“Hey Siri, Are Thanksgiving Foods Safe for My Dog?”

“What Thanksgiving Treats Can I Feed My Cat?” “Are Thanksgiving Foods Okay for My Pet?”

Every year, family and friends gather to give thanks. The dogs couldn’t be more ecstatic about the company and the cats…well, they’re a bit more perturbed. In the midst of the merriment, however, pets can be overlooked. Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is a time of year that sees a rise in accidental pet poisonings.

Dogs and cats alike tend to get into the delectable human feast. Whether consuming human foods from the counter or receiving them from unwitting dinner guests, pets are at risk for food poisoning this holiday.

Not to worry – Barkery & Bath is here to help! Keep reading to learn which foods are pet-safe and which to avoid!

Thanksgiving Foods Dangerous for Pets

• Turkey bones, dark fatty meat, and skin: please be aware that both turkey and chicken bones are not only a choking hazard. They can also splinter inside your pet’s digestive tract and cause serious harm.
• Desserts: Chocolate is well-known to be toxic for dogs, but so is the common sugar-substitute xylitol. Even in small amounts, xylitol is very toxic for dogs so please keep that sugar-free pie or keto-friendly dessert bar to yourself.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Raisins and grapes
• Onions, garlic, scallions, leeks, and chives: these are toxic for both dogs and cats and can be found in many casseroles, mashed potatoes, stuffing dishes, and gravies.
• Ham and any other dark meat
• Yeast dough, especially unbaked: yeast rises and expands and may cause a digestive blockage in your poor pet’s tummy. Additionally, the natural fermentation of yeast may cause alcohol poisoning.
• Fatty foods
• Any food with seasoning or spices

Keep pets out of the kitchen and dining area where they may be tempted to hop on the counter and help themselves. Also, be sure to secure any trash can lids so they can’t go dumpster diving for Thanksgiving tidbits when you’re not around.

In addition to keeping these foods from your pets, you’ll also want to make sure your guests are aware of these restrictions. Well-meaning friends or family may be tempted to slip a treat under the table for your pet, so let them know ahead of time that this is to be avoided. Instead, have pet-safe Thanksgiving treats on hand; guests are still welcome to bribe your pet’s affections as long as it’s with pre-approved, pet-safe goodies.

Thanksgiving Treats Safe for Dogs and Cats

The list of foods to avoid is certainly long, but rest assured – the Barkery has a number of excellent, pet-safe treats your pups and kitties will certainly enjoy. Vital Essentials Duck Necks, OC Frozen Turkey Necks or maybe even the Koha Big Easy Feast Stew will let your pet enjoy their own Thanksgiving feast in a safe and nutritious way. Raw marrow bones are also a tasty treat and provide a welcome distraction for your furry friends. If you prefer to prepare your pet’s meal, these suggested treats should be served raw or slightly cooked but with NO seasoning, butter, sweetener, or additives.

• Sweet Potatoes: dietary fiber, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and beta-carotene make these a great choice!
• Potatoes
• Baby carrots
• Apples: full of vitamin A, vitamin C, and great fiber; just make sure to remove stem and core prior to serving. Apple pieces should also be small enough to prevent choking.
• White Turkey meat: again, this must be offered without bones or skin and in small amounts without any seasoning.
• Turkey bone broth: a great way to promote a healthy gut for your pet and they will love it – the best part is it’s chock full of minerals and nutrients! Click here to learn more about making turkey bone broth for your dog.
• Green beans: again, without seasoning or butter.
• Peas are a-okay as long as they are not creamed peas; the fattiness of creamed peas can upset your pet’s stomach.
• Pumpkin: great for digestive health, as well as skin health. However, do not give pets the puree form. Pumpkin pie with sweetener and spices is, of course, out of the question.

Other Pet Safety Considerations:

Watch the Doors.

With a  busy house full of people, there’s plenty of coming and going. During the busiest times, consider shutting the pet in a backroom or a kennel to keep the pet from running out the front door. Or, keep your pet on a leash to prevent jumping on guests or escaping.

Keep Bags Out of Reach.

Have a predetermined shelf or rack of hooks to keep guests’ bags out of reach. This is the easiest way to keep your pet from consuming candy bars, medication, or pet-toxic xylitol gum from guests’ belongings.

By following these pet safety tips this Thanksgiving, you and your pets can celebrate a safe and happy holiday. For any questions, feel free to call the Barkery or drop by today! If you’d prefer to avoid any human food treats, check out our in-store options for pet-safe treats!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Barkery!  

Does your pet qualify as an emotional support animal?

The Barkery and Bath is here to explain what these animals are, where they’re allowed, and common rules of courtesy. Keep reading to understand how to treat other people’s support animals, and to learn if your dog or cat could qualify to become one!

What are Emotional Support Animals?

Emotional support animals are companion pets that help their owners feel comforted and secure. These animals work to support humans with various emotional conditions, such as depression, anxiety, mood disorders, panic attacks and other psychological conditions.

Many state or local governments legally provide for people to take their emotional support animals into public places. However, these animals have not been trained to perform a specific job, so they do not technically qualify as certified service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).

How to Qualify for an Emotional Support Animal

You might qualify to have an emotional support animal if you have a psychological or emotional condition. To know for sure if you qualify, it’s important to speak with a mental health professional first. Many housing places, travel companies, or public spaces may require a letter from a licensed mental health professional authenticating your need for an emotional support animal. Check with your local and state government about laws regarding Emotional Support Animals to fully understand the requirements in your area.

Common Rules for Emotional Support Animals

It’s very important to understand that not every pet should be an Emotional Support Animal. Temperament and training will play a large role in determining if your pet will be allowed to act as your support animal. Keep in mind these common rules for ESAs.

• They are not allowed to run wild. Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals must be leashed, harnessed, or secured in public places. The only exception is if leashing the animal would interfere with its work or if the person’s disability obstructs harnessing devices; some service dogs are trained to go find help if their owner suffers an attack. In these instances, the dog would still wear its harness but run to get help. Emotional Support Animals are not considered this kind of service dog and therefore must be leashed at all times.
• Service accessories are NOT a requirement for emotional support animals. Many owners, however, find that a vest, leash, tag, and collar are helpful in indicating that their animal is an emotional support animal, reducing questions asked. Additionally, there are certain understood rules of etiquette about service dogs wearing vests, which may be helpful in keeping your animal focused, as will be discussed later.
• Public Safety comes before your Emotional Support Animal practices. If your animal hinders a certain public program or service, it may not be allowed to participate. For example, if your pet is uncontrollable or not housebroken, staff are allowed to ask that your animal be removed from the premises.

While keeping these common rules in mind, the Barkery is here to explain a bit more about common etiquette for interaction with emotional support animals.

Etiquette for Owners

Train your animal. Your emotional support animal should obey simple commands from you easily and immediately. Don’t forget: they must be on a leash at all times.

Avoid busy or reactive spaces as much as possible. For training, you may need to visit some busier areas, but don’t overstimulate your dog to the point of exhaustion. This will end badly for both of you and may cause your training process to stall or regress. It’s better to take fewer steps more slowly than to jump ahead and create negative interactions/habits for your pet. These negative experiences may not only set you back in training, but can even interfere with your pet’s personality, causing reactiveness, for example.

Use a vest if you would prefer people to not pet your animal. Most people can recognize a service vest and will respectfully ignore your dog, or at least ask before petting.

Do not try to misrepresent your ESA as a certified service animal. The increase of this unethical practice has created dangerous and unfair situations for other people in public spaces. Some people are allergic to dogs or cats and may have an allergic reaction in the presence of your animal; additionally, pets that are not trained to be in public spaces may react unpredictably. Beyond public accidents, like wetting or waste depositing, untrained animals may panic, bark, bite someone or attack real service animals. These kinds of behavior endanger other people, real service animals, and even the handler. Unfortunately, due to incidents of fake support dogs attacking people in public, many states now have laws banning individuals from misrepresenting their pets as service dogs.

A note on travel: Because of these unfortunate incidents, some airline companies have completely banned emotional support animals from flights. Only certified service dogs who meet requirements are allowed to accompany passengers into the cabin area; support animals may have to be transported as regular pets would be. Be sure to check ahead of time with the airline company about their pet policies. Other than that, don’t forget to take the supplies you will need to care for your pet: leash, food, harness, crate. etc. Of course, you can find any of these supplies in-store or online at the Barkery! Purchase easy-to-pack and easy-to-clean collapsible bowls, collars and leashes, or even an adjustable pocket pet sling for smaller support animals on the go.

Etiquette for Passers-By

Service animals have a job to do. Some work as guides or mobility assistants; others alert for diabetes incidents or seizures. It’s important to understand how to properly interact with these service animals in order for them to be able to do their job well.

While Emotional Support Animals are not technically certified service dogs, it’s polite to treat well-behaved support animals with the same respect so that they can continue to focus on their owner and their job, too. The Barkery is here to share some insightful tips on interacting with service and support animals in a respectful way!

Do not call out to a service or support animal or distract them in any way. This can endanger their handler. No kissy sounds to the dog, and no clapping or waving is helpful. Even with the best intentions, it’s best to not praise the animal for doing its job. The service or support animal needs to concentrate on doing its job.

Ask before touching. It’s important to speak to the person first, not to the dog. Acknowledge the handler and show them care and respect before asking to pet their animal. Some handlers may allow you to pet their animal, but many have strict no-petting rules for their safety, and for yours. Many service or support animals will wear a vest; this vest serves two purposes. First, a service vest helps the animal recognize that it is time to focus on their job. Second, a service vest helps passers-by to recognize that the animal is working. If the animal has a vest on, it’s best not to ask to pet the animal. If the animal is not wearing a vest, it may be okay to pet them, as long as you respectfully ask the handler first.

Keep your pets or children away from service animals. If you have kids that want to pet the animal, teach them to respectfully ask the handler first! Please keep pet dogs to yourself and away from the service animal for your safety and theirs. Some dogs are guard dogs and are trained to protect their owners. Unless the handler says your children or pets are allowed to approach, please keep your distance.

Both owners and nearby people should be respectful of each other’s needs and spaces. By following these common rules of courtesy, both the general public and handlers with service dogs will be safe and able to interact appropriately.

Interested in qualifying your own pet to be a support animal? Drop by the Barkery; we’d love to answer any questions you have. We even have quite a few options for treats and toys to help with the training process!

February is Pet Dental Health Month! To celebrate, we’re offering 25% off dental products, 50% off walk- in toothbrushing services, and 20% off raw bones for the month of February!

How would you feel if you never brushed your teeth? Not so great, right? And imagine what the dentist visit would cost! Just like it’s important for humans to take care of their teeth, the same goes for our pets. And when your pet has terrible breath, don’t wait to address the issue! Here are some of the issues that can occur if you fail to care for your pet’s teeth from PetMD:

1. Preventing tooth loss. When the structures supporting a dog’s teeth become damaged or infected, the teeth loosen and fall out. Good dog dental care will ensure that those teeth-supporting structures stay healthy and keep the teeth in place.
2. Preventing bad breath (halitosis). If a whiff of your dog’s breath makes your nose hairs curl, it’s time for some good dental care. When your dog has a healthy mouth and healthy dog teeth, bad breath won’t be a problem.
3. Preventing oral pain. Dental disease, especially when it’s severe, can be quite painful for dogs. Keeping your dog’s teeth and gums healthy will help prevent oral pain.
4. Preventing organ damage. Bacteria in the plaque can enter the bloodstream and spread to the heart, kidneys and liver. This spread of bacteria, called bacteremia, can damage organs and make dogs quite sick. Good oral health will help prevent bacteria and subsequent organ damage.
5. Preventing worsening dental disease. Because so many dogs have dental disease by the time they’re 3 years old, it can be difficult to prevent it from developing in the first place. However, good dog dental care can prevent dental disease from becoming severe and causing problems throughout the body.

It’s Not Just Bad Breath

Does your pet have bad breath? This common complaint seems harmless, but it’s commonly a symptom of poor oral health and an indicator of serious health issues. In fact, your dog is more likely to have periodontal disease than cavities! Canine periodontal disease affects around 80% of dogs by the time they are only three years old.

Signs Your Pet May Have Periodontal Disease:

• Difficulty eating or apparent lack of appetite
• Weight
• Drooling
• Bad Breath
• Tooth discoloration or visible tartar
• Loose or missing teeth
• Red, swollen, or bleeding gums

Periodontal disease is a painful oral infection that can cause tooth loss and even organ damage. It commonly begins with mild tooth discoloration, but without regular cleaning, this plaque builds up and becomes hard tartar that is firmly attached to teeth. Bacteria from this dental plaque become trapped under the tartar, and so starts a cycle of infection and damage to the supporting tissues around the tooth. Without treatment, these bacteria can enter your dog’s bloodstream and affect organs like his heart, kidneys or liver.

Taking Care of Your Pet’s Teeth

These health issues can be prevented with regular dental cleanings and professional checkups but even between vet visits, there’s plenty you can do to help care for your pet’s dental hygiene! Oral hygiene is easy to overlook but it greatly affects your dog’s overall health. At Brookside Barkery and Bath we offer several dental care tools to support you in caring for your pet’s oral hygiene and to help make the process a bit more enjoyable for everyone involved.

7 TIPS TO MAINTAIN YOUR DOG’S DENTAL HEALTH

#1 Feed a Raw Diet

Feeding a raw diet is the #1 way to ensure dental health for your pet. Natural, raw diets provide the right habitat for your healthy oral microbiome. Natural live enzymes and “good” bacteria can help prevent tartar build up.

Any kibble diet, even premium kibble, can be a direct cause of weak teeth and weak gums. This shocking study done by Australian veterinarian Dr. Tom Lonsdale shows the effects of raw fed dogs switched onto a kibble diet. After only 17 days, dogs who’d started with perfectly healthy teeth and gums got stinky breath, yellow teeth and sore, bleeding gums.

Shop Dog Raw Food
Shop Cat Raw Food

#2 Feed Raw Recreational Bones

Regardless of whether you are feeding a raw diet, canned food, or kibble, we recommend giving a raw bone to your dog roughly once a week. Easing into feeding these bones is important to prevent digestive upset, and picking the correct size for your dog is just as important! Raw bones are nature’s toothbrushes, and effectively polish and scrape away tartar as the animal crunches and gnaws. Gnawing on bones is not only nutritious and good for your dog’s teeth and gums, but also provides hours of enjoyment, exercises your dog’s neck and shoulder muscles as well as his mouth, and even stimulates his neurotransmitters.

#3 Give a Daily Probiotic Supplement

Probiotic supplements can help create a healthy bacterial environment in your dog’s mouth. A 2009 study published in the Journal of the Canadian Dental Association found that probiotics were effective in treating and preventing dental disease! You can do this by adding probiotics to your dog’s food daily in the form of fermented vegetables or kefir, or you can give your dog a probiotic supplement. One of our favorites is Carna4 Ground Sprouted Seeds, which are 10% off this month at the Barkery!

#4 Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

If your companion eats a well-balanced natural diet all the time, she will likely have strong, clean teeth and gums throughout her life, even without brushing. An occasional brushing is a good idea anyway, even if her teeth and gums appear perfectly healthy. If your pet does not eat raw foods or bones on a regular basis, plan on brushing at least once a month. If her teeth appear yellow and prone to plaque, then brushing should occur at least once weekly. Start by choosing a toothpaste and toothbrush designed for use in pets. Begin with brushing the outer surfaces of just one or two teeth per session, concentrating on the upper portions of the teeth along the gumline where tartar typically collects. Another option is to have our experienced bathers do the work for you! Teeth brushing is an add-on service available to bathing and grooming appointments, and don’t forget this month, our walk-in teeth brushing services are 1/2 off!

#6 Try an Organic Kelp Enzyme

Kelp is one of the richest sources of amino acids in the plant world. 25% of kelp is protein and 2% is fat, this means that kelp is extremely healthy for dogs and can provide them with many benefits. This sea vegetable is best known for its iodine contents, which supports and regulates the glandular system. Kelp is also a great supplement for skin allergies because it helps reduce itchy and inflamed skin, and has even been proven to help with tartar buildup on dogs’ teeth. This is because of a bacteria known as Bacillus lichenformis. This bacteria can be found on the surface of kelp and when it releases an enzyme, it eats away at the tartar buildup on the teeth.

If you choose to supplement kelp into your dog’s diet there are a couple of different ways to do so. For starters, you can purchase a kelp supplement that will come in the form of a powder. This can be easily added to your dog’s food. Here are some of the powder kelp we have at the Barkery:

Thorvin is a mineral rich powder harvested form sea plants. It delivers a wide array of nutrients essential to your animal’s wellbeing, including thyroid health, shinier coats, clearer eyes, and dental health. Sprinkle this affordable powder on your pet’s dinner, and watch your animal thrive.

Another great kelp enzyme product is ProDen PlaqueOff Powder. PlaqueOff contains 100% natural and sustainably harvested sea kelp. It helps control bad breath, existing plaque and tartar, and the prevention of their development, from the earliest stages of tooth development to their full development.

Using a kelp enzyme supplement daily can aid in fresher breath and good oral hygiene!

#7 Dental Care Treats

Vets recommend a twice a day brushing regimen, just like people, but some of us have pets who won’t allow such a thing. So for those pets who just refuse to have their teeth brushed, we have Dental Chews. Dental chews do more than just keep their kisses fresh, they take the stress out of dental upkeep by satisfying dogs’ natural urge to chew. So here are a few of our favorite dental chews, for dog’s and cats who want anything but the Toothbrush!

PlaqueOff Dental Bones – Are dog chews with the PlaqueOff System^® which help clean plaque and tartar by abrasive action. Used daily, this natural product made with sea kelp can complement ordinary dental hygiene.

From The Field Silvervine Dental Chews – Silver vine Sticks are the natural stems from the plant. It promotes the cat’s dental health by exfoliating the plaque on their teeth while the cats chew the bark. Our Silver Vine sticks are marinated in our “Ultimate Blend” catnip and silver vine mix to increase potency.

Aside from the fact that a healthy mouth is good for your dog’s overall health, there’s another strong incentive to keep your dog’s mouth healthy – you’ll avoid having to put him through dental cleanings at the vet every year! It’s expensive, risky, and shouldn’t be necessary if you take a few simple steps to keep your dog’s mouth healthy.

February is a month where you’re supposed to be thinking about your pet’s dental health. Like us, their smiles need maintenance. Thankfully, we’ve got all sorts of stuff to help. All Barkery dental products are 25% off in-store this month, and walk-in tooth brushing services are half price throughout February. Stop in & talk to one of our nutrition specialist about which preventative dental care products are right for your pet today!

See all of February’s offers here >>

When we think about allergies our pets are experiencing, we often are talking about food allergies… but what about environmental allergies? The symptoms of food and environmental allergies may be similar, but they require different treatments. If your pet has allergy symptoms, keep reading – we are about to get into what causes environmental allergies and how to manage them using holistic solutions.

What Causes Environmental Allergies in Dogs?      

Allergies occur when your pet’s immune system overreacts to something in their environment – this is known as the “trigger.” That trigger could be pollen, dust, mold, or other airborne substances. It is typical for your pet’s body to respond to these airborne substances because the antibodies in their immune system think these substances are dangerous.

The good news is that environmental allergies in pets are usually seasonal. The typical seasons that these itchy, bothersome symptoms occur are spring and fall, with fewer symptoms during winter or summer months.

Here are some of the common symptoms of allergies:

• Itching and scratching
• Hives
• Ear infections (sometimes chronic)
• Hair loss
• Chewing or licking paw pads
• Sneezing or wheezing
• Runny Eyes and/or nose

How To Treat Environmental Allergies

Well, they say the best way to protect your dog is to keep them away from the source of the irritation. We know that is not practical with environmental allergies. If your dog is allergic to tree pollen, or flowers springing up, you can’t be expected to keep them indoors for weeks on end waiting for the season to pass.

If you have been to the vet for this issue, they probably have suggested steroids, or an anti-allergy drug like Atopica, Apoquel or Cytopoint. Sure, these drugs provide relief, because they temporarily suppress part of your dog’s immune response. This comes at a cost because it also makes your dog more vulnerable to other diseases and side effects. For instance, relying on Benadryl for relief from allergies can overload your pet with too much histamine. This can lead to more serious allergic reactions, food sensitivities, capillary damage, and a lot more. When we use Benadryl to relieve our pet’s itching, the problem goes away… or seems to. Unfortunately, removing the symptoms doesn’t get at the root of the problem. The underlying problem causing the itching remains, so the itching will keep coming back.  These quick fixes don’t cure anything, they just hide the symptoms for a while.

So, if you can’t remove the allergen from your living situation and you want to stay away from dangerous drugs, how can you ease your dog’s suffering? There are quite a few natural solutions that can help.

Natural Solutions For Environmental Allergies

Bovine Colostrum

All mammals produce colostrum in mother’s first milk. This provides newborns with maternal antibodies until they develop their own immune systems. The excess colostrum from cows is now available to help manage your dogs allergies.

Cows have immunity to common allergens because they have an antibody known as IgG (1). When you feed your dog colostrum, he benefits from those antibodies. Colostrum also has a substance called proline-rich polypeptide (PRP). This is an anti-inflammatory and there’s research supporting this  (2). It may also create special T-cells to stop the allergic response.

You can give your dog colostrum in a powder or a capsule. If it’s a powder, your dog can just lick it from your hand, or you can add it in at meal time. Give 1/16 tsp per 25lbs of body weight. Small dogs can have 1 capsule, and 2 capsules daily for medium to large dogs.

Four Leaf Rover is a wonderful supplement line that we carry in-store that happens to have a Bovine Colostrum product derived from grass-fed cows. It’s rich in immune-boosting antibodies and proteins, to help promote a robust immune system.

Shop Bovine Colostrum Online >>

Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen is rich with enzymes from the bees themselves. Bees collect pollen from all kinds of different flowers. And that means it’s likely they’ve collected pollen that makes your dog itch.

When you give your dog a small amount of the pollen, it can desensitize him to the pollens by building up tolerance to it over time. This provides allergy protection, because bee pollen contains quercetin, a natural antihistamine. When it is taken regularly, it can help reduce allergy symptoms and allergic reactions. Here is what you should look for when buying bee pollen for allergy relief:

1. Pollen should come from local bees with allergens from your area!
2. Use a small amount to start with… like one granule the first day with your pet’s food. Watch for a response. If there is no response you can proceed to increase by a granule a day over several weeks. Eventually, you want to give 1 tsp per 30 lbs of body weight daily.

Messner Bee Farm is a Kansas City, MO local bee farm! So, if you live in our area, check out their supply of local bee pollen.

Apple Cider Vinegar Paw Care

Your dog is constantly in contact with allergens on the ground, so itchy paws and skin are a common allergic reaction. Raw, organic apple cider vinegar can help to provide relief. Here are some ways to use apple cider vinegar to bring your dog some comfort:

Keep a large bowl or a paw washer, like the Dexas Mudbuster at the door with the following:

• 1 part apple cider vinegar
• 2 parts water

When your dog comes in, soak their paws for about 5 minutes. Don’t rinse off the solution but dry their paws thoroughly.

Another tip – if having this solution on hand is too much for your busy lifestyle, you can use a paw cleansing spray instead.
Skout’s Honor’s Hypoallergenic Probiotic Paw Spray is great for soothing, cleansing, and relieving itchy, stinky, irritated paws. It is easy to have by your backdoor, or to pack along with you on a trip. This formula is scientifically proven to naturally eradicate and prevent the growth of yeast and fungus on pets’ skin, which are two of the leading causes of itchy, irritated, stinky paws.

Leave the outside, outside

For this step we recommend using Hypoallergenic Pet Wipes to cleanse your pet’s coat after you return from outside to clean off any pollen, dust, or mites off your pet’s fur and help lessen their reactions to environmental allergies.  Earthbath has a few hypoallergenic grooming wipe options that are very convenient to use when trying to quickly remove outside allergens.

Bathing your pet once a week with a mild shampoo will help relieve pain and itching and increase healing and recovery from any infections. We recommend using a very mild PH balanced shampoo paired with a mild conditioner. Skout’s Honor’s probiotic shampoos & conditioners for dogs & cats will hydrate the skin and coat, and are great for healthy pets or pets who are suffering from skin allergies. It contains avocado oil and topical probiotics that help support a healthy microbiome to defend against common skin problems and even Atopic Dermatitis!

Quercetin

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid with natural antihistamine compounds to stop allergic reactions without suppressing the immune system. There’s also been research into quercetin establishing that it can turn off histamine production (3). It can stop the production of inflammatory molecules and prevent itching.

Some fruits and vegetables contain quercetin. You can add these to your dog’s diet:

• Apples (including the skin)
• Bananas
• Broccoli
• Garlic
• Parsley

You can also give a dog supplement that has quercetin – Four Leaf Rover’s Red Rover Suppplement provides powerful antioxidants for immune support. Red Rover was designed to help deliver a range of immune-boosting  polyphenols. They included organic apple skins for quercetin and blueberries for anthocyanin, which help support the brain and nervous system. Polyphenols are potent antioxidants, which help fight oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.

Shop Rover Supplements Online >>

Herbs

Here are a few herbs with anti-allergy properties:

Nettles

Nettles contain histamines that can help protect your dog from allergens. They offer many benefits outside of relieving environmental allergies – and are a good all-around herb to introduce into your pet’s daily diet. Nettles not only boost your pet’s immune system, but they are also natural diuretics that help your cat and dog get rid of waste from the body and are a great natural remedy for those pets that often suffer from allergies. Nettles are also a cooling herb, so they work well for those pets that are always hot.

Some products we carry in-store that have nettle in the ingredients are:

Earth Animal Allergy & Skin – A relieving, organic herbal blend that helps maintain healthy skin and soothes skin-related issues associated with seasonal allergies. It also aids in calming irritations of the skin caused from insect bites. This product is for use in dogs and cats only.

Animal Essentials Seasonal Allergy – An alcohol-free, sweet tasting glycerin herbal tincture designed to safely help relieve occasional seasonal allergies. It helps regulate histamine release during allergic episodes. Suitable for dogs and cats.

Glacier Peak Holistic Daily Defense – Designed to support a naturally healthy body. It is a safe and gentle daily detox for the liver and kidneys as it contains herbs traditionally known to detoxify the kidneys and liver. It also has herbs known to contain high amounts of organic vitamins and minerals which make it a great nutritional supplement. Available for dogs, cats, and horses.

Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle is also very effective at tackling chronic skin disease such as seasonal allergies in the Spring or Fall especially allergic dermatitis. In addition, it can be used for any liver disease or kidney, spleen, or bladder problems.

When purchasing a Milk Thistle tincture, the purity and quality of the product is essential. A product of inferior quality can contain mold and cause more issues for your pet rather than helping them. That’s why we believe in the effectiveness and purity of Adored Beast’s Liver Tonic, and Animal Essentials Detox Blend. Each of these products contain Milk Thistle that is organically grown and freshly ground. Best mixed with your pet’s food am and pm.

Turmeric

Why is turmeric beneficial for dogs? Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine have used turmeric for more than 4,000 years. The health benefits of turmeric for dogs are Anti-inflammation, antibacterial, digestive aid, and pain relief. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin. This compound contains anti-inflammatory properties and may be a gentler alternative to ibuprofen and aspirin, thus helping dogs and cats with the pain and itching associated with allergies. Turmeric boasts naturally – occurring antihistamine properties, and can work as a decongestant!

We carry an organic liquid turmeric supplement for dogs called Kangaroo Dogs. This line is an organic broad spectrum natural supplement with 100% natural ingredients. This product is more bioavailable than the powder turmeric found at the grocery store. Offering more digestibility, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal benefits making it effective in wound healing and allergy relief!

Shop Liquid Turmeric Online >>

Other Tips For Environmental Allergies In Dogs

• Feed a fresh, raw diet to boost gut health and improve your dog’s natural immunity.
• Change your furnace filter often to keep the air in your home allergen-free.
• Stop using plug in air fresheners like Glade in your household. Instead, try a pet safe deodorizing product like Pet House Candles – options include candles, car fresheners, wax melts and house sprays that are safe for cats and dogs.
• When you vacuum, let your dog spend time in a different room. Vacuuming can stir up dust and cause the allergies to spike.
• Give your pet a good old-fashioned wipe down with a damp cloth or towel. It helps to remove the offending allergens from their coat. We also recommend changing your clothes when coming back from a walk with your dog.
• Replace your chemical cleaning products with more natural options. This protects your dog from harmful ingredients in cleaning products and avoids allergies to those toxins. Other cleaning products we don’t think to change are laundry detergent and dryer sheets!
• Check your house for mold and get it removed – mold is harmful to everyone in your home, not just your pets!

These simple tips and natural remedies can help relieve environmental allergies to keep your pets comfortable all year long. Need help deciding which products are best for your pet? Stop in to your nearest Brookside Barkery & Bath to chat with one of our nutrition experts today.

References:

1. Hurley WL, Theil PK. Perspectives on immunoglobulins in colostrum and milk. Nutrients. 2011;3(4):442-474.

2. A M Keech. Peptide Immunotherapy: The Use of Bovine Colostrum Proline-Rich Polypeptides in Cytokine Modulation for the Alternative Relief of Allergic Symptoms. J Allergy Clinical Immunology, Vol 119, Issue 1, Supplement S260, January 1 2007.

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We know many of you pet parents focus a lot of attention on your fur kid’s diet. Which we encourage because high quality food is essential to a long, healthy life. But hydration is equally important for dogs and cats. Keeping pets hydrated is a simple habit that can be an after thought for many of us. However, it is extremely important to keep our pets hydrated, especially during the hot and humid summer months in Kansas City where they may be losing more than they’re getting. In this blog, we’ll look at why hydration for dogs and cats is so important. We’ll also provide you with some practical tips to keep your pets hydrated!

Why is Hydration Important for my Pet’s Health?

Proper hydration is vital to the health and happiness of your pet. When our pets become dehydrated, they generally appear sluggish and fatigued. This is because the flow of oxygen to the brain is negatively impacted, and the heart has to work harder to pump blood through their body. This is hard work for their bodies! Proper hydration is essential for avoiding this and maintaining energy levels.

When your pet is adequately hydrated, they’re going to be able to regulate their body temperature better. This is achieved when your dog pants, which causes them to exhale and lose body moisture. A dehydrated pet is less likely to pant which causes their body temperature to run hotter, which can be a real health risk.

Staying hydrated will safeguard against preventable health problems like urinary tract issues. Your pets’ kidneys will also thank you because chronic dehydration can lead to severe and painful issues like kidney disease, kidney stones, and even kidney failure.

There are some typical early warning signs that your pet is dehydrated. As we mentioned, these can include low energy and excessive laziness. But if you’re unsure if your furry friend is just taking it easy because of hot weather, you can also check their mouth for additional clues. Dry mouth and gums will be a sure sign that they require some hydration. Another simple dehydration test is to pinch the skin on the back of your pet’s neck. Watch how quickly or slowly it returns into place. If fast, your pet is hydrated. If slow, it’s time to up that water intake!
More severe signs of dehydration include excessive panting, loss of appetite, and sunken eyes. Your pet may even begin vomiting or have diarrhea, which is extremely worrisome as there is even more moisture being lost from their bodies in these situations.

Truly a pet parent’s worst nightmare, but don’t worry, all of this is avoidable!

How Do I Keep My Pet Hydrated?

By following some easy and practical methods, you’ll be able to ensure your pet stays properly hydrated. You should always provide plenty of fresh water and bring water with you on trips and outdoor activities. You can also give access to running water and feed wet or moisture-soaked food. In case of emergency, having an oral electrolyte solution on hand can save the day as you head to the vet!

Fresh Water in the Home
Having access to fresh, clean water is the number one way to ensure hydration for dogs and cats. Water bowls should be big enough to accommodate all pets in your household, if you have more than one, and you may also consider placing multiple bowls throughout your home. Clean these bowls daily and re-fill them at least once a day.
Cleaning water bowls is essential to avoid the buildup of potentially harmful bacteria and eliminate any dirt or food particles your dog might introduce by sticking their face in the dish. Sometimes you’ll notice a slick, slimey coating forming on the bowl. This is what you want to clean off each time!

Bring Water with You
When you head out for a walk or take a car ride, you should always have water on hand. Even if you’re just going on a quick run to the store, or taking them for a checkup, it’s important to always carry water in case they need it.
Two-in-one water bottles with bowls are perfect for walks. They fill just like a water bottle, and the top of the bottle flips open to allow for easy drinking. If your pet doesn’t like drinking from one of these, you can opt for a collapsible bowl and simply used bottled water instead. Both options are super portable and make hydration for dogs and cats easy on the go!

Running Water
Some pets, especially cats, aren’t keen on drinking from water bowls. This is because the water in the bowl can grow stagnant, and some pets are less enthusiastic about drinking water that isn’t extremely fresh.  A pet water fountain keeps water circulating, giving fewer chances accumulating odors or bacteria.

Many fountains have built-in filtration systems, which is a great way to ensure your cat or dog is getting fresh, clean water constantly.

Hydrating Food Options
It may seem odd to talk about hydration when we discuss a pet’s food, but it’s actually a fantastic way to boost the moisture content in their diets.

One of the easiest ways is increase your pets hydration is to soak dry kibble in water before feeding. This way, when your dog or cat has their meal, they will be consuming the water as well. Some dehydrated foods and freeze-dried foods that must be soaked prior to feeding offer additional hydration and many nutritional benefits thanks to less processing and whole food ingredients.
For finicky eaters, you can use bone broth or wet food toppers to stimulate your pet’s appetite and stay hydrated. Bone broth can also be used independently and is great for enticing a lethargic or reluctant pet to drink something when they’re being stubborn.
High-quality canned food is another moisture-filled option to incorporate into your pet’s diet. We typically recommend this route to keep cats hydrated. Wet food can be used as a topper or mixed with soaked kibble or dehydrated food as well.

Electrolyte Solutions for Pets
Electrolyte Supplements are great to have on hand in case of emergency situations, or to mix in with your pet’s food when you’re worried your dog or cat may be dehydrated. Electrolytes contain many essential nutrients vital to proper functioning of your dog and cat’s internal systems. Electrolytes should not be given regularly without consulting a vet. If you find yourself needing them regularly, contact your holistic vet.

Conclusion

Avoiding dehydration and learning how to spot the warning signs is important when the weather is hot, but this shouldn’t be out of mind during cooler spring and fall or winter seasons.

By making sure your pet always has enough water on hand and supplementing their hydration with some food tricks, you’ll be ensuring a healthier and happier fur kid.