Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!  I can honestly say that of all the jobs I’ve had through the years, the most important and the most rewarding has been the job of DAD.  I know, without any doubt, that I haven’t done everything right.  I’ve made mistakes along the way, but, despite my sometimes less than perfect execution, my kids have all grown into responsible, compassionate, amazing adults.  They are all gainfully employed and are building nice lives for themselves.  I’m not asking them for a gift for Father’s Day.  The people they’ve become represent all the gift I need…well, besides a whole passel of grandchildren!  I have two so far, and they are the beautiful pay-off for all the craziness of raising my own kids.

Jim has four dogs, three kids and two grandkids. He considers being a dad his number one job, and he is a good one!

But, a father’s work is never really done…especially when that father is raising kids of the canine variety.  I shamelessly consider myself to be a dad to my houseful of dogs.  The whole concept of an “empty nest” just seems overrated to me.  I’ve got plenty of room in my “nest” and in my heart to be a dad forever.  And, that’s a good thing.  You see, my human kids grew up and moved out.   They are responsible for making their own decisions and I’m only responsible for supporting those decisions and doling out advice only when asked.  My canine kids are with me for the long haul!  I’ll have to do most of the thinking and decision making for them for all the days of their lives.

And, I’m good with that.  I knew what I signed up for and I still signed up willingly.  Each of my dogs is unique…each has special needs and quirks that only a Dad (and Mom) understand (or are willing to put up with!).  Lila is the old matriarch.  She’s been with us for nearly 15 years and keeps everyone (us included) in line.  Bodie is seven.  His favorite thing in life is a ride in the car so sometimes I just let him sit in the car in the driveway delighting in the anticipation.  Sam is also about seven.  He finds joy in every single aspect of his life.  Although he is a bit overweight, he treats every meal as though it is his first…and maybe his last!  And Henry just turned one.  I don’t normally “do” puppies!  I like my dogs to arrive at the post-chewing, lots of calmness and sleeping age…five years or older.  But, Henry has been a delight in our lives.  He’s a wacky little Jack Russell Terrier who challenges us hourly.  We joke that we treat the other dogs like they’re our kids and we treat Henry like a grandchild.  He does get by with everything short of murder!

Nope…I don’t need a father’s day gift this year.  As long as I have four cold noses and wagging tails to greet me every time I come home, I’m good!  Well, I suppose I could use a lifetime supply of lint rollers or a gift certificate to have the 40 lbs. of dog hair vacuumed out of my vehicle!

Dads…enjoy your day.  And if you don’t enjoy the love of a companion animal, give  yourself the ultimate father’s day gift.  Visit your local animal shelter this afternoon and bring home your next “child”!

The sun is shining and it’s time to get outside!  Being outside is one of the best things about the summer, and it’s definitely the favorite time of year for many of our pets!  Dogs are often so excited to get outside and romp around in the warm weather too.

With summer here to stay, plan to spend fun time outside with your dog.

Being outside with our pets can be a really rewarding and fun-filled experience!  When you’re outside with your dog, first make sure that you are in a safe area, especially if you’ll be off-leash.  Is the area fenced in?  Could other dogs or people approach you?  You will want to assess the factors before determining what types of outdoor activities you want to take part in with your pet.

Once you’ve got a safe area, there are so many things you can do outdoors with your dog!

Bring your dog to the dog park!  The dog park is usually very busy in the summertime, so it’s a great time for your dog to meet and play with new friends!  When you go to the dog park, make sure your dog is comfortable and plays well with others.  Also, make sure that you are comfortable with the other dogs there.  For some great additional information about dog parks, visit the Animal Behavior Associates, Inc website on dog park etiquette.

If dog parks aren’t your thing but you still want to be outside, consider doing a 5K or dog walk with your dog.  Many local rescues hold fundraisers where you can take your dog for a long walk.  It’s a great opportunity to socialize AND help an animal rescue!

Training your dogs can be a rewarding activity for you and your pet.

Training your dog to do new tricks or new sports is a popular activity in the summertime.  You can purchase inexpensive agility equipment or develop your own!  Training your dog to walk through weavepoles or jump through a hoop using positive reinforcement training methods can be really rewarding and fun for you and your pet.

Take your dog for a swim!  Some dogs LOVE to doggy paddle around a pool, lake, or ocean.  Before swimming for the firs time, make sure your dog is comfortable with the water.  If they aren’t overly comfortable at first, let them take their time getting accustomed to the water so that they are able to enjoy it throughout their whole life.

Your local ice cream shop may be dog friendly. Call ahead to find out.

Contact your local ice cream shops to see if they are dog-friendly.  Many will have ice cream for pups during the summer.  If they do, bring the whole family for ice cream—including your dog!  The cool treat will be great for everyone.

There are lots of fun activities for our pets during the warm months.  Make it a goal to get outside to enjoy some of these moments!

What are you and your pet planning for the summer? Let us know in the comment section below.

One of our IHUT participants said “Rocco has become very comfortable with the SweepOne and it was an easy transition from his ordinary litter box to his now extraordinary litter box!

By Jessica Medlin, PetSafe Marketing Research Specialist

If you’re a cat owner, you know that having a cat also comes with having a litter box.  An automatic litter box can make it much easier to clean up after your cat.  We completed an IHUT (In-Home Use Test) for our newest automatic litter box – the SweepOne Advanced Auto-Cleaning Litter Box.  From our research, automatic litter boxes can be especially helpful in multiple cat households where the litter box is used more frequently, as over half of our IHUT participants had more than 1 cat.

“I love not scooping a litter box every day.”

Cats prefer a clean litter box and so do their owners!  The SweepOne waste receptacle is enclosed and odor eliminating filters can also be used, if necessary.  Testers that had a cat that didn’t like to cover up their mess were so happy they didn’t have to rush in to cover or scoop the waste to avoid the odors.  Users reported significantly less odor to no odor at all with the SweepOne.  Are you like some of our testers with a dog that likes to explore the litter box?  Those users said they don’t have to worry about the sneaky dog anymore because the cats waste was swept into the waste receptacle when the cat stepped out of the litter box; leaving behind a clean pan of litter.

“I love that there is nearly no odor from this box, that’s the best part in my opinion.  I also feel like my cats are cleaner because the box is always scooped.”

House soiling is a common problem reported by cat owners, including participants in our IHUT.  Cats may eliminate in inappropriate areas for a variety of reasons, the litter box being one possible reason.  Some of the cats in our SweepOne IHUT used the bathroom in various places when they had a traditional litter box – rugs, the bathtub, even the laundry!  After replacing their traditional litter box with the SweepOne, users reported their cats were using the SweepOne regularly and no longer eliminating in inappropriate areas.

“The cats took to the SweepOne well and have stopped using our laundry!”

The SweepOne was much more convenient for users than their previous traditional litter boxes.  Testers said they used to clean their traditional litter box sometimes multiple times per day, taking anywhere from 4-15 minutes to clean up after their cats each time.  And, if you’re like some of the participants in our IHUT and don’t want to scoop the box and completely discard all litter each time, that can add up to a lot of wasted litter and time!  Since the SweepOne automatically rakes the litter after each use, testers no longer had to scoop the litter after their cat used it, saving time and some even reported using less litter over time.

“It has made clean up a breeze, it saves on litter and my time. It works great, is quiet, and the cats love it.  I would recommend it to everyone.”

Common locations that our testers chose for their SweepOne were the laundry room, living room, and bedroom.  If in common living areas, such as the living room, the appearance may be important to you, especially if you frequently have visitors.  The SweepOne has a sleek, durable, and modern design.  So it will look great in any room and the motor is quiet so it will not disrupt your daily activities.  Testers that placed it in their bedroom said the SweepOne was so quiet that it never woke them up from their sleep!  Our IHUT participants also said they used to have trouble finding a litter box that was spacious for their larger cats, but said the SweepOne had plenty of room for their cats.

“The SweepOne is very sleek and easy to set up.  It is very quiet and meets all of my expectations.  It’s a 10 on a scale of 1-10!”

The SweepOne will make a great addition to your household and can help you clean up after your cat.  It’s set to hit stores this summer, so keep an eye out on our website so you’ll know when it’s ready!  Visit PetSafe Labs, our online research laboratory, to learn more about our research and how you can participate in a research study!

As summer temperatures heat up many of start heading to the waterside to cool off. Dogs often enjoy a swim or splash as well. While many dogs have an instinctual ability to dog paddle that doesn’t mean they can swim or that they aren’t as susceptible to water related accidents. I advise treating them with the same safety precautions as children. Whether in the ocean, lake, river or pool, dogs should always be supervised even after being properly introduced to water. Two of my dogs love to swim and one prefers to wade. Respect your dog’s preference and don’t make them get in over their head so to speak.

The PetSafe Fido Float keeps dogs safe in water and provides easy access handles in the event of an emergency where an owner needs to grab their pet quickly.

Equipment

Even the dog that loves to swim can get tired or panic, fall overboard, or get caught in a current. A properly fit float with a handle is a must for every dog and they should wear it most of the time. Even in a safe shallow area I like a harness or lead attached to ensure safety. Additional items to consider depending on the environment:

• A dog ladder for getting out of the pool or back on the boat
• A long lead for areas with current or tides
• A dog first aid kit
• Consider a class in canine first aid and CPR

Swim Lessons

Regardless of if your pet likes to swim or not, swimming lessons are a good idea so you know they have the ability in case they ever need it.

Dogs need to learn to swim if they are going to be around the water. They need to build stamina and you need to know if they enjoy swimming. Dogs should always wear their float and start by practicing in a shallow area where you can encourage them and hold the handle as needed. Never just throw your dog in the water, it should always be there choice to get in. Check your area for doggie swim facilities where your dog can learn in a safe environment with professionals who can help. I always take my dogs to a local swim facility for swim lessons before ever heading out to the lake. Even my one dog who doesn’t like to swim has had lessons and can swim if he needs to without becoming panicked.

Splash Zone

Check out the location before you take your dog. Are there easy entry and exit points for your dog? Are currents, riptides, waves an issue? Are shaded areas available or do you need to provide an umbrella or tent for shade? How is the water quality? If you wouldn’t swim in it don’t let your dog!

On Dry Land

Just like us your dog needs sunscreen especially on light colored or bare areas like top of snout, ears and tummy. Choose a natural sunscreen safe for dogs or babies (sunscreens for babies often contain less chemicals, etc.) Keep an eye out that your dog is not licking it all off. Rinse your dog off with fresh water after being in saltwater or chlorinated water. You will also want to bath your dog after swimming to remove dirt, sand, etc. Provide fresh drinking water and encourage your dog to drink from it to minimize risks of drinking contaminated or chlorinated water.

Even if your dog doesn’t love a swim they may still enjoy wading in the shallows, a kiddie pool in the backyard or running through the sprinklers to cool off. With a little planning and some safety precautions in place you and your dog can enjoy splashing around all summer long!

For her four cats, Roslyn has 3 traditional litter boxes and 1 automatic litter box.

By Roslyn Ayers, PetSafe Web Content Specialist

For my four cats, I have three traditional litter boxes and one automatic litter box, the Simply Clean. The automatic box has made it so much easier to clean up after my cats. I get to spend less time scooping the litter boxes and more time playing with my cats. I want to share with fellow cat owners why I love my Simply Clean and why I think automatic litter boxes are amazing.

• Constantly cleans
• Requires less scooping
• Uses less litter
• No unpleasant smell
• Cats adjust quickly

Constantly cleans

The best part about automatic litter boxes is that they are always clean. Some automatic litter boxes rotate and sift out the waste, and some use a rake to pull the waste out of the litter. Then, the waste goes into a bin that you can dump out. Cats prefer clean boxes, so getting a box that’s always clean is the best way to prevent your cat from going outside the litter box.

The Simply Clean bowl makes one rotation per hour and sifts the waste into a bin, so my cats’ waste isn’t sitting there for days. This is especially helpful in keeping my dog Doc from “investigating” the litter box and its contents. Other automatic boxes have manual or auto settings, so you can set it to run once a day or push a button every time your cat uses the box.

Requires less scooping

Automatic litter boxes do most of the scooping for you, so they save you time and let you scoop less. I estimate it takes me an hour or two each week to clean all of the traditional litter boxes and only a few minutes for the Simply Clean. With the Simply Clean, all I have to do is pull out the plastic bin, throw out the bag full of poop, and put in a new bag. Then I add some litter and do a quick scrape along the sides with a litter scoop to loosen any pieces that were stuck to the sides. If I replaced my traditional litter boxes with automatic ones, I would probably spend less than half an hour a week cleaning the boxes.

Uses less litter

Some automatic litter boxes are more efficient than standard litter boxes, so they use less litter. I have to throw out all of the old litter from the standard boxes once a month, but I only replace all of the litter in the Simply Clean every other month. With the traditional boxes, the waste sits there for a few days, so the litter absorbs everything. Automatic boxes separate the litter and waste quickly, so the litter doesn’t have a chance to clump up as much.

The Simply Clean Automatic Litter Box cleans your cat’s waste for you so you can spend more time with your pet.

No unpleasant smell

Whether you get a hooded or open automatic litter box, they smell better than the regular litter boxes because your cat’s waste is removed quickly. If the waste goes into a bin, you can put some fresh litter in there to prevent bad smells. One reason cats prefer automatic boxes is that they smell better than traditional ones. Imagine going into a port-a-potty that hasn’t been cleaned in days. That’s what I imagine it’s like for cats to go into a dirty litter box. And when cats bury their waste, they don’t want to dig around in poop that’s been sitting there for days either.

Cats adjust quickly

Most cats love a clean box even if it’s new, but some cats are skittish around new noises or unexpected movement. The easiest way to get your cat used to automatic boxes is to unplug them at first, so they get into the habit of using them just like a regular litter box. Stop cleaning your standard box so they’ll only want to use the new, clean box. After a day or two, you can plug in the automatic box. Automatic litter boxes often have a safety setting so they don’t run when your cat is in it, but some boxes make a low humming noise when they’re on. My cats didn’t have any problem adjusting to the Simply Clean, and the soft hum when it’s plugged in is so quiet I can barely hear it with my ear right next to it.

I love my Simply Clean and how much easier cleaning up after my cats is. I’m planning on getting three more automatic boxes so I won’t have to scoop the traditional litter boxes anymore. What kind of litter box does your cat use?

Put yard signs in heavily trafficked areas and at the home of your future dog park.

Bark For Your Park finals are one of our favorite times of year (if you don’t believe us, watch this video). This year, our fifteen finalists have the opportunity to use the Templates and Downloads page, as well as the Finalist Kit they receive, to leverage every possible space in their community to get as many parks as possible.

Use the tips below for each item to help your city win a PetSafe dog park!

1. Desktop Wallpaper: By setting computer backgrounds to this wallpaper, users will have a daily reminder to vote for your city in Bark For Your Park.

• Work computer screens can remind you to vote as soon as you get to the office each day.
• Home computer screens assure each of your family members remember to vote each day, too.
• Local libraries and college campuses are popular places for families and students. Encourage public computer labs to set their screen backgrounds to promote the contest!
• For assistance in setting your desktop wallpaper on a Mac, click here. For assistance in setting your desktop wallpaper on a PC, click here.

2. Facebook images: Social media is all about visual content. You can gain votes quickly with the simple change and share of a picture.

• Change the cover image and profile picture on your personal page to show your friends you’re barking!
• Create a fan page for your city’s Bark For Your Park campaign. Use these images so those interested can quickly understand what your page is about.
• Share these images on other social media sites beyond Facebook with a link back to contest information. Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram are very popular with pet parents. Also, tag @PetSafe to help them learn even more.

3. Poster: Posters can go anywhere so the options are endless!

• Many parks have announcement boards that citizens check to find out what is going on in the community. Since they are already in a park, these neighbors are perfect voters to help you win a dog park.
• Find the public bulletin boards in the schools to promote parent participation in the contest.
• Community centers, animal shelters, churches, libraries and town halls also have announcement boards and high traffic to draw more barkers for your community.
• We have provided two poster variations. One is blank for easy customization. The other includes all details about the contest. These are standard 11×17″ posters and can easily be printed at your local print shop. To find your area Kinkos, click here.

4. T-Shirt Design: There is nothing better than being a walking bulletin board for a cause you believe in. Wearing a Bark For Your Park t-shirt lets you take the contest message with you wherever you go.

• Wear your t-shirt as many times as possible during the contest. The gym, civic meeting, casual Fridays at the office and volunteer shifts are all great places to spread the word.
• If you’re hosting a specific Bark For Your Park event, print extra t-shirts to give away to the first 10, 20 or 50 people to register for an account and start voting. Then, they can take the message with them too!
• To print t-shirts, provide your local print shop with this downloadable graphic, or print the graphic as an iron-on decal and create your own shirt at home! Cafe Press is also a great option for creating your own t-shirts.

5. Sticker: Similar to posters, but better! Stickers also have endless opportunities.

• If you can’t wear a t-shirt everywhere you go, you can still get by with a sticker. Wear one every day May 1 to July 26 to encourage everyone you meet to log their two votes every day.
• Pass out stickers at any event you have the opportunity to attend. Even if they can’t register and vote onsite, they will remember to when they take the sticker off when they get home! Plus, they can share the contest with anyone they meet along their way.
• If you’re passing out information about another event or cause, add the sticker to the brochure and cross-promote to drive interest!

6. Web Banner Ad: Run these small promotional ads on your website to promote the contest and get more votes for your city.

7. Yard Sign: Top 15 Finalists will be getting a few yard signs in your starter kit. Use this file to print additional signs to place around your city.

• Place yard signs around your city to promote the contest and gain votes. Put one at the location of the future dog park to build excitement.
• These are standard size yard signs and can easily be printed at your local print shop. To find your area Kinkos, click here.

8. Large Banner: Use banners as a great way to get people talking about the contest and gain votes for your city.

• Hang the banner on a fence near the location of your future dog park, carry it in a parade or hang it at sporting events.
• This banner can easily be printed at your local print shop. To find your area Kinkos, click here.

9. Ad Template: Communities are full of newspapers, newsletters and various other printed materials. Fill in your city’s information, and use this ad to share Bark For Your Park with as many audiences as possible.

• Send the template to your local schools’ secretaries to run in the school newspaper or newsletter. Many students have pets at home and will encourage their parents to vote for them to win a park.
• Run the ad in your local newspaper.
• Include the ad in your local shelter’s newsletter.

Despite sharing his home with four dogs, Jim is a fantastic cat lover and he is celebrating in June! Read on to learn how you can too.

By Jim Tedford, Director of Animal Welfare Initiatives and Alliances

At PetSafe, we seem to talk an awful lot about dogs.  They still carry the title “Man’s Best Friend” which is, quite frankly, a little shady.  You see, according to national surveys, CATS are actually the pet of choice in American households these days.  They surpassed dogs several years ago in both popularity and numbers!

True confession: I’m a “dog” person.  I love cats and find them beautiful and fascinating and mysterious and all sorts of other adjectives that the average cat would find less than apt at describing her awesomeness!  But, at the moment, I live in a cat-less household!  My last feline family member, Chloe, died about 3 years ago at the ripe old age of TWENTY!  She came into our lives as a scrawny, 6-week-old kitten who was so small she needed help getting into a regular litter box!  She stuck with us through thick and thin – and through four moves.  She liked her last house best because there was a secure fence and a pool that attracted lizards and frogs…

If I want to solve my catlessness problem, June might just be my very best opportunity to do so.  You see,  June is national Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month!  The choice of June, I’m guessing, was not a random move.  Shelters across the US are in the midst of what we euphemistically call “kitten season”.  It’s a term that sounds sort of sweet and benign – who doesn’t love the cute image of piles of kittens mewing and purring (and climbing curtains)?  But, the truth is, “kitten season” is a tough time in our nation’s shelters.  The balance between available cats and kittens and loving, responsible homes is the most out of whack during this time of year.

So…what can you do?  Here are just a few suggestions:

1.)    ADOPT a cat or kitten (or two)!  If you have the space in your home, the love in your heart and the willingness to make a 15+ year commitment, visit your local shelter and find a new feline friend.  They come in all shapes, sizes and personality types and your shelter will be more than happy to help match you with just the right kitty!

2.)    Donate to your local shelter or rescue group.  There seem never to be enough resources to do everything a shelter wants to do.  Your support can be the difference between life and death.

3.)    Promote cat and kitten adoptions to your social media networks.  Let your Facebook friends and Twitter followers know that June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month and encourage them to spread the word.  In this age of digital communication, nobody can say “I didn’t know!”

4.)    Foster cats or kittens who need a little more TLC before being ready for adoption.  Many shelters and rescue groups use vast foster home networks to keep cats and kittens safe during periods of extreme overcrowding.  They can be brought back to the shelter for adoption when they are ready AND when the shelter has space.

What are you doing to help cats this month? What do you love about your kitty? Let us know in the comments below!

When we decided we wanted to host a contest to give a U.S. city $100,000 to build a dog park, we never expected the response that we have received over the last 3 years. Every year, the team at PetSafe is overwhelmed by the excitement we see from communities that know a dog park will make their city an even better place to live. We come to our desks each day and are welcomed by nominations, votes, photos, comments, and Facebook likes. We get to see the photos of your dogs, who clearly deserve their very own dog park, and we understand completely why you want to give it to them.

Our dogs have always had the most wonderful way of bringing us together, breaking down barriers that are between us. When those barriers are removed, the love of our dogs and our community can bring us together for a positive purpose like rallying together to win a dog park. It’s amazing that even with a million tasks and to-dos, it’s always possible to find time for the things we love the most. You can tell that most passionate communities will have a dog park, no matter what, because they have joined together and are truly committed to seeing it become a reality.

Natalie Lester and Leonitis, preparing for their scene in the finalist video.

The spirit that our nominees show inspires our team. We know you are all working hard to get your communities involved and excited to Bark For Your Park. We recently shot our Bark For Your Park Finalist video to give the 15 finalist cities tips and tools for the next phase of the contest. We hope the video shows that we are just as excited as you are.

With all your effort, someday there will be a brand new dog park with people and dogs running, playing, sharing, slobbering, laughing, and enjoying life together.  The moment you and your community of dogs share that first best moment in your very own park, it will all have been worth it. So as we finish Phase I of Bark For Your Park, congratulations on starting something wonderful for your community. We hope you’ll keep the spirit going more matter what. And, please, keep barking. We are listening and rooting for your dogs.

Life at the dog park is easier if you come prepared. Read on to learn what to pack!

By Robin Rhea, PetSafe Senior Brand Manager

During these wonderful spring and summer months the dog park makes for a great destination with your dog.  But with water, heat, and other dogs, your time at the park can quickly turn into an inconvenience unless you are prepared with a few handy items. Through trial and error and the advice of other park goers, we’ve developed the perfect dog park pack. This pack makes it easier than you may think to make a day at the dog park convenient and fun.

1. Water for you and your dogs – Many parks have drinking fountains for people and dogs. But many parks turn water off to avoid freezing in the winter months. Just in case, it’s a great idea to always bring 1-2 bottles of water for every member of your crew for a half-day adventure and more if you plan to stay longer. A collapsible bowl or dog canteen is also helpful to give your dog’s easy access to the water, or you can poke a hole in the top of a water bottle lid to squeeze the water out for your pet.

2. Towel for messes or impromptu bathing – On muddy days, your dog can make a mess of themselves and your car in no time. Many parks provide a water source for self-bathing and clean up. Having a towel and shampoo will ensure you can leave the park with a clean dog and a clean car – two things that will go a long way in making you want to make a repeat visit.

3. Extra collar or leash – If you dog’s get dirty or wet, their leashes and collars may also. Having a few extras that are clean and dry that you can change out is a great nice to have.

Robin’s dogs, Buckley and Finn, love the dog park! They love that their mom is prepared even more.

4. Current ID tags for your dog – While on the subject of collars, make sure your dog’s collars include a current ID tag. You are taking your dogs out into the world, and even though you are keeping a close eye on them, it’s important to have proper ID in case you get separated.

5. Extra waste bags – It’s a wonderful convenience when waste bags are provided but in the event no bags are available, it’s helpful to have bags on hand. Cleaning up your dog is the number 1 in dog park etiquette.

6. Hand sanitizer-The previous item implies you may want to have hand sanitizer, well, on hand. It’s always a good idea to use hand sanitizer as you leave the park so you don’t carry any germs or dirt in to your car.

7. Previously-loved toys or balls – Toys, balls, and frisbees are great to have at the dog park especially if you have a dog that loves to fetch and play. Remember not to take anything you are too attached to. Toys are likely to used or taken by other dogs and possibly destroyed.

8. Patience – Your own dogs need time to act like dogs, give it to them. In addition, when dealing with people and dogs in a group, it’s important to be kind and patient with everyone else that is visiting a dog park.   Even extend some patience to yourself as you learn the in-and-outs of visiting the dog park and making it a successful venture.

Do you have other items that you have found make your trips to the dog park even better? Post your recommendation below. And if you don’t have a dog park, remember to visit petsafe.net/barkforyourpark to nominate you city to win one of your very own.

There are approximately 86 million pet cats in the U.S. so clearly cats are well loved by many. I’ve been very fortunate to be owned by some amazing felines myself. As a young girl, I was a notorious hugger of cats. As I look back at pictures, I don’t think any of my sweet kitties liked to be hugged or perhaps I am not skilled in the proper way to hug a cat. I’m sure there are some cats out there that don’t mind a light squeeze by their favorite person, but I’d hate to find out they don’t and receive a scratch for my efforts.

Is there a “right” way to hug a cat? Is it even a good idea to hug a cat, do cats like to be hugged and what if they don’t?  To help answer these questions, I enlisted the help of cat behavior consultant, Jacqueline Munera, owner of Positive Catitudes in Tampa, Florida.

Is it a good idea to hug a cat? Can it be dangerous?

Jacqueline maintains it is a good idea to know the potential hug recipient’s preference, whatever their species (cat, dog, person) happens to be!  It can certainly be dangerous to hug a non-appreciative cat! They are outfitted with plentiful sharp defensive weapons ready to deploy full force in response to offensive handling.

Jacqueline Munera of Positive Catitudes in Tampa, FL has a cat who loves to be hugged in a “burping” position, but every cat is different.

Even if the cat seems amenable to being hugged, Jacqueline says, “Proper hug technique is determined by each individual cat. For example, one of my kitties appears to enjoy being carried in a ‘burping’ position with her front legs over my left shoulder. Another of my cats used to ask to be picked up, cradled like an infant and carried around. Generally, most cats seem to prefer a technique that supports their body rather than dangles them in the air.”

I asked Jacqueline, “How do I know if my cat likes being hugged?” She recommends trying it! “Go in small steps so you can gage your cat’s response. Does your cat remain relaxed? Does the cat struggle? If you put your cat down after a hug and she runs away each time she sees you, it is probably an indication that your cat is not appreciative of your hugging affliction.”

Hugging isn’t right for all cats. This kitty doesn’t look too happy.

Instead of putting kitty in an uncomfortable snuggle consider other ways to interact with her and show her some appreciation on Hug Your Cat Day!

Show kitty some love by brushing and petting her. Many cats love to be brushed and a good scratch on the back near the tail or under the chin are often favorite spots.

Let her inner tiger out by providing enrichment that lets her hunt, stalk and pounce! Wand toys with feathers, cat nip, etc. can be entertaining for both of you. Some cats even like to play fetch with a favorite toy.

Take a walk! Curious cats will enjoy a chance to explore a new environment. Explore the great outdoors with the safety of a harness like the Come With Me Kitty harness with a bungee leash for comfort.

How about some one on one time with you? Training your cat provides some great mental exercise for her and is a lot of fun.  Yes, cats are trainable especially with clicker training!

Jacqueline’s favorite Hug Your Cat Day activity is playing with her cats. “We all enjoy interactive toys because the cats get exercise through a predatory activity that is just plain fun for both of us.”

What is your favorite way to show your cat you love her or him?