Tag: Stroller

Raena lays on stroller handle

Chatting Cats: That’s A Lot Of Horse Puckey

Published on by Service Cats U.S.27 Comments

Hey everypawdy, it’s me, RaenaBelle, comin’ to ya’ live from the tempurrary Three Belles Ranch. Let me tell ya’, those sticky fingered mini humans can sure be annoyin’. There we were relaxin’ and enjoyin’ the luvvly sun puddle comin’ in thru the window when all of a sudden, the whole room started shakin’ and we thought a herd of wildebeests was runnin’ down the hall and over head. Trust me, I’s know what it sounds like, I’s watched it on teevee purrlenty of times. Just as I’s was gettin’ into huntin’ mode, there came a squeal and holler that can only come from a sticky fingered mini human. This behavior went on fur like elebenty billion minutes befur mommy furinally opened the door and gave the sticky fingered mini human and their pawrent a look that could freeze flickerin’ flames. Not that I’s ever seen that look directed at me of course. I’s purrefect and never do anythin’ wrong.

Raena walks

 

 

Continue reading “Chatting Cats: That’s A Lot Of Horse Puckey” →

Raena sits pretty profile

Chatting Cats: Our Texas Adventure Wrap Up

Published on by Service Cats U.S.19 Comments

Hey everypawdy, it’s me, RaenaBelle. We’re back to tell ya’ ‘bout the rest of our Texas adventure today. You can read pawrt 1 here. We wanted to say that peeps grieve differently, and fur us, havin’ a little fun takin’ ya’ll on our journey is very cathartic. (Raena looks at Dezi for approval) Okay sissy, I’s told ‘em, so let’s get back on the road and in the hotel.

 

Raena sits pretty profile

 

 

Continue reading “Chatting Cats: Our Texas Adventure Wrap Up” →

Raena sits in stroller at vet

Service Cats: Why Cats Shouldn’t Eat Grains And Vegetables

Published on by Service Cats U.S.28 Comments

Pet Food Ingredients Pt. 2

MeOW  Welcome to another installment of Service Cats and Everything Feline on Furidays. We return today to our mini-series on Pet Food ingredients. It is our intention to present this in a way that everyone can understand it and to reveal the lies and misinformation pet pawrents are being “fed” by the pet food/feed industry, including the AAFCO. We intend to list as many ingredients as possible so that you will be better equipped to read labels and make the best choice fur your pets. It’s a shame that this topic has been so confusing fur so long. We hope to be able to shed a little light on all that confusion. Please remember, not all foods/feeds will contain every ingredient we will be listing. Ifin you’ve missed any of the posts in our Service Cat series, you can find them on our Training Tips and Everything Feline page. And remember to submit your questions and topic suggestions in the comments below or by sendin’ us an email via our Contact page. 

 

Dezi laying in cat tree in new harness

 

 

 

 

The following post will be written in human English for reader and translator ease. Our Service Cat posts aren’t intended to be an all inclusive Training Manual but rather Tips, Tricks and Techniques used/developed by mommy A thru her many years of animal training, cats in purr-ticular. And to offer insight into your questions about Everything Feline. Always remember, successful Training is all about Repetition and Rewards.

 

Raena sits and poses in her new tiger harness

 

 

 

 

     Our first post in this mini-series talked about a cat’s need for Protein. Cats are Obligate Carnivores/True Carnivores (Those whose survival depends on nutrients which are found only in animal flesh and organs/meat protein. While Obligate Carnivores may be able to ingest small amounts of plant matter, due to their evolution they lack the necessary physiology required to digest and use the nutrients in that plant matter.) We’re going to try to break down a little science for you now. Digestion requires enzymes created by the body:

 

  • Protease: Necessary to break down Proteins 

  • Lipase: Necessary to digest Fat 

  • Amylase: Necessary to process Carbohydrates (Usually found in the saliva and pancreas)

Dezi and Raena eat out of their new dishesDid you know your food is already bein’ digested, Raena?

 

 

 

 

Digestion:

     Digestion starts in the mouth with enzymes created by saliva (spit). However, cat and dog saliva lack the enzyme Amylase; it’s only found in their pancreas. That means the pancreas has to work overtime to process Carbohydrates present in most commercial pet foods/feeds. There is some evidence that points to this as being part of the cause for pancreatitis, diabetes, obesity and other chronic illnesses in cats. Humans and other mammals have flat top teeth meant for chewing. Cats however, have sharp fangs meant for ripping and tearing flesh. That’s a crude way to look at it, but think about it; when was the last time you saw kitty gnawing on a cob of corn? Everything about a cat says it’s meant to hunt, catch and rip it’s prey to shreds. And yet, most pet food companies lace their foods with corn, peas and carrots. I had a garden a few years back; and let me tell you, it wasn’t the neighborhood cats digging up my carrots and eating them.

 

     We mentioned in our earlier post that cats do much better when they don’t have food available all the time. Grains and veggies are ideal for grazing animals such as cows, goats, etc., but typically when a cat eats grass, it’s followed by hurling/horking/vomiting or whatever you want to call it. Cats were never meant to graze or eat veggies. But, what about the vitamins and nutrients those vegetables could offer? First of all, they’re often cooked so long they no longer contain any of the nutrients originally present. The reality is that a cat’s natural prey animal, the herbivore, provides those nutrients in the form of previously eaten and digested grains and vegetables. While it sounds really gross to us humans, a cat in the wild would consume the whole animal (excluding bones, fur, feathers, beaks, eyes, hooves), including it’s stomach and the contents therein.

 

 

Corn with mycotoxin

 

Mycotoxins:

     Let’s talk a minute about Grains and their toxicity. Mycotoxins are mold and a huge concern often found in foods like corn, corn meal, peas, millet, nuts, and other grains and types of food. There are 3 main mycotoxins that the FDA has established rules for the following 3, but they are not the only mycotoxins of concern:

  • Aflatoxins:

  • Fumonosin:   

  • Deoxynivalenol  

     Mycotoxins can cause lethargy, anorexia, jaundice, intravascular coagulation, liver damage, weight loss, dehydration, renal and hepatic damage, gastrointestinal dysfunction and death.

 

 

Ingredients:

     Most pet food/feed is formulated without oversight by the FDA or even the AAFCO. The laws that are supposed to protect our pets are often ignored, broken, unenforced or completely non existent. Don’t be fooled by “voluntary” recalls. Those recalls are an “after the fact” and often the result of an animal getting sick or dying due to something in their food. Let’s look at some of the ingredients found in pet foods.  

  • Wheat: One of the top allergens in pet food, may contain mycotoxins, can contribute to canine obesity  

  • Corn: Totally useless. As discussed above, neither cats or dogs have the ability to process it and covert it to useable energy in it’s raw state, and it has no nutrients after being cooked at high temps. May contain mycotoxins  

  • Corn Gluten Meal: Even worse than corn. Patented as a weed killer in 1991. May include mycotoxins  

  • By-Product-Meal: Bones, blood, intestines, lungs, ligaments, heads, feathers, beaks, feet, hooves, etc.. Can be anything left over from processing, Not fit for human consumption. Most of these are things a cat or dog in the wild wouldn’t eat. 

  • Soy: Considered a Protein. However it’s totally useless for the obligate carnivore and can cause allergies and cancer  

  • Brewers Rice: Broken rice shells containing no nutrients 

  • Egg Product: Eggshells (not easily digestible), may contain rancid or spoiled eggs not fit for human consumption, may contain salmonella,  

  • Sugar: Completely useless addition of empty calories. Cats can’t even taste sweet things  

  • Peas/Pea Fiber/Pea Meal/Legumes/Lentils: May contain mycotoxins, may cause heart disease 

  • Potatoes: May cause heart disease 

  • Cellulose: Sawdust, floor sweepings, totally useless 

  • Carrots: Hard for cats to digest, no useable nutrients after cooking at high temps.  

  • Cracked Barley: Grain, may contain mycotoxins 

  • Garlic/Garlic Oil/Garlic Extract/Garlic Powder: Toxic to cats especially  

  • Oats/Oat Bran/Oat Meal/Oat Groat: Grain, may contain mycotoxins  

  • Chicken Meal/Fish Meal/Lamb Meal/Beef Meal: All Meals are the leftovers after processing and Not fit for human consumption. May contain parts from animals killed by means other than slaughter, such as road kill, illness, poisoning, natural disaster deaths (such as drowning), phenobarbital, culling, etc.  

  • White Fish/Ocean Whitefish: May be any number of fish

  • Cranberries: Typically not enough present to have actual health benefits 

  • Whey: Milk protein, used in lower grade foods, possible allergen, especially for cats 

  • Whole Eggs: Contains the shells which are not easily digestible 

  • Celery: Unnecessary, not easily digestible 

  • Lamb: Lamb meat is filled with water and therefore not as high in protein as other meats 

  • Beef: Natural source of Glucosamine (will define and expound on in future post) High in “water weight” (will expound in future post) 

  • Spinach: Unnecessary, not easily digested 

  • Basil: Member of the mint family, safe but unnecessary  

  • Blueberries: Not enough present to be beneficial, unnecessary 

  • Veal: Alternative to beef 

  • Beef Liver: Natural source of iron and flavor. However, in large quantities can be toxic. Best as a secondary ingredient  

  • Soybeans/Soybean Meal: Can NOT be digested by dogs and can cause bloating and death

  • Soybean Oil: Source of fat and good for coat, safe for dogs and cats

  • Ginger: Aids in digestion if listed high on label  

  • Carrot Powder: Cheap source of fiber  

  • Ground Flax Seed: May be lacking in fatty acids  

  • Sunflower Oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols <expounded on in future post>): Cheap source of fat  

  • Sweet Potatoes/Yams: Alternative to regular potatoes 

  • Green Tea: Not enough to have any health benefits unless listed in the top 5 ingredients  

  • Wild Rice: Good alternative to white rice 

  • Dried Kelp: Accepted industry source of iodine 

  • Egg Noodles: Unnecessary, source or carbohydrates 

  • Rabbit: Great alternative Meat/protein source  

  • Duck: Great alternative meat/protein source, Less water weight than chicken 

  • Shrimp: Source of protein  

  • Cod: Alternative source of protein 

  • Catfish: Alternative source of protein and fatty acids 

  • Venison Meal: Alternative source of protein, in concentrated form, more protein availability than standard meats 

Raena bathes atop the liberty cat tree

 

     I realize this is a lot of information, but we haven’t even scratched the surface, so to speak. Most herbs listed on labels and found in pet food are useless and should be left out. There’s a lot of “gimmicky” ingredients these days and gimmicky names to boot. When shopping for our pet’s food, we need to remember to pay no attention to the photos on the packaging, as they’re not a true representation of what’s actually inside. Dry kibble is worse than canned or wet food in most respects since any natural nutrients have been cooked out of their original sources. But, this mini-series isn’t about making you choose one type of food or even one food over another. It’s merely to help you be better equipped at understanding what you’re buying and feeding your furry family member. We will be defining and explaining more of the terminology and ingredients in future posts, so if you have specific questions, please let us know. I’m going to turn it back over to Dezi to close us out. 

 

Dezi lays atop the cat tree selfie

 

 

Fanks mommy. Lots of big words and stuff us kitties don’t unnerstand ‘bout what goes on our plates. Anyways, remember, you can ketch up on any post you may have missed by clickin’ Training Tips and Everything Feline. We got a lot of great questions after Pt. 1 of Pet Food Ingredients, so if you have any just let us know in the comments below or send us an email. We purromiss, we will be answering them all. This is a huge topic and we’d rather take our time and cover it properly than to mislead you further. Other than the sources listed below, mommy also used her common sense, past experience as a V-E-T tech and information she got from some local V-E-Ts via chat.

 

Raena sits on table at vet-blooperI’s look purretty ruff, so we call this a blooper. MOL

 

 

Due to the holidays and Raena’s upcomin’ surgery, this will be our last Service Cat posty fur the year, but don’t worry, we’ll be pickin’ up right where we left off next year (a few months). We’re also linkin’ up today with Comedy Plus fur Feline Furiday. And, it’s also Blooper time with our pals the Cuddlywumps. 

 

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

 

Luv and Hugs and Kitty Kisses

 

Deztinee and RaenaBelle 

 

 

 

Sources:
mycotoxins.info
petfoodindustry.com
Vetinfo.com
Truthaboutpetfood.com
Petmd.com
petsnmore.org
ivcjournal.com
ncbi.nlm.nh.gov
Raena sits on table at vet

Chatting Cats: The Eyes Have It

Published on by Service Cats U.S.30 Comments

Raena Goes To The V-E-T (Update)

Hey, Everypawdy, it’s me, RaenaBelle!!! Hey sissy, we’re home!!! Hurry mommy, get mine’s harness off. I’s wanna go tell sissy ‘bout mine’s visit with doctor stabby and grabby. (Raena jumps down from the stroller and heads down the hallway looking for Dezi. She makes a quick potty box detour and then paces through the house meowing and looking for Dezi.) Sissy? Sissy, where are you? Sissy, come out, I’s wanna tell ya’ what happened. (Raena walks over and jumps in mommy A’s lap and looks at her and meows) Mommy? Why won’t sissy come out? Where is she? (Raena jumps down and paces through the house meowing more persistantly this time.) Sissy!!! Sissy, I’s need to tell ya’ somethin’!!! 

 

Dezi lays on cat tree with mouth open and eyes shut

 

 

          (Dezi strolls down the hall and jumps on the cat tree) What’s all the yeowlin’ ‘bout? Ya’ come in yeowlin’ and wakin’ me up from me’s rainy day nap. Kittens!!! Your meowin’ like the house is on fire or somethin’. 

 

Raena sits pretty for the camera

 

 

 

The house is on fire too sissy? What should we do? Are we trained fur fires?

 

          (Dezi slaps her paw to her forehead) No Raena, the house ain’t on fire, it’s just a sayin’. (Dezi shakes her head) Never mind. What’s so ‘purrtant you had to wake me up. You stink like… 

 

Raena sits in stroller at vetI’s scared mommy. I’s wanna cuddle.

 

 

 

Well sissy, let me tell ya’. When we got there, all I’s could hear was woofies barkin’ and squealin’. The things they were barkin’. I’s think they tried to kill one of ‘em. Bless his heart. Then, we were sittin’ there mindin’ our own business and in walks the biggest woofie I’s ever seen. He ran right over and got all up in mine’s business. His human ‘pawrently believes like the peeps out here, like the law doesn’t apply to them. Cuz he didn’t even have on a collar much less a leash. He could’a eaten me alive befur his human could’a done anythin’. Hmmmpht What is it with those peeps? 

 

          Me doesn’t know Raena. But you’re so right. Every time me’s had to go see doctor stabby and grabby me’s almost been accosted. 

 

I’s can tell ya’, I’s would’a gone down whacky pawin’ cuz he would’a hurt mommy too since I’s was in her arms at the time. 

 

          Sure sounds like ya’ll were in the waitin’ room fur a long time Raena. Did you ever get into a room? 

 

Raena and mommy A at the vetYou always make me feel safe, mommy.

 

 

 

We were sissy. They weighed me when we walked in the door, but we had to wait fur elebenty billion 30 minutes befur we ever got a room of our own. Didn’t take long fur doctor stabby and grabby to show up then. He kept shinin’ a light in mines eyes and it hurted. Mommy’s a little bit furious, but she says that after 2 1/2 years of takin’ me in and complainin’ ‘bout mine’s eye issue, we furinally have an answer to what’s wrong. I’s hate that it made mommy cry tho’. She said she felt just horrible that I’s been in pain every day of mine’s life and she didn’t do more to find an answer sooner. I’s told her she shouldn’t feel bad, she did the bestest she could. 

 

          Well what’s wrong with ya’, Raena?  

 

Raena looks up at mommy while snuggling close at the vet Can we leave mommy? I’s don’t wanna wait fur doctor stabby and grabby.

 

 

 

Well sissy, I’s can’t say all the big words, so I’s told mommy that I’s would s’plain it kind’a like doctor stabby and grabby did and once we got the plan of action estimate, she could tell everypawdy. See, mine’s bottom eyelids turn in some. And there’s these tiny little fur hairs attached to ‘em that are s’posed to purrtect our eyes from stuffs flyin’ in ‘em. Cuz mine’s are turned in, those tiny little fur hairs are constantly scratchin’ and irritatin’ mines eyes. So, they’re constantly irritated and that’s why they’re always gunky and I’s sometimes close ‘em up and can’t see anythin’. 

 

          Oh Raena, me’s sorry. Me didn’t know. 

 

Raena looks down while snuggling with mommy at vetMaybe ifin I’s pout, mommy’ll take me home.

 

 

 

It’s okay sissy, nopawdy did and I’s couldn’t s’plain it. 

 

          So, now that they’ve figgered out what the purroblem is Raena, what are they gonna do ‘bout it?  

 

Raena sits on table at vetSurgery?!! I’s don’t wanna have surgery!!! I’s fur sure don’t want

your hands in mine’s mouth.

 

 

 

 

Well sissy, I’s gonna have to have laser surgery to make mine’s eyelids turn out right like they’re s’posed too. And, it seems I’s might have some gum issues too, so while I’s out of it fur mine’s eye surgery, doctor stabby and grabby’s gonna clean mine’s teethies and see what’s goin’ on in mine’s mouth. He said they’re gonna shave all the furs off mine’s eyes. Ifin I’s bein’ honest, I’s a little bit scared sissy. 

 

          Me is too Raena. Are they gonna make you stay in the hospital? 

 

Raena lays on the liberty cat tree

 

 

 

Nope sissy. Fanky fankfully fur mommy. She told ‘em she wasn’t leavin’ mine’s side at all. Doctor stabby and grabby said that was fine and then mumbled somethin’ ‘bout hopin’ the insurance covered it. Anyways, I’s’ll be comin’ home that afternoon. We have to be there at 6:30 the meownin’ of November 15th. So, I’s gonna have to plan your pawrty fur a time befur that.

 

          So you already have the ‘pointment huh Raena? 

 

Yep sissy. Seems once doctor stabby and grabby figgered out what’s wrong with me, it’s suddenly urgent that I’s have mine’s purrcedure. Altho’, mommy said she wishes we could do it tomorrow. She really feels bad that I’s been hurtin’ fur so long and she didn’t fix it. It’s gonna cost a couple hunnerd dollars. I’s don’t know where we’re gonna get it from, but I’s sure hope we do. I’s can’t even ‘magine mine’s eyes not hurtin’. That’s gonna be so pawsum. 

 

          Well Raena, we’ll have to ask our furiends ifin they’ll help us help you. Ifin not, maybe me can sell a kidney or somethin’. Guess we’ll have to post the estimate as soon as doctor stabby and grabby sends it to us.

 

Yeah sissy, he was too busy when we were there to write it up; doctor stabby and grabby two had the day off. But he purromissed to get it to us in a day or two. Fanky fankfully, he’s runnin’ a special on dentals right now and we do get a Service Cat discount. Mommy said t’ween your last ‘pointment and mine’s visit we’re already at our hunnerd dollar credit limit with him. So we have to pay fur mine’s purrcedure the day I’s have it done. Ifin anypawdy can help me get mine’s eyes fixed, you can donate to our paypal address at: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com. Or you can donate directly to doctor stabby and grabby’s office: Carter County Animal Hospital, Ardmore OK. (580)226-1001 (Dr. Cade Wilson). Our account is unner mommy’s name: Audra High. I’s sure would ‘purreciate it. And I’s could use your purrayers too.  

 

Dezi bows her head to pray

 

 

 

          Me will purray fur you Raena. Me wants you to be all better too. Who knows, that might have somethin’ to do with why you’re such a pest. Who knows what you’re gonna be like when you’re no longer in constant pain.

 

Raena sits on cat tree with her carnival mask onI’s tryin’ on masks fur sissy’s pawrty.

 

 

 

Well sissy, I’s thinkin’ we should have your Carnival Birthday/Gotchaday pawrty on Wednesday November 14th. There’s still time to put on your mask and send (email to: lexi.dezi@yahoo.com) us your foto to be included in the festivities. Ifin you’re havin’ trouble findin’ a mask, let us know. We want all our furiends to attend, so we’ll help ya’ any way we can.

 

          (Hours pass and find Raena sleeping off the day. This morning, Raena’s feeling lethargic and didn’t get up to eat breakfast. Dezi worriedly paces from the bedroom to the living room again and again, searching for Raena.) RaenaBelle? C’mon, get up, it’s time fur brekky. Me will let you jump on me as many times as you want. Just get up Raena, it’s time. 

 

(Raena opens her eyes, but doesn’t lift her head) I’s will sissy, just let me finish mine’s nap. 

 

          Purrlease keep Raena in your purrayers.

 

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

 

Raena: Navy Blue 

Dezi: Vibrant Blue

 

 

 

Luvs and Hugs and Kitty Kisses 

 

RaenaBelle and Deztinee