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It’s National Dog Day

Posted on August 26, 2016December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

After all, “Every Dog Will Have His Day” and this year, it’s August 26. National Dog Day is an opportunity to celebrate dogs of all types. Of course, we think every day is an opportunity to celebrate our canine friends so this just makes it extra special.

6 Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

1—Yappy Hour – August 26 is a Friday and a summer Friday afternoon seems perfect for a Yappy Hour either at your home or an area restaurant. If your pooch is the social type, you can invite a couple of dog loving pals to meet you at a nearby pet-friendly patio for appetizers and a drink.

2—Doggie Massage – Everyone loves a massage. Why not give your dog one. Start around the shoulders and gently massage in circular motions, then move down to the hips. This is especially good if your dog is feeling stiff joints due to arthritis. Like people massage, there is a bit of an art to it and some veterinarians and pet stores offer dog massage trainings on occasion.

3—Hike – Find a nearby trail and go for a hike. Your pet will love the opportunity to experience the new scents in the woods. Just be sure to keep Fido leashed so he doesn’t run rampant and check him carefully for ticks afterwards.

4— Bath – Time –Your dog may not love being bathed, but everyone feels better clean. When was the last time your dog went to the groomer? If it’s been awhile, why not book an appointment? Your dog will feel great when he comes back.

5— Post a Picture of your Dog on Social Media – You probably don’t need an excuse to do this but share your cute pup photos and add #NationalDogDay so everyone who searches the hashtag can see yours.

6— Donate to Shelters – Toys, food, money, time, even old towels/blankets can help. Many animal shelters need some or all of these. So, if you have the opportunity, please contact your local shelter and see how you can help.

National Dog Day is a chance to not only shower our own pets with love but also remember those less fortunate who are still waiting in the shelters for their forever homes. You can share their pictures in your social media feeds to encourage adoption.

Happy National Dog Day 2016!

International Cat Day Celebrates Kitties Everywhere

Posted on August 8, 2016December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

You’ve probably heard of the slight obsession the Ancient Egyptians had with cats. Historians are unclear exactly when the feline adoration began but there is evidence of a part woman/part cat Egyptian goddess named Bastet that dates to ancient times and there are plenty of cat statues. They even mummified their cats in order to preserve them for the afterlife.

One possibility why the Egyptians revered cats so much may be because they saw cats as protectors. As predators, cats routinely killed scorpions and other dangerous creatures who lived in the hot Egyptian climate.
Today’s Housecat
Over the years, cats have taken on a different role. In today’s United States, cats hold a position of prominence as a leading popular pet with approximately 30-37% of Americans sharing a home with at least one cat. Of course, like many pets, they’re adored by their families.
While our cats may take care of an occasional mouse that infiltrates our homes, it’s likely they spend far more time lounging in a ray of sunshine coming in through your window. This is fine because they have other jobs to do in modern society – like lower your blood pressure.

Multiple studies show stroking a pet can reduce risk of cardiovascular disease. Researchers say it’s a combination of factors including having something to care for and taking the time enjoy a little break in the day to appreciate your cat’s silly antics. All of which disrupts stress signals to your brain and that’s a good thing when it comes to your heart health.
You can thank your cat for his health benefits this August 8, International Cat Day.
How can you roll out the red carpet for your favorite kitty (or kitties?) We recommend special treats (of course) and taking time to pet your favorite feline. Catnip, a few rounds of chase the laser pointer or bat the feather — can do both of you good. You’ll laugh which is a great stress reliever and your cat will get some exercise. You can also help your kitty shed extra fur by gently brushing your cat to collect those loose hairs (and keep them from being left all over your house.) Grooming your cat, along with feeding an approved Natural Hairball Control recipe will ensure your kitty stays happy and healthy year-round.

How will you celebrate International Cat Day?

3 Ways to Celebrate DOGust!

Posted on July 28, 2016December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

What is DOGust you might ask? If you’ve ever shared your life with a rescue pup, you know you’re not aware of their true birthday. Sure, you can choose a date at random or use your adoption date as your rescue’s special day. Either options are fine, after all, your pup isn’t likely to have strong opinion either way.
But now there’s another option. The North Shore Animal League – the oldest no-kill shelter in the country, declared Aug 1 as DOGust, the universal birthday of shelter dogs everywhere. Which means, if your rescue doesn’t have a birthday already, why not choose August 1?

3 Ways to Celebrate DOGust
1—Adoption – Adopting a new pup is the ultimate celebration, but we know that’s not always possible. So in lieu of adopting, you can donate money and/or share available pets via your social media feeds. You may be able to help someone ELSE find the furry love of his or her life!
2—Pawty – You can choose to host a doggie birthday party with your dog loving friends in a fenced in yard. Since it is August and hot across most of the country, water games are appropriate. Kiddie pools filled with cool water, sprinklers and some DIY frozen treats will help ensure the pups don’t get too hot! Play dates are great for sending everyone home with tired and happy dogs.

3—Share — Share your pet rescue photos on Facebook and Instagram. If you use the hashtag #DOGust, The North Shore Animal League will be sure to see them and will share via social media.
DOGust comes but once a year, how will you celebrate?

Beat the Heat- How to Keep Your Pet Comfortable and Safe in the Summer Months

Posted on July 25, 2016December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

Summer is upon us, fellow pet lovers, and with summer comes lots of outdoor fun with our pets. However, depending on where you live, the summer heat can present many dangers to your pet. Pet owners can sometimes be oblivious to these dangers, which can result in many health risks for our furry friends. Keep your pet comfortable and safe this summer with these tips on how to beat the heat.
What Not to Do
With temperatures rising to potentially dangerous levels in the summer months, you have to be conscious of your pet’s safety. In the hot summer months, these are some of the ‘DONTS’ to keep in mind when caring for your pet in the heat.

Never leave your pet unattended inside of the car. Honestly, it is never a good idea to leave your pet unattended in a vehicle for any length of time beyond a couple of minutes, but this is especially true in the event of extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold. The inside of a car on just a warm day can reach dangerous and fatal temperature levels, and it can happen within minutes! Print out this Humane Society flyer to disperse and help to educate your community.
Do not put a muzzle on a dog while they are out in the heat. There is a reason why dogs start panting when they get really hot – it is a natural way of controlling their body temperature. When you put a muzzle on a dog while they are out in the heat, you are preventing this natural process from occurring, which can lead to over-heating or heat stroke.
Do not leave your pet outside for extended periods of time during extreme heat. If it is too hot for you to be outside for an extended period of time, then you should consider it too hot for your pet as well.

Dog Panting

Warning Signs of a Heat Stroke
It is important to be aware of the signs that your pet may be in danger of a heat stroke. Some of these warning signs are –

Heavy panting
Difficulty breathing
Excessive thirst
Lethargy
Glazed eyes
Lack of coordination
Rapid heartbeat
Dizziness
Profuse salivation
Vomiting

Pets who are most susceptible to suffering from heat stroke are usually very old or very young, overweight, or pets not conditioned to prolonged exercise. Speaking of exercise, if you are out exercising with your pet and they suddenly insist on slowing down or laying down – this is a sign that your pet is over-heated or over-exerted. Listen to what your pet is trying to tell you. Here are some more helpful tips on recognizing the warning signs of a heat stroke. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from a heat stroke, move them to the shade or an air-conditioned area immediately, place ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest and take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.

Tips to Consider

If your pet is going to be outside in the heat for any extended amount of time, be sure that they have access to plenty of water.
Do not assume that a dog house is a proper place for your pet to cool off in the heat. Dog houses are built to prevent air movement and can build up heat quickly.
When taking your pet out to exercise or walk/jog, be aware that the hot asphalt/concrete can be damaging to your pet’s paws. You’ve walked barefoot on hot asphalt before, right?
The best way to cool down your pet is by placing cool water or cloths on their neck, pads of feet, or belly.
If you have a longer haired dog, consider getting their hair cut shorter in the summer months.

Now that you know how to keep your pet comfortable and safe in the hot, summer months – get outside and have some fun with your pet on those beautiful, sunny days. Just don’t overdo it and stay cool – literally and figuratively.

Take Your Dog To Work Day 2016

Posted on June 15, 2016December 17, 2020 by Above1 Support

The brainchild of Pet Sitters International, Take Your Dog to Work Day (TYDTWD) is an annual celebration of our dogs and their social natures. As you probably know, dogs are pack animals. Leaving them at home alone for long periods of time every day is against their natures.

And while growing evidence points to the fact that pup friendly offices are healthier workplaces, not every office has embraced this point of view. That’s why Take Your Dog to Work Day is great way to try it out. Plus, you’ll get to meet your co-workers’ four-legged friends– and that’s always fun!
7 Ways to Prepare Your Office for a Puptastic Day!

Take your dog to work day 2016

1—Make Sure Everyone is On Board – If Take Your Dog to Work Day is YOUR idea, pitch it to your team/boss and make sure everyone embraces the idea. This is NOT the time for surprises.
Once you’ve all agreed, it’s a good idea to put together a few guidelines for participants.
For example, it’s not a good time to bring untrained or aggressive dogs to the office (is there ever a good time?) You’ll also want to get a sense of how many dogs may come to work on June 24 and set expectations, will they roam free? Be leashed near your desk? What makes the most sense for both your office and the individual dogs?
2—Offer Distractions – Bring something for your dog to chew on. Non-squeaky toys and dog treats will give your dog a sense of a reward and occupy his mind. If your dog likes to sit in his crate or on a dog bed, bring those along. It will help your dog feel more “at home.” Plus, if your dog has a crate and you need to run out for a meeting, you can simply close the door.
3– Plan a Walk — Is there a nearby park or walking trails where you can walk your dogs? Plan to team up with a co-worker or two for lunchtime dog walk. You and your dog need the fresh air!

Person walking a dog

In fact, studies show that people who take a short walk at lunch are more productive in the afternoon! It’s something about the fresh air and sunshine.
4— Come Early – If your dog has never been to your office before (or if it’s been awhile), she’ll need time to sniff the surroundings before she can settle down. She’ll probably also want to greet the other dogs. Allow everyone time to get acquainted before you get settled into your day.
5– Water – Bring a bowl for water and make sure your pet has plenty of it.
6—Clean up Supplies – It’s not uncommon for even the best trained dogs to have “accidents” in unfamiliar surroundings. Prepare yourself for clean ups and have extra supplies on hand.
7—Have a Plan “B” – If your dog just isn’t gelling with the vibe – for whatever reason – be prepared to take him or her home. Office life isn’t for everyone.
Take Your Dog to Work Day can be a fun way to bond with your co-workers (and your dog.) But every dog isn’t cut out for a day at the office. Know your pooch. Consider if yours is well-mannered enough to spend with you at work and if so, go for it!

Person at office with dog

National Puppy Day

Posted on March 23, 2016November 13, 2020 by Above1 Support

Since 2006, March 23rd has been celebrated as National Puppy Day. This day was founded not only as a celebration of the unconditional love that puppies bring into our lives, but also as a day to save the lives of homeless puppies sitting in animal shelters and to raise awareness about the horrific reality of puppy mills across the globe. Here are some ways that you can celebrate the true meaning behind National Puppy Day!

10 Ways to Celebrate National Puppy Day

1. Adopt, Don’t Shop! – Are you considering bringing a new puppy into your home? We can’t think of a better way to celebrate National Puppy Day! There is a puppy at one of your local animal shelters just waiting for you to come and give them their forever home! Social media has made it possible to browse available animals that are up for adoption at your local animal shelters right from your own home! Adopt, don’t shop!

2. Share the Puppy Love – We get to experience the unconditional love from our puppies each day, so National Puppy Day is a great opportunity for us to share that love with others.

Take your puppy to a local elderly community to visit with the residents and put a big smile on all of their faces – your puppy will be smiling, too from all of the extra love and attention.
Brag on your puppy on social media, tag the shelter that you adopted from and encourage others to adopt a puppy of their own!

3. Donate to the Cause – Maybe you already have the perfect puppy in your life and you celebrate their unconditional love day in and day out – lucky you! Another great way that you can celebrate National Puppy Day is to DONATE! Donate your time by volunteering at a local shelter Donate money and /or supplies to a local shelter Make a donation to an organization, such as ASPCA, that fights to end puppy mill cruelty.

4. Spread the Knowledge – Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the dangers and cruelty involved with puppy mills. Do your research and share the knowledge to bring awareness to this important issue.

5. Capture the Moment – They don’t stay puppies forever! Hire a photographer to take some photos of you and your puppy to savor the sweetness of the puppy phase. Trust us, you will love looking back on those in the years to come!

6. Puppy Training – Training your puppy is one of the biggest responsibilities of being a puppy parent and it is also a great bonding experience for you and your new buddy.

Sign you and your puppy up for an obedience training course and get a jumpstart on the basics. You will be well on your way to having the smartest puppy on the block!

7. Puppy Play Date – Plan a special outing for you and your puppy. Do you have a friend or relative that has a playful pup? Plan a play date at the local dog park or just bring your puppy and let him make some new friends! Socializing your puppy is one of the best things that you can do for him.

8. Take Action – Write to your congressperson to ask that he or she support the ban of puppy mills in your state. Your voice does matter!

9. Get a Healthy Start – A healthy puppy is a happy puppy! Do you know what’s in the food that you are feeding to your puppy? Is your puppy getting enough exercise?

Make sure that you are giving your puppy food and treats that are made with all natural ingredients.
Take your puppy out for daily walks to make sure that he is getting the proper daily exercise to keep him healthy and happy.

10. Be Present for Your Puppy – At the blink of an eye, your puppy will be all grown up! Savor the puppy phase and spend as much quality time with your puppy as you can. Raising a puppy is a big responsibility and the decisions that you make now will shape them into the dog that they will grow up to be.

5 Tips for Socializing Your New Kitten

Posted on February 29, 2016January 15, 2021 by Above1 Support

We all want to have a cat that interacts well with other people and pets, right? Socialization is the key to achieving this, and the first four to sixteen weeks of a cat’s life are critical for behavioral and social development. It is important to have a plan for socializing your kitten immediately upon bringing them into your home. Let’s talk about some ways to achieve proper socialization for your new kitten.

1. Bringing Your Kitten Home

When your kitten first arrives home with you, remember it can all be a bit overwhelming for her. Start by taking her to a quiet place and show her where her bowls and litter boxes are. Give her lots of love and attention – pet her gently and talk to her in a soft, calming voice. Take the time to reassure your kitten that she is in a safe and loving place.

2. Introducing Your Kitten to Other People

It is important to socialize your kitten with other people as early as possible so that she becomes comfortable around others at an early age. However, make sure that playtimes and meetings are kept short, so your kitten can get plenty of rest.
Playtime with Kids
If you have children, they are naturally going to be overly excited about the arrival of a new kitten. It is your job to teach them how to properly interact with the kitten in a careful and safe manner. It is a good idea to schedule supervised playtime for your kids and the new kitten, so that the kitten becomes comfortable around the kids and you can be there to make sure that the kids are handling her safely.
Interacting with Strangers
It’s a good idea to introduce your kitten to as many people as possible. You want her to be comfortable around strangers, so that she won’t be scared of new people or guests that enter your home. Make sure that when introducing new people to your kitten that they understand the boundaries and don’t scare or overwhelm her with a strong show of affection. If your kitten is properly socialized, she will be less likely to be fearful of strangers as an adult cat.

3. Interaction with Other Pets in the Home

If you know that you are planning to bring a new kitten into your home, make sure that all other pets in your home are healthy and are up to date on their vaccinations.
If you have multiple other pets in your home, it is best to introduce them to your new kitten one at a time. We suggest keeping them separated for the first encounter, by keeping the kitten in a carrier or separating them with a baby gate.
If there is any sign of aggression, separate them immediately and try again at a later time. Acceptance can definitely take some time, so it is important to be patient. Do not leave your new kitten unsupervised with the other pets until you feel confident in their interaction with one another.

4. Schedule Play Dates with Other Pets

Even if you don’t have any other pets of your own, it is still important to socialize your kitten with other pets. To make your kitten more comfortable, ask a friend to bring over their dog or cat so that your kitten can interact with them in their own, safe environment. Follow the same rules as before, keeping them separated at first and slowly giving them more freedom to play together.

5. How to Handle Separation Anxiety

Regardless of how well you socialize your kitten, they can still develop separation anxiety. If your kitten seems to become stressed out by you leaving the house (excessive meowing or soiling the house), it is important to address the issue as soon as possible.

Limit the amount of time that you leave your kitten alone as much as possible
Be as casual and nonchalant as possible when leaving the house – don’t make a big production
Condition your kitten to tolerate short absences by leaving her in a room for short spurts of time and gradually increasing that amount of time as she shows signs of tolerating your absence

When you take the time and devote proper attention to socializing your new kitten, both you and your kitten will reap the benefits in the long run!

Isn’t Every Day National Cat Day?

Posted on February 28, 2016December 18, 2020 by Above1 Support

If your cat is anything like ours, every day is cat day at your house. Five am? It’s time for canned food, aka, “tuna time”. Sunny day? “Please open the door so I can lounge on the deck.” There’s no doubt our cats are spoiled and we enjoy spoiling them.
To keep your whiskered-friends happy and healthy on this special day and every day in between, we recommend treating them with a tasty, nutritious snack like Wellness Kittles. Kittles are under 2 calories each, are grain-free and have addicting tastes. You can even pick up one of three scrumptious new flavors–Duck & Cranberries, Turkey & Cranberries or Whitefish & Cranberries!

You might be wondering how National Cat Day started. Since 2005, Founder and cat-vocate Colleen Paige has championed the causes of all cats and designated Oct. 29 as the official day of “All Things Cat,” otherwise known as National Cat Day. Not only is it another excuse to treat your cats, but it’s also an opportunity to help shelter cats find their fur-ever homes. And one of the trendiest new ways to promote cat adoption involves socializing with adoptable cats in a cozy environment– a cat café!
For the Cat Obsessed, There is the Cat Café

In essence, these are coffee shops where the felines roam. They’ll cozy up to you as you sip a hot beverage. Originally popular across Taiwan and Japan, the first cat café opened August 2014 in Montreal. Since then, they’ve spread across Canada and the United States.
Many of these cafés partner with pet shelters who bring in friendly kitties to play and cuddle with patrons. They offer another avenue to adoption, one where you can get a sense of the cats’ personalities that can be hard to see when they’re caged at the shelter. Take Green Street Animal Rescue in Philadelphia, Le Chat Café, where for $12 you can spend a blissful hour visiting with the resident felines. Since opening in March 2016, Le Chat Café has helped 19 kitties find their forever homes.

There are cat cafés in Boston, NYC, San Francisco and even Charleston, SC and some of them offer yoga classes, children’s story time and other special events.
If you’re not near a cat café and aren’t able to adopt a cat right now, you can still get a kitty fix. Most pet shelters are in need of volunteers and a quick phone call can score you the opportunity to come in and clean cages, brush kitties and otherwise lend a hand.
This National Cat Day, help spread the word about adoptable cats so that one day, they can all live healthily and happily in their forever homes!

International Dog Biscuit Day

Posted on February 23, 2016November 13, 2020 by Above1 Support

If every dog is to have his day, Feb. 23rd is the day. Why? Because it’s International Dog Biscuit Day and every pup wags his tail for treats!

Here at Wellness, the pups are especially fond of flavors like Chicken and Cheddar Cheese and Peanuts & Honey. As a pet parent, you know there’s a treat for every taste and age range – training treats, grain free treats, treats with glucosamine for joint health and much more.

puppy waiting for food

But it wasn’t always like this….

A Short Story About Dog “Cakes”

Commercial dog food is thought to date back to the mid-19th century when an electrician named John Spratt is said to have been inspired upon seeing a pack of hungry strays ravage a barrel of ship’s tack in London.

Back then, “tack” was created as a hard biscuit that passed for sustenance in the days prior to refrigeration. Made of flour, water and baked into a “biscuit,” “hard tack” as it was known, was virtually tasteless but provided seafarers, soldiers and anyone else who needed a portable food substance a way to reduce the hunger pangs.

And while we can’t imagine tack was anything the dogs (or humans) looked forward to –unlike today’s variety of treats, many dogs subsisted on a diet of meager scraps. Which means anything they could get was welcome – even an unguarded store of tack.

At WellPet, our own history of introducing dog biscuits dates back over 90 years. Our sister brand’s classic recipe of Old Mother Hubbard Biscuits was originally developed as a wholesome snack for fisherman while out at sea. One day, a sailor threw a biscuit to his dog who happily gobbled it up.

Over the years, these dog “cakes” morphed from a primary food source into dessert and then into a healthy treat with the flavors and shapes we have today.

puppy with food

Which is your dog’s favorite Wellness biscuit? Why not share your pooch enjoying his favorite Wellness flavor on our social media pages? You can use the hashtag #NationalDogBiscuitDay.

February is National Pet Dental Month – Dental Care Tips for Pets

Posted on February 16, 2016November 17, 2020 by Above1 Support

Cats and dogs can be particularly prone to dental disease because they often do not have their teeth cleaned as frequently as their humans do. Dental check-ups should be a part of your pet’s regular health screenings. Brushing your pet’s teeth is something you can do at home to maintain their oral health.

yorkie teeth brushing

Next time you’re at the vet, be sure to discuss the condition of your pet’s mouth. Your vet will explain whether getting a professional dental cleaning is recommended. Regular at-home brushing is recommended for cats and dogs in order to prevent plaque build-up. Plaque can lead to gum disease and, on rare occasions, problems that can spread through the body.

If your pets aren’t used to having their teeth brushed, it may take a while for them to warm up to the idea, but with the right tools and a little patience, you can feel better about your pet’s dental health.

Here’s What You’ll Need:

Pet Toothbrush– Pet toothbrushes have smaller bristles and a smaller head. Some of them fit on your finger too. This can make it easier for you to control the movement. If your pet has a smaller mouth or sensitive teeth, even a cotton ball with pet toothpaste applied to it will do the trick.
Toothpaste – It’s necessary to use special pet toothpaste for your cat or dog. Human toothpaste can be dangerous for pets and make them sick. Plus, pet toothpaste is flavored to appeal to animals, and it’s meant to be swallowed.
Patience— Your pet will need to adjust to the idea of having your fingers and/or toothbrush in his or her mouth. At first, you might spend a few minutes every day with a soft cloth rubbing his or her teeth. This can help remove plaque too.

The Process:

Approach your pet when he’s relaxed. Sit with him in a quiet location and speak in a soothing voice. Next, put the toothbrush to his mouth and gently move it around. It’s ok if you only brush one or two teeth the first few times.
Try again tomorrow. Your pet will eventually get used to it and will be more relaxed.
It’s not necessary to brush your pet’s teeth for as long as you would your own. Usually a few seconds is enough to apply the toothpaste which will stick to the surface of the teeth, helping to dissolve plaque, and preventing future build-up.

Regularly brushing your pet’s teeth is the best way of preventing tooth decay.

What about you? We’d love to hear your stories about brushing your pet’s teeth on our Facebook page!

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Date:

16/02/2016