The "Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression" (EATS) Act (S. 2019, H.R. 4417) and the similar “Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers” (PICLP) Act (S. 3382) aim to prevent state and local jurisdictions from regulating agricultural products (including farm animals) within their borders that are subject to interstate commerce. The proponents of both acts want to get their respective pieces of legislation inserted into the latest Farm Bill which is set to be voted on within the next few months.
This attempt to overturn the right of an individual state to pass laws which set higher-than-federal standards for agricultural products isn’t a new idea. Previous iterations of similar proposals were rejected by both voters and bipartisan opposition in 2014, 2018 (when it was known as the “King Amendment” after the Iowa senator who proposed it), and again in 2021.
If signed into law, the EATS Act (or the PICLP Act) would roll back decades of work to improve farm animal welfare, penalize farmers who’ve invested in the infrastructure required to meet the higher welfare standards, and create needless friction between the states and federal governments.¹
We urge you to join us in opposing the EATS and the PICLP Acts. There are many ways to make your voice heard.
Spread the word by emailing or texting this post to your family and friends and share it with your social media followings.
Phone calls are incredibly effective and efficient for making your voice heard, as staffers take notice when they receive phone calls from constituents.
You can find the phone numbers of your congressman or congresswoman on this directory, and the numbers of all Senators are listed here.
A United States Capitol switchboard operator can also connect you directly with the office of your Congressmember or Senator — just dial (202) 224-3121.
Sample Phone Script for Phone Call
Once connected to your lawmaker’s office, say:
"Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm a constituent from [Your City/County]. I'm calling to express my views on the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act and the Protecting Interstate Commerce for Livestock Producers Act (PICLP).
I care deeply about animal welfare and I’m asking my member of Congress [or Senator] to oppose these bills. Please do everything you can to keep these and similar provisions out of the upcoming Farm Bill. Thank you so much for your time."
If the staffer asks for the number of the bill, the EATS Act is H.R. 4417/S.2019 and PICLPA is S.3382.
We at Campfire Treats believe that all animals should be treated with kindness and respect. This includes the farm animals raised for meat. They, too, should be treated humanely and live in a healthy natural environment suited to their species.
If you feel the same, please join us in opposing the EATS Act.
Plastic is incredibly useful and practical. Our modern life depends on it. Everything from cars to medical devices would be impossible without plastic. As useful as plastic is, we use far too much of it and don’t manage plastic waste effectively. Shockingly, less than 10% of all plastic is recycled¹, making it one of the most widespread pollutants on our planet. Plastic waste is polluting our oceans, our land and increasingly entering our food chain in the form of micro and nano particles.²
We believe that the use of plastic should be strictly limited to areas where no suitable alternatives are available. This simply isn’t the case with most shipping materials. There is no good reason why shipping and packing materials (especially for small, lightweight items like dog treats) should contain plastic, non-biodegradable or non-recyclable materials.
However, both inside and outside our industry, most companies are still using wasteful plastic (like bubble wrap or plastic sealing tape) out of complacency or ignorance. By doing so, these firms are contributing to the long-term pollution of our planet.
Campfire Treats is only a small player within the $40+ billion U.S. pet food industry, which is dominated by large conglomerates. Still, we are expecting to send around 10,000 deliveries to our customers in 2022.
This means
We wanted to ensure that absolutely nothing in these shipping materials will contribute to the pollution of our planet. So we methodically revamped our packaging process, gradually replacing individual components with more sustainable alternatives over time.
Today, absolutely all shipping materials we use are made of environmentally friendly paper products, and do not contain any plastic or other non-biodegradable or non-recyclable materials.
TYPE | MATERIAL |
Shipping boxes | Unbleached corrugated cardboard |
Cushioning and void filling material | Kraft and tissue paper |
Packing slips | 100% recycled paper |
Tape | Kraft tape without reinforcement (made with water-activated, starch-based and biodegradable glue) |
Shipping labels | Liners made of 100% recycled paper without silicone coating; recyclable adhesive; label made of uncoated paper |
Even the most eco-friendly materials require raw materials and energy to be produced in the first place. The more something gets reused, the smaller the impact on the environment. Therefore, please reuse or repurpose the boxes and cushioning materials you receive from us.
Here are a few ideas for repurposing your packing materials:
If you are living in a part of the country where paper waste is collected for recycling, you can add the shipping materials you receive from us (which you don’t want to reuse) to your recycling bin. This way, the materials will get repurposed into new cardboard and paper products.
In case you are living in an area where paper is not collected for recycling, or you have difficulty getting your shipping material to a collection point, please don’t feel bad. Our 100% plastic-free shipping materials will fully decompose – whether they end up in an industrial composting facility, a landfill or are accidentally thrown away outdoors.
Nothing in our transition to environmentally friendly shipping materials demanded the skillset of a rocket scientist. All that was required on our side was the awareness that we generated unnecessary waste and the willingness to change to sustainable materials.
If we, as a small family business, can make this change happen, every other company can do so as well. Please reach out to the businesses you order from and ask them to transition to plastic-free, biodegradable and recyclable packaging materials, too.
We've identified several other areas where we can do better and are fully committed to further reduce the use of plastics and to increase the use of biodegradable and recyclable materials.
Sadly, poultry farming in the USA is highly industrialized. Most of the chickens on our plates (and in our dogs’ bowls) spend their whole lives in the crowded, ammonia-filled indoor spaces of factory farms. This is not acceptable to us! Our love for our dogs should not come at the expense of farm animals. All animals we use for our treats and chews should be raised in humane, species-appropriate living conditions and treated with kindness and respect. This is why we have joined the Better Chicken Commitment.
UpdateROCKLIN, Calif., July 6, 2023 — We are proud to announce that as of today absolutely all our chicken products are in full compliance with all requirements of the Better Chicken Commitment. |
UpdateROCKLIN, Calif., June 21, 2023 — We are thrilled to announce that our chicken jerky for dogs is as of today in full compliance with all requirements of the Better Chicken Commitment. |
UpdateROCKLIN, Calif., June 8, 2023 — We are working with our chicken supplier to fully transition to higher-welfare breeds by the end of 2023 at the latest. At this point in time, Campfire Treats will be fully compliant with all requirements of Version 1 of the Better Chicken Commitment. |
UpdateROCKLIN, Calif., June 8, 2023 — We are working with our chicken supplier to fully transition to higher-welfare breeds by the end of 2023 at the latest. At this point in time, Campfire Treats will be fully compliant with all requirements of Version 1 of the Better Chicken Commitment. |
UpdateAs of December 1, 2022, Campfire Treats is fully compliant with six out of the seven tenants of Version 1 of the Better Chicken Commitment. All our chicken treats and chews are Global Animal Partnership (G.A.P.) certified. Our chicken supplier also exclusively uses controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS), which is widely considered more humane for these animals. We are working with our supplier to incrementally introduce higher-welfare breeds and will report progress every year until 100% compliant. |
When we started Campfire Treats back in 2017, we made it our mission to provide you and your dogs with the very best all-natural treats and chews made from 100% U.S.-sourced ingredients. From day one, we’ve only been working with human-grade ingredients. We’ve never used any additives or preservatives, and we never will. All of our products are 100% natural.
However, the more we learned about the industry we became a part of, the more it became clear that we needed to address animal welfare in our sourcing standards.
So we did.
We already transitioned to using 100% free-range chicken back in 2019, which we exclusively source from small family farms in Northern California. All our like-minded farm partners are committed to the highest animal welfare standards and are certified accordingly.
Today we’re proud to take our commitment to chicken welfare one step further by joining the Better Chicken Commitment and pledge that by 2024 we will:
What does this mean in plain English?
Joining the Better Chicken Commitment means that we will apply even more transparent and meaningful standards to ourselves, and that we will only buy chickens raised and handled in strict compliance with the rules and regulations set by Global Animal Partnership -- one of the largest and most comprehensive farm animal welfare food labeling programs. Additionally, we will require that all chickens we procure are slaughtered in a humane way.
“All animals deserve compassion. In making this animal welfare commitment, Campfire Treats is raising the bar for pet food companies to address how farm animals are treated,” said Julia Anne Johnson, Manager of Corporate Policy, ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare. “With over 200 companies already committed to the Better Chicken Commitment, Campfire Treats has joined the movement to improve the lives of billions of birds.”
We will not stop here. We will continue to challenge ourselves and aim to keep on raising the bar for all farm animals we use to make our treats and chews.
]]>While safe for humans, xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Xylitol can cause a hazardous drop in blood sugar, liver failure and even death in canines.
The first reported cases of xylitol poisoning in dogs date back to 2004.¹ According to the veterinary toxicosis experts at the Pet Poison Helpline, calls regarding pets poisoned by xylitol increased over 100 percent between 2015 and 2020. While chocolate has long been the top culprit in their poisoning cases, in 2020 xylitol poisoning calls ran a close second.
Xylitol is a natural sweetener used in hundreds of products including sugar-free gum, gummy vitamins and peanut butter. It can also be purchased in granulated form to use in baking and spoon into coffee like table sugar. With the popularity of limiting sugar in the diet, the number of products containing the sugar substitute xylitol has dramatically increased over recent years.
Categorized as a sugar alcohol (along with mannitol, sorbitol, lactitol, isomalt and maltitol), xylitol is a sweetener that occurs naturally in plants in low concentration. Also known as “birch sugar” (because xylitol is often harvested from birch trees), raw xylitol is refined and used in its concentrated form to sweeten a huge variety of products.
Studies showing that xylitol prevents dental cavities date as far back as 1975², and xylitol has long been used in sugarless chewing gum and other dental products.
40% lower in total carbohydrates and calories than table sugar, xylitol is also popular in products geared toward those following low-carb diets (such as keto) and is safe for diabetics.
While they stimulate our sweetness receptors, xylitol and other sugar alcohols do not cause the same rapid increase in blood sugar levels that real sugar does. In humans, this rapid increase normally triggers our pancreas to release the hormone insulin to regulate our blood sugar levels. Therefore, xylitol lowers the overall glycemic index (GI) of foods when used instead of sucrose or glucose.
Sugar alcohols behave differently in dogs than they do in our bodies. Unlike humans, the insulin response after ingesting xylitol is not suppressed in dogs.
After eating xylitol, insulin rushes rapidly into your dog’s bloodstream, causing a precipitous drop in blood sugar, known clinically as hypoglycemia.
The most common symptom is vomiting, which typically happens first. Vomiting can be followed by telltale signs of hypoglycemia, like lethargy or staggering (similar to a diabetic episode in people). Less common are seizures.
Symptoms of xylitol toxicity in dogs include:
If you suspect your dog may have eaten xylitol, stop reading this and immediately call your veterinarian or the 24/7 Animal Poison Control Center at (855) 764-7661.
The good news is that with prompt medical attention, most dogs recover from xylitol poisoning.
Very little. While humans can ingest xylitol safely (risking only the discomfort of its mild laxative effect if we consume too much), a shockingly small amount of xylitol is dangerous to a dog. Veterinary research indicates that canines can exhibit signs of xylitol poisoning at concentrations as low as 100 milligrams (0.1 gram) per kilogram of body weight.³
In a retrospective study of 192 dogs⁴ treated for xylitol ingestion over five years (2007-2012), 15% developed hypoglycemia with a median ingested dose of only 0.32 grams xylitol per kilogram body weight. Fortunately, all dogs in this study survived the xylitol poisoning thanks to immediate veterinary care.
Consequences become more serious the more xylitol your dog consumes. 2006 research⁵ published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA) showed that dogs who ingest a larger amount (>0.5 g/kg) of xylitol can develop acute hepatic failure (liver failure) which can be fatal. A tragic example is a Hungarian Vizsla in the UK, who died of xylitol poisoning⁶ from consuming just two homemade brownies sweetened with xylitol granules.
As the absolute toxic dose of xylitol is relative to a dog’s body weight, a 10-pound dog is at far greater risk of ingesting a potentially fatal dose than a larger canine with a body weight of 100 pounds.
You probably know that chocolate is dangerous for dogs. You may be surprised that a toxic dose of xylitol is far smaller than chocolate. Your dog would have to eat over 20 times more dark chocolate than xylitol to suffer the same toxicosis.
While xylitol is in many products, most of the xylitol poisoning reports received by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)⁷ are related to gum.
18 of the 26 cases of xylitol toxicity identified by the UK’s Small Animal Veterinary Surveillance Network (SAVSNET) between 2015 and 2018 were chewing gum ingestion.⁸
Why is this?
With some flavors containing 1.5 grams of xylitol per piece, Hershey’s Ice Breakers gum contains the most xylitol, followed by Trident and Spry gums (with 0.2 grams per piece).¹⁰ A single piece of any of these gums contains enough xylitol to cause hypoglycemia in a young puppy or in tiny breeds like Chihuahuas. Just three pieces of Ice Breakers gum is sufficient to poison giant breeds like Bernese mountain dogs (see table below).
WEIGHT OF DOG | TOXIC DOSE (ENOUGH TO CAUSE HYPOGLYCERMIA) | QUANTITY OF ICE BREAKERS GUMS TO SUPPLY TOXIC DOSE | QUANTITY OF TRIDENT OR SPRY GUMS TO SUPPLY TOXIC DOSE |
2kg (~4.4lb) Example: Chihuahua |
200mg | 1 piece | 1 piece |
4kg (~8.8lb) Example: Yorkshire Terrier |
400mg | 1 piece | 2 pieces |
6kg (~13.2lb) Example: Jack Russell Terrier |
600mg | 1 piece | 3 pieces |
12kg (~26.5lb) Example: Border Collie |
1,200mg | 1 piece | 6 pieces |
25kg (~55.1lb) Example: Hungarian Vizsla |
2,500mg | 2 pieces | 13 pieces |
40kg (~88.2lb) Example: Bernese Mountain Dog |
4,000mg | 3 pieces | 20 pieces |
Number of chewing gum that can cause hypoglycemia in dogs
Most gums, mints and breath strips are sweetened with sugar alcohols like xylitol. It’s safest to assume that any sugar-free gum contains xylitol.
Chewing gum brands sweetened with xylitol include:
This is an especially important category because you may use peanut butter for administering medication or for training your dog.
As awareness has increased about xylitol toxicity in dogs, many manufacturers have responded by reformulating their peanut butters with other sweeteners. As of May 2021, national brands such as Jif, Skippy, Smuckers and Peter Pan peanut butters are all xylitol-free.
Brands of nut butters that still contain xylitol:
Carefully check jars of peanut butter to be sure that xylitol is not on the ingredients list.
Often these will be in a separate section of the supermarket or drugstore with other diabetic-friendly items. It’s safest to assume that anything labeled “sugar free,” “sugarless,” or “low-sugar” might contain xylitol.
If cannabis is legal in your area, your dog may be exposed to edible products such as candies, gums or mints that have been infused with the compound THC. Known as “edibles,” these products often contain xylitol and can be very dangerous if consumed by your dog.
As xylitol sweetens but doesn’t contribute to tooth decay the way table sugar (sucrose) does, it’s widely used by dental hygiene brands in formulations of toothpaste, whitening gels, breath strips and mouthwash. Even products for children and labeled “natural” contain xylitol.
As with chewing gum, it’s safe to assume all oral care products contain xylitol and keep them safely out of reach of pets.
Popular toothpaste and mouthwash brands containing xylitol are:
Many medications and over-the-counter supplements contain xylitol, particularly chewable, gummy or liquid formulas.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, as hundreds of retail products contain xylitol as of this writing. Hopefully this provides an education as to the major product categories to watch out for to prevent accidental xylitol ingestion.
Be vigilant. It’s safest to assume that anything artificially sweetened could have xylitol in it and should be kept securely out of any dog’s reach.
Never leave any food items which may contain xylitol on a table or kitchen counter where your dog might be able to get hold of it.
Xylitol poisoning is sadly on the increase as the sugar substitute finds its way into more food and dental products. If accidentally ingested, xylitol can cause sudden and severe illness in canines. As a toxic dose can be as small as a few pieces of gum, pet owners need to be careful to protect their dogs from xylitol poisoning.
Do you know a dog who was poisoned by xylitol? If so, what did the dog eat and how much? Did it change anything about your habits? Let us know in the comments.
There is no such thing as a dog-safe grape or raisin. All varieties of grapes ranging from commercial seedless grapes to homegrown or organic grapes have proven to be toxic to dogs.¹ All varieties of dried grapes, otherwise known as raisins, sultanas or Zante currants, are also harmful for your dog to consume.
Currently, there are not clear findings as to what the toxic dose is for grape or raisin ingestion.
The specific number of ingested grapes or raisins that leads to toxicity is still unknown. But even small doses can be fatally toxic to dogs.² Additional factors such as size and the amount eaten also play a role in how toxic the substance is to your dog.³
Studies have found that the kidneys can enter the renal failure stage after a dog consumes just 2.8 g/kg (0.1 oz/kg) of raisins. For grapes, the kidneys can enter this stage with dosages as small as 19.6 g/kg (0.7 oz/kg) are consumed. However, clear relationships between dosage and toxicity are still unclear.⁴ Making it important to take caution if your dog has consumed any amount of these fruits.
What makes these foods toxic to dogs is still unknown.
It is suspected that dogs are unable to break down certain parts of grapes and raisins.¹ Another possible cause may be from mycotoxin, a poison that coats grapes and raisins. Studies have shown that kidney cells in dogs are very sensitive to mycotoxin.³
Because the exact reason why these fruits are toxic to dogs is still unknown, it is best to treat any sign of ingestion or toxicity very seriously.
If you are positive that your dog has eaten any of these fruits and you are unable to seek immediate care, you should induce vomiting to prevent toxins from being absorbed. Contact your vet or poison control to seek assistance when inducing vomiting.⁵
Do not induce vomiting if your dog:
You should always first contact your veterinarian or poison control hotline if you suspect your dog has eaten any of these fruits. It is always best to follow the advice of your veterinarian.
Be prepared for your vet to ask questions such as breed, age, weight, as estimate of how many of the fruits your dog has eaten, and if your dog has any underlying health conditions.
Symptoms typically develop within 12-24 hours. The first symptom will likely be vomiting. Other initial signs can be:
Acute kidney failure can begin within 24-48 hours. More severe symptoms and signs of possible kidney damage or failure are:
If you suspect your dog has ingested any of these fruits, it is best to call your veterinarian immediately. Because ingestion of these fruits can lead to kidney failure and possibly death, it is advised to have your pet looked at by a professional as soon as possible.² ⁵
The earlier ingestion of these fruits is diagnosed, the better.
The prognosis is dependent on the amount of fruit ingested, size of pet and how quickly treatment began after eating any of these fruits.
If ingestion has been identified within two hours of eating any of these fruits, the success rate of removing the fruits and flushing the stomach of any remaining toxins is high.
When kidney damage and possible kidney failure is present, the chances of recovery decline rapidly. Because the kidneys do not have the ability to repair themselves, it is likely that the result will be fatal if there are signs of advanced kidney damage.⁵
Grapes and raisins are toxic to dogs. The best practice is to prevent your dog from having the chance to ingest grapes or raisins in any situation. If you suspect your dog may have eaten any amount of these fruits, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait until your dog shows first signs of a poisoning. The success rate of treatment increases the quicker your dog is being helped.
How do you protect your dog from toxic substances in your apartment or house? Has your dog ever been poisoned? If yes, how did you deal with the situation? Please comment below. We’d love to hear your story!
Entirely raw dog treats have three key disadvantages: handling, perishability and the risk of contamination with pathogens.
Not all types of meats or fish can be cut in pieces, which stay in shape and can easily be handled. Additionally, nobody wants to put pieces of raw beef heart in their pocket to have an instant reward handy when walking the dog.
Fresh meat, and even more so for poultry or fish, have a shelf life of a few days at best when stored in a refrigerator. At room temperature, they will perish within hours.
The third disadvantage of uncooked meat is the risk of a possible contamination with food pathogens like salmonella.
Our recommendations for the best raw dog treats sourced and made in the USA cover beef, chicken, fish and turkey as protein sources, as well as dog training treats as an additional category.
All recommendations are single-ingredient, raw dehydrated treats made of premium quality meat, poultry or fish. All treats are handcrafted in Northern California and rated between 4.8 and 5.0 stars by existing customers.
Not for the looks that’s for sure. However, chicken feet are rich in protein, and naturally high in chondroitin and glucosamine, which support joint health and mobility. They are also great for your dog's gum and dental health, as they naturally clean your canine's teeth as they gnaw.
Another benefit is that dehydrated chicken feet can be given to dogs of all sizes, from toy breeds to XXL-sized dogs like Great Danes.
These dehydrated beef liver treats are loaded with protein and only contain 3% fat. Beef liver is also a great source of the minerals iron and zinc. Both play an important role in the immune system and metabolism of your canine.
An added benefit is that this beef liver comes from grass-fed, pasture-raised, USDA certified beef, which is sourced from family farms in Northern California. The meat of grass-fed and pasture-raised cattle is significantly higher in nutrients than that of their conventionally raised counterparts.
Recommended further reading: Can Dogs Eat Organ Meats? In Fact, They Should. Learn Why
This turkey jerky for dogs is extremely lean and high in protein. It is also free of antibiotics, hormones and any additives or preservatives. This makes it a great choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach or sensitivity to chicken protein.
Hearty Bites™ are little cubes of dehydrated beef heart. Their benefits for dogs are manifold. Their small size is perfect for dog training, as it causes little to no distraction for a dog to eat and swallow a single treat. This makes them suitable for dogs of almost all sizes and life stages. These beef heart bites are also healthy (high in protein, low in fat, rich in minerals like iron and zinc), and have only very few calories per treat. Hearty Bites™ are also highly enticing and rewarding, which makes them an attractive treat for easily distracted dogs, and specialized dog training situations like nose work.
An added benefit is that Hearty Bites™ are great from a human point of view as well. These dried beef meat cubes don’t smell or crumble, and they aren’t greasy either. This means you can just put them in your pockets, and you have an instant reward handy any time you need it.
Raw dog treats include raw (uncooked), dehydrated and freeze-dried treats. Dehydrated and freeze-dried treats are the recommended go-to rewards for most situations in your canine companion’s life. Especially single ingredient treats made of premium quality meat, poultry or fish are highly enticing and may offer additional benefits like the support of the dental health of your dog.
What are your favorite raw dog treats? We’d love to hear from you! Please comment below.
The intersection of these three elements represents the ideal low-fat dog treats for your dog, and the purpose you need the treats for.
The 3 Elements of an Ideal Dog Treat
Let's look at these elements step-by-step.
It is important that a treat is the right size for your dog. While a treat (other than a dog chew) cannot be too small, it may be too large for your furry friend. Especially if you own a (very) small dog, always ensure that you only select treats, which can easily be eaten by your dog.
Are you looking for a healthy, low-fat in-between snack, or do you need the treat as a reward for your pup to learn a new trick?
If you just want to spoil your canine companion with a healthy low-fat snack, you can skip this step.
For dog training, there is one more thing to consider.
When selecting a dog training treat, it is important to make sure that the treat itself does not distract your dog from what you want to teach them.
Let me explain this using two examples:
In the case that you would like to get your dog comfortable with a new crate, you may want to give your pup a slice of dehydrated beef liver every time you ask your dog to get into the crate. Depending on the size of the treat and the size of your dog, your dog might happily chew on the treat between a few seconds, or maybe a minute or two. Your dog will learn, whenever mom or dad asks me to get into my crate, I’ll get a treat. Getting into the crate is great! It will not take long before the crate becomes a happy place for your dog.
Let’s assume you would like to teach your dog to sit on command and stay in this position until you give a release signal. A slice of beef liver, which works well for crate training, might not be the best choice. Why? The answer is simple. If the slice of liver is too big for your dog to swallow right away, he or she might stand up or lay down to get in a better position to chew on it. This defeats the purpose. The treat being too big, “forces” your dog out of a position you want them to get into and stay in. For this kind of training, you want to select a dog treat that is small, and can be swallowed in one gulp without any effort and distraction.
After having considered the needs of your dog, and you are clear what you want to use the treats for, it’s time to have a look at the treats themselves.
The differences between premium treats and poor dog treats are found in the quality and the source of the ingredients. The challenge is that both treats may have identical values for protein and fat printed on the label. Consequently, both treats may appear equally good at first sight. But in reality, one treat might be made of highly nutritious and easily digestible ingredients, while the other treat may contain additives, fillers, preservatives and little to none digestible nutrients.
To truly understand what is in a dog treat, you need to evaluate the information provided on different sections of the label.
Some manufacturers might voluntarily provide additional information to help their customers better understand their products.
Example of a dog treat label: Dehydrated beef liver
The ingredients in dog food and treats are listed in descending order by weight, starting with the ingredient which makes up the largest amount.
Look to select treats with real, recognizable, whole-food ingredients such as beef muscle meat, chicken breast, etc. Treats, like dog food, should not contain any additives, fillers or preservatives, nor should they contain salt, sugar or other spices. These substances are not contributing to the health of your dog, and worse, can negatively affect their wellbeing. If the listed ingredients are unfamiliar to you, or even worse, read like an excerpt from a science book, find another treat.
Because dogs cannot digest all carbohydrates equally well, poultry, meat or fish are preferable over plant-based ingredients.
Another indicator for quality is the number of ingredients. Typically, better treats have less ingredients. The best dog treats are made of just one single ingredient: premium quality poultry, meat or fish.
As you can see on the above label for dehydrated beef liver, the guaranteed analysis states information as either minimum or maximum percentages. This means that the actual content of protein and fat may be slightly higher, while the content of moisture and fiber may be slightly lower than printed on the label.
Nevertheless, the guaranteed analysis will provide you with a good orientation if a treat is low in fat.
The calorie count will not tell you if a treat is healthy for your dog or not. Nor will it provide you with any information on how much fat a treat contains.
The value of this statement is that it gives you a good orientation of how many treats you can give to your dog without adding too many calories to their diet.
The product label will also tell you if a company actually makes the dog treats themselves, or if the treats are made by a third party for them. If the information on the label reads “manufactured for”, the treats are not manufactured by the company selling the product. This is not per se a sign of poor quality, but in case the company is otherwise talking about that they make the treats themselves, caution might be advised.
In case a treat is made in the USA, you would typically find “made in the USA” printed on the label. This, however, does not necessarily mean that the ingredients used are also coming from the United States. Should a treat be made from US sourced ingredients and manufactured in the United States, you would typically find “sourced and made in the USA” printed on the label. In case you can’t find the information on the label, reach out to the manufacturer and ask for further information.
It’s important to avoid dog treats made in China or low-cost countries with questionable quality standards. Between August 2007, and December 2015, more than 6,200 dogs, 26 cats and three people became severely ill in what is now known as the “melamine scandal”. More than 1,140 of those dogs died. Even though the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never been able to fully identify the exact root-cause of the illnesses, it was highly associated with the consumption of pet jerky treats imported from China.²
These treats are our top recommendations for premium quality low-fat dog treats.
Common to all treats is that they are:
Chicken Jerky
Turkey Jerky
Beef Jerky
Alaskan Crunch™
Dehydrated Beef Heart
Dehydrated Beef Liver
Hearty Bites™
Beef Liver Bites
Chicken Jerky Bites
Selecting a truly healthy low-fat dog treat, which is just perfect for your canine, is not complicated. It just takes three elements to consider: (1) your dog’s needs; (2) the purpose you need the treats for; and (3) the characteristics of the treats themselves. If you include these criteria into your selection process, you’ll find it easy to pick the ideal low-fat treats for your canine companion.
Do you find this guide helpful for selecting the right low-fat treats for your dog? We’d love to hear from you! Please comment below.
Organ meat for dogs is commonly understood to be the entrails and internal organs of larger farm animals like cattle or sheep. In addition, gizzards, hearts and livers of fowl like chicken, duck or turkey are also considered suitable organs to be fed to dogs.
Organ meats are one of the most nutrient dense foods you can give to your dog. In fact, entrails contain significantly more vitamins, minerals and other valuable nutrients than lean muscle meat. In addition to premium quality protein and fat, organ meats are plentiful sources of the vitamins A, B, D and E, as well as minerals like copper, iron, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. All of these are essential for the health of your canine.
Protein is an essential nutrient for dogs. It serves numerous functions in the body, such as muscle growth, tissue repair, enzymes, transporting oxygen in the blood and immune functions. Protein is also an important source of energy.
Proteins are made of amino acids. There are essential and nonessential amino acids. Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body of your dog. These amino acids must be supplied through diet. Nonessential amino acids are produced in sufficient amounts in the body of your dog, and generally don’t need to be supplemented through diet.
Fat plays an important part in the nourishment of dogs. It is an extremely dense source of energy. Compared to protein and carbohydrates, fat contains approximately 2.25 times the number of calories per gram.
Fat is also needed as a source of essential fatty acids. Essential fatty acids can contribute to the brain development of puppies, strengthen the immune system of dogs, reduce inflammation, increase the ability to fight cancer, support heart health, and support many other aspects of canine health.¹
Vitamins are classified as either fat-soluble (vitamins A, D, E, K), or water-soluble (vitamins B and C).
Water-soluble vitamins are critical in the metabolism of protein, carbohydrate and fat, which results in energy for body processes. Unlike the fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins are not stored in the body and must be consumed daily.
Fat-soluble vitamins are amongst others important for bone formation, cell membrane functioning and the vision of your dog.
Minerals are critical to many different functions in the body such as in bone and cartilage formation, enzymatic reactions, maintaining fluid balance, transportation of oxygen in the blood, normal muscle and nerve function and the production of hormones.
Minerals are usually grouped into minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium) and trace-minerals (iron, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium, iodine). Minerals are found in larger amounts in the body of your dog than trace-minerals. Dogs also need larger amounts of minerals as part of their diet than they require trace-minerals.
Dogs can eat all organs, provided they are coming from a healthy and properly raised animal.
Ideally, a dog should get all of the above organs as part of the regular diet. At the same time, it is understood that filling the freezer with brains and eyeballs is not for everyone. However, as organ meats are extremely rich in nutrients, you can already give your dog’s diet a boost by adding just a few of the more commonly available organs.
Brain | Heart | Kidney | Liver | Lung | Spleen | Tongue | Tenderloin | |
Vitamin A [IU] | 147 | 0.00 | 1,397 | 16,898 | 46.0 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 |
Thiamin [mg] | 0.09 | 0.24 | 0.36 | 1.89 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.13 | 0.12 |
Riboflavin [mg] | 0.20 | 0.91 | 2.84 | 2.76 | 0.23 | 0.37 | 0.34 | 0.21 |
Niacin [mg] | 3.55 | 7.35 | 8.03 | 13.18 | 4.00 | 8.40 | 4.24 | 2.99 |
Pantothenic Acid [mg] | 2.01 | 1.79 | 3.97 | 7.17 | 1.00 | 1.08 | 0.65 | 0.30 |
Vitamin B6 [mg] | 0.23 | 0.28 | 0.67 | 1.08 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.31 | 0.38 |
Folate [mcg] | 3.00 | 3.00 | 98.0 | 290 | 11.0 | 4.00 | 7.00 | 6.00 |
Vitamin B12 [mcg] | 9.51 | 8.55 | 27.5 | 59.3 | 3.81 | 5.68 | 3.79 | 2.60 |
Vitamin D [IU] | n.a. | n.a. | 45.0 | 49.0 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
Vitamin E [mg] | 0.99 | 0.22 | 0.22 | 0.38 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
Vitamin K [mcg] | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 3.1 | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. | n.a. |
Vitamins in Selected Beef Organs in Comparison to Tenderloin (raw)²
As you can see, each organ will provide its own, unique set of vitamins and minerals. The more organs you add to the diet of your dog, the better the mix of nutrients your dog will receive.
Brain | Heart | Kidney | Liver | Lung | Spleen | Tongue | Tenderloin | |
Calcium [mg] | 43.0 | 7.00 | 13.0 | 5.00 | 10.0 | 9.00 | 6.00 | 7.00 |
Copper [mg] | 0.29 | 0.40 | 0.43 | 9.76 | 0.26 | 0.17 | 0.17 | 0.09 |
Iron [mg] | 2.55 | 4.31 | 4.60 | 4.90 | 7.95 | 44.6 | 2.95 | 2.35 |
Magnesium [mg] | 13.0 | 21.0 | 17.0 | 18.0 | 14.0 | 22.0 | 16.0 | 20.0 |
Manganese [mg] | 0.03 | 0.04 | 0.14 | 0.31 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.03 | 0.01 |
Phosphorus [mg] | 362 | 212 | 257 | 387 | 224 | 296 | 133 | 181 |
Potassium [mg] | 274 | 287 | 262 | 313 | 340 | 429 | 315 | 304 |
Selenium [mcg] | 21.3 | 21.8 | 141 | 39.7 | 44.3 | 62.2 | 9.40 | 17.1 |
Sodium [mg] | 126 | 98.0 | 182 | 69.0 | 198 | 85.0 | 69.0 | 49.0 |
Zinc [mg] | 1.02 | 1.70 | 1.92 | 4.00 | 1.61 | 2.11 | 2.87 | 3.05 |
Minerals in Selected Beef Organs in Comparison to Tenderloin (raw)³
It is important to note that pasture raised animals contain even higher levels of essential nutrients than their grain-fed counterparts.
A whole beef heart can weigh up to around 10 pounds.⁴ Beef heart consists of very dark red, dense muscle meat, which is partly surrounded by a layer of fat.
Raw Beef Heart
A whole beef liver can weight up to 30 pounds.⁵ Raw liver is reddish brown in color and has a rather soft texture.
Raw Beef Liver
The main task of the liver is to filter toxins out of the blood stream, but it does not store the pollutants.
Beef liver is one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin A of any food. Vitamin A aids digestion, keeps the reproductive organs healthy and is a powerful antioxidant. Beef liver is also extremely rich in folate and vitamin B12, which are central to the health of the nervous system, and they aid in the production of red blood cells. Additionally, liver is an abundant source of the trace-minerals copper and iron. Both are vital for the oxygen transportation in the bloodstream.
A single beef kidney has a weight of approximately five to six pounds.⁶ The color of the meat can vary from a pinkish red, to a dark red, almost brown color.
Raw Beef Kidney
Beef kidneys are a premium source of the trace-minerals iron and selenium. While iron, as stated before, is vital to the oxygen transport, selenium plays an important role in aiding the body to fight inflammation and to support cell health. Even though the levels are well below that of liver, kidneys are still a very rich source of vitamin A.
Organs account for around 25% of the weight of larger farm animals. This ratio should also be reflected in the food plans of our canines, which means organs should make up to 25% of a dog’s diet.
The actual amount of organ meat a dog is recommended to eat depends on the availability of organs. No single organ should account for more than 5% to 10%. As an example, if you can only get a hold of heart, don’t give your dog more than 10% organ meat. If you are able to get a hold of several different organs, then give your dog up to 25%.
Organ meats are best fed raw. Feeding raw, will ensure that your dog gets all the temperature sensitive nutrients stored within the organs.
The easiest way to prepare organ meats for your dog is to grind them up in a food grinder. Then, you can portion the ground organ meat into daily rations and store in your freezer. When it’s time to feed, defrost the portions you are planning to give to your dog in the refrigerator.
It is not critical to give your dog organ meats every single day. Rather aim for some variation in the diet, and ensure that your dog gets sufficient amounts of entrails over the course of a week.
In case you have never given your dog organ meats before, it is recommended that you start with small amounts and gradually increase the amount of entrails, as your dog gets used to the new food.
Organ meat dog treats are ideally suited for dog training of all kinds, as canines love their scent and taste. Our family Vizsla for example, got crate trained by rewarding her with slices of dehydrated beef liver. Thanks to the treats, it took her less than two weeks to enjoy being in her crate.
Unfortunately, most organ dog treats are just “organ-flavored”, and contain only small amounts of entrails, while the rest of the ingredients are unhealthy additives and fillers. Additionally, these treats are often made in high temperature processes, which are destroying most of the temperature sensitive nutrients within the organ meats.
However, there are healthy alternatives. Premium organ meat dog treats are made of just one single ingredient - organ meat - and are entirely free of additives and preservatives. Ideally, you should select treats made from human-grade, USDA certified meats.
Dehydrated Organ Meat for Dogs
Not all organ meats are available where most of us do their daily shopping. While the meat department of a local supermarket might carry beef and chicken hearts and livers, it is unlikely that they carry any additional organ meats.
A better source for organ meats is your local butcher shop. Even if your butcher does not have organ meats in store, he or she is likely able to order various organs for you.
The undoubtedly best and cheapest place to buy fresh organ meats is your local abattoir or slaughterhouse. Because organs are not popular food sources for people in the United States, you will likely be able to buy almost all of them at very reasonable prices. This includes brains, eyeballs, hearts, kidneys, livers, lungs, reproductive organs, spleens, stomachs, sweetbreads, tongues, etc.
Organ meats are packed with vital nutrients. In addition to high quality protein and fat, entrails are rich sources of the vitamins, minerals and trace-minerals. Organ meats can account for up to 25% of the overall food intake of a dog. However, no individual organ should account for more than 10%. As many of the nutrients within organ meats are temperature sensitive, organs should ideally be fed raw.
Do you feed your dog organ meat? What are your experiences? We’d love to hear from you!
Fat plays an important role in the nutrition of dogs. However, not all fat is the same. While some fats solely act as a source of energy, other fats are closely associated with the health of our canine companions.
All nutritional fats are composed of fatty acids. The two primary groups of fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids include:
Omega-6 fatty acids include:
While animals can produce some types of fatty acids out of other nutrients, certain types of fatty acids must be directly supplied via the food eaten. These fatty acids are referred to as essential fatty acids (EFAs).
Linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, is essential for all animals to stay in good health. Other fatty acids considered essential for dogs are the ALA and/or EPA and DHA. All of them are omega-3 fatty acids.¹
When it comes to health benefits in dogs, research has shown that EPA and DHA are most powerful. While the metabolism of dogs is able to convert limited amounts of the less powerful ALA to EPA and DHA, this process is not very efficient. Therefore, it is recommended to enrich the diet of your dog with omega-3 fatty acids high in bioavailable EPA and DHA.²
Puppies fed food containing high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids rich in DHA performed better in various tasks than puppies with a low omega-3 diet. The tests the young dogs performed in this study included the visual differentiation of objects, memory, balance and coordination tasks.³
Extensive research has shown that omega-3 fatty acids rich in EPA and DHA can form a crucial element in the treatment of canine arthritis. The dog owners involved in some of the studies confirmed that supplementing the diet of their pets with omega-3 fats resulted in significantly reduced discomfort, lameness and joint severity.⁴
Omega-3 fatty acids have shown that they are able to slow or even inhibit the development and metastasis of certain cancers. This effect has also been confirmed in a study involving 32 dogs with lymphoma. The supplementation of their diet with omega-3 fatty acids high in EPA and DHA, significantly increased their disease-free intervals and survival times.⁵
Research has shown that the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids (rich in EPA and DHA) to a canine’s diet positively effects their immune system. Effects described a range from alleviating the harmful effects of allergies caused by an over-reactive immune systems response,⁶ to substantially higher antibody titers after vaccinations.⁷
Several studies involving dogs of different sexes, age, breed, size and weight, have shown considerable positive effects of omega-3 on canines suffering from different heart conditions. The positive effects include improved heart function and appetite, lower blood pressure, inflammation and reduced muscle loss. As a result, those dogs reported longer survival times in comparison to those dogs that did not receive omega-3 fatty acids.⁸ ⁹ ¹⁰
Omega-3 fatty acids rich in EPA and DHA have significant positive effects on the health of dogs suffering from chronic kidney disease. The same study has also shown that feeding omega-6 rich vegetable oils (safflower) significantly worsens the condition of the dogs.¹¹
The positive effect of omega-3 fatty acids on dogs suffering from the harmful effects of allergies, atopy, pruritus and flea allergies have also been extensively researched during the last several decades. These studies have shown that adding omega-3 fatty acids to a dog’s diet has an alleviating effect on their over-reactive immune systems. This leads to reduced itchiness and substantial improvements of their skin health and coat character.¹² ¹³
If your dog suffers from anxiety, depression or hyperactivity, he or she may benefit from supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids.
While the precise mechanism by which omega-3 fatty acid exerts effects on behavior is not known, they have been proven to modulate neurotransmitters and to affect neuroplasticity. In fact, fatty acids have also been found to influence the same pathways that anti-anxiety medications do, most notably fluoxetine, a commonly prescribed treatment for anxiety disorders in dogs.¹⁴
The calming effect has also been confirmed in a study conducted on 24 anxious Labradors in 2016. There is further evidence in literature that supports using omega-3 fatty acids as a potential reliever of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity in numerous species. It appears that this may hold true for dogs as well.¹⁵
Most dog foods, especially kibble, are manufactured at very high temperatures. This is detrimental to the temperature sensitive omega-3 fatty acids. Even if you feed your dog a raw diet, there is a high likelihood that you are missing out on omega-3 fatty acids if you are not consciously adding seafood or marine oils to your pet’s diet.
Omega-3 fatty acids are important. Additionally, it is important that a certain dietary ratio between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is maintained. Imbalances between the two can also lead to health problems for your pet.¹⁶
In general, commercial dog food is high in omega-6 and rather low in omega-3.¹⁷ If you are not already adding fish or omega-3 supplements to the diet of your dog, it is safe to assume that the balance between the two fatty acids is not ideal. Consequently, omega-3 should be added.
The most potent and effective omega-3 fatty acids for the health of your dog have the following characteristics:
In addition to the above, the omega-3 supplements for your dog should also be free of toxins and pollutants. Ideally, they should also be sustainably harvested. Lastly, it is advisable to buy omega-3 supplements from certified suppliers (not unknown sources on the internet).
The fats of land-living animals like ruminants or poultry are high in omega-6 and low in omega-3. This excludes them from being a viable source of omega-3 fatty acids.
Plant oils like flaxseed or canola oil are high in omega-3 fatty acids. However, the omega-3 in these oils is high in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and does not contain EPA and DHA. This prevents plant oils from providing the desired health benefits to your dog.
Omega-3 fatty acids high in EPA / DHA and low in ALA are found in fish and other marine sources.
In a perfect world, many different types of fish could provide your dogs with the omega-3 fatty acids they need. Unfortunately, a large part of our fish supply is nowadays tainted with industrial toxins and pollutants. Especially large carnivorous fish up in the food chain like mackerel, sea-bass and tuna are known to accumulate toxins, including heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury over their life span. This is why feeding these types of fish to our pets is no longer recommended.
All-Natural Dehydrated Anchovies
Target ranges for the combined total of EPA and DHA (not total omega-3) essential fatty acids vary widely for the treatment of different conditions. They typically fall between 20 and 100 mg/lb body weight per day. Furthermore, the National Research Council publication on Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats indicates a safe upper limit of combined amounts of EPA and DHA as listed in the below table.¹⁹
DOG'S WEIGHT | SAFE MAXIMUM DAILY DOSE OF COMBINED EPA AND DHA (NOT OMEGA-3) |
5 lbs | 684 mg |
10 lbs | 1,150 mg |
15 lbs | 1,559 mg |
20 lbs | 1,934 mg |
25 lbs | 2,286 mg |
30 lbs | 2,621 mg |
35 lbs | 2,943 mg |
40 lbs | 3,253 mg |
45 lbs | 3,553 mg |
50 lbs | 3,845 mg |
55 lbs | 4,130 mg |
60 lbs | 4,409 mg |
65 lbs | 4,682 mg |
70 lbs | 4,949 mg |
75 lbs | 5,212 mg |
80 lbs | 5,470 mg |
85 lbs | 5,725 mg |
90 lbs | 5,976 mg |
95 lbs | 6,223 mg |
100 lbs | 6,467 mg |
105 lbs | 6,708 mg |
110 lbs | 6,946 mg |
115 lbs | 7,182 mg |
120 lbs | 7,415 mg |
125 lbs | 7,645 mg |
130 lbs | 7,873 mg |
135 lbs | 8,099 mg |
140 lbs | 8,323 mg |
145 lbs | 8,545 mg |
150 lbs | 8,765 mg |
Quality sources of omega-3 fatty acids should list the amount of EPA and DHA in mg absolute or percent of total.
Please note that the maximum dose (outlined above) is not tolerated by all animals.
Based on their experiences in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs, the Veterinary Teaching Hospital recommends approximately one quarter of the maximum dose as a starting point.²⁰
You can get a good idea of the correct dose by looking at your dog’s stools. If you notice the feces becomes very soft, you want to reduce the dosage. If you don’t notice much of a benefit in terms of joint stiffness or coat improvements within eight weeks, then you can increase the dose slightly.
You may also want to consider the extra calories which comes with the omega-3 by reducing the rest of your dog’s diet accordingly. This is especially recommended for overweight pets.
Please always consult with your veterinarian prior to giving any omega-3 supplements to your dog.
Do you add omega-3 fatty acids to the diet of your dogs? How do you feed it? What are your experiences? We’d love to hear from you!
While there are more than 100 different forms of arthritis in humans¹, canine arthritis is typically categorized into osteoarthritis, septic arthritis and immune-mediated polyarthritis.
The by far most common form of arthritis in dogs is osteoarthritis (OA), which is also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD). Osteoarthritis is characterized by progressive, long-term, permanent deterioration of the cartilage surrounding the joints. The resulting friction causes pain and loss of mobility. Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint of your dog’s body.² ³
Septic arthritis (SA) is a type of joint inflammation caused by a bacterial or, less often, fungal infection. This type of arthritis typically affects a single joint, but there can be more than one joint involved in some cases.
Septic arthritis is characterized by an inflammation plus the presence of a disease-causing organism within the fluid surrounding the joint. It is most commonly seen in male dogs between four and seven years of age, and certain predisposed breeds.⁴
In immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA), the joints and other organs of your dog are attacked by their own immune system. The immune system normally protects a dog from viruses, bacteria and other invaders. In canines with autoimmune diseases, it becomes overactive and attacks healthy tissue.
Immune-mediated polyarthritis can be either erosive or non-erosive. In the non-erosive form, there is no destruction of bone or cartilage. In erosive IMPA, there is bone and cartilage destruction in one or more affected joints. The erosive type is very similar to rheumatoid arthritis in humans. Fortunately, erosive IMPA is rare in pets, accounting for less than one percent of all reported cases.⁵
Unfortunately, arthritis in dogs is very common. According to the Arthritis Foundation, more than 20% of the roughly 80 million pet dogs in the United States are diagnosed with some form of arthritis. For dogs older than seven years, the likelihood of suffering from arthritis increases to over 65%. In other words, more than half of all senior dogs have arthritis.⁶
Causes leading to canine arthritis are diverse. While some of the causes are specific to a certain type of arthritis, others are contributors to arthritis in general.
Should your dog fall into any of the above categories, please pay special attention to them for showing possible signs of arthritis.
Arthritis can be hard to detect in its early stages. Often, symptoms only become visible when your canine companion starts to develop discomfort. Unfortunately, at this point, the joints are often already damaged, and the bone surfaces are starting to wear away.
If you notice any signs of arthritis in your dog, see your veterinarian immediately to get your pet thoroughly examined.
The correct treatment of canine arthritis depends on the exact type of the disease your dog is suffering from. Other factors influencing the treatment include the symptoms and progression of the disease, as well as the overall health situation and the age of your dog.
In one type of arthritis a combination of surgery, pain medication and joint-protecting agents may form key elements of the treatment. In another type, the treatment may be primarily centered around reducing the self-destructive activity of the immune system of your dog. In again another type of arthritis, the very opposite treatment, a strengthening of the immune system in combination with giving antibiotics, may form the foundation for a successful treatment.
As you can see, a correct diagnosis is paramount for the right treatment of arthritis in your dog.
In all cases of arthritis, the right diet, appropriate exercise and weight management form crucial additional elements of a treatment plan. Excess pounds put more stress on joints. Keeping your dog at a healthy weight will aid in mobility and pain management, as well as minimize further damage.
It’s important to feed an anti-inflammatory diet, as your dog is suffering from inflammatory pain. The food you feed will either worsen the pain or help reducing it. Foods either heal or harm. Feeding a grain-free, low-carb diet is important, as well as incorporating an abundance of antioxidant-rich vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to avoid feeding vegetables in the nightshade family like potatoes, tomatoes, or peppers as these foods are pro-inflammatory.
A word of caution: More and more pet food manufacturers are offering an increasing number of so-called “therapeutic” or “prescription” diets for dogs with specific conditions, including arthritis. In most cases these diets are made of the same poor quality, feed-grade ingredients as their regular pet food. Many integrative veterinarians caution that these highly processed diets are rather contributing to the illnesses of dogs, than helping to cure them.⁷
Ideally, a balanced fresh food diet made of human-grade ingredients is best for canine arthritis patients.
In addition to feeding a healthy diet, it is important that your dog gets the right amount of food. The goal should be that your canine companion has a lean body condition. This means that you should see a well-defined waistline when you view the dog from above. You should see a tucked-up abdomen when you view the dog from the side. Finally, you should be able to easily feel (not see) the ribs on the sides of the chest just behind the shoulder blades.
Saying good-bye to unhealthy, calorie-rich treats like cookies, sausages or peanut butter does not mean that you will not be able to spoil your dog any more. Actually, the opposite is true. Using treats as rewards is great way to motivate your dog during exercise, at physical therapy or while being examined by your veterinarian. Just make sure that the treats you give are healthy.
When buying any dog jerky, make sure that the treats are singe-ingredient, without any additives or preservatives. Never give jerky intended for human consumption to your dog, as these jerkies are typically heavily spiced.
Recommended reading: Can Dogs Eat Jerky? Benefits and What to be Aware Of
Several nutritional supplements are recognized to support the treatment of arthritis in dogs. While their benefits are without question, it is important to note that no nutritional supplement will correct structural damage to your pet's joints. If there are calcium deposits, scar tissue, missing or torn cartilage, or changes to the bones at the joint surface, these abnormalities will remain present and will continue to affect your dog regardless of nutritional intake.
The three key supplements recommended to support the treatment of canine arthritis are glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate and omega-3 fatty acids.⁸
Glucosamine is a naturally occurring substance found in connective tissue and cartilage. Studies have shown that glucosamine may slow down or even inhibit the breakdown of cartilage associated with osteoarthritis. Additionally, it provides mild anti-inflammatory effects.
Like glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate is also naturally occurring in cartilage. Chondroitin sulfate inhibits destructive enzymes in joint fluid and cartilage. Additionally, like glucosamine, it contributes to the formation of healthy cartilage.
Both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are widely available as food supplements.
If you prefer to give your dog natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin rather than pills, you may want to consider chicken feet, chicken necks or turkey necks. These poultry parts can provide your pet with the required amounts of glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate in their most natural form.⁹ ¹⁰
Omega-3 fatty acids have powerful anti-inflammatory characteristics that are known to have wide-ranging positive effects on the health of dogs.¹¹ Multiple studies involving dogs with osteoarthritis have shown that the supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids has significant positive effects on their condition. This is especially true for omega-3 fatty acids derived from marine sources.¹² ¹³
Marine-based omega-3 supplements for dogs are available in form of fish oil, krill oil or phytoplankton. Alternatively, you can also enrich the diet of your dog with fish like anchovies or sardines.
Dogs receiving supplemental glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and omega-3 fatty acids already from a young age onward, have displayed less inflammation and lameness. Therefore it makes sense to start supplementing the diet of your dog as a puppy.¹⁴
Please always consult your veterinarian before adding any over the counter supplements to the diet of your dog.
In addition to a healthy diet, it is vital that you continue to exercise¹⁵ your dog with caution and within the levels possible. Proper exercise keeps the joints supple and the muscles around the damaged joint in good condition. Stronger and flexible muscles provide better support to the troubled joints.
Depending on the specific situation of your dog, physical rehabilitation might also form an important element of the treatment. Physical rehabilitation is a discipline that translates physical therapy techniques from human medicine for application to canine patients. These techniques include (but are not limited to) therapeutic exercise, joint mobilization, and hydrotherapy using an underwater treadmill.
The likelihood for a dog to develop arthritis is higher than 20%. There are three main categories of canine arthritis: osteoarthritis (OA), septic arthritis (SA) and immune-mediated polyarthritis (IMPA). The treatment differs depending on the exact form of the disease. Diet, exercise and weight management play an important role in both prevention and treatment.
Does your dog have arthritis, or have you ever owned an arthritic canine? How have you dealt with the situation? We’d love to hear your experiences!
Most of us have been given the advice to never give poultry bones to a dog. Despite its prevalence, this well intended advice is only partially correct. It is true that the bones of cooked, boiled or fried chicken, turkey or other poultry should never be given to a dog. The high cooking temperatures turn poultry bones into hard, glass like structures, which then breaks into sharp and pointy splinters if dogs chew on them. These splinters can cause serious injuries.
Raw, freeze-dried or dehydrated poultry bones are considered safe treats for dogs. In contrast to cooked poultry bones, their texture is rather soft and brittle. When chewed, they will crush, but not break into pointy objects. This is especially true for whole poultry parts, where the bones are still surrounded by connective tissue and meat. Examples include: chicken feet, chicken necks, duck feet, duck necks, or turkey necks. These parts make healthy, nutritious and fully digestible dog chews, and can even substitute for parts of your canine’s diet.
Dog Eating a Dehydrated Turkey Neck
Raw or dehydrated turkey necks are not only safe for your dogs to eat, but they also offer many nutritional benefits to your canine’s diet, including:
Countless studies have shown the powerful positive effects of the oral supplementation of glucosamine and chondroitin on joint health, arthritis and consequently the overall mobility of dogs and cats.¹ ² In fact, if your pet is suffering from arthritis, there is a high likelihood that your veterinarian will recommend glucosamine and chondroitin to treat your pet.
If you prefer to give your dog natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin rather than in pill form, you may want to consider turkey necks. The glucosamine and chondroitin found in the cartilage and connective tissue of turkey necks is in a “bio-available” form. This means that it is already in the most digestible and ready-to-use, natural form. Thus, this makes turkey necks a natural remedy for arthritis in dogs.
Dental disease is the most common disease in dogs, affecting 76% of all canines in the United States. Since 2006, there has been a 23.3% increase in the prevalence of dental disease in dogs, with steady growth each year.³
Dental care for dogs is important. If left untreated, dental disease not only leads to bad breath, but also inflamed gums and compromised teeth. It can even become a source of infection affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys of your dog.⁴
One way to ensure the dental health of our canines is the regular brushing of their teeth. This should ideally be done daily, using special toothpaste for dogs.
Turkey necks are healthy dental chews for dogs. If brushing your canine’s teeth is not your thing, or your dog will not tolerate it, why not give them turkey necks instead? The chewing process will naturally aid the removal of plaque and tartar build-up on their teeth.
Dog trainers often recommend the use of Kong toys stuffed with cream cheese or peanut butter to occupy a “busy” dog who finds too many undesirable things to do around the house. Turkey necks are fun for your dog to chew on, and a great alternative option to provide entertainment for a busy dog.
Canines who are eating a large turkey neck will often plant their front feet on the bone to fix it to the ground. This makes gnawing down a turkey neck a physical exercise involving not only their jaw muscles, but also their neck, legs, shoulders and back.
Lastly, turkey necks are an easy way to add variety to the so often monotone diet of our canines.
Raw turkey necks (fresh or frozen) are available in farmers markets, butcher shops and in the meat department of grocery stores. If you are not into raw feeding, go for dehydrated turkey necks instead. Dehydrated turkey necks can be found online, or in well-assorted pet supply stores.
When buying freeze-dried or dehydrated turkey necks for dogs, we strongly advise against any products imported from China. While they may be slightly cheaper than dog treats made in the United States, various pet food recalls over the last few years indicate that not all Chinese manufacturers have implemented sufficiently effective quality control measures.
Dehydrated Turkey Necks
Always feed bones in a supervised environment. Ideally you want to see your canine chewing down the neck bones and only swallowing the pieces they have bitten off (see video above). If your dog is a “gulper,” and has a tendency to swallow things whole, we suggest that you hold the neck in your hand and let them chew off small pieces.
Turkey necks can be given to canines of all ages, but when feeding to a senior dog, or one who has compromised tooth health, be especially diligent in making sure they can handle the bone well.
There is no specific formula how many turkey necks you can give to your dog. Depending on the size, we suggest giving them a half to one complete turkey neck two to three times per week as a chew. Depending on the diet and activity level of your dog, you might want to consider reducing their meals on those days. Please always ensure that your canine has access to plenty of fresh water. This is especially important when giving them freeze-dried or dehydrated turkey necks.
If your dog is not used to a raw diet or dehydrated bones, we suggest that you start slow. Giving small amounts of turkey neck twice per week will allow them to adjust to the new, healthy addition to their diet.
We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever given turkey necks to your dog? What are your experiences?
Raw chicken feet are often available in farmers markets, butcher shops, and sometimes in the meat department of grocery stores. If you are not into raw feeding, go for dehydrated chicken feet instead. The advantage of dried chicken feet over fresh feet is that they are easier to handle and store. The crunchy texture of dehydrated chicken feet also offers more powerful cleaning effects for the teeth.
When buying dehydrated chicken feet, we strongly advise against chicken feet imported from China. While they may be a few cents cheaper than local chicken feet, various pet food recalls over the last few years, especially of chicken products from China, indicate that no effective quality control measures have been implemented yet.
All-Natural Dehydrated Chicken Feet
We’d love to hear from you! Have you ever given chicken feet to your dog? What are your experiences?
Anchovies are one of the healthiest fishes you can add to the diet of your dog. Anchovies are naturally rich in omega-3 fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. In particular, their omega-3 fatty acids offer powerful and wide-ranging health benefits. Omega-3 can contribute to the brain development of puppies, reduce inflammation, help dogs with arthritis, improve heart health and much more.
Anchovies are rapidly growing fish. Their primary food source is plankton. The average size of an adult anchovy is about 5 to 6 inches.
Illustration of an European Anchovy
Anchovies are also classified as “oily fish”. Oily fish have oil in their tissues and in the belly cavity around the gut. Fillets of oily fish can contain up to 30% oil, although this figure varies both within and between species. Other oily fish are sardines and herring, but also larger pelagic fish, such as salmon, trout, mackerel, tuna and swordfish.
Recommended reading: Omega-3 for Dogs: What is it? Benefits, Sources and Dosage
In a perfect world, many different types of fish could provide your dog with the omega-3 fatty acids they need. Unfortunately, a large part of our fish supply is nowadays tainted with industrial toxins and pollutants. Especially larger carnivorous fish up in the food chain like salmon, mackerel and tuna are known to accumulate toxins, including heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury, over their life span. This is why feeding these types of fish to our pets is no longer recommended.
Anchovies are at the bottom of the aquatic food chain, and are also relatively short lived. Because of this, anchovies do not harbor pollutants and toxins as larger and longer-lived fish do.
This makes anchovies an ideal feeding source because:
There are several healthy options to enrich the diet of your dog with anchovies, but be aware, not all anchovies sold for human consumption are good for canines too.
You can give your dog anchovies whole: the head, tail and everything included. You don’t have to worry about the bones because they are tiny and fully digestible. For small dogs, you can break or cut a whole fish in half. Depending on your preference, you can feed anchovies as a treat, or make them part of a regular meal.
Keep in mind that the main health benefit for your dog comes from the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA within the anchovies. These fatty acids are sensitive to temperature and oxygen.
In case you decide to give your dog dried anchovies, it is recommended that you buy them in resealable, airtight bags. Reseal the bag after you have taken out fish. Store the bag in a cool, dry place and use it within 30 days. In case you opt for canned anchovies, make sure to store opened cans in a fridge and use them within two to three days. Fresh fish should also be stored in a fridge, and given to your dog within two to three days.
All-Natural Dehydrated Anchovies
The recommendation in the table is based on 25% of the safe maximum daily dosage of combined EPA and DHA fatty acids stated by the National Research Council.³ The anchovies considered to calculate this recommendation are Campfire Treats' Dehydrated Anchovies for Dogs & Cats.⁴
DOG'S WEIGHT | NUMBER OF DEHYDRATED ANCHOVIES PER WEEK |
5 lbs | 2 |
10 lbs | 3 to 4 |
15 lbs | 4 to 5 |
20 lbs | 5 to 6 |
25 lbs | 6 to 8 |
30 lbs | 7 to 9 |
35 lbs | 7 to 10 |
40 lbs | 8 to 11 |
45 lbs | 9 to 12 |
50 lbs | 10 to 13 |
55 lbs | 10 to 14 |
60 lbs | 11 to 15 |
65 lbs | 12 to 15 |
70 lbs | 12 to 16 |
75 lbs | 13 to 17 |
80 lbs | 14 to 18 |
85 lbs | 14 to 19 |
90 lbs | 15 to 20 |
95 lbs | 15 to 21 |
100 lbs | 16 to 21 |
105 lbs | 17 to 22 |
110 lbs | 17 to 23 |
115 lbs | 18 to 24 |
120 lbs | 18 to 25 |
125 lbs | 19 to 25 |
130 lbs | 20 to 26 |
135 lbs | 20 to 27 |
140 lbs | 21 to 27 |
145 lbs | 21 to 28 |
150 lbs | 22 to 29 |
Recommended Number of Dehydrated Anchovies per Week
You can get a good idea of the right amount of fish by looking at your dog’s stools. If you notice the feces becomes very soft, you want to reduce the amount of fish you feed. If you don’t notice much of a benefit in terms of coat improvements or joint stiffness within eight weeks, then you can increase the number of anchovies slightly.
Be aware that anchovies contain a lot of calories. A 4.5 oz bag of dehydrated anchovies, containing 15 to 20 fish, has about 644 calories.⁵ A single fish therefore has around 30 to 45 calories. You may want to consider these extra calories by reducing the rest of your dog’s diet accordingly. This is especially recommended for overweight pets.
Anchovies are small silvery fish, which are high in the omega-3 fatty acids EPS and DHA. These fatty acids offer powerful and wide-ranging health benefits for dogs. Most beneficial for dogs are fresh, frozen, dried/dehydrated or canned anchovies packed in water. Anchovies packed in salt and/or oil should not be given to dogs.
Have you ever given anchovies to your dog? What are your experiences? We’d love to hear from you!
You love jerky and wonder if your dog can have it too? It depends. Jerky made for human consumption is typically spiced and should not be given to a dog. Jerky for canine consumption, if made from quality meats, can be a highly recommendable, nutritious dog treat.
Jerky is meat, poultry or fish cut into strips and then dried to prevent spoilage. The removal of water makes jerky extremely lightweight. A pound of meat weighs only three to four ounces after being made into jerky. Because most of the moisture is removed, jerky is shelf stable and can be stored without refrigeration. The scientific principal at play when preserving food by drying is that by removing moisture, enzymes cannot efficiently contact or react with the food. This prevents the food from turning bad.
Drying is one of the oldest forms of food preservation known to humankind. What was most likely an accidental discovery, allowed our ancestors to both store food for long periods of time, and to have an easy-to-carry, highly nutritional food source to take with them on long journeys. There is evidence that already 30,000 years ago, the Neanderthals made jerky from the mammoth they hunted.¹ This suggests that they must have understood that dried meat lasted much longer than fresh meat, and was not subject to the decay and insect infestation that plagued the storage of uncured raw meats.
The name “jerky” dates back to a South American Quechua Inca tribe in the 1500s, which called their dried and salted llama and alpaca meats “ch’arki”.² In North America, the Cree Indians made “Pemmican,” a jerky variation consisting of dried meat, berries and fat.³ Jerky reached the height of its popularity during the expansion into North America, where traders and explorers prized it as an essential source of nutrition as they traveled West with limited access to fresh food and supplies along the way.
With invention of refrigeration and numerous other ways of food preservation, dried meat lost its importance as a food source. Nonetheless, jerky remained to be a popular meaty snack in many countries around the world. Today, jerky is available in an almost limitless choice of flavors. The spectrum of producers spans from artisans who hand-craft jerky from exotic meats in small batches, to the mass-produced jerky we typically see near the check-out counters in supermarkets. Common to all jerky made for human consumption is that it typically contains salt and is heavily spiced. Jerky made for human consumption is therefore not recommended as a dog treat.
Jerky treats for dogs became increasingly popular during recent years. If made from quality meats, jerky can be a very healthy and highly recommendable snack for dogs.
Unfortunately, not every dog treat labeled as jerky, contains real jerky. Often, so-called “jerky for dogs” contains additives, fillers and preservatives. In almost all cases these substances have been added to enable the profit-margin optimized mass-production of dog treats made from low-quality, feed-grade ingredients.
Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid jerky treats made in China. Between August 2007, through December 2015, more than 6,200 dogs, 26 cats and three people became severely ill in what is now known as the “melamine scandal”. More than 1,140 of those dogs died. Even though the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has never been able to fully identify the exact root-cause of the illnesses, it was highly associated with the consumption of pet jerky treats imported from China.⁴
The below label of chicken jerky for dogs is a great example of what to look out for when selecting a premium treat for your dog. The label clearly indicates that the jerky is made of just one single ingredient (chicken breast). Furthermore, it indicates that the chicken used to make this treat has originated from U.S. farms, and that the product itself is also made in the USA. The label also states that the jerky is free from antibiotics, hormones or steroids.
Jerky treats are not intended to substitute the diet of your canine companion in part or whole. The rule of thumb is that treats should not account for more than 10 percent of the overall daily calorie intake of a dog. This is also a good guide when giving jerky to your dog.
Like with all other treats and chews, it is also recommended to supervise your dog when giving any jerky treats.
As jerky contains little to no water, your dog may get thirsty when eating jerky treats. Especially when you’re giving your dog larger amounts of jerky, always ensure that your canine has access to plenty of fresh water.
Jerky made for human consumption is often heavily spiced. It should not be given to a dog. Jerky treats specifically made for canine consumption are available in a wide variety. Quality dog jerky is made of just one single ingredient (poultry, meat or fish), and is entirely free of additives, fillers and preservatives. If made of premium ingredients, this kind of jerky is nutritious, high in protein and low in fat. It makes a healthy snack for dogs of all sizes and live-stages.
Have you given jerky to your dog? What are your experiences? We’d love to hear from you!