TheWongDogs

Top 5 Things To Check Out At Pet Expo 2015!

Pet Expo is back with their 2015 edition and The Wong Dogs sniff out what are the five top things to do and/or see at this year’s edition!

Happening from 20-22 March 2015 at Singapore Expo Hall 8, Pet Expo is set to be the hallmark pet event for any furkid owner to attend. Note, this list might get longer as The Wong Dogs trawl the humongous halls during the three days.

1. LARGEST SINGAPORE SPECIAL GATHERING

This year, the Singapore Special (Yes, if you did not know, Cole is a Singapore Special) is in the limelight. Conceived at last year’s Pet Expo, the Singapore Special Club (SSC) celebrates its one-year anniversary and if you ask me, there is no better way to commemorate the occasion with the largest gathering of Singapore Specials to date! All shapes, size and colour, there is not one canine that looks alike – Come join like-minded owners who each have their own precious story on how they came about owning and cherishing their Singapore Special! Any excuse for a gathering, right?

Also, the first 100 confirmed registrants will get an exclusive goodie bag, courtesy of B2K PET PRODUCTS

2. TINY KREW

Less than six months in operation and the ladies at Tiny Krew are participating in their very first Pet Expo. Already, this locally-run outfit have garnered a sizeable following with their range of pet products aimed at pet owners with an eye for aesthetics. Tiny Krew will be debuting new products such as the Flying Pig Squeaky Toy and new rope toy designs all from Jax & Bones.

Also, their popular Business Buddy will have more designs to choose from!

For Pet Expo 2015, Tiny Krew is offering a 20% off your total bill when you buy three or more items at their booth. For more information on what Tiny Krew has to offer, check out their website here.

3. B2K PET PRODUCTS BOOTH

Boasting a huge presence at Pet Expo this year, B2K Pet Products usually have promotions and deals that no pet owner should miss! One of Singapore’s fastest growing and biggest pet distributors, they stock popular pet food brands such as Merrick, Canine Caviar, Natural Balance, Primal Pet Foods and Brit Care just to name a few. As with last year, B2K Pet Products are debuting a number of new items to their ever-growing list.

For example, Merrick’s new range of all-natural, grain-free, gluten-free treats, Power Bites, Dental Chews and Kitchen Bites will be available for purchase.

Natural Balance new Jerky Bark treats which contain a single animal protein source along with limited carbohydrates.

What I am most excited to have a look and feel is the introduction of the uber-colourful Touchdog Beds. It seems Cory changes beds more frequently than me!

Those looking for promotional offers will be glad to know that Primal Pet foods will be having an upgraded form of their Buy-1-get-1. Now, buy five sets of those and get a 14oz bag free!

Big dogs are also not forgotten with Natural Balance 14Lbs bags going for only $50!

For the latest updates, visit their Facebook page here.

4. THE BARKERY SINGAPORE

Home-made pet food and treats are all the rage now. That is why it will take a little more to impress pet owners today.

That is why when I heard The Barkery Singapore is going to launch Barkwaursts, the dog-version of the popular American sausage, I got all excited. Made with human-grade ingredients such as liver, bone dust and celery, The Barkery Singapore sticks to their mantra of no artificial preservatives, additives flavourings, colourings, fillers, salt or sugar. For a limited time only, 200g costs only $8.80 (U.P. $10.80). If you would love to pre-order, e-mail sales@sgbarkery.com for more details.

For more updates, visit their Facebook page here.

5. SILVERSKY PTE LTD BOOTH

For the first time, visitors to Pet Expo 2015 will be able to get attractive offers on premium pet food brands such as Wellness, Eagle Pack, Holistic Select and Timberwolf Organics.

In addition, Silversky brings in trusted pet care brands such as TropiClean, Safemade and Cloudstar which any well-informed pet owner will know about.

So far, promotional items include $2 offer coupons on Petz Route while there will be Schesir cat canned food samples and offers up for grabs. However, I heard through the grapevine that offers will be revealed on the day itself.

For the latest news on Silversky, visit their Facebook page here.

Also, here are some extra coupons to check out before heading down! Enjoy!

Labels: b2k, barkery, coupons, dog food, gathering, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, pet expo, silversky, singapore special, the wong dogs, tiny krew, top 5 reasons

❤ "Top 5 Things To Check Out At Pet Expo 2015!" was Posted On: Thursday, 19 March 2015 @03:27 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Treat Of The Week – Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats

Distributed by B2K Pet Products Singapore, Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats is the latest range of treats to be retailing here in Singapore. Aimed at pet owners who are conscious about what goes into the diet of their furkids, these oven-baked goodies are GMO-free, contain no by-products, no artificial colouring flavours, sweeteners and preservatives. Grandma Lucy also uses raw, human-grade ingredients which are sourced locally in the United States, which are USDA-inspected.

Though relatively new here in Singapore, Grandma Lucy’s Organic Dog Treats has been available in the United States for more than a decade. Friends living overseas have also assured me that the brand has had quite a good reputation all these years and so far have not been involved inany food recalls.

But how will these new range of treats stand out in such a competitive market and will pet owners be swayed to feed their canines organically today?

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

I have always loved the use of fruits in the diets of Cory and Cole. However, peach was a relatively new ingredient for the boy so I am still a little biased towards blueberries. Apprehension grew as I realised there are no meat proteins included. Some Singaporean pet owners have also bemoaned the the absence of popular proteins such as lamb and chicken, citing reasons such as picky dogs.

However, The Wong Dogs are not too concerned as Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats are not meant to be a complete diet. In fact, a little meat-free treats might do them good in the long run as there have been studies showing that a diet that has too much protein can lead to several skin and kidney issues.

Upon opening the bag, I immediately realised the strong aroma of fruits which got many of the canines at the dog park running towards me.

The human taste-test revealed Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Basked Dog Treats to be quite tasty. No wonder Cory and Cole could not get enough of these little teddy-bear shaped biscuits. Also, one of the mantras of Grandma Lucy includes, “If it is not good enough for humans to eat, it will never be included in our food or treats…”

Retailing at $26.90, it is a slightly more expensive than most treats. But for a relatively large bag of organic (human-grade) and oven-baked treats that have been USDA-inspected, the price is actually quite reasonable.

Most interestingly, these treats are certified Kosher though one might question how this might be relatable to the majority of Muslims here in Singapore. Especially where there is still a stigma against owning or even touching a dog.

Singaporeans will be glad to know that the entire range Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats is available here and The Wong Dogs cannot wait to check out, and of course for Cory and Cole sample the rest, such as Cranberry and Pumpkin! Hmmm… Since Peach and Blueberry tasted quite good, I might even steal a couple from my next few bags! :p

Labels: b2k, baked, dogs, dry food, grandma lucy, grandma lucy organic dog treats, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, mongrel, pet treats, singapore special, the wong dogs, treat of the week, treats

❤ "Treat Of The Week – Grandma Lucy’s Organic Oven Baked Dog Treats" was Posted On: Friday, 31 October 2014 @01:03 | 0 Wong comments ✿

The Meat Behind A Raw Diet - Primal Pet Foods

A half-day portion for Cole and Cory.

The Wong Dogs are primarily on dry kibble. But what happens when their dear daddy is quarantined at home and food is running low? Well, for this particular time, he had to give in and open a bag of Primal Freeze-Dried Formula ex-colleagues pooled together for Cole’s birthday. Much to the glee of the boys who hovered around me more impatient than usual – Especially that picky eater of a Singapore Special, Cole.

But why all the fuss? After all, if it is truly the most ideal diet out there, I should be practising the ‘Only the best for my dog’ mantra, right?

The Raw Goodness Review

As I have only given Primal Freeze-Formula to the boys, I can only base my experience on this brand. Can you blame me? If I am going to sample anything on for The Wong Dogs, it better be of a certain standard! It definitely can’t hurt if Primal is given the best rating of 5 stars by pet food review site, Dog Food Advisor.

So not happening...

Also, hell no am I going to prepare their meals! Time aside, I am no pet nutritionist and would not even dare take up the task. Due to Cory’s exhaustive list of allergies and intolerances, I went with the Turkey& Sardine Formula. The poultry provides amino and essential fatty acids along with grounded bones which is an excellent source of calcium. Additionally, the sardines are cold-pressed and contains additional omega-3 fatty acids. More than offering raw meat, Primal has gone ahead to add beneficial ingredients such as seeds from pumpkin and sunflower, coconut oil, quinoa, alfalfa and kelp to provide a balanced meal.

After being activated with water.

Giving them Primal takes a little more time as I need to mix the nuggets with water to activate the ingredients. After a week, I notice Cory and Cole producing lesser waste while maintaining the sheen on their coats. I also realised they were a little more alert while on the diet.

On Primal Pet Foods

With companies such as Primal Pet Food stating their theory that a “natural” diet is one which suits canines best, many desperate pet owners have lapped it all up. However, a number of vets have dismissed the idea of a raw diet though recent years have seen more veterinarians supporting the idea.

Dr. Brian Loon of Amber Vet

One veterinarian clinic in particular Amber Vet currently stocks Primal on their premises. Dr Brian Loon of Amber Vet says the clinic acknowledges the potential benefits that some pets show from being on a raw diet though adds that the main concern of most veterinarians is the risk of contamination and incomplete meals, “For pet owners who wish to start their furry charges on this path, we recommend a good quality commercial raw diet that has been formulated to be complete and balanced. These diets have a smaller risk of bacterial food contamination, compared to fresh raw meat meant for human consumption via proper cooking methods.”

A little introductory video on prepping for a Primal Raw Diet meal.

Donut getting ready for his dinner.

David Ong has two dogs, Donut a Miniature Schnauzer and Oreo a Chihuahua and feeds them a raw diet from Primal. One of the main reasons is trying as much as possible not to give them processed food. “They have fluffier coats (especially the Chihuahua) and their canine smell is not so strong. Also, Donut’s beard used to be very yellowish but has lightened by many tones,” he says.

Like Seriously, How Expensive Can It Be?

"Raw doesn't cost that much, daddy. Really! Here is the calculator!"

According to The Wong Dog’s weight, Cory the Miniature Schnauzer at 8kg would require eight nuggets a day while Cole the Singapore Special, weighing at a whopping 22kg will need 22 nuggets daily. The boys are typically fed two meals and wiped clean a 14 oz. (397g) bag in a day. A simple calculation made me go, "woah..."

“B2K Pet Products air freight all Primal stock from the US, costing us a bomb. However, for the ultimate, freshest and quality-assurance, customers are paying for peace of mind with every bag of Primal they purchase,” says Kenneth.

"Oh, please... it is not that much! Don't you spend more on yourself?" - Cory

Don’t get me wrong, if I was a millionaire or maybe even own a tiny Chihuahua, a high-quality raw diet will be most preferred. Maybe, a little “raw-topping” as a supplement to their daily intake?

It may cost more... But did you see how I gobbled everything up?

“For bigger dogs, it is too pricey to live by Primal alone. However, I do recommend customers to feed a topping to their meal in order to keep the cost low. Our big furkids definitely deserve a taste of the best raw food here in Singapore,” says Kenneth.

Labels: b2k, miniature schnauzer, mixed breed, primal pet foods, raw diet

❤ "The Meat Behind A Raw Diet - Primal Pet Foods" was Posted On: Thursday, 11 September 2014 @23:45 | 0 Wong comments ✿

Treat Of The Week - Absolute Plus Coconut Oil for Pets

A couple of months ago, I started to realise that Cole was having extremely flaky skin. Each scratch saw his black coat covered in flakes of snow-like dandruff. Even the vet-approved shampoo made the situation worse and I was desperate for a solution. After getting opinions from a couple of friends and pet food nutritionists, I was introduced to the idea of feeding him coconut oil to alleviate Cole’s symptoms.

Cole's jet-black coat at the side.

With coconut oil being a rich source of medium chain essential fatty acids, his skin started becoming more moisturised and his coat gleamed like never before. A side effect was also the absence of what I would like to call “big dog smell” and I kept thinking he did not need a bath (though after two weeks, he sure needed one). Upon the advice from a couple of dog breeders, I also started applying it to his coat and the compliments to how Cole looked was endless. It was also during this time that I realised many homemade pet treats and bakeries also added coconut oil into their products.

As for Cory, this little tyke has somewhat of a weak stomach, puking once in a while. But after being fed coconut oil for two weeks, he has not vomited since.

There have also been claims that coconut oil reduces the risk of cancer but have not been fully researched yet. Some experts have also told me that coconut oil is ideal in boosting a dog’s metabolism and keeping their weight under control. However, a couple of veterinarians advise against giving more than the recommended dosage as it could result in unhealthy weight gain - especially for inactive dogs.

THE WONG DOGS REVIEW

Okay, this is not really a treat where I can decide when to give the boys. I truly believe that coconut oil should supplement a dog’s meal. With so many benefits, it is hard to withhold it from them – especially when they get so excited during meal times.

Cory and Cole recently started their daily intake of Absolute Plus Coconut Oil for Pets from B2K Pet Products and I can definitely say in the case of Cole, he is more excitable for his meals now. Yes, that bugger of a Singapore Special has a slightly spoiled streak and has been known to reject dry food when he is not in the mood. Due to the weather, I also realised a couple of hot spots on Cole which disappeared in a day when I applied Absolute Plus Coconut Oil for Pets.

Besides the expected gleaming coat and better digestion, I used the coconut oil to moisturise both Cory and Cole's paws due to them walking onpavements more often than soft grass.

A side effect I realised is Cory being more agile than usual. Due to his minor limb issues, he tends to “rabbit hop” now and then. A little research unveiled that coconut oil is able to alleviate certain cases of arthritis and could possibly have contributed to his recent level of activeness.

Unlike their previous bottle of coconut oil, Absolute Plus’s contains raw virgin coconut oil, cold-pressed and 100% organic. This means I have ease of mind that Absolute Plus Coconut Oil is a rich and premium choice which has not been bleached, deodorised or refined. Also, it being cold-pressed allows the coconut oil to be produced via a heat-controlled environment, allowing it to retain the nutritional benefits which are otherwise compromised due to high temperatures.

For more information on where you can buy Absolute Plus Organic Coconut Oil for Pets, click on the picture below: