It’s me, your adorable feline, and today I want to talk to you about something important—boredom, specifically, my boredom. My life may seem wonderfully relaxing to you, but I can only cat nap for so long. And just when I’m ready to play, you’re going to sleep!

You don’t play with me as much as you used to, so I’ve had to come up with my own amusements. Pouncing on you while you’re sleeping and other naughty things are all very amusing. There’s nothing else to do really, so why am I being scolded?

I think it’s time we discuss an upgrade in entertainment options, don’t you? Here are my demands requests:

A variety of toys – I’ve been playing with the same sad toys for quite a while now. Here are some fun options that will keep me busy:

• Wand toys with danglers – I love to pounce on dangling toys, as you know.
• Treat-dispensing toys – Food! In a toy! This is genius!
• Catnip toys– Need I say more?
• Interactive toys – Puzzles or toys with moving parts I can chase. There’s a food maze, for example, that sounds delightful.

Curious things – That cardboard box you had the other day was such fun! You know I’m a curious cat. Why not leave those boxes, paper bags and other interesting things around a little longer? They just might keep me away from the drapes.

A window seat – There’s nothing I enjoy more than watching my prey outdoors, so I’d appreciate a window ledge or perch. I can dream of my attack as I watch birds and small animals. Better yet, hang a bird feeder outside and I’ll be in heaven.

Fun furniture and high perches – I need to watch over my domain and explore. If you give me a high post or some interesting cat furniture (or a jungle gym!), I’ll consider staying off the refrigerator.

Just a few things can make life more exciting for me and perhaps less destructive for you. (I give no guarantees.) Some play time and a quick trip to Pet Supermarket would be appreciated. This way, when the Persian next door brags about her massage center, I’ll have something to work with!

Sincerely,
Your highly intelligent feline.

• Set up your rabbit’s housing before you bring your pet home.
• Unless they’re spayed or neutered, rabbits should be housed alone.
• Caging should include a hiding area, food bowl, water bottle, salt lick, and hay manger.
• The larger the cage, the better! Get a cage that has a lot of surface area, rather than multiple levels. Two levels are fine, but there is no need for a really tall cage.
• The cage should have a solid bottom. Avoid a wire bottom, which can irritate a rabbit’s sensitive feet (the same goes for exercise wheels).
• Use rabbit-safe litter or shavings to line the litter box. Make the bedding about one inch deep and be sure to change it at least every other day.
• Put the cage in an area that gets a lot of activity – rabbits are very social and love people!
• Use only pet-safe cleaners in your pet’s cage. Nature’s Miracle is great for cleaning rabbit cages.
• If you give your rabbit access to the outdoors, beware of high temperatures and potential predators (stray or wild animals).
• Rabbits need daily exercise for their health. An exercise pen is ideal for keeping your rabbit safe, but still giving them room to run.
• If you allow your rabbit to roam your home, first rabbit-proof it by:

1. Moving all plants out of reach.
2. Moving all electrical cords out of reach. Rabbits try to chew them and can be electrocuted.
3. Restricting access to furniture & rugs (to avoid chewing and digging behaviors).

Use this advice to properly choose and set up a new rabbit home. Cages like our Deluxe Habitat provide extra features and a quiet, secure home for your bunny.

MYTH: Fleas and ticks are a warm-weather problem
In certain areas, they’re a year-round problem. Even in states with cold winters, fleas can survive in microclimates. These areas (under decks, in sheds or elsewhere) are warm enough to keep a population of fleas or ticks alive during the winter.

MYTH: Indoor pets don’t need protection
Think your indoor puppy or cat is safe from fleas and ticks? Think again. These pests can hitch a ride indoors on other visitors, both human and animal.

MYTH: Fleas live best in carpeted spaces
Believe it or not, wood and tile floors can also harbor fleas. In fact, it may be harder to treat these areas as flea larvae and eggs can survive in small crevices, along baseboards and under furniture.

MYTH: It’s best to remove ticks with Vaseline, burning matches, nail polish, alcohol or…
These and other common folk remedies claim to solve the tick problem. But they may worsen it by leaving the tick’s head embedded in the skin or releasing disease-laden fluids into your pet’s blood. Focus instead on removing the tick as quickly as possible. This is best done with a tick removal tool or with tweezers used close to the skin.

MYTH: A few fleas are not a “serious” problem
Once you spot a few adult fleas, you can expect there to be hundreds of eggs, larvae and pupae on your pet and in his favorite areas. Act quickly to treat your pet, home and yard with flea and tick control products. Better yet, use a flea preventive to protect Fido year-round.

MYTH: A flea infestation can be eradicated in a few days
It’s more likely to take three to eight weeks. That’s because new adult fleas are emerging every day as part of their lifecycle. Keep cleaning and treating each area consistently to combat the problem and see results.

Visit Pet Supermarket to see all products to help protect your pet.

Find the cause
It’s best to find out what’s causing your dog’s odor first. Does Fido love to roll in smelly things or does he have a skin condition? Check with your vet if you suspect the latter. Also, some breeds have an oily hair coat that can build up odor, while others are predisposed to skin problems. Don’t forget, ear infections and gum disease can cause odor as well. Determine the cause and ensure there are no health problems before choosing the best solution.

Bath time
Barring any health issues, the smelly dog problem could be cleared up with regular bathing and the right shampoo. Dog shampoos have gone beyond the flea and tick variety. There are now medicated shampoos, anti-bacterial shampoos, formulas with oatmeal or chamomile, waterless shampoos and others. Choose one that suits your dog’s needs and bathe and groom him regularly.

Grooming all over
Besides bathing, your dog has other grooming needs that can affect his smell. Be sure to clean his ears, check his skin, clean his teeth and brush his fur. Some breeds have oilier fur, but if your dog suddenly develops an oily coat and smelly, flaky skin, he may have seborrhea, a skin condition that should be treated by a vet. Anal glands can also cause odors due to oily secretions and are a common problem. Check with your veterinarian to see if the glands should be expressed. Some groomers may do this as well.

Odor from within
Does your dog have a flatulence problem? If so, take a closer look at his diet. This type of issue can point to an intestinal problem or may be a matter of improper nutrition. If your dog is usually gassy, switch to a high-quality dog food that provides a proper diet.

Home and bedding
Once Fido is clean, eliminate the doggy smell at home by treating his bedding and other areas often. Your dog’s bed, for example, should get washed or have a washable cover. Extend the cleaning indoors with vacuuming and carpet cleaning. Pet cleaners are a must as well. Pet Supermarket offers a variety of stain and odor removers formulated to tackle all types of stains and odors. Our sales associates can assist you in choosing the exact formulas and products to meet your specific needs.

A regular schedule of grooming and preventive care can lead to a fresh-smelling dog and home! Visit Pet Supermarket for cleaning and grooming products to get you started.

Milk
The sight of a cat lapping up milk is an iconic image, but many cats actually become lactose intolerant once they reach adulthood. For them, drinking milk on a regular basis can lead to an upset stomach and diarrhea. It’s fine as an occasional treat, but milk shouldn’t be given regularly and never as a replacement for water as this could lead to dehydration.

Tuna diet
Your cat may find tuna’s strong smell and taste addicting, but a tuna diet is one lacking in nutrition. It doesn’t have enough vitamin E and can lead to increased levels of mercury. Keep it on the list of rare treats and provide a proper diet with quality cat food instead.

Neglecting life-stage feeding
It’s important to feed your cat the proper food for her stage of life. Kitten food, for example, has more protein and fat, while senior cat food will often have less calories. Certain cat foods also address different health issues. To maintain your cat’s health, feed her a premium food that is appropriate for her needs at that stage of life.

Dog food
Believe it or not, some cats are eating dog food — usually cats in multi-pet homes with various food bowls. If Kitty is dipping into Fido’s bowl at your home, discourage her. Dog food doesn’t provide the levels of protein or taurine cats need for good health.

Table scraps
Feeding table scraps can lead to weight issues and health problems for your cat. Keep in mind also that with table scraps, you’re teaching your cat to be more finicky! It’s better to avoid feeding kitty any leftovers.

Use these tips to ensure proper nutrition and a healthy cat. For premium cat food and healthy treats, visit Pet Supermarket.

Turtle or Tortoise?
Unlike land-dwelling tortoises, turtles live in or near water, have webbed feet and eat meat or a combination of meat and vegetation. Some of the most popular species include Red Ear Sliders, Painted Turtles, Northern Map Turtles and Wood Turtles.

Turtle housing
Turtles should be kept in tanks that provide water for swimming and a dry area for basking. Make sure the water area is large enough for swimming and diving. Tanks should also be at least 20 gallons or larger, especially as the turtles gain in size. Red Ear Sliders, for example, can grow up to 11 inches and will need more space as they grow.

Heat and lighting
Since turtles can’t generate their own body heat, heat and lighting are needed. They will help your turtle regulate his body temperature and maintain a healthy shell. You should provide both fluorescent light for his health and incandescent light for heat.

Clean
It’s essential to keep the water clean in your turtle’s tank. For healthy water conditions, clean and/or partially change the water at least once a week. Also consider a canister filter or a power filter, depending on your tank setup.

Diet
Because turtles are omnivores, most will eat mealworms and insects such as live crickets. Leafy vegetables and turtle food are also part of a nutritious diet. Start by feeding young turtles daily, then feed switch to 4 or 5 times per week for adult turtles. Provide variety with insects, dark leafy greens and canned or pelleted turtle food.

Salmonella
Like other animals, turtles can carry salmonella in their intestinal tracts and feces. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling your turtle or cleaning the tank.

A pet-safe garden grows…

With care for chemicals
While pesticides and herbicides protect your garden from pests, they may also be toxic to your pet, even in small amounts. Be sure to follow instructions and consider watering the pesticide into your yard after applying it. Then wait 48 hours or the directed time period before allowing your pet into the area.

With enclosed organic fertilizers & composts
Organic fertilizers and composts are not necessarily less dangerous for pets. A fertilizer such as bone meal can obstruct the digestive tract, for example, while blood meal can cause diarrhea and pancreatitis. Another area to be mindful of is composting. It may be good for the garden, but eating moldy, organic food waste can lead to vomiting and seizures for pets. Fence off your composting area for pet safety.

With pretty, not poisonous, plants
Do you know which plants are poisonous? Use the ASPCA’s poisonous plants list as your guide. There are many popular varieties that make for a beautiful garden, but are harmful to pets. Sago palm can cause liver failure, for example, while azalea, oleander and rhododendron can affect the heart.

With garden-tool safety
Storing tools off the ground is safer not only for humans, but also for pets. Sharp tools can harm a curious pet’s paws or nose. Dogs are also susceptible to tetanus from rusty tools.

With an eye on pet reactions
Even after following guidelines for pet safety, it’s best to keep a close eye on your pet and his reactions. If he’s acting strangely and you suspect poisoning, call the Animal Poison Control Center or your vet immediately. By acting quickly, you may be able to keep your pet from feeling the harmful effects of garden hazards.

Also, don’t forget to keep your pet busy and off your garden by providing toys for outdoor entertainment. See the best pet toys at your local Pet Supermarket!