Animals Unfolded

Play is a vital part of a cat's life, as it provides an outlet for mental stimulation, to burn off energy and to satisfy their hunting instincts. Cats are easily amused. Quite often, they can be found using the most simple of things to play with, whether it be an inkpen, a crumpled wad of paper, a wine cork or an empty cardboard box. There are plenty of toys on the market that are geared toward felines that can keep them happy, whether it be a teaser wand, a catnip toy, tiny furry toy mice, crinkle balls, (the list never ends), it's easy to mix things up a bit to provide variety. Interacting with our cats is important, and ditto for ensuring that they get enough exercise each day. Play is a great way to achieve both things, and depending on your cat's play preferences, you can hone in on how you can both get the most out of that time together. One popular toy — the laser light  — is a go-to for plenty of reasons: Cats love to chase that famous red dot endlessly, they get th...

Last week I posted this photo on Facebook and made a comment about the super cool dog "toy" pictured in it. There was an enthusiastic response to my post; the most common was "What is that called?" A simplistic idea, an equally simple yet ingenious design, the IQ Treat Ball gets dogs interested and keeps them moving. Foraging toys are not a new concept; several companies make them and they are a great way to give dogs a little something extra to do. Foraging toys can be used as an outlet for fun to dispense treats, or as a way to feed your pooch (as one of my clients does, and their dog prefers it.) In the wild, dogs had to hunt , catch and kill their food. Now, typically they just get a bowl of kibble plunked down in front of them. While many people argue that dogs are so far removed from living in the wild, and that the way that we deal with them today is perfectly healthy, a  lot of folks - including myself - beg to differ.  The problem is, dogs are the fa...

Want a way to keep your cat busy today whle you're away at work? Toss a ping pong or other fun kitty ball into a clean, dry bathtub. That's it. Your cat will go insane with joy batting and chasing the ball around, and best of all it's a game that your cat can play independently.

With the warmer temperatures, we're all itching to get outdoors and do something - even our pets. Dogs need to get out stretch, bark - and run! Sure throwing a tennis ball is a fun game that not only my dogs love, but most of my clients. Want to amp it up a bit? Get a Chuck It ball launcher . This ingenious, simple tool is inexpensive, easy to use and fun for both human and dog alike. Available at pet stores everywhere, the washable, plastic device 'launches' a tennis ball with a simple arm motion - great for those dog owners who have range of motion issues . It's sure to make your dog a serious playaholic . The Chuck It drives our dogs insane with enthusiasm when we grab it and head outside. The best part? No more slobbery, spit covered hands from throwing a tennis ball.