Why do Cats Scratch?

Cats will always scratch, it is a natural in built instinct in them. Scratching feels pleasurable to cats which is one reason they do it. It is also a form of exercise and they also do it as a way to mark their territory. The visible scratch marks demonstrate they are in charge and when they do it a gland on their paws releases a smell which also serves as a warning to other cats in the vicinity!

If your cat is frequently attacking your antique armchair or brand new sofa, it would be wise to purchase one or two cat scratch posts. Punishing your cat for scratching your furniture wouldn’t work as they just wouldn’t understand why they were being punished and would come to mistrust you and stay away. Declawing is cruel and should never be considered.

When selecting cat scratch posts you should choose ones that are tall enough for your cat to extend its whole body against, and that are very stable. If cat scratch posts wobble even slightly, cats will never revisit them. It must have a very rough texture too so your cat can get a really satisfying scratch out of it.

To encourage your cat to use the cat scratch posts in your home, place them in the centre of the rooms most frequently used by the family. When he has taken to them, you can move the cat scratch posts more into the corner so they don’t need to be the centrepiece forever! If your cat is still being timid around the posts, try feeding your cat by them and give lots of attention right next to where they site. That way your cat will have good associations with them and will be happy to use them in future.

Have any of you any suggestions on how to get cats to use cat scratch posts? Send in your thoughts below.

Do Cats Need Milk?

Contrary to what cartoons and films tell us, cats do not actually need milk and in fact laying out for a cat a ceramic bowl or saucer of milk can do a lot more harm than good. Kittens drink their mother’s milk, however once a kitten has been weaned onto solid food it is common for a lactose intolerance to develop. If a cat was to consume milk there is a high chance of an allergic reaction which would more than likely result in vomiting and other unpleasant digestive problems.

Milk provides nothing for a cat nutritionally speaking and should generally not be made available at all, but certainly not in place of food or water. All a cat needs is healthy cat food and water which is an essential part of a cat’s diet. There must always be a bowl of clean, fresh water available throughout the day and night. Cats are quite fussy creatures and even if there is just one bit of food floating in the water bowl it is likely the cat will turn its nose up and not drink from it at all.

Cats would drink milk if it was in front of them, and on the whole they do seem to enjoy it. If your cat has had some milk and not suffered from digestive problems as a consequence then it may be possible to provide a little milk every now and again as a treat. Not all cats develop a lactose intolerance which is why some are able to indulge in milk without problems. If your cat likes milk but has problems drinking it, there may be a substitute available designed for cats that would fill the gap and can be provided alongside healthy cat food and water.

If a cat was to drink only milk instead of water, it would not survive very long. Milk doesn’t provide a cat with any of the nutrients it needs and shouldn’t really be given. The best advice is to avoid giving your cat any milk, the second best advice is to test the waters and if there are no problems, give your cat a ceramic bowl or even better a saucer of milk (just like in the cartoons) as an occasional treat!

Do any of you give your cats milk on a regular basis? Send in your thoughts about milk and cats below.

A look at doggy accessories

It is truly astonishing how pampered dogs can be these days! From pet spa treatments to satin dressing gowns to aromatherapy sets, your dog can truly live like a King or Queen. I’m sure it would even be possible to purchase a tiara or two for you canine friend. Paris Hilton has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars building a “kennel” for her dogs. It exactly replicates her own house, it has a downstairs “sitting room” and upstairs there is a bedroom complete with wardrobe where all the dog clothes and accessories for her numerous furry friends are kept. The dog house is complete with hanging crystal chandelier and designer furniture to match her own. At over three hundred thousand dollars, this costs more than the average human house!

For those wanting to splash out but not to quite such extremes, little dog jackets are fun ways to accessorise your dog. From flying jackets to bomber jackets there is a large selection available at www.VioVet.co.uk. The “Aberdoggie and Fetch” hooded sweatshirt is particularly popular and looks great on any dog, large or small!

The only real accessories that are absolute must haves for a dog are a good quality collar and lead, a microchip for identification and a bed. You could throw in a ball or some sort of squeaky toy too, but there is no reason to think that Paris Hilton’s dog “Tinkerbell” feels any happier or better off with its elaborate dog kennel and wardrobe full of designer clothes. To be truly happy, all a dog needs is a loving family, a couple of long walks each day and about 30 minutes of “play time”. That’s it.

Dog accessories are good fun. Doggie spa sets are perhaps taking it slightly too far, but jackets and toys will keep your dog warm and give him something to do during the day, particularly if the house is empty. What do you all think? Do you think dog accessories are an important part of a dog’s life? Do you have many accessories for your pet pooch? Tell us your thoughts below.

Are pet supplements important?

Tinned, dried and packaged dog food is relatively cheap to buy and certainly a big time saver which makes it the common choice for pet owners - and who can blame them? Preparing dog or cat food from scratch is something that few people would have the time or even desire to do. Although there are good quality products on the market, they are often at the more expensive end of the scale. Cheaper tins and biscuits for pets often mean the quality of protein within the product is sacrificed or a large amount of “filler” has been used (such as refined grains). Pet food that is capable of being stored for long periods of time indicates that it has undergone a very high heat treatment during the manufacturing process which often depletes the levels of nutrients and vitamins within.

If you are worried about the quality of the food in your pet’s diet but don’t want to spend more or drastically change your pet’s diet (which could lead to other digestive problems), then a pet supplement could be the answer. Supplements ensure your pet is getting everything it needs for a healthy and balanced diet. Here at Viovet, we can provide advice and information about the different supplements available and how they can benefit your pet.

Supplements have been shown to improve the overall quality of life of animals and positive benefits can be seen almost immediately. Supplements can aid intestinal health and digestion, improve the quality and feel of coats and skin, support healthy bones and joints, prevent disease and boost overall levels of energy. It is important to choose a supplement that is suitable and designed for your pet’s age specifically as well as ideally having a money-back guarantee. Come and talk to us here at VioVet if you would like to know more about supplements for your pet.

Have any of you given your pets a supplement? If so, what were the benefits? Send in your comments below.