Most pets — even tropical fish — appreciate a little tickle of the taste buds. Those with less sophisticated palates (Golden Retrievers come to mind) may not know what they’re eating but will relish a little extra anything from their much-adored owners.Still, a food treat should be a rare indulgence, sold or prepared especially for animals. For the most part, it should not be a helping of whatever the owners are indulging in. And before you go spend your mad money on beluga caviar, be forewarned: cats have been known to turn up their noses at any treat, no matter how many other cats have eaten it and loved it, no matter how much it cost, and no matter how much they loved it last week. They can be nearly as difficult as humans!

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Keeping doggy’s breath fresh and healthy with homemade goodness.Ingredients you will need:

2 cups brown rice flour
1 Tbl. charcoal
1 large egg slightly beaten
3 Tbl. vegetable oil
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/3 cup chopped fresh mint

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What you will need:1/2 c powdered milk
1 egg - well beaten
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1.5 tsp. brown sugar
6 Tbs. gravy
1 large jar baby food meat

The rest is easy:

Mix all ingredients.
Roll out about 1/2″ thick.
Cut with cookie cutter or shape by hand.
Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.

Your puppy will love you for these!

Most pets thrive on routine, structure, and consistency. But they will get a lift from a little something special, and the owner offering the treat tends to get a good feeling, too. Here’s how to perform random acts of kindness without going overboard.

For Pets in General

Treat Your Pet Wisely

Make each treat something unexpected, something a little extravagant. Treat giving should not be a three-times-a-day thing. When treats are offered too frequently, the unusual becomes the ordinary, and a pet can develop bad habits, such as demanding sugar at every meal or barking incessantly if she doesn’t get to ride in the car when you go to work.

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Chewing is a very natural behavior for puppies and dogs, and there are a number of benefits that chewing offers. For many dogs, it is an enjoyable pastime, while for others, chewing is a way to relieve boredom, frustration, or anxiety.Puppies also chew to relieve their gums, develop strong jaws and help the adult teeth come in. Chewing is good for keeping tartar from building up on the teeth (which helps prevent that dragon breath). Rawhides, chews and bones provide an appropriate outlet for your dog’s desire to chew.

Let’s face it. Which would you rather have your dog chewing on: your new leather wallet or a $3 rawhide?

1. What Are Your Dog’s Chewing Habits?
When deciding on the chew item you’d like to give your dog, first take a look at his chewing habits. Would you consider your dog to be an aggressive chewer, a semi-aggressive chewer, or a light chewer?Aggressive chewers can polish off some rawhides in record time. Because these dogs get a lot of satisfaction out of chewing, make sure they always have at least one or two rawhides to keep them busy. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, we suggest you provide him with compressed and knotted rawhides. They would provide the greatest chewing satisfaction and are the best value for you.

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In addition to rawhide, other natural treats include pig ears, chew hooves and bones. Following is some information to help you decide if these treats are right for your pet.Pig Ears
Pig ears are all natural pork, processed without preservatives, artificial coloring or flavoring. They’re 100% digestible, and easier to digest than rawhide. They’re also high in fat (which helps keep skin and coat healthy) and high in protein (essential for healthy muscle tone). Because they’re high in calories, we recommend that you limit pig ears to no more than one per day for large dogs (over 70 pounds) and proportionately less for smaller dogs.

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Do you know that pig ears are actually the most popular pet treat on the market today? And what about those other tasty chew treats dogs love to gnaw on? These items provide a safe and enjoyable chewing outlet for your dog, which is important for your dog’s mental and physical well being.Benefits of Chewing
Chewing is a very natural behavior for puppies and dogs, and there are a number of benefits that chewing offers. Chewing is good for keeping tartar from building up on the teeth, (which helps prevent that dragon breath). When a dog chews on a hard object, it scrapes away the tartar that can build up and cause bad breath, staining, and periodontal disease.

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If you feed your dog meat-based chews, such as pigs ears, cows ears and chew hooves, make sure to keep safety in mind. Like any meat product, dog chews can contain Salmonella, a bacteria that can cause flu-like symptoms in people. But, if you handle dog chews properly, your pet can enjoy these treats and you don’t have to worry about getting sick.Handling Pet Chews
In terms of safety, giving meat-based chews to your pet is much like preparing a chicken dinner for your family. These foods are safe for you and your pet, if they are handled properly.

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Most pets — even tropical fish — appreciate a little tickle of the taste buds. Those with less sophisticated palates (golden retrievers come to mind) may not know what they’re eating but will relish a little extra anything from their much-adored owners. Still, a food treat should be a rare indulgence, sold or prepared especially for animals. For the most part, it should not be a helping of whatever the owners are indulging in.Let’s Not Create Animal Overeaters
Be judicious in choosing times to dole out treats. When your pet behaves well during a trying experience — say, a trip to the veterinarian — it’s appropriate to reward the animal with a treat immediately afterward. But don’t shut the animal up in the laundry room with a ham slice for consolation because no one’s given him the time of day in a week. If you offer a pet a food treat in lieu of attention or affection, then presto, an overeater is born!

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With all the feasting during the holiday season, you may want to include your pet in the fun. Most pets, even tropical fish, appreciate a little tickle of the taste buds. Food treats can be a great way to include your pet in the festivities.However, remember that these treats should not become a substitute for your pet’s regular diet during the holiday season. Also, keep in mind that your pet should not be fed all of your holiday leftovers! Read on for further tips.

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