How Can You Choose the Best Bully Sticks, Dog Treats and Dog Chews?

By Anton Hout

Bully Sticks for dogs, dog treats and dog chews come in a wide range of styles, flavors, ingredients – and quality. Poor quality bully sticks, for example, can result in unintended consequenses. Low quality production, high fat and added chemicals and preservatives can cause more harm than good.

I’ve received all too many reports from dog owners who have noticed their dogs suffering from a wide range of health problems. Many of these serious effects are linked to nutrition. Many manufacturers of dog foods and dog treats are large corporations that have shareholders to answer to. In order to assure the demands of profits they are pressured to cut corners on quality. So the long term health effects on our beloved pets takes a back seat to short-term profits.

In 2005 Avrum Elmakis and his wife Lauren decided to start a business with a difference… “We have two dogs of our own and we were spending a large amount of money on dog treats and dog chews for them at traditional pet stores and I just thought, ‘Gosh, this is costing us a fortune. There are probably other people out there like us.’ And, that’s really how we got started.”

Best Bully Sticks was born. They are a US company based in Richmond, VA and now have 8 full-time employees. Their success has been based on providing the BEST quality for their bully sticks and the many other dog treats and chews that they have added to their product line-up since then.

What Makes Them The Best Bully Sticks for Dogs?

• 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
• Easy to Digest While Cleaning Teeth and Reducing Tartar
• Better than Rawhide Because They are Naturally Low in Fat
• All Natural – No Chemicals or Preservatives
• They Seal Their Bully Stick Orders For Freshness
• Every Order Of All-Natural Dog Treats Is Shipped Quickly
• Their Bully Sticks are Inspected and Approved By USDA/FDA and National Food Inspection Authorities
• And They Come From Free Range, Grass Fed Sources

The Best Bully Sticks Doesn’t Mean The Most Expensive Either!

Best Bully Sticks is passionate about dogs and they offer their high-quality bully sticks for dogs (and many other dog treats and chews) at low prices. They are very competitive and considering the added value for you and your Aussie, I can confidently recommend you give them a try.  Click the Best Bully Stick box in the lower right-hand corner.

KROGER RECALLS PET FOODS DUE TO POSSIBLE HEALTH RISK

By: Courtesy by the FDA

Pet Food Recall

CINCINNATI, Ohio, December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Stores the company operates under the following names are not included in this recall: Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, Smith’s, QFC, City Market, Foods Co., and Food 4 Less stores in California and Nevada.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128

Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357

Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152

Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580

Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903

Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566

Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563

Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018

Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

Aflatoxin is a naturally-occurring toxic chemical by-product from the growth of the fungus Aspergillus flavus on corn and other crops. If your pet shows any symptoms of illness, including sluggishness or lethargy combined with a reluctance to eat, yellowish tint to the eyes and/or gums, and severe or bloody diarrhea, please consult your veterinarian immediately.

The safety of our customers and their pets is important to Kroger. The company is using its Customer Recall Notification system to alert customers who may have purchased these recalled products through register receipt tape messages and automated phone calls. Customers who have purchased a recalled item should not use it and should return it to a store for a full refund or replacement.

Customers who have questions about this recall may contact Kroger toll-free at (800) 632-6900. For more information, please visit www.kroger.com/recalls.

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Math for Dogs

A simple formula could help put an overweight dog on a healthier path.

Take your dog’s weight in kilograms (weight in pounds divided by 2.2) and multiply it by 30, and then add 70. The result is the number of calories your dog needs each day to maintain his or her current weight. Feed your dog 70% as many calories per day until your dog reaches his or her goal weight, then return to the maintenance instructions on the dog food bag. (http://www.dogage.com/tips/math-for-dogs)

What makes chocolate toxic to your dog?

Halloween Candy Can Be Toxic to Your Dog

The answer is simple:  it is the stimulants caffeine and theobromine.  These two stimulants affect the heart and central nervous system of your dog.  They also increase the frequency of urination (act as a diuretic).

And just how toxic it is to your dog depends upon the type of chocolate eaten and your dog’s weight.  Baking chocolate and cocoa beans have the highest level of toxicity (level of stimulants) and white chocolate has the least.

Once toxic levels are reached, signs of toxicity include: restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination and/or excessive panting. If your pet isn’t treated, he could go into a seizure – possibly even die.

From The PetPlace.com:

White Chocolate. Mild signs of toxicity can occur when 45 ounces per pound of body weight is ingested. Severe toxicity occurs when 90 ounces per pound of body weight in ingested. This means that a 20-pound dog would need to ingest at least 55 pounds of white chocolate to cause nervous system signs. A 10-pound cat would need to ingest 27 pounds. Yes, that is twenty seven pounds! White chocolate has very little real chocolate in it. Therefore, the levels of caffeine and theobromine are very low. Tremendous amounts of white chocolate need to be ingested in order to cause toxic signs from chocolate. It is highly unlikely that white chocolate ingestion will result in the toxic neurologic signs. Continue Reading…

Due to advances in veterinary healthcare, our dogs are living longer lives.  In today’s society, we tend to think of our dogs in a different light than in the past.  Dogs have become members of our family. We spend more time, energy and money on them than previously.  And since they are living longer, we need to consider and plan for their care in their “senior” years.  The old standard of converting dog years to human years was for every 1 dog year, multiply that by 7 (so if your dog was 2 years old, he would be the equivalent of 14 in human years).  And generally speaking, a dog is considered a “senior” when she reaches the age of 7 (in dog years).

Joe @ 15, resting comfortably

That being said, dogs age differently.  How they age and their longevity varies between breeds and even their own litter mates.  Small breed dogs tend to live longer than the larger breeds.  Small dogs are considered seniors at 9 years of age, medium-sized dogs at 7 years and  the larger, giant breeds at the age of 5 years.  Vets consider the onset of decline in physical condition, immune response and organ function as the signals of entering their senior life stage.

You are the key to your dog’s well-being during their senior years.  You are first in line to assessing his overall being during his golden years.  You will see any changes to his normal, predictable routines and behaviors.  A change in his eating, weight, activity or bathroom patterns could be a signal that something serious could be developing.  Your chances of having a better outcome with any problems will be due to early detection.  Don’t wait until his next annual exam to bring it to your vet’s attention as it may be too late.  Veterinarians recommend that healthy senior dogs be examined every 6 months.

Dogs age the same as we do but at much quicker rates.  Below is a chart of that progression:

When your dog enters his senior years, you should make the appropriate changes within your home to accomodate his needs.  Two important factors are safety and comfort. Older dogs are less agile and more likely to slip on floors, fall down stairs or even out of a car window.  Don’t leave them in situations where they could potentially be in danger.  Your older dog may suffer from muscle weakness or arthritis or vision problems.  They may have problems getting up and down from furniture (or in and out of cars).  A pet ramp is ideal for those situations.

Make their golden years as easy as possible for them.  They’ve given you so much joy through the years, make their senior years golden.

The quality and SAFETY of your dog’s food is paramount to their well-being.  Nothing beats their mother’s milk, but puppies eventually are weaned from her.  The food/diet you choose for your puppy/dog will determine their overall health and longevity.  We all remember the big pet food recall a couple of years ago.  But do you know if your pet’s foods are still posing a risk to their health?

As Posted on PetPlace.com:

Current recalls from the FDA:

09/07/2010  The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08/30/10  P&G Voluntarily Recalls a Small Amount of dry cat food

08/29/10  P&G Recalls Small Number of Bags of Cat Food From Stores in Loveland, Colorado

08/13/2010  Merrick Pet Care Recalls Filet Squares & Texas Hold’ems 10oz Bag (Item # 60016 All Lots) Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

08/09/2010  FDA: Salmonella risk from frozen rodents fed to reptiles

08/03/2010  Merrick Pet Care Recalls Texas Hold’ems 10 oz Bag (Item # 60016 Lot 10127 Best by May 6 2012) because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

07/30/2010  P&G Expands Voluntary Limited Recall of Specialized Dry Pet Foods Due to Possible Health Risk

07/28/2010  Evamist Hormone Spray May Cause Illness in Pets

07/27/2010  Mice Direct Recalls Frozen Reptile Feed Because of Possible Health Risk

07/25/2010  P&G Recalls Two Lots of Prescription Renal Diet Cat Food due to a Possible Health Risk

07/15/2010  Feline’s Pride Expands Nationwide Recall of its Natural Chicken Formula Cat Food Due to Salmonella Contamination Salmonella

01/14/2010  FDA Health Alert for Merrick Beef Filet Squares Dog Treats Packaged and Distributed by Merrick Pet Care

For more information or more details – go to:

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/SafetyHealth/RecallsWithdrawals/default.htm

“Petting one of my dogs was almost like a way I’d calm myself down and fall asleep,” says Sallan, a writer and radio host in California. But then he met and married Debbie, who had a dog of her own but suffered from allergies and liked her furniture free of dirt and hair. She was adamant: “No dogs in bed.”

“He would have his dog on the bed and there would be dog hair on my pillow and I’d be sneezing,” Debbie tells Paw Nation. The solution? She spent several hundred dollars on plush beds for all three dogs and ultimately, everyone was happy.

The Stats
Some pet owners may be sheepish to admit it, but Sallan is far from alone. A 2007 survey of more than 2,500 pet owners by the American Pet Products Association found 43 percent of dogs slept in a person’s bed at night, a steady increase from 34 percent a decade ago.

So is there anything wrong with pets in the bed? Like Bruce and Debbie, vets and animal trainers have strong opinions on the subject.

The Pros
Sleeping in the same bed has strong emotional benefits for you and your pooch.

1. It’s comforting to both the owners and the animals. The company of pets have been proven to lower blood pressure, stress and reduce feelings of loneliness. According to veterinarian Ira Roth, director of the Community Practice Clinic at University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine, having them close to you at night only magnifies those benefits, whether the animal is at the foot of the bed or under the covers.

Illinois dog owner Jamie Hand agrees with that assessment. “Rocky likes to cuddle, and he always has to be right next to me,” Hand tells Paw Nation, referring to her Jack Russell Terrier mix who is very content sleeping in his owner’s bed. “If I roll away from him, he scoots over so he’s right next to my torso again. This doesn’t disrupt my sleep at all. In fact, it’s quite comforting to feel him snuggling up against me.”

2. It can deepen the bond between dog and owner. New York City dog trainer Sarah Westcott, owner of Doggie Academy, always gave her dogs their own beds. But then she adopted Hank, a lab who kept to himself.

“Out of the blue one day, I put him in bed and he curled up next to me,” Westcott says. Everything changed after that. “Whatever he’s doing, even when he’s a hyper maniac, if I invite him in bed he settles right down.”

3. It can give nervous dogs more confidence. Sherry Bedard, an animal trainer and behaviorist in Montreal and author of “Sherry’s Secret Dictionary, A Guide to your Dog” believes that the assurance boost of sharing the bed with their owners can “help the dog cope with everyday functions such as going out for a walk in public or meeting strangers.”

The Cons
From health reasons to relationships concerns, there are strong arguments against sharing the bed.

1. It can intensify allergies. Your airways are more susceptible to irritants at night, partly because when you’re lying down, you’re closer to the ground, where particles settle. Multiply that by plus or minus 8 hours and that’s a lot of exposure, says Frank S. Virant, MD, an allergy and asthma specialist in Seattle. Plus, pet dander and fur stays on the pillow long after the animal has left the room. If you find yourself sniffling or wheezing, the pet should leave the bedroom, Virant tells Paw Nation.

2. It can amp up human/canine power struggles. Orlando dog trainer Todd Langston, owner of Pack Life K-9 Behavior Solutions believes that giving the dog the highest, most comfortable spot in the house sends the message that he is the leader of the pack. “Many of these dogs will even growl at their owners if they wake them in the middle of the night or snap at them if they try to get them off the bed,” says Langston.

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Smith and a Pawsenger

What animal lover hasn’t daydreamed about applying for a job at the zoo? Or at a doggy daycare? Or tracking gorillas in Africa? We sure have, but since most of us may never actually get to work with the animals we love, we thought we’d introduce you to a few people who do.

Name: Christina Smith
Age: 28

Job Title: Pet Flight Attendant

How did you get or hear about your job?
I first heard about Pet Airways on the news and I couldn’t believe it. What a dream job! So I went to the website to see if they were hiring, sent in my resume, and a few weeks later I started my new job.

What credentials does one need to be a pet flight attendant?
You have to love pets. But all Pet Airways attendants must have experience working with pets in a shelter, vet’s office or boarding facility.

What did you study in college?
Veterinary science. Actually, I’m a certified vet technician.

What’s a typical day like for you at work?
First thing in the morning, we do pre-flight prep to make sure our “pawsengers” are ready to fly. Our pet lounge attendants call the pet parents to verify we have their contact information and any special care instructions. All that information goes on the “pawsenger” manifest which I review before take-off so I’m prepared during flight. Once we take off and reach cruising altitude, my primary job is to check on all the pets every 15 minutes to make sure they’re having a good flight. I might offer a little treat or some water.

What are the in-flight services you offer?
Our main cabin service is ensuring our “pawsengers” are comfortable and feel safe. We do offer a little water if needed, but for obvious reasons, we don’t want to give them too much! Generally we don’t want to feed pets while they’re in flight, because their tummies might be a little travel sensitive, but sometimes a little treat makes their trip more enjoyable.

What is it like to work with animals when they fly?
There’s never a dull moment, but you’d be surprised how calm everyone is once we’re in the air. When the pets first arrive at the lounge, they’re wondering what’s going on, and then they enjoy all the attention they get when they’re buckled in. It’s fun to watch the animals once we take off. There are usually two groups: The first group falls asleep immediately after takeoff and sleeps the whole time, and the second group checks out the whole experience during the flight.

Which animals may fly on your airways?
At the moment, we’re flying mostly dogs and cats, but soon we’ll be taking birds, reptiles and other small pets.

Have you ever had a difficult passenger?
Well, just like with humans, every once in a while you get a whiner! And sometimes you get a pet that has trouble settling down. But of our thousands of pet “pawsengers,” we’ve only had a handful that were real handfuls! My job is to make sure they’re OK. Usually a little talking, a cookie and everyone is fine.

Regardless what age your dog is, traveling can be a very stressful time for him.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/pubications/animals.htm, over two million pets and other live animals are transported by air in either passenger cabins or in cargo holds every year in the U.S.  Even though the gov’t imposes strict regulations on the transportation of live animals, horror stories abound.  Take for example Barbara Listenik’s dog, Boris.  When her 1996 Delta flight landed, she found the crate for Boris crushed, bloody and containing a few of Boris’ teeth.  Boris was nowhere to be found.  (USA Today, http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-04-28-flying-pets_x.htm)  Boris, a boxer-pit bull mix, escaped at New York LaGuardia in 1996. He was found emaciated, dirty and injured six weeks later in an abandoned building in Queens, according to Listenik.  http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-07-07-air-animals-usat_x.htm

Until Congress passed the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century, commonly called “Boris’ Bill”,  there was no real way to tell what was going on in the cargo hold. The Humane Society in Washington, D.C. says estimates that 1% of animals that fly are lost, injured or killed are not necessary  correct.   (http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2005-04-28-flying-pets_x.htm) Boris’ Bill will help change that.

The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (Boris’ Bill) requires U.S. airlines to file reports with the Department of Transportation concerning incidents involving the loss, injury or death of animals during air transportation.  Airlines are now required to submit a report for any month in which it experienced a loss, injury or death of a pet during air transportation.

Dogs love to travel

There are many questions you need to consider before having your pet travel:

1. Is your pet old enough to travel?
2. Which flights are easier on your pet?
3. Is your pet healthy?
4. Should you sedate your pet?
5. Do you have the proper kennel?
6. Is your pet comfortable in the kennel?
7. Have you made advance arrangements for your pet?
8. Are you traveling outside the 48 contiguous states in the US?

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