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Everyone deserves a treat this Halloween, even your pooch! Bark Stix are fun, nutritious treats shaped like human bread sticks. They are great for any size dog, and are made from organic whole-wheat flour! Who says Halloween was only fun for humans? Make sure your pup enjoys the festivities with his/her yummy Bark Stix treats! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/7903--bark-stix.html
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Product Review - Bark Stix Organic Dog Treats
FurryTravelers.com was started to help pet owners travel with their pets safely and easily by offering the best pet travel products. Once in a while, however, we come across non-travel related pet products we think are so great that we add them to our product line-up.
I don't recall how we originally found Bark Stix (maybe they found us), but after speaking with the owner a few years ago and hearing about the company, I knew I needed to test them on my own dogs, Cookie and Katie. They loved every type of treat I gave them! What I love about them is that they are 100% organic, nutritious, and made in the United States.
Here are three of our favorites:
Sweetie Pies
Sweet Potatoes are considered by nutrition experts to be one of the 10 healthiest foods one can eat. That goes for dogs, too. Sweet potatoes are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. And dogs LOVE them!
Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, chicken liver, potato flour, honey and sea salt.
Sadie's Big Stix and Lucy's Short Stix
These fun, nutritious stix are shaped like a bread stick and measure 9-10 inches for Sadie's and about 5 inches for Lucy's - a best seller.
Fart Busters
This all meat chicken treat is made from whole Free Range chicken with a proprietary blend of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those 'aromatic' moments that come between dog and guardian. Like all of our treats they are manufactured in our facility in Northern California. The chickens are locally sourced from small farmers and raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.
There are several varieties of Bark Stix dog treats. To see all Bark Stix Treats, click here.
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We recently found a company in California that bakes all natural dog treats in some very unique ways with healthy ingredients.
Here is the scoop:
Sweetie Pies are a healthy dog treat made of free range chicken and sweet potatoes. Research has shown that sweet potatoes are one of the top 10 healthiest foods you can eat! They are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Even better, dogs love them!
The chickens and sweet potatoes are both from small local farmers. They are slow baked to preserve their goodness. Dogs can't say no to these treats! Break pieces off to use as training treats or as a nutritious low calorie snack.
I had always heard of dogs that had a "tooting" problem, but this has become a recent issue with Cookie and I can't wait to try these! We sold out of them too soon for me to try with our first order, but now that we have more, we won't waste any time getting her started on them!
Enzymes are the catalysts for every metabolic process in the body and the foundation for good digestion and overall health. Better digestion means less gas. Digestive enzymes are added to these treats so they are easily absorbed.
Fart Busters are made from pure whole free range chicken with a proprietary blend (human grade) of digestive enzymes that can aid digestion and help with those "aromatic" moments. These are all meat treats, manufactured in California. Chickens are from local farmers and are raised without the use of antibiotics or animal by-products and are fed a vegetarian diet.
Cookie and Katie both have tried - and go crazy over - Bark Stix. What a great idea - dog treats that look like bread sticks! They are made with organic whole wheat flour, beef liver, water, rolled oats, carrots, bacon, parsley and baking powder.
I am very happy to be able to offer healthy treat options for your Furry Traveler. Give one or all of them a try while they last!
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Traveling with Your Pet During the Holidays
It is hard to believe that it is already the holiday season. Many of us with pets wouldn't think of spending the holidays without them. If your Furry Traveler is like mine, you are probably planning a road trip. The following tips and information will help your trip be a successful one.
Careful planning can make your trip go more smoothly, whatever your mode of transportation. If you are not staying with family or friends, more and more hotels now allow pets. Be sure to make your reservations well in advance as they can fill up quickly.
HOTELS:
5-Star hotels such as Trump Hotels, Four Seasons, Ritz Carlton often include extra luxuries for your dog, including special bedding and spa treatments.
If 5-Stars don't fit in your budget, you will still want a nice, clean room. There are many hotel chains to choose from, most offer Rewards Memberships so you can accumulate points and get a free night once in a while. My personal favorite is LaQuinta, www.LQ.com. Many are brand new hotels or newly remodeled with large rooms and all have free internet and even breakfast! There are no extra pet fees (unless there are damages, of course). Their website allows you to check for hotels along your driving route, which helps you decide what city to stop in if your trip takes you longer than one day to reach your final destination.
Many of the Intercontinental Hotels (www.ihg.com) also allow pets but you may have to pay a pet fee.
WEATHER:
Here is something to think about if you are changing climates. On a recent trip up north, we found it pretty chilly and my Florida dog ended up needing to wear a coat – good thing I was there selling dog products! If your dog has sensitive paws and is not used to the cold, boots might be appreciated. Just because they have fur coats, doesn't mean they will always be warm enough.
TRAVELING BY CAR:
Buckling up is an important safety precaution for pets. Many states and provinces now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door.
Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers and crates. Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint (like a child's seat).
There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, specially designed pet car seats, as well as vehicle barriers, and restraint systems.
Absolutely do not leave your pet in the car unattended. Even with windows cracked, and even on a seemingly nice day, temperatures in a car can quickly escalate and kill your pet. If you will have to leave the pet, the pet shouldn't have come along for that trip.
Keep your pet hydrated. On a trip, it's tempting to skimp on the food and water to avoid pit stops. While you do want to cut back a little, just for your pet's comfort while on the go, be sure your pet gets enough to drink and eat. The To Go Bowl allows your pet to drink while traveling and the removable cup can store dog treats for your rest breaks. If you are driving with a pet, plan for plenty of stops to walk you pet, and give the pet food and water.
Your dog should always wear a collar with an ID tag that includes your cell phone number so you can easily be contacted if needed. Allowing your pet to have his own travel bag will help you keep things organized. Some things to remember in the bag are an extra leash, medications, Hairbrush, food, bowls.
There are so many other great travel products available now than there were just a few years ago. You will be amazed how much easier traveling is when you use some of them. Websites such as www.FurryTravelers.com specialize in pet travel products and are a great one-stop shopping place for your pet travel supplies.
Pet Travel Statistics from Bark Buckle UP:
In an accident, an unrestrained animal is dangerous to the human passengers as well. Even in an accident of only 30 mph, a 15-pound child can cause an impact of more than 675 pounds. A 60-pound dog can cause an impact of 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, a windshield, or another passenger. Even if the animal survives, it can impede the progress of rescue workers for whom every moment is precious.
Unrestrained pets can also distract the driver, and cause an accident. Even pets that are normally well behaved could be frightened by something unusual and dive for the driver's feet or lap. Following a car accident, an unrestrained pet could escape and be hit by another vehicle or cause another collision. A frightened dog may attack strangers who are trying to help.
Bark Buckle UP utilized the Travel Safety Evaluation Booklet used by police agencies nationwide and concluded that 98% of pets do not travel properly restrained, which means that only 2% of pets travel safe in vehicles. Bark Buckle UP, the pet safety national awareness program, works with Police and Fire Chiefs nationwide to communicate to the public the necessities of, "Why Buckle" for your pets safety, passengers, driver and our first responders.
Be one of the 2% that buckles up your pet!
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We are all in the habit of using our seatbelt whenever we drive. Most pet owners, however, do not think about using a safety harness for their pet. It is time we do!
According to the American Automobile Association, unrestrained pets cause more than 30,000 accidents annually. That's thousands of fatalities and injuries that could have been avoided with the use of a simple pet restraint, harness or crate.
Bark Buckle-UP founder, Christina Selter, warns that an unrestrained dog can be dangerous to everyone in the vehicle. "In a 30 MPH accident, a 60-pound dog can cause an impact of more than 2,700 pounds, slamming into a car seat, windshield or other passenger."
And let's face it, any one of us would be heart-broken if our dog was injured, or worse, killed in an accident because we were too rushed or lazy to buckle them into a safety harness. (Hint - leave the seat belt attachment in the car at all times so it is easy to snap onto your dog's harness. It will be one less thing to remember as you leave home, too!)
So...let's make a New Year's Resolution to buckle up our pet every time we go for a drive - no matter how short the distance. To make things easy, I am going to review a few of the travel harnesses we carry on our website:
1) Kurgo Tru-Fit Safety Harness: This is probably the easiest harness to put on your dog that I am aware of. Once adjusted for size, you simply slip it over your dog's head and then buckle the strap around its chest. That's it! It comes with a loop that you put your seat belt through and attach to the harness to keep your Furry Traveler in place while you drive. It is made of high-quality automotive seat belt materials and has a broad padded chest plate for extra protection and comfort. Good for dogs over 10 pounds. Price: $22.99 - $28.99.
2) The PetBuckle Seat Belt Harness provides protection in a standard vehicle by using the vehicle's seat belt, LATCH bar system or cargo area to securely restrain a harnessed dog. Just slip the seat belt through the web loop on the harness and buckle up. For dogs over 15 pounds. Crash tested for safety. Price: $49.99.
3) For the more fashion conscious, we offer a variety of comfortably padded safety harnesses in a variety of colors and patterns. Many of these styles snap right into your own car's seat belt buckle - very easy to use.
Whatever your choice may be, just remember that having your dog restrained is one less distraction for you and so much safer for your Furry Traveler!
To view all our safety harnesses, visit www.FurryTravelers.com.
Happy New Year from your friends at Furry Travelers!
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I recently started using the Guardian Gear Collapsible Crate at the suggestion of a dog trainer I met at a pet expo. I mentioned to her that I travel with at least one dog, Cookie, regularly and while she is almost always with me, there are instances where she might need to be left in the room for a while. Cookie does not like being left behind and is very vocal about that, to say the least. Because I don't need to crate her at home anymore, I never thought about doing it when I travel.
Good idea! Now Cookie feels like she is in her own den rather than a strange hotel room, and I don't have to worry about her being stressed out or barking while I'm away.
I love this travel crate for several reasons. First of all, it folds to just 2 - 3 inches wide so it is easy to store when I'm not using it. It is also very light weight at just over 7 pounds, making it convenient to carry. It is also easy to assemble. You just unfold the sides, unzip the top and slip in two poles into the frame and you are done! It is just as easy to fold up again, with clips to hold it all together and a convenient pouch to store the bars on the bottom.
As it turns out, we now leave the crate in our family room all the time. Our 15 year old dog, Sammy, likes to go in there on days she's not feeling well. I also use it in the car when driving anywhere with Sammy, as she has turned into a nervous traveler in her old age and she is also safer in the crate.
A few tips:
Let your dog get used to the crate before using on a trip. Leave the crate in a favorite room at home first and put your pet's food or treats in the crate, letting him/her roam in and out at leisure so the crate is associated with good things.
The bars can be a little difficult to install the first time you use it, so try it at home first and leave the bars in at least overnight to allow the fabric to stretch a bit. After the first or second use, it will be much easier to assemble.
This crate is not for use with puppies or chronic chewers.
Click here for more information or to place order.
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The first time I ever saw a decorative crate cover was a few years ago at a trade show. A young woman explained that she had a small apartment and crated her dog while she was at work. Having little space to work with, she thought it would be convenient to be able to use the crate as a coffee table, so she designed a cover for it to coordinate with the rest of her decor. What a great idea!
Many companies are now designing crate covers and Furry Travelers recently added a few to our product line - with matching crate pads. So cute!
The best part of a crate cover is the benefit to your dog. Dogs are den dewlling animals by instinct. A crate that is covered provides the dog with a den-like atmosphere. This is very useful when you are away from home, whether or not you bring your pooch with you.
If you keep the crate in an area that can become drafty or cold, the cover will help keep your pet warm. In the summer months, the cover can provide shade.
Crating Tips:
Think of the crate as a good thing. In time, your dog will too.
Let your dog out often enough so that it is not forced to soil the crate.
Let the dog out if it whines because it needs to eliminate. If you know it doesn't have to eliminate, correct it for whining or barking.
Clean the crate regularly, especially if you've put in a pad or pillow, or if you have flea problems.
Forgive your dog if it soils the crate. It probably just couldn't wait any longer.
Don't use the crate as a punishment.
Don't leave the dog in the crate for a long time after letting it eat and drink a lot. (Your dog will be uncomfortable and may have to eliminate in the crate.)
Keep your dog's crate time at a minimum. Dogs sleep and rest a lot, but not all the time. They need play time and exercise.
When you are at home, they should not be in the crate (except at night when they are still very young puppies). If necessary, put a leash on your pup and tie it around your waist while you're at home.
Continue to use the crate, even after your puppy is housebroken. Occasionally using the crate will make traveling and special situations that require crating easier.
Most dogs like cooler temperatures than their human companions and prefer to stretch out on a hard, cool surface. If your dog prefers tile to carpet, you may want to skip the pad - or leave a portion of the crate floor bare. If you use a pad or pillow, clean frequently.
Our 5 month old puppy, Katie, is the first puppy we did not crate-train. Now that I work at home, we thought it was easier not to. This was a mistake. Our little Katie had emergency surgery on Friday and we are taking her home tonight. The vet told us we must keep her in a crate so she doesn't hurt herself (and to prevent her from roughhousing with our other dog). So, we now have to hope that her few days in a cage at the hospital will be enough to make her happy to be in a crate at home. We will be using the ProSelect 2-Piece Crate Cover and Bed Set!
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Sick and tired of leashes that are uncomfortable and in many cases uncomfortable to your pup? Now you've got an earth-friendly no-pull option! The Easy Walk Harness is offered in limited sizes, these harnesses look and feel hot without contributing to global warming. Traditional harnesses can actually encourage dogs to pull harder because of the "opposition reflex." That's the reflex that makes sled dogs do what they do. The Easy Walk Harness's unique front-chest leash attachment stops pulling by tightening slightly across your dog's chest and shoulder blades. The gentle pressure steers your dog to the side, redirecting his attention back towards you. The Easy Walk Harness won't cause coughing, gagging, or choking because the chest strap rests low across the breastbone, not on the delicate tracheal area. Surprise your dog with a leash that both you and him can appreciate! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/31284--eco-easy-walk-harness-and-leash.html
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Does your dog LOVE playing fetch? Most dogs do! Don't let an achy arm and slobbery ball stand between you and your dog's favorite pastime! The Flik-It™ arm pivots to increase throwing power and accuracy, extending range while reducing joint and muscle strain. In short, it helps you send the ball soaring without getting sore. The Gravity-lock™ slider naturally falls into place to secure the arm for easy, slobber-free ball pickup. During this game of fetch, your dog will tire out long before you do! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/8499--dog-games-flik-it-launch-a-ball.html
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Spring is here! And you know what that means! That's right, time to clean out all the stuff that's piled up this past year! Even your pooches' stuff! We know how messy it can get when your pup commonly accompanies you in the car. Throwing around toys, treats, and accessories is a common habit, and it's time to organize! The Auto Seat Pet Organizer, fits conveniently on the back of your seat. It contains pockets for: grooming sprays / shampoos, insect repellent, a leash, seat belt harness, first aid kit, treats, toys, extra storage, pet documents, towel holder, and more. This organizer is just what you need this spring cleaning season! http://www.furrytravelers.com/m7/30547--auto-seat-pet-organizer.html
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