June 01, 2009
What's in This Issue:
Updates to the site
 Pet Supplies - Cat Supplies - Pet Meds |
I updated the Specialty Foods page. It was long overdue. I added some suppliers and food brands. I'm still adding suppliers and foods, so there may be more updates before (and after) this newsletter goes out.
You may have noticed I'm not posting a lot of new pages lately. That is because the information is being put in the e-zine instead. This is a real benefit to getting this e-zine!
My question to you is this...
Would you prefer getting the information monthly in the e-zine like it's been, or would you prefer I put the information on the site and just update you every two weeks?
I've been thinking about going to a 2-3 week schedule. I will be able to include you in the sales and specials from my suppliers more readily, but it would mean more e-mail to you.
Is the e-zine too long? Do you want more contact? Do you prefer to keep things the way they are?
Just reply to let me know.
Articles
Don't forget the interactive pages...
Bragging Rights For Readers
Bad Cat Behaviors From Readers
Submit Your Story or Tribute
These pages are all user-generated! That means you can write about your cat, your favorite cat story, or get help from other visitors (sometimes even me!) if you have a serious problem with a cat.
Use the Cat Whisperer Contact form if you or a friend has a problem that is involved or delicate.
Wow! Another Year!
Wow! It's been another year for the website! I love you all, and without you (and my site hosting company) it would never have been possible.I don't "sell you" on my hosting company very much. However, if it wasn't for them, this site would not exist. They make it easy and integrate all the parts and pieces that make For the Love of Cats what it is. Them, and of course, you!
Anyway, I wanted to give you a "behind-the-scenes-look" at site hosting this month so that you can see what goes into this. If you ever thought you might have something to say, the internet might be the way to go for you.
I chose Site Build It! for my hosting company. They have so much information available, it's like getting a college education when you get involved. It is NOT some get rich quick scheme. It's hard work. The learning curve is steep, but not so steep that it can't be done. It feels like swimming in mud some days, and then all of a sudden, things become clear and everything you've been doing makes sense.
So, why Site Build It? They gave me step-by-step directions to make it work.
Not just to "press this and do that;" but the reasons behind everything I was doing. They have a philosophy that is proven to work for the internet. This is a lot different than opening up a store down the street. Of course, it can lead to that - or support an existing business!
You can do this full-time or part-time. Subscription or fees are annual. After the first year, you can do monthly. There are coaches to help, folks just like you who are trudging along, and there are real webmasters available if you prefer things done for you. For the price, you can't go wrong.
I'm going to give you a book here, so you can check it all out on your own...
Make Your Site Sell!
Don't be fooled by the cover - which says it's the 2002 version. It's been updated. I strongly suggest that if you want to check out building a website of your own, that you try this with my host. At least take a look, OK?
Midnight Crying
Your cat may be one of the many I hear of who cry in the middle of the night. I have a couple of these myself. Outside of wearing earplugs, what can you do?Well, I suggest a couple of strategies to figure out why your cat is crying, first. Check for food. Make sure that the food bowl is full of crunchies and that the water bowl is full of fresh water. Be sure you wash both bowls often.
Next, is the crying a deep, loud, cry for someone or something? You will know if this is the cry. Your cat is looking for someone or something. Put a few nightlights around the house. You know, the little glow-lights that plug in the outlets in the bathroom or hallway. That will help you cat feel less alone.
If your cat is looking for someone who used to live with you, or a pet that may have passed, your cat is grieving, and needs to be treated with care for that condition. See the greiving page
Is the meow more of mewling, sad or nurturing sound? Is the cat playing with a favorite toy? Some cats like to make sounds while "worrying" a favorite toy. My Princess makes this sound when she is worrying over her little furball toy. She will worry over it for several hours during the day - not all at the same time. Beasley will pick up his favorite and meow loudly, carrying the toy in his mouth until he finds me. Both cats are giving me the "mewling" in their own way.
Is your cat howling at the top of his/her lungs? That is either looking for someone and not finding then (grief/worry) or looking for a mate. If your cat is not altered (by now, I'm sure most of my readers' cats are...) be sure to have that done. If that doesn't fix things, toss a ball in the general direction of your cat. A felt mouse also works.
If these ideas don't help, please contact the cat whisperer for assistance.
Diet!
Your cat's diet is SO important! I've had another report of a cat moved to the raw diet, and WOW! Another cat saved from death.Oh well, maybe not death, but serious bowel issues, for sure. I can't tell you how important it is to feed your cat quality food. The store brands are cereals, and your cat cannot get the nutrition it needs from them. If you saw it made, you would not feed it to your cat.
Give Fluffy a piece of salmon at least twice a week. Full on salmon, table-quality, bone-in, and RAW. She only needs about 2 ounces, so you can eat the rest. It's good for you, too.
Give her the raw bits of chicken that you don't want to eat. Gizzards, organs, and so on. Most of us purchase our chicken cut up and pan ready. Get one whole chicken a month or more, and roast it. It's better for you, and your cat will be healthier. And because it's been processed less, it will be less expensive. It used to be the weekly roast for a family. In today's economy, we should all be thinking of ways to save money, and this is one that will save money and help your cat.
Just these changes will save and improve your cat's health. And they will show you a side of your cat that you haven't seen in a long time. A healthier, more kittenish, cat.
Food Recall
Nutro brand foods were just recalled. Stop using it and return it to where you purchased it.
Food Reports
I've been testing various foods on my tribe of tiger. Here are the results as I've found them...Felidae
There are two flavors. The cats liked both, but the fish flavor had a very strong odor. They would eat the first feeding fine, but the next servings had to be in clean bowls. The food is very rich. Beasley, who has difficulty keeping his food down, tolerated this food very well.
The problems are the strong odor and that second feedings need to be in clean bowls. If you add food on top of older food, they won't eat it.
Price was $0.85/can for a 3.5 oz can.
Chicken Soup For the Soul
There are two flavors. Both flavors worked well. This food fared well in all ways - except price.
It was over $1 a can for the 3.5 oz cans.
C.O.R.E.
Another very expensive cat food at over $1.80/can for a 3.5 oz can.
However, this stuff was the best of the bunch for their appetites. They would eat it until the bowls were empty and ask for more. One can morning and evening was enough to fill their bellies. They tolerated the food well, liked it and would eat it as their main diet. Only one flavor available.
Even Bugsy, who does not generally care for wet food, was interested in this brand.
Innova Evo Canned
I purchased a larger can as the smaller 3.5 oz cans were $0.95/can.
They like this food. They asked for more as soon as the bowls were empty. However, they were not glued to the bowls like C.O.R.E., and while it filled them, it was not a top winner for flavor.
Natural Life by
This is available at the grocery store, and was a surprise. At $0.85 for a 3.5 oz can, it is fairly expensive. There are two flavors available.
However, this was the clear winner for appetite, draw, and their willingness to empty their bowls. Beasley tolerated all the foods well, but this one seemed to interest him the most, of the lower-priced offerings discussed today.
Conclusions:
Everyone really liked the C.O.R.E., but it is just too steep ($$) for my blood and pocketbook.
All these foods had the additives and vitamins, guaranteed nutrition and quality that their price suggests. None of the foods had wheat, gluten or corn. Some had rice listed in the 5th place on the list or lower. Some of these foods had vegetables added as binders and to provide nutrition. Remember that cats don't use sugars well, and that some vegetables are good for them.
I hope this food comparison helps you to choose foods for your cats. I'm happy to try foods on mine, as I have such a diverse crew, and it's my honor to serve you, my readers.
June Offers
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A truly "green" alternative to chemical flea (and other insect) control!
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NEEM is a tree extract from India. It's many uses are still being documented; but it's flea repellent and fungal treatment properties are well known.
If you would like to try some of Specialty Foods I've discussed this month, this page lists many of them. I'm still adding foods, since not all of the foods I reviewed this month were available online at the time of testing. Check your local supermarket - look on the top shelf - for specialty foods at a bargain price.
Entirely Pets' Coupons this month...
- Use coupon code AFFMAY3 and save $3.00 off on orders over $95*
- Use coupon code AFFMAY5 and save $5.00 off on orders over $150*
- Use coupon code FREEBONIES3 and get Free one Regular Bonies with any order
- Use coupon code FREEBONIES2 and get Free one Small Bonies with any order
 | Yeah, I know, you may not have a garden. But the sale prices are good and the plants don't die from these folks. Wanted to at least share with you. |
Alibris offers us general and out-of-print books. I like them for their Veterinary and Vet Tech books. Here is a coupon that just came in...
 | 10% off Pet Food at PetFoodDirect.com! Use code PERFOOD at checkout. Expires 6.30.09 |
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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