Full disclosure: This is an uncompensated review post and the opinions expressed within are strictly my own. The BARKSTERS Krisps products I reviewed and that are offered in this giveaway were complimentary ones provided by Loving Pet Products.
UPDATE: This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Sara and her dog, Molson! Thanks to all who entered. Be sure to heck out other giveaways going on this week at gfe.
Yes, with a product name like BARKSTERS Krisps, I probably didn’t even have to add the amplifying information in my post title. It’s going to be a good day for dog lovers here at gfe, and I’m really, really excited! Truthfully, there have been few times I have gotten really, really excited about the products I’ve been sent for review. Don’t get me wrong, if I accept a product, it meets the gfe approach and usually makes me very happy, but some review offers are just super special. Receiving the Bombora and CooranBong Australian vodkas, award-winning spirits distilled from grapes, had me very excited (Pom-Bom-Spice-tini, anyone?). Getting New Planet Beer to share with Son and Mr. GFE was a major high point. Then sipping their ales and enjoying Beer “Can” Chicken on my birthday weekend as a result was awfully nice. Receiving a couple of cases of POM Wonderful pomegranate juice and pomegranates from my participation in the POM Blogger Harvest Festival was pretty special. (I love POM Wonderful juice “as is” or in recipes: POM’d Pork, POMerdoodle Ice Cream, Chocolate POMerdoodle Ice Cream, and of course, the aforementioned Pom-Bom-Spice-Tini.) Those are just major highlights; I’ve truly had some great opportunities. However, when Kristina (Spabettie) mentioned that her “too cute for words” dachshund, Basil, had received “goodies” to review (and it wasn’t the first time), I admit that I was jealous. I even said something to that effect in comments. I wanted some freebies for our own dog, Sonny.
Sonny, our tri-color rescue collie, happens to be the sweetest, smartest, and, of course, the best dog in the world. I know you are laughing and thinking, “hey, that’s my dog!” You’re right, of course. Each of us has the best dog in the world—with all the other superlatives that go with that designation. Incidentally, if you have more than one dog, I don’t know how you handle that issue. I’m the mom of both an only child and an only dog, so I have no experience in that area. But back to my wonder dog … he has so many fine characteristics that I can’t even list them all! It only took one camping trip to find out that he’s a natural for tent camping and canoeing. He has three trips to his credit so far with many more to come. He’s an outstanding dog that deserves all the best in life. So imagine my delight when lo and behold, the review gods spoke in the form of a representative from Loving Pets offering their BARKSTER Krisps for Sonny’s review. Yes, they called him by name … smart marketing folks! Sonny’s been gluten free and grain free almost since we brought him home, so again I was super excited for him to get the opportunity to review these healthy gluten-free treats. So here I am doing a pet product review. Oh, wait I mean Sonny, or really both of us, because as smart as Sonny he is, he can’t blog. So I guess Sonny and I are actually collaborating on this post.
Now while I could make up what he was thinking when he was offered these treats and tried them, that’s best left to my friend, Ricki (Diet, Dessert, and Dogs). She does an outstanding job “channeling” her girls, Elsie and Chaser. If you’re a dog lover, her blog is one to follow. But for Sonny, I’ll just show you some photos (some of them simply to prove he is the smartest, sweetest, and best dog in the world) and tell you that he loves these dog treats. We received Brown Rice and Beef, Alfalfa and Liver, and Sweet Potato and Chicken. His absolute favorite is the Alfalfa and Liver BARKSTERS Krisps. That proves that he is my ‘furbaby” son as I’m a liver lover myself. There’s some additional info on these treats further down.
BARKSTERS Krisps (from Loving Pets) are low-calorie, wheat-free, gluten-free, by-product-free, preservative-free, and are made in the USA from 100% USA farm-grown ingredients, including some immune-boosting California Rice Bran Oil. The texture is a bit like a Sun Chip (they are really pretty tasty even for humans!).
3 Base ingredients/9 combinations:
• Alfalfa/Chicken
• Alfalfa/Beef
• Alfalfa/Liver
• Brown Rice/Chicken
• Brown Rice/Beef
• Brown Rice/Liver
• Sweet Potato/Chicken
• Sweet Potato/Beef
• Sweet Potato/Liver
Take special note of this comment from Loving Pets description: “The texture is a bit like a Sun Chip (they are really pretty tasty even for humans!).” Some of our friends visited us while camping this weekend and actually all four of them tried the Sweet Potato and Chicken variety. It was their idea, not mine, but all said that the BARKSTERS Krisps tasted good and did resemble Sun Chips in taste and texture! One said that the sweet potato flavor came through nicely. The Loving Pets representative told me that sometimes both pets and their owners eat these Krisps, but I know nothing about cross-contamination or the certified gluten-free status of these treats at this time. So personally I’m recommending that they just be enjoyed by your pooches for now!
I do feel comfortable handling BARKSTERS Krisps though and that’s often the initial driver for gluten-free pet owners putting their pets on a gluten-free diet—no fear of “glutenizing” the humans in the family. But there’s considerable evidence that supports pets being on a gluten-free diet and more veterinarians are even recommending grain-free diets. We have a support group member who is a holistic veterinarian who recommends grain-free, and ideally raw foods, primarily meat for one’s dog. Interestingly enough, she thinks corn is even more of a problem for dogs and cats than gluten. Read more on pets and their gluten issues at the site of Dogtor J. Dogtor J is John B. Symes, D.V.M. He not only talks about how gluten and other foods can adversely affect your pets (e.g., arthritis, seizures, allergies, hot spots), but covers more than that: “Food Intolerance in Pets and Their People.” My dear friend, Melissa (Gluten Free For Good), also shared her beloved dog’s recovery from multiple health issues by following a gluten-free diet in this post.
Finally, the best part—the giveaway! One gfe reader will receive two bags of BARKSTERS Krisps and a fashionable Dolce pet dish (your choice on color and pint or quart size–check out the specs on these; they’re cool bowls!). The giveaway will end Saturday, July 16, at midnight Eastern. Enter per guidelines below. Only one entry is needed; the rest are optional additional entries. Note that each must be entered separately to count as separate entries.
~ Leave a comment telling me why your dog is the ______ dog in the world, and/or tell me if your dog is eating gluten free (or grain free) and share any health benefits experienced.
~ Tweet about the giveaway. Include @Shirleygfe in your tweet. Leave a comment.
~ Share the giveaway on Facebook. Tag gfe in your status. Leave a comment.
~ Subscribe to gfe via email or reader. Leave a comment.
~ Like Loving Pets and/or gfe on Facebook. Leave a comment.
~ Last, don’t forget to hug your dog today! Leave a comment.
p.s.—Loving Pets also has a gluten-free, vegetarian treat option, Vegitopia. I’m hoping Sonny will get to review those, too. You know what that would mean …
Finally, the best part—the giveaway!
Susan W. says
I subscribe to your RSS feed and my Great Danes love my gluten free cooking. I have a Dane/Boxer mix who is very picky but she has yet to turn down anything that’s gluten free. But she has no problem turning down wheat products when my non-gluten free husband tries to slip her a bite! LOL!
Cherie says
You have the best giveaways!! It is crazy! My dogs are just the best. They let my kids climb all over them and otherwise drive them crazy and then never ever do they do more to the kids then give them a great big lick and a head nudge for a hug!! That is what makes them, just the best!!
Ina Gawne says
I love your Sonny! What a gorgeous dog! Not only is he gorgeous, he looks like he has the sweetest personality! p.s. I think dogs are quicker at grabbing the treat than cats are…love the last photo…can I have more please?
Kristina @ spabettie says
your pup is stunningly beautiful! 🙂 I’ve grown up with dachshunds, all as cute as my Basil, and when I was a kid our neighbors had a beautiful collie like Sonny.
isn’t it SO fun when companies contact your DOG? you’re so right, GREAT marketing! 🙂
valerie at citylifeeats says
Not entering the giveaway as I don’t have a dog but wanted to say your dog looks gorgeous and seems so sweet.
Ricki says
First of all, that Sonny is just toooooo cute! Dreamy, even! He’s adorable and so sweet looking. I want to give him a big kiss! And those treats–out of this world. You have no idea how much we–oops, I mean “my Girls”–would love to try those! I’m just drooling at the thought! What a fabulous giveaway!
Oh, and of course Chaser and I–oops, I mean “my Girls”–are just the best, smartest, cutest, most loving dogs EVER in the universe! They even know how to type! And we would–I mean, THEY would–undoubtedly just LOVE these treats!! Pick us, pick us!!
Love, Els–oops, I mean, Ricki! 😀
Heather @Gluten-Free Cat says
Shirley, Sonny is precious!!! While I don’t have dogs (so don’t enter me in the contest), I love all animals wish I could give Sonny a big hug! I can tell just how much joy Sonny brings to your life. Great review!
Beverly says
My yellow Lab, Zippy, will be 3 August 1st. He’s been gluten free since the beginning of this year to help with his seizures. He has epilepsy and the the number of seizures has decreased since we both went gluten free. (I started shortly after Zippy did to help with my migraines.) Zippy’s coat has become really silky and soft while being gluten free. I know he’d LOVE to have some treats and a new doggie bowl for his birthday.
Cindy says
My dog, Pheobe, is one of the sweetest – and smallest dogs. She’s only 6 pounds of white fluff. I’ve never done gf dog food or treats for her but I like the idea because I do worry about cross contamination for myself.
Kathleen says
I just adopted Samson, an older dog scheduled to be “put to sleep” at a local shelter. He is a wonderful companion and makes me laugh every day! We both eat gluten free!!
Linda says
What fun! You know how much I love my dogs. I have a boy and girl and they are as different as, well, boys and girls. So I think they are both the best dogs in the world in their unique ways.
I love seeing all the pictures of Sonny. Thanks for sharing them!
Linda says
I posted the giveaway on my Facebook page.
Linda says
I subscribe by email and RSS!
Linda says
I gave my dogs a hug. They get lots of attention in this house.
Linda says
I tweeted the giveaway!
Claire says
I don’t have a dog, but if I won I would give these to my friend Molly. Her dog, Crissy, is one of the sweetest dogs I know! 🙂
Claire says
I liked gfe on Facebook!
Claire says
I subscribe to gfe by RSS on my mobile!
Andrea says
My dog passed almost 2 years ago, miss her dearly. I am now the best dog sitter ever! I have 2 friends with GF dogs, so I would love to share the treats with them!
Claire says
I posted your blog entry & giveaway on my Facebook page! When I tried to tag gfe it didn’t work.
Keri says
Two of my daughters were diagnosed with Celiac just a week ago. Through frantic searches to try to find help with how to begin living gluten free, I came across your very helpful site. We have a 2 year old shih-tzu, Tokie, who likes to give them lots of kisses, so I think it’s a very good idea for him to be gluten free, too! Thanks for all the good info!
cheryl says
is that Mr. Gfe in the photo with Sonny?
We have no canines (by request of our felines) but I will give them hugs later.
Sara says
My dog Molson (chocolate lab) is the greatest dog ever and truly lives up to the phrase “man’s best friend.” We got him as a puppy just before a lot of my health problems became really bad and he was a great support for me all the way through to my diagnosis. He is not completely gluten free but enjoys when I “drop” a GF treat.
Sara says
I liked Loving Pets on FB.
Sara says
I gave Molson a hug especially for this.
InTolerantChef says
Our German Shepherd is loving and dopey!
He will eat anything and all leftovers except rice, even if I put a nice sauce on it. We gave him some frothy milk a while back-it’s winter here and he just barked and barked at it. We have to have the veggie patch fenced off as he steals them, his favourite are broccoli, strawberries and cherry tomatoes- he curls back his lips and nibbles them gently off the vine when they grow over the wire fence, now he has succesfully spread the seeds through the whole yard and they come up everywhere like weeds. Maybe he’s not so dopey and that was his master plan in the first place? He can graze on tomatoes all summer long!
Renee says
I love the picture of Sonny sitting in the chair! I hope his issues have cleared up.
My two labbie boys are the bestest dogs in the whole world! They have both been gluten free their entire lives (5+ years) and now we are even doing the raw meat diet for them both (8+ months). The raw diet has been great for them too. Beautiful coats, more spunk, they’re leaner and very small poos! It has also cleared up chronic ear infections for the one and chronic urinary tract infections for the other one. We’re sold! But they do still love their (GF!) treats. I haven’t seen this brand so I am sure they’d love to try them.
Renee says
I already subscribe to GFE via email.
Renee says
My boys have had a lot of hugs already today, they are spoiled rotten. Although they probably hate all the mom hugs. In the spirit of Ricki: “Geez, mom, can you lay off the hugs, it’s kinda embarassing…”
Renee says
And I like GFE on FB.
Chef Froggie says
My dog is the best dog in the world because, well, he just is! Shado is cute and has even gotten my brother who doesn’t like dogs to smile and be ok with him around. And Shado sure makes us laugh, and loves to cuddle. And best yet, while I’ve been away from home for the summer, each time I skype my family he hears my voice and runs off around the house looking for me (even after over a month). When he wouldn’t find me he would start licking everyone around him (and even somehow managed a lick on the computer screen right on my nose once).
I can’t wait to get back home and give him a real hug rather than a virtual hug!
Chef Froggie says
Tweeted about the giveaway. 🙂
Chef Froggie says
And I already follow gfe on FB 🙂