Best Bully Sticks Launches Brake-Fast Dog Bowls

Best Bully Sticks Launches Brake-Fast Dog Bowls

We are pleased to announce the launch of Brake-Fast dog bowls on Best Bully Sticks!   These bowls are innovative, award-winning, and a healthy option for quick eaters!  The bowls, which are made by a company in Virginia Beach, are made from either plastic or metal and come in a variety of sizes.  The benefit of these bowls are the physical obstacles placed in them to require dogs to slow down when eating their food.

According to the manufacturer Brake-Fast Bowls:

1. Helps reduce the risk of Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or 'Bloat')
2. Slower eating makes an animal feel more full and reduces instances of 're-eating'
3. Veterinarian tested and recommended
4. Works with kibble or canned food
5. Elegant, no-tip shape
6. Durable, dishwasher safe plastic

We think that this a great, new, innovative product that provides a healthy alternative for quick eaters!

Please check out our growing selection of all sorts of dog related items and be sure to check back often as we plan new releases on a weekly basis!

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Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed: French Mastiff aka Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff

Picture of Beautiful French Mastiff Scarlett (photo by @stellascarlett)

Height: Males 23½ to 27 in &  females 22½ to 25½ in

Weight: Males 110 lbs & females 99 lbs

Coat:short, fine, and soft to the touch.

Color: They can come in shades of fawn (light, coppery red) to mahogany (dark, brownish red) with a black, brown or red mask. White markings are permitted on the tips of the toes and on the chest, but white on any other part of the body is considered a fault, and a disqualifying one if the pigmentation goes beyond the neck.

Appearance: The French Mastiff (aka Dogue de Bordeaux, Bordeaux Mastiff) looks quite intimidating, and indeed, it can be so. These dogs have a rectangular appearance and generally stand between 25 and 30 inches tall at the shoulder. Many specimens weigh in around 145 pounds. They have fairly thick tails that taper to a point that stretches down to the back of their hocks. Their build is stocky and powerful, but their most impressive feature is their heads.

The ideal head is massive and equipped with strong jaws. Loose jowls cause these dogs to drool. The eyes are oval-shaped and wide-set. Their skin is fairly loose and quite thick with significant wrinkles on the head, face and neck. The ears are relatively short and hang downward.

Temperament: The French Mastiff is calm, balanced and affectionate. Breeders have softened the temperament of this dog quite a bit from his original ferocity; today the Bordeaux has a good and calm temperament. This breed is extremely loyal, patient and devoted to its family. It makes a first class watch and guard dog. Despite its fearsome appearance, the French Mastiff is gentle with children and family members. This dog can be very aggressive with other dogs. Socialization at an early age is a must. It is highly recommended that this dog become fully obedience trained, requires an experienced owner. It is highly intelligent and learns quickly although it can be quite stubborn. Once the French Mastiff learns a command it rarely forgets it.

Health: The life expectancy for French Mastiff is about 10-12  years. As with many heavy dogs, hip dysplasia is a significant problem. Dogues de Bordeaux are also susceptible to some forms of cancer. One breed-specific ailment has to do with the Dogue's larger-than-average head, which can cause trouble for female Dogues during the birthing process. Veterinary assistance should usually be secured if you plan to breed your Dogues de Bordeaux--the breed has a fairly high litter size, but problems with birthing (and with the extremely large dogs accidentally crushing or smothering their litters) can reduce this very quickly.

If you would like to recommend a dog breed for our next Best Bully Sticks spotlight on a breed please send us an email or tweet @bestbullysticks

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews, and of course our  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!

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Bully Stick Alert-Bully Sticks or Buffalo Sticks from India

Bully Stick Alert: Bully Sticks or Buffalo Sticks from India

Please know you sources!  There is now a huge influx of "bully sticks and other natural treats" coming into the US market from India.  Several private labeled brands in the US are advertising these products as free-range, grass fed, and all natural.  The Indian buffalo market (not even beef) is unregulated and has several health concerns that we will discuss below.  Several companies have approached us, from India, offering lower costs of raw material, but we are committed to a high quality natural product; so we have decided to use only free-range beef from Brazil for our chews.

The bully sticks that we sell are only from cattle considered “green cattle” as they are not given hormones or fed corn, which cattle are not accustom to.  Our cattle graze freely on open grass fields and grow naturally. Products from India are almost always sun-dried, not baked and are not regulated like the bully sticks we offer on our site.  Although, it is much cheaper to sun dry bully sticks and other natural treats, the bad outweighs the good.  Our bully sticks are vertically baked to drain any residual liquid from the product.  Sun dried product is many times laid horizontally, out in the sun, so residual liquid remains in the product. This product typically has a high level of odor to it (a urine smell), or a chemical added to it to help with the smell.  There is also higher potential for diseases, such as foot and mouth disease, and the finished product is routinely affected with bacteria because the products temperature during cooking is not well regulated.  Also, because they are exposed to the environment, there is a great chance of bugs.  Although our treats are sometimes more expensive, the quality of the product remains high, and you do not have to worry about any of these issues with our products.

Many people ask why not make bully sticks from North American cattle?  The reason for this is that not only is it expensive, but most of the cattle in the US is kept in feedlots and encouraged to grow at a much faster rate (growth hormones) than is natural.  In addition, the US has very little grazing land, which forces farmers to over populate grazing areas.

Prior to purchasing any bully stick products you should first ask your pet store or online vendors the country of origin for their bully sticks and treats.  Don’t worry; they are legally obligated to inform you. We think your dogs’ health is most important, which is why we pay close attention to these types of details and only offer products that we feel comfortable feeding our own dogs.

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Canine Diabetes in Dogs: Symptoms, Causes & Treatments: 101 Dog Care Tips- Tip 23

Canine diabetes, is when a dog's body is unable to make enough blood sugar to survive. Dog diabetes is nearly identical to Type II diabetes in humans. Known as a silent killer, if not detected is a serious disease that strikes both people & dogs and if left untreated can cause serious health complications. The key to prevention is first knowing the symptoms & causes for canine diabetes. So, we are here to help by giving you the facts which can ultimately save your pets life.

Its important for all pet owners to recognize the signs of diabetes so you can seek proper vet care. But do keep in mind to always seek the advice of your vet for a proper diagnoses since many ailments can have similar symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Canine Diabetes? Here are a list of symptoms that are diabetes red flags and if your dog has any multiple of these symptoms seek a vet immediately for proper care.

1. Extreme thirst. This is the body's attempt to rid itself of excess glucose.

2. Frequent urination. The dog may even have accidents in the house because he's unable to hold it long enough to get outside.

3. Shivering or shakiness can be a symptom of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, which is an emergency. Wrap the pet in a blanket to keep him warm, and take him to the vet right away.

4. Unexplained weight loss, even though the dog is eating ravenously.

5. Weakness and lethargy. The pet is tired all the time, and seems to have lost interest in life.

6. Lowered resistance to infections. Recurring urinary tract infections are common in diabetic dogs because the high sugar content in the urine encourages bacterial growth.

7. Breath smells sweet or fruity. If the dog's breath smells like nail polish remover, this is a symptom of ketoacidosis, which requires immediate veterinary treatment.

8. Abdominal Pain. Some owners notice that the dog will yell when getting up or lying down, or when petted in the abdominal area. Damage to the pancreas is the reason for the pain.

9. Sudden Cataracts. Cataract forms when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy and opaque resulting in blindness, vision loss & impairment. When diabetes strikes, the blood sugar levels rise all over the body. Glucose in the eyeball is absorbed into the lens. In turn, this causes the lens to absorb more water, which causes the cloudiness and vision loss in cataracts.

Pinpointing the causes of diabetes can lower your pets risk of developing this disease.  So what are the causes of canine diabetes?

1. Canine Obesity. Dogs that are overweight have a higher risk of getting diabetes. If your dog is obese, his body will require an increased amount of insulin; when the required amount exceeds the amount your dog's pancreas can produce, the result is diabetes.

Your dog should be eating a high-quality canned food high in fiber and low in fats and carbohydrates. Some dog owners are even going the extra mile by making their own dog food. We know it can be tempting with those puppy eyes, but avoid feeding table scraps and treats, which are very high in sugar.

2. Reproductive Hormones. Fluctuations in your dog's hormonal cycle can disrupt insulin regulation. Therefore, spaying your dog not only curbs the problem of pet overpopulation, but can reduce your dogs risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. Particularly, middle-aged females are 2-3 times more likely to develop diabetes in canines than male dogs are. The hormone estrogen  can interfere with insulin production.

3. Dogs Breed Genetically Predisposed. Although any dog can develop diabetes, there are certain breeds at higher risk for developing diabetes. The list includes: Dachshunds, Miniature pinchers, Golden retrievers, Beagles, Keeshonds, German shepherds, Poodles, Schnauzers, Cairn terriers, Cocker spaniels.

4. Steroids. If your dog is being given regular doses of glucocorticoids or progestagens, he could develop diabetes. Steroids can disrupt pancreas function, causing the under-production of insulin.

5. Illness. Diabetes can be triggered by another illness. If your dog already suffers from certain conditions, such as chronic pancreatitis or Cushing's disease, she is at higher risk for developing diabetes.

What is treatment for diabetes?

Management of your dogs diabetes starts first with a proper diet that consist of  low fat and low sugar meals.  Speak with your vet to determine a strict eating regimin of what your dog should or should not be ingesting. It will be necessary to feed the dog twice a day to avoid dips and spikes in blood sugar levels. You will also have to learn how to monitor the pet's blood glucose levels, and also how to give insulin shots twice a day.

Daily, consistent & low impact excercise such as walking or swimming is a great natural way to regulate your dogs blood sugar levels & trim the waistline. Consult your vet prior to setting up a canine excercise program for your diabetic pup. As always keep a close eye on your dog to make sure your dog does not suffer from hypoglycemia. Sure sign that your dogs blood sugar levels are low is dizziness and shakiness. One trick is to carry  little syrup or honey in a dropper to squirt in the pet's mouth or to rub on the gum's to increase the blood sugar to normal levels.

Here are a list of natural herbs straight from mother nature can be helpful in controlling your dogs diabetes:

1. Fenugreek is high in fiber, which slows down digestion causing glucose to enter  the bloodstream more slowly, preventing spikes in blood sugar after a meal. This herb stimulates the release of insulin. It also slows down the enzymes that break down carbohydrates, which helps to regulate blood glucose levels.

2. Goat's Rue herb helps lower blood glucose levels & reduce the risk of cataracts in dogs

3. Astragulus is a herb that helps regulates blood glucose levels & reduce the risk of cataracts. It also helps supports the immune system reducing your dogs risk of getting urinary tract & infections.

Remember that being diagnosed with diabetes does not mean the end of the world for you & your dog. Good news!! With proper diet, regular vet checkups, and being aware of causes & symptoms your dog can live a long healthy life!

Please make sure to check out our growing selection of dog treats, dog chews and of course bully sticks. Also, don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for Best Bully Stick News, New Products & Discounts!!

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Best Bully Sticks Launches New Lamb Lung Dog Treats

Best Bully Sticks Launches New Lamb Lung Dog Treats

If your dog loves Baa Baa Q's or lamb treats they will be sure to love our puffed lamb lung. These treats are high in protein and low in fat and help provide the energy that your dog needs. These treats are also great for puppies and older dogs because of their soft, melt in your mouth consistency. They are great for training treats because they can easily be broken into smaller pieces. They are from US lambs and are processed in a USDA approved, human grade facility. These come in either a 1 lb. or 2 lb. resealable zip lock bag.

We cut these in thinner pieces than a typical lamb lung on the slicer so they won't be as thick as others, but there are more of them in the bag!

Organ meats like lamb lungs are extremely high in nutrition and protein like taurine so they make great healthy options for training treats!

Please make sure to checkout our growing selection of Lamb Dog Treats primarily made from US free ranging lamb; so far they have all been a hit!  As always, if there is something you find out there that you would like us to carry please let us know and we will look into it!

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