Drinks and Dogs Ep: 35 | Jujitsu, Physical Therapy, Cutting Weight
Drinks and Dogs Ep: 34 | Amazon, Health Kick and Tools
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My Dog Diarrhea Story Beats Yours
The post My Dog Diarrhea Story Beats Yours by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Hi, I’m Dr. Karyn! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my five funny dogs, Poppy, Bailey, Kodah, Ned, and Fred.
Before there was Kodah, Ned & Fred, there was Remus, the Irish Wolfhound. And what Remus lacked in brains, he made up for in sweetness and size. He was a dopey, lolloping giant who never seemed to understand why he couldn’t sit on our laps, or why everyone was always yelling at him to stop blocking the TV.
His 3-foot-long tail had the strength and diameter of the steel cables on a suspension bridge, and he would wag that thing like a whip, leaving bruises on legs, dents in door frames (seriously), and cars overturned in its wake (I might be exaggerating on that last one).
Unfortunately for everyone involved, Remus also had a sensitive stomach.
You can probably imagine how much food a 160 lb dog consumes in a day. Now imagine how much it cost to feed our lovable behemoth on a premium, hypoallergenic diet. Add on the obscene price of his pet insurance, and you have one very expensive dog. But I suppose if we averaged his expenses over his weight, he probably cost as much per pound as one of the Chihuahuas – it’s all about perspective. And besides, he was worth every penny…most of the time.
Then there was the night that I would have accepted five bucks for him. Heck, I’d have paid you five bucks to take him. The night that will forever be known as “Code Brown In The Bedroom.”
Code Brown In The Bedroom
It started out as a pleasant, uneventful evening. We’d taken the dogs for a run in the woods, and then my husband and I went out for a meal at our favorite Italian restaurant. He had the spaghetti gamberoni, I had the vegetable calzone. As we drove home, the taste of raspberry panna cotta and limoncello on our lips, we had no idea of the horror that lurked behind our front door.
The first thing to hit us was the smell. All thoughts of the epicureal delights of the evening were forgotten, and in their place was a horribly familiar olfactory presence. We both worked in a veterinary practice, we had a dog with a dodgy stomach, and we knew what had happened. And yet, there was still a tiny part of me that hoped it was just gas. That tiny glimmer of hope was dashed when I spotted a murky brown puddle in the middle of the kitchen.
“Phew” I said, “At least it’s on a hard floor.”
Little did I know that this was just the tip of the fecal iceberg.
My nose twitched as I ventured further into the house, as the smell was getting worse, not better. Our two Labradors, Poppy and Bailey, were huddled together on the sofa, tails wagging and eyes full of worry. As I entered the bedroom I saw two things that were out of place. The first was another steaming pile of manure on the carpet, and the second was Remus, curled up on our bed; he never sleeps on our bed.
As he lifted his massive head, his huge tail gave a hesitant twitch, and that’s when I saw it. The rest of the iceberg. But of course, it wasn’t really an iceberg. It was an enormous puddle of diarrhea that had seemingly poured from our gargantuan dog’s rectum like a river bursting through floodgates.
Let that sink in for a moment. Sink in like the liters of watery feces that were soaking into my bed.
Containing The Toxic Spill
I would love to tell you that my first thought was Remus’s wellbeing – our poor boy having endured such a torrent of fluid exiting his body. I would love to say that I rushed to his side to make sure he was okay, not dehydrated or in pain, but no. My first thought was that I just wanted to light a match and walk away.
My second thought was about how I could get Remus off the bed without further spreading the brown flood that was slowly soaking through my favorite quilt cover. Remus had the sort of cheerful disposition that meant a look in his direction or the use of his name would start his tail wagging, a tail that was now partially coated in something that looked like, but wasn’t thick, brown mud.
“Oh s**t” came my husband’s apt assessment of the situation.
We carefully coaxed Remus off the bed, me holding the end of his tail as my husband slowly led him toward the nearest exit. We would sic the garden hose onto him later.
(Remus was fine, by the way. No dehydration; just flatulence and embarrassment.)
Pulling on some rubber gloves, I carefully folded the edges of the quilt and sheets up to contain the worst of the deluge while husband dealt with the fecal landmines on the floor. There was no saving the bedclothes. The mattress, however, would be another story.
As I stared at the wet, brown stain in the middle of our bed, tears began rolling down my cheeks.
“Why are you crying?” asked my husband, ever sympathetic.
“Why aren’t you?” I cried, pointing angrily at the mattress that we had purchased only two months prior. “I’m pretty sure this will void our 100-day free trial.”
Operation Cleanup
It was now 10:30 pm, and my husband placed a desperate call to our local supermarket, which hired out wet-vac machines, and blessedly stayed open until 11. Unfortunately, their only machine was being repaired.
So we set to work: soak, spray, sponge, repeat.
After two hours, the stain was looking slightly more beige than brown, but the smell lingered on.
We slept in the spare room that night (and for several nights after), while Remus, having been bathed and given something to settle his gut, slept in the laundry room.
The next morning I hit the shops to restock our supply of bleach, laundry detergent, fabric deodorizers, and everything else we had used up the previous night, while my husband went to sort out a wet-vac. As the bored woman at the checkout scanned my ludicrous supply of cleaning products, I felt compelled to tell her what had happened.
She stopped mid-scan, looked me in the eye, and placed a hand on my arm.
“I am so sorry.” She spoke with such genuine sympathy, and I can tell you, I have never felt more heard and validated, before or since, than in that moment.
Do You Have A Dog With A Dodgy Tummy?
If you have a dog with a sensitive gut, don’t wait to have an epic diarrhea story ruin your year. Talk to your vet and start the process of diagnosing the problem. It might be a medical issue or a food sensitivity that can be managed with medication or diet change.
Even dogs with well-controlled gastrointestinal issues can have the occasional flare-up, so it’s worth having a few things on hand to help you through a code brown emergency:
- Medication – talk to your vet about keeping an emergency supply of anti-diarrhea medication at home.
- Bland diet – depending on what triggers your dog, it’s worth keeping some frozen chicken or fish in the freezer that you can boil to give your dog some bland meals.
- Get a mattress protector – although Remus is sadly no longer with us, I always keep a waterproof mattress protector on our beds, just in case!
- Invest in a wet-vac – this has been one of the best things we’ve bought to keep our house clean with a lot of pets.
- Cleaning supplies – keep some gloves in the cupboard, and make sure you have a quality cleaner for hard surfaces, fabric, and carpet, that neutralizes pet odors.
If you have a doggy diarrhea story that rivals mine, I’d love to hear it! Perhaps we could start a support group…
- Read her previous article: Balls: The Right and Wrong Way to Play Fetch
The post My Dog Diarrhea Story Beats Yours by Dr. Karyn Kanowski, BVSc MRCVS (Vet) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
ANGEL DAY CONTINUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY!
The post ANGEL DAY CONTINUES ACROSS THE COUNTRY! appeared first on Stand Up For Pits Foundation.
Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (October 25, 2024)
The post Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (October 25, 2024) by Dogster Team appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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This Week’s Winner
| Name: | Koda |
| Breed: | Poodle Terrier Mix |
| Fun Fact: | Koda is a rescue dog with the most fabulous ears that give him the nickname of Koda the Canine Yoda. His parents’ goal in life is to give him as many unique experiences as they can. This photo was taken after Koda created his own artwork on canvas thanks to his love for peanut butter! They never knew that Koda was this talented! |
Silliest
| Name: | Harley |
| Breed: | Mixed Lab |
| Fun Fact: | 3yr old Lab/Great Pyrenees mix, tons of energy, and loves to lay on her back while playing with her toys |
- Check out our Doggos Weekly articles to see what the dogs of Dogster have been up to!
Cutest
| Name: | Luna |
| Breed: | Bernedoodle |
| Fun Fact: | She’s the cutest of the cute! |
Most Dignified
| Name: | Rowdy |
| Breed: | Great Pyrenees Mix |
| Fun Fact: | For Halloween, Rowdy is being a royal king, and he takes the role seriously. He’s very goofy, very Rowdy, but he can also be quite dignified and regal. Great Pyrenees were a favorite of French Royals like Dauphin Louis XIV and also Queen Victoria of England. |
Most Expressive
| Name: | Sammy |
| Breed: | Great Pyrenees |
| Fun Fact: | Sammy is a rescue dog who was abandoned to die as a puppy. He was born with birth defects that surgery could not correct, so he is living his best life in wheels and also is the emotional support dog to his human brother with dyslexia. |
Sleepiest
| Name: | Eddie |
| Breed: | Jack Russell Mix |
| Fun Fact: | Eddie is a rescue who was found at two weeks old with his siblings in a plastic bag. Thankfully, he was rescued and he was adopted at 12 weeks old. He hates the mornings, he loves to have a lay in, and he is hyper in the afternoon. He’s such a loyal dog, and his parents love him very much! |
Enter Your Dog
Submit your doggie for a chance to be featured! Click here
The post Dogster Photo Contest: Dogs of the Week Winners (October 25, 2024) by Dogster Team appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Renting An Adventure Van With Pets
Road trips are a classic form of adventure. One of my favorite vacations growing up was our family road trip to Montana … probably because my yellow lab, Chica, was allowed to come along. Epic road trips are still my favorite way to travel with my dogs. If you agree, renting an adventure van with your pets might be a great option!
Renting An Adventure Van With Pets
An enjoyable road trip is about more than the destination. You also need the appropriate vehicle for your journey. Campervans are a great choice if you’re not up for tent or car camping, but can live without all the bells and whistles of a full-blown RV.
Most campervans are just a bit bigger than your average vehicle. So they’re still easy to drive and park, while offering space for gear and room to sleep. And the bonus? Many rental companies understand that family vacations means taking your pets along, so there are several pet friendly options!
READ MORE ⇒ Pet Friendly RV Rental Companies
Policies And Fees
As with any rental, each company has different policies and fees. Call to verify any information you find online and clarify the rules regarding your furry companion.
I rented from Escape Campervans in Phoenix, and though they had no restrictions on size or breed, pets were not allowed during July, August, and September. While this seasonal restriction is meant to protect pets from hot vehicles, it could affect your plans if you’re hoping to travel during summer vacation.
Questions for your campervan rental company:
- Are pets allowed in the van?
- Are there additional fees for bringing a pet along?
- Is there a pet weight limit or a breed restriction?
- How many pets are allowed in the van?
- Are there any additional rules pertaining to pets?
Safety During Travel
Once you’ve found a van that will accommodate your pets – it’s time to think about where they’ll ride while you’re driving.
Many campervans have a back seat that converts to a bed, so your pets might be able to ride just like they do in your regular vehicle. There are seat belts available to use with safety harnesses, and there might be space on the floor where a kennel would fit. When in doubt, ask the rental company – they might have additional suggestions.
READ MORE ⇒ Best Crash-Tested Dog Harnesses For The Car
Our adventure van, Hawaii, was fantastic! But the back seat was a little narrow for CW and Herc to share. Luckily, the seatbelts were accessible in the bed configuration, so I was able to keep the dogs secure without worrying that they’d slip off the seat.
Also, if your dog has a valid driver’s license and can reach the pedals, the driver’s seat is a potential option. Just kidding — Herc likes to scout for squirrels while CW and I nap!
What To Pack
Plan to bring what you’d normally take for a trip with your pets: food, water, bowls, leashes, harnesses, treats, and toys. Then add in any additional weather or terrain requirements: warm layers, raincoats, paw protection, outdoor beds, and towels for dirty paws.
Also bring plenty of cleaning supplies: paper towels, cleaning wipes, fabric freshener, etc. It’s Murphy’s Law that if your dog gets sick in the vehicle it will be when you’re in the middle of nowhere with no access to running water or a washing machine. Trust me on this one! Also, pick up some dry shampoo for pets. No one wants to be stuck with a smelly dog — especially in a small space.
Finally, outdoor beds and an old yoga mat made life infinitely easier. A small space can get dirty quickly, so clean dogs means a clean(er) van! The dog beds provided comfy seating where the pups could supervising my cooking. And the yoga mat made a handy doormat to wipe paws and keep dirt out of the van. Yoga mats are easy to clean and roll up nicely for storage. Plus they’re super-helpful for finding your zen after any less-than-stellar moments!
READ MORE ⇒ Camping With Dogs – A Beginner’s Guide
Where To Park?
There are many, many places to take an adventure van and park for the night. You can go to state park campgrounds, private campgrounds, national parks, national forests, and Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds. You can also explore dispersed camping at Bureau of Land Management (BLM) locations.
Where you park really depends on what you find enjoyable and the amenities you want. Most state park, national park, ACE, and private campgrounds offer hot showers, flush toilets, and a campsite with a picnic table. Private campgrounds generally have additional amenities like internet, laundry facilities, and a camp store. National forest campgrounds usually have pit toilets and a picnic table at your site, but no showers. And BLM and other disbursed campsites might have a fire ring, but that will be about it. You can find listings for thousands of pet friendly campgrounds at GoPetFriendly.com.
READ MORE ⇒ RV Parks Or Boondocking?
Tips And Tricks
Review the list of gear that comes with your van rental before you start packing. Some things you’d normally take might already be included.
The van we rented came with camp chairs, bedding (fitted sheet, comforter, and 2 pillows), and basic kitchenware (propane stove, 2 pots, 1 pan, 3 dining sets, and several other miscellaneous utensils). I brought another pillow and a few blankets so Cool Whip and Herc had familiar items to calm them at bedtime.
Storage is where you’ll want to get creative. Plastic storage containers are great for keeping gear secure, organized, and easy to move around. And in the evening you can easily shift the containers to the front seats for more sleeping space.
I like 15-quart sized containers; they hold a decent amount without getting too bulky. Our van had two built-in storage boxes, space underneath the bed, and a shelving unit in the kitchen area for stowing our gear.
At meal time, always be on the lookout for food thieves lurking in the background. They’ll patiently wait for you to forget about that plate of pancakes on the counter!
With those tips, we hope you’re soon renting an adventure van with your pets and making your own pawsome memories! If you get really ambitious, check out our blog post highlighting the most pet friendly sites along Historic Route 66!
DO MORE ⇒ Route 66 – Pet Friendly Sights From Chicago to Santa Monica
The post Renting An Adventure Van With Pets appeared first on GoPetFriendly.com.
Silipint Silicone Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl Review 2024: An Expert’s Breakdown
The post Silipint Silicone Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl Review 2024: An Expert’s Breakdown by Gabrielle McGhee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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We give Silipint’s Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl a rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars.
If you enjoy taking your dog on road trips with you, then you know what a commodity space is when it comes to packing their belongings. In our family, our three dogs have their own travel bags, which can take up quite a bit of room in our vehicle. This means we all must pack as light as possible, but whether your dog is accompanying you on a day trip or an extended overnight stay, one thing you can’t do without is a dog bowl. That’s where soft foldable pet bowls come in handy. These can be made from a variety of flexible materials, and one of the safest and most durable options is silicone.
The Silipint company in Bend, Oregon is one such brand manufacturing dog bowls, human drinking cups, and other food containers out of silicone. But why silicone? Well, the answer is simple – silicone is readily available, non-toxic, and durable. And when it comes to dog bowls, it can also be used to create a foldable product that is easy to transport. Though Silipint is better known today for their creatively designed drinking tumblers, this company got its start making dog leashes and bowls over 15 years ago. Their foldable dog bowls are still a popular product today, and a great item to travel with when you decide to take your pup along. Whether you’re looking to save space on a long car ride with your dog, or you need something lightweight to carry in your backpack when you go hiking, the Aqua-Fur foldable silicone dog bowl from Silipint fits the bill. It is also incredibly durable and easy to clean, making it a fantastic product to keep in your pet supplies arsenal for years to come.
About the Silipint
Almost two decades ago, outdoor enthusiast and dog lover Rick Fredland started his innovative brand, Tazlab. His initial design was a safer dog collar made of silicone with the primary goal of preventing accidental strangulations, but he also came up with a multifunctional silicone leash, as well as a foldable silicone dog bowl. It wasn’t until he started promoting his pet products at trade shows that he got the idea to start making silicone pint “glasses” so the show patrons could be served frosty beverages at his booth. He quickly realized this was an untapped market, and soon switched gears to create his current business, Silipint, with a mission to help people live a more sustainable life through products that deliver joy.
Silipint, founded in 2010, is now a successful supplier of many silicone items, including their original foldable dog bowls. The company utilizes non-toxic silica, a naturally occurring component of sand, to derive rubber-like silicone which is both lightweight and flexible. This material is used to produce the Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl and has many benefits. It is eco-friendly, resistant to tears and leaks, and easy to clean. It is also dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe. But the best feature is its foldability! With a little practice, any dog owner can quickly fold and secure this bowl into a compact shape that is small enough to tuck away in a backpack or even a large pants pocket. Anybody who enjoys traveling with their dog or taking their pup on outdoor excursions will enjoy the convenience of including the Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl in their gear.
Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl Overview
Here is an overview of Silipint’s Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl. This lightweight foldable bowl is a great option for pet parents on the go, and won’t leak, tear, or weigh you down on the trail. It is safe for your dog and the environment and lasts for years.
Quality
The Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl is a quality piece of pet equipment designed to stand up to squished car rides, boisterous pups, and difficult hikes. It is sturdy enough to maintain its shape, thus preventing leaks and spills, while still being flexible enough to fold into a pocket. The silicone material is dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe, and unlikely to fatigue with normal use and maintenance. Cleaning is also a breeze, with stains or odors removable using such everyday cleaning supplies as vinegar, baking soda, or peroxide. You can also rest assured the bowl is non-toxic, meaning there will be no harmful off-gassing or dangerous chemicals leaching into your dog’s food or water.
Eco-friendliness
The Silipint company uses silica, a component of sand, to derive the food-grade silicone used in their products. Silica is plentiful in the earth’s crust and easy to obtain, which minimizes harm done by the manufacturing process and makes this a highly sustainable product. Silipint uses no fillers or harmful chemicals, and these bowls are even recyclable, although your Aqua-Fur bowl should never wear out! Furthermore, all Silipint products are responsibly manufactured in China and then screen printed in Indiana. They are BPA-free and pass all FDA standards.
Shipping & Returns
The Silipint company will ship to all 50 states in the USA via USPS and offers free shipping on orders over $50. If you are not happy with your Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl, you can return the item within 30 days of purchase, but the brand requests that you email them first with the reason for your dissatisfaction. The website does not state which party will be responsible for shipping costs in the event of a return.
In Summary
- Non-toxic
- Eco-friendly
- Easily portable
- Highly durable
- Easy to clean
- Limited color options
- Only one size
Key Features
Durability
Silipint’s foldable dog bowl is made using a thick yet flexible silicone molding that is resistant to accidental buckling or tearing. It is not susceptible to temperature extremes and is safe to put in the freezer, microwave, or dishwasher. This high-quality bowl has a limited lifetime guarantee and should never wear out with recommended usage and cleaning guidelines.
Variety
Currently, there are four color options available on the Silipint website – Sun Storm, Marigold, Arctic Sky, and Hippie Hops—all of which feature a tie-dye pattern of different color combinations. There is only one size Aqua-Fur bowl, but it holds a generous 1 liter of food or water. The bowl’s height is approximately 3”, which might be too tall for the tiniest toy breeds but should be ideal for most dogs.
Safety
There are no additives or fillers in these 100% platinum-cured silicone bowls, and they are completely non-toxic. This means no harmful chemicals will leach into your pet’s food or water, and there will be no off-gassing of harmful airborne chemicals. But the Aqua-Fur bowl is also safe for the environment. Should this product ever wear out, the company can recycle it. But Silipint also states that if this bowl ever does end up in a landfill, it will eventually break down into the same raw materials that were used to manufacture it in the first place.
Is the Silipint Dog Bowl a Good Value?
At less than $20, the cost of the Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl from Silipint seems appropriately priced. While there are similar but less expensive bowls on the market, the silicone used in these cheaper versions is of lesser quality – either being thinner and more flimsy, or containing cheap fillers which may contain harmful chemicals for your pet and the environment. When choosing a silicone travel bowl for your pet, the Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl is going to be your best option, while still being reasonably priced for all the benefits that it offers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long can I expect this bowl to last?
With normal use, this bowl should last the lifetime of any dog and beyond. It comes with a limited lifetime warranty against defects in workmanship or materials. The silicone used to manufacture these bowls is highly durable against cracks or tears and resistant to temperature extremes. With proper care, you should expect your Aqua-Fur bowl to last for many years without showing any wear and tear. Silipint states you should not expect this bowl to ever wear out!
Can my dog carry it in their hiking pack?
Yes! This silicone dog bowl is both lightweight and flexible. Because it can be folded into a compact shape, it can easily fit into the type of hiking pack made for your dog to wear. Other transport options are your backpack, tote bag, or even a large pants pocket, such as those found on cargo shorts or hiking pants. For people who like to keep a dog bowl in the car, it can be conveniently kept in the glove box.
How should I clean this bowl?
While these silicone bowls are extremely durable and resistant to high temperatures, it is advisable to hand wash them with a gentle detergent to ensure they last a lifetime. However, it is OK to put them in your dishwasher. Should your Aqua-Fur bowl become stained or develop any type of odor, the brand’s website recommends using a vinegar and water solution, a baking soda and water solution, or 3% peroxide to better clean the bowl. If these methods do not work, Silipint will replace the bowl.
Our Experience With Silipint’s Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl
As a lifelong dog lover and outdoor enthusiast, I have always loved taking my pups along on my adventures. And though it was over 25 years ago, I still remember vividly the very first collapsible dog bowl I ever purchased. I found it in a mail-order catalog – a vinyl-lined canvas material with a rim that folded inward to make it flat for storage. Sure, it could hold food and water, but it wasn’t good at holding its shape, meaning I had to manually keep the mouth of it open while my dog ate or drank from it. The interior vinyl also deteriorated over time until it cracked and would no longer hold water. Fortunately, it was cheap, but you get what you pay for…
Since my first collapsible bowl wore out, I’ve been traveling with just their regular bowls, or small Tupperware if I need to save space – not the most convenient option, I admit, but better than wasting money on another disappointing product. Then a couple years ago while working as a vet tech, I was given a bunch of “swag” during October’s National Veterinary Technician Week, and one of the items was a collapsible dog bowl. At first, I was thrilled, and eager to try it out on a road trip or camping excursion. The free bowl was double-sided with a clamshell design and was supposed to close into a disc shape – however, the rubbery material was extremely flimsy, and not only did it not hold a compressed shape, but it often caused spills when in use.
Fast forward to the arrival of our new Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I ordered this bowl… it looked like a great product, and had great reviews, but I had been let down before by other brands. Fortunately, this perfectly designed bowl surpassed all my expectations. Right away, I could tell this was a much sturdier bowl than the others I have tried. It holds its shape very well and does not collapse under the weight of food or water. It was a little tricky getting the hang of how to fold and secure it for storage, but I found a handy YouTube video to help me out, and with a few minutes of practice, I now find folding it to be a breeze! I also appreciate how easy to clean this bowl is – I have washed it in both the dishwasher and by hand in the sink, and it still looks brand new with its vibrant blue tie-dye pattern “Arctic Sky.” Now that Fall has finally arrived in Florida, I am excited to take this handy and innovative bowl on lots of dog-friendly excursions!
Conclusion
The Silipint Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl is a practical and stylish travel bowl that beats the competitors’ designs in both durability and safety. At around $15 a bowl, it is also affordable for any dog owner, and the perfect addition to any pet-friendly travel gear for its space-saving capabilities. If you’re looking for a dog bowl to take with you on road trips, hikes, or even the dog park, the Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl is the best option available!
The post Silipint Silicone Aqua-Fur Dog Bowl Review 2024: An Expert’s Breakdown by Gabrielle McGhee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
The Honest Kitchen & Cozymeal Partner Up For National Dog Week 2024: A Cooking Class Experience
The post The Honest Kitchen & Cozymeal Partner Up For National Dog Week 2024: A Cooking Class Experience by Gabrielle McGhee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
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To celebrate September’s National Dog Week this year, human-grade pet food manufacturer The Honest Kitchen teamed up with online culinary platform Cozymeal to bring a complimentary virtual cooking class to life. Though Cozymeal typically only offers classes on preparing human dishes, this special edition Zoom class walked its participants through the preparation of a full-course meal for their dogs and featured some of The Honest Kitchen’s most popular dehydrated products in addition to some regular ingredients from the grocery store.
The dishes created during the class were a Doggy Hot Toddy appetizer, a main course of meatloaf and mashed potatoes, and a decadent dessert of Blueberry Celebration Cake. All three meals were, of course, human-grade and nutritious, in keeping with the spirit of National Dog Week, which is to encourage people to find new ways of enhancing their dogs’ lives and well-being. Through use of The Honest Kitchen’s exceptional products and Cozymeal’s top-tier chef educator, Stacy D., this class not only provided a fun experience learning to cook for our dogs in a healthy way, but also brought to the table a beneficial way to bond with our pets.
About The Honest Kitchen
The Honest Kitchen was born in the home of Lucy Postins in 2002. Armed with an educational background in animal nutrition, Postins’ goal was to improve the convenience of prepping a nutritionally balanced raw meal for her own dog, Mosi. With her success came the idea that she could put other pets on the path to good health through a healthy diet. The Honest Kitchen went on to become the first dog food brand in history to obtain FDA approval to list their products as “human grade” on the packaging, and they add no fillers or GMO ingredients. They carry a wide range of supplements, wet food, kibble, dehydrated meals, and toppers with carefully sourced ingredients prepared in facilities that meet the highest human food standards.
About Cozymeal
Cozymeal is an online platform with a mission to provide users with easy access to top-tier culinary experiences. After 10 years in the marketplace, this website has become the premier destination for both foodies and kitchen newbies to find local cooking classes, food tours, and private chefs, as well as virtual cooking lessons. Most of the options are for humans, but Cozymeal also has options that revolve around home-cooked dog food or treats, which was my introduction to this revolutionary company. Cozymeal’s broad range of available bookings with varied price points makes this website a great platform to find fun and rewarding cooking experiences, no matter your skill level, budget, or goals. Through Cozymeal, you can hire a private chef for a dinner party, take your friends on a food tour, or practice team building with your coworkers…or, like I did, learn how to cook at home without anyone watching!
Our Experience with The Honest Kitchen & Cozymeal’s Online Cooking Class
To be honest, I have never been a good cook. My go-to is usually spaghetti, a dish that is pretty hard to mess up. A box of pasta, marinara in a jar, some garlic toast, and TA-DAAA – dinner is served! Well, several months ago, I decided to start cooking fresh meals for my dogs. I was hearing more and more about how a lifetime of processed food is detrimental to the health of our canine companions, and I wanted to do better for them. But where do I start as a lackluster chef? How do I make sure what I’m cooking is healthy for them? How can I create something tasty my dogs will actually eat?
I was recently invited to attend a virtual cooking class, a collaboration between Cozymeal and The Honest Kitchen, a human-grade pet food manufacturer. The class theme was “Tasty Recipes To Celebrate National Dog Week,” and as someone who already likes to prepare fresh food for my three dogs – Turtle, Rooney, and Candy – I was all in!
I was familiar with The Honest Kitchen, but Cozymeal was new to me. Many of the required ingredients were things I already had in my kitchen, and those I had to purchase were nothing expensive – in total, I spent less than $40 shopping for the class.
Since I had my ingredients prepped ahead of time, the pace of the class ended up being just right, and there were even a few 5-minute breaks during which I was able to do a little kitchen cleanup. The instructor was very kind and personable, and showed us her little doggie that she was cooking for at home. Class participants even sent photos of their own dogs to the Zoom chat, so we enjoyed some cute photos while we learned.
Chef Stacy walked us through making a 3-course meal for our dogs, which included a Doggy Hot Toddy, Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, and Blueberry Celebration Cake. Each dish was made using a combination of human ingredients and some products from The Honest Kitchen. Everything was easy to prepare and came out looking and smelling amazing. The dogs all enjoyed this new culinary experience and there was no food left in anyone’s bowl, but it’s safe to say the meatloaf – made with lean ground beef and The Honest Kitchen’s dehydrated beef formula – was the crowd favorite! The portions were also generous, and I was able to feed the dogs for multiple meals using the blueberry cake and meatloaf. Now that I’ve had this awesome Cozymeal experience with my dogs, I want to sign up for the human version!
Conclusion
Food is a basic human need but can also be transformative, physically and emotionally. Experiences around food can shape how we feel about the world, which is also true for our canine companions. Preparing a special meal for your dog is a wonderful way to bond, and intimate dining experiences can have the same effect for humans. Both Cozymeal and The Honest Kitchen know the value of crafting culinary experiences around love, and their platform helps everyone discover a love of food.
The post The Honest Kitchen & Cozymeal Partner Up For National Dog Week 2024: A Cooking Class Experience by Gabrielle McGhee appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Adopting Gizmo: My Scruffy Little Maniac
The post Adopting Gizmo: My Scruffy Little Maniac by Kate MacDonnell appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.
Welcome to the Wednesday Dogs of Dogster! Every Wednesday, we share a story from one of our Dogsters. This week is about Kate & Gizmo, her scruffy Pug mix.
Hey Dogsters! I adopted my first dog, a scrappy Pug/American Eskimo/Poodle/etc. mix, two years ago, and he’s brought so much joy (and terror – those puppy teeth are sharp!) into my life every day since. I grew up with cats and dogs, and I’ve always wanted to have one of my own. But it took me a while to decide that I was ready to provide a pup with the kind of life they deserve…
In the end, a little bit of inspiration and logistics conspired to bring Gizmo into my life. Lucky me! Here’s the story:
Deciding to Adopt a Dog: Inspiration & Logistics
Meeting Chester
During those long, slow pandemic summers and falls in 2020 and 2021, my friends and family had a lot of socially distanced dinner parties in backyards. I met Chester at one in my parents’ yard and it was love at first snuggle. He’s a sleepy little lap dog with human-like eyes and incredibly coarse hair.
I will admit to having been anti-small dog growing up, since we only ever had 40+ pounders and the main small dogs I knew were a bit yappy (my neighbor had a series of dachshunds, all named Moxie, with whom I never quite bonded). But Chester was something else, and he single-pawed-ly thawed my heart to the little guys.
Dog Sharing: The Logistics
The most important piece of the puzzle was the boring stuff: logistics. I love to travel and I’m not amazing with routine, plus I’m not huge on spending money. The solution to all of this was dog sharing! I already shared the rent on a cute little Victorian house with my best friend Chelsea, and she wanted a dog, too. Enter: dog sharing! We agreed to adopt a dog and share the costs and care.
Finding the Right Dog
Once we really started looking, we quickly determined that Border Terriers are not ideal dogs for first-time owners (Google hand-stripping, seriously!), on top of which they almost never show up at rescues in the US. Plus, it turns out that Chester is not a typical Border Terrier: they’re famous escape artists, and not all of them are cuddly or people-oriented.
So we started searching the local dog rescue pages for a similarly small, adorable pup. The first adoptable dog I fell in love with was a hilarious little guy named Mr. George.
But adopting rescue dogs in Colorado is basically a competitive sport, so while I was still in the virtual-home-visit-and-interview phase, he got scooped up. Luckily, I also had my eye on another little guy…
The rescue was calling him Junior, and he was new to the website, listed as a one-year-old Pug mix. You may have seen his rescue site pictures in our introduction post a few weeks ago:
To say he was adorable would be a major understatement! Plus, he was red flag-free (important to me as a first-time dog owner) and listed as having all the good things: good with cats, kids, and other dogs.
Gotcha Day
After Big Bones Canine Rescue brought “Junior” from an overcrowded shelter in Texas, they neutered him and let him recover at a foster home for a few days. The first day he was available for visits at the rescue, my friend and I called to set up a time. It was a workday and I had things to do (and no doggy supplies prepared), but the woman on the phone said he’d likely be adopted before the weekend came, so we jumped in the car.
Long story short, Gizmo came home with us that same day. Since we didn’t have any supplies, I snuggled on him in the car while my friend grabbed some food and toys at the local pet store. He was a grinning little maniac the whole car ride, panting happily, but once we got home, it seemed like it started to set in that this wasn’t just a foster visit.
A Few Weeks of Terror
In the first few weeks, Gizmo was absolutely bonkers. He chewed everything, including a power cord that briefly caught fire, peed on everything, and was generally a mouthy little monster. But he was also snuggly and sweet right away, and he settled in pretty much following the “three days, three weeks, three months” rescue dog schedule.
When he first came home, he had picked up kennel cough from other dogs at the shelter. So not only was I just some random lady who’d kidnapped him from his foster family, but I was also trying (largely unsuccessfully) to feed him pills, hidden in peanut butter and other treats. He also needed some serious grooming and wasn’t comfortable with me touching his paws or his belly. When he was unsure, his sharp little teeth would come out, to play or just to communicate. I started wearing rubber bracelets designed for doggy teething so I could redirect his chompers.
Looking at pictures from that time now, I can see how anxious he was, and all the terrorizing makes a lot of sense. Luckily, that era of Gizmo is long behind us now!
Settling In
These days, he’s a secure, happy little guy who loves to sleep on his many beds and couches while I work. He’s a charismatic dog who makes friends everywhere he goes, and he’s never met a lap he couldn’t turn into a day bed. Because of his long legs, he can hike pretty far, and he has to sniff absolutely everything we pass on our daily neighborhood walks. And he loves a good belly rub!
Don’t forget to check back in a few weeks: I’ll share the story of Gizmo’s (adorable) 15 minutes of fame with People Magazine!
The post Adopting Gizmo: My Scruffy Little Maniac by Kate MacDonnell appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.