Showing posts with label dog food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog food. Show all posts

Monday, July 19, 2010

Super Good Dog Treat.... Your Dog Will LOVE Them!

We do not normally promote individual products, but once in awhile a product comes along that we just have to pass on. Chicken Nibbles is one of those products.

The first ingredient is Chicken Breast, in fact the ONLY ingredient is Chicken Breast. They may seem a little spendy, but we think they are a pretty good deal considering that they are made of 100% Chicken Breast. These snack sized disk have been a hit with our foster dogs. As with any treat, moderation is they key, but trust on on this one. Your dog is going to LOVE these!!

Now to get the "official" mumbo jumbo out of the way.......

We are in no way affiliated with the company that makes Chicken Nibbles, the stores that sell them, etc....

The link below is for Petco, we liked this link because it offered the bottomless dish, but you can or course do a search and find other places to purchase these wonderful treats! (We are not affiliated with Petco and we are not benefiting from providing this link).

http://www.petco.com/product/108797/Chicken-Nibbles-Dog-Treats.aspx

Let us know if you try them, if you find a great deal on them or any other comments you may have about them!!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Mmmm.. Home made doggie (and human) treats for a hot day!

Peanut Butter Yogurt Freezies
by Marina (Barrie, ON Canada)


This is a great dog treat for those hot days of summer. And it's healthy too!

Ingredients

375g (or half if a large container) Plain Non-fat yogurt
1 Cup peanut butter Natural no sugars or additives. (I use smooth but I am sure crunchy would work too if you prefer)
2 tbsp. molasses1)

I melt one cup of peanut butter in the microwave for a few seconds just so it become thin and easy to stir. Do not allow peanut butter to get very warm and especially do not let it get hot. If it get hot, let it cool before the completing the next step. Reason for this is you can destroy the good bacterial properties of yogurt if it gets warm.2) Add yogurt to the peanut butter and then add molasses and stir until blended. Drop using a table spoon portion into medium muffin wrappers. Freeze and serve frozen.Great summer treat. I like them too!

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Save a life!! Become a foster parent :)

Spring has sprung and puppy and kitten season is here in full force! We at Pupz N Palz Rescue depend on foster homes and without them we would be lost. The foster home is truly the heartbeat of our Pupz N Palz Rescue. Although there are many ways to volunteer, the most needed help is fostering. By becoming a foster parent, you literally are saving the lives of the animals you foster! As you look at the list of adoptable pets we have available, just think of the one that we could not save due to a lack of foster homes.

We get request daily to take in everything from adult dogs, puppies, kittens, cats and even recently 2 pet rats!! Sadly, we turn down more that we accept.

If you would like to be part of the solution, consider becoming a foster parent! It's rewarding, it's fun and at times it's really frustrating, but well worth the effort when you consider that you are saving lives.

Below is our foster application, please fill one out and submit it today!

Not sure if you want to become a foster parent? Shoot us an e-mail, leave us your contact information and one of our volunteers will get back to you to tell you about the program, the pro's and con's and answer any questions you may have.

Pupz N Pals Foster Application/Agreement
 
Please read before submitting your application.

As a foster family I agree to provide nutritious meals, fresh water, grooming, a safe environment, and appropriate shelter for this foster dog. I will not leave my foster dog tied up ever.. I will never leave my foster dog unattended in a vehicle when it is 70 degrees or hotter, even with the windows rolled down. I understand that this can cause heat stroke and the death of a dog. I agree to arrange my family’s schedule so that the dog is seldom left alone for more than eight hours at a stretch. I agree to play with, pet and give attention to my foster dog when I am home. I agree to let Pupz N Palz know if there is any change in the health of the dog and will get clearance before I get anything other then emergency care for my foster dog. I will check my foster dog regularly for any signs of illness. I will do frequent flea and tick checks on my foster dog.

I will give a firm "NO!" or shake coins in a can to let my foster dog know that he is exhibiting bad behavior. I will NEVER hit my foster dog. I understand that dog trainers acknowledge that this is an ineffective way of changing bad behavior. I will seek to modify behavior by praising the behavior that I desire. I agree to consult with Pupz N Palz, dog care books or videos from the library if I am experiencing any behavior difficulties with my foster dog. I will closely supervise my dog when around children (especially children, or adults, he/she is not familiar with). I will closely monitor my foster dog when near roadways or water, when riding in a vehicle (preferably the dog should be in a dog crate during car travel) and in any other situation which is potentially dangerous to my foster dog. I will have my foster dog wear an identification tag with a phone number at all times. I agree to any home visits needed, as determined by Pupz N Palz. I will relinquish the dog upon request.

I understand that Pupz N Palz does its best to evaluate a dog’s temperament and behavior. I will not hold Pupz N Palz liable for any damage the dog does. Pupz N Palz is concerned about the health of the animals in its care and exercises due caution to prevent the transmission of diseases. Unless you are notified otherwise, the animals you foster will have been given preventive immunizations. However, because of the dire circumstances from which many of the rescue animals come, any animal may carry or could have already been exposed to an infectious disease, which may not be apparent for several days. Pupz N Pals cannot warrant or guarantee the foster dog is healthy or good-natured. Any animal has the potential to bite or cause injury. You have determined for yourself the animal is acceptable for you and your household to foster, and you agree to indemnify and hold Pupz N Palz, Pupz N Palz volunteers and other Pupz N Palz representatives harmless for any illness the animal may develop and any injury or damage this foster dog may cause once you have taken possession of the animal. By signing below, you acknowledge that you have read, understand and agree to all terms laid out in the two pages of this contract

***If you are in agreement to these terms, please complete the form below e-mail it to PUPZNPALS@AOL.COM or fax your application form to 209-571-8662.

***If Pupz N Palz is forced to retain an attorney in enforcing this contract, recipient agrees to pay Pupz N Palz’s reasonable attorney’s fees, compensate for time, gas and any other costs incurred in same.
DOG RESCUE FOSTER HOME APPLICATION / CONTRACT
Name:
Phone:
Address:
City:
Zip:
Major Cross Streets:
E-mail Address
Alternate E-mail Address
Place of Work:
What Type of Work do You Do?
Name of Employer:
Names and Numbers of 3 people who will always know how to contact you
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
Name
Relationship
(H)
(W)
What makes you want to foster a pet now

What kinds of pets have you previous had

What happened to them

What is the longest you have owned a pet

Do you know how to crate train a pet
Yes No
Do you know basic dog obedience techniques?
Yes No
Please describe any training/experience you have had in handling animals:


Do your pets have licenses/identification/microchips?
Yes No
Please list the pets you now have in your home:
TYPE OF PET
AGE
(FE)MALE
SPAYED/NEUTERED
DATE/TYPE OF VACCINATION
SUBMISSIVE/DOMINANT

Do you have children

Ages

Are your children trained to handle animals gently?

Will the children be closely supervised while with your foster dog?

Who will be the primary foster caretaker for the dog?

Who will feed, water, and walk the dog ?

Is everyone aware of the amount of time and attention a dog needs?

What is the family schedule like?


How long will the foster dog be left alone?

Where will you keep the dog when no one is home?

Do you live in a house/apartment/other?

Do you rent or own?

If you rent, do you have permission in writing from the owner/manager to keep a dog?

What is the pet weight limit?

Do you have a secure, fenced in yard?

What type of fence?

How high?

How big is the yard?

Do you have a covered, shaded area in the yard or a dog house?

Do you have a doggie door?

What will you do if your foster dog knocks over a plant or chews something in your home?

What if your foster dog turns out to be a "barker"?

What if your pet plays roughly/is aggressive?

What will you do if your foster dog has a potty accident?

What do you plan to do if the foster dog does not work out in your home?

What types of dogs or cats would you like to foster?

Are you willing to attend dog obedience classes or seminars offered by DOG RESCUE?

Do you or any of your family members have any known allergies to dogs

By signing below, I am acknowledge that the above statements are true and correct. I further acknowledge that I nor has anyone in my household or who would be in contact with the foster dog has ever been accused of or convicted of a crime against an animal.


___________________________ ___________2010
Signature Date

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Homemade Dog Treat Recipe (Salmon)



We all love our dogs and want to give them treats, so many of the store bought treats are full of fillers and in general just not a good choice for your dog, this is not to say that there are not some great dog treats on the market. We at pupznpalz recommend natural, organic, grain free dog treats. We will be posting some great recipes that you can make at home for your dog and even give some to friends!!Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun project, and is a great way to get all members of your household involved with caring for your dog. Dog treats are fairly simple to make, since they are meant to be used as a reward for your dog (not for nutritionally balanced feeding)! However, it’s still important that you use high-quality ingredients in your dog treat formula. This will help to ensure that your homemade treats still have some health benefits for your dog, and will not contribute to any health problems. There are thousands of recipes available for making your own dog treats, each of which use different ingredients. Here is a simple recipe for homemade dog treats that can be easily modified if you feel the need to add additional ingredients.


SALMON DOG TREATS (GRAIN-FREE)

1. Gather all of the ingredients that you will need for making your dog treats. In this recipe, you will need one can of salmon (organic), ½ cup of grated parsley, 3 cups of potato flour and three eggs (including shells). Optional ingredients include ½ cup of ground flax seeds, sesame seeds, or other nutritious ingredients you wish to add to the formula. It’s best if you only use organic ingredients in your dog treats, since this will allow you to make a treat that is free from pesticides, preservatives and artificial growth hormones.

2. In the next step, you will need to thoroughly blend all of the ingredients. Add the Salmon, parsley and eggs to a food processor, mixing them on a low setting. Once these ingredients are mixed, you can turn the speed of the processor up slightly to a middle setting. Add the flour (and flax, sesame or other ingredients) gradually, through the top of the food processor while it is still mixing the ingredients.

3. Once the mixture has reached the consistency of cookie dough, take it out of the food processor. Knead the dough on a floured cutting board, making sure that the consistency of the dough is even. Flatten the dough with a rolling pin so that it is from ¼ to ¾ of an inch thick, depending on how big you want your treats to be. Once your dough is flat, you can either cut it with a cookie cutter, or simply slice it into small squares with a knife. Try to ensure that all of the pieces are the same size, so that they will all have approximately the same cooking time.4. Lightly grease a cookie sheet with a non-stick cooking spray, or simply line the cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place your dough pieces about an inch apart on the cookie sheet, using even spacing.5. Cook the dough mixture in the oven at approximately 375 degrees for about twenty minutes. If you want harder cookies, you can rotate your cookie sheet after 20 minutes and bake for another few minutes.

Do you have any homemade dog treat recipes that you would like to share? Please post a comment below!

How to grade your dog's food: MUST READ!!

How to grade your dog's food

Start with a grade of 100:

1) For every listing of "by-product", subtract 10 points

2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or fat) reference, subtract 10 points

3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points

4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points

5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (i.e. "ground brown rice", "brewerâ⬢?s rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points

6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points

7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points

8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3 points

9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points

10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points

11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points

12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points

13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog isnâ⬢?t allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points

14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog isnâ⬢?t allergic to beef), subtract 1 point

15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point

Extra Credit:

1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points

2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points

3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points

4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points

5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points

6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points

7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points

8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points

9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points

10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point

11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point

12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point

13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point

14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point


94-100+ = A
86-93 = B
78-85 = C
70-77 = D
<70 = F

Here are some foods that have already been scored. Please note that some foods, such as IAMS have several variaties and the score is for the basic variaty, not the natural. If you don't see your dog's food here, ask and someone will score it for you.

Dog Food scores:

Alpo Prime Cuts / Score 81 C
Artemis Large/Medium Breed Puppy / Score 114 A+
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Authority Harvest Baked Less Active / Score 93 B
Beowulf Back to Basics / Score 101 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Blackwood 3000 Lamb and Rice / Score 83 C
Blue Buffalo Chicken and Rice / Score 106 A+
Burns Chicken and Brown Rice / Score 107 A+
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Hi-Energy/ Score 77 D
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Diamond Performance / Score 85 C
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van PattenⳠNatural Balance Venison and Brown Rice / Score 106 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
EaglePack Holistic / Score 102 A+
Eukanuba Adult / Score 81 C
Eukanuba Puppy / Score 79 C
Flint River Senior / Score 101 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Innova Large Breed Puppy / Score 122 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
MemberⳠMark Chicken and Rice / Score 84 C
Merrick Wilderness Blend / Score 127 A+
NatureⳠRecipe / Score 100 A
NatureⳠRecipe Healthy Skin Venison and Rice / Score 116 A+
NatureⳠVariety Raw Instinct / Score 122 A+
Nutra Nuggets Super Premium Lamb Meal and Rice / Score 81 C
Nutrience Junior Medium Breed Puppy / Score 101 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Max Adult / Score 93 B
Nutro Natural Choice Oatmeal / Score 101 A+
Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice / Score 98 A
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Lamb and Rice Puppy / Score 98 A
Nutro Natural Choice Puppy Wheat Free / Score 86 B Nutro Natural Choice Senior / Score 95 A Nutro Ultra Adult / Score 104 A+
Ol' Roy High Performance / Score 27 F
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
Premium Edge Chicken, Rice and Vegetables Adult Dry / Score 109 A+
Pro Nature Puppy / Score 80 C Pro Plan Sensitive Stomach / Score 94 A
Purina Benful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Purina One Large Breed Puppy / Score 62 F
Royal Canin Boxer / Score 103 A+
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Solid Gold / Score 99 A Summit / Score 99 A
Timberwolf Organics Wild & Natural Dry / Score 120 A+
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

Some of these scores may not be accurate so be sure to score it for your self and get a few others to score it as well. (just to be sure)

We at pupznpalz have always fed the IAMS brand dog foods, it is basically middle of the road and not knowing what our rescues have been eating before coming to us, we have felt it was a good choice for our situation. With theat being said, pupznpalz will be looking at other brands that are both healthy and cost effective. We were suprized and please that Kirkland got such a good rating! It is a cost effective food and scored high, a win-win situation :)