Tag Archive for: dogs

Top 5 Places for Dog Grooming in Boulder

Top 5 Places for Dog Grooming in Boulder Header

 

Live in Boulder and need dog grooming? Whether your dog has short or long hair, grooming is very important to keep your dog healthy and happy. In Boulder, Colorado, we have a lot of options for dog groomers, but be sure to check out these options first!


1.) Peak to Peak Grooming

  • Mobile in-home grooming for dogs and cats
  • Boulder, Colorado
  • (303) 442-0269

2.) Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming


3.) The Hydrant


4.) The Peaceful Puppy


5.) Pampered Pooch Grooming


How to Pick the Perfect Dog Groomer:

Cavalier spaniel being bathed

Cavalier spaniel being bathed by Anna Fotyma from NounProject.com

If you’re new to getting your dog or cat groomed, don’t hesitate to give your local groomer a call and ask a few questions.

 

Here are some basic tips for making sure you’re picking the right groomer for you:

  • Visit the shop to make an appointment in person
  • Does the staff appear knowledgeable, caring, and gentle?
  • Is the facility well lit and clean?
  • Do the animals have enough room in their cages (they should be able to stand and turn around comfortably)
  • Are dogs and cats caged in separate areas?
  • Does the groomer keep complete pet records (including grooming, medical, vaccination, and emergency contact information)?

Ask your friends and neighbors about their experiences as well. You can never do too much research when it comes to someone handling your fur baby. Don’t feel bad about asking questions or for a tour. A great groomer won’t hesitate to show you around and assuage any anxiety you or your pet feels about the process.

Do you have a favorite place in Boulder for dog grooming?? Let us know your recommendations in the comments below or on our Facebook page!

Boulder Dog Parks

Boulder Dog Parks Header

Live in or near Boulder, Colorado and are looking for a dog park in Boulder? You’re in luck! In recent years cities have become more dog-friendly and thus the number of dog parks has grown. What a great place to exercise your dog if she is friendly with other dogs and likes to play! Here are a few popular dog parks in Boulder.

East Boulder Dog Park

5660 Sioux Dr, Boulder, Colorado

East Boulder Dog Park has separate small and large dog areas.

 

Foothills Dog Park

800 Cherry Ave, Boulder, Colorado

Foothills Dog Park has separate small and large dog areas.

 

Do you prefer to have your dog off-leah? Learn more about the City of Boulder’s Voice and Sight Tag Program. With this, you can also have your dog off-leash at:

Howard Heuston Off-Leash Dog Area

34th and Iris, Boulder, Colorado

 

Have you gone to any of these parks? Which one is your favorite? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting.

Lyme Disease In Dogs: The Facts & What To Do About Header

Lyme Disease In Dogs: The Facts & What To Do About

Lyme Disease In Dogs: The Facts & What To Do About Header
Lyme Disease In Dogs: The Facts & What To Do About

Lyme disease is something you may have heard about before but what exactly is it? Today we explore what Lyme disease is, what animals can get Lyme disease, how it’s transmitted, and more.

First up,

What is Lyme disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial spread by ticks that involves a skin rash and joint pain. Specifically it is the “bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii” [Source].

Can only dogs get Lyme disease?

No. Cats, horses, deer, mice, chipmunks, opossums, squirrels, and raccoons can also get Lyme disease.

You should apply a vet-approved flea and tick prevention method to help prevent Lyme disease and discuss vaccination against Lyme disease with your veterinarian.

How are animals infected?

The bacteria is passed through the bite of an infected tick. In most cases, the tick needs to be attached for 24-48 hours before the bacteria can infect the animal. This means, whenever you come back from a walk you should make sure you and your pet do not have any ticks attached to yourselves. You can learn how to remove a tick on the CDC website. There also are tools designed to remove ticks from dogs and cats.

How does Lyme disease affect my dog?

Lameness, fever, or possible bacterial infection in the kidneys or heart can take as long as 5 months to appear. Issues tend to be focused around the elbows and joints. Lyme disease cannot be transferred from dog to dog or dog to human.

What do I do if I suspect my dog is infected?

Some of the common symptoms you need to look out for are:

  • Fever;
  • Generalized stiffness, discomfort, or pain;
  • Lameness (can be shifting, intermittent, and recurring);
  • Loss of appetite;
  • Reduced energy;
  • Swelling of joints

If you have been in tall, grassy areas that may not be treated for ticks and notice these symptoms seek veterinary care.

Can humans contract Lyme disease?

Yes, humans can become infected with Lyme disease. Lyme disease cannot be contracted from your dog or cat that is infected. You can however be infected by a carrier tick that was attached to your pet. If you believe you have Lyme disease call your physician. Lyme disease is diagnosed based on a variety of factors – one of which can be laboratory testing.

Lyme Disease Infographic

Lyme disease isn’t the only disease or illness our pets can get. Make sure you’re aware of how to prevent rabies and heartworm.

What To Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets Header

What to Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets

What To Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets Header

What to Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets?

When you have a cat or dog with diabetes it can be a tough decision when deciding to go out of town because there are a lot of factors to consider such as finding pet sitting for a diabetic pet. We want to walk you through these points of concern and discuss when you should make the choice to stay in town and skip that vacation instead. If you decide it is okay to leave, we have a list of suggestions for pet sitting schedules that we have found work out well for diabetic pets. All pets need amazing care, but without an educated and precise pet sitter, it can be easy for a diabetic pet to become ill.

Want to skip the article? Check out our video below that covers the same information.

Should You Travel?

We are always happy to help out, but there are some factors that need to be considered with diabetic pets before you make the decision to go on a vacation.

  • How long since your pet was diagnosed with diabetes?
    In the early days after diagnosis, you are trying to get your pet’s glucose levels stable. You are often speaking to your vet regularly and adjusting medication levels. This can be hard for a pet sitter to take on.
  • Is your pet stable?
    Meaning are you still needing to adjust medication often and watch your pet’s behavior for concerns?
  • How is your pet accepting the insulin injections and glucose testing?
    If it is hard for you, it will be harder for a sitter.
  • How is your pet about being handled by strangers?
    If your pet does not love being handled (especially cats) then it is going to be tough for a sitter to medicate your pet and do glucose testing.
  • Does your pet have any problems eating when you are gone?
    Pets need to eat before receiving their insulin. If your pet typically does not eat when you are gone then it is going to be hard for a sitter to manage the food and insulin levels consistently.
  • Are you going to be reachable on your trip?
    Whenever there is a problem with a pet, especially a pet with medical problems, we will reach out to you for suggestions and ideas. If you are not able to be reached it will be hard for a sitter to determine the next course of action.

If you are seeing multiple points of concern, then you should consider waiting to travel until your pet is more stable. We are concerned for both your pet, who is not feeling well already, and the safety of the sitter who will be handling your pet in close quarters. If you think this is a good time to travel then we have multiple steps to make sure it goes smoothly!

What To Consider When Scheduling a Pet Sitter for Diabetic Pets Header

Pet Diabetes: Should You Travel Infographic – Click to enlarge 🔍

How do You Prepare to Leave Your Diabetic Pet?

You have decided you are going to travel and want to make sure it goes as well as possible. So do we! Here is what a sitter will need so you can have the best trip:

  • All the data from your veterinarian.
    All of it. This can include normal and abnormal glucose levels, amount of insulin to be given, length of time after eating to give insulin, size of a normal meal, what to do if your pet does not eat, any abnormal behaviors to watch out for, etc. The more information you give your sitter, the more educated decisions she can make.
  • Feeding instructions with contingencies.
    It is not unusual for animals to not eat if they are stressed or not feeling well. If your dog does not eat or your cat hides during a visit, think about what your sitter should do. Do you want the sitter to stay longer (and you pay for the extra time)? Should the sitter leave and come back? Can the sitter mix in some canned food or feed a different food altogether to get your pet to eat? We have been known to sit on the floor and hand-feed pets if that is helpful, we just need to know what you think is best.
  • Normal animal behaviors.
    When your pet is not feeling well, what does she do? The better the list you make, the more we can look for.
  • How to reach you.
    We try to solve problems ourselves, but we never want to mess with the health of a pet. When pet sitting diabetic pets, we like to be able to reach you if we have concerns. This is especially true if you are a new client or your pet has recently been diagnosed with diabetes.
  • How to reach your vet, and permission for us to speak to them.
    You need to let know veterinarian know you will be out of town and who will be caring for your pets. If we cannot reach you, or the situation is urgent, we need to be able to reach a veterinarian quickly and not have to worry about any privacy issues.

We’ve put together a checklist to help you keep all of this information organized and to make sure you have all the information at the ready to provide your pet sitter.

Diabetic Pet Checklist - w/o Image

Checklist – Click to enlarge 🔍

But what if I’m not sure how my pet will do with a sitter?

If you are unsure of how your pet will do with a sitter – we offer trial visits. At Wet Noses Pet Sitting, we require a trial visit for any cat receiving medication. We recommend trial visits for dogs, but only require it if the dog seems nervous during the meet and greet. During a trial visit, you will leave and your sitter will come just like you are on vacation. This will allow us all to observe how your animal reacts to a new person handling them and allow us to flush out any questions your sitter may have.

If you know your pet will have a hard time – schedule multiple trial visits! We are happy to come to work with you for as long as it takes to get your dog or cat comfortable with us. We want everyone to be relaxed and have peace of mind when you do leave.

Petting sitting diabetic pets is something we love and if you can prepare all of this, then you can travel comfortably knowing that your diabetic pet will be well cared for. Now you just need to decide on a schedule! Unlike other pets, diabetic pets need medication every 12 hours. Below are our suggested schedules that are built with that in mind.

Fluffy ginger cat looking up from cardboard box

Fluffy ginger cat looking up from cardboard box by Konstantin Aksenov from NounProject.com

Diabetic Pet Option #1

This is an ideal schedule for diabetic pets who need eyes on them regularly.

 

30 Minute Mid-Day Visit 

Your sitter will use this visit for a walk and/or playtime. It is a good time during the day just to check on your pet and make sure they are feeling okay. If you have a dog, this visit should be set at a time when your dog would normally need to go outside, so it is in line with their normal routine. A visit during the middle of the day like this means that your dog will only be alone for 6-7 hours, depending on the time of the visit. 

12 Hour Extended Overnight Stay 

A 12-hour overnight means your sitter will feed your pet and give insulin at the beginning and end of the stay. Your sitter will arrive in the early evening (around 7 pm) and take your dog for a walk or playtime (if you have one), whichever is normal for them. Then comes feeding and some time for relaxation. Right before bed, your dog goes out for the last outing, usually a potty break. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pup has company. In the morning there is time for another walk or playtime and feeding, as well as other pet chores. The Extended Overnight Stay is especially good for dogs and cats who are accustomed to having company and companionship during the evenings or if you have a large number of pets needing care. 

 

Two cavalier spaniels lying next to each other on bed

Two cavalier spaniels lying next to each other on bed by Anna Fotyma from NounProject.com

Diabetic Pet Option #2

This is a good schedule for diabetic pets who are used to being home alone in the evening but like having company overnight.

 

30-Minute Dinner Visit

Your sitter arrives ready for a walk (if you have a dog) and dinner time! Your pets will be happy to see them after a day apart, so there is usually some happy greeting time followed by a trip outside to go potty for dogs. This visit will be scheduled during the time that your pet needs their evening insulin. After dogs get their evening walk, or cats have playtime, it is time for dinner and medication. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pet has company. Before leaving, your sitter turns on some lights so your pets are not alone in the dark, and to make your home appear lived in.

9-10 Hour Regular Overnight Stay 

Your sitter will arrive in the evening (around 10 p.m.) and let your dog out for a potty break. Your sitter then settles your pup in for their normal bedtime routine. Maybe your dog sleeps in the bed with your sitter, or on a dog bed in the bedroom. If your dog needs a tuck in with a blanket or a late-night treat, that will happen. In the morning there is time for a let out or a quick walk and feeding. Before leaving, your sitter will set your pup up for the day with her normal routine, including breakfast and medication. The overnight stay is especially good for dogs who are accustomed to having company and companionship overnight and provides a level of consistency that dogs appreciate. It also allows your sitter to keep an eye on your pet’s behavior for any changes that indicate she is not feeling well.

Pet cat laying down on cat perch

Pet cat laying down on cat perch by Noun Project from NounProject.com

Diabetic Pet Option #3

This is a good schedule for pet sitting diabetic pets who are fine with being home alone overnight.

 

30-Minute Breakfast Visit

Your sitter will arrive in the morning (between 7-8:30 am) and take your dog for a walk or playtime, whichever is normal for her. It is an exciting time to get up and stretch our legs first thing in the morning! Cats gets some cuddles and playtime, whatever they like. Then comes feeding, medication, and other normal chores. Before leaving your sitter will set your pup up for the day with her normal routine, whether it be a stuffed KONG or leaving a radio on.

30 Minute Late Afternoon Visit

Your sitter arrives ready for a walk and playtime! Your pup will be happy to see her after a day apart, so there is usually some happy greeting time followed by a trip outside to go potty. Then they are off for their walk or playtime outside, depending on what your dog prefers. Your sitter sends you a picture with an update so you can rest easy knowing your pup has company. Before leaving, your sitter turns on some lights so your dog in not alone in the dark, and to make your home appear lived in.

15-30 Minute Night Visit

This visit should be timed to be 12 hours apart from your breakfast visit. The sitter will take dogs out for a last-minute potty break and then feeding and medication. It allows your pup to close out the day comfortably and securely. Your sitter will let your pup out and settle her in for the night with her normal routine. At the end it is lights out and time for sleep!

Cavalier spaniel sitting under under purple blanket

Cavalier spaniel sitting under under purple blanket by Anna Fotyma from NounProject.com

Our Considerations for all Pets

When it comes to pet sitting diabetic pets, there are a few factors we like to consider when setting a schedule:

  • All diabetic pets need visits spaced 12 hours apart for insulin, so we stick to that when scheduling.
  • How long is your dog used to being home during the day? Do you work a full dog or do you work from home?
  • How often does your dog go outside during a normal day? It is easy to underestimate so try counting for a few days to be sure.
  • Does your dog need a lot of exercise? If so, consider schedules for active dogs.
  • Where do your pets sleep at night? If your dog waits for you to go to bed and then joins you, you need overnight stays. If your dog wanders off at 9 p.m. and you don’t see her again until 7 a.m., you can probably get away with just visits, if you want.
  • For you – are you more comfortable having someone active around the house? If so, then you want an Extended Overnight.

Time to Customize!

We want to work with you to set up the best possible schedule for your dog, so you are all happy during your trip. We also know that each home is different, and a lot of people have more than just one dog!

After you have a basic idea of your schedule we sit down to figure out the nitty-gritty:

  • Are there any other pets in the home that need feeding, medication, etc.? We make sure your visit has enough time to get everything done.
  • We like to allow enough time for feeding, changing water, walks, and some cuddles (if your pet is so inclined).
  • There needs to be enough time to clean out food and water bowls and clean up any messes, toys, etc.
  • Many people who love animals, also love plants! Normal visits have time for a small bit of plant watering. If you have beautiful summer gardens, then we need to see how long they take to the water and add that on to your normal visits.
  • On your normal schedule, we can complete household tasks like bringing in the newspaper, collecting the mail, turning lights off and on, and taking out the trash.
  • Do you want updates every visit? Many clients do, just keep in mind that your sitter will take 5+ minutes to send an update and that is time during your visit not focused on your pets.
  • It will take a sitter a bit longer to get the work done than it takes you, especially if you have extensive routines for your pets and home. You have had years to perfect your system! We always try to make sure your pet sitter will have enough time for everything so she will not feel stressed and your pets will receive the focus they deserve.

Work With Us to Keep Your Pets Healthy While You are Gone!

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep? Header

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep?

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep? Header

Where Does an Overnight Pet Sitter Sleep?

One of the most common questions we get asked is “Where does a pet sitter sleep overnight?” And the answer might shock you:

Anywhere you give them the okay to sleep!

Some of the most common places our pet sitters sleep are:

  • Guest bedrooms
  • Master bedrooms
  • (Comfy) couches

Our sitters do enjoy when clients have freshly washed any bedding as it helps them settle in. Your pet sitter will often bring their own pillow and blanket to sleep with and to lay on top of any bedding already on the bed or place on a comfy couch. When it comes to picking a place for your pet sitter to sleep we recommend picking a place that your pets are used to sleeping. If your pets sleep in the master bedroom with you we recommend your pet sitter sleeping in the master bedroom. If you’re not comfortable with that, a guest bedroom or a preferably comfy couch is another great option.

Don’t have a guest bedroom or you don’t want your sitter sleeping on the couch? No problem. Air mattresses, roll-out beds, and futons are also options!

 

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5 Things To Do On The Weekend in Fort Collins

5 Things to Do on the Weekend in Fort Collins Header

Fort Collins is a beautiful place to live and you might as well get out and enjoy it! After a long week of work, of course, you want to bring your dog with you if you can. So here are 5 things you can do in Fort Collins on the weekends, some with your dog and some without.

1. Hiking or Trail Walks

We have an extensive system of trails as well as amazing hiking spaces surrounding Fort Collins, many of which are dog-friendly. Or if you are going without a dog for the day, you can explore any of the trails the area has to offer.

What Are the Best Fort Collins Dog Trails?

2. Visit a Brewery

Fort Collins is well known for its breweries so you have a wide selection to chose from. Most have outdoor patios and welcome well-behaved dogs.

If you want to be extra prepared, check out the Drink with Your Dog program organized by our local dog trainer, Summit Dog Training.

3. Visit the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

Our local museum is a beautiful blend of art and history. While not open to dogs, it is a wonderful place to enjoy the day, bring the kids, and perhaps see a Dome show.

Fort Collins Museum of Discovery

4. Go out to eat

Fort Collins is well known for its large selection of eateries, from the newer locations on Harmony to the classics (and new finds) in Old Town. Many even have patios where you can bring your pup, but be sure to check in advance.

Top 5 Pet Friendly Restaurants in Fort Collins

5. Check out a show

Fort Collins is well known for its music and art shows, as well as our festivals. On any given weekend you can look for a special event and stumble upon a multitude of choices. If you are looking for a good selection check out:

Fort Collins Events

Downtown Fort Collins Events

The New Scene

You are bound to find something that interests you!

 

Fort Collins is a beautiful place to live and everyone should get out on the weekends to enjoy the many things to do!

Best Vets in Greeley, Colorado

Best Vets in Greeley, Colorado Header

 

Are you looking for a vet in Greeley, Colorado? You’re in luck! Folks in Greeley love their pets and the quality of veterinary care reflects that. There are some wonderful vets to chose from! Choosing the right vet for you is more about their location, expertise, and their style of caring for your pets. I personally prefer a small clinic and am willing to drive across town, but you may prefer a large clinic with longer hours or a clinic that is close.

If you need help choosing your new veterinarian, read our article 5 Tips for Picking a Veterinarian You Love.

Here is a list of veterinarians that we have heard wonderful things about. We have included a few details but you will want to be sure to check them out and make sure they are a good match for you. There is nothing wrong with trying a few veterinarians to find the right one for you!

Alpine Veterinary Hospital

  • (970) 352-8835
  • 131 North 35th Ave, Greeley, CO 80634
  • Alpine Veterinary Hospital is a smaller clinic with a single veterinarian.

Edwards Veterinary Care

  • (970) 515-6405
  • 5240 W 9th Street Dr, Suite 400, Greeley, CO 80634
  • Edwards Veterinary Clinic is a small clinic with personalized care.

Highland Hills Pet Hospital

  • (970) 330-3332
  • 5592 West 19th St, Greeley, CO 80634
  • Highland Hills Pet Hospital is a single vet clinic that offers personalized care.

Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital

  • (970) 351-0936
  • 6297 W 10th St, Greeley, CO 80634
  • Sheep Draw Veterinary Hospital is a larger clinic providing services to a wide variety of pets.

St Michaels Companion Animal Hospital

  • (970) 330-9400
  • 2914 67th Ave Suite 102, Greeley, CO 80634
  • St Michaels Companion Animal Hospital is a larger clinic that offers a wide variety of services
  • Sees exotic pets.

West Ridge Animal Hospital

  • (970) 330-7283
  • 8235 20th St, Greeley, CO 80634
  • West Ridge Animal Hospital is a larger clinic offering a variety of services.
  • Also offers boarding care.

 

Now take a look at their websites and give them a call to see which veterinarian is the best match for you!

5 Dog Treat Recipes That Your Dog Will Love

5 Dog Treat Recipes That Your Dog Will Love Header

5 Dog Treat Recipes That Your Dog Will Love

Looking to make a dog treat recipes that your dog will love? We have five for you! Including grain-free options.

Remember: As will all peanut butter dog treats, make sure you’re using xylitol-free peanut butter.

1. 4 Ingredient Carob Dog Treats

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Microwave coconut oil for 15-20 seconds or until melted.
  2. Whisk together carob powder, vanilla extract, and coconut oil.
  3. Fold in the frozen blueberries (make sure they’re still frozen!)
  4. Pour the mixture into a mold of your choice.
  5. Place the mold in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
  6. Let set for 5 minutes at room temperature before serving.

4 Ingredient Carob Dog Treats Recipe Card

2. Grain-Free Pumpkin Coconut Dog Treats

Ingredients:

  • 15oz Pumpkin Puree
  • ½c Peanut Butter
  • ½c Melted Coconut Oil
  • 1c Applesauce
  • 1⅔c Coconut Flour
  • 1tsp Turmeric (optional)
  • 1tsp Cinnamon (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin, peanut butter, coconut oil, and applesauce until smooth.
  3. Add in the turmeric, cinnamon, and coconut flour.
  4. Let ingredients rest for 10-15minutes. If your dough is too moist, let it sit for a bit longer.
  5. Layout a piece of parchment paper and place the dough on top. Then place another piece of parchment on top of that dough. Roll the dough between the parchment paper sandwich until the dough is about 1/4” thick.
  6. Place dough onto a cookie sheet and let chill for 20-30 minutes.
  7. Remove the top layer of parchment paper, and then cut using cooking cutters. You can also use something like a spice container lid for smaller, circular treats.
  8. Bake in preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, or until the cookies are dry and hard. Check on treats at around 20 minutes as these can be finicky. Let cool completely.

Grain-Free Pumpkin Coconut Dog Treats Recipe Card

3. Grain-Free Veggie Packed Dog Treats

Ingredients:

  • ⅔c Pumpkin Puree
  • ¼c Peanut Butter
  • ½c Applesauce
  • 3c Almond Flour
  • 1c Carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1c Baby Spinach, chopped

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. In a large bowl, beat together the pumpkin puree, peanut butter, and applesauce until well combined.
  3. Add in the almond flour, ½c at a time.
  4. Add spinach and carrots. Mix until incorporated.
  5. Roll the dough into small balls OR use cookie cutters to make fun shapes. If using cookie cutters, allow dough to chill for at least one hour before cutting.
  6. Place treats on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 25 minutes or until treats turn golden brown on the edges.

Grain-Free Veggie Packed Dog Treats Recipe Card

4. Tuna Yum Yums

Designed with cats in mind, Tuna Yum Yums are great for smaller dogs too.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of flour
  • 1/4 cup of water
  • 1/2 cup of non-fat milk
  • 1/2 can of tuna
  • 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or fish oil
  • 1 beaten egg
  • Optional: a teaspoon of catnip, mint, or parsley

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and place parchment paper on a cookie sheet
  2. Mash or cut the tuna into small pieces, mix in the flour and milk
  3. Pour in water and vegetable oil, then mix well
  4. In a separate dish, beat the egg
  5. Mix the beaten egg into the tuna mix
  6. Mix well, until the mix becomes dough-like
  7. Shape the dough into small balls, about the size of blueberries, and place on the baking sheet
  8. Cook the dough for 12 minutes or until golden brown. Stick a toothpick in to check that the treat is fully cooked
  9. Cool for an hour before feeding to your kitty and make sure not to overindulge them.

https://wetnosespetsitting.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/298925_TunaYumYums_Facebook_100518.png

5. Bacon-Carob Popcorn

Ingredients:

  • 4c Unsalted Popcorn
  • 10oz Carob Chips
  • 1c Crumbled Bacon
  • 1c Xylitol-Free Peanut Butter

Directions:

  1. In a small bowl, melt carob chips and peanut butter together. You can do this in the microwave in bursts of 30 seconds. Stir in between each burst until melted.
  2. In a large bowl, mix popcorn, bacon, and the carob-peanut butter mixture.
  3. Stir slowly until the popcorn is evenly coated.
  4. Refrigerate for 30-60 minutes or until firm.

Dog Friendly Bacon Peanut Butter Popcorn Recipe Card

Do you want even more treats? Check out these other great recipes:

Did you make any of our dog treat recipes? Tag us @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.

Best Vets in Windsor, Colorado

Best Vets in Windsor, Colorado Header

 

Are you looking for a vet in Windsor, Colorado? You’re in luck! Windsor is a quickly growing area and has a wonderful selection of veterinarians for your dogs and cats. Choosing the right vet for you is more about their location, expertise, and their style of caring for your pets. Some people prefer a small clinic with a single veterinarian and others prefer a larger clinic with more staff.

If you need help choosing your new veterinarian, read our article 5 Tips for Picking a Veterinarian You Love.

Here is a list of veterinarians that we have heard wonderful things about. We have included a few details but you will want to be sure to check them out and make sure they are a good match for you. There is nothing wrong with trying a few veterinarians to find the right one for you!

The Vets Animal Hospital

  • (970) 686-5198
  • 1295 Main St, Suite 7, Windsor, CO 80550
  • The Vets Animal Hospital is a smaller clinic with a single veterinarian and wonderful support staff.

Windsor Veterinary Clinic

  • (970) 686-9664
  • 415 Main St, Windsor, CO 80550
  • Windsor Veterinary Clinic is a smaller clinic.
  • Fear Free Certified

Garden Valley Veterinary Hospital

  • (970) 674-5105
  • 32450 State Highway 257 #A, Windsor, CO 80550
  • Garden Valley Veterinary Hospital is a larger clinic that also offers boarding and grooming.

The Meadows Veterinary Center

  • (970) 223-9800
  • 8030 S County Rd 5, Windsor, CO 80528
  • The Meadows Veterinary Center is a medium-sized clinic that also offers laser services and acupuncture.

Mountainwood Pet Hospital

  • (970) 686-5725
  • 1200 West Ash Street, Windsor, CO 80550
  • Moutainwood Pet Hospital is a medium-sized clinic that also offers emergency care 24 hours a day for clients.

 

Now take a look at their websites and give them a call to see which veterinarian is the best match for you!

Tips To Take Better Pictures Of Your Pets

Tips To Take Better Pictures Of Your Pets Header

Tips To Take Better Pictures Of Your Pets

Taking better pictures of your pets is something most of us would love to do. On World Photography Day we thought we’d share some tips our sitters use when capturing that perfect pet picture. Whether it’s capturing your resident house panther (a black cat) or a speedy Italian Greyhound our sitters make sure to get your pets best side.

The best shots are taken from below or at the animal’s eye level.

There are exceptions to this but animals aren’t usually too fond of looking up. Getting down on their level or below provides the best shots.

gray tabby cat

c: Kari Shea

This lovely kitty was captured with a Canon EOS 6D.

Use the rule of thirds

The rule of thirds is a basic composition technique to elevate your photos. If your camera doesn’t have a setting, imagine breaking the image up into 9 equal sized rectangles.

File:Rule of thirds photo.jpg

John R. Daily, CC BY-SA 2.5 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5>, via Wikimedia Commons

Your subject shouldn’t be the exact center of the photo but rather off to the side a little bit. Nor should your subject fill the entire screen. Two-thirds is enough. Here’s an example captured on a Fujifilm X-Pro2 of a cat being slightly off-center but taking up two-thirds of the image.

tabby cat on ledge

c: Timothy Meinberg

Focus on the eyes (especially with cats!)

Eyes are fascinating. They can contain many different pigments and really make an image pop. Think of how the Time Magazine cover featuring Sharbat Gula uses her eyes to really bring you in. You can do the same with animal photography.

silver tabby cat eyes photo

@cedric_photography

Image was captured with a Canon EOS 77D.

Action shots are great but require a high-speed continuous shooting mode to get them in focus.

This can be jumping, leaping, running, or chasing a toy for example. If you’re not sure how to capture this without professional equipment, iOS has Burst Mode and can achieve the same thing.

running white, brown, and black dog

@madamemenge

The image above was taken on a Nikon D750.

Portrait mode is great for keeping the subject in focus and the background not in focus.

This is another basic composition technique and is easily achieved by manually adjusting the focus on your lens. For those who aren’t using an actual lens, portrait mode is great for replicating this technique.

fawn pug biting rope

@darisja

Here’s an example of a person playing with a pug that was shot using portrait mode on an iPhone.

Struggling to get a subject to look at the camera? Treats!

Some pets just need a good ole fashion bribe of treats. Or a favorite toy to squeak. You have many options when it comes to getting your photo subjects attention. Even making a sharp trill noise works!

multicolored dog bone toys

c: okeykat

Conclusion

Everybody loves to take pictures of their pets. What makes those photos even better is when the shot is amazing. Follow our tips and you’ll be taking professional level pictures in no time! If you do a lot of phone photography, I highly recommend Cadrage which simulates different focal lengths and will take the photos all at once so you can pick and choose.

Do you have any pet photography tips? Let us know in the comments and share your pet photography with us @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. We love to see cute pet pictures!