Archives for January 2016

Six Facts Your Cat Wants You to Know About Kitty Litter Boxes

6 Facts Your Cat Wants You to Know About Kitty Litter Boxes

We love to look at pet designated days, weeks and months.  Earlier this month we noticed that January 22 is National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day.  The day is designed to remind us to pay attention to what our cats are trying to tell us in the only language they have. Rather than simply being annoyed when your cat pees outside the litter box, scratches your sofa or meows incessantly, you are encouraged to think about the issue from your cat’s perspective.  With thoughts about what your cats might ask we offer 6 facts your cat wants you to know about kitty litter boxes.


 Fact # 1 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  Cats prefer their litter boxes to be located in quiet places.

Unfortunately, many cat owners place the kitty litter boxes in the laundry room which is extremely noisy when the washer goes into spin.  Add to that the sound of the dryer when the dryness sensor goes off. And just imagine what happens if the washer goes out of balance just when your cat is using the litter box!  Those scary noises can negatively impact your cat’s willingness to use his litter box.


 

Fact # 2 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  Cats don’t like scented kitty litter.

Their noses are extremely sensitive and your cat may find the aroma you like quite distasteful.  There’s another reason for your cat to avoid the litter box.  Nobody wants that.


Fact # 3 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  Cats like clean litter boxes.

Think about how you feel if you go to use the toilet and there’s “stuff” in it. Cats with their keen sense of smell are easily put off by the odors from the litter box.  It’s best to scoop the litter box after every use, but that may not be practical.  However; it’s pretty easy to get on a daily or twice daily litter scooping schedule.  Your cat’s nose as well as your own will appreciate the effort.


Fact # 4 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  The standard to strive for is one litter box per cat + 1.

If your house has multiple levels, please put at least one litter box on each level of your house.  How would you feel if you had to run from the second floor all the way to the basement every time you needed to go potty???   By having multiple litter boxes each cat can choose his or her favorite “bathroom.”  If some of your cats prefer different types of litter you can easily use the preferred kind in that cat’s preferred litter box location.  The same thing regarding covered or uncovered litter boxes is true.  It will probably take some experimentation to find the just right combo. But it’s so worth it to keep a beloved family member happy for his 15 – 20 years of life.


 

Fact # 5 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  Cats don’t like eating in their bathrooms.

Just imagine how you would feel if your dining table was next to your toilet!  Not particularly appetizing is it?  It’s best to locate your cat’s food and water bowls in or near the kitchen and to place their litter boxes in the bathroom or in open door closets in quiet low traffic bedrooms or perhaps even in your home office.


 

Fact # 6 About Kitty Litter Boxes:  Sometimes kitty litter box issues are indicators of medical problems.

And…these medical problems can be life threathening particularly when it involves a urinary track blockage in make cats.  Read the blog by our friend and colleauge Rita Reimers the Cat Analyst regarding a cat with a urinary tract blockage.

Rita is a trusted colleague who also offers cat sitting services in the Charlotte area.


When you next need kitty sitting services call us at 704-662-0973. We provide kitty care services for residents in Mooresville, Cornelius, Davidson and Mt Ulla, NC who live within 8 miles of our home base. Check out our kitty sitting page to learn more.

NC Winter Escapes

Awesome NC Winter Escapes Within an Easy Drive from LKN

The holidays are great but sometimes leave folks feeling a little let down. Now is a great time to plan a winter getaway to have something to look forward to. Maybe Valentine’s would be a nice winter break.  Check out these awesome NC winter escapes.

winter-scene (1)

 

Asheville

Asheville’s Grove Park Inn tops our list. The century old resort is now a part of the Omni chain. The resort is steeped in history and grandeur. The resort offers outstanding views from the Front Porch. Cozy up to the fireplace in the Great Hall Bar or bask in a luxurious treatment in the award winning spa. Dine in one of the multiple restaurants on the grounds. Weather permitting, end the day on the Sunset Cocktail Terrace. After a winter get-away we bet you will make plans to enjoy the golf course and pool in the spring.  Just one note though, two dogs each weighing no more than 60 pounds are the only pets allowed.  You may wish to make arrangements with us to pet sit for you while you are out of town.

gpirst-omni-grove-park-inn-check-in

 

Blowing Rock

NC winter escapesMaybe you would enjoy a fly fishing adventure.  If so, check out Chetola Resort at Blowing Rock. Chetola Resort is an Orvis endorsed fly fishing lodge. While you don’t have to book a room to go on one of the adventures, they do offer packages for people who do book a room and a fishing adventure. Chetola furnishes all the gear you will need.  Just be sure to purchase a fishing license. If you forget, you can always buy a fishing license in Blowing Rock or Foscoe and your guide will assist you.  Not pet friendly.

 

The Blowing Rock Winterfest is scheduled January 28-31. Highlights include the Polar Plunge, Chilly Chili Challenge, Ice Carving Demonstrations and Hay Rides. You can eat like a lumberjack at the Polar Plunge Breakfast Buffet.

 

Greensboro

The O.Henry Hotel in Greensboro offers packages and specials. One of the more intriguing packages is the Our State “What We Love” Weekend: Food, Art and Music. The celebration is February 12-14. The weekend is replete with chocolate, musical artists in residence, a trip to nearby Weatherspoon Art Gallery, jazz, storytelling, cabaret, fine dining and wine and even local barbecue!!! A great way for newcomers to NC to learn more about our state.  Not Pet Friendly.

chocolate at green valley grille

Do You Know Where to Find a Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer?

Find a Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer During National Train Your Dog Month

positive reinforcement dog training
Were you one of the many families who adopted a dog over the Christmas holidays? If so, congratulations on your new family member!!  This is the ideal time to help your new family member learn good manners, become well socialized, and become a happy and healthy companion.  There’s nothing like finding a good positive reinforcement dog trainer to help you achieve these worthy goals.
As professional pet sitters and dog walkers we encounter lots of dogs.  Some are well trained, well socialized and a dream to care for.  Others have not been crate trained, understand no cues (commands), jump up on people, and don’t walk well on leash.  We do all we can to reinforce positive training and encourage the pet owners to seek professional guidance.  It really works!!

 

The Association of Professional Dog Trainers began the National Train Your Dog Month in 2010. The great tips offered are designed to make life easier for you and your dog.  Because so many people acquire dogs over the holidays, the group chose January as a month to emphasize training in hopes of preventing lots of dogs being relinquished to shelters and rescue organizations.  Training your dog builds a bond between you and helps assure your dog remains a loved family member.

How We Can Help You Find a Positive Reinforcement Dog Trainer

We encourage you to make training a part of your every day life with your dog. Visit the Doggy Care page of our website to learn about three local positive reinforcement dog trainers and to read a list of tools and books we recommend.

Our goal is to help you help your dog and family become and remain a strong bonded family unit.  We strongly advocate pet adoption.  To that end we support pet adoption by offering a discount to families who have adopted a pet for the first three months after the adoption takes place.  If you live in our service area call us today to learn more.

January Pet Holidays

January Pet Holidays

The January Pet Holidays jump start 2016 for us.  Read all about the zany holidays and some more practical and useful January pet holidays in 2016.

January is designated as National Train Your Dog Month, Walk Your Pet Month and Adopt a Rescued Bird Month. Notice it is Walk your Pet, not just walk your dog month.  Sure enough, some cats can be trained to walk on a leash, but it is not recommend for every cat.  Click here to read a great article on the subject.

January Pet Holidays

Luke and Beth on a snowy hike

We know it’s cold outside in January, but that does not give us a “bye” for giving our dogs the exercise they crave and need.  If it’s too cold for you to walk your dog every day or if it’s dark by the time you arrive home, consider having us walk your dog from one to five days every week. Check out our doggy care page to learn about the services we provide for your dogs.

January 2 was National Pet Travel Safety Day.  We strongly advocate that when you are transporting your pet that you secure them with a pet safety belt and harness or inside a crate. Airline approved crates are the most sturdy for this purpose.

January 14 is National Dress Up Your Pet Day.  It’s one of those zany holidays just because it’s fun.  Pet MD even offers 10 reasons it’s a good idea. Be sure that your pet enjoys dressing up, that the clothing is not too tight and restrictive and and that nothing dangles off that could cause your pet to choke.

National Answer Your Cat’s Question Day (January 22) was designed to remind us to pay attention to what our cats are trying to tell us in the only language they have. Rather than simply being annoyed when your cat pees outside the litter box, scratches your sofa or scratches and bites you, think about the issue from your cat’s perspective.  If your cat’s behavior is perplexing you consider booking a consultation with Charlotte based Rita Reimers the Cat Analyst. Rita is a trusted colleague who also offers cat sitting services in the Charlotte area.

Change a Pet’s Life Day is celebrated on January 24. The ASPCA is sponsoring a contest to tell how you have changed a pet’s life. Check out this link to enter the contest.

January 21 is the day that Luke, Daisy Mae and Trooper are most looking forward to. On that monumental day they get to appreciate squirrels!

January pet holidays

Luke, Daisy Mae and Trooper (front to back)

Lucky Thirteen Awesome Tips for Finding Your Lost Pet

lost petHelp!!  I Have a Lost Pet!

It’s terrifying for your cat or dog to go missing. Your anxiety level goes sky high from the fear that he is seriously injured, run over or lost forever.  We hope you never experience the loss of a pet.  To assure that your pet does not go missing we recommend your read  our previous  blog post. But for now, let’s take a look at how to find your lost pet.

Thirteen Awesome Tips for Finding Your Lost Pet

Active Steps

  1. Fire up the grill with the most aromatic meat you can find.  Dogs and cats have strong scent senses and are attracted to the aroma of delicious meat.
  2. Put a bowl of water on the front porch or walkway.  They will get thirsty and will need to drink.
  3. Place one of their beds and an article of your clothing with your scent on it on the front porch or on the walkway.
  4. Notify your microchip company and use the on line posters they provide. Upload a recent high resolution photo of your lost pet for the poster. You do have one in an easily located file in your computer, don’t you??? Most microchip companies will locate the folks who have registered as part of the network and who live approximately 25 miles from where your pet went missing.
  5. Walk and drive around your neighborhood and other nearby neighborhoods to look for your pet.
  6. Go door to door to let neighbors know your pet is missing.  Leave your contact information with them. Ask permission to look in and under their out buildings as your pet may have sought shelter.

Communicate With Others

  1. Print the “lost pet” posters with a high resolution photo and your phone number in a large font. Laminate the posters and place on light poles at intersections near where your pet went missing.Post the posters on FaceBook. Several great pages include Lost and Found Dogs North Carolina, Mooresville Lost and Found Animals, Lost and Found LKN Pets, Lost and Found Pets of North Carolina, and Lost and Found Pets Iredell County.
  2. Join Nextdoor, a free private social network for your nearby neighborhoods. Posts on this network are categorized and we have found that neighbors are usually eager to help each other. We are in the Coddle Creek neighborhood and are able to connect with residents of nearby Curtis Pond, Kistler Mill, Franklin Grove, The Woodlands, Oaks on Main, Cherry Grove, Central Mooresville, Magnolia Street, Red Oaks, Linwood Farms, and Huntwyck Place.
  3. Often times people who find lost pets will take them to a veterinarian to check for a microchip and to get immediate necessary medical evaluation and treatment. Start by contacting your own vet and then other vets in your area. Click to see a listing of LKN area veterinary services.
  4. Contact local rescue organizations and post on their social media sites. Send the photo of your lost pet along with identifying information to administrators of social media pages that have demonstrated a willingness to share about lost and found pets.
  5. Contact your pet’s groomer so she can be on the lookout for your lost pet.
  6. Remember that lost pets quickly become disoriented.  It’s not uncommon for them to run from you. When you spot your lost pet resist the urge to move toward him. Move slowly and quietly to sit and allow your pet to come to you. Treats are helpful and a can of wet cat food will send off a delicious aroma which will attract your hungry pet.

Welcome Home!!

Praise your pet and love on her.  Make sure the return home is a totally happy experience. She has no idea how worried you have been.

Lost Pet