July 4th Doggie Fun, Treats & Safety Tips

4th Doggie Fun, Treats and Safety Tips 

The most common behavior problems associated with fear of loud noises are destruction and escaping. When your dog becomes frightened, they try to reduce their fear. They may try to escape to a place where the sounds of thunder or firecrackers are less intense.  Make sure they have ID tags on and check their collar for wear.

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Canine Coolers

Keep your best friend cool on hot summer days with refreshing canine coolers. Serve by the poochie pool or under the shad of your dog's favorite tree.

Prep Time: 15 minutes 
 
Paw-ty Punch
3.5 fl oz Apple Juice
3.5 fl oz Cranberry Juice
1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract 

Optional: Use Rawhide chews for the sticks, for an added treat.
 Mix and match your dog's favorite flavors to make a special cocktail cooler for your own recipe. You can add low-fat yogurt to make a healthy frozen cooler.  You could freeze the mix in your dog's favorite interactive toy to keep in occupied.

 

Fireworks

Fireworks can be very scary for our dogs. For any holiday where there will likely be fireworks nearby, whether a big commercial display or a few firecrackers in the neighborhood, plan to keep your dog indoors. Try to leave a radio or TB on louder than the fireworks outside, especially if you aren't going to be home. If you are going to be home, we suggest you act as normal as possible, dogs learn by watching their owners.  If you appear to be scared, they will react. 

Before festivities begin, take your dog for a long walk or have a long play session to tire them out. During fireworks, keep an eye out for signs of stress.

Look for the three P's:

  • Panting
  • Pooping
  • Pacing

Signs of stress: Loss of hair, hiding under the bed, furniture or couch, not wanting to go on walks and not eating for more than one day are other signs of stress, as are excessive licking and behavioral changes, such as constant tail chasing. These behaviors are normal in stressful situations, but if they last more than a day, seek your vet's advise. 

Pupp-eroni Pizza Recipe 

A healthy low-fat version of this popular Italian favorite. For a sweet pizza topping try banana, pine nuts and a drizzle of honey and reduce the cooking time accordingly.

Makes: 1 paw-shaped pizza

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes
 
4 oz. Wheat and gluten free flour*
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp grated low-fat Parmesan cheese
3 TBSP Olive oil
3 TBSP Cold water
 
For the topping:
5 TBSP Chopped tomatoes
1 tsp Dried Oregano
Handful of spinach leaves, shredded
2 TBSP Grated Low-fat Parmesan Cheese, to Sprinkle

1. To make the dough, mix the flour, oregano and Parmesan in a mixing bowl. Add the olive oil and mix briefly. Add the measured water, a little at a time, until you have a firm dough. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead lightly. Roll out three-quarters of the dough into a 7-inch disc. Divide the remainder of the dough into 4 and roll out each piece of the dough into a 2.5 inch disc.

2. Transfer the pizza pieces to an oil nonstick baking sheet. Prick the dough several times with a fork. Bake in a preheated oven, 325 F for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven and set aside.

3. Mix the tomatoes, oregano and spinach in a bowl. Spread the mixture on the pizza bases, then sprinkle with the Parmesan. Return to the oven and baked for a further 15-20 minutes.

4. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool thoroughly. Arrange the pieces to form the shape of a dog's paw and serve cold. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours, or the freezer for up to 3 months.
 
* If your dog does not have a wheat allergy, use standard plain flour instead as the dough will be firmer and easier to roll out.
 

Independence Day means lots of treats, buffets, barbecues and an opportunity for your dog to snatch a few of those goodies! This could be a potential case of food poisoning. Be sure to inform your guests as well as any children, what not to feed your dogs. You don't want to spend the holiday at Pet Emergency.  Foods to keep away from your dogs:

 Foods to keep away from your dogs:

  • Chocolate
  • Raisins and Grapes
  • Sugar in large quantities
  • Taffy
  • Hard Candies can get lodged in their throats
  • Avocados
  • Alcohol
  • Onions and Garlic
  • Milk and Dairy Products (Ice Cream)
  • Macadamia Nuts
  • Raw Eggs
  • Salt
   Foods they CAN Eat
  • Banana
  • Apple Slices
  • Carrots, steamed or raw, cut in bite-size pieces
  • Plain yogurt
  • Cooked chicken, turkey, salmon, liver or other meat (avoid skin, fat, bones and sauces/seasonings
  • Steamed green beans
  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Sardines (bones and skin are fine)
  • Peanut or almond butter
  • Canned solid pumpkin or cooked butternut squash
  • Blueberries
  • Baked sweet potato
  • Oranges
  • Watermelon - remove seeds
  • Cucumber slices
  • Zucchini slices 

These are safe but please limit the consumption to avoid upset stomachs and discomfort. 
 
Boat Safety for Dogs
Some dogs are natural swimmers. They'll plunge into the water without coaxing. Other dogs are landlubbers that tiptoe around the smallest puddles. Regardless of your dog's tolerance for swimming, he should always wear a 'float coat' or life jacket, on a boat. Dogs that fall overboard accidentally can tire quickly, especially in strong currents. They can drown before you notice they are missing. Shallow water or deep, it doesn't matter 
 
1. Make sure there is adequate shade for your dog, and ensure that the floor is not too slippery or hot for him to walk on (both common with fiberglass-bottomed boats).  Traction boots or shoes would help with this.
 
2. Consider purchasing a boat alarm which comes with a remote dog collar that sounds if the dog falls overboard.
 
3. Monitor fishing gear. Dogs will smell bait and be tempted to nose through dangerous tackle boxes that contain hooks and other items they can chock on.

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4. Sun protective visors and shirts or rashgards are great for protecting them from the dangerous UV Rays. Sunglasses with high UV protection is also suggested.  The sun is more powerful around water.

5. If you anchor your boat in open waters and let your dog swim, attach a lightweight doggie boat ladder to the diving platform (at the stern). This will make helping your dog out of the water much easier.
 
   
Easy Hungry Mongrel Turkey Burgers 
Your Dog Won't Wait To Get His Paws On These!
Makes 8 - 10 juicy burgers - grilled or fried you decide.
Recipe courtesy of Three Dog Bakery 
   
1.5 lbs Ground turkey                
2 Egg yolks
2 TBSP Parsley flakes
1 TBSP Minced garlic*
1/4 tsp Thyme
1/2 cup Dry bread crumbs
1/2 cup Cooked rice		   1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly.
  2. Leave to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
  3. Shape into patties and broil in the oven or grill for about 15 to 20 minutes  until burger is no longer pink in the middle. Turn after one side is well browned.
  4. Cool and serve. Store in sealed container in the refrigerator

  *Some say garlic is dangerous for dogs. This is the exact recipe in the Three Dog Bakery Cookbook.  Feel free to omit the garlic.
   
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