Free Healthy Pet Seminars at Mouthfuls!

Mouthfuls is hosting a series of healthy pet seminars in our store during the month of January. We're all thinking healthy this time of year and we want to include our pets in that thinking too. We've gathered some of our favorite experts to share their knowledge with our customers free of charge! Our seminars are limited to 20 people per night so let us know early if you'd like to join us.

Wednesday, January 14th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Dr. Judy Jasek (a holistic vet in nearby Englewood - ) will be discussing the importance of a healthy digestive system for dogs and cats. Do you know the difference between prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes and soil-based organisms? We'll give you a hint - they are the key elements necessary for a healthy pet!

Wednesday, January 21st from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., a representative from Nature's Variety () will be hosting a raw food seminar for dogs and cats. This is the healthiest way to feed our animals, yet most people are nervous or intimidated about trying it. Join us for this informative discussion and go home that evening with a free sample to try on your pets.

Wednesday, January 28th from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., our favorite dog trainer, Scott Schwab will join us this evening to help us all create a balanced home with our dogs. Scott will be giving us all kind of tips to help make your dog respect you without feeling intimidated. The owners have used this trainer for all of their dogs and this is a great opportunity to meet him. Please leave your dogs at home while you're learning how to be boss!

Watch our blog for additional seminars coming soon!

Plaque Off

How are your pet's teeth? Do you brush every day and have them professionally cleaned every year? My guess is NO. But don't feel bad, I don't either - yet my dogs' and cat's teeth are clean, white and beautiful with no plaque on them. Yes, the owners of Mouthfuls have pets with beautiful teeth. How, you ask?

Start with the basics: Feed a great food. If your pets' food includes corn, wheat, soy, gluten meals, "animal fat" or "meat meal", it's time to upgrade. These low-quality foods contribute to a massive amount of plaque on your pet's teeth.

Allow your pets to chew! I offer my dogs raw bison bones several times a week. These raw bones are from Bison that are pasture-raised and hormone and antibiotic free. Raw bones don't split and literally pull the tartar off your dog's teeth. Bully sticks and tendons are stringy and act like dental floss to remove plaque.

Crunchy dog treats don't count: There is a company out there that produces crunchy dog treats, claiming that it helps clean the teeth. Wait a minute! We don't give our children graham crackers before bed instead of brushing their teeth. The same concept applies for dogs.

Use Plaque Off regularly! This form of powdered sea weed was discovered in Sweden and is THE MOST EFFECTIVE thing I have ever found for pet dental care. Just a tiny spoonful of this on the food daily keeps the bad bacteria from adhering to the teeth as plaque. This is an important distinction from other products. It doesn't KILL the bacteria, it just keeps it from adhering. Therefore, it isn't killing bacteria in the digestive track the way other preventative products do.

The company suggests that it may take 3-4 weeks of continuous use to notice a difference. That may be true but we've found that it is more like 3-4 months before the existing plaque softens enough to slough off with frequent chewing. Don't give up too early on this product. You and your vet will be amazed at the results!

Jingle and Mingle at Mouthfuls on December 10th!

Are you and your family participating in the growing trend of buying locally? It's easier than ever this holiday season. Merchants on Tennyson Street have created not one but two Jingle and Mingle shopping extravaganzas this year. The first will occur on Wednesday, December 10th and we will all be open until 9:00 that night. This is a great opportunity to have dinner at one of the many restaurants that surround us before leisurely strolling and shopping the street. You'll be serenaded by Carolers on the street, find discount booklets (that include a coupon for our store!) at many of the merchant's locations and score myriads of unique, affordable gifts for your families and friends! Santa will be available for pictures at Simply Divine.

All of the merchants are accepting (new) toy donations for the Tennyson Center for Children. This incredible organization serves children of all ages and is grateful for any new toys except toy weapons.

We at Mouthfuls are also spearheading a pet food drive benefitting the Max Fund and the Misha May Foundation. New or gently used blankets, towels, bowls, leashes, toys, food and treats will be graciously accepted and distributed to these needy organizations.

Oh, and if this isn't enough, we'll be offering cookies and hot cider to warm your bones while you enjoy a festive evening. Hope to see you there!