4 Tips for Optimal Pet Nutrition

A healthy pet is a happy pet! And experts recommend many things for keeping pets physically healthy, including making sure they have vaccinations and regular checkups and get good exercise and nutrition. Read on for four tips for optimal pet nutrition to to keep your pet healthy and happy.

1. Provide clean water. Like humans, pets need clean water to drink to keep the systems in their bodies working well. While pets can get water/moisture from some of their food (such as wet food for dogs and cats and fruits and veggies for lizards, rodents and birds), providing clean drinking water each day will help them stay hydrated and healthy.

Providing clean drinking water in clean dishes helps pets stay healthy and hydrated. Photo from Discover Magazine.

2. Give your pet a balanced diet. Pets get most of their nutrition from their food and treats, so choose a quality food that provides a balance of the nutrients they need. Reptiles, rabbits and birds need fresh fruits and veggies daily, but aside from that, table food is rarely good for pets, and many can be toxic. Do your research to avoid giving your pets food that can be toxic to them, and consult with your vet to find the right balanced diet for them.

3. Supply essential vitamins and minerals. Vitamins and minerals help your pet’s metabolic functions. Most vitamins will be provided by a balanced diet, unless your vet diagnoses a vitamin deficiency that requires supplements to balance. It may be important to provide minerals to some pets, such as salt licks to rabbits and horses, and cuttlebones to birds.

Salt licks help horses and rabbits absorb essential minerals for their health. Photo by PBS.

4. Include essential fats. Fats give pets energy and provide protection for internal organs, and maintaining a healthy level can help keep skin problems at bay. Many pet foods include essential fats, but adding some in the form of coconut or palm oil may be important to maintain healthy levels.

Follow these steps and consult with your veterinarian to for optimal pet nutrition for your pet’s health and happiness.

Essential Apps for Pet Parents

Mobile apps make keeping track of your appointments, contacts and social media easy–and they can help you keep your pet happy and healthy, too. With these mobile apps available for Android and iPhone, you can track your pets’ health and whereabouts, keep them entertained and even train them. Read on to discover Merry Pets‘ picks for essential free apps for pet owners you can download and start using today.

Health & Wellbeing

Pet First Aid from The American Red Cross

Be prepared to answer everyday pet first aid questions with this app, full of professional advice from vets. Check it out in your phone’s app store to be prepared for emergencies today.

Symptom Checker by Pet MD

If you’re concerned about your cat’s limp, your dog’s sneezing or anything else, check symptoms on the this app, full of 2000 useful articles to give you more info to help your pet.

Check your pet’s health on your mobile phone with these apps from Pet MD and The American Red Cross. Photo by My Pet.

Tracking & Training

Tagg by Whistle

Track your pet’s whereabouts from your phone with this easy-to-use app. It works with a tracking device you put on your pet’s collar to give you peace of mind about her whereabouts.

Dog Whistler by Mobeezio Inc.

This convenient app allows you to switch the whistle around your neck with one in your phone to help you train your dog.

Entertainment

Cat Fishing by Nestle Purina Petcare Company

Exercise your cat’s mind and keep her entertained with this fun, free game app, which swirls fish around on a screen for her to try to catch.

Dog Translator by Ronald Bell

Amuse yourself with this free app by recording your dog’s bark and seeing what the translation says. See if it matches what your feel your dog is trying to communicate.

3 Tips for Flea & Tick Prevention

You see your pup or cat scratching and think, “Uh oh. Fleas?” And you may be right. Fleas and ticks can be a health problem for a variety of pets year-round, but they tend to thrive in warmer weather. Aside from the skin irritation they bring you and your pets, these pesky insects also bring other diseases along with them, such as tapeworms and Lyme Disease. Since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, read on for several ounces of tips to keep you and your pets healthy and pest-free.

Fleas and ticks come in from the outside but they live inside, too. Photo by Wired.

Tip #1: Make your home hard for pests to live in. Fleas and ticks are resourceful and hardy, and they love to live in and outside of your home. One of the best ways to keep them off you and your pets is to disrupt their environments, both inside and outside.

To prevent fleas & ticks outside your home:

• Regularly clean your pet’s outdoor habitat, home and bedding.

• Keep yard weeds and plants from getting overgrown.

• Rake or sweep up piles of debris, weeds and yard clippings where fleas and ticks love to live and breed.

• Don’t feed wild or feral animals, who carry and transmit ticks and fleas.

• Clean shady and cool areas where these pests hide, such as patio corners, garages, under decks and porches, etc.

• Clean out and treat your car with pest prevention products if your pets or yard equipment spend time in them.

To prevent fleas & ticks inside your home:

• Regularly clean your pet’s indoor habitat, carrier and bedding.

• Vacuum thoroughly and regularly, especially entry/high traffic areas and where your pet sleeps. Studies show that vacuuming alone can remove up for 50% of flea eggs. Be sure to move full vacuum bags quickly outside.

• Clean shady and cool areas where these pests hide, such as basements, cellars, baseboards, under furniture and inside drapery folds, etc.

• Use foggers or carpet powders to treat your home for fleas, ticks and eggs your regular cleaning may have missed.

Tip #2: Use prevention products for pets. Keeping your home environment clean will help fleas and ticks be in limited supply, but using products specially designed for this purpose will keep them away even more effectively. There’s a variety of great sprays, pills, topical products and even anti-flea collars that will be very useful in keeping these pests off your pets. Consult with your veterinarian to find the best product for your pet.

Tip #3: Prevent pests with regular grooming. Keeping all your family members–both human and fur–clean and well groomed will help nip fleas and ticks in the bud and prevent them from spreading. After being outside, especially camping or hiking, check everyone for ticks, which can hide easily and then burrow into the skin. Use a flea comb regularly on your dog, cat, rabbit or other pets to weed out both adults and eggs. And make sure to regularly bathe your pets using anti-flea shampoo to keep their coats free from these bugs.

Keep these tips in mind to keep you and your pets free from the irritation and disease of fleas and ticks.

2 Ways Pets Reduce Your Stress

Being a pet owner is rewarding in a lot of ways, but did you also know it can reduce your stress? Between scientific studies and stories from pet parents around the globe, there’s lots of evidence that pets bring stress reduction just as effective as meditation and yoga.

1. Companion animals relax us. Being a pet parent promotes relaxation and eases any anxiety you have about the pressures of life or your to-do list. The companionship and love from animals give you emotional comfort, but there’s physical ways they relax you,too. When you look at their adorable faces, oxytocin, the “love hormone” from your brain, is released, making your heart happy. And whether you walk your dog or play with your cat, the exercise you do with them increases endorphins in your brain to relax you. Additionally, several studies have found that petting or playing with your pet increases dopamine and serotonin in your brain, chemicals that calm and relax you, too.

Playing with your pet helps you relax. Photo by Yoppy.

2. Pets can also help you worry less. Watching your pet for any amount of time will show you they are amazing examples of finding joy in the simple things and enjoying the moment. Companion animals don’t worry about deadlines or stress about bills. Following your pet’s example to live in the moment can help you be more mindful, lowering your overall stress as well as your blood pressure.

3 Tips to Help Teething Puppies

Bringing home a new puppy opens up a world of cuddles, licks and love. Aside from getting your puppy settled in and trained, one of the most common issues with new puppies is their mouthiness. They can chew on pretty much everything, partly because they are still growing and exploring–and partly because they are teething. There’s no need to fear puppy teeth – just follow these three tips to get you through those puppy years with minimal damage.

Puppies explore their environment by chewing, or mouthing on things. Photo by Tim Simpson.

Tip #1. Keep chewable items out of reach. As with humans, teething is a phase that will definitely pass, but one of the simplest ways to keep your cool is to move chewable items out of puppy’s reach. Things like shoes, toys and even electronics can become tempting chew toys to your exploring puppy, so avoid having to purchase new items (not to mention getting incredibly irritated) by placing them in closed closets or out of reach. You may even find it helpful to keep your dog in an area of the house that’s been puppy-proofed to remove temptation. Just remember: if your puppy does start chewing on something he shouldn’t, make sure you replace the item with an appropriate toy rather than simply taking the inappropriate item away. That way, he learns what’s appropriate and what’s not appropriate to chew rather than just getting in trouble for his natural behavior of chewing.

Tip #2. Provide or make teething toys. Giving your puppy plenty of acceptable things to chew on will help curb his desire to chew on valuables. Purchase a variety of teething toys for your pooch to explore. Or, make inexpensive toys by wetting, twisting and freezing a washcloth. Your puppy will get tons of chewing time in on these homemade toys. Just be careful giving really small dogs frozen toys, as they can sometimes get a chill, or a doggie version of an ice cream headache.

Tip #3. Curb teething with herbs. Use calming herbs to help curb your pup’s chewing tendencies. Make a tea with lavender or chamomile to cool and mix with puppy’s food. You may also find your puppy likes you freezing the tea and chewing on the ice cubes, but see the warning on Tip #2 for that option.

Just remember: teething is a phase that will pass. Follow these tips and add a healthy dose of patience to make it through this stage.

2 Tips to Encourage Cats to Use Scratching Posts

You pick out a brand new scratching post and bring it home for your cat, excited to see her start using and enjoying it. But she turns her nose up at it and goes back to scratching your drapes. What?? There’s no need to return the scratching post to the store — try these tips to entice your cat to use it.

Tip #1: Outfit the post with an enticing variety of surfaces. Cats love to explore, so add a variety of textures and surfaces (such as corrugated or flat cardboard, lightweight wood, twine or rope, a variety of fabrics, upholstery swatches and more) to lure your cat towards it.

Tip #2: Add toys and more. It’s not just surfaces that will help encourage your cat to use the scratching post — a variety of toys and scents will help, too. Consider adding toys that:

• Hang, swing or bounce

• Are scented with catnip or honeysuckle

• Show bright colors made in an assortment of materials

• Are filled with treats

Place these toys in different places places near the various textures on the post to entice them to scratch as or after they explore the toys.

Adding a variety of surfaces, toys and more will invite your cat to explore and use their new scratching post. Photo by Animal Hearted.

Remember to have patience and don’t give up! Just like you should redirect a new puppy from chewing inappropriate to appropriate items, you should keep redirecting your cat towards the cat scratching post. Consistency is key.

Prepare a Pet First Aid Kit

Just like humans, pets sometimes get scrapes and other injuries that need quick attention. Preparing and stocking a pet first aid kit will help you be ready for quick action when trouble strikes. We at Merry Pets take pet first aid education at the American Red Cross and carry first aid kits with us to be ready in case of injury. You can easily purchase a pet first aid kit online, but if you’re interested in doing it yourself, grab a small container and stock it with the following basics:

• A list of important phone numbers, such as your vet, 24-hour emergency vets and poison control.

• Quick-reference guide to pet first aid for reference

• Gauze pads and rolls

• Adhesive tape

• Cornstarch (to mix with water to stop bleeding)

• Pet-safe antiseptic wipes

• Saline solution

• Ice pack

• Tweezers

• Clean rag

• Rectal thermometer and petroleum jelly

Purchase or put together a pet first aid kit to be prepared in case of injury.

To build a more involved check out the comprehensive list of supplies from the Humane Society online. Whether your pet first aid kit is simple or complex, having one on hand will save you time, help reduce stress and can even be a lifesaver.

Autumn Dog Hiking Fun with Merry Pets!

Autumn is in full swing, but that just means we have a more colorful playground for dogs on group hikes in the mountains with Merry Pets! We love seeing the happy looks on dogs faces as they explore, get good exercise, fresh air and socialization!

Look at these happy, energetic dogs!

We’d love to have your dogs join us on the trail! Give us a call at 801-897-8022 to schedule your pup today.

3 New Year’s Resolutions You Can Make (and Keep!) with Your Pet

A new year is here, and, with it, comes the opportunity for new beginnings for you and your pets. If you’ve ever tried to set a New Year’s resolution, you know that they are easier to make than to keep. And you know that having a buddy with a similar resolution helps you keep your own. Why not work on resolutions along with your pet for bonding, enjoyment and better accountability? Here are three ideas to try together.

Resolution idea #1: Serve others. Put a smile on people’s faces in the new year by choosing a charity or cause you and your pet can volunteer for and help with. Try:

• volunteering to walk dogs at the local shelter or rescue together

• a 5K walk or fun run to raise money for a charity you believe in

• going through training to become a certified therapy animal certified to visit those who are ill and in need of cheering up.

Going on a fun run with your dog can help you bond while you raise money for a good cause. Photo by Mauna Kea Realty.

Resolution idea #2: Get active. Everyone can do with a little more activity and fun in their lives. Look for ways you and your pet can get out and walk, hike or play more to get your blood flowing, your heart rate up, and be healthier overall.

Resolution idea #3: Try new tricks. Learning and trying new things helps both you and your pet expand your mind, be flexible and have fun. Try some of these new things this year:

• Get a new hobby (working in the yard, puzzles, agility, etc.),

• Take a new route on your walk or hike,

• Change your scenery by taking a trip together to a new place.

Take your pet on a road trip to change up your scenery and learn something new this year. Photo by Bone Jour Pet Supply.

Working together on resolutions with your pet can help you be closer, healthier and happier. Have fun together with resolutions this year!

3 Tips to Successfully Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Regular teeth brushing keeps harmful bacteria at bay, promoting good dental health and keeping your pet free from gum disease and tooth decay. Aside from that, it helps your pet’s breath stay fresher! While brushing your pet’s teeth can seem a bit daunting, it doesn’t have to be a chore. Follow these tips to successfully keep your pet’s teeth pearly white.

Success Tip #1: Use pet-friendly tools. Brushing your pet’s teeth goes a lot easier when you have tools that fit the bill. Shop for smaller, pet-safe toothbrushes to better fit your pet’s mouth. And purchase pet-formulated toothpaste or make your own at home, so they are not only safe for Fido’s health, they are more appealing, making brushing easier.

Success Tip #2: Start slowly. If you or your pet isn’t used to regular brushing, it’s best to ease into the process. Forcing your pets into brushing sets a precedent that’s difficult to overcome. Approach your pets when they are relaxed, and get them used to you touching their mouths and faces first. Then allow them to taste the toothpaste first from your finger, as the brush can be intimidating to start with. You can start brushing their teeth and gums with your finger, or even a cotton swab or cheesecloth before introducing the brush. Patience is key–keep at it and don’t get discouraged.

Get your pet used to having his teeth touched as prep for at-home tooth brushing.

Success Tip #3: Make it a routine. Once you have the right tools and get your pet used to his teeth being touched and brushed, brushing his teeth regularly is key. Choose a time of day to make it part of your daily routine. Right before meals is a good time, as then the meal can be a reward. You can also try brushing right after your pet wakes and is relaxed, too. It’s optimal to brush your pet’s teeth each day, but 3-4 times per week will do wonders, too.

Brushing your pet’s teeth regularly keeps his dental health in tact, not only making his smile brighter, but his life healthier overall. If you’re running low on time to do it yourself, let us help–add a toothbrush service onto your next dog walk or pet sitting service from Merry Pets.

3 Winter Safety Tips for Walking Dogs

Colder temps may make us humans want to stay inside all bundled up, but they don’t always slow down our companion animals, many of whom like to walk, hike and explore outside–with or without their pet parents. If you’re planning to take your pup for a walk, let him play outside and more, follow these tips to keep him healthy and safe in cold winter months.

Tip #1: Scout out your route. Before you head out on a hike or walk, check out your route to be aware of possible winter hazards. Be aware of puddles, heavily salted as well as unplowed or unshoveled parts of the path to avoid, keeping you both from getting wet and overly cold. And watch for chemicals on the road, such as antifreeze, that can be poisonous if ingested by your pooch.

Tip #2: Accessorize for warmth. Our dogs’ coats do protect them from cold temps when we’re walking outside, but only to a degree. If their fur coats get wet, they can speed up the colder temps, too. Consider putting a sweater or coat on your pooch prior to him going outside to further insulate him from cold and keep him warm and healthy.

Tip #3: Protect their paws. Dogs’ paws can need extra protection in cold weather, especially if they will come into contact with the snow and salt on the roads. Booties for pups help protect their feet from damage that the cold can bring. But since not all dogs are used to wearing protective footwear, first try your pup out with a pair of baby socks on his feet as a test run before investing in booties.

Taking a few extra precautions will help you and your dog get the benefit of outdoor exercise as well as stay safe walking in the cold winter months.

This article was contributed by The Advocates Personal Injury Lawyers

3 D.I.Y. St. Patrick’s Day Treats for Your Pets

St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner, and that usually means tasty treats for humans like shepherd’s pie and green beer. But who says humans should have all the fun for this festive holiday? Give your pets a little luck of the Irish with these tasty and fun St. Patty’s Day treat ideas.

1. Top it with green. Turn everyday treats into a St. Patrick’s delights by adding a layer of pet-safe green icing! Just follow this recipe from Entirely Pets to mix yogurt, milk and tapioca starch together; add a dash of natural green food coloring, and voila! You can top any hard treat with green icing for a festive twist.

2. Give them gluten-free green cookies. Mint and parsley not only give these these tummy-friendly treats their green color–they help your pooch’s breath stay minty fresh for the holiday! Mix these few ingredients following the recipe from Downtown Native for a taste-o’-the-Irish cookie that helps even allergy-ridden pooches celebrate in style.

3. Try green libations. Not all St. Patrick’s Day treats need to be edible – some can be drinkable. Like we do with human beer, you can add natural green food coloring to beer for dogs. Or, try sharing a green smoothie with these recipes from Dogster to celebrate the holiday while increasing both of your veggie intake.

They look so good you could eat them up!

3 Ways to Celebrate Earth Day with Your Pet

Although every day is Earth Day with Merry Pets fun hikes in the forests, April 22 is set as the official holiday to celebrate and be good to our planet. And what better way to celebrate than with your pet? Whether it’s resolving to be better to planet earth or getting out on it, here are three ways to celebrate Earth Day with your pet.

1. Buy eco-friendly products. Support earth-friendly companies when you shop for food, clothing and other items for you and your pet to leave less of a carbon footprint overall. Do your research and look for the green seal or organic certification labels on packages as you buy. Merry Pets uses fully biodegradable waste pick-up bags on our walks and hikes to stay earth-friendly.

2. Recycle & reuse. Add the earth-friendly practices to your life, such as

• Recycle glass, paper and metal waste, including the containers for your pet’s food and treats, through your city’s recycling program or to the local recycle plant.

• Donate gently used pet toys, clothing and more to thrift shops rather than throwing them away to allow others to reuse or upcycle them, reducing waste.

• Compost your food and pet waste to use as fertilizer for your yard’s or community’s garden.

3. Get out in your neighborhood. Being good to the earth starts in your own community. Try celebrating earth day by

• Bringing neighbors together to pick up trash or plant trees.

• Planting a garden or work in a community garden together.

• Joining a friendly fun run to raise money for a local earth-friendly initiative.

• Going out for a walk or hike with your pet.

Planting your own working in a community garden with your pet is a fabulous way to celebrate love you back Earth Day. Photo by Vegetable Gardener.

Celebrating this holiday with your pet is easy and fun!

5 Possible Pet Allergy Signs

Spring brings new life in blooming flowers and trees, and, with that beauty, seasonal allergies can sometimes be an issue. And humans aren’t the only ones affected–our furry and feathered friends can be sensitive to allergens, too. If you notice any of the 5 signs of allergies below in your pets, call your veterinarian for a visit.

1. Runny nose. We’re used to wet noses from our canine friends, but discharge can be a sign of allergy irritation.

2. Sneezing. Occasional sneezes are normal, but if you notice an increase in frequency, that could be allergies.

3. Difficulty breathing, including a stuffy or congested nose, as well as wheezing or coughing. Snoring may be a sign of difficulty breathing as well, so watch for that sign, too.

4. Excessive scratching. Unlike scratching due to pests like fleas, itching due to allergies can be excessive, even including chewing paws, rubbing the face or ears or even consistently licking, causing irritated skin or loss of hair or feathers.

5. Skin irritations. Sometimes rashes, hives or bumps are a sign of allergies, so keep a watch out for them.

Excessive itching can be one sign of seasonal allergies in your pet. Photo by Vetstreet.com

Tips for Dog Water Safety

Playing and swimming in the water is a wonderful way to beat the summer heat for both you and your pets! And while some dogs love water more than others, following just a few tips will help your pooch stay safe while you’re out and about in pools, lakes and more.

1. Follow your dog’s lead. You may think all dogs love the water, but even breeds known for water loving can be hesitant until they get comfy. Make time to help your dog get comfy around and in water. Don’t force your pup to go in the water, and choose a shallow body of water to try going in together to play and interact.

2. Take precautions. A little preparation goes a long way when it comes to water safety. Try:

1. Choosing a body of water that’s safe for and welcomes dogs prior to getting wet.

   1. Checking the tide report to make sure rip tides aren’t going to be an issue before swimming in the ocean.

   2. Fitting your pup for a life vest for extra safety, especially if you’re going out on a boat.

3. Keep a close watch. Whether your dog has been swimming for years or is just starting out, keeping a close watch when he’s in the water is important to stop issues before they start. Tired pups are more prone to accidents and, unfortunately, drowning, so know your pup’s limits and take him out of the water at the first signs of fatigue.

4. Provide fresh water for drinking. Chemicals and bacteria in water bodies can be bad for your dog to ingest, so bring fresh water to encourage him to drink water that’s safe.

5. Rinse off. After swimming in a pool, lake or the ocean, take time to rinse off with fresh water to help your dog’s skin be free of salt, chlorine and other things that could dry out his skin.

Taking a few precautions can keep your pooch safe when playing and swimming in water. Photo by Pet Friendly Travel Blog.