Cat Grass....

Even though cats are carnivores, they seem to like  bit of greenery in their daily diet.
We think that cats simply like the taste and texture of crispy crunchy green leaves and stems.

Grass eating is more often found in outdoor cats.  If you have outdoor cats, it is important to be
careful when using fertilizer, weed and pest control products on your lawn area.  This can be
very toxic to your cat.  Many indoor cats will snack on any available greenery as well.
With many common household plants that are toxic.  it is important to screen the plants
in your home.  Avoid keeping plants that are a potential risk and make you offer your cat
an alternative.

The best way to satisfy

your cat's taste for greens is to provide a pot of fresh organic cat grass.
If you want to provide a little variety for your kitty.  There are several types of grass for feeding your cats, oats, wheat, Japanese barnyard millet, bluegrass and rye.

It is so simple to provide your cat(s) with their own mini salad bar.
Cat grass is easy to grow.

We carry a wide range of different cat grass, in pots,  baskets and more. Along with refills.
Stop on by and check it out

Help Your cat Beat The Heat Part 2....

Sunburn:


White cats or cats with white ears and faces, are particularly susceptible to sunburn.  Over a period or repeated exposure to the sun can cause squamous cell carcinoma, , a cancer found most often on the tips of the ears and nose.  Early signs area sore that does not heal, or that bleeds.


White cats should be kept out of direct sun as much as possible and  if they must be in the sun, you can help them prevent sunburn by using a sunscreen on their ears and noise.  our veterinarian can recommend one which will not be harmful if ingested.


The sun is a powerful giver of life.
Still worshipped by people  all over the world.
It is not always your cat's best friend.    

Help Your Cat Beat The Heat..Part 1

You know the drill, the sun is blinding relentlessly beating down . If you do not have air condition  you seek out shady spots and sigh in relief from the slightest breeze, otherwise you  huddle inside.
Your thirsty body craves fluids, and the beverage of choice.

Consider this before you ever reach that point, your cat may also be showing signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Cats can also be affected by heat stroke. Cant's cannot always tell you that they are not feeling up to par, but they can show you .  Early symptoms of heat stroke and the accompanying  dehydration are:

Painting
Anxiety, possibly demonstrated by pacing
Increased heartbeat
Respiratory distress of hyperventilation (Breeds with flat noses may exhibit this earlier
because of compromised airways.)
Dark red bums
Lethargy
Increased Internal  body temperature.
Your cat's internal temperature should be between 100.5 ' and 101.5' F. 
Or more is a definite warning sign.

You can help your cat survive extremely hot weather by keeping him or her in a cool interior room.  Rubbing them down with a damp cloth will help, so will immersing their feet in a tub of cool water.
Wrapping a plastic bag of frozen peas in a towel and placing it in his or her bed for a cool spot to lie.  The peas will rearrange themselves to fit the contour and they will have a custom spa for cooling off.

The optimum water bowl for your cat is an automatic water dispenser. 
There are a  of them which we offer at our store location.  Drinkwell Pet fountains and stone are the best on the market.
Stop by and check some of them out.

If you cannot afford the automatic water dish.  Make sure your cat  has several bowls of cool water available.  It does not hurt to drop an ice cube in once in awhile not only to cool the water but to pique kitty's interest in drinking.

Strangely enough, cats affected by external heat may refuse to drink water.  Exacerbating the problem of dehydration, so you may want to force water by using an eyedropper or syringe,  Be careful not to shoot the water down their throat as it can enter their lings an cause choking.  Just dribble a drop or two at a time in the corner of their mouth, which will help hydrate them and draw their interest           to drinking on their own.

Summertime Cat Care

It is up to you to make sure your cat stays cool as the temperature soars during the long, hot summer.  Here are a few tips that will keep your kitty comfortable and healthy.

Keep your cat's bowl full of clean, cold water.  There is nothing more refreshing than a chilled drink of water on a hot day.  Your cat feels the same way. On a really hot or humid days toss a couple of ice cubes in the bowl to keep the water cool. Do not forget to change the water daily to prevent the growth of bacteria and algae.

Some cats love a game of ice hockey. On a smooth floor, bat an ice cube toward your cat. Swat it back to him if he or she returns your serve.  Continuing the volley until your kitty loses interest is a great way to have fun and to keep cool at the same time.

High humidity combined with heat can put your cat at risk of heat stroke.  On a humid day, keep your home cool with fans or air conditioning.  Outside, an inexpensive water miser can give your cat a little relief.

Give a little more TLC to special needs cats.  Senior cats, very young kittens and sick or debilitated animals are more sensitive to hot weather.  Keep these cats cool at all times and watch them closely for signs of heat-related illness.  

Never leave your cat alone in a car.  Quick trips to the store always take longer than you expect. Leaving the windows cracked will not keep your kitty cool at all. On a summer's day of only 85 degrees the inside car temperature will shoot up to 120 degrees (F) in a matter of minutes even with the windows slightly open.

Check your screens for tears and secure fit.  Cats like to stay cool on the window sill, especially during warm weather.  a cat leaning against a loose or improperly fastened screen, however , may fall.  use safety screens on all open windows and make sure they are installed properly.

Monitor your cat for symptoms of heatstroke.  Heatstroke is a real medial emergency.  If you suspect your pet has heatstroke you must act quickly.   Move your cat to a cool place and immediately contact your veterinarian.  Symptoms of heatstroke include:

Panting

Drooling

Red tongue and lips

Dullness

Weakness and collapsing

Convulsions

Vomiting

Remember summer is a fun season for one and all .  With just a few precautions, you can be sure you and your feline friend will beat the heat.

 

10 Ten Toxins for Cats..

 Lilies:
 Plants in the Ilium species, such as Easter, Tiger and Asiatic lilies, cause  kidney failure in cats.

 Household cleaners:
 Most general purpose cleaners ( Windex, Formula 409) are fairly safe, but concentrated
  products like toilet bowl or drain cleaners can cause chemical burns.

 Flea and tick spot on products for dogs:
 Those that are pyrethroid based ( Zodiac, K9 Advantix, Sergeant's etc.) cause tremors
 and seizures and can be deadly to cats.

Antidepressant:
 Cymbalta  and Effexor.  Cats seem strangely drawn to these medications.
 Beware  ingestion can cause severe neurological and cardiac effects.

NSAIDS:
Cats are even more sensitive than dogs to drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen.

Prescription ADD/ADHD Medications:
These amphetamines such as Adderall, Concerta, Dexedrine and Vyvanse can cause tremors, seizures, cardiac problems and death.

Over the counter cough, cold and allergy medications:
Those that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol) are particularly toxic, as they damage
 red blood cells and cause liver failure.

Plants containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals:
Common houseplants like the peace lilly, philodendron and pothos can cause
oral/upper GI irritation, foaming at the mouth and inflammation when ingested but severe symptoms are uncommon.

Household insecticides:
Most household sprays and powders are fairly safe, but it is best  to keep
curious kitties away until the products have dried or settled.

Glow stick and glow jewelry:
These irresistible toys contain a chemical called dibutyl phthalate.
When it contacts the mouth, pain and excessive foaming  occurs, but the signs quickly resolve
when the cat eats food or drinks water

Celebrate Earth Day All Week At Stinky's Kittens & Doggies Too...

Earth Day is upon us not just for one day, but for each and every day  that we , our children, parent's and pets live on this planet.  A Planet so precious to us that we should not take it for granted.

We will be celebrating all week starting on April 21.

One of our favorite days of the Year!!

What other day encourages us to go out enjoy the outdoors.

Recycle, reuse  and remake.

We have it all at Stinky's Kittens & Doggies Too..

Earth Day At Stinky's Kittens & Doggies Too...

                                                              Earth Day Is Upon Us!!'

                                       We will be celebrating all week.  Starting April 21.
                                                        One of our favorite days of the year!

                                  What other day encourages us to go enjoy the outdoors...

                                            All made from the United States and local...

                                                      Reuse, remade good for the planet.