Let's Talk About Noise!

As Summer is fast approaching, pet parents need to prepare for thunderstorms and fireworks. Some dogs take it all in stride, others not so much. Having a plan and being prepared will make life easier for you and your dog. 

First, let's talk about safety. Did you know that more pets go missing on the 4th of July than any other

time of year? Check your fences and gates, look for low spots your dog can slide under. Be aware a panicked dog can jump a lot higher than you think. Check your dog's collar. Does it fit well? Is the tag up to date with your phone number and address? If your dog is microchipped make sure the information is up to date. If not, make an appointment with your vet or find a low cost vaccine clinic. A microchip can't get lost like a collar can and is your dog's best chance of getting home.

Next, let's talk about distraction. A dog that is only a little anxious can sometimes be distracted with a fun toy, especially if it involves high value treats. (If you aren't sure what makes a treat high value, see our blog from 9/12/19) Puzzle toys, licky mats, and snuffle mats are all good choices if your dog is still able to take treats. Being inside with the doors and windows closed, fan on, music or TV playing is also very helpful. You have probably been given advice not to coddle your dog when they are fearful, that it will reinforce the fear. That is old and outdated advice and is not helpful at all. Fear is an emotion, not a behavior. If cuddling your dog helps, cuddle away!

If your dog is too anxious to take treats, there are some things you can try. Please remember all of these work best if you give them well in advance of the noise. The Open Farm company makes a hemp seed oil and herbal based chew that has worked well for some of my clients. Another option is Clean Remedies CBD oil. When we had Ophelia, our noise phobic dog we just planned on giving her a daily dose before, during and after the 4th of July because we knew the noise would be ongoing. It helped calm her enough to be able to take treats and then we could work on distractions.

If none of these suggestions work for your dog, make a vet appointment to talk about prescription medications. Don't wait until just before the holiday, your vet and your dog will appreciate your being proactive.

Preparing for the 4th of July.

 More dogs go missing on the 4th of July than any other day. If you think of the traditions of the holiday from a dog's point of view, it is a bunch of loud noises they don't understand and they get scared and run.

Plan ahead to keep your dog safe. 

Make sure your dog is wearing an up to date ID tag with your address and phone number. Having a county license on your dog will help get them home faster if they are picked up and taken to the county kennel. If your dog isn't microchipped, make an appointment with your vet or find a low cost micro chip clinic in your area. 

Next, take a walk around your yard and think about security from the point of view of a frightened dog. Make sure your fence and gates are secure. Make sure fence panels aren't loose so your dog can slide underneath. Look for any areas where your dog has been digging. That is likely to be a low point and an easy escape route.  I make it a point to walk the fence perimeter in my back yard a couple times a week to make sure nothing has changed or come loose. High wind weather events seem to be more common now, make sure you check fences and gates after the storm has passed.

Puppies and young dogs can be desensitized to loud noises like fireworks or thunderstorms. Have very high value treats available, be inside with windows closed to mute the noise as much as possible and use your positive marker word or clicker after every boom and then treat. As long as the puppy isn't overwhelmed you should see them begin to anticipate that click/marker and treat with every noise. Pay attention to the weather forecast, if storms are forecast be ready to train. 

If you have a dog that is noise sensitive there are products available that can help. We carry herbal based products from Ark Naturals and Open Farm that help to keep your dog calm. These work best if given in advance of the storm or fireworks so planning ahead is important. If your dog needs more than herbal supplements, Clean Remedies CBD tincture is a wonderful addition to a treatment plan. 

Keep your dog safe this 4th of July. Keep them indoors, windows closed, fan or music going. A licky mat or puzzle toy will help keep them busy and focussed, too. Come in and talk to us, we can help you find what you need.

How To Keep Your Dog's Paws Healthy And Happy

 Just like human feet, your dog's paws can take a beating. Hot temperatures, rough surfaces and not knowing when to quit running or playing can take it's toll. So, what can you do to help?

Be aware of surface temperatures. On hot, sunny days avoid black top, it can actually cause burns. Walk early in the day before black top heats up. It can hold heat, so be careful in the evening. Cement/concrete is usually cooler, but check the temperature with your hand before you walk your dog on to it. 

Sometimes seasonal allergies show as itchy feet in dogs, and can make them very uncomfortable. Skout's Honor makes a Probiotic based Paw Spray that is very helpful in relieving the itch. I spray it on and then distract the dog from licking their paws for 10 minutes while it soaks in. 

Skout's Honor Paw Balm is a great way to prevent rough, dry paw pads. Using it regularly will help prevent pads from cracking and bleeding. Again, be prepared to distract your dog from paw licking for at least 10 minutes after applying. It won't hurt them if they lick it, these formulas are non toxic, but you get better results if the product has time to soak in. Apply it directly to the pads and work it in between the pads with your fingers. Having treats handy is also very helpful, reward even a little cooperation!

Skout's Honor has a full line of grooming products, from shampoos to ear cleaner and even a great skunkwash if your dog gets sprayed. We are happy to help you choose the products that will work best for you.

It Is Hot Outside, Keep Your Dog Safe and Hydrated!

 It is very hot and humid in Northeast Ohio right now, and even worse in other parts of the country. What can you do to keep your dog or cat safe in these crazy hot temperatures?

Get your exercise in early or late. An early morning walk before temperatures and surfaces have heated up is a great idea. If you can't do early mornings evenings are also a good choice. Be careful of surfaces that have been baking in the sun all day. Grass paths or concrete sidewalks are usually a safe choice, asphalt can hold heat for a long time so always check the temperature with the back of your hand before you walk your dog on them.

Frequently dogs and cats don't drink enough water to maintain hydration. Keeping the water bowl fresh, or adding ice cubes may increase the fun of drinking. Dash, my standard poodle will ignore the water bowl until I change it, then he will take a good long drink.

Frozen treats are always fun in the summertime, and will help keep your pet hydrated. Raw goat's milk is a great choice. It is hypoallergenic and very digestible. You can use it to top a meal or pour some in a bowl for your dog or cat to enjoy. The Bones & Co also makes whipped goat's milk, great to use on a licky mat or stuffer toy like a Kong. Unsweetened applesauce or pureed pumpkin are some other healthy high moisture choices you can add to the dinner bowl or a licky mat. If you want to make the licky mat a little more challenging you can place it in the freezer after you apply the applesauce or pumpkin puree. Keeping your dog busy inside will help use up some energy if they aren't getting their usual outdoor exercise. Bone Broth is another healthy way to add moisture to your pet's diet. It is also rich in collagen, so good for joint health, too. Dog's Naturally magazine has a great recipe for bone broth that is easy to make at home https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/how-to-make-bone-broth-for-your-dog or we have it available frozen in 16 oz glass jars.

 A plastic kiddy pool can be great fun even if your yard is small. They are available in several sizes and usually hold up well to doggy toenails. You can also get two and double them if your dog is large or heavy. If your dog doesn't want to get in the pool, tossing in floating toys for them to retrieve will help keep them cool.Planet Dog and West Paw have some great floating toys that are made in the United States. We move ours to a new spot every day or two to avoid dead grass spots. 

Hopefully the heat wave will break soon and we can all enjoy some comfortable outdoor time. Until it does, stay safe and enjoy the air conditioning.

 

Does Your Dog Need A Coat? Most Likely, Yes.

 Many people think that because their dog wears a fur coat all year, the dog must be good to go come the harsh winter weather.  Unfortunately that is not always true. 

Double coated dogs are fine without coats, such as huskies, malamutes, akitas, and German shepherds.  These dogs evolved working outside in cold temperatures and their coats are an indicator of this.  But single coated dogs benefit greatly from wearing a coat outside, such as greyhounds, boxers, pit bulls, cane corsos, etc.

Jenny August at Fargo Fleece has been making dog coats by hand here in Northeast Ohio for 10 years.

“The cold affects our pups the same way it does us,” Jenny says. “Dogs come equipped with their own external layering system, but some dogs have lighter layers of fur or smaller body mass than others and some are not genetically suited to the environments they find themselves transplanted in.”

Small dogs can be particularly susceptible to the cold due to a couple factors.  They have less muscle mass which produces less heat.  Small dogs also stand much closer to the ground and the closer proximity to the cold radiating outward from the surface saps their warmth faster.  Since they’re also small, puppies face the same challenges in addition to the fact that puppies have higher water content which causes them to lose their heat faster. A breed that doesn't need a coat as an adult, like a golden retriever, would benefit from one as a puppy.

We are proud to carry hand made coats from Fargo Fleece and Terrier Wear. These coats are well made, machine washable and will last!

Meat Treats; Pieces and Parts

While rawhide has been a popular dog chew for decades, it is actually one of the most common causes of bowel obstruction. Rawhide is a byproduct of the leather industry and it isn't very digestible. It may also be treated with preservative chemicals making it even more dangerous. Dogs love to chew, and they also need to. It is a stress reliever and helps keep their teeth clean. So what are some good choices?

Trachea, necks, duck heads and pig ears

Giving your dog or cat freeze dried animal parts, like pig ears or beef trachea adds a minimally processed component to the diet. Pig ears and snouts are made up of cartilage, highly digestible

while providing a longer lasting chew. Beef trachea or esophagus, duck or chicken feet are also good choices. Freeze dried organ meats like hearts or gizzards are a pretty quick chew but are rich in protein, supplying amino acids and vitamins that can be lacking in processed pet foods. Farm Hounds has a great selection of organ meats made from pasture raised animals, hearts, livers and poultry gizzards just to name a few. They source their ingredients from small family farms, avoiding the contamination risks of factory farming.

A popular choice on the Vital Essentials Raw Bar are freeze dried poultry 

Magic shopping the Raw Bar

necks. Neck bones contain a lot of cartilage so are a good source of glucosamine and chondroitin, both important for joint health. Because the necks are freeze dried the bones are essentially raw, so unlikely to splinter into sharp edges. It is important to choose the necks that are the appropriate size for your dog. Small dogs would do fine with chicken necks, medium and large dogs would do better with duck or turkey necks. Fish skin jerky is a great way to add Omega 3 to your dog's diet, a fatty acid that can be missing in processed dog food. Omega 3 is thought to decrease the inflammation response in dogs with arthritis and can decrease skin itchiness for dogs with allergies. 

For many pet owners giving treats is showing love. Our pets are perfectly ok with that and enjoy every crumb. By giving freeze dried or dehydrated pieces and parts you are adding important nutrition to your pet's diet and adding quality to their lives without piling on excess calories and carbs from starches. Definitely a win-win.

So You Have A New Puppy; What To Do Next

Bringing home a new puppy is a very exciting time. They are cute and fluffy, but they will also chew your house apart if you aren't careful. Especially now that everyone is social distancing, how can you make sure your new dog gets everything they need?

Magic, Mayhem and Fritz

Nutrition is extremely important for a growing puppy. Large breed pups especially need food that is formulated to support healthy growth, but at a slower rate than smaller breeds. All puppies need food with the proper calcium to phosphorus ratio for healthy bone growth. Regardless of breed, the first year is a time of rapid growth and development. A high quality food will support that growth and get your puppy off to a good start. It is also a good idea to feed a variety of different proteins. Studies have shown that introducing different proteins early in life can help prevent allergies later in life.

Oliver with a Bully Stick

Safe and healthy chews are very important for a puppy. There are a lot of different chews on the market, some are better than others. Rawhide is very popular, but can be very dangerous if your dog bites a piece off and swallows it. Most vets advise against rawhide for this reason. I like to give my dogs Bully sticks. These are pieces of dried beef tendon and they are very digestible. Freeze dried necks, chicken or duck feet or other "pieces and parts" are also good choices. The Benebone Company makes a nylon based chew, these are made to wear down very slowly and even the tough chewers don't break pieces off.

Puppy classes are great for socialization and training, but with the current shelter in place order in Ohio training classes have been cancelled. Abbe Moen at Affinity Canine is currently holding virtual classes, and can help get your new puppy off to a great start. Check out www.affinitycanine.com.

Most important, enjoy this time with your new family member!

What Are High Value Treats? (updated 1/2/2024)

The term high value treat is used frequently in dog training, but what exactly makes a treat high value? The short answer is flavor. To be high value a treat has to be more important to the dog than whatever distraction is going on around them. When you are working with your dog in the living room or back yard with no distractions, kibble would likely work just fine. When you are at the park surrounded by people, running children and other dogs, a treat has to be much more interesting to keep the dog's attention.

Meme courtesy of At Attention Dog Training.

This is why dog trainers will tell you to practice at home until the dog has mastered the behavior, then head to the park to "proof" the behavior with distractions. It is also important to increase the value of your treats as you increase the distraction level.

I like to use freeze dried foods as training treats. They are small, flavorful and since they are nutritionally complete they are a wonderful part of my dog's daily diet. On days we are doing a lot of training I can subtract from regular meals without sacrificing nutrition. These treats come in a variety of proteins so you can change up flavors to keep your dog interested. Freeze dried meat treats are another good choice. You can cut them to the right size for your dog if you need to. Many trainers swear by cheese, either string cheese cut into small pieces or block cheese will work, too.

Treat size and consistency matter too. It is very helpful in training if your dog doesn't have to stop and chew the treat.  A small, soft treat is a great reward but it doesn't break up the flow of training. These treats also hold up well in your pocket or treat pouch, so you aren't fumbling to get one out. Timing is very important in training, when your dog does something great you want to let them know. There is nothing worse than reaching for a treat and only finding dust in your pocket!

We carry a great variety of training treats, please come in and talk to us. No matter the size or age of your dog, we can help you make a great choice. 

CBD Oil For Pets

I started hearing about CBD oil well over a year ago and started researching its uses. I am a bit of a cynic about new products and won’t bring something in to the Grateful Dog Bakery until I verify it through independent sources. What I found was that people either raved about how well it worked or said it didn’t work at all. Further research showed me that the best results were coming from a full spectrum molecule product with a high concentration of CBD per dose. The more I read the more sense it made. The full spectrum molecule is able to attach to receptors in the body and brain to relieve pain, anxiety and a host of other problems.

Once I figured out how the product worked it was time to start researching companies. While there are many products made specifically for pets I settled on the Clean Remedies Company for several reasons. Their product is grown in Oregon, organic and vegan with no use of any pesticides. The thing that really sold me on the product was that their pet product and human product are one in the same, simply packaged with different dosing instructions. Their product is tested by independent labs and the results are made public to verify it is what they say it is. Finally their staff is very well educated and happy to answer any questions in plain English.

I take pride in the fact there is no product in my store that I won’t give to my own dogs. Beau, our 12 year old golden retriever, has arthritis in his hips and spine so I started giving it to him twice a day. Ophelia, another golden, is storm phobic, so I also gave it to her for thunderstorms. I am happy to say she seemed much calmer with the CBD oil. Beau is more mobile, spending more time out strolling the yard than he has in the last couple years. Finally, since I also have arthritis myself I started taking it. I can’t say I am completely pain free but I am a lot more comfortable, especially after a long day at the baking table.

The feedback I am getting from customers is very positive. Dogs with arthritis are more mobile, anxious dogs are calmer. One customer giving it to her dog who was having seizures reports no seizure activity in the 3 months since the dog started taking it. Prior to that the dog was still having 1-2 seizures a week even while on anti-seizure medication. The owner will be talking to her vet about decreasing the medication dosage with hopes of weaning it off entirely.

All in all CBD Oil is a product I am confident in recommending.

Talking Prices: Save Money, Shop Small and Local!

I see a great many social media posts asking people to shop small and support local businesses. I am suggesting you shop small to save money as well. We are competitively priced with other small businesses, the big box stores and the online retailers! Surprised? The commercials for the big box stores and online retailers always say they are the most economical, but let me show you how that isn't true. I compared prices at two of the online retailers, Chewys and Petflow. Their prices are pretty much identical, as are their so called "list prices". I am not sure where these list prices come from, but they are not the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Let's start with the Champion Co. They make Orijen and Acana, two very high quality dry foods. I selected Orijen Original and Acana Pork & Squash to compare prices.
Orijen Original 25 lb., our price 76.99, online price 78.99

 Acana Pork & Squash 25 lb. our price 68.99, online price 68.99

The Champion Co also gives independent retailers a bonus: we can offer the frequent buyer program. After you buy 12 bags your 13th bag is free. So while 13 bags of Orijen from the online retailer would cost you $1026.87, buying from us would cost you $923.88. 13 bags of Acana from the online retailer would cost $896.87, buying from us would be $827.88. As you can see that is a significant savings!

When you look at Fromm on the online retailers they show a list price that makes their price look pretty good. I chose Fromm Gold Adult 33 lb. to compare prices. The "list price" is 68.99, the online price is 46.66. Our price is 47.99. Not a huge difference, but here comes a big savings when you shop local. Fromm also has a frequent buyers program. Buy 12, get your 13th bag for free. So the price comparison for 13 bags is 606.58 from the online retailer, 575.88 when you shop with us.

When you look at freeze dried foods the difference is even bigger. I compared online prices and two of the local big box stores, and was very pleased to see our prices are lower. I selected Primal Freeze dried Duck Formula 14 oz and Sojo's Freeze Dried Beef 8 lb. For the Primal 14 oz Duck Formula our price is 26.99, online price was 30.99 and the big box store was 28.99. Primal also gives us a frequent buyer program, buy 12 and your 13th bag is free.
So let's compare; 13 bags from us is 323.88. Online
is 402.87 and the big box store 376.87.

For the Sojo's Beef Formula 8 lb. our price is 76.99, online
price is 83.14. Again we are able to offer a buy 12 get your 13th free so you are saving even more when you shop with us!

The price comparisons on canned foods were similar as were dry, canned and freeze dried foods for cats. When it comes right down to it, the online retailers and chain stores aren't saving you any money. The online retailers do offer convenience, but certainly not savings.

One of the things we promise our customers is high quality products. We do a lot of research before we bring a product in, and we will never carry a product just because we can make money on it. If I wouldn't give it to my dog or cat I won't sell it to you for yours. That is our pledge to you. My online and big box competitors can't say the same thing, as I saw looking at their websites. The Whole Dog Journal and TheDogDigest.com recently put out a list of the worst dry dog foods and I was appalled to see all of these foods were available online and in the stores. What that says to me is they don't care what you feed your pets as long as they make money selling it to you.

Is Dry Food Enough To Keep Your Pet Healthy And Happy?

For many people, pet food comes in a dry form in a big bag that they scoop into their pet's bowl according to the directions. The bag clearly states it is a complete diet, leading the pet owner to believe that's all there is to pet nutrition. If you watch television the pet food commercials certainly want you to believe it is. I am encouraging you to "think outside the bag" and look at other food options for your dog or cat. While dry food (kibble) is very convenient it is a processed food. The heat used in processing destroys some of the enzymes, amino acids and vitamins and minerals. Some companies add vitamins and minerals back in at the end of the process, but they aren't as easily absorbed as those that occur naturally in food.

Dogs and cats benefit from having a raw component added to their diets. Even having one or two raw meals a week is beneficial. The enzymes found in raw meats help keep teeth clean and breath fresh, the amino acids are present in their natural form and are easily absorbed during digestion. Dogs and cats that get even a couple raw meals a week have healthier skin and coats, less itching and dandruff and healthier teeth. Most commercial raw diets are very low in carbohydrates, helping to maintain a healthy weight.

Although many people find the thought of giving their pets raw meats or fish unappealing, there are commercial raw diets available that take the "ick" out of feeding raw. Freeze dried and dehydrated diets are processed at a very low temperature, leaving the nutrients in the food intact. Frozen formulas are not heat processed at all.

Freeze dried diets are processed at very low heat. They are available in either nuggets or in a loose oatmeal consistency. Both types are meant to be rehydrated with warm water, the nuggets need to be crumbled so they absorb water faster. Honest Kitchen, Primal, Northwest Naturals, Grandma Lucy's and Sojo's are all excellent companies that make food for both dogs and cats.

Grandma Lucy's  has a complete line of freeze dried foods, with a variety of proteins. Their new

Grandma Lucy's Macanna

Macanna line is made with hemp hearts and kale, a great formula for dogs with allergies.These foods are rehydrated with water and have an oatmeal like consistency. I have used their products for my dogs and I can tell you the food even smells good. The Baker dogs gave it a very enthusiastic 4 paws up, even our picky dog, Beau.

Cats love a raw diet.

While pet food companies treat dogs and cats the same when it comes to making dry food, cats are obligate carnivores. They need a meat based diet to really thrive. They also have a poor thirst drive, as cats evolved in the desert. They are meant to get their moisture from prey animals. This is why cats fed solely a dry diet have frequent problems with urinary tract infections and bladder crystals and stones. Adding a wet raw food to their diet helps keep them hydrated and cuts down on dietary carbohydrates, a leading cause of obesity in pets. Because raw food digests so efficiently hair balls are rarely a problem. Jasmine the Baker cat loves her wet food, and we have had no urinary problems or hair ball issues.

The last type of commercially available raw diet is the frozen variety. These are available in nuggets, patties, bars or "chubs", a 2 or 5 pound tube shaped package. The frozen formulas do require freezer space and preplanning, because you have to remember to thaw tomorrow's food today.

Northwest Naturals Frozen Nuggets

Northwest Naturals has a variety of proteins available and is made in an FDA approved facility. They use HPP (high pressure processing) to eliminate pathogens without heat. The Baker dogs and cat have tried all the varieties and enjoyed them all. Primal also makes frozen varieties for both cats and dogs.

Hundars' Crunch is great for dogs & cats

Another way to add raw food to your pet's diet is by using freeze dried treats. These high flavor treats are a great training treat and add amino acids and proteins not found in processed foods. These treats also have only a single ingredient, which is very helpful for pets with allergies.  They also allow you to introduce different proteins into your pet's diet, lowering the risk of food allergies.

One of the biggest fears about feeding a raw diet is food safety. These are raw meat products, and people are concerned. Using the same food safety practices you would use for any raw meat handling works very well. Wash your hands after handling pet food. Wash pet dishes and storage containers in hot soapy water every time you use them. Use food safe germicidal wipes on your counter tops. Keep children away from any pet food, raw or kibble. These same practices should also be used for handling kibble as there have been incidences with bacterial contamination of those as well.

Keep Your Pets Safe This Holiday Season

The holidays are a busy time, and can be filled with celebrations with family and friends. For your dog or cat, these celebrations can be a source of stress and even danger. With a little planning, you can make your fur kid's holiday a happy one.

Some traditional seasonal decorations can be toxic to dogs and cats. Holly, poinsettia, ivy and mistletoe are all toxic to pets. If you want these traditional favorites in your home look for artificial versions. The silk versions look great and can be used year after year, saving you some money, too. Tinsel and ribbons can cause a bowel obstruction if your dog or cat eats it, so keep those well out of reach. Wrapped presents look wonderful under the tree, but to avoid your dog opening packages early storing them out of reach is a good idea.

For many families celebrations include a holiday meal. Make sure your dog or cat isn't self serving when you aren't paying attention. Sometimes well meaning relatives are slipping your pup treats when you aren't looking. All of this can cause upset tummies, so plan ahead to avoid the problem. For the family members that really want to give treats, have some healthy dog safe goodies available. Have a long lasting chew or puzzle toy ready to keep your dog busy. Giving your dog some exercise before the guests arrive helps keep excitement levels under control.

Foods to Avoid: Chocolate, onions, avocados, grapes, raisins. Cooked bones of any kind. Turkey skin and gravy are high fat and could cause pancreatitis, a painful inflammation of the pancreas. Raw yeast doughs can cause stomach bloating. The salt dough recipe used for hand made ornaments is very toxic to dogs. Keep these well out of reach.

Foods to Share: white meat turkey, sweet potatoes, green veggies. (Save some out before seasoning or adding butter, cheese or brown sugar).

If a family picture is one of your traditions, don't forget to include your furry family members! It can be challenging to get your cat or dog to cooperate at home, so bring them to our Pet Pictures with Santa! We will be happy to do a family group picture that you will be proud to have on your Holiday cards. All proceeds from this event go to Fido's Companion Rescue so you know you are supporting a good cause, too.

There are some pet friendly holiday events in our area, so follow us on Facebook to see what's going on. www.facebook.com/TheGratefulDogBakery/

The information in this blog came from articles in Dogster Magazine and DogsNaturally.com. If you are looking for well researched and interesting articles, either publication would be a good place to start.

It's never too early to think about flea and tick prevention

Fleas? Ticks?  Wait....it's still winter!

Looking out the window, it seems premature to be discussing flea and tick prevention.

Fleas are not cute...Not even this one.

One of the few good things about this winter is that the deep cold killed off a lot of pests and parasites. But they will rebound when it warms up and you need to think ahead for effective prevention.

Last summer we switched our dogs from topical flea and tick prevention to the all natural alternatives. We wanted to see how effective they were before recommending them to our customers. We used the Healthy Dogma Flee Flea Flee oral and the Ark Naturals Flea Flicker, Tick Kicker spray. Despite all the reports of heavy flea and tick populations from the wet spring last year, I am happy to say we never had a flea or tick. The spray also repels mosquitoes, I'm sure your remember how those were last year! In fact I used the spray for myself when I was out with the dogs, and it was much more pleasant and every bit as effective as the sprays made for people!

If you read the warning labels on the topical flea preventatives it's pretty scary. Do you really want to put that on your dog or cat? Not to mention having it rub off your pet onto your kids, furniture or yourself? There are safe alternatives, humans have been fighting fleas and ticks for centuries. Before chemicals there were plants that worked. Herbs and flowers that repel pests. Without all the neuro toxic effects of the chemical alternatives. These are things you can feel good about using, instead of watching your dog or cat for the long list of side effects listed on the chemical preventatives.

Come and talk to us, we are happy to help you plan an all natural prevention program this year.  We also have products you can read more about on our website:
Grateful Dog Bakery's Flea and Tick Prevention Products 

Bone Broth is new in store!

Bone Broth has been around for centuries.

People would simmer bones for days, making a thick, jelly like broth that tasted great. This broth was used for arthritis, digestive problems and dry skin and rashes. I am not sure how people figured it out back then, but science backs up the claims for joint and digestive health as well as healthy skin and hair. Bone broth is not just for people, your dog or cat can also benefit. Here is how it works.

Healthy joints depend on healthy collagen in ligaments, tendons and bone ends. Collagens are a large family of bio molecules including the glucosaminoglycans, one of which is glucosamine. Most people are familiar with joint supplements containing glucosamine, chondroiten and hyaluronic acid. Bone Broth is a "whole food" source of these compounds, which results in better absorption and utilization. Why is "whole food" important? It's the difference between taking a Vitamin C tablet and eating an orange. You get the Vitamin C either way, but your body gets nutrition from the orange as well.

We live in a toxic world, with chemicals in the air and water that have to be detoxified by the liver. The liver's ability to detoxify is dependent on the supply of the amino acid glycine. Bone broth is loaded with glycine, enabling your pet's liver to deal with the toxins that are part of daily life.

The immune and digestive system are dependent on a healthy gut. In a normal intestine, millions of tiny holes allow the passage of digested nutrients. Stress, poor diet or an overgrowth of bacteria can cause these openings to get larger. This allows the passage of undigested food, toxins and yeast. This stimulates the immune system to treat these substances as foreign invaders. This is how allergies and food sensitivities develop. Bone Broth contains large amounts of gelatin that help plug these holes, promoting an intact intestinal lining.

Bone Broth is great for a sick dog or cat, too. 

Anytime your vet suggests a boiled chicken and rice

diet, Bone Broth would be a great addition. It tastes good, tempting your pet to eat more. It has a high moisture content, helping hydrate your dog or cat. It is a great source of minerals, and the gelatin can help reduce the body's need for protein from meat sources. Bone Broth is also a great source of glycine, this aides digestion by helping regulate the synthesis of bile salts and the secretion of gastric acid.

I have been making Bone Broth in small batches for the Baker dogs for years, and I think that's why our senior dogs have very few problems with arthritis. I am proud to announce I am now making Bone Broth for the Bakery. Our Good to the Bone Broth is available in beef, chicken and turkey; in half pint and pint jars. 

We are using green packaging, glass jars that are returned for deposit, sterilized and reused. Please come in and talk to us, we are happy to talk to you about how your dog or cat can benefit from Bone Broth.