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Looking for a healthy, organic line of dog treats to feed your pooch? Check out Zuke’s, an all natural dog and cat treat company based out of Durango, CO.
The Zuke’s Story
On a hike in 1995, Patrick Meiering noticed that his dog Zuke was becoming exhausted and well on his way to what we humans call “bonking,” or loosing both our marbles and physical capabilities due to low blood sugar. Patrick fed Zuke part of an energy bar, Zuke the dog was revived, and Zuke’s the company was born. Patrick decided to start a company revolving around the principal that pets needed healthy and all natural treats. Zuke’s treats are free of additives, by-products, artificial colors and flavors, and the staff at Zuke’s promises that they won’t put anything into a dog treat that they wouldn’t eat themselves!
Zuke’s, based out of Durango, CO now makes a full line of dog and cat treats, from training treats to dental bones to jerky products. All ingredients are sourced from somewhere within the USA (except the lamb and venison, which comes from New Zealand), and all treats are wheat and soy free. From treats with added Glucosamine and Chondroitin supplements, to training treats to baked biscuits, there’s something for everyone on the Zuke’s menu.
Zuke’s Details
- All treats are wheat and corn free, with no fillers
- All products made in the USA
- No additives
- Treats available for dogs and cats
My thoughts on Zuke’s
My black lab/blue heeler mix, Baker, was the official tester for the Zuke’s products we received. Now, as a lab, he eats everything in sight, so I can’t report back on “he liked this flavor, but not this one.” However, I can report that we tried out the Wild Rabbit Mini-Naturals Treats, the Power Bones and the Hip Action Treats, and he loved all 3. My personal favorite was the Mini-Naturals, as we’re always training and working on new tricks- the small size of the Mini-Naturals makes it easy to grab and handful and treat him each time he does what I’m asking him to do.
I also like the idea behind the Power Bones- it’s formulated as an energy bar for dogs. Now, I know exactly what you’re thinking… An energy bar for dogs? Yeah, ok, I’ll pick one of those up right after I purchase a dog water purifier. Uh-huh. However, I’d say the nutritional principle behind the Power Bones is a solid one. Power Bones are formulated with a protein (beef, chicken or peanut butter), a medley of complex carbohydrates (such as brown rice, oats, barley, or sweet potatoes), and then a simple carbohydrate (sugars from beets). This “protein-complex carb-simple carb” trio sound familiar to you? It should if you’re an energy bar connoisseur. This is the same nutritional idea behind energy bars for humans- simple carbs to digest quickly and elevate your blood sugar immediately, complex carbs that require more time to breakdown and keep your blood sugar up after the boost from the simple carbs, and then protein for extended energy. So, when you pack your micro-pack for your 14 hour ridge run, stuff a few Power Bones in your pack for the hound. He needs energy just like you do!
Overall, I loved the Zuke’s treats we tried out, and so did Baker. Baker loved the taste, and I liked knowing that the dog was getting all natural, wheat and soy free nutrition that had been sourced locally. I believe in eating food of this quality myself, and I like the idea of transferring that principle into what I feed my dog.
;)
