by Admin 2 | Mar 30, 2016 | Dog Nutrition
For months we waited for an outcome in several class action lawsuits against Blue Buffalo for false advertising. Blue Buffalo claims their food does not contain any by-products, wheat, corn or soy. The lawsuits claim that, according to numerous investigations, Blue Buffalo does, in fact, contain these ingredients.
Though Blue Buffalo has refused to admit any wrongdoing, they have agreed to pay $32 million in order to settle these allegations of false advertising. Blue Buffalo acknowledged that a Texas supplier had given them a mislabeled ingredient. The “chicken meal” from the supplier was, in fact, poultry by-product meal – a less expensive ingredient that Struttin Pup refuses to carry in any of its products because it can include ground-up and dried intestines, necks and feet.
This was a tough decision for us to discontinue carrying Blue Buffalo. Bad things can happen to good people. Blue Buffalo may have truly been duped by an unscrupulous supplier. But in the end, we chose to discontinue our relationship with Blue Buffalo because it points to larger problems that Blue Buffalo has – a lack of oversight of its ingredients as well as a lack of testing measures that could have prevented such a problem from happening in the first place.
Consumers who bought Blue Buffalo pet food from May 7, 2008 through December 18, 2015 are eligible to submit claims by April 14, 2016. The settlement will pay $5 for each $50 spent. Those with proof of purchase can receive a total of up to $200. Those without proof of purchases are capped at $10. If you have bought Blue Buffalo from us and are in need of proof of purchase, please contact us. We can help! Please call us at 303-665-3038 or email us at struttinpup@gmail.com and we will look up your past purchases and print you a receipt that you can, in turn, submit at www.petfoodsettlement.com.
by Admin 2 | Mar 22, 2016 | Dog Nutrition
Lately, my new favorite product is raw goat’s milk. I started using it when my three year old golden retriever began belching louder than Barney from The Simpson’s. There’s a lot of buzz about why we should be dairy free, so let me first delve into the difference between cow’s milk and goat’s milk.
Worldwide, goat’s milk, not cow’s milk is the most consumed milk. It has some unique properties that make it a better choice than other milks. The fat molecules are 1/5th the size of those found in cow’s milk, it has a looser curd formation, and a higher concentration of small and medium chain fatty acids which allow it to be digested more quickly and efficiently. Cow’s milk contains alpha-s1-casein protein, which may cause more allergic reactions than goat’s milk. Additionally, cow’s milk contains different forms of the beta-lactoglobulin and alpha-lactalbumin proteins, which have been associated with allergic reactions. Because raw goat’s milk is not pasteurized, lactose intolerant people and pets typically do well on it.
Now that we’ve established that there is a difference between cow’s milk and goat’s milk, let’s look at some of the benefits of goats milk.
- Digestion – Some dogs are just more sensitive than others. Whether it’s gas, loose stools, belching, colitis, diarrhea or IBS, raw goat’s milk can ease your dog’s GI issues. It’s packed with pre and probiotics as well as enzymes which help it wipe out bad bacteria in your dog’s gut and repopulate it with beneficial bacteria. Also, if your dog is on an antibiotic, raw goat’s milk can be invaluable.
- Arthritis or Joint Problems – Raw goat’s milk can help reduce inflammation, pain and swelling. It speeds up tissue repair and helps improve circulation.
- Allergies – Due to its high level of capryclic acid, raw goat’s milk helps fight yeast infections that often occur in response to allergies. It’s a natural antihistamine and contains anti-mucous and anti-inflammatory properties which make it perfect for dogs with food or environmental allergies.
- Immune Booster – Because of the amount of vitamins, trace minerals, fatty acids and enzymes, raw goat’s milk can enhance your dog’s overall health. It’s been shown to fight many common ailments such as kidney issues, liver disease, cancers, diabetes, heart disease, ulcers and various nervous system and brain disorders.
- Malnutrition and Pickiness – Because raw goat’s milk is a great source of easily absorbable protein, it’s a great, healthy, way to gain weight. My dog can attest to it’s palatability. It’s a great topper to add to your picky dog’s food to entice him to eat! It can also be used as a replacement milk for kittens and puppies.
Struttin Pup carries raw goat’s milk from several different companies, like Answers, Primal and Big Bark. All are slightly different (some contain turmeric, some contain honey and cinnamon, some contain ginger, etc) so stop by and ask us for help in choosing the perfect one for your pet!
