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Does your canine companion have a birthday coming up? Or would you perhaps just like to surprise him with a tasty treat? Well it's time to batter up! Whip up a batch of these simple, healthy and delicious Fruit n Oat Pupcakes for that special canine in your life. These pupcakes are topped with a special low fat dog-friendly frosting. Dig in!

Pupcake Batter Ingredients

3 ripe bananas, mashed
3/4 unsweetened applesauce
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla

1 large egg

Directions

1. Mix bananas and applesauce together, then beat in egg.

2. Toss in all the dry ingredients, and beat until mixed.

3. Bake at 180C (350F) for 25 minutes.

4. Frost when cooled (if desired).

Dog-friendly frosting Ingredients

180g (6 oz) light cream cheese
2 tblsp plain yogurt
2 tblsp honey
Flour

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese, yogurt and honey until smooth.

2. Add enough flour to thicken until you reach a good spreading consistency.

Courtesy of all-about-cupcakes.com

Stay tuned for delicious dog recipes every Wednesday in our Weekly Drool Recipes blog series. Check out our other drool-worthy recipes! Also, remember food is meant to be shared! So be a pal and submit your favorite dog recipes to be featured in this delicious blog series by emailing us at bestbullysticks@gmail.com.

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Your dog’s feet sure are made for walking, but did you know they are also made for protecting? Pads provide extra cushioning to help protect bones and joints from shock, provide insulation against extreme weather, aid walking on rough ground and help protect tissue deep within the paw. With all that work to do, it’s no wonder your pooch’s paws often take a bit of a beating. Keep a spring in your pet’s step with the ASPCA's top 10 paw care tips:

1. Pamper With Pedicures: Your dog's nails should just about touch the ground when she walks. If her nails are clicking or getting snagged on the floor, it's time for a pedicure. Ask your veterinarian or a groomer for advice about what types of nail trimmers are best for your dog and how to use them properly.

2. Snip and Trim: Trim paw hair regularly to avoid painful matting. Simply comb hair out, especially from between the toes, and trim even with the pads.

3. Clean In Between: Foreign objects can become lodged in your dog’s pads. Check regularly between toes for foxtails, pebbles, small bits of broken glass and other debris. These pesky items can usually be removed with a pair of tweezers.

4. Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: A dog’s pads can become cracked and dry. Ask your veterinarian for a good pad moisturizer and use as directed. Avoid human hand moisturizer, as this can soften the pads and lead to injury.

5. Deep Paw Massage: Similar to giving a human hand massage, a paw massage will relax your dog and promote better circulation. Start by rubbing between the pads on the bottom of the paw, and then rub between each toe. Your dog will be forever grateful for the extra TLC!

6. Slow and Steady: If you’re about to begin a new exercise program with your dog, start off slow. Paws may become sensitive, chaffed or cracked, particularly when starting your dog out on hikes and runs.

7. Apply First Aid: It's not unusual for dogs to suffer cuts or other wounds from accidentally stepping on glass, debris or other objects. Wounds that are smaller than a half inch in diameter can be cleaned with an antibacterial wash and wrapped with a light bandage. For deeper paw cuts, see the vet for treatment.

8. Summertime Sores: Imagine stepping barefoot onto hot pavement. Ouch! It is important to remember your dog’s paws feel heat extremes, too. To prevent burns and blisters, avoid walking your dog on hot pavement or sand. Signs include blisters, loose flaps of skin and red, ulcerated patches. For minor burns, apply antibacterial wash and cover the paw with a loose bandage. For serious burns, visit your vet immediately.

9. Wintertime Blues: Winter is hard on everyone’s skin, even your dog’s! Bitter cold can cause chapping and cracking. Rock salt and chemical ice melters can cause sores, infection and blistering. Toxic chemicals can also be ingested by your dog when he licks his paws. After outdoor walks, wash your dog’s paws in warm water to rinse away salt and chemicals. You may wish to apply Vaseline, a great salt barrier, to the foot pads before each walk—or make sure your dog wears doggie booties.

10. Practice Prevention: To reduce the risk of injury, keep your home and yard clear of pointy bits and pieces. Be conscious to avoid hazards such as broken glass and other debris when walking your dog. And keep this simple tip in mind—if you wouldn’t like to walk on it barefoot, neither will your dog!

Start today by helping your beloved dog put his/her best paw forward!

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Labor Day is almost here, and what better way to spend your last summer party than with your pooch? Good food, friends, and fun are all essential for Labor Day celebrations, but is your dog prepared for the festivities? Here is a list of dangers for your dog to avoid during this Labor Day to ensure he/she stays healthy and happy all weekend long.

1. Heat stroke – Hydration is crucial for dogs. Did you know a dog can overheat in just a matter of minutes? If your dog has a heavy coat, he or she is more susceptible to heat stroke. Consistently monitor body temperature and be able to notice anything out the ordinary. Symptoms of heat stroke are panting heavily, a rapid pulse, glazed eyes, a deep red or purple tongue, vomiting, sticky, thick saliva, lethargy, or any unsteadiness or staggering. Heat exhaustion, stress, or stroke is extremely serious and can be fatal. Remember–NEVER leave your pet alone in the car even for a few minutes. This is the most common cause of heat stroke.

2. Paw burns – Have you ever walked on a scorching patio or beach without sandals? Imagine how your pooch feels this Labor Day when your porch is so hot you could cook an egg on it. Make sure there is a shady place near the party for your dog to hang out. Also, be careful while grilling. A hot grill plus a curious dog can lead to disaster. We recommend putting your pooch inside when the grill is on, but if you insist, watch him or her closely. If you see him get burned, or any signs that he did (limping, licking his paws, cracked or blistering skin or pads), apply a cold, wet compress, clean the area with pet-safe ointment or aloe vera, and wrap with gauze.

3. Dogs get sunburned too! – Contrary to popular belief, your dog can get sunburned and needs protection. Hairless, light skinned, light colored, shaved, or pink-nosed pups are especially in danger of being burned. We recommend doing one of two things for pet sun protection. Pick up a non-toxic, fragrance free doggie sunscreen like Vet’s Best Sun Relief spray; or, another option is baby sunscreen. A lotion works best with heavy coated dogs since you can rub it through the coat to the skin. Essential areas are the ears, bridge of the nose, nose, and the underside of his body.

4. Swimming time – If your dog loves to swim, this section is for you. Most of us love to enjoy the water during Labor Day weekend, and your pooch probably does too. If he isn’t a good swimmer, a doggie life preserver would be a good idea. Never leave a dog unattended when swimming. Also, don’t let him drink pool or ocean water. Pool water contains chlorine and the ocean contains salt, both of which can be harmful and can dehydrate your pet. Make sure you have fresh water available at all times.

5. Human foods are not for pets – Who doesn’t like barbequed food? But it’s not for dogs, and you must resist the urge to give them a treat from the grill. If you’re having a big Labor Day party, you might want to consider putting up a sign for your guests that says “Please do not feed the pets.” Some foods are toxic to dogs, such as onions, grapes, mushrooms, avocados, lunch meat, and more. Plus, dogs have very sensitive tummies. Even the smallest amount of food can upset their stomach and cause diarrhea or vomiting.

6. Traveling by car – Many of us travel to friends or family by car during Labor Day weekend. If you plan to bring your pooch in the car, you might want to consider a few things. If your dog has never traveled by car before, get him accustomed prior to travel. Making him feel comfortable will significantly reduce car sickness. Also, a dog restraint (doggy seat belt) is always recommended. This will help keep the dog from being a distraction to the driver, as well as keeping him safe.

The long Labor Day weekend is meant to be enjoyed by both humans and dogs. Be prepared, keep your canine safe, and don’t let one of these dangers for your dog put a damper on your festivities.

Courtesy of DogNews Feed

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We always love getting emails from our customers & readers asking us to feature their dog or favorite breed for our Best Bully Sticks Spotlight on a Breed blog series every Thursday. As always we are honored to oblige.  Thanks all! We are excited to spotlight the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog (aka the Swissy).

Height: Male: 25.5-28.5; Female: 23.5-27 inches

Weight: Male: 105-140; Female: 85-110 lbs

Coat: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog has an average-shedding double coat. The undercoat is thick and the outer coat is dense and stands one to two inches in length. They shed lightly throughout the year, but twice a year they will blow their entire undercoat

Color: Black and rust, with white feet, chest, tail tip, muzzle, blaze, and possibly collar; rust color present on legs between white and black

Appearance: The Greater Swiss Mountain dog is a large, strong draft dog with a broad chest, large head and a gentle expression. They have strong front legs that should be straight and end in rounded feet. The muzzle is blunt and ends in a black nose, and teeth that meet in a scissors bite. The eyes of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog should be dark brown, and the rims of the eyes are black. The ears are triangular, medium-sized, and pendant in shape. The tail is long and should reach to the hocks. The thick, double coat comes in a distinct pattern of three colors: black with rust and white markings. The rust markings appear over each eye, on the cheeks and on either side of the chest. Show dogs should have symmetrical markings. White appears on the tip of the tail, a blaze on the muzzle and on the chest. Some may have white patches on the neck. 

Temperament: The Greater Swiss Mountain Dog was designed as a draft dog and was often referred to as “the poor man's horse.” They are serious dogs who still enjoy pulling carts and sleds, but have grown to be faithful, dedicated and loving family companions. They are fiercely loyal to their families and require constant companionship to be happy. Families with children may shy away from such a large dog, but the Swissy gets along well with kids of all ages. Small children should be supervised, as they can easily get knocked down by an excited Swissy, but the dog never means to harm. They are alert watchdogs, letting everyone in a three-block radius know that a stranger is approaching, but they are not aggressive guard dogs and can be trusted to be polite to house guests, once properly introduced. This dog is very courageous and will bark at the sign of intruders or odd noises.

Health: The average lifespan of the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is between 10-12  years. For the most part, this breed is relatively healthy for their size; Greater Swiss Mountain Dogs have far fewer problems than more populous breeds in the similar size range. They are prone to having: Urinary incontinence , distichiasis and entropion (eye lash issues), Lick fit (frantic licking), Idiopathic Epilepsy, Canine hip dysplasia, bloat, Canine Elbow dysplasia, and Osteochondrosis (cartilage becomes abnormally thickened, and small fissures and cracks may develop).

Is your dog barking for time in the spotlight?

Have your dog say “bully sticks”! Send a photo and 2-3 sentence bio for your dog to be featured in an upcoming Spotlight on a Breed series we run every Thursday. Email bestbullysticks@gmail.com with the subject “Spotlight My Dog”

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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.

You don't have to be an accomplished baker to create a homemade batch of dog treats. The secret ingredient is a little bit of love sprinkled in! Whether or not you are an avid baker or its your first time getting your hands messy in the kitchen these Tender Tummy Biscuits are easy and simple to bake & master. Best part is that this recipe is tasty and doggy approved! We hope this recipe will inspire you to get in the kitchen with Fido. Bone Appetit!

Ingredients

1 cup brewed chamomile tea
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cooked white rice
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1 cup chicken, skinned, boiled, and chopped to 1/2-inch cubes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.

2. Brew a cup of chamomile tea, and allow it to cool to room temperature. (It’s never a good idea to use hot liquids when mixing dough.)

3. Place the flours, rice, and parsley in a large bowl, using your hands or a wire whisk to gently mix the dry ingredients.

4. Add the cottage cheese and brewed tea to the dry ingredients, stirring with a sturdy spoon until the dough becomes pliable. Add the diced chicken cubes and stir until they are evenly mixed into the dough, taking care not to over mix.

5. Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out or pat down to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Using a pizza cutter, make horizontal and vertical slices through the dough to form cube shapes. The size of the cubes will be determined by the size of your dog’s jaw.

6. Place the biscuits on a baking sheet or pan covered with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.

Tip:

Here are a couple of things to keep in mind when working with meat:

1. Always add the diced chicken to the dough last so that you don’t puree the pieces during the mixing and makeup process;
2. Don’t forget to store the finished biscuits in the refrigerator or freezer until your pet has finished them off.

Chamomile This flower has long been celebrated for its soothing properties. It’s thought to calm upset stomachs and promote drowsiness. In fact, chamomile tea is sometimes called nighty-night tea or sleepy tea because of its sleep-inducing ability. Experts say chamomile tea can also boost the immune system and fight infections associated with colds.

Courtesy of K-9 Nation Biscuit Book: Baking for Your Best Friend by Klecko.

Stay tuned for delicious dog recipes every Wednesday in our Weekly Drool Recipes blog series. Check out our other drool-worthy recipes! Also, remember food is meant to be shared! So be a pal and submit your favorite dog recipes to be featured in this delicious blog series by emailing us at bestbullysticks@gmail.com.

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.