Got Grass? Funny Cats Katie & Waffles Do! #PetGrass

This post is sponsored by Pet Grass® and the BlogPaws® Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping create awareness about the launch of Whisker Greens but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pet Grass is not responsible for the content of this article.

WAFFLES:  Jeez, Boss. You really like your cat grass. Are you SURE I can't have some?

KATIE:  Was your name on the box, Waffles?

WAFFLES:  Um, I don't know. 

KATIE:  Well, where's the box?

WAFFLES:  Um, I don't know.

KATIE:  You don't know where the box is? What kind of cat ARE you???

Getting Our Greens

Last month we introduced you to Whisker Greens®, a new no-green-thumbs-required cat grass that arrives fully grown right at your doorstep, ready for snacking. Though we were a little skeptical of something so fresh arriving safely via UPS (no offense to the man in brown shorts) we were surprised and delighted when we opened the box. It was fresh, hydrated and incredibly tender and soft. See our original post HERE.

Taste Testing
As it turns out, Katie LOVES her grass. Maybe even a little too much! We've found the best way to let her enjoy her greens is by snipping off a few blades and serving them up as a small plate or sprinkling a few on top of her dinner.

If Katie gets a little too much, she tends to cough it up. But with a small amount, like what you're seeing in the video, she does great. It's clear she loves it. We're very hopeful that it will continue to satisfy her cravings as well as help out her gastrointestinal *business*.

Waffles is more of a gamer. Fascinated with sniffing, licking and touching. (Wait... isn't that how he feels about Katie???) Waffles likes to play with his grass more than he likes to eat it.

The Details

• Sold as a 3-pack for $24.99
• OR as a subscription service for $22.49 per delivery 
• Choose weekly, every two weeks, every 3 weeks or once per month
• Shipping is free
• The pet grass stays vibrant and fresh for up to 2 weeks, with light watering a few times a week
• Extend the life of the grass by storing in the refrigerator

What Do We Think?
First off, Katie loves eating it. And she's a tough critic! Of all the various grasses we've tried over the years, this one appears to be her favorite. We also love the quality and convenience. Glogirly isn't much for keeping plants alive that are in her care, so having it arrive fully grown and safely packaged is a big win.

Our only suggestion would be for Whisker Greens to consider a couple of alternative purchasing and subscription options. For us, 3 pots of grass all at once was more than we really needed for just 2 cats. And at $24.99 a month, we'd hate for any of it to go to waste. We'd love an option that allowed for ordering just one pot at a time as well as a subscription that would deliver one pot every 2-4 weeks.

Delicious & Nutritious
A little bit of cat grass not only makes for a tasty treat, each nibble contains vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, enzymes and antioxidants. Whisker Greens is made from 100% certified organic wheat grass and is far healthier and safer than munching on those tempting houseplants or the grass outside in the yard.


Try Now & Save 10%
Pet Grass is offering GLOGIRLY readers a 10% discount on a one-time purchase of the Whisker Greens 3 Pack. Just use promo code glogirly10 at checkout.

Follow Pet Grass on Facebook & Instagram

and say meow from Katie & Waffles

P.S. We hope you enjoyed the video!

We really had a lot of fun filming our #PetGrass experience and hope you liked getting more of a real-life glimpse at Katie and Waffles in-motion! Let us know what you think. Would you like to see more videos? Or do you prefer our photos? 

No Green Thumbs Required - Whisker Greens #PetGrass

This post is sponsored by Pet Grass® and the BlogPaws® Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping create awareness about the launch of Whisker Greens but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Pet Grass is not responsible for the content of this article.

WAFFLES:  What's in the box, Boss?

KATIE:  *chomp chomp chomp*

WAFFLES:  Boss??

KATIE:  Haven't you ever seen fresh cat grass before?

WAFFLES:  Boss, is that stuff legal?

KATIE:  Abso-kitty-lutely!

WAFFLES:  Are you going to share? Are you? Are you?

KATIE:  Seriously, Waffles. Try to control yourself.

Say Hello to Whisker Greens
We're so tickled (are cats ticklish?) to introduce you to Whisker Greens from Pet Grass®. These delectable little pots of certified organic wheat grass are sold as a 3-pack and arrive at your doorstep completely grown, sealed for freshness and ready to enjoy.

No Green Thumbs Required
Just unpack and place in their decorative containers. Each pot of pet grass will last up to two weeks and requires just the tiniest spritz of water a couple times a week. Their life can be extended by keeping them cool in the refrigerator, though they certainly love the sunlight too.

The 411

• Sold as a 3-pack for $24.99
• OR as a subscription service for $22.49 per delivery 
• Choose weekly, every two weeks, every 3 weeks or once per month
• Shipping is free

Why Cat Grass?
We've been hearing a lot lately about the benefits of just a little bit of green in our diets. As cats, we're obligate carnivores. Glogirly feeds us a species-appropriate, all-protein whole-food diet. In other words, our daily menu is as close as we can get to what cats would eat in the wild, without actually being in the wild. And there's grass out there in the wild! Many cats love to chomp on a little bit of the fresh green stuff and we think this might be a perfect addition to our regular diet.

A little bit of grass is not only fun to play with, but each nibble contains nutrients like vitamins, minerals, fiber, amino acids, enzymes and antioxidants. And cat grass is far healthier and safer than munching on those tempting houseplants or the grass outside in the yard. We're very excited to let the nibbling begin and promise to let you know how it goes in an upcoming part-2 installment.

How Do They Grow It?
All of the Whisker Greens pet grass is grown from 100% certified organic seed. It's planted by hand in real soil so it holds onto all those nutritional benefits. The little seeded pots are rotated through their greenhouses to receive the appropriate amount of water and sunlight so they're ready to ship at just the right stage of growth.

Our First Impression
We were a little skeptical about something fresh and growing arriving via UPS. But our cat grass arrived in perfect condition, sealed in it's airtight bag inside a well packed box. It was fresh, hydrated and incredibly tender and soft. Much more so than grass you might find outside or even other edible grasses we've seen.

It's very pretty and adds a fresh touch of green to the townhouse. Especially now that the leaves have fallen and the calendar is telling us that winter is coming.

Coming Up Next
In just a few weeks, after we've had a chance to do some important taste testing and grass romping, we'll be sharing our experiences with you and reviewing the actual product. Word on the street is there's going to be a video starring both Katie and Waffles. And you didn't hear this from us, but they are rumored to have touched noses while the camera was rolling. This must be some magic grass!

Try Now & Save 10%
Pet Grass is offering GLOGIRLY readers a 10% discount on a one-time purchase of the Whisker Greens 3 Pack. Just use promo code glogirly10 at checkout.

Follow Pet Grass on Facebook & Instagram

and say meow from Katie & Waffles

Has Glogirly Gone Noseblind? #Petiquette

This post is sponsored by Febreze ™ and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about #Petiquette but GLOGIRLY.com only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Febreze is not responsible for the content of this article.

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! Did you know that Glogirly's gone Noseblind? Can you believe it? She can't see out her nose anymore.

KATIE:  Waffles, Glogirly never could see out her nose.

WAFFLES:  That's not what Gloman said!

KATIE:  Waffles, Noseblind means you've become so accustomed to smells in the Townhouse you can't smell them anymore.

WAFFLES:  But I like smelling stuff. Maybe my nose needs glasses.

KATIE:  *sigh*

The Etiquette of Petiquette 
Cats may not go Noseblind, but our humans often do. And though there are plenty of smells we'd be perfectly happy to keep around, occasionally our humans think otherwise.

Glogirly keeps a very clean house. On any given day she's just a cheese plate away from an impromptu party. And when it comes to bad smells, she's definitely a believer in cleaning up, not covering up, the source. But sometimes that's not quite enough. So in those instances, she likes to call for backup. Before Katie and Waffles, she loved burning candles that would spread a light and fresh fragrance through house. Nothing too sweet or heavy, nothing overpowering, but something pretty and subtle.

She misses the scent of those candles, so she was eager to try out the linen & sky scented Febreze™ products.

KATIE:  Wasn't me! Waffles???

Our Febreze Tryout 
We had a chance to try out three different linen & sky scented Febreze products:
1. Fabric Refresher
2. Air Effects
3. Febreze Car Vent Clips

Mmmm.... Velvet 
Though Katie & Waffles are *greatly discouraged* from frolicking on the kitchen counters and dining room table, they have free reign over the rest of the Townhouse, including all of the comfy furniture. This is Waffles' chair. He sleeps in it, bathes in it and plays in it. We vacuum it regularly, but that's really about it.

We gave it a gentle spritz of Febreze (while Waffles was away of course) after a fresh vacuuming. The scent was very subtle and didn't leave any visible residue on the velvet fabric. This probably isn't something we'd use very often on this chair. But a mishap with a little taco sauce and we'd be pretty grateful to have this on hand.

The Litter Box Blues
Our friends and readers are often singing the litter box blues. Of course daily scooping goes a long way toward keeping any unwanted smells to a minimum. We've also noticed a dramatic decrease in our #2 fragrance ever since Katie and Waffles switched to a whole food diet. Even so, Glogirly likes to keep our boxes happy and clean. Our litter room is very close to our front door, so she's extra careful to keep that area clean smelling too.

Her favorite of the Febreze products is Air Effects. She was really happy with how subtle the scent was and how it eliminated any questionable smells in the area. The linen & sky is just the kind of scent she likes.

She's also used this in our main living area which since it's open to the kitchen, will sometimes smell a little too much like breakfast or dinner.

That New Car Smell 

Nothing says stinky like a car in need of a good interior detailing. And sometimes on long road trips, after a stop for a little Mexican food... well, you get the message. It's nice to have a little extra something to keep the car smelling fresh.

Glogirly really wanted to love this one, but the scent was just a little too concentrated. Maybe it was because she had the a/c blasting, but even when she turned it off the scent was too strong for her. She did think though that it would be great for a rental car, many of which can smell like a boys high school locker room. Not that she really knows what a boys high school locker room smells like.

Pet Friendly and ASPCA Approved 

Many of our fellow pet lovers have asked about the safety of Febreze products when it comes to pets. We were very pleased to learn that Febreze products are not tested on animals and have been extensively evaluated for safety using alternative testing methods. In fact, Febreze works closely with leading animal protection groups, such as the ASPCA and the Humane Society of the United States, to promote alternative research methods.

A Little Common Scents Reminder
Please note... despite what Waffles may think,  Febreze is not intended to be used ON your pet. And in our opinion, those with sensitivities to fragrance (including cats!) should use with care. Did you know that a cat's sense of smell is 14 times greater than a human's? That means what may seem subtle to a human nose, could be overpowering to a cat.

The Why's and How's of Transitioning Your Cat to a Raw Diet #InstinctRaw

This post is sponsored by Instinct® and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. We are being compensated for helping spread the word about Instinct Raw but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Instinct is not responsible for the content of this article.

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, check out the new food! Glogirly says it's good for me on account of I'm a species-appropriate mancat. 

KATIE:  Waffles, the food is species-appropriate.  Not you. There's really nothing terribly appropriate about you –

KATIE:  – OR your table manners for that matter. But that's a whole different blog post.

Instinct Raw Bites from Nature's Variety®
We're beyond thrilled to introduce you to Instinct Raw today. We may spend our days coming up with silly ways to make you laugh, but sound feline nutrition is not a laughing matter and one we take very seriously. If you've been curious about feeding raw, Instinct Raw Bites are a fantastic way to begin introducing a raw diet to your cats.



It's easier now than ever to find them too. Our local PetSmart recently started carrying Instinct Raw in their own freezer case.

How We Got Started with Raw
If you've been following us for awhile now, you probably know that Katie & Waffles have been eating a raw and cooked whole food diet for some time. We originally made the switch over to whole foods last year when we started treating Katie for IBD, Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

We're not experts. We're not medical professionals. We're just a couple of cats and a girl who've worked hard to understand the commercial pet food landscape and navigate our way through it.

Cats are Obligate Carnivores
Obligate means "by necessity" and according to the dictionary, "biologically essential for survival." Combine obligate with carnivore and it's all pretty clear. Cats must eat meat. It's a biological necessity critical for survival. Glogirly may try and convince us that jelly beans are critical for her survival, but we're not buying it.

So What Does Mean in Simple Terms?
Cats thrive on a diet that's as close to what they would eat in the wild if they could. That means fresh, raw, whole prey. Meat, organs bones... the whole enchilada, so to speak.
Cats cannot properly digest many of the plant-based proteins and other ingredients often found in dry and even canned foods.

It's pretty simple really. Like any animal, cats will do best on the diet nature intended for them.



Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/answers/answers-what-exactly-is-an-qobligate-carnivoreq 
Follow us on Twitter: @FelineNutrition

Read more at http://feline-nutrition.org/answers/answers-what-exactly-is-an-qobligate-carnivoreq 
Follow us on Twitter: @FelineNutrition
What is Instinct Raw?
Instinct Raw mirrors a cat's natural diet - all natural, never cooked, complete and balanced nutrition packed with animal protein. It's made of 95% meat, organs and bones, 5% fruits and vegetables and 0% grain. We'd love it even more if the 5% fruits and vegetables were eliminated from the cat food, since we believe that cats don't need any fruits and vegetables, but 5% is definitely an amount we can live with. The fact that Instinct Raw contains the meat, organs and bones is far more important and something we can really get behind.

So Why are Meat, Organs & Bones So Important? 
These whole food ingredients lead to optimal nutrient absorption. In other words, all of the food is easily digested. Some commercial foods have to add ingredients to make food palatable, hold it's shape, stay fresh, etc... And often those ingredients can't be properly digested and just pass right through. For us, this has never been more readily apparent than in the litter box.

Wait... did you say litter box?
One of the most dramatic changes we noticed when switching to a raw and whole food diet was with Katie and Waffles' poop. (did we just say poop??) That's right. What used to be dark and terribly stinky little tootsie rolls are now virtually odorless, weightless, light cardboard-colored tootsies. That's because there's none of that garbage waste from ingredients in their food that they're unable to digest.

If this litter box dream-come-true isn't enough to make you seriously consider switching your cat's diet, the health and wellness benefits most certainly will.

The BIG Health Benefits
This isn't just a list grabbed from Instinct Raw's website. These are all real benefits we've actually seen and experienced as a result of switching to a raw and whole food diet. In fact despite Katie's IBD, Katie and Waffles have never been healthier.
• Healthy skin and luxuriously silky coat 
• Optimal digestion 
• Healthy teeth and gums 
• Relief from food sensitivities 
• Ideal body weight

How to Make the Switch
1.  Don't be intimidated. 
We were at first. It probably took us almost a couple of years to take the raw plunge. But are we ever glad we did!

2.  Introduce new food gradually.
Mix just the smallest amount of new food with your cat's original food. With Instinct Raw Bites, we'd suggest only one or even 1/2 of a single 'bite.' Gradually increase the amount of raw bites as you decrease the amount of original food.

3.  Take it slow. VERY slow. 
Patience is key when switching food. Cats are creatures of habit. If they've been eating the same kind of food for 1, 2 or 10 years, they may not even recognize a new type of food as food. That's how it was with us. Younger cats often have an easier time transitioning. Some cats take to a new food in just a week or two. Waffles, who was 2 at the time, completely transitioned in about 5 weeks. Katie, who is 10, took about 4 months. Don't give up though! It's totally worth it.

Four Protein Choices 
Instinct Raw Bites for Cats is available in 4 varieties - Rabbit, Chicken, Duck and Tuna. Many cats have sensitivities to fish, so we choose not to use tuna or other fish products as a daily diet choice. Katie is definitely a rabbit girl. Rabbit can be a good choice for cats with GI sensitivities. And despite Waffles' reputation as a chicken devotee, he an equal opportunity meat eater and loves all the Instinct Raw proteins.

How to Serve
Keep the resealable bag in the freezer and just take out what you need a few minutes before serving. The bites thaw very quickly. You can also put a little hot water over them if you're in a hurry. Serve as a meal enhancer or a full meal. We even use individual bites as treats.

Want to Try Instinct Raw? 
Sign up for a $3 off coupon on the Instinct Raw website. You can use it on any of the Instinct Raw products, including their $3.99 trial size. Follow them on Facebook too to keep up with their latest news and offers.

Amp Your Aura! Russo Rescue Collection T-Shirt Giveaway #MountainArtwear

This post is sponsored by The Mountain and the BlogPaws ProfessionalPet Blogger Network. We am being compensated for helping promote the Russo Rescue Collection, but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. The Mountain is not responsible for the content of this article. 

WAFFLES:  My, what a BIG HEAD you have, Boss! Your eyes are as big as my lunch dish. 

KATIE:  Better to see you as you keep your paws off MY lunch dish, Waffles.

WAFFLES: Hey, wait a minute. That's not your head –

KATIE:  No, those are my feet.

WAFFLES:  Where'd you –

KATIE:  Just keeping you on you toes, Waffles.

Find Your Passion with the Russo Rescue Collection.

Our friends at The Mountain® have a COOL new line of big face shirts featuring artist Dean Russo's vibrant and bold designs. Cats, dogs, dolphins, lions... there's truly an animal for every animal lover. And best of all, a portion of each sale goes straight to Best Friends Animal Society, the very rescue organization we're ambassadors of.

That handsome guy in the photo by the way, is Glogirly's stepson, Gabe. He and Waffles go way back. Gabe's a US Marine, animal lover and championship wand toy handler. He approaches life with the same joy and passion these rescue collection tees represent.

Small Company. Big Heart.
The Mountain doesn't just talk about doing things right...they DO it. Through their business and manufacturing practices, they're doing everything they can to make the world a better place for pets and the people who love them, one t-shirt at a time.

In fact, they go to great lengths to insure their manufacturing processes fully protect our earth, the air we breath and the water we drink. Their commitment to quality, the environment and their employees' lives and families is truly impressive.
About The Mountain.

From America with Love.
All of their tees are made in America, using only environmentally friendly, water-based inks and dyes. They've really cracked the code on creating brilliant, vibrant colors that last, while keeping them soft and comfortable to touch and wear. After a couple of washes, our tee hasn't lost a bit of color and is exactly the same size it was when we pulled it out of it's package.

Ok, we may have added a little cat hair to the mix. But cats make everything better, right?

The Russo Rescue Collection offers a huge variety of designs, colors and sizes for kids and adults. And though you're seeing our feline favorites, you'll find lots of other animal designs to choose from.



Much More Than a T-Shirt.

Through his art and design, Dean Russo strives to communicate a message that encourages people to choose adoption, to acknowledge the failure of breed specific legislation and to combat dog fighting and animal abuse around the world. 

"When a child sees, hears and acts upon my message, I feel successful. Anytime someone puts a message of love or respect towards people or animals into the universe it builds like a ripple. I hope I live long enough to see my ripples come back to me. That will make me smile.”

~Dean Russo

A HUGE Giveaway ...and Discount Too!
This is BIG. You can win 12 months of The Mountain Artwear T-Shirts for up to 5 members of your family! All you have to do to be entered is fill out the Rafflecopter form below. The giveaway is open to US residents only, ages 18 and up. Good luck!

Can't wait for the giveaway results? Shop The Mountain and save 25% site-wide with coupon code MTNPETS.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Won't you please follow The Mountain on Facebook?

Tell them Katie & Waffles sent you.

Video Chat with a Vet? There's an App for That #VetOnDemand

This post is sponsored by Vet on Demand, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. We am being compensated for helping spread the word about the Vet on Demand App, but GLOGIRLY only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Vet on Demand is not responsible for the content of this article.

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss! Who's the man in the white coat? 

KATIE:  White coat? Must be for you, Waffles.

WAFFLES:  It says here he's a Vet OnDemand. Does that mean I can watch movies and stuff with him?

KATIE:  Pretty sure it's not that kind of OnDemand.

WAFFLES:  I suppose that means popcorn is out too, huh?

Video Chat with a Vet

VetOnDemand™ is the first of it's kind mobile app to provide personalized, real-time access to veterinary care via video chat. Pet parents can contact board certified, licensed veterinarians for help in answering general questions or caring for a sick pet. In addition, they can offer advice in determining whether or not an emergency vet visit is needed. 

How Does it Work?

1. Download the App

The iPhone-friendly app is free and can be downloaded through iTunes. An app for Android users will be available very soon, as will the ability to use your iPad or computer, equipped with a camera and microphone.

2. Create Your Profile

You'll need to enter your credit card card information as part of your profile before you make your first call. We'd recommend doing this before creating your pets' profiles too.

3. Add Your Pets

You can create a profile for as many pets as you'd like. Enter their name, age, breed, weight, etc... even a profile pic if you'd like. You can also include symptoms and other relevant info regarding the reason for your call.

4. Make the Call

Click the CALL NOW button on your app. You'll be placed in a queue for the next available vet. Your screen will indicate how many people are 'in line' in front of you. Wait times vary. For our call we waited approximately 20 minutes.

5. Chat With Your Vet

Your vet will want you to give them an overview of what's going on with your pet. We recommend making a list of your concerns and questions ahead of time so that you don't forget to ask anything. This will make the most of your time. 

6. Call Notes

Though we still took copious notes during our video chat, call notes are automatically made available to you.

What Does it Cost?

A flat $2.50 per minute, billed directly to your credit card.

About the Vets

Each of the veterinarians are board certified and have gone through screening process including phone interviews with the VetOnDemand Veterinary Leadership Team and a thorough review of their clinical experience, training, licensure and a comprehensive questionnaire. 

At this time, there isn't a way to preview the backgrounds or bios of each VetOnDemand vet, but that is in the works. For us, it's important to be able to shop around (as long as it's not an emergency) and select a vet who has interests or specialties in areas that are applicable to our needs and what's important to us. For example, if there is a holistic vet available we might be interested in discussing alternative medicine or nutrition. Or maybe there's a vet who really enjoys helping pet parents with chronic diseases like diabetes or IBD. We like to know those things.

About Our Call

We spoke with Dr. Phil Baxter and discussed both Katie's struggles and her progress with inflammatory bowel disorder. It was very nice to get another vet's perspective on some of the things we should be watching for. We had questions about long term steroid use and he provided very thorough answers. He also recommended double checking things like thyroid health in Katie's most recent bloodwork, so we followed up on that with our regular vet. 

Though we didn't necessarily agree with some of his suggestions regarding nutrition, he helped us to understand the importance of AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) standards in pet food labeling and we have since verified that the specialty whole food diet Katie has been doing so well on does indeed meet AAFCO's standards and the food labels display the AAFCO statement. This has helped us to feel even better about her current nutrition.

Why VetOnDemand? 

Our Own Vet's Perspective

We're very lucky to live in a large metropolitan area with easy access to quality veterinary care. We're also fortunate to be able to afford care, including regular wellness visits. But we know not everyone is as lucky as we are. In fact, nearly 1/2 of household cats have not visited a veterinarian in the past year. (source: 2012 US Pet Ownership & Demographic Sourcebook)

We asked our own local vet what she thought about pet parents seeking veterinary advice through an app like VetOnDemand. Though she feels that no phone call or video chat can replace an in-person physical examination or the benefit of building and maintaining the doctor-client relationship, she did admit there are some situations a video chat with a qualified veterinarian could be a good thing. 

For example, those living in rural areas may find it difficult or even impossible to get to a clinic. Talking with a VetOnDemand practitioner could help determine whether the 90 minute drive to the clinic is necessary. They can help to identify an emergency when the pet parent is unsure or cannot.

And although our vet would much rather see a pet in person, she knows all too well the reality of how many, or few, pets actually see a vet at all. The video chat is better than no veterinary advice at all. 

The Bottom Line - In Our Own Words

VetOnDemand can be great resource for pet parents needing quick advice on non-emergency situations, second opinions and general health questions. It gives pet parents an opportunity to speak one-on-one with a vet when your own vet may not be available or if you don't have a regular vet at all.

On the flip side, we can't say enough about how important is to have a great relationship with your regular vet. Someone you trust, someone who can answer your questions and who really knows you and your pet. Our vet is only a phone call away. If we need advice or have questions, we can talk with her or one of the other vets on staff for free. 

There's definitely something to be said about history and about the vet-client-pet relationship. Our vet knows Katie & Waffles almost as well as her her own pets. That's something there just isn't an app for.