Getting Izzy Spring Ready: Our Dog’s Care Checklist

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Stop by Sam’s Club and grab some Nudges dog treats for your furry family sidekick! Click on the image below to shop now!

Every spring, we celebrate Izzy’s “gotcha day,” or the day we rescued her from the shelter. I remember looking at the shelter’s website every day, seeing the new dogs that were being added. The moment I saw Izzy’s photo (at that time, barely a year old and named “Minnie Mouse”), I rushed out of work and got to the shelter to meet her. It was truly meant to be…I remember talking to T over the phone, and we made the decision right then in there that she was meant to be part of our family.

Fast forward 8 years later (and two kids), and Izzy continues to be such an integral part of our family. She has adjusted to having two brothers, and it still as sweet as ever. And it’s so incredible to see her protective nature not only over T and I, but also to our boys. Seeing them bond with her is just about the cutest thing, and Bryce takes so much pride in holding her leash for walks, playing fetch, giving her treats, etc. She is a great part of our family and adds so much.

Oh you know, just a friendly snowball fight…in APRIL. (Mind you, two days later, it was nearly 70 degrees. What a spring!)

May is National Pet Month, and it’s always a great reminder around this time to get Izzy spring ready with the change of the season. The weather is starting to warm up, and we spend a lot more time together outside, so it’s a great time for us to take care of a few important tasks to make sure Izzy is in tip top shape and happy and healthy!

So in honor of National Pet Month, I thought I’d share our care checklist for our dog. If you are busy with kids, work, etc- hopefully having a list like this will prove to be helpful and allow you to keep your dog top of mind this spring.

Getting your dog spring ready: an annual care checklist

1. Annual vet exam. We schedule ours first thing in the spring, and she gets her Lyme booster, heartworm test and overall checkup.

2. Immunizations/vaccines. Our county offers discounted rabies and distemper vaccines for much cheaper than our vet through a series of clinics throughout the area. We always try to take advantage to save some extra money! Check out your county’s animal care website to see if they offer something similar.

3. Refills on medicines/treatments. We stock up on Izzy’s heartworm and flea & tick medicines and place one large order. It’s a bit pricey up front, but that way you have all the medicine and don’t have to worry about running out or placing another order. Plus, you get larger discounts if you buy larger quantities. I also take the time to mark my calendar to give her the meds on the first of the month.

4. Wash & groom. Once Izzy is all updated on her vaccines, then we schedule a grooming appointment. Nothing like a bath by the professionals, along with a much-needed trim and fresh toenails to be spring ready! (And the two little hairbows the groomer adds totally completes the look.)

5. Wash bedding. Usually while Izzy is at the groomer’s, I wash all of her bedding so everything is fresh and clean just like her! (I wash her bedding on a regular basis, but always tend to do it when she has a grooming as well.)

6. Get out for exercise. After being cooped up inside during the cold winter months, it’s a great time to remember to take advantage of nicer temps and take Izzy for walks, play fetch, etc. while the boys are out playing. Getting her active and involved with us benefits everyone!

7. Replenish food & supplies. Around this time, I take a look at Izzy’s cabinet where we store all her supplies and make sure we are stocked on shampoo, dog food, etc. and place an order if needed. I also check her leashes, collars and toys to make sure they are in good condition and clean.

8. Stock up on fresh treats! On one of our trips to Sam’s Club, we stock up on treats. We use Nudges® Chicken Jerky Dog Treats, and Izzy LOVES them. I really like the Nudges product because they are high quality and made with simple, natural ingredients. Each treat starts with real USA sourced chicken or beef, so I feel good about giving them to her. Plus, they don’t contain any artificial flavors or fillers – just the good stuff.

They have both Chicken Jerky and Steak Grillers (made with real steak and has USA beef as the #1 ingredient.) We got the Chicken Jerky, which has USA chicken as the #1 ingredient. It is all natural, made in the USA and has no corn, wheat or soy. Plus, the treats have a real meaty texture, appearance and smell. Izzy deserves the best, so I want to make sure the treats we feed her are from a brand I trust and is made with quality, natural ingredients.

And if you are shopping at Sam’s Club for treats and supplies for your dog, be sure to download the Shopkick app and get rewarded for purchasing Nudges dog treats! It’s a great way to find/earn additional savings when you are shopping at Sam’s – every bit helps!