BlogzinCats - The DogzinCats Blog

First Aid Kit For Pets

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:32:00 +0000

Ever thought about having a first aid kit for your pets? Probably not and it’s a good idea. The Red Cross has the following suggestions for your kit:

First Aid Kit for Pets

A fully equipped household first aid kit contains almost all of the supplies you may need for your pets. A simple first aid kit for your pets should include these additional items in a waterproof container:

• Latex (or hypoallergenic material) gloves
• Gauze sponges ( a variety of sizes)
• Gauze roll, 2-inch width
• Elastic cling bandage
• Material to make a splint
• Adhesive tape, hypoallergenic
• Non-adherent sterile pads
• Small scissors
• Tweezers
• Magnifying glass
• Grooming clippers or safety razor
• Nylon leash
• Towel
• Muzzle
• Compact emergency “blanket”
• Water-based sterile lubricant
• Hydrogen peroxide (3 %)
• Rubbing alcohol
• Topical antibiotic ointment
• Antiseptic towelettes
• Insect sting stop pads
• Cotton-tipped swabs
• Instant cold pack
• Epsom salts
• Baby-dose syringe or eye dropper
• Sterile eye lubricant
• Sterile saline wash
• Safety pins (medium size 4)
• Tongue depressors
• Diphenhydramine, if approved by your veterinarian
• Glucose paste or syrup
• Styptic powder or pencil
• Plastic card (such as old credit card) to scrape away stingers
• List of emergency phone numbers including those for your pet’s veterinarian.
• Petroleum jelly
• Penlight with batteries (AA)
• Clean cloth
• Needle-nose pliers

‘Twas The Night Before Dogmas

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:09:00 +0000

'Twas the night before Dogmas, when all through the pound,
Not a puppy was yelping or playing around.
Our leashes were hung by our kennels with care,
In hopes that St. Bernard would soon find us there.

Chihuahuas were curled up all snug in their beds,
While visions of doggie treats danced in their heads.
Max in his collar, on somebody's lap,
Had tucked in his tail for a midwinter's nap.

When outside the room there arose such a clatter,
My ears perked right up to hear what was the matter.
Away to the window I jumped up with glee,
And barked at the shadows that were cast by a tree.

The glow from the moon changed night into day,
And started me thinking, "Woof, woof, time to play".
When, what with my puppy-dog eyes did I see,
But a splendid dog-sled, led by doggies like me!

With a regal furred driver, commanding, not stern.
I yelped to the others, "That must be St. Bern"!
More rapid than greyhounds, our saviours they came,
And we barked and we howled and called them by name.

"There's Duchess! There's King! fat Chance, and bare Buffy!
On Fido, On Scooter! On Rover, and Scruffy!
Go by the red hydrant and run past those trees!
Nothing can stop you, not even some fleas!"

As puppies at play chase after a stick
And race to their masters so lovely and quick,
So out in the field his canines all flew,
Catching the Frisbees that St. Bernard threw.

And then in an instant I heard at the door
The scratching and clawing of each little paw....
As I pulled in my nose and was turning around,
Through the door St. Bernard came in with a bound!

He was dressed all in fur from his head to his tail,
His wood cask adorned with an icing of hail;
A bag of chew toys he had brought in with him,
And his mouth was turned up in what looked like a grin.

His eyes, how they twinkled!
His ears flopped, how merry!
His coat shone like crystal, his nose like a cherry!
His big sloppy mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the fur on his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a bone he held tight in his teeth,
And his collar encircled his neck like a wreath.
He had a large face and a furry round belly,
That shook when he barked, like a bowlful of jelly.

He was fluffy and plump, a big cuddly old pooch
And I laughed when I saw him and gave him a smooch!
A wink of his eye and a wag of his tail;
We knew right away we'd have homes without fail.

He howled not a howl, but went straight to his deed,
And took down our leashes that soon we would need.
He opened the door and families stood there,
With children, all smiling, and much love to spare.

He leapt to his sled, to his team gave a call,
And away they all flew as if chasing a ball.

But I heard him exclaim, as he chewed on a bone:
"Happy Dog-mas to all and to all a good home!"

Author Unknown

Do Not Feed Your Dog The Following:

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:34:00 +0000

The following items are considered to be dangerously poisonous for your dog. If your dog is suffering from any of the symptoms listed below and you feel it could be the result of something they have eaten, contact your vet immediately and get the best possible help for your beloved pet. We all know what it’s like to be very sick, so avoid taking the chance of harming your dog and only feed it food that it’s body can handle.

Pet Birds and Non-Stick Cookware

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 10:41:00 +0000

With the exception of birds, household pets are not adversely affected by fumes from overheated non-stick cookware.

Overheated non-sticks can produce fumes that are harmful and fatal to birds. While rarely does this happen when food is in a non-stick pan, it is still recommended that pet birds never be caged in a home kitchen.

Because they have particularly sensitive respiratory systems, birds can be injured by many kinds of household fumes, including those from aerosol sprays, burning butter or cooking oils, and cleaning solvents.

In addition, with their high respiration rate and low body weight, birds are susceptible to fumes long before they affect people. (You’ve probably heard stories of miners who took canaries into mines with them to detect the presence of dangerous gas because birds would be affected by the gas before the miners would.) The effect of any fumes on a bird depends on the bird’s size and species, and the amount and duration of exposure to the fumes.

Bird owners can take several precautions to protect pet birds from cooking fumes:

(1) Keep birds out of the kitchen

(2) Observe good cooking practices and never allow cookware to overheat

(3) Keep the cooking area well ventilated.

"Significant decomposition of the coating will occur only when temperatures exceed about 660 degrees F (340 degrees C). These temperatures alone are well above the normal cooking range. These new tests show that cookware exceeds these temperatures and turns toxic through the common act of preheating a pan, on a burner set on high. In cases of "Teflon toxicosis," as the bird poisonings are called, the lungs of exposed birds haemorrhage and fill with fluid, leading to suffocation.” – DuPont

Source: Querycat.com

Five Things to Look For in a Pet Bed

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:53:00 +0000

So, you're thinking about purchasing a bed for your beloved pet? It's a step that your pet will thank you for, but there are some things you have to consider in order to make the right decision and the best purchase possible for your pet.

1. Size

How big is your pet? Is he just a pup or kitten or is he already full-grown? These are all very important factors in deciding on the perfect bed. While a larger bed may seem comical in proportion to your baby Labrador, it won't be as funny when you find yourself paying more to replace it in a few months as he grows up! Planning ahead for your pet can save you hundreds in the long run.

2. Shape

Does your dog stretch out on his back to sleep, or does he curl up tight in a ball? Believe it or not, this makes a big difference in the type of bed you should consider since there are different shapes available to best fit his sleeping posture. A laid-back sleeping dog would fit best on a flat bed, for instance, while a curled-up pooch would do best in a round, square or rectangle bed.

3. Durability

Does your dog have a rambunctious personality? Does he play hard, get dirty, and chew everything with the enthusiasm of a juicy bone? If that sounds like yours, you might want to consider a bed with a tougher fabric such as denim or Cordura.

4. Comfort

Consider adding a few extras to your dog or cats bed such us blankets or quilts. For older dogs with painful joints you should look into getting them orthopaedic beds and mattresses.

5. Style

Last but not least, style is a major factor in considering a dog bed - after all, your pet is a member of the family, so why not give them the best? No matter what, with our help your favourite friend will have the perfect bed to snuggle into and call home.

Source: http://www.pawdigs.com

Revealed, The Mystery Of How Cats Drink

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:00:00 +0000

Researchers found that cats have just the right combination of fluid dynamics, gravity to inertia ratios and a mathematical dimensionless number to drink.
A team of engineers, physicists and mathematicians conducted a three and a half year study to find out exactly how cats manage to move the milk from saucer to mouth, while keeping their chins dry in the process.
And far from simply slurping at the bowl, researchers at MIT, Virginia Tech and Princeton University say the technique exhibits "a perfect balance between two physical forces".

It was known from a 1941 study that when they lap milk, cats extend their tongues in a backwards 'J' – meaning the top of their tongue touches the surface first.

But recent high speed footage has shown that the top surface is the only part of the tongue to touch the liquid – meaning that unlike in dogs, where the tongue is fully immersed and used as a ladle, a more refined technique is at work.

View the video here: Video: Three years of research later – how cats drink milk - Telegraph

The tip of the cat's tongue scarcely brushes the liquid's surface before it is rapidly drawn back. This forms a column of milk between the tongue and the surface, which the cat captures by closing its mouth.

This column is created by a balance between gravity pulling the liquid back to the bowl, and inertia – the tendency of a substance to move in a given direction until another force intervenes.

Cats instinctively know how to strike this balance in order to time the lapping and to capture the liquid in their mouths, according to journal Science.

A fraction of a second late, and the liquid would be pulled back into the bowl as gravity overtakes inertia, meaning the cat's mouth would remain empty.

Domestic cats average about four laps per second, with each lap bringing in about 0.1 millilitres of liquid, while big cats, naturally lap more slowly to maintain the balance of gravity and inertia.

The researchers used a combination of footage of domestic and big cats lapping to come up with their theory.

Slowing down the video they established the speed of the tongue's movement and the frequency of the lapping.

Knowing the size and speed of the tongue, they were able to calculate a mathematical formula involving the Froude number – a dimensionless number that characterises the ratio between gravity and inertia.

For cats of all sizes, that number is almost exactly one, indicating a perfect balance.

The team also created a robotic cat's tongue to explore different methods of lapping.

Mathematician Jeffrey Aristoff said: "The amount of liquid available for the cat to capture each time it closes its mouth depends on the size and speed of the tongue.

"Our research — the experimental measurements and theoretical predictions — suggests that the cat chooses the speed in order to maximise the amount of liquid ingested per lap.

"This suggests that cats are smarter than many people think, at least when it comes to hydrodynamics."

Sunghwan Jung, an expert in fluids, added: "In the beginning of the project, we weren't fully confident that fluid mechanics played a role in cat's drinking.

"But as the project went on, we were surprised and amused by the beauty of the fluid mechanics involved in this system."

Fluid mechanic Roman Stocker began the work some three and a half years ago, inspired by watching his cat Cutta Cutta enjoy a bowl of milk.

He said: "Science allows us to look at natural processes with a different eye and to understand how things work, even if that's figuring out how my cat laps his breakfast.

"It's a job, but also a passion, and this project for me was a high point in teamwork and creativity. We did it without any funding, without any graduate students, without much of the usual apparatus that science is done with nowadays."

Physicist Pedro Reis added: "Our process in this work was typical, archetypal really, of any new scientific study of a natural phenomenon.

"You begin with an observation and a broad question, 'How does the cat drink?' and then try to answer it through careful experimentation and mathematical modelling.

"To us, this study provides further confirmation of how exciting it is to explore the scientific unknown, especially when this unknown is something that's part of our everyday experiences.

Article By Richard Alleyne, Science Correspondent 6:41PM GMT 11 Nov 2010
Source: How cats drink milk without getting their chins wet - Telegraph

Free Puppy eBook

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 13:03:00 +0000

We recently discovered a free eBook to help you plan before getting that new puppy.

Get it HERE

Do I want a male or a female dog?
Should I seek a dominant or a submissive, a quiet or loud dog?
How do I tell if a breeder is responsible?
What is the difference between family and one owner type of dogs?
How should I prepare my home for the puppy’s arrival?
When should I take my puppy to the vet?
How do I protect my puppy from infections?

Source: Europuppy.com

The 24 Day Christmas Sale

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 08:47:00 +0000

Hello friends, today is the start of our wonderful sale. For the next 24 days, you will get 15% off any purchase of selected items (of which there are many) over R100 and 20% off any order over R1000.

The special discounts do not apply to any Doggie Hillfigher products though, only to items made by DogzinCats.

Download our catalogues and browse through our range of beautiful products, from comfortable beds and warm blankets to snuggly quilts and carry bags. Remember, the prices in the catalogues are not the discounted prices. Once we have received your order, we will send you an invoice with the discounted total.

We have items not only for dogs and cats, but also for marmoset monkeys, chinchillas, guinea pigs, sugar gliders and many other small critters.

Colourful, comfortable, well made and affordable. We offer quality and all our products are made by us, which means we make sure you get what you paid for.

Choose your colours, choose your sizes. Collect from us directly or we’ll post the items to you.

Treat your four legged family members to something new and special this Christmas. They deserve it ♥

Keep Your Dog Warm In Winter

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 14:14:00 +0000

When it's cold outside, you probably don't want to go out, run around, and have fun. More than likely, neither does your dog, especially if he's used to being pampered in a warm house. And, if you think about it, there's just not that much a dog can do when it's cold outside except sit. At least in the warm months, there are birds, lizards, and other animals running around to keep your dog busy and occupied.

There are many tips that you should keep in mind to keeping your dog safe and warm during winter, and below you'll find several tips that you may find that you've either 1) never thought of or 2) really need to consider during the cooler months.

Just remember if you keep your dog outside most of the time, you really need to find a way to keep him warm when it's cold outside. When you see him out there shivering, and it's tearing at your heart, consider everything that you can do to keep him warm. Bringing him in the house is a great option, but if it's not the option for you, there are other things that you can do for your outside dog.

Cold Weather Tips for Dogs

When walking your dog outside during the winter, don't let him off the leash when walking on snow or ice because they can easily lose their scent and become lost.
Do not shave your dog during the winter. A long coat will help protect your dog against the cold. Long, thick coats will help hold in body heat so that your dog can stay warm.
If you have a short-hair dog, consider buying a coat or sweater for the dog so that he can wear it when he goes outside.
Do not leave your dog outside for long periods of time.
Do not leave your dog in the car during cold months, as the car will act as a refrigerator and hold in the cold air, which can cause him to literally, freeze to death. Even if you plan on just running into the bank or the grocery store, you never know if anything may hold you up. Better safe than sorry. Don't leave your dog in the car.
If you have a puppy and you're trying to house train him, consider kennel training the dog because it can be quite hard to house train a puppy in cold weather, as puppies do not tolerate the cold temperatures as well as adult dogs. The same can typically go for small dogs versus big dogs; generally, small dogs do not tolerate the cold weather as well as bigger dogs can. Take puppies and small dogs outside only to go to the bathroom; try to eliminate long periods of time outside.
Instead of leaving your dog outside during the day while you're gone, set up a kennel or dog-proofed room that he can stay in instead. If you have a garage, consider putting the dog in the garage instead of in the yard; this will keep the dog out of the house (if you just really don't want him in the house whether in a crate or in a room), but it'll also keep him out of the cold wind. You may want to consider setting up a portable heater within the garage, depending on how low your temperatures are dropping; even out of the wind, it's still cold if it's below freezing outside.
If your dog will be outside a bit during the cooler months, you'll want to increase the amount of food that you normally offer. You want to make sure that he's getting plenty of proteins and fats in his diet.
Make sure that you have a warm place for your dog to sleep at night or during the day, if he has to be outside. Purchase a kennel so that he doesn't have to sleep on the ground, which is going to be, by far, the coldest place, especially concrete. Find a place without any drafts, and make sure that he has plenty of blankets.
Consider buying a dog warming bed. Most are controlled by a thermostat so that you can control how hot the dog pad gets. You don't want your dog to freeze, but you don't want to burn him either. These are great for outside, garages, and patios.

Above advice from Hubpages.com

Remember that DogzinCats make products to keep your pets warm during winter. We don’t make kennels, but we can supply you with mattresses, quilts, blankets and doggy jackets.

Did You Know?

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:46:00 +0000

Why do dogs scratch at their beds before lying down?

Most dog owners will be familiar with this behaviour, which is often accompanied by spinning, rotating, head-butting of blankets and other amusing behaviours. This is akin to other apparently compulsive behaviours in dogs that are in fact usually instinctive, such as when a dog has defecated he will often briefly dig with his back legs as if to cover it, even if he's not actually making any difference. For most dogs, scratching at the bed or floor before lying down to sleep is what they would do in nature, where they would gather leaves, moss etc. into a comfortable nest. Much like when you go to bed you might plump your pillows or flap your duvet, dogs are simply trying to make sure their bed is comfortable. Normally this is not indicative that they do not have enough comfort, but adding extra blankets or cushions might decrease this behaviour.

Can dogs eat cat food?

Many dogs prefer to eat cat food if given the chance because generally its higher in fat, which usually means its more appealing to the dog. If your dog is eating the cat's food in addition to her own, she will begin to become overweight and obviously your cat will lose out. Since many cat owners allow their cats to eat throughout the day this is a fairly common problem. It is highly unlikely that any direct harm will come to your dog from eating cat food, but remember that cat and dog food are specifically formulated for their species' needs. In particular, cat foods normally have higher quantities of protein, fat and fibre on a weight per weight basis and have less filling effect. Therefore, it is possible that your dog's general health could be affected if he were to eat only cat food over a long period of time.

How often should a dog be bathed?

It is perfectly OK to allow your dog to swim in natural water as often as he likes (within reason) but what is not OK is to wash your dog using soaps or shampoos very regularly. Using human shampoos on dogs leads to an imbalance of sweat, and they would be likely to develop dry, itchy skin. Having said that, using mild human shampoos is fine used at a frequency of once per month. However, I would personally recommend dog-specific shampoos and these will have a recommended usage detailed on the bottle, but this would definitely not be more than once every several weeks. In some cases shampoos can be medicated, such as for specific skin-disorders, and the frequency of use for these would depend on the condition.

Above advice from Petpeoplesplace.com

Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 11:33:00 +0000

A good number of animals have whiskers. Whiskers or vibrissae are the big, long and sparse hairs found on the muzzle, chin, upper lip and on the area above the eyes of animals. Dogs are furry animals and whiskers are believed to be the first hairs that puppies grow. The whiskers or the vibrissae will stand out amidst the hair covering as although sparse, these hairs are longer, thicker and larger as compared to ordinary hair. The hair follicles of whiskers are set about three times deeper than common hairs. The roots that are set on a network of nerves make whiskers very sensitive and complex receptors.

Dogs are acclaimed for their ultra sensitive senses. Dogs are admired for their very sensitive hearing and scenting abilities. Dogs’ ability to see is admirable as well as compared to human eyes, the eyes of dogs can see much better in the dark. The whiskers are indeed very valuable gifts from nature as the already outstanding senses of the dogs were made even more efficient. These sensitive special hairs serve as radar or antennas when touched.

The hair follicles that are set on a network of nerves make whiskers very sensitive receptors so that when the tips of the whiskers are brushed against objects, a message that will inform the dog of nearby objects will be transmitted to the brain. For dogs that hunt prey in burrows, the whiskers would be efficient tools. Dogs have small heads but these animals practically do not have shoulders so that when following a prey, the dog can enter the burrow but going out would be difficult. The sensitive whiskers are longer than the rest of the dog’s hair. Because these hairs are so sensitive, the dog will be informed if it is possible to enter or not.

Aside from being navigation tools whiskers are self preservation tools as well. These highly sensitive hairs coupled with the ultra sensitive scenting ability allow the dog to detect the presence of predators. It is believed that the sensitivity of these special hairs allows dogs to pick up the fears of their enemies. Dogs will subconsciously use these fears to terrorize the predators.

Whiskers are very sensitive thus try not to rub these hairs against the hair growth when patting the pet as this will make the dog very uncomfortable. Plucking whiskers must be avoided as not only would be it remove the hair that enhances the dog’s senses but it will also cause bleeding given the fact that whiskers are deeply rooted about 3 times more than the normal hair.

Source: simplepetcare.com

Postage Service - How To Use Your Tracking Number

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:42:00 +0000

Once we (DogzinCats) have completed making up your order, which takes about 7 working days, we place your order in a cardboard box and seal it. We then take the package to the post office and they give us a tracking number. This tracking number enables you to follow your package. We then email you this tracking number.

HOW TO USE THE TRACKING NUMBER

Once you receive your tracking number, go to the following site, http://www.sapo.co.za/

At the top of the page you will see ‘Online Tools’. Use the drop-down menu to show your selection options.

Choose ‘Track and Trace’. A new window will open.

Add your tracking number into the area provided and click on ‘submit’. The following info will then show up:

This screen tells you whether the package is in transit and at which branch it ends its journey.

Once your package has arrived at its destination, the post office will post you a notice slip, telling you that the package has arrived and is ready for collection.

If you are still unsure, please contact your nearest post office and ask them about your package. Give them the tracking number and they should be able to tell you exactly where it is as well as give you any other info.

Please note as well that once the package has been posted by us, it goes into the system, which means we (DogzinCats) are no longer in control of it. We cannot speed up the system or direct where the package goes. We are also not responsible for any packages that get damaged or go missing during transit.

For any and all enquiries concerning your package, once you have received your tracking number from us, please contact your post office, as they are the only ones that can help you with it.

Once the package has been handed into the post office by us (DogzinCats) and we have emailed you your tacking number, we (DogzinCats) are no longer responsible for the package and will not be held accountable for any damages caused during transit from our post office to yours. This includes packages going missing or ending up at the incorrect post office.

During our time with using the post office, we have not experienced any major problems. The few minor problems have always been sorted out quickly.

Please use the tracking number and your post office to track and find your packages should you be concerned. Remember that normal postage takes a while to get to where it is going, even if it’s local. DogzinCats takes 7 days to complete and post your package. The post office takes as long as it takes to deliver it to you.

Your other options are to collect your order from us once it has been completed or you can pay for a courier service. Please note however that a courier service can be extremely expensive.

A New, Tougher Fabric

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:04:00 +0000

We will soon be adding a new, more durable and stronger fabric to our collection.

The fabric will be somewhat limited in terms of colour choice, but if you are looking for something that will be less vulnerable to rips and puppies teething habits, then this fabric will be what you want.

Due to the cost of the fabric however, the price for one of our products to made up in it, will be somewhat higher, but then getting a bed for your pet that will last a long time, will be far less likely to rip and still be comfortable and attractive, will be well worth the extra cost. As soon as we have sorted out the pricing and what colours are available, we will add the option to our catalogues. We will keep you updated.

Products For Marmosets and Other Small Critters

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Sat, 25 Sep 2010 13:26:00 +0000

Cage Accessories

VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Cage accessories for your small pets such as marmoset monkeys, chinchillas, rabbits, etc, are a must in order to keep your pet as happy and comfortable as possible. DogzinCats offers a wide variety of products that are well made and functional. We do not import our products, they are all made by us. This not only keeps the price of the product down, but it also allows us to make sure that each item made is of the highest quality. You also get to choose your own colours.

Our small critter products as well as our dog and cat products are always being added to. Keep your eye on our catalogues for all the new goodies.

Keeping Up To Date

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 13:47:00 +0000

As a small business, we do our best to keep our customers, both regular and new, as updated as possible. The internet thankfully, enables us to do this.

Staying Updated:

There are two ways you can stay updated about new products, specials and other business. They are as follows:

• Join our Facebook page by clicking the “Like” button. If you are a user of Facebook, you will receive any updates made to the page via your news feed.

• Follow this blog, either by subscribing to the feed or by choosing to receive any entries via email.

Joining both our Facebook page and following our blog will ensure that you never miss out.

Our Catalogues:

We recently came up with a new way of sharing our catalogues. You can view them online before downloading or printing them. This is done by using Google Docs and we feel it is a much nicer way of doing it. Clicking on a catalogue link will take you to the Google Docs viewer where you will be able to view the entire catalogue online. You will also see on the top left hand side, 3 options:

Download
Print
Save in Google Docs

This now allows you, the customer more options with what to do with the catalogues.

We will also announce on our Facebook page whenever we update any of the catalogues.

Our Website:

Our website offers many links to other websites, so make sure you take a look if you are looking for breeders, for example.

Our website also shows our blog updates, how to contact us, our catalogues, customer pics and a guestbook.

Box bed with matching quilt

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 08:41:00 +0000

We recently got an order for a box bed in plain red cotton and black gingham fabric. The combination was quite striking as you can see from the picture. The gingham was placed on the outside with the red on the inside. The bed also comes with a cushion.

The sides are thick foam which offers good support. This bed is well suited for breeds that are too big to fit in our popular Summer|Winter beds. The Box bed is rectangle in shape and offers longer dogs more room to stretch out.

Our customer also asked for 3 matching patchwork quilts. The quilts were made up of black fleece, black gingham and red cotton squares, finished with a red fleece backing.

The box bed comes in 4 sizes with the largest being 1m x 60cm with the height of the sides at 25cm.

All prices and sizes can be found in our catalogues along with details on how to place your order.

Technorati Tags: gingham,pet bedding,pets,dogs,quilts

Patchwork Quilts

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 11:56:00 +0000

“Quilting is a sewing method done to join two or more layers of material together to make a thicker padded material. Quilting can be done by hand or by sewing machine” – Wikipedia

Our patchwork quilts have become quite popular, especially with the winter weather being exceptionally cold this year. When we started out, blankets were what we had decided to make using polar fleece and adding some silky trim around the edge. We had not planned to make quilts. That came later.

We started realising that we needed to use the material that was left over from the beds. The pieces weren’t very big, but were big enough to feel that it was a waste just to throw away. It was then that we decided to try making patchwork quilts to add to our growing catalogue.

Our quilts are made up of plain cotton, gingham and polar fleece squares or strips with a plain cotton or polar fleece backing. The fleece backing is definitely a lot warmer for winter. The patchwork side, having both cotton and fleece squares, makes it suitable for all year comfort and warmth.
The squares are first pinned and then stitched together. A backing is then cut to size. A piece of soft wadding is cut and placed in between the two layers and then the whole quilt is sewn together.

Our customers get to choose which colour or colours they would prefer and whether they want a cotton or fleece backing. Once the choices have been made, we put the quilts together by laying the squares out and deciding on a pattern, before pinning it all together.

When ordering a bed from us, consider getting a matching quilt made as well. They also make a nice gift for anyone starting out with a new puppy or kitten. Be sure to download our bedding catalogue for sizes and prices.

Below is our popular Summer|Winter Bed with matching patchwork quilt in purple.

Technorati Tags: patchwork,quilts,pets,dogs,cats,bedding,gingham

What is Gingham and why do we use it?

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:11:00 +0000

We at DogzinCats have often been asked “What is Gingham?”

Gingham is a printed or dyed fabric that was originally intended to be woven into stripes. Basically, it is checked material and it comes in a variety of colours. Some prints have smaller checks than others.

Many manufactures of gingham will treat the fabric to make it wrinkle resistant, since gingham tends to wrinkle very easily. However, gingham is a mid-weave fabric that wears well, and also is easy to clean. As a lightweight and easy to clean fabric option, gingham is a great choice for many household linens, as well as comfortable clothing.

When we decided to introduce patterned fabric to our collection of pet beds and jackets, we decided on gingham because it had a country, homely look to it. It can often be found in kitchens as curtains, table cloths and aprons. We also wanted a pattern that would appeal to a majority of people and gingham felt like the right choice.

Gingham is also fairly widely available from many material stockists and is easy to match up with the colours of our plain cotton fabrics. Our customers are able to choose the colour or combination of colours for the beds and jackets they want. They can also choose between just plain, plain and patterned or just patterned. Having a singular pattern such as gingham, makes choosing simpler. It also gives our products a bit of a trademark.

We are sure that in time, we will introduce a few more pattern options, but for now we offer the gingham fabric.

“Gingham is a medium-weight balanced plain-woven fabric made from dyed cotton or cotton-blend yarn. The name originates from an adjective in the Malay language, ging-gang, meaning striped. Gingham has no right or wrong side with respect to colour.”
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Technorati Tags: gingham,fabric,material,pattern

Welcome to our Blog

noreply@blogger.com (DogzinCats) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:22:00 +0000

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