Cats Need Sunshine Too - True or False?

I was talking to a friend today and she told me something interesting about cats needing sunshine for vitamin D like we do. I looked this up online and found out that it is false.

People make vitamin D from being in the sunshine but cats are one type of animals that does not. In fact, cats require very little vitamin D, unlike other animals.

In the wild, cats get  vitamin D through eating their prey - felines normally  hunt at night, then sleep during the day. Domestic cats get their  vitamin D from cat food, which is why it's important to feed your cat high quality cat food. If cats were kept indoors with no sunlight at all and they would not be ill from being without it.

Cats love the sun and spend all their time soaking it up.  If you have a white cat, be very careful because they can get skin cancer from too much sun exposure especially their ears and noses.

Cats always seem to want to sit in the window or lay out on the floor where the sunlight is coming in. So while cats don't need sunlight to be healthy, you should try to have a sunny window available for them to sit in.

Make a comfy seat in a sun facing window or let them follow the sun puddles around the house as the sun moves.

Dental Scares

We have been hearing of many cats and dogs, especially older pets, who have died during dental surgery from the anesthesia.  It is very worrisome and I have been looking for some products that can be used to prevent dental issues.

One product is called PetzLife - it is an oral care spray and gel to help remove plaque and tartar, control bacteria and freshen breath.  It is endorsed by veterinarian Dr. Michael Fox.  For more info on this product and testimonials visit PetzLife.

Another product came into being when  Lisa Guerin took her dog Mercy in for a dental cleaning and the dog passed away even though her vet said she was in excellent health.  Lisa became obsessed with finding an alternative to the risks of anesthesia for dental work.  Her product, Leba III, is made from the herbs mint and rose, stabilized  in 25% human food grade ethyl alcohol and distilled water. The herbs change the chemistry in the mouth, stimulating enzymes and causing tartar to soften and fall off.  To find out more visit LebaLab Inc.

We have not used these personally but they are worth looking into as an alternative to dental surgery!

Dogs and Crowds

Is your dog afraid to be in a crowd with lots of activity going on?  Do you have a hard time walking your pet if there are many people around?  Here are some tips to help your dog cope with crowds:

• Slowly introduce a new or young animal to the bustle of crowds. It takes time to help them learn to be comfortable  in new situations.
• Start by taking him out during less busy times of the day and then work your way up.
• Keep up with the local goings on to make sure you know when activities like sports events, festivals or conventions are being held near where you live or walk your companion.  Avoid these chaotic events and schedule his walk another time.
• If your dog is approached by other people or small children, make sure you explain tot hem how your pet likes to be greeted.

Information courtesy of Animal Wellness Magazine.