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Is Your Pet Micro-Chipped?

Posted on September 9, 2011

No one wants it to happen, but sometimes pets run away or get lost. This can be one of the most frightening experiences to a pet and his owner. Today’s technology provides us with not only ways to keep our pets safe, but also a way to find them if they get lost. The most effective way to ensure that your pet can be easily identified is to have them micro-chipped. Micro-chipping is a quick procedure that will guarantee that your pets have a virtually fail-safe way to be identified, if they become lost. There are many advantages to having your pet micro-chipped, including:
• Micro-chipping gives your pet the best chance of getting home quickly
• Micro-chipping is the only permanent method of pet identification
• The micro-chipping procedure is no more painful than a vaccination
• Identification information cannot fall off or become worn and hard to read like collars or id tags can.

After having your pet micro-chipped, it is important to register the correct identification information with the microchip company. We recommend checking with your local shelters to see what type of readers they use prior to getting your pet micro-chipped. Most veterinarians will insert a microchip for a small fee. They may also recommend what type of microchip would be best for you and your pet. If your veterinarian does not implant microchips they may be able to advise you on where the nearest clinic is that does offer this service. Although micro-chipping has many advantages, it shouldn’t be viewed as a replacement for identification tags on his or her collar – those tags are important. For more information on the microchip process and procedure, please go to http://dogs.about.com/od/toyssupplies/a/microchipping.htm

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Stop Sneezing, Sniffling, and Rubbing Your Eyes

Posted on August 25, 2011

Our pets provide us with unconditional love and an unparalleled sense of comfort, but one of things we can live without is pet allergens. According to The Humane Society of the United States approximately 15% of the population is allergic to dogs or cats.  An estimated 1/3 of Americans who are allergic to cats (about 2 million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway.  In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only 1 out of 5 did, thus proving that we really can’t live without our pets. We can, however, make life with pets easier by reducing animal allergens.

Animal allergens are found in homes with pets. The dander allergen gets trapped in pet saliva from self-grooming and becomes sticky. Since dander allergens are sticky, they can easily travel to places other than the home. While dander on a smooth surface (such as a wall or tile floor) can be easily wiped off, it can persist for long periods of time on softer materials, such as carpets, mattresses, upholstered furniture, clothing and even skin. That is why, unless special steps are taken, pet dander can remain in a home and wreak havoc for several months even after the pet is no longer there. Dander Free contains aggressive beneficial bacteria that love to eat organic waste (sticky dander) and will help rid your home of pet allergens, which in turn reduces sneezing, wheezing, and itchy, watery eyes. In addition to cat and dog hair, bird feathers and droppings can also increase allergen exposure. Ferrets, rabbits, rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs also harbor allergens in their saliva and urine. Once dry, these secretions become airborne and can be a source of allergic reactions for adults, children and anyone with increased exposure to animals.

In addition to saliva and urine, pet waste can be a source of bacteria, dust, fungi and mold. Dander Free’s good bacteria will quickly devour organic waste such as pet feces.
We recommend Dander Free to help remove the dander allergens from your pets and your home.  Spray both as often as is necessary to keep the allergens at a minimum level.
• Allergic individuals should avoid hugging or kissing their pets because of the allergens on the animal’s fur or saliva.
• Litter boxes should be placed in an isolated area and should be avoided by allergic individuals.
• Always wash your face, hands and arms after grooming or playing with pets to remove animal dander.
• Nothing beats a bath for your pet, especially if using a good non-chemical shampoo.  Do not use an anti-biotic shampoo, as it will kill the beneficial bacteria in Dander Free.
• Forced-air heating and air-conditioning can spread the allergens throughout the house. Homes with forced-air heating and/or air-conditioning may be fitted with a central air cleaner, or a room air purifier can be utilized a few hours a day.

For more natural solutions for pets and home, visit www.earthsbalance.com or call 1-800-292-3424.

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What’s Your Solution?

Posted on August 3, 2011

Pets have a way of finding trouble, or maybe trouble has a way of finding pets – either way pets seem to encounter trouble more than anyone would like them to. From bug bites to cat fights, there are many situations that require quick and effective solutions. So, whether it’s the dog whose constant scratching is making it impossible for him to relax, even in the dog days of summer or the cat whose curiosity got the best of her, we have a solution that can calm the hot spots.

Thanks to Marshall Pet Products and Earth’s Balance, there are Canine Solution and Feline Solution. These all natural, first aid solutions are both veterinarian recommended and proven to help your pets wounds naturally. Canine and Feline Solution answer a variety of  common problems pets may face on a day-to-day basis. They also help you save time and money by reducing the number of visits to your veterinarian. These solutions are used for minor cuts and scrapes, larger abrasions, hotspots, insect bites, skin irritation and more. The application is simple; for most situations spray the affected area 2-3 times a day until the area is completely recovered. Our pets might not always be the ones to find trouble, but when trouble finds them be prepared to solve the problem with Canine or Feline Solution. For a full listing of uses and recommended applications please visit www.earthsbalance.com.

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Tips for Trimming Your Ferret’s Nails

Posted on July 26, 2011

Before trimming your ferrets nails be sure to have everything you might need

  • Ferret nail clippers: specially designed scissor style clipper with a notch at the bottom of the blade. Human nail clippers can be used as well if you don’t have ferret nail clippers.
  • A distraction: we recommend using Furo-Vite or Furo-Lax; both are not only a treat for your ferret but also good supplements as well.
  • Something to stop bleeding: ferrets have a vain that grows partially through the nail; this area is called the quick. The quick is the small pink under layer of the nail, if nails are trimmed to short this could be painful and bleed. Keep styptic powder, a bar of soap or flour handy, just in case.

NOTE: when trimming just take off the tip of your ferrets nail.

After getting everything you will need together you can get your ferret and begin.

One Person:

When trimming your ferret’s nails alone, the distraction aspect is what is going to make this an easy task. We would recommend draping a towel over your legs and placing your ferret on his or her back on the towel. Take the Furo-Lax or Furo-Vite and rub some on your ferret’s belly. While you furry friend is busy trying to lick every bit of the treat off, firmly hold each paw, one at a time, and carefully trim each nail. If necessary, do the front two paws one day and the back two the next. For ferrets that really dislike having their nails cut, this may be the easiest clipping technique.

Two People:

When lucky enough the have two have two people for this task, have one person hold the ferret, stomach facing out. You can still use the Furo-Lax or Furo-Vite as a distraction, this will always make nail trimming more enjoyable for your ferret. While your ferret is distracted the other person should carefully clip the nails in the same manor as recommended above.

Ferrets nails should be clipped every two weeks as a part of a regular grooming process. Clipping your ferret’s nails after a bath is a great idea as you ferret will be more relaxed. And remember, any grooming process will be a great bonding experience for you and your ferret!

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Earth’s Balance hits HollyWOOF

Posted on July 20, 2011

HollyWOOF Doggie BagsWe a lot to bark about! Since our acquisition of the Earth’s Balance pet line, we have been getting the word out on these all-natural, environmentally safe pet solutions. Most recently, we have partnered with Distinctive Assets, a highly respected entertainment gifting company, in order to provide a one-of-a-kind HollyWOOF Doggie Bags for some high profile pet-loving celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, Paris Hilton, Betty White, Rachel Ray, Allison Sweeney, Cesar Milan…to name a few. The gift bag contains Earth’s Balance Wet Dog Solution, Earth’s Balance Canine Solution, and GoodBye Odor for Dogs. The Earth’s Balance line addresses common pet problems such as dander, odor, itching, and general care for dogs, cats, birds and even horses! The GoodBye Odor line was initially developed for ferrets and small animals and has expanded to include cats and dogs. Marshall Pet Products President Pete Reid says, “We want every pet to be treated like royalty.” And that’s pretty easy with this product line-up. Check out the full Earth’s Balance line on www.earthsbalance.com or go to www.marshallpet.com to see GoodBye Odor and other product lines.

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Terrific Tips for Litter Training Ferrets

Posted on July 12, 2011

In a perfect world ferrets would come home from pet stores litter trained. Unfortunately that isn’t the case; here are some tips for litter training your ferrets.

  • When starting litter training, limit your ferrets area to a small section such as his cage or a playpen
    • Ferrets need time to adjust to the sights, sounds and smells of their surroundings.
    • If your ferret beings to relieve himself any place other than the litter pan gently move him to the high back litter pan,
    • If your ferret uses his litter pan for its intended purpose give him praise
  • What litter to use
    • We recommend using a recycled paper pellets, such as Marshall Premium Litter.
    • Litters that are chemically treated or dusty should not be used.
  • Training in a Marshall Playpen
    • Playpen training can be easier as the open top allows easier access to your ferret when moving him to his high back litter pan
    • The round shape of the Marshall Playpen offers no corners for your ferret to back up in
  • Expand his territory
    • When you ferret has been using his litter pan regularly you can expand his territory to a room.
    • Keep litter pans in strategic corners of the room (it’s a good idea to keep newspaper under litter pans to protect flooring from accidents.)
  • Deterring your ferrets from corners
    • Using corner deterrent springs or crumpled up newspaper are good ways to keep your ferret from backing up into corners to relieve himself.

While all of these tips are important while litter training ferrets, it is also important to remember that repetitiveness is what will really teach your ferret to us their litter pan. Always keep close observation of your ferret while litter training. For any other questions we recommend the book “Ferrets for Dummies” as a great reference tool.

Posted in Living with Pets, Odor Control | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Skinny on the Stink

Posted on July 8, 2011

Lets face it; our pets don’t always smell as fresh as we wish they did. Dogs tend to have smelly coats and bad breath, cats have smelly litter pans, ferrets have a musty smell, rabbits, guinea pig and hamsters all don’t smell so lovely either. But, there is no reason to fret, with proper care and some great grooming products, your pets will smell clean and fresh.

Proper grooming plays a key role in reducing pet odor. Bathing, trimming and brushing your pets is an essential part of taking care of them. Giving your pet a bath once a month, every 3 to 4 weeks, can greatly reduce the odors that tend to accumulate. In addition to bathing, pets need their teeth cleaned just like you do; you should brush your pet’s teeth at least once every other week, if not once a week, to reduce plaque and tartar build-up, which often leads to decay, infection and tooth loss – all causes of bread breath.

Good Bye Odor is an excellent way to stop odors before they start. Made for dogs, cats, ferrets, and small animals; Good Bye Odor is a natural product that neutralizes pet’s waste, urine and body odors in the digestive tract, before odors have a chance to get out! Just add a few pumps to your pet’s daily water or food supply. Marshall Pet Products also offers external odor fighting products for when your pets are having a particularly smelly day.

Dogs seem to smell especially pungent after rigorous outdoor activities, for this we offer Wet Dog. As the name suggests, this product works effectively in removing that wet dog smell, as well as other offensive smells. Wet Dog eliminates the odor, as opposed to masking the odor, with an all-natural formulation. Another great odor removing product is Skunk Free; which does just what the name suggests, eliminates skunk odors. Skunk Free is also made from an all-natural formulation; both products are safe for people, pets, and the environment.

For ferrets in between baths we offer Ferret Cologne, Daily Spritz, and Tea Tree Spray. All of these products give your ferret a fresh smelling coat between baths and don’t adversely affect their body’s natural oils. Tea Tree Spray and Tea Tree Shampoo are both safe and natural ways to deter fleas and ticks.

We know you love your pets no matter what, but now you can love them without wrinkling your nose! Visit www.marshallpet.com to see our full line of grooming products.

Posted in Earth's Balance, goodbye odor, Living with Pets, Odor Control | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jake & Jasper: A Ferret Tale

Posted on June 28, 2011

Our friend, Alison Parker, is in the process of creating a short film about a young boy named Jake (Connor Stanhope, “Smallville”) who finds solace in the friendship he develops with a pet ferret after the death of his mother.

Who We Are
The film is written by Alison Parker & David B. Beleznay, two filmmakers from Vancouver, BC, Canada.  Alison Parker will direct and Shawn Seifert will be the Director of Photography.

Full Synopsis
Struggling to cope with the recent death of his mother, young Jake Tyler retreats from his family and the world at large. After being involved in a violent fight with some older boys at school, he winds up in the principal’s office with his father who is told that Jake might benefit from professional help. Unfortunately, Jake’s father has been unable to help himself through the loss of his wife. When not neglecting his son and daughter as a result, he’s furious with them. Jesse (Jake’s sister) is so fed up with her selfish father that she moves out of the house, but not without leaving her pet ferret, Jasper, to keep her brother company.

Jake & Jasper become fast friends as the two develop a strong bond. Yet just as this companionship seems on the verge of prying Jake from his shell, his father threatens to take Jasper away. With the thought of losing his best pal, Jake decides to run away from home and the two get lost in a nearby forest. Then when darkness falls Jake & Jasper not only lose each other in the woods, they nearly lose their lives.

Why I’m Making This Film – a Message from Director Alison Parker:
I decided to make the film “Jake & Jasper: A Ferret Tale” for a few reasons.  One, I have always been a fan of films that show the bond between animals and humans.  There is something so magical about finding love and understanding from a creature that you can’t even speak to.  Two, ferrets have always been portrayed in a negative way in the media.  They are often shown as being aggressive, dangerous, and sometimes even being used as a weapon.  This is really ridiculous and has to stop.  I don’t want everyone to go out and start buying ferrets without researching the proper care and responsibility it takes to own one – only to change the perception people have of what ferrets are.  This film will share with the world the joy a ferret can bring to a family, in a story that will surely warm your heart.

If you would like to help fund this movie, click here.


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Earth’s Balance Product Give Away

Posted on June 23, 2011

Friday was our semiannual company meeting and we felt that was the perfect time to do a product giveaway of our new Earth’s Balance line for the employees of our company. Everyone seemed to be pleasantly surprised at what the products could do for their pets, their homes and their families, and they were equally excited to try them. As people came in, we unloaded and handed out cases of products, explaining what each was used for and why they are all necessary for pet owners.

One product in particular that seemed to go over well, was Wet Dog, our spray on odor eliminator. Not only does this product remove that distinct wet dog odor, but also many other unpleasant odors that come from canine companions. All of our products were well-received and we’re eager to see what kinds of feedback will come within the next few weeks.

To find out how these products to can help your pets, visit www.earthsbalance.com.

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All Proteins are not Created Equal

Posted on June 17, 2011

Many ferret diets claim that their diet is best for ferrets since they are high in protein, but that is only part of the story. These diets often have high amounts of milk and  dairy products, not meat proteins. Ferrets need meat proteins to maintain optimal health. Proteins from milk mand dairy products are not the same and may even do more harm than good. Marshall Premium Ferret Diet has high meat protein and is the best choice for your ferret.

As a ferret owner, you need to know your ferret’s particular needs and trust the experts. Marshall has been raising and breeding ferrets for more than 70 years. They are the world’s premier breeder – experts in ferrets, ferret nutrition and ferret care. Marshall Premium Ferret Diet provides your ferret with fresh meat proteins and Omega 3s to maintain excellent health for all life stages.

Enter to WIN! Buy one 4lb bag of Marshall Premium Ferret Diet and you’ll be entered to win a 3 month supply of Marshall Premium Ferret Diet.

Limited offer. Send a proof of purchase (receipt with purchase circled and UPC code from bag) with your name, address and email to Marshall Pet Products, 5740 Limekiln Road, Wolcott, NY 14590 and you’ll be entered to win a 3 month supply of Marshall Premium Ferret Diet (six 4lb bags approximate retail value $57.00). All entries must be received by July 31, 2011. The winner be posted on our Facebook page on August 1, 2011.

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