D.I.Y. Silhouette Pet Treat Jar Tutorial With #NaturalBalance

This post is sponsored by #NaturalBalance, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Natural Balance® Treats, but Momma Told Me only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Natural Balance® is not responsible for the content of this article.

Momma Told Me: Don't spoil the kids!

Half the fun of having kids pets is getting to spoil them rotten. It's no secret that Truffles, the tuxedo cat, and Nora, the morkie, are pampered with the most trendy and fashionable toys (and clothes) as well as the very best treats. When we first became pet parents, we weren't too discerning. We'd feed Truffles anything with a flashy package and catchy jingle. After all, the cats in the commercials seemed to love them just fine! Today we still sneak some of those treats in when it comes to Truffles- consider it her 'triple scoop fudge covered sundae before bed on a school night.' Most of the time, however, we're checking labels and making sure that the kids have a well rounded diet, even when  scarfing biscuits and chews.

In our house we're a big fan of Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance® Treat line, which features a wide variety of soft, crunchy, and chewy treats for both cats and dogs. And, while we're crazy about the premium quality proteins, lack of artificial colors and preserves, and even grain free options- it's the sheer variety of healthy treats and nutritious rewards that keep up stocking the treat jars with favorites like Semi-Moist Belly Bites and Duck Formula Mini-Rewards. In fact, we keep so many different treats on hand that we have at least half a dozen treat jars displayed throughout the house! And, like any decor savvy pet parent, each and every one says something about the pet they're intended for.

So, without any further ado, I'm excited to share with you a simple tutorial for D.I.Y. Silhouette Pet Treat Jars we recently made to house Nora's favorite Natural Balance® treats. First, begin by picking an image or two that shows a strong profile of your dog's full figure and/or face. Try to find an image that doesn't have a lot of busy background. Images with backgrounds that contrast well from your dog's natural coat will also be easier to modify for the purposes of this project.

Next, open your images in a photo editing program, such as the free Pixlr.com online editing application. Anything with a basic eraser function will do, as it's likely you will be lucky enough to have a photo of your pet on a solid background (in which case you could magic select and cut the background instantly!) Carefully trace a border around your pet's profile with the eraser.

Once outlined use the Eraser to remove all of the photo's contents, except your dog. Take this time to enhance any features of your dog which might help define their character or breed. Nora was a little shaggy in one of our photos so I rounded out her face and tail a little bit.

Next, go into your photo editor's 'Brightness/Contrast' function and adjust the contrast all the way to the left (negative,) and the Brightness all the way to the right (positive.) This will give you a solid 'silhouette' of your pet. Print the images out and use the scan/copy feature on your printer to adjust them to the appropriate size for your treat jars. Keep in mind, when choosing jars, that jars with a more flat face/surface will be easier for this project, while rounded surfaces will prove a bit more tricky.

Gather all of your supplies to being the treat jar decorating process. You will need Clear/Transparent Magic Cover (transfer) paper- you will find this at the craft store near the drafting supplies. You will also need an Exacto style straight edge, a safe cutting surface, spray paint in the colors of your choice, and a face mask (to wear while spray painting to protect against fumes.) I also like to spray paint IN old boxes so I don't have to worry about misting or laying down papers.

Prepare your treat jars for painting by ensuring that they are clean and dray. Next, take your transfer paper and set it over the printed silhouettes. Trace the outline of your pet's silhouette onto the paper, then use the razor to cut the silhouette out. If you are placing the transfer onto a rounded treat jar you will want to cut a few crease lines into the joints and edges of your stencil. Then, peel the backing off the paper and you should have a clear sticker of your pet's silhouette. Firmly press the sticker down onto your treat jar in the desired place, taking time to run any bubbles to the edge, and score any creases.

In a well ventilated, and surface protected, area spray the entire jar with a coat of spray paint. Do not spray heavy or too close or you will get streaks and drips. This part takes patience, especially if you are painting a glass or enamel surface. For our jars I put on 5 coats of color, and 2 coats of clear glaze. Allow the jar to dry a minimum of 30 minutes between coats. Once you are happy with the color, and the jar is dry, carefully peel off the silhouette stencil. Pay attention to any areas where the paint may have gone one thick and cause peeling- go slow. Once the stencil is off, apply a few coats of clear enamel to the entire jar. This will help prevent peeling at the edges of your silhouette in the future.

As you can see, I decided to give our jars a matching ombre paint job by taking the opposing color and misting a light coat of spray paint across the top and lids. These D.I.Y. Silhouette Treat Jars match Nora's nook and bed cabinet perfectly! The whole project (both jars total) cost us under $20- and I consider that a deal since I can make many many more treat jars with the leftover paint and supplies- These will be great for holiday gifts chocked full of Natural Balance® treats!

Not only do these pink treat jars have a lot of flair and personality, but I love being able to see the fun and healthy treats inside! We're just lucky niether of the pets have figured out how to open them on their own yet! You may think this looks like a lot of treats for one tiny 4.5lb Morkie, but Nora is a very hyper active dog, and she also loves to share with her cousins when they visit. We'll be stocking up on Natural Balance® treats in no time- and definitely in time for the holidays! For more great treat time ideas, and fun pet content, check out Natural Balance on Facebook! Now, tell me, where do you store your pets treats?

What Daughter Says: I feel better about treating the fur-kids when it's with high quality nutritious rewards.

5 Tips To Make Treat Time Fun For You You + Your Cat

Momma Told Me: We got the cat/dog/hamster so you wouldn't be bored. And there you are both laying around bored!

It's no secret my pets are my children. I don't go to a grocery or major retail store without stopping to think, is there something I need to buy for 'the kids.' If you're lucky, like me, you don't have a picky eater. When your pets are as enthusiastic about their food as a child is over an ice cream cone, you can get away fairly 'cheap.' Whenever I run out of 'cat treats' I turn Truffle's food into a reward of it's own through engaging activities and fun bonding time.  Of course, in order to 'treat' with the very same food you feed your pet you have to keep your pet on a portioned diet. (Which is a good idea, anyway.) Grazers aren't as motivated to perform or play for 'treats' they can readily eat from their food dish at any time!

I digress- So, back to me, in the stores.

I simply cannot walk past a pet aisle and NOT grab something for my fur children. I don't care if I just went down the aisle 3 days ago, I'm going back down it again. And, in my head it's as if my pets are sitting there in the shopping cart with me pointing and asking for everything in sight. (And it's rather good they're not because Truffles can be quite demanding.) Let's just say, if there's a new product intended to pamper, treat, or engage cats or dogs, I'm probably walking out of the store with it. But you don't have to buy fancy whirly-gigs and colorful treat dispensers to make 'snack time' fun for you and your cat. Let's check out 5 simple ideas-

1. Hide the treats- Cats are hunters. They enjoy a challenge, and they enjoy treating objects like prey. Place treats in a favorite toy, a cat Kong, or even out in the open, up high. Consider places where you can treat your cat that require a little bit of their own ingenuity. Always make sure that your cat is aware of what you are doing by shaking or rattling the pet treat container before removing and hiding the treats. For less creative pet parents, several cat treat brands now have their own treat dispenser system that engage a cat's need to stalk, attack, and chew with bobble style toys.

2. Add catnip- No, I don't mean to your cat's toys and loungers- I mean physical catnip to your cat's treats and treat dispensers. Organic catnip is edible and comes in fresh grass and (more traditional) dried varieties. Utilize catnip just before treating to help set the mood for playtime or physical activity, or offer catnip greens with a few of your cat's favorite treats.

3. Train your cat- Yes, cat's can do anything intelligent that dogs can. If you can train a mouse for the circus, you can train a house cat to do all the tricks their canine counterparts can do. As with most animals, training will be easiest when your cat is young, but Pavlov's response can be used to condition a multitude of behaviors even in adult cats.

Over the past few weeks I began giving Truffles a small piece of cheese whenever I pulled out the shredded cheese from the fridge. Now she not only comes running when she hears the fridge open, she tries to walk into the fridge! That wasn't an intentionally conditioned behavior, but it's the perfect example of using rewards to trigger behavior. Teaching your cat to high five, and stand up (on their back legs) are the simplest commands you can master through treats.

Begin with your cat sitting in front of you. Hold the treat between your index and middle finger, waving the treat in front of your cat, just above their head, out of reach. Once your cat reaches up to grab, or take, the treat say 'high paw' or 'high five' and immediately give your cat the treat. Do this for several days and your cat will begin mimicking the behavior on their own with visual cues alone. Then you ma move onto 'stand up' by producing the same training behavior, with the treat just slightly higher out of reach!

4. Play Fetch- Believe it or not many cats naturally pick up the habit of playing fetch if played with as a kitten. It is a natural behavior for cats to present prey to their owners as a sign of respect and fetch very much fosters this behavior, as well as a cat's need to stalk and hunt. Reward your cat for bringing you a toy, whether you're thrown it or not, and for returning a toy you've thrown. Who says dogs get to have all the fun?

Forgive the dirty floor, this is the 'cat's corner of the house :)

1. Just the two of us- Designate a special time or activity each week to hand treating your pet. Make this a special time you specifically schedule into your busy life. Perhaps it's a time where you and the cat can curl up and read a book, or after the weekly brushing- Repeat the same series of activities, in the same location of your house every week. Be sure to give your cat ample love and undivided attention during this time. The event does not have to be lengthy or involved so long as it involves you and your cat exclusively and a regular task that ends in treating them. This serves to designate a spot in your home as a safety spot and clearly associates the treats (regardless of whether you treat at other times during the week) with love.

There are several ways to make treat time more engaging and meaningful for you and your cat. Regardless of what or how you treat, the act of treating should always be done along with an act of affection or love. Treats are not a substitute for your time and attention and should only be used sparingly as part of regular nurturing and interaction. How or when do you treat your pets?

What Daughter Says:  Your cat's health relies just as much on attention and activity as yours does, why not achieve a little bit of both, together?