Tag Archive for: puppies

The Health Benefits Of Daily Dog Walks

The Health Benefits Of Daily Dog Walks

Everybody knows fresh air are exercise are good for you but are these extra benefits of bringing your canine companion with you? Here’s 5 health benefits of walking your dog.

  1. Better overall health: Walking your dog can help both of you improve cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, have stronger muscles and bones, and decrease stress.
  2. Weight loss: Both of you can achieve your weight loss goals with regular walks.
  3. Mood boost: Going outside is proven to boost your mood plus dogs love to be outside. With all the smells and sights your dog is sure to have a good time.
  4. Happiness boost: Walks make your dog happy! Dogs that don’t receive sufficient exercise and enrichment can become destructive when bored.
  5. You two get to bond: Especially with a new puppy, going on walks is a perfect bonding opportunity between you and your dog.

We love to walk dogs but we also understand it’s an important bonding experience for you and your dog. Consider getting a sturdy dog harness if you don’t already own one. Julius-K9 makes durable harnesses that have handles! RUFFWEAR is also another durable brand. With numerous styles you’ll be sure to find one that fits.

Dog Walking BenefitsDon’t have time in your schedule? Check out our dog walking services!

What To Do If Your Pet Goes Missing: Tips & Resources

What to do if your pet goes missing tips and resources header

What To Do If Your Pet Goes Missing: Tips & Resources

Loosing a pet can be extremely scary, especially if you do not know where to start looking. We have guides specific to Larimer County, but what if you’re not from the area? Here are some general missing pet tips and resources to keep in mind if your pet goes missing.

1. The Basics If Your Pet Goes Missing

For the first few minutes after a pet goes missing, you want to start with the basics.

  • Do a patrol of the area to see if you find any evidence of Fluffy.
  • Talk to the neighbors, especially anyone working outside, to see if they noticed Fluffy going by.
  • If Fluffy is a dog, swing by her favorite places to walk or any place for play dates to see if she went there.
  • Read up on How to Catch a Loose Dog for some tips if you do see her running free.

How to Find a Lost Pet Infographic

2. Who to Contact First About a Missing Pet

You have done the basic search and turned up nothing. This is typically 15-30 minutes after you have realized Fluffy is missing. Now it is time to reach out for help.

  • Call your local humane society and animal shelter – let them know you have lost your pet. Some will let you submit a lost pet report online, others you have to submit in person. Call to find out more information.
  • If Fluffy has a microchip, contact the company to let them know she is missing and how to reach you, just in case your information is not up to date.
  • Contact any veterinarians, groomers and pet supply stores in your immediate area (around a mile from where she went missing), in case someone picks her up and brings her in.

3. Social Media is Your Best Resource

Getting on social media is the best missing pet tip and resource you have at your disposal. Your friends and complete strangers are going to be happy to help you search for any news of Fluffy.

  • Post on all of your personal social media networks. Include a recent picture, where and when she went missing and any directions you want people to follow, such as how to contact you, not to chase Fluffy, Fluffy is afraid of men, etc. Specifically ask people to share the post. If you know any people in the animal world, such as your normal dog walker or groomer, ask them to share since they have such a large reach.
  • Post on these pages. There are many pages specifically dedicated to helping reunite missing pets with their people. Post on as many as you can, but start with Facebook. That is where we have had the most luck in recent years.
    • Any local Facebook Lost and Found pet groups.
    • Nextdoor – This is a newish system for people to coordinate with their neighborhoods on various subject. When you post it can be seen by those directly in your area.
    • Post on Craigslist in the Community -> Pets section as well as Community -> Lost+Found. There is no charge to do so.
    • Helping Lost Pets – You have to fill out their online form, which gives you a flyer you can use and their website has a ton of helpful tips. Once you fill out the form, they will post it in their Facebook group.
    • PawBoost – You can pay for upgraded service, but they list your pet for free on Facebook and in their database.
    • LostMyDoggie – They post on Facebook but they also alert local shelters and rescues.
    • PetKey – A smaller page, but everything helps!
  • Head out and continue looking for Fluffy. Make sure you are able to answer the phone if someone calls! Ask your neighbors to check their garages, sheds and yards to make sure she is not hiding there.

4. What is the Next Step?

If you are approaching evening, there are a few steps you can take, especially if Fluffy is shy and still might be in the area.

  1. Double check with any neighbors coming home to make sure they did not see her earlier in the day.
  2. Consider leaving your door open so Fluffy can come in at night, if she was lost from your home.
  3. If Fluffy is a cat, place her litter box outside where she can smell it.

5. The Next Day

You have done all of the fast, easy options and Fluffy has not been found. Now is time to dig in and spread the word that Fluffy is missing.

  • File a lost pet report if you haven’t already with your local humane society and animal shelter.
  • Contact local breed rescues that relate to Fluffy. For instance, if she is a Golden Retriever, contact the local Golden rescue. There are too many for me to list here, and they change regularly, so search online for one. You can also contact All Breed Rescue Network at (888) 440-6467. They keep a running list of breed rescues in the Colorado area. Sometimes breed rescues will be able to offer more suggestions or help specific to your breed.
  • Print off flyers from one of the sources you used yesterday. Post flyers in veterinary hospitals, groomers, trainers, pet supply stores, the dog park and anywhere animal related. Many local businesses also have community boards. Start with businesses near you and increase the distance the longer Fluffy is missing. Posting flyers on mailboxes and phone poles is illegal, although many people do it.
  • Continue to update posts online. People will be wondering if you found Fluffy and you want to keep them searching. Ask for help again and for people to keep sharing your posts.
  • Talk to people in the neighborhood where Fluffy went missing. Offer a reward for any information leading to finding her.
  • If you hear of people spotting her, go to that area and search. Shy animals can be very hard to catch, especially during active times of the day when there are a lot of people around. If you believe she might be in the area, go out during quiet times in the evening or morning when she is more likely to appear. You can also look at renting a humane trap if you are sure she is there but cannot catch her.

6. DO NOT Give Up Hope of Finding Your Missing Pet

The longer you search the more discouraged you become. Keep looking! Here are a few searches I have helped with over the years for people I know:

  • A small, very shy dog went missing. We tracked her to a neighborhood where kids had spotted her (we paid them to keep an eye out for her). After a few days we were not able to find her until a kid came forward. A woman in the neighborhood had picked her up and had given her to a family member in Colorado Springs. Once confronted we were able to get her back.
  • A dog ran out his front door. The neighbors a few houses down saw him, but not not the people at the end of the block. He vanished! His owners continued searching and found him late that night being walked by a nice couple who lived down the street. They had been leaving earlier when they saw him run by, so they put him in the garage and then left for a few hours and had just returned home.
  • A woman’s dog had been missing for months. She sent out flyers to shelters across the country and he showed up here, in Larimer County. Turned out a trucker had picked her up and driven her across 3 states before dropping her off at the local shelter!

We regularly hear stories of animals being reunited years after going missing due to their microchips. Keep that information up-to-date and continue your search!

7. Once you Find Your Missing Pet

Congratulations! I am so excited for you and you must feel so relieved!

  • Take the moment and enjoy it. Do not scold Fluffy, she is just happy to see you!
  • Plan a trip to the vet if your pet was gone for awhile or appears to be injured.
  • Go back and take down those flyers, lost pet reports and postings online so that everyone knows you found your fur kid.
  • Return the favor and share information about missing pets for other people!

If you have a missing pet tip or resource that is not listed, Please Let Us Know so we can get it added!

 

Jerky Treats Your Dog and Cat Will Love

Jerky Treats Your Dog and Cat Will Love Header

One Ingredient Chicken Jerky

These yummy chicken jerky treats make special and healthy snacks for your cat and dog.

Ingredients:

  • 1lb deboned, chicken breasts

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 175-180℉ or the lowest temperature setting.
  2. Lightly grease a baking sheet with a slight edge. You can use parchment paper to help with cleanup.
  3. Slice chicken breasts into ¼-inch thick strips.
  4. Place sliced chicken breasts onto the prepared baking sheet leaving about ½-inch between slices.
  5. Bake for two hours. If the slices are not dry, continue baking until they appear very dry.
  6. Remove and let cool on a cooling rack. To store, refrigerate in an airtight container once cool.

If the slices are too long for your cat you can break them into smaller pieces. You can also slice the jerky treats for smaller dogs as well. This means the jerky will last even longer!

One Ingredient Chicken Jerky Recipe Card

Chicken Jerky

Here is another version of the above chicken jerky treats for cats and dogs. Try both and see which one you like the most!

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.

Christmas Chicken Jerky Recipe Card

Did you try this recipe? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting and while you’re at it, try another one of our cat treat recipes or how about our peanut butter molasses dog treats?

Why ID Tags Are So Important For Your Pets

Why ID Tags are so Important for your Pets Header

Why ID Tags Are So Important For Your Pets

Does you pet wear a collar? Are they microchipped? What about tattooed? All three are ways to help ID your pet in case they get lost. Did you know that one in three pets will get lost during their lifetime? And that only 22% of animals that enter animal shelters are reunited with their families? Let’s help increase that number! If you’ve moved, here’s your reminder to make sure your pets ID information is up-to-date.

 

Should My Pet Wear ID? Infographic

Did you know Fourth of July is when most pets are lost? Learn how to keep you and your pet safe this Fourth of July on our blog.

What type of ID does your pet have? Do they have multiple kinds? Let us know in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting.

Pet Fire Safety Tips

Pet Fire Safety Tips

Experiencing a house fire can be devastating. While we can’t prevent every fire from happening there are ways we can pet-proof our home and steps we can take to ensure our pets safety. Here’s 10 pet fire safety tips:

  1. Don’t leave an open flame unattended.
  2. Avoid candles or invest in flameless candles.
  3. Secure your fireplace and electrical cords.
  4. Remove stove knobs or secure them to keep pets from turning them on.
  5. Make note of where your pet likes to hide or nap.
  6. Keep leashes and collars near the door.
  7. Pet-proof rooms for younger pets.
  8. Have a fire evacuation plan in place. If you’re not sure how to make one see this resource from the National Fire Protection Association.
  9. Consider installing monitored smoke detectors.
  10. Use fire alert window decals.

Pet Fire Safety Tips

There’s plenty of other dangers out there, including plants and ice melt. Make sure you know how to keep you and your pet safe!

Did we miss any pet fire safety tips? Let us know in the comments or @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. We’d love to add it!

Peanut Butter Molasses Dog Treats

Peanut Butter Molasses Dog Treats Header

Peanut Butter Molasses Dog Treats

Looking for something to make this weekend? Here’s a quick recipe for peanut butter molasses dog treats that only needs five ingredients. You probably have most in your pantry already!

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F  
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
  3. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
  4. Knead dough into a ball
  5. Roll the ball out onto a floured surface 1/4 inch thick
  6. Take a pizza cutter and score the dough horizontally and then vertically to make a grid. Be careful to score the dough, not completely cut through.
  7. Place on a prepared baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes.
  8. Cool and break into pieces, then refrigerate.

Peanut Butter Molasses Dog Treats Recipe Card

Did you make our peanut butter dog treats? Or have any other baking tips for us? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting.

Check out our Thanksgiving treats and our Homemade Peanut Butter cookies for more quick and easy dog treat recipes.

Doggy Eggnog 

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Doggy Eggnog 

Eggnog is a wonderful holiday treat, this year share some with your dog! Here is a quick dog eggnog recipe you can try at home.

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

Doggy Eggnog Recipe

Did you try out our doggy eggnog recipe? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. Check out our Thanksgiving treats and our Homemade Peanut Butter cookies.

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies 

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies for Dogs Header

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies for Dogs

Looking for a recipe for sweet potato cookies for dogs? We have you covered. Sweet potatoes have always been a staple for adding more fiber into your pets diet as well as keeping them full for longer. This year we wanted to celebrate Hanukkah with a recipe that features them. Here is a healthy way to include your dog in the tradition.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Medium Sweet Potatoes
  • 1 Large Egg
  • 1/2c Oats
  • 3c Flour
  • 1tblsp 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.

These sweet potato cookies for dogs are sure to be a hit during Hanukkah!

Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies for Dogs Recipe

Did you make our Sweet Potato Hanukkah Cookies? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. Check out our Thanksgiving treats and our Homemade Peanut Butter cookies.

Kitty Casserole – Homemade Cat Treat Recipe

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Kitty Casserole – Homemade Cat Treat Recipe

If your cat is a picky eater, or you just want to try something fun, give this fish kitty casserole a try! It is a lot of fun and easy to make, and is sure to peak the interests of your kitty!

Ingredients:

  • 1 can of tuna or salmon
  • 1 teaspoon of honey
  • 1/2 can of your cat’s favorite food
  • 1 teaspoon of dry cat food or treats

Directions:

  1. Combine all of the wet ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Pour into a Tupperware or small casserole dish.
  3. Top with dry food or treats.
  4. Serve a small amount to your kitty.

Feed this casserole in moderation, 1-2 tablespoons per day. Store in a closed container, in the refrigerator, for up to a week.

 

Kitty Casserole - Homemade Cat Treat Recipe Card

Did you try out our fish kitty casserole? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. Want another cat treat recipe? Try our Tuna Yum Yums.

Frozen Apple Smoothie Bites – Dog Treat Recipe

Frozen Apple Smoothie Bites HeaderFrozen Apple Smoothie Bites 

Our frozen apple smoothie bites are a great way to add more fiber to your pets diet. What’s even better is these treats only need three ingredients! Apples are also a good source of vitamin A and C. Just be sure to remove the core and seeds first. Now onto the recipe.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Apples
  • 1 Cup Greek Nonfat Plain Yogurt
  • Water

Directions:

  1. Slice 2 apples into small pieces but remove the seeds and the core.
  2. Mix the apple slices, yogurt, and a splash of water in your NutriBullet or blender and blend until you get a liquid consistency.
  3. Pour the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze for a few hours or until hard.
  4. Put the leftover treats into a Tupperware container and store them in the freezer.

Frozen Apple Smoothie Bites Recipe Card

Did you make our smoothie bites? Let us know @WetNosesPetSitting or #WetNosesPetSitting. Looking for another fruit filled recipe? Try our Strawberry Ice Cream recipes.