Pet FAQ

 

What exactly is there to research about pet food? learn more...

Questions we commonly answer

What brand of Essential Oils and why do you choose those over other brands?

Hero’s Pets sells AnimalEO and DoTerra Essential Oils. These oils are consumable. This is a difficult thing to accomplish because Essential Oils are concentrations of plant products. Concentration provides an increase in potency of healing properties, however, it also concentrates any chemical toxins that the product was exposed to prior to concentration. Most essential oil brands are not for internal use because they are not “clean” enough (too chemical laden) to be safe for internal use. AnimalEO and DoTerra, however, source such immaculately clean raw ingredients that their oils may be safely used internally or externally. Whether used internally or externally, Essential Oils are utilized for their healing effects and should not contain any level of detrimental chemical ingredients… even if they are being diffused into large rooms at small doses. This is why we feel its imperative to use Internal supreme grade Essential Oils for all applications.

I heard that Essential Oils can kill cats, is that true?

Yes and no. Cats are not able to metabolize aromatase and therefore concentrated Essential Oils can cause liver damage or even failure in cats. However, proper dilutions of Essential Oils can be healing for cats. We never recommend the use of Essential Oils in homes with cats without proper instruction to ensure safe use.

I’m not going to lock my dog in a room next to an Essential Oil Diffuser all day while I’m not home… how do I use it without driving my dog nuts by placing it on his face?

Hero’s Pets sells locally made Collar Companions. These patented healing stone and decorative coconut diffusors attach directly to your pups collar so they may be treated throughout the day, even if you’re not home. This is particularly useful when your Essential Oils are being applied for seizures, cancers, flea/tick prevention and respiratory concerns and much more.

Are there side effects to Essential Oils?

Essential Oils are intended for healing, however, just like any substance there is potential for allergic or otherwise negative reactions, particularly in cats. Excessive exposure or consumption is likely to result in side effects including unsteadiness on the feet, depression, low body temperature, vomiting and/or diarrhea. Near deaths associated with Essential Oils, as far as our research has shown, have been isolated to intentional overdose and, despite concentrations found in Essential Oils, still required the consumption of multiple bottles at time to elicit severe reaction. That said, we still suggest that you use Essential Oils with educated caution as they are a concentrated product. Always start by diluting your oils and increase dosage only if necessary. If you are unsure or would like guidance on how to use your Essential Oils safely please reach out for a personalized consultation.

 

What kind of puppy, large breed and senior foods does Hero’s Pets sell?

Before we get to the nitty gritty of what Hero’s Pets sells in this category we want to cover a few important points about Puppy, Senior and Large Breed foods and how you can ensure that you get what you think you’re getting when purchasing these types of products is actually what you’re getting:

What are you getting when you purchase a puppy, large breed or senior pet food? These products are supposed to provide altered nutrient levels to accommodate your pets health needs. So is it really necessary to purchase a more expensive product to accommodate these adjustments? Let’s take a look:

PUPPY LABEL COMPARISON: . Puppy foods are supposed to provide increased protein, fat and caloric content.

Purina Puppy Chow – Protein 27%, Fat 12%, 372kcals/4oz cup

… as compared to….

K9 Natural Puppy – Protein 35%, Fat 37%, 237kcals/1.5oz cup

As you can see, a high quality senior food can provide more protein, fat, calories and age appropriate nutrients than a low quality puppy food. Obviously, this comparison proves that the guaranteed analysis and actual ingredients are far more valuable for your puppy’s health than the “Puppy” label, which costs you more money!! Let’s look at another:

SENIOR LABEL COMPARISON: Senior foods are supposed to provide decreased protein, fat and caloric intake as well as increased fiber.*

Blue Wilderness Chicken for Senior Dogs – Protein 30%, Fat 12%, 387kcals/cup

…as compared to…

OC Raw Fish & Produce (all life stages) – Protein 18%, Fat 3%, 260kcals/cup

Again, this comparison proves that the Senior label does not necessarily provide decreased protein, fat and calories and better than an adult or all life stages dog food. Rather, focusing on the nutrients provided in the food for your pups aging organs, as well as adjusting the feeding to meet your pets slower metabolism needs is a better way to ensure your pup gets what he needs. Let’s look at one more:

LARGE BREED LABEL COMPARISON: Large breed formulas are supposed to provide adjusted mineral levels to prevent inappropriate bone growth as well as increased bulk for large appetites. *

Purina One Large Breed Adult Premium Dog Food – Protein 26%, Fat 12%, 355kcals/cup, Calcium 1%, Phosphorus 0.8%

…as compared to…

NRG Optimum Chicken – Protein 26%, Fat 18%, 600kcals/cup, Calcium 0.95%, Phosphorus 0.85%

The ideal Calcium Phosphorus Ratio for Large Breed Dogs is 1:1. As you can see the discrepancy between Purina’s Large Breed Dog food is 20% vs NRG’s Optimum’s being only 10%. So while you may see “Large Breed” label on the Purina product, the NRG product provides the same protein, very close fat, increased calories (therefore you can feed less which means smaller poops and less wasted money) and a more ideal calcium phosphorus ratio even though it doesn’t bear the “large breed” claim.

Hero’s Pets provides a limited number of Puppy, Large Breed and Senior formula’s because we don’t want you to pay more for a label that doesn’t necessarily mean anything We work to help customize the diet your pet needs based on their unique circumstances including age, activity level, metabolism, health condition, and more. Once we assess these qualities we can help you find the best product to match your pets needs, and your budgetary needs, without selling you simple yet deceptive products that make meaningless, yet expensive claims.

*Hero’s Pets does not necessarily endorse these claims and rather takes absorbability, potential for bloat/torsion, and individualized dietary and lifestyle needs into account first and foremost.

 

My dog keeps slipping out of his collar.

Collars are like jeans and are sometimes hard to fit. We recommend that you bring your dog into the store to be fitted or, if that's not an option, email us your dogs neck measurement 1 inch behind the ears and the type of collar you're using and we'll try to help you out with the fitting of your current collar. If, however, Howldini is just that good at getting out we can recommend a fitted Martingale, harness, or backup system based on your pets individual needs. Don't forget that fear and anxiety is actually often indicative of a health concern such as insufficient diet or vaccinosis. If your pet is slipping his or her collar out of fear we highly recommend a consultation to make sure your don't need to rule out a bigger issue.

 

The no-pull harness I have doesn't seem to work. What can I try?

Most no-pull harnesses that are currently on the market have a tendency to loosen in their adjustments as you use them. You can tighten up your harness adjustments every 15 minutes or so, or try a different method of no-pull harness, or we can recommend some trainers. Hero's Pets does not recommend no-pull face harnesses unless your pet is already well behaved on their leash as they are likely to do damage the cervical vertebrae. We also feel that choke collars, prong collars, shock collars, and even citronella collars are like power steering in a car. If you don't know how to drive a car with power steering you're probably going to wreck it and end up with an even bigger mess than you started with. YOU are the one that needs training if your pet is pulling on the leash. Your pet, believe us, is an easy fix. The problem stems from poor communication. Just as you can't communicate to people in Russia unless YOU learned to speak Russian, you probably can't effectively communicate with your pet if you didn't learn to speak dog. Trainers are teacher of pet language and while the upfront fee may be a little much it's far cheaper than destruction to all your possessions, vet bills from your pet slipping his collar and running in traffic, vet bills from a damaged neck from pulling, etc. And it's a much better alternative than the pound if you end up giving up on your beloved furry friend. Check our Resources Page for Trainer contacts.

The brush I have doesn't seem to work for my dog's fur. How do I know which one to use?

All dog hair is different. There are single coats, double coats, undercoats, long coats, short coats and everything in between. There's the pet that's had brushing maintained and those that haven't been brushed in years. That's why there are so many brushes on the market. Please click our consultation for a brief consultation about which brush is the best option for you. What we can tell you without asking about your pet is we never recommend the Furminator. It basically shaves your pet slowly from the top down, leaving the bulky, shedding undercoat. Don't forget that poor quality, heavily shedding coat (even in short haired pups) is indicative of a potential health problem. Most commonly pets that shed a lot are getting too much processed food, which is an easy fix. However, thyroid, autoimmune disorders, vaccinosis and other health concerns can also be the cause of hair loss. Even a healthy double coated, long haired border collie should shed a very minimal amount twice a year if fed the proper diet. Please click on our consultation button to rule out any potential health concerns and get dietary recommendations.

My dog's skin is flaky and itchy. What do I do?

Environmental or food allergies are the most common cause of this. The first thing you need to do is isolate the most likely culprit for your pet based on what you've been feeding, what their environment is like, and their vaccination/heartworm medication/flea and tick treatment history. Second, you need to assess if they've developed secondary issues such as candidiasis, staph or infection as a result of the allergy (actually the reverse is commonly true but either way the treatment is the same). Third, you need to identify a plan of action for how to deal with and reverse the existing issues. Please click on our consultation button so we can help you overcome the root of issues safely and effectively.

My dog is licking and chewing his paws. What do I do?

Food allergies create a gout-like condition in pets which causes discomfort in their feet. Generally they attempt to soothe the discomfort through chewing and licking. Removing the allergen from the diet is the most likely solution for this issue. On occasion environmental allergies, foreign bodies, infection, or warts can cause discomfort too. Please click on our consultation button so we can help you figure out and overcome the problem.

My dog keeps chewing the base of his tail. What's wrong?

Food allergies, thyroid problems, mange, mites and more can cause this problem. Please click on our consultation button so we can help you figure out what the problem is and the appropriate plan of action.

My dog has red stuff staining his eyes. Is there a way to fix that?

There are many enzyme-based products on the market that can help with this, our favorite is Elemental Provisions Tear Free, made in Colorado. There are also topical creams, wipes and gels for this. However, ultimately red tear stains are the result of a gunked up digestive system. There are several types of white blood cells in the body, each responsible for different functions. Each enzyme also produces a different color when excreted from the system (i.e. green nasal discharge indicates a sinus infection). Red tear stains are telling you that your pets body is not functioning properly. Often times they are also dehydrated. We recommend a raw or dehydrated diet to prevent tear stains (never feed grocery store meat raw). Raw and dehydrated foods contain natural, raw enzymes that support digestion and thus all other body functions. Dry Kibble diets are dehydrating and even the best quality cereal can't support health the way raw foods can. Please click on our consultation for recommendations on diets and supplements for your pet.

My dog has bad breath. What's up with that?

The digestive system goes from beginning to end and imbalances anywhere in between (stomach or gut) will affect the rest. Most often, bad breath is caused by poor digestive health which can be easily solved by switching to a less processed, more digestible diet with less "filler". Occasionally, plaque or abscesses are the sole cause or are coupled with poor digestion. Feeding crunchy kibble foods to clean your pets teeth is about as effective as brushing your teeth with pretzels and peanut brittle. The starches and dead food feed bacteria and are difficult to process through the intestines. Feeding raw bones (not from the grocery store) and quality diet will solve most problems. Please use the form at the top left to contact us for a nutritional consultation.

My dog has stinky gas. How can I fix that?

Cats and dogs, as you can see by their teeth, are supposed to eat meat and lots of it. If you were to take a peek inside and compare their intestines to a human's you'd also find that they don't digest the same way we do. Feeding bulky fillers and starches (corn, soy, rice, yeast, potato and sometimes oats) can cause a fermentation and coating of the intestinal wall that leads to gas and malabsorption of other nutrients. Most often, flatulence is caused by poor digestive health which can be easily solved by switching to a less processed, more digestible diet with less "filler." Please use the form at the top left to contact us for a nutritional consultation.

My dog has callouses on his elbows, a dry nose and cracked paw pads. What can I do?

In some cases a diet change can help this and in some cases this could be caused by a health concern such as thyroid imbalance, autoimmune diseases or adrenal issues. In some cases, supplementation with a product like Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or Kelp may help. Or sometimes topical treatments such as Snout Soother or Coconut Oil will help. Please contact us for a consultation so we can try to help you determine the root cause of your pets imbalance and assess whether or not you should consult a veterinarian.

My dog is old and starting to seem stiff and slow. How can I help?

If dogs were to eat a "Prey" diet, like wolves in the wild, they would be eating cartilage with every meal in the form of trachea, scapula, etc. Cartilage is a natural source of glucosamine and chondroitin which should be supplemented from puppyhood if you are not feeding raw cartilagenous products. If your pet is old and getting stiff he or she may benefit from a glucosamine/chondroitin/msm product, or herbal anti-inflammatories, or cetyl myristoleate if they have arthritis, or natural pain killers. Please contact us for a consultation to determine which product will be the most effective for you pets specific conditions and concerns and which product (or combination) will work best for your budget.

I'm training a puppy, so I need small treats that I can carry. What do you have?

We have bite sized soft treats, hard treats, stinky treats, not stinky treats (for if you're keeping them in your pocket) and everything in between. Most of them are very hypoallergenic and low calorie. Contact us for options.

My dog is tired of his food. What can I do?

It's important to rotate your pets diet regularly. Not every meat contains enough, or even all, necessary amino acids for perfect health. Feeding only Chicken will increase your pets levels of Niacin and Phosphorus and Beef would increase their Iron and Vitamin B12. Rotation is important for balancing the bodies needs without synthetics, good for challenging the digestive and immune system the way nature would and good for preventing boredom. However, we see that often times pets have developed behavioral problems associated with eating and they aren't being picky, they're being manipulative. Please contact us for a consultation on how to deal with a manipulative pet.

What exactly is there to research about pet food?

Don't let pictures of fresh, grocery store foods on pet food labels fool you. Most brand name pet foods are not using the pretty products they are advertising on the front of the bag. Foods cooked and processed into dry kibbles make for a quick and easy disposal of rotten, moldy scraps from the human food industry. Fruits and veggies that didn't sell before rotting. Meats that didn't sell before spoiling. Euthanized pets, dead, diseased, dying and disabled livestock that is not fit for human consumption, rats, cancerous tissue, etc. Even the junk swept up off the floor after meat processing to include plastic bags, sticks, tobacco, dirt and other grime. Yup, these are all allowed in your pets' food. How do you know if your pets' food is one of these? Below we list the 19 worst ingredients you can find in pet foods. If any of these are in your pets' food, dump it!!!