Archive for the ‘Dog Info’ Category

I had a very frightening thing happen with my sweet Willow last week.  She will be 15 years old in a few weeks.  When we got up Tuesday morning I thought she had had a stroke.  Her head was tilted to one side, her eyes were moving back and forth, she was falling down and when she could stay on her feet she was walking in circles.  She could not be still.  She would not eat..not at all like my Willow how always wants to eat.

I thought it was time to say good bye.  It was 5 AM and I took her back up to bed and cuddled her up and told her how much I loved her and how much I have valued everyday with her.  I cried and tried to keep her calm.

It turns out that what was happening is a issue call Vestibular disorder.  It is an inner ear issue that happens with older dogs.  No one quite sure why it happens.  The head is tilted, the eyes move, they fall down or just can not get up at all and when they can walk they tend to walk in circles.  I wanted to share this because it looks so horrible and many times dogs are put down that need not be.  Most of the time they fully recover within a couple of weeks with some TLC and time.  The head tilt may not go away.

If you have an on older dog (or cat) in your family, please read up on this.  The last day, weeks, months or years with our old pals are so special that if I can help one dog by posting this I am delighted.

Here’s to many years with all of our furfriends!

Blessings,  Barbara

Waggin’ Tails Cookies has launched a new product.  Many dogs have developed allergies to the ingredients that have been being used in pet food and treats.  Our first two products use chicken liver as the main ingredient because it is a great protein source.  The vast majority of dogs do great with chicken and beef and lamb and turkey.  These are the meat sources most commanly used in dog food.

I have had so many people ask about a cookie for the allery dogs that we have developed a new product with VERY limited ingredients.  Three ingredients to be exact.  Duck liver (raised without added hormones or antibiotics), organic garbanzo flour and filtered water.  Many dogs have also developed allergies to eggs so we are not using eggs in this product either.  We use flax seed in our other products as it is a great supplement in most dogs diet.  After hearing from several folks that their dogs also have allergies to flax we left this ingredient out as well.

The dogs are loving this new cookie!  And I am getting reports from the owners of dogs with allergies that they are so grateful to have a healthy dog treat that they can share with their fur friend family members.

If your dog does not have allergies our original cookies or our grain free cookies will be great for your pup.  All of our cookies are handmade with all human grade ingredients in a human certified bakery.

My very best to you and your families.

Blessings,

Barbara

Waggin’ Tails Cookies

www.waggintailscookies.com

p.s.  try our free sampler offer.  A full container of our grain free Iddy Bits and you only pay shipping and handling.  If your dog does not love them send them back for a full refund.

Why use healthy dog treats rather than something less expensive for our dogs?  Healthy dog treats are a part of your dogs diet.  If you care enough to feed healthy food as a regular diet, healthy dog treats are a part of that diet.

If you and your family eat well balanced meals I doubt that you would then give your children some sugar and salt filled snack.  It is the same for our pets.

Healthy dog treats come in many shapes, forms and with many different ingredients.  Some healthy dog treats are meat based while others are veggie based.  I do not believe that dog treats made with a base of grain are healthy dog treats.  Where in nature would a wolf get anything that starts with processed grain as the main ingredient?  Dogs are meat eaters.  Many dogs, like many people have allergies to wheat, corn and soy.  Treats and food that use these ingredients as the main component, in my opinion, are not healthy dog treats or healthy dog food.

Healthy dog treats are a great training aid.  When you are house training a new puppy you can use healthy dog treats as a reward for going potty outside.  You can use healthy dog treats as a great way to interact with a dog of any age.  They are a great training tool.  They are a wonderful way to say I love you to your best fur friends.

When selecting healthy dog treats, read the ingredient list first.  Are the treats made from REAL food?  Are the ingredients from safe sources? Where are they made?  Select treats (and food) that are USDA human grade products.  Also, select products manufactored in the USA.  The FDA resently sent out a warning about a chicken breast strip that is made in China.  Dogs are becoming very ill and even dying after eating these treats.  Testing has been done and so far they have no answers to what is causing the illnesses.  I am sure you don’t want your dog to become ill because you were trying to give them a snack.

I invite you to try Waggin’ Tails Cookies free sampler (just pay shipping and handling).  Go to:

http://waggintailscookies.com/sampler.php and order your free sampler today.

My very best wishes for your health and the health of your dogs.

Barbara Lee

Waggin’ Tails Cookies

707-569-9425

The holidays will soon be here.  With your pets best interest at heart, now is a good time to plan for the busy holiday season.

1. Don’t change your pet’s diet around the holidays.  Gravy and stuffing and sweets are not good food items for your dog.  Onions, cooked bones, rich foods and chocolate are very dangerous.
2. With all the extra folks around make a safe quiet place for your dogs to hang out.
3. Even the sweetest dog can get cranky when the routine changes and there are new people around the house.  Ask all of your guest…especially the small ones to give your dog some space and not be in their face.
4. If you want to give your dog something special, consider a good quality human grade treat or some pumpkin (not pie filling) with their food.  They love it and it is good for them.
5. As you are decorating think about things that can be reached by your dog that could be harmful.  Lights, garland, ornaments and plastic should not be where your dog can get to them.  These items and more can cause intestinal problems or blockages.  Lights can short out if chewed and shock or burn your pet.
6. Try to keep their schedule as normal as you can to reduce stress.  You are the ‘leader’ of the pack and they will look to you for comfort and normality.
7. Some house plants used at the holidays are very toxic.  Poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are very  toxic.
8. With people coming and going in and out of the house make sure your pets are safely away from doors.  With all the extra activity they might bolt out a door.
9. Giving you dog a toy like a Canine Genius or a Kong filled with good quality treats can keep them happy and busy for a long while.

Wishing you all a wonderful and blessed holiday season

Barbara Lee

Waggin’ Tails Cookies

So what is a Dog Bakery?  It is just like a human bakery, only it is all about the dogs.  We bake human quality cookies and treats in our Dog Bakery, lovingly for our four (or three) legged fur friends.  Our motivation is giving dogs the best quality treat they can have and one that they will love to eat.  By baking the cookies in our Dog Bakery slowly at lower temps we maintain the nutritional value of the ingredients.

We invite dogs to visit our Dog Bakery at times when we are not baking.  Their noses are working over time!  Loads of cookies for them and a great nose work out.

We are working on a new cookie at our Dog Bakery.  It is made with duck liver and is grain free and egg free.  We want to make a new cookie at the Dog Bakery that is OK for most of the dogs that have allergies to the four main protein sources and to eggs.  It should be ready to go in a month or so, so check back to see what is up at Waggin’ Tails Cookies Dog Bakery.

We also have a great holiday selection from the Dog Bakery for your dogs and your dog loving friends.  Be sure to check out the cookie store and the fun stuff stores.