Dog Care 101

Having itchy irritated hot spots is no walk in the dog park. Hot spots (acute moist dermatitis) are inflamed, infected areas of your dogs skin caused by excessive licking, scratching flea infestation, allergies, tangled or matted fur . Hot spots symptoms are characterized by redness, oozing, itchiness and hair loss. Is your dog barking for some relief? Well, Aloe Vera can be used as a topical remedy on your dogs fur & coat to soothe and heal your dogs itchy hot spots Here are a few tips on using and applying Aloe Vera on your dogs infected hot spots to give your dog some much needed relief fast.

1. Carefully trim the fur away from the severely affected hot spots on your dogs body.

2. Soak a clean washcloth in cool water. Gently cleanse the hot spots.

3. Apply a thin layer of 100% pure aloe vera gel to the hot spots. For added relief, add a drop of essential oil of lavender or tea tree oil to the aloe vera gel.

4. Repeat this process every day, once or twice a day, until the hot spots begin to heal.

5. Once or twice a week, give your dog a cool bath with a dog shampoo infused with Aloe Vera and colloidal oatmeal. Apply the Aloe Vera gel to its hot spots after it is dry.

**Practice caution when using Aloe Vera. NEVER use it internally on your dog or allow your pet to ingest it. Speak with vet prior to using Aloe Vera on your dog. Always remember to consult vet if itching is persistent and does not get any better. This could be a tell tail sign of something more serious.

BEST BULLY STICK HAPPENING UPDATES!!

Introducing Best Bully Sticks Rescue/Shelter $1 Donation Program!

Help Best Bully Sticks lend a helping paw to worthy animal shelters and rescues around the country who are dedicated to the safety and protection of animals. Please donate a $1.00 at checkout to Rescues and Shelters in Need around the country.

How It Works!

*Best Bully Sticks will match dollar for dollar. For every $1 you donate at checkout we will donate a $1 (i.e. If 500 customers donate a $1.00 for a total $500 Best Bully Sticks match the contributions raised)
*All the money raised will be donated to animal rescues & shelters (100% no administration fees) and audited by a Third party
*Donations raised by you will be given to 3 different rescues monthly. All money donated will be shown publicly and organizations that benefit will be announced on our blog.
*We will interact via contests, story submissions, guest blogs, etc with animal rescue and shelters for their chance to be one of the 3 organizations donated to each month.

NEW! PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE!

We are so confident that we offer the best prices at www.bestbullysticks.com that we now match ANY online vendor price on any item we sell!

If you find anything on bestbullysticks.com for less on another website (excluding Amazon and Ebay), let us know and we’ll credit the difference to you. It must be the same item. For bulk items, we’ll try our best to match the price. Email us at bbinfo@bestbullysticks.com with any questions or to take advantage of this great new service.

Refer-A-Friend now offering a 6% discount per referral

Many of you have taken advantage of our Refer-a-Friend/Family Member program, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for that-it’s the biggest compliment you can give us.

Are you new to Refer-A-Friend? It’s simple! Here’s how it works:
*Your friend or family member places their first order with Best Bully Sticks.
*On that first order, your friend or family member types your name and the words “Refer-A-Friend” in the “Comments” section.
*We send you a coupon code for 6% off when their order is placed!

There are no limits to the Refer-A-Friend promotion, so you save 6% off our products every time a new friend or family member places their first order!

Do you have a bone to pick with us?

Our dog chews & dog bones are all natural, and from either Brazilian or US meat sources. If you have a highly aggressive chewers then you came to the right place. Your dogs will fall in love with our grrreat selection, while you go gaga over our amazing prices! We are constantly adding new dog bones & chews, so make sure to check back often. Better yet sign up for our newsletter and receive the inside scoop on new products, special saving & discounts & stay up to date on Best Bully Sticks happenings for 2010. We have some wonderful things in store worth barking about, so sniff around our site daily!

Trudy says "Got my bully, life's good"

Offering you more of the best of the best-with your input!

Since you are our most valuable resource and we want Best Bully Sticks to be your go-to source for great pooch stuff, we need your help! Please let us know what you think we should offer, and how you think we can improve our website, for your best possible shopping experience with us. We will carefully consider all ideas.

Give the gift of  a good chew.  Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course our bully sticks. Try our NEW All Natural Free Range Odor free bully sticks!

Trudy and Jasmine play tug-o-bully !

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount

Bark if you love bacon and peanut butter! Woof, Woof!! Show your four-legged friend some love with these tasty bacony goodness dog treats with a nutty twist. We were so happy to come across this wonderful recipe compliments of Dog Hill Kitchen. These flavorful treats are ones your dog will sit up and beg for. Hey, these treats will even satisfy the hungry appetite of the two-legged as well so don't be shy take a nibble. We hope you enjoy baking them as much as your dog will enjoy devouring them. Happy baking!

Makes ~6 dozen 1" diameter treats

Ingredients:
3 slices of bacon, diced
1 egg
1/3 cup creamy natural peanut butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
3 tablespoons water
1/2 cup soy flour
1/2 whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup wheat germ

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
2. Fry the diced bacon until crispy. With a slotted spoon, remove the crispy bacon but save the fat. Allow the fat to cool slightly (2-5 minutes)
3. Add the egg, peanut butter, maple syrup and water to the bacon fat and mix thoroughly.
4. Add in the flours and wheat germ and mix until combined. Stir in the crispy bacon pieces.
5. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/4" thick. Cut into desired shapes. I used three different 1" cookie cutters.
6. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes (for 1" diameter shapes) until lightly browned.
7. Cool, beg  & then devour!

BEST BULLY STICK HAPPENING UPDATES!!

Introducing Best Bully Sticks Rescue/Shelter $1 Donation Program!

Help Best Bully Sticks lend a helping paw to worthy animal shelters and rescues around the country who are dedicated to the safety and protection of animals. Please donate a $1.00 at checkout to Rescues and Shelters in Need around the country.

How It Works!

*Best Bully Sticks will match dollar for dollar. For every $1 you donate at checkout we will donate a $1 (i.e. If 500 customers donate a $1.00 for a total $500 Best Bully Sticks match the contributions raised)
*All the money raised will be donated to animal rescues & shelters (100% no administration fees) and audited by a Third party
*Donations raised by you will be given to 3 different rescues monthly. All money donated will be shown publicly and organizations that benefit will be announced on our blog.
*We will interact via contests, story submissions, guest blogs, etc with animal rescue and shelters for their chance to be one of the 3 organizations donated to each month.

NEW! PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE!

We are so confident that we offer the best prices at www.bestbullysticks.com that we now match ANY online vendor price on any item we sell!

If you find anything on bestbullysticks.com for less on another website (excluding Amazon and Ebay), let us know and we’ll credit the difference to you. It must be the same item. For bulk items, we’ll try our best to match the price. Email us at bbinfo@bestbullysticks.com with any questions or to take advantage of this great new service.

Refer-A-Friend now offering a 6% discount per referral

Nothing says we love America then colorful fireworks blasting to the tune of the "rockets red glare" and some of our favorite patriotic tunes as we watch in amazement waving our American flags. But before you head out for your 4th of July outdoor celebrations with dog in tow remember safety first. With the 4th of July just around the corner here are some pet safety tips to heed so both you and your dog can have an enjoyable and safe Holiday weekend.

1. NEVER leave dog in unattended parked car. Remember a car can reach high temperatures in minutes even with windows cracked. Heat exposure can result in organ damage, heart problems and sudden death. Partially opened windows on hot days do not provide sufficient air flow but can put your pet in jeopardy of being stolen. So, leave your dog at home if you are considering locking them in the car.

2. Stay Shaded. Like humans dogs can also suffer from heatstroke, so avoid by keeping your dog in shaded areas on very hot and warms days. Remember that dogs swear from the pads of their feet and cool off by panting so they need extra help cooling down in the warm weather. Protect your pet from potentially deadly heatstroke by keeping your pet shaded from the sun when the mercury rises.

3. Stay hydrated! Dehydration is the #1 concern and danger during those long summer heat waves. Make sure you have a generous amount of fresh water on hand to quench your dog's thirst, especially during and after a good game of 4th of July fetch or Frisbee. Keep a large bowl of water under a shaded tree or pavilion to keep the water cool. Fill the water bowl with half water and half ice.

4. Scaredy Dog. Your dog can become easily frightened by 4th of July fireworks and loud celebrations. Make sure your pet is wearing a properly fitted collar with proper identification & tags just in case your pet becomes scared and runs away from home. Better yet, you might want to have your pet micro-chipped as a precaution to make it easier for your pet to be returned home safely & promptly.  Around the 4th of July their appears to be an upsurge in lost pets and strays so keep a watchful eye on your pet whereabouts at all time.

5. Firework-phobic dogs. Knowing your dog's temperament is half the battle. Fireworks are no blast for some pets, with many dogs becoming easily frightened by unfamiliar loud noises, lightening and thunderstorms. Unfortunately the 4th of July is filled with the deafening sound of loud fireworks bursting with light and loud celebrations. So you can imagine that this can cause some pets to cower, shiver, panic, escape or go in a destructive chewing rampage (put away precious family heirlooms). Leaving your dog indoors (not leashed in the yard) on the 4th of July in a safe, secure, escape proof room of the house with comfy bed, food and water is the safest option. We would advise someone to stay home with the pet, but if your dog is left alone lower the blinds and turn on the tv or radio at normal volume to keep your pet company, this will help to disguise those terrifying loud 4th of July noises. If he is crate trained put him in his crate covered with a blanket to make him feel secure. For preventive measures make sure all doors (doggy doors), windows, and gates are closed and locked securely.

6. Alcohol Free Zone. If you and your dog are invited to any Independence Day picnic or BBQ celebrations remember that alcoholic beverages have the potential to poison pets so NEVER leave your beverage unattended. If alcohol is ingested, your pet could become very intoxicated and weak, severely depressed or could go into a coma. In very severe instances death from respiratory failure caused by alcohol consumption can result.

7. No picnic table and grill scraps. Always be aware of what friends and family are sneaking and forking your dog under the table. While tempting on such a festive occasion, human food (bones, onions, avocado, grapes and raisins) should be off limits at all times to your dog. Some human food may be toxic or dangerous if ingested and cause stomach upset. So advise friends and family to NOT feed your dog table scraps.  Like us your vet would advise you to maintain your dog's normal & strict diet to avoid potential health problems or an emergency run to the vet.

8. 4th of July Decorations. Remember that your pet may easily mistake your red, white and blue decorations and glow sticks as chew toys. So, make sure to dog proof your home and keep fun glow sticks out of paws reach.

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With summer heat waves & scorching weather approaching a nice long dip in a cool pool can be refreshing.  Splashing and playing in the pool is the epitome of summer fun for both children, adults & water dogs.  Trust us no human or dog for that matter  can turn down a fun game of Marco Polo or water frisbee. Do keep in mind that pool safety is just as important to your pets as to your children. With more then 8 million swimming pools in the United States, it is estimated that 1 out of every 1,027 pets drown in backyard pools each year (quite a staggering number). Here are some pet safety tips in order to prevent accidental drowning. 

1. Install a fence. Installing a fence around the perimeter of your pool is the first step to preventing your pets & children from accidentally falling in a swimming pool. These fences are available for both in ground and above ground pools.

2. Use a pool alarm. These alarms will let you know if the water is disturbed in your pool. You can purchase a floating alarm or one that can be installed directly onto your swimming pool.

Is your dog pacing nervously, barking excessively, chewing objects, whimpering, urinating or defecating in the house or persistently licking paws? Then your dog may be experiencing anxiety which can be triggered by loud noises, stress, grief, moving, separation or fears. Herbs can be just what mother nature ordered, especially if you have a dog suffering from continuous bouts of anxiety. There are many all natural herbs that we have found to help with calming an anxious and nervous dog. Here are a few safe, all natural, anti-anxiety herb remedies that may offer up some stress relief. These herbs can be found at most natural health food stores.

1. Chamomile. Give  your dog chamomile tea, or mix chamomile in with their food.  Chamomile will calm your stressed & anxious dog and act as a mild sedative.

2. Oats. Oats are not only healthy for your dog but a great natural and safe remedy to help calm your pup.  Mix fully cooked oats with your dog's food.

3. Lavender. The scent of lavender works wonder to sooth and calm a anxious dog. Put lavender essential oil on a cotton ball or cloth and put it in an area where your dog is frequently, but out of paws reach.

4.  Bach Rescue Remedy. A blend of herbs,  is a safe, gentle, all-natural form of healing that can reduce your pet's stress.

5. Valerian. Safe herb that you can use to calm dogs who have trouble with extreme excitability, anxiety and tension. You can purchase Valerian in tinctures, teas and capsules. Take the tincture or powder from the capsule and mix it into your dog's food or  brew a tea for him to drink (make sure tea is cooled down before serving).

As always consult with holistic vet for proper dosage amounts & advice.

______________________________

Shop Safe & Securely!

We are proud to inform our customers that we now have an Extended Validation SSL Certificate. What does it mean to be EVSSL certified?  When shoppers visit a Web site secured with an EV SSL Certificate, high-security browsers will trigger the address bar to turn green and display the name of the organization listed in the certificate as well as the Certificate Authority. The browser and the Certificate Authority control the display, making it difficult for phishers and counterfeiters to hijack your brand and your customers.

NEW! PRICE-MATCH GUARANTEE!

We are so confident that we offer the best prices at bestbullysticks.com that we now match ANY online vendor price on any item we sell!

If you find anything on bestbullysticks.com for less on another website (excluding Amazon and Ebay), let us know and we’ll credit the difference to you. It must be the same item. For bulk items, we’ll try our best to match the price. Email us at bbinfo@bestbullysticks.com with any questions or to take advantage of this great new service.

Refer-A-Friend now offering a 6% discount per referral

Many of you have taken advantage of our Refer-a-Friend/Family Member program, and we extend our heartfelt thanks for that-it’s the biggest compliment you can give us.

Are you new to Refer-A-Friend? It’s simple! Here’s how it works:
*Your friend or family member places their first order with Best Bully Sticks.
*On that first order, your friend or family member types your name and the words “Refer-A-Friend” in the “Comments” section.
*We send you a coupon code for 6% off when their order is placed!

There are no limits to the Refer-A-Friend promotion, so you save 6% off our products every time a new friend or family member places their first order!

Do you have a bone to pick with us?

Our dog chews & bones are all natural, and from either Brazilian or US meat sources. If you have a highly aggressive chewers then you came to the right place. Your dogs will fall in love with our grrreat selection, while you go gaga over our amazing prices! We are constantly adding new dog bones & chews, so make sure to check back often. Better yet sign up for our newsletter and receive the inside scoop on new products, special saving & discounts & stay up to date on Best Bully Sticks happenings for 2010. We have some wonderful things in store worth barking about, so sniff around our site daily!

Offering you more of the best of the best-with your input!

Since you are our most valuable resource and we want Best Bully Sticks to be your go-to source for great pooch stuff, we need your help! Please let us know what you think we should offer, and how you think we can improve our website, for your best possible shopping experience with us. We will carefully consider all ideas.

Give the gift of  a good chew.  Delicious & all natural, the way nature intended!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course our  bully sticks . Try our NEW All Natural Free Range Odor free bully sticks!

A picture is worth a thousand words, or shall we say free bully sticks!

Our photo gallery is growing constantly, please submit a photo of your dog enjoying any of our products to enter our twice monthly contest! Each month we will have a drawing on those customers who submitted pictures to the gallery and a winner will be chosen and posted on the site. The winner will win more bully sticks!

Bark the Word! Join the Best Bully Sticks Free Affiliate Program & Earn 6% Commission or 6% Product Discount