Pet Care 101: Comparing Kitty Litter

This month at Petit Pet Care we're focusing on cat care, specifically the litter box. As you can imagine, we have had some extensive experience with cat litter. While setting up a cat box seems simple enough, there are a few important considerations you should be aware of such as size, placement, and of course the choice of a litter.

In terms of size, you want a box big enough so that kitty isn't cramped; in terms of placement, you want to put the box someplace where kitty has easy access (and even a little privacy if possible) to take care of business. Multiple cats require multiple boxes. Of course, once all that is sorted out, the next and possibly most important step, will be filling the box with your choice of cat litter.

With all the different cat litter varieties available on the market it can be difficult to choose which one to buy. We won't get into an extensive explanation on the subject  here, but all litters are not created equal. There's the cheap stuff you can get at the dollar store, the eco-friendly kind made from recycled materials, the "light" type litter, the fancy pellet variety, clay, low-dust, scented, un-scented...

Cat litter serves a very specific and important purpose. Besides giving your pet a hygienic place indoors to go to the bathroom, its function is to absorb urine as well as to cover feces, while reducing odor causing bacteria. There are two main types: clumping and non-clumping. The difference between them is fairly obvious; when wet, the particles in the clumping type stick together then dry in a clump, which makes for easy scooping. Another advantage of the clumping variety is that it doesn't have to be replaced every week.

So how do you decide which one you should use? And why is cat litter choice such a big deal? Well, for one thing, some cats are very particular, and if the litter box isn't up to their standards, they'll leave you a little present someplace to let you know it's time to clean the box and/or change the litter.


Here are our top three:

In third place is World's Best Cat Litter, a flushable, eco-friendly variety, which believe it or not is made from corn! It clumps upon contact with urine, making for an easy cleanup, and a small bag can last up to 30 days in a single cat household. (Odor control and clumping are better with the top two.)

Our second place choice is Tidy Cat Scoop - though not the light version. While it is a bit on the dusty side, it has pretty good odor control, and obviously the clumping makes for an easy cleanup.

In first place for us is Arm and Hammer Clump and Seal clay-based. Why is it our favorite? It has small particles, low dust, clumps tight and virtually no odor.

Also, Tidy Cat's Breeze Litter Pellets get an honorable mention here; it does the job with no dust, but it requires a specific type of litter box with puppy pads.

As a responsible pet parent, the last thing you want is a strong odor in your home alerting visitors to the presence of your family pet(s) before they ever actually meet them. Hopefully we've given you enough information to help you make the best choice for your family.


For more detailed information on litter box setup and litter choices see the links below:

6 Best Types of Cat Litter

Clumping vs Non-Clumping Litter: The Pros and Cons of Each

How to Select, Set Up, and Maintain the Litter Box

When it Comes to the Litter Box... Keep it Simple

September, Cooler Temps, and Safe Pet Travel

 September has arrived and the air is finally becoming less humid. Plants that were stifled and scorched in the intense heat of July and August are bouncing back and have started putting out new growth. The intermittent breeze has become more frequent, making it far more pleasant to be outside, and a couple mornings this month it almost seemed like long-sleeve weather. While it will still be in the 80s for a while, and we won't see any real fall color in New Orleans until around November, it's nice to be able to be outside without the constant strain of oppressive heat.

While a slight dip in temperature is cause enough for celebration in these parts, about this time of year a number of people often start to relax for another reason - the midpoint of hurricane season. With September being seen as the climax of the period, if we get through the month without any major storms, many folk believe things will be okay for the rest of the time until the official close of the season in November.

Thankfully, 2015 has been a relatively quiet hurricane season with no named storms approaching the area, let alone any need to evacuate. It's always a good idea though to be prepared just in case. For starters, keeping a pet evacuation kit handy can save you from racing around at the last minute trying to get important supplies when store shelves are likely to be empty.

It can be difficult enough to find an available hotel room even a few days out when there is a storm approaching, but evacuating with pets can make it even more of a challenge, particularly if you have more than one. Having a list of pet-friendly hotels on hand will make the process a lot smoother for both you and your animals.

In the event that you are unable to find a hotel to evacuate to that accepts pets, your next best option may be to find one near a PetSmart PetsHotel. This way you can board your pet in a safe location overnight and still be nearby.

Of course, knowing the best way to get out of town when an evacuation is called is also crucial. No one wants to be sitting in gridlock traffic on the Interestate for several hours at what is already a stressful time. Say what you will about Twitter and Facebook, but social media is an excellent resource for keeping up with what is happening on the roads, especially when you don't have access to your favorite local TV or radio broadcasts.

When traveling with pets, The Huff Post recommends taking a trial run. If your pet isn't used to being in the car for long periods of time it could get sick or anxious. Your pet will need frequent bathroom breaks during your road trip out of town as well as plenty of bottled water to stay hydrated. You won't want to feed your pet while the car is moving, so be sure to plan your stops around his or her regular meal times.

When traveling across state lines Web MD recommends bringing a copy of your pet's vaccination papers along as some states require proof at interstate crossings. If your pet isn't microchipped, be sure it is wearing a collar with ID tags that clearly identify it and contain your direct and current contact information. You may also want to get a temporary tag with the information for your travel destination in case you and your pet get separated.

Make sure pets are crated or otherwise properly restrained for the journey. Items like favorite blankets and spill-proof water bowls will help to make time on the road a lot less stressful, and leashes and harnesses will help ensure your pet doesn't get away from you at rest stops. While everyone hopes to never have to evacuate, when it comes to traveling with pets, a little planning will go a long way.


Useful links:

Nola Ready
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
DOTD New Orleans Traffic
Pet Boarding Packing and Tips
Traveling by Car or Truck With Pets

Ten Years Later: Katrina, Pets, and Remembrances

August in New Orleans can be oppressively hot to say the least. 2015 daily high temperatures have been off the charts with heat indices in the triple digits, leaving both people and pets seeking the comfort of shade and air conditioning. However, August has also become a time of reflection and remembrance.

Ten years ago this month, New Orleans experienced its worst nightmare. Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005 as a Category 3 storm, causing over one billion dollars in damage along the Gulf Coast, and leaving eighty percent of the Crescent City under water. Despite being urged to evacuate, many residents had refused to leave town without their pets, a decision that would prove fatal for some.

The staggering and devastating losses of Katrina (followed two weeks later by Rita) prompted new state and federal legislation requiring that pets be included in disaster evacuation planning and execution. Fast forward to 2008 and all of the lessons learned three years before were applied during a dress rehearsal in the form of hurricane Gustav. The mayor hyped things up by calling Gustav "The mother of all storms," compelling people to get out of town as there would be no "shelter of last resort" available.

As a result of the new laws, over 1,600 pets were evacuated  many with their owners, While Gustav caused a lot of wind damage, it turned out to be not as serious for New Orleans as residents had been led to believe it would be. However, because the mayor's scare tactic worked, city officials and first responders were able to attend to important matters at hand and test out new measures for recovery.

At the same time city officials were preparing for the arrival of Gustav, a memorial was unveiled in council chambers dedicated to the thousands of pets lost in Katrina and Rita. The statue of a seated dog and cat, created by Baton Rouge artist Richard Chashoudian, sits outside council chambers in city hall. (Unfortunately it can only be accessed on council meeting days.)

On the eve of the tenth anniversary of Katrina, New Orleans once again faces the potential approach of yet another named storm, but unlike 2005, it has been a relatively quiet season. It's still early to know if Erika will actually visit New Orleans, let alone rise above tropical storm status, but at least Nola pet parents now have access to a wider range of resources and information to assist them should they need to evacuate with their four-legged family members.


Resources

Hurricane Preparedness

Pet Evacuation Kit Provisions

Pet Disaster Safety

Pet-Friendly Hotels

Emergency.Louisiana

National Hurricane Center

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Response

The Heat Is On!

It's that time of year again and the heat is on! Summer is in full swing and already the humidity levels are making it difficult to be outdoors for any length of time. For pet parents, summer is additionally challenging because the increased heat and intermittent rain storms also mean a number of backyard pests will have the ideal conditions to be fruitful and multiply.

Here in the deep south, biting insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can be a problem at any time of the year, but they are a particular headache during the summer months when both people and pets are spending more time outdoors. These pests are a nuisance for the entire family, particularly because of the potential health hazards they can cause.

It's important to remember that mosquitoes can spread heartworms, fleas can spread tapeworms, and ticks can spread Lyme as well as other diseases, and those are just the problems they cause for pets! The more time your animals spend outside, the more important it will be to keep up their regular vet visits and medications that protect against these pests.

Dogs and cats aren't the only animals that can be seriously affected by these common outdoor pests. More and more people are keeping rabbits and chickens penned and cooped in the backyard and these need to be protected as well.

While it's impossible to eradicate the entire mosquito population, we already know there is a lot we can do on the preventive end to keep them at bay, from getting rid of standing water to using aromatic plants such as citronella geranium to discourage them from making themselves at home in the yard.

When it comes to deterring and fleas and ticks it's important to keep lawns and recreation areas free of leaves other debris that could provide them with a place to hide and breed. You can also create barriers around the edge of the yard with wood chips or gravel.

While getting ahead of pests is essential to summer safety, it's also important to give pets any protection you can from the intense heat. Don't forget that sidewalks and other paved surfaces heat up in the sun and can burn pet paws. Doggie boots can go a long way to keeping your pup's tender pads protected.

If your pets are going to be outside for an extended period of time, make sure they have access to adequate shade as well as an ample supply of fresh water.  Don't forget your pet can also suffer heatstroke! This brings up a topic that can not be overstated at this time of the year: Never, never, never leave your pet locked in a hot car.

Helpful links:

Keep Pets Safe in the Heat

Keeping Rabbits Cool is Crucial in Summer Heat

Dog Friendly Decks: Natural, Dog Safe Mosquito Control

Flea and Tick Season: When to Use What Treatment

Preventing Ticks in Your Yard

Holiday Pet Safety - Plants

© Pyewackett | Dreamstime Stock Photos & Stock Free Images

We are in the thick of the year-end holiday season. It’s wintertime and people like to decorate their homes for the holidays with greenery. It’s too nasty to be outside, so why not bring the outside in? We deck the halls with evergreen, mistletoe, Christmas trees, pine cones, poinsettias, holly and flower arrangements. But did you know some of these plants are dangerous to your pets?

The Pet Poison Hotline website states that poinsettias are mildly toxic to cats, dogs, horses, cows, and birds and may cause drooling, vomiting and possibly diarrhea but it doesn't sound like it would kill your pet.

Apparently there are other plants that are far worse for your pet. Holly and mistletoe can be moderately to severely toxic if you pet eats it so call your vet or a pet poison hotline (800-213-6680) for advice. Lilies and daffodils are very toxic to cats and daffodil plants and bulbs are toxic to dogs.

You might also want to deter your pet from drinking the water in the Christmas tree stand. It could have preservatives or bacteria that can upset your pet's digestive track. And if you have cats, you should not use tinsel. If a cat ingests the tinsel it can cause internal harm.

Acorns should also be noted. Around here they have been dropping by the hundreds. Max, one of the dogs I walk, loves to scarf up acorns. Thankfully he knows the command “drop it.” The Dog Channel reports:

Acorns, oak buds, leaves, and drinking water that acorns and oak leaves have soaked in, have all caused symptoms of oak poisoning.

You can enjoy your natural holiday decorations, just make sure to put them out of reach of pets, and watch pets closely. A little nibble of something might not hurt them, but ingesting large quantities could. Watch for signs of discomfort, nausea, vomiting or convulsions. If you see any of these call your vet immediately. If you are not sure, call the Pet Poison Hotline at 800-213-6680. To be extra cautious don't bring these plants into your home.

Sources:

http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/

http://vetmedicine.about.com/od/toxicology/qt/toxicplants.htm

http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/christmas-tree-water.aspx

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-information/dog-vet-geller-dvm/acorns-and-dogs-dont-mix.aspx

Happy Halloween!

I have a tradition of inserting a photo of my cat Gonzo into a spooky Halloween themed image every year. I know better than to try and dress her in a costume. Cats, and black cats especially, are target by evil people around Halloween to do cruel things to. So keep those kitties inside if you let them out and be extra careful they don't sneak out.

I'm sharing these important Halloween tips from VetLearn.com. They cover treats that are poisonous to pets, "stranger danger" how trick or treaters and party guest may scare your pets and the dangers of decorations and costumes. I don't want to be a downer but a real downer would be having to rush your pet to the emergency vet. Have a safe and fun Halloween!

Summer Safety Tips

Dogs pant to cool themselves.

Summer in New Orleans is pretty miserable. It’s hot. It’s super humid. Just consider how much worse it must be for our four-footed, furry friends who can’t sweat! Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Never leave your pet in the car! Did you know that in “only” 70 degree weather in 10 minutes the inside of a car can reach 86 degrees, and 104 degrees in only a half an hour! Our days are usually in the 90s. If it’s 90s degrees outside, inside a car it can reach 109 degrees in 10 minutes and a staggering 124 degrees after a half an hour.

Keep your dog and cat’s heartworm prevention current. Mosquitos spread heartworms and you know how many of those pests we have down here. Treatment for heartworms in dogs is expensive and takes time, and there is no treatment for cats.

Watch for signs of overheating and heat stroke. Dogs and cats can’t sweat to cool themselves like we can. Know how to cool down your dog or cat if they do get overheated.

Keep plenty of fresh water available
for your pets at all times.

Keep clean, fresh water available for your pet at all times so they don't get dehydrated. In the summer, they may drink more, plus the water evaporates faster. Put down additional bowls of water if you need to. I dump out the water and fill bowls with new water at least once a day for my cats and the pets I care for.

The 4th of July means parties, grilling out and fireworks. Check out these tips to keep your pooch and kitty safe and comfortable.

Summertime also means thunderstorms. If your dog has storm anxiety, talk to your vet about treatments to help them, provide a quiet place for them to hide, buy a wrap or play soothing music. I have a friend who swears by playing Frank Sinatra to keeps dogs calm.

And then there is the threat of hurricanes. Make sure you have an emergency plan and a destination you can take your pets with you. Have copies of their up-to-date vaccinations in your emergency kit.

Hope some of this information helps. Follow the links for in depth information. Stay cool and have a great summer!