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Posts tagged “Travel Carrier”

CategoriesDogs
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The Latest in Pet Tech

Image via iStock.com/w-ings By Teresa K. Traverse As technology plays a larger role in our lives, it’s no surprise that we are seeing more advancements in pet technology as well. From pet cameras and dog GPS collars to dog water fountains and automatic cat feeders, the pet supplies market is filled with tools designed to solve everyday issues that pet parents encounter. These new pet products can help us keep an eye on our beloved pets when we’re not home, provide them with food or water, or just entertain them. These are a few of the newest tech-driven pet products on the market that can help make being a pet parent easier. Wearable Dog Technology Devices Many people use devices to measure their steps, track calories and stay in shape. Now, you can get the same thing for your dog. “The biggest advances to come in technology are the canine wearable devices that are really about health and safety,” says Tierra Bonaldi, spokesperson for the American Pet Products Association. One of the biggest ways pet technology can keep pets safe is through GPS devices in dog collars. These devices can locate your pet and give you a better shot of getting a lost dog back. The Link AKC GPS and activity monitor smart collar for dogs offers GPS tracking and can track your pup’s physical activity. The app provides daily activity monitoring and recommends activity levels based on dog’s age, breed and gender. And if your dog wanders off, the app will alert you that your pet has left home. “Dogs can’t talk. In essence, it gives your dog a voice,” says Bonaldi. “It gives the pet owner better information to improve life and ultimately reduce trips to the vet and increase their lifespans.” For extra information on your pup’s well-being, the FitBark 2 water-resistant dog activity and sleep monitor even goes as far as tracking your dog’s sleep activity and comparing it with other dogs. The app then compiles a score so you can better measure your pup’s progress. Veterinarians can also use these devices to check on pets after surgery or their weight loss progress. “I think they are a remarkable tool that can help in any weight loss plan for dogs,” says Dr. Sarah J. Wooten, DVM, based in Greeley, Colorado. “Sometimes, I also give pet parents specific assignments, like, ‘walk a mile with your dog three to five times a week.’ An activity tracker would be helpful here as well, as it would allow the person to know if they are hitting their ‘steps’ with their dog.” Pet Camera Technology “The biggest thing that pet owners are really loving are any of the tools that allow them to monitor their pets when they’re not home,” says Megan Stanley, owner of Dogma Training and Pet Services Inc. and chair of the board of the directors for the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. You can now keep an eye on your pet 24/7 with a Wi-Fi pet camera that connects to your phone. Using an app, you can keep an eye on your pet with the Canary Wi-Fi pet camera, which includes night vision and can even double as a home security system. The Petcube Play Wi-Fi pet camera not only allows you to watch your pet, but also has a speaker that lets you communicate with them while you’re away. Using two-way audio, you can talk to your pet and hear them bark or meow back. The camera also features a built-in laser, which gives you a chance to play with your kitty or schedule an autoplay game for her.   “Pet owners are busier, but they want to ensure that they’re keeping their pets’ needs in mind. You’re not just having a dog that’s sitting at home all day by myself with nothing to do,” says Stanley. As a trainer, she likes having the ability to know what a pet might be doing when the owner is away. By observing your pet, you can see if your pet is displaying symptoms of separation anxiety, which allows you to address the behavior sooner. Dog and Cat Smart Doors Smart dog and cat doors are also emerging products in pet technology. The cat or dog door is activated by your pet’s collar, and you can program it to open for specific pets to come and go.  “These can be excellent devices for keeping pets safe and unwanted animals out,” says Stanley. “The benefit is that in a multi-animal household, you can keep some pets inside.”  Stanley says that you might want an indoor cat to stay inside the home yet give a dog access to the yard. She says these devices are easy to install and have good safety and anti-theft features since you can control access and lock them. Her favorite feature is that you can set a schedule to let the pet out.  “All of these are useful and put the pet’s needs into consideration for times when they may need to be left at home longer—although they should not be used for this often or as a reason to keep them home alone for long periods,” says Stanley. She says that pet owners who use smart doors should be mindful to keep the batteries charged to ensure they don’t stop working. Interactive Dog Toys Stanley also praised dog interactive toys and cat interactive toys, which you can use to keep your pets both mentally and physically active. She likes the iFetch mini automatic ball launcher dog toy because it enables dogs to set their own pace of play and keep themselves entertained. Interactive toys ensure your pets are being enriched and have plenty of outlets to expend their energy during the day. For cats, the PetSafe FroliCat Pounce interactive pet toy can stimulate your cat and keep him active while you are away from the home. It can be set to automatically turn off so that you can set up designated play times for your cat. Automatic Feeders Automatic cat feeders and automatic dog feeders have been around for a while, but there have been significant advancements in recent years that make them even more convenient. “The technology and how those feeders are working has advanced quite significantly in the last few years,” says Bonaldi. One such example of a sophisticated automated feeder is the SureFeed microchip small dog and cat feeder. The feeder recognizes your pet’s microchip or a special RFID collar tag and opens accordingly, so that other pets cannot steal their dog food or cat food. Bonaldi says devices like this are great for owners of multiple pets who have different dietary needs. If you have one pet who needs to lose weight and another who is on a prescription diet, these feeders can meet both of those pets’ individual needs.

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CategoriesPet bird
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The Best Bird Cages for Feathered Friends of All Sizes

When it comes to choosing the best bird cage, you’ll want a cage that is sturdy, spacious and easy to clean. Other handy accessories like moveable perches, feeder doors and rolling stands will help you set up a fantastic and functional dwelling for your beaked buddy. We’ve rounded up Chewy’s top-selling and top-rated bird cages that are approved by bird parents like you. Whether you’re shopping for cages for budgies or a parrot cage, you’ll find the perfect place for your beaked buddy to call home.

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CategoriesCats
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3 Alternatives to Cat Trees That Will Give Your Kitty a Lift

Image via iStock.com/w-ings By Cheryl Lock It’s no secret that most cats love to climb, jump and perch—basically any action that gets them off the ground. That’s why cat parents usually have a cat tree or two in their array of cat supplies. But cat trees aren’t the only options for pet parents. Among cat hammocks, window perches and wall perches, there are plenty of unique cat tree ideas you can use to give your kitty a lift. Why Do Cats Like to Be Up High? “Domestic cats descend from the African wild cat, [who] are known to be excellent climbers,” says Dr. Cheryl Kolus, DVM, KPA-CTP, behavior center manager at Fort Collins Cat Rescue and spay/neuter clinic. “Cats are both predator and prey, so high places provide safety,” says Dr. Kolus. Besides safety, having access to high areas can help keep the peace in multicat households, says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant and author of “Naughty No More!” “One way that cats demonstrate their social position in their flexible hierarchies is by where they position themselves in relation to each other,” Krieger explains. “Even cats who are the only kitties in their household have the instinctual need to exhibit their status.” If your home has multiple pets or small children, or is just a busy place in general, adding vertical space—like a cat hammock or cat perch—can help your cat avoid the fray, if he is so inclined. “Plus, for many cats, climbing and jumping on and off things is simply fun and good exercise,” says Dr. Kolus. Traditional cat trees are the common product people use to allow their cats to jump and perch, but there are tons of other alternative cat tree ideas too. “Cat trees are great, but you can also add vertical space in other ways and even give your cat a super highway so he can access different parts of your house,” Dr. Kolus says. Hammocks for Cats A cat hammock is a great alternative to the traditional cat tree. It allows your cat to not only jump but also relax and swing—which some cats really enjoy. If you’re going with a cat hammock, Dr. Kolus suggests using caution for older or disabled cats that might easily lose their balance. These cats may find themselves in an awkward position that’s hard to get out of. For a sturdier cat hammock option, consider the Petstages Easy Life hammock cat toy. Window Perch for Cats Cat perches provide a versatile option that can be configured in multiple ways, depending on your space and what you’re trying to achieve. They’re also a great option for people who live in apartments or smaller homes and don’t have the room for traditional cat trees, Krieger says. If you are looking for cat tree ideas that will provide your cat with extra height, you can try a cat window perch. A cat window perch operates essentially like a cat shelf that you can attach to a window in your home, like the Oster sunny seat window mounted cat bed. Another option is the K&H Pet Products deluxe kitty sill, which can be set up on a window sill in your home to create a lofted hangout for your kitty. It will also provide your cat with a vantage point for monitoring the activities of birds and creatures outside. You can even find a cat window perch that has cat scratchers built right in, like the K&H Pet Products EZ mount window scratcher kitty sill cradle, which will allow your cat to lounge or get all his scratching out. Wall Perch for Cats Another alternative cat tree idea for creating vertical space for your cat is to create a climbing maze using wall-mounted cat shelves. “Climbing mazes with lots of shelves are great for providing mental and physical stimulation, and they also help to eliminate boredom,” says Krieger. You can use Katris blocks—like the Katris Mix & Match Blocks “Z” shape cat scratcher or the Katris Mix & Match Blocks “I” shape cat scratcher—to create a climbing tower. The Katris blocks can even be mounted to your wall—using the Katris cat scratcher wall mount kit—to create a climbing maze or vertical safe space for your feline family member. How to Decide Which Elevated Cat Hangout Is Right for Your Cat There are certain things to be on the lookout for to ensure your cat stays safe when jumping or climbing. To start, any products you permit your cat to climb or jump off should be sturdy or well-anchored. “For items like cat trees that have multiple levels, look for those built in a step-wise fashion so that it is reasonably easy for the cat to jump or climb from one level to the next,” says Dr. Kolus. Extra safety precautions should be taken for senior cats or those with physical disabilities, she adds. “For instance, they should be able to simply step up or down between levels instead of having to jump, and perhaps items should not be too tall to avoid the chance of a dangerous fall.” With multiple cats, it always helps to provide two exits from a cat perch; that way one cat can’t stop the other from moving away when they need or want to. Krieger also warns of perches or shelves with slick varnish, which may cause cats to slip and fall when jumping. “The surfaces can be easily changed by safely securing sisal, cat beds or carpet on them,” she adds. Keep Your Cat’s Comfort and Needs in Mind While the alternatives to cat trees are sure to be tons of fun for most cats, every cat is an individual. Owners should consider what types of climbing surfaces their cat enjoys as well as their cat’s physical abilities when deciding which alternative cat tree idea to try, says Dr. Kolus. “Adding vertical space can be very enriching for cats, increase physical activity and enhance both physical and mental health,” says Dr. Kolus. “It can also be very important for providing additional territory, whether you have one cat and a small apartment, or even if you have a larger home but with multiple cats.”

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CategoriesSmall pet
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10 Pet Rat Behaviors and What They Mean

Rats can make wonderful and interesting pets. While there are common misconceptions about pet rats, they are actually intelligent, clean, and highly social animals with a variety of different behaviors that are loved by pet parents. By understanding their different behaviors, pet parents can better bond with their rat, and both can benefit from the joys of pet rat ownership. Nesting Rats are social creatures who enjoy time outside their habitat, but also enjoy their quiet time. Rats naturally enjoy creating nest—in the wild they use leaves or moss to provide a soft nesting area. In captivity, rats enjoy tearing, gnawing, and bringing desirable items back to their nest. A nest is a safe spot for rats, providing physical comfort and safety for sleep but also a place to birth pups. Pet rats will use materials from inside their habitat to line their nest including: Fleece bedding Recycled newspaper Paper towels Toilet paper rolls Cardboard Carefresh bedding Rats enjoy frequent bedding changes to keep their cage clean and free of waste material odors, and to provide enrichment that stimulates their senses. Investigating Rats are highly inquisitive animals by nature. They enjoy investigating and exploring their habitats, including adventures around the house during supervised playtime. A rat’s sense of vision is not great, so they rely on sniffing and touching to inspect new items. Rats have a terrific sense of smell. You’ll notice their whiskers and nose twitch when they sniff and appear to breathe more rapidly. The smells and sensory information from their highly sensitive whiskers provide rats with additional information to determine if the new item is safe, fun, or something they would like to investigate further. Once deemed relatively safe (or edible!) rats will use their front paws and mouth to touch, drag, eat, and play.  Grooming Pet rats are incredibly clean animals require minimal bathing and brushing. They stay clean by instinctively grooming themselves. This may involve rubbing their front paws on their face, then licking and rubbing the rest of their body down to their tail. Pet rats will also groom other rats and their pet parents. Often, this is out of affection or the start of intended play. You may even notice rats using their teeth to comb through fur. These are all normal behaviors, however if the licking and nibbling become obsessive, it could indicate a problem with your rats. Over-grooming to the point of hair loss or irritation is called barbering. While most pet rats are social, occasionally a dominant rat will barber a submissive rat, causing health problems. If one rat is barbering another, a pet parent should contact their veterinarian to discuss a trial separation and general husbandry review. A mother rat may also have an area of barbing on her stomach, either from her pups during nursing or self-barbering due to the irritation of nursing. All rats are capable of self-barbering, and this typically means something is wrong. Rats most often self-barber around the forearms and chest. Other causes of self-barbering include: Demodex mites and other skin parasites Skin infections Genetic disorders Calorie or diet deficiencies Hormonal imbalances Kidney disease Ringworm Pet parents should call their veterinarian as soon as they notice signs of self-barbering for a full exam and diagnostic testing. Bruxing Bruxism, or commonly referred to as “bruxing” in the pet rat world, is a common behavior of rats and is usually considered normal. Bruxing occurs when rats grind their teeth gently and repetitively. As rodents, rats have constantly growing teeth that must be filed naturally to prevent problems. Gently grinding their incisors helps to wear these teeth down, but pet rats also need other toys, food, and proper care to effectively wear down their teeth. Pet parents shouldn’t rely on bruxing alone to keep their rat’s teeth healthy. Most pet parents notice bruxing when the rat is happy and showing signs of affection—similar to a cat purring. However, rats may also brux when they are stressed. Make sure to take the rat’s entire demeanor and behavior into account when they brux. If they are acting scared, not eating, or have other unusual behaviors, a trip to the veterinarian may be necessary. Boggling Rats have a unique anatomical difference in which part of their jaw muscle runs behind their eyes. During aggressive bruxism, this repetitive tooth grinding may cause the eyes to move abnormally in and out of the socket. This bulging of the eyes is called boggling, and is considered normal. Like bruxing, take the rat’s entire behavior into account to determine if your pet is happy or stressed. If concerned, you should always talk to your veterinarian to be safe.  Chattering Chattering is also repetitive grinding of the incisors, like bruxism. However, chattering is typically louder, stronger, and with more pops or cracking noises. While bruxing is associated with joy or contentment, chattering is most associated with an internal struggle, annoyance, or impending fight with another rat. Playing Rats love to play! They will play by themselves, with other rats, and with their pet parents. During play, you may also notice different noises—such as chirps and other vocalizations. This is how a pet rat indicates he is content and having fun. While they are generally quiet animals, most parents can begin to differentiate the noises their pet rats make when they are happy versus stressed. Young rats may gently nip, bite, and wrestle with each other or their mother as a form of play fighting. This is a healthy and normal behavior that allows them to form bonds and learn appropriate social cues. Play fighting should never result in cuts or hair loss. Excited rats may also jump, hop, or “popcorn” when they are happy. They may run excitedly at full speed around the house or enclosure—just like how dogs get the “zoomies.” While rats are capable of activity during the day, especially with their family, they are basically nocturnal animals. This means they will be more active, making noise, playing, and chewing throughout the nighttime hours. If their cage is placed in a bedroom, this may present a problem for the pet parent to sleep! Climbing Rats are adept at climbing and love to explore throughout their enclosure. They can scale vertical walls, given a little foothold. They tend to be clumsier when climbing down. Providing rats with multiple habitat levels, ladders, hammocks, safe exercise wheels, hide boxes, and other cage furniture encourages their natural curiosity and activity. This enrichment can keep their mind and their bodies stimulated and prevent boredom. Rats do best with multiple cage furniture items to climb, and even better when those items are constantly rotated in and out of the cage. Rats perceive these rotated toys and climbing structures as “new” and are excited to investigate and inspect. Some common cage furniture that promotes exercise and climbing include: Ladder Hide boxes Hammocks and other suspended beds Safe exercise wheel Cardboard boxes Bridges Chewing As a member of the rodent family, rats have constantly growing teeth. They rely on consistent chewing, gnawing, and nibbling to wear down their incisors. If not given appropriate food and chew toys, rat teeth become misaligned and abscessed. These conditions are incredibly painful and require veterinary intervention. Rats should be fed high-quality pellets made specifically for pet rats, in addition to some human vegetables and fruits. While food and pellets can help wear down teeth (in addition to providing excellent nutrition,) pet rats also benefit from chew toys. Toys provide mental stimulation as well as the medical benefit of wearing down their teeth! There are many commercially available chew toys for rats, but these inquisitive and fun creatures don’t require fancy toys! They can be just as happy with items from around the house. Common chew toys for rats include: Wood blocks Cardboard boxes Ball chew toys Paper towels Stick chew toys Toilet paper rolls Climbing toys Because rats are natural chewers, it is important to rat-proof any area of the house they have access to. Electrical cords are of specific concern, as they could cause serious injury or death. Scent Marking Rats, both male and female, have flank glands along the sides of their abdomen. These glands contain natural oils used to scent mark areas of their environment. Rats will rub the side of their body, in addition to their face, to mark their territory. Male rats will also urinate to mark their territory and signal to female rats. They may rub their rear end over items, which leaves a trail of urine, or they may lift their hind leg, similar to a dog.

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CategoriesCats
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Are Weighted Blankets Safe for Dogs and Cats?

In the human world, weighted blankets have been deemed a dreamy sleep solution by many who suffer from insomnia or anxiety. Full of tiny beads that provide a potentially comforting weight, these wildly popular blankets (the U.S. reportedly spends more than $220 million on them per year!) are now a nighttime necessity in numerous bedrooms across the country. But what about those bedrooms where pets also slumber? Are weighted blankets safe for dogs and cats? To prevent this question from keeping pet parents up at night, we consulted some experts on the matter. If you share your bed with your fur baby and are considering purchasing a weighted blanket, here’s what you need to know before betting cozy.

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CategoriesHorse
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This No-Bake Horse Cookie Recipe Is a Quick and Easy Treat

There’s nothing like a batch of fresh, homemade cookies to reward your horse for a job well done or simply to brighten their day with a sweet treat. While you can conveniently grab commercial horse treats at your local tack shop or even order them online, making your own homemade horse treats can be a fun and enjoyable way to bond with your equine companion. These no-bake horse cookies are a quick and easy treat to share with your barn friends! Containing just a few simple, horse-safe ingredients, they can easily be made right at the barn without the need for a kitchen or oven. This recipe was reviewed by a veterinarian. As with any human food, pet parents looking to incorporate new foods in their horse’s diet should consult with their veterinarian beforehand. These treats should not be fed to metabolically compromised horses, such as those living with insulin dysregulation (ID), equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), obesity, or laminitis. If your horse has health issues or if you have any concerns, consult your horse’s veterinarian before offering these food items.

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CategoriesSmall pet
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Pet Ferrets 101: A Beginner’s Guide To Keeping a Ferret as a Pet

Scientific name: Mustela putorius furo Size: The average size of male ferrets is 1.5 feet and 2.5-5 pounds. For female ferrets, the average size is 1.2 feet with a weight of 1-3 pounds. Life expectancy: Domesticated ferrets have an average lifespan of 4-10 years. Wild black-footed ferrets rarely live beyond 3 years of age.,Jump to section Ferrets: An Overview Fun Facts About Ferrets Ferret Supply Checklist Habitat Diet Handling Your Ferret Maintaining Your Ferret’s Health FAQs About Pet Ferrets

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CategoriesCats
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What Is Flea Dirt? (Besides Super Gross, That Is)

Here’s the short answer: Flea dirt is a mix of blood meal and flea feces, says John Howe, DVM, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Essentially, it’s the waste fleas leave behind after they consume your pet’s blood. Now that you know what flea dirt is, take heart. There is one good thing about this icky stuff: It’s easy to find. Fleas can be difficult to spot, because they are so tiny and move quickly. Flea dirt, on the other hand, stays in one place, making it an obvious warning sign. Finding flea dirt on cats or dogs may actually help you realize there’s a flea problem before it gets out of hand.,Jump to section So, What Is Flea Dirt Anyway? What Does Flea Dirt Look Like? Does Flea Dirt Mean an Infestation? How To Get Rid of Flea Dirt Is Flea Dirt Harmful to Humans?

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