Travel Safe with your Pets

Courtesy of Life's Abundance Blog 6/21/21

Pet Safety While Travelling 

The clouds are lifting - both literally and figuratively - as we head into summer. After what feels like a very, very long winter, people are chomping at the bit to get out of the house and back into the world. But what about your pets? Are you taking them with you?

 

Travel in 2021 won’t be entirely like it was before, but those very same travel trends set the stage for a dog-friendly trip. According to AirBnB, who experienced a 128% increase in customers looking for a home away from home during the pandemic, more than six out of ten people are looking to take a trip this year within driving distance from home. Paris and Rome, the darlings of 2019 travel, are out. Instead, people are eyeing the Great Smoky Mountains, Breckenridge, and Palm Springs.

Hotels are out, too. With more people working remotely than ever before, people aren’t looking for a spa-like indulgence nearly as much as they are a different view out of the front window. With rules and requirements changing from day to day, people are also waiting until the last minute to commit to a trip. That’s easier said than done when you’re also needing to plan for a pet.

Road trips with pets bring a whole different set of contingencies, but none more important than this: how do you keep dogs safe in the car?

 For many people, the answer is: you don’t. And the results can be tragic. Here are three reasons you should consider a dog restraint, if you aren’t using one already:

Injuries. According to BarkBuckleUp, a 60 pound dog travelling at 35 mph, which isn’t even freeway speed, becomes a 2700 pound missile during an accident. Not only is that catastrophic for the pet, they can also cause serious injury to other passengers.

Distractions. A pet who panics and tries to get into your lap or under your feet can be a serious problem.

Loss. The number one reason pets die in traffic accidents isn’t from injuries sustained in the incident. When first responders arrive at the scene of an accident and encounter a frantic, unrestrained animal, it is extremely common for them to escape and, sadly, run into traffic. I have seen this firsthand in the ER, and it’s horrible.

So now that we know “no restraint” is the worst option of all, what are our other choices?

BETTER. Keeping your pet in a crate in the car is better than nothing. I see this frequently, especially with larger dogs where seat belt restraints are more difficult to use. Although it may not be as good as other means of restraint in terms of preventing injury, a crated pet is much less likely to escape your car during an accident or even at a road stop. Ideally you will have your crate secured to the car to keep it stable.

 

BEST. Restraints and carriers specifically designated for dogs are the safest and most effective option for travel. If you have a small dog, you can buy a carrier with safety belt integration built in.

 

For larger dogs, you’re most likely looking at a harness that either connects to the car’s seat belt or hooks into a latch system. For my two large dogs, I find the harnesses a good compromise between safety and usability, as they often have a separate attachment for a regular leash to make it pretty quick to get them in and out for rest stops on a road trip.

 

So which choice is right for you? That can be a tricky one. Because pet harnesses and crates are not required to meet specific safety standards, you’d have no way to know as a consumer which harnesses actually keep the pet secured during an accident. The Center for Pet Safety, a non-profit dedicated to establishing safety standards for pet products, performed actual crash tests with a variety of harnesses and crates to designate those worthy of a CPS certification. Many restraints failed the test. You can find a list of approved products that received the CPS certification on the Center for Pet Safety.

But at the end of the day, the best option is going to be the one you actually use. Once you have that part squared away, you can get onto the fun part- deciding where to go!

👉👀 AND A NOTE FROM ME - NEVER EVER [EVER] LEAVE YOUR DOG, CAT OR ANY PET UNATTENDED IN A CAR ESPECIALLY DURING THESE HOT SUMMER MONTHS!!

If you found this interesting, check out these related stories:

Fire Safety And Prevention For Families With Pets

Leash Safety Made Easy

Pet Professionals

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Dog Shampoo: Not all are created equal

The Secret Ingredient to a Sweet Smelling Pet

 Courtesy of Life's Abundance June 7, 2021

Most of us can admit that the best time to cuddle up your pet is right after they’ve had a bath. Gorgeous, soft floof with a fresh scent? We’re all for it! Their outside playtime, and even just going for walks, tends to come with mud, leaves, or rain. Dirt can build up on their paws and fur which ultimately results in those unpleasant odors tracking into your home. Bathing your pup every few weeks cleanses their skin and coat and in addition to getting rid of the odor, it also clears out any loose hair and other debris. Cats may not have the same muddy habits as dogs, but some cats need an extra helping hand when it comes to cleanliness and hygiene. That’s where you and the right pet shampoo come in.

While you may be thinking that any pet shampoo will suffice, not all of them are created equal. Other shampoos use harsh ingredients like paraben and formaldehyde preservatives that can be irritating to your pet’s skin. This could lead to more serious concerns in the long run. In addition, other formulas use fragrances alone to cover up bad smells which tend to disappear before you can even enjoy it. For a real difference you can smell, it’s not only important to leave behind a lasting fresh scent from clean, safe ingredients, but also completely eliminate the bad odor at its source. 

So, what’s the secret ingredient?

Life’s Abundance Revitalizing Shampoo

Our Revitalizing Shampoo for pets pampers your pups and kitties by naturally cleansing and purifying their coat. With just a small amount, you’ll get a luxurious lather that doesn’t strip their skin and coat of its natural oils. The antioxidants from organic rosemary and sage prevent damage from environmental factors while natural emollients keep their coat soft and full bodied. Even better, the kiwi and mango work with the citrus notes to leave behind a cuddle-worthy scent.

The Secret Ingredient

Now, here’s where things get interesting. We included a special ingredient in our pet shampoo that completely neutralizes stink, called Ordenone®. This compound works to trap odors immediately on contact and permanently remove them. How does it do this? Chemistry! Ordenone® particles are thought to have a somewhat malleable shape. Once they come into contact with malodor molecules, they adapt to their shape in order to trap them and keep them from reaching your nose. This means that there is no “masking” or covering up of the malodor with heavy fragrances or perfumes that can irritate you and your pet. Instead, you get a fresh smelling pet each time you use Revitalizing Shampoo. Even better, it is safe, gentle and does not strip the skin or coat’s natural defenses.

How To Use

You can use Revitalizing Shampoo as a normal shampoo for your pet as young as 12 weeks of age. A little bit goes a long way and all you need is a small dollop! Lather up and repeat as necessary. Add a little spa-quality to finish off the perfect bath with our Bath Fresh Mist. It adds a little smoothing and detangling power, plus it smells fantastic! It’s a perfect after-bath or between-bath spritz. Now when your furry friend wants to snuggle up with you on the couch they’ll be sure to pass the ‘sniff test’!

If you found this interesting, check out these related stories:

Common Skin Problems in Dogs

Tips for Grooming Your Dog at Home

Dog Food Recall

 Click here for the FDA page

Summary

Company Announcement Date:

June 02, 2021

FDA Publish Date:

June 03, 2021

Product Type:

Animal & Veterinary
Pet Food

Reason for Announcement:

Salmonella contamination

Company Name:

Sunshine Mills, Inc.

Brand Name:

Sportsman’s Pride, Sprout Sporting, Intimidator, FRM Gold Select

Product Description:

Dog Food Products

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Company Announcement

Sunshine Mills, Inc. is issuing a voluntary recall of certain dog food products because of the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. No illnesses, injuries or complaints have been reported to date. The potential for contamination was noted after the firm was notified by the distributor, Fleet Wholesale Supply Company, who was informed by Minnesota Department of Agriculture when a sample of 5 lbs. Sprout Sporting Dog Food product was collected and tested positive for Salmonella during routine surveillance.

Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed a recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The best buy date and lot code can be found on the back of each package. The products identified below were distributed online and in retail stores:

Product	Size	BB Date Code & Lot	UPC Code	States
Sportsman's Pride Professional Formula 30/20 Dog Food	40 lb.	Best if used By 7 Oct 2021	7015510184	MS, FL, TN, LA, VA, NC, TX
		Lot: TI1 07/Oct/2020
Sprout Sporting Dog Food	5 lb.	Best if used By 6 Oct 2021	7015505101	MN, WI, IA, SD, ND
		Lot: TE1 06/Oct/2020
	40 lb.	Best if used By 6 Oct 2021	7015505100
		Lot: TI3 06/Oct/2020
Intimidator Chicken & Rice Formula Dog Food 30/20	16 lb.	Best if used By 6 Oct 2021	7015541002	TX, MS, FL, AL
		Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020
	40 lb.	Best if used By 6 Oct 2021	5216631214
		Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020
FRM Gold Select High Performance Dog Food	50 lb.	Best if used By 6 Oct 2021	1549905873	GA, FL
		Lot: TA1 06/Oct/2020

There are no other Sportsman’s Pride®, Sprout, Intimidator®, or FRM® Gold Select products or other lot codes of these products affected by this recall.

Retailers who received the recalled lots have been contacted and asked to pull these lots from their inventory and shelves Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers may contact Sunshine Mills, Inc. customer service at (800) 705-2111 from 7AM to 4PM Central Time, Monday through Friday, or by email at customer.service@sunshinemills.com for additional information.

This is a voluntary recall being conducted in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

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Company Contact Information

Consumers:

Sunshine Mills, Inc.

 800-705-2111

 customer.service@sunshinemills.com

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