Furry Scurry Update

Thanks to everyone who came by the Natural and Raw table at the Furry Scurry on Saturday! The weather cooperated and there was a great turnout to the event.

The wild game pet sticks were a huge hit with the dogs, as well as the organic dog toys!

- Jen

Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Dogs

Emergencies happen all the time - we hear about disasters on television, in the papers and on the Web. It’s hard to imagine what the victims are going through unless you have been there yourself. If not, it’s important to remember that it can happen to you. Emergencies and disasters can happen to any of us, and they can endanger our dogs. Emergency and disaster preparedness means taking the time to prepare now, before a disaster occurs. Proper emergency and disaster preparedness can make all the difference later. You can save your dog’s life by making some general plans in advance.

Identification

Be sure your dog always wears current identification. In a sudden emergency, you may not be able to locate her collar if it is not on her. Microchip your pet and keep an ID tag on her collar.

Evacuation

If you need to evacuate an area, take your dog with you. Remember, if it is dangerous for you, then it is dangerous for your dog. Never leave a dog behind in a cage or tied up. If possible, you should evacuate before it is mandatory. This will allow extra time to get to a safe place where dogs are permitted. If you are not evacuating, have a plan to gather in the safest area of the house. Have your dog on a leash or in a carrier until it is safe to roam the house.

Shelter

Once you have evacuated, you need to know where to go with your dog. Emergency shelters typically do not allow dogs unless they are service animals. Spend some time calling hotels and ask about their pet policies in event of an emergency. Check with nearby hotels as well as those further away. You don’t know now how far you’ll have to go in a disaster. Have a list of veterinary offices and boarding facilities in surrounding areas just in case your dog cannot stay with you.

Home Alone

Be ready for emergencies that could occur when you are not at home and can't assist your dog directly. Place a sign or sticker near all outside doors that states the number of pets you have, the type of pets, and where you or your veterinarian can be reached. These stickers are often available through your veterinarian’s office. This will help in the event someone must rescue your pets. Ask a trustworthy neighbor to check on your pets in case of an emergency.

Disaster Kits

Prepare a disaster kit for you and your dog now. Keep it near an exit of your home for easy reach in case of an emergency. This is one of the most important preparatory measures you can take. Your disaster kit should include the following:

• A week’s supply of bottled water, food and medication for you and each dog

• A leash and/or carrier for each dog, extra leashes if possible

• Veterinary records

• First Aid supplies

• Phone numbers of veterinarians, family, friends, hotels and boarding facilities

• Current photos of each dog in the event you become separated

• Dog beds and toys

• Flashlights and extra batteries

• Blankets and towels

• Other personal and pet items you think you might need

Remember to check the kit every few months and replace old or expired items.

If you are ready for an emergency in advance, you can rest assured that you have done the best for you and your dog to ease the stress of disaster situations. Emergency preparedness can save your dog’s life, so it’s worth the extra time now.

Suggested Reading

• When to Call the Vet
• Pet Emergency Pocket Guide
• Gear for Your Dog

More on About.com

• Emergency! Be Prepared
• Prepare your Cats for Disaster
• Prepare for a Family Emergency Evacuation

Elsewhere on the Web

• FEMA: Caring For Animals
• Are Your Ready?
• Disaster Preparedness for Pets

Related Articles

• About Dogs - Be Prepared For Emergencies
• Book Review - Pet First Aid: Cats and Dogs
• Disaster Preparedness For Pets - Emergency Kits for Pets
• Veterinary Medicine - Preparing for an emergency with pets - PartI
• Veterinary Medicine - Preparing for an emergency with pets - PartI

Article by Jenna Stregowski, RVT, About.com Guide

- Jen

Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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Furry Scurry in Denver - Saturday, May 1st

Come by and check out the Furry Scurry on Saturday, May 1st! Proceeds from this 2 mile walk go to the Dumb Friends League of Denver. They care for more than 25,000 homeless pets every year and provide valuable services to our community.

Our dog, Abbey (left), is from the Dumb Friends League and she is the best dog we've ever had!

Be sure to come by and check out the Natural and Raw booth while you're there! We'll be doing a raffle for a Deluxe Treat Basket and there will be all kinds of yummy, all natural dog treats, organic dog toys, natural pet supplements, herbal remedies, and grooming products available for purchase at a discounted price. A percentage of our sales from the Furry Scurry will be donated to the Dumb Friends League.


- Jen

Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

Follow us on Facebook & Twitter!

All Natural Pet Grooming Products

Check out our new line of all natural pet grooming products including dog shampoo, conditioner, anti itch shampoos, face whiteners and organic flea and tick treatments. We also offer an extra gentle puppy and kitten formula that is 70% organic and great for pets with allergies or skin conditions. These dog shampoos also smell fantastic!

- Jen

Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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February is Pet Dental Health Month

February is here, and that means it's National Pet Dental Health Month. It can be easy to overlook your dog's oral health on a day-to-day basis. This campaign is a great reminder to take care of your dog's teeth now and all year round.

Oral hygiene is an essential part of caring for your dog. Many people think "doggie breath" is inevitable. In reality, halitosis is a sign of an oral problem. Dental disease causes discomfort and can lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, and systemic diseases. Prevention is the cornerstone of canine dental health.

Chewing on Raw bones have been shown to help reduce the tartar and plaque build up naturally for your dog. Your dog will love these meaty bones, too!

Daily home care is essential, but dogs also need a professional cleaning about once a year (give or take depending on the dog). February is a great time to visit your vet for an oral exam and cleaning, as many offer discounts in honor of National Pet Dental Health Month. Regardless of the month, remember to keep those pearly whites sparkling.

- Jen

Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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Labradore Retriever Still the Most Popular Dog, German Shepherd Dog 2nd

According to the American Kennel Club, for the 19th consecutive year, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular purebred dog in America, but could this be the last year for the Lab’s reign?

American Kennel Club® (AKC) 2009 registration statistics released this week during a press conference at Grand Central Terminal in New York City, the German Shepherd Dog overtook the Yorkshire Terrier last year and is now ranked second most popular in the nation for the first time in more than three decades.

An American favorite since the time of Rin Tin Tin, the German Shepherd Dog became the number one breed of the 1920s, but then slipped in popularity until after World War II.

"Labs have been America’s top dog for nearly two decades due to their loyal and gentle nature," said AKC Spokesperson Lisa Peterson. "But the German Shepherd Dog has gained ground recently, quite possibly due to the increased attention they receive for their security efforts at home and abroad. Hailed as the world’s leading police, guard and military dog, this energetic and fun-loving breed is a loyal family pet, ideal companion and dependable K-9 partner when duty calls."

2009 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Bulldog

8. Dachshund

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

WORKING K-9s "SNIFF OUT" THE TOP 10
The German Shepherd Dog isn’t the only breed Americans will spot at the airport or train terminal when they travel – Labradors, Golden Retrievers and Beagles work throughout the country to keep the homeland safe. These breeds are used by law enforcement military and homeland security personnel for a variety of tasks ranging from border patrol, bomb and narcotics detection, to searching for missing persons and tracking down fugitives.

These four breeds were developed for various forms of hunting or herding, but the traits that made them so effective at these jobs, such as strong scenting ability of the Beagle, the eager-to-please attitude of the Golden Retriever and Labrador, and the bold nature of the German Shepherd, make them effective in their careers today.

"Despite advances in security technology, the canine and its unique abilities remain a valued resource for the military and law enforcement agencies that work to keep us safe," said Peterson. "The loyalty, intelligence and hardworking nature which make these breeds desirable as K-9 partners in the field also contribute to their status as valuable companions in the hearts of dog owners around the nation."

PET PREFERENCES: FIFTY OF THE LARGEST CITIES
Top trends in 50 large cities in the U.S. include:

• The ever-popular Lab is slowly losing ground in some towns – more U.S. cities featured a breed other than the Labrador Retriever in its top spot this year than in 2008. The breeds responsible for ousting the 19 year national favorite? The German Shepherd ranked first in Columbus, Detroit, Honolulu, Memphis, Miami Providence and West Palm Beach; the Yorkshire Terrier triumphed in Oakland, Tampa, NYC, and Philadelphia; the Bulldog rose to the top in L.A.; and the Bull Terrier was a favorite in Newark, NJ.
• The Bulldog is a favorite in California, perhaps due to celeb owners such as Adam Sandler, Kelly Osborne and John Legend. The breed reached the top spot in Los Angeles, the only city where it currently reigns as number one. The wrinkled pooch nearly reached the top in San Diego as well, coming in at the 2nd spot.
• South Florida loves its German Shepherd Dog. The breed ranks first in West Palm Beach as well as Miami, where it has held the top spot since 2002, the first year the American Kennel Club started tracking city registration statistics.
• Providence is the only U.S. city where the Labrador Retriever does not factor into the Top 5. Despite ranking second in 2008, the breed dropped off the list, making room for the German Shepherd in first place, along with the Yorkshire Terrier, Golden Retriever, Boxer and Poodle.
• Unusual breeds on local top five lists include the Bull Terrier (1st in Newark), the Mastiff (4th in Des Moines), the Miniature Pinscher and Shetland Sheepdog (3rd and 5th, respectively, in Richmond) and the Chihuahua (3rd in Honolulu).

PET PREFERENCES: 1999– 2009
Some of the most notable recent trends in the past decade include:

• The most popular pets with the biggest increase in rankings over the last decade included the Bulldog (from 21st to 7th); French Bulldog (from 73rd to 24th); Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (from 58th to 25th) and the making the largest leap the Havanese (from 92nd to 32nd).
• Working K-9 breeds favored by law enforcement and the military have shown modest gains as pets including the Belgian Malinois (from 95th to 81st), the Border Collie (from 71st to 52nd) Bloodhound (from 51st to 43rd), and the Doberman Pinscher which served heroically with the U.S. Military during WWII (from 23rd to 15th).
• A trend toward easy-to-groom breeds is seen with the rise of the Mastiff (from 39th to 27th) and the Rhodesian Ridgeback (from 56th to 48th) as well as the decline of higher maintenance breeds such as the corded breeds the Komondor (from 132nd to 154th) and the Puli (from 123rd to 149th) and on the Irish Terrier (from 108th to 132nd) and Sealyham Terrier (from 138th to 157th) which require hand-stripping.
• Among rare breeds on the decline are the Curly-Coated Retriever (from 114th to 142nd), the Sussex Spaniel (from 135th to 159th) and the Irish Water Spaniel (from 130th to 150th).
• Even before the Obama family selected the Portuguese Water Dog it was on the rise in popularity ranked 80th a decade ago to 60th currently. However, it did make a jump from 64th a year ago when all the interest in this mid-sized, hypoallergenic breed began.

Dog lovers can see and learn more about all of their favorite breeds on Saturday, February 6, 2010, when the AKC/Eukanuba National Championship – where the country’s top dogs compete for $225,000 in prize money and the title of "National Champion" – airs on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel, 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). You can also catch the AKC Humane Fund Awards for Canine Excellence honorees, which include the Golden Retriever "Robin" in the Law Enforcement category.

Click here to find out where your favorite breed ranks in the nation and major U.S. cities.

- Jen
Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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How to Save $1000 by Feeding Your Dog Raw Meaty Bones

There are many health benefits of feeding your dog raw food and raw bones. Dogs who are fed raw often see an improvement if they've had arthritis in the past, digestive problems, allergies, or dull coat. There are dental benefits, too!

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What is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease that affects the tissues surrounding the teeth, gums and bone (alveolar bone). If left untreated, periodontitis will eventually lead to loosening of and loss of teeth and can also damage the kidneys, liver and heart.

Periodontal Disease

• has been a known problem in domestic pets for at least 70 years and affects 8 out of 10 dogs 3 years and older. It coincides with the advent of commercial pet food. Coincidence?
• is worse in smaller animals
• progresses with age
• causes loosening of and loss of teeth
• is very common in dogs fed soft diets who have little dental activity by way of cutting and tearing raw flesh and breaking and crunching bones
• leads to pyorrhoea (an advanced form of periodontitis), 100 % of the time in dogs fed soft diets if they live long enough

From Bad to Worse

Due to the vascular nature of the gums, secondary diseases can develop as bacteria from the mouth enter the blood stream and make their way to the liver and kidneys. The bacteria then colonize in these organs wreaking havoc! Bacteria reaching the heart can cause vegetative endocarditis (infected heart valves).

Diet is the Main Cause of Periodontal Disease

It should really come as no surprise that diet is the main cause of periodontal disease given that so many other ailments, canine and human, are as a result of subpar dietary practices.

Numerous studies have looked at the effects of hard and soft food diets on the oral health of domestic pets, all concluding that soft foods contribute to periodontal disease and that more abrasive hard foods (raw meaty bones), help prevent it.

Two groups of dogs were fed either hard biscuits or the same biscuits ground and mixed with water for 14 months. At the end of the study, the dogs eating the hard food still had healthy teeth gums, while the dogs fed soft mush developed gingivitis, plaque and calculus. (Burwasser and Hill 1939)

Another study compared feeding raw whole bovine trachea with attached oesophagus, muscle and fat, to the same food finely minced. Plaque accumulation and the onset of gingivitis were observed in the group of dogs fed the minced food. (Egelberg 1965)

“…periodontal disease may be uncommon in wild canids and felids, and suggestive evidence (alveolar bone disease) was found in only 2% of 1157 canid jaw bone specimens examined by Colyer (Miles and Grigson 1990).” – Undoubtedly because they eat non-processed foods in the form of meat, connective tissue and bone.

Plaque will form on teeth regardless of what types of foods are eaten. However, it stands to reason that softer foods can stick to teeth speeding up the formation of plaque, and that soft foods are inefficient in removing existing plaque from teeth.

Foods that require tearing, cutting and crunching (such as raw meaty bones), are nutritionally beneficial for your dog and are much more likely to be effective at keeping periodontal disease at bay by abrading teeth as they are consumed.

“Raw meaty bones have good characteristics to promote oral health….” – Australian Veterinary Journal Vol. 71. No. 10. October 1994

3 Ways to Help Prevent Your Dog from Developing Periodontal Disease

1. Take your dog for regular dental checkups.
2. Feed your dog size & type appropriate raw meaty bones on a regular basis, if not daily, especially if you feed canned food or kibble. Go here to watch a couple of dogs eating RMBs and a cat devouring a chicken wing. There are lots of options, but do your research.
3. Brushing may help, if your dog will let you do it, but remember, just like the dentist tells us, brushing won’t clean below the gum line.

There is no guarantee that feeding raw meaty bones will prevent an individual animal from developing periodontal disease, but feeding raw meaty bones is guaranteed to be less expensive than dental cleaning at your vet – with or without anesthesia.

For more Raw reading visit DoggyBytes.ca. Article courtesy of Jim McBean over at DoggyBytes. One note: The $1000 in the title alludes to the price that a veterinary dentist Jim consulted charged for a teeth cleaning.

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As always, check with your Vet before making any changes to your dog's diet.

- Jen
Natural and Raw Premium Pet Food Co.

Natural Dog Treats, Food, Supplements, Grooming Products and Organic Dog Toys
http://www.naturalandraw.com

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