Recipe for homemade pet treats

Here's a recipe for a dried chicken strip treat I found on a dog forum that has worked well with my dogs, and I also modified it for my cats.  My two dogs absolutely love these chicken strips, while my two cats are divided 50/50.  As cat owners know, it's a real crap shoot finding treats that our finicky felines enjoy that is also good for them.  This recipe uses your oven, but you can also use a food dehydrator.


For Dog Treats:
Bake boneless skinless chicken breasts ( you can also use beef, liver and turkey) on a cookie sheet at 475 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.    Allow them to cool down or place in the freezer for a few minutes until cool enough to handle.  Precooking them makes slicing much easier.  2 or 3 large chicken breasts will fit on 2 baking pans after they are sliced up.  Reduce temperature of your oven to 180 degrees.  Slice the chicken as thinly as possible and lay out on non-stick cookie sheets.  Bake in the oven at 180 degrees for approximately 3 hours. It will be like jerky when done. Let cool before placing in sealed containers. They can be kept in the cupboard for a few weeks, or frozen for use later if desired.  My dogs like them straight from the freezer too.

For Cat Treats:
Follow the above procedure, but before putting in the oven for the drying process, chop the chicken into bite size pieces.  2 hours of baking time should be all that is needed.

Does your dog eat his own poop?

At some point in just about every dog's life, he or she will try eating their own poop, or from the cat's litter box. It even has an official name, "Canine Coprophagia."

Actually, it is a very natural habit for a dog in the wild. Mother dogs will eat their puppy's feces in order to keep the den clean. Puppies that see their mother do so will often immitate her. A dog confined in a cage for long periods of time may be trying to clean his personal space. If stools are left to pile up in the yard, it may prompt the dog to clean up his stools. They may be suffering from boredom, loneliness, anxiety or stress. If a dog is punished for going in the house, he may eat his feces to hide the evidence. Or there could be a health reason, like internal parasites that make the dog feel unusually hungry because the parasites are taking the dog's nutrients.

First, clean up your yard and pick up stools as they happen. If your dog tends to eat feces immediately after going, be sure you're there with him and divert his attention with a treat or a toy while you pick it up. If eating from the cat's litter box is a problem, confine it to an area where the dog cannot enter. Try adding a few chunks of zucchini to his food, as it is acidic and makes the feces less tasty. If confining a dog to a cage while you're away, give him a variety of toys to make the time less monotonous. Never punish your dog for going in the house. A dog only goes in the house if he can't hold it any longer; it's a myth that they do it out of spite. Finally, if you suspect parasites, get him to the vet for treatment.

Only Natural Pet Store has an all-natural product called Solid Gold S.E.P. to help with this problem. It contains glutamic acid that you add to your pet's food. When mixed with stomach acids, glutamic acid makes the stool taste very bitter to the dog. Link for Only Natural Pet Store is at the left.

It may take some perseverence to break your dog of eating feces, as it has become a habit that they enjoy, as disgusting as it may seem to us.

Billy and Lilly

A paternal dog has adopted an abandoned baby goat as his surrogate child.  Billy the boxer has become the constant companion of the 12-day old kid called Lilly. He sleeps with the goat, licks her clean, and protects her from any dangers at Pennywell Farm Wildlife Centre at Buckfastleigh, near Totnes, Devon in England.

Billy and Lilly have formed a close bond. The kid was abandoned by her mother when she was only a few hours old and adopted by paternal Billy when his owner Elizabeth Tozer began hand rearing the goat. The unusual bond has developed over the last month and the pair are now inseparable. Elizabeth said: 'Lilly follows Billy around which is really quite amusing to watch and Billy sleeps with the goat and cleans her mouth after she feeds.'

Lilly was the smallest of a litter of three kids and her mother abandoned her because she could only care for the two stronger ones. The pair have attracted quite a crowd at the animal center and the staff are keen to see how their relationship will develop.

'He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.'
      --- Author Unknown

Is garlic safe for your pets?

I found a  good article on the use of garlic for your pets, written by PetsbyPenny. I've been confused on this subject because I've read that garlic can be poisonous to pets, yet garlic is an ingredient in many pet foods and recommended by some as a flea deterent.  I hope you find the article helpful.


"You read lots of advice about adding garlic to pet's food. It's supposed to do everything from discouraging fleas and ticks to stimulating a weak immune system. Holistic veterinarians, as well as alternatives practices such as Chinese medicine, recommend it. However, this is not a case of "if a little is good, more is better". Even this simple herb can be overdone and used incorrectly.

Recently, the fact that garlic is part of the lily family--as are shallots and onions--caused additional concerns among those who knew that a compound found in onions can cause anemia and possibly death in large enough and/or frequent enough doses. The dose is the key. It has to be quite large to harm a normal animal, or the animal must be eating it in food regularly. (That doesn't mean you should let Rocky have onions once a week when you have roast beef. Anything that is harmful should be avoided.)

But, what about an animal that is elderly or one with an immune system disorder or anemia? Most vets will say not to give it to your animal if any of these conditions are suspected. This is where it becomes important to consult a qualified practitioner. Allergies, for example, are the result of an overactive immune system. So is rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other immune system disorders.

Stimulating the immune system in humans or animals that have this type of disease can cause a flare-up and create additional problems. In aging animals, it can be difficult to recognize these diseases, just as it can be when they are in the early stages. So err to the side of caution, especially if you are administering herbs without the guidance of your veterinarian.

Many holistic veterinarians recommend adding garlic to homemade pet foods and as a supplement. There are a number of benefits to using this herb correctly. It can aid digestion, stimulate immune functions, eliminate internal and external parasites, and lower cholesterol. I tend to stick to the lowest recommended doses which is only about 1/8 teaspoon of garlic powder three to four times per week. Fresh garlic is less concentrated, but garlic cloves vary in size which means your dose varies too. So chop it up and measure it. I still wouldn't use over 1/8 teaspoon, as recommended above.

Personally, I don't ever give it to cats, but some holistic vets say it is safe in reduced doses. Cats have special problems with these types of herbs and tolerate very little. I wouldn't consider any more than half of the dog dose and give it only two or three days per week at most. If you try it and your cat rejects it, don't insist that your pet eat it. This advice applies to dogs too. Never force your pet to eat food or medicine that it rejects unless you consult your veterinarian and he or she instructs you to do so.

Brewer's yeast is often used in tandem with garlic, and it can also be very useful. However, I recommend adding one supplement at a time and using it for at least a week before adding another. One of my dogs is allergic to brewer's yeast, and it's in an amazing variety of foods and treats. You won't know what's causing a problem if you add multiple supplements or medications all at one time. The same applies to vaccinations.

It takes more time and costs a bit more to implement one thing at a time. Nevertheless, it's worth it because you won't have to try to guess which one caused a reaction if that ever happens. Any type of allergic reaction has the potential to become worse every time a person or animal is exposed to it. It is especially important to add or vaccinations one at a time as pets age. I can tell you from experience that even an animal that has never had a reaction may develop new sensitivities as their body changes.

Finally, take an occasional break from vitamins and supplements. Some experts recommend a week off every month. Others have various preferences. One vet I know recommends only giving our vitamin supplements on weekdays, which give more frequent breaks of shorter duration.

If you wish to read more on this subject, The Nature of Animal Healing, by Dr. Martin Goldstein, is one of the many good reference books available for pet guardians. Another good source of information is the Holistic Healthcare Library at the Only Natural Pet Store. If you have questions or want to find other sources of information, please don't hesitate to drop me an email or respond through the comment feature on this blog.

Now for the legal requirements: I'm not a veterinarian and nothing in this blog is meant to replace the advice of your veterinarian. It is also not to be construed as medical advice for people or animals. My purpose in sharing this information is to help you learn more about this subject. A knowledgeable pet guardian becomes a competent partner with their pet's health care providers."

Dog owners - Please read!

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO DOG OWNERS
If your dog is in the dangerous breed category
and you have a small child in your home, please
don't leave your dog alone with the child
under any circumstances. It only took a moment
for the following to happen:



THANK YOU!
The Dog

Dealing with feral cats

What's the best method of dealing with the feral cat population?
Here is an interesting post on feral cats and birds from Cats and Cat Health which shows that killing off feral cats doesn't control the problem.

In my opinion, Trap/Neuter/Return is the only solution to the feral cat problem that makes sense. Here is additional information on the efforts being made in this area by Alley Cat Allies:

Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR)
TNR is a comprehensive plan where entire feral colonies are humanely trapped, then evaluated, vaccinated, and neutered by veterinarians. Kittens and cats that are tame enough to be adopted are placed in good homes. Adult cats are returned to their familiar habitat to live out their lives under the watchful care of sympathetic neighborhood volunteers.

TNR works. Cat populations are gradually reduced. Nuisance behaviors associated with breeding, such as the yowling of females or the spraying of toms, are virtually eliminated. Disease and malnutrition are greatly reduced. The cats live healthy, safe, and peaceful lives in their territories.

About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is dedicated to changing ineffective animal control practices like trap and remove, and to providing resources for the thousands of caring individuals and organizations in the United States and Canada who have stepped forward to feed, sterilize, and care for feral cat colonies.

And we need your help. With your donation, Alley Cat Allies can continue the struggle to stop the killing and to end feline overpopulation. Trap-Neuter-Return, the humane, nonlethal method of population control, is more effective than trap and kill, and it is more reflective of a caring human community.

Here’s what we’re doing to save our feral friends

Alley Cat Allies (ACA) actively promotes Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the accepted method of feral cat population control throughout North America. Community groups, public policy makers, veterinarians, military personnel, wildlife biologists, humane organizations, and animal shelters turn to ACA for guidance and expertise in developing policies and programs to effect humane population control of feral cats.

Become an Alley Cat Ally, Friend, Sustainer, or Feral Filanthropist. You can help ACA continue the fight to protect feral and stray cats in North America. Your donation could save one or many cats’ lives. Please send your contribution today to start receiving the award-winning newsletter Alley Cat Action and regular action alerts that can make the biggest difference for a lot of cats.

Can cold water clean dishes?

"Can Cold Water Clean Dishes?

This is for all the germ conscious folks that worry
about using cold water to clean.

A man named John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather
in a very secluded, rural area of West Virginia .

After spending a great evening chatting the
night away, John's grandfather prepared
breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.

However, John noticed a film-like substance on
his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking,
"Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied,
"They're as clean as cold water can get them.
Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!"

For lunch the old man made hamburgers.

Again, John was concerned about the plates
as his appeared to have tiny specks around
the edge that looked like dried egg and asked,
"Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up the old man said,
"I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as
clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret; I don't want to hear
another word about it!"

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to
a nearby town and as he was leaving,
his grandfather's dog started to growl, and
wouldn't let him pass.

John yelled and said,
"Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to
my car".

Without diverting his attention from the football
game he was watching on TV, the old
man shouted .

"COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN!!!!"

Difference between a stray and feral cat

I found a very interesting article on stray and feral cats at Alley Cat Allies, and here is a portion of the article.

A stray cat is not a feral cat.

A stray is a cat who has been abandoned or who has strayed from home and become lost. Stray cats can usually be re-socialized and adopted.

A feral cat is an unsocialized cat.

Either he was born outside and never lived with humans, or he is a house cat who has strayed from home and over time has thrown off the effects of domestication and reverted to a wild state.

Feral cats should not be taken to local shelters to be adopted.

Feral cats are not pet cats, and they will be killed at most shelters. Because they’re unadoptable, they sometimes don’t even make it to the shelter, but are killed in the animal control truck. Even no-kill shelters are not able to place feral cats in homes.

Feral kittens can be adopted.

Feral kittens can often be tamed and placed in homes, but they must be socialized in their first weeks of life. This is a critical window and if they aren’t handled in time, they will remain feral and therefore unadoptable.

Feral cats have about the same lifespan as pet cats.

And they contract diseases at about the same low rate. The incidence of disease in feral cat colonies is no higher than among owned cats.

Feral cats are not the cause of wildlife depletion.

Studies show that the overwhelming cause of wildlife depletion is destruction of natural habitat due to man-made structures, chemical pollution, pesticides, and drought — not feral cats.

Trap and remove doesn’t work.

Not only would you have to continue to remove cats, this process is extremely costly. Other cats simply move in to take advantage of the available resources and they breed prolifically, quickly forming a new colony. This “vacuum effect” is well documented.

Trap, neuter, and return does work.

No more kittens. Their numbers gradually go down. The annoying behaviors of mating cats, such as yowling or fighting, stop. The cats are vaccinated and they are fed on a regular schedule. This ongoing care creates a safety net for both the cats and the community.

Next week, part 2 of this post will be about Trap/Neuter/Return efforts.