Rawhide

Contrary to popular belief, rawhide is not only bad for your dogs, but can be deadly. Rawhide is bleached and indigestible to dogs. Pieces of rawhide can become lodged in your dog's digestive tract and become fatal. Also, there is no nutritional value to rawhide.

So, what are better alternatives for a dog that likes to chew?

- Antlers- long lasting, natural, and odorless

- Bully sticks- those from organic, free-range cows will be your best bet in terms of minimizing odor

- fresh marrow bones- ask your local butcher, these are great nutritional snacks that will keep your dogs busy, but are best as outdoor treats as they can be messy

When it comes to bones- raw is best- feed your dog raw chicken wings or fresh marrow bones.

NEVER give your dog and cooked or smoked bones as they can splinter and injure your dog internally.

Filling a Kong with things like: pumpkin pie filling, applesauce, yogurt, peanut butter, bananas, apples and carrots, even a little cream cheese and putting it in the freezer is another great way to treat your dog and keep him occupied.

Always supervise your dog with bones and treats and remove small pieces.

Loving on Jakers!

Rocco and Dexter are snoozing. Jake is enjoying an antler and is too busy to be interested in me, but that didn't stop me from doting on his frostiness anyways!

Are You Feeding Your Dog a Good Diet?

Like their human counterparts, dogs benefit from a healthy, well-balanced diet supplemented with the occasional treat. Diet is especially important when approaching the special needs of puppies and senior dogs, or dogs that are pregnant or nursing.

A GOOD dog diet includes: real meat as at least the first three ingredients

A Good diet does NOT include: meat byproducts and corn (which is indigestible to dogs)

When choosing snacks for your dogs, keep them limited and avoid products originating in China which may include chemicals toxic to your pet! Dogs enjoy healthy snacks too like apple slices or dehydrated apples, baby carrots, or green beans. You can also make your dog fresh jerky using a dehydrator and salmon, chicken or beef.

Don't forget your senior's special needs, with a daily supplement for healthy joints which includes glucosamine... our favorites are Sea Bones!

For dogs with food and other allergies- you may want to consider a minimally processed raw diet, we love Stella and Chewy's! Using fresh,raw, local and seasonal honey is also a great, natural supplement for dogs with environmental or seasonal allergies!

How does YOUR dog food stack up?? Visit: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/