Getting a pet is a significant responsibility that requires careful consideration, and introducing a new pet into your home before the holidays can add an extra layer of complexity. Here are several important factors to consider before getting a pet before the holidays:
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Homemade Christmas Treats for Your Four-Legged Friends The holiday season is all about spreading joy and love, and what better way to show your furry friends how much you care than by whipping up some homemade Christmas treats just for them? In this blog, we'll dive into easy and delightful recipes that will leave your dog’s drooling for more. Let the baking festivities begin! 1. Festive Peanut Butter Pawprints: Ingredients: • 1 cup whole wheat flour • 1/2 cup rolled oats • 1/4 cup dry milk • 1/4 cup cornmeal • 1/2 cup water • 1/4 cup unsalted peanut butter (make sure it doesn't contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs) • 1 egg Instructions: • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). • In a bowl, mix the flour, oats, dry milk, and cornmeal. • In a separate bowl, whisk together water, peanut butter, and egg. • Combine the wet and dry ingredients to form a dough. • Roll out the dough and cut out pawprint shapes. • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. 2. Cranberry Christmas Crunchies: Ingredients: • 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour • 1/2 cup dried cranberries • 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce • 1 egg Instructions: • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). • In a food processor, pulse the dried cranberries until finely chopped. • In a bowl, mix the flour, chopped cranberries, applesauce, and egg. • Roll the dough into small balls and place them on a baking sheet. • Flatten each ball with a fork and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they're firm. 3. Sweet Potato Snowflakes: Ingredients: • 1 cup mashed sweet potato • 1/4 cup coconut flour • 1/4 cup oat flour • 1 egg Instructions: • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). • Mix the mashed sweet potato, coconut flour, oat flour, and egg until well combined. • Roll out the dough and cut out snowflake shapes. • Place on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are golden. 4. Gingerbread Goodies: Ingredients: • 2 cups whole wheat flour • 1 teaspoon ground ginger • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 cup molasses • 1/4 cup water • 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted Instructions: • Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C). • In a bowl, mix the flour, ginger, and cinnamon. • Add molasses, water, and melted coconut oil, stirring until a dough forms. • Roll out the dough and cut into gingerbread shapes. • Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the edges are slightly brown. With these homemade Christmas treats, your dogs are sure to have a tail-wagging good time during the holiday season. Whether you're baking these goodies as a special gift or just to pamper your four-legged friends, the love and effort you put into making them will undoubtedly make this Christmas extra special for your furry companions. Enjoy the baking process and the joy it brings to both you and your dogs! The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and togetherness. As we gather with our loved ones to celebrate, let's not forget about our four-legged companions who bring so much joy to our lives. In this blog post, we'll explore the festive spirit through the eyes of animals and discover ways to make the holidays special for them.
Website: www.hugalovepetsitting.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-444-2242 Cats can be susceptible to various parasites, including: 1. Fleas: Fleas are common external parasites that can cause itching, hair loss, and skin irritation. They can also transmit other diseases. 2. Ticks: Ticks can attach to a cat's skin, feeding on their blood. In addition to causing discomfort, ticks can transmit diseases. 3. Worms: Internal parasites such as roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms can affect cats. These parasites can lead to weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, and other health issues. 4. Ear Mites: These tiny mites infest a cat's ears, causing itching and discomfort. If you suspect your cat has parasites, it's essential to consult with a veterinarian. They can recommend appropriate treatments, which may include medications and preventive measures to keep your cat parasite-free. Regular veterinary check-ups and preventive measures such as flea and tick control can help maintain your cat's health and well-being. Website: www.hugalovepetsitting.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-218-2356 Which pet is best for you? CAT?
Cats and dogs are awesome pets to have. They each have their own characteristics and personalities. When considering if a cat or dog is best for you, keep in mind the care, attention, environment, and time you are able to provide for their best interest and yours. It is a misconception that cats do not need to be checked on and fed. They DO need to be checked on, fed, water refreshed, litter scooped, checked for signs of illness, checked to see if they have gotten into something they should not have, checked to make sure their curiosity has not gotten them trapped in a space they cannot get out of. We as pet sitters DO NOT advocate for cats to be left alone for days. Our policy at Hug A Love Pet Sitting is to check in on cats at least once a day. As for dogs, they do require more pet-sitting visits for feeding and walking. Website: hugalovepetsitting.com Email: [email protected] Phone:970-444-2242 Image by Esi Grünhagen from Pixabay To keep your bunny healthy: · Neuter your bunny - unneutered females are at high risk of developing womb cancer, and unneutered bunnies are more likely to fight. Neuter them, unless you intend to breed them. · Provide the right food - this should mainly be hay or grass. This will help prevent dental and gut disease. Check your bunnies every day to check if they are passing plenty of dry droppings. If their eating or drinking habits change, or the quantity of droppings reduces or stops, check in with your vet immediately - they could be seriously ill. · Checking for signs of illness or injury every day, including if you go away. . Their front teeth and nails checked at least weekly - these grow quickly. Only vets should correct overgrown or misaligned teeth. · Veterinary check-ups, at least annually - including treatment for external and internal parasites such as fleas and worms. · Vaccinating against myxomatosis and Viral Hemorrhagic Disease (VHD), as advised by your vet. · Keeping away from wild rabbits and areas where wild rabbits live - they can carry diseases. · Well-maintained coats - groom them regularly. · To be identifiable and ideally microchipped, so they can get quickly treated if they're injured or returned if they get lost. Website: hugalovepetsitting.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-444-2242 If you plan to put a costume on your pet, make sure it follows these guidelines:
Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-218-2356 Website: hugalovepetsitting.com It is not fun when your four-legged loved one is not feeling well. Some things to help if they are vomiting is doing a process of elimination. Photo by Chris Abney on Unsplash Most definitely try to look at pet surroundings and re-collect if can see or remember anything that your cat may have gotten into. Making sure cat is not showing any signs of distress as well. Providing a calm and stress-free environment. As we know stress can trigger physical and emotions within our bodies, same for animals. Double check pet home to look to see if possibly they ate something they should have not. Hair balls are common in cats. Is your cat just trying to eliminate a hair ball? Some common hairball symptoms include hacking and gagging. Usually, your cat will vomit the hair ball in relatively short order. Getting to know your cat and having good relationship with your veterinarian will help. Some cats are more prone to hair balls, In which it is just a matter of changing their diet, adding fiber and staying up on their grooming. It is very important to know if what your cat is experiencing is normal or not. After eliminating that the pet environment seems safe and normal and there are no possibilities of a hairball, you can start looking into their digestion. Is this a possible stomach virus? Change in new food? Allergies? In this process, do not force food or meals. It is okay if your pet is not wanting to accept food for the time being. Just as sometimes us humans get stomach bugs or viruses, we do not want to eat, nothing sounds good, we just do not feel hungry we are afraid to eat as it will just come back up. Your body and your pet’s body are pretty amazing. We as humans can get to know our body and listen to its needs and wants, as well as doing our best to know our pets needs and wants. Staying hydrated is the key though so make sure the pet has access to water. It is okay for them to skip a meal. Keep monitoring your cat. If you cat does eat, is it vomiting still and not able to keep food down? Or try offering a small portion of bland food. Such as boiled skinned chicken. If cat tolerates this, you can give a little more after a few hours. As this point it is to not scarf it down and throw it back up, but to let it settle and eat a little bit here and there in moderation. Offering small and frequent meals. If cat is still vomiting very frequently, best to contact your veterinarian. But if your cat is drinking and eating a little bit, acting like it is not in distress, maybe rest more and use your discretion for what is best for your cat. Email: [email protected] Phone: 970-218-2356 Website: hugalovepetsitting.com If your dog has arthritis, there are several ways you can help them feel more comfortable10/16/2023 1. Consult your vet for effective treatments Arthritis can be treated with anti-inflammatory medication and dietary supplements. Your vet may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease inflammation and pain. 2. Control weight and diet Joints with arthritis deteriorate more quickly in overweight dogs. Losing weight takes some strain off your dog’s bones and joints. Special diets that contain omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfate can also help relieve arthritic symptoms. 3. Offer a soft bed An orthopedic dog bed made from memory foam will help support your dog’s joints and bones. Providing a supportive bed is also very important for thin dogs, whose bones might otherwise rub uncomfortably on hard surfaces. Some pet stores sell beds made especially for dogs with arthritis. 4. Install ramps, cubes, and slip-free flooring Senior dogs can have a hard time navigating stairs, hardwood and tile floors. Ramps and cubes are available to help your dog climb stairs and get up or down from sofas. Placing rugs or carpets over slippery floors will make your dog much steadier on their legs. 5. Try massage and exercise Think of all the times your faithful friend has helped you feel better. Now is an excellent time to repay the favor. Massage can increase your dog’s mobility and flexibility, improve circulation, and help them relax. You can gently knead your dog’s stiff muscles (avoid putting direct pressure on your dog’s joints, which could be painful), or schedule an appointment with a professional pet massage therapist who can pamper your dog. Even with arthritis, daily exercise helps strengthen your dog’s muscles and ligaments and reduces the risk of injury. 6. Make time for grooming Arthritic dogs can not clean themselves as well, especially in those hard-to-reach areas. For this reason, a senior dog should be even more groomed often than a younger one. Brush your dog’s hair regularly to get rid of matting and -tangles, and remember to be always gentle. Email: [email protected] Website: hugalovepetsitting.com Phone: 970-218-2356
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