A Little Grooming Talk

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Here at WPE we educate a lot about food, supplements, treats and chews.

But did you know that we do grooming too?

At WPE we pride ourselves in treating your pets as our own while they are here with us.

Things that may happen while in our care and being pampered on their spa day follow below:

 

Pets can not speak, so occasionally they may whine, or cry out. Especially if  they are matted, getting their nails trimmed, or even bathing and blowdrying. They may protest as they are saying hey what’s going on?

With a little patience, talking to and going SLOW with them they will calm down. Some breeds though do a lot of talking.

 

Your pets may need to be shaved or trimmed down shorter than was the initial plan. Sometimes if they are especially matted, have fleas, or are especially dirty our groomers may have to do this. And we will try our best to brush out first but this can cause extra stress on them, so to prevent stress we may shave them shorter instead.

The good thing is fur grows back!!

 

To prevent excess matting, consider an in between bath and brushout! We would bath, blowout and brush your pet. Check the nails and ears all at a lower price. We recommend a 4 week bath and brush, 6-8 full groom.

 

Occasionally we do need to speak or scold your pet. It’s all about training, and it would be the same as you training them. We want their spa time to be as calm, relaxing and as positive as it can! This is where training comes in, starting early with nail trims, baths and blowdrying. And especially clippers and scissors, so as they grow from puppies to adults this time with us is a positive grooming experience.

 

And lastly we feel we have the best groomers! Be patient with them as they work slowly, professionally and as relaxed as possible.

We aren’t about getting your pets in/out in the quickest time possible. We hand scissor, we hand dry and we go slow, again all for the care of your pets. We want to do the best possible job for you and your pets, even of it takes us a little longer.

Thank you for your continued support, your patience and shopping local and small.

Allergy?

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allergy

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to pinpoint an allergy in your pet can be quite challenging. Any one of the following symptoms could be pointing to an allergy: Constant itching, red skin, chronic eye, ear or skin infections, lack of an appetite, nausea and/or diarrhea and the list goes on.

Allergies can be both seasonal and food-related. Unfortunately, symptoms are frequently the same, which makes it hard to tell what your pet is battling. Both outdoor and food-related allergies can cause the same symptoms.

Is it a true allergy or an intolerance?    The bottom line for your pet is that it doesn’t really matter.   The ‘fix’ will be the same.   So we start on a process of elimination.   We typically begin with elimination of foods since that is an easier process than eliminating the great outdoors!    Common offenders in dogs are the grains….wheat, corn, and soybean meal.    Another common offender is the most commonly used protein source across the pet food industry….chicken. One additional that might surprise would be potatoes.   And potatoes are a common ingredient used in many ‘grain-free’ kibble as starch is needed to produce a kibble.   There are alternatives, however.

We usually recommend a switch to a grain-free formula with a unique protein and we have several to choose from like duck, rabbit or venison.  Of equal importance is to remember that the treats you give your pet are a key part of this process as well.   If you switch to a chicken free and grain free diet it doesn’t make much sense to give them those treats full of chicken.

Give your pet 3-4 weeks on the new food to determine any digestive or skin changes. Changing to a grain-free formula should clear your allergy-ridden pet from yeast buildup, digestive irregularity, lack of energy and skin troubles. Over the course of a few weeks, their symptoms should improve. Your pet’s body needs time to detox, just like our bodies.  GIVE IT TIME. You won’t see 100% of a change in just one small bag or a week.

Probiotics are usually recommended for pets that appear to be affected by environmental allergens.    Probiotics are designed to strengthen the immune system, control yeast and candida, improve digestion and reduce inflammation of the skin. They contain healthy bacteria that can survive within the stomach and intestines to correct imbalances. Probiotics also feed healthy bacteria growth and regulate bowel movements and enzymes that reduce inflammation.

Several of our product lines include the ability to switch among several nutritionally matched foods for different flavors and experiences. An example of this is the Fromm 4-Star Nutritionals.   This also can serve to help prevent your pet from developing an allergy over years of the same exact food….ie., everyday the same chicken based diet.    While ‘rotation’ feeding is not necessary for nutritional reasons, it can help prevent an immune reaction from long term exposure if your pet is at all disposed to such a reaction.

How Many Times a Day Should I Feed My Dog?

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“How many times a day should I feed my dog?”

 

Active adult dogs will benefit from being fed twice a day. Feeding times should typically be 6-8 hours apart and should be at the same times every day to help establish a consistent potty schedule. Extremely active, hardworking, inactive or dogs with medical issues may require different feeding schedules. We recommend you seek the advice of your veterinarian for these special situations and/or contact us for guidance.

 

From Fromm Family Foods

Springtime Pet Safety Tips (from ASPCA)

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Springtime Safety Tips

Spring has sprung, and with the change of season, our thoughts turn to Easter celebrations, spring cleaning and much-needed home improvement projects. Before you embark on seasonal chores or outdoor revelry, take inventory of potential springtime hazards for your furry friends.

*If you suspect your pet may have come in contact with or ingested a potentially poisonous substance, contact your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately at (888) 426-4435.

Easter Treats and Decorations
Keep lilies and candy in check—chocolate goodies are toxic to cats and dogs, and all true lilies can be fatal if ingested by cats. And be mindful, kitties love to nibble on colorful plastic grass, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting and dehydration. Moreover, while live bunnies, chicks and other festive animals are adorable, resist the urge to buy them—these cute babies grow up fast and often require specialized care!

Screen Yourself
Many pet parents welcome the breezy days of spring by opening their windows. Unfortunately, they also unknowingly put their pets at risk—especially cats, who are apt to jump or fall through unscreened windows. Be sure to install snug and sturdy screens in all of your windows.

Buckle Up!
While most dogs love to feel the wind on their furry faces, allowing them to ride in the beds of pick-up trucks or stick their heads out of moving-car windows is dangerous. Flying debris and insects can cause inner ear or eye injuries and lung infections, and abrupt stops or turns can cause major injury, or worse! Pets riding in cars should always be secured in a crate or wearing a seatbelt harness designed especially for them.

Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is a time-honored tradition in many households, but be sure to keep all cleaners and chemicals out of your pets’ way! Almost all cleaning products, even all natural ones, contain chemicals that may be harmful to pets. The key to using them safely is to read and follow label directions for proper use and storage. Please visit our Poisonous Household Products page for more information.

Home Improvement 101
Products such as paints, mineral spirits and solvents can be toxic to your pets and cause severe irritation or chemical burns. Carefully read all labels to see if the product is safe to use around your furry friends. Also, be cautious of physical hazards, including nails, staples, insulation, blades and power tools. It may be wise to confine your dog or cat to a designated pet-friendly room during home improvement projects.

Let Your Garden Grow—With Care
Pet parents, take care—fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides keep our plants and lawns healthy and green, but their ingredients may be dangerous if your pet ingests them. Always store these products in out-of-the-way places and follow label instructions carefully. Many popular springtime plants—including rhododendron and azaleas—are also highly toxic to pets and can prove fatal if eaten. Check out our full list—of toxic and non-toxic plants for your home and garden.

Ah-Ah-Achoo!
Like us, pets can be allergic to foods, dust, plants and pollens. Allergic reactions in dogs and cats can cause itching, minor sniffling and sneezing, or life-threatening anaphylactic shock to insect bites and stings. If you suspect your pet has a springtime allergy, please visit your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Pesky Little Critters
April showers bring May flowers—and an onslaught of bugs! Make sure your pet is on year-round heartworm preventive medication, as well as a flea and tick control program. Ask your doctor to recommend a plan designed specifically for your pet. Please visit our Fleas and Ticks page for more information.

Out and About
Warmer weather means more trips to the park, longer walks and more chances for your pet to wander off! Make sure your dog or cat has a microchip for identification and wears a tag imprinted with your home address, cell phone and any other relevant contact information.

Pets Are Children’s Best Friends

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Children get more satisfaction from relationships with their pets than with their brothers or sisters, according to new research from the University of Cambridge. Children also appear to get on even better with their animal companions than with siblings.

The research adds to increasing evidence that household pets may have a major influence on child development, and could have a positive impact on children’s social skills and emotional well-being.

Pets are almost as common as siblings in western households, although there are relatively few studies on the importance of child-pet relationships.

”Anyone who has loved a childhood pet knows that we turn to them for companionship and disclosure, just like relationships between people,” says Matt Cassells, a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the Department of Psychiatry, who led the study. “We wanted to know how strong these relationships are with pets relative to other close family ties. Ultimately this may enable us to understand how animals contribute to healthy child development”

This study, published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, was conducted in collaboration with the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition, part of Mars Petcare and co-funded by the Economic and Social Research Council as part of a larger study, led by Prof Claire Hughes at the University of Cambridge Centre for Family Research. Researchers surveyed 12 year old children from 77 families with one or more pets of any type and more than one child at home. Children reported strong relationships with their pets relative to their siblings, with lower levels of conflict and greater satisfaction in owners of dogs than other kinds of pets.

”Even though pets may not fully understand or respond verbally, the level of disclosure to pets was no less than to siblings,” says Cassels. “The fact that pets cannot understand or talk back may even be a benefit as it means they are completely non-judgmental.

“While previous research has often found that boys report stronger relationships with their pets than girls do, we actually found the opposite. While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more disclosure, companionship, and conflict with their pet than did boys, perhaps indicating that girls may interact with their pets in more nuanced ways.”

“Evidence continues to grow showing that pets have positive benefits on human health and community cohesion,” says Dr Nancy Gee, Human-Animal Interaction Research Manager at WALTHAM and a co-author of the study. “The social support that adolescents receive from pets may well support psychological well-being later in life but there is still more to learn about the long term impact of pets on children’s development.”

Story Source:

Materials provided by University of Cambridge. The original story is licensed under a Creative Commons License. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

 

October News

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Wholesome Pet Essentials
Newsletter
October 2016

Store Hours:
M-F 10:00 am-7:00 pm
Saturday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday 11:00am- 5:00pm
Phone (515) 289-2006

 

What’s New:
Lots of new products are arriving on our shelves.
Outward Hound toys – multiple squeakers, bottle crunch
toys; new kitty litter boxes and mats; food dishes and
more!
New treats are coming in weekly: Charlie Bear,
Fruitables for cats, Give Pet dog treats.
Spot Farms Pork Bacon is made from IOWA Pigs!
Come in and check out what’s new!
Mid Iowa Pet Expo – October 22-23, 2016
We will be attending the Mid Iowa Pet Expo, held at the
Varied Industries Building on the State Fair grounds in
DSM. All pets are welcome: dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs…
Bring the fur kids… We would love to see them
Come See The Wholesome Pet Essentials Crew!
We’ll have great deals and grooming demonstrations.

http://www.greatiowapetexpo.com

$1 off coupon available on the website
Saturday, October 22 10:00am-6:00pm
Sunday, October 23 10:00am-4:00pm
Like and Follow Us On Facebook and Instagram

 

Pet of the Month
NOVEMBER: to be announced
To enter your pet: email a
picture and a short bio to
tracy@wholesomepetessentia
ls.com

 
Upcoming Dates:
October: 22-23rd -Mid Iowa
Pet Expo
October 30th- DMV, Abby’s
Clinic
November 23rd- OPEN
regular hours
November 24th –
Thanksgiving: Store Closed

 

Testimonial:
We are in search of
customers who have a story
to tell about how a product(s)
or service that has changed
there pets experience and
their health . Please email
tracy at
tracy@wholesomepetessentia
ls.com

 

 

Grooming :
What makes our grooming different than others? Here at
WPE, our groomers deliver personalized services with a
gentle touch, one-on-one attention and we give you the
opportunity to speak directly to your pets groomer. We
only use the highest quality, all-natural options in our
grooming salon.
We care for you pet(s) as much as you do!
Rebook Discount! If you rebook your pet for their next
full groom when you checkout from the current
grooming session, we’ll apply a 10% grooming discount
on that next booking.
Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Holiday Grooms!
We are filling up fast for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Call and Schedule Today: (515) 289-2006
We have appointments available 7 days a week!

Allergies?:
Does your pet suffer from
allergies; food or
environmental?
We have options for your
pet(s) for both environmental
and/or food allergies!
Stop in today with any
questions and we can help
you find a solution.
Self Serve:
Here at WPE, we offer a
self-serve pet wash station.
No appointment needed, stop
in any time with you
shedding or dirty dog. We
supply towels, a basic
shampoo, and a dryer for you
use. All for just $15.
Like and Follow Us On Facebook and Instagram