For the Love of Dog Treats!
February certainly is a busy month! With keeping Cupid busy with sharing love and Valentines on February 14th, did you know it is also a tasty month for our furry best friends, too? It sure is! February 23rd is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day! I can hear all the happy, drooling dogs smacking their lips right now in anticipation for their favorite treats, can’t you?!
One of the many ways we can show our love for our dogs is by offering them some delicious, wholesome dog treats. But, with all the dog food and treat recalls, how is a dog parent to feel secure about the treats they are giving their dogs?
1. Read the Ingredients List.
If there is an ingredient listed you can’t pronounce, or would not eat yourself, or not sure of its origin, then do not feed it to your dog.
2. Research the Company.
Stick to companies you have been getting your dog treats from and trust. If it is a company new to you, do your homework! A) Research the company, B) Check online for reviews, and C) Ask your vet, dog parent friends, rescue staff, breeder, and online canine groups for their opinions and experiences with the biscuit brand.
3. Subscribe to the Dog Food Advisor for Recall Alerts.
You can also go to the Dog Food Advisor's Dog Food Recalls section on their website and type in “dog treats” in the search bar for a list of any/all dog treat recalls.
4. Check Out TruthAboutPetFood.com
You can check on dog treat recalls on their Recall tab, and also by typing in “dog treats” in the search bar. They also offer a newsletter you can subscribe to for recalls and information.
5. Refer to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Website.
Under the Animal/Veterinary section, review items
under the Recall tab, and also check their Dog Food tab for a list of
any treats that are being recalled and why.
6. Refer to our FiveSibes Online Resource Library for Dog Food & Treat Recall Info.
Here we keep a listing of important links and info pertaining to dog food and treat recalls, as well as pet food reviews and price comparisons. A great site to bookmark!
7. Make Homemade Dog Biscuits & Treats!
As simple as whipping up a batch of cookies for your human family, baking dog biscuits and treats are a cinch to make, and there are oh-so-many tasty recipes to try out! There are many dog biscuit recipe books for you to peruse, as well as some fabulous websites. A quick Pinterest search gives you more recipes than you could ever try!
Not all treats have to be biscuits! Here's a great (and healthy) FiveSibes™ Canine Cooking Corner recipe we did for Frozen Berry Yogurt Bites! Great not just for Valentine's Day, but a nice cool warm-weather treat, too!
One of our favorite places to go for yummy dog recipes is over to our friends at Gone to the Snow Dogs who are always busy whipping up some tasty treats on their YouTube channel! (If you don't already subscribed to their channel, please do and tell them FiveSibesMom sent you over!) Here's their newest Valentine's Day 2022 recipe, Strawberry Carob Cupcakes!
7. You’d Love to Give Homemade, but Don’t Have the Time.
Then check out some great dog bakeries. A fave of FiveSibes has always been Sassy’s Goodies! (We are not an affiliate, just really like their treat and ingredients). All their treats, Pup-Cakes, and PupPops are hand-crafted to order, and are gluten-free, with no
preservatives, salt, soy, or sugar added (which is also a plus for Epi-dogs and dogs with special diets. *As always, please check with your vet first before giving your dog any new treat or food as your vet knows your dog's medical history). *
So, when Valentine’s Day rolls around, why not fill a giant red heart-shaped goodie box for your beloved dog(s) with lots of biscuits and treats you know they will love and you can feel good about giving!
Bon(e) Appetit!
Original version of this article published in 4Knines in February 2019. This has been updated February 2022.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR (That's me!)
Dorothy Wills-Raftery is an award-winning photojournalist and author of EPIC Dog Tales: Heartfelt Stories About Amazing Dogs Living & Loving Life With Canine Epilepsy; the FiveSibes™ Tales children’s books: What’s Wrong With Gibson? Learning About K-9 Epilepsy and Getting Healthy With Harley: Learning About Health & Fitness; and Buddy, the Christmas Husky~Based On A True Holiday Miracle books (ArcticHouse Publishing), as well as the FiveSibes.com, an online encyclopedia for the Siberian Husky breed and Canine Epilepsy information, as well as her international award-winning FiveSibes blog, based on the lives of her five Siberian Huskies. Her work has also appeared in AmericanPet Magazine, Ruff Drafts, The Sled Dogger, and Hudson Valley Paw Print Magazine. Dorothy is the writer and host of her award-winning "The Sibe Vibe” Dog Works Radio show.
Dorothy is an 11-time Dog Writers of America Association “Excellence” nominee, winning the prestigious Maxwell Medallion in 2019, 2017, and 2016 for her fiction, writing, photography & design.
So many horror stories out there. We were most careful with our Angel Little Bit's food and treats. You just have to be. Great advice here.
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day and weekend. ♥
It's always wise to check out who is cooking what for our furries.
ReplyDeleteWe are big fans of the Dog Food Recall website and have discovered some surprising recalls. Here's wishing you a wonderful Valentine's Day❣️
ReplyDeleteThat is great information to have on hand--thanks so much!
ReplyDelete