Toilet Training Your Cat

Have you seen Meet The Parents and now you want a toilet trained cat also? That’s what happened to me. I got sick of always emptying the litter box and getting bits of litter stuck to my feet. I decided to toilet train my cat. It was surprisingly easy, although there are a few inconvenient steps. I ultimately found that it was one of the better decisions I have made.

You can go from litter box to toilet in just 8 easy steps. Pay attention to your cat and take note of whether or not you are moving through the steps to fast.

1. Move the litter box next to the toilet and show your cat where it is. Let a few days pass before altering his restroom location again.

2. After a few days have passed, start raising the litter box slowly. Since I am a student I used my old textbooks from subjects I vowed never to touch again. I would increase the height of the box by putting one 1-inch textbook under the box ever 2 days until the bottom of the litter box was even with the toilet seat. After a while I would just put a cardboard box underneath to replace some of the textbooks. They were getting unstable. My cat was about six months old when we did this so he adjusted to the changes in height very easily. If your cat is older you may want to raise it slower if you notice them in distress. Keep the toilet lid down so there are no slipping accidents when they use the toilet lid to climb into the litter box.

3. Remove the books and place the litter box on the closed toilet lid. Leave it there for 3 days.

4. Now you need to find a metal bowl, never to be used by you again, that you will rest inside the toilet and fill with 2 cups of litter. Show your cat that the litter box was replaced with a metal bowl inside the toilet.

5. Watch your cat as he goes to the bathroom. He will start with all four paws inside the bowl. I started with the front legs and would place them on the toilet bowl rim. Every time he would put them back I would place them back on the rim and praise him. I then started with his back feet once he got used to putting his front feet on the rim. The back feet were the most difficult as it was very awkward for him. I would always praise him though. After awhile he would come and get me to follow him into the bathroom. It was very strange at first but it turned out to be very helpful because he would let me know when I needed to watch him.

6. Every two days, after his foot placement was correct, I started decreasing the cat litter by ¼ of a cup. It will start to smell really bad so you will need to clean out the bowl after each use.

7. When there is about ¼ cup of litter in the bowl, you should empty it and start filling the bowl with ¼ cup water every 2 days. If your cat stops using the bathroom in the toilet you should go back to cat litter in the bowl and start all over.

8. Now that you have water in the bowl the smell will not be as bad. Once you reach 2 cups of water in the bowl, it can be removed and you have a toilet trained cat.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Kitten Proofing Your Home

Kitten’s are very, very curious animals and will get into anything you leave out, including toilet paper.

1. All harmful chemicals, poisonous houseplants, and fragile items need to be stowed away where they cannot be ingested or broken.

2. Sewing supplies, such as needles and thread, can be dangerous if swallowed. Kitten may also drag them out and “forget” them on the carpet. Ouch! Keep them well out of reach.

3. Cords that dangle, like those from blinds, can be a potential strangulation hazard. Keep them tied up where kitten cannot reach.

4. Your garbage should be covered and put away where it cannot be ripped into.

5. NEVER NEVER NEVER!!!!! Leave your dryer door open. If it has been left open by mistake ALWAYS check the inside before closing it. Cats love dark, warm places to sleep and the dryer has a very horrible ending.

6. Keep cabinets and drawers closed. If your cat can open the cabinet, which mine can, install a child lock so it cannot be swung open. Towels don’t work well when they are covered in cat hair.

7. Tie drapes up until kitten knows to use their scratching post for any stretching.

8. Make sure electrical cords and wires are out of reach. They pose a risk of electric shock if kitten decides to chew on them.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Restraining Dogs in Cars

With the summer here, there is a tremendous amount of vehicles traveling here and there. If you are traveling with your pet, how do you travel safely? A seatbelt is just as helpful to your pet as it is to you and your family.

Restraining a pet is necessary while traveling. Animals have the same risks in a car accident as a toddler. Restraining them also helps to keep your pet out of your lap and your eyes on the road.
It is not safe for a pet to sit in a lap or in the front passenger seat. Sudden breaking or airbag deployment could seriously harm your dog. A 60-pound dog can also cause serious damage if in an accident. Upon impact at 35 mph, a 60-pound dog, will exert 2700 pounds of pressure. This will smash the windshield and break bones.

The best way to restrain a dog is in a kennel that can be buckled in. A harness that attaches to the seatbelt also works well. Never, ever, ever restrain a dog by the neck. Your pet could be strangled during an accident or sudden breaking.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Pet Travel Trips for Holidays

The holidays are meant to be shared with everyone you love, including your furry friends. Bringing a pet along with you on your holiday travels can bring a sense of home, for both you and your pet, while not at home. You need to have a clear understanding of all pet policies with the hotels, relatives and airlines before you bring you pet. Follow these tips to reduce stress for you and your animal.
· Go over pet policy at time of hotel booking.

o Make sure you fully understand your lodging’s pet policy. Some hotels do not allow you to leave your pet unattended. Make arrangements if this is the case.

· Understand your pet.

o Understand what your pet is comfortable with. Bells, crowds, bright lights, loud noises?
· Minimize table scraps.

o The holidays can bring an abundance of food but try not to feed your pet too many table scraps, they may upset their tummies.

· Watch your pet at other’s homes.

o Watch your pet around other peoples holiday decorations to make sure they do not break or consume anything they should not.

· Keep your pet's tags on.

o Pets must wear tags at all times and bring their vet records along with their vaccination records. You may need these when they board your pet on the plane. Bring things your pet may need as you may not be able to find a vet or pet store open over the holidays.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Vital Pet Vaccines: Responsible Pet Ownership and Awareness

Once you get a new pet you must begin thinking about vaccines, just as you would for your new child. There are many illnesses out there that you can completely prevent from ravaging your pet.

RABIES
You must, by law, vaccinate your pet against rabies. This highly contagious disease is contracted through saliva and anything, including humans, can be effected by it. The early signs are jaw stiffness and inability to swallow. Once the rabies virus spreads to the brain the effected individual/animal will lash out at noises and bright lights. At this stage in the disease the brain is in complete disarray and no none cure exists.

COMMON FELINE DISEASES
- Chlamydia, Calici, and Rhinotracheitis:  All respiratory diseases and all communicable to humans.
- Distemper (Panleukopenia)  Distemper in cats cannot be spread to dogs. Vaccines are the only measure against distemper.

COMMON CANINE DISEASES
- Bordatella (Kennel Cough):Vaccines are available through a nasal spray. Treatment is possible through antibiotics.
- Distemper:  Highly contagious amongst dogs and, if survived, the animal will suffer severe mental impairment.
- Heartworms:  Preventative measures are available in pill and liquid form from your pet store. Treatment is expensive, painful and has been known to be fatal.
- Hepatitis:  Without a vaccine a dog does not stand much of a chance against this liver killing disease.
- Leptospirosis:  This vaccine is highly recommended if your dog likes to swim and play extensively in the outdoors.
- Parainfluenza:  If you board your dog in a kennel this vaccine is recommended.
- Parvovirus:  This vaccine is usually recommended by your vet. Responsible pet owner ship dictates the vaccine as this virus can be deadly and debilitating.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Keeping Kitty Happy

Keeping a cat indoors is beneficial to the health of the animal. They have no chance of getting hit by a car, they don’t have to deal with the pound and they cannot be snatched by strangers. But, indoor cats can be very insistent on going outside despite our best efforts to keep them happy indoors.

· You can fashion an escape resistant inclosure for the cat. Make sure all the walls connect and there is a celing so kitty can’t jump out. Make sure materials are animal friends and placement is in a quiet safe area.

· You can add a cat door and a run so your cat can easily get to their favorite outside space. Knowing that your pet is safe to roam in the enclosure will keep you at ease and with a cat door you don’t have to be annoyed by a persistent cat’s meow.

· You can train your cat to become accustomed to a leash outdoors. This a fun alternative to an enclosure because the cat will be roaming “free” and you will safely be at its side. Although be careful of unleashed animals as your cat will not be able to defend itself fully with a leash on.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Pet Obesity

Up to 25% of pets in the Western world are obese or overweight. Obesity can have serious consequences for your pet. Here is a list of things to do to make sure that your pet is a healthy weight.

1. Find out if your pet is overweight/obese.

A cat from above should be trim and the waist should go in slightly. The abdomen should not be extended and there should be no fat deposits on the legs, stomach face and neck.
A dog will have a waist that tucks in from above and the stomach should point back towards to tail. There should be no fat deposits on the legs, shoulders, spine, face and neck.

2. Know the risks of obesity.

Obese dogs are at risk of many of the same ailments that people are. They can develop diabetes, hip dysplasia, arthritis and
Obese cats are can develop diabetes also. Excess weight can directly result in urinary tract disease and hepatic lipidosis, liver failure cause by brief stress. Because of the risk of liver failure you should contact your vet if your cat is obese as a sudden change in diet could be enough stress for the liver to fail.

3. Visit the veterinarian.

As with people, there could be a medical reason your pet is obese. Schedule an appointment with your vet so they can assess your pet for any health problems related to the obesity.

4. Look at your pets diet.

Animals that are obese need to follow a vets recommendation for weight loss but there are a few things you can do to ensure smooth sailing.
· Have only one person feed the pets so there are no mix ups and over feedings, because let’s face it, your pets aren’t going to let the food just sit there.
· Feed your pet in smaller more frequent meals throughout the day.
· Replace treats with pet friendly vegetable treats such as carrots, zucchinis or melons.

5. Get your pet plenty of exercise.

Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise. Take your dog to a dog park or run around the house with a string for your cat. Either way both of you will be getting active.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Always Read Pet Labels

With cats comes fleas, by the thousands. Fleas are a major problem for cat owners. These tiny creatures can cause some for you and your cat such as anemia, dermatitis and tapeworm. Flea control is often a necessary step in keeping you and your cat healthy.

There are many flea and tick treatments out there but never ever use a product labeled “For Dogs Only” on your cat or any animal other than a dog. Dogs and cats do not react the same way to the same insecticides at the same concentrations. As an example, look at permethrin.

Permethrin is in many “Dog Only” direct application flea and tick treatments. It comes in concentrations ranging from 45-60% permethrin. While that is a very acceptable level for a canine it would most certainly kill a feline. A cat suffering from permethrin exposure would display tremors, muscle tensing and seizures anywhere from an hour to 48 hours after the exposure.

If your feline receives medical attention the odds of recovery are very high. It is crucial that you take your cat to the vet and tell them you suspect permethrin.

Read ALL the labels on things before you give them to your pet. Not sure if it’s for your pet, call the vet.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Wet Vs. Dry Cat Food

Wet food may seem like just a treat for your cat but it is important to work it into the diet at least once a week. Cats in the wild do not usually drink large amounts of water as the water they do get is from their diet of fresh meat (70-80% water).

Your modern housecat does not get a chance to hunt down large pray and eat fresh meat daily so they may become dehydrated, if only slightly. Wet food is a great incentive for your cat to stay healthy and hydrated.

There is a common misconception that dry food helps to clean a cats teeth. It may help, only slightly, but seeing as cats don’t really chew their food it is simply a myth. Cats chew maybe once or twice and then swallow because their saliva does not contain enzymes that break down the food.

Dry food also has a lot of carbohydrates and cats are not as efficient at breaking those down as humans are so too much dry food in the diet can lead to stomach upset, weight gain and dehydration. Dry food is a necessity though and your cat’s diet should consist of 1 part wet food for 3 parts dry food.

So if your cat gets three meals a day, give them some wet food at the end of the day to round out their diet.