Issue #9
Did you know… George Washington LOVED dogs and had a knack for naming them? George would ride out with his dogs to hunt foxes sometimes two or three times a week. Sweet Lips, Tipsy, Taster, and Drunkard were the names of just a few of his pups. I reckon he may have been tipsy when he was naming them 🙂
Just 5 days left for this month’s box. We’ve got pork loin, turkey liver, salmon skin and chunks, chicken neck, lamb ears, beef tendon.
Financial assistance for pet owners on the rise. Vetary, Inc., the leading online pet care marketplace, and financing solution, announced that it will expand its coverage in partnership with FinWise Bank in Q2’17. Through this partnership, pet owners will be able to apply for timely financial assistance from their mobile devices, and veterinarians will be able to offer financial solutions directly at the point of sale. Vetary also intends to offer tools that will help consumers to research treatment and veterinarian options and provide a straightforward alternative to finance veterinary services.
Another pharmaceutical company joins the pet food industry. Petlife Pharmaceuticals, Inc has announced it will be acquiring Dr. Geoff’s Real Food for Pets, pushing forward the new trend of “nutraceuticals,” which are foods purported to provide extra health benefits. The term is not defined under U.S. law, but is widely used for marketing purposes. This may be a surprise, but this isn’t the first company to cross food and pharma. What do you think about a pharmaceutical company owning your dog food manufacturer?
California proposes tax credit to offset vet expenses. Assemblymember Devon Mathis of Visalia, CA, is proposing to create a tax credit amounting to half of what a taxpayer incurs in certain veterinary costs for their dog or cat each year, not exceeding $2,000. Those costs can include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, annual check-ups, surgeries and drug prescriptions. Last year, Americans likely spent nearly $16 billion on vet care alone. Don’t underestimate what your local representatives can do for you!
Dogs for rent. “Buying” a pup from your local pet shop can actually turn into an insanely expensive lease. Lending companies, such as Wags Lending, are now in the business of providing financing for “high-end” pet purchases. Unlike credit cards and installment loans, which are subject to usury laws in many states, closed-end leases face no caps on how much a financing company can charge. Ouch!
Dogs Use Deception to Get Treats, Study Shows. But are you surprised, really? The study, published in the journal Animal Cognition, was led by Marianne Heberlein of the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Experimental Studies at the University of Zürich. Dogs were observed engaging in deceptive behavior to maximize their chances of getting treats.
A robotic pet sitter could be watching your dog. Pebby has introduced its smart robotic pet sitter system, which allows owners to monitor, interact with and entertain their pets anytime, anywhere in the world. The robot is combination of a smart collar and Wi-Fi controlled “ball” that follows pets around, tracks their activities and sends key insights about their behavior and health to the Pebby companion app. It houses a 720p wide-angle/fisheye video camera, built-in LED lights for "Night Vision" mode, built-in speakers and a laser toy that is safe for humans and pets.
Modern Medicine Behind Rise in Pet Health Care Costs. While opportunities for high-tech treatments give pets the chance to live longer and healthier lives, there are corresponding costs associated with the latest and the greatest in veterinary care. Last year, the most expensive claim was for a 3 y.o. female French Bulldog diagnosed with intervertebral disc disease—which can cause pain, nerve damage, and even paralysis—as well as pneumonia. This sweet girl ended up needing a CT scan, MRI, and spinal surgery amounting to a $44,296 bill. Stomach issues and skin conditions are 2 of the top health issues seen in dogs.
Blue Cross Tap Dogs raising funds. The Blue Cross, a rehoming organization in the UK, has equipped its Tap Dogs with Paypal’s contactless card reader (in their vests or coats) to accept donations by card or smart device phone or watch. Tap Dogs are behaviour assessed Blue Cross event dogs that regularly visit events to raise awareness of many different aspects of pet welfare.
[Pro-tip] You may have a natural anti-inflammatory and detoxifier sitting in your pantry. Turmeric. Yes, seriously. When our pup is suffering from itchy skin, we make homemade Golden Paste help decrease inflammation and reset his gut. My father is Indian, so I’ve been eating turmeric-based curry my entire life, but only recently found out about the amazing benefits. Here’s an easy recipe.