Bio Bag Poop Scoop Bags!

If anyone else is like me, I try to be as enviromentally friendly as I possibly can. Living in apartments and with a high energy dog, I had a delimma on my hands. I was stuck using plastic grocery bags to pick up poop! Did you know that according to the EPA, it takes more than a thousand years for plastic bags to decompose, and only 5% are recycled? I didn't want to add to this waste, so I had to find something different!

Enter Bio Bag!

Bio Bag Dog Waste Bags are 100% biodegradable, and are made from 100% organic corn! They also use soy-based inks and dyes, and no polyethylene is used in the production process. Here is my favorite part - Since the bags 'breathe', little to no moisture collects in the bag (unlike regular plastics), so bacteria cannot grow so it is less smelly! Woo-hoo!

Not only does Bio Bag make dog waste bags, they also make 100% biodegradeable cat litter pans, lawn & leaf bags, portable toilets, and shopping bags! WOW!

To learn more about this fascinating product, click on the title of this blog, which will take you directly to the Bio Bag website.




5/5 paws!

5/5 paws for..

Helping the Enviroment

100% Biodegradeable

Corn-based products

No harmful chemicals or dyes

Decomposts faster than regular plastic

Vast array of products.

Milkbone Original Biscuit

Milkbones! Who hasn't grown up giving their dogs these biscuits? They are practically a staple for dog lovers all across the United States! Milkbone is old-school, they've been around for 100 YEARS! Crazy, eh?

I personally find Milkbone biscuits a guilty pleasure for Gunner. He loves them. But then again, what dog doesn't?

Milkbone Original biscuits do not have horrible ingredients, unless your dog has a wheat allergy then these would be a big no-no. I prefer to stay away from artificial colors and flavorings, which is why I stick to the original biscuits, and not any of the ones full of artificial flavorings and colors (Gravy Bones, Mar-O Snacks, etc.etc.)

Please remember that as much as we try to give our dogs the VERY best nutrition wise, remember that Milkbones do not have the best ingredients, but they are a TREAT. Which should be fed as a treat (no more than 2 times a day). A little junk food every once in awhile (but definately not a staple in the diet) doesn't hurt.



3/5 paws!

3/5 paws for..

Affordable

Dogs love 'em!

"ok" ingredients

Should not be a staple in the diet.

Please Donate Your Old Blankets To Your Local Shelter

I am always on the forever search for new ideas of what I can do to help out my local animal shelter.

In most parts of the country, it is still pretty chilly, and snow and rain are still on the forecasts. Unfortunately, millions of shelter dogs and cats do not have the comforts of snuggling up under the comforter with their human saviors every night.

I have a great way for everyone to donate to their local animal shelter, and it will cost them absolutely nothing.

Animal shelters are always looking for blankets, a softer alternative to sleeping on cold concrete floors every night. If every family in America could donate one blanket to an animal shelter, I am sure that there would be a nice blanket for a lonely dog or cat to sleep a little more comfortably every night.


You can also donate kibble to animal shelters. And it doesn't matter what kind either, full bowls are better than empty ones. Canned food can be used for pregnant females and puppies as well.

Almost all shelters have volunteer programs. You can do a wide range of things which include walking and playing with the dogs and cats, cleaning kennels, feeding animals, assisting families find their perfect pet, and even bathing cats and dogs.


There are all kinds of ways everyone can help their local animal shelter, from donating their old blankets to donating money. Lets all put out a helping hand and help those that cannot help themselves.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you have dogs, your home should have Apple Cider Vinegar (also known as ACV). ACV has been known to help allieveate allergies, arthritis and establishing the correct pH balance in the body. ACV also can help humans with dandruff and weight loss! (I'll talk about that later.)

If your dog has itchy skin, hot spots, constantly licking its feet, smelly ears or is a picky eater, Apple Cider Vinegar might work for you.

For itchy skin or the beginnings of a hot spot, fill a spray bottle with ACV, part the hair and spray an even layer across the skin. This drys out any skin eruptions within 24 hours! If the skin is already broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray.

ACV also helps stimulate the appetite in dogs. Adding 1 tablespoon (per 50lbs of dog) twice a day can entice a dog to eat.

After cleaning your pup's ears, a few drops of ACV inside will help prevent future ear infections.

ACV also helps acidify the digestive tract. Buy some pH strips at your local drugstore to test your dogs urine first thing in the morning. A normal pH level ranges anywhere from 6.2-6.5. If it is 7.5 or above, the diet you are feedign your dog is too rich in alkaline, and ACV will help correct the imbalance.

Nasty bugs (fleas, flies, ticks, external parasites, mange, etc) are very unlikely to inhabit a dog whos system is acidic inside and out. If you ever have a bout with any of these pests, simply bathe your dog in a good herbal shampoo, rinse and sponge on ACV diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. The ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for a re-infestation, so there is no need for harmful chemicals (a la Frontline) to be put on your dogs body. If you are worried about your pup picking up some travelers along the way on your walks or dogpark time, simply fill a spray bottle of ACV and spray on before and after you get back.

Obviously if you have a severe infestation of any type of extrenal parasites, then you will need to take different measures to rid your dog of the infestation. Since ACV puts your dogs pH levels back to normal (more acidic), your skin is now unpalatable to bacteria and parasites. Cool!

ACV also has uses for humans as well. It is noted for having great effects for people with severe dandruff. Rinsing your hair with ACV (no soap prior is needed), then putting it up in a towel for a few hours then rinsing with warm water will virtually elimiate dandruff. And it will leave your hair silky smooth!

ACV is also known to help with weight loss as well. Try doing the search "Apple Cider Vinegar Weight Loss", and you'll find tons of websites that you can figure out your opinion on the subject.:)

It is important to know that the best Apple Cider Vinegar (with the best results) is the all natural, unfiltered organic dark kind with sediment on the bottom of the bottle. Filtered ACV is a amber color, while unfiltered ACV has the color of real dark maple syrup.

5/5 Paws!

5/5 paws for...

Helps with....

Allergies

Eating problems

Pests

Restoring the bodys balance!

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't posted in a few days, Mom has been super busy filling out applications and going to job interviews! She says she really needs to get a job, but I don't want her to.. I'm enjoying my time having Mommy ALL TO MYSELF!

But don't worry, TCC will be on track in not too long! :)

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Wishing everyone a very happy Valentines Day! And don't say you don't have a Valentine.. you have your pooch! Loyal til the end. :)

Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste For Dogs

Petrodex Enzymatic Toothpaste for Dogs should be a staple in your pooch's medicine cabinet (right next to your toothpaste!). Dental health is SO important to dogs, yet so little people really do brush their dogs teeth once a day and go in for regular cleanings.



What's so great about this toothpaste is that it is poultry flavored, which is VERY palatable for pups! 'Enzymatic' means that it is made with hydrogen peroxide that eats away at plaque and tartar accumilation. You don't even need to rinse!

5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws For..

Availability and Price (you can find this at PETCO)

Poultry flavored, 2 dewclaws up!

Helps fight dental problems

Blue Dog Bakery Treats

Blue Dog Bakery Premium Natural Low Fat Dog Treats are yummy, crunchy healthy treats that you can find at both Petco and Petsmart! You can even find them at your grocery store! Pretty convienent, huh? You can check out Blue Dog Bakery's website by clicking the title of this blog, it will take you directly to the website!

Blue Dog Bakery only uses the highest quality ingredients for their treats. They use all natural flavors and REAL black strap molasses! You won't find any animal by-products, artificial colorings or flavors, and absolutely NO artificial preservatives!

These cookies come in array of flavors, but the Peanut Butter & Molasses Treats are by far the favorite. Some of their other flavors are: Natural Cheese Treats, Grilled Chicken Treats, Bacon & Cheese Treats. They also have soft treats called 'Softies' which come in a peanut butter flavor. Blue Dog Bakery also carries treats for small mouths called 'Doggie Paws' that come in a peanut butter flavor. They have thought of everything!

5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws for..

Excellent ingredients

Good availability, check out your pet section of your grocers!

Excellent taste

Good company

In Clover Fresh Digest

In Clover Fresh Digest is a daily intestinal tract aid that you add to your dog/cat's food. This just might be the miracle for those pups who are extra stinky.. you know who you are. Pups who are gassy, leave large stools, and who have skin problems might benefit from this product. Basically, In Clover Fresh Digest is full of beneficial enzymes and the prebiotic FOS to help out a stinky dog. Fresh digest has NO fillers (such as lactose or grains), and is very palatible. They also have a 100% satisfaction guarantee - don't like the product, send it in for a full refund.

In Clover Fresh Digest is in a powder form, which is easier to give than a pill in my opinion. They give you clear instructions on the back of the bottle of how much to give according to weight. I give Gunner this product daily, and it has helped SO MUCH with his gas! I haven't smelt a fart of death in quite awhile. You can easily find this product at any PETCO for a reasonble price.

5/5 Paws!

5/5 paws for..

Availabilty and decent price.

Easy to give, dogs say it tastes good!

Less smelly dog = Heaven.

Something Interesting

Animal shelters around the country have found a new source of fuel to light and heat their buildings. And no, it's not corn.

It's poop!

It's common knowledge that a lot of dairy farms use the waste produced by their cows to run their facilities. Will Brinton of Woods End Laboratories in Mount Vernon, Maine, has high hopes that animal shelters will be able to transform their abundance of doggy doo doo into reusable energy by THIS March!

Best part - It won't even stink! Brinton says that it will reduce odors by 80%! Wow!

This idea is way too cool, seriously. I know a lot of us pawrents have multiple hounds, so wouldn't that be great to use that poop littered in the backyard to heat your home? Almost sounds too good to be true.

Bark Park & Pup Cakes!

Like most Mommies, my Mommy likes to make sure I get all the fun stuff in life. We go to our local bark park regularly, and it is just soo much fun.

Above is a picture of me at our local bark park. Lots of pooches come to play here, and I find that it's best to go during 2:30PM during the weekdays to avoid the uncontrollable dogs and arrogant owners (we've all experienced them!). But my all time favorite experience when going to bark parks is ALL THE SMELLS!!! And sometimes a game of bark and chase is fun too.

At the bark park there are plenty of benches for us smaller pups to stand on so we can check whats happening. I also like just standing on benches and sniffing the breeze :)

I really like to tweak 'human foods' for Gunner. Nothing fancy smanchy. As demonstrated in the picture above, I made 'pupcakes' tonight. Using whole wheat flour, fat free milk (or water if your dog can't handle milk products), omit the sugar, a little baking soda and an egg and voila! Pupcakes! I did a dollop of the mixture in a frying pan.

Just a few thoughts. It's so hard to stop worrying about how to better our canines lives, but I believe the best thing to do is just enjoy life. Live in the moment. There is a lot of things we can do to help our four legged friends live a healthier life, but no way we can predict how long they can live. So cherish each moment. Live long and prosper :)

California Natural Pet Foods

California Natural pet foods is a brand of dry dog and cat kibble and canned foods made by Natura Pet. California Natural is a great choice for those pups who are very itchy, have rashes or dermatosis. It is also good for dogs who have sensitive stomaches. They choose high quality proteins, fats and carbohydrates to minimize any allergic reaction in your pets.


California Natural comes in all sorts of different flavors like...:

Lamb Meal & Rice (Also comes in low fat and puppy formulas)
Lamb & Brown Rice canned food
Chicken Meal & Rice (Also comes in low fat and puppy formulas)
Chicken & Brown Rice canned food
Herring & Sweet Potato
Salmon & Sweet Potato canned food (grain-free!)

All dry food comes in 5lb, 20lb and 36lb bags and canned food comes in 13.2oz cans.

California Natural also carries treats called Health Bars and a skin and coat supplement. California Natural does have an extensive cat line as well.



Gunner is absolutely crazed about fish, so naturally he loved the Herring & Sweet Potato formula dry kibble. He also loves all the canned flavors.



The results are in..!

5/5 paws!

5/5 paws for..

Decent price and availability

Limited ingredients

All natural, organic

Great taste

Good for dogs with sensitive systems

FEBURARY IS PET DENTAL HEALTH MONTH!!!

Feburary is Pet Dental Health Month! The health of our dogs teeth is more important than you think. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS), 80 percent of dogs have some sort of periodontal disease by age 3! Ever had someone say to you, "Your breath smells like dog breath!" Dogs aren't even supposed to have stinky breath! Read on.

Periodontal Disease is a painful and in some cases deadly disease that strikes out on a huge percentage of pets, yet it's so easy to avoid with proper instructions. Periodontal disease causes red, swollen, tender and receding gumlines, excuciating pain and extremely bad breath. If left untreated, periodontal disease can lead to tooth loss, and can be linked to damaging other vital organs such as the kidneys, heart and the liver.

Avoiding periodontal disease starts with a oral examination by your veterinarian. Your vet can tell you if your dog is in any stage of periodontal disease, and what to do if your dog does have periodontal disease.

Preventing periodontal disease is SO easy too! I promise it won't take more than 10 minutes of your day, every day. First, go out and buy a soft baby tooth brush, or a tooth brush bootie to brush your dogs teeth with. I find the booties are easier to manuver. Then, buy yourself a good enzymatic toothpaste for dogs. Enzymatic means that it is formulated with hydrogen peroxide which will help eat away the plaque. DO NOT USE HUMAN TOOTHPASTE.

It's best to start early, but older dogs can learn how to accept teeth brushing. If you do a quick search online you can find steps to help you introduce your dog to the toothbrush/paste and train him/her to let you brush their teeth.

For me, I like to attack something on all angles. I found Petkin Liquid Oral Care at my PETCO a few months ago. It's a odorless, colorless and tasteless liquid that you add to your pets fresh drinking water daily. It has baking soda in it to help break down tartar and whiten teeth.

Can you believe they have mouthwash for dogs? Maxiguard Oral Cleansing Gel can help if your dog doesn't like a brush in his mouth.

Please take into consideration this blog and set up an appointment with your vet to get your 'man's best friend's teeth checked out!

Brr! What to do when your pawrents won't turn the heat on..

Humans have every excuse in the book not to turn the heater on when you are FREEZING.

1. It's only 70 degrees outside and it would be wasting that thing they call 'money'. (Whatever that is.)

2. They have sweaters and extra clothing. (Most dogs don't.We just have fur.)

3. They are fatter than us. (Seriously.)

So what's a pup to do? Make your pawrent buy you a heating pad!!!!! As I demonstrated in my picture above! It is quite possibly the coolest thing next to squeeky toys. I really love snuggling under the covers with my pawrents, but this is just way better! Plus you don't have to deal with them flopping around in the bed all night. Bonus points!!!

Both PETCO and PETSMART sell 'pet versions' of heating pads on their website. Like this one. But I prefer the much cheaper ones you can find at Wal-Mart/Walgreens for less than twenty bucks! Sure they are a little smaller, but if your small like me, then what gives?

The results are in..!

5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws For..

Warm, snuggly happiness :)

Easily available and affordable.

Washable.

Whole Health For Happy Dogs

Whole Health for Happy Dogs : A Natural Health Handbook for Dogs and Their Owners, by Jill Elliot D.V.M & Kim Bloomer is a book chock full of great information for the dog owner who is looking for alternative ideas for good health. The book covers everything from what a healthy dog looks like, vaccines, food and nutrtition to treatment for common diseases. It also has lots of fun, colorful pictures of dogs to keep you entertained. It is a VERY easy read!



It sells for $15.99 (US), and is definately worth every penny! You can find this book at Borders Book Store.


5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws for..

Easy to read and retain information

Cute, colorful pictures

Broad subject matter

Great price

Pedigree Million Dog Mosaic

I personally am not a huge fan of Pedigree the food, but they sure do know how to help out adoptions.

Pedigree Million Dog Mosaic is your chance to help all dogs. Upload a picture of your pooch and Pedigree will donate $1.00 to the Pedigree Adoption Drive (limit $10,000). They even give you a code with your dogs name in it so you can find your dog on the mosaic!

NOTE:

For those newbies to my blog, I have listed a link directly to whatever product I am reviewing on the title. Just click the title, and it will take you directly to the product :)

Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets For Dogs

Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets for Dogs are a good 1st step for a beginner entering the raw diet world. Taken from their website..:

"Your pets are meat eaters, so raw food is the most instinctive and natural form of nutrition they can eat. A diet consisting of raw, fresh meat, organs, ground bone, and fat reflects what they would eat in nature. With natural proportions of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, proteins, and amino acids, raw diets provide wholesome nutrition for the health of your pets. The natural results of such high quality nutrition include increased energy, toned muscles, and a soft, glossy coat!"

Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets come in medallions and patties. The difference between a medallion and a patty is that a patty looks like a hamburger patty, and a medallion looks like a miniaturized verison of that. Medallions come in 3lb bags (48 medallions) and the patties come in 6lb bags (12 patties). On the side of the bags they provide a feeding chart, telling you how many medallions/patties you need to feed according to your dogs weight. Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets are very convienent and are ready to serve.

Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets come in a plethora of flavors, which include..

Organic Chicken, Chicken, Beef, Lamb, Venison and Rabbit formulas.

Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets are only sold in pet specialty stores, which means they are NOT available in bigbox stores such as Petco or Petsmart. Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets are a good way to get in other 'exotic' meats that are not readily available for some people when feeding a raw diet. The only con I can find with feeding Natures Variety Raw Frozen Diets is that it does tend to add up. It IS convienent for a small dog, but for larger dogs I would have to say no.

Natures Variety also carries a line of kibble and canned foods for those not interested in raw feeding.

Today we have guest evaluators! Please give a warm welcome to (from left to right) Shadow, Tinkerbell, Mr.NuNu and Buster! Also known as the Black & Tan Clan!

The Black & Tan Clan's Mommy was kind enough to let us know how her pups felt about Natures Variety Raw Diets! They have tried all the flavors with great success in their household!

Gunner has tried both the chicken, lamb and venison formulas. Chicken wasn't a big hit in the house, but lamb and venison were 5 paws all the way!

The results are in..!

4/5 Paws!

4/5 paws for..

GREAT PRODUCT & COMPANY!

Convience factor, ready-to-serve out of the bag

Easy way to get new meat sources into your dogs diet

Complete, balanced nutrition

May be a bit expensive in the long run for some people.

JWPet Bad Cuz Hard Rubber Squeaky Dog Toy

What home would be complete without an abundance of shrill squeeky toys to annoy your owner with? NOT A DOG HOME!!! This is probably Gunner's favorite toy. It is a hard rubber squeeky toy that has the most high pitched squeek I have ever heard. Great for waking up your owner on a Saturday when they have slept in, or to scare them when they walk into a dark room.

The toys come in 1 or 2 alter egos, Good Cuz and Bad Cuz! Bad Cuz is my personal favorite, it has cute little horns atop of it's head. They come in various colors (picture above), and I have also seen them come in pink as well. You can find them at PETCO or PETSMART, or online as well.

The results are in..!

4/5 paws!

4/5 paws for...

Entertaining For Your Pooch!

Decent Price!

You Can Find This At ANY PETCO or PETSMART!

VERY LOUD.. Not For People Who Cannot Handle Loud Squeeky Toys

02.03.08 Wellness Wellbars

"> Wellness Wellbars are a great crunchy treat that come in 3 savory flavors:

Atlantic Whitefish & Sweet Potato
Crunchy Peanuts & Honey
Yogurt, Apples & Banana

All 3 flavors are WHEAT FREE, which is awesome since it is very hard to find wheat free and/or grain free treats for dogs who have grain/wheat sensitivities. The Yougurt, Apples & Bananas flavor is also marketed as 'vegetarian', which can come in handy for those pups who need to lose a few pounds. Wellness also makes canned and kibble foods for both dogs and cats, and also has other various treats including soft treats for dogs who might have trouble with hard, crunchy biscuits.

5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws For..

Great Taste!

Great Ingredients!

Great PRICE!

02.03.08 EVO Dog Food

EVO (Formally known as Innova EVO) is a wonderful dog/cat food. EVO nutrition is based alongside the concept that dogs evolved form wolves, therefore needing a species appropriate diet. A short description of a species appropriate diet is a diet rich in meat, moderate vegetation, and absolutely no grains. Think about it - A wolf in the wild isn't going to go stalk out a cornfield.

EVO uses only human-grade ingredients, which means that they use ingredients fit for human consumption - sadly, a rare case in pet foods. EVO is made by Natura Pet Foods, a highly reputable company.

EVO does not use any artificial preservatives, colors, or ingredients.

EVO's product line includes:

Large Bites and Small Bites Dry Dog Kibble

Red Meat Large Bites and Red Meat Small Bites Dry Dog Kibble

Reduced Fat Dry Dog Kibble

95% Beef, Chicken & Turkey, Duck, Rabbit and Venison Canned Foods

Dog Treats

EVO Kibbles are available in 28.6lb, 13.2lb and 6.6lb bags. EVO Canned Foods are available in 5.5 ounce and 12.3 ounce cans.

I bought a bag of EVO Reduced Fat for my mothers dog, who needed to go on a diet. She has a finicky 6 year old Italian Greyhound that practically refuses ANY kibble. Well.. he gobbled this up like it was candy! I fed Gunner a handful of the kibble as well, and he was thoroughly pleased with the taste, even though it was reduced fat.

Gunner has all the canned food flavors, and LOVES them! He hops around the kitchen whenever I open a can of this stuff. It's gone in about 2.5 seconds.. no joke.

I have not tried any of the other kibbles or the dry dog treats, but I have heard nothing but rave reviews of this brand. Just look under the customer testimonals on the webpage and see what all the hype is about.

The Results are in:

5/5 Paws!

5/5 Paws for...

Great Taste

Great Nutrition

Great Quality Control

Great Ingredients

Overall Satisfaction!

02.03.08

Welcome to The Canine Critique! If you have stumbled onto this blog, let me explain to you what this place is!

The Canine Critique is a blog of reviews of all things dog! All of the products reviewed on this website are dog-tested, by our very own resident canine critique, Gunner! Gunner is a 2 year old Miniature Pinscher who loves long walks, playing with toys and enjoys relaxing. Gunner's astrological sign is cancer, and he is also a big foodie. Gunner will be critiquing all the products reviewed in this blog alongide me, Cassandra, his owner.

I am looking forward to starting this new adventure, and hope I can pass on some of my knowledge onto other dog-lovers as well! Let the evaluations begin!