Wildebeest Guides

As “man’s best friends”, dogs bring us so much joy and amazing quality of life throughout our companionship. And being a dog parent comes with the great responsibility of taking care of our precious pups the best we can, as it can really help their chances of having a longer lifespan and avoid injuries or diseases. We’ve put together a quick guide with 5 positive habits for dog parents to ensure a long, healthy and happy life with our Beests. 1. FEED THEM WELL Just like with humans, feeding our pups quality foods can have great benefits. Food affects your dog’s overall health, helping with their digestive system, immunity, skin and coat, mood and energy. There are good and bad foods that can either benefit pup’s health or cause damage and even disease. A high quality diet that is catered to your pup’s conditions can keep them excited for food and free from sickness as they get older. Incorporating good fats, proteins, carbohydrates, and vitamins and minerals into their daily diet will help make Beest feel healthy and extra special. Do your research, start with small but positive changes, and find what works for your pup and your resources (budget, time or skills). Check out our Healthy Snacks Guide for easy recipes and helpful info to get you started! 2. KEEP ‘EM CLEAN Cleanliness can impact our pups’ wellbeing if not cared for regularly. Staying on top of their oral hygiene can help curb serious health issues while keeping their skin and coat clean can spare them from discomfort and diseases from parasites like fleas and ticks. Regularly washing pup’s food bowls and toys helps prevent bacteria growth that is harmful for pup and can spread germs around our home. For more tips, head to our 5 Dog Hygiene Tips to keep you informed and on track with your cleaning habits. 3. EXERCISE + TRAIN Regular exercise and training are crucial for keeping our furry friend healthy and happy. Just like humans, dogs need physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and prevent obesity-related issues. Exercise not only helps to burn off excess energy but also stimulates the brain, keeping them mentally sharp and engaged. It doesn’t matter if you have a new puppy or a senior dog, exercise is needed at all ages. Check out our Exercise Guide and our Senior Care Guide to find more exercise tips for your dog and their lifestyle. Training is also essential for developing good behavior and keeping pups mentally active. Practicing basic commands, challenging tricks, or a stimulating puzzle / toy, not only contributes to pup’s wellbeing but also strengthens the bond between you and your canine companion. So, whether it's a brisk walk in the park, a game of fetch, or a fun training session, make sure to maintain an exercise and training routine that fits you and your pup. Head to our Dog Training Guide for some easy training tips you can start implementing. 4. BUILD THE BOND Our dogs spend their entire lives with us and no dog is the same in personality. Taking the time to truly get to know them and building a strong bond improves the physical and emotional wellbeing for us and our pups. By engaging in activities such as walks in the park, exciting games of fetch,1:1 training sessions, or cuddling together in our downtime, will help you get to know them and nurture a companionship like no other. Bonding with your Beest is an amazingly unique and rewarding experience that will keep you both happy and healthy over time. 5. NEVER STOP LEARNING The journey towards being a responsible dog owner and keeping our dogs healthy never ends. Dogs thrive with their humans’ loving care and attention and it’s important to never stop educating ourselves on ways to keep our pups happy. Whether it's learning about proper nutrition, new exercise routines, preventive healthcare measures, or even training techniques that are just right for your dog, there is always something new to discover. By staying informed and up-to-date with the research and expert advice, our dogs will live a happy and healthy life for years to come. Remember, knowledge is power, and when it comes to our dog's wellbeing, learning is an ongoing journey that deserves our dedication and commitment. Whether you’re a first time dog owner or have had extensive dog parenting experience, these Dog Parent Tips that no one told us about, are great to know and share with a fellow dog parent. Maintaining the health and happiness of our beloved Beests is a lifelong commitment. Following positive habits, such as providing a nutritious diet, practicing good hygiene, incorporating regular exercise and training, building a strong bond, and continuously learning about their needs, can guide us in providing the best life to our Beests. For more dog parenting resources, be sure to explore our Wildebeest Guides that cover everything from DIY recipes to training and bonding tips and more. Happy Dog Parenting!   Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!

In honor of Earth Day, we’ve been thinking a lot about what we can do as pet owners to make more eco-friendly choices! Here are some ways we can make a big impact with small everyday choices.

Doggy hygiene is one of the top pet parent responsibilities when it comes to keeping your dog healthy and clean. Just like how being on top of your hygiene and grooming is a part of maintaining good health for humans, the same goes for our pets too. We put together 5 tips for dog parents to add to their routine to help upkeep and improve their pet care. 1. Giving Regular Baths & Brushing Bathing and grooming can keep your dog from experiencing possible skin infections, harmful bacteria, or dull and greasy fur. Make sure to give pup a bath regularly -- for long haired dogs, every 4-6 weeks and for short haired dogs, every 1-3 months is recommended. If they get especially dirty after the rain or an adventure, rinse off the dirt as needed. Bathing too often can result in loss of natural oils in the body which can cause an imbalance or irritation in your dog’s skin, so make a bath routine based on how often your dog needs it, using products that are designed specifically for pets. Brushing pup’s fur can also prevent skin issues and is recommended to do daily or every few days to prevent matting, remove dead hair, and distribute natural oils for a healthy coat. 2. Keeping Up With Dental Hygiene Dental disease is quite prevalent in dogs and can lead to other health problems. Signs of periodontal disease such as gingivitis in dogs are commonly seen by the age of three, beginning with bad breath and tartar build up. It’s recommended that dogs get their first teeth cleaning right around 2-3 years of age and routine cleaning every year. As a responsible dog parent, implement a daily tooth brushing routine as early as possible to help maintain pup’s dental hygiene long-term. You can also look into other dental disease prevention methods to find what’s best for your pup. See our Guide to Doggy Dental Care for more in-depth information and tips on the topic. 3. Wiping Pup’s Paws After Walks Clean paws will ensure your dog can walk, play, and live comfortably. After your walk or hike, remember to wipe and check pup’s body and paws for debris (grass, twigs, foxtails) that might have gotten stuck as it could result in discomfort, open wounds and even infection. Wiping your dog’s paws with dog-safe grooming wipes gets rid of any bad germs picked up from your walk, helping keep both you & your dog’s immune systems healthy AND your home interior clean. 4. Cleaning Pup’s Eyes & Tear Stains What are tear stains and eye goop? It’s a discharge that your dog’s body produces to flush out any dirt or allergies in the air. Depending on breed and lifestyle this can vary from texture, fluid, and color. It’s recommended to clean around your dog’s eyes daily (or as often as they need be) using a warm washcloth and gently removing any goop or discharge. Tear stains can appear in pink and brownish color below the eyes and are usually more visible on pups with lighter colored fur. Treating tear stains may require a more specific cleaning routine and products like powder, eye combs, eye cleaning pads, or chews. Tear stains and eye goop are common and manageable in dogs but they can lead to bacteria growth and infection, or they can be signs of other health problems. So it’s good to stay on top of any changes and maintain an overall cleanliness around pup’s eyes. 5. Washing Pup’s Bowls & Toys This one is something that some of us may not think about often. Especially your dog’s toys… how often do you clean them? But the truth is, the food & water bowls and toys come in contact with pup’s mouth and snout all the time. And their saliva & constant wetness make for perfect breeding grounds for germs that you don’t want to spread around your home & family. Dog bowls should be washed every day if not after every meal. Hand-washing or using the dishwasher are the best ways to get the job done, and remember to be mindful of the cleaning products you use to keep your dog safe. For the same reason, toys should also be cleaned regularly and it’s recommended that they be well washed and sanitized at least once a month. If your pup has a favorite toy that goes everywhere with them, then cleaning it more often would be ideal and make sure to let it dry completely. Most plush toys can be thrown in the washing machine with baking soda and vinegar without detergent to sanitize them naturally. Silicone toys may be dishwashed, but check the manufacturer washing instructions. Adding these easy tips into your dog parenting regimen will not only improve your pup’s overall health but also keep them happy and loving their best life for many years to come. Dogs may not be human but they are just like us when it comes to wanting to feel clean, comfortable, and healthy each day. And it’s up to us humans to provide that for our best friends.   Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!

When you think about spring cleaning most of us think about deep cleaning our homes, decluttering junk and old clothes, and making our spaces feel fresh to welcome the new season. But what about spring cleaning for our furry family members? As much as we love our pets, having them in our homes exposes us and them to dirt, pests, and unwanted bacteria. We may not always think about cleaning as a preventative care method for our pups, but doing so will help keep everyone happy and healthy. So here are some easy spring cleaning to-do’s for you!  SORT The best time to say goodbye to the toys & gear that have been destroyed – or shall we say, well-loved! – that you have been avoiding to throw out is now. Go through your pup's gear box and sort through stuff that can be disposed of, stuff that can be donated that you or pup no longer want, and stuff that need to be washed. If you have any Wildebeest gear that are outgrown, worn & torn, or damaged, email us about our Wild4Life Warranty to see how we can help replace or repair it. WASH It’s always a good idea to wash your dog's essentials once every season or two but especially important when transitioning from winter to spring as the warmer weather brings out the pests we aren’t very fond of – fleas and ticks. Gather all your dog’s washable items such as the bed, blankets, towels, toys, gear (collar, leash, harness), clothes + accessories to prevent any pests from invading your home. If possible, use pet safe and toxic-free detergent when washing your dogs belongings. For toys, avoid using dryer sheets in the dryer and hand wash any non-plush toys. Most silicone based toys and dog bowls made out of silicone, ceramic or stainless steel are dishwasher safe. You can also clean toys & dog bowls by hand with baking soda, white vinegar, and warm water if you rather not throw them in the washing machine. DONATE Just like us, our pups grow out of styles and sizes in their gear or clothing. Sort through it and make a donation bag of clean things they no longer wear or fit into that are still in good condition. A great place to donate these items are to your local animal shelters / organizations who are always in need of extra gear. Another option is to hand them down to friends or family members who might be welcoming a new pup. DEEP CLEAN Clean the areas where your pet hangs out the most – sofa, rugs + carpets, yard, crate, food corner, doggy doors etc. Vacuum and/or mop these areas to start. Use lint rollers, a broom, or damp disposable gloves for removing any pet hair. For deodorizing carpets or sofas, sprinkle baking soda in the area, let sit for 10-15 mins then vacuum. Baking soda is a powerful alkaline solution that effectively removes stains and odor. Any other hang out areas can be cleaned with warm water, soap, and white vinegar or with pet safe cleaning products. For anything plastic like a crate tray or food bowls, use warm soapy water and then let them air dry.  WATCH FOR EXPIRY Treats, canned food / kibble, and medications do have expiration dates. It’s important to go through these as they accumulate over time and get rid of anything that is expired. Make sure to properly dispose of them so your dog doesn’t get into it resulting in a trip to the vet. Products like shampoos, flea treatments, cleansers can also expire so make sure to double check those as well. DECLUTTER + REORGANIZE Keeping your dog's stuff tidy and organized is a big time saver and a good feeling to have but we are often guilty of saying “I’ll do it later '' or holding onto things you no longer use. Take time to declutter anything no longer used and reorganize the space where you keep pup’s stuff. Make it a fun project to spruce up that area and channel your inner Marie Kondo. Having a clean and organized space will help keep the clutter away until next Spring Cleaning! GROOM The most important tip of all, a clean pooch! After cleaning their space and toys, your pup wants to feel fresh and clean too. Set some time aside afterwards to give them a good grooming session. If you decide to groom them yourself make sure to trim their nails, clean up the hair around their paw pads, give them a haircut, and a good puppy bath. It’s also the perfect time to start or refill on any flea and tick prevention. ... You’ll be surprised how much healthy and happier your pups will be after a good spring cleaning. Keep in mind that a fresh feeling home should be kept up with all year round, so implement a routine that works best for you and your family. We suggest sorting toys & gear, washing bedding, and checking for any expired food & medications as often as possible. Deep cleaning furniture, grooming your dog, and decluttering can be done less often, yet making regular cleaning habits will save you time when next spring rolls around, allowing more time to enjoy with Beest! Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your beest. We want to be there every step of the way, with our gear & pom pom’s in tow, supporting you & beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship. SHOP OUR GEAR >>>