I learned the truth about dog food and treats too late for Willow It was not until my precious Willow was diagnosed with cancer that I
started learning about dog food treat ingredients. I thought I was feeding
my dogs great food, and you may think you are, too.
Advertising vs. truth I believed the hype in TV and print ads about the quality of the ingredients—
I believed that my dogs were eating only whole, fresh, all natural, healthy
foods.S
Now, I am not saying that all dog foods and treats are bad. But I am saying:
please look for foods and treats that are made with human grade
ingredients and without chemicals or preservatives.
Did you know that dog foods and treats might include… •Road kill.
• The renderings of euthanized house pets—with tags and collars still on!
• Added sugars and salt—neither of which your dog naturally needs. Sugar and salt are added to make bad ingredients taste better.
• Dyes that have shown to cause cancer. Your dog doesn’t care if the food looks like the colors of peas and carrots!
• Chemicals and preservatives, even when the foods and treats are labeled “all natural.”If a company purchases ingredients that were grown or raised with chemicals and preservatives, it does not have to list them! The company must list only the chemicals and preservatives they add during the manufacturing process.
Please take the time to learn about pet food labels. Good quality may cost a bit more, but it will probably save you money in
the long run on health care issues.
Miss Willow that inspired the Liver Cookies of Love left us today. She was born March 25, 1994 and left us December 1, 2009. A good run to be sure. I was told over 8 years ago to take Willow home that the cancer left us no hope and to prepare for her to die. Well, she did not listen. She was the light of my life and she just got too tired now. She was almost 16 years old. She inspired me to make these wonderful cookies. She taught me how to feed my dog and how to clean my home. She helped so many other animals that had cancer.
I will forever be grateful for all that we shared and all that she taught me. She went quietly this morning and I have to say that the Vet was so supportive and caring. There were flowers and a blanket and candles. It was as sweet as a horrible moment could be. I know that she is now again dancing in a young new body and not trapped in the frame of an elderly dog.
I loved you best of all Miss Will..and I always will. Please hold us all in your prayers as we learn how to do life without Willow here in the form she was this morning. I know that she will always be with us and I hold her in my heart and give thanks for all the blessings that came from her.
If you know the publication The Whole Dog Journal, you know that it is one of the most up to date and valuable publications on all things dog. The do not have advertising in there journal so a company can not pay them to say their product is great.
I had not yet read my November issue and then I got an e-mail from a client telling me how happy they were for me that Waggin’ Tails Cookies had been named on the ‘Top-Quality Cookie-Type Treats section. She stopped by the bakery this morning with her copy of the journal to share with me. Sure enough on page 15 of the November issue we are listed. What an honor!
Wheat Free and Grain Free Dog Treats are becoming more popular with many dog owners. At Waggin’ Tails Cookies we make three different Grain Free Dog Treats. We have our Grain Free Iddy Bits, Grain Free Big Ones and our newest cookie Duck Liver Formula. Wheat Free Dog Treats is what our whole line is. We never use wheat in any of our products.
So why grain free dog treats and why wheat free dog treats? Grains often turn into carbs that then turn into sugars. There is a great deal of information that sugars help to ‘feed’ many types of caners. Also going back to a wolf pack and what wolves would be eating they would never have processed grains in their diet. As far as wheat free dog treats, many dogs have developed allergies to wheat. Rather than take a chance that you pet may be one of the dogs that does not tolerate wheat you can simply choose products that are wheat free.
less carbs
less chance of allergies
less chance of carbs turning into sugar that can feed cancer
I am happy to report that as of August 18 it has been 8 years since I was told that there was no hope for my sweet Willow. Well, she did not listen! She is now 15+ years old and still dancing for her Waggin’ Tails Cookies everyday. I must admit that I do not limit how many she can have. At this point if she wants 25 a day she can have them.
I also wanted to share with you that we have a new addition to our family. CJ (named for my Grandfather) joined us in June. He was born on May first into a litter of 6. He is an English Springer Spaniel and he is liver and white. His legs are growing faster than the rest of him so right now he looks like a puppy on stilts! He has no concept that anyone or any dog would not want to play with him. I got him onto a raw food diet within days of him joining us. He is a boy that loves his food and his liver cookies. He will already sit, down, wait and shake. A very bright child he is. He loves to nap with Willow and she is fine with him sleeping with her. He does not really understand that she doesn’t really play anymore..but he keeps trying.
I have had several calls from folks that want me to contact there favorite pet store to see if they will carry our products. If you have a favorite local whole pet store and would like for me to contact them please let me know.
For any pet store owners or animal web site owners Waggin’ Tails Cookies has a wholesale program. We are happy to drop ship to your store or to your customers on your behalf. Sign Up Now!
Wholesale dog treats are sold in unit dozens that can be mixed with different products. We drop ship to several states now and are looking to expand our wholesale dog treat business. Drop ship customers are not required to purchase in dozen lots.
We are very proud of the ingredients we use in our handmade whole dog treats. We never use wheat, corn or soy in any of our wholesale dog treats. All of ourwholesale dog treats are made in a human certified bakery in Northern California. We supply 24 samples for your customers with each dozen of our wholesale dog treats.
If you have a resale permit and are interested in selling our wholesale dog treats, please contact us and we will ship off a sample package to you to try on your four legged friends.
We look forward to a great relationship with you and our wholesale dog treats.
Heavily-processed fast foods (burgers, fries, tacos, etc.) as a big diet component can cause major health problems in people. How can fast foods be good for dogs? Only dog food manufacturers think this nonsense makes sense. Dogs and people share roughly 75% the same genetic makeup, and we have similar nutritional needs. What we’re doing to our own health with processed foods, we’re also doing to our dogs. And it’s happening faster.
2) People food is good for dogs.
Despite what you’ve heard from friends, vets and pet food manufacturers, wholesome ”people food” is good for dogs. People food is only bad for dog food makers. The same fresh, nutritious foods people eat can offer your dog the nutrition he needs and save you a mountain of vet bills. It just takes a little education to learn the small differences between human and canine nutritional needs. (Hint: no onions, grapes or raisins. Rinse off rich spices and sauces. Go easy on carbs and avoid wheat and corn.)
3) Don’t presume the food your vet sells is a superior product.
Veterinarians, like medical doctors, learn relatively little about nutrition in school. Much of what they do learn comes directly from pet food company vets, sales reps, articles, studies, and seminars. If your vet hasn’t studied and experimented on his or her own with raw or homemade diets, it’s unlikely that he or she knows bad food from good, and may be acting on outdated information or superstition. And if vets profit from selling one brand, and not another, they have a conflict of interest that may influence their opinions. (Some may even be prohibited by a manufacturer from selling more than one brand.)
4) The quality of processed commercial foods is suspect.
Dog food may legally contain “4-D” meat: meat from dead, dying, diseased and disabled animals. Add a little road kill, mill floor sweepings labeled as grain, and corn contaminated with high levels of pesticide (yes, really) and you have a recipe for ill health. The cheaper the food, the cheaper the ingredients, the worse the nutrition. Read the labels!
5) Kibble does not clean teeth.
Almost all dogs age three and over have dental diseases. Most of these dogs eat kibble. That should tell you something. Although a small study once suggested that kibble might clean teeth better than canned food, better doesn’t mean effectively. Hoping to avoid brushing our dog’s teeth, we too willingly grasp at kibble’s unsubstantiated health benefits. But pretending that kibble or hard treats will keep teeth clean will only lead to huge vet bills, lost teeth and much canine suffering.
6) “Complete and balanced” does not mean “optimum.”
“Complete and balanced” means that a food meets minimal theoretical health requirements for the average dog. Food boasting that it conducted Feeding Trials often just test only the lead product in a line of foods. Trials, too, are for only a small number of dogs for a short period of time. Over time, nutrient and enzyme deficiencies are inevitable. Of course, complete and balanced is better than not complete and balanced, but again, better does not mean good.
7) Feeding the same food day after day limits nutrition.
Imagine eating corn, rancid fat and chicken wings (without meat) every meal of your life, with the same mix of cheap vitamins and minerals added. Nutritionists urge people to eat a variety of foods, both for improved nutrition and also to prevent allergies. Dogs need variety, too. But variety can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, right? In the short run, yes. Nutritionally-deprived animals have sick guts. In fact, intestinal upset when switching foods is a sign your dog needs more variety. Once good nutrition has healed a dog’s digestive system, the dog can eat different foods every meal — just as people do. Just switch foods gradually over several weeks while your dog’s gut heals.
8) Kibble is not better than canned.
Whereas canned food is preserved by the process of canning, most kibble is preserved artificially. (Ever contemplate how much preservative must be required to retard spoilage of food left out all day?) Kibble begins as a dry cooked meal whereas canned food is canned fresh. Kibble is exposed to more heat than canned (destroying nutrients). Worse yet, kibble is linked to kidney and bladder problems in cats, and to bloat, a deadly problem especially for large, broad-chested dogs. It’s also dehydrating. Of course, canned isn’t perfect either. Fresh is best, raw or cooked. Next best is frozen prepared food and then dehydrated and freeze dried foods, all available at better pet stores.
9) Some common foods can be hazardous to canine health.
Cooked bones and rawhide chews can cause major health problems requiring emergency surgery. Wheat-based treats can bring on allergies. Onions, grapes, raisins, chocolate, the article sweetener Xylitol and other common foods can be toxic for dogs and must be avoided.
10) Corn kills.
Most kibble is loaded with corn, a cheap filler. Unfortunately, the corn isn’t the luscious kind you and I eat. It’s feed corn (like cattle eat), or cheap feed corn remnants. Even corn meal dust counts as corn. The corn may even have been condemned for human consumption, there being no upper level of pesticide contamination for pet foods. If that weren’t bad enough, corn (which gives us both high fructose corn syrup and corn oil) is fattening. Any wonder so many dogs are obese and suffer from diabetes?
*****
Improving your dog’s diet can add years to your dog’s life and save you a fortune. It doesn’t require a lot of work or expense. It just requires a little knowledge and the desire to give your dog the healthy body he or she deserves. Check out the two chapters in my book, Scared Poopless: The Straight Scoop on Dog Care. (Read an excerpt about dog food myths.) And check out Dog and Cat Food Labels: Marketing Tricks That Cost You Money and Dog Food: What to Feed and Why.
I got this info at the great web site listed below. There is a load of information on this site. Check it out.
Remember that they can’t do a lot of things for themselves and that they depend on you to make their life a quality life!
A PET’S TEN COMMANDMENTS………
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don’t be angry with me for long and don’t lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don’t understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I’m not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please.. Never say you can’t bear to watch. Don’t make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.
Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God’s critters
~Now please pass this on to other pet owners. We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
I am often amazed at the relationship between my dogs and cats. Cooper, my youngest dog and my cats Cinnamon and Nutneg LOVE him..and he LOVES them. My other two dogs, Willow and Kodi are friends with them too but not like Cooper. All of my dogs are crazy for Waggin’ Tails Cookies and Cnnamon is too. Nutneg just plays with them until one of the dogs finds the cookie and eats it right away.
I had a very upsetting and yet sweet event this past weekend. My cats do not go outside because of the Doggie Day Care. They do run around on the roof and play together and are quite sweet and funny. My home is an A frame so the roof is a 12/12 pitch…45 degree angle. I heard the overnight dogs barking on Sunday morning and went out..without shoes to tell them to quiet down. When I got out on the deck I saw that Cinnamon must have fallen off the roof and was in the grips of 4 labs. Without thinking I ran out to the dog pen without shoes on to save her. I had to get them away first so that I could get to her.
When I got her into the house I found that she had no wounds on her. She was very wet from them having her in their mouths. After about 10 min. of checking her out she got off the couch and went to Cooper for comfort. She had just been attacked by four dogs and she was looking for comfort from a DOG! I called my sister that lives on the next property to come down and check her out too. I picked up Cinn and walked towards the back door. That door has a window on the top so she could see the dogs that attacked her. She went nuts. She clearly knows who is family. She and Cooper continue to be fast friends and she is also fine with Kodi and Willow.
They always amaze me and this was yet another example of how much they know.
I have had several people ask what I feed my dogs..other that the Liver Cookies of Love. My dogs are all on raw food. Sometimes I purchase it from a local raw food company and sometimes I make it myself. I have been asked to share the recipe.
These amounts may need to be made smaller. I have the big mixer at the bakery so this is what I use.
I start with a ground meat. Turkey, chicken, lamb or beef. I use 20 pounds of ground meat. I then put in 1 dozen raw local organic eggs with the shell. I first put them in the blender and it makes the shells very small. The shells are a good calcium source. Then I use local organic veggies that I have run through the blender. Then I use 1/2 pound of organic kelp and 1/2 pound of organic alfalfa. I use this mixture for one meal. Each of my dogs gets an amount based on Their size. I store this in the freezer and take it out as we need it. The other meal is raw meaty bones. I use chicken necks and turkey necks and some lamb bones. I do not use beef bones as I think they are too hard. The bones also help to clean the teeth.
About a year ago Willow decided that eating the bones was too hard for an older girl like her. I add calcium to her diet since she does not eat the bones.
Feeding raw is not for everyone. Many vets will tell you never to feed raw. I also want to point out that most of the training vets get about nutrition for our beloved pets comes from food companies. You need to treat the raw food for your dogs the same way you treat your meat. Defrost the meat in the refrigerator.
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I am happy to chat with anyone about my experience with raw food and why I feel so strongly that it is the best option for our beloved pets. Feel free to call me 707-569-9425. I love talking about food, treats and just dogs in general.
