About Me
- ShopforPaws
- ShopForPaws.com is the place for all your pet supplies. Our goal is to create a shop that has quality products needed for pet lovers and their four legged family members. We offer a wide selection of pet supplies including cat and dog toys, pet wellness, pet beds, pet collars, and a pet grooming section with all the necessities. ShopForPaws.com is inspired to help pets in need. We are committed to donating a portion of every sale to non-profit organizations that help animals in need. I am grateful to have found a business that will allow me to be charitable to our animal community. As an online pet supply shop we are quite unique, as our mission is to provide animals lovers a place to shop for their pet products while also giving back to animals in need. We consider it our responsibility to make a positive impact in the animal community.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Spring Cleaning Tips for Pet Parents
It’s that time of year
again, spring is in the air, and many of start feeling the urge to start deep
cleaning our homes. Pet owners need a
few extra steps added to their spring-cleaning checklist to keep up with the
messes that pets make. As we put on
those rubber gloves and start scrubbing the nooks and crannies of our homes, remember
to take those extra steps to clean up your pet’s home environment, too.
Before the spring-cleaning
begins pet owners should be aware of the cleaning products that they are
using. Many cleaning products have
harmful chemicals that can be dangerous to our pets if they are ingested. There are many companies that make chemical
free products, as well as many homemade chemical free products that are safe
for pets.
Bath time bonding.
Scrub down crates and
kennels.
Most pet crates and
kennels are built to allow you to remove side panels and the floor tray for
easy cleaning. Spring is a perfect time
to take the dog crates and kennels outside for a good cleaning, however it is recommended
to clean them weekly to keep a clean and healthy sleeping area for your
pet. Use a diluted bleach mixture using
one part bleach and 20 parts of water.
Do not use cleaners that contain ammonia, as dog urine contains ammonia,
so adding ammonia to the crate will confuse your dog. Spray the bleach solution on the crate and
allow to set for a minute and then scrub with a stiff brush. Wipe down with wet cloth or use a hose to
rinse thoroughly.
Clean pet beds and covers.
Dog and cat beds should be
cleaned weekly, but weeks get away from many of us, so spring is a great time
to do a thorough cleaning of your pet’s sleeping area. Pet beds are filled with allergens, insects,
dander and dirt, so it is crucial to purchase a bed that can be cleaned. Dog bed come in a variety of sizes and materials,
but all should be cleanable by either putting them in the washing machine, hose
down, vacuum or use a tape roller for cleaning.
Dog beds with covers are great for easy cleaning, as you can remove the
cover and clean on a regular bases.
While the cover is being cleaned you can place the bed in the spring air
for freshening.
Put a sparkle on pet bowls
and toys.
When was the last time you
washed our pet bowl or toys? During your
spring-cleaning routine is a perfect time to gather up all pet bowls and toys
and give them a quick wash cycle in the dishwasher.
Get springtime fit.
Has your dog turned into a
couch potato during the winter months?
Spring is a great time to get back outside and shed those added winter
pounds. Dogs that have plenty of play-time
are more likely to be better behaved while inside and outside the home, as they
are able to run off that extra energy. However,
according to Dr. Jeff Weber dogs that have been fairly sedentary during the
winter months need to ease back into regular exercise routines.
Open up your windows, put
on your rubber gloves and enjoy the spring weather.
Every time you shop at ShopForPaws.com
you help support animals in need.
Saturday, March 14, 2015
Easter Baskets for Dogs and Cats….And Pet Lovers too
Making an Easter basket
for your pet or the pet lover can be simple.
Begin by using a pet bowl,
pet bed or pet carrier as the basket.
These make for a perfect basket, but much more useful after the festivities
have ended. You can use a pet blanket or
cat grass instead of Easter grass, as that can be harmful to pets. Fill your basket with all the goodies. Cellophane can be used, but not necessary and
depending on your pet may be harmful.
Top it off with a big bow to make it even more festive for Easter
morning. Your pets will love it. As for the pet lover’s Easter basket, you can
use a pet bowl or treat canister to start off a great Easter basket, but if you
would rather stay more traditional, then stick with an Easter basket and Easter
grass, fill it with all the goodies and finish it off with cellophane and big bow to make it very festive.
Easter Basket Ideas:
Dogs: Begin by using a dog bowl, pet carrier or dogbed as the basket and you can use a colorful new dog blanket instead of Easter
grass. Then begin to fill it with all
the great dog toys and dog treats your dog loves. Depending on the size of your dog, you will want
to make sure that items are safe and your dog is not able to swallow or choke
on anything you include in the basket. I
love to finish it off with a big bow.
Bunny shaped container
filled with dog treats
Easter eggs filled with
dog treats
Cats: Begin by using a cat bowl as the basket and
fill it with catnip plants – it makes the perfect Easter grass for your cat’s
Easter basket. Then begin to fill it
with some of the items listed or use your imagination – Your cat will love
whatever you put in there. Just make
sure everything is safe for your kitty. Finish it off with a big bow made of
yarn.
Cat Treats
Cat teasers
Plush cat toys filled with
catnip
A Few plastic Easter eggs
filled with cat treats make the perfect Easter toy.
Pet Lover in Your Life: Pet lovers would love to get a basket filled
with items that show off their love for animals. Themed baskets are great, so a pet themed
basket would be ideal for the pet lover in your life. Begin with a pet bowl, pet canisters, pet carrier or traditional Easter basket. Fill
it with Easter grass and some of the gifts listed below. Finish it off with cellophane and a big bow. The Easter Bunny will be a huge hit
Easter eggs filled with
candy or maybe pet treats to share with their furry friend
Candy Easter bunny
Easter Gift Baskets are
great fun to make and even better to receive.
Have fun, use your imagination and fill it with love.
Happy Easter
Shopforpaws.com
Every time you shop at ShopForPaws.com
you help support animals in need.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
March is Poison Prevention Awareness Month
Let's Keep all Animals Healthy and Safe! Be aware of products and plants that can harm your pets.
My family often jokes
about our 3 Labrador Retrievers being vacuum cleaners around the house. So, when I read the articles from
Veterinarian Pet Insurance that began exactly this way, I had to continue
reading. The data that was included in
the article was a bit outdated (2011), but very informative. Families with animals know all to well how
dogs will eat just about anything they see on the floor and unfortunately, this
will often result in pets eating something that can be poisonous. According to Veterinarian Pet Insurance the
most common type of poison in dogs is the accidental ingestion of pet or people
medication. Not only do incidences that
involve a pet getting into something that is poisonous cause incredible heart
ache for family member, but the amount of money that is spent on these cases a
year is enormous.
ASPCA is the best resource
for emergency and non-emergency poison-related questions. They are available for questions 24 hours a
day, 365 days a year. If for any reason
you feel your pet has ingested a potentially poisonous substance give them a
call at 888-426-4435. There is a small
fee to have a consultation, but well work the money to make sure you pet is not
in harms way. They also have a detailed list of toxic and non-toxic plants, and other household substances,
medications, insects, yard and garage products that could be potentially deadly
to your pets. I can’t say enough about
this list of items. While doing this
research I found myself very surprised about items that could be harming my
pets, and I had no idea. I strongly
suggest every pet owner goes to this website to look at all the potential items
that you may have around your home in your pet’s reach. In addition to the hotline and website, ASPCA has a free mobile app that provides a wealth of knowledge and quick access to
potentially life-saving information for your pets.
Pet Poison Helpline is a poison
control center that has 24/7 availability for pet owners. This helpline is available throughout U.S.,
Canada, and the Caribbean. Pet owners
are able to call and pay a small consultation fee to talk directly with experts
in pet poison. They too have a detailed
list of potentially poisonous products that could cause harm or death to your
pets. Each product or plant has a detailed list of common signs to watch for,
level of toxicity, alternate names, and to which pets it may be poisonous to. There is a “For Owners” tab that includes a
Guide to Pet Safety, Ways to Poison Proof your Home, and Pet Loss Support. Looks like an informative website with great
information to keeping your pet healthy and safe.
These are just a few pet
poison helplines that could possibly safe your pet in case of accidental
ingestion of a toxic product or plant.
In addition to taking steps in understanding and avoiding pet poisoning
emergencies, pet owners should have a plan in case such an emergency occurs in
your home.
- Keep your veterinarian phone number handy at all times.
- Keep your veterinarian emergency hospital number handy at all times.
- Keep the helpline number handy at all times.
- Keep a list of toxic plants and household products handy at all times.
- Bonus would be to have the ASPCA app on your phone.
Cece Garza, Owner
Shopforpaws.com
Every time you shop at ShopForPaws.com
you help support animals in need.
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