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French Bulldog

Sep 11, 2024 | Dogs

The French Bulldog is a lively, alert dog. It is very agile, although it has a muscular and compact build. Its bat ears and short tail also characterize it, as does a broad and angular head with a blunt-nosed face. The face of this dog breed is characterized by numerous wrinkles on the forehead, nose and zygomatic arches. The coat is short-haired and easy to care for. They do not tolerate blazing sun, extreme heat and cold.

The nature of the French Bulldog is sociable, friendly and cheerful. They are calm, self-confident and sensitive companion dogs, but at the same time playful, sporty and alert. Keeping them in kennels is completely unsuitable for this breed. They need unrestricted attention and love individual contact with their owner.

French Bulldogs do not need much exercise, but are enthusiastic about long walks and are attentive, affectionate companions.

 

 

Facts about the French Bulldog

  • High urge to move
  • Colors: fawn, brindle, piebald
  • Function: companion and guard dog
  • Weight: 8 – 14 kg
  • Height: approx. 36 cm
  • Life expectancy: approx. 13 – 15 years

Porkchop & Lambchop in the BOWL designer dog bed

3 Siamese in the cat house

Sep 10, 2024 | Cats, Customer stories, General

3 siamese in the cat cave

1st day feedback shortly after delivery:
We picked up the cushion this afternoon. As soon as we put it in the Poopoopeedo at home, three of our six cats were already in it.
The fleece fabric is nice and warm, which they love, and the cave itself is also wonderfully warm. Just right for our Siamese. Sometimes it can’t be warm enough. The latex cushion makes a high-quality impression on me. So, like our cats, I am completely satisfied!

 

Day 2:
It’s absolutely conceivable that there are cat magnets in the cushions, because so far the cats haven’t been able to get out :-)) Wonderful!
By the way, I’ve been browsing your website for a while because I had my eye on the cat cuddle bag, but then I decided to focus on converting the Poopoopeedo. So you will definitely be hearing from me again.

 

Day 3:
I don’t think I need to mention that the three of them are back (or still) in the den, sleeping and snoring :-)) In the meantime, I even have to put their food bowl inside. Well, what don’t you do…..

Dog and Heat

Aug 15, 2024 | Dogs, General

When it’s hot, dogs love to let off steam and cool off in the water.

Dogs and heat. Useful tips on how to survive the hot days.

You just have to imagine that the owner has to endure these high temperatures in a fur coat. Then it might be easier to understand how the dog feels in the heat. Since dogs, unlike humans, cannot cool down through sweat – our four-legged friends have only a few sweat glands – dogs and heat do not get along so well. Cooling down works through panting. Heavy panting should already alert the dog owner to take countermeasures.

We have put together some useful tips here to help our dogs survive the hot summer well.

Cooling down with water

If the dog likes to swim, cooling down in a lake, river, stream or the sea is a great way to refresh themselves. Equipped with swimming toys and balls, bathing is a successful activity. This way, dogs and heat are even fun.

If the dog doesn’t mind, it can also be sprayed off with the garden hose (starting at the paws). Catching the drops of water is fun for almost every dog.

If the garden hose is not your four-legged friend’s friend, a sturdy children’s paddling pool will also provide cooling.

Walking the dog in summer

If the temperatures are very high, long walks should be scheduled for the early morning or late evening. Walking with the dog and the heat is bearable on cool lawns or shady forest paths. Otherwise, older animals in particular can quickly develop circulatory problems.

During the day, only short walks are recommended, preferably not on hot asphalt. During the midday hours, a nap in the shade or in the cool apartment is on the agenda.

Avoid walking on pavement and asphalt, open fields and paths without shade. Check the heat of the road surface by pressing your hand onto the surface. If you cannot calmly count to 10, the ground is too hot and will burn the dog’s paws. Even if the road surface is not quite so hot, long walks can lead to burns.

Staying outdoors

It is best to stay in the shade with your dog and the heat. On the cool grass in the park under a shady bush, you can bear it even in high temperatures. A stay in the forest is a great change for dog and owner. Strenuous activities such as cycling should be avoided as they put too much strain on the cardiovascular system.

Grooming in hot weather

The fur should be brushed regularly in summer so that more air can reach the skin. Your darling will also be happy with a short summer cut and thinning of the fur, which will give him relief. Dogs can get sunburnt in hairless areas, so don’t cut them too short. Dogs with dark fur suffer much more in the summer heat, so make sure you go into the shade. You can also give your dog relief in hot weather by moistening his legs and stomach or putting a damp cloth on his body.

It is ideal if the four-legged friend can move freely in and around the house in the heat. He will then usually find a cool place himself, inside or outside.

Food and water

Of course, you always have to provide your dog with enough fresh water in hot weather so that it can quench its thirst at any time.

Smaller food portions spread throughout the day are less stressful for the body.

Homemade ice cream is a welcome change for the dog. You can find some recipes to download here.

Traveling in the car with your dog

It cannot be stressed enough: never leave your dog alone in the car in summer temperatures. It is not enough to park the car in the shade. Always take your dog with you. You can be stopped for any reason. The sun moves and in no time at all the temperatures inside the car are hellishly hot and become a death trap. Lack of oxygen, nausea and circulatory failure can lead to the animal’s death in the worst case scenario.

The use of air conditioning is essential for long journeys. If there is no air conditioning, long car journeys must be planned for the cool morning hours or late evening.

Call the police immediately if you discover an animal in a car. If an animal owner acts irresponsibly, he can be held accountable under Section 17 of the Animal Welfare Act. Fines and/or imprisonment of up to 3 years are threatened.

Recognize warning signals

Heavy panting with a stretched neck, a glazed look and a deep red tongue are a warning sign that the heat is getting too much for your four-legged friend. If vomiting, loss of balance and unconsciousness are added to this, the dog has suffered heatstroke, which in the worst case can lead to death. You should consult a vet as soon as possible!

Here you can find information on the topic Heatstroke in Dogs.

Recipe ideas for dog ice cream

Banana Ice Cream

  • 1 overripe banana
  • 100 g cottage chease

Ice Cream with Watermelon

  • 100 g watermelon
  • 100 g natural yogurt

Blueberry Ice Cream

  • 100 g blueberries
  • 100 g quark

Preparation

Mix all ingredients and fill into ice cube trays. Stick a small wooden stick or spoon into each ice cube so that you can feed it to your dog. For larger portions, you can also freeze the ice cream in muffin tins.

Important: Offer the dog the ice cream in small portions and make sure that it only swallows small pieces at a time.

Recipe for dog ice cream

download recipe

Cats and the heat – cooling down your furry friend

Aug 14, 2024 | Cats, General

getigerte Hauskatze mit weißer Brust liegt im schattigen Gras

In the heat of summer, a cool shady spot under trees is ideal for your house cat.

Cats and heat. How do I cool down my cat?

As descendants of steppe dwellers, our cats love warmth and summer. Unlike their ancestors, heat is not all that good for your cat. Hot summer days are a big challenge for your house cat. You can read here how you can make life bearable for your house cat in summer and cool down your cat.

How do cats cope with high temperatures?

As a rule, cats react to heat with lethargy. They move much less in hot weather and look for a cool, shady place to retreat to. This only helps to a limited extent when it is too hot. Cats have far fewer sweat glands than humans and therefore cannot regulate their heat balance by sweating. Like dogs, cats try to cool down by panting. They also groom themselves more often because saliva moistens their fur and provides evaporative cooling.

Our tips will help you to make your house cat as comfortable as possible in hot temperatures.

Keep your fur moist to keep cool.

As already mentioned, cats use the evaporative coolness of their saliva to cool down. Help your house cat by moistening a washcloth and stroking your cat’s fur. It also helps to stroke the cat with wet hands every now and then. The positive side effect is that the cat grooms itself less and loses less fluid through saliva.

Make sure there is a shady and cool place.

Outdoor cats will independently find suitable, shady places to retreat to in the garden. It is a little more difficult for house cats in the house. A cool place in the basement or on the tiles in the bathroom is a good option. There are also special cooling mats for animals. These are self-cooling and dissipate heat very well. Airing out in the early morning and late evening also helps to cool down the living room. Shade the apartment during the day with roller shutters and blinds. Ideally, your house cat has a balcony secured with a net, where it can find a shady spot under plants. Please pay attention to the plants, as many of the widely used ornamental plants are poisonous to our cats. Here you will find an article on the subject of poisonous plants and a list to download. Setting up fans is not suitable. Cats can quickly catch conjunctivitis from the constant draft.

Adjust the outdoor time to the outside temperature.

If possible, cats should stay indoors during the worst of the midday heat. The risk of suffering heat stroke or sunburn is greatest in the strong summer heat at midday. If possible, make sure that your cat only stays outside in the early morning and late evening. Most house cats sort this out on their own, just make sure that the cat has access to a cool place in the house at all times.

How do I recognize heat stroke in my cat?

If the body temperature rises above 39°C and the animal shows restless behavior, this indicates heat stroke. Dark red gums, heavy panting and apathetic lying on the stomach are further signs. If you see these signs, you should see a vet immediately.

The right food is also important so that the cat can tolerate heat better.

As is well known, cats don’t like to drink much. That’s why it’s advisable to offer wet food on hot days. This will help with fluid intake. During particularly hot days, your house cat needs less food than usual, as calorie consumption drops due to reduced physical activity. Give your pet food in small portions spread out over the day. Clear away any leftovers straight away. The food spoils quickly on hot days and you will otherwise attract flies.

How do I encourage my cat to drink?

Drinking on hot days is much more important than the right food. To ensure that the cat drinks enough fluids, place lots of water bowls in and around the house and apartment. If your cat doesn’t like drinking, you can put some tuna infusion in the water bowl to add flavor. Unseasoned chicken broth also flavors the water and encourages drinking. Some house cats love to drink from indoor fountains or the faucet. A water fountain in the living room also ensures a good indoor climate.

Are insects and parasites more dangerous in summer?

Check your outdoor cat daily and remove ticks, fleas or mites immediately. Other insects are also unpleasant in summer. But don’t use insecticides because cats are very sensitive to insecticides. It’s better to equip your home with fly screens to keep the stinging pests outside.

What is a good cat basket?

What is a good cat basket?

by | Mar 10, 2025 | ,

As cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, the cat basket should be an ideal place for your cat to sleep and retreat. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to good features and criteria when buying. …

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Aug 14, 2024 | Dogs, General

The ridge on the spine is clearly visible here

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a medium-sized, very dignified and intelligent dog that immediately commands respect with its calm appearance. It originates from southern Africa and shows no signs of shyness or aggression. He has a well-balanced, strong and muscular build and is agile and active. It is still used to hunt game in many parts of the world, its original purpose being to track down large game, mainly lions, and keep them at bay until the hunters came along.

His reserves of strength and stamina are still correspondingly great today. It is a true running dog and therefore unsuitable for people who are not sporty or have limited time. He needs at least two hours of exercise a day, more would be better. He is an excellent tracking and rescue dog, and dog sports are also a great pleasure for him.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback lacks neither courage nor bravery. He is considered to be particularly vigilant and would risk his life for his owner. It is also said to have a sixth sense for danger. At the same time, it is a very calm, cuddly, affectionate dog in the home and is therefore highly valued as a family member.

Dog beginners are quickly overwhelmed with this breed. It is a clever, sensitive but also very headstrong dog. It must be trained consistently and lovingly at the same time. The dog’s innate mistrust and tendency towards dominance can become a problem for its environment if the owner does not have the necessary professionalism. With professional training, he will prove to be a good-natured and relaxed companion in whose presence no unwanted aggression is to be feared, but one can always feel safe.

Its ridge is the breed’s distinguishing feature. It is created by the hair growing in the opposite direction to that on the rest of the body. It should start directly behind the shoulders and extend to the hips. The coat is short, dense, smooth and shiny, ranging in color from light to red wheat. Grooming is quite unproblematic with regular brushing.

Unfortunately, the breed was also fashionable and mass breeding has left its mark.
Therefore, only buy puppies from a VDH breeder.

 

Facts about the Rhodesian Ridgeback

  • Height of male dog: 63 – 69 cm, approx. 36 kg
  • Height female: 61 – 66 cm, approx. 32 kg
  • Life expectancy: approx. 15 years
  • Urge for movement
  • Educational effort
  • Maintenance effort
  • Time required

Dog shampoo for sensitive skin

May 8, 2024 | Dogs, General

If you don’t feel comfortable washing your dog with a shampoo whose list of ingredients you can’t even pronounce, here’s a great recipe for a homemade dog shampoo. All the ingredients are easy to get hold of, or you may have them at home anyway. The quantity is sufficient for a medium-sized dog, e.g. a Labrador.

 

Ingredients for dog shampoo:

  • 100 g rolled oats
  • 100 g baking powder
  • 400 ml cups of warm water
  • 1 teaspoon mild washing-up liquid from the health food shop
  • 5 drops of lavender or peppermint oil

Firstly, blend the oats in a food processor until they have the consistency of flour. Add the remaining ingredients and finish mixing.

Massage the shampoo into your dog’s wet coat for a few minutes before rinsing it out. The baking soda absorbs the dog’s odours, while the oat flakes soothe and cleanse the skin.

You will be amazed at how great your dog smells and how soft his coat has become.

After a soothing wash, the Golden Retriever puppy can relax on the cosy leather cushion

Beauceron dog breed

May 8, 2024 | Dogs, General

The Beauceron is a very original, powerful, robust and muscular dog, but without any sluggishness. It impresses with its stamina and incorruptibility. His nature is never angry, fearful or even shy. It is described in specialist literature as an excellent family dog. He prefers to be in the middle of the family or his pack and accompanies you wherever you go. Despite its size, the Beauceron is a sensitive and delicate dog. It is cautious and reserved with small children, older or anxious people. As a rule, people unknown to him are not harassed or even greeted stormily. However, if friendly contact is sought and he has met someone, he will greet them warmly. Kennels are absolutely unsuitable for the Beauceron breed.

Hunderasse Beauceron - Hundekissen - pet.interiors
The Beauceron is still a healthy, extremely robust breed with an average life expectancy of around 12 years.

Color strokes:

bicolored black-red – Bas rouge
tricolor black-red-grey – Harleqiun

Height

male: 65-70 cm
female: 61-68 cm

 

Why is my cat unclean?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we will give you some useful tips. The first thing to do is to take your cat to the vet to rule out possible illness-related causes (cystitis, blockage of the urinary tract, etc.).

It is a myth that cats react uncleanly out of protest.

If your velvet paw refuses to go to the litter tray, there may be various reasons for its behaviour. A puddle on the floor or a major mishap on the carpet is annoying. It’s a myth that cats will mess out of protest. They use their urine to mark their territory in nature and in this way make it known that they are in heat. No cat pees or does its big business just for fun or even in protest within the living space. Please never scold your cat too quickly. There are reasons why your cat is behaving like this. Scolding can trigger additional stress in the cat, which in turn can lead to increased uncleanliness.

 

Possible reasons why the cat is behaving uncleanly:

 

  • Health problems
    Firstly, the vet must rule out possible illness-related causes. A bladder infection or blockage of the urinary tract can lead to unclean behaviour and must be treated as soon as possible.
  • Territory marking
    One reason for the uncleanliness may be that your cat is marking its territory.
    Normally cats only mark their territory in the wild. If other animals enter their territory (home), your cat will see the need to defend its territory. It is not uncommon for strange cats to enter unnoticed through the cat flap and dispute your cat’s living space.
  • Stress
    Cats are creatures of habit and hate any kind of change. Stress can be triggered by moving house, renovations, new furniture or a new flatmate (human or animal). Loud noises such as construction noise or loud music can also be a stress factor. Spend a lot of time with your tiger, give it attention and lots of cuddles to help it relax. More on this soon in Recognising and avoiding stress in cats.
White litter tray in the bathroom - Design - pet.interiors

A quiet place for the litter tray is important.

Cat toilet

There are several reasons why the litter tray can lead to uncleanliness.

  • Lack of cleanliness can be one reason why the cat reacts uncleanly. To prevent the litter tray from smelling unpleasant, it should be cleaned daily. Your velvet paw’s nose will also be pleased with a weekly deep clean.
  • The wrong cat litter is being used. The choice of cat litter is huge and the pet market offers a wide range of varieties. I will take up this topic in one of my next posts.
  • The litter tray is too small. The cat has grown or become older and now has too little space to move around in. Some cats don’t like closed toilets. Offer it an additional open toilet (bowl).
  • It is too restless on the toilet. Your cat loves to be left alone when you defecate. Children playing, other pets, a spinning washing machine, draughts or frightening objects, such as a hoover, can disturb the toilet and make the cat react uncleanly.
  • The cat has to share the toilet with others. In principle, there should be one more toilet in the household than there are cats. Cats are very reluctant to share their toilet with other animals.
  • The location of the toilet is unsuitable. If the toilet is next to the food, the cat will be reluctant to use the toilet. Draughts, loud noises or frightening objects also make cats reluctant to defecate in the toilet.

Here you will find tips for the right litter tray.

If the cat is healthy and all disturbing factors have been eliminated, the cat’s uncleanliness should be a thing of the past.

 

White litter tray in the bathroom - Design - pet.interiors

Once all disruptive factors have been removed, the cat will use the toilet again.

What is a good cat basket?

What is a good cat basket?

by | Mar 10, 2025 | ,

As cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, the cat basket should be an ideal place for your cat to sleep and retreat. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to good features and criteria when buying. …

What is the best cat litter?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

The choice of cat litter is huge. Mineral cat litter, silica litter, litter made from plant fibres, fine or coarse-grained, with or without fragrance, recyclable and the list goes on. The best cat litter is always the one that is accepted by your cat without reservation. The most expensive cat litter is useless if the cat becomes unclean and no longer uses the litter tray.

It’s not easy to make the right choice, so I’ve put together a short overview of all the important facts here. Thank goodness our Gisela is quite uncomplicated. First of all, we gave her a mineral cat litter, which worked immediately. It clumps very well and the litter very rarely needs to be changed completely. We made sure that it was unscented. Perfume additives can be perceived as pleasant by us human noses, but whether the cat sees it that way is questionable.

Poopoopeedo | Design-Cat-Toilet | pet.interiors

Poopoopeedo is a large, practical and beautiful litter tray.

The mineral cat litter is very popular as a classic clumping litter. The litter is available in different grain sizes, different compositions and with or without fragrances. The urine is well bound (liquid and odour) and the clumps can be easily removed from the litter tray. The mineral litter is very economical and lasts a long time, as only the clumps need to be removed from the toilet. It is therefore also quite inexpensive to buy. Anyone who has to do the shopping on foot or by bike will find the heavy weight of the litter a major disadvantage. It is also not the most environmentally friendly option. Mineral litter is not biodegradable and its clay components are extracted in open-cast mines. Pouring the litter into the toilet also creates a lot of dust, which can be harmful to health.

Compared to mineral cat litter, silica litter is much lighter. This is an advantage when buying, as the light crumbs tend to stick to the cat’s paws and spread around the home, which is a disadvantage.
Unpleasant odours bind quite well without the addition of fragrances. Another advantage is that the silicate litter creates less dust when the toilet is filled.
Unfortunately, the silicate litter does not clump, but the litter absorbs the cat’s urine, the heavier pellets settle at the bottom of the toilet and remain there until the entire litter is replaced. The silicate litter is also noisy when buried. If you are a light sleeper, this can be a problem at night in small flats. Another disadvantage is the higher price.

There are many different versions, from wood or plant fibres to corn kernels and paper litter. The advantages are all pretty much the same. They clump well, making the litter tray easy to clean. Even without fragrances, they absorb odours well, are light in weight and do not create dust. They are made from renewable raw materials and can be disposed of in the organic waste bin. Here too, the disadvantage is that the lighter weight means that the litter will be spread around the home by the cat’s paws. In addition, litter made from recycled paper may contain glue or printing ink and chemical additives.

How can I avoid cat litter crumbling?

Whether and how much cat litter is scrapped out of the toilet can have many causes:

  • Check the fill level in the litter tray. Too little litter can be the cause, as can too much litter.
  • A litter tray mat can catch a lot of litter.
  • If the cat has diarrhoea or a bladder infection, this can lead to excessive scratching when going to the toilet.
  • A large litter tray with a bonnet keeps the litter inside
  • The cat litter is too light, perhaps a change of litter will help

However, please do not experiment too much and too hectically one after the other. Cats are creatures of habit and need time to get used to new things.

You can find more information on choosing the right litter tray here.

Tips if your cat reacts uncleanly.
What is a good cat basket?

What is a good cat basket?

by | Mar 10, 2025 | ,

As cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, the cat basket should be an ideal place for your cat to sleep and retreat. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to good features and criteria when buying. …

What does the cat’s hump mean?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

Pet cat hump - Design - pet.interiors

The cat hump is used to stretch extensively after a nap.

Cats communicate in their very own way and the cat hump is part of their body language. What is our cat trying to tell us? To be able to interpret the cat hump correctly, it is important to pay attention to the cat’s overall posture. Are their ears and hair erect or laid back? Is the cat moving or is it standing stock-still? We have observed the cat’s hump together with the rest of its body language and here are our findings.

 

This nap was good for you
After a relaxing nap, the cat likes to stretch and hunch over. The legs are stretched thoroughly and a long stretch brings them back to reality from the realm of dreams.

 

Leave me alone
If the cat is afraid or feels threatened, it reacts immediately with its cat hump and uses this as a magnifying trick. The enemy should immediately recognise that it has an opponent ready to fight. If the hair is raised and properly fluffed up, the ears laid back, the claws extended and the legs stretched out, the cat’s hump is a single threatening gesture. If it then runs sideways to make itself look even bigger, there is only one correct reaction to its behaviour: To leave the cat alone at all costs. If the cat encounters a dog in this way, it is smarter to confront the dog than to trigger the dog’s hunting instinct by fleeing.

 

I am ready to mate
Cats that are ready to mate combine the cat hump with a steeply raised tail and a wiggling rump. They release small amounts of scent to mark their territory. The young male cat supplements this behaviour with howling to signal his willingness to mate to the female cats in the vicinity.

 

I have pain
A cat’s hump can also have health reasons. If you notice a continuous hump in your cat or tomcat for several days, there may be health reasons for this. Perhaps your tiger has been injured in a fight, has an inflammation or a deformation of the spine, as is also the case in humans. If you notice any of these signs, please consult a vet straight away.

 

Play with me
Does your kitten do a few funny jumps combined with running sideways and a cat hump? If there are no threatening gestures such as extending its claws, raising its hair and hissing, it is an invitation to play.

 

More cuddles please
Does your cat hump you when you stroke it?
Then it wants more attention and enjoys being cuddled. It strokes your legs with its hump, purrs and nudges your hand to signal that it wants more and is happy.

 

There are many variants of the cat hump and only one of them is really a threat. The different types are easy to interpret and, with a little practice, easy to decipher.

What is a good cat basket?

What is a good cat basket?

by | Mar 10, 2025 | ,

As cats sleep up to 16 hours a day, the cat basket should be an ideal place for your cat to sleep and retreat. That’s why it’s important to pay attention to good features and criteria when buying. …