Treats he loses his mind over
We bake and make whole food treats as much as possible, and I’ll always share what we make. But life happens, and when we need a store-bought option, I’m just as picky about ingredients. Everything Benji eats gets the same scrutiny whether it comes from my kitchen or a bag.
Stella & Chewy's Freeze-Dried Raw Beef Meal Mixers
He saw the bag once and has been making eyes at the cabinet ever since. That's the whole review.
Fruitables Baked Dog Treats
We go through a bag of these faster than I'd like to admit. If you have a lab mix, you already know — the stomach is bottomless.
Bocce's Bakery Oven Baked Treats
He can hear this bag being moved in the cabinet from two rooms away. He is in the kitchen in 2 seconds flat!
Gear that actually holds up
If you have a bully breed or any dog with some muscle behind them, you know a flimsy harness is just decorative. This one has held up through walks, parks, and Benji’s signature lunge-at-a-squirrel move. Still looks brand new.
Fida 6 FT Heavy Duty Dog Leash with 2 Comfortable Padded Handles
This leash is long enough to allow sniffing on walks and a traffic handle for reeling him in. The easy snap hook is secure and safe and it's held up through every season in Michigan.
Hyhug Martingale Collar for Dogs
If you have a bully breed or any dog with some muscle behind them, you know a flimsy plastic buckle collar is just decorative. This one has held up through walks, parks, and Benji's signature lunge-at-a-squirrel move. Still looks brand new.
KONG Classic Stuffable Dog Toy
The lab half of Benji would destroy a toy in eleven seconds flat. The pit half would destroy it in ten. This one has survived. Stuff it with peanut butter and you've just bought yourself twenty minutes.
What goes in his bowl
Super Snouts Joint Power 100% Green Lipped Mussels for Dogs
I want Benji's joints and structural support as healthy as possible. I add Green Lipped Mussels Power to support his body. It's pretty stinky smelling, which is probably why he loves it so much.
Stella & Chewy's Premium Cage-Free Chicken Bone Broth for Dogs
I make my own bone broth, not only for myself, but I make a dog friendly version for Benji too! But when I'm strapped for time, this is my go to!
A Better Treat – Freeze Dried Organic Pumpkin Dog
Benji sometimes gets the tummy grumbles. This is a great way to add pumpkin ot his diet without the mess of a canned pumpkin. The only downside, I don't get pumpkin bread for myself with the leftovers!
For the dog moms
Earth Rated Poop Bags for Dogs
Unglamorous. Completely necessary. These are thick, they don't rip, and they're lavender scented which frankly feels like the least the universe can do. I buy them in bulk and never think about it again.
FURminator Undercoat Deshedding Tool for Dogs
Lab mix means shedding. Pit mix means shedding with attitude. This is what keeps it manageable. Five minutes twice a week and my couch is a different place entirely.
KONG ZoomGroom Bubbles Dog Brush - Soap Dispensing
Benji loves the massage during bath time. I'm not sure about the whole bath experience though. But I tell him, if you snuggle that close, you can't be stinky!
I update this page whenever we find something new worth sharing — and I never add anything Benji hasn’t personally road-tested. If you want to know when new favorites get added, the best way is to join the Joan of Bark email list. One email a week, no spam, just dogs and the things that make their lives better.
