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Survey: Most Pet Parents Will Buy Dog Gifts This Christmas

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dog christmas gift

‘Tis the season not only for joy and love, but also for pets. An overwhelming majority of parents who responded to Petco’s November survey* plan to join in on the holiday fun with their pets — with a whopping 84% of respondents noting they plan to treat their furry friend with a gift, which is up 2 percent from last year.

50% are also planning to purchase a present for a friend or relative’s pet.

“Pet parents are including pets in their holiday celebrations like never before,” said Rebecca Frechette, Senior Vice President, Merchandising for Petco.

“From spending quality time together, to gifting and having their furry friend strike a pose with Santa, pet parents love including their pets in the festivities.”

The survey also found that treats and toys are among the most popular pet gifts this holiday season.

Along with seasonal gifting, consumers can help give pets in need the gift of a loving home this holiday season through the Petco Foundation and Nature’s Variety Instinct’s All For Holiday Homes fundraising campaign. From November 19 through December 24, animal lovers can support this lifesaving initiative by donating at the register at any Petco or Unleashed by Petco store or online at www.petcofoundation.org.

Dog Christmas Gifts

Not sure what to buy for Christmas? We have a few guides for you:

Dog Gifts for Christmas: 15 Pawesomely Unique Ideas

Dog Lover Gifts For Your Friends: 11 Super Unique and Totally Awesome Ideas

Dog Christmas Costumes: 10 Funny Pics + Where You Can Get Them

Dog Safety: Tips for the Holidays & Christmas

dog safety

The holidays are full of family, fun and festivities – but can also be a source of potential hazards for our cats and dogs. From increased stress levels to particularly harmful foods, the season’s activities can be a lot for pets to handle. Royal Canin is encouraging pet owners to take precautions to ensure all pets remain safe and healthy.

According to a recent Nationwide Pet Insurance report, upset stomach and diarrhea rank among the top 10 reasons owners take their pets to the vet, and pets are at risk to factors that increase gastrointestinal issues around the holiday season.

“Gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea are common in cats and dogs year-round, but can be especially common during the holiday season,” said Dr. Catherine Lenox, a veterinary nutritionist and Royal Canin Scientific Affairs Manager.



“When there is additional stress such as house guests or boarding, as well as more food around the house – including foods that humans can eat but that are toxic to pets – there is an increased risk of gastrointestinal disturbances in our pets.”

In order to avoid gastrointestinal problems during the holidays, pet owners should be sure to prevent easy access to hazardous foods, decrease stressful situations for their pets, and if necessary, talk to their veterinarian about precise nutrition options for their pets’ digestive issues.

Gastrointestinal issues – If your pet’s routine is disrupted during the holidays, you may notice irregular digestive clinical signs, but they could actually be signs of an infection, or a more serious condition. If your pet experiences any signs or vomiting and diarrhea, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to determine the best course of action. Signs of gastrointestinal issues include: vomiting, regurgitation, diarrhea and decreased appetite.

There are often simple solutions for many gastrointestinal cases. There’s a Royal Canin line of veterinary-exclusive GASTROINTESTINAL™ formulas.



Toxic foods – It’s no secret there are more treats around the house during the holidays, many of which can be especially harmful to pets. Guests may not realize that your dog or cat isn’t allowed to eat table scraps, or that they should keep all food and leftovers out of reach. A change in diet can cause an upset stomach, especially if introduced rapidly. Holiday foods that are particularly hazardous to pets include: chocolate, especially dark chocolate, unbaked bread dough, macadamia nuts, turkey, alcohol, sugar-free candy and baked goods that include artificial sweeteners. Holiday décor, such as tinsel, poinsettias, or pine needles, as well as drinking water from the tree stand can also be potentially dangerous for curious pets.

Increased stress – The holidays aren’t just stressful times for humans, but pets, too! Pets are exposed to potentially overwhelming situations, such as boarding at a kennel, traveling, or being introduced to several new guests, which cause irregularity in routine and can lead to digestive issues. Any deviation from a pet’s normal behavior can be an indication of stress, such as: poor appetite, decreased interaction with their owners and gastrointestinal disturbances such as vomiting and/or diarrhea. Owners can minimize pets’ stress by providing a stable living environment and avoiding unpleasant interactions and experiences.

Prior to the holidays, pet owners should consider ways to avoid potentially hazardous situations as noted by the National Pet Insurance report. Contact your veterinarian if you pet is showing any signs of discomfort or symptoms of digestive issues.

More Dog Safety Christmas Tips

dog safety

Healthy Paws Pet Insurance examined claims from November 2015 to January 2016 to find out how pet parents can help keep pets safe during the holiday hustle and bustle.



Stomach-related conditions were most likely to send pets to the vet during the 2015 holiday season. Healthy Paws processed 5,100 stomach related claims for the 2015 holiday season, reimbursing an average of $703 per incident for foreign body removal, the accidental swallowing of an object not meant to be consumed.

Bottom line: watch out for pine needles, tinsel, ornaments, and ribbon, as these goodies are just asking to be eaten! Even holiday plants like poinsettias, holly, and mistletoe are poisonous to cats and dogs, so keep them on shelves or opt for faux plants.

More commonly, dogs and cats are surrounded by tempting-but-toxic treats, such as chocolate, fruitcake, alcohol, and raisins. Avoid an emergency vet visit by supervising pets and keeping human food out of their reach. Try to keep pets out of the kitchen, where most of the holiday food prep happens.

Puppy Proofing Dog Safety Tips:

  • When leaving pets home alone, restrict their roaming to a space free from decor or presents.
  • A falling Christmas tree can seriously injure your cat or dog, so if you have a mischief-maker or tree-climber, stabilize the tree with additional hardware.
  • Exercise caution with candles. A curious pet could end up with severe burns, or even knock the candle over with a wag of the tail and start a fire. Keep candles up on a shelf or only lit while you’re in the room.
  • While the holidays can be stressful for you, additional guests can stress your pet out too. Make sure visitors are aware that you take your pet’s safety seriously. No sneaking snacks at the Christmas party, absolutely no sharing alcohol, and, should you have overnight guests, lock up their medications and personal products.

The most wonderful time of the year is also the most cluttered with safety dangers for curious pets.

Kids Getting Puppies for Christmas: Christmas Dog Videos

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVPC_z6oXpc

 

In the cute Christmas dog video compilation above, members of the family are surprised when they receive a puppy! The look on their faces and the joy in their eyes are sure to bring a smile to your face.

If you’re contemplating buying a puppy as a gift, remember that dogs are for life. You should be sure that the person you’re getting the dog for is willing to make the lifelong commitment. No dog should have to end up in a shelter! We also caution you against putting dogs in boxes.



Rescue & Cancer Survivor Dog Makes World Hall of Fame

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dog-wins-championship

A 9 and a half year old rescue dog won the 2016 DockDogs World Championship in Iwoa this month.

The dog, Rex, and his owner Lianne now hold the International title for “Sonic Speed Retrieve” and the two were inducted into the Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the World Championship event.

The win is not only poignant because of Rex’s senior age, but also due to his status as a both a rescue dog, and cancer survivor.

Brianne Durham, a fellow DockDogs competitor and friend of the winning team said, “They have shown the world that the underdog story is real. Rex came to Lianne as an unwanted orphan… And today he is a two-time World Champion! This journey for Lianne and Rex wasn’t easy. The Championship didn’t just happen.  They’ve been there, every year for the last decade wanting this. So, when it finally happened, it was surreal.  An incredible milestone in their lives together.”



“It’s a big deal for us,” said Shinton. “We have trained and trained for this day, and it finally happened. I couldn’t be more proud of Rex. He’s always been a winner to me, but now he’s a World Champion.”

A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medicine Association found that about one-third of dog owners who give up their pets to an animal shelter do so because of the dogs’ perceived behavior problems. The study also found that married people were more likely than single people to give up their pets. That may be because many married people may have children or other responsibilities that make it more difficult for them to train their pets.

“Whatever people do, they have to have patience and dedication when it comes to understanding their dog’s behavior” says Shinton. “Every dog has something that makes them special. Dog/human team sports like DockDogs are a great way to find what that something special is, and it’s a great way for us to interact with our pets in a positive way.”



Can You Afford Not to Have Pet Insurance?

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Pet Insurance annual limits

Pet insurance plans can be riddled with exclusions and limitations. Since each company is different, it’s wise to learn about these potential deal breakers before enrolling your dog in coverage.

What are Annual Limits and how do they work?

Annual Limits provide a maximum dollar amount that each provider is willing to pay per year. Unlike health insurance for people, insurance for dogs does not cover pre-existing conditions and the conditions that are covered may be subject to plan limits and exclusions.

Understanding the ins and outs of pet insurance can be difficult, time consuming and confusing. To make your research easy, we compiled a list of the 2016 Updated Annual Limits for the Top 5 Pet Insurance Providers (as reported by Pet Insurance U):

 

#1 Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy covers reimbursement of the cost incurred by the consumer for necessary, medial, veterinary treatment. This is strongly recommended by the veterinarian for conditions covered by this policy. These costs will be covered by your medical provider when your pet develops becomes sick, or has an injury as a result of an accident; during the coverage term.

 

#2 Petplan Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy covers the base standards: accidents, injuries, illnesses, veterinary exam fees, MRI, cat scan, ultrasound, diagnostic treatments, prescription medications, cancer treatments, dental treatments (non-routine), surgery rehabilitation and alternative therapies. It also covers hereditary conditions, chronic conditions

The company reimburses consumers the costs of the non-routine veterinary exam fees for injuries and sickness. Without this coverage, you will pay the cost which ranges from $25-$100 every time you walk in the door of the veterinarian.

 

#3 Embrace Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy covers breed-specific conditions, cancer treatment, diagnostic testing and imaging (e.g. X-ray, ultrasound, MRI), prosthetic limbs and devices including mobility aids, surgery, hospitalization, and nursing care, alternative therapies and rehabilitation, ER & specialist care, prescription drugs and behavioral therapy. Coverage is set for life and will not change based on age. Every pet has the same coverage. Each pet has an annual maximum limit for reimbursement that can be set at multiple levels.

 

#4 Nationwide Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy offers full and partial coverage depending on the plan you choose, with full reimbursement to none depending on the plan. From Cancer, ACL tears, Hip Dysplasia and Annual Wellness

 

#5 PetFirst Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy includes accidents, illness, hospitalization, surgery, hereditary conditions, congenital, chronic, diagnostic test, exam fees, x-rays, ultrasounds, medications, holistic care, cancer, hip dysplasia, emergency care. Great medical coverage with no per-incident, or annual lifetime limits.

 

#6 Pets Best Pet Insurance

Annual Limits and Coverage: This policy covers comprehensive coverage that pays on your actual veterinary bill for unexpected incidents like emergencies and genetic conditions. It has multiple levels of coverage, while covering most accidents and illnesses such as: exam fees, prescription medicines, acupuncture and chiropractic visits.

Remember coverage and Annual Limits are key in choosing the company and plan that is right for you.

 

 

Five Intelligent Reasons Why Purchasing Pet Insurance Benefits

Pet Insurance

By understanding the concepts of Annual Limits this will put you the consumer at an ease that benefits you. This gives you the peace of mind by knowing you are saving money in the bank and your pet’s life.

 

  1. Veterinarian choices

Pet insurance allows the consumer to pick their own veterinarian personally. Unlike health insurance policies for people that give you a specific health care provider, pet insurance policies allow you to have complete control having the power to pick the veterinarian of your choosing. The consumer is responsible for providing the veterinary invoice to the insurance company for reimbursement and what qualified expenses can be covered.

 

  1. No discrimination

Pet insurance does not discriminate on age, breed, or sex of pet. Though it is strongly recommended to obtain pet insurance as soon as you adopt, or purchase your pet to obtain lower premiums, it is also possible to insure the pet years later if funds are not available.

 

  1. Gives consumer peace of mind

Having this specific type of insurance allows consumers to choose treatments for their ailing or injured pet based on the best available medical option and not restricted based on family finances or career income. Most pet insurance policies will reimburse up to 80% of costs after deductibles are paid.

 

  1. Easy way to budget pet care costs

Companies are willing to work within the consumer’s budget and there are options. Pet insurance policies can be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually. It is the consumer’s decisions as to which payment plan works best for you. Most plans offer discounts for additional pets in the household.

 

  1. Prevents dipping into emergency fund

Now it is true, consumers are allowed to set up a pet savings account, but it can be difficult to discipline them-selves from dipping into this designated account when you face unexpected life emergencies like: pricey car repairs, household renovations or health scares that come up.

 

Conclusion

You have options and solutions, what are you waiting for?  There is no excuse for being stingy, there are enough plans and companies out there fit your budget. With online options and access it is changing how consumers shop for pet insurance also.

I would highly suggest that you continue to research and learn through this process. For more information contact a local insurance agent to see what your potential options are and ask about their policy Annual Limits. As always this isn’t just about you but your furry companions.

Pure Balance Dog Food Review: High-Quality Ingredients at Affordable Price + Manufacturer

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Pure Balance Dog Food

Every owner struggles to find a dog food that is both affordable and healthy.

After reviewing Pure Balance Dog food, we think we’ve come up with a pretty good option.

Since their recipes are grain free, it’s usually a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs. Health-fanatics who want their dogs to follow in their footsteps and go gluten-free will be pleasantly surprised.

In this post we cover all the details you want to know about Pure Balance dog food:

  • Types
  • Ingredients
  • Nutritional value
  • Manufacturer/who to contact for questions and concerns
  • Review of what other dog owners are saying
  • How to switch your dog’s food

Wanna learn more? Keep reading.

Types of Pure Balance Dog Food

Pure Balance Dog Food has a couple of different flavors:

 

Ingredients

The “Pure Balance Promise” states that they “believe in one pure and simple thought – the best nutrition for your dog starts with the best ingredients.”

We decided to look at the ingredients to put that idea to the test.

Just by looking at the ingredient deck, you can tell this is a healthier than average dog food. For example, on one ingredient’s list, you will find brown rice, pea protein, chicken meal and flaxseed. The first ingredient on many recipes – which means it’s the most used — is a type of meat, like chicken or salmon.

pure balance dog food

There are only a few ingredients on the list that provide little or no nutritional value.

Pure Balance says none of their dog food recipes contain corn, wheat or soy. This could make it a good option if your pup has a sensitive stomach or if grain makes him a little itchy. If you need grain-free dog food on a budget, Pure Balance is a solid option.

The brand touts real meat and antioxidants that contribute to a healthy immune system. There are also added vitamins and minerals.

The downside is that many of Pure Balance’s foods may have too many carbs for some owner’s liking.

While it’s not healthier than making your own specialized dog food at home, it gives you the most bang for your buck. It’s one of the healthier dog food options out there and it’s also one of the cheapest.

pure balance dog food

It depends on the flavor, but on Amazon you can get a 7lb bag for less than $10. Other options go up to $20 for a 4lb bag.

Another bonus? There hasn’t been any recalls for Pure Balance Dog Food. Overall, it has pretty good consumer reviews on other sites as well.

For dog owners who are also cat owners, there’s also Pure Balance cat food.

pure balance dog food review

Who Manufactures Pure Balance Dog Food?

There’s many questions concerning who manufactures Pure Balance dog food, so we reached out to both Wal-Mart and The J.M. Smucker Company. Here’s what we found out.

Some Pure Balance products are manufactured by Ainsworth Pet Nutrition LLC on behalf Wal-Mart, who private labelled the dog food. Ainsworth was sold to J.M. Smucker in 2018, but still remains the manufacturer of some, but not all, Pure Balance products.

If you have concerns or questions about any Pure Balance food, you should call the number printed on the package, which is Wal-Mart’s Customer Service Department.  That phone number is 1-877-307-2192. You can also visit Walmart.com to submit an email under the customer service tab.

Last year, Wal-Mart made a promotional video about Pure Balance:

 

Switching to Pure Balance Dog Food

It should be noted that every dog reacts differently to certain foods. When trying out a new food, we recommend buying a small bag to test it out first. Start off by mixing a little bit of the new food into the old food. Gradually increase that amount to slowly wean your dog off the old food. Be sure to keep an eye on your dog to see how he reacts. According to Pure Balance dog food reviews, dogs who try Pure Balance dog food grow a better coat and have better digestion.

However, every dog reacts differently. Adverse reactions could include constipation or pure balance dog food, although this can also be the effect of your dog adjusting to new food. If your dog doesn’t adjust to Pure Balance or any other dog food, you should consider switching.

If you’re interested in trying out Pure Balance Dog Food, you can purchase it on Amazon.

 

pure balance dog food

Pure Balance Dog Food Reviews: Real Owners

If you’re asking yourself, “Is Pure Balance a good dog food?” reading Pure Blance dog food reviews is a good place to start. You can view the reviews on each site individually, but here’s an overview for your convenience.

Many reviews on Influenster, a product review website, report that Pure Balance has improved their dog’s coats, skin, digestion and more. The reviews are specifically for the Lamb and Brown Rice formula.

  • “This is the ONLY grocery store brand I will ever buy for my dogs. it’s actually better for your dog than Blue Buffalo or Royal Canin,” one reviewer wrote.
  • “I switched her over to this dog food because she was always throwing up and had an upset stomach about twice a week. I got it because it said it was for sensitive stomachs. Now my dog never has any stomach issues and she loves meal time now,” another reviewer said.
  • “Her coat has been looking healthier as well. It doesn’t have a bad smell on her breath either hahaha. Good value for the money.”
  • “I changed my dogs food at least 20 times because he just didn’t seem to enjoy it. He loves the chicken and rice blend he will even do tricks for it.”
  • “It’s healthy for our handsome boy and it gets along with his sensitive tummy. Also his coat is more shiny than it ever was when we first got him over a year ago. This is a great healthy food that is very inexpensive.”

Pure Balance is currently rated #68 in Influencer’s dog food section.

On reviewhub.net, some reviewers commented on the Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe. Here’s what they said:

  • “My Italian greyhounds (toy breed) love this food and the size of the kernels works for smaller dogs. I like how this brand has healthier ingredients and is readily available.”
  • “My dog devours this food, so he enjoys the taste. Just as importantly, I know the food is good for him and nutritous. There is a noticeable change in the softness and shine to his coat.”
  • “I did a lot of research trying to find a good healthy dog food that would not break our bank. This did the trick…could immediately tell a positive difference in our dogs weight, activity, and coats. Won’t ever buy anything else..even switched our cat to this brand.”

Since we’ve published this post, we’ve gotten several emails of owners claiming that they’ve finally found a food their dog enjoys and doesn’t react to. Some have also said that they’ve noticed changes in their pup’s coat. Of course, dog food isn’t a one-size fits all thing- we’ve heard of some dogs who Pure Balance doesn’t work for.

Watch other Pure Balance Dog Food Reviews

 

One Dog’s Reaction to Pure Balance’s Salmon and Pea Dog Food

 

The Bottom Line

Pure Balance Dog Food is one of the healthiest dog foods you can buy at an affordable price. We bought two flavors for our own dog and he gobbled it up. While he doesn’t have any sensitive stomach issues, we think it’s still important that his only meal of the day is top-quality. His coat seems to be shinier as well. Overall, we’d recommend it.

If you have any questions or complaints about Pure Balance, please scroll above to the “Who Manufactures Pure Balance Food” section. We’ve received many emails of praise or questions about the food. We appreciate them, but we are just the reviewers- not the manufacturer 🙂

COMMENT

Have you tried Pure Balance Dog Food? Comment below which flavor is your dog’s favorite.

Pure balance dog food review

 

Pure balance dog food review

 

 

Pure balance dog food review

 

Pure balance dog food review

 

Pure balance dog food review

 

Pure balance dog food review

Dog Really Pissed Off at Bath: Cute Dog Videos

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Many dogs hate the bath. They try to escape just at the noise of the tap running. But they probably don’t hate it as much as this little pup! This dog growls throughout his whole bath. But make sure to watch the end! He gets even more heated after the bath. This is one pissed of doggy!

Police Rescue Tiny, Tiny Puppy in Hot Car: Cute Dog Video

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A police bodycam has captured an officer saving the life of a newborn puppy stuck inside a hot car. As the officer approaches the car, the sound of the puppy crying can be heard. The officer broke through the window and rescued the puppy who was under the back seat.

The puppy was then given water and exposed to the air conditioning in the cop car. Thankfully, the puppy survived.

Remember:  NEVER leave a dog inside a hot car, regardless of its size or age.