Pudgy Pugs and Fat Cats

Hi all,

I've been asked to post a sponsored post on behalf of VioVet (based in the UK) about the troubling obesity issue in pets.

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As the UK has been confirmed as the fattest nation in Europe, it is unsurprising that our pets also struggle with their weight. It has even been predicted that by 2020 over half of the pets in the UK will be obese and there is soon to be a pet stair lift on the shelves.

 People laugh at overweight pets even more so than they do at people and, granted sometimes it can be amusing to see an overfed Dachshund or pug, like Dennis Quaid’s ‘Pudgy’, waddling along (their legs are short enough as it is) it simply isn’t fair to the animals to allow them to become so unhealthy.

Dennis Quaid and 'Pudgy'

It is not just dogs that get overweight. Indeed, last year, my cat Bobby put on a bit of weight after having to be on a special diet to manage his urinary tract disease. Luckily, helpfully, once he had recovered, I discovered that there are other special diets to aid management of animals prone to obesity and who are overweight. I began by using Hill’s w/d. One of my main concerns was the possibility of Bobby continuing to lose weight past the point of the ideal weight but the maintenance of the ideal weight is one of the key features that Hill’s includes.

 Bobby says 'NOM'

Unfortunately, as Bobby is so fussy, after about two months he decided he was bored of this food and refused to eat it so I had no choice but to search out another. So then I bought Purina OM which claims to do the exact same thing and I have had no problems with it at all.

Some people prefer not to change their pet’s diets if they know their pet’s food tastes are fussy, in which case the best thing to do would be to make sure they get the exercise they need. For indoor cats this means making sure to have a lot of play-time and toys. With dogs you can really get involved and dog toys are a great way to do so.

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And in conclusion, here is a handsome photo of me!

Look! Up in the air! It's a BIRDIE!

The face of an angel - Rumbles

My friends on Facebook will have already seen this one, but look at what an angel I am! I am not at all like that brother of mine, who sits and begs for ham! I just flash this face and wait for the ham to come to ME!

I will also accept tuna and chicken!

Bye bye Kiwi sweetie pie - Rumblepurr

And so I bid farewell to Mister Kiwi. He's a VERY lucky fella, going to live with the BOOTIFUL Miss Fiona and her devoted Staffperson.

Please give this smoochie to Miss Fiona from me!

Hats ON for my pal Pip! - Rumbles

Birthday hats that is!!!

It's a very special day today, the blogosphere is having a surprise party for my very sweet pal Pip!

Pip had a really sad start to life, and we're so very grateful that such wonderful humans were able to turn that around.

If you don't know Pip (or if you do!) please stop by and say some kind words on this special PIPTASTIC day!!

Hey. Hey you. Give Pip some steak. Wrapped in bacon.

I work hard to make this place a home! - Rumbles

I am a VERY hardworking mancat. I make sure that things around here are just so.

I even do the menus!

There are some excellent tuna recipes in here!

Our new buddy... and maybe yours??

Check out this super handsome fella!!

Front view

WOAH! What a beak!

Have you ever seen anything like him? Probably not because he is SO rare!

This little guy is a rare white coloured 'North Island Brown Kiwi' bird (ok, so he's a STUFFED version, but he's still COOL) They say this kiwi is regarded as a 'special gift' and a 'sign of new beginnings'.

We LOVE him to bits (I may have even nomed his beak a little. But just a little)

Om nom nom

Boop!!

This little guy even TALKED to me!! Of course I had to talk back...

Why yes, I do think you're quite fetching in white!

That Hammy OF COURSE had to nose his way in as well.

Hey, he's MY Kiwi buddy!

What you lookin' at, Mister Kiwi?

Hey, we almost match!

As much as we love our little Kiwi pal, he is not going to be a permanent member of the Rumblefamily. He could be a permanent member of YOUR family though!

Our sweet pal Miss Mini from 'George the Duck' blog has had some serious medical problems of late, and the wonderful Cat Blogosphere has put together an auction to help with the costs of her medical bills. Mister Kiwi is the item we've donated, and that you can bid on to own!

He makes genuine Kiwi 'peeping' noises, in addition to being soft and fluffy (and having a nom-able nose).

We bought him from the Department of Conservation, and part of the proceeds go towards supporting the 'Native Bird Programme'... so if you buy him you're also helping his real-life counterparts!

We will be paying the shipping, including international shipping.

There are heaps of other items on auction - so if you're not into Mister Kiwi, take a look at some of the fantastic things that people have donated!

Please stop by and make a bid on this very special fella, to support a very special lady-cat.

BOOTIFUL Miss Mini

Sorry we've been a bit quiet - Rumbles

Rumblemummy has been a bit tied up of late. She thinks this handsome photo of me being a gentle man-cat will make up for it.

I am an angel. Gimme tuna. 

Wordless Wednesday - Hammy

Long Rumble is long - Rumblepurr

I am a secret hidden cat, stalking that Ham.

Gonna GET you, Hammy Ham!

A wild Ham - Diego

The Rumbleparents LAUGH at me (can you believe it?) When I get really excited about a toy or some food, apparently I go a bit cross eyed.

Laughing ISN'T nice, Rumbleparents!

I think I look quite dignified.

Finally, a Rumble Bum - Rumbles

I was hunting mousies in my tunnel, when Rumblemum took these. She has no respect for the fact that I keep her safe from the massive mice, she just laughs and takes photos!

That mousie is gonna get CHEWED!

Gonna get ya!

... now how do I get out of this...?

That brother of mine - there was a slice of something called a 'hawiian pizza' sitting on the table, he grabbed a corner and tried to run away with it! His little face was quite determined, but Rumblemum caught him before he got too far. She swears he has a 'hammy sense' that tingles whenever there is even a tiny scrap of ham to be found...

One of the FOXY wonders of the world

This week I feature a Facebook FOX - the BOOTIFUL Miss Sapphire!

This lovely lady could easily have temples and pyramids built in her honor. In fact I suspect she may out Sphinx the Sphinx!

She's a Sphinx-y Minx!

If you're on Facebook, be sure to 'Like' her page and say hello.

Our qualifications

We've been working super hard all week. Rumblemum has a terrible cold and she's needed lots of tending to.

Fortunately she has two of the BEST man-cats looking after her. She calls us 'Doctor Rumbles and Nurse Kittenloaf' (both names of course inspire confidence in our healing abilities!)

As Doctor, I am required to be within cuddle distance at all times, and ignore any coughing or sneezing. That Hammy Nurse is require to look cute and provide supplementary cuddles.

Here he is trying to look cute on the back of the sofa.

Look at me mummy! I'll heal you!

Gotta pull out the big guns now - see my pink TOES?

He's doing an ok job, of course he learns it from ME!

Grrr!!

Hi to all my Facebook pals - I switched to a public page from a profile, only to discover I couldn't chat with my friends or see their updates as a public page!

HONESTLY Facebook! Would this face ever do
anything wrong?

I've signed up again to a profile (and hopefully they don't delete me) but if you wouldn't mind adding me as a friend again? My profile can be found here