Dog Health

Zukes All Natural Dog Treats

We just started to carry the Zuke's brand of dog treats and have found a great customer response and reaction to the product already!  Zuke's are all natural and made in the US which is becoming rarer and rarer these days.  We have started our offering by bringing in the Mini Natural's and the Hip Action dog treats.  Both of these treats are excellent training treats which can be used in the field with ease. 

 The Zuke's Mini Natural are cylindrical shaped treats that are about 3/8" in length and height.  We carry these in both the salmon and peanut butter variety.  The Zuke's Hip Action treats are rectangles that are about 1" in length and width.  We carry these treats in the beef and peanut butter flavors.  These are great because they have a measured amount of both Glucosamine and Chondroitin infused into the product.  Both of these substances are great at maintaining and improving joint health and mobility.  The beef trachea that we carry on the site are also a great way to utilize the raw form of Glucosamine and Chondroitin!

We are happy to add these products to our ever growing catalog of all natural dog chews and treats.  If you have any suggestions for other products people would find appealing please let us know!

Dog Treats For Raw Food Diets

Raw feeding is becoming more and more popular as dog owners try to get their dogs back to their natural diet, and I wanted to point out some treats and chews that I think compliment raw feeding well.

Baa-Baa Q's

Baa-Baa-Q's are dried lamb lungs and are a great treat for dogs on a raw food diet because they are 100% natural and they are organ meat. Baa-Baa Q's are especially great for older dogs as they break down quickly as saliva is introduced to them. I give these routinely as supplemental treats to my own raw feeding program.

All Natural Dog Chews

All of the natural chews that we offer on best bully sticks like beef trachea, tendons, and bully sticks. All of these treats are all natural, high in protein, and some like the trachea have the added health benefit of naturally occurring glucosamine for joint health. All of the chews will also naturally help in keeping a dogs teeth and gums healthy!

Healthy Dog Treats

Lastly, we highly recommend all of the natural dog treats provided by Plato Dog Treats. These are the healthiest dog treats that we have been able to find and they are made in the US (something that is becoming a sad rarity these days in the pet treat business!).

Antlerz and Bones - Will They Splinter ?

This is my second post for the weekly question and answer series.

 We are commonly asked this question and wanted to share our answer in the blog.  Starting with bones; bones are a common dog chew and can vary from femur bones, shin bones, knuckle bones, etc.....they are safe to eat as a dog chew as long as they are not cooked.  Once a bone is cooked (like in soup) its likelihood of splintering and becoming dangerous is magnified greatly.  However, as long as the bone is a "raw" bone it is safe to chew.  I do recommend watching how your dog chews on the bone to make sure that they are gnawing as opposed to biting on it. 

Antlerz are totally different from bones as they are grown naturally on deer.  They are comprised of many different rings of mineral deposits.  The cross section of the Antlerz looks kind of like a tree trunk with many rings around its end.  The antler wears down gradually over time from saliva and gnawing.  An Antlerz chew should last any dog between 4-12 weeks.  They are an awesome chew and totally healthy and safe for your dogs! 

About the Author

Avrum Elmakis is the owner of Best Bully Sticks, a leading provider of dog treats, bully sticks, antlerz, and other dog chews and treats. They can be found online at: http://www.bestbullysticks.com .

While there are many things to consider when you have decided to bring home a new dog, the first thing you have to pick is which breed is right for you. With that in mind, here are a few things to think about when selecting which breed is best for you and your home.

Size

The size of the dog you choose can depend on a number of factors. How big is your home? Do you have a yard? How big is your yard if you do have one? What size dog do you have an interest in taking home? Keep in mind that while that Golden Retriever is cute and sweet, he requires a lot more space to live than the Boston Terrier you're also considering.

Hair

When considering a dog, look around your home and consider if you would like your carpets and furniture covered in the fur of your dog. While many breeds of dogs, both long haired and short haired, don't shed overly much, just about every dog is going to shed a little bit. Keep that in mind and pick accordingly, as it could be the difference between you choosing a Saint Bernard and a Chihuahua.

Temperament

How do you want your dog to interact not only with you, but with strangers and other dogs? While there is no such thing as a bad dog, some breeds are more aggressive than others with a larger prey drive to hunt. If you have small children, or are around small children, keep in mind how the dog you select will interact with them. Again, there's no such thing as a "bad" dog, but some breeds are better suited to being around small children because of increased patience.

Overall Health

Keep in mind that dogs, just like people, do get sick. Some breeds, just like some people, are more prone to genetic defects and will require medical care as they get older. While you should always expect to keep your dog for its entire life, do some research and make sure you know what some of the common health issues are for the breed of dog you select. It helps to know if they'll just need bully sticks to help with their teeth and gums or hip replacement surgery.

Intelligence/Trainability

Some dogs are more easily trained then others. With some, a few dog treats along with some basic commands and they're ready to sit, lie down, and play dead. Others are going to require a bit more work to not only teach tricks, but to housebreak. While patience will be required to train any breed of dog, some breeds are just naturally more intelligent than others and will have a smaller learning curve than others. Keep in mind how much time you're willing to spend training your new dog to perform the way you want when selecting a breed.

Amount of Exercise Needed

Every dog needs to be walked, but different breeds will require more exercise than others. Keep in mind how often your dog will need to be walked just to use the bathroom versus how much they need to exercise for reasons of health. Having a backyard is great, but it's no substitute for a brisk walk and being played with. Figure in how much time your schedule will allow you to walk and play with your new dog when considering the perfect breed for you.

Purebred or Mixed Breed

The decision to give a home to a dog that is purebred or mixed breed is one of personal taste. While a purebred ensures you get the dog you're looking for with traits you're expecting, mixed breed dogs are often healthier than purebred dogs as they tend to receive the best traits of their different breeds.

While some mixed breeds are now being intentionally bred (like Labradoodles and Puggles), most mixed breeds aren't planned and often result in interesting mixes. If there isn't a specific breed you prefer, considering a mixed breed dog is a good way to find the traits from different breeds that you like all in one dog.

Give the Gift of a Home

No matter what dog you choose, there's nothing better than giving a home to a puppy or dog in need. Remember to stock up on dog treats, chews, food, and, of course, bully sticks to make your new dog feel right at home. Keep in mind that there are a number of different sites like PetFinder that can help you find the dog you're looking for. Always consider your local animal shelter before turning to a breeder, but above all, make sure you get the pet you want.

We are frequently asked by our customers what items sell the best and what dogs seem to prefer; so we put together a Top Ten List highlighting our Suggestions:

10. Bully Bites- A fun treat or snack

9. Pig Ears-They have been around forever and all dogs like them 8. Open Gullets-These are like beef jerky for dogs

7. Shin Bones-A must for entertaining larger dogs

6. Chicken Fillets-Great treats that last a while and come in value sizes

5. Beef Tendons or Curly Bully Sticks- the friction of the curly ones is great for the teeth and gums

4. Sam’s Yam’s-Sweet Potato Treats, and Other Sweet Potato dog treats like Duck and Sweet Potato

3. Stuffed gullets are always a fun treat/chew that your dog is sure to enjoy (Bronze)

2. A proven healthy winner –Trachea and Stuffed Trachea (Silver)

1. A dog’s all time favorite is of course a bully stick!!! (GOLD)