Archive for June 2011

The Vet’s Best range was created by Dr. Dawn Curie Thomas over 25 years ago. Today, Dr. Thomas’s determination to provide natural health care for pets has seen her early formulas transformed in a huge catalog of products. Dr. Thomas was born into a family of scientists, therefore her passion for health and her love of animals was developed at a young age.

Back in the beginning, whilst running her practice Dr. Thomas found that a lot of the standard medicines being prescribed to help sick animals were actually causing a lot of harsh side effects. She didn’t like this idea and vowed to try and find a more natural, yet effective way of healing ill or hurt animals. When you look back to the 1980’s you will see that the idea of using natural health dog treatments was way ahead of its time. Despite the criticism she received, Dr. Thomas heroically carried on in the hope of producing a new type of medicine that really did work.

After years of research and planning she finally encountered success and after word spread of her amazing natural remedies pet owners from all over the country flocked to her to see if she could help to heal their sick animals.

Today the Vet’s Best range is extremely popular and there is no doubt about its effectiveness. Dr. Thomas focuses all her remedies around the skin health of an animal as she is very aware that skin if often a key indicator of overall health. She now specializes in producing remedies for dry, flaky, itchy, raw skin conditions for animals. The Vet’s Best line has been built on the concept that health is nurtured from the inside out, and from the outside in.

One of the best-selling products in the range is the Hot Spot Spray. This alcohol-free spray is gentle and works quickly to calm and relieves painful hot spots on an animal. It doesn’t sting the skin, instead is soothes itchy, raw patches where the animal may have been excessively itching or biting themselves. This product uses all natural ingredients such as Tea Tree Oil, Chamomile and Aloe Vera and is best used in conjunction with Hot Spot Foam and Hot Spot Shampoo.

Another favorite amongst irritated, itchy pets is the Vita-Derm Scratch & Shed Relief. This is a liver flavored liquid food supplement that works to get itching and scratching under control. Most itching in animals is caused by flea allergy dermatitis, pollen allergies and general dry skin but this product doesn’t use potentially harmful steroids in the same way that similar products do. Instead it relies on Marine Lipids, Essential Fatty Acids and Borage Oil which are three ingredients that have been recommended by leading veterinary dermatologists. Vita-Derm Scratch & Shed Relief also gives a great boost to overall health and works from the inside out to promote healthy skin and coat.

For more information on the Vet’s Best range then why not visit the Best Bully Sticks website where you can purchase a range of different products. Give your pet the health boost it so desperately needs with the incredible Vet’s Best range.

Are you and your dog looking for a healthy snack to help power through your day? Whip up a pawriffic fresh fruit smoothie in minutes. This Power Pooch Smoothie recipe gets a round of  a paws from Sushi and Espy (doggy approved!). Don't let the name fool you, this is a sweet treat you both can enjoy. Ready, Set, Blend!

Ingredients:

Directions:

1.  Process all the ingredients in a blender at high speed until smooth.

2. Smoothie can be served frozen or unfrozen. Pour pooch smoothies into bowl or freeze in ice cube trays or small bowls.

3. Remove from the freezer, set on the floor and let your pooch lick the treat.

*** If your dog is on a special diet always check with your vet about which foods are appropriate & safe.

Courtesy of Rachael Ray

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.

We all like to be rewarded for good behavior and dogs are no different. Rewarding a human and an animal has similar motivational effects but humans tend to have different ideas about what constitutes a reward to animals. With animals it’s simple; food and attention are the two biggest rewards you can give. If your dog does something you are pleased with it is really important to show them with either food or some attention. Dogs thrive on attention and will love a quick cuddle or some playtime with their owner. Dog treats are the perfect reward for your dog’s good behavior and your pet will just love these little tasty bits of food every time they do something right.

Dog treats are the best way to train your pet as these small pieces of food are really effective at shaping the animal’s behavior. However, you need to get the balance right between reward and action. It is no good rewarding your dog with a treat if they haven’t complied with your wishes, he must understand the food follows good behavior or you will never have any chance of training your pooch. You need to be quite strict and clear about what you want your dog to do. For example, if you are training your dog to stay then you need to show him the treat and then give the command. If he responds positively, you can then give him the treat and he should make the connection between good behavior and a treat.

When you first introduce your pet to dog treats you will have to experiment with different flavors to determine what food he likes the most. Your pet is much more likely to respond to food if they know they like what is on offer so make sure you choose something tasty. Cheese and chicken flavors tend to be favorites amongst most pets, but fish and other meat flavors are also popular.

The key to getting treats right is getting the size right. Most products available come in bite size chunks which are easy to swallow quickly and won’t fill your pet up too much. If you use small pieces, your dog will be more likely to respond as he will be keen for more.

When choosing food treats for your pet, you should using treats that are too high in sugar or fat. You need to bear in mind your dog’s health when choosing treats and instead stick to something that is nutritious like chicken or beef. Also go for treats that are soft rather than hard and crumbly as they will make less mess and be easier to break up for small treats.

Not only are dog treats a great way of training your pet, but they are also good if you just want to show him your appreciation every time he does something well. The trick is just not to over-do the food rewards so much so that your dog won’t even move without the promise of a treat. Once your dog is fully trained it is then time to wean them off the treats as they should be exhibiting good behavior on their own now.

Best Bully Sticks have a vast range of dog treats available on their website, all of which are natural and unique. The brand is dedicated to creating products that only use one or just a few natural ingredients so that all the products are completely safe and 100% tasty!

Summer time equals fun in the sun with family, friends and your dog but it can also mean danger. Here are a few health hazards & risk that all pet owners should be aware of in order to keep your dog safe during those long dog days of summer.

Dehydration
Cool your dog down with a refreshing bowl of clean ice water. Pupsicles are also a fun way to cool down your dog by freezing low sodium chicken broth or yogurt in ice cube trays. Check out our healthy Straw-bana Pupsicle recipe!

Burned Pads
When the mercury rises so does hot surfaces under the summer sun. Be aware that asphalt on sidewalks and streets can heat to a temperature which can burn a dog's paws. It is is recommended that you walk your dog in the early morning or late evening, the coolest parts of the day, to prevent your dog from getting sun burned (buy pet sunscreen) or scorched paws. You may also want to provide your dog with paw protective booties when walking during the heat of the day. One way to gauge whether or not a walk on a hot summer day is a good idea is to put your hand down on the asphalt for about thirty seconds. If your hand can't stand the heat for 30 seconds, and you need to pull away, then your dog paws probably will not be able to endure a 30 minute walk or run around the block.

Parasites
Summer time means lunch time for insects. Fleas, ticks, mosquitoes are tail biting bloodsucking pest that can wreak havoc on your pet causing discomfort or life threatening health issues. Prevention is key to winning the war against fleas and ticks. Lucky for you there are so many preventative solutions available from flea tick medication, repellent shampoo's & sprays, essential oils, all natural remedies and more. Keeping your dog well groomed, healthy and home clean will reduce your pet's risk of parasite infestation.

Heat Stroke
Heat stroke is a serious risk not only to humans but dogs as well and can be fatal. The first step toward heatstroke prevention is restricting your dogs exercise and outdoor play time during the hottest parts of the day. Instead opt for early morning or late evening strolls, runs, brisk walks and a fun game of fetch at the park. Make sure your dog is well hydrated at all times and carry ample water on your adventures. Provide your dog with an air conditioned place to chill and relax, supervised swim time and cooling mats. NEVER, NEVER leave your dog unattended in the car during summer heat, it only takes a few seconds for a car to overheat and turn into an oven. So how hot does your car get? Find out!  Even if your windows are cracked or you park in the shade, heat can build quickly in a car in the summer so the safer option is to leave your dog home when running errands. Be fair warned that leaving your dog in a hot car may be seen as act of animal cruelty and can get you in a lot of trouble. Check out "Don't Leave Me in Here — It's Hot!" fliers for you to print and pass around to pet owners.

Seasonal Allergies
Summer time and the living is sneezy! If your dog has the sniffles, hot spots, balding, the itches then allergies may be the culprit. Seasonal allergies can come in many forms-  fleas, grass and plants, and mold allergies. If your dog is barking for relief and you suspect your dog may have seasonal allergies we recommend a vet visit. Not only will the vet help you get down to the root of the problem a vet check up will also help rule out any other possible serious health issues.