July! One of the hottest months of the summer. We know it and love it as the month when we spend extra time splashing in the pool, fire up the grill, and head to the beach. It’s also one of the months when we celebrate a holiday with fireworks. Many pet parents have noticed that fireworks seem to start launching earlier and earlier in the season, and as such, they’ve had to calm down their nervous pets for longer. 

For the month of July, we want to focus on the importance of microchipping your pets. Here are 3 reasons why microchipping is not only a good idea - it’s a necessity: 

1. It could be a lifesaver in times of distress - like during fireworks season. Loud bangs, like thunder and fireworks, are enough to truly frighten a dog. Sometimes, in times of panic, your dog’s first reaction is to bolt, and if they run from your home while they’re not wearing a collar or ID, no one will know who they belong to. Microchips are a built-in identification that will be with your dog at all times and could save their life.

2. It’s as easy to get as a vaccination. Microchips aren’t as scary as they sound! They are administered to your dog the same way shots are, and don’t require a serious procedure. Often, animal shelters will microchip their animals before they go home with a new family, but it’s always a good idea to check with your vet to make sure your dog is properly identified.

3. It’s more effective than a collar and tag. Collars and tags are the traditional method of displaying your dog’s identification. But sometimes, especially with older collars or harnesses, they can be torn off or removed. Your dog’s microchip will be with them forever, and as long as you keep your account current, the vet can find your info to contact you if your dog gets out.

Microchipping is a quick and easy way to make sure your dog stays safe and happy, even in troubling events. This July, the month of fireworks, consider microchipping your dog if you haven’t already. We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!

Our chocolate lab, Jackson, just turned 11 this month, officially making him a senior dog. While he stays healthy with his natural food diet and bone broth, we’ve seen that he’s getting a few more aches and pains that he didn’t have when he was a young pup. Of course, everyone experiences new ailments as they age - even humans. But some age-related issues may be more difficult to detect in senior dogs.

Mercola recently published an article titled, “Age-related issues your dog may be hiding” on their Dog Health blog. What may be surprising to you is that many dogs tend to try and remain stoic as they experience some symptoms, making illnesses more difficult for you to detect. This is an instinctive action, as displaying signs of weakness or illness in the wild makes them vulnerable to predators. Even though your dog has been part of your family for years, some old instincts stay around forever.

According to Mercola, the most common age-related health issues you should look for in your dog include joint pain and arthritis, oral health issues, urinary issues, and eye health issues. Again, it can be hard to tell when your dog has an illness as he may be hiding it, but keep an eye on his regular daily behaviors and monitor if anything has changed.

To read the full article, click the link above. To stock up on bone broth to keep your senior dog healthy, browse through our website.

June marks the start of hurricane here in Florida. While Central Florida has been relatively lucky in avoiding major hurricane damage over the last few years, we know from past experience that pets often get left behind when disaster strikes. That’s why June has been decreed National Pet Preparedness Month, in hopes that animal abandonment in serious emergencies declines thanks to education and preparation.

When you’re getting your home and family ready for the hurricanes, don’t forget to have a plan in place for your dog, as well! Here are three things to keep in mind as you create your emergency preparedness plan for your pets:

1. Make sure your pets are microchipped. This should be a given in any season, not just during hurricane season! If you haven’t already microchipped your dogs, now is the time. In the event that your dog gets spooked and runs away in the middle of the storm, their microchip will allow whoever finds them to identify you as their owner and return them safely home. It’s also a good idea to give them an ID tag with your name and contact info.

2. Find a pet-friendly shelter or hotel ahead of time. Your dog is your family - make sure he has a place to stay when you leave your home in the case of an evacuation. Some evacuation shelters don’t accept dogs for safety or other reasons, but leaving your dog behind isn’t an option. Visit www.pet-friendly-hotels.net to find some of the best pet friendly spots in your area, and book in advance if it looks like an evacuation is required.

3. The buddy system works. Make sure you share your pet’s information with a neighbor, family member, or friend who lives nearby. Doing so will help you ensure that someone will be able to carry out your pet evacuation plan in the unfortunate case that you’re caught outside evacuation lines when the order is issued. You’ll want to give your buddy a copy of your house key, a copy of your evac plan, and detailed notes on where your pet’s necessary supplies are kept.

Hurricanes can make anyone nervous, including your dogs! But helping your pet stay safe and happy during a natural disaster doesn’t have to be difficult when you come prepared. Red Rover has a handy checklist so you can make sure you’ve taken care of the most important pet evacuation tasks before the storm rolls through.

This month, we’re offering 10% off all orders over $50 so you can stock up on food and broth ahead of time. There’s no code required at checkout, so get shopping! Click here to view our current products.

It’s already getting pretty hot outside! We love the summer months here in Florida as they give us lots of opportunities to take our dogs to the park or the beach for an afternoon of fun. But when you’re outside for a long time, you probably notice that you’re sweating a lot and need plenty of water to maintain your fluid levels. Even though your dog doesn’t sweat, he or she needs just as much water as you to stay hydrated and happy!

Dehydration in dogs can cause some serious health issues, including lethargy and shock. It can be easy to lose track of time when you’re playing fetch in the hot sun, but make sure you include plenty of water breaks during play time. Here are some tips to help you keep your dog hydrated this summer:

• Keep a clean water bowl on hand at all times. Cleaning your dog’s bowl daily is a necessity, especially during the summer when they’ll be drinking a lot. Sometimes, when bacteria and other buildup remains in the water bowl, your dog won’t want to drink from it. We like to clean our dogs’ water bowls every morning when we give them fresh water. You can also keep collapsible travel bowls on hand for park and beach visits.

• Don’t let your dog drink too much water too quickly. Gulping down a lot of water may seem like the right solution to dehydration, but doing so can cause stomach upset and cause your dog to vomit. Vomiting and other stomach upsets can leave your dog even more dehydrated than they were to begin with. It’s best to offer small amounts of water at regular intervals to keep their fluids up.

• Especially if you’re not home during the day, provide your dog with a bowl that he can’t knock over and is suitable for his face shape. Tall bowls are great for dogs with long ears, like basset hounds, to help prevent ear infections. However, a bowl that’s too tall for a small dog can leave them unable to drink all the way to the bottom. Make sure your active dog has a bowl with a weighted bottom so it can stand up to any roughhousing and play time.

When you give your dog outside time this summer, never leave him or her chained or tied up to a tree or post. Their ties can get wrapped around the post and prevent them from being able to reach their water sources. Always make sure you supervise play time and intersperse rest and water intervals to keep them safe and healthy. To learn more, send us an email today!

Beyond basic potty training, socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do for them as a puppy. Proper socialization will give your dog opportunities to play with other dogs, to be calm and cool around new people, and to adapt to new environments without stress or upset. But there’s more to socializing than simply introducing your dog to a situation and letting them do their thing.

Socializing an older dog is more difficult than socializing a puppy, so we recommend you take care of socialization earlier on in your pet’s life. However, sometimes in the case of rescues or extenuating circumstances, you’re unable to take care of these tasks in puppyhood. In any case, making sure your dog is socialized will help reduce fear and aggression, eliminate excitability, and make playtime, walks, and new circumstances more pleasant for both you and your dog. Here are some tips on socializing your dog the right way:

• Make sure you include lots of things your dog loves, like treats and toys. Socializing is stressful by nature - you’re exposing your dog to common stressors so they can get over them easily! Any time you go out for a socializing mission, bring plenty of your dog’s favorite treats and toys to reward them for positive behavior. Any time they get off track, readjust their behavior and reward them when they respond in the intended way.

• Don’t be afraid to use a muzzle. Cesar Chavez, who you may know as The Dog Whisperer, has recommended using a muzzle while socializing for the benefit of humans as well as dogs. Your dog can pick up on your emotions and the emotions of humans around him, so by putting other humans at ease, you’re making the environment less stressful.

• Don’t jump into any situation too quickly. We don’t recommend going into the dog park right off the bat. Instead, take your dog past the dog park a few times, letting them absorb the sights, sounds, and smells. Stay at a distance, working your way up to letting your dog sniff other dogs at the gates. If your dog reacts negatively, regain that distance and work your way back up. Socializing takes time.

As we mentioned before, try your hardest to take care of socialization tasks while your dog is a puppy instead of leaving him stressed out into adulthood. Be patient with your dog and let him feel what he’s feeling. He will set the schedule based on his comfort levels. Want to get your dog the tastiest treats for your socializing trips? Browse through our store today!