Grey Tabby Cats

October 22, 2019 by

Tabby cats are found to be more distinct from other cats because their personalities are more like dogs. Tabbies, for short, love to play and explore. They can even play fetch with their humans, which is pretty intelligent for felines. They are also amusing and affectionate, making them excellent companions. Grey tabby cats, in particular, also have distinct characteristics, among other tabbies.

What Tabby Cats are NOT

Before we go on elaborating about grey tabby cats, we’ll have to clarify one thing about tabbies in general. Namely, the fact that tabbies are NOT a particular breed of cat. Rather, tabby pertains to a coat pattern.

The tabby gene is pretty dominant compared to solid or bi-color coat patterns. As such, you will be able to find the tabby pattern in all domestic cats. This tabby pattern also comes in different variations – stripes, spots, ticks, and swirls. There are also different colors: silver, ginger or orange, grey, and red. As mentioned above, for this post, we’ll talk about the grey tabby cats.

What’s Interesting about Grey Tabby Cats

Eye Colors and Paws

One of the first things you’ll notice is that a grey tabby can have different eye colors. More so, on their paws, you’ll see either brick red or grey pads.

Genes

Unlike orange tabbies, grey tabby cats are pretty standard in both sexes.

Further, since the tabby pattern is a dominant trait, it can be seen in many different cat breeds. It is an excellent camouflage for felines. Predator cats such as the lynx, sand cat, Pallas’ cat, and Scottish wild cat can look like innocent and domestic.

Great Companions

Although there are predator cat breeds that have a tabby coat, the majority of tabbies are still domestic and friendly.

Despite their breed, tabbies, in general, are warm, affectionate, and love human contact. However, grey tabbies, in particular, are found to be quite lazy. They would refuse to do things that will require much effort from their part. As such, they are perfect for cat owners who prefer slow and relaxed days.

Word of Caution

Grey tabby cats are a great addition to your home. They will naturally love you without asking anything much. Also, you won’t be expected to play with them outdoors or even indoors.

However, since they are the quiet tabbies, you have to be intentional in regulating their diet. Otherwise, their lack of exercise may result in obesity or other health issues.

 

Filed Under: Pets

What to do if you Find a Lost Pet

October 21, 2019 by

Most people are compassionate animal lovers. When they see a pet lost or in danger, they want to help reunite the animal with their family.

 

In the days before social media, it was not an easy process. You could put an ad in a newspaper, check for signs in your neighborhood and community bulletin boards and maybe put up a found pet flyer. Then you just had to hope that the owners would find you.

Technology has come a long way since then. When you find a lost pet, there are several steps you can take to increase the odds of seeing the animal returned home.

 

  1. Check the collar. If the animal has an identifying tag with the owner’s number, call right away.
  2. Take the animal to a local shelter or veterinarian to check for a microchip. Microchipping pets is becoming more and more popular, and the odds are good that the animal may have one. Unfortunately, owners do not always think to update their phone numbers and other information in the national registry.
  3. If neither of the above steps results in finding the owner, then it is time to take a good picture of the animal. Remember, please keep some information about the animal private. Examples are if an animal has scars, distinctive markings in one area, or perhaps even the sex. You want to make sure that anyone who claims the pet can identify something about the animal that is not visible on the picture.
  4. Use an app like FindShadow. If someone has lost a pet, apps like this one are the first place many owners turn. FindShadow also has a team of volunteers that scour social media and shelter websites for photos to help match missing and found animals. Take the best picture possible and upload it to the app.
  5. Let your neighbors know about the animal you have found. Word of mouth is often a great way to see a happy ending for lost pets.
  6. Use the power of social media. Post the picture of the animal both on your personal profile and in local lost and found groups.
  7. Contact area shelters to see if they have a missing pet report that matches the pet you have found.
  8. Put up a “Found Pet” Flyer with a picture of the animal.
  9. Keep your phone, and any messaging apps used as a contact nearby and check them frequently. Remember, whoever lost their pet is probably frantic and will want a response as soon as possible to know their animal is safe.
  10. Give it time. It is often difficult for those who find lost pets to keep them safe. They may live in a place that does not allow pets or have other animals that do not get along with the new animal. If you find yourself in this situation, try to find someone to safely foster the animal for a few days while you attempt to find the owners.

If you are unable to find someone to foster the animal, then contact a local rescue. Rescues are usually preferable to a local animal shelter as the animal will be kept in a less stressful environment. If you must turn the animal over to a shelter or rescue, please continue to search for the owners so that you can let them know the location of their pet.

If you are able to keep the pet with you and the owner does not turn up within five days, please consider taking the animal to a veterinarian for a wellness check. This helps to ensure that the animal is healthy and is a good opportunity for you to learn how to care for the animal.

 

Most lost pets are reunited with their owners. Unfortunately, after 5-7 days, you may need to consider if you are able and willing to take responsibility for caring for the pet. If you cannot care for the pet yourself, then please work with friends, family, neighbors, or a reputable rescue to home the animal. During this time, remember to keep updating lost and found sites, social media, and apps like FindShadow.

Some people are not equipped to care for animals. Even more disturbing, some people seek to use animals for nefarious purposes like breeding, fighting, or as “bait animals.” If you must re-home a found pet, please be responsible for your choice of finding a new home. Do not put up an ad offering the animal for free without any way to check the home or the potential owner’s intentions.

 

 

Filed Under: Pets

CBD Dogs Seizures: Cannabis for Your Canine

October 13, 2019 by

 

There are many types of drugs in the world right now. There are the over-the-counter drugs that you can buy almost anymore. They are relatively safe to use as long as you control the dosage. There are also drugs that need a prescription from a physician before you can even get them. These are usually for specific diseases, usually very serious and sometimes need more medical attention than just medicine. They can also be antibiotics, which lose their effectiveness if you skipped the prescribed dosage. However, there are drugs that are considered to be dangerous that they are illegal all over the world.

Most of us are fully aware of the existence of these drugs, but most countries find them difficult to control. There is always some sort of drug that would ravage the lives of many people. Opium, for example, was considered a problem in Asian countries, particularly in China and Korea. Cocaine was considered as a cure for many diseases but it was found to be addictive. Methamphetamine is considered a part of the modern slew of drugs which still affects many communities to this day. Learn more about the statistics on drugs here.

Meet Marijuana: Friend or Foe?

However, there is one drug that is slowly changing its status as an illegal drug. Cannabis, also known by its street name marijuana, is a drug that can be extracted from the plant of the same name. There are five species of this specific plant that lives in this world right now. All of their extracts are known to be hallucinogenic. There are some people who believe that it is potentially dangerous if used excessively. There are even some who also believe that it can be incredibly addictive that it is known as a “gateway drug” for other more toxic drugs.

This has been changing in the past few years. As many scientists are looking for cures for diseases and mental disorders, there have been studies about the potential of cannabis as a cure which you can read about here: https://www.webmd.com/pain-management/features/medical-marijuana-research-web#1.

As cannabis extract is a combination of multiple compounds, each of these has a different effect on the body. When scientists isolated these compounds, they have found one that can be really useful for the field of medicine. This is cannabidiol and it is now being made into CBD oil. There are a lot of products that can be made using this oil, but it is usually in this form that is the most popular one in places where marijuana is legal.

One of the main ways that CBD oil can really help is with mental disorders, particularly anxiety. As marijuana can be a hallucinogenic, it will also calm someone when used. This is the part that can be imparted by CBD to the patient. There are even other producers who incorporate CBD oil to their products like soaps and shampoos.

Pet Them Right: CBD for Pets

Did you know that you can also use CBD oil to your pet dogs? It is actually really helpful with pain relief because of its calming properties. You will really know when your pet is in pain because of his or her physical reaction. It is such a heartbreaking sight, and CBD can potentially help with that.

There is also another sickness that CBD can potentially alleviate: seizures. Dogs can have them due to various reasons like genetics or viral-borne disease. CBD oil can help in a similar way it can also help a human with epileptic seizures by anticonvulsive treatment. CBD is said to be anti-inflammatory and can help targeting the part that causes seizures with your canine friend. It can also promote a healthy nervous system for the dogs since most of them are physically active already. It is important that they are healthy all over so that you wouldn’t have to experience any kind of behavioral problems.

If your dog is experiencing any kind of problem, it is important to go immediately to a veterinarian to diagnose his or her condition. Your veterinarian will have to issue a prescription so that they can actually cure the dog using medicines. Don’t try to self-diagnose your dog’s health as this can potentially be even harmful. Let the professionals handle your dog’s case and it will be alright.

 

Filed Under: Pets

Starting Puppy Off On The Right Paw: Picking The Best Food

September 25, 2019 by

It’s puppy season and a lot of people are bringing home a new puppy to be part of their family. There’s a lot involved in being a new pet parent and one of the most important decisions you’re going to make is picking what food is right for your new furry family member.

Welcoming a new puppy into your home is exciting. Choosing the right food is crucial. Opt for high-quality puppy food tailored to their breed, size, and age. Consult your vet for guidance. Consider adding enrichment with items like bully sticks for dogs. These natural chews provide mental stimulation and aid dental health. Gradually introduce new foods and monitor your puppy’s well-being. With proper nutrition and care, you’ll set the foundation for a happy, healthy furry companion.

Walking down the dog food aisle at your local pet supply store can be an overwhelming experience. You definitely want to pick a brand you can trust, with quality ingredients, and complete and balanced nutrition so your puppy can grow up to be happy and healthy.

Many puppy foods are going to be higher in protein and enriched with vitamins, minerals and fats to speak to the higher calorie needs of an active, growing puppy, but keep an eye out; if you notice that your puppy is gaining too much weight you may need to adjust the portion size. Obesity is one of the biggest health concerns to our pets, so it’s important to keep your puppy at a healthy weight from the start. You’ll want to pay attention to how your puppy reacts to their food as well: if you notice that your puppy has an upset stomach or other symptoms that might indicate a sensitive tummy or food allergies, you’ll need to talk to your vet to address those issues as soon as possible.

Symptoms that your puppy may be allergic to his or her food may include:

  • Ear infections
  • Hair loss
  • Excessive scratching
  • Dry flaky skin
  • Hot Spots
  • Unable to sleep through the night, fidgeting
  • More than one to two bowel movements a day
  • Diarrhea

There are a lot of people who may not want to start their puppy off on a puppy-specific formula for various reasons and that’s okay too. You might have another adult or senior dog at home and who wants to have to buy different kinds of food for different dogs who may be in different life stages? Changing from puppy food, to adult dog food later in life can be a complicated process that many dog owners are looking to avoid altogether. Whatever your reasons may be, many modern dog food companies offer all-life-stages formulas so that your puppy can eat the same food from the moment you bring him home, until he is an adult and even into his senior years.

Companies like Natural Balance have created many complete and balanced formulas like their latest innovation Natural Balance® Wild Pursuit™ which is designed specifically to meet the needs of all your dog’s life stages. Wild Pursuit™ is designed for both puppies and adult dogs alike. It’s a high-protein, grain-free food with a balanced blend of three animal-based protein sources. Products like this meet the needs of growing puppies and can be fed throughout adulthood (as long as the feeding quantity is adjusted for your dog’s age and activity level) so you never have to switch formulas and can avoid the complications and hassle that can come when changing any dog’s food.

Whatever you decide to feed your pup, you’re going to want to make sure to pick a high-quality, easily digestible, dog food whose main ingredient is an animal based protein source. Check the dog food label for quality ingredients (like animal based proteins, garbanzo beans, peas, blueberries, etc.) and to make sure you are using the right feeding portion. Be on the alert for upset stomach or symptoms of possible food allergies. With the watchful eye of a loving human and the right dog food, your pup will grow up healthy and live for many happy years!

 

Filed Under: Food & Health, Pets

Diet and taurine deficiency in dogs

August 29, 2019 by

If you have concerns about taurine deficiency in your dog, you’ll want to take a long, hard look at your dog’s breed and diet. The following article discusses nutritional choices for dogs that are predisposed to low taurine levels.

There has been a lot of information circulating online about taurine and dog health, with some sites suggesting taurine supplements and feeding dogs meat-based diets. While it’s true that meat-first diets are preferable to grain-first or vegetarian diets, should you be concerned about the taurine in your dog’s diet? Why is it important?

Taurine is an amino acid that supports healthy organ function. Most dogs are able to synthesize taurine from nutrients that are required to be present in commercially available pet foods, and do not need taurine supplements. However, some dog breeds are predisposed to a condition that prevents this synthesis from occurring, and therefore may suffer from chronically low taurine levels if the condition is unaddressed. These breeds are:

  • American cocker cpaniel
  • Retriever (golden and Labrador)
  • English Setter
  • Newfoundland
  • Great Dane
  • Saint Bernard

While taurine deficiency itself doesn’t cause physical symptoms, the underlying cause of some dogs’ taurine deficiency – such as cystinuria – will be symptomatic. If your dog has difficulty urinating or if there is blood in their urine, have them checked by a vet immediately.

Your vet will conduct tests to determine if your dog’s taurine levels are low. If it is discovered that your dog is suffering from a taurine deficiency, your vet may recommend taurine supplements or a pet food rich in taurine. Foods with high taurine content include dark meat poultry and fish. Zignature dog food taurine levels are naturally high enough to meet most dogs’ nutritional requirements, but you should check with your vet before making any significant modifications to your dog’s diet. Moreover, your vet may suggest alternatives that address other health issues for a more holistic nutritional solution.

To read more on topics like this, check out the food & health category.

Filed Under: Food & Health, Pets

Crate training: What you need to know

August 27, 2019 by

When it comes to crate training, how you approach the process can make the difference between success and disaster. In this second of a two-part series, I’ll discuss the do’s and dont’s of crate training.

While crate training is an excellent behavior management tool for dogs, there are a few things to remember if you want to ensure a happy outcome.

Do: Find the appropriate sized crate for your dog.

Your dog’s crate should be big enough for them to stand comfortably at any angle and lie down. Though you might be tempted to get an overly large crate, big crates may give your dog the impression that its big enough to relieve themselves inside.

Don’t: Use the crate to punish your dog.

It is extremely important that the crate is viewed as a positive place for your dog – if you use it as a punishment, they won’t go into it voluntarily, and it will make them anxious and stressed.

Do: Crate train as early as possible.

Puppies are the most responsive to crate training – get a crate before you bring your pup home. Older dogs may associate crates with kenneling, punishment or unpleasantness, and as a result might respond poorly to the crate. If you have a rescue dog who has experienced trauma, consult a professional trainer or dog handler to discover the best training methods for your dog’s disposition.

Don’t: Leave small items or choking hazards locked in the crate.

This includes towels and blankets, as well as small toys.

Do: Crate your dog in stages.

Proper crate training should be conducted incrementally in the following steps.

  1. Make the crate a happy environment. Leave treats and toys in the open crate and allow your dog to voluntarily enter.
  2. Close the crate door after they have stayed inside on their own. Don’t just shut the door as soon as they walk in – wait for them to lie down and relax. Remain in the room the first few times you close the door.
  3. Leave the room for a few moments with the door closed. Once they’re accustomed to the door being closed, you can start to leave the room for brief periods.
  4. Leave your dog in the crate overnight. Once your dog has been successfully left in the crate for a full night, they will likely be comfortable being in the crate when you leave the house.

Your ability to move from stage to stage will determine the success of the training. If you are never able to proceed – if your dog never voluntarily goes into the crate or exhibits destructive behavior when the crate door is closed – they may not have the correct temperament for crate training.

Don’t: Be deterred by mild crying and whining.

If and when your dog begins crying during the overnight stage of crate training, simply allow them to discover that their cries aren’t yielding the desired results. Periodic high-pitched cries are not an indication of real distress – they’re just asking for their way. However, if the cries are urgent and desperate, your dog could be feeling heightened anxiety, and it could be unsafe to leave them crated.

Do: Develop a consistent routine.

Dogs are comforted by routines. Make sure your schedule is the same every day – the same mealtime, walk time, time to relieve themselves, and crate time. This will help your dog accept what is expected of them.

Overall wellness is essential to success in crate training – some medical conditions may make crate training an impractical technique, including heart disease and DCM. Zignature, Blue Buffalo and IAMS are affordable and reliably high-quality pet foods with formulas for dogs with health concerns. In the long-term, consistent crate training can help your dog feel comfortable and relaxed in your home.

I’m a doggie blogger, pet parent to two deviously smart rescue pups, and enthusiastic amateur photographer.

To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.

Filed Under: Lifestyle, Pets

Why a Bird Makes an Awesome First Family Pet: What You Need to Know

December 21, 2018 by

Forget cats, dogs, and the occasional hamster that always seems to die a mysterious death; the unconventional bird can make a surprisingly wonderful first family pet. Owning one is a rewarding and wonderful experience, so dive into the following tips and facts to help you learn everything from what bird is best for your family to feeding habits, care, and cost.

Bird Breed Matters

Like any other animal, the choice of bird is a big deal. Some are better for more experienced owners or in an adult-only house, while others are well-suited to being around children and are beginner-friendly. There are several different species that make great first family pets, from the Pionus parrot, finches, or even lovebirds. The following two top the list for both beginner owners and first family pets.

  • Budgies/Parakeets 

Budgies, also known as parakeets top the list of family-friendly birds. They have playful, adventurous personalities and are friendly and easy to handle. Their gentle and loyal personalities enable them to bond well with pet owners. Their beaks are small, so any accidental pecks or bites that may occur won’t be disastrous. Many budgies learn to talk and mimic speech as well, making them delightful and entertaining to be around. For those who consider getting a budgie, make sure that you are prepared to spend lots of time with him on a daily basis; they can and do literally die of loneliness.

  • Cockatiels

Just like some dogs are one-person only dogs, some birds become quite attached to one person, even displaying potentially aggressive behavior towards others. Since others may be helping with the care of them and interacting, this is not something you want in a family. Enter the cockatiel. Cockatiels make great multi-person, non-possessive first pets for families. Their personality is social and laid back, so whether you are playing an active game with them or just chilling while watching a movie, they make a great companion. For those preferring a more chill species that isn’t constantly emitting noise, a cockatiel is ideal.

Nutrition, Playtime, and Socialization

A well-cared for bird lives for an average of 20 years, so ensuring that they have a good quality of life is important. Choose a cage with plenty of room to flit about. Just remember that cages do not replace outside-the-cage socialization, which should occur on a daily basis. They will get easily depressed if left alone or ignored. Nutrition is just as important, so check out this list and research which diet is best for your bird. Buying in bulk will often save as well, so keep that in mind.

Conclusion

Birds are more delicate than a cat or dog, roughhousing could injure or even kill them, so make sure your child is old enough to handle them appropriately. With the proper nutrition, socialization, and care, you will have a very happy pet to help create wonderful family memories.

Filed Under: Mommy Blog, Pets
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