PetSugar

New Product Alert! Neko Habitat

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:20:14 -0800

Dish up a sweet resting spot. New from Neko Habitat are three bed styles, all featuring reversible cushions in a rainbow of options.

Fitting cats or small dogs, the transparent acrylic frames wipe clean and pillows can get the once-over with a pet-safe vacuum. Sleek and stylish, the designer duds don't come cheap. Consider the Wave ($235), the Cradle ($250), or the Pan ($245) to be a real investment in your furry friend's sleepy-time future to last for years and years. Still, is the pretty product worth the investment or will you take a pass on these loungers?

Do You Know How Many Pets Are Allowed Per Household?

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:15:54 -0800

Having a houseful of cats can earn you mean names - who are you calling crazy?! - but do you know how many animals you can legally own in your county? I checked out Cat Ladies at the SF Documentary Film Festival earlier this month and the producers were asked about law breaking for the movie. The flick was filmed in Canada, with different pet laws by region, but there were still concerns about ratting out (ha) pet owners over the legal limit.

Which brings us to Dudley, MA, where a woman put her home up for sale because she had more than three cats, which would require a residential kennel license in her area. I know it's come up for celebs (like Paris Hilton) and I honestly don't know how many pets my city legally allows per home, but I'm sure just one lil guy is fine. Do you?

The Scoop: First H1N1 Cat Case Confirmed by AVMA

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Following last week's case in Oregon where vets confirmed the first H1N1 transmission between a human and a pet ferret, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has confirmed that a 13-year-old, indoor-only cat in Iowa in fact has swine flu.

While it's uncommon for flu viruses (like the H3N8 for dogs) to jump between species, doctors at Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine performed two sets of tests to find the feline was in fact infected. According to her owners, they had been sick with flu-like symptoms before noticing the cat was ill and, until recently, there was no reason to think cats could catch the 2009 swine flu. Kitty symptoms are primarily respiratory, which includes sneezing and teary eyes, as well as any unusual food refusal.

Get the CDC's tips for interacting with all pets (and people) when you read more.

As with humans, the CDC recommends:

Wash your hands frequently.
Cough or sneeze into elbows.
Discard any tissues out of reach of cats.
As hard as this is, be a little less affectionate with your animal (distance-wise) while you're ill.

Source: Flickr User theogeo

For Nine Bucks, Felines Can Beat This Eco-tastic Lounge to a Pulp

PetSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:07 -0800

Get excited for this new eco-tastic find! The Bergan Scratch Lounger is 100 percent recycled - it's a pulp material (think, a huge egg carton) that felines can scratch and sleep on 'til their furry heart's content. There are no dyes, glues or chemicals making it safe for pets' tongues and teeth, but the best part? The price. Pick up one of these recliners for just $9.

Do Tell: Can Your Pets Perch in Small Spots?

PetSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:23 -0800

Acro~~bats~~cats entertain with regular balancing acts and I often wonder not only how they perch so precisely, but how they land all right up there in the first place . . .

Guess What Cat?

PetSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:52 -0800

This breed is not from the island of Bali, but it's nearby . . .

Is Your Kitty a Red Devil?

PetSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:45:00 -0700

Kitties can celebrate their own Meow-lo-ween, just don't get crazy with the costumes. Most finicky felines will protest a full-body suit with their paws and claws but a simple hat? Sure, why not. I know of a whole group dedicated to cats in hats you bought at Target and my recent trip to this superstore turned up some amazing results.

Sadly, I couldn't find the exact models online, but these caps come close to the cuteness. With black/white or brown/black stripes with the Red Horns, is $30 too much to buy in to this photo opp?

I Need Your Help . . . Cat Eats Every Fabric Scrap Found!

PetSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 08:00:32 -0700

Now it's one thing if your feline fixates on one particular item you can keep out of reach (for a pal, it's their sponge), but what do you do if a pet seems to want to eat every cut of cloth he gets his claws into?! Community Member Flack explains:

Our little guy, Malachi, is eating everything and has been doing so for over a year. We can't have curtains, we hide our cushions and dish towels, we keep our towels out of the bathroom and make sure to keep our bedroom and all closets closed. But still, he manages to find the one thing we've forgotten (a sock, a cardigan on the back of a chair, a fleece blanket peeking out of the linen closet). He was a special rescue, and we love him to bits, but we can't spend the next 15 years hiding every scrap of fabric - please tell me you have some sort of idea how to fix this!

She turned up a few mentions of Pica - referring to animals craving and eating non-food items - through research, but can't very well douse her entire home with bitter apple spray and really needs tips on how to get her precious pal to turn his nose up at non-edible, non-treats. Offer your suggestions in the comments below and remember if you have questions to be answered, either send me a private message or simply post to the Pet Peeves group - we're all here to help!

Guess What Cat?

PetSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:00:06 -0700

So sleepy . . .

Go Fish! 10 Toys to Bait and Catch a Cat

PetSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:45:49 -0700

It's fishing season - kitty fishing season. If you want to trap a feline with some feathered, catnip-filled, or fishy-shaped bait, I've gathered up 10 tempters for playful cats. Remember, let her snatch it every once in a while, but otherwise, happy casting.
Source: Flickr User brianschulman

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