My Bestfriend

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.

Taking care of pets is a huge responsibility.  Feeding, training, grooming and regular visits to the vet are not enough.  We should also make sure that our homes are safe and pleasant environment for these furry creatures! There are various things in our homes that are dangerous to our pets and sometimes, we often don’t even give them a thought. My friend Shaun Olmstead, himself an ardent pet lover, shares some tips on dealing with potential risks in our homes that could harm and endanger our beloved pets.

Keep electrical cords out of reach. Young animals, especially kittens and puppies love to play with electrical wires.  They could get entangled and asphyxiated. Or they could bite on the wires which can result in electrocution or severe burns, not to mention loss of the cord in question for your appliance. If you must have electrical wires in the open, get some cord guards from your local hardware or electrical store. And in case something horrible happens, never touch a dead pet found with an electrical cord in its mouth; the pet may still be live and you will be electrocuted too. Turn the power off at the mains or call the fire brigade or police for assistance.

Some plants are safe around pets but a lot of them are not so be careful when picking plants for your home and garden.  Many of the beautiful flowers in floral arrangements are deadly to our furry friends, such as lilies and hydrangeas. Holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias can be toxic to animals when ingested. They should be kept out of reach from chewing pets or keep them out of the house altogether.

Keep household chemicals under lock and key. A curious pet can easily fall prey to some nasty chemical combinations if attracted to the product or chewing the container. One problematic household item in particular is antifreeze. Antifreeze tastes sweet and is therefore attractive to pets. It will attack your pet’s kidneys very quickly if swallowed, so never have it at pet level or where a pet can get to it. Lock it and all of your other chemical products up!

Never leave a burning candle alone any time for any reason; this is how fires start. It is even more dangerous when pets are around - the flame can attract them to play with it, or they can accidentally brush a candle with a tail as they walk by, knocking it over. When using candles, always be present or keep the pets away.

Be careful with pet toys. Make sure they are not too small for your pet or they can be choking hazards. Strings and yarn should also be put away when you have finished playing with the kitten or puppy because the animal can become entangled in it when you are not present.

We love our pets so much that we give them special treats especially if they are behaving so well! But don’t you just hate buying those dog biscuits that you have no idea what they are made of? Don’t fret pet lovers. Here’s a healthy and simple recipe, courtesy of my doglover friend Shaun Olmstead, which will make your furry friends sit up and ask for more!

You will need:

1 Cup Instant Oatmeal

1/2 Cup Margarine

1 Tsp Beef or Chicken flavor

1 Tsp Garlic Powder

1/2 Cup Hot Water

3/4 Cup Cornmeal

1 Egg

3 Cups Whole wheat Flour

3/4 cup Powder milk or Milk

1/2 Cup shredded Cheese

Procedure:

1.  Preheat oven to 325C.

2.  Mix all dry ingredients in large mixing bowl except for the whole wheat flour.

3.  Mix all wet ingredients in another bowl.

4.  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly.

5.  Add the whole wheat flour 1/2 cup at a time stirring thoroughly after each cup until it reaches the consistency of cookie dough. Not all wheat flour may be used or a little more might be needed to make right consistency. Use your hands to knead the dough.

6.  Roll the dough out on rolling surface. Place a piece of wax paper down for easy clean up. Roll dough out till 1/2 - 1/3 inch thickness.

7. Cut the dough using a knife or cookie cutters. Remember the size of your pet when cutting the cookies.

8. Place the treats on a cookie sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes on 325c. Treats are done when they slide off the sheet. Lay on a cookie rack to cool and store on air tight containers. 

These treats are not just for dogs, cats love them as well.  But always remember that these treats should never be substituted for real meals.

Cats are just adorable! They may not be as aggressive as dogs when showing affection to their humans but when they do, it’s the best feeling in the world! It may seem that cats have lives of their own and don’t care whatever is happening around them.  But just like any other pets, cats also need love and affection.

According to my friend Shaun Olmstead, my personal cat whisperer, these gentle and mysterious creatures are one of the most affectionate pets.  They just turn aloof and withdrawn when you don’t bond with them. If your cat is down and sluggish, he may be in need of some tender loving care.  Shaun share some tips on how to bond with your cat.

Shaun says we should always make it a point to pet and stroke our cats until they had their fill. You’ll know when that point is when they fall asleep or jump out of your arms. Purring is a very good sign. That would be the noise that sounds like it should be coming out of a refrigerator instead of a live animal. As they say, a purring cat is usually a content cat.

Also pay attention to you cat’s meows. This usually means they want something and it’s their best way to communicate. The meow could mean, “feed me,” “love me” or “change my litter.” Learn what the different sounds mean so that you can fulfill the cat’s wishes. Talking back to them will also increase the bond.

Cats can clean themselves and hardly requires grooming but brushing your cat is a good way to bond. Keep in mind some techniques may annoy them and some cats don’t like to be brushed at all. Test out different brushes and only do what they seem to enjoy.

Play with your cat. Try various toys and different approaches to see what works best. Interactive play will strengthen the bond.

Cuddle with your cat, whether it’s coming home from a long day or taking time out of your busy schedule. He’ll appreciate it—and so will you.

Let your cat sleep in the bed with you. What better way to bond than snuggling up for a nap or a good night’s rest?