Water bottle maintenance for small pets

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I just posted this video on Instagram, showing my new hamster struggling to drink water. I had started filming him when I saw him struggling, wondering if I should consult with the breeder, but then realized the issue was a stuck water bottle.

Unless a client says otherwise, I usually prefer to offer both a water bottle and a water bowl to hamsters, Guinea pigs, and rabbits. It is important that pets always have access to clean, fresh water, and having both options covers all the bases.

If the water bottle gets stuck, there is still water available in the bowl; if the bowl is knocked over or empty or soiled with bedding (mice – why do they always bury it???), or pooped in (Guinea pigs – poop-flinging champions), there is still water in the bottle.

Some pets frequently knock over water bowls, or they might be in danger of drowning in a bowl, so a water bottle might be preferred. For small caged pets that might drown in a water bowl – for example, dwarf hamsters or very young hamsters – the bowl can be partly filled with large, cleaned aquarium stones to make the water level shallow.

Water bottles might get stuck, which means the pet can’t get water. They should be checked at least once a day to make sure this hasn’t happened. Simply tap the ball with a finger. If the finger is wet, it’s working. If the finger is dry, it’s stuck.

In the stuck video on the left, I hadn’t noticed the issue at first, because I saw a couple small air bubbles floating up, and I thought that that indicated that water was coming out. Echo is a very young hamster and has only been with me for a week. I wasn’t sure if he was used to drinking from a bottle. However, I became suspicious and checked right after filming, and found the bottle was stuck. The spout was bone dry. My baby had been fighting with the water bottle!

Many water bottles for small pets have the best water flow if they are filled no more than 75% full. I’ll fess up… I sometimes forget this. The glass bottle here has an indentation on the side as a marker. This brand also includes a small plastic carrot inside the bottle, which floats and helps to indicate the water level.

If a water bottle gets stuck, I turn it upside down a few times, and then retest. This usually fixes the issue by dislodging air bubbles blocking the water flow. If a water bottle frequently clogs, it might be best to replace with a different bottle. Same if a bottle won’t stop leaking, as that will create a wet spot, when you want to keep the little paws dry, as well as leaking out all the water.

 

Yes, water bottles need cleaning

 

Be sure to regularly wash the water bottle, to prevent mildew, bacteria, and algae build-up. It is not ok to just refill the bottle without ever cleaning it. Your pets need fresh, clean water. Any sign of growth, discoloration, or slime should be removed.

Pro tip: cleaning pet items regularly when they aren’t “that” dirty, is easier, faster, and less unpleasant than putting it off for too long until they are extremely dirty. It doesn’t have to be gross before it’s cleaned.

One method of cleaning the inside of the bottle is to put some dry, uncooked rice inside with some water, and vigorously shake to dislodge anything accumulating inside. Immediately rinse, and follow-up up with a touch of vinegar, too.

There are bottle cleaning brushes available, as well.

Pay attention to the inside gasket of the metal/plastic part, where the bottle connects to the spout, which is often forgotten. Use a q-tip or maybe a small toothbrush and a little vinegar and water to scrub it clean, then rinse thoroughly.

Vinegar is pet-safe, inexpensive, easy to use, and is commonly used for maintenance of small pet cages and accessories. Hamsters in particular can be sensitive to fragrances and residues left by certain common household cleaners like dish soap or cleaner sprays or bleach, which might not be detectable by humans, and vinegar is not as harsh and does not leave a residue when rinsed. A diluted solution of vinegar and water (50/50 is a common ratio) can be kept in a spray bottle for convenience. Vinegar is also great at neutralizing pee, and leaves glass and plastic streak-free. Yes, it has a strong smell when you first use it, but this dissipates when thoroughly rinsed off.

I take further precautionary measures with pet-safe disinfectants in between pets when reusing accessories and cages, or if there is the possibility of illness and a more comprehensive disinfecting is needed, but for the most part, I mostly use a vinegar solution for day to day tidying.

2024 Professional Pet Sitters Week (Wheek!) March 3-9

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(English will follow )

De plus, comme il s’agit maintenant d’un billet de blog au lieu d’un billet Instagram, j’ajouterai que je viens tout juste de me remettre d’avoir mangé du covid pour la Saint-Valentin, et que je suis encore un peu lent à répondre aux messages. Je m’excuse pour les inconvénients. Je reprends des forces et je me remets sur les rails. Pour les clients potentiels, le courriel (ou le formulaire de contact sur ce site web) reste le meilleur moyen de me contacter.

 

C’est la semaine annuelle des gardiens d’animaux à domicile professionnels PSI (Association internationale des gardiens d’animaux à domicile).

 

Le gardiennage professionnel d’animaux à domicile est souvent mal compris par le grand public, et il n’est peut-être pas évident de comprendre pourquoi il peut y avoir tant de différences de prix et de politiques entre un gardien d’animaux professionnel et quelqu’un qui pourrait faire du gardiennage de façon plus occasionnelle.

 

Il y a une grande variété d’options de garde d’animaux disponibles pour les propriétaires d’animaux à Montréal, et j’ai apprécié d’être une gardienne d’animaux professionnelle ici, principalement en visitant des chats à domicile et d’autres petits animaux à fourrure dans leurs propres maisons. J’hésite à dire que je ne m’occupe que de chats, car je vois aussi un certain nombre de cochons d’Inde, de lapins, de hamsters, de souris, de hérissons, de chinchillas et, à l’occasion, des poissons, mais je vois surtout des chats. J’ai également des clients qui n’ont pas d’animaux et qui souhaitent simplement arroser leurs plantes ou effectuer des contrôles rapides de la maison pour apporter le courrier.

 

Je suis fière d’être m il embre de Pet Sitters International depuis que je suis devenue une professionnelle des animaux de compagnie il y a près de huit ans. Je possède un certain nombre de qualifications professionnelles, dont celle de Gardienne d’animaux de compagnie professionnelle certifiée auprès de PSI et de NAPPS, l’Association nationale des gardiens d’animaux professionnels (à NE PAS confondre avec l’Association nationale des huissiers de justice professionnels, qui est la première mention de NAPPS sur Google). J’ai été nommée l’une des cinq finalistes pour le titre de Prix du gardien d’animaux de compagnie de l’année 2021 de PSI, la plus haute distinction de l’industrie internationale de la garde d’animaux de compagnie. Je suis également un professionneàle certifiée de 《Fear Free》 et formé aux premiers secours et à la réanimation cardio-pulmonaire pour animaux de compagnie. Je dois suivre des unités de formation continue afin de conserver mes titres de compétence (ce qui signifie des lectures continues, des webinaires, des conférences éducatives), et j’espère vraiment, vraiment, VRAIMENT me rendre à la conférence éducative annuelle en personne du PSI à l’automne, qui se trouve cette année à Niagara Falls, dans les États Unis, à une courte distance en voiture. J’aimerais rencontrer beaucoup d’autres gardiennes d’animaux canadiennes, puisque c’est si près de la frontière et qu’il est difficile pour les gardiennes d’animaux d’assister à des conférences pour de nombreuses raisons, mais particulièrement pour les canadiennes, car la plupart des conférences liées à la garde d’animaux se tiennent aux États-Unis.

 

En parlant des cochons d’Inde, il semble que je sois dans une période de sécheresse pour les cochons d’Inde en ce moment… alors faites-les venir ! Après les chats, mes clients les plus fréquents sont les cochons d’Inde, et j’aime tellement ces dramatiques mignonnes à fourrure ! Je peux leur rendre visite à domicile, ou il y a aussi une option de pension tout compris pour eux qui comprend l’habitat pour cochons d’Inde MidWest, une litière en polaire, des légumes frais deux fois par jour, du foin Timothy à volonté, des granulés, de la vitamine C, des rapports quotidiens avec des photos, et beaucoup d’attention dans un environnement familial. Les disponibilités en pension sont très limitées afin d’assurer un service de haute qualité, il faut donc réserver longtemps à l’avance. Je propose également des services mobiles de coupe d’ongles et de bain pour les cochons d’Inde dans ma zone de service.

 

Merci donc à Montréal d’être une ville idéale pour devenir gardienne professionnelle d’animaux de compagnie, merci à mes merveilleux clients, et je me réjouis à l’avance d’une autre année formidable. En espérant qu’elle déborde de cochons d’Inde enjoués.

 

……………

 

Also, since this is now a blog post instead of an Instagram post, I’ll add that I’ve just gotten over having had covid for Valentine’s Day, and am still on the slow side of responding to messages. I apologize for the inconvenience. I am getting stronger, and am getting back on track. For potential clients, email (or the contact form on this website) is still the best way to reach me.

 

It’s PSI’s annual #professionalpetsittersweek !

 

Professional pet sitting is often misunderstood by the general public, and it might not be clear why there can be so many differences in pricing and policies between a professional pet sitter, and someone who might pet sit more casually.

 

There is a huge range of pet care options available to pet owners in #Montreal, and I have enjoyed being a professional pet sitter here, primarily visiting cats and other small furry pets in their own homes. I hesitate to say that I am a cats-only sitter, as I do also see a number of Guinea pigs, rabbits, hamsters, mice, hedgehogs, chinchillas, and the occasional fish, but I primarily see cats. I also have clients without pets who simply want plant watering or quick house checks to bring in the mail.

 

I have been a proud member of Pet Sitters International since becoming a #professionalpetsitter nearly eight years ago. I have multiple credentials, including being a #certifiedprofessionalpetsitter through both PSI and NAPPS, the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NOT to be confused with the National Association of Professional Process Servers, which is the first Google hit for NAPPS). I was named a Top 5 Finalist for PSI’s 2021 Pet Sitter of the Year, the international pet sitting industry’s highest honour. I am also a #fearfreecertifiedprofessional and trained in pet first aid and CPR. I must complete continuing education units in order to maintain my CPPS credentials (which means continuous reading, webinars, educational conferences), and I am really, really, REALLY hoping to make it to the annual PSI educational in-person conference in the fall, which is just within driving distance this year in Niagara Falls, New York. Interested in connecting with lots of other Canadian pet sitters, since it’s so close to the border and attending conferences is difficult for pet sitters for many reasons, but particularly Canadian pet sitters, as most pet sitter-related conferences are held in the US.

 

Speaking of #guineapigs , I seem to be in a Guinea pig drought right now, so bring them on! Next to #cats , my next most frequent clients are Guinea pigs, and I love the dramatic furry piggies so much! I can either provide in-home pet visits for them, or there is also a popular all-inclusive boarding option for them that includes MidWest Guinea Pig Habitat, fleece bedding, twice daily fresh vegetables, unlimited Timothy hay, pellets, vitamin C, daily reports with pictures, and lots of snuggles and attention in a family environment. Very limited availability for boarding to ensure a high quality of service, so book well in advance. I also provide mobile nail trimming and bathing for Guinea pigs within my service area.

 

So, thank you for being a great city to be a professional pet sitter, Montreal, thank you to my wonderful clients, and looking forward to another great year. Hopefully overflowing with wheeking Guinea pigs

Yes, cats are lazy eaters, and I still like using food puzzles

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Saw this reposted article today:

https://www.companionanimalpsychology.com/2022/01/scientists-surprised-to-learn-that-cats.html?fbclid=IwAR3x5WuNL_pZg21Cc7n0ysxVrImI9VktzEx1WcEKURor_lg4asO_T05qpik&m=1

I love Dr. Mikel Delgado, self-proclaimed cat geek. I was fortunate enough to have attendinded a talk she did about shelter cays at the 2019 Cat Camp NYC, as well as some of the webinars she’s presented.

In my work as a cat sitter, I frequently suggest to clients to add food puzzles, slow feeders, and other forms of food-related enrichment. I think they help to decrease boredom and stress when their people are away, and they can help slow down cats that eat too quickly and then regurgitate food immediately after – or even in the middle of – eating. This study doesn’t contradict that.

I like these tools, but they’re also not appropriate for all cats, like cats that aren’t food-motivated, that don’t have much appetite, and if the puzzles are too hard for them. Cats each have their own talents and skill levels and set-ups that work best for them.

I was humbled this summer when I put out what I consider to be a relatively easy food puzzle for my own cat, Olaf, (this one, which can work well for most cats, rabbits, and Guinea pigs, too). It has big pieces, and you just have to lift them up to get to the food. You could tip it over or knock it around to dislodge the pieces, too. No manipulating things, not much thinking needed to get to the food, easy to cclean. I’d never had a per have a problem with it… until I gave it to Olaf. I was mortified to come home after a long work day to a hungry cat and a full, untouched food puzzle. Ahhhhhhhh. At least he’s pretty and fluffy. My poor magnificent beast did not have the brain cell that day. Ok, he’s not orange, but he still needs a turn with it sometimes! In my defense, ten years ago, a young Olaf would have gotten into it and inhaled the food within seconds. But Olaf is now about 16, a super senior, and he doesn’t have that young cat’s drive and urgency for food.

Before immediately spending money on a new food puzzle or slow feeder, I often suggest trying inexpensive diy options first to test out the waters. A muffin tin, either upside-down or right side up, can work well as a slow feeder. Some people put a golf ball in their cat’s dry food dish to slow them down. Instead of one food dish, there could be a few smaller portions of food put in different areas, so the cat has to walk from one dish to the next, to encourage eating slower and to get them moving.

There’s also lick mats, and I like them a lot for most cats. Licking is therapeutic for cats, so licking their wet food or wet treats off of a lick mat can be calming rather than frustrating, and reduce stress from being at home alone.

Nothing but the best locally-sourced organic produce for my Guinea pig and rabbit clients!

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Three years ago, after noting interest in organic produce from my clients, I subscribed to an organic veggie basket every two weeks for the summer/fall season at La Ferme Cooperative aux Champs qui Chantent . Registration for the 2024 season is currently open! I definitely recommend checking it out and reserving soon, as shares do sell out.

When I board small pets like Guinea pigs and chinchillas, a twice daily fresh vegetable service is included in the boarding fees. I also provide fresh vegetables after a certain period to pets that visits in their own homes, like rabbits.

I have been continually impressed with the abundance and quality of each veggie basket, and with the efficiency and hard work of the staff.

My Guinea pig boarders have definitely enjoyed the organic, seasonal, locally-grown selections, and rabbit and hamster clients, foster mice, and personal hamster have all given it an enthusiastic yes!

How it works is that the veggie baskets are reserved and paid for in advance. The quantity comes in either a single or double option, and the frequency is either weekly or biweekly. If I could, I would absolutely reserve a weekly double basket, because the produce is amazing, but I have once again reserved a familial basket, which alternates single and double portions.

There is an option to donate to or buy solidarity baskets, to help provide affordable veggie baskets for those who need them.

And this year, Cats and Hamsters is pleased to support this staff-owned collective with their new Equitable basket, which will help to provide the farmers with an equitable salary.

I have also enjoyed the organic farm-fresh eggs and occassional extra offerings, like local honey!

Cruises – it is possible to depart directly out of Montreal’s Old Port!

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I have been FASCINATED  by the current TikTok obsession with the Royal Carribean 9-month world cruise. And it also seems interesting that booking these all-inclusive type of trips months and years in advance might be an effective way at cruising through vacationing during times of inflation, since meals and most expenses are usually included in the package.

It is also a great way of planning travel while coordinating pet care or plant watering coverage, because it’s easier to reserve services well in advance, rather than, say, the week before departure during periods of high demand.

Yes, my friends. It is advisable to budget for and to reserve pet care at the same time as if not prior to making travel arrangements.

Not the week before.

Not in the middle of crazy busy holiday travel periods.

Not the day before you leave because your friend who always said they’d watch the cats for you suddenly says they’re traveling at the same time and they can’t do it anymore.

BOOK PET CARE AT THE SAME TIME AS OR PRIOR TO BOOKING TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS. That is, in order to guarantee the availability of your preferred pet sitter, whom you and your pets love and adore. And to ensure that the pet care services are adequately budgeted for, as with all other travel planning. One aspect I really like about cruising, from a pet sitter’s perspective, is the advance planning. It gives the travelers a lot of time to strategize, BUDGET, and make necessary arrangements, like reserving pet care or plant watering or house checks so that their routines and lives aren’t disrupted.

Anyway… I myself get “mal de débarquement syndrome” (long-lasting motion sickness that isn’treally curable) when I go on boats (and sometimes planes), leaving me feeling like I am still on the boat for several weeks afterwards, so I have never been drawn to being on a ship for longer than a few hours. I don’t know anything about cruises, and it’s been very interesting reading about the different tiers in the loyalty program. Accruing points to climb the loyalty program ladder, strategizing packages, sounds like a competitive sport!

Maybe the motion sickness feeling is different on a huge cruise liner? Like being on an aircraft carrier? I actually prefer larger planes, too, because somehow a huge plane feels safer in the air than a smaller one for some reason? Because they’re… bigger and heavier??? (Sometimes, it doesn’t make sense yet we believe what we believe.)

I lived in the historic Old Port for many years, and often saw the beautiful brightly-lit cruise ships from my window. I also got inconvenienced in the summer each year when my parking spot on the Quays became a port of entry for cruise ships, and I had to deal with leaving my ID with them just to to get my pidgeon-pooped on Tercel to go run errands. And there was never a squeegee around when you really needed one, and swarms of them when your windshield was spotless.

Montreal seems more like a cruise excursion point rather than a city you can depart from for one of these big international cruise adventures.

Most people who cruise seem to fly to the departure destination, cruise, then fly back home.

However, from a quick internet search, it looks like there are some cruising options departing close to home, right from Montreal beyond a brief dinner cruise up and down the St. Lawrence!

Holland America has a few week-long cruises around New England. There’s even an 11-day round-trip cruise that brings you right back where you started, after seeing New England, Prince Edward Island, and more. No need to hop on a plane to board the cruise, it sails right out of Montreal.

4559611https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/find-a-cruise?embarkPortCode:(YUL)

 

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has a few 11-day cruises from Montreal to Boston and to New York.

https://www.rssc.com/cruises?ep=YUL

 

Seabourn also has a 12-day Canadian Autumn round-trip “Sail of the Year” cruise from Montreal around St. Pierre and right back to Montreal.

https://www.seabourn.com/en/ca/find-a-cruise?embarkPortCode:(YUL)

Pet Sitter Education Month

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Pet Sitter Education Month Tips & Best Practices from Cornell Feline Health Center

I saw this list from the Cornell Feline Health Center on my Facebook feed, and I DO ALL THESE THINGS!!!!!

1. New clients have a thorough registration meeting with me to go over all of their information. It generally lasts an hour. We go over the pet’s routine, where supplies and pet areas are, emergency contacts, and, if needed, the client demonstrates their preferred techniques for administering medication, food preparation, etc.

2. We go over the emergency medical plan, including veterinarian information. I also collect contact info for emergency contacts for the pets and the home. I encourage clients to leave cat carriers out, or to have them accessible to me (NOT in the basement storage locker).

3. I am bonded and insured with pet sitters insurance. This is business liability insurance.

4. Many common houseplants are toxic to cats. Tulips, lilies, poinsettias, etc. Sometimes, even the pollen of certain plants are toxic, even if the cat doesn’t chew on them. Sometimes a plant is so toxic that a cat will need to be rushed to the emergency veterinarian for immediate treatment if they eat it.

A good resource to consult is:

Poisons

5. I maintain training in pet first aid & CPR. Generally, these certificates are valid for two years, but I prefer to refresh my training every year. I am also a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS) through two major professional pet sitters associations, Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, and I am a Fear Free Certified Professional (FFCP). I love contuing education and I enjoy attending educational webinars and conferences whenever possible.

6. I have a car and primarily drive to all my visits. This also means that I am able to quickly transport pets for urgent medical care.

7. As part of the registration process, I ask if cats are microchipped. Microchipping cats, even indoor-only cats, is a great way of helping them to return home if they ever get lost. Cat collars are mostly designed to easily break away, to prevent injury and entanglement, which makes microchipping a more reliable means of retrieving and identifying an owned cat that gets lost.

A common issue I see amongst cat owners is that they neglect to update their contact info with the microchip company after they relocate. Their phone numbers, address, and email address might change, which needs to be updated in their file. It’s usually free and easy to do so, and is extremely important.

I also ask if the cat is licensed. Montreal requires that cats be licensed, and the permit is renewed each year.

Info on cat permits: https://montreal.ca/en/how-to/get-cat-license

Automatic feeders, fountains, litter robots cannot replace human interaction

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Recently, I was called in to do a last-minute pet visit for a regular client. I was happy to help – I had availability to accommodate them on my schedule and I had their keys on file.

 

What had happened was that the client was away that day and the cats had pulled the timed feeders out of the electrical outlets, so they had had no access to food. The client became aware of this because the feeders had wifi capability and could be controlled remotely, via an app. I stopped in to feed the cats, cuddle them, plug in the feeders, change the water, tidy the litter boxes and pet mess on the floor, did a quick walk-through of the interior, and sent my usual report with pictures to the client.

Cannot replace human interaction

Automated pet accessories are popular. They can be useful and convenient. But they do not replace the need for human interaction and the ability to immediately respond to and troubleshoot unexpected issues. It is risky to rely soley on automation for pet care, especially the longer one is away from home.

 

Murphy’s Law

Anything can fail, and the longer you are away, the greater the impact will be on your pets if the devices fail, resulting in pets lacking the most basic care like food, water, and litter box access. The devices might fail, the power might go out, the pet might knock over the devices. It doesn’t matter how automated things are, most professional pet sitters including Cats and Hamsters require a minimum of daily visits for pets.

 

Automatic pet accessories need a backup

Depending on the design, water fountains should be left with additional water bowls in case the power cuts out and they cannot access water. Automatic feeders should have a fresh battery backup – when in doubt, change it out. Litter robots sometimes get stuck. Robot vacuums need to be rescued and sometimes they run over pet messes (the newest ones can supposedly sense and avoid pet messes, but again… do you want to risk it?).

 

Neglect

No, leaving out mountains of food, bowls and bowls of water, and multiple litterboxes is not ideal, either. Many cats cannot regulate how much they eat at one time, and they might “scarf and barf” when a ton of food is suddenly dumped in front of them. The excess food may spoil (this summer has been so wet, dry food is sticking to bowls wuthin a day) and attract pests like ants, flies, and mice. And if something goes wrong, if the cat becomes sick, injured, or trapped, if the power goes out, if a tree crashes through a window, pet messes that stain, you will not be able to act in a timely manner.

 

EMERGENCY help MIGHT NOT BE available 

Planning on calling someone last-minute, without prior agreement, is too risky, because family, friends, and neighbours often travel at similar times, and during peak travel times, most established pet sitters have been fully booked in advance.

 

Unless they’re literally feral and fear all humans, your cat needs human interaction. This means in-person interaction, not just virtual interaction. 

It’s a myth that cats won’t miss you when you’re away. Cats are social and being left alone with no human companionship is stressful, especially if they are used to having their people at home for most of the day, like work-from-home professionals and families with children. Talking to your cat via a petcam can be confusing to the pet, even startling, because the sound quality and volume vary, and it is no substitute for being played with and pet and having a warm lap to sit on.

 

Stress can lead to shedding, increased licking, vomit, inappropriate elimination, property destruction, and other stress-related issues like urinary tract blockages. They may even pee on your stuff as soon as you return, not out of revenge, but because they missed you and they want to feel closer to you. By peeing on your stuff.

Believe it or not, but you might get separation anxiety, too

Separation anxiety goes both ways. Getting daily reports with pictures from a person who can troubleshoot and answer questions can help with peace of mind so you aren’t distracted while traveling. Traveling is sometimes hectic, and a person can also help if you forgot to do something, like open the washing machine door, close a window, take out the trash, bring in deliveries.

 

Automated pet accessories can be useful, but…

I find automatic feeders and water fountains to be useful when they are properly maintained, but they are not essential pet accessories.  Sometimes their upkeep is not a good fit for the household’s lifestyle. For example, if you do not want to clean a pet water fountain or replace disposable filters as-needed. In those cases, a stack of dishwasher-safe water bowls would be a better option for providing your cat with fresh, clean water than moving water through a dirty water fountain. I understand the usefulness of automatic litter boxes for certain households. No judgement at all, if it works for you and your pets, go for it. Sometimes it isn’t working, though, and I have many reservations about them as a professional cat sitter if other options are also possible, but that’s for another post.

Amazon Idea List for Prime Day 2023

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These are NOT affiliate links. I tried that… and no one clicked on any of my links so they dropped my affiliate account. It’s ok.

These are ideas only, of items I think my clients will find helpful, things I’d be happy to see in client homes. They might not work for everyone, they’re just ideas.

https://linktr.ee/catsandhamsters

This idea list covers all the species of pets I care for, in no particular order, which currently includes:

  • Cats
  • Hamsters
  • Guinea pigs
  • Rabbits
  • Chinchillas
  • Mice
  • Hedgehogs
  • Ferrets

Some items may not be self-explanatory.  For example, 12″ wheels typically marketed for chinchillas are actually the perfect size for Syrian hamsters, so that they can comfortably run with a straight back. Basically, no wheel is too big for a hamster as long as they can move it, meaning the tiniest dwarf hamster can absolutely have a 12″ wheel. And my picks for the quietest, best-quality hamster wheels are the  Nightangel wheel and Prevue Quiet wheel (only goes up to 11″, I think. 12″ would be more ideal for an adult Syrian hamster). Yes, they’re pricey, but a good quality, safe, quiet hamster wheel is a priceless investment and they’re at the top of the market.

Many dog slow feeders and dog food puzzles work very well for cats, rabbits, and the motivated Guinea pig. Tall exercise pens typically marketed towards dogs work great as rabbit and Guinea pig enclosures. Wide casserole dishes make great, heavy, dishwasher-safe pet water bowls.

I do want to add that it’s important to be realistic and practical about your budget, lifestyle, your pet’s needs, and what you’re willing to do. If you know you will hate disassembling and cleaning a pet water fountain every other day, just stick with a stack of dishwasher-safe water bowls. If you will have trouble staying on top of mountains of Guinea pig laundry, don’t use fleece liners, just stick with scoopable bedding. Don’t stretch yourself financially to try to use “the top” cat litter system or pet foods if you will be constantly stressing about use, waste, and how to stretch out supplies as far as it will go. It’s not worth it, and will just take up your valuable time and energy and funds trying to make it work when it really isn’t working. You’re doing great as long as you and your pets are safe, healthy, happy, and clean.

Happy Prime Day!

Cat World Domination Day – and how to survive living with a Cat Overlord

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Cat sitter's tips to surviving Cat World Domination Day

As many of us have discovered, today was day of Cat World Domination.

How might we peacefully co-exist with our cat overlords?

  1. Reward good behaviour. Positively reinforce desired behaviors with praise, treats, and cuddles. Build their trust.
  2. Play and enrichment. Tire them out with wand toys so they won’thave the energy to plot further takeovers. Do not use hands or fingers as toys.
  3. Deweaponize. Trim those claws every 2-3 weeks. Short nails are much less effective in human-cat battles than long, sharp claws.
  4. Pet your cat. Some cat overlords prefer only hands-off interactions with their people, and that is ok.
  5. Comb regularly. Combing loose fur off of your cat overlord will decrease their ability to form projectile vomit. Combing can also remove small mats before they combine into big mats. Matted fur is painful, and you do not want an unhappy cat overlord.

Interested in more Cat World Domination survival tips, from someone with experience on the front lines, who has rubbed elbows with many cats and who  knows how cats think and can anticipate many of their common maneuvers?

Code name: “Certified Professional Pet Sitter”

Specialties: cat care, with special interest in other small furry “pets” like Guinea pigs, hamsters, and rabbits.

How to activate: fill out the contact form on the Contact page. Our operative, “the Pet Sitter,” will be in contact with you to discuss how they can help. Unfortunately, “the Pet Sitter” is only able to travel within the current “Service Area. Usually,  this happens when the cat overlord grants their people permission to travel away from headquarters, and they are in need of temporary stand-ins to continue menial tasks like food service, water supply maintenance, and personal sanitation services. The exact details vary per mission, but “the Pet Sitter” is an experienced, trained operative who gets the job done. “The Pet Sitter” is only able to travel within the current “Service Area.”

Follow “the Pet Sitter’s” social media to stay informed of what’s happening behind the lines:

https://www.facebook.com/catsandhamsters/

https://www.instagram.com/catsandhamstersmontreal/

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMLga8TWy/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL7sPFgPCXLLAEgyTu0VPpA/featured

Happy Cat Month 2022

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Happy Cat Month

For Happy Cat Month, here are some simple tips to keeping your cat happy, from your neighbourhood cat sitter. In no particular order:

1. Access to clean, fresh water at all times.

Some cats like drinking directly out of the faucet, but they should still have another source of water in case the water stops.

Likewise, if you use a pet water fountain that has zero access to water if the power goes out, then an additional bowl of water is needed.

2. Keep pet water fountains clean. If you have a water fountain, be prepared to completely disassemble it almost daily, including the motor. Replace the filter when it gets discolored or slimey.

3. Comb your cat as-needed. Some cats are mostly self-sufficient when it comes to maintaining their coats and don’tneed much help. Some need daily combing to manage matting and shedding. Some only need a weekly comb. Each cat is different. Combing out small mats is doable, but if you let the mats grow too big, it will take more time and effort to work out, until they have to be shaved off by a groomer. Don’t let it get that bad. Mats are painful to cats.

4. Trim your cat’s claws. It’s just like using a nail clipper, except you use a small pet nail trimmer and you only remove a tiny bit off the tip, about half a grain of rice. It is more comfortable for the cat, as their claws won’t snag on fabric, furniture, or carpet. Not all cats are able to sharpen their claws on scratching posts or outside. Keep an eye on them so that they don’t become overgrown.

5. Enrichment Enrichment Enrichment. Play with your cat. Get them a cat tree, some toys. And use the toys! Lick mats and food puzzles can make a big difference for certain cats. Some like music or certain tv shows. A lot of indoor cats enjoy smelling the outdoors. And there’s the universal favourite, the cardboard box.

6. Please, don’t antagonize your cat for social media.