BBS Recognizes Pet Poison Prevention Week

March is slated as Pet Poison Prevention Month, and this week as it’s focus week. To help you understand how serious this topic is one statistic from the ASPCA reports in 2012 more than 180,000 incidents potential pet poisonings were reported. BestBullySticks.com knows nothing can curb your dog’s natural tendency toward curiosity but many of these cases could have been prevented. What sort of substances were involved in the 2012 cases?

Top 10 Toxins from 2012

1. Prescription Human Medications
2. Insecticides
3. Over-the-Counter Human Medications
4. Veterinary Products & Medications
5. Household Cleaners/Products
6. Human Food
7. Chocolate
8. Plants
9. Rodenticides
10. 10. Lawn & Garden Products

Prevention

So how do you prevent incidents of poisoning in your home? Your dog is precious to you and your family. Follow these easy steps:

Use Pet-Friendly Products & Medications Only
Make sure you’re using pet-friendly products on your dog. Only use specially formulated products for Fido unless prescribed or recommended by your vet. Also, don’t use other pet’s medications. For example, don’t use cat flea and tick medication on your dog. These are formulated differently.

Out of Reach, Out of Mind
Keep hazardous substances out of your pet’s way. Your pet won’t be able to get to your medications if in a high cabinet or tucked away in a drawer. Even your pet’s medications should be put up and away as many meds have meat flavorings.

This tip goes for more common things like trashcans, too. If your dog is highly curious, make sure your trash can or other potential areas of concern are locked up tight. Read more

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Dog Care 101 Tip #205: Natural Pet Stain Removal

You have a good dog, but as one of the great laws of nature states, “accidents happen” and inevitably—your dog is going to pee on the carpet. Whether your dog is a puppy learning, an older dog or just couldn’t get the to door quick enough, there will inevitably be an “uh-oh” on the rug. So how do you clean it up and clean it up well? BestBullySticks.com is here to help with some natural cleaning solutions for pet stain removal.

Treat the Stain ASAP

Using newspaper, eco-friendly paper towel or a rag, blot the stain from the outside to the inside to pick up moisture. If you’re dealing with carpet or a rug, try to get to all layers of flooring including padding. The most important part of pet stain removal is not only removing the stain but the smell. If the smell still exists after you clean, your dog has the potential to return to this spot and eliminate again.

Homemade Pet Stain Removers for Carpets & Rugs

Make your own pet stain remover from items you most likely have in your kitchen cupboard.

• Baking Soda: You already know baking soda as a natural odor remover, so why not use it on pet stains? Throw soda into your wash if your dog has soiled machine-washable items. You can also use baking soda in the first step in carpet or rug treatment. Sprinkle soda onto the pet stain and allow it to soak up any remaining moisture. After awhile, vacuum up the soda and follow one of the following treatments.

• Hydrogen Peroxide: Mix 12 ounces of Hydrogen Peroxide, ½ teaspoon natural dish soap and 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda in a spray bottle and spray away! Let this solution cover the stain and let air dry completely. Vacuum up any remaining solution.

• Rosemary Oil: Melt a bar of castile soap and mix with equal parts rubbing alcohol and rosemary essential oil. Allow the solution to thoroughly combine use on a rag to blot the area or use in a spray bottle. Using Rosemary essential oil will discourage your dog from eliminating in the area again.

• Vinegar: After the original baking soda treatment, combine warm water and vinegar in a 1:1 ratio. Use this mixture to blot with a rag or use in a spray bottle.

Stain & Odor Removal for Hardwood Floors

• Removing dog stains and odor from hardwood floors is much easier.
• Remove any solids or wipe up with a rag
• Using a cloth and warm, sudsy water clean the affected area
• Wipe the area again with a cloth and clear, cool water.
• Dry with a clean cloth

If you believe your dog’s indoor accidents are due to medical accidents, see your vet. Your dog could also be eliminating indoors because of stress such as adjusting to a move or a new baby in the house. Read our blog on House Training An Adult Dog for step on how to retrain your pup.

Bully Sticks are a great way to reward your dog for good behaviors. Check out our full line of all-natural dog treats and chews at bestbullysticks.com.

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What’s Hot This Week @ BestBullySticks

From BestBullySticks.com

Twisted Steer Pizzle
Sourced from: Australia

Individual: $2.79
5-Pack: $13.55
10-Pack: $26.82

If you're looking for an alternative to bully sticks, our Best Bully Sticks Twisted Beef Pizzle chews are just the thing! These beefy chews are made from 100% all-natural grass fed, free ranging cattle. Twisted Beef Pizzle is free of hormones and preservatives, high in protein, and low in calories. Your dog is sure to love it!

Alaska Natural Wild Salmon Meal Dog Treats
Made in America!

3 oz bag: $5.14
24 oz jar: $23.68
 

Alaska Naturals Wild Salmon Meal Dog Treats are sure to be a hit, whether your pooch is big or small. They contain no artificial preservatives, wheat and grain free, no cheap fillers or flours, no coloring, or harmful by-products.

These tasty treats are loaded with Omega fatty acids, protein, and powerful antioxidants, which occur naturally in the salmon and berries. Your pup is sure to get a turbo-boost of health!

No farmed fish - ever. Just pure wild Alaskan salmon. Alaska Naturals catches the fish each year with their own fleet, so they control the entire process, from the boat to the store. You're guaranteed that care is put into every treat they make!

Product of the Week!

Thin Bully Stick Knotted Bone
Sourced from: Brazil

25% off
Was: $3.74
Now: $2.81

Here's the perfect bully chew for little mouths!

Our Thin Bully Stick Knotted Bones are ideal for smaller breeds of dog. They're about the thickness of a number two pencil, making them the perfect size for your little buddy. The knots at either end are a fun challenge! Like all of our bully stick chews, they're 100% all-natural and sourced from free-ranging grass fed Brazilian cattle. Regular chewing promotes healthy teeth and gums!

Always supervise your dog while they enjoy bully sticks. These chews are best for small dogs, but larger dogs will love them too!

Think we're doing a great job? Leave a your review on Yelp to tell us how we're doing! 

On the BestBullySticks Healthy Dog Blog

Did you miss any of the Bark-tastic blogs this week? Check out these great topics this weekend! 

Dog Care Tip #204: Organizing Dog Supplies

Rescue Spotlight: Adopt-A-Boxer Rescue

Weekly Drool Recipe: Berry Good Muffins from Doggy Dessert Chef

Breed Spotlight: Brussels Griffon 

AND! Don't forget to play in the BBS Easter Egg Hunt for a chance to win Free Bully Sticks for a Year! Click here for details!

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BBS Breed Spotlight: Brussels Griffon

When you think “toy breed” what do you think? Pampered pups? Petite and dainty? High maintenance? While all these things may be true for some toy breeds, they’re not true for all; especially the Brussels Griffon. BestBullySticks.com thinks you’ll be impressed with this highly affectionate, intelligent and unique looking pup. Read on to learn more about the Brussels Griffon in the BBS Breed Spotlight!

History & Background: Hailing from Brussels, Belgium the Brussels Griffon’s ancestors were used as stable workers to keep rodent populations down. This Affenpinscher-like dog was later bred with the Pug, King Charles Spaniel and Ruby Spaniels to produce two distinct varieties of dogs—smooth and rough coated. This dog is also called the Griffon Bruxellois. Gradually the Brussels Griffon became a regular member of the family. There are old folk tales and songs telling of “bearded dogs” which refer to the spirited Brussels Griffon. Through WWI and WWII the Griffon largely decreased in numbers yet was brought back from the brink of extinction by dedicated UK enthusiasts. To this day the Brussels Griffon is a rare dog yet in the past decades has enjoyed a little more popularity in the United States. This is due to Griffons appearance in the movies and TV shows such as As Good as It Gets, Gosford Park, Sweet November, Spin City, and First Wives Club. The general interest in toy breed dogs has also heightened the interest toward the Brussels Griffon.

Height: 7 to 8 inches

Weight: 8 to 10 pounds

Coat: The rough coated Brussels Griffon has dense, wiry and hard fur. The coat shouldn’t be overly long and should have no silky hair. The head is covered with slightly longer hair, especially around the eyes, nose, cheeks and chin. This gives the Griffon a fringe. The smooth coated variety has short, straight and glossy hair with no wiry fur. These dog are referred to as Brabancon.

Color: Griffons only come in 4 colors/color combinations.

1. Red: This color combination is a reddish brown and can feature black at the whiskers and/or chin.
2. Beige: Black and red/brown mixture make up the beige coloring, which can also show a black mask and whiskers.
3. Black & Tan: This combination is black with consistent red/brown markings under the chin, on the legs, above the eyes and around ear edges and vent.
4. Black

Appearance: Small, but sturdy, the Brussels Griffon is a square and short dog with strong bones and a proud head. Large, black eyes and small, erect ears give this dog an alert expression. The Griffon has a domed head and short nose. Straight and well-muscled legs hold this dog’s thick body. Griffons have level backs and deep ribs. This dog’s tail is high and is usually docked.

Temperament: The Brussels Griffon has lots of personality. This cheerful, highly affectionate dog is naturally curious, spunky and very intelligent. These dogs are highly sensitive and should be socialized early but carefully. Griffons usually bond with one person more than others.

Health & Grooming: Griffons usually live 10 to 15 years and are generally healthy. Some health issues this breed may experience can be eye and respiratory problems, heat sensitivity and difficulty whelping.

The rough-coated variety of the Brussels Griffon will require more maintenance than dogs with smooth coats. Griffons shed little hair to none at all.

Product Suggestions: For a rare dog, try a well-known favorite—the 6 inch standard bully stick. A perfect daily dental dog chew for your toy-sized, this half-foot of free-range, grass-fed beef will have your Brussels Griffon hooked!

For a great dog toy, check out the Pet Qwerks Small Jingle X-Tire Ball dog toy. It's made out of rugged tire that's easy for dogs to pick up and fetch. The jingle bell hidden inside the tire will keep your pet enthralled for hours!

Do you know or own a Brussels Griffon? Tell us your Griffon story in the comments section below!

Curious about a dog breed? Check out our full list of Breed Spotlights to learn about some amazing dog breeds!

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Weekly Drool Recipe: Berry Good Muffins

Spring is right around the corner and you’ll be able to experience it through all your senses. Smell the flowers, hear the birds, feel the sun on your face, see the bright blue sky and green grass and taste berries! It’s almost fresh berry season! We at BestBullySticks.com are ready for spring and it’s berries to get here. We know you don’t want to leave your dog out so we’re sharing Doggy Dessert Chef’s great Berry Good Muffins dog treat recipe!

I think the dogs only got three of these berry good dog muffins, they taste great with honey so it’s a recipe that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Blueberries
• 1/2 cup Raspberries
• 1/2 cup Strawberries
• 1 cup Milk
• 2 1/3 cup Whole Wheat Flour
• 1/3 cup Honey
• 1/4 cup Vegetable Oil
• 1 Egg
• 4 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease muffin tins.

2. In a large bowl mix milk, oil, honey then add egg.

3. In a separate bowl mix wheat flour and baking powder, once well mixed add to wet mixture. Once mixed add vanilla and fold in fruit.

4. Fill greased muffin tins about 1/3 full and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the center springs back when touched.

Allow to cool on a wire rack and refrigerate.

Bone Appétit & Enjoy!

Recipe and photo courtesy of Doggy Dessert Chef.

Check out all the tasty dog treats in our Weekly Drool Recipe category! Remember to check out all bully sticks for an every day treat for your dog!

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