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Have you been thinking about creating an outdoor catio space for your cat? A catio, an outdoor enclosed patio designed for cats, are great for your cat to hang out in and take in the outdoors. Before jumping into a big project like this, here are a few things you’ll want to consider.  Ensuring Your Pet’s Safety
Safety first! Even if the catio you purchase or design seems to be 100% safe, you’ll always need to keep an eye on your feline friend. To make your catio a positive and safe space, we suggest you include the following features: an entry door or window, ramps, catwalks, hiding places, beds or pillows for resting, fresh drinking water, shady spaces , predator-proof screening (on the bottom as well as the sides), and a roof or covering for mild weather protection. Even in a catio, it’s crucial to never leave your pet unattended. At the end of the day, you are 100% responsible for your pet’s safety and ensuring your catio is a secure space! Benefits Although your cat may not embrace the outdoors like a dog would, there are many advantages to spending time outside. The first and potentially the most important benefit pertains to the mental stimulation and enrichment for cats. The sounds and smells of nature, along with the ledges and climbing areas help channel your cat’s inner-adventurer. Another perk includes decreased conflict in multi-cat homes. If you have two cats or more, conflict may arise; however, a catio can give each cat an opportunity to explore and thrive individually. With multiple cats, be sure to provide multiple entrances and exits so no one gets cornered or let them enjoy the catio independently. Other benefits include exercise, wildlife protection (those song birds will be safe on the other side of the screen), and protection for your cat from other wildlife (be sure the material you use can withstand a predator trying to get inside from the top, sides, and bottom). Options You can choose to purchase a ready made catio or build one from scratch. If purchasing, make sure to read all of the information provided and do a thorough comparison. More often than not, catios are on the pricier side which is why it’s important to do a thorough evaluation before making a purchase! For our creative folks, diy catios are a great option. A diy catio enables you to meticulously control design, materials, and cost! With a self build you can be creative and cator (did you see what we did there) toward the specific needs and personality of your pet! The resources below will help you get started mapping out your catio from scratch. https://www.itsoverflowing.com/diy-catio-plans/ https://catiospaces.com/catios-cat-enclosures/diy-plans/ Written by Gracie Butler
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 Trick-or-treat! Halloween is swiftly approaching and you may be wondering how to keep your night full of lots of treats and minimal tricks. For pets, some hazards are obvious, and some are not. Continue reading to learn about the pet dangers on Halloween and how to keep your pet as safe as possible. Candy Candy is certainly an essential element to Halloween, who doesn’t love candy? The hazards of candy go beyond the toxicity in chocolate. In addition to chocolate, sugar free candies contain xylitol which can be deadly in both cats and dogs. Since nearly all Halloween candy is dangerous due to wrappers and artificial sweeteners, it’s best to steer clear of candy around your pets. Stash the candy bowl, be sure to pick up wrappers, and make sure the only one devouring treats is you! Costumes and Decorations In relation to all the spooky knick-knacks around your home, make sure your decorations are out of reach of your four legged pals. Decorations with tempting tinsel can be especially dangerous and cause damage to the intestinal tract if consumed; that being said, keep tinsel well out of reach. Use extreme caution with candles and lit jack-o-lanterns along with other porch decorations. Safety is always the priority, which applies to costumes too. Make sure your pet is wearing a comfortable and breathable costume if you choose to dress your pet-up. While Halloween night is a fun occasion, it’s also a night where you’ll want to keep a closer eye on your furry friend. Trick-or-Treating The Halloween season is packed full of spooky activities all leading up to the spookiest celebration of the year, trick-or-treating. Trick-or-treating is not necessarily intended for pets; however, if you decide to bring your pet along, you’ll need to keep a few things in mind. The most important thing is that your pet is easily identifiable. Make sure your pet is easy to spot, preferably in bright or reflective colors. Be sure to come prepared, and bring your own dog treats to reward your pet along the way. If you’re finding that you have to ask yourself if bringing your pet trick-or-treating is a good idea, the answer is probably not. That being said, the best way for your pet to spend Halloween night is at home. Pets tend to get riled up by neighborhood activity, we recommend keeping your pet away from the commotion and checking on them periodically. Halloween night is intended to be fun, but sometimes things happen. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately. If something unexpected comes up, act fact and don’t wait until the morning to do something. And most importantly, stay spooky! Written by: Gracie Butler 
With the fall season rapidly approaching, here are a couple of activities that you and your fur baby can add to your fall bucket list to do together to celebrate the season!
Apple Picking
Picking apples is the perfect fall activity to do with your dog. Ammodts Apple Orchard and LuceLine Orchard are great dog-friendly apple orchards located in Minnesota. You and your pup can snack on apples together, pick them, and then bring them home and create a delicious treat.
Go For a Walk, Drive, or Hike
You and your furry friend can take in the fall colors by going for a nice long walk, taking a drive down the scenic route with the windows rolled down, or by going for a hike. There are many dog-friendly hiking trails located in Minnesota that are ideal for exploring and admiring the fall leaves.
Visit a local Taproom or Restaurant
Do you ever wish that you could have a beer, a bite to eat, and spend time with your pup? Luckily, at Unleashed Hounds and Hops, your dog can hang out with you and other dogs while you grab a beer and some food from the taproom. Saturdays and Sundays in October you can stop by Unleashed Hounds and Hops for BarktoberFest, where they offer a specialized menu, prizes, and great brews. There are other local outdoor dog-friendly restaurants that you can take your pup to though, I would double-check with a quick phone call to make sure that they are in fact pet friendly.
Plan matching Halloween Costumes
Whether you plan on going trick or treating or not, it is always fun to dress up for the occasion. Once you and your dog have decided on your Halloween costumes, you can take a photo and enter the Animal Care Foundation Pet Halloween Costume Contest. The winner will receive a Starbucks gift card!
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Updated: 8/19/2022
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