Blue Basics Biscuits Limited Ingredient Dog Treats - chewy.com Product Review

We tried Blue Basics Biscuits in Salmon & Potato Recipe, courtesy of chewy.com. They are crunchy biscuits made with limited ingredients, perfect for pups with food sensitivities.

Each biscuit is imprinted with the Blue buffalo logo, and despite the giant picture on the package (labeled with a disclaimer: "Not actual size. Enlarged to show texture."), the treats are actually quite small.

With salmon as the first ingredient, these treats definitely smell fishy. I'm sure Chewy likes them even more for that smell. He loves these treats so much, it took 3 different photo sessions to catch him and a treat in a clear shot. He kept eating them at lightning speed, blatantly ignoring my "wait" commands!

Intense cookie stare

I'm sure Chewy would say "YUM!" if he could!



Disclaimer: We received a free bag of BLUE Basics Biscuits Limited Ingredient Dog Treats in Salmon & Potato Recipe from chewy.com for review purposes as part of the chewy.com Blogger Program. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch Freeze-Dried Treats - chewy.com Product Review

This month, we received Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch Freeze-Dried Treats in Grass-Fed Beef Recipe from chewy.com.

The original inspiration for the Stella & Chewy's company was a dog named Chewy! Their products focus on providing raw nutrition in safe, easy-to-use formats, ranging from treats to meal mixers to complete dinners.

Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch Freeze-Dried Treats, Beef Recipe

Carnivore Crunch treats contain 98% meat, organs and ground bone, providing that meaty flavor that dogs love. Plus, they contain limited ingredients, great for those pups with sensitive stomachs. The only non-beef ingredients in the beef recipe are pumpkin seeds and tocopherols (for preservation).

Chewy smells something yummy!

At less than 3 calories per treat, they are perfect for Chewy's current predicament. He fractured a toe chasing after a cat, so now he is on exercise limitations and thus needs to be fed less. He's still the same Chewy that loves food, so low-calorie treats are his best option.

Freeze-dried treat nuggets

Despite having "crunch" in the product name, these treats are not crunchy. They have the typical freeze-dried raw nugget consistency, and crumble when you break them apart.

My Chewy loves them!

Disclaimer: We received a free bag of Stella & Chewy's Carnivore Crunch Freeze-Dried Dog Treats in Grass-fed Beef Recipe from chewy.com for review purposes as part of the chewy.com Blogger Program. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

Eazee by Foolee, Click & Brush Deshedding Tool - Product Review

The #1 complaint people tend to have about golden retrievers is the shedding - the tumblefurs around the house, the constant need for a lint roller, the rogue dog hairs that end up in your mouth. While I think their loving, playful demeanor and cuteness more than make up for the presence of dog hair on everything I own (or don't own), others might not think so. That's where shed control measures come in, including deshedding tools. We have tried a lot of grooming tools designed for removing dead hair, but never found one that worked well for Chewy. But now there is the Eazee deshedding tool made by Foolee, and it works for us!

Eazee by Foolee range of colors (image provided by Matrix Partners)

The Eazee deshedding tool is available in a variety of bright, happy colors, and in small, medium and large sizes. It comes with two interchangeable and reversible plastic combs - one for daily grooming (white) and the other for intense grooming (black). Each comb has smooth, rounded teeth with one side for thick hair and the other for thin hair. The comb is retractable so it can be adjusted for short or long hair, and fully retracts to easily dehair the brush. With so many adjustable elements, it can be used on a wide variety of fur types.

The product packaging makes a lot of claims (safer, gentler, easier to use, more effective, won't scratch skin or pull live hair), and they all seem to hold true! I have run the brush along my own arm, and it does not scratch or leave marks. ✔

Chewy is the type of dog that does NOT enjoy being groomed, and typically puts up a fight when it's time to get a bath, nail trim, or brushed. But he is actually cooperative about 90% of the time when I use the Eazee brush! It does seem to be more comfortable for him than other brushes we have used, and he doesn't run away and hide!

How Chewy feels about being groomed: Pfbt!

For Chewy, the Eazee works best on the "thick" settings. Chewy is a "shed a little every day" kind of Golden instead of the "blow coat once a year" kind, so we never achieve that dramatic second dog made of brushed hair. But, we do get a decent-sized blob of hair, especially if it's been awhile since he was last brushed.

Day 1: Intense brushing comb

Day 2: Daily brushing comb

Day 3+: laziness/forgetfulness kicks in and no more brushing...

The results are definitely noticeable to me, as Chewy's coat feels thinner and only a couple of hairs fly off his body when he shakes. ✔

I like the versatility of the Eazee brush. I can use it on the short setting on Chewy's head where the hairs are shorter, and the long setting for everywhere else.

While the product claims to have anti-static properties, I sometimes still get some static cling. However, I think there is less static when I actually utilize the ejector function, instead of pulling the collected hair off by hand. Regardless, bringing the brushing session outside makes the floating or clingy hairs more tolerable.

Brushing outside

The one real down side is that if the dog's hair is tangled or matted, the Eazee brush yanks instead of detangling. Chewy's long tail hairs often get a little tangled, so I have to go in with my fingers or a comb to gently detangle the hair before brushing.

Overall, Chewy and I really like the Eazee by Foolee, as it works for our needs. It is gentle, yet effective. Hooray!


Disclaimer: We received a free Eazee by Foolee Click & Brush Deshedding Tool from Matrix Partners in exchange for an honest review. We received no monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions expressed above are our own.

Barkworthies Canine Superfoods Jerky: Product Review

Barkworthies is one of our favorite brands because of their commitment to using natural, high quality and wholesome ingredients in their products, as well as their strive for innovation in the world of dog treats. They have just launched a new line of Superfood Jerky treats, combining the powers of superfoods with real meat to make a highly digestible, grain-free and gluten-free jerky treat. We are always looking for natural, healthy dog foods so that Chewy can live a long and healthy life, so we were excited to try these!

We received the Chicken Jerky with Cranberry & Blueberry recipe, but there are other recipes with various combos of meats and superfoods.

Barkworthies Canine Superfoods Chicken Jerky - So excited! *licks chops*

The packaging has an easy-pull tab for quick, hassle-free access to TREATS! No more searching for scissors or crooked edges.

Please feed me now?

The jerky comes in large, cutlet-shaped pieces about 5" long. It is the extruded kind of jerky, with all the ingredients mixed in. Personally, I prefer the kind of jerky that is made from meat strips and looks more natural, but Chewy does not care at all. If it smells like meat and tastes like meat, he is pleased! On the plus side, since all the other ingredients are mixed into the meat, you don't end up with sticky residue on your fingers from any flavor coatings.

Chewy could not wait to try the treats, and A LOT of drool was produced during the wait. 

Let me have it!

The jerky seems very chewy, as it took longer than usual for Chewy to work through it (compared to similarly sized jerky treats).

*chew chew chew*

That was delicious!

Can I have some more?

Chewy and Chewy's human approved!

Four paws up from Chewy!

Disclaimer: We received a free bag of Barkworthies Canine Superfoods Chicken Jerky with Cranberry & Blueberry from Matrix Partners in exchange for an honest review. We did not receive any monetary compensation for our post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

Earthborn Holistic EarthBites - chewy.com Product Review

This month, we tried Earthborn Holistic EarthBites from chewy.com. EarthBites are moist dog treats made with natural ingredients, and they are grain-free and gluten-free.

Earthborn Holistic EarthBites

We got the peanut flavor, and the ingredients include peanuts (first ingredient), veggies, fruits, and vitamins and minerals. The treats also contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, which is always a nice bonus.

They also contain cane molasses, honey and maple syrup, which seems like an excessive use of sweeteners to me. Plus, the sugars are pretty high up on the list of ingredients (#3: cane molasses, #7: honey, #8: maple syrup). For a brand claiming to be all about healthy dog food, this seems a bit unhealthy. They probably taste like candy!

The treats are shaped like tiny little logs, like the pellets that you feed farm animals...but these are soft and moist. I think they smell a little weird, but Chewy seems to like the scent. Each treat is about an inch long, so I would break them apart if using as a training treat.

Chewy gobbled the treats right up, so he sure loves the taste! I bet all those sugars helped with that, though.

For me?

*munch*

Yay!

While Chewy loved these treats, I did not love the fact that they contain so many added sweeteners. I will be feeding him the rest of the bag sparingly. Nevertheless, I do appreciate Earthborn's commitment to using natural ingredients in their products.


Disclaimer: We received a free bag of Earthborn Holistic EarthBites Dog Treats in Peanut Flavor from chewy.com for review purposes as part of the chewy.com Blogger Program. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

ACANA Mackerel & Greens Dog Treats - chewy.com Product Review

This month, our chewy.com product review is of ACANA Mackerel & Greens Dog Treats. It is part of ACANA's "Singles" line, which uses a single animal protein and limited ingredients for each formula. This is great for dogs with food sensitivities and for pup parents who want to feed wholesome foods.

ACANA Mackerel & Greens Dog Treats

The Mackerel & Greens recipe contains just 4 ingredients: wild-caught New England mackerel, spinach, sarsaparilla root, and mixed tocopherols (preservative). Together, they provide omega-3s for healthy skin and coat, and digestive support.

I like that they are made in the USA (in Kentucky) from fresh, regional ingredients. 

This treat bag has the coolest easy-open feature ever! You pull on a string that has a convenient little tab at the beginning, and you get a perfectly opened bag. No wonky edges, no need to get the scissors when you rip too high up, and no risk of cutting too close to the resealable zipper.

Pull string to unseal bag

The treats are chunky little nuggets, and the freeze-dried nature of the treat gives it a powdery feeling. They crumble if you try to break them apart, so I just feed them whole. Although they have a slight fishy smell, it is not overpowering or unpleasant.

Freeze-dried treat nuggets

Chewy was excited to try them, of course. He was very interested in the little pouch of treats from the moment it arrived, sniffing insistently.

Gonna eat it!

The treats passed the Chewy test. No surprise there, right? It's that Golden appetite!

Yum!

 These treats get high marks from us!

Just gonna help myself to a few more!

Disclaimer: We received a free 1.25 oz. bag of ACANA Mackerel & Greens Dog Treats from chewy.com for review purposes as part of the chewy.com Blogger Program. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

Pet Dental Health Month: Barkworthies Brushers - Product Review

February is Pet Dental Health Month! Like with humans, oral health is very important for dogs because serious dental problems can lead to additional health concerns. For more information on pet dental care, see the American Veterinary Medical Association's suggestions here.

There are numerous products marketed for dog dental health, such as edible chews, textured nylon chews, rope toys, and textured rubber toys. We recently got to try a new dental product, Barkworthies Brushers.

Barkworthies Brushers

I love the Barkworthies brand because all of their products are fully digestible and free of additives, chemicals and preservatives. Feeding healthier treats and chews means a healthier pet, and a healthier pet is happier and lives longer!

Barkworthies Brushers are 100% organic twigs made from branches of the East Indies Arrack tree. They release an antibiotic when chewed that helps to suppress both the growth of bacteria and the formation of plaque. They also contain minerals (potassium, sodium, chloride, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium oxides) that help strengthen tooth enamel. Their parallel bristle-like nature works like dental floss to clean between teeth. As a bonus for the environment, they are sustainably harvested! People in the regions where these trees are found have traditionally used such twigs to clean their own teeth (look up "miswak" for more info).

Preliminary taste test

The twigs have a strange odor to them, kind of like strong body odor with a hint of acidity. While I thought they stank, Chewy did not mind at all, and got right to work chewing on the ends. When chewed open, the inside of the twig has bristle-like fibers. Chewy enjoyed breaking off little pieces and then chewing them further, before spitting out some bits. The fibers are very soft so I did not worry about splinters, making them a nice alternative to regular sticks!

Bristle-like fibers

I like that Chewy uses all of his teeth while chewing on the Brushers. With regular dental treats, he only chews with his back teeth, but with the Brushers, he works the pieces around his whole mouth before eventually spitting out most of it. It's a very messy process!

Chew, spit, repeat!

Chewy makes these happy chewing faces while he chews on the Brushers. It could be that that's just how his face is when he opens his mouth (Goldens often look like they're smiling), but I detect some distinctly upturned mouth corners!

Weruva Blue Water Whitefish Freeze-Dried Treats - chewy.com Product Review

This month we received Weruva Blue Water Whitefish Freeze-Dried Treats from chewy.com. With just one ingredient, boneless whitefish filet from the UK, they can be fed to both cats and dogs.

Weruva Blue Water Whitefish Freeze-Dried Treats

The treats come in a little cardboard tube meant for "easy storage," but I found it a bit difficult to open and close because the cap is pretty tight. The packaging is not air-tight, so there is definitely a fishy smell if you hold it close to your face.

Naturally, Chewy thought they smelled great and even helped himself to a few treats straight from the package. That was out of character for him, but I guess the open tube looked like a welcoming platter!

Don't mind if I do!

They are decent-sized treats, feel very light and airy, and are quite smelly. They tend to crumble a little bit if you break them apart into smaller bits, but Chewy is always happy to clean up any mess.

Freeze-dried fish cubes

Eating too much whitefish gives Chewy the runs, but a couple of treats a day has been okay. He hoovers them right up!

Disclaimer: We received a free tube of Weruva Blue Water Whitefish Freeze-Dried Treats from chewy.com for review purposes as part of the chewy.com Blogger Program. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post, and all opinions shared above are our own.

Pet Botanics Simply Salmon Strips & Cutlets - Product Review + Giveaway

Pet Botanics recently launched a "Black Label" line of dog treats, consisting of Simply Salmon Strips and Simply Salmon Cutlets. "Black Label" makes them sound extra fancy! But they are simply salmon jerky treats.

Pet Botanics Simply Salmon Strips and Cutlets

Pet Botanics Simply Salmon treats are:

• made from fresh-caught Atlantic salmon from Norway
• dried, smoked and packaged in the US
• made with just 2 ingredients: 99% salmon + 1% sea salt (for smoking)
• free from antibiotics, hormones, and artificial colors/flavors
• hardwood smoked for flavor and aroma
• rich in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

When you open a bag of Simply Salmon treats, you inevitably catch a whiff of strong fish smell. After all, they are 99% fish! The packaging does a great job of containing the smell (at least to human nose standards), which I greatly appreciate. Chewy's keen nose can still smell them through the bag, of course, and his nose knows that he wants them!

They come in two sizes: "Strips" and smaller, perhaps slightly thicker "Cutlets."

Strips vs. Cutlets

Chewy, of the "bigger is always better" philosophy, prefers the strips. Look at him eyeing those big ones:

Can I eat them yet?

He happily cruncha-munchas through them...

Yay, treat time!

and cutlets, too - cuz they're still fishy food! The cutlets are more of a one-bite treat for a large dog like Chewy.

But wait, there's more!

He always makes sure to get every last bit. That's a sure sign of a yummy treat!

Cleaning up the crumbs

I like the simplicity of the Simply Salmon treats, and the fact that they provide healthy omega-3s without artificial additives. Chewy likes the fishy aroma, the crunchiness, and the taste.


For a chance to win some Simply Salmon Strips and Cutlets from Pet Botanics, enter our giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. [[USA only]]

Rules: You may enter once daily. Giveaway ends 1/20/17, 11:59 PM EST. Winner will be chosen from all entries through a random generator. Winner will be notified via e-mail and will have 72 hours to respond with a shipping address to receive prize, or else an alternate winner will be selected. Winner will receive prize directly from Cardinal Pet Care. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: Cardinal Pet Care provided us with free bags of Simply Salmon Strips and Simply Salmon Cutlets for review purposes. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions expressed in this review are our own.