Time To Get Pet Insurance

This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Nationwide Pet. 

It’s come to my attention that we have less than three months left in this decade, so I’ve decided to get some of the things done that have been sitting on my to-do list for a while. Many items on the list are important but the urgent mothering and work-related tasks always took priority so I just never got around to getting some of these things done. One task on that list? Finding pet insurance for my two cats, Peaches and Boomer. And though I feel like I just thought about getting this within the past year, a quick search reveals that it’s been longer…. 2015 to be exact! Over four years ago I posted asking my friends for more information on pet insurance (after one very expensive vet bill for our new kittens). 2019 is going to be the year I get this done!

I think I’ve put it off for so long because I just didn’t know where to start. Last month though I learned that Nationwide offered pet insurance. They were the first company to do so and they’ve been offering pet insurance for over 30 years. I looked at their Whole Pet with Wellness plan and was impressedThis plan from Nationwide offers great protection for cat parents seeking the best for their feline companions. With this plan, pet parents can get up to 90% back on eligible vet bills for everything from heartworm prevention to hereditary conditions. Members also enjoy 24/7 vet helpline access for any pet health question, plus the freedom to use any veterinarian. 

So now that I’ve identified a pet insurance company and plan it’s time to request a quote which I’m doing today. (Not letting this sit on my to-do list for any longer because just look at that sweet face above! It’s almost like Boomer is watching me as I work saying, “come on mom! This is important!”)

Lucky for me, this is the perfect time to get a quote because Nationwide Pet is running their Ultimate Zoo Experience Sweepstakes. Anyone that gets a quote on the Whole Pet with Wellness plan for their cat now through December 31, 2019 is entered to win prizes including a grand prize trip to the Columbus Zoo complete with a private, behind-the-scenes tour. I’d love to win that prize since I haven’t been to Columbus since my college years!

What tasks are you getting done in the last few months of this decade? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.

The Purina ONE® 28-Day Challenge

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #PurinaONEVisibleDifferences #CollectiveBias

If you were to visit my home on any given day over the past few years you would have discovered my two cats lounging around. Their favorite places to spend the day are my son’s bed, the couch, and their cozy cat bed that sits directly in the sunlight streaming through our living room windows. That’s what cats do, right? Curl up and sleep all day?

Well, yes. Cats do tend to sleep a lot (almost as much as my newborn!) but I also wanted to see them be more active and playful. I learned about the the Purina ONE® 28-Day Challenge and it sounded perfect for my cats. The challenge encourages people to try switching their pet’s food to Purina ONE® and suggests that pet owners can see visible differences with Purina ONE® in just 28 days!

(Interested in Purina ONE® products? Hover over the image above to click through and purchase them directly from  Walmart.com!)

The brand says that differences people might see include:

  • Day 1: More excitement around mealtime thanks to great taste and real meat as the #1 ingredient.* (*excluding UT Health Formula)
  • Day 7+: Vibrant Energy because the purposeful nutrition in every bag of Purina ONE helps support healthy energy in cats.
  • Day 14+: High digestibility because Purina ONE dry formulas are highly digestible and promote high nutrient absorption, so more nutrition goes to work inside your cat.
  • Day 21+: Sparkling eyes, healthy skin, and radiant coat thanks to the omega-6 fatty acid, vitamins & minerals provided by Purina ON.E
  • Day 24+: Strong immune system supported by a unique antioxidant blend of vitamins E & A and minerals zinc & selenium.
  • Day 28+: Strong teeth, healthy gums, heart, and joints thanks to the crunchy texture and calcium in every Purina ONE formula and the fact that the food is a high quality source of protein.

I was excited to start the challenge mostly because I wanted to see my cats energized and doing something other than lounging around. After a little over a week I saw a change! See the photo above? That’s Peaches distracted by movement outside the window and ready to pounce (which he did about three seconds after I snapped the photo)! Plus, Peaches -who used to nap in low, easy to reach places- has started jumping from furniture to furniture until he finds the highest surface to lay on. (As I write this he is all the way on top of my daughter’s wardrobe!)

I have also noticed that Boomer seems to be digesting this food a lot easier because I’m not having to clean up as many messes. That is a definite plus for me! And, along with it being easier to digest, I love that real meat is the #1 ingredient in all the varieties (except for the UT health formulas). Walmart has a variety of Purina ONE® dry cat food to choose from but I bought Purina ONE® Indoor and Purina ONE® Sensitive for my two cats to see which one they preferred.

Speaking of Walmart, you’ll want to get your Purina ONE® products there for a couple reasons… First, they have grocery pickup so you can order and have it brought out to your car or you can order online and get it shipped free to your home. Another reason is because they have great prices and you all know that I love saving money, especially when it comes to necessities like cat food.

If you have a cat or dog I hope you will join me in this challenge and take your pet from “good” to “great”!

With Purina ONE®, you could see visible differences in just 28 days—like strong teeth, vibrant energy, sparkling eyes, and a radiant coat. Make the switch today and save on Purina ONE® when you register for the 28-Day Challenge at www.walmart.com/purinaone. What differences will you see? Visit your local Walmart to redeem your offer and realize your pet’s potential*.

 

*Save on ONE (1) 2.8-lb. or larger bag of Purina ONE® SmartBlend® Dry Dog Food, any variety, or 2.8-lb. or larger bag of Purina ONE® Dry Cat Food, any variety. While supplies last.

 

 

Things To Donate To Your Local Animal Shelter

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #FortunaForAll #cbias #CollectiveBias

With Earth Day this past weekend I’ve been thinking a lot about giving old things new life. I had a massive pile of old blankets and towels to donate and our local animal shelter just seemed like the best place to donate them (because let’s be honest here- nobody wants to buy your old towels and you feel guilty just tossing them, right?) This got me thinking about other things animal shelters may need so I wanted to create a list of things you can donate to an animal shelter, from things you might have around your home to pet supplies you can get at PetSmart (the one-stop shop for all your pet’s needs!) to the thing that nobody has enough of- time.

I recommend calling your local shelter to see what items they need before you donate, but here are the top 5 things I’d suggest donating:

Blankets & Towels

If your family is anything like mine you probably have amassed a large number of towels, blankets, and other linens that you aren’t using. We have a whole laundry basket full of King size bed linens that don’t fit our new Queen-sized bed! Instead of storing these things you may need “some day”, consider giving them to your local animal shelter where they will actually use them now. The towels will help dry freshly bathed cats and dogs and the blankets will provide soft bedding for them. (Just look at how comfy my two look, in the photo above, all curled up on Jacob’s blanket!)

Grooming Supplies

Pet shampoo, fur brushes, nail clippers and other grooming supplies help shelters make animals look more presentable, and therefore, more adoptable. Every shelter’s goal is to find good homes for their animals so this is really important! Grooming tools are very useful and things that I don’t think are donated very often.

Hover over the image above to shop this product at PetSmart!

Pet Food

Probably the one thing animal shelters run out of the quickest is the one thing that is a necessity for all- food. Next time you are at the store getting food for your pet, consider grabbing an extra bag or two for your local animal shelter. I found a great selection of Purina products at PetSmart so when I got a bag for my cats, Peaches and Boomer, I also got an extra bag for the shelter. Some of the pets in the shelter may have been taken from the streets or might not come from the best homes so quality food is so important for their health. For cats, I think the Purina® ONE Smartblend Sensitive dry cat food is a good choice for the shelters because it’s Veterinarian recommended formula is made with no fillers―only ingredients that have purpose―like essential vitamins, minerals and taurine for immune system health and omega-6 fatty acids which helps prevent skin irritations and supports their immune and digestive systems. Another dry cat food that provides outstanding nutrition is the Purina® Pro Plan Savor Shredded Blend that is a mix of crunchy kibble and tender meaty pieces that provide cats with plenty of protein and live probiotics to support digestive health.

Gift Cards

Gift cards are perfect to donate because the animal shelter can purchase whatever they need with them when it’s needed. Purina and PetSmart are making it easy to give gift cards because, now through 5/18/18, if you spend $20 on Purina products you get a $5 PetSmart gift card! So why not buy food for your pets and then donate the gift card you are sent? To get the rebate: 1) Shop for participating products to reach a cart total of $20 or more. 2) Upload your receipt on PurinaFortunes.com (before 5/31/18) to get a $5 PetSmart gift card which will be mailed to you in 8-10 weeks. 3) Repeat steps 1-2 as often as you’d like (subsequent receipts can be of any value and when $20 in Purina products have been accumulated, you will receive another gift card. Also, this is considered “gift with purchase,” so users don’t redeem for their gift cards).

Your Time

Many shelters count on volunteers to run. Donating your time, even if it’s just an hour or two a month, is so appreciated. Volunteers are needed to cuddle with animals, take dogs for walks, clean, foster pets, take photos of adoptable animals, play with cats, and more. Contact your local shelter to see what the greatest needs are and how you can help!

Other items you can donate include: cat litter, toys, cat carriers, cleaning supplies, old newspapers, leashes, pet beds, water/food bowls, and treats. I hope this list has given you ideas of things that your local animal shelter would really appreciate!

Don’t forget about the Purina gift card rebate! Find all your pet necessities at PetSmart (including Purina cat and dog food) and, while you are uploading your receipt, play the Paws of Fate game! Register with your contact information so you can receive an entry into the Grand Prize Sweepstakes to win a custom cat or dog bed. (Just a heads up- sharing the promotion via Twitter will also earn you an additional entry into the grand prize sweepstakes.) Also, play the instant win game (no purchase necessary to win) at PurinaFortunes.com to instantly win prizes such as PetSmart gift cards, as well as Save a Fortune tarot cards (Purina sent me a pack and they are pretty amusing!)

2 GRAND PRIZES:

-1 Dreams of Fortune Cat Bed (ARV: $2,145)
-1 Dreams of Fortune Dog Bed (ARV: $2,145)

INSTANT WIN GAME PRIZES:

-Purina Branded Tarot Cards (50 total) – ARV: $25/ea
-$50 PetSmart Gift Card (15 total) – ARV: $50.00/ea
-$25 PetSmart Gift Card (15 total) – ARV: $25.00/ea
-$10 PetSmart Gift Card (25 total) – ARV: $10.00/ea

 How will you help your local animal shelter? Get more pet-friendly ideas here.

New Kitten Gift Basket

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LitterMaidWalnut #LitterMaid #CollectiveBias

Getting our two cats, and becoming a fur mommy, was one of the most memorable moments of the past five years for me. I remember heading to the store before we went to pick up Peaches and Boomer, and being so overwhelmed by all the options and leaving the store with a trunk full of things. I thought it would be fun to put together a little gift basket that would be perfect for someone adopting a kitten so they can focus on the excitement adoption brings, and not all of the “stuff” they need to buy.

Here are the items I put in the gift basket:

Cat Bed

The base of the basket holds a small, soft cat bed. Kittens may be active but they still enjoy napping in a warm, sunny spot and a cat bed is perfect for this purpose.

Toys

I filled a little plastic jar with small toys because I know from experience that cat toys tend to go missing quite easily (though I’m guessing the majority of them lost in our home could probably be found under the couch!)  Kittens have a lot of energy so little balls and other toys will get a lot of use and putting them in a small container makes it easy to give them and then gives the new pet parent something to hold them in.

Grooming Items

I included a pair of nail clippers and a brush in this gift basket. Since both items are small I hung them on the outside of the basket with decorative ribbon. Other grooming items could include cat cleansing wipes or even a lint brush for the new pet parent who will soon discover that black pants and pets don’t mix :)

Litter

Every cat parent knows that litter is a must-have item and while shopping for litter I look for two main features- that it has odor control and it’s clumping litter which makes cleaning the cat box easier. One great brand I discovered recently that has both of these features is LitterMaid® Premium Walnut which is made with natural walnut shells. Not only does it help neutralize tough litter box odors and have powerful clumping that makes clean-up quick and easy, but it’s 99% dust free which I love.

(Boomer just had to get in a photo. I think some of the toys had catnip so he jumped up and was sniffing around. Sorry Boomer, this gift basket is NOT for you!)

Picture Frame

A picture frame is a sweet idea to include because then the recepient of the basket can display a photo of themselves with their fur baby. When I got my first pet, a kitten named Boots, in 1989 we took a picture of our family all together with him and it’s still one of my favorite pictures to date.

Odor Eliminator Spray

Odor eliminating spray is great for the cat bed, the couch, or anywhere else the cats sleep on a regular basis. Coupled with the LitterMaid® Premium Walnut that neutralizes odors in the cat box, their house will stay smelling fresh and welcoming to guests.

LitterMaid® Premium Walnut is now exclusively available at Walmart and can be found in the cat litter aisle.

You can also add cat food and/or treats, a collar, a cat box, pet food dishes and more to your basket! What would you put in a gift basket to give a friend who was adopting a new cat?

Charming Personalized Cat Food Bowl

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of The J.M. Smucker Company. The opinions and text are all mine.

Yay for winter break! Those couple weeks are my favorite time of the year because, after our holiday celebrations, we have very little to do until mid-January. We spend lots of time cuddling on the couch, playing our new board games, working on DIY projects, and watching movies. Around here, everyone gets in on the fun- including our two fur babies, Peaches and Boomer, who plop down anywhere they feel like resting (whether that’s on our laps or on top of the game we are playing). They even like to hide under blankets like we all do when it’s chilly outside!

So cute, right? This is the look Boomer gives me when she wants attention. She’ll stare right at you until you say her name and then she happily climbs on top of you, rubbing into your hand to indicate she’d like to be petted. Peaches on the other hand makes it clear what he wants by rolling over onto his back and stretching so that his belly is right side up. He will wiggle himself around next to you until he gets the belly rubs he is looking for. I love cuddling with them and showing them love, just like I do my two little human babies (well, I guess my boys aren’t really babies anymore though…).

In between cat and child cuddling sessions I thought it would be fun to do some crafting and came up with the idea to add some sparkly personalization to Peaches’ and Boomer’s cat food bowl. I regularly do fun cat crafting projects and have made things like a ribbon wand for playtime and a no-sew cat bed to add some cushiony comfort to their cat tower. Though I can probably buy most of what I make, I enjoy these simple DIY projects. With all the crafting I have done in the past, I’ve never decorated their cat food bowls before so I thought it would be fun to do. I thought about sponge painting a white bowl and painting on their names, but my hand isn’t very steady so I decided to use letter charms instead, and I love how it turned out.

This charming (get it?) personalized cat bowl project was pretty easy. I started with a white bowl decorated with black cat silhouettes (though in hindsight I probably would have preferred a solid white colored bowl). I added some charms (that spelled out their names) onto a braided string and, in between the letters, I added little dangling crystals. Then I hung the string around the top of the bowl, tying it in the back. I love how it takes the bowl from plain to fancy.

My cats are just a little spoiled :)

One other way I like to treat them well is by filling their bowl with great cat food, like the fresh taste of Meow Mix® Original Choice Dry Cat Food. Meow Mix cat food has the perfect mix of real poultry and seafood flavors that cats love. And, with all the varieties of Meow Mix products, I know my cats won’t get bored!

We found our favorite Meow Mix varieties at our local Meijer and, from now through January 27, 2018, you can use this mPerks digital coupon to get 30% off any 2 Meow Mix products at Meijer. Whether you get their dry food, their treats (like the Meow Mix Brushing Bites Treats my cats enjoy), or their wet food, you’ll be the purrfect pet parent when you mix things up with Meow Mix from Meijer!

How do you like to show your cats love?

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The Importance Of Regular Veterinary Care For Cats

This post is sponsored by Royal Canin® and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated to help share information about National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, but Making Time For Mommy only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Royal Canin is not responsible for the content of this article.

Two years ago I became a cat mom when we brought two tabby kittens home. Peaches and Boomer have added a lot of love to our home over the past couple years (along with plenty of fun and mischief). We do our best to take care of them, from feeding them quality food to playing with them so they stay active. Our cats get plenty of cuddles and have numerous soft spots to settle into for long naps in the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.

I thought I was being the perfect cat mom, and doing everything I needed to do, but recently I learned of one important thing I hadn’t been doing- taking them for regular check-ups at the vet. As dumb as it may sound, I honestly never realized this was something that had to be done. Since cats are so low maintenance most of the time I assumed that a vet visit was only necessary if they seemed sick but it turns out that making time for the annual well-pet visit is as important for cats as it is for our kids. Since cats can hide illnesses easily, preventive health care is vital in making sure our cats are healthy.

Apparently I’m not alone in this lack of knowledge because, in the United States, less than half of cats see the veterinarian on a regular basis. Because of this, I’m proud to be partnering with Royal Canin to share about “National Take Your Cat to the Vet Day“, which is August 22, 2017. This day was created to build awareness among cat owners for the need of regular veterinary care for our fur babies.

If you are a cat parent, I encourage you to make a vet appointment for your cats right now (before your forget or get sidetracked). When you go, share a photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram of your cat at the vet -or tips on taking your cat to the vet- with the campaign hashtag, #Cat2VetDay. For each social media share on one of those channels during the month of August, Royal Canin will donate $5 to Frankie’s Friends, which provides grants to help with the cost of life-saving or life-enhancing emergency or specialty care for pets whose families cannot afford the full cost of treatment.

If you are a pet parent, do you take your pet to the veterinarian for regular check-ups?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Royal Canin. The opinions and text are all mine.

DIY Cat Wand Toy

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CatsLoveNutrish #CollectiveBias

It’s hard to believe that our fur babies, Peaches and Boomer, have been in our lives for two years this month. When we got them they were playful little ones who had been abandoned in a park by their owner. Though they’ve gotten older, they are still just as playful as the day they came home (though now they actually sleep at night instead of chasing each other around!)

To keep them active I feed them quality cat food like Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Indoor Complete Chicken with Lentils & Salmon Recipe. Nutrish Indoor Complete contains a real superfood blend to meet the complete needs of indoor cats, addressing concerns such as weight, digestion and immunity. I like knowing that this cat food contains real U.S. farm-raised chicken as the #1 ingredient, plus real salmon, without any ground corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, artificial preservatives, or artificial flavors.

(Click the image below to save $2 on Nutrish Indoor Complete!)

Another way that I keep my cats active is by playing with them. They have a number of toys they like to play with, from balls to catnip filled faux mice. We had a fun wand toy that they loved as well but the handle broke so I thought I’d make a new one myself. I wanted to share this fun DIY with you all so you could see how easy it was to make one!

Materials needed:

  • Dowel (with a cap on the end)
  • Washi tape
  • Ribbon
  • Cardboard pieces
  • Felt
  • Glue
  • Scissors
  • Bells
  • Hole punch (or crafting knife)

Directions:

Stack ribbons on top of each other and place the top of the dowel in the middle of the ribbons. Take all the ribbons at once and tie a knot right under the dowel cap.

String a few bells on to the ribbons and push all the way to the top so that the wand will make noise when shaken but the cats won’t play with them.

Cut a few felt shapes out of cardboard and felt, making sure that they are the same size.  (I chose to make flower shapes but fish shapes would be cute, too!) Then glue felt to cardboard shapes. Make a hole a few inches from one of the edges using your hole punch or crafting knife so that a piece of ribbon can go through. Then stick one ribbon through each and tie a knot in the back.

To finish you can use your washi tape to decorate the wand. I added a little green at the bottom. I love how colorful this cat wand is!

You can find Nutrish Indoor Complete, for adult cats 1 year or older, at retailers both in stores and online. I bought mine at my local Walmart. Make sure to use the coupon I shared above to save $2 on Nutrish Indoor Complete (you can print it two times). The coupon is good through the end of 2017 and you have 30 days from the time you print it to redeem it.

How do you keep your cats playful and active?

Gift Basket For New Cat Parents

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewPetNoStains #CollectiveBias

A year and a half ago we adopted our two cats, Boomer and Peaches, from someone who had rescued them after they were abandoned in a park. Our two little fur babies have added a lot of love to our home and I’m so thankful for that.

Though I had cats growing up, it wasn’t until I became a pet parent as an adult that I realized just how many things that cats required. There were the obvious things we had to buy, like cat food and litter, but then also things I hadn’t thought about. Things like tags for their collars and carpet cleaner became must-have items on my list.

I decided to create a special gift basket for a new pet parent with all the essentials they would need before taking their cats home.

The first thing I did was find a basket big enough for all my items and then add in a pet bed to the bottom of it. Though my cats rest wherever they please, it’s always nice to have a comfy place for them to nap. They love their cat tree but, for most cats, a cat bed placed in any sunny spot will do and it’s small enough to fit into the basket.

The next item I put in the basket was STAINMASTER® Carpet Pet Stain Remover which is perfect for the inevitable pet messes that will happen on your rugs and carpeted areas. I never realized just how much this would come in handy. It removes stubborn pet stains but also can be used on everyday stains. I’ve used it to clean up a number of accidents and hairballs along with spills due to overexcited cats (like those times when my cats are chasing each other and one jumps up on the coffee table and knocks a cup down on to the rug…)  Not only does this remove stains but it has ODOR REMOVE™ Technology that eliminates odors and leaves behind an invisible shield as it cleans so that it repels dirt to protect against re-soiling which means it’s easier to clean the next time. It’s also nice because it doesn’t leave a sticky residue behind.

Another thing I like to add in to the gift basket are cat treats. For a pretty look just put the treats into a clear cellophane bag and tie it closed with a colorful string. Catnip is also a fun addition to the basket and can be added to scratching posts, toys and a variety of other pet items you want to draw your cat’s attention, too.

And speaking of toys, you’ll want to add in some of those! I included some cute little mice and a yarn ball to keep active kittens entertained.

Other PURRfect essentials I added include a water bowl, a lint roller to get cat hair off of clothes, and a brush. You may also want to include an air freshener for them to put near the litter box, a collar and a little note with the recommendation of a veterinarian you love.

Whether it’s a gift for someone bringing a little kitten home for the first time or you are adopting a cat yourself, check out the great selection of pet products at Target! I found the STAINMASTER Carpet Pet Stain Remover in the cleaning aisles by the other floor cleaners in the Orland Park, IL Target. (It is not available at all Target locations, but is available online. Click here to find it, or have it shipped for free, to your local Target store.)

Also, make sure to use Target’s Cartwheel app to save 25% on STAINMASTER Carpet Pet Stain Remover (Cartwheel offer good through 3/4). The only thing better than wandering the aisles of Target is saving money on what you find while you are there :)

What would you add to a gift basket for a new pet parent?

Enter To Win 1 Of 30 Litter-Robots And Other Amazing Prizes For Your Cat

Disclosure: I received a Litter-Robot in exchange for sharing about this promotion.

I am so excited to share that I’ve partnered with Litter-Robot to promote their 25 Days of Christmas giveaway. They are giving away AMAZING prizes, including 30 Litter-Robot Open Air units.

What’s the Litter-Robot Open Air you ask? Well only the best litter box ever! I have been using one for about a month and I’m wondering how I ever lived without it. Previously, cleaning the litter box was my least favorite chore but this Litter-Robot makes life as a cat mom so easy because it cleans the litter box for me.

This automatic self-cleaning litter box has a patented sifting system that automatically separates waste from clean litter, so you never have to scoop litter again and your house always stays smelling fresh! It senses when my cats have soiled the litter and exited the unit and then it rotates automatically to separate the dirty litter from the clean litter. All I have to do is collect the dirty litter that has been deposited in the bottom drawer when the notification light is on, which is about once a week with my two cats.

Watch the video below to see exactly how it works:

Features of the Litter-Robot Open Air (ARV $449) include:

 

  • Self-cleans after each use
  • Reduces litter box odor
  • Saves money on litter
  • No special accessories needed
  • Great for multiple cats
  • Safe for cats as light as 5lbs
  • Extra spacious litter chamber
  • Enlarged entryway
  • Drawer full indication
  • Adjustable cycle timer
  • Sleep mode & lock out feature
  • Automatic night light

Along with the chance to win 1 of 30 Litter-Robot Open Air units, the other items that are being given away are:

You can enter daily through Christmas for a chance to win a great prize package.

ENTER HERE!

 

 

3 Things Pet Parents Need To Do To Prepare For Holiday Entertaining

This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL™ available at PetSmart®, but Making Time For Mommy only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Arm & Hammer and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article. #CLUMPandSEAL

The holiday entertaining season is upon us which means that there are all the typical preparations that need to be done, from preparing the turkey dinner to cleaning the home for guests. Pet parents have some additional tasks on their list, like cleaning the pet hair from their couches, making sure their home does not have any bad pet odors, and securing decorations that paws may be tempted to touch.

The first thing that is a must do before entertaining is tackling the pet hair that seems to land everywhere. The couches are the biggest pet hair collectors in our home so I recommend a good lint brush and a vacuum that can tackle pet hair. You know someone is going to come over with a pair of black pants on and you don’t want them walking around with pet hair all over their bottoms after they’ve sat on your couch.

One other thing you don’t want? A smelly home! For those with cats, a good litter is essential for keeping your home smelling nice. ARM & HAMMER ™ CLUMP & SEAL ™ cat litter, found at PetSmart, is our favorite because of it’s one of a kind odor control. No other litter forms a tight seal around odor and destroys it with unique odor eliminators and baking soda, providing bacterial odor control in the litter box for up to 7 days.

The last thing pet parents need to do is figure out how they are going to keep all their beautiful holiday decorations safe from their pet’s paws. We’ve invested in some unbreakable ornaments after discovering that our cats love playing with all of the ornaments that hang on the bottom of the tree. We are also securing our tree better this year since last year we came home to the tree tipped over a couple of times.

If you are a pet parent, what things do you do to prepare your home for the holidays? I’d love to hear your tips on how you keep your home a happy place for everyone, including your fur babies, as you entertain this season.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ARM & HAMMER. The opinions and text are all mine.

A New Product That Cat Parents Will Love

This post is sponsored by ARM & HAMMER™ and the BlogPaws® Pet Influencer Network™. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about ARM & HAMMER CLUMP & SEAL™ available at PetSmart®, but Making Time For Mommy only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Arm & Hammer and PetSmart are not responsible for the content of this article.

Two summers ago I became a cat mom when we adopted two cats that had been left at a park. My kids and I have loved having these two furry additions to our family ever since. We like when they curl up on our laps to nap and we enjoy playing with them and watching as they dart around chasing their toys.

One thing we don’t love though? Odor from the litter box. That’s the only thing we dislike about being pet parents. Did you know that even after you scoop, bacterial odor can keep growing? That is something new I learned recently. If you are struggling with litter odor I have great news to share!

The new ARM & HAMMER™ CLUMP & SEAL™ Microguard™ cat litter seals and destroys immediate odors plus prevents future bacterial odors for 7-day odor control – guaranteed! It works by forming a tight seal around odor and destroying it with unique moisture-active micro-granules odor and baking soda.

You can find the new ARM & HAMMER litter, and all of your other pet necessities, at PetSmart® in the cat aisles. Just look for the giant cat sign hanging from the ceiling :)

An odor free home is a happy home and a happy cat! I love that I can now cuddle with my cats, Peaches and Boomer, without having to worry about a smelly litter box.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of ARM & HAMMER. The opinions and text are all mine.

DIY Yarn Ball For Cats

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser, Mars, Incorporated. All opinions are mine alone. #IAMSVisibleDifference #IAMSCat #CollectiveBias

I’ve been talking a lot lately about how I’m trying to get healthier by eating better foods and exercising more. As a pet parent I realize that it’s important for my cats to be healthier as well. I can do this by choosing more quality foods for them and giving them toys that encourage exercise.

I recently started feeding my cats IAMS™ because a lot of my friends had been sharing about the visible difference they saw in their cats. IAMS™ cat foods have a customized mix of protein and carbs which contribute to healthy energy levels. Not only that but their foods contain ingredients which promote excellent skin and coat health and also ingredients to aid in their ability to absorb nutrients. Boomer and Peaches seem to really love the food and I feel confident that I’m giving them a healthier option.

In addition to the new food, I decided to try my hand at making some cat toys for them. I thought a colorful yarn ball would be fun to make. This toy will increase their exercise levels because as it rolls around they will have to chase it around the house.

Materials needed:

  • Yarn (2 or more colors)
  • Small to Medium Sized Styrofoam Ball
  • Scissors

Directions:

Cut the yarn in to pieces about a foot long.

Take two pieces of different color yarn and tie one end together.

Continue tying pieces together one end at a time, alternating colors.

Once you have enough yarn tied together wrap part of it around the Styrofoam ball and tie it in a knot, making sure the string is tight around the Styrofoam ball.

Wrap the string around the ball, again and again, varying the direction the string is going so it zigzags across other pieces in different directions.

Continue wrapping it around the ball until you run out of string.

To finish, loop the end string under a few pieces of string on the ball and tie into a knot at the end, securing the end to another piece of string already attached to the ball.

I left some of the Styrofoam showing since my arthritis in my hands was hurting but you can add more string if you want a more complete look. You can also just use a multi-color roll of yarn to start with but I like how it looked tied together with all the pieces sticking out to encourage my cats to play with it. Boomer goes crazy when he sees a shoelace or the hem coming undone on a blanket so I knew he’d love all the knots and strings on it!

Want to start your cat on a healthier diet like I did? Try an IAMS™ diet and look for the visible difference their quality food can make. You can find IAMS™ Proactive Health Indoor Weight & Hairball Care Cat Food with Chicken and other IAMS™ cat food at Walmart.

Also make sure to enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win IAMS™ for a year or Walmart eGift Cards! #IAMSVisbleDifferenceSweepstakes 

 
#IAMSVisbleDifferenceSweepstakes

A healthy cat is a visibly happy cat. How do you make sure your cat is healthy and happy?

3 Cat Parent Necessities I Didn’t Know I Needed

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LitterOdorRevolution #CollectiveBias

I love my two cats, Boomer and Peaches, and consider them my fur babies. Our family has had them for a little over a year and when we first adopted them I went to the store with a list of things I needed. Things like a cat box, food, litter, toys, etc. As time has gone on I discovered three things that weren’t on my list originally but I’d now consider necessities in our home and I wanted to share them with you all.

First, if your family is splitting pet parent responsibilities like our’s is you will want to put together a pet “chore” chart. I discovered this was the easiest way to keep track of whose day it is to feed them and clean the cat box (especially if you have forgetful family members….) Above is a feeding chart that I had created for our boys that went right on the food bin. A similar one can be created for cleaning the cat box OR you can use the same chart for both pet parent chores.

Speaking of that pesky cat box chore, my life has become 10x better since discovering the Litter Genie® Cat Litter Disposal System. Seriously. I used to HATE cleaning the cat box as much as I hate cleaning the toilet and would avoid it as much as possible, begging Sinisa to do it for me. He cleaned it most of the time, dumping the soiled litter into a bag and replacing it with all new litter since that was easier for him than carrying the dirty litter by scoop to a trash can. I appreciated his help and the fact that the cat box was clean but you know what the problem was? It was so expensive! Over three quarters of that litter was still usable but it was just easier to dump it all out and start fresh than make daily trips to the trash can with it.

With the Litter Genie® Pail we save money and time cleaning the cat box. We can just use the scoop daily to remove the poop and clumps and top off the litter box with some fresh litter. It takes only a minute or so and we aren’t dumping out all of that good litter or making daily trips to the trash can. And guess what? I don’t mind cleaning the cat box anymore!

The other bonus is that the cat box (and our home!) stays smelling fresh because the Litter Genie® Pail is designed to help eliminate odors for up to two weeks at a time. It locks away litter odor in just 3 simple steps- 1.) Scoop 2.) Open Lid 3.) Pull Handle. It’s not like a trash can where you lift the lid and immediately smell everything in the can because it has a unique, airt-tight design that helps keep smells in even when you open the lid! It’s compact too, which I wasn’t expecting. It’s perfect for people who live in a small home like we do. It can also be tucked away in a cabinet so it’s hidden so it gets bonus points for being a discreet odor fighter ;)

The Litter Genie® Cat Litter Disposal System itself was a lot less expensive than I thought it would be. I found it at Target by the litter boxes for only $14.99 and used Target Cartwheel to get a discount on it (I really love that app!) Speaking of Target…anyone else find they can never get out of the store with just one item? I love that store and I’m always discovering new products and fun items our family *needs* (and at such great prices I can’t pass them up). This is my “problem”:

Every.Single.Time. haha. ANYWAYS…

It does need refills (which can be purchased at Target as well) but each refill package is supposed to last up to 2 months with one cat. One Litter Genie® Pail refill contains 7 bags, each bag holding approximately 14 days worth of litter. Honestly though, I’ve been using this for about a week and a half with two cats and I am just now going to have to change the bag so I feel that having two cats is pretty similar usage-wise. It’s easy to empty as well. When the bag is full, a simple cut-and-tie empties it and you are ready for a new bag.

I really wish I would have discovered this sooner!

The last thing I feel that has been a necessity for us is our cat tower. I bought one with two levels (though the cats don’t use the lower area). They spend at least half the day on this perch, looking out the window at all the birds and bugs or napping in the sun.

I bought cat beds for them that looked more comfortable but they have rarely used them. I think they prefer being high up and being able to look outside and bask in the warm sunlight.

As much as they love their cat tree it’s looking pretty raggedy after only a year. It’s made of carpet and the area where they sit is all matted down and there is nothing but plywood under it so I thought I’d make them a new cushion to sleep on. I was going to buy some pretty fabric but as I was cleaning out my closet I found an old pair of fleece pants that I figured I could upcycle into a new cat tower cushion for them. This cat cushion is awesome because it’s a no-sew project and only needs a handful of items you probably already have in your home!

Materials:

  • An old pair of fleece pants or sweatshirt
  • Marker
  • Tape measure
  • Fabric scissors

Directions:

  • Cut along the inner seam of the pant leg almost to the top then cut across to cut out a large rectangle.
  • Repeat on the other pant leg

  • On the inside of one of the fabric pieces, draw a circle an inch or two wider than the cat bed area but DO NOT CUT it out
  • Measure 2 inches out from that circle all around your fabric piece and mark it to form a second, outer circle
  • Cut around that outer circle
  • Lay the cut piece of fabric on your other one and cut the second piece in a circle to match it
  • Stack the pieces on top of each other with the inner part of one pants leg facing the table and the other one facing you
  • Cut 1 inch wide slits around the material, stopping at the inner circle mark
  • Tie the top piece and the bottom piece together in a simple knot
  • Repeat, creating knots around the circle, and stopping when you get to the last three
  • Carefully turn the cushion inside out (the cushion edges will look like the image below once you do)
  • Use the excess fabric you discarded to cut small squares to make the stuffing of the pillow
  • Once it’s fluffy enough, tie the last few remaining pieces into knots and tuck the edges inside the pillow

Now my fur babies have a nice fluffy pillow on their cat tower :)

Have you tried the Litter Genie® Cat Litter Disposal System yet? What other things have you discovered are necessities as a pet parent?

PURRfect Cat Food Storage And Feeding Schedule

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NutrishCatCrafts #CollectiveBias

Last Summer I unexpectedly became a fur mommy when we adopted two kittens. I had been wanting to get a cat for a while but hadn’t had the chance to find one so when a friend posted on Facebook about two kittens looking for a home I jumped at the opportunity to help. I hadn’t ever thought of getting more than one feline friend but I couldn’t split them up so we took both in. We named one Peaches and one Boomer and they are quite the little characters.

I remember the day we were going to get them I headed to the store and bought hundreds of dollars worth of items. We got a cat tree, food, litter, and two of many other things I viewed as necessities. Since we needed so much at once we stayed on the cheaper end of everything and that included cat food.

I didn’t realize until recently just how different cat foods were, or the benefit of some over the others. I just assumed it was all the same and bought whatever was on sale. When I heard about the new line of cat food by Rachael Ray I was intrigued and wanted to try it for my cats. The Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® cat food line is dedicated to “Real Recipes. Real Ingredients. Real Good,” which means whole ingredients you can see for a taste your cat will love. I decided to gradually introduce the food by incorporating it into their current food over the course of 7-10 days and slowly replaced their current food with Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® cat food until it was completely switched over.

I picked some of the cat food up while I was shopping for food at my local grocery store, Jewel-Osco. Though Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® cat food is sold at a variety of retailers and online at Amazon.com, I like being able to just pick it up when I’m getting my weekly groceries.

There were a number of choices of dry food so I got the Zero Grain Food for Cats (Dry) Chicken & Potato Recipe. U.S farm-raised chicken is the #1 ingredient in it and it has zero grains, gluten, fillers, artificial preservatives, colors or flavors or meat-by-product in it. This high-quality protein provides essential nutrients to help support healthy organs & lean muscle mass which I thought was especially perfect for Peaches who has gotten a little chunky.

I usually just purchase dry food but noticed the wet cat food on the shelf as well and decided to buy some to give to Peaches and Boomer as an occasional treat. Like the dry cat food, the Grain Free Wet Food for Cats has no grains, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives, meat by-products, or fillers. They come in fun flavors like Chicken & Shrimp Pawttenesca™, Chicken & Salmon Catterole™, Chicken Purrcata®, Paw Lickin’ Chicken & Liver, Tuna Purrfection™, Ocean Fish-a-licious®, Lip Smackin’ Sardine ‘N Mackerel, Ocean Fish & Chicken Catch-iatore, Chicken Lovers Variety Pack and Ocean Lovers Variety Pack.

 I liked that I could see real ingredients, like the chunks of meat, through the clear bottomed containers. I chose four different flavors that all sounded like they would be delicious for my fur babies.

One other thing I love is that Rachael’s personal proceeds go to Rachael’s Rescue, which was created to help shelter pets in need. To date, she has donated over $14 million. This money has gone toward food, medical supplies and treatments for these unfortunate animals. It makes me feel good that my purchase helps such a great cause.

I have tried a few different ways of storing my cat food but found the best way was putting it in a large, rolling plastic container that I could keep in my kitchen. This makes feeding the cats very convenient because the food is right nearby and the container it’s in keeps it fresh since I heard cat food can go stale just like our food can if it’s left open.

I grew tired of the plain plastic container so I decided to decorate it a bit. I bought some washi tape that went with my kitchen decor colors and used it to add a little fun to my container. I also decided to make a feeding chart to go on the container since my kids do great with their chore chart and this would be easy to incorporate with that. With Jacob, my oldest, waking up before everyone else he normally feeds the cats but sometimes he forgets and has to be reminded. This chart helps keep track of if and when the cats were fed and who is supposed to feed them each day so I never have to wonder if they were already given their food and fresh water or if one of the kids needs a reminder to do so.

To create a special food container for your cats you will need the following:

  • Large container on wheels (additionally you can also get a smaller container as well to hold wet food, treats and other cat necessities)
  • Small dry erase board (find one that comes with sticky adhesive and magnets)
  • Washi tape
  • Cardboard cutout letters
  • Dry erase marker
  • Double sided tape
You can decorate the outside of the container however you’d like. I chose to keep it simple with a handful of strips of the washi tape. To make the feeding chart that goes on the outside of the container do the following:
  • Choose what you want your feeding chart to say and then cover the cardboard letters with washi tape
  • Use the double sided tape to stick your letters down at the top of the dry erase board
  • Use your dry erase marker to write the days of the week, add boxes for AM and PM feeding, and who is feeding the cats each day
  • If you’d like you can put washi tape along the outside of the board, like I’ve done, to decorate the board even more
  • Once the board is ready attach the magnets on the back using the sticky adhesive
  • Put the second half of the magnets on the container to match up with the magnets on the back of the board
Now you have a rolling food center for your cats and an easy way to keep track of their feedings! You can find Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® cat food at your local retailer or on Amazon.com.
Want more fun tutorials and cat related content? Check out the Rachael Ray™ Nutrish® Pinterest page!

 

Vacation With A Purpose At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary

(Disclosure: Best Friends invited me on an all expenses paid press trip to experience the sanctuary first hand but all thoughts about the sanctuary and charity are my own.)

Recently I went on an amazing trip to Utah. It was my first time in the state and I was there for a very special reason- to learn more about Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. Located outside of Kanab in Angel Canyon, this sanctuary is the largest in the United States and is home to about 1700 animals. Best Friends is a leader in the no-kill movement with a mission to end the unnecessary killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters and to ‘Save Them All’.

I’m excited to share all about it today because I think it’s the PERFECT volunteerism trip for families. Your family can enjoy the beautiful views while spending time with animals and supporting a wonderful non-profit.

Let’s talk about those views…. I’d always thought no view could be better than the beach but I don’t know anymore… the beauty of Utah really amazed me! Angel Canyon is famous for being the backdrop of famous westerns, including ‘The Lone Ranger’.

As much as those views were a highlight of my trip, they were nothing compared to the people and animals that I got a chance to spend time with. I loved chatting with the founders of the sanctuary and learning how Best Friends Animal Sanctuary came about, how they have grown and what plans they have for the future. They told stories of the animals that they had rescued, from hoarding situations across the US to taking in some of the dogs from the Vick dog-fighting case (that they nicknamed “Victory” dogs).

I enjoyed visiting all of the animals that lived at the sanctuary and even got to spend some time volunteering in one of the cat houses that housed cats with special needs. I enjoyed taking one cat named Bob on a walk. He is said to love his leash so much that he will come running when he hears it and he sure did like to rest in the sun. I also got to spend some time with a three-legged cat and hear how brave she was.

Another fun thing I was able to do while I was at Best Friends was visit their puppy preschool. This is where the young puppies go to play and get used to household things (like the noise the vacuum or doorbell make) and how to interact with other people and animals. The puppies were so sweet and it was fun watching them play. A few even attempted to ride skateboards which was seriously the cutest thing I’ve probably ever seen in my life.

You can tell each staff member truly cares for each animal by the pride in their voices when they spoke about them and by watching the way they interacted with them. The staff takes great care of the animals there but the main goal is to get all of the animals adopted. I loved seeing signs in each building that showed how many animals had been adopted.

While Best Friends has an amazing team, they couldn’t function without the help of volunteers. From taking animals for walks, cleaning their homes, or just cuddling with the animals, there is lots to do at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary! You can learn more about volunteering here. I think this would make a great trip for the whole family. You can enjoy the breathtaking views while making a difference. This is truly a vacation your kids would remember for the rest of their lives.

Last-Minute Gift Idea: Sponsor A Homeless Pet

Did you check your list twice and realize you’re not done shopping? Don’t dash out to brave the crowds just yet: Best Friends Animal Sanctuary has the perfect holiday gift. Sponsor a homeless pet!

When you make a sponsorship gift, your loved ones receive an e-card with a photo and story about the animal you chose for them. Homeless pets at Best Friends and around the nation get your love and support. Sponsoring a pet is one way you can help Save Them All®.

Check out all of the animals you can sponsor to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Some of these animals have a special place in my heart, especially Bob the cat who I got to walk on a recent trip to the Sanctuary!

This would make such a great gift for the animal lover in your life!

How To Make Money Pet Sitting With DogVacay

(Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all thoughts are my own.)

There is nothing better than getting paid to do something you are passionate about. If you love animals, and have been looking for a creative way to earn money, I have something really exciting to share about today. You can work as a dog sitter and get paid to cuddle with cute puppies! Seriously.

One service I recently learned about is called DogVacay. DogVacay is an online community that connects dog owners with over 20,000 vetted and insured pet sitters across North America. All reservations include free pet insurance, 24/7 customer support, and daily photo updated of the pets enjoying a “Vacay” of their own. Pet owners can finally travel with peace of mind — at prices half the price of the local kennel!

Here’s how it all works for those who want to use the service for their pets:

  • Simply type in your zip code and find a PAWesome sitter in your neighborhood.
  • Schedule a meet ‘n greet to meet your Host, then book your pup’s Vacay and pay online.
  • You can now travel knowing your pup is having the time of his life in a loving home with one on one attention!
  • Receive photo “pup”dates showing how much fun your pup is having, and rest assured knowing each Vacay is covered with free pet insurance and 24/7 customer care.
Want to become a host on the DogVacay site? Hosting pups on DogVacay is a low stress, flexible way to do what you love and earn a little money at the same time. It’s easy, simply create a free profile, set your own rates, decide which dogs to take and when to take them. DogVacay does the rest!

Such an easy way to earn some extra money to pay for school, travel or put some money in savings! If you use the service, let me know how you liked it. I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below :)