Pet Care Articles
Our articles can help you care for the pets in your household. Click the links below to learn more!
Build a Winterized Cat Shelter
Volunteers from the “No More Homeless Pets in Utah” program sponsored by Best Friends Animal Sanctuary came up with a simple, inexpensive design for a 1- or 2-cat shelter for feral cats. It’s a great idea for individual rescuers, or for feral colonies. Read more…
No Sweets for the Sweet!
For many people, overindulging in holiday goodies may result in a few extra pounds–but the consequences for our animal companions are much greater if they accidentally ingest cookies, candy or baked goods containing chocolate. Read more…
Cats are Nothing to Sneeze at…
A new study reported in the ASPCA Alert ( 4/18/2002) says cats may be getting a bum rap. You don’t necessarily have to give away the cat, says Dr. Thomas Platts-Mills, head of Allergy and Asthma at University of Virginia. “You usually… Read more…
Cats Need to Scratch
Scratching is a natural behavior. It is not done to be malicious or harmful. Scratching removes the old layers of nail on the cat’s fore claws and it is also a means of marking territory. You need to provide your cat with a scratching post and teach her how to use it… Read more…
Tips for Teaching Cats to Use a Scratching Post
To establish good scratching habits in kittens and newly acquired adult cats: Put out several scratching posts in 2 or 3 areas most used by the cat, such as near the sleeping place, and the places the cat most likes to rest and to play. The scratching post should be tall enough or long enough so the cat can stretch completely to scratch… Read more…
The Horror of Declawing Cats
Happy Tails does not recommend nor condone the declawing of cats and kittens. All cats can be taught or retrained to scratch a post and not damage other things. Declawing is complete removal of the claws by actually amputating a portion of each digit (finger) down to the first joint (knuckle)…Read more…
No Bad Dogs!
Dogs are often labeled “bad” when they chew on furniture, dig in the yard, and bark excessively. Granted, no human likes this. But why do they do this? Because they have not been trained not to or they are bored and lonely. Punishment is not training. No animal will be an angel all the time without it knowing what is expected of it… Read more…