Main Navigation

"Our best resource for keeping our pets happy and healthy is each other."


Pets

Adopt a Kitten

PetSmart - Cat


Fun Facts About Cats...

  • Cats do not have sweat glands.
  • A cat can jump as much as seven times its height.
  • Cats have five toes on each front paw, but only four toes on each back paw.
  • Cats have over one hundred vocal sounds, while dogs only have about ten.
  • A pack of kittens is called a kindle, while a pack of adult cats is called a clowder.
  • An adult cat can run about 12 miles per hour, and can sprint at nearly thirty miles per hour.
  • A cat's tongue is scratchy because it's lined with papillae—tiny elevated backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place.
  • The nose pad of each cat has ridges in a unique pattern not unlike a person's fingerprints.
  • Cats' bodies are extremely flexible; the cat skeleton contains more than 230 bones (a human has about 206), and the pelvis and shoulders loosely attach to the spine. This adds to their flexibility and allows them to fit through very small spaces.
  • Cats have better memories than dogs. Tests conducted by the University of Michigan concluded that while a dog's memory lasts no more than 5 minutes, a cat's can last as long as 16 hours—exceeding even that of monkeys and orangutans.

Cat & Dog Owners Not Considering Age When Selecting Food

Kitty CarbsA new survey has revealed that only 11% of dog and cat owners consider their pet’s age as important when they are selecting a type of food.

A national survey commissioned by Iams® has revealed that only 11% of pet owners in the United States consider the age of their dog or cat as the most important factor when selecting a type of food for their pet. The survey also found that most respondents (36%) considered expert opinion – such as from a veterinarian – as the most important factor when choosing a food to feed their pets. Another 30% of respondents consider the ingredients as the most important consideration. The remaining 25% described the price as being their main concern when choosing their pet’s food.

Iams® did not say which of the four answers it considered to be the most important, but think that the results of this survey suggest pet owners should consider their pet’s age more when choosing food. “When choosing a food for your cat or dog it is important to select a diet that has the right ingredients for that stage of your pet’s life,” said Dr. Nelson,  a member of the Iams Pet Wellness Council. “Diet requirements – including protein levels, calories and vitamins and minerals – vary over the life of a pet and, in turn, an animal’s needs change as he grows from a puppy or kitten, to an adult into a senior. I always tell my patients that healthy checkups start on the inside. Feeding a high-quality diet specific to an animal’s age, like Iams Premium Protection, which offers specially formulated life-stage specific diets, is one of the most important ways to ensure four-legged family members lead healthy, happy lives.” said Nelson.

phpThumb_generated_thumbnailjpgThe company says that as a result of not considering age, pets might not be receiving the right nutrients at the levels which are optimal for their health at their stage of life. Iams® quotes three life stages as being general guidelines as a way to select a food type for your pet:

  • One to 12 months: Kitten and Puppy formula includes DHA (an omega-3 fatty acid) for brain and vision development
  • One to seven years: Adult formula includes HMP (sodium hexametaphosphate) to keep teeth clean during and after meals, as well as balanced omega 6:3 ratio for healthy skin and coat
  • Seven years and older: Senior formula with L-carnitine helps burn fat and keep muscles lean

Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/general/cat-dog-owners-not-considering-age-when-selecting.htm

Adverse Reactions to Micro-chipping Pets

Dog with BoneMicro-chipping pets has been a hot topic in the news lately with the Pharmaceutical company Merck being served a lawsuit over claims its pet microchip product HomeAgain® induced cancer in a cat. More details on this case can be read here: Andrea Rutherford v. Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. and Digital Angel, Inc.

A microchip implant is an identifying integrated circuit placed under the skin of a pet that is about the size of a large grain of rice. The microchips are based on a passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology which allows them to be scanned using a handheld scanner.

The FDA’s official statement is as follows “The potential risks to health associated with the device are: adverse tissue reaction; migration of implanted transponder; compromised information security; failure of implanted transponder; failure of inserter; failure of electronic scanner; electromagnetic interference; electrical hazards; magnetic resonance imaging incompatibility; and needle stick.”

(more…)

PetsMart May Promotions

PetsMartAll month long, you can take advantage of PetsMart’s Spring promotions! Offers end May 21st: Spring into Savings Sale! Save up to 25% on thousands of items at PetSmart.com!

Air Travel with your Pet

Pet Air Travel Story - 2013Many pet owners can’t bear the thought of leaving their pet behind when traveling, even when they travel via air.  If you are planning a trip by plane and your pet is going to accompany you, taking necessary precautions beforehand is important to making the trip a healthy and safe one for your pet.

Where will Your Pet Ride? Historically, pets have been “checked” as luggage when flying by air.  This means that the pet would ride in the baggage hold or cargo hold of the plane.  The cargo hold may not be a safe spot, however, as it is not always shielded against severe cold or heat that often occurs during flight.  A pet can be exposed to extreme temperatures in the cargo hold, which is particularly disconcerting if the pet is left there for a long period of time, or if a flight is delayed. To make matters worse, there is no way for you to check on, monitor, or render aid to your pet if it becomes ill or uncomfortable during its time in the cargo hold.  Smaller pets can be carried on the plane, but only if you notify the airline well in advance, as airlines are limited by the number of pets that can fly per flight or per cabin.  Your pet and its carry-on container, such as a “Pet Taxi,” cannot weigh (combined) more than forty pounds with most airlines. You must also be able to stow the container and the pet beneath your seat during the flight.

(more…)

Evidence Grows that Childhood Pets Protect Against Animal Allergies

Kids with DogGood news for families who are keen to have a pet cat or dog at home, but are worried that the children might develop an animal allergy as a result. An increasing body of evidence roundly disproves that theory.

New research from Melbourne University has found that kids who were exposed to animals at a young age experienced lower levels of nasal allergies as adolescents. In fact, family pets, especially dogs, do more than fail to cause allergies – they may actively prevent them.

Nasal allergies give rise to irritating symptoms from itchy eyes and sore throats to runny noses. They can also cause asthma and other allergic diseases. The latest study focused on those who grew up with animals, and those who had these symptoms, and questioned 8,500 adults across Australia and Europe. The findings were published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

(more…)

PetsSmart Charities: National Adoption Weekend, Friday – Sunday, Feb. 22-24, 2013

Saving Lives Through Adoption
Today, there are millions of lovable healthy dogs and cats that desperately need homes. Due to overpopulation of homeless pets, 4 million are euthanized every year, that’s 11,000 pets every day. For this reason, PetSmart has chosen not to sell dogs or cats and instead we joined forces with PetSmart Charities to help save the lives of pets through adoptions. Many homeless pets are purebred, so even if you’re looking for a particular breed, our adoptions program can help you find your next best friend.

How Can You Say No to Faces Like These…..

Save a Pet’s Life Today
You can find adoptable cats every day inside all PetSmart stores and adoptable dogs are available most weekends. When you adopt in store, PetSmart gives you savings on products & services to help you get started.

(more…)

Eliminating Cat Dander – 5 Ways to Keep it Under Control

The protein in cat dander affects millions. Breathing high levels of it consistently can trigger allergy and asthma symptoms, and cause respiratory problems to develop in those who were otherwise healthy. Dander is dead flakes of skin that are constantly being shed to make way for newer healthier skin that is more able to protect from disease and infection.

This shedding process will continue throughout your pet’s life and so learning to deal with it effectively with allow you to live a healthier lifestyle while being able to enjoy your cat more. The main source of irritation is a protein in the dander called Fel d1 (Felis Domesticus 1). It is also found in saliva and urine. Symptoms from exposure include itchiness, watering eyes, closed throat, congestion, and frequent sneezing. And while there is no way to eliminate it completely as long as you have your pet, here are 5 things you can do to keep it to a minimum.

(more…)

Second-Hand Cat, First-Rate Pet

When Jack and Debi Roney of Vienna, Va., decided to get a kitten, they set their sights on a lively, energetic animal. But that was before they met Minnalouche, a calico that a local humane society fostered. “She seemed to need a lot of love and warmth,” Debi recalls. “When I picked her up, she snuggled under my sweater. She seemed to really need me.”

Feeling needed appealed to the Roneys then, just as it has in the 13 years since they adopted Minnalouche. Steve Aiken, an animal behaviorist from Wichita, Kan., understands why. Adopting from a shelter, humane society or rescue group “means helping a cat who’s already there and needs the love of an owner,” he says.

The Joy of Adopting
When you adopt a cat, there’s the obvious benefit that you’re providing a home for the animal. But there are more advantages, including:

  • Socialization Many shelter cats were previously owned and socialized, so they’re more likely than strays to make a happy adjustment to your household.
  • Expert advice The staffs at animal shelters can help take the guesswork out of choosing the right pet. Since they interact daily with the kittens and cats, they have a feel for their moods.
  • Lower costs Adopting a cat is less expensive than buying one. You can save money in medical costs too. Many cats have already been spayed or neutered and if they haven’t, shelters usually reimburse a portion of the cost when a spay or neuter is requested.

(more…)

Urnaments……What is an Urnament?

Is it an urn? Yes. An ornament? Yes, but so much more. An Urnament is a keepsake urn designed to hold a portion of your loved one’s ashes inside. They are sentimental and will warm your heart. Urnaments draw us to where the happy memories reside. They help the healing. Maybe the better question is….What is an Urnament to you?

From the moment we take them home, our pets begin to grow dear to us. They enter our lives to become part of our everyday world. We in turn become part of theirs. They are the only family member who will never know any world but the one we provide for them.

Our pets come to rely on us for nourishment, safety and freedom. Love and time seal the bond. As they grow older and begin moving slower we will tend to more of their everyday needs. We are their caretaker and will always do what is best for them. We preserve their dignity. And when they leave us we honor them with a burial or cremation, preserving their memory in an urn. Today there are many alternatives.

Pet Urnaments are the newest alternative; a respectful expression of love for your pet companion.

The story of Urnaments began with an idea I had a long time ago. Before I could act on it, however; I had to do my research and design something that met my own respectful sentiments. After that, the only question remaining was; were the traditions people embrace for honoring their deceased love ones ready for my new and reverent alternative? I believe they are.

Commemorate the beloved pet you keep in your heart with an Urnament in your home. For more information visit www.urnaments.com or call 866-360-2030.

Big Brands Bonus Sale Continues at PetSmart!

The Big Brands Bonus Sale continues this June at PetSmart.com! You will be able to save on our top names and take advantage of these additional promotions.

Click on the links below and save!

Content copyright . Critter Nook, LLC. All rights reserved.
Web Hosting Companies