Swedencare’s holistic soft bites made with the proven PlaqueOff System™ are a delicious and easy way to reduce the buildup of plaque and tartar in dogs and cats. The PlaqueOff System soft bites are made with limited, functional ingredients, and are free of grains, gluten, and soy. 

The new bites for dogs come in four different flavors and formulas including Vegan Sweet Potato & Pumpkin for gut and immune support, Sweet Potato & Chicken for hip and joint support, Vegan Sweet Potato & Peanut for oral care support, and Sweet Potato & Chicken made with DHA for puppies. MSRP $12.99 for a 6 ounce bag. 

I like that my dog likes them and that they seem healthy!

The new bites for cats include Vegan Sweet Potato & Pumpkin for gut and immune support, and Sweet Potato & Chicken made with DHA for kittens. MSRP $10.99 for a 3 ounce bag. 

You can find them out more at https://us.swedencare.com/

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Infomation and images were also provided.

You can only see them in color, but Simbli’s odd eyes—one brown and one blue—add to the physical beauty of this sweet, good-looking girl. She’s lovely in personality—gentle when she takes treats and smart when she gives you a paw or sits on command. Simbli’s 4 years old and ready to spend the rest of her life with a family that will go even further in her education. She’s ready! You can speed the process to adopt or foster Simbli and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A689081 to meet Simbli. We’re at capacity, and everyone needs homes!

Arthur the adorable wishes you all a happy new year! Arthur is a tiny baby American breed whose foster is helping him put on a couple of pounds so that he can be safely neutered. As you can see, Arthur is perfectly content to relax in the arms of anyone who loves him. With all the affection his foster is giving him, he’s bound to grow into a loving, playful little fellow. You can speed the process to adopt Arthur and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our new open walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A690666 to meet Arthur. We’re at capacity, and everyone needs homes!

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

If you think that Jack gives a whisker about Christmas being over, then you don’t know Jack. Jack goes with the idea that since some people don’t take down their holiday decorations until mid-January, why shouldn’t he keep extra toasty warm in his Santy suit? Jack’s only a year old, and he’s come a long way since he was brought in, scared and nervous, to the shelter. The volunteers have socialized him so well that he said fine, whatever to being dressed in a costume. How many cats do that? Shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting or fostering Jack. Ask for ID#A667915).

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Frosty has decided that he wants to be a Hanukkah snowman! He was born for it, with his lovely white fur and his Siberian husky DNA. He’s ready to light the menorah and wolf down a few latkes before he spins the dreidel. We want it to land on gimel, which means he gets the whole thing—and we don’t mean chocolate coins (or chocolate anything). Frosty’s only three years old, and he’d love to spend his full life with someone who’ll just kvell over him! You can speed the process to adopt or foster Frosty and any of our other pets by emailing PetAdopt@longbeach.gov or petfoster@longbeach.gov. You can also call (562) 570-4925. Even better, stop by during our new open walk-in hours every Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Our shelter is located at 7700 E. Spring St. Ask for ID#A689065 to meet Frosty.

Looking for unique holiday gifts for your furry pals this holiday? Here are a couple of great suggestions!

Feline Natural Holiday Season Milk Box (Four 300ml/10.1 fl. oz. bottles for $19.99)

Treat your cat this holiday season to a uniquely delicious and nutritional experience! Feline Natural’s Holiday Season Milk Box contains four bottles of New Zealand milk from free-range, grass-fed cows. The milks are lactose-free, making it easy for your cat to digest and have added nutrients that aid in heart health, eye health, and immune system function. Feline Milk’singredients are all natural and include flaxseed oil and Omega 3, which helps with increased immunity. Feline Milk’s signature recipe of ingredients also helps with having a healthy coat and skin. Calcium is another ingredient in Feline Milk, which is an important element to healthy bones and teeth, muscle building, and a healthy nervous system. Not only is Feline Natural Pet Milk a delectable and nourishing treat, but Feline Milk also aids in hydration, which is often overlooked in the winter months. The Feline Natural Holiday Season Milk Box is the purrfect present for your feline friend! My cat loves it!

Feline Natural Holiday Season Milk Box is available exclusively at www.felinenatural.com

K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection (Three 1 x 50mL/1.69 floz bottles for $19.99)

Instead of getting the same old box of snacks for the dog members of your family, get them the K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection! The K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection is a delicious addition to your dog’s diet – and can help to entice the most finicky eaters. Made from New Zealand cold-pressed Flaxseed Oil and Hoki Oil, each K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection contains three samples of their signature oils that benefit skin and coat, hips and joints, and brain and eye health and function. To make measuring and serving easy for the pup’s mom or dad, the K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection holiday box also includes a spoon that the dog can lick the serving off, or it can be used to drizzle on their food for a nutritional flavor enhancement. K9 Natural Oil Supplements Contain Omega 3 Fatty Acids with EPA and DHA. They are combined with Botanical Borage Oil to provide a natural source of Omega 6 to help maintain a healthy immune system while also adding a flavor boost to their everyday meals. The K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection is a great way to treat your best friend this holiday season. 

K9 Natural Oil Supplement Collection is available exclusively at www.k9natural.com

Self Disclosure: I received free samples to facilitate this post. Images and information were also provided.

“All I want fur Christmas is outa here! I’m inna shelter for over a year!” Hemsworth is Long Beach Animal Care Services’ longest resident. He was abandoned at someone’s house and found himself at the shelter when he was just a year old. Now, he’s 2! The volunteers and staff adore him and have nicknamed him Frogman because of his resemblance to the animal! But they’d be happier to see him curled up under the Christmas tree or on the couch in a forever home. Hemsworth is affectionate toward most people. After his playtime, he settles down nicely to rest. He’d thrive with patient humans familiar with this breed in a home with adults and mature kids. Our shelter hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 7700 E. Spring St. at the entrance to El Dorado Park (no parking fee for shelter visitors). You can email PetAdopt@longbeach.gov to speed the process for adopting or fostering Hemsworth. Ask for ID#A662968.

(This rescue encouraged by the usual suspects.)

Humans have kept pets for thousands of years. Over all this time, they have proved to be trustworthy and loyal companions, sticking with us and offering support through both the good times and the bad.

It’s no surprise that people develop incredibly strong bonds with their pets, be it a dog, a cat, or even a hamster. Pet owners devote themselves to their furry friends and will go to great lengths to keep them happy and healthy. Why do pets mean so much to us? What are the best ways of keeping them safe? Let’s find out.

They Keep Us Company

Research has revealed that we are seeing increasing numbers of single-person households in countries around the world. There are a number of social, economic, and political factors for this, as well as a rise in smaller housing options and shifting cultural attitudes and norms.

What this has led to is an increase in people reporting to feel lonely or isolated. Humans are social animals by nature, spending long periods of time alone can be detrimental to both our mental and physical health.

To combat this loneliness, many people turn to a pet as a form of companionship. These creatures are often the perfect friend, they’re great listeners and can be highly attentive and affectionate. For this of us living alone, pets can provide a respite from loneliness and, as a result, we see people form extremely powerful emotional bonds with their animals.

They’re Good For Us

Pets aren’t just fun friends to keep us company at home, they also have proven health benefits for their owners. Dogs require regular walks, which encourages us to go outside and get some much-needed exercise.

The health benefits of owning a pet go beyond just mere exercise as well. Scientific research has revealed that pet owners are statistically less likely to suffer heart attacks or high blood pressure, while they demonstrate higher survival and faster recovery rates from traumatic experiences like injury or surgery.

What these studies have demonstrated is that, while pets can lift our mood and prevent mental health conditions like depression, they are also effective at improving our physical health as well.

These benefits mean pets can be ideal for older people. The elderly are more likely to live alone and can be more prone to the aforementioned health risks, making pets the perfect companion for us as we age.

How To Keep Them Safe

For any pet owner, keeping their hairy chum happy, healthy, and safe is their number one priority. While many owners are fastidious about safeguarding their pet, animals have a tendency to do what they want and can often find themselves in dangerous situations.

Additionally, our pets are just as susceptible to infections and viruses as we are. In fact, they can often be more at risk, as they are less able to communicate that they are unwell until it has reached a serious point.

For these reasons, insuring your pet is absolutely vital. Vet bills can be exceedingly expensive, with even treatments for minor injuries and conditions incurring enormous charges. Take a look at Petsure, they offer a range of different coverage deals with cover for vet bills and pre-existing conditions.

Conclusion

There are few things stronger than the bond between an owner and their pet. They’ve been by our side for thousands of years and will no doubt to continue to be well into the future. They act as companions and can offer us incredible benefits for our physical and mental health. Keep your pet safe and healthy by getting them insured.