Recall of pet food is not something we wish to hear about.  It can be a very serious situation that could affect the lives of your cat.  We appreciate the fact that companies do their best to maintain quality of their products but mishaps happen and when they do, we appreciate it when the companies take action to limit the effect of the potential harm.  It’s greatly appreciated when companies announce pre-emptive recalls even though something has not happened but there is a small probability that something could happen.  Take this recall from Merrick as an example.  There have been no reports of illnesses as of yet from the product they are recalling but they are not waiting for anything to happen.  Merrick is taking action so no pets get ill.

Merrick Pet Care Recalls Jr Texas Taffy Pet Treat (Item # 27077, All Lots Up To And Including 10364) Because Of Possible Salmonella Health Risk 

Contact:
Customer Inquiries
(800) 664-7387 

James Witcher, COO
(806) 322-2806 

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE - January 28, 2011 – Merrick Pet Care, Inc. of Amarillo, Texas is recalling the Jr. Texas Taffy pet treat (ITEM # 27077, UPC # 02280827077, All Lots up to and including 10364) because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.  Merrick Pet Care has made the decision to recall all Jr. Texas Taffy pet treats in the abundance of caution. Salmonella can affect animals and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products. People handling the treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the chews or any surfaces exposed to these products.  Consumers should dispose of these products in a safe manner by securing them in a covered trash receptacle. 

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

TheJr. Texas Taffy was shipped to distributors and retailers throughout the US.  These individuals have been notified and have activated their recall procedures.

No illnesses have been reported to date.

Consumers who have purchased the Jr. Texas Taffy are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at 1-800-664-7387 M-F 8:00am – 5:00pm CST.

Natural Balance has new cat foods!  Dick Van Patten and his crew at Natural Balance have come up with some new cat food formulas.  These new formulas were specifically developed for those kittens and adult cats who suffer from food allergies.  The new Natural Balance limited ingredient blends are strictly grain free.  The new blends are Green Pea & Salmon and Green Pea & Chicken and are available in both dry and canned.  Natural Balance boasts a unique blend of carbohydrates and proteins to help with rebuilding a cat’s immune system.   Why green peas?  According to Natural Balance, green peas are a quality carbohydrate, rich in potassium and a highly digestible energy source.  These new blends extend the product line of prepared limited ingredient grain free blends, which includes Green Pea & Duck and Venison & Green Pea.

Please use the vendor links on this website to find Dick Van Patten’s Natural Balance new L.I.D. grain free blends in either dry or canned variations.

Someting interesting happened last night. For some reason our baby monitor wasn’t working so I decided to sleep nearby in case the baby cried at night. Well, he did cry but I did not hear him. I awoke to my cat standing on my chest meowing to get my attention. One always thinks of dogs and their “life saving” behavior – but cats do it too. There have been many heroic cats over the years. Here are a few:

Cherry Woods was viciously attacked by two large dogs that might have killed her had her cat Lima not intervened. Cherry screamed and even though her husband tryed to stop the pit bulls, it didn’t work. Lima lept from the bushes and attacked the dogs – clawing and hissing. The dogs turned their attention to the heroic cat and followed her. While you might expect it to end badly for the cat, it didn’t. She returned later unharmed. Cherry eventually recovered from her injuries and the cat was credited with saving her life.

As an apartment fire blazed though Mona’s building, she might have died of smoke inhalation except for her cat Beau who threw himself against her bedroom door repeatedly, attempting to wake her. He was finally successful and they both escapted to the balcony for help to arrive.

An elderly woman was working in her garden when 4 pit bulls attacked. While she fought for her life, her cat Tiger lept into the fray and distracted the dogs so she could escape into the house. Again, the cat returned unharmed (It makes you wonder how the dogs fared – must be one tough cat!).

Cats have been known to help their blind or deaf companions as well. Cashew, a blind and deaf Labrador Retriever had a good friend in Libby the tabby cat who led her around obsticles, and brought her to her food dish. They slept together each night. It’s quite common for one animal to help another in this way.

In another family, an elderly Pug, Mary, was nearly blind due to injuries, and by the age of 14 had completely lost her vision. Mancat who was rescued as a kitten became Mary’s eyes. He guided her around furniture, took her outside, and stayed beside her during meals to keep dogs in the family out of her bowl. Mary and Mancat became extremely close and even slept cuddled together.

Then there is the well known story about Oscar the cat, who lives at a Rhode Island nursing home. He became quite famous for his ability to predict impending death and comfort dying residents. Oscar would maintain a constant vigal until the person passed away making sure that person was never alone. He became so well known for his accuracy, that he was praised in death notices and eulogies by families of the deceased.

Often we discount stories like this, attributing them to coincidence – but they are not. Animals that become bonded to us learn to read us better than we can read ourselves. There is no doubt they care, so it’s quite sad they are often not given the recognition they deserve.

Don’t let your best friend go unprotected!

Approved by most airlines. Additional details include: *Three products in one: car seat, cozy sleeping area, shoulder or hand tote. *Secures easily in your car with the seat belt; includes an adjustable tether for extra safety.

Now you and your kitty can explore the great outdoors safely. The Gentle Leader Come with Me Kitty Harness and Bungee Leash provide the solution. The harness shoulder straps gently tighten as needed to allow more control and a better fit, keeping your cat safe and secure when walking.

Cats have been a part of the open seas for centuries. Sailors needed the cats to kill vermin on ships, and the cat of course, saw this as the perfect opportunity to get a free lunch and some pampering. The perfect relationship!’

It is likely this relationship started with the ancient Egyptians. Early cats saved the Egyptians from famine by controlling an out of control rodent population. Because they asked nothing in return, a Pharaoh elevated the cat from adorable pest control to demigod around 2000 B.C. Bastet, an Egyptian goddess was depicted with the body of a woman and the head of a black cat. She was the daughter of the sun god Ra and was the goddess of motherhood, fertility, grace, and beauty, and of course, cats. Egyptians obtained her good will by keeping black cats in their homes.

The Egyptians were the first seafarers to realize having cats as shipmates was a win-win for everyone. The cats provided protection by ridding ships of vermin and in the process, provided the sailors with much needed companionship. A ship without cats was at risk of having its provisions eaten by rats and mice. They would chew through ropes and spread disease, so a ship without cats was riskier to sale on – especially for long voyages where starvation and disease was part of the lifestyle.

While the practical aspect of cats at sea made sense, there was a more etheral reason. Some sailors, superstitious and fearing the sea and all its perils, believed cats protected them by bringing good luck. It became common practice for sailors to adopt stray cats in foreign ports of call – as a reminder of the voyage and to alleviate homesickness.

While soldiers at war today in Iraq adopt stray dogs and cats for something to nurture and feel human about amid the death and sadness of war, Sailors have always done this. Sailors had a built in “psychologist” in the cat – someone who could listen to his problems and not tell a soul. Many kittens were adopted at ports after their mothers are killed by shelling, or were found abandoned and become crew mascots.

At Halloween we fear black cats, but at one time they had a better reputation. And fortunately, the rest of the world has a much more positive opinion of black-coated cats than the U.S. In Egypt, Great Britain, Australia and Japan, owning or encountering a raven cat is thought to be a portent of good fortune. In old England, when a cat abandoned a home or ship of her own accord, great disaster was expected. A bride in southern England whose path is crossed by a black cat will have a happy marriage. Sailors believed if the ship’s cat approached them, it promised them good fortune. If the cat came toward them, then changed her mind, trouble was brewing.

Carrying a black cat on board promised to bring Yorkshire fishermen safely home from rough seas, and cats as lucky charms extended well beyond the ship. Early sailor’s wives kept an ebony cat as a pet to keep husbands safe. A black cat shortage at the height of the fishing industry boom spawned a black cat black market in the village of Yorkshire, England. Fishermen’s wives had to keep constant watch on their valued ebony cats for fear that thieves would steal them and sell them to another fisherman’s wife.

Then there are the Celts who believed black cats were reincarnated beings able to foresee the future. The great female pirate Granuaile in 1503 no doubt had ebony cats stowed on her fleet of ships that sailed the Irish coast.

Cats have been with us since the beginning of time. They’ve paid their dues and worked hard for a place in our society. They’ve worked hardest to be part of maritime society and the special bond they have with sailors throughout history.

More links about cats and sailors:

Cat History

Cats and the Sea

2FPaws Aboard Nautical Themed Doggy Life Vest Jacket for Dogs and Cats

Not to say cats are lazy, but they just don’t expend the effort a dog does. You’ll see a dog go in circles chasing his tail for no purpose…but a cat considers every option and almost always takes the method of least effort. While a dog will run willy-nilly around the yard chasing a squirrel, bouncing up on the tree, barking…a cat will patiently lie in wait for its victim. Silent, stealthy, very little physical effort expended (though a lot of mental calculating). You’ll never see a cat doing a “job” he didn’t invent in the first place. Dogs pull carts; fetch birds, rescue swimmers…but a cat? He’ll hunt birds and mice thank you…the job HE invented!

A new study suggests that prehistoric cats domesticated themselves, rather than being bred by humans, and is why they “do not perform directed tasks.” This happened, according to researchers, because of wild cats’ powers of observation. They noticed human settlements were full of garbage and overrun with rats, mice and birds. The cats decided to move into a new ecological niche, even though the admission meant developing a disdainful tolerance of the humans that lived there. This was reported by a new paper in the National Academy of Sciences’ journal. I always wondered why cats are of similar size, style and look similar while dogs run the gamut of huge to micro. Cats were independent enough to choose their own partners, keeping their catly characteristics while man meddled in dog genetics.

Cat’s have an uncanny sense of fitting into their universe with little effort. I found this tantalizing video of cats morphing into croissants so they could stealthily slip into French bakeries…so it’s apparently been happening for tens of thousands of years if one believes natural selection. It’s in their genetics to do as little as possible to acquire the desired results such a eating croissants for instance or perhaps camoflauged to get the mice inhabiting the bakery.

No, by all means cats are not lazy…they are efficient! They get the job done (are dogs better mousers?) with minimal effort. They fit into their environment as well as a crossiant fits into a bakery display. They spend a good amount of the day sleeping as that conserves energy as well. Play? Well that’s economized on too…usually it is reserved for a taste of catnip or an irresistible cat toy. How many toys have you bought your cat that he disdainfully turned his feline nose up at as not worth the bother? Cats are misers with their time and attention. If it doesn’t interest them, it just doesn’t and nothing you can do will change that.

Emery Cat™ board’s abrasive surface works like a nail file, trimming your cat’s claws as she plays. A natural alternative to scratching your furniture. Arched design is perfect for stretching! Includes a feather toy and a bag of catnip. 19″ x 12″.

It’s not a glove…it’s a Kitten Mitten. This ingenious toy slips onto your hand just like a glove, and the special elongated fingers make for fantastic feline fun. Little pouches of catnip are sewn into the “fingertips”, puff balls and bells make this toy real action-packed entertainment for your kitty. Interactive playtime for you and your cat.

Kookamunga Catnip Bubbles will bring out the crazy in your cat. This non-toxic bubble solution is infused with real catnip extract for hours of fun, aromatic, interactive play. Bubble wand included, a great way to exercise and entertain your kitty.

There is the perception that cats are “girlie” and do not make good pets for men. Nothing could be farther from the truth! Cats are the ultimate guy pet…

Cats make great companions for guys for many reasons. One being the care they require is minimal. When you have a crazy work schedule, a cat is very accommodating. While you may need to use your lunch break to let a puppy out; a cat needs no such accommodation. Put down water and food and it’s fine until you return. A few cat toys and a scratching post, and he’s good for hours. If you leave a dog for long periods without human interaction, you would return to total annialation and sad puppy eyes. A cat does not make you feel guilty for having a life.

Emotionally, cats are quite independent. While all cats love companionship of one sort or another (humans, other cats, a dog, a bird to stalk…) they do just fine alone for long periods. They are not emotionally dependent on their humans like other pets might be. Not requiring constant attention to lead a fulfilling life, they still give us the benefits owning a pet bestows.

Men in general are more prone to heart attacks and strokes. Owning a cat can significantly reduce stress levels and improve health. A recent study found that men with AIDS were less likely to suffer depression if they owned a pet. While ACE inhibitors generally reduce blood pressure, they aren’t as effective as a cat. Recent studies found that a group of New York Stock Brokers who got cats had lower blood pressure and heart rates than those that didn’t have pets. After the study, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets!

Short haired cats (and even long haired cats to some extent) don’t require much in the way of grooming. A quick brush and you’re done. Or just drop them off at the groomer’s for the day – your cat will not pine for you…he might have an attitude at the groomer for the indignity of a bath and brushing, but will not mind your absence. His only regret will be the way it disturbed his sleep and the day’s plan of sitting on the windowsill watching birds.

Having a pet is a great way to meet women. Who can resist a guy that likes small furry things? He obviously has nurturing qualities and that makes him a prime candidate in the mate department right? A guy with a cat makes you feel you can trust him. How many ax-murderers do you know with pets? A cat makes a guy a good prospect because he’s probably compassionate and nurturing, qualities females like in their dates.

Lastly…cats have CLAWS, razor sharp claws. That’s a weapon. Most guys have a natural interest in weapons because of the testosterone circulating in their veins. Cats actually stalk and kill their prey – not like most dogs that have no clue what to do with the prey once they corner it. Cats are stealthy like a special forces swat team. Cats are in many ways like James Bond…polished and sweet on the outside, deadly on the inside. Cats are the special forces of the animal world; a dog is merely a foot soldier. Why wouldn’t real men love cats!

Catit Drinking Fountain – Small

Keep your cat’s water bacteria-free and highly oxygenated with the Catit Small Drinking Fountain. Replaceable filters keep water clean. Constant water motion has a natural cooling effect, while the large surface area provides a unique surface for your cats to drink from. A food dish is also included. Low voltage 12V system safely plugs into the nearest outlet. Fountain is UL Listed.239394

General Cage 945CEHB It z A Breeze Too Cat Exhibition Cage Hammock – Hammock Only – Burgundy for 945CE – Burgundy

this hammock has been designed to be the travel companion of choice this show season. fits the general cage cat exhibition cage. the strong nylon mesh panels allow air flow and visibility from all sides. easy to clean – the material wipes clean with water and a brush or sponge. a cozy hammock for cats to hang out in while resting in their exhibition cage. features ideal for the it z a breeze too cat exhibition cage – model 945ce easy to clean hammock only – cat exhibition cage not included

New 64in Cat Tree Condo Pet Furniture Scratching Post Pet House Premium Quality

Brand New 64in Cat Condo Tree Scratching Post. We can assure you that these are the highest quality cat tree houses on the market. If for any reason you are not satisfied, we will provide you with a full refund no questions asked. We purchase all of our products directly from the manufacture, providing the best prices. Buy from us and save big. -Brand new in retail packaging. -Orange and White Colors. -Material Faux Fur, Wood Posts and Natural Sisal Rope for the scratching posts. -Features perch, condo, toys, roller, doss and scratching post. -Paw Top Perch Size 17in L . -Condo Size: 10 1/4in H X 14 1/2in Side Length. -Round Door Diameter 6.75in. -Doss Size 16in L x 13in W X 6in H . -Toy Tree Height 17.5in. Fan-shaped Board Size 17in L X 15.75in W. -Base Board Size 18in Side L. -Overall Dimension 36in L X 18in W X 64in H.

One of the first commercially available cat litters was Kitty Litter, available in 1948 and marketed by Ed Lowe. He started the first large scale use of clay in litter boxes making it easier for cats to be indoors and part of the family. Previously sand was used, because in a natural environment, cats would use soft sandy soil for easy burial. Clay litter is much more absorbent than sand, and having a larger grain allows it to remain in the litter box when the cat exits. Because it’s a loose, granular material that absorbs moisture, it has worked well for more than 50 years for most pet owners. The brand name Kitty Litter has become a generalized trademark, used by many to denote any type of cat litter.

Some litter brands contain baking soda or charcoal to absorb odors from ammonia in urine. While most litters are clay, some use recycled paper pellets or silicon based crystals.

While we expect a cat to just “know” how to use a litter box, that isn’t always the case. The easiest way is to train the cat to the box is to make the litter more appealing. Cats are individuals, and may have a preference for one kind of litter over another. If your cat stops using the litter box (or never started) there are a few things to consider. Illness, pain, waste not cleaned out often enough, stress, perfumes or other odors, or feeling vulnerable in the box can make a cat unhappy about using it. Sometimes just moving the box to another, more private location helps. When you clean the box; make sure there are no lingering odors from cleaning solvents. And try a few different brands of litter – while he may turn up his stately cat nose at one, he might love another. Sometimes owning a pet is just trial and error!

If you have multiple cats, there’s also the possibility you many need various box styles and litters in them to accommodate each cat’s desires.

If cat stress is causing your problem, how do you know? Some of the most common causes of “cat stress” are overcrowding in multi-cat households, moving, confinement, travel, new family members, parties/visitors, cat shows, medical conditions and injuries, new neighborhood cats, and change. Cats, while independent and sensitive to change. Obviously, the best thing is to remove the situation causing the stress, but if that’s not possible you may have to contact your veterinarian for a medical solution.

It’s important to have a routine to keep the litter box clean and remove feces as soon as they are deposited. Pregnant women should never clean the litter box themselves due to the threat of toxoplasmosis. The a good long scoop or self-cleaning box is a wonderful solution. Unfortunately, to do a really good job most require clumping litters – and clumping litters have their own hazards.

Clumping litter is designed to form a hard, insoluble mass when it gets wet. It also produces a fine dust when the cat scratches around to bury a deposit. Clumping litters absorb many times their weight in liquid. This is a boon for owners that don’t want to change the litter as often but can be dangerous for some cats, and especially kittens. When they lick themselves clean, anything their tongues encounter gets ingested. Kittens especially tend to ingest a lot of litter when they are first learning to use the box. Once the litter is inside a kitten or cat, it expands. It will form a solid mass and coat the interior walls of the intestines. This causes dehydration as the fluids in the body are drawn out of the animal. Moreover, it can prevent absorption of nutrients or water. Kittens have very small intestines so a hard insoluble mass could very well produce a fatal blockage or and severe dehydration over time.

The problem extends beyond cats. Dogs get into the litter box and ingest litter too. Litter may be a little recognized cause of dog and cat deaths. Sodium bentonite, a naturally swelling clay, is often added as an extremely effective clumping agent. When liquid is added, bentonite swells to approximately 15 times its original volume acting as an expandable cement. The fine dust also causes respiratory ailments in rabbits and other small animals as well.

It’s important to weigh your convenience with the safety of your pet. If your cat tends to do a lot of licking in the litter box, avoid the clumping varieties altogether.

Ever Clean Everfresh Cat Litter with activated charcoal is both bonded to the litter and mixed among the litter granules to help keep your home smelling clean and fresh.

Litter-Lifter Kitty Litter Scoop for Cats and Felines – Purple

The award-winning Litter-Lifter scoop is the fastest and easiest scoop for cleaning clumping litter boxes.

ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box

Tired of scooping kitty litter every day? Give your back a break. By Lucky Litter, the ScoopFree Self-Cleaning Litter Box automatically rakes solid waste into a covered trap after each use, leaving the litter fresh and clean. There is nothing to fill, empty, or clean for weeks at a time! Saves you time and money; it uses 5 10 times less litter than regular litter boxes. Complete, easy instruction book included; little assembly required. Additional details: * Twenty-minute countdown cycle begins when your cat leaves the box; if your cat returns, the countdown cycle stops and resets when he leaves again. * After countdown, the rake sweeps the litter and moves solids into the waste trap, then flips over on its return path to smooth and level the litter bed. * Each disposable litter tray is designed to be left alone for up to 30 days with 1 cat, up to 2 weeks with 2 cats. * To change cartridge, simply place the box top on cartridge and dispose of the entire thing. * Whisper-quiet motor; UL listed/Class 2 transformer plug, 120V AC with 10 power cord. * Litter box measures 27L x 19W x 7H. * Includes your first disposable litter tray with 4.5 pounds Fresh Step Crystal litter that is 99% dust free, safe for all cats. We would like to remind our customers, especially pregnant women and immuno-suppressed persons, that cat feces can sometimes transmit a disease called toxoplasmosis. Always remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling cat litter. (Unused litter does not pose this risk.) Import. Express delivery not available.

Easy right? You bring a kitten into your home, feed him and that’s it. Cats are supposed to be easy. But wait! …did you forget something? A cat is a living, breathing creature that forms emotional attachments to its family – not unlike you. A cat is not just a pretty doorstop – there is a minimal amount of commitment that comes with owing any pet.

While cats are one of the easier pets to own, they are not a doorstop. They have basic needs; the most important being emotional needs (beyond food and water). If you don’t have time for a pet, you shouldn’t have one. If you don’t have time for a pet for its LIFETIME, get a doorstop.
So what are those “basic needs”?

Your cat needs to live indoors. The world has just become too dangerous to be an outdoor cat. While traffic comes to mind, there is more. Cats are susceptible to garbage poisoning, or fights with other cats. They may be chased and killed by dogs or coyotes. They can be a nuisance defecating in flower beds and sandboxes, kill songbirds and other mammals receiving the ire of neighbors. Because a cat can climb it can be difficult to confine outdoors – so your cat needs to live inside.

Inside you need to provide a rich and stimulating environment. Cat toys that are feathery, furry or have catnip inside, a scratching post, indoor plants with greens to chew on, perhaps a companion animal, and of course your time playing games will provide an environment of mental stimulation so your cat doesn’t become a neurotic mess.

A responsible pet owner will spay/neuter. Beyond the obvious advantage that you aren’t brining perhaps thousands of unwanted cats into the world, it eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer, and reduces incidence of breast cancer. It reduces the incidence of prostate disorders and cancers in male cats, which are also less likely to spray and mark territory. Spaying or neutering your cat will make it a more affectionate companion.

Finally, cats also need your companionship. If you are gone allot, consider getting another cat or some other compatible animal for the cat to socialize with. Cats are aloof, but still sociable and need someone to “talk” to just like you do.

All pets should wear a collar and tag that includes your address as well as a day and evening telephone number. A breakaway collar is safest for cats because of their propensity to climb trees. Without a breakaway collar a lost cat is at risk of becoming caught on a branch and hanging.

Like any pet, a cat requires a balanced, nutritious food. Don’t skimp here – buy the best you can afford. Your cat will be healthier and avoid nutritionally caused disease. Look for the AFCO label on the can or bag.

Your cat should always have access to fresh water – and I don’t mean a flushed toilet or dripping sink. A bowl of his very own that you make sure is fresh and filled daily.
A litter box is a necessity for an indoor cat – make sure you change the litter often. To encourage the cat to use the litter box, leave a small amount of urine or feces in the box so that he’ll return to the box when nature calls. Clumping litter is easier to scoop and change with less waste.

Finally, a pet needs good veterinary care. Recently a new specialty has been evolving among veterinarians – cat specialists. If you are lucky to have one of these vets in your neighborhood it may be worth checking out. Because they specialize in cats, your cat is seen by someone well versed in feline behavior and disease. He won’t have to sit in a waiting room with dogs who may consider him a food group.

Once there make sure your cat gets up-to-date on shots yearly and a thorough exam for health. If your cat has an emergency health problem, don’t wait. Most vet offices have some sort of emergency care procedure. Find out yours so you’ll know before you need it. If the unexpected happens, get to the vet quickly.

A cat is your responsibility from day one to the end of its life. Before you decide to take home that cute kitten, consider it will be a part of your life for the next 12-20 years. Your cat is a friend and companion, seeing you through marriages, children and possibly funerals. It’s not fair to get a pet only to drop it off at the humane society later because it’s “inconvenient”. A pet is a commitment – for life.

Click on Photo to Buy…

Cat Doorstop

Cat Feeding Bowl

Breakaway Cat Collars