Tag: dogs

If you didn’t know already, Best Bully Sticks is all about using the fewest, yet highest quality ingredients possible for all of our treats, chews, toys and supplies.  A wonderful side effect of having all-natural conscious customers, is knowing that most of those customers also care about the environment, and so do we. Best Bully Sticks has made a continued effort to be as environmentally responsible with the way we run our company. In honor of Earth Day and the events surrounding the “green” weeks around the nation, we decided to tell our readers and customers about the “Green” Best Bully Sticks.com. 

1. We recycle all our cardboard boxes! In all honesty, Richmond, Virginia is a city that hasn’t had the best recycling track record, but new initiatives in the city are making recycling easier for all individuals. One of these includes an expanded Waste Management team. A truck comes by our warehouse every week pick up all of our discarded cardboard. And we go through A LOT of cardboard every week.  On Earth Day, this past Sunday the 22^nd, we pledged we would recycle 90% of all our cardboard boxes!

2. We recycle office paper, bottles, and cans! Our office staff recycles all our scrap paper that would otherwise fill our trashcans. We also recycle our soda cans, juice bottles and any other aluminums and plastics. Every Friday we take the bins the recycling center down the street to responsibly dispose of our waste products.

3. Our work pods are made from recyclable materials! Best Bully Sticks employees work at Herman Miller workstations that are 59% recyclable.  Our workstations weigh 1/3 less than a traditional workstation system and contain 27% pre-recycled materials. The workstations even break down to small parts, which make it easier to recycle down the road. Our desk systems can even earn LEED credits.

Best Bully Sticks values environmental responsibility and we are always trying to think of new ways to reduce, reuse and recycle in our offices. We want to help make the earth a cleaner, healthier place so we and our dogs can enjoy the earth longer!

What do you do to support the environment? Comment below and tell us how!

Best Bully Sticks thinks you should start off your weekend right! This Adorable Video of a Mama Husky and her pup, playing will do just that. Enjoy & have a great weekend!

With decorations strung across the mantle, mistletoe & finger licking dishes galore. Not to mention tree's a glow and beautifully adorned with glistening ornaments you & your pet are sure to get in the Holiday spirit. However, festive eye catching decorations are bound to catch the playful attention of the family pet. Whiskers can't resist climbing great heights to bat at the fragile tree ornaments, while Fido can't resist the fun urge to use them as chew toys. But what's really on your dogs mind & stomach is his hankering appetite for the Christmas ham. Tis is the time for season's eatings!

We have all heard Christmas horror stories of a Christmas tree being knocked over by a rambunctious dog running through the room or playing tug of woof with a string of lights. Of course, your dog always wins leaving the tree & decorations toppling down. TIMBER!! Or perhaps, your Christmas dinner has fallen victim to your pups hungry appetite leaving your empty stomach growling for leftovers, but there aren't any.  No one wants these scenarios being played out or repeated again this year!

So, we were so happy to come across a wonderful insightful Christmas article that gives tips on having a safe, healthy, happy and festive Holiday with the loving pets in our lives. Let the countdown begin! The Twelve days of Christmas isn't complete without the  ”twelve pet tips of Christmas” to help keep your dog and cat safe during the eventful holiday season.

1. Anticipate your guest's arrivals and confine your dog to prevent it from escaping or worse yet “soiling” your guest’s clothes with an unwanted jump.

2. Reduce your dog's stress by maintaining its regular feeding and exercise routine. Develop a routine for your dog during holiday parties. A special treat in a special room of your house works well.

3. Put packages out of reach! Dogs who smell food in a package will rip it open. Food is the number one holiday hazard for dogs. The foods that we eat can cause havoc on an animal's intestines. Put away children's toys after they are opened. Ingested toys can cause choking and may have to be removed through surgery.

4. Tell guests not to share indulgences with your pet. Poultry skin, fat trimmings, rich gravies, and buttery sauces can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, or even worse, a life threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Also, remember that an ounce of alcoholic beverage can put a small dog into a coma.

5. Stow chocolate candy or baking ingredients out of reach. Chocolate is the most common toxicity treat during the holidays. Small amounts cause problems. Larger amounts can cause above normal heart rhythms, nervous system malfunctions, and even death. Secure your garbage in bins with tight lids. (This is a good habit to get into all year!) A dog can chew up holiday garbage, which can result in intestinal problems.

6. Buy only decorating products that are labeled non-toxic.

7. Secure large trees to the wall to prevent tipping, or consider a smaller tree that can fit on a tabletop.

8. Remember that stomach problems can be caused by popcorn and gumdrops. Avoid using these strings of edible decorations.

9. Fasten all your tree decorations securely, with the more fragile ones at the top. Dogs who chew these can suffer cuts in their mouth from broken ornaments.

10. Return paper and other gift wrapping materials to their storage places after gift wrapping is finished.

11. Place holiday plants out of reach and vacuum often. Poinsettia can cause drooling, oral pain, and vomiting. Mistletoe causes vomiting, labored breathing, shock, and death from cardiovascular collapse. When animals eat the needles from real or fake trees, they can also get intestinal blockage.

12. Display candles on high shelves to avoid painful burns and singed Whiskers and make sure that cords are tucked out of reach. Electrocution can put a huge damper on Holiday festivities.

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Many people will be traveling this Holiday season with their furry co-pilot in tote or in the back seat for a festive reunion with family and friends. It is important to plan ahead and take extra precaution if Fido or Felix is coming along for the ride. Here are some tips to make sure travels are merry and enjoyable for the both of you.

1. By Air, By Land or By Sea! Be fair warned, if you, Fido or Felix are flying the pet-friendly skies expect turbulence even before you arrive at the check in point. This is going to be a chaotic & bumpy ride to your final destination. No one likes to spend the Holidays in those dreaded & crowded airport terminals & long lines. With massive amounts of baggage  to be claimed at least one frequent flyer's suitcase is bound to get lost in transit during the Holiday rush.

If you are flying this Holiday with your pet just keep in mind that delays, cancellations, layovers and poor weather are to be expected. The Holiday's, especially air travels can put increased stress on everyone involved, including your pet. If your final destination is in driving distance we suggest you pack up the car and head on the road.

If you are flying make sure you get direct flights to avoid long layovers where your pet may be stuck in baggage areas, particularly the cold winter months. Like humans, pet also get car & air sick so we suggest feeding your pet less. You may also want to consider visiting family & friends before the Holiday or delaying & postponing your travels after the busy holiday travel season.

2. Pet Friendly Accommodations. Whether you are staying at a hotel, resort, house rental or with friends and family make certain your pet is welcomed. Call before hand to double check that a welcome mat will be eagerly & joyful awaiting your pets arrival. Often times friends and relatives, although they love us, may not be comfortable with having pets as a temporary house guest. Confirm your reservations in advance to make sure you both have a comfy place to rest your head this Holiday. You may also want to discuss any restricted areas or rules that your pet will need to heed during their stay. If your pet is a pleasant house guest most likely he or she will be invited to many more Holidays to come.

3. Pack Your Pets Suitcase! Make sure to enlist the help of a checklist for all your pets essentials. Nothing spoils a Holiday season then a whiny, grumpy & sad dog that misses his favorite binky or chew toy. Pack the following: collars with id tags, first-aid kit, medications, vaccination records, bowl, food, toys and your vets emergency phone numbers. Don't forget to bring blanket to make the trip more cozy & comfortable.

4. Brush up on obedience. Traveling will be an adventure for your pet in more ways then one. Your pet will be introduced to new places, scents and people on the journey homeward bound for the Holidays. Make sure your dog understands boundaries and the basic obedience commands like "Sit", "Stay", "Down" and "Drop It" prior to the trip. Knowing these simple training commands can make the difference between life and death keeping your dog from bolting, greeting guest inappropriately, and ingesting things that are harmful.  Proper etiquette & training will make sure your dog stays off Santa's naughty list and on the nice list.

5. Silent Night & Safe Refuge. With all the chaos that comes with the Holiday's it is important to provide your pet with their own place or corner of retreat. With the constant ringing of doorbells, carolers, kids running up & down stairs & the rush of party goers the festivities can be stressful. Your pet will need a moment of silence and a place to regroup away from the over joyous crowd. Make sure to bring their bed, crate and favorite toy so they can relax and enjoy the Holidays stress free.

6. Keep your pet's normal schedule.With so many things to do, people to see and the overall excitement of the Holidays it is easy to get busy. Often times, quality time with our pets suffer amidst our hectic schedules. With the lack of a schedule around the Holiday's pets can become overwhelmed and easily stressed. So, what is the antidote to stress? Routine!  Make sure to feed and exercise your pet on their normal schedule, this can reduce their anxiety. Set an alarm to remind you of your pet's feeding time. Also don't skip your dogs daily walk & playtime, exercise is a great stress reliever & waistline trimmer for the both of you! With so much feasting we humans need all the help we can get.

7. Avoid Certain Toxic Foods. Your pet will be getting a whiff & feasting their eyes on some yummy holiday dishes this season. With those sad puppy eyes gazing at that succulent ham you may be tempted to spoil your pet with some of your holiday favorites.  But remember that it is VERY important to stick to your pet's normal diet while you're traveling. Stay consistent with feeding times and amounts, and be on guard against illegal snacks. Keep in mind that certain foods are toxic & deadly to pets and can cause gastrointestinal distress. Beware of onions, raisins, macadamia nuts, chocolate and alcohol. Don't give your dog poultry bones to chew on they can splinter causing serious health issues. Also, make sure to inform other dinner guest & party goers of your pets strict diet and to not share tasty indulgences.

8. The tree is off limits. Make sure the home you are visiting is pet proof. Its important to keep your eyes open for any Holiday pet hazards such decorative Mistletoe, Poinsettia and other festive plants. Pets are drawn to anything shiny and can be easily injured if they ingest or chew on tinsel or ornaments off the beautifully lit tree. Make sure your pet does not drink the water in the tree stand it can contain harmful  preservatives or bacteria. Although cats have a huge fascination with climbing Mt. Ever green & booking a stay in the Christmas trees pent house it can be dangerous. Pets should not be allowed around, under or up the tree, enlisting the aid of a gate or barrier around the tree works wonders.

9. Stay Calm & relax. We can't help but to get over-excited, anxious and stressed during what most deem as the most wonderful time of the year.  But please keep in mind that dogs can pick up on your emotions so stay relax & calm this season.

10. Get Vet Checkup! It is important that your pet sees the vet 2 weeks in advance prior to your travels. Make sure your pet is caught up on vaccinations and gets a clean bill of health before the big road trip or long flight. You may want to book an appointment now since your vet office will get very busy as more pet owners are travel with their pets for the Holidays.  If you are traveling by airlines you will need proof of updated vaccinations & health certificates from your vet dated within ten days of takeoff. Regardless of your form of travel make sure to bring your pet's medical records with you when you travel. It important to pack your pets medical records in a safe place that is easily accessible and within reach.

Have a safe & Happy Howlidays!

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Although the Thanksgiving menu is chalk full of delicious bounty for humans to enjoy. The smell of roast turkey in the air makes it even more tempting to share some of your food scraps with your salivating, begging loyal dog. If your dog is like our pugs Sushi & Espy then you will probably find their hungry eyes glued to the oven door watching their favorite cooking show "All Things Turkey". Truth be told there are a few thanksgiving foods that are dangerous and potentially deadly to pets. Here is a list of foods that your pet should avoid at all cost courtesy of Dr. Bill Craig, DVM.

Bones - Many pet owners want to hand over left over bones from the turkey, ham or steak to the dog, but these small bones can become lodged in the throat, stomach, or intestinal tract or break into splinters, causing extensive damage to the stomach and gastro-intestinal tract if swallowed, even puncturing the small intestines.

Raw or undercooked turkey - may contain deadly salmonella bacteria

Dough and Cake Batter - The combination of raw bread dough and the pet's body heat can cause the dough to rise inside the stomach, resulting in vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating. The batter used in cakes and pies usually contains raw eggs which could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.

Fat trimmings or very fatty foods - Rich, fatty foods such as turkey skin and dark turkey meat are difficult to digest and can cause vomiting and diarrhea in your dog, and in extreme cases, pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) .

** BBS Side Note: Symptoms of pancreatitis include loss of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea and fever. If you suspect your dog has helped himself to a turkey dinner and showing signs of having these symptoms seek vet help ASAP!

Onion and Garlic - These ingredients contain sulfides, which are toxic to animals and can cause the destruction of red blood cells, especially in cats, causing Heinz body anemia.

Sage - This, as well as many other herbs, contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets, especially in cats.

Raisins and Grapes - They are a choking hazard to pets and ingestion of either can cause significant kidney damage.

Walnuts and Macadamia Nuts - These can cause weakness, depression, incoordination, and tremors. In addition, the high fat levels of these nuts may cause pancreatitis in dogs, resulting severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Chocolate - Chocolate can be toxic for pets, or even fatal, due to a substance called theobromine found in chocolate.

Mushrooms - These can produce damage to a number of internal organs, including kidneys, liver, and the central nervous system. If a dog eats mushrooms, seizures, coma, vomiting, even death can occur.

Chewing Gum and Candy - Many contain Xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a severe drop in blood glucose in dogs and As soon as 30 minutes after ingestion, dogs can begin to show signs of depression, loss of coordination, and seizures. Xylitol may also lead to delayed onset damage to the liver occurring days to weeks after ingestion. Xylitol toxicity in pets may be fatal and requires immediate medical attention.

Beer - Alcohol, especially the hops in beer, can be particularly harmful to dogs, causing intoxication, panting, fever, racing heart, liver damage, even coma, seizures and death.

On behalf of Sushi, Espy and the Best Bully Sticks team, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Best Bully Sticks News!

Become a Facebook Fan, “Like” our page & Help us reach 10,000 fans.

When we reach 10,000 fan “Likes” all of our Facebook fans will be eligible to enter a giveaway to win a grand prize. We can’t spill the beans yet! The quicker we get to 10,000 “Likes” the sooner you can learn what that grand prize is. Thanks for “Liking” our page.