Black & White Sunday

I love how lean and fit he is.

Wordless Wednesday-Them Wolfdog Paws

Recent Raw Meals

After the break are photos and examples of raw meals for dogs.  I feed mostly prey model raw, but do occasionally use some dehydrated raw and premade raw.

These are just a few photos of some of my dogs' meals over the last two weeks, in no particular order.

My crew mostly eats the same meals as each other, with the same portion sizes.

I feed as much cut and protein variety as possible, though they ate quite a bit of beef heart and chicken the last couple of weeks.

For additional photos of raw meals for dogs, click HERE.

Useful links:

How **I** Feed Raw

Raw Feeding Resources

Black & White Sunday

Big smiles.

May 2015 BarkBox Review

We recently received our May BarkBox.  I always joke that my dogs get more mail than I do. Reviews of previous and/or current BarkBoxes can be read HERE.

The Goods

West Paw Bumi Zogoflex  Approximate retail value $14.99.  Very durable feeling, made in USA tug toy.  It bounces, floats, and is dishwasher-safe.  Bruce LOVES to play tug, and I cannot wait to try this out with him.  It will also be fun for water retrieval with Neeko and Faolan.

Green Bark Gummies Health and Vitality.  Approximate retail value $7.73.  These are "enhanced" treats, and while packaged as healthy, do not contain the greatest ingredients.  I have never heard of canola yeast, but this ingredient rules them out for Bruce.  They do contain chia, which is touted for it's OFA content, fish oil.  Based on the "dose" suggested on the bag, these would not last one day for all three dogs.

Etta Says 12" Crunchy Duck Chew.  Approximate retail value $4.99.  My dogs love Etta Says!  I say that every time we receive a product from them.  Now the difficult part is deciding which dog gets to enjoy this delicious treat.

No Grainers Jerky Chews.  Approximate retail value $7.98.  We have tried treats from this company in the past, and they went over well.  These are made in the USA with American sourced chicken.  They are each approximately 2" in length, but easily break into smaller pieces, and have a strong, but not unpleasant odor. The dogs have already enjoyed several of these.  

Silly Bums Bumblebee.  Approximate retail value $13.42.  This is really cute.  This line of toys are the back ends of various animals/insects, hence the name.  It is a plush toy that both crinkles and squeaks.  While it is darling, and I am happy with it, it does not feel durable enough for my dogs, so I will either gift or donate this toy.

Overall, I am pleased with this month's BarkBox, even though I won't use two of the items.  The Zogoflex toy is my favorite item, easily.  To try BarkBox for yourself, and get a free box added to your plan, click HERE.

I am a BarkBox subscriber.  I am not asked to review BarkBox.

There Aren't too Many Things Funnier than Running Chickens

Except Guinea fowl running.  I need to get a video.

May 2015 Pet Gift Box Review

We recently received our May PetGiftBox!  Reviews of past and/or current PetGiftBoxes can be read HERE.

As I have mentioned in the past, I love how affordable PetGiftBox is, starting at only $17.99 per month, with free shipping.  They do not skimp on quality, though.

To save 25% off your first box, use coupon code myrottendogs.

This month's theme is Memorial Day, honoring and celebrating the Armed Forces.

As always, love the personalized touch!

The Goods

Pawtriotic Cranberry Recipe Dog Treats. Approximate retail value $8.35.  Wheat, corn, and soy-free treats made in the USA with simple USA-sourced human grade ingredients.  These are smallish crunchy biscuits made of rye, carrot puree, and cranberries.  Crunchy biscuits are some of Bruce's favorite treats, and these are of excellent quality.  The company contributes a portion of proceeds to charitable organizations.  I like them already!

Imagine This Patriotic Paw Print Magnet. Approximate retail value $5.99.  Cute car magnet that is made in the US.  I have actually never seen this design before, so I am impressed.

U.S. Army Canteen Dog Toy.  Approximate retail value $7.95.  Surprisingly durable squeaker toy that fits in very well with this month's theme.  I think Neeko and Faolan will very much enjoy playing with this.  It has the texture and squeaker that they both love.

America's Vet Dogs Dog Treats.  Approximate retail value $6.00.  I have purchased these treats before, and my dogs LOVE them.  These soft treats are made by Bil-Jac, and support America's Vet Dogs, an organization that provides various types of assistance/service dogs to disabled veterans.  These treats are slightly larger than a typical training treat, and my dogs go nuts for them.

U.S. Army Bear Recruit Toy.  Approximate retail value $7.95.  Super cute plush toy.  Unfortunately, I do not think it is quite durable enough for my particular dogs.  I know many veterans with dogs, and I am thinking that one of these dogs might enjoy this toy and play with it appropriately, so it will be gifted to them.

As usual, I am impressed with PetGiftBox.  The price compared to the value is unbeatable.  I love how they include products which help out other organizations.  Have you tried PetGiftBox yet?

I was provided with complimentary product.  All opinions are strictly my own.

Wordless Wednesday-Play

Homemade Chicken Treats for Dogs

I love making treats for my dogs.  I know what the ingredients are, where they are sourced from, and how they are prepared.  My dogs LOVE anything homemade too.

I have posted about dehydrating chicken hearts in the past, but then I did whole hearts.  This method works better for me for a variety of reasons.  By removing all fat, I eliminated the greasiness, and reduced the risk of them going rancid.  The smaller size means they can be easily used as training treats, and meant a much quicker dehydrating time.

The Process

1.  Using sharp kitchen shears, cut the fat cap off each heart, then cut each heart in half lengthwise. (I      saved the fat caps to be fed to my dogs as part of a meal.)

2.  Arrange pieces in a single layer on dehydrator sheet.

3.  Plug dehydrator in, and let it work it's magic.  It took my simple Presto Dehydrator five hours to         completely dehydrate the chicken heart pieces.

4.  Let cool, give to your dog, and watch her enjoy!

As with all homemade treats, I recommend storing these in the refrigerator, as they contain no preservatives.  As mentioned, removing all fat reduces the risk of them going rancid.  Another benefit of removing the fat cap is that there was no smell detected in my house during the dehydrating process.

I find satisfaction in making a wholesome training treat that my dogs are willing to work hard for.  If you enjoy making meaty treats for your dog, I highly suggest getting a dehydrator!

Variety is the Spice of Life: Sojos Wild Review

Many raw feeders, myself included, frequently mention the importance of variety in a dog's diet. There are many reasons for this, including:

• Different protein sources contain nutrient and macronutrient profiles.
• It can be mentally stimulating for a dog, and is definitely enjoyable for most dogs to be offered a variety of food.
• You (humans) wouldn't want to eat the exact same thing everyday, would you?
• Some dogs have allergies to common proteins such as beef, chicken, and turkey, so these owners are always seeking out variety for their dogs.

Sojos recently introduced Wild.  It is similar to other Sojos products, in that it contains freeze-dried meat and human grade fruits and vegetables.  What sets the Wild products apart is that the protein sources are "wild" and/or considered "exotic."  This new line includes free range venison, wild caught salmon, and wild boar.

These freeze-dried raw foods are also a great way for those who typically feed kibble to offer their dogs some fresh, raw food.  This is a complete meal, so there are no worries about balancing the diet, and these (along with other Sojos products) eliminate the "mess" that many people associate with a raw diet.

I am a longtime fan of Sojos, and jumped at the opportunity to try this new product out.  I selected the Wild Boar recipe for a few reasons.

My dogs have never had wild boar, by my choosing.  There is a slight chance of freeze-resistant parasites in fresh-frozen wild boar.  The freeze drying process eliminates any risk of that!  Another reason is because pork-based commercial foods are rare, and I think it is a great option for dogs who might be allergic to beef, chicken, or other common proteins. The final reason is that wild boar is a protein-rich, lean red meat.

Preparing this is as simple as preparing other Sojos products.  Simply measure out the appropriate amount of food and warm water, stir together, and let sit for 15 minutes to rehydrate and activate all the enzymes.

I love that the individual ingredients are easily identifiable.  Meat, peas, cranberries, etc.

It looks and smells pretty good when it is ready to serve.  Neeko was quite excited to be the initial tester here.

Anticipatory smile.

I am pleased and excited about this product.  Same stellar Sojos quality in a food that provides novel/exotic/wild protein sources.  For me, it is fun and enriching for my dogs to try new foods and different proteins.  For dogs fighting food allergies, these products could be a game changer.

As always, know your dog.  My dogs have no difficulties switching foods/proteins from day to day.  But each dog is different, and some dogs require an adjustment period when being fed something new or being transitioned from a kibble diet to a diet of fresh foods.  If new to Sojos, the company recommends transitioning over a 7-10 day period.

Try it out.  Your dog will be grateful.

I was provided with complimentary product.  All opinions are my own.

Black & White Sunday

Recent Raw Meals

After the break are photos and examples of raw meals for dogs.  I feed mostly prey model raw, but do occasionally use some dehydrated raw and premade raw.

These are just a few photos of some of my dogs' meals over the last two weeks, in no particular order.

My crew mostly eats the same meals as each other, with the same portion sizes.

I feed as much cut and protein variety as possible, though they ate quite a bit of beef heart and chicken the last couple of weeks.

For additional photos of raw meals for dogs, click HERE.

Useful links:

How **I** Feed Raw

Raw Feeding Resources

Rejeneril and the Raw Feeder: Review, Giveaway, and Coupon Code

Big surprise, but I feed my dogs a raw diet.  As a raw feeder, I try to follow the "less is more" mindset when it comes to supplements for my dogs.  The only supplement all three dogs regularly receive is fish oil, and Neeko also gets turmeric.

When considering whether or not to try Rejeneril with Neeko, I asked a few questions.

• Is it safe?
• Is it shown to be effective?
• Will Neeko even take it?

The first two questions were quickly answered by a visit to the My Ultimate Pet website, and Neeko answered the third question herself.

Laboratory studies have shown rejeneril to be safe at 900x the recommended dose, it is made in North America, and contains no ingredients sourced from China.  It's active ingredients have been proven effective in studies, and customer testimonials don't lie.

Neeko's Problem

Although Neeko just turned five, her hips have bothered her since she was a very young dog, and this saddens me.  Some days she seems quite stiff and/or sore.  The princess is always willing to go on adventures, but I can tell at times she is tired or sore.  Because of this, I do all I can for her, including limiting high impact activities, keeping her lean, feeding a raw diet, and reducing inflammation with the use of fish oil and turmeric. Other than her joints, she has no chronic health issues, and her skin and coat are in great shape.

Rejeneril

The Rejeneril arrived about a month ago.  It is in a bottle designed to protect it from light degradation, and includes a standard lid, and an eyedropper lid.  Dosing is easy, and based on weight. Neeko received 17 drops daily.

According to their website Rejeneril can benefit a dog's health by:

• Improving health and longevity
• Helping build a strong immune system
• Setting the foundation for a disease-free life
• Preventing and clearing skin problems
• Treating dry, itchy skin
• Reducing arthritis and joint pain

The princess can be picky.  In the past she has refused to eat her meal if something added to it did not meet her expectations.  Rejeneril is a thin, dark liquid with a slight "vitamin-y" smell to it.

I gave her the recommended dose daily, over either her breakfast or dinner.

Rejeneril over ground green tripe.

One thing I did notice-when given over a chicken leg quarter, the liquid slid to the bottom of the bowl, and Neeko did not lick it up.  Otherwise, she took it no problem.  It works best when served over ground meat, mixed with a raw egg, or over reconstituted dehydrated raw.  

The Results

Within 10 days, I noticed that Neeko was much more willing to run and jump, seemed less stiff, and there was a noticeable increase in her overall energy and activity levels.  The energy and activity increase came as a surprise to me.  This girl notoriously hates temperatures over 75 F, and becomes quite the slug when it's too warm out.  The temperature here has been rising, and she has yet to become her typical Spring/Summer lazy self.  I am not complaining.

Running is usually something the boys do.

I am quite pleased with this product, and would confidently recommend it, to any dog owner looking for a supplement to help with vitality.  My girl definitely has more pep in her step, seems more comfortable, and more energetic.

The Giveaway

Readers, please enter our giveaway. One lucky duck (or human) will win a FREE bottle of Rejeneril® valued at $44.99! Keep an eye on your inbox as the winner will be notified by email. But if you can’t wait to find out if you won, take advantage of a 15% discount by using the discount code MyRottenDogs15 when you place your order at My Ultimate Pet.

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE!!!  (click the link to enter.)

This post is sponsored by My Ultimate Pet, but all opinions are my own.  I am hosting the giveaway, but My Ultimate Pet is responsible for the giveaway.

Wordless Wednesday

The Rest of the Story

Last week, for Wordless Wednesday, I posted a photo of a peacock.

This beautiful bird showed up at my house Tuesday evening, and hung around until Friday evening.  I don't know where he came from, or where he went, but I enjoyed my time with him.

He was incredibly fascinated with the chickens and guinea fowl.  He seemed to have a crush on one particular guinea.

He did not demonstrate any sort of aggression towards my poultry.  Just curiosity.  He was fairly skittish of me, and definitely fearful of the dogs.

He enjoyed eating the blueberries, raisins, peanuts and sunflower seeds I offered him.  He was quite a bit larger than any of my birds, and oh so beautiful.

I wish he would have stuck around, but I hope he found his way home.

I now kind of want one of my own.

Black & White Sunday

I'll just leave this here.

The Honest Kitchen Wishes

NEWSFLASH!  I'm a fan of single ingredient treats.  Particularly if the ingredient is meat.

I'm also a fan of The Honest Kitchen.  Their food (just bought some last week!), treats, and supplements.  Chewy.com sent us some Wishes made by THK to try out.

Wishes are dehydrated Icelandic haddock fillets. My dogs LOVE fish.  I think it has to do with the typically strong smell of fish based treats.  These do have a distinct smell, which makes them all the more valuable for the pups.  In fact, Faolan snatched the first one out of my hand because I was not paying attention (better than the whole package, like Bruce.)

The fillets are nice sized, but easily broken into smaller pieces.

They can be a snack, a treat, or even a training treat.

A great thing about these is that they are also cat treats!  They are marketed as such, and I was able to easily break them into appropriate kitty-sized treats.  Miss Noelle loved them as well!

So-single ingredient, meat treats made by a company I respect, that both my dogs and cats enjoy.  These are an all around win!

Wordless Wednesday-A Visitor