Holiday Food Tips for Cats

 For those of us that cook up a storm, it is tempting to give our cats an extra holiday treat, this is ok to do in moderation, but it is best not to feed your feline friend rich fatty foods, pan drippings and gravy.   As many cats are actually lactose intolerant don't feed your cat ice cream, whipped cream or other dairy products that can cause diarrhea.  Most cats are not interested eating toxic foods like chocolate, onions or avocados, but they may like a dish that contains these food items, these ingredients will make your cat sick, so it is best to steer  clear from foods that have those ingredients .  I have a solution to holiday human food for cats with a new delectable treat from chewy.com from Stella and Chewy.

If you think your cat has consumed a poisonous food contact your  vet or the Pet Poison Hotline (800) 213-6680.

 

Holiday Cat Food  A Solution - Stella & Chewy

To avoid giving my cats holiday human food, I am giving my gang of five a new, fabulously healthy pure protein freeze dried product made exclusively for cats that www.chewy.com sent me called  "Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels by Stella & Chewy.

This raw diet pet food was developed in 2003 when Marie met a puppy called Chewy and adopted him only to find out he had distemper.  Marie began to prepare and feed him a raw diet and nursed him back to health.  Marie decided to bring raw diet options to dog and cat pet parents and the brand, Stella & Chewy was born.  

Why to Buy

Each Stella and Chewy's freeze-dried raw dinner morsel is formulated to mirror a cat's ancestral diet that will keep your cat happy, healthy and give him or her the protein that they require to thrive. This cat food will help aid in healthy digestion, a vibrant skin and coat, and healthy teeth and gums.

The high  pressure process used to  create  Chick Chick Chicken Dinner Morsels has been   recognized by the FDA and USDA that gets rid of  harmful bacteria unable to survive under high  pressure.

Slow freeze drying locks in  nutrition.  You can feed cats this food in it's freeze dried form or rehydrate it by adding a half cup of water to every cup of food. Feeding instructions are included in the packaging making this easy to prepare.

• Freeze Dried to lock in nutrition and provide cats with a healthy balanced diet
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• All Natural with no grains, gluten, fillers, artificial  preservatives or color.
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• Cage -free and farm raised in USA that is  98% meat, organs and bones
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• Rich in  taurine and enhanced with  probiotics and antioxidants
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• Great for coat, eyes, skin  gum health
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• Added Vitamins and Minerals 
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• Serve as is or add water and serve

Other Holiday No-No's

Holiday Plants
Holiday Plants and flowers make our homes look festive, they also attract curious felines. Poinsettias are known for their toxicity to cats; holly and mistletoe are much more dangerous if ingested. Flowers such as lilies and amaryllis are also very dangerous.  In my opinion, it is best to keep toxic plants out of the home entirely.

Candles
I love burning scented candles this time of year, there are so many wonderful scented brands to choose from. If you do burn candles, make sure that you keep them well away from your four pawed friends.  Cats are attracted to heat and could singe their whiskers and worse, your cat could knock over a candle and cause a fire! Always keep candles out of your cat's reach and never leave a candle burning unsupervised.

The Christmas Tree
Cats by nature are curious and ornaments look like cat toys. Chewing on artificial or real trees can cause GI problems.  Tree water may contain pesticides, fertilizer or other chemicals -- cats  should never  drink this water. Cover the tree water with aluminum foil to keep cats from drinking it. If your cat is a climber, put the tree in a corner so your cat doesn't bring the tree down.

Ribbons, Tinsel and Lights
Cats love to play with shiny string like materials and find tinsel garland and ribbons hard to resist. If swallowed these items can cause obstructions that could require surgery. Avoid hanging strings of tinsel that are within the reach of your cat and use a garland made of cloth ribbons.

Tips on how to Save your Christmas Tree From... Cat-astrophe!

Something new is in the house... it has  hanging things that dangle...  sparkling things that  seem to invite a four pawed feline attack!   And, if you have a real tree, it seems as though the outside has been brought inside...making the tree even more interesting!   Here are a few  tips that might help your household avoid a "cat-astrophe including a new modern cat scratcher from Fusion Pets from chewy.com that is amazing! A great gift and 11% OFF! The first of several tips....diversion!

Diversion - Pet Fusion Scratching Post

I am featuring a fabulous diversion that www.chewy.com sent me that amuses my cats that are now use to the tree.   Rather than set up a barricade, I set up a fabulous cat scratching post by Pet Fusion-- their designs are so contemporary -- this cat scratcher is almost like a piece of mid.-century architectural design.   It is purrfect for my home and is sure to impress my holiday guests -- and yours too... it also makes a fantastic gift for the cat lover in your life!

Features of Pet Fusion 

• A Win- Win  Chewy.com is offering an 11%  discount on this  fab cat scratcher by  Pet Fusion and your cats will love it... also makes a great gift!
• Two In One - This is a scratcher and play area all in one that comes with natural catnip and a multitude of surfaces to claw that keeps cats occupied, stress free and tree free!
• Flows with  Decor -No assembly  required and oh so  stylish !  All materials used are tested by International  safety standards.
• Eco Design - This is made of recycled cardboard that is put together with a non-toxic corn starch glue and is oh so sturdy.
• So Many Angles - This has a cubby hole for  scratching and relaxing as well as vertical surfaces it's the cat's meow!
• Design - Modern- Thoughtful, eco friends and best of all is not an eyesore... plus it does not take up too much space.
• Award Winner -  This product uses superior cardboard and was voted by Cat Fancy Magazine as the 2014 Editors Choice for the Best New Product.  It is also recommended by Hauspanther, a  recognized leader in cat products.
• Integrity - This cat scratcher comes with a SIX month warranty for any manufacturing defect, or if you are not completely satisfied.

Wait a Day or Two Before Decorating  

Waiting before decorating gives my cats a bit of time to get use to the tree and all the furniture re-arrangement that goes into putting the tree up.  This  gives my gang of five time to sniff around the undecorated tree safely without me being worried about them pawing expensive  ornaments or biting on lights.  It also gives me time to figure out just how interested they are in the tree.

Place Your Tree in a Corner  

I always place my tree in a corner, away from furniture so they can't jump onto the tree from a cabinet or  the back of a couch...my Tonkinese are prolific climbers and jump down from  six feet without so much as a thought!

Unplug the Lights and  Lose the Tinsel and Garland 

Cats love anything that has a long string it seems and lights and tinsel garland are cat calling cards to play and pull it down.  Many times I have found garland pulled across the floor... about six years ago, I stopped with the cascading garland (and I like the look of the tree better without it) because it became such a mess to  put back up and... more to the point, I was worried about the gang of five's safety... cats can choke on it!   In addition, I always unplug the lights when I am not in the room to protect my  gang from electric shock... and, worse,  a  tree with lights on when not home is a fire hazard.

Dirty Tree Water Solution 

All of them seem to gravitate to the dirty tree water in the tree stand... regardless of how much fresh clean water they have scattered around the house.  If you cannot find a covered tree stand, and I could not for the size tree I have, then cover it with tin foil, cats hate tinfoil and hopefully will keep  curious paws out of it!

A Purrfect Gift for a Cat (Lover) and Dog too!

Who doesn't like  goodies.... everyone I know likes them... and I bet you do too!  Talking about goodies, chewy.com has curated a new "Goody Box" for your pets (cats and dogs)...  and these Goody Boxes are purrfection !  This new Goody Box Meow You're Talking Box offered by chewy.com is  a great holiday gift for cat lovers ( dog lovers too!)... they are terribly clever and a great value as well... and they ship free.

We all know there are boxes and then, there are boxes and this "Goody Box" for cats doesn't disappoint...it is loaded with all manner of goodies sure to entertain your four pawed feline friend for days!  

These boxes contain five or more hand-picked  snacks, chase toys for the thrill of the hunt and more fun pet items from premium brands including some grain- and gluten-free options.

The Perks!

• Expect surprise items in every Goody-Box that making it as much fun for pet owners to open as it is for their feline friends. 

• Five or more full-size goodies from premium brands, including some grain- and gluten-free options.

• Free Shipping on every Chewy Goody Box order! Woot!

• Handpicked selection for all breeds of cats 1 year and older.

• Great savings on everyday prices on this selection of toys and treats.

• Surprise your own four-legged friend, or give the Chewy Goody Box to friends and family as a thoughtful pet gift box.

• It’s great for special occasions, new pet adoptions, pet birthdays or a special present for any day of the year.

• A brochure is enclosed that describes all the products and offers ideas on how to use the box.

• This is an easy way to try new products that will spoil your cat!

A Great Surprise!

These days, it is not easy to purchase something sight unseen... but don't hesitate... it is packed with very special high end items that your cat will love.  This cute box even comes with a description of each product that is included in the box and even has a suggestion of how to repurpose the box!  You can use it as a litter box, as a feline sleeping box or as a storage box to put all the fabulous toys in... and then, of course watch your cat "fish them out!" 

Reviews

Out of 149 reviews on chewy.com this product got 4.5 out of five stars with 74% giving the Goody Box FIVE STARS -- and with good reason!  And, a great gift... any time of year!

Thankful @ Thanksgiving & Instinct, by Nature's Variety

This week families and friends from all across America will come together to celebrate the things in life that they are thankful for and to eat way too much food! In addition to being thankful for having my gang of five, three Himalayans and two Tonkinese, we are also thankful to be part of the www.chewy.com family, a company that has made so many of our lives easier with their fabulous and dependable online shop that offers thousands of items for our pets and throws in free shipping on orders of $49 or more.  

This month, I am reviewing a new cat food called Instinct, by Nature's Variety minced rabbit.

Just Natural Ingredients

Considering that cats are meat eaters, I was interested in trying minced rabbit to  add variety to my cat's regular diet of salmon, chicken, turkey and beef. Instinct by Nature's Variety minced rabbit comes in a handy plastic cup that makes this food easy to serve.  When I opened the cup, I saw that there was nice bite sized farm raised rabbit served in a thick gravy with fruits and vegetables that I could actually see.  And, to my surprise, the food had a mild rather good smell. Rabbit is high in protein and promotes good digestibility, strong muscles, and a healthy coat and skin, so it is definitely a good choice for cats. According to reviews found on www.chewy.com, 93% of people that purchased this product recommended it.

Health Perks

•  Quality protein ingredients including farm raised rabbit, pork broth and pork liver.

• Whole food ingredients that you can see like carrots, spinach, and cranberries in a thick broth.

• The minced texture is bite size and easy for cats to eat.

• No grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, by-product meal, artificial colors or preservatives are added.

• It is made in the U.S.A.

Giving Thanks

I am thankful for many things, and one of them is my cats.  This month, considering the season, I thought I would include five reasons why I am thankful for my cats... I bet you have many more reasons to add to this list. 

1. The cute faces that my cats make are irresistible.

2. My cats make working more entertaining!

3. My cat's curiosity gets me out of the house and makes me want to stay adventurous!

4. It is always so much fun to watch them play.

5. Having one or several cats is a good reason to be thankful everyday because they always bring a smile...and are great at relieving stress.

Sweater Weather & Cats in Sweaters.......

November is sweater time... Indian Summer's  warm days of gold and reds have passed, the leaves have fallen and the weather is brisk and bright. It is hard to believe that Thanksgiving is a few weeks away and that snow can fall at almost any time. This month, chewy.com has sent me a most appropriate gift to talk about...a Calendar!  And, not just any calendar.....

Cats in Sweaters is a darling 16- month cat calendar (of course) from September 2017 through December 2018 that features Cats in Sweaters!  Really, can there be anything more adorable in the world than cats in sweaters?  This calendar is a perfect gift for yourself or a friend that is a cat or craft lover!  Each cat model is introduced with all the savoir faire that is needed to be a cat model from  breeds -- like the Tonkinese Kitten on the cover to our best loved "alley" cats!  Best of all, this calendar is offered at a 32% discount !

From February's "Queen of Hearts, Magnus the merman in July to Mossimo the Huntsman in September and Ivy the Sugar Plum Fairy in December this calendar is sure to brighten your month. Zoey is my "Queen of Hearts"... usually! Just check out the chewy.com website for your calendar and other pet needs... orders over  $49 are shipped within two days Free!

About Icelandic Wool Sweaters
I love sweaters and have ordered handknit sweaters from the Handknitting Association of Iceland for more than twenty-five years. The Association was started in 1977 and is composed of hundreds of Icelanders, mostly women that knit for a hobby and to supplement their income.

 This is one of the few places in Iceland where you can purchase authentically made icelandic wool sweaters.  I have ordered sweaters online and they have always come promptly, beautifully made and have always exceeded my expectations.  This website also sells wool and patterns if you want to knit your own sweater.

From Handknitting Association of Iceland

About Icelandic Wool
The sheep that dot the Icelandic countryside are direct descendants of the sheep brought there by settlers in the 9th century and much like icelandic ponies they are a unique breed. Like their ancient forefathers, Icelandic sheep have fleeces that are divided into two layers, the long and coarse hair of the upper layer that repels water and the lower layer with shorter, softer hair making them perfect for insulation. These two layers, called lopi are combined producing a thread that is light and warm but also tough and water proof.

Tiki After Dark

There is nothing like a halloween tiki party... with the new catfood Tiki Cat After Dark!  I don't know about your cats, but mine seem to sleep all day and come alive at night! The simple reason is that cats are nocturnal by nature. Wild cats hunt during the night and our domestic four pawed friends retain this behavior as "night owls"!  

Another reason is a typical housecat's lack of activity during the day when their pet family is at school or at work. Even cats that develop sleep patterns like ours wake up several times a  night and once awake, they are ready to play leaping with every move you make!

Just Natural Ingredients

Tiki After Dark is a favorite gourmet cat food in our household and my gang of five considers it a real treat when they get it. Best of all Tiki Cat  Food After Dark is grain free and high in moisture providing my cats with a carefully designed diet that mimics a natural prey diet.  The  moisture content is especially important and the first thing that  Sabu does is devour the tasty liquid broth. The Chicken with Quail Egg actually had a half of an egg which was an enormous hit with the gang of five!

Health Perks

• The Variety Pack provides some interesting and different recipes that keep my gang of five coming back for more - they like it and it is good for them- this of course is the biggest perk of all!
• The food is grain free and high in protein, each recipe also includes liver, heart and gizzards.
• Low in carbs, which is especially important if your cat also eats kibble.
• The added chelated minerals and vitamins support a complete and balanced diet.
• High-moisture recipes help supplement cats that don't drink enough water and helps maintain good urinary and digestive health.

This 12 pack offered by chewy.com includes: Chicken and Duck, Chicken, Chicken and Beef, Chicken and Quail Egg, and their new favorite Chicken and Pork.  Chewy.com sells this Tiki After Dark at a 10% discount with free two-day shipping for orders over $49.

How To Encourage Your Cat To Sleep At Night

Forget locking the bedroom door unless you want to be serenaded!  The best solution is to increase your cat's daytime activity. To do this you might want to provide things to stimulate your cat to decrease the number of hours she sleeps during the day.

• Scratching Post to increase daytime activity (see my last blog for details)
• Get a Bird Feeder - this can hold your cat's attention for hours. 
• Get a Cat Tree or Install a Window Perch - with a view outside this can be like "cat TV"
• Increase your Playtime- play with your cat at night before bedtime to tire your cat out!
• Purchase or adopt another cat for your cat to play with during the day

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Why Cats Scratch & A Solution!

The instant that the new cat scratching post arrived from www.chewy.com the gang of five was excited.  It seems they know when the front door opens and a box arrives from chewy that it is for them!  The cat scratcher by Frisco comes beautifully packaged with easy instructions for assembly that took all of about five minutes. 

The Frisco Cat Scratching Post is 33.5" H x 16" L x16" W and the base board dimensions are 16"L and 16"W making it extremely sturdy. The Frisco cat scratching post is available exclusively at chewy.com. The post comes in two color choices, cream and brown and is 26% off the list price of $45.99 making it $33.99, an excellent bargain for the quality of this item.

Key Benefits 

There are a lot of things I like about this cat scratching tower, most of all I like the way my cats, young and senior have responded to it. 

• The layer of durable woven sisal covers all four sides and entices my cats to dig right into it and so far it seems to have stood up to the test of claws!

• This post is big enough to allow Mocha to do a full body stretch while digging in bringing out the wild kitty in him!

• The plush baseboard makes this tower super sturdy.

• The top makes a perfect place to perch

• The plush carpet is soft on the paws of my four footed felines.

• The tower is a conspicuous object that satisfies their natural urge to scratch and mark their territory.

• Helps to keep their nails healthy and my furniture safe.(luckily, they don't scratch my furniture!).

Why Cats Scratch

It has long been assumed that cats scratch in order to sharpen their front claws, as it turns out, studies have shown this is a secondary reason. Research on cat behavior suggests that the major reason for scratching is communication. By roughing up the bark of a tree (or the leg of your favorite chair or rug) the cat is letting other cats or people know where they are and what they are up to. 

According to Animal Behavior Associates, cats tend to choose a small number of conspicuous objects  in their environment to scratch, such as a tree, fence post, scratching post, the corner of a couch, etc and return to scratch them repeatedly. This scratched surface leaves a highly visible mark that can be easily seen by other cats. The scent glands in the paws of a cat leave scent marks by making the scratching movements.

Although studies have not concluded as to why cats scratch, it is thought that this is a territorial warning or could be a marker that this particular cat lives in this area and is alive and well. They scratch as a form of communication. They also scratch during play or while stretching as a greeting or as a way to relieve frustration.