Your New Best Friend
For centuries dogs have been called man’s best friend for good reasons. They provide security, companionship, and loving devotion. Now that you have a dog, there will always be someone to greet you at the door with tail wagging.

We’ve Got It All
At Pet Supermarket you can find all the supplies and accessories you’ll need to pamper your new canine friend —collars, leashes, beds, and even doggy clothes. We also carry a large selection of premium, natural, and holistic foods without artificial ingredients or fillers, so your dog will have glossy fur, bright eyes, and energy for long walks with his proud owner.

Playtime
All breeds of dogs, large and small, enjoy playing with people and with other dogs. You’ll enjoy choosing from a wide assortment of toys and treats for your new pet and seeing which ones become fun favorites for the two of you.

Our mission at Pet Supermarket is to provide you the food, toys, treats and supplies to give your new dog a happy and healthy life. We’ll be sending you additional emails in the future with dog tips and product recommendations. If you have any specific questions, feel free to visit us and ask. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Do you have an evacuation plan for your pet in the event of a storm, hurricane or natural disaster? Don’t let the next emergency catch you unprepared. Pets are very vulnerable during and after natural emergencies, making it important to plan in advance.

Create a plan for your pets with these tips:

Evacuation

• Some areas have emergency shelters that will accept animals. Find out if your area is one of them and pre-register with the shelter, if necessary. Here’s a list of pet-friendly shelters by state.
• If there are no pet shelters available, make a list of boarding facilities and pet-friendly hotels outside of your immediate area. Websites like PetsWelcome.com will help with the hotel search. Check their rules as hotels may restrict the type, size and number of animals.
• Get a free pet evacuation window-cling sticker from your nearest Pet Supermarket. In case of a fire or other emergency, it will show responding personnel that there are pets in your home.

Documents / Supplies

• If you’re evacuating or moving, you’ll need quick access to your pet’s vaccination and rabies documents. Get them together now and seal them in a waterproof bag.
• Most pet shelters will ask for proof of rabies vaccination, as well as license tags and a collar with a leash (or travel crate).
• Other items you should take with you: a 2-month supply of any medications including heartworm preventive, food/water bowls, 2-week supply of food, litter box and litter, pet bed or blanket, toys, and waste bags.
• Try to keep a recent photo of your pet as well, in case he goes missing or you need to leave it at a facility.
• To create a portable first aid kit for your pet, download the American Kennel Club’s checklist (PDF file).

Above all, please don’t leave a pet behind during an evacuation. A secure room with some food and water may seem safe enough, but you just might return to a damaged home and a missing or injured pet.

We hope these tips will help you plan a safe evacuation with your pet and we invite you to visit your nearest Pet Supermarket for a free pet emergency window sticker.

With spring comes warmer weather and more time enjoying the outdoors. It also brings flea season, when pet families everywhere fight to keep these pests from invading their homes.

Thankfully, a variety of products can help us win the fight against fleas. Here are a few tips to keep fleas and ticks off your pets:

• Since the life cycle of a flea can last 2 weeks or more, the flea population can resurge in your home. Clean carpeting, floors and pet bedding often.
• Fleas can stay cocooned in the “pupae” stage for weeks and will only emerge when they sense a warm-blooded heat source nearby. This is why you might see more fleas after you return from vacation or move into a new home.
• Break the flea and tick life cycle with treatments you can use on your pet or “spot-on” treatments.
• Spot-on treatments kill fleas on your pet and can also keep new eggs from hatching. Top brands we carry include Frontline, Advantage, and Adams. Treatments that attack eggs include Adams Plus, Frontline Plus, Advantage II, Advantix II, and Fiproguard Plus.
• Be consistent with your pet’s spot-on treatment. We recommend re-applying it every month.
• Bathing your pet with a flea shampoo can reduce the effect of a spot-on treatment. Instead, use shampoos like Bioguard, Nature’s Chemistry Triple or Tropiclean (except the Neem formula).
• Don’t use dog flea treatments on cats or vice versa! This could be harmful to your pet.
• For rabbits, ferrets or other small animals, talk to your veterinarian before choosing a flea treatment.

With the right tools and a consistent strategy, you’ll be armed to win the war against fleas and ticks! Start with dog flea control or cat flea control products from Pet Supermarket.

Every year there are new trends in dog-food diets. While in most cases they involve adding ingredients, the latest trend is about removing an ingredient-grain.

Dogs don’t need grains to be healthy and most will thrive on a grain-free diet. Their wild ancestors didn’t eat a lot of grains, so why should our modern canine friends? If you’re considering going grain free with your dog’s diet, keep reading for more information.

The benefits of a grain-free diet for dogs
Switching to a grain-free dog food can be very beneficial to your dog. It can provide him with more energy, a healthier coat, clearer eyes, improved muscle development and a better temperament. Dogs who suffer from allergies will also benefit, since many of the allergens in commercial dog food are found in grains like wheat.

Grain free and carb free aren’t the same
It’s natural to assume that if you remove grains, you’re only left with protein, but even grain-free dog food can have carbs. Alternate carbohydrates like potato, sweet potato or rice may be included in a grain-free formula.

This isn’t necessarily a drawback, but you might want to read the ingredients if you’re concerned about carbs in your dog’s diet.

Are you thinking of going grain free? Tell us your concerns by posting a comment on our pet blog. If you’re already buying grain-free dog food, we’d love to hear your story!

The joys of owning a puppy are many. Cleaning up after your puppy may not be one of them, but you should expect a few accidents while “Toby” gets used to living in his new home. These tips will help you speed up the housebreaking process.

Keep a consistent schedule
Walking and feeding your puppy the same time every day, weekends included, is the first rule of housebreaking. Take him for potty breaks in the morning, after every meal and after naps. With this kind of routine, your puppy will soon learn when to expect outdoor potty time.

Indoor Training
To housetrain your puppy at night or while you’re away, consider using a crate, kennel or training pad. A crate can become a safe place your puppy will instinctively want to avoid soiling. If you’ll be away longer than 4 to 6 hours, however, consider having some one come by to let him out. Training pads or Wee-Wee pads are useful as well. Just make sure you use them along with outdoor potty breaks when possible.

Praise, don’t punish
There’s no point in scolding or punishing your puppy for an indoor accident after the fact. He won’t associate your punishment with the deed and may fear you instead. If you catch him in the act, say “no” firmly and take him outside. And always, always praise your puppy after he does his business outdoors. The more exaggerated the praise, the better.

Clean up quickly with the right tools
When your puppy does have an indoor accident (notice we didn’t say “if”), clean it up quickly. Ammonia-based cleaners won’t break down the ammonia in dog urine, so avoid them. Use pet stain and odor removers instead. Otherwise, your puppy will be tempted to use the same spot again.

Look for signs of an impending accident
Just as a toddler will squirm he needs to go potty, your puppy will show certain signs when he’s ready to go. If he sniffs the ground while wandering or circling indoors, take him outside pronto! Don’t forget to praise him when he’s done.

Low fiber diet or puppy food
Feeding your puppy a good-quality puppy food is important. High-fiber foods will cause your puppy to go to the bathroom constantly. Give him a puppy food with less fiber instead and you’ll provide the nutrients he needs, while catering to his smaller digestive system.

Follow these tips and you’ll soon enjoy more play time and less cleanup time with your new puppy! When getting started, drop by Pet Supermarket for your housebreaking and cleanup needs.

Would you let months go by without brushing your teeth? Imagine what it’s like for your dog. If he’s more than three years old, he may be among the 80% of dogs with gum disease. It’s the most common disease among dogs and cats. February is Pet Dental Health Month and it’s a good time to learn more about why your dog’s dental health is important. First, let’s review a few warning signs:

• Bad breath
• Pain when chewing or a reluctance to chew
• Excessive drooling or saliva
• Red or puffy gums
• Bleeding gums
• Tartar build up (usually brown or yellow)
• Loose or missing teeth

These signs may indicate gum disease, which could lead to tooth loss, bone loss and other serious health issues, including heart, liver and kidney damage. One way to prevent this is to take Fido to the vet for yearly professional cleanings. With advances in veterinary dentistry, teeth cleaning, extractions and surgery are more common. These procedures may involve anesthesia, but new, short-acting anesthetics make it safer for your dog.

But if you want to avoid surgery or advanced treatment, focus on the basics of good doggy dental care:

• Brush your dog’s teeth – Using pet toothpaste and a pet toothbrush, gradually get your dog used to having his teeth brushed.
• Provide a healthy diet – If your dog is on a wet dog food diet, be especially careful to brush your dog’s teeth consistently.
• Provide dental treats and toys – Offer treats and toys that are designed to reduce plaque on your pet’s teeth.
• Occasionally inspect your dog’s mouth – Look for any plaque buildup and watch for the warning signs mentioned above.
• Visit the vet for yearly dental care – Just as you get a dental health check every year, your dog should too.

By following these tips for healthier teeth and gums, you’ll improve your dog’s quality of life and help him stay healthy.

Need dog dental care products? Visit your local Pet Supermarket for these items and more.

Does this sound familiar? You’re going out of town, don’t have any friends who can dog sit and don’t want to leave your canine child at a kennel. What should you do? One option is to hire a dog sitter.

Whether you’re hiring a dog-loving teenager or a professional sitter, there are a few advantages to using one:

Your dog gets to stay at home instead of moving to a friend’s home or an unfamiliar environment.
Fido can keep his normal daily routine.
An experienced dog sitter can watch for signs of health problems or other issues.
Your dog will get personal attention and it’ll be convenient for you.

Where to find a dog sitter

Your first step is to look for referrals. Ask pet-owning friends, your vet, your local animal hospital and pet owners you’ve met at the dog park. If your search doesn’t provide any leads, turn to online resources. A few associations for pet sitters list their members online. Here are a few sites listing pet sitters by city:

National Association of Professional Pet Sitters
Pet Sitters International
Pet Sit Finder by Pet Sitters’ Associates

How to screen a dog sitter

When speaking with a dog sitter, consider these questions…

• Has the sitter clearly spelled out their services including the fees involved?
• Does the sitter have experience caring for dogs?
• Is there a fee for the first meeting with you and your dog at your home? (Some sitters charge a small fee for travel expenses.)
• At the meeting, how does the sitter react to your dog? Does your dog seem comfortable with the sitter?
• Does the sitter seem to genuinely care about dogs?
• Does the sitter ask a lot of questions about your dog, including his health, diet, exercise, temperament, vet, etc.?
• How will the sitter handle an emergency if they can’t reach you by phone? Are they familiar with the local animal hospitals if your veterinarian’s office is closed?
• Is there a backup plan for bad weather or for a personal emergency that prevents the sitter from reaching your home?
• How much time will the sitter spend with your dog during each visit?
• Will the sitter visit your dog alone or with other pets, children or friends?
• If the sitter is part of a business, is it covered by insurance or bonding?
• Are client references available?

Only you can decide if the arrangement is right for you and your dog, but these tips can help you find a good sitter so you can take that vacation with ease!

Crunchy or soft. Savory or sweet. How does your dog like his treats? Whether you use them to train, reward, show your love or all three, you have a wide variety of treat choices.

Ask yourself these questions to help you choose…

1. How often do I treat? If you’re training your dog or treat often, give him smaller treats or those lower in fat.
2. Does the size of the treat fit my dog? Save the large rawhide bones for King and the teeny weenie size for Little Sparky.
3. Is it of good quality? All of the treats we sell at Pet Supermarket are safe for your pets.
4. What flavor and texture appeal to my dog? Some prefer a satisfying crunch, while others like soft and chewy treats. Meat treats may also satisfy your dog’s craving for meat.
5. What is my dog’s health and weight? A senior dog will benefit from soft treats, while an overweight dog should get smaller, low-calorie treats.

On to the treats!
We try to carry a wide range of treats for various needs. Here are a few types offered by Pet Supermarket.

Soft Treats
While they’re especially good for seniors and puppies, most dogs love soft treats. Liver treats and lamb/rice sticks are especially popular with our customers.

Natural / Edible Chews
These treats are great for all breeds and sizes as they offer a natural flavor and chewy, long-lasting goodness. Cow ears, flossie chews and bull springs are popular choices.

Dental Treats
Dogs and dog owners love dental treats, which control tartar and plaque and help curb doggy breath!

Rawhide Treats
Rawhide bones and sticks let dogs chew to their hearts content while offering some dental health benefits.

Biscuits
Crunchy biscuits have long been a canine favorite. Choose from new options like crunchy treats with berries or peanut butter.

Gourmet Cookies
Similar to biscuits, cookies are available in a wider range of flavors, including carob truffies, sandwich cookies and more.

Choose treats that will keep your dog healthy and happy for years. See our selection or bring your dog to one of our stores to choose!

The holiday season is a time for visiting family, enjoying special meals and giving gifts to human and canine friends. But holiday food and décor can also pose extra dangers for your dog. Avoid a trip to the veterinarian by following these tips.

Holiday dangers:

• Holiday food can be harmful to dogs. Don’t overindulge Fido with turkey skin, ham fat or other fatty foods, which could lead to stomach upset and pancreatitis. Turkey bones can puncture intestines and should be avoided as well.
• Reduce temptation for your dog. Avoid leaving food on an unsupervised table and keep a secure lid on the garbage can full of scraps.
• Some holiday plants cause toxicity or upset stomachs. Keep Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe and hibiscus out of reach.
• Got a box of chocolates? Keep them away from your dog. Dark chocolate is especially harmful.
• Sugarless candy with Xylitol is also very toxic for dogs and can cause liver failure.
• Don’t leave gifts that might include candy under the tree or on a bed.
• Never give your dog beverages with alcohol, which could cause respiratory and cardiac distress.
• Keep lit menorahs and holiday candles out of reach.
• Water in a Christmas tree stand can have harmful preservatives, pine needles and bacteria.
• Holiday decorations, including ornaments, tinsel, garland, lights and other small items can pose choking or electrical hazards.

A houseful of visitors, loud noises and extra food can all cause a stressful situation for your doggie. Give him quiet space if he needs it and follow these tips for a safe and enjoyable holiday. Just don’t forget to tell grandpa to ignore the begging doggy eyes under the table.

This holiday give your dog healthy treats and interactive toys from Pet Supermarket.

The next time your dog wants to play, find out if he’s a master at Dog Spinny or Dog Magic. No, they’re not magic tricks. They’re dog puzzles. Like human brain games, dog puzzles tease canine curiosity and provide mental stimulation. The final reward is a tasty treat and your praise.

About dog puzzles
These interactive toys hide treats in a puzzle made of wood or plastic. They combine fun and problem solving, making dogs open compartments with their paws, lift blocks with their mouths and dislodge covers with their noses.

First developed by Nina Ottosson in Sweden, the puzzles have been recommended by veterinarians, dog psychologists and dog trainers around the world.

Why you should use them
Dogs love playtime and what better way to play than with puzzles that use food as an incentive? Not only are puzzles fun, they’re also mentally challenging and can help motivate and train your dog.

While food is the primary reward, the games also let dogs use their natural instincts to hunt, smell and, in some cases, track objects.

How to use them
Names like Dog Spinny, Dog Twister and Dog Casino point to the variety of puzzle games available. Start with an easy puzzle and slowly increase difficulty. Here are a few tips for using dog puzzles:

• In the beginning, make the game as easy as possible. Fill all compartments with treats and praise him often.
• If at first he bites the game or is too rough, hold the game out of reach until he calms down and try again.
• As your dog gets used to the puzzle, increase the difficulty by using less treats in only a few compartments. You can also hide the puzzle under a towel or make him search for it around the house or in the garden.
• After playtime, put the puzzle away. Don’t leave your dog alone with it as he may chew on the blocks and small parts.
• Use wooden puzzles for dogs that play rough.
• Is your dog sick, older or less mobile? Put the puzzle on a chair, stool or on your lap and have him use his nose, instead of his paws.

Is your dog up to the challenge? Start with an easy game and see how far he goes. You might find out your dog is a puzzle ninja!

Dog Puzzle Difficulty (1 paw = Easy, 3 paws = Difficult)

Dog Spinny – 1 paw
Dog Brick – 2 paws
Dog Finder – 3 paws
Dog Twister – 3 paws
Dog Casino – 3 paws
Dog Tornado – 3 paws

Visit PetSupermarket.com for dog puzzle fun!