Follow my blog to win a $10 store gift card

Enter your email address in the right column to follow my blog.  Blog followers are automatically entered into regular drawings to win a $10 gift certificate good at any of my 3 Pet Supplies Plus locations!  One certificate per winner per year.

Winners agree to allow us to contact them via email and to announce their names as winners in our blog.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Hello, neighbors!

Hello, neighbors! I want to help you to get the PLUS from your pet supplies!

Add your email in the right column to follow my blog for tips and ideas on getting the most from shopping for your pet.  This includes everything from spotting value and making smart choices on pet foods and supplies, to creative ways to keep your pet happy and healthy.  Also watch for news about fun events at my stores!

Do you have a tip for being a smart pet supplies shopper? Let me know!

To Addy’s blog followers:

This is my final blog post as we will be discontinuing Addy’s blog.

You can still look for me at any of my Pet Supplies Plus stores – in White Lake (two locations: Highland Rd and Cooley Lake Rd.) and in Bloomfield Twp.
I am always at one of my stores helping neighbors find the right food and products for their pets.

Stay connected with store news and specials by signing up for our PREFERRED PET CLUB.
Visit any of my store locations to sign up at the register.

If a new best friend is in your future, follow our Kitty City on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pspkittycity/.
Visit Kitty City free-roaming cat areas at both my Bloomfield Twp. and White Lake (Highland Rd.) Pet Supplies Plus stores.
Adopters can meet and mingle with the cats and get them know them before choosing the best pet for them.

Thank you for following my blog – and I hope to see you at one of my stores!  – Addy.

Rabbits need fiber from HAY for healthy digestion

Young red rabbit in hay on green backgroundIf you have a rabbit, the number one thing to be mindful of is that your rabbit gets enough FIBER in his or her diet.  Most of this should come from fresh, thoroughly-washed leafy vegetables – such as romaine lettuce, parsley, cilantro and other greens.  (See some great information on rabbit nutrition as well as other rabbit care topics on the House Rabbit Society website at http://rabbit.org/suggested-vegetables-and-fruits-for-a-rabbit-diet/

But it’s also important to supplement fresh greens with HAY to aid healthy digestion and stool production.  Include TIMOTHY HAY in your rabbit’s diet as a good source of fiber.   One supplier of Timothy hay is Oxbow Animal Health.  Timothy hay should be provided to your rabbit in unlimited quantities daily.  Chewing hay will also help with natural wearing of your rabbit’s teeth.   (See my past blog on Rabbits need to chew to avoid dental problem.)

Rabbits that lack sufficient fiber are prone to a condition called GI stasis, a potentially deadly condition in which stool production slows down or stops completely.  Sufficient fiber – including Timothy hay – can help prevent this condition.

Should you notice your rabbit not eating, or is producing diminished or no stools, see your veterinarian* immediately.  GI stasis can be extremely painful and can cause death in a rabbit sometimes in a matter of hours.

*IMPORTANT NOTE:  Do NOT assume that the same veterinarian who you take other pets to will care for your rabbit.  Not all veterinarians see rabbits.  Therefore, it’s best to find a good vet for your bunny BEFORE you need one – and also to schedule annual wellness exams. 

AS ALWAYS, CONSULT WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN ABOUT YOUR PET’S OVERALL HEALTH AND WELLBEING.

Follow this blog by email and get email coupons for frequently used pet foods and supplies.  Enter your email address in the right sidebar.  Allow one to two weeks for your coupons to begin.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join us at our White Lake (Highland Rd.) Christmas Open House – Sunday, Dec 18th

pspminushorzlogo

Deck the halls with furry photos.

Join us for our Christmas Open House at our
White Lake (Highland Rd.) location!

Sunday, December 18
12pm to 4pm

Come enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and coffee. Stop by our Christmas Photo set to get your pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

  • 4×6 photo: $5 donation
  • Thumb drive: $10 Donation

Join us at our White Lake (Cooley Lake Rd.) Christmas Open House – Saturday, Dec 17th

pspminushorzlogo

Deck the halls with furry photos.

Join us for our Christmas Open House
at our White Lake (Cooley Lake Rd.) location!

Saturday, December 17
12pm to 4pm

Come enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and coffee. Stop by our Christmas Photo set to get your pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

  • 4×6 photo: $5 donation
  • Thumb drive: $10 Donation

Join us for our Christmas Open House – Saturday, Dec 10th

pspminushorzlogo

Deck the halls with furry photos.

Join us for our Christmas Open House
at our Bloomfield Hills location!

Saturday, December 10
12pm to 4pm

Come enjoy cookies, hot cocoa and coffee. Stop by our Christmas Photo set to get your pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

  • 4×6 photo: $5 donation
  • Thumb drive: $10 Donation

Limit frequency of dog, cat bathing / NEVER use human shampoo

The first step in bathing your dog or cat is to choose a shampoo MADE FOR PETS.  There are many good ones on the market.  AVOID using HUMAN shampoos that will dry your pet’s delicate skin.  NEVER use hand soaps or laundry soaps which are way too harsh for your pet.
Bathroom to a dogWhile bathing your dog – or cat – keeps them clean and helps keeps their fur soft and shiny, too much bathing removes essential oils and  can lead to dry skin, itching and flaking.  Some pet owners make the mistake of thinking that bathing will remove dry itchy flakes.  In fact, it does just the opposite and will make the problem worse.

If your dog has itchy flaky skin, limit bathing and choose a shampoo that contains oatmeal which will be much milder on the skin.  If your cat or dog has some form of SKIN IRRITATION, CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN.  DO NOT THINK THAT BATHING WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM.  While there are special shampoos for irritated skin, they are NOT the best solution.  Instead:

  • Feed your pet a high-quality food that provides proper nutrition.   Nine times out of 10, itchy, flaky skin is a result of poor nutrition.
  • Consult with your veterinarian who can do a blood test to see if your pet is suffering from any blood deficiencies.
  • Once your veterinarian has ruled out any underlying health issues, consider treating irritated areas of your pet’s skin with an anti-itch spray to temporarily relieve minor pain and itching. One such product is Allercaine for DOGS. You can also buy Allercaine with Bittran, a safe, bitter substance that discourages animals from licking.   NOTE these products are for DOGS ONLY.  As always, check first with your veterinarian.

Follow this blog by email and get email coupons for frequently used pet foods and supplies.  Enter your email address in the right sidebar.  Allow one to two weeks for your coupons to begin.

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Our Next Vet Clinic: December 3, 2016

pspminushorzlogonewvetclinictop

December 3, 2016
1:00-2:30

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Grooming tools that remove dog and cat undercoat

Dog and cat grooming tools come in a wide variety of styles and at a variety of price points.furminator

One highly-rated and popular implement that has become the “gold standard” of pet grooming is the Furminator Deshedding Tool The Furminator Deshedding Tool is a metal comb with lots of tiny teeth.   The design makes it perfect for removing a dog’s or cat’s undercoat.  The Furminator Deshedding Tool comes in a variety of sizes priced from about $20 to $70.  Furminator also produces a variety of other grooming brushes, combs and tools.

groomAnother grooming implement that is also good for removing pet’s undercoat is the Shedding BladeThis tool is a more economical alternative at about $10.  It is a simple design using a looped piece of metal with teeth on each side.  The teeth help to remove excess fur from your dog’s or cat’s coat.

undercoatYet another grooming tool for removing undercoat is the Undercoat Rake.  This tool, at about $20, works well for dogs with long, thick fur.

Following removal of your pet’s undercoat, groomers will often use a brush for finishing.  For this, you can use a ladies “pin brush” which may be similar to what many of us use at home.   These brushes have little “pins” with nubs on the ends and can be found at any drug store usually for just a few dollars.

For breaking up fur mats, consider the Mat Breaker.  This tool has razor edges that get under matted fur.  The backside of the tool is blunt, making it safe for your pet.  Cost is from about $8 to $14 depending on size.

Follow this blog by email and get email coupons for frequently used pet foods and supplies.  Enter your email address in the right sidebar.   Allow one to two weeks for your coupons to begin.

Our Next Vet Clinic: November 19, 2016

pspminushorzlogonewvetclinictop

November 19, 2016
1:00-2:30

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Choosing a collar for leash-trained dogs

depositphotos_dogcollarOnce your dog has been leash trained and is comfortable on a leash, you can explore the wide variety of neck collars available.  We emphasize that neck collars are NOT intended for training.  They are for dogs that are already leash trained and have learned not to pull while leashed.  (See our previous post on leash training.)

The most important consideration is that a collar should properly FIT your dog.  It should also be comfortable.  The best thing to do is to bring him or her into the store for a proper fitting.  Different breeds have different size and shape necks, so there is no one standard.  However, in choosing a collar, there are three main criteria you should take into account: 1) Width 2) Length and 3) Material.

  1. Width – You want to make sure that your dog is comfortable, so you do not want to choose a collar that is too thick and that could irritate your dog’s neck. At the same time, if the collar is too narrow, it could not be strong enough and is at risk of breaking, especially on a large dog.  So important considerations are comfort plus durability.
  1. Length – You want the collar to fit well and not leave any large gaps that your dog’s head could slip through. At the same time, you want a collar that is not too small that it cuts into your dog’s neck or could potentially choke your dog.
  1. Material – There are three main types of materials used in dog collars: leather, nylon and soy fibers.  The first two can be irritating if left on too long, or if they get damp or wet.  Soy fibers – made of recycled soy – are softer and less irritating.

Follow this blog by email and get email coupons for frequently used pet foods and supplies.  Enter your email address in the right sidebar.  Allow one to two weeks for your coupons to begin.

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.