Fear-Free Fourth with FELIWAY #sponsored

Maxwell: What was that? Was that a loud noise, dood? I felt the house shake!

Deaf cats cat *feel* loud noises! And those can cause stress too

Faraday: Oh noes! Firework boomies! I hates that stuffs!  Quick, Maxie, under the bed!

Fraidy cat is Fraidy!

*** this post is sponsored by FELIWAY® ***

Did you know the fourth of July is the holiday where most pets are lost? It's no surprise, given how many loud and scary things happen at this time of year. It's not exactly something we can explain to our furry family members, either.

Experts suggest a few things you can do to help ease your pet's stress during this time of year:
Provide a secure, comfortable, quiet place for your pet to rest while you're out.

• You can encourage rest by participating in a fun, vigorous playtime before the fireworks begin. That way pup or kitty will have run off any nervous energy! Plus, toys make great distractions, so engaging in a bit of fun will direct their attention away from scary noises.


• Consider turning on the TV, radio or even a fan for your pet. This creates "white noise" that may help minimize the sound of the fireworks.
• Help provide a calming environment with a FELIWAY® CLASSIC diffuser plugged into a nearby outlet. These diffusers will cover up to 700 square feet, so depending on your area, and where your cats like to hang out, you may need more than one.
• If your cat has a favorite snuggle blanket, bed or toy, you can spray a light coating of FELIWAY® CLASSIC onto it.

FELIWAY® CLASSIC is not a drug — it mimics a naturally occurring feline facial pheromone that is used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. This can be a vital weapon in your arsenal when combating fearfulness in stressful situations, like the 4th of July, a vet visit, or even a change in routine.


Maxwell: Hang on, dood. Don't run UTB just yet. Come take a whiff or two of this FELIWAY® CLASSIC diffuser while I go get Momma to spray some on your wubbie for you.

Helpful Maxie is helpful

Maxwell: Deep breaths, now....
Faraday: I know how to breathes an' stuffs, Maxie. Besides, it's not a scent. It's a calming pheromone. I don't hafta breath deep or anything, I just hafta hang out nearby an' stuffs.

An' don't you go telling anyone about my wubbie. That's a secret, okays?

Allie: *sigh-h-h* I think I need a bit of calming pheromone just to get me through all of Faraday's stress....
Good thing I have a good book to curl up with while all the fireworks are going off (inside and outside—if you know what I mean).

Faraday: That's okay, widdle wubbie. You an' me's gonna just hang out right here wif some FELIWAY® until all the crazy humans settle back down an' stuffs.

Thanks, FELIWAY®!

The FELIWAY® CLASSIC diffuser and 60 mL spray are available through your veterinarian.

To find a FELIWAY® vet near you, visit Feliway.com/us/buy or shop online through authorized retailers like Amazon, PetSmart.com and HealthyPets, Inc.

***

Like what you see? Let them know! Connect with FELIWAY® here:

 Facebook • Website • Twitter 

FCC Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FELIWAY®. We received this product for review at no charge. We also received a fee for writing this review. Receiving the free product and the fee did not influence our review in any way. All sponsored posts will always reflect our honest and unbiased opinions and feature products and information we feel is relevant to our readers. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

 

Wednesday Blues (and Aquas)

* * *  

'Toon Tuesdays

We kitties would nev-er do such a thing. Nope, not us! 

*cough* 

***

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Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!

Muse Cat is Doing it Right

Maxwell: It's my turn for muse duty today.

 

How'm I doing, Momma?

Not bad, kiddo. Kinda distracting, but in a good way.

* * *  

Rainy Days and Fridays

Allie: What to do on a rainy Friday?

I guess I'll plat indoors with my birdie.

Hello, you lovely little thing, come here so I can nibble on you....

What are you doing this Friday?

Toon Tuesdays: The Grind

Sad situation, indeed.

***

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Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!

Big Sister Problems

Faraday: Hey, Allie. Can I have your treats today? 

Mommy sez you're still on a diet an' we should all be supportive an' stuffs.

So, like, can I haz your treats?

Allie: Eat my treats and you'll be the one needing support, Brat. Life support.

Allie: What?!? I didn't touch him. Did you see me touch him?

Allie: Really. I thought it was "innocent until proven guilty" on this continent.
Maybe it's time for a social studies refresher course, Mother.

***

Friday Fracas

Faraday: Seriouslies, Maxie. You don't scare me.
Maxwell: I should, dood. Imma whup your fuzzy butt.

(moments later....)

Faraday: Uh, Maxie can we, like, talk about this an' stuffs?

Maxwell: Nope.

***

Wordless Wednesday: Summertime Walkies

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'Toon Tuesdays: Father's Day Edition, Part 2

***

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Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!

Monday: Not Approved.

Allie: Did I say I was ready for another Monday???

I didn't think so.
 

***

Feline Fisticuffs? Ease away with Feliway #sponsored

Allie: Mother-r-r-r! Faraday's pestering me. Again.

If he doesn't cease and desist immediately, I'll have to act...with extreme prejudice.

 Faraday: Seriouslies, Allie?  You an' what army? Huh?

Allie: Don't even tempt me boy, I would mop the floor with your little—
The Mom: ALLIE. Inside voice, please!

 * * * This post is sponsored by FELIWAY®. * * *

Has this ever happened in your home?
Our three are constantly bickering.
And while Allie would have you think Faraday is a sullen, bratty little bully, Faraday swears he's the innocent, wronged victim.

Faraday: An' what about Maxie? He pounces on me alla times wifout provocations! Seeeeriouslies.
Maxwell: Dood. No jury would convict me.

 Uh, dood....we have photographic evidence...

As much fun as these cat conversations are, sibling friction can be a major issue—especially if the status quo in the home gets shaken up a bit.

Around our house that's happened recently with the deadline for my next book. Add to that several week-long visits from our west coast family, and you have enough disruptions to seriously mess with a cat's sense of security and stability.

When the folks who make FELIWAY® first contacted me to ask if I might like to share about the benefits of their feline pheromone based calming products, I was absolutely interested. 

I've experienced the benefits of their calming products many times over the years and have a huge respect for the important role they can play in de-stressing stressful situations. These moments can occur anywhere: in the home, at the vet. Possibly most important of all is the positive role they can play in a shelter situation, where a FELIWAY® product can help calm stressed cats awaiting adoption.

You see, FELIWAY® mimics a form of cat communication, specifically the way cats communicate through messages that are released into the air. These messages can help a cat feel less tense and more secure, less stressed and more comfortable.

They're called pheromones.

One product in particular is targeted to sending "harmony messages" by mimicking a special appeasing pheromone.  This helps to maintain social bonds between cats of all ages.

It's called FELIWAY® MultiCat, and it's been clinically proven to help reduce signs of tension and conflict between cats...even if they've been getting on each other's nerves for years.
(yes, I'm looking at you, Faraday)

Faraday - aka the Guilty Party - examines the goods

The 30 day starter kit comes with one diffuser and a 30-day reservoir that screws into the diffuser plug-in. As the cats love to hang out in the kitchen area and sun themselves by the back windows, I've plugged it in here. 

The diffuser will cover up to 700 square feet of space, so depending on how large your area is and where your cats hang out most, you may need more than one in order for it to be most effective.

Maxwell - aka Guilty Party #2 - supervises the installation

And, as Maxie's so helpfully demonstrating, it works best if the diffuser is not blocked behind a piece of furniture or under a cabinet or shelf. Ours has plenty of room to diffuse into the air without obstruction.

Maxwell: It passes inspection, Momma. Now let's get Faraday over here to sniff up some of these calming phero-thingys....

Ears forward, tail high. One confident, happy kitty.

Faraday: You'd better hang out here awhile too, Maxie. Just meowin'....

We've had positive experiences with FELIWAY products before—we'll share one with you next month with a photo-essay tell-all!

We're just now beginning our journey with FELIWAY® MultiCat, but we are confident that very soon we'll be seeing less of this...

Less smacky-paws...

...and more of this.

and more snuggle-buddies

FELIWAY® MultiCat is available through your veterinarian. 

To find a FELIWAY vet near you, visit Feliway.com/us/buy or shop online through authorized retailers like Amazon, EntirelyPets.com and HealthyPets, Inc.

***

Like what you see? Let them know! Connect with FELIWAY® here:

 Facebook • Website • Twitter 

FCC Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by FELIWAY®. We received this product for review at no charge. We also received a fee for writing this review. Receiving the free product and the fee did not influence our review in any way. All sponsored posts will always reflect our honest and unbiased opinions and feature products and information we feel is relevant to our readers. 

AWOL Tell-All

Allie: I'm taking over the blog today for my Tell-All Memoir.
You see, my humans went AWOL recently to go flitting around.

At least they left us with our Aunt Jen -- who very kindly photo journaled my plight for me.

I must admit there were a few bright moments, just hanging around with someone who gets me like Aunt Jen....

But Maxwell was a complete slob the entire weekend. Honestly, he never left his lounger....

And of course, Aunt Jen kindly documented this Incriminating Evidence, so that I could properly report The Brat's infractions while they were away.

Exhibit A: Casualty #1, The Lamp.

Exhibit B: He's behind me, isn't he?

Why yes, yes he was.
Faraday: Seriouslies, Aunt Jen!  whose side are you on anyways?!?

(Exhibit C: Disgruntled Cat, caught in the act)

And what about the Guilty Parties? 

Where were they?

Somewhere around 6,500 feet, over Oklahoma. Or maybe it was Texas....

(but at least the Dad gave the Mom a pretty cool shirt. Can you see what it says?)

We'll consider forgiving them ... after many Bonito flakes, and much wand toy play!

***

Toon Tuesdays: Father's Day Edition, Part 1

***

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Toon Tuesdays feature animal (and sometimes human) humor created by the peeps over at Shoebox Greetings (Hallmark approved. Sorta.) - where our mom works, too!

Your Monday Meh.

We're with you on that one, Girly.

***

Eldest Cat Privileges: it's a Thing #sponsored

On Wednesday, we shared with you two very cool interactive cat toys that our three happened to love. Today, we'll demo three more for you!

They all came in this big box, and Faraday was instantly captivated:

Gimme alla toys, Mommy ~ NOWS!

 ***

FCC Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by OurPets®. We received this product for review at no charge. We also received a fee for writing this review. Receiving the free product and the fee did not influence our review in any way. All sponsored posts will always reflect our honest and unbiased opinions and feature products and information we feel is relevant to our readers. 

 ***

Faraday: Okays, as the Baby of the Fambly™ I get first dibs onna toy today, Mommy.
An' I choose this one:

Maxwell: Good choice, dood. I hear that catty whack has lotsa stuff to dead. And you can dead it over and over and over—

Faraday: Whazzis, Maxie? Hey Allie!  You can have your Bird in a Cage. I gotz my own birdie right here an' stuffs!
Maxwell: Well, technically, dood, that's a replacement bird for when you shred the one that's already in the—

Faraday: yeah, yeah, we get it Maxie. Less chit-chat and more helping me get my toy running, pleez.
Maxwell: Okay, let's see here, you place the positive terminal of the C cell battery—

Faraday: Yeah, yeah, you put alla batteries inna bottom an' stuffs. I get it, Maxie. Now turn it ON.

(and so we did....)

(you get the idea ... they were at it for a long time, trying to catch the feather flitting in and out!)

The Catty Whack retails for $39.99, which is their top price point - but it truly was a ton of fun.

As with all cat toys of this type, it is intended for your cat to use on his own, however OurPets advises (and we agree) that they only be used while you're around to supervise, and that the toys be put away when not in use.

But wait - there are two more!

Next up: the Twirl & Whirl™ is an addition to any standard upright pole cat scratcher.

It comes with a motorized feather, similar to the one supplied with the Pounce House Maxwell loves so much, and is super easy to install.

Two AAA batteries power the feather toy...

And it velcroes around the cat scratcher quite easily!

...but does it pass the Kitty Test™?
Just check out the wild eyes on the mancat, below as he watches the feather flying around....

(Or is it that he's just just incredibly impressed by the $19.99 price point? Evidently Meezers don't Maul-and-Tell, because he was too busy chasing the feather to confirm or deny that last bit...!)

Allie: Well, while Maxie's making crazy eyes at the scratcher (*sigh* why can't I have normal siblings?)...

I'm claiming Eldest Cat privileges and snagging a second toy for myself.
Paws off, Faraday ~ Mouse in a Pouch is mine!

Faraday: Seriouslies, Allie, how come you get two toys?

Allie: Because I'm bigger than you and because possession is 9/10ths of the law.
Faraday (muttering under his breath) that's a stoopid law....

Allie: Hurry up with the battery install, Mother. I need that mouse back, STAT.

Maxwell: Uh, Allie, that thing goes inside the pouch....
See?

Faraday:  Yeah, an' then it runs around like crazy an' we can all pounce on it an' stuffs.

Maxwell: Uh, dood...you're gonna have to get Allie to move first.
Faraday: Okay, you do it.
Maxwell: I'm not moving her. You do it.
Faraday: Oh, furs, no. YOU do it....

(and this is why it's Allie's toy... LOL!)

***

If you're interested in snagging one of these interactive toys for yourself, or for a kitty near you, look for the OurPets® logo on the box at your nearest PetSmart:

OurPets® is offering a $5 rebate PetSmart gift card when you purchase one of their interactive toys at your local PetSmart!
The offer's good through July 1, and you have 30 days after that to mail in your rebate.

***

Like what you see? Let them know! Connect with OurPets® here:

 Facebook • Instagram • Website • Twitter  • YouTube

***

This post is sponsored by OurPets®. We received this product for review at no charge. We also received a fee for writing this review. Receiving the free product and the fee did not influence our review in any way. All sponsored posts will always reflect our honest and unbiased opinions and feature products and information we feel is relevant to our readers.