Vet Explains the Proper Way to Hold a Cat

It’s happened to the best of us. You see a cuddly cat that you’ve just got to pick up. It could be a friend’s, it could be yours, it doesn’t matter. You’ve got one hand underneath its furry belly when all of the sudden you’re getting clawed six ways from Sunday. It’s a painful warning, and you leave a little more scared of cats than when you started.

Luckily, Dr. Burstyn, otherwise known as the “Helpful Vancouver Vet” is here to teach us how to properly pick up a cat. His method is safe, simple, and comfortable for both the cat and yourself.

One thing you gotta know right off the bat: cats don’t mind being squished. If anything, it makes them feel more comfortable and secure. Plus, it minimizes the risk of them squirming and accidentally scratching you with one of their claws.

Second, Dr. Burstyn wants us to all cut it out with this “two hands behind the front legs and letting them dangle” nonsense. It’s not comfortable for the cat and can be downright dangerous. Like babies, cats need proper support when they’re being held. So, when lifting them up by the torso, make sure to use your hands and forearm to support their belly, and squish them up against your side for extra security.

Photo Credit: YouTube: Helpful Vancouver Vet

If you’re in a pinch and need to pick up and transport a cat quickly, Dr. Burstyn advocates for the “football carry.” All this entails is one hand on the stomach, one hand on the butt, and tucked into your side like a football. Obviously, don’t carry your cat like this on a regular basis, but in the fast-paced world of veterinarians, the football carry is an indispensable tool.

Photo Credit: YouTube: Helpful Vancouver Vet

Then there are those cats who are more comfortable riding on your shoulder than in your arms. Allowing a cat to climb up on your shoulder can be nerve-wracking, especially if you’ve never done it before. After all, Dr. Burstyn points out, cats tend to use their claws to climb. All you’ve got to do is lower yourself to their level, which lets them hop onto your shoulder with little effort and no claws. Need them to hop off? Simply lower yourself back down and they will eventually correct themselves and crawl back onto the table or floor.

Photo Credit: YouTube: Helpful Vancouver Vet

If you’d like to check out Dr. Burstyn’s full video (and two beautiful cats) you can watch it below.

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April 13, 2019

This Dog Groomer’s Poster Perfectly Explains Why They’re More Expensive Than a Hairdresser

If you have a hairy dog, you know all about the grooming struggle. You have two options: Pay an arm and a leg to get your pup professionally groomed, or do it yourself and end up with a dog who looks like he cut his own hair.

But while dog grooming definitely comes with some sticker shock, there is a reason why it’s so much more expensive than, say, a human haircut. One dog groomer posted a sign with 10 reasons why you your dog groomer deserves to be paid more than your own hairdresser.

Photo Credit: iStock

As the list points out, dog groomers do wayyyy more for their clients than hairdressers. There’s the first and most obvious difference, which is that dogs are covered in hair head to toe and humans are… not! Groomers also clean and express your dog’s butt, clear the boogers from his eyes, clean his ears, and clip his nails.

Also, a lot of dogs don’t particularly enjoy being groomed. They’ll squirm, bite or scratch, and possibly poop or pee. Do humans do that to their hairdressers? Hopefully never.

Photo Credit: BarkTV

Honestly, anyone who’s ever tried to groom their dog themselves will realize that, yeah, groomers definitely deserve their full fee!

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April 4, 2019

Thinking about Getting a Pet? Check Out the 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds in America

Dogs are absolutely one of the best things about life on Earth – they’re loving, loyal, funny, and make coming home from work 100x more amazing (even more so than kids, but don’t tell mine I said that). And while adoptions are on the rise (I love a good mutt, myself), people in America still feel pulls toward adopting certain purebred breeds.

Below are the 10 most popular among dog owners living in the States.

#10. Yorkshire Terrier

Image Credit: Pixabay

The only toy dog to make the list, this little pup packs a big punch.

#9. German Shorthaired Pointer

Image Credit: Pixabay

Rising in popularity, perhaps because of their versatility and steady personality.

#8. Rottweiler

Image Credit: Pixabay

They look scary but their fierce protective streak makes them ideal family dogs.

#7. Poodle

Image Credit: Pixabay

One of the smartest, most trainable dogs around.

#6. Beagle

Image Credit: Pixabay

A tried and true American favorite.

#5. Bulldog

Image Credit: Pixabay

People really love these…

#4. French Bulldog

Image Credit: Pixabay

…and their Frenchie relatives, but beware breed-specific health issues.

#3. Golden Retriever

Image Credit: Pixabay

An American classic.

#2. German Shepherd

Image Credit: Pixabay

Trainable and loyal, these dogs make ideal family protectors or service dogs.

#1. Labrador Retriever

Image Credit: Pixabay

The favorite for many years running, this dog is versatile, loving, and has a personality impossible not to love.

Adopt don’t shop, even if you’re after something in particular!

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April 1, 2019

New Beer for Dogs Lets You Get Wasted with Your Furry Best Friend

Do you love dogs? Do you also love beer? Well then listen up!

Good Boy Dog Beer is here and it’s brewed specifically for your dogs, so you don’t have to slip them a sip of your Old Style anymore when they won’t stop begging.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Good Boy Dog Beer

Good Boy Dog Beer (obviously non-alcoholic, sorry Fido) was created by a Texas couple named Megan and Steve Long so they could drink with their pooch, Rocky. They’ve turned their hobby into a business, and they now distribute their product throughout East Texas. The Longs skip the fermentation stage of the brewing process, though, because hops and alcohol are poisonous to dogs.

The Long’s line of dog beers has some pretty great names, including Mailman Malt Licker, Session Squirrel, and Crotch Sniffin’ Ale.

Photo Credit: Facebook, PET WANTS Austin West

Megan Long explained the reason behind their special dog beer. She said Good Boy is for their “love for our own puppies and all the animals out there. Our oldest Rottweiler, Rocky, is very sensitive to foods and allergies so we started creating him his own treats and managing his diet better. It helped his allergy outbreaks significantly and we just seemed to progress from there eventually starting our own line of beer for dogs.”

You read that right, Good Boy Dog Beer might also help settle your dog’s stomach in addition to quenching their thirst. Cheers!

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NEW dog brewery in Houston, TX is cooking up some amazing stuff! Get yours today @underdogspub @hendersonhghts @stuttgardentavern @fmkitchenandbar @nettbarhouston @frontporchpubmidtown

A post shared by GoodBoyDogBeer (@goodboydogbeer) on Aug 25, 2018 at 6:15pm PDT

If you want to learn more, check out Good Boy’s Frequently Asked Questions page HERE.

Also, please drink responsibly – duh.

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March 28, 2019

A family in China adopted what…

A family in China adopted what they thought was a dog and raised it for 2 years, only to find out it was an Asiatic black bear. They reportedly couldn’t figure out why the dog kept growing. It turns out that sort of mix-up happens fairly often.

March 25, 2019

You Can Now Wear a Terrifyingly Realistic Mask of Your Cat’s Face

Calling all cat lovers: if you think your little fur baby is absolutely purr-fect, you can now become your cat! That’s right, there is now a company that will turn your kitty’s face into a startingly realistic mask that you can wear. You know, in case you wanted to take “crazy cat lad” to a whole other level.

The cat mask service is brought to you by a Japanese creative studio called Shindo Rinka, in collaboration with a modeling workshop called 91. Just take a photo of your cat in good lighting, send it to the company, and they’ll get to work.

Photo Credit: Shindo Rinka

The resulting mask is made of a 3D mold covered in fur. It’s so realistic that it’s too realistic. Like maybe you’ll forget that you’re a human underneath the mask, and you’ll start pooping in the litterbox, and your cat will get freaked out and run away from home, and then you won’t even have a cat, you’ll just BE your cat!

Or you could just take some creepy photos and call it a day.

Photo Credit: Shindo Rinka

Did I mention these masks cost upwards of $2,000? Each mask is completed by hand to look identical to your pet, and I mean look at it. That level of realism doesn’t come cheap.

The company does not offer a human mask for your cat… Yet.

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March 22, 2019

This Hawaiian Cat Sanctuary is Home to Over 600 Kitties

If you’re a cat lover, then boy have I got a vacation destination for you! This place is absolutely teeming with kitties, and it also happens to be on the island paradise of Hawaii!

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

On the Hawaiian island of Lanai, the Lanai Cat Sanctuary is home to more than 600 stray kitties.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

And yes, you can visit the sanctuary, play with all the cats, and even adopt some of them if you are so inclined.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

The cats live in a fenced-in area about half the size of a football field, complete with all kinds of enclosures and holes to play in, on, and around.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

Executive Director Keoni Vaughn says, “The average person who’s not a crazy cat person thinks, ‘Oh my God, [the sanctuary] has got to be gross and stink’—but it’s the absolute opposite. The two compliments we get the most are: A) It doesn’t smell, and B) It doesn’t feel like 600 cats.”

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary is currently being expanded and the goal is to have room for 1,200 cats at some point.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

The sanctuary receives about 12,000 visitors each year. Lanai has a large feral cat problem, which is why the sanctuary was established.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

Vaughn said about 40% of the sanctuary’s cats become socialized due to visitors, despite coming to the facility as feral animals.

Photo Credit: Facebook, Lanai Cat Sanctuary

If you can’t make it all the way to Hawaii, you can still make a donation and sponsor a kitty at the sanctuary and you’ll receive monthly updates and photos.

I’m currently looking into plane tickets to Hawaii…

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March 4, 2019

These Heated Pet Beds Are a Wintertime Must for Your Spoiled Fur Baby

One of my favorite things to do in the winter is snuggling up with a nice, warm blanket and a mug of hot tea. Winter weather is snuggle weather in my book, and I’m willing to bet I’m not alone.

Well, why should our pets be any different? They deserve a nice warm spot to snuggle up too. Clearly, someone else must’ve felt the same way, because Walmart now sells a host of heated, cozy beds for our kitties and doggos.

Trust me, you’re going to find the perfect gift on this list for the spoiled feline or pooch in your home.

First up, a fancy, snuggly sleeper that features dual thermostats, a washable cover, a removable heater, and the plushest possible exterior. Honestly…I might take a nap in this thing.

Photo Credit: Walmart

Or, you could go with this adorable igloo-style heated bed with its own internal thermostat, because hey, style is important, too!

Photo Credit: Walmart

If you’ve got a cat that prefers the outdoors, even in the cold, then this heated kitty house with two entries, a removable cover, and made from water-resistant material is sure to be at the top of their lists.

Photo Credit: Walmart

This fort made of fleece and thermo-reflective material may be designed for your pets, but the kids in your life might just die of jealousy, too.

Photo Credit: Walmart

If your pet is just a little bit extra, this super soft, heated cheetah-print bed will win you those bonus points you’ve been aiming for – and maybe a morning without a hairball left in your path, if you’re lucky.

Photo Credit: Walmart

Honestly, I would like a human bed that senses my temperature and adjusts the internal thermostat of the bed accordingly. Why do the dogs get all the nice things?

Photo Credit: Walmart

If your dog is less fancy pants (I know mine is) you can go with this soft, comfy bed that warms them using their own body heat – it’s also easy for travel!

Photo Credit: Walmart

More fun for outdoor kitties! I mean, who doesn’t love camping in a tent with protection from wind and debris and featuring a waterproof fabric to make sure they stay dry no matter the weather?

Photo Credit: Walmart

Bottom line? There’s no reason for your dog or cat to be cold this winter for a single minute – even if you do occasionally feel as if they’re living better than you are.

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March 3, 2019

10+ Photos That Prove Dogs are Just Too Awesome

Photo Credit: Twitter

Good dogs! Weird ones, too…

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