Halloween Safety Tips For Your Pets

Halloween is a super furtastic holiday! As children we looked forward to dressing up as scary creatures or our favorite pretty princess.  We looked forward to Trick or Treating around our our neighborhoods with our friends and family collecting bags full of candy, what's not to love about Halloween! Its the holiday that brings out the creative silly side, and it will continue to be embraced for years to come.

Here at Cabo Dog Boutique we love the spirit of Halloween.  Dogs are part of our family and we feel that they too should be able to participate in the festivities! With so many creative dog costumes on the market these days we absolutely love stocking our store for the best Halloween yet! We have special Halloween Dog Treats as well as fun Halloween dog accessories or Halloween dog toys to help your pooch enjoy every minute of this absolutely silly and fun holiday.

Halloween safety is also something we must take into consideration as well. With all the running around and excitement, its easy that safety is always a concern! These helpful tips from Dr. Donna Spector are so that we can help to ensure you, your family and your four legged friends a safe and fun Halloween.  Read these top 8 tips and see what you think:

1.  Who doesn't love a dog in a costume? You may, but your pet may feel differently.  If your pet seems stressed by the costume, please remove it so as not to cause your pet any unnecessary stress or harm. Make sure the costume fits properly and won't obstruct their vision, hearing or movement.  Do not tye anything around your pets neck, and make sure all small parts or pieces are not able to be chewed or swallowed.

2. You can add reflective tape to your pets costume to keep them safe and seen in the dark.

3.  Although tempting, its better to leave your fur babies at home when going out to Trick or Treat.  Even the best trained dogs can become spooked and you don't want to risk them running off into the noise and confusion.  Keep them home in the safety of their home.

4.  Some pets may need to be isolated in a quiet room away from Trick or Treater's or those in costume.  Halloween is loads of fun, but if you know your pet and feel it may be overwhelming to them, put them in a quiet room with a toy or treat and wait for the excitement to pass.

5.  If you have a cat, especially a black cat, please be sure to keep them inside for up to several days leading up to Halloween.  There are cruel people who choose to cause harm to animals and by keeping your kitties inside you are doing your best to protect them.

6.  Make sure when opening the door to keep an eye on your pet and do not let them dart out the door!

7.  Avoid hazardous decorations such as flaming Jack-O-Lanterns and candles which can burn your pet.  Having your pet micro chipped is always recommended, so if you have not done so yet, Halloween is a great reason to take them to your local vet.  Micro chipping your pets is an investment that lasts a lifetime. It will significantly increase the chances of your pet being returned to you if they should run away.

8.  And finally, keep Halloween candy out of your pets reach.  Chocolate is toxic to pets and many candies can be harmful or make your pet sick.  Keep your counters clear of food and your lids firmly locked to prevent pets from eating wrappers or food items that are not good for them.

These helpful tips aren't meant to take the fun out of Halloween!  Cabo Dog Boutique wishes you the spookiest, silliest and safest Halloween yet! Woof!

Helpful Tips to Calm Your Dog During a Thunderstorm

It can be heartbreaking to watch: even before the first sound of thunder, seemingly well behaved dogs can have a radical change in their temperament and behavior.  You may see your pet begin to pace, or pant, and become very clingy to you.  Some dogs will look for a dark place to hide like a closet. And some who truly suffer from fear and anxiety of thunderstorms can do damage to walls or carpets trying to claw their way out in a panic. Do you know the story of Marley and Me?  Poor Marley had a severe case of thunderstorm phobia.
The fear of loud sounds such as fireworks and thunder are not uncommon, and shouldn't be ignored.  Most of the time your pet will not simply grow out of the phobia, and its possible it can get worse over their lifetime.
Its hard to put a finger on what triggers dogs to have Thunderstorm phobia's in particular. Aside from the loud rumbling of thunder, it is thought that the change in barometric pressure and the static electricity that we humans are not sensitive too play a major roll in igniting this behavior.
Its the height of the rainy and stormy season in most of the US right now.  Recently our own dog went through a series of days where he was just not himself. He was clingy, panted nonstop and didn't want to come back inside the house after his walks.  This started a few days even before we had heard of a storm in the forecast. I began to look for something to help him, and in doing my research I discovered Nelson Bach Rescue Remedy.
This all natural homeopathic product has five main ingredients that target sensitive pets.  We noticed a big difference in our dog right away, and now we keep a bottle of Bach Rescue Remedy on hand so that we can give him a dose at the moment we notice a change in his behavior. This product is great for Cat Anxiety issues as well.
Another all natural approach to providing your dog support during these fearful moments is the patent-pending Thundershirt.  This amazing product is a pressure wrap that applies gentle, constant pressure on a dog or cats torso.  From real life experiences it has been proven to make a difference which is why there is a money back guarantee. Over 85% of dogs showed significant improvement when wearing the Thundershirt. Cabo Dog Boutique is happy to offer this well-designed and affordable wrap specially made for dogs in four different color options from Classic Gray, Rugby Blue, Red Polo, Rugby Pink and Blue Polo. There is even a Thundershirt for cats to help with your cats stress and anxiety issues.
Adding a Natural anti-anxiety dog supplement to your dogs diet during thunderstorm season can be a very helpful benefit for your dog.  The Peaceful Pooch Calming Supplement has an amazing blend of ingredients such as Melatonin, Valerian, Chamomile and Passion Flower, all of which have been proven to relieve stress and anxiety during anxiety-filled moments such as fireworks, Thunderstorms or separation anxiety. You simply add it to their favorite food daily.

Cabo Dog Boutique is dedicated to helping you with natural solutions for your pet.  Here are the Top Five Helpful Tips from WebMD Pets:

1. Reward calm behavior year-round.
2. Give the dog a safe place where he can go in a storm like a crate.
3. Consider a snug garment.
4.  Desensitize your dog during the winter months by playing a CD of thunder recordings at very low volume so as not to frighten your dog, and give them treats, you can help to build up their acceptance levels for the sound of thunder which is a major trigger for an anxiety or phobic attack.
5. In severe cases, seek medical help from your Veterinarian who may feel a prescription medication is necessary.

Want to see how a Thundershirt can help? View this video of some "Before and After" clips!

Choosing The Right Bed For Your Small Dog

Every member of the family needs a place of their own to rest, including your furry friends.  Dogs sleep approximately 16 to 18 hours a day, so having the right dog bed can provide that perfect, quiet spot for any canine.  In addition to adding a stylish element to your home, a dog bed can provide a variety of benefits for your pooch, and you!  While some of us think sharing our own bed with our dog is the perfect solution, it can lead to a poor nights sleep and will leave you feeling sluggish and less productive in the morning. With the amazing selection of shapes, sizes, fabrics, styles and colors, today's dog beds have really come into their own.  From functional to fabulous, there is a dog bed out there that is sure to fit the needs of your pet.
Dogs on the smaller size tend to have a harder time keeping warm so they tend to like beds they can snuggle into.  Small dogs or toy breeds also like that extra layer of security so providing a bed to suit their needs is important. The bed you choose should be large enough that your pet can lie flat without hanging outside of it, but also provide ample security and ultimate snuggly-ness!

Evaluate the age and health of your dog as well.  Older dogs, even small dogs, have joint pain or can have mobility issues that make it difficult getting into or out of bed.  Some products offer support or a bolster on one side making it easy for dogs with these problems to access their comfy spot without difficulty. The Tuckered Out Dog Bed by West Paw Design is made for easy access but does not skimp on it ability to provide comfort and security. Covered in a Berber fabric, it features a double pillow top design and open front for easy access. It comes in four bright and cheerful colors and are made with 100% recyclable material making it an Eco Friendly option as well.

A product that allows you to easily remove and wash the shell portion of the bed are very attractive.  Keeping a clean sleeping environment is important not only to your pet but will make your home a nice environment for all that share in the same living space.

Cabo Dog Boutique has a great selection of Small dog beds for you to choose from. The Buttercup Dog Bed by Crypton Fabrics is a wonderful nesting type bed that allows you to create the ultimate cozy comfort zone. With the simple pull of a string at the top of the Buttercup Design is allows you to open or close the walls of the bed to suit the needs of your pet. You can let the strings completely out and make it a floor mat type of bed. How wonderful to have these options!

For small dogs who like to dig into the covers or really enjoy being tucked into bed at night, this Cuddle Fleece Small Dog Bed is made in three sizes. The 22 inch high walled version is so perfect to give that sense of protection and warmth your dog will never want to leave. Made of Chocolate Brown Ultra Cuddle Fleece on the inside, it is machine washable, triple stitched for durability, and stuffed with tons of non-allergenic fiberfill and even comes with a matching pillow. Sweet dreams. And this bed is perfect for cats too, we how they love to cuddle.

Bolster beds are a more traditional style of dog bed and have been on the market for sometime for good reason. Made with elevated sides and an easy entry point, these beds are the ideal resting place for your pups head and body after a romp in the park.  This particular bed is the Savannah Lounge Dog Bed and is made of soft and velvety microsuede to feel great under paw. Furniture-grade craftmanship and even-basting stitching will ensure years of use.  Filled with the perfect amount of density high-loft planetFill filler, its a breeze to clean with a removable cover that you can toss in the machine for washing.  It also comes with options! The inner cushion and exterior can be flipped, allowing you to enjoy four different looks so that it will fit into your home decor.

We all love our four legged friends, but don't you know that they can change their mood as often as we can! Finicky pets can have their way with this wonderful creation.  The Reversible Cuddle Dog Bed by Pet Play can transform from a Cup, to a flat bed, to a Cave or a Pod! Its a convertible dog bed and we know having options is sometimes a must.  Sewn with dirt-resistant canvas on one side and luxurious faux fur on the other, you can mold this puppy into a variety of shapes and uses, conforming to you and your pets lifestyle with ease.
Cabo Dog Boutique has a great selection of dog beds for small dogs, large dogs or even kitties.  Its suffice to say that getting a good night rest, or days rest when it comes to your pets, is an important factor in maintaining a balanced and healthy body.  A dog bed is an investment into the overall health and well being of your pet, so choosing just the right bed is important.  Look for quality craftmanship and a product that will suit the needs of your pet first.  Happy resting! Woof!