Why Exercise is Essential for Indoor and Outdoor Cats

Cats are known for sleeping more than most other animals, snoozing on average 12-16 hours each day. While this behavior is designed to conserve energy, felines need physical activity to keep their hearts, bodies, and minds healthy.

In the United States, it’s estimated that between 25 and 40 percent of cats are overweight and/or obese. This excessive weight is associated with an increased risk for major health issues, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. Aside from the health risks, being overweight may prevent your cat from exploring areas they would otherwise enjoy.

Exercise is one of the best methods to not only address weight issues with your cat, but to bond and satisfy their desire for play. While exercise can seem like a daunting task, it can be very fun for both owner and pet.

CBD Hemp Oil, can help regulate the digestive system and get it back on track. If your furry companion is having difficulties eating or has had an adverse effect from food, by following this website you will find all the information you need to start helping them immediately.


Hanging Cat Toys

  • While cat owners want to spend their free time playing with their pet, it’s not possible for them to be present 24/7. Providing an interactive dangling mouse toy is an easy way to provide physical stimulation during these times. Great for batting and swatting, all you need to do is hang the toy from a standard door and let your cat enjoy!

Scratching Posts

  • Scratching posts are a great addition to a felines play area. They allow the cat to act on natural urges to scratch (believed to be a communication mechanism) while getting them active. Placing scratching posts in their typical play areas can lead to increased physical activity.

Interactive Cat Food Balls

  • Cats tend to play more with toys when they’re hungry, so combining both activities can be a fun way to get your cat to be more active. Provide your cat with a small physical challenge to help encourage exercise. Cat food balls can help improve problem behavior such as: excessive meowing, attention seeking, scratching, pica, aggression and excessive toileting.

Remember: an occupied cat will spend more time playing with its own toys and less time with your possessions!

 

Keep Your Dog Out of Your Cat’s Food


Most dog and cat owners have to keep an eye out for their dog when feeding their cat to prevent their dog from eating the cat’s food first.  Not only does this make it difficult for your cat to enjoy eating their daily meals, but it is unhealthy for your dog and he or she may become overweight.  Here are some tips to follow to make your cat’s meal time easier and more relaxing for both you and your cat:

  • Pick a set time each day to feed your cat. If you pick a particular time everyday to feed your cat, you can make sure to keep your dog away when your cat is eating.  In addition, your cat will be more motivated to eat the food right away if he or she is only eating at a certain time of day, instead of having the food sit out all day. Moist cat food, such as Earthborn Holistic,is easy to feed in this way and is more likely to be eaten by your cat right away.
  • Choose a location that is not accessible to your dog. Place your cat’s food container in a higher location or in a place where your dog is not able to get to. This works out well if your cat likes to nibble on dry cat food all day long. If you have the space, you may want to use a feeder like Automatic Pet Feeder by Van Ness in a secluded or high up location.
  • Use a pet gate to close off your cat’s eating area. A pet gate, like the Metal Walk Thru Dog Gate, is a great way to keep your dog out of your cat’s food. This type of gate is easy for you to pass through, while it keeps your dog out of the cat’s food and reduces the amount of hassle caused by trying to separate the two types of animals.

Cats Love Catnip!

It is a matter of fact that most cats love catnip.  It is genetically determined whether or not you cat will like it.  Your cat not “acquire” an interest in it.  The reason so many cats love it is because it makes them feel wonderful.  Experts say that the feeling a cat gets when consuming or inhaling catnip is a feeling of intense elation.  You may notice your cat purring more than usual, or rolling around happily.  It also stimulates them in the part of their brain that controls a cats activity levels.  Many cats become more playful with their owners after smelling or eating a catnip product.  The best part about catnip is that it is non-addictive and completely harmless to your cat.

There are plenty of toys that are specifically designed to be filled with the leaves of catnip.  One of my cat’s favorite toy is the Scratch, Rattle & Roll Cat Scratcher – Mouse.  This mouse is stuffed full of catnip!  The front half is made of soft cloth material, and the back is made of sisal (which is the material scratching posts are generally made out of).  The tail has a rattle in it, and can also be hung from doorknobs.  If your cat loves scratching and catnip, the Scratch, Rattle & Roll Cat Scratcher – Mouse is the perfect toy for your cat!

I also purchased the Extreme Catnip – 3.5 oz, shown to the right, and put it in some of my cat’s favorite areas of the house.  If you are trying to encourage your cat to become more playful with you, you can put this catnip on the floor and let your cat eat it.  This catnip is more potent than most other brands of catnip, meaning your cat will love Extreme Catnip – 3.5 oz more than other catnip!

Lastly, there is a variety of catnip sprays.  Four Paws Super Catnip Spray – 5 oz is a great type of spray that is actually made out of catnip leaves.  It is highly concentrated with the aroma of catnip.  It can be sprayed anywhere your cat likes to be, or places where you want your cat to go.  For example, if you want your cat to sleep on your bed, you can spray the Four Paws Super Catnip Spray – 5 oz on your bed and your cat will be instantly drawn onto your bed.

If your cat is not yet 3 months, he or she will not be affected by catnip.  This is not a sign as to whether or not your cat will enjoy catnip in the future!

Purrfect Cat Toys for Playtime with Your Cat

Keeping your cat entertained and having a great time with your cat is not difficult if you have a variety of fun, interactive cat toys for playtime with your cat.  Not only does interactive play with your cat help to create a strong bond with your cat, but they are always great for mentally stimulating your cat and helping to exercise your cat.  It is important for all cats, including indoor cats, to get exercise everyday to help avoid becoming overweight and having other types of health issues.  To keep your cat interested in play time, use a variety of fun cat toys and sprinkle some fresh catnip on them when your cat starts getting bored with the cat toy.

Cat toy wands are great for getting interactive play started with your cat.  There are a large variety to choose from and most often they have feathers attached at the end to tempt your cat to play.  One of my favorite cat toy wands is the Flamingo Mini Teaser Wand by Ethical.  This cute cat toy wand is perfect for dangling over your cat’s head and gets your cat moving by swatting and pouncing at the flamingo.  The flamingo is filled with catnip and is sure to drive your cat crazy with fun!

Cat toy balls are another fun and easy way to get your cat moving.  The Mini Tennis Balls with Catnipby Ethical are soft and filled with catnip.  Roll them around on the ground and watch your cat have fun chasing them or toss them up in the air for your cat to pounce on.  This activity is great for bonding with your cat and helps to keep your cat active.  Keep a variety of cat balls around for your cat to chase and play with even when you are not around to play.

Catnip filled toys, such as PetStages Fishy Fun Cat Toy, make great toys for playtime with your cat.  This fun fish is brightly colored and stuffed with catnip to easily get your cat’s attention.  The ribbon fins are also fun for your cat to play with after this prey has been caught by your cat!

Save Time and Money This Holiday Season When Shopping for Your Pet

No matter what type of pet that you have, online shopping makes it easy for you to get great gifts for your dog or cat without all of the hassels of going out to the store and getting stuck in the crowd.  Shopping for your pet online is easy and quit and allows you to look at lots of items in the matter of minutes. Here are some of my favorite online toys for pets this holiday season:

  1. Eco-Friendly Dog Toys:  These toys are great for the environment and ideal for your dog.  There are many to choose from, but my favorite dog toy is the Bottle Buddies Dog Toyby Kyjen.  Just take a used water bottle and slip the bottle inside the plush toy for your dog to play with.  Your dog will have hours of fun and you help to save a water bottle from ending up in a landfill.
  2. Heated Ped Beds:  Nothing is more soothing after a hard day of playing that a heated pet bed for your dog or cat.  When choosing a pet bed, pick one that will be easy to clean and one that is large enough for your dog or cat to spread out and relax.  A great pet bed for both cats and dogs is the Heated Pet Wellness Sleeper Bed.  This bed is available in a wide range of sizes and four earth-tone colors.
  3. Gourmet Treats for Your Cat or Dog:  Now is a great time for you to splurge on a gourmet treat for your cat or dog. Place these extra special treats in your cat or dog’s stocking for a tasty surprise during the holidays.  For cats, the Kookamunga Crunchy Catnip Treats is a crunchy treat that your cat won’t be able to resist and is extra special for the holidays.  For dogs, the Zukes Z-Filets Dog Treats is made from premium ingredients that will make your dog drool. These treats are available in three cuts of meat. 

No matter what type of animal pet you have, shopping online for them is easy and quick and allows you to avoid the holiday crowds.  Check out GregRobert Pet Supply for everything that you need for your pet!

“Made in the USA” Launches at GregRobert – GRpet.com

Who isn’t looking for ways to jumpstart the American economy? 

There are many politicians across America that feel a cohesive effort by the American population to purchase American-made goods is the answer.  Michigan based GregRobert Discount Pet Supplies, announced today the launch of the “Made in the USA” pet store on it’s corporate website: www.GRpet.com.  The initiative includes USA made products highlighted in a special section.  In addition, throughout the website, USA-made pet products are signified with an American flag next to the price. 

With more and more stories becoming public that outline poor manufacturing facilities in some parts of the world, American pet owners are becoming concerned.  This concern coupled with a stagnant US economy has made American Made pet products more appealing to consumers. Recent news articles regarding pet food manufacturing facilities and contaminated pet medications are fueling some of the concern.

GregRobert pet supplies has responded by researching the manufacturing origin of the pet products that they carry.  By grouping pet products manufactured on American soil in a special section on their website dubbed the “Made in the USA Pet Store”, they have made it easy to find US made pet products in one area.

The Made in the USA Pet Store at GregRobert is sectioned off into multiple categories including popular pet products like:

Made in the USA Small Animal Food And Treats
Made in the USA Small Animal
Made in the USA Rawhide Pet Products
Made in the USA Rakes
Made in the USA Miscellaneous Pet
Made in the USA Miscellaneous Lawn And Garden
Made in the USA Miscellaneous Fish Supplies
Made in the USA Miscellaneous Aquariam
Made in the USA Lawn/garden Specialty Netting/composting/ponds
Made in the USA Horse Stable Equipment
Made in the USA Hardware Miscellaneous
Made in the USA Fish Remedies And Health Aids
Made in the USA Fish Food
Made in the USA Dog/cat Vinyl, Rubber And Other Toys
Made in the USA Dog Treats
Made in the USA Dog Grooming Aids/health Aids/nutrition
Made in the USA Dog Food
Made in the USA Cat Toys
Made in the USA Cat Treats
Made in the USA Cat Litter
Made in the USA Cat Grooming
Made in the USA Cat Food
Made in the USA Caged Bird Food And Treats
Made in the USA Animal Health Supplies
 

CEO of GregRobert Enterprises commented: “No political statements are intended with our new “Made in the USA” pet store launch. We intend to increase our corporate citizenship efforts during these trying times, and this is just one way that we feel we can help”.  

Many US citizens believe that Americans should buy USA made products. The theory is that once Americans start buying more American goods, the demand for them will increase. As a result of the rising demand, more factories or plants will be developed. More good job opportunities will result from the movement.

Visit the “Made in the USA Pet Shop” at http://www.GRpet.com/shop/madeinusa.php