Cat First Aid Kit.

I never thought about it but I am sure a first aid kit for my pets would make a lot of sense. So to make your own get a see thru plastic container. On the inside of the lid place a list with the following number. The Animal Poison Control number, Your Vet's phone number, and the Local Veterinary Hospital. Also have handy in a plastic bag your pets health records. Keep in mind that a lot of things we have in are homes are toxic to our pets. The following are handy to have in your pets first aid kit. 1) Tweezers to remove splinters. 2) Nail Trimmer. 3) Scissors, handy for hair clumps or foreign objects tangles in their fur. Be careful not to cut to close. 4) Betadine Sponges for cleaning wounds, with an antibacterial cleanser. 5) Saline Solution to remove dirt or foreign objects from eyes. 6) Peroxide. Only use if instructed by an Emergency Animal Hospital. This induces vomiting. Do not use on wounds. 7) Triple Antibiotic Ointment.. 8) Sterile Telpha pads, non sticky, these are to place under bandages, so as not to stick to the fur. 8) Bandages. Well this isn't a hard list to gather up, and as always it is best to consult with your vet when in doubt. Happy Healthy Cats.

Hanukkah Safety.

We found this interesting article about pets and Hanukkah, and wanted to share. Hanukkah brings excitement with rich foods, toys, gifts and the beautiful Menorah. It can be easy to forget these traditions as well as Christmas traditions are not always good for our pets. Plan ahead to insure the safety of the fluffy members of your family. 1)Donuts, also known as Sufganiyot, are made of fried dough filled with artificially colored red custard or jelly and sprinkled with powered sugar. This pastry sounds yummy but is loaded with fat, sugar and lots of calories. A pet ingesting a Sufganiyot could suffer severe gastrointestinal distress. 2)Latkes. Oh so delicious. We use to make these at Christmas when I was a child. My mom sometimes tried things from other cultures at Christmas, this was a favorite. These are made with shredded potatoes, eggs, and fresh diced onions, fried and topped with sour cream or applesauce. Fresh onions can cause Heinz body anemia in pets. Onions are toxic to dogs as well as cats. 3)Chocolate Gold Coins. At Hanukkah children eagerly await to receive these foiled covered chocolate coins. Leaving them in places pets can reach and eat them can cause severe toxicity in pets, as well as foil ingested can cause major problems. 4) Dreidel. These are really neat four sided tops. The top spinning can draw the attention of your family pet. Keep these and other small toys out of reach. 5) Menorah. This is the symbol of Hanukkah. Over eight days the candles are lit until the Menorah is fully ablaze. Keep pets away for home, human and pet safety. Happy Hanukkah.

Top Ten Holiday Decorations to Avoid.

This article is Jinx approved. There are always things to avoid during any holiday, it just seems as though Christmas may just have a few more to be careful of with pets in the home. 1)The Tree Itself. Make sure your tree is secure especially if you have a real tree. Dogs jump cats climb. Finding the safest place to put your tree may not always prove to be easy. Do your best. I am lucky that my furry ones stay out of the tree. 2)Imitation Snow. Not such a good idea. It sure is pretty but very toxic to your pets. 3)Preservatives On Your Tree or in the Water. Water is tempting to your pets. Chemical preservatives are sometimes used on trees to keep them fresh longer. This can leach into the water bowl, so cover the water bowl with a tree skirt, aluminum foil, or anything that will keep your pets out of the bowl. 4)Edible Ornaments. The cute little ornaments that Susie made in school are wonderful on the tree. But they are dangerous to Fido. Candy Canes are fun as well but not so much for your pets. Place them high just like the cute ornaments. 5)Lit Candles Oh the season is so much better when the house smells good with a beautiful burning candle. Left unattended they are one of the most dangerous items you can have in your home. This is true of children and pets alike. Keep the candles in a safe secure place. 6)Christmas Lights. Make sure those lights are securely tucked in the tree and on windows. Secure extension cords as well. Chewing on the lights not so good. Maybe you have seen National Lampoons Christmas Vacation movie, when the cat chews on the Christmas lights and gets fried. Not really funny. 7)Holly Berries, and Holly. Beautiful but toxic to children and pets alike. If you enjoy having this as a decoration, keep out of reach of pets and children. 8)Angel Hair. This is a blast from the past. You could use it to decorate your tree, oh how pretty but it made you itch. It is no longer on the market, but you may have some vintage ornaments that have it on them. Place this securely in a display case or leave packed away. 9)Delicate or Treasured Ornaments. Make sure these are placed securely high on your tree. Shattered glass ornaments can end up in your pets eyes, fur and stuck in a paw. 10)Tinsel. Skip the tinsel. It just creates such a mess, and you find it for weeks after the tree is down. Ingesting it can cause your pet a intestinal obstruction which can be deadly. Opt for garland and secure it well and not to low. I hope you found these tips helpful. I know it is a bit late in the season, but we have been very busy. Happy Cats.

Do Cats have Separation Anxiety?

Yes they do. Just ask me I have personally viewed this first hand. My Momma cat Jezz is the Queen of Separation Anxiety. This is one cat who knows when I am going to visit relatives. I don't even have to say the words, she just knows. I suppose the extra activity on my day off my be a clue. Jezz will follow me as I pack a bag, will sit on the bathroom counter as I brush my teeth, comb my hair and put on makeup. All the while she will be rubbing up on me and meowing very pitifully. I feel really bad but I do have family to visit and with five cats I do make sure everything is in place, but with Jezz no one is as good as Mom. I don't have any real solutions to this problem, other than just to make sure everyone is comfy before I leave and that I personally feed and water everyone before I go. I spend a few minutes with each cat and a few extra with Jezz. I am never gone long, but to her it must seem like an eternity. My son makes sure she stays out of harms way, this is the one who thinks all of the other cats are evil, and makes her own trouble. So yes separation anxiety is real. Think of your furry babies like children, and try to make everything as calm as possible when you must go away. Well I have an emergency, Mr. Pees a Lot dragged my bath mat off the side of the tub and peed on it. Good Grief.

WOW we must of gotten lost.

Well I have only one excuse. It is the holiday season and boy have I been busy. You know decorating cats, baking with cats, shopping with cats. You get the picture. The tree went up and I had lots of help sorting out the color coded branches. Jinx scattering one pile and Sophia laying on another pile. It took twice as long to get the tree up because I had to resort all of the branches. Then we started on the lights. Around and around I go along with Jekyll and Phantom getting in on the act, then Jezz wants to help but the boys wouldn't let her. So she goes and sulks in the corner. Then comes sorting out the ornaments for the tree, no one cares so I am left in peace for a bit. I get the ornaments on the tree and then get out the wide velvet ribbon I use instead of garland, this is grabbed by Sophia and out to the kitchen she goes. When I get it back and on the tree it is time to repack everything we don't use. I have to keep taking cats out of the packing carton, and when I finally get it packed it goes to the shed. Thinking I am safe to head out the door, out sneaks Jezz. I drop the box and start after her when the screen door swings open and here comes Miss Sneaky Jinx. I have to grab her or she runs off to explore, Jezz is happily munching on grass. I let her and store the boxes, then grab Jezz which makes her very unhappy. The tree looks really nice and we sit down to enjoy it. Happy Cats.

Naming your New Puppy.

What's in a name? Plenty I tell you. Just as naming our children, which they have to carry the rest of their lives, naming a new puppy is important. How do you figure out what is the best name? Sometimes naming our pets can be very complicated. I know that when Sophia came home I didn't name her for two or three weeks. She grew into her name. But more importantly the naming of a new puppy can be difficult at best. There are some things to take into consideration. One of those is the fact is easier for a dog to understand two syllabled names. Some examples are Bella, Buddy, Cosmo, Lucky and Rocky. The name you give your dog is one of the ways that you communicate with them. So the more complicated the name the less your dog will understand that you are calling them. I know show dogs have long drawn out names for their pedigrees, but at best they are probably called some shortened version. So there are plenty of places to look up names for dogs, and make sure it is a simple two syllabled name so when you communicate with your new family member they will understand who you are speaking to. Also the way you speak to your dog is important as well, they do pick up on the tone of your voice. This is a Jinx approved article. Happy Cats.

Tips to keep Pets safe this Holiday

Be careful when you deck the halls. Trees with decorations low to the ground tinsel and garland are all so inviting to cats and dogs. So if you love your pets and care about your special ornaments be careful where you place them. Buy the kitty or dog a new toy and hopefully it will help prevent them from being in the tree. Be wire conscious. When hanging lights make sure that they are tucked into the tree real good and if you use an extension cord make sure it is secure as well. This goes for outdoor lighting as well, make sure wildlife cannot get tangled either. Save human treats for humans. Fido or Miss Kitty may beg for a treat you are having this holiday season, but don't give in, grab them a special treat when you go grocery shopping, and keep that on hand for those moments. Bundle up. When taking the pooch out for his walk keep in mind some of our furry friends do not have a very thick coat, so a coat that is lined or quilted is ideal for your furry friend. Boots help as well. Get your pet in on some holiday fun. Take a walk around your neighborhood or the local park and check out the decorations. This not only gives you some time with your pet and helps you to wind down, but your pet gets some exercise. Also they will pick up on the excitement in your voice as you ooh and ahh over the decorations. Put your pets on the nice list. Pets need Christmas presents as well as you. It is a great time to replace those old and worn out toys, and get some special treats. Create a quite space for your pets. If having friends and family over for the holidays have a space set up for your furry babies to rest and get away from all the merriment. They will thank you. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

A Day to be Thankful for.

Today is Thanksgiving. This is a day to give thanks for all that we know and love. Today is also a day to remember loved ones far and near. Sometimes people say I have nothing to be thankful for, but just maybe deep down in your heart you know you do have at least one thing. So let me remind everyone that at this time of year when we are busy preparing for the Holidays we may have people whom we forgot to check in with, a distant friend or family member, an elderly neighbor or even your own parents. So this year instead of being stressed out because your children want all of the fancy new gadgets you can't really afford, do something nice for and elderly neighbor. Donate your time and your kids time to help feed the homeless. Donate time at a rescue shelter for animals, or just donate a portion of the money you were going to spend on that ugly sweater for Uncle Harry, or that toy for Little Johnny will break in two days to doing something good for someone who has nothing. Even the smallest thing can bring joy to someone who maybe lonely during the Holidays. I am grateful for my children and grandchildren. I don't hear from or see them a lot, but I am still grateful that they are in my life. I love my children, they are good kids. Check on your Mother kids. I am grateful that I have five wonderful cats. They make me crazy some days but, bring joy to my life. I am grateful that I have a job I like, and people whom I work with are good people. They can also make me a bit crazy but that's life. I am especially grateful for all of my family who are far and near. I am grateful for the lessons my Mom taught me, and for my Dad teaching me how to be a farmer. So today take a moment and reflect on what you are grateful for, may it be small or large, and love one another all year long. Happy Cat.

Thanksgiving Safety Tips For Pet Owners.

If you wish to feed Harry the Dog or Miss Priss the Cat turkey, keep these things in mind. Fully cooked turkey no bones, and no skin or fat. Just a few tidbits mixed into their dry or wet food is suffice. If you like stuffing with your turkey, great. Harry and Miss Priss don't. Most stuffing contains a herb called sage. This can cause gastrointestinal upset and also central nervous system depression to pets, if eaten in large quantities. So best bet, don't serve stuffing to your furry babies. Better safe than sorry. Keep in mind a lot of Vets are also are taking the day off and if you have a pet emergency an Animal hospital is going to cost double. Keep them from raw eggs as well. Some tips for dog owners. Yes to turkey. No to onions, garlic, leeks, and scallions. Yes to plain mashed potatoes. No to grapes or raisins. These can cause kidney failure in dogs. Yes to cranberry sauce. No to Xylitol, artificial sweetners. Yes to macaroni and cheese. No to chocolate. Yes to green beans. No to alcohol. So as we all know everyone over eats on Thanksgiving, well most people sometimes myself included. But that doesn't give us free license to over feed our furry babies. They can suffer from stomach distress as well as we can, but in their case it can make them more miserable than humans. So even though you want to fix Harry or Miss Priss a plate do it in moderation. They will thank you and you will feel better knowing that you didn't over do the sharing of the Thanksgiving meal. Happy Cat.

Relax, Ha, Ha.

I just felt it in my bones, today I would go home and enjoy a nice cup of hot coffee, and some relaxing music, maybe do a load of laundry, just kick back and enjoy the evening. Right, I mean wrong, wrong, wrong. I feed the kitties their food, and as they finish Jekyll cleans up everyone's dishes, I sit down to relax. Nope not happening. Jezz for once is sitting peacefully on the couch and Phantom decides to aggravate her. He runs right up to the couch and takes a stance of dominance. Well she isn't having any of that nonsense and starts batting the couch, like she is trying to make him back off, and he keeps coming at her like the Roman army. I have to get up and stop the nonsense as everyone else decides to get in on the act. Little Sophia starts snarling, then Jinx gets her tail in a knot, Jekyll saunters over to check it out gets swatted for his efforts by Sophia, Jinx starts advancing on Phantom. Mom grabs the nearest weapon. The dreaded squirt bottle. Makes the fiendish clan scatter to the far reaches of the domain. Everyone finally comes back to the living room and settles down, I get back to my now cold coffee, and think maybe, just maybe tomorrow will be my day. Tired Mom, Settled Kitties.

Cat Love.

Do you think it is possible to love your cats to much? Well I certainly don't think so. But of course I have been referred to as The Crazy Cat Lady. I have drugs for that, I'm not crazy. Beside the point. I do think that some people are more in touch with their pets then they are people, and I have heard that, those people just don't relate well to people. Now everyone has an opinion about some thing or other. I for one think that having pets are healthy. They can help to keep you active, if you have a dog, walks are needed, its you moving, and they like to chase things, keeps you moving. Sure you have to pick up their poo, but it is just part of owning a dog, keeps you moving. Cats also like to play and this can be very interactive. Cats like to be chased around, they like to have you at eye level, and in my case they style my hair. Pets can keep you occupied if your alone, and they do enjoy having a cup of coffee with you in the morning, they can keep you company when you read the morning paper, and make you laugh when you are grumpy. Just try making a bed when a cat is around, at my house it is a challenge to make the bed, but we make a game of changing the bedding, and it makes me laugh. So I guess if loving your pet makes you a crazy person, then I guess you can call me The Crazy Cat Lady. Jinx I'm done, no leave the keyboard alone, no I don't need help, Jinxxxxxxxxxx.

Toxic Plants.

Tis the season for people to bring plants into the house for the holidays. The biggest plant that people buy for the holidays of course re Poinsettia's. These are beautiful flowering plants, and come in many colors, and some are dyed to achieve the blue and green colors which are beautiful at best. But the Poinsettias are highly toxic to cats, and children as well. I checked on line to see how many plants where toxic to cats and the list contains 399 plants. Here are just a sample. Aloe, Amaryllis, also a holiday favorite, American Holly, Apple, Peace Lily, Pothos, all things many people have in their homes or yards. Here are some things to watch for. Since many plants are irritants especially for the gastrointestinal tract, most symptoms seen will be the result of irritation or inflammation. Such as redness, swelling, or itchiness of the skin or mouth. Some toxic principles directly affects a particular organ, the symptoms will be related to that organ. Examples Difficulty breathing (airways affected). Drooling or difficulty swallowing (mouth, throat, or esophagus affected). Vomiting (if stomach or intestines affected). Diarrhea ( if the intestines or colon are affected). Excessive drinking and urinating (if kidneys are affected). Fast, slow or irregular heart beat (if heart affected). Should you see any of these signs, contact your vet immediately. The best thing to do is of course not have these plants in your home, but should you be careful. Children as well as dogs can be affected by these plant as well. So here in the Catdom we wish everyone a Happy Holiday, but we also wish our many furry friends a Safe and Happy Holiday.

Cats Do Their Own Thing.

I love my cats, I must I have five of them. Some days I just have to wonder why. Most days they have their own agendas. This does not include me. I got a beautiful large house plant, and to most cats house plants are the lettuce of life to them. Now my Jinx is a house plant eater. I don't care what kind it is, she will try and eat it. My youngest son and his wife gave me a beautiful African Violet for Mother's Day, well she wanted to munch on it. So off to work it went. It is doing beautifully at work. So now I have a very large plant in the kitchen area, it has a tall stand, and a spray bottle close by. This is not just to mist the plant it is also to mist the cat when she gets near it. I just pick up that bottle and the kitty runs, as a matter of fact they all scoot to other rooms. I sometimes get great satisfaction squirting them, just because sometimes they wake me when I don't have to be up or they are just being annoying. Yes they can be annoying, to the point I just want to leave the house. But as I am the top cat in the house I just put up with it. Okay I don't put up with Jekyll chasing Sophia into a corner, and attacking her, nor do I put up with Phantom chasing Jezzabel until she is ready to pack her catnip and leave home. But back to house plants, they are in serious danger in my house, as well I brought in some roses from my yard one day, and didn't put them out of Jinx reach, and when I came back in the house, here was Jinx just munching down on my beautiful roses. How she never gets sick is beyond me. A lot of house plants are toxic to cats. So for our next visit with you we will talk about the types of house plants that are toxic to cats as well as people. So enjoy and we will be back soon. Happy Munching Jinx.

Cold Weather Tips For Dog Owners.

Yes I am talking about dogs, as I know some cat people also have dogs as well. What does that make you? Super Pet Parents. Colder weather brings with it the hustle and bustle of the Holidays, between Thanksgiving and New Years. Sometimes we get so busy we forget to take those extra few minutes required to make sure our dogs are cozy and warm when going outside. This is true for those little dogs and shorthaired dogs. Did you know that your dog loses its keen sense of smell during extremely cold weather, if this happens your pet can become lost. Best to have them on a leash. So bundle up and go with. Make sure to wipe paws, legs and stomach when they come in from the snow. Plenty of things stick to paws when they come in from the snow, sleet and ice. These include salt, anti freeze and other yuck. Dogs love to lick their paws and you do not want them licking salt or antifreeze from their paws. This will upset their stomachs and or poison them. Invest in a warm coat for those short haired dogs. You need it to cover from the base of their tail and bellies. Get a good insulated one, not those fancy coats. What dog seriously needs swag to go outside. Insulated is best. Another thing do not leave your dog in a cold car for any length of time. This is as bad as hot weather. The car acts just like an ice box. In the winter you can leave food in your car and it won't spoil, but hey dogs aren't food, so don't leave them in the car while you shop. Quick stop at the gas station okay, but that's it. Well I hope my Dog Lovers enjoy the fact that I have branched out a bit and offered some tips for your Pups. Take care and Sophia says keep your dogs warm. She's my dog lover. Happy Dogs.

Seasonal Pet Health Hazards Associated With Fall.

This article is from Dr. Patrick Mahaney. Although fall has many things that appeal to humans, fall does have potential health hazards for our pets. Decreased Hours of Daylight. Lots of people walk their pets early in the day or evening and with less daylight it can cause potential hazards for you and your pet. Drivers have a harder time seeing you and your pet. If you walk your dog or let your feline out be very observant to prevent them from being hit by a car. Dangers due to Leaves. If you are outside with your pets and using a leaf blower be cautious as it may scare them and they will take off, and leave your property. Additionally gas powered leaf blowers can leak oil or fuel, which creates a source of toxicity should your pet ingest when your pet walks through it and then licks their paws. Leaf piles laying on your lawn can cause problems as well. They can quickly accumulate moisture, which promotes bacterial and mold growth. If your pet ingests these microorganisms, digestive tract upset can occur. Burning leaves also cause smoke and plant based oils, especially if poison ivy is mixed in these can irritate your pets eyes, lungs, nose and throat. Better to leave them inside. Dangers due to Plants and Mushrooms. The Chrysanthemum is a seasonally blooming flower that is commonly associated with fall. Toxicity can occur if your pet ingests the mum's flowers. I have a bad little cat called Jinx, you know her as my editor. She is awful about eating flowers. I have a beautiful African Violet my son got me for Mother's Day that I had to take to work, just so she would leave it alone. It is nice to have there. So the signs of plant ingestion are as follows. 1) Ataxia - Stumbling 2) Dermatitis - Skin Inflammation 3) Ptyalism - Increased Salivation 4) Vomiting 5) Diarrhea. Other Plants include Meadow Saffron/Autumn Crocus, and Clematis. Mushrooms can also occur in mulch and some may not be as toxic as others are so make sure your pets stays from these as well. Other Dangers Include all types of Rat and Mice Poisons. When it gets colder the rodents seek shelter wherever they can. Take care where you place any type of rodent poisons. If you suspect your pet has been poisoned call your Vet or Vet Hospital immediately. These tips are for Dog and Cat lovers alike, so as the year winds down and the cold weather moves in watch for the dangers that the Fall season can bring for your Beloved Pets. Happy Cat.

Ten Ways to Help Shelter Cats.

1) Put a donation box in your work place for food and toys. After you take it down thank your coworkers for their help. 2) Collect old towels and blankets, the cats can use these in their cages to keep warm and cozy. 3) Make some catnip toys, they are really easy and inexpensive to make. 4) Volunteer to play with the kitties, it helps to make them more social, and offer to help clean the cages. 5) Hold a cat toy and food drive. The easiest way to do this is at your next social gathering or family party. 6) Foster a kitty if you can. Foster homes are always in need, when rescue shelters get full. 7) Volunteer for a Trap-Neuter-Release program. Call your local shelter for details. 8) Take photos for shelters if you are good with a camera. It helps when posting details in papers, and on Face Book if the shelter has good pictures. 9) Put your change to work. At the end of the day, stick it in a jar, and every couple months donate it to a rescue. 10)Donate while you shop. Amazon has Amazon Smile which donates a portion of its proceeds to your favorite charity. Another good one is the Greater Goods.com. Whatever you can do is helpful, and even if you can take a bag of food or cat litter to the shelter it is always received by very grateful shelter workers and the Kitties. So this Holiday Season think about shelter animals, and every little bit does help. Thank You from all of us here in the Catdom.

Cat Styled Hair.

I don't know if I am the only person who gets up everyday with hair style by a large black cat. I never know what it will look like. I got up Monday and it was really bad. I looked like he slept on top of my head, my hair was every which way. I wasn't sure if I was going to get it straightened out before I had to leave for work. I got it fixed. Tuesday I did wake up with him on top of my head, and I really didn't look to bad, just a minor fix. Wednesday was a bit crazy but a little hair spray I got it to lay flat. So today I actually had great looking black cat styled hair. I cannot believe that it actually looked good. So tomorrow is Friday, and I really wonder what I will look like. So if you have cats just know this if you wake up with super crazy hair, you probably should blame the cat. Now I know what you are thinking who lets a cat sleep on your head. I don't let them do this on purpose, when I am sleeping I have no idea what the heck they are doing, unless of course they are running around the house and knocking everything off the dresser and the cupboards. Cats are cats, and cats do as they will, so I am okay with that. So I will let you know how my hair turns out on Friday. Happy Cat.

Isn't it to early for "Cabin Fever"?

I think cabin fever has already struck my house. The cats are crabby, not much sun to speak of so the house is dreary. I believe that they are thinking all day about how they are going to make me crazy when I get home. Of course you all know I take care of their needs when I get here and then sit down to relax for a few minutes. Not today. I was busy with something after I fed them and then they just went nuts. Like crazy nuts. Like squirrels would take them and hide them for the winter nuts. So do you get the picture? If not this is what it was like. Phantom was stalking Jezz and she was hissing and running away trying to find a safe spot, and stalk her he did. I had to pick him up and move him to another room. He didn't stay and ran after her again until I cornered him, and then he just looked at me like WHAT? Jekyll chased Jinx around and she gets all scatter brained and starts flying through the house, with her tail fluffed three times its size, she ran up the counter onto the top of the cupboards, back down across the bed and then landed on the computer. Sophia's eyes where bugged out of her head and ears flattened to her head just waiting for the action to head her way. Unfortunately she didn't have to worry, I decided I had enough of the caterwauling. At times like this I really wonder what I was thinking, you know five cats. But then again I wouldn't know what do without them. So for now everyone has picked a spot and are being perfect peaceful little kitties. So Happy Momma.

Revisiting Pumpkin for your Pets.

This article was found on Petplace.com. I know we talked about pumpkin some time ago for pets but this article is more informative. Also as usual I will have my own personal both input at the end. 1)Combating Dehydration. Pumpkin flesh is 90% water. If you top dry cat or dog food which is moisture deficient it will help combat dehydration. I recommend about a teaspoon, every few days. 2)Helping with Constipation. Fiber from pumpkin works in pets the same way it does humans. A tablespoon or two can resolve the symptoms in a few days. Some cats can develop decreased colon activity as they age. So the added fiber is good to help things along. Please do not over do it though. 3)Reducing Hairballs. By increasing the volume of waste in the intestines, pumpkin can help your cat digest and eliminate fur swallowed during grooming. This can reduce or even prevent the formation of "hairballs" that are eventually thrown up. 4)Resolving Diarrhea. Yes it works in both ways! Pumpkin can soothe constipation but diarrhea can also be remedied with the addition of pumpkin to a dog or cats food. All it takes is 1 teaspoon for small dogs and cats, and medium to large dogs about 1 tablespoon. 5)Boosting Weight Loss. With 3 grams of fiber per cup pumpkin can help in weight loss in both dogs and cats. This is so they feel fuller and eat less. Do not give them a cup at a time though, and always check with your vet on the proper amount to feed. 6)Supplementing Nutrition. One of the biggest benefits of pumpkin to pets and humans is its wealth of nutrition. Pumpkins carry a variety of vitamins and minerals. Do not over load your pet on pumpkin, to much isn't good. I suggest about a teaspoon a week. 7)Adding Antioxidants. Pumpkins contain antioxidants which help moisturize skin, helping your pet maintain a healthy coat and skin. Ladies this may also be good for us. I might just give it a try. 8)Providing Essential Fatty Acids. Pumpkin seeds contain essential fatty acids. You should only use fresh roasted seeds. Lightly coat with cooking oil and spread on a cookie sheet, roast at 375 degrees for about 5 to 10 minutes. No salt! Either store in an airtight container or freeze. Freezing is better. Small pets need them ground up so as not to have a large piece get caught in the intestines and are easily to digest. Once a week should be good. Use just a small amount maybe 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon. 9)Controlling Parasites. Pumpkin seeds contain cucurbitacin a possible anthelmintc that eliminates tape and roundworms. Additionally the seeds may inhibit the formation of kidney and bladder stones. The seeds should be ground up and poured over the food. Again only a small amount. The best pet safe sources for cats and dogs is fresh cooked pumpkin. Small pie pumpkins would be best. Check a cookbook or online on how to prepare pumpkin to cook, or ask your granny. After cooking package in an airtight container and freeze in small batches. No spies are added to this. Opt for only pure pumpkin that is canned not the type for pumpkin pie. Also do plan on putting canned pumpkin in the freezer as it only will last for a week refrigerated. I have found this article to be very informative. So as you can see pumpkin is a great food, and not just for Halloween to carve or for pies. Happy Cat.

Good Morning From The Catdom.

Well good morning everyone. I hope your Halloween was fun, and no one played any tricks on you. I see that Sophia wrote the blog for me last night, such a clever girl. Must be I have magical cats as a couple of them can crack the passwords on the computer and have learned to type. I always wondered why they liked to watch when I do the blog it was so they could write their own stories. Very helpful I must say. I woke up to Jekyll chewing on my hair and licking my arm. This means one of two things, I want you to wake up or feed me. It was just wake up you've slept long enough. That was okay as I have a lot to do today. But my hair now looks frightful, I wish he could of done that last night so I could scare the kids. I checked the weather and that is frightening as well, it is cold and may rain or snow mix today. I am glad my furry babies will be snug a bug in a rug in the house. The wind has died down it was really windy last night as well. We will see you later today with more news from the world of cats. Have a splendid day. Happy Cats.

Happy Halloween from Sophia

Well as Halloween winds down, Momma is ready for bed and all of us cats are snuggling down as well. We didn't have a too many human children Trick or Treating as the weather was frightful. The wind howled which is perfect, but it was snowing. How dreadful for the human children. My sisters and brothers stayed snug inside the house, and stayed away from the door when the human children came to the door. It was too cold to go and view the costumes that the human children wore. Momma wanted to dress Jekyll up but he wouldn't cooperate with her, to bad he would have looked cute in his rabbit ears. But no he just wouldn't have any of it. I climbed up on top of the cabinet and had a great view. Some of the human children were really scary, and I didn't want anyone to see me or try to get me. We still have lots of candy, but my mom said she will just take it to work for her employees, and we think that is fine. The human boy who lives here came home, he didn't go Trick or Treating because it was so cold, but Momma gave him some candy and told him not to make a pig of himself or he wouldn't feel good tomorrow, we all thought that was very funny. Well Momma is all snug in her bed so I think I will join her and snuggle down for a nice cozy nap. Happy Halloween from All of us here in the Catdom, Love Sophia.

My Big Black Cat.

This as you all know is Jekyll or Mr. Pees A Lot. He is a beautiful big black cat. Black cats have been throughout history called evil and associated with evil. Now look at all of these pictures and tell me that you see any evil in this guy. The only time he acts bad is when Jezz gives him a hard time or he thinks my little Sophia is a play toy. This big guy is delightful, okay at 3 am not so much when he sits on my head and tries to wake me up. The boy hates to hear the alarm go off. So peruse these wonderful pictures of my Big Black Cat. Happy All Hallows Eve. Happy Cats.

History of Black Cats.

The history of Black Cats as bad omens dates back to Babylonian and Hebrew mythology, which often portrayed them curled up similarly to another symbol of evil the serpent. In Greek mythology, a woman named Galenthias was changed into a cat and became a priestess at the Temple of Hecate. She became known as the "mother of witchcraft," and forever aligned sorcery with cats. Tales involving black cats abound in many countries. The Germans of Middle Ages believed that if a black cat jumped on the bed of an ill person it was an omen of death. And of course in this country the Christians who came here believed that black cats were associated with witches, and they would burn the black cat at the stake with a witch. It was believed that they could change themselves into other things. So through the ages black cats have been given a bad reputation. Black Cats as Good Luck Charms. Ancient Egyptians treated black cats as royalty, and killing one was a capital offense. Fisherman's wife's kept black cats for luck when their husbands went to sea to keep danger away. In Scotland a black cat arriving on a porch brings prosperity. So you see how they got the reputations that they did, but also in some cultures it was entirely different. Makes you wonder. I have a black cat and do not believe he is evil, okay he has his moments. But over all he is big and beautiful if not a little bit dorky.

10 Reasons your Cat hates you.

I found this on Pet360 and is wrote by Caitlin Ultimo. 1)You dress them up. 2)You give them stupid nicknames. 3)You pet them. 4)You stare at them. 5)You take them for walks like a dog. 6)You hold them for more than a second. 7)You hold them in a Lion King pose for a second or more. 8)You eat chicken or fish in front of them and don't offer them a bite. 9)You play with their paws. 10)You sleep in. Now I know for a fact all of the above can be true on any given day. Yes when I come home my kitties are glad to see me. But sometimes after I have been home all hell can break loose, and I of course can be the cause of it all. Jinx hates to be picked up period. Do not pick her up she will shove against you to be let down, and getting her nails cut require being picked up this does not make her happy. Sophia only tolerates it for two seconds, and Jezz loves to be held, the boys not so much. Do not pet Jekyll on the back, it makes his skin crawl and he will then lick himself. Nervous tick I guess. Do not even bother staring at a cat, it can get you evil looks and distain. At my house the only cat who cares what you are eating is Jezz, that is especially true if I am having cereal or Cheetos. She will sit and stare at me until I finish my cereal and then expect to get the leftover milk, I do save her some. Cheetos are her favorite, she licks the cheese flavor off of them, and yes I know cats should not have people food. At any given time I might have an evil streak and chase a cat around the house and when they stop to try and attack me I grab a paw, that usually gets me a swipe, and a scratch if I am not fast enough to dodge the paw. Also don't bother creeping up on a sleeping cat, it doesn't always end well. As for me sleeping in, forget it, Jekyll has an internal clock that says, Mom's alarm is about to go off, so I am going to sit on her head, this always wakes me before the alarm. So the author, who must be a cat person, hit it on the nose (don't do that either) with the "10 Reasons your Cat hates you." Happy Cat.

Coming Home.

The best part of coming home is that I know I will be greeted at the door by not one, not two, but up to five cats. You see I enjoy having someone at home who appreciates the fact that I do come home. After I drop everything in my hands I go around and pet each cat on the head, and if someone looks like they need a bit more, I give them a good petting or snuggle. I then listen to the chirps and meows that signal that they are hungry. So before anything else is done I give them their canned food. This they eat with gusto. If someone doesn't finish Jekyll makes sure that he checks each bowl for leftovers, and takes care of them in short order. After everyone is fed and happy, I check litter boxes take care of that, and then settle down with whatever I have at hand to do. Sometimes after a long day I just plop on the couch and turn on some show, and along with a cat or two I snooze, and them with me. If I am working on my blog of course my editor Jinx is on hand and in my face to make sure everything is up to her standards. Jezzabel likes to sit beside me and watch if I am playing a game and sometimes will sit in front of the computer as if to say "Look at Me". I often just let her sit and purr to her hearts content. A cat's purr I find so beautiful and love to hear a happy cat purring. To me it is very calming as well. As our day wears down everyone finds a spot to sleep, some with me and others elsewhere, that they feel the most comfortable. And each morning we start our day over, some check me out as I get ready for work, others wait by the food and water dishes for fresh food and water, then a whole brand new day starts, as I head out the door, saying be good I will see you later, and pet everyone as I go. I know when I arrive home they will be Happy I am Home. Happy Momma Cat.

Cat in a bag.

I am so amazed when you lay down a bag, and a cat almost always jumps in it. I have often wondered why. Is just a new space to check out or is it security. Maybe neither. At my house every bag or box that comes through the door is something that has to be sniffed, pawed and investigated to see where it has been or where it might go. Or is it for them. Now you know I bring boxes home for Jekyll, but recently I brought in a container that I had in my car to hold items I might need through out the week. I decided it no longer served a purpose and replaced it. So in it came, I set it on the table to use elsewhere, well when I can back from the bedroom, here sits Jekyll inside of it on the table, well I guess it got repurposed alright. It is now Jekyll property. No one else goes near it. Maybe he farts in it and it stinks, so everyone else just figures okay you can keep it. Sophia, Jinx and Phantom all have a great fascination with bags of any type, grocery bags, trash bags, paper bags and reusable. Paper bags are the best, they make noise when they jump in and if they are crouched down I just love to sneak up and scratch on the outside of the bag, makes them jump and then try and attack. Great fun. If you put something in the bag and shake it it's even more fun. Believe it or not they will try and chase something in the paper bags, and they don't have much room and it frustrates them a lot. Hey give a kid a paper bag and see how much fun they can have. All you need are washable markers, crayons and what not, then sit back and watch them create a masterpiece. Cats and children are a lot alike. They love to explore, and investigate everything. They get into everything, but when it's time to snuggle they snuggle and cuddle. So love your Children and furry babies, go give them a hug and a paper bag, take an adventure today. Happy Cats.

Lykoi Cats, Common questions answered.

As promised I looked up more information on the Lykoi Cats. I took these questions from the official website about Lykoi Cats. The questions are answered by Johnny Gobble who is a DVM and also the breeder of these unique cats. This question about cracked me up. Are they truly cats? Or a cross with a monkey/opossum? The breeder says he cracks up every time he hears this question. They are 100% cat. They are extremely unique looking, but that is what they "naturally look like." What do they feel like? The Lykoi feel very much like a typical "barn cat" (I believe he means most domestic cats). The hair is soft, and the skin warm to the touch, and the nose feels like rubber bands! How funny. What are their personalities like? The breeder likes to compare the Lykoi to a hunting dog. They are extremely loyal to their owners (slaves), very scent motivated, yes many cats are... but these guys go almost "on point" when they get a whiff of something. They can be clingy at times, but will amuse themselves if you are busy... as long as they are close enough to keep an eye on you. Do they get along with other animals? Definitely! Lykoi love both human and animal companionship and as long as introductions are done properly, they fit right in. Are there any known genetic health issues with this breed? This answers my questions I had in a blog about them. I am satisfied with the answer. The breeder say no, at this time we have found nothing. Although since the breed is a natural mutation from domestic shorthair cats, the Lykoi could share health issues in your common cat. The website is so informative and I found all of my questions answered. The amount of testing that was done on the founding cats, and I am sure no cat was harmed in the process, showed that these cats are "truly a natural mutation". So I look forward to learning more about them, so go check out the website. Happy Cat.

Halloween Safety Tips for Pets.

Here are some handy tips for keeping kitty safe during Halloween. These apply to your pups as well. 1) Trick or treat candy is not for your pets. This includes popcorn or apples. 2) Don't leave pets outside on Halloween. 3) Keep pets confined and away from doors. We pass out candy outside to avoid that problem all together. 4) Keep outdoor cats confined if at all possible before and after the holiday for a few days, for their safety. 5) Keep pumpkins and decorative corn away from your pets. Granted pumpkin in small doses is good for your pet, once they have been carved they are not good, and only cooked pureed pumpkin is good for pets. 6) Don't keep lit pumpkins around pets, or small children. They now have fake candles for pumpkins, perfect. 7) Keep wire and cords from Halloween decorations out of pets reach. 8) Don't dress your pet in costumes unless they show that they are not uncomfortable in them. 9) Get everybody on board for the night and go over safety procedures when you have pets in the house at Halloween or any other holiday where you may have quests. 10) ID's please, just in case. If you have a pooch who loves to go trick or treating and is part of the festivities, please have them on a leash and have ID on their collar. So here's to a safe Halloween holiday for you and your furry babies. Happy Cat.

Black Pet Safety this Halloween Season.

This article is published by Patrica Khuly. Also I will add my own comments at the end as well. I wish it were a myth. Though dogs are usually not the target of Halloween season pranksters, blacks cats historically suffered abuse during this time of year. When it happens, its usually at the hands of those who consider burning, hanging or otherwise torturing felines an appropriate form of "celebration". The cultural drive behind this gruesome activity harkens back to the superstitions surrounding black cats as the harbingers of evil. Now my comments. So you can well imagine what I thought when I read this article. I am so appalled by the things that people believe in. Yes black cats are evil, about as evil as bunny rabbits. I have the most loving big black cat you have ever seen. Yes he does attack Sophia, but that is just cat ergonomics. I sometimes wish I was a witch, because I would certainly have lots of black cats, and would also turn a few ignorant people into little white mice for the black cats to chase to their hearts content. But really black cats have gotten a bad rap and that is very unfortunate. They are beautiful, and have either yellow or green eyes. I have seen a picture of one with blue eyes, and it was truly beautiful. Also at this time of the year, shelters and animal rescue's will not let black cats be adopted. Very Smart. So if you are thinking of getting a furry baby consider getting a fluffy black cat, after the Halloween season of course. Black cats are the least adopted cat, so sad. So here to all the big beautiful BLACK CATS of the world, I salute you. Happy Momma Cat.

Lykoi Cat "Werewolf Cats"

Today I stumbled upon an article about Lykoi Cats. Or "Werewolf Cat" Oh my gosh they are so beautiful. To see a picture of them just type in the name in your search engine. Here is the back story I got from Pet360, sorry I didn't catch the authors name. Discovered from a gene mutation in domestic shorthair cats, the Lykoi is reported to be the first type of cat specifically bred for its unusual features. They have a thin single coat and little to no hair around the nose, eyes, underbelly and paws. This specific trait, though found naturally in some cats, had not been purposely bred until Brittany and Johnny Gobble, a vet and practiced breeder, begin developing the Lykoi. After extensive testing of the two founding kittens from different litters with the same appearance, and after the testing proved them to be in good health, the Lykoi breeding program was born. It was found to be a natural mutation and does not come from a known disease or disorder. The name for the breed, Lykoi, is loosely derived from the Greek phrase meaning "Wolf Cat" and The International Cat Association officially recognized the breed in 2012. Alright, I of course have to interject my voice here, as always. I did look at the Facebook page of the breed, very pretty cat in a weird way I guess. Now one or two things in the article I have to comment about. Does not come from a known disease or disorder. In our crazy world what about the unknowns, this is something I want more information on. I could just accept the facts for what they are or dig a little more into the breed. I am always up for more information and to learn something new. How about you guys. So I will do some research this weekend so you can enjoy your families and friends, hey I have no life. Do know that I am not knocking the breed or the breeders of these beautiful creatures, I just would like to know more. So check back and see us around Sunday with that information, I find it's kind of fun to look around and see what is up in the crazy world of cats. Happy Cat. Jekyll I can type myself, yes I know you can type. Where's th4e editor anyway? Jinx!!!!

Total Lunar Eclipse Will turn the Moon Blood Red.

I always try and make this interesting, so of course I have to rely on finding other things going on in the world besides what happens in Cat Land. Yes that is like Zombie Land. I am the head Zombie, feels like it some days. Any way on to our story. Moon watchers like me, yes I howl at the moon, just ask my family, will be in for a treat on October 8, 2014. The "Blood Moon" total lunar eclipse will rise during October 8th just before sunrise in North America. But that may not be the only color. Weather permitting it is possible to be able to see the blue in the moon's glow. This event will be the second of four consecutive total lunar eclipses in 2014 and 2015. this according to NASA. The 2015 dates are April 4, 2015 and September 28, 2015. This article is by Miriam Kramer at Space.com. So any one that would like more information just type "Blood Moon" into your favorite search engine and I am sure everything you need or want to know will pop up. I find the moon phases to be very interesting. This is especially true for how people and animals seem to react to it. Also in times gone by people thought that the Lunar eclipse was evil brought on by who knows. Something like end of days, you get it. Well if you have the opportunity check it out, you will enjoy it. Happy Cat.

Phantom not of the Opera.

Phantom is a very strange boy. He does balance nicely though. I found him on the back of the chair one day just being a vegetable, and not a care in the world, that is until Jezz jumped on the table and about scared him out of his fur. Now I know and you know that Jezz knew he was there, and this was a planned attack. If a girl could ever ask for anything in the world it would be peace in her own house. Now when you have more than one cat it is hard, everyone wants to be top cat. Phantom is a blue eyed charmer, and I fall under his charms a lot, but not Jezz. She will not, and won't adjust to the fact he lives here. Phantom has been here for over a year, and not once have the two of them ever considered friendship. This is the way, and I just have to deal with it. Happy Phantom, Not so Happy Jezz.

Jekyll and Hyde

Goodness knows I love all of my cats equally, and maybe one more than the rest. Also I try to give them each as much attention as possible. But recently Jekyll has turned into Mr. Hyde. He has been attacking everyone but Phantom. So you know what that means, he is a butt head. Sophia has been his target lately and yesterday he was casually walking by me as I was on the phone and next thing I know he is on top of Sophia and she is fighting for her little life, I drop the phone, sorry who ever I was talking to, oh wait I was on hold, and still was when I got back to the phone, and go rescue my little Sophia. And wouldn't you know it he just sat down in front of me to say hey what's up. So I scold him, he didn't care and then went on to check over Sophia. She was fine but clearly shaking in her little fur coat. So my docile Jekyll has turned into evil Mr. Hyde. I need to find that formula to change him back asap. Clearly he is trying to assert his authority around here. I have news for him, I can't let that happen. I need peace and quite when I come home and that means you may play nicely but no fighting. I think I may have to get him some Prozac. Hmmm do they make Prozac for cats, guess I better check on that. Right now he is in his box, I hope he just stick with it for awhile. I do now that he will be in my face at 3:15 am when he things I am to wake up tomorrow. It's my day off, but cats only remember that the alarm goes off at the same time five days a week and he doesn't care if I have a day off. Down Jinx I don't need an editor at the moment. It's been a long day and I'm off to dream land, we will be back tomorrow and on to new adventures. Tired Mom.

Media Madness, and the Irreverent Vet.

Parts of this article will come from the "Irreverent Vet at Pet Place.com. The original piece is from a USA Today article. I found this so amazing that I had to report this in my blog. Sometimes I am just wondering who writes this stuff. So USA Today published an article called "Letting Pets Sleep Next to You can Make You Ill". The Irreverent Vet published a rebuttal. "Sensationalized" headlines sell newspapers and unfortunately, they can also make stupid people do stupid things. I heard about a family that wanted to get rid of their dog because of this article. ME: Seriously people think this over, you are going to destroy your dog over an article that may or may not be true. Then USA Today article states that about 14 to 62 % of owners let their pets sleep with them. ME: Yes I do. They warned that this is a potentially dangerous due to a "hair raising list of possible pathogens". They cite diseases such as cat scratch fever and the plague. Not only letting your pet sleep with you dangerous, so is kissing your pet. ME: Am I dead yet? Yes I am writing this from the great beyond. So is walking outside, so is interacting with other people. ME: I think interacting with some people is more dangerous. The article goes on to say the risk is rare. ME: Most people quit reading after danger do not sleep with your pets. But often by this time the damage is done. The chances of diseases spreading from pets to people is possible but IT IS VERY RARE. The vet goes on to say he has never known anyone to get a disease from a pet, especially while sleeping. Nope I'm still here. And as a veterinarian, I've never contracted a diseases from a pet. Many owners sleep with their pets and live to a ripe old age. We I really enjoyed the article myself and that is why the clan and I decided to share it with you. We were very amused. If I couldn't have a baby or two sleep with me it would be weird. Now I know this is not for everyone that is fine. People must do what they have to sleep comfortable. Also before jumping to conclusions you must read an article through and think it through. If you have questions you need to research them first. Happy Cat.

We are united.

Not sure what these two were up to but, they were talking to each other. As a rule cats to not communicate with each other. The usually only talk to their humans or their babies as a rule. I am sure these two where plotting on how they could get rid of Her Highness. I think they are just sick of her sassiness. But I must say Phantom, is just as bad. He is needy and likes to egg Jezz on. He will walk up to her, like to say, "Hey Girl what's up" this sets her off and she hisses and slashes out at him. He is so dorky he will go back for more instead of backing off. Jekyll will for the most part ignore her, but for some reason he goes after my little Sophia. So I am really thinking that these two were plotting the demise of Jezz. Boy I hope not, maybe they were just chatting about dinner plans. Nope probably not. Happy Thoughts from Cat Land.

Traveling with a Cat. Yikes

Sometimes it is necessary to travel with your pets. I find dogs travel much better than cats, and have never had a cat that was jumping up and down by the door to go for a ride. Now take a dog for instance, just grab your car keys and there you go. Dog at door drooling over the prospect of getting in the car. I don't care if you just move your keys, Dog is READY. Okay so I found this article with a few handy tips on traveling with Kitty. I can only say I want to do this as much as I want to don a Kevlar suit and bathe a cat. You see my point right? If you must travel with Her Highness, or His Highness, here are some tips to help make the ride better. Not better than what but here goes. The most important thing to remember is you are driving and must still concentrate on the road, and if you are lucky your furry ball of charm will just sit on the seat and snooze. ( Just for reference I am adding a lot of my own comments, but the tips are from Pets360 web site.) Cats can get motion sickness (just like children). So to start out take some very short road trips to help Kitty adjust to riding in the car. If possible do this on a daily basis until the road trip. Hyper cats may need medication to deal with the trip. Talk to your Vet, and get his or her recommendations, and medications for a safer trip for Kitty. The best bet for transporting a pet is a comfortable car carrier, less stress for you anyway, and the cat will not be under the seat or near your feet and the gas or brake petal. Place inside the carrier a favorite blanket, or even something with your smell on it, like a tee shirt you really where meaning to throw out. Food, water and treats. Bring kitties own brand of food, and you need to bring water from home. Do not take chances with water from strange places. May upset kitties tummy. Get a copy of your cats medical records just in case a Vet visit is needed while away. Also I suggest that you ask your Vet for recommendations if they know of someone in the area, or just get yourself on line and check it out. Leashes and a collar are important as well. You may stop to take a break and so does Kitty. The most important thing to remember. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAT IN A HOT CAR. The temps can rise very quickly and a cat can suffer heat stroke in minutes. This can be fatal. So you want to travel with Kitty? I really suggest hiring a trusted family member to come to your home if at all possible to watch your Furry Child. They would really be more comfortable. But if that is not an option, take care and have a safe trip. Happy Cat.

Hello from Cat Land.

Well we certainly haven't visited with you lately. I developed an allergy to something so I have been a little lax in doing anything. No it wasn't the cats. I thought maybe it was flea bits as we have been battling fleas again. We cannot catch a break here. It's not like when Jake was alive and bringing them in the house, I do suspected it was a visiting dog that we babysat for a week though. Once you get the darn things it takes a lot to get rid of them. The boys and girls are just as fed up as I am. You treat the flea situation by doing so many things. Vacuum everyday, wash bedding yours and the cats and on and on. But I didn't get bit by fleas as I suspected, I really believe it was a shampoo that I used and it caused the problem, I broke out in a very itchy rash along my hair line and my face. So as I was so miserable it was just enough to go to work come home, feed my babies, change litter boxes then take some Benadryl and then crash. That stuff makes me sleep. I am a bit better today, but still tired. We will catch up with you in the next two days, yay weekend off and I have a lot to share with you. Right now I have to find the dang fly that is making all of the cats crazy. They can see it I can't but they are racing around the house and jumping on everything knocked over a lamp already and Phantom watch out. Found it. It landed on me as well as he did, get down. Gotta go! Love from Cat Land.

Lazy hazy days.

Even though it looks like my cat's are lazy little bums, just the opposite is true. They do earn their keep. How you ask. Well are they entertaining you? Maybe not, and you just have nothing better to do while you are at work and thought you would check in on the Crazy Cat Lady. Everyday my cats do something to amuse me. Running through the house, chasing each other, attacking me when I walk by, eating plastic, falling off the bed. The list goes on. One of my favorites is Sophia sitting outside the bathroom door meowing to get in. she does this to my son all of the time. It's so tragic it is funny. She also buries her food. Don't ask, I do not know why. But my cat's do know how to relax, they get so relaxed that you can barely wake them up. Unless there is food being opened or a thunder storm rolling round, they can snooze anywhere. Even though it may appear that the cat is sound asleep they basically sleep with one eye opened in case of danger. Well we all know that the lazy hazy days of summer are over and we can only hope for some warm fall days, and with falling leaves my little stalkers like to spend a lot of time in the windows soaking up the waning sun and watch leaves falling from the trees and dreaming that they can catch them. Happy Fall.

What is that? If the cat sees it, it must be there.

Ever notice your cat staring intently at something? You look don't see anything, but it's there. Where, I don't know. I have a great fear of spiders. Just typing the word gives me the willies. So when I have a cat fixated on a spot on the wall I have to investigate, and hope like hell it's not a spider. Usually it's not but just in case I arm myself with a shoe, a newspaper, a magazine, the cat or whatever to kill it. I have no problem smashing them. Now if it's a ladybug out the door it goes, or any type I can capture and set free, but not a spider, heck no its got to go. Jinx will sit and stare at the floor intently and I always know what see is looking at, and to think after all these years she would just ponce on that devil bug and get rid of it so I don't have to. Flies are another story. Let a fly get into the house and it is a chase to the death. Whoever finds it wants to keep it and eat it. Protein you know. A fly chase is dangerous as a cat will try and fly through the house just to catch it and the cat could care less what is in the way or whom he or she runs over. Wasps are another one the cats will sit and watch it try to get outside, normally they will not attempt to catch it but make enough commotion that I investigate and get rid of it for them. It is like they know that a wasp is dangerous and stings. Sophia will sit and watch a spot just over your head, she does that a lot and creeps people out doing it, when you look behind you, nothing absolutely nothing there. But Sophia sees it and stares to the point that you wonder what green goblin is attached to your wall only Sophia can detect. Creepy when she does this. So if the cat is staring and fixated on a spot, most likely something is there, and what it is you can only guess at, in my case it is one of two things, a spider(shudder) or a green goblin attached to my wall. Happy Cat.

Let's Talk Cat Hair.

Cat hair can be a major problem for most people, but when you have more than one cat it can be cat-a-strophic. I have five cats as you all know. So today I found a article on a web site I like and it had some suggestions. Okay I am all for any way to help with this problem, and sure enough they had answers. I really was hoping it was something really good. Nope just the same thing I do everyday. But here goes. As you all know cat hair is sticky, sticks to everything, your mother in law, your kids, your boss and the church lady in her good Sunday suit come to visit. The best suggestion I have and the site said as well is brush the cat and or comb the cat, give it a bath, good luck. I am not one to court danger, I like a good shoot um up movie with some hunky actor as the next girl, but bathing a cat is not on my bucket list. The main thing to keep in mind is that the cat needs to be brushed everyday, at my house we make weekly appointments for cat grooming. I'm the groomer of course. There are many good brushes on the market, and they have them for long and short haired cats. For furniture if you can keep the cat off of it fine, but hey when the humans away the cat will lay. I mean everywhere, the couch, your fave chair, bed, the sink, the counter you get the picture. I keep a blanket on the couch for the cats and on my bed as well. They are pretty good about laying on them, but I do vacuum the couch and chair regularly. Another good practice is throw your comforter in the dryer for a few minutes on air dry and it will take the cat hair off of it. Vacuum your carpets regularly, this helps keep the cat hair under control. A good sticky roller is a must for animal lovers. I keep them everywhere in my house, and car. But the most, Jinx I'm fine I don't need help and your getting hair on the keyboard. So as I was saying the most important thing is brush your cat daily. This will help to keep it under control. Jinx says bye. Happy Cat. Jinx stop, get downnnnnnnnnnnnn.

A day in pictures.

I wanted to share some very adorable pictures of Miss Kitty. Isn't she just the thing? Miss Kitty has a new family now. We will tell you of her adventures at a later time. But please enjoy. Happy Pampered Miss Kitty.

10 Cats who like water. Get the pool Mom.

Not all cats dislike water and here are ten who readily like it. So here is the first cat. MAINE COON: Popular ship's cat in his native New England. Captains are know to have a Maine Coon aboard their ship. Good Luck? Could be. NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT: Can snag a fish from lakes and streams. They are a large cat as is the Maine Coon. ABYSSINIAN: From the Indian Ocean costal area. Loves to play in water of any kind. Keep the potty lid shut. MANX: A native of the Isle of Man off the coast of Britain. Will play in his water dish or join you in the shower. The profile picture I have on this blog is a Manx cat. JAPANESE BOBCAT: Likes to splash in the water, and can learn to turn on a faucet. Great. Just like having kids. BENGAL: An exotic appearance of a wildcat. Likes water and plays in it as well. AMERICAN BOBTAIL: Often will be found dunking their toys in their water dish. What a mess that is, I have a cat who does this frequently but is just a goofy Siamese. SAVANNAH: This cat is a crossing of a Serval cat which is a small wild cat and domestic cats. Likes to be creative, haha, is know to be a handful. TURKISH ANGORA: Very fond of playing in water. TURKISH VAN: Legend has it this cat was on Noah's Ark and when the ark landed swam shore. They will also thank you if you buy them a small child's pool for those long hazy warm days. So if you want a water cat these are some good choices. The first two mentioned have long hair and are rather large cats. They are very beautiful. Bengal's are also a large cat and very beautiful as well. I like Manx cats with their natural bobbed tails, or rather no tail almost. Moe the Manx cat on my blog was a very good sized cat and very loving. If I was to choose a cat it would be one like Moe. Well hope you enjoyed this segment, as I enjoyed finding the information for you. We will be talking about some solutions or suggestions on how to deal with cat hair next. Happy Water Cat.

Mom's Away.

Hi everyone. While Mom's away I am filling in for her. I'm Jinx. I learned to use her computer after sitting in front of it every time she is on it. I also learned how to play a few games while I was trying to lay on the keyboard. So after I am done here off to play a game or two. Today everyone was not happy to see mom leave. The boy was here but he ignores us, except for the big cat and Sophia. Sophia sneaks into the boy's room and hides under his bed. When we can't find her, mom always knows where to look. Jezzabel really hates when mom leaves and she will go and lay on the bed waiting for her to come home. Phantom just walks around the house like he is a king, and I am the good one I just curl up on the window sill and enjoy the sights. Jekyll stays in his box most of the day, and only gets up to eat and use the litter box. Today though we decided it was a good day to play. I gathered up all of the furry mice and batted them at the boy cats. It makes them crazy and they chase them all over the house. I swoop in and grab them when they are playing with them and then they chase me around the house. I ran into the kitchen with one of them and up onto the top of the cupboard. Haha can't catch me. Phantom sat on the floor trying to figure out how to get up with me, and Jekyll is really to big to make the jump. He did try it once and fell off the cupboard. Not a very pretty sight. I tired of the game and came back down, when I did I left the mouse up high. Phantom was looking all over for it, finally he gave up. Jezz and Sophia just watched the action. Well we hope mom comes home soon, we like it when she is here and spends time with us. I have to go I hear the game site calling my name. Happy Jinx. Oh yes mom will be back tomorrow and she said to tell you she has new pictures to share, so see you later.

Ha I have a basket.

Phantom has a basket, just as Jekyll has his box, which he will not share. Now Jekyll has more than one box, he currently has three of them and if anyone comes near he will jump in the one someone else has their eye on. So why do I allow him to have three, I like the big guy to have options. Plus for Jekyll this is his security blanket. Well Phantom decided that the clothes basket looked like a good option. He jumped in and was all comfy, here come Jezz, and of course Phantom is minding his own business he has a basket after all and she just walks right up and hisses at him. He just ignores her. Well Jekyll decided he wanted to get in the basket as well and Phantom was not having any of this. He sat up and started swatting at Jekyll, Jinx I don't need an editor at the moment. Jekyll decided he really didn't need the aggravation and moved along, back to his box. Jinx really I can handle this, you can do the blog tomorrow while I'm visiting Grandma. Gee I'm glad I like cat hair in my coffee. It's funny how cats will claim something for themselves. They do this to their humans as well, and will be all hissy when someone wants to spend time with me and someone else is already in my lap or next to me on the bed. It's so nice to feel special. Happy Cat.

Well what are you doing.

Curiosity it is said killed the cat. What a strange saying, and rather morbid. Children have a natural curiosity and as do cats, it is a wonderment. I often find that when a child has a natural curiosity he or she is more open to learning. Now cats on the other hand can get into some serious situations. Cats are nosy. Phantom is very nosy. He always has to be right there finding out what you are doing, and more often than not will always end up in trouble. For instance he almost ended up in the toilet today, he just had to run into the bathroom as I needed it and when I lifted the lid, well he was lucky I grabbed him before he became wet cat. Jinx and Sophia like to sit and ponder the world around them, and are always in the middle of every little cat tiff in the house. Curiosity. I have a sky light in my kitchen, which birds like to land on, this will always bring a cat up on the counter to check out the movement on the sky light. Well one day someone decided they could fly and almost ended up in a sink full of dishes. What a tragic mess this could have been had I not been close by to save the cat. Curiosity. On occasion I will leave the refrigerator open as I am grabbing everything for the evening meal, Sophia will run over and check it out, well one day I didn't see her jump on the bottom shelf, and as I was done I shut the door. A couple of minutes later, I opened it for one more item and was attacked by a very frightened Sophia. Curiosity almost killed that cat. So as I had curious children, Jezz that will get you in trouble. Sorry she was being curious, and Phantom was the victim. I now have five curious furry children and someone is always putting a nose or paw where it shouldn't be. This makes my life interesting and I have a lot of funny moments in my home. I cherish everything this bunch does, just as I cherish my human family and friends. Never stop being curious you may just discover something wonderful and exciting. Happy Cat.

Loony Moon, and did that Cat just do that?

So today we will give you the rest of the lunar phases. Okay the phase at my house has been loony. I always know when the Full Moon is getting ready to appear. I do not need a calendar. I have five little calendars to remind me. Take Jekyll, I mean really take Jekyll. Yesterday as I was wrapping up my blog he decides to attack Sophia. Now he has at least 14 pounds on her and she is fighting for her little life. Full Moon lunatic. Dr.Jekyll (and Mr. Hyde) is just sitting in his box like nothing ever happen. Who me is the Look I am getting. So after I check Sophia over she is fine, I go and give Jekyll the LOOK. He of course is so innocent. Well on to the rest of the story. We went over the first three phases as being the Full Moon, the New Moon and the Super Moon. I was given to understand we just had a Super Moon recently. I missed that one. The next moon on our list is the Waning Moon: The Waning Moon is a time when sensitive animals will tune into their sixth sense and know it is time to hunt, gather food, and build their homes in order to protect their families, and prepare for the future. The Waning Moon unlike the Full, New, and Super Moons acts like a brake. For the animal, domestic or wild, it is time to put natural instincts and the nesting mode into action for self preservation. Waxing Moon: Sensitive animals use the Waxing time frame to rest, to heal and to become more aware and alert to its surroundings. It is an interval to slow down. Sleeping and staying calm are par for the course of this moon phase, unlike other action orientated lunar phases. It is a period when animals become more aware of the connection between soul, mind and body. Its a time of awareness of well being and celebration of life. Blue Moon: The Blue Moon occurs when there are two full moons in one month. In other words, the lunar phase is much like the Full Moon and repeats its patterns. The difference between two Full Moons comes from the astrological sign the moon is passing through, therefore the intensity of one Full Moon would effect an animal's psyche in one area of life and the second in another area of life. It is like our companion animals and wild animals get a double dose of the Full Moon and its intense vibrations on Earth. The clan and I hope you enjoyed this information, we enjoyed finding out about the moon phases and the effects. These effects happen to humans in some form or another as well. Happy Loony Cats.

How the Moon affects your Pet.

The following is by Astrologer Dana Haynes. I found the information useful as well as interesting. As there are six phases I will make this a two part blog. I did notice this morning that the Moon was full and beautiful. I love a Full Moon, makes me what to howl. I probably have been known to do it on occasion. Full Moon: The Full Moon influences the psyche of animals with noticeable intensity. It has been said to increase chaos. Vet staff and animal control keep busy during this phase. Dogs and wolves are known to howl during a full moon phase, birds become agitated and disoriented. Cats hide. The full Moon tends ,to rattle humans and pets. New Moon: For a sensitive animal, the New Moon, not unlike the Full Moon, supports intentions and therefore it is time to change old habits. It is time to tune into natures vibrations, which many cats, dogs or other domestic and wild animals may do. Animals seem to naturally tune into the New Moon phase, understanding it is a time to chill even though it can be a challenge. Animals senses are heightened at this time. Super Moon: Unlike a Full Moon and New Moon, this phase is when an alignment of the Sun, Moon and the Earth called perigee-syzygy occur when the Moon is at its closest to the Earth (perigee). Animals tend to be ultra sensitive during this time of a very big Full Moon. Like humans, the power of the electromagnetic fields during a Full Moon phase interacts with our own magnetic field increasing the ability to sense or feel the stress around us. Animals tend to notice the interaction quicker as it is part of their survival instincts to stay away from danger or snuggle with heir humans or caregivers. I do notice my own furry babies tend to act different during the Full Moon, some become a little nuttier and others tend to be more stick to my hip. We will finish this up tomorrow. And yes Sophia there is such a thing as a Blue Moon. Happy Cat.

Bag Lady.

I have a bag lady living in my house. Her name is Sophia. I don't care what that bag is made of she will seek it out and be inside of it. It doesn't even have to be a bag, it can be a large big plastic covering off of a mattress, or a comforter just delivered from the dryer. Sophia will dig in and hide out, now we all know she is in the bag or under the blanket, but to Sophia she is hiding. But bags are the best as far a she is concerned. I can barely get the groceries in the door and put away before her little head is stuck inside the bag trying to get inside of it. She has even been known to try and get stuff out of the bag so she can fit better. Maybe I should just get her a shopping cart. Wouldn't that be grand. Happy Sophia.

I have a plan, just listen.

For some reason I find that I have my profile cat picture along with the title picture on this blog. That's ok. After all it is Happy cat month. I don't know if you remember the back story on the sleeping cat, but this is Moe, and yes he was a very happy cat, much loved by his human. Moe has now been gone for over a year, and my human friend still misses his buddy. So to Moe Happy Cat month wherever you are. So on to the plan. Jinx and Sophia where just hanging out, Jinx had been laying in the chair and Sophia on the back. As I watched them Jinx stood up and touched Sophia's nose, and then she meowed at her. Just for reference, cats normally do not meow at each other. They usually only meow for their humans or babies. So as I watched with interest it appeared that she was telling Sophia a story. I find that each day my clan does something that just makes me wonder what they are up to, and are they really thinking up things to do? So Jinx I am sure at this point had a plan, what it was or may have been only Sophia knows. Happy Cat.

Happy Cat Month. Saturday.

I came home yesterday with two rescued cabinets. My son and daughter in law are redoing their kitchen, and they had two awesome cabinets that I can make into an island for my kitchen. Now these cabinets have no backs on them and also I need to connect them by one counter. No problem, I found the perfect solution on Pinterest for the project. Now the real story. Any time you bring home something new everyone has to check it out. First we must jump on top of it and see what it is. The next process is to see if we can climb into it. Yes we can perfect. But then unfortunate problem is that a cat is in the cabinet and another cat also wants to check this out and freaks out first cat, so I open the cupboard door and out streaks a cat. The next space is where the drawers go, and of course someone has to check that out as well. So much for putting the drawers back in. So around and around the cats go. One on top one on the floor stretching out to try and touch the top. Of course Jekyll is long enough he can touch the top. This is now his second favorite spot. King of the kitchen, now I just wish he would learn to cook. Bring anything in and it has smells from where ever it has been, and with the keen sense of smell cats have nothing is safe, it has to be sniffed and or pawed at. If it is not to interesting they will move on, but if it smells good or really interesting wait to put it away, it's good entertainment. Well we will keep you informed of our island project, and I will post before and after pictures for you, with a cat or two posing of course. Happy Cat.

Cat Body Language.

Cats have body language, and it is interesting to watch cats and the things that they do. Tail twitching is something I notice a lot here in our house. When you have five cats you learn body language pretty quickly. An upright tail flipped forward over the back means cat is in a neutral mood or welcoming state. Twitching the tip of the tail signals a hunting behavior. This can also be associated with aggression depending on the twitch of the tail. The more the movement back and forth the less happy a cat is or about to attack something, especially if the cat is in a crouched position. Extreme rapid tail movement means, STAND BACK. An upright bottle brush tail indicates the cat feels threatened and or being defensively aggressive. Twining the tail around your legs signifies a bid for your attention or a signal of love to you their human. This is also a making technique to mark you as their person. Chin rubbing or head butting has meaning as well. These actions are part of a cats way to mark you as well and shows their love for you. Also rubbing parts of their bodies or chin on certain areas shows other cats where they have been and what they consider their territory. Watch a cat and you will see all of the things I have pointed out. You can learn to read your cat pretty easily, and it's fun to understand what they are doing, so sort of like a crying baby, we all learn to know a hungry cry from I am just plain mad, pick me up. Cats do this as well. So for all of you cat people out there September is Happy Cat Month. So go out and celebrate with your cat. Happy Cat.

Oh the agony of it all.

Oh my, what is the matter with Phantom? Probably nothing, maybe something, who knows. I found him on the floor like this and when I asked what was the matter he just ignored me. I mean he really ignored me, he didn't even move when I shook a kitty treat bag. Hmm. I think he was having a moment. Phantom has lots of moments. From the moment I get up he has to be catered to. Now I don't have time in the morning to do anything but get ready for work. Phantom has other plans, jump on the potty, jump on the sink, paw me as I come out of the clothes closet. Just give me a moment Phantom. Phantom is a great cat though, he is soft and cuddly, he likes to be fawned over and brushed, but if he is having a moment I usually get a swat. He like to sit on the dresser and as I walk by will give me a swat, no reason he is having a moment, or else he's in agony over something or other. Cats do funny things, and I think that they are hams for a camera. I have witnessed many a thing that could probably win me some money. Now there is a idea, making money off antics of this bunch. Happy Mom.

Alien Cat.

All cats are aliens. How else can they get you to do their bidding and fulfill all of their needs. World domination is their ultimate plan. I know that I am a slave to five aliens. Pet me, feed me, brush me, throw toys for me, and change the litter box, I want fresh water, I want I want I want. Oh yes right now Jezzebel wants her belly rubbed. She is laying on her back looking at me, and I am getting messages sent to my brain, she is saying rub my belly slave. In the middle of the night, I get those messages as well, feed us, or we will make your life hell, you will not sleep or we will just trip you as you get up to use the bathroom in the dark. The comfort of the aliens is my only objective, they have left me no other choice. Oh I am allowed to go to work, after all they have needs. So you want an alien I mean cat? Happy Aliens.

Just Licking.

This is Jekyll. He sits on the couch like a human. The one thing humans don't do is lick their stuff. Well I don't know that for sure, but we won't go there. Yeck. Jekyll is one weird cat he enjoys napping and well napping. But if he wakes up after everyone goes to bed he sets up quite a racket. He will walk through the house howling and making the most pitiful sound you ever heard. If you are sleeping you think the poor thing is stuck with his tail in a door. So I call out to him and he will join me on the bed. Boy takes up a lot of room. I have never ever measured him when he stretches out, but I am sure it is a good two feet or more. Jekyll likes to be brushed, plan on brushing for awhile. If you stop he will follow you when you go and empty the brush out. He will then sit down and look at you like, your not done yet. Jekyll never acts like the other cats. He allows Jezz to walk up to him and sniff, and when she hisses at him for looking at her, he just ignores her. But if he is having a really good day he will chase Sophia around until she sits down and hisses at him, then he just goes about his business like he didn't even have a hand in the whole thing. He is a really cool character. Well that is until the first rumble of thunder. Ah here is my editor Jinx, she just came to check things out. I guess things are to her approval she just laid on they keyboard. well that's all for now, Jinx approved the blog for publishing. Happy Cats.

Ten Ways To stop Fleas. Yikes.

Fleas are a problem for most people at best. Fleas are annoying and irritating to our pets and some humans as well. My mother cannot tolerate insect bites of any kind, and the bites swell up on her. So if you imagine that a mosquito bite on you, think of fleas on your furry babies. Now last year we had a real bad bout of fleas here, I along with the cats where just beside ourselves. Flea baths, flea floor spray, and of course the treatment on the shoulder blades. So here are ten things to do. I did get the gist of the information from one of my fave web sites, but the comments are purely me. 1. Spot on treatments. These include Advantage II, Pet Guard, Sentry, and others. I have to watch what I put on my Little Sophia, she can only tolerate Advantage II. The rest have something in them that makes her really sick, no matter how carefully it is applied. I almost forgot there is a brand that is what I will call organic, not as effective but she can tolerate that one really well, cannot remember the name but it's pretty good. 2.Oral medications. These come from your vet. If you have children these are the best as you don't have to wait for them to dry for the kids to be able to play or pet the kitty. 3.Flea shampoos, these can be effective but, just try bathing a clawing scratching wet cat who really, really, doesn't want a bath. These are only effective for about two weeks and then you can don the steel elbow length gloves again. Be my guest. 4. Flea collars. I do not recommend at all. Some people use them I have a great fear of pet choking. Or if indoor outdoor pet, getting caught on something and you get the picture. I am sure the pet collar people hate me now. Goes with the territory. 5. Powder and sprays, though may be effective, they can be tricky to apply and you have to not breath it nor should the animal, then there is the whole Sophia Jinx grooming thing, not so good. Okay so I alienated another group of people. Deal with it. 6. Vacuum your house. This needs to be done daily and also run the hose attachment along the base boards inside the couch, you get the drift. Wash all of the animals bedding, and yours as well. Don't forget the cat tree houses either. 7.Household sprays and foggers. If you got them bad this may be your only way to eliminate the problem. Call Orkin, Rose, or any reliable company. The pets and your self have to leave, and the pets need to be gone a full 48 hours. Expensive I know. 8. Flea traps, never have seen these so not real sure about them, maybe someone out there has, let me know. 9. Clean Your House, I mean go through it like a mad dog, because of course you are at this point. You should throw the drapes and throw pillows in the dryer hot setting for about ten minutes. Sweep hardwoods and tiled floors good, and mop with a good cleaning product, clean the kitty toys or hey maybe they need new ones so throw em out. Get Jekyll new boxes to sleep in and well it's fall time to get going and clean up. 10. Keep your yard clear. Mow that lawn, keep weeds and brush down, and maybe have someone come in and spray your lawn, just remember that the animals cannot walk on it for a period of time. Check with the company you hire. I know this is a lot of info, but you and your family well be much happier for it all. Happy Cat.