cats – Page 2 – Dr. Ruth MacPete

Purrfect Holiday Gifts for Your Pets

December 18, 2018December 19, 2018
by ruthmacpete

It’s hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us again. If you’re struggling to find the perfect gift for your furry friend, fret no more. Oski (my photogenic boxer and frequent helper) has some helpful holiday gift suggestions.

1. Toys

Turn back the clock and find your pet’s inner kitten or puppy with a fun new toy. Who doesn’t like a game of tug-o-war? GoDog Rope TEK dog tug toy is one of Oski’s favorites. GoDog Rope tug toys come in a variety of shapes and are bonded for extra durability. Available at: Petsmart and Petco

For dogs that love squeaky toys. The HearDoggy®ultrasonic squeaky toy is a great gift for your pooch and you! HearDoggy® ultrasonic toys squeak at a frequency that only dogs can hear. So now your dog can squeak all day long without driving you and your guests crazy during the holidays.
Available at: Amazon

Don’t forget your feline friends, they like toys too. My cats can’t get enough of their SmartyKat Fringe Frenzy tunnel. They love playing hide-and-seek in the tunnel and they find the crinkle sound and dangling toy and fringe irresistible. Available at: Walmart

2. Comfort

Pamper your pet with a plush, cozy new bed. La-Z-Boy, known for its reclining chairs and sofas, introduces the La-Z-Boy Pet collection. Made from luxurious fabrics and built for durability, their quality beds are sure to last for years. The La-Z-Boy Pet Collection comes in a variety of styles and color patterns so that pet parents can choose a piece to match their décor.

Available at: Wayfair

3. Fashion

As you can tell from my Facebook page and Instagram account, I love dressing up my boxer Oski. Dressing-up our pets can be fun and practical too. Designed in San Francisco, Rororiri makes comfortable and fashionable clothes for pets. Made from high quality textiles and featuring timeless, elegant designs, their sweaters and jackets will keep your pet cozy this winter and they will look great too!

Available at: Rororiri

4. Food

Spruce up your pet’s dining experience, and your kitchen, with a fancy new food bowl. Loving Pets has an extensive collection of stainless steel food and water bowls for your pet. Loving Pets’ Bella Bowls are America’s best-selling stainless steel pet bowls. Affordable, durable, and stylish, they will fit in any décor.

Available at: Amazon

5. Convenience

Okay, maybe a robotic vacuum is a gift for yourself, but don’t you deserve it after years of picking up after your pet? The ILIFE A7 robotic vacuum cleaner is designed to take the work out of housework. The ILIFE A7 can be programmed to clean at any day of the week, and at any time of the day. Using the remote or your smart phone, you can choose from 5 different cleaning modes: automatic (random pattern), spot, edge, maximum, or path (cleans in a systematic pattern). Its low profile design allows it to access those hard to reach places under your furniture. It even docks automatically to recharge when its battery is low. So while your ILIFE A7 robotic cleaner is vacuuming your home, you’re free to do something fun with your furry friends.

Available at: Amazon

6. Pet-loving kids

What do you get for the kid you know who loves animals? Well, if they are like most kids and want to be a vet when they grow-up, consider my new picture book Lisette the Vet. The book is about Lisette, a smart, book-reading, animal-loving girl who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up. When something happens to the new class pet, Lisette must overcome her fears to save the day. Lisette the Vet teaches children to respect all living creatures, to face their fears and to rise to the challenge. Beautifully illustrated, they will want to read it over and over, and it’s sure to become one of their all-time favorites.

Available at: Amazon or www.lisettethevet.com

Holiday shopping for your pet isn’t easy. After all, they can’t tell you or Santa what they want in their stocking. If you’re still trying to find the perfect gift for your loyal, four-legged best friend, think about some of these gift suggestions. They are sure to bring a wag to any pet’s tail.

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Pet Tips

Holiday Pet Hazards

December 13, 2018October 21, 2020
by ruthmacpete

Singing Christmas carols, lighting the Menorah, visiting Grandma…going to the vet? Probably not your idea of a holiday event, but unfortunately many families find themselves visiting their veterinary clinics during the holiday season for unfortunate and preventable emergencies. While the holidays are festive times, they can also be very dangerous times for our pets. Each year thousands of pets are seriously injured during the holidays; intestinal obstructions, chocolate toxicity, burns, and pancreatitis are a few of the most common reasons pets need medical attention during the month of December. In order to ensure that your nights are filled with visions of sugarplums, rather than long waits in a veterinary emergency room, keep these things in mind:

Holiday Decorations
Pets are inquisitive by nature and their curiosity can get them in trouble. While a Christmas tree adorned with glistening ornaments and lights may be a feast for our eyes, we would never think of putting one of those shining ornaments in our mouths. However, our pets see these twinkling objects as new toys beckoning to be examined, played with, and even eaten. Shattered glass ornaments are razor sharp and can injure pets and their people. We know ornaments can choke animals but unfortunately many of us don’t realize that linear objects, like tinsel, string, yarn, and ribbons, are also quite dangerous. Not only can pets become entangled but, if ingested, linear objects can cause life-threatening intestinal blockages unless they are promptly removed surgically. This is especially common with kittens and puppies.

Candles
Little paws can do more than break fragile glass ornaments; they can also knock over candles. Tipped candles can burn your pet or even worse lead to household fires.

Plants
If you have pets, avoid lilies, ivy, holly, mistletoe, Christmas greens, and poinsettias. These traditional holiday plants, if eaten, can cause symptoms as mild as vomiting and diarrhea or as serious as kidney failure leading to death. Lilies in particular are highly toxic to cats and chewing on leaves, flowers or any part of these plants can be deadly so I recommend keeping all lilies out of the house if you have cats!

Food
Holiday food can have serious consequences for pets. Animals should never have access to chocolate or alcohol. Bones, except for those specially treated and intended for canine consumption, should also be avoided. Poultry bones can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or cause intestinal obstructions. Though tempting, and always appealing to dogs, you should avoid giving your pet leftovers or tastes of your own food, especially during the holidays. Not only can this lead to obesity and encourage annoying begging, it can cause a pancreatitis attack. Pancreatitis is an inflammation of the pancreas usually caused by fatty foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and chicken skins. It is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated.

Remember these important tips during the holidays. Watch out for choking and obstruction hazards. Avoid pet-toxic plants or, at least, be sure to keep them out of reach of your pets. Don’t give animals chocolate, alcohol, or bones to your pets. And instead of giving your pet scraps from your holiday meal, buy your pet a pet-safe treat, a new toy, or a new outfit. Paying careful attention to these warnings will help keep the holidays happy for you and your pet and should prevent unscheduled visits to the vet.

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Pet Tips

Thanksgiving Dangers for Pets

November 16, 2018November 12, 2019
by ruthmacpete

Each year, millions of pets become ill during the holidays, with intestinal obstructions, chocolate or other toxicities, and pancreatitis, being some of the most common reasons. In order to ensure that your Thanksgiving holidays are filled with happiness rather than long waits in a veterinary emergency room, follow these simple precautions to help keep your pets safe.

Obesity
Calorie-filled holiday feasts and sweets can lead to a few post-Thanksgiving extra pounds for us and our pets. Although sharing our leftovers with our pets may be in keeping with the holiday spirit of goodwill, it can lead to pet obesity. Pet obesity is associated with significant health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis. In addition, giving leftovers at the table routinely also promotes begging and reinforces bad behavior.

Pancreatitis
Besides leading to obesity, eating fatty holiday foods can also cause a life-threatening inflammation of the pancreas gland called pancreatitis. In pets, pancreatitis is usually caused by ingestion of fatty foods like turkey, ham, gravy, and chicken skins. If left untreated, it can be fatal.

Bones
Bones also pose a serious danger to pets. Poultry bones are dangerous because they can splinter and get lodged in the gastrointestinal tract and therefore should never be given to pets. Ham and beef bones can break teeth or can also cause intestinal obstructions. If you wish to give your pet a special holiday treat, instead of giving them bones, consider giving them a healthy dental treat specially intended for safe chewing and dental hygiene.

Dangerous Foods
Chocolate: Most people know that chocolate is toxic to dogs and cats. Depending on the amount consumed, it causes vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and even death. Never give your pets chocolate and of course keep this sweet treat out of reach of your pets.

Xylitol Flavored Sweet Treats: Candies, desserts and other foods that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol are very dangerous to pets. Xylitol causes insulin release leading to low blood sugar levels and can also cause liver failure. Be sure to keep all these sweet treats out of reach of hungry pets. If your pet manages to steal some candy or dessert containing xylitol, immediately call your veterinarian for help or take your pet to a veterinary emergency clinic.

Raisins and grapes: Many Thanksgiving dishes contain raisins or grapes which can be very dangerous for pets. Grapes and raisins have been reported to cause severe kidney damage.

Nuts: Many nut varieties are toxic to pets and can have a devastating effect on dogs’ nervous systems. Walnuts and macadamias are especially toxic and can cause vomiting, paralysis and even death.

Onions: Onions, chives, and garlic in any form are poisonous to pets. They cause lethargy, weakness, ataxia (lack of coordination), hyper-salivation, anemia, and even death.

With so many tasty dangers often at pet’s eye level, it is always best to keep pets out of the kitchen and away from the celebration. And while sharing is in keeping with the holiday spirit of goodwill, sharing leftovers with our pets can lead to serious health problems. Instead of giving your pet leftovers from your holiday meal, give your pet a pet-safe treat or a new toy.

Lost Pets
Although the holidays are usually joyous times, as anyone who has ever hosted a holiday party knows, they can also be stressful times. This can be especially true for our pets. The revolving door of visiting guests and the break from the routine can frighten our pets and cause them to run away. If your pet tends to easily get scared, nervous, or becomes protective, it is important to keep them confined safely inside your house. Many pets are lost during the holidays when they jump out of their yard or dart out of an open door. Remember all pets, even strictly indoor cats, should have collars with tags and microchips so that if they become lost they can be returned safely home.

Keep these important tips in mind during the holidays in order to keep your pets safe.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

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Pet of the Week

Pets of the Month- Meg & Jack

September 3, 2018January 17, 2019
by ruthmacpete

Meet Meg & Jack two adorable kitties from Beach City Kitties that are looking for their fur-ever home.

They are 10 months old and an extremely cuddly brother & sister duo! They were born outside to a feral mama, and Beach City Kitties saved them when they were about 3 months old! They are now fully domesticated and both super loving, playful, and cute! They are just waiting to find a family to love them. Jack is a little shy, at first, but Meg is very outgoing. They love each other a lot and also love humans too. They are fixed, vaccinated microchipped & have a clean bill of health and just waiting for someone to fall in love with them.

If you are looking for a new companion please give these two cute kittens a chance!

To find out more about Meg and Jack and how you can adopt them please contact Beach City Kitties.

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Pet Tips

How did black cats get a bad rap?

August 17, 2018
by ruthmacpete

Halloween conjures up all kinds of scary images. From goblins, ghouls, witches, to ghosts, mummies and black cats? Black Cats! How did our beautiful and sleek feline friends ever end up being listed amongst the scariest and evilest of creatures? Though there are many theories, the most prevalent one suggests that black cats first became associated with evil and dark forces sometime in the seventeenth century. As Christianity rose in popularity, the Church denounced other religions. One such religion, witchcraft was forbidden by the Christian Church and deemed evil. During the Salem, Massachusets witch trials, witches were not the only ones persecuted. Many people believed that the witches’ feline companions were also evil. Some even believed that witches could actually take the form of a cat. Of course the cat’s ability to see and hunt well in the dark, didn’t help them shake their dark reputation. And so it is theorized that black cats, association with witchcraft and evil, coupled with a few of their natural abilities, led them to become a permanent part of our Halloween traditions.

The fact is black cats are not evil or a sign of bad luck but sadly this old reputation makes them the hardest cats to adopt out of shelters every year. Many people still think black cats are unlucky and look the other way. Help me break this silly reputation and spread the word that black cats are amazing!

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Pet Tips

How to find a lost pet

July 5, 2018March 3, 2019
by admin

Losing a pet is every pet parent’s worst nightmare, but there are steps you can take pre-emptively and things you can do if your pet gets lost to increase the odds that you’ll get your pet back.

To improve your chances of a successful reunion, your pet should always wear a collar with identification tags. Better yet, microchip your pet. Though collars and identification tags are important, they can break or fall off. Microchips are permanently implanted under your pet’s skin and store identifying information linked to a database to help reunite you with your pet. Just make sure you keep your contact information up to date. In my opinion, every animal should wear a collar with ID tags and have a microchip, and this holds true for indoor-only cats as well. All it takes is an open door or window for an indoor-only cat to get out and become lost. Why risk losing your beloved pet? Take advantage of this technology and microchip your pet today!

Unfortunately, even with the best precautions, pets can get lost. A door or window can accidentally get left open; animals can slip outside when people are coming and going; dogs can jump, climb over, or dig under a fence in an attempt to get out of the yard. The fact is, accidents happen and animals become lost everyday. In the event that your pet gets lost, here are some tips that can help reunite you with your lost pet:

1. Immediately make a flyer with your pet’s picture, a description of your pet, and your contact information. Plaster these signs everywhere, especially where your pet was last seen, at local pet supply stores, and dog parks.

2. Go to the local animal shelters to look for your lost pet. Even shelters that list their animals online may need a few hours to a few days to update their website with new animals. When you go to the shelter, ask the staff if they have any animals in the back that you may have missed and be sure bring flyers to leave with the shelter staff. Sometimes sick or injured animals are off public view when being treated in the shelter’s medical center or at a local emergency clinics.

3. Good Samaritans often bring injured animals directly to local veterinary hospitals or emergency clinics. Make sure you go to local veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics to look for your pet and bring flyers.

4. Finally, post an ad in the lost pet section of your local newspaper and write about your lost pet on Craigslist, NextDoor and all your social media accounts. And of course, check the listings for found pets in local publications and online (Craigslist and Nextdoor).

Losing your pet can be a harrowing experience. Taking these pre-emptive measures and knowing what to do if your pet is lost is your best chance for a speedy and safe return of your lost furry loved one.

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Tag: cats

Purrfect Holiday Gifts for Your Pets

Holiday Pet Hazards

Thanksgiving Dangers for Pets

Pets of the Month- Meg & Jack

How did black cats get a bad rap?

How to find a lost pet