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Bison, also known as buffalo, is a flavourful and tender red meat and is substantially more lean than beef or lamb.  For pets with weight issues, bison is a low calorie meat and is also a good source of iron, selenium and zinc.

Bison are raised and processed without additives, steroids, growth hormones or drug residues. They spend the majority of their life grazing on forage and some producers finish their bison on grass while others finish on grains.

What kind of products have bison meat? Raw foods such as Arusha and Urban Carnivore, dehydrated food such as N-R-G, canned food such as Evanger's Bison and tendons and bones are common sources of bison for dogs and cats. It is always beneficial to switch up protein sources for your pet to add variety to their diet.  Additionally, for pets with allergies to certain foods/proteins, bison is another alternative. Ask us about trying bison and if it is a good choice for your pet!

Q: Is it true that there is a lot less stool when a pet is fed a raw diet?

A: Yes, this is true! Because raw food is so easily digested, there is a lot less waste, therefore less stool. The stool is more compact, is odourless, and will disintegrate very quickly. Colour will vary, depending on the kind of meat consumed. Additionally, stools are harder which helps keep the anal glands properly cleaned.

For more information about why a raw diet is so healthy, go to https://tailblazerspets.com/tailblazers_articles3.html

Last newsletter we discussed cat litter, and that Tail Blazers only carries a few select ones, for the health of your cat.

This is because most litters on the market are made of clay (often with harmful chemical perfumes added) causing problems when cats scratch in the litter or lick it off their paws, ranging from bowl impaction to lung/respiratory issues to ingestion of toxins.

Previously we featured Feline Fresh, an all natural pine litter. This issue, we feature Swheat Scoop. Swheat Scoop is all natural wheat-based litter. Natural enzymes occurring in the wheat prevent odours, and it is scoopable and low-dust. As well, it’s certified flushable (the only “certified” flushable litter available) and 100% biodegradable.

It is easy to switch from a clay based litter to Swheat Scoop litter because it looks and feels very similar.

How to switch your cat to a new litter

The best way to switch to Swheat Scoop litter:

“To make the changeover even easier, pour three inches of Swheat Scoop litter on the bottom and add one inch of the brand you’re currently using on top. Then allow your cat to freely mix the products when using the litter box. Repeat this process, if necessary, when you change the litter again. But this time, add only a half inch of the other brand. Only flush when there is 100% Swheat Scoop litter in the box” www.swheatscoop.com

General Tips for switching to a healthy cat litter

Typically, when switching to a new kind of kitty litter, it is best to make a gradual switch, over a couple of weeks or so, so the cats have a chance to adapt to the new litter. Though in many cases, you can switch immediately to one of the natural kitty litter alternatives without problems, depending on your cat.

1. Add about 1/8 new litter to the total amount of litter in the box, mixing it in with the old.

2. Over time, increase the amount of new, and decrease the amount of old over about a one to two week time frame (by changing the entire contents of the litter box). This can be done daily or every few days.

Play it by ear, if your cat seems fine with the transition, keep adding more and more of the new litter. If they don't seem to be adjusting well, wait a few extra days before adding more of the new litter. Though it takes a little bit of extra work, switching to a healthy litter will be best for your cat in the long run!

‘Tis the season when the bugs come out! Protect your dog from bites with natural bug repellents. Why natural repellents? They WORK and they don't contain the harmful chemicals (harmful to pets and humans) that traditional bug sprays do.

Alberta made Citrus Shield (by On The Trail) is 100% all natural, non-toxic outdoor spray for dogs and their human companions.  It is an essential oil blend of citronella, bergamot, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and lavender. Essential oils have been found in numerous studies to be highly effective bug repellents. Comes in a convenient to carry, light and break-proof aluminum mister. Buzz Away is another all natural bug spray.  Pure essential oils of citronella, cedarwood, eucalyptus, lemongrass, peppermint, water, denatured ethyl alcohol and castor oil make this chemical free formula very effective.

*Not for use on felines or during pregnancy

NRG is a Canadian-made dehydrated food, great as a summer travel food, for the cottage, or alternatively it can be used year round. It is simple and easy to feed and store because it is dehydrated. When it’s time to feed your dog, you just have to re-hydrate. NRG is good for travel because it doesn’t take up a lot of space, and no refrigeration/freezing or can openers required.

Dehydrated food is a viable alternative to the usual choices because the NRG process of dehydration causes very little nutritional loss (3 to 5%), as it is done at a low heat to protect nutrients. This process creates a product that is easily stored.

NRG has a regular formula (with oats), grain-free and raw dehydrated choices in a variety of meat choices.  Meat used is human-grade, free range, and comes in chicken, salmon, beef and buffalo and has a variety of vegetables and calcium added.

Need more food? Favourite toy get forgotten at the last campsite?

Stop by one of our numerous locations in Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna (BC), Lethbridge and Red Deer to get those items while travelling this summer!

For more details or maps, visit https://tailblazerspets.com/tailblazers_contact.html




Tips for Car Travel With Pets

-Always bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl.

-For pets that get stressed when travelling, try adding all natural, fast-acting Rescue Remedy to their water. It calms and reduces stress.

-Make sure tags are on and up to date.

-Plot rest stops along the way while traveling with your dog, and plan to stop every 3-5 hours to allow your dog to relieve himself, drink water and stretch his legs (more or less depending on your dog’s needs).

-Check ahead with your vacation destination spots - do they allow pets at their facility?

-Have fun and don’t forget to take food, toys, leashes, treats and poop bags!

-article from CBS3.com

Ticks and fleas are common this time of year, but many of these treatments are now under US federal investigation due to the more than 44,000 complaints to the government about adverse reactions these medications have caused. This number doesn’t include all the adverse reactions that didn’t get government complaints.

 “The Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates products containing pesticides, is intensifying its evaluation of spot-on treatments which are topically applied, usually between the pet's shoulder blades.”

The reports include cats and dogs suffering adverse reactions ranging from skin irritation and burns to seizures to GI problems and even death. To read the stories of three such dogs and for thefull article, go to http://cbs3.com/local/Spring.Fleas.Ticks.2.1009282.html

Natural Flea Remedies

Some of the most beneficial natural fleas remedies are products such as Earth Bath's Orange Peel Shampoo, which contain citrus-based d-limonine, a “herbal insecticide” (do not use on cats!). Neem shampoo or skin spray also works very well. In general shampoos can dramatically reduce adult fleas and interfere with egg production even though the fleas are not killed. Lather well and leave the shampoo in for about 10 minutes.

Halo’s Herbal Dip with ingredients such as citronella and eucalyptus is an excellent aromatherapy product where a few drops can be put in a spray bottle to spray on the pet, around the house, onto pet collars or in shampoo to help kill fleas.

Prevention

Most importantly, feeding a superior (ideally raw) diet is most essential, as fleas pick a host that already have a compromised immune system.

B vitamins are recommended by each as a preventative as they exude odours and tastes that discourage fleas, as well as improve health. Wormwood herb is also said to deter fleas as it makes the blood taste bitter.

Giving the immune system support from vitamin C or herbs such as astragalus or echinacea also improves overall health, making the pet less likely to be a flea target.

We have a new page on our website!

In the bottom left hand corner of our homepage is a new link called “Pets Needing New Forever Homes”. This page is dedicated to pets in shelters who are having a hard time finding a family or pets whose owners are having to surrender their pets for reasons beyond their control. It is updated as we get new information. We want to help these pets find forever loving homes! Visit www.tailblazerspets.com .

Thank you for shopping at Tail Blazers!

With your support, Tail Blazers has donated 1% of May sales to local pet charities!

Charities that benefited throughout Alberta and BC are ARF, Cochrane Humane Society, Alberta Guide Dog Services, Heaven Can Wait, AARCS, RASTA, SCARS, Cochrane Ecological Society, Pet Therapy Program and Chinook Winds

Find a Tail Blazers location or hours near you!
Visit our website at www.tailblazerspets.com

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