Fetch - Frisbee, Why? - Fun!

I am back from visiting my mother in Florida - where I am known as the Rain Queen. Seems it hadn't rained in 7 weeks and then I show up and it rained for 7 days straight. Good thing I didn't bring Kanji with me - rain and wet are not his favorite things. His stay at "summer camp" was great - good food (I think he gained weight - but so did I so I can not point that out to him) and lots of outdoor fun ( a lot more then was available to me). As with most dogs - Fetch - is his favorite game. Not sure the point of it but that doesn't seem to stop Kanji and his pal Woodie from wanting to be outside doing it 24/7. Which then brings up the question - What's the best thing to use for Fetching?

Most dogs do fine playing fetch with tennis balls. But, like all things in life, tennis balls have risks. Some dogs may actually swallow tennis balls whole, leading to intestinal obstruction. And, although tennis balls are generally durable, they occasionally come unravelled. Some dogs have a knack for breaking apart tennis balls and swallowing the pieces–leading to intestinal obstruction. Another common problem with tennis balls is possible damage to the teeth. Tennis balls are highly abrasive. Dogs that chew or grind excessively on tennis balls may suffer severe dental wear. The wear most often occurs on the canine teeth (fangs) and the teeth directly behind them. Neither Kanji or his pal Woody appear to be excessive chewers while they play fetch but a less abrasive option is a rubber ball. A warning about rubber balls, they may be less durable than tennis balls and some can deflate and dogs may swallow them and suffer intestinal obstructions.

Other Fetchable items include Frisbees and sticks (real or rubber). But is playing Frisbee safe? Although acrobatic leaps for frisbees may lead to injured knees, the running involved in fetching and frisbee catching helps to keep dogs fit, muscular and lean. And don’t forget that playing fetch or frisbee is fun. Having fun is part of the reason why people have dogs. Intense physical activity carries certain risks for dogs. But we all face risks every day. In most cases, the benefits of activities such as fetching or catching frisbees outweigh the risks.


Nothing in life is without risks so make sure you know your dogs habits and likes/dislikes.

At Cause to Paws we carry a variety of options in terms of balls, sticks and frisbees - soft, hard, rubber, fabric, floatable, recycled/recyclable, with and without squeakers - to make sure we have your dog covered.

Kanji is off to "Summer Camp"

I am going to visit my mother in Florida for about a week and leaving Kanji behind. This is always a tough decision with me - to bring him or not. My mothers condo complex allows dogs but now seems to enforcing the rule that it only allows dogs that live there full time - no visiting dogs. It's causing some issues that I don't want to exacerbate so I will be leaving him behind this time around. I will miss him but I am not sure he will be missing me.



He is probably thrilled because he is going to "Summer Camp"! - Well not really, but he is going to be staying with friends in Holliston who live on the "acreage" - basically a little island surrounded by water - where he can run free and be "abused" by their 2 year old chocolate lab. Well not really abused - more like molested. For some reason their dog is enamored by my little fluffy guy - can't get enough of his smell and seems to be drooling over him constantly. Kanji plays a lot of run away. Outside there is no problem but inside it is definitely a game of hide and seek. Either way he is basically in doggy heaven. My friends love him and the feeling is definitely mutual. Usually Kanji wants to follow me everywhere but when he is with them I don't exist - so I don't feel guilty leaving him behind with the molester. They feed him things I won't and play with him a lot more than I can - and despite the fact their dog is a molester, he has a full time playmate - what more can you ask for.

So I am off to Florida for a week, guilt free knowing my dog is well taken care of happy to be away from me for awhile, away from the store and at summer camp.

Later

So you think dogs can eat chocolate - Think again!

You should never intentionally feed your dog chocolate. But sometimes our 4 legged friends get into things they shouldn't - off our counters or out of our bags. Then what do you do?

If the unfortunate happens it's good to know how much is too much. There is a chocolate chart from National Geographic that can help you determine your dog's danger zone - requiring a trip to the vet or worse the ER. Using the cursor you can match your dog's weight in pounds (or kilograms), to the amount and type of chocolate to see the dangerous effects - everything from vomiting and diarrhea to death. For emergency reference purposes, be sure to bookmark this chart. And always be conscious of keeping chocolate out of your dog's reach.

Chocolate contains chemical substances from the same family as caffeine - the main problem chemical is theobromine. At Cause to Paws all of our bakery treats that look like they contain chocolate are actually made with carob - a safe alternative to chocolate. Carob is a legume that comes from the carob tree. In addition to not having the negative effects of chocolate, carob is very nutritious.

Just an FYI - Carob contains as much Vitamin B1 as asparagus or strawberries; as much niacin as lima beans, lentils, or peas; and more Vitamin A than eggplant, asparagus, and beets. It also contains Vitamin B2, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and the trace minerals iron, manganese, chromium, copper, and nickel. It contains approximately 8 percent protein and is a good source of fiber. Compared to chocolate, carob is three times richer in calcium, has one third less calories and seventeen times less fat. Carob also has therapeutic uses. It is known to halt serious cases of diarrhea in adults, infants, and animals.

I stop to smell the lilacs - and the dogs eat grass!

The store is closed on Mondays - and it was such a beautiful day that I took the dogs to the Arboretum in Jamaica Plain so I could see/smell the Lilacs which are usually in full bloom around Mothers Day. Well they were magnificent - should have brought the camera. The dogs could not get enough of the park - the problem was all they wanted to do was stop and eat the grass. This happens every Spring - they seem to go after the newly growing grass and flower tips. Then inevitably they throw up. What gives? Why do dogs eat grass? Lot's of opinions out there.

“This is one of the most common questions I get from dog owners,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM, who added, “Sometimes, it’s an indication of something else, like an upset stomach or a diet low in fiber, but it can also be due to something more simple – some dogs simply enjoy the taste of grass.”Read more: "Why is My Dog Eating Grass? Causes for a Canine’s Urge to Eat Grass Suite101.com" - http://dogs.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_is_my_dog_eating_grass#ixzz0FJcDeAey&A

On http://www.wisegeek.com/ - they say " Some dogs take a few nibbles (that is what Kanji does), while others eat quickly, barely chewing the grass (that's what Decia does). Unchewed grass often translates to near instant vomiting. Dogs that are careful grazers, on the other hand, may not get sick from grass. The latter case suggests that some dogs eat grass because they enjoy it.(I think that's Kanji). Most dogs don’t need it to supplement their diets, but because dog diets are primarily made up of herbivores, that grassy taste may be reminiscent of the cattle or lamb product they had for dinner.

Veterinarians still aren't sure if dogs eat grass because their stomachs are upset or if their stomachs get upset after they eat grass. However, many vets suspect it's the former, because dogs who are energetic and perky seem to be able to eat grass without getting sick afterward. It seems likely that there's something in grass that does stimulate the urge to vomit. Often this is the case with Kanji - is he Bulimic?

Bottom line: In any case, grass eating is basically a normal behavior, and is not of concern unless your dog does it excessively. It does make walking the dogs in the park a little difficult - but now the arboretum doesn't need to be mowed today!

Peanut Butter Carrot Cake

I wanted to make some special treats for a store event and found a great recipe for a Peanut Butter Carrot Cake - I made it as a cake the first time but since then I use mini cup cake holders and make bite size (one bite for the big dogs/a few bites for the smaller ones!). My customers keep asking me to sell these in addition to the bakery cookies I have in the treat case - but that's a whole other issue to deal with and I will leave that up to the professionals!

Recipe:
1 cup flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp. vanilla
1/3 cup honey
1 egg
Mix flour and baking soda. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into greased 8" round cake pan and bake at 350° for 30 minutes. Let cool. You can frost them or just leave them as is - I don't think the dogs care - they seem to love them either way.

Frosting: Puree cottage cheese in blender for icing (I sometimes add a little peanut butter to this - or you can add food coloring to make it more festive. Decorate with more peanut butter and carrots.

An alternative frosting: Cream Cheese Dog Treat Frosting
12 ounces nonfat cream cheese, room temperature2 teaspoons honey Directions: Beat with a hand mixer until fluffy. Frost cupcakes with a spatula or pipe using a pastry bag with a fine tip.

Kitten Necessities

Here's a quick list of necessities you should have on hand when getting a new kitten.

1. Kitten Specific Food
2. Litter box, scoop, litter (scented or unscented? some cats/kittens are highly sensitive to smells - where others don't mind - you may need to try several types before you find the right one). Placement is important - PUT IT WHERE THEY CAN FIND IT! otherwise????????
3. Kitten size bowls
4. Scratching Post - (the couch does not count!)
5. Kitten safe toys - wands, stuffed mice, crinkle balls....Kittens don't respond to catnip until they are 3 - 6 months old - it will do no harm but don't expect a reaction (and some cats don't have the gene to begin with and never respond - so don't worry if your cat is not a druggy).
6. Grooming brush and wipes - the more you groom the less your house will be covered - plus it's a good way to bond with your new acquisition.
7. Collar and tag - Breakaway, breakaway, breakaway - you don't want your cat to get HUNG up.
8. Cat bed or snuggle sack
9. Cat Carrier - get them use to this early so trips to the vet are not so traumatic.
10. Cat Tree/Condo - assuming you have room to put this - let them climb on this and not your curtains.

Other than food - we can help you out. Although not a cat owner I have learned a lot from our cat customers and continue to expand our cat offerings. Now if we can just find a bakery that will make decorated cat treats - we will be all set.

Smokers Likely to Quit for Pet's Health

Another great reason to stop smoking - your pet - it's bad for their health , too.

In a study at Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, 28.4% of smokers said they were now motivated to stop because of the danger to their pets health - well it should be 100%. Just like for people, exposure to secondhand smoke has been linked to cancer, allergies, eye and skin diseases in dogs and cats.

Enough preaching for today - but pass it on.

It's me or Kanji and Kanji wins!

Came across this and had to share - since it is spot on - I need my hair cut and colored but Kanji needs to go to the groomer - only can afford one of us and guess who wins out!

Top ten reasons why it costs more to get your pet groomed then your own hair cut

10. Your hairdresser doesn't wash and clean your rear end.
9. You don't go eight weeks without washing or brushing your hair.
8. Your hairdresser doesn't give you a sanitary trim.
7. Your hairdresser doesn't clean your ears.
6. Your hairdresser doesn't remove the boogies from your eyes.
5. You sit still for your hairdresser.
4. Your haircut doesn't include a manicure or pedicure.
3. Your hairdresser only washes and cuts the hair on your head.
2. You don't bite or scratch your hairdresser.
1. The likelihood of you pooping on the hairdresser is pretty slim.

There's only one first time for everything!

First Facebook and now a Blog!

It is almost Four years since Cause to Paws doors opened. I decided it was about time to start blogging (is that really a word?). The intent of this blog will be to share Fun, Frivolous, inFormative and Functional Facts about our Furry Friends and yours.

10 green cat and dog tips ( I agree with these except for the one that says "Instead of buying plastic poop bags, reuse plastic bags from the grocery store to pick up dog waste." We believe in using Biodegradable poop bags for dog waste and sell a variety of options - scented, unscented, rolls with cores, coreless, cornstarch versions, ones shaped like mits.............

Looking Forward to Future sharing