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Dog Obesity on the Rise

Posted on April 23, 2012 by americandigs

Most of us are aware of the current obesity epidemic in the United States, but did you know that dog obesity is also becoming a wide-spread problem? So much so, in fact, that a recent study estimates over half of all U.S. dogs are overweight or obese. YIKES, that’s a scary big number. And similar to its impact on people, obesity in dogs leads to a slew of health problems, including:

 

  • Cardiac disease
  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Orthopedic injuries (such as cruciate ligament rupture or patellar luxation)
  • Osteoarthritis
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Various forms of cancer
So, what’s an overweight dog to do? Assuming the weight gain is not caused by an untreated underlying disorder (such as a hormonal imbalance like hypothyroidism) it largely boils down to calories in vs. calories out. For most dogs, the age-old diet and exercise plan usually does the trick. It’s always smart, however, to consult with your veterinarian first to make sure there’s not an untreated health problem contributing to your dog’s weight gain. You can also work with your vet to develop a proper nutrition and exercise plan for your dog. 

For dogs whose weight gain IS caused by a medical disorder, managing weight can be a little tricky.

 

Murphy has suffered from a rare auto-immune disorder for the past couple years, and requires a daily dose of prednisone to stay on top of what can be debilitating symptoms for her. Once a size 2 waif (just kidding, she’s a dog…but you get the idea), Murphy has struggled to keep her weight in check due to the side effects of daily prednisone. This means we have to work extra hard at keeping her weight within a healthy range so that she can live a long and full life (and of course, continue to model her cool dog clothing for American Digs). :)

 

(Pictured right is a photo from last weekend’s hike in Morrison, CO…Murphy looks thrilled about being on track to reaching her summer goal weight!)

 

 

Posted in Dog Topics, Posts by Erica | Leave a comment

Why Adopting a Shelter Dog Makes a LOT of Sense

Posted on April 16, 2012 by americandigs

Lately, there’s been a lot in the news about animal adoption and dog rescue. I’m thrilled to see the issue gaining more attention in the mainstream media and was excited to stumble across an opinion piece today posted on Fox News that highlighted five good reasons to adopt a dog from a shelter over purchasing from a breeder. I grew up with purebred dogs and now have two wonderful rescues who bring immense joy to my life, and can say ultimately, rescues simply make more sense.

 

Here are the five points in favor of rescuing a dog taken from the Fox News article: 1. You Can Find Your Breed; 2. Rescue Dogs Have Fewer Health Issues; 3. You Will Save a Life; 4. You Can Pick an Age; 5. Set a Good Example.Dog Rescue

 

These are all excellent reasons to choose a rescue over a purebred purchased directly from a breeder, but I’d like to add one major point that I feel is missing from the list: by adopting a dog from a shelter, you are doing your part to help stop puppy mills and end the cycle of cruelty. This is not to say that all purebred dogs come from puppy mills, but many of the dogs that come from the major pet stores are in fact supplied by large-scale puppy mills. This means that you may be buying a dog that has both major health and emotional problems since most of these breeding facilities put their dogs in cages during their entire lives. And according to Beau Archer, spokesperson for the Humane Society of the U.S., puppy mills do not care about the conditions of their dogs. Even those that adhere to the industry ‘standards’ are merely fulfilling the absolute bare minimum requirements in an effort to minimize costs. If more people choose adoption from their local shelter over buying purebreds from the major pet stores affiliated with puppy mills, these mills will eventually lose enough money to force an end to this vicious and unethical form of dog breeding.

 

Rescue dogs are THE BEST, and American Digs’ dogs Murphy and Molly are all the proof we need. :)

 

- Erica

 

 

You can find the Fox News piece referenced above here: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/04/15/5-reasons-to-get-rescue-dog/

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Dog Topics, Posts by Erica | Leave a comment

Fun Dog Facts

Posted on April 10, 2012 by americandigs
For the dog lovers and trivia buffs out there, here are 33 fun and interesting facts about man’s (and woman’s!) best friend. We hope you enjoy these as much as we did! 

 

  1. A dog’s heart beats between 70 and 120 times a minute, compared with a human heart which beats 70 to 80 times a minute.
  2. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. A female carries her young about 60 days before the puppies are born.
  4. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the smallest dog on record was a Yorkshire Terrier in Great Britain who, at the age of 2, weighed just 4 ounces.
  5. The longest lived dog, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, was an Australian Cattle Dog, named Bluey, who lived to be 29.
  6. An adult dog has 42 teeth.
  7. It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
  8. If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
  9. The only sweat glands a dog has are between the paw pads.
  10. In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite.
  11. The world’s smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever.
  12. A dog’s smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a human’s.
  13. Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill.
  14. Dogs’ sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human’s.
  15. More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog.
  16. Dogs don’t like rain because the sound is amplified and hurts their very sensitive ears.
  17. The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order: Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Bulldog.
  18. Dogs were the first animals domesticated by people.
  19. A greyhound can run as fast as 45 miles an hour.
  20. Spaying/neutering your dog before the age of 6 months can help prevent cancer in your dog.
  21. Puppies acquire a full mouth of permanent teeth between four and seven months old.
  22. Small dogs live the longest. Toy breeds live up to 16 years or more. Larger dogs average is 7 – 12 years. Veterinary medicine have extended this estimate by about three years. However, some breeds, such as Tibetan terrier live as long as twenty years.
  23. Eighty percent of dog owners buy their dog a present for holidays and birthdays. More than half of them sign letters and cards from themselves and their pets.
  24. The dog name “Fido” is from Latin and means “fidelity.”
  25. The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world.
  26. Most pet owners (94 percent) say their pet makes them smile more than once a day.
  27. Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
  28. It has been established that people who own pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.
  29. All dogs can be traced back 40 million years ago to a weasel-like animal called the Miacis which dwelled in trees and dens. The Miacis later evolved into the Tomarctus,a direct forbearer of the genus Canis, which includes the wolf and jackal as well as the dog.
  30. Seventy percent of people sign their pet’s name on greeting cards and 58 percent include their pets infamily and holiday portraits, according to a survey done by the American Animal Hospital Association.
  31. A dog’s whiskers are touch-sensitive hairs called vibrissae. They are found on the muzzle, above the eyes and below the jaws, and can actually sense tiny changes in airflow.
  32. The origin of amputating a dog’s tail may go back to the Roman writer Lucius Columella’s (A.D. 4-70) assertion that tail docking prevented rabies.
  33. Dogs can smell about 1,000 times better than humans. While humans have 5 million smell-detecting cells, dogs have more than 220 million. The part of the brain that interprets smell is also four times larger in dogs than in humans.
Original list from: http://www.funnyfidos.com/fun-dog-facts/
Posted in Dog Topics | Leave a comment

Top Dog-Friendly Cities in the US

Posted on February 1, 2012 by americandigs

 

Wait… Denver’s NOT on the list of top dog-friendly cities in the US? (can you tell we’re a Denver-based company?) :)

 

According to this article from US News, and a few others believe it or not, this is the case.

 

We were surprised by this given how completely dog-friendly the city is and how dog-crazed (in a good way!) the peeps are here. If there is one thing Denverites love, it’s their dogs. The city even has its own Yappy Hour meet-up club – how cool is that?! Not to mention, there are TONS of dog-friendly trails and off-leash parks all throughout the city (check out a list of metro area dog parks here). And if you’re willing to make a short trek outside the city, there are endless mountain trails with stunning views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Pictured left are Murphy and Molly enjoying the beautiful views at Red Rocks Trail in Morrison, Colorado.

 

In a city where dog boutiques are around every corner and pups are welcomed almost everywhere, we think Denver is pure doggie heaven.

 

Check out the full list of America’s most pet-friendly cities here.

 

Cheers,

 

Erica

 

 

 

 

Posted in American Digs Updates, Dog Topics, Posts by Erica | Leave a comment

Reflections on 2011 and Resolutions for the Year Ahead

Posted on December 30, 2011 by americandigs

As we look forward to what the next year will bring for American Digs, we’d like to take a quick moment to reflect on the milestones we’ve achieved over the past year.

 

Some of our company highlights included:

 

  • We finally launched! Brandon and I first began working on American Digs back in December of 2010 while still in grad school. We put in countless hours and a lot of hard work before finally reaching the point where we were ready to launch. Taking an idea and bringing it to fruition from the ground up has been a very rewarding and humbling experience for us both. We are grateful every day for the opportunity to pursue our shared passion for entrepreneurship while celebrating our love of dogs.

 

  • We made our first national TV appearance! Thanks to Pet Expert (and new friend!) Charlotte Reed, our puffer dog coat was featured on December 9th on Fox News’ Morning show as a ‘must-have’ holiday pet gift. The positive response we received from the segment was overwhelming, and we are so thankful to have had the opportunity to make a national TV appearance so early on in our company’s history.

 

  • We sold 100 orders within our first month! This may not sound like a big deal to some, but as a brand new company navigating our way through the ultra-competitive space of e-commerce, we are thrilled to have hit this milestone within our first month of operation. A major thanks to all of our friends, family and fans who have helped spread the word and support us along the way. We appreciate all of you!

And now for the good stuff, our new year’s resolutions:

 

Erica:

  1. Recycle! (I realize I’m way behind the curve on this, but as the saying goes, ‘better late than never’…right?)
  2. Do more, eat less. (oh-so-original, I know)
  3. Hike my first 14er (for those of you who reside outside of the CO and may not be privy to Rocky Mountain slang, a ‘14er’ is simply any mountain above 14,000 ft in elevation)

Brandon: (I have taken the liberty of writing Brandon’s for him since he is currently out of town…we’ll see if he agrees later)

  1. Stop throwing away Erica’s non-trash items (Brandon is a compulsive trash thrower-outer, safe to say it borders on OCD behavior. I will take some marginal responsibility here as I admit, I’m messy…big whoop)
  2. (and 3.) Shared with Erica’s #2 & #3 (more originality points, yes!)

Murphy:

  1. Stop being anti-social at the dog park and befriend at least one dog other than Molly
  2. Spend less time on the couch watching soaps and more time outside
  3. Stop hoarding all the bones and stealing treats from Molly

Molly:

  1. Reduce naptime from 22 hours a day to a mere 18 (I’m aiming high this year)
  2. Spend more time with my family and less time sleeping under the bed
  3. Finally catch my nemesis, the neighborhood squirrel, who tortures me from his patronizing position high up in the tree outside my house

With tomorrow being the last day of the year, we wish you all best of luck in fulfilling your new year’s resolutions and a most-happy, joy-filled 2012!

 

Cheers,

 

Erica

 

 

Posted in American Digs Updates, Dog Topics, Posts by Erica | 1 Comment

The Glamorous Lives of Murphy and Molly

Posted on November 28, 2011 by americandigs

I sometimes find myself wondering what it would be like to live the charming  and seemingly carefree life of a dog. After spending a couple weeks photo documenting the every day ‘travails’ of my two groovy dogs, Murphy and Molly, I’ve arrived at the following conclusion: in my next life, I shall be a dog.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By now I’m pretty sure I know what you’re thinking: how could these two possibly have time to model for Digs between their strict napping regime, afternoon stretch sessions and routine yawn fests? Yet somehow, they find the time to grace us with their glamorous looks for the occasional treat-filled American Digs modeling sesh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two will forever remain the inspiration for my next life, where I shall ask to return as a dog. :)

 

-Erica

 

 

Posted in American Digs Updates, Dog Topics | Leave a comment

Event Recap: Pet Socialite in NYC

Posted on November 18, 2011 by americandigs

We just returned from our very first product showcase event in NYC! The event highlighted the best-of-the-best pet products, companies and key industry trends. We had the opportunity to introduce all of the products in our launch collection, such as the American Digs dog polos, dog sweaters, puffer dog coats, button-down dog shirts, dog collars and dog accessories. The event gave us the opportunity to not only introduce our new line of dog apparel, but also to connect with newspaper reporters, magazine and website editors as well as freelancers and bloggers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BIG thanks to all who supported us!

 

 

- American Digs

 

 

 

Posted in American Digs Updates | Leave a comment

An Evolution in Dog Apparel

Posted on November 3, 2011 by americandigs

Today, we got to thinking about the pet products industry and how it has evolved hugely over the past few decades. Specifically, we looked into the history of dog clothes and where it all began. After a little research, we were surprised to find it goes way back. And we mean WAY back to the King Arthur days, where dogs were often used in the military. These dogs wore dog clothing as a means of protection from their environment, changing weather and sometimes even attacks. This type of dog clothing was designed to protect military dogs in the same way that uniforms are constructed in a way to help protect the soldiers fighting in them.

 

Next to adopt the use of dog apparel were police, firefighters and other similar organizations that used dog clothes as not only a means of protection, but as a way to distinguish one group from another. For example, a police dog’s uniform can be used to indicate which department he works for.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And next to use dog shirts were helper dogs, such as guide dogs and therapy dogs. Their dog clothes make it easy for people to recognize the owner has some type of disability.

 

Today, dog apparel has evolved far beyond these prior uses and has become a part of contemporary culture. Whereas once consumers only dressed up their dogs for special holidays such as Christmas or Halloween, buying clothes for dogs is as common today as buying clothes for yourself.  A contributing factor in the shift toward dog clothing becoming commonplace is the recent shift in perception of how consumers view their dogs. There’s a strong trend of consumers who now truly view their dogs as part of the family, and these are the types of consumers that have helped drive the dog apparel market to where it is today.

 

 

 

 

Dog clothing today combines both style and functionality. Dog coats and dog sweaters are often a necessity for older dogs and short-haired breeds, who need an extra layer of protection in cooler months just as humans do. And in summer months, it’s often overlooked that lighter-haired and short-haired breeds are susceptible to sunburn, making a lightweight dog shirt or dog polo a good choice in protecting your dog from the hazards of sunburn. And of course beyond the practicality of dog clothing is the style that comes with it. Cool dog bandanas and stylish dog scarves are becoming increasingly common. If you’re going to put clothing on your dog, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t match the same high standards you set for yourself when it comes to the quality and style of your apparel.

 

 

 

The dog apparel market today is booming, with no indication of it slowing down anytime soon. An interesting evolution has certainly taken place in this industry over the past few decades, and American Digs is leading the way!

 

 

-American Digs

 

 

 

Posted in Dog Topics | Leave a comment

Happy Halloween!

Posted on October 31, 2011 by americandigs

I want to wish all my fans a very happy and SPOOKY Halloween! (and of course, use this opportunity to show you my fab Halloween costume that obviously beats Murphy’s gangster garb…I will totally be getting more treats than her with this costume).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember to take some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pups (like moi) safe. The ASPCA has made the following ten recommendations on how to keep your dogs safe and happy during Halloween. You can read the original article here.

 

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

 

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them.

 

3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

 

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

 

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress.

 

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana.

 

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

 

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

 

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

 

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increaing the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

 

I hope everyone has a wonderful and (most importantly) treat-filled Halloween! :)

 

 

Molly

 

 

Posted in Dog Topics, Posts by Murphy and Molly | Leave a comment

Ten Reasons Why Having a Dog is Great

Posted on October 17, 2011 by americandigs

10) Are you an awkward person? If so, a dog is great for you! When you find yourself in awkward situations, having a dog to pet is an effective way to avoid eye contact and pretend like you’re blissfully unaware of your social shortcomings.

 

9) Good news for the introverts out there, having a dog means less reliance on human friends because a dog is happy to do just about anything you want to do and whenever you want to do it.

 

8) Do you get scared at night? If you have a dog, you can send them to investigate the creepy midnight noises while you remain peacefully in bed.

 

7) Running low on self-esteem? Dogs provide daily ego boosts as they literally jump for joy anytime you merely walk through the front door.

 

6) Have an obligation you can’t get out of? Dogs are an awesome excuse for not doing something you don’t want to do (“I would just love to come but can’t make it because my dog is sick. Dang it!”)

 

5) Dogs are the ultimate scapegoat for the accidental ‘breaking of wind’ (we’re PG over here). No further explanation needed.

 

4) Getting a dog has many of the same benefits as having a baby (without all of the work).

 

3) Messy eater? If you have a dog, you can drop all the food you want on the floor and don’t ever need to worry about cleaning it up.

 

2) Talking to your dog is the perfect way to practice asking your boss for a raise.

 

1) Giving a dog a home can bring joy and happiness to its life that it might otherwise have never experienced.

 

 

Posted in Dog Topics | 2 Comments