Cool Treats for Pets

Posted on May 13, 2012 by

Summer is knocking on our doors and what a better way to help keep your pets cool and hydrated than with some warm weather treats! Here are a few of my favorite recipes, so save those popsicle for yourself :)

Frozen Fruits and Veggies
How is this for simple:
Freeze bananas, strawberries, blueberries, cooked wedges of sweet potatoes or long green beans and offer them as an all natural popsicle!
*I allow my larger fruit and veggie pieces to thaw a bit before I serve them as foods that are frozen solid can be too hard for some pets to chew.

Broth Cubes
Freeze low sodium broth in ice cube trays and serve!
Those of you with hardwood floors will enjoy watching your dog chase these around the floor and kitty likes to bat them around too!

Frosty Berry Bites
These yummy treats are good for both man and beast!

2.5 cups strawberries, blackberries, raspberries or blueberries
1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
¼ cup honey (depending on the sweetness of your berries, you may add a little more or less)
¼ tsp vanilla extract

Blend all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth.
Pour into freezer-safer container and freeze until firm enough to scoop.
Use a melon baller to scoop into bite-sized portions.

And as with all treats, moderation is key and please check with your vet if your dog or cat has special dietary needs.

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Gardening Tips For Pet Owners

Posted on April 12, 2012 by

Oh boy, spring is finally here!  And for many of us, that means time for some gardening.  Be it a lavish backyard garden or just some planters on the patio, I bet many of you are getting ready to play in the dirt this weekend!  To help keep your garden bountiful, here are some great tips on how to protect your plants from pets.

Toothpicks
Both cats and dogs like to dig in the soil, be it for fun or body function, and toothpicks might be a way to dissuade your pets (and your neighbors’) from digging around.  Simply place toothpicks around your plants, leaving approximately ¾” sticking up; the sharp points will deter pets from commencing a dig.

Mesh or Chicken wire
If the toothpicks aren’t working, try covering your plants with some kind of mesh, such as an old window screen, or some chicken wire or even needlepoint netting. Make a slit in whatever you are using so it will fit around the plant’s stems and cover the soil’s surface.

Citrus
Spread citrus peels around the base of the plants; most cats and dogs do not like citrus.

Pepper and Garlic Spray
 If the citrus peels are not working, the smell of this spray should detour most animals from digging around in your plants and garden!

1 quart water
4 tablespoons red-pepper flakes
2 tablespoons garlic powder
Misting bottle
Strainer

1. Mix water, red-pepper flakes, and garlic powder.  Let marinate for an hour.
2. Strain solution.
3. Pour into misting bottle.
4. Spray plants.

Bitter Sprays
If you have a pet that likes to nibble on your plants, try spraying the leaves with something that tastes terrible, such as these products I found doing a simple Bing search: Bitter Sprays for Pets

Happy gardening!  And if you have a great tip, please share!

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Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Dog Cookies

Posted on March 17, 2012 by

As with any recipe, please check with your veterinarian if your pet has special dietary needs or food allergies.  And remember, all good things in moderation :)

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1/2 cup fresh puree or plain canned pumpkin

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 cup water as needed

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Mix together flour, baking powder, pumpkin, and peanut butter.

Add water as needed, but the dough should be stiff and dry (I used most of the 1/2 cup).

Roll to approx 1/2 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.

Bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until hard. Let cook before serving.

*Tip I wasn’t sure if they would stick to my baking sheet, so I cover my baking sheet with parchment paper.

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Reliable Recall

Posted on March 14, 2012 by

My dog has always enjoyed a free run on the beach, at the dog park, and other appropriate outdoor areas.  And she had always been allowed to have free run on such occasions because she always came when called.  Notice I said ‘always came’ instead of ‘always comes’?  That’s because last summer my dog gave me the scare of my life when she took off at the beach and didn’t come when called.  In fact, she ran so fast and so far so quickly—one wold be amazed to see how fast this little, stubby is!—it took me 10-12 minutes of full force running before she was even in my sights again…and she still didn’t come when I called or signaled her!  Her entire adventure took about 25 minutes and I was absolutely sick with stress!  I  had the added bonus of losing my keys somewhere on the beach during my unexpected run!

One would think that a 7 year old dog, without a history of running off and who—used to—always came when called, wouldn’t decide to start acting so bold so late in life.  Well, whatever her reasons are for deciding to act a fool—well, like a dog—and ignore my voice commands and hand signals, E-Dee is now finding herself on a short leash; a short leash that I am working on lengthening for her with use of reliable recall.

Think of reliable recall as your emergency call.  It tells your dog to stop what they are doing and come running to you NOW!

First, find a word or a noise that will mean “come over to me NOW!” as well as a hand signal that your dog can spot from far away.  Personally, I recommend selecting a noise vs. a word since many dogs, such as my own, find it much easier to ignore the sound of their human; after all, we tend to be adamant on talking to them at random times as if they can understand what we’re saying!  I recommend a whistle, this gives you the option to blow it gently when your dog is near or really let it fly when they are getting too far away.  I’ll do a couple ‘chirps’ on it; I find that my dog reacts better to short bursts rather than one long whistle.  Just do whatever works best to get your dog’s attention.  As far as a hand signal, I put my arm straight up in the air since my dog already knows other signals.  Again, whatever works best to get your dog’s attention.

Second, get some good, bite-sized treats, and I mean really good treats that are not going to be used for anything other than reliable recall training.  You want your dog very excited when they hear their noise!

Third, time to pair the whistle and the treat.  Find an area where it’s just you and your dog.  There is a fenced school yard close to me and I use it in the evening when nobody is there, but it can be in your house, backyard, garage, wherever you can be alone.  Softly blow your whistle and drop a treat.  Walk away and repeat.  If your dog is a chowhound like mine, a few of these moves and they should be hooked thanks to those awesome treats!

Forth step is adding distractions.  Wait until your dog is engaged in playing with a toy, munching on a chewy or playing with your partner or friend, and then blow your whistle…your dog should come running with the thought of another delicious treat!  Be sure to praise as well as treat them.

Your next step is to bring the training to an outdoor area with moderate distractions, such as a fenced dog park at low-key times of the day.  Sound your whistle and reward your dog when they come.  It’s recommended to repeat after your dog is rewarded and has been engaged in something else for 5-10 minutes.

Your final step is brining it all to the great wide-open.  There is no telling when your dog will be at this step, it could be a week, and it could be a couple of months.  Don’t rush it!  And remember, even with consistent practice and training, dogs will make mistakes; it is an exciting world after all!  But don’t let that discourage you. If your dog has a relapse, take a few steps back until they have mastered the appropriate steps.  And remember: A perfect recall is unrealistic. But a near perfect one—a reliable recall—is achievable.

I’ll keep you posted on my dog’s progress and please feel free to share your own experience!

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Why You Need A Pet Sitter

Posted on February 29, 2012 by

Even the most adventurous and laid back of us generally has a routine that we don’t like to have changed.  Perhaps we like to eat our meals at a certain time, or prefer to have our workout at a specific time of the day.  And when our routines are interrupted, it seems to mess with the whole flow of our day.  And you know what? It’s the same for our pets.

Our pets want nothing more than to be with us.  From the most aloof cat to the neediest pup, our pets always feel better when we’re present.  And while we wish we could be, we can’t always be around.  Though our pets make us their top priority, albeit meal and snack time aside, we can’t always return the favor.

Often, the things we have to do or want to accomplish in a day can become overwhelming.  We get stuck in traffic, a dental visit runs long, that afternoon meeting extends an extra hour, and so on.  When things like this happen, we turn to our trusted friends or partners to help us through.  Shouldn’t your pet be afforded the same?

In a perfect world, we could all work from our homes and stay with our pets all day.  Every pet owner knows the feeling of sadness, and slight guilt, each day when they leave their fur baby behind for eight or more hours.  Sure, you vow to come back at lunch to take a little walk or offer a snack and some love, but that isn’t always possible.

But it can happen quite regularly.  While most people consider pet sitters only as an option for extended trips away, the fact is, you can get the help of a pet sitter on a daily basis.  A sitter can help maintain your beloved pets’ schedule, ensuring they receive the nourishment, exercise, and attention they deserve in order to maintain wellbeing.  After a long day, doesn’t it feels good to come home to a rested and fed pet?  There is no guild in admitting that it can feel stressful to be accosted by a hyper and hungry pet the second you step in the door from an exhausting day…sometime all you want to do is kick off your shoes and grab a glass of wine!

So, even if you never travel or go away for even one night, I encourage you to plan for those unexpected late nights at the office.  Having peace of mind that your pets have been fed and exercised is always a perfect end to a busy, hectic day :)

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ASPCA Guide To A Safe Valentine’s Day With Your Pets

Posted on February 10, 2012 by

Valentine’s Day can be as much fun for pets as it is for humans if dangerous foods, flora and other items are kept out of paws’ reach. Each year our poison control experts see a rise in cases around February 14, many involving chocolate and lilies, a flower that’s potentially fatal to cats. So please heed our experts’ advice—don’t leave the goodies lying around on Lover’s Day.

Pet-Safe Bouquets
Many pet owners are still unaware that all species of lily are potentially fatal to cats. When sending a floral arrangement, specify that it contain no lilies if the recipient has a cat—and when receiving an arrangement, sift through and remove all dangerous flora. If your pet is suffering from symptoms such as stomach upset, vomiting or diarrhea, he may have ingested an offending flower or plant.
*ASPCA has an online toxic and nontoxic plant library, complete with visual guides of what and what not should be in your bouquets.

Forbidden Chocolate
Seasoned pet lovers know the potentially life-threatening dangers of chocolate, including baker’s, semi sweet, milk and dark. In darker chocolates, methylxanthines—caffeine-like stimulants that affect gastrointestinal, neurologic and cardiac function—can cause vomiting/diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures and an abnormally elevated heart rate. The high-fat content in lighter chocolates can potentially lead to a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas. Go ahead and indulge, but don’t leave chocolate out for chow-hounds to find.

Careful with Cocktails
Spilled wine, half a glass of champagne, some leftover liquor are nothing to cry over until a curious pet laps them up. Because animals are smaller than humans, a little bit of alcohol can do a lot of harm, causing vomiting, diarrhea, lack of coordination, central nervous system depression, tremors, difficulty breathing, metabolic disturbances and even coma. Potentially fatal respiratory failure can also occur if a large enough amount is ingested.

Life Is Sweet
So don’t let pets near treats sweetened with xylitol. If ingested, gum, candy and other treats that include this sweetener can result in a sudden drop in blood sugar known as hypoglycemia. This can cause your pet to suffer depression, loss of coordination and seizures.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn
Don’t let pets near roses or other thorny stemmed flowers. Biting, stepping on or swallowing their sharp, woody spines can cause serious infection if a puncture occurs. “It’s all too easy for pets to step on thorns that fall to the ground as a flower arrangement is being created,” says Dr. Louise Murray, Director of Medicine for the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. De-thorn your roses far away from pets.

Playing with Fire
It’s nice to set your evening a-glow with candlelight, but put out the fire when you leave the room. Pawing kitties and nosy pooches can burn themselves or cause a fire by knocking over unattended candles.

Wrap it Up
Gather up tape, ribbons, bows, wrapping paper, cellophane and balloons after presents have been opened—if swallowed, these long, stringy and “fun-to-chew” items can get lodged in your pet’s throat or digestive tract, causing her to choke or vomit.

The Furry Gift of Life?
Giving a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem a fitting Valentine’s Day gift—however, returning a pet you didn’t plan on is far from romantic. Companion animals bring with them a lifelong commitment, and choosing a pet for someone else doesn’t always turn out right.

View original post at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/valentines-day-tips.aspx

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Dangers of Using Choke And Prong Collars And Why Harnesses Rock

Posted on January 17, 2012 by

Quick! Someone get this guy a front-leash harness!

Its no secret that most dogs are pullers, and if you’re a bully owner you know exactly what I mean!  Is it excitement?  Bad behavior?  A dog’s natural instinct as a work animal?  All of the above?  Regardless of the reasons, keeping your dog safe on a walk also keeps you safe.  I can count hundreds of times I have suffered a sore back, arms and hands from battling a pulling dog during a walk.  So what is to be done?  Finding the proper walking gear is key, but think twice about using choke or prong collars.

For one, choke and prong collars are designed to discipline dogs for pulling by inflicting pain and discomfort. Not only can these collars cause serious physical damage, but the emotional damage to dogs is often overlooked.  If your dog suffers discomfort and pain during their walks, they will begin to associate your walks together as negative.  Additionally, if your dog is easily excited around strangers and other animals on your walks, and therefore pulls more, then their excitement can progress into aggression as they experience increased pain and suffocation from pulling.  Overall, I find these sorts of collars counterproductive, especially since most dogs still pull heavily when these collars are used!  Some dogs do react ‘well’ to these collars but as a long-time pet sitter, I have experienced that only a very small percentage respond at all to prong or choke collars.

And why do dogs continue to pull with use of prong or choke collars?  A building tolerance for one.  The metal spikes of prong collars that pinch the skin around a dog’s neck when they pull can scratch and even puncture the skin. Over time, this can lead to the development of scar tissue, which has very little to no feeling at all. Additionally, a dog can build up a tolerance to the painful pinching sensation and thus continue to pull, making walks increasingly more difficult. And again, let me reiterate that dogs may interpret the tightening of a choke or prong collar around their neck as a stranglehold and become fearful or aggressive.

Aside from scratches, punctures and the development of scar tissue, the physical damages caused by the use of choke and prong collars can include torn nails and pads as dogs dig in while pulling, whiplash, fainting, spinal cord injuries that can lead to paralysis, crushing of the trachea with partial or complete asphyxiation, crushing and/or fracture of the bones in the larynx, dislocated neck bones, bruising of the esophagus, bruising and damage to the skin and tissues in the neck, brain damage and prolapsed eyes caused by sharp increases in pressure in the head, and other injuries.  Yeah, all very, very scary stuff!

Noted by many pet professionals to be the most humane and safest option for walking a dog is a front-leash harness, suitable for puppies and seniors alike.  When dogs lunge or pull while wearing the harness, the front leash attachment redirects them back toward the dog-walker.  The design of the front-leash harness also minimizes/eliminates neck strain and the chance of escape. A couple I recommend are the Freedom Harness and the Halti Dog Harness.

When shopping for a harness for your dog, please note that not all harness are created equal so please, please don’t tempted to go with a cheaper brand that looks similar.  Trust me on this one!  Lesser harnesses can slip and therefore do not fit the dog correctly — thus eliminating its ability to properly correct pulling and can cause discomfort and chaffing — and I have even had a couple harnesses break on me while walking a dog!  Not a good scenario!  A proper fitting harness is key for the safety of your pulling dog.  With patience and positive reinforcement, walks can be a pleasant experience for both man and beast.

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