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

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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.

Firstly, buying tins and pouches of cat food is how the vast majority of people feed their cats, which is perfectly fine, and you may notice on the packaging the manufacturer recommends a certain amount of dry food in addition to wet food. This is important as part of balanced diet plus dry food can help stop and reduce the build-up of plaque on your cat’s teeth.

Cats generally eat a few small meals per day and often won’t eat a full pouch in one go. Little and often is key to satisfying their hunger and we recommend splitting their meals up this way. It’s best to dish out half a pouch each time as this will ensure the food doesn’t dry out or attract flies in the Summer months.

Cat food aside, the temptation is to feed your cat scraps or treats from your own dinner but it’s worth knowing what is and isn’t healthy for your feline’s tummy!

Fish is a food that is always associated with cats, but things aren’t so simple. Raw fish is a no-no and any fish you give to them should always be cooked. Just like us roasted, grilled or poached salmon is a healthier option for your cat, rather than fried. Never season the salmon or add other flavourings, dressings or ingredients, as these can be toxic to cats.

Salmon contains protein, omega 3 fatty acids and nutrients that are good for cats but it should not make up the main part of your cat’s diet. Cats can actually become addicted to salmon and could start to refuse other foods, so if you are feeding your cat salmon use it as an occasional treat, if at all.

Like salmon, tuna contains proteins, amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins and is therefore great for cats but only in small quantities. The tuna should be cooked and never feed your cat raw tuna. Canned tuna isn’t the best option in terms of essential nutrients but if you do choose canned tuna, choose tuna water or brine rather than oil, as oil is fattening and not healthy for your cat.

It is important to note never give kittens tuna because they are much smaller and have a higher risk of developing steatitis, a feline intestinal disease, or mercury poisoning from consuming fish.

Believe it or not, despite the expression “The cat that got the cream”, you shouldn’t give your kittens or cats dairy products. Most cats are actually lactose intolerant! Sure, he or she will lap it up but it is best to avoid it. 

On the topic of drinking, many cats don’t drink as much water as they should and their dislike for water can lead to a dehydrated cat. One trick is to leave small dishes or pots of water in different locations, such as in the shade in the garden, by the cat flap and beside their food when feeding your cat. Ensure you refresh the water rather than leaving it there for days. No one likes stale water!

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Ground covers

Bare dirt in your garden can be an area which may tempt your dog to dig up. It can also be convenient for cats looking for a toilet area. If you have an outdoor cat, you can create an area in the garden convenient for your cat to use as a toilet. Sand is a common choice for cat toilet areas, and this will help keep them out of your flower beds. To avoid your garden being dug up and used as a public cat toilet, try ground covers such as mulches.

If placing mulch in your garden be careful what material it is made of, particularly if your dog is known to chew. Bark mulches are tempting for dogs to chew on which can be harmful if the mulch is not dog friendly. Cocoa bean mulch comes from the chocolate industry, it has an appealing scent but is dangerous for dogs when eaten.

Garden Chemicals, Tools, and Equipment

It goes without saying, you should always protect your pets from garden chemicals. To protect your pet from fertilisers, insecticides, and other garden chemicals make sure to store them in a safe location. If storing these in the shed, there is most likely sharp tools here too, ensure that there is no holes or hidden access that your pet may find a way in.

When purchasing garden chemicals keep in mind that organic, eco-friendly, or natural products are still toxic for your pet. Fertilisers can give off an attractive scent which entices pets. When it comes to natural fertilisers (bone, blood, seaweed, manure, compost) these too can be risky for your pets.

Avoid using non-organic slug pellets, these are toxic to all wildlife, especially your pets. Lungworm can be contracted from eating infected slugs/snails. Signs and symptoms of lungworm include coughing, lethargy, breathing difficulty, and bleeding for longer than usual. Avoid additive in ponds as dogs are tempted to drink from these.

Compost Piles and Bins

In a dog’s world, compost bins may smell amazing! However, the rotting organic material inside them can contain dangerous bacteria, molds, and other pathogens. The food scraps are also dangerous. Foods such as grapes, raisins, onion, avocados, and tomatoes can be harmful to your dog. Thus, it is critical that you ensure your pet can not gain access to your compost bin.

Plants

Many plants common throughout gardens in Ireland are toxic if ingested and can also cause irritation for us humans and our pets. Various plants can cause mild to severe effects, and some of these are more tempting, and riskier to our pets than others. These plants include chrysanthemum, aconite, buttercup, daffodil, foxglove, hydrangea, oak, tomato, wisteria, and yew. Also, edible garden vegetables, berries, and fruits, which are delicious for us humans are toxic for our pets.

Also, take care with stone fruits which are a choking hazard even if the fruit is non-toxic. Research plants before placing them in your garden, you can still have a beautiful garden if you have pets, there are many plants which are not dangerous for dogs. For example, snapdragons, Michaelmas Daisies, camellias, rose, sunflowers, elaeagnus, centaurea (cornflower), impatiens and calendula. If worried about your pet and think they may have digested part of a plant, please call your vet.

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