Creature Comforts Pet Services, LLC

Compassionate care for your friend

Theresa Berrett

January 2nd is National Pet Travel Safety Day,

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but it is also a great time to assess and upgrade best practices for transporting your dog or cat safely.  Whether you’re heading to the vet or groomer, off to the park, or hitting the road for vacation, travel safely.  Thousands of animals get injured and die in car accidents every year.  During a collision, a 50-lb. dog riding in a 30-mph car will experience 1,500 lbs. of force if thrown from the vehicle. Newton’s first law of motion states, “a body in motion will stay in motion until acted upon by an outside force,” so even after brakes are applied, an unrestrained pet will continue 30, 40, 50 mph or more until something stops him. Sadly, what stops him may be the dashboard, seat back, or windshield, all of which can cause devastating injury. 

If the pet survives the accident but is not restrained, he may escape through a window or door, broken or opened by the impact, only to end up being hit by an on-coming vehicle.  According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), animals moving around in cars are the third worst distraction to drivers, ranking behind children and cell phones.  Additionally, if you are injured in an accident, your protective Chihuahua, Poodle or Rottweiler might prevent paramedics from quickly offering aid out of fear of being bitten, so Animal Control may first need to be called to confine your pet. Their protectiveness may delay emergency personnel from providing you much-needed medical assistance, so restraining your pets in motor vehicles is a win-win.

Kitten Kindergarten is a thing!

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Did you know that many common behavior problems in cats can be prevented with early training and socialization? 

There are things you can do with your kitten to help them learn important skills to help make life more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone involved (humans too!)  Creature Comforts is proud to announce a new class held at Chimacum Valley Veterinary Hospital called Kitten Kindergarten!  Imagine a room full of playful kittens learning to be social with other cats and humans, as well as learning the skills they need to manage in our human world without stress or fear.

The most effective time to train and socialize a cat is in her early months.  This is when she is more adaptable to new situations and experiences.  Early socialization normalizes a wider variety of situations, people, and animals.  Kittens who are socialized become less fearful and more confident as adults and have a higher tolerance for new situations. This higher confidence directly relates to reduced behavior problems in adults.  

Many cat owners dread taking their pet to the vet because of all the difficulty and stress with carriers, cars, and fear at the vet office. Our “classroom” is an exam room in the veterinary office to get kittens comfortable and familiar with the veterinary setting.  Topics covered in class include regular handling for grooming or veterinary care, positive carrier training, and car rides.  

Many cats are only exposed to the humans that they live with and often run and hide while new people are over.  This can cause a lot of stress to the cat every time you have company.  With early exposure to other people cats can become just as outgoing as dogs who love to greet new people at the door.

One important skill kittens will gain from kindergarten is how to interact and play with other kittens.  Many adult cats have a difficult time interacting with other felines.  Early socialization can improve a kitten’s ability to get along with other cats.  Adding another cat to the household later will be much easier if a kitten has early exposure to other cats.

For kittens and their people starting at 8-10 weeks.  Class is 45 minutes once a week for 6 weeks plus an on demand video introduction.  For only $180. Kittens must have a clean bill of health.

For more information contact Theresa at (360)643-1323

Dangerous Dough Ornaments & Pets

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This favorite holiday tradition can prove deadly to pets!   

Three simple ingredients:  

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water 

can be mixed, flattened, and shaped into the doggone cutest tree ornaments, but if ingested by the family dog, joy can turn tragic due to the abundance of salt in the recipe!  Additional complications can arise from the paint and glitter that make the design sparkle, and…the hook the ornament hangs from!  Cats too can suffer from eating bread dough ornaments, yet they are less likely to consume the decoration.  

Salt toxicity, also known as hypernatremia, can result in the death of your pet!  Signs include:

  • Vomiting and/or diarrhea
  • Lack of coordination, tremors, seizures
  • Excessive thirst and urination
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lethargy or collapse

If creating dough ornaments is a family tradition, take extra measures to hang them high on the tree out of paws reach and secure the tree to the ceiling so that it cannot topple down.  If your pet consumes a dough ornament, contact your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving measures.  

Although labeled non-toxic, non-allergenic, and even non-irritating, it is important to note that children’s Playdoh is made from the same three ingredients:  water, salt, and flour, so if ingested by pets, the same ill effects can result. Some homemade playdough recipes also contain tartaric acid (potassium bitartrate ), the deadly toxin also found in grapes.  Be aware of doggie dangers and keep them out of paws reach by signing up for a Pet First Aid Class today by contacting Creature Comforts Pet Services at creaturecomfortspetsit@gmail.com

Pets Safety Tips and your Holiday Tree

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Whether artificial or real, you must look out for your pets when decorating for the holidays. To keep dogs and cats safe, here are four pet safety tips concerning the holiday tree:

1) Male dogs and cats pee on trees.  It is that simple, so when their pee station moves indoors, it becomes confusing when you say, “No!”  Consider leaving your tree undecorated for a day or two, teaching pets to stay away before you decorate. Also, choose the location wisely.  Do not place your tree in front of the window Fido watches for the mailman or the windowsill kitty suns herself daily.  To keep pets away, a short white picket fence around the tree may look festive, or giving them their own new and interesting thing to check out may do the trick. 

2) To further dog or catproof your tree, try bitter-scented sprays or position oranges, lemons, or grapefruit underneath, but only if you know these citrus scents are unappealing to your pet.  Attaching the tree, with an invisible fishing line, to a cup hook in your ceiling, could prevent it from falling over should your cat decide to use it as a jungle gym.  Of course, never place candles on the tree and tape down light cords so that pets cannot chew or get caught in them, but always supervise when any fixtures are plugged in. 

3) Never tempt pets by hanging dog biscuits, popcorn garlands, candy canes, or other food items on your tree.  Also, take care with scented packages (i.e. food, soaps, potpourri) placed underneath as well as ribbons, tinsel, ornament hooks, and string.  Any of these objects inside your dog or cat can be CAT-astrophic!  

4) Real trees require water, so cover the tree water securely with foil, plastic wrap, or a plastic lid with an “X” cut through (where the trunk goes).  The oils seeping into the water from the tree are toxic!  Additionally, cut trunks are often coated with preservatives and pesticides, so your pet will get sick and need quick veterinary care if he drinks tree water!  Pine and fir needles are sharp and can cause digestive upsets, so pick up any needles that drop before your pet ingests them or gets them caught in a paw or fur. Fake needles are not safe either if consumed, so monitor pets around ALL holiday decor.  

When you have a dog or cat, you have a furry toddler for their lifetime, so being mindful of potential problems and keeping dangers out of paws and claws reach can keep ‘the merry’ in your holiday season. Make it a New Year’s resolution to sign up for a pet first aid class by contacting Theresa at Creature Comforts or check out www.creature-comforts-pets.com  for 2025 classes!

Top 5 Holiday Safety Tips

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Practice these Top 5 Holiday Pet Safety Tips, and sign up for a Pet First Aid Class so you will have the skills and confidence to help your best friend!   

With Christmas upon us, the chances for ingestion of pet-UNfriendly foods and choking incidents, multiplies, so supervise, supervise, supervise throughout the celebration, and learn pet first aid…  

  • ROUTINE: Walk at your normal walk time, feed on schedule and don’t forget to play — it does a body good (human, canine, or feline).  Don’t forget vitamins, washing bedding, scooping litter. Holidays create added chores, but change can create anxiety in your pet coupled with the intense energy you are giving off at this time of year. Sticking to your normal routine will help. 
  • DECORATIONS:  Don’t let pets access tree water.  Don’t hang edible items on the tree.  Take care with candles and holiday scents which can upset canine and feline noses.  Ribbon, tinsel, and bread dough ornaments can all be hazardous.  When you have a furry child, you have a toddler for life that you must keep safe.  
  • COMPANY:  Dedicate playtime just for you and your dog or cat BEFORE company arrives, and then let kitties retreat to a quiet back bedroom with safe toys to keep them out of mischief — scratching post, kitty tree or chew toys for dogs, maybe even quiet music, or a radio to drowned out noise coming from the boisterous humans. If you feel your pet can make an appearance, let him join in the fun, but remind children (0-99) not to bother pets when they are eating or sleeping, and to never pull ears or tails. If kitty’s ears and whiskers go back or your pup utters a low-gutteral warning, it’s time for socializing to cease. Pheromone sprays (Adaptil for dogs and Feliway for cats) may take the edge off their anxiety.  Also, take care to make sure doors and gates are closed so as not to have a pet escape, and kindly ask overnight guests to keep suitcases closed so that your pet won’t sniff out trouble.  
  • FOOD & WATER:  Anything on the floor is fair game, including toothpicks from hors d’oeuvres!  Designate a place to deposit used cocktail sticks, and safely throw away bones, foil, and plastic wraps. Yeast from bread rising on counter tops will continue to ferment in a pet’s tummy, causing life-threatening bloat, an intestinal blockage and/or alcohol poisoning.  Have pet-safe treats available and avoid giving Fido or Fluffy salty foods, gravies, dark meat and skins, and NO COOKED BONES of any type! With the heat cranked up in our homes and potentially upset tummies brought on by holiday stress, make sure your pets are staying well-hydrated.  
  • QUALITY TIME: Take time out daily to show your furry family members how much you love them!  Drop your purse, briefcase, or backpack when you come home and get on the floor and play; make time for a walk WITHOUT your cell phone so that you tune in to your dog; let your cat curl in your lap and give her your undivided attention. Paying attention is one of the best ways to make sure you pets stay safe – by noticing them and keeping their environment safe.

For those moments when life happens, know where your nearest 24-hour animal emergency hospital is!

Sharing your life with a pet should be among your greatest blessings, so rejoice in knowing a four-legged friend has chosen to share his life with you, and in the New Year, learn or refresh your Pet First Aid skills so that you can help your dog or cat when he or she needs you most!

What can you do to increase your bond with your cat?

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Here are some quick tips for things you can do to help both yourself and your cat to be happier and more relaxed.  While some of these don’t seem to directly affect you and your cat bonding.  A cat that is relaxed in his environment will be far happier and easier to live with.  Enriching your cat’s life isn’t just about the latest toys.

Keep your food and water bowls separate.  While it does seem logical to us humans to put the water and food right next to each other.  Cats don’t like to eat their “prey” near their water source.  It presents the possibility of contamination. Cats also quite often prefer their water not to be stagnant.  A source of water that is moving, as in a cat water fountain, is preferred by some.  However, if you do go this route, it is important to also have a source of still water so your kitty has the opportunity if that appeals to them.

Use unscented litter.  Cat’s sense of smell is much more sensitive than humans.  Cats have around 200 million odor sensors in their noses, while humans have only about 5 million. This makes a cat’s sense of smell about 14 times better than a human’s!  Scented litters are quite often too much for a cat’s nose.  What is best for cats is an odorless, dust free litter that is also soft to step into.  Cleaning the box regularly with just soap and water will help to keep the box from smelling like an outhouse to your cat.

Have multiple litter boxes.  Even if you only have one cat, multiple litter boxes will help to keep elimination problems to a minimum.  Consider how it is for you to have to go a long way when you have to go.  Keep a box on each level of your home in and not so difficult places to get to.  Also, some cats prefer separate boxes for urine and feces.

Have regular grooming sessions.  Lots of cats love to be brushed and this can add to your bond with your feline friend.  It also has the added benefit of reducing hairballs and helping you to know your cat’s body well, allowing for early detection of injuries or changes you may want to check with your veterinarian about.

Turn your carrier into a cozy cat hideout.  Getting the cat into a carrier is a big issue for many cat owners, causing a whole lot of stress for  both you and your cat. You can use a cat’s desire to hide to your advantage.  Keep the carrier out in a well used area of the house, such as the living room. Use comfy blankets to create a cozy cave for her to hide in.  Add some toys and she will consider it a great place to be.  If she is reluctant to enter you can use treats or a wand toy to entice her.  You won’t need to chase her around the house every time you need to get to the vet, or worse, totally lose her to hiding and have to cancel your appointment altogether.  This can also reduce stress at vet visits because her safe and relaxing space goes right along with her.

Schedule regular play sessions.  Cats like to have a predictable world.  Most owners do have regular feeding times, but adding in regular playtimes is a great way to help his world be more predictable.  It also increases your chances of playing with him, strengthening your bond.  Remember that your cat does love to interact with you!

Create a warm and cozy spot.  We all know cats like to lounge in a sunny window!  Cats prefer warmer temperatures than we do and since you are not going to keep your house at 80 degrees, you can create a nice spot for your cat by placing blankets or a bed near a source of heat, such as a vent or fireplace.

Think vertical.  We tend to set up our living spaces with all the furniture on the floor.  Cats like to climb and can feel safer up high.  Cat trees or shelves or perches up on the walls will create a happy dimension for your friend, as well as provide them with a safe space from which to view the world.

Music!  Putting on some relaxing music, especially while you are out, will help your cat to be less anxious.  Studies show that relaxing music can reduce a cat’s heart rate.

Learn to speak cat.  Cats blink slowly and languidly while they are content and relaxed, if you return the slow blink you are communicating your love back to her in her own language.  Cats accept our slow blinking as a signal to be relaxed in our presence. And increasing your understanding of cat body language can help you to know what your cat needs.

Know how to help your cat if an injury occurs.  Be familiar with pet first aid and CPR so you can be a help to your friend if the worst should occur.  This can not only potentially save your cat’s life, but will increase your confidence and relaxation in an emergency situation.  Keep important phone numbers close by, such as your veterinarian and ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435).

Teach your cat to work with you. Cats are often thought of a being uncooperative or uninterested in working with you.  But this just isn’t true.  Use some yummy treats, petting, or play with a favorite toy to help your cat learn that cooperation can benefit him too.  They can be taught to scratch in appropriate places or to sit on the floor rather than the counter while you prepare food.