tidy cats coupon: November 2012

Brooks Books- Dogs on Wheels

Hi Brooks here! The book I found for you today is called Dogs on Wheels, Traveling with your canine companion. I can tell you already that I highly approve of this book, since I like traveling with Mom and Dad. Here's Mom to tell you more!

Me: Dogs on wheels by Norm Mort, published by Hubble and Hattie (c) 2012
This book starts with an interesting introduction to the evolution of dogs, and the way people tend to humanize their dogs. This all leads up to the point that we like taking our dogs places with us, and in most cases dogs enjoy it too.

Because Hubble and Hattie is an imprint of an automobile publishing house (Veloce Inc.) you will find plenty of authoritative information here on which types of vehicles are best suited for dogs, with lots of pertinent details-- effect of heating and cooling for the rear compartments, safety of the passenger area in case of emergencies, and considering the height of the windows for seeing out. Various makes and model cars are discussed in detail. If you're in the market for a new car, this chapter would be of great benefit to you.

Other chapters include traveling safety, airbags, travel accessories, and handling dog fears and phobias such as car sickness, claustrophobia and anxiety. There's even a chapter on traveling with your dog on a motorcycle or in a motorcycle sidecar!

The books ends with a chapter on dogs in art and advertising, including numerous car ads that include dogs, and mentions of books and films that include dogs who like to travel in cars.

While the actual "how to travel with your dog" information in this book isn't particularly new or revealing, Dogs on Wheels is a unique book combining two interests. This book would be the perfect gift for the car enthusiast who also loves dogs.

Cats and Water — It’s Not Just for Drinking

Jeanne, our contributing writer, shares her experiences with her feline friend and shows that there are some cat breeds that are known to enjoy a swim, cats that enjoy the thrill of water play, and cats that will tolerate a bath. Despite what you may initially believe, there are cats that actually do enjoy water and we're not referring to just the beverage.

The “Swimming” Cat:

One breed in particular that stands out as a lover of water is the Turkish Van. Discovered on the shores of Lake Van in Turkey, this breed, which is generally a fluffy white cat with mostly white and auburn markings around the face and tail, loves to go for a swim. It has a silky coat that is said to be water resistant. If you own this breed and they do not have access to a body of water, they will most likely be expressing their love of the water sport by playing in a nearby water bowl, with the water faucet, or even with toilet water.

Not every cat is a swimmer; therefore, you should take precaution and be able to act quickly in the case of an emergency or drowning situation. Water can be a danger for cats and you should never leave a full bath unattended, as a cat could dive in and be scalded by hot water or there is also the potential for drowning. Toilet lids should be kept down due to the danger of any chemicals you may use to clean them. Not all water situations are fun for cats.

Water Play:

Cats have been observed dipping or standing with a paw in their water before drinking. I’ve also found toys submerged in water bowls and witnessed cats at play with drenched toy mice. Actually, as I’m typing this, my cat is placing his paw in his water bowl while drinking. Is he testing the temperature of the water or is he just washing his paw? Why do cats do this?

There are several theories as to why cats will play with water. One is that a cat will not drink from a dirty water bowl or drink water that is dirty. They have a great sense of smell and may be testing the water with their paw for its safety from chemicals and (yes, as mentioned earlier) to test the temperature. Another theory of water play is that the cat maybe trying to actually catch a reflection with their paw. Still another theory is that some cats like running water over still water. Cats are also known to have weird drinking habits and are found drinking water directly from a faucet, a filled mug in the sink, or a puddle on the patio.

Scrub-a-dub-dub!

Cats are usually known to provide themselves with their own bath, but there are occasions that might call for you, your veterinarian, or a professional groomer to provide a bath. These occasions may be if your cat gets extremely dirty; for example with mud, if your cat obtains fleas, or if your cat is a show cat. In these cases, this is where water will come into the picture. Most cats are resistant to water as it gives them an icky feeling to their coat. If you start bathing your cat at an early age, they can become use to the pampering of a warm bath.

Morris Animal Inn offers grooming services for your cat and if your cat has a love of water, Morris Animal Inn can also offer our feline guests aquarium views of their fish friends performing one of their favorite water sports –swimming! Contact us to book your cat’s next grooming appointment or lodging reservation and request an accommodation with a water view!

We are pleased to have Jeanne, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Jeanne is a member of our Guest Services team and is a passionate cat owner. We look forward to sharing her contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

References:
Cats 101. (n.d.). Retrieved from Animal Planet : http://animal.discovery.com/tv-shows/cats-101/videos/turkish-van.htm
Cutts, P. (1992). The Complete Cat Book. New York: Smithmark Publishers Inc.
Haddon, C. (2010). Cats Behaving Badly. New York: Thomas Dunne Books. An imprint of St. Martin's Press.
James R. Richards, D. (1999). ASPCA Complete Guide to Cats. San Francisco: Chronicle Books LLC.
License, C. C.-S. (2012, September 20). Retrieved October 7, 2012, from Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Van
Wilkins, K. A. (2007). Animal Planet. Cats. New Jersey: T.E.H. Publications, Inc.

Wednesday Pet Roundup, Hat and Scarf Edition

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup! The winter is setting in here in the northeast, so time to get out the puffer coats and Uggs. Brooks and Kelly model their warm winter wear for you.

* This singer put her pet's needs above her concert tour. Fiona Apple postponed the last leg of her tour to be with her dying pit bull, Janet. She'd rescued the dog as a puppy from a dog fighting ring. "I just can't leave her now, I hope you understand." Apple posted on Twitter.

* Did you watch the National Dog Show on Thursday? Which breeds were your favorite? I loved the huge Great Dane, who looked even larger because his handler was on the short side. And the Bearded Collie was so cute. The winner? Sky, a wire fox terrier. Remarkably, a wire fox terrier also took the honors last year!

* Which animals are considered illegal to keep in New York City apartments? Is it permissible to slaughter rabbits in Chinatown? The New York Times interviews Christine Mott, chairwoman of the animal law committee of the New York Bar Association. If you live in the Big Apple, find out how animal laws affect you.

* Cherise Udell from Care2 writes the slightly tongue and cheek 8 Reasons Cats are Better than Kids. Funny or just plain wrong?

*Enjoy this picture!

Great Books for Dog Lovers, Cyber Monday

I'd love to make it cheaper and easier for you to get my books, so today for Cyber Monday I'm offering a great deal on signed copies with a personalized message to you or a friend.

Dieting with My Dog and Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF the list price. Buy two of the same or mix and match. Great gifts for your pet loving friends and family.

Only $2.00 shipping per order, no matter how many books you buy!

Just email me at peggyfrezon (at) gmail (dot) com and let me know which books you'd like, and how you'd like them signed.

Offer good through 11:59pm Monday 11/26/12.
Thank you!

Dieting with my Dog- List Price $19.99
Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw- List Price $13. 95

Cyber Monday Finds for Pet Lovers

Nothing like a mini me plush toy!

Looking for great deals on great gifts for pets and pet lovers?

* 2012 Gift Guide from DogTipper! (Including a mention of Dieting with my Dog. Thank you Dog Tipper!)

*I'm also happy to tell you about Chewy.com's Cyber Monday Sale with 50% off of everything but food...that's 3,000 products marked down! Chewy.com is my favorite for their wonderful customer service and super fast delivery.

* And, I'm excited to add my own, very first Cyber Monday Sale. Today through the end of the day Monday, 11/26/12 you can get my books--Dieting with My Dog and Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw for BUY ONE, GET ONE HALF OFF the list price. Just email me at peggyfrezon (at) gmail (dot) com and let me know which books you'd like, and how you'd like them signed. I'd love to sign them for you. Thank you so much.

* Here are 5 great Cyber Monday deals for cat lovers, listed by Catster and 5 great Cyber Monday deals for dog lovers listed by Dogster

More great gift ideas:

* Awesome pet squall jacket in blue, red, green, yellow or orange for $29.50 from Lands End.

* Catit Designs Senses Speed Circuit toy $14.41 from Pet Food Direct

* Spot Skinneeez fox stuffing free plush toy 14 inch, $3.00 Pet Food Direct

I hope you find the right gift for your pets and pet lover friends.

The Brainy Bone Dog Toy Puzzle Challenge

Brainy Bones recently sent me 3 dog bone puzzle toys to test. See how they fared. And keep reading...at the end, you can WIN one of 3 Brainy Bones for your dog too!

THE BRAINY BONE DOG TOY PUZZLE CHALLENGE!
The competitors:
Kelly: Cocker Spaniel-Long-haired Dachshund mix, quick, clever, spunky
Brooks: Golden Retriever, lovable, agreeable, easy-going

The challenge:
Who can open their Brainy Bone Interactive Puzzle and eat the treat inside first?

Brainy Bones are anew line of dog brain stimulation toys from Jolly Pets. The toys are for interactive play only and not meant to be used as a chew toy.

They come in 3 different designs:

Peek-a- Bone, the easiest. Just stuff with a treat and close. Your dog works to open the cap and get out the treat.

Whirl-a-Bone- next most difficult. Place a treat inside and close. Your dog has to whirl the top around to open and reveal the treat.

Tug-a-Bone-- the most difficult. Fill inner cavity with a treat and close. Your dog has to tug the middle section, and rotate while continuing to pull to find the treat.

Both dogs were excited to play. Now, before you read the results, let me just say that we love Brooks. We adore Brooks. He's the sweetest dog in the world. Okay, I just had to say that.

I gave Brooks the easiest, Peek-a-Bone.
He worked

And worked

And worked

He did manage to get the cap open, but couldn't figure out how to get the biscuit out! Even when he had it upside down and the treat half sticking out, he didn't seem to get it.He spent a lot of time chewing on the back. Despite his lack of progress he didn't get discouraged, but seemed to enjoy the experience and texture of the bone (While it is not a chew toy, there is no way to avoid them chewing on it during play. Just be sure to supervise your dog.). I had to "help" Brooks get his dog treat in the end!

Kelly, however, made quick work of the puzzles.
I gave her the Whirl-a-Bone first and she had it open in a matter of seconds.

The Tug-a-Bone took a little longer, but not too long. She did the puzzle 3 times while Brooks worked on his. And she thoroughly enjoyed the process.Her tail wagged the whole time, and she was happily engaged.

Brooks and Kelly give Brainy Bones 8 paws way up! I highly recommend these toys as a fun interactive way to challenge your dog. If you have a border collie or other clever breed, she will probably be like Kelly and make quick work of it. But if you have an Average Joe like Brooks, he will probably spend much happy time engaged in the toy.
Now, here is your chance to win! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Thanksgiving, Get Cookin'

Get Cookin' Mom!

Happy Thanksgiving, Love Brooks and Kelly

Your Pet & the Holidays

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, most days are filled with thoughts of recipes, parades and all of the guests we’ll be having for dinner. While this is an enjoyable time for us to see friends and family, remember that for our four-legged friends, this may be a disruption to their otherwise perfect routine.

Cats may show signs of being anxious or stressed during the holidays by hiding, loss of appetite, excessive vocalizing and pacing. Dogs can feel overwhelmed as well. They may feel they need to protect their owners from strangers and visitors. Some signs that your dog is feeling like the festivities are too much may include panting, shaking, loss of appetite and hiding.

Dogs and cats tend to be creatures of habit and a joyous holiday can be far from their routine. You can find yourself with one anxious furry friend for the holidays. To aid in making it enjoyable for the whole family, we've compiled some tips for you and your pet this holiday season:

· Prior to guests’ arrival, place your pet in a separate and quiet room where they can relax. Make the room attractive to them by providing food/water, a favorite item and a place to snuggle during your soiree. Soft music can be calming for your prized pooch and fabulous feline as well.

· Providing extra activity to your pet before guests arrive can be beneficial as well. Better to wear out Fido and Fluffy and enjoy some activity before the party begins.

· Keep your pet’s feeding and exercise routine the same before and during the holidays.

· If your pet will be attending the party, be mindful of frequently open doors from arriving and departing guests. Your doggy and kitty may see an opportunity for adventure from that door swinging open.

· Separate your feline and canine companions from any presents, food and decorations for their safety and your peace of mind

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure a fabulous holiday for all!

Sources:

http://www.petside.com/article/thanksgiving-stress-management-pets

http://www.petplace.com/cats/stress-and-the-holidays/page1.aspx

http://www.ehow.com/how_4525116_reduce-holiday-stress-dog.html

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1383

Wednesday Pet Roundup - Happy Thanksgiving to you and your pets

My daughter's cat Cinnamon claims equal time for feline!

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet roundup! Kelly, Brooks and I hope all your Thanksgiving preparations are going well. Have a wonderful holiday!

* Do dogs protect homes from burglars? Would your dog? Check out this CBS Atlanta video as a papillon mix, german shepherd, rotweiller, pit bull and other dogs are taped during a staged burglary.

* From Mashable: a gadget that allows you to feed your pets from your phone.

* People reacted in shock and anger at video of skydiving cats on a television ad for a Swedish Insurance Company. Did the cats really skydive, or was it a trick?

* I want to take a moment to give thanks to all of you who've signed up for my new newsletter, the response has been wonderful! If you missed it, you can always subscribe to Pawsitively Pets now, we'd love to have you join us. Thanks!

* Finally, check out this funny flow chart!

Two Very Different Dogs, One Do it Yourself Dog wash

Saturday Kelly and Brooks took us to Shampoodle Dog Wash and Spa in Delmar NY. Usually we bathe the dogs in the tub, which requires kneeling on the floor and uncomfortable contortions bending over the tub, sopping towels and a big mess afterward. Would Shampoodle be a good solution?

The dirty dogs:
Brooks- friendly, calm, senior Golden Retriever
Kelly- anxious, sweet but not reliably friendly with other dogs, Spaniel mix.

We entered the building and were greeted by a friendly receptionist who explained everything we need to know. The dog wash is $13, and two can share a tub for $19. Each tub is in its own little room. We decided one of the rooms with a gate would be best for Kelly. (There were plenty of other dogs there at the time and happily, she didn't have a problem with any of them. But it was nice to have the gate there just in case.)

The rooms were equipped with aprons for us to wear (although I forgot, which is too bad because I did end up getting rather soaked, due to Kelly's wiggling!), shampoo, conditioner, eye cleaner, ear cleaner, and more.

Kelly went first. She had no problem climbing up the steps and into the tub. It was spacious enough that she didn't feel confined. The tub has a nice, non-slip bottom. We tethered Kelly to the hook and used the nice gentle flow from the shower wand. Everything was in easy reach and convenient. No bending over. We could even get in the tub with her if we needed to, which we did because Kelly isn't the most cooperative when it comes to baths. The staff frequently checked to see if we needed anything, and at one point suggested we used a small rubber scrubber on Kelly, which they said is like a massage, and it really did help calm her.

"Are you sure, Mom?"

"I guess it's not so bad afterall, Mom!"

Next Brooks. Because he has skin problems, they brought him a hypoallergenic shampoo. We sprayed the water and he stood there and enjoyed the bath with a smile. No wiggling. Just, "more please!"

"More please!"

Two very different dogs. Shampoodle worked great for each of them.

After their baths, the staff brought warm towels, as many as we needed. There is a powerful blow dryer right in the room, which Brooks enjoyed until he was fluffy and dry. For Kelly, I tried using a small hand dryer, but she wasn't too crazy about that. So they brought me chamois which soaked up the water and helped get her fairly dry before we had to leave. I was impressed at how the staff was ready with a solution for any situation, easily adaptable, and agreeable to doing whatever was needed to make it an enjoyable experience for the dog, and pet parent too!

We left with two clean, soft, fluffy dogs...and all the towels, the mess, and wet floor, left behind!

Ready to go!

We agree, this was a wonderful experience, and the only way we'd bathe our dogs again. If you live in our area, I hope you try Shampoodle. If not, I hope you have a do it yourself dog wash like Shampoodle near you.

Look how fluffy!

Brooks Books- The Divinity of Dogs

Brooks: I found this book for Mom because, well, because of the dog on the cover. Isn't it a lovely resemblance? I figure that any book with a golden retriever on the cover has to be good.

And this book is full of "true stories of miracles inspired by man's best friend"...I can tell you, and many of my friends can tell you, about miracles. Dogs are great at miracles! Here's Mom to tell you about the book.

Me: The Divinity of Dogs by Jennifer Skiff is a book of more than 70 heartwarming, true stories about dogs and the gifts they bring to us humans. I write frequently about the healing love of animals, a subject which I love, and so I was immediately attracted to this book. In fact, in my book Heart to Heart, Hand in Paw my chapter headings are Animals Heal, Animals Forgive, Animals Teach and Animals Love. Skiff's book chapters include love, forgiveness, and healing. So it's clear we're on the same track!

My favorite section of the book is labeled "Gratitude: Appreciating Home." There I read story after story of dogs who were neglected, abused, or homeless and had been rescued by a loving person. As someone who shares her home with two rescue dogs, I share the emotions expressed by the authors of these tales. I often wonder about my dogs' lives before coming to our home, who they lived with, what their names were, and how they happened to end up alone. It may just be a human foible to think that our dogs are grateful for us rescuing them. Or maybe what we perceive as gratefulness is really their innate ability sense of devotion. Whatever it may be, I am sure dogs feel a sense of peace and happiness when treated with respect and love.

I highly recommend The Divinity of Dogs. The stories are beautifully written and you'll feel like you've shared the joy, the tears, and the experiences told. It's a great book for reading a story or two before bed or when you want to relax for a few minutes.

In Your Mailbox, with Love

Brooks and Kelly are proud to announce our brand new newsletter, Pawsitively Pets, from Peggy's Pet Place.

We're launching this newsletter to bring you more pet news, go in depth on issues important to you, and to share good news and happy endings--everything PAWsitive!

By subscribing, you'll get the first look at exciting contests and giveaways, special perks only for newsletter subscribers, and totally new content not seen on the blog.

And, when you subscribe, you'll also get FREE my story A Little Sister for Hudson, as seen in Chicken Soup for the Soul, My Dog's Life.

So won't you please subscribe? Brooks, Kelly and I look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you,
Peggy

Efforts to Help Pets in the Wake of Hurricane Sandy

When Hurricane Sandy made landfall, it left much devastation in the New Jersey/New York area. Homes were left shattered and in the dark, and families were left with the painful task of having to put the broken pieces back together of what was left of the destruction. With many homes still deemed unlivable in the wake of the clean-up, homeowners are being forced to find alternate residences. Already having to leave their homes, the idea of finding a new place to live is an added burden for these families who have lost so much.

With everything that has happened, some families are also facing the reality of not being able to care for their pets during these trying times. Temporary living situations, lack of resources, and tight financials are impacting pet owners all over the area and they need our help. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is taking huge strides in trying to provide for these families and animals while they try to rebuild. For thousands of families, pets are the only thing they have left and the ASPCA has responded in the best way. By providing food, cat litter, temporary shelter, and other supplies for these pets, they are eager to find all the help they can get.

Longtime pet lover and celebrity chef Rachel Ray recently donated $500,000 to the ASPCA to help the animals affected by Sandy. A true philanthropist, Ray is setting an example of just how much help these victims need.

If you would like to contribute to the cause and help out these poor animals, every cent counts. Donate here and help make the lives of these families a little easier.

Another example of an organization that has taken great strides to help families and their pets is the The Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MCSPCA). They have an urgent list of items they need for their Pet Pantry Distribution Center as they continue to help those affected by Sandy. Click here to view this list.

We are pleased to have Vin, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Vin is a passionate dog owner. We look forward to sharing his contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

Wednesday Pet Roundup-- Fall Fling

Hi and welcome to Wednesday Pet Roundup! Kelly and Brooks are enjoying the crisp fall weather and working off a few calories before Thanksgiving.

Here are the links for this week.

*Through love, they're healing. 7 former Vick dogs reunited in California.

* From the Daily News, Rachel Ray has donated $500,000 and tons of food for Sandy pets and also $100,000 for people food banks. "When you make a living in food, you have to give back in the same way," she says.

* Fun Election News: Hank the Cat, a Maine coon cat, came in third in the Virginia Senate race. He garnered 6,000 votes.

* Why do cats paw around their food bowls? Mental Floss has the answer.

*Congratulations to the winners of A Dog Named Leaf:
Kate V
Danielle M
Snoopy

* Friday is the launch of my brand new newsletter, Pawsitively Pets from Peggy's Pet Place. Hope you sign up and join in the fun!

Treats

Thank you Pooch Smooches!
We love our Frosty Paws coupons! And stuffed Frosty Paws dog (but Mom says it's not for us to play with. booo!)
While some people object to the ingredients, which are far from whole and natural, my dogs have done fine with a Frosty Paw treat once in rare a while.

If you prefer you can create your own homemade dog "ice cream" using:
yogurt
mashed banana
peanut butter
honey

Experiment with quantity and ingredients. You can substitute ingredients such as baby food or pumpkin for the banana and peanut butter.
YUM!

Do Dogs Watch DVDs?

Do you leave on the television for your dogs?
Have you ever been tempted to buy one of those dog DVDs for your dogs?

My friend Ellen bought The DVD For Dogs, the Ultimate Dog Sitter DVD for her dogs, a shepherd, a pug, and a great dane. Her dogs did not respond to the sounds and images on the DVD at all. So I offered to try it out with my two. Well, despite the cute picture (I posed them here for the blog, and my husband stood just out of sight to get their attention!), my dogs didn't respond at all either.

Their ears perked up once at the sound of a squeaky toy, but it didn't cause them to look at the dog on the television. For most of the video Brooks napped and Kelly licked her paws. Check out this video.

The DVD featured scenes of cats, dogs, ostriches (?!) and rats. I'm sure some dogs would be interested or possibly entertained by the sights and sounds of dogs and cats playing but according to my little survey, 5 out of 5 dogs say "paws down" for this DVD.

Despite this review, if you'd like to try this video out for yourself I'll gladly send it to you. Just send me a 6x8 or larger SASE. I'll send it off to the first person to email me and request it. *Update: The video has been claimed. Thank you!

Brooks Says, Adopt a Senior Dog

I'm joining Petfinder in celebrating November as Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month.

Why is this one of my "pet" causes? --If you're a regular here, you know it's because we adopted Brooks as a senior dog. Brooks was 11 years old when we adopted him this spring.

It took a leap of faith to adopt a dog this old. Larger breeds like Brooks don't have a much longer life expectancy, on average. I didn't want to adopt him, only to have my heart broken if we were to lose him in a short time. But my husband sealed the deal when he looked at Brooks and said, "But Honey, he deserves a loving home in his golden years."

Brooks has turned out to be loving, gentle, easy-going, and the perfect dog for us. We've only had him for 6 months so far, and he's stolen our hearts. Even our resident dog Kelly is beginning to come around. She was jealous at first, and put him in his place. Now, at times, she'll lick his face and sleep beside him.

Brooks is easy to care for. "Think of a pet that is already trained and doesn't chew or scratch everything in sight -- a pet who will love you unconditionally," said Kim Saunders, Petfinder.com's Vice President of Shelter Outreach and Public Relations. "That's what you get when you adopt a senior pet."

Some people worry that a senior pet comes with problems. We got lucky. Brooks has fewer "issues" than Kelly, adopted at 1 year old (also through Petfinder.) I think senior dogs just want what any dog wants--love.

Brooks has some health issues--he has allergies and at the moment needs to be on steroids. But no dog, young or old, has any guarantees. A friend of mine paid a hefty price for a labradoodle puppy and after only a month it was discovered that the pup had a life threatening immune condition. (Fortunately the puppy is improving.) When we adopted Brooks, I accepted that we needed to be prepared to provide for additional senior health needs, if they were to arise.

So don't be afraid. A senior dog has lots of love to give. A senior dog deserves a loving home for his or her golden years. During Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, take the opportunity to get acquainted with the older pets available at your local shelter or rescue group, or at www.petfinder.com.

Cat Nail Trimming - A Mani and Pedi for Your Kitty

When you plan your own spa day, make sure that you are planning a regular manicure and pedicure for your cat. An essential part of keeping you and your feline healthy and happy is by making sure you are providing proper nail care.

NATURAL NAIL CARE:

Cats will groom their claws on their own by taking off the outer sheaths, which is the covering around the nail. They do this in several situations by scratching their nails on an indoor scratching post, on a tree (if they are an outdoor cat), or by chewing at their nails to expose the new claw. Cat owners will want to trim their cat’s nails on a regular basis to protect not only their furniture but their own skin.

PREPARATION FOR THE TRIM:

It is important to know the details of how to properly and carefully trim your cats nails before attempting the process. Your veterinarian should be consulted for direction before attempting this on your own for the first time.

You will want to avoid cutting the quick of the nail. The quick is the pink area in the middle of the nail that contains the nerves and blood vessels. Cutting the quick will cause bleeding and pain if snipped. Bleeding can be stopped by using styptic powder on the nail which contains the bleeding. You will only want to cut the tip of the nail, which is the sharp white point of the nail. Be conservative in cutting in order to keep away from the quick. Please be mindful that if your cat has dark claws, you will want a professional to complete the nail trim, as you will most likely not be able to see the quick area.

Use only nail clippers specifically designed for cats. You will not want to use your own nail clippers as they might split the cats nail. In pet stores, you will see that there are nail trimmers available that are actually designed to locate the quick of the nail. Now how cool is that?

TRIMMING PROCEDURE:

Do not upset your feline family member! Approach your cat during a calm or sleepy state to make the experience as pleasant as possible. You may also want to get your cat used to you touching his or her paws at times other than trimming, in order to keep from having a negative reaction.

· With your fingers, carefully squeeze and apply pressure to the pad of each toe. This action will expose the nail.

· Clip just the tip of each nail, which is the sharp white point. Please be cautious of where the quick is. Remember that you do not want to cut the quick that contains the nerves and the blood vessels.

· Keep the Kwik Stop powder handy, in case you do accidently snip the quick!

For a kitten, it is recommended to trim the claws once a week. This will help you in becoming familiar with the procedure. For an adult cat, a trim every two to four weeks should be sufficient.

If your cat is not cooperative for the nail trimming process, you should book an appointment with a veterinarian or groomer. Feel free to contact Morris Animal Inn to book a nail trim during your cat’s next visit with us.

Some words of advice for your kitty: Look sharp but don’t be sharp!

Have you tried cutting your cats nail and were you successful?

We are pleased to have Jeanne, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Jeanne is a member of our Guest Services team and is a passionate cat owner. We look forward to sharing her contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

REFERENCES:

www.aspca.org: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-nail-trimming-101.aspx

Cutts, P. (1992). The Complete Cat Book. New York, New York, USA: Smithmark Publishers Inc.

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. (2008). Hill's Science Diet: The Guide for Lifelong Health. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Spadafori, G. (2002). Cats for Dummies (Vol. Miniature Edition). New York, New York, USA: Hungry Minds, Inc.

The Iams Company, a division of Meredith Corporation. (1998, 2001). Your New Cat. A Comprehensive Guide to Health, Nutrition and General Care . Meredith Integrated Marketing.