TresSugar

5 Ways Kitties Show They're Thankful For You

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:45:07 -0800

OK, pets can't speak and say why they're grateful but I'm betting they'd thank us for yums and snuggles right off the bat . . . if they could. How do they show appreciation without using words? Find out when you start this slideshow.

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Is a DIY Tape Measure Cat Toy Brilliant or Baffling?

PetSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:04 -0800

I admit when a pal shared her crafty creation idea with me, I was worried it would result in something dangerous. However, she proudly showed off her tape measure re-creation and it looked rather recreational for her frisky feline. Many cats go crrrazy for fronds of all time so she took a tiny, retractable tape measure and taped a few bright feathers to the end.

To play she lets it out a few feet and then presses the button and it flies in, drawing her kitty down from any perch. She was careful to point out to use the small measures, not the ones with hard plastic tape, and to test it out in a cat free room first to make sure it doesn't fly up as it slips back in. Would your pets dig this project . . . or will you take a pass?

Source: Flickr User jon_a_ross

New Product Alert! Neko Habitat

PetSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:20:14 -0800

Dish up a sweet resting spot. New from Neko Habitat are three bed styles, all featuring reversible cushions in a rainbow of options.

Fitting cats or small dogs, the transparent acrylic frames wipe clean and pillows can get the once-over with a pet-safe vacuum. Sleek and stylish, the designer duds don't come cheap. Consider the Wave ($235), the Cradle ($250), or the Pan ($245) to be a real investment in your furry friend's sleepy-time future to last for years and years. Still, is the pretty product worth the investment or will you take a pass on these loungers?

Happy Caturday!

TresSugar — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:47:00 -0800

I love when cats go into crouching ~~tiger~~ kitten, hidden dragon mode on little bugs. They don't want to kill them, necessarily, they just enjoy little scurrying things. (OK, maybe they want to eff with them a teensy bit.) His flexibility is quite impressive, I have to say.

Do You Know How Many Pets Are Allowed Per Household?

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:15:54 -0800

Having a houseful of cats can earn you mean names - who are you calling crazy?! - but do you know how many animals you can legally own in your county? I checked out Cat Ladies at the SF Documentary Film Festival earlier this month and the producers were asked about law breaking for the movie. The flick was filmed in Canada, with different pet laws by region, but there were still concerns about ratting out (ha) pet owners over the legal limit.

Which brings us to Dudley, MA, where a woman put her home up for sale because she had more than three cats, which would require a residential kennel license in her area. I know it's come up for celebs (like Paris Hilton) and I honestly don't know how many pets my city legally allows per home, but I'm sure just one lil guy is fine. Do you?

The Scoop: First H1N1 Cat Case Confirmed by AVMA

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:00:41 -0800

Following last week's case in Oregon where vets confirmed the first H1N1 transmission between a human and a pet ferret, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has confirmed that a 13-year-old, indoor-only cat in Iowa in fact has swine flu.

While it's uncommon for flu viruses (like the H3N8 for dogs) to jump between species, doctors at Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State University's College of Veterinary Medicine performed two sets of tests to find the feline was in fact infected. According to her owners, they had been sick with flu-like symptoms before noticing the cat was ill and, until recently, there was no reason to think cats could catch the 2009 swine flu. Kitty symptoms are primarily respiratory, which includes sneezing and teary eyes, as well as any unusual food refusal.

Get the CDC's tips for interacting with all pets (and people) when you read more.

As with humans, the CDC recommends:

Wash your hands frequently.
Cough or sneeze into elbows.
Discard any tissues out of reach of cats.
As hard as this is, be a little less affectionate with your animal (distance-wise) while you're ill.

Source: Flickr User theogeo

Très Bizarre: Prisoner Wants Visit From Mom - Who Is a Cat

TresSugar — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Five years may be a short prison sentence, but that's 36 years in cat time. Way too long for Peter Koenig, a German inmate who wants to see his mother while serving a five-year sentence for armed robbery. One small, furry problem, though. His deceased mother is reincarnated as a cat, or so he believes.
The (formerly) heat-packing Buddhist took his fight to court, demanding cat-visiting rights, but was turned down for being unable to "furnish proof that his deceased mother had been reborn in the cat.” In a misguided gesture the court suggested a compromise: he could always write her.

Funny as this story sounds, it seems to me that if you can have human visitors in prison, why not have furry, four-legged ones?

Source: Flickr User Law Keven

For Nine Bucks, Felines Can Beat This Eco-tastic Lounge to a Pulp

PetSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:07 -0800

Get excited for this new eco-tastic find! The Bergan Scratch Lounger is 100 percent recycled - it's a pulp material (think, a huge egg carton) that felines can scratch and sleep on 'til their furry heart's content. There are no dyes, glues or chemicals making it safe for pets' tongues and teeth, but the best part? The price. Pick up one of these recliners for just $9.

Do Tell: Can Your Pets Perch in Small Spots?

PetSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:30:23 -0800

Acro~~bats~~cats entertain with regular balancing acts and I often wonder not only how they perch so precisely, but how they land all right up there in the first place . . .

Guess What Cat?

PetSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:52 -0800

This breed is not from the island of Bali, but it's nearby . . .