Pets

Automatic Timed Cat Feeder that Talks to Your Pets: A Must for Vacations

July 8, 2017 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

UPDATE: The Homdox Feeder reviewed in this post is not currently available for sale, but this automatic talking feeder has gotten great reviews as well!

I am very protective over my cats — I feed them high quality grain-free food, give them the same spring water that I drink, and shower them with love each day to let them know they matter. As much as I care for them, I need a vacation every now and then and I certainly can’t bring them all with me on a plane to Florida! Recently I went on a planned family trip and before I went, I decided to order an automatic timed cat feeder from Amazon. This is what it looks like:

I already purchased the same automatic cat feeder in the past for the outdoor cats I feed. It works beautifully in my experience. You can set the time of day that the food will be released as well as amount of food. Here are a few of the setting options:

Just Breakfast (AM times available)
Breakfast & Dinner (AM or PM time available)
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Choose between 1-11 portions per meal (1/4 cup is a portion)

As you can see, these choices are ideal because you can adjust them depending on how many cat babies you have and how often you want them to eat throughout the day. It’s also ideal if you have an overweight cat that you want to teach portion control. The bowl holds 5.5 liters of food and keeps the kibbles fresh.

Automatic Pet Feeder for Cats with Timer

Just in Time for Vacation!

So I purchased another one to automatically feed the cats during this year’s family trip. I filled it up to the top with food and loaded it with 3 D batteries (make sure you get top quality, fresh D batteries like Energizer or Duracell batteries because if you get cheap ones and they conk out, the food won’t come out).

So after everything was loaded up, I added the settings I wanted. First, you have to put the current time, then decided what times of day you want the food to come out (breakfast, breakfast and dinner, or breakfast, lunch and dinner). Next you’ll be asked for the portions for each of those meal times. I set it for about 1-2 portions per cat, per meal.

The best feature of this automatic timed cat feeder is the recorder! You have the option to add a short recording to play every time food goes into the bowl. The message will play three times, calling your kitty to come eat. Click this link or the photo below to see a short video of how the automatic message for the cat feeder works.

When you’re on vacation for a period of time, your cat (or dog) is going to love hearing your voice two or three times per day. It’s a way to comfort and reassure them while you’re away.

So once you’ve got your food loaded, the brand new batteries are in, and the settings are set, just wait until the next meal time to see how it works. Every cat is different, but I would say that this 5.5 liter container will feed five cats more than comfortably for a number of days.

A Few More Thoughts…

I don’t advocate leaving your pets alone for a long period of time, but cats in particular are usually very independent animals. If you do have to go away for a number of days without your cats in tow, make sure they have plenty of food, multiple options for clean water and a temperate environment. This feeder is very helpful and convenient, but it’s always a good idea to have a backup tray of food on the floor — just in case. I loaded up a large aluminum pan with kibbles in addition to the feeder and that was more than sufficient.

Stay tuned for my upcoming post: a comprehensive list of all of the items you should have on hand if you plan to go away for a number of days without your cats (that list includes this convenient automatic timed cat feeder with timer).

UPDATE: The Homdox Feeder reviewed in this post is not currently available for sale, but this automatic talking feeder has gotten great reviews as well!

Posted by Jade

How to Keep a Cat (or Dog) from Knocking Over Water Bowls

April 9, 2017 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

One of my cats has a peculiar habit — he likes to go around the house knocking over any water bowl he can find. Pet experts say they do this for one or more of the following reasons:

He’s trying to play — it’s amusing to him.
He prefers to lick the water off of the floor or his paw.
They like to see the water in movement (which is why many cats prefer running fountain water).
They don’t like having to lean down over the water bowl to get a drink (in that case, I would suggest this tilt-a-bowl).

In my case, I think it’s because my cat just likes to have a little fun and get a reaction out of me! Not only does it give me a mess to clean up — it’s a waste of the crisp, cool spring water that I buy for them and could cause his siblings to go without water for a period of time until I return home.

I’ve tried a number of solutions to stop this annoyance, having learned that he’s not going to stop doing it. I tried using heavier bowls, but wouldn’t you know it — this cat is persistent. He’s a big guy, tall, lean and strong, so he can move a heavy bowl too. He will keep pushing the bowl until all of the water finally splashes out.

I also tried using velcro pads and Gorilla tape to keep the bowl in place. Again, he would stay at it — pawing at the bowl until the velcro or tape pulled the paint up from the surface.

I finally found a solution that’s easy, effective, and cheap to implement. I made a cat bowl strap. Here it is:

Here’s all you need to make this work:

Get an 18″ bungee cord, a regular sized cat bowl, and a push pin like the one you see above. The items you see at the center of the green bungee cord are Command Light Clips. They only cost about $10 each and you get a lot in one package. These clips are useful in a number of applications, including routing cable cords around your house:

I chose these clips because they won’t damage the wall or your paint job (damage-free hanging). You just pull the tab on the end and it releases the hold. And let me tell you, that hold is STRONG. Make sure you are 100% decided on where you want to put the clip.

So the first step to making this cat bowl strap is to apply the command tape to the back of the 3 clips exactly as shown below:

The orientation is important here for ease of removing the command strips when needed. (If you’re left-handed, swap the bottom one from right to left-oriented.) The blue side of the command strip is applied to the clip and the black and white side is for the wall or other surface.

The next step is to attach the bottom-most command clip to the front of the bowl. By the way, I chose this particular stainless steel cat bowl because it has a rather large lip at the top and is a little heavier compared to plastic bowls. But this solution should work with any medium-sized bowl.

Next, put the 18″ bungee cord into the clip at the front of the bowl. You can find these bungee cords at some Dollar Trees or get a pack here.

After you have this set up, apply the other two Command Clips to the wall where you want the bowl to sit. Make sure the wall is wiped down clean and completely dry to ensure that the strips will stick. It’s a good idea to set the bowl and bungee cords next to the wall to estimate where the clips should go. When you’re done applying the last two clips to the wall, loop the bungee cord hooks into them.

The final step is to put the push pin right above back of the bowl. This will prevent the bowl from being pulled forward. After everything is done, this is what it should look like:

Because you have the open clip at the front, you can easily remove the bowl to rinse it out, then put it back in moments.

To date, my little loveable water splasher hasn’t been able to knock this bowl over or even get it to move. I like this solution because with the damage-free Command Strips, you don’t have to worry about messing up your wall or paint job. When you decide to move the bowl, just pull the strip flap and it comes off seamlessly.

Of course, this simple solution will also work for dogs who like to play with their water bowls!

An Alternative Solution That May Work for Your Cat

Another alternative (which I also have) is to buy a Drinkwell Water Fountain for Cats. He’s so obsessed with the running water dripping down that he doesn’t bother trying to move it around. The only downside is having to dismantle and clean the fountain thoroughly every 2-3 days.

So those are my solutions for how to stop your cat from knocking over water bowls. Enjoy your cats, love them and keep them hydrated!

Posted by Louise

Review: Drinkwell Cat Water Fountain by Petsafe

July 30, 2016 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

I love my cats and want them to have the best when it comes to both food and water. Since I drink filtered water, I prefer to give my cats the same. A friend told me about the PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Multi-Pet Fountain, which dispenses water to pets like a drinking fountain. Here is my quick review of this water fountain for cats.

Benefits
– made of stainless steel (no toxic plastic carcinogens)
– holds 1 gallon of water that is filtered, making the water taste great
– multiple cats can drink water at the same time
– ability to adjust the flow of water
– ability to choose different streams
– replaceable filters (foam & carbon filters)
– water pump is fairly quiet

Setting up this fountain is the only downside. It takes some time to assemble the various pieces properly, but once you do it’s pretty easy to figure out in the future. You also have to locate the fountain in a place where it can be plugged into the wall.

But all that aside, the cats love it. After setting the cat water fountain down, I noticed that they were extremely attracted to the streaming water. They then began to luxuriate near the water, sipping for longer periods of time. One of my cats loves to jump on the bathroom counter and sip water out of the spigot, so he particularly loves this contraption.

The clean up and reassembly of this pet water fountain is worthwhile when I consider how much cats love it, but I admit that there are times I take a break and just use the regular water bowl.

So if you are a cat parent that only buys the best cat food, why not provide them with the best water possible and a new fun experience at the same time. I give the PetSafe Drinkwell Stainless Multi-Pet Fountain 4 stars out of 5.

Posted by Jasmine

4 Easy Ways to Create an Outdoor Cat Shelter

October 10, 2015 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

The fall is the perfect time of the year to build a shelter for the stray and feral cats you care about. Some cat-friendly folks choose to build outdoor homes that resemble real houses for their furry feline friends, like this one. But you don’t have to put in that much effort or money — you can create an outdoor cat shelter to keep them safe from the harsh winter weather using materials that you probably already have. Take a look through your garage, attic or storage space to find useful materials.

Convert a Large Plastic Cooler

A heavy duty plastic cooler can be transformed into a cozy shelter. The only tool needed is a jigsaw. Carve two square holes on both of the shortest sides, to create an exit and an entry way. Generally, if a cat’s head can fit in a hole, his or her entire body will fit. For added warmth, line the bottom with STRAW (moisture resistant) or blankets that work with body heat. Straw can be ordered online, picked up at a local farm or requested at your local pet store.

Tire Shelter

Cats like to sleep on tires in the winter because it’s a warm, weather resistant place that keeps them guarded from the snow. If your have old unused tires in your backyard or garage, convert them into small cat shelters. Glue a circular piece of plywood on the bottom of the tire and place a large bucket on top that will completely cover the top opening of the tire. Cut two holes into the bucket on either side to give the cat two easy escape routes, and add straw for warmth.

Old Dog House

You can also turn an old dog house into a cat shelter, and it will provide plenty of room for a small colony of stray cats. Just add extra insulation to the walls and floors for added warmth. Don’t forget to create that extra exit point, if they need to escape quickly. If you plan to put the dog house near your home where there’s an outdoor outlet, insert a cat warming pad for added warmth. They cost about $20-$30 and really make a difference.

Old Dresser (Compartments)

If you own an indoor cat, you know how much they love to explore the different compartments in a dresser drawer. If you have a used, old or unwanted small dresser or bureau, use it to create an outdoor cat shelter. Some dressers have three or four dresser drawers and each can act as a compartment for one or two cats. Use a jigsaw tool to cut holes in the sides of each drawer and keep the front drawer panes in place. Line the interior of each drawer with cat-safe insulation or straw. Always remember to create an exit and entry point for each section where the cats have two convenient ways to escape if necessary.

* Another Option to Consider if You Have a Bit More of a Budget

I purchased this outdoor heated kitty house for my favorite feral buddy years ago, and it is still providing her with lots of warmth and comfort during the colder months. If you have the funds to spare, consider this as another option when fall starts turning into winter.

A heated cat shelter for feral cats. — Cat Shelter

Click here for a few other tips to keep an outdoor cat warm.

Here are a few reasons why cats are beneficial to your neighborhood.

Whichever method you use to create an outdoor cat shelter, the three most important factors are:

1- Always create two escapes routes to the shelter for the safety of the cats.

2- Make sure that the bottom of the shelter is off the ground and properly insulated. You can use a couple of wooden pallets or a table to raise the cat house off the ground.

3- Ensure that you use materials that are safe for cats and that will resist moisture/mildew/mold.

* Important: If you’re caring for a colony of neighborhood cats, read this article about Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR). It will go a long way in limiting the amount of cats and kittens that need shelter every year. It’s very humane. Also learn more about TNR programs here and donate to a local organization that does this important work.

God bless you for taking care of your neighborhood kitties during the winter!

Posted by Lorraine

Photo credit: Flickr/jonathan-leung

Why Stray and Feral Cats are Beneficial to Your Neighborhood

October 9, 2015 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, not everyone is an animal lover — especially when it comes to stray or feral outdoor cats that don’t have a home. Some people look at stray cats as a nuisance to the neighborhood, but they actually provide many benefits to the environment, and to your property. Here are a few reasons why stray and feral cats are beneficial to your neighborhood.

Bye Bye Rodents

One of the most important benefits of welcoming stray cats to your neighborhood and property is that they will help keep the rodent population to a minimum. Mice and garter snakes are no match for the average outdoor cat. If you’re friendly to neighborhood cats, they will surround your property with their scent, which is a great deterrent to keep rodents from invading your home and backyard.

Garden Protection

If you have a garden, you know the usual suspects that try to steal your delicious corn, greens and nuts–birds, rabbits and squirrels. Just having a cat show up to your property every day will make those small woodland creatures think twice about venturing into your garden for a bite. Cats are carnivores, so you don’t have to worry about them stealing your tomatoes. Just put a simple garden fence up to keep them from digging into the soil, which looks a lot like a litter box!

Companionship and Entertainment

Stray and feral cats are very entertaining when you get to know them. When they’re comfortable, they play with each other and have fun. You’ll begin to see them as a fixture, like saying hi to a neighbor in the morning. When you feed them, they will thank you for your generosity by giving you unconditional love and companionship when you venture outside (maybe even a special gift at your front door). Cats also understand plenty of words, so give your neighborhood stray and feral cats names and talk to them in a calm voice. Only touch cats that you have had vaccinated, if they allow you to touch them. Some don’t like to be touched and that’s okay — it’s just a part of their nature.

They Can Be Beneficial for Your Health

Researchers have discovered that cats can actually assist in lowering the blood pressure of humans. In fact, taking care of a cat can help reduce stroke risk by a third, according to a Minnesota University study. They have a very calming quality — when you’re outside doing yard work or gardening, they’ll sit nearby and watch you quietly. They have a relaxing energy that encourages you to unwind, and lets you know that everything will be okay.

A Note About Spaying and Neutering Stray Cats (TNR)

You need to understand that the most humane thing you can do is to spade or neuter the neighborhood cat(s) who happen to frequent your property. It’s also imperative that you get them vaccinated — a process called TNR (trap, neuter, return). The cost is commonly around $65 per cat, but it is a wise investment — it will quickly control the cat population so that the existing neighborhood cats can be tended to properly. If you keep stray and feral cats fit, healthy and vaccinated it will lower the risk of diseases spreading among animals in your neighborhood. Set up a small budget for spaying or neutering at least 2 or 3 cats that you see everyday, and see this article on how to trap, neuter and return stray and feral cats. Just having 2 or 3 cats neutered this year will make a huge impact, and be sure to have each cat’s ear clipped so that other cat-friendly neighbors won’t waste money and time trapping a cat that has already been neutered.

Cats are very special creatures that have many useful purposes in our world. They are extremely intelligent and emotional beings. Give your outdoor neighborhood cats an opportunity to show that they can be helpful to you, your neighborhood and your property. Maybe these reasons why stray and feral cats are beneficial to your neighborhood will help convince more people to be compassionate to outdoor cats. Spread the word to practice love for stray and feral cats who don’t have a home and who don’t know where or when their next meal will be coming from.

Posted by Jade

Image credit: Flickr/zoonabar

How to Clean & Freshen Your Carpet Naturally Without a Rug Shampooer

April 25, 2015 By LovingOurHome.com Leave a Comment

If you have pets or just prefer natural solutions, you probably want a non-toxic cleaner for your carpets. Many people don’t understand the effects that harsh chemicals can have on your indoor air quality and overall environment. Thankfully, there are a plethora of products available that are made with all natural ingredients and are safe for both humans and pets. Here are a few of the best products to safely clean and freshen your carpet naturally without having to use a rug shampooer.

Eco-Me Carpet Freshener

Sometimes you just want a product that you can shake over the carpet to freshen and clean, then vacuum. This Eco-me carpet freshener is made with 100% all natural products and is safe for pets as well as humans. The blend of citrus and sage provides a pleasing, calming scent to add to the air in your home.

Out! Stain and Odor Remover

Out! Stain and Odor Remover is a popular and highly rated product that you’re definitely going to want to have on hand if you have a pet that sprays or has accidents on your carpet or upholstery. Just spray the area liberally, and the smell seems to evaporate. It’s made with a natural beneficial bacterial enzyme formula that attacks the pet odor and freshens the area in the process. You could also spray your carpets with it every week for a quick cleaning/freshening before you vacuum.

Tweetmint All Purpose Non-Toxic Disinfecting Enzyme Cleaner

A lot of people like Tweetmint cleaner because it can be used to both clean carpets and eliminate pests, like spiders and ants. It can also be used for cleaning more than just carpets in your home. It comes in a concentrated bottle, so while it’s a bit costly, it will last for months. Just add a few capfuls to your spray bottle and add a few coats to your carpet.

Simply Green Naturals Cleaner

This product comes in a convenient spray bottle. It is also made from 100% naturally sourced ingredients. Simple Green Naturals Carpet Cleaner a spot-cleaner, so this product will work for you if you have children or pets that soil your carpets.

Remember why you chose carpets for your home: so that your family and pets can feel comfortable playing, sitting or even laying on the floor. These products will help you to clean and freshen your carpet naturally and eliminate the need to rent an expensive rug shampooer.

Posted by Eve

Image courtesy Flickr; advaits

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