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This year, Hanukkah starts on December 20 at sundown. Here’s a traditional recipe, adapted for dogs. Two small latkes will make your pup feel he is part of the fun. Treats in moderation are the spice of life.
Combine 4 cubed sweet potatoes, 2 eggs, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, and 1 tsp baking powder, and pulse in a blender until thoroughly mixed.
Heat 1/4 cup canola oil in a skillet over medium heat. Scoop up about 1/3 cup of the mixture and shape into a patty. Fry each latke for 2 to 3 minutes per side until brown and crisp, adding more oil as needed. Dab the latkes with a paper towel after cooking and top with a dab of unsweetened applesauce for that authentic touch.
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Visit their blog and follow them on Twitter.
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If you live in colder regions, you are familiar with the havoc snowy weather can wreak on a dog’s paws. Salt, sand, and other ice-melting chemicals can cause their pads to crack and make going outside painfully unbearable. Although booties work well, they do not stay on all dogs, and some dogs will pull them off as fast as you try to put them back on.
One quick and effective alternative is Musher’s Secret, a safe and natural product made from food-grade waxes. Apply it to your pup’s paws to provide a soothing, semipermeable barrier between his delicate pads and rough or icy terrain. This paw-saver was developed for use by sled dogs, and its benefits have been proven on the harshest neighborhood tundra.
Lauren Hope is a co-owner of the natural dog supply shop FidoDogTreats.com
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Fall is a great time of the year to get out in nature. The air is brisk, and the afternoons are warm and golden.
If you and Rover want to rove this month, consider waiting until after the first hard frost. Pesky ticks and fleas will be substantially subdued by a cold night or two, and you won’t be bringing any of those hitchhikers home after the weekend of living in the wild.
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Visit their blog and follow them on Twitter.
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The holiday environment presents many potential risks to our pets. Here are some hazards to be aware of this season.
Keep your dog away from poisonous holiday plants, including mistletoe and poinsettias. Christmas trees can be treated with preservatives that can leach into the water in the tree stand, so don’t let your pet take a drink.
Alcohol is toxic to dogs, so make sure to keep Spot away from the punch bowl. Unattended food can lead to uninvited doggy snacking and the potential harm that comes from chocolate, turkey bones, and other holiday cuisine.
Keep tree decorations far out of reach. Ornaments are often made of glass and the hooks are sharp and pointy — enough said. And many snow globes are filled with harmful liquids, including the chemicals found in antifreeze.
Emma Rachel is a co-founder of the online natural dog-supply shop FidoDogTreats.com
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As snow starts to build up, it can make for some great times of outdoor play with our dogs. But just like days of high heat, winter play can be very demanding and dogs must be monitored.
Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia including shivering, lethargy, slowed breathing, and muscle stiffness, and immediately bring your dog inside if you see any of these.
For a dog with minor symptoms, wrap your pup in a blanket and provide additional sources of warmth such as warm water bottles, hair dryers, and heated blankets until normal behavior is restored. If the situation seems more serious, call your veterinarian immediately.
Lauren Hope leads customer service for the online natural-care canine shop FidoDogTreats.com
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With the cold weather already here or fast approaching, many Dogsters will be using products to melt salt outside their homes and keep sidewalks and driveways safe and ice-free. If you need to purchase such products, make sure you buy ones that are safe for pets.
Note that salt used on other people’s sidewalks or by your local highway department is likely not pet-friendly; it can cause chemical burns to your dog’s pads or be ingested, making them ill.
Booties or paw wax will help keep your dog safe on winter walks, and always be sure to wipe your pup’s paws with warm water upon returning home!
Casey Lomonaco owns Rewarding Behaviors Dog Training in Binghamton, NY.
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Your dog will tell you there is nothing better than a soft, thick lawn to romp in, play fetch in — oh, and poop in, BOL! Aerating is a great organic way to healthy up your grass for a pawesome lush lawn come spring.
All that running around with your dog can really compact a yard. Loosening up the soil will help it absorb nutrients, provide air and drainage, and allow it to more easily accept reseeding and fertilizing.
Aerating involves the removal of small soil plugs, either through special sandals (available at garden centers for about $15) or by renting a machine at your local hardware store. Give your lawn a once-over this fall before reseeding and fertilizing, and you and your dog can enjoy its lush greenness together in the spring.
Leslie May and Johann (the dog) are the founders of Raise a Green Dog, an online portal for all things green and healthy for your dog. |
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Keeping your lawn organic is healthier and safer for you, your dog, and the environment. And why use nasty chemicals if you don’t have to?
November is a great month to reseed for next spring. Having a lush, full lawn reduces the chances of weeds creeping in. We recommend using uncoated seed free of growth hormones and other germination stimulants that may be harmful to your dog. Check with your local organic landscape shop for the best type for your area.
Be generous with the seed, and prep bare spots by raking the soil before planting. Water occasionally to give your lawn a good start in life. And the best part? You can let your dog eat a little grass now and then — and feel confident that it’s perfectly healthy and safe!
Leslie May and Johann (the dog) are the founders of Raise a Green Dog, an online portal for all things green and healthy for your dog. |
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If you have a dog guest or two at Thanksgiving and don’t want to give table snacks for fear of turkey bones, consider these treats. You know Fido will be thankful!
In a food processor, combine 1 pound of ground turkey, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 egg, 1 slice of wholewheat bread, and a quarter cup of dried cranberries. Form into balls and bake on a greased baking sheet at 400 F for 20 to 25 minutes until cooked through.
Helen Fazio and her dog, Raja, are world travelers. Visit their blog and follow them on Twitter.
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Although the merits of dressing up your dog for Halloween are open for debate, keeping him safe on this haunted holiday is a necessity. If you have an outdoor dog, Halloween may be the perfect occasion to bring him inside to avoid the trick-and-treat commotion and neighborhood pranksters.
Keep an eye on your pooch amid all the spooky goings-on. The constant opening and closing of the front door creates a great opportunity for him to take a solo walk or knock over a pumpkin that houses a lit candle.
And it should go without saying, but chocolate is dangerous for dogs! Make sure the candy bowls are kept in places your curious canine cannot reach. If your dog is well-trained and great on his leash, consider bringing Fido along to escort the trick-or-treaters.
D.P. Hesano writes the news blog for the online doggy lifestyle shop FidoDogTreats.com.
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