The Dog Days of Summer

We can't believe Summer is FINALLY here! There were some days when it was 2 degrees outside when it seemed like we may never get warm weather again, but now we have the A/C blasting! I'm sure we'll be sick of the sticky humidity and praying for snow again by September, but in the meantime it's all early Summer spirit over at LHBW HQ!!

Maybe I was a little overzealous with the air conditioning this day.

Of course with Summer in New York comes an infinite number of pup-friendly activities, such as waiting in the Shakespeare in the Park line (we'll cover that after our first trek for Much Ado About Nothing tickets later this month!), sharing a couple licks of fro yo at Forty Carrots (or a pup friendly custard at Shake Shack), or just enjoying the sunshine with alfresco drinks or dining. But fun in the sun can also mean dehydration, irritated paws from the scalding pavement, and visits from biting insects like mosquitoes and ticks. Below are some of our tips on how to have fun in the sun while staying safe!

1. If possible, try to do the most walking early in the morning or after dusk, when the temperatures aren't as hot and the sidewalks have a chance to cool down.

We love to take early Summer morning jaunts to the Park, where the "Central Pack" runs off leash until 9am (though we stay on leash to protect the New York squirrel population). The park even hosts "Bagel and Bark" events with breakfast for humans and pups during the warmer months, providing a chance to socialize in sweatpants, which isn't something that happens nearly often enough!

Holly loves Central Park on the weekends!

In hot pursuit of an unsuspecting squirrel.

2. If you must walk during the day, be sure to take frequent breaks for water and paw protection.

I was so excited when I saw these sandals at Petco, thinking that my Summer pavement meets paw problems were solved forever. Of course, if you have ever tried to put a sandal on a chihuahua, you can imagine how that ended (even if you haven't, I'm sure you can guess...not well). So in lieu of proper footwear to beat the heat, I make sure if I am out with Holly during the day that we stop into dog friendly stores en route to our destination to give her little paws a break from the scalding pavement. I also carry a water bottle with me to provide consistent hydration without having to rely on the yucky shared water bowls sitting outside of stores (though Holly, in true Holly fashion, immensely enjoyed the one inside the Ralph Lauren store and proceeded to splash water all over the marble floor). 

This Dog Is Good water bottle comes with a roller ball that allows dogs to lick for water without spilling (much).

3. Prepare for Summer rain with a lightweight, packable coat.

Just because it's warm out doesn't mean Holly enjoys going out in the rain anymore than usual! My mom found an adorable Fab Dog rain coat for her that is lightweight enough for hot Summer days and also folds into a handy pouch that can be tossed in our bag in case we are surprised with a sudden shower. 

Of course an added bonus is how snazzy Holly looks in it!

4. Be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks by protecting your dog before you leave home.

I have Holly on heartworm medication year round to protect her from the harmful parasites that are transmitted by mosquitoes. Once it warms up, I use a natural product for flea and tick defense rather than traditional pesticides, because I didn't like the idea of using chemicals on Holly given that she is only in areas with tick danger a few days out of the year. The spray I use is more high maintenance than the monthly application of chemical repellents (it must be re-applied every 3-4 days or after excessive sweating or bathing), but it's natural ingredients include cinnamon which smells incredible, so I don't mind giving Holly a quick spritz before we head out the door!  

Naturally pest free (and smelling like a Cinnabon!)

What are your Summer essentials for your pet? Do you have any tips for keeping them safe when the mercury rises?

Until Next Time, Darlings!

What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?

I noticed a few weeks ago that Holly was less interested in her dry food. While my mom guessed that she was merely changing her mindset from "I don't know when my next meal will be" to "I have a happy home and this will still be here later," I was still concerned about a possible underlying issue. I tried switching to a new brand to see if perhaps she had grown sick of the taste, and even added wet food and chicken broth as an incentive (all transitioning slowly of course so as not to upset her tummy).  Then, a week ago, she started to show symptoms of an upset stomach. When nothing changed after two days of chicken and rice, we decided it was time to visit the vet.

After taking her sample and looking her over, the vet remarked how unlike with issues such as Giardia (which can be a huge problem back here, since it lives in puddles and other unmentionables on the street and in the soil that pups love to lick and dig in), she seemed alert, energetic, and otherwise healthy. He asked what kind of dry food I had been feeding her and suggested that it was possible that rather than a specific illness, Holly might have fiber reactive colitis, a condition which reacts to low levels of fiber in dog food. After the sample confirmed that she did not have a parasite or other issue, he suggested either looking for a dry food that offered at least 5% dietary fiber (but cautioned that these levels can change often and I would need to be an obsessive label reader), supplementing the food we liked with canned pumpkin, or taking the step to transition Holly fully on to a home cooked diet.

I had been considering home cooking for Holly for a while, particularly when looking at the less than appetizing wet food I was trying to tempt her with. I like the idea of knowing exactly which ingredients are going into every meal for her, and that I can monitor that they are all natural, pesticide free, and prepared properly. The vet's suggestion was all I needed to push me fully into the home-cooking camp! That evening I went on to Amazon and purchased Home Cooking For Your Dog and started researching what meals I could start cooking up for Holly!

Our new answer to "dog food!"

What Holly seems to enjoy most is the variety in taste and texture provided by her home cooked meals. She loves hard boiled egg with mashed yams & plain yogurt, ground beef with peas, and grilled chicken with brown rice and beets (tonight I subbed in no salt added albacore tuna for the chicken and she went crazy!). I vary my ingredients based on store availability (she loves canned pumpkin, but it can be tricky to find), which allows her taste buds to try new things and keeps her interested! 

even though it's tough to find, canned pumpkin is a great source of natural fiber and can help with tummy issues! Make sure it is 100% pumpkin (not pie filling), and I like to make sure mine is organic and the can is BPA free.

I was surprised by how much Holly loved beets, she practically inhaled them! I bought a frozen bag of organic sliced beets from Whole Foods and microwaved them for a few minutes (then made sure to let them cool completely before serving).

I will not post the amounts of each food item I provide for Holly, since my expertise is a far cry from that of a Veterinary professional. However, in the week that we have moved from traditional "dog food" to home cooking, her tummy problems have vanished and she has begun begging a bit less at the dinner table and picking up fewer things on the street (not everything, of course, there is no miracle cure to keep Holly from her beloved disgusting things on the street/whatever is on mommy's plate!). My vet warned me in advance that now Holly is on a home cooked diet, dog food is not going to appeal to her refined palate, so we are in this for the long haul :). We are ready to take the plunge, though, and I am excited to try more meals for her and inspired to incorporate more healthy & whole foods into my own diet as well. 

Unfortunately for Little Holly, macaroons are not included in the home cooked diet :)

If you are thinking about transitioning your pup to a home cooked diet, speak to your vet to see if it is a good idea. Though the time and money are more of an investment, I look at them as an investment into Holly's health, and I hope a savings in future vet bills for mysterious tummy troubles!

Happy & healthy Holly joined my friend and I on a 6 mile hike through Manhattan yesterday! Good thing she had all those yummy whole foods to keep her energized!

What do you think about cooking meals for your pet? Is it something you would ever consider committing to?

Until Next Time, Darlings!