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Vets Choice Dental Bones

onlinepetdepot — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:26:33 +0000

Vets Choice dental bones come in a variety of diffrent sizes and flavors. They are available in peanut butter, carrot, cheese and bacon and liver flavors. My dogs tend to love the peanutbutter and cheese flavored ones the best. These bones are nutritious for dogs and they are good for teeth and gums.

The size of the bones:

Single pack: 1 large bone (Your Choice of Peanutbutter, Carrot, Cheese, Bacon & Liver)
3 pack: Med Bones (Your Choice of Peanutbutter, Carrot, Cheese, Bacon & Liver)
6 pack: Small Bones (Your Choice of Peanutbutter, Carrot, Cheese, Bacon & Liver)
9 Pack: X-Small Bones (Your Choice of Peanutbutter, Carrot, Cheese, Bacon & Liver)

These bones average around 9.99 - 10.99 per package.

Lucky Dogs and Laundry

shoppergirl — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:22:57 +0000

I stopped on the way home from work yeseterday to pick up some food for the dogs. We used to feed them Nutro until that pet food scare and now they get Canidae. They're labs so they aren't picky. But I feel better knowing Canidae doesn't use any fillers or products sourced outside the United States.

I also picked up some dog beds for their crates. YellowDog ate his a while back and BlackDog had an accident on hers, so they've been going without. They don't really need anything in their crates, they're only in there to sleep, but I feel bad when it starts to get cold at night that they're cold, so now they've got nice comfy beds. Lucky Dogs!

I also had to stop and pick up some dry cleaning. It was just three things. One of SweetiePie's shirts, a wedding favorite, a pair of peach JCrew pants and a killer M Missoni skirt that I love. It's from a couple seasons back so I don't have a link to it but it's a great pattern with lots of greens and browns. I needed to have it cleaned for a while now, but I just kept wearing it, ewwwww.

Total Spent: $143.59 for dog stuff, $15.50 for dry cleaning.

Summer Holidays for dogs

thedawg — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:25:35 +0000

Well, we are all going somewhere, even if it's the park. But for those on long journeys, in the car, on the ferry, whatever...

..be as cool as this one, take, (tada, advertising alert), CALM DAWG.

Because your dogchum deserves a happy hols too!
Bone Voyage!

my niece is famous

uppitybastard — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 06:13:06 +0000

This is my sister's dog Jenny, she is the most insanely energetic puppy ever. She now has her picture on some sort of dog food. Go buy it I'm sure it's delicious.

Pet Food Banks Feeling the Effects of the Economy

Lissa — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:49:43 +0000

With millions of Americans pinching pennies, sometimes it is the family pet that must be sacrificed so that a family can survive. Pet food banks have been feeling the effects of the downturn in the economy as more and more families are trying desperately to keep every member of their families fed.

For some on fixed income that means giving up their own food to feed their pets. I know there are some people out there right now thinking, "Well if they can't afford a pet, they shouldn't have one." In some cases that is true, but in most, the same thing could happen to you or me. You go into work one day at a job where you're making decent pay and you get the dreaded "pink slip." Now what? You're in the same situation as the senior who is on a fixed income that doesn't compare to the rising costs of food and fuel.

For most pet owners, the pet is part of the family and giving up their dog/cat/whatever would be like losing a child. Pets give us companionship and unconditional love, don't you think that is enough to do whatever it takes to give back to them, even if that means asking for help?

So, if you are in this same situation, or you know someone who is, please have them contact their local humane society or rescue and ask if they have a pet food bank. And, if you have a little extra cash, please, PLEASE donate so that people who are animals lovers, just like you can keep their fur babies.

Stumble It!

Homemade Dog Food Analysis: Keeping Man’s Best Friend Healthy

Jackie Lee — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:34:28 +0000

by Jolie Mitchel

A lot of people who have dogs have begun making their own dog food at home. This makes sense considering all of the safety issues that have come up recently with processed dog foods, and it is fairly easy to do. Not only will you be certain that your pet is eating healthily, it actually saves money. Still, before you start making your own pet food, you should bear in mind the Dog Food Analysis iia Reviews of kibble.

Most veterinarians believe the healthiest dog diets should consist of approximately 70% carbohydrates, 25% meat, and 5% vegetables and other additions. Dogs are omnivores, so they need nutrients from meat and vegetables. Other acceptable additions to home made dog food include the following: various flours, garlic, and bonemeal.

The carbohydrates in homemade dog food can come from various sources. Whole wheat flour, cornmeal, oats, soy flour and barley are all good choices for your dog’s diet. White rice and brown rice are also popular with many dog owners. These carbohydrates should be the base of the dog’s diet.

Meats are the next component of homemade dog food. Try to choose healthy, quality proteins like lean chicken, fish, beef, or even egg whites. Keep these choices in mind when considering the Dog Food Analysis - Reviews of kibble. Many dog owners who make their own home made dog food find that grinding the meat makes the process much easier.

You can also add other ingredients so that you can be certain that the dog food contains all the nutrients your dog needs. Corn, potatoes, celery, and other vegetables are all wholesome and nourishing ingredients to add. Grinding the vegetables you will make it easier for your dog to fully digest the foods. In addition, you can add bonemeal or dehydrated milk in order to include much-needed calcium into your dogas diet.

When youare set to begin making the dog food, all you have to do is mix the ingredients together with a little water and cook it all until all of the protein or meat is fully cooked. An example of an easy recipe is to mix one cup of cornmeal, one fourth of a cup of ground chicken and one tablespoon of ground carrots. To this, add a sprinkling of bonemeal. Mix all of the ingredients together in a pan with half a cup of water and cook on medium-low until the chicken is fully cooked. Homemade dog foods can be stored in the refrigerator for a couple of days.

When making your own dog food, certain foods must be avoided. Chocolate and other products containing caffeine have been known to cause seizures in some dogs. Other foods, like grapes, raisins, avocados, and onions, can also cause various health problems and should not be included in the dog’s diet.

When you make your dogas food at home, you can ensure that your dog is eating healthily. Certainly, ask your vet about the Dog Food Analysis iia Reviews of kibble. On the whole, making your dogas food at home is how you can ensure your dogas health and save money at the same time.

About the Author:

To find out more about dog food facts please visit ThePoochPlace.com and learn the secrets about home made dog food.

Source: pets

"Please Release Me..."

lablady — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:39:54 +0000

If you're as old as I am, you will remember the song written by Eddie Miller in 1946 that was popularized by Englebert Humperdinck in the 60's... "Release Me". However, if you are older, you may be more familiar with songs bearing the same title performed by Wilson Phillips or the Swedish group, Oh Laura. No matter. For my purposes, the tortured lyrics of all of those tunes do not have much bearing on this blog. Here's what happened this morning that had Opal singing her OWN version.

It was 5 am when Opal gave me my daily wake-up kiss. I stumbled out of bed as I do 365 days a year and proceeded to don my clothes like a robot. We then went outside to give her the opportunity to relieve. The routine drill when we return to our apartment is for me to plug in the coffeemaker and to begin the much-anticipated activity of feeding the girls. Perhaps my zombie-like stupor was more pronounced than usual this morning. I managed to pick up Opal's dish, go to the cupboard where the rubber tote filled with dog food is located, scoop a mug full of her kibble into the dish, add the warm water, set the dish down on her place mat, and.... walk away in a daze to deal with Lucy's dietary needs. I gave Lucy her kibble ration in one bowl, a spoon-full of soft cat food in her tiny saucer and fresh water in her dish (all lined up neatly on her Christmas-theme place mat that is identical to Opal's). Then I thought to myself, ' something is wrong here'. Opal was thinking that too. In fact the thought bubble over her head was singing " Please release me..." Yes, I had forgotten to 'release' Opal to her food. There she sat, undoubtedly salivating and praying for me to come to my senses! It might seem harsh to train dogs to wait for permission before approaching their food, however this type of discipline does have its positive results. Dogs, particularly Guide dogs must understand the hierarchy in their 'pack'. I am the leader of my pack. Opal knows that above all, she can depend on me as her leader, to be in charge, to care for her and to take care of business. (oops, I just squeezed two more references to stale songs; 'Leader of the Pack' by The Shangri-Las and "Taking Care of Business" by BTO) The moment I came to my senses and realized that Opal was waiting for me to release her to her food ration, I spoke the words that are always music to her ears..."Good girl, eat your breakfast". I occasionally use a feeding 'whistle' to do the job, but that's a bit much for my neighbours so early in the morning. You can bet that it doesn't matter to Opal what means I use to 'release' her, as long as I do so eventually.

Good for you does not necessarily mean good for your dog

Shannon — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 23:34:33 +0000

Here are two quick articles on foods that are toxic to dogs. Almost everyone knows that dogs can't have chocolate or raisins, but did you know that legumes can cause problems? I didn't. Good stuff to know!

From Fetchdog

From Petalia

Foot Stomping and Squeaky Bones...by Lisa Harmon

greatdaneservicedog — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:54:18 +0000

Kenai listening to the foxes, 28 wks old

Kenai’s gone ga-ga for his brother’s ‘squeaky bone’, a tennis ball shaped like a bone that squeaks. He carries it around, he makes noise through the entire newscast, he takes is upstairs to bed with him… BB didn’t give it so much as a look, but Kenai has claimed it as his true love. He’s discovered he can make it squeak by stepping on it with his foot, which means my little big boy has entered the inevitable era of the Great Dane foot stomp. No other toy has been marvelous enough to spark his interest in foot stomping.

So now he stomps his foot when he barks. He stomps his foot when he’s excited to eat. He stomps his foot when he’s frustrated that I won’t give him my popcorn. If the earthquake warnings go off for SW Missouri, and you happen to know a seismologist, just tell them it’s only Kenai playing with his squeaky bone…

In addition to the thud of love, Kenai has really perked up on this new food. He’s eating 5 cups a day, with normal stools, shines like a glazed donut, and has lots more play energy. I’m thinking it likes him as much as he likes it. Eagle Pack is such a good food. I’m really glad we could get him back on the brand, even if it isn’t the puppy formula (he’s on the lamb and rice now). When we first brought the Brother’s Grin home we started them on the Eagle puppy, and Kenai’s growth was superbly even and muscular. It’s amazing the difference changing foods can make.

My brother’s habits have more than doubled our living expenses, and we are literally broke for the month again. In fact, in the hole. Mom finally told him he has to leave. We have a finite amount of money, and there’s none coming in, so we can’t afford to support him. Pretty much his entire adult life, married or not, working or not, Mom always paid the bills he couldn’t. We won’t even get into the suffocating cloud of mopey misery that comes and goes with him, or the total bedlam of weekend visits by his daughter.

Since she didn’t lay down a date for him to be gone by, I’ll lay money he’ll be here well into the fall. He’ll drag his feet until Mom’s so angry that it becomes a crisis. God help me but my brother is a human black hole, a ceaseless affliction. And Mom has never learned to say no with any conviction until it’s a disaster.

Leaving that life-sucking topic behind, Kenai and I have obedience class tonight. There’s something about having to perform while being watched that makes me anxious. Guess I have to dig about and conjure up some confidence, because if I’m not sure of our teamwork, Kenai won’t be either. I remember getting so nervous before music performances in high school and orchestra auditions in college that I would throw up. But I always did well, so what the big deal was, I don’t know. Still don’t know. Maybe it’s just a remaining childhood thing, from having to be perfect or else for Dad. Whatever it is, I’d like to be rid of it.

We had lots of fun playing outside this morning, me and sasquatch. I brought out the most marvelous squeaky bone and used it as both lure to “come heel” and reward for doing it. It’s a skill I’d like for him to start becoming reliable on, as a continuation of our recall practice. Just come running and wind up on my left side before getting to go play again. It might have been practice but it was super fun!

He’s got the leashed come so good that it’s a big leaping game. And I’m happy with how well he runs my way off leash too. He still declines the come from time to time, but yippee we’re doing fabulous! Come front is killer good, but in public he doesn’t walk backwards in front of me, so come front has a limited practicality. Come heel is the thing to do. (Come side will be next, in case I need him on the right side…)

Kenai is a blast to watch play when he’s feeling frisky. Mister Dignity gets all puppish and leaps around. He tosses a stick or goober runs like a maniac. His lips flap and his taped ears bobble, the rump goes one way and the skin goes in another, slobber slinging in all directions. Mostly I love to watch him play, until he scares the fool out of me by pouncing in a pile of fallen branches where copperheads could be. Oh, and don’t forget trying to dig his way down into the groundhog runs. That’s when I’m abundantly glad to have put on that “recall bootcamp” not long ago. He’s a fearless adventurer, start to finish. I’m not.

Dogs probably wonder why we're nuts...Sometimes I wonder too.

Jual / Dijual For Sale Anjing Dog / Dogs dgn Picture / Pictures Bandung > Golden

iwansaktijaya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:44:15 +0000

Jual / Dijual For Sale Anjing Dog / Dogs dgn Picture / Pictures Bandung> Basset

iwansaktijaya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:34:33 +0000

Jual / Dijual For Sale Anjing Dog / Dogs dgn Picture / Pictures Bandung > Shitzhu

iwansaktijaya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:33:35 +0000

Jual / Dijual For Sale Anjing Dog / Dogs dgn Picture / Pictures Bandung > Beagle

iwansaktijaya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:24:08 +0000

Jual / Dijual For Sale Anjing Dog / Dogs dgn Picture / Pictures Bandung > Basset

iwansaktijaya — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 02:10:35 +0000

Vetraceuticals Reviewed

shasta08 — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 19:36:17 +0000

(I posted this as a "page" as well, but decided to make it a post on the main blog too and will alter the site as needed, since I also want to list this as a review for Vetraceuticals under my "review dog products section")

Throughout my time as a trainer I have been approached by various companies with different products wanting me to recommend their products to the general public. I have used a wide variety of different supplements for pets. Supplements that were to help everything from joints, to skin and coat. I have given the old APRL “Peak Performance” products, Vertex, and Animal Naturals products, as well as Missing Link and a variety of other supplements. While I do appreciate the supplements for the working dog, and continue to use things like Go Dog (electrolyte replacement etc), I have finally found a general supplement I really truly love for my dogs.

Vetraceuticals was designed to add back into dog food all the things that are missing from it, due either to quality of the food, or the cooking process. It contains live enzymes, probiotics, antioxidants, green foods, Omega 3 (from fish oil) etc. Quality ingredients like co-enzymeQ10, Bromelain (a digestive aid as well as an anti-inflammatory), Spirulina, Kelp, Alfalfa, and B-complex,(and many more) all in one easy scoop of powder administered to the dogs food on a daily basis.

One thing I find so appealing with Vetraceuticals is the fact that it is given on a rotation basis. This makes sense to me, there are various components of a supplement that should not be given on a daily basis. They can cause toxic buildup in the system and create problems. Dr. Christiann Schelling (the vet that developed the product) has found a way to prevent this. She basically took all of the ingredients she felt were needed for better dog health, and divided them into 3 formulas. While the base of the formula remains the same (enzymes, probiotics) the other ingredients rotate through the formulas. Each month the customer is sent out a different formula (A,B, and C and then they start over). The product is auto-shipped to the customer which provides quality control. The product goes from a temperature controlled environment within a short time of being made, and then is directly shipped to the customer who is instructed to refrigerate it upon opening. This ensures that the live enzymes are not destroyed by shelf time.

Another interesting feature is the fact that it is entirely pure. There are no fillers like those so commonly found in other popular pet supplements. Ingredients like maltodextrin (a sugar type filler, while it can be useful for truly active canine athletes like racing greyhounds, it affects glucose levels and should not be given to a pet dog who is not burning it off) sucrose, flax (a cheap filler that while it helps with coat, it does not process well in a dogs system. It requires an enzyme that not all dogs produce in order to convert it to the proper type of Omega to be used for dogs. It also can be unstable and oxidizes in the dogs system). There are no dyes, artificial flavors or any other fillers. Basically it is full of quality ingredients, without the fillers, and offers pet owners a “real world” solution for their pets.

In the customers I’ve recommended it for, and in my own dogs, I’ve seen a variety of benefits. While the company does not claim to be a “cure-all” for a variety of problems, I can only say what I’ve seen with my own eyes. We’ve seen better skin and coat, allergy relief, better breath, and old dogs seem younger. We’ve also seen some behavioral benefits including a more “even keel” type behavior. Hyper dogs seem to calm, and fearful dogs seem to “even out”. This is not true of EVERY dog I’ve seen on it, but I’ve seen it enough to be able to mention it. I basically consider vetraceuticals to be the most cost effective health insurance on the market today. It can work as a preventative and contains ingredients to improve digestion, skin and coat problems, allergies, joint issues etc.

I love it so much and have seen such an impact on the lives of the dogs (and now they have a cat formula as well) around me, that I decided to work with the company and I now offer it to customers. I do not do so lightly. I took the time to look up every ingredient in the product to see what use it was to provide, and I spent time speaking with Dr. Schelling to make sure it was a product I could comfortably put my name to. The product can be ordered at http://www.vetrapethealth.com or you can comment on here and I can provide more information on the product. I can definitely say that I highly recommend it, and I currently have all of my dogs on it as well as a wide selection of training client dogs on it, with excellent results.

Maestro shows how many scoops a day towards better health!

Who Will Take Care of My Dog?

petcares — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 08:19:05 +0000

It can be distressing on you when the inevitable happens and you have to leave your dog even though you many not want to. Leaving your dog should not cause you concern as with the help of a dog sitter this stress can be reduced.

A good pet sitter besides providing food and water for your dog while you are away will spend quality time with your dog, they provide exercise, they are also knows how to tell if your pet requires veterinary help. How do you know how to find this kind of a sitter well here is some information that will help you find the best sitter for you and your dog?

Recommendations Are A Good Place To Start

The recommendations of a friend, relative or neighbor are always a good place to start especially if they have previously enlisted the help of a dog sitter. What if you don't know anyone who has had a dog sitter previously? Then let your finger do the walking. Check the Yellow Pages under "Pet Sitting Services or advertisements in the newspaper are also another good place to look for people who offer their dog sitting services. Watch how they interact with your dog-does your pet seem comfortable with the person? If this visit goes well, you can begin the service by taking the sitter on a short trip, such as a weekend excursion. But if they do not get along well with each other, then thank the sitter for his or her time.

Experience and Insurance

It's important to learn all you can about the dogs sitters' qualifications and services. Before selecting a pet sitter, it is best to interview the candidates either over the phone or in your home.

Find out the following:

• Obtain written proof of commercial liability insurance

• Has the sitter had training in pet sitting?

• Does the sitter know of a veterinarian who can provide emergency services?

• What backup does the sitter have if they become ill or cannot make it for a day?

• What other services does the sitter provide such as in-home grooming, dog walking, dog training, and play time?

• If the pet sitter provides live-in services, what are the specific times she agrees to be with your pet? Is this detailed in the contract?

• Does the sitter have referees which you can contact

Get A Written Contract

Will the pet sitter provide a written service contract spelling out services and fees? Remember to select people who will accept to undertake signing a contract on the conditions that you both have set. This will show that the sitter has the best intentions when it come to taking care of your dog.

Organic Natural Dog Food=No Shedding!

Eileen Simpson — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 04:00:31 +0000

[caption id="attachment_62" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Our Dog Brandie"][/caption]

Wow, I recently changed my dog's food to an organic one. For years she's left hair all over the place. Now? Hardly anything. It cannot be a coincidence since it only started a week after we changed.

It makes me wonder what the heck the "Dr. Recommended" food was doing to her. She's 13 and was doing well, but is now really active again. I feel a little guilty about not finding it sooner. Less work for me!

Vets Choice Glucosamine Powder Food Supplement

onlinepetdepot — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:22:26 +0000

Vets Choice glucosamine powder Is a powdered vitamin and antioxidant formation for dogs and cats. It Contains glucosamine HCL for strong joint and bone development.

Why It is important to give your dogs

glucosamine?

Healthy cartilage is absolutely essential for proper joint function and overall mobility. Happy, healthy, active dogs need healthy cartilage and a diet that supports overall well-being, including joint health. Glucosamine is an important nutrient for making joint cartilage, the protective covering over the ends of bones in a joint. Glucosamine products have been studied and used for the healing of skin wounds, stomach ailments, and joint problems. Their use in the relief and healing of the symptoms of joint disease is currently their biggest use. Glucosamine and chondroitin have been successfully used in humans, horses, dogs, and cats.

Where does glucosamine come from?

Glucosamine occurs naturally in several common dog food ingredients. Purina uses several poultry and meat sources and guarantees the level of glucosamine in several of their adult dog formulas. Glucosamine is also produced in the body itself.

How does glucosamine work to help your dog’s joints?

Glucosamine will hydrate and lubricate your pet’s joints. The added hydration and lubrication will help to prevent arthritis in your dog. For this reason, Glucosamine is a good supplement in your dog’s diet. Pet owners of larger breed dogs that are susceptible to having joint and hip problems should particularly consider adding Glucosamine as a supplement to their dog’s diet.

Glucosamine is generally safe as part of a healthy and balanced diet. Your dog’s diet should include glucosamine to encourage joint health. Also your pet will not suffer from side effects with medications when glucosamine is part of your dog’s diet.

What joints can be affected by osteroarthritis?

There are many different joints that can be affected by osteoarthritis in the dog, but by far, the most common is the hip joints. Hip Dysplasia is very common in many of the larger breeds of dogs. This condition greatly exacerbates the normal wear on the smooth cartilage protecting the bony surface of the joint. When this cartilage wears away there is a bone to bone contact, which creates the pain seen with arthritis. Even dogs that do not have hip dysplasia may have a decrease in this cartilage as they age, and will show signs of arthritis. In addition, aging dogs may also have arthritis in their knees, elbows, and shoulders and cartilage loss or damage that respond to glucosamine and chondroitin.

Purina Label

breatheritejamaica — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 17:58:02 +0000

Under the Purina Label the following brands are available:

Dog Chow
Puppy Chow
Alpo Dry Food (adult)
Alpo Tin (assorted flavors)
Purina One
Beneful

others are available on request.

Increase the Lifespan of your Dog by up to 134%

atobor — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:24:12 +0000

Many world-famous Doctors of Veterinary Medicine and published Dog Care Experts universally agree any dog that eats commercial dog food is at a much higher risk of dying prematurely and by the time symptoms are noticeable, it's often too late to prevent an agonizing death except by lethal injection.

See their shocking, research-supported claims in this report. Click Here!

Recipe for a Good Tummy

mwdonnelly — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 22:20:33 +0000

Well, the vet called to tell me that the blood work came back on Jasmine, and she's healthy and normal. That's a relief! I told him about the blood in her stool last night, and he said that wasn't unusual given her situation. I'm to continue the white rice and cottage cheese diet until she's completely normal, and then I can slowly introduce the new food to her.

If Eukanuba had not changed their canned pet food formula, I probably would have kept her on their food to keep from disrupting her digestive system. But now that I've been forced to make changes, I'm going to feed Jasmine the EVO. Better nutrition, better ingredients and no grain fillers make it a good choice. However, I'm fuzzy on the "science" of dog nutrition. The argument is that dogs, in the wild, eat a diet mostly of protein, and that whole foods are better than processed junk and fillers. I'll buy that--to an extent. The Dog Food Analysis site has an explanation of how they rate the foods...but where's the science behind these ratings? There is a regulatory agency, the AAFCO, that oversees the feed manufacturers to ensure that a) the ingredients and guaranteed analysis of the food on the label is correct and b) the ingredients provide whole and proper nutrition for the animal in question.

What it boils down to is what do you believe? I think either of the foods are sufficient to ensure proper nutrition for Jasmine. The marketing hype for both is substantial. EVO claims better nutrition due to higher levels of protein, no grain fillers, etc. Eukanuba claims better joint health for Dachshunds because of the inclusion of Glucosamine and Chondroitin (ala ground up bones and cartilage). Reading packaging, EVO seems more wholesome and does have a guaranteed analysis that is much more skewed towards protein. But is this necessarily better? I don't know. What is the optimal amount of protein for a dog? Has anyone proven this? I guess it just makes ME feel better to give Jasmine food that has better ingredients--more whole foods, less "by-products." She seems to like the way it tastes. And hopefully, when her tummy settles down, she'll be on the way to optimal health.

Some Facts for Comparison

EVO Small Bites Ingredients: Turkey, chicken, turkey meal, chicken meal, potatoes, herring meal, chicken fat, natural flavors, egg, apples, tomatoes, potassium chloride, carrots, vitamins, garlic, cottage cheese, minerals, alfalfa sprouts, ascorbic acid, dried chicory root, direct-fed microbials, vitamin E supplement, lecithin, rosemary extract. Protein = "minimum 42%"

From Dog Food Analysis site:

Rating: Six Stars (highest)
Recommended: Yes
Pros: First four ingredients are named meat products, high meat content, grainless, quality ingredients throughout
Cons: None
AAFCO Certification: Yes. "Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that EVO Dog Small Bites Dry Dog Food provides complete and balanced nutrition for all life stages."

Eukanuba Dachshund Formula Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Natural Chicken Flavor, Brewers Rice, Dried Beet Pulp (sugar removed), Dried Egg Product, Fish meal, Brewers Dried Yeast, Potassium Chloride, Fish Oil (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Salt, Vitamins (Vitamin E Supplement, Ascorbic Acid, Beta-Carotene, Vitamin A Acetate, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate (source of Vitamin B1), Niacin, Riboflavin Supplement (source of Vitamin B2), Inositol, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (source of Vitamin B6), Vitamin D3 Supplement, Folic Acid), Flax Meal, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Choline Chloride, Minerals, Dried Chicken Cartilage, DL-Methionine, L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract. Protein = "not less than 25%"

From Dog Food Analysis site:

Rating: One Star (lowest)
Recommended: No
Pros: First ingredient is a named meat product
Cons: Insufficient meat content, byproducts, low quality grain, controversial filler
AAFCO Certification: Unknown.

On Dog Food

Melissa — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:24:54 +0000

I am a little embarassed to admit that I am a snob when it comes to care for my dog. He gets only the coolest toys, frequent baths and grooming sessions, and the best stuff I can find when it comes to his food and his treats.

Well, as far as treats goes, I've slowly but surely come to find that it's best for the pup (and cheaper) if I combine some doggy wafers, small training treats, and fresh, unflavored "human" foods--apples, tomatoes, etc--so that he gets a nice balance of treats.

As for the food, I have a big dog, so dry food is a very practical choice for me. But even those contain so many options, ingredients, and price ranges. The most obvious (and universally agreed-upon) factor in selecting a quality dry food is that some kind of meat, not corn, should be the primary ingredient. Most premium dog food brands tout the fact that they use "human grade" chicken in their food. How those kibbles are human grade, I'm not sure, but I thought I would do some research as I began to consider switching to the more cost-effective Nutripet dog food instead of my pet store premium brand.

The first thing that caught my eye is that Nutripet offers chicken meal, rather than just chicken, as its primary ingredient. I had no idea what chicken meal was, and when I looked it up, I was surprised to find some very positive comments about the ingredient:

From Dog Health and Human Health Information: "Chicken meal is simply chicken that has been baked to remove bacteria and other toxins. Chicken is simply pure chicken. What people dont know about chicken is that it is made mostly of water. If a label on a bag of dog food [advertises] 60% chicken, . . . that does not take into account how much of that chicken is left after baking it to remove unwanted substances!

When the label on the bag says %60 of chicken meal, you [actually] getting more of the chicken because the product has already been baked to remove unwanted effects such as bacteria."

Here's the price differences between my "premium" brands I've been using (prices taken from petsmart.com and petfooddirect.com), and the Nutripet brand:

- Blue Buffalo, 15 pound bag: $26.99 retail, plus $13.44 shipping = $40.43

- AvoDerm, 15 pound bag, $30.49, plus $13.44 shipping = $43.93

- Innova, 16.5 pound bag, $27.99, plus $9.79 shipping, = $37.78

- NutriPet, Two 8-pound bags (16 pounds total), $29.99, plus $6.95 shipping = $36.94

My plan is to order a small bag of Nutripet dog food (Chicken Meal and Rice Formula) in a few weeks, so that I can try mixing it in with his current food. I will post the results. If you'd like a free sample of this food, I would be happy to mail it to you: leave a comment, or email me at nutrilite.commerce@gmail.com.

Also, If you would like me to post a comparision of another type of food to the NutriPet brand, please send me an email with the type of food you typically use, and I will post my findings within the week.

Party Animal Organic Gourmet Dog Food

onlinepetdepot — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:09:52 +0000

Do you know which celebrity feeds there dog Party Animal Organic Dog Food?

Answer: Paris Hilton - She claims this to be the best food for her pets.

Party Animal is truly the celebrity pet food of choice.

What other brand can claim to have an empty can go for auction on eBay for $1.5 million after being recovered from Paris Hilton's trash!

Party Animal Pet Food products have never been affected by the canned or dry food recalls. The food contains no Wheat Gluten (the ingredient associated with the original recalls) or Rice Protein Concentrate (the ingredient associated with the second recall).

Party Animal "Organic" Gourmet Dog Food offers five flavors, using Organic Chicken and Organic Turkey. All flavors consist of the finest organic meat, veggies, and fruit, and are complete and balanced for all breeds and life stages!

Party Animal adheres to the highest quality standards, is properly balanced and provides sensible nutrition for your dog. All Party Animal formulas are specially formulated with essential ingredients and contains 38 different nutrients.

Organic ingredients have:

NO pesticides
NO synthetic fertilizers
NO antibiotics
NO growth hormones
NO bioengineering (no GMO's)
NO by-products
NO artificial colors or flavors
NO artificial preservatives

The food comes in a variety of diffrent flavors:

Organic Chicken with Carrots, Peas and Apples Formula:
Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Organic Basmati Rice, Organic Baby Carrots, Organic Peas, Organic Eggs, Organic Apples, Organic Cottage Cheese, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Canola Oil, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite CALORIE CONTENT (Metabolizable Energy – calculated):
1009.5 KCAL/KG - 378.6 KCAL/CAN

Organic Turkey with Carrots, Peas and Apples Formula:
Organic Turkey, Organic Turkey Broth, Organic Basmati Rice, Organic Baby Carrots, Organic Peas, Organic Eggs, Organic Apples, Organic Cottage Cheese, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Canola Oil, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite CALORIE CONTENT (Metabolizable Energy – calculated):
1009.5 KCAL/KG - 378.6 KCAL/CAN

Organic Chicken, Sweet Potatoes, Blueberries & Eggs With Vegetables Formula:
Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Organic SweetPotatoes, Organic Blueberries, Organic Egg, OrganicBroccoli, Organic Peas, Organic Guar Gum, Organic CanolaOil, Vitamin AAcetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin ESupplement, Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate,Riboflavin Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, PyridoxineHydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid,Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate,Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite CALORIE CONTENT(Metabolizable Energy – calculated):1009.5 KCAL/KG - 378.6 KCAL/CAN

Organic Turkey, Sweet Potatoes, Pears & Cranberries with Vegetables Formula:
Organic Turkey, Organic Turkey Broth, Organic SweetPotatoes, Organic Pears, Organic Cranberries, OrganicBroccoli, Organic Guar Gum, Organic Avocado Oil, Vitamin AAcetate, Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement,Niacin Supplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, RiboflavinSupplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride,Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid, Zinc Sulfate,Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate, Copper Sulfate,Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite CALORIE CONTENT(Metabolizable Energy – calculated):1009.5 KCAL/KG - 378.6 KCAL/CAN

Organic Chicken, Artichoke, Blueberries & Apples With Vegetables Formula:
Organic Chicken, Organic Chicken Broth, Organic Artichoke,Organic Blueberries, Organic Fuji Apples, Organic Zucchini,Organic Guar Gum, Organic Avocado Oil, Vitamin AAcetate,Vitamin D2 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, NiacinSupplement, D-Calcium Pantothenate, RiboflavinSupplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, PyridoxineHydrochloride, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Biotin, Folic Acid,Zinc Sulfate, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganese Proteinate,Copper Sulfate, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite CALORIE CONTENT(Metabolizable Energy – calculated):1009.5 KCAL/KG - 378.6 KCAL/CAN

MADE IN THE USA

Be Aware of Canidae Dog Food Ingredient Changes (2008)

onlinepetdepot — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 18:00:05 +0000

Anyone who feeds there dogs canidae should know that Canidae is under the new formulation, Canidae dry foods will no longer be gluten free, due to the addition of barley. If you know that your dog is gluten intolerant, start shopping around for a different food.

Even if your dog doesn't have problems with gluten (not all do, and many foods do contain high-gluten grains like barley), the change in formulation to include rice bran and peas may contribute to gas and digestive upset. Dogs who aren't particularly sensitive may not have any problems at all, others will get over it within a few days of transitioning, but again, for individuals with a delicate digestive system, expect that they may no longer tolerate the product.

Millet is generally well tolerated, but again, it doesn't work for every dog.

"Diversifying" ingredients may sound catchy, and Canidae certainly has made an effort to put a positive spin on it in their statement, but please remember that not all dogs do well on foods that include a wide variety of items.

Also note that "Herring Meal" will be replaced by generic "Ocean Fish Meal", meaning the company reserves the possibility to use different fish from batch to batch without having to change the ingredient list. This has not been addressed in their statement at all.

Whether these changes are indeed an improvement, as Canidae claims, is for you to decide - after observing how it affects your dog.