With the amazingly mild winter we’ve experienced in the Midwest, you and your furry pal need to be careful. The bugs are out. And they are bigger, and badder than ever.
Now, there are some flea and tick remedies readily available at your vet or even at the big box stores that will be marketed hard to you. I will caution you that the chemical make up of these remedies are unduely harsh and not at all what we would recommend for use on your beloved pet.
We do have several options available that we DO recommend and I want to take a moment to introduce you to them.
Some of these products are preventative, and some work well for relief. Regardless of which of these you decided to use, you are making a healthier choice for your pet.
If you are looking for a great all over yard remedy, then try this spray from Vet’s Best.
This natural formula of Peppermint Oil and Clove Extract safely kills ticks and fleas – and flea eggs – by contact in the yard. And, as an added bonus, it works on mosquitoes too! Hook it up to your garden hose and spray away. And the great news is that you should only have to do this all-over spray a few times per season to get a good handle on your yard.
Another great choice for keeping your pet protected is Charlie Dog by Bobbi Panter.
This awesome shampoo contains Clove Oil, Lavender Oil, Cedarwood and Citronella to guard against fleas, ticks, lice, mosquitos and other pesky insects. This is perfect for the dog that rolls in the leaves or just takes a walk outside. In addition to getting rid of unwanted pests, it is great at repelling insects for a long after use. The great thing about Charlie Dog is that it is safe for everyone ~ dogs and puppies, cats and kittens of all ages and has a gentle cleanser so it won’t wash off topical flea and tick products.
We have some great flea spray options as well…think of them as “bug spray” for pets. Flea Flicker Tick Kicker is one option.
All you have to do is spray on your pet’s fur. Flea Flicker works by repelling and killing fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. This spray is also environmentally friendly as well as all natural so it’s safe for your pet.
The other spray option is Buzz Guard.
What we recommend with this product is start by spraying Buzz Guard onto your hands and then massage onto your dog’s ears, abdomen, legs, and head. Another great idea is to spray Buzz Guard on a bandana and then wrap it around your pet’s neck.
The Shoo Tag works with the (stay with me here) natural electricity of the body. It is the ULTIMATE in natural when repelling insects.
Simply attach the Flea and Tick Barrier Shoo Tag onto your dog’s collar. The tag uses electromagnetic frequencies that align with your dog’s electrical field to form a barrier. There are absolutely no chemiclas and it is an odorless method of protection. The great news is we carry a people version of this product to repel mosquitoes!
Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth is a great option for pets who have a pest problem.
It consists of the dried skeletons of microscopic sea creatures called diatoms (basically a fine ground sea shell). Wholistic Diatomaceous Earth is a safe, non-chemical alternative to pest control. The diatoms act like glass cutting the exoskeleton (the outer shell covering) of the parasite and exposing their inner organs ~ and we know what happens next! This product can be sprinkled on bed’s bedding or in other known areas of pest activity (including directly on your pet). It will destroy fleas, ants and other pests.
And what do you use if you see a tick on your furry buddy? Well, the Tick Key, that’s what.
Tick Key uses natural forward leverage to remove ticks from dogs, head and all. You don’t have to worry about squishing engorged ticks thanks to the no-touch use of Tick Key. This tick removal device is 99.9% effective and can even be used on people!
And, because you know we love you and your fur friends, and know that some of you may have already started on other flea and tick products than the ones I’ve shown you today, I want to bring Milk Thistle by Herbsmith to your attention.
This amazing product acts as a liver cleanser for your pet. So, anytime you have to introduce medications or the like to your pet’s system, you should be using this little gem too. Milk Thistle helps to combat the harsh effects to your pet’s system, and has the added benefit of helping animals with allergies and digestive issues to boot!
All of the products I’ve shown you today are available at either of our locations and our online store. Be sure to stop by and let us know if you have any questions, we’d love to help you out!
We have more fun and exciting news to share with you! We have found a wonderful new manager for our 75th Street (Springbrook) location and her name is Heather. We’ve been busily training her to join our family, so many of you may have already met her; however, she will be at the store full time starting tomorrow and we couldn’t be more excited.
Heather is a huge animal lover. Her two dogs, Lilu, a Corgie & Sheltie mix, and Ahsoka, a Border Collie could not be happier about her decision to join Two Bostons. Fans of the bully sticks, Lilu and Ahsoka are what Heather describes as “the goofiest kids I could ask, for especially when they’re together.” In true sibling fashion, Ahsoka likes to nip at Lilu’s tail, which was docked before Heather got her. This is not Lilu favorite activity and often causes temper tantrums; however, like siblings will do, all is forgotten soon enough. Ahsoka also loves to play with the chuck-it and get the Border Collie energy out, while Lilu enjoys treats from the bakery.
Thrilled to be part of the team, Heather enjoys t he positive atmosphere and the amazing selection of products that Two Bostons carries. “I can fully trust Andy and AdreAnne’s selection in what they bring into their store,” she says. When not at the store, you may catch Heather reading in her portable hammock, playing at the Greene Valley Dog Park, or hanging out with her family and friends. An avid movie buff, Heather plans on adding the movie “The Avengers” to her “seen more than seven times” list, too!
Please join us in welcoming Heather to our family and say hi to her the next time you are at our Springbrook store!
The snow is officially gone and your yard is…well, let’s just agree that your lawn isn’t looking its most lush, shall we?
And those burnt spots of grass…you thought those were seasonal? They are. Every season, that is.
How is it possible that your dog is burning your lawn year round? Well, it’s not due to an imbalance of PH as you might think. It is nitrogen.
Excessive nitrogen from water in the urine to be specific.
And guess what? One of the main ingredients in lawn fertilizer is nitrogen. Being creatures of habit, your dog likes to relieve him/herself in the same spots time and again. Doing so is akin to dumping a handful of fertilizer over and over again in the same spots ~ thereby burning your lawn.
So how can you fix the problem?
Well, one way is to get your pooch on a higher quality food so that they are processing their nutrients correctly.
The other way is with these:
Dog Rocks.
You heard me! Dog Rocks.
Dog Rocks are really real rocks. No fooling. They are quarried in Australia, and are a safe, non-toxic, all natural remedy to yard burns.
How do you use them?
Well, you don’t scatter them around your yard if that is what you are thinking. You put them in your dog’s water dish and they drink as usual.
Yes, it’s that easy.
They work by binding the excess nitrogen in the drinking water giving your dog a better quality of drinking water (which will actually help your lawn ~ remember the main ingredient in fertilizer?) The rocks contain zeolite traces which are often used in aquariums to filter water safely and naturally.
They are simple to use. Open the bag, rinse the rocks off, place in your dog’s water dish and top off the water to refill rather than start fresh every time.
They will work if your dog drinks from a Drinkwell too. Simply put them in back, under the reservoir.
Have a dog that loves to take them out and play with them? Or a sloppy drinker and you wash your bowl every day? No problem! Simply fill a pitcher with water and put the rocks in there. That way you can use the water from the pitcher every time you fill the bowl and you will still be able to reap the benefits of the rocks.
They work rather quickly…usually within the first 24 hours you will notice your pet will stop leaving new lawn burns. (This does not mean that your current brown patches will go away overnight…you will still have to nurse those back to health, but you won’t have any NEW burns to deal with!)
Dog Rocks are safe for any pet sharing your dog’s water source (such as cats, rabbits, etc.). And, as I said before, they are all natural. No yeast like in other lawn burn prevention products. Landscapers have been known to endorse Dog Rocks since, with the appropriate level of nitrogen, your dog’s urine can actually help your lawn (remember the fertilizer again?)
We carry Dog Rocks in two package sizes. The small package is a 2 month supply and the large package is a 6 month supply. You should use the rocks year round too, since your dog will continue to burn your lawn in every season…you just don’t always see your lawn!
Shed Happens…for some dogs more than others.
Hi everyone, Kate again. These may be silly questions, but is your dog guilty of leaving tufts of fur around the house or coating the sofas like a decorative cover? Is your vacuum clogging from dog fur time and again? I recently went to visit my parents and their Siberian Huskies and this is what I saw! (Shh! Don’t tell them I am publicly posting this!)
Sara has been blowing her winter coat for a couple of weeks now, leaving those small tufts of white fur everywhere. I went back to visit with the Furminator in hand to help control the shedding. After just a few brushing sessions Sara was looking slim!
This fur has been collected over a week’s time from Sara alone.
Now she’s ready for Spring!
You may be asking how the Furminator works. It is a fine-toothed comb that pulls the dead fur from the undercoat. It does not cut or damage the top coat. Since some breeds do not have an undercoat, it is not recommended for dogs that are classified as “non-shedding”. By weekly and even daily brushing you are collecting dead fur and dander and preventing it from hanging on until it conveniently decides to let go onto your sofa or car seat.
This brush is great for dogs of all fur lengths, as my beagle, Remington has benefited from a good brushing as well. I used his regular brush immediately followed by the Furminator. Regular brushing missed this much!
We have 3 sizes of the Furminator brush in stock at both of our Two Bostons locations. This brush is great not only for dogs but also cats, rabbits and horses! In fact, this product is ideal for cats that are especially prone to hairballs. If you still aren’t completely convinced the Furminator is going to work for you, we urge you to give it a try. The company offers a 30-day money back guarantee for their brushes.
When I moved Diesel over to a healthier diet, one of the first foods I tried was Stella & Chewy’s freeze dried. Here is the deal with this little bag of raw goodness.
A. It is EXACTLY like the raw frozen Stella & Chewy’s patty
and
2. It is EXACTLY NOT like the raw frozen Stella & Chewy’s patty
How can that be?
Well, it’s simple really. It is the exact same patty (and I do mean the exact one) but the process of freeze drying makes it amazingly easy to handle.
I’m talking like you-open-the-bag-and-you-have-lift-off-easy-to-handle.
For real. It truly doesn’t get easier to feed raw than this nifty product.
- Forget having to remember taking your frozen patties out hours ahead of time.
- Forget dealing with breaking up the meat (those of you who don’t eat or handle much meat, like myself, will appreciate this).
- Forget having to change your form of feeding when you leave town so your sitter will feed your dog.
- Forget having to bring a cooler with when you are travelling for your raw patties.
- Forget hitting the gym so you can lift those heavy bags of frozen raw patties. (Well, you should still hit the gym, but just not to bulk up in order to pick up raw food.)
All those things are in the past!
Stella & Chewy’s freeze-dried patties can be fed right out of the bag. In a bowl, like a treat, on a boat, with a fox… oh, wait, never mind.
They crumble nicely and you can add them as a topper over kibble to enhance the flavor or add more protein. Fed that way, they can help your dog gain a bit of weight if needed.
They are processed very minimally and very healthy for your dog. And, if my assistant is any indication, your dog is going to L.O.V.E. them. In fact, there he is right there…say hi Diesel!
He says hi.
I also wanted to let you know that the fine folks over at Stella & Chewy’s take their food safety seriously. Each bag has this printed on the back:
Their facility has a crazy, super powerful air purifier AND they take all their equipment apart EVERY. NIGHT. to wash and sterilize. SO you can be sure you are giving your dog the highest quality raw food on the market.
And look here…
a lot number on every single bag, so that the fine folks over at Stella & Chewy’s can keep track of all their goodies.
So, if you’ve been skirting around trying raw for a while now, or if you are a tried and true raw food feeder, head on over to either store and stock up! You will not be disappointed.
And, because we love you, and it’s Spring, but mostly because we love you, ALL Stella & Chewy’s products (freeze dried, frozen raw, and treats) will be 25% off for the entire month of April at Two Bostons~ yes, you read that correctly, ALL Stella & Chewy’s products will be 25% off for the ENTIRE month of April at Two Bostons.
With Easter candy running rampant in most of our homes we must take extra precautions to make sure our fur friends are safe.
As an educated dog owner, you know that a healthy diet is imperative for your dog’s well being. You also know that feeding your dog appropriate table scraps or “people food” is not the worst thing in the world. However, there is one bit of information that you should not EVER ignore…Chocolate really is poison to dogs.
I know that it is difficult to fathom, that something so delicious to us could be so deadly to our fur buddies. But it is true. Heed the warnings.
I actually, unfortunately, know this from experience. Mr. Pig (long story on the name) was a pure breed German Shepherd dog we had before Diesel. He was a very curious and rambunctious dog, who liked to get into everything. I used to have to put a lock down on the house before leaving because I couldn’t crate him as he would figure out ways to wedge himself under the bars and hurt himself.
One day, I wasn’t as diligent as I thought (although in my defense, the chocolate was ON TOP of our microwave which was ON TOP of our 5 foot tall microwave stand) and he got into a large amount of milk chocolate. I was terrified when I came home and saw the wrappers all over the floor. I immediately called my vet. She told me to try to induce vomiting, which isn’t as easy as it sounds when dealing with a dog, and to get him in to her as soon as I could. I ended up having his stomach pumped. I was terrified that my negligence would kill my dog. It was rough. In the end, he ended up being fine, but let me tell you, that was THE MOST expensive chocolate I’ve ever had!
So what is it about chocolate that is so bad for dogs? Well, chocolate contains theobromine. This is a naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, and that is what is poisonous to dogs. Theobromine affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle and increases urination.
How can you tell if your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate? Well within the first few hours, the symptoms includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. The longer the chocolate is in your dog’s system, the more theobromine he will absorb. You will begin to see an increase in heart rate. This is bad because it can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting.
This can lead to hypothermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.
Know this…not all chocolate is created equal. And, the age and relative health of your dog is going to be a deciding factor on just how severely your dog will react to eating chocolate. The following chart gives you an idea of chocolate poisoning for a generally healthy, average age dog:
- White chocolate: 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20-pound dog, 125 pounds for a 10-pound dog.
- Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog; one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog.
- Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level. Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20-pound dog; 1/6 pound for a 10-pound dog.
- Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per pound body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers’ chocolate is toxic to a 20-pound dog; one ounce for a 10-pound dog. Source
There is a safe alternative for your pooch. Carob is a substitute you can offer your dog as a treat without the fear and worry that chocolate possesses. It is actually a nutritious alternative as it contains 8% protein and traces of vitamin A, B, B2, B3 and D. Carob is also high in phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, iron and calcium. These vitamins and minerals are vital in the promotion of healthy bones, teeth, eyes and coat.
Next time you want to give your pal a treat, consider our Puppy Kisses. They are our most popular treat! The trio contains carob, yogurt, and peanut butter discs and the flavors are sold in individual containers as well.
Please learn from my mistake and keep your chocolate well out of reach. For the sake of everyone’s health and safety, we should really only see the words “chocolate” and “dog” together in the following context:
Hi friends! Erica here, from the Springbrook store. You may remember me from my past write up about training my Bernese Mountain Dog puppy for the show ring using Salmon Paws jerky treats. This time I will educate you about premixes.
What is a premix you ask? A dog food premix, is a mixture of dehydrated or freeze dried vegetables, fruits, vitamins and minerals that is reconstituted with the addition of water. To create a complete balanced meal for your dog you can add meat to a reconstituted premix for a delicious homemade meal. Two Bostons carries four premixes, Preference by Honest Kitchen, Dr Harvey’s Veg- to-Bowl, Grandma Lucy’s Artisan Premix and SoJos Grain Free Mix. I am going to focus on Preference by Honest Kitchen and SoJos.
First of all, you may be wondering why one would use a premix. Premixes are great for raw feeders whom source their own meat, but want to make sure they are providing a balanced meal. They are perfect for the dog that must have protein sources that cannot be found in prepared diets. One may use a premix for a dog that is on a limited protein diet because you have complete control of how much meat you add to the mix. They can be fed in addition to an existing diet to supplement your dog’s diet with fruits and veggies. You may also choose a premix if you simply enjoy making homemade meals for your fur kids. I have found a frozen patty of the mix to be a good teething aid for puppies.
Preference by Honest Kitchen is made of dehydrated fruits and vegetables as well as a custom vitamin-mineral premix with balanced calcium: phosphorus ratios. The ingredients are 100% human grade and the mix is made in the USA. To prepare the premix you simply add water according to the specifications on the box, stir well and hydrate for about five minutes. Once the mix is hydrated the meat is ready to be added. I am a raw feeder, so I choose to add various raw proteins. I rotate between beef, turkey, chicken, goat and duck. You may gently cook the meat as well if you choose. A great benefit of using premixes is the flexibility it affords you in meal preparation. Since I have multiple very large dogs, it is easiest for me to make very large batches of food from which I prepare patties and freeze in portioned out bags. I can then simply remove the necessary amount from the freezer each day to thaw.
Sojos premix is similar to Preference. The biggest difference is the length of time it takes to hydrate. The package recommends letting the mix sit for at least an hour once the water is added. I have found it is best to let it sit overnight. The texture of Sojos is much courser than Preference. Both premixes have great ingredients.
Now I am going to discuss the benefits of various ingredients that I find important to add to my dogs’ diets that are added to both of these premixes. Sweet potatoes are an excellent antioxidant, a good source of fiber and have been proven to reduce inflammation. Both Preference and Sojos use sweet potatoes in their recipe. Next, we have alfalfa, which has many powerful benefits. Among the many benefits are detoxification of the body, reduction of cholesterol and blood sugar levels and increased liver health. Alfalfa is also rich in natural vitamins and minerals and is known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Both premixes add alfalfa, but it is much higher on the ingredient list in Preference. Kelp is an essential addition to your dogs diet and both premixes use this ingredient. Kelp is rich in iodine, which is critical for thyroid health. Kelp promotes a thick lustrous coat and reduction in shedding. Other great veggies, fruits essential vitamins and antioxidant properties are a part of both of these diets.
Whichever you choose you can be sure you are giving your furry friend a diet packed with the best nutrients to promote health and vitality.
Hey there! Chelsea from Downtown here. I wanted to tell you about my two favorite cat treats. I have two cats who are around a year old, LuLu and Hunter, and I am always looking for treats for them because, well, they LOVE treats! (Well, they also LOVE to eat…so I felt it was my duty to take one for the team and try out some treats to show you all. I know, I know, it’s was tough, but I was glad to do it!)
The company Get Naked has made four new chicken cat treats and we just got them in! In fact, they are so new, we don’t even have them up on our website yet! Feel free to call the store and we can help you out if you are interested in getting one of these.
I bought the Urinary Health and Furball Relief out of the four. The Get Naked treats are all are semi-small heart shaped and they are wheat, corn, soy, and petroleum free. They all practically contain the same ingredients all of the including chicken, fish oil (which is very good for their skin and fur) and taurine (which helps with eye sight, which dry kibble also contains).
Let’s talk about the options you have with these treats. The first one is the Kitten Health. It helps with furball relief. These are soft and moist. There is also Omega-3 to encourage cognitive health in growing kittens. The second one in the picture is Weight Management. This one helps with plaque and tarter and also lower calories and fat. These treats are crunchy, more like a biscuit. Third bag of treats are Urinary Health. It contains Chicken, cranberry juice, sweet potatoes, olive lead, fish oil, and taurine. Cranberries help prevents unhealthy urinary tract health. Olive leaf extract is a natural source of antioxidants. Lastly, Furball Relief treats are soft and moist and help with digestive health. This one contains fiber and microbials and probiotics to help maintain healthy digestion. (The Pictures below are Hunter. He was happy to take one for the team too!)
But, I’m not going to leave LuLu out! Her favorite treats are the Purebites. She goes nuts for these. There are many flavors and meat options. The flavors are Chicken, Beef Liver, Shrimp, and White Fish and LuLu has tried every flavor except the Shrimp one. She loves the ones I have brought home for her.
The great thing about Purebites is that there is only one ingredient in them, so no worries on if there is grain or any other cheap ingredient. Also another positive is that they are petite in size and can be easily broken up into smaller pieces. (The pictures below are LuLu enjoying her Purebites…she was happy to take one for the team too!)
Also, another great aspect to these treats is that they are the perfect size to put in the treat ball for cats. (Which we coincidentally happen to have for you at Two Bostons).
If you try Get Naked or Purebites let us know how your kitties like them or if you have any other questions stop in and say hello!
It takes a certain type of person to love a pet…dedicated, caring, willing to pick up poop. And, as you well know, we love a good joke here at Two Bostons. That’s why I want to introduce you to a little toy that we all love at the store. Mr. Poops! Yes, you heard me…Mr. Poops. This durable rubber toy will give your dog hours and hours of clean poopy fun, and best of all…cleaning this poop up is a breeze!
This awesome toy even comes with his own story.
“Abandoned at birth, Mr. Poops could not understand why no one would want him. Alone, in the hot sun, he was left to dry out with no hope of survival. With each passing dog he hoped that he would not be so dried out and white that no one would recognize him as they sniffed looking to find a good turd. One day, Mr. Poops was ripe in the grass, covered in flies, when good fortune fell upon him and a heavy rain washed him into a storm drain where we was able to float his way to a store near you. Please adopt Mr. Poops and give him the family he deserves. Reunite him with a dog that wants to put Mr. Poops in their mouth and squeak him with the unconditional love only a dog could provide. Mr. Poops is super tough from living such a hard orphan life before being adopted by you, and has a massively fun squeaker within.”
Awww…poor, neglected Mr. Poops. I feel bad for him! And what was that? Poop that squeaks (even after the fact)? How could you NOT love that? If you must have this toy – check him out online!
We’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our Two Bostons Team…Meet Jay! He has joined us as the Manager of our Downtown location. Jay comes to us with years of retail management experience and we are thrilled that he has joined our family!
Jay and his wife Katie share their home with Jerry, their 6-month-old Chonzer (a Schnauzer-Bichon mix) who keeps them on their toes. Being that Jerry is an energetic puppy who is still teething, Jay is always looking for safe chewing options. One of his favorites is Daisy the Duck by Jax and Bones. Dunking Daisy in water and freezing her slightly goes a long way to soothing Jerry’s gums.
An avid sports fan, you can find Jay rooting for the Bulls, Bears, or Cubs…depending on the season. He enjoys all you can eat restaurants so it’ a really good thing that his other passion is working out. He also enjoys belting out a mean version of “Love Shack” with his wife Katie on the karaoke machine every now and again.
Jay’s favorite thing about working at Two Bostons so far is how every team member share all the responsibilities. Because the team is able to resolve any issue our customers can have an amazing experience here.
Next time you are Downtown be sure to stop in and say hi!
