Food Puzzles Are a Great Cure for Winter Slacking

Bitter cold in the mornings. Dark by 5 p.m. And snow. If you’re anything like me, that combination doesn’t exactly jumpstart my motivation — especially when it comes to walking Stella.  At 15, Stella is more forgiving if I cut back on the number of walks we take during the winter. I also have the luxury of a backyard for her, but that’s not always the case for city dwellers and their pets.

Food puzzles aren't just for dogs. Cats can benefit from them, too. Spot volunteered to test this model for us.

If your dog is younger and high-energy, slacking isn’t an option — if you want to be able to relax! Regular exercise for your dog (and you) can’t be overlooked when it comes to maintaining your pup’s health. It helps keep your dog physically fit. It can also help curb unwanted behavioral problems, such as chewing and excessive barking. If you don’t find a way to work out your dog’s energy, he or she will likely find a way to do it him- or herself — and possibly in a way that is not very pleasing to you.

When it comes to keeping your dog’s unwanted behaviors in check, don’t overlook the power of a puzzle. I’ve seen dogs exhausted after working a food puzzle, which makes it a great solution for this time of year.

In the wild, coyotes and wolves — both dog relatives — spend a lot of time hunting for food. It’s both mentally and physically stimulating for them. Your dog, however, can walk up to the Ruff Haus counter and get a treat just about any time. In other words, the stimulation their ancestors got from hunting has been removed from the equation. They know another meal is just around the corner.

This is where a food puzzle can help. This can be as simple as a treat filled with frozen, wet dog food or something more complex, such as puzzles specially designed to get your dog in touch with his or her inner hunter.

THE TEST
I recently ordered some wooden food puzzles. But I wanted to test them out before recommending them. So I enlisted one of my regulars, whom I knew might benefit.

Stella D. goes to work on her Dog Tornado puzzle.

Meet my Stella’s good buddy, Stella D. Stella D. is a high-energy, sassy dog of about 5. She’s also a bit misshapen — think German Shepherd body with little Corgi legs. Stella D. needs regular exercise to keep calm in her apartment. But when she injured her leg recently, the vet ordered her to lay off the exercisefor at least a month.  So Stella D.’s mom purchased the Dog Tornado puzzle model and put it to the test.

THE RESULTS
The concept behind the Dog Tornado puzzle is simple: It has four disk layers that rotate. The bottom three layers have openings where you conceal the treats. Your dog must rotate these disks to get to the treat.

Overall, Stella D. enjoys the puzzle. Her mom has had to increase the difficulty of it, because it didn’t take Stella D. long to figure out how to turn the puzzle to find the treats. But it keeps Stella D. busy for about 15 to 20 minutes, and Stella gets excited when she sees the puzzle come out.

One thing to note: The puzzles work best with some floor traction. Put it on a carpeted surface or on your dog’s bed to keep the puzzle from sliding all over the floor while your dog is playing with it.

We have a few other options available, too, including balls that you can drop treats into that can keep a dog happily occupied. Stop in and talk with us about your pets and we can help match you to the right puzzle to keep them active indoors.

Poinsettias Really Aren’t the Big Bad

But they certainly have gotten the rep over the years that just having one of these festive plants near your pet means certain doom.

Poinsettias have quite the lethal reputation, but they are actually classified as only mildly toxic to pets.

According to the ASPCA, the urban legend of the potently poisonous plant started in the early part of the 20th century, after the 2-year-old child of a U.S. Army officer allegedly died from consuming a poinsettia leaf. While poinsettias can cause your pet’s tummy to get upset, they are actually only classified as mildly toxic. In other words, you don’t need to strictly ban them from your home, but do keep them out of paw’s reach so curious pets don’t feast on them.

That said, there are other items common to holiday festivities that are of greater concern. Here’s the lowdown:

Holly & Mistletoe. Deck the halls without the holly. Or the mistletoe, for that matter. Holly can cause vomiting, diarrhea and even depression in your dog or cat. Meanwhile, mistletoe can cause tummy and throat troubles, too.

Chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more harmful it can be. Symptoms can range from vomiting and diarrhea to seizures and even death. Pets — especially dogs — are often intrigued by what they see their humans eating. Curious dogs stealing from a nearby plate are often unintended victims.

Table bones. You may want to include your dogs in your holiday festivities by giving them a juicy bone from your turkey or a nice meaty bone from a ribeye. But bones not made specifically for your dog can splinter off, creating not only a choking hazard, but one that could rupture your dog’s stomach or GI tract. If you want to give your dog a special holiday treat, stop in. The bones we sell here are specially cooked or raw, which are safe for pets.

Fruitcake. It’s not necessarily the fruitcake that’s bad — it’s what’s in it. Raisins (and grapes) are extremely toxic to pets. They can cause kidney failure in them. Which also brings us to the other fruitcake ingredient…

Alcohol. Whether the booze is in baked goods like fruitcake or out of the glass, it is harmful to your pets. Aside from vomiting and diarrhea, it can cause decreased coordination, a depressed central nervous system and even coma.

Tinsel. A shiny, sparkling, dangling object is too much for a cat to resist. So if you have a cat, it’s best to avoid tinsel all together.  A friend of mine found out her cat had attacked the tinsel when the litter box had silver, sparkly bits in it the next day. She’s lucky though — tinsel can get stuck in a cat’s (or dog’s) intestinal tract, often requiring surgery.

Liquid potpourris. Who doesn’t like the spicy smell of simmering cinnamon or the woodsy sent of pine? But these oil-based scents can be dangerous to pets — especially curious felines who are more likely to walk in places where these would be kept. Severe mouth chemical burns, fevers, seizures  and difficulty breathing can result.

Hops, on the hand, are very toxic to your pets.

The Christmas tree — specifically the Christmas tree water. (Although ingesting the tree needles would certainly hurt.) If a dog finds a toilet bowl worthy of a drink, he or she will have no problem being lured in by the tree water. Standing water is a breeding ground for bacteria. Be especially careful if you put chemicals in the water to help preserve the tree. And we all know what happened when Uncle Eddy let Snot drink the tree water.

Brewers beware: Hops. OK, so this isn’t technically a holiday item. But as a home brewer myself, it’s near and dear to me and worth a mention. While hops may make for a tasty home brew, they are highly toxic to dogs. They can cause seizures and death. When brewing, make sure your pet doesn’t get into these.

The best way to keep your pets safe from toxic items is to not keep them around. We can help you find a special treat to spoil your pets with on Christmas morning  — one they’ll surely enjoy and will be made with their unique needs in mind.

Also, you should have the ASPCA’s handy animal poison center link handy. It’s got a wealth of information on what is and isn’t toxic to pets, including a searchable plant database.

Spot’s Battle of the Toothbrush … And How I Won

Today, Spot's gums are looking healthier and we haven't had to extract any teeth. He has no problems sampling a variety of treats.

When we adopted Spot last year, he came with some dental issues. His gums were swollen and would often bleed. I could tell it would make him uncomfortable by the way he would open his mouth. After checking with the vet, he actually suggested Spot would need to have some teeth extracted. Before resorting to that though, I decided I’d try to brush his teeth to see if that would help.

Sounds easy … unless you’ve ever tried to brush a cat’s teeth.

I did try. I took out the cat toothbrush and paste and tried to start Spot off on the right paw with maintaining his teeth. But he’d squirm, get stressed out and run and hide behind the bags of dog food, or climb to safety in his cat tree. And every time, he’d give me the stink eye. I was hesitant to keep stressing him out, since as many of you have seen, Spot is a laid back, social guy. I didn’t want to risk losing that by making him fearful.

Outsmarting Spot
It became clear the only way I was going to be able to “brush” Spot’s teeth was if I could find a way to trick him. It was a great opportunity to test a product called PlaqueOff Animal from ProDen. PlaqueOff is a powder that is sprinkled on your pet’s food.

Dogs will enjoy keeping their chops healthy by gnawing on products, such as these bones and antlers.

The claim: Daily doses of PlaqueOff will reduce tartar and plaque buildup. An added perk? Your pets’ breath will improve.

The directions: Sprinkle one-half to to 1 scoop (scoop included) into your pet’s food daily. The seaweed in the product reduces plaque and tartar build up within three to eight weeks.

So I started mixing it into Spot’s and Cisco’s breakfast. I was honestly amazed at how well it worked. Spot’s bleeding has stopped and his gums are not inflamed; even Cisco’s gums look healthier. Aside from the visual results I see, I can also smell that their breath has improved.

I also know it’s working because there was one week where I hadn’t given it to them every day and Spot’s gums became inflamed and began to bleed again.

The product can also be used for dogs, too. But your dog might prefer to chew on some of the special bones and antlers we have in the shop that help keep your dog’s teeth healthy. This is what I’ve always done for Stella — she enjoys her bones and is never the wiser to the added health benefits.

Just don’t buy into the idea that kibble is a viable option for keeping your pet’s teeth free of plaque. In fact, kibble is often the cause of dental issues in pets, since when it’s chewed, it creates a paste that can lodge up above your pet’s gum line, leading to plaque buildup.

The Bottom Line
When it comes to gum disease, dogs and cats are no different than us. It’s an infection that forms around teeth and gums that results from too much plaque. And it can also cause more than mouth problems. Research shows that dogs with periodontal disease have more damage to their heart muscle, liver and kidneys.

So caring for your pets’ teeth is an important part of keeping them healthy. Chronic bad breath is one of the first signs of a problem. If you are noticing the signs of gum disease in your pet, stop in we can find a product to help. And while you’re here, you can also check out Spot’s healthy chops.

I’ve Never Found Chicken Beaks to be an Appetizing Meal

And I’m guessing your pets probably don’t either. So I want to help you keep your pets happy and healthy, as I’ve seen firsthand how proper nutrition can impact pets. That’s why, now, through the end of the year, bring me the bag of dog or cat food you are currently feeding your pet, and I’ll give you a free bag of Nature’s Variety. I want you to see the difference, too!

Knowing where your pet food comes from is also important. I remember a customer coming to me upset because the food she’d been feeding her two cats was part of the 2007 nationwide pet food recall. She thought she’d been doing everything right — buying quality food from one of the big box pet chains. It was higher cost than other foods available, but she didn’t care because she was giving her pets what she thought was good nutrition. She’d researched the food company and liked that they used “natural” ingredients. So she was devastated to find out that her “high-quality” cat food had been causing kidney failure and death in cats in the U.S.

SATISFIED FELINES: Phoebe and Ty are two of my regulars. They became Ruff Haus customers after the food they were getting from a big box pet store was part of the nationwide 2007 pet food recall. I'm proud to say that none of the food sold at Ruff Haus was a part of that recall.

In the end, it came back to a pet food manufacturer, Menu Foods. The company was producing several of the low-cost and high-end pet foods that lined the shelves at many chain stores. Some major brands you see at your local grocery and major pet food stores were affected, including Iams/Eukanuba and Nutro. An investigation later found the products were contaminated with chemicals that caused renal failure in pets.

I tell this story by way of reminding how easy it is to be mislead by marketing. I talked with this customer for a bit and helped educate her on what she was feeding her pet. It’s easy to fall prey to marketing, especially when there are claims of it being “natural.” Chicken beaks are natural. But is that something you’d want to feed your pet?  Pretty labels and good design don’t equate quality.

I Do The Research So You Don’t Have To
You wouldn’t expect to feel good eating a diet of preservative-laden foods. In fact, eating a bad diet has been linked to fatigue and constipation to more serious matters like cancer and heart disease. It’s no different for our furry companions. Whether human or a pet companion, nutrition makes a difference.

Before I stock any food or treat in Ruff Haus, I do my research. I look for food that undergoes the least amount of processing so it is as close as possible to what your pet would eat in the wild. I look at the back panel — the front might not be attractive, but it’s the nutrition panel that counts. It also has to contain quality protein.

For example, a food label my say the crude protein level is appropriate, but what does that really mean? It all comes back to what constitutes the protein. Real chicken, lamb and eggs are examples of quality proteins that your pet’s body can use and digest most efficiently. They’ll eat less and get more nutritional punch from their food. That’s the kind of protein I look for and stock at Ruff Haus. Hair is “natural” and would up the protein levels on some food brands. However, it’s not an acceptable source of a protein and your pet would have to eat more of the food just to get his or her nutritional requirements.

You may also automatically shy away from “byproducts” on labels. But the truth is not all byproducts are bad. Organ meats, like lungs, are a great protein for your pet. That kind of byproduct gets the OK from me. Ground up chicken feet or feathers? Not so much.

Why I’ll Take Your Current Food
I was reminded of that customer’s story when I heard P&G purchased Natura last year. I made the difficult decision to sever ties with the company, since I could no longer guarantee the quality of their products. At the time, Natura was one of the more popular brands in the store. Popularity and profitability are not traits that get food on the shelves at Ruff Haus, nor will they keep them there if quality is compromised.

So stop in and take me up on my food exchange offer. We can talk about your pet’s unique needs and what food might be best for him or her. Or, you can just exchange your current bag and head right out! But we’d love to hear your feedback on how your pet likes the food.

Tame Your Pet’s Tummy with a Raw Diet

THE BEFORE: Roxy before her tummy was tamed.

When Joe and Colleen Stein adopted their dog, Roxy, the lab mix had a few issues to work through. One of the most troubling was her persistent stomach problems.

“She’d be panicked to go outside at 2 a.m. or be vomiting on the bed, but for no apparent medical reason,” Colleen recalls. Repeated trips to the vet didn’t bring any real solutions. So the Steins put together an apothecary of products for Roxy to help ease her tummy woes. Supplies of Pepcid, boiled chicken and antibiotics were on hand at all times, just in case Roxy’s stomach issues flared up.

They decided to visit Ruff Haus to see if there was a food solution. That day, they left with some Stella and Chewy’s raw to mix in with Roxy’s kibble. That simple change solved what multiple vet visits and other remedies could not, and Roxy was like a new dog. “The change in her appetite and digestion was almost immediate,” Stein says.

THE AFTER: Roxy has thrived since raw food was introduced into her diet.

Reaping the Raw Benefits
Doing a simple Google search for raw pet foods will bring you a mixed bag of results. But it’s the testimonials like Stein’s that are hard to ignore. It was a similar plight that resulted in the Stella and Chewy’s products you see today. Like Roxy, Marie Moody, founder of the company, started feeding her dog, Chewy, a raw diet, to help get the sickly dog’s diet back on track. Chewy and his dog pal, Stella, thrived on the diet.

It’s this kind of feedback the company consistently hears from happy customers.

“We also receive testimonials from many pet owners that tell us that their pet literally would not eat much else that they had tried, until Stella & Chewy’s,” says Moody.  In addition to pleasing even the most fickle of palates, dogs and cats also get the added benefit of the positive changes like Roxy experienced.

Less processing means your pet is reaping more nutrients. “Feeding your pet a natural, raw diet can help support many positive changes including increased stamina and strength, improved appetite and digestion, a healthy skin and coat, increased vitality and a healthy immune system for pets,” says Moody.

Is It Safe?
You always hear the warnings: Cook your meat properly to avoid E. coli, salmonella and any number of foodborne illnesses. Not to mention raw chicken isn’t the most appetizing to look at. So when people hear “raw diet,” for pets, they may give pause.

Stella & Chewy's offers a variety of raw and freeze-dried products sure to satisfy even the most fickle of palettes.

However, Stella & Chewy’s Dinners and Treats are produced with the exclusive SecureByNature^TM food safety process designed to eliminate the threat of any harmful bacteria while naturally keeping the food’s flavor and nutrition value in check.  As an added safety measure, every batch is tested by an independent lab before it is shipped. So not only are they safe for your pet to eat—they are also safe for you to handle.  Stella & Chewy’s is so confident in the quality and safety of its products, the test results are posted on the company’s website.

People also fear “raw” equates to “messy.” But the company’s frozen raw products are easy to handle and come with simple instructions.  Stella and Chewy’s also makes freeze-dried Dinner and Treats that are shelf-stable, and easy to transport and store too.  “Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried line offers the benefits of raw food with the convenience dry food, making it perfect for people with busy lifestyles or who want the added convenience,” says Moody.

Nowadays, Roxy still enjoys her Stella Chewy’s food and a tame tummy. “She eats consistently with such gusto,” Stein says. “And as a nice side effect, her coat looks amazing.”

Try It For Yourself
While there is no food right for every dog and cat, you can try a bit of a raw to see the difference. Now through December 10, Ruff Haus customers looking to try Stella & Chewy’s — or customers who already love it — can save $3 on a 3-pound bag or $5 on a 6-pound bag of frozen. Or buy one, 1.125-pound bag and get one free (limit two per customer).

Dog Wash To Benefit New Leash On Life This Sunday!!

Join us this Sunday July 12th from 12-4! Volunteers from New Leash On Life Dog Rescue will be washing dogs to raise money for their no kill rescue. Cost is $20 and includes bath and refreshments.

http://us1.campaign-archive.com/?u=1a556687089b26108f8e0cfe9&id=29ee1886c0

Who Stole The Soul?

Lose that funky smelling collar and get on the good foot with a new collar from Souldier. These vintage collars are made right here in Chicago. They feature striking vintage fabrics with a musical twist.

You see Souldier is better known for making sweet guitar straps worn by some of today’s most popular artists.

Their vintage fabrics have also been worn by Hendrix, Page, Muddy, and more. Stop in and check out these great new locally made collars and let your freak flag fly.

What’s Up With The Records?

It started with collars. I was thinking of a way to merchandise the studded/spiked collars and I remembered the classic Lou Reed live album “Rock And Roll Animal”. The cover depicts Lou donning spiked cuffs and and a matching dog collar worn around the neck. The image and album title were perfect. On the wall it went. But it wasn’t alone. Who can think of Reed in the 70′s and not think of his pal David and their infamous escapades? “Diamond Dogs” was a must for the wall.  Now if I can just find a single of “I Wanna Be Your Dog” the trio will be complete.

The collection grew. Any LP with reference to dogs, cats, or just, as in the Reed album, animal qualifies. Believe me there are many. In addition to searching the bins at local record stores, I have been fortunate to have customers bring in items from their own collections. This has expanded the collection to include a copy of the Animals debut on reel to reel, vintage sheet music, 45′s, and even a die cast toy car that celebrates the Beach Boys “Pet Sounds”. “Pet Sounds” incidentally was a groove away from being the name of the store 9 years ago.

So what started as a simple idea to display some product has grown to personify the store itself. Does it make sense? I’m not really sure, I just know that I’m as passionate about music as I am about helping people care for their pets.

Plato Pet (Wise Treats For Dogs)

Be sure to ask for a sample from Plato Pet the next time you’re in the store. Dogs find these US made treats irresistible!

We’re stocked up with their original strips, Thinkers, and the new Farmers Market Treats.

http://www.platopettreats.com/home.html

P&G to Acquire Natura Pet Products

Last month Proctor & Gamble(Iams and Eukanuba) announced it’s acquisition of Natura Pet Products(Innova, California Natural, Evo, and Healthwise). This was a huge surprise to both loyal consumers and pet food retailers. Natura Pet has long been a leader in the natural pet food segment. That they would sell to P&G, a company found guilty of animal cruelty, was the unthinkable. Ironically, Iams and Eukanuba were viewed much the sames as Natura Pet back in 1999 when they were purchased by P&G. In the decade since, there has been a sharp decline in both quality and integrity.

Providing high quality natural pet food from trusted manufacturers is a prime objective at Ruff Haus. We support pet food companies that are truly committed to producing the best diets for your animals. It is with regret that we will not be able to recommend Natura Products anymore. They have been a part of Ruff Haus for nearly a decade but their association with P&G signals a change. Ruff Haus will remain committed to the pets we serve first, last, and always.

I know what you’re thinking, “But it’s is the only food that he/she can eat, I can’t switch.” While we understand that some situations are definitely harder than others, there’s no “magic” pet food. Change can happen and it’s good thing. There are many benefits to rotating your pet’s food. In addition to the high quality foods we already carry, we are evaluating several new lines of food that will meet our standards as well as the varied needs of our clients. We stand behind all the food we sell. If your pet won’t eat it, we’ll take it back. So stop in soon and pick up some free samples. Rest assured, we will do our homework and always provide your pets with the best available foods on the market.

Thank you for your continued support.
Rich Forsythe

If you want to learn more about P&G’s involvement with animal cruelty go here:
http://www.iamscruelty.com/introduction.asp

If you want to learn more about human rights allegations against P&G or their use of PVC go here:
http://www.knowmore.org/wiki/index.php?title=Procter_%26_Gamble_Company

If you want the chose from the best pet foods in Chicago go here:
http://ruffhauspets.com/