"dog food" news and stories

In response to the unleashing of Rachael Ray's "Nutrish" line of dog cuisine, celeb-skewing artist 14 visually muses on what product line extensions might come about should other TV chefs join the pack. Paula Deen's Varmint Vittles or Gordon Ramsay's 100% F***ing Organic Hell Hound, anyone?

Yes, proceeds from the sales of Nutrish will indeed go toward funding no-kill shelters and awareness campaigns, and it's not as if she's the first media-centric chef to go to the dogs -- or cats (remember Rocco DiSpirito's Fancy Feast Elegant Medleys?). Still, I'm continually shocked by the branding stretches some of these folks are making.

Has anyone found celebrity-endorsed products more outre than dog food or signature garbage bowls? Mario Batali limited edition Ernst Benz watch, perhaps?

(Aaaannnd I've just run across Paula Deen's Butt Massage. I know it's likely a handy and delicious mix of herbs, spices and faerie dust, but still. Ew.)

[via: Gallery of the Absurd]

Recently while I was standing at the counter of my favorite coffee joint (Infusion in Mt. Airy, PA for those of you in the area), when I noticed a plate of cookies on the counter. They looked good, sort of natural and whole grain-y and I leaned in for a closer look. That was when I spotted the sign pasted just above them, stating that they were gourmet dog snacks. I shifted away from them, looking to either side in the hopes that I no one else had seen me checking out the dog biscuits with such hungry interest.

Not long after that experience, BlogSoop put up a Canine Tasting Menu, a sort of roundup of food designed for the pooches that looks (for the most part) very much like people food. I think my favorite has to be the Redbarn Roofle Waffles that appear just like human waffles and claims to have the scent of real maple syrup baked right in. Seeing this made me realize that I was probably not the first person to check out those dog cookies at Infusion with interest and I probably won't be the last.

Source

With all of the recent pet food scares, a lot of dog and cat owners have been gun shy about going back to their favorite (or, should I say, their pet's favorite!) brand. But have you ever thought about actually cooking for your dog?

By sheer coincidence, I was watching a Will & Grace episode last night where they got a dog and Will was actually cooking fancy dog food for the puppy. But a lot of people do it in the real world too, because pets are like a member of the family. There's even a beer for dogs!

You have to make sure you're using ingredients that are safe for dogs and that it actually fits into their diet. Here's a link to several recipes, including one for the Rrrruvery Rrrrisotto recipe mentioned in the article. It's probably good to check with your vet too.

Well, if you and your pup are going to indulge in a little ice cream together, why not go all the way and actually share a meal?

I'm not sure if it's available here in the US, but Judge's Choice of Japan (website translated from Japanese via google) offers a new type of dog food that you can enjoy, too. For the dog's health, the foods contain no onions or peppers, and for both of you, there is only a minimal amount of fat and sodium. The meals are sold primarily in department stores, and can cost up to 3,000 yen (about $25). But hey, that's still cheaper than a sushi dinner for two!

[via: CrissCross]

What's the first thing we think of to eat when the temperatures rise? Ice cream.

For people, ice cream is a great way to cool off, but for dogs, stuff like sugar, chemicals, and chocolate could be bad news. But our best friends should still be able to cool down with a frozen treat, so 1000 Licks has come up with a frozen treat made from a base of yogurt made especially for dogs, and they're not in "dog" flavors like chuckwagon steak, fish, and liver. These treats come in peanut butter, banana, pumpkin, and cinnamon.

The website says they're treats for your and your dog to enjoy, and I'm not quite sure if that means you can eat them too, but heck! If they're good enough for Fido, they're good enough for me!

[via: CoolHunting]