A Message From Our K9 Nutrition Specialist Katie:
WE UNDERSTAND THAT WHAT GOES INTO A DOG IS KEY TO A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE.
EVERY PRODUCT IS 100% FROM NATURE, AND RESTAURANT GRADE. OUR PRODUCTS ARE GLUTEN-FREE, AND CONTAIN NO PRESERVATIVES OR BYPRODUCTS!
We believe every dog deserves a pure and playful treat and every pet parent deserves to feel good about the high value treats they choose.
We are dedicated to your dog’s pure and playful life! None of our products contain antibiotics, growth hormones (steroids) or GMOs. We believe in only using ethically and humanely sourced ingredients in recyclable packaging.
Protein is our priority. We won’t bulk up on starches or legumes.
Your Dog Deserves Organ Meat!
Why You Should Feed Your Dog Organ Meat:
We all want our dogs to live long and healthy lives. We support this by keeping them safe, giving them love and attention, exercise (sometimes in the form of a job that keeps their brain stimulated) and healthy food. Nutrition is at the top of the list of importance because without a healthy immune system and proper nutrients, our dogs don’t thrive.
Navigating dog nutrition has been an interesting journey. The more I read and heard while becoming a canine nutrition specialist, the more I realized that a bag of dog kibble doesn’t always provide an optimal diet, even though the bag might say it does.
Advertising allows for all kinds of deceptive terms and dog food standards allow for some pretty questionable ingredients. Even if you know what’s in the food, the source of the ingredients is also hugely important.
All bison liver, for example, is not created equal.
Grass fed meat does not contain antibiotics, added hormones, has more vitamins and minerals and contains the perfect balance of high and saturated fats. Another great thing is that grass fed meat is not likely to carry e-coli whereas grain fed meat does. (levels may be low enough for your dog to deal with it but not worth the risk I’d say!) The same is true for the organs, another important part of a truly healthy dog diet based on the advice of dog nutritionists.
When choosing your dog’s diet, be sure to include organ meat along with muscle meat.
Organ meats are more nutritious and carry other important health benefits. Compared to muscle meat, organ meats pack a nutritional punch.
Just as an example, beef heart delivers .5 mg of thiamin compared to muscle meat at .04 mg, liver contains 49 IU vitamin D compared to 3 IU in muscle meat and kidney has 98 ug of retinol compared to 6 ug in beef muscle.
So what organs should you feed and how much?
A good rule of thumb is that 25% of your dog’s daily diet should come from a variety of organ meats. You don’t want to feed 25% of just one organ. 1/4 of each of 4 organ meats is a great place to start.
While you probably think of liver first, other organs such as brain, kidney, heart and stomach (even eyeballs) are excellent sources of health boosting nutrients. Animal glands are a great and essential addition to a dog’s diet as well.
As I did my courses, I learned that organs do not all contain the same amounts of nutrients. It was confusing until I learned that good way to look at it is: liver supports liver health, heart supports heart health, kidney supports kidney health, etc.
Skalliwags Organ Meat Meal Topper is a great way to add organ meat to your dog’s diet whether you feed raw or kibble. (remember to moisten the kibble if that’s what you feed!)
Just sprinkle our blend of organic Canadian beef heart, organic Canadian beef kidney, grass-fed bison liver and green tripe on top of your dog’s meal and watch him devour it!
How To Buy:
Skalliwags Dog Treats are artisan crafted using only grass-fed, restaurant grade meats for good reason.
Simple, Healthy, Delicious!
What Goes Into Your Dog's Treats Matters:
When I first got my dog, Tana, I searched the high end pet stores for food that would be healthy for her. I knew nothing about feeding raw and was leery of it anyway because I worried about bad bacteria making her (and my family) sick. To be honest, it also gave me the heeby-jeebies! I made my choice of a kibble based on super cool words on the front, like "healthy", "nutritionally complete" and "balanced". Naively, I believed that labels had to be true, even on dog food.
Labelling rules for pet food, as I have learned, do not have the health of the dog, or honesty at heart. They are geared to making their pet food look attractive to customers and give a false(on many occasions) sense of health and nutrition. Labelling rules actually support the manufacturer in using the cheapest, low quality (sometimes disgusting and dangerous) ingredients.
Delving into the pet food industry was like watching a horror film! Dead carcasses rotting in the sun, GMO produced foods, synthetic preservatives and vitamins made from dangerous chemicals, and the leftover slaughterhouse floor meats could all be part of what your precious dog is eating!
Labelling rules for pet food is governed by AAFCO in the U.S. and the CVM in Canada. These organizations are made up primarily of members of the pet food industry whose main concern is for product sales. More concern is given to the labels and what they can say than to the quality or source of the ingredients. Protein quality is the hardest to decipher. Ingredients must be listed in order by weight but that can be misleading. There are rules but they don't take into account the source of the protein or its quality. It can also be weighed before processing so a product that lists beef or chicken as its first ingredient, may, in fact, only be 3% of the total weight once moisture is removed during processing, if it's combined with another protein such as chicken meal which is already dried, AND if a company uses words like "formula", "dinner", or "entree" on the front.
So it can sit on the shelf beside a product with much higher protein and consumers probably wouldn't know.
Natural and organic rules are now being applied but they are also vague and don't take into account the freshness or quality of the ingredients. So rancid fats and meat from a rendering plant are acceptable! Even "organic" foods refers to the production and handling of a food and that it must not be genetically modified however contaminants from rain and ground water may still be in it in smaller amounts. If an organic product is on the shelf beside a non-organic product, it should be a lot more expensive. If it isn't, be wary.
As far as human grade claims go today, AAFCO has defined it to mean human edible.
When shopping for dog food, watch out for ingredients such as preservatives called citric acid (made from fermenting sugars), rosemary extract (extracted using solvents), calcium propinate (irritates the mucous membrane), and tocopherols (isomers of Vitamin E from vegetable grease and recycled restaurant grease). Nasty stuff you don't want in your dog's body!
Cheers to all of you and your four-legged babies!
Treat your Dog Like Family:
Blueberry Blast - Full of Antioxidants!
What’s Blue, Round and Ripens in the Fall?:
Blueberries of course.. one of THE best snacks to feed your dogs because they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Unlike grapes and raisins which are highly toxic to dogs, blueberries are safe and important for dogs’ health.
You’ve probably heard the term “free-radicals” many times, especially pertaining to human food and health issues. Well they’re also a concern for our canines.
Over time metabolic byproducts, also called free-radicals, build up in your dog’s internal system and accumulate in the cells and organs, leading to aging and degenerative disease.
In fact, this build up, in large amounts, can cause diabetes, arthritis and even cancer.
Free radicals can be produced from food containing heavy starches, preservatives and rancid fats and from environmental pollutants.
Of course you do your best to avoid those things but that won’t solve the problem of their build up over time as a result of energy metabolism in the cells.
Your dog’s immune system has no way of protecting your dog from them.
GOOD NEWS!
Antioxidants are the free radical’s nemesis, and antioxidants are only found in plants!
In fact, blueberries are the best source of antioxidants because they contain a large amount of special antioxidant not found in most food. Most of their benefits are due to their polyphenol content.
Research has found blueberries to inhibit tumor growth, lower blood sugar and decrease inflammation! How cool is that?? As if that weren’t enough, there’s even more in it for your dogs!
Blueberries deliver carotenoids, fiber, folate, vitamins C, E and K as well as containing potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, niacin and phytoestrogens.
I know that’s a mouthful isn’t it? No wonder blueberries are on the Superfoods for Dogs list!
To top it all off, they’re low in calories.
For the ‘prey diet’ dog owners, it’s reassuring to know that dogs in the wild actually forage for berries when they ripen, intuitively understanding they offer nutrition and benefits to their health. Wolves have even been known to consume blueberries as more than half their diet in the fall!
Some dogs love blueberries fresh or frozen. My dog won’t eat them. But she does love Skalliwags Blueberry Blast and gets a healthy helping when she eats these snacks! That feels good to me.
Keep in mind that only 10% of a dog’s daily caloric intake should come from treats or snacks.
Choose wisely. Choose healthy.
Wolves Love Blueberries:
2/3 of a wolf's diet in the fall is berries and most of them are blueberries! No other fruit scores as high for its antioxidant work and for helping to reduce inflammation and improve the brain and nervous system. I know some dogs go and pick blueberries right off the bushes! But when they're not outside on the bushes, they're in Skalliwags' Blueberry Blast!
Ingredients We Use
Every Ingredient We Use Supports Your Dog's Health
Apples - promote heart health in several ways. They're high in soluble fiber, which helps lower cholesterol. They also have polyphenols, which are linked to lower blood pressure and stroke risk.
Bananas - a good source of potassium, manganese, vitamin B6, vitamin C, fiber, biotin and copper. Bananas are low in sodium and cholesterol, but due to the sugar content in bananas, dogs should only eat them as a treat, and not as a regular part of their diets.
Barley Flour - low in cholesterol and high in fiber.
Beef Heart - organic, nutrient-rich and a natural source of vitamins and minerals.
Bison Liver - (certified organic) - Provides protein, Vitamins A and B, copper, iron, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, omega 3 and 6 and amino acids.
Bison - game meat is high in protein while low in fat. This novel protein source is a great choice for dogs with allergies to other proteins.
Blueberries - low in calories and contain high amounts of vitamin C, fiber, phytochemicals (naturally occurring chemical compounds found in plants), and antioxidants. The antioxidants help strengthen immune systems by fighting free radicals naturally and reduce the effects of brain aging.
Bone Broth - contains chondroitin , and hyaluronic acid, which help promote collagen growth. It's one of the biggest benefits of bone broth for dogs. Collagen is important for your dog's joint health. No salt or vegetables added.
Buckwheat - known to help improve digestion because it contains a flavonoid called rutin. It is also believed to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. It’s a rich source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) and vitamin B6. And it’s rich in magnesium, manganese and phosphorus. It is also a good source of vitamins B1 (thiamine) and B9 (folate) together with iron, potassium and zinc.
Carrots - organic carrots enrich your dog’s health with fiber, are high in antioxidants and contain lutein and beta-carotene, some of the only antioxidants that can accumulate in the retina to protect it from oxidative stress.
Cinnamon - anti-inflammatory properties and may fight yeast infections.
Coconut Oil - good source of saturated fat, aids digestion.
Cranberries - fresh and organic and loaded with antioxidant, anti cancer properties. They also support urinary tract health.
Eggs - a good source of vitamin A, riboflavin, folate, Vitamin B12, iron, selenium and fatty acids. (Island Skalliwags uses only free-range, locally sourced eggs).
Gelatin - the main ingredient in gelatin is collagen, a protein found in animal tissues, ligaments, tendons, bones and skin. Glycine, the main amino acid in gelatin, is said to protect against seizures and brain damage.
Green Beans - are full of important vitamins and minerals, such as iron, calcium, and vitamins B6, A, C, and K. Green beans are also full of fiber and are low in calories.
Kangaroo - high in protein, low in fat. Game meats are not likely to cause allergic reactions as they are novelty meats. Kangaroo has essential acids including conjugated linoleic acids which are potent anti-oxidants and enhance total health.
Kidney - organic, nutrient-dense and a great source of protein.
Oat Flour - gluten free, provides iron, protein, iron. It has a calming effect and as it is a warming grain, it is good for the spleen, pancreas, hearing and immune systems.
Peanut Butter - (we use only 100% peanut brands with no salt or any other additives) a good source of protein, but it also contains heart healthy fats, vitamin B, niacin, and vitamin E.
Pumpkin - promotes digestive health, weight loss (when used in place of a portion of regular dog diet), aides in soothing upset stomachs and indigestion, keeps them regular, an excellent source of Vitamin A, beta-carotene, potassium and iron.
Pumpkin Seeds - a valuable source of manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, tryptophan, iron, copper, vitamins A, B, E, and K, and zinc, as well as Omegas 3 and 6. Pumpkin seeds contain the amino acid cucurbitin, which paralyzes and helps eliminate worms from the digestive tract. Studies have shown that adding pumpkin seeds to the daily diet helps reduce inflammatory response due to conditions like arthritis, and helps prevent calcium oxalate stone formation. one ounce of seeds contains almost nine grams of protein, along with amino acids, fiber, iron, copper, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc, potassium, folic acid and niacin.
Rice – aids digestions and helps treat upset tummies and diarrhea. Low in sodium and rich in Vitamin D, fiber, and essential minerals such as calcium and iron.
Rice Flour - Excellent choice for animals who are wheat-sensitive.
Sweet Potato - are another source of dietary fibre and contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, beta carotene, and manganese.
Tripe - contains high amounts of lactobacillus acidophilus, a healthy probiotic. This probiotic fights against the harmful bacteria in your pet’s body. High in protein and contains 7 amino acids which help build muscle and enhance the funtions of all systems including immune response, tissue repair and urinary tract health.
Turmeric - provides anti-inflammatory properties.
Venison - has less protein than beef, it also contains less fat and cholesterol, and is a good source of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc, phosphorous, and iron. It helps dogs maintain healthy energy levels and many dogs enjoy the taste. A good option for dogs who may have food sensitivities or allergies.
Wild Boar - is rich in protein, monounsaturated fats and packed with Vitamins and Minerals - zinc, iron, niacin, selenium, thiamine and Vitamin B6 which help support everything from heart health and the immune system to cognitive function and a healthy metabolism. Free from antibiotics and hormones.
