Cosmick Media SEO Blogs

Blog

  • Should I Crate Train My Dog?

    Should I Crate Train My Dog?

    Crate training is the process of introducing your dog to view and accept a dog crate as a personal safe space. There are various benefits that crate training offers particularly for your pet. Here are the most profound ones: 

    Provides a Familiar, Safe Space 

    Sometimes, your pet needs a place to retire, particularly if they encounter something new. For instance, some dogs are not great at getting used to strangers and would rather stay away. A crate provides a form of escape for your pup and allows them to retreat from new, disturbing changes until they can eventually adapt. 

    Provides a Den Feeling 

    Many advocates point to the fact that dogs are den animals and a crate can serve as a substitute for a den. Daisy’s den is where she reigns supreme and feels like her own personal kingdom. This space serves as a sanctuary and your dog feels very secure in that space. 

    Helps With Potty Training 

    Dogs generally keep their sleeping areas clean as a matter of instinct. Providing your pup with a crate would help them learn to hold and this in turn strengthens bladder and bowel muscles. They inadvertently learn housebreaking on their own. 

    Makes Life Easier Generally 

    Crates generally make yours and your pet’s life easier. Transporting Daisy is safer using a crate whether by road for long distance trips or air trips. It results in less distractions for the driver and you would be able to have your dog with you whenever you travel.  

    Conclusion 

    Crate training your pup offers too many benefits for you to pass it up. During the process, ensure that you’re patient and reward with treats for good behavior. 

  • Do Dogs Have Allergies?

    Do Dogs Have Allergies?

    Are dog allergies a thing? Yes. Dogs do have allergies too. Generally, dog allergies are divided up into three categories:

    • Skin allergies
    • Food allergies  
    • Acute allergic reaction 

    Skin Allergies

    Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis rank as the most prevalent allergic reaction in dogs. They are caused by one of the following three:

    • Food allergies 
    • Flea allergy dermatitis 
    • Environmental allergens 

    These allergies may present as itchy skin, resulting in skin becoming red, inflamed, and scabbed. Flea allergy dermatitis is caused by fleas while environmental allergens like pollen, mold and dust may cause atopic dermatitis or atopic allergic reactions.  

    Food Allergies 

    Actual food allergies in dogs stimulate an immune response which can present symptoms ranging from skin conditions like facial swelling, hives, and itchiness to gastrointestinal signs like vomiting and/or diarrhea. Anaphylaxis may occur in rare cases. 

    Food allergies are rare and the most common form of reaction to foods in dogs is food intolerance. These do not induce an immune response and are simply a reaction to a disturbing ingredient. 

    To diagnose and manage a food allergy, it is essential to work with your veterinarian.

    Acute Allergic Reaction 

    This is the most alarming of all three allergy types. A reaction to an allergen can send dogs into anaphylactic shock which can be fatal if not quickly handled. 

    Some common causes of this include vaccine reactions and bee stings. The upside is that anaphylactic reactions are very rare in dogs. 

    Common reactions to an allergen could include swellings of the throat, lips, face, ear flaps, and eyelids. 

    Treatments for Allergies 

    The top cure for allergies is total avoidance of culprit allergen. For instance, getting rid of fleas would prevent flea allergy dermatitis and taking out offending ingredients can prevent food intolerance. 

    Veterinary medicine has come a long way and swellings from a reaction can commonly be treated with an antihistamine. Similarly, your veterinarian may prescribe other medication for allergy relief. 

    What You Can Do To Aid Allergy Relief

    To aid allergy relief at home, you can keep offending ingredients and insects at bay. Also, certain home remedies may help. 

    Conclusion 

    Prevention is the keyword here. Keep an eye out and prevent reactions altogether. 

  • Top 5 Springtime Recipes for Your Dog

    Top 5 Springtime Recipes for Your Dog

    It’s spring and time to make some homemade foods and treats! Here are some recipes you can explore: 

    Frozen Watermelon Treats 

    Watermelon is a staple for both spring and summer. It contains lots of fluid, aiding hydration, has a natural sweetness and is perfect for cooking in the warm temperature. Making this treat is super simple and all you need is some watermelon and coconut milk. You might have to wait a while for the treats to freeze up, but it’s worth the wait. 

    Yogurt Peanut Butter Banana Treats

    Dogs love peanut butter all year round and to make this recipe even healthier, yogurt does an excellent job. These treats are typically brought out in the stifling heat of summer, but it wouldn’t hurt to give your dog some in spring too!

    Cranberry Cookies 

    You want to show your dog some extra love? Bake these cookies heart-shaped. Ingredients include some almond flour and coconut flour, and of course, cranberries. Ensure to make a whole lot because your dog would definitely love them!

    Turkey, Rice and Veggie Mix 

    This low-fat, low-calorie recipe is particularly ideal if you’re looking to stop your fur baby from gaining excess weight. It boasts lean animal protein, veggies, and healthy carbs. You can get up to 12 cups from a single preparation and they stay in perfect condition for up to 5 days when refrigerated. 

    Beef Stew, Doggie Style

    This homemade food can be frozen and lasts the entire week. It had loads of iron from fresh protein and requires only about a pound of beef stew meat, one small sweet potato, half cups of diced carrots, diced green beans, flour and water, and finally, a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Watch your dog lap this up in no time!

    Conclusion 

    Now, bring out your inner chef and get to whipping up these delicacies!

  • Did You Know Petland Provides Classroom Pets for Teachers?

    Did You Know Petland Provides Classroom Pets for Teachers?

    Research has shown that students interacting with pets in the educational setting has social, behavioral and academic benefits. Classroom pets can reduce school-related stress, boost reading competency and enhance academic performance overall. 

    For young children, taking care of pets from a young age helps instill social and emotional skills. This process also enables children to develop a sense of responsibility and feel sensitive to others outside of themselves, boosting their confidence levels too. 

    This is exactly why Petland stores are part of the initiative to help teachers receive a pet for their classroom. 

    How To Apply

    The process of applying for the Classroom grant program is a pretty straightforward one. Here are the three steps: 

    1. Check Whether You Qualify 

    To qualify, you would need to check the following boxes: 

    • Be a pre-K through 9th grade public or private school teacher in the US or Canada (Pre-K begins at age 3)
    • Must be your first time applying for a Pets in the Classroom grant that school year
    • If you’ve been a recipient of a store or rebate grant, you would only be eligible for the Sustaining Grant 

    A “yes” to all three requirements implies eligibility. 

    1. Choosing a Pet 

    A range of factors affect a choice of pet in this case. Some major ones include: 

    • Your experience level with pets
    • How long you’re willing to care for the pet
    • The classroom environment/dynamic
    • The noise level in your classroom
    • Ease of handling pet
    • Potential zoonotic diseases associated with pet
    • Costs involved in caring for the pet
    • Access to veterinary care  

    These are a few factors that you would need to consider. 

    1. Choosing a Grant 

    There are a number of grants available and this is where Petland comes in. You can apply to the grant here after creating an account with Pets In the Classroom. 

    Conclusion 

    Pets teach us a whole lot and it’s not too early to allow them impart your students too.

  • Is Doggy Daycare Worth It?

    Is Doggy Daycare Worth It?

    Apart from getting a sitter, doggy daycare is the other alternative for ensuring that your dog is cared for when you can’t be available. However, is doggy daycare really worth it? Should you consider signing your dog up? Here are some pros and cons to help your decision along. 

    Pros of Doggy Daycare 

    Doggy daycare does offer a significant number of benefits, and here are some prominent ones:

    • Physical exercise and constant mental stimulation all through the day
    • Helps your dog ward off loneliness
    • Reduces the chance of destructive behavior
    • Reduction in barking  
    • You get a restful night since your dog would likely come home mentally exhausted and go to sleep
    • Helps if you’re unable to walk your dog that day
    • Letting your dog out midday would no longer be necessary 
    • Great way to get your pet socialized 
    • Provides enough fun activity and exercise in case you’re unable to provide that for the day 

    Cons of Doggy Daycare 

    • Might be overly exciting and overwhelming for your dog 
    • Possible mental exhaustion as a result of stress or fear on the part of you dog
    • Your dog could pick up bad behavior from other dogs or while relating with them 
    • Possible bullying or injury scenario 
    • Costs eventually rack up (average daycare cost is $25+ per day) 
    • You don’t have control over the behavior of other dogs or the staff 
    • Vaccinations are demanded and required by doggy daycares, however, there might be a chance of your dog picking up an illness like kennel cough or getting fleas from other dogs 

    Conclusion 

    Doggy daycare has some pretty great advantages as well as some somewhat discouraging downsides. However, overall, most daycares try to avoid the cons that they can on their end, so, you should definitely consider this care option.

  • Petland Wants Your Pets to be Safe from Fleas and Ticks This Year

    Petland Wants Your Pets to be Safe from Fleas and Ticks This Year

    Springtime means that flowers and trees come back to full bloom and everywhere is cheery once again. With spring also comes bugs and pests that you would need to protect your dog from. You can easily get products that prevent your pet from becoming infested with fleas and ticks. Petland.com provides the best resources in terms of education and products to help you come out triumphant.

    Why is it important to prevent fleas and ticks? Here’s why:

    The Tick Problem 

    Ticks are tiny creatures that feed on animal blood. Unlike fleas, they aren’t insects, they are arachnids comparable to tiny spiders. They thrive in warmer climates, particularly spring and summer. Ticks can be found in grass and often jump on to your pet’s skin from there. 

    A tick bite can cause irritation at the bite site or become progressively infected. If the tick keeps up with feeding, your pet could end up with anemia or blood loss. Ticks also spread diseases, prominent of which is Lyme disease, typically transmitted by deer ticks. 

    Lyme disease may cause inflammation in your pup’s joint, making walking difficult. 

    The Flea Problem 

    Fleas are tiny insects that primarily derive nutrition from their host’s blood. Amongst the over 2,000 flea species, only the cat flea presents a huge problem for pet owners. Although known as the cat flea, they bite dogs, and humans as well. 

    They are able to jump up to 6 inches in the air to lodge their bodies in a host. They typically drain blood and may consume up to 15 times their own body weight in a day. Their actions cause constant discomfort in the form of itching. This may result in your pet losing hair as a result of constant scratching leaving red and inflamed skin. 

    Anemia is a major side effect of flea infestation and your pup would experience low iron levels. 

    Conclusion

    It’s no use planning a cure when you can get ahead of the situation and work on preventing it altogether. Get right on with preventing your pet from getting infested. 

  • What Info Should My Dog Have On Its ID Tag?

    What Info Should My Dog Have On Its ID Tag?

    Tags are a legal requirement on dogs when they are in public places. Dog tags typically feature the following basic information: 

    • The name of the owner
    • Owner’s complete home address 
    • Home phone number and alternative phone number(s)
    • Email address 
    • Medical needs such as deafness, blindness, or any such disability 
    • Other information that you consider relevant such as allergies or extra information to find you 

    Ideally, you should get a dog tag as soon as your dog gets comfortable wearing a leash.  

    Types of Dog Tags

    There are various types of dog tags, but these are the major ones mostly used by dog owners:

    Slide-On Dog Tag

    The main perk of this collar is the fact that they don’t hang or jangle and therefore don’t get caught in anything. Esther, these tags come with slits along which the collar slides, keeping the tags flat against the collar. They only work for certain collars and information can only be written on one side. 

    Rivet-On Dog Tag

    These tags are riveted to the collar and are more sturdy. Like slide-on tags, only the front can be engraved. 

    Hanging ID Tag 

    This is the most common choice for an ID tag mainly because it allows for inscription on both sides. They also work for any collar type. They may however be quite noisy or get caught in branches. 

    Benefits of Having an ID Tag

    Here are some of the benefits of having an ID tag:

    Cheap 

    ID tags are relatively cheap to procure compared to other forms of identification. 

    Easy to Customize 

    Customizing an ID tag is a lot easier especially since it comes in various shapes, forms, sizes, and is made out of various materials. 

    Easy to Read

    ID tags can be easily read if your dog goes missing. Since they allow for sufficient space to fill in the necessary information, you can be certain that your pet would be safely returned once they have been found.

    Non-invasive 

    Unlike microchips and trackers, this hangs outside the body making it a non-invasive way of keeping your pet tracked. 

    Conclusion 

    Having a dog tag is a great way to keep your dog safe and ensure that if they wander off, they can safely return home. 

  • How Often Do You Have Doggy Playdates?

    How Often Do You Have Doggy Playdates?

    Doggy play dates are a necessary and beneficial activity, particularly for your dog. This is because this gives a big boost to the socialization process. Provided you would be coming outdoors with your pup, then getting the socialization aspect done as soon as possible is vital.  

    Benefits of Dog Socialization 

    Some of the benefits of having a socialized dog include being able to go on walks without worrying that they would snap and chase after someone, fewer visits to the animal hospital, more freedom when you have guests around, and being able to get a dog sitter if necessary. 

    Here are some others:

    Easy Adaptation to Situations

    Dogs who haven’t been socialized get scared very easily when meeting new people or going to new places. This may cause them to act out and lose control. Socializing your dog helps to ease this anxiety. You could take your dog to a nature trail, dog park, dog-friendly cafe, or other dog-friendly places. 

    Develops Confidence 

    To develop good habits in your pup, getting them socialized is the first step. Each new situation builds their confidence and gets them used to the outside world. Over some time, they would have eventually adapted to various sounds.  

    Promotes General Health  

    Dogs who are social and playful with other dogs lead happier and more satisfying lives. A tired dog is a happy dog, and there’s no way they would tire out if they aren’t playing with other dogs. This way, they are less anxious about encounters and have fun instead too.

    Conclusion 

    Since most socializing happens outdoors, this is a good avenue to meet up with friends and loved ones at dog-friendly locations. Here, you end up achieving two goals with a single action. 

  • Does Your Dog Have an Instagram?

    Does Your Dog Have an Instagram?

    Social media has done a great deal by way of connecting the whole world via various platforms. Over the years, huge stars have emerged for various reasons ranging from creative to downright hilarious. 

    However, this social media stardom phenomenon isn’t located to humans alone. Dogs and pups all over the world have become viral sensations and amassed large followings for their antics or simply because of how lovely they look.  If you’re still at odds as to why your dog should have an Instagram, here are some reasons:  

    It’s the Latest Trend 

    Yes, trends come and go, but this one has definitely come to stay. Recording adventures together, cute actions and reactions, their hilarious quirks, and sharing with the rest of the world can be quite exciting, to say the least. 

    Money Making Avenue

    Who says dogs cannot pay their own bills? In recent times, we now have dogs who are strong influencers and alongside their pet parents, rake in loads of cash.  There are even awards for dogs now! This might be an opportunity for Daisy to become an internet sensation and be loved by fans all over the world. 

    Memory Bank

    Posting on Instagram is a great way to save memories that you can always go back to relive whenever you want.  An upside is that Instagram posts usually have a date and time stamp so you can see that and be transported into the very moment.   Additionally, you can access the account at any time too, even years to come.

    Conclusion 

    In a world where dogs become superstar celebrities and viral sensations, an Instagram account for your pet is definitely a good start. And who knows, Daisy might just get a chance at stardom. 

  • Let’s Talk About Real Petland Breeders

    Let’s Talk About Real Petland Breeders

    Breeders play a highly instrumental role in how pups turn out and this is why they are regarded with so much importance. Petland’s regulated professional breeders are particular about caring, socializing, and observing puppies to provide only the best for you. 

    These breeders regard the dogs they care for as their pride and joy and therefore devote time, money, and attention to ensure that they are at the top of the strata.  

    Who Are Petland Breeders?

    Petland breeders are responsible for raising and caring for parents as well as puppies when they are born before they find a new loving home. Petland works with breeders based on their proficiency or specialization. Here are some of Petland Breeders and breeds they are masters at raising:

    • Comfort Canines specializing in Golden Retrievers, Shar Peis, and Saint Bernards
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/G_2aPn3V-fM  
    • Yoder Valley Kennel specializing in Bernese Mountain Dogs and German Shepherds
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/7BBvv_sbGVw 
    • Sunset View Kennels specializing in Australian Shepherds, Cocker Spaniels, and other designer breeds
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/LZFShpkf15Q 
    • Rebar Farms & Pets specializing in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Schnauzers, and other designer breeds
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/fJsxSEFE_ZA 
    • Mary Yoder Kennel specializing in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Huskies, and other small breeds
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/4kPqhci5Hd8 
    • Canine Farms specializing in Cocker Spaniels and Dachshunds
      You can can see a video tour here https://youtu.be/DZMAbLhAL4U

    These kennels are USDA licensed and inspected. In addition, both dogs and puppies receive sufficient socialization and exercise thanks to the large expanse of land available for them to run around. 

    Why is Petland a Good Place To Get a Puppy From?

    First and foremost, the top-notch professional breeders that Petland works with automatically give an edge. This is because these are experienced breeding experts who raise only the best purebred and crossbred dogs. These pets are closely monitored and cared for, given all the love, attention, and supplies that they need to turn out amazing. You can easily determine their health, temperament, training, and much more too. 

    Conclusion 

    Getting the best puppies requires working with top quality professional regulated breeders. This is why Petland is an excellent source for find your next furry friend.