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Stopping Cat Spray. Also, destructive cats.

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My cat Kevin is basically a demon. He destroys everything he can get his claws on (carpet, blinds, furniture, shower curtains, clothes, etc) , yowls in the middle of the night, and is basically a terror.

However, there is one thing I’ve never had to work through with him: he has never sprayed anywhere (I got him neutered about 5 months ago), and he knows where his litter box is. I’ve been extremely fortunate to never have to deal with cat spray, but it is a huge problem for owners of non-neutered male cats (though, some neutered cats as well as females do. It’s just not as common). If you ARE having problems with this behavior, be sure to check out this article by Theophanes at Hub Pages. It explains the multiple causes of spraying (the most common being hormone changes / sexual maturity) and how to stop them. It’s a long article and every word is important, so I won’t put any of it here. Be sure to check it out and read the entire thing.

Side note, if your cat IS destroying everything like Kevin does, PLEASE do not declaw them. Simply remove the causes of temptation (I always keep the blinds up), get a spray bottle for them if they’re being really bad. Kevin actually really improved after I got my second cat. Even though I provided toys and played with him when I could, he was still a hyper one year old cat, and I couldn’t be there constantly. Now he has someone to play with and his behavior has dramatically improved. It won’t work for every cat, but if they get along well with others, it may be something worth considering.

Photo Credit: Feliciano Guimaraes 

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Thinking of Fostering a Dog? Ask These Questions First

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Fostering pets is an extremely rewarding experience, and it’s an admirable way to give back to the community, especially if you love animals and want to do local shelters a huge service. Plus, it also benefits you! If you love animals but can’t make the commitment of adopting, it’s a great way to spend lots of time with them. However, it can also be challenging if you’re just now starting (or thinking of fostering). There are lots of details that you may forget until the need arises: for example, if the pet has a medical emergency, who pays for it? Good question. You also have to be ready for the emotional toll it may take. It’s really easy to get attached to them for the few weeks or months you have them, then you have to give them to another family. If you’re about to foster a dog, check out this post by Jane Harrell at Petfinder for questions to ask the shelter before you take them. I won’t post them here; there are far too many and they’re all equally important. It’s a must read for anyone about to become a foster (pet) parent.

Photo Credit: M01229 

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Help! Why Does My Kitty’s Breath Smell So Bad?

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Do you ever wanna cuddle with your cat, but then you’re blown away by the stink of a yawn or a lick? Just how can a cat’s breath get so stinky? Well, some cats are…just smelly. However, bad breath (halitosis) can be a symptom of much more serious health problems. Usually, the breath is just one symptom. You may notice other changes in your cat’s behavior. If you suspect something isn’t right, take your pet the to vet as soon as possible for an official diagnosis. For help, read this article at Cats of Australia to figure out what the bad breath may be a sign of:

Abscessed tooth. Tooth Decay or broken teeth

Gingivitis (inflammation of the gums)

Periodontal Disease

Bone or foreign body stuck between the teeth

Kidney Disease

Feline Leukemia Virus

Feline Stomatitis

Mouth tumors

Photo Credit: shira gal 

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Making Your Yard Safe And Fun For Your Dogs

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Hopefully, most pet owners are aware that hot asphalt will severely damage dog (and kitty) paws, and that there are probably some plants that are bad for pets. Moreover, sometimes dogs like to dig/ otherwise ruin lawns. That’s probably the extent of how much lawn safety and care the average pet owner knows. However, there are a few other things that need to be taken into account when attempting to create a dog-friendly yard. Check out this post by Katie Dillon at Install It Direct for safety and sensible landscaping advice:

Safety:

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) maintains lists of plants that are toxic to dogs, cats and/or horses.

Make sure there’s enough shade as well as a cool spot for your dog to rest, especially in order to prevent digging to cooler turf.

Lawn care:

Train your dog to relieve himself in a designated area (we know, easier said than done).

The post also has a list of grass and other mossy species which stand up well to dog traffic.

Photo Credit: Michael Hoy  

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Creative Ways To Help Shelters

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Donating money, or supplies like food and kitty litter are really great ways to help out shelters. However, there are other things you can do if you want to help but are short on cash. Shelters always need volunteers, and sometimes donating your time is better than buying stuff for them. If you’re interested in more creative ways to help out animal shelters, look no further than this post by Wendy Frink at The Bark Post:

-Transport animal homes- volunteer to drive animals to their foster or forever homes

-Make animal beds from old sweaters (tutorial in link)

-Take photos of pets up for adoption

-Throw a party for your pet!- ask for donations or supplies for gifts

-Volunteer your skills as a writer, graphic designer, or bookkeeper- for shelters

-Foster an animal

-Volunteer to walk or play with the animals

Photo Credit: Dave Parker 

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Getting Rid Of Skunk Smell

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If you live out in the country, or maybe just have some really curious or unlucky pets, you might have some experience with skunk spray. It can be unbearable for you (imagine how your dog feels!) and it can seem impossible to get rid of- no matter how many tomato baths you give your pooch. However, there are some solutions! Check out this post by Jill Winger at The Prairie Homestead for her de-skunking recipe:

  • 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (this is the kind you find in the first aid section of your average grocery store. It’s very cheap.)
  • 1/4 cup Baking Soda
  • 1-2 drops of liquid dish soap (optional)
  • Rubber Gloves (optional, but highly recommended…)
  • Bucket

Put on your gloves and gather everything you will need. Once you mix the ingredients, the solution must be used immediately, so there won’t be any time to go searching for the dog, etc!

Photo Credit: Don Debold 

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