Keeping Our Dogs and Pets Safe for the Holidays

I just read an article written by Dr. Donna Spector telling about the hazards that arise when you feed your pet Holiday fare. So many foods are dangerous for your pet and need to be avoided. Dr. Spector warned of the following and gave an explanation of why. I have summarized them for my readers. This is yet another reason why I recommend using a dog crate during the Holiday season. It is a great place to put your pet during preparation, eating and cleaning-up of those scrumptious holiday meals. It is one of the best ways to keep him safe.

A Few Things to Keep Your Dog Away from During the Holidays:

• Chocolate – (all kinds, but dark and baking are the worst) Problems associated with consumption of this are mild stomach upset to seizures and death.
• Alcohol – Dogs tend to like sweets and eggnog is especially tempting. Don’t let them lick the glasses or bottle caps; its consumption can be lethal.
• Rich Fatty Foods – Not only are they bad for us they will cause mild stomach irritation and can lead to pancreatitis. This often requires hospitalization and can be fatal.
• Uncooked Dough – The yeast in the dough can expand and cause excess gas in the stomach which results in bloating and possible rupture of the digestive system.
• Fruits and Nuts – During the holiday season candied fruits, fruits and nuts are plentiful and left out for holiday visitors. Be careful, especially with grapes, raisins and macadamia nuts as they are prone to cause problems with your pet from digestive upset to organ failure and death.
• Sugar-Free Candies – These treats contain Zylitol, a sugar substitute, which even in small dosages are life-threatening to dogs. They cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.
• Wrappers, Aluminum Foil, Etc. – Keep these out of harms way. Dogs can sniff them out and swallow them. If they do not pass through the digestive system, it may require surgery.

A Few Precautions to Take for the Safety and Well-Being of Your Pet During the Holiday Season:

• Avoid feeding him from the table. Ahead of the meal, satisfy him with his own high quality natural pet food.
• Keep him away from the table by placing him in his crate while the food is being prepared, eaten and clean up is over.
• Any treats that will be made available to guests need to be out of the reach of your pet.
• If a spill occurs, quickly clean it up and keep your pet in his crate. Don’t take chances on him rushing over to lap up the spill. 

We all love our dogs and pets and want them to be safe and happy.  The responsibility is ours.  The Holidays are a lot of fun, but can be stressful too.  Keeping our pets safe is one way to reduce some of this stress.  Happy Holidays from Canine Crate Store!

Encourage Your Freind to Love His/Her Dog Crate

There is nothing cruel or inhumane about having a crate for your dog when used as his private den.  Genetically dogs are den animals and are wired to seek den-like enclosures rather than living in wide open spaces.  Left in the wild, they would seek out places under heavy brush where predators would not hunt and there made a bowl like hole in the ground to sleep and to nurture their young.  Because we have domesticated the dog, we have also provided them with a crate that resembles as closely as possible the den they would have created for themselves in the wild.

Placing a dog crate in the home and furnishing it with a blanket or a dog crate bed and/or cover instinctively allows your pet to imagine that he is in the wild and is protected from harm.  Leaving the door open and letting him wander in and out at his leisure provides him with a sense of crawling out of his den that has been hidden by the bushes. He will think of his crate as a den and will want to be inside when frightened, needing rest or just wanting to be left alone.

Just as a dog will not soil his den in the wild; he will desire to keep his crate free from soil and will wait for you to let him outside to potty.  Using a dog crate to potty train a puppy works very well for this reason.  The technique of using a crate to train your pet to wait until he is taken outside to potty reinforces his natural instinct to keep his den clean.

Proper Use of a Dog Crate Helps with These Safety Issues:

• When inside the crate he cannot chew on electric cords.
• When inside the crate you do not have to be concerned about his whereabouts
• It affords a safe place when transporting in a vehicle
• Inside the crate, he cannot chew on poisonous plants

Dog Crates provide a safe place for your pet and when used properly they are an asset.  Our pets love to play and they need plenty of exercise for bone and muscle development.  Being a social animal they also need to have lots of socialization with other dogs as well as with their human family.  It is recommended by the experts that four hours without a break is a long time for many adult dogs.  They do not recommend crating your dog for an entire day.  They need to be let out for exercise as well as socialization.  Also, after two hours they will need to stretch their legs and have a fresh bowl of water.  Remember that dog crates are not a substitute for love, affection, and proper training.   They need to want to be in their crates and most adult dogs will be content there during the night and will retreat there on their own without any encouragement.  Keep the dog crate a happy place.

Tips for Taking Care of Your Dog Carrier Bag

With it being the popular and stylish trend to take your dog everywhere you travel, it is just as important to take good care of your small dog carrier bag and make sure that it is kept clean.  Nothing is more uncomfortable than to lay down and get settled in a cozy position only to find that you are laying on crumbs.  The same holds true for your pet, he does not like to have his quarters filled with doggie bone crumbs.  Take time after each feeding of a treat and brush it out.  After all, the designers of the cute bags made them to give comfort to your pet.  The designer was thinking of us humans as well and that is the reason for the padded shoulder straps.  We don’t want to carry our pet around and find after a little while that we have a bruised shoulder.

Look for one that is durable and easily washed.  Most are  made of canvas or nylon so they will be very durable and long-lasting.  Check to be sure that  the enclosures are durable and secure so your pet cannot escape easily from it.  Another important point to make sure you give your pet plenty of time to use the bathroom whenever you are able.  Most owners know their pets well enough to give them ample time to do their duty before being placed in a dog carrier, thus eliminating a possible nightmare.

Keep in mind that your pet also needs plenty of ventilation.  He needs the open ventilation to prevent outside smells from perfumes, chemicals, etc. from becoming trapped inside.  Avoid spraying perfumes or air fresheners in close proximity of his purse, especially, if your dog is the least bit allergic to certain smells. Look for the cleaning instructions on the bag, but most are made of a durable canvas or nylon making them machine washable or very easy to wash.   When washing your small dog carrier in a washing machine be sure to use only fragrance free detergents to avoid the allergy problem.

Using a vinegar/water rinse after a through cleaning will help to remove residual odors and give the carrier a fresh clean smell.  After washing, reshape the bag or purse to it’s original form using towels or another absorbent material and then air dry.

Choose a suitable carrier bag that will provide safety and comfort for your furry friend, and also give you comfort and peace of mind.  I still highly recommend Sherpa Pet Carriers.  They are well made, most of them airline approved, and very affordable.

Keep Your Friend Warm this Winter with an Insulated Dog House

We enjoy our pet’s companionship and like the unconditional love that they show towards us, therefore it would be considerate of us to repay them with a shelter that offers safety, comfort and protection against the elements.  Our canine companions are there to listen to us when we need to relieve pent-up frustration.  They can sense when to be close at our side to offer comfort and they always show excitement at our coming home that makes us feel good about ourselves.  What better way is there to show them that we love them in return than to furnish them with their own insulated dog house?

Their health and happiness depends upon us.  The basics of life are food, water and shelter.  Providing daily food and water for our pets keeps them healthy and allows for proper growth.  Many times that need for shelter is neglected and an open space becomes their resting spot.  Think beyond the concept that it’s just a dog. 

They may have a fur coat for protection, but when it becomes wet or cold protection goes out the door.

On today’s market there are many different types of dog houses that will give the warmth and protection that your dog needs to maintain good health.  Some require very little construction and all are easy to assemble.  Choose one that will best fit the climate where you reside and that will give the comfort and protection that your canine friend deserves.

The size you choose for your pet needs to be able to accommodate him when he is fully stretched out.  You want to make sure that the dog house is not overly big as this will lead to heat loss.  The plastic insulated dog houses come in many styles and will offer protection against the snow, the rain, or the wind and are lightweight in construction.  Look for one that is durable and does not lend itself to being chewed up by your dog.

A good insulated dog house will keep your pet warm in winter and cool in the hotter months, and offer comfort and protection that repays him for his loyal companionship. We like a nice roof over our head and so does Fido!

My Recommendations for Choosing an Orthopedic Dog Bed

Certain circumstances can plague our pets and cause discomfort in them. Two of the most common causes are old age and injuries. When these things happen, there are a number of things that you can do to help alleviate the pain and discomfort. An orthopedic dog bed is one such consideration you should look into if this is a situation of your concern. Not only do they offer great support and comfort, but they are affordable as well.


Discomfort in the joints and bones are some of the most common problems in dogs. Often, there is pain associated with the discomfort. An orthopedic dog bed is a very economical way to help alleviate the discomfort. When looking for one of these beds, quality is a must.
Most products are made from special materials such as ortho foam, fleece or similar type of material and soft fabrics. The main aim of an orthopedic bed is to provide as much comfort as possible. It is even possible to find some that offer double sided ortho foam for the most comfort possible. Any of these products will help your pet be more comfortable when resting or sleeping.
 
It is important to look out for other factors to while shopping for such products. It is important to wash them from time to time so as to get rid of dirt, debris, fur and dust. Washing them can also help to keep pests away, and will aid in the overall health of your pet.
Choosing one that is easy to wash and maintain as well as one that offers orthopedic benefits is a good idea. If it is possible, find out those that have removable, machine washable covers. They are easy to manage and they can be cleaned any time they get dirty or soiled.
 
There are still a few key points that you might want to think about too. Choosing a bed that fits the size of your specific pet is a very important factor. You can take a look at some of the shapes available as some are designed to enhance comfort level. Choosing one that is slightly bigger than your pet is a very good idea.
 
For the best comfort, in my opinion, a memory foam dog bed is the way to go. Their ability to evenly distribute the pressure across all parts of the surface allows your furry friend to get the best sleep and rest available.
 
Making sure the entire bed is of high quality is as important as choosing a good foam. You should consider choosing an ortho bed that is made from good quality fabric as well. They are guaranteed to last longer which helps you to realize good value for your money. The better the material is, the easier it is to clean and maintain..
 
One thing to remember is to make sure you get the genuine thing. There are many "fake" and "cheap" orthopedic dog beds out there. If a product is too cheap, then it might be a knock off item. Spending an extra few dollars for a quality product will give your pet the quality and support he or she needs.