Exercising Your Pet on a Cold or Rainy Day

Imagine those colder days that are soon to come. You're not going to want to get out for extended periods of time to walk your dog, and neither is your dog to be quite honest. But even though it's colder and you and your beloved pooch would rather snuggle up on the couch, regular exercise to wear down that pent up energy is much needed no matter what time of year it is or what the weather's like. So to make exercising and caring for your pet easier on cold or rainy days, PetCot is sharing with you some great indoor activities you can try.

Visit the Local Pet Store
Unlike many supermarkets, one of the best perks about pet stores is that they let you bring your pet inside while you shop! So, break out the leash and harness, and take a trip to your local pet store to let your pup burn some of that energy off. Not only will they get their exercise in, but you don't have to freeze your fingers off in the process!

Break Out the Laser Pointer
We know kitties can't deny the shiny red dot darting across the wall, but many dogs find it just as intriguing too! Use this super simple tool to run your dog in circles, down the halls, over obstacles and more. What's better is that you can do this all while sitting on your cozy couch sipping hot cocoa and getting a good giggle out of watching your goofy pup try to catch the dot.

Play a Game of Tug-O-War
What dog doesn't like to play Tug-O-War?! And let's be honest, we get at least a little joy out of watching our bouncy babies try to pull us across the floor. Let them show off their strength and wear themselves down by trying to get the rope toy out of your hands.

How About a Game of Hide & Seek?
Other indoor games such as hide and seek are fun to play with your dog. Put them in a stay. Hide and then call them. How long does it take for them to sniff you out? If it's a long wait, you might try holding a smelly treat: cheese or something with a flavorful smell will usually do the trick. Soon they'll be sniffing you out in no time!

Refresh Their Memory
It's never a bad time to go through all the tricks your dog knows just as a refresher. An intense training session will tire out your dog's mind, which has the same effect on his body by bedtime. You can practice Sit-Stays, Down-Stays, Come, Leave It, Take It, Drop It, and lots of other commands. Just keep the exercises short and spread them throughout the day. Even dogs get tired with too much stimulation, and then they lose focus.

All of these indoor activities will help to sap some of the energy your pup is sure to have built up on a cold or rainy day. Make sure you've got a comfy place for them to rest their heads after you wear them out. Get an elevated dog bed from PetCot. PetCot raised dog beds provide optimal comfort and support for dogs (and other pets) of all sizes. These premium raised pet beds keep your dog comfy and cozy and give them a place to call their own after a long day of exercise. Visit our website to order yours today!

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Caring for Your Pets in the Winter

Winter can be a magical time of year, but for your furry friends, it can be a whole different wonderland. At PetCot, we want to help you take care of your pet through every season and every stage of life. Whether you have an indoor pet, or your dog or cat stays outdoors most of the time, here are a few ways to protect your pets in the winter.

Protect Them From the Cold

If your pets stay inside or outside, you'll want to make sure that they have the protection they need throughout the cold months. You can get them a sweater if they remain outside full time, or even booties to keep their feet warm when walking across freezing concrete or asphalt.

Feed Them the Correct Amount

If your pet lives outside, they will burn more calories keeping warm, and will need more food. Indoor pets will need less food in the winter because they will most likely spend a lot of this season sleeping indoors with the heat. You'll also want to make sure they have enough water, and if their water is outside, be aware, and make sure it doesn't freeze.

Make Sure They Get Plenty of Exercise

Indoor dogs will needs lots of exercise in the winter because they won't be outside as much. Evening walks, running outside, and fetch are great ways to keep them active and help shed any extra pounds they might be gathering through their "hibernation."

Beware of Wintertime Chemical Spills

Winter can bring many harmful chemicals that are used to treat snow, ice, and frost. Antifreeze could leak from the radiators of vehicles, and this could be deadly if ingested. Event the smallest sip can be fatal. The salt on the sidewalks can cause sores or irritations on your pet's paws, so always be sure to wash their feet when you bring them back inside. You can also rinse their bed off, to make sure that none of the salt gets tracked onto your pet's favorite bed!

Go for a Ride

If your pet loves to go for car rides, that probably won't change much in the winter. They'll probably still love to poke their heads out the windows. One thing to beware of, though, is that the engine of your car can seem very attractive to cats, especially in the winter. They often climb up in the engine cavity to stay warm, but as you can imagine, this can have dreadful results. Be sure to tap on your hood before starting your car, and if you have cats who live outside, do a head count first.

Taking Care of Your Pets in Every Season

At the PetCot Company, we like to think that we care for your furry friends as much as you do. We have created the best pet beds, that not only keep your pets comfortable but are easy for you to maintain and clean. We hope your four-legged family members have a cozy, and safe winter, and enjoy many naps on their PetCot!

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Dog Training 101: Place Training Made Easy!

For many reasons, it's essential for any dog owner to take the time to properly train their dogs. There are many tricks that can be taught that have many different purposes and benefits. The most important reason to train is to prevent your dog from becoming injured or injuring others. So this week, we're going to focus on one of our favorite commands: "Place." Place training is simple to teach and has many benefits for both dog and owner:

Benefits of Place Training

Besides it being a convenient way to keep track of where your dog is and what he's doing, there are other more important benefits to place training. So let’s talk about the benefits of the "place" command.

• It can keep him from jetting out doors
• It helps stop dogs from barking at the door by giving them a quiet place to go to
• It can keep him from running after vehicles
• It can keep him out of the way if he is constantly underfoot
• It gives him a comfortable place to be when you go somewhere else; vacation, the ball field, your friend’s house etc.

Teaching Your Dog Place Training
It’s not difficult to teach a dog the "place" command, but it will take some time, patience, and consistency. Here are some easy steps to try:

Lure Your Dog to His Place
Start off by standing close to the bed or mat that will serve as your dog's place. Give him the command "place," and then use a treat to lure him onto his spot. As soon as all four feet are on the mat, praise your dog or click the clicker and give him a treat. Repeat this several times. Most dogs will go to the bed or mat on command after a few short training sessions.

Have a Release Cue
Remember to give him a release cue, such as "Okay" or "All done," so he knows when he’s allowed to get off the bed. You shouldn’t force him off it, though – if he’s comfortable, by all means let him hang out!

Extend the Training

Once your dog is consistently going to and lying down in their place once you give the "place" command, gradually increase the distance and/or the duration until your dog will reliably go to his "place" (without a treat) and stay there until you release him. You can go even further with this training by changing up the location of your dog's place. For example, you can designate a spot in each room of your home to be your dog's place. This will teach your dog that no matter where they're at, they must still follow the same rules.

Now that you know the benefits of place training and have some easy steps to follow to train this simple, yet important command, you better get to it! Make sure you've got a place for your dog to call his own by getting a few premium raised dog beds. Our PetCots are perfect for place training and dogs love them! Not only are the comfortable and easy to clean, but they're durable as well - making them the perfect petbed choice for puppies and active chewers. Visit our website today at www.PetCot.com to order your PetCot beds and other products!

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4 Reasons to NOT Let Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed

Do you let your dog sleep in bed with you? We know it's sweet to be able to enjoy their unconditional love. And there are some benefits to cozying up to your dog, like keeping you warm, having a sense of security if you sleep alone, and its a natural antidepressant. While these sound like excellent reasons to let your dog sleep in bed with you, there are some downfalls to letting your pooch sleep in bed with you at night. Take a look the reasons you should get your dog his own premium raised dog bed:

1. No Sleep Tonight
Think about this: if you sleep with your dog in bed with you, when they get up to do their nightly watches over the house does their jumping off or getting back on the bed wake you? According to the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorders Center, 53% of pet owners said their pets disturbed their sleep in some way nightly. Sleep deprivation, no matter the cause, can lead to decreased alertness, memory impairment, and other physical and mental health issues.

2. Malamute in the Middle
Another caution is that allowing your pets to sleep in bed with you can cause issues between couples. Pets should not be permitted to physically come between a couple at night. While it may not seem like an issue at first, when you and your partner do decide to have a little personal romantic time, the moment can quickly die if there's a dog scooting his way between the two of you so he's the center of attention. It's cute at first, but after so many interrupted sessions can become a real nuisance.

3. Not-So-Sweet Dreams
Like humans, canines dream, and many are pretty active while in the REM stage. Dogs can toss and turn or “talk” in their sleep. And even when they're not chasing rabbits in their dreams, merely stretching out to get cozy and shoving you with their paws is enough reason to give them their own space. All of these habits can interrupt your sleep cycle, resulting in crankiness, lowering your immune system response, and decreasing alertness during the day.

4. Watch Out for Allergies

If you tend to have allergies, make sure your pet doesn't sleep in your bed. Not only could you react to your pet's dander and fur, but Fido has been rolling around in who knows what all day. Your dog is exposed to allergens like pollen and dust all the time. They stick in his fur or on his paws, follow him to your bed, and cause your allergies to go haywire. Stuffy noses and sneezing does not make for a good night's sleep.

So, as tempting as it is to snuggle up to your precious pooch, invest instead in a premium raised dog bed for your favorite furry friend and leave the bed to the humans. PetCot raised dog beds provide optimal comfort and support for dogs (and other pets) of all sizes. These premium raised pet beds keep your dog comfy and cozy and give them a place to call their own. They'll love sleeping on their own raised bed, and since they're so light weight, you can easily place it next to your bed at night so your dog feels like he's sleeping next to you without disturbing your sleep!

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5 Delicious Dog Friendly Recipes to Make for Cook for Your Pets Day!

Our pets are like our children. We want to give them everything they want and need, including a good healthy diet. So sometimes when they're staring at you while you're cooking or eating dinner, it can be tempting to give in and let them have a little taste of what's on our plate. While not all people food is good for dogs, there are some things that they can have! So on behalf of National Cook for Your Pets Day on November 1, the PetCot Company is showing you just how much fun it can be to cook for your pets, too! Check out these super simple delicious homemade dog food recipes:

1. The Old Standard

This recipe is healthy, easy to make and inexpensive. This is also the perfect meal to make in large batches and then freeze as single servings you can thaw for days and days!

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups brown rice

2 carrots, shredded

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 zucchini, shredded

3 pounds ground turkey

1/2 cup peas, canned or frozen

3 cups baby spinach, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan of 3 cups water, cook rice according to package instructions; set aside.

Heat olive oil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook until browned, about 3-5 minutes, making sure to crumble the turkey as it cooks.

Stir in spinach, carrots, zucchini, peas and brown rice until the spinach has wilted and the mixture is heated through, about 3-5 minutes. Let cool completely.

2. Beef & Veggie Crockpot Creation

This crockpot recipe includes veggies that hold up a bit better in the slow cooker. 

INGREDIENTS:

2 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 1/2 cups chopped butternut squash

1 1/2 cups brown rice

1 1/2 cups chopped carrots

1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 cup peas, frozen or canned

DIRECTIONS:

Stir in ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut squash, carrots, peas and 4 cups water into a 6-qt slow cooker. Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3 hours, stirring as needed. Let cool completely.

Meatballs

Meatballs - how fun! Beyond the meatball styling, this recipe is great for it’s use of pumpkin (a stool softener, important for any senior dog) and oat bran (fiber, which helps with a healthy digestive system).

INGREDIENTS:

10 lbs ground beef (lean)

3 slices of bread, cubed small

2 cups of oat bran

4 eggs

3 cans pumpkin puree

Some salt

4 carrots, boiled/steamed and mashed

Flour

Leaves of 4 kale stalk chopped finely

DIRECTIONS:

Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Mix them all together and form them into any size of balls you'd like. Dredge the balls lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Put them in 400 degree oven until done. Bake time will depend on the size of your balls; estimated time: about 25 min.

Meatloaf

We love comfort food during the fall and winter months, and we know our dogs won’t mind chowing down on something heavy and wholesome too. 

INGREDIENTS:

1 lbs. lean ground beef

1 ½ cups grated mixed vegetables (use your dog’s favorite veggies)

2 eggs½ cup cottage cheese

1 ½ cups rolled oats

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Hand-mix all ingredients in a bowl until combined thoroughly. Press evenly into a loaf pan. Bake for 40 minutes. Refrigerate or freeze in slices for easy serving.

Spinach and Salmon Scramble

Fish oils are excellent for pups. This yummy dish from Rachael Ray is a dish you can share with your canine companion, as the meal works perfectly well for their human counterparts. Dinner for two, coming right up!

INGREDIENTS:

1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1/2 can skinless, boneless salmon (3 ounces), drained

1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

2 eggs

DIRECTIONS:

In a small nonstick skillet, heat the EVOO over medium heat. Add the spinach and salmon and cook until heated through. Add the eggs and stir continuously until cooked through, about 2 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve in a dog bowl.

So, this week, step outside the normal diet of your dog's dry kibble and try out one or all of these dog friendly recipes and treat your fur baby to some real homemade deliciousness! Your dog will appreciate it more than you know, and who knows! You may find that you enjoy cooking for your pet and make it part of your weekly regimen! After a nice filling home cooked meal, your dog's going to need a place to rest his full belly. Make sure your dog's comfortable and cozy in a premium raised dog bed from PetCot. We've got multiple sizes and colors to fit any dog and any home. Visit our website to check out our pet beds and other products!

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Tips for Keeping Your Pets Safe This Halloween

Halloween is such a fun time of year, and of course we always want to include our pets in the family's festivities. Wanting to involve them is fine, but there are some pet safety tips you should heed this Halloween to ensure that your pet is safe, secure, and happy. Take a look at some of the tips the PetCot Company is sharing this week:

Use Caution When Dressing Your Pets in Costume
Pets in costume, it's super adorable, right?! Well, yes... but if your pet isn't used to or keen on playing dress up, this could cause your pet to feel nervous or stressed. If you do decide that Fido or Kitty needs a costume, costumes should not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe. You should supervise your pets while in costume so that if something goes wrong, it can be addressed right away.

Keep Candies and Other Treats Away from Pets
Several Halloween treats are toxic to pets, so it's best to err on the side of caution and avoid allowing your pets any treats from the candy bowl. All forms of chocolate—especially baking or dark chocolate—can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs and cats. Halloween candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also be poisonous to dogs.

Avoid Leaving Pets Outdoors on Halloween
Vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Black cats are especially at risk for pranks or other cruelty-related incidents. Besides the dangers of pranksters doing harm to your pet, the constant noise and people walking by your yard can cause your pet to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Prevent Your Pets from Escaping into the Night
On halloween, if you live in city limits, you're likely to have several trick-or-treaters knocking on your door. Strangers on your doorstep dressed in unusual costumes can be scary for our furry friends, which can result in escape attempts or unexpected aggression. Putting your dog or cat in a secure crate or room away from the front door will reduce stress and prevent them from becoming aggressive towards visitors or darting outside into the night.

Make Sure Your Pet has Identification
If your dog or cat does escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that he or she will be returned. Make sure that your pet's collar tags are up-to-date and secured to their collar. This will help anyone who comes across your beloved pet quickly be able to contact you. Another very important and permanent form of identity is to have your pet microchipped. Collars can get lost or removed, so the only sure way to effectively ensure your pet's safe return home is to microchip and make sure you routinely update your information.

By following these simple tips this Halloween, you'll keep your pets safe, healthy, and happy! And don't forget to get your fur babies a treat they CAN have and will LOVE! Make sure you've got a comfy place for them to rest their heads after such an eventful evening. Get a premium dog bed from PetCot. Our PetCot beds are one of the most comfortable and durable on the market. Visit our website to order yours today!

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Is Your Dog a Nap Champion?

Ever notice how much your doggie seems to love to snuggle up and take a little snooze... seemingly every time you turn around? It may seem over the top and alarming, but most dogs actually require quite a bit of rest to maintain their energy and health. So why do our dogs need so much sleep? There's actually several very good reasons. Let's find out!

They Need to Regenerate Energy
If you really think about it, dog's sleep periods typically don't last for several hours at a time like ours do. For humans, We typically go all day without a snooze, then catch up by resting for about 6-9 hours during the night. Dogs, however, don't sleep like we do. Instead, they take brief "catnaps" throughout the day and rarely sleep very deeply. So are they really actually getting a rested sleep when they do lay their heads down for a nap?

Breed Makes a Difference
The amount of sleep dogs need also depends on what they are bred to do. For example, dogs who are bred for working tend to stay awake because of the desire to work and stay active that are engrained in their DNA. Dogs that have tasks to hold their attention will spend most of the day active, dedicated to completing those tasks. Dogs that aren't bred for a specific purpose and lead more sedentary lifestyles, however, will spend most of the day laying around catching some shut eye.

Factor in Dog's Age and Size
On average, dogs spend about 12-to-14 hours of the 24-hour cycle sleeping. Older dogs typically need more sleep because like human seniors and the elderly, day-to-day living presents more challenges and they tire more easily. Puppies spend their awake-time exploring, playing and growing, so they need as much as 18 to 20 hours of sleep each day to recharge their batteries. And of course, all dogs need sleep, but it tends to be the bigger breeds that are known for constant dozing probably due to their rapid growth and shorter life span.

Your Dog's Health
Sleeping is an essential part of dogs' everyday routines, so you shouldn't be concerned if your dog sleeps often. However, if you notice a sudden or dramatic change in your dog's sleeping habits or something seems a little off, it's a good idea to consult your veterinarian. Excessive sleep has been linked to conditions such as canine depression, diabetes, and hypothyroidism.

Life Changes Can Affect Your Dog
Just like humans, dogs can require some time to recoup after experiencing any sudden life changes. Because dogs adapt so well to their original environments, any shift in their usual experiences may affect them. So if your dog has experienced an alteration in their normal schedule or lifestyle, such as a move to a new home, losing a companion, or even an addition to the family, you may notice a change in their sleep habits. Understandably, dogs may need extra sleep to get their mood and energy level back to normal.

Regardless of how often or how little your fur baby sleeps, one thing is certain. Your precious pooch needs a comfy clean place to rest that adorable head when nap time comes calling. Be sure that your dog's comfort is top of mind with a PetCot! PetCot raised dog beds provide optimal comfort and support for dogs (and other pets) of all sizes. These premium raised pet beds protect dogs from the breeding ground of bacteria and odor found in traditional lumpy pillow dog beds, while keeping your dog cool and cozy.

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