Proportions, a division of SmartPak Canine, launched their Canine Nutrition University which features a series of articles, how to read dog food labels 101 and an ask the experts section.

I did like the “How to read dog food labels” article as it easily explains the tricky methods used by some companies to split ingredients, the “Dogs are Carnivores, not CORN-ivores! ” is spot on but I would take it one step further and promote a raw diet

If you would like to learn more about Canine Nutrition visit the University for some on-line course work!

The Honest Kitchen’s brand new frequent buyer program lets you earn free gifts for you and your pet. You can earn gifts on purchases made online or from retailers, for any box of Honest Kitchen food made in July 2009 or later! Psst! You can also earn 20 bonus points when you sign up for their e-newsletter before September 30th! Please note, rewards are for full priced orders only.

Simply save your UPC codes off the top of the box, A 7 or 10 lbs box of food is worth 10 points. A 2,3 or 4 lbs box of food is worth 5 points.

Send in your completed submission form to The Honest Kitchen, Attn: Customer Rewards, 145 14th Street, San Diego, CA 92101.  They recommend certified mail or a similar traceable service.

40 Points
Earn free Honest Kitchen treats! of your choice.  (Up to $11 value)

80 Points
Earn a free 4 lbs box of Honest Kitchen pet food of your choice.  (Up to $43 value)

120 Points
Earn a free 10 lbs box of Honest Kitchen dog food of your choice.  (Up to $82 value)

Honest Kitchen also launched a Breeder’s Reward Program and Allies Program visit their site to read all about their new programs!

Apparently Pet Connection bloggers found out about the recall from a Nutro employee twitter feed

“Hi! I’m with Nutro. Re: plastic-During a maint. shutdown, a bump cap inadvertently made its way into our mfg. process equipment….”

Seriously?   Twitter to announce a food recall ?  I guess it is a quick way to get the word out….I checked the Nutro official website today and I can’t find any information about it.  You would think that if your employees are Twittering about it, your webmaster would now and get it on your official site ?

weird…….

I am a big fan of raw beef knuckle bones as being one of  the best chewing items for my own dogs but variety is nice.

I recently saw this company featured in PetAge magazine, with all the concerns over raw hides and chew treats contaminated with bacteria it is important that we make chew treat choices wisely.  I usually advocate made in America only, but this company puts a compelling argument forward that the Brazilians have us bet when it comes to beef.

Free Range Dog Chews claims that their Bully Sticks, tendons, and all bone products come from Free Range Brazilian cattle that graze on the lush, green fields of Brazil and drink from fresh, clear, sparkling springs and streams. They are given NO hormones, NO antibiotics, and NO animal by products are added to their diets like U.S. and Canadian cattle that are kept in feed lots.

They also fully disclose all their labratory testing which is a refreshing bit of dog food company honesty!!

They do carry a few American sourced treats such as their Antlers known as Buckarooz, from free-ranging white tail deer, mule deer and elk in the US.

I haven’t ordered any yet but I am going to check out the antlers as I think my dogs would love them!

Happy Feeding !

Visit Free Range Dog Chews at www.freerangedogchews.com

Well, now you can get your pooch a fine bottle of “Johnny Barker Black Lab” Described as:
“A Premium Canine Spirits. Sniff the richness, lick the flavor, taste like no other. Give the gift of taste, alcohol free aus-jus to be poured over the evening meal. Enjoy Irresponsibly.”

Perhaps a bottle of White Sniff n Tail described as:  “White Zinfandel lovers eat your heart out. Imagine the unmistakable aroma of fragrant salmon, combined with all the nutrients of delectable sweet potatoes. Now imagine your loved four legged member of the family savoring every delicious drop of the sweet nectar of Bark Vineyards White Sniff-n-Tail.”

Bark Vineyards warns that you be sure to have a Licker License if you plan on hosting a Canine Wine Party and Enjoy Irresponsibly!

Super cute marketing and I am sure all my 4 legged clients would love the product!  Gonna have to look into that Licker License !

FDA Approves New Drug to Treat Cushing’s Disease in Dogs

The Food and Drug Administration announced today the approval of Vetoryl (trilostane) Capsules, a new drug for the treatment of pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent hyperadrenocorticism, commonly known as Cushing’s disease. Vetoryl, a new molecular entity, is the first drug approved to treat both pituitary- and adrenal-dependent Cushing’s disease in dogs.

Cushing’s disease is a condition that results when the body produces too much cortisol. Cortisol is normally released during times of stress. The level of cortisol produced in dogs with Cushing’s disease is excessive and, if left untreated, becomes incapacitating.

Vetoryl acts to block production of cortisol, produced by the adrenal glands. The disease is a complicated and slowly developing one, and the early signs are not always noticed. Symptoms include increased drinking, increased urination, increased appetite, reduced activity, excessive panting, thin or fragile skin, hair loss, recurrent skin infections, and enlargement of the abdomen.

Safety and effectiveness were supported by two field studies in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and one multi-center field study in the United States (U.S.). Success was measured by improvements in both ACTH stimulation test results and clinical signs (appetite, activity, panting, thirst and urination).

The most comment adverse reactions were vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea, and anorexia.

Vetoryl is manufactured by Penn Pharmaceuticals, Wales and distributed by Dechra Veterinary Products, Overland Park, KS.

For additional information, please see
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/FOI/141-291o120508.pdf and http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/cushings051109.html.

They also have a delicious line of organic, fresh, wholesome dog treats !

Take a moment and visit puredogchow.com and support a family owned business and provide your dog with some wholesome nutrition at the same time!

Solid Gold dog food for instance offers buy 12 get one bag free !  Free $45 bag of dog food ? I’d say that is worth signing up for !

Simply go to the official website of your favorite brand and look for a sign up page or club page and the saving will start rollin in !

Here are few loyalty rewards programs:

• Royal Canin Club offers members monthly coupons, newsletter and online record keeping for you pet(s).
• Merrick Birthday Club offers members a yearly birthday card for their pet with coupons.
• Breeders Choice makers of Pinnacle, Avoderm and more still have their breeders program but do offer monthly coupons on their site.

That is just a few available, almost all companies are offering a reward program so google your food today !

Happy Feeding !

No doubt the quality of the product is excellent but their website has a tool which I thought was super awesome !  An online Feeding Calculator !

Pet owners are frequently confused on how much raw to feed, since the bio availability of raw food is significantly higher than that of kibble feed.  The Feeding Calculator is an excellent tool.  The site also has a great Tips and Tricks page that contains good information about feeding raw, how to feed and what to avoid.

I haven’t tried the Bravo product yet, hoping to order some samples soon, but the ingredient list and product description sure sound like something my dogs would LOVE !

Kudo’s to Bravo for a great site !

What is Green Tripe ?  Well, Green refers not to the color but signifies that the product has not been cooked or modified in any way and Tripe is the stomach of ruminating animals.

Green Tripe can be fed as a stand alone or added to your dogs diet.  Tripe is loaded with digestive enzymes that help dogs to better utilize their food.

Green Tripe is best when it is fresh and raw, GreenTripe.com offers a great assortment of prepackaged green tripe sourced from USDA approved grass fed, organic raised cattle.

If you can’t stomach (no pun intended) feeding pure raw, Solid Gold makes a nice canned Tripe product called Green Cow.

Happy Feeding !

Tripe Analysis*

A sample of green tripe was analyzed by Woodson-Tenent Laboratories, Inc. in Gainesville, Georgia. The results for sample #G97-16346 are as follows:

Moisture 71.37%
Crude Fat 11.70%
Protein 15.82%
Ash 1.23%
Phosphorous 0.14%
Calcium 0.12%
Calories 756.35 cal/lb.
pH 6.12
Lactic Acid Bacteria 12,000 CFU/G
Linoleic Acid (EFA) 2.72%
Linolenic Acid (EFA) 0.37%

In an analysis of a sample of green tripe by a Woodson-Tenant Lab in Atlanta, Georgia, it was discovered that the calcium:phosphorous ratio is 1:1, the overall pH is on the acidic side which is better for digestion, protein is 15.1, fat 11.7 and it contained the essential fatty acids, Linoleic and Linolenic, in their recommended proportions. Also discovered, was the presence of Lactic Acid Bacteria. Lactic Acid Bacteria, also known as Lactobacillus Acidophilus, is the good intestinal bacteria.

Resources

• Watch Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs making Green Tripe at the GreenTripe company in California.
• Green Tripe company
• True Carnivores website for Natural Rearing Dog Owners

*Tripe Analysis from True Carnivores.com