Kong Stuffing

 Stuffed Kongs!

Frozen stuffed Kongs are among the best and easiest ways to enrich your dog by giving them something tasty and fun to do that will last a while.

If you've never made one before, here are some suggestions/ideas: 

Measure out one meal for your pet.  

 

Yes, you can do this for cats too!  

Just use their kitty kibble with some canned wet cat food, 

or use their usual canned wet food all on its own :) 

Mix in about a 1 /2 can of canned wet food.

No canned dog food on hand?  No problem, simply pour a small amount of water over your kibble - just enough to soften it - then let it sit for a few minutes while the water is absorbed.  Alternatively you can use puréed vegetables (mix a bit of water and carrots in the blender, or purchase sugar-free puréed pumpkin, even unsweetened apple sauce works in a pinch).  For cats we definitely recommend using their canned wet cat food as they require a higher protein diet and you don't want them having too many carbohydrates.

Spoon the mixture into Kongs and place in the freezer.
For dogs, you can add a spoonful of peanut butter over the top to seal it off if you like (I prefer to use all-natural peanut-butter with no sugar added).

Why the freezer?  This way the mixture freezes and takes longer for your dog to work through.  The bonus is that you can make up as many Kongs as you have as far in advance as you want and they will stay fresh in your freezer and are ready to go any time you need them.  This is fantastic for unexpected thunderstorms or any situation in which you need your dog to keep busy or distracted.

If your pet gets frustrated too easily and gives up you can start out without freezing the Kongs, then freezing half and adding fresh food on top, and then gradually make the Kong more difficult as they become more skilled at getting the food out.  You can mix in a few more tempting treats or something with a stronger scent to really entice your pet.  The idea is to keep them engaged and having fun! 

Our dog gets 1 cup of kibble per meal.  This mixed with a 1/2 can of wet food and some carrot chunks fills two large Kongs and two small Kongs, plenty to keep her busy for quite some time! 

Other options for filling Kongs or other stuffable toys for dogs: 

• canned puréed pumpkin - high in fibre (make sure you get 100% pure pumpkin and not pie filling!)
• all-natural peanut butter (keep in mind this is high in fat and be sure it does not contain xylitol) 
• all canned wet food (without the kibble) can be done up more quickly for dogs or cats if needed
• diced bits of your dog's favourite vegetables or fruits (some fruits, such as grapes, are not safe for dogs - if in doubt, as your veterinarian!)
• anything safe that your pet enjoys - treats, left-over cooked turkey, etc. 

Final step: The best part!  Serve and watch your pet enjoy :)

For more ideas to keep your pet busy and having fun, 

visit our boredom busters blog post.

About Us

Pawsitive Pet Care has been providing dog walking, dog training, dog boarding, and pet sitting services to Headingley and West Winnipeg since 2010.  We also serve the R.M. of Cartier including Headingley, Elie, St. François Xavier, and Springfield.  

To learn more about us please

Visit us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PawsPetMB

or visit our website at PawsitiveCare.ca

Jillian is a fear-free certified and CPDT-KA certified animal behaviour specialist and has been working in the animal care and behaviour field since 2009.  

Choosing a Pet Sitter

Choosing a Pet Sitting Service 

Trusting someone with your pets can be difficult, trusting someone you don’t know well (or at all) is even more so!

When you are considering using a professional pet sitting service, here are some important points to keep in mind.

Your pet sitter should…

• Insist on meeting you and your pets before committing to any pet care services.  
• Be insured and bonded.  
• This protects you in the event that their error causes damage to your home or injury to your pet.  Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of insurance.  
• Be registered with your province, state, or city, depending on your local licensing requirements. 
• Have formal training and professional experience with animals.  
• Have a written contact that they discuss with you and explain clearly so that you understand it.
• Don’t be afraid to interrupt and ask questions, the important thing is for you and your pet sitter to be on the same page. 
• Have an emergency back-up plan and also ask you for at least one emergency contact in the event they cannot reach you.  
• Have a back-up person or team who can help if they become sick or injured
• Have a clear, step-by-step plan in case of a storm or other emergency
• Be certified in Emergency Pet First Aid.  Don’t be afraid to ask for proof of certification.  
• Be willing and able to provide you regular updates. 
• Be 100% transparent with what methods they will use to deal with behaviours.  
• If your pet has any behavioural concerns, please let your pet sitter know.  Ask them how they will manage and let them know what works best for you.  
• Be clear and honest about how often they will be visiting your pet and how much exercise and stimulation they will receive during each visit.
• Your pet sitter should take notes while getting to know you and your pet, including any feeding instructions, medication instructions, or any other important care instructions you are providing.  Don’t be afraid to leave lots of notes and/or send emails, it’s always best to have everything in writing!  
• Be willing and able to provide references from clients who have used their service. 

We recommend our clients leave a spare key with a trusted neighbour in case of emergency, it can also come in handy if you lose your own key on your trip and arrive home from a long journey on a late flight!

Please don’t proceed unless and until you are completely comfortable.  We would much rather you give too much information than not enough, and there is no such thing as a dumb question or too many questions.  It’s your precious family member that you are entrusting to their care, so your pet sitter should want to provide you a sense of security and peace of mind.

Your pet sitter should be a professional.  If you are going away for an extended period of time, or if your pet has any special needs, behavioural issues, medical issues, or is in any way more than “easy and straightforward” to care for, we recommend you choose someone who pet sits full-time as their profession.  While friends, family, or neighbours can be wonderful helpers and can help save costs as well, they just won’t have the experience and knowledge to deal with any complex needs or unexpected situations that could arise.

Look at online reviews.  Check the local Better Business Bureau and/or Consumer Protection Agency (or related local agency, depending on your region), check with people in the animal care professionals for referrals (your veterinarian, local shelter, a trainer or groomer you know and trust).

Receive and provide the important instructions and conditions in writing.  It's always safer to provide and ask for too much information than to make assumptions or have miscommunications.

When you feel comfortable with your pet sitter, you can relax and enjoy your time away from home rather than worrying about your pet while you are away... of course, we know you'll still miss them and they'll miss you, but your pet sitter should be the next best thing to your pet's own family :)

About The Author

Jillian Enright has owned and operated Pawsitive Pet Care in Manitoba Canada since 2010.

Pawsitive Pet Care is insured and bonded and licensed with the province of Manitoba.

Jillian is a certified professional (CPDT-KA) and fear-free certified trainer.

Pawsitive Pet Care staff are trained and certified in emergency pet first aid as well as attending workshops on dog body language and animal behaviour.

Pawsitive Pet Care is a Positive-Reinforcement and evidence-based service.  It is our policy to not use any force, fear, or intimidation in the delivery of any of our services.  More information can be found on our blog post at https://pawsitivepooch.blogspot.com/2017/10/pawsitive-fear-free-force-free.html

If you specifically need a dog walker (rather than a pet sitter), check out our blog post on getting the most from your dog walker.

  To learn more about Pawsitive Pet Care's services, please visit our website. 

  To learn more about us and read our reviews, please visit Facebook.com/PawsPetMB 

Going away?  

Before you go, here are some things you may want to consider:

• Let your veterinarian know you are going away and give them your pet sitter's name and contact information.  You may even choose to leave a credit card number on file in case of emergency.  Of course, your pet sitter should have an emergency contact as well and should contact you or your appointed person in case of emergency.
• Let a trusted neighbour or nearby friend know you are going away and provide them with a spare key.  If your pet sitter has an emergency they should have a back-up plan and/or assistant to cover for them.  However, in case of very severe or dangerous travel conditions, it may become impossible for them to reach your pet.  In this unlikely but possible event, you'll need someone close by to check on your pets. 
• If you don't have friends or family you can rely on consider hiding a key in a secure spot somewhere on your property (you can also purchase lock boxes with combinations on them).  If you get home in the middle of the night from a very long travel day only to find you lost your keys somewhere along the way, you may not be able to reach anyone for help if they're all asleep!  
• Plan for delays: provide extra pet food and other supplies and have a back-up plan in case of extensive delays.  

Happy Travels!

 Pawsitive Pet Care is a professional pet care service that has been caring for Manitoba pets since 2010.  

Pawsitive Pet Care Inclement Weather Policy

Pawsitive Pet Care Inclement Weather Policy

Dog walking is an all-weather, all-seasons job and as dog walkers we must be prepared to walk in all types of weather and must dress appropriately.  

Our walking services will not be cancelled unless the driving conditions are so extreme that it is unsafe for either the dog walker or the dog.  

As pet care providers we are expected to use common sense and good judgement when considering the safety and comfort of ourselves and the pets in our care.  

Pawsitive Pet Care and its employees will use creativity and resourcefulness in providing stimulation and exercise for pets if it is too hot or cold for an outside walk.  If the walk is shortened the service will continue for the agreed upon length of time, and the dog walker will provide a potty break, socialization, company and stimulation for the dog indoors.  This can include playing with toys, cuddling, or doing positive reinforcement training, depending on the dogs' needs and preferences. 

The policy of Pawsitive Pet Care is to shorten dog walks to 20 minutes or less if the weather reaches colder than -35◦C with the wind chill, or higher than +35◦C with the humidity index, and/or dog walkers can use their judgement when environment Canada issues an extreme weather alert.  For one-hour walks, this can include two twenty-minute walks with a 20-minute break indoors.  

2019 addendum: We are sorry to have to include this in our policy!  If the weather reaches colder than -40◦C with the wind chill, all one-hour walks will be reduced to 30-minute visits and walks will be done in 5-10 minute increments, with frequent returns inside to warm up.  We will ensure dogs have an opportunity to relieve themselves and will make safety the number one priority.  

With this said, owners can provide their own guidelines for their dogs who may be particularly sensitive to the cold or heat, and our staff will make adjustments based on the individual needs of each pet in our care.  

Please provide anything you feel will make your pet's experience more enjoyable, such as booties, coats, water bottles, cooling vests, and anything that will help your pet feel more comfortable.  Our staff will follow the instructions of each pet owner and will monitor the pets for comfort and enjoyment of their time with us.  Their safety is always our first priority.

If you have any questions, concerns, or specific requests for your pet, please contact us.  Thank you for helping us give your pet a fun and enjoyable experience!

Sincerely,

The Pawsitive Pet Care Team

For more information, please visit us on Facebook

Facebook.com/PawsPetMB

And our website 

 www.PawsitiveCare.ca

Pawsitive Pet Care has been providing dog walking, dog training, dog boarding, and pet sitting services to Headingley and West Winnipeg since 2010.  We also serve the R.M. of Cartier including Headingley, Elie, St. François Xavier, and Springfield.  To learn more about us please visit https://www.pawsitivecare.ca

Jillian is a fear-free certified and CPDT-KA certified animal behaviour specialist and has been working in the animal care and behaviour field since 2009.  

For additional tips for keeping your pet safe during cold weather, please visit the Winnipeg Humane Society pet blog at https://www.winnipeghumanesociety.ca/cold-weather-safety-for-pets/

When it's too cold for much of a walk with your dog, you may want to check out our blog posts:

Boredom Busters

 Stuffing Kongs