Recently in dog food Category

OK, maybe a little bit TOO healthy.  

Biscuits from "Barkwheats" with SeaVeg & Chamomile.

Really. They're dog biscuits made with "organic sea vegetable (bladderwrack) powder straight from the cold ocean off the Maine coast." Wow.  

$9.50 for a box of 40 biscuits. 19 calories per biscuit.

Lots of claims by the makers of these treats -- "Known for its detoxification properties and weight control abilities (due to the stimulation of the thyroid), bladderwrack has been a staple in coastal culture for centuries as both a food and a medicine. Chamomile also works to calm inflammation and as a treatment for nerves and stomach ailments."

If nothing else, "bladderwrack" is kind of fun to say. Like talking Pirate.

No endorsements here, I lean on the skeptical side of some of this stuff that's being marketed. But that's me. Figured some of you might like to know bout it. If you have extra $$$ and all that.

(But you can probably find less pricey yet healthy treats from our own local San Pedro Dogs.)

 

H/T: Barkability

 

 

I posted an item on Tuesday about discount pet food and supply prices at Global Pet Food Outlet in Torrance.

On a related issue, Dogster recently wrote about how to find a good, quality dog food -- citing a Consumer Reports article that pricier foods aren't necessarily better.

From the article:

The bottom line, says Consumer Reports: It's more important to look for the overall nutrient profile of a particular pet food brand than it is to shop by price or even individual ingredience. "As a pet owner, your main goal is to ensure that your animal is active and healthy," says Jaime Hirsh, associate health editor at Consumer Reports. "That suggests that the food you're buying is doing its job. But it's also important to know that you don't have to choose the most expansive food to get what's best for your pet. Look for food labeled 'complete and balanced,' which indicates it can be the pet's sole nourishment.

Hirsh advises pet owners to look for labels stating that the food's nutritional adequacy was validated by animal-feeding tests based on protocols from the American Association of Feed Control Officials, a regulatory group. That statement is a step above the other one that AAFCO allows -- that a food was formulated to meet the group's nutrient profiles. "In addition, make sure the package has contact information for the food's manufacturer, in case you have questions," Hirsh says.

Consumers should also take into consideration the age of their pet and whether he or she has special needs. For example, cats with kidney or urinary problems might benefit from the moisture in wet food, while animals with dental issues might do better with dry food.

Dogster has posted the entire article.  

If you're like me, the household budget is getting pretty tight these days. But you don't want to scrimp on your pet when it comes to their basic needs.

Some things are easy to cut out -- that extra holiday collar that's so cute (but clearly frivolous and unnecessary), a box of treats (that probably aren't that good for your dog anyhow).

But what about the high-quality food you want to make sure your dog or cat continues to have? My dogs both eat Innova, I use coupons and buy the 30-pound bag at a local chain pet store. But after years of hearing the buzz about Global Pet Food Outlet in Torrance, I decided to check out their prices to see if I could find a better price.

The store, at 20210 S. Normandie (at Jon Street, just south of 190th), touts the "lowest overall prices in the nation." They also deliver and say they carry "every major brand or natural dog and cat food, including organic and raw." The store advertises that it has a full stock of Eukanuba/Iams.

Besides food, they stock a large selection of toys (including Kong products), an array of nutritional supplements, treats, grooming tools and pet accessories. I didn't price check a lot of items (and wouldn't know if many of those things were cheaper without a direct comparison). But I did see a 6-foot long, heavy leather leash marked at around $20, which seemed like a pretty low price for leather.

So the bottom line is I can't vouch for their overall prices. But I can tell you this -- I saved about $10 on my bag of dog food. That's enough of a savings to send me back again. The store seems to have a very loyal clientele.

If you want to check on prices before taking a trip out there, you can call Global Pet Food Outlet at 310-327-3330. The owner was quite helpful and very willing to check prices for me in advance when I called ahead to make sure it would be worth the trip.

Hours are limited, however: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. seven days a week, but extended hours (until 6:30 p.m.) are offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

I found these consumer reviews online.

If you're familiar with Gobal and have been shopping there, let me know what you think.

 

 

For the 18th straight year, the Labrador retriever has been named the most popular dog.

Hard to argue with that. They come in three colors, blond, black and chocolate (mmm, chocolate). They're friendly, trustworthy, stout hearted and enjoy a good game of fetch. In other words, all the things my dog isn't.

I have a theory that if everybody had a lab, all the world's problems would go away.

The news comes courtesey of the American Kennel Club.

The club said Wednesday that more than twice as many Labs were registered in the U.S. in 2008 as Yorkshire terriers -- the No. 2 dog on the list -- which means the breed will probably retain its Most Popular Dog title for the indefinite future. The rest of the top 10 canines are German shepherd, golden retriever, beagle, boxer, dachshund, bulldog, poodle and shih tzu.

The story, from the Associated Press, manages to mention the ongoing crisis over a dog for the White House. Frankly, I thought this was a bigger decision than the one to close Gitmo, but then, nobody asked me.

p.s. Read the following post from Donna if you'd like one of your own Labs. A couple of them are looking for homes!

 

 

I have this ritual at my house. I go home and find the dog sleeping somewhere. (He's too lazy to come greet me at the door)

He wags his tail slightly and I say, "What do you want for dinner tonight?

And he looks at me.

"How about some dog food?" I ask. And he goes running into the kitchen and stands next to his bowl.

I don't know why he gets so excited. All he ever gets is dog food.

But now dogs have a new option, thanks to a class being offered in Manhattan Beach.

Here's a press release I just got. The class offers people the chance to learn how to cook healthy food for their pups. And with the recent pet-food scare, it might also some peace of mind.

No bones about it; you are your dog's best friend. Isn't it about time that you became your dog's chef too? With all the pet food recalls both last year and this year, the time is right to rethink how and what to feed your canine best friends.

 Join guest teacher Annie Siegmann, owner of Ruff-Ruff Bakery, maker of all natural pet treats and biscuits, as you prepare three meals and a treat to take home. She will share tips for natural ways to care for your dog through foods.

 Seigmann's natural treats can be found at Whole Foods Markets and the Torrance and Manhattan Beach Farmers' Markets.

 The dog food making class will be held Monday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Bay School of Cooking kitchen inside the Women's Neptunian Club. Pre-paid reservations are required; directions and parking instructions will be provided. The cost is $79/person.

For more information and to register, go here.

  Just when you thought it was safe .... Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall today of limited bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev.

The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella, according to an AP story posted by Whole Dog News.

While there have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product, the story goes on to say that it should not be sold or fed to pets.

Pet owners should dispose of the product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Not only can Salmonella cause serious infections in dogs and cats, but there's the danger of cross contamination during handling -- in other words, people, and especially the elderly and children or those with compromised immune systems, can be affected.

Human symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramping with fever. In pets, symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Some pets will have a decreased appetite and fever only, however. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

Here are the product details:

• 20-pound bags
• UPC Code is 23100 14719
• Lot Code is 830BFCAT02
• "Best By" purchase date is 7/2009
• Sold at Albertsons