CatBlogger, Author at MyThreeCats.com CatBlog

How To: Take Great Photos of Pets and Kids

If you’re like most people, you probably enjoy taking photos of the cutest parts of your life – your pets and kids. But sometimes, it’s a challenge to get really great pictures of these busy, moving objects. In fact, at times it can be really frustrating!

But thankfully, there are a few tips that can make it much easier to capture really great photos of pets and kids, and we’re sharing a couple with you today.

First, make it fun! No child or pet is going to be cooperative if picture-taking is a stressful, frustrating process. Be prepared with toys or rewards for the kids and treats for the pets. Picture-taking is definitely more fun if there’s a reward afterwards!

Another really important thing I’ve learned from personal experience is to take a lot of photos! The more photos you take, the better the odds of getting one that is really fabulous. Simply taking one or 2 most likely won’t give you the results you’re looking for, so keep snapping away and you’re more likely to capture that perfect moment!

For more great tips for taking great photos of pets and kids, check out this post from Crayons and Collars!

What’s worked well for you when photographing your pets and kids? We’d love for you to share a tip in comments!

What Are The Benefits of Spaying and Neutering?

Did you know that the benefits of spaying and neutering your cat or dog go way beyond helping to control the pet over-population problem?

It’s true. Spaying and neutering can prevent unwanted health issues and also help you avoid behavioral issues with your pet. And contrary to popular belief, your pet can be “fixed” as early as 8 weeks old; it’s not necessary to wait until she’s older or has experienced her first heat. In fact, it’s better for her to not go into heat at all.

Take a look at this infographic filled with interesting facts and statistics about pets and spaying and neutering.

It’s easy to see that when it comes to the health and happiness of our pets, the benefits of spaying and neutering far outweigh the risks. It’s also good for the world because it prevents unwanted and unplanned litters of kittens and puppies.

For more information about spaying and neutering your pets, check out this helpful article from the ASPCA.

Rescue a Shelter Cat in 2015

Are you thinking about adding a cat to your family in 2015? Studies have shown that people who own pets have happier lives, less stress, and fewer illnesses, so we know there are definitely some amazing benefits that come with living with a cat.

But where will you find your new cat?

If you’re thinking about visiting a pet store or private breeder to look for your new furry friend, you should know that:

Approximately 3.4 million cats enter US shelters every single year;
Of those cats, 1.3 million are adopted;
1.4 million cats are euthanized in US shelters every year.

The real question is, why breed or buy while shelter pets die?

Why purchase a pet from a store or a breeder when there are so many perfectly healthy, perfectly adoptable options at your local shelter? There you’ll find cats of all ages, sizes, and breeds. And even though most shelters charge an adoption fee, your new pet will come to you already spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.

Little Minnie is a rescue cat who is settling into her brand new home. Did you know that black cats like Minnie are often overlooked in shelters, and it takes even longer for them to get adopted? Thankfully, Minnie beat the odds and now her days are filled with love and light. Shouldn’t every cat have such a happy ending?

How will you make a difference for shelter cats in 2015? Even if you can’t bring a new cat into your home, you can help spread the word by sharing this post with your friends. Let the world know that shelter pets make great family companions, and let’s save some lives.

*Statistics courtesy of the ASPCA.

Do You Know Which People Foods are Harmful To Cats?

With all the delicious food that can be found during the holidays, it can be tempting to treat your kitty to human foods. But so many people foods are harmful to cats. Did you know that even tuna, which is used in many commercial cat foods, can be bad if your cat eats too much?

Dairy is another no-no for kitties, so that means no sharing leftover holiday party cheese and no sharing of Santa’s cookies and milk.

Speaking of holiday parties, it should go without saying that alcohol is toxic to cats and should be avoided at all costs. That means we must be careful of leaving holiday drinks unattended because even a very small amount of alcohol can be dangerous to pets.

For a comprehensive list of foods that are bad for kitties, please read this article and play it safe! If your cat gets into any of these foods and shows signs of lethargy or sickness, call your vet immediately.

Do you know of other foods that are dangerous for our pets? Leave a comment and let us know!

How Safe is your Cat from your Christmas Tree?

I don’t know about you, but I start getting excited to put up my Christmas tree around Halloween, but I somehow manage to restrain myself until after Thanksgiving. One thing I almost never think about is how deadly my Christmas tree potentially is to my pets. Thankfully, the internet exists and is filled with lots of great pet care resources so we can learn all these important safety tips before anybody gets hurt. Phew!

These 5 tips for a pet-safe Christmas tree were a real eye opener for me. For instance, did you know that if you’ve got a live tree standing in water, you must make sure that your cat or dog can’t get into the water because the tree is preserved with toxic chemicals that seep into the water?

And so much for tinsel on the tree. Tinsel can cause severe damage if swallowed by pets. This news will make my husband happy because he hates tinsel, not because he wants pets to swallow it!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so let’s make sure it isn’t a tragic time. Be sure to check out the full infographic here and then let us know in the comments if any surprised you! Is there anything you think the list is missing? How safe is YOUR cat from your Christmas tree?