Halo’s new line of biscuit Liv-a-Littles treats — like all of its other products — is chock-full of healthy foods.

The dog treats include five different varieties: oats and chicken; oats and beef and liver; pumpkin and peanuts; a salmon, fruit, vegetable treat with Dream Coat; even one with green tea, cranberry, chicken and cheese. Cats have two new treats– a seafood medley and a chicken treat.

“We focused very strongly on complete nutrition,” says Bettie Hamilton, who spearheaded these treats, the first biscuit/cookie treats for Halo which retail for $4.99 a package. “These biscuits are all natural and are baked so they have a cookie approach, and the act of chewing is good for a dog.”

To show consumers just how nutritious and natural the treats are, Halo hired Maine-based photographer Angela Coulombe to do a photo shoot using the fresh products that go into a treat. The result, as you see on this page, is yummy.

“I was amazed what went into the food, what fantastic ingredients went in there,” says Coulombe. “I was highly impressed with the amount of vegetables and grains in it, and I wanted to bring that out.”

Hamilton says that in creating the treats, “we were very careful not to include things that are high calories, they are smart calories.”

Q: I purchased 3 large packages of your dry cat food that says it is for indoor cats, sensitive stomachs etc. I have noticed that my cats throw up more often than when they were on other brands of cat food. Your ingredients seem so much better for them. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks,
Jean

A: Hi Jean,
Thanks for trying Halo. Even the highest quality food can cause digestive upset if it is introduced too quickly and cats are notorious for stomach upset with food changes. This happens because the bacteria and enzymes within the digestive system have to adapt to the new food in order to properly digest it. If you have been feeding the new food for less than 2 weeks, be patient, the problem may resolve itself. In general, for patients with sensitive stomachs I recommend the following diet transition:

Day 1, 2, 3, 4 – 75% old food, 25% Halo food
Day 5, 6, 7, 8 – 50% old food, 50% Halo food
Day 9, 10, 11, 12 – 25% old food, 75% Halo food
Day 13 and on – 100% Halo food

The other possibility is binge eating. Often when cats are switched to a superior food, it tastes better than some of the foods they were previously eating and so they binge at the bowl! This over-eating is often a problem with cats that are free fed (have access to food throughout the day) and can definitely lead to vomiting. I recommend placing small portions of food out two to three times daily to cut down on this problem.

If the vomiting persists, please see your veterinarian as there may be another cause.

Hope that helps.
Keep us posted.
Dr. Donna Spector

We’re thrilled to partner with Whole Foods in Coral Springs, Florida to provide these nice gift bags to dog rescuers this month! Here’s the press release:

Media Alert – For Immediate Release

What: To promote animal rescue, Whole Foods Market of Coral Springs offers anyone who adopts a dog from an animal shelter a complimentary “Rescue Me Doggy Bag” full of pet products while supplies last. Each bag includes an organic cotton 365 Everyday Value™ dog collar, 1 lb. bag of Halo Purely For Pets brand Wild Salmon dog food, sample sizes of their Liv-a-Littles dog treats, herbal pet shampoo and herbal healing salve in addition to a $5 coupon valid towards the $25 purchase of any pet products available at the natural & organic foods store located at 810 University Drive.

Who: Customers are required to show written proof of dog adoption dated June 15, 2009 or later to the store’s customer service desk to redeem their free gift until supplies run out. Limit one “Rescue Me Doggy Bag” per household. No purchase necessary. See store for details.

Whole Foods Market Coral Springs plans Dog Adoption events at the store throughout the summer with local non-profit rescue groups. Dates and times of dog adoption events are to be determined and will be added to the store’s website.

Where: Whole Foods Market Coral Springs
810 University Drive
Coral Springs, Florida 33071
Phone: 954-753-8000

CONTACT: Jonny Rose at jonny.rose@wholefoods.com or 954-753-8000 ext. 241

Imagine quitting your job, packing up your belongings and walking from Austin to Boston with your two Great Pyrenees.

That 2,400-mile trek is exactly what Luke Robinson is doing with his “boys” Murphy and Hudson to raise awareness of canine cancer.

The trio left Texas in March, 2008 and are now in Ohio.

The inspiration for this journey began in 2006, when Robinson’s Great Pyrenees Malcolm died of osteosarcoma. Robinson, who worked in technology, was so shaken by Malcolm’s death and what he found was a lack of treatment for and research of canine cancer, that he quit his job and hit the road.

Click here to check out the boys’ website and follow them on Twitter — Murphy and Hudson have their own account, as does Robinson — or click here to check out their blog.

Two art exhibits in Syracuse, New York feature the works of an artist who aims to change the perception of pit bulls as fighting dogs.

Cyrus Mejia, a Best Friends Animal Sanctuary founder and painter, created 22 striking portraits of former football star Michael Vick’s dogs who are now living at Best Friends and are called the Vicktory dogs.

Click here to check out the portraits.

Halo is a big supporter of Best Friends, and now many of the Vicktory dogs are enjoying Spot’s Stew.