Dog Blog

Chiclet T. Dog, the adorable though opinionated four-pound author of “Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care,” has won the 2006 USABookNews Award for the Best Animal/Pet Care Book. In May she won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Health Book — hers being the only dog care book to ever win the Health category. Chiclet hopes this will finally quash the rumor that dogs can’t write.

This pint-sized philanthropist and canine crusader campaigns for better nutrition for dogs, updated vaccination protocols, improved scrutiny of pet medications and increased safety for dogs. Ably assisted by Jan Rasmusen, her caregiver and translator, Chiclet seeks to modernize dog care and raise money for animal causes.

Though Chiclet makes it known that some of her best friends are people, she clearly has a bone to pick with humans about dog care. “All the top veterinary organizations, vet schools and immunologists have established new vaccine protocols for dogs,” says Rasmusen on Chiclet’s behalf. “Unfortunately, dogs continue to receive too many shots way too often. Old humans can’t seem to learn new tricks.”

Regarding canine nutrition, Chiclet believes it’s very selfish of humans to label fresh, wholesome meats and vegetables ‘people food.’ She prefers the species-neutral term ‘good food.’

“Chiclet is disturbed by human inconsistency,” reports Rasmusen. “For their own diets, people tout the virtues of fresh foods and condemn highly-processed fast foods, yet they feed highly-processed foods to dogs. Chiclet finds that quite perverse.”

Though diehard traditionalists may find Chiclet’s beliefs a little unsettling, Jean Hofve, renowned veterinarian and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, calls Scared Poopless “wonderful” and her “very favorite dog care book.” She suggests vets buy it by the case for clients. Animal Wellness Magazine, animal activist/actress Betty White, nationally renowned veterinarians and countless animal welfare advocates also endorse this amusing yet seriously informative book. Even the canine superstar Benji gives the book “two BIG paws up.”

When asked if the fame that accompanies a second literary award will turn Chiclet into a doggy diva, Rasmusen responds, “Not a chance! Though she frequently complains that dealing with the paw-parazzi can be ‘ruff,’ Chiclet vows never to end the fight for improved health and safety for dogs.”

Dog Care Book

Snooty Pets have just added several new spa packages to their grooming services such as “Fou Fou,” “Ooh La La,” “Teacher’s Pet” and “Glamour Girl.” These spa packages go beyond the typical bath and brush. Some of the luxury services include natural mud baths, paw-resurfacing, hair dying, nail painting, massage and aromatic salt baths.

Snooty Pets is a Las Vegas Pet Boutique & Grooming Salon specializing in distinctive pet accessories, classy pet beds, designer dog carriers, stylish pet clothes, chic collars, bowls, shampoos, professional grooming services and bakery.

The names of the patrons that frequent this locale aren’t anything to sneeze at, for instance the rock star Vince Neal’s dog, boxer Diego Corrale’s pooch and famed chief Luciano Pellegrni’s three dogs are pampered at Snooty Pets.

Snooty Pets fresh baked treats and cakes are made daily at its Las Vegas location. Some of their treats include Turkey Burgers, Liver Brownies and Pigs in a Blanket, which are made with fresh and wholesome ingredients. Their birthday cakes which can be ordered in peanut butter, beef liver and carrot would make any dog go crazy.

Snooty Pets is developing a new line of elegant pet dinning tables and dog carriers. The new line, ‘Kevy K’ will sure please dog owner’s world wide. The current product lines alone include items most pet owners didn’t even know existed. If you’re ever in Las Vegas, this is a store you have to stop by just to say you’ve seen it. You can also view them online at www.SnootyPets.com.

Recent studies from the American Veterinary Medical Association show that xylitol, a popular sugar substitute, may be dangerous to dogs by causing illness, low blood sugar and possible liver failure. Xylitol-related pet exposures are increasing at an alarming rate, most likely due to the fact that the use of xylitol has become increasingly popular. Pet owners and dog owners especially should be careful to keep products containing xylitol out of the reach of their dogs. Therefore, common practices, such as hiding pills and capsules in sweet treats to convince pets to take their medications, should be monitored very carefully to ensure that products with xylitol are avoided. To bypass this concern, pet owners can rely on flavoring their pet’s medications with products such as FLAVORx to ensure pet-approval and compliance.

Xylitol is present in products such as sugar-free chewing gum, candy, baked goods, diet items and toothpastes. In 2003, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recorded only 3 xylitol poisonings. In 2004 however, the number had jumped to 70 and, in 2005 over 170 cases were reported. Between January and August 2006, 114 cases have already been reported. In dogs, xylitol triggers the release of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia, more commonly known as low blood sugar. Though concrete studies have yet to establish a cause-effect relationship between xylitol and liver damage and bleeding disorders in dogs, the initial studies heavily indicate that the bottom line is that dogs are at risk.

Owners commonly use treats to reward pets, as well as to hide pet medications. Cheese, sausages and sweets are frequently used to disguise pills and capsules. However, these types of ‘delivery systems,’ while safe for humans, can be problematic because pets have different absorption and digestion than their owners. In addition, many of these treats may be high in fat, calories or sugar-content, making them potentially unsafe for pets, especially those already receiving medication for health issues.

Using a flavoring system like FLAVORx safely flavors liquid medications with FDA-approved and pet-approved flavors such as Crispy Bacon, Red Angus Beef and Salmon Steak. Additionally, pill and capsule medication can be converted to suspension and then flavored. Doing so eases the struggle in convincing pets to swallow medications and also ensures that they are receiving the necessary dosages.

In dogs, signs of xylitol poisoning could develop as quickly as 30 minutes after ingestion, but also may not show up until 12 hours afterward. Owners should contact their veterinarian immediately if they see symptoms such as vomiting, depression, loss of coordination and/or seizures. Because xylitol has fewer calories and has been reported to prevent tooth decay and slow the increase of blood sugar in humans, it has become increasingly more popular in consumer products. Virtually any product touted as ’sugar-free’ could contain xylitol as a sugar substitute and owners need to be aware of product ingredient labels to ensure their pet’s health.

www.flavorx.com