SmartPak Dog Blog: Charlie’s Five Favorites

Posted on April 25, 2020 by Sophia Hall — No Comments ↓

My rescue pup Charlie is a hard-working barn dog, but she can be a little particular about what she enjoys. Okay, maybe I am also particular at what I give her. But Charlie is a part of the family and her paws of approval is truly my gold standard!

1. Weatherbeeta 300D Deluxe Reflective Dog Parka – LIGHTWEIGHT
Recently, I was able to add the Weatherbeeta 300D Deluxe Reflective Dog Parka – LIGHTWEIGHT to Charlie’s closet. While I know the weather is warming up (hopefully!) Charlie is only about 16 lbs. and has a thin coat, so you’ll often find her in some sort of layer until the weather is more consistently above 50 degrees. This does come in an option with fill for colder months, but the light, raincoat version is perfect for the springtime. It also has additional reflective strips, so she is easily seen when we hit the trails. While Charlie measured to be a size 16, it was a little bit long, but I decided to keep it as I wanted her to have additional coverage and it wasn’t hindering her ability to walk or run. A huge bonus is that she can use this as her outside layer if I need to put a fleece coat on first.

2. SmartCanine™ Skin & Coat Soft Chews
Charlie has suffered from itchy and dry skin, especially during New England winters. I have tried a few supplements for her in the past, and Charlie’s favorite thing to do is to pretend she enjoys a supplement and then hide them under the couch…perhaps she’s just saving them for later? However, with the SmartCanine™ Skin & Coat Soft Chews, she gobbles them up and 100% thinks they are a treat! Her skin has become so soft and I have noticed it becoming less dry. Charlie thinks she’s being rewarded for being cute AND she’s getting a hearty helping of omega 3 fatty acids from flaxseed as well as fish oil, which provides both EPA and DHA. It’s a win-win in my book! Charlie gets these in her SmartPaks, which ensures she’s getting a fresh supply every 28 days.

3. EQyss Micro-Tek Pet Spray
Although Charlie will never pass up a swim at the beach, getting her into the bathtub can be a little bit of a struggle. Because I know she’s not a huge lover of baths, I was looking for something that could be used between baths, and also help with her dry skin (and that lovely odor she can sometimes bring home with her after her adventures at the barn). EQyss Micro-Tek Pet Spray has been the perfect addition to our grooming routine! I’ve always been a fan of all things EQyss for my horses, so I was not surprised when I fell equally in love with their dog products. It can help soothe dry skin, hot spots, cuts, as well as help with all things smelly. It smells great and also doesn’t leave any residue if Charlie just happens to crawl into bed after I apply it.

4. Whimzee Alligator Dental Chews
While I do try to limit the amount of treats Charlie gets when we’re not at the barn (since I know she gets properly spoiled by everyone there) having a treat option that also provides a health benefit is perfect for us! Whimzee Alligator Dental Chews come in a few different shapes, but I have a feeling Charlie likes the shape of the alligators the most. The vegetable-based texture can help remove plaque as your dog chews, and they have limited natural, functional ingredients and no artificial ingredients. I love being able to feel good about what I’m treating Charlie too, even if she may not know just how healthy these are!

5. Seresto® Flea & Tick Collar
The Seresto® Flea & Tick Collar is always been one of my favorite products for Charlie. My veterinarian recommended them to us, as I was looking for something stronger than what I was currently giving Charlie for flea and tick protection. Because she is an avid barn dog and heads out on trail rides with me, we have zero tolerance for those pesky ticks especially! The collar works well for Charlie and can provide up to eight months of protection. Per the manufacturer, if the dog swims once a month or more, the control duration is reduced to five months for flea control and reduced to seven months for tick control. I find this way easier to replace than reminding myself to apply a monthly treatment, even if I must replace it a little sooner with all the swimming she loves to do!