Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

This recipe for Peanut Butter Biscuits is a variation of a recipe we found some time ago. Little dogs love these treats and we figured why no post one for the little guy... Keep these stored in an airtight container. Yield is about 1 pound.

2 cups flour
1 cup milk
4 Tbs peanut butter
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tsp baking powder
2 egg whites
2 Tbs chicken broth

Mix flour and milk until coated, will still be lumpy. Add peanut butter and the chicken broth. Mix parmesan cheese with the first 4 ingredients. Add the egg whites. Mix well, it should have the consistency of pancake batter. Add the baking powder and stir. Pour onto a greased cookie sheet (will need 2), making 2" drops. Bake at 400F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool. - Variation - Bake 15 minutes, then turn off oven and allow to sit and additional 15 minutes. Makes a crunchier treat.

Worms, did you say WORMS?

Worms, gross, right? Well, if you have a dog or cat, one thing you need to be aware of are roundworms. You're probably curious what roundworms are and why they can be such a negative thing for your dog.

Basically, roundworms are tiny worms that have a body that is rounded. Usually, they are somewhere between 3-5 inches in length and they stay in the intestines of certain animals, eating food that has been somewhat digested. While they don't stick to the intestine, they do swim around in the food and the eggs are passed into the excrement of the dog.

Causes of Roundworms

There are a couple of different things that can lead to getting roundworms. Firstly, puppies who have mothers with roundworms can get roundworms from their mother. Even if the mother didn't even test positive for the worms, if they have ever had them they can still pass them on to their puppies. Roundworms can also be passed to puppies through the milk of their mother too. Any dog or cat can get struck down with roundworms if they happen to swallow any roundworm eggs. Once they eat the eggs, the worms hatch in their bodies and ultimately make their way to the intestines of the dog. There are other animals that can have these roundworms and pass them on to household pets, including chickens, rodents, cockroaches and earthworms.

Treating Roundworms

Thankfully, it is quite simple to eliminate roundworms in dogs and cats. There are a couple of good drugs that are available that can be used to help kill the roundworms, and they are usually effective and safe for your pet. Most of the drugs work by paralyzing the worms so they can be passed out of the dog in their excrement. Most of the time, it will take at least two or three doses to completely get rid of the roundworms and it is recommended to do these treatments with a few weeks in between them. However, you need to remember that these drugs are not going to kill any of the eggs or any premature forms of roundworms either.

Preventing Roundworms

While treating roundworms is possible, it is recommended to prevent your pet from getting roundworms. Your dog can avoid getting roundworms by following these tips:

- Make sure that mothers are dewormed later in their pregnancy so that the worms are not passed on to their litter.

- When puppies and kittens are 2-3 weeks old you should deworm them, and from then on they should be dewormed on a regular basis.

- Anytime that you discover any type of worm problem, be sure that you instantly treat the problem.

- Always get rid of any animal feces, whether they are in your yard, at a park, or in a playground, to prevent roundworms from transferring from one animal to another.

We hope this helps you, and your pet, to stay worm free. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Critter Sitters at 1-630-524-2766.

Dog Gone Dog Food, How To Choose The Right One...

Choosing a dry dog food for your pet can be a challenging task due to the fact that there are 100's of offerings from various manufacturers. There are however some easy ways to narrow the playing field. So which one is right for you... Nutro, IAMS, Purina, Eukanuba... The question really is, which one is right for your dog. So lets tackle the subject, and hopefully help guide you to a healthy, nutritious food for your dog.

The key to increasing the vitality and over all health of your dog is to choose a high quality food. So what makes a high quality food? It doesn't necessarily mean you need to purchase the most expensive dry dog food there is, but it is best if you stick with a dry dog food that is manufactured by a reputable dog food company and is manufactured here in the USA. Many recent scares have prompted allot of attention to foods produced in China, where pets were found poisoned from certain dry foods. A USA produced pet food is going to offer a piece of mind you won't find with imported foods.

You also want to ensure that the food is a balanced mixture of protein, fats, and other nutrients. The main ingredient in the best dry dog food is whole grains, including brown rice or soybean, along with a hearty portion of beef, chicken, or lamb. Look for approx 20-25% protein with 12-15% Fat and approximately 3-4% fiber. Foods that include Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are excellent for skin and coat health and may be beneficial to dogs with dry skin and/or allergies. Foods loaded with fillers should be avoided, not to mention that they also mean that you have to feed more for the same nutritional delivery, which could mean that bargain food wasn't such a bargain.

You will also find foods specific to a dogs age, breed, and weight. There are some benefits to foods specific to age such as puppy a senior formulas, but quality should be takin into consideration before foods for weight control. Use proper portioning in order to control your dogs weight, not a nutrition lacking food. Breed specific foods may be needed for those breeds that have inherent nutrition deficiencies, but care should be taken, and a vet consulted, before administering a specific breed diet. Though the staff at Critter Sitters have a few favorites and have made some recommendations below, you will also want to consult your vet, breeder, or even the owner of a local prized pooch. In any event, we believe you should stick with an AAFCO approved premium brand.

Remember that good nutrition may be the most important factor affecting your dog's health, happiness, and lifespan. Feeding the best quality food you can afford to feed your four legged friend will help ensure you'll enjoy their company for years to come.

Critter Sitters firmly believes in the following dry dog foods:

Natura - Innova
Drs. Foster and Smith - Signature Series Adult Formula
Canidae - All Life Stages Formula
Avoderm - Naturals Formula

Also worth mentioning for large, active breeds:
Natura - EVO

Obedience Training - How to Choose?

Does your dog or puppy run through the living room knocking over everything in sight? Or perhaps fails to listen to simple commands, seeming as if he really doesn't care what your are saying? If this is representative of your situation, an obedience training class is a must. Obedience training makes life easier for both you and your dog. Obedience training will take care of uncontrollable barking, aid in learning commands and stop the annoying and embarrassing jump and greet.

If you have a puppy, "doggy kindergarten," is the place to start. Theses beginner classes teach young dogs how to socialize in a non-aggressive manor. If your a new dog owner you will also find a plethora of information on things all new dog owners are dealing with,like potty training. If you have an older puppy or mature dog, finding a great basic training class is the way to go. Here’s what to look for in a class:

• A class that teaches basic commands such as, sit, down, stay, come and heal

• A class that teaches with positive reinforcement. Dogs responded much better to this technique. Very stubborn dogs and larger aggressive breeds may need discipline style training.

• A small class size. Having a smaller class will make it easier for your instructor to address your individual questions and concerns and offer one on one time directly with your pooch.

• Research your instructor. A solid background in dog training is good, but look for a quality communicator. Remember, your pooch is not the only one learning during these classes (hint hint).

Also, consider clicker training. This form of training is a unique technique used with many types of animals, including dolphins! Dogs tend to respond very well to clicker training. With this training, you use a small clicker to "mark" your dog’s desired behavior. You click at the exact moment your dog does what you want, and give a reward. Dogs catch on quickly using the clicker because they understand exactly what gets them the reward. Clicker training is best done 1 on 1 with a trainer, however a small class size can be doable. If you do decide on a class, make sure that the take home instructions are good, and practice, practice, practice at home.

The staff at Critter Sitters hopes this short guide helps you in your pursuit for an obedience trainer. if you have any further questions, feel free to contact us at 1-630-524-2766.

Cheese Multi-Grain Dog Biscuits

This wholesome, nutritious treat is just what the dogs ordered! Yield is about 4 lbs and dogs love them. Store in an air tight container.

2 cups uncooked Oatmeal
1/2 cup butter or bacon drippings
2 eggs, beaten
3 cups hot water
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup powdered Milk
2 cups wheat germ
8 oz (1-1/2 cups to 2 cups) grated cheese
6 cups whole wheat flour

In large mixing bowl, pour hot water over oatmeal and butter/bacon drippings; let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in powdered milk, grated cheese, and eggs. Add cornmeal and wheat germ. Mix well. Add flour, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead 3-5 minutes or so, adding more flour if necessary to make a very stiff dough. Roll the dough to about 1/2" thickness. Cut into 2 inch strips and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 1 hour at 300F. Turn off heat and dry in oven for 1 1/2 hours or longer. Makes approximately 4 pounds or scrumptious treats.

Spots on a dogs tongue, is it a pure bred?

Kathy C. of Carpetersville wrote us an email regarding spots on her dogs tongue. It seems Kathy as well as many others have been told by so called "experts" that a spot on a dogs tongue is a sure fire way to tell that a dog is not pure bred. This myth goes on to say that it is a sign that the dog has some Chow in its genealogy.

Well, we're here to tell you this information is absolutely false. Be wary of experts who make these claims. A spot on a dogs tongue is nothing more than extra pigment. It has no bearing on what breed the dog is, or whether or not the dog is a pure bred. It is true that a spot on a tongue of pure bred dog might keep them from winning a best in show, it however doesn't mean your lovable pooch is a defect.

We hope this helps those who have been mis-guided by these rumors. Oh, and one of our pure bred, champion line, puppies that we just had, has.... that's right, a spot on his tongue. And both of his parents are show winners, and part of a family tree we have had in our family for more than 30 years.

If you have any additional questions, feel free to call Critter Sitters at 1-630-524-2766.

Liver Treat Recipe for Dogs & Cats

This is an easy to make recipe that dogs and cats alike both love. Give it a try, and I am sure you'll agree:

1/2 lb. pureed liver
1 cups corn meal
1/2 cup flour
A dash garlic salt or powder

Mix all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. After mixing, spread out the mixture on a cookie sheet in a thin layer. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Cool and cut into small pieces. Makes about 30 treats. Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to a month.