Sustainable Tails

Hello and welcome back to this week’s edition of Sustainable Tails! The usual features you have come to know and love are still here, so just kick back and enjoy what we have put together for you!

Moving Tips For Pets

Moving to a new home can be an exciting adventure for humans, but for our furry friends, it can be a source of anxiety and stress. To make the transition smoother and minimize your pet's discomfort, consider these moving tips:

• Maintain Routine: Pets thrive on routine, so try to keep feeding times, walks, and play sessions consistent. Familiarity provides comfort during the upheaval of moving.

• Gradual Introductions: If possible, introduce your pet to their new home gradually. Spend time in different rooms together, allowing them to explore at their own pace.

• Secure a Safe Space: Set up a designated area in the new home with your pet's familiar belongings—bed, toys, and food bowls. This safe space becomes a sanctuary amid the unfamiliar surroundings.

• Update Identification: Ensure your pet's identification tags and microchip information are updated with the new address and contact details. This is crucial in case your pet gets lost during the move.

• Visit the Vet: Schedule a visit to the vet before the move. Ensure vaccinations are up-to-date, and discuss any concerns about anxiety or motion sickness. Your vet may provide calming solutions or recommend pet-friendly sedatives.

• Use Familiar Items: Bring along your pet's favorite toys, blankets, and even a piece of furniture from the old home. Familiar scents provide reassurance in the new environment.

• Slow Introduction to the Neighborhood: Gradually introduce your pet to the new neighborhood. Take short walks, allowing them to become accustomed to the sights, sounds, and smells.

• Stay Calm and Positive: Animals are perceptive to their owner's emotions. Stay calm and positive to reassure your pet that everything is okay. Offer praise and treats for positive behavior during the move.

By incorporating these moving tips, you can help your pet adjust to their new surroundings with minimal stress, ensuring a smoother transition for the entire family.

Cat Fact Corner

The domestic cat (Felis catus) is an example of a mammal that cannot taste sweetness. Unlike humans and some other animals, cats lack taste receptors for sweetness. This is attributed to genetic mutations that occurred during the evolutionary history of cats. The taste receptors on a cat's tongue are more attuned to detecting meat flavors, reflecting their carnivorous nature.

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet primarily consists of meat, and they have evolved with taste preferences that align with their dietary needs. While they may not have a sweet tooth, cats have taste receptors for other flavors, such as sour, salty, and bitter. This specialization in taste preferences is a fascinating aspect of how different species have adapted to their specific dietary requirements over time.

People Foods That Your Dog Should Not Eat

While sharing food with your furry friend might seem like a bonding experience, it's essential to be aware of certain human foods that can pose serious health risks to dogs. Some foods that should never be fed to dogs include:

• Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which is toxic to dogs and can lead to symptoms ranging from restlessness to seizures and, in severe cases, death.

• Grapes and Raisins: Can cause kidney failure in dogs, leading to vomiting, lethargy, and loss of appetite.

• Onions and Garlic: Contain compounds that can damage a dog's red blood cells, causing anemia. Large amounts are particularly dangerous.

• Avocado: Contains a substance called persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs.

• Alcohol: Even small amounts can be toxic, leading to symptoms like coordination problems, vomiting, and in severe cases, coma or death.

• Caffeine: Found in coffee, tea, and certain sodas, caffeine can lead to restlessness, rapid breathing, and an elevated heart rate.

• Xylitol: A sugar substitute often found in gum and some sugar-free products, xylitol can cause insulin release in dogs, leading to hypoglycemia, seizures, and liver failure.

• Bones: Cooked bones can splinter and cause choking or damage to the digestive tract.

• High-Fat Foods: Fatty foods like bacon and fried items can lead to pancreatitis, causing symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

• Dairy Products: Many dogs are lactose intolerant, and consuming dairy can lead to digestive upset.

It's crucial for pet owners to be informed about these potential dangers and to avoid sharing foods that could harm their furry companions. If in doubt, consulting with a veterinarian is always a wise choice to ensure a dog's diet remains safe and healthy.

Pet Poem Place

Paige - North Carolina

Roses are red. Puppies love you. It is awesome that we love them, too.

Fun facts are great. Like this one. Dogs help people. Stay healthy and social.

How do you like that fun fact? Roses are red. Puppies love you. Isn’t it great that we love them, too?

Pet Of The Week - Stache

Thanksgiving has come and gone in a flash. As we were bellying up to a stuffed bird, glued to the tube to watch some football, and enjoying a multitude of conversations with friends and family, the 2023 National Dog Show was underway. Did you and your fur baby besties happen to catch any of it, rooting for your favorite pampered pooches on national television? The results are in….and it’s Stache the Sealyham Terrier who took Best in Show. Stache had a stellar performance and beat out a group of larger breeds, including the German Shepherd, Dalmatian, an Azawakh, a Great Dane, and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Congratulations to Stache for nabbing this years Best in Show at the National Dog Show.

Can A Dog Feel Handsome Or Pretty?

While dogs may not comprehend the concept of physical attractiveness in the same way humans do, they undoubtedly experience positive emotions associated with grooming and attention. Dogs can feel content, happy, and even confident when they receive care, attention, and positive affirmations from their owners. Regular grooming sessions, such as brushing and bathing, not only maintain a dog's physical health but also contribute to their overall well-being.

When an owner praises their dog's appearance, uses gentle words, or gives affectionate pats, dogs can pick up on the positive energy. This positive reinforcement can lead to a boost in a dog's confidence and happiness. Dogs are highly attuned to their owners' emotions and body language, and they thrive on the bond and positive interactions they share with their human companions.

While concepts of beauty or handsomeness may be human constructs, the emotional connection and the positive reinforcement that dogs receive during grooming and care routines can create a sense of well-being and contentment. Dogs may not understand the idea of physical attractiveness, but they certainly comprehend the language of love, care, and positive attention from their owners, reinforcing the special bond between humans and their beloved canine companions.

Animal Funnies

Well, that’s a wrap for this week. Please be sure to share this growing community of pet lovers from around the world with your friends and family. We send you an unobtrusive email once a week right to your mailbox. That’s all there is to it! We welcome any and all input from all of our subscribers. Send us topics you’d love to know more about, or just drop a line to say hello. There are exciting things coming as Sustainable Tails grows in popularity!

Sustainable Tails is dedicated to helping you create a harmonious and eco-friendly life for you and your pets. By embracing zero-waste and pet-friendly grooming products and sustainably exploring the outdoors together, you're not only enhancing the well-being of your furry companions but also contributing to a healthier planet.

Thank you for joining us on this weeks adventure. Continue to spread the word on what we are doing here, and always know your comments and participation in our community are welcomed with open paws. We’ll see you right here next week, so continue making sustainable choices and cherishing each and every day with your beloved pets!

Joshua McCarty

Founder, Sustainable Tails

P.S. Have a topic you’d like us to cover in our next newsletter? Share your ideas and questions with us. We’d love to hear from you!

P.P.S. Take a peek over at our partner website for an ever growing list of sustainable and eco-friendly pet supplies and accessories, as well as many other pet friendly products!

You May Also Like