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Looking for the perfect gift for the cat mom in your life? From doing the dirty work (we’re looking at you litter boxes) to making sure their kitty never misses a meal to always having the perfect cozy lap to cuddle on, fur mamas are the cat’s meow. So treat them to something extra special this Mother’s Day with one of these gifts for cat moms that’s just as thoughtful as they are. We’ve got you covered in this gift guide with a list of gift ideas for all kinds of cat moms. Whether she’s a stylish fashionista or a meticulous organizer, an outdoor adventurer or a home decorator, these cat mom gifts will put a smile on her face—and have her furry best friend purring with pleasure.
On-trend regardless of the season? A fashion-statement backpack. Whether you’re traveling, on your way to class or taking a stroll around your neighborhood, a backpack always comes in handy to carry all the essentials—including your cat. Cat carrier backpacks are a safe, stylish and easy way to transport your cat to and from work, school, vacation, outdoor adventures or a vet appointment. And with 78 percent of pet parents admitting they take their pet with them when traveling (according to a 2023 Chewy survey), a cat backpack is practically a must-have. We’ve curated a list of our favorite cat carrier backpacks. From Millennial pink (yep, it’s back!) to bubble backpacks (because, really, these never go out of style), these cat carriers are not only comfy for cats, but they’re sure to turn heads, too.
Considerations for Pet Parents Both Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs make great additions to families who can give them the affection they crave. They make great pets for first-time dog parents, but there are some things to consider before bringing one of these pups home. 1. Be Prepared for Vet Visits Both Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs are prone to health issues, in part thanks to their short snout. This means special considerations need to be taken in hot, humid weather and whenever your pet is exercising. Regular wellness exams will also be vital for both breeds to keep them healthy. 2. Work to Prevent Obesity Because of their compact body, it’s easy for Frenchies and Bostons to pack on unwanted pounds. To prevent obesity—and keep your dog mentally stimulated—make sure your pup gets about 30-60 minutes of exercise every day. You should also feed your pup an appropriate amount of a healthy dog food that follows regulations put forward by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). 3. Early Socialization Is a Must While Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs tend to have a good temperament, pet parents must still socialize their puppy consistently. This will help them be calm in new situations and when meeting new people or animals. Featured Image: Adobe/mazzynga,WRITTEN BY Emily Sanders Freelance Writer,You’re walking down the road when you spot it: a small, black-and-white dog with a short snout and big ears trotting happily alongside his pet parent. You immediately identify the pup as a Boston Terrier, but your friend exclaims, “That’s a cute Frenchie!” Although the Boston Terrier and the French Bulldog are often hard to distinguish due to their similar build and markings, they each have specific features that set them apart.
As pet parents, we know how to set boundaries and rules within our own homes. They might include no jumping on guests, no eating people food off the dining table, and no peeing in places you really shouldn’t be peeing. On the flip side, we’d never say “no” to couch cuddles as we binge-watch our favorite shows. But out in the wild? That’s where things can get a little hairy. That’s where this petiquette guide comes in handy. From understanding the rules of your pup’s favorite dog park and ensuring your pet—and all your coworkers—feel comfortable at your workplace, to learning how to interact with strangers, including kids, while out and about, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about pet etiquette, so you can be the best pet parent you can be—and help others do the same. Because, as the saying goes, it takes a village—and our pets love making new friends.
“Even older cats can get bouts of excitement,” says professional animal behavior specialist and author Alana Stevenson, M.S. “Social maturity in male cats is between the ages of 3-5 and for females, it is 2-4 years, so your cat may look like an adult but still be young with a lot of exuberance and playful energy. This is normal, and it’s best to accept and enjoy it!” So while it may seem weird, cats running after using their litter boxes or getting the zoomies in general are normal behaviors, and there’s no need to worry. What you should pay attention to is if your cat stops using the litter box, acts like they’re trying to avoid it altogether or seems like they’re trying to hide out immediately afterward. “Using a litter box is a natural behavior for a cat. When they’re not doing it, there’s a reason and we often have to play detective to figure out why,” Ferrara says. Possible causes for avoiding the litter box include urinary tract infections (UTI), severe constipation or dry stool—all of which would make going to the bathroom painful and, thus, Kitty may begin to associate the box with the pain. “They’ll run to be as far away as possible when they’re finished doing their business,” she says. If your cat suddenly stops using the litter box or seems to avoid it, you should check in with your veterinarian to see what’s going on. Other behaviors to watch for that could be cause for concern, according to Stevenson: Scooting across the floor or focusing on their hind end: These might be signs that your cat has an itch or irritation on their bottom (or they might have a bit of… you know… stuck to their fur). Scratching outside of the box, balancing half in and half out of the box, or not covering their waste: All are possible signs that the litter box is too small or dirty for the cat, or that they may not like the litter. And as for the cat zoomies, Ferrara suggests keeping a log to see when your little predator tends to be super energetic, so you can give them some playtime when they’re the most active. “Look for patterns in the time of day, or whether it happens before or after eating,” she says. “Schedule your playtime for 15 to 20 minutes before that. This will help get the energy out constructively, before your cat finds a way on their own. It will also be more beneficial for their mental enrichment, and is bonding time with the human they love.” Love us or not, they’d probably still prefer it if we didn’t lock eyes with them when they were, you know, in the middle of something important in their litter boxes.,Q: My cat runs out of his litter box as soon as he’s finished using it. Is that normal?
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Pleistophora Hyphessobryconis & Broken Back Much like other animals, fishes can have bone and muscle disorders. Symptoms and Types One such bone and muscle disorder is Broken Back Disease, which is typically due to a vitamin C deficiency. This disease will literally bend the fish’s backbone. However, injuries are sometimes the cause of an abnormal backbone. Another typical bone and muscle disorder is caused by the parasite Pleistophora hyphessobryconis. This parasite attacks the skeletal muscle – responsible for movement – of freshwater aquarium fishes, like neon tetra and angelfish. The fishes infected with the parasite, which has caused muscle damage, will then have abnormal muscle movements. To identify the parasite infection, the veterinarian will perform a microscopic examination. However, there is no treatment for this particular bone and muscle disorder. The only way to prevent the disease from spreading is to remove all infected fishes from the tank, aquarium or fishpond.
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Leptospirosis is a disease that’s caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria, also referred to as leptospires. It’s part of a group of bacteria called spirochetes, which also includes the bacteria that are responsible for illnesses like syphilis and Lyme disease. (Leptospira itself does not cause these diseases, however.) Though it is most often diagnosed in dogs who are over 2 years old, it can impact puppies more significantly if they should catch it. It’s also a disease that can affect humans, which means your dog can pass it on to you if they become infected. “The bacteria are typically spread through the urine of infected animals, as well as contaminated water sources, soil, or food,” notes Andrea Johnston, DVM, board-certified small-animal veterinary internist based in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and medical board member at The Vets. Symptoms include: Lethargy Vomiting Decreased appetite Diarrhea Fever Bruising Edema (swelling of the limbs or abdomen) Bleeding from the gums Blood in the urine, stool or nose Jaundice If your dog contracts leptospirosis, it’s considered a medical emergency. Sarah Wooten, DVM, veterinarian in Silverthorne, Colorado, says that infected dogs and people can develop fatal liver failure or kidney (renal) failure and are very infectious to other dogs and people.,Jump to section What Is Leptospirosis in Dogs? What Is the Leptospirosis Vaccine? Pros and Cons of Leptospirosis Vaccine Leptospirosis Vaccine Cost FAQs About the Leptospirosis Vaccine
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