April showers have brought May flowers and what will May flowers bring? Fleas. It’s getting warmer out there and as temperatures rise, so will your pet’s odds of getting infested with these buggy pests. But, not to worry: you can stop fleas before they strike. If they do strike, you can wage war on them and win with thorough treatments to your home and pet. Let’s start by discussing some fundamental flea knowledge. A flea’s life consists of 4-stages:[...]
Scott and I share our home with Mack, an 80 pound, 8-year old Pyrenees mix who has an obsession with squirrels. According to the age chart below, she is a “senior” (although I strongly object to 55 being considered anywhere near senior). Mack has human age of 50-55 and is already stricken with arthritis in her front legs, which is heart breaking as she absolutely lives to go walking (or squirrel hunting as she sees it). I would guess that[...]
Vaccines: pets hate to get them and owners hate to give them. Whether it’s your first pet or fifteenth, vaccines are never pleasant and can often be a bit confusing: which vaccines does my pet need? With so many vaccines available, should she just get all of them? Is it safe to have so many vaccines at once? Don’t panic–we’ll cover the basics: Core Vaccines Both dogs and cats each have a set of essential vaccines that are widely recommended[...]
Valentine’s Day is here, and as you scramble to find flowers or chocolates or a dinner reservation, remember to shop or dine local and show the Austin economy some love. In fact, Independent We Stand estimates that if every Austin family spent $100 of their Valentine’s Day budget at a local business, almost $42 million would circle back through the local economy. That’s because, as opposed to a big-box business whose revenue is dispersed among its hundreds of stores across[...]
We’ve been waiting an entire year, and the day is almost here: it’s finally February, better known as National Pet Dental Care Month (cue happy dance and confetti). In all seriousness, dental care is often one of the most overlooked but necessary parts of pet maintenance. So while you’re noming down on those Valentines chocolates and candy hearts, remember these easy and efficient tips to help your pet keep his pearly whites bright. Smell your pet’s breath: sounds weird, and[...]
Several customers have asked us how they might help local fire victims – especially displaced pets. We have contacted the Red Cross and some local pet rescue groups to see how we can help and how we might direct those of you who ask. We’ve been told that the dogs that were evacuated from the Bastrop Animal Shelter were taken by Austin Pets Alive! and the cats were taken by the Austin Humane Society. They are posting updates to their[...]
Anytime is a good time to start feeding wild birds in your backyard – but the food you provide your neighborhood birds is especially beneficial in the fall and winter months as their natural food sources become more scarce. To help you get started, all six of our Tomlinson’s locations are offering a starter feeder – a Kaytee Sonbird Bowl – for only $6.99 - as well as a buy one, get one FREE sale on all Wild Delightproducts. These offers are good throughout the month of[...]
Although many people rely on dry cat food as a staple for their cats’ diets, raw and canned foods are superior to kibble for developing strong bones and muscles as well as in mitigating some potential health problems that may be exacerbated by an all dry diet. It’s true that dry cat food is convenient; it doesn’t spoil rapidly, and many cats like the “crunch” of eating dry kibbles. However, an all-dry diet for cats can have a “downside.” Cats[...]
Austin is a great place to live! It has been ranked in several top 10 lists of “best cities” for living, business, etc. It’s a great place for pets too. Both DogFriendly.com and Men’s Healthrecently ranked Austin as one the top 10 most dog-friendly cities in the country. However, I would add that July and August are the worst months to live in Austin for both people and their pets. It’s HOT this time of year – and this year, it’s[...]
Dogs and cats typically shed their winter coats in the spring, leaving hair all over your floors and furniture – and all over you. Double-coated dog breeds, such as Poms, Samoyeds, Collies, Shelties, Akitas, and Great Pyrenees, are double the trouble when they “blow” their coats each spring. This, the heaviest of shedding seasons, begins when the weather gets warmer and the days get longer and can last from between three weeks to two months. Here are a few tips[...]
A customer who recently visited our Westlake store told us that she had come very close to losing her two dogs because they had eaten the clippings of a Sago palm that she had cut back. Sago palms are common in the central Texas area and VERY TOXIC. Dogs that ingest them rarely survive! See a photo of a Sago palm and more information here. The ASPCA has put together an exhaustive list of plants that are toxic to pets – over 700! [...]
We’re aware that our premium foods come with premium price tags. First, let me assure you that we try to keep our prices as low as possible. We price shop other retailers; we purchase our best-selling brands by the truckload so that we get better pricing, and then pass those discounts on to our customers; and when vendors raise their prices, we bemoan those price increases right along with you. Second, we do carry several brands that are excellent nutrition[...]
For many years, Tomlinson’s supplied Sensible Choice brand pet foods. We sold it and many of you purchased and fed it because it was a good food at a good value – a sensible choice. However, several years ago Royal Canin purchased Sensible Choice (and since then Mars purchased Royal Canin). Royal Canin proceeded to discontinue many of the Sensible Choice formulas and significantly increase the price of the remaining formulas – so much so, in fact, that it was no[...]
