PetSugar

Mmmmm, Pie: Desserts For Finicky Felines

PetSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:17 -0800

While nine bucks is a lot of money to spend on a slice of pie for me to eat (read: gone in minutes), it's totally reasonable for these jumbo toy pieces filled with organic catnip.
Dish out this cute present for resident felines at Thanksgiving dinner (so they don't get jealous of their lucky dog counterparts). I plan on eating some pumpkin pie myself so I'm choosing this one, but Catzilla Crafts' Etsy store "bakes" up a bunch of goodies including cakes, donuts, eclairs, and even (my fave) banana pancakes. Cue the Jack Johnson, I'm diggin' in.

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

From Dripping to Drenched, Why Are Wet Cats So Darn Cute?

PetSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:30:09 -0800

Whether dunked under water or dripping of their own accord, there's something about wet kitties that makes me giggle Too much water, too much watery fun. Check out 10 kitties in varying sodden states to brighten your afternoon a little.

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Can You Spot the Cat Tree?

PetSugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:00:37 -0700

As I was catching up on my cat news this weekend, I paused to meet the new HiCat cat tree on ModernCat. I instantly fell head over heels and began channeling Carrie Bradshaw when she finds the perfect pair of shoes! Can it get any better than a cat tree that also doubles as an architectural element in your home? Nope, sure doesn't.

The HiCat comes as a single, tree like pillar with safe interior cubby holes for your cat to perch in, which is much safer than climbing a real tree and dangling out on the branches! A durable outside ensures your kitty won't destroy it on first glance. The only downside? It's not yet available here in the US. But stay tuned, it should be here soon!

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Bare Bones: Buddha Cat Habitat

PetSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 10:00:05 -0700

Living in a small apartment can be a tricky task with all the accessories, toys, and overall "stuff" your pet requires. So when you have a small space, even a crate or cat tree can be a strain on your square footage. Thankfully, Square Cat Habitat has produced this totally functional cat perch that attaches right to your wall and can support up to 40 pounds. 40 pounds? That's a healthy kitty!

The Buddha Cat Habitat will set you back $100 but, made from eco-friendly bamboo, it's a clear-conscience and space saving alternative to the DIY Ikea Cat Tree I showed you awhile back. Plus the Buddha comes with your choice of non-slip insert that pulls double duty: match your already coordinated color scheme, and prevents Sassy from losing her grip!

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Geeky Cat Toys For the Nerdy Feline

PetSugar — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 08:00:03 -0700

I spend tons of time on the computer, thanks to my obsession with finding the best pet products to share, so I'm pretty familiar with my desktop equipment, even though I'm not as tech-savvy as I would like to be. You might say I have a catlike love/hate relationship with my mouse since it likes to freak out when I'm bookmarking, leaving me clickless and desperate. But, thanks to my pal Geek, I have plenty of help in that department. Bonus, she likes kitties and tipped me off to these awesome geeky toys!

Brought to you by Etsy user Catsicle, these plush mouse and iPod cat toys are purrrfect for the geek in all of us, feline or not. The iPod Toy ($14) not only comes with an embroidered screen, but earbuds to boot. The Mouse Toy ($12) is totally life like with the USB connector, but you def don't have to deal with this one going dead. – unless you count your cat tearing it to shreds!

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Howl-o-ween Puppies Dressed as Cats (Literally)

PetSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:35:57 -0700

It's really cutting it close if you've yet to come up with a costume for your furry friend. When thinking about easy costumes for pets, I immediately thought of my go-to getup for years: cat ears. Simple enough for this Halloween grinch, but a tail . . . no, thanks.

Which brought back the memory of those cute pooches on Conan playing Puppies Dressed as Cats. If you're crafty, you can simply sew black felt bits on a existing black hoodie or to see some premade kitty costumes for the canines, read more.

It's Feral Cat Day - Have You Ever Seen One?

PetSugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:25:00 -0700

Today's National Feral Cat Day to honor those felines that live in the wild. Before you start wishing they all could be rescued and adopted, know that many of these kitties are better-accustomed to living on their own terms in the wild. In areas around the country where this is common, Trap-Neuter-Release plans are enforced to keep a handle on the population.

On a personal note, these kitties have a special place in my heart from my college days, when they were frequently found, fed, and even adopted out whenever possible right on campus. Our pals over at Paw Nation dedicated several posts to this cause, including an interview with comedian Marc Maron about his feral cats:

"You know, I'm not a cat guy, but I'm a 'my cat' guy. If I go to your house, I'll pretend to like your cats, but secretly I'm thinking what a fat, stupid, ugly cat you have. That cat's an indoor cat; my cats are animals. Your cat can't even muster up the gumption to play with that fake mouse you bought it. It's days away from hanging itself on its scratching post. Or dying of ennui."

Don't worry, he's kidding. (I think.) Ever spotted a feral feline out and about?

Source: Flickr User edbrambley

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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To the Rescue: How to Make Friends With a Friend's Cat

PetSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:40:14 -0700

While my house is feline-free, I've got plenty of friends with kitty housemates. Most of the time, they're pretty receptive to my overtures, but here's an easy tip I've learned the sharp way.

When reaching out to pet a cat, approach with fingers tucked under and fist together. Open hands with spread fingers can look a bit too much like unsheathed claws to some cats, and they could perceive your gentle petting desires to be a sign of aggression and lash out. Ouch. Move slowly - so you're not a moving target - and show the cat your hand first to sniff your scent before reaching in for a rub.

If you've had this problem, or other issues with animals, big and small, share your questions and concerns with our Pet Peeves group - I'm only here to help!

Source: Flickr User FriaLOve