Alexandria woman makes organic pet treats out of love for pets

Melinda Martinez, Alexandria Town Talk
·2 min read
Give A Dog a Bone, an organic dog and cat treat business, was born out of the love that owner Erica Coleman for animals.
Give A Dog a Bone, an organic dog and cat treat business, was born out of the love that owner Erica Coleman for animals.

Give A Dog a Bone, an organic dog and cat treat business, was born out of the love that owner Erica Coleman feels for animals.

Coleman started making her own organic dog and cat treats because the preservatives in store-bought pet food were making her animals sick.

“So I said, ‘You know what? I'm going to try to do something and see how it goes.’ And I've been in business for about 8 months,” she said.

She started in May of last year by putting things together and doing research on what she could substitute for some ingredients such as eggs.

“I’ve talked to two veterinarians, one local and one from my hometown - I’m originally from Mamou,” said Coleman.

The flavor of treats she makes are sweet potato; sweet potato and cranberry; regular peanut butter; peanut butter, blueberry and banana; turkey and carrot; chicken and carrot; liver; and cranberry and apples made with chicken.

“I also created this one last night,” she said, picking up one of the containers. “This is oatmeal, coconut and peanut butter. And then the darker colored ones are blueberry and peanut butter made with chickpea flour.”

She also plans to incorporate new treats such as sweet potato and apple chews.

“I just like taking care of fur babies,” she said.

Coleman doesn’t have a website at this time but she has a Facebook page, Give A Dog A Bone where customers can look at a menu, contact her and place orders.

Coleman is usually at the Cabrini Farmers Market in the parking lot behind St. Frances Cabrini Church on East Texas Avenue from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. She plans to have a booth at the Trade Days at Alexandria Mall which are held once a month.

“I have another event coming up next month. It's called Park Your Paws at Buhlow Lake," she said.

This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Alexandria woman makes organic pet treats out of love for fur babies