Dandy Pet Wellness: Personalized Supplements for Your Pup

Lori Ennis
by Lori Ennis
Published:  October 11th, 2022

We’re a culture that’s all about supplements, as we’re looking for the best we can for health and vitality.

That goes for our furry best friends, too. After all, we’re in charge of keeping them healthy so we can keep playing fetch with them for as long as we can.


The pet supplement market has expanded over the last several years, much as the human supplement market. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association estimates that up to a third of all dogs in the United States are given nutritional supplements for their health.


So how’s a dog parent to find the best supplements for dogs? Every dog is different, and every dog’s needs are different.


And that’s just what dandy decided to tackle with their customized pet supplements (in delicious treat form) that come each month right to your door.


All About dandy

dandy is different. 


As many of the best products are, dandy was created when dog mom Danielle Sobel was looking for the best ways to supplement her senior rescue dog Zoe’s health. Not finding anything that was all-inclusive for Zoe, she figured she wasn’t alone in the world of those who needed specific lines of supplements for their best friends. In 2018, she tackled that problem, founding dandy, and bringing in the help of pet scientists and nutritionists, created a way to make customized supplements available for all dogs. 


This customized approach to dog health and wellness, offers a line with 15 different supplements that can help balance a dog’s diet and support them nutritionally in the places THEY need it most.


How Does dandy Work?


No one-stop-supplement shopping here; you start with a quiz that is in-depth about the needs your dog has. You’re able to add additional dogs from your (pack) and at the end, there’s an awesome little profile review that shows you some specifics about the wellness blend that was chosen for your dog and what it will do to help supplement.

Though it asks about things like their exercise level and allergens, as well as other lifestyle issues, it only takes a few minutes, and you get your dog’s customized recommendation immediately. 

dandy has a unique and proprietary database full of research that’s built algorithms that enable a customized set of four daily treat supplements to tackle the problems your dog may face.

The neat thing is that you can swap supplements out too. If you’re recommended something that you believe may not be as beneficial to your dog as another formula, no problem. They will switch it out and include it in your monthly order and deliver right to your door. It’s part of their ‘Build a Pack’ option and allows you a lot of flexibility.


If you have specific problems you want to target uniquely, they also have vet-formulated packs that are research-based and designed to address anxiety, gut health, allergies or joint care. 

And as easy as it can be, it’s delivered to your door once a month, though you can choose plans that allow for various discounts for longer terms. For my 50-60-pound retriever mixes, a one-time box would be about $54 but if I signed up for an annual plan, it would be more like $38 a month—which isn’t too shabby considering all ingredients are non-GMO, vet-formulated, made in the U.S. and have no added sugar, fillers or dyes.


They’ll Go Nuts At Mail Time


When the dandy Box came, my dogs went nuts! They kept jumping and trying to get to what was inside, like how they are with a new toy that’s delivered.


As soon as I opened the box, I knew why! It smelled like delicious treats, and they didn’t even know that it was full of wellness! You can get everything from heart supplementation to allergy attackers, as well as formulations that address gut health, skin & coat health and even anxiety. The 15 different formulations ensure that there’s help for whatever your dog’s unique needs are, and they’re deliciously formulated to ensure your dog takes them with joy. 


Dandy makes sure that all their supplements go through rigorous testing as raw ingredients and again after production, and the facility they use is certified by the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC). As their website says—there are not tricks, only treats, and you can read every ingredient they use on their site.


One of my dogs is super picky, and even she was begging for the Dandy treats.


What We Dig About dandy


There are a lot of great things about dandy supplements. We always find that products created by dog parents to address a problem are typically those made with the most love and concern for ingredients and production. These seem no different in that the ingredients seem clean and sourced in the USA, as well as are purposed to be without some of the unnecessary stuff you find in many supplements (and treats), and they don’t have added sugars. They’re non-GMO and they show a concern for what goes into your dog’s body being important and thoughtfully considered.


We also love that there are 15 different formulations. Sometimes ‘customized’ means that there are a couple of different choices you can make, but with 15 different lines, you can really create (or have recommended) a supplement line that’s unique for your dog and targets their individual needs.


We find the pricing to be reasonable, particularly if you are part of an annual subscription, and the cancellation process is one that doesn’t penalize you if you should unsubscribe.


Speaking of subscription, again—that convenience of having well-thought supplementation for your best friend delivered right to your door is super appealing. The dandy box delivery had my dogs drooling for sure! And shipping is FREE!


We love that you can customize as well as receive recommendations; some ‘customized’ programs only allow you very limited customization options.


We also think the packaging is adorable and we’re suckers for presentation.


What We Would Like To See


While there’s a lot of room to customize, there are only four supplement options with subscriptions. If you want more, you need to shop individually or consider the vet-formulated packs in addition. Not a deal-breaker, but sometimes dogs have more than four issues we’d like to supplement. 


The location limitations on the quiz were a bit frustrating as well—I entered about 10 local towns before I just gave up and found the closest metro-suburb. More individualization there would be nice. 


The Final Paw On Dandy


Like we said, we live in a world of supplementation. Lots of things prevent us from getting all the nutrients we should from our food, and that goes for our dogs too. Limited ingredients, environmental issues and gut health disruptions often mean there are gaps in our dog’s diet and Dandy works to bridge those gaps.


Like any supplement, we suggest talking with your veterinarian about what you’d like to supplement and be aware that Dandy suggests waiting until puppies are at least six months old before you start them on Dandy supplements. 


That all said, the ingredients in Dandy supplements are clean and focused, well-thought out and using nature’s own to start helping health in our dogs and we love that. They’re also reasonably priced for what you’re getting, and you can’t beat the convenience of customized treats right at your doggy door.


Plus, like I said, my dogs went NUTS and tried to tear into the box before I could even get to it myself—a sure sign that they were excited about what was inside!


All-in-all, an easy way to bond with my dog (they love the ‘treat’ aspect) while taking care of her at the same time. Pretty winning combination if you ask us!

WOW
Lori Ennis
Lori Ennis

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We all love traveling with our best friends, creating lasting memories together. However, wherever the road takes us, ensuring their safety is a top priority. While some pet parents are comfortable riding around with their pet seated proudly in the passenger seat, this could be a life-threatening decision in an unexpected stop or accident. Is it worth taking the risk? We don’t believe so! In this post, we will explore the different options for safely restraining your pet during your next road trip. More importantly, we’ll examine what makes a crash-tested harness or carrier different from the non-tested options and how they can offer you, as a pet parent, peace of mind. Do Pets Have to Be in a Carrier in the Car? What Are My Options?When discussing how to keep our pets safe in the vehicle, the most common recommendation is to keep them secured in a crate or carrier. In fact, in some states, laws require that pets be restrained to avoid becoming a distraction when driving. A well-ventilated crate will keep your pet contained and prevent them from being thrown about in an accident. But it’s not your only option. If you have a larger dog, you may not have enough space for an appropriately sized crate in your vehicle. Others may have a pet that is uncomfortable or anxious in a crate. In these cases, a pet seatbelt can keep your pet safe. But it’s important to note that not all carriers and harnesses are created equally. There are a few additional considerations, including whether your gear is crash-tested and how they are secured within your vehicle. What is a Crash-Tested Harness or Carrier? You may be wondering what exactly a crash-tested harness or carrier is and what sets it apart from other travel gear. The products we refer to as crash-tested are those that passed the rigorous independent testing carried out by the Center for Pet Safety (CPS). Not only do these products pass the initial testing, but they also continue to be evaluated. Certification can be revoked if a product falls below the standards and requirements set out by CPS. On the CPS website, you can see details about the testing each product undergoes, including video evidence of the test and the date that it was tested. If you are road-tripping with your pet and searching for a CPS-certified harness or carrier, here are a few options that we highly recommend: Sleepypod Clickit Sport Plus Car Seat Belt Harness Sleepypod Air Airline Approved Pet Carrier Diggs Travel Pet Carrier for Small Dogs and Cats Lucky Dog Kennel A complete list of CPS-certified crash-tested products is on the CPS website.

Microchip Helps Reunite Owners With a Lost Cat 5 Years Later

No bigger than a grain of rice, a microchip can save a life and help reunite a lost pet with their family. The Hall family understands the importance of microchipping after reuniting with a lost cat. Jeff and Cindy Hall were ecstatic after receiving news that their cat, Sam, was discovered in Arkansas five years after he first went missing. Cindy told the local NBC affiliate KARK that they received a phone call that their Russian blue cat was found at a gas station in Arkansas. The two women who have found Sam, have brought him to Jacksonville Animal Hospital. Using the information from Sam’s microchip, the women contacted PAWSitively Cats, an animal rescue organization, where the Halls adopted Sam when he was just 12 weeks old.  The women who found the feline were a part of the Alone 2 Home pet transport crew and were in the middle of transporting two dogs when they came across Sam. “We had him for seven years and then one day he got out. It is a miracle that he walked up to these two women who were in rescue,” said Cindy, adding that PAWSitively Cats called her and Jeff directly. She described the happy occasion as a “beautiful story” saying that reuniting with Sam, whom they had for seven years before he disappeared, was “surreal.”“This story just can’t underestimate the power of a microchip,” she said. “We are so grateful for everyone that was involved.”Sam the cat is now 12 years old and weighs 21 pounds. The rescue organization documented his entire journey on their Facebook page. PAWSitively Cats wrote that someone had picked up Sam and failed to look for his home when he first disappeared from the Hall residence.Before contacting Sam's family, the organization received a message that a microchipped cat had been found in Brinkley, Arkansas. In the meantime, Sam received the royal treatment at the Jacksonville Animal Hospital in Little Rock. The pet transport crew, Alone 2 Home once again assisted with Sam’s travels and brought him to El Paso, where the shelter’s director met up with them to bring Sam back to PAWSitively Cats shelter.  The feline’s family departed from Nevada and traveled to Tuscon, to finally get their beloved feline back.“Once again, we will do everything possible to be sure our cats are safe and can get back home if that is what is best for them,” the rescue posted on Facebook. “They are safe for life with us, one way or another, as long as PAWSitively Cats can continue. You make that possible by donating and sharing our cats’ stories. It really does take a whole community to save lives,” the post added.The Alone 2 Home transport crew also posted photos of Sam and provided additional updates to the shelter, before PAWSitively Cats updated their followers on Sam’s safe return home. “Sam was joyfully reunited with his family this morning,” the shelter later wrote in a post. “They are on their way home to Nevada now, where Sam will join the rest of the family: cats, dogs, and human sisters.” While talking to KARK, Cindy noted that having their cat home makes their family feel complete once again. No one knows how Sam ended up in Arkansas or for how long he had been there. It would be interesting to hear everything Sam went through during the five years he was away from his family. If only cats could talk!Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Design A Pet-Friendly Outdoor Space: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
Design A Pet-Friendly Outdoor Space: What Every Pet Owner Should Know
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Cats Grieve, According to Study

Pet parents know how difficult it is to lose a companion, but some people are unsure of whether cats grieve like people do when another pet dies. A recent study has revealed that, yes, cats do grieve. Keep reading to learn about how the study was conducted and what the researchers discovered.

Is Yawning Contagious Between Humans And Dogs? Study Says It Is

Many owners claim that when they yawn, their dog yawns, too. And now researchers have confirmed that they are right. Several studies have shown that dogs are more likely to yawn when their owners yawn. This phenomenon is called contagious yawning and is well-known among humans - you’ve probably done it yourself countless times. When we hear, see, or sometimes just think about yawning, many of us yawn. Now, research shows that our four-legged companions exhibit the same behavior.Studies done on humans show that people who catch a yawn from another person have better social skills. Researchers believe that contagious yawns show that we empathize with our fellow yawner. But does the same hold true for dogs?“It’s reasonable to assume that dogs who yawn when their owners do are more emotionally connected to them,” said Dr. Brian Hare, the founder of the Duke Canine Cognition Center at Duke University. Adding that dogs understand us better than any other animal, including primates.In humans, contagious yawning has been considered a sign of empathy. However, researchers are still debating whether this phenomenon may be a sign of a connection between people and their canine companions. A University in Tokyo study found that dogs yawned twice as often after watching their owners yawn than after watching strangers yawn. This finding suggested that a social bond associated with empathy might be behind this behavior. Teresa Romero, an animal behavioral researcher who conducted the study, explained that contagious yawning may be a way for animals who live together to coordinate their activities. This behavior may be deeply rooted in canine history, considering that they have been living with humans for more than 15,000 years. The long relationship with humans may have given the dogs the necessary tools to empathize with us.However, later studies were unable to determine such a connection. A meta-analysis of 257 dogs didn’t find conclusive evidence that contagious yawning in dogs is associated with empathy or familiarity.  “There’s just no strong support for a direct connection between contagious yawning and empathy, despite the fact that the predictions are very intuitive,” explained Andrew Gullap, a psychology professor at SUNY Polytechnic Institute in Utica, New York.  Dr. Hare, who studied dog yawns at Duke Canine Cognition Center has discovered that only five percent of dogs yawn contagiously. However, his findings come from an online, at-home test called Dognition. This test asks the owners to watch their dogs just for two minutes to see if they’ll do a contagious yawn. On the other hand, all other dog yawn studies have watched the dog for as long as five minutes after their owner yawned to see whether they’ll yawn too.“I’m not against the idea that dogs yawn contagiously,” Dr. Hare admitted. “We are just having a hard time demonstrating it. It’s possible we’re doing (the yawn test) wrong. We are going to analyze the data and find out more.” Several studies have concluded that dogs can yawn contagiously when they see or hear a person yawn. However, scientists still haven’t figured out what contagious yawning means. Studying dog yawning is difficult because dogs can yawn for many reasons - some of which have nothing to do with seeing a human yawn. Dogs can yawn spontaneously, and let’s not forget that yawning can be a sign of stress in dogs. A dog’s stress levels may be heightened during laboratory experiments in which the dog is videotaped to see whether they’ll yawn or not, affecting results.Hopefully, scientists will find better ways to study contagious yawning in dogs and discover what this behavior means. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can Dogs Get Harvest Mites?

Harvest mites, also known as chiggers or red bugs, are tiny parasitic mites that feed on the skin of various animals - including dogs. That’s right - dogs can get harvest mites too. These tiny pests are common in warm and dry climates and are active during the late summer and early fall. It is because of this that they are called “harvest” mites. But don’t be fooled by their tiny size – these mites can cause significant discomfort to dogs, mostly due to the irritation that their bites can cause.What Are Harvest Mites? Are They Dangerous for Dogs?Belonging to the Trombiculidae family, harvest mites are this subclade’s larvae. They are almost microscopic, measuring only about 0.2 mm in size. These mites are bright orange or red, which makes them slightly easier to spot on a dog’s skin, though their small size still makes them difficult to detect. They tend to live in grassy or wooded areas and attach themselves to dogs, humans, or other animals when they come into contact with the vegetation where the mites live.Now, once a harvest mite attaches itself to a dog’s skin, they will inject saliva into it in order to break down the cells which they consume. Unlike fleas or ticks, which feed on blood, these mites feed on skin cells. It is this process that causes an intense allergic reaction in dogs, leading to inflammation and itching. The dog may develop red, raised bumps or welts at the bite sites, typically in areas where the skin is thinner, such as the paws, belly, ears, or armpits.Your furry friend might scratch or bite the affected area, in hopes of easing the irritation. But this can potentially cause further skin damage or further infections. While harvest mites do not burrow into the skin, their bites can remain itchy and uncomfortable for several days, even after the mites are detached and gone.Symptoms of Harvest Mites in DogsIt is important to note that intense itching and irritation are not the only symptoms of harvest mite bites. If a dog is repeatedly scratching or licking at a particular area, this could indicate the presence of harvest mites, so know what signs to look out for.Red bumps and welts will often appear on the dog’s paws, belly, ears, or between their toes.Itching that is caused by harvest mites can be intense, and if your pet is vigorously scratching this is a classic indicator.In some cases, dogs may lose fur around the affected area due to excessive scratching.Constant scratching or biting may lead to crusty patches or open wounds. This is one of the more advanced signs.Of course, you need to make sure that harvest mite infestation is treated as soon as possible. This typically involves relieving the itching and removing any remaining mites. Of course, you need to seek the help of a vet, who will prescribe the proper treatment for your pet's unique case.

Tips and Tricks for Home Adjustments for Senior Dogs
Tips and Tricks for Home Adjustments for Senior Dogs
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Can Dogs Get Melanoma?

Melanocytes are special pigment cells that are responsible for a dog’s coat color. Without these cells, canines simply wouldn’t be as diverse and beautiful as we know them. But even though melanocytes can be viewed as a source of a dog’s uniqueness and lovely appearance, they can potentially be harmful as well. Just like humans, dogs can also be affected by melanoma, a type of cancer that originates in the melanocytes. In dogs, however, melanoma can develop in various locations, including the skin, mouth, eyes, and nail beds. While it can be benign in many cases, melanoma can also be malignant and can metastasize to other parts of the body. While all breeds of dogs can get melanoma, it is important to know that certain breeds are more predisposed to melanoma, including Scottish Terriers, Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Dachshunds. What is more, the sex of the dog is not a factor, as both males and females are equally susceptible to this illness. However, age is a very important factor that owners need to keep in mind. Research shows that most dogs who develop melanoma are 9 years or older, which means that seniors are those predominantly affected by this type of cancer. Still, it’s important to note that dogs of any age can have melanoma, even if it’s less frequent in younger canines.Types of Dog MelanomaIt is also important to know that there are several types of melanoma, and each one affects a different part of the dog’s body and is presented with different symptoms. Skin (Cutaneous) Melanoma: This type of melanoma is found on the skin, often appearing as a dark, raised growth. Look for lumps or masses that might be pigmented or non-pigmented. Oral Melanoma: This type occurs in the mouth and can be particularly aggressive and fast-spreading. Initial symptoms include bad breath, excessive drooling, bleeding, and difficulty eating.Ocular Melanoma: As the name suggests, ocular melanoma affects the eyes and may impair your pet’s vision. Changes in eye color, visible masses, or vision problems are possible symptoms.Subungual Melanoma: A rarer type of cancer, subungual melanoma develops in the nail bed and can be very painful for the dog and prohibit walking. As it progresses, it may cause swollen, deformed, or discolored nails.Can You Prevent Melanoma in Dogs?While there are no guarantees, there are certain steps you can take to minimize your pet’s chances of being affected by melanoma in their lifetime. In addition to regular vet visits and thorough checkups for any changes in skin or fur, the most important thing you can do is minimize sun exposure. This is especially true for dogs with light-colored or thin coats, as they are more susceptible to UV radiation. 

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