May 01, 2009
What's in This Issue:
Updates to the site
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New Pages
There have been some submissions to me through the reply feature of the Newsletter...
Black Boy, Rescued Feral Cat
Peanut Butter, a Special Needs Cat
The story of Jazzy, an older cat
Knoxville Feral Cat Friends Interview is the kick-off organization for a new feature. I'll be interviewing the directors and managers of various Rescue and Feral Support Organizations around the planet. These big-hearted folks are in sore need of some recognition. If you know of a group in your area, please forward me their contact info. I'll set up an interview with them and give them exposure. Maybe in these hard times, some donations will flow their way.
Articles
Blooming Blossoms
Controlling Area Access
May Offers
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.
I just bought some 9-Lives cat food and noticed that they are still doing the "1,000,000 Cat Rescue (Million)" with proceeds from each sale. If you are still purchasing your food at the grocery store, please purchase this brand to support their efforts.
After I received some funds, I went to my customary pet supply store, and purchased some Felidae - 3 cans of each flavor, 2 cans of Core, and 2 cans of each flavor of Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover cat foods. It was a fairly expensive trip, with 9.75% sales tax, but the cats are happily eating the foods. Not at all like the changes in crunchies - when the crunchies are changed, nobody eats for a couple of days. However, I'm noticing some smelly deposits in the litter boxes from the Innova Evo that I haven't noticed before.
I'll keep you posted on the behaviors and health of the tribe..
Blooming Blossoms
With blooming blossoms in the garden, and some in the house, it is time to look at our houseplants with an eye to safety for Kitty. Is one plant off-balance and easily knocked over? Do the leaves of another look a little ragged, like Kitty has been nibbling? What about the soil? Is it clean and loose? Check the plants for insects and general health.No, I'm not going to start giving you gardening advice - BUT, if keeping your plants healthy will extend to keeping your cats healthy, I'm all over it!
Spring is a fabulous time of year! Things are blooming and the world is coming back to life. In the Southern Hemisphere, life is stepping back, fall is in full swing. There are garden tasks in both parts of the globe. Our cats need to be controlled, so that they are not in danger. Fertilizer, parts of plants that we normally don't see (the early blossoms and fresh seedlings) that lead to later fruit and growth, can be a tempting treat. But if you want that crop, that fruit, that bloom - you must control Fuzzy.
And a lot of our plants aren't really safe for cats. We use chemicals in the garden that are good for plants, but kill pests. All those pesticides - and some of the fertilizers - are dangerous to cats. We need to control our kitties to make sure they are safe. Indoor cats are most vulnerable, because the are not exposed to these chemicals all the time. Outdoor cats seem to be more savvy, but they can also be harmed.
Most of our flea meds are based on pesticides for termites and other insects. So, if you are having the exterminator come over and refresh the pesticides, please keep your cat safe. While the weaker version is fine for your cat, the stuff that is planted in the ground and sprayed around the foundation is much stronger, and may cause your cat to have a reaction.
Do not use the same medicine for fleas for a couple of months, either. Change to something else so that your cat is not getting a double-dose.
Poisons
This leads to my next article, which is the training article for this month...
Controlling Access for Kitty
You may want to keep Kitty out of certain areas or off the counters. How is this accomplished? They can be so headstrong!There are the mechanical means, electronic means and chemical means, to deter our cats...
Mechanical Means
This type of repellent includes sticky stuff - like Sticky Paws, fly paper or double-sided tape. You can also use a string with pieces of fabric tied on it.
Electronic Means
This type of repellent includes the Ssscat Mat and the air-can motion detectors, and noise-makers.
Chemical Means
This type of repellent would be Bitter Apple applied to the item and vinegar that counter-acts scents.
Training your cat to stay away from things can be challenging. I suggest re-direction and the squirt bottle. Set a squirt bottle to stream, and when your cat is getting into something, squirt the cat. Near the head (not in the ears or face) and say nothing. The cat will think the water came out of the ether, and since it is sporadic, the cat won't put it together that it only shows up when you are watching, unless you also use "No" in the process.
Re-direction is really fabulous! Cats are very stubborn and determined, so you need to keep at it. You re-direct the cat to a more acceptable item or behavior. This can be done with the clicker to aid you, but that isn't needed. Just keep interfering with the cat's ability to continue with his desired behavior by putting the other item in front of him. Just keep at it. The cat will get the idea.
May Offers
Ssscat Deterrent Kit  Repellent Spray  Hair Ball Toy  SCOE 10x  Laxa-Herb Hairball Remedy  Relaxi-herb  Da Bird Toy  Flea Kit  Neem Spray Natural Flea Control  Kitten Emergency Kit |
Super Thursday Special: Get a $10 Gift Certicate with any order of $50 or more at PetNutritionProducts.com!
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