Can You Spare A Can of Tuna? Pet Food Projects

Part of the Artemis line (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

LG office passes out groceries with Second Harvest Food Bank – Dec. 06 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: New Orleans, LA., 10/22/2005 -- Pet food and water are stacked in the back of a pick up truck. People are bringing in supplies to feed the pets that were left behind in the Lower 9th Ward following Hurricane Katrina. FEMA photo/Andrea Booher (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A supermarket's pet food aisle in Brooklyn, New York (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Meal on Wheels is a wonderful program that helps the home bound elderly obtain and maintain proper nutrition. Yet , many of these home-bound seniors have pets. Many professionals who work with the fixed-income elderly believe that they are sacrificing their own nutritional need to feed their pet. The reasons vary. Some simply do not have the income to feed their pet and other simply have an issue obtaining pet food that many times come in bulky packaging.

Phil Shippers, director of the Visiting Nurse Meals On Wheels program of Rochester, NY, said

"We know that many seniors in our community are compromising their own nutrition by sharing their meals with their pets,." 1

Today, most Meals on Wheels programs run pet feeding programs to help seniors feed their beloved pets. Programs vary from area to area and you should check with your local chapter of Meals on Wheels to find how you can help. 2

There are other pet food programs in our communities to help local shelters and rescues.

In these tough economic times more and more pet owners are releasing their pets to shelters and rescues. There is an unprecedented strain on these organizations. They are in need of donations of materials and monetary donations to help keep up with the ever increasing demand for their services.

One such program that supplies much needed aid to animal shelters and rescue organizations is The Pet Food Bank. It supplies over 30 different rescue groups in California and Mexico. Last year volunteers moved over 1,000,000 lbs. of pet food to the shelters that needed it most. It was started in 1997 by Renee Carleton, who found that pet food companies were destroying perfectly good pet food. They would donate it but had no way to move it. That is where The Pet Food Bank comes in. They collect donated pet food and supplies and make sure they get to the rescue organizations that need their services most.

Below is a wish list for the shelters. If you have supplies to donate contacting The Pet Food Bank You can also donate money to help The Pet Food Bank cover it's ever increasing expense.

• Large containers of anti-bacterial soap

• Laundry soap, bleach, dish soap

• Plastic garbage bags, especially large

• Paper towels and toilet paper in bulk

• Brooms/buckets/brushes/cleansing supplies

• Bottled water

• Boxes of surgical gloves

• Anti-bacterial salves/ointments

• Hydrogen peroxide, Betadine & Iodine, alcohol

• Q-tips and cotton balls

• Sterile gauzes and dressing

• Medical supplies such as syringes, medications, IVs

• Doghouses, Dog runs

• Stainless steel dog bowls

• Leashes, large dog collars

• Large dog toys, rawhide bones, biscuits

• Old sheets, pillowcases, towels, blankets and washable rugs

Building supplies

• Chain link fencing, posts, and cement

• 4 x 8 plywood boards, 2 1/2 inch nails with heads

• Bailing wire, pea gravel

• Metal or plastic outdoor storage sheds, tarps

Sources

1. for information on Meals on wheels .

http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=183

2. for information on local chapters.

http://www.mowaa.org/Page.aspx?pid=253

3. for information on Banfield drive to raise money for Meal on Wheels pet feeding program.

http://www.banfield.net/r/banfield--the-pet-hospital--and-meals-on-wheels-association-of-america--feed-hungry-pets-during-the-holidays-and-beyond

4. for information on Season of Suppers http://dogblog.dogster.com/2008/11/12/season-of-suppers/

5. , for information on The Pet Food Bank.http://www.thepetfoodbank.com/

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Just A Spoonfull of Advice To Make The Kitty Medicine Go Down

Make sure not to open time released medication from capsules. You can overdose your cat with the powder

Most Cats Will NOT anticipate a Pill As A Lip Licking Treat

Giving a cat a pill can be a nightmare. No cat wants something shoved down his throat, and he will fight you tooth and nail to prevent it. Although most cats are small in size, you’d be quite amazed with how much power they actually have. There are ways that you can get your cat to take his pills, which we will cover below.

The easiest way to give a cat pill is to crush the power into a powdery form by putting it between two spoons. Once the pill is powder, mix it in with some wet cat food. Cats that are used to eating dry cat food will see the wet food and think of it as a treat. They will normally eat it up, unaware that they just took their medicine.

If the medicine happens to be in capsule form, all you have to do is pry the capsule apart then sprinkle the medicine on some wet food and serve it to your pet. If the food also contains the pill or if your pet is sick, chances are he won’t eat it. In this event, you should look into a pet pill dosing product. You can get these handy devices from your veterinarian. They are plastic rods that hold the pill until you press a plunger. When you get one, you should always get a long one with a softer tip.

When you get your pill gun, your vet should show you how to use it. The most difficult aspect of using the gun is getting your cat to open his mouth. The pill gun will more or less shoot the pill in the cat’s mouth, and down his throat. You’ll need to hold him tight, to make sure that he doesn’t wiggle his way loose. Once you have his mouth open, you’ll need to squeeze the trigger and pull the pill gun away quickly. After the pill has been inserted, make sure you give your cat a treat. This may end up being a two person pill pet popping event. To make sure your cat is not injured it might want to wrap the cat securely in a blanket or towl.

If you aren’t comfortable using the gun, you can always try giving your cat his pills by hand. To do it this way, you’ll need to hold your cat still, and open his mouth with your hand. Once you have his mouth open, you should aim for the back of his throat and throw the pill in. Once it is in his mouth, you should close his mouth with your hand and hold it shut for a few moments. This way, your cat will swallow the pill if he hasn’t already. Again make sure to safely detain your cat.

If you can’t get any of the above techniques to work, you can always go to a local pharmacy and get them to a make flavored gel or liquid using your cats medication. You should use this as a last resort though, as it can tend to get expensive.

There are a limited number of cat pill covers or pouches. that come in the shape of pills. Some cats may fall for the cover up , but most cats will simply figure out how to remove the pill from its tasty wrapping and spit out the pill.  Food that can be tightly molded around the pill works better. If you cat eats cheese making a small cheese ball from the warmth of your hand around the pill many times will get the cat to let the pill pass his lips without him knowing.

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How To Have A Purfect Holiday For Your Cat

Holidays can be hazardous for our pets. Most of the things to keep our pets safe during the holidays are common sense, but many times we are distracted by a busy holiday schedule. We need to remember that the holidays can be stressful on our as well. Our homes become hectic with decorations and visitors stopping by and all this activity can be stressful for our pets; that are used to a much more laid back environment.

Christmas packaging and ornaments can be choking hazard. Keep wrapping supplies away from your cat . Cats in particular may be very tempted to consume tinsel and ribbon that can cause a blockage in their bowel or a tinsel hairball you will not enjoy cleaning up. Tinsel is best avoided in houses that have cats .

Christmas plants are especially dangerous around cats. Mistletoe, Holly, Hibiscus and even Poinsettia can cause fatal intestinal problems in pets. Skip the poisonous Christmas plants and use silk plants instead. If a guest brings a Christmas plant as a gift put the cat away until you can figure out a place to place the plant where they will have no access to it. Explain to friends and family that having pets makes Christmas plants an unwelcome addition to your holiday decorating.

Be careful with chords that you use for holiday light displays .Secure them with tape to the floor to discourage chewing from your cat. You can also use wire ties to keep chords from dangling and being an extra temptation for your cat. You can distract your cat from chords by providing them safe dangling toys on the scratching posts.

Be careful with candles and fires in the fire place. Do not leave candles light on tables and counters in rooms where cats can knock them over. It is a good idea to only use candles when you are in the same room and can extinguish them before you leave the room. Using a heath gate around the fireplace will make the living room safe for the pets and small children. Keep curious kittens  from the fire place until you are sure there are not lingering embers and clean soot as soon as possible. You might find your snow white kitten as black as a Halloween cat if you leave to fire place to clean later. You will cut down on finding black soot paw prints on your carpet.

If you use a real tree keep your cat  away from the Christmas tree. First there is a good chance your cat will climb the Christmas tree dislodging large amounts of pine needle or knock the tree completely over. The water many Christmas trees sit in to keep them fresh; is a health hazard to your pet. It contains harmful bacteria. If you have a large cat they will try to consume any edible ornaments on the tree such as strung pop corn or candy canes.

These items can cause your cat to become ill and also can become a choking hazard. It is unlikely that your cat will remove the plastic wrapper from the candy cane or remove the dental floss that the popcorn is strung on before eating. Avoid edible ornaments on trees around larger cats. If you have a smaller cat and a cat you may wish to leave these types of ornaments off the tree. In my house the cats work in tandem with the dog. The cat dislodge the ornaments on the tree and knock them down and the dog tries to eat them.

Most of us have our houses filled with goodies during the holiday times. Even a little chocolate can kill a cat or dog; so does not leave out a candy bowl full of chocolate Santa's. If you share people food with your pets make sure that it does not contain caffeine or nuts that can make pets very ill. Also things like grapes and raisons can cause kidney damage in pets. When you are a guest in someone else's house never give their cat any human food. Their cat may have a severe food allergy you know nothing about.

When you have holiday guest over spare you cat or the need to socialize. Put them away in the back bedroom until your holiday festivities are over. You pets will not get stressed out and your guest will appreciate not being jumped on. Lastly, don't give pets as holiday gifts. Shelters are full of Christmas puppies and kittens after the holidays. Becoming a pet owner is something each person has to decide for themselves. When giving pets to younger children; you must realize you are really committing their parents to care for the pets. Even older children quickly lose interest in caring for Christmas pets.

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Best Coats On the Cat Walk

Suomi: Oma kuva. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: 1 year old Russian Blue male cat. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Chocolate Himalayan/Colorpoint Persian (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Three of the breeds of cats that have great coats are the Russian Blue, Persian, and Himalayans. Russian Blues are great cat’s for people with dander issues. Longhaired cats are just beautiful to look at, but require a great deal of attention to their lovely long locks. All these breeds of cats have wonderful personalities in addition to gorgeous coats.

Certain types of cats don't affect human allergies the Russian Blue is one. Originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue some believed that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s.Cat Rumor also has the Slavonic Blue as a descendant of the Royal Cat of the Slavonic Czars and as a favored pet of Queen Victoria. Originally known as the Archangel Cat or Foreign Blue some believed that they were brought by sailors from the Archangel Isles to England in the 1860s.

Wile the Russian Blue may at first glance look like a silver grey short hair, they have will a special appearance that is all their own. The Russian Blue cat has a small wedge-shaped head, medium sized snout, straight nose and strong jaws, big pointed ears and big green eyes

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Although they have been used on a limited basis to create other breeds (such as the Havana Brown) or add type to a breed in creation (the Kneeling), Slavonic Blues themselves are shorthaired, blue cats. Russian Blues should be distinguished from 'British Blues' which are not a distinct breed but rather a domestic short hair with a blue coat.

No direct evidence exists to prove this, but the breed's thick coat gives credence to the theory that they developed in a cold climate, blue shorthairs still exist in Russia today.

Russian Blues are quiet, clean cats who are frolicking and loving companions the breed is a gentle, affectionate cat easily distinguished from other breeds. But beyond appearances, the real pleasure of the this blue breed is its unique personality which sets it apart from other cats and makes it an interesting, entertaining and affectionate companion to its owners and friends.

Persians, with their long flowing coats and open pansy-like faces are the number one breed in popularity, and perhaps the most recognizable. Although many people cannot name more than a few cat breeds, almost all of them know to name the Persian.

Credit for the Persian breed is generally given to Turkey, Iran (formerly Persia), and the neighboring countries.

Longhaired cats were associated with these countries from about the 16th century, and possibly earlier. During that period the first cats of this kind began to arrive in Europe. It is assumed that the long cover arose from a mutation in shorthaired cats that maybe were of Egyptian origin. The colder climates of Turkey and Iran certainly favored such a mutation. The long cover aroused great interest among cat owners and made the cats more valuable.

The Persian is a heavily boned, well-balanced cat with a sweet expression and soft, round lines. Despite their heavy appearance, Persians move great agility; despite their bulk. The Persian also sports a long, flowing cover draped on a compact, chunky, short body referred as cobby supported by short, thick legs. Large round eyes are ordered wide apart in a large round head with small wide- rounded ears contribute to the overall full countenance to the breed. A broad, sweeping brush of a tail as wide as the body completes the picture.

Chocolate and lavender Persians are known the Kashmir in CFF. It is still called by this lineage name in some older cat books. CFF also distinguishes between the Persian and the Pekefaced Persian. A Pekefaced Persian is a Persian with an extreme flat face, like that of a Pekingese dog. Some breeders describe their Persians as doll-faced, which means that they possess a less flat faced appearance than most Persian show cats.

The Persian's beautiful cover is long and thick, standing away from the body. An immense ruff continues in a deep frill between the cat's front legs. Proper maintenance of the cover requires a daily run-through with a metal comb to eliminate the potential drawbacks of tangles and hairball. Occasional bathing is required to keep the fur clean, healthy and beautiful. Time and commitment to a daily grooming routine is required of the Persian owners, and will come to enjoy this high quality time with their cats.

Persians are mellow, docile and affectionate. They need affection, notice, and have a natural desire to be played with. They aren't particularly demanding, but most wish to sit on your lap and be petted every day. Persians can develop a particular attachment to one person in the family, and they tend to want more time and affection from the object of their interest; than from the rest of the household. Persians are good with other pets, and with children. The breed is very adaptable, and usually copes well if changes occur such as additions to the family, new pets or a house move.

Persians don't like to be left unaccompanied for long periods of time, so if you're out during the day, it's better to keep them with another pet for company. Their long fur is very prone to matting, and must be combed on a daily basis. Persians sometimes have issues with watery eyes and breathing problems because of their flat faces. Their faces need washing sporadically. At the same time as their lovely personalities mean they make wonderful pets, they are only suitable for people who have the time to care for their long hair and give them the regular affection that they need.

The Persian is a favorite lineage and formed the basis of hybridizations that resulted in the the Himalayan cat. The early evolution of the Persian cat happened in old Persia. When these cats with a longer, silky coat were brought to Europe by the Romans, the Europeans were hooked.

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It was proposed in the 1950's Himalayans that were not Persian, but a new lineage of longhair. With this philosophy as a basis for the Himalayan, these cats received recognition and were granted registration with CFA. Breeders were required to s exhibit three generations of pure chain color point breeding to be eligible for competition.

The chain of a lineage of this long-haired cat is identical in type to the Persian. The appearance differential in Himalayans is eyes and point coloration, These Himalayans comes for the mating of the Himalayans with the Siamese. In some places Himalayans are called color point Persians. While the chain is considered a lineage separate from their almost twin Persians breed; by The International Cat Association. It is grouped together with other exotic short haired breeds.

Himalayans endeavor to be active, but they like their people time best. The best way to describe color point Persians is to say they are people focused. As with any longhair cat, they require grooming maintenance. The breed should be groomed on a daily basis, and weekly baths are in many catteries. Himalayans have been groomed and bathed since they were young kittens so they are used to frequent grooming. Breeders of the color point Iranian are sometimes criticized for breeding very flat faced cats that can have breathing problems. Responsible breeders pay close attention to the overall beauty of expression no matter how short the nose. It's possible to create a lineage of beautiful Himalayans with a very short nose that breathes normally. They are not prone to respiratory problems making them an ideal show or companion cats

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