Pamper your pets with yummy, homemade treats

Pamper your pets with yummy, homemade treats

Pet BULLETIN

‘Mews and Yips’ from the Central Aroostook Humane SocietY

By Christine Cowett Robinson

    We all love our kitties and what could be a better way to pamper your favorite kitty than with homemade treats? Homemade treats are sure to please even the most finicky kitty. Whether for treats on the road, a picnic or just hanging around the house, here are some great recipes for homemade from PetPlace.com. 

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine cheeses and yogurt. Add flour and cornmeal. Knead dough into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch. Cut into one-inch sized pieces and place on greased cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes. Makes 2 dozen.

    Preheat the over to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine chicken, broth and margarine and blend well. Add flour and cornmeal. Knead dough into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch. Cut into one-inch sized pieces and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes 18 cookies.

    Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Place well-done livers in a blender with 1/4 cup water. In a bowl, combine flour and margarine. Add liver mixture and carrots and knead dough into a ball. Roll dough to 1/4 inch thick and cut into one-inch sized pieces. Place cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Makes 12 cookies.

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine tuna, egg white and water. Add cornmeal and flour and blend to form dough. Knead into a ball and roll to 1/4 inch thick. Cut into one-inch sized pieces. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Makes 12 cookies.
    So get cookin’!
    Now let’s talk about dogs. Separation anxiety is one of the most common reasons for dogs to be brought to shelters. The dogs who are most likely to have separation anxiety are second-hand dogs, from a shelter, rescue group or greyhound-track adoption program. Dogs re-homed in adolescence or older are at greater risk of suffering separation anxiety than puppies. This is probably because it is more difficult for these dogs to accept changes in their routine and environment. They cling to their new pack leader (you) and panic when that leader leaves home to go about his or her daily business. For similar reasons, unemployed companion animal owners or those who take lengthy at-home vacations or recuperation may find that their dog becomes disoriented when they return to work. These distressed pets need help.

    Separation anxiety is often a problem of over-bonding. It is not healthy for a dog to follow his caretakers’ every step, to be constantly in the same room, sharing the same piece of furniture, being in close contact all the time. Promote independence by teaching the dog to down-stay on his own bed while you go out of sight. Start with a few seconds, then build up to a length of time the dog can tolerate. Put up a gate and eventually close a door between the two of you. And, get family members involved in dispensing the “good stuff” to the dog.
    Walks, play sessions and feedings should not be provided by only one person, for that person’s absence means the end of all that is good in the world to the dog. Panic can ensue. If you live alone, perhaps a neighbor or relative will share the duties, or hire a pet-care professional to assist you.
    The worst of a dog’s hysteria is often during the first hour after departure. Diffuse the emotion of your leave-taking by heartily exercising the dog right after you wake up. Then, after feeding him, scale back your attention to the point of ignoring him during the last 15 minutes before you leave. Turn off the lights and turn on the television, radio or white noise machine – whatever you play most when you are home. And, with no more than a whispered “Be Good,” leave the house.
    Some dogs will read the signs of imminent departure and begin to work themselves into a frenzy. If putting on make-up, packing a lunch or shuffling papers in your briefcase distresses the dog, desensitize him to these or other actions by doing them frequently and at other times (such as before mealtime) so they lose their direct connection to the dreaded departure. Presenting a toy stuffed with goodies can draw the focus of less seriously afflicted canines toward cleaning out the item and away from your leaving. Buster cubes, Kong toys, Goodie balls/ships work well as canine diversions. The seriously afflicted dog, however, will not give the toy a second look until his pack is together again.
    Separation anxiety can be severe and all consuming to some dogs. You may need to seek a professional assessment by an applied animal behaviorist or veterinary behaviorist, for they may need pharmacological aid while they undergo training.
    Luckily, the majority of dogs – if the earlier suggestions are followed – in no time will be howling “I Will Survive.”
    So, as you can see, it may not be “easy” to overcome separation anxiety, but it is your responsibility as the dog’s caretaker to help him through this tough time. I have been there and it was not easy, but we got through it. It is easy sometimes to think about giving up, but when separation anxiety/destructive behavior starts after you have had the dog for months, you need to evaluate your lifestyle, what has happened in your life to stress your dog? What can you do to make it better for all of you? Bringing an animal into your life and family is a huge responsibility; think carefully before you do so, another life is depending on your decision.
    We had elections at our last board meeting and have elected the following officers: Christine Cowett Robinson, president; Karen Carmichael, vice president; Gloria Towle, secretary; and Vi Belanger, treasurer.
    If you are looking for a friend for life, please visit the Central Aroostook Humane Society. We are open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, or give us a call at 764-3441.
    Please have your pets spayed or neutered.

 

    Kori Malenfant sold hot chocolate at the Camper’s Paradise to raise money for the Central Aroostook Humane Society in Presque Isle, raising $25 to help the animals.