happyhounds

An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

Mon, 26 May 2025 01:35:09 GMT

Why Apples Are a Paws-itively Amazing Treat for Your Dog!

If you've ever been munching on a crisp, juicy apple and caught your pup staring at you with those big, hopeful eyes, you might have wondered—can dogs eat apples? The answer is a resounding YES! Not only can they eat them, but apples are actually a fantastic, healthy treat for your furry best friend. Let’s sink our teeth into why apples are a tail-waggingly good snack and introduce you to the ultimate apple-infused treat your pup will love: our brand-new Apple, Peanut Butter, and Carob Cookie!

An Apple a Day… Keeps the Tail Wagging!

Apples are nature’s perfect little package of sweetness and nutrition, making them a fantastic snack for both humans and canines. Here’s why your dog will love them:

1. Packed with Nutrients

Apples are rich in vitamins A and C, which help support your pup’s immune system, skin, and coat. Plus, they’re full of fiber, which aids digestion and keeps things moving smoothly in the tummy department.

2. Low in Calories, High in Fun

Unlike some high-fat dog treats, apples are naturally low in calories, making them an ideal option for pups watching their waistlines. Whether your dog is an active adventurer or a couch cuddlebug, apples make for a guilt-free, tail-wagging snack.

3. Natural Doggy Dental Care

Crunching on apple slices can actually help clean your dog’s teeth! The natural fibres scrub away plaque and freshen up that doggy breath—because let’s be honest, sometimes our pups could use a little help in that department.

4. Hydration Boost

Apples have a high water content, which makes them a refreshing, hydrating treat—especially on hot days when your pup needs a little extra hydration to stay cool.

5. A Safe, Sweet Alternative

While dogs should never have chocolate, apples provide a naturally sweet and safe alternative for those pups with a sweet tooth. Just make sure to remove the core and seeds, as they contain small amounts of cyanide (which isn’t pup-friendly)!

Taking Apples to the Next Level: Our Apple, Peanut Butter, and Carob Cookie!

Now that you know how awesome apples are for dogs, we’ve taken this nutritious fruit and combined it with two more pup-approved ingredients—peanut butter and carob—to create the ultimate treat!

Why Your Dog Will Go Bananas (or should we say Apples?) for This Cookie:

Apples bring the crunch and the vitamins.

Peanut Butter adds a protein-packed, drool-worthy flavour.

Carob is a safe, dog-friendly chocolate alternative that brings a rich, indulgent taste without any of the risks of real chocolate.

This trifecta of flavours creates a delicious, nutritious, and tail-waggingly delightful cookie that your pup won’t be able to resist!

Get Your Paws on These Treats Today!

Ready to spoil your pup with the perfect apple-inspired snack? Our brand-new Apple, Peanut Butter, and Carob Cookie is available now! Whether you’re training, rewarding, or just showing your pup some love, this treat is the perfect way to say “good dog.”

Don’t wait—grab a pack today and watch your dog’s tail wag with joy! Your furry friend deserves a snack that’s as delicious as it is nutritious.

Christmas Time of Year

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 23:55:23 GMT

It's that time of year to spend more time with our furry friends and maybe even the family

Orders must be received by noon Wednesday 18th December for Christmas delivery.

Central Coast orders must be received by noon Friday the 20th December.

Orders placed after cut off dates will not make it by Christmas.

We will be closed (no more orders taken) from Friday 20th December until Thursday January 2nd 202

Limited stock will be available until January 14th 2025

Our markets will resume February 2024

How does Rosemary help your dog?

jayde.happyhounds@gmail.com (Jayde Collins) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 07:03:42 GMT

Did you know rosemary is an excellent pathogen- fighter against common food bacteria?

Those same pathogen fighters extend to your four-legged friends’ body. These antioxidants help fight against various bacteria and fungus. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage. This evergreen woody herb is no exception. Incorporating rosemary in your dog’s diet flushes toxins and boosts overall health.

Rosemary is antispasmodic it boosts the work of smooth muscles such as those found in the heart. Rosemary leaves boost the digestive function of your pet. This herb isn’t just strong in smell and flavour its also loaded with essential nutrient benefits, Rosemary is high in iron, calcium and essential vitamins A, B and B6, these vitamins are great for good hear health, red blood cell growth and coat health.

If your dog has any underlying conditions such as seizures or serious heart conditions you should also consult your vet prior to giving to your dog. Rosemary should be avoided if your dog is pregnant or has an allergic reaction such as vomiting.

Is pumpkin good for your dog?

jayde.happyhounds@gmail.com (Jayde Collins) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 06:52:31 GMT

You might have heard of dog owners using pumpkin as a remedy for a number of gastrointestinal maladies—everything from diarrhoea to constipation—but is pumpkin safe for dogs?

We are huge pumpkin lovers here at Happy Hound HQ. This nutrient-rich veggie is choc full of the good stuff, endless amounts of minerals is overflowing with vitamin A and decent amounts of vitamin C.

This bright orange vegetable (actually it’s a fruit, but let’s not nit-pick) is jam packed full of anti-oxidants, namely those from the carotenoid family. These little beauties are absorbed and sit in your pooch’s cell membranes to fight oxidative damage and any free radicals that come along.

Is Fido starting to tip the scales in the wrong direction? By adding an appropriate amount of pumpkin to you BFFs (Best Fury Friend) food not only adds volume but fibre to their diet, this helps them feel fuller for longer when you're trying to slim them down*

All that fibre has another helpful benefit- pumpkin has a magic (scientific- soluble and insoluble fibre) ability to both loosen and tighten your dogs bowels. So depending on which area needs help, pumpkin knows and can help!

*Always consult your vet when it comes to helping your tail wagger lose any unwanted weight*

Do you really know how rawhide is made?

jayde.happyhounds@gmail.com (Jayde Collins) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 06:52:13 GMT

Rollin' rollin' rollin' rawhide!

Raw hide is nothing more than a by-product of the leather industry.

The hide of the animal, is dipped into high salt bath to slow the decay which can make it very salty. The hide will also be cleaned with detergent and degreasers and sterilised with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The next step after this is to remove any hair or fat attached which involves harsh chemical combinations, in some regions, arsenic or even formaldehyde is used in this process. Then additional chemicals, such as lime, are used to separate the layers of skin. During this process artificial colours and flavours may be added to make them look and smell more appealing, and they’re then manipulated into fun shapes which can sometimes involve glue. Sounds yummy don't you think?

None of this is mentioned on the packaging, most likely they will claim to be 100% natural, or fully digestible- which I guess if they make it through the digestive tract without causing a blockage (in 5+ days) does count right?

Fact is hundreds of dogs each year die from eating raw hide! Aside from the risk of contamination due to poor processing or the bucket loads of chemicals used to produce these treats (a process if you haven’t already read up on, I recommend you do) the risk of choking, blockages and death is more common. These hard “treats” become a slobbery, rubbery mess that can quite easily get lodged in the oesophagus or part of their digestive tract or make their way through the stomach undigested and cause a blockage without any sign something is wrong, until it is too late.

Raw hide treats really need to be removed from shelves and most importantly removed from the treat jar.

Benefit of Hemp Seed Oil for dogs

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 11:57:57 GMT

Did you know hemp seed oil is one of the best sources of omegas around? It is a true natural powerhouse.

Before we take a look further there a few things you need to know. There are 2 related but VERY different varieties of hemp oil.

1. Hemp Seed Oil goes through a cold pressing process and contains zero cannabinoids or cannabis sativa- In short hemp seed oil contains NO CBD or THC, meaning giving hemp seed oil to your dog will not get it high.

2. Hemp Oil (CBD) is derived from all parts of the plant. Hemp oil is a full spectrum oil. Hemp oil should only be given to your pet under the strict supervision of your vet.

Here we are talking about the former.

Hemp seed oil provides dogs with a rich range of omega 3 and omega fatty acids, it is truly one of the most naturally balanced ways to add omegas into doggos diet. Omegas support skin health, promote joint and hip health and help with cardiovascular function, the omega range help support a healthy immune response when needed. In short you want balanced omegas in your woofers diet.

Its not all about the omegas though. Hemp seed oil offers a wide range of health benefits including gamma -linolenic acid (GLA) (this is just a fancy way of saying good omega 6 fatty acid). GLAs are equally important in supporting fidos health, they are a key anti-inflammatory, regulate hormones and support skin and coat.

Hemp seed oil offers a complete protein punch and contains essential vitamins minerals and antioxidants that help support gut health and wellbeing.

Is it safe for dogs to eat blueberries?

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:51:42 GMT

Yes, dogs can eat blueberries. Blueberries are a great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and more. This fruit is a healthy snack for both large and small dogs, and most pups love them.

These sweet little jewels are the superhero of the fruit world! If you haven’t already included them in your dogs’ diet, you really should- (just like humans, everything in moderation).

Carter is a blueberry-a-holic! He can smell a punnet from 20 paces away.

This nutritional powerhouse is bursting with some of a dogs most essential vitamins and minerals. Blueberries contain the highest antioxidant capacity of all the fruits and vegetables on the planet. What does that mean for your pooch? It means these antioxidants prevent DNA damage- DNA damage leads to aging and cancer development; antioxidants help maintain healthy brain function. Silicon to promote healthy bone growth and connective tissue in dogs. Vitamin A, B complex, C, E and K all essential for eye health, healthy skin and coat, critical cell function, promoting a healthy immune system, improved blood and liver health. Not forgetting to mention selenium, zinc and iron.

These delightfully juicy balls of goodness are seriously underrated.

What are the benefits of cinnamon for dogs?

ted@irez.cc (Ted Edwards) — Thu, 24 Mar 2022 10:51:42 GMT

Cinnamon offers many wonderful health benefits for your dog, and you as well. The secret to these amazing benefits is most likely because of cinnamaldehyde. Scientists believe this is the compound found in cinnamon responsible for health benefits.

Cinnamon is a centuries-old spice that has been used in medicine for hundreds and hundreds of years. There is plenty of evidence to support the use of cinnamon in humans, but is it safe to give to dogs? The short answer is YES! - however like everything in life it should be given in moderation, and you should always watch for signs of a reaction when giving something new to your pooch. Keep reading to learn what some of the health benefits of giving your dog cinnamon are.

In recent years there have been many scientific studies to show the positive impact of including cinnamon in your dogs diet. This aromatic spice contains anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-septic. These same anti- inflammatory properties are an excellent source of pain relief and muscle relaxant. Cinnamon is also a brain food. What does that mean I hear you ask?- It means it helps aid in cognitive ability and function in your dog.

Other studies have shown cinnamon can improve heart health- this study looked at dogs who had cinnamon included in their diet and those who didn't, the dogs which had cinnamon regularly had lower blood pressure and heart rates than the dogs not fed cinnamon. Cinnamon has also been proven to lower and stabilize blood sugar, which especially good for dogs with diabetes.

There are many help benefits to cinnamon, however you can over do it and see negative effects such as gastrointestinal upset, something no pet owner wants to see. So as mentioned at the top of the article, everything in moderation and start out small.