Shopping Advice for Pets

Hello, I am a wonderful cat but my owner is just so cheap and lazy (he never wants to go shopping), where can my owner get good prices on pet supplies so I can get more toys, more cat nip, a bigger cat tower, and an nice warm cat bed?
Signed, Scrooge's Cat

Dear Scrooge's Cat

Your owner can find good deals online. Online shopping is very popular for people who are busy or who just do not want to go out. Often times the prices online are lower than in stores because some companies do not have store locations, so they do not as much overhead.
Most online companies have sale sections, and sometimes you can even get free shipping - which saves the cost of gas and time, I am sure your owner is concerned about saving both!

There are many companies that offer excellent discounts too – even more than their regularly low prices. Your owner can take advantage of discounts and deals offered by online companies.

Keep warm this winter with heated CAT BEDS that are now UP TO 25% OFF at PetFoodDirect.com

Do you know a cat lover? Shop for the perfect gift in our special store at PetFoodDirect.com!

Hello, I am an older dog, but I am pleased to announce we have a new addition to the family, my owners are have adopted a young puppy. The problem is that they were not really aware of how many toys and things a puppy needs and he is chewing so much that they do not know what to do.  He has even chewed their shoes.  They want to get him more chew toys, but we do not have a good pet supply store near us.  What can they do to help this puppy?

Signed, A Big Brother

Dear Big Brother

Congratulations are in order for your owners adopting another dog, I am sure you two will get along just fine.  Perhaps you remember your days as a puppy too.  Puppies chew a lot.  Some breeds chew more than others but also when teething all pups want to chew.  A puppy who does not have enough toys will chew anything he, or she, can get their mouth on.  

Your owners should consider getting several chew things of different textures, soft chew things, medium chew things, and hard chew things such as KONGS and Nylabones.  They might also want some edible chew things too.  I suggest saying away from rawhide, but bully sticks might be okay (just not too much if the pup is under 3 months or he can get an upset tummy).   There are actually quite a few healthy chew things for pups that they may want to consider.  

Your owners also might want to consider getting a crate for when they cannot watch the pup, or even a puppy exercise pen.

Your owners can find all your new little brother's toys and chew things at Pet Super Store.

Advice For Dogs About Toys and Natural Foods

Question: I am an active dog, I love to carry things around, play fetch, and play tug of war, but my owner is having a hard time finding a good toy that I would like, what can you recommend?
Signed Rolly the Dog

Dear Rolly

Rope toys are very popular for dogs who love to carry toys around or play tug of war, and they work okay for playing fetch but an even better toy for this is the Shifting Gears 2 Ball Toss & Tug Toy. This toy is environmentally friendly too. The Shifting Gears 2 Ball Toss & Tug Toy is made from reclaimed and repurposed materials such as tennis balls and climbing rope, keeping those things out of the landfill. These fantastic dog toys are made in the USA.  Click on the picture to learn more (or have your owner do so).

This toy is a better dog toy than a standard rope toy or tennis ball. By having a ball at each end it works well as a tug toy but is great as a fetch toy when your owner throws it. This dog toy has my full recommendation and is available from Only Natural Pet Store. I am sure you can convince your owner to spend more than $69.00 so they qualify for free shipping on most items.

Question: I am a easy going dog but my owner is all uptight about things being natural, I am really not sure why she cares so much, but it is annoying she changed my dog food to natural food and changed my treats to natural treats. Some of these are more expensive than the food and treats I was on, so is it worth it?

Signed Naturalized Dog

Save 5% on your first order at Only Natural Pet Store! Coupon code CJ15.

Dear Naturalized Dog

Your owner is very right to be concerned about buying natural dog food and natural dog treats. Some of the chemicals and chemical preservatives used in low priced food and treats are not really good for you. In some cases these chemicals, such as BHT, BHA, and Ethoxyquin (which is in by-products) have been linked to health concerns including cancer. I realize you are an easy going dog but is that worth the risk?

Some of the low priced dog foods are low priced because they lack quality ingredients. Also your owner may find that you have to eat a lot of the low priced dog food just to stay feeling full, but with a better dog food you will eat less, poop less, and hopefully have fewer health problems. I would certainly have to say that switching to all natural dog food and natural dog treats (or holistic products) is most certainly worth it, in fact it may even cost less in the long run!

All Natural, Premium Dog Food at Only Natural Pet Store

Advice for Captured Wild Born Kittens

Question: Help, my sisters and I were born wild but recently were abducted and put into a cage, the food is good, but they keep holding us even when we hiss, are we safe?

Signed Freaked out in Captivity

Answer Dear Freaked

Hopefully your abductor is a kind hearted animal welfare person who is working to rescue you and tame you so you can find a good home with plenty of good food and a warm place to sleep at night.

What will usually happen when people try to tame wild, or feral, kittens, is that they put the kittens into a cage or small area just until the kittens learn to trust them. They will probably hold you a lot so that you stop hissing so much, and eventually will start to purr and even enjoy the attention you get. Once you become more friendly to people they will hopefully either keep you out of the cage, or try to find you a new home.

Depending on how old you and your sister kittens were when first caught you might become tame in less than a week. Do not worry, it sounds like the people are feeding you and holding you, so this is a good sign.

Tips on how to Tame a Wild, or Feral Kitten

Keep the kittens in a cage, such as a large dog kennel, or rabbit cage. Give them plenty of dry food and water while in the cage, but only give them canned kitten food when you are with them. The cage should also have a litter box, blanket, and a few toys. Find many opportunities to take the kittens out of the cage and hold them, even if they hiss. Do not let children hold them when they are still nervous and frightened, if dropped this could traumatize them worse.

When the kittens are more relaxed they can be given more space, such as being allowed loose in a bathroom. They should not be outdoors until wormed, and vaccinated, or ideally, not outdoors at all.

Further Reading

What Happened to the Kittens in the Picture? (above)

How to Tame a Feral Cat or Wild Kitten

Rescuing Orphaned Kittens

Advice for Pets Eating Other Pet's Food

Question:  Hi, I am a Guinea Pig, my owner also has a rabbit and ran out of my food recently.  They have been giving me the rabbit food, which tastes okay, but I just do not seem to feel as good lately.  I am wondering if this is because of the food?

Signed GP the GP


Dear GP

You are quite right to guess this is food related.  Guinea pigs require food that has Vitamin C added.  If your owner is feeding you rabbit food they should give you another source of vitamin C to make up for the fact that rabbit food does not contain vitamin C. 

Vitamin C deficiency in Guinea Pigs will cause weight loss, fur loss, and sometimes a discharge from the nose.  You will not feel as healthy over all, and may have trouble breathing, or be sore all over (you may even yelp when your owner picks you up).

If you get this sick your owner needs to take you to a veterinarian for help. 



photo source - a healthy looking Guinea pig

Question:  I am a cat.  I live with a dog, and normally I do not mind the dog one bit, but lately he is eating my food.  I find this infuriating - he drools!  I often find my bowl empty as the dog has eaten all my food, and although there is some dog food in his bowl it really does not interest me.  How can I get the dog to stop eating my food?

Signed Kitty


Dear Kitty

I am sure the dog eating your cat food is annoying, but cat food is also bad for dogs so the dog should not be eating it.  Cats are true carnivores, your cat food contains more meaty ingredients which is why the dog is so attracted to your cat food.  Cat food has more protein and more fat than dog food, and could give the dog diarrhea. 

Additionally cat food is more expensive than dog food so if the dog is eating it they are costing your owner more money.

Cats should definately not eat dogs food.  Dog food does not have enough meat protein in it for cats, and more importantly it does not have taurine.  Taurine deficiency will show with problems such as poor vision, heart problems, poor growth (if you are a kitten), reproductive problems, poor skin and coat, and dental problems.

Your owner should find a place higher up to put your cat food so the dog cannot get at it. 

Read also, Should Cats and Dogs Eat Each Others Food?