Amy Shojai's Blog, page 92

Won Ton & Chopstick–A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku

Won Ton & Chopstick–A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku

I rarely write book reviews on my blog, and even more rarely mention children’s books (so no…please don’t ask ). But today I must make an exception for a colleague and friend, because the books are just THAT GOOD!

A couple of years ago, I was sent a review copy of WON TON: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku when the book first launched in 2011. I don’t have kids (other than furry ones with four paws), but was so impressed I wrote a glowing 5-star review for cats.about.com–at the time I was the contributing writer for cat behavior topics. This book is a moving, powerful story of one cat’s adoption, told through the “voice” of a shelter cat. The gorgeous illustrations by Eugene Yelchin perfectly capture the cat’s perspective of shelter life, car ride to new home, and experiences adjusting to his adoptive family:

Nice place they got here.

Bed. Bowl. Blankie.

Just like home!

Or so I’ve been told.

Lee Wardlaw writes the text in senryu, a form of Japanese poetry similar to Haiku, which gives the cat’s tale a playful, poignant or humorous tone. The cat pretends not to care about being adopted, yet of course yearns for a forever home. Please, Boy, pick me. And once chosen and named Won Ton, the cautious cat must learn to trust enough to share his real name, and heart.

Now the SEQUEL will be published on sale March 17, 2015. I have been waiting for this–it’s a subject very close to my heart, and addresses introducing new pets to resident ones–in this case a new puppy to the cat. Y’all know that my own book ComPETability: Solving Behavior Problems in Your Cat-Dog Household offers some prescriptive advice to prevent or solve issues.

But this new delightful book is perfect for parents and kids. WON TON and CHOPSTICK, A Cat and Dog Tale Told in Haiku offers the cat’s perspective when faced with a (hiss!) interloper.

Lee asked her publisher to send me an advanced reader’s edition and I will treasure this–it is everything I hoped and more. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this book! Won Ton has a happy life with his boy, until. . .

Ears perk. Fur prickles.

Belly low, I creep . . . peek . . . FREEZE!

My eyes full of Doom.

Both of these lovely books belong in every cat lover’s library, especially when you have children. The first book WON TON humorously educates children to basic cat behaviors and emotions, teaches empathy, and celebrates the gift of saving a life, while offering a snapshot of a shelter cat’s journey from a cage to finally embracing his new life and family with trust and love.

The second book WON TON and CHOPSTICK continues the “tail” with glee, humor and gentle insight of how resident pets feel about new pets puthimoutputhimoutputhimout but how with care all can be respected and learn to accept each other….

I shall call you…Friend.

I would love to send these books home with every new pet adoption. I cannot recommend these books highly enough.

 

 

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I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–lick the banner, above. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and get a FREE BOOK when you sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

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How to Crate Train Puppies & Kittens to Create #CrateHappyPets

How to Crate Train Puppies & Kittens to Create #CrateHappyPets

Find your crate expectations on sale in March at PetSmart! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

Hard crate, wire crate, soft carrier…see the selection on sale in March at PetSmart! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

 

This post is sponsored by P etSmart, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Containment Products and Education for your pet, but BLING, BITCHES & BLOOD BLOG only shares information I feel is relevant to my readers. PetSmart® is not responsible for the content of this article.

Magic at 8 weeks old and 11 pounds. Can you see the “divider” in this crate making it puppy-size? Image copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

SQUEEE! It’s puppy & kitten season, and just in time for YOUR big adoption gotcha-day celebration, during March local PetSmart® stores will have crate, kennels, carriers, and accessories on sale. There are many kinds of crates and carriers, from soft sided to hard plastic to wire, and in a variety of shapes and sizes.

IS CRATE TRAINING CRUEL?

Why would you want to “cage” that new baby? The way Junior-Dawg howls and Kitty-Kins yowls you’d think they’re being hung up by their furry toes!

Actually, it’s not cruel, but without proper introduction, it can be a wee bit scary. In my Complete Kitten Care and Complete Puppy Care books, I call this LIBERATION TRAINING. Teaching your new pet to accept the kitty carrier or puppy crate is a pet safety issue, but also means they get a ticket to ride…and travel beyond the confines of your house and yard.

That doesn’t mean your new puppy or kitten automatically understands the concept, though, so this blog post not only explains the benefits of crate training to YOU, it also helps you purr-suade your kitten and convince your canine that the notion is a CRATE IDEA. (sorry, couldn’t resist…)

BENEFITS OF CARRIERS & CRATES

Most puppies and kittens–and even their adult counterparts–feel more secure in a small, enclosed den-like area. That’s not to say your new baby should be in the crate for outrageous lengths of time. A youngster should be gradually introduced to the crate or carrier and never left unattended longer than he’s able to “hold it” for potty training.

Prime Nap Spot. A crate works well as a bed. And when a pet claims the spot for naps, it’s no longer scary, but becomes a happy, familiar place he feels secure.

Private Retreat. Because it’s enclosed, the puppy crate or kitty carrier also serves as a safe retreat to get away from other pets or pestering children. Don’t you want a private place of your own where you won’t be bothered? Pets are no different.

Safe Confinement. A crate also can be the safest place to confine that rambunctious baby to keep him from pottying in the wrong spot or cat-climbing to dangerous heights when you can’t watch him.

Ideal Travel Buddy. All pets need to travel by car to the veterinarian from time to time. That’s a STRANGER DANGER moment especially for cats, so already feeling safe and comfy in a familiar carrier puts your kitten or puppy at ease at the vet.

Potty Training Tool. For pups, it’s one of the best tools available for potty training. They don’t want to mess where they sleep, so just turning it into a bed prompts Junior-Dawg to let you know when he needs a potty break. Here are more tips on puppy potty training.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST CRATE

The perfect crate or carrier should be just large enough for a pet to go inside, turn around, and lie down to sleep. It can be a solid hard plastic container, wire mesh cage or soft-sided duffle-type carrier (for cats). While soft-sided pet carriers work great for transport, they may be too small and prove too tempting for chew-aholic pups to work well for safe confinement.

Today, Magical-Dawg has grown into his jumbo-size wire crate. The door is always open…except when it’s not! Image copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

Of course, puppies and kittens grow, so especially for larger dog breeds, take into account your pup’s future adult size before investing in a pricy dog crate. Large crates are available with partitions for you to “shrink” to puppy size, and then enlarge the area as your puppy matures. You can also purchase an adult-size crate, and insert a barrier like a plastic storage box that shrinks the space to puppy proportions until your pet grows to full size. That’s what I did with Magical-Dawg. He arrived at our house weighing about 11 pounds, and 8 years later he’s nearly 90 pounds. Today he doesn’t mind the crate at all, because it doubles as an enormous doggy toy box!

5 Tips to Crate Train Pets

The key to training pets to accept the carrier or crate is creating familiarity. You do that by introducing him to this new situation in a series of non-threatening, gradual steps.

Make It Familiar. While well-adjusted puppies and kittens tend to be curious, some tend toward shyness. Anything new prompts suspicion. So make the crate or carrier “part of the furniture” and set it out in the family room for your new pet to explore. Leave the door open or take it off, and let him sniff it inside and out. Don’t make a big deal out of it.

Karma Kat decided on his own that sleeping among soft toys that smell like his best buddy Magic is a VERY-GOOD-THING! He also likes playing with lure-toys while inside. Image copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

 

Make It A Happy Place. Place a snuggly kitty blanket or dog bed inside. Or you can toss a toy inside, to create positive experiences with the crate. For kittens, Ping Pong balls are great fun inside the hard crates. Karma actually LOVES hanging out inside Magic’s crate because of all the fuzzy toys. Both Karma-Kat and Seren-Kitty have smaller duffle-style carriers (set on top of Magic’s crate), and take turns sleeping in them–they’re out all the time, with doors open.

Karma looks surprised but not too bothered by the door being shut. When he travels to the vet, we use a soft sided carrier. Image copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

Offer A Treat. For puppies, find a puzzle toy that can be stuffed with a smelly, tasty treat. This should be a treat your puppy loves, but he ONLY gets the treat when inside the crate. Show it to him, let him smell and taste the treat, and then toss it inside the crate and shut the door—with the puppy outside the crate and the treat on the inside. And after he’s begged to get inside, open the door and allow him to chew and enjoy it for five minutes but only with the door shut. Catnip can work well with cats, but youngsters won’t react until they’re 6 months old, so getting kitty tipsy only works for more mature cats.

Teach Him Tolerance. If your puppy fusses let him out—but lock the treat back inside. You’re teaching him that wonderful things can be found inside the crate. Most pups learn to tolerate the door shut at least as long as they have something to munch. Praise the dickens out of him! He should know that staying calmly inside the crate earns him good things. Do the same with your kitten, using healthy treats or fun toys like chase-the-flashlight beam, but only inside the crate. Repeat several times over the next few days, each time letting the kitten out after five minutes.

Extend Crate Time. By the end of the week, you can begin increasing the time the pet spends in the crate. For small pups and kittens, pick up the carrier while he’s in it and carry him around, and then let him out. Take him in the carrier out to the car, sit there and talk to him, then bring him back into the house and release him—don’t forget to offer the treat. Soon, you should be able to take him for car rides in his carrier, without him throwing a fit. He’ll learn that most times, the carrier means good things for him—and the vet visit isn’t the only association it has.

For older cats, it can take several weeks to teach crate acceptance. Check out this PAW-some video from Catalyst Council on how to help your cats accept carriers. You–and your cats–will be glad you did.

So now it’s your turn. How are you teaching Junior Dog and Killer-Diller-Kitten to accept their carriers or crates? What about older pets–are they already crate trained? What worked best for your furry wonders? Please share tips to help out other pet lovers in the comments section!

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I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, 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!

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BlogPaws Contest Nose-to-Nose Nominee for Best Written Blog!

BlogPaws Contest Nose-to-Nose Nominee for Best Written Blog!

WOW! That’s all I can say at the moment. My blog FAKING IT: about scammers hurting legit service and emotional support animal services, has been nominated for a BlogPaws NOSE-TO-NOSE AWARD.

The other nominees are fantastic and include:

Mel Freer: Loose Dog
Ann Staub: How Important is Credibility
Janea Kelley: Diabetic Cat

You can see a list of all the nominees here.

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

Pros & Cons of Dog Neutering

Pros & Cons of Dog Neutering

Image courtesy of DepositPhotos.com

Yes, actually, there really are both pros and cons of puppy and dog neutering that may surprise you. It did me. After all, we’ve heard from animal welfare advocates for years preaching the gospel of spay/neuter.  Heck, I preached this myself and for the majority of dogs and cats (ESPECIALLY cats!), “the big fix” is the best thing that ever happens to them.

There’s new evidence, though, that for dogs at least the pros and cons are not so black and white. While the University of Georgia’s sample of 40,139 canine death records from the Veterinary Medical Database from 1984-2004 concluded that neutered dogs could be expected to live a year and a half longer (on average) than intact dogs, other studies point out potential increases in hip dysplasia or cancer. Oy.

So what’s a responsible pet parent to do? One possible solution is a new non-surgical sterilization technique called Zeuterin from Ark Sciences, that renders the boy dogs incapable of fathering puppies but let’s them keep about 50 percent of their testosterone that makes a beneficial health difference especially in certain breeds.

Zeuterin™, an FDA-approved nonsurgical sterilization technique for male dogs from Ark Sciences, is now available in the US for all puppies three to ten months old. Termed “Zeutering,” the injectable treatment offers an alternative to the traditional surgical castration methods.

Most pet lovers recognize that neutering boy puppies they don’t plan to breed or show can be the responsible choice. Sterilization reduces a number of potential behavior problems such as roaming, marking, mounting and fighting. The University of Georgia looked at a sample of 40,139 canine death records from the Veterinary Medical Database from 1984-2004 and concluded that neutered dogs could be expected to live a year and a half longer (on average) than intact dogs. Wow.

Animal welfare organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States provide statistics that show over 80 percent of owned dogs in the United States are sterilized. Hurray! but what about the other 20 percent? And what about in other countries?

Objections to Dog Sterilization?

Is there any good reason to NOT neuter your puppy? Surgical castration permanently removes 100 percent of the dog’s testosterone, and that can cause consequences some new studies indicate may pose problems, depending on the timing and the breed.

People with puppies they hope to develop into performance dogs—hunting, herding or other athletic-intensive activities—may be reluctant to castrate their male dogs. The sexual hormones generated by the male dog’s testis give him that “male” look, and impact bone, joint and musculature development important for performance. Also, some cancers–like prostate cancer–once thought to be preventable through neutering may in fact increase in incidence. Studies indicate that large breed dogs that are neutered are at increased risk for bone and spleen cancers.

Another study of 759 Golden Retrievers at University of California/Davis showed a doubling in the incidence of hip dysplasia in male dogs neutered before their first birthday. This early neutering also showed an increase in the occurrence of cranial cruciate ligament tear and lymphosarcoma in males and of cranial cruciate ligament tear in females. Older age sterilization was associated with the later development of mast cell tumors and hemangiosarcoma in females. Different breeds may have different results, but this information may be helpful in choosing when to time neutering your puppy.

Other objections are less founded in actual science and are more myths or opinions that are hard to change. There continues to be a perception that “fixed” boy dogs lose their ability to do protection work, get fat and lazy, and are less “macho.” None of these is accurate. Metabolism is affected by both maturity and removal of sex hormones, which means food intake must be adjusted as the puppy matures or he will, indeed, pack on too much “table muscle.”

Finally, in some areas around the world (including the southern states in the US), the stray or feral population can account for a significant number of unwanted dog pregnancies. Surgical sterilization of stray and feral population is both labor and cost prohibitive. Currently, many veterinarians say they perform pet dog and cat sterilizations at a loss, simply as a service to owners, yet the economic climate makes even these opportunities out of financial range for many people.

Zeuterin appears to answer many of these challenges. It neuters your puppy with less pain, no anesthesia (usually only sedation is necessary), he recovers more quickly, and it costs less than surgical techniques. Because it requires less time, that’s a cost savings to the veterinarian, too.

Ark Sciences that owns the drug and procedure says its initial offer to nonprofits in the United States was 1/5th the average cost of surgical castration. That makes Zeuterin a good candidate for shelters and those dealing with stray and feral populations. Savings to the pet owner may potentially reduce the cost of sterilization by 30-50 percent compared to surgical castration.

What Is Zeuterin?

Zeuterin is an injectable spermicide composed of Zinc Gluconate (a trace element), neutralized with L-Arginene (an amino acid), two natural and essential substances for the dog’s body. It’s actually been around since 2003 when it was called Neutersol, but the company and product went away after about three years. According to Ark Sciences, the parent company owning Neutersol created too much inventory which expired before it could be used, and the company had to shut down. In addition, not enough attention was paid to teaching proper administration of the product, which increased the potential for adverse reactions and gave Neutersol a bad name.

Ark Sciences bought the rights to the product in 2007, and renamed it. The company has since conducted clinical trials starting in 1999 on 270 dogs. They have followed 40 of these dogs for over two years, and collected information on many of the study cases for over five years. Since 1999, the company has not received any reports of long-term side effects.

In addition, Ark Sciences has embarked on a veterinary education and training program targeted primarily to shelter medicine practices. Veterinarians or vet techs (under supervision of a licensed veterinarian) must be trained and certified to qualify to perform the procedure. Only those trained by Ark Sciences may administer Zeuterin, and by doing this, errors and adverse reactions are uncommon. That protects your puppy to ensure the best possible outcome.

Esterilsol™ is Ark Sciences’ product for international markets and is registered in four countries, and pending approval in several others around the world. It is approved for all dogs over three months of age in Mexico.

How Does Zeuterin Work?

Zeuterin is injected in the testicles. Ouch! Wait—nope, your pup or older dog isn’t likely to notice at all. There are no pain sensors inside the testes, only pressure sensors. So when properly administered by your trained veterinarian, little to no sensation will be experienced by your sedated dog.

When injected into the testicles, the compound diffuses throughout the testis, and the Zinc acts as a spermicide and destroys all stages of sperm maturation. The tubules that were filled with sperm are emptied, and collapse.

In response, blood flow increases to the testicles to heal, and this causes inflammation resulting in scar tissue (fibrosis) within days. These block the “feeder” conduits permanently, and causes irreversible sterility. The Zinc Gluconate and Arginine are ultimately absorbed and metabolized by the dog’s body.

Sperm stops being manufactured within three days, but sperm may reside in the organ for up to 30 days. Because sperm maturation lasts 60 days, the company recommends keeping your Zinc-neutered adult dog away from a female for at least that period. Over time the interior structures of the testicles including the prostate all atrophy, and shrink in size.

Unlike castration that removes 100 percent of testosterone from the body, “Zeutering” removes only about 50 percent. Leydig cells that are responsible for the endocrine function of the testis are not affected and in test dogs, overall testosterone levels were reduced by 41-52 percent. The testis continue to produce the hormones at a level that recent research shows is protective and beneficial.

Are There Side Effects?

There’s a low incidence of severe side effects in surgical castrations, with discomfort and swelling, licking and occasional infection noted. Similar adverse reactions may occur with Zeuterin, and most do not require medical care.

Minor local reactions include testicular swelling, which is a normal reaction to the inflammation from the injection. Pain may be demonstrated by the dog not wanting to sit, or sitting with hind legs open, or licking/biting the area. More rarely, systemic reactions include vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and diarrhea.

Most reactions in the clinical trial group of 270 dogs were seen with the first week after the injection treatment, and more than 93 percent didn’t show any painful signs. When discomfort was noted, it usually happened within the first two days and then went away.

Long-term observations have shown no increase in risk for testicular cancer in dogs neutered with Zeuterin. But to date, no studies have been performed to see if there might be a decreased risk of testicular cancer.

What Else Should I Know About Zeuterin?

If your puppy has undescended testicles, surgical castration is still the best option. Not all dogs are the best candidates and your veterinarian will know if he has a history of allergic reactions to any of the components in the drug, for example.

Zeutering may or may not eliminate the behaviors associated with mating, although anecdotal reports from owners of dogs indicate the effects are similar to those expected from surgical castration. Of course, surgical castration doesn’t guarantee to totally suppress mounting, roaming, marking or aggression, either.

Puppies and dogs sterilized with Zeuterin will still appear to be intact. For dogs and pet parents getting the “hairy eyeball” at dog parks and gatherings, you may want to invest in a bandana or other way to show off your pet’s special Zeutered status.

Because he’ll still look intact, it’s recommended that you document the dog’s sterilized status on his microchip and/or a tattoo (a “Z” near the scrotum) be placed. That way if the worst happens and your dog becomes lost, he won’t be castrated at a later date if found by a rescue organization.

How to Find A Zeutering Option

Ark Sciences continues to conduct training sessions at spay/neuter shelters, animal centers and private practices. Ask your veterinarian about becoming certified. She can contact the folks at Zeuterin.com to learn more.

It’s important to learn all the facts, and figure out the best options for your individual puppy. Different breeds and lifestyles may impact your decision. So do your research, consult with your veterinarian, and ask questions. Your puppy is counting on you!

What do you think? Go ahead and comment–let ‘er rip! *s*

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Do you have a new kitten and need answers? I’m a new Brand Ambassador for The Honest Kitchen and you can get FREE samples here, check it out! (Karma loves this!). Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, 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!

 

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

SCRATCHING YOUR NICHE? #Pets Bloggers on Social Media

SCRATCHING YOUR NICHE? #Pets Bloggers on Social Media

It’s snowing … here, in North Texas. And my fingers are blue from the cold! It’s a good excuse to take a closer look at pet blogging because my colleagues at BlogPaws just released a PAW-SOME infographic (see below). Because the truth is, bloggers get itchy about providing good info the best way they can and this infographic is all about scratching your niche. (pun intended *eg*)

Do you blog? Blogging these days is all about leveraging expertise and connecting with your audience. Nobody does it better than the members of BlogPaws (I’ll be speaking at the next conference, yee-haw!). I’m even a member of the Pet Blogger Influencer Group there, where we get to share resources and valuable information on the biz.

Get a load of the latest information for a “peek beneath the fur” of what pet bloggers reveal about how social media influences and impacts their blogging.

Do you agree? Is social media important to your blogging? You’re here reading this post so I know you visit at least a few blogs–how’d you get here? Did you subscribe here, or see it posted on Twitter or Facebook or Google+ or….fill  in the blank. Do tell!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

MEOW! 6 Ways to Silence Loud Mouth #Cats

MEOW! 6 Ways to Silence Loud Mouth #Cats

Image courtesy of DepositPhotos.com

Recently we had a discussion with some of my Facebook friends and colleagues who have new kitties with — let us say — loud mouth issues, LOL! New cats and especially kittens can be very demanding, and it’s quite a challenge to silence meows from loud mouth cats.

I figured this was the purr-fect time to share some of the information from a couple of my books, particularly since kitten season is here. COMPLETE KITTEN CARE has some tips on choosing your new kitten based on breed (of course, strays may choose you!)

A few cat breeds are famous for their loud voices. Siamese-type cats are known for their distinctive meows and love to hold long—and loud—conversations with their humans. If you adopt one of these kittens, they’ll always get in the last word!

BREED TENDENCIES (from Complete Kitten Care)

Highly active, in-your-face: Abyssinian, Balinese, Bombay, Burmese, Colorpoint Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Egyptian Mau, Javanese, Oriental Longhair, Oriental Shorthair, Russian Blue, Siamese, Somali, Tonkinese
Less active “lap sitter”: American Wirehair, Birman, British Shorthair, Exotic Shorthair, Himalayan, Persian, Ragdoll, Snowshoe
Vocal, opinionated: Balinese, Color-point Shorthair, Japanese Bobtail, Javanese, Oriental Longhair, Oriental Shorthair, Siamese, Tonkinese
Quiet, prefers watching: American Wirehair, Birman, British Shorthair, Chartreux, Egyptian Mau, Exotic Shorthair, Havana Brown, Korat, Scottish Fold, Snowshoe
High-fashion models, requires lots of grooming: Exotic, Himalayan, Maine Coon, Norwegian Forest Cat, Persian, Ragdoll, Scottish Fold (longhair)

Cat communication begins early in life. Kittens less than three weeks old vocalize a defensive spit, contented purr, and distress call (similar to adult meow) if the baby becomes isolated, cold, or trapped. Interestingly, the call for “cold” sounds much higher pitched and disappears from the repertoire once the kitten can self-regulate body temperature at about four weeks of age.

Image courtesy of DepositPhotos.com

Cats rarely meow at each other. They learn to direct meows at humans because we reward them with attention. Each cat learns by association that meowing prompts feeding, access to locations, and other resources provided by humans. Some cats learn to produce unique meows for each circumstance.

Humans often overlook body language that makes up a great deal of cat communication, but feline yowls, growls, hisses and purrs get our undivided attention—especially at 5:00 a.m.

DEALING WITH CATERWAULING (from ComPETability: CATS)

In multi-pet homes, troublemakers (other pets pestering) may prompt problem meowing. Cats introduced to other cats or dogs for the first time often meow more as a result. Felines use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with other cats, but seem to reserve “meows” primarily for talking to their people. Meows are demands: let me OUT, let me IN, pet me, play with me, FEED me! As the cats become more passionate and insistent, meows grow more strident and lower-pitched.

Image courtesy of Deposit Photos.com

Giving in to meow-demands tells Sheba that pestering works to get her way, and any response such as putting the pillow over your head, yelling at her, or pushing her off the bed still gives her the attention she craves. The only way to extinguish this behavior is to totally ignore the cat.

That means, you DON’T get up to feed her; you DON’T indulge in toe-tag games; you DON’T yell at her, spray her with water, or give any attention at all. That’s hard to do when she’s paw-patting your nose, or shaking the windows with yowls. It can take weeks to months to get rid of this behavior once established, but with patience, it can be done.

Many people enjoy sleeping with their cat until Sheba opens her meow-mouth. You may need to make a hard choice, and shut her out of the bedroom. Cats shut out of the bedroom often continue to pester from the other side of the door, and may even scratch or otherwise cause damage.
Choose a “safe room” on the other side of the house stocked with lots of toys, a litter box, scratch object and food, and confine noisy cats out of earshot.
If other cats or dogs instigate the meowing, separating and confining the problem fur-kid away from the others can help. When the dog stays in his crate for the night, he can’t chase and tease the cat—or vice versa.
Meowing can result from boredom. Offer a Treat Ball or other irresistible toy that keeps the cat’s brain (and mouth) occupied so she won’t meow.
Closing windows so your cats can’t hear or see outside strays may help. Anything that attracts roaming cats to visit during the night should be discouraged. For example, avoid leaving out food on the porch, and clean up brush piles that make attractive critter hiding places.
When all else fails, invest in earplugs to help you ignore the cat’s please for attention!

VET ALERT!

For some reason, cats tend to become more vocal when suffering from hypertension (high blood pressure), which can be a result of kidney or heart disease. When Sheba can’t hear her own voice any longer, she tends to meow louder and longer. Excessive meowing also may be a sign of deafness in aging cats or even kitty Alzheimer’s (feline cognitive disorder).  Check with your veterinarian about excessive meowing in any cat and learn more about aging cat issues in COMPLETE CARE FOR YOUR AGING CAT.

Here’s a fun Infographic that was shared with me–does any of this look familiar to you? How do you deal with bedtime pester bugs? Do tell!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

Cat Bed by Terrys Fabrics.

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

Kittens Thrive with Training & #FoodShelterLove

Kittens Thrive with Training & #FoodShelterLove

One of 30 kittens at an adoption event where I was asked to take pictures…this baby was adopted, YAY! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s®  Science Diet® and Food, Shelter & Love™ Program, but BLING, BITCHES & BLOOD only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.

Nothing trumps kittens for furry love, but when March kitten season rolls around, your local animal shelters drowned in a furry tide of cats of all ages that need adoption. Kittens can become pregnant as early as 4-5 months of age! Yes, babies having babies–that explains the bumper crop of kittens, right?

Bottle babies abound during kitten season! Image courtesy of Tonya Jensen

Thank heavens for fostering, dedicated shelter staff, and you–yes, YOU, one of the folks who volunteer, visit to help socialize the pets, donate your time or toys, or just SHARE this message to help give cats a paws up. Just spreading good information about care helps ensure kitties get the best chance for adoption. Y’all do the work of the angels.

THREE T’s OF KITTEN SOCIALIZATION

Yes, kittens (and cats) CAN be trained! I know that I’m preaching to the choir. Never doubt that you can make a positive difference while fostering, helping the babies through proper socialization. While kids are taught the three Rs, kitten socialization involves learning the Three Ts:

Touching: Touch the baby all over gently with pets, handling the ears, paws, tummy and more. Being taught that touch is pleasant helps with bonding to people, and hearkens back to how Mom-Cat cared for her babies. A kitten that accepts and trusts handling will be less stressed by veterinary exams, and so get proper timely care as she grows up.
Talking: Kittens don’t use words to communicate, but will need to pay attention to humans who do talk. She won’t understand all your words, but certainly understand the emotion. You can teach kittens to pay attention to humans simply by responding to them with the same words and phrases each time. Try saying, “You’re beautiful.” or “I love you.” or “I’ll keep you safe, baby.” And mean it–and she’ll understand, and blossom and BECOME beautiful, and more confident.
Timing: Kittens and adult cats pay exquisite attention to the details of their life. They easily learn consequences when they make mistakes (or do something right) if you tell them THAT is what I like, or THAT is not acceptable. Since cats do NOT respond well to punishment, think about catching kittens and cats in the act of doing something RIGHT and rewarding the behavior with praise, toys, healthy treats, or praise. Give the reward immediately–timing is key–to ensure good communication.

HILL’S® FOOD, SHELTER & LOVE ™ PROGRAM

More help is always welcome, of course. That’s where the Hill’s® Food, Shelter & Love ™ Program comes in, and not just for kitten season. The company donates food to shelters across the country 365 days a year, to date $240 million worth of food to nearly 1,000 shelters, helping over 6 million pets find a new home.

How kewl is that?! but it’s the babies–kittens–that benefit most, because proper nutrition has such a lasting impact on health and happiness. Good food even impacts kitty mood.

I sure wish my two cats had the benefit of good nutrition during their first months of life. Y’all have read how my Serendipity showed up as a dumped kitten nearly 19 years ago, and then barely a year ago Karma-Kat did the same thing. I often wonder if Seren, still barely 6 pounds, wasn’t somewhat stunted by her lack of good early nutrition. Karma, on the other paw, is obsessed with food probably because he had to scrounge and struggle to survive.

Karma thinks Seren makes a great pillow. Ya think the big boy likes his food?! Image Copr. Amy Shojai, CABC

Today, of course, they’re both spoiled rotten (sorta kinda in a way) centers of my life! Yep, they have the perfect perch on the dining room table under a stained glass lampshade (heat lamp?) in front of my laptop computer. Doesn’t every cat?

Hill’s® Science Diet® Kitten Healthy Development Original cat food provides precisely balanced, easy-to-digest nutrition for growing kittens. Image Courtesy of Hill’s

Is your shelter a part of the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love program? Do you want to be? Find out all the details here.

Now it’s your turn. Do you volunteer at your local shelter? Do you foster? How did you find your kitty-of-your dreams? Do tell!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. To stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Find out about the latest book give aways, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

Love Dog & Cat Mysteries? Preview Thrillers With Bite!

Love Dog & Cat Mysteries? Preview Thrillers With Bite!

THRILLERS WITH BITE!
Preview Chapters Now Available!

Thank you to everyone who has “adopted” my September Day suspense series. People especially have fallen in love with Shadow, the dog viewpoint character as well as Macy the Maine Coon. My books have been described as “dog mystery books” and “medical thrillers” and “cat suspense stories” and they really are more a mutt-mix rather than a purebred genre.

So I’m taking a page from some of my favorite authors, and posting preview chapters to offer y’all a sample taste, to see if my particular brand of furry thrill-ride suits you. Of course, I hope you’ll love reading the books as much as I love writing them! But also, I don’t want you to buy a book expecting one thing, and be disappointed, either.

I’ve posted the first two chapters of LOST AND FOUND HERE. These chapters include an introduction to behaviorist and trainer September Day and her cat Macy, as well as the very first “dog viewpoint chapter” in Shadow’s voice.

For those who have already read LOST AND FOUND, you can read the prologue and first chapter of the sequel HIDE AND SEEK HERE. The story picks up only a few weeks after the end of the first book, and reveals much more about September’s painful past. Oh, and Macy-Cat becomes an intrinsic part of the plot in this book (yes, I did that on purr-pose!).

Please share this post with anyone you think might enjoy the books. I am doing my best to finish the next story SHOW AND TELL, so stay tuned for more soon!

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

#Puppies Book & Article Winners at #Dogs Writers Association Banquet!

#Puppies Book & Article Winners at #Dogs Writers Association Banquet!

Image courtesy of DepositPhotos.com

The Dog Writers Association of America banquet was held last night in New York City. It’s traditionally held the night before Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show and I’ve had the great joy and honor to attend both events several times. But not last night–due to travel constraints *cough-BLIZZARD-cough* and work issues, I wasn’t able to attend, despite knowing that I had a couple of entries in the running.

My book COMPLETE PUPPY CARE was nominated for a Maxwell Medallion in the category of Reference Books. I received the Nomination Certificate some time ago and am deeply honored. You can see all the regular category winners here. I hope that you’ll recommend the award-winning book to anyone with a new puppy in their future!

(Equal time for Complete KITTEN Care!)

Much of the book is based on research and articles I’d written over the past three years for my puppies.about.com site, and so this was particularly sweet for me. As many of y’all know, my contract with that company was abruptly cancelled last summer–for those morbidly curious, details here. Ya know, the best “revenge” is always success, LOL!

So an even sweeter recognition came when I won a DWAA Special Award last night for an article written for the puppies.about.com site titled “AKC Canine Good Citizenship Programs.” The information from that article of course is also included in the book. You can see the list of all the special awards winners here.

AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy and Canine Good Citizen Award

Sponsored by the American Kennel Club, this award is for the best writing about the AKC Canine Good Citizen Program or the puppy level of CGC, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy.

Recognized as the ‘gold standard’ for family dog manners, CGC and AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy focus on teaching good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to dog owners. This award is a $500.00 cash award.

CONGRATULATIONS to all of the nominees and winners! I am very fortunate to live in a world and participate in a community of professional communicators dedicated to sharing life-saving and relationship-saving information about the dogs we love!

Now then–how many of y’all have taken your puppy through the CGC or S.T.A.R. Puppy Programs? Or how about the AKC Community Canine program also mentioned in the article?

And…how many of y’all will be watching Westminster tonight and tomorrow night on TV? *raising paw* Magical-Dawg and I will be rooting for the…well, you know. *s*

I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!

Celebrating #Pets Peeves Newsletter! Subscribe & Get The Cutting Edge Book

Celebrating #Pets Peeves Newsletter! Subscribe & Get The Cutting Edge Book

Image courtesy of DepositPhotos.com

Pet Peeves Newsletter

My “bionote” at the bottom of blog posts mentions this and there’s a newsletter subscription box on the sidebar (and now a separate page), but I’ve not made a big deal about my PET PEEVES newsletter. BAD Amy!

I don’t email the Pet Peeves newsletter more than every few months, or when there’s “breaking news” about a new book or appearance. And it occurred to me that y’all — some of my most faithful readers and passionate pet parents — might not know about it. So here’s the details for all my Sweet Peeps!

Amy’s FREE PET PEEVES E-Newsletter includes health and behavior articles, pet-centric care tips, training tricks, pet news, Amy appearances, thriller-icity info and advice. Pet Peeves comes directly to your in-box every month or so. You can read what you like and pass on to other pet-loving friends. I often give away books or give subscribes sneak peeks to new events, so don’t miss out! (And of course you can unsubscribe anytime at all.)

SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

by filling out the form, below. To thank you for subscribing and give a taste of my books, I’ll send you a free copy of my “cutting edge” book, below!

Please share this offer to your other pet-loving friends–maybe as a furry Valentine? *s*

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Email Marketing by iContact I love hearing from you, so please share comments and questions. Do you have an ASK AMY question you’d like answered–post in the comments. Be sure to visit my PetHealthyStore for paw-some products for your furry wonders! Stay up to date on all the latest just subscribe the blog, “like” me on Facebook, and sign up for Pet Peeves newsletter. Stay up to date with the latest book give aways, kewl product offers, and appearances related to my  THRILLERS WITH BITE!

AMY SHOJAI'S Bling, Bitches & Blood - Pet-centric Writer-icity & Thrillers With BITE!