Cat Bed Ideas for the Pampered Feline

PAWSITIVE PAMPERINGS CAT NEWSLETTER, JANUARY 2013  My name is Simba, and I am pictured on the left.  Did you know that adult cats will sleep up to 18+ hours a day?  Why not provide them some great comfort?  Their own special cat bed!  And if you have a kitten, what better way to train them than teaching them to use their own bed while they are young. We, at Pawsitive Pamperings, have several suggestions in deciding what type of cat bed to buy:     1. The Window Perch – Snowdrift, a beautiful white cat, loves his window perch bed.  He sleeps in it a lot!.     2. Kitty Condos – These beds are designed for your cat to hide in while sleeping.  This is the perfect choice for your cat to sleep hidden away from the action in the home.  When awake, he can see out of the window and watch the weather, birds and squirrels, or watch his pet parents do some gardening while he is resting.  We have unheated and heated window perch beds, and one design has an optional bolster edge.        3. Round bed with sides – This style is great for the cat who likes to snuggle; especially for the small to medium sized cat.  Some beds have low sides; other designs have the sides just a little bit higher.     4. Heated bed – Being in the middle of the cold winter months, your precious feline may love a nice, heated bed.  This style may be the only convincing style to keep them off of your bed.  This cat bed was purchased by a friend who bought it to put next to her on her desk. That way her cat could stay warm and near her while my friend works on her computer and her cat wouldn’t get on her warm computer.   I know most cats love to be on your furniture or your bed.  Ours do.  Providing a comfortable small bed in any room, the living room, computer room, family room, etc., may just be that special touch to keep them off of your furniture and thus leaving those pesky cat hairs in their cat bed and not on your furniture or your clothes. We have several style cat beds.  Pamper your little furry friend and buy her a new cat bed.   Thanks for shopping at www.pawsitivepamperings.com.

The Cute, Friendly Boston Terrier

This cute little dog is intelligent, alert and social.  It is a wonderful family dog and a friendly pet.  Fortunately, he doesn’t need a lot of grooming.  Here are some of the interesting stats for this little pooch:

Statistics

Adult Height:  15”-17”

Weight: 10 lbs – 25 lbs

Life Expectancy:  13-15 years

Coat:  Short and smooth

Color:  Black tones with white on chest, paws, and face

Boston Terriers are a non-sporting dog.  They want to be your companion.  They are comfortable around other animals and good with children. Of course, children need to be respectful of their pet and not hurt them.

American bred, the Boston Terrier was developed by crossing the Bulldog and the English Terrier.  It was first recognized by the AKC in 1893.  He is a very alert dog, a great watch dog, and easy to train. They are easy to maintain because they only need brushing once a week, and have clean habits.  They easily adapt to any living environments because they are small.   They don’t need a lot of space, but they do need to be exercised, and any dog does.

There are 6 health issues to be aware of:

1. Cataracts (at any age)
2. Cherry Eye
3. Deafness
4. Heart Murmur
5. Allergies
6. Back issues

If you do a little more research by asking other owners of Boston Terriers, you may decide this is the pet for you.

We have lots of items that would be just perfect for you little dog.  Check out the cat beds as well as the dog beds categories because of their size at Pawsitive Pamperings.com 

So You Want to Get a Dog!

 

Wow! That’s a wonderful undertaking, and a very compassionate thing to do.  But what breed are you going to get?  Any ideas?

Let me give you some highlights of some of the more popular breeds, and then you can make an educated decision.  I have done a little research on these breeds, and I would advise you to do some research also.  Talk with friends; talk with your vet; talk with breeders.  It will be a VERY important decision for both you and your new 4-legged friend.

Too many dogs are returned to the breeder or taken to an Animal Control location because the dog was more than the owner’s had time or space for.  Get educated before you make the decision!  A cute puppy that you see is NOT why you bring your new puppy into your home.  Puppies grow up!

I will be giving you a few points of interest over the next several weeks regarding different breeds.  Please give feedback of your own on this blog about Border Collies so others can have more information.

The first breed I will discuss today is the Border Collie.  You gotta have room!  Room, lots and lots of room.  This is not the best dog for a suburban neighborhood.  He needs space!  He needs outdoor space!  Not just a dog run, he needs to Run!

First, here are 6 general facts:

1. Adult weight : 30-45 lbs
2. Adult height: 19” – 22” tall
3. Life expectancy: 11-13 years
4. Coloring:  Can be tri-colored; most often they are black with white marking patterns
5. Coat:  Medium in length; smooth to rough
6. Grooming – the need to be brushed; heavy seasonal shedding

Here is a list of 7 of their great qualities:

1.  Social
2. Cheerful
3. VERY agile and VERY active!!
4. Great work dogs – they are bred to herd sheep – in fact, they LOVE to work!
5. Highly Intelligent – some think they are the most intelligent of any breed, but I’m sure that is up for discussion
6. Good with Children, and they have a tendency to protect them.
7. Always on Alert! – They will bark at the door bell, and chase almost anything that runs.  They can be trained, however, so they will respond the way you want them to.

There are 2 characteristics that you need to be aware of:

1. They will demand 2-3 hours of your time EACH day because they need exercise and want to work.
2. They need plenty of outdoor space – great for the farmer or rancher

They have 3 breed-typical health issues:

1. Hip dysplasia
2. Seizures – but these can usually be controlled with medication
3. CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) – generally mild; rarely effects vision

They are a great dog, but you need to be able to meet their needs.  Next time, we’ll discuss the Boston Terrier.

Please check out the Dog supplies on Pawsitive Pamperings.com.  We have a new category of Made In USA Dog treats.

 

Well, summer is almost over and it’s time to get back to posting to our blog.  It’s been a busy summer for me with family and friends, and it has probably been a busy summer for you also.

 

I know I can’t be an expert in all things related to dogs and cats, so I will do a lot of research and share with you my finds.  I will also tell you where I searched for and found the useful, informative and fun facts.  I will also share some pet experiences – the ones with happy endings. Both dogs and cats issues will be discussed.

 

To start, I found an interesting article in Spot Magazine about taking your dog to work.  It says that dogs can reduce the stress for you and your co-workers.  The article states that when dogs were present, the levels of trust and effective collaboration among the co-workers were higher than normal.  No one expressed any concerns over allergies.

 

Even with the studies stated, it may take a lot of convincing at many companies to allow you to bring your dog to work, except on ‘bring your dog to work’ day.

 

Some of the upcoming blog topics will be on volunteering at pet shelters; microchip effectiveness; pet exercise, and pet pre-nups – really!

 

I personally love receiving emails from friends that put captions on pet pictures.  Those captions are quite comical, sensitive, and creative.

 

Check back and see out next blog on volunteers for pets.

Please look at our website: PawsitivePamperings.com for some great products.

 

Dog Beds for Aging Dogs

There are so many different kinds of dog beds available. If your dog is beginning to age, or has joint problems, a pillow bed may not give him that extra added support he needs. Your furniture may not give that support either, because I know lots of dogs love to be on your furniture to sleep.

Consider for your canine buddy an orthopedic dog bed, sometimes called a memory foam dog bed. These beds give your dog a little extra TLC, a little more support and then he will be a little more comfortable.

Orthopedic beds are also great for a pup that is recovering from a trauma like surgery. If you can get a heated one, or a heating unit to put between the mattress and the cover, he will love it! The heat will be so soothing.

Just a word of caution, however. If your dog is a chewer, he could find that the cord to the heating element is something new, and maybe he is thinking it might be fun to chew on. Not a good idea, obviously. Cover that cord, disguise it, or don’t use a heating element – for his own safety.

Another option: You can put some warm blankets on top of the orthopedic mattress for added warmth. This may be more important during the winter months, but he may like the added warmth any time of year. Another idea, if it is possible, is to put the orthopedic dog bed near, but not too close, to a heat register for your home.

Always be aware of what could happen. Keep your pets safe, then comfortable!

You can see a variety of orthopedic dog beds and heated pet beds on www.pawsitivepamperings.com

More Dog Bed Basics

We discussed the importance of dog bed quality in the last blog, so today we will discuss the different shapes.

Basically there are two shapes: round dog beds or rectangular. Some of them also have bolsters for your dog to rest his head or to curl up against, which makes your dog more comfortable as he rests or sleeps. Some bolsters go around the entire bed, while other designs just have the bolster around three sides keeping one side as an easy entrance and exit to his bed.

A round bed is designed for the dog who like to curl up and sleep; a small dog would be the most likely to do this.

The larger dog would probably like the rectangular shaped dog bed so he can stretch out while sleeping. This shape is also ideal for their crate.

Some beds have the option of being heated. Different areas of the country experience cooler temperatures year around, while other areas just have cool temperatures during the winter months. Even during the summer, if you air condition your home, your dog my like a heated dog bed. Heated beds are an option – to heat or not to heat. You don’t have to have the heat on even if it is a heated bed.

Another thing to consider is the space you have to put his bed. Will you need more than one bed so they are always near you when you move from room to room? Will more than one pet be sleeping on the dog bed at the same time?

Your dog will love having his own space. Dog beds are their comfort space – secure and comfortable. Choose wisely. Get the best quality you can afford while considering their sleeping pattern, your floor space, and the number of pets that will use this bed. A dog’s life should be a good life!
There are many dog beds to choose from on www.pawsitivepamperings.com.

Dog Bed Buying Basics

Dog beds come in all sizes, shapes and prices. They vary in mattress content, shapes, fabric covers, colors, designs, fancy or plain.

Whatever your choice, get the best you can afford. If your dog is a chewer, getting the best bed you can could save you money. Even if your dog is not a chewer, their nails can still puncture or tear the fabric covering.

One of the first things to consider is their sleeping patterns.

 Do they like to curl up?
 Do they like to stretch out?
 Do they like to rest their head on a pillow?
 Do you want a dog bed that is eco-friendly?
 Where does your dog like to sleep?
 Is their dog bed going to be inside or outside?
 Do they have health issues to consider?

Today we will discuss – how they like to sleep – curled up or stretched out. We will discuss the other topics on future blogs.

Pillow type dog beds are the most common shape – either round or rectangular. If you find a nice fluffy one you think will be perfect and you purchase it as a local store, evaluate the fabric and the filling. The price may be good for your budget, but how long will it hold up? Some fillings will redistribute as it is used. In this case, all of the filling may go to the sides around your dog with nothing underneath him. Having the padding tufted, which are buttons or stitching that prevents the filling from shifting, would be a good design.  You will find tufted, poly-fiber filled beds in both round and rectangular shapes.

Make sure the fabric is durable and not lightweight. The lightweight fabric will be easily destroyed either by chewing or by their nails tearing the fabric.

So, you after you watch him sleep, you will know just what kind of bed will fit his needs best.  Their comfort is your biggest concern, so you will find one that will be perfect – just for him.

With any dog bed purchase, look for quality! It will save you money in the long run.

Check out the great dog beds at www.pawsitivepamperings.com

Make a Plan for Pet Evacuation

We have discussed in the last 3 blogs about things to put in an emergency kit for your pet. Now let’s talk about making a plan to evacuate.

Suggestion 1 – Create a plan with an evacuation route. Two plans may be necessary: (1) a plan to evacuate your house; (2) evacuating your neighborhood.

Suggestion 2 – Practice your plan. If possible, use a command for your dog or cat that will bring them to you. Give them treats or rewards while training them to do this. This command should be different than any other command so they know they will be leaving.

Suggestion 3 – Check with neighbors, family, friends or someone who might take your pet instead of taking them to a shelter.

Suggestion 4 – Check with neighbors, family or friends who can care for your pet if an emergency occurs and you can’t get home should you be away.

Important: If you have to evacuate, DO NO LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND!

Do something today that will make a difference. Save your life and your pet’s life.

Remember to check out dog and cat supplies on www.pawsitivepamperings.com

10 Ideas for a Pet Emergency Kit

To continue with the Emergency Preparedness blog theme for your pets, here are some suggestions as to what you  should put into your pet emergency kit. These suggestions can be used for both dogs and cats.

1. Collar or harness and leash (The pet’s name should be on the collar tag.)
2. Proof of immunizations
3. Crate or pet carrier
4. A picture of you with your pet for pet ID of owner. Keep the picture current. Our pets don’t change much, but we do.
5. Sanitation – For cats: Litter and litter box of some sort. The litter box doesn’t need to be fancy, just a corrugated box will do or an old roasting pan. For dogs: plastic bags for waste pick up.
6. Pet first aid kit. (see previous blog)
7. Dog treats or cat treats
8. Dog toys and cat toys
9. Face masks – they could be used in case of smoke, volcanic ash, chemical air contamination, or other airborne issues.
10. For dogs: a muzzle to prevent him from biting.

Check with your area emergency teams to see if there are classes you could take for Pet First Aid.

Plan to be ready – don’t wait until the emergency arises to gather these items.

Please visit www.pawsitivepamperings.com for dog or cat supplies.

More on Pet Emergency Preparedness

Here are a few additional ideas to think about when focusing on emergency preparedness for your pets.

1. Please take a picture of you and your dog and cat – together. It will help to identify that your pet belongs to you. In some disaster situations, someone other than the owner have claimed a pedigreed pet and other pets! This has been done! This is real! Unbelievable theft!

2. Having collars on your pets, with their names, help to identify the pet should you get separated from them. It will also allow the rescuer to call them by name . You may just want to keepcollars available to place on them if you have to leave your home or if you think they may escape from their surroundings. I know some pet parents don’t keep collars on their pets all of the time.

3. Dogs will have a tendency to become aggressive when they incur danger or perceive a threatening situation. Having a muzzle placed over their nose will prevent someone from getting hurt while they are trying to save or rescue your dog. Add a muzzle to your evacuation kit. If a muzzle isn’t available, wrap gauze around their nose to prevent him from biting. It’s really not the dog’s fault if he becomes aggressive. He is feeling threatened and his natural survival instincts take over.

4. Cats will have a tendency to scratch or bolt away from you. Putting them into a pillowcase could help to contain them – but DON’T tie the ends! You want to contain them, not suffocate them!  A cat carrier would definitely be the ideal.

5. This may sound strange, but if you have any lavender, rub it on their paws and nose – it will help to calm them.

6. Include in your 1st aid kit any of their special needs or medications. Include toys, chew bones for your dogs, or anything that will make this time a little more pleasant for him. For cats, a blanket that they can curl up in may help, along with a toy or treats. Having super glue will help to close minor wounds; styptic stick or powder will help to stop bleeding.

7. Benadryl will help calm your dog, but be sure to use the proper dosage for the weight of your dog!

I will share with you more tips on the next blog to help you make your evacuation just a little bit better, should you have to leave your home.

Please go to www.pawsitivepamperings.com for any of your pets needs.