Pet First Aid

Pet First Aid

We've shared a lot of posts on our social media about pet first aid and what should be in your pet's first aid kit, but do you know how and when to use those things? We'll start with prevention first and work through some different ailments that can happen to your pet. 

Prevention

Keeping your cat in doors will keep them from getting attacked by neighborhood dogs or other animals. Having your dog well trained and on a leash will prevent them from getting hit by a car. Making sure all your pets are microchipped and collared should they get away from your home can get them back to you safely and have you notified should something happen to them. Make sure you pet proof your home to keep your pets out of household chemicals and keep toxic plants.

Ailments

Toxins/Poisoning: Rodent toxins, cleaning agents, some plants, and antifreeze. There are some people foods that are toxic to pets. This first thing you should do if you find your pet has been exposed to something toxic is read the label. If it says to wash your skin thoroughly with soap and water, then you need to wash your pet thoroughly with soap and water. Same thing if it says to flush the eyes with water for 5 minutes. Then call your vet. If you find your pet has ingested something, call your vet, emergency vet, or you can call the Animal Poison Control Hotline (there is a fee for the consultation) immediately. Make sure you have the package available when you call to use as a reference and let them know the breed, size, sex, age, weight, how long they were exposed to the toxin and what their symptoms are.

Bleeding: There are two types of bleeding, external and internal. External is the kind we can see and usually tend to "freak out" when we see it because we know our pet is hurt. Internal is the kind we can't see, think more along the lines of a ruptured organ. This is usually more dangerous than the bleeding we can see. When your pet has external bleeding, apply some clean gauze pads over it and apply pressure for several minutes, same as you would for yourself. You can even take a gauze wrap and wrap it around the pad to hold it in place. If bleeding is severe, apply the bandage and head to the vet immediately. For internal bleeding you need to look for blood coming from the mouth, nose, rectum, blood in the urine, pale gums, coughing up blood, your pet may collapse, or have a weak pulse. If your pet has any of these symptoms, keep them calm, quiet, and warm and take them to the vet immediately. 

Fractures: These almost go hand in hand with external bleeding. If the fracture is an open fracture, there are now two wounds to take care of: the fracture and the bleeding wound. Don't try to set the fractures yourself. If your don't know what you're doing, you risk putting your pet in more pain and you can cause more harm to your pet. The best thing to do is to use something as a stretcher and wrap your pet in a blanket, cover any bleeding wounds, and transport them to the vet. 

Burns: There are different types of burns you need to know about. The obvious is a burn from something hot or a fire, but there are also chemical burns which can be caused from getting into those toxins. For burns from fire, apply ice water compress over the area to stop the burn. For chemical burns, flush the area with large amounts of water. 

Seizures: Do not try to hold your pet still. Move objects away from your pet so your pet doesn't get injured. After the seizure has stopped, usually a couple of minutes, keep your pet calm and quiet and call your vet. 

Choking and not breathing: Please be careful when dealing with a choking pet. When an animal is choking, it is more likely to bite because it is panicking, and this includes your little Fluffy and Snowball. If your pet is still able to breathe, get them to the vet immediately. If your pet has collapsed, place your hands on both sides of the rib cage (if your pet is small enough) or lay them on their side and strike the rib cage with your palm firmly until the object has come out or you've reached the vet's office. If your pet stops breathing and is not choking, it's best to take a pet CPR class, but you want to close their mouth and breathe into their nose until their chest expands. Keep giving rescue breaths every 4 seconds on the way to the vet. For no heartbeat, we advise you take a pet CPR class. 

Heatstroke: Move your pet to shaded or cool area. Submerge your pet in cool - cold water either by dumping water on your pet or using a hose. You can even take your pet inside to the bathtub. Place a cold wet towel around your pet and transport them to the vet.

Fun at the Dog Park

Prepare for the Park

Have you been thinking about taking your pup to the dog park? Do you know what to do when you take your dog to the park? What about before you take them to the park? There's things you need to do to prepare before taking your pup to the dog park. There can be hazards at the dog park and it can be a scary experience for owner and dog alike. Knowing how your dog responds to certain stimuli, like other dogs running around and jumping, can make the introduction to the dog park easier and smoother. Brushing up on your dog's body language can also let you know when your pooch is stressed and not having a good time. So how do you prepare for the dog park? First, make sure your dog listens to you and comes when called. If it's your first time going to the park, take your dog during "off hours" when it's not busy or no one else is there. This will help get your pup used to the idea of the park. If there are other dogs there when you go, watch their body language. If they seem to be showing aggressive body language or you have a gut feeling about a dog, leave and bring your dog back later. Most importantly, make sure your dog is up to date on all their vaccinations before going to the park. After you've gotten your dog used to the idea of the park, bring them when there's a few dogs there to introduce him to. Try going through a side gate that isn't busy so he doesn't feel intimidated by all the other dogs around him. Walk your dog around the park so he doesn't feel like he's stuck in one spot and introduce him to other dogs of his size and temperament. 

How to Spot Issues

If your dog starts showing signs of anxiety then it may be time to leave or go to another part of the dog park. If you can't tell if your dog is having fun, try removing him from the situation and see how he responds. If he pushes up against you and tries to avoid the other dogs, then he may be ready to leave. If he pulls against you and tries to stay with the other dogs, then he's probably having fun and wants to stay. Here's some body language to look for that show anxiety or fear: hiding behind objects or people, urinating submissively, tensing of the body, hunching over with their head down, trying to look small, putting their ear back or flattening them, tucking the tail or wagging it low and fast, and whimpering and whining. Signs of aggression are snarls or raising the top lip, showing their teeth, stiffens their body with tail straight up or back, pinning another dog and standing stiffly over them, staring with a fixed gaze, putting up their hackles, repeatedly putting their muzzle onto another dog's neck, back, or shoulders, and incessantly following or mounting another dog who doesn't want to play.

Do's and Don'ts 

Don't leave your dog unattended. Keep a watchful eye on your dog at all times. Clean up after your pet. Don't let your dog drink out of puddles. There can be harmful parasites lurking in dirty water that you don't even know is there and this can cause all kinds of trouble for your pooch. Bring a bowl with clean water for your pup. Don't let your small dog play in designated large dog areas or large dogs play in designated small dog areas. Don't bring an overly excited dog to the park. Take them for a walk first to burn off some energy. Make sure your dog is treated for fleas and ticks. Watch for signs of heat stroke. Make your pet take plenty of breaks and avoid the park during mid-day when it's hottest out. If your dog starts to pant excessively, cool her down by pouring water on her or spraying her with water and make her drink. If she collapses or starts vomiting, get her to your vet immediately. Most of all, have fun with your pup! 

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cats

25 Cat Facts 

1. Cats and humans have lived together for nearly 10,000 years.

2. Cats sleep on average 13-14 hours a day.

3. Cats can hear high-frequency sounds up to two-octaves higher than humans. 

4. Cats are the most popular pet in the U.S.

5. Cats make about 100 different sounds. 

6. People still don't know how cats purr.

7. A group of cats is called a clowder.

8. A cat's hairball is a bezoar.

9. Cats can run up to 31 mph over short distances.

10. Cats keep their head level when they hunt.

11. When cats walk, their back feet step almost exactly in the same spot where their front feet were. 

12. Cats can see so well at night, they can see at light levels 6 times lower than humans need to see. 

13. On average, cats live 12-15 years.

14. Cats can only climb up and down things one way because all their claws point in the same direction. This makes it impossible for them to climb head first down. They must back down. 

15. Cats brains are more similar to humans. They both have the same regions in their brains responsible for emotions.

16. The earliest ancestor of the domestic cat lived approximately 30 million years ago. 

17. When a family cat died in Ancient Egypt, the family mourned by shaving off their eyebrows and holding elaborate funerals. The cat would be embalmed with a tiny wooden sculpted mask and the mummy placed in the family tomb.

18. Smuggling a cat out of Ancient Egypt was punishable by death.

19. A cat can jump up to 5 times its height in one single jump.

20. Cats usually have about 12 whiskers on each side of their face. 

21. Cats can't move their jaw sideways.

22. Cats don't meow at other cats, only at humans.

23. Cats have 53 loose fitting vertebrae, making them extremely flexible.

24. Cats don't have collarbones. This makes them able to fit through any hole the size of their head.

25. Every cat's nose pad is ridged in a unique pattern. Think of each cat's nose print like that of a human's finger print.

So what is something new you learned? 

Take Your Dog to Work

Take Your Dog to Work Day 

Did you know there was a Take Your Dog to Work Day? Ever since 1999 when the first Take Your Dog to Work Day, or TYDTWD, was held and 300 companies nationwide participated. TYDTWD is an annual event and is always held on the Friday following Father's Day. TYDTWD also accommodates other pets, for those who don't have dogs, and the entire week prior to TYDTWD is the annual Take Your Pet to Work Week. So why have a TYDTWD? It was started by Pet Sitters International in an attempt to show the bond between dogs and their owners as well as promote adoptions. Pet Sitters International felt that if non-pet owners were able to see the bond between pet owners and their pets with their own eyes, then they would be more likely to want a pet of their own to have that type of bond themselves. They were right. Since the first TYDTWD, America's love of pets has skyrocketed and more companies hare allowing people to bring their pets to work. If your company doesn't participate in TYDTWD, you can bring the idea up to higher ups yourself. Chances are there are other people, maybe even the boss man or lady that would love to bring their pet with them for the day. The benefits of having your pet at work can actually make you more productive, lower your blood pressure, reduce stress, and have a calming effect on the office. What boss is going to say no to having a more productive staff? Just keep in mind that some co-workers may have allergies, keep your pet on leash, clean up any accidents, and keep your pet out of any no-go areas like the kitchen. 

After Hours Care Options

 

After Hours Care Options

You love your pets. They're family and you treat them as such. You tell your parents when their grand-dogger tried her first ice cream cone. Your cat isn't your pet, you are your cat's person. He has claimed you and meets you at the door and rubs your face as soon as you sit down. They only get the best from you. The best food, the best treats, the best toys, the best bedding, and the best vet that you spent a month and a half researching before deciding this was THE vet for your furbabies. Now something has happened and your wonderful vet is closed for the weekend. What do you do? If your vet has an emergency number, that's great. You're all set. All you need to do is call the emergency number and do what it tells you to do. But what if your vet doesn't have an emergency number for you to call? Do they have a recommended clinic for emergency situations or after hours? This may have been something you overlooked when you chose your vet and asked him or her all those questions during the first visit. It's okay. It happens. "Oh, my...How did I not think to ask what to do after hours?!" Because, like most pet owners, you don't want to think that accidents or emergencies are going to happen. I mean, we don't even want to think about them happening to ourselves or our human family members, but they do. That's why they're called accidents and emergencies.

Okay, your vet is closed for the weekend or holiday and there is no emergency number. Is there a 24 hour clinic they recommended in your paperwork that you just overlooked? If not, chances are you have Google, Bing, Siri, or something at your fingertips to look for an after hours clinic. With this option, you can see who is closest and sometimes, the price ranges with those little $$ next to the names of the clinic. Just keep in mind that in an emergency, the prices are going to be a little more than what you'd pay going to your regular vet, just as you'd expect to pay more going to the emergency room for yourself than your primary care doctor. Dealing with a pet emergency is not the same as dealing with a human emergency where you can just pick up the phone, dial 911 and an ambulance shows up taking care of everything. You need to know what number to call and where you are going. You are you're pet's ambulance.

What is an Emergency?

You have to ask yourself, is this an emergency or can it wait until Monday when I can call my regular vet? Well, that depends on a few things. If you feel it is an emergency, then it is. If you're not sure, then here's a list for you to go by.

1. Trauma of any kind. This can be from getting hit by car, falling from a few feet, or a dog fight.

2. Seizures. Especially if you're pet has never had a seizure before. 

3. They have extreme bleeding. You can't get the bleeding to stop or slow down. 

4. Having troubles breathing or are choking. 

5. Pale gums or a weak or rapid pulse. 

6. They have become unresponsive, disoriented, or paralyzed. 

7. Vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours. 

8. They have bright red blood or tarry looking stools or vomit.

9. Extremely high or low temperature.

10. Inability to urinate or defecate.

11. They are in extreme pain. 

What to do in an Emergency

First things first, remain calm. You won't do your pet, or yourself, any good if you can't keep yourself calm. You're going to have to answer a lot of questions when you get there, like what happened and when did it happen? Did your pet ingest something? What time did the seizure occur? When did you notice your pet having problems urinating? When is the last time your pet ate or drank anything? How much did they eat/drink? Is that normal for them? What did you try at home to fix the problem before bringing them into the clinic? Is your pet on any medications? Does your pet have any kind of illnesses, like Cushing's disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or something else they should know? Be patient. It's going to take awhile to assess your pet. The team will also do x-rays and lab work as well as anything else they need to do to help your pet. This can all take awhile. Make sure you follow up with your primary vet. Have the emergency clinic send the records to your regular vet if they don't give them to you, and call the following business day to schedule a follow up appointment. Your regular vet needs to know what happened to your pet so they can help with the follow up care and keep your pet healthy. 

Introducing Your New Cat

Introducing Your New Cat 

Cats are temperamental and territorial little critters. It would so much easier if you were able to bring home a new cat and look at your cat and dog and tell them, "This is Snowball and she's your new sister so you have to love her. Snowball, this Fluffy, your new cat sister, and Spike, your new dog brother. Love them. Everyone get along and no fighting." Let's face it, that's not reality and we can't force our pets to like another animal. With that being said, it may make it easier for your current pets to get along with a new cat that has a similar personality as their own. Bringing home a kitten for your geriatric pets to "play" with may not be the best idea as the older pets may not appreciate the younger cat's playfulness. 

How to Introduce a New Cat

There's a lot to take into consideration if you're set on bringing home a new cat. It can be a long process for cats to get acquainted, so if you're prepared to put the work it, continue reading.

1.Be patient. This is important. Cats don't like to share and are territorial. They also don't like change. When a newcomer "invades" your cat's space, he may show his displeasure by hissing, fighting, and marking territory. 

2. Consider the type of cat you have and the cat you're bringing home. If you have a cat that has never been around other animals, she may never want to share her territory. The same is true if you're bringing home a cat that's never had to share their space. This is where you're going to need that patience. It's going to take a lot longer for them to be introduced and get used to one another. 

3. Go slow. A new cat needs to have a place of their own. This means they have an area of the house that is "their territory", so to speak. They need to stay in that room for several days, without your other cat. Leave them with a litter box, toys, food and water bowls, scratching posts, blankets, beds, and whatever else they may need. You also want to leave them with stuff that smells like you and things they can leave their scent on. When you feed your cats, place the food bowls on either side of the closed door so they can get used to one another and start associating the other cat as not a threat. 

4. Have your cats get used to one another's scent as much as possible. For animals, scent is far more important then what the other animal looks like. After they've gotten used to eating "side-by-side" on opposite sides of the door, trade places with them. Let your new cat explore the rest of the house and let your other cat explore the room the new cat has been in. This will let them get used to each other's scents. Then return them back to their respective areas of the house. Only now, instead of closing the door completely, use a couple of door stops to keep the door propped open just enough for the cats to see each other but not get out or into the other rooms. Do this several times a day for several days to a couple of weeks. Once they see one another, they may hiss, paw at each other, or just walk away. Try dangling a toy in front of them to see if they will play together. They may not even realize they're playing together. 

5. After a couple weeks of leaving the door propped open and the cats getting use to one another, you can open the door and let your cats explore for themselves. 

6. Don't forget to spend time with both of your cats during this time period. They both need to have some bonding time with you. 

Don't get discouraged or frustrated should you have to do this process a few times. If your cats get stressed or start fighting, take your new cat back "his room" and start the process over. It may not take as long as the initial introduction, but it will help both cats to calm down. 

Dangers in Your Backyard

Dangers in Your Backyard

By now we all know the dangers the heat can pose on our pets, but there are other dangers in your own backyard you need to be aware of. When someone mentions dangers in your yard, your mind may wander to other dogs, snakes and bees or wasps (have you ever seen what a wasp or bee sting can do to your dog's face?), but there are other dangers you should be aware of. When we talk about the dangers lurking in your yard, please be aware that we're talking about human dangers, animal dangers, toxins and other types of dangers. You need to be aware of these and how prevent or fix them since your pet looks at you to keep them safe just as much as they would do anything to protect you. 

Human Dangers

There are more people in and out of your backyard than you probably realize. Utility companies have to have access to different meters and boxes in your yard. Gas, water, electric, cable, and phone are the most common and they can come into your yard for various reasons. Power lines down in your yard? Electric company needs in there. Neighbor get new cable? Cable guy may need to put that cable across your yard which means he's going to have to come back and bury it later. Then you have the people that come in your yard regularly. The kid that mows your grass every Wednesday, the poolboy, or the gardener. These people are dangers simply because they are in your yard and can leave a gate open. These people are also dangers because your pets don't actually know them; they just know they're there every week. Dognappers are another very real danger. Dognappers are usually looking for purebreds they can sell, dogs they use for breeding, or dogs they can use for fighting or as bait dogs. Lastly, there's the "someone else's" that pose a danger. The "someone else's" are the people in the neighborhood, family, and friends. Neighbors are a danger because they can show up in your yard unexpectedly, like the kids hit a ball into your yard and they've now come to get it. 

Animal Dangers

Dogs are always the first thing to pop into people's minds when they think of other animals getting into their yard. And let's not forget snakes. There's been numerous dogs bitten by snakes either out of curiosity or protecting their humans. But let's think on a much larger scale here. Coyotes are all over the country no matter where you live and they've been known to attack smaller dogs and cats. Then you have the coyotes that have actually started to breed with wolves in certain parts of the country, making them more aggressive, bigger, and attacking more than just those smaller dogs and cats. While we're talking about certain areas of the US, you've got bears and large cats like mountain lions or cougars and jaguars. Deer, opossum, and raccoons can even been dangerous if your curious pet decides to go nosing around and mess with them. A panicked deer that starts kicking and headbutting your dog or rabid raccoon or opossum bite can be horrific for your pet. 

Other Dangers

These are those toxins and the dangers your dog creates for himself. Maybe you have a digger or a jumper. Or a chewer or an acrobat! We've all seen the videos on Facebook and YouTube of the dogs using the swingsets and trashcans to take a running jump onto and then almost fly to the fence and use the fence to propel themselves right over it. Then you have those dogs who can jump just like a deer or gazelle and clear a six foot fence without even thinking about it. Lastly, there's those pups who know that no matter what they try, they are not getting over that fence so they just go right under or threw it. They either dig their way under or just eat the fence until there's a hole big enough to go through. Toxins are another big issue for pets. Dogs like to chew on almost any and everything. Keep all chemicals, yard fertilizers, and bug sprays put away in the garage. Plants can also be toxic to pets. There's a long list of toxic plants to dogs and cats and it's best to just not have them in your yard. 

How to Prevent Dangers

Ways to deter these dangers are to keep an eye on your pets any time they're in your yard. Don't leave them alone in the yard. Walk your fence line and fix any broken areas to your fence to keep unwanted guests out and your pet in. Make sure you don't leave your pet's bowls outside. If you have a grill, clean it after using it and make sure all trashcans are sealed tightly. If you have a garden, pick your fruit and veggies as soon as they are ripe and keep a fence around them. Don't put anything sweet smelling or meat in your compost. Barbed wire or an electric wire run across the top of your fence and chicken wire run up to two feet under ground will help keep animals from going over and under your fence. Another great option is coyote rollers on the top of your fence, for those dogs who like to climb and jump out. You can also post "Beware of Dog"signs to keep people from coming into your yard. This will make them think twice about going int your yard without coming to your door first. 

Are You Ready for a Cat?

Are You Ready For a Cat?

You've been thinking about getting a cat for awhile now and there's only a few more things you've decided to pin down before you actually go get one. But, are you REALLY ready for a cat? If you have this idea in your head of "I just need to clean out a litter pan every so often and feed it and give it fresh water" then the answer is no. Cats can live up to 15 years and some can actually live to be 20 or more, so if you're willing to put in a couple of decades worth of commitment, continue reading. If you're one of those people that just get goo-goo eyed over kittens and that's it, you are not ready for a cat.

 

For those of you that are still with us, let's continue. If you're going for a kitten, be prepared for "around" 15 years of commitment to your new found friend. Feeding, watering, litter changes, play time, cuddles, head boops, and let's not forget the temperamental "I do what I want because I'm cat" side. If you have commitment issues, maybe a kitten isn't the best for you. There's lost of older cats in shelters that need love, too, and would absolutely love spending the last few years of their lives in a loving home instead of a shelter. 

Cats are not low maintenance creatures. "It's not a dog, so I don't have to do near the amount of things with it that I would if it were a dog". Wrong. You need to have plenty of time when you first bring your cat home so the two of you can bond, unless you're going for a cat that is totally aloof and semi-feral in your home, but hey, why are we to judge. Cats take a lot of time to adjust to their surroundings and to socialize with you (and your other pets, if that's the case). You also need to spend time with your cat every day after that initial adjustment period just giving him attention, playtime, and affection. 

Cats are not dogs, so if you want a cat that acts like a dog, just get a dog. Cats do lots of odd things to show their affection to their human, but running to the door and allowing you to pet them for hours at a time are not it. If this is what you're looking for, a cat may not be it.

Cats for People with Allergies

Cat Allergies 

Are you allergic to cats? Do you know that your allergy is actually from the dander (we talked about this in our blog on 5/18) and saliva. And get this, it can also be from proteins in the cat's urine. There's no cure for allergies to cats, but over time to can build up a tolerance to the allergens of your cat. 

Cats For People with Allergies

While anyone can build up a tolerance to any type of cat over time, there are some cat breeds that are better for allergies and easier to build a tolerance to. These breeds are better because they have less dander, shed less, and don't need to be groomed as often. The Russian Blue, Siberian, and Balinese produce less of the protein that allergy sufferers tend to be allergic to.

1. Sphynx

2. Siberian

3. Russian Blue

4. Devon Rex

5. Cornish Rex

6. Oriental

7. Balinese 

Reasons to Hug Your Pet

Hugging Your Pet

Before you run home and grab your pet up into a huge bear hug, you should know that not all pets like to be hugged. Hugging is more of a human thing, although there are pets that will climb into their human's lap and wrap their front legs around them into a full on pet hug. So, if your pet likes to give hug, go on and wrap them in a full hug. If not, maybe more of a side hug will suffice. 

Why You Should Hug Your Pet

1. Hug to bond with them. 

2. Emotional healing for both you and your pet.
3. It's good for your pet's health.
4. Better sleep.
5. Healing purposes.
6. Increased social interactions of your pet.
7. It's comforting 

Dogs in Pools

Dogs in the Pool

If you have a dog and a pool, chances are you've already had him in the pool. If not, maybe you've considered it. There's nothing wrong with letting your pooch in your pool, but there are some things you need to know to keep him safe in and around the pool.

Pool Safety for Dogs

Make sure your dog knows how to swim. Seems like a no brainer, right? Well, there are dogs that don't actually know how to swim, so you may need to teach him. Make sure your pooch knows where the exit is. It may seem funny watching him swim in circles trying to find the way out, but he's going to get exhausted and exhausted dogs can drown. Make sure you're showing him where the steps are and keep leading him back to them from various points in the pool so he gets familiar with where they are no matter where he is. This will also help him avoid panicking in case he accidentally falls in the pool. Make sure your dog is comfortable. If he takes off and seems good to go on the first introduction to the pool, then you're all set. If he seems like he isn't sure of himself and the pool, try again another time. You may have to try a few times to get your pooch over his fear of the pool. Always supervise your dog when he's in or around the pool. Accidents happen and it's better to have a watchful eye in case of an emergency situation. 

Pet Appreciation Week

Pet Appreciation Week

Did you know the first week of June is pet appreciation week? No? Well, now you do! And now you need some ways to show them you appreciate them! Your pet shows you they appreciate you every day with unconditional love and patiently waiting for your return from work and running errands all day. Let's face it, nothing says "I love you and missed you soooo much" like those wet puppy kisses and hugs, dances and barks at the door, and the cat's meows with them skirting in and out of your feet as you walk from one room to the other. 

Ways to Appreciate Your Dog

1. Play with them. This is the easiest way to show your dog you love them. Grab a rope and play tug-o-war, fetch, or just wrestle around on the floor with them. 

2. Take them on day trips to the dog park. Or for a walk. Grabbing the leash and saying "let's go!" may be enough to excite them, so imagine how excited they'll be when you actually get to the park or you're on that walk!

3. Greet them when you get home! Remember when I said above about how excited they get when you get home? Greet them with that same enthusiasm.

4. Good behavior demands a reward. This lets your dog know you appreciate them being a "good boy".

5. Cuddles! 

6. Food and treats. You'd be surprised at how easy it is to please your pooch with some peanut butter treats. 

7. Make sure you're taking her to the vet for her annual or bi-annual checkups. 

Ways to Appreciate Your Cat

1. Just like dogs, cats need play time, too. Those little sticks with the strings and feathers on them? Kitties love them! Even just a long piece of yarn will make your cat happy. All you gotta do is drag it in front of them. Oh, and laser pointers! 

2. Groom her. Cats show each other affection by grooming each other. Your cat may even groom you. Find a pet brush and start with short grooming sessions until she gets used to it. After awhile your cat will be loving the time you spend grooming her. 

3. Show your cat affection when they show you affection. Cats can be temperamental and sometimes it's hard to tell when they're showing you affection. When they "mark" you as their "territory", they're loving you and want the same in return. Consider it the same as getting a kitty kiss. 

4. Back to cats being temperamental. You need to take the time to figure out what they like and don't like. Unlike dogs, who (almost) all enjoy a good belly scratch and ear rub, every single cat is completely different than the last. If one of your cats like to have his ears rubbed a certain way, then do it every time and let him know you love him. But if your other cat doesn't like it, give her those back scratches she loves.

5. Treats. Same as those pups, give your kitty a treat to reward him for good behavior. 

6. Lastly, make sure to get them to the vet for those check ups. 

Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Cat

Adopt a Cat Month

Since June is adopt a cat month or adopt a shelter cat month, whichever you'd like to go with, we thought we'd make a blog about why you should adopt a shelter cat. How about we start with around 2.7 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the U.S because there are too many pets coming into shelters and not enough people considering adoption as an option for a pet. 

Reasons to Adopt Shelter Cats

1. You'll be saving more than just one life. When you adopt a shelter cat, you save that cat's life as well as open up space for another cat.

2. You'll be getting an awesome pet. Most pets in shelters are there to no fault of their own, but because of a family not able to keep it because of a move or divorce.

3. You'll get a pet that's already spayed/neutered, vaccinated, and possibly microchipped all included in the price of the adoption. 

4. The shelter probably has every color of cat imaginable so you can pick whichever kitty tickles your fancy!

5. Adopting a shelter cat can be good for your health. Unconditional love, emotional boosts, less stress, and a sense of pride by saving a shelter kitty.

6. Bragging rights. You just saved a cat. And that kitty saved you.