“Roll over” is a cute and basic trick that is fairly simple to teach your dog. If your dog is food motivated and willing to learn, they should catch on in no time. Today, I’m sharing how to teach your dog to roll over in …
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Today is my Siberian Husky, Luna’s, 3rd birthday and every year on her birthday I come up with a new dog friendly cake recipe to celebrate. In years past I’ve done peanut butter cupcakes and …
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Valentines Day isn’t just for couples! There are plenty of people (and animals!) in our lives that we love and what better day to show it than the holiday that’s all about it. If you have a dog or dog mom in your life who you want to spoil this Valentine’s Day then you’re in the right place. I’ve teamed up with Taylor from The DogMa Pack to bring you gifts for your dog or a dog mom in your life this Valentine’s Day.
1. Chewy’s Valentine’s Day Goody Box
If you’ve been following my blog for any amount of time you know how obsessed I am with Chewy’s Goody Boxes. These Chewy exclusive boxes are filled with themed toys, yummy treats, and a bandana for only $25!
While the Valentine’s Day box does not include a bandana as the other ones do, it does come with four Valentine’s Day toys and 3 different treats that your dog is sure to love.
2. Frisco Valentine’s Day Toys
Chewy’s pet product brand, Frisco, offers a ton of Valentine’s Day toys for your dog. From rope toys to squeaky toys there are a ton of cute options to choose from. They even have multiple hide-n-seek puzzle toys such as a Star Wars box of chocolates and a love letters mailbox.
3. Wufers Dog Cookies
Wufers is a dog bakery that makes the cutest canine safe cookies. Their Valentine’s Day cookie boxes are the perfect sweet treat for your pup this year!
4. DIY Valentine’s Day Chocolates
What’s Valentines Day without a box of chocolates? We all know dogs can’t eat real chocolate, but they can have carob, a chocolate substitute. For Valentine’s Day this year, make your dog their very own box of chocolates with this 3 ingredient recipe.
5. Stuffed Animals
Teddy bears are the OG Valentine’s Day gift, and luckily they aren’t limited to humans only. Most dogs love stuffed toys making a stuffed animal the perfect gift to show love to your pup.
6. Bandanas
Okay, this one may be more for the dog moms but you can’t go wrong with a love themed bandana for your dog. There are so many small businesses that make dog bandanas, and you can also find them in stores or places like Amazon, so your options are unlimited when it comes to finding the perfect one for your pup.
Taylor, from The DogMa Pack, has 5 fantastic Valentine’s Day gifts for the dog moms in your life!
1. Personalized Pet Products
A few of my all time favorite gifts have been personalized “Benji” products. For example, one of my most worn sweatshirts features the outline of Benji’s ears and his name. I’ve also received a paw ring to symbolize my eternal love for my pup. Finally, you can hop on that new trend I’ve been noticing lately and commission a personalized portrait of your pet!! Dog moms love to rep their dogs (and their dog mom status), so you can’t go wrong with a personalized pup product. A quick search on etsy will yield plenty of results from clothing to jewelry. (May we also recommend you take a peak at the DogMa merch store, for that special dog mom in your life!)
2. A Donation to a Rescue Close to their Heart
One of the most loving things you can do is donate to a cause close to the heart of your sweetheart. Whether that means supporting a local rescue (with money OR supplies) or donating to a dog-friendly cause – this gift will go beyond the traditional flowers and roses. It’s sure to touch her heart, and the hearts of some pups too!
3. A Night Off!
This is SUCH an understated gift. Dog moms do SO MUCH. Not only do they have to go about their normal human duties, but they’re also providing and caring for their beloved pups. A day of doing some of the admittedly less fun doggy chores (cleaning poop, buying dog food, or maybe a walk in freezing temperatures?) for that dog mom in your life may just be exactly what she needs. Leave the snuggling and playing to her that day, and do the dirty work for her.
4. Plan a Dog Friendly Date Night
Do your research and figure out where you can take your dog mom and her pup for a fun night out. I know something that brings me immense joy is going on a new adventure with both Benji and his dad. Hikes, picnics, or dog friendly breweries are all options.
5. Last but Not Least, a Gift for Her Dog
Us dog moms ADORE when someone thinks of our pups and brings them a present, too.
Be sure to visit Taylor’s blog and follow her on Instagram! You can also join her DogMa pack to connect with other dog moms and get news and information on all things dog!
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own. Valentine’s Day isn’t complete without a box of chocolates! It’s common knowledge that dogs can’t eat chocolate but luckily there is a chocolate substitute that is perfectly safe for dogs to eat. If you’re looking …
This post contains affiliate links. Have you ever been told that dogs are colorblind just to read an article saying otherwise? Did your vet tell you that raw food was dangerous but your dog trainer told you kibble was unhealthy? From behavioral traits to health …
Does your dog inhale their food before they even have a chance to taste it? Many dogs scarf down their food in record speed and while it can be entertaining to watch, it can actually cause several health and behavioral issues. If you have a fast eater on your hands, you may need to invest in a slow feeder for meal times. Today, I’m sharing the benefits of a slow feeder for your dog and 5 different types of slow feeders in 2022.
People often joke that despite eating the same meal every day, their dog acts like dinner time only comes once a year. Most dogs get overly excited for meal times and as a result they inhale their food at a rapid pace. While it can be humorous to witness, eating too fast can cause a variety of health issues for your dog.
Fast eating can cause your dog to choke, vomit, or most seriously, cause a life threatening condition known as bloat.
Bloat, medically known as Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), is caused when the stomach becomes filled with air or food and expands to the point where it can erupt. This condition is fatal if not caught immediately. Symptoms to look out for include:
While some dogs are more likely to experience bloat such as Great Danes, Boxers, and German Shepherds, it can happen to any dog and is very serious when it does.
There a variety of reasons your dog may be a fast eater. For many dogs, they’re simply just excited that it’s meal time. This is most common in dogs who are only fed once a day or who don’t experience much enrichment throughout the day. If your dog is not regularly getting physical and mental exercise, they’re likely bored, and meal time is exciting because it gives them something to do.
Your dog could also be eating quickly due to feeling very hungry. If you notice your dog wolfing down his food, reconsider how much food and what type of food you are feeding. There is a chance they are not getting enough food or that their food is too low quality and doesn’t keep them feeling full as long as they should. If fast eating is a new thing for your pup, consider talking to your vet and having them run diagnostics to ensure nothing else is going on.
Another reason for fast eating is possessiveness. If you have a multiple dog household, your dog may feel threatened that somebody else will eat their food if they don’t eat it quickly. In this case, food possession and reactivity is not unlikely, so the habit should be broken quickly. If you suspect this is the reason for your dogs quick eating, consider feeding them in a separate room from the other animals in the house.
A slow feeder is an enrichment style feeder that has obstacles your dog needs to get around in order to get their food. Most slow feeders are designed as a type of puzzle or maze and forces the dog to slow down while eating by making them work for their food.
Slow feeders are great for fast eating dogs. They force the dog to slow down and also do some thinking before eating. This reduces health issues such as excessive gas and choking. Eating slower will also improve your dogs gut health overall.
In many cases, slow feeders can increase the length of time it takes your dog to eat by 10 times! Slow feeders are very effective in forcing your dog to take their time while eating.
Not only are slow feeders great for slowing down your dogs eating, they are also fantastic for enrichment. On days that your dog wasn’t able to get as much physical exercise, the mental stimulation from a slow feeder can be a fantastic way to tire them out.
There are multiple types of slow feeders and which one works best for your dog may take some experimenting.
This is the most common type of slow feeder. Slow feeder bowls are a bowl shape with different patterns inside that your dog must eat around. They come in a variety of sizes and patterns so you can buy multiple to challenge your dog differently each time.
The one downside to slow feeder bowls is that they are most commonly made of plastic. Plastic bowls can more easily harbor bacteria than other materials, so it is important that they’re cleaned thoroughly after each use.
Another type of slow feeder is a treat dispensing ball. These work great for dogs who eat kibble. These balls will require your dog to push it around to release the kibble. Not only will it slow down their eating, but it will also give them some physical exercise to do as well.
Puzzles are a great way to feed a fast eating dog. Dog puzzles are great mental stimulation as your dog has to use their brain to figure out the puzzle and find the kibble. These are also a really easy way to tire out your dog, since mental stimulation is often more exhausting than physical exercise.
Toys that allow you to stuff them with food such as Kongs or West Paws are great for dogs who eat raw food, homemade food, or wet food. You can fill these toys with your pups meal and they’ll have to spend time licking it all out instead of inhaling it straight from a bowl.
Stuffable toys work for kibble fed dogs as well, but they tend to take longer to work through when they’re filled with wet food. They can also be frozen for an extra layer of difficulty.
Lick mats are another great slow feeder option for dogs who eat wet or raw food. You can easily spread the food over a lick mat and freeze it to make it more challenging. Not only will this slow your dog down, but it will tire them out mentally as well.
Does your dog eat from a slow feeder? Which type is your favorite?
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Crate training is a necessary part of dog ownership, especially for puppies. Crates keep them safe and out of trouble while you can’t have your full attention them. As humans, the idea of being locked inside of a crate or “cage” for hours at a …
Wintery names are perfect for cold weather dogs such as the Siberian Husky or for dogs with winter birthdays and gotcha days! If you’re searching for the perfect cold weather name for your new furry friend, you’re in the right place. Today, I’m sharing 16 …
It’s no secret that dogs love to chew. Whether it’s a toy, furniture, or your hand, most dogs will chew on anything they can get their mouth on. If your pup is a nonstop chewer, you know how expensive dog chews, such as bully sticks, can be. Luckily, making homemade dog treats and chews can be quite simple and cost effective! Today, I’m sharing my recipe for ants on a log for your dog, a 3 ingredient homemade dog chew that your furry friend is sure to love.
Everyone is familiar with the popular childhood snack, ants on a log, that is made by spreading peanut butter onto celery and topping it with raisins. This after school snack is popular in many households for good reason! It’s quick, it’s healthy, and it’s made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.
Making it for your dog is just as simple and uses almost all the same ingredients. Both celery and peanut butter are perfectly safe for your dog to eat. Raisins, however, are incredibly toxic and should not be fed to your dog. Instead, we’ll top our ants on a log for your dog with dog treats or kibble.
Celery is a low calorie snack that is perfectly healthy for your dog. It’s full of vitamins and minerals that your dog needs such as: vitamin K, A, and C. Celery also contains zinc, which is great for your pups immune system.
As well as containing potassium and fiber, celery has a high water content. This makes it a great veggie for dogs who don’t drink enough water or who may need more water in the hot summer months.
Celery is crunchy, so most dogs, especially teething puppies, will enjoy chewing on it.
To make ants on a log for your dog, start by breaking apart a clean bunch of celery into separate pieces and cutting off the tops.
Then spread peanut butter on each individual piece of celery. You can use dog specific peanut butter or just regular peanut butter from your pantry. I used sugar free Jif peanut butter for my dog.
Note: ensure your peanut butter does not contain xylitol, a commonly used sugar substitute that is very toxic to dogs.
If you’re looking for a nut free version of ants on a log for your dog you can use other toppings such as:
Finally, top your “log” with your “ants”! In traditional ants on a log, the ants are raisins. Since raisins are dangerous for dogs, replace them with dog treats or kibble. I used Purpose rabbit treats but your dogs favorite treat will work just fine.
(These are similar to the Purpose dog treats)
You can give this chew to your dog as is or freeze it for several hours. Freezing it will make it a longer lasting chew which is great for when you need to distract your dog for several hours, or if you have a teething puppy.
This post contains affiliate links. All opinions are my own.
Much like children, dogs require a lot of different supplies. From walking gear, to toys, to important paperwork, it’s easy to feel like your home has been taken over by your dogs belongings. If you’re looking to start off the new year with a clean …