Dog Treat Review – Plato Pet Treats

I’ve noticed that my dogs have become bored with their treats, so I decided to change it up and purchase a new treat for them to test out. The treats that I chose to give a trial run are made by Plato Pet Treats and are called ‘Real Strips'.  The flavor I chose was turkey cranberry.  You can click the hyperlink to check them out! Here is what I liked about the treats:

- They are a single source protein – if you have a sensitive dog like me, it’s best to stay single source protein as it helps eliminate digestive and skin issues that are related to food allergies

-Over 90% of the treats are the protein source (the treats I tried were turkey, so 90% turkey)

-They are FREE of added sugars, artificial preservatives, by-products, artificial colors, protein-meals, soy, wheat, corn, fillers, and freeze-drying

-They are made with real cranberries which aid in digestion for our canine friends

-Made in the USA (food products made in the US are generally safer than other foreign countries & it supports our country’s economy)

I would have to say that this treat selection was a success for me! My dogs loved them and were begging for more. This is a big deal for me because I have not one, but two picky eaters, so finding something that both of them enjoy can be difficult. Besides my dogs enjoying them, I was glad to find out that no upset tummies or stinky doggie business resulted from these treats! I definitely feel better giving them these treats as they are not only tasty, but healthy as well. If your dog is allergic to turkey or just doesn’t like it, there are many other flavors to choose from, such as chicken or salmon. Also, besides ‘Real Strips,’ Plato Pet Treats offers many more healthy and delicious options! I encourage you to check them out and give them a chance with your precious pooch!

Source: Plato's Pet Treats

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinary professional, all advice is from my personal research. Always consult your vet about food options for your pet. 

8 Foods Than Can Be Harmful/Helpful to Your Pet

Source : www.care-2.com

Many of you may find yourself faced with your canine friend looking at you with his big “puppy dog” eyes and pleading for whatever is on your plate. If you’re anything like me, this guilt tactic works and you’ll find yourself treating your dog to a few pieces of people food here and there. The next time you’re faced with those pleading eyes, you may want to reconsider depending on what you’re eating. A dog’s digestive system greatly differs from a human digestive system and what is harmless to us may be dangerous for them to ingest. Here is a list of some food items that you should not be feeding your pet under any circumstance, as consumption of them may be life threatening to your pooch:

Grapes – can cause kidney failure

Raisins – can cause kidney failure; are more dangerous than grapes as they are fermented

Chocolate – can cause kidney failure and abnormal heartbeats

Garlic – can cause vomiting, excessive thirst, diarrhea, and seizures

Gum – Sweetners in gums can cause seizures and low blood sugar levels

Alcoholic Beverages (You would think this would be a no-brainer, however, vets have reported many cases of alcohol consumptions)

Onion & Onion Powder – can cause anemia

Macadamia Nuts/Walnuts – can cause weakness, depression, tremors, and hyperthermia

While this list does not include every food that is dangerous to dogs, these foods are the most common foods that can put your pup in danger. While you’re dog may beg for these foods, he will thank you in the long run for not feeding them to him. For a more extensive list, check out this article from the Humane Society. 

Some foods that are safe for dog consumption are:

Peanut Butter – good source of protein, healthy fat, and essential vitamins

Canned Pumpkin (not the spiced pie-filling, but just pure pumpkin) – can help with an upset stomach or diarrhea

Cheese (in limited amounts) -

Lean Proteins (Cooked Salmon, Chicken)

Baby Carrots – low calorie and high fiber snack

Plain Yoghurt – high in calcium and protein; can act as a probiotic

Oatmeal with no sugar – good source of soluble fiber

Green Beans – low calorie and high in fiber

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional; my findings are from my own personal research and advice of my veterinarian. Before changing your dog’s diet you should always consult a licensed veterinarian.

Dog Food Review - Taste of The Wild

 Finding the right food for your dog can be an arduous task. Having two boxers of my own, I’ve learned that this breed can be very food sensitive and my dogs are no exception. During Ella’s puppy months, I struggled for a long time finding a food that worked for her. Some signs associated with intolerance to a food are:

            -Excessive chewing of their paws

            -Diarrhea

            -Flatulence

            -Mucus build-up in eyes/conjunctivitis

            -Skin and coat abnormalities

If you find that your dog is intolerant to a specific food, it is best to check the ingredients and most importantly the protein source. Many times when a dog is intolerant to a food, the common problem is the protein source. For example, if your dog did not do well with a chicken-based food try an alternative such as lamb or bison.

I decided to give Taste of the Wild a try, as Dakota came from his rescue with a low quality food that I did not want to feed him and Ella was exhibiting intolerance to her current food. The flavor I chose was Sierra Mountain. The food was a lamb-based protein. During my two week trial, I noticed that Ella was not chewing her paws and Dakota’s redness on his face went away. Even better, the dogs loved the food, so I found myself in a win-win situation and ended up making this their permanent food.

The reason I wanted to try Taste of the Wild was because of the quality of the food. The food had human grade meat, probiotics, prebiotics, an omega fatty acid blend, and it was grain-free. I would have to say that this food did not disappoint and my dogs couldn’t agree more.  The only con I could find was the price. I feed them both the wet and dry formula, so it was costly. With one can of wet dog food costing $2.38 and a 15 lb. bag of dry dog food costing $30.00, the costs added up quickly.

With two dogs, I go through 3 cans of the wet formula per day and (1) 15 lb. bag of food per week. My monthly dog food bill is about $334.20.

Dry food = (4)- 15 lb. bags of dry x $30 = $120

Wet dog food= 90 cans x $2.38 = $214.20

If you would like to know more about the food, I would encourage you to click on the hyperlink and it will take you to the product details page of the company website which offers detailed information about each of their products.

Source: Taste of the Wild

Adopt Not Shop

Welcome to Wet Nose Chronicles!

This blog is for all dog lovers out there who are looking for insightful information ranging from dog food reviews, health and wellness articles, dog rescue organizations, and much more. Owning a dog is very rewarding, but also comes with a lot of responsibility.

My name is Brittany Newell, I am a student, business analyst, and all around crazy dog lady. Allow me to introduce you to my four legged children, Ella (brindle boxer) and Dakota (white boxer).

Ella and Dakota are both 1 year old boxers. I brought Ella home as a puppy when she was 8 weeks old (a year ago) and Dakota is a rescue that I adopted less than a month ago. After becoming a “rescue mom,” I fully endorse the “adopt not shop” initiative. In other words, all future dogs that come into my home will be from a rescue organization, not a breeder.

As part of my first post, I would like to pay homage to the rescue that I adopted Dakota from and share some helpful information when looking to rescue a dog. The Rescue’s name is Ruff Start Boxer Rescue and you can visit their page by clicking the link. They are located in Wallace, MI, which is in the Upper Peninsula for any of Michigan friends looking to adopt. I promise you they’re worth the drive.

Before being rescued, Dakota was tied to a small chain outside in the freezing cold all day and night. Adopting him gave him the opportunity to sleep in a warm bed and tons of love that many dogs are waiting for the chance to experience. 

For those of you not looking for a boxer or not local,Petfinder is a great website that serves as a database for shelters and rescue organizations to post pictures and information about available pets that are local to you.

Lastly, I have provided a list of things you will want to have before bringing a dog home, I know it sounds rudimentary, but you would be surprised at how helpful a list can be walking into a pet store as the experience can be overwhelming.

-A veterinarian that you trust (if you don’t know one, check out google reviews, I found them to be very helpful when selecting a vet)

-Have an appointment already set up before you bring your dog home to be checked out (be sure to mention your dog is a rescue because many vets will offer a free “rescue check-p”)

-A leash & collar

-Dog Bed

-Dog Food (Try to stick to something with one basic protein, so you can rule out food allergies if necessary)

-A toy that will keep them busy (my recommendations – Red Barn Bully Sticks or Monster Mouth)

-High Value Treats (ex. Chicken Jerky Treats) that you only give 1-2 times a day

-Low Value Treats (ex. Small biscuit that you can use several times a day to reinforce good behavior and use to teach basic commands

-Dog ID Tag with his her name & contact information in the event your dog gets loose

Thank you for reading and be sure to check back for new posts with helpful information on food reviews and other health and wellness topics!

Sincerely,

Brittany