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 Editorial-0053 |
Keeping Track of Your Dog's Every Step | "My obsession with counting my steps started as soon as I got my own fitness tracker. I started to get competitive, especially when I'd check my stats during the afternoon and discover that I was only a quarter of the way to my 10,000-step daily goal. To help me reach my goal I decided to walk my dog on a longer route than usual. Then I began to wonder: How many steps is Baxter getting per day? I have found that FitBark (www.fitbark.com) is a great way to keep an eye on your dog's activity level and other health indicators. Exercise is just as important for your dog as it is for you. With the right amount of activity, you can help your dog stay in great shape, boost up the immune system to ward off any illnesses (diabetes, osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, heart conditions, etc.), and maintain an optimal weight to maintain healthy joints. Obesity is a huge issue, with about 40% of dogs being overweight, leading to illnesses and injuries. Keeping your dog active also keeps their mind active, which can help prevent issues that result from hyperactivity.  FitBark is a 2-inch bone-shaped device that weighs only 8 grams (less than 1/3 oz.) and attaches right to your dog's collar (collar must not be more than 1.5 inches wide). It tracks your dog's daily activity including: activity counts (also known as BarkPoints which are similar to steps on a FitBit), nocturnal sleep score, overall health index, activity index, calories burned, and distance.BarkPoints are described by the manufacturer as: "A proprietary point system that measures physical activity in line with best veterinary practices in terms of 'activity counts' generated from 3D accelerometer readings. Accelerometer readings are taken multiple times per seconds and integrated over a 1-minute epoch. A similar point system is widely adopted by researchers who run clinical studies using accelerometers on dogs. In simple words, the more the sensor moves on your dog's collar, the more points it collects. Resting accounts for few points per minute." Each minute of your dog's movement is allocated into 1 of 3 categories:
 This screenshot shows you part of the set up of your dog's FitBark account. You must decide what lifestyle is most similar to your dog, based upon how much time your dog spends being active versus sleeping. A screenshot of Baxter's daily activity for the day. It includes how much time he has spent playing, being active, and resting. It also shows how many steps he has left to complete for his daily goal. A screenshot summarizing Baxter's goals for the week. It gives the average steps, also known as BarkPoints, per day as well as a comparison to how active he was compared to all dogs his size, all dogs of the same breed and all of FitBark users that week.With this information, you can decide if your dog has had enough exercise for that day or if you need to go on one more walk around the block or to your local dog park. It has also been helpful when I am on vacation and have hired a dog-sitter, because I am able to check my app to see how active Baxter has been that day. FitBark tracks your dog's sleep pattern and will show you in the app how long your dog was asleep, detects any steps that occurs during the night, and provides a sleep score for that night's sleep. While tracking their movement, FitBark will also compare your dog's activity to other FitBark users of the same breed and will give you a percentile so you can see if your dog is above or below the curve. FitBark stores your dog's information 24/7 using Bluetooth 4.0; however, a daily sync is recommended but not required. FitBark's sync range is about 30 feet from your mobile device and has a battery life of up to 14 days. One of my only complaints is that FitBark currently does not have a GPS sensor in case your dog is lost. However, one aspect I love about FitBark is that it is waterproof and can be submerged up to a meter for 30 minutes. FitBark can also be used on other types of animals such as a cat, bunny, pig, sheep, chicken, or any other animal - just simply select the "Not a Dog" list when you are setting up your FitBark. FitBark comes in a variety of colors including: green, blue, black, red, gray, pink, and purple. FitBark runs for $99.95; however, I have seen the devices on sale down to $69.95. FitBark also offers free shipping worldwide and a 60-day money back guarantee. I now monitor Baxter's FitBark activity before I look at my my own fitness tracker. Check it out: https://www.fitbark.com/ Help your dog stay healthy and active with Fresh Factors and Longevity from Springtime." |
 Editorial-0051 |
5 Weird and Wonderful Chews for Dogs | Dogs are born with an instinctual desire to chew. It's important to help our dogs satisfy this urge, especially if we don't want to come home to a destroyed pair of expensive shoes. Given what we know today about the dangers of rawhide, people are discovering healthier, all natural, and 100% digestible chews for dogs. Some of these might look a little strange and unappetizing to human eyes, but they satisfy a dog's ancient cravings. Here are five weird and wonderful chews for dogs... Turkey TracheaSlow-roasted Turkey Trachea are made from the trachea of a turkey raised on a USA farm for a tasty flavor dogs love. This delicious and crispy treat will offer a unique chewing experience for your best friend! Learn more. Beef Liver & Coconut CookiesPremium, Beef Liver & Coconut Cookies combine for a natural, gluten-free, and nutritious cookies that your dog will love. Smokehouse dried for a rich flavor, these tasty treats can be broken up for training treats!Learn more. Beef TracheaBeef trachea is a healthy chew that keeps dogs' teeth and gums clean and is a natural source of chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. Beef trachea is tasty and chewy enough to keep dogs happily occupied for a while. Learn more. Duck FeetWhile duck feet for dogs may not look pretty to pet parents, this easily digestible, satisfyingly crunchy treat is an absolute favorite for dogs! Duck feet are allergy friendly for dogs with food sensitivities. A natural source of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine and protein, duck feet give nutritional support and can contribute to healthy dental hygiene. Learn more. Braided Bully SticksWith a braided bully stick, three easily-digestible bully sticks are twisted together for a taste-tempting treat and chew toy in one. Dogs love to puzzle and chew apart these low-odor chews, made from 100% beef pizzle. Braided Bully Sticks work great as a dental treat, keeping gums and teeth healthy without additives or sugary carbohydrates. Learn more. |
