Pet Tips of the Week

Winter is upon us!  Use these easy and affective tips to keep your pets safe.   With winter comes Christmas and you don't want to leave your furry friends out!  Check out My Pet Project Supplies on Facebook here and like us.  You will get 28% off your first order with us!

Woof and welcome! I'm Dart the dog, and the guest editor of My Pet Project Supplies....well a little about me...I just W ♥ of my food and well of course my friends. Playtime yes please! Don't mention W-A-L-K around me or I will know exactly what you are talking about. Ear scratches are a must, and the center of attention? That's me right here. Oh, and ladies? No kisses on the first date.  

Check out my newly formed Facebook profile here.  I will be updating about a life in the day of me! And if that's not fascinating enough, I will be modeling for My Pet project Supplies too!

Latest News

Human foods leave a bad taste for pets

What not to feed your dog or cat

A lot of pet owners assume that the foods they enjoy, must also be appropriate for their pets. More often than not, this is not the case. Today we take a look at some of the most common misconceptions and some of the most deadly foods you could serve a dog or cat.

Bones
 

It may seem natural to give a dog or cat a bone, but cooked bones, especially chicken bones, can shatter and cause damage in the throat and the intestinal tract.

Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
 

Cacao seeds contain methylxanthines. This can cause vomiting and diarrhea, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, panting and abnormal heart rhythm, seizures and death. Caffeine causes the same reactions.

Alcohol
 

Alcoholic can kill a pet. It has all the negative effects on them that humans can experience, such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, and abnormal blood acidity, but it is intensified in your much smaller pet.

Raw egg yolk
 

There is an enzyme is raw eggs called avidin and it can create a Vitamin B deficiency, but beyond this, the larger concern here is the possibility of Salmonella

Avocado
 

Avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats… and can be fatal.
 

Tomatoes
 

Tomatoes have atropine in them, and that can cause tremors.  Please note that the less ripe the tomato, the higher the risk.

Macadamia Nuts
 

Macadamia nuts can cause, vomiting, kidney failure, hyperthermia and tremors.
 

Potato
 

Potatoes contain Oxalates, which can be very damaging to the urinary and nervous systems of pets.
 

Grapes & Raisins
 

Grapes and raisins can be responsible for kidney failure. Oddly it has not been established what substance within these fruits creates the toxicity

Raw fish
 

If served on a regular basis, raw fish can lead to a Vitamin B deficiency. In turn, this can lead to seizures and death.

Raw Yeast Dough
 

A small amount of cooked dough can be consumed by your dog or cat; however, uncooked yeast dough can be painful when digested by them, so much so that the stomach has been known to rupture.

Citrus oil extract
 

Citrus oil extracts can cause vomiting, as can other extracts and concentrates.
 

Raw/Undercooked Meat
 

As with bones, it would seem natural to feed raw meat to cats and dogs, but they are at risk of E. coli and Salmonella, just as humans would be if they did the same.

Peaches and plums
 

The pits from peaches and plums present a choking risk, and they contain a poison called cyanide, which is lethal.
 

Sweet junk food
 

There is a sweetener Xylitol that is used in a host of snack foods…not just candy and baked goods and gum, but also in soft drinks, even diet soft drinks. What this does to your pet is it causes an increase of insulin, which can severely damage the liver.  

Onions, Garlic
 

Many authorities are divided on garlic. Some have even gone so far as to call it reckless and dangerous to canines. Others strongly contend garlic is a healthy way of fighting parasites and has been part of the doggy diet for as long as man has been lucky enough to have made a four-legged friend.

However, when it comes to onions, the verdict is clear. 

The issue surrounds a substance called thiosulphate.  Food containing high concentrations of thiosulphate can be the cause of the bursting of red blood cells, a condition known commonly as "Heinz factor" anaemia. Onions are very high in thiosulphate…garlic less so.

Use moderation for garlic, but avoid onions entirely
 

Milk
 

While not lethal like some of the other foods listed here, it should be noted that cats and dogs are lactose intolerant, therefore milk can create digestive issues.

Salt
 

In humans, salt is sometimes called the “silent killer”. Imagine what is does to your pet. Some of the milder signs include excessive urination and thirst, but in extreme cases, sodium ion poisoning can result from salt consumption.

Pet Tips of the Week

Our furry friends struggle with their weight too! Check out this video below for some laughs and ways to tell if your cat is too fat!

Quotes of the Week

Happy Halloween! In the spirit of things here are some spooktacular dog and cat jokes for you.  

 

 

Which one of your pets should you scare on Halloween?

Scare-de-cat.

 

What type of dog do vampire's like the best?  

Bloodhounds.

Weekly Contest!

This weeks contest is: 

Messiest Friend!

Our pets may be adorable but they are not the neatest buddies.  From muddy paws to chewed up paper, they never fail to find something to sink their teeth or claws into!  But then they give us that look and we can never stay mad at them.  So send us your pictures of your furry offenders and your pet could be the next winner!

Prize

Our prize this week is the perfect way to show your love of your pet, regardless of the mess's they may cause in your life! It's the I love My (breed) Magnet!

For more information check out the weekly product or see our website at: http://mypetprojectsupplies.com/products/i-love-my-yorkie-magnet

Latest News

Every dog has his day-choosing the right breed for you

Once you have decided to bring a dog into your life, choosing the breed is the most important decision you will make. To make the right call, you need to examine your lifestyle, your reasons for wanting a dog, and your expectations from him.

Let's start with lifestyle:.

Ask yourself how much time you will have available to walk and care for your dog.  A general rule of thumb is that the larger the dog, the more active care he will require. While it is true that dog walkers and groomers are just a phone call away, most dog owners will want to make dog care part of the bonding experience

Do you own a yard? If so, how big is it?  Again, the bigger the dog, the more space he will want to call his own.

Are allergies an issue? Then, you will want to stick to a breed that doesn't shed.

Do you have children? Are they young enough that you should factor the gentleness of the breed into the equation? On this point, size is not always the most telling point. Some larger breeds, like Labradors and retrievers , are renown for being great with kids. In fact, one of the biggest dogs of all, the Newfoundland, is one of the best in this category. Conversely, some smaller breeds are quite territorial. Don't hesitate to ask questions when evaluating a dog. Ideally, meeting the parents of the puppy will tell you a lot about his disposition.

Is having a purebred important to you, or would you be just as happy with a mixed breed? Purebreds, with papers, come from registered breeders...but be aware that not all breeders are alike. Reputable dealers follow strict animal welfare practices, but  sadly, some breeders allow dogs to leave in untended conditions, and sometimes with too little food. That is not the type of breeder any dog lover would knowingly support. Your best defense to go there in person and look at the conditions in which the dogs are kept. If you are satisfied with what you see, you will have not only peace of mind but you will have a much reduced likelihood of your dog arriving with a ticks, or a medical issue that contracted in the conditions he live before coming to you.

There those who swear by mixed breeds. A popular belief among some owners is that a mixed bred will be a happier dog. While that's up to debate, it can be said that mixed bred dogs do not have some of the health issues that are associated with purebreds, such as hip problems in German shepherds.

For those who are open to mixed breeds, more options are available, such as your local Humane Society, or other rescue shelters. For some, saving an unwanted dog from being out down is a very rewarding part of acquiring a pet.

This brings us to the question of whether to buy a puppy, or to take on a more mature dog.  For many reasons an older dog might fit your lifestyle better than a pup. They have the advantage of being house-trained and are likely to be less frenetic than a pup. If you are retired and want a quiet lifestyle, an older dog might be just the ticket for you.

Once you have made your self-assessment, you will be ready to research the breed that best fits your needs. Some internet sites offer tests that will suggest a breed for you based on the answer you would give to questions like those asked above. Talking to other owners is also a great source for learning. If you see someone walking along with a dog that you think you might like, don't hesitate to ask about him. Dog owners love to talk about their pooches. 

Perhaps this will be your first dog. If so, congratulations. No matter the breed, you are about to discover the joys of love and devotion from a true companion.

Product of the Week

THE I LOVE MY (BREED) MAGNET!

Proud of your pet? Show it off!

We all think our pet is the greatest, so why not share that with this adorable magnet! It is 5 3/4" in diameter and also weather and UV resistant.  It's perfect for your fridge, office, or wherever else you want to brag about your pet a bit! 

For more information or to purchase, please visit our website at: http://mypetprojectsupplies.com/products/i-love-my-yorkie-magnet 

Cutest Sleeper Contest Winner!

Congratulations to Hallie, the winner of our weekly contest.  Hallie's picture represented the cutest sleeper.  All we can say is aww!  Hallie's owner, Katie, will be receiving a Halloween smoocher.  We hope that Katie will send us a pic of Hallie wearing the smoocher so that we can all see how cute it is on!

Quotes of the Week

Not all pets are the same, but they sure share some similar traits!  I'm sure you pet owners can relate to these.  

"Anything on the ground is a cat toy. Anything not there yet, will be."

~ Unknown

 

"You can say any fool thing to a dog, and the dog will give you this look that says, My God, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!'" 

~ Dave Barry 

Weekly Contest!

This weeks contest is: 

Me and my toy!

 Our furry friends love to play! They roll, attack, gnaw and bat.  They scratch and lick and fetch.  Most of them even have their very own favorite toy! They have the time of the time of their lives with the simplest items.  So send us your pictures of your pet playing, cute and funny alike, and your pet could be the next winner!

Prize

Our prize this week is perfect for the season.  It's a Halloween Smoocher!

What's a Smoocher?  It's the fun, and fast, way to dress up your cat or dog for any special occasion.  We have them for Christmas too! For more information see our website at http://mypetprojectsupplies.com/collections/smoochers

Warning:  as cute as it looks, it will look even better on your pet!