New Year's Resolution for your Pet to Lose Weight

Has your Pet Gone Chubby?

Who doesn’t gain a little weight over the holidays? Keep in mind that your PETS are no exception! With all the extra table scraps and leftovers passed around, you can bet that your furry friend has gained a little girth to his/her waistline. And though some pets may or may not care about their reflection when they pass a mirror, controlling your pet's weight is a critical part of maintaining their health.

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP), it was estimated that approximately 45% of dogs and 58% of cats in the US are overweight or obese. The American Kennel Club warns that excess weight endangers the heart, lungs and joints and makes a dog more susceptible to other ailments such as diabetes and arthritis. Pets that stay at a healthy weight live longer and with less disease than overweight pets. As with any health issue for you or your pet, awareness and early detection is crucial. By recognizing if your pet has a weight problem, you could save his/her life! Ask your veterinarian to determine the best weight and diet plan for them!

It's a New Year and there's no better time than now to help your Pet Lose Weight!

Here are some tips to tell if your pet tips the scale and what to do about it:

*How do I create a healthy diet plan for my pet this year?
As with people, proper diet and exercise are essential to your pets staying healthy in 2011! Working with your vet to rule out any other medical problems is the first step. While some drugs and some disease conditions (i.e. hypothyroidism) may cause a pet to be overweight, more often obesity is caused by overfeeding and high calorie foods. Your vet should help you devise a diet for your pet with a daily calorie recommendation to safely help him/her shed those unwanted pounds over a specific monthly period. In addition to a healthy diet, an exercise plan should also be recommended for your pet to get on the right track to health and fitness.

It is imperative to stick to a weight-loss plan and for many pet owners this involves changing what, how much and how often we feed them. Though weight loss can be achieved by simply feeding less, your pet may seem unsatisfied by the amount of food they are getting. If this is the case, then a "diet" food created with less fat and calories in a larger volume may be the better choice. It is important to not allow your pet access to food all day long.

Stay on track with the diet plan your vet has made for your pet. Keep in mind that feeding your dog at different times each day can affect your dog’s digestive system and may result in digestive disorders later on in life. And if your dog has walked away from the bowl, he/she has probably had enough to eat. So take away the bowl before they go back for more just out of curiosity, habit, etc!

*What about the Treat Factor?
We love our pets and want them to be happy! That’s why we throw food and treats their way anytime they ‘ask’ for it! Though our faithful companions tend to mope around when the ‘special’ food is around, it is up to us our as their pet owners to make sure they stay healthy. If they are healthy, chances are they will also be happy!

Studies show that many overweight pets got that way from too many treats (too many vitamins also may also have a negative effect). As hard as it may be even when those puppy eyes are begging, don’t give between meal snacks. Keep treats to a minimum and go the homemade low-calorie route (even try ice cubes, fresh veggies and lean meats!). This will help you avoid the "hidden" calories in many store-bought goodies.

*Is exercise really important for my pet and if so, what type of exercise is best?
YES!! Just as with people, pets also need a daily exercise routine! Every pet will enjoy a different type of exercise. It doesn't matter if you walk briskly, run, play fetch or swim, pets (especially dogs) must get at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise every day to help facilitate weight loss. Please check with your vet to get the best exercise plan specifically for your pet!

To see the idea weight for your pet, check out what APOP has to say on specific pet weight ranges!

Enter the Hills's 2011 PetFit Challenge and let's make this year a healthy one for your faithful companion!

Read more on Pet's Gone Chubby with our Swanky Paw-nouncements!

How to Celebrate Christmas with Pets

You can celebrate Christmas with your pets in a fun and safe way!

Here are a few tips to make the holiday season a happy one for your family and your pets:

· Make Christmas cards and pictures including your pet! Take Christmas photos of your pets to include in cards and letters. Dress up your pets in holiday gear and Christmas duds if he/she will allow it! Or just put a Santa hat on them for the pet who likes the understated look. No matter what your picture looks like, people will enjoy seeing your ‘extended family’ in their holiday cards. You can even make Hanukkah cards to send to your Jewish friends.

· Keep your pet safe by pet-proofing your house for the holidays. Make sure that any poisonous Christmas plants like the poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are kept out of reach. Be sure that any Christmas tree decorations are kept away from your pets as well. Small items can cause choking if eaten, so make sure they are out of reach. Make certain chocolate items are away from pets, since chocolate is dangerous for dogs and most other pets. Put light cords in PVC pipes so that Rover can't chew on them. Christmas trees are just one hazard after another. Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers. Swallowed pine needles can puncture pet's intestines. And frisky puppies and kittens have been known to pull down a Christmas tree. You can try avoidance therapy by tossing an empty soda can filled up with pennies anytime a pet gets close to the tree. The only sure way to prevent tree danger or damage is never to leave your pet unsupervised with the tree.

· Buy gifts for your pets. Pets like to open presents too! Don’t forget to hang a stocking for your pooch on the mantel next to yours and fill it with nice flavored bones and chew toys. Toys and treats make great stocking stuffer ideas too. Purchase things that will excite your pet! You can even get something extra special this holiday for your pet like a stylish carrier, doggie bling bling or a fancy lead and collar. Pet sofas and beds come in designer prints now! Spring for beef-flavored bottled water for that special touch. And remember, there are thousands of ideas for your pet's Christmas present. From specialty dog biscuits with holiday icing to Christmas collars, your pet can have the excitement of having their own presents on Christmas day.

· Make Christmas treats for your pet. Just as you cook for family during Christmas, don’t forget your pet. There are numerous types of homemade treats you can cook for certain pets like dogs and cats. While you’re cooking up your family’s goodies, add a few extra minutes and bake some desserts for your dogs. If you can’t find premixed items, just be sure to use pet-safe ingredients such as yogurt, peanut butter and carob. Never use chocolate and remember turkey bones can cause internal damage.

· Visit Santa with your pet. Check with your local shopping mall to see if there is a day for pets to sit on Santa's lap.

· Prepare your animal for holiday travel by seeing a veterinarian at least two weeks before taking off. Get whatever vaccinations are needed and ask about sedation for a long trip or for an especially nervous animal. If you're flying, you'll also need a health certificate from your vet dated within ten days of takeoff. Bring your pet's medical records with you when you travel.

Read more at ehow.com.

It's getting chilly - protect your dog!

Fall is in full force; the trees are changing to their autumn colors, the temperatures are cooler and those winter winds are right around the corner. Our dogs need to keep warm just as we do!
At Swanky Pooch Pawtique, not only do we care about dog fashion, we care about the health and safety of all pets and animals.

If your dog stays outside there are a few tips to keep them happy and healthy during the changing of the weather:

Have your dog adequate dog shelter that keeps them away from weather, such as rain or snow, with a covering that will protect them from drafts. Give your dog a warm, comfortable dog blanket or dog bed and check it often for dampness. Dog bedding should be large enough for the dog to get in however; dog beds and dog blankets needs to be snug to keep them surrounded with body heat. The Slipper Dog Bed would be a great addition to your dog's living space indoors or outdoors.

Keep your pooch well groomed to keeps their paws free of ice and snow. Take a look at the stylish dog boots we have to help with harsh conditions! Whether cold or just a cool day, dog footwear is very important in the health of your dog.

Make sure to have a cute dog coat, like the Bella Lucca South Hampton Dog Slicker. Not only is this dog coat waterproof for those rainy days, but the precious ruffle accents make your pooch into a swanky fashionista! Swanky Pooch Pawtique has a great selection of dog coats, dog raincoats and dog parkas.

The Swanky Pooch Pawtique's Bella Lucca London Scarf would be great worn high on the neck to keep warmth in and those tender little ears warm.

Swanky Pooch Pawtique encourages all dog owners and pet owners to go the extra mile this winter season and keep your dog warm and healthy. Visit the American Kennel Club for more information on health and safety during the winter.

Bark for the Boobies .... it's ok!!

October is a very special month - not only does it hold so many holidays and special recognition days, it is the Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Swanky Pooch Pawtique honors those that wear PINK, those that buy PINK and those that have survived and live to be PINK. We love PINK and we love our Breast Cancer survivors and those living through this disease right now.

Join the Swanky Pooch Pawtique customers as we celebrate PINK and have great PINK items for your dog and let's BARK FOR A CURE!

Try our Bella Lucca Pink Diamond Dog Dress: this beautiful pink dog dress would be the perfect dress for dog's next gala or special party. This dog dress is hand made our of raspberry silk and the full skirt has an overlay of pink netting with embroidered with beautiful metallic thread. Has a precious bow on the back for the finishing touch and belly straps and velcro fasteners for adjusting.

The Crystal Victorian pink dog Choker is breathtaking and stunning! Swanky Pooch Pawtique has tons of lovely dog jewelry and can find one perfect for your dog. One of our best sellers is the Pink Swarovski Dog Necklace - you cannot go wrong with this dog necklace made of White & Rose Swarovski Pearls and Brilliant Rose Aurora Borealis Swarovski Crystals.

For a more suptle PINK look we have adorable Pink checked dog shoes, or the Pink Lady- Walk EZ II Soft Mesh Dog Harness. You can be the first to get our new arrival Denim PINK dog skirt and show some major support for Breast Cancer Awareness with this Pink Loofa Dog Toy.

Please support all the Bark for A Cure Foundations and fun events to help raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness and let's BARK For Boobies!

Slither into Safety this Halloween at Swanky Pooch Pawtique

It is getting pretty SPOOKY out there so Swanky Pooch Pawtique has a few Halloween ideas and Halloween pet safety tips to keep your little witches and wizards safe!

Halloween safety tips for your cat include:

• Owners that own black cats should go the extra mile when it comes to safety at Halloweentime. You need to keep or confine your black cat a day or two before Halloween. We all want to think that there are not horrible people who will hurt a cat, but there are; especially the black cat. Be on the safe side and keep your little on inside for awhile.
• Make sure that your cat has his or hers current tags on just in case he or she slithers out the door.
• Keep the candy and wrappers away from cats too; it's just no good for any pet
• Keep your jumpers away from lit candles and or pumpkins that have the votives or flames inside.

Halloween safety tips for your dog are pretty much the same except a few may differ:

• Dog Halloween Costumes can be fun, but watch that a dog doesn't chew on a dangling part of the costume and choke.
• Keep your dog inside the house or contained in a dog carrier or dog crate during trick or treat time too because dogs are skittish too and these distractions could stress your little goblin out and cause him to try and run.
• No bones about it - no candy at all.
• Keep away from lit candles or open flames
• Keep a dog collar and dog id tag on him just in case they bolt. Pet experts say you have a 75% better chance of getting your dog back if they have a current tag on with your name and address and or the name of your Vet.

Keep your pets safe at Halloween and occupied. Swanky Pooch Pawtique has great dog toys, dog treats and Swanky Pooch Pawtique even has a Cat accessories and cat apparel area for you to keep them all happy and SAFE and of course, looking SWANKY!

No one is saying for you or your pet NOT to enjoy this scary night just take extra precautions and know that strangers coming to your door, loud ghosts or shrill screaming witches and scary masks just might not this your dog or cat's favorite holiday! It's ok though.... there are more holidays just around the corner.

Follow Swanky Pooch Pawtique on Facebook and Twitter and learn about our SWANKY DOG SPECIALS and our PAW-nouncements.

Dog Flu Shots now available!

Dog Flu Season has officially started! Did you know dogs can get a Flu Shot too? Don't forget to have your dog vaccinated this season!

For more information on how to keep your dog healthy this Flu Season, check out our Swanky PAW-nouncements.

To find a clinic close to you that can vaccinate your dog, please visit http://www.doginfluenza.com/locator.asp.

October is Adopt a Dog Month!

October is such a busy month-Halloween and Breast Cancer Awareness Month.. many things going on with you and your family and many events; parties and social activities; but you can make a huge difference in the month of October - in the life of a Dog.

If adopting a dog is something that you and your family have been discussing and talking about and you certainly can be in the beginning stages of talking about it, but speed up the talk - October is certainly a good time to adopt a dog. October is Adopt a Dog Month and we all know that there are too many dogs sitting in shelters and on the streets homeless; so - instead of "giving the dog a bone; give the dog a home".

Every October, the American Humane Association side by side with many of your local animal shelters throughout the United States support and promote Adopt-A-Dog Month.

Many of us have many reasons for wanting a dog; a dog for an elderly family member, just a companion to hang out with, or is the pup going to be for the kids? This is the perfect time to figure out if adopting a dog is the right thing to do.

Swanky Pooch Pawtique encourages you; for whatever reason to check into becoming a shelter dog owner. Remember that there are millions of dogs in need of loving homes. Dogs in every size, shape and personality and it's time to meet them by visiting your local shelter.

Visit the American Human Society for more information on Adopt a Dog Month and check out Swanky Pooch Pawtique's great line of dog clothing, dog carriers, dog bowls and a full line and variety of dog leashes and dog collars. There are many dog gifts you can get your new adopted dog to make him feel at home when you shop at Swanky Pooch Pawtique.

The Enjoy Boxed Decorated Dog Treats would be a great little dog treat for the new pup or maybe you got a puppy - we have the Fuzzball of Joy decorated dog treats in blue or pink. It's a Girl decorated boxed treats are one of our best selling dog treats at Swanky Pooch Pawtique.

Whatever the month of October brings for you and your family; please think about adopting a dog this month; you won't regret it and if you hurry you could get him a Dog Halloween costume just in time for the fun night!