Tag: toys

Products you need for a well-stocked pet closet
Do you have a well-stocked pet closet for your dog? Dog lovers around the world know that all dogs come with a lot of stuff! They have enough stuff that a dedicated closet full of supplies is quite necessary for your dog’s health, happiness, and proper care.

Having raised multiple dogs, I have amassed quite a bit of supplies for my dogs. Some of these items get used and replaced often, some I have only used a time or two, but all of them I deem necessary to keep on hand for my canine kids. It has come in handy countless times and as much as I appreciate any and all storage space in my house, I will not ever sacrifice my pet closet for space.

Whether you are a new pet owner, or if you just want to get yourself in gear and create a well-stocked pet closet in your home, you can do it! Check out these tips below on all of the products you need for a well-stocked pet closet and make sure you are ready for a fun-filled adventurous life with your pet.

Products you need for a well-stocked pet closet
I want you to have everything you need to make living life with a pet safer and more convenient. But I also don’t want you to spend money on things that you don’t really need. So, I am creating for you this list of products you need for a well-stocked pet closet.

Products needed for your pet’s health for your pet closet
Hydrogen peroxide
It is considered to be generally safe for use to induce vomiting in dogs that have ingested poisons, when used correctly (speak with your vet for guidelines). Did your dog get sprayed by a skunk? Mix together 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup baking soda, and 2 teaspoons of liquid dish soap (you may need to double or triple recipe depending on the size of your dog). Apply to your dog’s dry fur (avoiding their eye area), lather it up, and rub for about 5 minutes, then rinse. You may need to repeat this a few times.

Thermometer
No, you don’t need a special dog-specific thermometer. If your pet isn’t feeling well, a thermometer is handy to have on hand so that you can see if they have a fever. This will help you determine whether or not to take them to the vet. A normal temperature for a dog is between 101.1–102.4°F.

Sterile bandages
In the event that your pup gets wounded, you want to have sterile bandages on hand to wrap them in. Be sure to also have vet wrap on hand to hold the bandages in place.

Saline solution
Saline solution is great to have on hand for any eye situation in which your animal might face. If you see excessive discharge in your pet’s eye, you can try to flush the eyes out with saline solution. It is also great for washing out wounds.

Tweezers
Just like humans, pets have been known to get slivers in their feet, or bee stings that need to be removed. Keep a special pair of tweezers on hand just for these occasions.

Cotton balls
These are great to have on hand for health and a myriad of other reasons. Plus, they are super inexpensive. Just grab a big bag and keep them stored in your pet closet for whenever the need arises.

Benadryl
In the event of a minor inflammation and irritation due to a bee sting or allergies, Benadryl is safe to give to pets and can really increase their comfort levels. Dosage is 1 mg/lb given 2–3 times per day.

Feeding syringes
You never know when you might need to give your pup medicine, these are great to have on hand for that reason.

Products needed to keep your pet groomed
Dog shampoo
You never know what your pup is going to get into and it’s important to be able to give him a bath at a moment’s notice.

Dog brush
A dog brush is very important to have on hand, especially if you have a long-haired dog. Buying a dog brush that you love may be trial and error as it all depends on length of hair and how much they shed.

Nail trimmer or grinder
Keep your pup’s nails trimmed down to the right length with some nail trimmers. Not everyone likes to do this on their own and that’s okay. They are good to have on hand though. In our house, we use a nail grinder. It may take longer to get your dog used to it but you don’t really have to worry about cutting their quick. Once a week we either do their front or rear nails. And have plenty of treats on hand.

Toothbrush
Dogs need their teeth brushed too! Don’t forget to brush your dog’s teeth at least twice a week.

Towel
Every dog deserves his own special towel, don’t you think?

Products needed to keep your dog fed
Food
You, of course, need to have food for your pet. Pet food is a personal choice, but I recommend having a good amount on hand (and an extra 2-week supply for emergencies). If you choose to feed your pet fresh or raw food, you may want to invest in an extra refrigerator or freezer to make sure have enough room to maintain a good supply of that.

Treats
Whether for training or just for treating, you should always keep some tasty treats on hand to spoil your pet with.

Food and water dishes
Make sure you have the appropriate-sized food and water dishes on hand for your pet. And wash them regularly.

Products needed to keep your pet exercised
Your dog needs to be walked. He needs to go outside! Make sure you have everything on hand to make walks as easy as possible.

Leash
There are many different leashes that you could choose to have on hand. Please whatever you choose to use, don’t use a retractable leash.

Collar with ID tags
Make sure that your dog has their collar on whenever they go outside. And make sure you have up-to-date contact information on ID tags securely attached to their collar. Our collars have their names and our phone number sewn onto them.

Dog poop bags
Part of our duty as pet owners is to clean up after them. Do not head out on a walk without being prepared with a dog poop bag to clean up as you go.

Toys
Toys are very important for a dog’s well-being. Not only do toys have the ability to keep your dog from getting lonely, but it can also help to prevent boredom and therefore, negative behaviors. It’s good to keep several types of toys on hand to rotate through them to keep your dog from getting bored at playtime, or alternatively destroying his toy too quickly.

Whatever you decide to keep in your well-stocked pet closet, the key is to make life a little bit easier on you and your pet and to help you be prepared for all aspects of pet ownership.
April 21, 2020
The importance of safe dog toys
Not unlike children, dogs need toys. Toys are not a luxury for your pet, rather they are a necessity. For dogs, toys are used for training, for preventing boredom, and they are used to provide comfort for your pup. Some say that dogs absolutely need toys in order to maintain a positive well-being.
When used to prevent loneliness and boredom, toys can be used to prevent problem behaviors from your dog. If you have ever left your dog at home alone and come home to find a chewed up shoe, or a door frame that they have chewed on, a toy may have been able to prevent that.
Toys can make a huge difference in the happiness of your pet, but the importance of safe dog toys needs to be high on your list of things to consider when you are looking for the right toys for your pet. Dogs are not often picky about their toys, so it is up to you to be careful about choosing the right toys.

The Importance Of Safe Dog Toys
What factors determine if a toy is safe?
There are many different factors that make a difference in whether or not a toy is safe for your dog. Ask yourself these questions when determining if a toy is safe for your dog:
- What size is your dog?
- How active is your dog?
- Where does your dog spend most of his time?
- Are you able to supervise your dog while he plays with toys?
- Is the toy meant for dogs?
What size is your dog?
The size of your dog is a very important factor when choosing a safe toy for them because a toy that is too small for your dog can easily be swallowed or choked on.

How active is your dog?
If your dog is not yet very active, you should be wary of buying them toys that require heavy exertion. Your dog may get to that activity level at some point, but first start out slow. Toys of all kinds help them reach a healthy activity levels, no matter how slowly they start out.

Where does your dog spend most of his time?
To prevent damage to your home, it is best to tailor your choice of dog toys to where your dog spends most of his time. If he stays in your home most of the day, you don’t want him to have a long stick-like toy that he can run into stuff with.

Are you able to supervise your dog while he plays with toys?
Some dog toys require supervision. For instance, when playing with a squeaky toy, many dogs like to destroy the source of the squeak. Unfortunately, many of these squeaky type toys can become destroyed easily and the pieces can be harmful if ingested.

Is the toy meant for dogs?
It is important that any toys that your dog plays with are actually created for dogs. Many things that dogs are intrigued by such as rubber bands, plastic pieces, ribbon, string, etc, are found on children’s toys and other items that you can find in your home that dogs like to play with. These items can all be quite harmful to dogs. They can be swallowed and cause injury or even death to your pup. It’s best to avoid using any of these items for dog toys, and instead get them toys that are meant for them and safe for them to play with.

Our favorite safe dog toys
Obviously we love dogs here and you know we want to keep them safe! If you are wondering what our favorite safe dog toys are, check out this list of some of our favorites.

Wool Ball Dog Toys
These wool ball dog toys are organic and are made with food-grade dyes to safely color the toys. Use these wool balls to play fetch with your dog to keep them active, healthy, and having fun. These are much safer than cheap balls you find in the stores and you don’t have to worry about any hidden hard plastic that your dog could ingest.

Cycle Dog Duraplush Medium Bone Dog Toy
A fun, fuzzy medium-sized bone dog toy that is made from post-consumer recycled materials. That means that not only is your dog going to have lots of fun, but you can also feel good about your purchase.

Cycle Dog Large High Roller Ball Dog Toy
If your dog likes to stay busy, this large dog ball is perfect! It bounces erratically when tossed by you or dropped by your dog, which keeps your dog engaged and having fun. Plus, like other toys on this list, it is made from post-consumer recycled materials.

Cycle Dog Large Duraplush Springy Thing Dog Toy
This large springy thing stuffed dog toy is lots of fun for your pup and again, is made from post-consumer materials. It is a great toy especially if you have multiple dogs in your home. Safe and fun for your canine kid and earth friendly for you!

How to make dog toys last
Rotate them
Now that you know all about the importance of safe dog toys, let’s talk about how to make dog toys last. In order to make these toys last as long as possible, rotate your dogs toys often. You can do this weekly or every other week to keep their most played with toys in better shape.

Have several toys
Make sure that you have toys on hand for various purposes. For instance, give your dog a toy to carry around with him, give him one for snuggling, and one for more engaged play.

Use interactive toys
Interactive toys last longer, because it is not all about the toy. These toys focus on the time with you. These toys also enhance the time you get to spend with your pet, which strengthens your bond.
Just the fact that you are reading this and learning about the importance of safe dog toys tells me that you are a wonderful dog owner! Your dogs will appreciate any of these fun and safe toys that you surprise them with. Have fun on your toy-filled puppy adventures.
February 11, 2020
Five ways to keep your dog entertained
And ripping up pillows shouldn’t be one of the ways to keep your dog entertained!!
Dogs, especially puppies, get into trouble. They explore their world and often put everything in their mouths. Dogs love to dig and chew and tear things up. It’s fun!! Of course, it’s not so much fun when you come home to find your favorite pillow and a dog bed ripped to shreds. It’s important to know some games to play with your dog and ways to keep your dog entertained
I am lucky, I work from home, so monitoring the dogs is fairly easy (in theory). But, you cannot watch them constantly and it only takes a few minutes for major destruction to occur. When I came home one day to find my hallway carpet pulled up, I knew that I had to find things to keep my dog entertained and mentally stimulated.
Please note: It’s really important to crate train your dog. It’s not a punishment. In the wild, dogs have dens. It’s a place to sleep and where they can find comfort and solitude while you know they are safe and secure. Dylan is 5 years old and still loves going into his crate. So, while it’s an eyesore in the living room, I would not dream of removing it.
But let’s face it, I did not always use the crate. And often, when you work from home, you have to work (SHOCKING I know) and watching young dogs isn’t possible. So what do you do?!?
A tired dog is a good dog!! And that doesn’t just mean physically tired. Keeping your dog mentally stimulated is important as well.

Five ways to keep your dog entertained

COCONUTS
That is correct!! You can go to the store and buy a whole coconut and it will give your dogs hours of cheap entertainment—I know it keeps my dog entertained. Depending where you buy the coconut, it may still have the long fibers/hairs attached to it. These probably can cause digestive upset, so just try and remove them. The shells are hard, if your dog is an obsessive chewer, just keep an eye out as you don’t want them damaging their teeth.
Dylan loves playing chase with whole coconuts and nibbling on the outside shells. After a few days, you can crack the coconut open and assuming the coconut milk is still good, you can give some to your dog (you can have some as well). You can share the pulp with your dog as well. Whenever introducing a new food, start slowly otherwise you may be dealing with some diarrhea.

PUZZLE GAME: SODA BOTTLE WITH KIBBLE
If your dog is a fast eater, you can buy a slow feeder. OR, you can create your own. Take a clean plastic bottle—make sure to remove the label if possible and the plastic ring on top—and fill with your dog’s kibble (what you would normally feed in one sitting) or some treats. Your dog will have to figure out how to get out the kibble if he/she wants to eat. This will force your dog to slow down and it will keep them entertained.
When I first started using this technique, it would take Dylan at least 30 minutes to eat all his food. As he got better at it, he got faster at finishing but anything is better than the 30 seconds without the soda bottle.
I prefer to make my slow feeders as I find that a lot of similar puzzle slow feeders are hard to clean. At least with this, I can easily clean it and then pop it in the recycling when we are done.

PUZZLE GAME: MUFFIN TIN & TENNIS BALL
This is another fun interactive game you can play with your dog. All you need is a muffin tin, a couple of balls of some sort, and some kibble (or treats). Don’t let your dog see. Now, put some treats in a couple of different muffin compartments and cover them. Cover some empty compartments as well. Put it down and let your dog figure out where the treats are and how to get them out. DON’T CHEAT & HELP!!
Dylan eventually ruined the game because he would use his big paws and just flip over the whole tin. But, it was fun while it lasted.

BASIC COMMANDS/TRAINING
One of the best things that you can do for you and your dog is to train some basic commands. Finding a good trainer and consistency are the keys to success. Some of the most important commands to learn: stay, come, leave it, drop it, and place. I could go on and on about training. But in the context of keeping your dog entertained, or at least out of trouble in the house—leave it and place are the best.
PLACE: This one is great because if done correctly, your dog will go somewhere comfortable and just chill out. They will just stay there until you give the “release” command. While on place, they can have a toy to play with or something to chew on. The only rule is that they can’t come off place. This is a lifesaver in our house especially when people come over and I don’t want them being mauled by two excited dogs. Or if I have to take an important phone call and I don’t want to be chased around the house with a squeaky toy.
LEAVE IT: This one is more interactive. Once your dog learns this command, you will be able to drop food around them and they will leave it alone. Leave it is good to practice especially if you want your dog to calm down a little bit. It’s a great way to practice self-control as well.
GIVE YOUR DOG A SPECIAL DIGGING PLACE
Dogs love to dig. Sometimes, it’s easier to just give in and let them have their way. If your dog likes to dig, you may find that like me, you end up with holes everywhere in the yard. Seeing the pure joy in their faces makes it hard to reprimand them, but I also want to be able to walk in my yard without breaking my ankle in a hole. The solution—create an area they can destroy. Training your dog to dig in one particular area will give them a place to have fun and it will keep you from being mad. Just make sure they stay in that area. You can do that by creating a fence around an area or building an elevated garden bed.

Hope this helps to give you some ideas on ways to keep your dog entertained
Keeping your dog stimulated both mentally and physically can be a full-time job but it’s very important for their (and your) well-being. Playing with your dog is a great way to strengthen your bond with your dog. Like people, dogs benefit from learning new things. And hopefully, by playing with them and teaching them new skills, it will help to stop them from destroying your house.
October 22, 2019