Chicken Jerky Treats - DANGER!!!

DANGER!  WARNING!  STOP AND READ!

Please DO NOT put your dog at risk!

If I told you that there might be a chance your dog would die or become extremely sick if you fed them what you were led to believe was a healthy snack, would you risk it?  

In case you haven't heard (and most of us have not), the FDA is investigating Chicken Jerky Treats imported from China and sold here.  This has been an on-going investigation since 2007.  YES I said 2007!!  How many of you heard about the potential poisoning of our animals?  The FDA has received 537 reports of illnesses in dogs, including 467 reports since it issued a renewed warning - yes I said renewed - about chicken jerky treats from China in November 2011. That number includes 353 reports logged in 2011 and 184 reported so far this year!

Pet owners and Veterinarians have been reporting a range of symptoms within hours or days of eating chicken jerky treats, including serious problems such as vomiting, kidney failure, Fanconi syndrome, a condition marked by low blood sugar and even death. Yet, there has been NO RECALL of these potentially fatal dog treats because they have not been able to identify the contaminant.  

These illnesses are tied to chicken jerky products, also sold as chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats imported from China.  Popular brands include Waggin' Train, Canine Carry Outs, Dingo and many more. 

When I started this blog and my business www.hipgreendogs.com, I did so because I want the best for my dog and yours.  I want our dogs to be healthy, happy members of our family.  It is my job and my passion to bring you not only healthy options, but inform you of unhealthy ones.  I am extremely disappointed (but not surprised) that the FDA has chosen to issue a few quiet warnings that most of the public will not see instead of broadcasting this from the roof tops to ensure our pets safety and allow us to make educated choices.  I am also disappointed in the big name stores that continue to keep these potentially fatal treats on the shelves with no warnings posted such as Walmart, PetSmart and Petco. 

This is all the more reason we have to buy all natural, organic, made in the USA treats for our four legged babies or just make them ourselves!  I would be devastated to know that I gave my dog a treat and it killed him - I'm sure you would be too.  And who's to say it is limited to just chicken treats from China.  I don't know about you, but I don't think I want any kind of treat from any other country.  

Throw your dog a healthy bone (or treat)!  HipGreenDogs.com is committed to offering you a great selection of  Safe, Made in the USA, Organic, All Natural dog treats. We have competitive prices and convenient delivery straight to your door! (click on images below if you would like product info and price.)

But whether you buy treats from us or someone else, the only thing I truly care about is that wherever you buy your treats, choose the healthiest you can find.  Choose treats made here in the USA to our high standards and don't put your furry friend at risk, it's just not worth the thousands of dollars in vet bills or the the pain of losing your best friend!!

Also, let's tell the government and the stores we shop at how we feel!  E-mail your Senator and Representative and let them know you do not want these treats on the shelves, let your local store managers know you do not appreciate the risk!  Our best friends can not speak up for themselves!

Want more information and facts on these dangerous dog treats?  Click on the articles below.

http://www.fda.gov/AnimalVeterinary/NewsEvents/CVMUpdates/ucm280586.htm

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/10/10375637-more-dogs-sick-as-fda-steps-up-scrutiny-of-chicken-jerky-pet-treats

http://www.wtam.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=122520&article=9719128

Want to save money and make your own healthy dog treats?  See my previous post "Eco Friendly Dog Tips  That Saves You Money" or just search the Internet, there are a tons of great recipes!

Sorry for such a serious post today, but this is serious.  You and I love our pets and want the best for them. It just breaks my heart that many dogs have or will suffer from something so preventable.  

Please spread the word, it just may save a dogs life!

"If a dog's prayers were answered, bones would rain from the sky" - Old Proverb

Give Your Anxious Dog A "Chill Pill" with the Amazing Thundershirt

IS YOUR DOG AFRAID OF THUNDERSTORMS AND LOUD NOISES?

Oh Noooo, Hide me, Hide me!

DOES YOUR DOG GO CRAZY BARKING AND JUMPING EXCESSIVELY WHEN SOMEONE COMES OVER?

You're Here!  Pet Me, Pet Me, Pet Meeeee!

DOES YOUR POOCH SHOW HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU BY TEARING UP THE PLACE WHEN YOUR GONE?

What?  You don't like it?

You hate locking them up in the bedroom while you have company.  You get embarrassed and start yelling when your dog starts barking and jumping on people.  And you probably darn near come unglued at the site of yet another thing torn to shreds when you come home. You don't have a bad dog, you have a dog with anxiety!  So what's a good dog owner to do?

Introducing.... Thundershirt!

Check this out!  It is amazing!

  

How does it work you ask?  With its patent-pending design, Thundershirt's gentle, constant pressure has a dramatic calming effect for most dogs if they feel anxious, fearful or over-excited.  Experts believe that pressure has a calming effect on the nervous system.  Using pressure to relieve anxiety has been used for years in other areas such as people with autism, children with certain behavior problems, parents swaddling newborns to calm and comfort.  Until now, there just hasn't been a well-designed, inexpensive pressure wrap commonly used for dogs.  Thundershirt is changing all that!  Thundershirt has been proven effective in over 80% of all dogs with anxiety issues.  And in fact, the manufacture believes in their product so much, that if you are not satisfied or find that it just doesn't work for your dog, they will let you return it within 60 days and refund 100% of your money!

So how is this eco friendly you ask?  Thundershirt is a natural, successful alternative to drugs for dogs with anxiety.  It is durable and long lasting.  And what does the company do with the ones that happen to be returned?  They donate them to animal shelters and rescue groups.  Now that's green!

For most anxiety, it is recommended to just put on the Thundershirt and observe the results (no training).  You may see significant improvement for noise, crate, travel, braking and others anxiety behaviors!  For more complex anxiety issues, Thundershirt can be used with behavior modification training.

My Dog Conner has a few issues I am hoping the Thundershirt will help with (it's on its way).  Such as the weird, sudden hatred for the UPS truck!  Or the fact that he thinks he is showing his love by jumping on everyone that comes to the house (all 110 lbs. of love).  And the big one we are hoping to fix is the unusually high fear of  the Vet.  At this point, he has to be muzzled and heavily medicated in order to get his shots, which just breaks my heart!  So, here comes the Thundershirt (and probably some additional training) and hopefully, just hopefully I will have the perfect dog.  Oh who am I kidding?  I don't think there is a cure for the slobbering, the cold nose in the morning or the random standing in front of the TV when I'm trying to watch it!  Oh well, I love him just the way he is!  How can you not love a face like this??

I'll keep you posted on our progress.  In the mean time, if you would like more information and training on the Thundershirt, click hear.  Can't wait to buy yours and help calm your dog? Click hear to order your Thundershirt from HipGreenDogs.com.

"Every dog should have a man of his own.  There is nothing like a well behaved person around the house to spread the dog's blanket for him, 

or bring him his supper when he comes home man-tired at night" - 

Corey Ford

Time to Green Your Clean

First I would like to say Congratulations to Geri Pentz, our winner of the Great Green Give-A-Way!!  And a great big woof and thank you goes to all who subscribed to the blog, liked our Facebook page and followed us on Twitter - we really appreciate the support!


So cleaning, ugh!  Who likes to clean?  Not me!  But I just can't seem to train Conner to do it no matter how hard I try (see lazy boy below)!!  So, it's left for me to do.

Lately, I have been considering the fact that most of the household cleaners I use could be doing more harm than good (to me, the environment and my wallet).  Even though they may not have a warning label, many household cleaners contain toxic chemicals and harmful ingredients to us, our pets, and the earth.  Cleaning products with ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, chlorine, gycol ethers or formaldehyde can cause many problems in adults and children, but young children and pets are particularly at risk for things such as cancer, anemia, liver and kidney damage. Many toxic cleaners are also carcinogenic.  There have been several studies on the effects of some common cleaning products and have shown that they not only effect us, but our pets too.  One study concentrated on measuring volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cleaning products. In it, the vapor pressure of various chemical compounds in cleaners was measured. Three cleaners, Pledge, Clorox Wipes and Lysol Disinfecting Spray, registered close to a thousand times more vapor pressure than a natural cleaner. This means that even when the toxic cleaners are put away and closed, the vapors left behind can continue to harm both us and our pets.  


Gee, I really, really hate cleaning now.  Since it is so dangerous, I guess I'll just have to stop - right?  Not that easy!  No, what we need to do is Green our Clean and switch to natural, non-toxic cleaners.  I have found and tested  some DIY cleaners and have been pretty impressed, PLUS, they really save you money!!!


Here are two excellent websites I found that give a ton of recipes, suggestions and recommendations for cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, stain remover, carpet cleaner, drain cleaner, and much more!  

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/

http://www.stain-removal-101.com

These two websites are definitely worth your time and will save you money!

Here are some simple homemade recipes that I have tried and love:

1. Homemade All Purpose Cleaner: Equal parts vinegar and water, put in squirt bottle.  Simple and effective.  Don't like the smell of vinegar? Phew, me neither.  I added some drops of Lemon Essential Oil which also adds benefits.  Lemon Essential Oil has antiseptic effects, has been studied for its effects on immune function - bonus! (if you want more info on where to purchase Lemon Essential Oil, contact me at heather@hipgreendogs.com).
2. Homemade Drain Cleaner: Pour 3/4 to 1 cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by 1 cup of vinegar, cover immediately (I use a plate).   Let it sit and do its thing for 30 minutes and then run hot water through for about 2-3 minutes.  

I am getting ready to try homemade laundry soap and softener, I don't know about you but I am tired of "washing my money down the drain".  These are expensive!

With a little effort, we can Green our Clean and make our homes safer and healthier for us, our kids and our pets as well as save money and be good to our Earth - which we need to do since Earth's are hard to come by these 
days :-)

Happy Cleaning!

Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window. - Steve Bluestone