January 21, 2020 Cat Toys

How to Teach Your Cat to Use Scratching Posts

Your cat scratches because she needs to lay claim to her territory or when she needs to shed her claws. Without a scratching post, your cat ends up scratching your furniture. Cats are stubborn little things and no amount of telling them otherwise will cause them to put their claws away. Break the cycle of you telling them not to scratch the furniture and them giving you the cold shoulder by introducing them to a scratching post. Question: What if they don’t like the scratching post? You’ve to train your cat to use scratching posts, and we’ll tell you how. When you’re looking through options for scratching posts, you’ll come across two types — vertical posts and horizontal posts. Some cats prefer horizontal scratching posts whereas others like vertical scratching posts. You can give your cat one of each to find out which one they prefer the most.

Keep the scratching posts in a prominent location in your home, not your basement. Just as humans love to stretch when we wake up, cats like to scratch the first thing in the morning or after a nap, so place it near their napping area. You can bribe your cat to use the scratching post with catnip. Sprinkle the food on the base of the scratching post and into the material. You can also hang a band containing the snack from the top of the scratching post. When you do that, spend time near the scratching post, encouraging your cat to use it.

Most importantly, reward your cat with a snack each time she uses the scratching post. Whenever you see your pet use the scratching post, take out a snack to give them. Once your cat gets used to using the scratching post, you can teach her that other things, such as your furniture, are off-limits. If you come across your pet scratching the chair or sofa, make a loud sound to stop your cat from doing so. When you make a loud noise each time you find them scratching your furniture, they’ll know what they’re doing is wrong and will stop doing it. They’ll associate that sound with bad behavior. Give them the scratching post instead and when they use, praise them, so they know what they’re doing isn’t wrong. If you’ve a kitten, start training them to use a scratching post now. You’ll come across a large variety of scratching posts. Choose the one you think your cat will like best.

December 19, 2019 Bedding

Tips for Choosing the Right Pet Beds for Your Cat or Dog

Your dog or cat may love to snuggle up with you — your dog more than your cat — but one thing both want is their own separate sleeping and napping space. You’ll have to go hunting for pet beds, finding the right one for your pet. We want you to make the right choice the first time around. We’ve compiled some useful tips to help make it easier for you to look for a pet bed. The first thing to look at is the size of the bed. Ensure the bed is large enough for your pet to sleep comfortably. For instance, dogs love to spread out, sleeping in different positions. Sometimes, they’re stretched out, curled up, and other times, they’re lying on their back or their stomach with their legs stretched out. Ensure the size of the bed is large enough for them to sleep and lay down comfortably in various natural positions.

Next, find out the type of pet bed you want. Usually, this is where the confusion sets in, as there is a wide range of pet beds you can get. Pet beds come in different sizes and shapes. You can get a square or round dog or cat bed if your pet likes to curl up. If your pet likes to lie flat, get a mattress bed. Box beds and beds with a side will give your pet maximum comfort, keeping them warm and protected from the wind. However, the summers call for a pet bed that helps them stay cooler.

Now, decide the material of the pet bed. Sufficiently padded pet beds offer the most comfort. Ensure the material is water-resistant and easy to wash. For those who like to camp out with their dog by their side, a pet bed with a water-resistant or waterproof material becomes key to preventing it from getting soggy if water spills or they meet an accident. For pets with pains, aches, or joint issues, consider getting a memory foam bed to help them get in and out of the pet bed without trouble. For shy and nervous pets, we recommend an igloo style bed for them to hide away from everyone when they need space and privacy. If you have more than one pet, you may need more than one bed unless they like to snuggle and sleep. If you have a cat and dog, get their own separate beds for sure. Use our tips to select the right pet bed for your dog or cat.

December 2, 2019 Aviary & Perches

Choosing the Right Wooden Parrot Cage

When you decide to welcome a new pet into the family, you’re taking on a happy and serious responsibility. Birds of all shapes and sizes are a wonderful addition to any household; with their combination of adorableness and cleverness, along with a huge helping of personality, birds make their way into your heart almost immediately. Plus, most birds are wonderfully independent, meaning they don’t need constant caretaking and can even benefit from time spent on their own, with the proper toys and entertainment. When you’re getting your home ready for a new bird, whether you’re bringing home a cockatiel, cockatoo or parrot, getting them a comfortable home is the first step towards making sure that they’re comfortable and contained in your house. A wooden parrot cage is a great investment in the happiness of you and your parrot.

What should you look for in a quality wooden parrot cage? The first step is to make sure that the square footage of the cage is appropriate for the size and type of parrot that you’re getting. Getting a cage that is too small for your bird is going to lead to frustration for both you and your bird as your pet lets you know that they don’t have the space they need to stretch their wings out, to play and to wander. Once you have decided on the right size, you will want to look for a cage that gives you the ability to attach many different fun accessories for your bird to play with, including toys, climbing ladders, perches and swings. By attaching different accessories and switching them regularly, you will keep your bird engaged and entertained in their cage, a necessity when you’re not able to let them out regularly.

A great wooden cage for your home will be made of a durable wood, like fir, in a style that matches your home. When you begin the shopping process, make sure to look for woods that are treated with non-toxic chemicals that are pet-friendly, since your bird may chew on the wood when bored or grooming their beak. Investing in a cage with a removable bottom tray means you can quickly and easily clean the bottom of the cage with little hassle. Take your time finding the right cage for your pet and your home; a purchase today is an investment in the future happiness of your parrot!