Monthly Archives: March 2012

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.