Happy Howl-oween! On this spookiest month of the year, we wanted to share something truly scary - some of your favourite pet products may be doing more harm to your furry friends than you realize But worry not! We’ve got some simple tips and suggested product swaps below that can help boost your pets health and wellbeing - let’s turn those tricks into treats!

Trick - Looks Can Be Deceiving

Some pet treat brands have hooked us in with flashy and fun marketing, or simply the convenience of an easily available & widely-distributed brand. Unfortunately,  great packaging & marketing doesn’t mean a product is good for your pet’s health. Make sure to read the ingredients on pet food and avoid ingredients like meat by-products, which are of indeterminate origin and can contain parts of the animal with  little to no nutritional value. It is also common for popular brands to keep production costs down with fillers like corn and soy which are hard for pets to digest and are a common allergen, leading to itching, skin irritation, poor digestion, and other chronic symptoms.

Treat - Wholesome & Delicious

Now that you know what to avoid, start looking for foods where meat is the first ingredient and starches are lower on the list. Treats like Rocky Mountain Raw’s Freeze-Dried Turkey Treats or Icelandic+’s Herring Whole Fish & Pieces contain a single meat ingredient that your furry friends will love the taste of - and you’ll love the natural nutritional value. Meat treats that also contain whole fruits and vegetables can be a healthy part of a dog’s diet, like Dog Treat Naturals seasonally appropriate Superfood sticks in Duck & Apple Flavour. These treats feature meat as the first ingredient plus apples for vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

Trick - Playing with Fire

 How could a toy pose a threat to your dog's health? You maybe surprised to learn thatthere are a number of common parts and manufacturing processes that can compromise a toy’s safety. Some dog & cat toys can contain harmful chemicals and materials like PVC and phthalates, which can cause reproductive and developmental problems. Many toys contain harmful BPAs which can lead to cancer, Lead that can cause neurological consequences,and Chromium which can cause cancer and interfere with joints, heart, and lungs. Additionally, many of these toys have small parts that can be ripped off and swallowed, creating further risks for the health of pets that are rough players or chewers.

Treat - Made with Love

 PetsEssentials is proud to carry MiaMuji Toys, which are handmade in Turkey by a women-led business. Every toy is hand-made of 100% organic materials (cotton/wool) which are totally natural and pet-safet. These toys are suitable for both cats and dogs, and each purchase includes a donation to support Canadian shelter animals. Let’s create a better life for your pet and all animals in need! Cats love to chase and pounce, so a natural straw ball like this Straw Ball Duo from Kong is a great option for them as any swallowed pieces are easily passed and have no chemicals to absorb - plus, they make a rustling/scratching sound as they are rolled or tossed to entice play and stimulate their prey drive. For the dogs that are heavy chewers, try a super-durable chewy toy like the Kong Extreme Goodie Bone, made from natural black rubber that can be stuffed with kibble or treats for enhanced play. 

    

Doing Tricks for Treats

Engaging with your pets one on one is their favourite way to be stimulated, so we wanted to give you some great treat options that will have them shaking their paws, rolling over, or turning any other tricks you care to teach them! We Canadians have a bounty of harvest produce at this time of year - apples, pumpkins, kale, potatoes, and more. Pets Essentials prides itself on offering treats for your pet that use wholesome natural ingredients, like the festive Charlee Bear Grain Free Crunch - Chicken, Pumpkin & Apple Flavour treats. These treats are ideal for training or as a reward for putting up with their spooky seasonalcostume, packed with chicken protein and nutrients from real fruits and veggies. For cats, include them in the seasonal turkey meals with PureBites Freeze Dried Turkey Treats. For our feathered and small furry friends, we also carry tasty treats like the PUUR Pauze Bird & Small Animal Snack Sticks in flavours like Apple & Cranberry which are fun to pick at, preventing  boredom and providing  a nutritious and delicious snack.

And lastly - a treat for all the pets who don’t have a home: Please consider adding a treat to your cart for the pets out there who don’t have a family to celebrate spooky fun with. At Pets Essentials, we make it easy to add a small donation to Redemption Paws, a Canadian charity dedicated to saving and fostering dogs who are difficult to adopt or rehome. These dogs are at risk of euthanasia due to medical ailments, age, visual or hearing impairments, climate change, overpopulation, and other dire situations -  Redemption Paws is determined to give them a long life full of love. Before you checkout or when you add a product to your cart, you can simply click to include a donation ranging from $1-$20 CAD. 100% of these donations are passed directly on to our partners at Redemption Paws so they can continue their lifesaving work. Thank you for sharing the love in this spooktacular season!