Bathing you cats
We all know that cats clean themselves. But sometimes, they need a little help from us to give them a proper bath especially if they are infested with fleas or played too much outside. My friend and cat lover, Shaun Olmstead, shares tips on how to give your kitties a proper bath without the scratches and bites.
A word of advice: consider trimming your cat’s claws beforehand to reduce your risk of getting scratched. It is important to adopt a calm, positive attitude before and during the bath to help ease your cat’s anxiety.
Take your cat into the bathroom and close the door and keep it closed until you are finished.
Fill the bathtub with enough lukewarm water to cover your cat’s paws. Gently set your cat in the tub. Give your cat free rein in the bathtub using minimal restraint, but gently hold on to the back of her neck if she tries to escape.
Apply lubricating eye ointment (available from your veterinarian) or a drop of baby or olive oil to your cat’s eyes to prevent irritation from the shampoo.
Scoop water in a plastic cup, and pour it over the cat until her fur is wet, making sure to avoid her eyes.
Apply a regular shampoo made for cats, or a flea shampoo if needed, and rub it into the cat’s fur. Use caution around the eyes.
Hold your cat under the faucet or scoop clean water over her to rinse. Be sure to remove all soap when rinsing, since cats will groom themselves and ingest anything left on their fur. Quickly pat or rub your cat dry with a towel.
Comb through your cat’s fur to spend quality time together as she dries, then give her a special treat such as catnip or kibble for a job well done.
Nine lives
Do cats really have nine lives? What is the life span of the common cat?
My friend and cat lover, Shaun Olmstead, says that cats can live up to 12-15 years (this was based on his experience on taking care of cats). He added that given proper care, nutrition, and regular veterinary visits, a cat kept indoors can live as long as 21 years or more. This is, of course, barring any serious medical conditions or untimely accidents.
On the other hand, kitties that are indoors-outdoors usually don’t last to the average age because of traffic accidents, fighting with other cats, intentional acts of violence, poisoning (accidental or intentional), diseases caught from other cats, being picked up by animal control and subsequently euthanized if not claimed, and death caused by predators.
“Stray cats” AKA “feral cats” usually don’t live more than a couple of years because of starvation or all of the above.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the oldest living cat is a Burmese called Kataleena Lady who lives in Melbourne, Australia. Kataleena Lady was born on March 11th, 1977, making her 25, a mere youngster, compared to other claims.
An unofficial report says that the oldest living cat is Creme Puff of Austin Texas. Born on August 3rd 1967, Creme Puff celebrated her 38th birthday in August 2005. Also deserving a mention are Puss, who was born in 1903. Puss was owned by Mrs T. Holway of Devon. Puss passed away on 29th November, 1939, one day after his 36th birthday.
The Manx and Siamese breeds have been mentioned as being among the longest-lived pedigreed cats. The Jaguar is said to be the longest-lived species of cat, sometimes reaching 30 years.
Pets and your health
Pets are more than just furry and cuddly companions. They are also beneficial to their owner’s health and well-being! My friend, Shaun Olmstead, swears to the health benefits he gets from his pooches and kitties! He says taking care of his pets increase opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities. Walking his dogs for 20 minutes five times a week helps him keep fit.
Research shows that pets are good for cardiovascular health: Owning a pet can decrease blood pressure and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Studies have also found that pet owners are more likely than people without pets to survive after hospitalization for a heart attack, and that owning a pet lowers anxiety and decreases feelings of loneliness and depression.
Pets also increase the opportunity for socialization — they’re a natural topic of conversation and offer a chance to connect with other pet lovers. Pets also help in increasing mental acuity. Simple chores like remembering to walk and feed your pet exercises your brain, and it increases your sense of responsibility, which is important to people.
The emotional bond between an owner and a dog, cat, or other pet can be as intense as those between humans, and it may offer many of the same psychological benefits. Caring for an animal offers a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Before getting a pet, decide honestly what you want in one. Some people want to have a more active lifestyle, some desire companionship, and others are looking for protection. In any case, you as the owner should work to foster a genuine relationship with your pet. Take into account what you will be able to handle, in terms of time, attention, and activity. Regardless of your age and abilities, you will reap the benefits of a pet if you pick the right one for your lifestyle.
Death in the dryer
My friend Shaun Olmstead called the other day and told me to check out The Today Show. Co-host Meredith Vieira was telling the tragic story of a dog that died after being left in a kennel drying machine in a grooming salon. Investigation revealed that the dog had been in a cage dryer which had been set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, which was too hot and too long for any dog to survive. According to animal experts and animal rights groups, kennel dryers— an electronic box with a heating element used to dry a pet after it has had a bath, are safe if used correctly. Temperatures on these dryers should never exceed 85 degrees.
This incident should be a wake up call to all pet owners to be wary and meticulous in choosing the grooming shops and boarding facilities wherein they leave their beloved pooches. Pet owners must be warned that the pet grooming industry remains unregulated, which is why extra caution should be given when acquiring services from these facilities. Our pets are our responsibility. We should only leave them in the hands of responsible and well trained individuals.
Joey Villani, a judge on Animal Planet’s “Groomer Has It,” shares the following tips on choosing the right pet care facility:
• Request, evaluate and check the credentials of the pet care professional! What is their education/training, their level of experience and expertise? Find out when they graduated from pet styling school and if it was licensed by the state and/or approved by a nationally recognized industry organization.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Are they certified by a nationally recognized industry organization? Are they trained and certified in pet injury prevention, first aid and CPR? How many years have they been a pet care professional?
• Be observant! Request a tour of the facility. Refusal should raise a red flag. Will the cage/crate provide a clean, comfortable, and safe enclosure for your pet? Is the overall facility clean and well maintained? How are they handling and caring for the pets in their facility? Do they use cage dryers? If so, what guidelines govern their use? Do they maintain constant monitoring and safety of the pets while drying?
• Take responsibility! You are the guardian who must speak for your pet. If you feel uncomfortable or have misgivings about the facility, then choose another.
Loving Cats
Having cats as pets is not for everybody, it’s actually an acquired taste. Cat lovers are either brought up with the feline mentality, or were simply born with the feline gene. My friend Shaun Olmstead is so into cats he probably belongs to both categories, he can literally read kitties’ minds. He seemed to understand the feelings and innermost thoughts of these furry creatures!
If you have no idea about cats but would want to adopt or take care of one, here are a few tips on understanding these adorable creatures. Always bear in mind that cats are very independent. They love and need their humans, but not all the time. A cat is not like a dog and won’t always shower you with attention.
Understand how cats behave. When a cat is afraid, it will run and hide under a table. By not forcing yourself on a cat, you are helping to prevent a feeling of anxiety that it would eventually associate with you. Let him come to you in its own time. It will get curious enough to investigate, and by being gentle and quiet around it you will set it at ease.
Cats can act crazy and weird, sometimes. Most cats have periods of time that they feel they must dart from one place to another very quickly. As long as you are aware that this happens occasionally, you won’t get freaked out by this erratic behavior.
Discover your cat’s personality. Just as with any other animal, not every cat conforms to what we think all cats should be. Some will have a wilder side than others, and some will be the type to sleep the normal 20 hours per day.
Cats are clean creatures and they enjoy clean environments. Make sure that their litter boxes and feeding spaces are always spic-and-span.
Learn the basics in cat speak. Interpreting what cats are saying with body language can lead you to love cats. When your cat swats at everything, it wants to play. When its ears are perked up and his tail is twitching excitedly he may want to play or get attention.
Talk to the dogs!
They might not have the vocal capacity to talk to humans but we can still communicate with our beloved pooches in a variety of ways. Dogs communicate through body language, but sometimes we misunderstand what our beloved pet is trying to communicate to us. My friend and dog lover, Shaun Olmstead, shares these basic techniques to help us understand what our dog is telling us. Here are some ways to decipher “dog speak.”Your dog is trying to communicate play and fun when his front paws are out in front and his rear end is up in the air.
Beware of a dog whose ears are forward and erect, the tail standing straight up and flagging, the lips are drawn back and showing the teeth, the body is tense and upright with the hackles raised. This is a very dangerous body posture; if you see a dog displaying this type of body posture do not do anything to provoke the dog.
A dog that is fearful is hunched lower with his ears pinned back. His lips are drawn back and he is often showing his teeth. The tail is often tucked between his legs. This is also a dog that has the potential to bite, but would rather run than fight. Do not do anything to provoke or block this dog’s escape.
A friendly posture is when a dog’s ears are perked up and her eyes are friendly and her mouth is relaxed. The dog’s body is relaxed and upright, the tail is often wagging and a little lower than the dog. If you don’t know the dog, it is still a good idea not to approach.
When a dog is stressed the dog will yawn and pant a lot. The body is often tense. If you are training your dog and you see these signs, this is a good time to back off a little and take some rest.
Down with flu
I was down with flu the past couple of days and I realized how many lives depended on me to survive, my four cats! I was too sick to get out of bed and give them proper attention. Thank goodness my friend Shaun Olmstead played nurse to me and pet sitter to my kitties. He dropped by a few times a day to check on me and my cats. He fed my cats, cleaned their litter box and even spent some time playing with them while I dozed off.
I also realized that having pets by your side can help lift your spirits and hasten your road to recovery. Just keep in mind that pets can spread disease—so it’s equally essential to protect your pet’s health while tending to your own. Here are tips for getting yourself and your pet through your illness.
Be extra hygienic when your immune system is weak. Wash your hands with soap and water after petting or touching your pet. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning up after the pet or changing a litter box. And be sure to wash your hands after removing the gloves.
Keep your pet’s living and feeding areas clean. Keep your pet’s nails trimmed to minimize scratches and the spreading of germs. Use a flea and tick preventative on your pet to minimize the chances of flea and tick-related diseases. Stay up to date with your pet’s vaccinations.
Most popular dog breeds
As I was walking my pug in the park the other day and saw other dog lovers playing with their pooches, a question strike me: what is the most popular dog breed? I think the most popular dog is still probably the good old-fashioned mutt but a quick research on the net revealed the following top five breeds:
Coming at number five is the Beagle which could be best represented by the Peanuts star, Snoopy. He may have single-handedly brought the breed to the top of the list in the first place. The Beagle is a great tracker and hunter that’s why it should never be allowed out without a leash or it will take off on its own, following a trail to who-knows-where. They are friendly, cheerful dogs, known for imitating vultures and chasing Red Barons. If you are planning to get a beagle, be warned that they are a vocal dog, due to their background on the hunt.
Next in line is the Dachshund. How can anyone not love the little wiener dog? My friend Shaun Olmstead owns two but unfortunately lost one due to a brain tumor. Dachshunds make great apartment dogs, the short hairs require minimal grooming, and are endlessly entertaining to look at. And they don’t eat a lot, to be sure. A great companion dog, the Dachshund is intelligent, active, and fiercely loyal to its owner, sometimes focusing in on one person to the exclusion of all others. This makes them the ideal pet for a single person. The breed was originally developed in Germany over 300 years ago, and the name is actually German for “badger hound.” They are fiercely courageous, even to the point of foolhardiness, and their small stature allowed them to quickly jump into badger holes and flush out badgers on badger hunts. Who knew that Germany had so many badgers running around?
Barking at the third place is the German Shepherd, another breed developed in Germany where they seem to do little else but make big dogs. The German Shepherd is an extremely intelligent dog, often used as a guide dog, police dog, herder, and all around great family pet. They are curious, faithful, and obedient, and love to be in on all activities. While they make great housedogs, they are not recommended for apartments unless you are willing to take it outside for hours and hours of exercise. And they eat their weight in kibble every two and a half days.
The second most popular dog breed is, tah dah, the Golden Retriever. It is another highly intelligent breed, useful as a guide dog for the blind. They are also hunters, family pets, and show dogs. Goldies tend to be friendly and good-natured, not known for hostility towards people or animals, or even obnoxious little brats! This even temperament makes them a great family dog, especially with youngsters around. The Golden Retriever is a big dog with a big appetite, so it will need a lot of exercise, especially if confined to an apartment all day. They also shed TONS in the summer, so get ready to have dog hair cover your clothes, food, and everything in your entire house. Records on the breed’s development date back to 1835 in Scotland, thanks to scrupulous gamekeepers in Scotland.
Taking the top spot is the Labrador Retriever. Bred primarily as a working gun dog, the Labrador Retriever is a gentle breed, with an outgoing nature and a ridiculously friendly temperament. Known for its “otter tail” (and its drool), this athletic dog can go from the hunt to the showroom to the family room with equal aplomb. Because of their gentle nature, Labrador Retrievers make good pets when children or seniors are part of the household, although as pups they can get extremely wild and energetic. While they aren’t aggressive, they do bark to keep the weirdos at bay. Keep in mind that Labs have big appetites and need lots of exercise if you are planning to get this breed.
Dealing with your cat’s scratching habits
My sofa and nerves are in tatters. I thought my cats were well trained but I was disgruntled when I came home the other night and found a couple of my silk damask throw pillows shredded into pieces and the stuffing of my couch spilling out like guts! I also noticed some scratches on my antique armoire! The culprits, of course, are my cats. I just don’t know exactly which of the four did the crime or if all of them were guilty! I can’t really blame them, given their killer hunting instinct, cats don’t hesitate to use both their claws and jaws to destroy everything in sight.
I asked my friend and cat lover, Shaun Olmstead, for tips on how my cats could keep the scratching and chewing to a minimum. Here’s what he has suggested:
Have lots of toys around to keep them busy. Toys can be store-bought or home made. An empty paper bag, a ping pong ball tied to a string and hung tantalizingly from a door knob, a rubber ball too big to swallow, a wadded up ball of paper, a ball of yarn, or a feather on the end of a wire are all good cat toys. And make sure that what you give them is always theirs. If you let them play with your shoelace, don’t get upset when they eat the rest of your shoes.
You can’t really blame your kitties for tearing the stuffing out of your couch if it’s the only thing around they can sink their claws into. That’s why a scratching post is a must. Cats scratch a lot because they need to loosen the exterior layer of their claws to let new growth come through.
Whatever you do, be consistent, fair, and give your cat lots of praise and attention when they get it right. When you witness your cats chewing or scratching something they shouldn’t, squirt them suddenly and immediately with a water pistol. This is a tried and tested (and relatively humane) method of discipline for cats, who usually hate getting wet. You can also startle her by clapping your hands, shouting “No!” or hissing.
Litter training your cat
Cats are just adorable pets! They are not as needy as dogs, mind their own business and groom themselves! However, if there’s one thing I hate about cats it has gotta be their stinking poop which in my opinion is the worst smelling poop in the entire universe! This is why I make sure to litter train every cat I adopt. It’s a good thing that cat mothers train their kittens to use the litter box by the time they are weaned! Cats are very fastidious and always cover their feces in the wild.
If you rescued or adopted kittens, you will need to take the mother’s place in the litter-training process. My friend and personal cat whisperer Shaun Olmstead shared some valuable tips in litter-training cats.
Shaun says that every time your kittens look like they are about to crouch or start sniffing near corners (which are classic signs of oncoming urination or defecation), pick them up and put in the litter box. Putting kittens in the litter box first thing in the morning is also a great idea.
Another good trick is to put their food bowl near wherever they had an “accident” since cats never poop where they eat.
Cats like to do it in private, away from loud noises or other interference such as dogs and toddlers. If your cat likes to relieve herself in hidden places like under the bed, this could mean she feels too vulnerable in her box. There are litter covers available in pet stores or you can make one from a cardboard box to lure your cat back to her original litter box.
It also helps to confine your cat to a small area, like one room instead of the whole house. That way, your cat is never far from her litter box and has a lot of time to think about getting familiar with it again. Once the cat is using the box again, slowly let her have access to the rest of the house.
Thoroughly clean wherever your cat had an “accident”. This is necessary not only because you don’t want your house smelling like cat pee, but also because the lingering smell of her feces or urine will serve to jog her memory later that this is a toilet area. So get rid of the smell. Never clean with ammonia-based products though, as these will only enhance the scent of urine.
If you need to change the location of the litter box from one place to another, one technique is to move it a couple of feet at a time, with a few days in between, so the cat gradually gets used to it being elsewhere. If the cat stops using the box, this is your clue to move it more slowly.
The most important thing is to keep that litter box clean. Make sure that you clean the litter box every day, and completely change all the litter and wash the box out at least once a week.
