Persevering Momma

Taking The Day One Spoon At a Time

Holiday Gift Guide for Pets 2018 Edition

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This is a sponsored post and these opinions and gift suggestions are all my own.

FurZapper

The FurZapper is a great gift to stick in your pets stocking this year. (That is if you are crazy like me and have stockings for your fur babies.) The FurZapper might not actually be a gift for your pet’s, but it is a must have item if you have pets in your home. The FurZapper goes in your washer and dryer with your clothes to help remove all of that unwanted pet hair from your clothes. The 2-Pack is ideal for a home with two pets. You place them in the wash with your clothes and they work their magic to help remove pet hair from your clothes so that you don’t need to wash and dry your clothes multiple times. It also helps you to use less lint rollers straight from the dryer.

 

Diggs Revol dog crate

If you have a small dog or cats in your home that need crates you will want to consider the Diggs Revol dog crate as a gift option for your pets this year. This pet crate is durable, folds up, and features multiple access points for getting your pet in and out of the crate. Right now only the small crate is available and it is recommended for pets up to 30lbs in size. This crate is designed in such a way that pets shouldn’t get harmed while using it. Many of the metal cages have spots where your pets can get paws, or their heads stuck and could potentially get injured by their crates. It boasts a more modern design so that it fits in your home without sticking out like a sore thumb.

Diggs Snooz dog bed

If you decide to get the dog crate (or don’t and still want to spoil your pets) you should seriously consider the Diggs Snooz dog bed. This bed is designed to fit perfectly inside the dog crate. It is made of memory foam for comfort and is made from top-quality, environmentally sustainable and safe materials. I personally love the fact that it is quite durable and comes with a removable cover that is machine washable. This is always important when pets are involved. No matter how clean we try to keep them they still get dirty and get their beds dirty. Even if you don’t get the crate this bed would make for a great gift for your pets this holiday. It is the perfect size for a small dog or a cat or two.

Teddy The Dog Christmas Stocking

As I said above I love having stockings for all of the pets in my life so I couldn’t pass up the Teddy The Dog Christmas Stocking. We got one for our family dog Luna. She hasn’t had her own personalized stocking before so I am excited to have one with her name on it. The stocking is crazy cute and will be a great addition to our Christmas traditions. I will say that this stocking is made to be durable and will last unlike many you will find at pet stores that seem to only last one year before it is falling apart. You can get one online and still get it in time for Christmas.

Tops Gifts For Pets 2017 Edition

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When going shopping for everyone in the family I always make sure that I buy presents for the pets too. I feel like they deserve something special and fun just like everyone else. So why don’t you keep scrolling and see what interesting gifts for pets I found this year!

Gifts For The Puppers

Hartz Dura Play Tug of Fun

This is the perfect little gift for the pet lover who loves to play a game of tug of war. Just imagine the look of excitement on your dog’s face when you give them a brand new tug of war toy to play with this Christmas. I already know which of my two dogs would be over the moon excited for this toy!  This toy is loads of fun.  You can find it on Hartz website or you can also search for a local retailer on their site to find one near you!

 

 

 

Hartz Tough Stuff Flyer

If you have a dog that is tough on toys like my one little pupper then you will want to look into this toy. It makes for a great outdoor frisbee that won’t be easily destroyed. We have always gone through a lot of frisbees, but this one I think is going to outlast all the others we have had in the past.  This frisbee will provide your pets with hours of fun and can be found on Hartz website as well as on Amazon.  Many local stores will also carry the Hartz Tough Stuff Flyer.

 

 

 

Hartz Quackers

The Quackers toy is perfect for a hunting dog. Let them have playtime while getting to do something they love. Hide the toy around the house and let your pupper hunt down the duck! A great game for a dog that loves to hunt. It’s also a great toy for pups that love toys that make noise.  This toy comes in a couple of different variations.  I have seen a few at local stores, but love being able to shop online so that I don’t have to tote my toddler from store to store and that’s hwy I love being able to say that it’s available on Amazon.

 

 

Hartz Chew’n Clean Tuff Bone

Our bigger dog is going to love the Tuff Bone. She is a chewer and loves chewing when she is alone or stressed out. I know this will be just what she needs when we aren’t home. If you have a dog that just needs to chew on something then this is the perfect toy for your dog because it is a tough chew so your dog won’t destroy it in one day.  This is the perfect cost friendly toy that you could get your pup.  It helps that it is also available on Amazon so you don’t even have to leave your home to buy it.

 

 

 

SitStayGo Pet Dinette & Leash

While this is a gift for your dog it’s also a gift for you. This leash and dinette set is perfect for the family on the go. It allows you to bring food and water with you for long hikes or long road trips where you just want access to some food and water for your pup during pit stops along the way. If this is you then you will want to consider this leash option for your dog this holiday.  You can find out more information and purchase a SitStayGo Pet Dinnette & Leash on their website.

 

 

 

Gifts For The Kitties

Delectables Squeeze Up

Every cat wants and deserves a treat every so often so why not get them a treat for the holiday? These pouches of cat food are easy to open and easy to squeeze out into their bowls. I love how easy and compact they are. They are great little treats and perfect for bringing when you are on the go with your cats. We all need to spoil our pets a little bit and this is a great way to do it.  You can buy these individually in stores or you can buy a pack on Amazon and save time by avoiding the store all together.

 

 

 

Hartz Just For Cats Chirping Birds

Not all cats love birds, but one of my two cats do love birds and they will use these little chirping birds until they are no more. My cat acts like he is on catnip with these toys because he just loves them so much. It makes me laugh and entertains my toddler son to no end as well.  They offer a variety of different birds so if you want to buy one for each cat you own you can easily do that without buying them all something that looks the same.  Check out the variety of different birds on Amazon.

 

 

 

Hartz Just For Cats Twirl And Whirl

I haven’t ever known a cat that didn’t like toys like this. I love playing with these toys because I get to interact with my cats while playing with them. However I will admit that my toddler steals it and plays with the cats with it more than I ever get to use it. It is pretty adorable watching them play. So if you want to get your cats a fun and interactive toy to play with them.  This toy comes in a variety of different colors and styles.  If you want to select the color and style I suggest you purchase this in your local pet store.  If you don’t care what color and style you get then you can order it off of Amazon and get a random selection.

 

 

Hartz Just For Cats Gone Fishin’

This is a greasy little toy filled with cat nip that will get your cats going a little crazy! You can hold the wand and play with your cats or you can suction it to any surface and watch your cats go nuts. I personally know that if I suction a toy like this and leave my cats will find a way to destroy it. That is why when I am gone I put this toy away. I’d rather make it last. If you have a cat who loves to jump and catch his toys then this is a great option for you.  This toy also comes in blue so you can choose between the two colors.  These can be purchased in your local pet store or be purchased on Amazon.

 

 

What gifts for pets are you buying this year?

Finding Food Intolerances in Cats

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This post was made possible by iConnect and Petcurean. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% mine.

food intolerances

Finding food intolerances in cats isn’t easy to do because it’svery rare for cats to have food intolerances or allergies. One of our cats has had skin and fur issues for a few years now and the vets always just say it’s stress related itching and hair loss. We have always felt that this wasn’t the case, but we didn’t know what could be causing these issues with our cat.

It’s finally gotten to the point that our cat just seems miserable a lot of the time and I needed to do something about it and did some research. That is how I learned how cats can have food intolerances and that they so rare that many people don’t consider it as an option when treating and caring for cats. I just knew this meant we needed to change up our cat’s diet and see if it makes a difference in his life. That is why I was excited when PetCurean said that they wanted to work with me and provide my cat with a bag of their Go! Fit and Free Grain Free Cat food.

food intolerances

Going Grain Free

Making the decision to go Grain Free wasn’t an easy decision, but with the advice from a specialist we decided this was the best route to go with our problem cat. We now have been feeding our cats this food for two weeks and I can say that my cat is not obsessively licking and scratching his back like he had been doing. The scab that he had on his back from his “hot spot” is already healing and looking better than ever.

I really think we have found a solution for our cat. I am willing to pay a premium price for his food if it means that he is healthier and no longer suffering like he has been. If you think that your cat might be suffering like mine was then Irecommend you trying this cat food with your cats as well.

One other thing I have noticed with our cats is that they are both a lot more regular in the litter box. Neither cat ever struggles to poop and we have not had any issues with throwing up food or hair balls since switching foods. I believe that our cats are feeling ten times better.

food intolerances

Transitioning Your Cats Food

Transitioning your cat off of their old food and onto their new food is a very important step that you will not want to skip. I was thankful for PetCurean’s transitioning tips because I wouldn’t have known the best way to do it to ensure that my cat was healthy and not struggling physically to digest the new food. Transitioning helped my cats stomachs to adjust to their new food without them getting diarrhea or any other stomach issues.

Find the Perfect Food for Your Cats

If you aren’t sure that this food is the perfect food for your cats do you research because PetCurean has a wide variety of different dry and wet food for both cats and dogs.  I bet that you will be able to find the perfect food to find your pets needs without having to try very hard.  One thing that I love about their brand is that they are very transparent.  You will be able to find the information you are looking for without trouble on their website and if for some reason you cannot they offer really good customer service so don’t be afraid to ask them questions about their foods or your pets needs.

Do you think your cats suffer from food intolerances?

If they do then you might want to head over to www.petcurean.com/pawsome where you can find a $5 off coupon and save money on your future purchase by using my coupon code: PS104ZW997

Now for the best part!  I am hosting a giveaway where ONE person will win either a 6lb bag dog kibble or a 4lb bag cat kibble.  Winner’s choice!

Petcurean Giveaway

Preventing Heatstroke With Your Pets This Summer

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Heatstroke is common in dogs just like it is with young children.  My mantra has to always recommend that people treat their pets like they would treat their children.  I have always said this because I feel it lifts pets up from a lowly platform where many people don’t consider the ramifications of what could happen to their pet because “it’s just a pet” and not a member of the family.

Summer is coming and that means so is the heat (even if it has been unseasonably cool here in the Chicago area) and we need to think about ways to prevent our precious little friends from being affected from the high temperatures.

1. Never leave your pet in your car unattended.

K9 Rescue says that even on a pleasant 75°F day, it will take only 10 minutes to reach 100°F inside the car.

2. If your pets spend most of their time outdoors, make sure they have adequate shelter, not just from the sun but also from the heat.

Set up pools, sprinklers, and shady areas with plenty of water.

3. Avoid high-intensity exercise, as pets can overheat, especially if they are a Brachycephalic (smushy-faced) breed such as pugs or French bulldogs.

Real-life example: Lizzie, a French bulldog, needed emergency care for her heatstroke and came home with a vet bill totaling a little over $2,100.

4. Avoid hot cement to keep your pet’s paws safe.

If the pavement is too hot for your bare hands, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. (This is something many parents consider when allowing children on pavement so why not apply it to their pups as well?)

5. Know the signs of heatstroke.

Get to the vet immediately if you see the following symptoms:

  • Elevated body temperature (103º to 106ºF)
  • Excessive panting, drooling
  • Vomiting
  • Collapse
  • Seizures

Memorial Day: What Can Dogs Eat?

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We all love a good holiday and a fun family celebration, but I know that sometimes we forget about our pups.  Many families throw big BBQ’s and don’t consider some of the risks that come with having our pets around during the celebration.  That is why I put together this little list of Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to food that your pups can eat.

Foods that are safe for dogs:

  • Burgers: Hamburger meat makes a great high-value treat if it’s plain. Burgers that are too greasy or cooked with garlic, onions, spices and seasonings are a no-go: your dog can get sick with vomiting or diarrhea.
  • Hot Dogs: If the hot dog’s ingredients are strictly high-quality meats, you’re safe. Toss the buns – they are empty calories.
  • Seafood: Seafood like salmon is usually safe for dogs if it’s cleared of minuscule bones and isn’t cooked in garlic or onions. If it comes in a shell, remove it (clams, oysters, lobsters, etc.).

Foods that will make your dog ill:

  • Pasta salad, potato salad, potato chips: Avoid these foods. While potatoes are common ingredients in dog food, potato and pasta salads are often made with no-no’s like garlic and onions, and potato chips are coated in salt, which isn’t good for dogs.
  • Beer: Dogs just can’t process it.
  • Desserts and ice cream: Canines can be lactose-intolerant, and ice cream is full of sugar. While naturally occurring sugars aren’t bad, the added sugars in pies and cakes can lead to health problems. Same with sugar-free desserts – most artificial sweeteners may cause diarrhea, and sugar substitute xylitol is poisonous to pups!

Please be safe this year! I would hate to hear horror stories about what happens when dogs get food that they shouldn’t have during such an important holiday in this country.  Instead I would love it if you would share a story about your Memorial Day Celebration or a fun picture of your pup.