Happy National Dog Biscuit Day!

If you want to try to make your own treats, check out allrecipes.com for some delicious recipes - it's nice to know what goes in the treats if your dog is on a special diet or has food allergies.

Dog Food: Yummier Than It Seems

Pâté or dog food? Either could be yummy.

That's because you probably wouldn't be able to differentiate which is which in a blind tasting, according to a study scheduled to be released today by the American Assn. of Wine Economists.

Researchers provided 18 volunteers five food samples to try in a blind taste test. Only three were able to identify the canine fodder.

"We have this idea in our head that dog food won't taste good and that we would be able to identify it, but it turns out that is not the case," said Robin Goldstein, a co-author of the study that is expected to be published online today.

Goldstein said the tasting demonstrated that "context plays a huge role in taste and value judgment," even though researchers warned the participants that one of the five foods they were going to taste was dog food.

The five samples came from a wide price range and were processed to have a similar consistency. The foods were duck liver mousse, pork liver pâté, two imitation pâtés -- pureed liverwurst and Spam -- and Newman's Own dog food.

Eight participants believed the liverwurst was the dog food, and four thought the Spam was the culprit.

Two people identified the high-end pâté as dog food, and one identified the duck liver mousse as dog food.

Hildegarde Heymann, a sensory scientist at UC Davis who was not involved with the study, said she was surprised that so few people were able to identify the dog food.

"It is specially formulated for dogs and would likely stand out," Heymann said.

And it did stand out: 72% rated the dog food as the worst-tasting pâté.

[Source: LaTimes.com]

Jennifer Aniston & Owen Wilson Chow on Dog Treats

When the Marley and Me stars appeared on the popular German variety show Wetten, dass …?, they ended up with a mouthful of dog biscuit.

The show asks celebrity visitors to bet whether a special guest can perform the talent they claim to have. This time, it was a German woman who boasted that she could identify each of her team of Husky dogs by the sound of them lapping up soup. Wilson didn't believe she could do it, while Aniston bet on her.

Then the show's host, Thomas Gottschalk, told them that whoever lost the bet would have to eat a few dog biscuits. "I wish I had known the stakes first," Wilson said.

When the dog owner, who was blindfolded, guessed right, Gottschalk invited both Wilson and Aniston to join him in a biscuit. Aniston protested, "But I guessed right!"

The host told her, "You're a team, just like the dogs," which prompted Wilson to put his arm around her shoulder and say, "Honey, we're in this together."

Gottschalk gave each of the actors a biscuit and said, "I'll eat one, I'm the host. And Owen, you have to eat one. Jennifer, you can eat it if you want, but I'd really like to be able to tell my grandkids that I ate dog biscuits with Jennifer Aniston."

On the count of three they all took a bite. How were they?

"They're a little dry," said Aniston. Wilson seemed to be enjoying his more, so Gottschalk gave him a handful in, yes, a doggie bag.

Gottschalk praised Aniston, saying no one would expect a Hollywood star to eat a dog treat on live TV, "but you're easy." Replied Aniston, "I guess all German dogs love me now."

Have you ever tried your dog's food? We give our doggie all natural dog treats and some of them are quite delicious!

[Source: People]

Special Pet Food Helps Canines Keep Kosher

Seven-year-old Porsche keeps kosher. Following the Bible, he does not mix meat and milk products, does not eat grains during Passover and especially does not eat pork. Except that Porsche is a dog. As Jewish families try to respect tradition over the holidays, when rules for eating are especially stringent, they hardly know what to do about their pets.

“My home is kosher. You want to meet those standards,” said Porsche’s owner, Gayle Ostro of Lincolnwood. “A lot of dogs eat dried pig ears and raw hide, but I don’t bring any of that in my house.” A mother of six, Ostro struggled every Passover to meet the holiday’s restrictive rules. As she changed her dog’s diet to approved chicken, he often got sick because of the unaccustomed food.

“We started seeking out what we could do about it,” she said. Then she learned about Holly Cher's company. “Just this year and last year we were able to use food approved for Passover,” Ostro said.

Cher, owner of Evangers Dog and Cat Food Co. based in Wheeling, recently began producing kosher food for pets. She distributes her products to pet stores worldwide.

Cher, also of Lincolnwood, says she got the idea while walking her dog, when she happened to meet a Jewish neighbor. Her neighbor explained she was struggling to follow the Passover rules and was forced to lock her dog in the garage. “I don’t put any milk products or grains in my food,” Cher said, explaining her transition to producing kosher pet food. “This would be very easy for me to do."

She then called the Chicago Rabbinical Council and asked what guidelines she had to follow to be approved. “I can tell you the rabbis are a pleasure to work with,” she said. “They’ve been nothing but helpful.” Cher said she had to spend about $12,000 to change more than 50 of her food labels. “It was worth it,” she said, explaining that there are benefits for the animals as well as the customers. You’ve got to take out the grains, which is healthier,” she said. “And you get another inspection.”

The Rabbinical Council, which is an international organization based in Chicago, is responsible for determining whether pet food companies follow the rules. Rabbis store information on food formulas in a big database and make regular visits to factories.

Though pets are not required to keep kosher, many feel that their four-legged companions should be included in the family’s rites and traditions. “I want [Porsche] to be kosher,” Ostro said. “He’s a Jewish dog. He’s part of the family.”

[Source: Medill Reports Chicago]

Dinner With Your Dog

The Paradise Pet club opened in Shanghai earlier this year, reports Shanghai Daily. The menu features meals for dogs and also drinks and snacks for their owners. It was intended just for dogs but pet owners have also been bringing along cats, hamsters and other animals.

One customer, Chen Shijuan, said: "My pets can make friends and enjoy food particularly made for them here." Critics have branded the restaurant as "unhygienic" for encouraging humans and animals to eat at the same table. Gu Zhenhua, director of the Shanghai Food and Drug Administration Bureau, said: "There is no law forbidding pets from eating with their owners. "But I don't think it's appropriate for pets and their owners to eat at the same table in public."

However, Liu Xiaomei, the general manager of the club, said: "Public health is certainly a big concern for us. "We disinfect our dishes three times everyday. And all the members are asked to provide a health certificate for their pets before entering the club."

[Source: My Top Dogs]

Rachael Ray's New Nutrish

Fido, meet Yum-o. Rachael Ray is bringing her trademark brand of culinary perk to the pet world, launching a new line of premium dog food. The Rover-friendly line, dubbed Rachael Ray Nutrish, features two varieties of all-natural pooch chow recipes, which have been both named after and developed for Ray's own four-legged friend, her pit bull Isaboo.

Proceeds from the products will be donated to Rachael's Rescue, an organization founded by the foodie that helps at-risk animals through the adoption process.

"I love my dog Isaboo, and as a member of my family, I need to make sure that she eats as well as the rest of us," Ray gushes. "With the launch of Nutrish, I now have the opportunity to share with other pet lovers some of her favorite meals, flavors and special treats." Those favorites include the somewhat cloyingly named treats Isaboo Booscotti and Isaboo Grill Bites.

"It seemed like not a lot of extra time to donate to something that could potentially raise millions of dollars for championing these little creatures that can't speak for themselves," Ray said of the line's charitable bent.

Ray has made no secret of her dog-loving ways over the years, featuring her pup in the opening credits of her Food Network show 30 Minute Meals, as well as featuring the dog on her syndicated talk show, Every Day With Rachael Ray.

Proving to be an equal-opportunity pet provider, Ray already has a line of natural cat food in the works.

[Source: Eonline]

Is Your Dog a Meat Maniac?

Does your dog bark, dance, flip, or go nuts when he hears you work a can opener around his favorite meaty meal? If so, Alpo and celebrity judge, Joy Behar, want you to send in a video of your canine meat maniac.

The winner of the Alpo Real Meat Moments contest will be the face of the dog food brand, appearing on millions of Alpo cans and in national print advertising. The winner will also receive a trip for two to Hollywood, $10,000, and other prizes. Four runners up will receive a one-year supply of Alpo; 20 semifinalists will receive a six-month supply of Alpo.

The national contest ends July 27, 2008. Upload your entry of your dog going bonkers during dinnertime on the Alpo website or mail in videos. The videos will be judged based on originality, appropriateness to the contest theme, and the dog’s star potential.

You can also visit the website to view, rate, and pass on videos to your friends. The voting period to select five semifinalists runs from August 10 through August 24, 2008.

[Source: Dog Channel]

Vitamin Water for Dogs? Cola Maker Says Why Not

Remember when a full water bowl and a little dog food was all Fido needed? Now more companies are offering health food for pets, including vitamin-infused beverages. The maker of RC Cola, Cott Corp., is unveiling the latest beverage line for dogs. It's similar to the enhanced juices and drinks available for people.

The Wall Street Journal reports it's a sign that even lesser-known companies are trying to grab a share of the estimated $43.4 billion-a-year pet industry.

The company says Fortifido Water for Dogs comes in four flavors in both 1-liter and 2-liter sizes. The company is marketing one peanut-butter-flavored water fortified with calcium for healthy bones. Another fortified with zinc is for healthy skin and comes in a parsley flavor. The company is promoting a fresh breath variety enhanced with spearmint. The fourth variety, lemongrass flavored, has amino acids and minerals for healthy joints.

[Source: WTOP News]

Pizza for Shelter Dogs

A Chicago pizzeria has been offering up some delicious dinners to homeless dogs at a local shelter.

Ted Lownik, a partime deliveryman at Barracco’s pizza, has been making special deliveries to the Animal Welfare League in Chicago since hearing about outbreaks of tainted pet food on the market. Instead of throwing away extra food in the garbage, Lownik has brought over 4.6 tons of beef, gravy, and pizza scraps to the shelter dogs. The Animal Welfare League was forced to destroy most of their stored food after many animals were killed by the tainted products. Now that's what I call good eating!

Things Your Dog's Food Should & Shouldn't Contain

Everyone would agree that it is important for your dog to live a long, healthy, and active lifestyle. Therefore, you must consider the ingredients in his/her food, the same way you would any other member of the family. Here is a list of ingredient's that your dog's food should and shouldn't contain:

Things Your Pet Food Should Not Contain:
1. Chemical Preservatives - BHA, BHT, Ethoxyquin
2. Corn - known allergen, poor source of protein, highly indigestible
3. Wheat - same as above
4. Soy - same as above
5. By-Products - indigestible beaks, feathers, feet, heads, etc. Does not have to contain meat
6. Beef Tallow - hard, indigestible fat source
7. Flour - of any kind, used as a filler
8. Pentobarbital - from tainted meat sources. Same chemical used in euthanizing animals.

Things Your Pet Food Should Contain:
1. Whole Foods - Apples, carrots, spinach, etc.
2. Live Probiotics - micro encapsulated friendly bacteria, supports intestinal health
3. Chelated Minerals - scientifically proven to be 40% better absorbed
4. Natural Preservative –vitamin E, not just “mixed tocopherols” - a source of vitamin E
5. Grape Seed Extract - very potent antioxidant source
6. Hormone and Steroid Free Meat - Your pet is eating the same food day in and day out. A little exposure every day adds up to a lot!
7. Chicken MEAL - not just chicken. Chicken MEAL is the best cut of the meat.

For more info and suggestions go here

Tips for Feeding Your Dog

Here are a few tips on feeding your hungry doggie:

Food Tips:
1. Normal adult dogs need about 10% of calories from protein, though vegetarian diets are fine for many dogs.
2. Dogs eat less often than cats, but consume larger meals. Adult dogs can be fed 1 to 2 times daily; puppies need 2 to 3 daily meals.
3. Overweight dogs can be helped by providing smaller portions during regular feeding schedules, giving them less tasty food and avoiding table scraps.
4. Fresh water should be available at all times, especially during exercise.

Weight Guide for Normal Weight:
1. Has a thin covering of fat on ribs.
2. Shows a distinct waistline waist, behind the ribs, from above.

Overweight Signs:
1. Ribs cannot be felt.
2. Shows fat deposits on the back or the base of the tail.
3. Does not show a waistline from above.

Underweight Signs:
1. Ribs can easily be seen.
2. Fat cannot be felt on its bones.

Hope these tips help you! :)

Ales For Tails

When Annie was a puppy, she had this thing about licking the rim of my wineglass whenever I wasn't looking. Like a true connoisseur, she would then swirl her tongue about in her mouth thoughtfully and look up at me in a way that suggested that she had a far superior palette to mine, and really, shouldn't I just go ahead and give her the rest of the glass? I told her she would have to wait until she turns at least 3 in dog years.

However, this beef-flavored dog beer sound so yummy I might have to go back on my word and have a good old fashioned night of brewskis with the pup. Yes, beef-flavored beer! Tell me that isn't the best of both worlds.