Pet Bucket Blog

No, its not Photoshopped. Venus is a cat unlike any other. One half of her face is solid black with a green eye, and the other ginger with tabby stripes and a blue eye.  Image credit   Image credit   Now an Internet star, the remarkable cat’s beginnings were humble. In a stroke of luck, Venus’s owner spotted her as a kitten amongst a litter of strays in a photo her husband took whilst working on a dairy farm in North Carolina. She fell instantly in love and rang the farm owner at once to ask if she could adopt her. Two days later her husband flew interstate to bring little Venus home.  Internet stardom was almost inevitable when pictures of the unique cat began circulating online. She now has over 166k likes on her Facebook page, a popular Youtube channel and a stuffed plush toy replica to her name.    Many were convinced she was a hoax, until she appeared in the flesh on the Today Show and was investigated by The National Geographic.     There are a number of theories as to the cause of Venus’s unusual appearance. She is widely believed to be a ‘chimera’, a term coined after the mythological beast composed of many parts of different animals. In biology a chimera is an animal whose cells contain two types of DNA, after two embryos fuse together. Essentially, a ginger cat and black cat might have become one in Venus, her double-nature manifesting in her face.     Image credit   But if Venus isn’t a chimera, what else could explain her unique looks? Simple luck, is the most likely other possible cause. It is feasible the cells in one side of her face were randomly activated so the fur turned black, whilst the other side was activated to turn orange. From this, a one in a million fur pattern was produced.      According to some experts, Venus uniqueness is not just limited to her split face. Her single, inexplicable blue eye is also highly unusual. Blue eyes are rare outside of the Siamese breed, and are otherwise usually present in cats with a coat that is largely white in colour. Since a tiny patch on Venus’s chest is the only section of white fur, her eye is yet another oddity in her already remarkable appearance.    Whatever the true cause of Venus’s mysterious looks, her star looks set to continue to rise.   

Who says that you need loads of things in common to be besties? Sometimes you don't even have to be the same species!  1. One sloth hug to rule them all.   2. This raccoon just knows how to make everything right in the world.  3. All the other cats in town know that Piper the mini horse is all Mango's. Image credit 4. Cats are perfect for those hard to reach spots. Image credit 5. Friendship always has its ups and downs, 'butt' true friends last the distance.   Image credit 6. Cockatoos can get into all sorts of forbidden places and dogs can always sniff when someone is coming. Image credit 7. Who knew dogs liked playing 'chicken' this much? Image credit 8. Awww, feeling clucky.  Image credit    

Black cats have long been believed to have the power to control human destiny.   Image credit Image credit   In Western culture, black cats are often thought to bring bad luck to those who see them and their owners. The belief largely stems from their association with witchcraft during the Middle Ages. Sorcerers and witches were expected to have an animal familiar, a demonic spirit who helped them with wicked deeds. These familiars usually took the form of owls, toads or cats – especially black ones. Black cats might have even been witches in disguise themselves, the women supposedly possessing the power to transform into black animals.     The Pilgrims who settled America brought with them to the New World the belief of the black cat’s capacity to bring about calamity. Anyone caught keeping a black cat as a pet was severely punished in early towns for fear its presence would jeopardise the fate of the entire community. Due to its wicked connotations, the black cat became a popular Halloween decoration and costume, and continues as one of the foremost symbols of the holiday.    Image credit   Yet black cats were not always thought to bring misfortune in the Western world. Whilst a cat crossing your path was usually a sure omen death and suffering would befall your family, in Germany it hinged on the direction the cat went. From right to left, and you were in for a bad spell. From left to right however, you were sure to have happiness in store.      Sailors would seldom leave port without a cat on board. Not only were they useful for ridding the ship of mice, which were apt to chew through ropes and bring disease, they were thought to ensure the ship would return safely home. Whilst any cat would bring luck, the black cat, at sea, was the luckiest of all. Sometimes fisherman’s wives would keep black cats whilst waiting for their husbands to return, hoping the good luck of their companion would carry over to him on his journeys.     King Charles I owned a black cat considered so vital to his good fortune he had it permanently guarded for fear of its loss. The story goes it died the day before Oliver Cromwell rose to power and he was dethroned and beheaded – which certainly was an unlucky turn of events.    In Eastern cultures, black cats have almost always been considered harbingers of good fortune. In Japan, it is believed a lady who shares her home with a black cat is destined to have many suitors.     Image credit   Whatever the folklore of the past, owners of black cats today know they make wonderful companions and they are lucky to have them.     

With its remarkable dreadlocks, the Hungarian Puli is an unforgettable breed of dog.  Image credit   Image credit   The breed was introduced over a thousand years ago when the Magyrs, a subset of the nomadic Huns, migrated to Hungary from Central Asia. Originally, the Puli was developed as a herding dog, intended to assist shepherds guide and guard flocks of sheep. The breed bears a strong resemblance to the Komondor, another Hungarian breed with a similar tightly corded coat. The Puli and Komondor traditionally worked in tandem with one another to protect livestock from attack from the ever-present threat of wolves.     Image credit   The much larger Komondor was tasked with watching over the flocks at night whilst the energetic Puli guarded and herded the sheep during the day. Should the presence of wolves in the area ever be detected by the Puli, it would alert the Komondor, and together they would chase them away. Today, the Puli retain their strong protective instincts and will fiercely defend their owners and home if it is threatened.     So valued was the Puli it was common for a shepherds to pay a year’s wages for one of the little dogs – even as recently as the 1950’s. There is a saying in Hungary: “He’s not a dog, he’s a Puli.”    The Puli’s unusual coat traditionally provided it with good protection against wolf bites, as if bitten, the wolf would get a mouthful of fur rather than the dog itself. It is also entirely waterproof and does not shed, the latter quality recently making it a popular choice amongst those with allergies.    Image credit The Puli is usually black in colour, but also comes in white, gray and cream. It is thought shepherds preferred black dogs as they were easier to spot amongst the sheep.    It takes four years for the Puli’s coat to reach the ground. It requires careful maintenance to keep it in good condition and to prevent the cords mildewing. It can take two days without a hair dryer for a Puli to naturally dry.    Puli are intelligent, energetic and strong-willed dogs that are always busy around the house and are a good choice for active dog owners who like to make a statement.   Image credit   Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most famous owners of the unusual dog. 

Image credit Well before Grumpy Cat took the Internet world by storm, another notoriously bad-tempered cat was stealing the limelight. From 1952 – 1964, a red tabby named Orangey appeared in a number of films and TV shows.  He is the only cat to have won two Patsy Awards – the animal kingdom’s equivalent of the Oscar. He was known for his ability to stay for long periods, but behind-the-scenes, also for his volatile nature. A movie executive once called Orangey “the world’s meanest cat”.   Orangey’s first Patsy award winning role was as Rhuburb in the film of the same name. This screwball comedy tells the story of cat who inherits a fortune from his millionaire owner – and a baseball team.     You may remember Orangey in his other Patsy award-winning role as Holly Golightly’s companion “Cat” in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. In an interview Audrey Hepburn once said that the scene where she has to throw “Cat” out of a car into the rainy street was the most distasteful thing she ever had to do on film.   Image credit   Orangey also played a small but important role in the 1950’s sci-fi classic The Incredible Shrinking Man. He also played Minerva for six years in the television series Our Miss Brooks. According to the book Cats’ Most Wanted by Alexandria Powe Allred, once a scene was a wrap he would often flee, shutting down production until he could be found again. His trainer Frank Ocean was known to places guard dogs at the studio’s entrance to prevent Orangey from running away.   Image credit

Cats seem to have an uncanny knack of finding warm places and curling up next to a computer seems to be no exception!  Image credit   1. “Damn, I just got outbid on eBay.”   Image credit   2. “www.kittydate.com. I think I’m in love!”   Image credit   3. "Hmm...how do you spell mouse again?"   Image credit   4. “Okay hang on, I’m just updating my Facebook status.”   Image credit 5. “This ain’t a mouse. Where is the mouse?”   Image credit   6. “Aahhh… Control-Alt-Snooze!”   Image credit   7. “No, my name starts with N... N for naughty.”   Image credit   8. “So, shall I activate the furwall?”   Image credit   9. “I’ve deleted all your files, haven’t I?”   Image credit          

Image credit Cats are known for their independence, but that does not mean they do not enjoy companionship. If you are away from home for long stretches of time, your solo cat could get lonely and depressed. Introducing a new cat into the household can alleviate that boredom and give your cat more social interaction.    While the long-term benefits of having two cats are clear, it is not always easy to convince a resident cat to accept the newcomer. It is important to exercise caution when introducing a new kitten or adult cat to your existing pet. The following tips can help ensure the introduction is positive and that your new pet gets off to a great start.   Keep the cats separated at the beginning. Set up a dedicated space for your new cat and allow it to become acclimated before beginning the introduction. Give the cat a few days to get used to all the new sights, sounds and smells before introducing the resident cat.   Set up food dishes on each side of the isolation room door so the two cats can smell and hear one another. Feeding the cats in this manner will also help them associate those sounds and smells with a positive experience.    Have the two cats switch places by placing the resident cat in the isolation room and letting the new cat explore the home. This will get the two cats used to each others' scents and give the new cat more time to become comfortable with its surroundings.    Take a new towel and use it to groom both cats. Let the new cat use the towel as a bed for a day or two, then let the resident cat use it in the same way. This will help the cats get used to each others' smells.    Play with each of your cats near the door of the isolation room. Cuddle both cats and let them play with their favorite toys. This will help build positive associations in both animals.    Use a see-through barrier if you can so the cats can see one another but not touch. A baby gate works well for this purpose. Be ready at the barrier and make sure neither cat can jump over it.    Leave the food dishes in their existing positions, as close to the barrier door as possible. Allow the cats to eat and watch one another. If one or both cats seems uncomfortable and is hesitant to eat, move the food dish a bit further away. Continue this process until both cats are comfortable eating and watching one another.    Open the barrier and allow the cats to interact with one another in a supervised area. Be prepared to intervene if things get violent, but give the cats space to feel each other out and get used to one another.     These tips should help your new cat get off to a good start. Before you know it, the newcomer and the resident cat will be cuddling together, playing together and entertaining one another while you are away.     

1. Nothing to see here people. Just a cat riding a ram. Image credit   2. "She may not be the fastest, but she gets me where I need to go." Image credit 3. See you later skater! Image credit 4. Roomba cat goes Vroom Vroom!   Image credit 5."Hey wait up! You're going too fast!" Image credit 6."They see us rolling, they hating." Image credit 7. Real cats drive trucks.   Image credit 8."Mush human!" Image credit 9. Who said strollers were only for babies? Image credit 10. ¡Ándale! Image credit

1. I said we were home now and it was time to get out.   Image credit   2. I told her that she needed a better hiding spot.   Image credit   3. I said only one ball at a time.    Image credit   4. She wants to be a rug but I wouldn't step on her.    5. I said that cushion stuffing wasn't a nutritious dinner.      6. He wanted to chew the television cables. I said no.     7. It was time for bed.   

Image credit It’s true, honestly Jon Snow you can not stop your beloved pets from fleas and lice simply by wrapping them up in cotton wool… coats that is. Oh brave, handsome, silly Jon Snow. Luckily for Jon and the rest of us, leading treatment Advantage is readily available. It can be used on dogs, 7 weeks or older, and cats 8 weeks or older, as well as rabbits and ferrets. It is also safe for pregnant and lactating animals. Make sure you talk to your vet if your pet is on medication, if other pesticides are already being used, or if your pet is underweight, elderly or debilitated. Advantage works as a paralytic to rapidly kill adult fleas and larvae (not the eggs) and therefore breaks the lifecycle of our pets’ most hated foes. Once applied, the nervous system of fleas and lice is attacked. They are paralysed and die only minutes from coming into contact with Advantage - they don’t even have to bite your pet to be affected. Fleas will stop biting within five minutes of the application, and will be dead within 20 minutes of contact. Advantage kills 98-100% of existing fleas within 12 hours of application and will destroy 99% of flea larvae in the pet's surroundings.  Advantage is easy to use and remains effective for a month. It is even waterproof so will still work after bathing, swimming, extensive puddle or mud rolling (you know who you are!) or for those wet weather loving, storm chasing pets.  It is applied through the coat to the dog or cat’s skin and spreads throughout the skin’s oily layer. There are a range of dosages available that depend upon the weight of your pet. Ensure you purchase the correct dosage for your pet and that all directions are followed accurately. Weigh your pet or ask your vet to weigh them - don’t simply guess and apply the dosage you think is correct. Advantage is an external treatment and must not get into the pet’s eyes or mouth. For small and medium dogs, it is placed out of licking reach on the back between the shoulder blades, and for a cat at the base of the skull. For large dogs over 25kg, the dosage is divided between the shoulder blades, on the back between the hips and at another point in the middle.  As with any medical treatment, there may be a small portion of animals with individual sensitivities. Always monitor your pet immediately after application and for a few days after. If there are signs of any adverse reaction or if your pet’s health worsens, consult a vet immediately.   Image credit Hair loss and skin irritations Minor skin irritation is common at the site of application, especially if it is your pet’s first ever treatment. Stiffening or the damp appearance of hair, itchiness, redness or pinkish skin may occur but these are temporary side effects. Occasionally hair loss also occurs. This is usually a one-off and hair will grow back within 1-2 weeks. If the hair loss spreads or doesn’t grow back then consult your vet. Animals with sensitive skin may develop sores that can bleed if scratched, split or open and then become infected. Check the application site regularly and if these symptoms occur visit your vet.  Medicinal odour A low incidence of owners have noticed that their pet has a medicinal-type odour after treatment. This is not dangerous or harmful and will only last a few days to a week after application. Contact with eyes If your pet manages to get the treatment in their eyes, flush their eyes immediately with plenty of water and consult with your vet.   Rare and serious side effects Serious side effects are rare, usually only occurring in animals with individual sensitivities or allergies to the product’s active ingredients or are a result of accidental ingestion or a mistake in the use of the product.The signs should be noticeable quickly and in all circumstances, immediate veterinary attention is needed if you notice any of the following:  Loss of apetite, increase in thirst, vomiting, diarrhoea or drooling - Remember to apply Advantage as directed, out of reach of your pet’s mouth. The product has a bitter taste that should discourage licking and ingestion. If enough is ingested, it can cause stomach upsets and loss of appetite. Vomiting, diarrhoea, excess salivation, drooling and an increase in thirst indicate excessive ingestion or an adverse reaction.   Pupil dilation, eye irritation or increased tear production   Breathing difficulties, ataxia (movement problems), stumbling, trembling or seizures   Abnormal sleeping, lethargy or non-responsiveness   Odd behaviour, depression or hyperactivity As mentioned, severe reactions are considered to be very rare with Advantage when it is applied as per instructions. As an extra precaution, it is best to observe and separate treated animals for 30-60 minutes to ensure that they do not lick their own application site or that of other animals. Otherwise, Advantage is an extremely easy and effective treatment to make sure your beloved pet doesn’t become high-rise living for fleas and lice.