Happy Birthday to Mugsy the Dog

 Today is Mugsy the Dog’s Birthday.  He’s 16 years old!!!  I took this picture this morning.  He was asleep, and I woke him up, so that’s why he’s not looking at the camera.  He wasn’t thrilled with me waking him.  I’m happy to say that Mugsy is happy, healthy, and strong.  Not bad for a dog his age.

Carrots for Your Cat

Well, they’re not real carrots.  They are catnip filled cat toys!  The leaves are made out of feathers so your cat can enjoy that feather texture.

To see more about this fun toy, go to www.crazyaboutcatnip.etsy.com.

Cat Grooming

All cats by nature like to keep their coats clean.  That’s why you see them constantly cleaning their fur.  If your cat stops doing this, then there could be something wrong with your cat. 

Cats have a certain order they like to go by when cleaning themselves.  Just like people who get into a routine when showering, cats do the same thing.  Most cats start by liking their paws and getting it all wet, then they run their paw along the side and top of the head.  After repeating on the opposite side, they then turn their attention to her front legs and shoulders.  Next the back legs.  One goes up, gets cleaned, then the next.  Personal areas are next, and then they end with the tail.

If you’ve never seen a cat groom herself, you should catch a look at it.  It is amazing how a cat can contort her body to get to the most difficult areas.  Kittens are groomed by their mothers for the first six weeks of life.  After that, they are on their own when it comes to bathing.

For those with elder cats, fat cats or cats with long hair, it would be a good idea to help them out with the grooming.  Brush or comb your cat’s fur to get out the loose hairs.  This is not a dangerous prospect, since most cats enjoy being brush.

Cat’s That Are Too Skinny

I’ve mentioned problems that overweight cats can develope, but what about cats that are too skinny.  Yes, that’s a problem too.

Your cat should have just enough padding over the ribs that when you slightly squeeze and rug his fur over the rib area, it move smoothly, and you should be able to see the ribs.  If you only see ribs, and there is no padding at all, your cat is too skinny.

Older cats can become too skinny due to a condition called hyperthyroidism.  In this condition, the thyroid gland over produces certain hormones, which makes the cat lose weight, and also makes the cat more active than he should be for his age.  If this is something you’ve noticed about your elder cat, take him to a vet.  This condition can be treated.

Another reason your cat may be too skinny is due to digestive problems.  Your cat may suffer from FIV or internal parasite infestation.  Take your kitty to the vet!  If you live in a multi cat family, and all the cats eat out of the same bowl, it could just be a matter of survival of the fittest.  Set up an area where only the skinny cat can eat without the others taking getting to his food.

No matter how you look at it, if your cat is too skinny, take him to the vet.  If your cat is too fat, take him to the vet.  It’s always best to be safe then sorry.

Husky House

As many of you know by now, I am a great animal lover, and do my best to help out organizations that rescue those poor animals that are abused, abandoned or living on the streets.  Last week, I befriended a person on facebook, who shares the desire to save animals.  The organization she helps out is called Husky House.

Husky House is an organization that rescues, shelters, cares for and adopts out animals in the tri-state area.    They also educate the public on proper pet care, and the importance of spaying and neutering all dogs and cats.  But in order to achieve this, they need help.  My new friend told me that Husky House just received $48,000 in vet bills for a mother husky and her 7 puppies.  The good news is that all 7 puppies have been adopted!  But you can see what a financial strain such an under taking can be.

If you are interested in volunteering, or making a donation of items or cash to  Husky House, please contact them at info@huskyhouse.org.  If you are interested in fostering a dog, please contact them at foster@huskyhouse.org.  Also, please checkout their website: www.huskyhouse.org.  You can find a ton of information, including a list of pets up for adoption, adoption forms, events, various fundraisers, and so much more.

If you would like to send them a check donation, you can send it to:

Husky House, Inc.,  P.O. Box 6533,  Bridgewater, NJ  08807.

I’m also including the link to Husky House on my side bar for quick and easy access.  Remember, if you are thinking about getting a new dog or cat, there are so many who are homeless and in shelters.  All they need and want is a loving home.  Please adopt and give these beautiful pets a chance at a happy life.  They deserve it.

Sweetie Loves Chicken

Sweetie the Cat is a big fan of chicken.  Actually, all she really wants to eat is poultry.  Give her beef or fish, and she looks at you like your nuts.  So, in honor of my little girl, I created a cat toy that looks like a chicken leg.

You can find this chicken leg on the Crazy About Catnip etsy shop.  Of course for your non chicken loving cats, you can find a variety of other toys that look like food.  They are a lot of fun, and it sure beats playing with mice all day.

Lynda.com

I recently signed up with Lynda.com.  For those of you who have no idea what that is, you should check it out.  Lynda.com is a website that provides tutorials on all kinds of computer software, subjects, etc.  It’s a great and affordable way for people like me to learn how to use the computer and to take advantage of what your software has to offer.

The other thing I like about it, is that it is in video format.  Just like sitting in the class room.  Each subject is broken down into chapters, so if you’re only interested in a certain topic, let’s say how to save a spreadsheet on excel, you click on that chapter and there you go.  You don’t have to watch an entire course to find out what you want.

With your membership you get 24/7 access to hundreds of courses that you can watch.  With some courses you even get a certificate.  This comes in handy for us job seekers who need a little something extra to stand out.

I’m so impresses by Lynda.com, that I wanted to share it with everyone.  To get more information, go to www.lynda.com.  I hope this helps some of you out there.  I know it’s helped me out a great deal.

Crash Diet for Cats – Don’t Do It!

As I mentioned in an earlier post, overweight cats are a growing concern, and it’s not just because of diabetes.  Overweight cats can also develope joint disease, heart problems, and increase risk of developing cancer, and so much more.  As a cat owner, your objective to keep your cat healthy, is to make sure your cat gets plenty of exercise, and keeps his weight within the ideal range for your cat.  Of course to determine the ideal weight, you should ask your vet.

The worse thing you can do is put your cat on a crash diet.  Losing weight too quickly could be fatal for your cat.  Hepatic lipidosis is a fatty liver disease that your cat can develope, and in some cases is fatal.  The ideal weight lose is about 1% of your cats weight per week.  This means that in some cases it could take months for your kitty to get down to the correct weight.  That okay.  Remember, gradual is the healthy way to go.

By the way, the easiest way to exercise your cat is by playing with him.  Take out a toy and toss it around.  Find interactive ways to get your kitty moving.  It’s easy and fun for both of you.

Crazy About Catnip Going Wholesale

I’ve had many requests over the last few months to sell my items wholesale.  I finally took the plunge.  Right now, the only items I have listed in my etsy shop are the “Filled to the Gills with Catnip” toys, however, if you are interested in other toys or a different quantity then what is listed in the shop, please send a comment, explain what you are looking for and the quantity, and I will get back to you with that information.  You can see some of the items in the Cat Products section of my blog or by clicking on this link for Crazy About Catnip.

Cats and Diabetes

Recently there has been an increase in diabetes in cats.  This leads us cat owner’s to wonder why, and what can we do to prevent it.  Studies have shown that the increase in cat diabetes may be related to the increase in the average weight of our beloved pets.  Yes, just like humans, our cats are becoming over weight.  And just like humans, overweight often turns into diabetes.  The reason for that is the pancreas,which makes insulin, is unable to make enough insulin to support all that fat. 

Another cause for the increase in diabetes in cats, is the increase of  carbohydrates in the food we give our cats.  Folks, it’s time to read the labels on your pet food.   And it’s also time to put your cat on a diet.  Since each cat has a different ideal weight, ask your vet how much your cat should weigh.  If your cat is over the ideal weight, it’s time for a diet.

If your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, your vet may require you to test your cat’s blood sugar, and give insulin shots.  I know it sounds bad, but once you get into the routine, you will find it’s just another part of taking care of your cat, and your cat could live a normal life.

For more information, please contact the Feline Diabetes Web site at:  www.felinediabetes.com.