Homemade Jerky Treats for Dogs

With all the bad press that store bought jerky treats have gotten, you may be feeling a little discouraged, not to mention a little uneasy, thinking that your dog may be getting sick from store bought treats.  But don’t give up hope just yet.  You don’t have to stop giving him treats altogether.  Simply go to the store and buy some Chicken breast fillets to make jerky treats at home.  

What you’ll need:

·         Chicken Breast Fillets (the number of fillets depends on how many treats you want to make)

·         A Baking sheet

·         Non-stick spray

·         And an Oven

What you’ll need to do:

1.       Preheat the oven to 200˚F.

2.       Lightly spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.

3.       Rinse off the chicken breast and remove any fat.

4.       Slice the chicken with the grain (to help make the jerky chewier).  The slices should be about 1/8” to ¼” thickness.

5.       Place the strips on the baking sheet.

6.       Bake for approximately 2 hours.  – Despite variances you may experience when baking, your finished chicken should be firm and dry, not soft or spongy. Don’t be afraid to cook the jerky a little longer, making it extra dry and firm (which is much better than underdone).

7.       Remove from the oven and place the chicken on a wire rack until completely cool.

8.       Once cooled, cut strips into bite sized pieces.

How to keep:

You may find your dog loving these delicious jerky treats so much that it’s hard to keep then in stock. But if you find you have some leftovers, these treats can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 weeks or in the freezer for up to 8 months.   

Find this recipe and more at Dogtreatkitchen.com

The Deadly Truth About Treats

Do you know what is inside the treats you feed your pet?  Making the assumption that a treat is safe for your pet just because it is produced by a reputable company can be a deadly mistake. 

The treats under fire most recently are Jerky treats, specifically those made in China.  Jerky treats made from sweet potatoes, chicken, duck, and dried fruit have caused sickness in a reported 3,600 dogs and 10 cats across the U.S. since 2007.  Despite extensive testing and inspections of Chinese factories, the FDA has been unable to pin-point the responsible ingredient or contaminant in these jerky treats.  As a result, the FDA has made no recalls on Chinese dog treats.  They have only issued warnings to consumers in the years when they received hundreds of complaints (like in the years 2008, 2009, and 2011).

The jerky treats cause a disease that affects the kidneys.  The symptoms start with an increase in thirst and increase in urination, then a decrease in appetite followed by vomiting, diarrhea, and eventually total kidney failure.  While some dogs have recovered due to a quick reaction from their owner, many owners don’t even realize what is happening to their dog until it’s too late.  

Ways to Avoid Dangerous Treats

1. Read the label 

While consumers have been warned to steer clear of products made in China, some labels can be deceiving.  You may quickly scan the back of a bag and read “Manufactured in the USA” but if you read more closely you will see that that only means the treats were packaged in the USA and in fine print it will read “Made in China”.   You should also read what the ingredients include and check for expiration dates.

2. Check the Recall Lists

While the FDA has been “unable” to recall such jerky treats, some responsible companies have voluntarily recalled their own treats.   As such, in 2013, Purina’s Waggin’ Train and Canyon Creek Ranch dog treats were voluntarily recalled, along with Milo’s Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers.  This proves that a brand name does not guarantee quality or safety, so pet owners should be vigilant about what they feed their dog.  Stay alert and regularly check the FDA recall list.

3. Keep it Fresh

While jerky treats can cause your dog to become sick right out of the bag, other foods and treats can become a problem over time.  For this reason, be sure to wash your dog’s food and water bowl daily.  Use clean utensils when preparing their food.  Store kibble in a cool, dry place.  Keep opened cans of food in the refrigerator, but only for a few days – watch out for mold and expiration dates.

4. Alternative Treats

There are alternatives to store-bought treats that will help give you piece of mind.  You can give your dog banana chips, pieces of apple, carrots, and dozens of other healthy human snacks that you can enjoy with them.  If you still want an extra special treat for your dog without the worry of “where did this come from?” you can easily make dog treats at home.   (Check out the article Homemade Jerky Treats for Dogs).


5. Be Watchful and Ready

Always keep an eye out for changes in your dog’s behavior, especially if you are trying a new food or treat.  If he/she starts vomiting, has diarrhea or becomes lethargic, stop feeding the food/ treats and take your dog to the vet.  Keep the packaging and any leftover food/treat incase you need to file a complaint. 

Spread the word to your friends and family with dogs so they too can avoid dangerous dog products.

22nd Annual Walk with the Animals

This Saturday, March 15^th, 2014, is the 22^nd Annual Walk with the Animals.  This yearly walk is put on by the Mary S. Roberts Pet Adoption Center in Riverside, to help raise much needed funds to support their animal-saving efforts.

“Over the past 5 years we’ve placed more than 6,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens in forever homes,” Says the pet adoption center; but like most non-profit animal shelters, it takes a lot of community support to make that possible.

If you are not a big walker or marathon runner, don’t worry because this event will literally be a walk in the park.  The full amount of the walk is 1.3 miles around scenic Lake Evans at Fairmount Park in Riverside.  Participants can walk at their own pace with no time pressure, so you can bring your whole family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone you meet on the way to the event for that matter. 

Even if you can’t physically be present at the walk, you can help by donating online.  In fact, all participants are encouraged to raise money for the cause.  The top fundraisers will win prizes, like an ipad, along with a commemorative brick to be installed at the pet adoption center’s Celebration Walkway.

Participants are asked to only bring healthy pets to the walk that are friendly toward dogs, other animals, and people.  All pets must be kept on a 6 foot leash (or shorter) and kept under control at all times.  For the safety of all pets, please be sure your participating pet is current on vaccinations (such as Rabies), wearing their license and ID tags, and are over the age of 4 months.

You can pre-register online at petsadopton.org to reserve your free t-shirt and goodie bag. You can also visit that site to create your personal fundraising page or create a Dog Pack (a group of 5 or more participants).   If you don’t pre-register in time you can still register on-site the day of the event.  Registration starts at 8:00 a.m. followed by a continental breakfast and the start of the walk at 9:00 a.m. K-9 demonstrations will take place after the walk, beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Enjoy some fresh air with your dog and everyone you know this weekend at the Fairmount Park in Riverside.  For more information check out www.petsadoption.org or call 951-688-4340 ext. 313.      

Reasons to Go Green in March

         

March is the month of Saint Patrick’s Day, National Wildlife Week, Poison Prevention, and the start of Spring, which makes it the perfect month to go green!  Being green can mean different things to different people, so for that reason, we wanted to share different ways to go green this month with your pup.  

Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with your pup

There are all sorts of fun things you can do with your pup on or around St. Patty’s day.  Of course you and you pooch can sport a spot of green in your outfits that day.  But what’s the fun in getting dressed up when you’ve got no place to go?  Well, you can go out to lunch and enjoy the beautiful weather on the patio of an Irish Bar & Grill.  Or, you can go for a walk to help raise funds for a local shelter (by participating in the Walk with the Animals fundraiser on Saturday the 15th – Check out www.petsadoption.org for more info).

Do a bit of spring cleaning

This is the time of year when the house gets cleaned from top to bottom.  You may be one of those people who dusts the whole house, cleans all the windows, vacuums every nook and cranny, and polishes the silver.  One area that often gets over looked is the dog’s belongings.  When was the last time you cleaned the dog’s bed, leash, bowls, or toys?  Everything the dog sleeps on collects dust, dirt and dander so it needs a good cleaning at least once every 3 months.  Dog leashes and collars are exposed to everyday life which can get messy.  While you may not consider them dirty because they never touch the ground, oils from your hands and your dog’s skin and coat will naturally attract dust and dirt. Dog bowls can be cleaned every day if you want to ensure your dog’s health (especially if your dog eats wet or homemade food), but at the very least try to clean them once a month (only recommended if your dog eats kibble). The same goes for water bowls, as things do grow in water.  And your dog’s toys are most likely covered in dog spit which means bacteria is growing.  That bacteria gets on your hands every time you touch the toy, not to mention, the bacteria causes toys to smell.  All in all, keeping the things in your dog’s life clean will help prevent your dog from getting sick.  And a healthy dog is a happy dog.     

Keep an eye out for wildlife in your backyard  

While critters and wildlife creatures can be a nuisance at times, we should remember that as our cities grow, their natural habitats shrink, leaving these animals little choice but to adapt to our suburban world; and that means making a new home in our backyard.  Most dogs love to hunt. They don’t always catch their prey but they sure do try. This month, make an extra effort to protect the wildlife in your yard.  If you see a bird’s nest that is low enough to the ground where your dog can reach it by jumping, keep your dog away from that tree until the baby birds have learned to fly.  If you stumble upon a nest of bunnies in an overgrown shrub, temporarily fence the area off so that your dogs won’t disturb them.  Remember, wildlife needs our love and compassion just as much as dogs and cats do.

Switch to organic cleaners (safer for your pets and the environment)

March is Poison Prevention Month and since many household cleaning products have toxic chemicals, we encourage you to stop using these products, especially around your pets.  While there are some cleaning products on the market that are made from natural ingredients and do not contain chemicals, there are less expensive household products that will get the job done just as well, if not better.  Baking soda is a great substitute for scouring cleaners.  It will work great on the tub, sink, and even the kitchen floor.  Its deodorizing capabilities make it a great carpet sprinkle to remove pet odors as well. Borax is a naturally-occurring mineral that can be safely used as a laundry detergent, a scrub for tiles, and it will even kill fleas (it can be used as a carpet sprinkle as well).  Vinegar and water makes a great cleaning solution for bathrooms, kitchens, and windows.  It will also clean rust stains. Vinegar and Dawn (dish soap) cleaning solution makes a great degreaser. For more natural cleaning solutions check out Calveras Humane Society website. 

Mixed Breeds Allowed at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show will be making a few changes this year, including a new competition that welcomes mixed breeds.

One of the first changes to take place at this year's 138th annual event is the addition of three breeds now eligilble to compete, including the Rat Terrier, the Portuguese Podengo Pequeno, and the Chinook.  Another notable change is the reinstatement of the Award of Merit that judges can now give to noteworthy dogs that were not 'Select' dog in their division, but deserve recognition. Other changes taking place include more seating at the venue where breed judging and benching takes place, as well as big-screen television monitor at each breed ring, and some monitors at a designated food area. Group judging and Best in Show competitions will be held at Madison Square Garden. 

Those changes, however, are nothing compared to the biggest change of all.  Mixed breeds, who have not been allowed to compete at the purebred dog show since the 1800's, are now allowed to enter the new Agility competition.   About 225 dogs will be chosen by random draw to compete in two qualifying rounds.  Those with the highest scores will then go on to compete in The 1^st Annual Masters Agility Championship at Westminster on Saturday, Feb. 8^th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show airs its first night on CNBC Feb. 10^th from 8 – 11 p.m. EST, and then the second night airs on USA Feb. 11^th from 8 – 11 p.m. EST. Live streaming of the event will also be available online at www.westminsterkennelclub.org and through the Westminster smartphone app.


For more on this story and the controversy behind this prestigious dog show, check out this ABC 7 News article. 

Super Bowl 2014 with your Dog

Will you be one of the millions of viewers watching “the big game” this Sunday?  Every year millions of Americans devote the first Sunday of February to the final game of the football season, also known as Super Bowl Sunday.   Even if you aren’t the biggest sports fan, you and your dog are sure to enjoy these Super Bowl Sunday activities.

1.  Warm up:  Every athlete knows a good warm up is essential before any game.  What better way to get ready for Super bowl than by taking your dog for a stroll around the neighborhood?  In addition, if you are expecting guests over for the game, this walk will help your dog be better behaved.

2. ‘Tail’gate:  While you’re cooking up some good eats for the game, throw a little extra meat on the barbecue for your pup (just be sure you DON’T add the seasoning or marinade to his).  When the meat is cooked, and has a chance to cool down, break it up into bite sized pieces and put it in his bowl when the rest of you are eating.  This will also help keep him from begging for scraps.  

3. Toss the ball: You and your dog can have your own pre-game of fetch in the back yard.  You can be the quarterback and he’ll be the wide receiver.  This is another great way to work out any anxiety he may be having about your party guests.  The football shaped Kong toy would make a great fetch toy for this occasion…. Fido, go long!

4. Watch the game and commercials:  Talk about the perfect game companion.  Not only will your furry buddy share your opinion on every amazing pass, every nail biting play, and every bad call, and he won’t interrupt the game for conversation either.  He’ll also enjoy watching the commercials with you too (though secretly he’s just interested in the ones with talking animals).

5. Take a nap:  All that pre-game fun and game time screaming, cheering, eating and drinking can really wear you out.  Feel free to let your four-legged best bud curl up next to you for a little post-game snooze.  You deserve it.  

Tune in to Fox 11 this Sunday, Feb. 2^nd, at 3:30 p.m. PT to catch the Seattle Seahawks take on the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. 

For some adorable, pre-game fun, tune in to Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl X on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.  In the meantime, find out who the puppies are predicting will win this year’s Super Bowl by watching this YouTube video.

A Better 2014

Have you already broken your New Year’s resolution? It’s been 2 weeks since we welcomed 2014 and about 25 % of those New Year promises for change didn’t make it past the first week.

There are always things we would like to change to make our lives easier or to feel better about ourselves, and those changes include the dog.  Whether it’s to be more consistent with exercise or better about training, we still strive to be better pet parents.

Here are some simple ways to make it a better year for you and your pooch:

Lessen the Anxiety

Have you tried crate training that only ends with your dog whining and barking miserably every time you leave the house? If you only use the crate for your dog when you leave the house, it becomes negatively associated with you leaving.  Try to lessen his anxiety by turning the “bad dog” crate into his safe, cozy den that he can play in or nap in any time of day.  Try offering chew toys, treats, and even meals in his crate when you’re home.  Interacting with him and his crate while you’re home will help him feel more secure in his crate when you leave.   

Stimulate the mind

Ideally, the average dog should get 6 – 8 hours of activity a day.  Before you stress out about all the exercise you are going to have to magically squeeze into your dog’s day, keep in mind that activity can be anything from training exercises to a belly rub.   Remember that mental stimulation is just as important for a dog as physical stimulation. You can leave your dog with food puzzles while you’re at work, practice a little training to make him work for his dinner, and enjoy a casual walk after work.  Adding more mental stimulation to their day will help lessen boredom which may lead to destructive behaviors.

Increase oral hygiene

Anyone who has had a dog who needed a tooth extraction can tell you that canine oral hygiene is no laughing matter.  Periodontal disease is a serious threat to a dog’s health if his teeth are not properly cared for and the cost of tooth extraction may cause you pain as well.  But let’s face it, brushing his teeth every night isn’t happening (despite your New Year’s resolution).  The simplest solution is to let him be a dog and chew.  Rope toys, fleece tug toys, bones, Nylabones and other hard chew toys and treats are a great way to help dogs remove plaque and tarter from teeth. In addition, there are water additives, oral gels, and oral sprays that may also help.  Look for the VOCH (Veterinary Oral Health Council) seal of approval on plaque-busting products to know that it has been tested and really works.

Get the most out of your exercise

If you feel your dog could use more exercise but you are limited in the amount of time you have for walks, try increasing the intensity of the workout instead.  By adding a dog backpack, weighted down by water bottles or the like, your dog will work harder even though it’s the same amount of time he walked yesterday.  If you have a bike, have him speed walk or jog alongside you.  For well trained dogs that like to work, have him pull you on a skateboard or scooter.