Default Blog

Jolts of thunder and flashes of lightning can send your pet into a tailwind of emotions. As a pet parent, you should prepare a severe weather plan ahead of time by learning how to keep your pet calm and out of harm’s way. Here are a few tricks to help you get started. How to help your pet relax To your pet, storms can be as bad as fireworks on the Fourth of July.  They hear the noises but don’t understand what’s happening.  This allows their level of nervousness to rise and may lead to environmentally-induced stress.  While you can’t avoid severe weather, you can find ways to manage the chaos it can cause for your fur-baby. Have a conversation with your pet while the storm passes because sometimes, the sound of your voice is all they need to feel safe. Give your pet a task that will allow them to focus on something other than the noise, like chewing on a bone or a new toy. If you have adequate warning of bad weather, an hour or so beforehand, give your pet something that has a calming effect on their nerves.  Tomlyn’s Relax & Calm Chews are great for pets who have nervousness, hyperactivity, or discontentment because of environmentally-induced stress.  Just like the name says, these chews help keep your fur-baby relaxed and calm. Prepare for big storms or evacuations If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, flooding or other major storms that may require  evacuation, it’s up to you to make sure your pet has a safe haven in a state of emergency. Make sure your pets know that you will take care of them and create a strategy that comes with plenty of time to spare. If you have a good idea of the path of the storm, consider talking to a relative or friend who isn’t expecting bad weather about keeping your pet until the storm passes. If it’s good enough for you, it’s good enough for your pet. Take them with you to your storm closet or shelter to keep them safe. You should never leave your pet outside in severe weather. Create a place where they can come indoors well before the storm hits. Prepare a pet emergency kit with food, water, treats and medication just in case you can’t find something later. If you’re evacuating, plan ahead by finding a shelter that is pet-friendly. You can find a list of pet-friendly shelters in your state here. If your pet takes special medication or otherwise requires special care, make sure to see your vet before a storm comes. He or she can provide you with your pet’s records or back-up medication in the event you’ll be gone for a while and need to see an out-of-town veterinarian. As with your own preparations, make sure your pet is prepared to be gone for at least a few days if you need to evacuate. This may include packing several days’ worth of food, a pet-friendly water bottle for the car, and a favorite toy or bed so he or she is comfortable wherever you go. Prepare yourself and your pet for the next time a storm strikes. Getting ahead of the game is a great way to ensure that your pet’s safety and happiness is intact when the rainbow finally appears.  

The weather is getting much colder throughout the U.S., and with colder temperatures comes joint stiffness in our older fur-babies. This is primarily due to an increase in blood flow to the major organs, which is how the body stays warm. While the major organs have increased blood flow, this means that there’s less blood flowing to the limbs, making the joints colder and stiffer. As pets get older, the issue becomes more pronounced. Many older dogs and cats have a harder time getting exercise outside in the cooler weather. Joint health is especially important for short-haired dogs during the winter because they don’t have as much fur protection. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to tell when a pet is not comfortable. While dogs may show physical signs of discomfort, cats are more likely to hide their physical signs. Indoor cats may have fewer issues with the cold, but as they age, they may move around less. This is why it’s important to make sure even older cats get moderate exercise. Here are a few additional joint support tips: Exercise Often It’s essential to give your pets as much exercise as possible during winter, as well as year-round. Dogs need to exercise outdoors multiple times throughout the day. Taking older dogs on short walks will help prevent joint stiffness. Cats, especially indoor cats, need exercise too, and will play on their own if given the right toys and incentives.       Dress Warmly Cats usually have enough fur if they’re indoor/outdoor cats. It’s helpful to have a cat door so they have the opportunity to go inside whenever they need to get warm. Greyhounds and other short-haired dogs need extra layers. Make sure you have a sweater that fits your dog snugly, but don’t leave it on 24/7, as it can cause the fur to mat.      Don’t Overdo It Even though it’s important to give your pet exercise, it’s also important to pace your pet so that you don’t overdo it. For dogs, ask your vet to recommend the right amount of outdoor exercise in the winter. For cats, make sure you take them to the vet for regular visits because they tend to hide signs that they’re not comfortable.     Use Hip and Joint Supplements Hip and joint supplements are designed to offer a strong line of defense during times of cold weather and stress. High levels of creatine, which promotes muscle support in pets, can make a major difference. Tomlyn’s Joint & Hip Chews for dogs and cats contain high levels of creatine and other nutrients to help support healthy joints and connective tissue in your pets. Whether your goal is to support healthy joint structure and function or to help with flexibility and joint comfort, it’s important to speak with your vet before giving your pet a new supplement.   

As we say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015, families around the country will be celebrating New Year’s Eve in their own ways - at home watching the ball drop in Times Square, attending a party, watching fireworks or popping their own. Of course, you want your four-legged friend with you to ring in 2015, but loud noises and changes in environment can cause your pet to be stressed. Here are seven tips to make sure your pet can enjoy the New Year’s Eve celebration, too! 1) Exercise Before the evening celebration commences, make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Besides having many health benefits such as weight control and reducing digestive and behavioral problems, it also helps your pet become less anxious and more peaceful at night after the celebration. 2) Try calming or stress-reducing supplements New Year’s Eve preparation and celebrations can bring big changes that can have a significant impact on your companion. Some signs that your pet may be stressed include excessive vocalization, isolation and a decrease in appetite. Calming aids, like Tomlyn's Relax & Calm Chews for Dogs and Cats, are a great way to alleviate pet stress. This product uses natural ingredients and is perfect for dogs and cats that are exposed to loud noises (like fireworks), traveling, large crowds or any change in environment.  3) No fireworks If possible, keep all pets away from fireworks displays, both when they are being lit and afterward. In addition to the loud noises being harmful to their ears, they can also be deadly if ingested at any time. Even a “burnt out” firework is not safe for your furry friend! If you do choose to pop fireworks in your yard, try to collect any of the leftover shells before allowing your pet in the yard the next day. 4) Safe haven If you're leaving for the evening or celebrating at home, providing your furry friend with a safe haven in your home is essential. Dogs that are crate trained will most likely be comfortable in there with their favorite toy, treats and a shirt or towel with your scent on it. Cats can be kept in bathrooms with water, food and their litter box. A nice, quiet room where your pet feels comfortable is also an option. 5) Music therapy Studies have shown that music and other soothing sounds can help pets with anxiety and behavior issues. Their internal organs speed up or slow down to conform to external rhythms. Playing music can calm your pet down, as well as block out the sounds of fireworks. 6) Tags Fireworks really scare dogs because they have sensitive hearing and sounds are magnified. They are known to jump fences, dig holes and run to escape these loud noises. Make sure your pets have up-to-date tags, a microchip and a fitted collar so they can be found just in case they do go missing. Better yet, bring your dogs or cats inside for the night!  7) No pampering If your pet hears loud noises, they may become distraught. Experts say that coddling your dog can reinforce their scared reaction. Instead, try to distract them with a game or a toy. Remain calm and collected, and it will help your pet do the same.

The changing of seasons brings with it environmental allergens and irritants that can affect the eyes, nose, skin adn other body systems of both people and animals. Most companion canines and felines will be able to adapt to these seasonal changes. But, for those animals that are not quite able to self-adjust, pet owners must intervene with baths, conditioning rinses, eye/ear drops, or other medications and supplements to help our four-legged friends get through the season. A pet’s ability to adapt to environment allergens is based on a variety of factors and to help prevent these allergens from affecting your pet’s immune system, here are a few tips to keep in mind: Keep your home low in allergenic potential. Vaccum alll carpeting and upholstry and wash all pet and human bedding at least every seven days. Keep windows closed and run an air filteration system on a year-round basis. Change filters on both heating and cooling systems per manufacturer guidelines. Bathe your pet every seven to 30 days (once weekly or once monthly) or as your pet’s veterinarian suggests based on your pet’s skin and coat needs. Use an eye irrigating solution, like Tomlyn’s Sterile Eye Wash – Opticlear™. This will help clear any discomfort and itching. Schedule a physical examination with your veterinarian every 12 months or more frequently depending on your pet’s age and health. Provide a freshly prepared, whole food-based diet with human-grade protein, vegetables, fruits, fats and fiber. Avoid ingredients lacking in protein and grain “meals and by-products” with artificial colors or flavors or other feed-grade components. Commit to readily resolving or managing disease conditions, like inflammation associated with illness that can negatively impact immune system health. Maintain your pet’s weight (ideally three out of three on the Body Condition Score) for the lifetime of your pet. If your pet is obese or overweight, this could cause unnecessary stress on all body systems and contribute to inflammation, which can cause serious health problems.