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Archive for May, 2021

Foods to Never Feed Your Cat!

Monday, May 31, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

Sometimes we think that our kitties can eat everything that we eat. This is not true and their are some foods that you should not give your cat at all.

  1. Garlic and onions -Garlic and onions contain chemicals that can damage red blood cells in cats and dogs. Cooking these foods does not reduce their potential toxicity, because they contain organosulfoxides. Make sure you carefully read food labels; fresh, cooked and/or powdered garlic and/or onions can be dangerous for pets even in small doses.
  2. Uncooked Eggs-Cats need significantly more protein than dogs because of species differences in protein metabolism. However, raw eggs may expose them to salmonella or lead to an inflamed pancreas, known as pancreatitis. It’s safe to serve your kitty cooked eggs — but only on occasion and only in small amounts.
  3. Bones –Because bones can splinter, they can cause a cat to choke as well as block the intestinal tract. If a bone becomes an intestinal obstruction, it is a true emergency that may require surgery.
  4. Fat Trimmings –Although cats need certain essential amino acids found only in meat, feeding fat trimmings is not a safe way to try to provide them. Feeding your feline such fat can lead to gastrointestinal upset and even pancreatitis.
  5. Caffeinated Drinks – Caffeinated drinks can cause a fast heart beat in cats. Always avoid them.

For more information on foods hazardous to cats, visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center website. And keep the organization’s phone number — 888-426-4435 — handy in the event of an emergency.

Remember, your pets count!

Edgewater Gold Radio — all of your memories in one place. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website;

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Pet Sitters Bring You Peace of Mind

Sunday, May 30, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

Back in the days when I had a dog, I would be gone for many hours during the day. I would buy all types of dog toys. There were so many rawhide bones around the house that I could have filled an entire room with them! This did not keep my dog content while I was gone. It was quite apparent that he was lonely and need so much attention when I would arrive home. Looking back now at this situation really saddens me. Are you in the same type of situation now? Maybe you should consider hiring a Pet Sitter. If you decide to go this route, here are some things that you should remember.

1. The Pet Sitter should conduct himself/herself in a professional manner and give you his undivided attention while being interviewed.

2. Your Pet Sitter should have insurance and be bonded if they are with a pet sitting company.

3. The Pet Sitter should conduct business with honesty and integrity. They should also observe all federal, state and local laws pertaining to operating the business of animal care.

4. The Pet Sitter should have a least three references which you should check out thoroughly.

These following issues regarding your pet must also be considered when hiring a Pet Sitter.

1. Your pet needs to be comfortable with the pet sitter. You must allow time for your dog to get used to the Pet Sitter by allowing the sitter to come by several days while you’re at home, play with your dog and give him dog treats before being left alone with your pet.

2. The Pet Sitter must be interested in learning as much as possible about your pet. This includes eating habits, regular walks (always have that dog leash handy) health issues, temperament, exercise etc.

3. Make sure you give the Pet Sitter a list of emergency phone numbers in case your pet becomes ill or has an accident. This list should include your vets number, as well as the numbers of other vets in case your vet is not available.

4. The Pet Sitter must be knowledgeable of pet first aid and other concerns such as pet food re-calls.

5. You must agree that your Pet Sitter can or cannot have others visitors while they are pet sitting your dog.

6. Determine the Pet Sitter’s experience by asking some pointed questions during the interview.

7. You must be completely confident before offering the job. Treat this like hiring a nanny for your child.

Once you have a pet sitter, you will notice the change in your dogs attitute when you arrive home. You will no longer feel that he is being neglected and you will feel confident that his needs are being cared for.

Remember, your pets count!

 

Enjoy your weekend with Edgewater Gold Radio! Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, “Edgewater Gold Radio.com.”

 

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Are Cats Protective of Their Human Family?

Saturday, May 29, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

This is an interesting question. Normally we think that cats are indifferent, independent creatures but they really aren’t. They have complex personalities that includes protecting their home and family.

Every day we place some dry food and water on our porch so that two feral cats in the neighborhood could stop by for a meal. When they come up to the porch to eat, our cat Millie always gets excited. She jumps and scratches on the sliding glass door and makes a bunch of sounds. At first we thought that she liked these cats and were excited that they were here for a visit.

The other day, I saw Millie jumping and scratching at the glass door, I looked out but didn’t see anything so I opened the door to check. There was one of the ferals sitting under a chair. Millile dashed outside hissing and howling. She chased the cat into the street. I ran, told her to “stop” and reached to pick her up. She was clearly in distress. So our theories were totally wrong. Millie doesn’t like cats or other creatures visiting our house and was being protective of us and her surroundings.

Animalpath.org has published some guidelines regarding this issue.

How to handle an overprotective cat

You have to remember that a cat in protective mode is also full of fear and is running on pure adrenaline and instinct. Try to deal with your cat in a calm manner which will hopefully help to calm her.

Do not reward or punish your cat as these approaches are not productive. Do not console the cat because they will see that as a reward for their aggression. Do not retreat or show fear because the cat will see that as them winning over you. Punishing a cat will only sow resentment because they do not know that what they are doing is wrong as they do not have an understanding of what they did wrong.

Remember, your pets count!

Edgewater Gold Radio is playing all of your favorite oldies. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Can Cats Really Keep Mice Away?

Thursday, May 27, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

We know that every time you buy that little mouse cat toy, your cat will chase it like it’s the real thing. Do cats prefer mice as a meal in place of their cat food? The answer is “no but” It’s my experience that a cat’s scent will keep mice away. I once lived in a condo in Hoboken, NJ. Every unit on our floor had a problem with mice except ours. The reason I believe this is that we had a cat .When we lived in Edgewater, NJ we  bought  a mobile home in recreational camping area in Delaware to use for weekends and most of the other RV’s or mobiles had problems with mice. Ours never did. I attribute it to the fact that we always brought our two cats down and their scent kept the mice out. Mice will always find a way to get into your home. If there is a place where they cannot detect the scent of your cat, you still may have a problem. My experience is that a cat’s scent will definitely be a deterrent for mice. So if you live in a wooded area or in an apartment in an urban area, it may be a great time to adopt a cat to keep those mice away. Even though the cat bed, litter box and cat food will cost you a bit, it’s still worth it.

Remember, your pets count!

The oldies are playing all the time on Edgewater Gold Radio!  We’ve added an extra day to our 60s and 70s weekend. Enjoy the music of the 60s and 70s including Monday this holiday weekend plus don’t forget about all of the other great weekend programs on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” of listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Dog Safety at the Beach

Tuesday, May 25, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy
Summer is almost here and lots of people take their dogs to the beach. Our canine friends love to run and folic in the sand. Letting you dog run free is a great form of exercise but it comes with some cautions.
A few weeks ago while doing my walk down the boardwalk I came across a dog wandering by himself. He looked like he was lost and at first I didn’t see anyone around looking for him. I walked down to the beach a saw two girls calling his name and frantically tried to find him. I called over to them and said that he was here on the boardwalk. They ran over , called him and the dog was safely reunited with his family.
This is a scary situation. You must keep a close eye on your dog while he’s running free on the beach. As humans, they can become disoriented and get lost easily. Luckily this story has a happy ending.
Here are some additional tips on how to keep your dog safe at the beach.

1. Not all dogs can swim.

That’s right, the doggy paddle does not come naturally to every dog. In fact, certain breeds like Corgis and Pugs don’t swim at all! Find out if your pup can swim in quiet water by encouraging him to follow you. If he seems interested but doesn’t have the skills, learn how you can teach him to swim safely.

2. Invest in a life vest.

Waves, current, and rip tides can quickly exhaust your dog, and that can be deadly. If your dog likes to swim in the ocean, the best time of day is after low tide when the water is coming back in. Tide charts can easily be found online.

Also consider getting your dog a life vest. When choosing which life vest will work best, look for one that fastens at three points and has a handle on the back, making it easy for you to lift your dog out of the water.

3. Drinking salt water is a bad idea.

This is logical, and yet many dogs try to lap up the ocean. Be sure to bring plenty of fresh water and a bowl for your dog, so he’s not tempted to find his own water source.

Thanks to Gopetfriendly.com for providing some of this information.

Remember, your pets count!

Join me today, I’m playing you the best oldies of all time and the biggest variety! Edgewater Gold Radio — 50s 60s 70s and 80s all the time! Spend your day with Edgewater Gold Radio!
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Do Dogs Really Like Those Hugs?

Monday, May 24, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

Dogs can walk peacefully on a dog leash or play and fetch their dog toys without any stress at all. Why are some dog hugs stressful to a dog and how can you tell if it’s stressful? Stanley Coren professor emeritus of psychology at the University of British Columbia, recently evaluated 250 photos of dogs being hugged by humans and noted stress signs such as licking and certain ear or eye positions. We know that our dogs love us but they are  cursorial animals meaning  that they are programmed for a speedy departure when stressed. This may not be the case for all dogs but Coren believes that a dogs stress level may rise when the hug is restraining. If you notice a “half moon” eye or a “whale eye” which is where you can see the white portion of the eye at the corner or the rim, you can assume that your dog is stressed out.

Remember, your pets count!

The greatest variety of oldies are playing for your right now on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio OR listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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Caring for our Geriatric Pets

Sunday, May 23, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

As our pets get older, they will require more medical care just like we do. Pay attention to your pet as he gets older.  You should take him for a basic physical exam every six months. Check any changes to your pets appetite, thrust, urination and defecation habits. Does your pet vomit or have diarrhea? Is he sleeping more than usual? Is he coughing or does he show sign of exercise intolerance?  Normally, as pets age, they may sleep more but it can also be due to a variety of other things like arthritis, heart disease or even cancer. These conditions can be treated if diagnosed early. This is why it’s important to take your aging pet for regular checkups. As a general rule, take pets that are over the age of eight for a physical exam every six months and blood work once a year. If you notice a symptom such as weakness or vomiting, get your pet in for a checkup right away.

Remember, your pets count!

Your greatest oldies are playing on Edgewater Gold Radio. The 50s through the 80’s all the time. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold radio.com.

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The Debate Over Mixed Breeds and Pure Breeds

Saturday, May 22, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

There has been a debate for a long time on whether mixed breed dogs are better than pure breeds.  Some believe that there are advantages in adopting a mixed breed.  Some say that a mixed-breed has a better disposition and can more easily adapt to its new home. Mixed breeds are much cheaper than pure breds. A mixed breed has a much lower chance of being born with inherited congenital diseases, since the mating process naturally leaves out the defective genes.  Other dog lovers disagree and say that it’s better to adopt a pure bred. One reason is that with a mixed breed, you cannot be sure about the exact mix of breeds that the puppy may have come from. This means that you may think the pup will turn out to be a small dog suitable for an apartment when in fact, it grows very large and is no longer suitable.

Breeders of purebred puppies  have the advantage of being able to tell prospective owners what they can expect in regards to size, behavior and health. Responsible breeders carefully match prospective breeding pairs based on temperament and physical conformity according to PetMD.

Dog lovers who are devoted to mix breeds say that mixed breeds are less likely to exhibit the results of interbreeding. Some of these results can be in the form of temperament, intelligence and health issues.  All this is true but if you adopt a mixed breed, this doesn’t mean that it will be free of health issues.  Sometimes a mixed breed is born with the negative health traits that originated from the breed that it is descended from.

There are pros and cons to both pure breds and mixed breeds. It’s up to you to decide which is best for you.

Remember, your pets count!

You oldies are playing right now on Edgewater Gold Radio. Just ask Alex to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website; Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

 

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Giving an Older Cat A Second Chance

Wednesday, May 19, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

We don’t like to think about it but it happens. An owner passes away leaving an elderly cat to fend for herself. This is very sad  When adopting or taking in an elderly cat  who just lost their owner, there are some things that you should remember. Cats do grieve in their own way. Imagine a cat who is 16 or 17 and who spent all of those years with one owner now in the home of someone new. We also have a cat who lost his owner two years ago. We adopted our Atlantis and even though he has some medical issues, he is the sweetest cat and has adjusted very well to his new home!

First prepare an quiet area for her which is not stressful and will help with her transition.  Put objects in the area that she is used to like her cat bed, her own toys, blankets, scratching post etc.  Bring her cat carrier and put something in it that has the original owners scent on it like a towel or piece of clothing.  Bring some additional items from her original home and place them in her new area. If she was used to music, keep the radio on to keep her company. If you have other animals make sure that you keep them away from her for awhile. Use a baby gate to separate specific areas. Don’t lock her up in a room all by herself, make sure that she feels that she’s part of the family. This is a difficult situation but eventually even an elderly cat can adjust.

Remember, your pets count!

All of the greatest oldies that you remember are on Edgewater Gold Radio. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio”or listen from our website, Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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A Cat for Grandma

Tuesday, May 18, 2021
posted by Jim Murphy

If you have an older relative, why not ask her if she would like a cat?  Older people who own pets tend to live longer independently than a senior who does not have any pets.  Studies also show that a pet can lower our blood pressure and heart rate and even reduce the frequency of a serious illness.  Your older relative may like the idea of owning a cat. It would keep both her mind and body more active.  A cat is easier to care for than a dog. If your relative indicates that she would like one, you may suggest a short haired cat. There is less grooming and less cleaning up to do. Get some cat toys for her to play with the cat in the evening. This is the best way to make sure that both the cat and grandma get a good nights sleep.

Remember, your pets count!

Keep the memories flowing with Edgewater Gold Radio! The best variety of oldies all the time. Ask Alexa to “play Edgewater Gold Radio” or listen from our website: Edgewater Gold Radio.com.

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