Search Results for: blog diary of a cat care b ampb kitty pedicures

Toe Horns

The toe horn is not some wacky new instrument… I definitely would NOT want to play one. I saw my first toe horn at the cats-only boarding facility where I work part time. A coworker and I were doing a toenail trim for a guest (it’s often easier with two people!) when we noticed a strange growth on one of the cat’s toe pads. It looked sort of like the toenail had grown into the pad, or like a toenail was growing out of the pad itself. It definitely looked weird, and we left it alone. My coworker asked one … Continue reading →

Fish Pedicure

Are you ready for the fish pedicure? Yes, you read that right. A spa in northern Virginia is offering a special treatment for dry, callused feet. Just dip your toes into a tank full of fish and they’ll nibble the dead, dry skin off your feet. Sounds great…? The fish in question is known as the doctor fish (officially, it’s called garra rufa). They thrive in hot water that doesn’t support much other plant or animal life — the doctor fish learned to feed on whatever was available. Apparently the menu includes dead skin. The doctor fish don’t actually have … Continue reading →

Make Bathing Easy: Prep First!

When it’s my turn to do baths at the cats-only boarding facility, the right preparation makes the work a lot easier. Before I even think about fetching a cat into the grooming room, I make sure I’ve set up the hand-held sprayer, towels, shampoo, nail clippers, and blow dryer. You can do the same thing at home to make grooming much easier! What might you need for bathing a pet? Brushes or combs — you can remove a lot of loose hair before the bath with a quick brushing. Tangles and mats can tighten as they dry, so it’s better … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Accidental Injuries

There are some cats who leave an impression on your heart. Other cats leave an impression on you physically! In my work at the cats only boarding facility, I’ve met both types. For right now, I want to talk about the latter. One thing I’ve noticed is how very unpredictable cats are — especially when compared to dogs. I’ve lived with dogs for years. I’ve learned their little vocal cues and body language. Cats? Not so much. There are some who give warning with a hiss or a growl, and some who act out with very little (if any) warning … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for February 25-March 2

Aimee and I went to town last week with a variety of articles. In case you missed any, here’s your handy Week in Review catch up cheat sheet. Monday, February 25 How do you earn a roaming stray dog’s trust? I’m trying to figure that out so I can win over the stray in our neighborhood. Aimee logged another entry in her Diary of a Cat Care B & B: how not to wash a cat. I reported on Murph’s progress with the PoochIQ test. Tuesday, February 26 Hey what’s this? I know this chick! That’s right, Aimee conducted an … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: My Bulletin Board

I’ve picked up a new responsibility at the cats only boarding facility — I am now in charge of the monthly bulletin board. The job comes with a large (and I mean overflowing) box of assorted cat calendars, cat pictures from catalogues and magazines, a rainbow of colored paper, and more. I offered to take on the bulletin board a few weeks ago, so I’ve had a chance to plan a bit. One thing I wanted to focus on was educational materials. There are lots of things we do at the boarding facility that our clients might not understand — … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Kitty Pedicures

One of the services we offer at the cats only boarding facility is a toenail trim. Since I had never done one before (I’ve only done dog pedicures so far), my coworkers showed me how it’s done. It seems to work very easily with two people — one person holds and distracts the cat and the other does the snipping. If you are the person who is holding the cat, you want to be sure that he’s not able to wiggle away; pulling a paw away at the wrong time could mean that the nail gets caught in the scissors. … Continue reading →