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Holiday Kitty Issues
December 15, 2007
Hi there, ,

What's in This Issue:

A quick list of what's in this issue:

  • Site Updates

  • Contest Voting Update

  • Holiday Behavior Issues: Company

  • Specials

  • Excerpts from an Article by Dr. Siegler at ONP


This is the last issue of 2007. I'll talk to you in 2008!

Updates to the site

New pages and updates:

Cats and Holidays is an article I wrote for you.

The next leg of the contest is up!

Rohan's Story is a page I've been holding back on for a while - maybe because I keep getting more?? I talk to his owner regularly, now. The story is heartening to me - it's a testament about what I do here.

Holiday Kitty Contest Voting Updates

Thank you to everyone who sent photos after my last plea! They are up and voting begins today. There are 5 entries, and the voting form does require your email address. BUT - your email address is totally secure & will not be used for any purpose whatsoever - it's just to keep the voting fair. If you have 4 email addresses, you can vote 4 times. But it keeps "form-bots" to a minimum and keeps the voting fair.

Vote Here

Prizes:
I have a $25 coupon from Only Natural Pet Supply Company for limited products (winner can state preference).
We also have a 10% coupon from Pets Warehouse on anything they carry. Sorry, but I wasn't able to get free shipping, but if you make a big order, you will save big.
BOTH of these coupons go to the winner, as well as other goodies that I'm still working on lining up for you.

Holiday Kitty Issues-Company

So, you may not be holiday central or maybe you are - either way, kitty has an opinion!

If you go away for the holidays, you are leaving your baby. No doubt about it - you are abandoning your cat. - At least as far as Fluffy is concerned! So, what to do? Hire a pet sitter or farm her out to a boarding kennel. If you will be gone less than 2 weeks, get a pet sitter. More, board her out. More than one kitty is best for this scenario. They can keep each other company. If you have only one cat, be sure your petsitter comes in twice a day and you will be gone only a week. If you have 2 or more cats, still have the petsitter come in twice a day, but not for as long, and you can leave for 10-14 days without boarding the kitties. If you live in a rural area, consider having someone come stay at your home. You will want to be sure the pipes don't freeze and such, anyway.

If you are only going to the company Christmas party, use a DVD to babysit your kitties. The noise and visual movement will entertain your cat. You will come home to a more relaxed kitty.

If you are holiday central, you have LOTs of company. Even if you only host one "party" there will be more traffic than usual. Give kitty a quiet place away from all the commotion, even if kitty wants to join the party. Don't allow children or other guests to chase kitty down to pet and snuggle, as someone may well get hurt - and probably not kitty!

Give kitty some toys or active play just before the guests arrive and give her a hidey hole bed near, but not in the middle of, the action. Some cats want to observe the crazy humans at their craziest. The holidays certainly qualify!

If kitty wants to retire, that's just fine. Allow kitty to have a quiet place, with litter and food/water bowls, away from all the noise and action. They will be calmer and so will you. Be sure that your cat is wearing a collar with your contact information at this time of year, or that your cat is microchipped. If baby gets out, it will be easier for the finder to return her. However, do your very best to keep her indoors at this time of year.

Cold Weather

Severe weather is hitting the north part of the USA as I write this. Be sure to keep kitty warm. You might want to review the tactics I outline on my cold weather pages. If you need a shelter for your cat, try some Outdoor Cat Shelters or use cardboard and close off a section of the garage. Remember - NO HEATING PADS OR ELECTRIC BLANKETS.

Specials and Coupons

I've put things on the pages for you instead of adding too many specials to this issue. I do have some calming drops for you, however. Use these links for a quick jump to the item:

Cat DVD: Kitty Goes Hunting & Fishing Baby your baby during the holidays. Give them some entertainment that keeps their minds busy while you are making the social rounds.

Relaxi-herb will help keep your kitties calmer during the holiday season. A few drops in the water is all it takes.

Hidey Hole Beds are great for hiding out and still being part of the action. A cat feels safe in them.

BUTTERFLY BALL CATNIP Give your cat some catnip but control it, too. In a butterfly ball!

Fur Mouse on Teaser Pole This teaser pole (like a fishing pole) has a mouse on the end. Hours of interactive fun!

Feather Teaser Wand My favorite! A teaser with feathers on a very flexible pole, to give your cats hours of fun! Great for training and aggression work, too!

Holiday Stress Reducers

by Dr. Larry Siegler, Resident Veterinarian, Only Natural Pet Supplies

Many of us feel extra stress around the holidays. It is good to keep in mind that our companions “feel” our stress as well. They also have their own share of holiday stress – traveling, extra visitors, more time spent alone while their guardians attend holiday parties or are out late shopping, and all the extra commotion and change of routine that comes with the holiday season. If you notice your dog licking his paws, acting clingy, or pacing around unable to settle and rest in one spot – then he or she is likely feeling stressed. Cats may hide under the bed more or fail to use the litter box routinely when they are under stress.

There are a variety of ways to reduce the stress level for your companion. Remembering to spend enough quality time with them will reduce both their stress and yours. Walking the dog, playing with the cat, or just sitting with a purring cat in your lap are excellent ways to practice “living in the moment” and leave the holiday hassles behind for awhile.

If during the holidays your companion will not have access to some rooms or parts of the house he is used to spending time in, don’t wait until the guests arrive to make the transition – that only doubles the stress. Block them away from the “to be restricted” areas a week or so before the guests invade their territory. This will at least give them time to adjust.

Insure that your companions have a quiet place to retreat when you have guests, such as a bedroom or even a closet if they like to hide away. Just remove your shoes or other items to a higher shelf for the holidays and make them a little nest or resting place.

Flower essences are an excellent way to support your companion’s emotional stability through the holidays or any stressful time. Only Natural Pet Relaxi-Herb Herbal Formula contains complimentary herbs that sooth the nerves and support the animal’s emotional well-being.

Homeopathic remedies such as Newton Homeopathics Nervousness and HomeoPet Anxiety are another very safe way to assist your companion in dealing with stress.

Spirit Essense Holiday Stress Stopper is an excellent supplement to have on hand for holiday stress or any stressful situation that may arise.


This newsletter is produced for YOU, the reader. Please let me know if you want to see anything in here that hasn't been covered for a while. You can view all the past issues and look deeper into the new information I've found.

You can always write to me about the content in the newsletter.

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