Bark 'N Purr Pet Center

Create The Ideal Home For Your Cat By Using The Advice Found On These Webpages

The ideal home for your cat is a healthy one. And a healthier cat will make you happy, too. Check out these links for more information.

• Scratching posts offer cats many benefits, including physical and emotional ones. Read this information about why cats need scratching posts from feline behaviorist Pam Johnson-Bennet.
• Is your cat getting a little pot belly? Check out these 10 cat exercises that your feline friend will enjoy.
• Cats and dogs can improve your health both mentally and physically. Find out more from WebMD.com.
• Lonely seniors stand to gain a lot even from a single visit from a pet. Find out how pets can reduce senior loneliness in nursing homes by reading this article from MSNBC. 
• Cat toys are about so much more than play time. Check out this information from HowStuffWorks.com to find out more.

If you want what’s best for your cat, dog, or other pet, check out the selection of safe, healthy, and natural pet products that we have to offer at Bark N’ Purr in Austin, TX. Call us today at (512) 634-8546 for more information.

Bark 'n Purr Pet Center Joins Austin Pet Expo!

Bark ‘n Purr Pet Center will be one of the many exhibitors at the 2012 Austin Pet Expo in August!

Come out to the 2012 Austin Pet Expo for low cost pet vaccinations, micro chipping, a pet costume contest, and much more! Click here to learn more!

We hope to see you all there!

The Importance of a Scratching Post for Your Cat

Scratching posts give cats an opportunity to shed the outer parts of their claws. This shedding and sharpening contributes the health of your cat’s nails.

There are plenty of scratching posts out there, and all serve the same purpose. Consider a scratching post with a little hole cats can climb in so they can relax and scratch at the same time. There are also more elaborate “scratching trees,” great for multiple cats who love to jump and play around.

Bark N’ Purr in Austin, TX has a great selection of cat toys, scratching posts, and natural pet supplies. Call us today at (512) 634-8546 for more information.

Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

Pets aren’t just a joy to have around; they’re actually good for your health. Research done over the past 15 years has shed new light on the health benefits of owning a pet. Some research has even shown pet ownership to be better than medication, depending on the condition. Look below for more information about the health benefits of owning a pet.

Pets Help Lower Blood Pressure

University of Buffalo researchers found that pets have a calming influence people in high-stress situations, helping to lower blood pressure. In some cases, a pet was actually more effective at controlling blood pressure than was medicine.

Pets Help Reduce Stress

The presence of pets lowers a pet owner’s perceived and actual responses to stress, according to the same University of Buffalo study. In this study, human participants were asked to do stressful tasks, like solving complicated arithmetical problems or holding their hands in ice cold water for two minutes. Pet owners in the presence of their pets had a lower baseline heart rate than those without pets. They also made significantly fewer mistakes during the stressful arithmetic exercise.

Pets Help to Prevent Heart Disease

Because of their blood pressure-lowering and stress-reducing qualities, pets also help prevent heart disease. Pet owners who suffered a heart attack even have a higher survival rate than non-pet owners suffering from the same condition, according to the National Institutes of Health.

Pets Help Lower Health Care Costs

Overall, people with pets make fewer visits to the doctor, especially when it comes to non-serious medical conditions, according to the National Institute of Health Technology. As a result of the therapeutic and physical benefits of owning a pet, health care costs are generally lower for pet owners.

Decrease Depression in Elderly

Loneliness in nursing home seniors is dramatically reduced after spending one-on-one time with dogs, according to the Saint Louis University. Studies also show that pets improve the symptoms of mild or moderate depression, and may even prevent the development of depression, for many people.

If you care about your pet’s health as much as your own, contact the Bark N’ Purr Pet Center. Our motto is “happy, healthy pets,” and we have a great selection of raw pet food, grain-free pet food, and natural pet supplies. Call us today at (512) 634-8546 and ask about our home delivery services.  

Toys Your Cat Is Sure to Love

A cat will appreciate a cat toy that’s fun and interactive, while its owners will appreciate one that’s sturdy and safe. Check out these cat toy ideas that are sure to entertain your feline friend. You can ask your local pet store staff about which of these toys will suit your cat and your budget best.

Catnip Toys

Cats go crazy for catnip, and there are plenty of catnip toys out there to choose from. Catnip toys in the shape of cigars, mice, apples and natural rope are just some examples. Consider a cat toy loaded with organic catnip that’s built to last.

Puzzle and Teaser Toys

These types of toys are interactive and physical. Cat’s love toys that test what they do best. With a puzzle toy, cats are engaged. Some toys include a laser that you can use in your hand or place on a flat surface with an adjustable mirror that swivels the laser over multiple surfaces. Teaser toys are a great way to engage with your cat one-on-one, making the target dance in front of them as they stalk and chase it.

Stuffed Toys

A stuffed toy is a classic option that cats love to bat around the room. They’ll chase it under the coach or pounce on top of it from above. Either way, these toys are fun and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Tunnel Houses

These offer a relaxing retreat or play destination with other cats in the house. You can use your teaser toy to have your cat run through the tunnel. These large toys are sturdy and made from a scratch-friendly material.

Ball Toys

Cat ball toys are an economical choice and often come in packs of 4 for less than $5. Packs of these little toys are great; if you or the cat loses one, there is always another to replace it.

Bark N’ Purr has a wide selection of cat and dog toys in Austin, TX, including ones in the categories mentioned above. Visit us and see our collection or give us a call if you have any questions about our products; like grain-free pet food, natural flea controls, and other pet supplies. Our number is (512) 634-8546.