Yoghurt Dog Food?

You know, I hope, that all adult dogs are lactose intolerant. Just like all adults cats. And like 70% of adult humans. You can probably get away with giving your pets some milk but too much and you'll be scraping up the evidence that they are lactose intolerant.

So putting yogurt - or yoghurt, British style - into dog food would be a problem. Unless it's lactose-free yoghurt.

And that's what Yoghurt Plus contains, according to this press release.

Yoghurt Plus is a world-first in pet food delivering a number of unique benefits to dogs. It has a holistic, symbiotic blend of pro and pre biotics, lactose free yoghurt and enzymes that work together to give dogs a complete and balanced feed. Just like yoghurt creates inner health for humans, through the use of beneficial bacteria, Yoghurt Plus creates the same benefits for your pet. ...

Yoghurt Plus has been developed by John Gould, former Australian Rules Footballer, who played half back for two Carlton premiership sides in the 1960s. John, who resides in Camperdown, VIC and today owns 10 domestic dogs and a pack of over 80 foxhounds, developed the product over five years. ...

Available in two flavours for dogs with more varieties to come, and a cat food variant on the way, Yoghurt Plus is on sale at Coles and IGA at $13.62 for a 3kg and $6.98 for a 1.25kg.

It's nice to read that Gould knew enough abut dogs to take the lactose out. I can't vouch for the rest of the product, but that's a good start.

More information is at the Yoghurt Plus website.

Free Ice Cream for Dogs? Bad Idea, Bad, Bad Idea.

In the "oh, good grief" corner of the news today, we find a little item on the WOWT television, Council Bluffs, Iowa website. People news is always popular. Pet news even more so. So why shouldn't a tv station help shill a local promotion?

What better way to cool off on a warm summer day than with an ice cream cone. And while you’re enjoying a cool treat, a Council Bluffs ice cream shop doesn’t want you to forget your four-legged friend. They are offering free ice cream for dogs.

Christy Creme, 2853 North Broadway in Council Bluffs, is celebrating the “Dog Days of Summer” August 11th and 12th. When a customer buys an ice cream cone, they get a free one for their pet.

“Dogs love ice cream as much as their masters do,” said Christy Creme owner Dave Christiansen. “Our rules are very simple. The pet must be leashed. The pet must be present. And the pet must not bite the hand that feeds it, especially if it’s my hand.”

Christiansen says the event has been going on for more than 30 years. He expects a large turnout both evenings. He says some owners even dress up their pets for the occasion.

What's wrong with this wonderful tradition?

Dogs are lactose intolerant. You should never feed ice creams to dogs.

Fortunately, at least half the comments on that page give the same warning. A Planet Lactose salute to those who know enough and care enough about their pets to understand that they are not miniature furry people.