Category: Cats

Posts just about cats.

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DIY: 2 Hidden Entryway Cat Litter Boxes

Litter boxes are the one bad thing about having a cat, but these 2 different hidden DIY cat litter boxes are a definite improvement.  They’re based on modifications of Ikea furniture, so they’re pretty simple and they can double as a low table or bench.

The first project uses a Besta shelving unit, which was also used for this DIY bunny hutch.  For the hidden litter box, they cut a doorway through the inner divider and applied contact paper to the inner compartment for easy clean-up.  I think I might put something more durable like metal sheeting.

 

 The second project uses a bench no longer sold by Ikea, but the Stuva bench looks like it would work.  Instead of a door, there is a drawer to keep everything hidden and tidy.  You’ll have to cut an opening through the bench and the drawer.  And I think I’d also line the drawer with metal sheeting.

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AvoDerm Does Quality Control The Way It Should Be!

(Please note:  This kicks ass and therefore this post will possibly overuse bold & underlined text.  But, I’m really pumped that a company is actually putting our pets first.  I’m almost speechless, but not quite!)

It’s very rare I ever get to say anything good concerning a pet food recall, so take note!  AvoDerm is posting information about a recall that has no effect on you, at all.  Their own quality control testing caught this problem before the food ever left their distribution center, so it never even made it to any stores.  Not only that, they’re still letting their customers know about the possible Salmonella contamination.  Remember the food never made it to stores, but AvoDerm says the product concerned is their Natural Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Adult Dog Formula (26 lb. bag only) with “Best-By-Dates”28 Aug 2013, 29 Aug 2013, & 30 Aug 2013.

What a  stark freakin’ contrast to the way most companies handle recalls, even when there are pet deaths associated with their recalled food.  Most companies delay making a press release and very often use the Friday night Dump & Run, so the recall gets lost in the news cycle.  It’s basically a giant “Screw You” to you and your pets’ well-being.

Mistakes happen, but I think AvoDerm should be applauded for having truly effective quality-control and stepping up to take responsibility when it catches a problem.  Awesome!

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News Bites: Dog, Parasite, Parrot, DNA, Europe’s Shame

Dog rescued after 8 days at 13,000 ft. on a mountain peak in Colorado.  The guys who rescued her were strangers to each other and to the dog, but they weren’t going to let her die up there.  There’s a custody battle now between her rescuers and her owner, who came forward.

 

Toxoplasma gondii even creepier than previously thought.  Here’s a really good article on a study that shows Toxoplasma infection is linked to increased risk of violent, successful suicide in women.  Scientists already knew it caused birth defects, changed behavior in rats, can make us neurotic, & increase risk of schizophrenia in children born to infected mothers.  Cats usually become infected by eating animals they kill, so here’s another reason not to let your cats roam!

 

Clever bird!  Study shows African grey parrots demonstrate a level of abstract, inferential reasoning equal to 3 yr.old humans and previously only seen in primates.

 

New genetic test can tell you if your kitty descended from cats in the Middle East or 7 other regions or if she’s really purebred.  If your cat is really mixed breed, this test won’t show whether she’s part Siamese or something.  It will only work if one of her parents was purebred.

 

Disgusting!  In Europe, every summer means thousands of abandoned pets.  What the hell?  I knew Europeans took long vacations in summer.  I didn’t know that so many ditched their pets before they went.

…every summer an estimated 100,000 domestic animals are abandoned in France by owners who say they are unable to take them along or find someone to look after them.

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