Posts Tagged ‘dogs’
“Natural” Dog Food: P&G Purchases Natura
Just because your pet food says “Natural” on the label does not mean you’re buying healthy products or from a company with integrity. On May 5th, the Natura line of pet products was purchased by Proctor & Gamble, the company who owns Iams and Eukanuba.
From P&G’s official press release:
“This acquisition gives us a strong position in the holistic and natural pet food segment.”
I feel like that quote really sums a lot of things up. The word “Natural” is so often just a marketing tool and the “Green” movement has sadly only made it more difficult to distinguish truly natural products.
Definitely read the labels on the dog food you buy, especially if you don’t supplement your pet’s diet with meat and veggies each day. Meat (not by-product) should be the first ingredient and ideally there shouldn’t be any ingredients you don’t recognize. If you can afford it, I definitely recommend making your own dog food.
Source: Breaking News: Proctor & Gamble Purchases Natura Pet Products
How-to: Make Your Own Dog Food
When I twittered about cooking meals for my dog recently, Maria inquired about how I make food for Rufio.
I started preparing Ruf his own small meals when I began researching what most dog food is really made of. There are lots of good reasons to feed homemade dog food, but for me, a large part of it is that I enjoy preparing it!
There is no set recipe for what is served to Rufio. Typically, my husband or I cook up a batch of meat and vegetables in a large pan in the morning. This can be reheated and rationed throughout the day. The mix may be thickened up with rice, pasta, bits of bread, or egg. Meat can be purchased on the cheap a day or two before expiration – Use immediately or separate and freeze in small zip bags for later use. For veggies and other items, I just throw in a bit of whatever I’m making for myself that day.
The most common foods we cook up for Ruf:
- Ground beef
- Cheap steak
- Green beans
- Egg (chopped up hard boiled, or scrambled in with meat)
- Small amounts of organic non-fat yogurt
- Frozen blueberries (as a treat)
It is recommended that meats are cooked, but I routinely feed bits of raw or seared beef and fish. Basically, if I would eat it rare, that’s how I feed it. I always cook poultry thoroughly. If you think about what dogs eat in the wild, it is only logical to feed meat and vegetables instead of “dog food”.
Some other foods that are great for dogs: Keep Reading
OBEY Adopt
Zumiez is currently featuring clothing to sponsor causes, and my charity of choice is OBEY for Mutts Like Me. I already love OBEY designs, and I can definitely get behind animal causes. I plan to order this Obey Adopt t-shirt. 100% cotton, all profits from this shirt go to the cause. Advertise this worthy cause on your body with great pop art and know your proceeds go on to help needy cats and dogs.
From the site:
Whether you want a specific breed or a marvelous mutt, you can be sure to find your new best friend at a shelter or rescue group near you. And if you can’t adopt a pet, there are plenty of other ways you can help our four-legged friends.
When you’re looking for your next pet, it’s easy to get lured in by the appeal of designer breeds, and even our dog wasn’t adopted from a shelter, unfortunately. When you find the right pet, you don’t care where they come from. I’m not saying to turn down any pet, but try searching shelters and adoption websites first, before you move on to breeders. I know firsthand that nothing compares to raising a puppy, and you don’t have to compromise that experience just because you adopt. My search of Adopt a Pet turned up several puppies and young dogs as well as older companions.
Looking through the pages, my husband and I couldn’t help but bookmark a couple pets to scope out. We haven’t even paid off our pet deposit for Rufio yet, and we also want a (human) baby soon, but I do think Ruf deserves a live-in friend, and cute dog faces are hard to resist.
This is my fave dog, adoptable in Oregon:
Pet Head: Only For Cool Dogs!
Even though I knew I loved the Bed Head
The Feelin’ Frosty Sugar Cookie Magical Deodorizing Spray is even better. Although Rufio spends the majority of time inside, sometimes a quick walk in the rain is all it takes for him to start smelling a little foul. Pet Head’s Deodorizing Spray doesn’t just cover up smells like other dog sprays we’ve used, but actually neutralizes while oatmeal and aloe vera soothe the skin. The coat is conditioned by tea tree oil, and the overall result is a happy dog who smells like a dessert.
Pet Head also sell pet-safe color dyes for those of you who dream of pink or blue tails and paws. Get the latest at Cool Dog News.
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