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Updated: December 29, 2022 Prepping Pets for Fireworks Celebrations Celebrations that involve fireworks can be very stressful for our pets, since they experience the world differently than we do. For an animal, fireworks are unexpected and unpredictable, and the noise and physical sensations fireworks create can cause a lot of stress. Here are some helpful tips and strategies to help make fireworks less scary and keep your pets safe. Before the event 1. Seek Veterinary Advice: If you have concerns, speak with your vet before the event. Your vet may be able to prescribe medication or treatments to help your pet feel more comfortable during the fireworks. Contacting your vet ahead of time will give you time to try the medication and make sure it’s right for your pet. Pheromone devices like Adaptil and Feliway plug ins or collars may be useful for calming some pets. 2. Practice - If there is a holiday where fireworks are typically set off, help your pet learn to associate loud noises with good things. Practise by carrying treats with you and any time your pet hears a loud noise, like something being dropped on the ground, or a loud car passing by, give your pet plenty of treats. Desensitizing your pet in a positive way, can help them better cope. 3. Set Up Your Space - Make [...]

UPDATED: December 1, 2022 Every year we get the opportunity to celebrate many holidays with our pets, which includes lots of food, gifts, and the excitement of gathering with loved ones. With all this activity, it's important to ensure we’re taking some extra precautions for the paws underfoot. To give you some peace of mind when preparing for holiday festivities with your pet, we’re sharing some of our top tips on how to keep pets safe, plus a few gift ideas when your shopping for a special cat or dog in your life. Mind the Decorations From hanging ornaments to lit candles, both the appearance and presence of your favorite decorations might lead your pet to think of them as toys or things to be chewed on. Here are some common items to watch for: Wrapping, ribbons, tinsel, lights, and small ornaments: If consumed, these may cause your pet to choke or have an internal blockage. Glass and metal hooks: Put delicate items up high to avoid breaks as these items could cause a nasty scratch or puncture to your pet. Electrical wires: Many animals are prone to chewing on cords which can lead to electrical shock, burns, and blockages if ingested. Christmas trees and standing displays: Curious pets, especially those prone to climbing, can knock over these [...]

Updated: October 28th, 2022 Plan a Pet Safe Halloween! Like many holidays, Halloween is a great excuse to stock up on sweets and treats. Having all of these extra goodies around is not only a major temptation to people but also our pets. As our friend Dr. Ted Purcell says; "Have a plan for today!" "Treats and candies are not safe in a bag on the floor or on a chair or bench - you need to be very mindful on Halloween, not just during but before and after." Here are some things for pet guardians to keep in mind to ensure they and their pets have an enjoyable evening. 1. Amongst all the candies, chocolate is one of the most toxic for pets - Smaller chocolate covered items such as raisins are double trouble. Not only are both chocolate and grapes toxic to pets, but the size and shape mimic many of the popular treats our companion animals may be used to scavenging from under chairs or tucked in cushions. The effect on a pet will depend on the amount and type of chocolate as well as the size of pet. Should your pet ingest something dangerous - we recommend you contact your veterinarian or for a $59 USD fee, you can seek guidance from the 24/h Pet Poison Hotline at 1-855-764-7661. Please [...]

Obesity is a common health problem for our companion animals. For many pet lovers, an overweight animal is an unfortunate reality, and one that can cause issues for pets and pet guardians alike. For National Pet Obesity Awareness Day, we want to help you identify if your pet is overweight and suggest some diets that can help support your pet reaching a healthier weight. How Do You Know If Your Pet Is Obese? Check out these obesity charts for both dogs and cats, so you can see how your pet’s weight compares. What Do You Do If Your Pet Is Obese? We recommend always asking your vet for guidance first and considering changes in your pet’s diet and physical activity. To help manage your dog or cat’s weight, ORIJEN® pet food has specially crafted formulas made to help support a healthy weight in dogs and cats. This includes ORIJEN Fit & Trim Recipe for dogs, a lean, protein-rich recipe to help support a healthy body weight in dogs, and ORIJEN Fit & Trim Recipe for cats, a food that includes balanced calories from protein and fat, plus naturally occurring L-carnitine to help maintain a healthy body weight. Taking your pet for more frequent or longer walks and adding extra play time, is a great way to increase your pet’s daily [...]