Tag Archives: dog treats

Salmonella Warning Issued for Merrick Beef Filet Squares

Check your puppy’s snack cabinet: Merrick Beef Filet Squares have been recalled because they may be contaminated with salmonella. The recall was announced January 14th. Fortunately, no pet or human illnesses have been linked with the product. Instead, the possible contamination was found during a routine FDA test of the treats in December 2009. A follow-up inspection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found problems with the packaging and the manufacturing of the treats. The particular treats that have been recalled are Merrick Beef Filet Squares in the ten ounce red, green, and tan resealable bag. The recalled batch … Continue reading →

Foods You Might Not Think of Giving to Dogs

For a while, I was making my own dog food. Check out the basic recipe here if you’re curious. Moose and Lally LOVED it, but it was taking a lot of time, effort, and money to keep it up. Gradually we switched back to dog food, but from time to time I like to supplement their kibbles with some healthy human food. Some of my favorite add-ins are: White or brown rice or oatmeal cooked in chicken broth Shredded lean chicken or turkey Mashed vegetables like carrots, peas, and string beans Plain yogurt (especially when Moose has an upset tummy) … Continue reading →

Snack Habits in My Pack

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It seems that there are two types of dog: the dog who will eat anything in front of him, whenever it is available (like my dog Moose) and the dog who only eats when she’s hungry (like my dog Lally). When it comes to snacks, Moose and Lally are also very different. Moose will try anything once. Twice. Seventeen times. Lally is a much pickier eater. She only likes certain things and will disdain anything that isn’t on her list. Her likes include chicken jerky, chicken or beef flavored chewy treats, and the occasional rawhide (but only when she’s in … Continue reading →

Frozen Doggie Delights: Experimenting with Carrot Juice

For Murphy’s birthday I wanted to make him a special treat. I know there are places you can buy dog birthday cakes and such, but I didn’t need that much food. So I started thinking about ice cream. Murph loves this doggie ice cream called Dogsters that I used to be able to find at the Publix in Florida but haven’t found in Tennessee. He was nuts about the carrot-flavored one in particular. Making My Own Doggie Ice Delights I got to thinking, “How hard would it be to just freeze some carrot juice in ice cube trays and see … Continue reading →

Interview: The Chocolate Lab

I had the opportunity to (virtually) sit down with Amanda, owner of a cute little shop called The Chocolate Lab. Her pet products have appeared on the HGTV website and in Puppies USA Magazine — so I figured they were worth a look. Aimee: So how did you get started? What inspired you? Amanda: We bought our first house in November of 2005, and the first thing I did was find myself the perfect little puppy to join our family. I started doing some research regarding dog food, and I was horrified at the lack of care that went into … Continue reading →

Cooking for the Dog

I wish I could tell you that since this week is National Turn Off Your TV week that I had fun non-TV activities planned for every night of the week. The bad news though (and the honest answer) is that I don’t. The good news is that boys are thinking of things to do on their own. We are in the process of training our puppy, and are going through a lot of dog treats. So tonight we made homemade dog treats. The boys have wanted to do this for a while and there never seemed to be a good … Continue reading →

Do Greenies Pose a Health Risk?

About a year ago, a warning went around saying that Greenies treats were unsafe for dogs. A television station in Seattle, Washington reported that the treats could indeed be unsafe, and told the story of three different dogs who had to undergo surgery to remove intestinal blockages caused by teeth-cleaning treats like Greenies. A total of nine people came forward to KIRO-TV to claim that their dogs had died from intestinal obstructions after eating Greenies or similar products. If you’ve never heard of Greenies and other teeth-cleaning treats, here’s the scoop: Greenies are toothbrush-shaped dog treats that are harder than … Continue reading →

Possible Human Health Risk from Pet Treats

If you give your pets beef or seafood flavored treats, you may be at risk for salmonella infection. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a report last month warning people to wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling pet treats to prevent infection. In 2004 and 2005, nine cases of salmonella were reported by pet owners who handled infected treats. The treats came from different manufacturers but had one thing in common: a type of salmonella called Salmonella Thompson. (Kind of sounds like a name from a bad gangster movie, huh?) The treats were … Continue reading →

Basic Dog Treat Recipes

Want to bake something special for your pup but don’t know where to start? Here are two recipes to try. Feel free to get creative — if your doggies love peanut butter, try the second recipe. And if you have any recipes of your own, please share! I’d love to give them a try. The Basics 3 1/2 cup unbleached flour 2 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup cornmeal 1/2 cup skim milk powder 1 tablespoon (or 1 package) dry yeast 3 1/2 cups lukewarm chicken or beef broth Dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm chicken or meat broth. The … Continue reading →

A Holiday Wish List For Dogs

Lally’s Letter to Santa: Dear Santa Paws, This year I have been very good. I only piddled in the house once, and it was because I was excited to play. I only piddled on the porch a few times, and it was because I was really excited to see whoever was coming to visit. Sometimes I growl at my brother when he tries to steal my squeaky ball, but then I let him take it anyway. I’m a good dog! Here’s what I would really like for Christmas this year! 1. A hundred Zanies Freaky Squeaky balls. Santa, these are … Continue reading →