Summer is the time when many people, and their dogs, vacation at the beach. In warmer climates, your dog may swim in the ocean regularly. Exercising in the water is a low impact activity that helps to improve your dog’s strength, range of motion and endurance.

If your dog has arthritis or is recovering from an injury or surgery, your veterinarian may recommend aquatic therapy in a heated salt water pool. The buoyancy of saltwater minimizes weight bearing stress to the joints while the healing properties of salt water go to work to relieve muscle soreness, injuries and skin ailments.

The benefits of saltwater for a dog’s physical health are well known, but, salt build-up can be detrimental for a dog’s coat. It can mat soft, wooly undercoats and dry the dog’s hair. Frequent bathing to reduce the amount of salt build-up can further dry out the coat.

Using Clean Start Clarifying Shampoo by Chris Christensen at least once a month should break down the salt build-up. Follow with a good conditioner to help keep the coat from drying out. After Bath Final Rinse Solution by Chris Christensen moisturizes and contains apple cider vinegar to lock the cuticle tight. In addition, daily use of Ice on Ice Leave in Detangler and Finishing Spray by Chris Christensen will form a protective barrier on the coat to hold in moisture and repel the salt from adhering to the coat.

A Chris Christensen T-Brush, available in 16mm and 27mm lengths, is recommended for mats and removal of the dead undercoat. The high quality T-Brush is uniquely shaped to be easy on the wrist.

Whether your dog surfs, swims or floats, you can minimize the impact of saltwater on his coat with these simple grooming products from Chris Christensen.

Many people want to cook for their cats and dogs, but they don’t know where to begin. Concerned about making sure their pet’s diet is nutritionally complete, people shy away from trying to prepare homemade pet food. But with help from these two great books, anyone can create a terrific, nutritious menu for the family cat or dog!

Real Food for Cats features 50 well balanced recipes that are sure to lure your cat away from the can opener. All of the vet-approved cat food recipes and cat treat recipes in Real Food for Cats are easy to prepare. Real Food for Cats contains recipes organized into the following categories: Treats, Fin, Feather, Hoof, Egg, cheese, and more, Tandem cooking, and Special diets. Also included are tips on cat care, recipes for you and your cat to share, and how to handle prescription diets for cats with special needs such as allergies, obesity, impaired liver and kidney function and urinary stoppages.

Cats paws-itively love the recipes in Real Food for Cats Patti Delmonti’s purr-fect writing adds to the fun, while Anne Davis’s whimsical illustrations depict cats in all their glory. If you are looking for a great way to begin cooking for your cat, look no further than Real Food for Cats.

Real Food for Dogs by Arden Moore features 50 well balanced dog food recipes and dog treat recipes that are sure to please even the most discerning of dogs, and their owners. All of the vet-approved recipes in Real Food for Dogs are made with everyday human ingredients, available in any supermarket. And the recipes make it very easy to prepare homemade dog food recipes. Real Food for Dogs contains recipes organized into the following categories: Treats, Meaty meals, Fish and fowl, Vegetarian meals, Special occasion meals, and Special diets. Also included are the basics of canine nutrition, and special prescription diets for dogs with special needs such as puppy growth, senior dogs, overweight dogs and allergies.

Most important, dogs love the recipes in Real Food for Dogs Arden Moore’s witty writing brings the topic to life, while readers laugh out loud at Anne Davis’s illustrations. If you are looking for inspiration and easy recipes to begin cooking for your dog, Real Food for Dogs has just what you are searching for.

There are numerous treats out there for your cat. What makes one cat treat better than another? It depends on the benefits you are looking to receive. As far as dental treats go, Feline Greenies should be your first choice. But what makes them so good?

Feline Greenies are 100% nutritionally complete and balanced for your adult cat. They are formulated with additional vitamins, minerals, and taurine to help supplement your cat’s regular diet. Feline Greenies have no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives, and are only 2 calories per piece. Their unique teeth cleaning shape is clinically proven to help reduce tartar and plaque build up.

Cats are notoriously picky eaters, but they love Feline Greenies. Numerous tests by cats have indicated that they are completely satisfied with the taste. Available in five mouthwatering flavors, Ocean Fish, Oven Roasted Chicken, Savory Salmon, Succulent Beef, and Tempting Tuna, you are certain to find one your cat will devour.

Feline Greenies may be fed as a snack in conjunction to your cat’s regular diet. They are recommended for any breed of cat, aged 10 to 12 months and up. Feline Greenies are not recommended for kittens under 10 months of age. For optimal dental benefits, feed Greenies Cat Treats to your cat daily. Be sure to monitor your pet while he eats his treats, and always provide fresh water for your cat.

The newest innovative idea from MidWest, manufacturers of the portable and affordable Solutions Series Dog Crates, is here! MidWest Solutions SUV Crates are designed specifically for the rear cargo area of SUVs and vans. Modeled on the original MidWest suitcase style folding crates, Solutions SUV Crates fold down quickly and easily, making them portable even when not carrying a dog. These dog crates also have the same ABS hard plastic pan which can be removed for easy cleaning, even when the crate is shut. Solutions SUV Crates also come with plastic carrying handles for more comfortable portability. These crates feature slide bolt latches for easy and secure door closure. As always, this MidWest dog crate is durable and easy to clean.

The most striking feature of the new Solutions SUV Crates is the double doors. Located on each end, these doors allow the crates to be placed in the cargo area in either direction, perfect for accessing the crate from the cargo or seating area of the vehicle.

MidWest Solutions SUV Crates are available in two sizes: 36 or 42 inches. And because they are narrower than traditional dog crates and cages of this size, it is easier to fit two of them side-by-side in the back of the vehicle, perfect for owners of multiple dogs!

Here comes another innovative solution from MidWest! The Select Triple Door Crate is designed to house your dog from puppyhood through the adult years. The Select Crate comes with a free crate divider to start training off on the right foot, as well as an instructional DVD about crate training your puppy.

Our dogs ancestors lived in dens which provided protection and a great deal of psychological satisfaction. Dogs, therefore, have a strong natural tendency to seek out some type of shelter to make a den. You may find your dog climbs under tables or chairs or into other small spaces seeking security.

When you use a MIDWEST Home, you give your puppy a place to feel secure. He will not feel isolated because the wire crate home provides visibility and ventilation as well as safety – for him and your home!

MidWest Crates also allow you to take advantage of your puppy’s natural instinct to keep his home clean, which makes housetraining easier.

The MidWest Select Crate has been developed with the safety, security, and comfort of your dog in mind. Three doors allow easy access to your puppy from the front, back or side, allowing for greater freedom of placement. These crates are terrific for just about any location, from the house to the car, even an RV! And, when you are done with the housebreaking and puppy stages, all three doors can be removed without tools to give your pet post-training freedom. Having a three door crate also makes it easier to house or travel with more than one crate at a time.

Modeled on the original MidWest suitcase style folding crates, the Select Crate can be set-up or put away quickly and easily, by just about anyone. The MidWest Select Crate also includes a composite plastic pan for easy cleaning, and plastic handles to make carrying the collapsed crate more comfortable. Slide bolt latches on all three doors enhance the safety of the crate, while rounded corners protect both you and your pet from scrapes. Select Triple Door Crates also feature an attractive, fleck-tone pewter epoxy powder coat finish that goes with just about any décor. Available in five sizes ranging from 24 to 48 inches, MidWest Select Triple Door Crates are certain to fit your needs!

Even as adults, most of us can recall childhood admonitions about the dangers of eating too much or too fast. The caveats, “...it’s bad for your digestion” or “…you’ll get a stomach ache” still ring in our ears each time the opportunity to eat and run arises. Our pets are no different.

Eating or drinking too quickly can be dangerous to your pet—causing relatively benign health issues like indigestion and gas, or more serious complications such as vomiting, bloat in dogs, or the potentially fatal gastric dilatation and volvulus syndrome (GDV).

Why are dogs at risk for digestive problems?
The tendency of dogs to eat quickly dates to their history as pack animals when eating quickly meant a greater share of the available food. Even today, domestic dogs—particularly those that live in multiple-dog households--can feel a sense of competition that translates into rapid eating and possible canine digestive distress.

What is Bloat?
Bloat occurs when the stomach becomes distended and filled with air causing discomfort and pressure on the surrounding organs.

What is GDV?
Dog Bloat becomes more serious when volvulus occurs with gastric dilatation and the gas and pressure cause the stomach to twist. When the stomach rotates, the air becomes trapped, the blood supply is cut off and other major organs, especially the spleen, can be affected. At this point, the tissue of the stomach and surrounding organs starts to die and death of the dog is imminent without immediate surgical intervention.

How can the EatBetter and DrinkBetter products can help?
The EatBetter and DrinkBetter bowls from Contech Electronics are designed to slow the pace of your dog’s consumption in order to improve nutrient absorption, reduce dog digestive problems and minimize the health issues associated with fast-paced eating and drinking

Specific benefits of the EatBetter Bowl:
Encourages slower, healthier eating
Reduces vomiting and stomach bloating
Improves absorption of nutrients through better digestion
Sturdy, non-skid design
High-quality, food-grade, dishwasher-safe plastic

Specific benefits of the DrinkBetter Bowl:
Slows your dog’s drinking
Reduces choking and vomiting
Reduces water spills
Keeps ears dry and minimizes muzzle staining from chlorinated water
High-quality, food-grade, dishwasher-safe plastic
Sturdy, non-skid design

WholeMeals innovative approach to main meal feeding delivers premium nutrition and maximum mealtime enjoyment. WholeMeals was developed with leading veterinarians and born from over 60 years of experience in dog nutrition and dog behavior. WholeMeals 100% complete and balanced meal for adult dogs has a dense, meaty, delicious center and chewy, textured exterior that dogs will love.

Quality ingredients deliver premium nutrition.
With its 100% complete and balanced nutrition for adult dogs and unique shape and size WholeMeals Food for Dogs is designed to promote healthy and natural eating. Additionally, the premium nutrition in WholeMeals enhances your dog’s health in a number of ways. High quality proteins help maintain strong, lean muscles while antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C help to support a healthy immune system. Omega 6 fatty acids help to maintain skin and coat health. WholeMeals is formulated with natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin to help support healthy joints.

Shaped for your dog’s absolute enjoyment
The innovative shape of WholeMeals provides nutritional benefits that no ordinary dog food can offer. Not only is it premium nutrition cleverly designed into the shape that your dog loves, it’s also more closely aligned with his natural feeding patterns. It comes in four different, biometrically designed sizes to match the way dogs bite and chew. Plus, WholeMeals allows your dog to carry his meal to his favorite spot and consume it in a natural, relaxed, “tummy feed” position. This New shape of dog food was specially designed to offer the benefit of being more digestible than dry food as well prolonging the eating time and reducing gulping. WholeMeals dual texture maximizes chewing satisfaction and is clinically proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up.

Find the right size WholeMeal for your dog
It’s easy to transition to WholeMeals Food for Dogs. First incorporate one meal per day into the feeding routine. Then reduce the amount of your dog’s current food accordingly. Finally increase the amount every 3 days until reaching your dog’s caloric requirements.

Toy Breed Adults up to 15lbs.
Feed ONE Toy Meal for every 4 to 5lbs body weight per day. One Toy WholeMeal equals 1/3 Cup of dry or wet dog food.

Small Sized Breeds - Adults weighing from 16 to 25lbs.
Feed ONE Small WholeMeal for every 7 to 10lbs body weight per day. One Small WholeMeal is equal to ½ Cup of dry or wet dog food.

Medium Sized Breeds - Adults weighing from 26 to 50lbs.
Feed ONE Medium WholeMeal for every 15 to18lbs of body weight per day. One Medium WholeMeal is equal to 1 Cup of dry or wet dog food.

Large Breeds – Adults over 50lbs.
Feed ONE Large WholeMeal for every 28 to 35lbs of body weight, per day. One Large WholeMeal is equal to 1 ½ Cups of dry or wet dog food.

Walking a dog on a leash puts stress and tension on our hand, arm and body and the dog’s neck and back resulting in injuries to ourselves and pets. Most dog leashes carry bacteria and mold because of their material components. The Perfect Leash is an innovative patented design made of a proprietary polyurethane material. The leash stretches reducing the shock and tension to a dog’s neck and back and the handler’s body. The unique rebounding properties provide a correction to a pulling or unruly dog without the handler pulling or tugging on the leash. Leash training dogs is now much gentler on the handler. At the end of the day simply wash away any bacteria by using soap and water or a mild household chemical. The Perfect Leash is a better and healthier way to walk a dog.
The Perfect Leash, like so many innovations, was born out of necessity. Deb Dersham was not happy with the leashes available to work her bird dogs on her 300 acre farm. The leashes were the wrong length, they ripped or frayed easily, they got soaking wet and dirty, and quickly became smelly. Wrapping the rough nylon around her hand made Dersham uncomfortable and sometimes left red marks.
Meanwhile, Dersham and her husband were looking for a durable polyurethane material for another outdoor product application. The search for a material that met their demanding specifications married with a search for a well designed leash.
That was in 2003. Since then, the Dershams have continually refined and improved the products design. They have tested the leash on their own dogs, and consulted with industry experts. To their delight, The Perfect Leash was very well received by wholesalers and distributors, professional dog walkers and trainers, and dog lovers.

Frequently Asked Questions about The Perfect Leash

Why is it perfect?

The Perfect Leash provides a better walk for all dogs. The proprietary material and design protects the dog’s neck and the handlers hand, arm, and shoulder from strain. The Perfect Leash is endorsed by Dr. David Ciliento, D.C. As a chiropractor he has seen the body’s effects after walking dogs and highly recommends The Perfect Leashes to his patients with dogs. Whether you walk a small Pug or a large Newfoundland, The Perfect Leashes and The Perfect Collars fit all dogs and are enjoyable to walk under any condition.
The leash’s rebound also helps to correct tugging, pulling on leash or other unruly dog behavior by providing an immediate correction when the dog pulls. Both the dog and the handler are more comfortable.
Other features of The Perfect Leash include a patented handle designed to comfortably fit adults and children; a high quality, stainless steel clasp; and durable stretch material that won’t crack, break, fray or absorb doggy odors. The polyurethane material will withstand temperatures of extreme cold and heat. The leash comes with a manufacturer’s guarantee on the material and workmanship.
The Perfect Leash is made to use in the harshest of conditions; extreme cold, extreme heat, boating, hunting, dog sports and dog agility, field trials, even dock dogs enjoy Perfect Leashes and collars. The Perfect Leashes and collars will remain like new year after year, no more mold and mildew or doggy odors.

Does it come in a variety of sizes and colors?

The Perfect Leash comes in two sizes and four colors. The Heeler is a short (14 inches) leash, designed for situations when you want the dog to stay close and secure by your side. The Walker is longer (35 inches). Its length works well for walking smaller dogs or for giving bigger dogs more freedom.
Both sizes of The Perfect Leash come in a variety of colors.

How long will it last?

The patented leash is made of a proprietary polyurethane material that stands up to UV rays, ozone, heat and cold and most household chemicals. It will not break, crack or fray. It can be easily cleaned with soap and water.
The Perfect Leash is proudly Made in the USA and comes with a lifetime material defect guarantee.

The Perfect Collar

The Perfect Collar is made to last and is very healthy for dogs. Made specially for Cherrybrook of poly coated webbing, they remain soft and pliable even in very cold, hot or humid conditions. It will not break, fray, crack or get brittle with outdoor use.
The Perfect Collars will not absorb water or odors; therefore they are mold and mildew resistant. Simply cleaning the collar regularly will ensure no bacteria will be in contact with the dog’s neck.
The Perfect Collar comes in a variety of colors. They are available in 3 widths: 1”, 5/8” and 1/2” and range in lengths from 8 to 26 inches. A hunting dog collar is available in blaze orange with a center O-ring. The Perfect hunting collar is 1” wide and available in lengths from 14 to 20 inches.

Testimonials about The Perfect Leash and The Perfect Collar

I have personally used The Perfect Leashes with my own dogs and highly recommend them for my patients with pets. Great product! – Dr. David Ciliento, D.C.

As a professional groomer, I have to handle all size dogs in an environment less than perfect for controlling mold, mildew and bacteria. I use The Perfect Leashes and collars and recommend them to all my customers. I love The Perfect Leash product line. – Anne Hennessy

Excerpts from a letter to Deb Dersham, the creator of The Perfect Leash
…As I explained to you, I have been training dogs for over a decade and specialize in the larger breed training….My two Rotts pull horribly on a leash…I took both my dogs out on your leashes without their gentle leaders. Fearing the worst with my recent shoulder injury, I prepared myself to let go of the leash if needed in the event they pulled too much. I was so amazed at the self correcting design of these leashes. My dogs began to pull, and the “give & return” of the material corrected them without any instruction/correction from me, and I did not have to drop either leash. The energy absorption is truly magnificent, and I will certainly recommend these leashes to all of my clients, especially those that have the “problem” dogs. The fact that these can be sanitized so easy is so important to my wife and I due to the nature of our business. - Steve Ferry, Dog Trainer and Dr. Rachel Parks, DVM

We also carry The Perfect Grooming Lead, The Perfect Bungee Cords and The Perfect Bungee Straps, which can all be found in our Perfect Leash category.

It’s a fact - our pets need regular exercise to stay physically fit and mentally sharp. Daily exercise can also help to decrease doggie boredom and boost your bond with your four-footed companion. When wintertime brings shorter days and less opportunity for long walks, try these easy indoor exercise ideas from Pet-Helper.com.

Play Ball– Your dog will enjoy pushing a tennis ball with his nose around the living room. Or toss a ball across the room and let him fetch – this works best with smaller breeds.

Hide and seek– Leave your dog in one room with a stay command while you “hide” in a nearby room and then call him to you. As he gets more skilled, make the game more fun by hiding behind a door, in a closet or under a blanket. With two humans, a more complex version of hide and seek involves one person going to another room and calling the dog. When the dog has found that person the other one calls him back, perhaps to a new location, and the routine is repeated.

Climb time – If you have a flight of stairs, roll a ball down the steps and teach your dog to retrieve it while you wait at the top.

Working Dog – teach her to put her own toys away in a basket or toy box on command. Some dogs get good at bringing keys, purse, umbrella, baby’s blanket or even the telephone on command. Teach her to wake the children for school.

Find the Toy - If you name your dog’s toys, you can ask the dog to bring you a specific toy. Once your dog has this game down pat, try taking the toy out of his sight and placing it in an easily accessible spot in a dark room.

Treat time – Show your dog a favorite treat, then place it under an overturned bowl or box. Hide treats in unusual spots, like shoes or on a shelf and ask the dog to seek. For Variety, try one of our treat dispensing toys.

Over the mountain – A box or kitchen chair can be a great high jump course. Start small and raise the bar as your dog gets limbered up. Go easy on puppies – keep the box low while they are still developing. Or take the fun outdoors with a Backyard Agility Starter Kit.

Work on basic commands and tricks – a rainy day is a good excuse to perfect rolling over, sitting up, playing dead or even sit and stay. Teach your dog to walk around the house with you and sit when you stop (heeling) – all that sitting and getting up works like doggy pushups.