Yummy Yaff Bar

My pooch and I are always on the go together. Then I discovered these amazing all-natural energy bars by Mudd+Wyeth that me and my pup can both enjoy. These bars are the first “people food” that can be shared with your dog, and taste great! We both can’t get enough of them! –KG

Safety Tips for Super Bowl Sunday

Is your dog ready for the Super Bowl?

Like almost everyone else, we'll be tuning into the Super Bowl this Sunday (Snacks galore! Half-time show! Oh, and football!). However, certain foods and drinks typically consumed during the “big game” can be dangerous to your pets. Central Veterinary Associates has created these cautionary tips to help you and your dog or cat enjoy the festivities safely. Play safe! The following are no-no's for dogs and cats:

• Alcohol — Plain and simple, alcohol is a toxin and even small amounts can cause vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, coma, or death in pets.

• Chips & Dip — Most dips contain onions and garlic, which destroy pets’ red blood cells and can result in anemia. Salty foods, such as potato chips, can cause excessive thirst, urination, and sodium poisoning.

• Guacamole — Avocado contains persin, a substance that can prove fatal to birds. For dogs and cats, it’s unclear how toxic it is, but it is recommended that avocados or anything made from them not be fed to your pets.  The pit also causes concern for dogs, as it can lead to an intestinal obstruction or can even become lodged in their throats.

• Ice Cream — Everyone loves ice cream, including — unfortunately — pets. Dairy products can upset their digestive tracts and cause stomach distress and diarrhea.

• Nuts — Besides being a choking hazard, certain nuts like macadamias can poison your pets.  As few as six can cause your pet to experience muscle tremors, weakness, vomiting, fever and an elevated heart rate.  Eating chocolate with nuts can exacerbate these symptoms.

• Chocolate — Chocolate contains dairy (see above) and a chemical called theobromine, which can be fatal to pets.

• Fat Trimmings — Fat trimmed from meats like barbecued ribs can cause pancreatitis in dogs.

• Bones — While you might think it is second nature to give a dog a bone (or chicken wing, as the case may be), bones can cause obstructions in pets’ digestive tracts and also lead to choking. They can also break off and puncture the animal’s stomach lining.

• Caffeinated Beverages — Sugary sodas are a staple at any party, but not for your animals.  The caffeine in soda, coffee, tea, and iced tea can be toxic to pets and lead to abnormal heart rhythms, seizure, and death.

“Many times, pet owners will be enjoying the game and conversing with their friends, which makes them forget about checking on the status of their pets,” says Dr. John Charos, President/CEO, Central Veterinary Associates. “Guests should be aware of the dangers that certain food and drinks could have on your pets. Ask your guests not to feed or sneak food to them. If you notice that your dog or cat has ingested something they shouldn’t have or are acting sick, bring them to your veterinarian as soon as possible.”

The answer: keep one eye on the game and the other on your dog!

DIY Eat – The Barefoot Contessa’s Whole Wheat & Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

My friend Joanne Newbold’s adorable dog Baxter is a three-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen (PBGB for short). He’s a French scenthound (think Inspector Clouseau) and, being French, he’s a serious gourmet. For Baxter and all my friends’ dogs, I thought it would be a fun to bake a special treat to keep their tails wagging. Dogs can’t resist peanut butter and I’ve mixed it with whole-wheat flour and wheat germ so it’s also good for them. Hope your dog finds it a triple woof, too!

Makes 10 – 20 biscuits

INGREDIENTS

• 1½ cups stone-ground whole wheat
flour
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered or dry milk
• ½ cup quick-cooking oatmeal, plus
extra for sprinkling
• ½ cup smooth peanut butter
• 2 Tablespoons toasted wheat germ
• 1 extra-large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
for egg wash
• 1 cup water

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 Preheat the oven to 325°C. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Step 2 In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the two flours, the powdered milk, oatmeal, peanut butter, and wheat germ. With the mixer on low speed, add the egg and 1 cup of water and mix just until it forms a slightly sticky ball.

Step 3 Dump the dough out on a wellfloured board (I use all-purpose flour) and knead it into a ball. Roll the dough out ½-inch thick. Dip the cookie cutters [pictured is a mini cat-head cookie cutter, $8, coppergifts.com] in flour and cut out dog bone shapes. Collect the scraps, knead lightly, roll out again, and cut more dog biscuits.

Step 4 Place the biscuits on the prepared sheet pan and brush with the egg wash. Sprinkle with oatmeal and bake for one hour, until completely hard. Cool and toss to the hungry hound at your feet.