Archive for the ‘dogs’ Category
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Mar
12
Posted by Michelle Boman
What is Tripe?
Tripe comes from the stomach of cattle, buffalo, sheep and deer. These mammals have stomachs that consist of four chambers and use gastric juices, amino acids and digestive enzymes to help break down grasses. It is these same gastric juices and enzymes that provide so much value to the dog in digesting and efficiently utilizing their food. Tripe is also a rich source of Omega Fatty Acids, making it a natural skin and coat supplement.
Do Dogs Like It?
Dogs don’t just like it, they love it! Dogs are natural hunters and as such have an instinct to eat this part of their prey… because it is SO good for them! They devour Tripett!
Why Tripett Tripe?
Tripett is made with no preservatives, fillers or artificial ingredients. The can is pure meat! Tripett uses “green” tripe, which is unbleached and unprocessed, so it retains all of the naturally occurring enzymes, gastric juices and amino acids. The beef tripe comes from cattle raised for human consumption and the lamb tripe comes from New Zealand raised lamb.
How Do You Feed Tripett?
You can use Tripett as a supplement to your dogs premium kibble diet. Tripett is also a great appetite stimulant for picky eaters and easy on dogs with sensitive digestion. Make Tripett a part of your dogs rotation diet!
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Feb
11
Posted by Michelle Boman
Photo curtesy of ΒЯІΑN® on Flickr
Eager to start brushing your dogs teeth, but afraid you’ll loose a finger in the process? Most dogs adjust to brushing easily enough, as long as you take care and move slowly, allowing them to adjust to the new situation.
Let’s get your dog used to having her teeth brushed!
1. The process starts with no brushing in sight. Sit down with your dog and start petting her. Then, start massaging her lips in circular motions for about a minute. Do this a few times a day for several weeks.
2. After she is comfortable with you around her mouth, move onto massaging her teeth and gums with the same, light, circular motion.
3. Once your dog is more comfortable with tooth and gum contact, add toothpaste to the mix. You’ll want to choose a toothpaste designed for dogs that is enzyme based. Human toothpaste is not safe for animals, due to the use of fluoride, which is extremely harmful. Also, toothpaste designed for dogs is flavored for their satisfaction.
4. Ok, so now your dog is comfortable with the massaging motions and comfortable with the toothpaste flavor. It is now time to introduce the canine toothbrush. I recommend using a canine toothbrush over a human style, because the bristles will be much softer on the canine brush. Spend some time brushing around your dogs mouth to allow some adjustment time to the toothbrush.
5. After your dog is comfortable with the brush, it is time to combine the brush and paste and get down to business. Brush teeth in small, circular motions. Work on one side of the mouth (lifting up the lip) before moving onto the other. Tartar builds up heavier on the side of the tooth that touches the lip, so focus your brushing there. (Little tartar builds up on the inside of the tooth, so if your dog resists brushing there, don’t force the issue) In areas where the tartar is especially heavy, downward strokes can help break it down.
6. Congratulations! You just brushed your dogs teeth! Repeat once or twice a week and your dog will have sparkling, healthy teeth!
*Author’s Note: You can follow the same method to brush your cat’s teeth. But as a cat owner and lover myself… it’s always a bit more difficult with cats! =)
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Feb
05
Posted by Michelle Boman
It might feel like spring now, but remember, it’s only February!
At the Grange, all of our winter dog blankets, dog rain coats and heated dog beds are on sale this month. Plan ahead for next year and save now!
Members save 15% & Non-members save 10%
Come in soon before somebody else beats you to it!
Bowser toasty warm in his winter blanket!
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Feb
03
Posted by Michelle Boman
My baby boy Bowser, showing off his big mouth! (and teeth!)
February is National Dental Health month!
Oral Health is not just about teeth! When dental disease is present, the heart, kidneys and intestinal tract can also be at risk. The tartar and infected areas of the mouth contain bacteria that can spread to other parts of the body. Luckily, we can prevent most serious dental disease by brushing our animals’ teeth regularly and providing chew toys. In addition to satisfying our dogs instinct to chew, chew toys help strengthen teeth, massage gums and scrape off soft tartar.
Many animals show signs of dental disease early in life. Some common signs of a problem are:
-Bad Breath
-Tartar
-Excessive drooling
-Inflamed Gums
-Missing/Broken teeth
-Reluctance to play with toys or eat
Brushing is best! Most vets would like to see us brush our pets teeth twice a week. But, recognizing that such frequent brushing is unlikely, there are more options to help prevent and reduce dental disease. What Can You Do:
-Tooth Brushing (see my next blog for detailed information about how to brush your pets teeth!)
-Bones
-Chew Toys (Like FIDO dental chews)
-Dental Paste (Like PetzLife Oral Gel)
-Dental Chews (Like Greenies and Z-Ridge Dental Bones)
With some preventative maintenance and care, a lot of dental disease can be avoided. Look for my next blog, “All About Brushing…Teeth!” for more information!
Happy Dental Health Month!
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Jan
15
Posted by Michelle Boman
The FDA has announced a recall of 10oz. packages of Merrick Beef Filet squares sold with a “Best Buy Date of 111911″ because of a possible Salmonella contamination.
At The Grange, we have removed all affected product from inventory and will continue to watch this recall closely for any changes. If you have purchased any Beef Filet from the recalled lot, we are happy to return or exchange the product for you.
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Jan
13
Posted by Michelle Boman
Top 10 Reasons your Dog should be eating Sweet Potatoes:
1. Sweet Potatoes are filled with fiber. Fiber is great for digestion!
2. Sweet Potatoes are high in Vitamins A and B-6, Potassium and Calcium
3. The hardness of dehydrated sweet potatoes helps clean teeth and gums
4. Low in Calories and high in anti-oxidants! (anti-oxidants help protect the body from harmful free radicals)
5. Perfect for senior dogs; sweet potatoes are not too hard for older, sensitive teeth!
6. The perfect chew for dogs with sensitive stomachs or allergies
7. Sweet Potato chews are free of animal by-products and contain no wheat or corn
8. Will not stain your carpet or furniture
9. Most dogs love the flavor (Nothing is 100%!)
10. Lasts longer than a biscuit (but not as long as rawhide)
Personally, I love sweet potatoes and my dogs do too! So, when I had the opportunity to bring in Snook’s treats, I jumped on it. What I love most about this company (aside from the fact that they are family operated, use organic ingredients and have an awesome product) is that they are local! Made in Estacada, OR. Too cool!
Next time you are in, try a Sweet Potato for your dog and let us know what you think!
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Dec
19
Posted by Michelle Boman
The holidays can certainly bring about stress- and not just for you. Our animals live their lives happiest when they enjoy the simple comfort of a steady routine. Holidays tend to pull people in every direction, most often away from the house. Remember to take a little time out for your animals each day. A little reinforcement that everything is ‘ok’ will go a long way.
If you are having guests over to your house, be sure to provide your animal with a safe spot away from the commotion and new guests. But, if possible, it is best to allow your animal some interaction with the holiday events so they don’t feel banished from their home.
If your animal is particularly anxious with house guests, or you will be traveling or boarding, a calming aid might be the perfect gift. The Grange carries a variety of natural calming aids for dogs and cats, in several easy to administer forms. And, we’ve put calming aids from NaturVet and Homeopet on sale for the month of December!
Remember, if you are feeling the stress of the holidays, there is a good chance your pet is too. Take some time out to pet and play with your animals this season, I bet it will do you both a world of good!
Photo from FLickr and by Steven K Willi
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Dec
12
Posted by Michelle Boman
Recently, a recall was issued on several types of pig ears and cow hoofs. If you shop at The Grange, rest assured! None of the products we carry were affected by this recall. Below is a letter from our manufacturer, Red Barn, assuring that all Red Barn products are safe!
Dear Redbarn Customers,
We would like to take this opportunity to reassure you that we are not involved in any way with the recent recall of several brands of cattle hoofs and pig ears. We do not obtain any ingredients from the companies involved in this recall. All ingredients used by Redbarn Pet Products, regardless of origin, are subject to internal and external testing prior to being released into production. For a more detailed explanation of our Quality Assurance Procedures please visit our “About Us” category on this site.
http://www.redbarninc.com/t-about.aspx
Please do not hesitate to contact us directly at 800-775-3849 with any questions.
Thank you,
Sue Jonsson
Customer Service Manager
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Dec
09
Posted by Michelle Boman
I am guessing you have noticed that its cold outside. Really, really, cold outside. But just because its cold outside doesn’t mean we can ignore our dogs need for exercise- or our need for that matter!
If your dog enjoys playing fetch, we have plenty of waterproof-rubber toys that are perfect for this weather. Let me suggest a Chuckit as a must have toy for any cold weather activity. You can exercise your dog without ever having to touch a cold, wet ball! And, the Chuckit makes picking up and tossing the ball a breeze… even when your mobility is limited by layers and gloves! Another great accessory for these cold, dark nights are glowing balls. Chuckit makes glow in the dark balls that allow for easy night time fetching.
At The Grange we carry several styles of coats for dogs: rain sheet, fleece sheets, insulated blankets and waterproof blankets. We have a full range of sizes to help keep our dogs insulated and warm. We also have an assortment of heated beds, indoor and outdoor.
Hope to see you down here… nice and warm!
Photo from Flickr and by Matt McGee
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Nov
19
Posted by Janet Payne
We have all walked into a barn and inhaled the familiar scent of ammonia. Even in carefully cleaned stalls, traces of this odor still exist. The source of this odor stems from the breakdown of equine waste, which produces ammonia. Ammonia is a harmful gas that could contribute to reduced performance and overall decreased health of your horse. The ammonia gas is not only unpleasant, it can be dangerous. The fumes are capable of burning and irritating the eyes and lungs. If you can discover the existence of ammonia gas by its smell, it is already twice the concentration at which it becomes harmful to any creature that breathes it or is constantly exposed to it.
Ammonia evolves by the decomposition of urine and manure. Horses expel excess protein, that is not metabolized during digestion, through urine in the form of urea. Because a horse can eliminate as much as 1-1 1/2 gallons of urine at a time, no amount of bedding can catch that much urine. The urine can leak into dark, hidden places and once that happens naturally occurring anaerobic bacteria feeds on the nutrients of the urea-rich liquid, with this process resulting in making ammonia. Straw bedding soiled with manure and urine tends to produce more ammonia gas than sawdust/shavings.
In a study by the Equine Pulmonary Laboratory at Michigan State University’s School of Veterinary Medicine, they found that young horses, stabled during training, suffered respiratory distress when compared to pastured horses of the same age. While dust and mold in feed and bedding played a part in pulmonary problems, it is believed that exposure to ammonia also negatively impacts their respiratory systems. “Besides just being unpleasant in a barn, ammonia gas burns the delicate tissues of the respiratory tract and the eyes and increases mucus production. We conclude that stabling is associated with inflammation of both the upper and lower airway of young horses.”
The following are some steps that you can take to achieve your goal:
Keep your horse outside as much as possible. Fresh air, constant grazing and regular movement, have multiple benefits. Warm, closed up barns can create an ammonia problem by the heat encouraging bacterial growth along with agitating ammonia molecules and causing the gas to rise. Horses are healthier and happier outside.
Clean your stall on a regular basis. Clean your stalls daily or twice daily by removing visible urine and wet bedding. Choose a bedding with a high absorbency level to help lower the levels of ammonia in a stall. Straw is the least absorbent and not the best choice other than for foaling. Once the foal is born, strip the stall and replace with an absorbent bedding such as shavings.
Consult your equine veterinarian or nutritionist. While protein is important, consult your equine specialist about forming a diet specific to your horse’s needs and eliminate unnecessary protein, which contributes to excess urine production.
Make sure you have good ventilation. When you must stall your horse, make sure that you provide adequate ventilation. Tight barns do not allow the ammonia fumes to escape. Good ventilation provides areas where air can enter and escape the barn, allowing distribution of air evenly. This will help regulate temperature and moisture levels and contribute to the removal of odors and gases. You may have to consider some kind of forced air circulation to deal with the building levels of ammonia gases.
Eliminate the areas where urine collects. Try using interlocking or seamless stall mats and sealing them to prevent urine from escaping through the cracks. Bedding, mixed with a quality neutralizing product, can then be applied on top of the mats. The use of lime on the floor, after the stall is cleaned and before new bedding is put in, can help slow the growth of bacteria and reduce odors.
Ammonia gas can be significantly reduced if the right things are done simultaneously with available methods and management practices that involve ventilation, manure management, building cleanliness, and feed management.
The Grange Supply carries stall mats, pelleted bedding, shavings, PDZ and lime (neutralizing products). You can use the PDZ in your kitty litter box and small animal litter boxes as well!!
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