Pet Parents Go For The Gold At Sochi Winter Games

Petmate® offers tips for getting into the Olympic spirit like world-class athletes

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Feb 06, 2014, 06:00 ET

ARLINGTON, Texas, Feb. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- What do bobsledder Lolo Jones, figure skater Ashley Wagner and hockey player Ryan Callahan all have in common? Not only are they world-class athletes and Team USA members for the Sochi Winter Olympics, they are also pet parents.

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You don't have to ski, skate or sled to have Olympic fun with your pet, though. An estimated 4 billion people will tune in to watch the games, and millions of those will have their pets at their side. Petmate, the nation's leading maker of innovative products pet families prefer for home, travel and play, has tips to help pet families get into the Olympic spirit.

Tip 1: Don't spend all 18 days of the Olympics sedentary in front of the TV – couch potato isn't a sport! Engage in healthy play with your pet with toys like the Dogzilla^® Strong Chewer Dumbbell, created from durable natural rubber and infused with mouth-watering chicken flavor, designed to hold up to tough chewers and teethers. The Chuckit!^® Fetch Wheel^® is a great way to play Ground Pursuit games with your dog – fetch, roll and bounce. For cats, the JW^® Cataction^® Feather Ball is a natural rubber ball from the top-selling Hol-ee™ line filled with feathery pieces that stimulate the senses and encourage swatting and pouncing.

Tip 2: Keep your pet in tip-top shape with the right amount of food and water. Athletes know that proper nutrition and hydration are key during competition. The Petmate Portion Right^® Programmable Feeder allows for convenient and beneficial feeding with electronic and programmable options for portion control to keep pets trim. The Petmate Replendish^® Waterer hydrates the right way with an advanced filtration system that removes chemicals and chlorine, and Microban^® protection that fights the growth of odor-causing bacteria.

Tip 3: Create your own Olympic Village for your pet to allow him to relax and recharge after a long day of competition. Soothe sore muscles with the Aspen Pet^® Cooling Mat by Petmate. It employs the same technology found in gel face masks, with a cooling material that conforms to ambient room temperature. The non-toxic cooling gel absorbs body heat, and it's hassle-free, with no water or refrigeration required. Then, warm up with the Aspen Pet Self-Warming Bed, which features the same self-warming technology as Mylar space blankets. The bed creates a safe, convenient way for pets to stay comfortable in colder climates, with warm and cozy fabrics including faux lamb's wool plush.

"Pets are natural athletes and enjoy interactive play with an element of competition," said Petmate Manager of Corporate Communications Emilye Schmale. "Much like our Olympic athletes, it is important for pets to stay physically active, eat healthy portions, stay hydrated and get plenty of rest to stay on top of their game. Petmate's wide variety of products promotes each these important healthy habits."

About Petmate
Founded in 1963, Petmate is the nation's leading maker of innovative products pet families prefer for home, travel and play. Arlington, Texas-based Petmate is the trusted authority in innovative, functional, high-quality pet products including bedding, kennels, dog houses, feeding and watering products, litter maintenance products, toys, collars, leads and travel solutions, available at pet supply retailers nationwide. Petmate also makes pet family favorite brands Chuckit!, Wetnoz, Aspen Pet, JW and more. For more information, visit www.petmate.com.

MEDIA CONTACT
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SOURCE Petmate