Kill Fleas FastOur pets are like members of the family and we want to protect them. But, it is inevitable that our dog and cats will attract those pesky fleas. Flea collars, sprays, ointments, and pills aren't 100% effective all the time either, so what can we do?
Use T-Shirts as Car Seat CoversWith several dogs in and out of my car several times a week, I needed something to protect the front seats from their rubbing fur and other stuff onto the upholstery. Seat covers were absurdly expensive so I now use the cheapest t-shirts I can find or use old ones.
Cornbread for BirdsOne of the winter favorites for birds (which include chickadees, blue jays, juncos, starlings, cardinals and sparrows, as well as others) is corn bread.
Animal Feed at Day Old Bread StoreHere is such a money saver you need people to share with! If you go to a day old bread store and ask if they have any "Animal Feed" racks of bread for sale.
Cook Up Poultry Giblets for PetsWhen cooking a full chicken, hen, or turkey, remove the insides and save. Later when you have time, boil and save in fridge as a treat for your pet. Not too many people eat the heart, liver, and kidneys anyway, but your pets will.
Make Dog Toys Taste BetterKeeps your dog busy happy and quiet chewing on his tennis ball. Even dogs who don't ever play with tennis balls will like that ball for a while. Great to teach your pet how to fetch!
Caution with Bird Seed, Bird Droppings and DogsFor anyone who may not know this, dogs can have seizures if they ingest house birds' seed or feces. We learned this the hard way. My sister was temporarily living with us, and she had a bird.
Smoke Detectors and Family PetsI recently had an experience with my dogs that I will never, ever forget and need to share what I learned with other dog owners for their dogs and other inside pets they may have.
Use Baby Wipe with Skin So Soft For FleasHere is one to try for fleas. Take any kind of baby wipes (mark wipes container for pet use only) and add just 1/4 cup of Skin So Soft to the wipes container. This can be used daily for either cats or dogs.
Warning About Flea Medicine from the Dollar StorePLEASE BE AWARE. While dropping my dog off at the vet yesterday, a hysterical girl rushed in with a cat that was violently shaking, mouth hanging open, eyes actually bugged out. She was crying and screaming.
Preventing Puppies From ChewingI have learned the hard way how to protect my house and its contents from the sharp puppy teeth. While our children can be reasoned with, puppies only understand that they need to chew. This may be difficult for some but it was what saved my household's shoes, clothes and walls.
Wood Stove Pellets as Cat LitterWood stove pellets at $5 for a 40 pound bag make a very nice cat litter. The pellets are made from hard wood so they last much longer than the pine pellet litter made for cats.
Fix for Frozen Dog LeashesI keep hand sanitizer 80% alcohol by my door spray the clasp and my dog is good to go, it's a quick fix cause they gotta go!
Stop Dog from Eating PoopMy dog has always found feces to be a delicacy and I have been unable to stop her from doing this. You can buy supplements in pet stores that supposedly address this issue, but I've never tried them. I started giving my dog turmeric powder as an anti-inflammatory for her joint issues, and discovered after a week or two on this, she wasn't interested in the poop. I don't know if this is just a coincidence or not, but it's worth a try. Turmeric powder can be purchased at grocery stores, health food stores, but the cheapest place to buy it is in an ethnic grocery store (Indian, Asian, etc). Check with your vet or sitstay.com for dosage amounts based on body weight.
Cat Litter Box TipMost of you have likely seen the large plastic box type litter box that has a square cut out for the cat to enter, this is what my cats use. The actual tip is how a Command hook is very handy to hang up the scooper. I have a small lined bucket for the deposits near by.
Keeping Dry Cat Food NeaterMy cats love their dry food, which they get along with canned cat food. But, they tended to scatter the dry food. I cut down on that by putting their double bowl in a shoe box lid.
Allowing Cats to Access RoomsMy adult children each have a cat that is their responsibility, including the litter boxes which are kept in their bedrooms. I got these cute cutout cat doors for each of their bedroom doors for easy access.
Easter Lilies are Poisonous to CatsLilies are a favorite flower for this time of year, especially as Easter gifts. But if you have cats, you should avoid these pretty flowers. The toxins in the flowers can cause liver damage and even death in small doses. This is true with other types of lilies so keep it in mind when selecting plants for your garden or yard as well.
Keep Your Self Feeder Cat Food 'Self Feeding'My cat is a lovely little gem. But he can't quiet grasp how to make the food come down like he needs it to. So today I helped.
Making Sure Cats Get Enough WaterA couple of years ago, my older cat was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. He was very dehydrated and weak and would regularly vomit up his food. The vet gave him a subcutaneous water treatment and prescribed him special food for renal support but warned us that it was not a cure, just a way to keep him as stable as possible for the next few years.
Prevent Blanket Slippage in Dog CratesIf you line your pet's crate with blankets, throws, or towels and find they constantly slide around on the slippery plastic tray that comes with the crate, I have an inexpensive solution. I found an old exercise/yoga mat that I was no longer using, which I cut with scissors to fit the crate's plastic tray. Since my dog is small, I still have enough of the mat left to cut two more pieces, which I can trade out when one needs to be cleaned.
Dog Potty Clean Up StationI found this wood box at the thrift store and then it set in my garage for 2 years. I knew one day it would come to mind what to use it fo. I am not sure what it was, maybe a box to hold a candle, it has a door that swings open and a hole in one end.
Durable Toys for Large and Medium Breed DogsIf you have ever wondered what a really durable toy for a dog is, look no further. The most durable toy I have ever seen, is actually a horse toy, but dogs play with them too.
Apple Cider Vinegar to Prevent Fleas and Itching50/50 Apple Cider Vinegar and water. Put the mixture in spray bottle and spray on your dog/cat. This will stop itching, kill any bacteria/fleas and shine their coat. I use several times a day on my dog. It works great. It can also be sprayed on furniture or mattresses to kill fleas and disinfect.
Baby Shampoo or Dawn for Fleas on KittensI have had a problem with fleas. I have kittens that are not at the age of weaning as of yet. So I did the Dawn bath, with the kittens, and then simply didn't rinse. I patted them dry. It is warm where they are. This is a good way to get fleas off of kittens. I have also done baby shampoo baths, where I didn't rinse them off.
Training Your Dog to Wear a Top KnotFor a long time I tried everything I could think of to get my little female Yorkie to wear a top knot, but she had other ideas. Finally I stumbled across the perfect recipe for us. I hope this helps you fix the top knot troubles of your little drama queen or king.
Litterless Cat BoxHere is a free and cleaner way to have a cat box. After 30 years of being a cat parent, I have found that by simply lining newspaper inside a litter box, it is much more cleaner, not as time consuming, and free with newspaper donations. Plus, you are recycling newspapers.
Coconut Oil for Dog's ToothbrushingOkay it's been said that taking care of your dog's teeth can extend your little furry friends life for a couple years! Now taking your dog to the vet is never cheap especially taking them to get their teeth cleaned. Surprisingly it is such an essential that it can cost up to 200+ dollars, it can be quite a hassle! But here is a way you can clean their teeth at home.
Gum Container for Cat TreatsI started putting the cat treats in an empty Eclipse gum container. It's much easier to get out a few when I want to give the cat some running exercise. The container keeps the treats fresh and it holds a 2.1 oz. package of Temptations treats for cats.
Use Produce Bags for Soiled Cat LitterPlastic produce bags make great bags for cleaning out the cat litter box. Usually the bags are damp or wet when empty, so I hang them to dry which does not take long.
Blue and Brown Eggs, Oh My!After losing all of our chickens last year, we hand raised 5 new girls last spring. They finally started laying eggs and by the time we realized it there was quite a collection hidden around the coop. After washing them up I had to take a moment to appreciate the wide range of colors and speckles on them. I saved many of these and plan to blow them out and save them.
Stopping a Cat from Bothering a WoundMy kitten had a bare, sore patch between her shoulder blades. A cone of shame made her hysterical! In desperation, I cut about 15 cm (6 inches) off the bottom leg of a pair of leggings, measured and cut holes for the paws and she wears it like a t-shirt. No more scratching, the wound is healing nicely and she is eating and moving around like normal.
Use Ear Plugs to Block NoiseI'm cat sitting for our daughter. Ava is a house cat and, if she's not eating or sleeping, she follows me everywhere I go. She does not like to be held or cuddled but she loves to be rubbed.
Raw Ginger with Peanut Butter for DogsA little slice of ginger, with peanut butter on it, can help dogs tolerate car rides.
Cat Porch SlingIf you build it, they will come to the cat porch sling and mini 'cat'stle.
Dog Potty Spot Made from Sod SquaresWe live in Florida and half of the year we are prepping for hurricanes and my dog may have to stay in for hours or even days during bad weather. I went to my local garden center purchased a couple of pieces of fresh sod(yes you can buy pcs! About $2.50 each) I put the sod in a cheap plastic kiddie pool on my back porch and voila! Outside potty inside!
Thrifty Cat Snack (Chicken Liver)I buy chicken livers and separate them into ice cube trays. Then I will slip the whole tray in an old bread bag (turned inside out so I know what it is.) I will remove and defrost one about once a week, then give it as a treat to my very enthusiastic, finnicky cat, especially in the winter when she gets bored.
Using Shredded Junk Mail as Gerbil BeddingAfter my son's gerbil chewed up every toy, exercise wheel, and bowl in his cage I decided maybe some junk mail could occupy him. Then it occurred to me, I don't need to purchase bedding for him any more! The junk mail, unwanted credit cards, and anything else with personal information we wanted to dispose of could be shredded by our beloved Herbie.
Getting a Kitten/Cat to Come Down from a Tall TreeRecently my kitten climbed a tall tree. She stayed up there, it seems like forever. She would not come down. I got my phone and took a video of her meowing. I played the video for her. She came down.
DIY Doggie "Bridge"Our family got our first dog last summer. Sierra is a 2 year old mixed breed and has been a wonderful addition to our family. We live on Lake Norman and enjoy going out on our pontoon boat whenever possible. We were so excited to take Sierra on her first boat ride.
Tineacide Antifungal Cream for Stinky DogsI have had two dogs now that start to smell, if not hours after a bath, the next day. I have tried the vinegar w/mother treatment, coal tar soap, weekly baths and many other home remedies - nothing worked. I went through the medicine cabinet looking for something else to try and ran across a small bottle labeled Tineacide Antifungal Cream. It is used for athlete's foot and such.
Giving Cats Liquid MedsIt is really hard to give cats meds. If meds can be a cream in a tube or even a liquid, smear or drop the meds on the top of a front paw. Cats hate stuff on their paws and will lick it right off.
Small Duck Pond with RampMy husband created this neat little pond for our duck, using a mortar mixing tub and scrap wood that we had laying around. It has a frame to hold the tub and a built-in ramp. With only one duck, is it easy to clean and refresh the water.
Use Puppy Pads in Litter BoxI like to use a puppy pad in our litter box. This is for one older kitten. I'm sure it would work better for multiple cats. The kitten also uses the puppy pad meant for the Chihuahua puppy. I wondered if I could teach the kitten to use the puppy pad and I am so glad she did!
Making Litter Box Cleaning EasierWith six cats, I clean litter boxes a lot. I came up with a tip that makes it easier and less messy. I use a small round bathroom size trash can and put a bag inside it. I scoop the dirty litter into the bag inside the can and carry it with me. I carry the can outside, take out the bag, tie it and put it in the trash.
Chicken Eggs for Finch FoodThe best food for finches is not grains. They like hen eggs, removing the yolk and crushing the shell containing albumin. It will eat an egg per a day. Providing an egg daily can lead to some chances for laying an egg per day (maximum 7)
Loratadine for Itching DogsBruno, my 80 pound Rottie mix was getting open sores from biting and itching, especially around his back and tail. The vet always said it was fleas.
Donate Cloth Items to SPCA or RescueI have done volunteer work for the SPCA in my younger years. Many little lost or surrendered animals are scared, sick, or hurt. They do not understand being in a cage and being around all of the animals that are barking. These animal shelters will take blankets, stuffed animals, etc.
Use Patience When Training a DogNever yell or strike your animal (lightly also counts as abuse). It is never okay to hit or strike an animal with force. Some redirection is fine and small little taps on the body are OK, but never the head.
Dr. Elsey's Litter for Cats that Won't Use Litter BoxWe were thrilled when we got our adorable 1 year old male cat from an adoption center. We figured a lot of the first year problems would have been resolved. Wrong! He would use the cat box sporadically. We took him to the vet who said that there are no medical issues.
Keeping a Cat from Licking and Scratching Its WoundMy cat would not stop licking and scratching its wound behind its neck removing fur and causing scabbing. I got one of the dog harnesses that is fabric with Velcro and it has really helped and now his skin is healing wonderfully! Plus my cat does not hate it at all. It's worked out better than a cone!
Surviving ParvovirusMy girl Pit Bull has parvovirus and she's on day two. We're fighting this disease together because it's not only affecting our dogs, but us as well. They are our best friends! My dog is 15 months of age. It is harder for older dogs! I started my own campaign. We are survivors of parvo!
Chicken Cooling StationIt's unusually hot here and our chickens are having a hard time staying cool. I decided to make this cooling station, so they can beat the heat and it provides an extra source of water. They love it and started using it right away. It's super simple too!
Conditioning Spray for Tangle-Free DogsWe have shitzu puppies, and their hair is a lot of work to keep away the knots. We have to brush their fur everyday. I keep a bottle with 1 tablespoon of conditioner and a cap full of vinegar mixed with water. Shake well, spray on their fur and brush. It keeps knots out and makes the coat shiny.
Ash Tray as Cat Food BowlTypical cat dishes have sides that are too high or crevices where wet food gets wasted. A bowl may be too small for a cat head and whiskers, so we prefer a flatter dish, one that won't slide. I finally found some flattish colorful plastic ashtrays at an estate sale for a quarter, pictured.
Getting Rid of Fleas on a DogI live in Tahiti and unfortunately there aren't a lot of pet stores here on the islands. In fact, there aren't any pet stores here on the island. If we want anything for your pets we have to buy them from the veterinary or the pharmacy. We pay an extremely high price for our pet care needs.
Feeding Your Guinea Pig BeetsIf you feed your guinea pig beets you don't want to give it a lot because then their pee will turn red. Beets are sweet, so they really like them and can eat too many; mine did. So, do give them beets in moderation as well as the beet tops.
Repairing Dogs' Stuffed ToysI have tried nylon, polyester - all kinds of thread only to have my big chewer (Slick) demolish my stitches! I have finally found a type of thread he does not seem to be able to get through, upholstery thread!
Use Flowers to Identify Gender of Foster KittensWe have had at least 22 kittens come through from various places and it can get confusing to tell them apart. I saw some artificial flowers at Walmart and I decided I could use them to help identify who was who.
Baby Wipes for Cleaning Up After Pet BirdsUnder supervision, I allow my cockatiel to free roam around the house. Once in awhile, there will be droppings and these baby wipes, the unscented kind are useful to use and gets the job done. Baby wipes are affordable: greater the count, less inexpensive.
Wear Ace Bandage on Wrist for KittensI used 5.5 foot long Ace bandage and wrapped and tucked it around my wrist. The kittens have something to grab onto when being given meds or other forms of care. This bandage calms them down during holding sessions and nail clipping for the wild ones.
Disposable Litter Boxes for Training KittensI have a large number of pet cats at our house. I have six adult cats and 14 kittens at the moment, and they are getting ready to be adopted. My adult cats use these huge plastic tubs filled with cedar shavings or pine shavings as litter boxes. However, when they are babies, I always use the normal kind of litter.
Egg Yolks as Treats for CatsI was looking for a treat for my mother cats, who I have at the house. They need to have extra nutrients when they are nursing babies. I found some boiled eggs at the store, in a bag, and I just popped out the yolk and broke it into pieces. They enjoyed eating it and had more energy afterwards.
Keep Pet's Water Bowl CoolHere is a way to keep your pet's water bowls nice and cool for hours in the shade, especially during the summer months. Freeze clean plastic bottles and place inside the water bowl.
Tips For Keeping Kitty and Your Home CleanerWhen I moved into my new apartment with my kitty cat Mya, I was determined to get my deposit back. The tips in this article are some of the things I've done to help keep my apartment and cat cleaner.
Brewers' Yeast to Repel FleasAdd brewers yeast to food, and/or add 1 Tbsp. brewers yeast to 1 quart of water then spray on dogs coat and brush in. Fleas will leave the animal.
Cookie Pan as Indoor Dog Relief StationHere is a way to train your dog to relieve themselves if necessary indoors. My 14 yr. old Chihuahua named Pickles learned right away. He would use it when he could not walk far anymore. Simply get a large cookie pan that has a high enough edge to hold urine, etc. This one is 21 inches x 15 inches.
Polypropylene Bag as Dog MattressI wanted to buy my dog a mattress for her bed, but the store versions were just too expensive. I turned an empty polypropylene bag and old newspapers into a recycled dog mattress. Very cost-effective and my dog loves it!
Silkie Bantam - 7 WeeksWe had a beautiful sunny day this weekend and decided to let our new chicks out for the first time, to enjoy the grass and sunshine.
Easter Egger - 7 WeeksOur new girls had a wonderful first adventure outside this weekend! We have at least a few more weeks before they can be out for any length of time, since the weather is still usually quite chilly and rainy.
Black Sex Link - 6 WeeksThis is our Black Sex Link on her first adventure outside this past weekend! They are starting to get pretty stir crazy in their brooder box, but the weather isn't nice enough for them to move quite yet.
Inflatable Beach Ball Enrichment Activity for DogsRecently, we had a warm day here in Eastern Tennessee, and I decided to do a spring fun activity with my two dogs. They love sharing time with me in the yard, so I bought a beach ball and inflated it.
Using Vaseline for Chicks with Pasty ButtIt is not uncommon for chicks to end up with a case of pasty butt. The buildup of poop around their vent can completely block their ability to poop, which can be fatal.
Bailey Loves Dressing Up in Crochet SquaresWe are having a cold snap, with temperatures around 19. Cats love being cozy, and I love covering Bailey up in crochet squares. He always falls right to sleep. He is almost a year old and spoiled rotten, the way any cat should be ;)
Pet Gate to Keep Dog out of Cat AreaWay too many times, my Pomeranian would sneak into the room where my 3 cats' litter boxes and food are stored. She loved finding and consuming the "tootsie rolls" out of the litter boxes. We found the perfect pet gate that fits in the doorway and has a smaller opening at the bottom. The cats can fit through but not the dog.
Lilly (Calico) Rides in a CarLilly is one of our younger kittens who won't let anyone pet her around her head. As a runt, she didn't get the chance to be the center of attention.
Massage Kitten's Paws Before Holiday PicturesI love taking seasonal photos of our pets. I have noticed a nice foot massage is great to calm my kittens and cats before a photo session. Some of them don't enjoy it, right away, but most of our ten cats do.
Simple Cat and Kitten Toys Are BestCats and kittens like simplicity, that and boxes with crumpled up paper balls! The more you can engage them with simple toys the better they will be, because they will always have toys.
Cocker Spaniels Make Great Family PetsAs a profound animal lover of all kinds, a lot of my pet experiences haven't always been the best. My greatest accomplishment was when I found the most well behaved, sociable, Cocker Spaniel puppy! I've had my dog, Beauty, for 4 yrs. Now. My 6 year old son is super over active and can be a lite rough with Beauty.
Make Your Own Unstuffed Dog ToysMy dogs like to play with toys, and yet they like to pull out the stuffing even more. As a result I have started to make their own unstuffed dog toys. I took an old fleece pajama pant and cut a good size off of the leg part.
Treating Ear Mites in Rabbit EarsI have 5 rabbits that I have raised since they were babies. These adorable rabbits are my pets and I don''t breed them for profit or to eat. So when one of them gets sick, I have to find a way to cure them.
Product Review: Nemex 2 for Worming Cats and KittensThis is a worming medicine that is designed for dogs. It kills all intestinal worms except for tapeworms. The taste is acceptable to all 11 of my cats and they put up little resistance to taking it. Dose according to weight of animal.
Special Item of Clothing for Kitten Vet TripOne of our older kittens caught a severe respiratory infection so I took him to the vet. The vet prescribed him Terramycin ointment for his eyes, and a liquid antibiotic called Clavamox. The winter hat he is sitting on helped to comfort him the whole time he was at the vet's office.
Pest-Free Pet Food StoragePests can be a problem around pet food; moths, beetles, and mice all love to dine on these 'delicacies'. We don't want our precious pet's food to be infested or contaminated.
Baby Toys for Parrot JoyParrot toys are very expensive, yet vitally important to the health and happiness of our beloved friends. Parrots are exceptionally intelligent and require a lot of mental stimulation to thrive. They need much more than a good diet, fresh water, clean surroundings, fresh air, and warm sunshine.
Ferret Cage as Cat CondoI am always looking for reasonably priced animal housing. I found a ferret cage on Craigslist, and bought it for use of my cats. They love it, I have yet to put cushions and hammocks in it.
Milk Bottle-top Cat ToyI was at McDonald's the other day, and I purchased three of their little bottles of milk. I immediately knew that they would be used as some kind of craft or toy or decoration at our home. I decided to use them as a seasonal cat toy.
Neck Pillows for Kitten PlaytimeI have found that 6 week old kittens love to play on, in, and around neck pillows that are 'u' shaped. They also love playing and climbing through my big rolling basket on wheels.
Colorful Environment for Betta FishI have a pet betTa fish, named Nemo, who loves to look at colorful things. His food jar has a picture of a betta fish which he loves. He will get mad and swim frantically if the fish food jar is not put back just right. Just recently I put a frozen dinner cardboard empty container where he could see it.
Teaching Kittens to Sleep in Their Own BedKittens can be taught to go to their own bed if they are brought to it and praised several times a day. This applies mainly to the young ones; is nice to see them all snuggled together. Their bed needs to be somewhere where they can see where their humans are and have a litter box where they can see it.
3 Week Old Kitten Hammock ActivityJust today, the kittens crawled out of their box and started making their way towards the front door. I had a hammock with three sides tied and one side loose. They are old enough to exercise, but not old enough to climb into a regular hammock on their own. This gives them a chance to use their muscles and balance.
Salmonella Concerns with Backyard ChickensMany people have started keeping chickens and other fowl at home. They are a great source of fresh eggs, don't take much special care, and can be quite funny and charming. However, you should be careful when you or your children are handling them. Most chickens naturally carry salmonella.
Store Ivomec Solution in Dark Prescription...The darker pill bottles with the screw on top keep Ivermectin solution ready to use. We have a lot of kittens this summer looking for homes. I found that it was easier to mix up the topical formula and keep it ready for use in a dark pill bottle.
Light Corn Syrup for Giving Kittens...A great way to give kittens pills is to measure the right amount of medicine for their weight, and then mix it with a dab of light corn syrup and smear it on their lips or front leg, by their paw. They will be compelled to lick it off.
Diatomaceous Earth in Shaker for CatsI keep my food grade diatomaceous earth in a shaker bottle. I often shake it on the the litterbox. This does two things, it gets the cats to lick it off their paws, and also it kills any bugs that try to get in the litter box.
Website for New York ASPCA Mobile Spay...In several neighborhoods in New York City, there is a mobile veterinary clinic. Use this link to find out if your area is part of their schedule.
How to Help Pets Cope with LossMy husband and I had a beautiful cat named Muffin for 16 years. We were devastated when we had to put her down. He refused to get another pet for years. Then he had a stroke. My daughter got two kittens while he was in the hospital and after he returned from rehab he had an instant companion.
Better Than Cat LitterCat litter is messy and can be is expensive. After trying a few different alternatives, I have found one that works great and is much less expensive!
Removing Fleas on a Young KittenThis works 100%. Fill a small tin with luke warm water. Place the kitten in and keep the head above water! Get the kitten completely wet and hold it in the water for about 20-30 seconds. The fleas drown. Then just comb them off. Bathe them every other day. It will also get them used to being bathed.
Weeds for ChickensIf you have chickens, when you get done pulling weeds, toss them in their chicken coop. Chickens are especially fond of dandelions.
Homemade Cat Litter BoxI love cats. But I hate the litter. They scatter it all around. Some dogs love to get into the litter. The smell can be terrible between changes. But I came up with a solution that is cheap and works well.
Keeping Chickens Warm During WinterOur chickens absolutely love any special little treat we give them. So, on very cold days I'll cook up some oatmeal, enough for our flock of 16. But of course you don't want to add any sugar or butter : )
