Tag: Human Speak

Raena in tiger kitty holster

Service Cats: Kitty Goes To College: Introducing Kitty To Roommates

Published on by Service Cats U.S.18 Comments

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards. 

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays. Ifin you’ve missed any posts in this series, you can ketch up or re-read them anytime by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page in our menu above. And don’t furget to submit your questions and/or blog topics in the comments section below or by sending us an email via our Contact Us page, also in our menu bar. There’s no stupid question, and we’ll tackle them all. Mommy says ifin you’re wonderin’ ‘bout somethin’, chances are so are others; so, just ask.

 

Raena sits posing in her tiger harness

 

 

 

     Last week, we talked about what one should do with kitty when going away to college, but it could just as easily apply to any relocation. Long story short, kitty is happiest wherever their bonded human is. Kitty bonds with people, not houses (Obviously we’re speaking of cats who are pets and not ferals). Unfortunately, many colleges still don’t allow pets in campus housing, but do require Freshmen to live on campus. So, you’ve made it thru your first year and are now moving into your off campus apartment that you’ll be sharing with roommates and possibly their furry purrers. The question now is how to make introductions so that everybody can live in peace. 

 

Dezi in a graduation cap sitting on cat scratcher

 

 

 

Introducing Kitty to their new home:

     Ideally, all humans should be moved in and unpacked. Set up kitty’s litterbox, feeding station and a few favorite toys in a quiet place, preferably, your bedroom. While the roommates are out, bring in kitty to explore the new place and new scents. Make sure kitty can escape back to your room and a safe “hidey spot”. You may want to set up one of your boxes in a corner with a heavily scented shirt or bed sheet inside so kitty can go there to decompress. Don’t worry, kitty will adjust so long as you’re there. We’ll discuss boundaries next week.

 

Introducing Kitty to the new housemates:

     The next step is bringing the roommate(s) in. Don’t force kitty to come out and be sociable, allow kitty to take things at his/her own pace. Tell roommates to avoid grabbing at or trying to pet or pick up kitty until kitty has shown he/she is comfortable with them. As tempting as a quick pet may be, pretending to not notice kitty will help him/her to acclimate quicker. You’ll also want to make sure roommates and any frequent guests know to not leave doors or windows to the outside open. And, to watch for kitty when leaving the apartment. No one wants to deal with kitty escaping. College life will keep you busy, but remember to spend time with kitty each day.

 

Raena in graduation cap sitting on the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

     What if your roommate has a kitty they’ll also be introducing to the mix? Or perhaps, you’re getting married and you and your spouse both have kitties that will have to assimilate into your new lives? Or somebody decides it’s time to adopt a new furry family member? Tune in next week when we discuss introducing kitties and co-mingling households. We promise you’ll be in for a hair raising hissy fit of a good time.  

 

Dezi lays on the floor

 

 

 

Well there ya’ have it. Taking kitty with you is a breeze. Remember, when you adopt an animal, you’re making a commitment to love and care for them until the day they die. Not just when it’s convenient or fashionable, but furever. In return, we’ll give you unconditional luv, days filled with laughter and joy, and nights full of purrs. Don’t furget to post your questions and topic suggestions in the comments below or send us an email via our Contact page. We’re linkin’ up with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday.  

 

Till the next time………………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Dezi lays in stroller with tiger kitty holster harness on.

Service Cats: Where Does Your Lifelong Furry Buddy Belong When You’re Off To College

Published on by Service Cats U.S.17 Comments

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays. Furstly, we’d like to apologize fur our absence last week. T’ween the stress, the added pain, and mommy’s monthly doctor’s ‘pointment, we just flaked, zoned out, didn’t feel up to posting. Ya’ know, life happens sometimes, and gets in the way of all your plans. However, we’re back this week with a pawsum and timely topic that was brought to our attention by one of the sweetest e-mails we’ve received in a while. Befur we get started, remember, you can ketch up on any of our Service Cats posts by clicking the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page from our menu. And don’t furget to leave your questions or blog topic suggestions in the comments below or send us an e-mail via our Contact page, also in our menu bar. Now, let’s get to it. 

 

Raena sits in tiger kitty holster cat harness

 

 

 

     It’s that time of year, back to school, off to college or away for internships. For many, this is the first time they’ll be away from the home they grew up in. And some, like mommy did, will be returning to school after years of holding down a household. So, what do you do with your beloved furry purrer that’s been there with you throughout the years? Especially, if like one of our pawsome readers, kitty is bonded with you above anyone else in the house. Each year, thousands of people head off to live on campus in dorm rooms or apartments with roommates. While it’s an exciting time for many, it can be a very stressful time for kitty.

 

Raena lays on cat tree looking back

To Take Kitty Or Not:

     The questions we were asked were, “My older shy cat is deeply bonded with me. Would it be less stressful to take her with me to college, or leave her in the house she’s always known, even tho’ she doesn’t get along well with anyone or the other animals in the home?” The next question was, how should I introduce kitty to roommates?” First, we want to say, Thank you for saving a life and taking responsibility for that life till the end. We are not disposable when it’s inconvenient and we appreciate that you realize that and are trying to do the best you can for kitty.

 

     Some of you may remember when we told the story of mommy and Shad being homeless but happy because they were together. If you want to read it you can do so here. Anyways, obviously, we recommend taking kitty with you as soon as possible. Fortunately, many colleges are learning about the bond between humans and pets and are starting to allow them in dorms. You need to check with the college of your choice for their pet policy. Do Not Ever try to sneak Fluffy or Fido into your dorm, apartment or rental property. It’s not fair to them or to future renters.

 

     If your college doesn’t allow pets, you’ll either have to leave kitty/woofy at home or live off campus. Often colleges require Freshmen to live on campus for the first year. Plan your finances so that you can move off campus and reunite with kitty as soon as possible. Regardless of kitty’s age or health, it’s you and not the house kitty is attached too. And, altho’ cats aren’t big fans of change, they do much better when they can be near their chosen human.

 

Raena lays on back of the chair

This throw smells just like mommy.

 

 

 

Reduce Kitty’s Stress While You’re Away:

     In the meantime, how can you make kitty more comfortable during your absence? Start off by making sure kitty has a Decompression Room (your former bedroom is the perfect choice. Don’t change the sheets when you leave.). Place all of kitty’s essentials in the room with him/her and make sure mom, dad, or sibling knows kitty’s routines (ie; meal time, cleaning litterboxes, etc.). Be sure to leave a few pieces of heavily scented clothes with kitty, so he/she can feel close to you. We also recommend coming home once a month if possible to visit and refresh the scent clothing. However, you may be too far away to come home that often, so we highly recommend sending freshly scented garments back home to replace the old ones. We recommend, night shirts, bras and other lightweight garments. They shouldn’t be too heavy and thus won’t cost much to ship/mail back home.  

 

Dezi lays in mommy's lap

Bein’ close to mommy and minglin’ our scents is the bestest thing ever.

 

 

 

 

Telepathy And Kitty:

     Years ago there was a study that talked about sending telepathic messages to your pets when you were away. The premise was that you could visualize your pet in your mind and they would be able to feel your presence. While mommy thinks this is mostly hogwash (ridiculous), still she tends to do it just in case. It certainly doesn’t hurt anyone. We also recommend phoning home and letting Fluffy/Fido hear your voice. We’d love to hear any ideas you have about communicating with your pets when you’re away. The first year of college and away from your beloved furry is going to be stressful for both of you. But, by implementing a few of these tips, you can make it less stressful for kitty. And remember, soon you’ll be able to reunite and be together again.

 

Raena looks back while standing on the liberty cat tree

What’s that you say? Togetherness is the only way to go.

 

 

We’re gonna wrap this up fur today. Join us next week when we discuss introducing kitty to roommates and other pets in the home. And don’t furget to leave us your comments, questions and topic suggestions in the comment section below, or send us an email via our Contact page. As always, you can ketch up on any of the Service Cats posts you may have missed by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. We’re joinin’ Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday. See you soon.

 

Do/Would you call kitty to chat when you’re away? 

Have you ever tried to send telepathic messages to your kitty?

 

Till the next time……………………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

 

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle

Raena stands on edge of stroller and looks out

Service Cats: How To Beat The Heat And Treat Overheating In Cats

Published on by Service Cats U.S.25 Comments

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.

Raena sits posing in her tiger harness

 

 

 

MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays. We’re runnin’ low on questions from ya’ll, so purrlease let us know what you’d like to see here on Furidays. You can do so by leavin’ your questions and/or topic suggestions in the comments below or by sendin’ us an email via our Contact page. And, ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in this series you can check them out by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page from our menu. With all the hot weather we’ve been havin’ lately, this seems like the purrfect time to talk about how to Beat The Heat. 

 

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

Stay inside

     Sounds kind of silly, but Staying inside out of the heat is the best way to beat it. We have recently learned that some of our friends around the world don’t have air conditioning. We were shocked, but we do understand that certain areas don’t actually get as hot as others and humidity doesn’t affect everybody, so a/c’s aren’t needed items. However, we’re pretty sure that most people have fans. To make the air the fan blows a bit cooler, you can fill a bowl with cold water and place it in front of the fan; replace the water as needed. Keep all unscreened windows and doors closed.

 

     Fresh water should be available at all times. Fountains tend to keep water cooler thru circulation. You can also add ice cubes which some cats enjoy. You can also make a little nip tea to freeze into cubes and add to kitty’s water as a little treat during the heat wave; or anytime for that matter.

 

Dezi looks full on at the camera while sitting ion the stroller outside

 

 

 

Stay Cool Outside 

     If you must be outside, or you’re caring for stray or feral kitties, there are steps you can take to keep everybody safe during the heat of summer. Shelter from the heat is a must. Shade trees, shrubs, dog/cat houses, even boxes placed in shady areas can be useful.

 

     Fresh water is a must. And remember when putting the water bowl out, to place it in a shady area so that it will stay cool longer and kitty/doggy won’t have to stand on hot surfaces to get a drink. Ice cubes can be placed in the water, but remember to add water to the bowl. The ice cubes may not melt as quickly as you expect them to alone.

 

     Remember cement, asphalt and dirt/sand can reach temperatures hot enough to burn, so make sure kitty can access food and water without having to walk or sit on those surfaces. Paw pads can burn very easily. If you’re taking kitty/doggy for a walk, avoid walking on those surfaces for long periods of time. You have shoes, kitty/doggy is basically walking barefoot. 

 

     NEVER leave kitty/doggy locked/shut in a car, non climate controlled shed, storage room or garage. Temperatures in these areas can be deadly in a short amount of time. Don’t let kitty/doggy ride around in the bed of your pickup truck. The metal bed can and will burn.

 

     Kitties and doggies with lots of fur might enjoy a small haircut. However, Do Not shave them to the skin. That skin has been protected by fur and exposure to extreme temps can be dangerous. Watch out for hot spots and treat any skin conditions as soon as possible. Short nosed breeds, such as Persians, Bulldogs, etc., have more difficulty breathing, especially as temperatures rise. Keep a close eye on them and know the signs of overheating in pets.

 

Raena sits in stroller while outside

 

 

 

Symptoms of Overheating

     Know the signs of Overheating in pets and if you see it, get your pet to the VET as soon as possible.

Excessive panting,

Difficulty breathing,

Increased heart and respiratory rate,

Drooling,

Weakness,

Stupor,

Collapse,

Seizures,

Bloody Diarrhea,

Vomiting,

Elevated Temperatures over 104°F (ASPCA.org). 

 

Dezi lays on the table at the vet's office

 

 

 

Immediate Treatment

     If you find kitty unconscious or in a stupor, soak him/her in cool, but not ice cold water, keeping the nose and mouth clear. You can also try placing a bag of frozen vegetables or an ice pack between their legs and go straight to your VET.  

     If kitty is still conscious, get him/her inside cooler temps immediately. Let him/her drink as much water as he/she wants and get to the VET ASAP.

     If kitty is just beginning to show signs of overheating, get them inside a cool area and place a cool wet towel over them. Make sure there is plenty of cold water available to drink. Keep a close eye on kitty and see the VET if needed.

 

Raena sits on the table at the Vet's office

There will be no temp takin’ here, fanky fank you.

 

 

 

     If you can safely take kitties temperature, do so. Make note of the temperature and take appropriate actions. Rectal temps as follows:

100° – 103°F = normal to slightly elevated 

103° – 104°F = slightly elevated and should be seen be a VET as soon as possible. 

105°F and above could be fatal and should be seen by a VET Immediately.

 

     Remember, prevention is always the best cure. With just a few steps everybody can survive the heat. Another tip is not to over play your pet during the hottest parts of the day. While it may be fun to play fetch at the beach with your dog or chase the wand bird in the yard with kitty, to much fun in the sun can lead to the dangers of overheating. You might also want to wrap a bandana that has been soaked in cool water around your pets neck to help keep them cool. And make sure everybody including the humans are drinking plenty to avoid dehydration. 

 

Blooper- Dezi's head while she lays on scratcher.

This is fur sure a blooper. Mommy was trying to take a foto of me while me slept

on the scratcher beside her chair. Alas, she cut off me’s face and body

and only got the tippy top of me’s head. Hmmmpht

 

 

 

Well, we’re gonna wrap it up fur today. We do hope this helps you to survive the summer hots. We’re doin’ all we can to enjoy the wonderful a/c in the house. Mommy once lived in an apartment where she had no control over her own a/c. Temps in her apartment were in the low 100’s at night, mid 100’s in the day, and even brought out the media to repurrt on the situation. She swore then and there, she would never allow her babies (then, sis Lexi and Lucky) to have to endure anything like that again, so she’s really good about makin’ sure Raena and me are comfy regardless of what’s goin’ on. ‘Member, you can ketch up on any posts you may have missed in this series by clickin’ Training Tips and Everything Feline from our menu. And, be sure and leave your questions and/or topic suggestions in the comments below or via our Contact page in our menu. 

 

Blooper-Raena lays in lap and reaches for the camera phone

Mine’s blooper submission. Mine’s selfie didn’t quite turn out. Guess

I’s zigged when I’s should’a zagged. MOL

 

 

 

We’re linkin’ up with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furidays and we’re also joinin’ our furiends the Cuddlywumps fur Pet foto fails and bloopers.

 

Do you have any tips for surviving the hots?  

 

Till the next time………………………………………………Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle     

Dezi lays in stroller with tiger kitty holster harness on.

Service Cats: How Toxic Is That Food To Kitty

Published on by Service Cats U.S.19 Comments

The followin’ post will be written in human English fur reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Trainin’ Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal trainin’, cats in purrticular. And to offur insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, Training is all ‘bout Repetition and Rewards.

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

MeOW  Welcome to Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays. Each week we take questions and topic suggestions from all of you. We’ve spent the last four weeks focusing on Kitten/Cat Proofing your home. Ifin you missed any of those posts or any post in our Service Cats Series, you can ketch up by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page in our menu. Ifin you have questions or a topic you’d like to see here, you can leave those in the comments below or send us a private e-mail via our Contact page. Just remember, when asking behavioral questions to be as specific as pawssible and give any purrtinent examples. A well behaved and healthy kitty is more likely to keep their furever home.

 

Raena in tiger kitty holster

 

 

 

     We previously wrote about human Foods that are Toxic to us kitties and have received a follow up question asking just how Toxic those foods are. So, we’ve decided to expound on that today. With all the information we’re exposed to these days, it can be confusing for pet parents to know what’s what. Most peeps want to do what’s best for the furry members of their family; and spoiling them with a few table scraps couldn’t hurt a thing, right? That depends on what it is and how much of it is given.

 

The following items should NEVER be given to cats, even in small quantities. 

 

Alcohol: Amounts as small as 1 Tbsp. can cause vomiting, diarrhea, severe liver and/or brain damage.

Chocolate: Even in small amounts, All chocolate, but dark chocolate and baking chocolate in particular can cause heart problems, muscle tremors and/or seizures. The offending ingredients are theobromine and caffeine. 

Caffeine: Coffee, Tea, Soft Drinks and Energy Drinks: Small amounts can cause onset of rapid breathing, heart palpitations, muscle tremors, excessive thirst and urination and even death.

Dairy: While this may not cause irreparable damage, most cats are lactose intolerant and can suffer from vomiting and/or diarrhea after consuming dairy products such as milk or ice cream. Even an upset tummy isn’t that much fun, so offer kitty something else instead.

Grapes and Raisins: It is unknown what ingredient is the offender here, but grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure in both cats and dogs.

Onions and Garlic: In larger quantities (a clove) both can cause digestive upset and/or anemia. This is also true of small amounts fed regularly over a long period of time: known as build up. 

Xylitol: This is a sweetener used in many products such as gums, sodas, mouthwash, toothpaste and others. It is unknown whether it is deadly to cats but within 30 minutes of exposure, dogs may become lethargic, vomit, and if not treated can even lead to death. It causes a sudden release of insulin which leads to low blood sugar.

Avocado: Small amounts of any part of the Avocado can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.

Nuts: In particular Macadamia, Almonds, Pecans and Walnuts can cause vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis in small amounts. 

Marijuana: With the legalization of Cannabis, this is becoming a problem seen by more and more vets. Cats and dogs can be exposed through second hand smoke or ingestion. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of coordination, vomiting, diarrhea, more vocal than normal, a drop in body temperature, reparatory depression, and in severe cases, tremors, seizures and coma can result. The severity of the symptoms depend on the dose. In high enough doses, death can occur.  

Nicotene: Cigarettes, Cigars, Tobacco, Nicotene Gum/Patches and E-cigs: Ingesting even a small amount of nicotene can cause vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and/or trouble breathing. Symptoms can occur within 15 minutes to several hours after exposure. A typical dose of 9.2 mg per kilogram of the animals body weight can be fatal.   

 

Raena sits stop the liberty cat tree

This world is full of bad things. I’s so glad mommy works hard to keep me safe.

 

 

 

     The list could go on and on, but we think these cover the ones most often available in the home. The message here is to keep these things out of kitty’s reach and don’t put it on the plate. Generally symptoms occur within an hour more or less of a toxic exposure. Some toxins act more quickly than others, so take precautions and be safe. We hope this follow up is helpful. And remember, if you think your anipal has been exposed to a toxin, Don’t Wait and See. Call your VET immediately. It’s also good to keep the Pet Poison Hotline number close by, 855-764-7661, a fee does apply with this number. References for this article were the ASPCA, Pet Poison Hotline website and our own VET as well as mommy’s many years of experience.

 

Dezi lays on scratcher yawning

Me can rest easy knowin’ mommy’s on the job to keep us toxic free.

 

 

 

Well, we’re gonna wrap it up fur now. Remember, you can check out/ketch up on any post in this series by clickin’ the links on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page in our menu above. We’d luv to hear your questions. Just leave them in the comments or send us an email via our Contact page. Mommy says the only stupid question is the one not asked. So, ifin your kitty is doin’ soemthin’ strange and you want to know why, just ask us. Or, ifin kitty is misbehavin’ and you want that to change, just let us know. ‘Member to be as specific as pawssible and give us any purrtinent examples of said behavior. We’ll update you all on our current situation Sunday. Fur now, we’ll just let you know, we do have a signed lease. We’re linkin’ up with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday. Okay, we’ll see ya’ soon. 

 

Till the next time…………………………………………………….Be Blest!!!

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle