Warning - Lilies Can be Deadly for Cats

BY ELAINE WEXLER-MITCHELL

If you own a cat, you know they love to chew on plants. Bouquets containing lilies are especially common during spring and Easter. Lilies are probably the most dangerous flower that cats can accidentally ingest. U.C. Davis veterinarians note that while all plants of the Lilium genus should be considered extremely hazardous to cats, calla lilies and peace lilies, which don't belong to the Lilium genus, are harmless to cats.

Lilies contain a chemical that damages the kidneys. All parts of the lily plant are potentially toxic, so if you suspect that your kitty has chewed one, get her in for immediate veterinary treatment. If therapy is started within 18 hours of ingestion, the prognosis for recovery is good. The sooner treatment is started the better. Vomiting can be induced if you know your cat ate some lily within an hour. This helps prevent absorption of the toxin.

Calla lilies are one of two varieties (the other is the peace lily) that are NOT toxic to cats if ingested. Be sure to keep all plants that could be toxic out of your cats' reach. If you're uncertain, check out the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals' website.

Fortunately, most houseplants are safe, but it is good to know resources listing toxic plants. One of the best is through the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Even if a plant isn't toxic, many plants are irritants and will trigger vomiting in cats.

If your cat goes outside, you likely have seen her eat grass, then vomit. Why would a cat intentionally eat something that she knows is going to make her vomit? There are several theories as to why cats eat plants, but most veterinarians think plant eating provides fiber to cats. Wild cats are meat eaters; eating plants gives them fiber to help with digestion and helps hair pass through their GI tracts – it's a natural hairball remedy. Many owners grow "cat grass" for their indoor cats to fulfill their cat's desire to eat plants.

You can do a few things to prevent plant chewing in your home. Some pet-deterrent products can be put in soil to repel cats. Use a water spray bottle to startle your cat when she approaches a plant you don't want her to chew. Pet-motion detectors that sound a horn and blow air can be put around plants. Ground ginger or cayenne pepper rubbed on leaves can create an adverse taste that will keep some cats from chewing. Some people just keep plants in rooms that are off-limits to their cats.

I always lose the battle in my home to keep my cats away from plants and flowers. My cats even like chewing silk plants. I use Yuck repellant spray on the silk plant leaves. I don't keep live plants around. If I have flowers that are safe for cats, I put them in an area my cats cannot reach. Since both of my cats are seniors, they are unable to jump as high as they used to.

Cats can live safely with plants, but it is a good idea to check for possible toxicities before you choose plants or flowers for your home. And it's best to keep lilies out of your home if you have cats.

Creatures of Habit

The girls continue to make us laugh.  Sunday we cleared out the cat beds, kitty condo and misc furniture from our bedroom so that I could shampoo the carpet.  Kevin put wheels on the kitty condo several years back which makes it easier to maneuver.  However, the girls get real concerned when their “stuff” gets moved around.  Binks immediately staked out her place on the kitty condo as if to say “Hey, that’s mine—what are you doing with it?” 

Today, everything was moved back and Binks once again is reigning on the penthouse of the kitty condo.  Spirit was delighted to see that their heated cat beds go back in next to my night stand and get plugged in.  Yeah, heated cat beds—its rough being a cat in our household!

Spring, Pollen and Skunks - Oh My!

Ahhhhhhhhhh, springtime in Dixie.  Or shall I say ARGH*(&%^%%$!  The flowering trees, shrubbery and flowers are about six weeks early and are breathtaking this time of the year.  Literally—breath taking (cough-cough).  The pollen counts in our area have been in the red (high) since about the beginning of February.  I believe we are in for a lonnnnggggggg hot summer.   Our pets also suffer from these allergies and they don’t even have to go outside to be affected.  Cats and dogs suffer with hot spots, uncontrollable itching etc.  To help prevent problems for our fur babies as well as ourselves, you should wash all exposed skin as soon as you come indoors.  If your dog suffers, It may help if you take a damp cloth and go over their fur and feet to help minimize the effects.  Don’t pet your cats or dogs until you do so.   Even though you may want to open windows to let in fresh air remember you are also leaving in tons of pollen.  Before living in the loft downtown; we had a clothes line and we loved the scent of freshly laundered bed linens, towels and clothing dried outside.  Then I realized it was causing all kinds of health issues.  

Warm weather also brings out critters such as the black-and-white kitties of the world aka SKUNKS!  Living in the suburbs does not protect you from skunks.  The Crestwood area is renovating their park and they tore down a bunch of trees and undergrowth that were home to a host of snakes, raccoons, opossums and yep, the dreaded SKUNK.  I noticed a dead baby skunk on a side street in Crestwood about early February so beware!  The editor of Pet Sitters International magazine, Ellen Price warns us of such perils and she swears by the recipe to deskunk your pet.

1 quart Hydrogen Peroxide
¼ cup Baking Soda
2 tablespoons of Dishwashing Liquid

Mix all ingredients together and use immediately, as the mixture doesn’t keep.  Sponge the solution over the pet, avoiding eyes, nose and ears.  Use an eye lube or mineral oil to protect eyes and nose if needed.  Let the solution soak on the fur for 5 to 10 minutes then rinse with warm water.  Repeat if necessary and follow with regular shampoo if desired.

Happy Spring and keep well!

Internal Clocks and Daylight Savings Time

Pets like structure and schedules.  An example of this is that after Kevin and I eat breakfast I then make up the bed.  Our girls, Binks and Spirit wait patiently or impatiently at times for me to put the spread and all the pillows on the bed.  I then put Baby’s “Chicago Bear” blankie on Kevin’s side of the bed.    Baby climbs up the stairs to the bed and heads for her blankie.  By this time, Spirit has her “crazy” eyes and I ask, Spirit, do you want to play?  Meorw she answers.  Are you sure you want to play?  Meorrrwwww!  What do you want to play with?  She then leads me to the secretary where their wand toys are kept.  Do you want to play with your boxing wands?  Meoorrrwww!  Where are they?  She then stand up on the secretary and stretches her paw up to the door.  I open the door and pull out their favorite two (don’t ask how many they have).  Do you want to play with these boxing wands?   Meeoorrrrrwwww! And she leads me back to the bed for playtime. 

Both cats and dogs are very quick at picking up stuff and usually 2 or 3 times becomes habit.  If our schedule is changed for some reason; their whole morning is off kilter. 

I love to be able to turn off the two alarms on the clock on Friday when I don’t have early morning clients to care for but unfortunately one can’t turn of the “cat alarm”.  The girls don’t care if it’ a weekend, they want their gourmet breakfast and they want it now!

Keep in mind that the inane practice of daylight savings time affects our pet’s internal clock.  If your dog is used to going out at 6 am and DST forces our clocks ahead one hour, their internal clocks are saying Hey!  I needed to go out an hour ago!!!  This is especially important when trying to housebreak a puppy.

I for one would love it if we quit this antiquated practice of changing the clocks.  Keep it one way or the other.  Not only do I struggle for 2 weeks with the change to DST but I am at amazed at all the clocks we have to change.  When I was growing up we had a clock on the stove and my parents wind up alarm clock.  Now, there is the alarm clock, the grandfather clock, the clocks in the two bathrooms, the clock in the sitting area, the clock on the frig, stove and microwave.  And Kevin would add, all these clocks and she still can’t be on time!   

Pets of the Heart

As a pet sitter, I am introduced to many different types of dogs and cats.  Some are big, little, furry yet each one entirely different.  I enjoy each one and marvel in their different personalities.  They make me laugh and when they move away or cross the rainbow bridge, they make me cry.

But every now and then a pet comes into my life and finds a special place in my heart.   Sometimes it is immediate and other times it takes a while.  The latest one is Daisy.  She is a Chihuahua who has been rescued and given a forever home with two other dogs, Isabel & Buster.  Each visit I make sure each dog receives some one-on-one special attention.  When it is Daisy’s turn, she snuggles up on my chest and lays her head against my face.  The first time she did this, she captured my heart.

So here’s to Prada, Jack, Fred, Otto and Icarus all have moved away and all pets of my heart.   I think of you fondly and miss you.

Binkers Rides Shotgun

A couple of weeks ago, I had noticed that Baby’s eye was tearing up a bit.  Not an uncommon event and I was keeping a watch on it.  As Binkers was sitting on her Daddy’s lap Monday night; I noticed her right eye did not look right.  Upon further inspection I could see that her lower eye lid was slightly slit.  The eye looked okay, no weeping or blood or visible scratch.  However, first thing the next morning off we went to the vet with Baby riding shotgun in her Barbie carrier.  Yep, Barbie pink!  (Several years ago one of the pet shops had “Barbie” accessories for dogs and cats.  I had purchased two for our girls much to Kevin’s dismay. ) We automatically thought that Binker’s kitten, Spirit had scratched her which turned out to be correct.  Spirit turned 8 month old October 25^th and attempts to get Binker to play.  She usually jumps on her back demanding a kitty back ride or tackles her.  This is accompanied by Binker’s screams and cat curses to the kitten.  Which of course, the kitten ignores and thinks that yes, Binker is playing with me. 

Dr. Fuller examined her thoroughly and her eye itself was not scratched nor did he need to do surgery on the slit.  He prescribed some antibiotic eye drops for us to administer.   He also said to keep it refrigerated as we may need it again with Spirit.   While there, I had him run blood work on her as she had lost 1.9 pounds in a little over a year.  All is fine; except normal aging as she is 12 years old.  We are extremely fortunate to have such a knowledgeable and compassionate veterinarian.  I have known Dr. Fuller for years and trust him explicitly with the care of my cats.  So important to have a vet you can trust. 

I can tell Binkers is aging a bit; she was much more comfortable with Dr. Fuller.  She doesn’t play or run like she used to (unless Spirit is after her).  She does get more exercise with Spirit as Spirit thinks she is a Border cat and tends to “herd” Binks. 

Pets are so amazing and our cats fascinate me with their antics.  At times you can read their body language and can predict their next move.  I cannot imagine life without cats. 

Have you hugged your pet today?

What's in a Name?

Here we are already the end of June and our little kitten has been with us over two months now and is growing like a weed.  Her name is Spirit Rose Ritchie-Keck.   I did not want to get another cat that was a silver-tipped tabby as that was what our beloved Appi was and I didn’t want comparison’s and thought it would be too easy to do that.   Of course, what did we get?  Yep, a silver-tipped tabby.  We stationed her in the smaller of the two bathrooms with her food, water, cat litter, blankets and of course toys during the introduction phase to our Baby Binkers.  On the second day I opened the bathroom to find a ball sitting in her water dish.  I have had many cats during my lifetime and the only cat who would put the ball in the water was our Appi.  When I spied the ball I looked at Kevin and said, “Look!  It’s like its Appi’s spirit telling us its okay. “ So Spirit she is and Kevin came up with her middle name of Rose. 

Like all of our pets, they have many nicknames.  Baby’s name is Binki Blue Ritchie-Keck and has nicknames of Baby, Binkers, Binker Blue, Nooper, naughty girl Keck and good girl Ritchie kitty to name a few.  So far Spirit has No No, naughty girl Keck kitty, little Juannelle (I resent that!), Noopi and Stop That.

Spirit had several littermates and was residing with about 12 older cats so she wasn’t at all scared of Baby.  Unfortunately, Baby wasn’t enamored with her at all.  Spirit frequently gets Baby in a headlock and bites and scratches trying to engage Baby in play.  Baby just hisses, tries to escape and occasionally will give Spirit a real good smack to stop her.  We do see progress, just today Baby was in bed with me cuddling under the blanket and Spirit located her and was actually washing Baby nicely.  They also lay close together at times.   Baby also introduced Spirit to how nice the basket of warm clothes fresh from the dryer is. 

If one gets a kitten or a puppy one has to be prepared for the “baby” stage and realize that to them EVERYTHING is a toy.  Electric cords, decorative items and rugs can all be dangerous.  Having enough toys and removing them from the source of danger and playing with them in a different location usually helps distract them from what they were doing.  

Catnip - Meowijuana for Cats

Catnip or catmint is an herb and is part of the mint family.  Each cat reacts to catnip differently.  Some get playful, others get lovable, some relax and a small percentage doesn’t react at all.  Kittens are normally not affected.  Interestingly, Siamese cats are more affected by mint than catnip.

Baby loves her catnip which we grow on our balcony of our loft.  It was planted in the summer of 2010 and actually survived the winter.  The pots were moved right next to the building and it prevented them from freezing.  Catnip has helped her relax and is very helpful since she hasn’t exactly embraced her new kitten yet!  Baby will eat the fresh leaves as well as dried catnip.  I found instructions online (author unknown) for drying some catnip and will try doing it. 

·         Wait until the plant is at least five inches tall. Make sure an insecticide has not been used on the plant. 

·         Then, taking scissors gently cut the plant at the base so you have long stalks of catnip. Be aware that you will want to cut more than you think you need, because the plant is going to dry up and it will turn out to be less than it was originally.

·         Once you have all the stalks you need, secure the catnip together with either yarn or heavy thread.

·         Find a dark area (the linen closet is always the best, but any closet will do). Keep in mind that the plant must be hanging upside down and the door must be closed most of the time for the herbs to dry properly. Also, the catnip will lose potency if exposed to light.

·         Stick a tack to the inside of the door, and tie your catnip around it. Keep it closed and let the drying begin!

·         Within four to eight weeks (or more depending on how dry your house is, how little sunlight you expose the herbs to etc.) you will have completely dry catnip! Enjoy the smell and watch your cats go wild for the favorite treat!

·         Keep in mind that if you plant this outside; you may have some feline friends from the neighborhood frequenting your yard!

Baby Binkers Gets a Kitten!

Wow!  We have been searching for a female kitten since January and finally found one!   We adopted this little girl April 21^st from Momakat Rescue*.   She was born on February 25th.  One forgets how curious the little kittens are and how powerful their “meower” can be!

We now are in the process of getting Baby Binkers acclimated to the little one.    The little one (yet unnamed) has 3 siblings and lived with 12 other cats at Momakat Rescue so another cat is no big deal to her.  It is interesting as Baby Binkers is acting totally different from our others; which is not surprising.   We also have to name this one.  Right now Baby Binkers is voting for Nastycat or Bigmouth Bratcat; but we are hoping to change her mind with a prettier name.  We have introduced many kittens into our household over the years and it is usually the little ones that hiss at the big ones.   

*Momakat Rescue is a great organization; their calling is to trap, neuter and return feral cats and find homes for kittens and cats.  Check out their website at www.momakat.org.    Tina and Sean Fitzpatrick are obviously dedicated cat lovers and do a wonderful service for our feline friends.

The internet is a great tool, information at our fingertips.  There are many ways to introduce a kitten but they are basically the same concept.  Introducing a kitten to an older cat is a process and I listed some tips that I received online (author unknown). 

The personality of your older pet:  Even if your older dog or cat has lived peacefully with other animals in the house, there is no guarantee that he will welcome a new kitten with joy, or even tolerance!

Some benign older animals will readily accept any pet brought into the home. Usually, however, even the calmest dog or cat will be concerned at the appearance of a new kitten. When you bring a new kitten into the home, your older dog or cat will need lots of extra attention. He needs to know that you still love him and that the newcomer is not a threat to his position in your household.

Your new kitten:  When you first bring your new kitten home, it is important to isolate her. Choose a room in neutral territory (not where your older pet likes to sleep). This will give you time to reassure the older pet, and will also protect the youngster from possible aggression.

A place for kitty:  Equip the kitten's room with a bed, scratching post, litter pan, food and water dishes, and toys. Put the kitten in the room and let her explore a bit while you are still with her. Then leave her alone for a short time so she can become comfortable in the new surroundings. At first, the kitten may hide. Try to coax her out to comfort her. Don't try to push too fast, though. She will gradually become less timid with you.

First introduction:  Animals get to know each other by smell. Your older pet will spend a lot of time sniffing at the bottom of the door to kitty's room. The kitten will do the same on the other side. After a day or two, you should be able to determine the older pet's reaction to the kitten. A dog anxious to meet the kitten will scratch at the door and wag his tail, while a cat will purr and generally act curious or friendly. However, if your dog growls or barks at the door and your cat hisses and seems upset, it would be best to wait a few more days before attempting further interaction.

Take it slowly!  When your older pet seems ready, introduce the pets by opening the door just wide enough so they can see and smell each other. Be certain that you stand close by to supervise. Depending on their reactions, gradually open the door wider for short periods of time until they become adjusted to looking at each other without becoming upset. This procedure may take several days, but it is usually successful.

The first time the two pets meet face to face should be short and, hopefully, calm. If the older pet is a dog, proper restraint, such as a leash will prevent him from chasing and scaring the kitten. Don't force the issue. Let the animals go as close, or stay as far away, as they want. Repeat short introductions as often as necessary, until the animals are able to stay comfortably in the same room, with supervision. Don't expect instant friendship - that takes time.

Making a place for everyone:  Your older pet needs to be reassured that the newcomer will not take over his territory. If he has a favorite sleeping place, don't let the kitten sleep there. Provide the youngster with her own toys.

Animals are often possessive of their food and feeding dishes. Ideally, since the kitten should be eating her own kitten food, have her feeding dishes in a different room or area as long as possible. Monitor mealtimes to prevent either animal from pushing the other away from its plate. Since kitten food is best for her first 12 months, it may be a good idea to continue feeding your kitten in a closed room for awhile.

Although a premium quality food formulated for All Life Stages will provide complete and balanced nutrition for both animals, if your adult cat tends to be overweight, he does not need the extra calories that a kitten food provides. In fact, if your cat is already eating a diet intended for weight loss or weight control, the kitten will not receive all the extra nutrition she requires for her growing body if they are sharing food bowls. It is best to feed the pets the food formulated for their specific life stage.

Litter Tray:  Two or more cats in a household often do share a litter tray, but many adult cats do not appreciate sharing with a kitten, at least until they are better adjusted. Providing two litter trays should help prevent your adult cat from starting to soil in inappropriate areas as an act of rebellion.

Friends, Friendly Enemies or Foes?   It may take a year or more for your older pet and the kitten to become totally comfortable with each other. They may never become friends, but simply learn to tolerate each other. Even if they remain stand-offish, most pets appreciate another warm body in the house when their owners are not there. But usually over time, the majority of pets find a workable relationship, even if they are not best friends!

Before you bring a kitten home: 

·    Have the kitten examined by your veterinarian to be sure that she is healthy and free of parasites.

·    Make certain that all your pets' vaccinations are current.

·    Aggression is diminished if both animals are neutered or spayed (the kitten at an appropriate age).

After you bring a kitten home:

·    Isolate the kitten when you first bring her home.

·    Introduce the adult and kitten gradually.

·    Protect the older pet's "territory" and rights.

·    Provide separate food dishes, water bowls, toys, and litter trays.

Baby and Her "Beauty Appointment"

It always amazes me how much fur one can get from a cat or dog; especially this time of the year.  I just finished grooming our cat, Baby.  Baby learned a lot from Appi* who was almost exactly two years older than Baby.  Appi loved to have her ears cleaned gently with a Q-tip® and would purr.  Baby then assumed that was a good thing and she responded the same way and absolutely loves it.  She starts to purr when she sees the Q-tip®.  I have never had cats that enjoyed that!   I start out using the FURminator® and then switch to the Love Glove® and clean her ears last.  Baby loves to be groomed but she is one of those cats that get over stimulated so grooming sessions with her are a little shorter than they were with Appi who could be groomed for hours.  Appi had the most luxurious fur of any cat I have ever met.  I used to tell her she had magic cat spit.   Baby always feels “pretty” afterwards and her demeanor shows it.

A few tips on grooming your pet.

1.        It is important to keep a light touch.  Before grooming your pet, run the tool, brush, comb whatever you are using down your bare arm.  That gives you an idea of what pressure to use.  If it is uncomfortable for you it will be for your pet too.  Many times I hear complaints that my pet doesn’t like to be brushed and this may be one reason why.

2.       When you get a new pet regardless of the age; add grooming to your regimen immediately.

3.       Groom frequently.

4.       Start out with very short sessions.  A few strokes at a time until they get used to it.

5.       Make it a fun thing with your pet; they will respond to your actions.   If you make it a big deal or a punishment they may equate that with going to the vet and we all know how well that usually works! 

6.       Please be very careful using Q-tips on your pet's ears and if you are not taught this properly by a vet, do not do it as you can damage their eardrums.

There are many grooming tools out there and you need to find the right one for your pet.  I find that online shopping finds many bargains for pets.  I paid half of what local pet stores charge for the FURminator® and the shipping costs were offset by no sales tax.  The Love Glove® is actually a mitten and I have tried all kinds of these knock offs and our girls knew the real thing from the knock off.  The little nubbies on the knock off are much longer and closer together and are not as effective as the Love Glove®.

*Appi was our beloved cat who died last September

The Awww Factor

What is it about a puppy or a kitten that turns us adults into melting puddles of awwwwwwwwwwwwww when we see a little soft bundle of fur?   Two of my clients recently added a puppy to their existing pet(s).   One is an absolutely adorable St. Bernard puppy named Ajax and the other one is the cutest little Havenese, Cooper.  Both of these puppies have "big" brothers and it is hilarious to see them run to keep up with their respective big bro.  It is amazing to see people’s reactions when walking them.  It turns the sourest looking people into grinning happy people!  I would walk them by restaurants and people would turn their heads and get closer to the windows for a closer peek.  Their pictures will soon be added to our website. 

Speaking of little bundles of fur, it is now kitten season and we hope to get Baby a friend very soon.  We had a lead but the upcoming Spring break week is very busy with dog walking and pet sitting and we want to devote some time to our new kitten.  When we do adopt a kitten we will immediately take her to Dr. Fuller to have her checked for FIV and feline leukemia before bringing her home.

Still No Kitten

Geez, who would have thought it would be so difficult to find a kitten? Baby (aka Binki Blue aka Binks) wrote a letter to Santa Cat asking for a new friend. She has been very lonely since our beloved Appi crossed the Rainbow Bridge in September 2010. For the first couple of months Baby would wake me up in the middle of the night pawing at me. She just wanted to be held and petted and if I drifted off to sleep, she would paw me awake. We have also noticed she is more quiet and withdrawn. Santa Cat told Baby that after Christmas she could get a kitten friend. Unfortunately, we were not thinking about kitten "season". Young kittens are scarcer then hen's teeth at the moment. I know that there are MANY adult and older kittens desperately looking for a home. However, we are not novices at introducing cats/kittens to our home and have found out that we are much more successfull when we introduce a kitten to our adult cat. Baby is also a high stressed cat and has irritable bowel syndrome so I want the transition to be as smooth as possible. If you are thinking about adopting a cat, the Humane Society of the United States has some great tips on how to accomplish this. Their website is http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips. Hopefully, one of the 12 vets I contacted will be calling soon with news of a little sister for Baby.

Homemade Dog Biscuits

I have made these for my clients and have never had a dog not like them.  These are made with all natural ingredients  and contain no preservatives so they must be refrigerated if not consumed immediately.

Ingredients 2 1/2 cups sifted whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup dry powdered milk, 1 cube beef boullion, crumbled, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 cup cooked drained ground beef (I have used ground turkey and the original recipe called for ground pork) 1 cup grated carrot, 6 tablespoons shortening, 1 egg, 1/2 cup cold water.

Directions: 

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Lightly oil (or use parchment paper) two large cookie sheets.

2.  In a medium bowl, stir together the whole wheat flour, milk powder, beef boulllion and salt.  Add the ground meat, carrot, shortening and egg.  Mix into the flour mixture while gradually adding water to from a stiff ball of dough.

3.  On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4" thickness.  Cut into desired shapes using cookie cutters, and re-roll scraps until no dough is left.  Place cookies 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.

4.  Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the bottoms of the cookies are browned.  Allow cookies to set for a few minutes on the cookie sheet before removing to wire racks to cool completely.

(recipe from allrecipes.com)

Baby is Home

I picked Baby up at 4 pm yesterday after having her teeth cleaned.  I am very fortunate and have a wonderful vet, Dr. Fuller.  He understands how stressed out she can get and keeps her in isolation and does everything he can to minimize her stress.   Baby is a diluted Torti and like a lot of the Calicos and Tortoiseshells she can be a bit skittish.  Actually a lot skittish, she runs and hides when we have guests.  She is definitely not the gracious hostess like our Appi was.  To make matters worse, Baby has irritable bowel syndrome and stress can aggravate that condition.  (We refer to it as Baby's Condition issues)  Even though she was kept away from other cats at the clinic she was still pretty stressed out but is finally coming around to her old self this afternoon.  I gave her some "meowijuana" (aka catnip) this morning to take the edge off.  Did you know that one out of two cats craves catnip?  Catnip is a fragrant herb from the mint family.  Interesting enough, some Siamese cats prefer mint to catnip.  The catnip's buds contain an essential oil called nepetalactone that evokes such feline antics as chin and cheek rubbing, rolling and kicking, and even leaping into the air.  Opt for the organic catnip as it is more potent.  Baby loves catnip!

Dental Care for Pets

It sure is quiet around here today.  I took Baby aka Binki Blue to Dr. Fuller at Hope Animal Clinic to have her teeth cleaned this morning.  She loves to ride shot gun but she certainly doesn't like the idea of "fasting".  She kept telling me this morning that not only did she not have her gourmet breakfast (canned food) but her dish with her crunchies was missing too!  To see a picture of Baby, look at the post titled "Feeling Blah".  She often is her Daddy's "catretary".

When should dental care start with your pet?
The earlier the better. With the help of your Veterinarian, be on the lookout for retained deciduous teeth and malocclusion (bad bite) problems. Your Veterinarian can teach you how to care for your pet's teeth and gums early on.

How can you tell if your pet has dental problem?
Bad breath is often a first indicator of dental disease. Gently lift the lips and check for tartar, inflamed gums, or missing/broken teeth. Cats may exhibit increased drooling. Both cats and dogs can exhibit reluctance to eat or play with toys, "chattering" of the teeth when trying to eat, lethargy, bleeding gums, eroded teeth, and failing to groom (cats). Dental disease progresses in stages -- if caught early, you can prevent further damage and save as many teeth as possible.

How is the rest of the body affected by bad teeth?
Infected gums and teeth aren't just a problem in the mouth -- the heart, kidneys, intestinal tract, and joints may also be infected. The tartar and any infected areas of the mouth contain a multitude of bacteria than can 'seed' to other parts of the body. With regular dental care, you can prevent some of these more serious side effects.

Hawks

The following is from the ABC e-forecast, J.B. Elliott.  JB lives in the Trussville area and he and his wife have Little Miss Molly.  I often tell people that we don't have cats rather our cats have 2 people!  The story below is scary.  There is always something to look out for!

MY TINY CORNER OF THE WORLD:  Little Miss Molly had a nice ballgame last evening, but around midnight when it was time for her to go to bed, she went on an energy explosion. She runs through the house at breakneck speed and you can hear her toenails digging into the carpet for traction. She throws her favorite balls all over the place and then stops to look at me to see if I will play. I received an e-mail yesterday from Terri, who is a long-time reader and who also loves dogs. Unfortunately, they lost their dog last May due to a snake bite. I want to quote her word for word and it really grabbed my attention. “…Here is something that people need to be aware of. Hawks seem to be in abundance and they can pick up small animals like kittens, Chihuahuas and other small animals. I witnessed this yesterday as I was driving to work. A hawk took flight from a sidewalk as I was driving through Bluff Park. It had something with four legs in its talons. It upset me so much that I had to fight back the tears. I blew my horn, but it did no good. A friend of mine, who lives in Alabaster, said that they quit letting their Chihuahua out without them being right beside it due to hawks flying over their neighborhood.” Thanks Terri. I will certainly be on watch.

Snow in Dixie

Being in Birmingham, Alabama; snow can be a rarity although Mother Nature has teased us several times this winter.  Children in the South are not the only ones who find snow a treat.  Dogs usually love it!  It is amusing to watch their reactions to it.  One of my clients (who shall remain anonymous) loves to eat the snow.  I don't mean a little nibble, he acts as a snow vacuum cleaner and can't eat it quick enough.  He then starts to shiver due to all the cold snow he has eaten which is then followed by another potty break!  We don't usually have to worry about salting the sidewalks and driveways here so a word to the wise.  Do not use salt, use a pet-friendly alternative.  Can you imagine how it would feel if you had a scratch or scrape and you rub salt into it?  That is how it can feel on the pads of our dogs paws.

On a totally different note, a big happy birthday to my dear friend, Liz!

Coming soon. . . a recipe for dog biscuits, just in time for St. Valentine's Day.

Feeling Blah?

Gray rainy cold days are purrfect to embrace the power of petting.  Scientists report that people who pet their cats experience an increase in Theta waves, a brain wave pattern that shows a reduction in feelings of anxiety for both cat and petter!  Petting your cat for just a few minutes releases a healthy amount of positive biochemicals, those "feel good" hormones.  Our feline friends bring sunshine into our lives regardless of what the weather is so let's enjoy and nurture them.

Pet Obesity

Very interesting article in January 23's Birmingham News regarding pet obesity.  The article indicates that more than half of the dogs and cats in the United States are obese.  Pet food company, Nulo (Nutrition Meets Love) was founded by Michael Landa, a successful pet sitter in California.  Landa had an "aha" moment after receiving numerous requests for sitters who could give insulin injections to dogs and cats.  Landa spent two years developing his line of food that "has everything pets need and nothing they don't".  For more information visit www.nulo.com.

A great healthy inexpensive treat for dogs is fresh baby carrots.  As always, please check with your vet.

And let's not forget our feline friends--a real treat for them is fresh catnip.  Most adult cats love this treat and you can grow it in containers.  Keep in mind that if you plant it outdoors you may have visits from neighbor cats.  Before moving to our loft we grew some in planters on our deck and our girls would have a fit when they would spy a strange cat nibbling on their "meowijuana"!