sâmbătă, 28 ianuarie 2012

Make Dog Treats

Learning how to make dog treats is actually incredibly easy, as dogs will eat pretty much anything you will put in front of them. However, by making them you will not only delight the dog and reward it for good behavior, but you also want it to be something that will help it remain healthy. In the end it is about knowing what foods are good for your dog, and then simply baking them into treat form.
The Process
Baking your dog treats is just like baking any type of cookies:
1. Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl and the dry ingredients in another bowl.
2. Mix the two bowls together to make your cookie dough.
3. Shape your cookies into the dog treat form of your choice.
4. Place the cookies on a baking tray, with a greased or buttered plastic cooking sheet between the cookies and the tray.
5. Set the cookies in the oven to cook for 10 or 15 minutes.
6. Remove the treats from the oven and set them to cool.
7. Once they have cooled, use a spatula to remove them from the baking tray.
8. Feed them to your dog, and store the excess treats for later.
As simply as that, you can whip up your treats. However, before you start, it is important to know which ingredients will be good for your dog.
The Ingredients
Dog treats are basically cookies for dogs, and you can make a wide range of them by using mostly ingredients from around your home. There are a few ingredients that can be dangerous for your dog, such as raisins that can get lodged in the throat.
Do your research into the dog food ingredients that can actually harm your dog, and you will be pleasantly surprised to find that most of the foods around your house are just fine for dogs.

Here is a list of some of the best ingredients that your "good boy" will love: 
  • Almonds
  • Milk
  • Beef
  • Liver
  • Apple
  • Cinnamon
  • Bacon
  • Peanut Butter
  • Banana
  • Oatmeal
  • Honey
  • Turkey
  • Yoghurt
  • Wheat
All of these ingredients are excellent to include, and you will find that whipping up a batch of these delightful dog treats can be the best way to reward your dog for its good behavior.
Search online and you'll find many great dog treat recipes that you can use to whip up a batch. You may find that your dog will prefer a certain treat over the others, and you can use it as a means of instilling positive behavior in your dog and rewarding him for being a "good boy".
Having full control of their dog's nutrition and/or eliminating dog food allergies are two reason that people choose to use homemade dog food recipes. Learn how homemade dog treats recipes will make your dog will love you even more when you visit our Website.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6605709

marți, 24 ianuarie 2012

Pet Treats

What is it about pet treats that can make even the most unruly pet obey us in exchange for a tiny piece of something that tastes so good they can barely contain themselves? It's an ingredient that is found in some of the most popular cat and dog treats. It's addictive, causes weight gain and could ultimately shorten the lifespan of your pet and it's commonly known as sugar.
Kibble Crack
Just like humans, dogs and cats can develop a sweet tooth and crave sugary snacks, which are essentially junk food for pets. The sugar in some pet treats can create almost addictive-like cravings that have earned them the name, 'kibble crack'. Read the ingredients label on your pet's favorite treats. If any of the following are listed as one of the first five ingredients on the label, your pet's treats are doing them more far more harm than good: 
  1. Corn syrup
  2. Sugar
  3. Fructose
  4. Sucrose
  5. Dextrose
  6. Maltodextrin
Sugar-laden treats are one of the primary culprits behind the pet obesity epidemic and over time can lead to excessive weight gain. An overweight pet can suffer from arthritis, diabetes and high blood pressure, any of which can shorten their life and impact your wallet due to more frequent visits to the vet.
Calories Count Too
Besides high sugar content, another concern with pet treats is the calorie count per serving. Often not disclosed on the packaging, most of us are unaware of how many calories we're adding to our pets diet by giving them treats. According to Marion Nestle, author of Feed your Pet Right, if the treat package does not list calories, you should assume 3-4 calories per gram, (i.e. a treat that is 3 grams/serving would be 9-12 calories per serving). Treats should account for no more than 10% of your pet's daily calorie requirements to maintain their ideal weight. Some rawhide chews and larger Greenies Dental Chews can contain 100 calories or more, which may far exceed the recommended 10% rule, depending on your dog's size and calorie requirements.
A New Marketing Gimmick
Treats are big business for the pet industry and the newest marketing gimmick is treats that promote healthy benefits, such as healthier hips and joints. There is no government oversight or scientific basis for these claims. When Consumer Lab tested joint health supplements for dogs and cats they found that a popular treat, Dogswell Happy Hips Chicken Breast with Glucosamine and Chondroitin, contained only 6% of its claimed glucosamine and only 15.9% of its claimed chondroitin; amounts too insignificant to provide any claimed benefit.
Healthy Options
With 88% of dog owners and 68% of cat owners giving their pets treats according to the American Pet Products Association, we're not suggesting pet parents cut out this much-loved ritual. We do suggest the following eight tips to ensure your act of love promotes a healthy pet: 
  1. Read the Ingredients Label: Pet treats with sugar, corn syrup, fructose, sucrose or dextrose in the first five ingredients should be avoided. A very common filler in pet foods, maltodextrin, is another name to look for on the label. It has a high glucose level, so it should be avoided if it is a primary ingredient.
  2. Opt for Natural Sweeteners: Choose treats with applesauce, molasses or honey as a sweetening ingredient if you wish to indulge your pet in a sweet treat.
  3. Try Vegetable Dog Chews: Opt for all-natural vegetable-based dog chews made from sweet potatoes over animal-based rawhide chews. Some rawhide is high in calories and may be treated with chemicals and bleach.
  4. Consider Home-cooked or Naturally Moistened Cat Treats: Try giving your cat a small piece of cut up chicken or fish as a treat. If you prefer to buy packaged treats look for those moistened with vegetable glycerin rather than a chemical humectant such as propylene glycol.
  5. Try Fresh Fruit and Veggie Dog Treats: Opt for low-calorie vegetables or fruit as a treat for your dog instead of packaged treats. Baby carrots, cut-up apples and green beans are good choices.
  6. Don't Rely on Treats with Health Claims: Discuss supplement options with your veterinarian for your pet's ailments rather than relying on treats that claim to provide adequate nutrients to maintain a healthy heart or joints.
  7. Use VOHC-Approved Dental Chews: Establish a routine of practicing good dental hygiene on your pet and use treats approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council, (VOHC), to clean your pet's teeth.
  8. Learn How to Read and Understand Pet Food Labels: Marion Nestle's book, Feed Your Pet Right , published in 2010, is a great resource for pet owners who want to better understand pet food ingredients and nutrition while also learning how to distinguish healthy pet foods with nutritious ingredients from unhealthy pet foods.
There are many good options available for pet treats and we've listed some of our favorites below. They are low in sugar or calories, all natural and generally easy to find in grocery and big box stores if you don't have a neighborhood pet boutique or pet supply store nearby.
Recommended Dog Treats: 
  1. Carnivore Crunch or Carnivore Kisses by Stella & Chewy's
  2. Charlie Bear Dog Treats by Charlie Bear Dog Products
  3. Jerky Naturals and other treats for dogs by Zukes
  4. Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for dogs by Halopets
  5. Newman's Own Premium Dog Treats by Newman's Own Organics
  6. Original Buddy Biscuits or Muttos by Cloud Star
  7. Sam's Yams Veggie Rawhide Sweet Potato Dog Chews by Front Porch Pets
Recommended Cat Treats: 
  • Natural Purrz by Zukes
  • Liv-a-Littles Protein Treats for cats by Halopets
  • Wellness Pure Delights for cats by WellPet LLC
The Pet Obesity Prevention Association's Top Treats to Avoid Sugary Dog Treats: 
  • Beneful Snackin' Slice: Sugar fourth ingredient
  • Canine CarryOuts Chew-lotta: Dextrose first ingredient
  • Canine Carryouts Dog Treats: Corn syrup second ingredient
  • Cesar Softies Dog Treats: Sugar third ingredient
  • Exclusively Dog Vanilla Flavor Sandwich Creme Dog Cookies: Sugars first two ingredients
  • Milk-Bone Chewy Chicken Drumsticks: Sugar third ingredient
  • Milk Bone Essentials Plus Oral Care: Sugar third ingredient
  • Pedigree Jumbone: Sugar third ingredient
  • Pedigree Jumbone Mini Snack Food for Small Dogs: Sugars 2 of 3 first ingredients
  • Pedigree Marrobone: Sugar third ingredient
  • Pup-Peroni Lean Beef Recipe: Sugar third ingredient
  • Purina Busy Chewnola: Maltodextrin second ingredient
  • Science Diet Simple Essentials Treats Training Adult Treats with Real Beef: Sugar third ingredient
  • Snausages SnawSomes! Beef and Chicken Flavor: Sugars 3 of first 4 ingredients
  • Three Dog Bakery Lick 'n Crunch: Dextrose third ingredient
Sugary Cat Treats: 
  • Petrodex Dental Treats for Cats: Dextrose second ingredient
  • Meow Mix Moist Cat Treats: Corn syrup fourth ingredient
  • Pit'r Pat Fresh Breath Mint Flavored Cat Treats: Maltodextrin first ingredient
Debbie Lingos is Leader of the Pack and Founder of Breed Trust, an online community for pet lovers and the businesses that serve them. Her Best of Breed Blog and Newsletter, offers pet owners helpful information and advice about the best pet products, services and pet care tips for dogs and cats.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6126996

luni, 16 ianuarie 2012

Organic Food Treats



The "organic health" craze has only emerged upon the world scene recently. Prior to the current fad, it seemed like everything we ate consisted of artificial preservers and sweeteners, artificial flavors, and additives of all kinds. Since the advent of the organic health movement, many products have become available that are organically grown, "all-natural" or that cater to special dietary needs such as gluten free foods. Dog food has become part of this movement as well. Thus, even dogs can have gluten-free, organic healthy diets designed to help them to thrive and have a long life. The following four organic dog foods are some intriguing ones you may find while shopping at an online dog boutique.
Snook's Organic Sweet Potato Treats. This food comes from organic sweet potatoes and vitamin E, which is advantageous for helping dogs remain healthy. Vitamin E eliminates free radicals, which contribute to a fast aging process. Vitamin E also helps preserve the teeth and bones of a dog. The fact that this food comes in the form of "sweet potatoes" is another enticing reason to buy it.
The next food you are likely to find while shopping at an online dog boutique is Organix Organic Dog Cookies Cheese. The dog cookies cheese come in a drumstick shape and contains a cheddar cheese flavor that your dog is sure to love. This food comes with organic chicken and has nothing but natural flavor.
Zuke's Organic Superfood is one of the unique foods you will find while shopping at an online dog boutique. It is a mixture of organic oats, barley, and molasses. One concern of dog owners is that their dogs do not get enough vegetables and/or protein in their diets. This dog formula provides what is lacking in the typical dog diet. Zuke's Superfood not only comes with vegetables which provide needed antioxidants, but it also contains omega-3 fatty acids (from nuts) that help strengthen dogs' bones.
Another organic dog food that is sure to please is the USDA Certified Organic Chicken Strips. Unlike the others products on the list, these chicken strips are American made throughout the entire process. Not only is it a tasty treat and is ninety-percent meat, making it rich in protein, it also contains the fiber, minerals, and vitamins that your dog needs. If you want to buy your dog American food, this is the dish to order.
These four top organic foods are not all the organic dog food world has to offer. These are some of the more distinct foods you will find in an online dog boutique.
Brielle Dog Boutique is an online dog boutique offering all natural dog treats at competitive prices.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6728987

miercuri, 11 ianuarie 2012

Hypoallergenic Dog Food



You've realized the importance of feeding your dog hypoallergenic dog food. Whether you are making his food from scratch or have trusted in a high quality pet food brand, your dog is now eating food that is focused on nutrition. But what about treats and snacks? Have you made the switch to feeding hypoallergenic treats? The treats that you feed your pooch should only make up a small portion of his diet. However, if you are using them for rewards for tricks or potty breaks, you may be giving him more than he actually needs. This is okay as long as the treat is a high quality, hypoallergenic treat. Below are examples of treats that you can give your dog.

· Homemade hypoallergenic treats. Consider making your very own doggy treats. Many canine owners choose this option so that they can control everything that goes into their pet's diet. Dog biscuits can easily be made using peanut butter, milk, and potato flakes. This simple recipe will ensure that what your dog is consuming is fresh. Veggie bars can be made by substituting cooked veggies for peanut butter. When making your own hypoallergenic dog treats, avoid using vegetables in the onion family. This could make your dog very sick. It will be hard for your dog to digest these foods. Properly storing the treats is important, too.
· Brand name hypoallergenic treats. With a push for healthier food products for pets, name brand companies are now offering higher quality treats. Become familiar with reading the labels on dog treats. Look for snacks and chews that are fresh and are not packed with preservatives.
· Canned hypoallergenic dog food. If your dog is familiar with eating only dry dog food products, a nice treat for him could be an occasional can of wet food. These come in many varieties. Made mainly of meat products, you can choose different hearty selections for your dog. Dogs particularly enjoy the lamb or venison flavor of canned hypoallergenic dog food.
· Know what your dog can and cannot eat. If you have been a dog owner for very long you are probably already aware of the food that can be lethal to your dog. Hypoallergenic or non-hypoallergenic, there are certain foods that you should absolutely never feed your dog. These include grapes, raisins, and large amounts of chocolate. Any of these food products can kill your dog if he consumes too much. As a general rule, only give your pup food that is made specifically for dogs. Snacks and table food that are made for human consumption will not be healthy for your pet.
If hypoallergenic dog food is the food of choice for your dog, consider giving him hypoallergenic treats as well. The nutrition of your dog will depend on the type of dog food and treats that you choose to give him on a daily basis. Although it may be more expensive, your dog will live a healthier, longer life when you make the decision to go completely hypoallergenic.
Looking to find out more about Hypoallergenic Dog Food and dog food treats? Visit http://www.sensitivedogfood.co.uk today.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6251944

joi, 5 ianuarie 2012

Jerky Dog Treats


Back in 2007, there was an extensive dog food recall and a lot of leading dog food brands were immediately taken away from the market and other store shelves. One of those products that was taken out from the stores were the chicken jerky doggie treats that were made in China. Those chicken jerky snacks were allegedly discovered to be full of some dangerous contaminants. Because of that, there have been a lot of reports of sickness and even death of dogs as a result of this kind of canine treat. Does it mean to say that any dog should not be allowed to eat chicken jerky dog treats ever again? Not really. Although it is probably best to avoid jerky dog snacks that are store bought, there is no valid reason as to why people cannot make it themselves at home.
For people who are thinking that maybe making homemade jerky for their dogs is incredibly complicated, they had better think again. It is actually quite simple really. Even if there are some people who prefer using a meat dehydrator in order to make a jerky, the fact is one could also make use of the oven. The first step in making homemade jerky is to cut the raw chicken into incredibly thin strips. Then, it should be placed in a 180 degree oven either overnight or maybe for a minimum of around 5 to 6 hours. Wait until the chicken strips have dried out and have resembled a jerky. The chicken strips should be thoroughly cooled prior to serving it to the pup. These doggie treats could be stored the refrigerator or even in a plastic bag that sits at room temperature.
How can make a jerky dog treats :
Another good alternative is to buy jerky snacks at a neighboring dog treat bakery. It should be a bakery that people trust, one that uses natural ingredients and one where sanitary conditions are strictly being observed. One trusted dog treat bakery is the Three Dog Bakery. Aside from their existing stores, they also boast of an online store where one could shop for their doggie treats and have these lovely snacks delivered to one's house. Apart from the jerky treats, there are also numerous homemade treats that any canine would enjoy. Whether people actually makes their own treats or purchases them from trusted local bakeries, one thing that should be followed is that these snacks should be prepared only with natural ingredients.
Even if chicken jerky dog treats as well as the other homemade doggie snacks do not have a shelf life as long as those store bought brands, they are really worth the effort. The only reason as to why these store bought brands last a very long time is due to their artificial preservatives, which people would actually not want anywhere near their adorable pets. For those people who take pleasure in making their own jerky treats, they might want to buy a dog treat cookbook that is full of wholesome recipes. One such book that could teach people how to prepare healthy and tasty snacks for their dogs is Cheryl Gianfrancesco's Doggie Desserts: Homemade Treats for Healthy, Happy Dogs.
Scrumptious chicken jerky dog treats are good snacks or even rewards for hardworking and lovable dogs. This is also ideal for inactive dogs because these treats would give them an immediate energy boost on any given day.
Treat your dog with healthy dog treats. Shop for Chicken Jerky Dog Treats.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1555929

miercuri, 4 ianuarie 2012

How Can Greenies Doggie Treats Help You?

We all love our dogs but not their bad breath or the fight at pill time. Greenies Dog Treats can help you and your pet with their dental care. Your dog will enjoy these Doggie Treats with out knowing what the Dog Treats are doing for him. Do you want to stop the war with pill time and horrible breath?
Veterinarians recommend brushing your dog's teeth weekly or monthly. When started at a young age, brushing their teeth will make them more comfortable on a weekly basis. We all know as pet owners how difficult this can be with older dog that are not used to brushing. Now there is an easier way to freshen up bad breath, and your dog will love it. The most popular remedy for bad breath and dental care is Greenies Dog Treats.
Bad breath is cause by a build up of plaque and tarter on your dogs teeth. While your pet is chewing away on the Doggie Treats, it scrapes away tarter and plaque. Your pet won't even realize the treat is helping their teeth. In some cases you may need to contact you veterinarian for extreme build up.
Greenies Dog Treats are a soluble green color toothbrush shape and come in a range of sizes. They are made with easy digestible proteins, minerals and vitamins. There are no artificial preservatives, flavors and colors in these Dog Treats. Greenies are made with natural breaking points designed to break smaller pieces off. Our pets are one of our kids and we need to feel comfortable knowing we won't have to worry about our pet choking. To maintain good oral health try using Greenies treats weekly.
Do you have a difficult time giving you dog medicine? Just like human kids medicine time is no fun. Greenies Pill Pockets are here to help you. No more going to war with your best friend. One way to hide medicine is with meat, cheese or Dog Treats. After so long your dog will realize their medicine is in the meat or cheese and won't want to take it any longer.
Greenies Pill Pockets are designed to put the pill in and pinch the ends closed. With the ends closed your dog can't smell the medicine. Pill Pockets come in two flavors: beef and chicken. Their are two sizes: tablet and capsules. They contain vitamin C & E for your dog's health.
In addition, Greenies Pill Pockets can be used as Dog Treats for training. Doing this will make your dog not always think it is medicine time. For training reason the treat is small and easy for the dog to chew and swallow quickly. Plus you don't want to fill your dog up to much while training.

Thankfully, Greenies Dog Treats are here to make our life and our pets life easier. With fresh breath from Doggie Treats, your family and friends will enjoy spending more time with your canine. Just think of all the time you can save and frustration by using Pill pockets when it comes to pill time. Make medicine time a positive time to bond with your best friend.
Cathy Forcier wants to thank you for taking the time to read this article and hopes you have benefited from it. We all know how much dog love their Doggie Treats, know they can get the fresh breath we can all enjoy. You can find many different types of Dog Treats on line or at your local store. Come to http://www.mydogshampoostore.com and see what varieties we can offer your pet.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6595303

duminică, 1 ianuarie 2012

Dog training treats is best ?

Dog training treats are the key to training a dog to do all the things that we want them to do, from going potty where we want to them to, to rolling over, to walking with us on leash, to sitting and actually staying. Yes, there is power in the doggie treat, great power, my friends, yum, crunch.
Dogs don't respond well to punishment, or at least harsh punishment, we can let them know that they did something wrong in a gentle way but the true way to get a dog to do what you want them to do is to give them some food.
Why is that the case? Well, dogs evolved as pack hunters and getting food from the kill was essential to survival, some of this instinct still remains in our modern dogs. In fact many folks believe that when a dog licks you they are looking for a treat, almost everything they do is geared towards food and survival in one way or another. So, as you can see the dog training treat is "King".
But, which dog training treat is best? Good question. A lot of people are turning more and more to all natural treats that they make at home. Homemade doggie treats are nutritious without any toxic ingredients and stuff that your dog doesn't need. There are plenty of recipes out there to choose from, most will include meat, and that's truly good because that is what dogs were really designed to eat.
Dogs were not meant to eat grains and don't really need to eat any vegetable matter as well. However, you will find dog treats recipes that include grains and vegetables; we think they're not necessary. There is nothing a dog craves more than meat and in many cases bones too. Of course, you have to be a bit careful with bones, but these are very good for a dog's health, all that bone and marrow is extremely nutritional.
So, making your own homemade treats is a great idea, but some people don't have the time, in this case store bought treats are cool, just look for ones that are more natural and have a lot of real meat, because that is what your dog truly needs to flourish.

There are some low calorie treats on the market and that's not such a bad idea because when training your dog you will need a lot of treats, so something that's small and low calorie will help keep your dog slim. However, many of us are training puppies and puppies need a lot of food, as they are growing so quickly.
From going potty in the right place all the way to sniffing out bombs and drugs at the airport, dog training treats are the big key to dogs learning. It's pure evolution, and it works, with a little bit of patience, repetition and doggie treats you can teach most dogs to do almost anything, within reason of course, your dog will never be able to make you breakfast, sorry.
Kevin Highfill writes about dog training treats and other pet related topics at http://www.online4pets.com/.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6007153