Navigating the Dog Food Aisle: How to Choose the Right Food
If you’re a dog owner, you know the feeling when it’s time to restock your dog food supply. The aisle is packed with options on every shelf, and if you haven’t committed to a single brand, choosing the right food can feel overwhelming. Today we’ll walk through the major types of dog food—wet and dry, puppy formulas and adult blends. Hopefully this breakdown will make your decision easier, but if anything remains unclear, your veterinarian is always the best resource. PUPPY FOOD Most dog food manufacturers offer a dedicated puppy formula. Dry puppy food is produced in smaller kibble sizes ...
The Health Benefits of Raw Pumpkin for Dogs
Raw pumpkin is beneficial nutritionally because it is abundant in fiber, it’s loaded with Vitamin A and it’s filled with beta-carotene. Not only is it healthful for humans, but dogs can benefit from eating it as well. It’s effective for resolving both diarrhea AND constipation in dogs. When feeding your dog raw pumpkin, ensure you select the raw pumpkin that comes in a can from the aisle of your grocery store. Never feed your dog raw pumpkin from a fresh pumpkin and ensure you select pumpkin that contains no sugar. Don’t give your dog excessive pumpkin, however, because Vitamin A ...
Pet Food Recall Alert: Salmonella Contamination in Multiple Brands
For the second time this week, dog food is being recalled, this time due to Salmonella. Earlier in the week, Smuckers recalled cans of Gravy Train because samples tested positive for the drug Pentobarbital, a drug used for euthanizing animals. This time the recall comes from four different companies that received reports of pets dying or becoming ill after consuming contaminated pet food. This recall involves a variety of pet food products that made pets sick or, even worse, caused their deaths. The recall came about because an adult dog that experienced diarrhea for nine months tested positive for salmonella. ...
International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day: Celebrating Our Dogs’ Favorite Treat
Every year, on February 23, dogs all around the world pay homage to their favorite treat—The Dog Biscuit. This year, International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day falls on a Friday, which means dogs all across the globe will wag their tails when their owners serve them a tasty treat! It doesn’t matter if it’s made from scratch or bought at the store, your dog’s still going to love you. After all, it’s the thought that counts, the fact that you didn’t forget to reward your dog for all the love and joy they’ve brought into your life. Origin of the dog ...
FDA Investigates Euthanasia Drug Found in Dog Food on Store Shelves
The Food and Drug Administration is launching an investigation after learning that a drug used for euthanasia was found in dog food already on store shelves for purchase by consumers. The drug found in the dog food is called Pentobarbital, and it’s used by veterinarians to put dogs, cats, and even horses to sleep. Traces of the drug were found in sixty-two samples of wet dog food from more than two dozen brands. The dog food in question is wet dog food found in cans. One brand in particular is Gravy Train. Gravy Train is made by Big Heart Brands, ...
Homemade Dog Food Done Right: A Simple Chicken Recipe (Tested by a Very Spoiled Pup)
In an earlier post, we discussed the idea of preparing dog food from scratch and what pet owners should keep in mind when sharing human food with their dogs. Continuing with that theme, I wanted to share a simple homemade dog food recipe along with a real-life example of how it was received by our very willing taste tester—our dog, Truman. Truman is a four-year-old Border Collie mix that my family adopted from a local Humane Society here in Utah. Like many rescue dogs, he settled into family life very quickly—and perhaps a little too comfortably. Truman is undeniably spoiled. ...
Are American-Made Pet Products Really Safer? What Dog Owners Should Know
When this discussion about pet products first began, the goal was simple: highlight the idea that pet products made in the United States are inherently safer for our dogs. However, after reviewing available data and recall histories, that assumption becomes far less certain. Information about pet food and pet product safety is widely available online, but not all of it is accurate or presented with full context. It’s important to approach the topic thoughtfully, remain open-minded, and understand that no product—regardless of where it’s manufactured—is completely risk-free. Do You Check Pet Food Labels Before Buying? When you pick up dog ...
Feeding Your Dog Right: A Practical Guide for Healthy, Happy Pets
Our dogs are more than pets—they are family. Because of that, most dog owners want to do everything possible to support their companion’s long-term health and wellbeing. One of the most influential factors in a dog’s overall health is proper nutrition. Feeding too much can contribute to obesity and chronic health conditions, while choosing the wrong foods can trigger allergies, digestive discomfort, or nutritional deficiencies. Understanding what, how much, and how often to feed your dog plays a critical role in helping them thrive. Below are key guidelines to help ensure your dog’s diet supports a long, active, and healthy ...
