This tip was given to me by a Vet and swears that it works.

Help, she's trying to kill me!

First, prepare the room ahead of time and fill a couple buckets full of warm water.  This is so you don’t have to run the faucet as it might scare the cat.

Next, get a window screen frame from the hardware store and place it in the bottom of the tub.  When you put the cat on it, they will grip onto the screen for dear life and not let go.

Now, pour the water on the cat.  Don’t put the shampoo on yet just in case the cat freaks out and runs away.  You don’t want her to be all lathered up and not be able to rinse her off.

If they are OK with the water, use a pet shampoo that will wash off fast and clean.

When you’re done, put a towel around the cat to get some of the water off and pry her away from the screen.  Then let go!

Cats should be washed twice a year – it will get rid of dirt, dander and excess hair that won’t go into their intestines.

Hope this helps and let me know if it works.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

Waggy’s Eco Pet Products

I think this cat needs a 12 step program!

Obviously, I’m a big dog lover and didn’t know much about cats until I started pet sitting and had to get to know them very quickly.  I have learned that not all cats want to scratch your eyes out and hiss at you.  I’ve grown to appreciate their beauty and  their subtle affection.

But, what is it about the catnip?  I’ve always been curious about how catnip effects cats and why does it make them go crazy.

Here’s what I learned:

• Catnip is a perennial herb in the mint family – Labiatae.  It originally came here from the Mediterranean, but it’s now native to North America and Canada.

• The active ingredient that makes cats react is called Nepetalactone.  This chemical goes through their olfactory system that only cats have a receptor for.  This is what makes them roll around in it, rub their bodies and for a few minutes act like their having an LSD trip.  It only lasts for about 15 minutes at most and can’t happen again for over an hour or so.

• It’s not the smell of the catnip herb that makes cats go crazy but the Nepetalactone that triggers this response. They’re not sure why the cat’s brain reacts in such a way.

• If you have tried catnip toys,  but don’t see any response, don’t be alarmed.  Not all cats will react to it.  Very young kitties and older cats are less likely to have a reaction to catnip. Actually, the reaction to catnip is hereditary.   That’s why some cats will have a huge reaction and some won’t.  About 10-30% of cats don’t have any reaction no matter what age they are.

When I chose to offer catnip on my store, I wanted a natural, organic choice.   Waggy’s organic catnip is harvested in the USA and is USDA certified organically grown with no stems or fillers, and it’s Oko-Tex Certified Safe!  You can read about Oko-Tek in the prior post, Eco Friendly on Steriods – Oko-Tex Standard 100 certification.

I think I’ve satisfied my curiosity and hope that you’ve learned a little something too.

Now go out and give your kitties and nice scratch behind the ears!

Chris L Wagner

Waggy’s Eco Pet Products

Waggy’s Pet Sitting Service

Waggy’s Pet Tips and Tales