Most people don’t give buying a litter box a second thought. I am not like most people. I have been trying to find the “perfect” litter box for years. Not just a box that looks good (after all litter boxes just don’t usually give that nice decorative touch to your house), but also one my cats would like. Having had cats with litter box issues, it has become personal.
We’ve used regular open litter boxes, the litter gets all over. We’ve used covered litter boxes, but I can’t help comparing them to having to use a Port-A-Pottie (I have to be on the verge of desperation). I have looked at the automatic litter boxes, but haven’t heard good reviews from friends, and the thought of 6 cats using it, the thing would be going constantly. I went to plastic storage totes and have been happy with them except for one thing- my 14 year old cat. Tyke has arthritis so getting in and out of one was painful for him. So our current set of has been several of the storage totes upstairs, 1 small box in the living room and 2 regular open boxes in the first floor bathroom (Tyke spends most of his time on the first floor).
At the beginning of January, I was contacted by the Biddy Cat Company and asked if I would be interested in trying their litter box, the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box, and reviewing it. Before contacting them, I went to their website and read through the product information. Hmmm, looking at the pictures it was huge. Hopeful that this box might be the “one”, I replied that I would be happy to try it.
When it arrived, I was more than impressed. It was HUGE. It actually took the place of the 2 regular litter boxes in my first floor bathroom. It is also a great size for my Ragdoll, Woody. Woody is a really big cat, he towers over my other felines and this box is ideal for him.
The sides of the box were high, great for keeping the litter from being thrown over the sides by my more exuberant diggers. But they weren’t too high to be a problem for Tyke’s arthritis. he has no problem getting in and out of this box.
The box is made of very high quality material. The plastic is smooth and thick. I have had boxes become stained really quickly and after almost 2 months of use, haven’t had it happen with the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box .
The box design is great. It was designed to not have those corners that collect the litter in them. The way this box is designed, you can scoop along the entire bottom of the box from one side to the other. Even my mother who sometimes pitches in for litter box duties commented on how easy it was to scoop.
I was also impressed with how the company keeps in touch with their customers. They were concerned about the box tipping when used with some lighter weight litters and contacted their customers asking for input. They do recommend using about a 2-3 inch depth of clumping litter for best results. I use regular clay litter (when you have a cat with litter box issues, you use what he wants to use) and have had no problems.
This is a product I have no problem recommending to others. In fact, I really need to measure the space upstairs and see if the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box will fit so I can get a second one.
For more information on the Biddy Cat Easy-Scoop Litter Box and to order a box yourself, please visit the Biddy Cat Company.
March 10th, 2008
I bought the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy 2 years ago when I added Bitsa to my household. I was really surprised at what a hit it was not just with Bitsa but with all my cats. The Cheese Chase 11-1/2″ dia x 11-1/2″ high is an interactive cat toy made of plastic. In the very center is a stuffed mouse mounted on a flexible pole that springs back and forth when swatted at. On the very outside is a track that goes around the circumference of the toy. It contains a plastic ball for the cat to swat and chase. In the center of the circle is another ball for the cat to try and get through the 3 halls in the cover.
My cats thought swatting at that ball on the outer track was the most fun. They would lay there and swat it back and forth for 5-10 minutes (a long time in the cat world). It was funny to see 12 year old Tyke acting like a kitten over this toy. Interesting enough, they paid no attention to the ball in the center or the mouse. The outside ball was the only thing they played with.
After a few months, they lost interest in the Cheese Chase. Bitsa grew and had more fun exploring the house or playing chase with Pyro. Adding Charm to our household has created renewed interest in the Cheese Chase. I moved it to the center of the living room and the older cats were more than happy to show Charm how it worked. She picked it up quickly and has a blast playing with it. Not only does she play with the outside ball, but she also plays with the inside ball and occasionally wrestles the mouse.
Overall, the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy has been a winner in our house. Not only do the cats find it entertaining, but it is well made and easy to clean. Not something I have had an easy time finding in the cat toys that are available.
You can find the Petstages Cheese Chase Cat Toy at Drs. Foster & Smith
Let me know what you think about the Cheese Chase toy or visit afFURmation to talk about pets.
August 13th, 2007
After getting into blogging by talking about pet products, I have decided to spread my wings and start a new blog where I can talk more about pets. Be sure to check out afFURmation!
June 21st, 2007
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy’s Shelter Statistic Survey taken from 1994-1997, less than 25% of cats that enter a shelter are adopted. You can do something to help change that number. Adopt a Cat Month, sponsored by the American Humane Association and 9Lives® Morris’ Million Cat Rescue™, helps encourage people to consider adopting from a shelter when they are looking to add to their furry feline family.
Adding a new pet to the family is not something to do the spur of the moment. Adding another cat to a household that already has a cat should also be carefully considered. I’ve been lucky and over the years all my introductions have gone well, no matter if it has been an adult cat or a kitten being introduced. The picture is of 2 of my shelter adoptees, Tyke, who was adopted as a kitten 14 years ago and Pyro, adopted as a 9-month old, almost 4 years ago. Cat Watch, a newsletter put out by Cornell, has an article that offers good information on introducing a new cat and getting your household set up so problems are minimized.
So think adoption, if you are thinking about a new pet. You’ll be enriching 2 lives.
Visit Petfinder to find a shelter near you.
June 9th, 2007
If you ask a dog owner what a Kong
is, most likely they will reply that it is a toy for dogs, not a over-sized Gorilla who wreaks havoc on Manhattan. The Kong has become one of the most well known dog toy and for good reason. Made of hard rubber, it is very durable. They even make a line for aggressive chewers (note: this does not mean it is indestructable. as with any toy it should be inspected regularly for any damage and discarded when no longer safe).
The Kong is also a great interactive toy for dogs. The center is hollow, making a great place to put food and treats for your dog to work on getting out. Most people know to insert biscuits, but many dogs quickly learn how to get them out in the shortest amount of time. I like to take my dogs’ dry food and soak it in water. Sometimes I mix in other 
foods (the picture at the top has macaroni & cheese mixed in). Once it is soft, I stuff it in the Kong and freeze. I will also layer kibble and cheese and microwave for a few seconds to melt the cheese (let this cool before offering it to your dog). This keeps my dogs occupied for a little bit. You can find more great recipes to try at Kong Company . Just click on Tips and Advice for the recipe page.
This is one toy I recommend for every dog owner. It’s durability is great for the dog that likes to chew. It’s erratic bouncing, keeps the dog who loves to fetch moving and its stuffability provides that mental stimulation that many dogs need.
May 31st, 2007
My quick picks are products that I have used or became familiar with through my work and recommend to people. Please feel free to add your comments on the products as well!
Scented Pooch Pick-up Bags
If you see me out with my dogs, you can pretty much guarantee that I will have dog treats and poop bags with me. It’s part of being a responsible dog owner! The Pooch Pick-up bags are just the right size and they tie nice when you are done. Check out the scented and the bio-degradable versions.
Swizzle BirdÂ
I confess. I am a lazy pet owner. While I would love to run around all day and play and entertain my crew, I don’t. To conserve my energy, I love using teaser toys like the Swizzle Bird and Swizzle Mouse for my cats and ferrets. I get to sit in one place and move it around, while they chase it and get some exercise. They don’t seem to mind!
Hay Tumbler 6-1/2″ x 6″
Like the Vegetable Basket, the Hay Tumbler helps provide enrichment by letting your bunny work for his food. Made of safe to eat cardboard, your bunny can chew or throw the Tumbler around to get the hay. When it empties, just fill with more hay.
Hanging Ferret Nap Sacks Cotton Twill
The Hanging Ferret Nap Sack is a paws down favorite among my fuzzy crew. I’ll usually find one or two curled up in it. They like it because they are enclosed, I like how it has stood up through repeated washings.
May 19th, 2007
I am not too picky when it comes to choosing treats for my dogs. I only have 2 criteria for my ideal dog treat- they be healthy and they be small, about the size of a pea. Of course, my main reason for wanting my treats to be healthy are because I care about my pets’ health and I do feel that nutrition plays a big part in their overall health. Yes, I do occasionally give them treats that I consider junk food (afterall, I am one of the biggest junk food junkies!), but the majority of their treats are healthy. I like my treats to be small because 3 of my dogs are small, from 15 to 28 pounds. Those calories add up if you are giving several treats a day and because I use treats for training we can easily go through a 1/2 cup in a training session.
Simon and Huey’s Soft Training Treats fit both my criteria and then some. They are small, about 7/16ths of an inch. They are healthy- no sugar added and they make them without corn, wheat or soy so are great for dogs with those food allergies. They come in 7 flavors and my dogs love them all (okay, they don’t turn their noses up at to much, but they really get excited when they see the Simon & Huey container coming out!) The flavors include - Kickin™ Chicken, Liver Mesquite, Salmon Dill, Peanut Butter Molasses, Garlic Dill, White Cheddar and Wild Ginger (for ingredients, visit Simon & Huey).
I like the soft treats for training because they go down easier (who wants to take time to do a lot of chewing when they are having fun). Even though they are soft, they don’t break into pieces in my hands while training and they throw nice if you need to reward your dog from a distance. Honestly, I can’t find a bad thing to say about Simon & Huey’s Soft Training Treats. Next we will have to try their Bites, a crunchy treats about the same size. I don’t think my dogs will complain about the taste testing.
You can find Simon & Huey’s treats at Pup Life Healthy Dog Food & Treats
May 10th, 2007
The name really gets your imagination moving, doesn’t it? The name really threw me off at first. I didn’t think I could like a product called “Cage Diapers“, but I was happily surprised. Cage Diapers are a heavy paper cage liner for the bottom of your rabbit’s (or any other small animal) cage. Why not just use newspaper? I always did. My rabbits have free run of a bedroom, but I have a dog crate that they can go into. It contains their litter box and water bottle and it is where I put their hay. I lined both the crate tray and the litter box with about 7 layers of newspaper. It worked fine, until clean-up time. Trying to clean-up the mess without the paper disintegrating was a challenge. With the Cage Diapers, I only have to use one for the crate tray and one for the litter box. Clean-up is a breeze. Even when being a little torn (Smudge loves to dig and scratch at the paper), it rolls up without falling apart. Made of unbleached pulp, it is okay if my rabbits nibble on them a bit (always watch for pets that will devour a lot of it. Too much of anything has the potential to cause problems). Because it is made from wood pulp, it is also biodegradable which I love since I compost! These have definitely made a difference in my rabbit care routine.
April 5th, 2007
In the United States, millions of pets living in shelters and rescues are looking for someone to love them. Over 10 years ago, Petfinder.com was developed by two people, Besty and Jared Saul, as a way to bring these pets together with people. Thanks to them, over 10 million pets have been given a second chance.
Petfinder.com allows animal rescue groups to post pictures and descriptions of adoptable pets. Each shelter also maintains their own page with information on the organization. Those who are looking to adopt can locate shelters in their area by entering their zip code. They can also search by type of pet (from dogs and cats to ferrets and mice to horses and cows) and narrow their search by breed, size, gender and age.
There is a classified section where people can post lost and found ads, pets looking for homes and they can also post if they are looking for a specific type of pet (these posts are only available for viewing to rescue organizations). If you are looking for information on taking care of a certain type of pet or how to help a shelter, there is a library of articles on the site. A community forum brings together pet lovers so they can talk about everything from general pet care to jobs working in shelters or to organize a transport train to get a pet to rescue or new home. Recently Petfinder.com joined with Animal Planet, a partnership that we can only hope increases the awareness of homeless pets.
I, personnally, have found several of my pets through Petfinder. My rabbit, Smudge, Pyro, my Siamese mix and 3 of my ferrets, Spice, Sugar and Sprite all were looking for a second chance. I highly recommend this site to anyone looking for a pet.
April 1st, 2007
For most of our small pets, life can be pretty boring. Sure, we 
may think we want to changes places with them sometimes so we can have the EASY life, but how long could you stand it? By providing different things for them to do, we can enrich their lives, lower their stress and help them be healthier.
In their natural habitat, animals spend a large part of their time looking for food. It doesn’t magically appear in front of them. One way I provide enrichment for my rabbits is to put their veggies in something so they have to work a little bit to get them out. Sometimes, I will cut small holes in paper lunch bag and put lettuce inside, other times I use something like the Veggie Twister Treat Holder
. Made of wire, it is very easy to slide the lettuce leaves and parsley inside. You can even put their hay inside. Once it is hung up, they are ready to eat. Not only do they get some exercise, but they get much needed mental stimulation.
You can find the Veggie Twister Treat Holder at Drs. Foster & Smith Pet Supplies
March 7th, 2007
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