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Having a Pet Will Do Your Heart and Mind Good

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Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels.

We live in a time where we are living stressful lives. Between our jobs or perhaps being out of work, our families, struggling with finances, health issues, the never-ending bad news on TV and all the time spent on our computers and social media, it’s important we take time for ourselves! We need to turn off everything, decompress and, for a lot of us, that involves spending time with our furbabies – instant relaxation for us and for them!

For most of us, but especially for our elderly and our veterans, a dog is sometimes a lifeline. Many soldiers return home with battle scars that are both seen and unseen. Dogs provide us with companionship, unconditional love, emotional support, helping to ease stress, depression, loneliness and anxiety. For most, the bonds made are immediate and forever, helping not only the humans but also the animals. Sometimes these animals need us as much, if not more, than we need them. It’s a beautiful and magnificent relationship!

Dogs help to increase mental well-being, enhance emotional health, ease loneliness, improve relationships, overcome trauma, encourage physical exercise, raise self-esteem, boost your confidence and help you to gain a new perspective on life and life experiences. Dogs also help to prevent social isolation because having a dog leads to more interaction with people. Think about it, when you’re out walking your dog, you tend to talk to people more than when you’re alone. Dogs “open a door” to conversation which, in this day and age, is welcome for all of us! It’s been proven that dog owners are happier and healthier because people/dog interactions result in an increase in dopamine levels in the brain of BOTH humans and dogs!

Lance, a Vietnam Veteran, said, “Some people think that a dog is just a dog. That may be true for those people, but not for me. I used to sit home alone and just let life pass me by. But now, having my dog, Hero, I have a reason to get up. Even if it’s just feeding him, or taking him for walks, he has truly motivated me to live again.” Alan, a Gulf War Veteran, said, “Bongo is more than just a friend. He’s my battle buddy. He’s my left hand. We’re connected by a leash, but it’s really our heartline and my lifeline. He’s more tuned into me and how I’m feeling than I am, and he knows more about me than I do sometimes. He lets me know what’s going on around me and he alerts me when my body is having health issues so I can take care of myself before there are severe consequences.”

There are many organizations that will help to match veterans with a companion dog. Soldier’s Best Friend is based in Arizona (soldiersbestfriend.org) but there are also organizations like Pets for Vets (petsforvets.com), too, that help with placement.

And let’s not forget about our furry felines. Studies show that cats can also trigger calming chemicals in the body, decreasing stress and anxiety levels. Plus, cat owners are less likely to be at risk for having a stroke than any other pet owner. Cats even reduce our risk of heart disease and heart attacks along with helping to reduce high blood pressure. Cats also help to boost immunity as exposure to pet dander and fur in the house results in increased resistance to allergens, decreasing the risk for allergies and asthma. Just like dogs, they are very perceptive to our emotions and illness. If I have had a bad day, I come home and sit on the couch, and my cat will jump right up in my lap. There is something very relaxing about sitting there, petting them, unwinding and even telling them about my day.

Not only does having a pet help you, but it also helps them. You’ve given them a home and they provide you many health benefits and, most importantly, unconditional love. They don’t talk back, they don’t judge us, and they love us more than they love themselves!

If you’re looking for your new furever friend, there’s a lot of great animals at Yavapai Humane Society just waiting for their furever home! Check out yavapaihumane.org for all the available animals and then make an appointment to come meet them. It’ll do your heart and mind good! QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.

Keeping Pets Safe in the Home and Garden

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Animals give us so much, including their unconditional love. In exchange, it’s our job to take care of them and make sure no harm comes to them.

Our homes, gardens and yards are full of items that can be potentially hazardous to our furry family members and, as they are part of our family, it is our responsibility to help keep them safe.

Little things laying around like coins, batteries, jewelry, paper clips, rubber bands, buttons, string and more, seem harmless to us but they could become a choking hazard to your pets. Plastic grocery bags can easily become a hazard to curious cats who love to climb in them and play. I can’t tell you how many times I have been unloading groceries and turn around to find my cat, Pooh Bear, all tangled up in a bag with his head through the handles.

Medications, cleaning supplies, plant food and other things found in cabinets could potentially be fatal. Baby-proofing your lower cabinets or placing these types of items in upper cabinets can help prevent accidents. The garbage can is another potential danger, as it could contain something that smells good to pets but isn’t good for them at all. There are several foods that can make your pet sick, which should be avoided. They include, but are not limited to, grapes, mushrooms, raw meat, salt, meat bones, chewing gum, candy, fat trimmings, avocados, artificial sweeteners, garlic, onion, leeks, chives, yeast dough, alcohol and coffee. Most of these foods result in upset stomachs, vomiting and diarrhea, which might mean a trip to your vet and, sadly, some of these foods could lead to death soon after being eaten.

When it comes to plants, dogs and cats don’t know what’s safe to munch on. Many common plants that we have in our homes, yards or communities can potentially kill your pet within hours. Some fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides and certain mulches contain ingredients that can make your pet very sick or worse, so be sure to check the labels to make sure the product is pet-friendly. Among the many flowers and plants that are potentially deadly is Foxglove. While very beautiful with its trumpet-like blossoms, it is very poisonous to dogs, cats and even humans! Cherry, plum and peach trees carry an extremely high level of toxicity in their leaves, pits and basically all areas of the tree, causing respiratory problems, anxiety, staggering, collapsing and even sudden death. All parts of azaleas are poisonous and as little as ingesting 0.2% of an animal’s body weight can result in poisoning. Foxtails are also extremely dangerous for our pets. The barbed seed heads of the foxtail plant can work their way into any part of your dog or cat, from the nose to between the toes and inside the ears, eyes and mouth. The problem with these seeds is they don’t break down inside the body and an embedded foxtail can lead to serious infection for your dog and even death if left untreated. One thing that is so dangerous about these is they can migrate from inside your dog’s nose and make their way to its brain or, if your dog inhales it, can make its way to a lung and perforate it. Foxtails can easily become embedded between toes, so be sure to check for foxtails and the small, barbed seed that could be hiding – you may notice swelling, limping or if your dog is constantly licking them. If your dog is shaking its head a lot, tilting it to the side or scratching more than usual, this could be signs of a foxtail in its ear, and, possibly, one that might be so deep inside the ear canal that you can’t even see it. When it comes to their eyes, if you notice redness, discharge, swelling, squinting and pawing, these all could be signs that your dog has a foxtail lodged in its eye. If you notice any of these things that aren’t normal for your pet, you may want to schedule an appointment with your vet. Be sure to check out PetMD.com, which is a fantastic website that contains information on everything regarding your pets, their safety and health.

Animals give us so much, including their unconditional love. In exchange, it’s our job to take care of them and make sure no harm comes to them. The investment and time you take to make sure your home and yard are safe is easily worth the benefits you’ll receive from your pet. QCBN

By Loree Walden

Loree Walden is the marketing manager for the Yavapai Humane Society.

Dogs May Suffer as Owners Return to Busy Lives

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Stress and anxiety are common conditions for animals housed in shelters.

The more than 15 months of the COVID-19 saga have brought many changes for pets, some favorable and others sad, such as becoming homeless when a family had to move because of an eviction after jobs and income were lost.

Jennifer Brehler, executive director of the Humane Society of Sedona, said one of the bright spots early on was a “significant increase” in the number of people stepping up to both foster and adopt shelter animals and “coming forward to help homeless animals in general and to open up space at shelters for other animals in need.”

In fact, by some accounts, a record number of pets were adopted during COVID.

“We had such a successful year last year,” Brehler noted. “They [pet owners] had more time to devote and spend with their animals, so they weren’t looking at surrendering pets.”

But, the story may be changing as pandemic restrictions are lifted across the country and family members who are suddenly busy outside the home again may see pets as too daunting to maintain. This includes cute COVID puppies that have grown up.

For some unsuspecting pets, the “Welcome” mat may be abruptly pulled off the doorstep.

“We have seen an increase in owner surrender for sure, but I’m not sure if it is directly related to dogs being adopted during COVID – it’s hard to say,” said Julie Tasch, the shelter manager at High Country Humane in Doney Park near Flagstaff. “People have said they have had to surrender due to financial hardship during COVID. People lose their jobs or are not able to find work. It seems like a dramatic increase.”

High Country Humane is located in the former home of the Second Chance Center for Animals on North U.S. Highway 89, which closed in 2017 because of financial difficulties. Today, the shelter has about 338 animals in the system, but many of them are in foster homes outside the facility, she added.

“I do think we get told reasons for why they surrender,” Tasch said. “It seems to be across the board – either they’re moving, or behavioral challenges, or financial challenges. A lot of our animals have come off the reservation, with the reservation being closed for so long because of COVID. That could play into that as well.”

But, the actual picture on pet adoption and surrender is unclear, and statistics vary widely nationwide.

“Does the data actually show that, or is it anecdotal?” Brehler asked. “I’m not sure if there are more surrenders or not. I know that there have been a lot of articles; it’s a little controversial. In Sedona, we’re not seeing a significant increase. What we are hearing from other shelters is that they are inundated by owner surrenders.”

She said areas farther south, like Phoenix and Maricopa, have “expressed having a lot of animals currently. Across the county, I know it’s been a big topic of discussion.” She added, “2019 was a more comparable year, with numbers similar to now, rather than in last May or June.”

Sedona may be a bit different in its shelter scene than other communities because of demographics, she said, “with more retirees who are not necessarily going back to work,” as well as people who live elsewhere and commute to Sedona to work.

Many shelters have software companies to tabulate their figures, Brehler said.   There are only national estimates of statistics for the animal protection movement and “the figures may vary from state to state,” according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

“Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year,” according to the ASPCA’s website.

Stress and anxiety are common conditions for animals housed in shelters.

“With anxiety, we do everything we can to keep things stress-free here, but it’s still a shelter environment,” Tasch said about High Country Humane. “It’s definitely more stressful that being in a home.”

Some animals handle the shelter experience better than others.

“Owner surrenders seem to have a harder time adjusting than strays,” she said. “They’re used to routine and home, compared to strays. For strays, this can be a step up for them, with food and a warm bed. It’s a comfort for them sometimes.”

Concern about separation anxiety in animals is not new to many shelters, trainers and behaviorists.“We have seen this happen in the past with a smaller percentage of dogs when families return to school and longer work days after summer vacation,” Brehler said in earlier news reports. “Given the extended timeframe of the pandemic, there is reason to worry.”

Typically, more dogs are surrendered than cats.

“With the employment issue, going back to work, dogs are harder to manage than cats,” she added. “Cats are more forgiving of us leaving them at home. They use the litter box.”

A late-May press release from Assisi Animal Health, a company with headquarters in New York that offers stress-reducing products for pets, such as the Calmer Canine system (featuring a targeted, pulsed electromagnetic field), said, “shelters are reporting a 100% increase in pets surrendered and abandoned post-lockdown.”

It cited sources like the Lucky Dog Rescue service in Dublin, California and a story in The New York Post (May 11, 2021), which warned, “The number of dogs and cats returned to the shelter has doubled over the last few months – and it’s only expected to get worse.”

Ideally, the goal is to rehome or cross-post pets so that they can be placed in a new home quickly.

“It’s a sad situation,” Brehler said. “Anytime an animal is coming to a shelter, of course we’d prefer that they be in a nice home instead.”

During the COVID crisis, “so many of us in the shelter world worked outside the shelter” to provide “tips and support and helping owners find a new owner,” so the pet travels from “home to home,” rather than “home, to shelter, to home,” and “We’re continuing that as we can.”

Rehoming is also a big focus at High Country Humane.

“We work with owners in every way we can to keep their dogs and cats in the home,” Tasch explained. “We have a food bank, low-cost vaccinations and a spay-neuter clinic. We try to rehome their pets, rather than bringing them into us.”

Unfortunately, when people are no longer working from home, there is a higher likelihood they are going to turn their pets in to a shelter.

“Whether there are more animals or not being surrendered, anytime an animal loses a home, it’s tragic,” Brehler concluded. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

Rough Year for Pets, Too

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Pandemic has caused challenges for pets and owners.

It’s tricky enough to match up homeless pets with new owners, but the upheavals of 12 months of pandemic conditions have added to the challenges of animal adoption.

In some cases, it also has added new difficulties to the world of pet ownership.

Sudden changes for families facing unemployment and a loss of income because of the sweeping effects of COVID-19 have caused some to have to leave their homes because of evictions and foreclosures.

The unexpected and unwelcome chaos has left some pet owners to believe they have no other choice than to surrender their pets to animal shelters.

It is a heartbreaking way to have to part with one’s pets, said Jennifer Brehler, executive director of the Humane Society of Sedona (HSS). “Sadly, so far this year, 25% of the animals surrendered by their owners to HSS were the result of housing challenges.”

For the Humane Society of Sedona, the focus is on companion animals, dogs, puppies, cats, kittens and other small household companions such as rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters.

“Our shelter is in a unique position that most of our animals come from other communities by way of being transported from other animal shelters, as we have a very low stray population in our immediate area of Sedona,” said Brehler, who began her career in animal sheltering and welfare 24 years ago at the Michigan Humane Society.

However, transporting animals of all kinds became more complicated and worrisome when the pandemic was unfolding.

“For the first few months of the pandemic, animal shelters across the country halted transporting animals to other communities, as there was so much unknown with how COVID may affect animals, as well as the risk to the people doing the transportation to other communities,” she recalled. “Once it was determined animals did not pose a significant risk and protective measures for people were put into place, we were able to begin transporting in animals to HSS.”

One bright spot during the pandemic is that pet adoption has become more popular, as people are spending so much time at home.

“Early on, we saw a significant increase in the number of people stepping up to foster and adopt shelter animals, with them having more time available and especially for individuals living alone, as they were looking for companionship,” she said. “A large majority also came forward to help homeless animals in general and to open up space at shelters for other animals in need.”

There is some concern, however, that there will be a significant increase in the number of animals becoming homeless as the eviction moratorium is lifted across states, said Brehler, who lectures regularly at national animal welfare conferences and is an active member of The Association for Animal Welfare Advancement. “I’ve heard some shelters have experienced this already as tenants are choosing to move sooner rather than continue to collect charges that they will not be able to pay back as they have lost their jobs.”

Meanwhile, the Humane Society of Sedona has been operating on an appointment-only basis since the pandemic began. “It has significantly changed the level of guest services and increased the satisfaction and connection to our adopters and others we serve with our surrender, rehoming and lost and found programs. Visitors get a better experience, and the stress placed on staffing and animals has greatly decreased.”

Accommodations are still being made for walk-in traffic for various programs, including some adoptions.

For small animal and feline adoptions, adopters can visit in the animal rooms, but canine companion adoption meet-and-greet opportunities occur in the outdoor play yard and dog park.

“At times, people may be asked to come back a short time later for the next open appointment time,” she said. “We monitor traffic flow, require masks and maintain physical distancing throughout the facility.”

Many new procedures brought on during the pandemic may continue well beyond.

“At this time, we intend to continue with this model past the pandemic,” Brehler said. “It has allowed us to streamline our programs, given us the time to focus on community involvement to help keep people and pets together, and dedicate better, not just more, time to the animals in our care.”

Looking ahead, there will be additional challenges when pets have to adapt to a return to normalcy for their owners’ work and school responsibilities. Brehler says shelters, trainers and behaviorists are bracing for separation anxiety in animals, especially for dogs. “We have seen this happen in the past with a smaller percentage of dogs when families return to school and longer work days after summer vacation. Given the extended timeframe of the pandemic, there is reason to worry.”

For those interested in providing a home for an animal in need, there are four main animal shelters with adoption programming in the Verde Valley and Flagstaff areas:

Humane Society of Sedona, 2115 Shelby Drive, Sedona AZ, 86336. For more information, call 928-282-4679, email info@humanesocietyofsedona.org, or visit humanesocietyofsedona.org.

Verde Valley Humane Society, 1520 W Mingus Ave, Cottonwood, AZ 86326. For more information, call 928-634-7387, or visit verdevalleyhumanesociety.org.

High Country Humane, 11665 N. US-89, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. For more information, call 928-526-0742, or visit highcountryhumane.org.

Coconino Humane Association, 3501 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004. For more information, call 928-526-1076, or visit coconinohumane.org. QCBN

By Betsey Bruner, QCBN

 

Support Limited for Suffering Cats and Dogs

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Red Rose Inspiration looking forward to hosting fundraising events.

Slowed throughout the pandemic, but not forgotten, the goal at Red Rose Inspiration for Animals continues to remain top of mind for the founder. Since 2009, Tina Allegrezza has been working to help animals through emotional or physical issues, plus paying for medical and dental care through her non-profit organization. Her ultimate objective has been to create a spay and neuter clinic and rehabilitation center and animal sanctuary in Sedona, while being able to help pet owners in the community who can’t afford to take their dogs and cats to the vet.

However, a year of social distancing with COVID-19 has posed challenges for her to be able to recruit volunteers and host fundraising events that support the efforts. In the past, most of the funding has come through arts and crafts shows, Red Rose Shows, in Sedona – the fee for booth space paid by art vendors goes to Red Rose Inspiration. But in the last year, those events have been canceled or significantly reduced because of regulations regarding public gatherings. So, currently, the bulk of Red Rose Inspiration support comes from a total of six volunteers and sales from two thrift stores at the Village of Oak Creek Bell Rock Plaza.

“The Red Rose Thriftique looks like a high-end boutique,” she said. Items include clothing (for humans) and shoes, artwork, jewelry and home décor. It’s been described as an upscale department store setting with thrift store prices. Two doors down is the Red Rose Barkin Basement. “That really is a thrift store,” she said.

Meanwhile, Red Rose Inspiration has continued to operate an active TNR (Trap, Neuter, Release) feral cat program, mostly in Camp Verde. “We have two active volunteers in the field and we take in kittens that are young enough to be adopted and socialized and then adopt them out.”

Allegrezza says feral cats are considered a nuisance and treated badly. “It’s a pretty big problem in Camp Verde, worse than ever last year.”

Red Rose Inspiration works with the Camp Verde Marshal’s Office to trap the wild cats. “They overpopulate an area. You can have hundreds of cats in no time if they aren’t neutered and spayed. People are not nice to them and take matters into their own hands by drowning them in the river or poisoning them,” she said. “We’re lucky if we can get kittens when they are really young and we can get them adopted into homes where they can live indoors.”

Allegrezza moved to Sedona from New York City in 2005 with her partner and their rottweiler/pit-bull mix, Rosey. Two years later, Rosey was diagnosed with bone cancer. “She had to be put down and when she died, I got into a bad funk,” said Allegrezza. “She was a rescue pup herself. Rosey was always sweet and sympathetic to dogs that were suffering with emotional problems. She would provide them comfort and help them to grow their confidence. She had worked with various other dogs to help rehabilitate them emotionally. I’ve lost plenty of dogs in the past, but not like her.”

Thus, in 2009, Allegrezza started Red Rose Inspiration to give back to animals as a legacy to Rosey. “One of our goals is to stop the pet over-population in our community. Our primary focus for proceeds raised from our events is for the planning stages for our rehabilitation center and sanctuary for animals.”

Upcoming Red Rose Shows are scheduled for most weekends this month, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Olde Sedona Bar and Grill. For more information or to make a donation, visit redroseinspiration.org. QCBN

By Bonnie Stevens, QCBN

Providing Dental Care for Dogs and Cats

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Oral hygiene is just as important for pets as it is for people. In fact, 50% of dogs and cats older than three years have gum (periodontal) disease, making it the most common disease suffered by small pets.

Periodontal disease develops when plaque builds up on teeth and hardens into tartar. This creates pockets of space between the teeth and gums where bacteria thrive. These bacteria not only cause problems like painful tooth decay inside the mouth, but can also enter the bloodstream and spread to other parts of the body, harming the heart, liver and kidneys.

Signs and symptoms of early periodontal disease include bad breath, plaque build-up on teeth and red or irritated gums. Signs and symptoms of advanced periodontal disease include tooth discoloration, loose teeth, swelling in or around the jaw area, difficulty eating and drinking or loss of appetite, and dropping toys or food frequently.

Veterinarians say the best way to prevent gum disease is with regular dental care, including professional exams and cleanings and at-home care. There are several steps pet owners can take at home to maintain the oral health of your cat or dog.

One is brushing with a soft-bristled brush, which is recommended daily to keep teeth and gums healthy. There are toothpastes specifically formulated for pets that use a comfortable, soft-bristled brush. Chewing on special toys and treats specially designed to promote oral health is another recommendation. There also is a pet dental diet formulated to decrease tartar.

Veterinarians say pets should avoid chewing on antlers, bones, rocks or knotted rawhides, all of which can fracture the teeth. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) recommends adult pets (age one year and older) have an annual dental exam. For the safety of pets, the AAHA also requires that dental cleanings for cats and dogs be performed under general anesthesia. QCBN

By Sara Olsen

Acknowledging Unconditional Love

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Wouldn’t it be great to not be judged about your job, your home, your car, your looks? Wouldn’t it be great to be greeted at the door with loads of love when you come home? Wouldn’t it be great to have a walking buddy every day or someone to snuggle with on the couch every night? Yes, it would! All of these things and more are possible by adopting a dog!

Your dog doesn’t care what you do for a living or what you drive. Your dog doesn’t care if you put makeup on or brush your hair. Your dog doesn’t care if you have on sweats or a business suit. Your dog loves you unconditionally and only wants to please you and be with you. If you’re having a bad day, your dog is going to be right there with you to make it all better. If you’ve had a great day, it will want to celebrate with you, probably by going for a walk and having treats together! There is nothing better than the love of a dog. No one on Earth will love you more, be more patient with your moods, or keep your secrets better than your dog.

And let’s not forget about our cats! They don’t care what we are wearing or what our jobs are, either! Anyone who has or ever had a cat knows that cats have their own unique way of showing love. My cats greet me at the door when I come home and then immediately become my shadow. Cats bump up against you and rub your legs to show affection and to mark you as their own. They can sense your emotions and even know when you aren’t feeling well. I can’t tell you how many times my Pooh Bear has climbed up in my lap and actually wiped away my tears and nuzzled up against me. Tigger will come up on my lap and sit and knead and lick my arms to make everything better! Affection to and from them is on their terms, though. When they want love and attention, you’ll know it and when they are done, they are done. It’s almost like they are saying, “OK, enough,” and down they go. Cats are extremely smart, too. They come when called, they certainly know the words “treats” and “dinnertime,” and they can work for quite a while trying to catch a red dot or their tails.

There are so many amazing things that we can learn from our pets; unconditional love being one of them! But also, so many things that are missing in our world right now like trust, loyalty and to not hold grudges. Your pet trusts you and knows you will be there to protect it, take care of it, feed it and love it. Your pet is 100% loyal to you no matter what and would probably do anything to protect you. Even if you must use discipline, pets get over it and then they are back giving you love and licks! It’s a great lesson: give respect and loyalty to your spouse, significant other, friends and family members and act according to how we would like to be treated. Don’t hold on to grudges with loved ones; do as our dogs and cats do and just live in the moment! We’ve all seen the stories of pets that were lost or left behind that traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to find their family. We’ve heard the stories of the animals that have woken their owners up in the middle of the night to save them from a fire. That is loyalty and that is love!

In addition to all the things I’ve mentioned, there are many other benefits of having a pet. Some of them include decreasing stress, lowering blood pressure, easing pain, promoting more physical exercise, lowering cholesterol, improving our moods, helping us to socialize, improving immunity and helping children to develop.

Feb. 20 is “Love your Pet Day” and while I practice that every day, let’s give our fur family members a little extra love that day. If you don’t have a pet and are thinking about adding to your family, Yavapai Humane Society has a number of adorable cats and dogs in all different sizes and personalities that are looking for someone to love and someone to love them. All our available animals are shown on our website at yavapaihumane.org, so why not take a moment to take a look and see if your new best friend is here waiting for you.

We wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day! May it be filled with cuddles, snuggles and unconditional love from your pets! QCBN

 

By Loree Walden

 

Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.

Houseplants Safe for Dogs and Cats

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WattersWe dog and cat lovers know that some houseplants should not be in our homes. The furry friends in our lives are worth more in the hours of unconditional love they shower on us than those few houseplants we must sacrifice on their behalf. Cats and puppies instinctively like to nibble on greens, so we need to choose houseplants and create plant environments with our pets’ well being in mind.

Provide safe edibles. One of the best strategies to divert pets from our houseplants is to provide them with their own edible plants. Plants that our feline friends love and are easy to grow from seed are cat grass oats, wheatgrass and catnip. Som three of these ornamental grasses are nestled in my garden for leisurely grazing by our resident cats. Our dogs dearly love Karl Forester grass.

Lower their appeal. On large pots, where it is digging not nibbling that creates problems, use stone mulch to top dress houseplant roots. Stone mulch dissuades prying paws, yet allows water to penetrate into plant roots. Citrus scents usually drive away cats, while bitter apple discourages taste-testing dogs. Spraying water on the leaves, if the plant doesn’t mind, can discourage a cat that bats at branches.

Put them under cover. Enclosing plants in a terrarium can protect many varieties, especially those that require a controlled humidity. Encase cactus in glass and you can enjoy the benefit of not having to water for weeks at a time. Plant high water and humidity loving plants in a terrarium where they are easier to care for and out of reach from foraging pets.

Houseplants available at Watters safe for cats and dogs:

  1. African Violet: Care of African violets is relatively easy, requiring an environment of bright to moderate light, with even soil moisture and humidity. The greater challenge is choosing from the array of blossom colors: violet, blue, red, white, pink, cream, yellow and multicolored!
  2. Christmas Cactus: This cactus is from the coastal mountains of Brazil where the plants grow on trees or rocks in habitats that generally are shady with high humidity. It sports flowers of white, pink, yellow, orange, red or purple. This blooming plant is perfect for houses with cats and dogs!
  3. Boston Fern: For years, this native of the tropics has been a favorite houseplant. A perfect complement to a living room or front porch, this leafy creation is covered from head to toe with lush fronds. It’s easy to grow in rooms with limited natural light.
  4. Parlor Palm: This is a very popular houseplant because of its rich green, slightly arched and slender leaves. Palms are often passed along from generation to generation as they are very slow-growing and live actively for many years. Varieties of this pet-friendly houseplant range from a few inches high to several feet tall. There are Parlor Palms ideal for tabletop decorations, terrariums and other small enclosed spaces, as well as for large pots on the floor.

Houseplant Tips: Indoor plants really don’t care for winter’s indoor heating. Heated air is unbearable for the leaves of many plants we like to keep in our living spaces. The secret to stunning houseplants that gleam with healthy good looks is Leaf Shine with Moisture Guide. This spray-on plant shine not only brings out the gleam of houseplants, but also prevents them from losing moisture through their leaves. For those of you who struggle in the houseplant arena, this application will bring brown thumbs to a comfortable shade of green.

 

If you travel and leave your green friends at home alone, I recommend adding Aqua Boost Crystals to the root soil. These super absorbent crystals hold 200 times their weight in water and significantly reduce the need for frequent watering of potted plants. These crystals can extend the need for watering to two-week intervals.

Until the next issue, I’ll see you in the garden center. QCBN

By Ken Lain

Ken Lain, the mountain gardener, can be found throughout the week at Watters Garden Center, 1815 W. Iron Springs Rd in Prescott, or contacted through his website at WattersGardenCenter.com or FB.com/WattersGardenCenter .