Eat, Play, Run

In addition to having a nutritious diet and a regular exercise routine, toys play a significant role in keeping out pets healthy.  Being highly curious by nature, dogs tend to get bored easily; and in order to keep their boredom at bay, and avoid them from causing damage to our household property, we need to keep them engaged through toys and games.

Toys and games benefit dogs by:

• Staving off Boredom
• Boosting physical and mental health
• Promoting healthy gums and teeth
• Reducing separation anxiety
• Counteracting destructive behaviour
• Encouraging them to bond with their owners and with other dogs

There are different kinds of dog toys available in the market, ranging from Fetch toys, Chew toys, Tug toys, Plush toys, Treat toys to interactive Dog Puzzle Games. Your pooch might have his/her own preferences and it’s important to consider that while buying a new toy. Aside from that, here are few things that you must consider while choosing a toy for your dog:

Safety: Make sure the toy is safe and made of non-toxic materials. Also ensure that it does not contain any sharp edges that might hurt your dog while playing, or loose parts that your dog may pull out and swallow.

Purpose: Be clear about the main purpose of the toy. Is it to keep your pooch mentally stimulated or keep his gums and teeth in good health? Is it to comfort your pooch or distract him/her from aggressive behaviour? Here are the different benefits of different types of dog toys:

• Promote good dental health: Chew toys, Tug Toys, Rubber Toys
• Physical Fitness: Fetch toys like balls and frisbees
• Reduce anxiety and keep them entertained: Plush Toys, Squeaky Toys
• Mental Stimulation: Treat dispensing toys, Puzzle games

Size: Make sure the size of the toy is right for your dog. The toy should be small enough to allow your dog to hold it in the mouth, and big enough to prevent your dog from swallowing it.

Personality:  Always keep your dog’s personality under consideration while choosing toys. A timid dog that suffers from separation anxiety may feel better cuddling up with a plush toy, and an aggressive dog would enjoy playing with a toy made of harder material(like rubber) that can chew with all his strength, without ripping it apart.

Image Courtesy: Dapper Dogs and Cats

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How Pet-friendly is your home?

Can you leave your pets alone in the house without worrying about their safety? How pet-friendly is your home? Like babies, pets are highly curious, forever exploring new places; sniffing, licking and sometimes swallowing potentially dangerous things that they stumble upon during their avid explorations. Here are some of the things that you can do to pet-proof your home and make it safer for your four-legged kids.

Are there any Poisonous Plants in your garden?

You might love beautifying your garden with lilies, daffodils, hyacinths, carnations and other attractive plants, but by doing so, you are unknowingly putting your pet’s health and life at risk. All the aforementioned household plants are poisonous when chewed and eaten by pets. Take a look at this “List of Plants Toxic to Pets” if you want to find out whether you have any of these in your garden.

In addition to eliminating toxic plants from your garden, it’s important to plan your garden in a way that it doesn’t allow pets to mess around too much. Place pots high up and away from the pet’s view. This would prevent them from being knocked over and your pet getting hurt in the process.

Pet-proofing the yard

A sturdy gate and a strong fence can not only keep intruders out, but also keep your dog safe inside. Make sure the gate and fencing round the yard is tall enough, so your pets cannot jump over them, and deep enough so they cannot dig under the fencing and escape out of a hole.

Stash Medications, Toiletries and Food Items in the cabinets

Never leave medications, cosmetics, liquid cleaners, and other chemicals outside. Always keep these items locked away in closed cabinets, well out of your pet’s reach. Food items like chocolates, ice-creams, and alcoholic beverages might be as tempting to dogs as they are to us. But, unlike humans, these items are dangerous to dogs. For the complete list of foods that are toxic to dogs, take a look at this post by WebMD.

Avoid leaving knives and other sharp objects outside

Keep sharp objects like knives, utensils and glass jars away from your pet’s purview, and safely tucked inside kitchen closets, that your pet can’ reach and pull out.

Don’t keep any tempting chewables around

Dogs, especially when they are bored, would go about chewing almost anything that they can lay their paws on. It could be the furniture, the electric wires, your shoes or those clothes lying on the bed. Keep these tempting chewables away from your pet’s sight. Make sure your pooch has enough toys to play with, so he is not tempted to play with the odd things lying around the house. If not, you could get him some new toys from Woofilicious.

Keep Dog Safety Kit handy

With their insatiable curiosity and incurable naughtiness, pets can inevitably get into trouble. To arm yourself for such unexpected accidents, always keep a dog first-aid kit handy. Here are some of the items that you can have in the dog safety kit:

• Scissors
• Bandages and Dressings for Dogs( available in pet stores)
• Antiseptic wipes or lotion
• Cotton balls
• Penlight or flashlight
• Plastic eyedropper or syringe
•  Rectal thermometer and lubricant
•  Muzzle or strips of cloth to prevent biting
•  Non-latex disposable gloves
•  A notepad with phone numbers of nearby vets and pet clinics

What other steps have you taken to make your home more pet-friendly? Do share your thoughts in the comments.

Image Courtesy: Hqwalls.org

Like Dressing up your Dog? Here are few things to keep in mind

Dressing up dogs can be a fun experience for dog owners. We dress up our dogs to shower them with some extra love and attention, and to make them part of our life’s special events and celebrations. As responsible pet parents, it’s important that we keep certain things in mind while dressing up our four-legged kids, in order to ensure their safety, and avoid any untoward experiences.

So, before you shop for some clothes, shoes and accessories for your dog, take note of these important things:

Comfort before Style

It’s good to be stylish, but not at the expense of being comfortable. Make sure your dog’s clothes and shoes are well-fitted and not too tight or loose. Keep your dog’s size and height under consideration while purchasing new stuff. See not just how your dog looks in his new clothes, but also how he feels in it. If your pooch is acting irritated or finding it difficult to move around freely in a new dress, then it’s perhaps not quite comfortable for him.

Never ignore Safety

You might like those long dresses and big cowboy hats worn by dogs while walking the ramp in fashion shows, but before you consider the idea of getting your pooch a similar dress or hat on his next birthday, make sure that it’s a good fit for him and does not hinder  his ability to see, hear, walk or breathe, in any way.

Dress up for the Season

Agreed, your dog looks super-cute in his new coat, but you can’t expect him to be comfortable in that thick jacket, when it’s sunny and sweaty outside. It’s important to dress up your dog according to the season, and opt for tees and dresses, instead of jackets and sweaters, when the weather is on the warmer side.

Looking for some cool summer clothes  for your pooch ? Take a look at Woofilicious’s collection of tees and dresses.

Let the clothes do the barking

“What you wear says a lot about you”- the statement is true for our dogs as much as it is for us. Is your dog a sporty, outgoing kind or  a naughty, life of the party type? Choose clothes that reflect your pooch’s personality and let him just be himself 🙂

Don’t Overdo

Do not overdo on the dressing. Keep it simple. A pretty collar or a cute tee can go a long way in making your pooch look smart and stylish.

Respect your dog’s preferences

Lastly, don’t force anything on your dog. If he does not like wearing clothes and expresses discomfort by chewing on them and wiggling out of them, then try opting for collars, shoes or other accessories to dress him up. You can check out our collection of collars and accessories, if you looking to buy some for your dog.

Image Courtesy: Dognowner.com

Pawsh and Pawpular: Step up your doggie’s style quotient with these Pet Fashion Blogs

Looking for some inspiration to dress up your doggie? Need some cool DIY ideas for pet apparels and accessories? Want to know ‘What’s Hot’ and ‘What’s Not’ in the world of pet fashion? Here are some must-follow ‘Pet Fashion Blogs’ to spruce up your doggie’s style IQ.

Butters the Fashion Dog

A fashion blog by a teacup Pomeranian named Butters from Notting Hill, this blog is all about Butters’ fashion escapades with her mom, her photo shoots during fashion events, and her interviews with other fashionable canines. Butter is a well-known face in the international canine style scene. In her own words ‘She is a doggy diva: the ultimate Doginista’.

Logan’s Look

A toy poodle and a fashion blogger based in Toronto, check out Logan’s blog for some cute and quirky dog dressing ideas.

Come Wag Along

A pet lifestyle blog by Kia and her schnauzer dog Simba, Come Wag Along features informative posts about pet fashion trends and DIY style ideas every Friday. The blog also posts pictures of fashionable canines, shared by its readers in the Furiend Feature section.

The Daily Treat

Treat yourself to the pictures of decked up doggies, and read some interesting posts about quirky pet fashion trends on ‘The Daily Treat’ blog by Discovery.com.

AnimalFair

For expert tips on pet fashion and grooming, check out pet lifestyle expert Wendy Diamond’s Animal Fair.com. The website features pet grooming tips, posts about pet-loving celebs and loads of other interesting posts about pets as a whole.

DogTipper

Learn how to make canine crowns, doggie dresses, pet beds and loads of other pet lifestyle products. Husband-wife duo John Bigley and Paris Permenter, with the help of their rescue dogs Tiki & Irie, share countless other DIY tips for dog lovers on DogTipper.com

Yeepet

A social networking platform for pet parents to meet other pet lovers, and find information on petcare, Yeepet.com features some informative posts on pet fashion, grooming, and lifestyle under its Style & Fashion section.

These are some of the interesting online sources that you can refer, apart from the Woofilicious blog, for your daily dose of pet fashion news and views. So, which of these do you like the most? Do share your thoughts in the comments.

 Images courtesy: Sodahead.com, Butters the Fashion Dog, Logan’s Look, Come Wag Along, The Daily Treat, Goodmorning America, DogTipper,

10 Quotes to Celebrate our Love for Dogs

“They are the center of our universe, our reason to live. Without them our life would be empty, devoid of happiness, laughter and love. Blessed are those who are sharing their lives with dogs.”

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to express your love for the canine community, and acknowledge the special bond you share with your pets. Here are 10 quotes to inspire and enliven the Dog-lover in you.

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole – Roger Caras

I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive – Gilda Radne

No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich -Louis Sabin

Puppies are nature’s remedy for feeling unloved, plus numerous other ailments of life -Richard Allan Palm 

Dogs are our link to paradise. They don’t know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring–it was peace – Milan Kundera

No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does – Christopher Morley

To err is human, to forgive canine – Unknown

We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It’s the best deal man has ever made – M. Facklam

Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer. – Dean Koontz

In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn’t merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog – Edward Hoagland

So which of these is your favorite quote? Do let us know in the comments. 🙂

Images Courtesy: Dogloveletter.com, 100funfacts.com, Pixabay.com, Photobucket.com, Azureholland.com, Meldowningdoglistener.co.uk, Wallpapers-place.com, Sodahead.com, Flushdoggy.com, 123rf.com

 

Let’s have a Pawesome time together

As dog-owners, one of our resolutions this year should be to spend some quality time with our pets. Whether indoors or outdoors, there are countless activities that we can do to bond with our dogs! Take a look at some of the things that you can do to spend some memorable time with your pooch.

A walk to remember

Walking is a simple yet delightful activity that you can do with your dog. A peaceful stroll down the road or along the beach can be mentally and physically invigorating for you and your dog. Walking is free and one such activity that we can effortlessly squeeze into our busy schedules!

Dine with your Dog

Dining with your dog is no longer a distant dream. There are several pet-friendly restaurants in Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and other cities across the country. Do a quick search online to locate a dog-friendly restaurant in your city, and plan for a nice dinner with your four-legged buddy.

Here are few dogs friendly restaurants that you can consider visiting:

Under the Mango Tree (Bangalore)

Huckleberry (Bangalore)

Gostana (Mumbai)

New Delhi Cafe (Delhi)

Crimson Chakra ( Chennai)

Fun time in the park

For having a nice time outdoor, take your dog to to the neighborhood dog park. You can play fetch, teach your dog some new tricks, and let him have a rollicking time socializing with the other dogs in the park.

Go pet- shopping

We love shopping and our pets love them too!  Go on a shopping spree to a luxury pet store in your city. Don’t have a pet store nearby? You can get your doggie new apparels, accessories and toys from Woofilicious.com 🙂

A long ride in the car

Going on a long drive can be an enjoyable experience for your dog, provided you take good safety measures during the travel. Most of the dogs love to ride in the car, but there are chances that  your dog might experience car-sickness or anxiety. So, it’s better to start off with short trips initially and familiarize your pooch with the riding experience.

Groom your dog

You might prefer taking your pooch to a pet salon or spa where he can be groomed by a professional groomer, but bathing and brushing your dog at home is not such a bad idea. If done in a right manner, grooming can be a great experience and a good way to bond with your dog!

A vacation with your pooch

Your dog does not deserve to be left behind in a kennel every time you go out on a holiday. It’s time to take your pooch along on a vacation, and let him have a nice time exploring new places. Just make sure you check into a dog-friendly resort or hotel. For ideas on planning a holiday with your pooch, and to locate pet-friendly hotels and resorts, you can check out Petvacations.in.

So, what’s your idea of spending a pawesome time with your pooch? Do share your thoughts in the comments  🙂

Image Courtesy: http://www.vcfishhawk.com/home-slider/woman-with-dog/

My Dog’s Name

Update: Thank you all for sharing the beautiful stories behind your dog’s name! “Jhappi” you get to take away a special gift!!

My dog’s name is Monk. Pretty unusual people say and they ask…..is it like the Buddhist Monks? is it because he is very docile by nature? some have even asked (pretty sure jokingly!) if it’s because he’s taken a vow of celibacy. I just laugh off and say….nope nothing deep like that!

So here’s people to tell you, why Monk is called Monk!

He’s named after “Adrian Monk”…..yup the famous detective who I absolutely adore for his highly obsessive compulsive ways!

Those who know Mr. Monk know what I am talking about and for others….well its a detective show (you may catch its re-runs on Star World) where the star of the show Mr. Adrian Monk is an exceptionally gifted detective with a quirk….he suffers from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). I was such an ardent follower of the show (and to confess a bit obsessive compulsive myself) and loved the character of Adrian Monk so much that when the show ended….I decided well if I ever get a dog he’s going to be named MONK!

SO yes, years before this cute little love entered our lives….his name was decided. He was Monk from day one!….and it just suits him perfectly! I cannot imagine him having any other name….Milo, Fido, Jimmy, Jackie…..nope he’s a Monk alright.

Yes, a little unusual and unique, but so is he 🙂

What did you name your dog?  Share your dog’s name and the story behind it below (as comments). One of the stories will be selected to be featured on our blog and will also get a special gift from Woofilicious!

I love you my dear dog, but let’s make this clear….

Funny Pet Rules!!

• The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

• The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.

• I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

• For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years –canine attendance is not mandatory.

• The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog’s butt. I cannot stress this enough!

(Photo source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mckaig/3651630784/in/pool-pugs)

“The Artist” Uggie

Can a dog really act? Can he interpret scenes and show emotions on command? Not sure if a dog can really do that, but Uggie definitely steals the show!

Meet Uggie, the star of this year’s award winning movie “The Artist” and winner of the Palm Dog Award 2011 at the Cannes Film Festival. At Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards, all eyes were on this 9 year old Jack Russel Terrier as he trotted down the red carpet, posed for the shutterbugs, and stopped for interviews.

As his movie “The Artist” won 3 Golden Globes on Sunday, Uggie easily overshadowed all his co-stars and even the acceptance speech by producer Thomas Langmann as the whole crowd oohed and awww’d at his antics on stage. Looking very dapper in a black bow tie, Uggie even posed with the award. It definitely felt like he understood what all the hoopla was about and seemed to revel in his new found fame!

Having previously done quite a few movies and commercials, Uggie was already known for his roles in Mr. Fix It and Water for Elephants. But it was his remarkable performance and sheer aww factor in the silent movie “The Artist” that catapulted Uggie to the fame rarely known to the canine world.

Uggie even has a facebook  page called Consider Uggie started by an editor at Movieline as an unofficial awards campaign  for Uggie’s brilliant performance in “The Artist”. An honorary Oscar maybe?

(Top pictures: Uggie at the Golden Globes Awards, Last pic: A scene from the silent movie “The Artist”)

Beer…..one for your dog sir?

Dog owners in South Gosforth, Newcastle need not look farther than their feet for a drinking buddy. A pub in New Castle is now selling specially brewed beer for their canine customers!

picture courtesy dailymail.co.uk

Would you get one for your furry buddy?? Check out the story here.