What animal is more capable of pulling off the wearing of bling than a cat? After all, cats have a distinct sense of what they like and what they don’t like. This fact, coupled with their attitude of being king or queen of their universe makes them likely candidates for a bling-filled lifestyle!

With Americans spending an estimated $50.84 billion on their pets in 2011 bling is now apparently the thing. Watch this cat fashion show video to see the creative ideas people have for ‘blinging’ their cats.

Does your cat wear bling? If so, share pictures on our Facebook page!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

Today is World Spay Day, a day which highlights spay/neuter as a way of saving the lives of animals. This is an all-inclusive global effort to end the euthanasia and suffering of animals.

This event is put together by The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.  Click here to find out more about this day or to find an event that is occurring in your area.

Chuck & Don’s is an advocate of spay/neuter as a way to help reduce pet overpopulation. Yearly we hold a Pins for Pets – bowl for the fix fundraiser, with the proceeds going to a recipient. The 2011 Pins for Pets recipient was Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program, Inc. (MN SNAP) who received $93,084.00 to aid in their mission to end the suffering and death of homeless animals due to pet overpopulation. MN SNAP has a fully equipped, veterinary clinic on wheels which brings high-quality spay and neuter services for animals in shelters, rescues and to pet owners in low-income areas. MN SNAP offers the first service of this kind in Minnesota.

In  support of Spay Day USA, Chuck & Don’s is providing a small bag of food to each client that has scheduled with MN SNAP at the clinic held on Spay Day at Minneapolis Animal Care and Control.

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

Not all things are equal when it comes to living with a dog in an apartment situation.  Many apartment buildings do not allow pets, which can make your search for an apartment difficult.

Once you find a property that does accept pets, there are still many considerations when it comes to accepting the type of dog you have.  Here is a list of dog-related questions to ask the apartment management company:

• Ask about limitations on the size, number and breed of pets
• Ask about pet security deposits
• Ask about the building’s policy on pets
• Ask which type of  pets are already in the building

In addition, you may find helpful to talk to potential neighbors about their perspective on the building’s pet policy.

Here is a resource for renting with pets published by the Humane Society of the United States.

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

While this has been an unusually mild winter in the Midwest, it still is winter. Without the snow to lighten things up, Nature is wearing a dull winter brown, perhaps a contributing factor to those winter blahs.

It’s time to think tropical, perhaps time to remember those beautiful tropical colors you saw on your last vacation to the tropics from your last vacation to the Tropics (or whatever warm-weather location makes you smile?).

We’re asking that you share those tropical memories with us by sharing pictures of your dog on the beach. Simply post to our Facebook page and help everyone get over the winter blahs!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

IF there is anything better than having a pet in your life, it just might be having a box of your favorite Girl Scout Cookies!

For the first time in their 100 year history, the Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys will be selling cookies at Chuck & Don’s Minnesota stores. Click here to see the schedule.

Not only will the girls be selling cookies, they will be learning about pet nutrition and retail store operations from Chuck & Don’s store managers. Upon completion, each girl who participated in this special training will earn a patch.

Stop by one of the stores to pick up your treat of Girl Scout Cookies. While you’re at the store, make sure you pick up your pet’s favorite treat too!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

This is HappyDogGeno writing this post. It has come to my attention that today, February 20, 2012 is ‘Love Your Pet Day’. It seems appropriate there should be a day set aside specifically to love your pets. After all, we give you our unconditional love, don’t we?

Hmmmm, let me clarify that above sentence: we DOGS give you our unconditional love, I have always found that to be a questionable trait with CATS.

Just my opinion, though.

So from a dog’s perspective, I’m going to give you humans some tips on how to express your love to your pets.

• A walk is always a good thing, healthy for you and healthy for us.
• Take time to play with us. It’s fun, and if you play nicely, we might just let you win.
• Belly rubs and head scratches are just what we pets ordered. No tail pulling or whisker pulling, though.
• Treats, treats, TREATS! Well, at least that makes ME happier!

Have you noticed what all of the above tips have in common? YOU are spending time with us pets! That’s what we pets want, to spend time with you and to be with you.

Of course, I think Love Your Pet Day should be EVERY Day!!!  I hope you will let me know how you and your pets spend time together on Love Your Pet Day on February 20th……visit our Facebook page and drop me a note!

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

What started as a day has now turned into a week of celebrating Random Acts of Kindness.  As a matter of fact, there is now a website as well as well as a Facebook page that are dedicated to changing the world, one kind act at a time.

Chuck & Don’s wants to make sure the pets are also recognized during the Random Acts of Kindness Week, February 13^th – 19^th, 2012. We are asking you to visit our Facebook page and post your stories about random acts of kindness where pets are concerned. If you have pictures, be sure to post those too.

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and your pets!

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is a day to show the love you have for those who are near and dear to you, including pets. What better way to show your love for your pet to ensure they are safe and sound?

Did you know that Valentine’s Day is also Pet Theft Awarness Day?  Losing a pet by theft happens more than you might think.

Here are ways to keep your pet safe this Valentine’s Day and every day:

• Don’t leave your pets unattended, even in your own yard
• Don’t leave your pets in cars
• Don’t let your pets wander the neighborhood

Proper identification of your pet(s) is one of the key ways to protect your pet. Pets can be microchipped, which is a chip that is implanted under the animal’s skin and can be read by a chip scanner or wand.

Make sure your pet wears a collar with proper identification. ID tags should have the pet’s name, address and contact information on it. Because the information can be worn off the tags with age, use Valentine’s Day to make sure the information on the tag is correct and legible. Should your pet be in need of a new tag, go to your closest Chuck & Don’s store to have a new tag made. Tags can be made while you wait and only take a few minutes.

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

Does your cat spend a lot of her time sleeping during the day?

That is nothing out of the ordinary. Cats tend to sleep between 10 to 16 hours per day. (A caveat to a cat sleeping a lot: if you cat is lethargic, is not playing, eating, drinking or eliminating as usual, be sure to call your vet and schedule an appointment.)

Reasons for long hours of sleep are: 1) cats are nocturnal animals and 2) their typically protein-rich diet needs long periods of rest to aid in proper digestion.

Of course, cat lovers or cat cynics may claim another reason cats sleep so much during the day is so they have the energy to pounce on you at night just as you are ready to drift away to dreamland! 

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!

February is National Pet Dental Month – and a great reminder to have your pet’s dental health evaluated by your veterinarian.

Did you know that the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets is oral disease?

Common warning signs of oral disease are:

• Bad breath
• Change in eating habits
• Pawing at the face
• Depression

If you see any of these signs call your veterinarian and schedule an appointment for your pet. While you are at the vet’s office, ask for tips on how to start a home dental care program for your pet.

Chuck & Don’s carries a variety of products to help with your pet’s dental health, such as chew toys, treats, toothpaste and brushes. If you have any questions about which product best suits your pet’s needs, be sure to ask one of our Team Members for assistance.

Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

We Make Pets Happy!