It’s Pumpkin Time

It has rained for three days in a row and the temperature is dropping. Fall is in the air and that means one thing in our house- It’s pumpkin time!

My mom has a serious obsession. She’ll use pumpkin in any recipe she can get her hands on, for humans or dogs! The good thing is that pumpkin is amazingly nutritious for all of us. Check out some of the facts here.

Her obsession is my gain, though. When dogs eat pumpkin, our tummies thank you in more ways than just happy-snack-thanks. The high fiber content helps keep us full and can aid in weight loss (obesity in dogs is out of control) but that same fiber also helps cure diarrhea and constipation. It’s kind of like intestinal track magic. The fatty acids and antioxidants keep our coats looking great and even help fight cancers. You can’t go wrong here!

We have a few dog-friendly pumpkin recipes that we go through, but the Pup’Kin Biscuits in the October 2011 EveryDay with Rachael Ray is beyond easy.

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (just 100% pumpkin, don’t get pie filling!)
• 2 tbsp dry milk powder
• 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In a bowl mix together the dry ingredients (Mom usually whisks the dry ingredients to break up any clumps). Add in the eggs and pumpkin. It’s going to be very dry and crumbly. Add 2-3 tbsp water until it all comes together in a ball.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out the shapes, reform the scraps into a ball and repeat until all the dough is used.

Place on an ungreased baking sheet (the biscuits don’t spread so you can fit a lot on). Bake for 20 minutes and then flip the biscuits and bake another 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely before serving to the pups. Store in an airtight container.

A note, Mom actually used this awesome Wilton Bone Cookie Mold Pan to make our cookies. Just press the dough into the pan and after the first 20 minutes of baking, empty the bones onto a cookie sheet for the last 15 minutes. Don’t they look amazing?!

Oh and by the way, these cookies are totally human friendly.

Travelin’ Dog

In Arizona, it’s just too hot to do anything in August. Apparently even blogging is too hard when it is that hot. Think of it as summer hibernation. However, it is now September! There is the promise of Fall on the horizon and I am ready to get back into it.

This weekend was Labor Day weekend. A great time for relaxing and vacationing. Because my parents wanted to get away, but decided to do so at the last minute, it also became a vacation for pups! Traveling with your pets does take a little extra planning though.

The best place to start is DogFriendly.com. This website lists by state and by city businesses that are dog friendly- from hotels to attractions to restaurants. It isn’t 100% complete, but you can get a good starting point for your trip. If there is nothing listed, my guess is that the town isn’t too dog friendly. From there, always call first. Never just show up and expect that there will be a room waiting for you and your pups. Also, be prepared to put a pet deposit down. The amount can vary, but most businesses require the deposit (and use it as a gauge to see who believes their dog is well behaved).

The first step to traveling with your dog is much like human traveling, make sure you have all proper forms of identification. For a dog, this means having all proper tags and vaccinations on hand. Some establishments might ask for a rabies certificate, so make a copy to bring with you. Make sure the tags on your dog’s collar are up to date, and having your dog microchipped is a great idea.

Next up, it’s time to hit the road. I happen to be an excellent traveling dog. I sit in the back seat and don’t move around or whine or fuss at all. I love the car and will happily sit and look out the window. Some dogs cannot handle this, however. The movement can cause them some stress or the unfamiliarity of the situation can increase their anxiety. If you don’t take your dog in the car often, don’t expect it will be perfect. There are some great tips available on the American Kennel Club’s website for car travel with your dog. If your dog does fuss in the car, you might consider bringing them in their crate (assuming your car is large enough to fit one) or using a dog seat belt. Also, bringing familiar smells (toys, a blanket, their normal food) will help dogs adapt.

One big question is about sedating your dog for travel. This is a decision you should make based on the fact that you know your dog and you have talked to your vet. If your dog has extreme anxiety in a car, your vet can prescribe a sedative for them and they will review all of the side effects or possible complications. If you haven’t talked to your vet, don’t just assume. Flat faced breeds and some giant breeds can suffer serious side effects from being sedated. Giving your dog a Benadryl just to make her sleep is not the best choice.

Once you arrive at your destination, take a walk. Do not dump your dog into a hotel room and leave. Walk for at least 30 minutes around the area to let your dog stretch, smell and do his business. If possible, let your dog meet the owner of the establishment so that, if needed, the owners can get into the room with your dog inside. Help your dog settle into the new room by hanging out with them for a little while. Your pets pick up on your ques really quickly, the more relaxed you are, the faster they will adapt.

Finally, on your trip, always ask about your dog on the patio of a restaurant or on a walking tour, never assume. Also keep in mind that not everyone is a dog lover. Don’t let your pups rush up to other people or pull at their leashes. A well trained dog will sit under your table or at your feet on a patio while you eat and stay by your side while walking through town. Be mindful of the terrain and weather for your dog as well and let them rest if they need it.

Being an attentive and rational pet owner will make family vacations all the more fun!