Toys4pets Products

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

January 2010 Newsletter

We make and sell cat trees and Cat scratching posts and ship all over the United States. In most cases, the total cost is less than buying at your local pet store. Email us for a quote at azwholesales@gmail.com


This months newsletter is preparing your pet for airline travel. If you are planning on taking your pet with you on vacation or relocating somewhere that your pet will need to fly with you, here are a few things that will help you get that task done easier.
Did you know that many airlines have "Preferred Pet" shipping, where you can ship your pets in a climate-controlled and pressurized compartment? The larger the pet, the more it will cost you to ship your animal on an airliner.
The first things you should do is call each individual airline to find out what their restrictions are. You can also look this up on their web sites. Always make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Arrive at least two hours early to be sure everything is in order. This is pretty much standard procedure when you fly. Some pets can be carried on board with you. Every airline has special requirements and fees, so call to check. There also are a limited number of animals allowed on each flight, that is why you must make your reservations as far in advance as possible. Remember that in hot climates, certain breeds of short-nosed dogs and cats cannot fly in the heat of the summer or to some destinations. Purchase only an airline-approved pet carrier. We can order many styles and sizes of airline-approved carriers. Send us an email at www.azwholesales@gmail.com and we will send you some pics and prices. Try to get a non-stop flight and make it as early in the day which is the best time. Freeze little clip-on dishes of water the night before the flight so the ice thaws slowly. This will give your pet something to drink and it will not spill all over the cage when it is moved. Do NOT put towels, blankets, toys or pet food inside the carrier unless approved by the airline. Don't muzzle, leash or put a choke collar on your pet in the carrier. Write your contact information and the pet's name on the outside of the carrier with a black marker. The airline may have other additional charges you must pay before picking up your pet. So, be sure to ask about additional charges before making a reservation.
Remember that we are not professional doctors and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.








Tuesday, December 1, 2009

December 2009 Newsletter

Here is the tip for December:
Everyone is aware that the swine flu(H1N1) virus can be fatal to humans but what about dogs and cats? Can they spread this virus to each other or a member of the human family? According to infectious disease experts, at this time the answer is most likely no. This is to say that to date no know cat/dog to human (vise versa) influenza transmissions. Until just recently.
It has been confirmed a cat has caught the H1N1 virus from humans. The Iowa Department of Public Health reported that a cat became ill with H1N1 virus after three members of the family with influenza-like symptoms on November 4, 2009. "13-year-old indoor cat in Iowa was brought to the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, where it tested positive for the H1N1 virus".
Care should be always taken to use proper sanitation and personal hygiene in all cases of illness, and especially for the ever-changing influenza viruses.
There are two types of influenza viruses: Type A and Type B. The Type A viruses are found in humans and many types of animals , usually strains specific to that species. The Type B viruses circulate widely among humans.
Dog and cats do have their own versions of influenza viruses. The canine influenza virus is an influenza Type A H3N8 virus, and the feline version is a Type A H5N1 influenza virus. (The number of letters after the type denotes the number of types of protein's on the surface of the virus. The letter H stands for Hemagglutinin and the letter N stand for neuraminidase).
While they both have influenza Type A viruses that can infect and cause illness in dogs and cats, humans are not as similar of the species to share these viruses in the current forms. There have been no reports yet of any cases that have spread to humans or form humans to pets.
"To date, there is no evidence that domestic cats have a roll in the natural transmission cycle of H5N1 viruses" and "the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control has issued preliminary recommendations for cat owners living in H5N1-affected areas. These include keeping domestic cats indoors to prevent exposure to potentially infected birds and avoiding contact with semi-domestic and feral cats living outside the home." Report from the CDC "To date, there is no evidence of transmission of canine influenza from dogs to people and there has not been a single reported case of human infection with the canine influenza virus. However, human infections with new influenza viruses (against which the human population has little immunity) would be concerning if they occurred.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing and it is possible for a virus to change that it could infect humans and spread easily between humans." CDC Key Facts Sheet.
As always, if you suspect that your dog or cat is sick, please contact your veterinarian directly for an examination and to discuss any questions. Always us good sanitation practices (wash hands, etc) when dealing with animals.
This information was taken from a report written by Janet Tobiassen Crosby.



Wednesday, November 4, 2009

November 2009 Newsletter

We have now combined all our previous newsletters to one blog. Starting on January 1, 2010 you will fine all pet hints and information written in the past by clicking on this link: www.toys4dogsncats.blogspot.com/ You will still get the newsletter but now you will have all the information that we have passed on to you in one spot and easy to find. So, for the next two months, you will find this information in two places. For all new customers, you can read up on pet hints and information that have been published in the past.

This month we will give you information on micro chipping your pet. This article was written by Anne Pierce for one of our local papers.
Have you ever been camping, hiking, the back gate was left open accidentally or your pet just bolted out the door and your pet comes up missing? For some reason your pet lost his collar and did not have one on to identify it. Someone is going to find a pet hopefully in good health and well groomed, that obviously belongs to you. The finders have talked to everyone in the neighborhood, put up signs and and maybe even ran an ad in the local paper. Most of the the time, this pet is taken to the local animal shelter or the shelter comes out and picks it up. In most places, the shelter must keep the pet for 72 hours. We have heard and read horror stories that a pet was not held long enough and was euthanized by mistake.
The best form of identification available is a microchip. It never falls off or gets worn or mangled beyond recognition, and it provides proof of ownership in a way that a collar and a tag cannot. These rice-grain sized computer chips are implanted under the skin between the shoulder blades. When a scanner is pasted over the microchip, it registers a number, and the number can be accessed on a data base that has all the pet's and owner's information on it. Once you have a microchip installed, it needs to be registered. If you do not register it, you may as well not even have the process done.
Remember we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.

Monday, October 12, 2009

October 2009 Newsletter

Coming soon! Azwholesales is working on a blog that you will be able to open and review all the newsletters that we have written. It will be available by October 1, 2009. Also, will be any pictures that you have sent us along with pictures that we have collected over the year. Send us your favorite pictures of your pet or you and your pet and we will add them to our blog. www.azwholesales@gmail.com


This month we will give you a guide lines on how to buy apparel that will fit your pet the first time. Keep in mind if your pet is over weight. We carry a wide variety of pet apparel, if you do not see it, on our web site let us know and we will find it for you. Also, some fun cat facts.

Sizing Guide:
BACK: Measure length of pet's back from the base of the neck to the base of the tail.

NECK: Measure the circumference of pet's neck for a snug fit. No need to add inches as you would with a collar.

CHEST/GIRTH: Measure girth around the broadest part of the chest and add 2".

NOTE: If you dog is stout build, select one size larger.

Recommended sizing for XXSmall breeds: Teacup and dogs under 5 pounds.

Recommended sizing for XSmall breeds: Australian Terrier, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier.

Recommended sizing for Small Breeds: Boston Terrier, Brussels Griffon,
Jack Russel Terrier, Lhasa Apso, Maltese, Miniature Pinscher, Norfolk Terrier, Papillon,
Pug, Silky Terrier

Recommended sizing for Medium Breeds: Beagle, Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniel, Corgi, Scottish Terrier, Shih Tzu, West Highland Terrier, Whippet

Recommended sizing for Large Breeds: Brittany Spaniel, Bulldog, Collie, Schnauzer, Springer Spaniel

Recommended sizing for XLarge Breeds: Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Dalmation, Golden Retriever, Vizsla, Weimaraner

Size Length Fits Neck Fits Chest
XXS 6" 6" to 10" 10" to 14"
XS 8" 8" to 12" 12" to 16"
S 12" 10" to 14" 16" to 20"
M 16" 12" to 16" 18" to 26"
L 20" 16" to 20" 24" to 30"
XL 24" 18" to 26" 28" to 36"

* If your cat is near you, and its tail is quivering, this is the greatest expression of love your cat can give you. If its tail starts thrashing, its mood has changed---Time to distance yourself from her.

* Don't pick a kitten up by the scruff of its neck; only mother can do this safely and only with her kittens.

* Cats Knead with their paws when they're happy.

* A cat will almost never "meow" at another cat. This sound is reserved for humans.

* People who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.

* Cats can see color.

Remember that we are not professional doctors and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.

September 2009 Newsletter

This month we are printing the top pet myths that we found in one of our pet magazines that we subscribe to and also a list of the top ten dogs that are the easiest to train. This list is in no particular order but is a little different that the 10 smartest dogs.

* Here is a list of the dogs: Border Collie, Labrador Retriever, Papillion, Beauceron, Pyrenean Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Belgian Sheepdog, Toy Poodle, Australian Cattle Dog and Doberman Pinscher.

* Top Pet Myths Busted
If you own a pet, you're bound to here some strange things from time to time. Some of them may leave you scratching your head and thinking "I wonder if that's true" Well here's a few of the most popular myth's and the truth about them.
Myth#1: Corn on the cob is safe for my dog.
Fact: Most people are unaware of the risk of feeding your dog cob on the cob. People understand the risks of feeding dogs table scraps, especially those high in fat and although corn on the cob may seem like a healthy alternative in a pet's diet, serious dangers exist.
Corn cobs can cause intestinal obstruction, a serious and potentially fatal condition. Signs of intestinal obstruction vomiting, dry heaves, diarrhea, anorexia, painful abdomen and lethargy. And many dogs are allergic to corn and will suffer both the effects of the allergy and the potential intestinal obstruction. So keep those tasty, salty, buttery and fun-to-chew corn cobs away from your dogs. Don't forget to safely secure the trash as well. Dogs can be awfully clever scavengers. If you suspect your dog has eaten a cob, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Myth #2: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Most pets become infected with tapeworms from swallowing fleas or from eating infected mice or other animals that carry the parasite. To help protect against tapeworms make sure your pet is fully protected against fleas. And consider a strategy for eliminating mice, other rodents and rabbits. When treating your pet for tapeworms, select a product labeled specifically for tapeworms, e.g. prazquaentel.

Myth#3: Garlic on your pet's food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal's food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication.

Myth#4: Dogs and cats eat grass when they're sick.
Fact: Not True. Many dogs and cats simply enjoy the taste and texture of grass. Beware, however, if your pet begins snacking in your garden. Certain common plants such as rhododendrons, daffodils and marigolds can be toxic for your pets.

* Here is one for the cat lovers. Does your cat like to unroll the toilet paper roll all over the room? Try this, turn the roll around so when your cat tries to unroll the paper, it will only go around in circles. After a while, your cat should get bored and leave the roll alone. If not, hid the roll in the wall with a flip up door.

Remember that we are not professional doctors and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

August 2009 Newsletter

Here is the pet tip of the month. We are sure that everyone has had or heard of trouble with a tick on their pet or someone else's pet. Try this when a tick starts showing its head.
This method can be used to get them off of you, your children or your pets. Give this a try next time you run into a tick. This method will work in places were it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a head full of dark hair, etc.

Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball, cover the tick with a soap-soaked cotton ball and swab it a few seconds (15 to 20), the tick will come out on its own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.

This technique should work every time. We've used it and it's much less traumatic for the patient. Unless someone is allergic to soap, we can't see that this would be damaging in any way.

Remember that we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.

June 2009 Newsletter

Our store at www.toys4dogsncats.com is now a more friendlier site to visit for your pet supplies. Please put this site in your favorites so it is only a click away when you want to find pet supplies at a reasonable cost. You will be able to use your credit cards through Paypal to make your purchases. When you buy from our eBay store, we have to add in all the extra costs of doing business. This increases the cost of the item you want to buy. We have now added 275 items to this site and when it is finished, the old site at www.azwholesale.net will be shut down. If there is something that you are interested in , let us know and we can put it one the new site for you ahead of other planned items. Let us know if you have any problems with this site and we will get it fixed right away. We will always strive to keep our prices as low as possible to save you money. We are a customer oriented business that takes care of our customers.

* Next month we will be doing a rerun by popular demand. So many of our customers want us to rerun our newsletter on keeping your pet cool in the hot summer months. (See July 2008 Newsletter)

* This month is how you can talk to your dog. Good communication with your pet will give both of you a very rewarding life together. When talking to your pet, you must keep your communication simple, clear and to one word commands. When talking to your pet, say the command word only once for maximum effect. You dog has excellent hearing (unless they are sick or very old) and can remember a word that you give them up to two minutes. If you dog does not respond to you when you give it a command, it's not that they don't hear you - it's because they are not listening. So make sure you have your pets attention when talking to them.

* Your dog will not understand large vocabulary but each command should be linked to a specific object or action. Don't talk to your dog in sentences, they will not understand what you are saying. Your pet however can tell by the tone of your voice if it is happy or sad and most will respond accordingly.

* If your dogs eyes are blinking rapidly, it is a sign of nervousness or that they are in deep thought. If you just gave them a command, they may be deciding whether to obey.

* Dogs use urine markings to communicate. It could mean territoriality, possessiveness or hostility. If you pay attention to where your dog marks, you may get a better understanding on how to address their concerns. If your dog nudges you in the crotch, it's just trying to get to know you from your scent.

* If you want to learn more about this subject, look for books by Dr. Nicholas Dodman.

* Here is a quick tip for cat owners: Does your cat keep digging in your plants? Put your plants up and away from their reach. Place pine cones or rocks over the soil, their paws will not like the new cover. Spray the leaves with commercial anti-chew product.

Remember that we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.

May 2009 Newsletter

* We are excited about our new website. It will be a more friendlier site to visit for your pet supplies. You will be able to use your credit card through Paypal to make your purchases. We have added 200 items to this site, and when it is finished, we will shut down the old site at www.azwholesales.net. If there is something that you are interested in, let us know and we cal put it on the new site ahead of other planned items. The new site is www.toys4dogsncats.com you may want to put this in your favorites so it is only a click away. Let us know if you have any trouble with this site and we will get it fixed right away. We will always strive to keep our prices low as possible to save you money.

* This month we want to inform you about a new law that is trying to be passed. We are sure a number of you have been hearing about The Nonnative Wildlife Invasion Prevention Act (HR669). In fact, over the past several weeks we have found that many of you share our concerns with this bill--that if passed, could negatively impact the entire pet industry.
For those that are not aware of HR 669 the following is a summary of what it entails. This bill will require the US Fish and Wildlife Service to produce two lists of pets after conducting a risk assessment for each nonnative wildlife species in the US to determine if it is likely to "cause economic or environmental harm or harm to other animal species' health or human health". In order to be placed on the "Approved list" it must be established that the species has not, or is not likely to, cause "harm" anywhere in the US. Otherwise it goes to the "Unimproved list". Before going any further there are two things that you need to understand. First, "Nonnative Species" in the pet trade encompass virtually every bird, reptile, amphibian, fish and a number of mammals (e.g. hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, ferrets) commonly kept as pets. Second, the way the bill is written HR669 would essentially ban all species that do no appear on the Approved List, regardless of whether or not they have been petitioned for listing or are sufficiently well studied to enable a listing determination.
Species not appearing on the "Approved List" could not be imported into the Untied States, nor could they be moved to interstate commerce. Trade in all such unlisted species would come to a halt--possession would be limited and all breeding would have to cease. To reiterate: Unless species are included on the Approved List import, export, transport, and breeding would be prohibited. Exceptions are limited and would not be available to pet owners across the nation.
We agree with Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) and others in supporting the underlying intent of HR 669 to establish a risk-based process in order to prevent the introduction of potentially invasive species. You will need to act quickly. We urge you to take the time right now to let your congressmen know your concerns. Also, alert your employees, friends, neighbors and any other like-minded people and urge them to so the same. For more information, please visit http://www.pijac.org/files/public/669Alert14April.pdf
We know that not all of you may fall into this pet situation but if you know someone that does, pass this on to them.

* Next month we will back to giving you tips on care for your pets.

* Remember that we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.

April 2009 Newsletter

* We attended the Orlando Florida Pet Trade Show last month and found many new items that we will be offering later this year. Just to name a few; (we will be supplying by special order ) , beds, carriers, and cages. For anyone who has a bird or other small animals in their home, we can also get great prices on these items.

* Here is your tip of the month for April. More than 30 million pounds of peanut butter and peanut paste that has been distributed to at least 70 manufactures for use in everything from crackers to candies to pet products were recalled as a result of the mid-January Salmonella outbreak. There has been at least 2000 that have been voluntarily pulled from store shelves. But only a handful were involved in the recalls. For a list of recalls products, go to www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/peanutbutterrecall/index.cfm then click on pet food products recalls. This newsletter on the subject may be a little late but it is never to late to check to see if there is something that you bought that may still be contaminated. The risk right now is still minimal but to people or even small children handling these products could to contaminated. Make sure you and your children wash their hands after feeding your pet. Visit this website for further information on a complete list of recalls, visit the Food and Drug Administration Web Site : www.tinyurl.com/8srctw.

* There is also a warning by the FDA regarding chicken jerky imported from China. These products are in the form of chicken tenders, strips and treats. Here are some tips to follow:

* Do not substitute chicken jerky products for a balanced diet.

* If you feed your dog chicken jerky products, watch your dog closely and stop if your dog shows signs of decreased appetite or activity, vomiting, diarrhea or increased thirst and urination.

* Report cases of animal illness to the FDA Consumers Complaint Coordinator at" www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrouders/complain.htm1.

Remember we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pet.

March 2009 Newsletter

Last month we talked about recall pet food. This month we want to tell you what the difference is between natural food and organic food. We did some research and found the definitions of both of these food groups in one of the publications that we receive. It was written by Karen M Alley.

The term "organic," "all natural and "Human-grade" are just a few of the new words popping up on pet food packaging. What do they mean, and who make sure claims are sub-stantiated? (means to verify or approve)

The Association of American Feed Control Officials Inc. (West Lafayette, Ind.) regulates pet foods. The private organization is made up of government officials from different states and organizations; the Food and Drug Administration is one of its members. After the massive pet recall of 2007, however, Congress called for the FDA to create-by September--its own pet food regulations and set standards for nutrition, labeling and ingredients. In the mean time, pet food consultant Davis Dzanis explains common label terms:

NATURAL: Products with no synthetic ingredients per AAFCO. Many pet foods that contain mostly all-natural ingredients also include synthetic vitamins and minerals to meet AAFCO requirements; these include the disclaimer "natural ingredients with added vitamins and minerals."

ORGANIC: Products that contain 95% or more organic ingredients can be labeled "USDA Organic." Such claims, which are regulated by by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, pertain to processes, not to safety or nutrients. An approved organization must certify pet foods before a company can make the "organic" claim. The USDA is working on regulations for organic pet foods, which AAFCO will recognize. They will have no comply to Natural Organic Program regulations.

HUMAN GRADE: Debate swirls around how to define this term and whether or not it misleads people into thinking the food is suitable for human consumption. The AAFCO has released no official definition.

Remember we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

February 2009 Newsletter

Your tip on the month is on recall of pet food. It is very important that you keep up on recalls so you are not feeding food to your pet that may cause them harm. The easiest way of doing this, is to go to the web site of the product you use. Sign up for their newsletter and they will let you know what is happening with their product. If they do not have a newsletter, they don't want you to know. You are going to find that off brands have more recalls than brand names. The reason for this is quality assurance and testing program that the larger food suppliers have implemented in their product. You will see from time to time the larger company will have a recall but you can bet they will fix their problem as soon as possible. You can also google pet food recalls and find out all kinds of information. Keep your pet safe and spend the time to do some research.

Remember we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet to find out what is best for your pets.

November 2008 Newsletter

Here is the information that we found when we researched pets and habits during the holiday. Foods that are delicious to us can be dangerous to dogs, here is some information on what not to do this holiday. Most animal owners know that you should not give your dog chocolate but there are some vegetables and fruits that can be dangerous or harmful to your dog.

Onions and garlic can cause serious health problems in dogs. They contain N-propyl disulfide, which destroys red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia. A little onion or garlic is fine once in a while if your pet happens to eat a piece of pizza or lick up some Ragu spaghetti sauce but you do not want to chop up onions and put them into your dogs bowl. This also applies to onion and garlic powder or any product containing them. Red peppers are good for dogs with arthritis because of the capsaicin it contains. Other spices that are recommended for dogs with joint and swelling problems are turmeric, cumin and curry. Raisins and grapes are not good for your dog, they can cause kidney failure in your pet. Grapes are a heavily sprayed crop in some countries and the pesticide that they use can cause problem for your pet. Raisins are preserved with sulfites, which cause allergic reactions in many dogs. Don't give your dog food that is preserved with nitrates such as sausages and bacon, they can trigger allergic reactions in a dog. Any food that contains phytate can inhabit your pets digestion and absorption of other vital nutrients, which includes your dogs important minerals. If you do feed your dog legumes of any kind, make sure that they are cooked well, it is much worse if they eat them raw. If you feed grains and pasta to your pet, always overcook them, they do not have the starch-digesting enzymes that we do. This also includes rice. If you are traveling this holiday and you stop at a fast food restaurant, fish is the best thing to feed your dog. Do not let your dog lick the turkey-roasting pan, this can give your dog a pancreatitis attach. Cooked turkey bones are bad for your pet. Your dog can eat fresh cranberries but not out of the can, they contain high levels of sugar. Sweet potatoes are ok to feed to your dog but do not give them uncooked skin off any potato. Feeding milk products to some dogs and cats can cause gastric distress but feeding them fermented milk products such as yogurt and buttermilk are fine for dogs, they don't usually distress the animal's system. You can give dog ice cream in moderation but if you notice your dog getting gastric distress, don't give them anymore. Always avoid ice creams that contain chocolate or raisins.

Remember, we are not professional doctors, and you should always read instructions and talk to your vet about what is best for your pets.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

September 2008 Newsletter

This month we are going to give you information on how fleas survive and what you can do to get rid of them, on your pet and in your home. At lot of this information has been borrowed from research that we have done on this subject.

Fleas are insects that feed on the blood of mammals. Dog fleas are the most common parasite found on dogs. Some fleas prefer cat blood or the blood of other mammals but will but will settle for dog blood when there is nothing else around. Fleas can multiply very rapidly, they need warm, humid weather and will and will also bite humans.

Fleas can be seen with our human eyes. They are brown to black in color, fleas are wingless with laterally compressed bodies. Adult fleas are extremely powerful jumpers.

Fleas can cause your dog to become irritated and cause discomfort. Some dogs develop an allergy to flea saliva known as flea allergy dermatitis. The saliva causes the dog to itch and bite itself, causing hair loss and skin infection. Fleas also carry tapeworms and can cause anemia.

If you think your pet has fleas, inspect places where your dog sleeps for flea dirt. Flea dirt is a small dark speck and is actually flea feces which consists of digested blood. If you add a few drops of water to these specks, your water will turn reddish brown. Comb your dog with a flea comb (very fine toothed comb) around the neck, belly and tail. If you've noticed flea dirt and your dog has been scratching, chances are very good you'll see some between the teeth of the comb!

If you find that your pet has fleas, you must not only treat the pet but also treat your home. Most of a fleas life cycle is spent off the pet and develop in four stages: egg, larva, pupa(cocoon) and adult. The adults live on your pet, gorging on blood and laying eggs. The eggs will fall off your pet and into the yard, your carpet, your furniture and other areas.

If the eggs survive, they hatch and pass into the larva and pupa stages and can lie dormant for months. When they become adults, the fleas jump unto your pet and start the cycle all over again. Each female flea can lay more than 500 eggs, it only takes a few weeks before both your dog and your home have a serious problem.

In treating a flea problem, you will have to treat your dog, your home and your pet's outside environment. Start first with your pet. Give your pet a daily combing with a fine tooth flea comb, this will capture some of the fleas. Immediately drop your comb into a solution hot water and dish soap. This solution will kill them.

You can also purchase a flea shampoo and give your dog a bath. Read the directions carefully! Start by shampooing the pet head, using your fingers to work the shampoo around the pet's chin, neck and ears. Work the soap back from the head, over the body, belly and legs, and on the tip of the tail. Rinse well with warm water and towel your dog dry. Drying should be done in a room that has already been treated for fleas. This includes vacuuming this room. Flea dips are also effective. As with all preparations containing insecticides, read the directions carefully. Sponge your pet with the dip, starting with the head and moving towards the tail. Be careful to avoid eyes and do not use dips if your pet has open sores.

Always remove the flea collar before your pets bath or dip and do not put it back on for 24 hours, this is done to avoid over exposure to insecticides. A new flea collar should be taken out of the package and aired for 24 hours before putting it on your pet to reduce the possibility of skin irritation and should be the proper size for your pet. If the skin under the collar becomes irritated or the hair falls out, remove the collar. Some pets will not be able to tolerate flea collars.

Remember when using flea shampoos, dip, sprays, powders and collars, that all of these can be toxic to your pet and and mus be used with extreme caution. Using more than one product can result in overdosing and possibly poisoning your pet with insecticides. Read all label instructions.

Your home and your yard will also need to be treated if your pet gets fleas. Start by cleaning your house thoroughly. Mop floors and vacuum carpets and upholstered furniture. After vacuuming, remove the bag and throw it away. (Flea collars make an excellent addition to your vacuum cleaner bag because the collar will kill the fleas swept up into the bag) All pet bedding, pet toys, and throw rugs must be washed.

Foggers and sprays made of chemical insecticides can be used to treat your home. Commercial services, will come to your home and apply a non-toxic powder to your carpets. The white powder--consisting of something called a desiccant-- kills fleas, pupae and eggs by abrading their outer coverings and drying them out. (Diatomaceous Earth is a naturally occurring, nontoxic desiccant that is widely available) The powder is worked into your carpets with a brush and is invisible after application. Within a few weeks, your pet and your home should be completely flea-less with the exception of those fleas brought in from the outside--which are unable to reproduce once they are exposed to the desiccant. This can be an expensive service. We offer a unique flea trap that is cordless, light weight, portable and highly effective to rid your room of fleas, swiftly and efficiently. It is chemical-free and environmentally friendly. An intense light attracts the insects and trap them on a disposable adhesive sheet. Price is $59.99 each and has to be special ordered. Contact us at www.azwholesales@gmail.com See pic below.



Any product that is applied directly to your pet should be made specifically for pet and directions should be followed explicitly. (Products made for dogs should not be used for cats) Some pets will still have reverse reactions to flea preparations or will develop a cumulative toxic effect to insecticides that are used repeatedly. Although collars, dips, flea baths may seem to be a more economical way of treating flea infestations , in the long run they are more expensive since treat most be repeated--and the risks the health of the pet. Discuss options with your veterinarian or breeder and be willing to invest in effective, safe solutions.

August 2008 Newsletter

We have recently been asked if we sell pet sunscreen. Our first reaction was, why do you need sunscreen for your pet, they have plenty of hair to protect them from the sun. In doing some research, we hae found that their are many types of pets that do not have protective hair.

If your pet has light colored skin or a pink or pale nose, if your pet is shaved, if your pet like to sunbathe on its back or any area that their is no hair,then your pet needs sunscreen. Dogs have more sensitive skin than we human do which means they need to use their own specially designed sunscreen that is SPF 15 or greater. Sunscreen will also help protect sun bleaching in most dark haired animals.

Pet owners, particularly dog owners, need to be very careful when using sunscreens, some ingredients can be harmful if your pet licks them off their body. You should never use any sunscreens that contains zinc oxide, salicylate, or PBA's in it, your pet can become anemic if it is ingested. Many human sunscreens have harmful ingredients in them, so do not use them.

We are looking for a vendor that will supply us with sunscreen for your pet and we will add it to our website at www.toys4dogsncats.com as soon as we can.

July 2008 Newsletter















































Summer is now upon us and this month we are going to give you hints on how to keep your pet cool in these hot months ahead. Did you know that we offer mats that help keep your pet cool in summer months? We sell a mat that you can just add cold water to keep your pet cool both indoors and out. We also have unique pads that help cool your pet on hot summer days and also insulates pets from cold floors in the winter. Drop us a line at azwholesales@gmail.com for more information. See pictures below.

Kongs are a great way to cool down your pet in the summer heat. Here are some hints you can do with the Kong this summer. Fill your Kong with ice cubes, your pet while not only enjoy licking the ice out of the Kong but it will keep them busy for hours trying to get the ice cubes out. You can also fill your Klong with water and freeze it! Don't forget to plug that tiny whole with something edible. The other alternative to Kongs are the Zanies Cosmic Cones. You can do the same thing with these toys. We carry both of these products. See pics above.

Also, a great idea is soaking a bandana in cold water before putting it on your pet. As the wate evaporates, it will feel cool to your pet. We carry about 50 different styles and sizes of bandanas.

We also offer many great floating pet toys for lots of water fun. We carry Cool Kongs that float, Kong Air Dog Toys in Ring, Dumbell and Bone shapes. If you need any other water fun toys or gear, send us an email at azwholesales@gmail.com and we will find it for you. See pics above.
You can also visit our store at http://www.toys4dogsncats.com/

June 2008 Newsletter

This month we will start giving you hints and ideas about how to care for and keep your pet healthy. Since summer is close by, with thought we would start with the care for your pet in the summer heat. We are not professionals in animal care, so all the information that we pass on to you has been borrowed from animal care books and magazines.

Your pets feet are very important to take care of in all seasons of the year. In the summer your pet's feet can be easily burned on hot pavement and sand. Make sure that you put booties on your pet's feet when you are walking your pet on hot surfaces or beaches.

Don't leave your pet locked in a hot vehicle for any period of time. When it is hot, it only takes minutes to reach dangerous temperatures inside the vehicle. Dog's can't sweat the same way humans can. They thermo-regulate mostly by panting and sweat minimally through the bottom of their feet.

Heat stroke is a very serious life-threatening disease that can afflict dogs quite rapidly. Dark-colored dogs are particularly prone to heat stroke due to the fact that their coat absorbs heat. Other medical factors that predispose your dog to heat stroke are obesity, laryngeal paralysis, and heart disease. Some common early signs of heat stroke include panting, excessive salivation, hyper-excitement, and increased rectal temperature. Heat stroke can affect every organ in the body, if you suspect that this is taking place, seek immediate veterinary attention for your pet.

Never leave your pet in a place were it can't find shade or access to water. This seems very commonsense, but sometimes pets left on chains or leads may wind themselves around a tree and cut off their access to water.