Ear Mites & Cat Ears

So as of lately our little kitty Remmie has been getting a constant buildup of black crumbly earwax junk in one of ears. Come to find out through Google as well as a trip to the vet it is definitely ear mites blah. So ended up cleaning her ear out with q-tips and baby wipes and administering some OTC ear mite medicine. Now its a wait and see if it will clear up. Fun stuff.

Ear wax or mites?

If its yellow or brownish in color and kind of moist and waxy, it be just ear wax.

If its black crumbly like coffee grain like and keeps coming back its more then likely ear mites.

Any redness, excessive moisture and ear wax buildup might suggest some sort of infection.

Pets may or may not shake their head or dig at their ears with claws and paws depending on the severity of the ear mite infestation.

Ear Mites can spread pet to pet so keep a eye on all your household pets and treat each one individually has necessary.

Always check with your veterinarian before making any assumptions. 

Better off treating the exact cause correctly otherwise  the problem can continue or get worse.

Better safe then sorry.

Holiday Safety Tips For Your Pets

The Christmas Tree (Real or Fake)

Securely anchor your Christmas tree so your pet doesn't knock it over

Tree Decorations

Avoid tinsel, not only is it messy but your playful kitty could swallow it causing a possible stomach obstruction.

General Decorations

Keep electrical cords and Christmas lights out of reach for chewing puppies.
Glass bulbs, if one breaks clean up all the little pieces immediately so your pet doesn't eat it or step in it.

Turkey Trimmings and Christmas Candy

Do not give your dog turkey bones or fatty trimmings. Innards and possibly the neck are okay just make sure they are cooked. Do not give your dog candy, cookies or any type of sweets especially not chocolate. Chocolate can kill a dog! Same goes for any type of alcohol is a no. No nuts (walnuts or macadamia) for your pets

Christmas Plants

Avoid holly, mistletoe or poinsettia! These plants are poisonous to your pets!

Pet Toys

Got your pet a gift? Make sure it it pet-approved and it can't be swallowed.

Be Safe and Happy Holidays!

Raising Children with Pets

So I have a beautiful 3-year old little girl whom I have come to find loves her pets. Bandit was the first to meet my daughter when she was born. He was  a little hesitant at first but surprisingly for being such a hyper, slightly neurotic dog he did wonderfully with her. Even when she started walking he never bumped her over. In fact he stayed clear from her unless my daughter was sitting in my lap and he was allowed to give kisses or she wanted to pet him. 

Now Milo with him being a little rambunctious puppy is still learning not to be so jumpy and hyper around my daughter. Luckily my little girl is was already three years old when we got Milo so she has some sense of what dogs do. She tries to plays with him whenever she gets a chance and even gets on all fours and acts like a puppy to get his attention. She likes giving the puppy snacks both human and dog treats. 

I do have my limits though between the interactions of my daughter and Milo. If either of them get to hyper and start bouncing off the walls they have to be separated. Also trying to get across to my daughter not to feed Milo table scraps. Milo also likes to be a little mouthy. I have to pretty much nip that in the bud. Whenever he tried to use his mouth I grab him by the muzzle firmly and tell him "No!" He is slowly but surely getting the picture.

Scratches and bumping into your children are to be expected if you have a super hyper, jumpy dog. All you can do is train your dog properly how to act around children and teach your child how to react around hyperactive pets.  

All children of all ages should be taught to treat animals with respect and how to be responsible when caring for and interacting with any type of pet. Never allow your child to go up to strange dogs and try to pet them! Tell your child to always ask the owner if you can pet the dog first. As for stray dogs/cats tell your kids to stear clear from them no matter how friendly they may seem. Do not allow your child to ever hit or pull on fur/body parts of your family pet. Have your child interact quietly (no yelling around) with pets if your pet is prone to shyness or extreme  hyper-ness. Otherwise these things can create fear even possible dominance issues  in your dog.

All children of all ages should be instructed to NEVER:

-approach a strange dog

-run away from a dog they are afraid of

-hit, kick or poke a dog

-tease a dog by withholding food

-chase a dog

-pull a dog's tail or ears

-reach through a fence to pet a dog

-try to help a injured dog (get a adult instead) 

-take a toy, food or treat away from a dog

-wake up a sleeping dog

-tease a crated dog

*A child needs to know a dog can feel pain, can feel scared and to some extent has feelings in some sense.

*Pets need food and water daily.

*Pet's living areas and the yard need to be cleaned daily.

*Pets need to be loved not abused in anyway.

*Teach your child the right things about pets and you and your child will always have a *happy, healthy relationship with the family pet/s.

Get to Know the Animals Behind the Scenes of The Bouncy Mutt

UPDATED 3/4/2022

Pets From The Past To The Present

Starting out with the dogs.

• Bandit, the Heeler Mix is my top dog. I had him since he was 7 weeks old and passed away at 14 years old from spleen cancer just recently . He was quite hyper 0_o A bit skittish toward new people and quite the territorial, protective mug but none the less he is the most "real" dog I have ever had. Residing and passed away in the country at my brothers home in Colorado. 

•  Milo, the Jack Russel Mix was a cute pup for the short time we had him. Unfortunately we had to re-home him do to moving to a tiny apartment. Milo simply could not stand small, enclosed spaces. Some friends whom have a farm have him now and he is happy as can be.

• Bessie, the Retriever/Chow Mix and Huns, the purebred German Shepard were my first two pets I ever had. They were my childhood dogs.  Bessie lived to the ripe age of 11 years old and past away from cancer. Huns unfortunately dug out the family yard and ran away never to be seen again =(

• Rocky,  the Lab/Chow Mix was my next childhood dog. Had him when he was just a little 8 week ball of fuzz and had him till the ripe age of 16 years old and he ended up passing away in his sleep.

• Delta, the border heeler. This lovely lady has some high anxiety but very loving. She is very athletic and super protective of her property

• Allyn, the red heeler. He is our most recent addition. Totally laid back and loves to play with Delta. Eating is his favorite pastime as well. 

Then came the cats.....

• Tilly, long-haired Maine-Coon tabby mix is our most recent addition. Got her as a kitten and is about 8+ year old now and is a indoor cat. She loves her food and loves to play, play, play!

• Dot, a tabby and her sister Lilly, also a tabby got them as itty bitty kittens. Unfortunately Dot escaped out the door one day and never came back. Lilly about 9+ years old now resides with us still and is happy as can be as a indoor cat. She is quite the talkative little cat and overall rather delicate. 

• King, the black DSH was my first cat. He was already a adult when we got him from a neighbor. He was a tough little cat and actually ended up losing a eye from a dog. He was 20+ years old when unfortunately was forced to euthanize him due to incontinence and he could barely walk anymore. It was for the best =(

• Smokey, grey DLH was my second kitty. A very skittish, scared but lovable and talkative little cat. Had him since he was a kitten and he past away in his sleep at 13 years old.

•  Dixie, the tabby DSH was my third kitty. She was a feisty but lovable cat. She was given to me as 1 year-old cat by some friends who found her in a ditch. She passed away recently from old age in 2018.

• Molly, the black DSH was a feral kitty that just popped up one day. She was a sweet tiny little cat but sadly she disappeared one day and never saw her again =(

• Khoda, the tabby DSH (pictured w/Bandit above) was a awesome outside cat. A good mouser and a very independent but still lovable cat. Had him since he was a tiny kitten until he was taken away at the age of 6 years old from a coyote attack =(

• Gracie, the grey DSH was the sixth kitty. She happened upon our doorstep one day. She was and still is a great cat whom acted like a little dog. She currently resides at a family friend's farm due the fact she insisted on being a outside cat. Last I heard she is still roaming around with another little kitty friend =)

• Mojo, the orange DSH was a talkative but lovable kitty. Got him when he was a kitten and had him for about a year as a indoor cat until we lost him when he escaped out the door. He disappeared and we never were able to find him again =( 

And of course along the way a variety of other critters...

• Other in between pets included many rabbits, a couple hamsters, a hedgehog, a lizard, a box turtle, slider turtles, ducks and a white albino rat named PipSqueak.

So if you can't tell I am a very avid animal lover and have plenty of experience when it comes to pets! 

I will always love, cherish and respect all animals of every shape, size and temperament that come into my life. 

Welcome To The Bouncy Mutt!

Hi! 

Welcome to The Bouncy Mutt blog.

This blog has been created for pet owners of lovable mutts and furry creatures.

Pets bring us joy, companionship and health perks.

The content you are about to read is pet-related.

A variety of topics including:

helpful tips and tricks

random news articles/studies

a few random opinionated posts of my own accord.

So enjoy like, share, comment and follow if you wish.

Have a wonderful, blessed day!

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"Without my pets,
my wallet would
be full, my house
would be clean
but my heart
would be empty"