Healthy Homemade Cat Treats Worth Royals

My Meowmy was watching well known shopping network and she came across of the video on which they were preparing homemade treats for dogs. She realized she would love to have healthy, wholesome, tasty treats for me, her beloved kitty! I am extremely finicky sphynx and my favorite food in the whole wide World is…. tuuuuunaaaa!!!

I love treats which are made with wheat grass and tuna or cheese in them. Mom, who is obsessed with my diet, noticed that most cat treats (besides frozen dry proteins such as : poultry, meats, seafood) are packed with sugars, corn, preservatives, colors, salt, by-products or just plainly bad recipes. It is the main reasons she gives me only few types of treats. Today she decided to try to make me some goodies which would include my favorite proteins: tuna and organic, grass fed beef.

You must know she is not the greatest of cooks. Once she was preparing cake from the package for her friend and by mistake read one more zero behind the volume of water she should add. So instead 100 ml she read 1000 ml ! She placed her “diluted cake” in the oven. Two hours later she was really surprised cake was still runny. Then she looked at the box again…

This story gives you idea how clever she is in the kitchen. So if she could do treats for me, so can you for your cat.

Cranberry Infused Tuna Cat Cookies

1 can of tuna in oil,drained

2 tsp original cranberry juice

1/4 -1/3 cup of unbleached flour

1/5 – 1/3 cup chicken broth (you might use beef broth as well or just water)

2 tbsp of quality oil (EVOO or Grape Seed Oil)

1) Drain tuna and blend until smooth.

2) Place flour in bowl, add tuna and cranberry juice.

3) Mix together by spoon or (clean) hand.

4) Pour few tbsp of chicken broth until it’s easy to make shapes out of the dough (keep adding either chicken broth or flour to get desired consistency).

5) Add oil, it should make easier to roll dough and cut out shapes with cookie cutter. You might also mold little treats with hands (as Meowmy did).

6) Preheat oven to 350ºF.

7) Place shaped dough on greased baking sheets.Bake until golden brown for about 20-30 minutes (every oven is different , so the first time just test one cookie before removing them all), also bake longer if your cookies are thick.

8) Let stand on baking sheets on wire racks for 5 minutes, then remove them with a spatula to wire racks to cool completely.

Crispy Organic Lean Beef Cat Biscuits

1/2 cup of grounded organic lean beef ( or protein of your choice)

1/4 – 1/2 cup of unbleached flour

1/4 -1/2 cup of chicken broth 3 tbsp of quality oil

1) Cook beef in 1/4 cup of chicken broth until medium done.

2) After cooling blend meat, it’s juices and oil into a smooth paste.

3) In a medium bowl put flour, blended meat paste and mix all ingredients together.

4) Repeat steps from 4 to 8 from recipe above.

Some cats love catnip, you might ground some and add to your batter. Now it’s time to let your cat decide if she approves of your creation. You must remember to break treats to small size morsels before serving, because you cats can’t grind food.

You might also crumble them on the top of the wet food to make cats’ diet more exciting. If you take your kitty out a lot (on the leash, “purrse” or in a stroller) cat treats make a purrfect, healthy snack on the go.

Those recipes and ingredients are here to inspire you to become future “gourmet pastry chef for your cats”, you might change few things around, experiment as you go and add your cat’s favorite food.

Meowmy didn’t put cheese because she really believes hard cheeses are over-processed. But in case you wanted add some good quality cheese, you are welcome to. It brings a little ” funky aroma” which we cats go for. You might sprinkle treats with grated cheese, right after you took them from the oven (it will melt on the top).

Work on ingredients, experiment with different flavors, textures. You might add wet or baby food into a batter. Homemade treats will save you few dollars and they are healthy, natural option to ones bought from the store. You can store them refrigerated in tightly closed jar up to 2 weeks.

If you prepared too many, freeze some. Making treats with your cat is fun, yet creative way of spending your time together. So enjoy designing your treats and spoiling your kitty!

Meowglish Dictionary:

Meowmy- human mom of the cat

Purrse- purse or bag to carry pets in

Purrfect- perfect

Funky- stinky

Tuuuuunaaaa- tuna

Meowglish- English used by cats

Written by Coco-Mau Aqua

Holiday Tips for Pets’ Owners and Pet Fashion Trends

Hello Anipals,

my Meowmy, Joanna was on the radio the other day. She was talking about pets safety during Holidays and Pet Fashion Trends in 2014… I will sell one secret according to her biggest Trend is to Adopt Pets, not Shop for Them!! If you click on the link below you can hear whole Radio Show. Those tips are useful all year long if you live with pets.

CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO LISTEN CATHERINE AND JASON FIRST HOLIDAY TALK SHOW WHERE WE WERE A SPECIAL GUESTS:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/catherineandjasonshow/2013/11/20/first-annual-holiday-show

CATHERINE AND JASON, THANK YOU SO KINDLY FOR INVITING US AND LET MY MEOWMY TALK SO MUCH .

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL PETS AND THEIR FAMILIES

MAY ALL BE SAFE AND HAPPY

BLOG / PET'S PHUN / SPHYNX WORLD / WORLD OF PETS - 11/24/2013

Cat Bath by Coco-Mau Aqua

Human follows me around, kisses and pets me since the morning…

“Oh, human, I feel something fishy… and it’s not an aroma of fresh tuna neither bonito flakes“. I decide to nonchalantly show indifference. I meow out loudly to order the breakfast from this obviously lazy person. If she keeps up this way, I will have to cut her benefits.

Surely enough around the noon everything becomes clear: bathing time. It’s not a big deal since I love to keep my purrfect body clean and fresh.

She grabs me gently and carries to a tub. “Hey, hey! Check first if water is not too cold! Do it!… Yeah! Now, after you checked the water, put me gently in…yes, not too bad“.

I always have to remind her what to do: “Oooh yeah , a little more under my belly. I said under belly, don’t splash soapy water all over my eyes!! So clumsy!! Aww it stings”

To watch video of sphynx Coco-Mau Aqua in a bath click on this sentence

“OK, that’s enough, I don’t want my paws to wrinkle up like raisins. I want out. Use soft towel! Now!!”

My human needs my constant supervision, she hopefully will learn tricks soon… Not soon enough if you ask me. Why do humans think they are having higher IQ than animals?

Bath makes me tired… I will take a quick nap.

I’m blissfully sleeping, wrapped in cozy blanket, dreaming about bird hunting and here she comes again. She puts her face in my space and grins like she just found fresh treat. I can’t have any peace at all! And she talks gently, almost innocently… “Oh no!!” I know she is up to no good, and this is just a trap…. “ Wait, wait, what do you have in your hands, human? Why is it shining?? Is it..?!!!??”

“Oh noooo!!! You have no permission to cut my nails!! Absolutely not, I say nooo!!!”

Don’t ask me silly questions, of course I put fierce fight. But she doesn’t understand what my ‘no’ means. I told you already that humans aren’t so smart after all.

She casually cuts my nails for no apparent reason. Within minutes she destroys weeks of me caring and growing my beautiful, long, well manicured nails. How does she dare to do it so carelessly? I was proud and happy that will soon be able to try to buff my purrfect claws on our comfortable sofa. Yuck, cat even can’t have her own dreams and ambitions!

How I will show up in public places now? How embarrassing I look with cut nails? Does she forget I am purrse kitty? She damages my sphynx diva image!

The truth is: I can’t be upset with her for too long. She dances and coos, tall Monster, seduces me with favorite treats. I think she tries to apologize and cater to my needs.

Finally I give in and let her pet behind my ears… Let’s see what else can I get as an apology…

BLOG / PET'S PHUN / SPHYNX WORLD / WORLD OF PETS - 08/29/2013

Living City Kitty Life… by Coco-Mau Aqua

Living City Kitty Life…

Some of my pals who live away from cities were wondering how my life looks like in Manhattan. So let me describe my usual day.

First thing you should know I typically sleep in Joanna’s bed. As soon as our neighbors start to make noise, I get up. Since I use toilet, the doors to the bathroom are always open, so I can use it anytime.

After morning toiletries comes time for the breakfast. Every night Joanna leaves 2-4 dishes with different foods so I can snack before she wakes up.

As I’m finicky Kitty I do what all pets do. I try to wake up my human. If she is not moving, I start to walk on her body parts until she opens eyes. Once I get her attention I start to give her my magical kisses. I use those only in the morning or when very hungry. Since I give her wet nose and side mouth smooches she runs into the kitchen to prepare fresh food for me.

After my breakfast regardless of human’s action, I start to roam and hunt. I check for those obnoxious birds and squirrels who annoyingly tease me through the windows.

Sometimes there are some flies or bees which pass by closely. I make sure I keep them away from my home! Looks like my tactics are working because until now no birds nor squirrels got into our apartment. I have to admit, insects are canny and from time to time visit us uninvited. I tap them few times on the head and Joanna makes them vanished.

I am and ‘purrse’ kitty. I get to go where no sphynx or cat goes:). My human takes me everywhere. Lately we were in the doctor’s office. I went to hotels, casinos, buses, trains, restaurants (get my own sit), supermarkets, Times Square, Hamptons, Montauk beaches, boardwalks, malls, work spaces and even was in the front of White House. Some people find out, but once they see how cute and stoic I can be, they welcome me warmly. Last time I was buying newest IPad with Retina (yes, you read it right, I did!) in Apple Store on 59th Street and 5th Avenue. People who work there were so nice, let me touch devices and choose with my own paws. Even took few pictures of me and Joanna.

When weather is nice we go to the Central Park or by Hudson River or to the park on E 92nd Street. I love to watch people, kids, animals or play with dogs.

We don’t see any cats unless we go to Petco or Petsmart where Joanna is showing me those less fortunate kitties, filled with unconditional love, waiting to be adopted. Usually she feels very guilty that she can’t take them home…

I go with her to work to meet clients. They are noisy places filled with talking humans and loud live music. If we are long she sneaks some food for me.

Joanna works also from home. I’m usually on her desk, next to her laptops, lying on my “flower” bed watching her working and birds or squirrels at the same time.

When I get tired or bored, I fell asleep, next to her.

Everyday I love to play chase with Joanna in our apartment, running like a miniature puma through the jungle.

Best part of my day is to be sitting in the ‘purrse’ and watching New York City unraveling in the front of me.

Every week or whenever I jump into bathtub, Joanna prepares me bubble bath. I love warm water so much that Joanna put up ‘kiddy pool’ in our living room.

But believe me, if you are suburban kitty and you can roam free sometimes and have home filled with loving family to come to, you are the luckiest four paws on Earth.

Joanna says she wishes I can feel wind in my hinds without limits of a City life. And hear those birds actually singing instead of drums from engines of driving cars.

If you want to be the city kitty in the ‘purrse’ you have to get use to the noise and trust your human to protect you from civilization.

But I have to admit, I am Manhattan Sphynx and I love it here.

Dedicated to my Beloved New York City

Written by Coco-Mau Aqua @petmonarchy

BLOG / SPHYNX WORLD / WORLD OF PETS - 06/30/2013

Little Sphynx Story – How To Train Humans by Coco-Mau Aqua

Little Sphynx Story

Hello everyone and effurybody and furless fellows. It’s about a time I write here too. Meow.

My name is Coco-Mau Aqua. I live with my Meowmy, Joanna in Manhattan. In several days I will be 2 years old.

I was born in New York City to European Peterbald Sphynx parents.

I was 1 of 4 siblings: 2 brothers and 1 sister. My breeders wanted me to be adopted at 7 weeks which is too early to leave your Mom if you are sphynx kitten.

When I saw a blond girl with big eyes walking into the room I used to live in with my family, I felt like I want to impress her and showed off my best moves, ignoring everybody around. Obviously my smooth, confident catwalk worked. The girl fell in love with me instantly.

She took me on a long trip and brought me to our home. From first moments I thought she look like a spoilt type and decided to train her a little.

For sacred bonito flakes was it a challenge?

She had her “world” designed just for her. So I did some cleaning and made sure I had my 7 cat houses and palaces spread throughout apartment My food and water bowls were placed everywhere since I can get hungry or thirsty at any given moment. Her cosmetics were pushed to the side and my kitty line set display.

Her bed belongs to me now, and I taught her not to crowd me, it’s a queen size and I am the real Queen since I am not spayed, yet.

I even occupy toilet and use it like humans do. I use bathtub for weekly babble bath and my clothes and toys are all over the place.

I developed Meowglish language for her to understand me better. She had many blond moments and as every human she’s not as smart as pets are. With time and my constant effort she finally gets idea what I meow in Meowglish.

I look after my Joanna because at times she is clumsy, forgetful or just starry-eyed. Once she lit a candle under wood shelf which caught fire. Since she was in another room I brought her to the candle to show her what trouble she started.

She often burns food too. So when smoke comes out the pots I am the one to alert her. And Oh My Cat, she is careless with water, so when sink or bathtub overflows I call her before neighbors do.

Don’t understand me wrong I love this slightly idealistic, sensitive and passionate girl.

She is so cute when she cries if I feel sick or when she leans over to kiss me good night and adjust cover on me at least 20 times.

I like to call Joanna in Meowglish to get her attention when she is busy because she runs to me every time. I think it means she knows how to listen to commends. She picks up things I purposely drop for some ‘gravitation adventure’. I call it human fetching. She also does fetch well distant items I’m too lazy to get.

I care a lot and meow strongly to play chase with me at least 15 min a day so her heart will get some exercise and she will stay healthy.

In my conclusion dear Anipals I want you to know that it is possible to train your human and arise them accordingly to your needs.

Be gentle and easy on humans after all they just people. Hide their GPS and see how they find home if they far away. Better don’t try it because you will, you will need to get a new human. Unless they annoy you…

I guard my Joanna and make sure she is in the bed with me on time. Even if she comes with all her electronic devices. She understands enough Meowglish to recognize my callings and orders. I have a strong feeling this girl needs me and I’m her only chance to live safely and happily.

Since she is my typist I see her getting all teary and sentimental as she writes what I meow. Looks like she wants cuddles and nose kisses. Have to go and comfort her a little. Meow till next time Darlings.

BLOG / PET'S PHUN / SPHYNX WORLD - 05/18/2013

Sphynx Care – Nails and Teeth

Nails

Nails of sphynx are same as other cats’ so you will have to clip them every 2-3 weeks. I recommend sharp, always disinfected clippers to prevent crushing of the nail. And like with all cats you have to cut about 2 mm from the quick. Start to trim nails regularly in young kittens so they get used to procedure. Use trimmers which are most comfortable for you. It’s a good idea to own scratching post or two to give your sphynx chance to sharpen claws and satisfy their natural instinct of scratching. Sphynx have dark brown, sometimes almost black residue around their nail’s beds. It is a normal product of sweat glands situated between toes. In “hairy” cats you can’t see it, because it hides under their hair. Sphynx have no hair so it’s visible to naked eye. Sphynx are cleaning their nails daily. If you wish to remove some of gunky sweat ( it’s get darker when meets with oxygen) you make use watered q-tip swabs and gently clean around each nail after bath or trimming. Use new q-tip for each nail.When you trim nails don’t forget about dewclaw.

I vote strongly against declawing, it involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe and leaves pet scarred physically and mentally for life! If you consider that option you should not be the pet owner ever.

Teeth

Sphynx like all the cats need daily oral hygiene. There are plenty of products on the market. I recommend to use whatever works for you, since you need to do it regularly. Just make sure you don’t use products for humans, they are dangerous for cats. Remember to clean all teeth, not only front ones. Sphynx teeth are smaller than other cats. So be careful when you feed them. Use right size dry kibble (remember cat’s teeth weren’t design to grind) and check for bones before you feed your pet with fish (even from famous and popular brands). If you started new food let your sphynx to try when you are watching. Some dry products are simply too big and or hard for sphynx to either chew them or swallow. Also avoid food or treats with sugars in them as they are causing teeth problems same way do for humans.

Important to remember that sphynx are prone to hypothermia and hypoglycemia. So talk to your veterinarian about best method of anesthesiology during teeth cleaning procedure (during spaying or neutering also).

I hope you will remember to keep well-balanced, nutritious diet. Keep water and some food available at all times. Sphynx need more calories than hairy felines so having snack sized food can become handy. Sphynx feel when they need extra calories to bring their sugar levels higher or due to sudden drop in the temperature. Their metabolism is higher than other pets so don’t feed them just twice a day. They need food at least 4-6 times in 24 hours.

BLOG / SPHYNX WORLD - 05/11/2013

Sphynx Care – Ears and Eyes

Eyes

Sphynx don’t have eyelashes, their eyes produce thicker than tears discharge which works as a moisturizer, protector and cleanser. Sphynx clean their own eyes and wipe off brownish, jelly like residue. But if for some reason they have left some significant amount of discharge you may use soft (lint free) washcloth with warm water. Be gentle and wipe outside of the closed eye, moving from outer towards inner corner. Don’t poke your kitty’s eyes, you could cause serious problems. Sphynx are fragile creatures so always be extra careful in handling them. After wiping eyes you may delicately pass washcloth over mouth and the face since those parts get dirty quicker than rest of the body.

I don’t like to recommend baby wipes because all of them contain chemicals. As we all know cats clean themselves with saliva and will lick it off at some point, which can’t be good.

Ears

Since sphynx have no hair in their ears you may notice they produce more wax than other cats. This sometimes dark in color wax is there to protect the inner ear from bacteria, viruses etc. Some owners like to use oils, vitamin A or Hydrogen Peroxide to help with excess wax. I believe best approach to keep ears healthy is to use well rolled q-tips swabs or cotton balls (because you don’t want pieces of cotton to be left in the ear) and gently pat it in between of outer ear flap, following natural curves.

It’s important that after each bath you dry ears from water. Sphynx like to shake off after bath. If water got into their ears would be naturally moved to outer parts. You can gently pat and swipe but do not rub (!) with dry q-tip or cotton ball, excess water or wax should be absorbed by cotton. Make sure you use fresh end of cotton each time you dry or clean new part of the ear. If you want to get rid of wax from ear canal make sure you don’t go deeper than 0,1 of the inch. Perform all ear maintenance slowly and delicately, do not puncture eardrums. Clean ears every 3 to 4 days and after each bath.

If you see any unusual discharge from eyes or/and ears , or just feel concerned contact your veterinarian.

Written by Joanna

BLOG / SPHYNX WORLD - 05/10/2013

Sphynx Care – Bath

Sphynx needs to be bathed regularly. They usually have no visible hair and produce sebum which protects their skin from pathogens, moisturizes, softens and provides elasticity.

Usually each sphynx needs bath weekly, but some with drier skin can go without as long as 2-3 weeks. If you don’t wash them often enough their pores become clogged and blackheads may develop.

I advise to start to wash them at least once a week from the moment they are weaned (even twice a week for few months), so they get used to baths and washing them would be easy in the future.

First of all remember about right temperature of bathroom or room you will wash them in and also the room they will play/ sleep after the bath. Make sure there are no drafts and minimum 70 F. The temperature of water should be warm but not hot. Easiest method is to put your elbow in bath and you should feel warm but not hot ( 89-95 F).

You may play a lot just before bath , when cat will be tired it’s easier to wash her. Just be gentle. They like feel of warm water, but scrubbing could be a problem. Use delicate “tear free”, hypoallergenic liquid soap for babies or kittens. It should be diluted, you may pour some in a bathtub to create bubble bath. I don’t think washing them in sink is good. If you put too less water they get cold and become stressed. Pour 8-12 ” of water, make sure no higher than cats base of neck. I like to use bathtub so you can drop few floating toys and just let sphynx walk or play for 10-15 minutes in bubble bath so water is washing off dirt painlessly. You may put towel on the bottom of bathtub to prevent slips.If you have no bathtub, buy one for babies. Having her in the sink forces you to do everything quickly, putting stress on her and you.

To remove blackheads I use cotton balls drenched in medical alcohol and run over the cat’s skin where problems occurred and gently but quickly put sphynx in the bath so pet has no chance to lick it off. You can use Noxzema anti- blemish pads.

I don’t use oil, makes skin more oily, hence more blackheads. I massage gently skin starting from the head to a tail using baby bath sponge or washcloth. You may put few drops of conditioning oil in the water. I recommend food grade as you should never give cat essential oils, it could damage her liver.

You may put cotton balls in the ears to prevent water from entering. I like to have plastic bottle with warmer than bath water, as I use it on the end to rinse cat, pressure from faucet or shower head may scare them. Have your towels ready, and don’t leave sphynx unsupervised ever.

Use towels with gently motion, this will get rid of old skin and rest of dirt and makes good massage to invigorate skin. I like to put hoodie or warm sweater on the her, so she doesn’t get cold.

Very important to dry ears with cotton balls or q-tips right after the bath.

Please remember: wait an hour after feeding to bathe them. And make sure you have some food ready after bath as they lose lots of heat during washing and usually get hungry. I recommend extra blankets so they can snuggle and sleep.

Bath time could be great to bond and play with your sphynx and it keeps them healthy so make it a fun time!

Written by Joanna

BLOG / SPHYNX WORLD - 05/09/2013

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Healthy Homemade Cat Treats Worth Royals

Cat Bath by Coco-Mau Aqua

Living City Kitty Life… by Coco-Mau Aqua

Living City Kitty Life…

Little Sphynx Story – How To Train Humans by Coco-Mau Aqua

Little Sphynx Story

Sphynx Care – Nails and Teeth

Sphynx Care – Nails and Teeth

Nails

Teeth

Sphynx Care – Ears and Eyes

Sphynx Care – Ears and Eyes

Eyes

Ears

Sphynx Care – Bath

Sphynx Care – Bath

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