Category: Pets

It’s often debated whether cats do or don’t like air conditioning. Unfortunately, their preferences are not as straightforward as those of dogs, and it can be challenging to figure out whether or not they’re enjoying themselves. The following details will help you clear your doubts regarding do cats like air conditioning and hopefully learn how to control the temperature in your home based on your cat’s comfort levels.

As with most things, it depends a lot on the actual cat. Some felines are more sensitive to temperature changes than others, and some may even be afraid of air conditioning. It’s also worth bearing in mind that air conditioning is not as immediate or effective as fans or other cooling devices because of how cats cool themselves down.

You might think you should always keep your cat cool in the summer. However, cats are at risk of overheating in hot weather, just like humans are. This is why it’s essential to control the temperature in the house to protect your cat year-round.

  • Fans

Fans circulate air around your home, which can help cool it down in the summer and heat it in the winter. However, using fans can also mean that you have different temperatures in each room. For example, there might be a cool breeze blowing from fans in your living room while the kitchen is hot and muggy.

It makes it more difficult to keep your cat calm. The answer is to close any doors between rooms and use central air conditioning instead of fans. It will spread the air evenly throughout the house and help you easily control the temperature.

  • Dead Zones

Avoid creating dead zones in your home because they can make your cat uncomfortable. These areas tend to be the ones that are usually hot or cold and will act as a breeding ground for fleas, ticks, and other pests.

It can also lead to air quality issues in the form of allergens and bacteria, ultimately leading to health problems for your cat in the long run. However, if you can avoid this, you’ll find that your cat can move around freely without having to change rooms all the time to be comfortable.

  • Outside Air

Air conditioning can come from outside as well as inside your home. If your cat is reluctant to enter a room where an air conditioning unit has cooled down, it might be best to try and get them used to the team outside the home.

If you take your cat out into the yard where there’s an air conditioning unit, they will learn to associate it with outside time and start to appreciate it.

Dislike of Air Conditioning

  • Knowing if your cat isn’t comfortable in a particular room is possible. This is because they lose heat through their paws and their ears. So if your cat is avoiding one specific space, such as the living room, then it might be worth turning up the temperature in that room slightly to see if that helps.

  • If your cat remains unhappy, you can close the door between other rooms and use the central air conditioning instead of a fan. It will spread the air around the house, so your cat won’t feel the difference between the warm and cool rooms.
  • Remember that cats are much more susceptible to heat than humans, which is why one might find it challenging to take their cat outside to cool off in summer. However, you don’t need a pool or a park, and there are many low-cost ways to cool down your cat.
  • You can get one of these automatic louvers that allow you to change the air temperature in your house quickly. They are easy to control and keep your cat cool all year round. The best place to buy one of these is online, so you can quickly get the low-cost air conditioning system you need.

Do Air Conditioning Helps Cats Feel Comfortable?

The key to keeping your cat happy in the summer is to keep the room cool enough for them. As long as it isn’t too uncomfortable for you, it’s unlikely to cause discomfort for your cat.

  • Cat Condos

If you want to make sure that your cat has plenty of room in their home, then a sturdy and comfortable cat condo will be perfect. It will give them plenty of room and allow them to perch on platforms, windowsills, and shelves to get a good view of their surroundings. They’ll get the best views of their surroundings from the cat condos and will find them very comfortable to stay in.

  • Cat Houses

There are lots of different types of cat houses that you can buy for your cat. Choose one with a gentle slope so your cat won’t slip down easily and injure themselves on their way to their favorite sleep spots.

  • Cat Litter Boxes

You might think it’s a good idea to use a cat litter box. It helps to keep the mess confined in one place, so you’ll have one less thing to worry about.

There are various ways to keep your cat cool in the summer, and it will make them more comfortable. You don’t require to confine your cat to one area in your home, especially if you have rooms with air conditioning for them.

Just as in any other walk of life, myths about pets find their way around the world and often in our mail boxes. And a common question that is asked is whether they are indeed fact, or simply old wives’ tales. So today I thought I’d turf a few of these well-worn myths into the Bark Ages where they rightfully belong!

You can’t believe everything you read on the world wide web either, because the information out there could be a junior janitor’s bloggings or a couple of talented computer wiz kids having you on!

So here a few of the better known myths about pets. Let’s call them ‘fairy tales’ for want of a better description.

The Bonsai Kitten

I’m sure everyone remembers the Kitten In The Bottle myth which sent pet lovers into a frenzy of signing petitions and baying for the blood of the cruel perpetrators who were growing a real live Bonsai Cat in a glass bottle …and there was the photo of the cute healthy, bright eyed, little moggy, pretty much squashed double into a narrow, necked glass container, to prove it too!

And while I know scientists get up to the most amazing experiments, if only those dear, tender hearted, gullible folk had just stopped and taken a deep breath, they would surely have realized that such a feat is an impossibility … and for many reasons too – the main one being there was no kitty loo facility!

In fact shortly after the anti-cruelty crusaders got involved, some very red faced Chinese computer students came forward to apologize for the furor they had caused, explaining the whole thing had started as a bet … that no one would fall for the prank!

Raisins and grapes – are they safe for your pet to eat?

Recently a warning went around about raisons being lethal for dogs. It claimed “even as few as 7 raisins fed to a 30kilo dog” could be lethal. And grapes, it appeared, also fell into the same category as they too caused sudden renal failure.

I must say I couldn’t help feeling some one was pulling some one’s socks with this old wives’ tale, so I took the liberty of checking this pet myth out with a professor of veterinary medicine and here is his reply:

“The 7 raisins information is hard to believe. Poisoning is always a matter of ‘dosage per weight’ and I do not think 7 raisins could harm a 30 kg dog. I also believe there is a clear distinction between raisins and grapes. We had a little Fox terrier who stole ripe grapes from the vines, and also in practice I had a number of other dogs eating grapes and fruit. The worst symptom was diarrhea due to the high fibre and undigested sugars. It was easy to treat. Raisins’ composition is not the same as grapes.”

Also bear in mind your pet may have an individual allergy to a certain foodstuff which should then be avoided at all costs.

Chocolate

Chocolate contains a substance called theobromine, found in the cocoa bean, and is the feel-good stuff which apparently  dogs metabolize very slowly, and if consumed in large doses could have a serious effect on the animal’s heart, kidneys and central nervous system. So this myth does contain some elements of fact.

But here’s the shock – chocolate actually carries the same risk to your dog as the ingestion of other common household items such as coffee, tea, cola, beverages and certain house plants!

The truth is, all poisoning is a matter of ‘dosage per weight.’ For example, little Tiddlely-pom-pom, a 3 Kilo Pomeranian would need to gobble up a whole slab of chocolate, all at once, to be seriously affected.

Furthermore, scientific studies on the subject do not seem to exist either … take my word for it, millions of healthy dogs, with fat butts, all over the world, enjoy the odd chocolate with no serious ill effects.

Garlic good, Onions bad?

Now here’s a very controversial pet myth, because most ‘experts’ claim garlic is good for fleas and health, and onions are poisonous and bad, but in fact both these plants are from the same family. Again, always exercise caution and never overdose … remember every thing in moderation.

Human medication – this is definitely fact

This pet myth is certainly fact – never medicate pets with human medication or mixtures which could, and often does, prove fatal.

Never administer any analgesic to cats because a dose could be absolutely lethal! Always consult your vet.

Used engine oil and black dip – will it work as a pesticide?

This pet myth is definitely NOT FACT. Using these two substances as a pesticide is probably one of the fastest ways to kill your pet or farm animals – and in the most painful and brutal way. Using these two poisons as to eradicate fleas and ticks is both barbaric and an old wives tale, as all it will achieve are fatal, third degree burns.

Raw meat

An old wives’ tale – raw meat categorically does not make your dog vicious! All my dogs have been raised on raw meat and all are “pussy cats”!

In fact, raw meat will probably calm your dogs because it’s their natural heritage being carnivores by choice, and omnivores by necessity! You don’t agree? Well why not try the tongue-tip- test … go ahead and offer him a juicy steak and a plate of lentils and see which he chooses.

The ‘Vicious’ story probably originated from a hungry dog’s response to having his bone taken away … it works in much the same way as a mugger trying to steal your gold watch! The more gold watches you own, the less you’ll fight to get it back – in the same way, the more bones Rover gets, the less valuable they will seem to him.

Bones

Bones are your salvation, especially for destructive puppies!

Please remember under no circumstances should cooked bones be given to dogs or cats because they could prove fatal.

The winter is fast approaching and it’s never the fanciest season for pets, at least for dogs. As temperatures dip below 40 F, some dogs cannot just put up.

As an avid pet keeper, I have strived to make sure that my 3-year-old Christie is not stunned by the winter dip.

Christie is not your hardcore gal in the chills. She practically pulls into shivers and she cannot just take it. After all, her coat isn’t that overly-furred.

I learned how super important covering the dog’s belly was when I visited the Vet. He recommended a list of substantial waterproof coats that could cover the chest, back and the belly.

In my research, my top pick Hurtta Pet Collection Summit Parka is not only a high-quality product but also comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate many dogs.

These dog coats are resistant to water and keep the dog warm and dry even in cold weather. In this guide, I explore the different kinds of coats for insulation that will help your canine put up with the Winter Fall and still come out sound and safe in the end.

This is Why Your Dog Needs a Waterproof Dog Coat

Dog apparel for winter is no doubt a necessity for any serious pet lover. I know many pet owners are aware of the importance of these wears in cold weather.

The waterproof dog coats that cover belly are going to supply warmth and dryness for your shorter-haired dog so that he’s perfectly sound in both mental and physical health during winter.

With mercury plummeting fast down the tube, even a splash of snow on your dog’s underside or chest can be damaging if it happens consistently. So, with a waterproof dog coat, this additional insulation can be worth a consideration.

Neck-to-tail protection provided by the coats and jackets is vital when your pet buddy is venturing outside with you most of the time. You want to make sure that his body is not getting wetted all over.

With a snug fit of the coat, your canine companion is definitely comfortable. Most of these apparels are crafted not to be tight or interfere with the comfort of your pet.

The other great thing is that you will have a stress-free ride through the cold. There’s nothing that hurts more when your little buddy is not at ease. However, your fears will be definitely eliminated so that you are at peace.

The coats are going to be a key essential for your poodles when you shave them. And in such condition, yet in icy winter days and nights, you know that these apparels are going to be the perfect real-time investment.

What to Look for When Purchasing Waterproof Dog Coats that Cover Belly

There are a number of things you must consider before purchasing a dog coat. It was never going to be smooth to secure the perfect fit of this apparel.

The best waterproof dog coats with chest and belly protection should be able to fit your dog snug and fine. Here are quick tips on how to buy a dog coat.

Function

It would only be fair if the function feature came in the front. You must look for a product that would cover your dog’s belly completely without leaving any part exposed.

You want to block any instances of water splash and wetting of the underbelly. The next aspect is chest protection which should be prioritized to avoid the chest from being wet as well as being affected by cold blowing winds.

The dog coats with legs may come a long way to help your miniature dogs. Check for this leg protection feature if the circumstance demands.

Material

To keep your dog dry and warm, you cannot play down the material quality. Is this material waterproof?

The outer shell should be splash-proof, polyester material with a waterproof label. A Ripstop Nylon Fabric is also another top-quality material.

Keep in mind that the waterproofness will not keep away all the water from your dog. But will actually withstand a certain level of wetness.

Fit and Comfort

It’s required that you find a snug fit apparel for your dog friend. You may need to physically measure the neck-to-tail area and then find a suitable cut.

While it’s not easy to locate a perfect match, the act of measuring serves as an estimative guideline. Worth noting that a tight coat or jacket may only strangulate your pet instead of administering comfort.

Safety and Warmth

Good insulation is very important for the warmth of your dog. Most waterproof dog coats that cover belly are stuffed with fleece to help boost your dog’s body temperature.

When it comes to safety, some of these wear come with reflective piping or patches. This allows your dog friend to be seen from far by road users on traffic.

Waterproof Dog Coats that Cover Belly and Chest Reviews

You are going to find the Ruffwear Sun Shower your dog’s coat of choice if you will be wading in the rainy surroundings. So, it’s not the true-to-type waterproof dog coat for walking in ice-cold condition but will do just fine in the rain to avoid wetting your dog.

What this means is that this coat is the best option for dogs operating in weathers which are not so cold to warrant a warm jacket.

Coming as a coat for dogs with chest girths ranging from 13-42 inches, the Ruffwear Sun Shower has no insulation. But it is a waterproof apparel that repels water well and keeps your dog dry as he navigates the wet walks.

The lightweight coat is quite easy to put on and gives your dog the edge in cuteness. It does not come with an opening to attach a leash for walking your dog but rather allows you to only walk with a collar.

The fact that the dog coat can fit on the backs of different dogs makes it a super product ideal for what you expect it to do.

With easy-to-attach buckles (for humans) and hard to remove (for dogs), Ruffwear has hit it right on spot.