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Would YOU want to eat the same food every day? Try removing a handful of kibble & replacing with this.

Imagine if your diet was limited to rice & beans: every, single, day. Sure, this basic food would provide you with enough calories to sustain life, but would you be excited to eat it? Would you thrive? While this example is ridiculous, many of us forget our beloved pups are offered little variety if they eat the same exact kibble each and every day of their lives. More and more dog parents are coming to the same conclusion: dogs need variety … Read more

People are shocked to learn kibble is 50% carbs! 2 ways to boost your dog’s protein on a budget

First invented in 1860, dry dog food has revolutionized the life of pets around the world. The process of extruding kibble creates a shelf stable product, making it more convenient (and inexpensive) than ever to feed our dogs. However, kibble has one major flaw that many canine nutrition experts would argue is drastically affecting the lifespans, rate of cancer, and dental health of our dogs. The problem with kibble is that a large amount of carbohydrates are required in order … Read more

San Diego Animal Center Offers Free Pet Food During Coronavirus Outbreak

The unprecedented coronavirus outbreak has had devastating impacts on communities worldwide. Many industries have suffered and as a result, tons of people find themselves out of work during an uncertain time. Orders to stay home have led to supply shortages in grocery and pet stores. The Helen Woodward Animal Center in San Diego, California aims to ease a little bit of the hurt for the recently or temporarily unemployed. They have already begun distributing free animal food and supplies to … Read more

FDA Issues Second Advisory For Aunt Jeni’s Home Made Dog Food In A Year – Aunt Jeni’s Responds

The FDA has initiated a warning for one lot of Aunt Jeni’s Home Made All-Natural Turkey Dinner Dog Food after a sample collected from a store in Washington D.C. tested positive for salmonella. This warning is in for only one lot of Aunt Jeni’s Home Made All-Natural Turkey Dinner Dog Food, sold in 5-pound containers and stored frozen. Pet parents who have any of this product in their possession should be aware that the following lot number tested positive for … Read more

You Helped Feed A Dog On The Brink Of Starvation

If you didn’t already know, part of each sale on the iHeartDogs.com store is donated to GreaterGood.org, which offers grants for charities and programs like Rescue Bank. Customers like you are the reason heartwarming stories like this one are possible! When Buzz Lightyear came to Amore Pit Bull Rescue in 2014, the poor thing was starving. He was basically nothing more than skin and bones. The rescue staff presumed Buzz had an abusive and neglectful past. Everything seemed to confuse or frighten him. … Read more

Angry Dog Mom Suing Blue Buffalo Over Fat, Diabetic Dog

Shannon Walton is fit to be tied. So deep is her anger that she is seeking revenge in the form of a lawsuit against dog food company Blue Buffalo. Her claim? Blue Buffalo’s advertising was misleading and led to her dog become overweight and develop diabetes, requiring continual medical care. At the center of the argument is the amount of carbohydrates contained in Blue Buffalo dog food. Tucker is a Lab/Beagle Mix with Chronic Health Problems Walton’s dog Tucker is … Read more

Heed Foods Review: Be A Picky Pup Parent By Putting Your Dog’s Health First

Your dog is so easy to love. You’re an expert cuddler. You know all the right places to scratch. But that doesn’t mean it’s all a walkie in the dog park. Some parts of being a pet parent are downright difficult. We know that making the best choices for your pet’s health can be hard, but we can all agree on one thing: a healthy pup starts with a healthy gut. Your dog’s health and well-being usually begins with what’s … Read more

Creating The Perfect Holiday Meal For Your Dog!

With the holidays approaching, your dog needs something special to feast on. Of course, you’re cooking the tastiest meals for you and your human family, but what about your furry family members? They’ve been eating the same boring food all year long, so it’s time to give them a change and make their holiday feasts special. iHeartDogs has partnered with “I and love and you”, a company that makes extremely good food for your dog. They have lots of amazing, … Read more

How To Celebrate Your Dog This Holiday Season

With Christmas approaching, you’re likely trying to find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. When it comes to your dog, you might think a new toy or a delicious treat is the best way to show them you care, but this holiday season, you need to celebrate your dog. Show them you love them more than you usually do and give them something they’ll never forget. iHeartDogs has partnered with “I and love and you” because they know exactly … Read more

How Do Popular Dog Foods Compare?

Your dog’s health should always be a priority, and a huge part of their well-being is what goes into their bellies. Many dog parents just choose one of the most popular brands because it seems easier, however, many of these dog foods are actually not the healthiest. So, when it comes to feeding your dog, take into consideration the different ingredients and the quality of their food. How do all dog foods compare and how can that help you decide … Read more

How Much Food Should You Feed Your Dog?

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. The 2018 survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. Obesity can lead to serious complications ad health concerns for your dog, and it can rescue the quality of their life if not addressed properly. Overfeeding, too many treats, and not getting enough exercise/activity … Read more

Baked and Saucy: A Savory Combination Your Dog Will Dig

Food boredom is fur real. In fact, 63% of pet parents think that their pets get bored with their food. If you need to shake things up at mealtime, take a look at an easy solution from the fine folks at “I and love and you”. It’s called Baked and Saucy. In just one bag of food, you can serve up the variety that your dog craves. Your pup will find it positively drool-worthy and easy on the tummy! Serving Baked & Saucy … Read more

“I and love and you” Breaks Kibble Boundaries

We know. There are about a million and three choices when it comes to feeding your dogs. You love them with all you’ve got. You want them to live the longest, happiest, healthiest lives possible. The best way you know how to do that is to give them an abundance of love and to feed them the highest quality food you can. But you’re not a holistic veterinarian. And the very last thing you have time to do is whip … Read more

Is Grain-Free Food Killing Dogs? 7 Things You Need to Know

If you’re confused about the FDA’s announcement linking dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) to grain-free diets, you’re not alone! According to an iHeartDogs poll taken by 4,000 people, roughly 50% of owners currently using grain-free are planning on switching, while the other 50% are sticking with grain-free. Here’s 7 things you need to know about the FDA’s announcement in order to make the best decision for your dog: 👉 1) DON’T RELY ONLY ON SUMMARIES AND OPINIONS, READ THE ACTUAL REPORT FROM … Read more

Breaking News: FDA Releases List of Dog Food Brands Associated with Heart Disease Reports (DCM)

Updated: 7/22/19 Since late last year, pet parents have been anxiously following the reports by the FDA that grain-free foods may be causing a spike in cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs that are not normally predisposed to the disease. On June 27th, the FDA released a more detailed, but still frustratingly uncertain report about these incidents. While a large percentage the foods are grain-free, we still don’t yet know the actual cause of the spike in reports, as … Read more

I Switched My Dogs From “Healthy” Kibble to Fresh Food For 30 Days To See What The Hype Was About – Here’s What Happened

You and I have something in common. I guarantee it. We both love dogs, and we both want what’s best for them. On this latter point, I decided to start looking at healthy, fresh food options for my pups. But let’s face it – as much as I love them and want what’s best for them, I just don’t have time to cook homemade meals for them every day. For those of you that make this happen, I applaud you. … Read more

BREAKING: FDA Announces Expanded List of Recalled Hill’s Prescription Diet & Science Diet Dog Food

05/22/2019 – UPDATE Once again, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is expanding the list of its canned dog food found to contain elevated levels of vitamin D. According to a company statement made by Hill’s, this update includes only one new date code that was associated with a SKU that was already included in the previous recall. This new list came from the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announcement made on May 20, 2019. Here is the latest list of Hill’s Pet … Read more

RECALL: Did Hill’s Announce Another Dog Food Recall? Depends Who Is Asking!

puppies eating

We’ve told you about other recalls of dog food from Hill’s Prescription Diet & Science. Unfortunately, recalls seem more frequent as of late. Here’s another one to know about uncovered by Truth About Pet Food (TAPF). The details This case of dog food recall is a bit tricky to track. TAPF reported seeing Facebook posts indicating Hill’s added another product to their excess vitamin D recall. TAPF researched the issue on the FDA website and found nothing to support the … Read more

UPDATE: Petco Continues to Mislead but Adds Free Trade-In Event to Draw In Customers

This weekend, May 18-19, pet supply giant Petco is offering customers who are members of their loyalty program Pals Rewards an opportunity to trade in a can or bag of dog or cat food that contains artificial ingredients for “a free artificial-free upgrade to a select product that meets Petco’s new nutrition standard.” Sounds pretty great, huh? Isn’t it wonderful to see one of the biggest players in the pet retail world caring about the quality of food that our … Read more

PetCo Promised To “Turn Their Backs On Artificial Ingredients” – So Why Didn’t They?

“Bye Bye Bad Stuff: At Petco, we have set the new standard in nutrition by eliminating all dog and cat food and treats that contain artificial ingredients*.” This bold promise is featured on Petco’s website at the top of their new Better Nutrition page. Unfortunately, the company’s claims are not entirely true. The above statement ends in a conspicuous asterisk – as do the in-store banners and all other references to the company’s new “no artificial ingredients” policy announced November 13, 2018. … Read more

Is The FDA Doing Enough To Keep Euthanasia Drugs Out Of Your Dog’s Food?

In 2017, Evanger’s Pet Food issued a voluntary recall on some of their canned diets after testing revealed they were contaminated with pentobarbital, an animal anesthetic and euthanasia drug. The findings came after five dogs fell ill, and one passed away. In early 2018, several dog food brands owned by the J.M. Smucker Company were also found to be contaminated with pentobarbital. While pet lovers were horrified and outraged, the Food & Drug Administration – whose job it is to ensure the … Read more

70% of dog owners are making this serious error with their dog’s food

What if I were to ask you the following question: What did you have for dinner last Tuesday? If you’re like most people, you’d have a hard time remembering. And that’s no surprise, because most people vary their diet significantly from day to day. However, what if I asked you this question: What did your dog have for dinner last Tuesday?  According to our research, most dog owners would easily know this because their dogs eat the same diet every … Read more

Should Your Dog Become Vegetarian? The Answer May Surprise You.

Plant-based diets are getting increasing attention in the media as more Americans decide to reduce or eliminate consumption of meat. Although vegetarianism has remained at a fairly constant 5-8% of all Americans, meat production has decreased by 400 million animals from 2007 to 2015. Documentaries like What the Health have inspired people to go vegan, avoiding foods from animal sources all together for a number of reasons, including environmental impact, animal welfare, overall health, and weight loss or maintenance. The … Read more

Senior Rescue Dog Diagnosed with Brain Tumor Fights for Her Life

After spending a lifetime in a puppy mill, Chloe was finally rescued. Tragedy struck again, however, when Julia Arney’s vet recommended she euthanize Chloe, her senior Maltese, due to a brain tumor. But Julia was determined to give her beloved pet a fresh start, and Chloe was ready to fight! “Every day is a gift. We were supposed to lose her so long ago.” In September 2017, Julia Arney’s vet recommended she euthanize her senior Maltese, Chloe. Julia was heartbroken – … Read more

Update: Petco Offers Free Trade-Ins For Dog Parents Affected By Vitamin D Recall

Updated 12/6/18 This week the FDA released a statement regarding the recall of several dog food brands affected by potentially dangerous levels of Vitamin D. In response, Petco announced they do not carry any of the brands listed in the recall. Furthermore, they are offering free trade ins for dog owners who did purchase affected products. The company provided the following advice for concerned pet parents: Visit the FDA’s website for more information and a complete list of affected products. If you believe … Read more

Petco To Stop Selling Dog & Cat Food With Artificial Ingredients

In a huge leap toward better pet care, Petco announced they’re turning their backs on dog and cat foods that include artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. The pet supply franchise is upping their standards when it comes to pet nutrition, and they’re the first national pet specialty retailer to fully support all-natural diets for dogs and cats. The pet food aisles in all 1,500 store locations in the U.S., Mexico, and Puerto Rico will soon go through a major transformation. … Read more

5 Reasons Your Dog Won’t Eat And How To Help

dog won't eat

When it comes to the canine appetite, most people are used to dogs gobbling everything in sight. They rush to eat their meals and taste test things you’d never dream of putting near your mouth. But on the opposite side of that spectrum, it’s not uncommon for dogs to be picky eaters or suddenly stop eating altogether. These are the dogs that barely nibble on their kibble and turn their wet noses up at everything in their dishes. Not eating … Read more

Does Your Dog Eat Too Fast? Here Are 7 Ways To Slow Them Down

If your dog can finish an entire meal in less time than it takes you to say, “Bailey, slow down!” you have a chow hound on your hands. These are the dogs that inhale their food without bothering to chew or even check what they’re eating. Labs are notorious chow hounds, but they come in all sizes, breeds, and personalities. Gulping food in record time is an impressive skill in some circles, but eating too fast is a serious problem … Read more

Amazon Breaks Into The Pet Industry With The Launch Of Their Dog Food

Is there anything you can’t get on Amazon? Perhaps, but those items seem to be far and few between. And in addition to supplying its customers with products from thousands of other brands, Amazon has created its own line of products — and now, that includes pet food. Wag, a new dog kibble, is available to Prime customers. The brand promises that “real” chicken, turkey, beef, lamb, or salmon (dependent on the variety) is the number one ingredient, with no added … Read more

How To Help Your Rescue Dog Gain Weight

“Skin and bones” are words to describe a specific population of rescue dog. They’re the ones found staggering near death on the side of the street or rummaging through the dumpster looking for scraps of anything remotely edible. They’ve known what true hunger feels like, and recovering from near starvation isn’t an easy process. Helping a rescue dog gain weight isn’t tossing them a few McDonald’s burgers and letting them go to town. It isn’t even leaving a limitless supply … Read more

Controversial Ingredient Added To Hill’s Science Diet Has Dog Owners Concerned

As a diligent pet parents, you probably know what foods are dangerous for your dog to eat. Chocolate and caffeine are among the top of the list, and grapes are known to be toxic for our canine pals. So, what is an ingredient like “dried grape pomace” doing in commercially-available dog food?   According to the ASPCA: “Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. Until more information is known about the … Read more

Dog Foods Pulled From Thousands Of Stores After “Euthanasia Drug” Investigation

Following an investigative news story by news station ABC11 that led to an FDA investigation, several pet food products have been pulled from the shelves of stores nationwide. After a lengthy investigation, WJLA (an ABC11 sister station) released some disturbing results from lab-tested dog foods. The news station reported: “We tested 62 samples of wet dog food, across more than two-dozen brands for the euthanasia drug pentobarbital. After months of tests and re-tests, one brand repeatedly came back positive for … Read more

FDA Investigating Report Of Euthanasia Drug In Dog Food

Just over a year ago, 5 dogs fell ill and one of them lost their life due to a can of Evanger’s dog food that was contaminated with pentobarbital, a drug that is commonly used to euthanize pets. The pet food industry has not made any significant changes since this tragic accident, so WJLA in Washington, D.C. recently worked with Ellipse Analytics to test a variety of dog food samples for pentobarbital contamination. They had the lab test 62 samples of wet … Read more

Is It Normal For My Dog To Always Act Like They’re Starving?

While some dogs peeve their owners with picky appetites, most are happiest when scarfing down everything that looks remotely edible. It doesn’t matter what they eat, how much they eat, or when their last meal was, these chow hounds never seem to be satisfied. They’ll break out the hungry eyes at every chance they get, and it’s natural for dog owners to feel concerned about their pets’ seemingly insatiable appetites. But no matter how much they whine and beg, most … Read more

Do Puppies Really Need Special Puppy Food?

Between different brands, recipes, formulas, and price ranges, every step down the dog food aisle is more overwhelming than the last. Puppy owners are charged with the responsibility of doing what’s best for their pets, but sifting through bags of possible food choices isn’t easy. Besides countless brands and recipes, there are two main types of dog food filling the shelves: puppy food and adult dog food. After looking at how much more puppy food costs than the adult dog … Read more

3 Important Things To Look For When Choosing Dog Treats

The pet food industry is still feeling the backlash from the 2007 recalls. Since then, customers have made it clear that their dogs’ health and well-being is worth more to them than having treats that are readily available in mass quantities at low prices. But because of this recall, and the way it put the health of so many dogs in jeopardy, it created pet parents that paid more attention to ingredients than ever before. So how do you really … Read more

RECALL ALERT: All-Natural Pet Food Gets Recalled

In a December 8th, 2017 announcement on Dog Food Advisor, raw food brand Darwin’s Natural Pet Food has issued its first recall listed on the site. The company is committed to selling whole, all-natural pet food, explaining on its website that the benefits of raw food diets include shinier coats, better energy, and relief from allergies. Unfortunately, no company is error-proof, and the following lots of food have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination: Natural Selections Turkey Meals for … Read more

New Pet Food Label Changes Will Make Reading Nutrition Facts Easier Than Ever

A task force convened by the Pet Food Institute (PFI) has been working for more than two years on a comprehensive project to improve the current pet food labeling system. They were inspired by 2013 consumer research conducted by Mars Petcare showing that pet owners find several sections of the current label confusing – and ignore other sections alltogether. The PFI task force is divided into four sub-groups, one for each of the areas identified by Mars research and chosen by … Read more

Think Your Dog is Getting Omega-3 Fatty Acids from Their Food? Think Again.

With the endless stream of dog food recalls we’ve witnessed over the years, it comes as no surprise that consumers are just not trusting pet food companies as they used to. Contaminated food and poisonous ingredients are some of the top concerns. Adding another layer to the problem, some important ingredients claimed in the ingredients list of your pup’s food are very likely to be completely inaccurate. Which particular nutrient is this? Omega-3 fatty acids.  A majority of dog food … Read more

6 Tips For Changing Your Dog To A New Food

There are several reasons you may want or need to change your dog’s diet throughout his lifetime. Whether your pooch has developed an aversion or allergy to his current diet, the time has come to switch from adult to senior food, or you simply feel that an upgrade is in order, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that the process does not upset your pup’s delicate digestive system. While some dogs seem to have steel traps for stomachs, … Read more

One easy way to start raw today – Just add THIS

Feed your dog bone broth

Are you the type of pup-parent who scans the list of ingredients on your dog’s food to make sure you know exactly what’s in it? If so, we’ll bet that you’ve heard about the movement around raw feeding through social media groups or even mainstream media. For example the viral documentary Pet Fooled. A raw diet, once snubbed by almost every vet, is now gradually gaining acceptance in holistic veterinarian circles and beyond. The raw movement makes sense to a lot of … Read more

Why Your Dog Won’t Stop Snacking From The Litter Box And What To Do About It

You’ve seen your dog dine on things you’d never think about putting near your mouth, but the “snacks” he pulls out of the cat’s litter box are by far the worst. Eating cat poop is an unfortunately common problem for dogs, and it’s a bad habit all dog owners hope to break. His muzzle gets coated with those chunks of litter, his bad breath reaches a new level of awful, and he seems to always choose the minutes after his … Read more

The Easiest Way to Start Your Dog on a Raw Diet

If you’re the type of pet parent who reads the ingredients list of your pup’s food to make sure you know and understand exactly what’s in it then you’ve no doubt heard about the growing movement towards raw feeding through social media channels or through the media, such as via the viral documentary Pet Fooled. Once rejected by seemingly all vets, a raw diet is now gaining acceptance in wholistic veterinarian circles. It makes sense – a raw diet is what … Read more

Dog Won’t Eat the Expensive Food You Buy for Him?

Puppy Dog Eyes Dog Wont Eat

Does this paint a familiar picture? It’s meal time and your pooch is excited by the sounds of food filling his bowl. His behind is wiggling in anticipation but when you put the dish down in front of him he sniffs the food and looks up at you mournfully. Your dog won’t eat the pricey food you bought for him even though he is hungry! You’re offering your pup quality, fresh food – not old, stale food. You may rarely … Read more

If You Only Give Your Dog One Supplement, It Should Probably Be This

We’re always searching for the next “miracle product” that can guarantee our dogs’ health. Unfortunately no such product exists, but the natural compounds found in Omega-3 essential fatty acids come pretty darn close! 10 Reasons Why So Many Dog Owners Are Supplementing with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Fish oil contains two essential Omega-3 fatty acids – EPA and DHA. The canine body is only able to synthesize them in limited quantities so many pup parents turn to supplements to give their … Read more

Is Your Dog Picky About Food? Try This Healthy Trick!

Dog picky about food

You know the scene, it’s meal time and your pup is excited about what you’re putting into his bowl. You fill it up and his tail is wagging so fast it’s a blur but when you put the dish down right where you always do he takes a few sniffs and turns around uninterested. You’re not feeding your dog old, spoiled food – it’s fresh from the container! Even if you never feed your dog human food, he’s somehow got … Read more

Is Your Dog A Picky Eater? Try These 6 Tips & Tricks!

When it comes to food, there are two types of dogs: those who live to eat and those who eat to live. If your pooch lives to eat, pickiness is definitely not a problem in your household! But for dogs who aren’t motivated by food, convincing them to eat a healthy, well-rounded diet can be quite a challenge. A dog’s eating personality is usually established early on, so it is best to insist on a strict feeding routine right from the … Read more

3 Ways Dog Food Companies Are Lying To You

It should come as no surprise to our readers that pet food companies are not the most trusted institutions in the world. In a recent survey performed by the research team here at iHeartDogs, we found that only 6.9% of respondents trust that major market pet food brands are delivering quality, safe pet food products for their dogs. In addition, only 17% of consumers think that pet food manufacturers do a good job of educating consumers about pet nutrition. While … Read more

5 Reasons To Add Protein Toppers To Your Dog’s Food

Raw freeze dried dog food toppers aren’t necessarily new, but have only recently begun gaining major traction among dog parents. Recently we decided to look into why they are becoming so popular. Here’s 5 reasons we found: #1: Most Dry & Wet Dog Food Contain Surprisingly Low Amounts of Protein Have you ever looked at the list of ingredients on your dog’s food? Odds are, a protein source is listed as the first ingredient. However, many pet parents are surprised to … Read more

FDA: Evanger’s Can’t Donate Recalled Dog Food To Shelters

Evanger’s Dog & Cat Food Co. was the subject of a massive recall of several flavors of their canned dog food earlier this year after 5 dogs got sick from consuming it. One of the dogs eventually died. Subsequent testing showed that several lots of Evanger’s dog food were contaminated with pentobarbital, one of the ingredients used in pet euthanasia.   Evanger’s spot checked random cans from the recalled lots and didn’t find any pentobarbital, so they asked the Food … Read more

Ingredient Splitting: The Dirty Little Trick Dog Food Companies Pull On Us

It feels like we can’t go a day in the pet industry without talking about what we feed our pets. Whether we are discussing the quality of the ingredients, recalls, which protein is best, where products are sourced, etc., there is a common theme – it’s all about quality of food for our best friends. But money is also a factor – how much can you are your willing to pay for your food, and are you getting the quality … Read more