“People Foods” That are Safe for Dogs



Dreamy Kitty
© 2012 Claudia Ballard
11 x 14 acrylic on masonite

 

There are all kinds of opinions on what to feed the canine members of the family.  My vet insists dogs should never eat “people food”.  Try telling that to my brother’s German shepherd as he snatches cherry tomatoes out of my sister-in-law’s garden or begs and whines for raw carrots while she cooks.  :->

Most of us know there are foods that are harmful to our pooches, even toxic, and we hear a lot about the evils of grapes and chocolate.  However, I found something interesting on Pawnation.com and thought I would share some excerpts here:

 

 

Peanut Butter

… peanut butter is safe (and delicious) for dogs to eat. And because dogs are generally quite fond of peanut butter, it can be used to conceal yucky medicine. It almost goes without saying that your dog is best off eating natural, unprocessed peanut butter without added salt, sugar and preservatives…

Cheese

They’re usually eager to gobble up some cheese, and generally it’s perfectly safe. But like us, dogs can be prone to lactose intolerance, so tread lightly. Cottage cheese is a good choice because it’s gentle on sensitive tummies

Yogurt

Yogurt is one of the best treats you can give dogs for the same reasons it’s so often recommended to humans: it’s packed to the rafters with probiotics, vitamins, protein, calcium, riboflavin, zinc and potassium. …. Avoid yogurts that are chock-full of sugar, preservatives and other additives. By the same token, fat-free yogurt is an acceptable option for dieting dogs, but be careful not to choose a brand that replaces the fat with an artificial fat substitute. All-natural is the name of the game here.

Salmon

The fish is a great source of protein, and it boasts a ton of omega-3 fatty acids which promote a strong immune system, healthy skin and a shiny coat. And if your family has both dogs and cats in the home, that’s all the more reason to stay stocked up on this nutritional powerhouse.

Sweet Potatoes

These sweet spuds have got fiber, vitamins and carotenoids up the wazoo. What’s the best way to prepare them for canine consumption? You wouldn’t want to eat sweet potatoes raw, and neither would your pooch. Serve them up in a dog bowl cooked, mashed or even dehydrated. Just don’t add salt or butter.

Playtime For Bored Cats

Bright Eyes
c. Claudia Ballard 2012
5 x 7 acrylic on canvas

Like people, cats get bored with their old toys.  But they don't have to lose interest.  Cat behaviorist Marva Marrow has suggestions on how to make every play day fresh and fun for you and your feline companion:

1. Limit the Options

Have just a few toys around.   Cats aren't great decision makers. When they have too many options, they become unable to focus and can’t choose.

2. Rotate the Toys

If you own more than a few cat toys, you don't need to get rid of them all.  Then next week hide those away and pull out three more. The three you choose should be dissimilar.

3. Know Your Cat's Turn-Ons (and Turn-Offs)

Most prefer texture to sound, making a furry stuffed mouse more enticing than a rubber one that squeaks. Cats are also smart, and not easily fooled by mechanical prey.  What will remain appealing to most cats is any toy they can bat around.

4. Know Your Cat's Nature

Cat play is practice for hunting prey.  They don’t make a quick kill. They toss it up in the air, force it to move.   That is why they can spend hours batting a ball of tinfoil.

5. Keep It Real

Most cats are unable to follow quick movement. Drag a pole toy or string toy along the ground slowly, just out of your cat's reach.  You can also attempt to mimic the movement of their natural prey by holding it still so your cat can focus, and then wiggle it a little, stop, and then wiggle again.

6. Use What You Have

A cat’s favorite plaything may turn out to be the plastic ring from a carton of milk, or a ball of cellophane.  Socks filled with catnip, small balls of yarn, or ping-pong balls let loose in a dry bathtub may also bring your cat more hours of pleasure than the most expensive store-bought toy.

What does YOUR cat love to play with the most? 

Excerpted from petpeoplesplace.com (here)

Homespun Artist's Retreat

I am traveling this week to visit my 87-year-old mother in SC while my brother and his wife are away.  I decided to steal, ummm borrow,  ;-> an idea from one of my fellow artists in the mentor program, Terri West, of Orlando.  Being short on funds to attend a formal workshop, she decided to create her own art retreat at home for a week.  So, I have packed up my essential gear and canvases and paint, and have made the most of my week away from the distractions at home.  After recuperating from the 9-hour drive, I have managed to finish three paintings that needed fine tuning and prepared the background on several canvases and worked out my sketches for those.  I hope to at least get a number of starts done to take home to finish up.

Bright Eyes
@2012 Claudia Ballard
5 x 7 acrylic on canvas panel

I am working on a portfolio of animal portraits to hone my skills for doing pet portraits.  Will put together some flyers to leave at the veternarian offices and other pet friendly outlets to see if I can generate some commission work.  If you know any animal lovers, please help me grow my business.  Just ask me for referral postcards; they are stamped and ready for you to address and send to your friends and have a photo of one of my paintings.  (I even left room at the bottom for you to scribble a note if you like.)