Cookies and Cooking For Your Dog

Dog expert Nikki Moustaki attends The Culinary Canine book signing.

By Nikki Moustaki

Posted: October 17, 2011, 3 a.m. EDT

As little as 10 years ago I remember that a “dog event” was seen as a kitschy anomaly. The press came out in droves for a doggie fashion show, highlighting how kooky (read: nuts) all of us dog people are. Today, in most large urban areas, you can go to a dog event every week – perhaps twice a week. That’s definitely the case where I live in New York City, where dog culture is as happening as Birkin bags (but less expensive). I love dog events, mostly because I love dogs and their people.

This week I went to a dog event in Times Square at the Kimpton’s Muse Hotel, a small, elegant boutique hotel in the middle of the glitz of the theater district. It was a book party for the new release, "The Culinary Canine: Great Chefs Cook for Their Dogs - And So Can You!"from BowTie Press. (A sister company of DogChannel).

Somewhere amid the poshly dressed pooches and the most passionate dog people in NYC, including doggie media darling, Wendy Diamond, were the chefs, doling out their human/doggie delectables. The book features many treats and food made for human and canine consumption. Of course, I headed straight for the table that had human-only cookies on it and my “date” for the night, BowTie Press editor, Andrew DePrisco, had to “save” me many cookies later by dragging me away from it. When it comes to cookies, I’m a lot like my dogs.


The book seemed well received – co-author, Kathryn Levy Feldman was busy signing copies, and the book photographer’s Fox Terrier signed “pawtographs.” I was able to speak to the author about the book’s concept between signings (and cookies). I asked her if this was a serious book and if she thought that people would start cooking more for their dogs.
“Everybody thinks that this is a self-indulgent cookbook for dogs, but I discovered that as far back at 1575, people that had working hounds documented what they fed their dogs, and they also documented herbal recipes for curing things, like mange and stomach upset,” said Levy Feldman. “By 1782, there were books about recipes for hunting dogs. It behooved those people to keep their dogs healthy because they were working dogs. Those recipes sound a lot like the things we feed our dogs today – oatmeal, barley, vegetables, as well as animal protein. They had discovered that dogs should be fed a mixed and varied diet. It all sounds remarkably contemporary, but people have been taking care of their animals this way for hundreds of years.”

It’s true that many people have been moving away from “traditional” dog food, or are adding more healthy human foods to their dogs’ diets in addition to dog food. That’s mostly the way I feed my dogs – cooked food as a supplement to dry dog food. But, I will admit, I use a commercially prepared cooked dog food that comes frozen by subscription every month. My oven looks brand new inside – I’m in NYC, the land of take-out and eat-in. Still, I do love the idea of cooking for dogs. It’s probably fun bonding time, and there’s nothing better than seeing wagging tails when you offer them treats – never mind that they’d wag their tails if you offered them poop.

I asked the author for a good recipe that I could try, one with simple ingredients. Of course, the road to you-know-where is paved with good intentions, and I didn’t make the treats. I’ll include the recipe here and hope that someone reading this will make the treats and let me know how they are. Or send me some.

Vegan treats from The Culinary Canine: Cornelia's Vegan Yummy Critter Treats

Ingredients:

1 mashed banana
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup honey (more or less, depending on the consistency of the dough)
1 cup rolled oats

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• In a bowl, add the mashed banana to the flour and oats, and mix. Slowly add the honey until the mixture sticks together.
• Roll out the dough to about a 1/4 inch thickness. Use your favorite cookie cutters to cut out the treats. Place them on an ungreased cookie sheet and paint with honey as a glaze.
• Bake 15 to 20 minutes until the treats are browned, and turn off the oven; if you leave the treats in there for a bit, they will get extra crunchy.
• Serve when cooled. They will be devoured!

The author of "The Culinary Canine: Great Chefs Cook for Their Dogs - And So Can You!" said to me, “If you cook for yourself, there’s no reason you can’t cook for your dog.” 

Do you cook for your dogs? Is cooking for your dogs a good idea? Is it fun? Can it create a healthier dog? If you want, please leave your favorite recipes in the comment section below.

Great News About Jack the Cat!

HAPPY ENDINGS

Jack The Cat Found After Two Months In JFK Airport

By Laura Northrup on October 26, 2011 8:00 AM

Before the flight to his new home in California, Jack the cat escaped from his travel carrier and disappeared into John F. Kennedy Airport. The airline organized searches and put out food, and animal lovers all over the world helped in any way they could, from performing their own searches of the airport and nearby neighborhoods to getting word out to employees of nearby businesses and other airlines. We're happy to report that Jack has been found. In two months, he apparently never left the airport.

American Airlines posted a statement to Facebook:

“

American Airlines is happy to announce that Jack the Cat has been found safe and well at JFK airport. American's team of airport employees have been focused on the search effort since Jack escaped on August 25, 2011. Jack was found in the customs room and was immediately taken by team members to a local veterinarian. The vet has advised that Jack is doing well at present.

”

Jack's identity was confirmed when a vet at the airport scanned his microchip. He is dehydrated and has lost some weight. American Airlines will fly him to California to be reunited with his family.

Jack The Cat is Lost in AA Baggage at JFK [Facebook]

What do you think Jack's return to his family will be like?  Post your comments here or at:

https://www.facebook.com/TheWholeKittenKaboodle

Basic facts about cat health are vital to keeping your pet alive and purring

These seven facts about cat health are vital to keeping your beloved fur ball pouncing and purring

By Bailey Shiffler

Special to the Star-Telegram

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Cats are mysterious creatures -- it's part of their appeal. "I feel like there's always going to be something you don't know about your cat," says John Fulton, host of the hit show Must Love Cats on Animal Planet. "They're a mystery. It's a pretty cool thing."

Cats try their best to keep you in the dark, but our need-to-know guide should help you understand your feline friend a little better, from searching for signs of illness to ensuring that your kitten is getting enough exercise.

Here, a few basic facts about your pet.

1. Cats get heartworms and fleas, too

Monthly flea and heartworm medicine is standard for dogs -- most owners purchase in bulk and never miss a month. But Dr. Derrick Nelson at Town and Country Veterinary Clinic in River Oaks says cats need the treatments as well, and cat owners often don't know it. "Lots of people think that their cats are indoors so they won't get heartworms, but they still do," Nelson says.

Dr. Steve Hotchkiss, veterinarian and owner of Hulen Hills Animal Hospital and Metro West Emergency Veterinary Center, both in Fort Worth, agreed. "One mosquito can kill a cat," he said. "They are not treatable in cats, but they are preventable." The same goes for fleas. "Especially if there's another cat or dog in the house that goes outside a lot," Nelson said. "I see fleas on cats all the time." Nelson said any vet's office will sell flea and heartworm medicine for cats. Fulton, on a break from filming around the world for the new season of Must Love Cats, stressed the importance of grooming, adding that even though cats are self-groomers, the occasional trip to a groomer is beneficial.

2. Cats cannot be vegetarians

Vegetarian cat owners beware: Your cat cannot share your diet. "I see vegetarians bring their cats in and say, 'I want my cat to be a vegetarian and healthy like me,'" Hotchkiss said. "It's not an option." Cats are "obligatory carnivores" -- they need meat to survive. "If you try to make your cat a vegetarian, it will die," he said.

3. Cats hide their illnesses

Domesticated cats make a choice every day to be domestic, Hotchkiss said. While most domestic dogs would not likely survive long in the wild, cats can fend for themselves -- they are choosing to live with you in your house, eat the food you offer and sleep in your bed.

"A cat is its own person," says Joe Edwards, founder of the Fort Worth Feline Fanciers. "They don't need people at all."

It's because of this survivor nature that cats tend to hide their symptoms when sick. "If you show your illness, you become prey," Hotchkiss said of cats' survivor mentality. "The predators go after the weak, sick ones." Because of this, it's important to know your cat's routine and be on the lookout for changes. If your cat usually switches its perch often throughout the day and suddenly becomes sedentary, it's time to seek a vet's attention.

And if you do notice a cat showing signs of an illness, it's definitely worth a trip to the vet. "If someone calls me and says, 'I think my cat is a little bit sick,' that probably means it's a lot bit sick."

4. Whiskers are sensory organs

While cats' whiskers are often compared to a mustache or the hair on humans' heads, they have a much greater purpose and are much more sensitive. They are sensory organs that cats use to navigate in a number of situations. Hotchkiss said that cats use their whiskers to gauge whether they can fit through small crevices, as well as to navigate in the night. They feel the edges of surfaces with them.

5. You should monitor your cat's food intake and exercise

House cats often sleep 16 hours a day, so monitoring their habits might seem silly, but it is very important. Hotchkiss said cats are creatures of routine and need to eat every day -- skipping meals for a few days can be life-threatening. "People will come in and say, 'I don't think my cat has eaten in three or four days,' and I tell them that they're two days late," he said. "It can be that they have a common cold and can't smell their food, but it can turn into life-threatening liver problems," Hotchkiss said.

Monitoring food is also especially important for indoor cats, which tend to spend more time on the couch than they do moving, which commonly leads to obesity. "People think that it's cruel to restrict their cats' diets, but what's cruel is letting them get obese and develop diabetes," he said.

Fulton agreed, stressing the importance of regular exercise or playtime for indoor cats. "Stimulation is huge," he said. "My cat enjoys toys, lasers, you name it." He recommended clearing paths or shelf space that will allow your cat to safely climb. "They really do like high spaces," he said. Nelson said that allowing your cat access to a window is also mentally simulating. "It's good for a cat's mental health to be able to see outside and watch the action," he said.

6. Regular collars can be dangerous

While cats often don't wear collars, they should, and picking the right one can be crucial. Charlotte Calli, manager of Pet-O-Rama in Keller, says cat owners often pick a small puppy collar, one that clasps or snaps. Because cats are curious and adventuresome, a locked-on collar can be dangerous. "They can get hung up on a fence or tree," Calli said. Breakaway collars, which can be purchased at pet-supply store, will release if caught on something, preventing serious injury to climbing cats.

And if you think your cat doesn't need a collar or microchip, think again. "Cats are adventuresome and they roam," Calli said. "A lot of cat owners have difficulty finding their lost cats because of a lack of information to return them home." A microchip or a collar with the owner's name and phone number can save a lot of heartbreak.

7. Cats should never breathe with their mouths open for long

While dogs can pant for hours, it is extremely abnormal in cats and is usually a sign that something is seriously wrong. Hotchkiss said a cat may breath with it's mouth open for 10 minutes or so -- anything longer needs to be flagged. "Dogs pant, cats don't," he said. While abnormal mouth gaping can point to myriad things, from something stuck in the teeth to breathing or heart issues, it is definitely a sign that the cat needs medical attention. "It's a sign of respiratory distress," Hotchkiss said.

And remember, just because cats are know as "independent" creatures it doesn't mean they don't need care while you are away.  Visit us at www.kittenkaboodle.biz for more information as to how we can serve you and your furry family!

How to pick the right ‘treat’ for your pets for Halloween - Your Houston News: News

How to pick the right ‘treat’ for your pets for Halloween - Your Houston News: News: Halloween is around the corner, and while we are enjoying the
season with treats, we would like our pets to share the joy too.
Pet treats are …