Image by Flensshot from Pixabay Image by congerdesign from Pixabay Does your cat not play and just want to lounge? For indoor cats, playing is a way of hunting. If the toy is not right or stimulating or has been “killed” many times it may just be your cat is bored with the toy. Here are some tips to get your cat, even the most sedentary one, active. Pick the type of toy your cat likes. If your cat likes to hunt things that scurries, hides behind things, wiggles and moves erratically along the floor, then provide toys that mimic that behavior. f your cat is food motivated, you can hide kibble or other treats in toys for them to figure out how to get the food out. If your cat has played with a toy many times it is best to put it away for a few weeks and bring it back out later. This prevents toy boredom. When playing with your cat avoid making the toy disappear too soon. Cats often like to watch their prey before pouncing. If you remove the toy too early in the play session the cat may get disappointed and learn to not trust that you will keep the play going until the pounce and playtime is complete. In the wild, prey will try to escape, hide, change directions, and move away from the predator. Prey do not move toward the predator so don’t touch the toy to your cat. While playing with your cat, use towels, blankets, furniture to hide the toy and then make it wriggle back out. This will catch your cat’s attention. End your play session with a treat to mimic real hunting. At the end of a successful hunting a cat would get to eat. So ending the session with a treat signals to the cat the playtime is over and leaves the cat satisfied. There are many types of toys on the market, but you can also make your own. Just do a quick internet search and you will find a plethora of diy toys to make. A mixture of purchased and homemade toys will keep you cat happy and playful. I Your dog also has play preferences. For dogs, you can turn every meal into an interactive way to satisfy your dogs curiosity. Using a muffin tin, place the food or treats in each compartment. Then cover each one with a ball or toy. The dog will have to move the ball or toy away to get to the food. You can purchase or make your own snuffle mat. You place the food throughout the mat and then your dog can sniff and root around in the mat to find the food. If your dog is high energy, you can make agility courses inside your home or in the yard. Flirt poles are also a great way to exercise your dog. You can find ideas online for indoor and outside agility/obstacle courses and flirt poles. Sniffingis a dog’s way of learning about his environment and all who are in it. While on a walk, in the yard, or stuck inside on a cold winter’s day, your dog can get mental stimulation through sniffing. On a walk, let your dog sniff the daily news from other dogs and creatures. In the yard or in your home you can play hide and seek with treats. Your cat or dog will appreciate you for taking the time to learn their favorite ways to play and for providing enrichment to lives. As someone who scoops many litter pans a day (my own and clients’) I have used just about every type available. When considering the type of litter you buy, make sure that your cat likes the kind you think they will like. Some cats like small grain sizes and won’t use the larger particle sized litter. Some cats do not mind the large particles. It is ok to to have different litter in different litter pans until you see which your cat prefers. Then you can stick to that type.
This is not a comparison of brands, but a comparison of types of litter. When buying litter for the first time or when considering a change, some factors to consider are the type of material the litter is made of, odor control capability, clumping ability, dust level, tracking level, how often it needs to be scooped and replaced. The basic types of litter are made from clay, newspapers, corn, wheat, grass, wood, walnuts, ceramic pellets, and silica crystals. Each has its own pros and cons. The most commonly used litter is made from clay. Clay litter comes in clumping and non-clumping. It is suggested that clumping litter should be scooped daily and replaced monthly. For non-clumping litter, some people scoop out the solid daily and completely dispose of the litter weekly. Both clumping and non-clumping come in scented and non-scented. Clay litter varies on amount of dust it produces when pouring into the litter box, while scooping, and while the cat is using the litter box. I have found that all clay litter produce dust, even the “Dust Free” kind. One large particle size litter is made from newspaper. It does not clump so the entire litter needs replaced more often than clay litter. Some people scoop out the solid waste daily, some change out the entire litter once or twice a week. It does produce a dust when pouring, but not as much as clay litter. Odor control is minimal. Since the particles are fairly large, they don’t track but while scraping to cover waste, a cat may throw some pieces out of the litter box. Another large particle size is made from corn. This type disintegrates when wet so is best used in a sifting type litter box where the small particles fall through holes in the litter box and can be cleaned from the lower box. Biodegradable litters are made from renewable resources. Some types are better at odor control than others. Some have their own odor due to what plant they are made of. The ones made from walnuts are the strongest odor, in my opinion. Some are better at clumping and staying clumped, with some, the clumps tend to disintegrate while scooping. The strongest clumping one that holds the clump the best is made from grass, in my experience. One large particle size litter is made from ceramic pellets. It is suggested that the solid waste be scooped out daily and then replaced monthly. With this type, there is a small pee pad that fits in a drawer below the litter compartment and can be changed as necessary. Odor control is minimal. A small particle litter that is made from silica crystals can help identify urinary system issues by changing colors when in contact with urine. There is a color-coded system that shows you what may be going on with your cat’s kidney health. This kind is easily tracked out of the litter box. Regardless of the type of litter, one thing to consider is if you have kittens, cats, or dogs who may try to eat litter. Clay litter will cause gastrointestinal issues such as blockages. Eating non-food items is called pica and should be addressed by your veterinarian for the cause. If you have an animal that likes to eat the litter switch to a biodegradable, non-clay litter. Scented litters are for the humans in a cat’s life, not the cat. The scents do not neutralize the ammonia odor from the urine but merely overpower the odor. A cat’s sense of smell is greater than humans and scented litter can cause nose blindness, sneezing, weepy eyes, and upper respiratory infections. While using the litter box, a cat scrapes to cover their waste. The scent particles in the litter then become airborne and inhaled and can stick to their fur. When the cat grooms itself, they then ingest the scent particles. If odor is an issue for you, scoop the litter more often, change litter more often, and sanitized the litter box regularly; use the correct amount of litter; or use a sprinkling of plain baking soda (not the perfume baking soda for litter boxes though). When selecting cat litter, keep in mind your cat and get the type your cat likes. You may have to try different types but your cat will tell you which is preferred. With so many brands and types to pick from, your cat will appreciate having the right type for him or her. Picture obtained from https://post.bark.co/health/clean-dog-bowl/ Have you noticed a pink film in your pet’s bowl or is the water cloudy? That is caused by a bacteria called Serratia marcescens. It is an airborne bacteria that can be found in human and animal feces, dust, soil, anywhere moisture sits, and in surface water. Serratia marcescens grows in moist areas where phosphorous containing materials or fatty substances accumulate. The sources of the phosphorous is soap residue and food residue left behind after a pet eats and then drinks water. How do you get rid of it? Once established, it is hard to get rid of the bacteria, but frequent cleaning and disinfecting will help to minimize its growth. To clean a pet’s water bowl: Scrub the surface with a brush and household cleaner. Disinfect the bowl with a chlorine bleach solution and leave on the surface of the bowl for 10-20 minutes. Thoroughly rinse the bowl with clean water. Avoid using abrasive cleaners as they can scratch soft surfaces like plastic bowls which would provide more surface area for the bacteria to grow. Information on Serratia marcescens was obtained from: Gwinnett County Government and Ecowater Systems Bat Country Pet Sitting produced more information on bacterial films and can be read at https://www.batcopetsitting.com/biofilm-bacteria-pet-dishes/ Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs
Spring, summer, and fall are good seasons for yard mushrooms to grow. Most mushroom poisonings occur in September and October, but can happen any time of the year. Any ingestion of mushrooms by dogs should be considered a medical emergency. Of the 10,000+ mushroom species in the US., about 100 are toxic to dogs. The most fatal mushroom species are Amanita. Galerina, and Lepiota. Mushroom toxicity depends on the type of mushroom. Mushroom poisoning can cause drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness lethargy, abnormal heartbeat, difficulty breathing, stumbling, uncoordinated movements, disorientation, increased drinking and urination, yellow discoloration of eyes and gums, tremors or seizures and can lead to kidney and/or liver failure. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has an interesting article on mushroom poisoning and dogs at https://www.aspcapro.org/resource/mushroom-poisoning-dogs There is no antidote for mushroom poisoning to date. Treatment may include inducing vomiting, or ingestion of activated charcoal. A veterinarian may begin IV fluids to counteract dehydration form vomiting or diarrhea. Dogs may be hospitalized for 3 – 5 hours in order to monitor their condition and kidney and liver values. Prevention is key to keep your dog safe from ingestion. Regularly check areas of your yard that your dog has access to and remove any mushrooms growing. While on walks or hikes, keep a close eye on your dog and keep them on a leash in areas where mushrooms are growing. PetMD published an article on the 6 Poisonous Mushrooms That are Toxic to Dogs at https://www.petmd.com/dog/slideshows/6-poisonous-mushrooms-are-toxic-dogs. Pictures are included in the article. By Meriah Gammage Feeling Ready? It is no secret that pets add an extra level of enjoyment to our lives and families! Perhaps you and your family are ready to embrace more responsibility, you need companionship, or maybe you are just wanting to offer love and comfort to a rescue animal; whatever reason you have for considering expanding your animal family, there are a few key things to consider before going forward. The good news is, you're in the right place! Where Do You Start? Breed: I cannot stress just how important it is to research breeds of dogs(and cats) that will fit into your and your family's lifestyle and home! Companion animals vary so widely in shapes, sizes, and personalities that is crucial to make sure you choose a breed that makes sense for you. If you are a marathon runner who wants a running buddy, a Pomeranian may not be to best choice; a busy single mother of four may not have the time that a Husky or Australian Shepherd may require for exercise. Google is your friend, here! Who will have which responsibilities? It is also worth considering who will be doing what for your new companion. If you have children, are they truly ready for the responsibility? Who will do the feeding, brushing, and exercise? If you work, is someone available throughout the day to allow them outside to potty? Make sure you and your family discuss these things BEFORE bringing home your companion so that there are clear expectations and plans in place! Are you financially ready? This is where you really have to be honest with yourself! It is very easy and natural to crave animal companionship, but you have to think about the financial implications of a new pet before going forward. Adoption fees from shelters can vary from around $50 to as much as $350, depending on the organization; these fees generally include spay/neuter costs, vaccinations, and some extra to help meet the needs of the shelter. Breeders can charge upward of $1,200 for purebred pups. In addition, you should have some money set aside for potential vet bills, food, and any other needs of your new pet. Getting Your New Pet Shelter Pets: The next step is to decide where you want to procure your new companion: a shelter/rescue or a breeder. According to the ASPCA (https://www.aspca.org/) website, about 6.3 million companion animals enter the U.S. shelters, every year. While this is an overwhelming number to consider, it has declined from approximately 7.3 million in 2011, largely due to increased adoption rates which is amazing news! If Americans continue to adopt their companions from shelters and practice responsible spay and neuter standards, we should see this number continue to move ever downward. If you have decided that a shelter pet is the way to go, there are a few things to consider: There are many misconceptions about animals(especially dogs) that are adopted from shelter settings: that they may be destructive, ill-tempered, and hard to train. While it cannot be said that this is never the case, it is worth noting that the aforementioned behaviors are a result of the animal not having had the proper care and direction from a young age. They have likely experienced high levels of fear, uncertainty, and stress, however, dogs are notoriously loyal and eager to please. It is important to give your shelter pet your full attention as they settle into your home. Observe them, and note if there are things that you need to keep in mind: are they anxious around food? Do they cower and hide? Are they hyperactive and destructive? There are fixes for each of these behaviors that are simpler than you may think! Providing a crate or kennel for them to feel sheltered, avoiding direct eye contact, plenty of walks and playtime are just a few! You have to keep in mind that by bringing this pet into your home, you have accepted the role of provider for that pet and that means more than filling their food bowl. It is your job to provide structure and direction to help your new companion settle into their new life! While it may seem daunting, many people have found joy and fulfillment through shelter adoption. There are resources available to help you navigate any potential behavioral issues through local shelters. After digesting all of that, you may be thinking, “Why don't I skip all of that trouble and just adopt a shelter puppy,” and I hear you! That is a very valid point, however, you may be doing yourself and an older shelter dog a huge disservice by not keeping your options open. You would be surprised at how many animals are surrendered to shelters by their owners by no fault of the animal. Some families cannot care for a deceased family member's dogs and cats, they are relocating or they have suffered a personal upheaval that left their hands tied. Do yourself a favor, and take your time selecting your new companion. Breeder: With that being said, it is unrealistic to expect that every American will avoid purchasing companions from breeders. If you have decided that this is the option for you, there are things that you should be sure of before going forward: First, you should always verify that the breeder is reputable. Visit their website and read reviews, see if they are a member of their breed's kennel club and how long they have been in operation. It should be standard for you to be able to visit the kennel to observe their environment and mother, but if COVID makes this too difficult, it should not be an issue for the breeder to provide you with photos and videos of the litter and their mother. Pay close attention and observe if their environment is clean and sanitary, that the puppies are lively and healthy-looking, and that their mother is available to them. It is true that some purebred dogs can suffer from health problems, and a responsible breeder will routinely do health screenings of their litters to ensure they are not breeding in harmful genetics and keep them free of disease. There could truly be a whole separate post about how to make sure your breeder is responsible, so my best advice is to DO YOUR RESEARCH! Visit the American Kennel Club (https://www.akc.org/) website, and familiarize yourself with the criteria your breeder should meet or exceed before moving forward. Training Time! No matter where your new companion comes from, or what their age is, it is very critical to provide consistent and clear direction on what your expectations are. “But they are so cute!” you say! I get it, but in most cases that tiny ball of fluff will not be tiny forever, and it won't be so cute when they drag you down the street after a squirrel or shred the couch! If you begin teaching your new pet the commands that you expect them to follow from the very beginning, it will save you a lot of grief down the line. Now, as far as cats go, giving them time and space seems to be the best way to go. I've found that making them a safe haven away from the hustle and bustle of the household(an extra bathroom or large closet), with easy access to a litter box, food, and water. Read their body language, and don't push their boundaries for a few days and they should acclimate just fine. If, for any reason, you feel as though you need help or resources for training, hop on Google and search for dog trainers in your area! Many will do a free consultation where they can answer questions that may really give you some insight on how to proceed. If you are on a budget, stop by your local library and check out a book on your dog's specific breed, training, and other pet-related topics! Knowledge is power! Bringing a new animal into your home is always an exciting time! By doing your research and making
sure you are prepared, you will ensure a smooth transition and set yourself up for a whole heap of joy and fun! Best of luck! |
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