and value. Give a dog a KONG. They’ll be the first to show you: it’s not just a toy, it’s a KONG.

KONG 101

Most dogs need to learn to use a KONG Classic. Follow these steps to ensure your dog knows how to enjoy all the benefits of this popular toy.

1. SIZE FOR SAFETY

It’s important to use the right size KONG so that your dog can have the safest, most enjoyable experience. Not sure where to start on sizing? Each Kong has an estimated weight range that tells you what size Kong would be best for your dog. There are even Puppy Kongs for young dogs, Senior Kongs that are softer for the older dogs, and the Extreme Kongs for the dogs that are aggressive chewers.

2. ENGAGE TO ENSURE SUCCESS

Get your dog excited about their new KONG. Show it off and talk about it excitedly; maybe even play a little hard-to-get to pique their interest and show them what their new toy can do.

3. STUFF TO ENTICE AND EXTEND PLAYTIME

Many dogs are motivated by food and KONG toys are perfect for stuffing with treats or kibble to keep dogs busy. The key is to stuff loosely so that the food will come out of the toy easily. To entice your dog, try using a little bit of peanut butter or their favorite treat in the KONG.

4. FREEZE FOR GREATER CHALLENGE

Over time, your dog will learn how to get treats out of the KONG quickly. To increase the challenge, put together a mixture of wet and dry ingredients, stuff the KONG and freeze it. A frozen KONG heightens the experience by creating a long-lasting, mentally stimulating task.

What can you stuff in a Kong?
So many wonderful things! You can combine dozen's of healthy options to create hundreds of different experiences for your dog! We'll name just of a few of the many things you can stuff a Kong with!

Peanut Butter
Canned 100% Pure Pumpkin
Canned Dog Food
Cottage Cheese
Yogurt (Greek or Plain)
Apple Sauce
Dog Treats
Dog Kibble
Carrots
Cheerios (Plain)
Cheese Slices (American or Cheddar)
Freeze-dried Liver
Peas
Cooked Chicken or Turkey
Apple Slices (make sure your dog doesn't eat the core)
Bananas

Check out our Website for all your Kong needs! Plus take a look at all our other products you can stuff with treats!

Probiotics For Dogs

2017-09-14T11:43:00.000-07:00

Why Probiotics for your pets?

We all know for us, that yogurt is a good probiotic , but is it good for your pet?
Yogurt contains a lot of sugar and added flavorings which are not good for your 4 legged friend.

Why are Probiotics so important for your pets?
Boosting the immune system is the most important reason to supplement with Probiotics.

Probiotics are the good guys- a friendly bacteria and necessary to a healthy and balanced stomach and intestinal tract. There are good bacteria and harmful bacteria.
Even though your dog or cat's body should supply it's own needs, there are factors that lead to an overgrowth of bad bacteria. Symptoms may show up that don't point to the gut.
So, what destroys the good bacteria in your pet's gut?
1. Antibiotics or Prescription Drugs
2. Stress
3. Changes in the home- such as a new pet
4. Poor diet or lack of nutritional needs
5. Pollutants
6. Chemical Fertilizers

These stressors allow the harmful bacteria to multiply and produce too much toxins and carcinogenic agents. The toxins then inhibit normal function of the digestive tract, thus placing stronger demands on the kidneys and liver. With this, the whole body is affected, speeding up the aging process, leading to disease and painful physical symptoms. All of this is because it has weakened the immune system.
80% of your pet's immune system is based in the gastrointestinal tract (gut).
Symptoms that can display as a lack of this good gut bacteria are:

Skin allergies with dry, itchy spots or hot spots;
Allergies that increase inflammation and mucus;
Gas, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, constipation
An intolerance to certain foods;
Chronic compromising of the immune system.

Friendly bacteria types:

Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus bulgarius
Lactobacillus reuteri
Streptococcus thermophilus
Saccharomyces boulardii
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Bacillus subtilis

So, what are the recommended Probiotics for your dog and cat?
Give Probiotics in between meals. It's better not to interfere with normal gastric juices.

Many products today contain between 1 and 3 million beneficial bacteria per scoop. This is okay. Any amount of probiotics can be helpful. But, if you really want to make sure you're promoting optimal health and wellbeing, you can do far better.

“Ideally, you’ll want to find a probiotic formula with 20, 30, 40 million or more beneficial bacteria per scoop.

Purina Fortiflora Canine Nutritional Supplement Box, 30gm/30 Count - Individual packets of powder. Purina’s Fortiflora is the number one selling probiotic for dogs, and our number one recommendation for dogs requiring occasional digestive support for loose stools and diarrhea. It can safely be used on pregnant and lactating bitches as well as young puppies and is highly palatable.

Purina Fortiflora Feline Nutritional Supplement Box, 30gmPurina Fortiflora Feline- Individual packets of powder- 30 per box. This is by far the most palatable digestive supplement we have found with our own 4 cats. We highly recommend this!

Probiotics for Dogs with Natural Digestive Enzymes &x25CF; Dog Probiotics Chewable ● 4 Bill CFUs / 2 chews ● Dog Diarrhea Upset Stomach Yeast Gas Bad Breath Immunity Allergies Skin Itching Hot Spots Pet Vitality Pro makes a great chewable complete digestive health and immune system supplement that works for dogs. With 4 billion CFUs per 2 chews it has added Maqui Berry. Papaya and a Super Green Food. Made and Manufactured in USA in an FDA inspected facility. All certified ingredients. We make sure, that our product is 100% SAFE for your dog. Every production batch is MICROBIOLOGICALY TESTED in a third party lab, to proof safety and purity. Produced in small batches - always benefit from a fresh product with long shelf life.

Raw goat milk is abundant in natural probiotics. It has very little lactose (the sugar that’s in cow’s milk) so doesn’t cause the same digestive issues as regular dairy.

Kefir1/4 Cup Live Organic Water Kefir Grains (Tibicos) Natural Probiotics- is high in probiotics and excellent at rebalancing intestinal bacteria, boosting immunity and correcting loose stools and diarrhea. If you have multiple dogs, renewable Kefir is the most affordable solution. This is great after a round of antibiotics.
Kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids that help the body with its natural healing powers. Among them, Tryptophan, an essential amino acid, is abundant in Kefir. Well-known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system it may help calm high drive or highly anxious dogs.
You can now buy Kefir at almost any grocery store now, rather than trying to make your own.

Mickeyspetsupplies.com is your source for made in USA Pet Supplies.
Save 10% on your first order with coupon code PROBIO.

2016-09-12T09:12:00.002-07:00

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

2016-08-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

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

2016-08-08T08:30:00.001-07:00

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

2016-07-31T13:18:00.002-07:00

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

2016-06-21T07:31:00.001-07:00

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

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

2016-06-21T07:14:00.002-07:00

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

2016-06-06T11:23:00.000-07:00

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

2016-05-11T12:18:00.001-07:00

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?

2016-05-09T12:27:00.001-07:00

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)

2016-04-18T09:22:00.004-07:00

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

2016-01-28T08:43:00.003-08:00

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.

Training Your Dog Should Be Fun!

2016-01-23T09:56:00.000-08:00

In honor of Changing A Pet’s Life Day on January 24^th and also in honor of Dog Training Education Month which is coming up in February, we here at Mickey’s thought it would be a wonderful idea to spread the word about Positive Dog Training.

Did you know the #1 reason dogs are relinquished to the shelter is because the dog is untrained? The dog jumps up, barks at everything, pulls on leash, isn’t potty trained, doesn’t like people, doesn’t like other dogs; the list goes on and on. This could have been avoided with some simple obedience training.

Why does your dog need to be obedience trained? The reason is very simple. A trained dog is a good dog. A dog with obedience training is less likely to be destructive in the home, less likely to run away, less likely to bite someone, and less likely to be abandoned in an animal shelter.

Many people don’t realize that all dogs need to be obedience trained. And many more don’t want to do the training because they think it’s difficult or boring or they don’t have time. I’m here to tell you about a training method that is easy, effective and fun for both you and your dog.

Positive dog training is based on two concepts. The first is ‘associative learning’ which is the idea that if two things tend to occur at the same time, we begin to expect one when we see the other. The most famous example is Pavloc’s dogs who would salivate at the sound of a metronome because they associated the sound with the appearance of food.

The other concept is ‘operant conditioning’ which is the use of consequences to modify behavior. By rewarding the desired behavior and ignoring any unwanted behavior, we can increase the desired behavior and almost entirely eliminate unwanted behavior.

What this means is that positive dog training helps the dog associate a stimulus (like a sound) with a desired behavior (like “sitting”). First your dog learns what you want him to do, and then he learns the command for doing it. To do this, you need to use a lot of positive reinforcement by using praise and positive actions or rewards to teach your dog right from wrong. The key is to determine what motivates your dog and use that motivator as a reward upon correct performance. You can use treats, toys, physical affection, verbal praise or a combination of any of those.

Traditional dog training methods typically attempted to teach the command and physically force the dog to do the desired behavior. They often use methods that include devices such as choke collars, prong collars, or electric shock collars. The idea is to use pain to force the dog to do a specific behavior. Punishment and coercion often lead to aggression. Positive dog training methods, however, rarely, if ever, result in aggressiveness or related undesirable behaviors.

As positive dog training methods are emerging more and being accepted by more trainers and pet owners, it is becoming clear that is has many advantages over the traditional method. For example, positive dog training activities tend to have better timing and are more specific. This combines to accelerate training and focus on the desired behavior. And as your dog learns to look to you for leadership, the bond between you will strengthen. The use of pain is not found among positive dog training methods. Pain is not required for learning; in fact, pain can actually lower your dog’s ability to learn by increasing his stress.

Now I know it’s all well and good to explain to you what it is, but what you really want to know is how to use it. Let me go over how you will implement positive dog training and what tools you will need in order to do so properly so that you can start building a path to a happier life with your dog!

The most helpful piece of dog training equipment you will ever own is a dog crate. They come in many different shapes and types, but the size is the most important part. The dog crate should be just big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around in. Your dog crate will be an invaluable piece of dog training equipment for both house training and obedience training.

You are also going to need a leash and a collar. A leather leash is recommended, but a nylon leash is ok as well. Just be careful if you have a puller as nylon leashes can leave burns or cuts on your hand. Stay away from leashed made of chain- the noise they make will be confusing during the training process and can also cause harm to you or your dog if he’s a puller.

Just like the leash, a leather collar is recommended. The leather will give you a great deal of usability and sturdiness, not to mention greater comfort for your dog.

And of course we can’t forget the training pouch to hold treats (or toys if your dog is more toy motivated). You can also get a clicker to help in your training endeavor. Clicker’s sometimes makes it easier for some people because they can click quicker than they are able to get words out.

When using positive reinforcement, it is important to reward your dog immediately upon responding correctly to the cue. For example, if you tell your dog to “sit” and he does so, you need to immediately let him know he did a good thing by telling him “yes” or “good” (or clicking if you use a clicker). Then you promptly give him a treat (or let him play with his toy). Remember, the reward must be something that your dog really loves so make sure you try a few things before buying a bunch of something only to realize your dog isn’t partial to it.

While you are training your dog to respond to new cues, you will want to reward him every time the correct action is performed. However, once he has successfully mastered the cue and is performing consistently without hesitation, it will no longer be necessary to provide rewards each time he performs the specific action. Simply reinforce him verbally that he was correct by telling him “yes” or “good”.

The two biggest things with positive reinforcement is consistency and timing. Be consistent in your training methods and be sure everyone in the house is taught to train your dog the same way so that there is no confusion. Use the same words and hand signals each time you train the cue and be sure to reward your dog right away when he gets it right.

Last but not least, have fun! This should be fun for both you and your dog. If either of you is not having fun, then you’re doing something wrong. Accept the fact that training your dog will take time and patience but eventually your consistency and persistence will pay off.

For training treats, toys and other supplies, check out this link: Dog Training Supplies
Visit Mickeyspetsupplies.com for all your favorite dog training treats, dog chews and great dog training supplies. Use code TRAIN for $3 off your $25 order.

If you have any training specific questions, feel free to email them to Heather at calmtraining@outlook.com to get training advice from a Certified Dog Trainer.

Walking Your Dog is More than just Exercise

2015-11-04T12:18:00.002-08:00

Everyone knows that exercise is important for a dog, and almost everyone assumes that this means taking their dog on a daily walk. But walking is not the only form of exercise for a dog, and walking is more than just a physical activity to them. The wonderful people at The Animal Foundation wrote up a little something that we believe everyone should know about walking and your four-legged pal.

Walking your Buddy (or Spot or Fido) is so much more than just a way of exercising man’s best friend. It stops him or her from getting bored, it’s a behavior training opportunity, and it teaches your dog how to behave in canine company. On top of all this, it gets both of you out and about while helping to grow the bond you have with your dog.

A sedentary pooch can quickly become an overweight one, and that brings all sorts of potential health problems with it. Even if your dog is active inside the home, they still need another outlet for pent-up energy. Young dogs need around an hour of daily exercise, but some dogs bred for sports or herding activities may need much more. You’ll benefit from having a well-exercised dog, as tired dogs tend to behave better, and you’ll help your pet avoid unnecessary weight gain!

If your dog has a yard to play in, walking isn’t the only form of exercise available. However, don’t expect your dog to create their own exercise routine just because you’ve put them outside. Dogs don’t self-entertain, so if you want to tire your pet out, play catch or fetch! If you’re at work all day, consider asking a friend to take your dog out during those hours. Your pet will enjoy the company, and you’ll come home to a happier dog waiting to greet you.

When walking your dog, consider it a training opportunity! Dogs aren’t born knowing how to walk on a leash, so you’ll have to teach your dog how to follow your lead. On these walks, you can begin teaching commands like, “sit,” “stay,” and “heel,” especially if you take treats along to use during the process.

While out walking, your pooch is most likely going to meet other dogs. This is a great opportunity to help your dog learn acceptable ways of socially interacting with new animals! It will also help build doggy confidence so your pet will be less afraid to make friends. If your dog does show fear, taking them to a training class is a great way of removing that anxiety in a more controlled environment. Well-socialized pups still like a bit of rough-and-tumble play with other dogs when out for a walk, but they’ll know when to stop and will come away without any battle scars.

Like a child, your dog wants to know the world. If they are confined to the house for too long, pets get bored, and boredom can lead to destructive behavior. Wild animals learn about their environment through mothers and members of the clan, and a domesticated animal only has that opportunity for a few weeks while with their mothers and siblings. Your dog is dependent on you to take them out to explore the sights, smells, and sounds of the world, and it’s recommended to vary the places you take your pet as much as possible. You’ve probably noticed how busy (and excited!) your dog gets when he’s walking, so let them enjoy every opportunity to discover!

Ready to get out of the house with your four-legged friend? With this insight, you’ll never look at a walk with your dog the same way again!

We at Mickey's Pet Supplies feel that the health and well-being of our four-legged family members is very important, which is why we are always looking to inform the public about the greatest new treats and toys for everyone's active pals, as well as sharing any insight into helping make your furry companion a better housemate.
Visit us at Mickey's Pet Supplies and take $3 off your $20 order by entering coupon code BLOGLSH at checkout.

Kong Stuffing Ideas; Including one for Calming

2015-09-15T13:09:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows the famous Kong toys and their amazing ability to keep our dogs entertained and out of trouble. But how many of us are aware of the many incredible ways you can stuff your dogs Kong to keep him from getting bored? Most of us are used to stuffing Kong's with our dogs kibble or canned dog food, maybe some of our dogs favorites treats, and then topping it off with some peanut butter, but did you know there are dozens of other yummy and healthy foods you can use as well? Let's go over just a few examples!

Apples, Bananas, Cheerios, Cheese, Baby Food, Cream Cheese, Tuna, Yogurt (plain, lowfat, unsweetened, unflavored), peaches, and so much more! We'll list a few fun and delicious Kong stuffing recipes to get you started!

Calming Kong
Ingredients: A portion of your dog's normal kibble, about a dessertspoon of cottage cheese, a chunk of banana (about an inch thick)

Method: Half fill the Kong with kibble, then spoon in most of the cottage cheese. Holding your hand over the large opening, shake the Kong to coat the kibble in the cottage cheese. Add some more kibble, packing it in well, then top with the remainder of the cottage cheese before plugging the large opening with the banana.

Food Fact: Cottage cheese contains a good source of the protein amino-acid 'casein' which the body converts into naturally occurring opioids that have a calming affect. This is especially useful to help separation distressed dogs to feel more relaxed when alone. Bananas are also thought to have a calming affect.

Fun Kong Stuffers

Combine bran cereal with some peanut butter for a good source of fiber.
Plain Yogurt and mashed bananas. (You can also add a little peanut butter or other fruits). Then freeze it.
Combine some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cooked rice in a small baggie. Mix well inside the bag, then snip off a corner of the bag and squeeze it into the Kong toy. Freeze.
Combine applesauce with chunks of fruit. Freeze.
Soak some of your dog's regular food in water (or chicken/beef broth) for a brief time before placing it inside a Kong. Then freeze. (Great for dogs with allergies)

Stop by and see all the Kong products Mickey's has to offer plus all the other great toys and treats! We offer free shipping on orders of $75 and very low cost shipping on orders under $75.

Take $5 off $40 with coupon code KONGBLOG

at checkout.

Separation Anxiety in dogs and how to help them overcome it

2015-08-13T11:03:00.002-07:00

Does your dog have a hard time being left home alone? Do they bark, whine, or chew? There are many reasons why a dog might develop problems when home alone.

· They may never have been left alone before, or have never been separated from a particular person.
· There could be something the dog is scared of or worried by either inside the house or outside.
· An animal companion has passed away.
· Boredom. This typically affects young, energetic dogs who struggle when left to their own devices.

How can you tell if your dog is not coping well at home alone? If your dog is anxious about being left you may see the following:

· Your dog becomes distressed as soon as you leave. The first 15 minutes are the worst, during which time your dog becomes extremely upset. They could have increased breathing, panting, salivating, increased activity, and sometimes, a need to go to the bathroom. They may try to follow you out the door, scratch at the door, chew the door-frame, scratch the carpet, or jump up at the windowsill. You dog may also bark, whine, or howl to try to persuade you to come back.
· After this frantic period, the dog my settle down to chew something that you have recently touched that still carries your scent. Dogs will often chew scented items into small pieces and curl up in the debris so that your dog forms a ‘barrier’ of your scent around them for security.
· On your return, your dog my appear elated and may become very excitable. They may be wet, either from salivating or excessively drinking due to stress.
· When you are home, your dog may attempt to follow you wherever you go in the house. They may begin to display anxious behaviors when they see you preparing to leave the house.

How can you help your dog?

Treating separation anxiety is about teaching your dog to tap into new emotions when left alone that will alleviate their anxiety. It can be a very daunting, time consuming, and boring behavior problem to address, but your dog is worth it. He is counting on you to help him through this trauma.

Complete obedience training. Dogs that have a strong foundation in obedience training statistically have a lower frequency of anxiety-related problems. The more a dog is able to obey his owner and do what his owner wants him to do, the more the dog feels comfortable, safe, and more confident in himself.

Help him prepare for the inevitable. Your dog will most likely learn to recognize when you are about to leave: you put on shoes, you grab your keys, and you don a jacket. Hide cues that you are leaving so you’re dog isn’t able to infer you’re about to head out. Whatever you normally do when you leave, try doing it but then sit down and watch tv for a while. This will show your dog that those are not necessarily signs that his owner is leaving him and he will become less tuned to those actions. Give him a treat before closing the door so your departure is associated with something positive.

Take it slow. When your dog has severe separation anxiety, you want to take things in baby steps. Start leaving your dog alone for a couple minutes at a time and get him used to that. You can then gradually bump up the time-frame. The more consistent you are with this training, the better luck you should have with easing your pet’s anxiety. If you know that you will be gone for a long while, you might consider having a friend or family member come and stay with your dog or take him to their home for that time period; this way your dog will have someone with him and will not need to feel as stressed about the separation. You may also consider hiring a dog walker to visit your pooch in the middle of the time frame you are gone if you are, for instance, working all day. This will give your pup someone to keep him company for a while and he will also get some exercise which will help calm him down.

Why punishment won’t help

It is natural for owners to be angry or disappointed if they return to find damage to their home, mess in the house or annoyed neighbors. Sensing that their owners are upset with them, many dogs will display ‘appeasement behavior’ – their ears may go flat, their body may be lowered and their tail may go between their legs. Some will look away and narrowing their eyes, as if they are cringing .

Appeasement behavior is often misinterpreted as guilt, and mistakenly some owners believe the dog knows what they have done is wrong. They may feel that any damage caused or mess in the house has been done on purpose or out of spite for being left alone. Unfortunately, this may mean that the dog is punished in an attempt to stop the behavior.

Dogs that look guilty are doing nothing more than responding to an owner’s disappointment, upset or anger and it is their way of diffusing tension in response to feeling threatened. Some dogs will also do this if they think they are about to be told off if they have been so in the past.

Any punishment given on returning home won’t help stop the problem. Dogs associate punishment with what they are doing at that moment in time and so a dog will not link the telling off with their actions before their owner came home, even if they are taken over to ‘the scene of the crime’. It is not that they cannot remember what happened; they just won’t be able to make a connection between the punishment and something they did hours ago.

Punishment is not only useless but it is also likely to make the problem worse. Now, as well as being anxious about being left, a dog will also be worried about the owner returning, which can make any symptoms much, much worse.

Where can you find items to help with separation anxiety?

Mickey's Pet Supplies has many different chew toys and training treats to help you and your dog get through this difficult trial. We recommend Kong toys and Antlers to keep your pup busy while your gone. We also recommend treats from Cloud Star, Fruitables, and Zuke's to fill the Kong toys and to help with obedience training.

The Trend is Made in USA Pet Supplies

2015-06-11T12:39:00.001-07:00

Ever since 2007 and the pet deaths and illness linked to a pet food ingredient sourced from China people have been very conscious of buying made in USA pet supplies. People began to read the labels and look to see where the ingredients were sourced.
Pet parents sent a message to the pet food manufacturers based on their purchases.
They want a greater selection of made in US dog and cat products!

We started a long time ago with our pets by buying only made in USA pet food and treats for our dog and cats. We subscribe to Whole Dog Journal and consider it our go to source for the best information from some of the experts in the industry.

Here at Mickey's Pet Supplies we started our business fully pledging to bring in only the highest quality pet supplies and finding the best made in USA dog and cat pet supplies.

You will find the largest selection of any pet retail store of made in USA pet supplies.
We have a complete section located in the upper left corner of our website that is only Made in USA.
There you will find hundreds of made in USA dog toys, dog treats, cat treats, cat toys, dog food and pet grooming and health items.

We carry Wholesome Hide rawhides and they are the only rawhides we would ever consider carrying. We know how their hides are shipped to them in refrigerated trucks right from Chicago area where their plant is located, cleaned and hand rolled and tied into their traditional retriever rolls and knotted bones. They are the only made in USA certified rawhide company. That means they are inspected by the USDA and actually are certified as to their source and manufacturing.
Made in USA certified means that their finished product must manufactured and produced exclusively in the US and all raw ingredients must be US sourced.

They are unlike any other rawhide you may have tried. They are fresh, full of the rich collagen layer that makes them a tasty bone for your dog. They are not chemically treated to preserve them, so they aren't dry and brittle. Other companies get their cow hides from foreign countries and must ship them in containers across the ocean. In order for the rawhides to make the journey, they have to add stabilizers and preservatives to them. By the time they reach our borders they are all dry and brittle from the ride. Wholesome Hide is a safe chew and many veterinarians have changed their thinking on rawhides once they try Wholesome Hide. We have many as our customers!

Ann Shevin, Owner of Mickey's Pet Supplies
and her Lab, Nia

At Mickey's we have our own brand of dog chews, sourced from a ranch in Colorado.
We have cow hooves, meaty knuckle bones, bully sticks in every size from regular to our Super Monster.

We deal with small companies that make dog toys here in the US from US sourced fabric.
One is even in Florida where we are located. Of course, we carry West Paw Design Dog Toys, Planet Dog, JW Pet and Kong. Just to let you know, not all Kong dog toys are made in the US.

We make a point of meeting our companies we deal with and really knowing where their sources are. They know us for being very picky in who we represent on our web site.

Rest assured, our customers are like our extended family. We get to know their pet's names and when they order from us, they know they are getting the best in personal service and the best in pet supplies for their pets. Every one of our

orders goes out lightning fast, usually within an hour of placing it you will receive an email with your shipment tracking information. We are a small company with 4 employees and each of us have many pets! We all love animals!

Stop by and take a look at what Mickey's has to offer. You will be impressed with our products and our service. We offer free shipping on orders of $75 and very low cost shipping on orders under $75.
Take $4 off your $30 order with coupon code MPBLOG4 at checkout.

Orijen Dog Food Rated Highest by Whole Dog Journal

2015-05-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

Repost of Article from Whole Dog Journal May 2015

Champion Petfoods: This Canadian company makes high-quality dry foods with lots of fresh meat.

By Nancy Kerns

Orijen is Champion Petfood’s flagship line, with high meat inclusions and high protein levels. All seven of the Orijen foods are grain-free.

Champion Petfoods is a privately held company that makes high-protein dry dog foods with a high inclusion of meat, much of it fresh. The company calls its guiding principle “BAFRINO,” an acronym that stands for “biologically appropriate, fresh regional ingredients, never outsourced.” As of this writing, all of Champion’s dry foods are made in its own manufacturing plant in Morinville, Alberta, though the company is currently building a second dry food manufacturing plant in Auburn, Kentucky. Champion also manufactures freeze-dried foods at its own plant in Oakville, Ontario.

When I started researching and writing about dog food 18 years ago, I was told by many pet food company representatives that dry dog food couldn’t be made with a meat inclusion of more than a third or so. In other words, the food couldn’t contain much more than about 30 percent animal products; any more meat in the food, I was told again and again, and the manufacturer risks having the product “gum up” the extruders – the equipment that cooks the food.

I suspect this was an oversimplified explanation meant to rationalize the companies’ carbohydrate-heavy formulas of the past. As animal nutrition studies have shown that higher-protein diets are not harmful for dogs (as thought in decades past), and owners have found them to be beneficial for all sorts of dogs, diets that contain higher amounts of animal protein have become increasingly popular – and somehow, pet food makers have found ways to get their extruders to work with increasingly higher and higher inclusions of meat in their formulas.

I’m not aware of any company that is currently using higher percentages of meat in their dry dog foods than Champion, though; it’s actually become an integral part of the company’s identity and mission. More than 30 different types of meat are delivered to Champion’s plant, with 10 or 11 semi-trucks full of meat arriving daily, six days a week. The majority of these meats are fresh; some meat meals are used, but no frozen meats are included. The fresh meats arrive to the Champion plant in refrigerated tubs of meat “slurry,” pre-ground by Champion’s meat suppliers.

Ingredient sourcing

Champion puts more emphasis on its ingredient sources than any other company I’ve observed. Company representatives take pride in their close relationships with their ingredient suppliers – and in fact, many of those suppliers appear (with their consent, of course) in Champion’s advertising, packaging, and promotional materials. Champion’s marketing materials feature photos and video of fishermen bringing in the catch, farmers harvesting fresh herbs, and ranchers moving their cattle, bison, and “wild boars” from pasture to pasture – and the individuals and their agricultural businesses are identified, so these relationships can be verified by anyone.

This strategy runs counter to the more-common practice in the pet food industry of refusing to disclose ingredient sources. It’s a tad risky, because any adverse events that strike an ingredient supplier could cause concern over Champion’s products – whereas, if consumers don’t know where a company gets its ingredients, they have no basis for worrying about a specific company’s food. Champion researches and audits its ingredient suppliers frequently, and makes them aware that the reputation of the companies on both sides of the relationship are intertwined. Many of the suppliers sell as much or more of their products for human consumption; none of the companies want bad press! Champion trusts its suppliers to provide top-quality, safe ingredients, and in turn, the suppliers trust Champion to manufacture safe, healthy foods that won’t make dogs sick or get recalled.

Maintaining these close relationships is manageable because of the part of Champion’s mission statement that addresses “fresh, regional ingredients.” All the major ingredients in Champions’ foods are sourced as locally as possible – from Canada or the U.S. Of course, some of the fresh fruits and vegetables used in the foods are not available year-round in the far north, and have to be procured farther afield, but the quality control processes are the same.

Champion is developing new formulas, to be produced in its Kentucky facility, starting in 2016, that will contain ingredients that are sourced close to the new location.

Fresh, refrigerated ground meat “slurry” is about to be mixed into a batch of dog food.

Original line: Acana

Champion has two distinct dry food product lines, and while both are formulated according to the company’s BAFRINO ethos, they are nevertheless significantly different.

Acana is the name of the line of foods that Champion first produced about 30 years ago. Company founder Reiner Muhlenfeld had a background in feed stores, and began producing a private-label dog food to sell as a store brand. Though Acana has been updated and reformulated throughout the years, it has always been formulated with locally sourced ingredients. Today, there are three sub-lines made for the Acana label: Classics, Regionals, and Singles.

The nine Classics formulas are made with a 55 percent to 65 percent meat inclusion; chicken meal (not a fresh meat) is the first ingredient in each variety, with smaller yet significant amounts of fresh meats and fish and whole eggs contributing to the total inclusion of meat (and adding flavor). Oats comprise the foods’ major carbohydrate source. Each food is formulated to contain 32 percent protein and from 10 percent to 24 percent fat (depending on the variety). (Note that all protein and fat percentages given are minimums; the “actual amounts” may be higher.)

There are four Acana Regionals foods. These contain 60 percent meat, and each variety’s ingredient list is topped by a different fresh meat, with a meat meal in the second position on the label; other fresh meats are also included in each formula. All of the products in this line are grain free; the carbohydrate sources used include peas, lentils, field beans, potatoes, sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, and parsnips, depending on the formula. Each product contains 17 percent fat and 31 to 33 percent protein (depending on the formula).

Champion offers three Acana Singles foods, each made with a single animal protein source. Each variety contains the same animal protein (pork, lamb, or duck) in meal and fresh form, with fat from the same species added separately. These foods are also grain-free, with the meat comprising 50 percent of each formula and 50 percent comprised of fruits and vegetables. Peas, chickpeas (a.k.a. garbanzo beans), and pumpkin are the carbohydrate sources. Each product has a protein of 27 percent and 15 percent fat.

Some sort of fish appears on the ingredient list of every Acana food. Champion sources some of its fish from freshwater lakes in Canada, and some (salmon, herring, and flounder) from the Pacific waters near Vancouver Island.

Fresh fruits and vegetables enter a grinder at Champion’s produce supplier; this, too, is delivered to Champion in a slurry (inset).

Flagship line: Orijen

Almost 10 years ago, Peter Muhlenfeld (the company founder’s son) developed a new product line, Orijen – which has since become Champion’s flagship label, representing about 60 percent of the company’s output. These foods contain even higher meat inclusions, higher protein levels, and are priced higher as a result. Champion says its Orijen foods are made with 75 to 90 percent meat inclusions. The ingredients list of each of its seven Orijen formulas are topped by a fresh meat, and contain a number of other fresh meats, though all seven also contain one or two meat meals. The Orijen line includes two puppy foods, with 38 percent protein and 16 percent (large breed puppy) or 18 percent (regular puppy) fat. Its senior food also contains 38 percent protein, with 15 percent fat. Its four adult foods all contain 38 percent protein and 18 percent fat.

More recently, Champion began making a line of Orijen Freeze Dried foods, which it makes in its own facility. All three products in the line contain fresh meats (no meat meals) that are ground with fresh bone (as a mineral source). They contain a minimum of 36 percent protein and 34 percent fat.

Notes

- Champion does not use a standard vitamin/mineral mix in its foods, but adds only those nutrients that are needed to make the finished product meet “complete and balanced” standards. This eliminates needless nutrient overages.

- The company describes its extrusion process as a “slow cook” at “lower temperatures.” While this is technically true, the difference is just a few seconds and a few degrees in the extruder. The difference is necessitated by the formulas’ higher animal protein and fat content.

- Water does not appear on the ingredient label of dry foods, even though most manufacturers use water to help mix the food before it’s extruded. No water is added to Champion’s mixtures, because so many of their ingredients are freshly ground and high in moisture already.

- As a privately owned company, Champion is under no obligation to disclose annual sales figures or even tonnage of product manufactured annually. The company has grown exponentially in the past decade, but its principals admit that it is limited by its ingredient procurement standards.

Courtesy of Mickey's Pet Supplies- Your source for all natural pet supplies for cats and dogs.

Dogs May Have Detected Cancer in Indiana NPR Radio Host

2015-05-15T07:54:00.001-07:00

Repost from The Star Press May 14, 2015

MUNCIE – Stan Sollars still has a bad day every now and then. It hits him hard and unexpectedly; he cries as he imagines "worst-case scenarios" from a bygone point in his life. Then, after gathering himself, Sollars carries on.

It's like that for most all cancer survivors, though, even those like Sollars, who many would never guess were once afflicted.

"Stuff just hits you sometimes," he said. "You can't paste on being positive. You just can't fake that."

Sollars is a "glass-half-full kind of guy," but he's also a realist. When he was diagnosed with stage-3 esophageal cancer in August 2014, the then-58-year-old Sollars knew little about the disease, but he knew himself. Even after learning all there was to know about his condition, he was resolute.

"I wasn't going to accept not recovering from this," he said.

In reality, his life isn't much different than it was before his diagnosis; the only differences are he's 59 now, and free of detectable cancer.

The upbeat and witty Sollars still hosts Indiana Public Radio's broadcasts of Morning Edition from NPR. He still teaches telecommunications at Ball State University. He's happily married to Allison Pareis, with whom he has two children, of sorts.

Those children – one a 10-year-old smooth-haired dachshund named Penny Lane, the other a 6-year-old wire-haired dachshund named Hairy Truman – not only comforted Sollars, they helped him heal.

It was never a question of whether or not I'd survive; I knew I was going to be OK," Sollars said. "It was just a matter of figuring out a way to recover as quickly and healthily as possible. These (dogs) were a major part of that process."

A man and his dogs

Well before his six-hour surgery last November, and perhaps even before he was diagnosed, Sollars and his wife believe their dogs were hinting something was amiss.

Each dog would lay its head in the area the tumor was later found, sniffing and nosing Sollars in a way different than they'd done in the past.

"They'd lay down (on that spot) and we didn't know what to make of that," Pareis said. "When he was diagnosed, and we thought about what the dogs were doing, it all kind of made sense."

"They detected the cancer, I think," Sollars said.

Recent studies have suggested canines can detect cancerous tumors early on, though there is little data on detection of esophageal cancer strains to this point. Even so, Sollars and Pareis said their dogs have done more than just serve as kind and caring companions. They've also given Sollars and Pareis a morale boost.

When he got home from his nine-day stay at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis after surgery, Sollars was overrun by the two dogs, who were bouncing excitedly around him.

"One of the things I was told not to do during my recovery was that I shouldn't lift more than 10 pounds," he said. "Each dog weighs about 11 pounds, so I may have broken that rule a few times."

Even now, the dogs play a big role in Sollars' continuing recovery. From a physical aspect, he said, walking the dogs is beneficial because it's a simple but effective way to exercise and get out of the house. On the emotional side, the two canines are members of an extensive support team that includes Pareis, family members and friends.

"They just give me this look, and that's when I know something's going on with Stan," Pareis said. "They're (telling me) to go check on him, I think."According to William Kessler, a gastroenterology specialist with IU Health, the survival rate of esophageal cancer isn't good. At about 15 percent when it's not detected early on, cancer of the esophagus is one of the hardest to cure behind the likes of lung and colon cancers.

"It's the most rapidly increasing form of cancer in men," he said. "In the last 30 years, the number of cases have gone up by 600 percent."

And while Sollars isn't sure what caused him to get cancer in the first place – he'd never smoked and rarely consumed alcohol – he never gave the survival rate statistic much of a second glance in his situation.

"I didn't care, to be honest. I know my own limits, and I knew I could beat it," he said. "I wasn't trying to survive, I was trying to (live) and be cured."

A helping paw

In many ways, being caregivers and good friends is what a dog is bringing to the healing process, Sollars said.

"Dogs are a huge part of aftercare, and mine would look me right in the eyes," he said. "They even sent me some messages, I think."

According to Sollars, it's important to return that love to them in our own way.

Repost of Article by Mickey Schuey May 14, 2015

Courtesy of Mickey's Pet Supplies

Active Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers

2015-04-13T13:19:00.001-07:00

Nice weather is here finally! It's time to get out with your dog and enjoy quality time in the backyard or park.
Mickey's Pet Supplies has the largest selection of Made in USA dog toys, especially durable toys made for aggressive chewers.

West Paw design makes Zogoflex dog toys like the Glow in the Dark Zisc, which is available in the regular or mini size, the Hurley- available in Large, Small and Mini sizes, Toppl treat dispensers, Bumi- stretchable and tuggable toys. The West Paw Tizzi dog toy spirals through the air giving the time-honored game of fetch a dynamic new spin. Twist the handles together for maximum flight or untwist to hide dog treats inside. Whether doggie playtime is on land or in the water, this floatable dog toy is ready for takeoff. Tizzi doubles as a treat toy with a hollow spot for hiding pets favorite goodies. You can feel good about dispensing treats with the non-toxic toy that is BPA-free, phthalate-free and designed with dogs health and safety in mind.

Planet Dog makes a great line up of dog toys that are rated by their chew-o-meter scale.
The Diamond Plate ball is one of their toughest and we recommend that for the really aggressive chewers. The best known ball is the Orbee. It is a great all time favorite.
We love that they have a minty scent to help with doggie breath too.
The Soccer ball is perfect for larger breeds and has enough flexibility that is easy to pick up and carry too.

For those Golf Fans check out the Planet Dog Golf Ball. It is the perfect size for small dogs at 2.25 inches. It is rated a 5 out of 5 chompers, so really tough.

All the West Paw Zogoflex toys and Planet Dog Toys have a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

Visit Mickey's Pet Supplies and check out our Tough and Durable dog toys category.

Use Coupon Code ACTIVE at checkout for 15% off your order from anything in our Tough Dog Toys Category.

Tough Toys for Tough Dogs!

2015-02-12T12:37:00.003-08:00

Looking for some really fun, indestructible toys for your dogs to enjoy? Look no further! Let me show you a couple of my favorite toys for our more aggressive chewers out there that need a toy to keep them entertained!

The Premier Busy Buddy Biscuit Bouncer Medium is a great toy to keep your pup entertained while your trying to get some work done! It is a durable ball that features the Treat Trapper which firmly holds a variety of treats, including biscuits, cheese sticks, jerky, and even bully sticks. Durable rubber gradually releases the treat as the dog chews! The Premier Busy Buddy Biscuit Bouncer is heavy weight, durable, and dishwasher safe. Perfect for dogs between 20-50 pounds.

The Jolly Pets Tug-N-Toss Ball is a puncture resistant, made in USA tough dog ball. This is a really durable rubber ball with a handle. It will not deflate and does not need air. It's great for pouncing, bouncing, chewing, chasing and floating. If you have a hard time keeping toys intact because of your dogs natural urge to seek and destroy, this is the toy for you! Sold in a 6" size and a mini 4" size.

Visit Mickey's Pet Supplies or call 877-863-5431 to order by phone.

Enjoy $3 off your order of $25 or more by using coupon code HKBLOG

Coupon expires 5-31-15