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Choosing the Right Brush for Your Pet

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Whether pet hair is driving you crazy this summer or you’re just looking for a great way to bond with your pet – brushing them regularly is both a great way to keep your home free of hair and to spend a little quality time with your furry friend. You might not know that different types of dogs require different types of brushes, so we’ve gathered a few simple tips to help you choose and use the right brush for your dog.

Slicker brushes:Typically used on medium to long, curly haired dogs like Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Yorkshire Terriers and St. Bernards, the slicker brush has fine, short wires close together on a flat surface that helps remove mats in the fur. Always be gentle when using this type of brush as too much pressure can cause discomfort for your pet.

Rakes: Shaped like a razor with one to two rows of tightly spaced pins, the rake brush should be used with minimal pressure and is designed to penetrate your pet’s thick coat and remove any dead undercoat near the skin. This GroomNinja brush sold at either Brookside Barkery locations or online is great for breeds like German Shepherds Malamutes, Chow Chows or long-haired cats.

Bristle Brushes: Usually used on short-haired, smooth coated dogs that tend to shed often. Clusters of tightly packed bristles remove loose hair and can be used on breeds like Pugs, Italian Greyhounds, and Jack Russel and Boston Terriers.

Pin Brushes:  Pin brushes areoval-shaped and have loosely-arranged flexible wires with pins on them – much like brushes that us humans use. The pin brush will even pick up loose hair before it falls off completely, but doesn’t benefit your pet much otherwise. This brush is best used when finishing off the grooming process to provide fluffiness to the coat.

While some fur types shed more than others, virtually all cats and dogs shed during the summer. While we can’t prevent shedding completely, hopefully these tips will make combating unwanted pet hair a more manageable task this summer. If you’re unsure about what type of brush to use on your pet or how to use it, please do not hesitate to contact us or chat with any Barkery employee when you stop in to either our Brookside or Lee’s Summit stores.

What Exactly Is Prescription Pet Food?

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If your furry friend has ever had a chronic illness or food sensitivity, chances are you’ve gone to the vet and may have been told to start feeding your pet prescription food. According to Dog’s Naturally Magazine, the main difference between over the counter pet food and prescription pet food is how expensive they are.  To put it simply, your dog doesn’t need prescription food.

According to Dana Scott, CEO of Dogs Naturally Magazine, the top 5 ingredients in store bought prescription food and prescription food are the same:

  • Chicken by-product meal
  • Corn meal
  • Sorghum
  • Barley
  • Chicken

So, there’s no reason for the foods to require a prescription, since they contain no drug or other ingredient not commonly found in non-prescription pet diets. There is no reason for veterinarians to hand a written “prescription” for dog food that is taken elsewhere to purchase the food.

Now, you might be thinking this is because the prescription diet was formulated and tested with a specific condition in mind. This is completely false. While an over-the-counter food with a health claim (such as controls weight) is subject to FDA regulations and enforcement, the FDA practices “enforcement discretion” when it comes to veterinary diets.

Put another way, this means the FDA has not reviewed or verified the health claims on any veterinary diet. So, if your vet claims your dog needs to be eating a prescription diet, ask to review the ingredient list. Then ask for hard evidence the foods in the prescription diet are any better than those in regular diets.

The Brookside Barkery’s mission is providing “better health through better nutrition” and we’re dedicated to educating our customers so that they can make better decisions. If you think your pet may require a special diet, top by Brookside Barkery today and let our pet nutrition experts guide you and your four-legged best friend to a healthy and happy life!

Source: Dog’s Naturally Magazine 

Nontoxic Flea Prevention

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Flea and tick season will be here before you know it, and it’s time to start thinking about how to protect our four-legged friends from them. All of the options for flea and tick treatment and prevention can be overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for products that are all-natural and non-toxic.

According to PetBusiness.com, “‘There is no such thing as a flea free zone,’ says Steven Rosenfeld, owner of Bronxville, N.Y.-based F.C. Sturtevant. ‘Even if your dog or cat is bathed regularly and has little or no direct contact with other animals, it can become infected when visiting a groomer or even walking from your home to your car when traveling with your pet.’”

If your pet does end up with fleas, it can be really tempting to grab a box of Frontline to treat your pet. But you might not know that brands like Frontline are toxic and can be harmful to not only your pet – but your whole family. Here at Brookside Barkery & Bath, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with superb, all-natural pet products – even when it comes to flea and tick treatment.

Many pet owners may be concerned about the effectiveness of all-natural flea and tick preventative, especially if their dog is frequently outside, in different environments, or at a higher risk for attracting pests. Although it is not 100% chemical free, Seresto Flea and Tick Collars are a smart choice for pet owners that want long-term, less toxic flea control.

We also offer Wondercide Flea, Tick & Mosquito Control for Pets + Home– a natural spray that kills, repels, and prevents fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes without toxic chemicals. It’s great for spraying directly on your pet or around the house.

While the possibility of getting fleas is higher during the spring and summer months, according to PetBusiness.com, “Pet parents also need to be aware that the possibility of an animal getting a flea or tick
isn’t limited to certain seasons or climates. James Brandly, associate trade marketing manager for Tropiclean, explains that ticks are found at any time and in any place, from a ‘deep woods hike to your afternoon walk through your neighborhood.’”

Stop by Brookside Barkery at either of our locations in Brookside or Lee’s Summit to learn more – or check out our online store for more information.

*Thanks PetBusiness.com for the info!

Customer Testimonial: Wolvie the Cat

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We love to help our customers care for their pets in the healthiest and most holistic way possible, just like we were able to help Cara D. with her beloved cat, Wolvie. Thank you, Cara for your kind words! We are always here to help.

This is Wolvie (Wolverine). He and his twin Xixi (Sissy) came to me as babies. They are four years old now. 

He’s my mediator (I call him my Switzerland) between his twin sister and his older brother, who do not get along. He’s my lover (loves to kiss the tip of your nose), snuggler, make-up assistant, my outside adventurer on his cat-harness, and my baby who doesn’t know how huge he is or how sharp his claws are (hence, his name).

He also has struggled with UTIs which, I believe, are a result of being stressed (aka: bullied) by his older cat brother and a result of boredom living in an inside space. Even after I switched everyone to a FISH-FREE WET-FOOD ONLY diet, he continued to struggle with pain, crying every night for hours.

We had the urethra-rerouting surgery last August after he became blocked twice in 3 months (deadly for male cats). He healed from surgery but then continued to have issues in his digestive tract (unknown even now but he cried every day for 5 months). I tried everything.

I do holistic healing on myself so I couldn’t very well have one set of rules for me and another for my fur babies, expecting them to heal using antibiotics after my own body went through a whole ordeal the last time I had antibiotics for a year and a half (in 2007). After reading online about holistic healing for UTIs, I made him a special apple cider vinegar/water concoction that he was given for about a month.

After trying the ACV mixture for that month, I was beside myself – I felt I was not living a human life because he required so much attention (ACV mixture every 30 mins to an hour while I was home). The whole family was affected.

It was at this time I went into Brookside Barkery, ready to put him down. In tears, I explained his situation and how he continued to struggle even after surgery which was supposed to “fix the issue”.

“Alex at Brookside Barkery saved his life that day.”

Standing there, looking completely lost, I was asked by Alex if I needed any assistance. I started telling her Wolvie’s story and history and was in tears before I knew it. Alex took me in hand and jumped into action. She handed me some gut-health probiotics and some urinary berry powder, along with bone broth. I went home that night with nothing to lose.

Wolvie is just now (March 2019 – nearly an entire year later) healing from his bouts with antibiotics, surgery, and all that comes with that. His gut health was compromised for a while and it has been a journey of many moons and lots of tears for both of us. We just made it through our first weekend without any crying – it was amazing. I have tried aloe vera powder (for anti-inflammatory properties), probiotics, etc. etc. and we have found the path forward for Wolvie, which was adding some pumpkin and CBD oil to his food. He is a healthy, happy cat and I’m so grateful to Alex and Brookside Barkery for being there when I was in my time of need. I’m utterly in debt that I still have my sweet baby boy as part of my family.

My only advice is DON’T GIVE UP ON YOUR FUR BABIES! There is often a homeopathic or holistic way to heal and our problems stem from our impatience, frustration with the inability to ask our fur kids what’s going on with them, and – of course – finances. Often though the homeopathic fix is the most financially feasible and Brookside Barkery has a depth of knowledge relating to sustaining wellness that pairs well with other holistic remedies if needed.

Namaste, Alex and all at Brookside Barkery!

Cara D.
Igby, Sissy and Wolvie

Brookside Barkery

Brookside Barkery Pet Transformations of 2018 – Part 3

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As part 3 of our Pet Transformation of 2018 at Brookside Barkery, we got to know a little more about customer David G. and his experience with the Wellness Assessment Kit.

“I bought the Wellness Assessment Kit through Brookside Barkery for my dog who was having bad allergic reactions,” said David. “We quickly did the test and sent off the kit to get processed. Within a week, we had our results and found that we had been feeding our dog food that his body just couldn’t handle.”

With a Pet Wellness Assessment Kit from Brookside Barkery, you’ll be able to see up to 300 food and environmental factors that your dog may be sensitive to. This allows you to know EXACTLY what is causing your pet’s allergic reactions.

“Brookside Barkery helped us every step of the way and found the perfect brand of food that would fit our dog’s needs,” said David. “Sure enough, with time, our dog was happy and healthy again.”

The Pet Wellness Assessment Kit is easy and convenient. All you have to do is swab your pet’s saliva, collect a small hair sample, and mail it in. Best of all, you’ll get the results in only a wee or two! Once you test your pet, Brookside Barkery will provide a free Nutrition Consultation to work with you and with the results of the test, guiding your selections on food, treats, and supplements to make sure we’re giving your pet exactly what they need.

“I highly recommend the Wellness Assessment Kit,” said David.” Whether you see signs of allergies or not, you never know what could be affecting your dog internally. It’s cheap, it’s easy, it’s fast and it works!”

To read more testimonials about the Wellness Assessment Kit, click here.

January Sale: Koha & Earthborn

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Save big on not one, but two brands this month at Brookside Barkery & Bath!

Koha Super Premium Dog & Cat Food  is moisture-rich canned food that provides the best nutrition for your pet. Now is a great time to try Koha’s new Limited Ingredient Formulas, because all Koha cans are Buy 2, get 1 free through the end of January.

Earthborn Holistic Pet Food is also on sale in January! Earthborn’s unique formulas are made using exceptional ingredients, and your dog or cat is sure to thrive on this wholesome, balanced, nutritious diet. This month only, get:

  • $5 Off Large Bags
  • $3 Off Medium Bags
  • $2 Off Small Bags

Brookside Barkery – Why We’re Here

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We are so thankful to Brookside Barkery’s loyal customers for understanding our owners Larry and Delena Stout’s mission – better health through better nutrition. For over 15 years, Brookside Barkery has successfully educated Kansas City pet owners on how diet and nutrition can affect pet health.

Founded in 2003, we’re proud have provided our customers with a variety of superb all-natural pet products and a strong desire to educate our customers about each one of them. “Once people realized that diet did play a big difference in their pet’s health, it took off,” said Delena.

Find out more about how Brookside Barkery came to be by watching the video below!

Include Your Pet in Your Thanksgiving Gathering

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Thanksgiving is just around the corner and that means we’ll all be sitting down to enjoy a delicious feast soon! If you’re like us, you never want to leave your furry friends out of the celebration.  While you and your family enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, give your pets a little feast of their own. Brookside Barkery has a couple of turkey tips to be sure that everyone enjoys a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

Avoid giving your four-legged friend any of the turkey carcass. The bones can be problematic to the digestive tract. Instead, give them the turkey neck – they are a great and cost-effective way to add variety and nutrition to your dog’s diet. Fresh turkey neck is a great natural source of protein, fat and calcium. It’s also used for tooth and gum nourishment. Just be sure to monitor them while they’re eating it to avoid any choking – especially for smaller dogs

Another great way to promote a healthy gut for your dog is turkey bone broth. All you need is a turkey carcass and a few other ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! Start by putting the turkey carcass and other bones in a pot and fill with water. You can also add garlic or other spices for flavor. Top it off with 3-4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and let it cook for 24 hours. Be sure to strain all of the bone out of broth once it’s cooked, your pup will love it – and the best part is it’s chock full of minerals and nutrients that taste great and promotes healthy gut and joints! Click here to learn more about making turkey bone broth for your dog.

If you’re thinking your pets need some Thanksgiving flavor in their diets right away, Brookside Barkery has several pumpkin treats and foods by Lotus, OC Raw, and Plato that are sure to get you (and your pup!) in the Thanksgiving mood this holiday season! Stop by our Brookside or Lee’s Summit locations today – your one stop shop for all your pet food and treat needs!

Rad Cat Stops Production, Closes Company

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Brookside Barkery is sad to announce the closing of one of our favorite raw food vendors for cats – Rad Cat. They’ve tried incredibly hard to prevent this from happening, but due to FDA regulations and a couple of recent recalls, the losses piled up quickly and they are no longer able to keep the factory open that produces lifesaving foods for our favorite felines.

Although Rad Cat (and Brookside Barkery!) is hoping that this is only temporary, if your cats love the raw Rad Cat food, we wanted to suggest a couple of alternatives that Brookside Barkery carries to keep your kitties naturally happy and healthy!

Primal Pet Foods: They specialize in superior nutrition for your cat with a variety of raw and freeze dried recipes. Pets experience better digestion and absorb nutrients more easily when fed a diet based on natural eating habits in the wild: muscle meat, meaty bones, organs, and raw fruits and vegetables.

Stella & Chewy’s:Their raw and frozen food contains organic fruits and vegetables, and is minimally processed which makes it easy for your furry friend to digest. They believe that cats deserve to thrive on pure, simple, minimally processed food – the way nature intended. All of their food is made with select organic produce and raw, USDA-inspected meat.

Steve’s Real Food: The frozen nuggets allow you to simply pour and serve without defrosting, cutting up meat, or mixing foods. It’s 100% complete and balanced, and made from only the most superior ingredients on the market. Steve’s makes it easier to provide raw nutrition for all of your pets.

While we are incredibly sad to hear about Rad Cat closing down for now, Brookside Barkery is still just as dedicated as always to help you do what’s best for your best friend! Whether you’re needing to make the switch over from Rad Cat, or just getting started on a raw diet for your furry friend, our pet food experts at Brookside Barkery are here to help you find the perfect, well-balanced diet for all of your pets! Stop by either of our Brookside Barkery stores in Brookside or our newly expanded store in Lee’s Summit (It’s now double in size!) and speak to one of our all-natural and holistic pet food experts today!

*To learn more about Rad Cat’s experience with the FDA, click here.

October Special: Farmina

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Brookside Barkery and Bath is running a special on Farmina dog and cat food all month long! Here at the Barkery, we pride ourselves in only carrying the highest quality of food for your best friend. Farmina dog & cat food is all-natural, nutritious, and scientifically validated. Using only the finest raw ingredients and following strict guidelines set by nutritional experts, Farmina is nature and science in perfect harmony. With nutrition as the basis of your pet’s well-being, all of Farmina’s recipes are scientifically designed according to nature.

Through the month of October, save big on Farmina dog and cat food:

  • $5 off large bags
  • $3 off medium bags
  • $2 off small bags

This all-natural food for your best friend contains only natural antioxidants, is 100% GMO-free, and grain and gluten-free. It’s also rich in high quality vitamins and has a low glycemic index. Stored in a protective atmosphere, Farmina food is exactly what your pet needs to feel happy and healthy.

Stop by either of our Barkery locations in Brookside or our newly expanded Lee’s Summit location and take advantage of this deal! Your furry friend will love you for it!

Special available October 1-31, 2018 only.

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