When I was younger, I always wanted a pet. It’s pretty common, right? You ask your parents for a dog, or a cat, or some other animal to care for and forge a special bond with. Unfortunately, my parents never budged and I had to settle for a pet rock.
Now as an adult, I still want a pet. However, my parent’s sentiments haven’t changed either. So, I thought: If I can’t bring the dogs to me, maybe I should bring myself to the dogs.
In December 2020 I joined The Woof Agency, a highly recognised agency that works with various pet brands and petfluencers, and of course is the one that gave birth to Pawjourr and this blogsite.
I was excited, as it was a brand new opportunity for my to hone my skills and learn a thing or two, especially in an industry that I’ve never experienced before (and not to mention play with some dogs). I’ve heard about creative agencies for F&B and other retail brands, but never for pet brands.
The day before my first day, I was genuinely unsure of what to expect going in.
However, what I definitely did not expect was to be greeted by Oolong, a 3-month old Husky. I was pleasantly surprised, and suspected that there would be more doggo’s to come.
Oolong, the 3-month old Husky
I was right! With each passing day, I was introduced to my colleagues various pups. Ranging from Corgi’s, Miniature Schnauzer’s, and many more breeds, I found myself getting acquainted with how to feed, carry, and generally look after a dog to ensure they’re healthy and well behaved.
Fifi, the Miniature Schnauzer
It was a major culture shock, as I had to strike a balance between finishing my reports and compilation decks, as well as giving out treats and giving A-star belly rubs to all the puppers. It was an exhausting challenge but I was up for the task!
On most days, I would end up taking one too many breaks to just hang out with them, since having a pet in close proximity to me the whole day was such a foreign concept. Roughly 1 month into my employment here, I’m proud to say I’ve accomplished the following:
Pet (5) dogs
Carried (3) dogs
Fed (2) dogs
Cleaned up (1) dog’s poop
Cleaned (1) hamster cage
What I’ve Learnt
The one lesson I’ve gained so far is that caring for a dog is no easy feat. Majority of the time owning a dog means that you’re preoccupied in making sure it doesn’t eat any questionable items off the floor, nor letting it run off into the wilderness without your knowledge.
Sure, your friends and family are going to love playing with them, but in the end you’re the one in charge of their well-being. Sometimes, the process could make you go a little crazy and even overprotective.
And if anyone is considering getting a dog, here’s my suggestion: spend the day with a friend who owns a dog, and see what the experience is like.
If you can’t handle cleaning up after them, nor able to withstand the slobber that will eventually soak your pants, maybe it’s better to admire them from a distance for the time being.
However if you CAN, then feel free to browse through the various stories written by fellow pawrents on the website to learn more about the process of getting a dog in Singapore.
If the question in your head is “should I work in a pet-friendly environment” though, then my answer (with 97% certainty) is to go for it.
Not only do you get to slowly learn how to care for a pet without having to immersive yourself completely, you can also carry it around with you as a stress reliever for meetings that should have been an email instead.
Give this article a like if you enjoyed what I had to say! Also, let me know in the comments if there’s any other topics you’d like me to talk about 🙂
Have you ever had a dream where your pet turned out to be famous? Well for Oscar, he lives that dream everyday. However, it’s not the glamorous walk in the dog park that we all think it is.
Read on to learn about Oscar’s rise to internet fame, and some tips and tricks from his hooman on how to juggle caring for your pet along with other commitments.
Q: How did Oscar’s life as a pet influencer begin?
To be frank, it actually started without us knowing! If we have to say, the answer probably is linked to his Facebook page where we usually interact with his fans from the United States where they also realised that they can follow Oscar on his Instagram account.
For locals, we are honoured and lucky to be spotted by the Youth.SG team and that started our local interviews with the media (AsiaOne, TODAY and SPH Newspaper for primary school on Pet Influencer).
Q: During Circuit Breaker, how was his life as a pet influencer affected?
Surprisingly, his followers’ counts went up and more people leaving comments and private messaging him during the Circuit Breaker and lockdowns from other countries. I guess it’s probably because people are spending more time at home and hence, having additional time to access the social media.
Q: What other commitments do you have in addition to managing Oscar’s influencer lifestyle? (i.e. full-time job, etc)
I have a full time job in the F&B industry. On top of that, I also manage all the social media platforms for Oscar and also our online ‘pushcart’ on Oscar’s website where he sells his own merchandise, designed exclusively by us.
Q: How do you juggle between caring for Oscar and managing these commitments?
I would never be able to cope by myself despite him being the goodest boy at home. My family members play a big part in caring for him and ensuring that he receives the attention from everyone in the household. Raising and having a pet should never be a stress to yourself!
Other than getting help from my family, I spend all of my time with him at home or going for a long walk with him daily.
Q: During Circuit Breaker, was there anything you needed to do differently in order to care for Oscar?
Nope! Sometimes when I work from home, he enjoys my accompany but would stare at me for the longest time probably thinking why am I home most of the day. Haha! We still do whatever we need to do, but ensure additional safety measures are carried out.
Q: Of all the photos you’ve taken of Oscar on social media, what are some of your favourites and why?
He has way too many photos from my favourites but if I have to choose, it definitely has to be this few! I love action shots and I can never shoot that on my own. Do not be surprised but it’s really hard to control a dog and a camera at the same time!
Those photos are one of the few rare moments where I get additional help. I also love his big bright eyes! It brings out the happy and cheerful character in him.
Check out Oscar’s Instagram page and website to keep up with his life!
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Give this article a like if you enjoyed, and let us know who else you’d like us to feature in the comments below!
In our brand new series of #TWAShares, we had the pleasure of chatting with 3 different cat owners, who decided to adopt their cats.
Read on to learn about their lives post-adoption, and some of their tips and tricks for those that are eager to adopt cats too!
Q: Tell us a little about your cats!
@zingertails
Zingertails: We have 3 adopted kitties Remo, Cozmo and Gizmo, all about a year old now! Cozmo and Gizmo are actually siblings that we adopted from SPCA and Remo was adopted from a rescuer.
@emplifying
Emplifying: We have 2 chonky seniors, Gary and Newton. Gary was named after Spongebob’s pet snail because he went ‘mao’ instead of ‘meow’. He was found at Tampines void deck with his siblings while Netwon was picked up at Newton Circus on a rainy day.
@diam0ndkitties
Diam0ndkitties: We have 2 adorable brothers, Nori Jisub and Truffle Gohan. They were found near a drain at the carpark at NUS by my brother in Jan 2020. We brought them home when they were about 2.5 months old when we brought them home. Nori is super athletic while Truffle loves jumping, sleeping and bird-watching.
Q: What was your first day home with your cats like?
Diam0ndkitties: The first week we brought them home, I couldn’t sleep very well as I was worried about them being alone in the dark. So, we left a small light on until they got familiar with the surroundings.
Emplifying: Newton was only about 4 months old when we took him in. He was wet, scrawny, muddy and had some injuries to his hind legs’ toes. We brought him home in a shopping bag because we didn’t think we would be taking him in. We took care of him in secret, because our parents didn’t want a pet at home. We kept him in an unused toilet for a night but his loud meows were heard by my parents! Eventually, he won my mom’s heart because she felt that he’s her lucky cat!
We found Gary at a void deck with his siblings, he was the chonkiest and most mischievous because we found him climbing a palm tree! Eventually, all his siblings were adopted and we brought Gary back home. I guess Gary was my mom’s favourite as she commented in a dialect that “This cat is so sweet”.
Zingertails: It was a bit chaotic because I met Remo at my clinic workplace! He was rescued and brought in with exposed flesh due to bacteria growth. He had to be hospitalized at a very young age [1 month] and I ended up taking him home to care for him. I too brought him home without my dad knowing, as he didn’t like cats in general. When he saw Remo, he was very against the idea of nursing him.
The first night was chaotic as Remo was constantly having diarrhoea and due to his open wound, had to be cleaned up as soon as possible. I kept him in my dad’s unused fish tank for the first night, and tried to syringe feed him water to avoid dehydration. As he was our first cat, the house wasn’t ‘cat-ready’ and the next day, I dashed out to Pet Lover Centre in the morning to get all the kitten essentials.
Emplifying: My parents were like that at first too! But they grew to accept them.
Zingertails: But Remo is really smart! He knows how to smooth his way out into my parents heart and first began by working his way to my mom by gently meowing and being all manja with her. That’s where my mother fell in love.
Q: What were your must-have products for the kittens?
Diam0ndkitties: A litter box and litter! I’m quite particular about home cleanliness so I was initially paranoid about litter box training and accidents. But luckily, the kittens took very naturally to the litter box which was a huge relief to us. But not to say there weren’t a few accidents though! Afterwards, we were hastily looking at which kitten food to buy. There’s just too much info out there that we have to sieve through, both for kittens and adult cats.
Emplifying: Definitely kitty pan, kitty sand and cat food! We had Daiso bowls as food and water bowls. Not forgetting cat mesh!
Diam0ndkitties: Yes! Daiso does have a lot of good stuff for pets, but they are not very commonly found at some outlets. We have tried the cat wipes but they were a little too thin.
Emplifying: We also got dish washing gloves for Newton and thought that bathing him with gloves would be easier (didn’t know what we were thinking!) but Newton shredded the gloves so… no gloves after that!
Zingertails: For us, we prepared lots and lots of pee pads. At that time, we weren’t prepared to adopt Remo so we used pee pads as well as a small little tray as a litter box! We also bought KMR milk, kitten mousse/kibbles and Nutripet vitamin supplements.
Q: Biggest challenge when trying to let your kitten get used to being domesticated?
Emplifying: It would be the late-night meowing, because we were so afraid that the neighbours will complain since cats are generally not allowed to be kept in HDBs.
Other than that, there would be occasional furniture/wire damage by kittens but glad to say that there wasn’t any mass destruction! Unlike dogs, I feel like cat’s may not be domesticated easily. Based on my experience, instead of trying to train them to NOT do a certain action, the only way we felt worked for us is to not encourage the behaviour. Instead, we keep things/furnitures away that could encourage the behaviour and exhaust the kitten’s energy with playtime!
Zingertails: Agreed! We really had a hard time trying to exhaust the kittens.
Diam0ndkitties: Yes, the biggest challenge for us when they were younger was to not let them scratch furniture or bite into wires, which they usually will do at night or when no one is around. We provided lots of scratching posts, and also tried the cat anti-scratch spray which unfortunately did not work. Exhausting them was not easy, they were just way too active. Sometimes even I got tired!
Zingertails: When the kittens start to get bored, especially Remo when he was the ‘single child’, he would start developing behaviour such as pouncing on the humans or even biting. It took us a while to correct this kind of behaviour. We do bring Remo out for walks but it’s not on a frequent basis. I have heard some cats ended up craving the ‘outside world’ a lot and will start to be destructive when kept indoors.
Emplifying: We bought a leash too, but they just flop and surrender on the floor, they did not even walk! Had to carry them all the way. I have also heard about cats not wanting to be kept in after being exposed to the ‘outside world’.
Q: Give a piece of advice to hoomans looking to adopt cats!
Diam0ndkitties: Wow, that’s going to have a long answer! But in short, be really sure that you can commit to ANY pets. Commitment to care for a pet is important. There will be good days and also bad days. For stray cats, it also depends how old they are when adopted, the older ones need more patience to adapt to the indoor life.
Emplifying: Just be patient & committed! And enjoy the process of finding out their silly characters. I really miss those kitten days! There may be both heart-aching and heart-melting moments through their course of life, but none of which I regret.
Zingertails: Yup I agree! It is not just a one two year commitment, but can last up till 20 year! You have to be financially ready and ave up funds for them, be it regular food and toys or even medical fees.
THE WOOF AGENCY would like to thank @diam0ndkitties, @emplifying and @zingertails for taking the time off to share with us their real-life experiences on adopting stray cats.
If you enjoyed this piece, drop a comment below and let us know what other types of pet groups you’d like to learn more about!
You can read here for more information on what and why crate training is important
So commonly when we adopt an older dog, we will often wonder if it is still necessary to crate train?
Of course Puppy guardians will find the crate more useful for training purposes than the guardians of older dogs. Still, there are some reasons you should crate train an older dog, such as for preparation in the event of emergency.
So I personally feel that these are best reasons to crate train an older dog:
Security in an emergency situation
Safe transportation via car/plane
Easier veterinary visits and long-term care in case of illness or injury
Providing a comfortable and safe location in high-stress environments
Crate training a dog of any age can be tricky because “being trapped” in a “tiny box” is scary! However, many dogs that are properly introduced to a crate may truly enjoy their relaxing time inside. Of course the ideal crate size has to be big enough for them to stand up and turn around without restriction.
Who’s the mastermind here?
Kobe is crate trained, but not on command. Kobe is peepad trained, so he gets to do this number 1 and 2 on the shower area where the peepad is placed. And the rest of the space is where his water bowl is, and toys to keep him busy.
My foster puppy in his new adopter house
I know one high-energy SS puppy that’s being crated (His crate is the common toilet) for a few hours at a time while his mom is at work, chooses to hang out in his crate frequently in the evenings, weekends and overnight. Hence, it’s important to crate train properly. Because crates don’t come with instruction manuals, they can easily be unintentionally misused, causing your dog severe distress.
So like I mention, crate training doesn’t come with instructions, so it can easily be unintentionally misused. So I will highlight again.
Of course if you choose to crate train your dog like me in the common toilet, please make sure there’s no toilet paper to shred. HAHA
Introduce it Casually
The worst way you can introduce your puppy to the idea of a crate is to bring it home and lock him inside it immediately. People don’t like being trapped against their will, and neither do dogs. Instead, you should initially treat the crate like it’s just another piece of furniture — but one that he can enjoy. To this end, place it in a part of the house that he frequents, add a blanket and a toy or two, and keep the door open. Then back off and give him a chance to explore it. Some dogs will immediately start sniffing around and going into the crate, which is a great sign. If your puppy isn’t quite so bold, encourage him to check it out by placing favorite foods and toys near and inside the crate. The ultimate goal is to get him comfortable with going inside, and this is something that could take days. Be patient with the process.
After he’s willing to enter the crate, your next goal is to get him comfortable with staying inside for extended lengths of time. One of the best ways to do this (and create a positive association with the crate) is to start putting his food in the crate. If possible, you want to place the food at the back of the crate so that your dog goes all the way in. Some dogs may not be willing to do this, though, so you can start with the food just inside the crate and slowly move it back with successive meals. As soon as your dog is eating his meals while standing all the way inside the crate, it’s time to close the door. After he’s done eating that first time, open the door immediately. You’ll leave him in longer and longer with each meal, adding just a few minutes every time.
It’s possible that your dog may whine. If this happens, open the crate immediately and don’t leave him in as long next time. However, if he whines again, wait until he stops before letting him out or you will teach him that whining equals open door.
Once your dog is hanging out in her closed crate without signs of stress, it’s time to lengthen her stay. Use a favorite toy or treat to encourage her to enter the crate, then close it. Hang out by the crate for several minutes, then go into a different room for a few minutes so she gets used to the idea of staying in the crate alone. When you return, don’t open the crate immediately. Instead, sit with her again for a few more minutes and then open the door. Keep increasing the time as you do this until your dog is able to stay in the locked crate for half an hour without your presence. When she’s able to do this, she’s ready for you to leave her for short periods and possibly even sleep in the closed crate overnight. The key here is to make crating seem completely normal and avoid excitement. Encourage him to get into the crate and praise him when he does so, but keep it brief. When you come home, stay low-key and ignore any excited behavior that he shows.
Rules for successful crate training
Never leave a dog inside a crate for longer than five hours at a time (with the exception of overnight).
Make sure the crate is large enough for your dog to comfortably stand up, lie down and turn around in. The more space the dog has inside the crate to get comfortable, the better.
If you have a very young or very tiny puppy whose bladder is underdeveloped, never leave them inside a crate for longer than they can hold their urine. (Unless you planning to peepad train him)
The same goes for a senior dog with a weak bladder that needs to urinate frequently.
And also make sure your floor mat is beyond reach. LOL
These training tips can help your dog love the crate
Never force your dog inside the crate or close them in it for longer than they’re ready for. They must choose to go in on their own.
Help your dog to choose to go into the crate by throwing a treat, leaving a bully stick or pig’s ear or placing a puzzle toy filled with high-value treats (i.e., peanut butter, hot dogs, chicken) inside.
Gradually increase the period of time your dog spends in the crate. Begin by luring them in, closing the door for a couple of seconds, then letting them back out. Repeat this several times, then increase the interval by a few seconds. Repeat, slowly increasing the time they spend inside with the door closed.
Place soft bedding inside the crate and provide access to water.
Remember to NEVER leave your dog inside the crate with the door closed for longer than five hours at a time. The one exception to the rule is crating overnight, which is okay as long as your dog is a good nighttime sleeper.
If your dog is having trouble adjusting to the crate and begins to howl, dig, or bite at the bars, put a sheet over to minimise visual stimulation.
All the information I shared is base on my knowledge and my research on how and what’s the best for crate training. Of course certain things I said you might not agree to what I say, or maybe it doesn’t work on your dog. If you have other ways or a better way of crate training, please leave on the comment below so we all dog owners/lovers can learn something too!
Have you ever considered changing your dog’s diet to something more natural and fresh? If your answer is a resounding yes, then this article is perfect for you!
More dog owners have been seen switching their pups to a primarily fresh meal diet. And it’s no wonder, given that there’s a host of benefits associated with doing so, such as healthier skin, smoother coats and less trips to the vet.
We had the exciting opportunity to have a chat with the founders of The Grateful Dog (TGD), Rachel and Sandee. The Grateful Dog is a company that specialises in fresh meals for dogs of all kinds. Read along as they share their motivations, challenges, and opinions when it comes to feeding your dogs fresh meals.
Q: Tell us a little bit more about The Grateful Dog!
TGD: We’re a fresh food company for dogs in Singapore that focuses on providing great tasting, highly nutritious, and easy-to-serve meals that are suitable for dogs of all shapes and sizes—created with busy, modern-day dog owners in mind.
The Grateful Dog Fresh Meals
Q: What’s the motivation and reason for starting The Grateful Dog? Did you self learn when it comes to feeding fresh meals?
TGD: The Grateful Dog was born out of our passion and huge love for dogs. My co-founder, Rachel Pereira and I found ourselves at a cross roads at the same time in our career; it was a question of whether to move on to another ‘conventional’ job within our respective industries, or to embark on a brand-new adventure that could potentially help lots of dogs? The answer then (and till today) was very clear to us.
At the initial stage, we spent a long-time brainstorming on impactful ways we would be able to serve the local dog community in Singapore while making a living, and with most Singaporeans, our thoughts veered to food!
As dog owners ourselves, we also understand that people take their role of being their pet’s guardian very seriously. That’s why we know that empathy, transparency and attention to details are things that dog owners will care about, and these values are what The Grateful Dog is built on.
Together with the help of experts in the fields of nutrition and veterinary care, we poured through industry journals, articles, in-depth interviews, and tweaks along the way.
In 2017, we launched our clean label, human-grade, lean animal protein meals with the intention to help dog owners cut through the clutter and jargon of commercial dog food. In addition, we wanted to give them peace of mind, knowing that their best friend are enjoying the best quality of food for them to thrive.
Q: How does a typical day look like for you at The Grateful Dog?
TGD: I would say that we spend a large majority of time advising dog owners who are either entirely new to fresh food, or want to find out about our products (especially if their dog has specific dietary restrictions due to a health condition). We also share advice about the proper combination of food and supplements, and other knowledge resources that could help a dog owner who might feel at loss of how to manage their dog’s health and wellbeing.
We also devote time during the day to dig into trends on dog nutrition or research in detail about certain ingredients. Of course, there’s our guilty pleasure of scrolling through IG for a mid-day break to catch up on our favourite dogs online.
Q: What is one of the top challenge when it comes to running a business in Singapore? (E.g. delivery, securing fresh ingredients)
Staying relevant and making sure that we’re providing the right product/service at a competitive price for our customer is our priority. We know that schools of thought can adapt and change, which is why being nimble and open to feedback is important to us.
Good feedback motivates us and constructive feedback helps us improve! That’s why we always encourage dog owners not to be afraid to share their thoughts with us.
Preparation of Fresh Food
Q: What are your thoughts about the different available diets (Kibbles, Freeze-Dried, Raw) available out there for dogs?
TGD: There’s no right or wrong diet for a dog. The age, biology and genes of the dog have a role to play on deciding which diet works better for a dog during that specific time point in its life whether it’s freeze-dried, dehydrated, raw, or gently cooked.
Q: What has been your proudest The Grateful Dog moment so far?
TGD: In June this year, we celebrated our third-year anniversary. And this year has been an exceptionally challenging one for everyone which is why I’m truly appreciative of all the amazing support our dog owners have given us, and we’re proud to be serving more dog owners all over Singapore as we move into 2021.
Q: What is your ultimate vision and goal for The Grateful Dog?
TGD: Our vision is for The Grateful Dog to fit into every pet owner’s lifestyle. 2021 will see us evolving as a brand to provide more high quality, fresh meal options to pet owners, as we continue to develop innovative and thoughtful products.
Most of the time when people look at Belle, they assume she’s about one or two years old. And that’s very understandable because she’s pretty white considering that she’s a Golden Retriever. Usually, you can tell a Goldie is getting older when the fur on their face is a lighter shade than their coat.
So when I tell people that Belle is 11 years old, they get very shocked and they usually say something like “wow she looks great for her age!”
Of course, when you take a closer look, you can tell that Belle’s getting behind her years because her legs aren’t as steady as before and she gets out of breath after long walks or even after a trip to the park.
Diet
As Belle got older, one of the biggest changes would be her diet. The food (dry and wet) she eats now is catered towards senior dogs and the vet has advised me to not give her as many treats as before. Which is a good thing because it’s extremely important for senior dogs to not be overweight otherwise it’ll be a big strain on their bones and limbs.
Apart from her food, I also give her her daily dose of Glucosamine soft chews. It definitely helps her limbs because she still enjoys walking (sometimes running) up and down the stairs in my house.
Exercise
When it comes to bringing Belle out, I guess the important thing to take note of is when she lags behind me because she’s always on my left. I usually take that as a sign that she’s had enough exercise for the day. Sometimes I bring Belle out to the pool as well because swimming is definitely less taxing on Belle’s limbs as compared to walking. It’s a great form of exercise for her too because she usually sleeps like a log the minute we get back home.
Of course, when Belle gets too tired to walk anymore, she immediately lies down on the ground and only moves after a lot of encouragement. That’s when I step in and carry 23kg of fur, bones and flesh.
Grooming
Grooming-wise, not much has changed to be honest. Every 6 to 7 weeks, I send Belle to the groomer’s where she gets her fur and nails trimmed and she comes back smelling like flowers. It’s also important to do daily maintenance as well. For example, cleaning her ears every night after a walk will help to prevent ear infections.
On top of everything mentioned above, I think the most important thing is to still shower a lot of love to your dogs. Everyday I still smother Belle with loads of hugs, kisses and baby talk. Everyday she would get up (even if she’s sleeping) when she hears me call her name and walk towards me to greet me. When I first got Belle back in 2010 when I was only 14, I never thought too far in the future about her as an older dog; all I wanted was to have fun with her everyday. Now that I’m older and more aware, I know that one day I’ll have to say goodbye to her. But in the meantime, I’m still going to spoil her rotten because to me, she’s still my best friend and the number 1 Goldie in the world.
Do you feed your dogs raw? Feeding of raw meat-based diets to pets has become an increasingly popular trend amongst pet owners in recent years.
If you are a TikTok fan, loves #ASMR and intrigued by the world of raw feeding, you would have definitely heard about Chefs and Dogs, who has since gathered more than 1M followers on their Tik Tok channel! ?
We’re be honest – all of us here has been binge-watching their videos (I mean, who wouldn’t?!) From delicious sushi for rabbits, to woof-ing good pasta for your dogs, Chef and Dog has something for anyone who needs some recipes inspiration or just a break from all the Zoom calls (yes to ASMR). ??♀️
We are super excited to be able to interview Daniel to learn more about Chefs and Dogs journey – the motivations, challenges and even the little moments.
Meet Daniel & Caelan
Q:Tell us a little bit more about yourself and your pets!
I’m Daniel Tomas—chef by training and dog dad to two Australian Kelpies, Joey (boy) and Alkai (girl) and a border collie Caelan (boy) whose face is on the Chefs & Dogs logo.
Like the late David Bowie, Caelan has two different coloured eyes, a rare condition known as heterochromia, but no musical talents (that I’m aware of). We also have quails and foster cats & dogs.
Q:When was Chefs and Dogs founded? Are you doing this full-time now?
I founded Chefs and Dogs eighteen months ago as a local raw dog food delivery business in the capital of Australia (points for those who know this), Canberra. In addition to delivering raw meals, we sell a range of healthy treats and supplements Australia-wide.
You can purchase the Wagyu Christmas lunch from their website if you are based in Australia!
Running the small business has been a full-time job from the beginning, but over time I’ve invested more and more late nights producing TikTok, Youtube and Instagram content to spread awareness about pet nutrition.
Q:What got you started on feeding raw?
The journey started for me 6 years ago when Joey had lupus on his nose. After all manner of treatments proved ineffective, my partner and I consulted a holistic vet who advised changes to his diet.
Joey with Lupus
Through feeding a tailored raw diet along with a holistic approach guided by Kate from Holistic Paws, Joey underwent a remarkable recovery. It demonstrated to us what on the face of it sounds obvious—feeding a nutritious balanced diet to your pets, especially if they have special health requirements, can drastically impact their overall health.
Joey’s transformation after being fed raw
Q:What’s the motivation and reason for starting Chefs and Dogs? Did you self learn when it comes to feeding raw?
I learned raw feeding under the guidance of a holistic vet and dog nutritionist and I always advise my followers to do the same. Introducing fresh foods doesn’t need to be as radical as a complete diet overhaul. Whatever their level of comfort, we encourage pet-owners to take an interest in their pet’s nutritional needs.
Q: Where do you get the inspiration/recipes for your video content?
I’m a chef by training and have been creating recipes for the better part of a decade. Most of my inspiration comes from the amazing community. We get requests for everything from hermit crab to snail meals!
Q:What do you think is your top challenge when it comes to Chefs and Dogs?
The response of our community has been overwhelmingly positive. I try to provoke people to think of their dog’s diets differently and sometimes this requires going a little over-the-top (wagyu burritos or Michelin-star lobster for dogs anyone?).
Sometimes I work hard on a recipe I love and no one is interested, other times I throw something together in ten minutes and it goes viral. Creating content is about having the courage to take risks and put yourself out there.
The hardest part is finding the right balance between content that is fun and engaging, but also provides educational information for pet owners.
Q: Any tips for pet owners who wants to feed raw but not sure how to get started?
As with a lot of things, first do no harm. It’s best to take advice from a holistic vet and pet nutritionist to ensure you are feeding your dog a complete and balanced diet. But this doesn’t mean it’s too hard and safer to just stick to kibble—there are lots of ways you can gradually introduce fresh foods to your pet’s diet.
There are also a lot more local suppliers like us providing fresh and raw dog food which can help owners learn the ropes.
Meet Caelan, Alkai & Joey
There is always a trade-off between time, money and quality when it comes to cooking. I always say feed the best food you can afford with your budget, whether that is a little bit of a fresh or full fresh. Shop around for specials, build a good relationship with your butcher, buy in bulk and freeze. I go through some of these tips in my YouTube videos.
Food hygiene is essential when handling raw meat. Wear plastic gloves and always clean your hands, any utensils and preparation areas, as well as your dog’s bowl, between meals. While we’ve all experienced it at some point, it’s a bad idea to let your dog lick yours or your children’s faces—this can transmit bacteria.
Q:Of all the recipes and videos you have done, which is your favourite?
After over 400 videos it’s hard to pick! Birthday cakes are always fun—we make these for our clients and can cover all manner of themes. It’s as much fun for the owner to make as the dog to eat!
Q:What kind of viewership changes have you seen since you started making these videos?
The community has transformed since our early days and we’re so grateful to everyone who has been there from the start. We are seeing more and more owners of cats and other pets who are looking to feed fresh. Some of our followers may not even have a pet yet, but find the videos satisfying.
It’s a mixed community now and as the trends and specific areas of interest shift, I try to keep our core theme at the heart.
Q:What has been your proudest Chefs and Dogs moment so far?
While it’s fun to make viral content—I never would have thought I’d hit a million followers and receive almost 50 million video views a month—it’s the small things that have made me proud. In the early hours when I wrap up my work with the food business, I usually create a video and read through all of the comments and direct messages.
Hearing stories of pet-owners who have been inspired by my videos to feed their pets fresh food is hugely gratifying. You may have guessed I love dogs and the transformative impact they can have on our lives as owners, so I love hearing when it goes the other way.
Q:What is your ultimate vision and goal for Chefs & Dogs?
The vision has always been the same—spread awareness about the benefits of nutrition for a dog’s diet. I’d love to see fresh feeding becoming the norm, or at least fresh food be considered the most desirable diet for pets – just as it is for humans.
Daniel, founder of Chefs & Dogs
Follow Daniel & fam on their TikTok, Instagram or Youtube to learn more about fresh feeding for your pets! ?
Do you love such feature stories? Comment below and let us know who do you want us to interview next!
Lego is a young Lagotto Ramagnolo living in Singapore and he’s here to share a simple pupcake recipe! You don’t have to wait for your pet’s birthday every year before indulging in pupcakes. Now, you can simply make them yourselves at home.
10. Line baking tray and fill them up with the mix
11. Into the oven they go!
Bake for 10-15 minutes
And they’re done!
Note that pupcakes recipes are generally not a balanced meal and should be fed in moderation. Pawrents should be the gatekeepers in deciding what should be included in their pet’s diet.
Special thanks to Lego for sharing this simple recipe!
Is grooming puppies a very difficult task for you? Is your pup very fidgeting and energetic? Here are some tips that you can try on your pup!
Hoshi is an 8 months old tri-color shetland, we have been grooming Hoshi on our own, mainly because he is still a puppy. We have only brought him to the groomer once, and we absolutely loved the services provided and the cut.
The basic grooming routine ✂️ that we do for Hoshi consists of trimming his nails, shaving his paw pads and potty areas, brushing his teeth, and cleaning his ears. We usually take about 1 hour to do each item in the routine because Hoshi can’t stay still. Hoshi hates grooming especially brushing his teeth. We always have a very hard time trying to groom him, as he will try to move around and escape.
#Tip 1
Treats! ?
Have plenty of treats prepared to distract your doggo while you groom him/her. Other than distracting, you can use treats to rewards your doggo. Here are some of the treats that we use for Hoshi during grooming:
Chews
Purree
#Tip 2
Have more hands on deck! ??
After trying a lot of different methods to groom him on our own, we figured out that having more people on board makes the process a lot easier. So we tend to have 3 pairs of hands when we groom Hoshi –> Hoomum, Hoodad, and Hooaunt! Hoomum would hold Hoshi down, while Hooaunt would do the grooming and Hoodad will distract Hoshi by praising him and giving him treats.
#Tip3
Stagger grooming timings ⌛
For Hoshi, completing 1 item in the routine takes about 1 hour. To complete the whole routine in 1 night, would be impossible for both the hoomans and doggo. Thus, we would split the grooming into days, and it not only helped us to take a break but also let Hoshi be more comfortable with us grooming him. Another tip that you can use would be to groom your doggos when they are about to sleep ?️! We usually groom Hoshi right before his bedtime, so he’s tired and would not struggle as much!
That’s all for the tips! Do try them on your puppies and let me know if it works! If you have any tips, please do share them with me too 🙂 Hope this helps you, even if you didn’t manage to groom your doggo, don’t give up! ?
Follow @hoshi_sheltie on Instagram to follow us on our journey ?
Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? We have the perfect gift guide for you with the perfect holiday gifts for furiends or for your own furkids!
Pick from 3 different categories – The Adventurer, The Socialite & The Homebody to find the perfect gifts!
The Homebody
Does your furkid prefer the comfort of home to the great outdoors? Select from our range of comfy home furniture perfect for those days & nights in.
dfang is made for those homebody furkids, with a variety of pet furniture including the dfang Pet Play Bean Bag(from $159), Pet Play Cushion(from $185) & Pet Play House(from $167). Our customers love dfang for its comfort, safety & style!
dfang Pet Play Beanbag
Dfang pet furniture is designed to be waterproof & scratch resistant to ensure that it is durable for furkids. dfang offers comfort in luxury – pamper your furkid this Christmas!
Also perfect for nights-in, Atasco 100% Whole Goat Milk($19.90) is a great gift for all furkids – A wholesome batch of fresh goat’s milk that is gently dried and ground into powder for easy storage. It is a perfect alternative for furkids with sensitivities towards cow’s milk and ensures that they do not miss out on the benefits of milk! Simply rehydrate the needed portion & enjoy the freshness in every sip!
And lastly, designed to make eating easier for your furkid, Fluff Trough($67.90) enables furkids to eat comfortably and helps to promote better digestion, better posture, less mess and less gas, as well as a more comfortable dining experience.
Fluff Trough
Fluff Trough comes in 2 different designs with 4 colours to choose from! And as a Christmas gift from us, enjoy complimentary name customisation for all pre-orders made before 20th December 2020.
The Adventurer
For the furkids who are wild at heart, Comfort Flex ensures the highest standards of safety, simplicity, and security. Designed for pups who enjoy exploring the great outdoors whether its running or hiking.
Available in both harness & limited slip collar, the Comfort Flex line is an ideal gift for active & adventurous furkids.
ComfortFlex Harness
The ComfortFlex® Sport Harness($69) is designed to protect sensitive areas, like your dog’s throat and underarm, during any level of exercise. Its ergonomic design allows for a full range of motion with added reflective nylon strapping across the chest for higher visibility at night.
ComfortFlex Collar
The ComfortFlex® Limited Slip Collar($39) is a gentle corrective collar designed to restrain without choking. Reflective strapping also makes this collar highly visible in low light situations.
The Socialite
Anypawdy else loves meeting up with furiends? We’ve got you covered for your playdate! Get ready for your playdate with The DoggieBalm Co’s Natural Doggie Cologne Spritz($21.10) – a 100% natural cologne spray designed to freshen up any smelly dog. Our colognes come in 3 different scents – Lavender & Rose, Coconut & Jasmine and Peppermint & Jasmine. Our most popular scent is Peppermint & Jasmine, you cannot go wrong with that refreshing scent.
DoggieBalm Co Natural Doggie Cologne Spritz
Before meeting with furiends, style your furkid’s luscious fur with DoggieBalm Co’s Leave-In Spray Conditioner($35.70), Simply give a few squirts onto your furkid’s coat and massage in with your hand. This conditioner contains natural Australian Rosemary and Argan Oil which is known to promote a healthy, smooth, and nourished dog coat all year round. Doggiebalm Co’s Cologne Spritz & Leave-In Conditioner are the ideal products to freshen your furkid in-between bath times.
DoggieBalm Co Leave-In Spray Conditioner
Lastly, if you are inviting other furiends over for a playdate, our dfang Play Mats (from $38) ensure the furkids can have a safe & fun environment to play in. Prevent injuries & accidents with our Play Mats as they are anti-slip, waterproof & is impact cushioning. It is made to be scratch resistant & durable. We offer a variety of types of Play Mats from foldable to the corridor to rugs, all to suit you & your furkid’s needs. Bonus – these mats are also safe for babies & kids!
dfang Foldable Play Mat
You can find all your gifting needs for your furkid & furiends from Blove. Check out our website – blove.sg for our full range of products. Have fun shopping this Christmas & enjoy our deals & promotions!
