Embrace Pet Community blog

Show us the Love: Good Cat Giveaway!

My cats caused as much trouble around the house as my dogs ever did.  I'll never forget waking up to find my birthday cake half eaten by my childhood cat, George.  Our Russian Blue was food aggressive--he'd growl and stash his canned food in a room off of the kitchen. I won't even go into the stories I hear about litterbox issues and cats scavenging on the counter tops.

Feline behavioral problems are far from rare--quite the opposite.  While we seem to hear so much about canine training, it's refreshing to see that nationally renowned animal behaviorist Steve Dale is here to help cat folks too.  His new e-book, "Good Cat" tackles all of the pesky issues I just mentioned, plus:

• Feline aggression toward people and other pets
• Feline anxiety
• destructive scratching behaviors

The book offers practical advice and insight into your cat's logic, helping you to train your cat through reinforcement and enrichment.

Our giveaway copy of "Good Dog" was a hit, so now's your chance to get a free e-copy of "Good Cat". 

We want to see how you "show the love" to your "good cat".  Post photos of you and your cat snuggling, snoozing and sunbathing to our Facebook wall.  We'll pick one cat photo at random to win the e-book. 

We're anxiously awaiting your photos!  (Don't worry dog people--your turn is coming tomorrow!)

Contest details: Photos submitted to Embrace's Facebook wall during February 2012 will be considered for entry. Winner will be contacted by Embrace Pet Insurance for prize fulfillment via sponsor. Embrace staff and families not eligible to win. Must not have won within last 90 days. Good luck!

 

 

Walking Jacket from JoyKatz: day 1

Laura is featuring pet behavior this month at the Embrace Pet Insurance blog, but we wanted to make sure you got to follow her reviews of her cats' new walking jackets from JoyKatz.  She's posting videos and reviews of the process in training your cat to walk on a leash.  Check out Rocket and Rosie as they are introduced to their cat jackets for the first time:

I'm totally envious of that leopard print pattern!  These, as well as other leather jackets and custom pieces are all handmade at JoyKatz. 

SmartScoop Litter Box

A greatly anticipated review from Laura's experience with the SmartScoop.

I’m a bad cat mom. I confess that I’m no good at cleaning out the litter boxes for my three cats – like really no good. Everyone else seems to get to it every day (or at least that’s what they say they do), but I end up leaving it way longer until it’s desperate (and the cats are crossing their legs). Luckily, the cats don’t seem to be traumatized by this and aren’t peeing in inappropriate places; but still, I really could do better by them.

So, I was very happy to try out the OurPets SmartScoop kitty litter box. I’ve never had an automatic box before in all the years I’ve had cats because it seemed like a lot of money for something that seemed so… hokey! How could this actually work and keep things clean and not freak out the cats? Seemed too much of a risk to try it so I never did.

Now, I wouldn’t give the box back. It’s not perfect, but for the things that matter the most – doing the job and not freaking out the cats – it’s a champ. Definitely an A on the school grading system.

How it works:

• It requires some thought to put it together but I think my 7 year old daughter could have managed it with a little of mom’s help so it wasn’t too bad at all. Took about 10 minutes to put together.
• You need a socket near where you want the box to do since it does need electricity to work. I put the box in my laundry room and had to run an electric cord from a slightly awkward place down to the box but it’s all set now.
• You’ll need clumping litter to make this work.
• The cats jumped right in after I set it up and had no problem with it at all. I put it right where the old tray went so that shouldn’t have been too hard for them and it wasn’t
• The way it works is that the cat does her business in the box and then goes off to do whatever kitty naughtiness she desires. When she leaves, the box senses that a cat has visited the box (indicated by a flashing light on the side) and fifteen minutes later, it will filter through the cat litter and tip up the clumped litter into a covered collection tray (see video) - kind of like tipping the dumpster back into the garbage truck
• What generally happens at this time is that all children and cats in the vicinity rush to the litter box to watch in awe as the waste gets stuffed away nicely. Better than TV!
• The collection tray has plastic bags you use to collect the waste and you’ll want to wash out the litter tray every couple of weeks or so to keep it clean (I know, I think they suggest weekly but you know me, THE bad cat mom)

 

All in all it does a very nice job.

My recommendations for improvement:

• Power button: the on/off button is an electronic button. No big deal except that if the power goes out, the litter box switches off but won’t come back on when the power restarts. Something you want to keep an eye on and to let your cat sitter know about
• Spillage: the grate that filters the litter sometimes gets to the far end of the box and dirty litter can fall onto the floor as it’s getting scooped up. It’s only once in a while but it seems that this could be fixed by putting a curved lip right at the end to encourage dirty litter backwards and into the box, not outwards
• Noise: this isn’t the quietest machine in the house (check out the video) so if it’s beside your dining room, your guests are going to wonder what the sudden noise is if it goes off in the middle of your fancy dinner.
• Cleaning: it’s not the lightest tray in the house either and it’s not easy to take off the mechanics to wash just the tray itself. I’d make it more obvious how to do that as who reads instructions anyway.

None of these issues though are deal breakers. Having the SmartScoop litter box in the house has made for a much more positive litter box experience for us all. Now I just need two more for the other levels in the house. 

Dog Door Install Project

    My Doggy Daddy and I have been debating getting a dog door for a while, to help out when we're held late at work or gone for a long day. After some researching the variations (electronic, locking, insulated, etc) we decided to go with the good old fashioned flap style PetSafe Aluminum Dog Door.  Cheap, durable, no batteries to replace, no extra collar attachments to be worn.

    First off, select the door sized to accommodate your dog's chest at the widest place.  We picked up the large to fit Tahlula.  To be safe, we took it out of the box and had both dogs step through it once before installing.  It was a close fit, but good enough.

    Installation isn't too hard, so long as you have the tools.  The package includes a template that you can center and tape on your door.  Mark your corners, drill some holes, and use your jigsaw to cut the rectangle out.  (Optional: have your Shepherd mix supervise the entire operation, as shown left.)  The cutting and cleaning up uneven edges took about 40 minutes.

    Then, you drill holes for the frame screws.  Again, not hard with the right tools.  Line the interior and exterior frame segments up, finish tightening the screws, and you're done!

   As I was watching the door go in, I pondered some security issues that the PetSafe people obviously covered.  The screws are on the inside, so the door cannot be removed from the outside.  There is also an aluminum shield that can be dropped down as an insert on the inside, to lock the door from the inside, for additional security.

Now, to train your dogs to use the door:

Step 1. Go outside with a cookie.  Stick your hand back through the flap, and show your dog the cookie:

Step 2: Once the dog goes for the cookie, lead them through the door to follow the cookie.  Where the cookie goes, the dog will follow.

Note to dogs: The dog door will only fit one pup at a time. Don't rush, there are plenty of cookies for everyone.

Potential downsides to some dog doors:

-Without any remote device to identify my dogs, any cat, dog, racoon or bird could come into my back door. So far, so unwelcome visitors, but if you're in an area with lots of wildlife, you might want to upgrade to something like the PetSafe SmartDoor.

-My dogs can go in and out as they please, which is ideal for purposes of potty time, bird watching, and greeting the neighbor. But, it also means they are free to chase the skunk that wanders into our yard or bark at the cable guy working next door. If your dogs have little self-control with such temptations, the dog door may not work for you.

Helping Cats Stay Fit--SureFlap giveaway

For those of you with cats that like to spend part-time outdoors, it can be tricky letting them in or out as they need to.  That's why we're excited to see this new advancement from SureFlap: a cat door that recognizes your cat's existing microchip.  Your cats come and go, while the raccoons and mice stay locked outside.  From SureFlap:

"What makes SureFlap unique is its ability to read a cat’s existing veterinarian-inserted microchip to allow a cat to enter a home.  This is accomplished through SureFlap’s integrated microchip reader, which can recognize the unique identities of up to 32 cats...Simply set the product to the “learn” mode and allow the cat to pass through the door...guaranteeing access only to the cats that go through this process."

As my little neighborhood has about 30 outdoor cats that roam from house to house, this would be ideal for keeping it just your house cats in your house. Kitty can go play with her pals and be home in time for dinner!

SureFlap is currently compatible with FDXA, FDXB and Avid Secure/Encrypted Chip.  These chips can be implanted at your vet or local humane society, and serve as an permanent ID in the event that your kitty becomes lost.  The door can be installed in doors, windows or walls, and glass mounting.  Batteries last an entire year and notify you when they're running low, so your kitty won't be locked out.

Keeping a cat's weight down can be really tricky, especially if your indoor/outdoor cat can't get out as frequently as she might like.  We've got a great giveaway for one lucky feline that likes to explore the outdoors as she sees fit.

To enter for a chance to win the SureFlap ($149.99 retail) 

Go "like" the SureFlap Facebook page.

Then, go to the Embrace Pet Insurance Facebook and post a photo of your cat enjoying the great outdoors.  We'll pick one photo at random to win.

Photos submitted during before 9/5/11 will be considered for entry.  Winner will be contacted by Embrace for prize fulfillment.  Embrace staff and families not eligible to win.  Must not have won within last 90 days.

PetSmart Giveaway: Kong for Kitties

We've got a fantastic feline giveaway for May!  PetSmart is sponsoring our monthly drawing, and one lucky cat will win a KONG® Scratch and Groom Curl and a KONG ® Scratch & Groom Post.

We'll be posting our product reviews in the next few weeks, but in the meantime, you can enter to win BOTH!

To enter, head to our Facebook and upload a photo of your cat doing what she does best.  Tell us in the caption what her favorite activity is and you'll be entered into a drawing.  We'll pull the winner on June 1st!

Photos submitted during the month of may will be considered for entry.  Embrace staff and families not eligible to win.  Must not have won within last 90 days.

Humane Doggie Discipline

Despite the fact that we focus mostly on pet health, we often get pet training questions.  Yesterday a woman asked me how to potty train her adolecent Dobie puppy, who seemed to be backsliding in her training.  Fact is, not every discipline technique works for every pet.  But, here's a helpful list of 10 Humane Ways to Discipline Your Dog.

The trick that's always worked for me when it comes to housebreaking:

Positive reinforcement. Discipline is not just about your dog’s negative behavior. You should also be providing positive reinforcement when they do the right thing. Doggy treats immediately following their successful trip out of doors is just as important as the discipline that follows an accident in the house.

And, one I've never heard of before:

Chin taps.

What works for you when it comes to correcting your dog's bad behavior?

Last Call for Feline Auditions

Fresh Step®'s version of feline Star Search is coming to a close.  You've got just a little more time to enter your kitties video into Fresh Step®'s CatBox Channel on YouTube for a chance to be featured in an upcoming commercial.

Don't have a cute or funny cat video, but need a kitty fix?  Check out some of the best videos.  We're cracking up watching Pugsley in Action, Coco Puff and his toy, and the sassy Pearl Cat. Which video is your fav?

In full-disclosure, this post is part of a sponsorship campaign with Clorox’s Fresh Step Cat Litter’s YouTube contestin coordination with Lijit Networks, Inc. I received compensation for these posts, but the opinions expressed here are my own. I also run third-party advertisements through Lijit, compensated on a CPM-basis.  The Monetary compensation derived from these posts will be donated to a Feline Charity, on behalf of Embrace Pet Insurance. :)

Does your Cat have Star Power?

Does your "Embraced" cat have super star power.  Maybe she's got what it takes to be the next celebricat?  Fresh Step® is partnering up with Lijit to find the next cat for an upcoming Fresh Step® Commercial!  All you need to do is upload your cute, funny, sweet, or sassy cat video. 

Need inspiration?  Head over to Fresh Step®'s CatBox Channel on YouTube for some great examples of darling cats.

In full-disclosure, this post is part of a sponsorship campaign with Clorox’s Fresh Step Cat Litter’s YouTube contestin coordination with Lijit Networks, Inc. I received compensation for these posts, but the opinions expressed here are my own. I also run third-party advertisements through Lijit, compensated on a CPM-basis.  The Monetary compensation derived from these posts will be donated to a Feline Charity, on behalf of Embrace Pet Insurance. :)

Poochie Bells Giveaway

We've mentioned Poochie-Bells before, but hadn't thought about it much until Cooper learned to use the doggie door bell system to tell his mom that he had to go out.  As a puppy, he was trained to use the bells, and now Cooper just "bops" the bells by the door (at home and even here in the office) with his paw, to signal to us that he's ready for his potty break.   Now, we all recognize the chime as the signal to grab the leash and head outside!

And, one might think that a dog will ring the bells all the time, just to go outside and play, but Cooper seems to know that these bells mean business.  Don't believe us?  Check out all of these youtube pets with their poochie bells! Here's cutie Cosmo:

Poochie-Bells are such a practical and reliable idea, (and they look cute too!) that we want one lucky home to get their own set.  Poochie-Pets is offering one lucky winner one of their 50 designs.  All you need to do is send us a photo of your dog at the door.  There don't have to be bells in the photo, but we want to see doggies with doors.  We'll enter your photo into a random drawing, and announce the winner on 8/24.

and Don't forget to enter our Beautiful Life giveaway!

Contest rules:Contest open until 8/23/10 at midnight.  Submissions must be e-mailed to kz@embracepetinsurance.com to qualify.  Winner will be contacted by e-mail, and prize fulfilled by sponsor.  U.S. residents only.  Embrace staff and families not eligible to win.  One entry per person please.