Archive for May 2011

So you’ve carefully chosen your new canine companion, but what happens when you get him or her home and don’t know what to feed them? Choosing which food your dog eats is one of the most important decisions you will make for your pet as it will influence how it grows and how healthy it is. The world of dog food is a confusing place as there is so much choice; there’s dry dog food, dry mixers, tinned dog food, raw dog food and even frozen dog food. Then within these you also have variances which include natural dog food, organic dog food and stuff that contains preservatives and additives. As you can see, it certainly isn’t easy!

In general, when you buy your new pet you will be given a few days supply of the food and water that the animal is used to. This tends to be the case wherever you get your dog from, whether it’s from a breeder or a rescue center. Most people will stick to whatever they are given as the pet is used to this type of dog food but if you find that your dog starts to go off the food or has health issues such as allergies as a result of the dog food you are giving them, then you might need to think about changing it.

So what are the differences in dog food? Dry dog food has been baked and then dried into small cubes. The best thing about using dry dog food is that it helps to keep your dog’s teeth in good condition as chewing helps to promote a healthy mouth. Dry dog food contains all the recommended levels of vitamins and minerals so you can be sure that your dog is getting all that it needs from his food.

Tinned food is known as a complete dog food as it contains all the nutrients your dog needs to be healthy. Tinned food has normally been cooked with gravy or jelly added. It is classed as a ‘wet’ dog food and although it is packed full of nutrients, you need to make sure that the tinned food you buy doesn’t have too many artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.

Raw dog food hasn’t always been the most popular form of dog food but has enjoyed a bit of a revival of late. This is because many dog owners have decided to stay away from grain based diets for their pets as they believe that this sort of food cannot be fully digested. In general, if you are feeding your dog a raw food diet you should stick to 80 meat, 10% bone or tripe and the last 10% is made up of vegetables, but you don’t need to necessarily stick to this rule.

Frozen dog food is a relatively new concept but all it consists of is packets of dog food that have either been cooked and frozen or just frozen. There are many variations available including chicken, chopped meat and tripe. All you need to do is defrost the food thoroughly and then you can feed it straight to your pet. As with all types of dog food, it is important to do your research before starting your dog on a frozen food diet as it may not be suitable for your breed of dog.

There is no right or wrong when it comes to dog food, it is more a personal choice. All types have pros and cons and it is important to be aware of these before making your decision. Take the time to find the right dog food for your pet and you can be sure that your dog will appreciate it and live a long, happy and healthy life.

At Best Bully Sticks we consider your pets part of our pack and family. Like our beloved pugs Sushi & Espy, we only want to give your furry family member the best in healthy, safe pet products. We are constantly searching for the best of the best so if you have any feedback or product suggestions please let us know. So here is what’s new on the site and in our wag of the woods! Please be sure to check out our barkworthy New Products for everything we have added in the last month.

Now Offering Pet Grooming Tools!

Get your dog spruced up for the dogs day of summer. Check out our amazing line of metro grooming tools and give your dog the spa treatment right at home. Metro Air Force pet grooming equipment is efficient and user friendly.

Summer is just a wag around the corner with warm weather fast approaching. While you and your dog are enjoying some fun in the sun we know the perfect way to cool down when the mercury rises. You guess it....ice cream is just what the doctor ordered. Check out this easy, inexpensive, quick and pawsome recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Ice Cream that will cool and refresh any hot dog. What we love about this recipe is that it only takes a few minutes to make and is a lot cheaper then buying Frosty Paws at your local pet store.

Ingredients:

3-4 ripe bananas
32 ounces plain yogurt (lowfat = less calories)
1 cup peanut butter

Directions:

1. Toss the bananas, peanut butter, and yogurt into a blender and blend until it’s mixed.

2.Next, pour the mixture into ice trays. You’ll need about five or six ice trays for this amount. (If you don’t have that many available, just pour some of the mixture into a plastic zippered bag and toss it in the freezer to break up when you’re ready to serve.)

3. Pop the trays in the freezer and in a few hours your doggie ice cream is ready to serve!

Recipe courtesy of DogTipper

Stay tuned for delicious dog recipes every Wednesday in our Weekly Drool Recipes blog series. Check out our other drool-worthy recipes! Also, remember food is meant to be shared! So be a pal and submit your favorite dog recipes to be featured in this delicious blog series by emailing us at bestbullysticks@gmail.com.

Have you ever been right in the middle of a game and your dog wants to go out to play? Have you been awaken at night by your dog needing to go out and potty? Well, we have been there, and we have a solution for you!  Install a doggy door so your dog has quick access to the backyard when nature calls or when you dog has the urge to frolic in the backyard.  Although training your dog to use the doggie door takes patience their is much reward. Here are a few tips to help get your dog on the road to independence and pull you off the road of sleep deprivation so you can get back to catching some Zzzzz's.

1. Follow the Leader. The fastest, easiest way to train a dog to go through a doggie door is to bring another dog who already knows how to use a doggie door, and let your dog watch him. You may need to still help a little by lifting the flap, and being outside with a treat, but most dogs will quickly follow another dog's lead. In the event you don't have another dog that already is trained to go thru a doggie door, follow the rest of the instructions.

2. Get Familiar with the Unfamiliar. Take the dog to the doggie door and just let him sniff it and investigate. Push the flap and show the dog how it moves and how it sounds when it moves, and let the dog see the outside thru the flap.

3. Bribe with treat & make sure to praise! Give the dog a very tasty, enticing and special treat that he or she can't resist. And then go outside, leaving your dog inside to investigate the door, and push the flap from outside and call your dog. Show the dog a treat, and give it to him or her only if he or she comes out through the doggie door. Don't expect your dog to run right through the doggie door on the first try, but most dogs will try it pretty quickly for a yummy treat. Make sure to reward the dog with the tasty treat and lots of praise and petting when going through the doggie door for the first few times.