No More Fleas! Treatments for Cats

My cat is very furry! And he spends a lot of time outdoors exposing himself to all sorts of things.

I've had a lot of problems getting rid of fleas until I started using Fleas Off as well as using Advocate once a month.

Fleas Off is a natural flea way to control fleas. It contains sterile water, vinegar, garlic, citrus, and herbs. I add a teaspoon to his dry food every day to naturally prevent fleas from biting and laying their eggs.

Source: http://hubblesnaturalpetproducts.bigcartel.com/product/fleas-off-250-ml

Advocate not only treats parasite infections, but monthly treatment can help protect your cat against fleas, heartworm, gastrointestinal worms, lungworm and ear mites. 

Source: http://www.bayeranimal.com.au/default.aspx?Page=50&ItemId=3

Both are brilliant products to treat your cat against things that move in the grass! But you still have to check for ticks and parasites - and if you do find a tick - rush your pet to the vet immediately.

I've also used apple cider vinegar, which actually prevents the fleas from biting. While it doesn't prevent fleas, it does prevent biting (although it does smell very strong!) I actually dilute the apple cider vinegar in water and then cover his fur with a damp cloth - this usually lasts a few days. (And it is not a tried and tested method - it just stopped the constant biting!)

Have your pet checked at least once a year and if you see any problems, strange bites or marks, or if your pet is behaving strangely (drinking too much, scratching incessantly, not eating, showing any signs of distress or acting extremely cranky) - take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Adopt a Pet!

Here are reasons why you should adopt a pet rather than buying one - http://www.petrescue.com.au/why_adopt/

I adopted Khaya from a vet when he was 7 months old (he's now just over 2 years) and we both couldn't be happier!

There are many reasons why you should adopt a pet:

1. You are saving a life

2. You are giving an animal a forever home

3. You have their trust and respect for life (this will take time and you will have to earn it and ensure that you give him/her trust and respect in return)

4. There is no bond quite like a bond between a pet and an owner

5. Your pet will give you unconditional love (with the right treatment and care; once your pet has placed his/her trust in you and you have earned that trust - the bond can never be broken)

6. Having a pet is good for you.

7. If you adopt a pet; you have to commit to 10 - 15 years of your life with him/her - adopt wisely - be prepared for the commitment

8. I can think of a hundred more reasons - but this last one is, you don't realise how simple happiness until you have adopted a pet. Mine has added an incredible warmth and spirit to my life!

Source: Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/19140367136149607/

Keep your dog cool this Summer!

with an ice lick!

Fill the bucket with water (you can use chicken broth, too) and some dog pets and treats 

It takes a day to freeze solid, this will keep your dog entertained throughout the day.

Another alternative is to freeze water (small toys and treats) into a Zoku quick pop maker (you can buy plastic popsicle (frozen ice treats) alternatives anywhere really) and make a whole lot of these treats for a dog to enjoy throughout the summer season!

Here's some recipes and suggestions (and lovely photo) from Southern Lace.

Social Petworking

Coming soon, a way to connect for anyone who loves their pet/s.


Friends Furever, where you can discuss everything about your pet/s and talk about your furry friend/s on a new website and forum.


This will be a great new site for pet lovers to post pictures, info, expertise and experience and meet like minded pet owners.


There are so many famous vets and pets online and it's a great network for people who feel socially isolated or need to discuss, illnesses, issues and animal behaviours.


If you need advise on pet behaviour or pet issues, just Google and find some great people who will offer you advise, resources and assistance for any of your furry friends.


It's a great way to meet, network, find and mingle with pet lovers.

Last year - this time today

Last year this time today, my cat of 8 years Hemingway was put down (or euthanised) because he had advanced lung cancer. People have asked me what it was like for me, to watch him and be with him when he died and I can assure you it was the most graceful and dignified course of action.

 It was very sad, very heart wrenching but there was an immense beauty. My vet was incredible and I stroked him and talked to him throughout. He knew and I knew that he was loved and treasured and I think he knew that my decision was out of love.

It was honestly very special, I was filled with gratitude and I am very grateful that I was with him. My views on this will never change, I promised to love him every single day until the day he died. And I did. I did not want him to die alone. For me, it was hard, I cried and sobbed and couldn't really control my grief, he knew he was loved and valued.

If you love your pet and have no choice other to do this, being with your pet the moment of his/her passing is an incredible gift for both of you. It is an act of certainty but also an act of grace.

There is  a guideline for this course of action: If there comes a time when you know that I am suffering please euthanise me. I trust that you will always make the right decision for me for I am the blood of your heart. Be with me - I want you to be my last vision.

There are still days when I accidentally call my now a year and a half cat Khaya, Hemingway and there are still many times that I compare Khaya's actions and behaviours to Hemmy's.

Khaya is a complete softie, he loves hugs and affection, he is truly an incredible little soul and he brings me great pleasure and joy. I promised myself my next cat would be nothing like Hemingway, so I could remember him fondly - but I do miss his crazy feral ways.

Somewhere (I hope) I will see him again.

Vale Hemingway, you are missed.

Tips to keep pets healthy and happy

Khaya is no longer a kitten, he is now 1 year and 3 months old.

I haven't written much on this blog, been busy concentrating on my business but thought I would give you some things I have learnt from my pets.

To keep a budgie happy and healthy - you can tell by the sounds that they make. If it is a whistling singing, chirpy sound, then that is a good sign:

Vary budgie food, I add milletts and budgie treats to her actual bowl of food to give her variety. She has a shell thing to chew on, to keep her beak healthy and it comes with vitamins.

Use the lice spray once a week on her (40 cm away) and on the cage. Their seeds attract lice.

Empty bowl of food everyday, they crack the seeds and leave what looks like a bowl full of food, but it is often just empty shells.

Budgies are desert birds and retain their water, change the bowl every day.

And clean cage once a week, the seed thing again, attracts lice and mice and germs.

Cat: How you can tell whether it is well and happy, no abrasions or wounds on skin, no dirt on skin/fur, they purr when they are comfortable and are not begging for food.

I do the same thing with Khaya, I vary his food. I try out different types of biscuits and wet food. He mainly gets dry biscuits apparently this helps with teeth maintenance.

I change his water once a day and provide him with cat grass. I also try to find food with vegetables, just to keep him healthy.

Clean cat litter once a week. Obviously by this I mean change completely, I clean cat litter all the time, but once a week, like with all my other pets, I clean tank, cage, cat litter etc

Khaya has a flea collar, he gets bathed every few weeks and because he has long hair he gets brushed and I use dry shampoo on him once a week. He doesn't mind.

And I play with him everyday, cats need the attention.

And the 3 fish, I clean out 25% of their tank a week, clean the tank's glass every few days, feed them twice a day, add plants so they can eat and it gives them variety.

I keep them happy by cleaning their tank, keeping the water clear (I use special salt and cleaning agents from Japan for this).

It sounds like a lot of work, but it isn't. They all get fed the same time every morning. Everything gets cleaned and cleared once a week. They all get attention every day of some kind.

I talk to the budgie and let her out when I can - the cat has tried to eat her. And Khaya the cat rules the house and gets away with every thing. The fish are the hardest, I am slowly learning how to keep them healthy and happy without over doing it.

Tell me your tips to have healthy and happy pets?

Kitten ...

I lost Hemingway on the 29 July after 8 years. He had advanced lung cancer and I was devastated to have him put down.

After all the vet bills, and seeing him slowly get thinner and thinner, I knew it was the right thing for him, but it didn't hurt any less and I still feel the loss of him every day. I got him when he was a tiny, feral baby and I loved him and all his crazy ways.

Vale Hemingway.

I got a 6 month old kitten 4 days later and my gosh, I have suddenly become a kitten trainer for my vampire kitten.

I had to force a collar with 2 bells and a tag on him, because he is going to be an outdoor cat and I have to make sure both he and the possums/ducks/ bush mice and sewer rats are all safe.

Then I decided to walk him around with a cat harness which he hates, hates, hates! That seems to be the only way because he is a bit wild and vampirish and  I think I have to be a bit protective.

He leaps and bites so I have to use a spray bottle on him. I only have to raise the spray bottle at him and he runs away, so that works! He hates the word no, every time I say the word no, his eyes go bright green and his ears go flat.

I do believe that it is not only about feeding a kitten, it is about raising a kitten.

Vampire and I bonded straight away but because he got abandoned and then rescued, he went a bit wild and unsettled and I am responsible for raising him, loving him and making him feel safe.

How do you raise your kitten?