Pampering the Pets

Have you ever watched your cat play with a toy? They really get into it. It is so much fun to watch them play that you can spend hours doing it laughing the whole time.

Did you know that buying toys for cats is like buying toys for children? You have to make sure that they are age appropriate? Cats are like children they go through stages and sometimes need age appropriate toys and can get bored very easily. Some suggestions for toys include the cat towers, stuffed mice, small amounts of catnip, stuffed animals, ribbons, and plastic balls.

From an early age, kittens learn to pick up things in their mouths. It is an instinct, just like using their claws. When a cat plays, they like to grab and bit their toys. Let us look at the toys listed above. A cat tower is a great way to teach you cat where it is appropriate to climb. It will keep them off the blinds or curtains while giving them hours of fun. There are many styles of cat towers from the two story towers to the ones rising to the ceiling. The more levels they have the more fun and enjoyment they will receive out of a cat tower. A cat will use the tower for play as well as sleep.

They like to bat at ropes and other items dangling off the tower as well as going through little tunnels up to the next level. If you have two cats you will have fun watching them give chase to the top often trying to knock the other off. A cat tower can be practical because they will scratch at it rather than your couch.

Stuffed mice are also important to any kitty’s playtime. Not all mice are the same; most cats prefer the small leather mice with the multi colored fur and long tails. These mice come in twelve packs or three packs, and believe me if they are anything like my kitty they will tear them apart. Cloth mice are typically second during playtime. If you find your kitty to be uninterested in mice you might want to check the type of mouse you have bought them.

Catnip toys are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to be more rowdy, which can be a plus because they wear down faster. Catnip before bedtime is a great way to get your cat to sleep for quite a while and leave you to slumber. Catnip should be given out sparingly. You do not want to give your cat catnip everyday because it can have adverse affects to their behavior. They can start to depend on it and have mood swings.

A stuffed animal is also a favorite toy when a cat is ready to play and loves to have stuffed animals in their toy basket. There is nothing more amusing than watching a kitty bring a stuffed animal bigger than they are and proceed to toss it in the air and pounce. A stuffed toy will always make a good gift for a cat.

Cats like the feel of certain things in their mouths that is why they chew on paper, plastic and even your blankets. The feel of the material in their mouths allows them to clean their teeth or when they are teething help reduce the pain. The stuffed animal can work in much the same way and keep them away from other more harmful items.

You do not have to go to great expense to entertain your cat, however when you spend a little on toys you keep your kitty from getting bored. You may even decide to hide a few toys and reintroduce them after a few months to keep from purchasing new ones all the time. Just make sure it is not the favorite toy of your pet or they may find other ways to entertain themselves that you do not find amusing. Holidays are a great time to introduce a few new toys for your kitty.

Just to let you know that Amazon now has a 35% sale on Pet Items for all your pet friends so get ready for winter

Just call me the crazy cat lady! My husband does. It is true because I have never been able to get enough of cats. When I go to the market to buy cat food, the clerk always asks me “How many cats do you have?” I really only have 3 but I feed a few others. They have chosen my restaurant over their owners.

Cat and lovebird friend

Feeding your pet will depend a great deal on the age of the animal. Older cats require two small meals or one large meal for the day. Kittens on the other hand, require several feedings a day until they get around the age of 12 weeks. Cats that are between three and six months of age need to be fed three times a day. Canned food can be fed to cats, although any food that has been left out longer than 30 minutes need to be disposed of. I find that feeding them a can twice a day is very satisfying to them. They love the gravy and eventhough they are willing to share the meat, they will race to see who gets the gravy. The big boys do not mind sharing a can, but I have to feed the girl her very own can. Cats have a pecking order and she gets pushed out.

Canned food can get expensive fast, and you should always keep in mind that some may need to be thrown away when you buy it. Sometimes I end up throwing out what the girl cat doesn’t eat because the boys are full by then. Cats love canned food, although it doesn’t have any benefits to their dental health like dry food does. The canned food seems to satisfy them more and the dry food is more like a snack.

As an alternative plan, you can always leave a supply of dry food out for your pet. When you give your cat dry food, you should always make sure that he has enough water. Dry food costs less than canned food, and it can also help to prevent the buildup of tartar on your cat’s teeth. When you buy dry food, you should always look in terms of health and benefits, and read the label carefully and choose very nutritional food. Even though some generic food may be cheaper, it may not offer the nutrients your pet needs so it is better to pay a little more for a more nutritional one.

If you own a kitten, you should only give you kitten food designed for him. You’ll also need to clean and refill his water dish every day. Even though kittens and adult cats like cow’s milk, you should avoid giving it to them as it can cause diarrhea. Treats are fine on occasion, although too many of them can cause your pet to get fat. Feeding your kitten human food is good on occasion, although you may have to mix it in with his cat food.

Don’t forget to give your cats lots of love daily. They can have too much food, but they never can get too much love.

Ever since President Obama told the nation that he was going to get his daughters a dog, everyone waited to hear about their choice. It had to be a breed that was known to be hypoallergenic because one of the girls was allergic. The Portuguese Water Dog won and Bo joined the Obama Family.

Obama's Bo

This breed is considered a hypoallergenic dog. While this breed is not as common as other breeds, if you want to dog that is hypoallergenic, lively, and enjoys companionship, then this breed may be the one for you. The Portuguese Water Dog is not as common a breed as other breeds of hypoallergenic dog. You will have to search for a breeder online, in the newspaper, or by calling breeders in your area until you find one.

Generally happy dogs, the PWD needs to stay busy or it will get bored. You should have plenty of toys for it to play with and you may want to consider crate training when you are not at home. This means that the dog will stay in a crate when you go out so it does not destroy your home. When the PWD gets bored or lonely, it will chew on anything it finds.

Crate training should begin right after you bring the dog home. By placing a blanket, toys and water into the crate, you will make the dog comfortable while you are away. You should not use the crate when punishing the dog or it will not want to go in it when you leave for the day. After training the dog, you will have to keep up the routine. This will give the dog structure and will also keep your possessions safe. Keeping the dog in a crate when you are not at home will also reduce allergens.

Portuguese Water Dogs need to be groomed every two months or so. There are two patterns that most groomers follow, the retriever cut and the lion cut. The retriever cut means that the hair is cut evenly on the body. The lion cut leaves that front half of the dog’s body covered with hair, while hair on the hind legs is cut short. You should take the dog to be groomed if you are not comfortable grooming it yourself.

If you are considering buying a PWD, you should be prepared to have a dog that wants to be your constant companion. This is a breed that needs to be walked and entertained throughout the day. If you need to travel on vacation or for work, you should board the dog so it will not be lonely.

Portuguese Water Dogs are easy going and get along with children and most adults. If you are looking for a breed that does not shed and will fit in with your family, then the PWD is the breed for you. While most Portuguese Water Dogs are black, some are white or a mix of both. Their hair is curly or wavy and similar to that of the standard poodle. Portuguese Water Dogs typically live between twelve and fifteen years. You will have a great companion to love as long as he is alive.

Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an important part of responsible pet care.

You’ve seen them - tiny, quick creatures that scurry through your cat’s fur, feasting on her blood, and causing painful itching - so bad that kitty may scratch herself raw in seeking relief. If you have a bad flea infestation in a multiple-cat household, you’ve probably been bitten yourself by these voracious feeders, and you may even have seen them hopping through your carpeting. (Did you know a flea can jump 33 cm. in one leap - over a foot?) I’m here to tell you - cat flea control is not only possible, it’s relatively easy.

The most common flea which feeds off cats, dogs, and humans, is the Ctenocephalides felis. If you observe your cat scratching and aren’t sure if fleas are the cause, use a flea comb on your cat and observe the tiny black dots that emerge on the comb - we commonly call it “flea dirt,” but in reality, it is the excrement the flea leaves. Smash some with a damp paper towel, and it will turn red - that’s the residue from your cat’s blood - and a warning that cat flea control is indicated.

As if the itching and stinging weren’t enough, fleas also transmit other conditions which can even have a more deleterious effect on your cat’s health. In one day, a single flea can bite your cat or dog more than 400 times! Flea bites can cause itching, rash and allergic dermatitis that can lead to hair loss. Fleas can transmit tapeworms to pets, and their bites may even cause anemia in young, old or ill animals.

Fleas are most common in warm, humid areas and can be found year-round in flea-friendly climates such as the Gulf Coast states and Southern California. Their peak season in other parts of the country is generally May through September, although weather conditions may extend that season.

Ticks thrive in a moist, shaded environment and are especially common in heavily wooded regions and areas with a lot of brush and grass. Tick season is worst during warm months, usually late spring through summer in most parts of the U.S. They are found most often in the eastern states, the Upper Midwest, and parts of Texas and the Pacific Northwest. Consequently, these same areas have the highest occurrence of tick-borne illnesses including Lyme disease.

With today’s technology, there is no excuse for living with a flea infestation. You’ll need to use a complete “shotgun” approach with flea control to break the cycle, followed by an ongoing flea prevention program. Flea control is best achieved through a four step process. Good sanitation, pet treatment, premise treatment and follow-up are all critical to good flea control.

Biospot is an excellent product to begin your war against fleas!