Back to School Time!

Our furry friend in New Jersey! Thanks Pat!

Now that it's September and all school age kids go back to school, don't forget about your pets!  Sometimes, kids are given the duties of taking care of their best furry friends during the summer and when they aren't around anymore during the day, the chores must be taken over by someone else.  A caregiver that can be a neighbor, a relative or of course, the pet parents.

Try to keep your pets on as close a schedule as possible.  They like that and they're bodies become acclimated to the schedule and become hungry at a certain time everyday.  Usually, they'll be sure to remind of this time in one way or another.  By barking at you or their food bowl or with some cats, biting or licking their pet parent's hair! lol  Remember, they only have limited ways of communicating to you.

Gates help keep pets safe

Remember to keep toys available to them so that they do not use rugs and furniture or whatever else they can sink their teeth into when they get bored.  You can get all types of dog and cat toys at your local pet store or even the grocery store.  Make sure you also get some interactive toys for them so they can play by themselves.  Also, you can keep them in crates and pens or separate them from the rest of the house with gates if you need to do that.

Our little furry friends are part of the family and they need you to help them and take care of them.  In return, they'll love you forever unconditionally!

Tiffany Star!

Tiffany Star loves her new Bergan Turbo Track!

 This is a story about a sweet, beautiful, loving Ragdoll cat.  One day this little cat, named Tiffany Star, received a present in the mail which her mother (owner) ordered for her.  Tiff was so excited.  However, she had to wait until her mother put it together.  It was a Bergan Turbo Track from FurryPetStore.com!  It came with a little ball that Tiff pushed around the track with her little paw.  She rolled over and jumped, and just had a ball.  Not only did she love this Turbo Track, but, she got daily exercise from playing with it.  Since her devoted owner worked, the Turbo Track gave Tiffy something to do while her mother (owner) was gone. 

Tiffany is 8 years old, so it’s so good to keep her physically and mentally healthy.  You can change the way Turbo Track is laid out, just to make it interesting.

Tiffany love to help the ball along a little quicker!

 The moral to this story is that every little kitty should have a Turbo Track.  It’s safe, you can’t eat it (unless the dog sees it), and it doesn’t take up a lot of room.  It’s just a fun, healthy toy for your little, furry friend.  Thanks, FurryPetStore.com!!!  Tiffany thanks you, too!!

Thanks sooooo much to Joy for writing a guest blog for FurryPetStore.com!  We're so happy that Tiffany Star loves her Bergan Turbo Track!  

Pet Pens

Midwest Small Animal Exercise Pen

Pet pens come in all sizes and varieties of colors and depending on the size, they can can very cheap or very expensive.

Pens can be used to keep your dog in an enclosed area while you are at work so that he can move around and exercise and stretch.  This is very important for your dog.  Being in a small crate all day can make him very excitable and rambunctious when you let him out finally. 

Another reason for owning a pet pen is to keep puppies contained in one area of your house so that they do not get into trouble and chew and/or swallow items that can harm them before they are trained.  If they are still nursing, buy a pen so that the mother can still jump inside the pen, but the pups cannot get out of it.

Midwest Small Pet Playpen

Crates can be very small and your dog can become very frustrated and irritable or depressed inside of one for hours on end while you are at work or simply not home.  They can start to bite on the crate and tear it apart and swallow harmful pieces.  They can urinate in it and lay in it for hours which of course is not healthy. 

Pet pens are a very good way to keep you and your home organized and clean while at the same time making your dog or puppy happy!

How to Play?

Bergan Starchaser TurboScratcher

Interesting enough, there actually is a way to play with kittens and cats.  You don't want them to become aggressive and attack you or your guests.

Never use your hands to play with them.  You are teaching them that it's ok to bite and scratch a human hand.  Use toys to play with them.  You can roll a ball away from them so they can chase after it or use a toy with a poll with a feather attached to it at the end.  This way you are using the cat's natural instincts to hunt.

If your cat or kitten starts to bite or scratch your hand, walk away.   You can say "No" and walk away.  You do not have to shout and definitely do not hit or slap at your cat.  This will make matters much, much worse and could turn into a nightmare of a problem.  Always positive reinforcement!  Just walk away for a few minutes every time your cat bites or scratches you and he will learn that if he bites or scratches his human friend, he will lose his playing buddy and all the attention.  He will soon learn not to do that action.

Cat Dancer Cat Charmer

There are many types of toys out there, either in your local stores or online.  Just make sure that when you take your new cat toy out of the package that there are no parts or pieces of the toy that your cat will swallow and choke on.  Cut off all parts that you think could harm your cat such as loose eyes, tags and prices and sometimes even tails!  Some cats just love to chew off and swallow tails of little toy mice.  Just pay attention to your new toy and what it looked like when you gave it to your cat and you will soon learn what he likes to chew off of it.   Interactive toys are also a great alternative so that your cat can play by himself and keep himself amused when your not at home or asleep.

Petmate Cat Wheel

Good luck and have fun playing with your cats!  It's so rewarding and a healthy way for your cat to exercise too!

Using a Pet Stroller

Well well, so it comes down to this! Placing your cat or dog into a stroller, like a baby and pushing your small pet along the sidewalk.  What a show you can put on and attention...Oh yeah!  There are lots of reasons to push along a stroller with your pet inside watching the world go by.

One reason can be from age related illness's or any type of illness as to inhibit your pet from walking on his own for a distance, really whether it's a short distance or long.  An amputation can cause this also.  Another reason is if you, yourself, the pet parent cannot take your dog on a leash or you just want your cat to see the outdoors and get fresh air without the nuisance of getting fleas and ticks or just plain dirt on the paws of your pet.

Whatever the reason may be, it's a fun and easy way to get exercise for you and to take your pet with you without having him tug and pull on a leash or to give your cat some new and exciting scenes to look at and listen to.  Your cat might see birds or rabbits and he/she will feel like he's right next to them!

Please take a look at our "Dog Travel" page on FurryPetStore.com.  We have different sizes and colors and even a double-decker!  Check it out now @ FurryPetStore.com!

Tips for a Kitty Appointment

In the United States there are more pet cats than pet dogs, however more pet dogs visit the local Veterinarian than pet cats.  This is mainly due to cats having anxiety and fears and making even getting prepared to go to the Dr. stressful for cats and their owners.

First you have to have a carrier that can make your cat feel secure and safe inside.  The cheapest carriers sometimes are the best.  Just make sure you have a secure closing carrier with maybe 2 different doors in it so that it's easy to take your cat out of it without too much trouble.  Sometimes, your Veterinarian can do some of the exam while your cat is in the carrier.  It's also a good idea to ask at your Vet's office to weigh the carrier and place the weight on a piece of tape and put it on the carrier somewhere it that it won't come off easily.  This way, when you take your cat to the Dr's the next time, they can just weigh your cat in that same carrier and subtract the weight of the carrier to get your cat's weight.  Less stress all around!

Another tip is to place your carrier in a place that your cat frequents a lot.  This way he can get used to seeing it and smelling it.  Maybe place a toy or catnip inside of it.  You can also place a blanket or a piece of your clothing in it so that your cat feels and smells the scents of his "secure" place.  Practice placing your cat inside of it without closing the door(s).  When he gets comfortable just sitting in it without the door(s) closed, then close the door(s).  Practice this a few times and then practice walking with your cat inside of it.  Then practice taking your cat inside the carrier to the car a few times, driving around the block then coming home.  I know it sounds like a pain in the neck to do all this, but it could save a lot of time and stress when it comes time for a real appointment.  Also, find out if your cat likes to look out of the carrier or he likes a blanket covering it so he can't see out.  More than likely, it's better when they cannot see out.  Less stress with less to look at that they do not understand.

Good luck cat parents and stay calm because your cat can sense your fears and anxiety.   Take a look at FurryPetStore.com for a carrier that's safe and secure for your Veterinarian appointment!

Tips For Positive Reinforcement Training

Use a KONG Goodie Bone for Positive Reinforcement!

Positive reinforcement training for dogs is a good and fun way to train your dog.  Before you start, you need to have a variety of treats in your pocket or in a little baggy in your pocket or in a fanny pack.  Anything that can be taken out quickly to reward your dog as he does the correct action, hence positive reinforcement.

It takes everyone living in the household to be consistent.  This mean kids as well as adults.  Everyone has to be on board.  Everyone must say the same command and everyone should say the same command as they correct the action and give the dog a treat if done correctly.  Consistency is key.  If people in the household are not saying the same things and not being consistent then your dog will be confused.  Remember, they do not know what you are saying.  Your reward must be immediate, within seconds if your dog does what you want him to do. 

The commands can be, according to the Humane Society of the United States;  sit, stay, come, down(as in lie down), off(which means off of me or off of the furniture), stand, heel(walk beside me) or leave it.

KONG STUFF'N Treats are great for training

If he's chewing on a toy, instead of on a shoe, you can secretly place a treat inside a Kong type of chew toy, for example.  Also, do not reward your dog for bad behavior such as putting him outside every time he barks inside and you don't want him to bark inside.  You are rewarding him and giving him yard time for a bad, unwanted behavior.  Also, do not use his crate as a punishment.  He will learn to not like going into the crate.  Place a leash on him and teach him to lie down...say down, push him very gently down and immediately give him a treat.

Also, if your dog is small, give him small treats.  Soft treats that are very small and he can gobble them down in one bite and he'll look at you for more.  Every time he lies down, give him a treat.  Remember, positive reinforcement and consistency is key.

Good luck and take a look at the Humane Society of the United States web site for more info.