I just recently read an article about a new beer for dogs, and that got me thinking…as it should. After all, I’ve long warned people about the hazards of giving human foods (and drinks) to dogs, and alcohol is one of the biggest of the BIG no-no foods. Also, hops can cause dogs to suffer serious gastrointestinal issues, meaning beer is a double whammy.
So, why on earth would people who love dogs sell them beer? Well, my research helped me shed light on the issue and one of the articles I discovered had this headline: “Yes, Getting Your Pet Fake-Drunk is a Thing…and a Business”.
Now, we all know that billions are spent on pets every year, and though I thought the “niche” had been completely filled out, I was soon to learn that pet beverages are a growing area of interest.
Kick Back With a Cold One
As one of the articles said, “On summer weekends, as shadows stretch over the fresh-mown grass, and the flag hangs torpid in the swelter, it’s only natural to want to share a beer with your dog,” and I totally get that point! I’d love to figure out the human-canine equivalent of a beer with friends so that Janice, Leroy and myself might enjoy something cool to drink as we (actually, they) soak in the (kiddie) pool on a hot day.
Until now, I thought a few ice cubes in their water bowl was the only upgraded version of a drink, but beer (and wine) for dogs and cats is a real thing. Without any alcohol, hops, carbonation or other potentially harmful things, it is a tasty beverage that can contain a blend of barley malt, chicken flavoring, flax, dandelion and more. The goal of the different brands is NOT to taste like beer but to be a way to give your dog a visual cue (i.e. the beer bottle) and let them know its time to sit back and “socialize” with their pack mates.
Dog’s Products On Amazon
Table could not be displayed.This, as my readers might recognize, is a wonderfully healthy thing for a dog and its human family. Bonding is crucial to a dog’s well-being and it is always beneficial to human health too. As I recently wrote, mutual gazing (when dogs and their people look into one another’s eyes) causes the brain to make oxytocin – the same agent that is created when parents gaze into the eyes of their children.
This goes beyond pet ownership, though. After all, one aspect of therapy dogs is the fact that they cue that same response in the elderly or infirm individuals they visit. So, sitting with your dog on a Friday night, cracking open a few beers and spending time together is the proverbial win-win.
And if you are worried that your dog might develop a beer belly from too much dog beer, most of the makers of these products also have dog health in mind. For example, one manufacturer says that ensuring that what we “feed them is healthy, not just something we’ve designed for ourselves and hope is healthy for dogs,” guides their brand.
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That same company is also developing an herbal drink that soothes anxiety with natural, safe and dog-friendly herbs such as lavender and rose petal – two compounds often including in anti-anxiety blends.
And while we are on the subject of herbal tea…
A Spot of Tea?[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B01LQPTAQW” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41WQYmgye-L.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”250″]
Without herbs my kitchen productions would be far less appealing. Our back yard has a nice little patch given over to a few types of mint and “balms”, a few types of thyme, a large area of German Chamomile, seasonal favorites (basil, dill, rosemary etc.), calendula, and more. I even have a massive bed of catnip (honestly, don’t ever plant it because it has plans to take over the world) for the neighbor’s cats to enjoy.
However, as I dug into the issue of beverages for dogs, I ran across an astonishing number of articles that told me that herbal teas and drinks would be quite beneficial to a puppo. In fact, there are companies already making tea bags and herbal tea products specifically for dogs!
For example, Teapet is a firm that sells tea time treats for pups, as is Woof & Brew (a UK based firm) that also makes [easyazon_link identifier=”B01LQPTAQW” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]beer for dogs[/easyazon_link]. Their tea bags are designed with specific goals such as freshening the breath, improving the coat, supporting digestion and relaxing an anxious puppo. They use blends of dog-safe herbs such as fungreek and lime flower or ginseng and dandelion.
The point of dog tea, however, is to be healthy for the dog (much like the beers). So, if you are not the beer-drinking kind, but do like a nice cup of tea with a friend, these teas can be a wonderful way to bond with your dog.
There are a few caveats to serving your dogs tea, though, so let’s go over them briefly:
- When made with the right herbs, tea for dogs can provide a lot of antioxidants that can help combat cancer, oxygenate blood and clear toxins from the body. They can also combat neurological issues and heart disease – so a cup of tea is a good thing if made from natural, organic plants and dog-friendly herbs.
- Never give a dog hot tea. Yes, you must brew it with hot water, but let it cool to room temperature or cool and dilute it with ice cubes before serving.
- Do not leave the herbs loose in the tea. Infusing the water with the leaves is ideal, but you shouldn’t let your dog consume the herbs or plant material.
- Never use any herb or plant unless you know that it is absolutely safe for a dog. Not all human safe herbal teas are safe for your dog. This goes for herbs as well as plants, flowers, and seeds. Also consider that some commercial teas have caffeine, which is toxic to dogs and can even have additives.
- You can add a bit of honey or fruit to sweeten a tea, but never artificial sugar or real sugar. They should never have any sort of processed sweeteners and that includes things like Splenda. Honey or fruit…that’s it!
And as for dog safe herbs, here are some of the best and safest to use for tea time with your puppo:
- Chamomile – The best herb for tea as it is so soothing and relaxing. It is also ideal for digestive trouble
- and is even great as a wash if your dog is dealing with a rash or inflammation on their skin.
- Oregano – I know, tea that smells like pizza is not a big human favorite, but when you use it as an ingredient in tea it helps your dog’s upset or gassy belly, and if you want the best benefits from it, a product like Oregapet is very helpful.
- Echinacea – I’ve used it for years to help combat bacteria and viruses, and dogs can do the same. It supports the lymphatic system too!
- Rosemary – High in nutrients like vitamin B, calcium and iron it is a potent natural antioxidant and a good way to boost a pup’s health with a cup of tea.
- Licorice root – I am not a big fan of licorice the candy, but love licorice root tea for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to alleviate joint pain. Though I have not seen it in action, I have been told that it also helps heal ulcers in dogs.
- Peppermint – Whether you call it by name or “peppermint” as we do in our household, it is ideal for easing car sickness, upset stomach, gassiness and even radiation issues if a puppo is dealing with chemotherapy.
- Basil – I have to watch the garden during the summer season since Leroy discovered this is a tasty nibble. It is high in antiviral, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and seems to have a taste that dogs love as much as people do.
- Parsley – Cases of dragon breath can start to be addressed with a bit of parsley, but it is also packed with vitamins, antioxidants and flavonoids. And though dogs cannot eat tomatoes to enjoy high amounts of lycopene, they can get a good amount from parsley. CAUTION: Keep in mind that “spring parsley” is NOT the same as flat leaf (Petroselinum crispum) parsley and is actually toxic to dogs.
- Calendula petals – These are amazing antibacterial in nature and you can make them into a tea that can be used as a wash or a safe drink.
- Ginger – Just as this cures a humans tummy troubles, so too can it help a dog with digestive upset when a small amount of the root is brewed into a tea.
So, feel free to whip up your own brews or buy tea bags and then plan a regular tea time with your pup.
Smoothies for All
And if you are neither a beer or tea drinker, smoothies are a good option. They are excellent on a hot day and ideal as a way to get an aging or ailing pup to take in nutrients, fluids, fiber and more. When making smoothies, though, keep in mind that dogs are not likely to drink huge amounts of fluid all at once, nor are they going to be able to eat the same smoothies as humans.
I’ve done a lot of writing about foods poisonous to dogs and things you cannot feed your dog. Those foods still apply when it is a smoothie. Because I am a multi-tasker and happies when killing those two proverbial birds with a single stone, I’ve pulled together a few dog-safe and people-friendly smoothie recipes that you can whip up and share with your pal.
Now, I need to be a bit of a pain in the neck here, but if you want the most out of these smoothies in terms of flavor and nutrients, you’ll want to buy organic ingredients when possible and use only the freshest items. With that in mind, here are some great recipes:
Tropikale Smoothie for Two
Ingredients:
- 1 cup coconut water
- 1 tbsp flaxseed oil
- 1 banana frozen
- 1 big handful of fresh kale
- 9 big chunks of fresh pineapple
Directions:
Put everything into a powerful blender, pulse to begin mixing and chopping, then puree to your desired texture and serve.
PB & J Smoothie for Two
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp honey
- 8 small strawberries (frozen)
- 2 generous tablespoons of peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 5 oz Greek yogurt (I go full fat but you can do 2% or less if you want), unsweetened and unflavored
Directions:
Put everything into a powerful blender, pulse to begin mixing and chopping, then puree to your desired texture and serve.
The Orangest Smoothie Ever
Ingredients:
- 1 cup water
- 1 orange, peeled with seeds removed
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 tbsp sunflower seeds
- 3 large carrots, if organic you can leave them unpeeled and just cut into large chunks
- 1 tsp turmeric
- ½ cup ice cubes
Directions:
Put everything into a powerful blender, pulse to begin mixing and chopping, then puree to your desired texture and serve.
An Apple Today[easyazon_image align=”right” cart=”n” cloak=”y” height=”250″ identifier=”B00NB3W1PA” locale=”US” localize=”y” nw=”y” nf=”y” src=”https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/510ld41wDrL.jpg” tag=”natur0da-20″ width=”190″]
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup raw cashews that have been soaked overnight
- 1 tsp [easyazon_link identifier=”B00NB3W1PA” locale=”US” nw=”y” nf=”y” tag=”natur0da-20″ cart=”n” cloak=”y” localize=”y” popups=”n”]Lucuma Powder[/easyazon_link] (This is a superfood from the highlands of Peru, Ecuador and Chile) and gives a very nice flavor
- 1 banana, peeled
- 1 apple (a sweet variety like Red Delicious is best), chopped and be sure ALL seeds are removed
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup ice
Directions:
Put everything into a powerful blender, pulse to begin mixing and chopping, then puree to your desired texture and serve.
Believe it or not, bot Janice and Leroy really enjoy sharing smoothies with me, but we usually enjoy them as a sort of dessert. I sit on the kitchen floor and sip my small glass while they lap theirs up, noisily and sloppily, out of bowls. They get a nice bit of nutrition and flavor and we all feel like it is a bit of a cheat or treat.
Bonding is the name of the game with most human-dog beverages, and when you plan an afternoon beer, tea time or evening smoothie for dessert with your puppos, it is a total win-win every time.
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Dog’s Products On Amazon
Table could not be displayed.Related Content:
11 Things a Dog Really Needs from a Human
9 Common Household Items That Can Poison Your Dog
Your Dog is Not a Human, So Don’t Feed Him Like One!
Source
http://everydog.us/blog/2015/july/07/6-teas-that-can-benefit-your-dogs-health/
https://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_herbs
http://blog.vetdepot.com/your-dog-could-be-benefiting-from-tea
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/10853075/Herbal-tea-for-dogs.html