Tag Archive for: fort collins dog walker

Holiday Treats For Dogs

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The holidays are a great time of year for humans and their canine companions.  Great food is a huge part of the holidays, but much of it is off limits for Fido. Here are some holiday treats for dogs for that special pup in your life!

Doggy Eggnog 

Eggnog is a wonderful holiday treat, this year share some with your dog!

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 container of plain, greek yogurt
  • 1/2 jar of baby food (in a dog friendly flavor)
  • 1/4 cup of water or milk
  • 1 egg
  • Dog treats as toppings

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients in a blend and blend until frothy
  2. Add your toppings
  3. Give your dog a small serving

 

Mint Dog Bones

Not only are these festive treats tasty, but they will also improve your dog’s breath.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons of chopped mint leaves
  • 3/4 a cup of milk or water
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons of wheat germ
  • 1 tablespoon of Brewer’s yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups of flour

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. Whisk mint, milk or water, egg, honey and oil in a large bowl
  3. Mix in wheat germ and Brewer’s yeast
  4. Slowly mix in flour to form a thick dough
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick
  6. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut the cookies
  7. Place cookies on the baking sheet and bake until golden brown
  8. Let the cookies cool and feed to your dog

 

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies 

Potatoes are a traditional Hanukkah food, here is a healthy way to include your dog in the tradition.

Ingredients

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup of oats
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1 tablespoon of xylitol free peanut butter

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes and place in a pot of boiling water
  3. Boil sweet potatoes until soft then puree in a blender
  4. Whisk the egg and peanut butter into the sweet potato puree
  5. In a separate bowl mix the oats and flour
  6. Add the sweet potato mixture to the flour- oat mixture
  7. Stir the mixture until combined
  8. Roll out the dough of a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick
  9.  Use cookie cutter or a glass to cut the cookies into shapes
  10. Bake the cookies until golden brown
  11. Let the cookies cool and feed them to your dog

 

Chicken Jerky

These yummy treats make special and healthy gifts for your dog.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees
  2. Wash the chicken breasts with water and slice into 1/4 inch strips
  3. Place the chicken strips in an single, even layer on a baking sheet, leave a small amount of space between each strip
  4. Bake until the chicken strips are dehydrated, about 2 hours

Check that the strips are done by cutting one open. There should be no uncooked parts and there should not be any moisture inside. Store the jerky in sealed containers for about a week or longer in the refrigerator.

 

Gingerbread Christmas Dog Treats

Gingerbread is yummy treat for your dog this holiday season. These treats are very easy to make and fairly healthy for your dog.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups of whole wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons of ground ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
  • 1/2 cup of molasses
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 1/4 cup of canola oil

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a baking sheet
  2. In a small bowl mix the flour, ginger, cinnamon and cloves together
  3. In a separate bowl mix the molasses, water and oil
  4. Mix the molasses mix into the flour mix and combine until it forms a dough
  5. On a floured surface roll out the dough to a 1/4 inch thick
  6. Cut the cookies into holiday shapes and place on baking sheet
  7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown
  8. Let the cookies cool and feed to your dog

 

 

These holiday treats for dogs will no doubt help make your furbaby’s holiday a little sweeter. As always feed all treats in moderation.

Did your dog enjoy your homemade dog treats? Let us know on our Facebook page!

 

 

 

 

How to Get Your Cat to Play

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Playing with fido or fluffy is one of the best parts of being a pet parent. There are a million different ways to play. Here are some that we have found most helpful for playing with your cat.

Many people find playing with your cat to a bit more difficult than playing with their dogs. Some cats love to play, others need to be coaxed into it. Play is so important to your cat’s health and your relationship with your cat. It is recommended that you play with you adult cat for at least 15 minutes a day.

 

Find a toy your cat likes. There are a million cat toys on the market, so there is one that your cat will like (or you can make on, see our article on cat enrichment). As a pet sitter, a toy I find is commonly liked is the feather/ball on a stick toy. These are available all over or can be made at home by tieing a toy or feather onto a piece of string. Many cats also like toys with catnip in them. These can easily be found at the pet store or can be made at home.

Learn how your cat likes to play. Cats have different play styles. Some like to stalk, some like to bat, others like to chase. Start with a stick toy and wave it in front of him. Start slowly then move the toy around of the floor. Your cat will likely try to bat at it and possibly catch in in his mouth.Ideally your cat will get up and chase the toy. This is the chase play style. If your cat sees the toy and slowly moves toward it before pouncing, this is the stalk play style. Try balls and stick or string toys with chase players. For stalk players use a laser pointer or long string with a toy tied on the end that you move slowly around the room.

 

Why is play important? 

Play has physical and mental benefits for you and your cats. In the United States, it is estimated that 58% of cats are overweight or obese. Playing is a great way to trick your cat into exercising. Using chase toys are a great way to get your cat up and moving. Start with short, slow play sessions then build up to longer and higher intensity play sessions. Play also helps mentally stimulate your cat. Many behavioral problems in cats are associated with your kitty being bored or under- stimulated. Playing helps activate your kitty’s brain. Try a catnip filled toy, thrown or hidden around the house to help activate your cat’s mind.

 

Play is very important for your cat, and one of my favorite parts of being your pet sitter!

 

5 Tips For Dealing With Pet Messes

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All of our sitters at Wet Noses Pet Sitting have lots of experience working with animals in various settings. Over the years we have picked up some tips for a variety of pet care topics such as feeding, medicating, walking and playing. This article will focus on litter boxes, and dealing with pet messes.

Litter Boxes 

Pick a litter you and your cat like. If your cat does not like the type of litter being used, he will not use it. Try many different litters, of varying types (clumping, clay, pellets, ect.) and with different or no scents. Also use a litter you like to use. If you hate the smell of your current litter or hate lugging in a heavy jug of litter (they actually make special light weight litter), you will be not be a very happy pet owner. Choose one that you, as the owner, don’t mind dealing with.

Add more litter than you think you need. One of the things that I find most helpful as a pet sitter is when there is lots of litter in a litter box. When there is a good volume of litter in the litter box it is easier to scoop and is less likely to stick to the bottom of the litter box. This is a good tip unless you have a cat who tends to kick out his litter.

Scrub out your litter box and scooper every few months. Kitty litter boxes, like anything else, can become very dirty and allow lots of bacteria to grow. I would recommend cleaning the litter box  out any time it looks particularly gross, but at a minimum every 3 months. You can do this by emptying the box completely, wiping it out (or spraying it with a hose), then wiping it down with a 1:10 bleach solution or a specific for animals cleaner. After you clean it with cleaner, wipe it out again with a wet paper towel, then let it dry. The scoop can be wiped off with a paper towel and sprayed with bleach spray or another cleaner.

Pet Messes

Always bring extra poop bags on a walk. Without fail, the time I bring one bag on a dog walk, the dog poops twice. Always bring twice the amount of bags you think you need. Be sure to pick up all poop and dispose of it properly.

Always keep carpet cleaner on hand. Keeping carpet cleaner on hand, even when your pet does not frequently have accidents, is very helpful. Make sure to clean up any stain with a rag or paper towel before applying the cleaner. Follow all directions on the cleaner bottle. As a side note, please show your pet sitter your carpet cleaner. Pets may have accidents when you are away.

Use baking soda to reduce pet odors. Ever come home and notice that your house smells very catty (or doggy)? Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet then vacuum it up. This should reduce the smell and make your carpet even cleaner.

While owning a pet can have some dirty parts, with these tips it should become a bit more pleasant. Look out for our next articles on other pet related topics.

 

Why Some People Don’t Own Pets

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I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t imagine an existence without pets. I’ve shared my life with a pet for as long as I can remember, loving them, losing them, and welcoming new ones over the years. So for me, and probably many of you, it’s hard to understand why some people choose to not have pets. I mean, don’t they know what they’re missing?

 

The American Humane Association (AHA) and PetSmart Charities conducted a study to learn more about pet companions -specifically why some people don’t have pets -in an effort to develop more effective strategies for helping homeless pets get adopted and find their forever homes. The AHA believes the first step in minimizing the number of homeless dogs and cats is to understand why some people don’t have pets. Here’s what the study found:

 

Data was collected from 1,500 people without pets who either had a dog or cat once in their lives, or never at all. Some reasons for not having a pet were predictable, including: “Pets cost too much money,” or “I don’t have the time,” or “I’m allergic.” But researchers were shocked to learn nearly 20 percent of the study participants who did have a dog or cat at one time (and only one time) never welcomed another pet to their home because they were still suffering from the loss of their previous pet. This finding made it clear to the AHA that they need to better appreciate the human-animal bond and celebrate a person’s prior pet, which will hopefully allow then to take the next step of caring for another pet.

 

Cats vs. Dogs

 

Some of the non-pet participants admitted they simply don’t like companion animals, and over one-third expressed their dislike of cats. 45 percent who had a dog at one time said they would consider having another pet, while only 34 percent who had a cat said the same. Of the participants who never had a pet before, 25 percent would consider a canine companion, but only 10 percent would bring home a feline friend. These results helped identify a need for feline-friendly education and training for both pet parents and veterinary staff at the AHA to increase the level of care kitties receive.

 

Additional Findings

 

  • The longer a pet parent waits after the loss of a pet, the less likely he or she is to welcome a new dog or cat to the home.
  • 10 percent of previous dog parents and 12 percent of previous cat parents said they gave away or sold their pet for reasons such as housing restrictions, behavioral issues, allergies, lack of time, death in the family, or divorce.
  • Less than 23 percent of previous pet parents adopted their pet from a shelter or rescue agency.
  • Nearly 65 percent of study participants said they would adopt their next pet.
  • Of the participants over the age of 65, over 90 percent of them said they had no intention of having a canine or kitty companion.

 

 

What the AHA and PetSmart Charities Learned

 

  • A plan of action is needed to help address negative attitudes toward cats, and cat adoption strategies would have improved results if targeted toward younger prospective pet parents.
  • They need to better understand barriers to pet adoption, such as the grief over a lost pet, and work to reduce existing obstacles such as housing restrictions and financial constraints.

 

Hopefully, with this information in hand, both the AHA and PetSmart Charities will develop a strategy to attract new adoptees, reduce the shelter populations, and match potential pet parents with their forever friends. However, as all pet parents know, pets are a big responsibility.You should never push a pet on someone who is not ready. The best thing you can do for your non-pet owning friends is educate them on the upsides and downsides of being a pet parent and try and ease their concerns about pet ownership.

 

Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures

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Does the sound of crinkling tin foil or a rustling potato chip bag make you cringe? Is there a particular common sound that simply pushes you over the proverbial edge? Well, if you have a kitty companion, you may not be alone.

A few years ago, a bizarre seizure disorder affecting felines in the United Kingdom was discovered. Cats were suddenly having seizures that appeared to be triggered by common everyday noises like the ring of a doorbell, rustling of a newspaper, clicking of a TV remote, and other household sounds. Reactions from cats affected by the sounds included epileptic-like seizures, convulsions and loss of balance, as well as less severe reactions such as freezing in place, running in circles, and restlessness.

A team of researchers in the United Kingdom began investigating the occurrences and found pet parents from around the world whose cats had also suffered seizures in response to certain sounds. One thing they almost all had in common – their veterinarians had no explanation for their cat’s condition and often didn’t believe the seizures were triggered by sound.

The researchers were then even more determined to study the anomaly and find answers, so they collected detailed information from 96 affected cats. It was concluded that some cats do indeed suffer from seizures caused by sounds, and the disorder was named Feline Audiogenic Reflex Seizures (FARS), otherwise known as “Tom and Jerry Syndrome.”

Research found some sounds caused the afflicted cats in the study to experience non-convulsive seizures, brief jerks of a muscle or group of muscles, or full-body seizures that last several minutes. The sounds that most often triggered seizures include:

  • Crinkling of aluminum foil
  • A metal spoon against a ceramic bowl
  • Clinking or tapping of glass
  • Crinkling of paper or a plastic bag
  • Typing on a keyboard; clicking of mouse
  • Clinking of coins and keys
  • Hammering of nails
  • Clicking of a person’s tongue

 

Less common triggers include:

  • Tearing foil (like on a food package)
  • Cell phone texting, ringing
  • Digital alarm
  • Velcro
  • Running water
  • Ticking sound from lighting a gas stove
  • A dog’s collar jangling
  • Sounds from a computer printer
  • Splitting firewood
  • Wood blocks being knocked together
  • Walking across a wooden floor in bare feet or squeaky shoes
  • The shrill scream of a child

Among the 96 cats studied, all were affected by one or more of the above sounds, but the Birman breed seemed particularly vulnerable.  All cats involved ranged in age from 10 to 19 years, with the average age being 15, leading researchers to conclude a seizure disorder may be overlooked as older animals tend to have other health issues that are more prominent and recognizable.

Now that the cause of these curious kitty seizures has been pinpointed, and pet parents know the common triggers, these off-kilter kitties can be treated with sound aversion and anti-seizure medication.

If your favorite feline experiences any of the signs that go along with FARS, seek veterinary assistance and mention to him or her your suspicion that your kitty may have the disorder.

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Fun Fall Games for Your Dog

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Fall is an exciting of year for people and pets. It is also a great time of year to play with your pooch outside before it gets too cold outside. The following are fantastic fall games you can play with Fido this season.

Fun with pumpkins

Pumpkins are dog safe vegetables that you can have lots of fun with. There are many things you can do with pumpkins. One of my favorites is to clean the pumpkin out and put treats on the inside. I like to use precooked pieces of hot dog and put them inside the pumpkin. I recommend buying small pumpkin to use for this game. Here are directions:

  1. Clean the pumpkin out, removing all the seeds
  2. Cut multiple small holes in the pumpkin that are large enough for the treats to fit through
  3. Leave the top off and put your treats inside the pumpkin
  4. Give the pumpkin to your dog and watch him have fun

Tip: You may want to put peanut butter on the outside and inside of your pumpkin to get your dog interested.

Fun fact: Pumpkin puree (100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling) is a great treat for dogs. Just do not feed too much as it can act as a laxative.

Leaf pile scavenger hunt

Many dogs enjoy jumping into leaf piles as much as we do, this game capitalizes on that fact. It also allows your dog to use his nose to find things and do some non-destructive digging. Before you begin the game check your leaf piles for critters (snakes and mice) and any sharp or dangerous items. You can make some bigger piles and some smaller ones to provide your dog with an easier option. This game only works with dry leaves. Here are the directions:

  1. Rake your leaves into a pile
  2. Hide a favorite toy or some treats in the pile
  3. Let your dog outside to find his toy or treat in the pile

You can incorporate more than one leaf pile once your dog gets the hang of it.

As an alternative you could make the piles and play fetch with your dog, throwing the ball into the piles.

These games should make fall a fun time for you and your dog. Be sure to provide adequate water, even in the cooler weather, and read your dogs body language to see when he is done playing.

How Having a Family Pet Can Benefit Your Kids

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We all know our favorite feline and cuddly canine can make us smile and bring joy to our family, but did you know the family pet can provide health benefits as well? Studies have shown children who grow up in homes with cats and/or dogs seem to have fewer allergies than kids in pet-free homes, and those who have contact with a dog tend to get fewer ear and respiratory infections during their first year of life.

 

A study in Finland tracked almost 400 children from before their birth through their first year of life. Thirty-five percent of the children lived in homes with dogs, 24 percent with cats, and 41 percent with no pets at all. The infants who had daily contact with a dog experienced 31 percent fewer respiratory tract illnesses and infections and 44 percent fewer ear infections. The link between daily contact with a dog and less illness held true even when researchers accounted for other factors known to affect infection rates in babies, such as breast feeding. Infants with daily cat contact also had fewer infections, but the decrease wasn’t nearly as significant as it was with dogs.

 

The Finnish researchers speculate perhaps the dogs bring dirt or soil into the home and its presence strengthens the babies’ immune systems. Or perhaps the increased resistance to infection found in infants in homes with dogs has something to do with the dogs themselves.

The study results build on a growing body of evidence in support of the hygiene hypothesis, which states the large increase in allergies and other immune system disorders is due in part to our society’s recent obsession with cleanliness standards, with the use of hand sanitizer and other solvents used to create a completely “anti-bacterial” environment. Many people don’t realize it’s likely through early exposure to bacteria and parasites that the immature immune system in infants is prepared to fight dangerous infections. And this ‘priming’ of the immune system helps it learn the difference between serious health hazards – like pneumonia – and harmless irritants – like pet dander and pollen. According to the hygiene hypothesis, when a person’s immune system is unfamiliar with serious disease or illness, it is more likely to mount great attacks against benign environmental triggers.

 

A New Baby Does Not Mean You Must Rehome Your Furbaby!

 

Some first time parents think bringing a new human baby home means the family pet must go. In terms of germs and disease, this simply is not true! Hopefully the Finnish study findings will correct this misunderstanding, and future studies will continue to reinforce it.

Socializing Your Adult Dog

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Most pet parents know it is best to socialize your pooch at a young age, ideally between three and twenty weeks of age, when he is most sensitive. As he ages, it is increasingly difficult for a puppy to accept anything new and unfamiliar. But what if you’ve recently adopted a mature canine companion, or you weren’t able to acclimate your pup to social situations? Whatever the reason may be, it doesn’t mean he has to settle for a life void of pet friends and social interaction, it’s never too late to start socializing your adult dog.

 

Dog-to-dog socialization is simple with pups; they can be let loose together to learn how to interact and play. However, the same scenario can be catastrophic with adult dogs. Mature dogs, typically between the ages of 1-3 years, do not necessarily enjoy being in large groups of unfamiliar dogs. Your Fido may attempt to avoid the other dogs, stand closely by your side, or even snap and growl.

 

Rather than putting your furry friend in a stressful situation, start with daily walks, and introduce him to other pets and people as the opportunity arises. Walks are wonderful for socializing dogs as they’ll have less pent-up energy resulting from exercise, making them calmer and more submissive. During your daily walks, maintain a calm yet assertive energy; avoid pulling back on his leash or yelling if he barks or acts up.Doing so will only increase his level of excitement and may create a negative experience. Practice using a quick sideways tug on the leash or a simple touch to distract him as needed.

 

Introductions to other pets and people should be gradual. Invite a friend with a gentle, easy-going dog to join you on a walk. Keep a polite distance between the two pooches while they get to know one another. If both appear at ease, allow them to sniff each other, keeping their leashes loose and their interaction brief. If either dog appears to stiffen up, call your dog to you with a soft, relaxed voice; if they wag their tails and remain at ease, consider an off-leash playdate in a fenced area, using the same brief sessions and positive reinforcement.

 

Don’t rush things, but try to introduce socializing your adult dog to one new activity per week. For example, take him to the local dog park, but rather than throwing him into the mix and hoping for the best, start by exposing him to the scene with a leashed walk around the outside of the fence, allowing him to see the other dogs playing and having fun.

 

Socialization of any kind is beneficial and enjoyable for your furry buddy. Be patient, gentle and kind, and remember, making new friends can be taxing, for dogs and people alike!

 

 

Pet Insurance Tips

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Owning a pet can be very expensive. Food, grooming and vet bills all add up quickly. So when a veterinary emergency occurs, paying for it can become stressful. Pet insurance can be a way to help pay for emergency costs, but it is it the right option for you?

 

What is pet insurance?

Pet insurance is a little different than human health insurance. With most pet insurance companies routine care (like vaccines) is not covered. However emergency visits, accidents or illness and their treatments are covered. With pet insurance, when the emergency or illness happens you take your animal to the vet and receive treatment, pay out of pocket and file a claim.The insurance company will then reimburse you for what you are covered for.

What should I look for when choosing a pet insurance provider? 

  1. How much coverage do you have?
    • There are various levels of coverage available. If you choose 50% coverage you pay less monthly. So for your $2,000 emergency visit you will only get a $1,000 reimbursement. A higher monthly payment means more coverage.
  2. How long will reimbursement take?
    • Reimbursement could take one week or it could take up to a few months. Find an insurance with shorter time frame to prevent a financial headache.
  3. Can you use any licensed veterinarian?
    • Some pet insurance companies will only reimburse you for visits at certain veterinarians. This could be a problem if you travel or your vet is not on that list.
  4. What is covered?
    • Some insurances cover everything, some only cover parts of treatment. For example some companies will not cover diagnostics (blood tests,x-rays, etc) . Most insurances will cover medications for treatment of an illness or condition. Some even cover alternative therapies (like acupuncture) and behavioral counseling.
  5. What is a pre-existing condition?
    • By most definitions a pre-existing condition is any non- curable condition your pet has prior to getting insurance. However some companies and plans will consider conditions your pet is predisposed to as pre-existing conditions. For example if you have a breed of dog prone to hip dysplasia (like German Shepherds), treatment of hip dysplasia will not be covered because this is a pre-existing condition.

 

Pet insurance can be a very good option if you have a pet who likes to get into things, or just to be on the safe side.There are about 10 companies offering pet insurance in the U.S., so you have many options in choosing the right plan for you and your pet. It is best to start pet insurance as soon as you get a new pet to limit the amount of pre-existing conditions. While choosing pet insurance, always make sure to read your contract closely so you can be aware of what will and will not be covered.

Agility Activities for Your Dog

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Agility activities are great to do with any dog. Agility allows you to work as a team with your dog, doing an activity both of you find fun! It is also mentally and physically tiring (which is a plus with high energy dogs).

What is agility?

In agility the dog-owner team go through a course of obstacles. The dog is off leash and cannot be baited with food ( in competition). In competition, the team who completes the course the fastest wins. At home just getting through the course is fun. The obstacles can be jumps, tunnels, beams, weave poles and many more.

Who can do agility?

Any dog can do agility activities! Even shorter legged dogs can, in agility the jump height is determined by how tall the dog is. Additionally, most jumps and other obstacles are adjustable, so you can start small and work to bigger jumps. You can start agility training at any age, but it is recommended that you wait to do bigger jumps until your dog is fully grown. This can help prevent joint damage. Agility is also not a good option for dogs who already have hip dysplasia or another joint disease. Talk to your vet about when and if starting agility is a good option for your dog.

How can we start? 

Agility courses can easily be made at home or bought online cheaply. There are many good books with instructions for training your dog that can be found online. If you want more help training, check out a local dog training club. Many of these clubs offer agility classes of various levels.

Here are some things to work on at home. These are basic, but are the foundation for agility and a good bond between you and your dog.

  • Work on off leash skills
    • Because agility is done off leash you want your dog to be very comfortable with commands like come and “stay with me” or heel
  • Find a positive reinforcement method
    • In agility competitions you are not allowed to reward your dog with food on the course. Practice simple commands (like sit) with a clicker or special noise (like you making a kissy noise) that your dog associates “I did a good job”.
  • Get your dog into shape
    • Agility is the dog equivalent to track and field. You can’t go and do the high jump without some training. Start increasing your dog’s daily walks or runs to get him into better shape.

*Be sure to watch out for signs that your dog is sore, like limping or stiffness, and stop when your dog is ready to stop. Pushing a training session after your dog is done can create a negative memory.

 

Agility activities are fun and rewarding exercises to do with your dog. It is a great way to use your dog’s physical and mental energy in a productive way. It can also form a stronger bond between you and your dog.