The Muttropolis Blog

Save 20% All April Long On Zukes Treats!

Enjoy 20% off on Zukes all-natural, USA made treats for the entire month of April! As many of you may already know, each month, we promote a “Treat of the Month” with a special offer. For the month of April, we have selected Zukes treats, offering all-natural, chewy, meaty or vegetarian varieties, an option to compliment every pet’s diet and keep them lip-licking!

Zukes' all-natural offerings include Mini Natural Dog Treats and Purrz Natural Cat Treats. The Mini Natural Dog Treats are ideal for training, or an anytime delicious reward. Tender and free of preservatives, wheat, corn, added animal fat, and artificial colors and flavors. These small, soft treats are available in chicken or peanut butter. The Purrz Natural Cat Treats are available in chicken or salmon, and provide the nutritious benefits of chicken, salmon, spelt, soy, malted barley and fish oil, with no artificial colors, flavors, no BHA, added tallow or by-products.

For those canines who crave more explosive flavor, we carry Zukes Z Filets Dog Treats, Lil Links Dog Treats, and Vegetarian Super Dog Treats. Zukes Z Filets are packed full of pure protein and antioxidant-rich herbs. Available in beef, chicken and venison flavor, all grain-free and made from over 80% pure USA or New Zealand meats. Zukes Lil Links, available in chicken, pork or rabbit flavor, are also grain-free, packed full of pure protein and antioxidant-rich herbs, but with the addition of apples, potatoes, and carrots. Zukes Vegetarian Super Dog Treats are packed full of naturally powerful nutrients and anti-oxidant super foods including berries, betas and greens to promote a super-charged, healthy lifestyle. Vegetarian Supers come in three different combinations including tasty greens, yummy berry and yummy betas. The Z Filets, Lil Links and Vegetarian treats all contain no mystery meats, byproducts, artificial colors, flavors, or added animal fat in any of these.

Not to be left unmentioned is the Zukes Z-Bone, a Dental Fresh Bone. This natural, edible dental chew is loaded with powerful breath freshening herbs and healthy whole food antioxidants. The chewy, grain-free formula helps to scrap and clean teeth and is easily digestible. The Z-Bone is available in three sizes to accommodate all breeds.

Our “Treat of the Month” promotion on Zukes is only valid from April 1^st through April 30^th, or until supplies last. So don’t miss out on this great deal, a fantastic way to add some new flavor into your pet’s life! Online customers can redeem this special 20% offer at Muttropolis.com by using the code ZUKES at checkout. The promotion is also being offered at all three of our Southern California Muttropolis store locations, one in Solana Beach, La Jolla and Newport Beach.

Entertainment Time: DOGTV Viewing Party On March 9th

Muttropolis is moving into the entertainment business, for an afternoon at least! We’re happy to be teaming up with DOGTV to host a viewing party for our furry customers and adoring parents. DOGTV is cable’s first network for canines, with every frame and sound designed 100% for dogs. The viewing party will be held from 12pm to 3pm on Saturday, March 9^th at our Newport Beach Muttropolis store in the Fashion Island Shopping Center. “Puptails” will be available for canine guests and special treats for their parents.

We’re dedicated to keeping a pulse on the latest and most innovative products for pets, and that is why we have partnered with DOGTV. Many pups, and their owners, feel anxious about their time apart, but with DOGTV that anxiety can be alleviated for everyone. DOGTV promises all of the fidos in the world that they will never feel alone again. A babysitter in a sense, DOGTV is for your dog when you can’t be!

Committed to preventing mental fatigue, depression and boredom, the creators of DOGTV have conducted extensive research and found that dogs do in fact feel better in the company of television, especially when the content is relaxing, stimulating, or includes positive behavioral reinforcements. Soothing sounds with varying frequencies are combined with carefully chosen visuals to generate different content to calm, encourage playfulness, and expose dogs to habituating, comforting stimuli. 

DOGTV is available on COX On DEMAND at a subscription price of $4.99/month. For every attendee who brings in proof of a DOGTV subscription, DOGTV will donate $5 to Recycled Pets, an all breed K-9 rescue group in Orange County. Recycled Pets rescues adoptable dogs from county shelters who would otherwise be killed and place them into responsible, loving, forever homes.

The DOGTV Viewing Party is a great opportunity to entertain and socialize your pup, while also educating yourself on how DOGTV might fit into your life. And don’t forget, if you purchase a subscription, or already have one, bring proof and you’ll be giving back to pups in need! Our Newport Beach store is located at 865 Newport Center Drive. We hope to see you and your pup there, between 12pm and 3pm on March 9^th.

Top Tips To Keep Pets Safe During Hurricane Sandy

Don't forget to plan for your pets!

As Hurricane Sandy threatens land along the East Coast, it is important to plan for your pets when preparing for the storm. Our friends at the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States have provided us with top pet preparation tips to ensure pet safety if Hurricane Sandy and other looming storms reach your region.

[Related: Hurricane Ready: 6 Tips to Keep Pets Storm Safe ]

1) Prepare To Take Your Pets -- Don't leave your pets at home. If you're planning to head to a Red Cross Shelter or hotel, remember that not all will take animals. Here's a list of directories for finding a pet-friendly hotel by the ASPCA. Other options include a veterinary clinic, animal control shelter or pet shelter.

2) Photos & ID's Please! -- Keep a current photograph of your pet in case something happens to them during the storm. Identification in the form of a collar is also essential and will make it easier to locate them if they get lost.

[Related: Pets During Hurricanes - What To Do ]

3) Leash And Pet Carriers -- Think about how exactly you will keep track of your pet during the storm, and how you will transport them should you decide to evacuate. A leash and/or pet carrier will ensure your animal doesn't go astray.

4) Bring Your Pet Inside -- The last thing you want is to have to hunt for your pet on the brink of a hurricane. The National Hurricane Center suggests that owners calm and comfort pets inside well in advance of the actual storm.

[Related: Avoid Cat-astrophy With The Cat Evacuation Jacket ?-- [PHOTOS] ]

5) What To Pack -- The ASPCA recommends you pack five to seven days of pet food and water along with litter trays, litter and trash bags. Pet first aid kits might be a good idea, and remember their medications. If you are taking them to an animal shelter, you'll need to bring all of the above and ensure your pet has its rabies tags, up to date immunization records and labelled supplies.

For more information, the American Red Cross has more about disaster preparedness and safety for pets.

Source: Janet McCulley, Muttropolis Co-founder & The Daily Treat on AnimalPlanet.com

Alert: In Hot Weather, Pets Belong at Home, Not in Your Car

Overheating Kills: What To Do if You See a Pet Locked in a Hot Car

With summer upon us, temperatures around the nation have been rising and nothing upsets me more than discovering a helpless pet locked in a hot car on a warm day - even if the windows are open. WHAT IN THE HECK are these people thinking!?! Living in Southern California, I spend more time running around grocery stores and strip malls trying to track down the clueless owners of these poor pets who then proceed to tell me they "...just ran into the store for a minute..." or  "...left the windows open, so he should be fine..."  My answer to them: No - your pet is not fine and here's why:

Point Number One: Even on a relatively milld 85 degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of your car to reach 102 degrees - even when the windows have been left open an inch or two. Within 30 minutes a car's interior can actually reach a staggering 120 degrees. Your car is now an oven.

Point Number Two: Even if the temperature outside is a pleasant 70 degrees, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. Parking your car in shade does not offer protection on a hot day because the sun moves.

Point Number Three: While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time, a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain.

Do Something! What You Can Do

At least 14 states and many municipalities have enacted laws to address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. Under these laws, you, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others may be authorized to enter a vehicle by whatever means necessary to remove an animal. Learn more about the regulations in your area here >

If you’re out and about on a hot day and see an animal alone in a car, you should immediately try to find the car’s owner. If you have no luck, or if the owner refuses to act, contact local law enforcement and/or animal control. 

In my opinion, if the local law enforcement or animal welfare officer can't arrive quickly enough, I say get the dog out of the car  - keeping in mind that you shouldn't put your life in danger either. As well, the ASPCA has created these handy Pets In Hot Cars flyers (pdf) which you can print out and distribute in your neighborhood to help educate people about the danger of leaving pets in hot cars.   

I am going to keep these flyers stocked in my car glovebox - I encourage you to do the same!

-Janet McCulley

Source: Janet McCulley, The Daily Treat at AnimalPlanet.com

Pets Behaving Badly: Stuff My Pet Ruined

What stuff has your pet ruined? Show us your pictures!

If you have ever visited the hilarious site Sh*t My Kids Ruined, a website asserting to be the "strongest visual birth control on the market today," then you are going to absolutely love the website Sh*t My Pets Ruined - a site dedicated to the stuff that our pets have destroyed, or "...otherwise made filthy, distasteful, gross or painful." Whether your pet has ruined your car interiors, your social life, your couch, your ability to travel or simply the smell of your home, the clever creators of this site invite you to tell your story...the good, the bad or the ugly.

[Encourage pup to gnaw on these all-natural teething rings instead of your Manolos]

With the site's permission, we've picked out a few of our favorite recent submissions, which are featured below, along with commentary from the submitter.  

Do you have a pet that has creatively chewed, chomped and repurposed your home decor or otherwise?

If so, share your pics with us on our Muttropolis Facebook Page or submit them to Sh*t My Pets Ruined! As well, be sure to check out their hilarious book, Sh*t My Kids Ruined  - it's sure to make your kids, nieces, nephews or siblings look like complete angels. 

[Nearly indestructible, your chomping champion will meet their match with this super tough Tuffy Toy]

 

 

Cool Your Canines: Top Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

Maximize Canine Chillaxation

Nothing makes a summer adventure more enjoyable than having our beloved four-legged companions in tow! However for animals, the summer heat can be quite uncomfortable as our furry friends are covered with fur and walk directly on hot surfaces that can severely effect their body temperature. 

To help keep our critters safe and comfortable all summer long, check out the following  tips, ideas and products to keep summer from being a bummer for our pets!

1. Car Heat: Avoid heat exhaustion and DO NOT leave your pet alone in the car during the remotely warm weather. During warm weather the inside of your car can reach 120° in a matter of minutes, even if you're parked in the shade with the windows opened a little. Pet owners that carelessly leave their pets unattended in a hot car are now subject to hefty fines and possibly jailtime, so don't even think about it!

2. Let the Fur Fly: Dogs with extremely thick or long fur should be trimmed during the hot summer  months. Regular use of a deshedding tool, such as the FURminator deshedding tool can remove tremendous amounts of undercoat hair.

3. Creative Cooling: Water or gel-filled cooling mats, cooling vests and cooling collars are great for dogs that are kept outside or if you do not have air conditioning in your home. As well, an elevated pet bed can help keep pets cool and comfortable and the raised sleeping surface keeps your dog off the hard ground, away from bugs and has an added bonus of great air circulation.

4. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate: Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets so they can stay cool. Be aware that water will vaporize on extremely hot days. Collapsible Water Bowls and Gulpy Water Bottles are convenient portable water sources for your pet, especially if you're on the road. 

 5. Exercise at Dusk & Dawn: Pets need exercise, but on very hot days it is best to limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt and beach sand gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Consider protective booties to protect sensitive paws from hot pavement.

6. Avoid Sunburn: Pets can get sunburned too, and your pet may require special dog-friendly sunscreen his or her nose and ear tips. Especially pets with light-colored noses or light-colored fur on their ears.

7. Be aware of the Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, a staggering gait, vomiting, or a deep red or purple tongue are all signs of possible heat exhaustion.  What to do in the event of heat exhaustion: Move the animal into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or immerse them in cool (not cold) water. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes and consider taking them directly to a veterinarian.

Do you have some favorite tips to share to help our pets beat the heat? I welcome you to share them with fellow pet parents in the comments below!

Is Calling Your Pet "Pet" Derogatory? Experts Say Yes

Old Skool: "May I pet your pet?"

New Skool: "May I caress your companion animal?"  

According to the Journal of Animal Ethics, we have been unknowingly been insulting our beloved pets on a regular basis. A recent study compiled by university professors from America and Great Britain states that "pets" is downright derogatory and not an acceptable moniker for domesticated animals. They assert that "pets"  should instead by replaced with the term "companion animals"...which I whole heartedly agree with! 

Similarly, their findings maintain that words such as "owner," are also offensive, recommending instead that we be known as "human carers." (I personally would prefer "Lulu's mom" over "Lulu's human carer.") While technically correct in law, "pet owner" does kind of hark back to a previous age when animals were regarded as property. These academics believe that changing our vocabulary to companion or "parent" is essential to updating our understanding of the relationship between humans and the natural world. 

I have to say - I agree with their recommendations! What do you think? Will changing the way people refer to animals and pets help change the way they are treated?

source: Janet McCulley, The Daily Treat

Leave Your Pets at Home in Hot Weather

Overheating Kills: What To Do if You See a Pet Locked in a Hot Car

Temperatures around the nation have been off the charts lately and nothing upsets me more more than discovering a helpless pet locked in a hot car on a warm day.  WHAT IN THE HECK are these people thinking!?! Living in Southern California, I spend more time running around grocery stores and strip malls trying to find the clueless owners of these poor pets who then proceed to tell me they "...just ran into the store for a minute..." or  "...left the windows open, so he should be fine..."  My answer to them: No - your pet is not fine and here's why:

Point Number One: Even on a relatively milld 85 degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of your car to reach 102 degrees - even when the windows have been left open an inch or two. Within 30 minutes a car's interior can actually reach a staggering 120 degrees. Your car is now an oven.

Point Number Two: Even if the temperature outside is a pleasant 70 degrees, the inside of your car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter. Parking your car in shade does not offer protection on a hot day because the sun moves.

Point Number Three: While humans have sweat glands all over our bodies that help regulate our body heat, dogs cool down mostly by panting, which is much less efficient than sweating. In only a short amount of time, a dog with a high body temperature can suffer critical damage to his nervous system, heart, liver and brain.

Do Something! What You Can Do

At least 14 states and many municipalities have enacted laws to address the problem of animals left in cars in extreme temperatures. Under these laws, you, police, animal control agents, peace officers and others may be authorized to enter a vehicle by whatever means necessary to remove an animal. Learn more about the regulations in your area here >

If you’re out and about on a hot day and see an animal alone in a car, you should immediately try to find the car’s owner. If you have no luck, or if the owner refuses to act, contact local law enforcement and/or animal control. 

In my opinion, if the local law enforcement or animal welfare officer can't arrive quickly enough, I say get the dog out of the car  - keeping in mind that you shouldn't put your life in danger either. As well, the ASPCA has created these handy Pets In Hot Cars flyers (pdf) which you can print out and distribute in your neighborhood to help educate people about the danger of leaving pets in hot cars.   

I am going to keep these flyers stocked in my car glovebox - I encourage you to do the same!

Article reprint courtesy of Animal Planet's The Daily Treat with Janet McCulley

Recycle + Re-use with Antler Chews

We spotted this adorable and clearly bored dog last week outside of Biergarten at The Standard Hotel in New York City. He was having quite the time rearranging the flower beds possibly searching for Scooby snacks that had been left by other guests. Whatever he was digging for, I am sure he was motivated by a host of reasons, not the least of which was boredom.

Mr. Spots here drew quite a crowd as he inspected and subsequently shredded the plants in the planter box. If only mom and dad had provided him with a little somethin' somethin' to keep him busy whilst they dined, they likely could have avoided what certainly was a very dirty dog at the end of the evening.

Chews Wisely

Free from dyes, preservatives and the typical smelly-dog-treat- smell, Antler Chews have become one of my favorite new super durable dog chews for my Schmoo and Zazou, particularly if I am going to be leaving them alone for a bit of time. Naturally shed from deer, the antlers natural, preservative-free composition doesn't leave stains on carpets, floors or doggies' muzzles and the antlers are nutrient-packed and marrow-filled, providing a source of calcium.

Starting about $5, you can find Antler Chews at Muttropolis.

Top 3 Interactive, Durable Dog Toys to Beat Bowser Boredom

Many of us have learned the hard way that a bored dog can be not only hazardous to your furniture, but also hazardous to your favorite sling-backs and quite possibly your neighbor’s aural threshold for excessive barking.

With all of us working long hours to ensure recession-resilience, some our beloved four-legged family members may be engaging a bit more me-time than they’d prefer.

Busy Buddy Dog Toys to the Rescue

My frenetic 3-year old Vizsla, Zazou, requires a host of daily outlets for his energy or it’s curtains for him. Literally. He will be all up in the curtains when we’re not home. Regular exercise and mental stimulation are key to maintaining our pets positive mental and emotional state of mind, so I’ve tried out a bunch of interactive dog toys on him to keep him engaged when we’re out.  A number of the toys I've tested have been a big disappointment, as Zazou is often able to quickly eliminate all “interactive functions” of the toy with a couple of well-placed, well-executed chomps.

In search of a durable and tough interactive dog toy that might last more than 15 minutes, I was thrilled discover the super tough Busy Buddy and Everlasting interactive and functional treat dispensing dog toys - all of which have enabled me to manage home alone mania without breaking the bank.

Give them a try and let me know what you think!

1) The Bouncy Bone
The durable Bouncy Bone is composed of a durable nylon bone, a rubber ball and replaceable, long lasting Gnawhide® treats. Unlike other dog toys that have a life-span of approximately 3 minutes, the Bouncy Bone is still going strong after six months and its still got lots of Bounce left! Starting at $5.

2) Kibble Nibble Activity Ball
Zazou bumps this thing around my office all day long. And better yet – its rubber bumpers minimize noise and marks on floors and walls (...but they don’t eliminate his whining when he manages to roll it under the couch). The Kibble Nibble encourages Zazou to work for his food and it mentally stimulates him by appealing to his natural prey and stalking drive. We’re going on 4 months with the Kibble Nibble and it’s still righteously rolling. Zazou has even learned to place it on the top of my desk once he’s emptied it! Starting at $22.

3) The Everlasting Fire Plug Dog Toy Made of highly durable, tear-resistant proprietary material, Zazou absolutely loves this toy whether we fill it with the Everlasting Treats or other treats he enjoys for a chewing

challenge. The unique design of this toy allows it to roll erratically…indeed so erratically that Zazou rolled it down our driveway rendering it MIA until it magically reappeared 2 weeks ago.  Hide them around the house for a fun game of hide & seek, or even feed meals out of them to turn meal time into a game. Starting at $19.

Do you have a favorite, durable interactive dog toy that your dog loves and hasn't destroyed yet? Share your findings in the comments below!

Reprint courtesy of The Daily Treat