Water Water Everywhere!
Don’t undere
stimate the importance of water in your pet’s diet. Wate
r is critical in the absorption of nutrients, to maintain your pets body temperature and to help detoxify the body and transport any toxins outside of the body. Keep fresh, clean water available at all times and consider purchasing a high quality reverse osmosis filtration system for both you and your pet. A stainless steel or ceramic bowl is best. Avoid plastic bowls since some pets are allergic to them. We carry a wide selection of bowls that fit every budget and most importantly look great too. From contemporary to country, Four Muddy Paws has the bowl you’ve been craving.
Raise it up!
Consider purchasing a raised food and water bowl for your dog. It’s really just practical sense to bring up the bowl to your dog’s shoulder height. It can help reduce neck and back strain particularly in larger breeds and dogs with joint problems. Also veterinarians have speculated that the use of raised feeders might reduce the risk of choking and even potentially fatal gastric dilation-volvulus (GDV), otherwise known as bloat. Using a raised feeder can reduce the amount of air intake when a dog is feeding which is thought to be the primary cause of GDV. Plus they’re practical too – they’re easier to fill and clean around the bowls come out for easy cleaning. We carry a large selection of raised feeding stations at Four Muddy Paws. Stop by and let us help you find the stand/bowl combination that’s right for your pet and perfect for your home.
Let’s Play Ball!
Exercise is important whether you have a 12 week old kitten or puppy or a senior pet. It’s critical in building a strong bond between you and your companion, for their mental stimulation and heart and muscle strength. But don’t always play the same games or go on the same walk. Just like in your pet’s diet, variety is very important. Mix it up a little by rotating your pet’s toys and taking different walking path each day. Visit a local dog park and meet new friends. Play some interactive games with your cat (just 20 minutes a day will satisfy a cat’s need to play). The important part is making sure you give your pet an outlet for all of their creative energy. At Four Muddy Paws we always have the latest toys and the tried and true as well. We’ll find the perfect toy for you and your companion to enjoy together.
Time to unwind and a place of their own!
Some of us love to cuddle with our pets either on the sofa or in our beds and some of our pets really prefer their own space. Choosing the right bed for your pet is very important. Is your dog a burrower or a sprawler? Does she have any health considerations? These are important questions to ask when purchasing a new bed for your pet.
Pet beds come in a dizzying array of colors, shapes and sizes for all sizes of pets and all styles of home décor offering many unique choices for you and your pet.
First of all you need to evaluate the needs of your pet. What’s the age, size and health of your dog? Are they a cuddler or a sprawler? A cuddler would prefer the benefits of a bumper bed that they can curl up into quite nicely while a sprawler needs the open space and freedom to move around that a pillow bed gives them. An orthopedic bed is critical for our senior pets that are often arthritic and have achy joints. When you’re evaluating your new bed make sure you get the appropriate size. Your pet should be able to lie flat and stretch out without hanging over the edge.
Most importantly, all of our beds at Four Muddy Paws are completely machine washable making the smelly dog bed a thing of the past.
We also carry crate mats in a variety of patterns and fabrics for those dogs that are sleep in their crates.
You also need to consider if your dog is an aggressive chewer. If so, than you’ll need to look for more indestructible options with extra tough fabrics that can withstand excessive pawing and chewing.
If you have a multi-pet family, you’ll need to evaluate how many beds you’ll need. You could get an extra large bed if your dogs are used to sleeping together at night or you might consider separate beds so that everyone gets a good night’s sleep.
We also have smaller beds and pads that are purr-fect for our feline friends.
Stop on in and we’ll help you find the perfect bed for you and your dog.
