Choosing a Quality Canned Dog Food with Nature's Logic

I use canned food as part of the Ginger Sisters' rotation diet, and we were already fans of this post's sponsor, Nature's Logic, with their commitment to whole, natural foods. I was happy to spread the word about their food while discussing the benefits of a high quality canned diet. Ruby and Boca enjoyed Nature's Logic Canine Venison Feast for breakfast for the past month, and not only did they both love it, but I'm confident through my research that it is an absolutely top-notch food.

While I feed several different formats, canned dog food has some great benefits:

• high meat content
• the canning process eliminates the need for artificial preservatives
• more moisture in the diet
• can be fed alone, as a topper, or frozen in Kongs

Nature's Logic canned food is grain-free, 100% natural and contains over 90% animal ingredients, all things I keep an eye out for in choosing a canned food. It is a complete and balanced food, meaning it meets AAFCO standards and could be fed exclusively. I can say without hesitation that the Venison Feast was one of picky Ruby's favorite foods she has ever had. She spun in excited circles of anticipation at breakfast-time and licked her bowl clean. 

In looking over the ingredients in Nature's Logic canned food, I am happy with what I see:

Venison, Venison Broth, Venison Liver, Dried Egg Product, Porcine Plasma, Montmorillonite Clay, Herring Oil (Preserved With Mixed Tocopherols), Brewers Dried Yeast, Dried Apple, Dried Apricot, Alfalfa Meal, Dried Artichoke, Dried Blueberry, Dried Broccoli, Dried Carrot, Dried Chicory Root, Dried Cranberry, Dried Kelp, Dried Parsley, Dried Pumpkin, Dried Rosemary, Dried Spinach, Dried Tomato, Rosemary Extract.

That's it! Everything is completely natural, recognizable, with nothing I don't understand or can't pronounce, and none of the thickeners (xanthan gum and carageenan) that are found in many canned foods and which I tend to avoid. My one very minor complaint about the food is that once refrigerated, it can be hard to get out of the can due to its very dry, dense texture. It just makes The Ginger Sisters' mouths water a little longer as they wait for breakfast to be served!

Overall, Nature's Logic has everything I look for in a canned food for my girls: meat as the first ingredient, no grains or fillers (while they are not on a strictly grain free diet, I expect their canned food to have a high protein concentrate) and preferably no gums or binders. I always like to check any food I'm considering on Dog Food Advisor, which gives Nature's Logic a five star rating. I think Boca and Ruby especially will be delighted to have the Venison Feast included in their regular rotation diet. 

This post is sponsored by Nature's Logic. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Nature's Logic pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Nature's Logic is not responsible for the content of this article.

Turdlebag Makes Dog Poop Less Embarrassing + Giveaway

Dog poop is an unavoidable part of life with dogs. It's gross, it's stinky, it's embarrassing, and as responsible dog guardians we have pick it up whenever and wherever they go. Turdlebag promises to make this job a little easier with their poop bag carriers. Not only do they hold a roll of bags, but they are secure and roomy enough to hold a full bag until you reach the nearest waste bin!

This post is sponsored by Turdlebag. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Turdlebag dog waste bag holders, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Turdlebag is not responsible for the content of this post.  

We have many different kinds of bag carriers that clip to leashes or belt loops, but when The Ginger Sisters do their "business," I'm always stuck with a stinky green bag swinging at my side. We are lucky to have many waste bins placed strategically around the complex, but if we venture farther afield the options for pitching the offending parcel grow scarce. 

My dad -  who joins us for walks but leaves all bagging duties to me - cracked me up recently by telling me that it's more embarrassing for men to pick up and carry dog poop. He may be right, because I can't remember the last time I was embarrassed by cleaning up after my dogs, unless you count the mortifying occasions I've been caught at the end of a roll. At least when my neighbors see me with the telltale bundle, they know I'm not one of the rude people leaving their dog's mess on the lawn, lurking under the newly fallen leaves. 

My dad was a great sport about trying the Turdlebag, which turned an awkward chore into a more dignified task. He said he would no longer be embarrassed by Boca's call of nature, since it could be swiftly tucked away in the sturdy Turdlebag. It's so important for pet parents (and pet parents' parents) to set a good example in the neighborhood to ensure our dogs can continue to enjoy public spaces and hopefully be permitted in more places. 

The Portland, Oregon company seems to have thought of everything when it comes to picking up and packing out what our dogs leave behind, with practicality and a sense of humor. The bags come in three colors to match almost any dog-walking ensemble. The red matched Boca's harness and leash while blue fit for Ruby. Leashes are passed though an elastic sleeve on the back of the bag and then secured again with a snap so the bag doesn't flop around. 

The wide opening at the top of the bag accommodates its expected contents (one Turdlebag could hold at least two pit stops from my small and medium dogs), then rolls and clips closed until you are ready to dispose of it. The handle on the bottom allows you to empty the bag directly into a bin. 

The bags dispense smoothly without unspooling into a poop bag banner as I've had happen with other holders, and the Turdlebag is machine washable. It's hard to forget you're carrying a bag of dog poop when it's dangling conspicuously from your hand, but Turdlebag puts it out of sight and out of mind until you reach your disposal destination. They transformed us into happier picker uppers! 

We have dog waste stations at fairly short intervals on our usual route close to home, but I think the Turdlebags will be great to have on hikes. I don't want to be that person who leaves their bag on the side of the trail - meaning to retrieve it on the way back - and I look forward to having these on outdoor excursions next summer. 

Turdlebag is offering one bag in winner's choice of color to one lucky reader. Entrants must be U.S. residents and respond to notification email within 72 hours. Additionally, from December 5th to December 20th, 50% of all sales at the Turdlebag store will be donated to 501c3 animal charities!

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Reasons We Love Rotation Feeding with Open Farm Dog Food

This post is sponsored by Open Farm. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Open Farm's ethically produced pet food, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Open Farm is not responsible for the content of this article.  

Previously, I introduced Open Farm dry dog food with its dedication to humane treatment of farm animals and support of small, local farms and discussed why it was a great choice for me as someone concerned about animal welfare and who chooses to reduce the amount of meat in her own diet. Today I want to highlight why my dogs are on a rotation diet, and how Open Farm fits perfectly into that plan.

I don't want to eat the same thing every day - why should my dogs? Before adopting Ruby it had never occurred to me to change dog food brands or even formulas once I found something that worked. If it isn't broken, don't fix it, right? Between having a picky eater, educating myself about canine nutrition and shopping at local stores that carried higher quality foods, I started to change the way I looked at my dogs' diet. The Ginger Sisters have been on a varied rotation diet for as long as I've had them. We humans ascribe a great deal of meaning to meals, and feeding our pets is one of the most concrete ways we can show them affection. I change brands, recipes and formats regularly so that they eat a little bit of everything. If I have squash or broccoli for dinner I steam some unseasoned for them and set it aside to add through the week. Simply put, it makes me feel good to feed my dogs what they enjoy and what I believe to be good for them. I see their eyes light up when they try something new or get a special treat mixed in with their breakfast or dinner. We have been feeding Open Farm's Pork and Root Vegetable formula for about three weeks now and I seldom see them clean their plates so quickly. Its first five ingredients are humanely raised pork, garbanzo beans, ocean-caught whitefish meal, field peas and green lentils. I'm extremely comfortable with the rest of the ingredients (things like sweet potato, pumpkin and salmon oil) and the girls have been gobbling it up with relish. Even eating out of puzzle bowls, they are sure to hunt down every last morsel. With no food sensitivities, I love that they are getting a variety of proteins and Open Farm uses only fish meal prepared in small batches using seasonal and sustainable fish harvests. I most often feed chicken or turkey for breakfast so I make sure their evening meal contains something different.  

Rotation feeding allows me to make improvements and try new things for my dogs. If not for rotational feeding I would not be continually researching dog food brands and wouldn't know when fantastic new options like Open Farm appear on the market. Right now it is the only Certified Humane brand of kibble available in the U.S. It received a four-and-a-half star rating on Dog Food Advisor. It still has somewhat limited availability, but I'm betting that will change as I know I'm not the only one concerned with feeding locally sourced ingredients and thoughtfully formulated food which also makes an effort to improve conditions for farm animals and encourage family farms. While Open Farm's protein is partially plant derived, this is going to be the case for most dry dog foods, and since I supplement with freeze-dried raw I believe my darling carnivores are getting plenty of meat in their diets. One of the things that is so great about this model of feeding is that it allows me to provide them with higher quality foods than I might be able to feed if I was feeding one thing exclusively. If you are just starting out with the rotation diet it's recommended that you make changes gradually; however, Ruby and Boca are well-accustomed to a diverse diet and I rotate by the box or bag with no issues whatsoever. If I think of it I might pour the last of a bag into the top of a new bag, but generally I make the switch cold turkey (or cold pork or cold venison as might be the case...). Even if you want to stick to one brand, you can rotate between proteins to keep things interesting, such as Open Farm's three recipes: Farmer's Market Pork & Root Vegetable, Homestead Turkey & Chicken and Catch of the Day Whitefish & Green Lentil.

 

Rotation feeding gives me flexibility in my dogs' routine. Because the girls eat dehydrated raw food for breakfast, their evening kibble meal gives me more options for how I feed. They may eat out of their puzzle bowls, with the kibble mixed with leftover veggies, supplemental oils or goat milk,  or I may take the opportunity to feed their kibble portion as rewards in a training session. They especially loved our first samples of Open Farm's three recipes as training treats, and I know that Kimberly at Keep the Tail Wagging uses it the same way even though she is a raw feeder. If the weather is bad and our walk has been abbreviated so that I feel they need a little extra enrichment, I'll break out the frozen Kongs stuffed with canned food. When we travel, I can take sample packs of a new flavor, or a familiar favorite to make eating in an unfamiliar environment a little more enticing. Rotation feeding allows me to mix up not only what I feed, but how I feed.

Rotation feeding is budget-friendly and lets me take advantage of sales. I am a self-proclaimed dog food nerd (there's a support group for that) and I'm also a recovering shopaholic who loves a bargain. Where I used to spend money on bags and shoes I would now much rather fill the dogs' pantry. Seriously, my dad even built me extra shelves in the downstairs coat closet for this purpose. Goodbye, storage for more coats than one person needs - hello, storage for everything The Ginger Sisters need! I love opening the door and gazing at the lovely, organized rows of food, treats and toys. Since I feed a variety of brands, I can stock up when something I use is on sale or try something for the first time. I subscribe to local retailer's email lists and keep tabs on online discount codes. I join loyalty programs and pick up coupons at pet fairs. When an online pet food store offers a flat discount on an order I will pounce on brands I might not be able to get locally, such as Open Farm. As much as The Ginger Sisters love this food, I will be looking for every opportunity to keep it in our lineup. (Already between my first post and now there are two more Colorado stores that have popped up on Open Farm's "Find Retailers" map!) 

Open Farm is most assuredly going to be a part of The Ginger Sister's regular rotation from now on. I am excited for more people to know about this ethically sourced dog food and to see it on more stores' shelves. You can visit Open Farm at their website, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. 

Home Decor for Dog Lovers from Minted.com

This post is sponsored by the online stationery store, Minted.com. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about the art collection, but Rubicon Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers; minted.com is not responsible for the content of this article.

If you're anything like me, your love of dogs extends to your clothing, accessories and home decor. I have canine coffee mugs, art work and t-shirts and unique items with dogs on them always catch my eye. I was recently introduced to Minted's new art collection, offering a variety of prints from a changing collection of artists. I will of course be focusing on the dog-themed art, which ranges from contemporary to whimsical, from photography to painting, but they have art in many categories to suit every taste. I found something for every room of my dog-friendly home! 

For my guest bath, American Idyll 2 by Annie Seaton. I have an ocean theme with retro-style surfing postcards and I think this would fit in perfectly. I love the textures and the quiet moment between the girl and her dog on the beach. Prints are available framed or unframed in a choice of sizes. 

For my kitchen - Pit Stop by Misty Hughes. We all know not to leave our dogs in cars in the summertime, but we'll imagine this a cool day and the owner is coming right back with some tasty diner food! I love the colors and the vintage nostalgia of this photograph. 

For my bedroom, Fox Shadow by Natalie Groves. The Ginger Sisters always remind me of foxes, and I love the unique perspective and soft colors of this wild cousin of theirs, slipping elusively out of sight. One of the coolest things about the art from Minted.com is the option of customization - you can choose your paper, frame, and some of the designs even come in different colorways! 

For my living room, Runny Bunny by Eve Schultz. I have a purple sofa and Ruby is a member of the local bunny patrol, so I think this would be a perfect fit. I think the symmetry and simplicity of the design give it a very modern appeal. I would frame it with the distressed charcoal stain. 

I think that Play Date by Michelee Scott - an uplifting scene of dogs playing on the beach - would look great on my landing. I have an ongoing bird theme throughout my house and think the flock in the sky and the shadows on the sand are both striking and serene. 

It would be difficult to choose just one, and they are adding new designs all the time through crowdsourced design competitions with artists from all over the world submitting their work. Minted's new art collection can be viewed here. Along with art prints, minted.com also has darling personalized stationery, customizable pet holiday cards and dog walker business cards! Check them out Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.