Pet Goddess

YOUR SHOPPING LIST OF CAT ESSENTIALS

NAME TAG AND COLLAR

Many breeders and rescue groups advocate keeping cats indoors at all times, safe from the dangers of cars, poisons and wild animals. Studies show that outdoor cats tend to live shorter lives than indoor ones.

If you are living in a house, rather than an apartment, it may be difficult to contain them in the house forever.

If you do allow your cat outdoors, fit her with a name tag and breakaway collar (it pulls apart when tugged hard to enable her to escape should she get caught on something).

We recommend getting these items from your local pet store before bringing home your new cat or kitten. That way if Puss does give you the slip, you won’t be hard-broken.

A lot of pets are now microchipped, especially if they have come from pet adoption centers or shelters, to try to keep track of the animal in case it is lost, and to foster responsible pet ownership—making sure that the pet is not being allowed to wander at will and not be cared for properly.

But the microchip can only be read at a vet’s office. The tags can be read by any human the cat approaches on the street.

Rule of the road with cats. If you see one and it meows at you, check it out to make sure it is a local cat with a home, rather than a stray. They will ask for help from you if they need it. They are people oriented, and rely on us for food and water.

All our male cats were strays without collars or tags.  One was outside a fire station matted with ringworm, one was in a pumpkin patch—it had been dumped on the highway and wandered to look for help. One was owned by an elderly lady who died, and the family threw the cats out on the street in a snowstorm. One followed the dog home, one followed me home from the bank, and the last was a kitten in my brother’s back yard.

So if you do have an outdoor cat, make sure you tag it if you ever want to see it again.  Also, make sure it is spayed or neutered, to keep down the unwanted pet population.

Posted September 21, 2008 Comments(0)

YOUR SHOPPING LIST OF CAT ESSENTIALS

FEEDING DISH AND WATER BOWL

Choose a feeding dish and water bowl that is easy to clean. Plastic or aluminum are good choices. If you already have a cat or dog, your new pet can share the water bowl, but not the feeding dish.

Whatever kind of bowl you use, both you and your pet will be happier if it’s designed not to tip over. Some cats like to place a paw on the rim of the feeding dish while eating, so a nontip design is important.

A skid proof rubber edged one is also ideal.  There are insulated bowls to keep the water cool all day, good in hot climates. Ceramic bowls will do the same, except they have the potential to chip or break.

Posted September 19, 2008 Comments(0)

Your children: Depending on your child’s age, you will want to get your child involved right away in the care and feeding of the cat.  But they will mainly be interested in play.  They’ll wonder why they can’t have fun with the new kitten or cat right away.

Explain that you expect to have your new cat not just for a day or two, but for many years, and that you want it to be healthy and happy. Tell them that there will be plenty of time to play after it becomes accustomed to its new home.

Teach them that the litter box and the bed are off limits, so that the cat has some peace and quiet.  Otherwise, it will just hide all the time.

Posted September 17, 2008 Comments(0)

Other pets:  If you have other pets, introduce them slowly. You might want to start out with the new arrival in one room, and them getting to know each other through the door, where they can smell and hear one another.

Your old cat may be instantly jealous, and might arch her back and hiss, howl, or act with disdain and hide. This behavior may last a few hours to a couple of days.

Your dog may growl or bark, or look really put out by the whole idea of a new arrival. On the other hand, they might be delighted with a new companion, and be very curious and eager. Perhaps too eager!

Do remember with a cat that it can jump up off the floor out of the way of a dog in most cases, so even if Fido gets too excited, the cat will be able to moderate the amount of contact time it spends with the other pets in your house.

If your dog is at all aggressive or high strung, definitely try to keep him separated from the newcomer for the first few days until it gets used to the presence of the cat. Certain breeds, mainly terriers, are prone to chase or hunt ‘vermin’ and so movement may set it off.

Posted September 15, 2008 Comments(0)

MEETING OTHER HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS

Once you and your kitten arrive home, expect an adjustment period of several days or—if you have another cat, a dog or children—a couple of weeks.

The moment you arrive, show your kitten to the litter box. Litter boxes are comforting to cats and, of course, your kitten will need to know where to find it when it has to go.

Make sure the litter box is in neutral territory, away from the feeding dishes and sleeping quarters of other pets, in a quiet place without too much traffic.

Your new pet will probably be a bit nervous or skittish.  Allow your new kitten or cat a little space while she introduces herself to other household members. Don’t overwhelm it and constantly be picking it up or pursuing it around the house.

Posted September 13, 2008 Comments(0)

Remember how happy it made you when you were a child, and you got home to find all of your favorite things things waiting just for you?

Your snug little bed, lovely toys to play with, and a kitchen full of yummy foods and treats?

Before you get your new kitten or cat, you will want to get everything ready so you can make your new friend feel just as welcome and at home.

That’s why you should try to bring your new cat home when you have several days to stay at home. This will give you and your new friend some time to get accustomed to one another, making your new family member feel welcome and secure.

This series will talk about bringing your new kitten or cat home, the dos and don’ts of cat care, and how to make sure your new cat feels welcome, safe, and stays healthy and happy.

Posted September 11, 2008 Comments(0)

Congratulations! Your new kitten or cat will be a fun addition to the family, and is a relatively low maintenance pet.

But toilet training your new pet, and getting it used to its new home, is a must.

You’ll want to make sure there is no nonsense when it comes to her litter box and adapting to you and your family’s routine.

When bringing kitty home for the first time, welcome her in ways that will make her feel comfortable. Consider these easy tips to keep her happy in her new home, and you’ll have an easier time with her care.

How to succeed with toilet training your new arrival

* Keep her in one room initially (with litter, food and water) before letting her roam the whole house.

* Create an easy bed by putting together some old clothing and a pet bed in a quiet location. They cat will start getting used to your scent from the clothes.

* Litter supplies are a must if you want a well trained cat. You will need a roomy litter pan they can turn around in easily, filled with about 3 to four inches of fresh litter, preferably unscented. Do not use clumping litter with kittens. They can eat it and get an intestinal blockage. You will also want a rug or tray for when they step outside the box, and a scooper, and a handy trash can with a plastic bag and spare bags close by.

* Some cats prefer a hooded litter box and others like a more open pan. Feel free to experiment with your cat. Be careful with the automatic scooper litter pans, as they can be scary, especially for your kittens, or seen as an object to be played with.

* Keep the litter box in a place that’s convenient, yet out of the way of your family’s line of traffic and quiet for kitty. Do not let other cats near kitty for the first few days.

* If it is a very young kitten, get an old sweatshirt and a hot water bottle and a clock that ticks. It will be warm, snuggly, and not feel so lonely without its mommy and litter mates.

Posted September 7, 2008 Comments(0)

Frontline Plus Frontline & Frontline Plus
Frontline and Frontline Plus are well-known, highly effective flea and tick preventives with a high margin of safety. Frontline kills ticks (carriers of Lyme disease) and adult fleas for a full month. Frontline Plus provides even more complete protection, since it also contains an insect growth regulator (IGR), which prevents flea eggs and larvae from developing. Both Frontline and Frontline Plus provide water-proof protection, making them the perfect choice for dogs that swim or are bathed frequently.

Program for DogsProgram
Unlike the other monthly products mentioned here, Program is an oral pill rather than a topical solution. Program is designed to prevent flea eggs and larvae from developing so it is often used with a product like Frontline, which eliminates adult fleas. Program, by itself, will NOT kill adult fleas.

Capstar
Capstar is another oral flea product which is fast acting. It can kill adult fleas on your dog in 30 minutes. Available in tablet form, one dose lasts for only 24 hours and is especially useful in situations where pets are more likely to be exposed to fleas, such as in dog parks or at shows. It may also be used prior to surgery, boarding, or grooming, or in any situation where you fear sudden infestation.

When to START and END flea prevention

The time to start your flea prevention program depends on where you live. In the Midwest and Northern states of the USA, we recommend starting your pet on a prevention program in early March and stopping after the first hard frost.
In warmer climates, such as in the South, you really need to use flea prevention year round. Talk to your veterinarian if you’re not sure if you should use flea prevention throughout the year. Many people sat Indian Summer (starting around September) is their peak time.

Products such as flea and tick collars, shampoos, and sprays can be used with oral or topical solutions to ensure your pet, your home, and your yard remain flea and tick free. In areas where tick infestation is heavy, for instance, the Preventic Tick Collar can be used to protect your pet from transmission of tick-borne illnesses and flea infestations.

Environmental products such as the bioSpot Home Protection Kit can be used to eliminate fleas and ticks indoors. Other products, like lawn sprays, can be used to eliminate fleas outdoors where they live.

Before using more than one flea and tick product on your pet, speak with your veterinarian about the best treatments to help keep your pet healthy and flea free for the summer.

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Posted May 12, 2008 Comments(0)

Now that the weather is improving throughout the country, it is likely that you and your pet will be spending more time outdoors.

That being the case, now is the time to think about flea and tick protection.

Heartworm protection should do without saying in this day and age. Heartguard is so easy to administer, as a beefy tasting chew, and so inexpensive now, there is really no reason to not just give it to your dog all year round, to protect it from this horrific disease.

For your flea and tick protection options, monthly topical protection you can apply directly on the pet’s body is the most popular choice, with oral protection second.

They are both convenient and effective, and also safe providing that you make sure you  follow the instructions for appropriate use.

bioSpot SPOT ON® for Dogs provides your dog with complete flea, tick, and mosquito protection for a full month. It is a tick preventive that offers complete protection against all stages of the flea life cycle. In addition, bioSpot SPOT ON® for Dogs effectively kills and repels ticks (carriers of Lyme disease), and also repels mosquitoes (potential carriers of Heartworm and West Nile Virus). It tends to be the least expensive of all the products mentioned here.

K9 Advantix for Dogs is relatively new  and combines two effective ingredients for total once-a-month topical protection from fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. In addition to killing flea larvae, K9 Advantix kills adult fleas before they can lay eggs, and stops them from biting within 5 minutes of application.
K9 Advantix is also effective on ticks – repelling and killing up to 98.5% of them before they can attach. Mosquitoes are also no match for K9 Advantix; it repels and kills them before they can bite. This topical treatment, available for various sizes of dogs, is also excellent for dogs who love to swim, and those who require frequent bathing. It resists water and can be effective up to six weeks. K9 Advantix is designed for dogs only, and SHOULD NEVER BE USED ON CATS. It is also recommended that if you live in a multipet household, you never use it.

Advantage for Dogs is an excellent product to use for flea control alone. While it is not designed to kill ticks, Advantage kills adult fleas rapidly and also kills flea larvae in only 20 minutes, preventing them from developing and reproducing. Because Advantage is water-resistant, this is another good product for dogs who love the water.

Posted May 11, 2008 Comments(1)

 I saw this useful article today over at petplace

Dog Breeds not good with cats

In increasingly multipet households, this is a real concern.

I have had many different breeds, and they have all got along well with cats, but generally speaking, any breed born to chase, such as greyhounds, or weed out vermin, which they detect by movement, such as terriers, need to be trained from a young age.

Most of the time the cat will have the common sense to jump up high to safety if it is feeling threatened, but the jaws and teeth of some dogs are designed to puncture or even crush, so if you are thinking of getting a dog, know the breed first. You also might consider adopting from PetFinder because they will often be able to tell you if the dog is good with other animals, and with children, another consideration in terms of chasing and movement which you would need to think about before bringing a dog into your home.

Posted May 10, 2008 Comments(0)