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digitalleslie · 1 year

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Why you should buy a cat tunnels toys for your cat?

Cat tunnels should be on your must-have list simply because cats love to hide. Your pet might be hiding because they’re scared or they just want to play. Some cats prefer to be tucked away while they sleep to feel safe or to keep warm. Regardless of the reason, hiding is a part of cat life and it’s important to provide those opportunities.

Try offering your cat one of the many cat tunnels out there! Give your cat lots of options like an enclosed cat bed or even letting your cat snuggle under the covers with you can work. You can buy a fabric cat tunnel online or at your local pet product store. Some tunnels have peek holes in the middle so kitty can pop out right in the middle. You can buy tunnels in many different lengths and styles, depending on your budget and the size of your room. Why not make your own cat tunnel by using paper bags, just cut out the bottoms and tape several bags together. To increase the stability, roll a cuff on each end of the paper bags before attaching them together. This will help prevent them from collapsing. Long boxes also make great tunnels. We all know how much cats love boxes!

Get the Purr and Pounce Cat Tunnel from Pet Play!

Cat Tunnels for Fun

Increase the fun factor when you engage your cat in interactive playtime by putting a tunnel down on the floor. This gives your cat an extra hiding place to be invisible to their prey as she waits for the perfect time to pounce. You can also have the toy go inside the tunnel to spark your cat’s interest. What could be more enticing than hearing “prey” skittering inside a paper bag tunnel?

For solo playtime, place a puzzle feeder or an enticing toy inside a tunnel for your cat to discover during the day while you’re at work.

If your cat seems to have lost her desire to play, perhaps adding a tunnel in the environment may reignite that spark and get her interested again.

Here you can find some differents cat tunnels for your cat.

1.the simple tube tunnel.

With some many different holes, for cats to play a whole day.

2. For day and night to play.

3. To joins your cats together for fun

4.This can be served as a nest also tunnel toy if they are tired, the same time can take a rest, the tyres style so funny.

5. The last one, nn the cat house as a decoration can also be a tunnel, or a cat house, the home of a cat princess really should not miss.

Tunnels for Security

In a multicat household where there is tension, or if your cat is timid, place tunnels in various rooms. This way, a cat can walk through the room and not feel so exposed.

If you’ve recently brought a new cat into your home and she’s scared about her new surroundings, try using tunnels to help her feel more at ease. If she’s hiding under the bed or in the closet in the sanctuary room, locate tunnels leading to her resources so she can start to venture out. Place a tunnel leading to the food bowl and another to the litter box. Place a tunnel in the middle of the room so the frightened cat can start to check out her new environment while feeling protected. You can use paper bag tunnels for this so you don’t end up spending lots of money for multiple tunnels.

#cat #cat lovers #cat chats #cat toys #dog

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doghausmtl · 5 years

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7 Easy Indoor Boredom Busters

When the weather dips to uncomfortable lows and the snow never seems to stop falling, we’re not the only ones who start feeling a little restless from spending so much time indoors.

Our cats and dogs still need their mental, emotional, social, and physical needs met, even if they can’t (or won’t) go outside. So we’ve compiled a list of things to do indoors that will fulfill their needs - and keep them happy and cozy, as well!

1. Play!

Dogs and cats are social animals and need emotionally and socially stimulating interactions to feel fulfilled. When their outdoor excursions are cut short because of extreme weather, it’s up to us to fill in the role of other animals and offer them an outlet for their playful and social behaviours.

Some playful games that have left us laughing along with our pets include:

hide and seek: while your pet remains in a ‘stay,’ hide somewhere and call them once you’re ready (behind a door, in a closet - somewhere out of direct eyesight)

tug of war: let your pet hold a toy in their mouth while you grab on to the other end, and keep pulling until someone wins!

fetch or soccer: toss something for your cat or dog to bring back, or simply see if your pet can catch what you're rolling on the floor

tag: some pets don’t know or care what this one is about, but some of them love to be chased - or to chase you themselves!

fishing pole: with your cat or dog’s toy on a string attached to the end of a stick, jerk the toy back and forth to elicit some hunting behaviours

2. Brain games

Engaging your dog’s or cat’s brain doesn’t have to be as complicated as it may sound: it all comes down to fulfilling their mental needs by providing new experiences, objects, places, and sensations - as we mentioned in our environmental enrichment blog.

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Try challenging your pets by encouraging them to use their head and even their senses:

interactive puzzle toys: toys or puzzle boards (like those from Nina Ottoson) give your pets something to think about

let them sniff new objects: after bringing home groceries, packages, etc. let your pet’s curiosity guide them! Or, just leave a box on the floor; that usually does the trick.

find hidden objects or treats: while your cat or dog waits, hide toys or treats in another room or out of sight, then release them and let them find their hidden treasures

play the cup game: place a toy or treat under a cup, next to a few other of the same type, switch the cups around, and see if your pet can guess where their reward went!

snuffle mats: in a shaggy carpet or specialized snuffle mat, hide treats and let your dog or cat “snuff” them out

3. Make meals fun

Mealtime comes around every day at least once, so why not take advantage of that and turn it into an activity? Offering engagement during meals will not only slow down those cats and dogs who inhale their food in one fell swoop, but may also reinvigorate a picky dog’s or cat’s interest. Best of all, these enriching meals will tire your pets out far faster than feeding them directly out of a bowl.

Doc & Phoebe’s Indoor Hunting Feeder stimulates your cat’s natural hunting needs!

Here are some easy ways to extend mealtime:

use slow feeders or food-dispensing toys: a Kong Wobbler or even a bowl with a few tennis balls placed on top of the food should do the trick

have your pets train for their meals: practice a few cues to slow them down and get their brains ticking

kibble scatter: on a mat or even on the floor, scatter your pet’s kibble and have them search for every piece

feed food in Kongs or other puzzle toys: stuff your washable toys with wet or raw food before feeding for an extra challenge

4. Practice your cues

Training is not only a great way to bond and practice your communication with your cat or dog, but provides a great cognitive workout that satisfies your pet’s mental needs. Spending 10 - 15 minutes a day working on cues is a quick way to use up extra energy: 15 minutes of mental work is equivalent to 1 hour of walking!

There is no limit to what you can do to mentally stimulate your pets, but here are a few ideas to get your started:

sharpen your dog’s obedience: it’s never a bad time to practice cues like sit, down, stay, recall, and your dog’s or cat’s name

sharpen your obedience to your cat: you can never be too obedient to your cat’s needs and wants

teach your cat or dog something new: take out your clicker and teach your pet something fun!

For more inspiration, check out the four most fundamental cues we think your dogs should know.

5. Give them something to work on

There is no substitute for spending time doing something you love, and our pets feel this as well. Giving your cats and dogs ‘projects’ to work on will keep them quiet and happy for a while, but will also fulfill their biological need to chew, rip, graze, and overall, just be a cat or dog in their element.

Some of our favourite ways to let our pets unwind - with supervision - include:

raw recreational bones: beef or bison marrow bones are a go-to favourite!

bully sticks or dehydrated chews: if these don’t last very long with your pets (yes, some cats like to eat them, too!), choose thicker and/or longer chews

stuffed Kongs and other stuffed toys: after filling your toys with food, freeze them to extend the time it takes to finish them

cat grass: leave a bowl out at all times if your cat likes to come and go on their own schedule

6. Spend some one-on-one time with them

As simple as this one sounds, time spent with your dog or cat is an activity that shouldn’t be underestimated, as it elicits feelings of love, trust, and safety in our pets. Bonding opportunities provide outlets for your pet’s social, emotional, and biological needs - and, of course, make you feel better, too!

One-on-one time can be as short or long as you want it to be, but you can never go wrong with:

grooming your pets (as long as your cat or dog likes it!)

spending some time snuggling

giving them a massage

7. Go somewhere pet-friendly

Sometimes, your animals won’t be satisfied with staying indoors, no matter how many activities you provide for them: they want to go out and explore!

Monty and Jasper enjoying cookies and milk at Döghaus

Luckily, there are plenty of places that will allow just that, so long as your cat or dog is well-behaved:

some hardware stores and warehouses allow pets (ask before going)

pay a friend a visit at their home

organise a doggy play date

take a break at a doggy café

come visit us at Döghaus!

join us on Saturday, February 17th for a Pet First Aid Class, hosted by us and brought to you by Walks'N'Wags. For more information and to sign up, click here. Pets are welcome!

Last of all, leave some of your cat’s and dog’s toys accessible throughout the day so that if your pets get bored, they can choose to entertain themselves whenever they want.

And if you have a high energy dog, think about enrolling in doggy daycare or classes during the winter months to help let out some of that energy!

Keeping your dogs and cats happy indoors isn’t as hard as it sounds; all you need is a little bit of time and creativity!

#cats #dogs #productswelove #doghausmtl #doghaus mtl #doghaus montreal #grooming #pet care #environmentalenrichment #Doc & Phoebe #Kong #winter blues

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pawsomekittyblog · 7 years

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Best Interactive Cat Toys

Cats are naturally curious creatures, thus the phrase “curiosity killed the cat”. But of course, we do not want this to happen! How about using your cat’s curiosity into enticing it to engage in hours and hours of fun play? There are a lot of toys out there, which you can get for your cat and keep it busy.

This list will let you in the know about the latest best interactive cat toys to get for your feline friends. You will be surprised to know at how many amazing and cool cat toys are out there! So read away!

Why is playing with your cats important?

If you are having trouble choosing the best among the best interactive toys for cats, maybe you should backtrack a bit and observe your cat. Choosing the best cat toy for your cat will really be difficult if you do not know your cat’s personality. Observe your cat, test different things and see where he or she reacts, the benefits of choose the best interactive cat toy include:

Physical Exercise: Can you ever imagine living a life of dormancy? Is it a right? Same goes for our furry friends, especially cats. Cats naturally have a heart for the wilderness. They like to pretend that they are great lions, pouncing and hunting for prey.

Mental Exercise: Now, having playtime sessions with your cat is a little simulation of this tendency. It’s the closest they can get to what they were used to before they were domesticated. In addition, playtime session function as their exercise, therefore, keeping them healthy, physically.

Bonding Time: You do not have to play with your cats all the time. You can always choose to buy those cat toys that can be played with only your cat tinkering with it. Just keep in mind that actually bonding with your cat will bring forth a different impact for your cat.

Top 10 Cat Toy Reviews

Molly and Friends Pinnacle 86 in. Cat Tree

This toy will keep your cat occupied for hours! Swear! Your cat would want to play with this cat toy non-stop.

It is a cat toy with a simple mechanism – a circular shaped toy, very much like your cat’s feeding bowl, with a circular canal tracing its perimeter. In the canal is a ball, which your cat can spin around, chase; whatever your cat may want to do. In the middle of the toy is a scratch pad, which your cat can also indulge too.

It is very handy to have this toy around because your cat can do multiple things all at the same time. You can keep your cat busy in one corner and just watch it be cute like that.

Click here for best price

Molly and Friends Pinnacle 86 in. Cat Tree

Cats love to go inside the littlest, tiniest nooks and crannies that may be found in your house. Your cat will certainly love to play inside this cat tunnel! And wait, this is not your ordinary cat tunnel – it is a three-way cat tunnel.

Pam Johnson-Bennett, a multi-awarded author on cat behavior, mentions on her website that a cat tunnel will greatly help cats who are shy, cats who spend too much time away from people and those who are usually keeping themselves out of reach. But of course, outgoing cats will also like this cat toy. Cats are playful just like that.

If you have a shy cat; you will soon notice that, with this cat tunnel, it will slowly let itself get comfortable with being out in the open. A strategic place to put this cat tunnel is in the middle of the room.

Click here for best price

PetSafe SlimCat Interactive Toy and Food Dispenser

Interactive cat toys that make your cat move around are slowly becoming a trend recently. This cat toy is multifunctional. It can function as a toy – a puzzle to be exact, it can function as a food dispenser and it can function as an exercise ball – yes, all those functions in one ball!

Now, this cat toy is hollow – this is so that you can put cat treats inside! Now your cat will have to move this ball around so that the cat treats may fall out. Your cat will have to figure out how to roll out the ball so that it could get the food out. You see how you get your cat to exercise both physically and mentally?

This cat toy is also perfect if you are not around. Your cat may be able to eat on its own without you having to give it food. But of course, do not make this cat toy as a substitute for an automatic cat feeder. You can only put some limited amount of cat food inside.

Click here for best price

Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy

Cats love to spin things around. Just imagine if you get your cat a cat toy that will give it three times the fun of rolling and spinning multiple balls at the same time! Not only that, if you have multiple cats in the house, they can interact with one another and play with the cat toy all at the same time.

This cat toy comes in different vibrant colors that will surely attract your cats to it. The cat toy itself is very simple – it has a very simple mechanism and does not require any complex controls. It may be simple but your cat will enjoy long hours of play with this cat toy.

Click here for best price

PetSafe Pounce Toy

This cat toy looks like something out of the movies. It is a device powered by batteries, which allows your cats to pounce at the plastic moving mouse in a circular motion around the toy. The speed of the movement of the mouse may vary in four levels – PetSafe is a cat toy that will keep your cat wondering every time.

You do not have to worry about the safety of your cat while playing with this toy. It doesn’t have any unnecessary loose pieces that your cat may possibly ingest. As a last note, this cat toy will turn itself off after 10 minutes of engagement with your cat.

Click here for best price

5SPET 3-piece Wireless Remote Control Rat Toy

Now, this cat toy is fun to play with, not only for your cat but even for you as its owner! It is a rat toy, you know, the usual cat toy that aims to make your cat believe that what’s in front of it is a rat; but! this time you will have the liberty to control where the cat toy goes. It’s like you’re playing with and RC car.

Having this cat toy around is going to be a different experience for your cat. From the usual self-play design of toys, this one requires you to play with your cat. It forges a stronger connection between you and your cat when you play together.

If you want interactive, then this is toy will provide you with that! It could easily be on anyone’s list of best interactive cat toys.

Click here for best price

46″ Mega Kit Cat Claw Perch

This cat toy is not your usual tiny cat toys. Oh boy, this one’s big! Getting this cat toy is like getting a whole playground for your cat. It looks similar to that of a cat tower. Well, a cat tower looks like a giant playground for cats.

This cat tower is also different with cat towers before it. It has a new, modern, minimalistic style and design. It is no longer made of wood but instead, it is made out of plastic pipes joint together – like a camping tent. Although, the usual elements are still there: several hanging toys, multiple hammocks, comfortable beds, hiding places, scratching posts and much more.

Your cat will love to play in this big cat playground because there are a lot of activities that can be done with it.

Click here for best price

HEXBUG Mouse Cat Toy

Cat toys in the form of a mouse have always been a favorite for cats. HEXBUG now brings you another mouse cat toy that your cat will surely enjoy playing with for hours.

This mouse cat toy can simulate a chase for your cat, or even ‘play dead’ for cats who wish to play with their prey right in their paws. If you want your cat to move around the house and have him/her doing some exercise, you can choose the chase mode and the chase now starts!

HEXBUG presents a cat toy that will keep your cat running around the house!

Click here for best price

Cat Charmer Wand

For old time’s sake, here is another one of the usual cat toys that cats seem to really like a lot – the wand! The wand is a simple cat toy; it only consists of a stick, a string or a thin strip of cloth or fabric and something attached at the end.

This cat toy is good for you and your cat’s bonding time. This is one interactive cat toy that will not only require your cat’s interaction with the toy but also your interaction with your cat. Playing with your cats foster a closer affinity and bond with your cat.

You have a really wide variety of choices when it comes to this cat toy. WebMD described other variations of this cat toy. It may vary from the material the handle is made of, the strings, and the sort of ‘bait’ at the end of the cat wand.

Click here for best price

The Ultimate Cat Toy Collection

This set of cat toys is great for your cats who love to chase things around the house. This cat toy collection contains a good number of mouse-shaped cat toys, around 7, and comes with a box. If you prefer to use only one mouse cat toy at a time, you can opt to do so, then just keep the others in the box and store it somewhere else.

Each cat toy is made with different materials like wood, sisal, rubber, and feathers. So every time, your cat has something new to experience.

Do not worry about your pet accidentally swallowing unnecessary parts of this cat toy, because it doesn’t have these parts. It only imitates the shape and size of a mouse

Cats will be cats!

We have previously talked about at the introduction of this article on how curious cats can be. But of course, reality will tell you that it is not all the time that your cat will be curious about a cat toy it actually got used to playing.

Now, the secret to keeping your cat’s interest in the cat toy you got for it is – are you ready for it? – Not have it lying around all the time! And maybe if you have some extra, get multiple cat toys to keep you cat guessing!

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theguardian911 · 7 years

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People Mistakenly Think These Animals Feel No Pain or Emotions. Many Fish Owners View Their Pets as Decorations By Dr. Becker Aquatic animals, including fish, are the most popular pets in the U.S. if you calculate popularity based on the number of owned pets. Sadly, many spend their days silently circling mundane fish bowls that are undersized or improperly prepared. Many also start out unhealthy and disease-prone because of overbreeding and selective breeding to create a certain aesthetic feature like long fins, bubble eyes or a round belly. Despite advances in many areas of animal welfare, fish are still widely regarded as ornamental and throwaway pets. But these creatures are far more complex than many people realize and are deserving not only of basic ethical treatment but also far more, including veterinary care, enrichment and stimulation. Would You Seek Veterinary Care for Your Fish? A commentary published in Clinician’s Brief brought up some important points about the ramifications of viewing ornamental fish as just that — mere “decorations” for your office or child’s bedroom. For starters, many fish owners do not seek veterinary care for their fish because they don’t know it’s available — or that they should. In fact, when asked about fish conditions, some veterinarians, lacking in appropriate treatment options or know-how, may refer clients to pet stores, who may in turn give out inaccurate information in response. As a result, “concern for the welfare of pet fish may not extend past their perceived economic value.” As noted by Clinician’s Brief, more research is needed into ornamental fish and there should be more education available for retailers, hobbyists and even veterinarians in the realm of fish medicine. In addition: “Pharmaceutical companies have not kept pace with advances for fish as for other companion species, and a proliferation of inexpensive over-the-counter treatments, how-to articles and general misinformation leads to sick fish often being treated (or mistreated) with chemicals and even invasive home surgeries without a proper diagnosis. Protracted and unnecessary suffering often results. Prejudices and misconceptions may suggest that fish-welfare issues are grossly underreported.” Why It’s Important to Consider the Needs of Your Fish Many are surprised to learn that fish have “needs” beyond water and daily food, and that’s precisely the point. The fact that fish can feel pain, show emotions and “talk” using a wide range of communicatory methods is not widely known, though it should be — especially by those who choose to have fish as pets. As reported in the journal Animal Cognition, there is a large gap between people’s perception of fish intelligence and the scientific reality, which is that fish have perception and cognitive abilities that rival, or exceed, that of other vertebrates. Fish, for instance: Perform multiple complex tasks simultaneously (a trait that was once believed to exist only among humans) Recall the location of objects using “feature cues” (which humans figure out how to do around age 6) Have excellent long-term memories "Cooperate with one another and show signs of Machiavellian intelligence such as cooperation and reconciliation” Use tools Culum Brown, Ph.D., associate professor at Macquarie University in Australia, who authored the Animal Cognition review, said in an interview with the Huffington Post: “The big issue here is that people don’t treat fish the same way as they do other animals. It’s complicated, but it boils down to the fact that most people just don’t understand them and can’t relate to them. If you don’t have that connection, you are less likely to feel any empathy … Fish are similar to humans in so many ways. This is the message we need to get across … My mission in life is to make people think about fish as something other than food.” 10 Common Fish Owner Mistakes Many fish owners do strive to take good care of their pets, but misinformation may lead to sick or stressed-out animals. Here are some top mistakes, compiled by PetMD, that many fish owners make: 1. Overfeeding This may lead to excess waste, which in turn can interfere with water quality. A general guide is to feed fish the amount of food they consume in three minutes. Remove any excess with a net. Scavengers like crabs can also help to clean up uneaten food. Be aware that not all fish feed the same way; some fish do better with two smaller feedings a day while others like to nibble plants. Some fish scavenge for their food while others hunt, for instance. Consider the use of puzzle feeders and sinking feeders, or live prey, if applicable to your fish species. 2. New Tank Syndrome Before adding fish to a new tank, bacteria must build up to process the nitrogen compounds in fish waste. Certain additives can be found to assist in this process, as can adding sand or gravel from an established healthy tank. You should have water samples tested by an aquarium store to be sure you’ve got the right balance. 3. Mismatching Fish Species Fish have different personalities and not all get along well together. It’s very important to be aware of whether the fish species you choose are known for being aggressive. Aggressive fish can bully or fight more passive fish, even to the point of death or starvation (in which a fish is too frightened to come out of hiding to eat). 4. Overcrowding In general, fish need 1 gallon of water per inch of fish. Aggressive fish need double that amount, and be sure to take into account rocks and decorations, which, though important, take up valuable swimming space. 5. Vacation Care If you leave for vacation, your fish need to be cared for while you’re away, just like other pets. In addition to carefully letting a pet sitter know how much food to feed, be sure to prepare the sitter for what to do in the event of tank issues and how to check water temperature. 6. Temperature Control You’ll need to install a thermometer to monitor water temperature, which should generally be between 68 and 76 degrees F, depending on the species of fish. Be aware that drafts and sun can change the temperature of the tank, and smaller tanks are more vulnerable to rapid temperature shifts than larger tanks. Be vigilant in monitoring water temperature. 7. Overlooking Disease If your fish is showing signs of disease, via appearance or changes in habits, transfer him to a quarantine tank and seek veterinary care. Oftentimes, a new fish added to the tank may be a source of disease. Before new animals are added to an existing tank, a quarantine period of 21 to 28 days is recommended. To help relieve stress during the quarantine, a hiding spot (such as PVC pipe or stacked rocks) should be provided and water quality and temperature should be maintained. 8. Neglect Successfully caring for an aquarium takes daily care and regular maintenance. Make a point to mark maintenance needs on your calendar or use tools like automatic feeders or water-quality probes to help you stay on track. You can even track the water quality of your aquarium right on your computer via wireless monitoring devices. 9. Being Impatient Building a healthy and beautiful aquarium doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to research and build the correct mix of fish, plants and ornamental objects, as well as learn how to monitor water quality and conduct maintenance. Acting impulsively may lead to choices that could harm your fish. 10. Using Tap Water The water from your tap is treated with chlorine that can harm fish. Water for your tank must be treated with chlorine-removing tablets. Also be sure to avoid using soap in your aquarium. Most cleansing can be done with hot water and a small amount of bleach that’s thoroughly rinsed off. Finally, provide non-toxic items for your fish to explore — plants, rocks, structures, ceramic objects and more — and change them regularly to provide new stimulation. Then, enjoy getting to know each of your fish. Many enjoy interacting with their owners and can learn to recognize you and even perform tricks. If you decide ornamental fish sound like pets you may be interested in keeping make sure to only purchase captive-bred fish; leave wild fish in the ocean, where they belong.

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