Happy Snaps
If you're having trouble with red eyes etc when taking photos of your pets in low light, try covering the flash with a tissue. You'll still get the effect of the flash, but without the crazy eyes!
Scratchies
A scratching post is a wonderful tool to have, if you know how to get your cat to use it. While cats aren't as receptive to food rewards as dogs, you never know your luck unless you try. Next time your cat is scratching away at your favourite chair, try putting its front paws on the scratching post and follow quickly with praise and a favourite treat. A bit of patience and perserverance can be all that's needed to change this behaviour and save your furniture. Of course, if this is not successful, there are a few different sprays on the market that claim to stop cats from scratching. Keeping your cats nails from getting too sharp will also help. More on that later
A Good Workout
Is your indoor cat getting a little, how shall we say, 'cuddly'? Obesity in animals is a very serious matter, but keeping kitty healthy and fit isn't all that hard. In fact it can be fun for everyone. We'll deal with diet another time, but for now, let's have some fun with exercise. If your cat is strictly an inside cat, it is very important to give him or her the stimulation and exercise they need to stay healthy.
There are many cat toys on the market, but often the best play-things are those that can be found around the house (non-dangerous of course). Our cats love to jump in and out of boxes and the green shopping bags. Put a little piece of rolled up foil into the equation and there's hours of fun. Satine loves to play fetch with the foil or other little balls. She'll play for hours!
Tie a piece of string around your leg and walk around for a while.
Throw paper planes around.
Roll a ping pong ball... It really is easy!
You just need to remember that before cats had the life of luxury they have now, they used to hunt for their meals and still enjoy stalking and killing prey... or rolled up socks :) Just give them a little bit of your time and a whole lot of imagination and you'll all have stacks of fun!
Or if you're a bit more adventurous, try something a bit more challenging. My favourite exercise time is with my gorgeous ragdoll, Raffy. I put him into his harness, grab his lead and then we go for a walk up the street. Yes people do stare, but it's a wonderful way for him to explore the outside world, while avoiding the dangers of traffic, poisonous plants, other animals and other nasties. It's also a great example of responsible pet ownership. He isn't off fighting with other cats, digging up other peoples' gardens, doing his business or making a nuisance of himself, but he does get to experience life outside. And he loves it!
It takes a lot of patience to get a cat to feel comfortable walking around with a lead and harness, but it isn't impossible. If you'd like more info please send me an email.
Getting To Know What's What
Knowing how your pet behaves and reacts to certain situations as well as how they look, feel, sound and smell normally can help you to determine if there is a problem. It's also one of the main principals of Pet First Aid. So take notice now to potentially save a life later.