March 2010 Newsletter

Does your pet ride in your vehicle with you? If it does, here is some information that will help keep your pet safe in case of an emegency. As of this date, only a couple of states require that a pet be tethered when they are in the back of a pick-up truck but no state has a law that your pet must be buckled when in your car.


It is more dangerous for the driver than it is for the pet if something would happen that you got into an accident. The safest place for a pet to travel is in the back seat. A large pet that weighs 60 pounds can hit you with a force of 2,700 pounds if you have to slam on your brakes going 35 mph. An injured pet can also cause a bad situation that can hinder rescue workers if you were in an accident. There are safety items that are sold on the market that can help you and your pet travel more securely.


The first is a dog safety harness. It is a specially designed harness that fits your pet and is buckled into the your existing seat belt system. Make sure that the one you buy is a universal harness, some foriegn cars do not accept these harnesses. We sell the Guardian Gear brand of pet harnesses for all sizes of pets at a very reasonable price. Check out our web site at http://www.toys4dogsncats.com/


The second items you can buy for your pet is a crate or a carrier. An enclosed carrier is a very safe place to keep your pet when traveling. Have you ever noticed that when you see a canine police unit car pass you that the dog is in a cage? This is to protect this highly trained pet from injury in case of an accident. These enclosures come in all shapes and sizes and also is a place that you can keep the temperature regulated for your pet on hot days. We can special order any size crate or carrier that will fit your pet. Email us as azwholesales@gmail.com, we can ususally beat the competitors prices which includes shipping.


The third thing, is a child's booster seat that can be fitted with a dog harness. This is usually used for a smaller pet such as a Chihuahua or Pomeranian. It is not a good idea to attach leashes to the pets collar, the pet could choke if the car has to stop suddenly.


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

February 2010 Newsletter

How to save money on Pet care

We are sure that everyone is in the same boat with the price of gas and groceries taking a big chunk out of your family budget. Here are a few ways to save on your pet care. To do this you must focus on prevention by keeping your pets healthy. If you do this, you can avoid spending money later on expensive procedures at your local vet.

Most dogs and cats are over weight, which can lead them to arthritis, diabetes and cancer. The rule of thumb is if you can feel your pets ribs, it should be within its normal weight. If not, you need to start measuring its food intake, reduce the amount of treats you give them, and exercise. By walking your pet, you are also helping yourself stay fit. You do not want to shed those pounds to fast, this can cause a health risk. Especially in cats.

Walking your dog/s can be benefiicial for you and them and save you some money. Great Britain surveyed 5000 people and found those with dogs exercised up to six hours more a week than those who worked out at a gym. They found the average gym member works out less than two hours a week. Dog owners exercised up to six hours more in a week. 86% of the respondents stated they enjoyed the time spent with their pets as opposed to 16% who enjoyed going to the gym.

You can also save money by learning to care for your pet yourself. Learn basic grooming routines from bathing your animal and trimming their nails. We sell a tool that the professionals use called Millers Nail Clipper. The clipper has a stop on it so you can not cut down to the quick of your pet's nails. The time to clip is when you can hear your pets nails clicking on the floor. We can also get your shampoo with a special order. It is impossibe to carry all brands, so tell us what you use and we will find it for you at the best price. (azwholesales@gmail.com) You can purchase a book on grooming your pet or better yet, go to your local library. Brush your pet's teeth to help lengthen the time between office visits. We can also get pet toothpaste and brushes for you on request.

Tons of money is spent each year on pets that are posioned or hit by a car. Keep your cat in the house and your dog in a fenced in area.

Make sure you take your pet to the vet for a yearly checkup. This visit can spot a little problem that may turn into a larger problem if not treated. If your pet takes medication, ask your vet to write you a precription instead of him filling it himself. You can save money by comparison-shopping at local pharmacies and on line. We are not a vet, so we cannot help you with pet medicine. What we can do, is help you find it cheaper. Another tip is take your pet to the vet when they are having a special to promote helth care in a certain month.

Clean your pet's toys if you hide treats in them. Some toys such as Kongs can be cleaned in a dishwasher. We carry a wide variety of Kongs and toys. Check out our website at http://www.toys4dogsncats.com/ . Try to buy your food in bulk if you have a large dog. Buy the larger bags of litter, get case discounts on your can foods and use coupons. We save coupons for our customers, if you purchase something from us and tell us what you use, if we have a coupon, we will send it to you along with your purchase. If you know someone that uses the same food, split the cost of a large bag with them. Make sure that you store this food in an air-tight container.

The last thing we will leave you with is health insurance for your pet. Believe it or not, it is a rapidly growing business. If you know that your pet is going to have to have some long term care, you may want to look into this.

Some of this information comes from Dr. Marty Becker and Gina Spadafori. they both have best-selling books on pet care.

New Business Sign

Our sign is finished and ready to be viewed by anyone coming by our business. A little disappointed in the spacing on the "s" in dogs but overall it will do the job. Come visit our store at: www.toys4dogsncats.com, you will find that we specialize in a wide variety of pet products. You will find Kongs, Nylabones, Zanies, Zack & Zoey Apparel, Bandanas, Visors, Grriggles, Plush dog toys, Rawhide toys, Healthy Hide dog treats, Collars, Leashes, Harnesses, Beastie Band Cat collars and hand made signs, and crocheted pet towels and more. If you do not find what you are looking for, email us at azwholesales@gmail.com and we will try to find your product at the best price. Thank you for visiting our blog.

Favorite Pics From Websites and Customers

These are just a few of the favoite pics that we found on the web or that our customers sent to us. Send us your pics of you and your pet, (or if you pefer-just your pet), its name and we will add it to our blog site. Send to azwholesalesales@gmail.com Enjoy!

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.

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.

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.