Bit-O-Luv meaty dog treats are a cut above, at a price that won't bite your budget

My dogs will eat darn near anything -- grass, bark, cucumbers, dirt. So when I introduced them to Bit-O-Luv dog treats and they gobbled them down in no time flat, I was still a little skeptical. Since I couldn't completely trust my pups' palates, I tried them myself, and I'm happy to say, they're delicious.

Bit-O-Luv is a subsidiary of the Northwest's own Oberto Sausage Company. Based in Kent, Oberto has been making premium beef jerky for 90 years, and now they're bringing those same high standards to dog treats.

"We know pet owners want peace of mind when purchasing treats, and Bit-O-Luv offers snacks that can be trusted by people and loved by pets," says Tom Ennis, the company's vice president of marketing.

Bit-O-Luv treats are made in the United States with real meat that has been inspected by the USDA and meets human-grade standards. What's more, the treats contain no artificial colors, flavors, by-products or wheat gluten. (So even if I'd been allergic to wheat, I still could have tried them!)

Available in three flavors -- Bistro Beef Recipe, Roasted Chicken Recipe and Smokehouse -- the treats come with a similarly palatable suggested retail price -- just $4.99 for a four-ounce bag. They are currently for sale online at www.bitoluv.com and www.amazon.com, and locally at Bartell Drugs and Pet Pros. Look for them in the near future at QFC, Top Food and Haggen.

The treats may promise just a bit of love, but the company actually gives a whole lot of it to local dog lovers -- by donating a portion of its proceeds to animal-related charities, and by offering a couple of cool free features for dog owners on its Web site.

Go to the Neighborhood section, and you can post pet lost and found notices or a story about your reunion with your dog. The Dog Meets Dog function lets you sign up to meet other dogs and dog owners in your neighborhood.

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