Tag Archive for: Wet Noses Pet Sitting

5 Valentine’s Day Treats for Your Pet

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Is your pet the lucky Valentine in your life this year?  After all, they are our special friends and constant companions. So, celebrate the day with these delicious Valentine’s Day pet treats!  It’s a great way to show your precious little fur baby some extra love.

Remember to always keep your dogs away from candy, but making them there own special dog-friendly treats is a great way to include them.  Check out these easy to make recipes for your dog this year!

 

Heart Shaped Pup-cakes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup of all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon of baking powder
  • 1/4 cup of vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup of peanut butter (xylitol free)
  • 1 cup of shredded carrots or chopped broccoli
  • 2 1/2  tablespoons of honey
  • 1/2 cup of buttermilk
  • Cream cheese as frosting
  • Strawberry (optional)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit  and grease your cupcake pan with butter or vegetable oil
  2. Mix the flour and baking powder in a small bowl
  3. Add the oil, peanut butter, and honey to the flour mixture
  4. Then add the buttermilk in a small amount at a time and mix
  5. Add in the carrots or broccoli
  6. Place the mixture into the cupcake pan and bake until a toothpick can be cleanly removed from the cupcake
  7. Let the cupcakes cool for 20 minutes and remove them from the pan
  8. After the cupcakes are cooled mix up your frosting

For frosting:

  1. Apply softened cream cheese to ice the cupcake
  2. Optional: cut up strawberries and mix them into the cream cheese
  3. Spread the strawberry cream cheese on the cupcakes

No- Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup of plain greek yogurt (make sure there are no dog toxic ingredients like artificial sweeteners)
  • 1 cup of peanut butter (dog safe)
  • 3 cups of rolled oats

Directions:

  1. Mix the yogurt and peanut butter to make a paste
  2. Add oats 1/4 a cup at a time and fully mix all the oats with the wet ingredients
  3. Scoop out tablespoon sized portions of the mixture and roll it into balls
  4. Place the balls on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and cool in the fridge for one hour

These treats can be stored for 7-9 days if kept in the refrigerator.

 

Baked Tuna Valentine’s Day Cat Treats

These treats add a little oomph to plain canned tuna.

Ingredients:

  • Canned tuna
  • Cat-friendly garnish (like catnip or wheat grass)

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment paper on a baking sheet
  2. Mix one can of tuna and one tablespoon of garnish in a medium bowl
  3. Use a teaspoon to scoop the tuna mix onto the baking sheet
  4. Form tuna mix piles into a heart shape on the baking sheet
  5. Bake these treats for about 5 minutes or until they are warm

Feed this Valentine’s day cat treat in moderation, too many treats can give your cat a stomach ache.

Spinach and Chicken Valentine’s Day Cat Treats

Many cats crave some roughage (like spinach) in their diets, it’s the reason many cats try to eat house plants. These treats are a great way to add some variety to your cat’s diet, all in the form of a tasty treat.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 pound of steamed boneless, skinless chicken thigh
  • 1 cup of spinach leaves
  • 1/4 cup of flour
  • 1 cup of quick cooking oats
  • 1 egg

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and place parchment paper on a baking sheet
  2. Place the cooled chicken, spinach, oats and egg in a food processor or blender and blend until the mixture is smooth with some chunks
  3. Pour the chicken mixture into a bowl and add the flour, mixing with your hands
  4. Roll the dough out on a floured surface and cut with a small heart cookie cutter OR make thumbnail sized balls and flatten them
  5. Place the shaped dough on the baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until a toothpick can be cleanly removed

Be sure to completely cook the chicken before adding it to the treat mixture. Feed these treats in moderation and break larger treats into cat-sized pieces.

Cooked Salmon

Cooked salmon is great as a special Valentine’s day cat treat. Many cats love this tasty fish. Be sure to cook all salmon thoroughly (by steaming or grilling) to make it safe for your cat. For this special treat, dice a small amount of cooked salmon and feed it to your kitty in a dish.

 

Valentine’s Day can be filled with dangerous food for your pet. However, these Valentine’s day treats are sure to safely woo that special four-legged friend in your life.

 

Reduce, Reuse and Ruff-cycle

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Today we welcome guest writer Sidehill Pet Sitter Jessica! 

As the owner of two Australian Shepherds- who are way smarter than any toy I can buy them– I have had to come up with some creative, low-cost ways to keep them entertained. I decided to ruff-cycle. All of the toy ideas in this article are things that you likely have in your home or in your recycling bin!

As with any toy, make sure to supervise your dog the whole time he has it to make sure that he does not swallow anything he should not!

If your dog is on a diet or is sensitive to treats you can use his dry kibble as treats!

  1. Towel treat hide-it

This toy involves taking a towel, laying it on the ground and placing treats under it. It helps to let your dog watch you the first few times so that he can figure it out, or use smelly treats so he can find them quickly. After your dog catches on, you can put the treats under the towel with your dog out of the room! Most dogs will start by digging or licking the top of the towel, but will soon figure out to push their nose under the towel. * Please watch your dog to make sure that he does not swallow any part of the towel.

  1. Egg carton toy

This toy involves an empty egg carton. Take the egg carton and place treats in a few of the cups, then close your egg carton all the way, or leave the carton unlatched ( slightly open). Be prepared for your dog to rip the carton apart or flip the top open with his nose. In this picture, I am using apples to make this toy for my rabbit ( who thinks he is a dog)!

  1. Paper-tube toy

This toy involves taking a paper towel or toilet paper roll and applying peanut butter or another sticky yummy food onto the inside of the roll with a knife. Your dog will try and lick the peanut butter out of the roll!

  1. Orange Juice Container puzzle-toy

This toy involves taking a cardboard drink container ( like the kind orange juice comes in) and turning it into a puzzle toy. First be sure to rinse and clean the container very well! After the container is clean, remove the plastic spout with a knife or scissors. Then cut small (1 to 2 inches) holes into the sides and bottom of the container. Stuff small and medium-sized treats (such as your dog’s kibble, cheese or hard treats) into the container. Then, cover the holes with peanut butter. The treats should be able to fit through the holes with a little bit of shaking and knocking around. You can adjust the size of your holes to make it harder or easier for your dog. Your dog will shake and lick your toy, and eventually get the treats!

Hopefully, these reused toys will bring enrichment to your dog and a lessening on your carbon footprint!

How to Catch a Loose Dog

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It is every dog owners worse fear: your best friend has gotten loose and is running away from you at breakneck speed. You see him rounding the corner and no matter how much you yell he is not coming back or even slowing down. So what do you do to catch a loose dog?

A note: I write this article as if it were your dog that is loose. Truth is, this applies to any dog you come across in your travels. It seems to be the more you like dogs the more likely you are to come across a stray dog!

Know the Motivation

First off you need to understand what is motivating your dog. There are two main possibilities:

  1. Your dog is frightened out of his mind
  2. Your dog is having a grand time being free
  3. A combination of the two

Be familiar with dog body language so you can judge which is the case. It will make a huge difference when deciding which approach to use.

The Don’ts

  • Whether your dog is fearful or having fun, do not yell at your dog in a stern voice. If you are going to call your dog, use the happiest, highest pitch voice you can muster.
  • Do not chase the dog.  Running towards a dog is a threatening move and will startle any animal. If you are moving towards a dog, do so in a casual manner and turn your body slightly sideways so you do not face the dog head on.

The Fearful Dog

Something has frightened your dog and his brain is no longer working like normal. Everything seems threatening and he is looking for a place to be safe. Safety here is key! When deciding how to approach your dog consider how he is going to perceive it and take the least threatening action.

  • If possible, I repeat, do not chase your dog. You want to get just close enough for him to recognize you but not close enough to drive him away. Fearful dogs are very attuned to anything moving towards them and will be more inclined to run away as soon as he sees you. When you approach twist your body to the side or even walk backwards. Consider kneeling but be careful not to lean forward if possible as that is a threatening movement.
  • When possible try to guide your dog to a contained area like a fenced yard or an alleyway. A contained dog is much easier to catch but you want to be careful that the dog is not panicked enough to bite. use caution and get help when possible.
  • If you get close enough to your dog for him to recognize you, lay down on the ground and call his name in a happy tone. The shorter you are the less threatening you seem and a person laying on the ground piques the curiosity of most dogs. You have to do this quickly before your dog turns to run away.
  • “Wanna go for a car ride?” This phrase inspires most of the canine community to race headlong for the nearest vehicle. I have caught more stray dogs this way than any other! The key is to get the car close enough and to get out of the way. Open a door and move to the other side of the car while calling out phrases like “Car ride? Let’s go!” Sometimes it even helps to open both of the back doors so the dog does not feel as trapped. Then close them both quickly if the dog gets inside. I have even had luck driving up next to a dog and opening the driver’s side door to have the dog jump into my lap.

The I-Am-Having-a-Great-Time Dog

  • You definitely do not want to chase this dog as that just makes running more fun. “Look, Mom, we are both running! Let’s keep going all afternoon!” The key here is to be much more fun that whatever your dog is exploring. Get close enough to your dog to get his attention then call his name in a super excited voice. Next, run the opposite direction. Yes, the opposite direction. Dogs love nothing more than to chase things, especially their best friend. Run away from your dog while calling their name and often they will chase right after you and be so happy that you came out to play with them.
  • If the chase game does not immediately work then try out the car trick. What is more fun than a car ride?
  • If you are following the dog on foot try getting another dog to join you for a fun time. Or if your dog stops to say hi to another dog on a walk ask the person to grab your dog for you. A dog having fun will often visit with other people and dogs, even though he will not come to you.

If These Do Not Work

  • If all of these options fail you can also try using treats to bribe a dog closer or rent a trap from your local humane society. Both of these options take much longer and tend to be best used if your dog is loose in a quiet area.
  • Try calling other people to help corral your dog, even if that means following along behind for awhile to keep track of him.
  • Do not give up hope! Eventually, something will go your way.

Once You Catch Your Dog

  • Above all else, once you catch your dog you want to praise him and tell him what a great dog he is. If he gets away again you do not want him to avoid you because you yelled at him.
  • Use this as a reminder to work on your recall command!
  • Be happy that you were around when your dog got loose so that you were able to track him down.

 

6 Things To Do in Fort Collins for New Years

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The new year is almost here. It is time to bring to a close one year and the start of a new one. It’s not only a time to think about resolutions, it is also a time to think about spending time celebrating this special time of the years. So, if you’re looking for a great way to ring in the new year, we have picked the top 6 fun things for you do to in Fort Collins this New Year.

Our Top 6 New Years Events:

(These are events from 2019. For 2020, please stay home, stay safe and we will see you next year!)

 

  • New Year’s Eve at Loveland Laser Tag

When: 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.

New Years

Where: Loveland Laser Tag, 401 Denver Ave., Loveland

Try your hand at laser tag this New Year’s Eve, with Loveland Laser Tag’s New Year’s Eve lock-in, which will include all attractions, a full dinner buffet, a non-alcoholic sparkling cider toast at midnight and more. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door.

 

  • First Night Fort Collins

When: 5:30-10 p.m.

Where: Downtown Fort Collins

Bring the whole family to Old Town this New Year’s Eve as First Night Fort Collins gears up for a free night of winter wonderland-themed offerings, including international dance, live theater, magic, comedy and music performances. Kids run free at the event’s “bounceland,” filled with giant inflatables and face painters. A kids countdown starts in the Square at 5:30 p.m. and fireworks finish the night early at 10 p.m.

 

  • Garden of Lights

When: 5-9 p.m.

Where: The Gardens on Spring Creek, 2145 Centre Ave., Fort Collins

Wander through a wonderland of twinkling lights at the annual Garden of Lights at the Gardens on Springs Creek. While there is no cost of admission, a $5 donation per adult and $2 donation per child is suggested.

 

  • An Epic Night to Remember at Fusion

When: Starts at 7 p.m.

Where: Fusion Night Club, 351 Linden St., Fort Collins

Du’ Tell Events and Fusion Night Club invites you to celebrate New Years Eve with dancing, live music, hors d’ oeuvres, an open bar, party favors, a balloon drop, photo booth and a champagne toast at midnight. Dress to impress. Tickets are $60 per person or $100 per couple.

 

  • New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party

When: Starts at 9 p.m.

Where: Dungeons & Drafts, 1624 S. Lemay Ave. Unit 6, Fort Collins

Mask up and head down to Dungeons & Drafts for its 2017 New Year’s Masquerade bash. Attendees 21 and over will get a free glass of champagne at midnight.

If you’re going to be heading out this New Year’s Eve make sure your pet stays safe. Follow these quick safety tips to keep everyone safe while ringing in 2018.

  • Don’t leave them outside at night. The fireworks can throw them into a panic. They may try to escape the yard or get tied up in their leash if they are tethered.
  • Make sure tags are updated. This is important just in case they do end up escaping during the night.
  • Turn on ambient noise (i.e., TV or radio) to drown out a party or fireworks.
  • Hire a pet sitter if your pet is particularly anxious about loud noises and being alone.

We hope that everyone has a happy and healthy New Year!  CHEERS!

 

How to Involve Your Pets in Christmas

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Christmas is a special time for family and a lot of families include fur-children too. That’s why it’s a great idea to try and involve your pets in the Christmas celebrations. And if you’re wondering how to do that, we have some great ways to include the four-legged family members this year.

 

Take a Christmas photo together

We all love getting the family together for a festive family photo. This year make sure that your pet is in the photo as well! Grab your pet and an extra Santa for the perfect (and complete!) family portrait. You can use it for Christmas cards, put it in an ornament or frame it for the perfect holiday keepsake.

Get them a special gift

Wrap a gift and put it under the tree just for them. Just be sure that if it’s a fragrant gift of treats to wait and put it under the tree Christmas morning. Their curiosity may get the better of them and they may try to break into it. Eating ribbon or string can wreak havoc on their digestive systems, so it’s best to leave those gifts locked away until it is time to open it up.

Bake them their own Christmas treats

Most of the holidays are spent nibbling on delectable foods. However, almost everything we eat is far too rich for our pups to have. Why not take a few extra minutes in the kitchen to make them their own delicious Christmas treats? There are a lot of easy recipes you can whip up for your furry pal in no time.

Bring them along to look at Christmas lights

One of the best parts of the holiday season is all of the twinkling Christmas decorations. It’s always fun to jump in the car and drive around looking at lights. This year instead of leaving your dog at home, bring them along with the whole family for a chance to see how festive your neighborhood looks.

 

Spending time with family is one of the most important parts of Christmas. We get a chance to give our loved ones gifts and shower them with love during this special time of year. Including your pet is only the natural thing to do!

 

Related Posts:

The Best Holiday Gifts for Cats

No Bake Snowball Treats for Your Dog

Easy Thanksgiving Treats to Make for Your Dog

 

Book Early For Wet Noses Pet Sitting Holiday Services

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December is a busy time for a lot of us. Between holiday parties and visiting family, you’re often away from home for hours, if not days at a time. In fact, according to The American Pet Products Association (APPA), pet ownership is at an all-time high, with 66% of U.S. households—or 86.9 million homes have one or more pets. And more than two-thirds of those homes will need to find reliable pet care for the holiday season. That’s why it’s important to book early for any holiday services you need during the bustling holiday season.

Make sure to book Wet Noses Pet Sitting early to make sure your pet gets the best care.

It is important to call for an appointment as soon as you possible. Our schedules fill up incredibly fast during the month of December. We are licensed, insured and bonded, with highly trained pet sitters that will keep your pets happy and healthy while you’re away.

As Patti J. Moran, PSI founder and president states, “just finding a pet sitter in an online directory—or even on a nationally-publicized site—doesn’t ensure that person is a legitimate, qualified pet-sitting business,” Moran explains. “Anyone can post a profile advertising pet-sitting services, so it’s important for pet owners to take a closer look to ensure they are hiring a ‘real pet sitter’ to care for their pets.”

Why Hire a Pet Sitter for the Holidays?

Christmas decorations make the home more hazardous, so even if you’re away from home for a few hours, your pet can find all sorts of trouble to get into.

  • Trips to visit family
  • Long days shopping
  • Holiday parties

The holiday season is undoubtedly a time full of activity. From shopping to parties and quality time catching up with family, we spend most of December celebrating and spending time with our loved ones. But that doesn’t mean we should leave our furry family members at home to fend for themselves.

Book today to make sure your pet has a safe and happy holiday season too!

 

 

Holiday Pet Dangers

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The holidays are a crazy time for us and an even crazier time for our pets!  At Wet Noses Pet Sitting we love your pets like our own. We want to be sure they are as safe as possible this holiday season.  Read up on our list of holiday pet dangers, be safe and enjoy your holiday season without any pet emergencies!pet dangers

 

Family and friends coming in the house

The holidays are a wonderful time to visits with our friends and family but this can cause stress for some pets.  If your pet does not do well with large groups of strangers, let your pets have a nice break in a quiet place with a healthy treat.  Even pets that love company can take advantage of the situation by running out an open door or stealing non-pet friendly foods from guests.  Make sure your guests know what is ok for Fido and let Fido take a nap when needed.

 

Tinsel and ornaments

As cute as it is to watch your kitten climb the Christmas tree, keep an eye out for ornaments that can be eaten or easily broken.  If you have a curious cat, forgo the tinsel for the year.  Cats love to chew on string-like items and due to the barbs on their tongues they cannot always spit them out, forcing them to swallow that shiny piece of trouble.  If you have a dog that likes to play with ornaments, put them a little higher on the tree.

 

Food items

We humans love our holiday treats and we want our pets to enjoy the holiday cheer as much as we do.  Be sure to give treats in moderation and avoid these dangerous yummy items:

  • Chocolate – Chocolate, especially baking chocolate is trouble for all pets.  Something to keep in mind is that all animals handle chocolate differently so if your pet gets some call your emergency clinic for advice.
  • Fat and bones – What dog does not dream about stealing the turkey off the counter?  Cooked bones are huge problems for pets as the bones can splinter and the fragments can puncture your pet’s insides.  Fat and grease can cause terrible digestion problems and in large quantities can require hospitalization.  If you would not eat it, neither should your pet.
  • Bread dough – Baking is wonderful but bread dough contains yeast with can expand in a pup’s stomach, causing all sorts of trouble.
  • Grapes and raisins – Raisins are often included in holiday baking and many pet owners do not know that grapes and raisins are just as toxic as chocolate.  Even though they seem healthy, get a good dog bone instead.

 

Holiday plants

We do love our beautiful holiday plants but be wary of leaving accessible to your pets.  Holly, mistletoe and poinsettias are particularly dangerous and tend to be front and center in our holiday decorations.  Even my cat, who never eats my plants (and we have many, many plants in our house) took a second look at the poinsettia I brought in.  Sometimes moving a plant or bringing in a new one can peak the interest of the most disinterested plant. So, when bringing home these favorites keep an eye on your pets and move the plants out of reach. Read about more plans that are poisonous to pets.

 

Garbage

What more do I need to say?  All sorts of bad things go in the trash and your dog is just waiting for you to get distracted and set down the trash bag.  Party time!  Make sure all trash is secured and make sure it makes it outside to the bin! Any cooked bones should be put right outside to eliminate any risk.

Candles

My cat is notorious for melting her whiskers on candles as soon as my back is turned.  Now that she is older, candles are only burned in locations where she cannot reach when we are in the room.  Keep in mind candles often smell like candy and cookies and can entice your pet to take a quick peek at the flame. This can easily turn into melted whiskers, a flame burn or even worse, a wax burn.

 

Wrapping paper and ribbons

Ribbons are favorites toys for cats as long as they do not swallow them.  If you are unsure if your dog will behave, keep the presents tucked away when unsupervised.  Make sure your kitty will not chew the ribbons off the packages!

Keep these holiday pet dangers in mind and enjoy your holiday season.  No one wants to take a trip the emergency clinic over the holiday season. If you have concerns about something your pet has gotten into, do not hesitate to call them or take a trip into the vet if needed.

 

We love the clinics listed below for 24/7 emergencies and we know you will too.

Fort Collins Veterinary Emergency Clinic – 816 South Lemay Avenue, near Lemay and Riverside in Fort Collins – (970) 484-8080
Four Seasons Veterinary Specialists – 4120 Clydesdale Pkwy, just south of Centerra – (970) 800-1106

 

Happy Holidays!

Black Friday Shopping for Your Pets

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It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is almost here. Once our bellies are full, it is time to start thinking about the biggest shopping day of the year, Black Friday. After all, it is the perfect time to find the most affordable presents for our loved ones. And we can’t forget about our furry family members this holiday season. There are a lot of great Black Friday deals just for them. We’ve compiled a great list of both online and in-store deals to help you navigate the sales.

Pet Smart

Store Hours – Sales online happening now!

Online deals 11/26-11/27, in store sales 11/27

Petco

Store Hours: Closed on Thanksgiving Day. Hours vary by location

Petco is running both in store and online deals this year! Unlike other companies they opt’d not to publish a physical Black Friday ad this year.

Some items include:

  • Buy 1 Get 1 50% off Whole Hearted Dog and Cat Food
  • Buy 1 Get 1 Free Cat and Dog Treats
  • Buy 1 Get 1 50% off Dry Cat and Dog Food*
  • 50% off Cat Food Variety Packs
  • 50% Off You and Me Orthopedic and Memory Foam Mats
  • 20% Off West Pay Toys

*In Store Only

They’re also offering 50% Off entire stock Holiday Tails Collection for Cats, Dogs, and Small Animals for those who need stocking stuffers still!

Wal-Mart

Store Hours – Time varies by location

Walmart 2020 Black Friday Ad

Photo from blackfriday.com

Costco

Store Hours – Closed on Thanksgiving Day and will open at 9 a.m. on Black Friday.

Costco Black Friday 2020 Ad

Image from passionforsavings.com

After you know where to shop you need to find out what you want to get your best four-legged friend.

Here are our top products that your pet is sure to love:

For the Cats:

  1. Catit Senses 2.0 Food Tree: Give your cats a meal or treat while also providing physical and metal stimulation. Also check out the Catit Senses 2.0 Digger!
  2. Novelty Cat Scratchers: These scratches also server as a festival holiday decoration! A perfect gift for any cat in your life.
  3. Yeowww! Catnip Toy: Made in the USA and filled with organically grown catnip these cat toys are durable! The Yellow Banana is the most popular and makes for a great stocking stuffer.
  4. SPOT Skinneeez Mouse Catnip Toy: Ideal for a cat who likes to destroy their toys. Skinneeeze Mouse are stuffing free and filled with catnip.
  5. Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Cat Feeder: Are you or a friend living with a cat that likes to pretend that your bedroom is a NASCAR track at 2AM? This feeder can help solve that problem by turning that zoomies energy into hunting energy. Comes with three feeders.
  6. Little Dove Pet Teepee: Looking for a new pet bed? Little Dove makes a wide variety of quality pet beds, made from 100% cotton canvas and New Zealand Pine Poles. Little Dove beds aren’t just for cats, but small dogs as well.

For the Dogs:

  1. LickiMat: LickiMats come in a bunch of varieties to satisfy the needs of any dog. They’re a great way to provide physical and mental stimulation. Also for cats.
  2. P.L.A.Y. Globetrotter: One of their many sets of themed toys. These are sure to be a hit with everyone! The fried chicken from the P.L.A.Y. American Classic set giggles. Check your local pet store for individual toys.
  3. Benebone: Benebones come in a variety of flavors and sizes. Made in the USA, these toys use real-flavoring to make their toys a nylon-chew dogs can’t resist. Perfect for the heavy chewer in your life. Also comes in a two pack for the smaller dogs you know.
  4. TUFFY Dinosaur Destructosaurs: This LARGE dog toy is great for the big dogs in your life. Standing at almost two feet tall, the Destructosaurs is double stitched with four layers of fabric. Did we mention it’s also machine washable
  5. Outward Hound Invincibles: This little gecko squeaks and is stuffing free! Great for a dog who is more gentle on their toys and takes longer to destroy them.
  6. Messy Mutts Double Silicone Feeder: Have a messy eater? These place mats are a great way to keep dishes in place and food from getting everywhere. Also for cats. Being dishwasher safe is a huge plus!

Still not sure what to get? Head on over to your local pet store and talk to their sales associates. They’ll help you find the perfect gift for your four-legged friend.

 

With all these deals and ideas, you are sure to find the perfect present for your pet this holiday season!

 

What Can My Cat Eat On Thanksgiving?

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Thanksgiving is an exciting time of year for pet parents and their pets. They get to meet new people and possibly beg for some tasty turkey. Many pet parents (me included) want to share some of the wonderful food with our kitties, but this is not always a good idea. This blog will include what you can share with your kitty and some yummy treats so that your kitty can participate in the festivities.Thanksgiving

What can you share with your cat? 

Cats can eat a very diverse diet including meat, fish, some fruit and vegetables. However, their diet cannot include processed human food, foods high in sugar or foods with extra salt or seasonings.

1. Green Beans

A few green beans, fed occasionally is actually good for fluffy, but these aren’t the green beans in your green bean casserole. Keep your kitty’s green beans simple by steaming them until soft. Before cooking cut the green beans into small, 1/2 inch chunks.  For a special treat mix in some chunk tuna or wet food. Feed these as a treat or with your cat’s meal for a special Thanksgiving treat.

2. Baked Squash and Carrots 

Again, feed in moderation squash and carrots are good for your kitty. Make sure the squash and carrots are fully cooked before feeding it, as undercooked veggies are indigestible for your cat. Some people like to bake the squash at 350 degrees until soft, but you can also steam them (again until soft). Make sure you do not add any oil or seasoning to these vegetables. The fully cooked squash and carrots can be served mashed up or cut up in small, 1/2 inch chunks.

3. Turkey 

Cats can join in on this aspect of Thanksgiving fun. Make your kitty his or her own special turkey or set some meat aside. Cats cannot handle the seasoning or baste you put on your turkey, so simply bake the turkey in the oven, plain. Bake the turkey until fully cooked, raw turkey can make your kitty sick. Make sure you choose lower fat portions of the turkey and remove any bones before feeding. Cut the turkey up into small chunks or shreds. This can be feed as a treat for a few meals, like on Thanksgiving day. Turkey can be high in calories so feed only a small amount.

 

 

Special Thanksgiving Treats

Want to make your kitty something special for the holiday, try out these treat recipes special for cats.

Tuna Yum Yums

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

 

Kitty Casserole

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.

 

While most foods on the Thanksgiving table are off-limits for your cat, these treats and tips can help make the holiday special for your cat. Let us know how your cat likes these treats by commenting on our Facebook page or commenting below!

 

Best Halloween Costumes for Your Dog

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Fall is here and Halloween decorations are starting to pop up everywhere. It’s time to start thinking about your costumes. And why should we have all the fun? Why not get your dog in on the spooky holiday with a costume of their own! Here are the top Halloween costumes for your dog this October 31st.

 

Minion

Halloween Costume

Image from Amazon

You can never go wrong with an adorable Minion costume.

Beanie Baby

Halloween Costume

Image from You Bet Your Pierogis

 

Transform your dog into a real-life version of the crazy 90’s trend, the Beanie Baby. The best part is that this Halloween costume is easy and inexpensive! Learn out to create it in this tutorial from You Bet Your Pierogi.

Super Dog

 

Halloween Costume

Image from Amazon

Create your own crime-fighting canine with this adorable super dog costume!

Punk Rock Pup

Halloween Costume

Image from Woman’s Day

Recreate the look with a Doggy Faux-Mohawk and a studded collar. Your pup will go from pup to punk in no time.

 

Lion Dog

Image from Amazon

 

We love Halloween and the chance to dress up as our favorite characters for the night. Just remember to keep your pet’s safety in mind first and you’re sure to have a great night!

What is your favorite costume that you’ve ever seen or done with your dog? We’d love to hear all about it in the comments below or on our Facebook page.

Related Blogs:

Top 3 Halloween Costume Safety Tips For Your Pets

Halloween Dangers for Pets

5 Halloween Costumes That Include Your Dog