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What You Need to Know Before Adopting a Cat

Thinking about adopting a cat? How exciting! Friendly felines make wonderful companions, filling your home and your heart with loads of playtime, purrs, and personality. But before you begin your awesome journey as a new pet parent, here are some handy tips for adopting your first cat.

Shop for your cat supplies  

Before you bring that furry bundle of joy home, you’ll want to make sure you have all the basic cat supplies on hand when your cat arrives. Stock up on high-quality cat food and treats, toys, bedding, a cat carrier, a litter box, and a scratching post. Once you have all the essentials, you and the new meowing member of your family will be ready for the “big day.”

Cat-proof your home

Cats need a safe environment. So, it’s important to remove any potential hazards to keep your cat out of harm’s way. Get rid of risky temptations like plastic bags, poisonous plants, cleaners, and wires before you bring kitty home.

Prepare a special area for your cat

Whether you are living in an apartment or a house, you’ll need to provide a secure area of your home for your new family member. Even if you don’t have a separate room to spare, you can always create an area where your cat can call home. A closet, a corner of your bedroom or living room, even a carboard box will make a great hiding place where your cat can have some privacy.

Vet a vet

Making sure your cat has a clean bill of health is super important. So, you’ll need to find a vet to handle your kitty’s medical care—vaccinations, check-ups, and spaying or neutering. Check online reviews, ask a friend, or visit some of the local veterinary clinics to find one that is the right fit for you and your feline.

Consider keeping your cat indoors

One of the biggest choices cat owners have to make is whether to allow their feline friend to roam freely outside. But outdoor cats can be subjected to a host of dangers that can shorten their life span, such as getting hit by a car, attacked by a dog, or exposed to infections and disease. Installing perches on windowsills or providing a comfy lap for your cat to curl up on while you are sitting on your deck are great alternatives that will keep your cat stimulated, happy, and safe for many years to come.

Welcome to the wonderful world of pet parenting. With a little preparation and a whole lot of cat TLC, your frisky feline will become a cherished member of your family in no time.

Thinking about adopting a cat? Don’t forget to try our cat liner bags for quick and easy kitty litter cleanups.

How to Prepare for Every Pet Parent’s Worst Nightmare: A Missing Pet

How to Prepare for Every Pet Parent’s Worst Nightmare: A Missing Pet

Missing pets! One of the biggest fears of any pet parent is losing their beloved fur baby. It’s a big world out there, and sometimes, pets can, and do wander off to explore it. Rather than get caught off-guard, why not plan for a lost-pet scenario now so that if the fateful day ever comes, you’ll be better to equipped to deal with it. To help you stay calm, cool, and collected if the unthinkable happens, here are some handy tips on how to prepare for a missing pet.

Collars with pet ID tag

This may seem like a no-brainer, but ensuring your pet is wearing a secure collar with a name tag is one of the most popular and affordable ways for people to identify your lost pet. The ID tag should have current contact information. Also, make sure the information is readable. An illegible dog or cat tag is nothing more than pet bling.

Microchip

Thanks to today’s technology, keeping tabs on your pet has never been easier. About the size of a grain of rice, a tiny microchip is implanted in the loose skin between your pet’s shoulder blades, containing identifying information that can easily be scanned by veterinarians or shelters. If you are looking for a permanent solution to pet identification, microchipping your pet is a must.

Tattooing

Tattooing is another effective option to help identify a missing pet. Usually done on the inside of the thigh or right ear of your pet while they are under anesthetic when getting spayed or neutered or getting dental cleaning, tattooed ID codes are easily visible, providing permanent proof of ownership. In combination with ID tags, tattooing is a lasting option to trace your lost pet.

Pet finder websites

Pet finder websites are also a good place to start if you’ve searching for a lost pet. There are a variety of organizations dedicated to helping pet owners reunite with their missing cats or dogs, including Petlynx, The Center for Lost Pets, and your local SPCA. Websites like Craigslist can also be a handy resource when it comes to finding your lost cat or dog.

Current pet pictures

It’s always a good idea to have some up-to-date photos of your furry friend. To help make identification easier, snap some photos of your pet and store them on your computer or smartphone. If your pet goes missing, you’ll have a recent and easily accessible picture to post, print, and pass around, helping to speed up the retrieval process.

There are a host of options out there to help you find your missing pet. The key to remember is that there is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Using a combination of these methods will help ensure your furry pal is safe and sound.

Let us know what you think. Which option(s) do you think is the most effective at finding your pet?

Make a comment below or on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DoonGo/

DIY Pet Grooming

Grooming your pet is important for their health.  But it can get expensive and it can be stressful for your 4-legged BFF.  Grooming at home is a good alternative: it keeps costs down, is less scary for your cat or dog, and helps you keep tabs of your pet’s health.

Here are the most important home-grooming habits you can use to keep an eye on your pet’s health:

Coat

Both dogs and cats benefit from having their coats brushed.  Consistent brushing also helps you keep track of your pet’s skin.  An article on Dogster lists the following conditions to watch for while brushing your pet’s fur: hot spots, bald spots, oily/dry patches, open sores, scaly skin, or any other abnormality.

Long haired and double coated pets benefit from a good, regular brushing.  For cat it cuts down on hairballs, and removing excess fur helps your pet stay cool and prevents tangles.

Ears

Do you even smell your pet’s ears?  You should!  Bernadine Cruz, DVM says you should check your pet’s ears once every week.  Give them a sniff, they shouldn’t have a smell.  Take a look, there shouldn’t be any dirt or debris nor should they be red or inflamed.  If your pet’s ears smell like stinky feet or look red or inflamed it might be time for a vet visit.

Teeth

We all know that brushing your pet’s teeth is important for their long term health.  We’ve talked about the how of brushing your pet’s teeth before.  Make sure you use pet tooth paste as the human version is bad for your pet, and aim to brush at least once/week.

Nails

Have an indoor pet?  Is your pet older and doesn’t get as much outside time as in their youth?  You might have to cut your pet’s nails.  Without regular trimming nails can grow into your pet’s paws, this is painful and can cause infection.

Trimming your cat’s claws can be especially difficult.  Here’s a how-to article from PetMD that might help.  If you’d like to trim your dog’s nails check out this Dogster article for an easy step-by-step guide.

If you’re going to trim your pet’s nails at home make sure to invest in a proper pair of pet nail clippers.

Before you Begin

  • Research your pet’s breed so you know their specific grooming needs
  • Look into training your pet on the grooming process
  • Plan for session to be short
  • Have lots of treats on hand for rewards
  • Make sure you have the right equipment to do the job, for example, proper nail scissors or hair clippers, and a pet shampoo

A Word of Baths

Bathing your dog is always a good idea.  Try not to bathe your pup too often as over bathing can cause skin irritation and dryness.

Be Social

We want to hear from you!  Do you have grooming tips to share?  Make a comment below or on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DoonGo/

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Resources

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"Doo-n-go bags are great! Plus they work and support nonprofit rescues and who doesn't like that!!"

Regina Harman, Southern Nevada Beagle Rescue Foundation

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