Most cats are considered kittens until around 12 months of age.

During this period of growth and development, kittens need a complete and balanced kitten food. Once they’ve reached adulthood (according to their breed), it’s time to transition to an adult cat food.

Can Kittens Eat Adult Cat Food?

Kittens have different nutritional needs than adult cats, so they need a kitten food to support those needs.  

If the food label says it’s formulated “for all life stages,” however, that means it’s safe for both kittens and adult cats to eat.  

When Can Kittens Eat Dry & Wet Food?

Although kittens shouldn’t eat adult cat food before they’ve fully matured, they can begin eating dry kibble and wet kitten food much earlier.  

By three to four weeks, kittens can begin eating moistened dry kibble or wet food. Between six and eight weeks, kittens are fully weaned from their mother’s milk and can eat dry or wet kitten food.  

Why It’s Important to Switch to Adult Cat Food

Kittens experience rapid growth and development, plus, they’re playful and have a lot of energy. Kitten food has higher calories and more protein and fat to support energetic, growing kittens. 

It’s also formulated with DHA to help support brain and vision development, plus vitamins and minerals needed for their developing immune systems.  

Once they reach maturity, cats don’t need the same amounts of those nutrients. Plus, they’re often less energetic, so eating a high-calorie kitten food could result in weight gain.  

When & How to Switch from Kitten Food to Adult Cat Food

Around your kitten’s first birthday (or between 18 months and 2 years for large breeds), it’s time to switch to an adult cat food.  

We recommend transitioning to adult food over a 7- to 10-day period to help avoid any digestive upset. Here’s how: 

• Days 1-2: Serve 3/4 of the normal amount of kitten food and add 1/4 of the new adult cat food.   
• Days 3-4: Serve half kitten food and half adult cat food.  
• Days 5-7: Serve 1/4 kitten food and 3/4 adult cat food.  
• Days 8-10: Serve only the new adult cat food.  

If your cat resists eating the new food, slow the transition and give her more time before you increase the amount of adult food. Consult with your veterinarian for additional tips on making the switch from kitten food to adult cat food.  

You probably already know it’s important to protect your dog from flea and tick bites, but are you familiar with how often you need to use a dog flea treatment for effective coverage?

Flea and tick bites can irritate your pet’s skin or make him sick, as often these pesky insects carry diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever and Lyme disease. These pests can be a threat year round, but they’re especially problematic in the summer when their populations flourish. How often you have to treat your companion will depend on which products you use, so here is a helpful guide to help you remember when it’s time to treat your family pet.

Flea collar: Products like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Collar for Dogs and Cat are able to protect your pets against these pests for up to seven months.

Flea drops: Hartz flea drops will protect against bugs, eggs, larvae and reinfestation for up to 30 days at a time.

Flea shampoo: Shampoos like Hartz® UltraGuard Plus® Flea & Tick Dog Shampoo will kill any fleas and ticks on your pet, and protect against reinfestation for two weeks.

This content is provided by the flea and tick experts at Hartz. We believe in offering safe, effective and affordable parasite prevention for every dog and cat.

When was the last time you could honestly say that you had a grip on your cat’s body language?

Understanding your feline on a deeper level can help you maintain animal wellness and keep your furry friend happy. However, not all cat behavior is easy to decipher. Here are some of the most unusual reactions you may see from your cat, as well as why they continue to happen.

1. Meowing while you’re on the phone

Many cat owners will tell you that they often see their pets begin yearning for attention as soon as they get on the phone, according to Global Animal. This is because when you’re talking on the phone, the animal doesn’t understand that you’re speaking to another person – he or she doesn’t envision the individual in the room. In turn, your cat may simply think that you’re trying to speak to him or her!

2. Making noise in the wee hours of the morning

Many cat owners will tell you that they often see their pets begin yearning for attention as soon as they get on the phone, according to Global Animal. This is because when you’re talking on the phone, the animal doesn’t understand that you’re speaking to another person – he or she doesn’t envision the individual in the room. In turn, your cat may simply think that you’re trying to speak to him or her!

3. Rolling around on the floor

Another common activity that’s spotted in cats is rolling – felines seem to love rolling around on the ground and cooing in front of their owners. This is because they’re yearning for affection! To show your cat some love, consider giving him or her Hartz Cat Treats. These treats are not only delicious, but they can help fight tartar build-up on your cat’s teeth.

If you have any concerns about your cat’s unusual behavior, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian. He or she can give you more insight into why your pet is acting in a certain manner around the house.

This article is brought to you by the pet behavior experts at Hartz. When it comes to training your dog and cat, our knowledge and experience is guaranteed to make the process easy, smooth and fun!

Buying fun toys and accessories is one of the most rewarding aspects of dog ownership. Toys help keep our dogs happy throughout the day and become great bonding tools when it’s time to play. From the soft and squeaky to the rubber and rugged, there is a wide world of toys to explore, and choosing the right dog toys is important for the overall health of our dogs. Whether you’ve got a new dog joining the family or just looking to surprise your furry friend, check out these tips on choosing the right toys for your dog.

What Dogs Really Want

Since we can’t just ask what our dogs really want (at least not yet), we’ll need to make some observations to choose the right dog toy. Every dog is unique but rest assured, there are plenty of toys that will fit your furry friend’s play needs.

First, it helps to understand some basic dog instincts.  Dogs are naturally packed animals. It is important for them to feel like part of a group with companions to play and snuggle. Interactive toys, for play between pet and pet parent, support the need to be included socially while solo toys help occupy the restless dog and even stand in as a friend while we’re away. On the other hand, dogs can become destructive when bored.

Many dogs also possess the natural instinct to “hunt”. Yes, even the cutest Chihuahua is said to have descended from an ancient breed of wolf. Toys that squeak and raddle nurture this idea of captured “prey”. Once they have retrieved their prey during a game of fetch, some dogs will destroy their catch.

Chew Toys

It is important to have confidence in a chew toy. The best chew toys are versatile, challenging, and long-lasting. Though it can be daunting to choose from the wide variety of chew toys, there are some key factors to help narrow down the choices. Is your dog an aggressive chewer, trying to destroy any toy in its path, or does it have soft chew habits? Will your dog need a toy to keep him busy while you’re away or will he be supervised during play?

The JW Cuz combines the durability of rubber with a stimulating shape and smooth feel. It is equipped with the patented JW Squeaker making it safe for solo play, but can double as a fetch ball. If your pup would prefer something else, we’ve got plenty of dog chew toys on hand fit for even the toughest of chewers.

Fetch Toys

Whether you roll a ball or toss a flyer, the game of fetch never seems to get old. Fetch toys are great for high energy dogs who need lots of exercise. ChuckIt! elevates playing with your dog to a new level through ergonomic design and performance enhanced design. The little annoyances of fetch are obsolete with the iconic ChuckIt! Launcher; no more repeatedly bending over and handling a slimy ball only to toss it a few yards. Both you and your dog will be amazed at how far the ball will fly!

Tug Toys

It’s dog vs. pet parent in a classic match of tug-o-war. Who will win? Everyone! Rope tugs are ultra-versatile toys made from braided rope. Perfect for dogs that love a 1-on-1 tug contest or those who prefer a soft toy to carry around. Rope toys are also an effective way to keep your dog’s teeth healthy. As your dog chews, the fibers work as a type of doggy floss to help prevent dental disease.

Treat Toys

Treat toys are the ultimate boredom-busters for dogs that thrive on a challenge. Dog treat toys come in lots of fun varieties to pique your pup’s interest and keep them engaged. Fill them up with treats and watch your dog work for the reward stashed inside. Treat toys keep trouble-makers busy, by giving dogs a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Put your dog’s favorite treats inside the iconic JW Hol-ee Roller for hours of mental stimulation. Dog treat toys also come in the forms of puzzles, mazes, and more. This multipurpose toy is a great treat toy for solo play time, but is built tough for fetch or tug when you’re ready to join in the action. 

Plush Toys

Plush toys offer more than just play; they can offer company and companionship for dogs. Many dogs enjoy cuddling with their plush toys, proudly carrying them around the house. Plush toys with squeaks and other noise making features engage dogs on an innate level to hold their interest. Best for light chewers, plush toys are usually filled with a soft stuffing and aren’t designed for long chew sessions. Because no one likes cleaning up the scattered remains of a plush toy, right, Fido?

Check out Petmate dog toys  at www.shopmyexchange.com.  There’s sure to be one that your dog will love.

Did you know that harmful bacteria’s like E.Coli and Salmonella can grow in your pet’s water bowl? According to multiple studies, your pet’s food and water bowl can be one of the germiest things in your home. As your dog or cat eats their food and then goes to drink water, leftover crumbs can fall from their mouth’s into their water bowl, leaving behind bacteria that can flourish in water.

As you may already know, dogs and cats need access to fresh water all day for their health. As a pet-parent, it’s your responsibility to make sure they have access to fresh, clean water every day. However, for some people, life is busy and refilling the dog’s water bowl is not always the first thing on our minds. Which is why a lot of pet parents invest in pet water fountains, also known as gravity waterers. Unfortunately, with these types of pet waterers we can easily go weeks without thinking about cleaning the water bowl because we are refilling it less often.

How often should I clean my pet’s water bowl?

For your pet’s health and well-being, you should be providing your pet with constant access to fresh, clean water. Especially during hot summer months. To keep your pet healthy, you should be cleaning out their water supply with fresh water once a day. You should clean your pet’s water fountain or bowl every few days or at least once a week. If you have a standard water bowl, cleaning is easy. Just rinse and scrub with warm, soapy water and dry it completely before you refill with new water. But for some with pet gravity waterers or fountains, cleaning may be a little more of a challenge. But don’t worry! Keep reading for instructions on how to clean your pet’s gravity waterer fountain.

Supplies you’ll need for cleaning:

1. Warm water
2. A baby bottle brush
3. Soap
4. A clean, dry towel

How to Clean a Petmate Gravity Pet Waterer

1. Separate the bottle that stores the water from the base of the fountain. This can usually be done by unscrewing or lifting the bottle from the base.
2. Unscrew the cap. Your cap may or may not have a filter strapped inside. Leave the filter alone, unless it’s time to change it out. Dispose of the old water. Or water a plant with the old water if you don’t want to waste!
3. Put soap on the baby bottle brush and fill the bottle with warm water. Use the brush to scrub all around the inside of the bottle like shown below:
4. Rinse out the bottle with warm water. Make sure to rinse out the bottle at least 2-3 times so that there is no leftover soap in the bottle. No dog – or cat – wants to drink soapy water. Set the bottle aside after you’ve rinsed.
5. Next, rinse the base with warm water. If needed, add more soap to the bottle brush.
6. Use the baby bottle brush to scrub and clean the base of the fountain. Be sure to scrub the walls and crevices of the base. Germs like to hide in these places.
7. Once you’ve scrubbed the entire base, rinse with warm water.
8. Last, use a clean dry towel to completely dry both the inside and outside of the bottle and the base.

Cleaning your pet’s waterer once or twice a week will keep your pet hydrated, happy, and healthy. You may even notice that your pet is drinking more water. This is a good sign that they are enjoying the frequent changes and daily water changes.

As a responsible pet parent, you’ll feel confident and happy knowing you’re providing your pet with tasty, fresh, clean water.