December: Best Collar, Toys, Treats and Food for Your Pet
Welcome to December! Did you rescue a dog? Did you receive a puppy as a gift? Your older pup is bored and is silently judging you? Now what?
Here are some recommendations to get you started on a great relationship with your furry family member.
- Training Collars. Oh, there are so many to choose from. First off, nylon or leather collars are great for attaching the identification tags to your dog. Walking a dog on this collar is not the best idea. Only IF it is trained and knows how to behave. Otherwise, the risk of the dog damaging its trachea is high. Depending on the dog, i.e. size, breed and temperament, different collars are useful for training and having control over your dog. Here are my top 3 picks
- Herm Sprenger Prong or Pinch Collar. Now, it looks like a Medieval torture device, however, it is the safest collar around! It has many points of contact; it does not choke or puncture the throat of the dog and is effective. It was designed to mimic mommas’ teeth when she corrected her pups. Please feel free to research the origins of this collar and form our own opinion. I encourage pet parents to ask a qualified trainer how to use this training tool and how to properly size it to the dog. If your dog is too small or does not do well with this tool, then might I suggest another?
- This collar was invented for sighthounds. They were slipping out of their collars because their heads were smaller than their necks. These collars are known for giving more control over Fido without the choking effect of a slip collar. When used correctly, your walking ritual with your furry family member is enjoyable and keeps your shoulders in the sockets!
- Electronic or “E-Collar”. Again, this is not a torture device. When used correctly your furry family member has more freedom in the real world. Do some research and get educated on the positives this collar gives to you and the dog. I encourage you to ask a qualified trainer on the pros and cons of the E-Collar.
- What about TOYS? Depending on the age of the dog, all toys matter! You really want to be a rockstar in Fido’s world? Puzzle toys are the way to go! They stimulate the brain and gives the dog something to figure out and encourages a better relationship between owner and dog. Who wants to sit around all day with nothing to do? Here is my tip and trick, go to YouTube and look for DIY dog enrichment toys. Make them yourself! Yes, you can buy toys, but how much fun is it to make something yourself? I bet you have a paper egg carton, the end of the toilet paper roll, a muffin tin or a few empty soda bottles.. There you go, 4 toys to create. Now go and create a toy! Keep your pup busy!
- So much to talk about with this category. The holidays are here! What can I feed my dog when the family is here celebrating? Here is my “short” list.
- Meat and chicken (cooked, deboned)
- Fish (boiled, deboned/fillet)
- Tuna fish (occasionally, one tbs.)
- Egg (boiled/scrambled)
- Ham, bacon (in small amounts and cooked)
- Shrimp (cooked)
- Carrot
- Broccoli (occasionally, one tbs., large amounts can cause constipation)
- Green beans
- Potatoes
- Cauliflower (boiled/cooked, small pieces)
- Spinach (rarely, large amounts can cause stone formation in urinary tracts)
- Celery
- Lettuce
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Pineapple (high sugar content/moderate)
- Apple (peeled, remove seeds completely, apple seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to cats)
- Pear (peeled, remove seeds completely, seeds contain cyanide, which is poisonous to cats)
- Peach (occasionally, peeled, high sugar content, hard to digest)
- Avocado (only its pulp, skin, leaves, and its seed contain persin, which is poisonous to some animals)
- Strawberries
- Banana (limited amount, not recommended for cats who are overweight and have poor digestive systems)
- Watermelon (high sugar content/moderate)
- Raspberries (contains xylitol/moderate)
- Cucumber
- Tomatoes (small amounts, peeled, leaves removed as they contain solanine which is toxic for cats)
- Pumpkin
- Cinnamon (moderate)
- Olives (remove seeds)
- Air-popped popcorn (moderate)
- Whole grains and cereals (occasionally)
- Bread (occasionally, not over-toasted)
- Peanut butter (occasionally, one tbs.) Xylitol-free
- Rice (small amounts, unprocessed black rice)
- Cheese
- There are good and bad choices for kibble. Learn to read the ingredients and educate yourself on the brand you are considering. The bottom line is this, the first 5 products listed in kibble has the highest percentage of that item in the food. This is also true for canned food. Read the label! Be on the look out for fructose corn syrup, white flour, artificial coloring or preservatives. That stuff is not good for us either. Do not feed it to your dogs. Same rule goes for treats. We as pet parents are hard pressed to find healthy treats! My recommendation is to go with a raw diet. There are many companies who will ship food specifically made for your dog. Too many choices? I personally like the brand Fromm and Dr. Marty’s. Makes life easier for my household (dogs and cats) Would you rather cook for your dog? Outstanding! There are books with easy to follow recipes and online forums! Again, do your research and get educated on the good, bad and ugly on food. Knowledge is power and having options is powerful!