Wildebeest Guides

Taking care of your dog is a lifelong commitment. As pet parents we want to give our dogs a happy and healthy life throughout their time with us. Just like us humans, getting older for dogs can mean physical challenges such as loss of sight, hearing and smell, and a decrease in energy level and sometimes health issues.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, your dog, depending on the breed, would be considered a senior as early as age 6 or 7 which is about 40-50 years in human years and can benefit from a lifestyle shifted to meet their needs as older pets.

In this blog article, we want to highlight the importance of taking early health precautions and list a few things that you can start implementing to maintain your senior pup’s wellbeing and maximize their lifespan as the years go on.
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1. A HEALTHY DIET

What you feed your pup is basically what they’re made of. You may want to or need to consider changing up their diet as they grow older and based on specific health needs that may arise.

Daily diets that incorporate above-average protein, below-average calories, and no high-risk preservatives are generally good anti-aging formulas to look for. Depending on your dog’s specific dietary needs, you may consider adding supplements (more on that topic later), probiotics, pumpkin for increased fiber intake, and steamed dark green veggies (ex. Kale, broccoli, spinach) for calcium, antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients to their current or senior catered diet.

There are many great food options out there today so we encourage you to do some research to find the option that best serves you & your senior pup. And remember to feed your dog proper portions according to their size, weight and exercise levels. 

@huskymax_pugmolly

2. A STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM

Just like humans, taking care of your dog’s immune system can help prevent more severe illnesses or diseases. Dog parks, vet offices, city streets and many other places that you visit on the daily can expose your dog to harmful bacteria or parasites. A strong immune system helps fight these harmful elements and keeps your dogs healthy. A compromised immune system can cause diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pain, and much worse and senior dogs are much more vulnerable. Some ways to keep the immune system strong are:

• Proper hygiene - bathe your dog regularly to eliminate bad bacteria / parasites that your dog may pick up
• An ideal weight for their size and age - consult a veterinarian on what a healthy weight looks like for your dog and how many calories they should be consuming
• Rich antioxidant foods that are safe for dogs - like beans, apples, berries, cooked potatoes, cabbage, and broccoli can be fed safely and in moderation
• Clean toys and bowls - these are germ magnets as your dog touches everything with their mouth / nose after being outside, clean these with non-toxic cleaners
• Keep them stress free - avoid situations and environments that cause your dog to get anxious and remember that they can pick up on your stress as well
• Ask your vet - next time you go in for a comprehensive exam, ask your vet what other ways you can help boost your dog’s immune system

3. SUPPLEMENTS

Increasing your pup’s intake of nutrients can be easily achieved with the help of supplements. You can find most options in treat forms or easily add to your dog's meals. Consult with your vet to see what supplements your senior dog would benefit from. Some general supplements beneficial for senior dogs are:

• Omega-3 / fish oils - helps with brain activity, eyesight, heart and kidney function, immune system and keeping skin and coat smooth and shiny
• Senior chewable formula - contains vitamins and minerals to support overall health
• Hip & Joint - supports hips and joints against pain and deteriorating range of motion with active ingredients like omega-3 and glucosamine.
• Bladder Control - supports normal bladder control and immune system function 
• Heart Health - increases nutrients of L-carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 (older dogs don’t have enough in their bodies) and supports cardiovascular health 

4. DAILY EXERCISE

No matter what age your dog happens to be, giving them daily exercise is always important. Although senior dogs may not be able to be as active like they were as a pup, make sure to maintain that daily exercise and slow things down for them. A leisurely stroll around your neighborhood, initiating play time, or swimming (hydrotherapy) are great exercises for senior pets. Daily exercise can also lessen the chances of joint problems as consistent movement of muscles will support joints and keep them limber.

For more activity ideas, check out our “Guide to staying active indoors & out”

5. MENTAL STIMULATION & PLAY

Dogs crave for both mental and physical stimulation, but once your dog starts to get older you should increase the amount of mental stimulation especially as they start to encounter challenges with getting enough physical stimulation. Keeping their minds stimulated will increase their happiness and health.

Consider getting your dog puzzle toys / mats or planting treats in a room of the house for them to smell out. Any fun and creative activity that gets them using their brains will keep them sharp and focused as they get older.

For more indoor activity ideas, check out the Exercise + Activity section from our blog article “Guide to staying at home with your dog in a pandemic”, or “Guide to staying active indoors & out”

6. REGULAR VET VISITS

Vets recommend scheduling a visit every 6 months for senior dogs. These are wellness exams to keep a closer eye on your dog’s health so that they can catch any developing conditions early and provide treatment as soon as possible. Ask your vet about scheduling routine checkups for your senior dog.
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If given the opportunity to stop time and keep our furry friends around forever, we probably wouldn’t hesitate to do so. But growing older is a natural progression that happens to all of us and the best we can do as caretakers of our beests is to provide them with a healthy, happy life full of love and special moments that they so deserve.

We’re most certain that staying proactive and conscious of your dog’s basic needs -- both physical and mental -- and remembering to venture out together and build your bond with them along the way... will bring about a truly fulfilling life and companionship that we all dream about.

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

It doesn’t matter what kind of person you are or what kind of dog they are… the bottom line is, we all yearn to discover that special connection with the beest in our life all the same. Building a bond, nurturing that relationship and finding meaningful moments along the way is ultimately what animal companionship is all about. And we can all agree that animal companionship makes life more wholesome, fulfilling and happier. Research shows that bonding with your pet improves health such as lowering blood pressure, strengthening your immune system, reducing stress and anxiety and much more. 

Bonding with your dog can start as early as the day you bring them home as a puppy, full grown adults or even senior dogs. Bonding is not complicated, it’s actually quite simple if you think about what makes you both happy. And it doesn’t stop when your dog’s a certain age, you can continue nurturing your connection as long as we live. Here are 5 easy ways you can start incorporating into your daily routine.

1. TAKE A WALK

Taking a walk together is one of the most basic but powerful activities you can do with your dog to create a bond. Even if you have a yard or fresh grass for pup to go potty in, consider leashing pup up and going for a short stroll once a day. If you get tired of taking the same route, switch it up by taking a different street or setting off to somewhere new with no time limit. Take the time to be present with your pup as you both walk side by side in the same direction… bonding over taking in the scenery and new sounds and smells together.

2. TRAIN 1:1

Dogs like to be mentally, physically, and emotionally stimulated, and of course, be rewarded! Set aside 5-10 mins of 1:1 training in your day where pup is challenged to learn a new trick and you reward them with their favorite treats when they nail it! This dynamic interaction not only builds a stronger relationship between you both, it will also make your dog happier and more obedient. Training can be as basic or complex as you want it to be as long as you remain focused on them without distractions during your 1:1 time.

3. CREATE PLAY TIME

Dogs love to PLAY! Grabbing your pup's favorite toy and engaging for some intimate playtime is a fun way to build a stronger bond with your dog. Whether it’s an indoor game of tug or heading outside for a few minutes of fetch, it doesn’t take much more than a small object like an old sock or a ball to create quality play time. It’s more about the energy and attention you bring to the table that your dog will love and appreciate! :)

4. PET WITH PURPOSE

This one sounds simple but the key is to pet your pup with your full attention. Figure out what they LOVE… a belly rub, a good behind the ears scratch, making eye contact or hearing your sweet-talk to them... whatever it is, let them know you love them and are taking the time to be present with them.

5. CUDDLE UP

Exercising and staying active is important in building a strong relationship with your pup, but so is slowing down and relaxing together. There’s not really a “best” time or place for a good snuggle to take effect, however at the end of your day on a comfy couch sounds pretty perfect for enjoying some quality down time together. This creates a sense of safety / comfort in your dog (and you too!). You may also work in #4 right here. :)

These are just some really easy basic -- but effective -- bonding activities that you can do together to show your beest how much you care for them and what they mean to you. But spending all of your day together everyday isn’t so healthy either. It actually helps your bond to have some separation for a portion of the day. So give your dog some space to unwind and destress in between their interactions with you. Consider setting up a crate or a pup-only nook in their favorite part of the house where they can be alone. Remember, creating these boundaries between you and your dog is an essential part of building a stronger bond also.

As you get to know your beest and yourself as their companion better, we’re sure you’ll discover new bonding activities and some favorites that work for just you. The beauty of the human-dog companionship is that every bond is unique and there’s no limit to what it can be. So let’s go find our special bond with beest. Happy Bonding! :D

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

Let’s be honest. Dental health is not the first thing we think about when getting a dog, especially a puppy… with those tiny perfect teeth and milky breath and all! However, it’s also really easy to neglect oral health and if you’ve been around dogs enough, you probably know what “not-so-great dog breath” can smell like.
With a lot of new dog parents lately and us getting to spend more time with our pups than ever, we wanted to share more info on the important topic of oral health and how you can start taking action.

The truth is, dental disease is quite prevalent in dogs. Signs of periodontal disease 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. If not taken care of regularly or treated properly, these early signs can eventually lead to gum infections, tooth loss or more serious health issues that can cause prolonged pain and discomfort for your dog.

Here are a few different at-home dental disease prevention methods that you can practice to keep pup’s teeth healthy. Find a method or two that work best for you and your pup and build it into your routine.

Dental Chews

These are treats that can be given daily that helps stimulate the production of saliva to prevent plaque and tooth decay 

Teeth Cleaning Toys

A type of chew toys that help clean pup’s teeth and soothe their gums while entertaining them

Dental Wipes

An alternative to tooth brushing that helps prevent tooth decay by removing harmful oral bacteria in your pup’s mouth

Oral Care Solutions

Oral care additives can be mixed to your pup’s water to reduce plaque and provide fresh breath

Dental Supplements or Diets

Certain probiotics, fatty acids and antioxidants are beneficial for your dog's immunity and overall wellbeing as well as oral health

Tooth Brushing

This is the most effective method as daily tooth brushing keeps gums clean and plaque free. Here's how to brush your dog's teeth step-by-step. If it takes time moving on to the next step, be patient and don't force it. Keep it short and sweet

1. Introduce pup to a pet safe toothpaste by letting them smell and lick it. Most dog toothpastes are flavored to their liking.

2. Apply the toothpaste to pup's gums and teeth using your fingers while gently lifting their lips or keeping the mouth open.

3. Once pup gets used to step 1 & 2, introduce a tooth brush with toothpaste on it. Find a soft brush with the right size head for your pup or a rubber brush that fits around your finger.

4. Start brushing work your way from one side to the other in circular motion and with bristles angled up towards gum line. give any built-up tartar extra attention if possible.>

5. Praise and reward pup during brushing -- it's ok to stop to reward and resume -- and also when you're done!

After finding a method that works, the first step is getting your pup comfortable with it. Let them get used to being around it and practicing it by gradually and consistently exposing and desensitizing them to the chosen method. Develop a routine for it, for example brush their teeth in the morning before a morning walk or reward them with a dental chew after their afternoon potty break. As your dog ages, you may want to try out different methods to adapt best to their needs and conditions. 

Also consider scheduling regular teeth cleanings / examinations with your vet. At least one teeth cleaning a year is generally recommended. Note that most dental care by the vet requires anesthesia. The risk of anesthesia for dogs is low but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned. Your vet should perform a thorough physical exam and review your dog’s medical history and discuss any risk factors. You can ask them about how they monitor their anesthetized patients and what their safety record is for reassurance. If you have an older dog or dogs with other health issues, talk to your vet about a plan that is specific and will work best for them in treating their dental concerns.

photo credit: @stormi_doodle

Whichever methods you decide to use for your pup’s dental health, the key is to keep them up by implementing them into your daily routine. If you are trying to introduce a new method to your routine, make sure to take a few minutes each day working towards desensitizing those tools until pup feels comfortable. And don’t forget to keep your Treat Pouch nearby as well to reward them easily during your training.

Your dog’s dental health is just as important as your own. And it’s never too late to start taking care of it. If you don't have a doggy dental routine already, use our guide to get one started or to further your research today. Remember, a healthy pup is a happy pup! :)

Wildebeest is committed to creating quality everyday products that keep you & your beest ready for all your adventures. Show us how you enjoy our gear — tag us on @wildebeest_co or use #mywildebeest!

Let’s talk about poop bags. We know it's a topic not a lot of people put a whole lot of thought into. Your dog needs to go out and you bring along a roll of poop bags to clean up after them, you pick it up, toss it and you don’t have to think about it again, simple right? Well being in the dog world as a dog products company, we started to see things a little differently. Taking into account things like where does your bag of poo end up after you throw it away, how does it affect our planet, does biodegradable really mean it breaks down all the way, and are most poop bags biodegradable? 

We did a little bit of research and found out that one regular plastic poop bag can take about 500 years to break down in a landfill. And in 2019, approximately 500 million plastic poop bags were used throughout the world. Let's just say a dog's life lasts 10 years and he poops 2 times a day (that's pretty conservative) -- do the math and you're looking at picking up and throwing away poop 7300 times in his lifetime -- which also gives you a bit of perspective on how many poop bags you're responsible for sending to the landfill.

We all know that plastic bags are not great for our planet, yet we still use and discard plastic poop bags daily, thinking that they will break down like compost. Truth is that poop bags that claim to be biodegradable may not be as biodegradable as you think. For a poop bag to actually decompose and be biodegradable it can’t have any plastic in it. Most of the biodegradable bags that a lot of dog owners purchase contain an oxo-biodegradable material, which actually can be more harmful than a plastic bag as it breaks down into smaller pieces that doesn’t completely degrade, making it more difficult to pick up. 

On a similar note, we also want to address the plastic holders that hold your plastic poop bags. The major change our planet is experiencing is the amount and accumulation of plastics. It’s a long-lived material and takes decades to breakdown, yet seconds to throw out. As of 2020, more than one-third of all plastic was disposable packaging like bottles and bags. So what kind of damage is plastic actually causing you may ask?

• Plastics in landfills can leak chemicals and spread into groundwater
• Chemicals that are in plastics can be absorbed into the bloodstream
• Plastic particles / debris can be ingested by marine animals and cause a lot of harm
• If made to the ocean, plastic can float into wildlife habitats and cause disruption

According to the Environmental Health News, “most of these (plastic) materials are unlikely to degrade quickly in natural habitats”. How does this tie into your plastic poop bag holder ? Well when you think about it, the average plastic poop bag holder lasts about 1-2 years depending on how it wears and tears. When it’s time to replace your plastic holder, most dog owners settle for the cheaper replacement… another plastic holder to last another year or so. As you start to add that up over your dog's lifetime, that’s a lot of plastic holders and poop bags that will take many years to break down or it might not even break down at all.

This is why we designed a solution to help lessen the impact on our planet as dog owners. Even though our 100% Biodegradable Poop Bags are not zero-impact, they're by far one of the most earth-friendly poop bag options out there. It’s made of a plant starch formula which breaks down completely and harmlessly, just like those compost bags you use for food waste (just don't put your dog's poop bag in the compost!). These poop bags are unscented and gentle on sensitive humans and rolled on a cardboard core which you can recycle when you get to the end of the poop bag roll. Combined with our Funston Baggie made from nylon fabric, which is far more compact and efficient than a bulky plastic poop bag dispenser, you can go about your doggy duties knowing that you’ve made solid purchasing decisions by choosing Wildebeest and won’t have to spend more money replacing under-serving gear over time.

As dog lovers, we believe that all of us can and should make the effort to minimize our impact on the planet as much as possible. Doing some research, educating ourselves, and choosing dog gear with more earth-friendly options are all it takes to start making a positive impact today.

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!

We've put together some quick tips here that will help you & pup get acquainted with our Linden harness better. Some of you have been reaching out to us about pups experiencing discomfort and about chewed harnesses. These detailed fitting instruction and desensitizing tips can help alleviate some of the issues you're having with your Linden harness.

Linden Harness Fitting Tips

• Loosen all straps of the harness to it's longest setting to start your fitting.
• Put harness over pup's head and buckle up. Adjust top and bottom straps around the rib cage to a snug fit. Make sure harness sits along the center of your pup's chest and torso, not too high not too low. If too low, the harness can effect the range of motion of the front legs, if too high it can be in the way of pup's neck.
• Once top and bottom straps are fitted, adjust the front strap - working the left and right sides equally - just tight enough that it's not sagging. The front strap does NOT need to be super tight for the Linden Harness to be effective. If too tight, it can yank the harness forward / dig into pup's armpits, causing discomfort.
• If your Linden harness is digging into pup's armpits while the front strap is on its biggest setting, then you may want to try the next size up.

Linden Harness Desensitizing Tips

• Make sure the harness fits your pup well. Adjust all straps so there are no loose or sagging parts.
• Train pup inside the house to get desensitized to wearing the harness. Make sure you're supervising and treating all the way through -- put harness on for 3 minutes at a time, keeping pup's focus on you and not on the harness. Take off harness right after each session and break. Increase duration to 5 to 10 to 15 minutes as pup completes each session successfully and without biting the harness.
• Get pup outside in the harness for a short work, keeping focus (use treats, toys.. whatever works) for the entire walk. Increase walk duration from 5 to 10 to 15 and so on.
• Take harness off each time you come back from your walk -- this eliminates the chance of pup getting his teeth on it. Don't underestimate how quickly your pup can chew out of a harness!
• Most pups will grow out of the "chew phase", just train pup to keep his focus elsewhere. While they're teething / growing out of their chew phase, give him plenty of chew toys and snacks to satiate his needs.

We want to make sure that our gear makes you & pup's lives easier and better as intended by its design. For the Linden harness, our goal is to help you achieve beautiful dog walks with minimal pulling behavior.

>> Email us if you have any questions or need further assistance.
Wild4Life Warranty replaces worn/torn, chewed, outgrown gear at a discount.

Wildebeest is committed to creating quality everyday products that keep you & your beest ready for all your adventures. Show us how you enjoy our gear — tag us on @wildebeest_coor use  #mywildebeest!

The holidays are all about spending time together with your extended family. So why not make some time for your furry and four legged loved ones as well? We thought that spending time in the kitchen with your immediate family or maybe virtually with friends & family who can’t be physically with you, while cooking and baking some treats for your pups, would be a great way to bring you + your family + Beest, close and bonded for the holidays!!

We listed some fun holiday AND non-holiday homemade treat ideas for you to make for your pups this season.

• 1 sweet potato.
• Preheat oven to 250.
• Wash sweet potato and cut lengthwise - think french fries.
• Place on cookie sheet in single layer.
• Bake for at 250 for 3 hours or until chewy

• 1 cup fresh Cranberries
• 1 cup Apple Sauce
• 2 cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 teaspoon ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 cup Milk
• Preheat oven to 350 and line a baking sheet
• Puree cranberries and mix with apple sauce, combine milk, cinnamon and whole wheat flour until dough is well mixed.
• Knead dough into ball and roll onto a heavily floured surface 1/4 inch thick and cut with cookie cutter of your choice.
• Place on prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until browned at the edges.
• Cool and refrigerate.

• 1 cup diced chicken (or substitute other meat)
• ½ cup rice (cooked & mashed)
• 3 tablespoons rice flour
• 1 tablespoon parsley
• 1 egg
• Preheat oven to 350.
• Mix ingredients together and put into silicone molds.
• Bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Keep refrigerated.

• 2 cups brown rice flour
• 1 cup of cheddar cheese
• ½ cup water
• 2 tablespoons oil
• Preheat oven to 250.
• Combine flour and cheese then add water and oil to make a stiff dough.
• Roll on floured surface to ⅜” thick. Stamp with your favorite cookie cutter and place on cookie sheet.
• Bake for 2-2 ½ hours until golden brown.  

• 1 cup molasses
• 4 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger or one tsp. of dried powder ginger
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine the molasses, honey, water, and oil in the medium bowl. In the large bowl mix the flour, the baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. 
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.
• Divide this dough in four balls, wrap each ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 - 5 hours, or you can freeze them for 1 - 2 hours (just don't let them get solid).
• Lightly flour your surface and roll the dough out into about 1/4" thickness, cut the dough out into fun shapes, such as Gingerbread men, with a cookie cutter. 
• Bake for 20 - 25 Minutes, until the cookies start to get brown.

• 1 medium overripe banana
• 2 large eggs
• 3 tbsp. honey
• 3 tbsp. liquid coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp peppermint flavoring
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 1 /2 + 1/4 c. oat flour
• 1/4 c. roast carob powder
• Optional: Natural red food colour
• Preheat oven to 350.
• In a medium bowl, mash the banana. Beat together with eggs, coconut oil, honey, cinnamon & baking powder. Stir in 1 1/2 c. oat flour.
• Divide dough into 2 portions, approx. 1 cup each. Add 1/4 carob powder to one portion and 1/4 c. oat flour to the other.
• Roll out each dough separately to approx 3/8" thick, stack dough layers on top of one another. Roll up tightly jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Wrap in plastic wrap. 
• Place on cookie sheet. These will not spread much, so they can be placed fairly close together. Bake for 13 - 17 minutes.

Whether your spending this holiday seaon with family, friends, or just you + your beest, remember that it's about making memories and having fun. We wish you & beesties a happy, healthy, warm holiday!

Wildebeest is committed to creating quality everyday products that keep you & your beest happy and ready for all your adventures. Show us how you enjoy our gear — tag us on @wildebeest_co or use #mywildebeest!

@bmocorgi

Holiday season is quickly approaching and most of us didn’t expect to be spending this year’s holidays in a pandemic. Our yearly festivities this time around might look a little different, like staying home this year instead of traveling or celebrating locally with your small immediate family. So we thought of some fun indoor and outdoor activities to help you and your pup stay active and positive during the holidays.

• Walking / jogging around the neighborhood together. Try a different route to keep it fresh & take a stroll in an area you’ve never seen before.
  Gear to support you: Linden Harness / Funston Leash & Baggie)
• At home workout. Make a unique workout routine that works for you and your pup. Do some leg and foot work or some cardio going up and down the stairs, incorporate your beest by using their added weight for strength building.
• Nosework inside the house. Hide your pup’s favorite treat / toy around the house for them to “find it”. We suggest trying natural raw treats like Barkley’s Bag, they are perfect size for your beest’s to sniff out and delicious enough to make your pups drool over. Don’t forget to praise them! Make it more challenging by hiding one or more treats in multiple areas. Get creative with this one, try using old boxes, bags, or shoes to make it more challenging for them.
  Gear to support you: Alamo Treat Pouch
• Tug & Fetch. A classic that can be done inside or out and with your pups favorite ball or toy. If you plan on having family or friends around this is a plus to get them involved and bonding / interactive with your pup. Not to mention it will tire them out, keeping them calm and less likely to get into trouble.
• Doga. Lay out a mat and do some morning stretches with your Beest. You can do this in your living room or take it outside and get some fresh air together. This will start both of your day’s off positively and calm… ready for whatever comes your way.
• Holiday Sightseeing. Get into the spirit and walk around your neighborhood or take a trip to your favorite spot to gaze upon some lights and decorations. That always cheers us up :) You’ll get to enjoy some holiday festivities while taking beest on a nice long walk where you’ll both get some good exercise.
  Gear to support you: Montara Pop-Up Bowl / All Weather Jacket (for those wet or chilly days)

We hope you found these tips helpful and encourage everyone, whether you’re staying home or heading out of town this season, to try these activities and get you & your pack moving. Let’s face it, with all the holiday foods, snacks, treats. and desserts… keeping active will be a great way to balance it out.

Happy Holidays and if you plan on seeing family and friends make sure to continue to social distance and wear a face covering.

Wildebeest is committed to creating quality everyday products that keep you & your beest ready for all your adventures. Show us how you enjoy our gear — tag us on @wildebeest_co or use #mywildebeest!

@junipercattledog

2020 has been filled with a lot of uncertainties due to COVID-19 and harsh weather conditions and natural disasters. And having a kit of basic essentials on hand can make us pet parents feel much better prepared for any emergency situation.

You might be wondering where to start, what is and isn’t essential and how much to bring if you have multiple pets. We’ve put together a list of 15 items you should have in your pet’s emergency kit and you can customize the list based on your specific needs.

1. Action Plan

As pet parents we need to have a plan in case of any emergency. Prepare yourself and all family members in your home on where to meet, know what locations accept pets in case of home evacuations and have a print out map and list of animal emergency locations in your area. Have this information written down in your emergency kit for reference and remember to keep it up-to-date.

2. Backpack / Travel Bag

Keep everything together in a backpack or duffel. Depending on the size and needs of your pets we suggest to pack a bag for each pet or compartmentalize their supplies, and making a separate emergency pack for yourself and members of your home. Your animals should have their own backpack to ensure they are equipped with everything incase you and your animals need to separate.

3. Food & Water

Bottled water and canned / dry food to last up to 3-7 days. If you have multiple pets have enough food and water for each pet and Include tools for your food choice such as a can opener or measuring guides for food.

4. Medications

If your pet takes any medications pack a few days worth in a childproof container. Label it with name, what it is, what it’s for, dosage and strength. Also keep on hand medical records and any important information about your pets health if they have medical needs.

5. ID Tags

Keep your pet’s ID tags up-to-date with Name, phone number, address and if they require specific medications or are microchipped. Consider getting an extra ID tag for your pets harness, collar, or pack as a backup.

6. Pet First Aid Kit

Consider making your own first aid kit (specific to your animal) or get one that’s already equipped with the basics such as gauze, tweezers, an ice pack, hydrogen peroxide, and adhesive tape. Amazon or your local pet stores carry a variety of pre-assembled first aid kits. For DIY first aid kit, check out a list put together by we the Animal Health Foundation.

@prinsoliver

7. List of Emergency Contacts & Important Info

Write down your contact information and emergency contacts in case you are separated, as well as microchip numbers, veterinary information and any other medical information that is important. Keep this list along with any other medical documents you need to carry in a waterproof sleeve to keep safe and dry in your travel bag.

8. Pet Photo

Have a current printed out photo of each of your pets in your kit in case you get separated from them. Having photos on your phone is convenient but in an emergency situation where your phone dies or there is no signal you should have a physical print out to help identify them.

9. Basic Care Items

• WetWipes
• Sanitizer
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• garbage bags for clean up
• paper towels
• extra poop bag rolls

10. To-Go Bowl

We suggest having one or two bowls on hand that are collapsible and save space. Our Montara Pop-Up bowl is lightweight and compact enough to keep in your emergency kit. It can hold food or water, attaches to your leash or travel bag with velcro strap and is also easy to wipe clean or rinse out with water.

11. Treats & Treat Pouch

A bag of your pets favorite treats will help keep them calm and entertained during stressful situations. We suggest keeping a new bag of freeze dried or dry treats in your pack along with a pouch you can keep around your waist for easily accessing treats and other items like poop bags, keys, wallet, etc.

12. Extra Gear

You never know what might happen in an emergency and keeping an extra set of gear in your bag can prevent you and your pet from separating. Include a sturdy leash, collar and/or harness along with a soft muzzle in case your pets act out of anxiety or it's required by places you’d like to enter. Equip your backup gear with ID tags with your pets information.

@keepingfinn

Whether it’s a favorite toy or blanket with your scent on it, bring something along that your pet is familiar and comfortable with. Keep in mind that emergency situations can create nervousness or anxiety in your pets. Having a familiar from home can help keep them calm and comfortable.

14. Carrier

This might not be on everyone’s list but consider a durable lightweight or collapsable carrier for your smaller pets if they are easily spooked or don’t do well off leash. A carrier can help keep them calm around other people and animals and prevent runaway pets. Keep your pets name, phone number or any important numbers well marked on your crate / carrier.

15. Blankets & Seasonal Gear

Depending on where you live and what seasons you get, make sure you are prepared for any type of weather. So extra blankets or Jacket might be in your kit if you experience snow or rainy seasons.

Download a printable checklist here!

Keep in mind your emergency pet kit should acknowledge and contain everything someone should know about your pet if you weren’t there to tell them. Your kit should be kept near the door or near an emergency exit in your home that everyone in your household knows about and is easy to access. If you live alone or in an apartment / complex building consider exchanging information with your neighbors in case of an emergency that may occur when you aren’t home.

Remember to also change out expired food, water, treats, and medication every so often in your emergency kit, as well as update your pet’s medical / veterinary / ID information when it changes.

Being prepared for you and your pet is an important responsibility of a pet parent and being evacuation, blackout or environmental disaster will help keep and your pets calm and collected.

Wildebeest is committed to creating quality everyday products that keep you & your beest ready for all your adventures. Show us how you enjoy our gear — tag us on @wildebeest_co or use #mywildebeest!