Consistency: The Key to #PerfectWeight

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turn Around, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. 

If you've ever started an exercise or weight loss routine, you know how important consistency is to achieving your goals. It's no surprise the same goes for your pets!

Healthy Pet, Healthy Life: The 5 Things We Do Everyday #PerfectWeight

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Perfect Weight 10 Week Turn Around, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Creating a routine (and sticking with it!) is one of those things you hear all the experts talking about -- whether it's an exercise and nutrition routine to help you lose or maintain weight, a bedtime routine for optimal rest or a beauty routine for the perfect complexion!

And when it comes to a routine for health and well being, it turns out what's good for you is also good for your pet. 

3 Steps to Keep Your Pet Healthy and Happy #GetHealthyHappy

The past few months, we've brought you information from the 'Healthier Pets. Happier Lives' campaign, created to help pet parents understand the importance of preventative care to help make pets healthier and happier for the long run.

For me, it's important to keep an eye on Rocco's health and do whatever I can so that he'll be a part of my life for a long, long time. Keeping your pet healthy and happy all boils down to these three key areas:

Vet Checkups

Not visiting a vet for a year, is like you avoiding your doctor for five years. A yearly checkup gives your vet the opportunity to get to know your pets, making it easier to detect changes in their health and behavior. These visits also can help your vet spot problems before they become too serious.

Read more about why regular vet visits matter.

Proper Nutrition

With so many choices available, choosing the right food for your pet can be overwhelming. With the help of your vet, you can learn about your pet's health needs, and then your vet can help recommend the best food for your pet.

To help pet parents provide their pets with high quality nutrition, Hill's is offering a $10 off promotion on select Hill's Science Diet products. Download your rebate for both dogs and cats.

Read about 5 things you can do to help ensure your pet is getting proper, balanced nutrition to keep them healthy and happy.

Little Extras

Toys, play and training help keep your pet mentally stimulated, which goes hand in hand with physical activity to keep your pet healthy and happy.

While training or using treat dispensing interactive toys, pet parents can reinforce good behavior with healthy, tasty treats. Hill's has several treats that feature balanced nutrition that can help make training time extra fun!

Read more about little extras you can do for your pet!

Rocco has a blast playing with his pal Nicky!

I can't imagine life without dogs, and with the right care, we can help keep our pets with us as long as possible. To learn more about the Healthier Pets, Happier Lives program visit Healthier Pets, Happier Lives for Dogs or Healthier Pets, Happier Lives for Cats.



This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. 

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Little Extras = Happy Pets Giveaway #GetHealthyHappy

Regular vet visits and good nutrition is a great first step -- and a strong foundation --  to keeping your pet healthy. But it's those little extras that can make all the difference in enriching the life of your pet and making them an extra special member of your family for a long, long time.

We've put together a list of five LITTLE ways to make a BIG impact in your pet's life so you can enjoy the bond you have for year's to come.

Then read all the way down for some special offers from the folks at Hill's Science Diet AND a very special Little Extras Giveaway!

1. Play with your pets to enrich their lives both mentally AND physically

Play is a great way to encourage your pets to get up and get moving, but it also provides much-needed mental stimulation and the perfect way to interact WITH your pets.

I love to play interactive games with Rocco like find it games or box games. Dog and cats also enjoy a good game with a flirt pole or any type of toy at the end of a string or a pole that they can chase.

The key is to mix it up to keep things interesting! Rotate the toys you play with to keep things fresh and stimulating for your pets.

Rocco has fun hiding in a box!

2. Provide positive reinforcement to good behavior

Rocco loves to be told how smart he is, but I think he loves it even more if that can be reinforced with a tasty treat!

We like to keep a variety of healthy treats on hand to use in short, frequent training sessions and to reward good behaviors.

Hill's offers a variety of tasty treats to help keep training time fun!

3. Give your pet a special place to call their own

Pet beds come in all sorts of styles and fabrics to complement your home's decor, and they also provide a comfy resting spot and a safe haven for your pet.

For cats, consider one that offers seclusion or fits into a favorite resting place. A cat tower can provide the high vantage point your feline enjoys.

For dogs, make sure to choose a durable bed - especially if your dog is a chewer - and one that can easily be washed.  Rocco has his beds and special places all over the house, and he loves to cozy up in his crate too!

This bed does double duty as an end table!

4. Start a grooming routine soon as you get your pet

I started brushing and combing Rocco when he was a little pup, and also got him using to having his feet touched and his toenails clipped. If you plan to use a blow dryer on your dog, first make sure it's not too hot, and you'll want to get your pup accustomed to the sound and feel of it.

Using treats and praise when you groom can help your pet associate the time with a pleasurable experience.

Rocco gets groomed as a young pup

5. Accessorize for style and safety

A collar and a good leash are essential and there also are lots of styles to choose from. You can even personalize a collar or a tag to help identify your dog in case he ever gets lost.

If you have questions or need advice about any little extra that you’d like to give your pet, a perfect opportunity is at your pet’s annual checkup with your veterinarian. Don’t forget about the chance to win $100 towards your next vet checkup from Hill’s Science Diet!

Hill's is also offering a $10 off promotion on select Hill's Science Diet products for both dogs and cats.

Win a Little Extras prize pack from Hill's for your cat or dog

To celebrate these little extras, Hill’s is providing a special giveaway for our readers. Two readers will win a dog OR cat "Little Extras Bundle". Here is what's included in the prize packages:

For dogs:

• Stainless steel dog bowl
• A bag of Hill's Science Diet Dental Chews
• A bag of Hill's Science Diet dog treats
• Healthier Pets, Happier Lives tote bag

For cats:

• Stainless steel cat bowl

• Laser pointer toy
• Eight micro cans of Hill's Science Diet Grain Free entrees
• Healthier Pets, Happier Lives tote bag

Enter via the giveaway widget below. Get started by simply adding your name and email address to the widget, and then press the blue arrows to reveal the various entry options.

Good luck!

Entry-Form

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article. 

5 Steps to a Healthy Pet (Hint: It Starts at Mealtime!) #GetHealthyHappy

Rocco agrees… mealtime keeps him healthy and very happy!

What you feed your pet may be one of the most important choices you make to keep your pet healthy, but it also can be overwhelming.  With so many foods to choose from, how do you know where to start?

Just like with people, pets need balanced nutrition and those needs can change over the lifetime of your pet. Do you have a puppy, a senior pet? Is your pet active or overweight? All these things can make a difference in choosing food with the right balance for your dog or cat.

Here are five things you can do help ensure your pet is getting the proper, balanced nutrition to keep them healthy and happy.

1. Talk to your vet.  If you stick to the routine of regular visits to your vet you're already taking a step in the right direction.  Your vet can help guide you to the best food for your pet's specific needs. 
2. Consider specially formulated foods.  Your vet can also help you choose foods to manage specific health conditions your dog or cat may have.
3. Choose foods for your pet's lifestyle and lifestage.  Puppies have different nutritional requirements than adult dogs, who have different requirements than senior dogs. Dogs who are extremely active or participating in sports may have unique requirements as well. Ask your vet for recommendations.
4. Make sure your pet is eating a balanced diet. Nutrient excesses and deficiencies can lead to health problems… another great reason to choose a food that is specifically formulated for your pet's needs.
5. Transition your pet's food gradually. It takes about seven days to transition your pet to a new diet. This approach help to keep your pet from getting a tummy upset or digestive issues. Hill's has some helpful guidelines for transitioning your dogs or cat's diet. 

Active young dogs like Rocco need the right balance of nutrition to stay healthy and happy

Win $100 toward your next vet check up and a rebate, too!

Your vet can be your best resource for helping sort out your pet's health and nutrition needs, and Hills' wants to help by giving you the chance to win $100 toward your next vet check up. Visit Hill's Science Diet to learn more!

Hill's Science Diet also has several foods within their product portfolio to help manage your pet's special situation or condition whether it's weight loss, oral care, joint health or a grain free diet. To help you provide your pet with high quality nutrition, Hill's is offering a $10 off promotion on select Hill's Science Diet products. Download your rebate on the Hill's Science Diet website.

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

 

Why Regular Vet Visits Matter for Healthy Pets #GetHealthyHappy

I can't imagine missing an annual checkup, for either me or my dog.  It's just something we've always done and something I automatically schedule each year.

Yet, according to a recent petMD poll, nearly 2 in 10 pet owners hadn't visited their vet for a routine checkup in the past year.

Dr. Ashley Gallagher, vet at the Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, D.C., says that's a big deal… because missing even one yearly exam for your pet is roughly equivalent to you going five years between checkups!

And that means lots of missed opportunities to spot potential problems at their onset, which can help prevent them from getting worse. And while you might be tempted to save some money now by skipping an appointment, regular vet visits can potentially help you save money in the long run.

We enjoy good dog walks and hikes! So it's important that Rocco and I
both stay mobile and healthy! 

That's why we visited our vet right away, when I noticed Rocco had acquired a strange skip in his step. And since we had kept on schedule with our yearly visits, our vet was already familiar with Rocco's normal behavior.

We were able to rule out the need for any surgery thankfully, but we did seek some laser therapy and swim therapy to help keep Rocco in tip top shape for the agility season. 

Rocco enjoys swim therapy to help improve his range of motion

Preventative care and healthy pets

Did you know that emergency and illness vet visits can be $50 - $200 more expensive than a routine visit? The American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owner Survey for 2013-14 found that dog owners reported routine visits average $231, emergency visits $314 and illness visits $364.

Preventative health care may not only help save money, but it can help keep your pets heather for the long haul. Vets can give you advice on proper nutrition to keep your pet at a healthy weight, advice to maintain good dental health and more. 

Enter to win $100 toward a vet checkup!

To help you enjoy the benefits of annual checkups, Hill’s Science Diet is giving away $100 toward a vet checkup, every day for 90 days! Simply go to http://blogp.ws/1w2TSJJ  and fill out the short form with your information and you will be entered for a chance to win.

NOTE: Once you click on the link, above, click on: "This way for healthy, happy dogs" OR "This way for healthy, happy cats". Then, click on the yellow box that says: "Enter to win $100 toward your next vet visit." That will take you to the entry form for the $100 giveaway. 

Why regular vet visits matter #GetHealthyHappy & #win $100 toward your next vet checkup from @HillsPet ! #giveaway http://t.co/8ZzeroYIIH
— Diane Silver (@ToDogWithLove) August 25, 2014

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Science Diet® Healthier Pets. Happier Lives.™, but To Dog With Love only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

The Truth About Cats and Dogs: Pet Myths Debunked

Last week we had the opportunity to chat with Dr. Ashley Gallagher,  veterinarian at  Friendship Hospital For Animals, about some popular pet myths. Dr. Gallagher provides some quick tips on how to give your pets a happy, healthy life while she debunks myths like:

• Cats have nine lives and dogs have….?
• Table scraps are okay.
• Dogs wag their tail when they are happy.
• Letting my dog out in the yard is enough exercise.

Listen to Dr. Gallagher discuss the truth about cats and dogs!

This interview was provided by Hill’s.

Where in the U.S. is the Science Diet Ideal Balance Pet Café Truck?

We captured this shot at the 2010 Chicago Air and Water Show!

If you're heading to the Chicago Air and Water show this weekend, here's a food truck that your pet will want to make sure you don't miss! This summer, the Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ Pet Café Truck tours the country and it's first stop is this weekend in Chicago!

While touring the U.S., the Science Diet Ideal Balance Pet Café will give away free samples of Ideal Balance dog and cat food and new Ideal Balance all-natural treats. In addition to the tasty samples for your pet, there will be fun photo opportunities and friendly contests. 

What's super cool is that Cosmo and I will be in Chicago this weekend, so we'll get to stop by for a few samples. I think he's going to really dig these...

Science Diet Ideal Balance treats and pet food feature 100 percent all-natural ingredients: real beef, chicken, fruits and vegetables. Additionally, all Ideal Balance products have no corn, artificial flavors, color or preservatives. 

The air and water show view from Lake Shore Drive and
North Avenue. The Ideal Balance truck will be parked near here.

The Science Diet Ideal Balance truck will be parked near the North Avenue underpass at Lake Shore Drive. Look for it just north of the Chess Pavillion. 

Cosmo likes to get an early start on the air and water show. 

We like to get to the show early to watch folks set up. Cosmo thinks that might mean more treats for him at the Science Diet Ideal Balance food truck too!

If you won't be in Chicago this weekend, look for the truck at a location near you:

Truck Stops	Location	Dates
Chicago Air and Water Show	Chicago, IL	Aug. 17 – 19
Minnesota State Fair	St. Paul, MN	Aug. 23 –  Sept. 3
New York City The Big E	Various West Springfield, MA	Sept. 12 – 15 and Sept. 26 - 28 Sept. 20 – 23
Santa Monica Promenade Santa Monica 5000	Santa Monica, CA Santa Monica, CA	Oct. 6th Oct. 7th
San Diego Pet Expo	San Diego, CA	Oct. 13 –  14
Arizona State Fair	Phoenix, AZ	Oct. 18 – 28

The Science Diet Ideal Balance team will also give away pet food and treat samples at:  

Tent Events	Location	Dates
Taste of Colorado	Denver, CO	Aug. 31 –  Sept. 3
Fell's Point Fun Fest	Baltimore, MD	Oct. 6 –  7
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival	Half Moon Bay, CA (San Francisco Area)	Oct. 13 – 14

For tour updates and more on Hill’s Science Diet Ideal Balance at Facebook.com/HillsPetUS

Hope to see you in Chicago!

Hill's Million Pound Pledge and Alison Sweeney Inspire Pets to Lose Weight!

Is your dog or cat overweight? If they are, you're not alone! Even Alison Sweeney, host of NBC's "The Biggest Loser," has a pet who tends to pile on the lbs!

"One out of every two pets is overweight and my dog Winky was one of them," said Sweeney. "I started using Science Diet pet foods to help Winky lose weight and now I want to share my personal experience to inspire owners across America so they too can achieve the same success." 

Sweeney has teamed up with Hill’s Science Diet to launch the Million Pound Pledge – a national call-to-action for pet owners to help their cats and dogs lose weight and get back on track to living a happy, healthy lifestyle.

Check out www.PetFit.com  to take the Million Pound Pledge and for a chance to win tickets to “The Biggest Loser” finale! You can also find out how to participate in a live Facebook chat with Alison on January 26 at 1 p.m. ET to discuss how to manage your cat's or dog's weight. There also are cat and dog weight loss tips and rebates for Hill's Science Diet and Hill's Prescription Diet weight management foods.

We love the active lifestyle Alison enjoys with her dog Winky, and we do many of the same activities with Cosmo!

Cosmo carefully evaluates the fashion options at Saks Fifth Avenue in Chicago.
While shopping may not seem like a "healthy" activity, the mileage you put in walking from
Barneys to Bloomingdale's and all the boutiques in between is good for both you and your pet!

Go on, get moving! And take your pet with you!

New From Hill’s Science Diet: Grain-free foods and a special for To Dog With Love readers!

The folks at Hills, makers of Science Diet brand dog and cats foods, have provided us with a sneak peak at their newest formula. And now, To Dog With Love readers will get the chance to sample them before they hit stores in January. 

NEW from Hill's: Hill’s® Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ is unveiling its first grain-free foods from Science Diet for adult cats and dogs.

Pictured above, Hill’s Science Diet Ideal Balance Grain Free Adult Chicken & Potato Dinner dog food, and Hill’s Science Diet Ideal Balance Grain Free Adult Chicken & Potato Dinner cat food offer meat first, no corn and grain-free.


For kittens, adult cats, and mature adult cats, Hills is introducing additional Ideal Balance foods that are a meat-first and do not contain corn, and are made with vegetables like carrots, peas and broccoli.

                           

Pictured above: Science Diet Ideal Balance Kitten Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner, Science Diet Ideal Balance Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner, and Science Diet Ideal Balance Mature Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner

The folks at Hills say they want to provide options for pet parents and the philosophy behind Hill's Science Diet Ideal Balance is to provide a line of natural foods for dogs and cats with natural ingredients in perfect balance.

Here's how To Dog With Love readers can sample the new foods first


For dog and cat owners: Be one of the first to post a comment on this post saying you'd like to sample the new food and I'll send you a code (compliment of Hill's) for a free bag of either Hill’s® Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ Grain Free Adult Chicken & Potato Dinner dog food or Hill’s® Science Diet® Ideal Balance™ Adult Chicken & Brown Rice Dinner cat food.

Rules: The first 10 to comment on this post saying you'd like to sample the new food from Hill's will receive a promotion code for a free bag. The promo codes expire December 31, 2011. All product is being provided compliments of Hill's. Each bag is a $49 value, and these codes get you the product free, even shipping to your door. Shipping available to residents in U.S. only.

These codes are good for either product, dog or cat, the choice is yours! Hill's would also love to hear about your experience with the new food, so once you sample it, feel free to share your experience on the Hill's Facebook page.

It's Pet Wellness Month: Test Your Pet Nutrition Knowledge for a Chance to Win with Hill's Science Diet!

Every wonder why feeding table scraps isn't the best idea for your dog?... other than the bad behavior it promotes?!

In celebration of National Pet Wellness Month, the folks at petMD and Hill’s Science Diet are putting owners to the test with a new online dog nutrition quiz.  During the month of October, owners can take the interactive quiz for a rebate on new Hill’s Science Diet Ideal Balance dog food and a chance to win one of four $2,500 pet retailer gift cards!

The nutritional requirements for dogs and people are vastly different and if you didn't know that already, you're not alone.  A recent study from petMD revealed that a staggering 80 percent of owners think that the nutrition needs for dogs and people ARE similar! 

To learn more about a well-balanced meal for your dog, check out My Bowl, from Hill's Pet Nutrition and petMD. And be sure to take the dog nutrition quiz by October 31 for a chance to win!