Pets are Family Members
Animals are not pets to me, they are an essential part of my life and family. I know that true animal lovers feel the same way, so this month I am focusing on the fur babies in our lives. I have been around animals all my life, and I can’t quite imagine my life without them. I currently have three cats who are all getting up there in age. I know that death is part of the life cycle, but I shudder to think of the loss each one will create in my world when it’s their time. Each time I am confronted with a death, I lose a part of myself. Every one of them has left an enduring mark on my heart because no two animals are alike. Most of them meandered into my life and found their fur-ever home, but I think they saved me just as much as I saved them. More than people, they have been my constant in good times and in bad. They love me unconditionally no matter what kind of mood I’m in. They never judge me when I am a hot mess. They cuddle with me when I am sick. They read my behavior and know when I need emotional support therapy. They are always happy to see me, and most of all they love me back in ways that humans fail.
So many times I have been told that I care too much about animals and spoil my own. GASP! How is that even possible? Okay, I will admit that if an animal gets hurt or dies in a movie, I will cry but rarely do I have the same reaction if it happens to a person. Some would call that a character flaw, but I think it’s only because animals are pure and innocent and people are not, myself included.
Flea and Tick Prevention
There are many ways to show appreciation to the pets in our lives. Obviously, that list varies depending on the type of fur baby you share your life with. Most of us have cats or dogs, so I will focus on them. No offense to those who have rabbits, rodents, reptiles, fish, or birds. I have not owned all these types, but I have cared for them as a pet sitter. Aside from special bedding, collars, and toys we give our pets, many of us look for safer alternatives to flea and tick prevention and store-bought treats and food. Flea and tick season is ramping up. As dedicated pet owners, we know how important it is to safeguard our fur babies from these blood-sucking monsters! If you are considering alternative medication because your animal doesn’t respond well to vet-approved topicals or you prefer to avoid it, I have some possible solutions you can consider that were shared with me when I was taking my essential oil classes. Please note that many essential oils are toxic to cats because their systems can’t metabolize compounds in the oil. Their sense of smell is very acute, which makes them very sensitive to scents. One of my cats hates the smell of lavender and will run away as soon as he smells it. Their skin is also very delicate, so the oils penetrate the bloodstream much quicker than with dogs. I would highly encourage you to speak to your vet and do your own research before trying anything new on your beloved pet no matter what it is. I promise you that you will find conflicting information about the safety of essential oils and pets. One site will say an oil is safe and another will say it is not. Always remember that less is more. If diffusing oils in your home, make sure your pets can physically leave the area if they want to. An alternative to topicals or collars is spraying essential oils on or around their bedding or favorite sleeping areas to deter the fleas and ticks from getting close to your pet. There are some interesting videos online of how ticks react to certain essential oils. They literally move away from certain oils when they get near them. If you do decide to try essential oils, make sure you are not buying fragrance oils or cheap oils from a department store. Do your homework before you purchase anything that you will be using on yourself or your pet. If you need suggestions, please contact me.
Flea and Tick Repellent Spray
Add 4-6 drops of rosemary oil to a 16-ounce spray bottle filled with water. If you would like to try adding lavender to this solution, reduce the drops of rosemary oil so the overall content of essential oil does not exceed 6 drops. Shake the bottle before each use to distribute the oils into the water. Do a test run first. Spray in areas that your pet frequents. Be mindful of their sensitivity by observing their behavior when they are exposed to this solution. If your pet shows signs of dislike or discomfort, discontinue use. Some people apply this solution directly onto their animal’s fur and reapply as needed. If you do decide to apply to your pet, I would suggest spraying the solution into your hand or on a washcloth and then pet/groom your pet carefully avoiding their eyes and mouth. Another suggestion is to plant herbs that serve as natural pest repellents in containers and keep them in the areas that you and your pet frequent when you are outside enjoying the warm weather months. Again, do your research to ensure you are not giving your pet access to plants that could be toxic to them if ingested because cats and dogs do like to chew on plants!
Another indulgence we like to offer our pets is food and treats. So much of what is available to purchase is convenient but packed with unnecessary fillers. Since I don’t have a dog, I am not an expert about tasty treats for pups, but you can easily search for recipes online. I did a quick search myself and found treats with as little as three ingredients that you already have in your home. I think the options are almost endless if you want to pamper your pooch with something homemade.
Tasty Treats
My cats range between 13 and 17 years of age. Cats are fussy eaters and one day they like something and the next day they stick their nose up at it and walk away offended by your blatant offering of indifference to their finicky palette. I have always been mindful to ensure my cats stay hydrated. Dry food is convenient and good for helping to maintain oral health because it mimics eating bones in the wild. The chewing and crunching helps reduce buildup on their teeth, but they need moisture in their diet as well especially when they get older. My cats love gravy on their food but those little pouches can get expensive, and water is boring! I have tried making them food, which I found utterly disgusting but love is love. Unfortunately, my effort was wasted because they didn’t like it, and I threw a lot of money down the drain. I experimented with making my own gravy recently, and my cats do like it.
Cat Gravy
Add one package of chicken drumsticks to a slow cooker. Do not add salt!
Top with water and simmer on low for 6-8 hours or until meat starts to fall off the bone.
Remove chicken from broth. Clean the meat off the bone. A few tiny bones are okay if you miss them. Place chicken and broth into a food processor and blend until soupy. I repurpose my name brand orange cat food containers for storing my homemade gravy. The portion is perfect and makes freezing easy. Fill orange containers and place in freezer. Once frozen, you can put the cups in a resealable bag. I take out one cup in the morning and another in the evening to slowly defrost in the refrigerator until I’m ready to feed them. When it’s feeding time, I drop the gravy into a dish and heat up in the microwave for about 10 seconds because it’s still slightly frozen. Just like babies, do a heat check before serving to your cat. Heating the food not only warms it up but it also enhances the aroma. Cats won’t eat what they can’t smell. I serve them their canned food and then add my gravy as a side. The gravy is the first to go every time! I am sure you can create your own meat gravy for dogs too and drizzle over their dry food for extra flavor.
Pets give us so much. It’s rewarding to be able to give back in ways that enhance their quality of life.
