Heart Like a Dog

The Good, the Bad, and the Oh My God of living with dogs!

Protecting Your Dog From Fleas and Ticks

By

Ticks are going to be bad this season. Yes that is what we are being told in the northeast. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand the little suckers, either on my dogs or on me. And yes, I have wound up with a few ticks myself.

For the last few years, I’ve worked super hard on limiting the toxins I expose myself and the dogs too.  So when it comes to fleas and ticks, there is absolutely NO WAY I’m using something like Frontline on my pets.  Are you kidding?  That poison in your dogs blood is strong enough to kill a tick.  NOTE, it does NOT repel ticks, no, the tick must bite your dog and then it dies.  You try killing a tick and seeing how easy that is.

To top that off, my dogs hated the Frontline application, Sampson would hang his head whenever we needed to apply it.  So for the last three or four years I’ve been searching for a natural way to protect my dogs from Fleas and Ticks.

From what I understand healthy dogs don’t attract fleas and my dogs aren’t big, stay outside in the dirt dogs anyway, but still you can’t be too careful.

Sampson and Delilah are protected from ticks and fleas in three ways.

  • Our yard is sprayed four times a year with a natural spray.
  • The dogs are checked for ticks and fleas.
  • During the heavy flea/tick season (March through November) I use a natural spray.

I’ve gone through many different natural sprays and I’m happy to say, I’ve finally hit upon one that I love!  It’s called “Flea & Tick” and it’s made by Pet Naturals of Vermont.

Pet Naturals of Vermont , spray or wipes.

Pet Naturals of Vermont , spray or wipes.

You can imagine I was thrilled when Pet Naturals contacted me and asked me to do a review of their product.  I’ve been using their spray for the last year so I was delighted when I received a container of their wipes.

Because my dogs have such thick fur, I like to use the spray.  I cover their eyes, spray the top of the head, down the back, the tail, the legs and finally the chest area and under the chin.

The dogs aren't thrilled being sprayed, but they tolerate it.

The dogs aren’t thrilled being sprayed, but they tolerate it.

But getting protection on their face has been challenging.  Typically I would spray some in my hand and then rub it where I wanted it, but the wipes, the wipes are perfect for their cheeks, nose and delicate eye areas.   I also think the wipes would be great to keep in the car, for those times you stop somewhere and realize you have nothing to use to protect your dogs.

I can get those delicate areas near their faces.

I can get those delicate areas near their faces.

Yes, it’s true, the spray has to be used daily and I imagine in some areas twice daily, but it’s so routine for me now,  it takes next to no time!

Here are the ingredients:

  • lemongrass
  • cinnamon
  • sesame
  • castor oil
  • purified water

Additionally the wipes include Vitamin E Acetate and Polysorbate 20.  I’m not 100% certain about these final two ingredients, but I figure the wipes will be used sparingly and between the two ingredients they make up just over 2% of the product.

Last year I was using a spray with similar ingredients, except the main ingredient was rubbing alcohol, which had me a little concerned about drying out the skin, especially of dogs with thinner coats.

When Delilah had her check-up last week I showed it to my Vet who said she had no problem with it.  She did say that some dogs might have a problem with the sesame oil.  If you are concerned check with your vet before using.  And of course, watch your dog to make sure they don’t have any reactions.

You can use the spray on their collars and bedding as well as anything else that will absorb the oils.

As I said, I’ve been using this product for just about a year and I love it.  So far this tick season, I’ve found three ticks, which I don’t think is bad at all.

So would you like to try this?  Pet Naturals of Vermont will be giving away a free 8 oz bottle and a valuable coupon to the first 100 people who fill out their form.

Full disclosure:  I was sent a free sample of Vermont Natural Flea and Tick in exchange for my honest opinion.  If I liked the product I would receive a year’s supply (6-8oz bottles) in exchange for sharing it.  While I have been compensated with product for this post, Heart Like a Dog only shares products and services we feel are of value to our readers and would never promote something we didn’t use ourselves.

 

Solvit’s Telescoping Pet Ramp

By

One of the hardest issues we’ve had with Sampson’s ACL injury and subsequent surgery has been getting him in and out of the car.  Before he fully tore his ACL we did purchase a set of steps to assist him in getting on the bed, but since he can’t be on the bed, I’ve tried using the stairs for the car.

For some reason Sampson does not care for the steps at all.  He uses them but he usually tries to skip one of the two steps, which has resulted with him falling a couple of times, and that really freaks me out.  I certainly don’t want him damaging the mechanism in his leg.

So I was super excited when I was contacted by the wonderful folks at Solvit.  My contact thought after reading my blog, that I might like to try a ramp for Sampson.  I talked it over with Hubby, and went back and forth with the rep and we finally decided on the Deluxe Telescoping Pet Ramp. She was even kind enough to send me a video on how to train Sampson to use the ramp.

Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp

At first when I looked at the ramp I got a little nervous, while the ramp extends from 39″ up to 72″, I couldn’t see how to lock the ramp in place, but that’s the beauty of the telescoping feature.  When you set the ramp up and extend it to your preferred length, the telescoping feature along with gravity, keeps the ramp from retracting.  There are two little feet on one end that sit on the ground/floor.  The ramp portion the pet walks on feels similar to sandpaper, so it provides traction and prevents slipping.  When not in use, there is a snap to keep the ramp from opening up, and it has a handle on one side to make for easy carrying.

We set the ramp on the floor and left it there for a couple of days.  Occasionally asking the dogs to walk across it.

Solvit-Ramp-Telescoping Pet Ramp

Then the grandkids came over and I had to pick it up, because they kept trying to walk on it and it is not for people or children, only pets!

Sampson walked across it just fine when it was flat on the floor, but the first time I tried to use it, I had the ramp pitched too steeply and he wouldn’t even attempt it.  I discovered that you can adjust the pitch of the ramp by extending it a little bit longer.

My dogs have both taken agility classes and I was pretty sure we wouldn’t have much of a problem, but we wanted to make sure we did it correctly so we started out small.

Pet Ramps- Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp

We set the ramp up in the room Sampson and I are sleeping in.  Our mattress is no more than 6 inches off the floor.  The first couple of times Sampson walked OVER the ramp or off to the side, but with a few treats, he quickly learned to go up and down the ramp.

So we moved it into the living room to try it on the couch, which is considerably higher than the mattress.  He tried once again going over the ramp, but a little patience, coaxing and cookies and he was off.

Telescoping Pet Ramps by Solvit

I think he was super happy just to be up on his couch again.

After going on and off the couch a couple of times, we moved the ramp out to the car.

Solvit Telescoping Ramps to help pets get in cars

And then brought Sampson out.

Pet Ramps by Solvit-Telescoping pet ramps

Let’s see how he did with the ramp.  (The volume may be a tiny bit loud, fair warning.)

If the video does not play, click here.

As you can see, after an initial hesitation Sampson walked the ramp like it was his job.  It was so easy to train Sampson on the Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp.  All told it took us no more than 20 minutes from the time we started using the slight incline of the mattress until he was walking in and out of the car.

I think a good part of that is the quality and sturdiness of the ramp as well as the non-slip surface.

When it’s just Sampson and I in the car, I slide the ramp on the floor of the front passenger seat, I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m fairly certain if I’m driving the ramp will fit between the front and back seats.  If Hubby’s driving, he likes to put the seat all the way back to give himself plenty of leg room, so the ramp won’t fit back there.  I think we will more than likely have to strap it onto the roof rack, but I think that would be the case with any ramp we used.

All told, I’m so very pleased with the Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp, I no longer have to worry about Sampson slipping or trying to jump when getting in and out of the car.

Disclaimer:  I was given a Solvit Telescoping Pet Ramp in exchange for an honest review of a product.  I have received no other compensation for this review.  Heart Like a Dog only shares products and information we feel are relevant to our readers and would never share or endorse a product we wouldn’t use ourselves.

Vermont Soap Giveaway

By

Last November, Hubby, Sampson, Delilah and I went to New Hampshire to visit my sister and her Hubby.

One of my favorite things to do in New Hampshire, besides spend quality time with my sister is to shop.  My sister lives in a small town of less than 6,000 people.  There’s a handful of big name businesses, but the majority of businesses are local mom and pop stores and I find the neatest things.

Which is how I happened to find an all natural, organic pet shampoo made by Vermont Soap.  I picked up a bottle to use on Sampson and Delilah.

I fell in love with it the moment I used it.  I loved it so much I thought it would be nice to provide a product review and giveaway.  I contacted Vermont Soap and they were kind enough to provide me with a package of goodies to try, as well as a bottle of shampoo for one of my readers.

IMG_4709

The shampoo is a blend of essential oils and the first thing I noticed was the smell.  The shampoo has a strong smell of tea tree oil, with a hint of citrus.  It’s a very pleasant smell so much so, I find myself wishing it was a candy so I could pop one in my mouth.

I got a little nervous when I poured it in my hand as the consistency is very thin.  I was concerned I would end up using a lot, but that was not the case at all.

It lathered up nice, rinsed out well and left my dogs smelling nice and clean.

The ingredients: Saponified organic coconut , olive and jojoba oils, natural essential oil blend including tea tree and organic orange oil, organic aloe vera and rosemary extract.

Sampson WET So you’re saying because I’m dirty and wet, I need a bath?

What I liked:

  • Non-toxic (no chemicals or harmful ingredients) in case of accidental ingestion drink milk or water.
  • Organic (no pesticides or chemicals)
  • Smells great
  • Lathers up nice
  • Rinses well
  • Reasonably priced ($9.98 for 16 oz)

What I didn’t like:

  • There’s actually only one thing that comes to mind. When I inquired about what exactly was a “natural essential oil blend” I was told it was proprietary and they couldn’t tell me. I understand the reasoning, I would just like to know exactly what types of oil are being used.  I work hard to build and maintain a trusting relationship with my readers and want to make sure I’m not steering you wrong.

My contact at Vermont Soap sent me a lovely package of non-toxic products which I’m currently using.  I hope to have a review of those products for you in a couple of weeks.

What about you?  Would you like to try this organic, non-toxic shampoo on your pet?  All you have to do is leave me a comment by Sunday at midnight and  I’ll use random.org and draw a winner, which I’ll announce next Monday.

Oh and if you don’t want to wait, the shampoo is currently 25% off on their website.

Disclaimer: I originally purchased my own bottle of shampoo, but I was provided a beautiful package of products to try in exchange for my honest review.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...