Critter Consulting

We confess our posts have been a bit canine concentrated lately. (That’s probably because Rusty recently joined our family.)  But we love the kitties, and we know you do, too!  So occasionally, we’ll devote entire posts to our feline friends.  And, of course we’ll continue to include cats in all of our posts & e-newsletters.  So hug Fluffy for us, and enjoy!

We love Simon’s Cat in “The Box”.  Watch!

Love all things feline?: Visit our resources for cats, including recommended reading & toys. Follow us on Twitter for daily cat & dog tips.  Contact us if you need help with you cat’s (or dog’s) behavior.  We’re always happy to help!  (Looking for holiday weekend ideas for your family & pets?  We’re still updating our summer post….)

© 2010 Critter Consulting

We wish you a nice, sunny Memorial Day weekend with your family & pets!

Get off to a good start with important seasonal info & fun goodies:

• Check our posts for pet-friendly games & products; travel tips; & heat-beating ideas:
  • “Holiday play!”
  • “Summer fun:  Include your furry friends!”
  • “Welcome sweet spring!”
  • “Summer’s here!”
• We updated our resource pages with new articles to help you & your pet with spring/summer wildlife & insect encounters.  (Snakes, skunks, & bees – oh my!)
• Whether you’re traveling with your pets or leaving them home, we have you covered:  Check our resource section for new travel tip articles.   Watch this video:  “Tips for Campers Bringing Pets”.  And we’ve listed pet sitters & day cares we trust.
• Rusty’s Dog Blog has been launched!  Rusty’s a poodle with a lot on his mind….

We love this video because it perfectly captures this holiday’s vibe.  Welcome summer….. doggie-style!

© 2010 Critter Consulting

We’re new dog-parents! About a month ago we adopted Rusty, an adorable, 3-yr-old miniature poodle.  As previous guardians of a boxer and fans of bully breeds, we surprised ourselves by adopting a poodle.  But, he’s a cool dog who happens to be in a poodle suit!  So we’re thrilled & honored to have him in our lives.  If you’re a “fur-mom”, too, this post’s for you.   Enjoy!

• Read “Rusty’s Dog Blog”.  It’s a new site we’re launching, packed with lots of helpful hints, product reviews & pet peeves – from a poodle’s point-of-view!  Don’t be fooled:  Rusty thinks big & loves to play, so his raves will benefit pups of all sizes.  Just subscribe to our e-newsletter, and we’ll let you know what Rusty’s been up to!
• Feline “moms”:  We certainly haven’t forgotten about you!  As always, our posts and resource section are loaded with goodies for cat & dog lovers.  (As you know, Kitty’s life is easier if your pup is trained & happily tired!)  Contact us anytime if you need help with your favorite feline’s behavior.
• Procrastinators rejoice! If your mom is a pet lover & you forgot the gift, we’ll keep you out of the doghouse.  Check our recommended reading list for dog & cat books.  (Might we suggest Trish King’s “Parenting Your Dog“?)  Or pick up the latest issue of “The Bark” magazine for Mom.  For the philanthropist pet-mom, donate to a local shelter or rescue in her name.  Email Mom a sweet note along with a link to a “Simon’s Cat” film – or – send her a personalized, animated e-card from sloppykisscards.com.  Cute!  Need more ideas?  We’ve got you covered:  Take Mom & her pup to a dog park, or go for a hike/picnic.  Or get in touch with us for gift certificates for dog & cat training.
• Don’t get Mom a surprise pet as a gift! See our last Mother’s Day post….

Have a lovely Mother’s Day!  We’ll leave you with this silly kitten video that we just can’t stop watching:

© 2010 Critter Consulting

What do we have in common with our pets?  Our food supply is one and the same!  And, a quality diet is healthier – mentally & physically.  (For our pets, that translates into fewer vet visits, longer lives & better behavior!)  That’s why we mix pet & human diet info in this post series.  Dig into this informative, fun smorgasbord of foodie news!

Recalls

• “Pet treat under investigation” from usatoday.com, 3/12/10.  (Real Ham Bones for Dogs can splinter & block dogs’ intestines.)
• “Salmonella recall spreads quickly to other products” by Mark Huffman, 3/12/10.  (This one’s big, and it affects all of us!  Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HPV) is widely used in many processed foods.)
• “What’s going on with Walmart’s Special Kitty cat food?” by Susan Thixton, 2/23/10.
• “Nature’s Variety pet food issues recall” by Beacon Journal staff, 2/15/10.  (This recall was expanded on 3/8/10!)
• “FDA warns pet owners of salmonella in (Merrick) beef treats” by Lisa Wade McCormick, 1/16/10
• “Pet Carousel recalls beef hooves and pig ears because of salmonella risk” US Recall News, 12/11/09  (Note:  If you get our e-newsletter, you already know about this one!)

Articles & posts of interest

• “Most store-bought chicken contains harmful bacteria” by James Limbach, 12/1/09.
• The truth about Kibbles ‘n Bits dog food and Pup-peroni & Milkbone dog treats:  Read Darcy’s 2/9/10 post on why you shouldn’t fall for manufacturers’ emotion-based advertising.  Get good @ reading ingredient lists on food packaging!  Check our site for more info.
• “Food allergy may be causing feline cystitis” by Dr. Michael Fox, 2/14/10.  (Note:  Another case against corn.  Contact us if your pet house soils!)
• “Fish oil supplements contain PCBs, so eat fish?“  by Deborah Mitchell, 3/3/10.  (Note:  There are healthy fish oil supplements that can benefit you & your pet.  Read on, and, as always, consult your vet.)
• “Feline feeding ‘faux paws’” by Amelia Glynn, 3/1/10  (Note:  We are as skeptical as the author is about 9Lives being a spokes-company for “wholesome” & “highly nutritious” cat food.  But read on….)
• “FDA concerned about substance in food packaging” by Denise Grady 2/15/10.  (Note:  The latest on BPA in food/beverage containers.)

Tasty & safe

• New FDA widget! A glimmer of hope from the FDA comes in the form of their new “Pet Health & Safety” widget, designed to update you on the latest news on pet food, including recalls.  Find it on our homepage:  Scroll to the bottom of our sidebar.  Check back often, as it self-updates!
• We love “Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual” by Michael Pollan.  Read or watch interviews with the author about his new, quick-read book on human food safety.  Follow his simple rules to easily choose healthy, natural (single-ingredient) foods over what Pollan calls “edible, food-like substances” (processed foods in the modern, Western diet).   Example:  Rule #2 from the book is “Don’t eat anything your great grandmother wouldn’t recognize as food.”  Good advice that applies to your pets, too!
• Did you know this is National Peanut Butter Lovers’ Month? Odds are your pup knows!  Here’s a recipe for Peanut Butter Cups to help Fido celebrate, courtesy of threedog.com.  Dogs-with-thumbs will love eatingwell.com’s Peanut Energy Bars.  Yum!
• Easter safety for pets

Video-goodness

Three of our favorite foodie flicks: Slow-motion dogs catching treats.  (A sweet video, but we don’t recommend Pedigree products.)  Joris eating dinner.  (Good for a belly laugh.)  And, in the spirit of spring & Easter, Baby bunny eats tiny flower.  (Kids will love this one!)

Information provided on this site is not a substitute for veterinary care. See your vet before you begin a complementary health care or exercise plan. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

© 2010 Critter Consulting

Halloween is good spooky-fun for humans.  For pets, it’s just plain spooky.  This year, help your pets enjoy Halloween – from their points-of-view.

• A truly happy Halloween for pets includes lots of exercise & play, followed by relaxing away from the chaos of treat-or-treating.  Watch this video, and visit our post from last Halloween for important pet safety tips.
• Step away from the Halloween haute couture for Fluffy & Fido! They much prefer to go au naturale.  Don’t believe us?  Check the abundance of videos & pics of costumed pets online.  One look @ their faces tells the “tail”.   Perhaps this video of Pixie & Wicket will convince you.  (Their owner – and videographer – notes that “a minute after recording the video, Pixie peed in place, and Wicket bit his left hand”.)  Not happy puppies!
• Having said that, in the “spirit” of  the season, we suspect that if dogs did do Halloween, it would look like Splash & Kiko’s treat-or-treating adventure! (FYI:  No chicken bones for dogs!  Kiko’s owner/trainer said Kiko doesn’t have any teeth, so she couldn’t chew the bone.  That bone was the only thing they could get her to take in her mouth from the “mean guy”.)

Boo!

© 2009 Critter Consulting

After a weekend plagued by computer problems, it occurred to us that many pet toys actually last longer than a laptop!  This weekend, enjoy some playtime with your pet and some well-made, road-tested toys.  We recommend:

• Visit our toy lists.  Is Rover a real problem solver or a super chewer?  We listed dog toys according to durability & degree of difficulty.  The puzzle toys (food- dispensing toys) & long-lasting chews are especially helpful in resolving Pup’s boredom & stressed-based behavior problems.  Our favorite cat toys provide environmental enrichment and interactive play that appeals to a cat, not just a human.  This really helps curb Kitty play aggression, like early morning ankle ambushes!
• Beat the heat with cooling tips & toys! See our post from last summer.  (We love the Kool Dogz Ice Treat Maker!)
• Feeling creative? Make your own.  Your pets don’t care if a toy is store-bought or hand-made.  Just keep it safe and, as always, observe Fido & Fluffy with a new toy.  If they quickly chew up or swallow bits of a toy, remove it.  No small pieces that can be swallowed.  (If the whole toy fits in your pet’s mouth, it’s too small!)  Here are some inspiring videos:    Keep it simple (water jug) -or- let the engineer in the family rig this one up.   As you know, pets are great @ showing us what found-objects make great toys, too.  (Examples:  a yoga ball and a staircase.)  Think big and have fun!
• A word of caution:  Avoid play with laser toys, as in this video.  In healthy, constructive play, a cat or dog stalk, chase & grab a toy – as they would prey.  (Much play is an expression of your pet’s prey drive.)  Chasing a beam of light makes life easy for the human on the couch, but it’s frustrating & unsatisfying for a pet.   And it can lead to unhealthy, almost compulsive, light-chasing.  (We’ve seen dogs who can’t stop chasing beams of light from crystals hanging in windows, for example.)
• And – for the ultimate catch game: Did you see the story on the banker & the ducks?  Enjoy!

As always, contact us for more help training your pet.  Have a great holiday!

© 2009 CritterConsulting

Sometimes we all just need a break.  Here’s a charming “tail”:

“An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard.  I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me; I gave him a few pats on his head.  He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner, and fell asleep.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside, and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour.  This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: ‘I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.’

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: ‘He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 – he’s trying to catch up on his sleep.  Can I come with him tomorrow?’”

Source:  Internet.

While we didn’t run this story by snopes.com, it’s a believable scenario.  Family life can get hectic for parents, kids & pets, alike!  (Many cats  simply refuse to come home again when things get too chaotic.)  Contact us if you need help creating a peaceful balance in your home.  We’ll work with you to develop a training plan that meets your goals & suits your busy lifestyle!

© 2009 CritterConsulting

Enjoy this collection of holiday safety tips, gift ideas, and fun new videos!

Keep your pet safe & happy this holiday season:

• “Fact or Fiction:  Are Poinsettias Poisonous?” Read the ASPCA’s update on the low toxicity of this popular plant.  Take note that other holiday growies are dangerous to your pet:  Just a nibble of a lily can cause kidney failure in cats. Holly and mistletoe can cause GI distress and cardiovascular problems.  Bacteria & fertilizers in tree water can also trigger tummy upset.  Cats often vomit after eating evergreen needles.  Per the ASPCA:  “If you suspect that your animal companion has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. A fee may apply.”
• “Veterinarian Urges Pet Safety During Holidays” by Russ Krebs (FreemontTribune.com, 12/08/08).
• Browse our Thanksgiving post, “You Are What You Eat” for holiday food safety tips.
• Read our articles, “‘Tis the Season for a Change in the Weather” and “Baby, It’s Cold Outside!” for tips on keeping pets cozy this winter.
• Help Fluffy & Fido relax:  Pet-proof your house, and keep your pets away from holiday chaos.  During festivities, find a quiet place in your home where they can relax without being scared or overstimulated.  Stick with your pets’ routines, including lots of exercise, to help them cope with holiday unpredictabilities.  Stay on top of house training; many pets regress due to schedule changes, stress, and unpleasant weather.  Read more tips, and contact us for additional advice.

Looking for the purrfect gift for your cat, dog, or pet-loving friend?

• Never, ever, ever give a pet as a surprise gift! If you’re considering adopting, make sure the whole family is in agreement, and do your research first.  Take your time choosing your new family member.  We can help!
• We’ve seen a lot of impractical lists of pet gift ideas this season.  NAPSI’s list is one of the best.  Visit our always-updated recommendations for dog products & toys, as well as cat products & toys.
• You can find great gift ideas & discounts @ our favorite catalogs & online shops.  Check the list for the latest discounts offered by each company.  And please support local pet stores and shelter gift shops.
• Your pet doesn’t care how much you spend on a gift.  Playtime; homemade gifts; an extra walk; or a romp @ the dog park are wonderful – and free!
• A recent study showed that 84% of Americans would rather receive a gift that gives to someone else than something that’s just for them.  Why not make a donation in a friend’s name to your local shelter or favorite rescue group ?
• Every shelter has a wishlist of items they really need.  Check their websites or call ahead for the list.  You can make a big difference with items you have around your house – no monetary donation needed.  Or, volunteer your time – it’s priceless!
• It’s always nice to curl up with a good book or video.  Our reading lists (dog & cat) are always updated for browsing.
• And – Critter Consulting offers gift certificates for pet training (for dogs & cats of all ages)!

Fun videos in time for the holidays:

• The RSPCA is on a mission to end pet obesity in the UK.  They’ve enlisted the folks behind “Simon’s Cat” to help:  Meet “Simon’s Sister’s Dog”.  (Contact your vet, as well as Critter Consulting, for help in reducing your pet’s weight in a healthy manner.  And we can help if your dog begs like Simon’s sister’s dog!)
• Barney’s celebrating his last Christmas in the White House.  (Corny, we know!)
• And our personal favorite: “Dog Having a Blast in the Snow”. Woo-hoo!

Warmest wishes to you and your family: two and four-legged, alike!

© 2008 CritterConsulting

A friend sent me this article.  (I’ve certainly heard this said of cats, too.) I had to share it with you:

“From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.”  They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog”.  Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog”.  Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog”, and not once have I felt slighted.  Some of my saddest moments were brought about by “Just a dog”.   In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it’s “Just a dog”, you will probably understand phrases like, “Just a friend”, “Just a sunrise”, or “Just a promise”.  “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.  “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and purpose that makes me a better person.  Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.

For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog”.  It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.  “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog”.  It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a man or woman”.

So the next time you hear the phrase, “Just a dog”, smile, because they “Just Don’t Understand”.”
-author unknown-

Big hugs to your dogs (and cats!). 

We wish you & your pets a safe & happy Halloween!

Check out these links to safety & behavioral tips:

• ASPCA’s guidelines
• Dogtime’s guidelines

Assuming Pup is happy in a costume, always supervise him while he’s wearing it.  Here are some cute costume ideas.

If your pet is fearful, territorial, or overstimulated by Halloween celebrations, keep him away from the excitement, safe & calm.  Contact us for help.

And, for a Halloween laugh, enjoy this video!

Boo!

© 2008 CritterConsulting