Pets Archives - Flowertown

Four proven ways to calm your anxious dog

Katrina Mae Leuzinger — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 18:05:28 +0000

3 min read

While man’s best friend may usually be seen as boundless energy on four legs chasing after sticks, not every dog lives the same carefree life of happiness as others.

Whether it’s fireworks, thunderstorms, separation anxiety, or general rescue baby angst, anxiety is a major issue for many dogs. We know just as well as you that your dogs are your babies, and nothing hurts like watching your baby hurt.

Besides the emotional distress, anxious dogs can also cause serious damage to your home (and your security deposit). An anxious dog might tear up floors, walls, and furniture, temporarily forget their house training, and cry loud enough to annoy every neighbor for blocks.

In fact, it’s a big enough problem that there’s a whole cottage industry of products and treatments designed to deal with anxious dogs. Read on to learn about the different methods, and which one might be best for your dog.

1. Train it away

Training is absolutely your first line of defense with any behavioral issues in your fur baby, and anxiety is no different.

The basic procedure involves exposing your dog to a milder version of their anxiety trigger (think: The rumble of a vacuum cleaner if the rumble of thunder makes them more nervous), and then rewarding them when they remain calm.

Your vet or trainer should be able to give you more detailed advice on the best training protocols for your particular dog.

Thundershirt by Thunderworks – CC BY

2. Thundershirt

Think of how good a hug feels. Now imagine that happening all the time.

The Thundershirt vest applies gentle, constant pressure (like a hug), to help your dog feel safe and secure. It works great for mild anxiety, but more severe cases might need a little more than just a vest to ease the worry.

Adaptil Electric Dog Diffuser by Chewy – CC BY

3. Pheromone treatments

Pheromone treatments work by mimicking the pheromones that mother dogs secrete when they are nursing their puppies. The drops or diffusers can have a calming effect on dogs, and some pet owners swear by them for long car trips in particular.

But the results on these seem to be a decidedly mixed bag. It might work on other dogs, but not others.

Calming Dog Treats by Honest Paws – CC BY

4. CBD treats

That’s right, CBD products can be just as great for your fur baby’s anxiety as they are for your own.

The difference is that while THC might be great for you, its effects on dogs are still unknown. CBD dog treats must be made from hemp and contain no THC, which will make them 100% safe.

That disclaimer aside, these can be a great, affordable options that elicits a calming effect in your dog for around four hours. They come in treats or drops from a garden variety of companies and you can usually find them at pet stores or dispensaries.

Furthermore, relieve your own anxieties by trying some alternative forms of ingestion to help relax and relieve your own anxieties. Edibles are a great place to start, but the industry has opened itself up to topicals, tinctures, and many more products.

The post Four proven ways to calm your anxious dog appeared first on Flowertown.

Five dog-friendly breweries in LA

Nadine Blanco — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:00:38 +0000

4 min read

Angelenos love their dogs, but they love their beer too. This is why many Los Angeles breweries are getting on board with making their establishments comfortable for furry, four-legged patrons.

Here is a list of some of the most dog-friendly breweries in Los Angeles County and the scrumptious bites you can enjoy with those crushable brews.

Angel City Brewery by angelcitybeer – CC BY

1. Angel City Brewery

No place captures the Angeleno spirit quite like Angel City Brewery in the heart of the Arts District.

A forerunner in L.A.’s craft beer scene since 1997, Angel City Brewery is a place welcome to diverse clientele – Fido included (so long as he’s on a leash).

The great thing about their Public House is that outside food is welcome, which gives you the opportunity to enjoy neighborhood cuisine such as Downtown Taco and Downtown Doggo, or whatever delicious food truck is parked out front each night.

The Pub at Golden Road by loki_kane – CC BY

2. The Pub at Golden Road

Golden Road is known for having the most dog-friendly tasting room in L.A. The Atwater Village location near Griffith Park hosts “Puppy Hour” from 3 – 6 P.M. on Mondays through Thursdays. Golden Road donates $1 to a local rescue for every beer sold.

Even better, their delicious apps, such as pretzel mac and fried avocado tacos, are half-off! Your pup won’t miss out on the eats either – for $5 they can enjoy house-made puppy chow made especially for them!

Frogtown Brewery by frongtownbeer – CC BY

3. Frogtown Brewery

If you happen to be walking your dog along the Los Angeles River and suddenly find yourself parched, why not make a pitstop at Frogtown Brewery? You and your four-legged companions are welcome as long as they’re on their leash.

If they happen to be thirsty too (which they probably will be), Frogtown happily provides water bowls at your request. Enjoy the offerings from that day’s food truck, or have your food delivered right to the tasting room!

Trustworthy Brewing Co. by copperthelab – CC BY

4. Trustworthy Brewing Co.

The first core value at Trustworthy Brewing Co. in Burbank is fun, so it’s no surprise that these folks are happy to see your doggos in their tasting room!

Leashed dogs are welcomed with open arms, treats, and water, while their humans get to indulge in delectable brews. They have a full food menu complements of Market City Caffe, who will deliver straight to your barstool.

Macleod Ale Brewing Co. by mingustdogg – CC BY

5. MacLeod Ale Brewing Co.

Anglophiles thirsty for a taste of British Ale brewed fresh in Van Nuys ought to check out MacLeod Ale Brewing Co. They know what it’s like to be without your pup, which is why their dog-friendly tasting room has water bowls available per request.

There is a different food truck almost daily and sometimes even live music.

While we have you here, a rising industry trend is that of brewers starting to explore the close relationship between hops and cannabis. Sometimes, affectionately known as “canna-cousins,” the two go surprisingly well together and may well be the next big thing in brewing.

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The best CBD products to help your pet

Nadine Blanco — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 17:46:02 +0000

4 min read

There’s a CBD product for nearly everything these days. From water to wine, brands have found a way to throw CBD into nearly any and everything.

With good reason, the compound has a number of health benefits that grow with every new study that comes out. Touted as one of the best anti-inflammatories found in nature with zero side effects, CBD can only improve the lives of those who consume it.

But what about our four-legged friends?

You want your beloved pet to have the happy and healthy life you do now, can CBD work the same miracles for them as with you?

While there have been numerous stories about pets getting sick because of THC – the psychoactive compound in cannabis – there has been none about anything related to CBD. Most companies who make pet-specific CBD products source from hemp anyway, so chances of THC coursing through Fido’s veins are slim.

Needless to say, the market has opened up.

In dogs, for example, CBD has been known to help with finicky appetites, aggressive behavior, and those who suffer from inflammation or seizures.

High-strung dogs that shake or bark excessively relax when CBD is implemented in their routine. Older dogs, especially, can benefit from CBD, as it can ease hip dysplasia, arthritis, and even symptoms of cancer.

Sound convinced yet? If you are but don’t know where to start, remember to go low and slow and work your way up to gauge how much your pet can handle.

Imperatively, it always helps to look online for what kinds of products fellow pet-owners have had success with. In the meantime, this list CBD pet products should help!

Honest Paws Dog Treats

Honest Paws’ treats are made with 100% CBD oil from hemp. The Honest Paws Dog Treat line comes in Calming, Relief, and Restore flavors tailored to your dog’s specific needs

Pet Releaf Canna Care

Pet Releaf’s Canna Care CBD topical is perfect for pets suffering from skin irritations and ailments underneath their fur. Canna Care is made from USDA organic CBD hemp oil and is filled with exclusively plant-based ingredients and nutrient-rich oils that nurture your pet’s skin.

KarmaPets Vegan Calming Treats

These treats are perfect for dogs suffering from anxiety, which results in aggressive chewing, uneasy pacing, and stressful car rides and trips to the vet. KarmaPets treats are a safe and tasty solution to quelling anxiety. Dog owners who’ve used these treats report that their companions have relaxed enough to be more active and happier overall.

Canna Hemp CBD Pet Tincture

Canna Hemp’s CBD Pet Tincture is made for all animals big and small. Giving your pet pure hemp-derived CBD oil can directly influence whatever they may be suffering from. Mixing the recommended dosage for your pet’s size into their food is the easiest method of consumption.

Bark Avenue Grandpaw’s Hemp CBD Dog Treats

Pet owners who’ve given their four-legged friends these treats have noticed a significant, positive change in the way their dogs interact as they enter old age. Bark Avenue even has a Grandpaw’s line, made specifically for old, large dogs who suffer from hip and joint complications. Sourced from Colorado hemp, these treats are all-natural and cruelty-free.

Just because Santa’s Little Helper gets all these treats doesn’t mean that they’re the only ones. As we said earlier, CBD is getting thrown into everything. But, as humans, we have the added benefit of being able to enjoy THC as well.

Take a look at some of our favorite edibles if you want to be able to give your pets a treat worth enjoying, and also one for yourself.

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