Coming soon: Java Jive!

Do you love Retro Print Dog Collars? If so, you'll love the latest addition to our Retro Collection --- Java Jives!

This stylish print features lots of groovy dots and sleek stripes in various shades of brown, coffee, latte, espresso - you name it - your dog will be the center of attention wearing it accompanying you to the local coffee shop. 

Look for Java Jives to be added soon to our Retro Collection. It's also available for pre-order on a special order basis. Email: inquiries@swankypet.net

Buy 2, Get 1 Free - continues!

Happy Thanksgiving! 

We've had a great response to our Buy 2 Get 1 Free promotion, so we are extending it. When you buy 2 collars (or 2 leads) you will get the 3rd one free. Here's how it works: Order 3 collars, 3 leads, etc and enter "Buy2" when asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" during the checkout process.

Initially, you'll see the charge for all items when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item(s) within 24 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! (International shipping may incur additional shipping costs)

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early!

For a limited time we are offering a special - when you buy two collars, you receive the third collar free. Enter "Buy2" when asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" during the checkout process.

Initially, you'll see the charge when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item within 24 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost!

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early!

Today's Featured Print: Holly Jolly!

Are you looking for a stylish holiday pet collar? Then we have the perfect print for your dog or cat (or any other pet)! 

Today we are featuring Holly Jolly (pictured here). This stylish Christmas Print features a crisp, white background with lots of colorful holly leaves and berries which really represent the holiday season. 

Holly Jolly is available for collars, leads and harnesses, which are available in 5 standard sizes (Teacup through Large). However, because all items are made-to-order, we are happy to make custom-sized items to fit your pet! 

So, turn your pet, into a Swanky Holiday Pet with our festive holiday prints! 

Swine Flu Infects Housecat—Are Your Pets Safe?

Source: ASPCA.org

Ever since the news broke earlier this month that an American cat caught the swine flu, rumors about how pets can catch this disease have been spreading—but we're here to set the record straight!
"On November 2, test results confirmed that a pet cat in Iowa was infected by the H1N1 (swine flu) virus, which was most likely transmitted by human family members," reports Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine at the ASPCA. "All family members, including the cat, have now recovered. In unrelated incidents in other states, a few pet ferrets also recently tested positive for H1N1, and one of them has died.” Although we already knew that infected humans could transmit H1N1 to both pigs and turkeys, these are the first reported cases of the virus affecting cats and ferrets.
According to Dr. Murray, there are no known instances of a dog catching H1N1 (but remember, it is flu season, and your dogs are still susceptible to catching other flu bugs). In addition, there is currently no evidence that H1N1 can be passed from pet to human—it seems to be going only the other way, with people transmitting the illness to their pets.
A little common sense will go a long way in decreasing the likelihood of passing the illness on to your pets. If members of your household are exhibiting flu-like symptoms, the ASPCA recommends protecting your pets by:

• washing hands thoroughly,
  
• covering coughs and sneezes and
  
• avoiding close contact with pets during the course of the illness.
  

In fact, if you’re sick, it’s a good idea to give your pets a place other than your bedroom to sleep at night until you get better.
If any pet displays symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, coughing, sneezing or difficulty breathing—especially if a human family member has recently suffered from influenza—please contact your veterinarian.

Buy 2 Collars, Get 1 Free!

For a limited time we are offering a special - when you buy two collars, you receive the third collar free. Enter "Buy2" when asked "How did you hear about swankypet.net?" during the checkout process. 

Initially, you'll see the charge when you checkout, but we will manually credit the cost of the free item within 24 hours. As always, our low flat-rate shipping $3.25 allows you to get lots of 'swanky'wear to your door at a very low cost! 

So, don't delay - get your pet's Christmas list filled early! 

Introducing: Groovy Dots!

There is a new Retro-Print Collar in town!

New to our Retro Collection, Groovy Dots features a black background with polka dots in pink, white and green. The fabric is a home dec fabric, so it is heavier-weight and sturdy! All top-quality metal hardware are standard, but if you prefer a lighter weight collar, we'll be happy to make your items with black plastic buckles.

This smart and groovy print will have your dog turning heads when you're out for walks, at the bark park or anywhere you go!

Order yours today! All orders for this print are 20% off through midnight Monday, Nov 16th.

Prebiotics in Dog Food

Interesting article from PetPlace.com:

When you were at the store shopping for dog food, you may have noticed a label on the bag promoting a new ingredient.

That new ingredient is "prebiotics". Have you seen it?

There has been a push for more "natural" dog foods that work to promote health through good nutrition. This has led to several valuable developments in the pet food industry. One of these developments is a better understanding of the role of good and bad bacteria in dogs.

The idea is to maximize the good bacteria and minimize the bad bacteria naturally. Prebiotics do just that. Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients in food that stimulate the growth of good bacteria.

A normal dog's digestive tract has bacteria that help the dog break down his food into absorbable components. The "good" bacteria allows for digestion of the food and proper absorption of the nutrients.

An imbalance in the "good" vs. "bad" bacteria can create problems. Not enough good bacteria or too many bad bacteria can change this process, thus altering the absorption of food and the overall health of the dog.

Prebiotics have demonstrated that they work to maximize the good bacteria AND have positive effects on immune system function, intestinal regularity and mineral absorption, including calcium. In humans, prebiotics have even demonstrated a reduction in the risk for colon cancer and irritable bowel disorders such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

Eukanuba was the first pet food company to include prebiotics in pet food. Prebiotics can now be found in most of Eukanuba's product lines.

So now you know. If you see " prebiotics" on the bag, you now know that they will help maintain the right balance between good and bad bacteria to aid digestion and absorption of nutrients while encouraging strong defenses with a healthy immune system.

Encouraging good digestive tract health through good nutrition can strengthen your dog's immune system, which strengthens his defenses against harmful diseases. Promoting good digestive health encourages overall health.

P.S. Eukanuba is offering a $5.00 coupon to try their foods. To learn more about these foods or to get your coupon now, go to: http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/US/en/jsp/hercules/HerculesLanding.jsp

Cool Video

Check out this cool new video designed by our UK partners, Swanky Pets Boutique! 

Today's Featured Print: Gingerbread Man!

Are you looking for a charming holiday collar? If you like to celebrate the holidays with your pet, you'll love today's featured print: Gingerbread Man! 

This print features a beige background with lots of adorable tiny gingerbread men - perfectly decorated for the holiday season. 

Today we are offering 20% off all orders for this print through midnight tonight. Order yours now! 

Why Dogs Shed and What You Can Do to Stop It

I saw this article on PetPlace.com and it really hit home for me. My chihuahua, Merlot has the coat of a German Shepard even though she only weighs 5 lbs and she sheds worse than any dog I've ever had! It is a constant battle between bathing, brushing and even using the lint roller to remove the excess loose fur. After reading this article, I know what is on my Christmas list:

Dog lovers commonly ask (as they pick some hair off their clothes), "Why do dogs shed? Is there a shedding season?"

I'll answer those questions now.

Shedding is a continuous process. This is a normal event in the life of a dog and it is largely influenced by daylight.

There is a word for this phenomenon: photoperiod. The number of hours a dog is exposed to sunlight in a day (photoperiod) triggers the shedding process.

It is more noticeable in outdoor dogs in the spring and fall. Indoor dogs shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house.

Dogs tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.

Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions, as well as scaling and thin and abnormally wrinkled skin.

Providing your dog is just a normal shedding dog, here are some tips:

What can you do about shedding?

1. The first thing you can do is to reduce the amount of hair in your home by brushing or combing your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce shedding. You are basically controlling the shedding.

2. Feed your dog a good quality dog food. Don't skimp. Stick with one of the premium brands.

3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy haircoat.

4. Don't let your dog get fat. Keep your dog at an ideal weight. Obese dogs have difficulty grooming.

Dogs shed. Nothing will change that. But regular grooming will make the biggest difference. Brushing helps, but I found something that's even better. It's called the Bissell ShedAway.

My staff and I really love this product. Instead of brushing, you can easily vacuum away the dead hair on your dog with this simple attachment. You simply hook it to your vacuum cleaner and brush your dog with it. It easily removes the hair and dander from your dog's undercoat. And you will be AMAZED to see how much hair it actually removes.

The best part is, all that hair goes directly into your vacuum cleaner ... not all over your clothes, floors and furniture. So with the Bissell ShedAway, there's no need to clean up after grooming your dog. It captures all that hair, which means there will be less hair in your home ... and on you!

If dog hair is a problem for you (as it is for most dog owners), you should really see the Bissell ShedAway in action. Watch this video of a dog being brushed with the ShedAway ... you'll be amazed! To watch this short video click on the image below, or go to: Bissell ShedAway

Pet Amber Alert from Dogster - Now Free!

At Dogster we want all pets to be where they belong - at home with their loving familes. And, if they ever get lost, we want them to get home fast and safe. That is why we created Together Tag, a pet ID registry and "Amber alert" network for lost pets. In our mission to protect all pets, we are happy to announce today that the core service of Together Tag is now FREE.

Dogster moms and dads, please protect your dogs today. The service is free and many loved dogs have already been found.

Free Benefits:
Nationwide Lost Pet "Amber" Alerts - Messages are sent to geo-targeted community members and shelters
Lost Pet Tools - Including our poster-making tool, preventative and emergency checklists
Multiple Contacts - Securely store your pet's profile on our database with multiple contacts, photos, health and vet info
Permanent Together Tag ID# - Can be used on your own tag or you can choose to purchase one of ours

Sign up here

10 Things to Hide from your Pet this Thanksgiving

We all know how hard it can be to resist those begging eyes and that furry face you can deny nothing on any given day, and on Thanksgiving – with the fragrant smell of that really rich dinner swimming throughout the house – the temptation can be that much worse. But this year, do your dog a favor and keep her away from the items listed below. Pookie Dearest might be miffed for the evening, but her stomach will thank you the next day.

1. Turkey Skin – On its own, turkey skin can be fatty and hard to digest, but on Thanksgiving it’s particularly bad (just think of the butter, oils and spices rubbed into it). If you must share the turkey with your dog, do peel the skin off and cut the meat up into bite-sized pieces. And consider choosing the white meat over the dark for your pooch – it’s a little blander and easier to digest.

2. Cooked Bones - Whether your bird is duck, goose or turkey, do not give the bones to your dog. Any dog cartoon features Fido carrying a bone around in his mouth, but the reality is that a cooked bone is often brittle and sharp pieces can get lodged in your pet’s intestine. And bird bones are hollow and break easily.

3. Gravy/Buttery Side Dishes - This one goes hand-in-hand with the turkey skin. Fatty foods and trimmings can cause pancreatitis in dogs at worst and diarrhea or vomiting at “best.” ThePoop.com suggests substituting gravy with a little turkey broth if you really want to give your pup a treat.

4. Aluminum Foil and Plastic Wrap – Dispose of these when you’re done with them. There are two risks here: one, your pet will be licking the fatty substances off the wrappings, and two, swallowing these can cause an intestinal obstruction.

5. Chocolate - Not that we think that you would intentionally feed your dog chocolate (which we all know can be toxic to our canine friends), but since candy is often left out on tables for guests during the holidays, it made the list. Be sure to keep bowls filled with chocolate out of reach.

6. The Garbage Pail – A frustrated pet who can’t get a scrap out of his usually-generous parents may be tempted to dig around the trash bin and find a good number of the items listed above.

7. The Kitchen – Thanksgiving can be the busiest day of the year for the kitchen, and you’ll want to keep your pup out of there. With hot dishes being whisked from one counter to the next, there’s a chance a dog that’s under foot could be burned or cut if something were to shatter.

8. Holiday Plants – Sure it’s Thanksgiving, but a good number of people have already decked the halls with holly by this time. Know that Poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe and Cedar Christmas trees are toxic to dogs.

9. Decorations – Glass ornaments and candles are just begging for trouble. Like the chocolate, keep these out of reach.

10. Guests Who Mean Well – Educate your less pet-savvy visitors (and hey, maybe even send them this list). A child may accidentally feed a dog some chocolate and your great aunt might think she’s being nice by sharing her turkey skin.

Participate in our Facebook Poll

We would like to hear from you!

We've posted a poll on our Facebook page to ask what new product lines you'd like to see introduced to swankypet.net in the near future.

Among those under consideration:

Fashionable retractable leashes
Pet beds or slip covers in the same prints to match the collars, harnesses & leads available on the site
Contemporary designs in pet bowls and pet feeders
Creatively designed pet beds or pet furniture

As always if you have a suggestion, please email us: customerservice@swankypet.net

Meet SwankyPet, Daisy!

This little cutie is Daisy who looks adorable in her She Loves Me collar and lead set. Mom, Kathy tells us:

"We acquired Daisy recently after losing our beloved Rottweiler, Bindi a couple of months ago. Daisy is helping us to enjoy life again and feel happy to come home. She looks precious in her new daisy themed leash and we love the quality, too!

She is about 12 weeks old and has very long legs and a shiny coat. Like any puppy, she loves to chew and taste just about anything. She really enjoys biting our golden retriever's tail. Sometimes she gets bits of his hair stuck on her chin, making her look like she has a beard a-la- ZZ-Top! It is funny."

Kathy - thank you so much for sending in Daisy's photo! She is so cute! For submitting Daisy's photo, Kathy is entered into our drawing for a FREE collar. We hold drawings 2-3 times per month, so send in your pet's photo (in their new 'swanky'wear) for your chance to win! 

Photo Contest Winner

We have a winner! Little Derby dressed as an Organ Grinder Monkey. Thank you to mom, Ann Marie for sending in this adorable photo! For winning you receive a collar of your choice! 

We also want to thank everyone who submitted Pet Halloween photos and they will receive 20% off their next order. 

Today's Featured Print: Deck the Halls!

Our featured print today is Deck the Halls, from our Christmas Collection. 

This print features a pale green background with several colorful ornaments in a variety of colors which will have you in the holiday mood in no time at all! It is available for collars, harnesses & leads in a variety of sizes. We can even accommodate your custom-size order. 

All items are made with top-quality materials to create an excellent quality collar, harness or lead for your best friend. All items are constructed with four layers of fabric and are lined with lightweight nylon webbing for structure and durability. 

Top-quality metal hardware comes standard: contoured zinc die cast side release buckles, slip lock buckles, cast D-rings and nickel plate swivel snap hooks. 

If you prefer a more lightweight collar or harness, your item can be made with a top-quality contoured acetal side-release buckle instead. (shown above)

Halloween Photo Contest

Post your cutest (or spookiest) Halloween photos of your pet on our Facebook Fan page. We are holding a photo contest today (11/1) through midnight Nov 4th. The winner will be announced on Nov 5th and will receive a collar of their choice.