Read on. We will take you through the best and most accessible gadgets to help you connect and keep your best friend safe in the year ahead.  We have everything for the super tech pet owner to the person who just wants to stay in contact with their pet during the day

Glow Track Light Up Collar for Cats

 This reflective tracking collar for cats glows or blinks with an LED built-in light, for simple visual tracking of your kitty. You can also pimp this little gadget up by adding a tiny lightweight camera. This will give you a cat’s-eye view of your cats world.

Self-Cleaning Litterbox

 What cat parent would not love this? These self-cleaning litter boxes rotate each time your cat uses it and disposes the used litter in a removable drawer. Magic! These little babies aren’t cheap through. They average between 630-700 euro.

Treat Dispenser Camera

You know that feeling when you’ve had a long day at the office and you can’t wait to go home to see your pet? Now, you don’t have to wait until you get home to see your pet. Treat dispenser cams allow you to talk to your pet at home on your phone! You can even give them a treat at the press of a button!!  The camera also releases calming scent to keep your pet relaxed until you get home.

Pet Camera Smart Ball

If you love the idea of seeing your pet on camera but don’t necessarily need all the bells and whistles that come with the treat dispenser camera this could be the gadget for your pet!  This little wonder allows you to connect a ball to your smart phone so that you can enjoy a play date with your pet, even when you aren’t at home!

Smart Drinking Fountain

After all of that playing and running around our pets can get thirsty. Most cats and dogs prefer running to stagnant water. This Smart drinking fountain filters the water to remove any chemicals present. It is so smart that it turns itself off when it’s not being used.

Tick Repellent Collar

This rechargeable device will keep your doggo tick free. It is chemical and scent free

Slow Feeding Bowls

Does your dog wolf down their meals causing indigestion and other problems? Then a slow feeding bowl could be the answer. These bowls help slow down your pets eating whilst providing stimulation for his brain.

Dog Cooling Collar

This nifty little bandana keeps your pet cool in warm weather. Just wet it and wrap it around your dog’s neck. The special fabric stays cool for hours.

Remember that no matter how expensive or high tech the gadgetry your pet will always prefer time spent with you, but these are a good alternative in today’s busy world especially as we hope to return to the office sometime in 2022!!Please consider giving a donation to the KSPCA so that we can continue our work in 2022

The post Pets and Technology appeared first on Kilkenny SPCA.

Ideal Weight for cats

An indoor/ outdoor cat should ideally weigh between 8- 10 pounds.  This is, of course dependent on cat breed and frame. If your cat weighs more than it should it might be a good idea to look at its diet and lifestyle.

If your cat is indoor only it is easy to manage their weight because it is only you or your family feeding it. You can control the diet a lot more than an indoor/outdoor cat.  If your cat is an outdoor cat and is overweight, chances are that it is being getting fed by several kindly neighbours. There are ways to prevent your cat becoming overweight due to neighbours feeding him/her. You could firstly try talking to your neighbours and request that they don’t feed the cat. If you don’t want to speak directly to our neighbours you can also buy a customized pendant that you can hang from your cat’s collar asking people not to feed the cat.

Make your Cat work for her treats!!

If you want to reward your cat try hiding treats around the kitchen or house. You could also try hiding treats in a paper bag. This will also help satisfy the cats instinct to hunt . Make your kitty work off the treats before she enjoys them!!!

Also try feeding your cat two smaller portions rather than all of their food together.

Ideal weight for dogs

The best way to find out the healthiest weight for your dog is to visit your vet. Your vet will be able to tell you the appropriate weight for your dog based on size, breed and gender.

However you can also check your dog’s weight yourself by checking his  ribs. If your dog’s ribs aren’t extremely prominent and you can easily feel them without having to press hard, then the dog is a healthy weight.  However if you cannot feel your dog’s ribs it could be a sign that he is overweight.

Try swapping treats for wet food ( from their daily allowance)

Another way to keep your dog’s weight down is to feed him in the morning

Establish an eating schedule-if you free-feed, offer meals on a set schedule. Put the food down for a certain time and take up any food that the dog does not eat.

Limit snacks-dogs get a lot of calories in addition to their regular kibble.

Also try replacing biscuits, cheese, and other high-fat treats with fresh chopped carrots, apples, or green beans

Dangers of Your Pet being Overweight

Carrying excess weight makes both cats and dogs much more likely to develop diabetes, urinary disease, arthritis, and to have a decreased life expectancy.

By following these simple tips you can help ensure that your furbaby is a healthy weight with a good life expectancy.  Your pet relies on you to look after him and make reasonable decisions about their life

The post Is Your Pet a Healthy Weight? appeared first on Kilkenny SPCA.

Christmas Trees-

The pines and needles from a real pine tree can be harmful and toxic to pets. They can be dangerous if swallowed by your pet. Real Christmas trees also release an oil which can cause excessive drooling in dogs

• Try putting tinfoil or citrus fruits around the tree to prevent your pet investigating under it!
• Ensure that you regularly sweep up around your tree
• Cats and dogs are instantly attracted to Christmas baubles. Try hanging pet-safe decorations from your tree such as plushies, alternatively make your own safe and sustainable decorations from pet safe materials such as paper and card
• Try holding off putting anything under the tree until the last minute. Your dog is bound to smell the cake meant for Aunt Mary and may tear it to shreds!

Festive Plants-

As well as our Christmas tree there are other plants such as holly that can be harmful to pet at Christmas. Holy berries and leaves are toxic to pets and can lead to salivation, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

• Place plants out of pets reach if possible

Christmas Tree Lights

Although lovely to us, Christmas tree lights represent a safety hazard where cats and dogs are concerned.  Your pet is likely to be attracted to the sparkling lights but they may pose an electrical or choking hazard.

• Try to hang lights on higher branches.
• If you really want to hang fairy lights try putting some Vaseline on the cord. Pets do not like the taste of Vaseline!

Maintain some type of routine with your pet

Whilst humans love the hustle and bustle of a full house at Christmas, your pet might not.

• Try to keep a quite calm corner for your pet that they can retreat to if they get stressed by strange sounds or smells (or people!)
• Remember to make time for your pet even though you might be very busy. Your pet will still want some pets, attention (and a walk)
• If your cat is particularly stressed out at this time of year you might consider using an electrical diffuser such as Felliway

Make some Christmas treats for your pet

One way of showing your pet you love them is to bake some home-made treats. You can cut them out in silly shapes for your pet.

Our Christmas dinner is not good for cats or dogs. Things like gravy, turkey, chocolate, alcohol and mince pies are very harmful to pets and can make your pet very sick.  Instead invest some time with your pet and make some festive fun treats. Your pets will thank you for it.

 Easy Christmas Cat Cookies

Ingredients

Salmon

Egg

Flour

Place the canned salmon, undrained, in a food processor.

Pulse the salmon to chop finely.

Combine the chopped salmon, egg, and flour in a mixer until it forms a dough.

Roll out 1/4-inch thickness on a floured surface and cut into shapes.

Bake until lightly browned and crispy: about 20 minutes.

Christmas Dog Biscuits

Ingredients

whole wheat flour

1 egg

cup peanut butter

1cup water

2 tablespoons honey

Preheat the oven to 350F.

In a large bowl combine flour and the egg. Add peanut butter, water, honey and stir until you have stiff dough.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough about 1/2 inch thick and use a cookie cutter to make fun shapes.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, until golden.

We hope that you and your pet have a wonderful Christmas. We hope that these tips will help keep your furry friends safe

The post Keeping Your Pets Safe at Christmas appeared first on Kilkenny SPCA.