Becknutt
Well-Known Member
Creative gifts for your critters
By JENNIFER TZESES
Kids
[align=left][/color][/u]
(PHOTO BY STEPHEN LEWIS) / (PHOTO BY STEPHEN LEWIS)[/align]
Include the family parakeet in holiday gift-giving with a new toy swing that you and your kids can make.
Our furry, feathered and scaly family members are always happy to dole out kisses and comfort all year long. That's why, come holiday time, you wouldn't dream of leaving them out of the festivities.
"Just because pets can't talk or smile, doesn't mean they wouldn't appreciate a gift," says pet expert Marc Morrone. Rather than giving your pet a few extra tummy rubs or a store-bought toy, why not make him or her something extra-special? To create thoughtful gifts, all you need are a few supplies from the pet or grocery store, a stray sock or two and lots of TLC. And you're guaranteed to get oodles of tail wagging, purring and bubbles (from your fish) in return.
Bird swing
Perched on a homemade toy swing, a parakeet has a bird's-eye view of any curious onlookers. Just string wooden beads and spools, plastic buttons and a bell onto a shoelace. A bird will busily move them around with his beak.
Dog biscuits
Have a ball baking up biscuits for your four-legged friend. Fido won't be able to wait to sink his teeth into these delicious presents. The treats contain garlic, which some vets say keeps fleas away.
1 cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup wheat germ
¼ cup brewer's yeast (available at health food stores)
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ tablespoons canola oil
1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
var zflag_nid="305"; var zflag_cid="9/1"; var zflag_sid="4"; var zflag_width="300"; var zflag_height="250"; var zflag_sz="9";
½ cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast and salt; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oil and garlic. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating batches, beginning and ending with stock. Mix well.
3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to about 3/8-inch thick. Cut out dog-bone shapes and transfer to parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining dough.
4. Bake biscuits 10 minutes. Brush with stock. Rotate baking sheets, and bake 10 minutes more. Turn off oven, leaving door closed. Let dog biscuits stand in oven to dry completely, about 1 ½ hours.
Bunny basket
Your rabbit will hop up and down with excitement over a basket of healthful snacks. He can nibble on every part â even the cardboard tag. "Pet guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils and mice will love a smaller version," Morrone says.
BUNNY BASKET HOW-TO: You'll need a bamboo steamer or a natural wicker basket (do not use a painted one). Pad the bottom with hay, and fill it with treats rabbits will love, such as Bibb lettuce, carrots, apples, wheat grass, wooden chew blocks, seed treats and salt licks, from pet or grocery stores. Write your pet's name in crayon on a cardboard tag (it's safe for him to chew), and tie it on with twine.
Cat (sock) fish
You don't have to go to a pond to catch these guppies. Just fish around your sock drawer, and a few will swim to the surface. Filled with catnip and decorated with felt shapes, they're the purrfect present for your cat. "Ferrets will like them too," Morrone says. "They will hide them in the corners of your house."
SOCK FISH HOW-TO: Roll an 8 ½-by-11-inch piece of paper into a cone for a funnel. Insert funnel into sock, and fill halfway with catnip. Knot just above filling. Cut out eyes and a mouth from a piece of felt. Attach to sock with nontoxic fabric glue. "Don't use wool socks," Morrone says. "Some cats like to eat wool."
