News for You and Your Cat

August 1, 2014

Dear ,

Ingrid and Amber

I spent three days in Las Vegas last week at Superzoo, one of the largest pet products trade shows in the country. The highlight of the show was the launch of the new Jackson Galaxy Collection by Petmate. The collection was designed by the star of Animal Planet's "My Cat From Hell," incorporating his 20+ years of experience working with cats. Look below for a sneak peek at some of the products in the collection, which will be available in stores in October.

At the Conscious Cat, we're all about conscious living, and green living is a big part of living a conscious life. Check out our tips for going green with your cat - it's good for you, your cat, and the planet.

Wishing you health, happiness and purrs,

Ingrid.

Voting for the 2014 Petties has been extended
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Website: www.ConsciousCat.com
E-Mail: ConsciousCat@cox.net

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In This Issue

Introducing The Jackson Galaxy Collection by Petmate

Going Green With Your Cat

Highlights from The Conscious Cat

Upcoming Events

Marketplace

Introducing The Jackson Galaxy Collection by Petmate

I got a closer look at the new Jackson Galaxy Collection from Petmate at the Superzoo pet product expo in Las Vegas earlier this week. The line, featuring toys, tunnels, wands, hideaways and more, was first introduced at Global Pet Expo in March of this year.
This groundbreaking collection of toys was developed by Jackson and is based on his 20+ years of experience of working with cats.

Designed around the concept of "hunt, catch, kill, eat, groom, sleep," every product in this collection allows cats to exercise their natural instincts in all aspects of their lives. Nothing about this line is accidental. Everything was designed to optimize the lives of indoor cats by letting them express their natural behavior. The bright, cheerful colors were not just chosen because they're eye catching, they are the colors cats can actually see.

There's a product for every feline play style and personality. Several of the designs are so unique that they have patents pending. Among those are the Mojo Maker™ wand toys, which feature a telescoping wand and retractable toy and come in both Air Prey and Ground Prey models with interchangable toys.

The Galaxy Spiral features a motion activated ball that can be easily switched out and replaced.

The collection also includes puzzle toys (the Go Fish shown above was a favorite of mine, I can't wait to get one for Allegra and Ruby), tunnels, and a large variety of smaller, catnip filled toys made from natural materials in the colors cats can distinguish.

Superstar Jackson Galaxy was at Superzoo for the official launch of the collection (shown above with Kate Benjamin, co-author of the upcoming book Catification: Designing a Happy and Stylish Home for Your cat (And You!).

The Jackson Galaxy Collection will be available in stores this October. In the meantime, you can get a closer look at the collection in this video below:

JACKSON GALAXY COLLECTION By PETMATE

Going Green With Your Cat

We're all about conscious living here at The Conscious Cat, and green living is a big part of living a conscious life. Recycling, buying organic, and using eco-friendly products just makes sense - and not just for you, but also for your cats. Here are some ways you can help the planet by going green with your cat:

Recycle

Do you have a lot of old cat toys your cats never play with anymore? What about beds, or litter boxes, or even old towels? Your local shelter or private rescue group will appreciate the donation. Be sure to call first to see what they need.

Feed natural foods

Natural and organic pet foods use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones, minimally processed, and preserved with natural substances, such as vitamins C and E. Certified-organic pet foods must meet strict USDA standards that spell out how ingredients are produced and processed, which means no pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients or genetically engineered ingredients. But be careful: not all foods labeled "natural" really are. Read labels, and make informed choices.

Use natural cleaning products

Many household cleaners contain contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum based chemicals which can release volatile organic compounds into your indoor air. Some ingredients in household cleaners are known to cause cancer in animals and are suspected human carcinogens. Inappropriate use, storage and disposal of these hazardous household substances may impact your personal health and the health of our environment. Lysol, Pine-sol and other products containing phenols are deadly to cats as they can cause serious liver damage. Chlorox bleach, especially when concentrated, can cause chemical burns when it comes in contact with sensitive cat paws. Use cat-friendly products instead.

Use chemical free pest and parasite control methods

Many of the flea and tick treatments available today contain toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to pets and to people. Even when these products are used according to the manufacturer's directions, these chemicals are not safe for pets or humans.

Don't wear shoes inside your house

Have you ever gone for a walk in your neighborhood, and every yard you passed just had chemical fertilizer applied? That same fertilizer will stick to the bottom of your shoes, and can present a danger to your cats. They will absorb these chemicals when they lick their paws. It's better to take shoes off right inside your front door, rather than spreading those chemicals all through your house.

Use eco-friendly cat litter

If your cat will accept one of the alternatives to clay litter such as corn, wheat or pine-based litters, make the switch. Clay is strip-mined, which is bad for the planet, and clay litter contains silica, which is a known carcinogenic. However, don't make the switch at the expense of your cat's litter box habits. Some cats will simply refuse to use the new litters, and no amount of going green is worth risking having your cat avoid the litter box.

Highlights from The Conscious Cat

Don't Believe These 5 Common Myths About Cats

Cats don't have nine lives, and they don't suck the breath out of babies. While it's pretty obvious to most rational human beings that these two myths are not true, there are a many other tall tales about cats that may not be as obvious, but are also completely false. Perhaps this is because cats, [...] The post Don't Believe These 5 Common Myths About Cats appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment

At their core, cats are still wild animals, and while we've invited them into our homes to share our lives, we can't expect them to completely give up all their instincts. We have to look at our living space from the cat's point of view and provide an environment that keeps them stimulated. Feline behavior [...] The post Five Pillars of a Healthy Feline Environment appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

What Is IMHA and How Did My Cat Get It?

Immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) is a condition where the cat's immune system turns against itself and attacks the patient's own red blood cells. The immune system's antibodies (blood proteins that are designed to counteract substances the body recognizes as alien, such as viruses and bacteria) target red blood cells for destruction. IMHA is a serious [...] The post What Is IMHA and How Did My Cat Get It? appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

Mews and Nips: Cat Saves Woman's Life by Tapping on Neighbor's Window

Slinky Malinki, a two-year-old cat from Cornholme, Lancashire, saved his human's life by tapping on the neighbors' window to get their attention. Slinky's human had collapsed in her home. ""He saved my life," Janet Rowlison told the Daily Mirror. "I was drifting in and out of consciousness for five days." Slinky tried to get the [...] The post Mews and Nips: Cat Saves Woman's Life by Tapping on Neighbor's Window appeared first on The Conscious Cat. ...ť

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Upcoming Events

August 30, 2014
Fancy Cats Rescue Team
18th Anniversary Fundraiser
Reston, VA

September 6 and 7, 2014
National Capital Cat Show
Chantilly, VA

October 14, 2014
Better with Pets Summit
New York, NY

Please visit the Events Page on my website
for more information and directions.

Marketplace

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