**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.

After its introduction in the U.S. last year, the Mini Pet Hair Detailer was so widely talked about in the US auto detailing industry that word quickly spread across the pond to our friends in the U.K.! After many requests, we realized we had to find a way to share our most unique and productive tool with them as well!

Mini but mighty, this little handheld detailer is a game-changer for car detailers and pet owners alike! No matter the breed, if your pet sheds short, wiry fur, this product is an amazingly efficient tool for removing embedded pet hair from carpeting, upholstery, and clothing.

via GIPHY

ABOUT LILLY BRUSH COMPANY

Based in Denver, Colorado, Lilly Brush Company has an 8-year history of providing high quality pet hair removal tools for various applications. After our founder, Elsie Hamilton, adopted Lilly, a Mini-Australian Shepherd from a local rescue shelter, she realized the issue of shed pet hair on carpeting, clothing and upholstery was a problem that had never really been solved. Our 5 different lines of innovative products have helped consumers combat the nuisance of pet hair without having to buy wasteful and expensive refills. Lilly Brush strives to enhance the lives of others and sees a promising future as we continue to grow.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Great News! We’ve Expanded Into the UK! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Everyone knows their pet is the cutest, you just need a chance to prove it! Good News! We now are accepting photo submissions to be a part of the Lilly Brush Blogs, Instagram, Facebook, etc.

Requirements:

1. Send us an adorable photo of your pet and take part in a product giveaway! (By doing so, you will be subscribed to the Lilly Brush Newsletter to inform you of all giveaways and our upcoming new product releases.)
2. That’s it!

(Protip: Higher quality images are more likely to make the cut!)

Not required:

1. Follow us on Instagram @lillybrushco so we can tag you in our post when your pet hits the ‘big screen’
2. Sometimes beauty is just skin deep, feel free to include notes on your pet’s hilarious personality.

Click Here for Submissions!

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Good News! We Now Take Adorable Pet Photo Submissions! appeared first on Lilly Brush.

With over 3,500 exhibitors at the Global Pet Expo, we have seen innovations in nearly every realm of the pet industry including advancements in raw, nutritious pet foods, potty pads that absorb without leakage or scent, and almost anything in between. We have also had the opportunity to attend multiple seminars regarding industry trends and how companies are pushing the envelope to change the way we interact with our pets, in hopes of creating a more enjoyable experience.

Beke Lubeach, General Manager at DOGTV, explained the importance of Social Responsibility and giving back to our communities. As the millennials are beginning to take over as the largest spenders, they are also surging to the forefront as a generation that cares deeply about social responsibility. One great example of charitable giving is Tito’s Vodka. They may not be a pet company per se, but their “Vodka for Dog People” program is geared towards product sales that generate significant donations to enhance the lives of pets.

Another speaker that stood out to us is Phil Chang. In his “Like. Follow. Share” seminar, he did a fantastic job of explaining the new trends of everyday social media outlets as well as the up and coming applications such as WeChat and QQ. Due to convenience and online searches, E-Commerce and online retail have a 13% share of retail as a whole and it is only going to keep increasing.

A must-see speaker that we had the pleasure of listening to this morning is Connor Lokar from ITR Economics. He provided the audience with insights into pet industry trends along with big picture economic standings of other industries and the country as a whole. He also discussed ways to understand shifts in consumer needs with a forecasted analysis as to what might happen in the years to come. (Hint: Buckle up, buttercup!)

We have had an absolute blast here in Orlando and have had the opportunity to meet some great people as well as see some unique products coming into the ever-growing pet market. We look forward to being back in Orlando for next year’s event and the years to come!

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

old.lillybrush.com

Pet Hair Problems in Your Car?

Try our newest product the Mini Pet Hair Detailer, the #1 recommended tool by professional detailers!

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post Global Pet Expo 2019 appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Imagine this, you’re baking your famous oatmeal raisin cookies for friends and family to enjoy. A few raisins fall to the ground, but before you can grab them, your pet eats five of them. The next thought running through your mind is, “What do I do? Would five raisins really poison my pet?”

Most of us, I’m sure, have dealt with this at some point in our years of pet ownership. If not, we are here to help make sure your pet is safely taken care of in those situations!

First and foremost, below is an infographic that Nationwide has created to give us an idea of what food items are toxic/hazardous to our pets. Anything with an “!” is urgent and needs veterinary care immediately.

Don’t wait to get help! Waiting until your pet shows symptoms could be too late!

• Some symptoms may not appear for a few hours or days (loss of appetite being one of them). If they do not appear immediately, don’t hesitate to get them checked if something about your pet’s behavior doesn’t look or feel right.

Call Your Vet Immediately

As calling 911 is only good for human emergencies, calling your local vet is the best route to take. They will be able to provide guidance on how to go about dealing with the issue. Don’t induce vomiting before discussing with your vet as some items eaten can create larger issues by bringing them back up (GoodHouseKeeping.com).

If your pet has eaten other objects besides food, it is still best to call a vet clinic. Though they may not seem harmful, many items that are eaten can severely damage intestines or create blockages.

What do I do if it is late and the vet isn’t open?

If it is after hours, call the nearest 24-hour vet clinic or ASPCA’s 24-hour hotline at 1-888-426-4435.

What to have with you in case of an emergency

• In case the veterinary hospital recommends inducing vomiting, be sure to keep an unopened and unexpired bottle of hydrogen peroxide. A larger type injection syringe (without a needle) is helpful for administering hydrogen peroxide.
• Make sure you have all pet medical records / information on hand in the event that you may need to see a new vet clinic.

Ways to Prevent Ingestion Emergencies

• Do not leave garbage in reach of your pet. Ensure that there is a lid on the garbage at all times. (TheSprucePets.com)
• Try not to drop food while cooking. Do not leave cooking area with potentially hazardous items on the counter or in sight.
•  Ensure any lawn items or fertilizers are not hazardous. When outside with fertilizers, use a leash to bring them to areas that do not contain a potentially threatening fertilizer.

It’s not just food!

There are plenty of “human foods” that are dangerous to cats and dogs, but that isn’t where the worry stops. Dozens of items used by humans every single day can cause serious harm to your pets. Luckily for you and I, Top Dog Vitamins has broken down for us what seemingly routine items can cause your pet serious harm, and they even explain why!

In these situations, it is always better to be safe than sorry. DO consult a pet professional if there is any doubt in your mind about your pet’s safety.

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

lillybrush.com

Pet Hair Problems in Your Car?

Try our newest product the Mini Pet Hair Detailer, the #1 recommended tool by professional detailers!

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post My Pet Ate Something Toxic! Now What? appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Just nine years ago, that was the question foremost on my mind as I eyed the crazy looking cleaning hack I had built to deal with the huge volume of pet hair my Australian Shepherd, Lilly, shed each day. Right there on my kitchen counter sat what I believed to be the most effective pet hair remover I had ever used. It was just the thing to help me beat my sticky roller refill habit, and wouldn’t it be a great thing to share with others? But, how?

Follow the footsteps of others who have been there.

The answer, I soon learned, could be found in books. Every question that came up as I worked my way toward the goal of getting my first product to market could be answered by others who had done this before me.

If you are looking for some of the most outstanding books available to help you advance from a homegrown inventor to a successful consumer product manufacturer, I have compiled below a list of my favorites.

Prepare to become a book-reading workaholic!

As a complete beginner, I could not have made it through the first year of the prototyping and patenting process without the incredibly comprehensive and useful tips found in:

The Mom Inventor’s Handbook: How to Turn Your Great Idea Into the Next Big Thing by Tamara Monosoff

If you have a sensational product idea, but not the time, stamina, or financial resources to go the distance on your own, I recommend reading about product licensing in:

One Simple Idea: How to Turn Your dreams Into a Licensing Goldmine While Letting Others Do the Work by Stephen Key

Before you build a website, be sure to read:

Don’t Make Me Think, Revisited: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability by Steve Krug

One book that asked the questions that I did not yet have the knowledge and experience to consider also gave me the info and insight to answer them. Do read:

The Art of the Start: Time-Tested Battle-Hardened Guide for Anyone Starting Anything by Guy Kawasaki

Last but not least, because being an entrepreneur is sometimes lonely and terrifying, read this for inspiration to stay calm and carry on. Greatness awaits! Enjoy:

Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike by Phil Knight

If you have found other books that you think might help others on the same path, be sure to share them in the comments below.

Founder Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post The Five Best Books to Help New Inventors Bring Products to Market appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Ughhh, there’s nothing worse than a hairy car! In fact, vacuum-resistant embedded pet hair is the #1 headache auto detailers and pet owners alike face when cleaning their cars!

Until now, pumice stones and rubber brushes have been the two most popular tools for dealing with pet hair removal. So, what’s the issue?

Our detailers tell us that the rubber brushes miss much of the most deeply embedded hair and take too much time to use. And, as any professional detailer knows, time is money, and customers tend to balk at pet hair surcharges tacked on even though removing it means an extra hour (or more!) of the detailer’s time.

Detailers report that although a pumice stone does a fairly good job of removing embedded pet hair, it is by no means the perfect tool for the job as it can easily rip up carpeting and damage surrounding plastic, chrome and leather surfaces within the car.

Old habits die hard, but we hope you will take a moment to check out our newest tool in the war against pet hair, the Lilly Brush Mini Pet Hair Detailer. ($10 Amazon) We think you’re going to love it!

Click here for video reviews by two top-rated professional detailers:

Pan the Organizer

Detail Groove

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post New Detailing Tool For an Old Problem appeared first on Lilly Brush.

Hey, we think it’s our duty to combat pet hair for our customers so our newest brush, the Mini Pet Hair Detailer (MPHD) is designed to remove every hair your pet sheds in a car. It does this without damaging adjacent leather, plastic or chrome. With its detailing tips, you can clean every inch of fabric in your car including seats, headliners, and of course carpeting. For those of you that have pets with short, wiry fur, this is the perfect pet hair removal tool for you!

Whether you are the one cleaning the pet hair in your car or a detailer is doing the job, we want to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck. Find the Mini Pet Hair Detailer for $12 on Amazon by clicking the link below.

I Want a Mini Pet Hair Detailer!

We want every customer to be happy! If the Mini Pet Hair Detailer doesn’t solve all of your pet hair problems, return it for a full refund.  

Sincerely,

The Lilly Brush Team

Elsie Hamilton

old.lillybrush.com

The post How to Remove Every Hair Your Pet Sheds in The Car appeared first on Lilly Brush.