Who doesn’t remember the Pez candy dispenser? Some of you probably even have a collection of them. The first Pez candy dispenser appeared in 1950….well before MY time and I found it interesting that the candy was originally marketed as an adult mint for people trying to quit smoking. With over 500 different heads on these hot collector items, Pez is soaring to a new level. Who knew that there would be such a thing as Pez for Pets. Pez for Pets takes the classic Pez dispenser and transforms it into a larger, doggie-styled dispenser for bone-shaped cheese, beef and bacon flavored treats. The dispensers are currently available with Hound and Beagle heads. For more information, visit www.petpez.com

As more and more pet owners search for treats and chews that their pets will enjoy and are good for them at the same time, the debate between two popular types of dog treats is raised once again. Which is better – bully sticks or rawhide? Rawhide treats and chews have been around forever and are available in a huge variety of sizes for both puppies and larger dogs. Shapes that range from bones to twists and ties, and flavors including chicken, beef, lamb and duck.

The biggest appeal of rawhide is how affordable it is. Rawhide dog treats can cost less than a dollar a piece, while lasting for weeks and sometimes even months at a time. Considered suitable for dogs both small and large, compressed rawhide is generally reserved for smaller breeds as it can become a choking hazard for larger dogs when they attempt to swallow pieces of it whole.

Rawhide dog treats are often criticized for a number of different reasons, and the biggest is not the choking hazard. The biggest is the inability of most dogs to actually digest the rawhide they do ingest, instead the pieces pass through their digestive tract where it can cause damage if there are sharp ridges on the ingested piece.

With the panic caused by contaminated pet food in 2007, there was a huge demand for all natural dog chews and treats. Because of that, bully sticks have grown in popularity with pet owners all over the country.

Unlike rawhide treats, bully sticks are made from the beef of the cow, not the hide, allowing for it to be digested and processed by the dog as it would their food, instead of passing it through their system like rawhide. Much like rawhide, bully sticks are available in numerous sizes, from small to large and can last from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the size of the treat given to the dog. Bully sticks are easily digested by breeds both large and small and won’t chip and break to present a choking hazard like rawhide.

So the question is…..which one to choose??? While technically neither choice is incorrect, the trend of dog treats and chews seems to be moving more towards bully sticks simply because of their status as an all natural treat that can be digested just like food without any worry of contamination. With plenty of flavors, sizes, and styles to suit every size and type of dog, bully sticks are quickly taking the place of rawhide on the aisles of pet supply stores around the country.

To find bully sticks for your furry friend go to: www.bestbullysticks.com

Summertime is ice cream time!!! My dogs love ice cream and with dairy products not being good for them, I had to find something that they could eat. When it’s hot and they’re wanting a cool treat I bust out these tasty little things and they go crazy:-) You can get pretty creative with this recipe. Just don’t ever substitute grapes or raisins in any recipe. These are very toxic to dogs.

Recipe can be found at http://www.bigdogboutique.com/ProductCart/pc/frosty_paws.html.