No. 2: Make sure your holiday tree is secure. Did you know that Christmas trees aren’t intended for jumping and climbing? Honestly, I always forget, and your cat probably does too. That’s why you have tomake sure your evergreen non-cat tree is safely secured to the ground and that there’s no exposed water if it’s a live tree. Your cats might get curious about drinking that yucky, bacteria-filled water over time and get really sick. No. 3: Be wary of candles. As cats, we forget how long our whiskers and tails are. That’s why it’s not difficult for us to get our fur or whiskers burnt while
walking near your hallway candle display. Try to get candles encased in long cylindrical glass vases to prevent unintentional singeing and make sure it’s heavy enough not to be knocked over. No. 4: Place ornaments higher in the tree. Apparently, ornaments are not meant to be prey. The best way to discourage cats from getting doe- eyed over your family heirloom glass ornaments is to place them higher on your tree and loop their hanging strings around the branch a few times.
How to Wake Up Refreshed
The Type of Sleep You Get Matters!
No. 5: Don’t hang mistletoe or holly. If a cat mistakenly eats your hanging mistletoe or holly, it’s not romantic, trust me. We can get serious stomach problems, heart issues, or even kidney failure that can lead to death. Be careful with these jolly yet dangerous plants.
Are you getting enough shut-eye but still feeling groggy when you wake up? The type of sleep you get matters, and a sleep schedule can help ensure you’re cycling through all the stages of sleep your body needs. Sleep is broken up into four different stages. During the first stage, which only lasts about 5–10 minutes, your body is softly drifting off, and as your brain slows down, your breathing and heartbeat slow as well. When you transition to the second stage, you become less aware of your surroundings, your eye movements cease, and your body temperature drops. Moving into the third stage, your body will drift into a deep sleep, where you will not be awakened by small noises and your muscles are completely relaxed. In the fourth stage, your body is in a deep, restful state. In stages three and four, you’re getting REM sleep, which is when your body is in its deepest sleep, and your breathing, heart rate, and temperature all reach the lowest level. In these stages, your body is able to fight sickness, begin repairing itself, and commit information to memory. During REM sleep, which occurs about 90 minutes after your head hits the pillow, your body is completely relaxed, and you begin to dream. Throughout the night, you will progress through these stages of sleep multiple times, but usually not in a perfect sequence. You will likely be in each stage of sleep about 4–5 times per night, and one cycle typically lasts about 90–110 minutes. Too much or too little REM or non-REM sleep can affect the quality of your sleep and how refreshed you feel. Quality sleep is important to make sure you are recharging your body, strengthening your mind and immune system, and prioritizing your health. If you never achieve deep sleep throughout the night, sleep deprivation sets in, and you won’t get the proper rest you need to recover. By setting a sleep schedule, you can make sure you are hitting the hay each night at a reasonable hour and allowing yourself to properly cycle through the different stages of sleep. Be sure to clear your mind before tucking yourself into bed and make sure your bed is comfortable to promote the best possible sleep — your body counts on it!
I hope these tips help. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask our humans at Petersen Pet Hospital for help. As for me, I’mgetting back tomy nap.
Like their wild, big cat ancestors, domestic felines are carnivores. So, have some fun and give your favorite kitty the purrfect meal this holiday season.
INGREDIENTS •
1 cup cooked trout (remove all bones)
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1 egg yolk, cooked
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1 tbsp broccoli, steamed and chopped
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2 tbsp sunflower oil
DIRECTIONS 1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients and blend. 2. Refrigerate for up to three days.
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