Your daily dose of doggy goodness!
Every day, we celebrate our shared love of dogs and hopefully brighten your day. Enjoy!
Dog(s) of the Day:
Rosie
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Meme of the day: True!
Auto Insurance Companies Hate When You Do This (But They Can’t Stop You)
If your auto insurance rate went up in the last 12 months, check this before paying your next bill! All you have to do is enter your zip code and car info to find better insurance options. You could save up to $600 per year!
Keeping Paws Happy: Why Pet-Safe Salt is a Winter Essential
Winter brings a certain magic—the quiet hush of falling snow, the crunch underfoot, and the cozy joy of a dog racing through a fresh drift. But for our four-legged family members, winter also brings a hidden sting: traditional rock salt.
While standard ice melt keeps us upright on the sidewalk, it can be incredibly harsh on sensitive paws. If you’ve ever seen your dog limp or lick their paws incessantly after a walk, you’ve likely seen the effects of chemical ice melt. Switching to a pet-safe alternative is one of the kindest things you can do for your companion this season.
Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region
The Trouble with Traditional Salt
Standard rock salt (sodium chloride) and other common de-icers like magnesium chloride or calcium chloride are effective at melting ice, but they come with a hidden cost for pets:
Chemical Burns: The jagged crystals can get lodged between paw pads, and the chemical reaction that generates heat to melt ice can actually irritate or burn a dog's skin.
The "Lick" Factor: Dogs naturally groom themselves. If they have salt residue on their paws, they’ll lick it off. Ingesting traditional ice melt can lead to salt poisoning, which can cause lethargy, vomiting, or more severe symptoms.
Dryness and Cracking: Constant exposure to harsh salts strips the natural oils from paw pads, leading to painful cracks and bleeding.
What Makes "Pet-Safe" Different?
True pet-safe ice melts are typically formulated without chlorides. Instead, they often use crystalline amide (a urea-based compound) or are pellets coated in a non-toxic liquid.
Why it's better:
Lower Toxicity: These formulas are much safer if accidentally ingested in small amounts.
Gentle Shape: Many pet-safe options use rounded pellets rather than sharp, jagged crystals, making the physical sensation much more comfortable for your dog to walk on.
Green-Friendly: Most pet-safe salts are also safer for your lawn and the concrete of your driveway, preventing the "pitting" and dead grass patches that appear every spring.
Pro-Tips for a Paw-Positive Winter
Even with the best salt on your own doorstep, your neighbors might still be using the heavy-duty stuff. Here’s how to keep those paws protected:
The Post-Walk Wipe: Keep a towel or a container of pet wipes by the door. Give each paw a quick cleaning as soon as you come inside to remove any stray chemicals.
Paw Balm is Your Friend: Apply a thin layer of "paw wax" before heading out. It acts like an invisible bootie, creating a barrier against salt and ice.
Watch the Color: Many pet-safe salts are tinted (often green or blue) so you can see exactly where you’ve spread it, ensuring you don't over-apply.
A Little Extra Care Goes a Long Way
Choosing a pet-safe de-icer is a small switch that makes a world of difference. It means more time playing in the snow and less time worrying about sore paws or upset tummies. After all, winter is much more fun when everyone—two legs or four—can enjoy the crisp air in comfort.
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Dog Food and Supplement Recalls
Here are the recent recalls and advisories:
Bonnihill Farms (Fromm Family Foods) - BeefiBowls Beef Recipe gently cooked frozen dog food, 16 oz. chubs for potential plastic contamination
Foodynamics - Freeze Dried Pet Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Nature’s Own - Pet Chews Bully Bites Treats for potential Salmonella contamination.
Family Photo of the Day:
Mini Mae!
We want to feature your pup!
We want to share your pup with our pack. Email us your favorite doggy pic or video with your pup’s name, and we'll try to feature it as a family photo in one of our upcoming newsletters or on our Facebook page.
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Meme of the day - Instagram: @lilothepawfect
