Educate

New Beginnings has put together some “Pet Tips”.  Our hope is to assist owners and alleviate the problem of unwanted pets.

Pet Tips - So You Have A New Baby?

Tips on introducing your new cat to the family

Introducing one or more cats that are not litter mates can often be a long process. The important thing to remember is, be patient! The cats will rarely get along right away, but there are a few things you can do to help make this transition easier. It can commonly take two to four weeks for the cats to finally accept each other and live together peacefully. The following are some helpful hints:

• It is advisable to keep both cats in separate rooms for the first few days, even if it means the new cat will have to stay in a small room like the bathroom. Allow the cats to sniff each other under the door. Expect some hissing.
• In a day or two, try switching the cats - putting the existing cat in the room, and the new cat out in the house/apartment. This will allow the two to smell each other's scent. If you are unable to switch rooms, try giving the new cat an item that has your exiting cat's scent already on it, such as a cat bed, favorite blanket, or toy.
• When you do finally introduce your cats, make sure you are holding one of them. Don't put them down next to each other right away, or a fight may break out. Let them see each other while one or the other is in the safety of your arms. You can expect hissing, and perhaps some growling. While holding the cat, it helps to hold the scruff of the neck with your free hand. This has a calming effect.
• Another good idea is to bring the new cat out in a carrier and allow your cat to sniff him or her through the bars. This will allow them to smell AND see each other, but not hurt each other.
• When you feel it is finally time to introduce the two, you might try breaking out the catnip. Sometimes this will put them in a better mood. Let them roll around in it first in separate rooms, and then introduce them. It is a very good idea to keep with you a squirt gun or spray bottle filled with water, so if a fight does break out, you can stop it by squirting them with water.
• It may also help to have a toy handy, so you can encourage playing while the two are examining each other. This may also help distract them if they are becoming irritable.
• During the first few days of their co-habitation, it is a good idea to separate the cats if you are not available to supervise.

Some other tips:

• Make sure your cats have separate bowls to eat out of. Even cats that are the best of friends can still get possessive when it comes to dinner.
• Most house cats will share the same litter box.

GOOD LUCK!! AND ENJOY YOUR NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY!!

Pet Tips – The Litter Box Blues

Finding puddles around the house? Something may have happened to stop your cat from using its litter box. With a little detective work, you can find out why and correct it.

First, visit the vet to be sure your cat is not ill. Urinary tract infections and other diseases can cause cats to quit using their boxes.

Then, watch your cat's behavior. If it is urine-marking its territory, it has nothing to do with the litter box itself. Whether male, female, spayed, neutered, or intact, any cat at any age can start spraying urine to "mark" its territory.

Puddles just outside the litter box are not from spraying. The problem is more likely the box or its surroundings. Your cat may no longer like where the litter box is located or how it feels, or it may have been scared while using it. Or it could be a combination of these things.

To solve the problem

Change the type of litter

Change the location of the box

Change the litter more often

Use a combination of all of the above

Don't lose patience

If you follow these steps, you will eventually discover the right combination of things to get your feline friend feeling safe and comfortable again.

Pet Tips - Indoor Cats

What does an indoor cat miss?

• Being Hit by a Car
• Being Stolen
• Getting Lost
• Fighting with Other Cats, Dogs, Skunks or Raccoons
• Fleas, Worms and Ticks
• Infections from Puncture Wounds
• Possible Neighbor Complaints
• Getting Collar Caught on Something
• Mistreating and Abusing Pranksters
• Rain, Wind and Inclement Temperatures
• Animal Traps

 Pet Tips - Seven Ways To Prevent Chewing

Move valued furniture, loose pillows, house plants and books out of any area the puppy has access to. Check carefully for any dangerous objects, such as lamp cords, pins and needles, pens and pencils.

1. Put him in his crate when you can't watch him. He'll go to sleep, most likely; the house will stay safe, and you won't have to punish him.
2. Give your puppy his own special chew toys. We recommend nylon or rawhide bones. If you see the puppy even start to move toward something he shouldn't chew, say "No!" and give him a toy. Be consistent. He'll catch on.
3. A puppy likes to chew. It's part of exploring. And he may chew when he's bored. Exercise and plenty of attention can help control chewing.
4. Commercial sprays from your pet store can make items such as furniture legs unattractive to your pet. Or try spraying with Listerine.
5. Your puppy loves chewing your old sneaker or sock, because the odor reminds him so strongly of you. But he'll love the new sneakers you've worn only once or twice just as devotedly. So keep him away from all sneakers (and socks), old or net.
6. Check with your veterinarian if your puppy shows symptoms of really bad teething pain. He may paw the side of his face, rub his face on the floor, or have difficulty eating. It could be his baby teeth require extraction.
7. Meantime, ease his pain by letting him chew ice cubes or a damp cold washcloth. What's more, chewing can endanger him as much as it endangers your possessions. So protect him from being bad!

Pet Tips - Plants Toxic to Cats

A. Alfalfa, Almond (Pits of), Alocasia, Amaryllis, Apple Seeds, Apricot (Pits of), Arrowgrass, Avacodo, Azalea.

B. Baneberry, Bayonet, Beargrass, Beech, Belladonna, Bird of Paradise, Bittersweet, Black-Eyed Susan, Black Locust, Bleeding Heart, Bloodroot, Bluebonnet, Box, Boxwood, Buckeyes, Burning bush, Buttercup.

C. Cactus Candelabra, Caladium, Castor Bean, Cherry (Pits of), Cherry (Most wild varieties), Cherry (ground), Cherry (Laurel), Chinaberry, Christmas Rose, Chrysanthemum, Clematis, Coriaria, Cornflower, Corydalis, Crocus Autumn, Crown of Thorns, Cyclamen.

D. Daffodil Daphne, Daphne, Datura, Deadly Nightshade, Death Camas, Delphinium, Dicentrea, Diffenbachia, Dumb Cane.

E. Eggplant, Elderberry, Elephant Ear, English Ivy, Euonymus, Evergreen.

F. Ferns, Flax, Four O'Clock, Foxglove.

G. Golden Chain, Golden Glow, Gopher Purge.

H. Hellebore, Poison Hemlock, Water Hemlock, Henbane, Holly, Honeysuckle (only the berries are toxic), Horsebeans, Horsebrush, Horse Chestnuts, Hyacinth, Hydrangea.

I. Indian Tobacco, Iris, Iris Ivy.

J. Jack in the Pulpit, Java Beans, Jessamine, Jerusalem Cherry, Jimson Weed, Jonquil, Jungle Trumpets.

L. Lantana, Larkspur, Laurel, Lily, Lily Spider, Lily of the Valley, Locoweed, Lupine.

M. Marigold, Marijuana, Mescal Bean, Mistletoe, Mock Orange, Monkshood, Moonseed, Morning Glory, Mountain Laurel, Mushrooms.

N. Narcissus, Nightshade.

O. Oleander.

P. Peach (Pits of), Peony, Periwinkle, Philodendron, Pimpernel, Poinciana, Poison Hemlock, Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, Pokeweed, Poppy, Potato, Precatory Bean, Common Privet.

R. Rhododendron, Rhubarb, Rosary Pea, Rubber Plant.

S. Scotch Broom, Skunk Cabbage, Snowdrops, Snow on the Mountain, Staggerweed, Star of Bethlehem, Sweetpea.

T. Tansy Mustard, Tobacco, Tomato, Tulip, Tung Tree.

V. Virginia Creeper.

W. Water Hemlock, Weeping Fig, Wild Call, Wisteria.

Y. Yews (Japanese Yew, English Yew, Western Yew, American Yew).