Dog-apetreat excites dogs with unique treats

TIRED of the usual biscuit treat for your dog? How about giving them a rabbit ear to nibble on?

Treats that make dogs' ears stand up in excitement are inspiring one culinary student to develop not-your-usual dog snack items. From dehydrated rabbit ears to dried up cow throats, Dog-apetreat lets dogs to literally sink their teeth into something more natural and exciting.

Dog-apetreat in various flavors can excite your dog's palate. (Photo from Dog-apetreat)

​The brainchild of 20-year-old Mikaela Dy Tecklo, Dog-apetreat offers organic homemade dog treats prepared by Mikaela herself. Only last May did she start selling her products to an informal market of friends and relatives and, from there, word quickly spread about Dog-apetreat.

“I got into this particular business because my passions are cooking and baking, plus I love dogs so I decided to make dog treats,” she said.

From left to right: A Siberian Husky with a beef throat, Mikaela Dy Tecklo of Dog-apetreat with her own dogs, a dog sniffing a dehydrated ear. (Photos from Dog-apetreat)

​Mikaela first offered her dehydrated meaty treats to her own dogs whose approval encouraged her to launch Dog-apetreat. She shuns the use of preservatives even if these would make her treats last longer as she believes preservatives could upset a dog's stomach. Instead, she makes sure she dehydrates her treats really well and prepares them only when customers place an order.

“When treats are not dehydrated well, molds would form around them in just one week. I make sure our treats are something that customers will feel safe to give to their dogs. My organic treats don't have preservatives commonly present in local and international brands,” Mikaela said.

Truth be told, we kept some pieces of beef heart and beef liver strips and they're still mold-free after almost two months in the bag and beyond their expiration date.

Dog-apetreat's dehydrated beef throat is such a huge success that there's a waiting line for orders. (MetroPets photo)

Variety is the spice of life and Dog-apetreat works hard to make it one of its selling points. To date, it offers beef heart crisps, beef liver crisps, chicken liver crumble, sweet potato, duck jerky, and the most sought after rabbit ears and cow throats.

​Based on customer feedbacks, a lot of dogs crave for Dog-apetreat's beef and rabbit treats because of their meaty flavor and great texture. Our short review of these items revealed the same thing (short because the rabbit ear and beef throat were quickly gobbled up by our dog reviewers).

Mikaela said dogs can gnaw at the beef throat so they don't destroy slippers and other objects around the house. It is also big enough to keep them busy while their owners are away. We tried to break it into pieces, but it's really tough and will need a strong pair of scissors, or FANGS, to do it!

The rabbit ear, on the other hand, is not only packed with flavors but also fiber from the fur. 

Ear ye, ear ye! Dogs love the meaty flavor of Dog-apetreat's fiber-rich rabbit ear for P50 each. (MetroPets photo)

“My brand's vision is to be original and unique. I know that there will be companies that will have the same treats as I do, and some that will try to copy our ideas or what we have. But they will never be the same as Dog-apetreat's variants because the methods, technique and quality ingredients that we use are different. Also, because I make the treats myself, even the packaging, I can control the quality of treats that I sell,” Mikaela said.

​​Next year will see Dog-apetreat releasing more unique dog treats in the market. They will also be cheap, safe and nutritious, Mikaela said.

 “We have so much more treats coming! We are already on the way to make dehydrated dog food,” she added.

Dog-apetreats are available online and in select partner pet shops and veterinary clinics in Metro Manila. For more information on where and how to buy, visit Dog-apetreat in Facebook and Instagram. -- MetroPets

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