VASA | The "pump-free, water wheel" cat fountain Introducing VASA, the world's only, NO pump, cat drinking water fountain.
(2)
VASA uses a patented water wheel design to keep cat water safe and healthy.
What Holiday Plants ๐ Are Poisonous to Cats๐ฟ? Tip # 2 of 7
Holly Berriesโ๏ธ
Many varieties of holly berries are toxic if ingested by a cat. They contain ๐งsaponins, which may cause excessive drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain, head shaking, or diarrhea.
Although their toxicity level is considered low, contact your veterinarian๐ฉโ๐ฌ if your cat ingests any part of the holly plant to determine if treatment is necessary. ๐ธ
What Holiday Plants ๐๐๐Are Poisonous to Cats ๐ต? Tip # 1 of 7
Lilies
๐ฟ Many species of lily are extremely toxic to cats including the Easter lily, tiger lily, Japanese show lily, and some daylilies. โ๏ธ If your cat eats just a few bites of a lily leaf, it can cause acute kidney failure and death. Seek emergency veterinary care as soon as possible.
There are less toxic ๐ค varieties such as peace lily, calla lily, or Peruvian lily. If ingested, these may cause irritation to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract rather than kidney failure and death.
What Are the โ๏ธSignsโ๏ธ of Lily Poisoning ๐ต in Cats?
With true lilies and day lilies, signs of toxicity occur within โฐ 6-12 hours โฐ after ingestion, and fatal kidney failure can develop in less than 72 hours.
General signs of lily poisoning in cats:
โ Vomiting
โ Diarrhea
โ Drooling
โ Not eating, decreased appetite
โ Lethargy, decreased activity
โ Excessive thirst or lack of thirst
โ Excessive urination or not peeing at all
โ Disorientation
โ Dehydration โ dry mouth, a dull coat, and sunken eyes
โ Tremors, seizures
โ Inability to walk, weakness
โ Ulcers or sores in the mouth/gums
โ Fast heartbeat
โ Low blood pressure
โ Coma, death
YOUR CAT ๐ฟ ATE WHAT ๐ต ... Lily ?!?!
If you think that your cat could have ingested ... ๐ค
๐ซ any part of a lily plant,
๐ซ gotten pollen on their coat or in their mouth,
๐ซ or drunk the water from the vase,
CALL the ๐ชฆ Pet Poison Helpline at โ๏ธ855-764-7661 โ๏ธ and take your cat directly to the veterinarianโs office or an emergency vet as soon as possible.
๐ธ๐ธ๐ธ This Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ธ we recognize and celebrate those heroes who have fought and sacrificed their lives to keep our country free and safe.
Considering ๐ Adopting a Deaf Cat ๐ฟ ?
Managing a deaf cat ๐ ๐ ๐ in your home may require a little more patience and, at times, a nontraditional training approach. Deafness, however, should not define your cat or your pet-human relationship. ๐จโ๐ผ A few simple rules to live by will certainly enable you both to get the most out of your time together:
Keep the environment and your cat safe. ๐ฎโโ๏ธ๐ฎ๐ฎโโ๏ธ Deaf cats are at increased risk of injury from things like motor vehicles and predators. Consider screened-in enclosures or keeping your cat indoors, or even train your cat to walk on a leash and harness.
Consistent routine not only helps with anxiety, but it also promotes a greater sense of well-being and quality of life. Provide scratching posts, plenty of litter boxes, toys, window perches, etc.
Utilize visual cues for communication.
Even though your cat may not hear it, keeping a collar and bell, or some sort of pet tracker or finder, can help you and your loved ones keep track of your cat. It also is a great way to alert you if the cat is in danger or if it has caused any trouble. ๐
๐ป How Do You Manage A Deaf ๐๐๐ Cat at Home? TOUCH!
Hearing is an important sense. ๐ฟ Not only do cats utilize it for safety, communication, hunting behavior, and consumption of food, but they also use it for โtalkingโ and listening to their pet parent. It is one of the most important aspects of the human-animal bond.
When that communication is broken, so, too, can the bond. But as you may well know, there is more than one way to communicate with our feline friends.
What a cat lacks in hearing ability can generally be compensated with other senses such as movement and vision,๐ฅธ so try using hand signals and body language for training purposes. Alternatively, flashlights or similar objects can also be used, as well as vibrations made by stomping on the floor or knocking on surfaces.
And donโt forget the sense of touch. Deaf cats are just as responsive to petting and rubbing as are those with normal hearing. ๐ฝ
How to Create a ๐ป Cat-Safe Christmas Tree ๐ - Tip #7 of 7
Power Cords:โก๏ธโก๏ธ
Use battery-operated tree lights and hide the battery ๐๐ชซ pack in the tree itself to help lessen this risk of electrocution. Also, make sure to tie up all extra wires and electrical cords to avoid easy access to danger. ๐ป
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #6 of 7
Motion-activated pet-deterrent ๐ air sprays:
These can detect movement up to several feet away, triggering the release of a hiss of air. These air sprays can be placed at the base of the tree to discourage cats from getting too curious ๐.
๐ท Deterrent Smells:
Place orange or lemon ๐๐ peels on waterproof dishes below the tree skirt. Many cats will be deterred by the smell ๐ฆจ.
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #5 of 7
Skip the Tinsel:
"They're attracted by the shine ๐ฅ," says Jerry Klein, DVM and Chief Veterinary Officer for the American Kennel Club (AKC). "And they'll want to eat it, which will cause indigestion ๐" or potentially an obstruction.
Deterrent Spray:
Try spraying diluted vinegar or deterrent sprays around the base of the tree, which taste bitter ๐คข to cats. Some cats will even recoil at the scent of these sprays. These will need to be reapplied, as the scent or flavors will fade. ๐ป
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #4 of 7
Heavy Tree ๐ฒ Base:
Using a heavy tree base or attaching weights to the base can help keep your kitty ๐นfrom knocking it over. You could also attach the tree to the wall to avoid toppling.
Smaller may be better: ๐ป
Imagine your cat's athleticism ๐โโ๏ธcausing a fully loaded tree ๐ to topple. A shorter, lighter specimen is less likely to hurt your cat or to break other objects ๐ญ when it hits the floor (or the coffee table). And you'll spend less time cleaning up the resulting mess if it happens ๐ซถ.
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #3 of 7.
Set Up a Barrier:
Partitioning off the entire Christmas tree can be difficult, and not the most elegant choice. However, you can try blocking off the tree with a cat pen ๐ฝ or gate to keep your cat out ๐ฒ.
Keep your curious kitty on the ground by setting up a barrier around the base of the treeโconsider lattice fencing, a Christmas tree gate, or even furniture ๐ช ๐. And just in case your cat's a jumper, display fragile antique or glass ornaments and tree toppers beyond his reach ๐.
Another (safer) spot to show them off could be the fireplace mantel, bookcase shelves, or in a closed, secure cabinet with glass doors. Place the tree ๐ฒ far away from tables or chairs that may provide a spot for him to vault into the air, too.
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #2 of 7
Live trees:
Choose a Christmas ๐ฒ tree with pet-friendly, pliable needles, such as a Douglas fir or white pine. Their needles won't stick in your cat's paws ๐พ ๐พ. Another option is to try to find a โnon-dropโ option such as a Nordmann Fir. These trees tend not to drop their needles like other live Christmas tree options. ๐ฟ
Hand Vacuum:
Some cats like to eat stray needles, which can cause choking and seriously upset tummies ๐. Keep your portable vacuum handy, at the base of the tree, for frequent clean-ups. ๐ป
What Is YOUR Best Advice For A Cat-Safe ๐ป Christmas ๐Tree? - Tip #1 of 7
Artificial trees:
Thankfully, fake trees won't dry up ๐ฅ and drop needles (or at least not as many!) and their branches will be less tempting for your feline friend to taste ๐จโ๐ณ.
โ Nix the aluminum tree, though; your cat wouldn't be able to resist its sparkle. And understand you'll still need to cat-proof an artificial treeโbecause when it comes to kitty finding a high place to perch, fake is as good as real ๐.
With an artificial Christmas tree ๐ฒ you can help you avoid the dangers of water additives โ ๏ธ which can cause upset stomachs from drinking the water. However, you will still need to be cautious ๐ณ, since chewing plastic or aluminum can still lead to oral irritation as well as blockage of the intestines ๐ ๐ ๐ if pieces are ingested ๐ป.
Have Your Ever REALLY Seen An ๐คฅ All Black Cat ๐โโฌ ???
Itโs Rare To Find an All-Black Cat โซ๏ธ โช๏ธ ๐ค ๐ก
While some cats are indeed black โฌ๏ธ from head to toe, this is actually rare. Most black cats have some other โฌ๏ธ ๐ซ ๐ง ๐จ coloring in their whiskers, paw ๐พ pads, or random patches of fur.
Whisker hairs are thick sensory hair follicles that originate deep in the skin. Cats are known to shed their whiskers, and often new ones will grow back in other colors. ๐ฑ
Paw pad color is often the same as a catโs fur color.
Darker-furred cats tend to have black or gray toes, while lighter ones have pink toes.
Black cats with some white fur markings are more likely to have patches of pink or white on their paws.
Can The Sun ๐ Change The Color of Your Kitty's ๐บ Fur?
If you have a black ๐โโฌ cat, it might.
Black Cats Can "Rust" ๐งก in the Sun.
If you spend your summer by the pool ๐โโ๏ธ, your hair might get lighter ๐ฐ.
The same lightening effect applies to the fur of black cats, which may have light red ๐ or orange ๐ highlights when they spend a lot of time in the sun.
The sun bleaches the pigment from the fur, causing it to lighten. Since fur isnโt alive but is a structure of keratin, it will stay bright until it is shed. ๐ฅฐ ๐ฅฐ ๐ฅฐ
Can You Guess What Color ๐ Kitty Is Most Likely To Be ๐ Adopted ๐ ?
๐โโฌ Black ๐โโฌ Cats Are More Likely to Be Adopted ๐บ
You may have heard the misconception that black cats are less likely to be adopted than their fair-coated peers. This is not always the case, because in addition to cats being predominantly black, peopleโs old superstitions ๐งโโ๏ธ about black cats have faded over the years, leading to more adoptions ๐ซถ.
Because black is a common coat color ๐บ, more black cats enter the animal shelter system, resulting in disproportionately high numbers of adoptions ๐ป๐ป๐ป.
What your's favorite cat color ๐ค ๐ค ๐ค ๐ ? What is the most common ๐ฅ?
BLACK has it! Black is actually the most common coat color among felines.๐โโฌ๐โโฌ๐โโฌ
A cat ๐ถ usually gets two copies of a gene, one from mom ๐ฉโ๐ฆฑ and one from dad ๐จ. If one of these genes codes for black fur, then the kitten will be black ๐ค.
Now, genetics for coat color in cats ๐ค ๐ค ๐ is a bit more complicated than that, which does give us different varieties of color.
The gene for expressing eumelanin โซ๏ธ โthe pigment needed to make black furโis dominant in black cats.
Black coats allow cats to blend better into the night๐ and hunt their prey more inconspicuously. This genetic advantage may have allowed black cats to be healthier and more likely to breed ๐ป ๐ป ๐ป
Most Of Us Cat Parents ๐ธ Can Tell What Our Cat Is Thinking? But Are We Missing Something ๐บ๐ผ๐๐พ In Their Expression?
Facial expression can be difficult to gauge in cats, but certain giveaways can indicate pain or discomfort. ๐ณ A vacant stare at nothing, or a โglazedโ expression, is common for cats in pain.
The Feline Grimace Scale is a validated scale that tells us which expressions cats ๐โโฌ use when they are in pain. It was created by veterinarians at Universitรฉ de Montrรฉal. ๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฆ You can even practice your skills with their quiz.
Cats in distress can also have dilated pupils ๐ง โpart of the stress response in the body. Unlike in dogs, cats do not normally pant. If you notice a panting cat, particularly when they are at rest, take them to your vet to be evaluated ๐งโโ๏ธ as soon as possible.
Is There A Checklist To Tell If Cat Is In Pain ๐ฟ?
The International Veterinary ๐งโโ๏ธ Academy of Pain Management has created a checklist for signs of pain in cats that you can check off and give to your veterinarian.
This can help you and your veterinarian ๐จโโ๏ธ determine which diagnostics and treatments will best help your cat to feel better ๐ธ.
The most common signs of pain:
โ Decreased activity โ Take notice if your animal is not playing as much as usual
โ Not going up or down stairs โ This could be an early sign of osteoarthritis
โ Reluctance to jump onto surfaces โ This especially applies to cats
โ Difficulty standing after laying down โ This is a sign of osteoarthritis
โ Decreased appetite โ This can signal mouth pain
โ Over grooming or licking a particular area โ This can be a sign of referred pain
Let your veterinarian know if you see any of these signs of pain ๐ฟ.
๐ฟ Are You Really Prepared For Kitty Pain Conversation With Your Vet ๐ฟ?
Hopefully this never has to happen, but being smarter can help this conversation with your Vet IF it ever does come.
Veterinarians have come a long way in understanding pain in pets. Weโve found that we are very likely undertreating pets ๐ for the level of pain they experience.
Pain management specialists ๐จโโ๏ธ in veterinary care have a mantra they often repeat: โAssume pain.โ ๐ฟ If your cat has a diagnosed medical condition, pain management should always be part of the treatment.
๐ Arthritis,
๐ dental disease,
๐ urinary tract disease,
๐ bone disease, and
๐ .cancer are just a few of the common feline medical conditions that are known to be painful. If your cat has these or another condition, be vigilant in looking for signs that your cat may be in pain.
๐ฟ Can You Really Tell If Your Kitty ๐ Is in Pain ๐ฟ ? Are You So Sure ? ๐ง
Cats are renowned for their ability to mask pain and discomfort. ๐ก They do this so well that they could be in excruciating pain without you knowing it, even if youโre the person closest to them.
This is a great advantage when cats are out in the wild around ๐ถ predators that look for signs of weakness. Itโs a big problem, ๐ณ however, when your cat is ill or hurt but you have no clues to tell you that thereโs a problem.
Cats may not speak, but they do communicate their pain in their own subtle ways. You will need to look for even the slightest behavioral changes that can indicate that your cat is experiencing pain.
Antifreeze ๐๐๐ Poisoning in Cats ๐? Horrible Fate ... WATCH OUT โ๏ธ
Ethylene glycol is an odorless, sweet-tasting, organic chemical thatโs found in antifreeze, and itโs poisonous to cats โ ๏ธ. Itโs used in many products to help prevent liquids from freezing at โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ cold temperatures or to aid in temperature regulation for air conditioning systems.
Because of ethylene glycolโs varied uses, it is found in many home and industrial items such as:
๐ง antifreeze,
๐ง windshield washer fluids, and
๐ง condenser fluids.
The wide variety of uses for ethylene glycol leads to exposure to cats ๐ in automobile work/storage areas and air conditioning units, where the chemicals may leak or spill out.
Less than ยฝ tablespoon of antifreeze can be lethal for your feline. Here are the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning to watch for and what to do if you think your cat got into antifreeze. ๐ฅฐ
Should You Feel Guilty To Give Your ๐ฝ Kitty Turkey ๐ฆ Bacon ๐ฅ? We would be, Here is Why ๐ฒ!
Turkey itself is a healthy treat for cats, but turkey bacon is not so healthy for them. Although it isnโt toxic to cats, it is loaded with: โ salt ๐ง,
โ preservatives, and
โ fat.
Over time, eating a lot of turkey bacon can lead to hypertension, ๐ซ heart disease, obesity, and other health issues.
While you can indulge kitty with some plain, cooked turkey, skip the turkey bacon. ๐ป๐ป๐ป
๐ How Much Turkey ๐ฆ Is TOO Much For Your Precious ๐บ ? Is BLOATING Around The Corner ๐คฎ !
Although turkey is a healthy treat for cats, treats ๐ฌ are only healthy in moderation.
On a day-to-day basis, treats should total no more than 10% โ๏ธ of your petโs daily calories. You probably donโt count your catโs calories, but 10% is not very much at all.
Restrict your kitty to a helping the size of your top thumb joint ๐, and only offer it if your cat is healthy and has no health problems.
If your cat ๐ผ๐ผ๐ผ gets into some turkey on their own and has eaten a lot, or youโre concerned that the turkey had spices, skin, or bones in it ๐, contact your veterinarian for a consultation. ๐จโโ๏ธ๐งโโ๏ธ
Has Turkey ๐ฆ Made Your Kitty Nod Off ๐ด Too?
๐ฑ Turkey contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is known to make people sleepy ๐. โจโจYou might be wondering whether this is the case with cats as well. Some animals do seem to respond similarly to the effects of tryptophan in their food ๐ .
A Dr. Radulovacki ๐จโโ๏ธ studied this question. โ
โจโจFirst you need to know that most people are monophasic sleepers โณโ๏ธ, meaning they get all of their rest in one long chunk, typically at night. ๐
Polyphasic sleepers, meanwhile, snooze in short bursts throughout the day instead of sleeping all night. Cats are polyphasic. ๐. ๐. ๐.
Dr. Radulovacki observed that in polyphasic sleepers like cats, he did not observe tryptophan's hypnotic effect with any dosage used (10, 30 or 135 mg/kg).
If you cat is sleepy after Thanksgiving, maybe it was just a busy day! ๐๐๐
๐ฆ Turkey Snacks and Kitties - Good ๐ ? Bad ๐ ? or UGLY ๐ฑ ?
Yes, turkey has many nutritional benefits for cats. Itโs low ๐ in calories and fat, and is rich ๐ฐ๐ฐ๐ฐin:
โ
B vitamins,
โ
selenium,
โ
magnesium,
โ
zinc,
โ
phosphorous,
โ
sodium, and
โ
potassium. ๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฝ
However, it is low in fiber, which cats need to produce normal stool ๐ซ.
Dark turkey meat contains more iron and B vitamins than white meat, but itโs also higher in calories, cholesterol, and fat. As a rule, the dark meat ๐๐๐ is more nutritionally dense, but the price for that is more calories. ๐ป
๐ฑ Turkey Bones Can Be A Choking Hazard ๐ฆ But The Skin Should Be Good, Right? ๐ฒ
When you share turkey with your kitty, remove all of the turkey skin as well as the bones ๐ฆด. Turkey skin is very high in fat and could result in an upset tummy ๐คข or a more serious case of pancreatic inflammation (pancreatitis).
Turkey bones should always be avoided. Since bird ๐๐ฆ๐ bones are hollow, they are also very fragile. This means that they can splinter easily, which can cause injuries in the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and intestines. ๐
Sometimes bones and bone fragments can cut or poke holes in the intestines and neighboring organs. For this reason, it is extremely important to be sure that no bones are present in any turkey that you feed your pets.
๐ฟ Raw or Cooked Turkey ๐ฆ ??? Don't they eat RAW in the wild ? ๐ฏ๐ฆ
Cats ๐ฑ should always be fed cooked ๐ฉโ๐ณ turkey. Despite the debates on raw food versus cooked foods for pets, the safe option ๐จโโ๏ธ for pets and people is to only eat cooked turkey.
Raw meat may contain bacteria ๐ฆ , which can make you and your pets extremely sick ๐. This is why you should use separate cutting boards for ๐ meat and vegetables ๐ฅ๐ฝ๐ฅ when you cook. Pets that are fed bacteria-containing ๐ฉโ๐ฌ raw meats can become ill and transmit the illness to people, which is not worth the risk.๐
Thinking About Giving ๐ Kitty Pumpkin ๐ Pie ๐ฅง?
Pumpkin pie and canned pumpkin pie filling both contain many spices, which are likely not healthy for your cat ๐. Some of these spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and allspice, can be considered mildly ๐ค toxic and result in gastrointestinal upset.
A small lick ๐ of pumpkin pie filling will likely cause no harm, but if your cat eats more than this, call your veterinarian to determine if any additional action is needed. ๐ฝ
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when VASA Pet Fountain posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service?
