How to Make Easter Safe for Pets

How to Make Easter Safe for Pets

Watch the grass.  No not the real grass outside, we're talking about that pretty but annoying "grass" that many people stuff in Easter Baskets.  Pets love to play and chew on it and it's not good for them, and it's terrible to clean up! 

Keep the candy up! Chocolate and candies like gum containing xylitol are toxic to your fur babies. 

Easter Lilies are pretty!  But they are also toxic to your cats.

Skip those "treats" for your pets from the table.  Many of the things in our food will cause stomach problems you will seriously regret for your pets.  

Count those eggs!  You don't want your pet getting either fake or real eggs.  Spoiled eggs will cause some really not-fun stomach issues and those plastic eggs can harm your pet's intestines. 

Keep the toys for the kids.  Watch your pets carefully to make sure they don't think your kiddos new doll or toy truck is a new fun toy for them to chew on.  Kids toys aren't made to hold up to dog teeth.

Respect Your Cat Day

Cats Demand Respect

It's Respect your Cat Day!  In honor of this fun pet holiday, we're bringing you 10 fun facts about cats!

1. Cats are the most popular pet in the US!
2. A group of cats is called a "clowder"
3. Cats sleep a LOT. 70% of their lives in fact.
4. Cats have 20 muscles controlling those cute little ears
5. Owning a cat can reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by a third.
6. Adult cats only meow to communicate with humans
7. Many cats are lactose intolerant! (put that milk away!!)
8. The technical term for "hairball" is "bezoar."
9. Cats make more than 100 different sounds whereas dogs make around 10.
10. Cats and humans have nearly identical sections of the brain that control emotion

Who knew?! Well, now you do! 

 

Doe vs Buck

Doe vs Buck

How can you tell the difference between a doe and a buck?  The most obvious, at first sight, the antlers are a dead giveaway.  Bucks have antlers and does, do not.  Beyond this huge difference, you can tell a doe from a buck by their tracks!  Does have a pointed track where a buck has a more wide track and the buck also tends to drag their feet.  

 Doe

Buck

National Puppy Day

National Puppy Day!!

It's all about the puppies today!! In honor of puppies everywhere here at 10 fun facts about puppies!

1. If never spayed or neutered, a pair of dogs can produce 66,000 puppies in 6 years.
2. A dog’s nose print is one of a kind, very similar to a person’s fingerprint.
3. They are born blind, deaf, and toothless
4. Every year in the United States, more than 5 million puppies are born.
5. During the first week of a puppy’s life, it spends 90% of its days sleeping and 10% eating
6. By the age of one, a puppy is considered to be an adult. In human years, this is the physical equivalent of being 15 years old
7. Dogs can recognize over 250 words, they can count to 5 and they can complete simple mathematical equations
8. Dogs have three eyelids, and their third one is called the nictitating membrane
9. Dogs can smell roughly 1000 times better than humans
10.  21% of dogs snore compared to 7% of cats.

International Day of Happiness!

Be Happy!

Today is International Day of Happiness! Let's get happy!! Share with us what makes you happy! 

Cats Chattering

What is my cat DOING?!

Have you ever noticed you cat sounds like it's broken?  This weird little noise that sounds like they are chattering, or clicking?  Don't worry, it's normal.  It just means your sweet little fur ball is hunting. 

Why is it doing this? 

It's hunting!  Cats are making these weird little sounds to attract birds, squirrels etc.  

Check it out

Chattering

Still Chattering

 

Service Animals

Service Animals

Animals are often trained for many purposes.  We have work animals like farm dogs that herd and protect livestock, horses are trained for derby and shows as well are farm work and riding.  In short, animals are not just pets, they are vital parts of our daily lives.  One of the most important forms of working animals is service animals. 

Their Job

Service animals have many responsibilities that include

• Assisting individuals who are blind or have low vision with navigation and other tasks.
• Alerting individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the presence of people or sounds.
• Providing non-violent protection or rescue work.
• Pulling a wheelchair.
• Assisting an individual during a seizure.
• Alerting individuals to the presence of allergens.
• Retrieving items such as medicine or the telephone.
• Providing physical support and assistance with balance and stability to individuals with mobility disabilities.
• Helping individuals with psychiatric and neurological disabilities by preventing or interrupting impulsive or destructive behaviors. (http://adata.org)

Importance

These animals are extremely important to their owner and are well trained.  It's important to have respect for these animals and their owner as they will sometimes be in places you don't typically expect to see an animal. 

Look what we found!!

Take a look at this blog we found!! 

How to Give your Pet a Long, Happy Life

Posted by JOHNH

http://www.worldzootoday.com/how-to-give-your-pet-a-long-happy-life/

Are you overfeeding?

Too much food! 

How much food do your animals actually need?  Let's take a look at how much you should be feeding!

Cats

Cats should be fed about twice a day and did you know your bag of cat food actually has recommended amounts to feed your cat on the bag!  Read those and measure correctly, guestimation doesn't work well when it comes to making sure you're giving the right amount!  Don't forget that fresh water all day! 

Kitten

Make sure you're using a KITTEN FOOD not a cat food.  If your little fur baby won't eat within 12 hours try some canned food and work up to dry by mixing it with dry food.  Offer your kitten plenty of dry food all day and tons of fresh water available always. 

Dog

Dogs should be fed only twice a day. Offer food, leave it for 15 minutes and then remove it.  Don't free feed! If your dog haven't eaten their food, they'll eat next time!  Dogs won't starve themselves.  A consistent feeding schedule will help your dog establish a potty break schedule too. 

Puppy

Make sure you're using that puppy food!! Follow the same idea as adult dogs.  Give your pup 15-20 minutes to eat their food then remove it.  Until your pup is 6 months old go ahead and feed them 4 times a day 

All of the Above

Make sure you're looking for "nutritionally complete".  Always provide fresh clean water.  Do not free feed!  Skip milk and table scraps.  

4 Facts about Deer!

Deer or Moose??

Deer are part of the Cervidae family! Other animals in the Cervidae family are moose, reindeer, and elk.  

Meat or Veggies?

Deers are all about their veggies!!  They are basically the opposite of little kids. They'll eat any veggies they can find!  Berries, flowers, grass, anything! 

Antlers 

Deer are the only living animal on the earth that shed their antlers every year. 

Super Ears

Listening ability of deer is far better than human. Deer can catch those frequencies that human can’t.  They can also turn their ears in any direction without turning their head.

Poison Prevention Month

Poison Prevention Month

March is all about raising awareness and preventing animals from getting into those things they shouldn't be.  

There are many things we know our animals shouldn't get into, but there are poisons in every aspect of our houses that we don't even think of.  

Purse

Gum and mints that contain xylitol

Medicines like pain relievers or your allergy medication

Hand sanitizer

Inhalers

Cigeretts

Perfumes

Plants

Lillies

Tulips

Azaleas

Amaryllis

Human Food

Chocolate

Avocado

Macadamia Nuts

Grapes/Raisins

Onions

Random Risks

Glow sticks

Batteries

Coffee Grounds

Glue

National PB Lover's Day!

Who Loves PB?! 

Dogs do!!  Dogs love peanut butter and treat so we found some awesome homemade doggy treats for the PB lovers in your house!  NOTE: Make sure your PB brand does not have xylitol in it!

Found on Puppyleaks.com 

HOMEMADE DOG BISCUITS

by LIREN BAKER

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 cup flaxseed
• 1/2 to 1 cups beef broth
• 1/4 cup Peanut Butter
• 
  
• INSTRUCTIONS
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, oats and flaxseed. Mix in 1/2 cup beef broth and peanut butter. Mix well, adding additional beef broth if necessary to bring the mixture together to a thick dough. Form into a ball and turn out on a lightly floured surface. Roll to about 1/4 inch thickness and cut out to desired shape. Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown, flipping halfway. Cool completely, then keep in an airtight container for about one week.

kitchenconfidante.com

https://theplantphilosophy.com/diy-3-ingredient-vegan-dog-treats/

http://www.sheknows.com/living/articles/1045115/diy-dog-treats