•1.     Myth: Dry food is the best food for cats.

Once considered the panacea for feline nutrition, new evidence shows dry foods may be a source of chronic health issues. Urinary, arthritis, kidney, diabetes, and even dental problems are just a few of the diseases now being associated with dry food diets. Quality canned foods and especially well-balanced fresh foods mimic more of a natural diet.

•2.     Myth: Dry food is important for cleaning teeth.

Cat’s teeth are designed for tearing and shredding, not grinding. In fact, because of the size and texture, most dry foods are swallowed whole with minimal chewing. Plus chewing of high carbohydrate foods produces a starchy film that can adhere to teeth creating a rich environment for dental damaging bacteria.

•3.     Myth: Canned food is junk food.

Premium canned foods offer higher meat protein levels, less carbohydrates, proper moisture levels for your domestic carnivore, and less highly-processed ingredients.

•4.     Myth: Premium foods are just higher priced foods.

The old adage - you get what you pay for, is never truer than with pet foods. Quality manufacturers go to great lengths to source better ingredients, cook at low temperature to preserve valuable nutrients, and use specially designed packaging to preserve freshness.

•5.     Myth: Do not mix or change cat foods.

In the wild your feline predator will hunt for a range of entrees from mice to bugs. So, why do we presume that switching foods is detrimental? In reality, variety may prevent over-supplementation, nutritional imbalances, and the development of food sensitivities. Slow introductions of a variety of foods will encourage better digestion and a healthier immune system.

•6.     Myth: Organic foods make superior diets.

While organic and free-range meats are superior protein sources, they are often not the primary ingredients in organic pet foods, particularly dry and some canned versions. Understanding your cat’s nutritional needs AND how to read labels will help you offer your cat the best foods.

•7.     Myth: Diet foods offer better weight management.

Additional fiber and ingredients with empty calories are the main components added to make lite foods for pets. Adding to the already heavy burden of excessive carbohydrates, it is no wonder these diets are being looked at for contributing to more weight gain, skin and coat disorders, and food intolerences. A water-rich, meat-based, low carbohydrate diet-canned or raw or homemade cooked, NOT a dry food, balanced for your cat’s activity needs, will help your cat on its way to being sleek and agile.

•8.     Myth: People food is harmful to cats and dogs.

Actually, well-balanced home-prepared diets using fresh organic ingredients you source yourself are the best available-offering you control over recipes, supplementation, and processing.

•9.     Myth: Raw foods have the highest risk of bacterial contamination.

As a predator, your cat evolved with a digestive tract that is short, acidic, and hostile to bacteria-designed to process and eliminate food quickly, not allowing much time for bacteria to multiply. While caution should to be taken with cats with weakened immune systems, precautions in place by leading manufacturers of raw diet pet foods offer safety and peace of mind.

•10.     Myth: Food must be left out so your cat won’t go hungry.

Leaving dry food out is for our convenience. Unless there is a specific health issue, your cat should eat on a schedule of 2-3 meals a day to help with complete and proper digestion. A couple of snacks aren’t out of question, but remember that’s a few pieces . . . not a bowlful. Remember all dry foods are sprayed with flavorings to addict your cat. The more your cat eats, the more it wants, preventing your cat from being interested in any other foods.

© 2009, Terri Symonds Grow

We are pleased to announce — a few months later than anticipated — that we have the Wish List of the Alexandria Police K-9 Unit in hand and because of your generousity every item is being ordered. We hope to have all the equipment in hand within a few weeks. So stay tuned for a complete listing, the delivery and hand off to the officers!

Dear Feline’s Pride customer,

Virginia Stop Sale

 As of July 1, 2010, Feline’s Pride cannot be sold in the State of Virginia because of labeling and registration issues. The Virginia Feed, Licensing and Registrations Office has asked Feline’s Pride to make modifications to their packaging label to clarify ingredients and manufacturing. Since these modifications were not agreed upon by July 1^st, 2010, we are not allowed to sell Feline’s Pride, nor will any Feline’s Pride be allowed to be shipped into Virginia until a forthcoming approval. Feline’s Pride is working with Virginia officials to meet their requirements in every way possible to help expedite approval of the labeling.

Nationwide Recall

Feline’s Pride has announced a voluntary recall of Feline’s Pride Raw food with ground bone for cats and kittens, Natural Chicken Formula, Net Wt. 2.5 lbs. (1.13 kg., 40 oz.) produced on 6/10/10, because it may be contaminated with Salmonella.  The Feline’s Pride and FDA are investigating this matter to determine the source of this problem, and will take any additional steps necessary to protect the public health. To date, Feline’s Pride has received no reports of Salmonella infection relating to this product. This product should not be fed to pets but should instead be disposed of in a safe manner (e.g., in a securely covered trash receptacle).  For more information: http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm217826.htm

Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to discuss in more detail. We will update you as we learn more.

Holiday times can be very stressful for our companion animals, especially in ways we might overlook. Digestive distress, house-soiling and behavior issues can be a few of the symptoms expressing their distress. Understand many cats and dogs do not appreciate the noise and activity of guests or the interruptions to their routines. Simple things can be overwhelming to them. Often it’s not the most obvious that is upsetting them.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

While excessive handouts or inappropriate holiday foods are often the cause of bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, stress can be a huge factor. Our schedules take on lives of their own-we’re on the go more, households are disrupted through schedules or remodeling and then there’s travel and guests. Pets, like humans, “swallow” their stress. We see it in digestive issues and possibly escalating to self-mutilating chewing and licking. Take precautions to maintain your pets’ meal schedules, a diet of quality, healthy foods, regular exercise and try to give extra attention with positive attention and gentle grooming. If your dog or cat is prone to digestive upsets, consider adding probiotics and other digestive therapies to support them through the holidays.

House-soiling

Cats are habitual by nature. So when their routines are interrupted, they become very resourceful. If access is blocked to their favorite litter box at that particular time by a door or even guest activity, your cat may seek another solution. It’s not intentional, it self-preservation. Expecting guests and your cat uses the guest bathroom? Introduce another box in a quiet location prior to their arrival. Make sure it has a safe and easy entrance and egress for you and your cat. If it’s hard to get to, you’ll avoid cleaning it! Don’t decide to change litters if other household stressors are present. Because stress is one of the leading causes of urinary tract disorders and often presents as house-soiling, learn the warning signs and contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately if you think your cat may be in distress.

Scary Behaviors

If your cat or dog finds themselves in a scary situation, they have two primary responses: flight or fight. With guests coming and going, deliveries arriving, repairmen invading, or you disappearing for days on end, your pet may show stress through new, even scary behaviors. While it’s a natural instinct to coddle and soothe when your pet is scared and fearful, they may not respond as you’ve come to expect. If possible, seclude pets in an isolated room or area with familiar things-separating them from commotion and preventing an accidental slip out the door. Don’t reach and grab for them, in fact take extra precautions handling them to prevent injury to yourself or them. If your pet has anxiety, perhaps one of the many natural medicines available for stress or behavior issues from stress may be beneficial. Be sure to use formulas specific to a dog or cat and discuss all therapies with your veterinarian to avoid complications with current medications.

 @Copyright 2009: Terri Grow, PetSage, Inc.

There’d been stories of Calvin’s behavior since he was a kitten. Extensive play didn’t reduce the hyperactivity, nor did separating diminish the edginess and aggression. After the elder cat in the home died, his owner became the target. Then it escalated to stalking.

 Aggression and the devastating results are all too common in our felines. Unearthing a cause or finding resolutions are challenging, but new information especially in regard to feline diets is presenting encouraging results. In discussing Calvin’s history, his owner explained he’d always been indifferent to food and often when he did eat, it didn’t stay down. Two years ago, when the senior cat was placed on a low-protein diet, the veterinarian suggested it for Calvin as a preventative even though Calvin was only nine at the time and showed no signs of kidney disease.

 While there is growing controversy with the use of low protein diets for cats with kidney disease, there is no evidence supporting their use to prevent the development. In fact, growing evidence supports the overuse of grain proteins in feline diets is contributing to the rise of the many diseases that plague our cats: diabetes, obesity, pancreatitis, and yes, kidney disease to name a few.

 To understand what this has to do with Calvin, we need to remember cats are obligate carnivores-an animal whose body relies on readily available nutrients found only in animal tissue. Cats evolved to use proteins and fats for energy and in fact have very little if no use for carbohydrates. Humans and dogs can use carbohydrates from plants for energy, yet in excess are often inflammatory.  Imagine the inflammation these ingredients can trigger in your carnivore cat, whose bodies are not designed to handle loads of carbohydrates?  Inflammation can affect the body physically, such as urinary tract disease, as well as emotionally, often showing up in cats as aggressive behavior.

 With the low protein diet-which is at least 60% grains, Calvin was being fed high levels of carbohydrates, and not receiving the more bioavailable proteins and fats his body demanded. Calvin’s chronic vomiting was a signal of indigestibility of the food. His reaction to inadequate nutrition was hyperactivity, hyper-vigilance escalating into aggressive behavior. To counter the overload of grains and carbohydrates, quality moderate to high protein, low carbohydrate canned foods were introduced and the dry was rationed. With the introduction of the canned food, his owner noticed a better appetite plus his food stayed down more.

 After two weeks of primarily canned food, the dry was removed and vomiting stopped almost entirely. Calvin still preferred to sit just out of reach from his owner, but was no longer as hyper vigilant and allowed her to pet him a few times. While the option was to continue with diet only, a Traditional Chinese Herbal formula was added for several weeks to soothe tension and harmonize digestion. Two months following treatment, his owner is asking where is Calvin. Edginess and aggressive behavior are minimal, he’s not stalking-except in play, and has even been known to stretch out in bed with his humans . . .on his terms of course!

 @Copyright 2009: Terri Grow, PetSage, Inc

Fourth of July fireworks, thunderstorms, and fun-filled family events are true sounds of summer for many of us. Yet these sounds and events can often lead to anxiety and potentially harmful scenarios for our pets. Here are a few suggestions to help you help your furry companions feel safer this summer.

• Dogs of all sizes and breeds can suffer from thunderstorm phobias which can escalate to destructive behavior. Some dogs may begin by trembling, drooling, or pacing. Others are so fearful they try to hide or break away and run. All are symptoms and if not addressed can develop into more severe issues.
  • Talk with your veterinarian or a holistic veterinarian about treatment options, which may include diet and exercise along with natural medicines and/or prescriptive therapies.
  • Over-the-counter herbal, homeopathic and many other natural remedies are now available and can be appropriate for short term use. Make sure to use only products created for pets, unless directed by your veterinarian or an herbalist specializing in animal care.
  • Many canine trainers with experience in anxiety behaviors can be a great resource for guidance with managing your dog’s behavior in anticipation of a situation. 
  • Understand that health issues, changes in the home environment and family dynamics, and even diet, can contribute to fear and phobia issues. 
     
• Cats do not appreciate change. Schedule changes, family vacations or a house full of guests can traumatize a cat. Cats show stress by hiding, possibly becoming aggressive, escalating to more severe conditions such as setting off a urinary tract inflammation-not to mention a fearful escape.
  • With any household changes try to maintain your cat’s schedule as much as possible-including meals and types of food, litter types and box cleanings, and playtime.
  • When going on vacation, plan for a pet sitter to check in and feed them at least once a day. Leaving a cat to fend for itself with a canister of dry food and a water dish can lead to potential health and safety risks.
  • Because stress in considered one of the leading causes of urinary tract disorders, learn the warning signs and contact your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately if you think your cat may be in distress. Warning signs can include house-soiling, frequent and non-productive trips to the litter, crying while in the litter box or being picked up, and obsessive cleaning after litter box trips.
  • Just as with dogs, there are natural medicines available to help with stress levels but be sure to use formulas specific to cats. Remember to discuss all therapies with your veterinarian to make sure there is no conflict with current medications. 
     
• While it’s a natural instinct to coddle and soothe when your animal is scared and fearful, they may not respond as you’ve come to expect:
  • Seclude pets that are stressed by visitors in an isolated room with familiar bedding, fresh water, a litter box, and a few treats-separating them from commotion and preventing an accidental slip out the door.
  • Remember to take care with handling them to prevent injury to yourself or them.
  • Check out trainer and behaviorist Patricia McConnell’s recent posting on her blog on whether to comfort or not to comfort a panicky dog: http://www.theotherendoftheleash.com/category/thunder-phobia-in-dogs/

 With these simple precautions, you and your furry companions will enjoy a safe and healthy summer!

With so many natural remedies available, which one should you choose? As discussed earlier, use those only for companion animals and species specific, unless guided by your veterinarian or someone trained in holistic therapies for animals.        

• • Homeopathics - fast-acting, easy to administer, can be used for cats and dogs.
    • Homeopet TFLN or Travel Anxiety
    • Simple Medicinals Anti-Anxiety
    • Dr. Goodpet CalmStress
  • Herbal Formulas - most start to work within 30 minutes, longer acting option, and can be used for more destructive behaviors.
    • Animals’ Apawthecary’s Tranquility Blend
    • World Herbs for Pets Pet Calm
    • Herbsmith Calm Anxiety
  • Flower Essences - easy to administer. . .  even with cats.
    • Spirit Essence Stress Stopper or Holiday Stress Stopper
    • Bach Rescue Remedy
    • Anaflora Tranquility
  • Diffusers and aerosols - easy to use, species specific.
    • Comfort Zone spray and/or atomizer for dogs or cats
    • AromaDog Chillout and AromaCat CatNap

From increased prices to market instability, today’s economic challenges have made us more aware of our carbon footprint and long term planning. We’re trimming costs and realizing that investments aren’t always about stocks and real estate. We’re finding it’s important to be smarter about our health and well-being, as well as frugal. And for those of us with companion animals, the same choices can be applied to our pets’ care and diets. 

So it’s important to understand there is a difference comparing price to cost-particularly when it comes to pet foods. While we used to be able to say you get what you pay for with pet foods, it’s not so black and white anymore. All of the economic stressors over the last year have impacted pet foods: sourcing, manufacturing, transportation and distribution. Prices now reflect these factors and if not taken into your decision making, can affect the cost of your pet’s health. Understanding your pets’ needs and knowing the guidelines for healthier food decisions, you will be getting more for the price and lowering costs.

 Here are a few tips before paying at the register.

• Select manufacturers want to reward loyalty to their brand and offer frequent buyer programs. Other manufacturers provide coupons. Ask your pet store for help with the brand and program that best matches your pet’s needs.
• Make sure you understand the label ingredients. Fixed formula or Open Labeling are key factors during economic downtimes. Fixed formulas are just that-the formula does not change.  Open Labeling allows the manufacturer to change the ratio of the ingredients, as long as they remain in the same descending order on the label. If the price of your pet’s food did not increase, then you need to ask how they kept the price in check?
• Think about your carbon footprint-every little bit helps. As hard as it is buying local in the pet food industry, there are a few choices in varying degrees. Starting with U.S. sourced ingredients down to fresh local foods, there are options to trim your budget and offer even healthier diets.
• Purchasing larger sizes can lower your price, but remember, pet foods aren’t everlasting, especially naturally preserved foods. Talk with your pet store about keeping your pet’s food fresh and within budget.
• Develop and support a relationship with your holistic pet store or stores. Knowledge and customer service are their specialty. Plus, many independent pet stores network with veterinarians in their community, creating a synergistic team for your and your pets.
• Try your hand at home-made diets, whether it’s raw or cooked. Visit local farm markets for local produce-maybe even some locally produced raw pet foods. You’ll be supporting your community’s resources and reducing your environmental impact, while offering fresher foods and nutrients. Remember, offering a variety of foods can be very beneficial to your pet’s long term health.

 For more information, keep checking the Diet and Nutrition section of our website . . . we’re working on more articles and tips!

© PetSage 2009

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a condition seen frequently in our domestic house cats, but it is truly a problem of our own making. During a recent seminar given at PetSage, Dr. Andrea Tasi, of Just Cats, Naturally, delved into this disease and our role in creating it. Thankfully, Dr. Tasi was able to give practical suggestions to help us help our cats from this painful and frustrating condition.

According to Dr. Tasi, FLUTD was never seen or diagnosed until the late 1970s. After this time, feeding dry cat food diets became more common. The ingredients of dry cat food diets are contrary to the true, completely carnivorous diet of the cat. Dr. Tasi explained that diet, the irrational use of vaccines and stress are three contributing factors that can often result in FLUTD.

Stress and how it relates to our cats’ environments is rarely recognized and discussed. Dr. Tasi explained how we, as cat guardians, have completely altered the environment and lifestyle of our relatively newly domesticated companions. The stress we’ve created by forcing our cats to live a non-species appropriate lifestyle can lead to changes in the biochemistry in a cat’s brain and bladder. A major stressor largely ignored is boredom, leading to unhappy, and eventually, unhealthy cats.

Cats are naturally active, engaging creatures who roam wide territories. Try thinking about it this way: cats are primarily indoor companions in cages–cages equal to the size of your home–whether that is a 700 sq. foot apartment or a 3000 sq. foot home. An outdoor wild male cat may have a home territory range as large as 1.66 square miles! Cats in their natural outdoor environment must seek out and hunt food on their own. By feeding them at scheduled intervals (in bowls of all things!) we have taken all the “fun” out of the hunt. After all, play behavior in cats is just modified hunting behavior.

We’re not advocating you simply open your door and turn your cat loose upon the world. Your dear companion could be at risk for getting hit by a car, trapped by animal control, or attacked by another animal. We’re simply encouraging you to think about ways to make your cat’s environment more interactive and enjoyable. Adding quality playtime and varying the types of play will go a long way to reducing environmental stress. It’s vital you play with your cat, at least once a day. Cats engaged in play build stronger bonds with their guardians. As Dr. Tasi cleverly put it “you can’t be stressed or fearful in your brain if you’re focused on playing!”

Here’s a few playful ideas for your astute hunter:

• The simplest type of play is object play and involves your cat batting around a toy by himself. Younger cats–certainly kittens who think everything is a toy, can entertain themselves for hours with a wad of paper or a toy mouse. But by rotating the type of objects left out for your cat, you peak interest levels of all ages and make old toys seem new again. Most types of these “object” toys can be safely left out for your cat to enjoy while you are away. One variation of object play is to toss a ping pong ball into your (dry) bathtub, creating what we call “Tub Hockey.” As the ball bounces about, your cat will start chasing and batting at the ball. Because the ball is confined to the tub, it becomes a dynamic, fast paced game. Your cat can quickly catch and release the ball over and over. The sudden movements will drive your cat wild!
• With interactive play, you control the toy’s movements. Classic interactive toys are fishing poles or “wand” toys, designed to let you imitate the movements of a cats’ natural prey. Think about the movements of mice, birds, insects and small reptiles. They scurry, flutter, jump, hop and slither. Innovative wand toy manufacturers offer varying attachments to mimic the different types of prey or be creative and make your own. Make sure your wand toy recreates a range of movements so your cat’s inner predator is released! Drag the toy across the floor to mimic a running mouse, or flutter it a few feet off the ground so your cat thinks he’s leaping after an insect. The more you play with your cat, the easier it will be you to figure out his hunting preferences. Don’t forget to switch it out once in a awhile to prevent boredom.
• Many people find interactive play is therapeutic for their cats, helping to keep hyperactive cats sane in the home and even bringing worried or shy cats out of their shell. Interactive toys should be safely stored away when you are done with them so your cat does not ingest any part of the toy or become entangled in the wire.
• Think about bringing the outside world in to stimulate natural instincts. Collect feathers or small shells washed up on the beach for feline play toys or leave a grocery paper bag or empty box for your cats to play hide-and-seek.
• Catnip, an herb that creates a euphoric feeling and reduces feline inhibition, can be a great stress reliever or simply a special treat for your cat. Sprinkle dry catnip and rub into beds and scratching posts to put your cat at ease with new things or draw out a worried cat. An old sock (preferably clean!) filled with dried catnip makes an inexpensive toy your cat can roll on, swipe at, or bunny kick. Growing your own catnip indoors is an easy way to provide your cat with this safe and nonaddicting herb. Make sure not to overuse catnip though. Limit to maybe once a week, or your cat may become immune.
• Don’t stop abruptly in the middle of a play session and leave your cat wound up in the “hunt.” Gradually slow down the movements of your interactive toy to help your cat calm down. Consider scheduling play sessions right before meals, so after the hunt your cat can settle in for a feast. Author and feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennett reminds us that the natural cycle of the cat is hunt, feast, groom, sleep. Even your little house cat is hard-wired to perform these behaviors. You’ll notice by keeping this cycle intact for your cat, you will keep him occupied and happy.

© Roxanne Dunn, 2009

The Infamous Cat Catcher!

One of my favorite wand toys that’s increasing in popularity is the “Cat Catcher,”  manufactured by Go Cat. The toy consists of a small brown mouse attached to a light flexible wire, which allows the mouse to dance and jump erratically. Cats are able to hone their stalking and chasing skills with this toy. Cats beg to play with these toys after they’ve been put away and we’ve yet to hear about a cat that’s failed to enjoy it!  ~Roxy

When was the last time you looked at your pet’s environment from their perspective?

Is the eating area in a non-congested place in the kitchen? Are the feeding and water bowls safe from harboring bacteria or leaching contaminants? Is the litter box or your backyard a biohazard? Could the flea products you are using be reaching toxic levels? Consider the following steps to creating a healthier home environment for your pets.

Diet and Meal Time

Fresh foods can be added to your pet's diet easily!

As with our own diets, new guidelines are emerging for our pets’ diets. Popular pet foods, once the mainstay, are being questioned for quality ingredients and nutritional value for optimum health. If you are committed to using a commercial food, look for new, natural foods now available that offer whole food quality ingredients and more digestible foods. But here’s a question: Would you bet your own health on one type of food from childhood to senior years? Look at your pet’s diet as you would your own. You need fresh foods, quality ingredients, and calorie control. So does your pet. Quality, natural pet food manufacturers are proud of their ingredients and offer recommendations for making their foods as part of a varied and complete diet using fresh, homemade, raw and or canned foods, along with healthful treats.

Food and water bowls should be non-lead glazed ceramic, stoneware or glass and if possible designed for pets. New ergonomic designs offer wider saucers for cats and heavy duty bowls for dogs. Plastic harbors bacteria and stainless steel, while durable, can hold a static charge. Clean dishes after each meal and make sure fresh, clean water is available at all times in a number of places in your home. Containers for storing dry foods must be designed for preserving foods and airtight to protect fragile nutrients. Many pet food bags are specially designed to maintain freshness . . . just remember to close it!

Think about your pet’s eating area by using the analogy of a busy restaurant. Do you enjoy your meal sitting next to the kitchen, bumped by passing waiters and trays? Here’s a time to “sit down” with your pet and discover the traffic in his or her eating space. Is it in a pathway for running children, or under foot while you are trying to cook?  With some animals like some humans, commotion isn’t an issue and with others it can be the root of digestive distress.

Pollution Solutions

Cat box issues are one of the main reasons cats are surrendered to shelters each year. And the lack of curbing (picking up feces) your dog can lead to transmission of disease - to you or other animals.  Within your pet’s environment ask yourself if you would walk barefoot where you are asking them to eliminate. Recognize their innate instincts and learn to honor them. A cat’s natural instinct is to bury their urine in dirt or clay, so if a cat stops using the litter box, first check for medical issues and then evaluate your litter box hygiene. While dogs may be a little more forgiving in elimination preferences, consider whatever he or she steps in will end up on your upholstery or carpet and eventually in their digestive tract after cleaning their paws. Picking up after your dog can help eliminate the transmission of parasites and allow you the opportunity to check the stool for health evaluations.

From kitten and puppyhood to senior years, your furry companion will have accidents from time to time. Cleaning products made with enzymes and bacteria remove stains and odors safely and more thoroughly. Caution must be heeded with other home cleaners for floors, carpets and counters, as pets walk on all these surfaces and then ingest any residue when cleaning paws and fur. While plant extract and citrus-based cleaners are safer alternatives to chemical cleaners, they too can be toxic to cats, birds and exotics in higher concentrations. Be sure to check with any manufacturer for safety questions and precautions.

Flea and Parasite Management

While it would be nice to believe that healthy animals don’t get fleas, this just isn’t the case. A healthier animal may not become infested, but still you will need to address protection during the prime months. Chemically sensitive humans and pets need to evaluate to appropriateness of monthly topical pesticides or household treatments. Question the impact on your pet’s health whenever you are instructed to wear gloves when applying.  But don’t assume that because a flea product is natural that it’s safe. D-limonene and Diatomaceous Earth, two products often recommended, need to be respected in treating for fleas. D-limonene in concentrations high enough to be truly effective can be toxic to cats. Diatomaceous Earth, DE, poses health risks through irritation of the eyes, upper respiratory tract and lungs, and can aggravate other medicals conditions such as asthma because of its fine, powdery consistency. Choose products designed for pets and even more so, by species.

Playtime

Chasing bugs is great fun!

An environment of plenty is the advice we most often hear from feline veterinarians and canine trainers. In the wild, our companion animals would hunt, chase and fritter around as one veterinarian once commented. Instead, they are expected to wait until we have the time to play with them or we take them for adventurous walks.  Here’s where a little create thinking can be fun and rewarding, for both you and your pet. Think about bringing the outside world in to stimulate natural instincts. Collect feathers or small shells washed up on the beach for feline play toys or leave a grocery paper bag for your cats to play hide-and-seek. Grow fresh pots of grass for both dogs and cats to munch on. It’s nutritious and it may keep them away from indoor plants. Hide feeding balls filled with treats around your home to encourage a hunt of sorts. This can also be done for dogs, with a number of feeding toys available in a range of sizes and challenge levels. Just remember to account for these treats in the total daily calorie count.

Scratching trees with a mixture of textures are a must for cats, even those without claws. Scratching isn’t just for shaping claws, it allows cats to mark territory and work out frustrations. Do your homework with design, substrates, construction and coverings looking for designs created for a cat’s natural instincts. The ideal cat tree incorporates a vertical scratching surface at least 30″ high with a sturdy horizontal surface to encourage kitty stretches and quality sisal and carpet even bark as inviting textures for those determined scratchers.

Remember an exhausted dog is less likely to be a destructive dog, so plenty of exercise is a must whether it is a simple walk or planned activity. Take advantage of dog parks if your dog is comfortable with the activity, or create neighborhood social times for a small group of dogs to romp. Too many of our canines are overweight because of overfeeding and lack of exercise. Sound familiar? Try looking at walk time as soul replenishing for your dog and for you. Just remember to leave the cell phone off and give your dog time to check pee-mail.

Quiet Time

It's all about your perspective!

Our companion animals benefit from spaces of their own. Whether it’s an orthopedic bed or multi-level cat condo, pets need their own domain. Trainers encourage dogs to use their bed as their place - a bed and space created just for them, for quiet time and time outs. Cats, especially in multi-cat households, benefit from vertical spaces of perches and bedding. Well-designed pet beds incorporate several unique features based on behavior and safety issues. From the inside out, the bed should be washable and made from hypoallergenic materials such as recycled soda bottles or natural materials such as organic cotton. Wood shavings, while aromatic, can invite mold or allergic reactions. Covers need to be made with comfortable, breathable fabrics chosen for the individual pet, with simple designs minus tempting patches and trimmings. Specialty bedding, such as a heated bed, must meet UGL standards.

Our pets share our homes, train us well, give us strength to persevere, and leave just enough room for us to hang off the bed. Next time you need a different perspective on your home’s health, consider their enlightening point of view.

Copyright 2009, PetSage, Inc.

Litter Box Etiquette

By Andrea Tasi,VMD

A cat’s use of the litterbox is an ancestral instinct, yet the #1 behavioral reason cats are surrendered to shelters is housesoiling. Three major causes for cats eliminating outside their box are: 1) Medical conditions, 2) Litterbox aversions or preferences, and 3) Anxiety, stress and/or territorial issues. First, have your cat seen by your veterinarian for a complete health evaluation. Once the cat has been cleared of medical causes, our job is to learn what our cats like and dislike about litterboxes and provide the most attractive environment for elimination.

Not very appetizing eating next to the outhouse . . .

Litterbox preferences:

• Bigger boxes are better. Most commercial litterboxes are too small for the average or larger cat. Under-the-bed storage containers or deeper storage containers with an entrance cut out make great alternatives.
• Uncovered boxes are almost universally preferred. Covers concentrate odors and camouflage the need to scoop the box. (Imagine portable sanitation toilets and you might get the picture.) Plus, in multiple cat households covered boxes are prime territory for stalking others.
• Clean boxes are respectful and essential. Clean with hot, soapy (dish soap) water, rinsed and dried regularly. If it smells bad after cleaning or is old and scratched, replace it.
• Unscented litter is mandatory-a cat’s nose is 1000 times more sensitive than a humans. Not only is a fragrant scent offensive, it will never cover a dirty box. Clumping litter is not immortal and should be replaced regularly. Soft textured litter is preferred. New crystal and pellet litters may be uncomfortable.
• Boxes should be scooped at least once, preferably twice daily. Make it easy: keep scoop and bags/closed container next to the box! If you won’t walk in the box in your bare feet, why expect it of your cat?
• Placement is crucial with easy access to a clean, quiet and adequately lit area. Not, in a laundry room or next to appliances such as a furnace that can suddenly make loud noises.
• Multiple cat households equals multiple locations, with as many boxes as there are cats, plus one. For senior/arthritic cats, a box on every level is mandatory. Food and water bowls should never be near the box-would you want to eat where you eliminate? And, if a cat repetitively soils an area PUT A BOX THERE!

Keep in mind, we as cat caregivers provoke housesoiling by presuming that what we prefer is what our cats prefer. Respect you cat’s ancestral instinct and preferences for urination and defecation. If a cat is housesoiling make sure there are litterbox choices so your cats can show you their likes and dislikes. If caught in the act you can interrupt behavior and then take them to (but not put them in) the box. No punishment, no hollering, no after-the-fact nastiness. There is no moral value of urine or feces in the cat world!!

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