Long Overdue Maggie May Update

So, the other day I was thinking…. You know how certain cat breeds are more prone to specific health problems than non-purebred cats? Like for instance, luxating patellas are said to be more common in Bengals. I have been keeping this blog since we first discovered Maggie May’s luxating patella back in 2008. Since then, I have only heard from one Bengal cat mom whose kitty has this condition. However, I have probably heard from 10 or more cat moms whose cats are of no specific breed and have this condition. Anyway, I just thought that was interesting.
I haven’t done an update on Maggie May in a while and now is as good a time as any. I couldn’t be happier with how great Maggie May has come along since her last surgery in 2008. If not for going through the experience, I would never know that she ever had a health problem, much less went through three knee surgeries. She has no residual effects from the knee cap problem or the surgeries to correct it. No limping, no pain, nothing! She plays like any spunky cat does; darting all over the room chasing toys. She loves to chase the toy around, then pick it up, carry it around all while mewing. Of course, her favorite time to do this is after “lights out.” She is the cutest little thing. Well, not so little anymore. I bet she is close to ten pounds now. We have been told by the vet that the lighter she is, the better it is for her knee joints. So I have been making an effort to cut her back a little on the food.

Tortitude!

Tortitude: The attitude (I am special so no other cat should be allowed to even breath *hiss, slap*) indigenous to ALL tortioseshell/calico cats. Also applies to some torbies (tortoiseshell tabbies).

LOL! I found that awesome definition from the Urban Dictionary. I couldn’t have said it better myself. Now, to use it in a sentence: Maggie May is full of tortitude! One thing I am always trying to learn more about is cat behavior. I am hoping to someday better understand why Maggie May has to attack the other kitties in the house. I blame it all on her tortitude, but I am also wondering if it might have more to do with the fact that ever since we found Maggie May, she has gotten some sort of special treatment, especially during the surgery and recovery process. Maggie May was in solitary confinement for a good three months. The entire time, we spoiled her as much as possible to keep her from getting depressed and bored. I would even bring her to work with me. 

When she recovered and it was time to release her back into the wild…. I mean, reintegrate her with the other cats, all she really wanted to do was pick fights and beat them up. The truth is, she really seems to prefer being upstairs, alone. Though she really enjoys having Ziggy to hang out with and play with. They get along so well and act just like best buddies. I love to find them grooming one another or napping together.

Tortitude – Maggie May has it!

Why Your Cat Loves the Laser Pointer (and Other Weird Behaviors) - Guest Post by Tiffany Gantt

Why Your Cat Loves the Laser Pointer (and Other Weird Behaviors)

Learn the wild roots of your cat’s quirky activities

Cats are funny animals—that’s half the reason we have the internet—and most of that comedy comes from the fact that they have millions of years of instinct telling them that they’re stone-cold predators, even when they’re batting at a squeaky toy for your amusement. Here are some common quirks you’ve probably noticed in your house cat, and where they might have picked them up.

1. Constant grooming

It’s a strange thing: your cat may love a good rub-down, but as soon as you’re done, she scampers off to clean all the human out of her fur. Don’t be offended; partly cats just like to be clean, but this is mainly about territory. Cats mark territory through smell, and since she knows you don’t like urine all over the house, the scent glands in her skin are the only way she can assert herself. Licking her fur activates those glands so she can stake out her turf without offending you.

2. Kneading

When your cat beds down for the night, he squishes down gently on the ground around him in an alternating motion, like he’s making dough (hence the name), sometimes for several minutes. This behavior has two possible explanations: first, kittens knead on their mother’s stomach to stimulate milk glands, and domesticated cats retain juvenile instincts and behaviors that their wild cousins leave behind at adulthood. However, some adult wild cats will also knead their beds, stimulating scent glands in their paws that claim the area as “mine” (because nobody likes to sleep in a strange bed). Whichever explanation you prefer, cats knead when they are feeling cozy, mellow, and content.

3. Sneering

You may have noticed your cat occasionally curl up her lip in a sneer, as if she’s smelled something foul. Cats sneer as a way of pushing air against their vomeronasal organ, a special scent organ for detecting pheromones. Like wine-tasters use their nose to get a better read on a wine, your cat uses her mouth to help her sniff out who’s in the neighborhood, whether they’re in heat or not, etc. Many animals do this, including bison, horses, giraffes, and wild cats. Sometimes your cat may sneer or grimace when she’s experiencing mild abdominal pain, but if there’s no other visible problems, she’s probably just checking things out.

4. Attacking the laser pointer

This is the stuff great videos of kittens are made of—but the reason cats go crazy for laser pointers actually has a scientific explanation. When most people hold a laser pointer, the small vibrations of their muscles cause the beam to twitch slightly—it’s almost impossible to hold it completely still. It turns out that your cat’s brain interprets those subtle, erratic movements as a sign of life, just out of reach, and his hunting instinct kicks into overdrive. After a little while, your cat almost certainly realizes he’s only playing a game—but his wild heritage makes it an impossible one to resist.

5. Bringing in a dead animal

This is one of the biggest opportunities for miscommunication between you and your cat. You’re understandably grossed out at the prospect of having to scrape a dead rat or bird off your kitchen floor, but that’s definitely not what your cat is expecting. This is another behavior with two possible explanations, and both are quite friendly. She may be attempting to do her part for the family by bringing in her kill; or she may be trying to start hunting lessons with you. When a mother cat thinks her kittens are ready to learn how to hunt, she initiates their education by bringing in a bird or rodent, as if to say “this is how it’s done”. Since you’re not particularly quick or stealthy by feline standards, she wants to bring you up to snuff, and the dead rat is her version of a monogrammed invitation.

Tiffany Gantt is a staff writer for ApronAddicts.com, a website dedicated to the love of cooking and looking good while you do it! You can often find her getting creative in the kitchen as she whips up something yummy in one of her flirty, color coordinated aprons.

A Guide to Your Cats Oral Care - Guest Post by Sarah Rexman

A Guide to Your Cats Oral Care

             

Taking care of your cats teeth can be difficult, hence the inspiration to write a complete guide. I’ll cover most options that are available to you, giving you the opportunity to choose the best approach for your cat.

The Four Week Brushing Process

             

This guide is for the first timers. Every week requires you to perform each stage once a day, and doesn’t guarantee results, but has a great response.

Week 1: Desensitization

             

Get your cat used to the toothpaste, which most manufacturers make easier to give by flavoring them in something that is pleasing to their pallet be it chicken or tuna.

Week 2: Baby Steps

             

Take the toothpaste and place it on your finger and lightly reveal your cat’s fangs. Start to apply the tiny sample to their fang for 3 seconds and working up to a longer interval of time, rewarding them with a treat in between each. You should stop at five repetitions or when every your cat starts to feel agitated.

Week 3: Introduce the brushing Motion

            

 By this time the cat should have gotten used to having his or her lips manipulated. Now is the time to apply a small dab of toothpaste on a tooth brush and start introducing the motion to their teeth. Again don’t go all in at this stage you are just trying to desensitize them. Apply the same technique in step two, remembering to reward them in between intervals.

Week 4: Brush them

            

 Hopefully they have gotten used to the sensation of the bristles of the tooth brush on their teeth. With that said it is key to monitor your cat’s temper during the process; if it starts to get agitated take a break, pet it to reassure it that it is safe. When it starts to relax try to re-approach the situation, if it starts to pull away try again another day.

*If your cat has been struggling for three weeks to be okay with having its major survival tool manipulated then maybe home brushing may not be right for our feline. Never force your pet to do what it doesn't want to do, if you do they may lose respect from you and become distant. You can try to expand the time for each stage, but that won’t guarantee better results. This is not to say that your cat shouldn’t have their teeth cleaned, it just means that you’ll have to get it done professionally by your vet which can cost you up to $500 per visit.

Change To Hard

             

One of the easiest solutions to improve your cat’s oral health is changing their food from soft to hard. The hard food rubs against the teeth and promotes salivation which helps fight plaque (just like in humans, the saliva thing). If you do switch to hard food remember to introduce dietary changes gradually, and not dramatically. This means that you should mix the old (soft) food with the new (hard) food in stages over a period of a month, at least. This may not be a viable option if your cat is elderly and has trouble chewing.

Oral Conscious Toys

  Petstages Cat Dental Health Chew Toy (~$8): This toy has cat nip inside to make it enticing for your feline friend. The netting that surrounds the outside helps floss and remove plaque as they chew it.

Google Shop Results

Nylabone Cat Dental Insert-A-Treat Sweetheart Mice BL (~$5): Helps massage their gums and cut down on tartar.

Google Shop Results

 

Petstages Cat Dental Mint Stick Cat Toy (~$4): Like all the other toys this helps remove tartar that soft cat food just can’t take care of.

Google Shop Results

Oral Care Products

 Petco Dental Health Kit for Cats (~$10): Comes with toothbrush specially designed for their tiny mouth with an angled head. The toothpaste is chicken flavored and comes with a gum massager finger cap.

Petco Online

 

Nylabone Advanced Oral Care Complete Cat Dental Kit (~$13): The name brand equivalent of the Petco version.

Petco Online (I couldn’t find it anywhere else)

 

 

Petrodex Dental Treats for Cats (~$12): These treats are flavored for their pleasure and rough enough to tackle plaque and tartar. It also has the ability to freshen their breath.

Google Shop Results

Wrap Up

Hope this helps, remember there is no such thing as a sure thing. I used Google Shop results since they give you a list of many different sites in one nice layout. In extreme situations you may need to go to the vet and get your cat sedated and professionally cleaned. If you feed your cat dry food and give them things to chew on then you won’t have any real need to brush your teeth, but it doesn’t hurt to give them dental tablets every once in a while.  

Pictures courtesy of Petco.com

Source: Floppycats.com

Sarah Rexman is the main researcher and writer for bedbugs.org. Her most recent accomplishment includes graduating from Florida State, with a degree in environmental science.  Her current focus for the site involves research for her site about bed bugs and how to exterminate bed bugs.

Happy Birthday, Maggie May!

Guess who is four years old today??

Happy Birthday to my little Tootlebug Mags!

Happy Birthday, Marg!!

Marg, we love you and hope this birthday is your best yet!!

XOXO
Maggie May and Mom

“Dollars for Daffy” Fundraiser

“Dollars for Daffy” Fundraiser Launched

Portion of profits from the sale of company’s organic pet treats will help a loyal fan get the medical care she needs.

April 1, 2012 – CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Barkers Dozen launched the “Dollars for Daffy” fundraiser today, where the organic dog treat baker will donate a portion of the profits from the sale of its products to Daffy Trinka, a 6-year-old Toy Fox/Jack Russell Terrier and loyal fan of the company, who is in need of medical care for an unknown illness.

During the fundraiser, which will run through April 2012, The Barkers Dozen will donate 50% of the profits from the sale of its treats purchased on its online store – shop.thebarkersdozen.com - to Daffy and her owner Ingrid Trinka. Plus, when customers use the promo code “DAFFY” at checkout, they will receive a special thank you gift from The Barkers Dozen. For those who do not wish to purchase The Barkers Dozen’s organic dog treats, but would still like to donate, please use the Chipin widget on this page.

“I was just so thrilled to see Daffy chosen as a ‘Barker’s Buddy‘, the rest took my breath away,” said Ingrid. “I am overwhelmed to think that complete strangers would extend such an incredible offer to us. We are so very thankful. We never, in our dreams, expected this.”

Daffy, an avid fan of The Barkers Dozen’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Bone-anza Organic Dog Treats, was rescued two years ago by Ingrid, in what she calls a twist of divine intervention.
Ingrid, who had been praying for years for the right dog to enter her life after her beloved Dachshund BetsyRoss passed away, didn’t adopt Daffy the first time she met the dog because the pup didn’t seem like a good match. The dog appeared to have been abused by previous owners, was in poor health and was found homeless. Eight months later, when Ingrid and the same dog crossed paths again, she realized a greater power had chosen Daffy for her. Daffy’s whole story can be read on The Barkers Dozen’s blog, The Daily Barker.

While Daffy now has a forever home and has blossomed into a well-mannered dog, she is suffering from what appears to be a neurological disorder that causes violent jerking and tremors when she sleeps. Ingrid and Daffy live in a town without the facilities or equipment to diagnose and treat her, and will need to travel more than 250 miles to Manhattan, Kan., to the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, to have bloodwork and an MRI taken. Ingrid, who is disabled, can’t currently afford the treatment or the travel and lodging costs, which are estimated to total around $2,000.

“When we learned of Daffy’s story, we felt compelled to offer our assistance so that Daffy could get the care she deserves,” said President/CEO and Founder of The Barkers Dozen, Shawn Sherry. “This dog has been through more than most, and her second chance at life should be as healthy and happy as possible.”

The program will be promoted on The Barkers Dozen’s blog, The Daily Barker, as well as its Facebook page and Twitter profile (@thedailybarker).

###

About The Barkers Dozen:
With the goal of providing Homemade Organic Pet Treats that everyone could afford, Shawn Sherry and Anthony Newman founded The Barkers Dozen in 2009. In the midst of the 2008 pet food scare, they saw an opportunity to start a local and organic dog treat business where customers could feel safe and secure about what they fed to that loyal member of their family.

The Barkers Dozen treats use the highest-quality, human-grade organic ingredients and are made in a variety of shapes and sizes to satisfy any furry friend. The gourmet dog treats are made on demand and in small batches to ensure the freshest product possible for our customers, without using artificial preservatives. Feeling a responsibility to the world in which we all live, its packaging has always been renewable or recyclable in nature.

The current lineup of organic pet treats includes: Barkers Family Chicken Treats, Barkers Carrot Treats, Blueberry Bone-anza Gluten Free Treats, Barkers Dozen Barkscotti, Peanut Butter Cups, Peanut Butter Treats, and The Big Dipper. Also available are “The Mutt”, “The Chocolate Lab” and “The Mastiff” Sampler Boxes, seasonal treats, puppy adoption and dog birthday gift boxes, and custom-made cookie jars and gift baskets.

The Barkers Dozen celebrated its first year in business in 2010, and to mark the occasion, redesigned its Web site and rolled out an interactive, virtual storefront, as well as The Daily Barker blog and e-newsletter.

In 2011, Sherry assumed sole ownership of The Barkers Dozen, following a year of historic growth for the company. Later that year, continuing its belief in social responsibility, The Barkers Dozen began utilizing staff from the Aditus group, a non-profit which helps those with special needs to be able to enter the work force.

In addition, The Barkers Dozen donates a portion of its profits from every sale to two animal shelters in its local market.

Press contact:
Mehgan Recker
732-853-7056
mrecker@thebarkersdozen.com
www.thebarkersdozen.com

Judi We Love You!

Judi, we just want you to know how much we love and care about you! We are praying so hard!

XOXO,

Maggie May and Mom

Yay for Arceus!

Just wanted to let everyone know that Arceus has made a full recovery and now has free reign over his house after his patella surgery!! Thanks to all of you who have wished him well and sent him good thoughts during his recovery!

4 Ways to Win over your Cat's Affection - Guest Post by Lauren Bailey

4 Ways to Win over your Cat's Affection
 
If you are new to being a cat owner, then you congratulations on joining the wonderful world of kitties! They really are unlike any other pet you'll have, and while dogs may be as sweet as can be, cats have very unique personalities that you simply won't find in other pets. Dogs are relatively easy to engage with—you don't really need to work for their affection. On the other hand, cats demand that you earn it. Here's how:

1. Don't overwhelm her with cuddling. Let her come to you.

All cats have different personalities, but I've noticed that most cats won't immediately come running to you, begging to be petted and played with the way that dogs do. Instead of insisting on some cuddling time, let the cat do their own thing. You'll see that soon enough, if you give your cat some space, she'll come to you wanting to play and hang out. 

2. Try different types of treats and toys. Don't give her the same ol’, same ol.'

One thing I've noticed as a seasoned cat owner is that cats have, in various aspects of their fascinating lives, very refined tastes, and this is especially true of food. While you may want to stick to one brand and type for their regular food, since cats can have sensitive stomachs, it's best to try different things with treats and toys, since they tend to get bored fairly easily. Of course, catnip is a tried and true favorite, but try to keep things new and diverse to avert boredom.

3. Learn about the specific ways your cat likes to be petted.

One thing I've noticed that is unique to all different cats is where and how they liked to be petted. Some cats, in my experience, absolutely hate being petted against the direction in which their fur grows, but some, on the other hand, absolutely love it. Some cats like to be petted under the chin, and some prefer the top of their head, right between their ears. Learning how they liked to be petted specifically will help tremendously in the bonding process.

4. Find out the little things that may bother her.

As sweet as cats can be, they also get peeved very easily. For example, back before I quit smoking, I would occasionally smoke inside the house, and I couldn’t understand why there would be times that my cat just hated being anywhere near me. When I relocated and stopped smoking inside entirely, my cat followed me everywhere and was never far from my side at all times. I then realized that it was the smoke that extremely bothered her. Think about different things that you do or items that may be lying around the house that may be pestering your cat, and see what you can do to change things.

Now, don't get me wrong. Even if you do perform all the recommendations outlined above, your cat may still be somewhat aloof. Even so, this is an inherent part of cats' charm—they aren't easily won over, and the chase for their affection is all part of the fun.

By-line:
This guest post is contributed by Lauren Bailey, who regularly writes for accredited online colleges. She welcomes your comments at her email Id: blauren99 @gmail.com.