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Our dog has allergies and constantly suffers from hot spots; also know as moist dermatitis or by the medical name of pyotraumatic dermatitis. Hot spots are a localized skin inflammation and/or infection, which can be superficial on the skin or a deeper infection and are caused (and made worse) by biting, licking and scratching. 
As we age, we all get senior moments, but did you know your aging cats get them too?
My parent’s cat, Callie, is 20 years old and has started having senior moments. She will walk into a hallway and sit down and start crying. Then she looks around like she forgot where she was going. My parents, being ever so attentive, watch for her and try to anticipate where Callie was going. When she cries, my parents will pick her up and bring her to her litter box or to her food and water depending on the direction it looked like Callie was heading. My mom jokes that it was like taking care of a baby; there is a different cry for her needs and my parents seem to have Callie’s cries down pat.
Just like people, there are signs of an aging cat. Some of the changes in behavior that you might see is meowing (mostly at night), changes in eating and drinking habits, increased sleeping, disorientation or forgetting where the cat was heading, and changes in litter box usage where the cat is not using the litter box all the time like she used to. These are normal signs of aging, but you should always take your cat to the vet to make sure there is not a medical problem causing the changes in behavior.
If your cat gets a clean bill of health your cat might have CDS (cognitive dysfunction syndrome) which is similar to Alzheimer’s disease. Here are some things you can do to help your aging cat.
* Add more litter boxes, which will make the litter box easier to find and use.
* Provide easy access to the litter box, this might include making sure that at least one side has a low side. This will make getting in and out of the litter box easier if your cat has achy joints.
* Add low stairs or ramps for easier access to some of your cat’s favorite spots, like the bed, sofa or favorite window.
* Serve regular meals to create more structure and routine to your cat’s mealtimes.
* Make dinner time desirable by adding a little hot water to the canned food, which will help enhance the aroma and make the food more appealing. Also provide plenty of fresh water.
* Limit the cat’s living space. If your cat is disorientated, shut doors to unused rooms, which will allow your cat to be more familiar with a smaller living area.
* Try to limit the use of stairs. If possible, keep your cat’s living area to one floor. As your cat gets older, achy joints and loss of vision can make stairs hard to maneuver.
* Avoid major changes. This is not the time to rearrange your furniture or add a new pet to the household. Try to leave the cat’s living areas the same so your cat is very familiar with their environment.
* Increase interaction and cuddle time. As your cat gets older and less active, find gentle ways to play, maybe playing with a string or feather that your cat can bat around without having to run. Spend this time cuddling and loving your cat. It is a great time to strengthen your bond with your cat as her activity level decreases and lets your aging cat know she is loved during the golden years of her life.
I have been trying to attract bluebirds to my yard for sometime with little success. I have put up bluebird bird houses and bought mealworm. The mealworms did work on attracting bluebirds, but I wasn’t getting the regular visits that I was wanting. So, I tried a new suet recipe that keeps the bluebirds coming back. 
If you have cats or dogs you might be interested to know that Fort Dodge has come out with a new product. It's called Promeris, a preventative for fleas and ticks. The application is simple; the dose is in a clear plastic ampule that you apply directly between the shoulder blades. We have heard this product is supposedly the new wave of the future for flea and tick control. It effectively stops and controls existing flea infestations for up to seven weeks and prevents re-infestations of fleas. Apparently, this is the only product on the market that contains the drug Metaflumizone. Metaflumizone is said to attack a flea’s nervous system by blocking voltage dependent sodium channels which results in paralysis and a timely death. A monthly application is recommended for cats and dogs.
Your pet’s health is so important, which means we have to feed our pets healthy food to be sure he gets the right amount of minerals and vitamins. A healthy diet promotes overall wellness, but also improves your pet’s coat, bones and immune system. Iams has come out with a Healthy Naturals pet food with a variety for both dogs and cats, and Iams is veterinary recommended! Click here to get a $5.00 off coupon for either dog or cat food!
For the greatest variety and number of birds, try a variety of feeding spots and feeders. Start with one or two feeders and increase the number as you learn which foods and feeders the birds prefer. Place the feeders so you can watch them easily from a convenient window. Also, when the feeders are in sight, you'll see when they need to be filled or cleaned.