Animal Care – Page 9

March 18, 2014March 18, 2014

Recognizing & Caring for a Sick Pet

sick puppy

It doesn’t come as a surprise to any of us when I say that this winter has been brutal. We have faced piercing cold temperatures and have been pounded with snow. We also, have had some surprisingly nice days. It’s always a nice thing when the sun comes out, but its not nice when your head starts to pound and your nose starts to run. As adults, we know our bodies well enough to feel “sickness” approaching. Children are able to voice their concerns when they start feeling ill. But, pets? Do you know your pet well enough to know if something isn’t right? And how are you supposed to care for them when they are feeling under the weather. Check out these tips and be alert of some of the symptoms.

How to Tell if Your Pet is Sick

Vomiting:
Always a clear sign that something is not right with your pet. While it might just be something simple as coughing up that green grass they snuck in at the park, it could also be something a little bit more serious. As unappetizing as it may be, you must investigate the materials. Are there colors? Undigested food? Liquid only? These key observances will help aid your veterinarian into determining the cause. Same goes for diarrhea. As gross as it may be, pay attention.

Change in Appetite:
Whether an overly excited eater is suddenly not interested in dinner, or a super picky eater is suddenly eating everything in sight, a change in eating patterns can pose a serious problem. There could be experiencing a virus or have a digestive problem. Be observant, these poor guys can’t always tell us what they want.

Other Physical and Behavioral Symptoms:
– Watery eyes
– Unease of balance
– Ear discharge
– Irregular or lack there of bowel movements
– Excessive panting
– Coughing

The list is long, and the possibilities of physical and behavioral indications could be anything and may differ per breed/per pet. Trust your gut. If you think something is wrong, go to a vet. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

How to Care for Your Sick Pet

If your little guy or gal is under the weather you might want to make some small changes around the house to help nurse up a speedy recovery. If your vet gave you medications, make sure you know how to distribute them properly.

Quiet Time:
Personally, when I’m sick, all I want to do is bundle up in my coziest PJ’s and snuggle in my bed. Make a similar room for your pup. Clean up their area and fluff up their pet bed with clean, warm, and dry blankets. Make sure there is always fresh water available.

Bath Time:
Splish Splash, let’s take a bath. If your pup is down in the dumps or is not feeling ill, maybe a small sponge bath rinse is just what the doctor ordered.

After your pet heals, they will be full of energy and you can both get back to your daily routines!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

(above photo taken from fox news)

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February 18, 2014

The Importance of a Regular Grooming Routine

No body wants to be the owner of a smelly dog or kitty. However, bathing your four-legged friend can be both a time consuming and difficult process. With these reasons, many people overlook the chore of daily grooming. I have noticed it is not until extreme odors pop up do pet owners take the responsibility of bathing their pet. I urge you not to wait. Dog grooming can be fun for both owner and pet. Here are some tips to help make it more enjoyable.

Take a Walk

Never try and groom a dog when it has a lot of energy. There is a good chance your dog does not like bath time. If he has a lot of pent up energy, He will wiggle and wobble and run, and be very hard to handle. Take the dog for a walk before hand, or bring it to the local dog park to run around. A tired pup will be more likely to cooperate.

Keep Treats Nearby

Give your dog treats and praise them while you work. By doing this, you will help create a more positive experience. The more enjoyable the activity, the more likely they will be willing to participate in the future!

Brush Before Bathing

Don’t be tempted to skip this step. While daily brushing is important, brushing before a bath is more important. I like to think that when I am brushing out a dog, I am giving it a nice little massage with the bristles of the brush. Depending on your dog breed, certain brushes work better than others. Experiment with the different variations and see what works best for you and pup. A thorough brush out will remove dust, dirt, and will also loosen tangles. If you come across a mat that just cannot be untangled, cut it out! Wet tangles are mush worse to brush out than dry ones. So get them out now while you can!   Brushing Guide:

Long Haired Dogs: Brushed Daily
Short Haired Dogs: Brushed Weekly

Splish Splash Time For a Bath

Most dogs should be bathed at least once a month. Depending on activity and dirtiness, more bath time would be appropriate. Cover your grounds ahead of time and make sure you are stacked with towels, escape routes have been blocked out, and your are dressed in either a waterproof apron, or raggedy scrap painting-like clothes. When bathing, be sure to use plenty of warm water. Start from top and work your way to the bottom. Massage the soapsuds into the skin and fur. Pay attention to the neck region where your dog wears his collar. When the water starts running clear, you are nearing the end. Grab one of those towels and blot your pup down to soak in excess water. You may need a couple towels, but regardless of your attempts it is safe to say that epic water shake down will occur. Be ready for it.

It’s up to you whether or not you want to air dry or blow dry your pups fur. If you do choose to blow dry, make sure it is on the lowest or coolest setting. Grooming your pup is more than just a show and smell. A clean dog is a comfortable dog, and comfortable dogs are happier.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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February 11, 2014

Homemade Dog Treats for Valentine’s Day

treats

Giving your canine companion a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day is simply out of the question. How about spoiling your dog with a tasty and healthy homemade treat? Here are five easy recipes made with all-natural ingredients!

Mini Heart Dog Cakes

Show your pup how much you love him or her by making these delicious mini heart cakes!

The Ingredients:
For the cake:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/3 cup butter (or 1/4 cup vegetable oil)
1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter
1 cup shredded carrots
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 1/2 tablespoons all-natural honey
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

For the frosting:

8 ounces of low-fat cream cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Spray mini heart cake pan with non-stick cooking spray and set it aside.
Mix the flour and baking soda. Add the peanut butter, vanilla, honey, and oil/butter and stir. Add the buttermilk, 1/4 cup at a time. Stir in carrots.
Spoon the mixture into the mini heart cavities, filling each one about three-quarters full.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until cookies turn golden brown.
While the cakes cook, prepare frosting by beating the cream cheese, vanilla and cinnamon together. Once the cakes have cooled completely, frost.

Tip: Drizzle melted peanut butter on top of mini cakes and add shredded carrots for extra sweetness!

Cinnamon Honey Hearts Dog Biscuits

With a touch of honey and cinnamon, this sweet treat has just the right blend of sugar and spice for your favorite doggy!

The Ingredients:

1/4 Cup Water
1/4 Cup pureed Banana
1/2 Cup plain Yogurt
1 Tablespoon Honey
1 Tablespoon Canola Oil
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
1/2 Cup Oat Flour
1/4 Cup Rice Flour
1 Cup Wheat Flour

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Mix the cinnamon, oat flour, rice flour, and ½ cup of wheat flour. In a separate bowl combine water, banana, yogurt, honey, and canola oil with an electric mixer. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well blended.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until cookies turn golden brown.

Tip: Turn off oven and leave biscuits in for a couple hours to make sure they are completely dry and crunchy.

Carob Doggie Delights

These doggie delights are baked and hand decorated, with love, to ensure a beautiful and delicious snack for your Valentine!

The Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Wheat Flour
1/2 Cup Rolled Oats
1/4 Cup Carob Powder
1 Tablespoon ground Flax Seed (Optional)
1/2 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1 Egg
1/2 Cup Water
1 Tablespoon Honey

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees.
Mix the wheat flour, rolled oats, carob, flax seed, and baking powder. In a separate bowl combine egg, water and honey. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well blended, forming a stiff dough.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until cookies turn golden brown.

Tip: Make this Valentine’s Day extra special by melting carob chips in the microwave or double boiler and drizzling over treats.

Banana Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Bananas are packed full of amino acids, electrolytes, vitamins, and minerals, making for a perfectly healthy Valentine’s Day treat!

The Ingredients:

1 3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup peanut butter
1-2 mashed bananas
1/2 cup water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mash bananas and mix in the whole-wheat flour and peanut butter.
Stir in water until the batter is mixed well. The dough should be dense and a little dry. Add extra water or flour as needed.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough.
Place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper, about 1 inch apart.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cookies turn golden brown.

Tip: Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, or you can freeze extras and defrost them as needed.

Beefy Heart Dog Treats

Your four-legged friend will appreciate the idea of adding a little meat in their cookies!

The Ingredients:

Vegetable oil, for cooking
1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 garlic clove, crushed
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
3/4 cup beef stock, tomato juice or water
1/4 cup canola or olive oil, plus extra for cooking
1 large egg

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Add vegetable oil to skillet and cook the beef with garlic over medium heat until no traces of pink remain. Set aside to cool.
Mix together the whole wheat flour and cornmeal. Stir in beef. In a separate bowl, whisk together the beef stock, oil and egg. Add the dry ingredients and mix until well blended.
Place on a floured surface and roll to desired thickness. Use cookie cutters to create shapes from the dough. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, until cookies are springy to touch

Tip: Use unsalted or low sodium beef broth for the healthiest treat for your pet.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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February 4, 2014February 4, 2014

Health Benefits of Dog Walking

dog walking

We can all agree that it is both important and beneficial to let the little guy out for a stretch and expose them to the fresh air. However, regular dog walking actually holds more health benefits than you might first initially think.

Energy Release:

You might not think about the living constraints of your house from a dog’s point of view. With the set walls, rooms, and furniture mazes… there is very little room for a dog to explore and let loose. A bored dog is more likely to behave poorly than an exercised tired pup. Dealing with a misbehaved dog on a regular basis can be stressful. Up your daily walks and see the transformation.

Exercise:

The most obvious benefit to dog walking is the exercise factor that both owner and pup get to reap. I am sure you have heard it from your doctors before, but daily exercise can help significantly reduce the chances of cancer. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Not only will exercise help reduce your risks of illness, but they also do the same for your four-legged friend. Walking your dog makes them stronger. Stronger dogs live longer lives. If you look at it that way, it’s a total win-win.

Social Skills:

Socializing is one of the key ingredients to helping your dog develop into a well-rounded pet. Regular exercise and daily walks helps expose them to new people, pooches and surroundings. These new experiences will help them learn and grow. Think about it, if you were locked up in a house all day do you think you would be the person you are today? If walking isn’t your thing, try bringing your pup to a park. Let him run around and interact with other dogs while you interact with other dog owners.

If you can get into a healthy routine, walking your dog won’t be so dreadful. Don’t get me wrong; I know we all have those exhausting days where when we get home the only thing calling your name is the couch. But owning a dog makes being selfish a bit more difficult. try taking it week by week and set personal goals. Try new trails! Be adventurous! The more fun you have with it the better it will be for both parties.

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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January 28, 2014January 28, 2014

Advice for Pet Sitters

cat in suitcase
Do you love animals? Need extra cash? Perhaps you might want to consider investing your spare time in pet sitting. There are responsibilities that come along with owning a pet. People need vacations and like to travel and boarding their beloved animal can be expensive. If you are thinking about pet sitting, here are some pointers to help get you started!

Research:

You should do your homework ahead of time. Don’t just keep at the basic “dog” or “cat” Google search. Dig a little deeper. The more you know about the type of breed you are sitting, the better you will be able to adapt to certain situations and maintain its happiness.

Ask Questions:

Find out what is expected of you so that there are no letdowns. Certain pets have certain needs. You never want to walk into a pet-sitting job completely blindsided. Common questions you could ask:

–   How much exercise is expected per day?
–   Should I follow a specific feeding schedule?
–   Are there any allergies I should know about?

Meet and Greet:

Arranging a mini meet and greet is important to assure that you are not afraid of the pet you are sitting. Go over any questions, introduce yourself to the pet, and make sure you and the owner are on the same page.

Communication is Key:

Before the owner takes off on any adventure, make sure you have a list of contact information in case of emergencies. You just never know what can happen and need to make sure you have all of your ground covered. Whether it be an emergency visit to the vet, unusual behavior, or a check in email here and there, make sure you have the information you need!

It’s important to have a good mindset before going into any caretaker responsibility. If a certain breed intimidates you, don’t be afraid to say no. Have fun with it and treat the pet as your own. Once you build a clientele, you could have a small business in the making!

Lisa Podwirny is the owner of Ketchum Mfg. Connect with her on Google+

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