The average number of COVID-19 cases in the United States is decreasing every day now. With this comes new opportunities to venture out into the world once more (with safety precautions, of course)– but what happens to our pets now that the world is changing again? 

During the pandemic, many pets have become used to their humans being home all the time. At first, this was a good thing, as humans and animals were able to spend more quality bonding time together. However, now that the world has been in a pandemic for nearly a year, pets have become more dependent on the time they’ve been spending with their owners than they were before, hence causing high levels of separation anxiety when pet owners begin to leave the house more often. 

For some pet owners, something as simple as leaving the house to go to the grocery store has triggered severe separation anxiety in house pets who’ve become used to the constant presence of their caretaker. As the world begins to heal from the pandemic, and move forward, we must ensure we look out for our pets, and guide them through the changes that are taking place and that are still yet to come. 

What causes separation anxiety? 

While it’s not fully understood why some dogs are more prone to separation anxiety than others, there are indicators that suggest a higher chance of the anxiety showing up: 

• Puppies: Due to their young and impressionable phase of life, puppies might develop a more severe attachment to their caretaker. Thankfully, catching separation anxiety at an earlier point in your pup’s life is easier to treat. 
• Dogs with pre-existing behavioral conditions: If your dog is already prone to any sort of behavioral conditions, it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for any signs of separation anxiety. 
• Recently adopted pets: As a newly adopted pet has a past which will remain mostly unknown to you, it’s important to be extra sensitive and aware of what might trigger your pet. 

If you have been a work-from-home pet owner for the past year, it’s important to take the following precautions to ensure the well-being of your beloved pet if you know you’ll be heading back to the office soon. Beginning to prepare your pet a few weeks prior to returning to work is ideal. 

How to treat separation anxiety: 

• Exposure therapy: Leaving your pet at home for short periods of time, then gradually increasing the amount of time your pet is left alone for, will acquaint your pet with your periodic absence. Eventually, he or she will start becoming used to these increments of time when you’re out of the house. 
• Give your pet a treat or toy: Giving your dog a treat or toy will give them something to focus on in your absence. Toys like this puzzle toy are calming, stimulate your pet’s mind, and keep him or her occupied for long periods of time. 
• Create a safe and calming environment: If your pet has the type of separation anxiety in which he or she causes mass chaos and destruction to anything in their path, try designating an accident-free zone where your pet can feel at peace. This could be any room with the least amount of furniture and/or fragile house decor, or any room you transform into such. The goal is to keep your pet safe and comfortable, while also protecting your home. 
• Leave your recently worn clothes: The pheromones from an article of clothing produce a calming effect, making your dog feel like you are close. 
• Pet camera: If you are unsure whether your pet has separation anxiety, or if you have suspicions that they do but you’ve been unable to identify it, try purchasing a pet camera in order to keep an eye on them throughout the day. Many pets will not exhibit the true nature of their distress until their owner has already left the house.

H

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post How to Calm your Pet’s COVID-Induced Separation Anxiety appeared first on Lilly Brush.

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 

The Art of Racing in the Rain follows the story of a dog named Enzo. It begins at the end of his life and flashes back on moments throughout time. We start at the moment he was picked up from his litter by the main character, Danny, and follow closely throughout his life’s journey. We watch Danny find love, start a family, and continue his passion for racing through the unique lens of Enzo, his four- legged best friend. More than anything, Enzo wants to be reincarnated as a human. All he wants is to spend a longer life with his favorite humans.

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawles 

Be sure to have a family size tissue box on hand for this one. A classic coming-of-age novel, Where the Red Fern Grows follows the story of a young boy and his two most trustworthy companions while they adventure deep into the Ozark mountains. The story of Billy Colman, Old Dan, and Little Ann is an inspirational tale about perseverance, friendship, and never giving up on your dreams. The joy of the story is worth every tear you’ll shed at the end. 

The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 

Though it’s been many years since I’ve read this book, it has held a treasured place in my heart. The story focuses on a bored little boy named Milo, who must travel through mysterious and whimsical lands to discover the cure to his boredom. Along the way, he meets a watchdog named Tock, who accompanies him on his adventures. Before you assume this book is only for children, think again– it is just as equally intended for adults. The story is dense with metaphors, valuable life lessons, and is an allegory. If you’re into that sort of thing. While the story’s primary focus isn’t the dog, Tock, he plays a very important role in the story. He helps the main character’s understanding of time, of growing up, and of the value of imagination.

A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron 

Remember that box of tissues from earlier? Yeah, you might want to hang onto those for this one. A Dog’s Purpose follows the story of a dog over the course of four lifespans. He begins as Toby, then Bailey, then Elleya, and lastly, Buddy. In each life, Toby must discover what his purpose is in the world. You’ll be crying an equal amount of sad and happy tears as you discover along with him. With all the emotions this book brings, joy and happiness are at the top of the list. The joy outshines the tear-jerking moments, and the story will leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart.

The Call of the Wild by Jack London 

This book is another classic that stands the test of time, especially for the avid adventurer. Following the epic tale of the dog Buck, this book will take you on a journey through love, friendship, loss, and rediscovery. Buck must find his way through the freezing Alaskan tundra– but not without the help of a few friends along the way. If you’re more curious about film than books, you’ll be excited to find the film adaptation starring the legendary Harrison Ford.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Alexa Highsmith

Writing Specialist at Lilly Brush Co.

The post Top Five Must-Reads for Dog Lovers appeared first on Lilly Brush.

1. AUDWUD Silicone Treat Pouch

Bring this AUDWUD Silicone treat pouch full of treats to reward them for being great listeners or in case they want food. As we all know, the easiest way to keep your dogs attention is a little snack!

2. Safety-Sport Dog Horn

We know all dogs go to heaven, but that doesn’t mean some of them don’t have a mean streak hidden away somewhere. This one may seem over the top, and hopefully you’ll never have to use it. The reality is you will likely come across an aggressive dog or two in your lifetime. By keeping this dog horn with you on walks, you can stop an aggressive dog in its tracks with a quick blast of the horn. One of our team members unfortunately had to use one of these just last week to scare off a charging dog. DON’T WORRY: This horn won’t hurt any dogs, it’ll just scare them off. 

3. N-Gage Running Leash

Whether you are walking your dog or going on a run, this leash is great to keep them under control. This leash attaches to your waist, keeping your hands free and your dog secure. Having multiple dogs attached to your waist makes it so you won’t have two dogs pulling each arm in opposite directions. 

P.S. Be careful with larger dogs. If you dog is stronger than you, be sure that you are able to control them to avoid being dragged across your neighbor’s lawn.

4. N-Gage Harness

Having your dog’s leash attached to a harness is another great way to keep them under control. The harness surrounds your dog’s entire torso rather than keeping all of the pressure around their neck. This is especially helpful with larger, stronger dogs, but is a great tool for all dogs! When your dog decides they want to chase a squirrel, or run after the neighbor’s dog, their harness allows you to yank them back into place without hurting or choking them. 

5. Wild One Poop Bag Carrier

It Happens! – It’s bound to happen when you are on a walk with your dogs. Snag one of these poop bag dispensers that clip onto your leash. Easy to carry and you won’t forget to grab a bag ever again!

Walking your dogs can seem like a hassle at times, but its often the highlight of their day. When walking multiple dogs at once the hassle increases astronomically. Being able to control, care for, and clean up after two or more dogs at the same time is no easy task. Having the right tools to keep the chaos at bay can make all the difference in the world, making the experience much more enjoyable for all parties involved!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post 5 Items To Bring While Walking Your Dogs appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Double vs Single Coat

Some dogs have what is called a double-coat. A soft interior layer for warmth accompanied with a long exterior layer for protection. These dogs are going to be very noticeably shedding as winter approaches, leaving evidence with every step they take. Our very own Lilly is a perfect example of a double-coated dog, and her shedding is the reason our Be Forever Furless Brush was invented in the first place. Single-coat dogs like labs, terriers, poodles etc, won’t be as noticeable as their double-coat counterparts, but you can still expect to do some extra cleaning this time of year.

Allergies

If you or your house guests have dog allergies, this time of year becomes exceptionally hard to handle. To help lessen allergies year round, but especially during this time of the year, be sure to keep your pet well groomed. Bathe your pet weekly, and brush them as often as you can, daily if possible. By adding multivitamins or fatty acid supplements to their diet you can improve the health of your pet’s skin. This reduces the frequency and potency  of dander, and in turn will combat allergic reactions. 

Shedding season is upon us and Lilly Brush is here to help! Hopefully we were able to give you the insights on why your dog has been shedding uncontrollably as the weather turns.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Shedding Season Is Back appeared first on Lilly Brush.

**DISCLAIMER** We love all of our furry friends, but today we are going to talk about the benefits of our mixed breed companions.

Actually, the whole crazy concept of purebred dogs became popular just a few hundred years ago when the intent of breeders was to manipulate the size, shape and character of their working dogs to create the best hunters, herders, and guardians. Over time, however, humans began to focus their genetic efforts on their home companion pets. They desired pets with extremes in size like the portable “teacup” breeds, and exotic looks, like the adorable flat-faced pug. Of course, there were drawbacks to all of these different mutations, but demand was high, and despite health issues, breeders persisted in trying to perfect their dogs to set breed standards.

The good news for our mutt buddies is that traditionally they are significantly healthier than most purebred dogs. As our friends at Your Dog Advisor have shown us, mixed breed dogs have a much lower incidence of genetic disease. It is very common when breeding animals that have similar familial backgrounds to pass on diseases. Since mutts are a mix of genetics, they have a lower rate of disorders such as hip dysplasia, certain knee diseases, spinal diseases, heart diseases, and even cancer. This also increases their lifespan (They’re quite the tough mutters). Adopt a mutt and save thousands of dollars on vet bills every year? Deal, Howie!

Not only are mixed breeds hardier, but they are also known for their excellent dog sense and general intelligence. Check out the video of our very own Buck doing agility training below at only 9 weeks old. Buck is a mix of Cattle Dog, Miniature Long-Haired Dachshund, Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier and Wild Dog.

Most mixed breed pups are wonderfully unique, and it can be incredibly difficult to identify which breed your pup has to thank for his adorable bat-ears, or his short little legs. If you really want to find out about your pup’s genetic background, get a DNA test!

Hopefully this gives some insight on why mixed breed dogs are just as desirable as their purebred counter parts.

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post I Like Big Mutts And I Cannot Lie appeared first on Lilly Brush.