Dangerous Household Products That Can Hurt Your Cat

Do you know that the products that you use to clean your home can hurt your cat? Here are some tips on “Cat Proofing Your Home!”

Keep these items away from your cat:

Household Cleaners:
Ammonia, disinfectants, fabric softener and bleach. Keep chemicals and cleaners securely locked away.

Indoor Plants:
Mistletoe, marijuana, poinsetta, tobacco, cactus, dumb cane, and philodendron.

Outdoor Plants:
Azaleas, daffodils, horse chestnuts, tulips, wild mushrooms, rhubarb, and morning glories

Coca mulch, can also hurt your cat.

Pesticides: Rat poisons, bug sprays

Personal Items:
Antidepressant and prescription drugs, hairspray and nail polish.

Other Items:
String, yarn, rubber bands, and dental floss are easy to swallow and can cause intestinal blockages or strangulation. Insect control products, such as the insecticides used in many over-the-counter flea and tick remedies, may be toxic to companion animals.

Human medications such as pain killers, aspirin, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. Cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, anti-depressants, vitamins, and diet pills can all be toxic to animals. Always keep medication containers, and tubes of ointments and creams away from pets. If you drop a pill, make sure you find it immediately and dispose of it.

Holiday decorations and lights are beautiful, however they do pose a risk to cats and dogs.  Keep these items out of the reach of  pets.

We all use Pine Sol, but did you know that this cleaning solution containing high concentrations of pine oil, and  alcohols derived from pine tree wood. Turpentine is another product that has pine oil terpenes. Cats are particularly sensitive to pine oils because they lack an efficient liver enzyme system to detoxify them.

Cats are sensitive to Lysol cleaner but not only because of their sensitivity to the alcohol in the product, but because this cleaner also contains phenols.  Cats have problems detoxifying this type of poison due to the low efficiency of the detoxifying liver enzymes.

Furniture polish may contain petroleum distillates which are toxic to cats . Avoid using mothballs in the outdoor environment they are toxic to wildlife. Boric acid dust or solution is corrosive and toxic to pets, and commonly found in ant killer and cleaners.

When using fertilizer, as with lawn weed killer products, read manufacturer instructions carefully. Some granular and liquid sprays contain enough concentrated nutrients so that contact exposure can lead to paw irritation.

Be careful with pressure treated wood. The slow release around the wood of the impregnated fungicide can contaminate their water.

Dispose of old batteries. If a cat brushes up against an old leaky battery, the acids transferred to the fur can lead to burns of the tongue during grooming, or chemical burns.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), states that cigarettes contain nicotine. If a cat eats too much tobacco they can become ill. Symptoms include vomiting, agitation, diarrhea and increased breathing rate. The cat can experience weakness, muscle twitching, and could go into a  coma and possibly die.

Licking up antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid and gasoline can cause your cat to become ill. Antifreeze does not have much of an odor or foul taste and your cat is likely to lap it up without thinking. Some brands of antifreeze have gone so far as to use additives in their products to make them less attractive to animals. It only takes a small amount, less than a tablespoon, to be fatal to your cat because of liver damage. Be sure to keep your cat away when you are working with antifreeze and clean up any spills immediately and dispose of the clean-up rags properly

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), also states that the signs of ethylene glycol antifreeze poisoning really depend on the amount of time that has lapsed since ingestion. Approximately thirty minutes to an hour after ingesting antifreeze, grogginess, disorientation and lethargy may occur. The initial signs for ethylene glycol antifreeze may look like drunkenness. Vomiting, diarrhea and ultimately kidney failure will follow 12 to 24 hours later. Since there is a narrow window of opportunity for managing antifreeze poisoning before kidney damage occurs, it is critical to get your cat to a veterinarian for prompt treatment.

Do not let your cat drink from puddles. These products taste appealing to pets but most are lethal to animals when ingested. So thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. Also, keep your pets far away from any suspect puddles.

Never, ever give your cat chicken bones.

The experts at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center set the record straight. As the Premier Animal Poison Control Center in North America, they are your best resource for any animal poison-related emergency, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, make the call that can make all the difference: (888) 426-4435. A $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card.
   

Recipes For Dogs: Barbara Laino's Homemade Dog Food

In the April/May 2011 issue of The Bark, we interview Barbara Laino about the nutritional benefits of feeding your dog home-cooked meals in addition to, or in lieu of, commercial dog food (see “Home Cooking with Barbara Laino” April/May ’11). Here are two more recipes cooked up at Laino’s Midsummer Farm in Warwick, N.Y., that are sure to please your pup’s taste buds and keep her healthy:

Homemade Dinner Recipe for Dogs

This recipe feeds 2-3 large dogs for 7-10 days.

Grind the following ingredients in a meat grinder. Alternate ingredients so the grinder does the mixing for you. For instance, grind six necks, one carrot, a handful of garlic and pumpkin seeds, then six more necks and so on. Mix with a large spoon as you grind.

Meat:

• 40 lbs of chicken neck without skins

• 10 lbs of chicken hearts

• 5-10 lbs of organic chicken livers

• 2 cans of pink salmon (optional)

Vegetables:

Can be interchanged with other vegetables and fruits (no grapes or onions). Dogs and cats usually do not like citrus.

• 2-5 lbs carrots

• 1/2 a bunch of red cabbage

• 1 beet

• 2 apples

• 1/2 a bunch of spinach or other dark greens

Other ingredients:

• 1 cup of raw pumpkin seeds

Add a couple of the following items. Have these ready on hand as you are grinding and add a sprinkle here and there of each so you can thoroughly mix the batch of food.

• 9-12 raw whole eggs (optional)

• 2,000 mg of vitamin C powder

• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Thorvin kelp powder

• 1/4 cup of tumeric powder

• 1/2 to 1 cup of dried parsley

• 1/2 to 1 cup of dried oregano

• 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

• 1/4 cup of tahini

• 1/4 cup of raw honey

After grinding and mixing all ingredients thoroughly, keep the food in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Midsummer Farm Homemade Fish-Based Dog Dinner

(The below recipe is for 1 medium dog for 3 days, about 10 1-cup-size meatballs) This recipe can be made in larger batches for efficiency sake. This raw food can easily be frozen in meatball shapes appropriate for the size animals you are feeding.

Serving Sizes of Raw Meatballs:

• For a large 50-100 pound dog – three to five 1-cup-size meatballs per day

• For a 20-40 pound dog - two or three 1-cup-size meatballs per day

• For a 1-10 pound dog – one to two 1/2-cup-size meatballs per day

*Remember – this is a concentrated and efficient food source and is power packed. You won’t have to feed as much bulk-wise as with a commercial food; most commercial foods have a lot of fillers.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds of Frozen Fish Fillets. I like to use an oily fish like Mackerel or Whiting.

• 1-2 cans of Alaskan Wild Pink Salmon

• 1/4 - 1/2 pound of Beef Liver

• 1-3 Eggs (optional)

• 2 cups of Chopped Veggies (can be any combination of carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cooked squash, green beans, cooked yams, apples, berries, kale, spinach). Do NOT use onions or grapes of any kind.

• 1/2 cup of Pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)

• 2 tbsp Honey

• 2 tbsp Dried Parsley

• 2 tbsp Dried Oregano

• 2 tbsp Tumeric Powder

• 2 tbsp Thorvin Kelp Powder

• Optional: 1 cup of cooked oatmeal, barley, or brown rice

Directions:

Alternate putting frozen (still frozen grind much easier), liver, vegetables, garlic, and seeds through a meat grinder. As you grind into a big bowl, add and mix in the canned salmon, eggs, honey, dried herbs, powdered kelp.

Keep in a well-sealed container in fridge. Scoop out appropriate amounts for your pet, or if you made a very large batch that is more than can be consumed in about 5 days, roll into meal-sized meatballs and freeze. Then you can just take out whatever number meatballs you need and defrost them a couple days before you need to feed them. Meatballs will last at least 3 months in the freezer.

Exotic Low Maintenance Cool Pets That Are Legal To Own

Have you ever wondered, how can you get your hands on some unusually exotic pet animals that can be part of your life?

Well you’re at the right place, so get ready to know some mysterious and incredibly awkward looking creatures from our blue planet that can be kept as cool pets.

Some people just don’t have the stomach for the usual cat and mouse animals, but prefer the challenge and thrill of owning something unique and rather eye-catching. It’s a great way to feed your exotic animal fetish and hobby-ish nature.

If you ever thought owning some exotic pets would be a colossal nightmare in care and possession, you would be surprised to know that the animals mentioned below are actually being kept as pets.

Note: It is your duty to ensure that you and your dream pet live in legal harmony according to your state law.

Here is the List of 30 Exotic Low Maintenance Cool Pets That Are Legal To Own.

To read more on this story, click here: Exotic Low Maintenance Cool Pets That Are Legal To Own

The Brazilian Bird Thats Nearly The Size Of A Human

One look into the menacing eyes of any bird of prey and shivers start rattling through your vertebrae. Their cold-blooded stare pierces your soul. They're not looking for a new friend. They're in the business of hunting, and business is booming.

If you ever watched a Master Falconer work closely with one of their razor-clawed trainees, you immediately understand how careful the handler must be. Birds of prey like owls, hawks, and eagles reign down with full-force when provoked. But all the predatory birds pale in comparison to one Brazilian beast.

To read more on this story, click here: The Brazilian Bird That's Nearly The Size Of A Human

Tiger King Zoo Closes Suddenly After License Suspended

The Oklahoma zoo at the centre of hit Netflix series Tiger King has announced its immediate closure after having its license suspended.

The US Department of Agriculture suspended Greater Wynnwood Exotic Animal Park’s exhibitor license on Monday. On Tuesday night, owner Jeff Lowe said the zoo would be closing with immediate effect, citing pressure from the animal rights charity Peta.

He wrote on Facebook: “The Tiger King phenomenon has definitely changed our lives in many ways. It has brought us more attention than any human deserves, good and bad. It has, and probably will continue to make us a target of every nutjob and animal rights loon in the World, but we are prepared.”

To read more on this story, click here: Tiger King Zoo Closes Suddenly After License Suspended 

'Tiger King' Zookeeper Jeff Lowe Willfully Violated Animal Welfare Regulations, Feds Say

Zookeeper Jeff Lowe is facing possible civil penalties for alleged willful animal welfare violations at the roadside park made famous by the hit Netflix documentary series, "Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness."

The allegations number in the dozens and date from 2017.

Among the most serious are claims animals repeatedly did not get proper veterinary care at the Greater Wynnewood Exotic Animal Park and vet records were falsified to cover up the neglect.

In one incident, a federal inspector in June ordered the park to get immediate help for "Nala," a 16-week-old lion cub described as lethargic, depressed and thin, unable to get out of the mud even when prompted and breathing rapidly and shallowly.

To read more on this story, click here: 'Tiger King' Zookeeper Jeff Lowe Willfully Violated Animal Welfare Regulations, Feds Say

Do You Think People Should Have Their Pets Tattooed?

What is our society thinking?...or are they! I hope these pictures are photoshopped.

Apparently, a new trend is getting tattoos put on your pets, particularly any pet that is hairless. In Russia, the hairless Sphinx is the most frequent tattoo victim. Yes, I said victim.

In the 1980s before the microchip was invented for identifying pets, it wasn’t uncommon to tattoo pets with an identification number, often on their inner ear or bellies while they were under anesthesia for another procedure such as spaying or neutering. I think animals should never, ever be put under just for a tattoo.

Note: some of the images may be photoshopped. Very hard to verify.

    Body Modified Dog - Thank GOD this one is totally photoshopped. I hope.

Cosmetic Tattoos - This poor Dalmatian had a pink nose, which is a failure in the breed standard. So his owner got his nose tattooed.

In the ear tattoos - Dogs are often tattooed in their ears, usually with an ID number to help find them if they get lost. But this whole image thing is new.

Sphinx Cat with Ink - By far the most common pet that gets tattooed appears to be the hairless breeds, such as the Sphinx cat pictured here. This could be fake/photoshopped, but it looks pretty much like human tattoos do.

  Jack Russel Belly Tattoo - So this poor dog got a Hello Kitty tattoo on it's belly.

Cat immediately post-tattoo - In this photo, the cat is still anesthetized following it's tattoo. I found several shots of this cat being tattooed while under, so I do think it's real. It's a beautiful tattoo. Just wish it was on someone that could give consent.

                              It's likely these are fake...I hope.

Yes, another hairless Sphinx sporting what looks like real ink. That's a lot of ink for a little cat. I'd say it took 3 hours at least.

Daschund Belly Ink - This little guy has a tiny tattoo on his belly. Likely done when it was spayed/neutered and didn't take too much time.

 Louis Vutton Pigs - Apparently, tattooing pigs is a HUGE thing. Seriously, 

      google it. Scary.

                                         Small Tribal on a Sphinx

                         Demon bat wings tattooed on both sides...sad!

                                                    Tattooed Pigs

Dehydration In Cats Occurs When There Is An Excessive Loss of Fluid From The Body

Dehydration occurs when there is an excessive loss of fluid from the cat’s body. It is not just water that is lost, but also electrolytes like sodium, potassium and chloride, which are important for normal body function.

Dehydration is usually a symptom of another disease -- one which makes the disease that much worse. Rehydration (replacing water and electrolytes) thus becomes an important part of many treatment plans.

 What to Watch For
 The classic sign for dehydration is skin tenting. If you take a pinch of skin over the cat's shoulders and pull up gently, the skin should snap back into place when released. As the cat gets more dehydrated, the skin goes back in place more and more slowly. If the pinch of skin stays up (the "tent"), it is a sign of severe dehydration. The cat should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Other signs that may be noted include:

• Dry, tacky gums
• Listlessness
• Refusal to eat
• Symptoms related to the underlying health problem

Primary Cause
Inadequate water intake or excessive water loss results in dehydration. Vomiting, diarrhea, fever, trauma, heatstroke, diabetes, and other illnesses can all lead to dehydration.

Immediate Care
Since most cases of dehydration are the result of another problem, that issue should be attended to directly. If the cat is able to drink, put him in a cool, quiet place with fresh cool water. Cats can be encouraged to drink by using a water fountain for cats, putting juice from canned tuna or salmon in the water, or using a meat flavored water and electrolyte supplement available at some pet stores.

If you are familiar with the technique of giving fluids subcutaneously (under the skin) and have the right supplies, you can give your average adult cat up to 300 ml of lactated ringers solution under the skin. Do not do this in burn or trauma cases. If you are unsure about the correct type of fluid to use or or the amount which to give, contact your veterinarian.

Veterinary Care

Diagnosis
Your cat’s history, skin tenting, and dry, tacky gums are the parameters first used by your veterinarian to determine dehydration. Blood tests may be done to confirm dehydration in some cases. Your vet will also do such tests as necessary to determine what medical problem may have led to dehydration.

Treatment
Depending on the cause and the severity of the dehydration, your veterinarian may give fluids under the skin, which only takes a few minutes, or hospitalize your cat and give fluids intravenously for 1 to 2 days. Your veterinarian will also start treatment for the underlying problem that caused your cat to become dehydrated.

Other Causes
Dissatisfaction with the water or the water bowl may keep your cat from drinking. Accidental confinement in a place with no access to water can also eventually result in dehydration.

Prevention
Make sure your cat has easy access to plenty of fresh water. Some cats have a preference for running water. Therefore, investing in a water fountain designed for cats may be worthwhile. Some cats have sensitive whiskers and will prefer to drink from a wide, relatively shallow bowl that doesn’t rub his whiskers.

Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Cat Ears from Wax and Mites

Your cat usually does a wonderful job at keeping her own ears clean. Her grooming habits are so thorough that she may even clean behind and in the inner flap of her ears.

However, it must be noted that your cats may at times need a little assistance in cleaning her ears. It is also a highly recommended that you often check your cat's ears to look for anything worrisome hiding inside the ears that could evolve into something more serious.

To read more on this story, click here:  Step by Step Guide on How to Clean Cat Ears from Wax and Mites

Why Do Cats Like To Chew Or Lick Plastic?

Cats are interesting little beings. They will suddenly zoom across the room, they will appear to us as if they are watching things that aren’t really there, and they will lick us—or things—that make us wonder why the heck it is they are doing that. One of the things that cats often like to lick is plastic. We know that many cats cannot resist a good shower curtain, ripping it to shreds happily with their claws. But this is different when it comes to actually wanting to taste this non-edible item. Have you ever wondered why it is that cats like to chew or lick plastic? The answer might surprise you…

To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Like To Chew Or Lick Plastic?

Gangster Cats Hatch A Plan In Hilarious Bathroom Commercial

As everyone knows, cats rule the internet and consequently, any company that wants to make a good, memorable commercial has to consider making cats part of its advertising strategy.

Cotto, a company based in Thailand, its offerings to include everything in the bathroom: fixtures, faucets, shelving, furniture, and more. This company made perfect decision to use cats in her promotion video and the results were amazing.

We all know that cats are self-groomers and don’t like baths, but to what lengths will they go in order to avoid a scrub in the tub? A bunch of house cats is cast as a group of gangsters, and they’re up to trouble. Specifically, they’re hatching a plot to get out of bath time. This time they organized themselves in gang and decided to confront their owner. Will they be able to confront their owner? Let us watch this hilarious video to find out!

Please WATCH and SHARE this funny cat commercial video with your friends on Facebook.

To read more on this story, click here: Gangster Cats Hatch A Plan In Hilarious Bathroom Commercial

 

FELINE 411: ALL ABOUT BLACK CATS

 

Silky, smooth, shiny and lovely, black cats are like little panthers right in your very own living room! Although these raven kitties have gotten a bad rap over the years, they are most certainly undeserving of it. Do you have one of these amazing cats in your life, or has one ever left a special little black paw print on your heart? I’ve dug up some super cool and fun facts about black cats for you to enjoy and share with your friends who love black cats, too!

To read more on this story click here: FELINE 411: ALL ABOUT BLACK CATS

SIGNS YOUR CAT HAS A FEVER

When your cat isn’t feeling well, you can tell right away. After all, your cat is basically your child. Cat’s can hide pain pretty easily, but what they can’t hide is when they just feel sick. Knowing what to do when your cat isn’t feeling well is something every cat owner should know. One of these, in particular, is signs your cat has a fever and the investigation work as to why which will be needed for the veterinarian.

To read more on this story, click here:  SIGNS YOUR CAT HAS A FEVER

Why Did Scientists Paint Eyes on Hundreds of Cattle Butts? To Save Lives, Study Says

For four years, researchers painted fake eyes on hundreds of cattle butts for the sake of science. What seems like a silly prank, the “eye-cow technique” proved lifesaving for the animals as it made predators rethink their attack, choosing another meal instead.

The scientists say their method is a more humane and “ecologically sound” alternative to lethal control and fencing used to separate cattle from carnivores. The team even theorizes the technique could be used to prevent human-wildlife conflicts and reduce criminal activity, according to a news release. A study was published Aug. 7 in the journal Communications Biology.

To read more on this story, click here: Why Did Scientists Paint Eyes on Hundreds of Cattle Butts? To Save Lives, Study Says