dog sweaters

December 13 2017

Holiday Gift Ideas for Dogs 2017

melissa Lifestyle, Pets, Products, Resources christmas gifts for dogs, dog gift guide, dog gifts, dog presents, dog snuffle mats, dog sweaters, dog toys, eggnog for dogs, gifts for dogs, holiday gifts for dogs, presents for dogs

Because every good boy (and girl) deserves favor

What would the holidays be without dogs? Their jangling Christmas collars, Santa-shaped toys and holiday-themed treats make the season even more fun and festive. This year, manufacturers of canine products have gone all out with a variety of toys, treats and apparel that make great holiday gifts for dogs. Below are just a few cool ideas for your favorite canines.

Chilly Dog Holiday Sweaters: Nothing says the holidays more than a cozy sweater. If you have a dog that needs a little extra warmth in the winter, consider giving him the gift of a Chilly Dog sweater. These well-made knit sweaters come in three holiday designs: Christmas Elf (shown), Grey Alpaca Snowflake and Peppermint Hoodie. The sweaters come in eight different sizes to fit every size, shape and breed.

Santa’s Helper Treats: Made by Einstein Pets, these all-natural, totally raw treats are tasty, healthy and festive. Available in an 8-ounce bag and a Stocking Stuffer 2-ounce bag, the treats come in heart shapes, and are GMO-free. They are made with natural oat flour, sweet potatoes, all-white turkey, cranberries, honey and cinnamon, blended together using Chia seed. The packaging features a fun Christmas theme.

Chuckit! Pro Launcher: A must-have for every parent of a ball-obsessed dog, Petmate’s Chuckit! makes fetch fun for canines and easy for humans. The Chuckit! Pro Launcher lets you throw tennis balls farther and faster, and makes it so you don’t have to bend down to pick up a slimy ball. When you play with your dog using the Chuckit!, the launcher grasps the ball and releases it when you swing. You’ll be amazed at how far the ball will go with just a little effort. It’s the perfect gift for dogs who love to play.

Coal Ball: If you’re dog has been naughty this year, surprise him on Christmas with a lump of coal—in the form of a ball. Planet Dog’s Coal ball is durable, bouncy and buoyant, and has a minty flavor. Even the most veracious chewers will have a hard time damaging this super tough toy. Your dog will be too busy having fun to get the “lump of coal” joke.

Dreidel with Bears Burrow Toy: Dogs love puzzle toys. Puzzles help them burn off energy while also stimulating their minds. A great puzzle toy for the holiday season is Zippy Paws’ Dreidel with Bears Burrow Toy. The bears are tucked inside the dreidel, and the dog has to dig them out. The dreidel measures 10.25 x 6 inches, and the bears are 5-inches long, making it a good puzzle toy choice for small to medium-sized dogs.

Honest Kitchen Eggnog: Why should humans be the only ones to enjoy eggnog during the holiday season? The folks at Honest Kitchen think dogs (and cats) should be able to partake in this festive holiday drink too. Honest Kitchen Eggnog for Dogs & Cats is a nourishing blend of goat’s milk, eggs and honey, with a hint of cinnamon. The human-grade formula can be poured over dry food or served alone. It comes in 5-ounce package that makes 10 ounces of eggnog when mixed with water.

SnuffleMutt Snuffle Mats: Do you have a dog who eats treats too quickly? If yes, consider getting a snuffle mat. This interactive work-to-eat “toy” provides entertainment, enrichment and mental stimulation as dogs search, sniff and snuffle to find the hidden treats you’ve placed inside it. Made of 100 percent polyester, anti-pill fleece with a heavy duty phthalate-free recycled rubber base, the machine-washable mats come in a wide array of color combinations.

About the Author: Audrey Pavia is an award-winning freelance writer and author of “The Labrador Retriever Handbook.” She is a former staff editor of Dog Fancy, Dog World and The AKC Gazette magazines. To learn more about her work, visit www.audreypavia.com and hollywoodhoofbeats.net/

February 3 2016

Canine Winter Apparel

melissa Lifestyle, Pets, Products, Resources dog apparel, dog boots, dog coats, dog fleece, dog sweaters

Keeping your dog warm, safe and dry in all kinds of weather.

Winter Dog Coat — Weather conditions are the main factors in determining whether or not your dog needs to wear a coat. Photo credit: alexei_tm/iStock

There’s a lot of debate in the world of dogs when it comes to whether or not they should wear a sweater in winter. However, in the end, it’s really up to how dogs handle the cold. The important thing is your dogs should be comfortable no matter what the temperature is.

Whether or not your dog needs a coat in winter is going to depend on many factors, including:

Age: Very young animals and senior dogs tend to get cold faster and have a harder time regulating their internal temperature.
Health: Certain diseases can contribute to your pet’s ability to stay warm. For example, dogs with Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism are often not able to retain body heat as well as others.
Coat: Your dog’s fur length and type have fewer defenses against frigid weather. A short-coated Pit Bull or Weimaraner is going to be colder much faster than a large thick-coated husky or malamute.
Breed: Obviously smaller breeds (Chihuahua or Yorkie) and lightweight breeds (Greyhound or Whippet) are going to have a much more difficult time in cold weather than larger dogs, like Aussies or Shepherds.
Weather: This should be the main factor, when selecting a coat for your dog. Those in the Southwest should plan on picking up lighter weight sweaters or wind coats, and those up north will need a much warmer type of coat.

If your dog tends to be colder than others are, you might want to consider both a sweater and a coat. Smaller, lightweight breeds or those with very thin or short coats will definitely benefit from a sweater or jacket—even if they’re indoors most of the time.

All Day Wear

My thin-coated pit/pointer mixes need a light sweater all year round—despite living in the Southwestern deserts I’ve become an expert on the most comfortable “all day” wear for large dogs.

Dog Sweater — Stretch Fleece from Goldpaw

If your dogs are as spoiled as mine, and tend to get cold easily, you definitely need to check out the new Stretch Fleece from Goldpaw. Made from recycled polyester and 7 percent spandex, this ultra-comfy fleece is very stretchy and super comfortable. I love it because my dogs usually don’t fit the typical sizing chart, however, this coat fits both like a dream. It’s a great sweater to keep your shorthaired dogs cozy all day long.

However, if you head outside, you’ll want to add on a warmer sweater. My preferred sweaters are those from UpCountry: These hand-knit sweaters provide extra warmth on cool days and can be layered under heavier parkas during chilly winters.

The Grey Parka Hoodie from Chilly Dog Sweaters is another great choice. Since these sweaters are all handmade following Fair Trade guidelines, they may vary slightly in color and style.

In The Rain

Dog Rain Coat — UpCountry’s Nantucket Rain Slicker

UpCountry’s Nantucket Rain Slickers are another favorite for those windy, rainy days outdoors. Classic hoods provide extra protection to ears from the rain and the velcro closures make dressing simple. The outer fabric is made from 100% polyurethane and the interior lining is a warm 70 percent cotton/30 percent polyester.

If your dog is spending his winter days curled tightly into a ball, it’s time to accept he needs a jacket for lounging around the house. Some dogs are naturally more susceptible to the cold. Your husky probably won’t need one, but it’s important to keep an eye on your pet’s behavior to identify when additional insulation might be needed.

For the Ultimate Snow Dogs

You’ll want these coats if you live in the Montana mountainside or plan to head to upstate New York. To find the ultimate cold-weather coat, you need to start looking in the coldest regions of the world. These are my favorites from Ruffwear in Montana, Chilly Dogs in Canada, and Hurtta in Finland.

If you’re in an area where the temperature changes suddenly, you need to think in terms of layers. That’s where the new coats from Ruffwear come in. Start out with the Ruffwear Climate Changer, which is made from recycled fleece fabric, and is perfect for those crisp, clear days with a chill in the air. In addition, it you can use it to create an extra layer of warmth to any heavy-duty coat.

The Ruffwear Quinzee™ is a very warm, weather-resistant and packable jacket, which uses synthetic insulation to provide warmth in extreme cold or inclement weather. The jacket packs down into its integrated stuff sack for storage and the autolock buckles on each side not only keep the jacket secure, they make sure no ice or snow will embed in the locks.

Also from Ruffwear is the Powder Hound™. This hybrid jacket offers the warmth of synthetic insulation with the range of motion of technical stretch fabric. Not only is it incredibly warm, it’s weatherresistant and a packable insulated jacket is ideal for cold-weather activities.

Another great cold-weather coat is the Great White North Winter Dog Jacket by Chilly Dogs. This coat features 12-ounces of non-pilling fleece with a polyurethane coated outer-shell, which makes it waterproof, windproof, and breathable. It’s extremely warm and designed for incredibly cold Canadian winters.

The Hurtta Summit Parka is designed to complement a dog’s natural ability to insulate. The jacket has a wider chest and belly area than most coats, and folds around your pet almost like a sleeping bag. Since it was developed in Finland, you can bet that it’s developed for some of the coldest days in existance. The Hurtta Summit Parka dog jacket is designed to protect your dog’s most important muscle groups, chest and stomach area. It has a water-resistant and breathable Houndtex® coating (similar to Gore-Tex), as well as high-visibility 3M reflectors.

Don’t Forget Boots

While you’re looking at warm coats for your dogs, don’t forget to keep their paws protected as well. Areas where there is ice or snow usually means areas with chemicals and salts that can damage paws. Ruffwear has an extensive line of boots that works great in the dead of winter or out on hot asphalt in summer. Muttluks is always a great choice in boots that won’t come off; and Kurgo just released a fun set of Step & Strobe dog boots (shown) that light up when your dog walks (which makes finding him in the backyard during cold winter nights that much easier.).

About the Author: Stacy Mantle is a fulltime freelance writer, bestselling author and founder of PetsWeekly.com. She resides in the deserts of the Southwest with a few dogs, several cats and a very understanding husband.

December 7 2015

Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs – 2015

melissa Lifestyle, Pets, Products, Resources dog beds, dog gifts, dog sweaters, dog toys, dog treats

Choosing a holiday gift for your dog or favorite dog-lover can be challenging in the ever-expanding pet product marketplace. Here are a few ideas–from toys to sweaters, from treats to wellness products and more–that can make your shopping excursions a little bit easier.

Best Toys for Dogs

Pogo Plush from PetSafe

For dogs who prefer plush toys, but tend to be destructive, I love the original Pogo Plush toys. The squeaker rolls around inside the patent-pending inner frame so the dog has to really work to find it. This feature (as well as the inner frame) helps decrease the time it takes to isolate the noise. There is no “filling” so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up a mess. For dogs who love their plush toys, but also love to chew, this is the toy for them.

Hear, Doggy! from Quaker Pet Group

For the dogs who love plush squeaky toys but owners who can’t stand listening to the never-ending squeak., this is the toy for them. It’s ideal for those who work from home and can’t have an important call interrupted by squeaky toys. Dogs hear sounds at a higher frequency (0 to 45 KHz) than humans do (0 to 20 KHz). These toys are tuned to an ultrasonic range in the 24 to 28 KHz frequency, each Hear Doggy. squeaker is out of human hearing range, but is loads of fun for your four-legged friend. Squeak away, my friend.

Tuggo Toys from TuggoDogToys

Tuggo is an indestructible weighted ball toy that even the most destructive dog won’t be able to destroy. This toy has even been tested with lions and tigers. A sturdy rope runs right through the middle. Knots at either end make it perfect for one dog or two. The leak-proof recessed screw plug lets you add as much water or sand to the ball as you like. Dogs love the whooshing sound of the water and the uneven movement of the toy as it’s pushed around.

Wellness for Dogs

Skin Spritzer from Dermagic

The Spritzer from DERMagic is a perfect complement to ita Skin Rescue line of pet skincare products. This fresh-smelling lemongrass-spearmint spritz not only rids your dog of that “between bath dog smell” but the natural botanicals helps detangle, condition and brighten the coat. Just spray on and brush dry, combing out dirt and debris as needed. Use daily for dogs that like to play outside, or as often as needed to keep your pet fresh during holiday parties.

TrustyPup CompleteNeeds® Rejuvenate Beds

Stylish and affordable, this line of beds comes in two shapes, oval or rectangular (with or without bolsters), and are cushioned with memory foam, gel foam or convoluted foam that can help rejuvenate your dog while he rests. The materials provide therapeutic benefits by evenly distributing weight to help tired, aching muscles recuperate and relieve joint pain. Covered in a soft fleece, your dogs (and cats) will love them.

Warmth for Dogs

Winter Coats from Ruffwear

Keep your pets toasty warm this holiday season with the best-fitting hybrid jackets from Ruffwear. Choose from a wide selection of stylish, durable jackets, but choose wisely: The Powder Hound™ coats are designed for dogs who love to play rough with their owners, and that means they are incredibly durable, super warm, and designed for pups who love the great outdoors. (This fleece jacket can also be used as a base layer underneath the Quinzee Insulated Jacket for added warmth in extreme cold). For those in “warmer” climates who still need to keep pets warm, the Climate Changer is a recycled polyester fleece jacket that is ideal for keeping dogs toasty on crisp, cool days.

Holiday Themed Sweater from UpCountry

These are by far the best-fitting sweaters I’ve found for my pets. They provide plenty of room for growth, fit perfectly around the shoulders and chest, and are just plain fun for keeping pets warm on those cold winter nights. Put your pets in the holiday spirit with holiday-themed sweaters. My favorite is the Fa-La-La style, but the company has several different holiday themed sweaters for all size pooches.

Treats for Dogs

Nuzzle Duck and Cherry Treats from The Honest Kitchen

Happiness comes in a heart shape. Each nibble of all-natural duck, cherry and virgin coconut oil in My wheat-free Nuzzles, is a taste of luxury with a consistency fit for a king—or, better yet, your pup. And at only 2.3 calories a biscuit, there’s no guilt in dishing them out whenever he’s been a good dog. These all-natural treats are made with duck and cherries, coconut oil and just a hint of parmesan cheese. Your dogs will love this goodness.

Hemp Treats from Treatibles

Marijuana treats for pets? Sort of; Cannabidiol is an all-natural cannabinoid derived from the nontoxic hemp plant. Treatibles are nutritious pumpkin and hemp wellness treats that settle your dog’s nerves, as well as her stomach. They are on the pricey side, but there are plenty of benefits to these treats. Learn more about the benefits of hemp for pets.

For the Dog Lover in Your Life

The Dean Russo Rescue Collection from The Mountain

This colorful collection is a custom-designed to help rescue. The Mountain’s unique printing process actually pulls the dye color out of the shirt and leaves the ink color behind (which results in essentially dyeing the cotton with the ink). This Medium Weight 100% Cotton tee will last you years. “The connection between us and our pets often defies words, but through the use of bright colors and abstract design, I convey the happiness and joy they bring to our lives,” Dean Russo said.

DogIsGood

It’s easy to be in the “Holidog” spirit with the holiday collection of gifts for pet people. We especially love the cute dog-centric messaging on each product. Choose from “dogisms” on coasters and T-shirts or choose an eclectic clothing design that demonstrates your real feelings about animals. Show off your love of dog this holiday season.

Wine for Your Dog Lover Host/Hostess

Looking for the perfect hosting gift? Chateau La Paws is a unique wine that features adorable shelter dogs on every label. Due to high demand, Chateau La Paws has released four new varietals. The four new Sonoma, Calif., varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sweet Red Blend and Sauvignon Blanc) are available nationwide and feature 28 additional North Shore Animal League America (NSALA) rescue dogs. The new offerings join award-winning Chateau La Paws Chardonnay, Red Blend and Pinot Noir. Receiving top barks, Chateau La Paws Chardonnay and Red Blend received Gold medals with the latter receiving the honor of “Best in Class” at the 2015 Los Angeles International Wine Competition. More than reputable wine, the newest expansion continues an official national partnership with NSALA in order to help shelter dogs find a chateau of their own. Chateau La Paws encourages wine lovers to always support rescue adoption.

Eclectic Gifts for Your Dog Loving Friend

From Guatemalan walking bags to quality niche jewelry, PawZaar has something for everyone. Ten percent of the proceeds from the sale of each item are donated to help the featured shelter or rescue of the week. I love this site for its creativity, affordability and high quality. You’ll find a host of beautiful items here and each is carefully selected for animal lovers from locales around the world.

Tech for Pets

I can’t call it a year without a look at My favorite pet tech.

PodTrackers

The ultimate dog (and cat) tracking software for pet parents around the world. Developed in Australia, the PodTracker utilizes the best in bluetooth and GPS tracking software to help you know what your pet is up to all day long. Each unit is the size of a cork, and each comes with a spare battery to help you stay charged with just a twist of a button. The new generation Pod 2 now offers WiFi, which helps deliver faster positions and offers the ability to locate indoors. Since it utilizes an embedded 2G roaming SIM, it is capable of working with multiple networks across more than 175 countries globally.

Hachiko Smart Collar Sensor and Mobile App

Hachiko’s revolutionary Smart Collar Sensor and Mobile App helps owners stay connected to their canine companions and monitor their activity and overall well-being each day. Hachiko is a sensor that simply attaches to any harness or collar and measures a dog’s activity using Bluetooth technology that connects to your phone. Made of tough poly-carbonate plastic shell, Hachiko is 100 percent waterproof. There’s no need for owners to remove and recharge. The sensors are available in a variety of fun bright colors and pet parents can choose a Hachiko that best fits their dog’s style and personality.

Holiday Gift Ideas for Dogs 2017

Because every good boy (and girl) deserves favor

Canine Winter Apparel

Keeping your dog warm, safe and dry in all kinds of weather.