Category: Dog Treats / Food

Thanksgiving Safety Tips from the ASPCA

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy
Dog with pumpkins, gourds and other holiday decor
‘Tis the season for friends, family and holiday feasts—but also for possible distress for our animal companions. Pets won’t be so thankful if they munch on undercooked turkey or a pet-unfriendly floral arrangement, or if they stumble upon an unattended alcoholic drink.
Check out the following tips from ASPCA experts for a fulfilling Thanksgiving that your pets can enjoy, too.
Talkin’ Turkey
If you decide to feed your pet a little nibble of turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked. Don’t offer her raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.
Sage Advice
Sage can make your Thanksgiving stuffing taste delish, but it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression to pets if eaten in large quantities. Cats are especially sensitive to the effects of certain essential oils.
No Bread Dough
Don’t spoil your pet’s holiday by giving him raw bread dough. According to ASPCA experts, when raw bread dough is ingested, an animal’s body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. As it expands, the pet may experience vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency, requiring surgery.
Don’t Let Them Eat Cake
If you’re baking up Thanksgiving cakes, be sure your pets keep their noses out of the batter, especially if it includes raw eggs—they could contain salmonella bacteria that may lead to food poisoning.
Too Much of a Good Thing
A few small boneless pieces of cooked turkey, a taste of mashed potato or even a lick of pumpkin pie shouldn’t pose a problem. However, don’t allow your pets to overindulge, as they could wind up with a case of stomach upset, diarrhea or even worse—an inflammatory condition of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. In fact, it’s best keep pets on their regular diets during the holidays.
A Feast Fit for a Kong
While the humans are chowing down, give your cat and dog their own little feast. Offer them Nylabones or made-for-pet chew bones. Or stuff their usual dinner—perhaps with a few added tidbits of turkey, vegetables (try sweet potato or green beans) and dribbles of gravy—inside a Kong toy. They’ll be happily occupied for awhile, working hard to extract their dinner from the toy.

Source URL: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/thanksgiving-safety-tips

Dog Food Recipes: Pumpkin Puree

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

pumpkinpuree-smallRepurpose that still-fresh jack-o-lantern into a tummy-taming treat.  By The Bark
1. Preheat the oven to 350° degrees F.
2. Cut your jack-o-lantern into large wedges. Place the wedges skin side up on a lightly oiled baking sheet. Bake for approximately 90 minutes, or until the pumpkin wedges are fork tender.
3. When the pumpkin is cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the skin into a bowl, then mash it or whirl it in a food processor. If the purée is a bit watery, cook in a saucepan over medium heat until some of the moisture has evaporated.
4. Let cool, then portion into freezer bags or containers and freeze. The purée can be defrosted quickly in the microwave or by placing the frozen bag or container into a bowl of hot (but not boiling) water. Use by itself to help with canine constipation or diarrhea (check with your vet for the amount appropriate for your dog), 

Friends don’t let friends feed imported jerky treats to their pets!

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

wp242922cc_06Friends show how easy it is to make your own

Only one ingredient!!!!
Chicken breast or flank steak
Trim off the fat.
Place in the freezer for 30-60 minutes so it becomes firm (makes it easier to cut).
Cut ¼ strips across the grain.
Either use a dehydrator on low or an oven on low.
It will take 4-6 hours in the dehydrator, 2-3 in the oven.
Store in the fridge.
It’s That Easy!!

Recipe from Dinner Pawsible for more information check out their website:  http://www.dinnerpawsible.com/jerky.html

Dog Food Recipes: Pumpkin Cheese Cups Dog-safe “mutt cups” By Barbara Burg

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

pumpkincheesecups_recipe320x200_2Beyond biscuits—here’s a homemade nutritious treat perfect for those festive occasions.
Yield: About 24 mini-mutt cups and 24 garnish cookies
Ingredients
For the Cups
2 1/2 cups (310 g) whole wheat flour
1/2 cup (40 g) whole rolled oats
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup (240 ml) water
1/2 cup (130 g) all-natural crunchy peanut butter
For the Filling
1/2 cup (100 g) puréed pumpkin
16 ounces (450 g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
Directions : For the Cups
Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
Combine wheat flour and oats in a large bowl. Add egg, water and peanut butter and mix well.
On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough and roll out to 1/8″ (0.3 cm) thickness.
Cut out twenty-four 2″ (5 cm) circles. Use remaining dough to cut out 24 small garnish cookies (Here’s an idea: Cut the cookies into your dog’s favorite shapes.)
Spray a mini-muffin pan with oil and lightly dust with flour. Lay circles in the mini-muffin cups and press.
Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool enough to handle, remove from pan, then let cool completely.
Store in sealed container until ready to fill with cheese mixture.
For the Filling
With a hand mixer, mix pumpkin and cream cheese together until well blended.
Place cream cheese mixture into a pastry bag with a large-tip opening; you can also use a plastic sandwich bag—snip corner of sandwich baggie to create a 1/2″ (1.3 cm) opening.
Gently squeeze filling into cookie cups. Garnish with a small cookie.
Recipe from “The Bark” who posted From Good Treats Cookbook for Dogs by Barbara Burg © 2007 by Quarry Books

Why Do Dogs Eat Grass?

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

iStock_000006393132XSmall-200x300It’s the million-dollar question on every dog parent’s mind: Why does my dog eat grass?
According to petmd.com, “The modern dog, partly because of evolution and domestication, is no longer like its ancestors, which frequently ate their prey entirely, including the stomach contents of plant-eating animals. Instead, dogs today seek out plants as an alternative food source. Most commonly the plant is grass – since that is what is closest at hand – but wild canines are known to eat fruits, berries and other vegetable matter, too.”
So, it’s a nature vs. nurture thing? Maybe.

No Puking, Please

Better yet, why does my dog eat grass and then throw up?
Apparently, when dogs eat blades of grass, the tiny “hairs” on the blade tickle their throats and stomach, which causes your dog to vomit. It’s often said that dogs eat grass when they’re not feeling good and this is somewhat true, because vomiting gets the bad stuff out.
However, don’t get too worried when you see Fido munching on some grass. He’s probably fine and just, well, likes it.
“Typically, dogs will chew and graze more when they are feeling well. The more they chew the grass, the more the blade becomes saturated with saliva, and in becoming so, it is less ‘tickly’ as they swallow. These dogs may just be craving some roughage in their diet, or may find the texture appealing,” notes vetlive.com.

Got Grass?

You can relax, because most vets see no problem in letting your dog eat grass. Interestingly, grass could contain essential nutrients your dog craves. This is more typical among dogs on a commercial diet.
Petmd.com says, “If you notice that your dog has been munching away on grass or houseplants, then you may want to introduce natural herbs or cooked vegetables into their diet. Dogs aren’t finicky like cats, but they’re not too fond of raw veggies either. They’re kind of like big furry kids that way.”
Another thing you can do is give your dog his own patch of grass to munch on, as one of the biggest concerns about dogs eating grass is that most lawns are treated with chemicals that could make your dog very, very sick. By giving him a patch to snack on, you are ensuring that your dog is safe from ingesting harmful substances.
You could also give your dog a daily multivitamin with green tea and reishi to further safeguard his health and well-being.
Originally posted:  MAY 1, 2013 By : Sonya Simpkins on Ilovedogs.com

Why Are Jerky Treats Making Pets Sick?

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

ucm371574If you have a dog or cat that became ill after eating jerky pet treats, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) would like to hear from you or your veterinarian.
The agency has repeatedly issued alerts to consumers about reports it has received concerning jerky pet treat-related illnesses involving 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died.
Read the article in it entirety here:  Jerky Treats Making Pets Sick_1013 or on the FDA’s website here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm371413.htm

Recipe Ideas for Quick and Healthy Homemade Dog Treats

Posted on by Michelle Kennedy

DogTreatsBy Nicole Pajer (contributed from Ceasar’s Way Website)
Making your own homemade dog treats can be a fun reward for you dog. There are many benefits to making your own dog treats at home.

  • Control what goes into the recipe. You can ensure that your pet is getting a nutritious and wholesome snack. You can also tailor your dog treat recipes to your dog’s taste preferences as well as cater to any dietary restrictions.
  • Prevent unhealthy additives. Many brands of commercial dog treats are filled with preservatives, which help to extend their shelf life. In addition, store bought treats are often made from fillers and byproducts as opposed to natural and high quality ingredients. By creating your own treats at home, you will be able to provide your dog with a healthy snack that is not only nutritious but is also free of unhealthy additives.
  • Tasty alternative. Making your own dog treats allows you to provide your pet with a tasty alternative to his usual doggie biscuit.

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