Three-legged Cat Finds Litter Box Success with ScoopFree

We recently received this story from a ScoopFree self-cleaning litter box customer, R. Elisheva via our Facebook page.  We feel so blessed to have wonderful cat-guardian customers, like R. Elisheva.  People who adopt felines that have medical problems, physical challenges or other issues are very special indeed!  We owe them a special thanks for adopting kitties that might otherwise be euthanized. 

From ScoopFree customer & Facebook fan,
R. Elisheva

"Meet Monty. Monty was found as a three year old with a severely infected gunshot wound on his front left leg. His right front leg wasn't much better off; the Dr. doctor was able to save right leg. Lucky for Monty, to need both forelegs amputated meant euthanasia. We brought Monty home about 2 weeks after his surgery, a stumbling goof of a boy who never let you know he was exhausted or in pain. After a year he has built up the courage to do things he probably had not done since his injury. One thing Monty could not conquer was his inability to do what most cats want to do naturally, bury their business. It didn't take long to dub this issue 'poo-foot'. The poor guy just can't keep his balance and bury at the same time, nor does his size (a massive 15 pounds and not overweight) help the situation. Even the largest boxes are a squeeze for him. Eventually my husband and I decided to see what our options were besides baby wipes. My husband read about some automatic litter boxes and told me to look at them the next time I was at the store. I opted for the scoop free because it was the largest available to me. Happily, he fits in it, though he usually sticks his head out of the cover. I was concerned he wouldn't like the new litter but it didn't phase him at all. He was infatuated the box. As soon as he would hear the motor turn on he would hobble over to watch. Within a week it would seem he figured out that the box buried his business for him (he never did a very good job of it himself). Before we knew it, he wasn't even trying to bury anymore, significantly reducing the amount of baby wipes we were going through. It does a fantastic job of minimizing and almost eliminating the odor. Also, not having to scoop one or two times a day is fantastic. Gives me more playtime (and snuggles) with my boy".

Introducing Another Cat into Your Home

Acclimating a New Cat in your Home:

Tips for introducing another cat into a home with other cat(s)

Adding another cat to your home may not be the Happy Homecoming you envisioned.  Cats already in the home, even if for a short time, may have objections to their new roommate.  Some felines may feel some “child jealousy” and fear being left out.  Others may be insecure about sharing space and “parental” love with another. These feelings may even turn your indoor cat a bit crazy. Ragging sessions with hissing, scratching, and chasing is normal, but you need to take charge before it’s becomes “survival of the fittest”. Getting your cats to sign a peace treaty can take time, patience and tactfulness on your side. It might take up to several weeks before your cats become comfortable with each other. Taking it slow is not a bad idea, but here are a few steps to pave the way  for multi-cat co-habitation:

·        Keep the new cat in a safe in a separate room

     Initial separation may bring a final happy union. Give your new cat a safe, secured, and confined room to stay in. The new cat needs this isolation to get adjusted to their new atmosphere. Make sure you keep a litter box, food, water, toys, and a scratching post in the room. It’s really very tempting to watch the immediate interactions between the two cats, but hold on! Isolate the new cat for a period of one week.  During this time your new cat may experience some stress symptoms such as eye or nose discharge or diarrhea.  This is normal.  But, if conditions such as inappropriate elimination occur, consult your vet immediately.

·        Introduce your cats to each other's smell

     Smells are a significant part of a cat’s life.  Felines determine emotions, physical condition and hierarchy based on smell.    During the one week isolation of the new cat, start an introduction through smell by sharing the same grooming brush on your cats.  You can also rub a towel over the new cat and have your existing cat smell it.  Consider offering the cats a special treat with the brush or towel so that they can associate each other’s smell with something positive.

·        Offer treats from the other side of the door.    

     Offering treats under the door from the other side also introduces a positive element to an uncertain situation.  Both cats will be receive reassurance that that something good lies on the other side of the barrier between them.

·        Introduce Cats in a Safe Manner

    Your cats first meeting should be through a controlled introduction via a cat carrier.  You may need to repeat this exercise a few times to ensure that your cats are safe and that there are no displays of aggressive behavior.  If there are no acts of aggression, take turns between which cat is in the carrier and which is out.  Keep the personality of your cats in mind, and  socialize the cats at a pace which is suitable for both. 

·        Try again if the first trial was a failure

     Stability might come at the cost of several trials. If negative interaction persists, then you may need to keep the new cat back into its safe room and start the introduction process again.  Such reactions are normal and all you need to do this time is to allow more time at each step. 

Don’t worry if you are not able to establish true love between your cats. You can at least work to develop a peaceful chemistry by allowing each other some space and respecting each other’s freedom.

Cats might appear to be creatures who love to be on their own. That’s true, but only partially. Humans, just like cats require personal time even though we love to spend quality time with our near and dear ones.  Cats crave human love and attention. Spend time with them, play with them, give them fresh food and water daily, and keep their litter box clean (with ScoopFree self-cleaning litter boxes, of course!). It only takes your time and interest to keep your cats happy. Whether your cats can share a true bond or not you will always be showered with their love and affection.

Holiday Foods Your Cat or Dog Should Never Eat

Part II - Keeping your Pet Safe during the Holidays 

You spent some time considering how to keep potentially dangerous holiday decorations out of the reach of your cat and dog.  Now let’s talk about the main event of any holiday - the food!  November and December are prime feast days in American culture.  While you and your family can indulge in the foods you crave and love, dogs and cats can be seriously sickened if the ingest certain "people foods".

Yummy Delights as Tummy Troublers 

Thinking of putting that wrapped box of chocolate under the tree?  How about sweets in a stocking?  Holidays pamper to our taste buds with little boxes of love! Baked foods and chocolates add sweetness in relationships and to our moods as well!  But accept this bitter truth- you cannot afford to share this sweetness with your pampered pets. Consumption of these items has been found to be associated with seizure, heart arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal upset. It’s wise to be “cruel” and “indifferent” when you feel the urge in your pet’s eyes as you take a scoop of a chocolate soufflé.   You should also be practical when placing sweets under the tree or in stockings.  Just because it is wrapped doesn’t mean it is hidden.  Your cats and dogs can smell right through that pretty paper. 

Unfortunately, nature does not permit dogs or cats to enjoy the “human sweetness”.   Cats and dogs cannot consume these holiday goodies:

• Chocolate
• Raisens
• Grapes
• Currants
• Milk & dairy products (including ice cream)
• Yeast Dough
• Macadamia Nuts
• Artificial Sweeteners

Spicy meats may be your family’s favorite holiday hor dourves (think Buffalo wings and salamis) but they are simply not meant to be used snacks for the cat or dog.  These items can cause pancreatitis and certainly, an expensive trip to the Vet’s office.  Also, don’t feed your pets anything meats steeped in hot sauces, garlic or onions all of these foods are toxic. 

Last, but not least, keep the holiday cheer for you and your guests.  Cats and dogs should never be given alcohol – beer, champagne, wine or mixed drinks.   Giving a pet alcohol can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, breathing issues and even seizers. 

If your pet ingests any of these items, call your Veterinarian immediately. 

Holiday Decorations Could Be Harmful to your Pet

(this part I of our series about keep your Pets safe this holiday season)

Keeping Pets Safe during the Holiday Season

The holidays are here and your attention is probably on the perfects gifts, the feast to come, decorating and travel.   Sometimes the last thing on your mind is the family cat and dog.   While pets may bring joy to your playful holiday moments, they also serve as the reason why you should be super cautious when the holiday festivities are in full swing.  

Decorations as “Destroyers”

Bright and shiny decorations are perfect lures for your kids and pets alike. Sparkling holiday lights, fluffy bows, wrapped gifts, and in fact, the newness of celebrations is just enough to tickle the curious spirit of your pets.   
When decorating your home this holiday remember:

o   Cats tend to view tinsel, garland, and string-like objects as their toys and such perceptions can really prove to be hazardous for their health. Ingestion of these objects can case damage to the gastrointestinal tract and some serious cases may demand surgical intervention.  Glass decorations may fall and break and your pets may fall victim to the sharp surfaces.   

o   Lights that twinkle and bring ecstasy to your evening indoors may pose a threat to your pooch or frisky. The innumerable cords and the plugs may become your pets’ favorite chew items and incidences of shocks and burns may spoil your celebration.

o   Candles… big or small… white or colored, twisted or plain… Santas or fairies light up your moods with their natural warmth, but may be associated with a fire threat when knocked over. 

o   Dried flower parts or essential oils found in potpourri may act as a poison to your pets and this holds particularly true for cats. Your feline may get affected with fever, difficulty breathing, and tremor and may sustain chemical burns in the mouth.

o   Live Christmas trees add life to your festive moods, but they may not be friendly to your pets as well! Water at the base of Christmas trees may be contaminated with fertilizers or toxins and may pose a risk to the wellbeing of your pets.

o   Plants form an integral part of celebration as we feel a lively presence with rejuvenating aroma. Unfortunately, some of the holiday season plants are not pet-friendly.  Poinsettias, holly mistletoe, lilies, and ivy, can be  poisonous to both cats and dogs.   

Be mindful of these dangers when placing these items in your home.  Try "baby-proofing" techniques that keep unsafe items in areas where your pets cannot get to them or where holiday decorations can be tightly secured.   In the instance of plants, trees and flowers, try fake silks instead.  Not only are they safer for your furry companions, you can reuse them year after year. 

You can also use distraction as a means to keep your pet safe too.  Try keeping your pet's mind off all the new shiny, smelly holiday decorations by getting them a new toy or play thing.  Keeping their mind busy with a new toy or exhausted from play, will lesson the chance that they go looking for trouble elsewhere.  We recommend FroliCat toys, our innovative pet toys designed to engage your pet in fun exercise and enthusiastic play. 

Wakey, Wakey. Time to Feed the Cat

It's Saturday morning.  You get to sleep in an extra hour.  You are deep asleep and dreaming of beaches in warm, sunny places.  The sounds of the ocean gently hitting the white sand beach is interrupted by sound of a chain saw.   The heavy buzzing noise is getting closer and closer.  You turn and feel a sharp stabbing pain on the side of your face.  You jolt awake and realize, the chainsaw of your dream is actually your beloved purring, claw-using cat who wanted her breakfast 2 hours ago.   You are not the only one out there.  The writer of Simon's Cat knows your pain. 

Facebook page for your cat?

Meet "Beast".  Beast is a Puli, a Hungarian Sheepdog and is the lucky companion of Mark Zuckerberg, the founder of Facebook,  and his girlfriend, Priscilla Chan.  Beast launched his own Facebook page last week and now has over 55,000 fans.  Beast is not alone.  Approximately 14% of all Facebook users have a page for their dog.   Do you have a Facebook page for your cat? If you do, post a link to your kitty's page in the comments!

Cats in the Christmas Tree

The lights are up, the tree is trimmed, and the stockings are hung with care.

Everything seems perfect.

But - somewhere in the dark, hiding in the shadows, is a lurking, stalking, and calculating cat who's plotting his ascent to the top Christmas tree.  To reach the twinkling star that's gripping the single upright branch would be like conquering Mount Everest.

How do you safeguard your house during the holiday season to protect your cats (and your decorations!)?  Share your tips with us on our Facebook page.

And click here for a funny account of cats getting into the Christmas tree!

Cats in Costume

Happy Friday!

For your enjoyment...Cats in Costume! 

You know you can't resist!

Click here to view the cuteness :)

How Do Cats Drink?

Did you ever sit & watch your cat drink & then think, 'man, how do they do that?'  A recent study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology gives us the answers!

Check out this way-cool article that's bound to make you do a double-take when your kitty is at its water bowl!

Click here to read the full article.

Holiday Gifting for your Kitty!

With the holiday season right around the corner, it's not too early to be thinking about gifting!

I bet your cat (or dog!) might just love #9 on the Intense Experiences Top 50 Unique Gift List.

Kitten Photo Shoot

Nothing's cuter than a picture of a tiny kitten....except for the behind the scenes video footage of a kitten photo shoot!

Here's Puutty Power's kitten photo shoot!  :::Squeals:::  Soooo cute!

Click here to watch on YouTube

Cat Halloween Costume Contest Winner!

Thanks to all of you who posted your cat's Halloween costume photos to our ScoopFree Facebook page.  All of your kitties were soooooo adorable!  I'm sure they got lots of Halloween treats!

After a close vote, we are proud to announce that Rachel C's cowboy kitty, Ben, is the new owner of a ScoopFree Ultra self-cleaning litter box and a 3-pack of Premium Blue litter trays!  Congratulations Rachel & Ben!

Cat Halloween Costume Contest!

The chill in the air, the breeze at my back, and the leaves crunching beneath my feet remind me that Halloween is right around the corner!  It is, by far, one of my favorite holidays.  It is the one time of year that you can become someone (or something) that you're not!  That not only goes for you, but for your pet, too!

I remember my parents dressing my yellow lab in a homemade clown costume when I was younger.  She had a multi-colored curly wig and a glow in the dark polka dotted t-shirt.  We thought it was the best thing in the world and she received many compliments as we trick-or-treated throughout the neighborhood.

Let me tell you, pet costumes have come a long way since then!  Whether they are prefabbed or homemade, pet costumes are becoming more creative and intricate.  Our pets are a huge part of our lives and we want them to look as good as we do-even if that means matching your poodle's Dorothy costume to yours...!

Here's a 4-Legged.com kitty Halloween costume we love!

In the spirit of Halloween, ScoopFree is holding a CAT HOLLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST!  Submit a picture of your cat in its favorite Halloween costume to our Facebook page for the chance to win a FREE ScoopFree Ultra Litter Box & a FREE 3-pack of ScoopFree Premium Blue litter trays.

Contest Rules:

• Post a picture of your cat in its Halloween costume to our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ScoopFree
• Submissions are only accepted from 12:00 am Wednesday October 27, 2010 - 11:59 pm Sunday October 31, 2010.
• Contest is open to U.S. residents in the 48 contiguous states only.
• Winner's prize is shipped within the 48 contiguous states only.
• Prize may not be substituted.
• Winner will be chosen on Monday November 1, 2010.
• Winner will be announced on ScoopFree's blog, Facebook, & Twitter pages on Tuesday November 2, 2010.  Cat's photo will be included in announcement when possible.

The World's Largest Cat!

WHOAH NELLY! Or should I say Stewie? The world's longest cat measures 48.5 inches long! 

Click here to see a picture of this amazing cat and to read the whole story.

Do you think any of your kitties could compete with Stewie?  Share with us on our Facebook page.

www.Facebook.com/ScoopFree

Win a DART!

Is your cat (or dog) itchin' to try the new DART automatic rotating laser light?

If so, you may have the chance to win one for your furry friend. Contest ends 10/6/10 before 5 pm ET. 

Visit AOL's Paw Nation for more details!

(http://www.pawnation.com/2010/09/30/win-a-frolicat-dart-laser-light-pet-toy)

Blind Kitty, Jack

Animals, like people, have hardships, too.  They're faced with challenges & illnesses that test their strength & character.  I found this inspiring little photo gallery that highlights a blind kitty named Jack.  I think he gives us all a little bit of hope in overcoming daily obstacles that plague our path. Go Jack, go!   =)

Click here to view more photos of Jack!

Friday!

It's Friday night, you just walked in the door after a hard day's work, and your cat (fill in the blank).

Share your answers with us on our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ScoopFree

Have a wonderful weekend!