Share Valentine's Day with a loved pet
Valentine's Day came early for Guacamole.
The gray and white domestic short hair mix tossed, turned and tussled a blue sock filled with catnip.
“They get a sense you love and appreciate them,” said Debbie Aglio, assistant executive director of the
Butler County Humane Society.People can celebrate the holiday with their furry friends through homemade or store-bought treats, toys and activities.To make a homemade dog treat, take a recycled cereal box or paper towel roll and put peanut butter on the inside, Aglio said. Next, fill it with the dog's favorite treats or food.The dog will smell the peanut butter inside and unwrap it to get the treats, she said. Pick up the paper, so the dog does not ingest it.Fill an infant or child sock with catnip and tie it for a homemade cat treat, she said, adding that a Valentine's Day theme sock will give the treat a more personal touch.When buying a toy gift, keep in mind its durability, she said. Take into consideration how the dog plays and if they have a tendency to eat them.As toys fall apart, the pieces can become a safety hazard to your pet, she said.Dr. Nicole Palumbo, Butler Veterinary Associates and Emergency Center associate veterinarian, who has been practicing for seven years, recommends that pet owners stay away from rope toys because animals could chew and swallow them. Find KONG brand dog toys or toys that are stuffing-free because pets could rip them open and eat the stuffing. Certain toys are also made with unbreakable squeakers, she said.If pets digest the material, it could cause a foreign body obstruction, Palumbo said, adding that if it could not pass, surgery would be needed to remove it.People can celebrate their pets during Valentine's Day with sweet treats and toys to give them the gift of happiness.Several bakeries in the region make pet-safe treats or people could make their own pet-safe recipes, she said, which are recipes that have more natural sugars, such as oatmeal and honey.Cookies and cakes can be shared with pets for a barking good holiday, said Nancy Hans, owner of Woof Stop Barkery.Hans first decided to do something special for her dogs when the holidays rolled round in 2001.“Everyone else gets gifts during the holidays,” Hans said. “Why not them?”Do not use salt or sugar, she suggested for homemade treats.Oatmeal, peanut butter, honey and eggs are the basic ingredients for a homemade treat, Aglio said.“They are easy to prepare and bake in the oven,” she said. “Plus, they're healthy for them.”Be aware of any allergies a pet has before you give them treats, she said.“You'd be surprised how many ingredients are in treats,” she said.Stay away from artificial sugars that can cause health issues; chocolate that can cause vomiting, diarrhea and, in extreme cases, seizures; and certain nuts that can cause upset stomach and seizure activities, Palumbo said.For savory treats, avoid fatty meats, such as pork and beef, that could cause upset stomach and pancreatitis, she said.A walk, pats and massage are other ways a person can celebrate Valentine's Day with their pets, Hans said.“They are there through the good and bad times,” she said. “They are happy to see you.”If a person gets flowers on Valentine's Day, make sure the flowers are pet safe, Palumbo said, adding that lilies can cause kidney failure in cats.“Stick with roses, those are fine,” Palumbo said. “If you do get chocolate, make sure to put it away in a cupboard or cabinet.”“If you're going to spoil them, cut back on the actual food allotment that day to even out the calories,” Palumbo said. “Spoiling them for one day should be OK.”Palumbo said people can celebrate the holiday with their pets, adding that she has seen pets dressed in Valentine's dresses and scarfs come to the clinic.“Pets do know that they is something special that day when they get more attention and special treats,” she said.
INGREDIENTS2½ cups whole wheat flour2 eggs½ cup canned pumpkin2 tablespoons peanut butter½ teaspoon salt½ teaspoon ground cinnamonDIRECTIONSPreheat oven to 350 degrees.In a bowl, whisk together the flour, eggs, pumpkin, peanut butter, salt and cinnamon. Add water as needed to help make the dough workable, but the dough should be dry and stiff. Roll the dough into a ½-inch-thick roll. Cut into ½-inch pieces.Bake in preheated oven until hard, about 40 minutes.SOURCE: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WoofStop/">All Recipes website</a>
WHAT: Butler County Humane Society's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WoofStop/">Wine and Whiskers</a>, a benefit sponsored by Cranberry Psychological CenterWHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. MondayWHERE: Narcisi Winery, 4578 Gibsonia Road, GibsoniaCOST: $80 per person; $150 per coupleMORE INFO: The evening will include an auction, dinner and wine tasting. To purchase tickets, go to the Butler County Humane Society, 1015 Evans City Road in Renfrew, visit the website at <a href="http://butlercountyhs.org/">butlercountyhs.org/event/3615/</a> or call 724-789-1150.
