6 St. Patrick’s Day Safety Tips for Pets

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6 St. Patrick’s Day Safety Tips for Pets

St. Patrick’s Day is a day filled with celebrating, alcohol, and delicious treats for humans. But as with all holidays, there are things to keep in mind to keep your pets safe during the festivities. If you’re looking for safe ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Keep your pet safe by following our tips!

Keep shamrock plants away from pets.


Shamrocks can cause stomach upset, drooling, and head shaking if small amounts of ingested. Large amounts can cause kidney damage and a decrease in the blood calcium level.

 

 

 

No alcoholic beverages for pets.


Alcohol can cause difficulty walking and upset stomach. Keep alcoholic drinks out of reach and if any spills clean it up right away.

 

 

 

 

Remove the raisins in Irish soda bread.


Irish soda bread is a popular St. Patrick’s Day treat but it contains raisins. Raisins are known to cause kidney failure. If you really want to serve Irish soda bread, make it yourself without the raisins.

 

 

 

 

Keep trash cans secure.


Pets can be mischievous. Make sure your trash cans are secure so they don’t get into something they shouldn’t. Glass bottles and sharp bottle caps in the trash can cause cuts.

 

 

 

 

Keep pets in a separate room.


Sometimes the best thing to do is keep your pets locked in their own room, away from the noise and tempting treats. Cats especially may prefer a quiet space to hide.

 

 

 

 

Dressing up your pets? Read their body language.


Some pets like being dressed up while others don’t. Watch your pets body language when attempting to put a festive costume on them. If you are dying your pets fur make sure to use a pet safe dye. Contact your local groomer for recommendations.

We hope you and your pets have a fun and safe St. Patrick’s Day!

How to Choose a Cat That’s Right for You

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How to Choose a Cat That’s Right for You

Welcoming a new animal into your home is a big step. So how do you make sure that the cat you’re adopting is the right one for you? We’ve put together some of the most common factors in choosing a cat that’s right for you.

Size


How big or small is your space? Cats do best in pairs, do you have enough room for 2 cats? While cats don’t come in as varied of sizes as dogs, some breeds like Maine Coons (8-25lbs) are much larger than your standard house cat (8-11lbs). Do you want a large cat or a smaller cat?

 

 

 

Activity Level


Not all cats are lazy. Some cats really like to play – like Bengals. Are you looking for a more sedentary cat or do you want one that’s always on the go?

 

 

 

 

Physical Maintenance


Some cat breeds require more grooming than others – especially long hair cats! Are you able to keep up with a regular grooming schedule? For example, Persians need groomed one a month.

 

 

 

 

Age


Kittens require the most training and attention and can be a wild-card for personality. While an adult cat will give you a better idea of their energy level, attitude, and temperament. How about letting a senior cat spend their golden years with you?

 

 

 

 

Breed


Do you want a purebred cat? What about a domestic house cat (aka a mutt)? If you’re looking for a specific breed check with local rescues in your area that specialize in that breed or research reputable cat breeders.

 

 

 

Congratulations on your new friend! We hope you two have many happy years together. Despite what many people may think, cats can’t be left alone for days at a time. If you’re planning on going out of town, Wet Noses Pet Sitting can help with cat visits. From short visits to overnights, we can custom tailor a schedule for you and your cats needs.

If there’s any other important tips for choosing a cat that’s right for you that we missed, let us know in the comments.

How to Choose a Dog That’s Right for You

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How to Choose a Dog That’s Right for You

Welcoming a new animal into your home is a big step. So how do you make sure that the dog you’re adopting is the right one for you? We’ve put together some of the most common factors in choosing a dog that’s right for you.

Size


How big or small is your space? Do you have room for a large dog? Are you able to comfortably handle a dog that weighs 100lbs or 10lbs?

 

 

 

 

Activity Level


Are you a person who is always on the go and wants a walking companion? Or are you more sedentary and like to stay at home?

 

 

 

 

Physical Maintenance


Some dog breeds require more grooming than others – especially long hair dogs! Are you able to keep up with a regular grooming schedule?

 

 

 

 

Age


Puppies require the most training and attention and can be a wild-card for personality. While an adult dog will give you a better idea of their energy level, attitude, and temperament. How about letting a senior pup spend their golden years with you?

 

 

 

 

Breed


Do you want a purebred dog? What about a mutt? If you’re looking for a specific breed check with local rescues in your area that specialize in that breed or research reputable dog breeders.

 

 

 

Congratulations on your new friend! We hope you two have many happy years together. Finding yourself needing help getting all of those daily walks in? Wet Noses Pet Sitting can help! We can custom tailor a dog walking schedule to your new dogs needs. We also offer puppy visits!

If there’s any other important tips for choosing a dog that’s right for you that we missed, let us know in the comments.

Easy 6 Ingredient Dog Biscuit Recipe

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Easy 6 Ingredient Dog Biscuit Recipe

Today is National Dog Biscuit Day! Which means if you’re not making dog biscuits today you should be! We wanted to find a simple dog biscuit recipe that didn’t take a lot of extra ingredients and we think this one works great. You might already have everything to make these six ingredient dog biscuits in your pantry. Keep reading below for the full recipe.

Is flaxseed good for dogs?

Flaxseeds, which come from the flax plant, are small and nutty flavored seeds. They offer a lot of health benefits for dogs because they contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-3’s help reduce inflammation in the body while omega-6’s boost overall skin health. Additionally, ground and pressed flaxseed oil provides similar health properties to that of flaxseed itself. It is rich in both essential fats.

Flaxseeds are loaded with fiber and protein, both of which are beneficial to a dog’s digestive health. In addition, flaxseed contains valuable antioxidants that support the immune system.

Flaxseeds are a significant source of both fiber and nutrients, including lignans. These compounds can have positive effects on cardiovascular health by reducing inflammation, bringing down blood pressure levels, aiding in the functions of the kidneys, and improving skin quality in pets. In addition to these benefits, flaxseed also has anti-inflammatory properties which could help alleviate symptoms related to arthritis.

Can dogs eat peanut butter?

If the peanut butter does not contain xylitol or birch sugar then yes, peanut butter is a safe treat for dogs to have in moderation. To be extra safe, you can purchase peanut butter that is meant for dogs. This includes brand such as Green Coast Pet and Nature’s Logic.

Easy 6 Ingredient Dog Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 1 cup wholemeal flour
  • 1 large free-range egg
  • 2/3 cup chicken stock
  • 6 tbsp peanut butter
  • 2 tbsp flaxseed

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F
  2. Place the flour in a large bowl and mix well. Add in remaining wet ingredients and seeds and mix until you have a rough dough.
  3. Roll out to approx 2cm/3/4″ in thickness and using a bone or dog shaped cutter, cut out biscuit shapes. Depending on the size of your cutter, you should get 15-20 biscuits.
  4. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and cook for 25 mins or until golden brown.
  5. Cool the biscuits on a wire rack before transferring to an airtight container where the will last up to three weeks.

Did you try out this recipe? Drop a message in the comments. We’d love to hear how they turned out for you!

Easy Dog-Friendly Banana Pancake Recipe

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Dog-Friendly Banana Pancake Recipe

Today is National Pancake Day! To celebrate, we’ve made up these delicious banana and pear dog-friendly pancakes. Let us know your thoughts in the comments about how much your dog enjoyed them!

Ingredients:

For the pancakes:

  • 2 x bananas
  • 2 x medium eggs
  • 1 x dash of cinnamon
  • 2 tbsp. coconut flour
  • A little coconut oil

For the topping:

  • 2 x pears

Directions

  1. Dice up your pears, add to your oven-proof dish and bake at 400 degrees C for about 20 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, smash up the banana and eggs. You can use a food processor if you like a smoother texture, but doing this by hand works just as well, especially if the bananas are ripe!
  3. Stir in cinnamon and coconut flour. Allow batter to sit for 2 – 3 minutes while the coconut flour rehydrates.
  4. Heat a nonstick pan or griddle and liberally baste with coconut oil.
  5. Scoop generous spoonfuls of batter onto the pan. Wait until bubbles appear in the center.
  6. Carefully flip the pancakes. Cook on this side until golden brown.
  7. Serve up with your soft baked pears and enjoy!

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Easy Dog-Friendly Strawberry Pancake Recipe

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Easy Dog-Friendly Strawberry Pancake Recipe

Looking for a recipe for dog-friendly strawberry pancakes? We have you covered! To celebrate this upcoming National Strawberry Day (February 27, 2023) and National Pancake Day (February 21, 2023) we’d like to share this dog-friendly strawberry pancake recipe.

Ingredients
For the pancakes:

  • 1 medium egg
  • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons (160 g) buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter (unsalted)
  • ½ cup (70 g) buckwheat flour
  • 2 tablespoons (20 g) quick-cook polenta
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • 2-3 tablespoons water
  • Oil for cooking

For the peanut butter drizzle:

  • 2 x tablespoons of peanut butter
  • 1 x tablespoon of warm water

For the topping

  • 150g strawberries washed and chopped

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, beat the egg. Mix in the buttermilk and peanut butter. Mix in the buckwheat flour, polenta and baking powder. The batter should be thick, but be able to drizzle off a spoon very slowly.
  2. If the consistency of your batter looks too thick, add small amounts of water a spoonful at a time. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Heat a griddle to a medium heat. Add oil to the griddle and add the batter. If you happen to have a dog bone cookie cutter handy, pour the batter into the cookie cutter and spread to the edges using a spoon.
  4. Cook for around 2 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Flip and cook for an additional minute, until both sides are golden brown.
  5. To make the peanut butter drizzle, mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with 1 tablespoon of water. Depending on your choice of peanut butter, you may need to slightly adjust the amount of water to get a runny consistency. To serve, drizzle the pancakes with peanut butter and fresh strawberries

Like this recipe? Give it a Pin!

10 Reasons to Adopt a Golden Retriever this International Golden Retrievers Day

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10 Reasons to Adopt a Golden Retriever this International Golden Retrievers Day

Looking for reasons to adopt a golden retriever? With International Golden Retriever Day right around the corner, you may be asking yourself, “Is it time to bring a sweet golden fur baby into my life?!” Well, if you’re on the fence, let this help you decide! Here are 10 reasons you should adopt a golden retriever (as if you needed another)!

1. They have HUGE hearts!

The golden retriever breed is most known for its phenomenal temperament. These golden babies not only have a bright sunny coat but a sunny disposition to match! Often used as therapy
dogs for a wide range of patients, golden’s are loving pets that will warm your hearts with their capacity to care!

2. They are so gentle.

Originally bred as hunting dogs, golden retrievers are known to have “soft mouths” or bite inhibition. This means they are extremely gentle natured and less likely to chomp down on stray
fingers that may find their way to your pets mouths. This makes them excellent pets for homes with young kids!

3. They’ll enrich your life as much as you enrich theirs

Golden retrievers live to please! As much as you will love them (and you will LOVE your golden friend), they will love you back tenfold! Nothing beats coming home after a long day to
someone who celebrates your arrival with unbridled love and affection! They truly are an instant mood booster!

golden retriever

4. They are very compliant when it comes to training!

Golden retrievers are renowned people-pleasers. This makes them easy-to-train pets! They are highly intelligent which makes them capable of a wide variety of tasks whether it be assisting a
visually-impaired patient or simply coming when they are called. They’re some of the easiest dogs to walk. Just another reason these devoted pups make an excellent extension to your pack!

5. They are the perfect pet for homes with animals already.

Due to their gentle, loving disposition, golden retrievers are also naturally highly social! This makes them an awesome addition to homes with already-established pets! Of course, their
curious nature will encourage them to explore and sniff out any new friends, but their amicable nature prevails through and through!

6. They have a relatively long life expectancy.

Golden’s make a great addition for many reasons, but another bonus is their life expectancy! The average lifespan of a golden retriever is about 10-13 years! If you are looking for a long-term
companion look no further! Their loyal demeanor will stick by your side for as long as they are with you!

adult cream golden retriever laying on floor

7. They will brighten your home and your day!

Golden retrievers come in a wide variety of shades of their signature golden hue. From cream to a dark goldenrod, their array of sunny shades also translates into their bright personalities!
Generally happy-go-lucky pups, Golden Retrievers have an infectious smile that is sure to bring happiness to all who get the pleasure of meeting them!

8. They’ll enjoy the outdoors as much as your family does!

Due to their breed history, golden retrievers are moderately active dogs who require at least 40 minutes of exercise a day to maintain the happy, healthy life they truly deserve! Couple their
athletic, sporting nature with their obedience and loyalty, and you have a new companion in whatever outdoor hobbies you may want to pursue! Adopting a new pet can also encourage you to get outside more and enjoy the fresh air!

9. They aren’t big diggers or droolers.

Besides the ongoing list on why golden retrievers make an amazing addition to your house, an added bonus is they aren’t big droolers like some larger breeds are! On top of this, you needn’t
worry about your garden because golden’s aren’t keen on digging either! This makes them comparably less messy than some other breeds, good news for the neat and tidy home makers!

golden retriever lying on green grass field during daytime

10. They are the best family pets!

Overall, golden retrievers are known for their happy, loving disposition. They are loyal until the very end, and will bring nothing but happiness to whomever they encounter. They are extremely
gregarious making them great for homes with kids or already established pets. If you’re looking to celebrate International Golden Retriever Day this February 3rd, you may want to introduce a
gentle, loving, furry friend into your home!

There you have it! 10 reasons to adopt a golden retriever this International Golden Retriever Day! Did we miss any of your favorite reasons for adopting a golden retriever? Let us know in the comments!

5 Ways to Get Fit This Year With Your Dog

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5 Ways to Get Fit This Year With Your Dog

When it comes to getting fit this year, there’s no better workout partner than your dog. They’re always happy to go for a run or a walk, and they’re always eager to please. In fact, with the right motivation, your dog can help you get in great shape this year.

Here are five ways to get fit this year with your dog.

1. Go for a Walk

Going for a walk with your dog is a great way to get fit & bond with your dog. In fact, walking and jogging are the most common forms of exercise for humans and their pets. Some dogs love going for multiple walks a day and will be happy to join you for every walk. Others are content with joining you for a short jaunt around the block.

Live in an area that doesn’t have a place to walk your dog? Fort Collins and the surrounding areas are filled with trails and parks that are dog friendly such as the Reservoir Ridge Trail or Arapaho Bend.

When you go for a walk with your dog keep the following in mind:

  • Your dogs age
  • You & your dogs physical fitness
  • Weather
  • Proper gear to walk your dog safely

Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways to exercise with your dog, and can be incorporated into almost any routine. In general, a daily walk of 30 minutes can help you burn between 300 and 600 calories. Pets burn approximately 70 calories per hour while walking, and can burn as much as 15 calories per minute while jogging. If you are just starting out, begin with a simple walk or jog around the block. As you get stronger, increase the distance and the pace.

Want to make sure your dog gets enough walks during the day? Wet Noses Pet Sitting offers dog walking services! While it won’t get you in shape it’ll help your pup keep their walk routine and their fitness in check!

2. Hiking with your Dog

If you live in Colorado then you’re no stranger to hiking. Hiking is a great activity for both you and your dog, and can be done in any season. Hiking can also be done at a slower pace, meaning you can take in new places, and enjoy the scenery with your pet. If you don’t have a hiking trail near your home, you can search for a park or trail near your home that your pet has never been to such as Horsetooth Falls Loop Trail or the Fort Collins Poudre River Trail. Make sure to pack plenty of water and a collapsible bowl for your pooch, along with a leash to keep them from wandering off. You can even bring along some dog-friendly treats to entice your furry friend to enjoy the fresh air with you.

3. Agility Training

Have a dog that never seems to run out of energy? Agility training is a great way to keep your dog mentally and physically active, and can be enjoyed by dogs of all ages. Agility training focuses on your dog’s ability to quickly respond to commands, and play a new sport that combines obstacle courses, jumps, tunnels, and other obstacles. You can start with basic obedience training and work your way up to more challenging courses.

There are many agility classes that are available for dogs with owners such as the ones at Summit Dog Training and Sunset Agility.

4. Play with your Dog

Playing with your dog indoors or outdoors is another way to help get fit. Some activities, like tug-of-war can be done indoors or outdoors while activities like frisbee should only be done outside.

For dogs, a frisbee is a safe, fun alternative to ball playing, and can be played on land or water. For a short, 5-minute exercise, toss the frisbee and ask your dog to fetch it back, then play catch.

5. Go Swimming

If your dog is a fan of the water then swimming might be the perfect activity to get fit this year with your dog. You can even bring that frisbee from the previous tip!

At the end of the season, some pools will have doggy swim days. This is right before they drain the pool for winter. While this doesn’t help you get fit, your dog will still have fun. Unfortunately, as of 2023 the Fort Collins City Park Pool will no longer be holding their Pooch Plunge.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for ways to get fit this year with your dog we hope the above tips help you and your dog stay active. What is your favorite way to get fit with your dog? Let us know in the comments.

Fun with Your Dog in Boulder this Labor Day Weekend_Header

Fun with Your Dog in Boulder this Labor Day Weekend

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Fun with Your Dog in Boulder this Labor Day Weekend_Header

 

Wondering what dog-friendly activities are happening in or near Boulder, Colorado this Labor Day weekend? We’ve put together a small list of fun, dog-friendly happenings!

Go for a Hike

A favorite pastime of many Coloradoans is hiking. This Labor Day weekend is no exception. If you’re new to the area or haven’t been hiking in awhile, here is a list of some of the dog-friendly Boulder hiking trails.

As always, make sure to clean up after yourself and be cautious of summer algae blooms. These algae blooms can be toxic to both humans and pets.

Try a new Place

Boulder has lots of eateries that are dog-friendly. Make sure you keep your pup on a leash the entire time. Why not give these places a try?

This is only a fraction of the places that are pet-friendly! Don’t see your favorite spot? Leave a comment and we’ll get it added.

You can also check out the Twenty Ninth Street Mall. Dogs are allowed in all of the common areas and in some of the shops.

Visit a Dog Park

While this one is more fun for your dog than you, visiting a dog park can be a great afternoon activity. Most areas in the city require your dog to be on a leash but at the dog parks, your dog can run free as fast as they can.

Howard Heuston also has an off-leash dog area but it has different rules than a standard dog park. You can read more on the website here.

Scenic Drives

Are you info farmers markets? Does your pup enjoy the feeling of the wind in their fur? Then driving to farm stands might be right up your alley. You can view a full list of stands to plan your route here. It’s estimated that it’ll take you about 60 minutes, without stops, and 2 1/2 hours with stops. Make sure to bring cash!

There’s also plenty of picture perfect spots to drive through. Visit Boulder has compiled a wonderful list here.

There you have it. Some of the dog-friendly happenings this Labor Day weekend in Boulder! Have a fun and safe Labor Day weekend.

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A Review on Stray: The game where you play as a cat_Header

A Review on Stray: The game where you play as a cat

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A Review on Stray: The game where you play as a cat_Header

You might be thinking? What is a pet sitting company doing reviewing a video game? Stray (2022) has captured the hearts of thousands, ranking as the highest PC game of 2022. But what exactly has captivated gamers and pet sitters alike?

You play as a cat.

Not only do you play as a cat, you have a dedicated “meow” button. Yes, that means you can run through the world created by BlueTwelve Studio meowing until your hearts content. You’ll even get an achievement after meowing 100-times.

Other than those two details which most certainly have you hooked, Stray takes place in a cyberpunk world run by robots. By helping these robots you progress in the game. Not only making friends but making the world a better place. The game involves a variety of jumping puzzles. You have the option to be prompted to jump or figure it out yourself. I went with the prompt option. As much as I enjoy puzzles, I do also enjoy a chill game. Which Stray mostly is.

Stray is a short game. I beat it in around 5 hours but I was also going for achievements. Most people say it takes 2 – 6 hours to beat. There’s also an achievement for beating the game in under 2 hours so it can be done. If you’re looking for something to do this afternoon then Stray might be worth picking up.

https://images.igdb.com/igdb/image/upload/t_original/sc8bii.jpg

One of the areas you’ll encounter in Stray.

Shockingly, Stray did not mocap a cat but rather the developers watched Oscar. Who is Oscar? This is Oscar!

Sphynx Cat laying in a cat bed

Oscar – BlueTweleve

Oscar ran, played, jumped, and even itched himself. All things a normal cat would do and the developers captured his motions purr-fectly. It’s hard to believe they didn’t use mo-cap. But, can you imagine putting a mo-cap suit on a cat and getting them to act like a normal cat still? I can see why the developers chose to simply watch Oscar instead.

 

Murtaugh is the inspiration for the adorable protagonist you play as. The modding community for Stray has taken off. Classic cats like Garfield are options to play as. Or would you rather have someone 3D model your personal cat into the game? While I believe the lovable Murtaugh is a perfect choice, being able to customize who you play as is a nice community feature.

But how could we forget those adorable meows you hear throughout the game. Those were voiced by Lala.

 

While some games like Cat Cafe Manager choose to use a mix of human-made cat sounds and actual cats, Stray went all-in. I can imagine being in the studio trying to capture Lala’s vocals. That must have made the audio engineers day!

Final Verdict

If you like cats and video games then I would pick up Stray. The price tag of $30 is a bit steep for what I have heard described as an “interactive art piece”. Which I can’t disagree with. I’d say Stray is more in-depth than a walking simulator (a whole class of game of it’s own) but by no means is it worth $30. $20? That would be more reasonable. But can you really put a price on that dedicated “meow” button?