Sustainable and socially responsible dog treats and dog gifts
A social enterprise, as well as, a business bringing wholesome, handcrafted creations to America’s pets, supporting indigenous herders and small farmers in developing countries. Bringing America's dogs the most delectable, sustainable, socially responsible, and adorable treats available.
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1. WHAT MAKES CHEWS HAPPINESS GOURMET HANDCRAFTED DOG TREATS SO SPECIAL?
A.
At Chews Happiness we believe that food has the ability to heal or harm. That’s why we view food –even treats and desserts –as powerful medicine. And it’s the reason we travel to the most pristine places on earth –far away from cities and factory farms –to find the most wholesome, healthiest, highest quality, and most delicious ingredients and delicacies for your pet.
Always sustainably sourced and fairly traded, most often from local, indigenous family farmers and herders, our ingredients are always natural and tested for safety. Unlike other leading treat brands, we don’t offer junk food for pets. You will never find fillers, inferior meat sources, or other cheap ingredients in our creations.
In addition, our dog treat packaging is probably the most eco-friendly that you will find in the market. Our gift boxes are made recycled paper and cotton and vegetable-based inks and wax. There is absolutely NO plastic in our packaging.
None of this is cheap.
When your precious pet consumes the highest quality, most pristine foods available, less is more, as each one is chock-full of only “Good Stuff.” So our creations are intended as decadent, special occasion culinary experiences.
If we wouldn’t feed it to Bouncer, our CTO (Chew Tasting Officer), we will never feed it to your pet!
Learn more about our Amazing Ingredients
2. WHAT IS WRONG WITH GLYCERIN?
A.
GLYCERIN, also known as glycerol, is used in soap and skin products, as solvents, as antifreeze, and as a laxative to soften stools. You might remember the tainted dog jerky treats that made headlines back in 2012. These treats contained contaminated Chinese glycerin as an ingredient.
Glycerin is a natural, chemically bound component of triglycerides, the main constituents of natural fats and oils and is used as solvents, as antifreeze, and as a laxative to soften stools (for both dogs and people). As glycerin helps soften stools, why wouldn’t it cause diarrhea?
Guess what? Significant amounts of pure glycerin –which often shows up as one of the top two to five ingredients listed in many pet treats –can cause significant side effects and potential health risks in pets who are sensitive to glycerin, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. We would rather that pets enjoy our products naturally crunchy than use glycerin to soften them up!
3. BARKARON MACARON DOG TREATS LOOK GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT! CAN HUMANS CONSUME THEM?
A.
All of our healthy handmade special dog food ingredients are identical to those used for human consumption, with the exception of our cultured milk, which have been optimized for your pet’s digestive health. In addition to testing our treats on our Canine Culinary Experts, we do test them on a panel of human taste testers in order to optimize the flavor profile. However, our creations are intended for pets, not people.
So please keep our edible dog gifts away from kids or other hungry human eaters and save them for your pets!
4. WHY ARE CHEWS HAPPINESS PRODUCT SERVINGS SMALL?
A.
Chews Happiness creations are different than the regular, mass-produced treats out there. Our servings are based on our “Food As Medicine” philosophy. They are chock-full of only wholesome, healthy ingredients. So, when your precious pet consumes the highest quality, most pristine foods available, less really is more!
Our delicacies provide an opportunity to make every day special! As delicious as they are nutritious, they are the healthy, guilt-free way to indulge your furry companion. They are excellent as after-dinner desserts, special gifts for celebrating a dog birthday, holiday presents, or a unique way of saying, “You’re a very good boy (girl), yes, you are!”
5. HOW DOES CHEWS HAPPINESS SELECT ITS INGREDIENTS?
A.
We personally select our ingredients for their wholesome and natural health benefits. Instead of adding synthetic vitamins, minerals, and chemicals to our treats, we prefer to improve your pet’s wellbeing naturally with our wholesome, pristine ingredients.
We start by researching ingredients that offer super healthy, irresistible culinary experiences for pets. Then we travel to some of the most pristine far corners of the planet to spend time with the indigenous people who farm and produce these amazing food items. These gracious people invite us into their lives and happily share their age-old recipes, enjoyed by their families for generations.
Upon returning home we offer samples of these delicacies to Bouncer, our Doberdoodle CTO (Chew Tasting Officer), who has a very refined palette. We also conduct sample taste tests with our panel of dog volunteer Culinary Experts to ensure broad acceptance.
Once we get their “Paws Up,” we develop our decadent delicacies and bring them to your furry family members!
6. DOES CHEWS HAPPINESS GIVE BACK?
A.
As part of our commitment to help make the world a better place, one percent of all Chews Happiness sales is donated to the Maya Foundation, an amazing organization in Bhutan run by Jamie, an American expat.
The organization exists with the humble goal to help those less fortunate and operates with the key tenet that all beings, including animals, deserve care, love and a chance at life. The organization does not charge for any of its services.
The no-kill organization’s main project is The Barnyard Bhutan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary located in Paro, Bhutan. This two-and-a-half-acre rescue center and shelter provides care for approximately 400 animals, including over 250 dogs. We at Chews Happiness are inspired by the Foundation’s work and their message that second chances and life-saving opportunities do exist, for both human beings and animals.
For more information please check out the Foundation’s website.
7. WHAT ARE CHEWS HAPPINESS INGREDIENTS NOS?
A.
8. WHY IS CHEWS HAPPINESS’ ORGANIC CHICKEN SOURCED FROM EUROPE?
A.
At Chews Happiness, we are committed to animal welfare, as well as food safety and quality. That’s why we only source our poultry, fish, and cheese from farms and organizations that raise and treat the animals humanely and ethically.
Our free-range, organic chicken is sourced from Europe due to the EU’s stringent animal welfare rules, which are much stricter than the USDA’s. The rules require that poultry companies provide their animals with adequate space, aren’t locked up in cages (as they often are in the U.S.), are not unduly treated with antibiotics, have adequate access to the out-of-doors, and generally have the ability to enjoy their natural behaviors.
9. HOW IMPORTANT IS SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY TO CHEWS HAPPINESS?
A.
We take our commitment to pets, people and the planet seriously. Our business is designed to improve the health of our planet and support our global neighbors and their animals.
Support for Traditional Lifestyles
Because we always engage in fair trade practices, we are proud to help family farmers and herders maintain the traditional lifestyle and culture they have enjoyed for generations.
Sustainably Sourced Ingredients
We continually work to reduce our impact on the planet by sourcing our ingredients in a way that doesn’t contribute to overfishing, overgrazing, or the increase in greenhouse gasses.
Eco-Friendly Packaging
No plastic pouches and NO plastic for us! Ourdog treat gift boxes are made from recycled, recyclable, and biodegradable materials.
Zero Carbon Footprint
We offset 100% of our carbon footprints by purchasing carbon credits. In addition, we source as many ingredients as possible from Bhutan, a carbon NEGATIVE country. We also ship ingredients and products in the most energy efficient of manners as is possible.
10. DOES MY PET REALLY NEED HIGH QUALITY DOG FOOD?
A.
We view pets as members of the family. Just as you would occasionally treat a member of the family to something really special, we feel that dogs deserve such treatment as well.
To us, our Bouncer is not “just a dog” he is a sentient being who deserves something very special every now and then. Why have a pet if you don’t pamper him/her over the course of his/her short life?
That’s why we don’t often give Bouncer treats because most of the treats on the market are junk food. When we do give him a treat though, it is only the BEST!
Sure, you can buy some nice-looking, great-tasting special treats from a doggie bakery. However, have you actually read the ingredients of most of these?
Our philosophy is that “dogs are people too.” However, they are not human. Therefore, we optimize our treats for dogs’ sensory experience and nutrition in mind.
11. WHY ARE CHEWS HAPPINESS HANDCRAFTED DOG BAKERY GIFTS SO EXPENSIVE?
A.
We know that there are other, cheaper treats on the market. But that cheap price can come at a high cost to your pet’s health and happiness.
At Chews Happiness, we live by a “no compromises” philosophy. We NEVER compromise on safety, wholesomeness, quality, animal welfare, sustainability, social responsibility, and taste. To live up to that philosophy, we have traveled the world looking for the most pristine, most wholesome, highest quality ingredients.
We select Organic certified, or “beyond organic” ingredients for all our artisanal delicacies. Typically reserved for five-star hotels in Asia, our trout is sustainably raised in the pristine glacier rivers of Bhutan in the Himalayas. Our Honey is the crème de la crème of the all-natural honey produced in Bhutan. Our Gobi Desert Camel Cheese, from family-nurtured camels, is a rare delicacy across central Asia. All of our berries are certified Organic. And the list goes on!
In addition, we don’t churn out treats by the millions. Instead, we work directly with artisans who handcraft our creations, and we always engage in fair trade practices. We have also invested heavily in safety testing, to ensure that your pet’s health is never at risk.
All these extra steps mean our treats cost more. You do not have to offer your pet huge quantities of our edible dog gifts. But it also means that you enjoy peace of mind that you are indulging your pet in something truly special, something that will help them feel better, enhance their well-being, and contribute to a fuller, happier life.
Our annual subscription program is available for all of our delicacies and includes a discount and free shipping. For most of our creations, we will send you one package a month for each annual subscription purchased. The program provides a great opportunity for you to affordably pamper your dog.
12. WHY ARE BARKARONS CRUNCHY AND NOT SOFT?
A.
Our Doggie Desserts are crunchy, not soft. – Why? – Because the way the vast majority of the treats on the market are made soft is by adding glycerin. As we outline in question number two, glycerin, also known as glycerol, is a by-product of soap production and is used in soap and skin products, as solvents, as antifreeze, and as a laxative to soften stools (for both humans and dogs). Significant amounts of glycerin – which almost always shows up as one of the top two to five ingredients listed in pet treats – can potentially cause side effects and health risks in sensitive pets, including nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
It is actually not a surprise; as glycerin helps soften stools, why wouldn’t it cause diarrhea?
We find that dogs love the crunch and that it helps them savor the flavor!
Some dogs, who are not used to crunchy treats, may drop a Barkaron before investigating it, experiencing the aroma, and only then bringing it to a private space so that they can chomp on it and enjoy it.
Older dogs and others with teeth issues may have challenges chomping on our decadent dog gifts. Some people dip our Barkarons in hot water before offering them to older dogs. However, they were not designed to be eaten this way (and probably taste soggy consumed this way).
For tiny dogs, some people cut them in half or even in quarters. One customer cut our Barkarons in quarters for their tiny Pomeranian puppy, who enjoyed each tiny piece for at least twenty minutes. Shipping Policy We offer all of our products with FREE SHIPPING! We are committed to ship your order ASAP and will do so within seven days or your submitting your order. =============================== Our Happiness Guarantee
At Chews Happiness we want you and your pet to be HAPPY! That’s why we offer a full refund policy.
If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return the product and get a replacement product or a full refund.
You can return a product for up to 21 days from the date you purchased it.
Any product you return must be in the same condition you received it and in the original packaging.
How to Request a Refund Email us at: info@chewshappiness.com, or send us a note HERE.
Please include the following information with your email:
- What product you purchased -Order # - Please mention that you purchased it on the Mindful Market - What you would like (full refund or replacement)
- Why you are seeking a refund or replacement
What to Expect We will respond to your email within two business days
. We will process your request ASAP, but within one week of receipt. Click HERE to read our Privacy Policy. FOR YOU, YOUR PET, AND THE PLANET® About
Our creations are eco-friendly (NO plastic in our treat packaging!), wholesome, indulgent, and support indigenous lifestyles. Our mantra is to spread Happiness for people, their dogs, and the planet.
We engage in projects that support indigenous peoples and artists, helping to maintain traditional lifestyles and local cultures. We go well out of our way to offer eco-friendly products and packaging. Not only do we offset the carbon we do generate, but we also GIVE BACK; we donate 1% of revenue to an amazing animal rescue in Bhutan. Due to our commitment to our global neighbors and to the planet, Chews Happiness earned a spot in the Pet Sustainability Coalition's Top 20 Pet Company Ranking for 2020! Our packaging is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) BioPreferred® program. Through the program, our paper-based Barkaron Decadent Doggie Desserts packaging is a USDA Certified Biobased package and contains 99% USDA certified biobased content. We have a number of active projects that support indigenous lifestyles. One of our super special flavors is camel cheese from the Gobi Desert. Not only is camel cheese, a Central Asian delicacy, super healthy and loaded with antioxidants, but also it is like chocolate for dogs! They absolutely go CRAZY for it. By supporting camel herders, we help them maintain their traditional lifestyles out in the desert, providing them with the opportunity to lead a richer, lower carbon footprint life, while saving their camel herds from certain slaughter. We also support small farmers, beekeeper and women’s cooperatives, small dairy farmers, and yak herders in Bhutan. Mission Statement To spread happiness to you, your pet, our global neighbors and the planet. By taking a holistic approach to business and the world, our goal is to create a never-ending Happiness Cycle for pets, people, and the planet.
What We Believe In
Our Location Boulder, Colorado
For Your, Your Pet, and the Planet® At Chews Happiness we are proud of our total commitment to Mother Earth. From partnering with Bhutan, the only carbon negative country on the planet, to offsetting our carbon footprint, to using sustainably sourced organic, and “beyond organic” and pristine ingredients, to supporting indigenous, low carbon footprint lifestyles, to designing eco-friendly packaging, we go well beyond the norm to be gentle on our home planet. Eco-friendly Packaging Most pet treats are packaged in plastic bags, which although in theory can be recycled, typically are not due to economic constraints. The few that come in boxes typically have plastic windows and plastic liners, pretty much making them difficult to recycle. Our packaging is has NO plastic and is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) BioPreferred® program. Crafted from handmade, recycled paper and reclaimed cotton, Barkaron Decadent Doggie Desserts packaging is a USDA Certified Biobased package and contains 99% USDA certified biobased content. So, why not start reducing your plastic use by gifting something special for that furry special someone! Chews Happiness Earns Pet Sustainability Coalition Top 20 Pet Company Ranking Due to our commitment to our global neighbors and to the planet, Chews Happiness earned a spot in the Pet Sustainability Coalition’s Top 20 Pet Company Ranking for 2020! We are proud to have earned a slot in the Pet Sustainability Coalition's Top 20 Pet Company Ranking for 2020! This was no simple undertaking for any company, never mind a tiny company such as ours! In addition to recognizing our strong focus on social responsibility, providing income for indigenous peoples, women cooperatives, herders, small farmers, artisans, and other people in developing countries, the top ranking acknowledges our operating a carbon neutral business! Chews Happiness Offsets 100% of Carbon Emissions
Chews Happiness®
Chews Happiness®
OUR VALUES
1% for the Planet
Fair Trade
Made Using Renewable Energy
Sourced Directly From Farmers
Supports the Developing World
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