The Kookie Jar Blog

January Treat of the Month: Wild Salmon! Packed with omega-3s from wild-caught salmon, sardines, and flax, these treats support your dog’s joints, brain, immune system, and coat. Try them this month and save 10% with code SALMON10!

The Perfect Winter Treat for Your Dog As the weather turns chilly and we cozy up indoors, our dogs deserve a treat that’s both comforting and health-boosting. That’s why Orchard Snack is our December Flavour of the Month—a delicious, functional treat designed to support your dog’s health all winter long. What Makes Orchard Snack Special? Orchard Snack combines simple, wholesome ingredients:  Oats – Gentle on digestion, high in prebiotic fiber  Yogurt – Protein and calcium for strong muscles and bones Apples – Pectin-rich for digestive and heart health  Blueberries – Antioxidants for brain and urinary tract support  Cinnamon – Clinically proven to help regulate blood sugar Unique Health Benefits Blood Sugar Regulation: Cinnamon helps keep glucose levels stable—ideal for diabetic and senior dogs. Digestive Support: Apples and oats provide fiber and pectin, supporting gut health and regularity. Antioxidant Boost: Blueberries deliver anthocyanins, which protect the brain and support urinary tract health. Low Glycemic, No Added Sugar: Safe for dogs with diabetes or those watching their weight. Protein & Calcium: Yogurt adds essential nutrients for muscle and bone strength (note: probiotics do not survive baking). Why Orchard Snack is the Perfect Winter Treat Winter can mean less outdoor activity and more time spent snuggling inside. Orchard Snack’s low glycemic formula make it a smart choice for maintaining a healthy weight during the slower season. Plus, the comforting flavors of apples and cinnamon evoke warm, cozy feelings—just like your favorite winter dessert, but made for your dog! Try Orchard Snack Now & Save 10%! Celebrate the season with a treat that’s as functional as it is delicious. For December only, enjoy 10% off Orchard Snack—the perfect way to support your dog’s health this winter. Shop now at kaninekookies.com and use code ORCHARD10 at checkout! Give your dog the gift of good health and great taste this winter with Orchard Snack—crafted with care, backed by science, and loved by dogs everywhere. 🐾  

Following along from this month's very fall-themed kookie feature, Rabbit stew, let’s try to understand the benefits that we are providing to our pups through these kookies. Keep reading to learn about rabbit, apples, brussels sprouts and coconut oil! Rabbit is a novel protein, meaning that it is not as commonly fed and is a much easier digestible and lean protein that is gentle on sensitive stomachs and ideal for dogs with allergies or weight management needs. Rabbit offers a nutritious alternative for pups who thrive on a lighter diet without compromising on flavour. To complement the rabbit, fresh apples and brussel sprouts are incorporated to provide the daily dose of vitamins. More specifically, they are a great source of Vitamin A, C and K, which support healthy skin, eyesight, boost the immune system and can help reduce inflammation. In addition to this, they contain lots of fibre to help with digestion, and antioxidants to support cellular and immune health. Coconut oil contributes beneficial fats and potential anti-inflammatory properties, helping to maintain healthy skin, a glossy coat, and overall vitality. When these ingredients are combined, they create a well-balanced and protein-rich snack for your pup that is a soothing option for dogs with allergies, sensitive stomachs, or specific dietary needs. Whether your pup has a sensitive stomach, requires a low-fat diet, or simply deserves a balanced snack, Rabbit Stew Kookies provide a thoughtful and nourishing solution!  

Bringing home a new pup is an exciting step in life, however, it also comes with many challenges. Teaching the right/best behaviour is one of the most important. From learning basic mannerisms to lasting habits, positive reinforcement and consistency throughout their young ages is key. Whether you are dealing with a biter, jumper, curious one or simply just want a well mannered pup, these 10 easy and simple tips can be very effective and strengthen the bond between you and your furry partner.  Positive reinforcement  Reward good behaviour with treats and praise so that when the right thing is done, it is associated with something that they love. Be consistent Keep your commands, rules, routine the same so that after a certain period of time, they know what is expected of them. Start training early Training your dog at an older age will be more difficult- just like for humans, learning a different language in your older years will prove to be tougher. The same will go for dogs. After the brain has developed more, changing difficult behaviour or routines will be tricky. Start young to enforce lifelong learning sticks. Reward calm behaviour  Don't only reward when tricks or something cool is done, reward for not jumping on people and remaining calm... Excitement is fine, but jumping and biting poses other issues with people who might not be as comfortable with animals as you are.  Keep training short, simple and fun Puppies, just like young children, have short attention spans, so make lessons efficient and positive to leave a good impression for the next time.  Create a dog safe environment  Get rid of cords, shoes, socks etc, so that any temptations and opportunities of creating a behavioural issue is eliminated.  Create a safe place for your pup Create a cozy area with a crate/bed so that when there are overwhelming situations, your pup has a place to go to recuperate.  Exercise often A tired dog is a well behaved dog! Daily exercise and activity prevents boredom and the opportunity to be naughty.  Use a properly fitted lead and collar  Using a properly fitted lead and collar ensures that you have control without causing discomfort or pain to your pup.  Avoid punishment  Instead of reprimanding your pup, redirect the anxiety and unwanted behaviour towards appropriate actions.    Raising a well behaved pup takes lots of time, patience and love- but with consistency and positive guidance, your time and effort will pay off!

Following this month's “Treat of the month” feature- O-Mega Hearts, let's dive deeper into the benefits of hemp and flax seeds. These tiny seeds contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids; essential nutrients that support a shiny coat, healthy skin, and overall joint health. Just like humans, dogs can’t produce these fatty acids on their own, which makes it critical to include them in their diet! 🌱 Hemp Seeds Hemp seeds are a complete protein source, containing all nine essential amino acids- the building blocks of proteins. This makes them one of the few complete plant-based proteins. In the 3:1 balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seeds keep the skin on your pup glowing, support heart health and reduce inflammation. Plus, they’re gentle on digestion, making them perfect for sensitive stomachs. Since the body cannot produce these fatty acids independently, absorbing them through other sources is essential. In addition, hemp seeds area a great source of vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, and iron which helps with energy production, bone health and overall vitality. 🌾 Flax Seeds Flax seeds are one of nature’s richest plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a specific type of omega-3 that supports heart health and brain function. Another compound called lignans, also support heart health and improves circulation. They’re high in fibre, which helps with digestion and keeps tails wagging happily for more. Flax seeds nourish your dogs skin from the inside out- helping to reduce itching, flaking and dull fur. The mix of antioxidants, fibre, and healthy fats helps to strengthen the immune system overall.  🍌 Bananas & Blackstrap Molasses Beyond their delicious flavour, bananas provide potassium, vitamin C, and natural fibre that helps support heart and muscle health while keeping digestion smooth. Blackstrap molasses adds a rich touch of iron and vitamin B, promoting healthy blood and lasting energy making every bite as delicious as it is without tons of sugar! Combined, these ingredients create a nutritional powerhouse that boosts your dog’s wellness while being delicious. Our O-Mega Hearts are baked with love, ensuring every crunchy bite delivers taste and health benefits. O-Mega hearts are as good for your dog as they are tasty!

 We all know those puppy-dog eyes are hard to resist when you’re eating something delicious. But before you sneak your furry friend a bite, it’s important to know that some human foods can actually be very dangerous for dogs. To keep those tails wagging and bellies happy, here are a few things you should never feed your dog: The first most well known food is Chocolate, here’s a bit about it:  It might feel like the ultimate comfort food for us humans, but for dogs, it’s a completely different story. The problem lies in two compounds: theobromine and caffeine. Dogs metabolize these much more slowly than we do, which means even a small amount can quickly build up to toxic levels in their system. Both of these compounds act as stimulants which can speed up the heart rate and overstimulate the nervous system of your dog.The darker the chocolate the more dangerous it gets, as the level of  theobromine increases. Cocoa powder and baking chocolate contain the highest levels and are therefore the most dangerous, but don't take the other forms for granted!  Some symptoms to consuming chocolate are:  Vomiting 🤢 Diarrhea 💩 Restlessness or hyperactivity 🐕💨 Increased heart rate ❤️🔥 Tremors, seizures, or in severe cases, collapse The second food item that shouldn't be consumed: Onions and Garlic. While onions and garlic add flavor to almost everything we eat, they’re a big no-no for dogs. Both belonging to the allium family (which also includes leeks, shallots, and chives), they contain compounds that can seriously harm your pup’s blood. Onions, garlic, and other alliums contain thiosulfates, which are toxic to dogs. When ingested, these compounds damage your dog’s red blood cells by causing them to break down prematurely – a condition called hemolytic anemia. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body, so when they’re destroyed, your dog can’t get the oxygen they need to stay healthy and active. Here are a few symptoms to be aware of:  Weakness or lethargy 💤 Reduced appetite 🍽️ Vomiting and diarrhea 🤢 Pale gums (a sign of anemia) Rapid breathing or panting 🐕💨 Dark or reddish urine The third and final food item to be wary of: Cooked animal bones. Giving a dog a bone feels like the most natural thing in the world to do, right? Cartoons, old sayings, and even children’s songs all suggest that bones and dogs go hand in hand. But the truth is: cooked bones can actually be very dangerous for your pup. When bones are cooked whether boiled, baked, roasted, or grilled they become brittle and fragile. Instead of staying strong, they’re likely to splinter into sharp shards when chewed. Those sharp pieces can get lodged in your dog’s throat and cause choking, pierce or cut the mouth, tongue, or gums, leading to painful injuries and infections, Damage the esophagus if swallowed and lastly, splinter the inside of the stomach or intestines, which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding or blockages that often require emergency surgery. This risk applies to smoked bones too, since any form of cooking changes the bones structure. Remember, your pup’s meals can be just as high-quality, and contain human grade ingredients, just never an exact copy of your plate—even if those puppy dog eyes make a strong case!