Just two hours after our recent post about making your own dog treats (due to the increased recalls in dog foods/treats), a new recall came to our attention from the FDA (actually released on March 26th) about Smallbatch Pets Inc. voluntarily recalling one lot of their frozen Duckbatch Sliders (for dogs) due to potential salmonella and listeria. (Interestingly, there’s nothing posted on the SmallBatch website at the time of writing this post.)
According to the FDA release, “the affected products are sold frozen in 3-pound bags and can be identified with the following manufacturing codes:
Lot #CO27
UPC #713757339001
Best By Date: 01/27/2017
and were distributed to retail pet food stores in California, Colorado, Oregon and Washington.”
According to the FDA release, there have been no pet or consumer illnesses reported from this product at this time. The recall was issued after “routine testing” by the FDA from a sample taken at a distributor. Eighty cases of this specific product lot were sold between the dates of February 23rd through March 10th.
Consumers who touched this contaminated product should thoroughly wash their hands and disinfect any surfaces exposed to this product. Human symptoms from being infected with salmonella and/or listeria include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Infected pets may be lethargic, have a decreased appetite and abdominal pain and also exhibit diarrhea, fever and vomiting.
If you purchased frozen Dog Duckbatch Sliders from the affected Lot #CO27, do not feed or touch the product and return to the place of purchase for a full refund or throw them out where your dog, animals or humans cannot reach them.
With all the recent dog food and treat recalls, you may be thinking about making your own treats for your K9 family member(s).
A few simple ingredients (you might already have in your kitchen) and five minutes in the microwave and you have yummy, homemade dog treats with NO preservatives, additives or questionable ingredients or chemicals.
And, from the reaction of our resident Great Danes (who of course volunteered to taste-test), it’s a home run!
Quickie K9 Treats:
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup boiling water
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup stone ground cornmeal
1-1/2 cups powdered skim milk
1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water and set aside until room temperature.
In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients. (I added parsley; you could also add mint, chopped nuts, garlic or carrots or some other favorite ingredient your dog loves.)
Make a well in the dry ingredients and gradually stir in oil, eggs and cooled bouillon until well-blended.
Knead dough on a floured surface, about 4-5 minutes, until dough sticks together and is easy to work with.
Roll dough to between 1/4″ and 1/2″ thickness.
Cut-out treats with your favorite cookie cutter (or just use a shot glass like I did) and place on a microwave-proof surface in the microwave (I used a dinner plate).
Microwave for 5 minutes.*
Remove and cool. Store in sealed plastic bags or containers.
* Here’s the cooking directions from the original recipe: microwave 5 minutes at medium heat. Turn over each biscuit and then microwave for another 5 minutes and turn again. Microwave another 2-5 minutes. Remove, cool and store. I found simply microwaving at 5 minutes full power worked nicely, so why spend extra time? My microwave is small (just large enough for a dinner plate) and only 900 watts.
Please excuse us as we interrupt your Monday for a very important announcement from your four-legged family member: tomorrow is “National Dog Biscuit Day” (Tuesday, February 23rd).
You’re welcome!
It’s been a pet-worthy month for those critters we welcome into our homes, onto our couches and into our beds. From “Pet Dental Health Month” and “Responsible Pet Owners Month” to “Love Your Pet Day”(on February 20th) and finally to close out the month, “National Dog Biscuit Day” (coming up tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23rd).
Oh, and by the way? Your dog(s) would really love some FRESH, HOMEMADE dog biscuits … 🙂
Now wait! Before you panic and run to Walmart for that industrial-sized box of Ol’ Roy biscuits that probably taste like stale old concrete, making yummy dog biscuits is not as hard as you may think! It’s also a fun family activity which makes your home smell SO good and your dog ever so grateful!
To make it even easier, we’re going to give you a foolproof, simple recipe that our own resident Great Danes have tasted and given four-paws up to … Paws Lick’n Chick’n Cheesy Bites! Just seven ingredients you may already have in your kitchen too!
Ready? Here we go …
Paws Lick’n Chick’n Cheesy Bites
3 cups white flour
3/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup chicken broth
4 tablespoons softened margarine (we prefer using butter)
2 cups shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1 egg +1 tablespoon milk
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
Combine flour, cornmeal, chicken broth, margarine (butter) and cheese.
Knead dough for 3 minutes. Apply a light layer of flour to rolling surface and rolling pin. Roll dough to 1/4 thickness and stamp out biscuits with your favorite cookie cutter (we like shapes like bones and fire hydrants!). Place on ungreased cookie sheet(s).
Beat egg and milk together and brush on top of biscuits.
For most of us, say the word “February” and one of the next things to pop into our mind is “Valentine’s Day.” And while we would never downplay the importance of human love (and memorializing it with copious amounts of chocolate, flowers and sparkly trinkets), did you realize that February also focuses on loving those ever-present critters in our life, our pets?
While the entire month is dedicated to “Pet Dental Health” and “Responsible Pet Owners,” there’s also “Love Your Pet Day” (coming up on February 20th) and “National Dog Biscuit Day” (coming up on February 23rd).
Yes, the month of February is full of reminders to love and protect our beloved pets.
From proper socialization to finding the right diet; from the best positive training to effectively controlling parasites; and from regular vet visits to making sure their golden years are as smooth and pain-free as possible, our pets are a huge presence – and responsibility – in our life.
So as you go through the rest of this month and celebrate that special bond with your particular pet, consider brushing up on the latest research on medical care, best food practices and even emergency measures in the face of a disaster to ensure you love and protect your pet to the best of your ability.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to make a couple of buckets of dog treats for my Great Danes for “National Dog Biscuit Day” . . .
The holidays are quickly approaching with mouth-watering smells and delectable seasonal treats!
Something else is coming too … sad, SAD puppy eyes!
While most of us will probably indulge during the season, it doesn’t necessarily mean our dogs should follow our lead.
You may actually be surprised by some of the holiday foods and/or ingredients your four-legged family member should not partake of; below is a quick list.
Want to know about additional foods and WHY they are bad for your dog?
You’re probably just like me, I only want the very best for my dogs!
With the recent upswing in dog treat recalls, many dog owners are turning to healthy and natural dog treat alternatives for their four-legged family members.
But, do you know that not all snacks (even the healthy ones) are good for your dog?
Below is an infographic illustrating which natural foods are good … and not good … for your dog. Print a copy, review with your family and then post on your refrigerator as a simple reminder in keeping your beloved dog safe!
All Natural Snacks are Not Created Equal for Your Dog!
