Two Minute Cat Advice

Wendy Nan Rees

About Wendy Nan Rees

Wendy Nan Rees got her start in the pet industry over 25 years ago, when she founded Lip Smackers, Inc. to provide healthy, all natural treats for pets. Wendy was a pioneer in the industry, creating one of the first all natural dog cookies in 1985.

Over the years, Wendy has authored four books, including No Barking at the Table: Canine Recipes Most Begged For and No Cat Napping in the Kitchen. Her newest book, Your Pets Around the World, will be out in Fall 2008. She also served as the “Pet Lifestyle Advisor" on Animal Planet's Petsburgh USA and has made appearances on The Home Shopping Network.

Wendy can currently be heard on the world wide radio show Wendy's Animal Life on www.healthylife.net live on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. Pacific time and 24/7 online. To find out more about Wendy and her products, visit www.thewildliferadio.com.

Final Cat Tip: Kitty Fishing Pole and Bait

A Fond Farewell

Before we get to the project I have for you today, I would first like to take a moment to thank you all for the wonderful times I've had sharing my two minute cat tips with you over the last two years here at LoveToKnow. This will be my last column for Cats, but I will continue to offer my two minute dog tips at LoveToKnow Dogs. For my last cat tip, I wanted to leave you with a fun winter project that will help your cat stay entertained, fit and happy during the long winter months ahead. You can make this as a holiday treat for your pet or save it as a snowy day project. When the weather is too bad to go outside, you can pull out this toy and have all the fun and exercise you want.

This project involves a treat and a game you can play with your cat. You're going to learn how to make a tasty "worm" you can tie to the end of an old fishing pole. You can sit in your chair, cast out your line and let your cat chase the treat. Let him catch it, and then watch him run around with it. This way he is playing and hunting, and at the same time he is working his brain. The main thing you need to keep in mind is to build your cat's stamina up slowly; resist the urge to let him play too long in the beginning because he will want to play until he drops! So start off slowly and build up to longer play times.

Kitty Fishing Pole

• Find an old fishing pole: Make sure what you use for a hook is not the real fish hook and make sure it is not sharp! I like to use 100% natural cotton string to tie the treat onto the line itself rather than use an actual hook.

• Make the Liver and Catnip treats according to the recipe below, and then store them in the freezer to keep them fresh. That way you only have to pull out what you need for play. Let them sit out for 15-25 minutes, and then attach them to the line; now you are ready to play.

• Be sure to play this game in a room where you can cast the line without getting it caught on something, and that your cat has room to run around and chase the treat as you reel it back in.

• If you do not have an old fishing pole no problem; get an old stick from outside, tie a line to it and attach the treat with cotton string. Next, just throw the line out, using about six feet to start with, and then use your hand to reel the line in while your kitty plays and chases after it.

• Be sure to let your kitty catch the treat and play with it. Remember this is to get him moving and using his brain, but it is also a food reward to enjoy.

Catnip Liver Worms Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup chicken livers, cooked
• ½ cup chicken broth (use low salt); mix with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and set aside.
• ½ cup finely grated carrots; this adds sweetness and color, but please be sure to grate them very fine.
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/4 cup Bisquick® flour
• ¼ cup plain wheat germ
• ¼ cup dried fish flakes
• ½ cup dried cat nip; I like to use a good strong brand.

Directions

1. Cook the chicken livers: Buy a one pound plastic tub of raw livers and rinse very well in fresh clean water. Next, place the raw liver in a one quart stock pot, and add enough chicken broth and fresh water to cover the raw livers with two inches of water. Bring to a boil, turn down the stove and simmer for 30 minutes. Drain in a colander in the sink, and rinse with fresh cool water right away to cool. Now you are ready to use them in your recipe. NOTE: Do not overcook the livers or they will be tough. They are going to get a second baking, so don't worry if they seem a bit under done.
2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
3. In a blender or food processor, place chicken livers, broth and olive oil mixture and carrots. Blend into a very thick paste.
4. In a clean baking dish or on a large plate, mix the wheat germ, fish flakes and catnip. Set this aside so you can roll your "dough worm" in the coating before you bake it.
5. In a mixing bowl, add the flour and the Bisquick. Now add the liver mixture and use your hands to blend well, until you have a dough ball. Once you have made the dough ball, take ½ teaspoon full at a time and roll it into a log shape (or what I call the worm). Once you have done this, you can take your worm and roll it in the wheat germ/fish flake/catnip mixture to give it a crispy crunchy coating.
6. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray, and then place all your worms on the baking sheet.
7. Bake for 5 minutes, and then roll over and bake for another 5-10 minutes until golden brown.
8. Turn off the oven and let them dry out for at least two hours.

Once the worms are totally cool, you can use what you want and freeze the rest to use throughout the winter. They will keep in the freezer for three months when stored in an airtight system. I like to use the Zip Lock Handy lock system; it takes all the air out and keeps your from getting any freezer burn, and you can reseal them each time.

“Remember the animals in your life are not just your pets; they’re your friends.”~ WNR

Previous Tips

• Keeping Cats Hydrated
• Feline Turkey Loaf
• Discourage Kitty From Playing in the Bathroom

• Maine Coon Cat Pictures
• Holiday Cat Collars
• Cute Fuzzy Kittens
• Cat Breed Quiz

• Feline Hair Loss
• Cat Meow Sound
• Cats Illness Symptoms
• Illness In Older Cats Symptoms Of Dying
• Symptoms Bloody Stool in Cats

• Creating a Good Relationship with Your Vet
• Tips on Dealing with Cat Allergies
• Flavoring Cat Food and Treats
• Feline Turkey Loaf
• Discourage Kitty From Playing in the Bathroom