Why are Siamese Cats So Special?

Siamese cats are an exotic and somewhat mysterious breed that originated from Thailand. They have been popular for centuries, with some even residing in royal palaces. While it is true that Siamese cats were associated with royalty in Thailand, there is no evidence that they were used to protect palaces or monasteries from evil spirits.

Siamese cats are one of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds, with a history dating back hundreds of years in Thailand.

The original Siamese cats were different in appearance than the modern breed, with a more stocky build and rounder head.

In 1884, the first Siamese cats were brought to England as gifts to a British general. From there, they eventually made their way to America. Nowadays, Siamese cats are one of the most recognized breeds, and are particularly popular for their unique personalities and striking color points.

Siamese cats come in several different colors, but are typically lighter in color with darker areas around the feet, tail, legs, or face. They can weigh anywhere between 6-16 lbs, and have bright, slanted eyes that are another hallmark of the breed. Siamese cats have a robust, muscular build with round heads.

Unlike other breeds, Siamese cats have a talent for communicating with people. They are known for being social, playful, and sometimes noisy. They demand a lot of attention and can be quite dependent on their owners. However, they are also great with kids and make excellent lifelong companions. Siamese cats are known for their distinctive “voice,” and are particularly chatty and vocal compared to other breeds.

Siamese cats require minimal grooming, as their short hair only needs occasional brushing and bathing. However, like all cats, they can get sick and require regular check-ups with a veterinarian. The average lifespan of a Siamese cat is around 12-14 years, although some can live longer with proper care. Siamese cats have a higher likelihood of developing certain health issues, such as respiratory problems and dental issues, and may also be more prone to certain genetic diseases.

The Siamese breed has been used in genetic research due to its unique coat coloration and traits, such as crossed eyes and kinked tails.

In conclusion, Siamese cats are an excellent choice for a pet, particularly for those who enjoy spending time with their furry companions. While they do require a lot of attention, their unique personalities and striking appearance make them a beloved breed for many cat lovers.

Do you have a Siamese cat that you don’t want to put into a cattery? Scamps & Champs can help with our at home cat visits. Contact us to find out more!

How To Litter Train Your Cat or Kitten

How To Litter Train Your Cat or Kitten

Fluffy fur, hypnotizing eyes, and cute meows make our favourite feline creatures – cats – so adorable. However, things can get a bit messy if they refuse to use the litter tray and do their business around the house. For most cats, using a litter tray is a natural habit, that they learn as kittens, particularly after they pass the three-week point. Still, some kittens need a little encouragement and manual stimulation to get the hang of it. In contrast, adult cats may have an aversion to using the litter tray, especially if they associate the tray with a negative experience. Whatever the case, if you are finding it difficult to litter train your cat, these steps will help.

Choose the Right Litter tray

The first step to litter train your cat is to get the right support tools such as a litter tray and cat litter. Use a litter with very fine sand (think recreating nature) and avoid using clay litter as your cat may consume it, and have digestive problems. It is also advisable to use an unscented litter because ones with a heavy scent may discourage cats from usage. More importantly, select a tray that your cat can easily get in and out of. Sometimes, adult cats can stop using the tray because of an achy body, so consider using a low-sided tray for older cats, and for kittens who may not be big enough to climb into a bigger tray. Also, be consistent in what litter you use, as changing the litter could cause your cat to stop using the litter tray temporarily.

Plan Where To Place the Litter tray

The litter tray location and availability can be a crucial element in encouraging your cat to use the tray. So, remember not to hide the trays. Do not place them in cupboards and corners as cats do not like to feel cornered or trapped during toilet time. Some owners like to put the litter tray in the bathroom. Also, provide some light -ambient or night light -so they can see and find their trays. Avoid setting up a litter tray where many things can distract them from their primary focus, such as rugs, carpets, or beddings. Spreading out the trays throughout your home and at least on every floor can also go a long way to stimulate litter tray usage as it will make it easy for your cat to access the trays. Always place the tray a good distance away from their food and water bowls.

Give your cat a Tour of their new toilet.

After you have effectively set up the litter trays, the next step is to introduce your cats to them. Show your cat the locations of each litter tray, let your cat sniff them and then gently place your cat in the tray. They may immediately start pawing at the litter or even using the litter tray. But, If they don’t, run your fingers through the clean litter to illustrate the pawing action. If at initial introduction, your cat refuses to use any of the trays, try placing it in one of the trays each time they eat, drink, or wake up from a nap, until they begin using it on their own.

Keep it Squeaky Clean.

Scoop your cat’s litter tray after every elimination. After scooping, add some clean litter to maintain a litter depth of 2 to 3 inches to give your kitty ample room to dig. Cleaning is essential during training to prevent your cat from developing an aversion to its litter tray. If your cat starts using the litter tray consistently, you can scoop daily instead of each time it uses the tray and periodically empties all of the litter in each tray, clean the boxes, and fill them with clean litter.

Conclusion

Reinforcing good habits during training is also a tested and trusted method to encourage your cat to use litter trays say experts. For instance, when your kitten uses the litter tray appropriately, reward them with their favorite treat to create a positive association with the activity. And if your kitten makes a mistake, do not scold or raise your voice, but calmly clean up the mess with an enzymatic cleaner and do not react in any other way.

Scamps & Champs offer cat visits when you have a long day or as an alternative to a cattery. We feed the cats, clean litter trays, give fresh water and lots of fuss and attention.

Top 10 Summer Safety Tips for Your Dogs

summer tips, dog safety tips, dog walking

Whilst summer provides an abundance of outdoor opportunities for our canine companions, it also comes with additional risks. Hikes, swimming, holidays, picnics and exercising offer ample opportunities for us to take our beloved dogs out with us to enjoy the sunshine. At Scamps and Champs we definitely don’t want to suggest for one moment that this isn’t a fabulous idea! However, there are risks you can come upon in the summer months that as a responsible dog owner, it is good to be aware of so that preventative measures can be put in place and your dog’s safety ensured. Keep reading for our top 10 safety tips for your dog this summer:

  1. NEVER Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car

It goes without saying that you should never leave your dog in a hot car during the summer. Temperatures can reach over 90 degrees in a car during hot days and so the fairest thing to do is leave your dog at home in the cool, however beautiful the day is and how tempting it is to take your dog out to enjoy it with you.

  • Protect Your Dog from Parasites

If you chose not to protect your dog then your dog can be at serious risk of; heart worm, Lyme disease and a lot of other serious diseases associated with the heat and parasites. So always protect your dog as prevention is far better than trying to treat a serious illness.

  • Keep Paws Cool

Pavements, stones and footpaths can become exceedingly hot when the sun is out and can very easily cause your dog’s paw pads to become burnt. This can be extremely painful for your dog and therefore keeping your dog inside whilst the heat of the day is at its peak, or opting for woodland walks can be necessary alternatives. If your dog appears to be over heating then put their paws in some cold water to cool their body temperature down.

  • Fresh Drinking Water at ALL Times

Dogs can sweat but only a small amount so they therefore need to pant to cool down, this means they need to drink a lot of water when the weather is warm. To avoid your dog getting heat stroke ensure cold, fresh water and shade are available at all times.

  • Pup Pool to Keep them Cool

Your garden can get very hot in the summer so why not provide your dogs with their very own kiddy pool to keep them cool! Who doesn’t love a cool dip in the summer!

  • Swimming Dangers

Whilst a quick dip in the river, ocean or a lake may seem like a great idea to cool your dog down, do not assume they can swim! Make sure your dog can’t jump into deep water when they are unattended, as if they can’t swim well they could drown. Make sure you are always there to supervise your dog in deep water.

  • Doggy Sunburn

Did you know that dogs can get sunburn too? Dogs can still get sunburn and it can be very painful, so keep them in the shade or ask your vet about pet sunscreen as it does exist. Do not assume sunscreen for humans will do the job, as this is not the case.

  • Keep the Lead On

When you go out for the day or on holiday, the temptation is there to let your dog off the lead to explore. However once in an unfamiliar environment this can be extremely disorientating for dogs and they can easily wonder off and get lost. If you are unsure at all about your dog’s recall then keep them on the lead or on a long line, where they can explore safely.

  • Watch their Weight

If your dog is overweight then this can cause them to struggle in the heat and make exercise and breathing more difficult. So after those winter months make sure your dog is the correct weight ready for the summer heat. If you are in any doubt ensure you visit your vet.

  1. Don’t Forget to Shut Windows

It’s tempting to keep all of your house windows open at night particularly when it is really hot outside. However, don’t leave them open too wide and don’t forget to close windows when you go out of the house. As your dogs may get curious and escape, putting them at risk of coming to harm or running away.

We hope you have enjoyed our preventative summer top ten tips for your dogs! We hope you all enjoy the fabulous summer months with your precious pooches in the great outdoors!

Scamps and Champs are one of the country’s leading Pet Care Service companies, we offer caring and reliable animal care for when you can’t be there. Check out our services and availability in your area. If we can assist you in anyway please do contact us.

Cats Love Company – Why Overnight Cat Sitting Counts!

Overnight Cat Sitting, Cat Sitting, Pet Care Services

f you are going away for a night or two it may seem like a viable option to leave your cat being checked on by a neighbour or friend, or you may go for an extreme minimal approach leaving an automated cat feeder in charge! Cats spend 70% of their life sleeping and appear to be extremely independent creatures. However, don’t be fooled into believing that cats don’t require and love company, whilst you are away.

So if you can get your neighbour to check on your cats, or if you have decided to opt for Scamps and Champs Cat Sitting Service, why the need to opt for Overnight Cat Sitting? Doesn’t this seem a tad excessive? Let us share with you what Overnight Cat Sitting has to offer and you can then determine if Overnight Cat Sitting counts, as a Cat Care option for you!

The benefits of Overnight Cat Sitting explained:

  • Overnight Cat Sitting offers around the clock care for your cat, when you can’t be there. Providing 24/7 company, cuddles and food for your feline friend.
  • Our Scamps and Champs animal care expert can also look after your house for you whilst you are gone, providing you with home security and peace of mind whilst you are away.
  • Home services include; bringing in your post, watering your plants, closing curtains at night and the generic safety of having someone home.
  • We can commence Overnight Cat Sitting from 5.30pm – 7.30pm when suits you and you receive 12 whole hours of Overnight care for your cat.
  • You cat’s individual needs will be catered for during your Overnight Cat Sitting booking, including meal times, diet, water, medication and litter tray change. We can also let your cat outside and bring them back in, in keeping with their usual routine.
  • A GPS tracker is provided to ensure that you can see you are receiving the service you have requested.
  • You will also be sent photograph updates via email so you can see what your cat has been up to and that they are being cared for to the highest standard.

We think it’s evident that any cat lover who wants the highest level of care for their cat, needs to count Overnight Cat Sitting as an option. Whether it be for one night or more, our Overnight Cat Sitting Service offers you peace of mind that both your cat and home are being looked after the entire duration of your break. So that you can enjoy your holiday, knowing that your cat is in their usual routine, at home, being cared for with cuddles and company.

Want to know more about our Overnight Cat Sitting service? To check availability, make a booking or to ask us a question simply complete our online form.

Cat Sitting High Maintenance or Low Maintenance?

People often decide to get a cat as they don’t have time for a dog and they are out all day, but is this hypothesis correct? People often think that cats don’t need much attention or care and that they simply need a meal providing twice a day, however this couldn’t be further from the truth. Whilst it’s true that cats don’t need walking daily and they are able to go to the toilet inside using a litter tray, this does not subsequently mean that cats are ‘low maintenance.’

Often cat owners will go away for a night or two, or even on holiday and leave there cats alone with a large bowl of food and water and assume that their feline friend will be alright. Cat sitting in this instance seems pretty straight forward! However, this assumption neglects to identify the sensitive creatures that cats are and how much they crave fuss and attention.

Whilst it is true that cats are extremely territorial and prefer to be at home, it is fair to say the ultimate cat combination, is to be at home with company. If this company can’t be you and you are away then you need a cat sitter. A cat sitter can come into the comfort of your own home and ensure your cat is fed at regular intervals, has fresh water and cat litter, let outside for fresh air if required and best of all have a thorough friendly fussing.

Scamps and Champs cat sitters are all DBS checked providing you with reassurance in allowing them into your home to cat sit for you. They all have experience in animal care and most of them have pets (often multiple) of their own, so they know exactly how you feel going away and leaving your cat at home with a sitter. All of our staff are really friendly and caring and thoroughly enjoy looking after your pets for you.

Hiring one of our cat sitters means you have the peace of mind of having your cat and your home checked on simultaneously and most importantly your loving high-maintenance kitty will have everything they could possibly need, whilst remaining the king of their own castle, whilst their humans are on holiday!

To check availability of our cat sitting services in your local area, to ask us a question or make a booking please complete our online form.

Dog Home Boarding Holidays – The Latest Trend to Rival Traditional Dog Kennels

dog home boarding, pet sitting, dog walking,

As summer approaches it is time to start planning our family holidays and whilst we always endeavour to take our precious pooches with us, this is not always possible. Particularly when we chose to holiday abroad. Until now we have had to either rely on a family member to take care of our furry-friends or place them into the local dog kennels for a week or two.

However, there is a new canine camp in town ready to rival the traditional set up of dog kennels! Dog home boarding holidays’ offer a fresh new perspective on dog care and place your pet best friend at the centre of its notion. It is now not merely suggested that you are taking off on your jolly holidays and having to find a ‘space’ for your dogs to go whilst you are away, completely fitting in around your plans! Now it is suggested that in fact your dog can go on their own holiday break, leaving your plans rendered almost insignificant!

Your dog is likely to be at the centre of your family life, in fact many of us admit to preferring dogs to humans! So it feels only right that your dog gets to go on their very own home boarding holiday and that it’s as big an event as our own planned break! Dog home boarding offers many benefits to that of traditional kennels such as:

  • You select exactly which home boarding family you would like your dog to home board with.
  • You and your dog get to meet your home boarding host family to ensure that everyone gets along and that you are all happy.
  • You dog will be staying in a family home whilst you are away, providing a home-from-home environment.
  • Dog home boarding allows your dog to remain in their usual routine, including walks and meal times.
  • Your dog will always have company with a home boarding family.

Scamps and Champs offer Dog Home Boarding Holiday’s within their services. The best bit is if you send your Dog on Holiday with us you are in complete control of who they stay with and where they stay. It’s just like selecting their very own holiday destination!

For your peace of mind all of our dog home boarding families are DBS checked. In addition, unless your dog is crate trained and you wish them to sleep in a crate, Scamps and Champs will NEVER use crates or cages for our dog home boarding holidays.

So if you love your dog and you would love to book them their very own Dog Home Boarding Holiday get in touch with Scamps and Champs via our online enquiry form.

Cat Sitting in Chichester & Bognor Regis

Let us look after your Feline Friends while you catch some sun!

We all know that our cats love the comforts of their own home.  They are not the happiest of animals when taken out of their territory and much prefer to be looked after in their own home, within their familiar surroundings.

That’s where Scamps and Champs in Chichester can assist you.  We have a team of cat sitters waiting to look after your feline friend.  Our Chichester cat sitters are highly trained in cuddles and will lavish attention on your cat or kitten.

The Chichester cat sitting service will include all of things you might expect, with the extra special touches that only comes from our Scamps and Champs premium cat sitting service.

All our cat sitting services take place in your own home. 

  • We will visit once or twice a day, whichever you prefer,
  • feed your cat,
  • give fresh water,
  • clean/scoop litter trays if required,
  • give lots of cuddles and attention,
  • and maybe some treats if you would like us too.

Our unique cat sitting service in Chichester will take into consideration your cats personality, needs and routine and integrate this into your professional tailored cat sitting package. Where possible we will endeavour to feed your cat at their usual times, ensuring they only eat the food and quantities they are used to. We will make sure their bowls are clean and fresh every single time. If they like to be let outside we are happy to let them out, if you like your cats to be in at night time we will ensure that they are bought back inside ready for the evening. If any of your fur babies are on medication we can ensure that these are given at meal times for you, we recognise each cat is individual and therefore we tailor your cats care to suit their unique needs.

Chichester Scamps and Champs will always go that extra mile to ensure your cat is happy, content and looked after.

As our Chichester cat sitters are in the house anyway taking care of your fluffy friend, if you need us to take care of anything else for you we are happy to accommodate your requests. These can include things like;

  • shutting your curtains for you,
  • watering your thirsty plants,
  • turning lights off and generally keeping your house safe for you whilst you are away.

If you have other pets at home in addition to cat sitting, we can offer our services to look after them too all at the same time.

You want your cat to be cared for, relaxed and comfortable within your own home or with one of our selected Chichester cat sitters; We do to!

Whilst you are away we will send you photographs of your cats so that you can see how they are getting on at home and keep up to date with what they are up to, so you can enjoy your trip away knowing your kitties are happy and safe. They will probably feel like they are having their own fabulous mini break, filled with attention, cuddles and care!

Our personal approach and real love of animals will make your cat  feel safe and secure in our care.  We are fully insured, DBS checked and completely committed to your animals’ welfare.

Please do give me or one of our enthusiastic team a call or drop us an email.  Our number is a national number and there is always someone ready to answer your call.

All messages are passed onto me personally and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

We hope that you enjoy the walk and the views across the West Sussex countryside.  Please share your photo’s here and if you think that Chichester Scamps and Champs could offer their many dog-walking and pet-sitting service please do get in touch.