It’s now the 27th year of National Pet Month – which is a celebration of the mutual benefits shared between people and their pets or as we like to say in our house… our pets and humans. This month is an observance and time to recognize the many things that really matter in life – including our pet friends, no matter their type or species. Our family literally has a variety of pets and friends and we vow to treat our animal buds as individuals and a part of our family – caring for them as we would care for others. With a dog (who happens to be a bit on the high maintenance side – hehehe), a Jackson Chameleon, two chickens, fish, and a plethora of rescued animals – we consider ourselves a family that not only loves our animals, but strives to keep them healthy (or get them healthy if they are rescued) and give them homes.
As a part of National Pet Month, I thought it would be a great idea to share with all of you a few treats that we have been loving to feed our Ikaika (our King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) lately. He loves treats but he has been loving these. Today I share with you a little bit about these products as well as a few tips on helping to be an advocate for National Pet Month and pets all around the World.
The VetIQ Minties Dental Treats are surely one I think any furry dog friend would love. These treats provide vet recommended dental care for your dog while giving your friend a delicious bone to chew on. The bone has a triple action formula to help clean teeth, promote fresh breath and help to reduce plaque and tartar. This product not only helps your dog have great teeth, but also helps with that doggy breath that us humans are not too fond of. Most importantly, it’s easy to give your pet – Ikaika took to this treat immediately and loved it. You can pick up Minties at a variety of stores like Kmart, Walmart, Target.com, Sam’s Club, Bartell Drugs and other locations which you can find here. I have found our packages from Walmart at reasonable costs which are great on our pocket book, but at the same time, really help with our dog’s health and well-being.
These awesome treats are made in the USA and are free of many ingredients that could be of concern for you and your dog: wheat, gluten, soy, corn, artificial flavors and animal by-products. Minties have a unique hardness and shape as well as texture to help clean your dog’s teeth and keeping them healthy well he chews – reducing plaque and tartar. The leave a peppermint fresh breath (which we love) and it’s easy for Ikaika to chew on, which he loves.
This product contains five natural ingredients that work in your dog’s mouth and stomach to promote fresh breath and reduce unpleasant odors:
- Peppermint – for minty fresh breath
- Parsley – which contains enzymes to help break down odor-causing particles in the stomach
- Dill & fennel as natural breath fresheners
- Chlorophyll from alfalfa to help deodorize your dog’s breath.
Ingredients: Rice Flour, Vegetable Glycerin, Water, Natural Chicken Flavor, Calcium Carbonate, Lecithin, Garlic, Tricalcium Phosphate, Brewers Dried Yeast, Chlorophyll (Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin), Parsley, Fennel, Dill, Peppermint, Cholecalciferol (Source of Vitamin D3), Mixed Tocopherols (Natural Source of Vitamin E)
The VetIQ SkinCoat Soft Chews have become another favorite for our Ikaika. They are Maximum Strength Skin Coat chews that helps to soften your pet’s coat from the inside out and leave it looking smooth and shiny. Like beauty supplements for people, these SkinCoat chews help your dog get soft skin, a shiny coat and a healthy heart.
What we love about this product is that it helps to reduce shedding. Before we got Ikaika, we had a Pitbull named Koa. We were used to a short haired dog that didn’t really shed much and took on a dog that literally could weave his own blanket with his hair. Taking these chews over the last month have been a big difference in how Ikaika’s hair shed. His hair is really soft and there is a lot less shedding than before. It’s an easy to swallow and chew treat for our dog and he loves it. Literally in just a short few months we noticed a huge difference.
These chews are soft and has Omega 3 to help support cognitive health in aging pets and healthy joint function. It has a great flavor that my dog loves (I don’t know personally – but when Ikaika hears the bag ruffling, he comes running) and I love that it comes in a resealable bag to keep the product fresh. Not to mention these are so affordable and my family has already repurchased at least once.
These products are made in the US which is a big deal and come with a variety of ingredients that you can have verified with your vet. Both treats are loved by our pet, so much so that we have continued to purchase them and he still enjoys them. You can purchase these chews at the same locations as the Minties.
Ingredients: Brewers Dried Yeast, Tapioca Starch, Dried Sweet Whey, Glycerin, Spray Dried Chicken Liver, Fish Oil (preserved with Mixed Tocopherols), Sucrose, Molasses, Dried Ground Molasses, Pork Gelatin, Safflower Oil, Hydrolyzed Corn Protein, Lecithin, Botin Supplement, Caramel Color, Dried Milk Protein, Hickory Smoke Flavor, Vitamin E Supplement, Zinc Proteinate, Mixed Tocopherals, Citric Acid (preservative), Vitamin A Supplement, Rosemary Extract.
If you are looking to start your pet on any type of treat regimen or supplements, make sure you check with your vet to see that your pet can take these particular products. Overall – our Ikaika loves both of them and has been enjoying them as his treats. He eats one Minties a day and has 1-2 chews a day, usually split between morning and evening. We really have been enjoying these and as I mentioned previously, we have already repurchased these once.
Now as I stated earlier, I would also provide you with a few tips on different ways people can make a difference during National Pet Month and always. The animals we choose as pets, no matter what the types they are – need special love and attention too. Here are a few things you can do to make a difference:
- When looking to add a pet to the family, consider adopting a pet from the animal rescue shelter. Giving a pet a home and offering care and love to an animal in need fosters warmth towards ourselves and others. Not to mention, you’re doing some good and it feels good to do so.
- While shopping or considering adoption of a pet, be sure to choose a pet that is appropriate for your family and home. This is a decision that will affect all the lives involved and has special requirements. Gather as much information about the dog or cat or reptile, etc. that you are looking to add to your home and see if it is the right choice for you and the new friend you will be obtaining.
- Make sure your pet enjoys a nutritious and well-balanced diet. If you already have a pet, you should know what works and what is required for your pets diet. If not, be sure to check with your vet. Not all pet foods are the same quality and be attentive when your pet is around strangers or friends, etc. For example – Ikaika does not eat human food at all… and he does not eat scraps off the floor. We are very careful to make sure that spills are cleaned up immediately and that anyone visiting does not feed him.
- Ask your vet about your dog’s or pets health issues and what your pet may be prone to. different breeds are prone to specific ailments and health issues. For example – Ikaika can develop a heart murmur early on in his life or later in the years while our Koa (the pitbull) didn’t have many issues. Male cats (another example) may experience urinary issues depending on their food or change in diet. Different animals have different issues so you must be your pet’s advocate since they are unable to fend and speak for themselves.
- Stop the cycle of pets without homes. Prevent unwanted litters. Each year, sadly there are about 2.7 million animals euthanized after entering animal shelters. 1.2 million dogs and 1.4 million cats are in that mix. You can prevent an enormous amount of suffering by spaying or neutering your pet.
No matter the type of animal you have, caring for them is just as important as caring for oneself. They are our pets and friends after all and a part of our family. With a little love and care, we can make a pet’s entire world.
Thank you for reading! Please be sure to give your animal some extra TLC this month for National Pet Month and always.
Disclaimer: The products mentioned in this post were sent to Honeygirlsworld.com for review consideration. While it’s obvious that anything you read here is 100% honest and unbiased, I can also speak for Ikaika, when I say he was not paid to provide his thoughts through me… lol.
12 Comments
Might need to look into these for my pup 🙂
Ah, no pets here but they sound like great products for those who do
My dog is too big for this size but I’d like to see if the dental chews came bigger. It’s so important to take care of their teeth. My SIL sometimes breeds King Charles Cavalier Spaniels. She’s waiting for her female to get old enough to breed. My baby is a pure bred rescue and my last dog was a dalmatian/lab rescue.
they are all for size requirements, so I think you’ll find something you will like for your dogs size. 🙂 Awww… that’s really cool – I didn’t know that. 😉
All of my pets except Phaedra have been rescues. Love rescue pets!
My pets are always rescues. Marley Cat adopted us. He just showed up and hung around until we invited him in and we have been his servants, ever since. 😀
My furry baby is english cocker spaniel, a cousin of your king charles, yay! I can’t imagine a life w/o her
I haven’t had a pet since Bert died, but these sound like healthy choices for happy pups!
My dog for sure needs that peppermint lol We’ve been looking into getting another rescue!
These sound like really great options! don’t have a dog, but know a little one who would love these.
These sound great! I don’t have a dog, but I spoil my parents 2 pooches!
Awww your doggie is a cutie! And he looks very loved!