Another Great WalMart Find

/in , , , , , /by

On the same day I found the Grandma’s Casserole, I decide to look up another dog food that had peaked my interest that is kept in a colder.  Freshpet Selects slice and serve.  Looking at the package makes one think this would be a very helpful dog food, but as we all know packaging can be very deceiving, otherwise I would be feeding my dogs Beneful  with all the pictures of vegetables and fresh meat on the package.

However when I did my research on Freshpet Select I was very pleasantly surprised as it gets a five star rating! And you can buy it in most grocery stores!!

This product comes in a roll, I take it and stuff my dogs Kong’s and that is how I now serve them there dinner.  Not only do the dogs love this new twist at dinner time, it takes them a while to eat it, so I get a few min to unwind or in most cases fix my two legged family their dinner.

We give Freshpet Selects Four Paws Up!   Let us know if your dog likes it as much as ours.

What is Your Pet Eating?

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

What effect does processed food have on your pets?
The negative effects of processed pet foods are not widely publicized, but that does not mean they are not concerning. Processed pet foods, both dry and wet, have been linked to diseases and illnesses in dogs and cats. Some veterinarians believe the onset of these illnesses, ranging from kidney failure to cancer, especially in younger animals, is due in large part to diet. I think of it like this; we know a human who consumes large amounts of fast food and junk will be in poor health, so why should we assume an animal is any different?
Processed food first and foremost, does not contain the same nutrients that can be found naturally in whole food. A dog that only eats processed foods will likely not receive the proper nutrients he or she needs and, unfortunately, signs of this malnutrition can sometimes take years to surface. The main ingredients in processed pet food are also a concern, since the majority of brands use cooked grains, which is not natural for dogs or cats to consume.
Additionally, many processed pet foods contain chemicals and additives that have already been deemed unsafe for human consumption, but are still allowed in food for pets. If these ingredients cause harm to humans, why should they be considered safe for animals?
Another related concern is that animals that eat predominantly dry food can potentially suffer from dehydration and related illnesses. With so many potential risks, it is important for pet owners to become educated. Although processed pet food is convenient, natural options are the better alternative – even if they require some extra effort from owners.
Since pet food manufacturers play such a large role in the veterinary world, from education to testing, it is difficult to be fully educated on the effects this food has on animals. Despite this restriction, there is still plenty of information available from veterinarians and scientists who have made it a point to bring attention to this issue.
Being that this is an extensive topic and of personal importance to me, I am going to be publishing a series of related posts in the upcoming weeks. I will go into further detail about the risks of processed foods, the benefits of a natural diet, and share my recommended alternatives to processed pet food.

I’ve Got A Beef With Chicken Jerkey Part II

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

Chicken Jerky Alternatives
Last week I brought you information about the growing concern of feeding your pets chicken jerky made in China. This “treat” has been linked to over two thousand illnesses and deaths of both dogs and cats. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been warning of the possible danger of chicken jerky made in China since 2007, yet it can still be found on store shelves.
(Review the U.S. Food and Drug Adminstration consumer advisory here.)
As a follow up to my last post, this week I bring you recommendations on some of my most loved dog treats. There are many alternatives to chicken jerky and other pet treats made in China. Here a few of my favorites:
• Beef neck bones: You can find these in the meat section at Publix or your local grocery store. Ask the butcher about purchasing beef neck bones to be used as dog treats. For my dogs, I request they be cut two to two and a half inches thick and usually buy a whole case at a time. This is a very fresh, natural and easy way to provide your dog with a delicious treat. The bones should never be cooked, as that can cause them to become brittle, just pop them in the freezer and take out as needed.
• Kongs: A kong is a great treat and toy for your dog, especially those with tons of energy! Fill and freeze for long lasting entertainment. I personally like to make mine with yogurt or peanut butter, but the possibilities are endless.
• Kona’s Chips: If homemade dog treats don’t fit into your busy schedule, there are also excellent store bought choices. Kona’s Chips is a great brand that offers a variety of different treats that are made in America (my dog Suzy is a big fan of their Chicken Jerky).
• Three Dog Bakery: The “Woof”ers from Three Dog Bakery are always a big hit, but I don’t give them out as often as the others. Although their ingredients are very wholesome and natural, these cookies do contain wheat, which I try to avoid.
I hope you enjoy my suggestions. If you have any questions or other recommendations, feel free to leave them in the comments below.

I’ve got a beef with chicken jerky

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

I’ve got a beef with chicken jerky
This summer more shocking news flooded in that seemingly innocent dog treats were causing more harm than happiness. Complaints surfaced from pet owners with reason to believe their pets died shortly after eating certain brands of chicken jerky. These new cases added to over two thousand illnesses and deaths that had previously been reported.
So what’s the jury on this jerky? Speculations have been made about the treats’ origin. The product in question, Nestle Purina’s Waggin’ Train Yam Good, is made in China despite misleading packaging that reads, “Waggin’ Train of St Louis Missouri.”
An April investigation by the FDA, which attempted to produce samples from plants in China, was less than successful. No samples were permitted to be released for U.S. testing and it was also discovered by investigators that the number of previous routine tests that were conducted on the meat in question ranged from few to none.
But this news is far from new. The first warning about chicken jerky was released back in 2007. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a caution to pet owners in regard to chicken jerky products imported from China. That warning has since been updated in late 2011 and can be reviewed here. However, no proof has yet to be established that these sicknesses and deaths are directly related to the consumption of chicken jerky from China, which is why the treats can still be found on shelves.
Aside from the fact that the U.S. permits pet food to be irradiated at almost twice the limit considered safe for human consumption, this particular case is more likely related to the meat and other specific ingredients that are found in the chicken jerky.
Since the product has yet to be recalled it up to you to protect your pets. We recommended avoiding chicken jerky until further information is provided explaining the exact cause of these unnatural deaths. Many safe alternatives are available, as well as more natural options.
Check back next week for more information on this issue as well as recommendations on some of our most loved dog treats.

Dog Food Avalible at WalMart

/13 Comments/in , , , /by

Feeding five dogs a good diet can be  expensive, so when I find a good deal I like to share it with my dog lover friends.
I was at Wal-Mart the other day picking up medication for my mother and I needed some canned dog food to add to my crew’s kibble.
I found Grandma’s Casserole made by Variety. I read the label and it looked good, so I looked it up on my favorite website when choosing dog food DogFoodAdvisor , and I see it has a for star rating. After reading there review I decided to give it a try. Well let me tell you it gets four paws up at my house, the pup’s love it, and it is only $1.50 a can, so I love it too!
Let me know if your dogs like it as much as mine.

Rescue or Buying

/1 Comment/in , , , , , , /by

It seems very popular to say, “I have ‘rescued’ this animal.” In the past many people went to the “pound” to get a pet, but Rescue a Puppynow it is all about rescue. Gee whiz I thought I was rescuing when I went to the pound and got a dog. I think there is a big difference between rescue and pound animals. The animals that are lucky enough to be grabbed up by a rescue group normally go into a foster home. So when you adopt from them they can tell you a lot about the dog, like if is she good with other dogs, cats, or had a problem with strangers, and so on. When you go directly to the shelter you do not get much information. If you are a newbie to pet ownership you should think about going through a rescue group or buying from a reputable breeder

On the other hand I also hear people condemn people who buy a dog from a good breeder. Why? They say there are too many dogs that don’t have homes, too many dogs in our shelters. I agree with both of those statements but do not agree with the view that buying a dog from a reputable breeder is wrong. We seem to have gotten confused with where the problem began — with backyard breeders, those people who refuse to have their dogs neutered or spayed, and puppy mills. I would stand by stricter laws to govern the backyard breeders, the puppy mills and people who do not alter their pet, but in my mind there is nothing wrong with purchasing a puppy from a good breeder. A good breeder takes the time to make sure her puppies are socialized, usually housebreaks them, and they are very choosy about who gets one of their puppies. A reputable breeder keeps records of any kind of illnesses or diseases and is always willing to take a dog back if something happens that causes the family to be unable to keep the dog.

Sometimes trying to get a dog from a rescue group can be quite frustrating. They have many rules and regulations and in many ways these are good. The problem comes when there is no common sense used in the application of the rules. One of the rescue groups I know of has a rule that if you do not have a fenced in yard, you can not adopt one of their dogs. I know many people who have owned dogs all their lives and have never had a fenced in yard. The dogs had wonderful lives, they were walked, taken for runs in parks and taken camping, and yet the answer is still no.

I have known people who have tried to work with rescue groups that were turned down because they had a child under 10 in their household. I certainly realize that young children are not always ready to handle a dog but that’s not always true. There are many children who have been raised with dogs and are perfectly fine with them, but again the answer is just no.

I hear rescue groups send out messages, “Urgent, need help, foster homes, need adoptive parents,” and yet when people want to adopt they hit this brick wall. I realize a lot of this is a way of protecting dogs from bad situations, but I just don’t see any common sense being used. I don’t see people looking at a situation and evaluating that situation before making a decision.

All these brick walls end up sending people who would like to rescue a dog trying to find a reputable breeder instead. Unfortunately not all of these people know how to tell who is reputable and who is not and they end up purchasing a puppy from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill. There has to be a better way for everyone to work together, to make sure that people who want a dog and who are responsible enough to have a dog get one without supporting bad breeders.

What are your thoughts? What are your experiences? Are you as frustrated as I am?

Peanut Butter Apple Dog Biscuits

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Peanut Butter and Apple Dog Biscuits

 

1 1/2 cup whole wheat flower

Dogs love this recipe!1 1/2 Cup White unbleached flourPeanut Butter and Apple dog treats

1 cup rolled oats

1 1/2 cup water

1/2 cup peanut oil

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup diced dried apples

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs

 

Preheat oven to 350 digress; Blend together the apple, water, vanilla, eggs and peanut oil. Stir in the flower, oats, to form soft dough. Roll the dough into balls, put on a baking sheet, flatten (I rolled out and used cookie cutter) Bake for 25 minutes or until hard and crisp

 

Carrot and Oatmeal Dog Treats

/in , , , /by

This is an easy to make wholesome treat for your dog.  It is an easy way to increase the intake of vegetables in your dog’s diet.

2 cups whole wheat flour

Dog treats made with carrots and oatmeal2 cups cooked and pureed carrotsCarrot and oatmeal puppy treats

2 large eggs

1 cup oatmeal

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon canola oil

¼ cup wheat germ

 

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine and mix the carrots, eggs and oil.  In a separate bowl combine the remaining dry ingredients.  Mix both bowls together and knead until becomes a soft dough. Roll out on a floured surface and cut into desired shapes.  Bake 35-40 minutes. Turn off the oven and remove cookies. Allow to cool for 15 minutes and then return to the warm oven to dry for about an hour

 

Molasses Peanut Rewards

/in , , , /by

Molasses Peanut Rewards

Molasses is a sweetener that is actually good for your dog, providing manganese and other trace minerals.

Use natural peanut butter in dog treats 4tbsp blackstrap molassesMolasses Peanut Butter Dog Rewards

1/2 cup of peanut butter

1 cup water

6 tbsp vegetable oil

11/2 cups rolled oats

2 cups wheat flour

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Whisk the molasses, peanut butter, water and vegetable oil. Combine the oats and flour.  Slowly add to the wet ingredients. Mix and drop tablespoon (large) teaspoons (mid) onto baking sheet and press down. Bake for 25-30 or till firm. Calories 84g, Protein 2.2g, carbohydrates 9.3g, Dietary Fiber 1.6g, Fat 4.5g

 

Pumpkin Dog Treats

/in , , , , /by

Pumpkin dog Treats

Pumpkin is very good for a dog’s digestive system and they love molasses

 

Pumpkin Dog Treats½ cup pumpkin pureedog shaped treats

2 cups whole wheat flour

4 tbsp blackstrap molasses

1 tsp cinnamon

4 tbsp water (or beef broth)

Round pumpkin dog treats¼ tsp baking powderBone shapes pumpkin dog treats

2 tbsp vegetable oil

¼ tsp baking soda

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees, Blend together the pumpkin puree, molasses, water and vegetable oil. Stir in the flower, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda to form soft dough. Roll the dough into balls, put on a baking sheet, flatten (I sometimes roll out and used cookie cutter) Bake for 25 minutes or until hard and crisp

Notes: will last up to 2 weeks in airtight container Calories …. 35, Protein ….0.7g, Carbohydrates…. 6.1g, Fat ….0.9g