[George Lawson]

You should check out the Freezebone. I have a Golden who is super food-motivated and usually inhales treats, but this one actually stumps her for a while.

For comparison, she finishes a standard lick mat in 10 minutes, but the Freezebone takes her about 30 minutes to work through. It’s great for mental engagement because they really have to manipulate it to get the frozen filling out. I use the Large size (for dogs up to 60lbs) and it’s been super durable so far.

[George Lawson]

It probably just hasn’t been reviewed yet — Dog Food Advisor (and similar sites) usually take time to evaluate each specific recipe, especially if it’s newer or recently reformulated. You can always email them through their contact form to ask if the Rachael Ray Nutrish Real Salmon, Veggies & Brown Rice Recipe is scheduled for review.

In the meantime, you can still check the ingredient list directly on the manufacturer’s site or on the bag itself to compare it with other Nutrish recipes that have been reviewed.

That’s what I usually do before trying any new food or treats for my dog. I’m pretty picky since I also use enrichment products like Freezbone, where I freeze pureed salmon or broth as a topper. So ingredient accuracy matters a lot.

[April Oder]

I’ve been making homemade food for my dog for a while now and it’s made such a difference for his energy and digestion. I actually put together a book with 130+ easy, healthy recipes — meals, treats, even special occasion dishes.

If you’re interested, I’d be happy to send you a free copy in exchange for an honest review on Amazon 😊 Just let me know!

Here’s the book if you want to take a look:
👉 https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Dog-Parents-Cookbook-Healthier-ebook/dp/B0F5JNQ74Q/

[Maseer Anasri]

Hey everyone,<br />I’m currently working as an SEO Executive at Pipex.ai, My dog has food allergies (especially to chicken and grains). Can anyone suggest hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient treats that are safe and tasty?

[A. Hoff]

Hello,

I have two siblings, altered female & male just turned 11. About a year or so ago I started realizing ‘wow they’re senior dogs I can’t believe that statistics say I likely have only a few years left’ and so I started trying to modify their diet to make it more healthful as I really would love for them to be around for way longer than average. We know their mom was a border collie. We believe their dad was likely a Lab mixed with something else my guess is Burmese Mtn. Dog but nobody knows. The female is 50 lbs & male is 60 lbs. The vet says they are basically at a good weight, he said just slightly chubby but nothing to be concerned about.. 6/10 where 5 is perfect.

For the longest time until they were about 9-10 years old my dog’s were fed the following divided among 2 meals (approx 7 am & 5 pm, I listed approx total daily intake)

1/2 cup kibble, Taste of Wild Pacific Stream (have used other brands/flavors like 4health/BlueBuff but have kept them on TOTW for proably at least 4-5 years and this one flavor for a while as they do well it seems) ~ 200 cal/day
1 can Blue Buffalo wet food (was using 4Health when they were real young but something happened and quality seemed to go down, there would be excessive fat and I switched)- alternate flavors mainly beef & chicken, salmon & chicken, turkey & chicken, and the ‘red meat dinner’ varieties but I’ve tried others like trout, etc. ~ 500 cal/day
1/2 – 1 egg ~ 35-70 cal/day
1/2 can unsalted green beans ~ 30 cal/day

Treats – would be a rotation of those “Milo’s chicken meatballs”, “Milo’s steak griller strips”, “Blue Buffalo baked biscuits (made w/ apple, bacon, etc. varieties), very rarely I would give them something lower quality like milkbones or pupperoni, etc. ~ 100 cal/day

Supplements – Cosequin/Dasuquin 1 tab per day since they were pups (had an older dog when they were pups they just all got one), PetHonesty 10-in-1 multivitamin & probiotic – 2 per day (they started getting this when they were about 3 or 4 because they would have somewhat frequent loose stools or incomplete digestion. It was weird they would take 2 poops on their morning walk, 1 would be perfect, the 2nd would come out 70% perfect and the last 30% would look like a slimy slug), I use “Missing Link” lightly for some extra fats and fiber. I started using this with a previous dog who would get itchy skin, it was recommended by the vet and seemed to do wonders for his coat so I have always sprinkled about 1/4 tsp on a meal at least 1x day.

Total ~900-1000 cal/day

What I started doing different..

I started feeding them 3x day. Same calories, I multiplied their meals by 2/3 and give them that around 7 am, 12:30 pm & 6 pm. I read it might be better for seniors and thought the 14-15 hours between their dinner and breakfast was maybe too long for them to fast.

I started adding more fruits and veggies – I take some carrots & fresh spinach and put them in a food processor and mince it up finely and give them about 1 tbsp per meal.

I started giving them bone broth, I get it boiling and then bathe the kibble and veggies in it and once it has cooled and the kibble has absorbed it and softened I mix the rest in. I also will add a few blueberries and mash them up whenever I have them, or sometimes a strawberry and put it in there.

I reduced the amount of wet food they get from 1 can/day – 1/2 can per day and substituted some real fat/protein that I make for myself (unseasoned). Mostly I use chicken leg quarters, ground beef, eggs, and salmon. I look up all the nutrition information and weight it all out so the calories should be the same as well as the protein:fat ratio should be very similar to the wet food.

I stopped giving them Milo’s & Blue Buffalo and other types of store bought treats almost entirely. I buy sweet potatoes and cut them up into little bite sized pieces (weighing about 0.25 oz each) and air fry them until they are cooked and soft. I also give them pieces of apples, bananas, pineapple, strawberries, or egg for some variety. Sweet potatoes are about 50-60% of what they get treated with and everything else I just named rounds out the rest largely apple or banana.

Supplements is all the same.

I’m just wondering if you think all the changes I made are positive changes or is there anything to be concerned with? Any recommendations for further improvement? They are very healthy for 11, only Rx they are on is my girl is on proin for incontinence for about 1.5 year and it controls it well.. I would say I feel I have noticed some improvement in their coat and energy and overall health but I don’t know if it’s just in my head.

I told the vet about the changes and they seemed to think it sounded good/fine but I don’t know they really listened to me or thought about it, surely it’s better than feeding them straight ol roy kibble like half the dogs they see..

Some things I read that maybe made me think to come and ask:

– Vitamin A in excess levels can be a problem for dogs? Could my dogs be getting too much from the spinach, carrots, & 10-in-1 vitatmin/probiotic?

– I read some warnings about giving them fatty meats and causing pancreatitis.. I assume everything is good with giving them a little chicken w/ skin or ground beef because the protein:fat ratio is roughly the same as dog food and it’s only about 70-80 cal/meal, 3x per day replacing the 1/2 can of wet food I removed with roughly the same ratios.. am I overthinking it?

[Pabloo Escabaros]

When it comes to your dog’s chew time, it’s best to choose treats that are not only enjoyable but also safe. While chew toys and bones can be tempting, they can sometimes pose a risk if they break into small pieces that your dog might swallow, which could lead to serious health issues. Instead, consider giving your dog a sweet treat made for their specific dietary needs—something they can safely digest. Houndstone shop offers a range of high-quality, ethically sourced treats that are not only delicious but also safe and nutritious. These treats provide the perfect balance of fun and health, giving you peace of mind.

[Emma Monty]

Hey everyone, has anybody tried Blue Buffalo Dog Food before? I was giving my dogs some Pedigree treats but have also read that that might not be much of a healthy choice, meanwhile from what I’ve been reading with Blue Buffalo, it’s all good? My dogs are 28 and 19 kilos labradors.

[Shannon May]

I have given both my small dogs these treats for at least 2 years. I had to put my 4 yr old down right before Christmas due to kidney disease and now my other pup has it. They have not gotten in to anything toxic. I started researching what they eat and this came up. I am almost certain these killed my baby and has gotten my other baby sick with the same thing. Please if anyone has similar situation speak up. I do not know what to do but I do not any other animals hurt by these treats which are to be treats. How do you limit how many treatreats you give your dog because of the harmful ingredients. I cannot believe this was approved by the FDA. Shame on you all. To have to watch your fur baby suffer for months only to have to put them out of their misery way to young then have your other one come down with same thing 2 weeks later. I am heartbroken and pissed.

[nathaniel reid]

Welcome to the community! It’s great to hear you’re providing a loving home for your new furbaby. Regarding the 4Health dog dental treats from Tractor Supply, they can be a good option for dental health, but every dog reacts differently to various brands. It’s important to monitor your pup for any gastrointestinal issues after introducing new treats. As an alternative, you might consider brands that focus on limited ingredients or hypoallergenic options, especially since your previous dog was sensitive as well. Homemade treats can also be a fantastic option! Simple recipes using ingredients like pumpkin, peanut butter, and oatmeal can be both healthy and appealing to dogs. You can find more information about the 4Health brand and its offerings in this 4Health dog food review. It’s always best to consult with your vet for tailored advice, especially when you’re navigating new dietary options for your pup. Happy shopping!

[nathaniel reid]

It’s wonderful to hear that your Havapoo is starting to thrive after such a tough start. Given her medical history and sensitive stomach, it’s important to be cautious when introducing new treats. Jiminy’s treats are a good option since they use sustainable ingredients like crickets, which are high in protein and easy on the digestive system. The Pumpkin & Carrot flavor she already enjoys is a great choice because pumpkin is known for its digestive benefits, while carrots are a low-calorie, healthy treat.

Regarding the PB & Cranberry flavor, it’s also a good option. Peanut butter (PB) is a common dog treat ingredient, but ensure it’s free from xylitol, an artificial sweetener toxic to dogs. Cranberries are a good source of vitamins and antioxidants, and they may support urinary health, which is crucial given her history of struvite stones.

However, because of her sensitive stomach, you might want to introduce any new flavor gradually and monitor her reaction. If she enjoys the Pumpkin & Carrot flavor and it agrees with her system, sticking with it might be the safest choice.

[Cat Taylor]

Freeze dried treats due tend to have a vomiting effect on animals. My dog has done the same. I would avoid freeze dried

[jetski racer]

New member here but have been reading reviews since finding DFA in 2012. Have a new to me furbaby a month ago, my vet said mix breed, short haired, ~45lbs, 16 months old, adopted from a family who could no longer keep him (they reported adopting from shelter when he was 2 months and were told he is lab and rhodesian ridgeback mix). Just looking for some info on these commercially avail chews from tractor supply as linked https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/brand/4health/dog-dental-treats-chews

my previous 12y/o furbaby (RIP…damn cancer…, gosh i loved him) LOVED, went crazy for the minties brand i found a while back and have some left, but they seem to cause some gi issues with this new pup so i was considering the TSC ones. I can’t keep up with all the different names that are out there for the same ingredients, supplements etc. so hope to get a little help here. Also open to suggestions to other brands, treats, chews or maybe even some homemade stuff. I live near a small town, but it got a TSC a while back and i am a brick and mortar kinda shopper if i can be. thanks in advance

[stuart low]

Homemade Beef & Quinoa Dog Treats with Coconut Oil are a nutritious and delicious way to pamper your furry friend. They provide wholesome ingredients that can contribute to your dog’s health and happiness.

[JM Cuarto]

Hi everyone. Checking to see how everyone is doing with the diet.

My little guy recently had surgery twice back to back because the first ER hospital missed some bladder stones. All good know and he’s on his way to recovery. Checking to see food wise, I did notice some do the recommended food have ingredients to avoid.

I’ve been seeing a lot of Hills Derm Complete. Anyone in this? Looking for recommendations. Also planning on giving him distilled water only as well. Also how about dog treats?

[LuluandMango]

Rabbit Ear Dog Treats l Natural Treats, 3.5 oz Bag (9-12 pieces)
Customer reviews here: https://www.munchbird.com/products/rabbit-ear-dog-treats-i-natural-treats

[LuluandMango]

Munchbird Lamb Trotter l Lamb Feet l Healthy Dog Treats, 100g (9-12 pieces)
Customer reviews here: https://www.munchbird.com/products/lamb-trotter-l-lamb-feet-l-dog-treats

[LuluandMango]

Recipe at https://www.munchbird.com/blogs/homemade-dog-food-recipes/homemade-beef-quinoa-dog-treats-with-coconut-oil
Ingredients:

1 cup raw ground beef
1 raw egg
1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1/4 cup hemp hearts
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1/4 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon beet powder
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

[LuluandMango]

Raw Meat + Munchbird Dog Treats Food Topper (Egg Yolk Ball & Rabbit Ears with Fur) + Goat Milk +
Recipe at https://www.munchbird.com/blogs/homemade-dog-food-recipes/raw-dog-food-recipes-with-munchbird-egg-yolk-dog-treats-and-rabbit-ears

[LuluandMango]

Munchburd Rabbit Ears with Fur is also a great option, our girls went crazy about those fuzzy bunny ears.
Rabbit Ear Dog Treats l Natural Treats, 100g Bag (9-12 pieces)

[LuluandMango]

If your puppy is a chewer, you can try Munchbird Lamb Trotter (Lamb Feet for dogs), our girls love it!
Lamb Trotter l Lamb Feet l Healthy Dog Treats, 100g (9-12 pieces)

[LuluandMango]

Here is a blog about “Are Lamb Trotter and Lamb Hoof Good for Dogs?”
https://www.munchbird.com/blogs/dog-treats/are-lamb-trotters-good-for-dogs-exploring-the-benefits-and-considerations?_pos=4&_sid=36f345417&_ss=r

[Prism E]

Long Time Member, First Time Poster:

—
I’ve been feeding my Coonhound mix, Rex, 13, The Farmers Dog. Great food. He loved it and actually cleaned the bowl each time.

Well, we recently had a mass in his mouth come back, and after discussions with the Vet, we decided to do a partial Mandibulectomy. And thanks to the The Farmers Dog being a great soft food, we was able to maintain eating. Oh, and there was no cancers found at the incision point, Clean Margins is the term, so the Vet had removed enough.

He is doing very well after about 2 months since the surgery. Figuring out how to eat (it’s still a mess, lol), how to pickup treats off the ground (wood floors are difficult, but carpet easy)

Lately, past 2 weeks or so, he hasn’t shown much interest in eating the food. Oh, he’s hungry, and if I hand feed him a bit, he realizes it too and eats. I am wondering if he is getting fed up with how long it takes since he has to lick it up, or if his tongue is getting fatigued. I honestly don’t think it is pain related based on every thing else I see him do. But anythings a possibility.

I have changed from his Rtic Dog food bowl (8″ diameter, about 4″ deep) to shallower bowls (about 10″ diameter and only 1-1.5″ deep). My thinking is that it would help him access the food. It seemed to help a bit.

My current thoughts are would it be easier for Rex to eat Dry food as he might be able to manipulate it easier than the wet?

So, I am looking for Dry Food suggestions I can research. A short list to get me on the right track would be great.

Thanks a bunch everyone

[Carly H]

Dream bones are made of plastic like the kind they use for dog bowls, melamine. Plastic! Dogs have died from obstructions and cancer and more! Don’t give your dog anything from china ! Covid , dog treats nothing from china !

[Steven C]

Our dog, a Havanese, loved Dream Bones, particularly the sticks wrapped in chicken strips. She was eating these nearly exclusively for the past few years. She died recently of cancer and had just turned ten.
I did notice these treats were made in China and I noticed also that sorbitol was an ingredient. At times, she did get loose stools, and maybe they occurred when she ate a lot of them?
Not sure if the cancer (which showed up as a mass on her liver in the X-ray we had taken) was a direct result of her eating Dream Bones.
I sincerely hope not – in any case, I think when we get another dog eventually, we will not buy any food products from China or outside the US.

[Dan B]

It’s understandable that you forgot to go to the store, but it’s great that you’re considering alternatives for your dog, Dexter. In terms of the treats you found, it’s important to note that individual dogs may react differently to various ingredients, and their dietary needs can vary.

If the ingredients on the bag only mention “buffalo” or “buffalo tendon,” it’s relatively straightforward, which is a good sign. Limited ingredient treats can be a good option, especially if your dog has any dietary sensitivities or allergies. However, it’s crucial to ensure that the treats don’t contain any additives, preservatives, or artificial ingredients that might be harmful to your dog.

To get more specific feedback on these treats, you might want to check online reviews or ask fellow dog owners in local pet communities or forums. People often share their experiences with different dog treats, which can provide valuable insights.

Additionally, you can introduce new treats gradually into Dexter’s diet to monitor how he reacts and ensure there are no adverse effects. If you’re uncertain or have specific concerns about the treats, consulting with your veterinarian is always a good idea. They can provide personalized advice based on Dexter’s health, dietary needs, and any specific considerations.
! When considering your dog’s well-being, it’s also worth mentioning the importance of having dog insurance. Dog insurance can provide financial assistance in case of unexpected veterinary expenses, ensuring that your pet receives the necessary care without putting a strain on your budget. Visit this site to get more information about dog insurance, https://pawdarling.com/

Just like with human health insurance, dog insurance policies can vary, covering a range of services from routine check-ups to emergency treatments. It’s advisable to explore different insurance options, compare coverage, and choose a plan that aligns with your dog’s needs and your financial considerations.

[Eddie C]

Hi Jennifer, congrats on your new rescue 🙂 Our chi pups really like nature diet treats – https://www.naturediet.co.uk/cat/natural-dog-treats/ and they’re also on the wet puppy food. Not sure hard boiled eggs will do much for the related smell issues! Best of luck

[David W]

Cheese puffs can be one of the best options if you are looking for puppy training treats. These bite sized cheese puffs are made by puffing up yak chews into delicious and crunchy puffs that won’t be hard on teeth of your puppy. Also these treats are grain and gluten-free which is suitable for dogs with allergies and sensitive stomachs. Here’s an article if you are wondering what yak cheese puffs are:
https://tibetandogchew.com/blogs/blog/microwave-yak-chews-how-to-make-the-best-yak-cheese-puffs

[Harper M]

Hi. I don’t know if it’s because you bought food containing that substance for your dog. However, the issue of dog food is very important. You need to find a reputable place to buy it. As I am buying this for my dogs. They love it because it has a lot of flavor, and I also find them healthy. You can refer to it https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Greenies-Flavours-Dental-Dog-Treats/dp/B00T7R7HYY?th=1 mario games
Wishing your dogs good health.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Harper M.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Harper M.
• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Harper M.

[j D]

ATTENTION ALL – I encourage anyone who believes this item/company is a hazard to IN WRITING, reach out to any and all companies that sells the product/brand. Perhaps ALSO email or write the company itself directly. PUT THEM ON NOTICE. Perhaps the more people the better.

KEY – Include in your concern these TWO phrases:
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE and also
YOU ARE ON NOTICE.
And first word in the subject line, use the word URGENT to grab attention of the email receiver.

The two phrase are LEGAL terms that are often taken seriously by HQ’s and or should be, because they are meant to hold people to a certain standard in the legal world and thus getting an email or letter w/these words being used, SHOULD prompt any and all responsible stores, companies to actually address this concern and to do so in a timely manner or else be held liable if something bad happens.

Time is of the essence is essentially a legal term that encourages prompt attention, using that phrase shows a future judge that whomever is using the term is COMMUNICATING the need for promptness.

The phrase “on notice” essentially COMMUNICATES that whomever is receiving the concern is as of the date, AWARE and ALERTED of a concern and hence now anyone made aware of the concern and not taking appropriate action to mitigate the hazard, fix the hazard, can be held LEGALLY responsible, w/much more certainty than someone who claims in a legal battle that they were not aware and makes the claim that they had no idea that their product on their shelves was a hazard.

Having this all in writing and pointing out in the email/letter to them, that not only are they “on notice” but that the email/letter serves as clear and concise documentation that can and WILL be made available for any and every court case that results from this product, thus it would behoove any all store owners and the company selling this item to FIX the concern PROMPTLY or potentially lose big and lose swiftly.

As I recall it was Amy who had done all the great research, perhaps she could provide somewhere that people could send a copy of these emails/letters that they have sent to store owners and the main company, so that if there ever be a need, the proper authorities wont have to seek them out and potentially miss out on having them to use in court.

Worth noting, it is a common strategy for attorneys to defend their clients by telling judges their client had no idea they were doing anything wrong. it is then upon the claimant, that is to say the person/people who filed the lawsuit, to then move forward and PROVE that actually the company did indeed know they were doing something wrong.

Defendants attorneys do NOT offer up guilt, the attorneys job is to DEFEND their client, which in so many cases in so many courts, equates to NOT honesty and accountability but rather defendants are advised to deny, deny, deny, unless and until they are FORCED by a judge to provide specific documents. Until then, its a war of attrition, a game of deny, deny, deny, make the claimant do the work, provide the proof to PROVE the case of wrong doing. That said, a claimant will have no way of knowing that anyone has put the company or stores on notice unless at some point the judge orders the company or store to hand over whatever documents the claimants attorneys request. That means tho a good attorney will need to request to see any kind of letter, emails, etc, indication that the company (or store) was aware the product was a hazard. A good atty would also look into complaints filed about the company and this is where it would be helpful if Amy could provide somewhere that people can simply forward a copy of their concern emails TO as simply as possible so that they can be sitting somewhere meaningful on file as a record for any future atty to use easily to hold the company and stores accountable.

I almost purchased one of these “no hide” items recently. I was thrilled to discover these in the store. My first impression, I was disappointed and disgusted that there was no wrapper on them, but I minimized and dismissed my concern and was begrudgingly willing to try one despite no wrapper. As I was picking one out, suddenly a bug flew out of one and into another and I was so disgusted I opted NOT to get one after all because my concern at that point was that bug could be laying eggs inside of those, which could not only be ingested by my pet but also be released into my house and or that bug could be transmitting a disease that could harm my pet. When I saw on this post someone had a similar experience, of seeing I think it was called a “skin bug” it reassured me after reading Amy’s extensive research, that these are likely rawhides merely being marketed as no hide.

My trust in companies and stores has depleted more and more in recent years. WARNING, we really cant trust the hype. That “no hide” website was SO charming, so inviting and its just yet another example of how just like w/so much these days, politics, food, household items, just about everything , MARKETING, is designed and in place, to make things, people, products, SEEM, SO good, so trustworthy, MARKETING w/words, pictures, its all a big game, pull our strings, telling us what they think we want to hear, to manipulate and get us to buy their candidate, their product, support them in their endeavors, them gaining profits, gaining power, and we end up being negatively impacted as a result of their lies and or their carelessness. IMHO, so many of us have been wired to trust and believe that if its in a store, if its on TV, if they tell me what I want to hear, then it must be okay. Nope. it is upon each of us to SEEK OUT the facts from reliable sources ESEPECIALLY for upcoming elections and not just trust what we are being told and being sold in politics and on packaging, TV and social media, ads, etc. Facts ARE available as Amy discovered in this instance, people just have to be willing to do a little digging to seek out facts, to question and to push back when things do NOT seem or feel right or seem to good to be true.

For pets, when in doubt, I suggest check w/vets. These days I have multiple vets and I check w/several of them when I have a question, as they each have different opinions, experience and education, they tho are just one resource. I compare their answers, and go w/what seems logical and wise to me, I also rely largely on my own common sense to make decisions. I too tho am far too often too trusting. I am so thankful I saw that bug fly in and out of that “no hide” that day, cause that bug flipped my common sense “switch” back on after I dismissed my instinct about no wrapper being acceptable. For me, no wrapper was in no way acceptable for my pet and yet I was willing to trust the company’s decision to offer a treat w/no wrapper over my own instinct. We as a society are naive far too often in this way. Im “training” lol myself to NOT be so naive. That bug was yet another training lesson for me.

BTW I have seen comments here about HOW to give dogs rawhides… to me, common sense is that dogs are similar to toddlers, and thus it is my responsibility to keep mine safe in similar ways as a toddler when out and about, in the car, when feeding, around stairs, etc. It is my understanding that in toddler day care there is a rule that if something can fit through a toilet paper tube, then it can be a choking hazard for a toddler. That said, I literally sit w/my dogs when they have gotten rawhides in the past because they are each different in their chewing habits. One is a gulper, so I have to be especially careful w/him and have had to in the past, save him from choking on a rawhide that he was simply swallowing as is his instinct to do when it gets to a size he feels should be swallowed. I have learned from that terrifying experience. We as people learn as we go. So many of us don’t realize that each dog is different. Some just swallow, some chew, sometime habits change from day to day. One never knows when something bad will happen, so its upon us to make time and sit and WATCH them as they chew making sure that what they are chewing on can NOT be swallowed, can NOT be choked on because it is the dogs instinct TO SWALLOW, consume the treat in front of them. Same w/toys, my dogs gnwas off bits of toys and swallows those too I repeat its upon me to PAY ATTENTION, notice these things and adjust the toys he gets accordingly.

I have used rawhides as a tool NOT a treat. 10mins a day, I MAKE that time to sit and watch my dogs to ensure they have NO chance of swallowing the rawhide or whatever else they may be getting, same w/toys. We recently had a rawhide cause a gum issue, tear at the gumline because the rawhide was too rigid and that has caused a whole other set of issues so we have been off rawhides for a while and looking for another chewing option. I appreciate the Kong suggestions in these posts as this gives the dogs something to toss around, and slobber on but can be the tiny pieces of treats taht they cant choke on. Even w/that I will STILL WATCH as they play because one never knows if a problem may show up. All toys, treats pose a risk a hazard.

I personally NEVER by the Greenies, the brushless chewable type treats, that dogs can supposedly chew on for dental health because I don’t want my dogs swallowing the treat whole and choking on it or it causing an obstruction. My dogs arent obnoxious, they are simply seeing something yummy like that and their instinct is NOT to chew on it, but instead to just swallow that yummy thing, when I tried those, my dog chewed it maybe a few times then swallowed it basically whole and I then had to wonder and worry for days about that in his system. Not all of us know our dogs habits or what our dogs will do at any given moment so is best to stick w/something we know will NOT be a hazard. Knowing my dogs are sometimes gulpers, I have learned to now feed ONLY tiny treats that cant be choked on even if swallowed whole. I look for treats that if swallowed whole it will either disintegrate as it goes down w/the saliva breaking it up or it is so tiny (pea size) that swallowing it whole doesnt matter. They still get a treat but I get zero stress and scares in the process. I tho also take time to BRUSH my dogs teeth WEEKLY rather than rely on a treat to do that work for me.
Good luck to all!

[Melissa D]

do you know of any hydro treats for dogs?

[heba M]

Puppy treats with dental benefits at PET UNION TREAT: https://www.petuniontreat.com/dog-treats/sponge-dog-treats/sponge-star-chips-dental-dog-treats.html

[heba M]

Fruit and Vegetable Flavored Pudding Dog Treats: https://www.petuniontreat.com/dog-treats/dog-themed-party-food/fruit-and-vegetable-flavored-pudding-dog.html

[syma K]

Hello Everyone

I have a dog who is very important to me, so I want to make sure he is getting the best food and supplements to keep him healthy. To do this, I have researched and compiled a list of the best dog supplements on the market today. These products contain natural ingredients that provide essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients for your pet’s overall health and wellbeing. All of these supplements are veterinarian approved and offer great value for money too! Dog food and even treats can be enriched with these supplements to ensure optimal nutrition. Whether you are looking for something to supplement your pet’s diet, or just want to give them an extra boost of health, these top products are the perfect choice. However, I am here to ask dog owners a few questions, before selecting the best supplement for their beloved pet.

What type of diet does your dog eat?

What health issues are you trying to address with this supplement?

Is it good to give your pet supplements year round or just during certain seasons?

Are there any side effects associated with the supplement you are considering?

Where can I find coupons and discounts for dog supplements?

Looking forward to hearing from all you dog owners out there and helping you find the best supplement for your beloved pet.
Thank you for joining me in this conversation!

[Chris S]

My dog Gracie has 2 favorite treats that I would like to share & hope that Dog Food Adviser would check into whats good or bad about them:

Blue Buffalo True Chews Natural Dog Treats, Chicken Bacon Recipe

SmartBones Mini Bones with Real Chicken Rawhide-Free Chews

She loves both of these. The Smart Bones really smell good enough that I havev been tempted to eat them also.

Thanks!

[Todd T]

Why would you recommend Bubba Rose Biscuit Co. I Heart Cheese Dog Treats as a top treat for 2023 when every site I checked had HORRIBLE reviews. They have 1 star on Chewy and only 3.4 stars on Amazon.

I TRUST what you say and feed my children based on your recommendations, but now I have to seriously wonder if this is money over facts given all the bad reviews! WTH is going on?

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Aimee. Thanks for sharing more information and especially for the quick education on converting to energy basis. That balanceit calculator is great, and I did finally grasp your manual calculation (my brain heated up significantly, but I got it). At first I was puzzled by the 9 in your calculation, but thankfully the footnote on balanceit gave me a hint and I now understand where it came from. What I don’t really understand is how the balaneit calculator is able to do the calculation without the caloric value of the food, since that is not one of the entries. But, I don’t really need to know. Your calculation method is quick.

On triglycerides: My, you are quite knowledgeable when it comes to lab reports too. If there is a limit to the scope of your dog knowledge, I haven’t found it yet. The Lipemia Index was reported on 2 of his 3 lab reports and it shows N, with the footnote: “Index of N, 1+, 2+ exhibits no significant effect on chemistry values.” All 3 of the blood draws were done 7-8 hours after he ate breakfast. So not officially fasting, but quite a while after a meal.
This probably is unrelated, but the Lipase level was within range all 3 times.
Interesting about the movie “First Do No Harm” – I’m going to see if Netflix has it.

You raised the high copper issue and that is the very thing that got me so focused on vitamin/mineral content. Very early in my dog seizure research I stumbled upon an article about a concerning trend of high copper content in dog foods along with a trend of rising liver disease in dogs. So then I started looking at the nutrient profiles for dog foods and was horrified to see some foods with around 100 ppm copper (I also get concerned about Vitamin A around 150,000 iu/kg, even though I know the AAFCO upper limit is 250,000). I had been using foods that were pretty high in both, plus my dog was getting quite a few freeze dried liver treats daily. Going forward, I was very careful that the foods I chose had reasonable contents of both. But now, since I have started feeding so much fresh meat and keeping track of everything on my spreadsheet, I realize that my dog’s diet is getting close to copper deficient. So, he is getting a couple small liver treats a day, which is a change he is very happy about.

I did notice that the SRF Beef is quite high in copper, so I stayed with poultry recipes. When I first started being so concerned about copper I was appalled that some companies were putting food out there with such high levels, and it made me think less of those companies. But that seems to be so common with beef recipes that I had to let it go and just pretty much go with poultry recipes. The SRF issue of high fat recipes being touted as low fat on their website is troubling too. So much trouble for my brain to deal with . . .

And speaking of troubling – the “How many confirmed deaths?” reply you mentioned is so sad I don’t even know what to say. Depressing comes to mind. THANKS. M&C

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi again Aimee. I found your No Hide thread. It was surprisingly difficult to find. I tried yesterday, while logged in, and couldn’t find it because I was unable to go to the second page of the Topics you have created. Then this morning I got on the website on my backup laptop but was not logged in and it popped up on the left side of the screen in the “Latest Replies” column. Showing that there had been replies in the last few hours. But of course when I went to that topic, the last reply was in December. So I continue to be baffled by bizarre occurrences like that on this website. Of course there is a good chance the problem is me.

Anyway – NICE WORK! Thank you for putting information like that on this website. I will certainly remember the Earth Animal company name and will never buy anything from them.

A related question for you. Would the vitamin/mineral content of turkey tendons be similar to turkey meat? My dogs are very fond of turkey tendons, as treats, and eat several per day. Beef esophagus too. The caloric contents are 4,585 kcal/kg and 3,720 kcal/kg. I have assumed that both have some nutritional value, but maybe not. I don’t know the fat content either, and that might be much higher than I assumed. I haven’t been able to find an online resource for nutritional information on things like turkey tendons. I mostly use nutritiondata.self for information on meat (and some organs).

[Ana W]

There are several ingredients that are commonly flagged as controversial or potentially harmful in dog food. Some of these include:

By-products: This can include animal parts such as feet, beaks, and organs that are not typically consumed by humans.

Meat and bone meal: This is a rendered product that can contain animal parts from any species, including roadkill and euthanized animals.

Artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors: These can be harmful to dogs and may be linked to health problems such as cancer.

Propylene glycol: A chemical used to keep semi-moist foods moist, which is banned in cat food by the FDA but is allowed in dog food.

Grains such as corn, wheat, and soy: These can be difficult for dogs to digest and can cause allergic reactions in some dogs.

Carrageenan: A thickener and emulsifier derived from red seaweed, it can cause gastrointestinal inflammation and other health issues.

BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin: These are synthetic antioxidants used to preserve the fat in pet foods, they have been linked to cancer and other health issues.

It’s also important to note that some ingredients may be used in small amounts and not be harmful, but when used in high amounts, they can cause health issues.

It’s always a good idea to read the ingredient list carefully and to look for a product that uses high-quality, whole ingredients. It’s also a good idea to check for certifications such as AAFCO, USDA or FDA certifications, which indicate that the product meets certain standards for nutrition.

I hope this information is helpful for you in making informed decisions about the food and treats you provide for your dog.

[Mutts and Cats]

Patricia A – I have read in articles from sources I consider reputable that garlic is beneficial to dogs in small amounts, as Small Batch explained to you. It does seem to me that the Small Batch customer service is quite good, in that they took the time to give you a detailed reply. I actually didn’t realize that Small Batch made freeze dried. I thought they only made frozen and the local store that carries frozen only carries their Base Blends, not the Meals.
I just now hopped on the Small Batch website and their dog meals won’t work for me because of allergy ingredients (and the garlic, but I’m softening on that), but the cat meals would work. I also notice that the cat meals don’t contain garlic. So maybe those would be nice treats for your Chihuahuas – if you aren’t already. I’m going to request the vitamin/mineral data for the cat meals and see how that looks. I’m surprised they don’t have it online. Or maybe they do and I missed it.
I like to feed a variety of brands. I feel like it reduces the risk just in case one of the brands is not as good as it seems. I’ve become pretty untrusting of dog food manufacturers, but I just can’t quite take the leap to making my own.

I hope Steve’s works for you. I don’t think I mentioned previously that I also feed the Steve’s Cat (Quest) freeze dried as treats. My dogs REALLY like that. The Cat nuggets are smaller than than the Dog, and crunchier, so might be perfect for your Chihuahua pack. To me the Quest looks fine for a dog (vitamin/minerals) if it is not the only thing they eat. The Niacin is considerably higher than a dog’s requirements, but I haven’t done any reading yet on how much Niacin is too much.

I’ll let you know if I decide to try the Small Batch Cat.
Nice having you to chat with.

[Patricia A]

Hi M&C,
I’m glad I still frequent this board even though not as active in the past. So glad I singed in today to learn about Steve’s. Will look into that brand because I always like to rotate the freeze dried with others. Glad to hear you had good experience with customer service also.
I wish Small Batch didn’t put the garlic in. I have the three Chihuahuas’ so hard for all three to well with. But they love the Turkey Small Batch and never digestive issues. So I have a small bag available and feed infrequently still. For what it’s worth this is what they wrote me back.
All of our diets are formulated in partnership with veterinary professionals to ensure safety of ingredients and ratios for nutrients – including garlic. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding this ingredient, which in small doses is actually highly beneficial for our pets. We use just 1lb of raw, organic garlic in every 1,500lb batch of food, and have been successfully incorporating this ingredient in our recipe for 17 years. Like many things, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing, and garlic falls into this category, which is why there is so much controversy out in the world when it comes to feeding it to our canine family members. Rest assured that the amounts we use are extremely minimal and safe, and just enough to lend nutritional benefits to our formulation for the dogs eating our diets.
Yes, I give Bixbi as treats. I’ll write with my experience with Steve’s.

[Mutts and Cats]

Hi Patricia A. Sorry for the delayed reply. I continue to have trouble knowing that there has been a reply to my posts.
Since I first posted I have definitely decided to give up on Vital Essentials. The Customer Rep I was communicating with won’t even reply to my emails anymore. I kind of softened the extent of my concerns about their online data for my posts here. The more I think about what I found, plus the lack of replies now, I don’t feel good about the company at all.

But, some positive news, I tried Steve’s and both of my dogs like it and seem to be doing well with it. I was concerned that the Goat’s Milk wouldn’t agree with them, but they seem to be ok with it. I’m feeling pretty good about Steve’s online information and their customer service too. Their online vitamin/mineral information looks professional and reasonable, and it appears that they keep it current with updates. I think there are some companies out there who do an analysis one time and just keep that info online forever.
I also like that I can order both frozen and freeze dried Steve’s from rawpetfood.com. The shipping is free if you subscribe to auto renew. The customer service there has been really good too.

You mentioned Small Batch. A local store sells the frozen Small Batch Base Blends, which is just meat, organs, and bone. I bought some of that a couple months ago and one of my dogs loved it and the other would have nothing to do with it. I too would be hesitant to feed a food with garlic. But there seem to be differing opinions out there on whether it is a good thing for dog food or not. I had one of my dogs tested for food allergies recently and he is not allergic to any meats, but is allergic (IgE reaction) to every vegetable they tested for (which unfortunately was only 5). So I assume he is allergic to many more vegetables and that makes it pretty limiting for choosing foods for him. Garlic would make me particularly nervous as I am allergic to it (IgE, from a blood test) and eating it really does cause trouble for me – much more so than my other IgE positive foods.

A couple freeze dried brands that I am feeding mostly as treats are: K9 Natural and Bixbi Rawbbles. Both of my dogs really like them. For the Bixbi, they have both dog and cat, but I feed the cat turkey recipe because the ingredients are better for the dog with allergies, plus no phosphate additives. From the online vitamin/mineral info the cat recipes appear to me to be ok for a dog – especially in small quantities. For the K9 Natural, I limit how much I feed because the Vitamin A and Iodine contents are higher than I like.

Another ingredient that I am steering clear of for now are phosphate additives (dicalcium, trisodium, etc). I’ve read that the artificial forms of phosphate are absorbed MUCH more readily than phosphate from meat, so can interfere with the dog’s Calcium to Phosphate ratio. May or may not be true, but for now it is a worry of mine – it’s always something 🙂 So all of the foods that I mentioned do not include any of those.

Well, sorry this got so long. I will do better at checking for replies in case you do.

[Christy K]

My 12 year old girl who used to eat anything and everything came down with HGE in November, a few weeks after getting a puppy. I was pretty good (not perfect) about making sure she didn’t eat my puppy’s food (Orien Large Puppy 16% fat) because she is overweight and will eat it all. I was feeding a mix of Kirkland Nature’s Domain (16% fat) and Authority Grain Free (22% fat) as well as fish oil for the last few years. I then switched her to Orijen Senior (15%) fat about a month or so before the puppy. I did also give her some treats more often (puppy training) but not a ton. After the first bout of HGE, I stopped the oil and she seemed great. Right after Christmas – I let her and my puppy lick some turkey drippings out of a pan and she also had a real bone (the dried kind from the feed store). I noticed a little bit of blood but solid poop. I switched her to Royal Canin Gastro Intestinal (over the course of about a week, still 1/2 and 1/2). About two weeks after I noticed her stools got looser and then real bad diahhrea. Took her to the vet the next day (after feeding straight GI food and electrolytes) and she had really bad bloody/water diarrhea. She is getting better but the vet thinks I need to switch her to a low fat diet the rest of her life.

I am on the fence because she was eating much lower than she used to. I also saw her drinking some water in big dishes I leave out for my tortoise and chickens, which had sat out a couple weeks. I think it might be a bacterial thing. However, they messed up and never tested her stool and she now on antibiotics so I won’t ever know.

That said, I don’t like Royal Canin GI because it’s slaughterhouse waste and I think way too low fat (5%), but I would like to get her on some lower fat food as well as a good digestive gut health food. But, most gut health foods are 12% or more. The low fat foods (dog food advisor recommended) for low fat that have lower fat are Nulo Healthy Weight and Merrick but neighter seem particularly focused on gut health. I could always get extra pre and probiticvs but it would be bnice to have them in one.

So, – food recommendations? Pre and probiotics recommendations? Experiences with HGE?

[Patricia A]

Hi Aimee,
On bottom of bag states Vital Essentials Turkey dinner patties Formula is formulated meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO dog food nutrient profiles for all life stages.
After getting no call back I called the Carnivore Meat Companyr. (Carnivore Meat Company is an award-winning manufacturer of premium frozen and freeze-dried raw pet food and treats. Located in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the company’s rapidly growing brands include: Vital Essentials®, VE RAW BAR™, Vital Cat®, and Nature’s Advantage) Just was the same recording with different number.
Well I HOPE dog food companies have software letting them know their brand was mentioned on social media forums for dog nutrition. Just so they know that there is pet owners like yourself and many others who are now VERY savvy to the tricks of the trade and forcing them to live up to their own hype .
Thank’s Aimee. For now I’ll give it a rest.

[Colter C]

Hi Dog Food Advisor,

Is there a comprehensive list of the flagged controversial ingredients in consumable dog products?
It would be helpful for me to be able to assess other products that aren’t already reviewed on the website like dental treats.

I already found and appreciate the guide on how Dog Food Advisor assesses the different foods. Still, a list of those ingredients would help streamline my own assessments.
/frequently-asked-questions/about-our-best-dog-foods/
/frequently-asked-questions/rate-dog-food/
/dog-food-industry-exposed/ingredient-splitting/

Thank you!

[Winston D]

Ann, were these purchased from Costco? We have had both of our dogs intermittently sick from these, I am convinced. We rarely give these to them as we have had the same bag for over a year but just recently we started to realize that every time they have these treats they have diarrhea or worse. My english cream goldendoodle was in ICU in September and was septic, we almost lost him. Fast forward a few months and just a day ago after I gave him a bath I gave him about half of one strip as a good boy treat. He is so sick today, same symptoms as before. Diarrhea, bloody stool, lethargic, drooling, panting. If he has not improved by tomorrow I am taking him back to the ER and will open up a lawsuit with Farmland Traditions. I am SO sorry to hear of your loss. Pets are irreplaceable and companies like this need to be held accountable.

[Patricia A]

I follow Susan Thixton. Her mission: Susan Thixton and others like her are determined to empower pet food consumers. By fighting for industry transparency and putting an end to negligence and deception, more companion animals will stay healthier longer.
The reason she started her campaign:
I couldn’t believe what my veterinarian, Dr. Bruce Catlett, was telling me. This dog food was the number one pet food in the U.S.; it was a ‘trusted’ company. What I did next, changed me forever.

Dr. Catlett told me that these chemical preservatives were (and still are) added to pet foods to extend their ‘shelf life’; to keep them fresh for longer periods of time for retail purposes. In 1991 I made my first phone call to a pet food company; I asked them what the shelf life was on this food. I’ll never forget it – they proudly told me the dog food would “stay fresh for 25 years”. That’s more than three times as long as my dog lived.

The chemical that killed Sam – was ethoxyquin; it is still commonly used in many dog foods, cat foods, and pet treats. The pet food company that killed her, is still one of the top pet food companies; although they no longer use ethoxyquin in their foods, they use many disease causing ingredients including dangerous chemicals.

Sam’s death changed me forever. From that day forward, I have studied pet foods, pet food ingredients, and the regulations that govern them. In 2006 I started TruthaboutPetFood.com hoping to share information I learn about pet food with others.

And how did the ‘Caped Crusader for Safe Pet Food’ get started? A few years into advocating for safe pet food, a dear friend gave me that name and it stuck. My youngest daughter drew the Caped Crusader image.

But TruthaboutPetFood.com isn’t just one person – it’s thousands of people who work together helping to make pet food safe. The brightest veterinarians and scientists, along side of thousands of determined petsumers – we are all part of the TruthaboutPetFood.com team.
Aimee you can read about “her List”. She does hard work for us pet owners . https://truthaboutpetfood.com/the-list/

[Patricia A]

Hi Aimee. Just confusing to me that all these studies led pet owners to believe grain free was primary causation of DCM in pets. Possibly legumes in grain free causing enzyme inhibitions and interfering with digestion causing taurine and other amino acid deficiencies .
I personally don’t trust how much protein comes from meat and how much is from pea protein on grain free. However, I also don’t trust grain inclusive. Due to below.

A recall on pet food has been expanded after 70 dogs have died and another 80 or more were sickened due to mold in a popular pet and cat food brand.
Midwestern Pet Foods is expanding an earlier recall of some of its Sportmix products to other dry dog and cat foods with an expiration date on or before July 9, 2022 that were manufactured in its Oklahoma kitchen. The recall includes all dog and cat pet food products made with corn products because they might contain elevated levels of aflatoxin, which is produce from a mold that can grow on corn and other ingredients used in pet food.

So below is the food that Science Diet grain free. Why if it’s so bad?
Ingredients in Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Grain Free Chicken & Potato Recipe dog food are peas second ingredient.

I like Stella n Chewys however they use synthetic vitamin pack. Freeze dried should be getting all necessary minerals and vitamins from natural sources. Synthetic vitamin packs are always added to highly processed dog food because nutrients are cooked out due to the high heat. My dogs do well with most of their proteins but if mistakes are made with amount in pack the results are lethal . As in below.

The FDA has become aware of reports of vitamin D toxicity in dogs that ate certain canned dog foods manufactured by Hill’s Pet Nutrition and marketed under the Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet brands. This is a developing situation, and the FDA will update this page with additional information as it becomes available.

I can only HOPE I’m making an educated choice in feeding my dogs a diet of good nutrition and food that is not slowly poisoning them. I have inherited my mom’s dog now that she is living with me after my dad passed. So I have three now. My Tia always gains weight easily even with exercise and string beans as treats. Loli gets growling stomach if given too much fat. If I have lean steak as treat one day I only give for that day. Two days in row and loose stools. Then there is my mom’s . Can’t eat the Primal Turkey n Salmon but the others do fine with it. UHHH I recently tried Small Batch turkey freeze dried. Trust company and love all the ingredients but ONE. They have garlic. Now way down on list of ingredients. Some say natural flea repellent. Great stools and none had stomach trouble. Been on the bag of the small sliders for a week. But I can’t continue not trusting that the garlic could build up to cause red blood cell destruction. They are all Chihuahuas’. Just would like to make it easy for me and get a brand I trust to be healthy and all three do well with. Guess for now I’ll stick to primal freeze dried. However, I do like to rotate between at least two brands just in case. Sorry for this being so long, Just hard to trust what’s in your dog food when I have to keep up with all the human food recalls making people sick. lol

• This reply was modified 3 years, 1 month ago by Patricia A.

[Jessica G]

My miniature schnauzer is 2 years and 4 months old. She has been having seizures and face/body tremors throughout the weekend. The only thing new to her diet is milk bones multi colored peanut butter flavored and bark’n bac’n lean by ol roy. I have been researching and see that both of them contain BHA and red dye 40. The only treats she has ever had before this was the American vetdogs peanut butter training treats. I now know that those treats, too, contain BHA but not red dye 40! The two days that she had multiple seizures and crazy body movements (that looked like paroxysmal dyskinesia) she was given both the milk bones and the bark’n bac’n lean treats. The following days she was given only the bark’n bac’n lean treats only bc they fit into the treat jar and the milk bone box was so big so I put it away for layer. She has gotten increasingly better but is still not 100%. I plan to not give her any of that and see how it goes. I’m not sure if it’s food related or if she has some neurological condition that I am still unaware of. We have an appt with her vet this Friday when I am off of work.

[YorkiLover4]

I have a rescue dog that was overweight when we got him and pooped a lot too. We switched him to Small Batch Raw and also give him Vital Essentials treats. The problem is he is always hungry so to help him lose weight we add in lots of vegetables and divide the food into 3 meals a day. We buy frozen vegetables and cook them. The vegetables give him lots to eat, fill him up and are well digested. The raw food by itself, especially the raw freeze dried as treats is constipating and really firms up stool. His poops are normal and formed and 2x a day. We have to always watch his weight but he is a senior now and has down great on this diet.

[Earth Genics]

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