We all want the best for our dogs. That is why you are reading this blog….why you reading tweets about what is going on in the dog world…why you bought your pup that toy yesterday knowing that he has 50 like it at home (but he doesn’t have the blue one!) You make sure your dogs get their daily walks. (Or you hire a dog walker to do the job!) You take Spike to the vet, you take Suzanne to the dog park, you let Rocco sleep in the bed. But what is your dog eating?
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) establishes the rules that dog food companies must adhere to in the United States. You would think that an organization with such an official sounding name would have regulatory power similar to the Food and Drug Administration. Not so! The AAFCO is not affiliated with the government, and at the end of the day, really has no legal authority to regulate what your pooch is chowing down on. Sure, they analyze foods, but even within their loose guidelines for pet food companies, there are huge loopholes.
In a perfect world, you would have the time (money and energy!) to keep your dog on a raw, homemade, natural diet. This, for most people, is just not do-able. I’m guessing you don’t do this for yourself either. (Everyon
e has to eat fast food now and then, right? And I’m sure that Hamburger Helper I made for dinner last night was REALLY healthy!) You can, though, make small changes to your little furbaby’s diet that can go a long way.
Treats! That’s a place to start! How many do you give your dog a day? I recently decided to read the ingredients in the treats I’m feeding my own little lady. The front of the bag had claims like “fortified with 12 essential vitamins and minerals.” Well, maybe that’s true, but the list of ingredients was as long as my arm! With words I didn’t even know how to pronounce (yum – Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex!), things that I wasn’t even sure what they were (sausage flavor? how does one get “sausage flavor”?), and things that even I – I’m no nutritionist – know cannot be good (Yellow #5, Yellow #6, Red #40). Yikes!
So, I decided to do what everyone wishes they had the time too – start making homemade treats. After many failed batches, tinkering with recipes, and lots of taste tests – Wags & Whiskers is proud to offer them to you! I made sure to include ingredients that are healthy and will keep your pup (and their tummy) working as it should, even if you don’t buy that boutique, organic (aka SUPER expensive) dog food.
The biggest shock for me – dogs can actually TASTE THE DIFFERENCE. And they want the healthier option! (Unlike me! I usually want to eat the thing with the unpronounceable ingredients!) Dogs really do go nuts for these things.
Take a look and see what you think. We have tried to keep them at a reasonable price so everyone can have the luxury of keeping their dog as healthy as they already are happy. If you have any questions, comments, suggestions; please email bakery@wagsandwhiskershouston.com.
Best of all – to make sure we spread the word, we are going to be giving out LOTS of FREE samples. I want to make sure as many pups and possible taste these and give them wags of approval. Check back here and on the website for details on contests and give aways.
Buffy LOVES them!
We have fallen in love with Flash Gordon (shown here modeling one if his tags.) What a model!
…and speaking of models, Scarlett modeling one of my new doggy knit designs. Hopefully you will see them up soon on Etsy!
Wags & Whiskers | Dog Walking and Pet Sitting 