Hello, My Name Is…
From monogrammed sweaters and personalized food and water bowls to digitized collar tags and hand-made treats, owners embrace their pets as true members of the American family celebrating their fluffy, finned and feathered companions with their very own belongings

Come on....you know you've done at least a few of these!  It's okay! We all do!  Why? Because our pets are becoming more than just animals to keep around the house.  They do much more for us than chase mice and hunt food. According to a recent report from APPA, pet's are much more important to us than we thought.

• Pets Help to Lower Blood Pressure A recent study at the State University of New York at Buffalo found that people with hypertension who adopted a cat or dog had lower blood pressure readings in stressful situations than did those who did not own a pet. (Dr. Karen Allen, State University of New York at Buffalo)
• Pets Help to Reduce Stress Walking with a pet helps to sooth nerves and offers instant relaxation. Studies conducted worldwide have shown that the impact of a stressful situation is lesser on pet owners, especially males, than on those who do not own a pet. (Josephine M. Wills, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, United Kingdom)
• Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease Because pets provide people with faithful companionship, research shows they may also provide their owners with greater psychological stability, thus a measure of protection from heart disease. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Lower Health Care Costs People with pets actually make fewer doctor visits, especially for non-serious medical conditions. (National Institute of Health Technology Assessment Workshop: Health Benefits of Pets)
• Pets Help to Fight Depression Pets help fight depression and loneliness, promoting an interest in life. When seniors face adversity or trauma, affection from pets takes on great meaning. Their bonding behavior can foster a sense of security. (Between Pets and People: The Importance of Animal Companionship) 

With all that said - don't you think its time to do something about keeping our pets healthier and happier for  a longer time?  Visit us at www.caseypets.com to see just what we can do to help!

To see the entire report from APPA, click here. 

A burglar broke into a house one night. He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables when a voice in the dark said,

'Jesus knows you're here.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze.

When he heard nothing more , after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard
'Jesus is watching you.'

Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice..

Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Yep', the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you that Jesus is watching you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'
 

This past weekend I had a small emergency with my little dog Poloka.  It was a typical case of her eyes being bigger than her stomach.  She was happily chewing on her raw hide chew bone and she had gotten one on the knots off the end.  With one good swallow, a 2"X3" piece went straight down her throat - or so we thought.  Seems she almost got it caught in her throat, choking a bit (and scaring her mother half to death) she finally got it down but something wasn't right.

She came over to me, hanging her head, she looked at me like something was seriously wrong.  As a vet tech, my first thought was to get the chew out and that meant getting her to throw up.  I reached for the hydrogen peroxide and went outside to do my best.  The problem is, my dog HATES to throw-up!  I couldn't get her to vomit and she started looking worse and worse.  I brought her back inside, wrapped her in a nice warm blanket and sat at her side.  I was hoping that it would just pass and she would be just fine.

A few hours of babying her and some moaning and groaning on her part seemed to be helping as she finally rested and fell asleep.  I went to bed as well.  The next morning, she wouldn't move and I was beyond my comfort zone so I called the vet and took her in.  Funny thing, she seemed so much better when we got there!  I think all the excitement helped things pass along in her stomach.  After a thorough exam, I was given a few options - ultrasound, x-rays or wait it out with a few medications to be sure her stomach felt better.

I chose to give her some fluids and some medications but the thing I really appreciated was that I was given all the choices.  Many times I hear that veterinaries assume that people can't afford the best treatments so they don't even offer them.  I would like to be able to make that decision for myself.  This is why it is imperative for pet owner's to ask and talk to your veterinarian.  Let them know you want ALL the options for everything...even vaccines!  Don't assume that what you are being told is the whole story. 

Here is a story that I read that shows the extreme of what happens when not all options are offered or discussed.

And to those opossums that were under my home....I hope you find happiness out in the forest...not in my wall!

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As the Thanksgiving approaches, many people start talking about what they are thankful for this year.  Their family, their jobs, etc. All legitamate thanks but what about our pets?  I hate to admit it but I know I take my pets for granted.  I don't choose to, it just happens.  What would our lives be like if we didn't have that wagging tail to come home to or that soft nudge of a head to wake us up from all our worrying.  They don't ask much from us....a shelter, some food and perhaps a pet or two, that's it!  Who do you know that would give their devotion to you with just that in return? 

I like to think back at all the time my cat has been there for me.  Although he can't litterally speak to me, we have had many conversations, he's been there through many of the hard times and good times, he has comforted me when I was sick, and he has snuggled close to me when nites were cold.  My dog keeps me laughing and what is more important than that? 

If you have a special story about why you are thankful for your pet this holiday...or whenever...please let everyone know!  Your pets deserve recognition!  Happy Thanksgiving!

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I know the last few blogs have been all business so I thought I'd throw in a little fun here today!  This past weekend we (Casey Petraceuticals) were at Mutt Strutt in Raleigh, NC.  What an interesting day!  From the wind that decided to make a sail out of our banner to the dogs that kept coming by to eat our treats, it was such a treat to be there.  Normally we see the typical breeds - labs, goldens, yorkies, poodles, and shih tzus but this day brought them all out!  We saw numerous german shepherds, boston terriers, great danes, boxers, terriers, beagles, bloodhounds, german shorthairs, mixes of all shapes and sizes, afghans, and a wide varity of pit bulls.  It was wonderful to see so many dogs interacting with each other and just having a great time in the crisp fall air.  Many people like to go to places, sit in the corner and just people watch.  Saturday at Mutt Strutt I felt the same way!  Thanks to all those that came to see us and entertain us!!!

Did you know that even the healthiest of eaters, without supplementation; will never get the recommended amount of nutrients? The same is true for your pet. 

There are a number of reasons why the nutrients in our foods are being depleted.  Here are a few things to consider the next time you head to the supermarket:

• Farming methods throughout the ages have depleted our nutrient rich topsoil. There just isn't as many minerals and vitamins in the soil for the plants to absorb to be passed on to us!

• Unless you are eating local foods, much of the produce that we consume (pets included) are grown elsewhere in the world and then shipped in to us.  This time, shipping methods and conditions all play a factor in the produce breaking down and losing much of the nutrients it once held.

• Freezing and canning our foods have yet again changed the amount of nutrients available to us.  Because we buy in bulk, buy for longevity of the product, buy it on sale so that we can eat it later...we don't get what we need from the produce.

• Synthetic vitamins - we all see the labels that say "Enhanced with Vitamin C" or "Plus Vitamins".  What does that mean? It means that the company realizes that the vitamin content of the food is not really as it should be for human (or pet) use so they supplement the food. This is a problem - I will discuss the problems with synthetic vitamins in the next blog.

• The biggest issue that is removing nutrients from our foods...the production process.  This is most concerning in pet foods.  Pet foods are normally heated to high temperatures and this alone can destroy nutrients and enzymes needed by the pet.  Unfortunately, unlike humans that eat a variety of foods, most pets eat the same things day after day.  This is why they need supplements more than anyone!

As you can see, supplementing your diet and your pet's diet is ESSENTIAL!  Whole foods vitamins and minerals, like those found in Casey Pets Essential Supplement, are the best kind to use.  In a world that is made of processed foods, caffeine and sugar filled drinks, toxin laden air, and commercialization, our bodies and our pet's bodies need all the help we can get!

In honor of all the cats in the world....HAPPY NATIONAL CAT DAY!
It's true that we all want to be cats...here's the proof!

We owe it our pets to be sure that they are always in a safe and loving environement.  This means whether we are with them or not.  Veterinary offices, day cares, boarding facilities and grooming places can be terrifying for your pet if they are not used to being away from you.  Want to make these excursions as pain free as possible?  Here are a few tips on choosing the right groomer for your pet:

The first step in choosing the right groomer for you is to talk to people.  Find people that have pets they get groomed.  Find out where they go, if they like a particular groomer, does their pet seem happy to go or do they need to drag them in, are prices reasonable, are they happy with the cut and any negative feedback as well.

Be sure to ask people that have the same type of pet too.  No use asking a dog person where the best cat groomer is! If you can find someone that has the same make and model as your pet too (coat, breed, etc) then all the better!

Next step is to actually visit the groomer.  Be sure to visit without your pet first.  This way you have no distractions and can ask all the questions you need to.  Here is a list of things that you should find out:

1. Hours - it is best to find a groomer that is open early so you can drop your pet off before work
2. Prices - although it is hard to put a price on a good groomer, if the price is too high, you won't be getting your pet in to be groomed as often as they need to be
3. What does the groom consist of - this may vary and you may want to find a groomer that can mix up the packages a little.  Most grooms include a trim, bath, drying, brush out, nail trim, ear cleaning and some will even express anal glands.  Your pet may not need all of that everytime so why pay for it!
4. How is the pet dried - this may not seem to be a major concern but it can be a deadly one.  Cage driers, if not monitored properly can over heat dogs and cats in a very short amount of time.  If they over heat too much, death can occur.  On the other hand, hand driers can be just as problematic.  Misuse of these can cause localized burns.  Be sure to view the drying areas and ASK!
5. What type of shampoos do they use - if your pet has sensitive skin, allergies or any other conditions, will they have a shampoo that will be best for your pet's skin?  Good groomers know how to choose an appropriate shampoo for your pet, if they stumble around this question, this isn't the groomer for you.
6. What type of ear cleaner do they use - ask if you can bring your own if you've never heard of what they use.
7. Do they do ear plucking - for those of you that have cats or non- poodle, maltese, shih tzu, etc type dogs, you need not worry about this.  Those that do, ask how they do the pluck.  If your pet is sensitive to powders, do they have another option?
8. What do they use to clean the area - you don't have to know what the solution is but they should be cleaning with something! 
9. What veterinarian do they use - odd thing to ask, right?  Not so.  No matter how good the groomer is, accidents happen - a little nick of the skin, a toe nail that's been kwiked that won't stop bleeding - it happens.  Be sure that the groomers know what to do in these situations.
10. Are they familiar with your breed - this is a big one. If you have a golden retriever and the groomer has done nothing but poodles...your retriever may come home looking like a poodle. Same goes with cats. Many groomers do not do cats - ASK!

Next step is to actually bring in your pet.  See if they can just "hang out" for the day to get them used to the sounds and smells.  If not, allow your pet to meet the person they will be dealing with.  They'll let you know if something is wrong and they are uncomfortable with the groomer.

When you finally decide on the right groomer, be sure to be very specific in what you want for your pet when grooming day arrives.  If you want a short cut or long, do you want bows or bandanas or not, perfumy shampoo or not, etc.  ITS YOUR PET - YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK!

Be sure to observe your pet when they come home.  You don't get to see all that happens to them during a groom.  Is your pet limping at all, do their feet seem tender, are they shaking their head alot or scooting their rear.  All of these things can be a sign that something wasn't right at the groomer.  Struggling with a pet, too short nail trims, razor burn, etc - it can happen.  Listen to your pet.

It all seems like so much but trust me, every extra minute you put into choosing the best for your pet, will be a benefit in the end.  They are your baby, treat them as such!


 (thanks to Nancy for all the great info!)

Most people actually cringe when you mention trimming their pet's nails.  Why is this?  Maybe because most pets act like you are actually chopping their toes off, or know that their owner will kwik them or maybe they just hate their feet being touched.  Whatever the reason, trimming your pet's nails can be traumatizing for both you and your pet.  I'd like to talk about ways to make this experience a little better for both of you!

First lets talk about the anatomy of a nail.  You'd think it would be simple but this misconception actually is the cause of many injuries during nail trims.

• Hold your pet's foot and push gently on the foot just above the nail base - this will stablize the nail and in cats it will extend the nail
• Position the trimmers just below the kwik (see diagram below)
• Cut in a 45% angle
• Trim all nail and do not forget the dewclaws

• The same process applies but you need to take small cuts
• Start at the very tip of the name and begin shaving small slices off until you see a small dark circle appear in the center of the nail - time to stop!

• Painful changes in toes - arthritis
• Increase chances of torn toenails
• Ingrown nails - the nails can actually grow around and reenter the pad

• Brushing- this is  the simplest and most important of all grooming.  This goes for both cats and dogs!
• For dogs it is just a matter of getting out debris that they may have collected from being outside, getting that stubborn undercoat to stop flooding out onto your carpet and furniture and to get those mats out.
• Use a brush that is tough enough to do the job and gentle enough that you dog isn't going to go running when you pull it out!  Here are a few options that are great for dogs and cats:
• The FURminator
• Slicker Brushes
• Dematting combs
• Shampooing is always fun, right? Not always but does need to be done but not as often as you think. If your pet stays indoors 99% of the time, never touches the floor and is the neatest eater in the world, you probably take them to the groomers anyway but if you do care for them at home, minimal bathing is probably needed. If your pet is like PigPen from Charlie Brown...you will need to bathe more often.  Use your judgement!  If you pet stinks, looks greasy or just rolled in the strange substance on the ground outside, bathe your pet!  Here are a few shampoos that I would recommend:
• PetzLife Shampoos - these all natural, great smelling shampoos do more than just clean
• Anders All Natural Dog soap - these come in two flavors; one of which repels mosquitoes! Check out their human soaps while you are there...I use nothing but them!
• Bath time! Here is where we separate the men from the boys....or the cats from the dogs.  Most of the time dogs are fine with the idea of a bath but there are those exceptions (like my dog) that hate water.  Cats on the other hand...I've yet to meet one that actually likes to take a bath. If you have a cat that tolerates water, you are much better off than the rest of us!  Good news is, most cats do not need baths often.  Here are a few tips to help you get through a bath with your pet:
• Dogs
• Use an appropriate shampoo - oatmeal based and natural shampoos work best. So many people go for the flea and tick shampoo but these can actually cause harm to your pet due to the amount of chemicals in them.  My suggestion is to use a mild shampoo and then use a veterinary approved prevention like Frontline or Advantix. DO NOT USE HARTZ! Read about the dangers of Hartz.
• If your pet is prone to ear infections, you may want to place cotton in the pet's ears prior to starting the bath but don't forget to take it out!
• Wet the dog down. Don not put your pet into a bathrub full of water. This is asking for more trouble than you want!  I have found that a good hose or the hoses specific for pet grooming work best. This is the one that I personally use and recomment (click here) but use the one that works best for you.
• I have found that diluting the shampoo in a cup with some water prior to putting it on my dog works best. Shampoos are very thick and you will actually waste shampoo putting it on directly. Pour the shampoo down the back and begin to massage in the shampoo. It is important to clean the entire pet...legs and feet too!
• Cleaning the face is a bit more difficult. Unlike humans, dogs and cats aren't too good about keeping their eyes shut! I use a washcloth to wipe around the face and this is helpful if you have a pet that tears a lot and has tear stains. A soft tooth brush works well too.
• Many shampoos recommend that keep the shampoo on the pet at least 10 min prior to rinsing.  Do this!  It makes a huge difference! Keep the pet from licking the shampoo as much as possible.
• After rinsing is the best time to clean the ears (unless you are using a greasy cleaner). I'll discuss ear cleaning a little further down.
• Dry well and allow your pet to air dry. Many people want to blow dry their pet's hair. I would not recommend this. As a vet tech, I can't tell you how many times I've seen pet's burned from hair driers!
• Be sure to brush your pet out after a bath!
• Cats
• The same routine above applies to cats but because cats can be a bit of a handful, here are a few useful tools to help:
• The Mesh Bag - it may take a little doing and some practice to use this but it will keep both you and your cat safe during baths.
• The Cat Muzzle - I recommend muzzles. Not as a cruel device but as one that actually helps to calm your cat down.
• Feliway - cat pheromones that have a calming effect.
• Ear Cleaning -  the one thing that most people forget to do until they need to take their pet to the vet for a professional cleaning and medications ($$$)
• Your ear cleaner - there are many ear cleaners out on the market, many of which can actually cause more harm than good. Here are a few that I recommend:
• Oxyfresh Ear Cleaner - very gentle
• Oticalm - great deodorizer
• Homemade ear cleaners
• Although apple cider vinegar and water is a popular mixture (50/50) and is great for yeasty ears - it can dry the ear out.
• I like to use Golden Seal Tea - I brew the tea as directed - for 10 min - allow the solution to come to room temperature and use this to clean out the ear. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties are great without the drying problem of vinegar.  It can stain some so do not use on white pets or white carpet!
• VERY IMPORTANT - YOU MUST USE AN EAR CLEANER THAT IS AT ROOM TEMPERATURE! If the solution is too warm it can burn. Even worse is if it is too cold. Using a cold solution in the ear can cause problems with equilibrium and even induce siezures.
• Ear cleaning is actually easier than you may realize!
• Restrain your pet gently
• Dogs - place in a sitting position or cradle in your lap if small enough. Wrap a towel around the neck (loosely, please!) like a bib.
• Cats - the cat mesh bag will come in handy here again or you can wrap the cat in a towel to make a kitty burrito.
• Gently grasp the ear by the pinna (outer flap).
• Fill the entire ear canal with whatever cleaner you decided on.
• Flop the ear flap over and massage.
• Let go of the ear and allow your pet to shake out the fluid and debris.
• Gently wipe the outer canal and pinna with a cotton ball or tissue.
• DO NOT USE A Q-TIP IN THE INNER EAR CANAL! - leave this type of cleaning to the professionals! There is a very big risk of doing damage if your try to clean deeper.
  
• That's it!

We just wanted to take the time to tell all our customers how much we appreciate your support this past year! The tremendous response to our 1st ever anniversary sale has really touched us. As a result, we have decided to continue sending savings to you with a new promotion!

We would like to introduce our product to more and more people across this nation and...


Here is how it works:


• You recommend a friend, family member, or stranger to our website www.caseypets.com


• They come to our site and click on the survey button in the upper right

• When they fill out the survey there will be an area where they can let us know how they found out about us

• Tell them to enter your name in this area

• We keep track of your referrals and will notify you when you’ve accrued enough and will give you a code to use at the time of your next order!

Cabin fever, stir crazy, winter blues, climbing the walls...

We've all heard the phrases and some of us have even felt it first hand but how many of you know that it is the same for pets? 

Recently, I've been a bit busy in my life and unfortunately I've not had as much time to spend with my pets.  I didn't really realize just how much it was effecting them until I took the time to play with them. They were completly bored out of their minds! Literally! 

Take a good look into your pet's eyes and then go and spend an hour playing or walking outside.  Now look again.  Notice a difference?

Pet's depend on us to provide entertainment, except for those select few that entertain themselves, so it is our duty to keep their mind as healthy as we keep their body.  Here are a few ideas to keep your pet's mind in tip top shape!

• Dog day care (if you are in the Raleigh, NC area, I highly recommend Dog Diggity Daycare)
• Kong Toys
• Busy Buddy toys
• Interactive toys - here is a great list of these types of toys: Interactive Toys
• Walks
• Dog parks (please see our blog on dog parks)
• Play dates for dogs - yes, they do these!

Be creative! Do what you think your pet will like best! Above all...HAVE FUN!  You'll be amazed at the difference it will make in your pet and yourself!

Ever wonder what it would be like to have lived in a time when there was no TV, internet, or cell phones? A time when things were simpler and people seemed less stress, healthier and even happier. It applies to pets as well.
Think of a wild animal’s routine: 

• Get up early
• Check that your territory is still in tact
• Perhaps eat, perhaps not
• Start to hunt
• Break for some play time
• Maybe nap, maybe hunt more
• Eat if you’ve caught anything
• Check territory again
• Play time
• Sleep

• Get up when owners rise
• Watch as owners run around getting ready
• Get tossed a bowl of food
• Maybe get a short walk, maybe just get put outside
• Check territory – not sure why because nothing ever changes
• Get locked down for most of the day with no one to interact with
• Get excited when owners come home but usually get shunned because owners are too tired
• Watch owners eat
• Get tossed another bowl of food
• Get walked or just put outside
• Go to bed 

Seems pretty mundane and just not that much fun. And we wonder why pets decide to eat couches and rip things to shreds while we are at work?! Here are few ideas to make your life AND your pet’s a bit healthier and happier. 

• Take some time in the morning to interact with your pet.
• Maybe eat breakfast at the same time you feed your pet.
• Get up a bit earlier to take your pet for a nice walk so they can sniff the neighborhood or play with them!
• Give them a toy to play with while you are gone
• The Clever K-9
• Kong Toys – stuff a few and leave them about the house (they make these for both dogs and cats!)
• Automatic treat dispensers
• If you have an answering machine, call home at some point during the day and say hi to your pet!
• Leave the radio or TV on to break the silence.
• When you come home, no matter how tired you are, act as though you have been away for ages and are so happy to see your pet. We all know that seeing our pets after a hard day makes things better but we sometimes forget to show it and our pets can’t read our minds. DO NOT ACT TOO EXCITED THIS MAY CAUSE SOME ADVERSE BEHAVIOR THAT YOU DO NOT WANT IN YOUR PET – JUMPING ON VISITORS, EXCITED URINATION, ETC.
• Turn off the TV for an hour each night and really spend some quality time with your pet. They’ve been cooped up all day, missing the one person they love the most, one hour of your day is the least you can do. 

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