It’s been a tough few weeks for JD. After visiting the vet half a dozen times he was finally diagnosed with an indolent corneal ulcer in his right eye and underwent surgery on Wednesday. While his eye looks painful and is sutured half-closed for the next two weeks, JD is being one tough little dude and isn’t letting his recovery phase him too much. He still does his little pug dance when he sees me cooking dinner for him and Murph and he loves snuggling and resting his cone comfortably on my lap. This pampered pug even has a cozy soft cone that he wears to bed! All in all, JD is doing quite well, and we know that the kind wishes sent by our friends and customers certainly helped us feel better as we spent the past few weeks worrying about what would happen to JD’s eye. JD will be seeing the vet for his post-op follow up toward the end of October. He will get his sutures out and hopefully we will find that his eye is fully healed and feeling better. In the meantime, we may have to plan for JD to be Popeye for Halloween this year!

I cannot thank you all enough for being so concerned about my little man. While he is my business mascot and muse, he is, above all, my furry son and soul mate, and I have been one nervous mama watching my baby boy struggle over the past few weeks. It makes my heart happy to know that he is on the road to recovery, and to know that he has touched the hearts of people all over the world just as much as he has touched mine.

I will keep you updated about your favorite fashionable pug and his progress!

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Usually these types of ulcers clear up within about 5 days and we thought that JD’s was healed when we went to the vet a week ago and the ophthalmologist cleared him. A day or two later we noticed that he was still squinting and his eye was running. Another trip to the vet revealed that the ulcer either was never healed or had resurfaced. JD was put on another round of eye drops to encourage the ulcer to heal itself, but it has been resistant to treatment. What is odd is that his injury is not behaving like a usual non-healing ulcer, so the several doctors who have looked at him are a bit stumped by his case. JD and I met with his regular vet two days ago, and we learned that JD will likely need a small procedure in order to correct his eye. His vet believes she may have located a small cilia inside the eye that could be agitating the ulcer and preventing it from healing. A specialist will look at this today and determine the best course of action for JD. If he does need a procedure, it will happen this afternoon immediately after the specialist looks at his case. We will keep you updated about his progress. We thank all of you who have shared your love and concern with us. The kindness and care of our customers and friends never ceases to amaze us!

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Want to go above and beyond? Make your own applesauce from fresh, local apples to use in this recipe, or add some thinly grated pieces of local apple to store-bought applesauce.

APPLE BITES DOG SNACK RECIPE

(makes approximately 6 dozen mini-cookies)

Ingredients:

2 cups brown rice flour

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/8 cup ground flax meal

2 eggs (local or organic, if possible)

¼ cup filtered water

¾ cup applesauce (local or organic if possible)

1 Tbsp blackstrap molasses

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease 2 cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, & flax meal.
• In a separate bowl mix the eggs, water, applesauce, molasses, & cinnamon.
• Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients. Stir until all ingredients are completely mixed and have formed a soft dough.
• Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into marble-sized balls.
• Place each ball on the baking sheet and use a fork to flatten. The cookies will not spread much, so they can be placed fairly close together on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the cookies are golden and firm.
• Allow to cool before serving or storing. Store cookies in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze them if you would like them to keep for longer than 10 days.

Need a gift idea for a special pet on his or her birthday? Or perhaps you’ve been invited to a dog-friendly household for an event and want to bring something that will impress your hostess and her furry friends? Make some of these cookies and wrap them up for a sweet treat that is made with a special ingredient: TLC (tender loving care)! Pets and their parents will appreciate your hard work in the kitchen!

Bon Appugtite!

Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.

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Before you get started, take a peek at your jar of peanut butter to make sure that it does not contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is toxic to dogs. Some peanut butter brands were recently in the news when dog owners, believing peanut butter to be safe for dogs, fed it to their pets and their pets became ill. The cause of the problem was that xylitol was used as an additive in these peanut butter brands. Always use the most natural peanut butter possible when making treats for your dog. Look for unsweetened, unsalted varieties and, when possible, buy organic. Most importantly, ALWAYS check the nutrition label to make sure that no sneaky xylitol is in your peanut butter! Lastly, dogs, like humans, can be allergic to peanuts. If your dog has a known peanut allergy, skip this recipe and try one of our nut-free recipes.

Now that you’re in the know about peanut butter, it’s time to bake some cookies for dogs!

CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES RECIPE

(makes approximately 5 dozen mini-cookies)

Ingredients:

¼ cup ground flax meal

½ cup brown rice flour

¾ cup organic crunchy peanut butter

2 eggs (local or organic, if possible) Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, mix the flax meal and brown rice flour.
• Add the peanut butter and eggs.
• Stir until all ingredients are completely mixed and have formed a soft dough.
• Pinch off pieces of dough and roll them into marble-sized balls.
• Flatten each ball slightly in your palm and place it on the baking sheet. The cookies will not spread much, so they can be placed fairly close together on the baking sheet.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until the cookies grow firm. Turn off the oven and allow cookies to remain inside as the oven cools. This gives them a few additional minutes to firm up at a lower temperature.
• Allow to cool before serving or storing. Store cookies in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze them if you would like them to keep for longer than 10 days.

Bon Appugtite! Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.

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One of our favorite health & beauty staples for both people and pets is coconut oil. This healthy fat works wonders both inside and outside of the body. The lauric acid in coconut oil is part of its magic, as it contains antibacterial and anti-fungal properties that dog owners have turned to in order to treat everything from dog breath to skin conditions. Coconut oil is also a good for the metabolism, helps to boost immunity, and may aid with weight loss and brain health. All in all, it’s one of the best natural resources available when it comes to promoting and maintaining health.

When I began adding small amounts of coconut oil to my dogs’ daily meals a few months ago, I didn’t expect to see large improvements, but hoped that their overall health would benefit from this small change. At the time, JD’s arthritis was developing and causing him a great deal of pain. He had a slight limp and was less active than he had once been, which, for any pet parent, is hard to watch when you are used to your pug running and playing all day long. As prescribed by our vet, I began giving JD daily doses of fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin. I remembered that while taking a nutrition course in college I had learned that coconut oil assists with nutrient absorption, so I also began adding 1/4 tsp of coconut oil to JD’s meals with the hope that it would help him to absorb the joint supplements and do its own part to ease his arthritis. Within 2 months I started seeing improvements. JD’s limp gradually disappeared and now only makes an occasional appearance on particularly rainy or humid days when the dampness causes him to feel achy.

Now that I have seen how much it has helped JD, both he and Murphy consume 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil per day in their morning meals.

Here are some ways that you can use coconut oil in your health and beauty regiments:

FOR DOGS:

• Start by adding 1/4 tsp of coconut oil to your dog’s meals for small dogs that weigh approximately 20 lbs. If your dog tolerates it well, increase to 1/2 tsp.
• Use topically to give your dog a shiny coat and healthy skin. Massage your dog with coconut oil for 5-10 minutes, then use a gentle dog shampoo to rinse the oil away. You may have to lather and rinse twice to make certain that you have removed the oil and that your dog won’t have a greasy coat.
• Though we have never tried it, some dog owners brush their dog’s teeth with a few drops of coconut oil! It helps to reduce dog breath and the antibacterial properties in the oil help to clean teeth.

FOR HUMANS:

• Swap out your usual cooking oil for coconut oil in some meals to start adding this healthy oil to your diet. If you are a smoothie drinker, you can add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your favorite blended beverage for a creamy texture.
• Use coconut oil as a hair mask. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes and wash it out with gentle shampoo. As with the dog’s coat treatment, you may have to shampoo twice to remove all oil.
• Use coconut oil as a moisturizer or mask once or twice a week. While coconut oil may help to reduce acne, it can still clog pores, so use with caution if your skin is prone to breakouts. I like to use just a dab of coconut oil under my eyes, over my cheekbones, and around my lips overnight. This gives a dewy glow and helps to soften budding frown lines. If you use the oil on your entire face, I recommend leaving it on as a mask for 10 minutes, then washing the excess off with your usual cleanser.
• Coconut oil is a lovely addition to foot baths. If you are an athlete and prone to stinky feet, add a bit of coconut oil to your next foot soak. It helps to soften skin, reduce odor, and fight off toenail fungus!

I can’t sing enough praise for coconut oil, and I recommend adding this gem to your pantry!

Disclaimer: I am not a vet or nutritionist. I share this article from personal experience, but as with all health decisions, every person and pet responds differently to changes. You should always consult your vet before making changes to your dog’s diet and should also consult your doctor before making changes to your own diet. Speak with your vet or doctor about how coconut oil fits into your healthy routines.

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Yesterday Ringo, our senior pug, gave us quite a scare. Ringo is my parents’ 13 year old, blind little old man who has arthritis and chronic bronchitis. With his age and array of health issues, we’ve come to learn that he will have his good and bad days. For the most part Ringo lives fairly comfortably and his health has vastly improved from what it was a year ago at this time. Recently, Ringo has been walking more and has been displaying more energy and activity, so we are thrilled to see these small changes in him. Since Ringo has been feeling so much better, I was surprised when my mum called yesterday to let me know that she saw blood in Ringo’s urine. My heart sank, as it does whenever I know something is going on with one of the boys. I ran every possible scenario through my mind as I considered what could be causing this issue, and tried to put these thoughts out of my mind as we made our way to the animal hospital.

At the vet we spent nearly 3 hours in the E.R. while we waited for Ringo to go through examinations, ultrasounds, and X-rays. At the end of the night the final prognosis was an aggressive U.T.I. infection. I was actually relieved. While Ringo may be uncomfortable for the next week or two as his body fights off the infection, the condition is treatable.

Senior dogs always bring surprises into the lives of their family members. Their health and behavior can be unpredictable, and every day with them if a gift. Ringo is a favorite among our customers and I wanted to share this story because I know that All You Need is Pug’s followers like to keep up with how Ringo is doing. Other than this slight speed-bump, Ringo is doing well for a dog of senior status. The good vibes and healing wishes that are sent to us by our clients and followers are always tremendously appreciated, and we hope to bring Ringo back to his healthiest possible state soon!

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People who don’t have dogs in their families look perplexed when I talk enthusiastically about how happy it makes me to cook for my pets.  Why not just buy them store bought treats and kibble? they ask. For me, it’s not only my ability to control the limited human-grade ingredients in homemade snacks that makes the habit of home-cooking rewarding, it’s also the TLC that I put into every batch of dog treats that somehow makes me feel so much happier to feed them to my dogs. Call me crazy, but I truly believe that dogs have the ability to appreciate, and the joy on their faces as they eat homemade dog cookies shows me that they are as happy to eat the treats as I am to make them. Recently I have made it a habit to bake a batch of fresh homemade dog cookies each week, incorporating a variety of flavors and ingredients so that the boys get a range of nutrients and avoid getting bored with the same old snacks.

This week, the All You Need is Pug boys are gnoshing on Cheesy Spinach Dog Snacks. These savory cookies are made with cottage cheese, which, in moderation, is a good source of calcium and protein for dogs who are not lactose intolerant. If your dog has not consumed dairy in the past and you are uncertain if he or she is sensitive to lactose, you may want to try giving him or her a small serving to see if dairy is tolerated before making a batch of these snacks. When choosing a brand of cottage cheese for this recipe, look for one that has reduced sodium and fat in order to maximize the healthy quality of this snack. With that in mind, you’re ready to try our dog snack recipe!

CHEESY SPINACH DOG SNACKS RECIPE

(makes approximately 2 dozen cookies)

Ingredients:

¾ cup cottage cheese

¼ cup safflower or olive oil

3 Tbsp local honey

1 packed cup organic spinach

1 ¼ cups brown rice flour

½ cup oat bran

½ tsp baking powder

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• In a large bowl, add cottage cheese, oil, and honey. Stir well.
• In a blender or food processor, add your spinach and the cheese mix. Blend until you have a smooth, green liquid.
• Pour your green mixture back into your bowl and add the flour, oat bran, and baking powder. Stir until you have formed a soft dough.
• Take pieces of dough and roll them into spheres the size of ping-pong balls. Press the ball down between your palms to flatten slightly.
• Place each flattened piece of dough on the cookie sheet. If you’d like to add some texture to the appearance of the cookies, use a fork or mini-whisk (as we have done) to create lines in the surface of each cookie. You can also feel free to form the cookies into different shapes if you are feeling creative!
• Bake cookies for 20-22 minutes, or until they are golden on the bottom and edges.
• Allow cookies to cool before serving or storing. Store cookies in a sealed container in the fridge, or freeze them if you would like them to keep for a longer period of time.
• When serving to your dog, it a good idea to break the cookies into smaller pieces to make them easier to consume, especially for toy and small breeds.

Bon Appugtite!

Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.

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Between the 3 dogs in our family, there are about half a dozen food sensitivities and allergies that we grapple with as we do our best to give them the nutrition that they need. While dealing with allergies to chicken, wheat, eggs, and more, it can be hard for us to find snacks that the boys are both able to have and enjoy. As we mentioned in a previous post, we home-cook our dogs’ meals and recently decided to bake the bulk of their snacks in our own kitchen as well. A recent favorite in our cookie jar is the Salmon Snacker. This cookie is soft and savory, and sure to be a crowd-pleaser among your canine companions. Follow our recipe, or adjust it to suit your pet’s personal needs.

SALMON SNACKERS DOG SNACK RECIPE

(makes 2-3 dozen cookies, depending on size)

Ingredients:

• 13-14 oz. of canned wild-caught salmon, undrained
• ½ cup olive oil
• 1 egg
• 3 cups brown rice flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1 cup filtered water

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
• Place salmon and the liquid inside of the can in a food processor. Add oil and filtered water and process until the mixture is a smooth, liquid consistency.
• In a bowl, use a fork to mix the flour and oat bran. Add the liquefied salmon to the flour mixture and stir until you have an evenly textured soft dough.
• Pinch pieces of dough off of your dough mound and roll them in your hands to create golf ball sized pieces. Place the balls of dough on your baking sheet and press down with your palm to flatten each ball. You can also use a fork (as we have done) or other utensil to press the balls down and give them a nice, textured finish.
• Bake the cookies for 30 minutes, or until firm and lightly golden in color.
• Once cool, store cookies in a sealed container and refrigerate.

Disclaimer: As always, you should be aware of your pet’s health and consult a vet before making any changes to his or her diet, especially if your dog suffers from a disease or illness or takes medications. I am not a vet or animal nutritionist, nor am I responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s diet. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume before attempting to cook for your pet.

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Here in the All You Need is Pug house, we love food! Dog food is a topic that comes up in many conversations we have at events and on social media. All pet parents share the same goal: to raise pets that are happy, healthy, and thriving. Nutrition plays a large role in our pets’ overall health, just as it does in our own. It can be difficult to decide what to feed your pets when there are hundreds of options on the market and many deceiving ads that make not-so-healthy foods seem more beneficial than they actually are. Today, I am shedding some light on how we feed our dogs and why the All You Need is Pug team thinks that there’s nothing better than a good home-cooked meal.

When I rescued JD in 2008, I was 17 years old and a first-time dog owner. At the time, I was a vegetarian considering going vegan. I spent a lot of time reading nutrition books and trying to decide what the best choices were for my body. Despite the fact that I was very conscious about what I fed myself, I didn’t know much about dog nutrition. The day I adopted JD the rescue gave me a bag of kibble from a big-name brand that JD’s previous owner had been feeding him, but immediately I noticed that his stool was loose. I decided to switch brands, and while JD’s stool improved and he seemed content with the kibble, the company that manufactures the kibble made the news when tainted bags of food began affecting pets. That’s when I decided that I couldn’t trust my dog’s nutrition to anyone’s hands but my own.

I went to my local library and ordered every dog nutrition book available in our consortium. I spent weeks reading up on which foods promote health in dogs, and which foods are toxic and dangerous for dogs to eat. I tossed out every bag of kibble and every treat that contained ingredients that weren’t human grade and began to make JD’s food in my own kitchen. What I found is that home cooking for dogs is actually shockingly simple because they can eat many of the healthy foods that we, as humans, should be incorporating into our diets. JD was more than happy to make the switch to wholesome ingredients like green beans, broccoli, eggs, carrots, and oats. He would come running for his meals in a way that he never did when I was pouring his dinner out of a bag. After JD’s first home cooked meal, I never went back to store-bought again.

JD, Murphy, and Ringo are all fed homemade meals twice each day. For those who are curious about what these meals look like, we’ve included a sample recipe below for one of the boys’ favorite dishes.

AN IMPORTANT NOTE:

Before you dive in, I will note that before changing your dog’s diet or making any major health decisions, you should always consult your veterinarian, especially if your pet has a disease, chronic illness, or takes medications. I am not a veterinarian or pet nutritionist and am not responsible for the decisions you make regarding your pet’s health and eating habits. Keep in mind that all pets are different and will respond differently to dietary changes. You should be aware of your pet’s allergies, sensitivities, and medical history. Be sure to take the time to learn the foods that are safe for dogs to consume as well as those that are dangerous for dogs to consume. CityLeash has a helpful list of safe and unsafe foods to help you get started and you can find it on their website.

The Boys’ Blueberry Breakfast Bowl Recipe

Ingredients:
¼ cup dried oats
½ cup filtered water
1 hardboiled egg
2 TBSP butternut squash (cut into tiny cubes and boiled)
1/8 cup chopped broccoli
1 TBSP blueberries
½ TBSP crumbled goat cheese
¼ TBSP coconut oil

Tips & Directions:

• Tip: At the beginning of the week, prepare a large quantity of each of the ingredients and refrigerate them. This will save you time throughout the week. Also, hardboil half a dozen eggs at a time to have them ready for a few meals.
• Tip: Frozen veggies are a great alternative to fresh if you are pressed for time, as they generally only take about 5-10 minutes to prepare. Frozen organic veggies are your best options.
• Cook oats in the filtered water. You can cook the oats in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl, or on the stove in a small pot. Determine cooking time by following the directions on your box of oats.
• Combine all ingredients in your dog’s bowl and serve at room temperature.

Our dogs eat meals similar to these twice daily and also take a natural vitamin and mineral supplement to help fill in any nutritional gaps. We switch up the veggies, fruits, proteins, and grains to ensure that they are getting a wide variety of nutrients, and they look forward to devouring each and every one! If you think that a home cooked diet would be a good option for your dog, take the first step by talking to your vet about healthy choices.

Happy eating!

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