10 things you can do to help your dog be more safe and comfortable this Halloween.

Halloween is one of the most dangerous and stressful times of the year for dogs. Many dogs find all the festivities, costumes, decorations, the hustle and bustle very stressful; some to the point of being extremely fearful. That’s why Earth Heart Inc., has put together the following information to help dog lovers understand how they can help their dog be more comfortable and happy during this busy, frightful time of year.

Did you know?

·         Halloween is the second most dangerous holiday for dogs.

·         Many stray dogs and cats found in shelters across the country are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

·         More than 10 million pets are reported lost every year.

·         Dogs without collars have a decreased chance of being reunited with their families.

·         Roughly 17% of lost dogs and 2% of lost cats ever find their owners.

·         During the week of Halloween, calls to the veterinarians at Pet Poison Helpline increase by 12 percent, making it the call center’s busiest time of year, and most often, these calls involve pets accidentally ingesting Halloween candy or décor.

How can you help your dog be safer this Halloween?

Tips to help your dog be safer this Halloween season:

·         Those scary costumes can be very scary to your dog. All but the most social dogs should be kept in a separate room when greeting trick-or-treaters.

·         When greeting Halloween visitors, whether they be trick-or-treaters or party visitors, take great care that your dog doesn't dart outside.

·         Be certain that you provide identification for your dog with a collar and tag. Microchips can also be a lifesaver for your dog. Both of these will increase the likelihood of being reunited with your dogs should they become lost.

·         Make sure the information contained on your dog's tag and with your microchip service has the most up to date contact information.

·         Halloween is a holiday and with holidays come celebrations, including fireworks in some regions. Be sure to keep your dog inside, and utilize a leash and inescapable collar/harness when taking them outside to do their business. You never know when a loud noise, or goblin around the corner may spook them!

·         Dog Halloween costumes may be cute to you, but to many, many dogs they are a bother and can be very stressful. Unless your dog loves to dress up, forgo the costume for your dog's safety and comfort.

·         Little creatures in ghostly costumes, scary witches blowing in the breeze…you never know what may scare or spook your dog. Think twice about taking your dog trick-or-treating with you.

·         Keep your dog safely in the confines of your home in a place where it's quiet and comfortable. 

·         Help your dog be happier and more comfortable during Halloween with Canine Calm, a pure essential oil spray for dogs that helps create a calming environment simply by misting your dog’s favorite blanket, bandana or bedding.

·         And remember to keep the Halloween candy and dangerous decorations out of paws reach. 

Sources:  ASPCA, Dog.com, Pet Poison Helpline

There is only one way to safely keep ticks off your dog: by making your dog less attractive.

Dangerous and deadly tick diseases are becoming more and more of a concern for dog lovers, especially in the spring, summer and fall. That’s why Earth Heart Inc., has put together the following information to help dog lovers better understand the importance of keeping ticks off your dog, while still enjoying the great outdoors.

 Did you know?

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be transmitted to a dog from an infected American Dog Tick or the Lone Star Tick in 2-5 hours?

• Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) can be fatal to your dog if not treated quickly?

• Lyme disease can be transmitted to your dog from a bite by an infected Black-Legged Deer Tick or the Western Black-Legged Tick in less than 6 hours?

• Lyme disease can present reoccurring symptoms over the life of your dog once they have been infected, reducing the dog’s quality of life?

• Ehrlichiosis and Anaplasmosis might be transmitted to your dog from an infected Brown Dog Tick or Lone Star Tick in 24-48 hours?

• Little is known about a new tick disease, Canine Hepatozoonosis, found in the southeast regions of the United States, and is thought to infect your dog if it ingests an infected Gulf Coast Tick or Brown Dog Tick? 

Did you also know?

• Chemical laden pesticide based topical, and flea/tick collars for dogs can take up to 2-3 days to kill a tick attached to your dog, rendering them ineffective in preventing an infected tick from infecting your dog with dangerous tick diseases?

• If your dog ingests an infected Gulf Coast or Brown Dog tick, it is thought that no flea/tick preventative can help from potentially contracting Canine Hepatozoonosis?

  

How do you combat the nasties?

There is only one way to safely keep ticks off your dog: by making your dog less attractive to them.

Tips to keep dangerous tick diseases from being transmitted to your dog:

• Treat your yard or lawn. Diatomaceous Earth (food grade only) is a wonderful, healthy and safe powder product that you can sprinkle in your yard to effectively kill tick.

• In addition, concentrated Garlic Spray can be sprayed around your yard, effectively repelling ticks.

• Ticks are attracted to a host by body heat, odor from the skin and carbon dioxide that people and dogs exhale. Using an essential oil based spray on your dog with neem seed oil as the main ingredient can make your dog unattractive by altering its scent.

• Check your dog immediately after being outside, time is critical.

• If you don’t immediately find a tick, check again after 1.5 hours, before several tick diseases can be transmitted.

• If you find a tick, safely remove it by using round-tip tweezers. Grasp the tick firmly at the base of the head. Then gently and steadily pull on the tick. Be careful not to break the mouth parts of the tick off and leave them inside your dog because infection is likely.

Earth Heart strives to help you and your dogs live healthier, happier lives. We hope this information helps you understand and prepare for the second tick invasion during late summer and autumn. 

Sources: PetMD, WebMD, GVMA, VetMet Auburn University, Parasiticpests.com

Tips to help dogs avoid freaking out during fireworks and thunderstorm season.

 

It’s hard to believe that July 4^th is just around the corner!  The holiday weekend can be a stressful time for thousands of dogs. Loud noises such as fireworks, holiday activities, travel, and even seasonal thunderstorms, create an unsettling environment for four-legged family members.

Dogs across the country can experience whimpering, cowering, trembling, panting, pacing, drooling, barking, shaking, vomiting and other signs of upset during loud noises, like fireworks. While there has been a growing trend among veterinarians to prescribe anti-anxiety medications for nervous dogs, many dog owners are concerned about potentially negative side effects. Although these medications are necessary at times, there are alternatives to help your dog stay safe and comfortable during July 4^th and other summer activities. Many families have found that Canine Calm natural aromatherapy mist by Earth Heart Inc. helps relax dogs during these unsettling times. 

Traci Noonan Reuter of Elgin, Illinois shared, “We ran out of tranquilizers for our dogs one July 4th, and they were flipping out during the fireworks. Fortunately I had a bottle of Canine Calm, and it was amazing how well it calmed the dogs. No more tranquilizers for my dogs!” 

In addition to natural remedies such as Canine Calm, there are other ways to help your dog stay safe and comfortable during July 4th and other summer activities.

• If your dog is afraid of fireworks, thunderstorms and other loud noises, try to avoid attending events with fireworks whenever possible.

• Stay calm yourself, and reward your dog's calm behavior with treats and kind words.

• You can also keep your dog in a safe secure place during fireworks, perhaps a crate.

• Because many dogs run off when startled by loud noises, be sure your dog is on a leash with an identification tag at all times when outdoors.

Earth Heart's Canine Calm is formulated with pure essential oils that have been traditionally used in natural remedies for relaxation. 

At the first sign of upset, spray 1 or 2 mists on your fingertips and gently massage the dog's outer ears. If you don't see desired results within 10 minutes, you can repeat applying to the outer ears as often as needed. You can also lightly mist the dog's favorite blanket, bandana or bedding used inside the home or travel crate as needed. 

Lisa Putnam Smith, host of Your Pets My Dogs shared, "One of my 3 labs is excitable with loud noises, and he shakes. When I used Canine Calm on July 4th, a calm came over him and he stopped shaking! Canine Calm worked like a charm, allowing him (and us) to sleep through the night, except for the big booms which also made us jump." 

Canine Calm mist is made in the USA and packaged in a BPA free recyclable spray bottle. The spray is easy to use, won't stain or leave a sticky residue on fabric or fur, and is safely diluted for use with puppies as young as eight weeks old. 

Order here today in time for the July 4th weekend! 

Earth Heart recently received a batch of mists with slightly bubbled or creased labels...still readable...with the same quality product inside. Because bubbled labels are not a standard part of our packaging AND because we don't want to waste materials for a small cosmetic flaw, we're offering a "Bubbling With Joy" special in time for the July 4th celebration.  Order 3 bottles (any combination) of our 2-ounce mists & receive FREE shipping when you enter the code "JOY" at checkout. OFFER GOOD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! 

We send best wishes for a safe, healthy, fun holiday.

Is it necessary to use an emulsifier or preservative in a natural product?

Many of our customers have asked why we use an emulsifier and preservative in our mists. The short answer is that both of those ingredients insure the integrity of our product and improve shelf life.

Polysorbate 20 as emulsifier:

Emulsifiers are used to mix water with oil-soluble ingredients. Because essential oils are not water-soluble, they float on top of the water if not emulsified. Using an emulsifier also guarantees a uniform mixture so that each spray contains the same amount of essential oils. In non-emulsified water-based products, the essential oils float on top of the water and can dissolve the plastic spray tube over several months.

To find the best emulsifier for our mists, we consulted a formulations chemist working for an organic body care products manufacturer. Polysorbate 20 was recommended because it’s been used extensively in the cosmetics and food industries, and considered nontoxic and nonirritating for use with both animals and humans. Polysorbate 20 is made by combining the oleic acid in olive oil with sorbital.

Potassium sorbate as preservative:

Although many pure essential oils have antimicrobial properties, when water is present, there is a possibility of mold. The same formulations chemist helped us find a naturally-derived preservative that has been time-tested in the food and body care industries, that is also nontoxic and nonirritating when used with animals and humans.

Potassium sorbate, which is derived from the mountain ash berry, extends shelf life as much as 18-24 months (as opposed to 6 months).

Earth Heart wants to provide the highest quality, safest products possible. We welcome your comments and questions at vicki@earthheartinc.com or 847-551-1806.