FELINE FRIGHTFUL - 5 favorite Halloween costumes for cats

 Feline frightful for Halloween this year?

 Here are some of our favorite trick-or-treat get-ups for our furry feline friends. (To save you a trip to the local pet supply shop, you can simply click each  title link to find that costume on Amazon.) Prices vary.

Aren't these Halloween pet costumes just the cat's meow?

 Most of these costumes are available in sizes to fit various dog breeds as well.

 

Cat Gone Batty

Black bat wings (constructed in felt) attach to cat with Velcro (making them adjustable).This costume seems particularly well suited for black kitties. (Just be sure your cat is current on rabies shots. Sorry, had to!)

 

Cowboy Cat

Round up the fun with this Wild West costume for kitty. It even comes with a jaunty cowboy hat. Yee-haw! Let the fur fly!

 

Lion Kitty

This fuzzy-maned masquerade outfit, made of soft plush comes in small and medium for cats. Choose from traditional lion, spotty leopard, or black panther. It’s roaringly fun.

 

Pirate Cat

Bring in the bounty for Halloween with this pirate costume. This is more high-seas fun than Captain Hook could imagine.

 

Vet Cat

Available in a full range of size (XS to L), this cotton costume fits the bill. (A pink nurse version offers another option, and this one comes with a nurse cap.)

 

Why shouldn’t kitty play along for Halloween, even if he or she will cower under the couch anyway?

 

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Benebone Chew toys are a best bet for busy chompers

 My dogs love chew toys, but those don’t usually last long around here. I’ve seen them gnaw their way through pricey nylon dog bones in mere minutes. And anything with a squeaker brings out the beast in them. That stuff is destroyed faster than you can say, “Here, buddy.”

Finally, we’ve found a chewable dog bone toy that lasts longer. 

Benebones are a little pricey, but they’re a good value, if you consider their durability. I appreciate not having to replace my dogs’ chew toys almost daily.

My Border Collie and my Lab both love the giant bacon-flavored Y-shaped Benebones. Those retail just under $20 apiece, unless you can find them on special.

We’ve had a couple of the larger, sturdier Benebones for weeks. They bear teeth marks, but they are still holding strong. Best of all they aren’t splitting or splintering into dangerous choke-hazard pieces.

That’s worth plenty to me.

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Pet product review: Star Wars Plush Yoda Squeaky Dog Toy

 

Love Yoda? The Star Wars Plush Yoda Squeaky Dog Toy is adorable, especially for families that love the Star Wars movie series. Really, it’s cute and sort of cuddly.

 The 6” version retails for $8.99, but we picked it up a little cheaper on Amazon Prime. (It also comes in 9” and 12” versions for a bit more.)

 

 

The little Yoda toy seemed like a sweet little reward for our dog.

 But the fun didn’t last long. At first squeak, my dog tackled the toy and began chewing. She didn’t come up for air till the squeaker was out … and dead. From then on, she carried the now-limp and hollow cotton plush plaything around for a day or two. Then it got tossed.

 This product reviewer purchased the product described and evaluated here, and the reviewer has no prior or existing relationship (either familial or professional) with the creator, manufacturer or marketer of the product.

 

In all fairness, maybe we didn’t give this product a fair shake.

 

 After all, anything containing a squeaker is pretty much dead meat in our house. But I’m sort of done buying toys that my dog will destroy the first day. I’d rather invest in a couple of Nylabones, some replacement Chuck-It balls, or another sturdy rubber KONG.

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Dog Shopping List: Top 21 Items a New Dog Owner Needs

Pick out these pet store pick-ups before picking out your new pup.

What does it take to care for a dog? Prospective pet owners may scratch their heads and wonder how many different products and supplies they must purchase before bringing home a canine as a pet. How much stuff does a dog really need?

Basically, domesticated dogs need food and water, exercise, grooming, shelter and plenty of loving attention.

Here’s a simple shopping list (arranged alphabetically) of the 20 essential items that may be needed for basic dog care in the home.

1. Bowls for food and water – A dog of any age and size will need sturdy, tip-resistant bowls to hold his or her food and water. Pet feeding bowls come in many sizes and shapes. The key features are durability and size-appropriateness for the particular breed of dog. For example, a tiny Yorkie might be fine with small bowls, while a St. Bernard would require much larger ones.

2. Dog bed or mat – Eventually, if allowed, most dogs will prefer the family sofa or a special person’s bed over his or her dog bed or mat. However, many pet owners and trainers insist that a dog must have a spot to call his own. An outside dog generally requires a weather-proof dog house, set within an enclosure for added protection from the elements and predators.

3. Dog carrier or crate – A sturdy dog crate, cage or carrier can be an excellent training and restraining tool for a brand-new pet. Used properly and compassionately, this item may also serve as a safe spot of retreat for an anxious animal in the home. The dog crate or carrier is useful for outings and errands as well. Large dogs may be safely transported inside a vehicle, while smaller breeds are often more secure inside a pet carrier.

4. Dog chew toys – Dogs of all ages, and particularly young pups, tend to love to chew on things. Chewing is also a healthy habit for maintaining a dog’s teeth. By having suitable and safe chew toys on hand, dog owners may minimize damage to household possessions, furniture and structures.

5. Dog collar – A properly fitting dog collar is an essential for any canine pet. The best varieties are adjustable. For larger dogs (or high-spirited ones), a pet harness may be a more suitable choice.

6. Dog treats – Yummy, crunchy dog treats are ideal for training a dog and rewarding good behavior. Of course, only dog-appropriate treats should be offered, as many human-friendly goodies are downright dangerous for dogs. How many well-meaning pet owners have offered unhealthy items to their dogs in take-home doggie bags, for example?

7. Dog vitamins – Pet supply stores offer a myriad of choices of pet vitamins. Some are helpful, although many are not actually needed for healthy dogs. A veterinarian can provide individual insights.

8. Flea and tick collar – A flea and tick collar is a prudent choice for a pet owner, even if the dog is to be bathed and dipped regularly. Especially in warmer months, this easy accessory can provide excellent pest prevention for the pet and the home.

9. Food – At the pet store or the grocery store, dog owners may choose from dry dog food, semi-moist dog food or moist canned dog food. The choice of dog foods is essentially a matter of personal preference, although many veterinarians recommend dogs consume at least some dry dog food daily. The crunching is healthy for a dog’s teeth.

10. Specific dog food formulations are offered for puppies, active dogs, less active dogs, senior dogs and other special needs diets.

11. Leash – Pets must be leashed on many occasions, particularly in public places, so this purchase is a necessity. A proper leash should be at least five feet long. Handy retractable leashes are available, which many dog walkers find extra convenient.

12. Pet first-aid kit – A simple first-aid kit usually includes suitable items for treating human and canine emergencies. Even so, prudent pet owners keep separate kids for people and animals, perhaps for added hygiene. Basically, a dog-care kit should include adhesive tape (or vet wrap), eye dropper, gauze pads, hydrogen peroxide, oral syringe, rectal thermometer and tongue depressors. Adhesive bandages (such as band-aids) should never be applied to pets, as these may be a choking hazard.

13. Pet housetraining pads – These waterproof-lined pads are ideal for housetraining young dogs and even for older pets that may have accidents for any reason.

14. Pet identification tag – Although pets are often microchipped or tattooed for identification, a simple pet ID tag may be attached to a dog’s collar for simple security. No special expertise or technology is needed to read a dog tag, so neighbors and others can quickly return a lost or errant dog. Ideally, this tag will include the dog’s name and the owner’s telephone number.

15. Pet nail clippers – Safety clippers are available for trimming a dog’s nails at home, unless the pet is professionally groomed quite often.

16. Pet odor cleaner – Even the best trained dogs occasionally have accidents inside the home, especially during the initial adjustment time. Special pet stain and odor removers can make cleanups much easier.

17. Pet shampoo – Gentle and safe pet shampoos are super for at-home bathing of dogs. Certain formulations do not irritate the skin or eyes.

18. Pet toothbrush and toothpaste – Many people do not realize that a dog’s teeth need to be brushed regularly for oral health. An old soft toothbrush can do the trick, after a cycle through the dishwasher. In addition, annual dental scaling (by a veterinarian) is important.

19. Pooper scooper – Unless a pet owner lives on acres of private land, he or she will need a pooper scooper (or tons of plastic baggies) to pick up after the pooch.

20. Safety gate – A child-safety gate can be handy for keeping a dog confined to the kitchen, laundry room or another area during initial training or when company comes to call.

21. Veterinarian’s telephone number (and appointment) – The single most important item for a new pet owner to possess is the telephone number of a qualified veterinarian. Ideally, the new dog owner will make an initial appointment immediately as well for an examination and the administration of any needed vaccinations.

What other items might a new dog owner need?

Certain pet owners opt to purchase apparel for their dogs, particularly for cold-weather months. This is optional, of course, making the most sense for dogs with frequent clipping and grooming.

Many additional dog-related products may be available as well, including dog seatbelts, dog shoes or boots, dog strollers, dog holiday costumes and a host of dog toys.

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Pet love: 5 steps for making a long-lasting pet memory box

Pet memories can last long after beloved animal companions are no longer with us. A dog may live for six to 20 years, depending upon his breed. An indoor cat may survive for 15 to 18 years. A hamster may live only two or three years.

How can pet owners preserve pet memories?

Many animal lovers create pet memory boxes to enjoy their furry friends during their life spans and to honor them afterwards. The process is simple.

Public domain photo / Pixabay

NOTE: Written by this author, this copyrighted material originally appeared on another publisher’s site. That site no longer exists. This author holds all rights to this content. No republication is allowed without permission.

1. Pick a sturdy container.

A waterproof plastic box with a tight-fitting lid serves well as a pet memory box. The transparent varieties offer easy identification in storage areas of the home. Some pet owners pick fancier receptacles, such as hand-carved wooden boxes or decorative lidded tins.

Ideally, a separate box contains mementos for each pet.

2. Collect significant stuff to save.

What pet reminders are most meaningful to you? Suggested souvenirs might include copies of a pet’s medical records, breeding or adoption papers, training certificates, show awards, identification tags, and his or her baby collar.

Pet photographs are a must, of course.

A pet lover might clip a bit of fur and tuck it into a small zippered plastic bag for safekeeping as well.

Why not toss a favorite old chew toy, a ball, or a plush animal that resembles the pet into the pet memory box? Perishable items, such as dog bones or catnip treats, should be skipped.

3. Identify each item.

A fine-point permanent marker is handy for jotting down names, dates, and other details on each item going into the pet memory box.

4. Pack carefully.

Bubble wrap or packing popcorn help to keep treasured pet artifacts safe. Papers can be stowed in a folder or large envelope, placed neatly on the bottom of the container. Fragile items should be wrapped.

5. Store the pet memory box securely.

For safekeeping, the entire parcel should be stowed in a cool and dry spot and checked periodically for memory’s sake and possible updating.

A pet memory box takes little time to prepare, but it can lead to many hours of happy memories after a pet has passed away.

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