Are Store bought treats good? What are the ingredients?

Daisy (pictured above) our first lab has a very sensitive stomach . It wasn't until I realized what was making her sick. She seemed to get sick after we would give her the store bought treats. After looking at the ingredients on the bag of treats and I couldn't even pronouced the names of these ingredients. They are called additives and are used to preserve not only treats but commercial pet food as well. One of the ingredients that I researched is called Propylene Glycol and is used in the commercial pet treat industry.

Propylene Glycol:
Propylene glycol is an approved food additive for dog food under the category of animal feed and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for dogs. Similarly, propylene glycol is an approved food additive for human food as well. The exception is that it is prohibited for use in food for cats because of a species-specific reaction in the body, as noted in 21 CFR 582.1666.
Veterinary data indicate that propylene glycol is toxic to dogs with a 50% chance of being lethal at doses of 9mL/kg, although the figure is higher for most laboratory animals (LD₅₀ at levels of 20mL/kg).
However, propylene glycol may be toxic to cats in ways not seen in other animals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has determined that its presence in or on cat food has not been shown by adequate scientific data to be safe for use.

Another additive most commonly found in commercial dog treats is called sucrose. Yes, sucrose is Sugar and sometimes called saccharose.  I alway wondered why Daisy would get so hyper after her training session. Yes, at this time I was giving her the store bought treats and guess what the first ingredient listed on the box was? Sugar. I could not beleive it.  No wonder why she got hyper. This is when I began making homemade dog treats for her and morphed into Ledfoots Pet Bakery. Now everyone can purchase a safe healthy pet treat and you don't even have to leave the house.  http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/

These are just a couple of ingredients found in the store bought treats and food. Ledfoots Pet Bakery only uses the freshest human grade ingredients on the market. If we can not pronounce it then we won't use it.  We find our treats to be the healthiest on the market today.  The bakery treats also have natural health benefits to them,  check out the listings below.

http://ledfootspetbakery.com/St-Patricks-Day-Shamrock-Dog-Biscuits-P1887141.aspx

http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Celebration-Gourmet-Dog-Cookies-P1841138.aspx

 http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Barking-Wheat-Healthy-Homemade-Dog-Treats-4oz-PKG-P366218.aspx

February is Dog Dental Month!

Once again it is February Doggie Dental Month. Good oral care includes going to your veterinarian, as well as good home oral care.  Plaque is a buildup that forms along the gum line from food particles and bacteria. A great home oral care plan can remove plaque. Ledfoots Pet Bakery Carries many All natural oral care products. First we make the all natural breath mint treats which naturally cleans their breath. http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Breath-Mints-All-Natural-Doggie-Treats-1-Pound-Pkg-P1767422.aspx
We also carry the Braided Bully Sticks which naturally cleans the plaque off their teeth and we use this product once a month for our dogs. We carry the 6" braided bully sticks and 12" braided bully sticks. http://ledfootspetbakery.com/6-Free-Range-Braided-Bully-Sticks-Odor-Free--P1569708.aspx
http://ledfootspetbakery.com/12-Free-Range-Braided-Bully-Sticks-Odor-Free-P1282821.aspx

Now you might also be wondering about giving Greenies for your dog. We carry the all natural alternative to Greenies, they are called Terrabones which come in two sizes small and large. http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Terrabone-Small-All-Natural-Dog-Treat-Greenies-P1519490.aspx
http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Terrabone-Large-All-Natural-Dog-Treat-Greenies-P1519495.aspx
http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Terrabone-All-Natural-Dog-Treat-Greenies-P1803791.aspx

You will find all our oral care products under dog chews at http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/
Check out the deer antlers these are safer then using rawhides.
http://ledfootspetbakery.com/10-12-Giant-Premium-Antler-Free-Range-Dog-Chew-P1278338.aspx

Healthy treats with Benefits!

It is that time of year when I try out new recipes. The last two recipes I tried this week are a hit with our dogs.  They will be added to our website in the near future. All treats made at Ledfoots Pet Bakery have all natural healthy ingredients and offers many benefits. Like our Happy Pumpkin treats are low in calories and high in fiber, it's meat free and low in protein. Pumpkin is great for digestion, helping both firm stools that are loose and to soften stools that are too hard. We also have Cat treats made with pumpkin.
Sweet Potato treats are high in fiber, low in fat, meat free, and low in protein. Sweet potatos are full of potassium, fiber, beta-carotene, vitamins and minerals. Your dogs will love them.
All treats at http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/ are healthy and offer many benefits for your pets. So place your order today and make them happy and healthier. Your pets will love you even more after trying one of our treats.

Dog Training with the Teachers Pet K-9 School!

The most important thing we must do is train our new friends. Being their pack leader takes time and work but if done correctly you both will be rewarded with good behavior and a happier life together. I wanted to introduce you to my friend Kim Bobka owner of Teachers Pet K-9 School. http://www.teacherspetk9school.com/  She has been in business since 1993. Kim specializes in Obedience (on and off leash), therapy dogs, agility, problem solving, competition, and police dogs.  She also just open up her new facility in Sycamore, which is dedicated to her friend who died in the military. The new facility offers private indoor/outdoor suites for the boarding dogs, heated concrete floors for comfort and cleanliness, air conditioning and many more amenities for your best friend. Kimberly trains all breeds including rare breeds and specializes in Rottweilers and German Shepherds. 

If you need advice or need more training for your dog I would call Kim, but if you don't live in the area then it is recommended you find a good quality trainer in your local area.

We had a great time working at the Teachers Pet K-9 School 2010 Holiday party. Pictured above is Roscoe with his owner and one of the many happy students of the K-9 School.

Indestructible Dog Toys!

Daisy pictured, is playing with her new Christmas present a dynamite rubber dog toy. She thinks it's hers but it's really Scoobys gift from Santa. But they don't know, any time one of them plays with a toy the other feels the need to also play with the same toy. Just like kids they are. Well it has been a couple a weeks and I only see a few teeth marks in the toy. I can't believe this new toy has not been destroyed yet.  http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Rugged-Rubber-Dynamite-Dog-Toy-P1511777.aspx

Another great toy which has squeakers is the Jr. Boomerang dog toy which is also built to last. http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Indestructible-Dog-Toy-Jr-Boomerang-P1767841.aspx

This is Scooby playing with Daisy's gift from Santa. This dog toy has been filled with Ledfoots Pet Bakery gourmet dog treats and Scooby is having a ball getting the treats out.  It also has been two weeks and this toy has lived up to my chewers. http://ledfootspetbakery.com/Vibram-Ball-4-Durable-Chew-Dog-Toy--P1510387.aspx

All these great toys can be found at http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/ under dog toys!

Doggie Winter Health Tips!

Daisy and Scooby play in the snow just like little kids. Since it is winter we must take precautions to make them safe. Here is small list of precautions we all must take into consideration this season.

• Antifreeze, which often collects on driveways and roadways, is highly poisonous. Although it smells and tastes good to your dog, it can be lethal.
• Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, may irritate footpads. Be sure to rinse and dry your dog's feet after a walk.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Your dog is just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as in the summer. Snow is not a satisfactory substitute for water.
• Frostbite is your dog's winter hazard. To prevent frostbite on its ears, tail and feet, don't leave your dog outdoors for too long.
• Be very careful of supplemental heat sources. Fireplaces and portable heaters can severely burn your dog. Make sure all fireplaces have screens, and keep portable heaters out of reach.
• Like people, dogs seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to a veterinarian if you see any suspicious symptoms.
• Don't use over-the-counter medications on your dog without consulting a veterinarian.  

     We hope you have a happy and safe winter season. 

To place your order for Healthy All Natural Goumet Pet Treats go to http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/                                          

Holiday Pet Safety Tips!

With two dogs and five cats the holidays are tricky around here. We don't use tinsel since it can block their intestinal track. As far a putting breakable ornaments on our tree, good luck we can't. Rascal and Ozzy our two black cats who are only a year old just love climbing in the tree to play with the ornaments. I just saw Rascal yesterday jumping up to get my monkey ornament. Which he got after one leap into the tree. Pets are amazing and we just need to keep them safe at this time of year. Here are a few holiday tips for you to use for your cats and dogs.

Holly, mistletoe and poinsettia plants are poisonous to dogs and cats. Make sure they are kept in places your dog or cat cannot reach.

Do not put lights on the lower branches of your tree. They may get very hot and burn your dog.

Watch out for electrical cords. Pets often try to chew them and get badly shocked or electrocuted. Place them out of reach.

Avoid glass ornaments, which break easily and may cut a dog's feet or mouth.

Do not use edible ornaments, or cranberry or popcorn strings. Your dog or cat may knock the tree over in an attempt to reach them.

Keep other ornaments off the lower branches; if your dog chews or eats an ornament, he can be made sick by the materials or paint.

Both live and artificial tree needles are sharp and indigestible. Keep your tree blocked off (with a playpen or other "fence") or in a room that is not accessible to your dog.

Tinsel can be dangerous for dogs and cats. It may obstruct circulation and, if swallowed, block the intestines.

Keep burning candles on high tables or mantels, out of the way of your dog or cats wagging tail.

Review canine holiday gifts for safety. Small plastic toys or bones may pose choking hazards.

Your dog or cat may want to investigate wrapped packages; keep them out of reach.  

                                                                      

For healthy homemade gourmet pet treats and all natural pet products go to http://www.ledfootspetbakery.com/