Send Us Pictures of Your Furry Friend...

We would love to Post Your Furry Friend on Our blog and Twitter Site.

Who Knows they or yo u may receive something in the mail ..
We are looking for cats, dogs, and other pets you love.

Send to Ms. Stinky at;

www.msstinky.com


Meow

Ms.Stinky

Top 10 Reasons Not to Delaw a Cat...

If you are thinking of declawing a cat, or a veterinarian suggest declawing at the same time as neutering, before you make a decision for non-reversible surgery. Please consider these reasons Not to declaw. Your cat will live his or her remaining years with the results of your decision, one way or another.

Trust me I know about this - Ms. Stinky..

Declawing Is Not Just Nail Trimming

Nor is declawing only the removal of a portion of a claw. Instead it is the surgical amputation of

the cat's toes. Whether this procedure is accomplished with a scalpel, a guillotine type cutter or laser, it is not to be undertaken lightly.

Declawing Does Nothing to Benefit The Cat

You will sometimes hear the disclaimer. "It is better than putting them to sleep." This is a

fallacious argument, and usually offered only to soothe the owner's conscience. Only the cat's owner can make the decision to kill her cat because of scratching problems. He or she can also

make the decision to let him or her keep their toes. Unlike neutering, which does benefit the cat, both health wise and behavioral wise, declawing simply does nothing positive for the cat.

Declawing Robs a Cat Of Their Weapon Of Defense

A typical counter-argument is "My cat is indoors-only", Even indoor cats sometimes manage to escape. A declawed cat does not stand a chance against a large dog, a bigger cat or a predator.

Although he or she still has teeth, by the time they get in close enough to bite, it may be too late.

Declawing Is Painful Surgery

Think of it as 10 amputations (If only the front feet are declawed). Pain meds may help initially, but phantom pain may last for weeks or months, as nerve endings heal. Unlike routine

recovers, including recovery from neutering surgeries, which are fairly peaceful, declawing surgery results in cat bouncing off the walls of the recovery cage because of escrucaiating pain.

Declawing May lead To Litter Box Problems

Declawed cats often associate the pain when digging in litter with the litter box itself, and will

avoid it, shooing softer carpeting instead.

Declawing Sometimes Leads To Bitting Problems

When cats lose their ability to give a quick warning scratch, they will often resort to their second

line of defense; a food, hard bite. The cat's owner may sometimes find themselves the victim, just when he/she thinks their cat is enjoying a petting session.

Cats Need The Exercise Their Claws And Toes Provide

Watch cat stretch, whether horizontally or on a carpet or vertically with a tail scratching post. They will grap the carpet or sisal with their claws, using the resistance to pull and stretch their muscles. Cat's claws actually play a large and positive role in their amazing muscle tone and agility.

Altered Gait May Lead To Later Joint Problem

Domestic cats are digitigrade meaning they walk on their toes. Walking with an altered gait because of the lack of the first digit of the toes can affect all the joints of the leg resulting later in arthritis of the hip and joints.

Cats Need To Be Cats For Their Entire "Nine Lives"

Honestly If a cat could speak human tongue, do you really think, given a choice they say. "Sure

thing, cut off part of my toes???? Their claws and toes are an integral part of making a cat a cat ..

Would you honestly want them to be anything less .. Especially since they are Humane Alternatives?? It is your decision, but please take your cat's needs into serious consideration before making such a drastic and permanent choice .. As A Feline Would you ant this to happen to You.. Think About It.. Ms. Stinky....

How To Tell If Your Female Cat Is In Heat...

Female cats that are not spayed will eventually come into heat (technically called Oestrus), and the signs are unambiguous, once you know what to look for.

Here are some behavioral symptoms to watch for if you suspect your diva is in heat.

Difficulty: Easy

Time Required: Varies

Here's How:

1. Immediately preceding oestrus, your female cat may become

unusually affectionate by sidling up to stuffed toys, other cats

and /or her favorite human.

2. She may spend excessive time licking her genital area.

Note: Lacking the other behavioral traits or urinary tract

disorder, which can be serious if not treated promptly.

3. The Queen (name for female cats of breeding age) will vocalize loudly.

4. She will assume a mating position: Head down, forelegs bent,

rear quarters raise to expose the position with the tail raise and held

to the side of the body. Her rear legs will tread rhythmically.

5. Queenie may also spray vertical surfaces with a strongly

scented fluid. She will accomplish this by backing up to the

surface and raising her tail high. The tail may quiver, and she may perform the rhythmic treading described in step four.

6. If your female cat does not mate, she will go into oestrus as

often as every two to three weeks, for several months each year,

until she either mates or is spayed.

Tips:

1. Unless she is a qualified pedigreed breeder, your female cat should

be sprayed. It will not only cease the uncomfortable heat

cycles, but prevent certain serious medical problems.

2. Your veterinarian may be able to give your female cat hormones

to stop the oestrus, if spaying is not immediately possible.

2. Female cats as young as four months can go into oestrus.

How to Clean Your Cat's Teeth...

Ms. Stinky knows that dental health is every bit as important as it is to humans.

A regular program of teeth cleaning will ensure your cat will enjoy their senior years with all of their teeth intact.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 5 minutes

Let Ms. Stinky Tell you How:

1. Assemble supplies: sterile gauze, scissors, cat toothpaste or a weak sterile solution recommended by your veterinarian.

2. Wrap a strip of gauze around the index finger of your dominant hand and either dip it in the sterile solution, or apply a small amount of toothpaste to your fingertip.

3. Holding the cat in your lap, open the mouth.
Ms. Stinky says very gently please..

4. Gently rub your "finger brush" in a circular motion on their teeth,
concentrating on the area next to the gums.

Gently massage the gums at the same time. It is not necessary to do the
back sides of the teeth.

5. Once your cat will tolerate this procedure, you can graduate to a small
child's toothbrush.

6. Give kitty a few loving pats and kind words, along with a little treat to
polish off with having shiny clean teeth.

Tips:

1. You might want to experiment with flavored toothpaste for cats.
There is a fish-flavored one that is quite tasty.

2. If you start practicing examining your cats teeth at a very young age,
this process will be much easier.

3. Bleeding of the gums is a sign your cat needs professional dental
scaling by your veterinarian, so attend to that as soon as possible.

What You Need:

. Sterile gauze
. Cat toothpaste/solution
. Opt: small toothpaste
. Scissors

The Top 10 Pet Poisons Part II 6 of 10....

6. Chocolate

Chocolate contains methlxanthines, which act as stimulants to our pets.

The darker the chocolate, the more methylxanthines it contains.

Methylxanthines can cause agitation, vomiting, diarrhea, high heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures and death....

7. Household Toxins

Cleaning supplies, such as bleach acids, alkalis and other detergents can cause corrosive injury to the mouth and stomach, Other household items such as batteries and liquid potpourri can cause similar problems. Always keep these toxins behind securely locked doors.

8. Plants

Both house plants and outdoor plants can be ingested by our pets. Lillies can cause life-threatening kidney failure in cats, while sago palms can cause liver failure in dogs and cats.

Keep house plants and bouquets away from your pets.

9 Herbicides

Many herbicides have a salty taste, and our pets will commonly ingest them.

Always follow label directions and keep pets off treated areas until they are dry.

10 Outdoor Toxins

Antifreeze, fertilizers and ice melts are all substances that animals can find outdoors.

Keep these items in securely locked sheds or on high shelves where pets cannot get to them.

If you have any reason to suspect your pet, or a neighbor's pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center's 24 hour hotline at:

(888) 426-4435

The Top 10 Pet Poisons Part 1 of 5

1. Human Medications

For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA"s list of common hazards. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstand or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it is essential to keep meds tucked away in hard to reach cabinets.

2. Insecticides

In an effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, people often unwittingly put their pets at risk. One of the most common incidents involves the misuse of flea and tick products, such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus it is always important to talk to your pet's veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.

3. Rodenticides

Baits used to kill mice and rats are mostly grain based. Not only does this attract rodents, but it attracts dogs and cats. There are several different types of rodenticides that can cause seizures. Internal bleeding or kidney failure. Always make sure these items are placed in areas that pets cannot access.

4. People Food

Xylitol, grapes, raisins, onions and garlic are commonly ingested by our pets. Grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs, while onions and garlic can cause anemia if enough is ingested. Xylitol a sugar alcohol used to sweeten sugar free gums and mints, can cause low blood sugar and liver failure in dogs.

5. Veterinary Medications

Many medications made for our pets are flavored for ease of giving.

Unfortunately that means that animals may ingest the entire bottle of medication if they find it tasty. Common chewable medications include arthritis and incontinence medications.

Contact your veterinarian if your pet ingests more than his proper dose of medication.

Top 10 Cat Names.....

After last weeks depressing weather here, I thought my human staff could us a little something more fun and amusing.

So here goes.

The top Ten names for your cat that my staff has heard of at the store while giving them a day of beauty.

The countdown goes:

#10 Bella

#9 Tigger

#8 Shadow

#7 Smokey

#6 Lucy

#5 Oliver

#4 Chloe

#3 Bella

Drum roll please.. The number one name for cats is......

Max

Meow Really Max? I ask my mother about this she says yes, but me personally living and walking in the city of Somerville.

I cannot think of a single feline that told me there name was Max.

I been good friends with to a Bear, Q, Midnight and Cece.

I also encounter late at night when their is a full moon a Dexter, Tigger, Cat and Smokey.

I personally prefer Jack, Cleopatra, Mr Tibbs or even Kittie...

If you know of a funny or exceptionally appropriate feline name or a unique name (like Meow), please share and send me and email.

Email me at msstinky@msn.com