And today is .......

[tiger_one]

Every dog has its day – and this is it!

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day tail wags onto our calendar each year on 23 February. Happy dogs go nuts with canine glee when their owners serve up unusual or home-made doggy snacks to mark the occasion.

Every canine in the world knows the best way to celebrate this important day!

In Australia, owners primarily give dog biscuits to strengthen the bond with their pets and reinforce positive behaviour during training. With nearly 4.2 million dogs in the country, the pet treat sector is a significant industry, reflecting the common view of dogs as "family members" rather than just watchdogs.

And wait. There’s just not one dog biscuit variety. Today is when all dog owners must seek out and feast their dogs with delicious and nutritious treats.

Top-rated dog biscuit treats in Australia feature locally sourced, natural ingredients, often oven-baked for crunch and dental health. Popular brands include Blackdog Biscuits (beef, liver, or charcoal), SavourLife (kangaroo), Huds and Toke (gourmet), and Bonza (chia seed). Options range from everyday crunchy biscuits to specialised dental and grain-free treats, with many available at PETstock, Petbarn, or local independent pet stores.

Dog biscuit varieties might be functional (Charcoal biscuits for digestion/gas (e.g., Black Dog); or Protein Specific (Kangaroo, Beef, Lamb, and Chicken flavours are common, often using Australian meats); or Grain-Free/Sensitive (Options available for dogs with allergies or dietary sensitivities); or Gourmet Festive-type treats (Iced biscuits and decorated shapes).

Australian dog owners primarily give biscuit treats to reinforce positive behaviour during training, reward good behaviour, and strengthen the human-animal bond.

These biscuits are also used for dental health (reducing plaque), enrichment, and simply to show affection, with many owners viewing their dogs as family members.

Key reasons for giving dog biscuit treats in Australia (and especially today!) include:

• Training & Behaviour Management: Treats are highly effective for training and encouraging positive, rewarded behaviour.
• Bonding & Affection: Treats are used to show love and strengthen the bond between the owner and the dog.
• Dental Health: The crunchy texture of many biscuits helps clean teeth and reduce plaque buildup.
• Convenience & Reward: Biscuits are easy to store and serve as a quick reward for good behavior.
• Enrichment: Treats can provide mental stimulation and act as a distraction.

Of course, there remains the need for discipline on the part of the dog owner to protect the dog. Experts suggest treats should not exceed 10% of a dog's daily calorie intake to avoid obesity and nutrient imbalances. Biscuits are intended for occasional consumption and should not replace a complete and balanced meal.

Dog food (and the dog biscuits as treats) plays a pivotal role in strengthening the bond between owner and dog, serving as a primary daily expression of care, trust, and routine. While dogs love food, research shows they often value human interaction and praise just as much, or more. Creating a consistent, positive feeding ritual nurtures this emotional connection.

This routine of giving the dog his treats is simply loved too by the dog. Our dogs generally love their dog biscuits because they are designed to be highly palatable, offering enticing, intense flavours (like meat) and a satisfying, crunchy texture that differs from their daily diet. These treats are popular (as mentioned) for training, rewarding good behaviour, providing mental stimulation, and helping with dental health by reducing plaque.

Like their owners enjoying their food choices, dogs are drawn to the strong, enticing aromas of biscuits; and the crunchiness provides enjoyment and aids in cleaning teeth; and the dog biscuits offer an exciting change from mundane kibble.

Our dogs are special to all of us as owners. They respond with their wagging tails and deep eyes just loving the moments that bring dog and owner closer. And if dogs could talk, they’d all agree: dog biscuits are tops, anytime!


Fun Facts about Dog Biscuits:

• Australians spend roughly $342 million to $366 million annually on dog treats.
• The #1 best-selling dog treat in Australia is Greenies, which are often used for dental health.
• Due to the "pet parenting" trend, many Australians treat their dogs like children, fuelling a boom in high-quality or gourmet treats.
• More than half of dog treat brands in Australia do not include calorie information on their packaging, making it hard to track your dog's intake. So be disciplined as owners to watch your dogs’ diet.

"Crunchy, delicious, and the key to a happy tail."

"Dog biscuits: The fastest way to turn a crazy pup into a sitting angel."

“Pawfection in every bite”

“I only fetch snacks, sorry not sorry.”

 

[tiger_one]

In Australia, 24 February is primarily remembered and observed as the National Day for War Animals (also known as Purple Poppy Day).

"Australian war animals have demonstrated true valour and an enduring partnership with humans. The bond is unbreakable, their sacrifice great” - Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation.

This day serves as a time to recognise and honour the service, courage, and sacrifice of animals that have served alongside Australian military and law enforcement personnel.

• Symbolism: The purple poppy is worn to honour animal service, distinct from the traditional red poppy used for human soldiers.
• Animals Honoured: Commemorations pay tribute to a wide range of animals, including:
  • Horses, Donkeys, and Camels: Used for transport and as "beasts of burden."
  • Dogs: Used for tracking, search and rescue, and explosive detection.
  • Pigeons: Vital for carrying messages during the World Wars.

Australian war animals have played a crucial, often overlooked role in the nation's military history since WWI, serving as transport, messengers, detection experts, and companions. Horses, camels, donkeys, pigeons, and dogs (including modern explosives-detection dogs) have saved countless lives.

• Horses: Extensively used in WWI for cavalry, pulling ambulances, and transporting supplies across difficult terrain where vehicles could not travel. Renowned for their endurance in harsh conditions, over 136,000 Australian horses were sent to WWI. Tragically, only one horse named "Sandy" is known to have returned home due to strict quarantine laws; the rest were euthanised humanely (to avoid mistreatment) or sold.
• Donkeys: Famously, John Simpson Kirkpatrick and his donkey (Duffy) became symbols of courage at Gallipoli, transporting wounded men. These animals were essential as beasts of burden in rugged terrain, particularly in the Middle East and on the Kokoda Track, and mules were in constant demand to carry supplies to the front line.
• Camels: Camels were vital for transport in the Middle East, while donkeys are iconic for their role at Gallipoli, most notably Simpson’s donkey, which carried wounded soldiers to safety. The Camel Corps was formed in the early years of the First World War. By late 1917 the Desert Mounted Corps had some 6,000 camels.
• Pigeons: Essential for communication when radio or telephone failed, pigeons saved thousands of lives. Two Australian pigeons, Q879 and T139, received Dickin Medals for delivering life-saving messages during tropical storms and heavy fire in WWII.
• Military Working Dogs: Dogs have served as messengers, trackers and search dogs, sentries, and explosive detectors. Working dogs were used by the Royal Australian Engineers in 1918, with sappers handling messenger dogs in the trenches of France. Search dogs were used from 1944 after the raising of the First Australian Dog Platoon. Mine detection and scout dogs were used in Korea, and during the Vietnam War, 11 tracking dogs were used but were famously left behind in Vietnam at the end of the conflict. Kuga, an Australian special forces dog in Afghanistan, was the first Australian dog to receive the prestigious Dickin Medal - the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross - after being shot five times while finding an enemy ambush. Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) were vital in operations in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Iraq, saving many lives by detecting improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
• Mascots and Companions: Beyond their official duties, many soldiers adopted a wide array of animals as mascots to boost morale and provide comfort, including kangaroos, possums, koalas, cats, and various birds. Most were left overseas or donated to local zoos (for example, such as the Cairo Zoo, at the end of the WW2).

Animals have always played an important role in war, not only for their faithfulness and heroism, but also for the comfort and friendship they brought to men who were otherwise facing unimaginable horrors.

Today, the use of animals in the Australian Defence Force is focused primarily on military working dogs, and organisations like the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) work to ensure their service and sacrifice are remembered. The great work of the Australian War Animal Memorial Organisation (AWAMO) helps to provide a voice for those with no voice of their own and educate the general public on the sacrifices made by various animals for our benefit.

Lest We Forget



"The silent companions, they carried the weight of war on their backs and gave their lives, with only one of thousands returning".

"The humble donkey, the unsung lifesaver of Gallipoli, carrying the wounded and supplies through hell".

"Loyal, courageous, and vigilant, the military working dog is a soldier’s best friend, detecting danger and offering comfort".

"Small, winged messengers carrying life-saving messages across enemy lines, defying danger to serve".

"From kangaroos to koalas, our native animals provided a touch of home to soldiers in foreign lands".

"Remember the purple poppy, the symbol for the loyal animals who suffered and died alongside our troops".