Most cats tend to be home-bodies. They prefer to snuggle up in their favorite spot in the sun in familiar surroundings. But there are times when we want to have them with us when we go away for a while. This means they may have to spend several hours of travel in the car. It is recommended that you think about the following suggestions in order to make it a fun and safe trip.
* Always use a crate. Cats tend to feel more secure in small spaces, such as under a bed when they are nervous or frightened. Be sure they are experienced with the crate by having it open in the room for a few days before the trip. Line it with favorite blankets and toys and let them explore it at will. The crate should be roomy enough so your cat can move around and stretch.
* Take them for short trips in the crate, gradually increasing the length of time of the trip. Be sure to keep the crate securely placed in the car and preferably where your cat can see you.
* Line the crate with puppy pads for any accidents and keep plastic bags handy for their removal. That way you can easily dispose of them at the next rest stop.
* Feed your cat about four hours before you leave and do not make it a large meal. Most cats do not like to eat a lot when traveling in the car. Keep a few treats handy for rest stops. It is a good idea to fill a jug of water from your tap to keep your pet hydrated along the way and avoid upsetting their tummies with unfamiliar water.
* Take a leash along for rest stops to let your cat stretch, relieve himself and have some playtime with you. If one of you need to use the rest stop facilities, leave one person with the cat.
* Plan your route and identify emergency vet hospitals along the way. Be sure to have a copy of your pets medical records and immunizations.
* If you need to stop at a hotel on your way, check ahead for cat-friendly hotels. Some may require extra fees and have rules about leaving your pet alone in the room.
Preparation is the key to having a happy and safe trip with your cat. It will make both of your lives less stressed and your vacation one to remember.
There are many times when we like to take our dogs along with us when we travel. It saves the expense and anxiety associated with boarding your pet. Many hotels are “pet-friendly” and will do their best to help your pet’s stay be comfortable. The following are some tips to make your travel time a fun time.
– Keep a collar with necessary identification on your dog at all times. Keep the leash handy as well.
– To make the experience a positive one, plan ahead and take your dog for frequent car rides that end up in a positive place, such as the dog park. It is especially helpful if your dog’s only car rides are associated with disliked places such as the vets or dog groomers.
– Plan rest stops every 2 hours for stretch breaks, walks to use up pent energy, drinks of water and to allow your pet to relieve himself. Keep a supply of plastic bags for waste removal.
– Make a list of several veterinary hospitals that are easily accessible along your route and at your destination. Have your dog’s medical records and health certificate with you as well.
– Provide your pet with favorite toys, dog chews, dog bed, water and food bowls and any medications your pet takes. Having new toys may help to keep your dog occupied and interested along the way. Use dog treats sparingly as these may cause stomach upset with the motion of the car.
– Feed your dog a few hours before the trip to avoid possible car sickness.
– Have a pet kennel or crate to carry your pet if needed and to have at your destination.
– A window boot or dog safety seat will add to your dog’s comfort and safety should you turn or stop suddenly.
– Ask your vet about motion sickness medications or those that can calm a hyperactive dog.
If you follow these suggestions, you and your dog will have a safe and comfortable trip. Happy motoring!
We all love to reward our special pets with treats for good behavior and just for being them. What we don’t want to do is give our pets treats that contain all sorts of additives and preservatives. So here are some recipes that are simple and easy to do that allow us to feed our pets healthy treats.
Homemade Dog Treats
1 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup brewer’s yeast
1 tsp. salt
1-1/2 tbsp. canola oil
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock, plus extra for brushing
Oven : 400 degrees
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, wheat germ, yeast and salt and set aside. Place oil in a large bowl. Add stock and flour mixture in three alternating additions, beginning and ending with the stock. Mix well. On a lightly floured board, roll dough to 3/8 inch thick. Shape biscuits with a cookie cutter shaped like a bone or other object that is appropriate for your dog’s size. Transfer to parchment lined cookie sheets. Bake biscuits for 10 minutes. Brush with stock and bake ten minutes more. Turn off the oven, leaving the door closed with the biscuits inside to dry completely. This takes approximately 1-1/2 hours. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Cat Treats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1 tsp. catnip
1 egg
1/3 cup milk
2 Tbsp wheat germ
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 Tbsp unsulfured molasses
2 Tbsp butter or oil
Oven: 350 degrees
Preheat the oven. Mix the dry ingredients together. Add the molasses, egg, oil or butter and milk. Roll out flat and cut into cat bite-sized pieces. Place on oiled cookie sheets. Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and store in a tightly sealed container.
Your pets will love their special cookies and you will know you are providing them with wholesome ingredients. Enjoy!
As our pets age, they can develop a kind of dementia that is also referred to as CCD, or Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. If your once friendly and cuddly pooch seems to be getting more distant with you and even tends not to recognize you at first when you walk in the door, these may be signs that your dog is having the effects of cognitive dysfunction or dementia. Other signs include the following:
– You notice your pet seems lost in familiar places around your home or yard
-He doesn’t respond to your commands or even to his name
-He seems startled when you approach him
-Your pet seems to have trouble sleeping and often paces around the house
-There are frequent accidents around the house, no matter how often he is walked
-Can be hesitant to take treats or seems less hungry, almost as if forgetting to eat
-Seems to stare into space and is startled by noises
-Your pet makes frequent noises, growls or barks for no apparent reason
So what can a loving pet owner do to make the last golden years comfortable? There are drugs available that will help many dogs. These work on the amount of dopamine in your dog’s brain. Apoequorin and Anipryl are two such drugs. They may help your dog to think more clearly and help with their memory. They can enhance your dog’s enjoyment of life. Other things you can do are to keep their environment as consistent as possible. Rearranging a room can create much confusion to your pet, so try to keep things in the order your dog is used to. Older pets should have stable floors to walk on and if you have wood or tile, you might want to invest in runner rugs throughout the areas they tend to walk. Stick to routines like feeding times and walking schedules. Keep your playtimes relaxed and gentle. The best thing that you can do is show your dog that you are patient and loving and that you respect the changes he is going through. Enjoy your senior companion and make the end of life’s journey a happy and comfortable one!
We love to surprise our favorite person with an unexpected gift. Imagine finding a brand new car in your driveway! With children, we think of a special gift of a new pet. Having your child run downstairs on Christmas morning or the first day of Hanukkah to find a cute little kitten or puppy with a red bow under the tree or by the menorah sounds so exciting! But, and there is always a but, there are several ways you can give a child a pet. Putting a live pet under the tree or by the menorah on the 8 days of Hanukkah can have its problems. Many children are too young to know what caring for a pet means. Especially children under 10 years old. It is not a wise idea to get a pet to teach your child responsibility. A child who is not usually responsible may not know what it means to care for a pet. What is a better idea is to have a pet be a reward for demonstrated responsibility.
There are many other things to consider. The cost of having a pet can run as much as $400. a year for a cat and $500. for a dog. They need food, supplies, basic shots and other vet care. Having a pet means a great deal of commitment, considering the love, care and time to play with him. Then there are the inevitable accidents, furniture damage and other requirements to make a home pet-safe. The average cat or dog can live 12 to 15 years or longer. They need the security of committed owners with the ability to accept the bumps along the road.
If you really wish to surprise someone with a new pet, consider this alternative. For adults you can purchase a pet gift certificate from Petfinder.com. This way, the gift recipient can search for more than 350,000 adoptable pets. For children, you might buy a stuffed dog or cat, equipped with supplies like food dishes, leashes, collars and treats. Then you can attach a note saying that the family can go to pick out the pet after the holidays. This way the whole family is involved in choosing the type, size and breed of the animal you’re considering. Explore websites that identify breeds that work best with your family’s personality. Kids will enjoy being part of the process and you can teach them what the responsibilities of owning a pet include.
Finally, keep in mind that animal shelters are great places to go for a new pet. The cost is low and they often have discounts on spaying and neutering. Petfinder.com allows you to search by breed, location, size and more. With this kind of planning, your family can have a wonderful longtime family member that brings joy throughout the years!
We all love to snuggle and hug our pets. But have you ever been taken aback by their breath? Both dogs and cats can suffer from halitosis. There are many causes of bad breath including the following;
-Dry mouth due to medications or lack of saliva
-Dental disease (affects 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over age 2 years)
-Consumption of yucky items such as feces or garbage
-Recent vomiting
-Food lodged in the mouth or teeth
-Metabolic disorders such as kidney disease
-Growths, tumors, or polyps in the mouth
-Diabetes mellitus
-Gastrointestinal disease
-Sinusitis or other respiratory diseases
-eosinophilic granulomas (also known as rodent ulcers) that occur with cats
So what is a pet owner to do to escape from this malodorous breath? If it is mild halitosis, gentle brushing with a soft bristled brush or finger brush with rubber bristles and a made for pets toothpaste will help. People toothpaste has detergents and flouride which is tough on an animal’s system. Most cats and dogs respond well to a poultry flavored pet toothpaste. It is best to start when your pet is young so they get used to it. Dental hygiene wipes are an alternative to brushing. There are also gentle hygiene toys and treats that are like brushing the teeth. Carrots are tasty and helpful in cleaning up a dog’s breath. You can also try switching from a wet to a dry food, though there is no research to prove that dry is better than wet. It is rare that the food itself is causing bad breath, though fishier foods can cause an odor. Natural pet foods that promote gastrointestinal health can help combat halitosis.
With severe halitosis, it is best to see your vet to rule out other factors such as dental or other disease. This is especially true if your pet also seems lethargic, lacking in energy, is drooling, or has bleeding of the gums. For dogs, a professional cleaning every year is recommended beginning at age 2 or 3 years. For cats, a professional cleaning is recommended at 18 months and yearly thereafter. Periodontal disease can result in tooth and gum infections, loss of teeth and may have a negative affect on organ function.
Remember to watch your pet’s oral health as much as you do his bodily health. It has been shown that maintaining your pet’s teeth can extend their life as much as 5 years. So start that daily brushing and hug your pet!
Cats can be bored when kept indoors all day long. Providing them with toys, places to climb, scratch and play are good solutions. Cats need adventure to keep them happy and curb behavior issues such as chewing up your favorite leather purse or belt. Cat condos and tree houses can provide a cat with hours of fun scratching, climbing and resting off of the floor or furniture. Cats feel safer from “predators” at extreme heights and feel they have more control over their “prey” or that catnip mouse on the floor. If you loathe to see your cat on the kitchen counter or top of your refrigerator, then a cat condo or tree house may be very helpful.
Cat condos are multi-leveled and are usually covered in carpet material over plywood. They have places to hide, perch, and when placed by a window, allow them to watch the birds and squirrels outside. They are relatively affordable and come in many shapes and sizes. The act of climbing not only keeps your cat toned but also tires him out in a good and entertaining way. It helps your cat stay lean and his joints flexible. However, some people are not too thrilled with the way carpet covered condos look in their main living space.
Cat tree houses are a good alternative for the person who wants a more natural looking piece of decor. They are made with real trees and have green leaves made of silk that truly resemble a house plant. They simulate the outdoors as well as provide the vertical scratching surface for cats so they can stretch as they claw. They allow your cat to engage in his natural feline instincts. Some have varying perches made of wood and the leaves allow your cat to hide.
Cat condos and tree houses can range from under a hundred dollars to as much as fifteen hundred dollars or more for the realistic tree-like house. The nice thing about these portable play places is that you can change locations in your house if you find that your cat is not using them. Cats love to be up high on a perch and, as mentioned, near a window can be very entertaining as he gazes out onto the world.
Whatever type of condo or tree house you purchase, it is very important to have a secure and solid base. Cats like to leap up and latch onto the carpet or other material so sturdiness is essential to their safety. Bolting to a piece of furniture is another way to keep it from tipping over. Which ever one you choose, know that your cat will be happy and entertained and will save your furniture!
There are many different styles, colors, lengths and materials to choose from. It is important that they be made of durable materials, have a length that allows for good control and keeps your dogs safe.
Leash materials can be made of nylon, chain or leather. Leather is often chosen over nylon because it softens and becomes more flexible with age. It is easy to grip and quite durable. However, some dogs find chewing on it to be more fun than a nylon leash. Nylon is more elastic but not as soft and the collar can cause chafing. Chain leashes are the least desirable because they can injure your dog and aren’t good for training.
Dog leashes that are retractable give control but allow the dog to walk farther away from its owner. Too much leash can be dangerous in terms of other animals, people and cars if it can’t be reeled in fast enough. For puppies, a closer leash is preferable to keep him in control and to protect him.
Whether or not to use a collar attached leash, head halter and leash or a harness and leash depends upon you and your dog’s needs. Head halters look like muzzles but are not. One strap goes around the back of the dog’s head and a separate strap goes around his snout. The leash snaps on below the chin. When the dog walks, this head halter arrangement will pull the dog’s head either down or to the side and keeps the dog from pulling you.
Harnesses go around the dog’s neck in front of the shoulders and behind the front legs. They do not put pressure on the throat like a typical collar and leash. The harness allows you to walk the dog safely without pressure to the trachea. Harnesses must be fitted to your dog. There are those that the dog steps into, ones that go over his head and ones that look like a figure 8. Most are adjustable. The important thing to fit it to is the dog’s girth. Once on, it should look symmetrical. Be sure it doesn’t rub too hard on a puppie’s arms. Check the fit as your puppy grows.
For small breeds like chihuahuas, who have fragile windpipes, it is best to stay away from the collar and leash. Additionally, dogs that pull too much or have any respiratory problems, the harness or head halter is preferable. The most important thing to remember is have your dog fitted well with a harness or head halter. This way he will stay safe, comfortable and secure. Enjoy your walks!
We have all seen the cute advertisements and cartoons that show kittens and cats drinking cow’s milk. But it may not be a good idea. Very young kittens produce the enzyme lactase to help digest the lactose sugar that is present in their mother’s milk. Mothers begin to wean their kittens at about four weeks of age. The ability to produce the lactase enzyme decreases after weaning. Therefore, if a kitten is given cow’s milk, it may not be able to digest the lactose that is present in the milk. Undigested lactose passes through the intestines and draws water with it. Bacteria that is present in the colon can ferment the lactose and produce unwanted fatty acids. This can lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea can be deadly to a kitten as it quickly leads to dehydration.
So what is one to do if an orphaned kitten is found before the age of 8 weeks when it is able to drink water and eat solid food? Many pet stores carry mother’s milk replacement formulas. After 8 weeks, when the kittens eyes are open, able to focus, and it is steady on its feet, it will not need the formula anymore. However, it does not harm the kitten to give him this milk formula as a treat. If you are unable to obtain the milk replacement formula, it is best to give the kitten milk that’s processed to be lactose free.
We often use sayings or idioms in our conversation that need to be translated for those visiting our country. Here is a partial list of fun dog and cat sayings and their meanings
Cat got your tongue- This refers to anyone who is inexplicable silent. It was heard commonly in the 1960s and 1970s.
Raining cats and dogs- This one means it is raining very hard. It may have had it’s origins when cats and dogs fell off thatched roofs when it was raining very hard, but this has not been proven.
Dog and pony show-It is a highly promoted, often over-staged performance designed to sway or convince opinion for political or commercial ends. In the late 19th and 20th centuries, there were traveling circuses that had performing dogs and ponies. These were usually staged in areas not suited for larger more elaborate circus shows.
Let the cat out of the bag- This means to disclose a secret. One possible origin is that at the market place, a piglet would be fraudulently changed for a cat. If you let the cat out of the bag, you disclosed the trick.
Dog days- The very hot days during July and August. In ancient Rome, the hottest days coincided with the appearance of Sirius, the Dog Star. People believed the star contributed to the heat of the day.
Curiosity killed the cat- Inquisitiveness that can lead one into dangerous situations or a way to try to stop someone from asking unwanted questions; (sometimes associated with political debate).
Fight like cats and dogs-This means you are always fighting. It comes from the common thought that dogs and cats were supposed to be enemies.
Let sleeping dogs lie-If something is serving its purpose, don’t change it as it might cause trouble.
The cats pajamas- meaning great or remarkable. It was used in the 1920s when pajamas were somewhat new.
It’s a dog’s life- A life that is without responsibilities. All dogs have to do is eat, sleep, bark, sniff and lick.
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks- Older dogs and people learn less well than younger ones. Those of us over 60 beg to differ!
| Name: | Weezie |
| Nickname(s): | The Boss |
| Gender: | female |
| Characteristics: | One eye, white face, very large pointy ears |
| Personality: | stealthy, determined, quiet, funny |
