The Stinking Truth: Comparing Kitty Litter

Small kitten in blue plastic litter cat isolated on whiteWhat is that smell? Where did all that dust come from? If you are a kitty owner, then the dilemma of WHERE to put the cat box and WHAT litter to put in it is a constant battle! Clay litter has been around since the 1940’s and“Clay is still a great absorber, and cheap as dirt (well, clay), too, but it’s more environmentally unfriendly, since you have to dump out the whole litter box once it’s full (in other words, once a week)” -Dr. Justine Lee.

Scoopable litter came about in 1996: “I hunted around and found clays that were dried but not baked. They were very absorbent and would form a clump when the cat urinated on them. The clump could then be removed, thereby getting rid of the urine. I had a box of litter I did not change in 10 years—I just added more—and it had absolutely no odor at all.” -Dr. Nelson, Cat Fancy Magazine.

Below are six different products with their pros and cons. After sifting through many boards and reviews, I found that layering a couple of the litters may be the perfect solution since no one product does it all!

1. Simply Pine    20 lb. $12.00
northeastern white pine pellets from 100% pure
Pros:

No dust and no tracking
Chemical free, additive free
Cons
Allergic reaction to pine
Lets litter pool in bottom of cat litter pan

2. Fresh News Cat Litter    25 lb $15.00
Recycled paper with baking soda added
No dust and no tracking
More volume and 3x more absorbent than clay
Pros:
100 % recycled paper
Can be composted and used as soil amendment or mulch
100% nonallergenic
Cons:
Lets litter pool in bottom of cat litter pan
Strong pee odor persists

3. World’s Best Cat Litter    28 lb $29.00
Clumping Litter
Pros:
corn-based litter that is both flushable and biodegradable
Neutralizes cat urine with no artificial odor
Cons:
Doesn’t hide smell of urine very well (they now make a pricier scented version)

4. Litter Purrfect    30 lb    $7.00
Clay based
Pros:
GREAT at absorbing odor with it’s Lemongrass Essence
Clumps well for easy disposal
Dust Free
Cons:
Large clay pieces that some cats don’t like and may not dig in it to cover their deposits

5. Cat Attract    20 lb. $22.00
Herbal scent, ideal texture and particle size
Clay litter
Pros:
100% Biodegradable
Hard Clumping
Dust free
Cons:
Sticks to cat paws and gets tracked around house
Long-haired cats can get clumps on their backside
Concerns that bentonite clays will “set-up” in a cat’s stomach (un-founded according to numerous vet sites)

6.  Scoop Away Multi-cat    20 lb $25.00

Pros:
Virtually masks all scent of pee
Good for multiple-cat owners
Easy cleanup clumps stay together
Litter lasts a long time
Cons:
Dusty
Composed of clay, natural but nonbiodegrable

What are your comments? How many litter boxes do you have?

Cat Fight After Identifying Friend or Foe

slider

How do I tell if the cat coming toward me is a Friend or Foe? Even us kitties use our gut feeling (instincts) when greeting a new cat. Sure, I could state the obvious: if their claws are out, back arched and fur standing on end – probably Foe. Yet this is also the pose a scared young cat will make to bluff that it is bigger and fiercer (when actually she is quivering and ready to bolt)

One thing to keep in mind: most of the time the Foe is a male trying to stake out new territory or a female cat. So when a new cats stray into my neighborhood, it’s usually a Foe. When a sweet house kitty gets out for a few hours, primarily a Friend. When I encounter these cats, there are only a few moments to decide which one they are. To do this, I use my method of identifying potential threats, called: Slider’s Superior Skills System or “SSSS” and I make that sound when practicing

Step 1: Control the First Impression
Scared Kitten
Make sure to Fluff your fur to MAXIMUM. For the best angle, turn your body sideways but keep your head facing forward. Start flicking your tail back and forth like a whip. Stare-them down.

Step 2: Verbalize
Choose between growling and hissing to verbalize your intention. If they reply in the same tone, the fight is on  If the foe seems particularly tough, an all-out caterwaul is in order “Mrreeooowwwaahh ”

Step 3: Action
Circle each other, striking out with a fully-claw-extended paw. Go for the neck, grabbing ahold to land a solid bite on the back. Finally, kick like crazy at the torso, hoping to drive home the idea “I need to get out of here.”

Of course there can be positive interactions as well – like with my friend Frosty. She is a silver tabby that sits on my front porch, patiently waiting for me to get let outside. We take turns rubbing against the railing beams, marking our scent. Then we roll on the pine-straw, laying side-by-side in the sun. She likes to lean over and lick my ears, cleaning out the dirt and smoothing down my fly-aways. That is a true friend!

Medicines vs. Natural Remedies for What Ails Your Dog

Stream Rice In Electric Rice Cooker On White Background

Does your dog need a drug to fix what ails him? Or would an all-natural remedy work just as well? There are two sides to every coin, so depending on the way you fall in your beliefs, both options are offered below for the top five most common ailments among our furry best friend – the dog.

For Arthritis:
Meds:
1. Rimadyl
2. Novox (generic equivalent of Rimadyl) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) used to treat pain and inflammation

All Natural:
1. Compare to the natural remedies of Green-Lipped Mussel (ewwww) or
2. Glucosamine sulfate “helps rehabilitate damaged cartilage by stimulating the production of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and chondroitin sulfate, the essential component of cartilage. Glucosamine has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory activity.”-Homeopathy Works.

For Upset Stomach:
Meds:
1. Immodium A/D (loperamide)
2. Pedialyte
3. Pepto/Bismol

All Natural:
1. Bland diet of rice and white chicken
For example: offer 75% of a the rice bland diet with 25% of the dog’s regular kibble and give it for three days. If the does well, then offer half rice diet and half dog kibble in a 50-50 mixture for another three days.
2. Banana Baby Food
3. Probiotics – Prostora made by Iams , Proviable made from Nutramax Labs and Fortiflora made from Purina.


For Diarrhea:

Meds:
1. Immodium A/D (loperamide)
2. Pepto/Bismol (carefully measure correct dosage – may cause side effects such as darkening of tongue or stool

plain_yogurt

All Natural:   
1. plain yogurt or cottage cheese – Probiotics such as Fortiflora or Culturelle may be also helpful to promote the growth of good bacteria
2. Fast the dog. This will give his gastro-intestinal tract some rest and time to recover (24-hour fast)
3. Unflavored Pedialyte to help replace lost electrolytes – keep the dog hydrated

For Constipation: 
Meds:
1. Lax-eze
2. Lactulose Solution for Dogs and Cats (Hi-Tech Pharmacal)

All Natural:   
1. Ground dark green leafy veggies: 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight 1-2 times daily with food
2. Canned 100 percent pumpkin: 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight 1-2 times daily on food
3. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar unfiltered (ACV), 1/4 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight added to your dog’s food 1-2 times daily.

For Hot Spots:
(most commonly around the ears and flank regions from excessive biting/licking)tea-tree-oil-4oz
Meds:
1. Betagen
2. Genesis Topical Spray
3. Sulfodene Skin Medication for Dogs 4

All Natural: 
1. Be Soothed. Tea Tree Oil
2. HomeoPet Hot Spots

BEWARE the Caterpillar

stinginrose

I discovered the oddest creature, it fell right out of the Oak tree onto me! Arching my back, I flung it off onto the wooden planks, where it inched around the big fern. It had long tufts of snow-white hair, lots of little stubby feet, and evil black horns. Unlucky for me, the catepillar stung through my fur. Perhaps it was the odd howl that came next, or the collapse onto my side, eyes rolling and tongue panting. One look at me and my owner shrieked at the kids to call Doctor so-and-so. “Where is that insect identification book when you need it? Go look on the computer, Google “stinging caterpillars and key in the description.”pussmoth

No, it was not a common White-Marked Tussock Moth, they don’t sting. They have a distinctive red head. Also on the porch, flung onto the fern, was a super-hairy Asp. This is a toxic caterpillar
with the sting feeling “often very severe, radiating up a limb and causing burning, swelling… with headache, abdominal pain, skin rashes and blisters, and even chest pain or difficulty breathing.” (Eagleman 2008).

There was now a noticeable swelling on my back, and I was having trouble breathing. Thank goodness we keep Benadryl around. I didn’t even mind when the sticky stuff was squirted down my throat. I was wrapped in a towel and carried to the waiting car. We zoomed off in a haze and I fell asleep. The next thing I remember was a bright light…

No, it wasn’t kitty heaven, I have used up only 3 of my 9 lives. I was recovering in the animal hospital. The Dr. had removed the barb still stuck in my back with tweezers. Using commercial tape, the doctor had repeatedly placed fresh pieces over the wound and slowly pulled them off, removing any remaining hairs. Next, hot soapy water was used to clean the area. A topical antihistamine was applied and then an ice-pack to reduce the swelling. The quick reaction of my owner probably saved my life!

Upon returning home, I went to my favorite book and looked up “Poisonous Caterpillars in North Carolina.” It listed the Asp as the most toxic! A few others to beware of:

1. The bright colored Spiny Oak Slug Caterpillar. The vibrant orange and red stripe across it’s light-green back warn of poisonous spines.

2. The Saddleback Caterpillar, looking very slug-like and found in the garden. This guy has a brown body, green horse-saddle (really, it looks just one) with a distinctive brown spot in the center of it’s back.

3. The Stinging Rose Caterpillar (often found on rose bushes), has beautiful colors of vivid yellows, reds, purples, and oranges. It almost looks like blown glass, smooth with the yellow tendrils sticking out full of poisonous barb.

Traveling With Your Pet

Summer holiday, Travel - family ready for the travel for summer

“In the Summertime, when the weather is fine…” people travel with pets!

Here is a short list to check-off before you take-off:

  1. Veterinarian Phone number
  2. Any medication’s your pet is on (including Benadryl in case they get stung)
  3. Remember a leash! Many rest stops regulate pets and want them on a leash at all times.
  4. Bring a water Dish and Water Bottle, so they have something to drink out of.
  5. Dog/Cat food and Treats (Some brands are hard to find and you do not want to switch foods on a trip as it can effect the pets digestive system)
  6. Leave room for pet, when packing owners often try to cram the dog underfoot or put the cat facing backwards in hatchback.

A few Do’s and Don’ts:

DO check with the hotel to make sure you have a pet room, and verify if there is an additional charge

DO check with family so that they know your pet is coming with you and are prepared

Do NOT leave your pet in the car while you break to eat, instead get food to go or find a restaurant with outdoor seating

Do NOT feed your pet anything unusual because they could get gassy, stinking up the car

DO consider having Four Paws Pet Sitting watch over your pet, if they don’t travel well, are a puppy, or are older and are used to a routine!

Cats Don’t Count Calories

Fat orange cat sleeping

My neighborhood has a problem and it’s called fat-cat syndrome. All winter long we felines were kept indoors with little stimulation. No reason to get off our soft beds and stretch, run,  or jump. Then Spring came with it’s rain, wind and a few tornadoes. Nobody wanted to be out in that!

Now it is finally July and the blessed bugs have arrived!  The sunny side of the street has lizards ripe for chasing. I notified my owner with a yowl that signified “This cat has GOT to get out, NOW!” and she obliged.

My goal is to gather my four friends and go frog hunting. When I go to get Bubbles next door,  I don’t even recognize her! She resembles a couch pillow, all round and puffy! “It’s the beefy kitty treats. I just couldn’t get enough” she purrs. “The label says a serving size is 2 treats per day. Ha! I had no less than 20 a day since granny moved in and can’t remember whether  she has fed me or not.”

Gently, I explain to her that since she weighs 11 pounds, her total calories needed for a day would be 300 (or 25 calories/per pound for cats).  With each treat supplying 10 calories, she has consumed  half her daily requirement! That would be like a human eating 1,000 calories of butter. Not healthy!Persian Harlequin Cat, 6 Months Old, Sitting In Front Of White B

She flicked her tail at me and wobbled down the path to Tiny’s house.

He met us in the garden, his Maine Coon coat covered in dirt. “You missed an epic battle! I chased a blue-tailed skink all around the tomatoes. He got away but I got this trophy – his tail!” boasted Tiny. I smile politely, then do a double take! Tiny is… BIG. Seems to be as wide as he is tall. “What are you eating?” I ask.

“Ahhh, I have developed  a weakness for fresh cream” he replies. My warning that we cats don’t digest dairy very well doesn’t even register. Additionally, milk’s high calorie count is a contributing factor to feline obesity. And many cats have lactose intolerance, which leads to chronic diarrhea and upset stomach. If he keeps chugging the cream, I  fear Tiny  may not be able to make it through the kitty door!

Our last stop is a small bungalow where siblings Fritz and Mitch live. They jump down from the front porch and land beside me with a THUD. Whoaaa, big boys! “Yeah, we did nothing this winter. Literally. And yet the magic food bowl kept supplying us with a gelatinously good liver pate” purrs Fritz. Oh dear, this is worse than I feared! All of my kitty friends have succumbed to FAT CAT syndrome.

After we pounced on and pursued frogs for the better part of the morning, I returned home to my computer to research why so many cats get big. And bigger. Here are some things for owners to be aware of:

1. Large food portions. Read the directions and feed according to your cat’s IDEAL weight, not actual weight.

2. Free-feeding. Leaving food out in the bowl all day – a bad idea because cats will eat when bored.

3. Competition for food. In households with multiple cats, when one cat goes to the food bowl others are often driven there out of curiosity or competitive instinct instead of real hunger.

4. Too many treats, or the wrong kind of treats. (Don’t give them cheese, milk or carbs)

Help a kitty out – only feed us at meal time!

Hiking and Traveling Pet Products

chuckit-hydro-bowl-travel-water-bowl

Portable water bottles with drink bowls? Food bowls that pop up? Who thought of these things – why, pet owners like you!

Now, when you travel for a weekend or week-long trip, your pet’s dishes are more portable and easier to use. The following products are light-weight, small, and pet-tested / owner approved!!

For food dishes, try one of these three:

1. Gamma Vittles Vault TRAVEL-tainer Portable Pet Food Container
“It keeps your pet food fresh, in an easy carry, airtight, food grade plastic container. Just remove the carry handle and pull off the food/water dishes. Twist off top of the Gamma Vittles Vault TRAVEL-tainer Portable Pet Food Container and pour!” Cost: $ 8.99

2. Popware for Pets
Collapsible Travel Cup with Carabiner (BIG clip) is an “expandable food and water cup that you can latch onto your dog’s leash when you are on the go. BPA free. Collapses to less than 0.5 inches thick. Quick-release clip attaches to leashes, belt-loops, purse, stroller”. Cost: $6.99

3. Chuckit! Hydro Travel Bowl
Folds up and snaps into a compact size. Easy to clean! The Hydro bowl has a 5 cup capacity. The price point is right, coming in under five. Cost: $4.99!

Now, on to the thirsty pet problem. How often have you cupped your hands to share your water bottle with the dog? Or had them gulp as you slowly pour it out? Neither method works and that’s why there are now water bottles with a bowl attached! One of the coolest products is the:

1. PET PortaBottle Travel Water Bottle
Holds up to a 20-oz bottle of water. Flip-down bowl is attached to the water bottle, handy tether for hanging from a bike, shoulder, stroller, backpack or vehicle. Cost: $17.69

2. Martha Stewart Pets® Double Travel Bowl
2 in 1 travel bowl. “The double bowl design accommodates food and water, and the drawstring closure lets you store food for later use. The side pocket also provides storage space for treats”. Cost: $13.49

3. OurPet’s Speed-e-Drink To Go
“Just insert a (16.9 ounce) water bottle into the specially designed holder and turn upside down. The holder is designed to dispense water into the attached tray without your dog’s mouth touching the opening of the water bottle.” Cost: $3.49

So choose the style that’s right for you, then take that much-needed vacation with your furry best friend!

Bengal Cats – A Little Closer to the Wild

Bengal kitten
Have you ever admired an exotic-looking leopard print cat? Chances are it’s an Asian Bengal breed, started in the 1960’s, and they are quite the characters among felines! The Bengal is a hybrid of the Asian Leopard Cat and the domestic cat. What breeders call “Pet quality” costs from $1000-$2000 dollars, whereas a show quality Bengal can cost between $2000- $4500.

These cats are so highly intelligent, that they have been known to pull up heat vents, open doors, turn on faucets to drink, open cupboards where their food is kept, and figure out how to pull toys apart. Unfortunately, their smart personality can lend itself to becoming destructive if left alone all day while you work outside the home.

They are also extremely vocal and their social personality lends itself to “talking” to pet owners. In the evening, however, BEWARE! They are prone to caterwauling (a loud howl/cry that repeats over and over) especially when there is a full moon!

Additional Personality Qualities:
Intelligent
Extremely Active at Night
Playful
Need for Attention is High
Need to Vocalize is High
Very Curious
Enjoy Water
Confident
Territorial
Can become destructive when Bored

As far as appearance, the Bengal’s rosette spots are aligned horizontally rather than in random or tabby configuration. Their fur has a ‘glitter gene’ that gives it an iridescent glow. Three recessive coat variations have been developed: the snow leopard, the marbled (often brown spotted), and the snow marbled (pale-white or cream background). Males can get up to 18 lbs and females are quite a bit smaller, averaging 10 lbs.

Bengal’s love fresh cooked chicken, and according to vets “Cats are carnivores, so they need protein and a common recommendation is a diet that is at least 30% protein.” Plenty of large water dishes should be left out, as this breed likes to dip its paw in and lick it off. They have also been known to enjoy a shower or bath, surprising their owner! If you have a fish tank – cautionary warning – they can figure out how to get the top off and paw at the fish within!

So if you are considering adoption of this breed, there are several things to consider: how often are you away from home, if you have the time to walk this cat or have a screened-in porch for their night-time antics, and if you are looking for a highly-interactive pet.

The Bengal is very affectionate and dangerously smart – yet it is a cat that is not for everyone. If you do not want to pay the big bucks to a breeder, here are several rescue organizations for Bengal cats:

http://www.bengalrescuenetwork.org
http://www.greatlakesbengalrescue.com
http://www.bengalcatworld.com/home/breeder-directory/bengal-rescue

How Fast Did That Dog Just Go?

Speedy Irish Setter Running
So, if you have ever been out-gunned by your dog in a race, read on…

The average human runs at 12-15 mph. Even Usain Bolt, the fastest man on Earth, ran at only 23 mph for 100 meters. In comparison, the average household dog runs at around 25 mph.
When considering the five dogs listed below, average humans are downright tortoise-like!

These five fastest canines are sure to impress you:

1. The African Wild Dog (Aka Cape Hunting Dog) can run at speeds of over 45 mph. The Wild dogs hunt in packs, sometimes pursuing their prey at top speeds for 10 to 60 minutes. They have an unusual foot with 4 toes instead of 5, and very long muscular legs built to power-up for speed. With an 80% success rate when hunting, it is this genetic advantage of speed that makes them such good hunters. Unfortunately, they are now on the endangered species list in much of South East Africa.

2. The Greyhound’s speed over 100 meters is 43 mph, just slightly behind the Wild Dog. Much has been made of the Greyhounds ability to accelerate faster than almost any animal – covering 59 feet per second – just slightly slower than the Cheetah. This dog’s body combines “long, powerful legs, deep chest, flexible spine and slim build to attain it’s top speed within six strides from a standstill! Greyhounds did not develop as naturally, though, and have been bred for over 200 years to participate in coursing and races.

3. The Saluki is a cousin of the Greyhound and has been clocked at 43 mph as well, It is a desert sight hunter, chasing down gazelle and antelope. It lives in areas surrounding Turkey and is the Royal Dog of Egypt! They are an ancient breed, with “their pictures appearing in ancient Egyptian tombs dating from 2100 BC. ”

4. The Whippet was bred from mixing Italian Greyhounds and Terriers to produce a smaller, quicker dog that could successfully catch rabbits and rats. It has been clocked at 37 mph and was frequently raced on tracks in England.

5. Grey Wolves have also been clocked at speeds of 35 mph when hunting. They are considered the descendants of wild dogs that followed humans around, feeding off scraps from their hunt. They frequently gave up their lone hunting for a more reliable scavenging off human kills.

*It is worth noting that conflicting sources listthe Russian Borzoi as faster than the Border Collie. Both are in contention for the next fastest canine at speeds of around 30 mph.

The Emotional Dog

Therapy

Does your dog know when you are sad and come over to comfort you? Does  he really experience feelings of sadness, joy, distress, fear, and love internally? According to new research, the answer is YES.

Just think of the look on your dog’s face when he rolls on his back in the cool dirt or long grass. Legs kicking in the air, pure joy radiating out of his eyes – he is experiencing a feeling. Joy!

Recent studies show that dogs “ have seven fundamental, basic, emotional systems that provide the ability to react to information about what enters the brain via the senses. These ‘magnificent seven’ include a seeking system to look for food, a fear system to respond to unfamiliar events that may be dangerous, a play system and a care system to raise offspring and form vital social attachments.” – Centre of Applied Pet Ethnology (COAPE).

Now, let’s take it a step further and examine one specific emotion dogs feel: the ‘fairness’ emotion. Another study done by Sharon Maguire of the Dog Breed Info Center “Suggests dogs are able to interpret fairness, as when one dog decides things are “not fair” and reacts by refusing to obey or getting emotionally upset. Dogs were asked to perform a trick and the dog’s enthusiasm was lowered when they saw other dogs being rewarded with food but receiving nothing for themselves. Some of the dogs even turned their heads, refusing to look at the human or other dog.” The hang-dog look when you don’t reciprocate a biscuit for a trick is proof of this fairness feeling. If you have another pet in your household, then you know that when one is fed, the other expects to be, too!  Dogs sense when another animal in their house is getting a treat (they hear or smell it) and expect to receive a treat themselves.

Additional support for dogs having feelings involved a study that linked dog development to human development:

“Dogs also have the same hormones and undergo the same chemical changes that humans do during emotional states. Dogs even have the hormone oxytocin, which, in humans, is involved with feeling love and affection for others.”- What Do Dogs Know. Several articles cautioned owners not to give their pets human emotions – dogs have their own version of love – and it is a constant,  simple, toddler version.

Dogs can tell if you are upset after a long day of work, and the dog won’t understand why, but he will pick up on your energy and body language. In the Psychology Today study, researchers analyzed their data and determined “that the mind of a dog is roughly equivalent to that of a human who is two to two-and-a-half years old. This conclusion holds for most mental abilities — including emotions.  The difference is that dogs age quicker, thus going through their developmental stages faster. They develop all of the basic emotions: joy, fear, anger, disgust, and love but not the  more complex emotions: guilt, pride, shame, and manipulation. So thinking a dog has ulterior motives in a situation is wrong.

Dogs are not confused about how they feel, unlike people!