Mulching your garden and chocolate toxicity

Spring is here and with spring comes thoughts of gardening, including mulching newly planted flower beds or replenishing mulch around trees and bushes. However, not all mulches are safe for our dogs. Read the package to be sure the mulch you are considering for purchase is safe for dogs and puppies. Cocoa bean mulch is toxic to pets.

Cleaning Pet Stains--An alternative to commercial cleaners.

Cleaning up urine pet stains doesn't require expensive commercial cleaners. An alternative method using dishing washing liquid, water, and vinegar is more environmentally friendly.

Pet stains are best cleaned when you see it happen and they are fresh. Locate old stains at night using a black light held above the carpet.

Treating Pet Stains:

Spray bottles work wonderful to mix your three solutions.

1. Soap & Water Solution
• Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid in one cup of cool water. Do not use hot water, as heat permanently sets urine proteins into the carpet.
2. Vinegar & Water Solution
• Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar to 2/3 cup water.
3. Water
• One bottle of plain water for rinsing.

Procedure:

• Blot and press the stain with paper towels or white terry towel, soaking up as much of the urine you can.
• Spray the spot with the soap/water solution and leave on the stain for a few minutes. The soap water works on the stain.
• Rinse with fresh water and blot dry
• Spray the spot with the vinegar/water solution. Leave on for a few minutes. Blot dry. The vinegar solution works to neutralize odors.
• Rinse with water and blot dry.
• Allow carpet area to dry and then sprinkle baking soda on area to further neutralize. Cover with newspaper to keep pets away.
• Vacuum up baking soda

If you do use commercial stain/odor removers, rinse with water and blot dry. Some of the commercial products will discolor some carpets. You may wish to test in an inconspicuous spot to know the effect on your particular carpet.

Liver Training Treats

1. 1 pound chicken or beef liver including juice
2. 2 eggs
3. 2 cups brown rice flour (or 2 cups white rice flour, or 1 cup wheat flour and 1 cup corn meal)
4. 1 to 3 tablespoons garlic powder

Puree liver, eggs and garlic powder in a food processor or blender. Add flour to wet ingredients and mix. Pour into greased and floured jelly roll pan (10 x 15 inches) and bake at 350 degrees Farenheit for 20 minutes. Cut into small pieces when slightly cool. Store in refrigerator what you will use up in 2-3 days and the rest in the freezer. Defrost in refrigerator.

Makes approximately 2 pounds.

(Chicken livers normally come in a 20 oz container. I use the entire amount with good results)

Introducing a New Cat to Your Resident Cat

Be patient when introducing a new cat into your home with another cat. The introduction must be gradual. It can take up to 8 to 12 months for most cats to develop a friendship with a new cat. While some cats will become close friends, others never do. Many cats who don't become buddies learn to avoid each other, but some cats fight when introduced and continue to do so until one of the cats must be re-homed.

If your current cat becomes hostile when seeing other cats outside your home, you'll probably have a tough time introducing a new cat into your home. If your cat has lived amicably with other cats in the past, the odds are good that it will adjust to a newcomer. Though, it's impossible to predict whether or not any cats will ever get along.

For details on introducing a new cat read here: Introducing a New Cat

Canine Influenza

Canine influenza or dog flu is influenza occuring in canines. Caniine influenza is caused by varieties of Influenza virus A, such as equine influenza virus H3N8, which in 2003 was discovered to cause disease in dogs. Because of the lack of previous exposure to this virus, dogs have no natural immunity to this virus. Therefore, the disease is rapidly transmitted between individual dogs. Canine influenza may be endemic in some regional dog populations of the United States. It is a disease with a high morbidity but a low mortality.

Hiring a dog walker/pet sitter keeps your dogs at home in its own healthy safe environment.

For more information about Canine Influenza read here: Canine Influenza

Skunk Shampoo Recipe

Years ago, tomato juice was used to bathe a pet after encountering a skunk. Research shows that tomato juice only covered the skunky odor. Chemist, Paul Krebaum is credited with discovering the solution that neutralizes skunk odor. The ingredients are normal household ingredients that everyone should have on hand.

1. 32 oz. bottle fresh 3% hydrogen peroxide
2. 1/4 cup baking soda
3. 1 teaspoon Dawn dishwashing liquid

Mix ingredients in an open container and use immediately. Do not wet hair first. Pour the solution over your pet and work into the fur and down to the skin and allow to remain on hair for five minutes before rinsing thoroughly. Repeat as needed until all odor is eliminated.

Take care to avoid splashing the solution into pet's eyes. A wash cloth may be dipped into the solution and then rubbed into the fur to cleanse any area on the face or head that may have been sprayed.

Never mix the solution in advance and store. The oxygen released from the hydrogen peroxide may cause a closed container to explode. Only mix the solution at the time it is needed.