Posts tagged "dog treats"

Like many pet products, dog treats of the 21st century have improved greatly on their earlier versions. Instead of just giving pooches a tasty reward, these modern morsels can also help to promote wellness, develop canine hunting instincts, and even disguise dreaded medications.

So if your four-legged friend could benefit from a savory snack that packs an additional punch, try introducing him to a new nibble for the new year. To help you discover a different kind of delicacy, our friends at Zootoo rounded up some of their favorite dog treats with a little something extra.

Simple and delicious, Dog Joy Sweet Potato Treats from Freshpet feature one ingredient only - sweet potatoes, making these healthful snacks rich in such goodies as beta carotene, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. And if the solid nutritious value isn't enough to tantalize your pooch, our canine reviewer devoured the taste of these morsels, quickly making them a favorite.


To help promote good cardiac health for your canine, try Happy Heart Chicken Breast Jerky Treats from Dogswell. These snacks use cage-free chicken breast, a pesticide-free component that's also good for the environment, to create a delectable taste for dogs. And even more impressive is what's not on the ingredient list: Dogswell's Happy Heart Treats are free of by-products.


Save yourself the hassle of getting your pooch to take his medication with Greenies Pill Pockets. These ingeniously designed snacks have a hollowed-out center to create a perfect resting space for your canine's capsules, and our tester dog flipped for the smell and taste of these time-saving treats.


Combining the appeal of a chew toy with the flavor of a delicious treat, Occupi Crunchy Busy Bars from Petstages have a unique texture and shape that provide a stimulating surface to keep your dog engaged in chewing. And for additional fun, the Busy Bars can be used with the Occupi line of treat toys, challenging your dog to use his wits and encouraging his hunting instinct.


A tasty snack made with real chicken and rice, Healthy Rewards Low Fat Canine Treats from iVet help to prevent obesity and related complications with a formula containing ingredients such as flaxseed. And our tester pooch couldn't resist the meaty flavor and chewable texture of these morsels.

Everybody's talking about this corgi's talent for catching hurled treats. Um? That's cute and all, but let's not bury the lede here. How about the dog's apparent ability to bend time and space at will in order to make the treats fly in slow-motion? Is nobody going to talk about that? Is nobody going to talk about this terrifying miracle?

It doesn't have to be the holidays for us to want to treat our dogs. We love to indulge ourselves-and them-and are careful to avoid poisoning pets with high-risk foods like chocolate, macadamia nuts, avocados, or raisons/grapes. Artificial sweeteners keep owners lean, but any goodies sweetened with Xylitol could cause canine liver failure.

So when the aroma of baking and roasting turns on the doggy drool, what human foods are safe for dogs to snack on? Actually, dogs have been eating the same foods people do for centuries and not only live to tell about it, they thrive. And holistic vets often recommend some of these foods for a more natural way to treat your doggy best friend.

1. Lean Meat: Chicken is a favorite but dogs will relish nearly any type of meat. A hunk of firm beef also can scrub teeth for dental health then your dog must chew. Turkey contains tryptophan, a natural sleep aid that works to calm excited pooches during holiday visits.

2. Organ meats: Don't toss out the giblets when you roast your holiday bird. Tongue, heart, liver and gizzards are power-packed with vitamins and minerals that help support the dog's own organs-so even if you don't care for liver, your dog will thank you for this healthy treat.

3. Green veggies, fresh or cooked: Dogs are omnivores and often relish vegetable treats. Some favorites include broccoli, asparagus, spinach and green beans. Does your doggy graze on grass? Offer him parsley-it will also freshen his breath.

4. Beets: Holistic veterinarians say raw beets pack a powerful punch for cleansing the liver. Dogs may relish small amounts of cooked beets as a treat.

Here's a baby who gets what dogs really want. "Animals just don't like me," some people whine. That's probably because those people can't figure out what this baby already understands: If you want to make friends with an animal, feed it. That's it. Just feed it. Give a dog a snack and you'll have a pal for life.

The flip side of this is that whenever you want to eat your own snack, your peckish pooch is going to want a taste. That's why when this baby grows up into a young lady, she's going to wonder why she can't ever enjoy some potato chips or baby carrots without the dog bothering her to drop one under the table. This memory will be long gone by then, and she won't understand that it's her own darn fault.

Owners fill bowls with nutritious food to keep dogs healthy. So why do dogs eat weird, disgusting and even dangerous stuff?

Dogs use their mouths the way we use our hands. They pick up objects and explore their world by mouthing, tasting, and chewing. That sometimes gets them into trouble if they swallow something they shouldn't.

Eating Grass
As omnivores, dogs benefit from eating vegetables or fruits. Even coyotes and wolves eat vegetable matter found in the stomach of prey, as well as roots, grasses and fruit. Dogs often beg for and enjoy snacks of raw vegetables like lettuce, green beans and carrots.

Most pet dogs occasionally eat grass, which may provide vitamins the dog craves, or it may simply like the taste. Dogs also eat grass to stimulate vomiting when they feel ill. Occasional grazing isn't a cause for concern unless your dog turns it into an obsession or it gnaws poisonous houseplants.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, a campaign started last year by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers to promote the importance and benefits of positive, gentle training methods.

Even if your dog isn't ready for an agility championship competition, you can still teach him a few tricks this month by using his favorite reward -- treats! To help get you started, our friends at Zootoo rounded up their top picks for training treats that will get your pooch to sit, stay and roll over for more.

For a top-quality training treat with an A-plus ingredient list, try Dognation Treats, part of the line of products from Freshpet. Entirely preservative free, Dognation's formula features nutrients such as iron and B vitamins to maintain your dog's energy during an active training session. And our tester dog found the texture and taste of both the chicken and beef recipes irresistible.


Another solid all-natural training treat option, Tillman's Training Tips Dog Treats from Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance use ingredients like maple syrup and turkey to reward your dog's latest accomplishment. Dogs will appreciate the soft, chewy texture and the satisfying taste of real meat. Owners will appreciate the lack of preservatives and artificial flavors.

Many pet owners use the trick of wrapping or crushing vitamins in food to help maintain pet health. Fortunately, certain pet treats now offer extra ingredients to promote wellness and help four-legged friends thrive.

Our pals at Zootoo rounded up their favorite pet treats with a little "something extra" to boost your pet's health. They present beneficial elements -- from antioxidants to arthritic pain relief -- in tasty packages.

In addition to promoting dental hygiene, Nutri Dent Minichews by Nylabone contain Omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for maintaining your pet's overall health, helping reduce inflammation and preventing dry skin and coat. The treats feature breath fresheners such as chlorophyll and parsley, and the unique texture and shape -- like mini toothbrushes -- cleans your canine's canines as he chews.


The all-natural Hip Action Dog Treats by Zuke's include doses of glucosamine and chondroitin to help relieve joint pain in arthritic dogs and boost overall hip and joint health. The treats also incorporate high-quality ingredients such as flaxseed, apples and blueberries for general wellness. But our tester dog cared only about the taste -- which he found irresistible.

The most amazing dog toys in the world aren't all that helpful if your dog has just torn through his most recent batch. Filling your dog's playtime with awesome toys and stimulating games can be as easy as grabbing things you already have around the house like socks, tennis balls, garden hoses and even paper cups and muffin tins.

While you might not be able to keep your pooch entertained with just a pack of cards as photographer Lawrence Chua did with his dog Belle in the photo here, there are fun things you can create yourself with time and patience. And as plus, these toys and games don't have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Muffin Tin Teaser
This game (we'll call it a game but it's more like a canine brainteaser) requires an empty muffin tin, dog treats, and a dozen or so tennis balls. Place three or four treats in the muffin tin, each in its own separate muffin compartment. Next, place a ball on top of each opening in the tray, concealing the treats underneath. (It will look as if you're about to cook a tray of tennis balls.) Last, put the tin on the floor and watch your dog's nose at work. It's simple and fun to watch.

Treat Hide and Seek
This one is as simple as it gets. All you need is a treat. Put your dog in the sit-stay position and "hide" the treat in plain sight. Then return to your dog and release it to go get the treat. Next time, repeat the process, but place the treat just out of the dog's line of sight. Once you're confident that your pooch is catching on, try progressively difficult hiding places.

When our dogs learn a new trick, behave well, or just look at us with those sweet, pleading eyes, it can be hard to resist slipping them a biscuit or two.

Fortunately, all-natural dog treats allow owners to indulge their pooches without giving up healthy feeding practices. Our friends at Zootoo rounded up their favorite products for you to reward your dog guilt-free.

Made with real meat -- slow-grilled chicken and beef -- Dog Joy Treats by Freshpet provide a healthy, irresistible snack for dogs. The all-natural treats break into smaller pieces, making them ideal training tools. And our tester dogs responded immediately to the texture and taste of these goodies, preferring Dog Joy Treats over less wholesome, drier biscuits.


For finicky Fidos, Liv-a-Littles Healthsome Well-Being Treats by Halo will delightfully entice canine taste buds. The antioxidant-rich ingredients -- including such goodies as pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and green tea -- support your pet's immune system. And the chicken and cheese taste combined with a satisfying crunchy texture makes dogs beg for more.

Here at Paw Nation, we're all about shopping for the paws cause, and our friends at Fun Time Dog Shop feel exactly the same way. Since the online shop opened on May 7, the company has raised more than $1,400 for the non-profit groups it's partnered with. Shelters and rescues, as well as other organizations that focus on helping dogs, are among the types of groups to which shoppers can choose to donate the profits from their purchase.

This week, a lucky Paw Nation reader will win a great prize from Fun Time Dog Shop: a Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Puzzle and a bag of Northern Biscuits Grain-Free Treats. The Nina Ottosson puzzle is a fun way to interact with your dog while engaging his brain in a big way, and the treats, which can be broken up and used in the puzzle, are just delicious!

Wanna see how quickly your dog can solve the puzzle? Entering to win is easy!

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us which of your dog's behaviors you find most puzzling.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, November 5, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a Nina Ottosson Dog Twister Puzzle and a bag of Northern Biscuits Grain-Free Treats (valued at $50).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

How handy would it be to pick up special treats for your dog while you're at your local pharmacy? Very. That's why the Pet Central line at CVS/pharmacy makes it more convenient than ever to throw Fido a bone, since 75 percent of the U.S. population has a CVS within three miles of their home.

With school starting and schedules changing, CVS Pharmacy and Pet Central want to make sure that the pups you are leaving at home as as happy as possible. So this week's giveaway is a goodie basket filled with a sampling of Pet Central items! One lucky Paw Nation reader will receive Leak-proof Training Pads, Natural Munchy Stick, Pigskin Twists, Natural Rawhide Twists, Natural 8-inch Bone, Oatmeal White Tea & Ginger Shampoo, Enzyme Stain and Odor Remover and a dog bed.

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about your pet's favorite type of treat.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Monday, September 13, 2010.

You may enter only once.

One winner will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive a Leak-proof Training Pads, Natural Munchy Stick, Pigskin Twists, Natural Rawhide Twists, Natural 8" Bone, Oatmeal White Tea & Ginger Shampoo, Enzyme Stain and Odor Remover and a dog bed. (valued at $42.92).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

You know you're not supposed to feed your dog chocolate, onions, grapes/raisins, macadamia nuts and avocados. And you monitor for sensitivity to common food allergens such as meat, corn, wheat and soy.

But you're only human, and sometimes it's hard to resist your dog's sweet stare as he begs you with his eyes to share some of your delicious homo sapien cuisine. When you want to give him a treat from your table, do you know which "human" foods are safe to feed your pup?

To find the answer, we called upon Liz Palika, author of "The Ultimate Pet Food Guide," and animal nutritionist, Susan Lauten, PhD, of Pet Nutrition Consulting, to explain which fresh, frozen and canned foods people typically eat that are safe for dogs to consume too.

1. Melons: Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew are all healthy options for your pooch. "My dogs will take me down over cantaloupe," says Lauten. "I am required to share the whole thing with them." Consult animal poison control before feeding your dogs any of the more exotic melons.

2. Sunflower seeds (shelled): Skip the salt if possible, or serve in moderation, recommends Lauten. "Remember, treats should not comprise more than 10 percent of your dog's daily calorie intake. If your dog gets 500 calories a day, 50 calories could come from treats."

3. Peanut butter: Peanuts don't appear to cause allergies in dogs like they do in people, says Lauten. "I have some highly food-sensitive dogs for whom peanut butter is a large part of their diet."

4. Berries (fresh and frozen): Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, huckleberries or raspberries -- all are good for your furry friend for the same reason they're good for humans: free-radical-fighting antioxidants. "A lot of dogs like them frozen," says Lauten.

Get an optimistic start to your weekend! Enter these great contests across the AOL Living sites:

Aisledash: Platinum and Diamond Wedding Ring Set Giveaway!
Deadline to enter: Wednesday, June 30, 2010

AOL Health: Summer Triple Threat Giveaway
Deadline to enter: Monday, June 14, 2010

Paw Nation: Giveaway - Dogswell Healthy Treats
Deadline to enter: Friday, June 11, 2010

Lemondrop: Three Dots $100 Gift Certificate Giveaway!
Deadline to enter: Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Feeling lucky? Enter them all!

Feeding our dogs treats is something we all enjoy. They love getting a special snack, and we love making them happy. But what if those treats could benefit their health too?

Dogswell offers treats to treat all kinds of common issues pets face. Their line of treats for dogs includes Happy Hips, Breathies, Vitality, Shape Up, Mellow Mutt, Happy Heart and Tummies, while their line of kitty treats (under the name Catswell), has Happy Hips, Vitakitty, Shape Up and Breathies. These treats have even won awards that are also given to human food.

This week, two lucky Paw Nation readers will receive five 4-ounce bags of Dogswell treats to give their pampered pooches. One winner will receive five bags of Breathies, and the other will receive five bags of Happy Hips. Will you be one of the lucky winners?

To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us what your dog does to deserve a treat and whether your dog would prefer Happy Hips or Breathies.

The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, June 11, 2010.

You may enter only once.

Two winners will be selected in a random drawing.

One winner will receive five 4 oz. bags of Dogswell Breathies and one winner will receive five 4 oz. bags of Dogswell Happy Hips (valued at $17.45).

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.

Click here for complete official rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so be sure to provide a valid address!

Confused by all the natural pet treat options available? We decided to do the work for you and have some of Paw Nation's official testers (pictured here) evaluate five brands of treats.

Sure, there was a slight flaw to the methodology (it's hard to find a treat these testers don't like), so while we made sure that each of these was a hit, we also looked into why we as pet owners might choose these products over others.

Brand: Doggies Unlimited
What we tried: A variety of biscuits, jerky and pet-food mix.
The biggest hit: Jayden's Turkey Jerky.
Why we like it: The ingredients listed on the package aren't just things we recognize; they're things that we would eat (turkey, carrots, sweet potato, zucchini, etc.). In fact, the products are so fresh that they recommend you refrigerate them for a longer shelf life, just like human food. And not that the dogs cared, but we liked the way the biscuits were shaped like hearts and bones. Adorable.
What we observed in the testers: The smaller sized treats were wolfed down in no time, but the bigger treats (while still eaten as quickly as possible), were thick and really crunchy, so there was a little mess. But don't worry, the dogs cleaned it right up!