Does Your Kitty Love Catnip?
Have you ever wondered why catnip has such a powerful effect on cats? Find out the science behind…
Have you ever wondered why catnip has such a powerful effect on cats? Find out the science behind…
When our loyal customer, Brandon shared his “raw story” with us, it was too heartwarming not to share! The below is Brandon’s first hand experience with switching his picky German Shepherd to a minimally processed diet…
“I was surprised with my best friend “Hades” 5 years ago by my girlfriend Chelsea and how can anyone forget that moment? A box was checked off the bucket list as we prepared ourselves for a great future with the little guy (a thirteen week old German Shepherd).
Although, things changed drastically. When we had picked up Hades, he was actually within the progressive stage of Kennel Cough into Pneumonia. Tough, I know but luckily after immediate veterinarian assistance and a few weeks to recoup, Hades tackled Pneumonia and made it out okay. We were warned though that he most likely not grow to the normal size of a GSD and certain attributes (lungs, heart…etc) would not develop fully. Then we met Nicci and her staff at NorthPoint.
Hades was a VERY picky eater when he came home from the hospital and we struggled big time when it came to getting him to eat. Numerous bags of dry food went to waste because he seemed to have become bored with it, as well as wet food. We found it tough to gain back the weight he had lost when he got sick, too.
Luckily enough I had discovered NorthPoint Pets & Company in the middle of this dilemma and a simple 10 minute conversation with the staff re-directed my mind state from kibble to raw. We gave raw a shot and I’ll tell you what, we’ll never switch back. Instantly, Hades was hooked. Not only was it a simple switch but the benefits showed immediately.
Not only was it a simple switch but the benefits showed immediately.
After starting raw, his plate was licked clean every time and he started to finally show some weight gain! His hair started to shine and we started seeing all of the typical signs of a 4-6 month old puppy we were warned about! Hades’ energy was up and boy did he start filling out (he even did so well on hiking trails I had to quit smoking to keep up!). My favorite thing when we started to feed raw and even to this day was that as he developed, the adjustments on how much to feed and when to feed, became natural. He was kept lean throughout his puppy stage (by vet recommendations due to certain hereditary possibilities like hip displaysia) and then bulked up with ease as he grew older and older. Well, 100 lbs later, I believe the initial diagnosis from the vet was proven wrong. I credit all of that to raw. No joke.
In my opinion, raw has set Hades up for the best physical and mental condition that he can possibly be in.
In my opinion, raw has set Hades up for the best physical and mental condition that he can possibly be in. He is currently 5 years old and has not eaten kibble since he was 13 weeks. Good luck getting him to eat anything else… he won’t even go for one of those whipped cream doggy drinks from that fancy coffee place! Thank you, NorthPoint for everything you have done for Hades and all of the raw education you have shared! Hades says thanks too!”
This is why we do what we do. This is what drives our team to continue our research, to provide the most up-to-date information, and further our education in everything we do. Thank you Brandon for sharing your raw story with us!
Frustrated with behaviorial issues like incessant barking and neverending separation anxiety? Get the practical advice you need to understanding and managing these common dog behavioral issues. Find out how to identify the potential causes of these issues, and how to best respond to create a harmonious home environment for your four-legged friends.
February is here and what that entails in the animal world is Dental Health Month! Dental health is so important because poor dental health can have long term negative impacts on the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver.
Plaque can form and build up on your pet’s teeth as quickly as 24 hours and if dental care/preventatives are not taken to remove plaque then calculus (tartar) buildup occurs within 3-5 days. When calculus starts to build up on your pet’s teeth, it gradually begins to push the gums away from the tooth, giving the calculus an opportunity to spread into your pet’s bloodstream. The bacteria that are built up within the calculus can lead to infection and have serious effects on the major organs mentioned above.
Amazingly enough, diet has a pretty decent impact on your pet’s dental health. There is a myth, kibble is the best for dogs and cats because when they crunch on the hard pieces of kibble, it supposedly helps scrape the calculus away. Think about that. Have you ever watched your pet eat? More often than not, they swallow their kibble whole. Also, go to your dentist and tell them you forgot to brush your teeth, so you had chips to help scrape the calculus away from your teeth. Kibble contains high levels of sugars and carbohydrates which rapidly produce oral bacteria and plaque. Whereas fresh or raw diets can help protect your pet’s teeth and gums simply due to low or lack of starches. In other words, the food will not stick to the teeth like kibble would.
The good news is that dental disease in your pet does not have to occur. While it is common, it’s actually not natural.
Dental cleanings are great but should not have to happen yearly, or even in younger years. Yearly cleanings can have a negative impact on pets because anesthetic gasses used yearly can slowly apply stress on your pet’s organs. Think about the change that needs to happen- diet, toys/bones, brushing, etc.
References:
Holmstrom, Steven E. “Pathogenesis of Periodontal Disease.” Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach, 2nd ed., Steven Holmstrom, 2013, pp. 150–153.
Holmstrom, Steven E. “Home-Care Instruction and Products.” Veterinary Dentistry: A Team Approach, 2nd ed., Steven Holmstrom, 2013, pp. 194–213.
Miller, Bonnie R, and John R Lewis. “Veterinary Dentistry.” Clinical Textbooks for Veterinary Technicians, 9th ed., Joanna M. Bassert, 2018, pp. 1222–1229.
Our Puppy Kisses photo booth will be out front through Valentine’s Day! Stop by, bring your pooch, and snap a pic!
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Cats are notorious for hiding their discomfort very well, so it’s important to be aware of subtle changes in their behavior or routine that may indicate an underlying problem.
Unfortunately, signs of arthritis in cats are often dismissed as normal signs of aging or go unnoticed altogether.
Our job as pet owners is to pay close attention to their behaviors, so we can easily pick up on the tiny clues that they aren’t feeling their best. Since every cat will show discomfort differently, here are some behaviors to keep an eye out for that may indicate joint pain.
Changes in litter box habits – Since most litter boxes have sides tall enough that your cat has to lift their legs and/or jump to enter/exit, they may seek alternative places to do their business that are easier to access. Similarly, they may struggle to settle into a comfortable position inside the litter box, or you may find that their aim is a little ‘off.’
Expert tip: Litter box habits offer a first line of observation into your cat’s health and well-being. If you observe changes in their routine, it’s best to schedule a vet visit as soon as possible.
Changes in sleep patterns – Cats tend to develop strict routines, including specific preferred places to nod off throughout the day. Suppose your kitty historically likes to sleep up off the floor (my cat prefers the tall back of our couch) and suddenly prefers lower ground (often tucked out of sight). They may be too stiff to climb up or down from that place. Additionally, if the cat becomes more interested in hiding overall, that can be another red flag that they aren’t feeling great.
Avoiding the stairs – This behavior mimics how dogs display joint pain — hesitating or struggling to go up or come down the stairs. This is particularly difficult with stiff joints if the stairs are bare (not carpeted) because they offer less cushion and traction for unstable joints. If kitty seems to suddenly spend all day on one level of the house, consider that they may need extra joint support.
Less interest in playtime – While it’s common to observe your cat’s activity level decrease as they age, it’s not always simply because they’ve lost interest. Cats with healthy joints should still be able to jump, climb, and run for short play sessions throughout the day. If your cat seems interested in playing but prefers to participate without moving from their lounging spot, joint pain may be to blame.
Irritability – Perhaps the most common indication of discomfort is a shift in their personality. Cats who don’t feel well will choose to seclude themselves as much as possible and become easily annoyed when they feel threatened. This can be as subtle as pinned ears when you pet them or a hiss if you pick them up.
There are several ways to prevent and manage joint pain for cats:
If you’re not sure where to start, stop in to speak with one of our experts for tips!
Over 2500 dog owners were surveyed about their dog’s leash habits and their training approaches to address it. The results may surprise you!
Ever wonder how to help determine what food is best for your pets? Packaging and marketing can make it difficult to make choices. Did you ever wish for a guide to help you evaluate the quality and nutrition of products available? Good news! We did just that. Read on…
Food label directions can be deceiving. They’re not as cut and dry as you may think! If you have questions, let’s talk! We’re here to help you dial in your pet’s serving size and meal frequency.
Did you know that our pets may favor one paw over the other? Recent research suggests that dogs are not only capable of being left or right-handed, but also that their handedness may be linked to their behavior.
DIY Dog Wash closes one hour prior to store close.
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