Friday, February 28, 2014

Pet Nutrition Class this Saturday!


 
Pet Nutrition Class  
Saturday,
March 1st 
10:30-12 Noon
How to Choose the Best Commercial Pet Food  
for Your Pet's Individual Needs
Location:
Unity Center
23855 Detroit Rd,  Westlake,  OH
Class Fee: $25.00 
We are sponsoring this great educational class from Beyond the Bag Nutrition.  Learn what ingredients to LOOK FOR and which ones to AVOID on a pet food label (You will receive a handy pocket-guide to take to the store with you when shopping) .  This is just one of the many helpful pieces of information available by attending this seminar.  Please visit their official website to learn a little more.  Register for this class by contacting Beyond the Bag Nutrition via their website or by emailing them directly:

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Balance up your pet's body


Homeostasis is another word for balance. Specifically it is used to describe balance in any organism, from single cell plankton to human beings and everything in between. 

Homeostasis describes a healthy state. 

There are many things that can change homeostasis and throw the body out of balance. One is illness, another is the medication used to treat illness. Antibiotics are a wonderful life saving tool for fighting illness, but they are a lot like using a shotgun. Antibiotics kill off ALL bacteria, not just the bad ones. This is why diarrhea is a common side effect of antibiotics, the normal bacteria in the gut is killed off. Yeast infections frequently follow a course of antibiotics, because normally good bacteria and yeast keep each other in check in the body.

Steroids are another commonly used medication for cats and dogs. They are pretty effective at decreasing inflammation and edema when used short term, but can cause an overgrowth of the body's normal yeast population because of increased blood sugar levels. Yeast thrives in a high sugar environment and can overcome the good bacteria that keeps the yeast levels in check. As many pet owners can tell you, steroids and antibiotics are frequently prescribed together. These are effective at treating the problem they are prescribed for but they can cause more problems down the road.

So what can you do to help restore homeostasis in your cat or dog after antibiotics or steroids? Adding pre and probiotics to the diet can really help restore balance. We've all seen the yogurt commercials talking about active cultures and gut health. In a normally healthy digestive system that does work. But after medications you need to repopulate the prebiotics as well as the probiotics. Prebiotics are the food for probiotics, without those probiotics won't survive to repopulate the gut. This is true for cats, dogs and people.

There are several companies that make pre and probiotic formulas for cats and dogs. We carry InClover Optigest, Ark Naturals Gentle Digest and Healthy Dogma Tender Tummy. Given after a course of antibiotics, steroids or both the formulas can help repopulate the gut with the normal bacteria your dog or cat needs to thrive. Remember, it's all about homestasis!

 OptaGest *For Cats and Dogs
OptaGest is a complete digestive formula to quickly relieve gas and diarrhea, while supporting a strong immune system and a healthy skin and coat. The 4 plant-based enzymes ensure proper digestion and absorption of nutrients throughout the entire digestive system. Clinically-proven levels of the prebiotic FOS selectively feed the native bacteria naturally present in your pet’s healthy GI system. OptaGest contains NO fillers, sugar, or preservatives. Slightly sweet flavor pets enjoy. NASC Quality Seal and 100% guaranteed. Made in the USA.





Ark Naturals Gentle Digest *For Cats and Dogs
Promotes the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria. Use for occasional diarrhea, gas, constipation, ear yeast issues. Aids digestion by breaking down food into nutrients that can be readily absorbed.










Healthy Dogma *Formulated for dogs only
A proprietary blend of kelp, flaxmeal, slippery elm, licorice and ginger to decrease acidity and sooth the stomach as well as probiotics to promote healthy levels of gut bacteria. This is in granular form that can be mixed with food.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Plaque Friday is February 21st!

PLAQUE FRIDAY 
is February 21st! 
Did you know that
February is Dog Dental Month?  

Let the Grateful Dog Bakery help you take care of your furry friend's teeth with our PLAQUE FRIDAY specials. All our dental products will be 20% off this Friday (and through the weekend) so that you can save while you help your pet.

The products we carry are:

           Plaque Zapper which contains naturally available enzymes which stop plaque from sticking to teeth. Both the small to medium and medium to large size come in individual packets that make it easy to add to your pet's water.
            BREATH-LESS Brushless Toothpaste is a highly digestible chew that scrubs teeth and supports healthy gums. They help to control plaque, tartar and bacteria. Available in mini, small to medium, medium to large and large sizes.

            Oral Care Spray is peppermint flavored and helps to remove plaque and tartar and controls bacteria.
            Oral Care Gel also helps remove plaque and tartar, controls bacteria, and is available in either a peppermint or salmon flavor.

            An all natural product free of artificial colors and preservatives, PlaqueOff prevents oral bacteria from producing plaque and tartar. Comes in a powder that you merely sprinkle on top of your pet's food to loosen tartar so brushing is more effective.

            Oral Care Water Additive is 100% natural and promotes healthy gums and eliminates bad breath. Provides daily dental care for your pet.

            An all natural, low fat great tasting chew that is vegetable based and helps remove plaque and tartar as your dog chews. Makes teeth cleaning a fun treat for your dog.

            An all natural grain-free dental chew with added vitamins and minerals. Supports a clean mouth with fresh breath with parsley, alfalfa, rosemary and fennel and has a texture to help scrape and polish teeth. Another great treat that lets your dog enjoy cleaning his or her teeth.

            A brushless enzymatic oral care therapy product that is available in a dental gel, water additive or breath freshener spray. Contains enzyme systems that inhibit harmful bacteria and remove plaque biofilm that is also beneficial for pets with special oral care needs.
  

We also carry both toothbrushes and finger brushes to aid in applying some of the above products.

Wait, We're not done!
Don't see an oral care product that you use for your pet? Let us know and we can special order it for you and you will receive the 20% discount on your order.

 Also,  
The Grateful Dog Bakery will also offer 20% off on our Vanilla Mint Kiss Cookies during this sale. These cookies contain all natural vanilla, peppermint and parsley to help freshen your dog's breath. A great treat that you and your dog will appreciate. 
In-store discount only.

Monday, February 17, 2014

Wintery Treats are still in Store!

After a weekend of puppy love, it's been very apparent to us just how much all of you love your pups and kitties just like we love ours.  This is exactly why we do what we do...we want to make sure we've researched every product we carry to ensure the safety and health for your furry friends.
It's still winter out there for sure...and we still have winter treats we are baking up daily.  Check out these fine handcrafted snacks we are baking fresh from our ovens...

Peanut Butter Oat Stars

One of our most PUPular treat recipes!
These yummy hypoallergenic peanut butter treats are made with oat flour and are absolutely delish to your pup's palate!  All ingredients are from sustainable farms and baked up for your special pooch!












Sam The Snowman 
A delectable turkey treat for your furry friend during this winter season!
Our absolutely yummy handcrafted treat has ingredients only from sustainable farms. 
Stone ground, Whole Wheat Flour, Turkey, Turkey Stock, Organic Egg, Carob dipping.











Peanut Butter and Rye Snowcones
This is a hypoallergenic treat that is delicious to pups with or without wheat allergies.
We use only ingredients from local sustainable farms, selected by us, baked by us, and delivered to your pup's healthy tummy!

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Vote for us!



Voting season is here!
It's Cleveland Hotlist time again, and we need YOUR help!

Please tell Cleveland who the BEST pet supplies store is by voting for us.  We appreciate your support and believing in our bakery and pet food place.


Click this link to cast your vote today!

Friday, February 14, 2014

Spa Day in February!

Spa Day in February! 
Saturday, February 15th 
1-4PM

Designer Doggies is back!  
Nail trims, eye and ear cleaning and tooth brushing services are available.  
$5 each service or all 3 for $12. No appointment necessary, just stop in!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Valentine's Day Treats are fresh from the oven!

That's right: Fresh from the oven: Valentine Handcrafted treats are fresh from our ovens!  Available in our online store and in-store!


Carob Sandwich Treats

Just for your sweetheart!
Our yummy carob cookie recipe with your choice of filling:
Carob & sprinkles  ~or~ Peanut Butter and Crushed Peanuts












I (Heart) You Peanut Butter Cookie

I (heart) you my dear puppy friend!
These handcrafted treats, made with our famous peanut butter recipe, will really be packed full of LOVE for your sweetheart.
Now only if they could read...  ;)

Sunday, February 2, 2014

February Sunday Fundraiser

Rescue Sundays
  Our Rescue Sundays will benefit Partners with Paws  of Lorain Co for the month of February! Partners with Paws is a wonderful organization, their motto is "Saving Dogs on Death Row... Four Paws at a Time".

Tune into their radio show on Tuesday mornings at 8:40 on WOBL 1320 AM and at 9:40 on WDLW 1380 AM. To learn more go to www.partnerswithpawslc.com.