Amy Shojai's Blog, page 121
January 30, 2013
Pet Pampering: Going Too Far?
Puppies are for spoiling!
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s ample opportunity to pamper our furry wonders. We all love our pets–or we wouldn’t have ‘em. I’m all for spoiling dogs and cats, within reason–and when it doesn’t cause other problems.
My dog Magic gets a bit of people food now and then. He’s even allowed on the sofa upon occasion, and receives far too many doggy toys to count, despite disemboweling the squeakers in record time. . .
Oh, who am I kidding! He gets a LOT of people food (he loves broccoli), the end of the couch is his spot, and he usually beats me to bed in the evening.
Serendipity-kitty gets her share of lap snuggles, on demand. She could care less about commercial toys, but also enjoys treats from my plate, especially ice cream. And I found a deep blue leash that matches her stunning eyes for the ultimate in fashionable pampering.
There’s reason behind some pet products. I have no problem with folks dressing up collars and leashes with colorful patterns. Some pets actually benefit from wearing sweaters to keep them warm in frigid temperatures–check out these cold weather tips–or protected from sunburn pain. Special treats that don’t upset the digestion or proper nutrition can help with bonding and training. Heated pet beds ease doggy arthritis, and water fountains encourage kitties to drink and reduce problems with urinary concerns. Heck, even painting the dog (or cat’s) toenails is a harmless indulgence, and those colorful nail covers like SoftPaws actually prevent clawing and digging.
One obvious example of going too far is treats. We’re loving our pets to death and creating fat cats and dumpy dogs. That predisposes them to all the same health problems that overweight owners risk–arthritis, diabetes and more.
But what about fun products? Can a dog or cat have too many toys? DON’T ask the pets, you know what they’ll answer. 
I receive an enormous number of press releases either in the regular mail or via the Internet. They promote everything from kitty bling to doggy tuxedos–what else should the pampered pet wear to a wedding, right? They also offer all kinds of cat and dog toys that frankly appeal more to the human than the furry consumer. Heck, I’d wear some of that pet jewelry, if it came in my size! *ahem*
A couple of years ago I got a pitch for a Father’s Day gift from Hyper Products for dog toys that appeal to both the fur-kids and Dad. These include the “doggy driver” golf clubs that loft dog balls into the air to chase (“practice your swing and delight your dog”); baseball bats that do the same thing, and slingshot-like mechanisms able to launch balls and toys 220+ feet. I have to say the idea of swinging a club for the dog to chase a ball scares me when I think of Magic trying to grab the club and getting wacked in the teeth. I notice that the golf clubs and baseball bat options now are absent from the website so perhaps the company heard me (and others) express concern. I’ve gotta say, the dog doesn’t care how you throw “whatever” toy or ball–just that it gets thrown. The idea of dog toys made from “balistic material” must be mucho-macho appealing to some dog owners, though.
On the other side of macho appeal, you get the “cutesy-diva-fashion” appeal. Harmless, right? Well I had an “oh-my-heavens!” moment when I got a promotion for a “puppy purse of the month” club.
I’m not making this up.
It’s designed for the smaller “portable” size dogs (or even cats). You strap the pet into the little designer sack so his feet dangle through the holes. He has a “purse handle” attached on his back, or a longer strap for over-the-shoulder portability. That’s right, this product turns your pet into a fashion accessory. The owner can then carry the pet over a shoulder like a living, breathing briefcase and the pet’s fuzzy feet never touch the ground. The puppy purse product line comes in all sorts of fabric and patterns.
Just shoot me.
There is so much wrong with this, I don’t know where to begin. I’m appalled.
Certainly pets may enjoy going places with you. Maybe an ill or injured pet (as described in the product benefits) might be conveniently toted with one of these. And I’ll agree there are benefits to keeping the small dogs safe and out from under our feet (or within bite-range of larger dogs). However, more small dogs get bitten and attacked by larger dogs when dangled from the arms of a fearful owner.
More than that, dogs and cats are living, breathing, thinking creatures. You don’t turn them into luggage! If you take a look at some of these doggy models, their body language reads anything but delighted–and pampering and spoiling should be something the pet likes. I can only imagine the nasty comments my cat Seren might make if presented with one of these outfits.
Give ‘em toys, for sure. Lavish attention, absolutely. Dress yourself up and accessorize with jewelry et al. But when pampering transforms our pets into mere fashion statements, I gotta draw a line in the kitty litter. Give me a break!
What “oh-my-doG” kinds of pet products raise your hackles? Am I all wet about the puppy purses? What do you think?
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat toys, dog toys, pampering pets, spoiling pets, www.amyshojai.com
January 28, 2013
Monday Mentions: Furry Inspiration & Writing Help
Debbie sent me this picture of her reading LOST AND FOUND on her iPad with Xiotchl (top) and Kaya. Do your fur-kids “help” you read?
This morning I take the Magical-Dawg for his annual vet check up (shhhh, it’s a surprise!). He actually enjoys the whole deal (CAR RIDE? YESSSS!) and loves snort-snuffling the outside postage-stamp grassy patch where he reads the latest Pee-Mail for the best doggy gossip. Of course, he has to add his liquid comment to the mix. At least he doesn’t baptize the interior of the clinic, but does his best to announce, “Big dawg is here…y’all!” with explosive barks as he enters the door. I’m always a wee bit concerned some poor little Grandma will pass out from the shock, and then Magical-Dawg will smooch her back to consciousness.
Seren-kitty got a virtual birthday card this week from the vet. She’s sixteen. Wow, the time has sped by but despite some hearing issues that increase the volume of her meow, and some arthritic claws, Seren looks and acts much younger. To celebrate, she helped me un-make and then make the bed (a favorite cat game) and then she got thoroughly wasted on some high quality ‘nip.
How do you celebrate your pets’ birthdays? Actually we don’t know Seren’s real day, so picked one, and I know many folks who instead celebrate the pet’s “gotcha day.” At my house, every day’s a celebration. I couldn’t do what I do without my furry muses (those present and those still in my heart…) I just got delivery dates for the sequel to my thriller YAY! but that means I’ll be head-down (and head-banging) fictioning for the foreseeable future. My furry muses are primed and ready to inspire!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. I’ve been head-down recording the narration on my ComPETability/Cats book…yes, doing it myself! But when you’re not equipped to voice a project yourself, this article has great tips for choosing a VO professional.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
What Facebook Interactions Say About You from the awesome Jenny Hansen
Inkling to Turn Google into Storefront (is this a run at amazon?)
Metaphor Mistakes from Marcy Kennedy
How to Find Readers on Twitter
Author Marketing Club helps with “free” day site submissions
Plagiarism 101 (you WILL be caught!) from the awesome Kristen Lamb
Discussion of KDP Select with more discussion here and also here.
Getting Sued for Making Schtuff Up?
Vantage Press Closes one of the oldest “vanity” publishers, founded in 1949.
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
PSA Video on CATNIP DANGERS! (LOL!)
Grants Available AKC Companion Animal Recovery Canine Support and Relief Fund
New AKC Breeds Appear At Westminster! See the show Feb 11 & 12 on tv…or win tickets and free passes!
AKC Eukanuba Dog Show on ABC Feb 2nd
Fighting Pet Obesity great article
OFF-THE-WALL SCHTUFF
Seeing Holy Images? from the seriously funny files of Piper Bayard and Jay Holmes
And just to close on the same pet-tastic theme, I have to share this wonderful video of the great Ian Dunbar–on training, of course.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat behavior, cat care, dog care, dog training, Lost And Found, publishing information, writing advice, www.amyshojai.com
January 25, 2013
Stop Cat Spraying!
Smokey in the picture was about 19 at the time. Old cats with arthritis may have trouble climbing stairs or in/out of boxes and instead “go” somewhere else. Provide extra boxes to help them “do the right thing.”
This week I’ve got a theme going with poopy puppies last Wednesday and cat litter-ary problems today. And this week two of my cat behavior consults centered on problem toileting behaviors.
When you live with and love pets, you have to accept that a certain amount of crappiocca comes with the territory. That doesn’t mean you must LIVE with a spraying cat.
Here’s a few basics and refreshers for savvy cat owners, and maybe new information for first time fanciers. For those of y’all with Christmas kittens, take notes for the future and maybe prevent these problems in your furry wonders!
Spraying with urine is a marking behavior and typically is aimed at vertical objects. House soiling is urinating downward over horizontal surfaces. Each can have different causes, so to solve, you must figure out which it is.
House soiling very often has to do with 1) health problem, 2) the cat hating the box (for any number of reasons), 3) being prevented from “going” because other cats own the facilities. Cats faithful to the box that suddenly lapse need a vet check asap!
Boy kittens reach sexual maturity right around six to nine months, and then start advertising their hunk-icity by spraying urine like it’s kitty cologne. That drives the girl cats wild. Owners, too, but for different reasons.
Girl cats may also spray urine to advertise how cute they are to the feline Romeos once they go into heat (estrus) which can happen as early as four to five months!
Spay/neuter surgery removes the hormones that prompt as much as 85-90 percent of the spraying.
Even “fixed” cats may still spray or soil, especially in multicat households as part of jockeying for social position.
Cats use “self scent” (urine, cheek rubs and scratching) to calm themselves down during times of stress. So a cat may “tell off” that stray cat outside stomping on his lawn, or baptize your bed–because it smells like his beloved owner–when you’re gone on vacation.
This Ask Amy offers a few tips and advice for a spraying feline, but more details are available in the latest books ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems in Your MultiCAT Household.
I know a lot of cat-savvy folks read this blog. What are some other reasons cats get creative outside of the box? Please share! (It may turn into another Ask Amy…)
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, cat house training, cat spraying, how to stop cats pooping outside of box, litter box problems, www.amyshojai.com
January 23, 2013
Solve Poopy Puppy Problems
It’s still early in the year but all those holiday puppies may have the “cute factor” wearing a weeeeee bit thin by now. What was SQUEEEE! fun in that fluff-biscuit may not be as smile-worthy when he swipes your underwear and chews up the TV remote control.
My first GSD did this. Not at the same time.
Perhaps the pup gnaws the walls. Or plays poop-sicle keep away. THAT was Magical-Dawg. Thank doG he outgrew the poop-sicles.
What are your top puppy problems? Magic was a dream to house train (his poop escapades were outdoor sports), but that’s one of the most popular topics over at my Puppies.About.com site–well, that and puppy vomiting. Pet parents are rightly concerned about what comes out of the baby dog, from either end!
If it’s house soiling, you can refer to the down-and-dirty details with this potty training article and refer to the ASK AMY video below.
Equal time now–what are your most-favorite-thing-ever about puppies? Is it puppy breath? or the Frito-smell of puppy toes? Or how they snuggle and sleep with such trust in your lap? Hey, there’s a reason puppies are made so full of cute-icity, and it’s to save their furry ass-ets when they drive us bonkers! (Just wait until that furry wonder hits the juvenile delinquent stage…)
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, Ask Amy, house training, potty training puppies, puppies, puppies.About.com, puppy vomiting, www.amyshojai.com
January 21, 2013
Monday Mentions: Cool Cons, Paws-some Promos & Viral Videos
“And then he said…and then I said…and are you LISTENING?!”
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Today’s blog has lots of great conference links you’ll want to check out. And for your furry fix, be sure to check out the videos at the end, too. You won’t be sorry!
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Paradigm Shift a must read for all writers from the awesome CJ Lyons
6 Ways to Promote Books on a Budget
To Acknowledge or Not a somewhat cranky opinion (IMO!) and yes, I include ‘em. Folks can always skip reading, if they want. Do you include them in your books? (Thanks to Kathy Owen for the link)
7 Steps of Sales a good refresher for writers these days. Thanks to Diane Capri for the link.
Pinterest Promotions thanks for the link from Maria Polson Veres
StoryCartel.com offers a way for reviewers and readers to find books via an electronic file. LOST AND FOUND is one of four free titles featured this month for review.
I’m still trying to figure out how to get the audio version of the thriller book and audio of the kitten care title to reviewers–any tips/ideas?
ISBN 101 everything you need to know
It’s mid-January and the calendar for 2013 is FULL of wonderful conferences and events. Have you made your choices and reservations yet?
The Dog Writers Association of America (DWAA) annual Awards Banquet is the night before the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on Sunday, February 10, 2013. This year my work has been nominated in three categories, for best newspaper column, best website, and best radio podcast. The DWAA is a great organization for those who write about dogs to network and support each other.
WANA stands for WE ARE NOT ALONE and is the brainchild of the energetic social media maven Kristen Lamb. I took one of her email courses on blogging some time ago and it’s changed the way I work and expanded my reach! Kristen and her team have a “virtual” conference planned WANA CON, so if traveling for you is outside your budget, this may fit the bill. More information here.
Yes, there are conferences for pet-centric folk, too. If you’re a blogger who includes any sort of CRITTER in your content (or maybe your pets take over the keyboard now and then), you’ll want to check out BlogPaws. I’m saving my pennies and hoping to finally attend this next one. This is a year-round organization that supports and offers education to pet bloggers on all the must-knows, so even if you have a conference conflict, check out BlogPaws.com to connect with other pet lovers. Click the banner to learn more about the conference.
I’m an Honorary Lifetime Member of the Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc. and was president for its 40th anniversary event five years ago. It’s one of the most economical conferences around, and where I found my awesome agent many years ago. This year as a speaker I discuss THE REINVENTED WRITER, covering all the new ways to publish, promote and SUCCEED as a modern writer. I hope you’ll join me. (And yes, I’ll wear sparkles )
ThrillerFest VIII promises to be one of the best conferences of the year. Maybe I’m a weeee bit prejudice, because I met my editor and publisher at my first ITW event–and this year, I’ll be in the Debut Author Breakfast Panel celebrating publication of LOST AND FOUND! Yes, dreams can come true. Check out this wonderful guest blog by another ITW and awesome thriller author Alma Katsu to learn more about the event.
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
Awesome video about orphan bat baby, thanks to Serena Dracis for the link
Fascinating look at wild dog interactions with baboons. Is this how it started with humans and dogs?
From the dog’s point of view…this is AWESOME!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Amy Shojai, audio books, cat behavior, cat care, Complete Kitten Care, dog care, dog training, dog writers association, Lost And Found, OWFI, Thrillerfest, writing advice, writing conferences, www.amyshojai.com
January 18, 2013
Curing Kitty Congestion
Crowded conditions such as shelters and rescues increase stress and potential for catching “kitty colds.”
Has the recent outbreak of flu, sinus infections and general creeping-crud attacked you this season? When I visited family over Christmas, one person was just getting over the flu, and two more came down with it while there, and a fourth got the bug a week later.
I’m washing my hands constantly and staying home with the fur-kids. That’s one more positive about working alone at home–less contact with contagious folks. I’ve been told that the flu vaccination (always a good thing!) isn’t necessarily working well against the current illness, either. *sigh*
A stopped up nose and crusty eyes are not only miserable for humans, it can be a sign of a wide range of health problems in cats. Discharge that’s runny and clear usually goes away in a couple of days by itself. But any time it continues longer than that, or the discharge is cloudy or thick and clogs up the eyes or nose, a virus could be the culprit.
Cats have more problems with congestion than dogs. The bugs that cause kitty congestion usually aren’t lethal in adult cats. But cats won’t eat unless they can smell their food, so they starve if they get a stopped up nose. Home care not only keeps pets more comfortable, it often decides whether they recover or not.
Use a vaporizer to help unclog the nose. Put your cat in a fairly small room with a cool mist humidifier and use it just the same as you would for a child a couple of times a day. That not only helps break up the congestion, it can moisten inflamed or tender eyes and nostrils and make them feel better.
If you don’t have a vaporizer or humidifier, a hot shower can work. Take the pet into the bathroom with you and run the hot shower so that the air becomes filled with steam. A 10-minute session several times a day works great. Don’t go for longer than that, though, because heated air for too long can be hard for some pets to breathe, especially short-faced Persians.
If the nose is crusting over, or the eyes are sealing shut, use warm wet cloths or cotton balls to soak and soften the secretions and clean them off. Don’t peel dried matter off, because that can hurt or even form scabs.
To soothe sore tissue after you’ve cleaned off the mucus, dab on a bit of plain saline solution, or some baby oil. That can also make it easier to clean away any more crusts that might form. I’ve also used Udderbalm (for cows) and a new product I’m trying out on Magic’s chapped nose called Musher’s Secret also works well for dogs.
When thick secretions fill up the lungs it can be hard for pets to breathe even when their nostrils are clear. A technique called coupage helps break up the clogged matter so the pet can clear his lungs. It’s a French word meaning “thumping on the chest” and is often used to help children with Cystic Fibrosis breath more easily. Hold your hand in a cupped position, and gently thump on either side of the cat or dog’s rib cage to break loose the mucus. Use coupage two or three times a day along with humidified air to ease the pet’s congestion.
FOLLOW-UP CARE
Refusing to eat can make cats sicker or even threaten their life. Wiping away the crusts and mucus to keep the nasal passages open helps, but offering pungent and more tempting foods can cut through congestion and spark the sick cat’s appetite. Warm the food for five seconds in the microwave to just below cat body temperature—about 95 to 98 degrees. That not only makes the treat more alluring, it also unlocks the aroma so the food smells more pungent and penetrates even a stopped up kitty nose. Moisture also helps enhance aroma, so try adding a bit of warm water, chicken broth, or tuna juice from the can to the cat’s regular food. Run it through the blender to make a mush, and there’s a good chance that will tempt his appetite.
Have your cats suffered from upper respiratory issues? How did you manage them? When vaccinated early as a baby, some of these bugs can be prevented but once they’re in the cat’s system, stress can cause an outbreak. Cats also are tough customers when it comes to “pilling” and medicating (although compounded medicine can help with that). What are your tips for nursing a sick cat? Please share!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat colds, home remedies for cats, treating kitty congestion, www.amyshojai.com
January 16, 2013
Animal Attacks! Raccoon Video Caution
Raccoons can severely injure or even kill pets–as well as spread contagious diseases like rabies.
A couple of weeks ago my Magical-Dawg got a wonderful surprise—for him—and a heart-stopping scare, for me. As he dashed to retrieve one of his Frisbees, he caught the movement/scent/who-knows-what of a critter. Yes, Magic dashed off (with Frisbee firmly in mouth) to make friends with an injured and/or sick raccoon. Thank goodness he came away when I called, and had no toothy contact, or I’d really be shaking in my rain boots. I returned after an hour, and the critter was still there so I took pictures and shot the video, below.
It’s not just raccoons and coyotes in our neck of the woods. All sorts of animals can pose a risk to your pets–even hawks and owls may swoop down and grab up an unwary kitty or small dog. What kinds of wildlife do you deal with, and how do you keep your pets safe? I wrote an article about the dangers of animal attacks.
But what did I miss? Oooh, just realized I didn’t mention alligators, a problem in many southern states. What else is important for pet owners to understand? Heck, anyone with small children especially toddlers also can be at risk.
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Ask Amy Videos, Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, animal attack, how to prevent animal attacks on pets, raccoon, www.amyshojai.com
January 14, 2013
Monday Mentions: First Aid for Pets & Writers
Zeki, the miracle cat, now saves pet lives! She attended the CWA conference last November and I got to meet her (those ears tell me she’d had enough of schmoozing, though…)
I’d planned to blog about my friend Arden Moore’s visit to Dallas on this week’s Feline Friday blog because she’s presenting a pet tech first aid on Jan. 25 and a behavior seminar on Jan. 26 in Dallas. And the “star” of the class is Zeki, a rescue cat that had a rocky start in Dallas when evil people tried to skin her alive (urk! I know!). But she’s now saving kitty and doggy lives as a spokescat and demo feline for Arden’s classes.
However, the Friday class filled up so she’s added another class on Thursday Jan. 24 at the Dallas SPCA. Call 214-324-6999 or email courtney@pcpsi.com for more info and check out this link. If you can’t attend one of Arden’s awesome sessions, I’d strongly urge you to invest in a pet first aid book. Here’s a sneak peak of Arden’s class.
During a recent pet first aid class taught by Pet Tech master instructor Arden Moore, her feline teaching assistant, Zeki, began kneading the demo dog at the exact same time Moore was explaining the proper techniques to give CPR to a dog. Now that’s one smart cat! Learn more about Arden Moore by visiting www.fourleggedlife.com and www.petfirstaid4u.com and check out this amazing cat who survived a brutal knife attach as a stray to become a true feline ambassa-cat to help people, cats and yes, even dogs!
Monday Mentions is the mash-up-day of all the neato-torpedo writer links and videos, pet schtuff and bling and writer-icity crappiocca collected over the past week. Feel free to comment and “sing” about similar paw-some links that should be included. And you really MUST watch the video at the end–for some writerly inspiration and creative first aid.
WRITER-ICITY SCHTUFF
Twitter Info–Sweet Tweet Timing
Global Talk Radio not worth your time or money, from Author Beware. And yes, I’ve gotten “invitations” from them.
UK Speaker Scam another one.
What Should Freelancers Charge, some suggestions
The Secret of Writing from Fitzgerald
Oklahoma Playwright Association Lots of great links here, too.
Oklahoma Writers Federation Annual Contest
Responding (or Not?) to Negative Reviews here’s an interesting discussion
PET-ASTIC SCHTUFF
Doggy Floral Arrangements courtesy of Fidose of Reality’s fun post on canine nuptials
Feb. 6, 8:00 pm Free Webinar–Low Stress Handling of Difficult Cats this will be great info for cat owners, rescuers and vet techs
Animal Rescue Site–Click to Give Free Food! click the button up at the top for the Shelter+ Challenge to vote. My colleague requests votes for CATS in Oregon for a chance for grants
I Discovered A Lump on My Pet, Part 1 from Dr. Rayya’s great blog
Neil Gaiman’s inspirational graduation talk “Make Good Art” is well worth the listen!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care, Dog Training & Care, Writing Advice & More Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat behavior, dog training, pet care, pet first aid, writing advice, www.shojai.com
January 11, 2013
Newborn Kitten Development
Turn about is fair play–the blog discussed newborn puppy development last Wednesday so today we look at the cat-egorical side of things. Besides, it’s a great opportunity to share SQUEEE! cute kitten pictures!
Kittens begin self-grooming as early as 3 weeks of age. Image Copr. Maria Magnus via Flickr
Did you get a kitten over the holidays? Or maybe you rescued a bottle-baby orphan or are fostering a kitten for your local pet rescue. Here are a few things to keep in mind, but you’ll find a lot more detail in the kitten book, of course.
When your kitten was born, he measured four to six inches long and weighed only two to four ounces. He was blind, deaf, toothless, and just like baby dogs, unable to regulate his own body temperature to stay warm. At this age, kittens depend on touch, sense of smell, and thermal sensation to find Mom and food, and they move by wriggling their bodies from side to side.
Week old kittens spend four hours a day suckling, and more than 16 hours sleeping. They begin to move more easily, and look like swimmers paddling across the bedding. By this age, the body’s shiver reflex develops, and that means they are better able to regulate temperature and keep themselves warm.
Their eyes begin to open between nine to 12 days of age, and babies learn to recognize Mom and others as friends or foe. Ears begin to unseal about this same time and the first baby teeth appear.
By age three week kittens start to clumsily play with each other, follow Mom around, learn about the litter box, and are now able to retract their claws. They start to watch Mom and mimic her by self-grooming themselves. Hey, there’s a reason they call it “copy cat behavior.”
What kittens experience beginning at this age will have a huge impact on how well-adjusted (or not) they become as adults. Kittens handled a few minutes daily by people during their first month of life have an improved learning ability.
By week four, Mom’s milk production starts to decrease just as the kitten’s energy needs grow. Curiosity and hunger spur the babies to sample Mom’s solid food.
By this age, kittens understand the concept of the litter box from watching Mom. However, they still have a limited capacity for “holding it” and may have accidents when the box isn’t close enough to accommodate their needs. They continue to develop physically. The rest of the baby teeth come in, including needle sharp canine teeth.
“I said STOP IT ALREADY!” Image Copr. Florence Ivy via Flickr
Social play with Mom and siblings begins now, and includes running, rolling, biting, wrestling, climbing, and jumping. Mom-cat and siblings let the baby know if he bites or claws too hard and they’ll hiss at him or put an end to the game. If you are the “mother figure” it’s up to you to teach Baby about the litter box, playing “nice” and eating grown-up food.
Kittens gain two to four ounces a week from birth to five to six months of age. The kitten immune system is also fully developed by six to eight weeks of age, while the immune protection he gained from Mom begins to fade.
Play and interaction with others takes over during weeks five to seven. Good experiences with people and other pets during this time ensure they’ll be well-adjusted adult cats. It’s ideal for kittens to stay with their littermates and mother until twelve weeks of age so they learn best how to get along with other cats, and learn all the important “cat rules” of the world. But very often, shelters need the space and adopt out babies earlier–or the kitten is alone in the world anyway, and benefits from being adopted earlier.
When you adopt a kitten at this age, it’s up to you to expose him to a wide range of situations so he’ll be willing to accept them as he ages. That’s called “socialization” and can mean the difference between a loving pet and a scaredy cat.
He should learn to accept being handled and groomed by you and strangers, so the veterinarian won’t have to fight him for an examination. This is the best age to train him to accept the cat carrier and leash. That allows him to travel with you when necessary, either to the vet or groomers, or across town to visit Grandma. And if you think another pet (dog or cat), or a child might be in your future, introduce him to positive experiences at this age. That way, he’ll accept them as a normal part of his world and you’ll prevent behavior problems down the road.
How hold was your cat when you adopted him? Have you ever needed to hand-raise a kitten? What do you think is the best age to adopt–and why? Please share!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Cat Behavior & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cat care, complete kitten care book, kitten development, kitten socialization, www.amyshojai.com
January 9, 2013
Newborn Puppy Development
Colton is 10 days old here–SQUEEE! He’s still in the “neonatal” period of puppy-hood which is birth to two weeks. Image Copr. Sapphire Dream Photography via Flickr
What better time to revisit new puppy care and info (not to mention SQUEEE! cute pix!) than the New Year. Some of y’all know that I also write lots of puppy-licious content as the Puppies Guide site owner, and so I wanted to share some of the most popular articles.
Not surprisingly, puppy development information is very popular. What can you expect when you adopted a new baby dog, especially if you must hand-raise the puppy orphan? At what age does the little guy’s eyes open? It’s sooooo cute to see those pictures of “puppy piles” when the whole litter lounges atop each other–but did you realize they HAVE to do that or could die of hypothermia? That’s because a newborn puppy has no internal body temperature control, so the mass warmth of siblings (and mom-dog) keeps him warm.
Image Copr. K. Ruttiman via Flickr
If he’s blind and deaf at birth, how does the baby find his way around? The nose knows! In fact, puppies tend to return time after time to the same nipple at the “milk bar” drawn back by scent.
What’s the best age to adopt the new puppy? Well there’s some argument about that between dog breeders and behavior consultants. Some breeders want the pup to go as soon as possible–once the little guy can eat solid food–to help promote bonding between the puppy and new owners. Others (myself included) recommend rehoming a bit later so the puppy has a chance to learn important dog manners from siblings and mom-dog. Learn more about newborn puppy development in the first three months in this article.
How hold was your dog when you adopted him? Have you ever needed to hand-raise a puppy? What do you think is the best age to adopt–and why? Please share!
I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered? Do you have a new kitten and need answers? Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, listen to the weekly radio show, check out weekly FREE PUPPY CARE newsletter, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways and appearances related to my THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Filed under: Dog Training & Care Tagged: Amy Shojai, cute puppy pictures, puppies, puppy development, what age to adopt puppies, www.amyshojai.com
