1. Plan a Pre-trip Vet Check-up
2. Buy a Safe, Comfortable Pet Carrier
3. Ease Your Pet into Traveling
4. Pack a Travel Kit
5. Check In with Your Pet While Traveling
Keep reading to learn more about how to put these tips into action and have a stress-free holiday trip with your pet.
]]>Here are 5 "rules" that you should keep in mind when encountering a service dog and their handler:
**We are honored to collaborate with Atlas Assistance Dogs, an organization dedicated to expanding access to service dogs, to bring you this educational post. Their commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities through positive and ethical training methods has provided invaluable insights that shape the information you're about to read. Atlas assists people in training and certifying their own service dogs, bridging the gap between potential and reality. Together, we're shedding light on the remarkable impact of service dogs and advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate world.
**We are honored to collaborate with Atlas Assistance Dogs, an organization dedicated to expanding access to service dogs, to bring you this educational post. Their commitment to empowering individuals with disabilities through positive and ethical training methods has provided invaluable insights that shape the information you're about to read. Atlas assists people in training and certifying their own service dogs, bridging the gap between potential and reality. Together, we're shedding light on the remarkable impact of service dogs and advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate world. Read below to find out Why Service Dogs Matter!
]]>At Portland Pet Food Company, we’ve always been gently cooking our dog food toppers…and for good reason.
]]>As responsible dog owners, it's essential to be vigilant about our furry friends' hydration, particularly during hot weather. Dehydration can have severe consequences for dogs if left unaddressed.
Recognizing the indicators of dehydration in dogs is vital for early intervention. People should keep an eye out for the following common signs of dehydration in dogs:
Decreased Water Intake
Dry Nose and Gums
Skin Elasticity Test
Lethargy and Decreased Activity
Darker Urine and Decreased Frequency
*We teamed up with Brooklyn Yard Veterinary Hospital to provide you with accurate and reliable information on the signs of dehydration and effective tips to keep your pets properly hydrated during hot weather. Their expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in creating this informative blog post.
Continue reading for helpful tips on how to address and mitigate these signs of dehydration in your dogs!
]]>As cat owners, it's crucial to understand the signs of dehydration in our feline friends and take necessary measures to keep them hydrated. Dehydration can have serious consequences for cats, particularly during the hot summer months.
Recognizing the indicators of dehydration in cats is vital for early intervention. People should keep an eye out for the following common signs of dehydration in cats:
Dry Mouth and Gums
Decreased Skin Elasticity
Lethargy and Weakness
Sunken Eyes
Reduced Urination
*We teamed up with Brooklyn Yard Veterinary Hospital to provide you with accurate and reliable information on the signs of dehydration and effective tips to keep your pets properly hydrated during hot weather. Their expertise and collaboration have been instrumental in creating this informative blog post.
Continue reading for helpful tips on how to address and mitigate these signs of dehydration in your cats!
]]>1. Decode Their Language
2. Establish a Safe Space
3. Provide Fresh, Nutritious Food
4. Provide Mental & Physical Stimulation
5. Build A Strong Bong
Keep reading to learn more about how to implement these tips and create a purr-fect life with your feline friend.
]]>As part of the natural aging process in cats, their stomachs and intestines might not be able to break down and absorb nutrients as efficiently as they once did when they were younger.
]]>At Portland Pet Food Company, we might have the answer you’ve been looking for! Our wet cat food is great for cats with sensitive stomachs, because it doesn’t have the ingredients that cats often have trouble tolerating.
]]>And what’s not to love? Dogs have been known to have positive effects on the mental and physical well-being of their owners, from reducing depression to improving heart health. Portland’s history of urban planning has purposefully turned wasted lots into green spaces to clean up the city, as well as draw its residents out and encourage an active urban lifestyle. The city continues to plan and develop to benefit its dog-lovers.
Some of our favorite dog-friendly neighborhoods in Portland to explore with Fido are Alberta Arts District, Hawthorne District and St. Johns. Here is our list of the best dog-friendly spots to check out in these areas.
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The main, and most popular, street that runs through this district is Hawthorne Boulevard. This road was originally home to Oregon’s first mental hospital and was named “Asylum Avenue” until 1883, when the facilities closed. The East Portland residents then renamed the street after the hospital’s founder, Dr. J.C Hawthorne.
About St. Johns Neighborhood in Portland
St. Johns is a haven within Portland city limits. From Cathedral Park to its charming and walkable downtown, the North Portland neighborhood feels like a quaint small town with locally owned shops, pubs, cafes, movie theaters and lots of history scattered throughout. Get ready to explore a lovely, lesser-known side of Portland with your pup!
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In short, the answer to “can dogs have chicken broth” is yes. However, like any other human food you might give your dog, it’s important to check the ingredients in the chicken broth to make sure that your dog isn’t accidentally eating harmful seasonings or additives.
]]>Unfortunately, what many people overlook when getting a pet is the cost of emergency care, which can add up quickly.
Even the healthiest dog may get into a situation where they need to see a veterinarian after-hours, whether because they ate a sock, were bitten at the dog park, or have been experiencing diarrhea and it seems to be getting worse over the weekend. In fact, 1 in 3 pets will need emergency treatment in a given year!
Whatever the reason you have to go to the emergency clinic, expenses can quickly add up. While costs vary based on your pet’s need, typically there is an exam fee, followed by whatever tests, pain medications, etc. need to be done to keep your dog healthy — all of which can run upwards of $1,000.
For example, when PPFC’s very own office dog Mikey had to visit the emergency veterinarian in 2017 after being hit by a car, his bill racked up to nearly $2,000 — which included an exam fee, pain medication, an x-ray, and blood work. Thankfully, Mikey recovered quickly and has yet to need another visit to the emergency room since! However, his owner, Hannah, has always considered how much pet insurance may have helped in that scenario.
Pet insurance is very similar to human health insurance in that you pick a plan, pay a monthly amount to keep your coverage active, are responsible for “co-pays” during veterinary visits, and certain activities are fully covered once you’ve met your deductible.
How Much Does Pet Insurance Cost?
Prices vary based on your pet’s age, breed, location, etc., as well as what type of plan you choose. Typically, there are three levels of coverage:
On average, the monthly premium for a dog is $47 and the average for a cat is $29. However, note that the lower the premiums, the higher your out-of-pocket costs may be. We’d recommend doing a quick Google search for pet insurance plans in your geographic area to get a clear idea of costs. Here’s what we see after searching “Cost of pet insurance in Portland, Oregon.”
If you’re wondering whether pet insurance is worth it for your dog or cat, ask yourself the following questions:
Does my pet have any pre-existing conditions?
Many pet insurance providers will not cover conditions (both specific and broad) that existed prior to signing up for insurance, such as cancer, a previously torn ACL (indicates they may tear the other one), if your dog has ever been given anxiety medicine, etc. Therefore, if the main reason that you’re getting insurance is to help cover the costs of your dog’s expensive condition, do some research to ensure you’re finding a company that will cover the costs. Otherwise, insurance may not be what you’re looking for.
Do I have enough savings for if something happens to my pet?
Emergencies happen and can be expensive, so it’s important that you have enough money stored away to cover the costs of helping your pet when needed. If you don’t have enough savings ready to cover a night at the pet emergency clinic, pet insurance may be a good option for you, as you will likely end up paying less in the event of an accident.
Am I willing to accept the alternatives if I cannot cover my dog’s medical expenses?
Unfortunately for many, pet owners who cannot afford their pet’s care end up having to put their furry loved one up for adoption, borrow from friends/family, or worse, have to euthanize the pet.
What are the common risks associated with my specific breed?
Many dogs and cats have conditions associated with their breed— for example, dachshunds are known to develop skeletal issues as they get older, and bengal cats are often diagnosed with cataracts. If you know that your pet is likely to be diagnosed with a condition down the line, it might be smart to sign up for an insurance plan that will cover the costs of that specific condition. Be sure to do research before making any commitments, though, as some insurance companies do not cover breed-specific medical problems that are considered costly to treat.
Am I signing up for insurance in hopes it covers a surgery scheduled in two weeks?
Note that many pet insurance companies have a period of time before it goes into effect and can range from a few weeks to a month.
Pet insurance popularity has boomed in recent years, largely due to its ability to save on costs in the long-run for pet owners. In the end, the decision to sign up for pet insurance is totally up to you and should be based on your pet, finances, and comfortability level with emergency costs. We’d recommend connecting with your vet on your pet's health, potential concerns that may happen, and what they’d recommend budgeting for your specific animal's care (both regular and emergency), as your veterinarian knows them best!
At Portland Pet Food Company, we want the best for your dog’s health — which is why we started our company in the first place. Our meals are perfect for senior dogs who have lost their ability to eat kibble, for dogs with medical conditions that need to be enticed to eat, or for dogs of all ages whose owners want to boost their pet’s overall health. Try our human-grade dog meal variety pack today, and if you like it, subscribe for our dog food toppings and treats. Your pet’s health will thank you.
Delicious Cat Food, Too
We also have fresh, healthy cat food! Check out our chicken and pumpkin cat food and salmon and pumpkin cat food.
Serving PPFC As A Rotational Meal
A great way to serve PPFC's meal pouches is as a rotational meal — but what is a "rotational meal" for dogs? Rotational meal just means that you’re mixing up your dog’s diet, not feeding them the same food every day. By mixing up the proteins, fruits, and vegetables that are going into your dog’s diet, your pooch will be exposed to a broad variety of vitamins and minerals, which improves their gut and overall health.
Rotational meals look different for every dog owner — some rotate their dog’s meals daily or weekly, while others may change up their kibble every few months. Whatever you choose, getting your dog variety in their diet goes a long way for their health — even if you’re just rotating their main protein source!
While some rotational diets require consistent transitional periods between different foods, PPFC’s meals were designed to make rotational feeding as easy and affordable as possible — simply add our meal pouches to your dog’s existing bowl! This way, you can ensure they are getting a well-rounded source of vitamins and minerals without necessarily changing up their entire diet every week. The best part? Once your dog has transitioned to one of our pouches, they are good to start eating the other flavors. No need to follow a slow transition each time, unless you’re changing up the other items in their bowl.
To serve PPFC meals rotationally based on a dog being fed twice a day, we’d recommend following the serving chart below.
Serving PPFC Dog Meals As A Mixer
One of the most common ways that pet owners serve PPFC meals is as a mixer, because it’s a great, healthy way to entice picky eaters while adding whole food nutrition and variety. In fact, PPFC’s recipes were developed with a picky eater in mind! In 2014, when Founder Katie McCarron’s senior dog, Rosie, stopped eating, she struggled to find anything that Rosie wouldn’t turn her nose up at. Finally, as a last resort, she began cooking for Rosie at home — and it worked! Today, we use the same recipes that Rosie loves to help picky eaters around the world enjoy mealtime.
To serve, just mix a PPFC pouch (based on the serving suggestions below) into their kibble, and voila, your dog will eat their kibble in no time! However, for the pickiest of eaters, we’ve designed a meal pouch that is microwaveable. Just a few seconds in the microwave, and your dog won’t be able to resist the tempting smells of warm, fresh food being mixed into their kibble.
Many dog owners serve PPFC as half of their dog’s caloric intake based on the below chart. Of course, always be sure to consult your veterinarian to ensure your dog’s nutritional needs are being met!
Serving PPFC Dog Meals As A Topper
Dog food toppers are ideal for those who want to give their dog the benefits of a fresh diet without serving fresh food exclusively. Whether you’re exclusively topping with PPFC or varying their bowl with a handful of toppers (a scoop of PPFC, a spoonful of raw, some freeze dried pieces, etc.) the goal is the same — to keep your dog healthy!
With PPFC’s meal pouches, simply put a scoop of our products on top of your dog’s existing bowl. Then, you can rest assured that your dog is getting the health benefits of a fresh diet.
To serve PPFC meals as a topper, we’d recommend following the serving chart below.
Other Ways To Serve PPFC
Though serving as a rotational meal, topper, and mixer are the most common methods for feeding our pouches, there are a few other ways for your dog to enjoy our fresh products!
Camping/Vacation Meal
PPFC's meal pouches are not considered full & balanced by AAFCO, so although you should speak with your vet before serving exclusively PPFC 100% of the time, you can certainly stick to our pouches in a pinch or when out adventuring.
Our meals are shelf stable for two years until opened, so they are perfect for tossing in your backpack or suitcase — no need to take up precious cooler space! After a long day of hiking or being on the road, a full serving of PPFC will give them the nutrients needed to recover, rest, and get ready for another day of adventuring!
To Give Medication
Our meals are perfect for hiding pills from even the most suspicious of dogs. Simply scoop one of our soft meals into your palm, stick the pill on top, and form the food into a ball around it. Here are all of our best tips for homemade pill pockets.
To Keep Your Dog Entertained
All five of our meals are great for stuffing a Kong (or similar toy) for your dog’s enjoyment. To add a few extra minutes to the activity, prepare the toy in advance by freezing it overnight — making it extra hard for your dog to get the delicious food out! They’ll be entertained and happy for hours.
No matter how you serve PPFC, your dog will love it, and you’ll love knowing that they’re getting so many natural health benefits out of it. With five fresh meals featuring turkey, pork, chicken, beef, and salmon, your dog will thrive on different vitamins and minerals with each pouch.
To ensure you never run out of our fresh meals, sign up for our dog food toppers subscription service at no additional cost — in fact, you’ll save 25% off your first order, then 10% off every order after that. Not quite ready to commit to a subscription? No worries, order our variety pack for a chance to try all of our meals first.
Tasty Food For Cats, Too
Check out our cat food, too! We have two flavors that cats love: chicken and pumpkin cat food and salmon and pumpkin cat food.
In this blog, we’ll dive into the health benefits of different meat sources for dogs and how to tell if a pet food contains high-quality protein sources. Of course, it’s important to note that not all dogs handle every protein source well, whether due to allergies or specific nutritional needs. Be sure to connect with your veterinarian to make sure your dog’s needs are being met!
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Can Dogs Eat Grain?
Rice is a grain by definition — which means that it was a grass seed harvested for eating, similar to corn, quinoa, and oats. However, no two grains look alike, they all carry different nutritional values. In fact, brown rice and white rice each have their own unique nutritional benefits!
The biggest difference between brown and white rice is how it’s processed — white rice has the hull, bran, and germ removed prior to processing, while brown rice only has the hull removed. Due to this, brown rice holds some extra nutrients than white rice. However, for the same reason, white rice is more chewable, digestible, and is more affordable.
Giving Rice To Dogs With Digestion Issues
White rice is one of the top recommendations for feeding to dogs experiencing digestive issues. It’s easy-to-digest, bland, and low in fiber, making it great for sensitive stomachs! So, the next time your dog has diarrhea, vomiting, or an upset stomach, call your veterinarian and see if rice is a good option for your dog.
How To Feed Dogs Rice
Once you’ve confirmed with your veterinarian that your dog can eat rice, simply cook your rice as the directions say — minus any additions, such as spices, oil, or butter. Be sure to let the rice cool before feeding it to your dog.
Should I Buy Dog Food With Rice In It?
Yes, you should, as rice is a great source of nutrition for dogs! However, we’d recommend buying from reputable brands who are sourcing high quality ingredients. Feed-grade rice, which is what you’ll find in highly-processed products, is full of additives and preservatives and isn’t healthy for your dog. Try to prioritize brands that utilize human-grade ingredients to ensure your dog is getting the healthiest version of rice possible!
At Portland Pet Food Company, two of our meals are made with white rice — Rosie’s Beef N’ Rice and Wally’s Salmon N’ Rice. We source our rice from human-grade facilities in California, ensuring that they never contain any additives or preservatives that you might find in other brands. We only use the best of the best!
At Portland Pet Food Company, our fresh meals contain only USA-sourced, natural ingredients. Additionally, our meals are cooked gently and slowly, making them easier to digest. Our human-grade dog meal pouches offer a healthy, delicious way to introduce a nutritious diet into a dog's life. Sign up for our dog food toppers subscription service, and get 25% off your first order, then 10% off every order after that.
Inflammation is a body’s natural response to an illness or injury in an attempt to heal itself, and it’s actually a sign of a healthy, working immune system. When a dog’s body senses an issue, it sends white blood cells and fluids to the area — causing inflammation — to begin the healing process.
Like with humans, acute inflammation isn’t always cause for concern. For example, a dog’s foot may become swollen if it has a thorn stuck in it, but once you’ve removed the thorn and treated it, the inflammation should dissipate.
Chronic inflammation, however, may be cause for concern if not looked into by a veterinarian, as it can lead to more issues down the line. There are a variety of reasons for chronic inflammation, such as seasonal allergies, arthritis, or a digestive condition. In this blog, we’ll dive into food-related inflammation and how it can be helped through a fresh diet.
How Can A Change In Diet Help With A Dog’s Inflammation?
A dog’s diet directly affects their gut biome, which in turn affects their immune system. For example, studies have shown that deficiencies in Faecalibacterium are associated with inflammatory bowel disease in dogs. The bottom line: Diet affects your dog’s health and wellbeing, including their body’s inflammatory reactions.
If your dog is struggling with chronic inflammation, connect with your veterinarian to help determine the cause — which could be something in their food. In the meantime, you can help your dog by giving them naturally anti-inflammatory foods to help ease their symptoms.
Ingredients That Are Naturally Anti-Inflammatory For Dogs
Turmeric
Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory that not only reduces inflammation, it also works to prevent it from returning.
Ginger
Ginger may be spicy, but its benefits are sweet. By giving your dog some fresh ginger or ginger powder with their food, you will see a decrease in their inflammation, and if they have it already, a decrease in nausea.
Blueberries
Blueberries have high levels of antioxidants that fight inflammation in both dogs and humans. They are also a great source of vitamin C, which helps maintain tissue health.
Coconut
Coconut is filled with fatty acids that help fight infections contributing to inflammation. Additionally, coconut is great in aiding a healthy skin and coat, particularly for dogs who struggle with dryness and itching.
Celery
Ever wonder why Instagram influencers drink celery juice? It’s because celery is a great way to reduce inflammation! Celery is also a great, natural way to clean dogs’ teeth.
Kale
Kale is a great source of reduced inflammation, as well as a handful of other vitamins, such as calcium, that help dogs thrive.
Fish
Fish is a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids, which work as a natural anti-inflammatory. Here is everything you need to know about feeding fish to dogs.
With today’s highly-processed dog foods and kibbles, there’s no telling what your dog is eating that is causing inflammation. By feeding your dog a fresh diet, you can rest assured that you know what’s in their diet and that none of the ingredients have been stripped of their natural minerals and vitamins.
Curious about which foods are good for your dog, and which ones you should be avoiding? Check out these resources on dog food and nutrition:
Best Senior Dog Food Toppers For Sensitive Stomach
Dog Food Toppers And Dog Treats For Dogs With Allergies
Is Fresh Dog Food Better For Dogs
Best Dog Treats For Picky Eaters
What Is Chicken Byproduct In Dog Food
What To Feed Dogs With Bad Breath
At Portland Pet Food Company our fresh meals include a variety of ingredients that aid in dog inflammation. Additionally, our meals are cooked gently and slowly, making them easier to digest. For dogs that struggle with inflammation, our dog food toppers offer a healthy, delicious way to introduce a healthier diet into their life. Sign up for our dog food toppers subscription service and get 25% off your first order, then 10% off every order after that.
Delicious Cat Food, Too
We also have fresh, healthy cat food! Check out our chicken and pumpkin cat food and salmon and pumpkin cat food.
However, before you start giving your dog a spud as a snack, let’s put the potato in the hot seat (otherwise known as a hot potato!) and explore how to best feed it to your pooch.
Can Dogs Eat Potatoes?
Yes, plain, cooked potatoes provide dogs with a wide variety of nutritional benefits, including:
Dogs can enjoy potatoes cooked in a handful of methods, such as baked, boiled, or mashed. Just avoid giving your dog pan-fried potatoes, as there may be residual oil and seasonings on the pan, which can be harmful to dogs. Similarly, dogs should not eat fried potatoes, such as tater tots. More for you!
Can Dogs Eat Sweet Potatoes?
Yes! Like regular potatoes, sweet potatoes are rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, Fiber, and Beta-Carotene. Together, these vitamins:
However, raw sweet potatoes and the skin (whether cooked or uncooked) can be difficult for dogs to chew and digest. So, because of that, dogs should only be given plain, peeled, and cooked sweet potatoes. Mix some into their kibble and they will love the sweet, juicy flavor it adds to dinner!
Can Dogs Eat Raw Potatoes?
Dogs should not eat raw potatoes. When raw, potatoes contain a compound called solanine — which can be found in other vegetables that are part of the nightshade family, such as eggplants. Solanine is a naturally occurring compound found throughout the plant as a way to deter insects and disease. Unfortunately, solanine is dangerous for both humans and dogs and can lead to solanine poisoning if eaten in large quantities.
Solanine Poisoning
When humans or animals ingest too much solanine, they may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, dilated pupils, headache, inflammation, joint pain, and more. In severe cases, it can cause side effects such as hallucinations, paralysis, and death.
Thankfully, Solanine Poisoning is rare today, as there are steps in place to monitor the potato industry for solanine levels. However, there are things you can do to lower your solanine intake. To start, store your potatoes in a dark area to lower the risk of increased solanine levels brought on by sunlight. Additionally, if you notice that your potato looks a little green or if it’s starting to grow green tubers, that may be an indication of solanine concentrations, and you should toss the potato in the trash.
Most often, the highest concentrations of solanine are in a potato’s peel and sprouts, both of which are commonly removed before cooking potatoes anyway! Check out this Smithsonian article to learn more about the history of Solanine Poisoning.
Ultimately, as long as you avoid eating green potatoes, you’ll be fine — after all, people eat potatoes every day, plus, they are very healthy for both you and your dog! Additionally, note that sweet potatoes are, interestingly, not part of the nightshade family and do not contain solanine.
Can Dogs Eat Potato Skins?
We recommend not giving your dog any potato skins due to their levels of potential solanine. While they’d need to eat a lot to have any negative effects, it’s better to play it safe. Additionally, potato skins contain oxalates, which can lead to kidney problems down the road.
How Many Potatoes Can Dogs Eat?
Potatoes, whether plain or sweet, should be given to dogs in moderation — a general rule of thumb is that a dog’s diet should only consist of 10% treats/snacks, which is anything outside of their day-to-day food. This is a great rule to keep in mind, particularly because potatoes are high in carbohydrates and can lead to obesity. When given in small amounts, though, potatoes are a great source of energy, fiber, and a variety of natural vitamins for all dogs!
Overall, peeled and cooked potatoes and sweet potatoes are a healthy, natural snack that most dogs love and can eat in moderation. If you’re unsure of how much your dog can safely eat, contact your veterinarian to talk through your dog’s nutritional needs based on their size, age, activity level, and current diet.
At Portland Pet Food Company, we use peeled, diced white potatoes in our fan-favorite topper, Hopkins Pork N’ Potato! Mix a few tablespoons into your dog’s standard kibble and your dog will go crazy for their dinner. Plus, we offer four additional flavors, Wally’s Salmon N’ Rice, Tuxedo’s Chicken & Yams, Grandma Ada’s Turkey & Yams, and Rosie’s Beef N’ Rice, all of which provide dogs with a variety of vitamins and minerals. Rotate all five meals throughout the month to give your dog a well-rounded diet!
Ready to give it a shot? Try our meal variety pack at 40% off, using the code TRYPPFC at checkout. Then, once you know your dog loves PPFC, subscribe and save 10% off every order. Your dog's health will thank you!
Cat Food Toppers, Too!
We have cat food toppers, too! Check out our salmon and pumpkin cat food and our chicken and pumpkin cat food.
Unfortunately, most dogs lean towards the latter, forcing their owners to get creative, and one of the most well-known tricks is to use a homemade pill pocket — aka, hiding pills in food. However, many go-to foods for hiding pills are unhealthy for dogs and can cause health problems if given to dogs often.
Secondly, it can be surprisingly difficult to disguise pills in food. Some dogs seem to have a sixth sense in knowing when a pill is inside, refusing to take the bait. Others happily take the treat, chew, then spit out a clean pill.
For owners whose dogs turn into Gordon Ramsay the instant a pill is involved, the last resort is often having to pry their dog’s jaw open and forcing them to swallow the pill — not a pleasant experience for anyone involved and can be dangerous.
]]>Unfortunately, leaving your dog at home during a firework show doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ve escaped the problem, as fireworks are often set off in neighborhoods (usually unwanted) throughout the night. Additionally, even if the fireworks seem distant to you, dogs’ senses are more sensitive than humans’, and fireworks set off even a few blocks away may still cause anxiety.
Not all dogs experience firework anxiety, but unless you’re certain that your furry friend will be fine on July 4th, we’d recommend having some tricks up your sleeve just in case.
You may be wondering how your dog will react to fireworks on the Fourth of July, especially if you’re a new dog owner or have a puppy that has never been exposed to loud noises. One good indicator that your dog may struggle with fireworks is if they have previously exhibited symptoms of anxiety. Here are the most common indicators of anxiety in dogs:
Note that your dog may experience one or multiple of these symptoms at once, which is completely normal.
Plan a long walk before dark: If you’re able to, take your dog on a long walk, for a game of fetch, or to the park before fireworks begin. Your dog will be more willing and able to rest during the fireworks after getting some exercise. Additionally, dogs with severe anxiety may not be willing to go outside during the fireworks, so this gives them a chance to relieve themselves beforehand.
Prepare your house: Once you’re ready to settle in for the night, try closing the blinds and turning on a few lamps (or overhead lights) to minimize any flashes of light from fireworks that may startle your pooch.
Ensure your dog has been fed before fireworks start: Make sure to give your dog dinner and water before the fireworks start. Dogs with anxiety often don’t want any food or water, so it’s important to get them the nutrients they need beforehand.
Give your dog lots of love: Snuggles, pets, hugs, you name it! Attention and affection from you will go a long way.
Keep your dog distracted: Your dog may benefit from some playful distractions, such as a game of tug-of-war. Another idea is to fill and freeze a Kong toy with their favorite PPFC meal topper — that should keep them entertained for at least half an hour!
Create a “safe space” for your dog: Many dogs feel most comfortable in their crate or in their own bed. If all your dog wants to do is lay on their favorite place on the couch under a blanket, don’t force them to move, as that may be their way of trying to relax.
Turn on some white noise: Though it may be impossible to drown out the sound of fireworks completely, putting on some white noise may minimize the effects. Turn up the volume on your tv or radio, or simply turn on a fan — anything helps! At Portland Pet Food Company, we made a Spotify playlist to help your dog relax— hit shuffle, turn the volume up, and enjoy our favorite relaxing tunes!
In addition to the tips mentioned above, your dog may benefit from a dog compression shirt, which acts the same way as a baby swaddle or an adult’s weighted blanket. CBD may also be effective, but we’d recommend consulting with your vet to determine the best dosage and brand for your furry friend. For dogs with more severe anxiety, your vet may recommend alternative medication to keep your pooch relaxed.
At Portland Pet Food Company, we want your dog to thrive! Our fresh, human-grade dog meal pouches are perfect for keeping in the pantry for special occasions, such as the Fourth of July, thanks to their shelf-stable packaging. Plus, the fresh ingredients are full of vitamins and minerals to keep your dog strong after a stressful day!
Haven’t tried our meals yet? Order your first variety pack using code TRYPPFC for 40% off. Once you know your dog loves it, which we know they will, sign up for our dog food toppers subscription and get 10% off EVERY order! Your dog’s health will thank you!
Food For Cats, Too
We also have cat food! Check out our chicken and pumpkin cat food and salmon and pumpkin cat food.
Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Cooked at such high temperatures, all of the natural nutrients in kibble are destroyed, and manufacturers have to add artificial and/or supplemental vitamins back into the food for it to be considered “full and balanced.”That’s why giving your dog even just a little bit of fresh food can be so transformative to their health — they will be getting true benefits from every ingredient!
Whether you’ve decided to switch your pooch to a 100% fresh diet or are planning to introduce a fresh dog food topper to their standard kibble, your dog’s body will experience some changes no matter what.
Here’s everything you can expect to see after adding any amount of fresh food to your dog’s diet: