Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula Dog Food - chewy.com Product Review

This month we received Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula kibble in Turkey Formula from chewy.com. Chewy has mild allergies to mystery ingredients, so I have been buying limited ingredient formulas for him. Some limited ingredient formulas are not limited enough for him and still make his skin extra pink and his ears dirty/itchy, while others make his poop more smelly, and some don't add shine to his coat. We are still searching for the perfect brand, and that led us to try Zignature. 

Chewy was very interested in the food when I pulled it out of the chewy.com box, sniffing it and even licking the bag. He did not stray far at all when I told him to move so I could take pictures of just the product. 

Zignature Limited Ingredient Formulas are free of the most common potential canine allergens of corn, wheat, soy, dairy and chicken. The first ingredient in the Turkey Formula is turkey, followed by turkey meal, so it should be a very meaty meal, very appealing to those carnivorous tastebuds. It also contains nutrient-dense legumes (chickpeas & peas), flaxseed, sunflower oil, and numerous supplements. I would have preferred more natural sources of vitamins and minerals, but I guess that would contradict the limited ingredient-ness.

The kibbles themselves are an average size and appear very oily. Chewy seems to like the smell and taste. I have been trying to transition Chewy to this food VERY slowly because giving him too much at a time kept giving him mushy poops. Yuck. I would guess it has to do with the amount of oil. Since we haven't fully transitioned to Zignature, I can't tell yet if it's a good food for Chewy or not.



Disclaimer: We received a free 4 lb. bag of Zignature Limited Ingredient Formula Dog Food in Turkey Formula 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.

Wellness CORE Grain-Free Marrow Roasts - chewy.com Product Review

It's [Chewy] time for another chewy.com product review! 😄

We received Wellness CORE Grain-Free Marrow Roasts Dog Treats in Savory Turkey Recipe to try out. They are biscuits with a meaty marrow center, made with all-natural ingredients, without wheat, corn or soy.

Wellness CORE Grain-free Marrow Roasts

As always, the first test in our house is always administered by Chewy's nose, and Chewy thought it smelled DELICIOUS!

This smells good!

The Marrow Roasts are supposed to be "crunchy" biscuits with meaty marrow centers, but the ones we received had an outside that seemed more like a soft, chewy biscuit. My reasoning is that the marrow center was just too moist to keep the outer biscuits crunchy. Chewy doesn't mind, though, because they're still treats!

The treats in the bag were not cut all the way, so they were in strips of 2 or 3, and I had to snap them to produce individual treats. I would have preferred if they were already individually separated to avoid that extra step when treating, but it's not TOO big of a hassle. I'm sure Chewy would prefer to just be given a whole roll!

1 strip --> 2 treats!

It took Chewy a lot of self-control not to immediately eat these treats. You can see the longing in his eyes!

Notice the drool spots under Chewy's mouth as he eyes the treats!

Chewy hoovered up those treats and ate both in one mouthful. I assume he thought they tasted great! Now, whenever I reach for the bag, he immediately is on his best behavior, sitting up nice and tall and waiting patiently. That's a good sign of a high value treat!

Yummy!

P.S. For every Wellness product purchased at chewy.com until December 19, 2016, a Wellness meal will be donated to feed a pet in need!


Disclaimer: We received a free bag of Wellness CORE Grain-Free Marrow Roasts Dog Treats in Savory Turkey 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.

Chewy's Tips for Being a Good Dog Host

The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family, and sometimes that includes dog guests, too! If your dog is comfortable welcoming other dogs into your home (some are not!), Chewy has some tips to ensure a merry celebration with furry, 4-legged friends.

Tip #1: Decorate with shatterproof ornaments, especially in areas within reach of dogs (and young children).

Hmm...are sparkly balls NOT for playing fetch?

Tip #2: Prepare a feast of healthy, dog-friendly delights for happy and content bellies.

Unseasoned, roasted turkey breast and veggies, and pies for dessert!

Tip #3: Have clean-up supplies on hand in case of accidents or territorial claims of the pee variety.

Please don't pee on my bed...

Tip #4: Show gratitude for any host gifts your guests bring.

Thanks for the Santa!

Tip #5: Share your belongings.

Including your toys,

your bed,

and your water bowl.

Tip #6: Plan activities to entertain your furry friends, such as preparing treat-dispensing toys.

Tip #7: Eat from your designated dinner bowl. No stealing food, no matter how slowly your guests eat!
 

 Tip #8: Take some time to snuggle with the human guests so they don't feel left out.

 Tip #9: Don't forget to have fun!

I'm gonna catch you!

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season!

Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe - Product Review

For those seeking alternatives to dry kibble or canned dog food, dehydrated food mixes can be an easy way to provide a less processed, but still fully balanced, diet for your dog. Dehydration is a gentler process than extrusion (used to make many kinds of kibble and cereal), so the resulting product looks and smells more like natural food.

The Sojos Complete line of dehydrated dog food offers the benefits of a natural, raw diet, in a convenient, shelf-stable, nutritionally balanced product. It meets AAFCO guidelines, is made from all-natural ingredients, and is free of grains, gluten, soy, GMOs, by-products, fillers, preservatives, artificial flavors, sugar and salt. It could be a great option for those pups with sensitive tummies or allergies.

Sojos Complete comes in turkey, beef, and lamb recipes -- we tried the turkey. 

8 lb. bag of Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe

In the package is a mixture of dehydrated chunks and powdery ingredients. Some chunks are larger than others, and I like that the pieces are irregularly shaped because it looks more natural. [[We have tried other dehydrated foods where the carrots were chopped into little cubes, and they came out as those same little cubes in Chewy's poop! Kind of a weird sight.]]

The food smells pretty good in the package, without that greasy aroma that is common with kibble. To my nose, it's got a primarily herbaceous scent, probably from the basil.

The nose knows!

The feeding instructions for Sojos Complete say it needs to be soaked for 15 minutes to activate the nutrients and enzymes, while soaking overnight in the refrigerator allows for the best digestion. Fifteen minutes is a long time to a Chewy! He never ventures far away while his food is soaking on the counter.

Is it ready yet?

How 'bout now?

Waiting is hard!

After 15 minutes, some of the bigger chunks of stuff don't get soaked through, and the mixture can look a little soupy. Soaking for a few hours in the fridge gets everything thoroughly rehydrated, and it has a consistency more like a puree (with chunky bits). Soaking it in the fridge also keeps it off of Chewy's radar, so there are no sad looks or whining.

                   Dry Sojos                                                       +  water                                                    + 8 hrs in the fridge             

Because this is a raw product, food safety is an important factor on both manufacturer and consumer ends. Sojos says that its "own 'lock-step' process eliminates the risk of food-borne pathogens, while locking in the taste and essential enzymes in raw meat." At home, you must keep food bowls (and your hands) clean, and utilize the fridge if soaking food for extended periods of time.

Must get every...last...bit!

Chewy thinks Sojos Complete tastes really good, and will even start crying if he has to wait too long to eat it. Because it is hydrated, Chewy needs to go potty sooner after eating Sojos Complete than after eating dry kibble. If your dog does not drink enough water, this is one way to keep him/her more hydrated.

Sojos Complete is available in 2 lb. and 8 lb. bags. The package says that an 8 lb. bag contains 40 dry cups of food. The amount of dry Sojos to soak and feed per day is approximately equivalent to the amount of a dry kibble you would feed, and by my calculations, an 8 lb. bag of Sojos Complete would last about the same as a medium-sized, 12 lb. bag of kibble (varies by brand/formula). 

Dehydrated dog food in general seems to be more pricey than kibble, but Sojos is one of the more affordable options in its class.

4 paws up for Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe!

We give Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe 4 paws up! I like that it is made with all-natural, healthy ingredients, without fillers and salt. It is an easy way to experiment with a raw diet without personally having to worry about creating balanced meals or sourcing safe, fresh meats. Chewy loves the smell and taste (but perhaps not the wait time), and always double and triple checks that he got every last speck of food.

Disclaimer: We received an 8 lb bag of Sojos Complete Turkey Recipe from Sojos in exchange for an honest review. We received no monetary compensation, and all the opinions expressed above are our own. 

Sojos Simply Turkey Freeze-Dried Dog Treats - chewy.com Product Review

MEAT. Chewy, like the average dog, loves meat. When his treats are purely meat, Chewy reaches a whole other level of food-induced happiness. While we often cook a little unseasoned meat for Chewy when prepping human meals, packaged treats offer convenience, portability, and significantly less mess. Last month we received Sojos Simply Turkey Freeze-Dried Dog Treats from chewy.com to review, and as I expected, Chewy simply loves it!

Sojos Simply Meat treats are freeze-dried raw from a single ingredient (beef, lamb or turkey), and made in the USA from USDA-certified meat.

The treats are of all different shapes and sizes, highlighting the natural aspect and how minimally processed they are. They are generally a great size for use as training treats, and if you deem a particular piece too large, it's usually easy to break it into smaller bits.

*sniiiiff*

They are meaty smelling and thus quite motivating for Chewy. Using Sojos Simply Turkey as lures, I was able to get Chewy to walk on our new treadmill and go up our newly carpeted stairs (stories for another day). The one bothersome aspect is they seem to leave a lingering scent that Chewy can detect a few minutes later, especially on carpet.

*patiently waiting*

Me: "Look at me!" Chewy: What. Let me eat it!

Imma eat it.

Yum!

Disclaimer: We received a free bag of Sojos Simply Turkey Freeze-Dried 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.

Tasty Tuesday: Turkey Meatballs

Chewy loves meatballs, but store-bought doggy meatballs usually contain a whole bunch of additives, so I decided to make some healthier ones. These are super simple to make- the most difficult part is chopping the veggies. I used carrots, celery and pumpkin, but you can also substitute using other dog-friendly veggies if you wish. I also used ground flax seed, which contains omega-3's for healthy skin & coat. [Complete recipe at the end]

Chewy was really excited about the meatballs from the moment I took the turkey out of the fridge, because MEAT!

All you have to do is mix everything together,

make them into meatballs, and pop them in the oven. I used parchment paper so that I wouldn't need to add more oil by greasing the pan. You can make them a smaller size as well, just adjust the baking time.

Before and after baking

Then let them cool, and feed the pup(s)! I served them to Chewy on a bed of leftover pumpkin puree with unflavored sweet potato fries and cucumber slices.

...I am waiting...

He of course went for the meatballs first, because he does not understand the concept of saving the best for last.

*scarf scarf scarf* ... Can I perhaps have some more?

These are meant as a treat, not to replace your dog's regular, balanced meals.


Turkey Meatballs for Dogs

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb. lean ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1 medium sized carrot, finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup plain pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup quick cook oats
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley or 1 tbsp. dried parsley
• 2 tbsp. ground flax seed

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix well. Form 1.5" diameter balls (makes ~16) and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake until cooked through and lightly browned, about 20-30 min. Let cool completely before serving. Store uneaten meatballs in the fridge up to 1 week, or freeze for longer.

A Chewy Thanksgiving Feast

Last year, Chewy and his doggy friends shared a roasted chicken on Thanksgiving. This year I bought a 12-lb turkey for Chewy's feast, but since his doggy friends couldn't make it, he got the whole bird to himself! We woke up early to roast his turkey, and he was still a bit sleepy...

*squeaky yawn* It's too early for cooking!

But he knew that yummy foods were in the making, so he was happy to be on standby in the kitchen. I washed his turkey and removed as much fat as possible, then patted it dry with paper towels. I placed the turkey on a wire rack over a bed of carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes, sprinkled parsley over everything for added flavor, and poured a little water in the pan for added moisture. I wrapped the wing tips in foil to prevent them from burning, and after pre-heating the oven to 325°, it was ready for roasting.

Can't wait!

I roasted the turkey a little bit longer than the conventional 15 min/lb to ensure it was thoroughly cooked, and it was ready in the afternoon. This left plenty of time to let it cool before dinnertime.

Yay, turkey!

Chewy knew it was HIS turkey, and kept waiting by the counter in hopes of being fed. There was an even bigger, more aromatic turkey for our people guests a few feet away, but he kept his eyes on this one.

I can smell you...

So close, yet so far!

Finally, at his 6:30 pm dinnertime, he got his Thanksgiving plate! He had a few slices of skinless turkey breast, potatoes, carrots, sweet potato, and pumpkin puree. He also got some fruit for dessert later on.

...can I eat yet???

Om nom nommmm

Chewy has a lot of leftovers, but I'm sure he is happy to eat turkey any day of the week! I cut apart the turkey meat and froze it to preserve freshness. They are labeled "Chewy's turkey" to avoid confusion.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tasty Tuesday: Bravo! Crunchy Delights Turkey Recipe Review

Bravo Pet Foods, primarily a fresh-frozen raw food company, recently launched a new line of oven-baked Crunchy Delights dog treats, and Chewy got a chance to try their Turkey Recipe. 

Bravo! Crunchy Delights Turkey Recipe:

• Made in the USA; family-owned company
• All natural ingredients (preserved by mixed tocopherols & non-toxic oxygen absorber packet)
• No added hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, flavors or colors
• Turkey as the first ingredient, with mixed vegetables and quinoa
• Oven baked

Smell:

I think they smell like vegetable cookies, but Chewy thinks they smell super delicious. He was definitely intrigued the moment I showed him the treat bag, and drooling soon commenced. When he was posing  for pictures with the bag in his mouth, he ran off to see if someone else would open them for him!

Hi, please feed me these treats!

Appearance:

The individual treats vary in size and shape and have an almost homemade look to them, which stands out from all the cookie-cutter bone-shaped treats available on the market. You can actually identify pieces of cranberry and oats in the treats.

Breakability:

These crunchy treats are easy to break into smaller portions, but doing so generates a lot of crumbs. It would be best not to break them over your floor unless your dog is a fine crumb vacuum.

I put 2 treats in my pocket for walkies, and the larger one had broken in half by the time we got home. My pocket did get a little crumby.

Taste:

Chewy makes a happy chewing face when he crunches away at these treats. On the downside, this often means a mess of crumbs on the floor. Sometimes he manages to clean up all the crumbs, but other times he misses one or two, especially in the grout lines of our floor. Nevertheless, he definitely thinks they are lip-smacking good.

Mmmm

Generating crumbs

Eyes on the treat!

Motivation:

These Crunchy Delights are pretty motivating for Chewy. He focuses intently on them, and will breeze through his repertoire of tricks to get one.

I'm waving, I'm waving! Treat now?

Overall rating:

I liked that these Bravo! Crunchy Delights Turkey Recipe treats are made in the US from natural ingredients, with meat as the first ingredient. Chewy loved the taste and smell, and was beyond willing to work for them. They are easy to break into smaller pieces, but I wish they did not get so crumbly. I would not shove the treat bag in my backpack for fear of them turning into bits, but I think they would be fine sitting in a car door, if you wanted to bring them on an outing. We give these treats 3 1/2 paws up.

3 1/2 paws up for Bravo! Crunchy Delights Turkey Recipe

Disclaimer: Matrix Partners provided us with a free bag of Bravo Crunchy Delights Turkey Recipe. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this post. All opinions expressed in this review are our own.