Olive Blog

Frankie's Story
We found him about a month ago, running across a busy highway right near the Austin airport. Somehow he managed to cross 6 lanes unharmed. He had a collar but no tag. Long story short, we did everything we could to find the owner, but with no luck. It's a mystery as to where he came from and why he had no tag - he's just an awesome dog.

The HELLO MY NAME IS tag suits him so well...personable, care-free, loving, and a little comedic. We're just glad we were in the right place at the right time and found little Frankie.

Sadly, Frank's story is all too common. That's why we're inviting you to celebrate National Pet ID Week with us (April 15-April 21). Tag or re-tag your best buddy with 10% Savings on ID Tags all month long. Use promo code TAGME at checkout.

If you love 'em, put a tag on 'em! 

It's National Poison Prevention Week. Which makes for a good time to review the top 5 things that can be poisonous to your dog. Last year, there were more than 100,000 cases of pet poisoning in the US (according to our staff vet advisor, it's the number one reason for emergency visits to the vet). Many of these were caused by substances you probably have in your home and may seem perfectly harmless to you and me. Some dog poisons are simply foods and medications we take on a regular basis.

Depending upon how much your pet consumes and how its system reacts, symptoms can include gastrointestinal and neurological problems, cardiac and respiratory distress, coma and even death.

Here are a few things to avoid:

1. People medications, in particular NSAIDS like ibuprofen, and anti-depressants

2. Flea and Tick products You may think that topicals are safe and you're doing your buddy a favor when you apply these, but thousands of animals are unintentionally poisoned by them every year. There's a reason why they now carry the equivalent of a black-box warning and why Fipronil, a powerful neurological agent found in Frontline, is deadly to parasites, and toxic to humans. Check out Olive's Flea & Tick section for ways to beat the flea naturally.

3. People Foods Contrary to what we've been told, not all people food is bad. Carrots, apples and many veges are great ways to 'treat' your dog. However, some foods are definitely off-limits. Animals have different metabolisms than people. Foods and beverages that are perfectly safe for people can be dangerous, sometimes fatal, for dogs - chocolate, avocado, grapes and raisins, alcohol, and xylitol (an artificial sweetener found in gum, etc) should be avoided.

4. Household Cleaners -Cleaners like bleach can poison people and pets, and they're the leading cause of pet poisoning. Instead choose plant-derived cleaners that do as good a job without toxic chemicals or fumes.

5. Fertilizer Products for your lawn and garden may be poisonous to pets that ingest them. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives equally rich in chlorophyll, antioxidants and vitamins, such as Pet Greens Garden.

I'm not a clean freak (ok, maybe a little), but every Spring and Fall I go on a housekeeping tear; it helps clear my mind. I love Better Life's products; they're my go-to line during my Spring clean-a-thon. Everything they make is amazing. Planet, people and pet-friendly and 99 percent derived from plants. No parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, VOCs, ethoxylates, ammonia, bleach, solvents, dyes, toxins or synthetic anything.

Better Life Clean

Last weekend I used their floor cleaner called, Simply FLOORED, I Can See Clearly WOW! (window cleaner), WhatEVER Clary Sage & Citrus all purpose cleaner, and my favorite Einshine streak-free appliance cleaner, which cleans stainless steel like nobody's business. Even after a week, I can walk barefoot and feel how clean everything is. Check 'em out - you can find them in the Clean section with other pet safe household cleaners.

Congratulations to Moose, our Smiling Dog Contest Winner. February, as you know, was Dog Dental Care Month and Moose's pearly white smile reminds us the importance of good doggie dental hygiene beyond Feb. I 'sat' down with Moose's Mom Britni to learn a little more about this charming 'little' lady.

Q: Tell us a little bit about Moose, how old is she?

A: Moose will turn two this June. She (only) weighs around 50lbs, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in personality.

Q: Does she have any siblings or playmates? If so, what do they like to do?

A: Moose lives with Tipper, an 100-pound goldendoodle and loves on "fuzzin" Mavic, her grandparents' 70-pound giant schnauzer. Moose's bold spirit comes in handy since Tipper and Mavic are both big, rough players. They like to team up against her for the chase, and she enjoys every minute of the tactical darting and evasion games that ensue.

Q: With a smile like Moose's, she must be quite the bee charmer. Is she always so outgoing?

A: Actually, she’s abundantly shy in unfamiliar situations, so it was with great fear and trembling (literally) that she successfully passed her Canine Good Citizen course and test last year. But she passed! In her comfort zone, she’s a tenacious beast who loves to play. One of her favorite summer activities is going to the lake, where she fetches water toys, rides in the kayak, or swims beside her Mom as she trains for triathlons.

Q: What other activities does she enjoy?

A: Other activities she enjoys include zooming in circles around the couch like there’s a racetrack in the living room, chasing down and cuddling cats, stalking squirrels and birds (though she has yet to catch one), stealing and shredding toilet paper rolls, pilfering socks. And, car rides with open windows are the best!

 Q: At the risk of prying, where does she sleep, favorite cuddle spots?

A: For all her boisterous roughhousing and mischievous antics, she can melt your heart with sweetness. She likes to cuddle and sleeps every night in the bed. And she loves to give kisses, particularly in your ear. And she's always eager to give a high-five.

Q: What is Moose going to get with the $25 Olive gift card she won?

A: Well that's easy....Z-Ridge Dental Chews to keep her smile white and bright, some Pal Dog ear gel and some Brewer's Yeast Tabs to keep the bugs at bay. It's promising to be a hot and buggy Spring and Summer.

It's been raining like cats and dogs for almost a week. Tired simile aside, the weather has really made for some domestic challenges. Dirty floors and carpet, eu de dog in the air. No better time to jump-start Spring cleaning. Fortunately, Olive stocks plenty simple and safe ways to address pet mess.

Plant-based cleaners that get the job done without unwanted toxins, such as phosphate, chlorine, ammonia, or petroleum solvents. And with health problems like cancer in dogs and hyperthyroidism in cats on the rise it makes sense to limit your pet's exposure to harmful chemicals that have been linked to these conditions.

Is your dog craving Omega 3 fatty acids? Animal Essentials Ocean Omega Supreme is an optimal blend of wild harvested salmon and Menhaden fish oils for an Omega 3 fatty acid much higher in EPA & DHA. It targets everything from hot spots and itchy skin to brain, joint, and heart function. If you add only one supplement to your dog or cat's regimen, consider an essential fatty acid. Commercial pet food and even home-cooked food may lack significant sources of EFAs.

Did you know that regular brushing of your dog's teeth can add a year or so to their life? The recommendation by the American Veterinary Association is that a dog's teeth be brushed daily. Understandably, daily brushing may be difficult to achieve (we know first hand). But if you start early when they're a puppy and stick with it, you'll see a measurable difference in the long run. Short of bad breath (which is the first sign of dental disease), doggie dental disease can seriously affect your dog's heart, kidney, intestinal tract, and joints. Fortunately, routine brushing can stave off bad breath and plaque and these more serious conditions.

February is singular for having the shortest number of days, even with Leap Year (Feb. 29), but also for the many diverse events and holidays - Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Fat Tuesday, Westminster Dog Show and, lest we forget, National Pet Dental Health Month. Right now, we're loving on these truly one of a kind, handcrafted toys by Wags & Wiggles. No two are quite alike.

We wanted to take a moment to welcome new and existing customers alike to our new website. We listened to feedback from many of our most loyal shoppers and spent a tremendous amount of time researching and developing an entirely new shopping experience. First and foremost, we wanted this new site to make it easier to find exactly what you're looking for and remember those items once you find them. Secondly, we wanted to improve the checkout process to make it as easy and hassle-free as possible. We look forward to hearing your thoughts. In the meantime, be sure to take a peek at some of our all-new features:

• Shop now or later with our Wishlist feature.
• Use our "re-order" feature to simplify purchasing those those things you keep coming back for like dog food, treats, shampoo, and more.
• Track shipments and view your complete order history in our new My Account section.
• Share your favorite products on twitter and Facebook easier than ever before.
• Stay up-to-date with our favorite new products with our Featured Brand section and blog.

In addition to these storefront changes, we've also added dozens and dozens of new products, many of which are exclusive to Olive. We're thrilled with all of our new partners and can't wait for your dogs to get their paws on all their terrific new products.