Archive for November, 2006
According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80 percent of dogs already show signs of oral disease by age 3. Oral (periodontal) disease is caused by a buildup of plaque, which contains a large amount of bacteria. Left unchecked, plaque buildup on a dog’s teeth can cause more than just a case of bad breath. Without treatment, this condition can ultimately destroy the tissue and bone structure that support the teeth, and can lead to other health issues. The most effective way to combat this irreversible condition and keep a dog’s teeth pearly white is with daily brushing or chewing, and routine checkups with a veterinarian.
Chew products, such as bones, rawhides and compressed vegetable treats, can play an important role in a dog’s dental care. “Chews are an easy choice for pet parents who want to improve their dog’s oral hygiene — or who just want to freshen their pet’s breath,” explains PetSmart Pet Expert, Dr. Robyn Jaynes, DVM, noting that chew products can effectively reduce tartar and plaque. And, while playing an important role in a pet’s dental care, chew products also satisfy a pet’s natural inclination to chew.
But beware, says Jaynes. One size chew product does not fit all dogs. “If the chew is too small or too soft, it can be dangerous, like any small object in the home,” she explains. “On the other hand, it probably wouldn’t be too much fun or beneficial for a miniature poodle to drag a 10-pound bone around all day.”
Along with regular brushing, chew products can be a safe part of a dental care regimen at home when pet parents are equipped with some basic knowledge, including how to select the right size and material for their dog:
— Not all products are appropriate for all dogs. Just as there are different types of toys appropriate for different dogs, there are also different types of chews for different types of dogs.
— Chews should be size-appropriate and match the dog’s chewing style. For example, a large dog that has a tendency to chew and swallow large pieces should only be offered a large bone with medium density that is digestible. Likewise, a small dog or puppy should be offered size- appropriate chews that are of a softer material.
— Pet parents should observe how their dog chews regardless of the type or brand of chew or toy, especially when offered a new chew for the first time. If a dog is able to chew off and swallow large pieces, the chew is not appropriate for that dog.
— Pets should be monitored consistently when chewing any product, and pet parents should watch for any sign of choking, gagging or coughing both while the pet is chewing and after the chew has been swallowed. A dog showing these or similar signs should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.
In addition to practicing a regular dental care regimen at home for their pet, pet parents should schedule regular dental checkups for their pet with their veterinarian. Jaynes notes, “Your vet is a great resource for questions about dental health, the benefits of chew products, and how to select appropriate chews for your pet’s needs.”
Source: PetSmart.com pressroom
Did you know, we’ve discovered a fun & fancy new toy tool that will finally let us show you, the level of detail in our work. This is cool because it’s really the attention to detail in our work, and the hours & hours we spend on each image to capture your pet’s unique characteristics, that sets us apart from other pet portrait artists. We know there are lots of talented artists out there who specialize in similar styles, but we have yet to find any that maintain & enhance your pet’s every wrinkle, every whisker, nearly every hair, the way that we always try to do. [Of course that also requires a high-quality, detailed photo for us to start with. That’s why we work one on one with you – to help you take and submit an ideal picture.]
The problem has been that it has been impossible to really show you on our website just how much detail our finished artwork actually includes… until now!
In our new “Zoom” Gallery you can view a variety of designs then click on one at a time to see the detail – then click again, then click again, and so on, and so on. You can continue to zoom in to actual size and see just how much detail there really is in our artwork (and see that your portrait won’t just look like your original picture had a little “photoshopping” done)!
Please check it out It’s really amazing!
The point is, we don’t just take broad strokes to make your pet look “cool,” by doodling some outlines and tinting your photo, we give each client’s project the time and attention it deserves to preserve your pet’s true personality.
This holiday season, we are here to help you by providing as many gift ideas as we can find for both the pets and pet-lovers on your list. For example, yesterday PetSmart unveiled its top 14 holiday gifts for pets for 2006 to the media during a live webcast. The list includes lots of toys and some treats, and of course some adorable accessories. Experts shared their insights into the popularity of the gifts, as well as other current trends.
Some of our favorites from the list are this sassy travel bag at #11 for only $16.99, and the fabulous pink parka for $19.99 that made #6. And for the kitties, assorted colored purses full of toys, ranging from $7.99-$9.99 are cat-tastic at #2!
They’re all very cute, and stylish for the discriminating pet, and quite affordable too. You can get the complete list from the news section on their website.
And for your favorite pet-obsessed people, don’t forget we offer a huge collection of gifts featuring our original artwork. We’ve recently added dozens of new designs like a very Warhol-esque Wheaten Terrier, and this Classical Cat.
Be sure and check out all our Pop Pet Gifts!
To continue to encourage you to shop early for the holidays we are offering a new pop promo that many of you will appreciate…
You can get 20% off of any rolled portrait, 11×14 or larger until November 14th! (That is any portrait without stretching services.)
20% is the most significant discount we ever offer! This means you can get the biggest savings possible, give an amazingly, thoughtful, and unique gift, and get your shopping done early! You’ll also save on shipping since rolled portraits are less expensive to ship, and you should receive your portrait in time to have it framed or stretched locally if you would like. Or, you can let the pet loving recipient of the portrait decide how they would like to display their custom design.
To take advantage of this special, short-term offer place your order now and enter the Voucher Code “ROLLED” in your shopping cart. You can click on Recalculate to see your discount applied. Or visit our Specials page for more details.
