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Archive for November, 2019

A Christmas Tree and A New Cat

Saturday, November 30, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Today’s the day the I put up the Christmas tree. It’s usually a pretty straightforward task but this year we have a new kitty. Although Atlantis is an older cat, we still have to be a bit more cautious this year. We have to make sure he’s not is too curious. Years ago when we adopted our other cat Millie, I found her peering out the top of the tree when I was having my morning coffee. Luckily, she very delicately climbed down without disturbing a single ornament.

I’m sure that Atlantis will be very “proactive” while the tree goes up! I’ll keep a close eye on him but I will let him explore a bit. All plastic ornaments will be placed at the bottom of the tree. I just hope he doesn’t get more daring and decide to go for a climb. More to come and I’ll keep you posted.

Remember, your pets count!

Enjoy the best oldies of all time on Edgewater Gold Radio! We’re in the middle of a 60s and 70s weekend! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website” Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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A Brief History of the Royal Dorgis

Friday, November 29, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

This breed is not a pure bred and was introduced by Queen Elizabeth. It happened when one of her corgis mated with Princess Margaret’s Dachshund.  The Queen is not a pure bred snob but she does know that mixed breeds are generally healthier than pure breds.  About half of the Queen’s dogs are Dorgis, a mix between the Dachshund and the Corgis. The Dorgis did not come about by accident. The Queen went out of her way to breed these dogs. Dachshunds have back problems which could not be controlled by pet medication and commonly end up in wheel chairs. Many are put down because of back problems. If you could have a dog that looked and acted  mostly like a Dachshund (and may even be better behaved) and could be assured that you would not have to go through the heartbreak of having to put it down because of back trouble, wouldn’t you prefer a Dorgis?  The Queen showed us that we have a choice. If mixed breed dogs are good enough for the Queen, are they good enough for you? I know that I would rather have a healthier dog even if it means having a mixed breed.

Remember, your pets count!

I hope you’re enjoying your holiday weekend! Edgewater Gold Radio is playing 60s and 70s all weekend mixed with some holiday music. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Tips on Saving Some Money on Cat Food

Wednesday, November 27, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

I got up this morning to feed my cats and realized that I have to replace their dry food again. It seems like I just did last week. That’s because I did. I feed my two cats several bowls of dry food each day along with two small cans of wet food. I wind up throwing away so much food each day. The problem is that our cats like the juice in the wet food so when they are done with their first feeding, the rest of it drys out so I wind up opening another can later in the day. I usually put too much dry food in their bowls which they never finish so I give them a fresh bowl each day.

Do you want to save trips to the pet store? Here’s what  I suggest. When feeding your cat wet food, feed small portions several times a day. When feeding dry food, don’t overfill the bowl. Determine how much your cat eats in one day and try to feed that amount each day. I need to play by my own rules an sometimes it’s difficult but it can save you money.

You’ll always throw out some cat food but you may be able to limit the amount you throw away.

Remember, your pets count!

The oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio. Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen on our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Reasons You Should Never Punish Your Cat

Monday, November 25, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

I heard a ridiculous remark on Facebook recently where a person gave someone else who was having problems with their cat some really bad advice. This comment prompted me to write this article. The comment said “Just lock the kitten up in the bathroom, there has to be consequences.” First of all, you’re not dealing with a human and punishing a cat or other pet is cruel in my opinion. The comment was very bad advice and had no validity.  Now here are five reasons, you should never discipline your cat. The information was obtained by The Alternative Daily.com.

Cats do not respond well to punishment, but they do thrive on positive reinforcement. If you regularly punish your cat for inappropriate “catlike” behavior, only to find yourself feeling further frustrated, then maybe you’re going about it the wrong way. Here’s five reasons why disciplining your cat does not work.

1. He may fight back harder

Perhaps your cat scratched or bit you during playtime. While your immediate response may have been to strike back — never ever hit your cat. It may just bite or scratch you again in self-defense, and worse you may seriously injure your cat. Remember: cats are not vengeful or malicious, they are merely responding to being frightened. Their scratch or bite could be the result of being overly stimulated during playtime.

Instead, give kitty a time-out when he plays too roughly, says WebMD. The moment he bites or scratches you, end the game by leaving the room. Don’t pick him up or move him to another room as this could provoke more bites.

2. He’ll fear you instead of love you

When cats do something we don’t want them to do, like scratch the backside of a couch, we might shout or scold them to stop. Rather than improve their behavior, you’ll just end up with a cat that’s generally frightened of you. And that doesn’t mean his bad behavior will necessarily stop when you’re not around.

Dr. Robert Proietto, a New York City veterinarian, agrees that punishment — especially physical punishment —  doesn’t work. “It only brings out more unwanted behaviors,” suggest Dr. Proietto in an interview with The Dodo. “Cats often do their own thing and if they have unwanted behaviors, we often have to modify our behaviors to allow them to live comfortably in our environment.”

3. You’ll break the bond

Contrary to what you’ve read on social media, cats aren’t secretly plotting their revenge after a punishment. But what may happen is that their bond with you could diminish. Think about it, It’s hard to trust someone who’s yelling or smacking you because you strayed from your litter box, particularly if the incident occurred because of an unforeseen medical condition.

What was once a normally affectionate cat may shy away and stop sitting on your lap, or scurry out of sight when you enter the room.

“The problem with punishment is that it doesn’t teach the learner what to do,” suggests Dr. Susan Friedman, psychology professor at Utah State University who has pioneered the application of Applied Behavior Analysis. “ And the side effects that can be experienced by the individual being punished are detrimental.”

4. You’ll stress him out

Punishing your cat will increase his anxiety level and cause feelings of insecurity. Just like all animals, cats need to feel secure in their world, suggests Catster. Punishing your cat will just create a stressed-out kitty.

5. His bad behavior may escalate

Punishing your cat may even escalate the original behavioral problem. Since punishment is stressful, the situation could get worse and potentially bring on more bad behaviors as a result.

Learn to change bad “catlike” behaviors by teaching new ones through positive reinforcement. Working positively with your cat  will  not only help build a better bond, but also make your cat happier. And a happy, stress free cat makes a great pet.

So if you get advice to punish your cat, get it right out of your head. The person who told you this has absolutely no knowledge of pets!

Remember, your pets count!

The best songs start your work week on Edgewater Gold Radio! Turn us on and enjoy your short holiday week!

Download our app or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

 

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As you gather around the table with family and friends this Thanksgiving, lets not forget about our furry friends. It’s a special time for them too. After all, they were adopted and have a warm, loving home with lots of food and treats so why not make their holiday special as well? Of course, stay away from treats that can harm your dog like chocolate and other food that may harm his stomach. Here are five great treats for your dog during the holidays.

Cooked vegetables like pumpkins, sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peas are terrific options for cats and dogs.
Bones and chews – don’t give your dog turkey bones as they may break and cause your dog to choke or injury to his intestines. Instead look for some tasty turkey flavored chews.
Fresh turkey – remove the skin and bones and don’t give him turkey that has been sitting for more than two hours.
Biscuits and other treats. You’ll find these at your local pet supermarket.
Toys. You can pick out a toy that your dog will “drool” over. This is a good option in place of food.
Have a great Thanksgiving with you family, friends and pets!

Remember, your pets count!

60s and 70s are playing all weekend long on Edgewater Gold Radio! The best oldies all the time. It’s a 60s and 70s weekend! Ask Alexa to play Edgewater Gold Radio or go to our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Cats and Road trips

Saturday, November 23, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Thanksgiving is coming up and millions will take to the roads, some with their pets If you are going on a trip and are taking your cat with you, here are some things to remember if you’re going by car. It can be dangerous to leave your cat loose in the car. They can cause an accident by getting under the drivers feet or escape and become lost if a window or door is open. You will need to invest in a sturdy cat carrier which will be much safer for you and your cat.  Make sure that the carrier is easy to clean in the event that your cat urinates during the trip. Avoid cardboard or very cheap carriers. There’s nothing worse than a frightened cat getting loose while you’re behind the wheel!  Make sure that the carrier has good air flow. Keep your cat in the back seat if possible.

Never leave your cat in the car alone in the hot sun or in the extreme cold.  Be careful and pay attention.  Don’t leave doors open even if the cat is in her carrier!

Have a safe trip with your pet. Remember your pets count!

Remember, your pets count!

It’s a 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Sometimes people think that they can bring a new cat or kitten home, introduce it to their older cat and “Boom” the two will bond. Absolutely, positively not true!  You should do some research before taking in a new pet. The key is patience and if you’re not patient you should have never adopted another cat or for that matter pet of any kind. It seems that people are stressed about everything these days. Even little insignificant things. Patience is key, you will never do your pets any good if you lose your patience. You may even do them harm!!

Now lets get down to business. Sprucepets.com has put together a great guide for introducing a new kitten to an older cat.

Many cat owners do not realize their friendly, single adult cats may have trouble getting along with a new kitten. A new kitten is typically eager to make friends, but the older cats in the household may want nothing to do with the younger one. Often times the older cats will appear sad, reclusive, hiss a lot, and sometimes even stop eating if it isn’t adjusting well to the new member of the family. These behaviors are because cats do not like change, especially when it involves their established territory. Introducing a kitten to an adult cat can cause a lot of stress in your household, but there are some things you can do to help make the introduction go more smoothly.

Preparation is the key to a successful introduction of a new kitten to your older cat. If you prepare your cat for the new arrival and make the changes seem less drastic, then it is more likely to adapt to its new roommate. Give yourself (and your older cat) plenty of time to prepare for this adjustment with these steps.

Calm Your Older Cat

Pheromones are useful for creating a calm environment for any cat. The weeks before the arrival of a new kitten is a great time to make use of them. Diffusers, sprays, and wipes are all available and help your cat feel relaxed without the use of drugs. Try using pheromones for at least a few weeks before bringing home a kitten.

If you suspect your older cat will become stressed and anxious with a new kitten, consider nutritional supplements that are designed to calm a cat. These won’t drug your pet but will help it remain calm and relaxed. They typically work best if given a few weeks prior to the anticipated stressful event and can be continued after the new kitten arrives. The ingredients usually include L-theanine, Phellodendron, magnolia, whey or milk proteins, and other natural ingredients shown to be safe and effective for pets.

Get Your Home Ready

New items for your kitten, such as food bowls, beds, another litter box, and toys, should be placed in and around your home before the kitten comes home. Start putting these items in their new places about a week before the new arrival so your adult cat can smell them and get used to all the new things. If you can, try to include items that have the scent of the kitten on them already. Make sure you are ready for the kitten. If you are stressed out and unprepared, your older cat will be able to tell and be negatively affected by it.

Designate a small room, such as a bathroom, for your new kitten to retreat to and spend the first week or so in. Your older cat should be able to get to the door of this room in order to hear and smell them, but not have any interaction with the kitten. Place the kitten’s belongings in this room (such as a litter box and food bowls) along with a toy that belongs to your older cat.

Prepare Your Cat

Make sure your older cat is healthy. Added stress to an unhealthy cat will only make things worse and you want your cat not only mentally prepared for a new kitten but also physically ready to handle it. Take your cat in for a checkup with your vet to make sure it is healthy and that its vaccinations are current. Respiratory diseases are common in kittens and you’ll want your older cat’s immune system to be ready to tackle anything that comes into the house. If scratching or biting occurs between the cat and kitten, you’ll also want the rabies vaccine up to date to avoid any problems.

While older cats will occasionally take to a new kitten right away, they typically need a little time to adjust to the changes. Sometimes cats never fully accept a new kitten but will simply coexist, keeping to themselves away from the other cat in the house. You’ll want to make sure that no matter how your cat feels about the new kitten, that things stay peaceful and you have the best chance at creating a budding friendship from the start.

Introduce Your Cat to the New Kitten

When you bring your kitten home, allow your cat to sniff it while the kitten is in a carrier or your arms. Go directly to the room previously designated and set up for your new kitten and allow the kitten to explore. The litter box, food bowls, bed, and some toys should all be easily accessible. Do not let your older cat have unsupervised access to the kitten.

At night, when you are not home, and whenever you are unable to supervise the kitten and your older cat, keep the kitten in its designated room with the door closed. As your cat gets curious, it may stick its paw under the door, sniff under the door, and listen to the kitten. Do this for about a week, depending on how your cat is acting with the changes. Don’t forget to provide a lot of attention to your older cat after playing with your kitten. It’ll need your attention and support and the scent of the kitten on your clothing will help it get used to the newcomer.

Encourage Time Together

After about a week, let your kitten explore the house under your watchful eye. Allow your older cat to observe this exploration and retreat if it wants to. Do not force interaction between your cat and kitten. If your cat has a favorite interactive toy, such as a feather wand or laser pointer, try playing with both cats at the same time. This will encourage mutual activity. You can also give them both treats at the same time and feed them at the same time from separate bowls. Be sure to leave enough space between the food bowls so your older cat does not feel threatened.

Encourage any positive interactions your older cat has with the kitten using praise, treats, and physical affection. You want your cat to associate the kitten with happy, positive things.

Allow Your Cat to Establish a Hierarchy

Cats need to have order and a new member in the home must know where it ranks. Your older cat may have a period of time when it tries to establish a hierarchy with the new kitten. Your older cat may hiss and swat at the kitten when the newcomer does something unfavorable. This is completely normal and as long as it is just hissing and swatting, do your best to not interfere. Your older cat is establishing its role as the dominant cat in the household and the kitten is being taught where its boundaries as the new cat are.

Problems and Proofing Behavior

Don’t give up if the first encounters are not positive. Older cats can take time to acclimate to a younger cat. A common mistake is to rush the socialization between cats and then getting mad or frustrated when it doesn’t work out. Keep calm and work in increments to bring the cats together. Try timing your interactions and slowly increasing the amount of time together. If your older cat is especially aggressive toward the new kitten, speak with your vet or a behavior specialist for tips.

Again there is no “Magic bullet.” and for gosh sake, don’t lose your patience!!
Remember, your pets count!
It’s another weekend  and that means, it’s a 60s and 70s weekend on Edgewater Gold Radio! 60s and 70s starting tonight at midnight on Edgewater Gold Radio! Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen from the website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Sand Flies Can Be Deadly for Your Dog!

Thursday, November 21, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

Leishmaniasis is potentially fatal disease caused by a parasite. Dogs can become infected when bitten by an infected sand fly. Sand flies become infected by biting an already infected animal. Signs of canine leishmaniasis include dry skin, dandruff, hair loss around the eyes and muzzle and skin sores especially on the dogs head and legs. Weight loss can be severe. Canine leishmaniansis was recently discovered in hunting packs of fox hounds in the southeastern United States. In areas with infected sand flies, dogs should wear collars with impregnated insecticide.  They should also stay indoors when sand flies are most active from just before sunset until sun up.

Remember, your pets count!

If you love hearing oldies then Edgewater Gold Radio is your go to station. All of the best oldies from the 50s through the 80s all the time! Download the free Edgewater Gold Radio app or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

 

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Taking Care of Hairballs

Wednesday, November 20, 2019
posted by Jim Murphy

My cat Atlantis is a long haired Siamese cat. He does have a problem with hairballs every now and then. If you have a long haired cat, it’s important that everything flows through their digestive system to prevent a serious blockage.

I started giving Atlantis some hairball medicine every week or so. It didn’t seem to work and Atlantis was still having hairballs frequently. I decided that  I would administer the medication more frequently. I give him some nearly everyday and this seems to do the trick. The key is not to give too much. If it’s a gel, about one inch is fine.

Atlantis likes this medication because it tastes like fish. He thinks it’s a treat. I let him lick it off my finger. Keep in mind, some cats may be more fussy and not take this medication easily. So be creative, try mixing it with food or put it inside of a treat.

Watch out for frequent hairballs, they could be dangerous!

Remember, your pets count!

The oldies are playing all day! The greatest variety of oldies are on Edgewater Gold Radio! 50s 60s 70s and 80s all the time! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Some thought and preparation can help keep your pets safe during the holidays. With Thanksgiving approaching, make sure your pets are not fed table scraps. Turkey bones can cause real problems for dogs. If you put up a tree, it’s always a good idea to wire it to the ceiling so it can’t tip over. Breakable decorations and electrical wires should not be within reach and as we mentioned in a previous blog, tinsel must be avoided.  Consider displaying fake plants. Mistletoe, Poinsettias, and holly amongst others are toxic to animals.  Some of the sweet treats that we love during the holidays can wreak havoc on our pet’s intestines.  Make sure that all food, candy and alcohol is out of reach.  Be vigilant about he trash.  Give your dog lots of exercise and keep all pets on their regular routines. These are small precautions but they can help prevent any problems during the holidays.

Remember, your pets count!

Enjoy the 60s and 70s all weekend long on Edgewater Gold Radio. The greatest variety of oldies. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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