Month: April 2012

Do you have or have you seen a cat that doesn’t want to eat their kibble in their bowl, preferring to pull it out one piece at a time with their paw, then eating it off the counter or floor? Or maybe a cat that only seems to like to eat the top layer of food out of her bowl, acting like she needs to get a refill, even when there is still plenty of morsels left on the bottom of her dish? You may be witnessing Whisker Stress!

Cat’s whiskers are very sensitive. Whiskers are rooted very deep in the cat’s face, in an area rich in nerves and blood vessels. Cats use their whiskers to move around in low or no light without bumping into anything — not like feelers, but they actually are so sensitive that they detect how currents of air move around objects in their path, and use that sensory information to avoid the objects! The tips are also sensitive to pressure, so a cat uses them to judge if their body will fit through an opening. That is why you should never trim a cat’s whiskers!

So imagine what forcing those delicate instruments into a food dish must feel like. Ouch! The good news is that cat-friendly designers have come up with lots of beautiful flat feline feeding dishes to help your cat avoid whisker stress. They look like elegant serving platters, wide and shallow, with plenty of room for your kitty to pick up the food with their mouth, without their whiskers touching anything.

I first learned about Whisker Stress from reading about it on the ModernCat.net blog here back in 2007, and they recently featured a new fancy whisker stress-free feeding bowl here. You can also improvise with human ceramic food dishes to accomplish the same effect, you may just have to search around a little for ones that are the right size and shape to prevent kibble scatter while being flat enough to fit your cat’s whiskers!
Learn more about Jennifer, our blog author at Google+
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Brought to you by Adopt-a-Pet.com, Woof University is a video series of pet-related training tips! Click here to watch the introduction video that asks: Have a question about training or dog behavior? Ask Katya! Meet Katya Friedman, Adopt-a-Pet.com’s resident trainer. Post your pet-related questions on Adopt-a-Pet.com’s Facebook page here or our Twitter page here and include the hashtag #AskKatya — and once a week, we’ll be picking a question to answer with video! Whether it’s a dog training question, how to stop a dog’s undesirable behavior, or maybe there is something that your dog is doing you’re just curious to know what it means – feel free to ask away!

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There’s nothing I personally love more than cuddling on the couch with my dog while I watch my favorite TV show!  But I understand that not every pet owner wants their pups to have full access to their furniture.  Instead of deciding not to let your pet up on the sofa at all, you might want to consider teaching the commands “on” and “off” so that you can both enjoy your snuggle time when appropriate.

Here’s how to practice “on” and “off”.  Invite your pooch onto the sofa by sitting on it and patting the cushion, saying “on”.  Know that the couch is intrinsically rewarding because it is soft and comfortable, therefore your dog will not need a treat or petting to reinforce “on”.  After a moment, ask your pup “off” by using a treat in your hand to lure him off the couch.  Once he jumps off, release the treat and praise him with affection perhaps reinforcing with “good off!”.  Your goal with the treats is to make your pet a believer that being “off” is just as fun as being up on the couch!  Keep in mind that your praise and affection is a strong reinforcer as well.  If your dog gets tons of love when he jumps onto the couch, he’ll always want to get up there!  If you’d prefer he not jump onto your sofa, make sure to give all the love and affection when he is “off”.  Your pup will notice that your kindness is associated with not being on the furniture.

Practice “on” and “off” drills for ten minutes each day.  If your dog is off and starts to move his weight forward or try to jump onto the couch without being invited first, gently let him know not to do, then wait a few moments and remind him an invitation is required by asking him up to join you.  When you are not able to keep an eye on him perhaps leave your dog in another room where he will not have access to the couch and be tempted to jump up without you being there.  If you decide you would like not to have your pets on your furniture, please set up a dog bed in your living room so that Fido can be near you, enjoying your company.  If he has a comfy bed of his own and you have practiced your “on” and “off” commands, he will be happy enough resting in his own place.  Although in my home we are happy to let our pets have the run of the mill, what matters most is that your pets get to spend time with you.  You are after all a family.

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Isn’t it wonderful to return home each day to an enthusiastic greeting by your furry friends? There’s nothing like it. Now, you can help us show the world that when you adopt a pet, you always have a warm welcome waiting for you. Adopt-a-Pet.com is creating a public service announcement (PSA) called  “The Best Welcome Home EVER!“, starring none other than YOUR pets!

Please help us spread the word about our Best Welcome Home Ever PSA campaign by sharing the link on Facebook, Twitter, or by emailing your friends and inviting them to upload a video of their own welcoming committee!

Show Us Your Best Welcome Home EVER!

Earth Day comes around every April 22 and it’s a great time to remind ourselves of all the things we can do to help the Earth. Every year more and more events are held on Earth Day worldwide to increase awareness and appreciation of the Earth’s natural environment. So what can you do if you’re a pet lover to enjoy Earth Day and reduce your pet’s pawprint? Your pets can have a huge impact on the environment, and aside from buying natural and recycled products for them, and shopping at a shelter or rescue’s thrift store, there are easy ways you can help lessen the negative impact your pets can have on our planet. You can use the four tips below to reduce your pet’s carbon pawprint –not just on Earth Day, but every day!

1. Pick up after your dog
Dog poop pollutes if it is not picked up & properly processed.
Make sure to use biodegradable pick-up bags.
Take it up a notch: Install a dog-waste mini septic tank.

2. Pick up after your cat
Scoop into paper lunch bags or biodegradable dog pick up bags.
Use a recycled, biodegradable cat litter.

3. Protect wildlife from your pet
Keep your cat indoors, on a harness, or in a catio.
If you hike with your dog off-leash, train him to come when called, even if he sees a rabbit or squirrel.

4. Adopt a “recycled” pet!
Pets at shelters and rescues can become your recycled pet! Someone careless may have thrown away their pet, but that doesn’t make them any less valuable or wonderful as your “new” family friend.

Do you have other ways you and your pet “go green”? We’d love for you to share them on the Adopt-a-Pet.com Facebook page.

We love sharing the amazing happy stories we receive from adopters who found their new family members on Adopt-a-Pet.com.  Here’s a great one about a very lucky special-needs dog named Bianca, who found her forever family. “Dear Adopt-a-Pet.com, We found our Bianca through Adopt-a-Pet.com just a week ago! She is a wonderful companion and has added tons of fun and kisses to our home since she arrived.  She is deaf but we did not tell her so she has been following simple gestures 🙂 We adore her! I’ve attached a photo of Bianca in her new favorite spot! Thank you for helping us adopt our new family member! – The Watsons.”

Did you find your new best friend through Adopt-a-Pet.com?  Email us and let us know or post your story on our Facebook page! We’d love to use your story in an upcoming edition of The Scoop!

When it comes to giving your pet a bath, a little preparation and the right products make all the difference. Your pet loves attention from you. One of the best ways to give her that attention is through regular grooming — and that includes bath time. Some pets just like rolling around in the dirt; others are great about keeping themselves clean. Either way, there are times when you’ll want to give your pet a bath. Click here for some tips on how to make bath time easier and more fun for the both of you.

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Some, well, most cat trees look like something leftover from a 1970s party gone wrong. Lots of beige shag carpeting and funky platforms! Thank goodness, there is an alternative! If you haven’t already discovered the fabulous ModernCat.net blog, lovers of sleek modern and mid-century design will be overjoyed at their online and DIY finds. Our latest favorite post? A semi-do-it-yourself cat stand designed to give a cat a place to eat and perch away from a dog, with high views out of a window as a bonus. Here’s what the creator says:   “After lots of searching, Ashii couldn’t find exactly what she was looking for so she took matters into her own hands. She designed this very unique and modern cat stand and found a local craftsman to build it for her. The stand is made of poplar wood stained espresso with brushed stainless steel bars. The pad on top is covered with sisal weave fabric and is attached with 3M Command Strips so it can be easily changed with the seasons or when it becomes worn. The stand measures just over 4 feet tall, 13 inches deep, and 2 feet long. The total cost was $300, not bad for a custom design. It meets the family’s needs perfectly and Sasha (who might be the cutest thing ever!) absolutely loves it.”

You can see more photos and find out more about the design and creation process at ModernCat.net here.
Learn more about Jennifer, our blog author at Google+
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Have you ever been relaxing with your favorite cat only to be startled by one of the noises she made? Purring and hissing are common with cats, although frequently misunderstood. Howling happens occasionally with most cats, but can still be unnerving. Then there is the chattering some cats do. This is a noise that will probably make you think your cat needs his pet meds adjusted. Don’t worry, there are logical, even scientific, explanations for most of the noises you’ve heard from your favorite feline. Are you ready to translate your cat’s chatter?

Photo credit: Rob www.flickr.com/photos/xerostomia/

Purring

You probably think Fluffy is happy and content when she is curled up in your lap purring. Who can blame you? You pet her and she purrs, of course she is happy. Cats are also known for purring when they are with their kittens, also a happy time. The only problem is that cats also purr when they are under considerable stress, which is why a cat that is being examined at a veterinarian’s office might also begin to purr.

According to some studies it is evident that certain ranges of purring also lead to increased bone density and improved muscular healing. This leads some experts to believe that purring is actually a form of self-healing in addition to a form of communication. Of course, when your cat purrs while being petted she could just be communicating that she’s happy.

Howling

Have you ever heard a cat howl? It is one of the eeriest sounds I have ever heard. As much as dogs howl it shouldn’t be that unnerving to hear a cat howl but it is. Fortunately, most cats only howl when they are anxious or in pain. These are conditions owners have some control over so most cats have few occasions to practice their howling. Sadly, as cats age this form of communication becomes more common.

This isn’t because they are more anxious or in more pain, although that may contribute to the increased vocal acrobatics. Older cats are more susceptible to Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, the animal version of dementia. Complicating matters is that cats of a certain age are also likely to have reduced hearing and sight capabilities. Not being able to see or hear what is going on around me and being more confused in general would probably make me howl too.

Hissing

You may think you have hissing all figured out, you might even be mostly right. Most people know that if a cat hisses they are unhappy campers and everyone needs to back away slowly. We expect cats to hiss when they meet animals or people they don’t care for, when they are scared, and even when they are simply startled. What is more confusing is why cats hiss when they are being petted. We are usually waiting for that magical purr when snuggling with a cat and it can be quite shocking to get a hiss instead. However, the same repetitive motion can actually be uncomfortable and occasionally even painful for cats which is why they will sometimes hiss and become aggressive during cuddle sessions.

Chattering

Chattering is probably the least understood form of cat communication. The sound varies by cat but is usually described like a squirrel chattering or a bird chirping. The reason a cat does this at random times and in such a unique way has finally been partially explained. The proof came from a study of monkey vocalization. While they were being recorded a wildcat popped onto the scene and began mimicking the calls of the soon to be prey. The theory is domesticated cats are doing the same thing when they see squirrels or birds. Cats are mimicking potential prey targets; something to keep in mind if your cat begins to sound like it can talk!

What unique sounds does your cat make and what do you think they mean?

Jackie is a writer for 1-800-PetMeds, and loves to help and support the pet community. You can find Pet Meds on Twitter or connect with Pet Meds on Facebook.

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“Hi! I’ve got a question that I can’t seem to get answered. WHEN is a good time to get a pet spay/neutered? Speaking of an 8 month old female Boxer. Although she is too young to breed at this point, I don’t want her to have any puppies – EVER. So when (or how soon) should I look to get her fixed? Thanks for your help. Tim” This is a real email exactly as we received it last week, and Tim ask a very valid question! The answer is…

For Tim and his 8 month old female Boxer, the answer is RIGHT AWAY! She is not too young to breed. Puppies and kittens can go into heat and get pregnant at 5 months of age.  Over the past decade shelters and vets are seeing younger and younger pets coming in pregnant, most owners don’t realize their baby can have babies if they are not careful!

Spaying before a pet’s first heat is the most effective way of reducing hormone-related cancers later in life (like mammary cancer). Though Tim’s dog is more than likely past her first heat, she can still benefit from the many health and behavioral bonuses, which SpayUSA does a great job of describing on their Spay/Neuter Benefits page here.

SpayUSA also has a lot of helpful Q&A in their FAQ, including these two about the best age to get a pet fixed:

How old does my pet need to be in order to be spayed or neutered?
For many years, veterinarians were taught that cats and dogs had to be a year old to be spayed or neutered. Later, they were taught that six months was appropriate. Today we know that kittens and pups can be spayed or neutered at the age of two months (or two pounds). The American Veterinary Medical Association has endorsed this practice called Early Age Neutering; the animals recover more quickly from surgery when they are young. Today some vets will spay/neuter at eight weeks of age, while other adhere to the old practice of six months of age. The average age at which pets are spayed or neutered is four months.

How young can a female cat/dog get pregnant?
“Adolescent” cats and dogs as young as five months can get pregnant. For many reasons, it is important to spay or neuter BEFORE the first litter is born – before six months.

Here is our Adopt-a-Pet.com page about the benefits of spay/neuter too!

Need help finding a low-cost spay or neuter vet or clinic? First, ask you current vet, they may provide discounted low-cost days. If not, for a local referral, call (800) 248-SPAY (7729) or email SpayUSA@AnimalLeague.org

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