Trends-n-Treats

Well, Diana was hotter than a frying pan in the Sahara Desert over their lack of response. My step-grandson Zack found an umbrella and positioned it so the little dog got the shade she needed. When Diana followed up with the park authorities, the Park Rangers said that the animal's owners weren't breaking any laws but they would speak to the owners after we asked one of the rangers, "How would you like to be trapped in a fur coat all day in the hot summer sun?"

I really think that most people really love their animals, but unfortunately they sometimes fail to think about things that should be basic common sense. Fortunately, we have a few animal lovers who really understand the importance of seeing the world through a lower set of eyes, the eyes of the animals. One of them is Millie Finch, the owner of Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply-Spa-boutique, which is located in the Quail Pointe Shopping Center (Madison Ave. & Sunrise Bl.) in Fair Oaks. She has extensive knowledge in every aspect of animal health care and she always goes the extra mile for all her clients, regardless of how many legs they walk on! I got a chance to talk to Millie the other day to learn more about what she and her caring and knowledgeable staff are doing to raise the 'woof' and provide extraordinary customer service.

Q- Hi Millie. Did we do the right thing by creating shade for that poor hot dog?

A- Absolutely. Did you know that animals can suffer from overheating, sunburn and dehydration just like people can? Too much exposure can lead to heatstroke, brain damage and heart failure. Dogs are more at risk then even we are, especially puppies and senior dogs. A dog's normal body temperature runs between 100-102 degrees. They have sweat glands on their noses and their paw pads. To cool down, a Dog will pant and drink water. Whether your pets are inside or outside, they need access to cool water and proper shelter. When going on walks and visiting the local dog park during warmer temperatures, remember to provide these same essentials.

Q- Can you give us some helpful tips to keep our animals safe, cool and protected during the long and hot days of summer?

A- I'd love to. Here are the top 12 tips to keep you pets safe and cool:

1. Make sure your animals have access to cool water and keep their water out of the direct sunlight. Spill Proof water bowls for home  & travel work best, like Buddy Bowls, made in the USA. They're spill proof and hold a generous supply of water. Portable water bottles like the Rover have a built in bowl to allow left over water to flow right back into the bottle!

2. Offer moist, fresh and natural diets like Stella & Chewy's Frozen Raw, a complete diet with 95% meat, fruits and vegetables.

3. Give raw bones and fresh treats like "Sweet Spots" frozen yogurt from Natures Varity.

4. Animals need shelter away from direct sunlight for periods of time. Provide a shady area or home for them. You can use a kennel Cover like the one made by Midwest.

5. Animals tucker out more easily in warmer temperatures too. Provide a cool place for them to rest and relax. A great solution is the "Cool Bed III". Similar to a waterbed, when properly used the cool bed can lower a dog's body temp by 20 degrees!

6. Cats & Dogs can get sunburned! Skin Protection is important, especially since many dogs and cats will get shorter hair cuts when it's outside. If skin is exposed and no fur is covering the animal, you may need to clothe your pet with a shirt or use a sunscreen. Doggles makes a handy spray sunscreen.

7. Paws can burn on asphalt and concrete. It's best to walk your dog & cats during the early morning or evening hours. During peak sun, keep them on the edge of the grass to help protect paws. Ruffwear offers various types of paw wear like their All Terrain Booties. Paw wear helps dogs avoid burns, cuts, scraps, insect bites and stickers. Ruff wear has grip Tex to help keep a dog from slipping when hiking.

8. UV Rays can be harmful to dog's eyes, especially dogs with light colored eyes. Doggles has a variety of attractive and functional eye wear like their k-9 optics, sporty Doggles LLS and even mesh eye wear!

9. For outings or just hanging out around the house, you can provide your animals with cooling back packs or bandanas like the Cool it Bandana by KY.

10. During water sports, dogs need protection too, just like we do. Again, use sunscreens and life vests like K-Float Coat from Ruff Wear or Vest by Doggles and more.

11. Never leave your dog unattended by the pool, lake or in a boat etc. Make sure to teach your dog where the steps and ladder are and how to swim to them.

12. Your animals depend on you to protect them. Treat them the way you would want to be treated if you were in their paws J.

Q- Can you tell us a little bit about your store and why it’s a one stop shop for people who really love their pets?

A- Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply-Spa-Boutique carries a wide variety of Pet Products & offers a variety of quality services, including dog & cat grooming, introduction to therapy dog visits and preparing & training for therapy dog visits by Our Furry Friends & Canine College. We also offer a monthly non anesthetic dental and shot clinic, with veterinarian services provided by Dr. Angie Stamm, D.V.M., C.V.A.

Millie is a big believer in the power of networking with the best of the best in their chosen fields, so that her customers get the bets possible service and advice. Dr. Stamm is well known for her holistic approach to animal care. She specializes in animal wellness & nutrition and she provides acupuncture services for both dogs and cats. Millie asked Dr. Stamm a few questions about animal nutrition and here are Dr. Stamm's responses:

Millie- Does it really make a difference what type of food I feed my dog or cat?

Dr. Stamm- A high quality diet is crucial to your pets’ health and quality of life! An ideal diet includes a variety of high quality protein and minimally-processed whole food ingredients. I recommend using less dry food and more canned, dehydrated raw and freshly cooked foods. Also consider food supplements such as food based vitamin/minerals, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and omega 3 fats to increase the nutritional quality of your pets’ diet.

Millie- How can I tell if a pet food is high quality?

Dr. Stamm- If a food contains any of the following, it is generally low quality and should be avoided.

Ingredients to avoid

Corn/Corn Gluten * Wheat/Wheat Gluten * Soy * Meat By-Products * Chemical Preservatives (BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin) * Artificial Coloring * Sugar * Generic Fats ("Animal Fat").

Millie: What should I feed my cat?

Dr. Stamm- The best diets for cats are high quality CANNED diets WITHOUT any grains or meat by-products. DRY FOOD SHOULD BE AVOIDED IN CATS IF POSSIBLE. The reason for this is that dry food will leave your cat in a state of chronic mild dehydration, which will put more stress on his/her kidneys and urinary tract.

Millie- Do you recommend raw diets?

Dr. Stamm- Yes, in most cases. Raw diets are now available commercially and also called "complete diets." These diets have higher levels of enzymes, which means higher digestibility of nutrients. The benefits of raw diets include more energy and vitality, fewer allergies, less tartar build-up, smaller and less "stinky" stools, easier weight management and healthier skin and coats.

Millie- Is it safe to feed my pet raw meat?

Dr. Stamm- As with any raw meat products, there is a small risk of bacterial contamination, so safe food handling techniques are recommended. However, proponents of raw food diets argue that a dog or cat's digestive tract is better suited to handle higher bacterial loads than a human 's due to a higher stomach acidity and shorter intestinal length. When used appropriately, I have seen many health conditions improve or resolve as a result of a raw diet. I do not recommend raw diets for animals under one year of age, geriatric or sick pets.

Millie- Should I feed the same pet food continually?

Dr. Stamm- I recommend choosing a few high quality brands of food and rotate brands and protein sources unless otherwise discussed with your vet. Many food in tolerances and allergies are caused by overfeeding one particular type of protein.

Millie- Do you recommend that my pet take vitamins?

Dr. Stamm- Though it is not necessary if you are feeding a balanced commercial diet, I find that using a high quality food-based vitamin/mineral supplement can optimize health.

Millie- Which dogs should be fed grain-free foods?

Dr. Stamm- Most dogs do well on grain-free diets as they are a more biologically appropriate diet compared to those high in grains. Dogs with diabetes, allergies, cancer or obesity can benefit most from a grain-free diet. Keep in mind that these diets are generally higher in protein and fat and are therefore denser than other types of kibbles. You may feed up to 25% less by volume compared to standard dog kibble.

Millie's vast network of professionals also includes top notch dog groomers like Katie Shanks who can really help our pets keep their cool on even the hottest days. Millie asked Katie a few questions about her experience as a professional dog groomer.

Millie- What made you decide to become a groomer?

Katie- I love animals and I have a passion for art. I feel that grooming animals is like making art.

Q- What are your qualifications?

Katie- I've been grooming all breeds and types of animals since I was 9 years old. I have been professionally grooming dogs and cats since 1996. I have worked in various settings and have groomed a wide variety of dogs from show grooms to shave downs. I have had the pleasure of working with world renowned Master Groomer Ann Martin and her show dogs. I was a groomer for the "Handler of the Year" at the 2006 Andalusian Nationals in Las Vegas. Every one of our 16 show horses either won or took second to another of our horses. I have many years experience showing my own paint horses as well. I was lucky in that too. Each horse I had shown either won or took reserve.

Q- What is your favorite breed of dog to groom?

Katie- I love grooming all dogs, because each groom presents its own challenges. I love a good challenge. But I would have to say a Standard Poodle is my favorite to groom. When I groom a Standard Poodle, I feel that it really shows off my true talent. There are so many intricate details when grooming a poodle. I feel that it has the only hair type that allows you to make nearly perfect lines. With the poodle, you can create any shape, style and look you desire.

Q- Why do you like working with Millie at Trends-n-Treats?

A- When I met with Millie for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised. She is truly one of the sweetest and most compassionate people I have ever had the pleasure of working for. I absolutely love her store too! I have since changed my dog over to a frozen raw diet and she has never looked better. The variety of items available in her store allows me to never need to shop at another pet store again. ALL of her employees are amazing and kind-hearted animal lovers just like me. I love every one of them. We take a lot of pride in our work but there is never a shortage of smiles and laughter.

Q- Can you tell us about all your pets?

A- Yes. I own a 7 year old Standard Poodle and a Blue Front Amazon Parrot. My dog's name is "Hyla" aka "Feldspar's Dark side of the Moon" and she is my newest daughter. She was placed in my home to retire after becoming a finished champion and produced four litters of finished champions as well. Thank you Ann Martin for the best dog in the world!!! "Ringo" is my 6 year old parrot. Boy can he talk! He says everything. He talks in many different voices, sometimes mine, sometimes my children's and even in our dog's voice! He can bark, meow, makes mechanical sounds and rings like the phone. He is pure entertainment.

Q- Why is it important to groom my pet regularly?

A- I feel it is important to groom a pet regularly because when a dog isn't properly groomed it begins to get matted hair. When the hair becomes matted, it starts to pull on the animal's skin. This makes for a high risk of developing skin irritations and can cause the animal physical pain. When you bring your pet to be groomed more often, your groomer can help to notice potential problems with you pet like, fleas, growths, cuts or injuries, etc. In the winter, regular grooming allows your pet to grow a warm coat and can help them avoid fur matting and the need to be shaved down when it's cold outside. During warmer months, you always have the option to keep your pet cool by having them shaved them down. Our pets deserve to be comfortable and look and feel their very best! Most people wouldn’t go a single day without bathing or styling their hair etc. Don't our pets deserve the same respect?

Editor's Notes- If you would like to learn more about Trends-n-Treats Pet Supply-Spa-Boutique or speak with either Dr. Stamm or Katie Shanks, call Millie today at (916) 536-0000 or visit their store. Their street address is 5341 Sunrise Bl. Fair Oaks, CA 95628 and their website is www.trendsntreats.com. During your visit to the store, take advantage of their free nutrition samples. Trends-n-Treats is the place where you can TRY before you BUY!