What's New at TLC Pet Food?

With record-breaking temperatures a regular occurrence during the Summer months, it’s more important than ever to take care and prevent overheating in our pets. We break down need-to-know information and helpful tips to help you keep your pet cool, safe, happy and healthy all summer long!

 

SCHEDULE YOUR WALKS ACCORDINGLY

You should shift your daily walk to early morning or early evening, before or after the sun is at its highest point in the sky.

 

SHORTER SPURTS OF RIGOROUS ACTIVITY

Avoid going for lengthy walks or exercising your pet too vigorously while temperatures are high. Try having shorter spurts of activity outdoors throughout the day and monitor your pet for cues to how they’re managing the heat.

 

WATER, WATER, WATER

Like humans, it’s important to replace fluids your pet may lose to the heat. Unlike humans, a dog cools off from panting more than they do from sweating. Making sure your pet has easy access to cool, clean water throughout the day can help prevent dehydration or heat stress.

 

QUICK TIP: Bring a travel bowl and fresh water with you when going on walks during the summer and remember to pack a serving of their favorite TLC Whole Life Pet Food or treats. Making sure your pet is getting adequate nutrition and keeping hydrated will help to keep them happy and healthy all summer long!

 

SPRAY YOUR PUP’S BELLY & PAWS

If you notice your dog is feeling the heat, start by cooling their paws and belly first. It’s this part of their body where heat escapes the quickest and doing so can help to bring your pup’s temperature right down. Use a spray bottle with cool water, a hose on a gentle setting, wet cloth, or sponge.

 

LET ‘EM DIG

Allowing your pet to dig in the dirt is just another way they instinctually cool themselves down! Digging into the top layer of dirt helps to expose the cooler earth beneath the surface. You may find after digging, your pup will curl up on the cooler dirt and help themselves to a little summer’s nap!

 

 

SHADE & SHELTER

If your pet will be spending any length of time outside, it’s important to make sure that they have access to a shaded area outside of their dog house and preferably on the grass. Even the largest dog houses can reach fatally high temperatures during the summer months.

 

GROOMING

Giving your cat a nice brush and trimming your pup’s hair is an excellent way to lose excess fur and provide a little heat-relief. Take care not to trim all the way to the skin as your pet’s fur actually acts as a sunblock and without it, their sensitive skin is exposed to the sun’s rays.

 

QUICK TIP: Did you know there is sunblock for pets? Protect your furry family member’s ears and nose by applying a pet-approved sunblock prior to letting them outdoors!

 

NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE

With rising temperatures, your vehicle can become as hot as an oven in under ten minutes and in as much time, your pet could be affected by heat stress or even death if left alone in your car. This hazard is avoidable and preventable and TLC encourages you to commit to never leaving your pet alone in your vehicle even for short periods of time!

 

PROTECT THEIR PAWS

Before you take your pet on a walk or let them out in the yard, feel out the sidewalk or asphalt by using your bare hand or foot. If the surface is too hot for you to handle, then it’s definitely too

hot for your pet!

 

 

QUICK TIP: Find a pair of heat-resistant booties for your pet to protect their paws this summer

 

---

 

How to store your pet food safely !

We all take precautions when it comes to properly storing the food we purchase to feed our families and the same precautions should be taken when storing food for your pet.

Use these guidelines to store your pet’s TLC and their premium quality food will maintain its freshness and continue providing the best nutrition possible for lifelong health!

DELIVERED FRESH

Unlike other commercial pet food that may sit on a grocery store shelf before being purchased, TLC Pet Food is made fresh using natural ingredients. It arrives to your door for free soon after it was packaged.

Thanks to how fresh it is and the resealable bag that it arrives in, TLC is safe to feed your pet approximately one year after it was packaged.

 

 

IT’S IN THE BAG!

The bag your pet’s TLC arrives in has been designed to maintain freshness and prevent the natural ingredients it holds from spoiling. This bag helps to keep things like oxygen and humidity out and hold the naturally occurring oils in. After opening a bag of TLC, simply run your fingers across the seal at the top of the bag to close it.

Store your TLC in a cool, dry place and for ensured freshness, you can place the re-sealed bag of TLC in an airtight container.

---

New Look, New Product, Same TLC You Know and Love!

TLC is rolling out some new and exciting developments over the next couple of months and we're pleased to share them with you!

Learn more here

 

 

Change Walking Times:

To avoid the heat, try walking your pets early in the morning or late at night when the humidity isn't as high. It is also important to limit the amount of exercise during the hotter months.

Water:

Always make sure that your pets have access to fresh water, this will help avoid dehydration. Bring water for your pet when taking them for walks or travelling in a car.

Water can also be used to cool your pet down. Try laying down a wet towel for your dog to lie on or set up a kiddie pool in the shade for them to play in.

Stay Off The Pavement:

Pavement and other ground surfaces retain heat, which could burn your pet's paws. A good way to judge whether the ground is too hot is by placing the back of your hand against the pavement and holding it there for 10 seconds. If it's uncomfortable to leave your hand there, then it's too hot for your pets.

Cars:

Do not leave your pets in a parked car. A parked car on a 78-degree day could reach up to 120 degrees in just minutes and on a 90-degree day, the temperature can reach as high as 160 degrees.

With the summer heat comes the bugs. Learn more on how to keep them away

 

 

The health and well-being of our pets is at the heart of everything we do here at TLC Pet Foods, which is why we’re taking part in National Animal Poison Prevention Week and helping to shine a light on the many obvious and seemingly harmless dangers that can be found throughout the average North American home.

All week long we’ll be exploring a different area of the home and identifying the most common hazards that pose a danger to our beloved, four-legged friends. Thousands of household pets are needlessly ill-stricken and, in worse case scenarios, killed due to the accidental exposure or ingestion of medications, foods, pesticides, cleaners, plants and more. By taking action and putting measures into place to prevent your pet’s exposure to these dangers, you are helping to protect them from a potentially fatal accident.

Today we’re taking a look at the bathroom and will explore a new part of our homes every day this week. Take note of the following information and come back each day to learn more about how you can help to protect your pets from accidental poisoning.

The Bathroom

The bathroom may seem like an obvious place for hidden dangers to our pets and rightfully so! Just as you would for a human baby or toddler, measures should be taken to ensure that all cupboards and shelves are void of potentially harmful substances and not easily accessed by your pet. The most harmful and common threats found in our bathrooms include:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications (common medications for humans like Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen are incredibly toxic for dogs and cats)
• Vitamins and supplements
• Cosmetics
• Cleaners (bleach, ammonia, rust-removers)
  

Take a good look around your bathroom, get on all fours to see the world from your pet’s point of view. Store the items listed above in a safe and unattainable place, making sure to place items like medications, cosmetics and cleaners back where they belong.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to or ingested a poisonous substance, remain calm, gather any leftover materials that could help to identify what was consumed and determine the most appropriate course of action to take, including:

• Phone the Pet Poison Helpline (Animal Poison Control) at 1-855-764-7661
• Contact your personal vet
• Or go to your nearest emergency Vet Clinic

Take care of your pet from the inside out by offering an ancestral-based diet that includes a balance of quality meats, animal fats, vitamins and minerals! Order TLC Whole Life Pet Food, made fresh to order and shipped directly to your doorstep FREE.

 

Despite the saying that a dog’s mouth is cleaner than a human’s, dogs are still prone to the same issues that humans are when it comes to their teeth. Cavities, tartar and plaque buildup, and gum disease are all common in dogs. Here is a list of 5 things that you can do to keep your pet’s teeth clean

1. TLC Biscuits are designed to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath. This isachieved from the addition of the fine chewing particles that naturally and gently scrub the surface of the tooth.

2. Dry Food such as TLC Whole Life Pet Food is effective for fighting tartar and plaque build-up by scraping the teeth.

3. Chew Toys help strengthen your pet’s gums and teeth.

4. Brushing your pet’s teeth (2-3 times a week) will help break down plaque and help fight bacteria. Use a toothpaste that is formulated for dogs and cats, as human toothpaste foams too much which can cause an upset stomach. If you do not want to use toothpaste at all, just using water or baking soda will also work. Dog specific toothbrushes can be bought at any pet store, as well as finger caps. If you don’t have a toothbrush a warm cloth also works well for cleaning the teeth. Only the outsides of the teeth need to be cleaned, as the dog’s tongue will naturally clean the inside and top surfaces.

5. Professional Cleaning at the vet will help remove years of tartar and plaque build-up and other bacteria. This cleaning will also ensure that your furry friend does not have any other gum or teeth issues.

.

Keep Your Home Free of Pet Hair

Pet’s Diet

Feeding your pet high quality food can help reduce fur loss. TLC Whole Life Natural Pet Food is a super-premium pet food that contains quality animal fats, herbs & oils to give your pet a healthier, shinier coat.

Grooming

Brushing your pet regularly helps keep your home free of shedding hair, dander and even dirt. Brushing your pet’s fur will also help remove knots and distribute the oils that are critical to having a healthy coat.

Squeegee

Run a squeegee through the carpet in your home to get stubborn pet hair out.

Lint Roller

Use a lint roller on clothes and furniture to help get rid of unwanted pet hair.

DIY Pupsicles

What you will need:

• Ice Cube Tray
• 16 Whole Life Dog Biscuits
• 2 Cups of Chicken Broth

Found in TLC Whole Life Pet Food, Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation throughout the body, eliminating allergy symptoms.

Click for Printable Instruction to make "Pupsicles"

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Found in TLC Whole Life Pet Food, Omega-3 fatty acids help decrease inflammation throughout the body, eliminating allergy symptoms.

Bathing and Grooming

Regular grooming and bathing helps get rid of allergens that have attached themselves to the body and fur.

Quercetin

When your pet has an allergic reaction their body releases histamine which causes inflammation, redness and irritation. Quercetin, 'Nature's Benadryl', turns off the histamine production which prevents your pet from having an allergic reaction.

Proper Pet Nutrition

Feeding your pet an all natural pet food that contains no added fillers such as TLC Whole life Pet Food will help protect your pet against allergies. It is also Important to avoid feeding your pet tables scraps.

Click to find out some of the most common hazardous foods

Pesticides and Herbicides

Limit pesticides and herbicides. An alternative to help get rid of unwanted insects is to spray them with water. If this method doesn't work try adding a teaspoon of dish soap to a gallon of water before spraying.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer can be dangerous to pets and could result in life-threatening gastrointestinal obstruction if a large amount is ingested . Always follow instructions carefully and wait the appropriate amount of time before letting your dog run freely outside.

Fences

Fence is a great way to help keep your pets as well as any other unwanted animals out of you garden.

Click to find out what the most common poisonous plants for pets are

Check Their Paws

Check your pet's paws frequently for signs of damage from the cold weather ie. cracked paws or bleeding. Limit your walks to help protect your pets from getting frostbite or hypothermia.

Proper Cleaning

During walks, your furry friend may pick up antifreeze, salt or other harmful chemicals on their feet, legs and belly. Wipe down your pets after each walk to remove any unwanted chemicals from their fur and skin that could be harmful.

Check Your Vehicle

In the winter, cats often hide under vehicles to protect themselves from the cold. Before driving away make sure you check under your vehicle for animals.

Identification Tags and Chip

It is important to make sure your pets have current identification tags or have been microchipped so they will be found if they get lost. When the weather is colder many pets get lost because the snow and ice hide recognizable scents that would normally help them find their way back home.

We ran a pet photo contest for Halloween that was lots of fun, and was a tight race for first place until the very end! Our winner, Zoe (pictured here) claimed the $500 prize for her owner, Valérie. The caption in her entry was: "Zoe, the real housewife of Labrador". Congratulations, Zoe and Valérie!

This month, TLC is celebrating it's 20th anniversary serving your pets! Over these 20 years, TLC has raised tens of thousands of dogs all over the world with great success. Thank you to our loyal customers who have supported us over the years, and we look forward to serving you in the future!

New Zealand green lipped mussels is the natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin that is found in our TLC Whole Life Dog Food. Glucosamine and chondroitin contribute to stronger joints and skeletal health, especially in larger breeds where their big frames can put stress on all areas of the body.

Recently, TLC held a Easter Photo contest on our Facebook page. Entrants were asked to post a picture of their pet showing off their Easter Spirit, with voters deciding who should win the $500 prize. 

Steven A. received the most votes for his photo (seen below) which was captioned "This is our Easter bunny. Our cat's real name is bunny".

Congratulations, Steven!

TLC's Whole Life Formula contains salmon oil. 

Salmon oil is Omega-3 rich oil from fish, providing cholesterol regulation and anti-inflammatory properties. The salmon oil and meal used in TLC Whole Life Natural Pet Food is naturally preserved with Vitamin E, and is 100% Ethoxyquin free.

Salmon oil also contributes to a full, shiny coat of fur which you will receive many compliments on! Just another reason why TLC Whole Life is the best choice for your pet!

One of our Twitter followers Brian, tweeted this photo with the caption: “One person's mistake is another ones gain #tlcpetfood #oops”. Very true Brian, the pup seems pleased! 

Follow Us on Twitter, and share your pet photos

The contest asked Facebook fans to post a photo of their dog doing a trick or showing their love for our treats, in which A. de Haan was the winner. She sent us this picture along with the caption "Jasper walking on water".

Congratulations, A. de Haan!

Like us on Facebook, and keep an eye out for more contests like this one. 

The winner, Amber S, won a free bag of TLC Whole Life Dog Food for her entry "I let him sleep on the dishwasher!", which included a very cute picture of her puppy doing what makes him feel most loved! 

Congratulations, Amber! 

Like us on Facebook, and keep an eye out for more contests like this one. 

We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the contest through both submissions and votes. Keep an eye out for the various promotions we will be posting on our Facebook page throughout the New Year!

Merry Christmas, and a happy New year!