🇬🇧 How to protect dogs and cats from the cold

How to protect dogs and cats from the cold?

I'm Nycka Nunes, digital and cultural nomad, and I work as a visual artist, fine art photographer and stylist. I believe that personal style is intertwined with lifestyle and personal development, so in this blog I share personal reflections and a little about my lifestyle.

I recommend that you follow my profiles on social networks, especially Instagram, where I publish a lot of different content than what I publish on other social networks.

My cat Thor has three tips to share on how to keep cats warm in the winter. His tips are:

• Sleep with your pet human. That way you always stay warm.
• If you're cold, pester your human until he gets the message. Think of something he would be able to understand, because most humans are not fluent in Meownese. I'm one lucky cat and my human picked up the basics of our language pretty quickly.
• If you have siblings (other cats or dogs), curl up with them when the humans aren't home or if your human won't allow you to sleep with him. My human always recommends having two or more cats because she knows that sleeping together is every cat's #1 preference.

Other options (my suggestions, not Thor’s) are:

• Find out at pet stores in your area about options available to protect cats. Enclosed beds such as tents, heated mats, blankets appropriate for the size of cats, etc. Pet stores with an online store that ship to where you live are also a good option. If any brand of this type of product or pet shop wants to sponsor posts for Thor to test the products, contact me.
• Use a heater or fireplace in the room, taking care not to burn animals or children. I made it, and it makes humans and four-legged puppies happy and warm. Of course, this couldn't be a tip from Thor because a cat wouldn't know how to explain to a human that he has to provide these resources. This suggestion makes more sense where there is no heating in every house, as in Brazil.

For dogs, the tips are basically the same, but pay attention to the breed profile, if your dogs are purebred, because some like the cold and feel comfortable in low temperatures. For these, it is important to protect them from the heat. For them, tolerable heat may be a lower temperature than for other dogs with no affinity for cold.

Nycka, with assistance from Thor

🇬🇧 What foods to offer your dog or cat

What foods to offer your dog or cat?

The most recommended foods are high quality industrialised dry feeds, without dyes. In Brazil, the best ones are classified as “super premium” and are found in pet shops, not supermarkets.

There are also wet foods, highly recommended for cats (there are also options for dogs).

About offering other foods, there are companies that offer natural (not industrialised) food options for dogs and cats, seeking the nutritional balance necessary for the good health of the animals. I haven't tested any yet.

Dogs and cats are carnivorous animals, so if you are a vegetarian or vegan and want a vegetarian pet, don't get a dog or cat. Have a fish, a chicken, a rabbit, a hamster... there is an immense variety of herbivorous animals at your disposal. No need to disrespect the natural diet of dogs and cats. Respect is necessary in any relationship, and it is no different in the relationship between humans and pets.

Some dogs and cats eat vegetables like carrots, broccoli, etc. I recommend that you only offer food other than pet food as a snack, an occasional treat, in small quantities. So you can see if the food was bad for the animal, observing the day's feces, and if it vomits or has another different reaction, and, if the food is bad for the animal, don't offer it again. Although some animals stare at us while we eat, they do very well with just the right food for their needs. And, if you train them to do so, they can stay in a different room while you eat, avoiding the temptation to feed your pet with human food.

It must be remembered that industrialised snacks also have nutrients and calories and, in excess, can contribute to the animal's excess weight.

Nycka the Nomad

🇬🇧 5 tips for your pet to eat the food

I haven't talked about cats and dogs in a while. So now you have 5 tips for your pet to eat their food. All tips apply to both dogs and cats. Suggestions based on my personal experiences as a dog and cat owner.

1. Buy good quality food, without dyes, and prefer to buy the food in the closed package.
2. Divide the daily dose of food into at least two meals for your pet, depending on your time availability. If you work all day, one dose in the morning before you leave and another at the end of the day when you get home is the minimum. If you want to split it into 3 meals, even if you work all day, you can include a portion just before bedtime. The recommended dose is indicated on the food packaging and varies according to the type of food you buy and the weight of the animal. Try to offer your pet age-appropriate food.
3. Another option - which I use most on special dates - is to include wet food in the pet's menu. I've seen people suggest mixing dry food and wet food. I don't do this because I have the impression that dry food will wilt if the animal doesn't eat everything. If you've tried mixing before, tell me about your experience. My cats never eat a sachet of wet food all at once. Hercules, my dog, ate, mainly to prevent cats from eating his food if he left something in the pot.
4. Observe how the animal reacts when you offer it a new food. This also applies to snacks and even toys. If the animal does not like a food, a treat or a toy, it makes this very clear to those who are willing to observe and respect his preferences. Iduna, a cat I adopted when she was old, ate only fish-flavoured food, according to her former guardian. That's why I bought food with this flavour for all cats. One day, I went to buy some cat food and I didn't find any fish-flavoured food. I found one that the 3kg package came half lamb flavour and the other half salmon flavour. Salmon is fish! So I bought it. And the cat didn't eat the salmon-flavoured food!! When I noticed this, I opened the package of lamb-flavoured food, hoping she would accept it. Luckily she ate. So I left the salmon one for the others and the lamb one for her. And when the ration was running out, I went back to the fish ration, because it was usually easier to find. At the time, there were no delivery apps that delivered to pet stores, and my options for pet stores near home were very few. I love delivery apps these days because they expand shopping options a lot, making it harder for situations where I can't find what I need. And I can live very well without a car. Recently I have not been able to find, for months, the food I gave to Thor, due to a lack of distribution of the brand. Food for his age group was not available at any pet store in town. I ended up buying from a close age group, in the same flavour (chicken), and he ate it. Now that he's 12, I find the right food more easily.
5. If you notice that the pet eats the food well for a while and then doesn't eat as much, try buying smaller food packages, or seal the package well (I never sealed it, but I spoke to an english owner of a cat and he buys a big package for the cat and said it works). I know that in pet stores there are accessories to seal the food package well. If you have this experience, let me know. If the animal does not eat willingly from the beginning or does not eat at all, change the food! I only had to change Thor's food once, the same brand of salmon that Iduna didn't like. And I did. Nowadays, before I change the brand of food, I try to find out if they change it if the cat doesn't like it, because cats are very demanding with food. In my experience, they are far more fussy than dogs, but that doesn't mean you should overlook your dog's preferences.

Bonus tip: If you have cats and dogs, put the cat food in a high place that dogs cannot reach. When I adopted the cats, I left all the pots on the floor and both my dog ​​ate the cat food and the cats ate his. When I put the cat food on top, Hercules started eating all the food as soon as I served it. If he had any food left, he would lie down by the pot to keep the cats from eating his food, but I learned to serve him the right amount by observing when and how much was left.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 How to brush your dog’s or cat’s teeth

Today we are going to talk about how to brush your dog or cat's teeth.  Here I talk about lifestyle, and dogs and cats are part of it. Their well-being is important and I share some of my experience and knowledge so that your dog or cat has a quality of life, just like you.

To get started, buy the appropriate toothpaste and toothbrush for your pet at a pet store. With my dog ​​I used a toothbrush that fit my finger, because I think it is less uncomfortable and causes a feeling that I am petting him. My fingers are thin. I do not recommend this toothbrush model for those who have thick fingers and cats or small dogs. Getting the animal used to toothbrushing is a process, and in this process a routine is built.

Then, I recommend getting the animal used to the toothbrush without toothpaste. That's because the toothbrush and toothpaste are two different stimuli and maybe the animal doesn't have problems with the toothbrush, but doesn't like the smell or taste of toothpaste. By getting your dog or cat used to the toothbrush without toothpaste, you only present a stimulus for him and you can evaluate in the next step if there is rejection of the toothpaste. At this stage of getting him used to the toothbrush, let him smell it, then start brushing carefully. Observe the animal's reactions to see if it is bothered. If you can't brush all his teeth on the first day, that's fine. Stop and repeat the process the next day, and the next, until all his teeth are brushed. I suggest offering other positive reinforcements for the animal, such as telling him he's getting prettier, petting him, etc. I don't see the point in giving a treat after brushing his teeth, so I recommend the love languages ​​of physical touch and words of affirmation (praise) and also using this moment as quality time.

The next step, you may have already guessed, is to get him used to the toothpaste. Let the animal sniff it before brushing its teeth. Do not, under any circumstances, use the same toothpaste you use for yourself. It is very important that it is suitable for your pet. Repeat the brushing process, now including the toothpaste.

It’s done! Keep practicing brushing daily, always paying attention to your four-legged companion's reactions.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 How to travel to South Africa with cats and dogs

Yesterday we talked about how to get a temporary residence visa to live in South Africa as an entrepreneur. Today we talk about how to travel to South Africa with your cats and dogs.

• A veterinary import permit is needed to import Dogs & Cats into South Africa.
• Cats are not routinely quarantined on arrival in South Africa. The cat must however have a valid import permit and a correctly completed health certificate, signed and stamped by a government veterinarian of the exporting country. If these documents are not available at the time of the cat’s arrival in South Africa, the cat will be kept in quarantine until the required documentation is presented at the quarantine station.
• Dogs and cats must have a valid rabies vaccination. In the case of a primary rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months and not less than 30 days before the date of import. In the case of a booster rabies vaccination the vaccination must be given not more than 12 months before the date of import.
• Vaccination against rabies is not required for cats/dogs imported from Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland but vaccination against rabies for cats/dogs imported from these countries is advised. This will ensure that the cat/dog has sufficient immunity against rabies on arrival in South Africa to prevent it from contracting rabies in South Africa.
• Puppies/Kittens under three months of age do not need to be vaccinated for rabies. But puppies/kittens less than 3 months of age can only travel to South Africa if the dam/queen of the puppy/kitten has been vaccinated for rabies more than 30 days before and less than 12 months before the birth of the puppy/kitten. These puppies/kittens must be vaccinated for rabies after arrival in South Africa at 3 months of age and proof of the vaccination must be presented to the South African Veterinary Authorities.
• Quarantine of 14 days will be imposed on some dogs, depending on the country of origin of the dog. Dogs from the following list of countries below do not need to go into quarantine on arrival in South Africa. The dog must however have a valid import permit and a correctly completed health certificate, signed and stamped by a government veterinarian of the exporting country. If these documents are not available at the time of the dog’s arrival in South Africa, the dog will be kept in quarantine until the required documentation is presented at the quarantine station.  

 

Europe. 

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,  France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,  Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Poland, Spain, Slovakia,  Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland , UK, Norway and Hungary.

North America 

Canada and United States of America

Australasia 

Australia and New Zealand

Africa

Botswana, Comoros, Malawi, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mauritius.

Asia

Israel

South America

Argentina

• Before a quarantine booking for a dog can be confirmed, the importer must sign an indemnity form. Copies of the indemnity form can be obtained at the Import Export Policy Unit, the permit office and from the two quarantine stations. The original signed indemnity form needs to either be handed in at the quarantine station were the dog will be quarantined or the original signed indemnity form needs to be posted or couriered to the quarantine station. Faxed and scanned copies will not be accepted. Bookings at the quarantine stations will only be confirmed on receipt of the original signed indemnity form.
• If you are importing a dog from an island please contact the Import Export Policy Unit to find out if your dog will be quarantined on arrival in South Africa.
• All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be permanently identified with a microchip (tattoos will not be accepted). The microchip must be able to be read by an ISO 11784 or ISO 11785 scanners.
• Dogs that will be quarantined on arrival in South Africa may only be imported into South Africa via OR Tambo (Johannesburg) or Cape Town International Airports. Dogs that are being imported from countries not subject to quarantine and cats can also be imported into South Africa via Durban International Airport. Dogs and cats will not be allowed to enter South Africa via any other airport.
• All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered, as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage. The Directorate Animal Health does not have veterinary officials at the passenger terminal of OR Tambo (Johannesburg) and Cape Town International Airport to check the paper work of dogs entering South Africa via the passenger terminal of the respective airports. The dogs and cats can only disembark via the cargo terminal of the respective airports.
• If the airline will allow it the dog or cat may travel in the cabin with the owner but the animal must be registered as manifest cargo and the airline staff must take the animal from the owner on landing so that the animal can be off loaded from the plane via the cargo terminal.
• On arrival at the airport the original Veterinary Import Permit issued by the Directorate Animal Health and the original Veterinary Health Certificate signed, stamped and certified by Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country must be presented to the veterinary officials at the airport before the dog or cat can be released. The documents can either travel with the animal or the person collecting the animal must present the documents to the officials at the airport. The latter is only for animals that are not going into Quarantine on arrival in South Africa. The paperwork of animals going into quarantine must travel with the animal.

Testing of Dogs

• Before dogs can be imported the dog needs to be certified free from the following five diseases by means of blood tests. The dog’s blood can either be tested in the country of origin or the blood sample can be sent to South Africa for testing.
• Brucella canis
• Trypanosoma evansi
• Babesia gibsoni
• Dirofilaria immitis
• Leishmania
• If the Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country can certify that the exporting country is free from one or more of the above mentioned five diseases then the dogs exported to South Africa do not need to have blood tests done for the disease that the exporting country is free from.
• The Directorate Animal Health require the following test or tests to be used for the above mentioned five diseases:
• For brucella canis: serum agglutination / rapid slide agglutination test
• For trypanosoma evansi: card agglutination test and giemsa blood smear
• For babesia gibsoni: Immunoflourescence  antibody test & giemsa blood smear
• For dirofilaria immitis: microfilarial filtration test
• For leishmaniosis: Indirect fluorescent antibody, or ELISA, or Direct agglutination test, or Western blot/membrane immunoassay.
• If the samples need to be sent to South Africa, these must be sent by air, accompanied by a copy of the OVI master import permit for the import of diagnostic specimen, under cover of an air waybill/courier waybill for testing.

Applying for a veterinary import permit

• The required permit application form can be obtained from the Permit Office of the Directorate Animal Health.
• To obtain a Veterinary Import Permit you need to deposit the permit fee into the Department’s bank account.
• Please take note that no application will be processed without proof of payment.
• In cases where quarantine of animals is required, the importer must contact the Quarantine Officer at the port of entry.
• The Quarantine Officer will make the reservation for accommodation at the Quarantine Station and must complete the applicable part of the application form.
• An Indemnity Declaration (in respect of imported animals or birds undergoing quarantine) must also be completed and attached to the application form. This Indemnity Declaration form can also be obtained from the Permit Office.
• Following receipt of the completed application form, a Veterinary Import Permit will be issued and sent directly to you.
• A Veterinary Health Certificate will also be sent to you with the Veterinary Import Permit. This needs to be completed, in English, by a veterinarian authorised thereto by the Veterinary Administration of the exporting country, within 10 days of departure.
• The following must be presented to the South African Veterinary Import Control Officer at the Port of Entry:
1. Original Veterinary Import Permit
2. Original Veterinary Health Certificate
3. Any other documentation specified, e.g.: Indemnity Declaration, Rabies Vaccination Certificate, etc.
• The Directorate Animal Health, Sub-Directorate Import Export Control in Pretoria will be able to assist you should any further information be required.
• Please state on the application form whether the permit will be collected or mailed to you.
• Please also note that it takes three (3) to four (4) working days to process the permit if approved.
• In cases where the permit is going to be collected, please confirm with permit office telephonically whether the permit is ready before you come to collect.

Dogs & Cats from Neighbouring Countries

• Dogs and Cats entering South Africa from Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Swaziland do not need an import permit. These dogs and cats need a health certificate that certifies that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies in the last 12 months but more than 30 days before the date of departure. The cats and dogs need to have a health check within 7 days of export.
• This does not apply for dogs entering South Africa from Mozambique. These dogs can only be imported into South Africa with a veterinary import permit. The dogs need to have the necessary   blood tests (see testing procedure above) done prior to export and must be flown from Mozambique to either Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airports were the dogs will be placed in Quarantine for 14 days and will be re tested according to the normal protocol for dogs in quarantine. The dogs may not enter South Africa by road. An import permit is needed to bring cats into South Africa from Mozambique but cats can enter South Africa by road and do not need to be placed into quarantine.

Dogs & Cats from other African Countries

 

• Dogs being imported from other African countries must have a veterinary import permit and cannot enter by road via one of our neighbouring countries. The dogs need to have the necessary blood tests (see testing procedure above) done prior to export and must be flown to either Johannesburg or Cape Town International Airports were the dogs will be quarantined for 14 days and will be re tested according to the normal protocol for dogs in quarantine.
• Dogs and cats from Malawi do not need a veterinary import permit. These dogs and cats need a health certificate that certifies that the dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies in the last 12 months but more than 30 days before the date of departure. The cats and dogs need to have a health check done within 10 days of export.
• Cats from other African countries need a veterinary import permit and a veterinary health certificate that has been stamped and signed by a certifying veterinarian in the country of origin. This must accompany the cats. Cats must also have had a rabies vaccination less then a year but more than 30 days before the date of export. These cats can enter South Africa by road.

Although I collected information from the official website, I recommend you to keep updated with it consulting the local authorities. There’s no reason to leave your pets behind you when you move to a different place.

For more information about how to live elsewhere, wellness for cats and dogs, and other useful tips for those who have or want to have the world like home, follow our social media profiles and include this website on your favourite feed reader.

Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 Coexistence among cats and dogs

Dogs and cats in popular culture are sometimes seen as enemies. In practice, coexistence is possible. If you want to have cats and dogs at home, living together, you can follow some tips:

• If you already have adult dogs, bring a puppy cat home. I had a cat that I adopted elderly and was used to on the street, and for her it was difficult to get used to living with other animals, especially the puppy cat and the dog. They, in turn, were afraid of her at first. In the case of puppies, they adapted more easily with the dog. He learned quickly to live with cats, despite being old, because he knew he was loved and did everything to please me. The elder cat got used to it, gaining confidence in me, but it took much longer in this adaptation than the ones I adopted puppies.
• If you already have cats, a puppy dog will probably find it easier to adapt. A small adult may be a good choice, as it does not have a size that can threaten cats.  I have no personal experience with having cats before having a dog yet, but I have seen a profile on a social network that the cat coexists well with a medium-sized puppy.
• Supervise socialising for the first few weeks. Avoid leaving dog and cat together unsupervised, even if the cat is super smart and has high points where he can protect himself if he feels threatened.
• When petting them, try to have both together, to avoid jealousy. Pets are sometimes quite jealous.

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🇬🇧 Can allergic people have dogs and cats?

Many people have allergies. Some of them are allergic to cats and dogs. What may surprise those who follow this blog and my social networks and know that I have these pets, is that I was diagnosed with an allergy to animal hair in my teens.

With this information, the questions “who has allergies can have a dog?” and "who has allergies can have a cat?" theoretically have a yes as an answer. And I say theoretically because I don’t want anyone to buy or adopt an animal and then have allergic attacks, abandon the animal and come and say that I said one could. I'm saying that I managed to have long and semi long-haired dogs all my life without major problems. The last two, both of the Lhasa Apso breed, kept in long hair most of the time, slept in my bed. Thor, my cat, makes my arm as pillow at bedtime.

With dogs, despite the medical diagnosis, I never had any problems. When I decided to adopt the cats I went to the doctor and explained the situation of being allergic, never having had cats, and I wanted some medicine if the allergy manifested itself.  He prescribed me a spray to use on my nose only when I had allergic attacks and I even used the medicine a few times, but then the attacks disappeared. I kept the medicine until its expiration date and threw away more than half due to lack of use.

So, with the proper care, I believe that any person who, like me, loves animals, who is not afraid of them or wants to overcome that fear, can have a dog or cat without major problems. But as I am neither a doctor nor know you, I recommend testing your allergic reactions with dogs and cats from friends, neighbors, etc. before purchasing one. Visit friends who have dogs, play with neighborhood dogs, always with the necessary care. The same with cats. Look for anyone who has sociable cats (not Thor's case) and try to interact with them, play, pet, etc. A pet is like a child: a responsibility that lasts for many years. So before adopting or buying one, talk to a doctor or more than one, see the care that the professional recommends and, taking such care, start to approach dogs, cats or both to see how your body reacts. If you react well for a few weeks, then you start thinking about getting yours.  Remember that no responsible breeder or protector sells or donates dogs or cats under three months of age. If a kennel or cattery wants to deliver you a puppy less than three months old, without all the vaccines, look for another one that takes breeding seriously and takes care of the animals' health.

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Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 How to choose a travel destination

Those who are not used to traveling or always travel in groups may find it difficult to plan a trip. I have already described the process of writing the script for a trip here on the blog. Today I'm going to give you tips on how to choose your destination, without limiting yourself to trendy destinations, telling a little bit about how I make this choice.

Personal taste greatly influences the choice. What do you expect from a destination? What types of attractions are you interested in? The purpose of the trip is also important.

For me, in all cases, it is important that the place where I am staying accepts animals (including cats), that has the structure to welcome the animal and me, including cat scratching posts or many cardboard boxes that make the  same effect, because it is very uncomfortable to take a scratching post on a trip and without it, the chances of the cat using the rug and furniture to sharpen its nails are 100%. Prohibiting animals from sleeping in bed is not smart. Mine sleep in mine and there's no way to get them used not to do it. Have an efficient cleaning system and specific apartments for those who have animals is a better idea. Nylon webs on the windows (I don’t know the name of this thing in english, but I’m talking about this thing protecting the balcony where my cat is in the picture below) are also essential, as well as a team trained to respect the “do not disturb” sign on the door.

For those looking for peace, one way may be to look for a very well-structured farm hotel, that we can stay there without worrying about anything, that is a comfortable place, with good food, many options for activities to do during the stay (preferably all included in the package), which offers free transportation between the city (airport or bus station) and the location and has good quality internet available to guests, also included in the daily rate. There are those who seek peace by disconnecting, but for me it doesn't work. I have to have the option to connect anywhere on the planet. Another option is to travel to small cities that are not popular tourist destinations or out of season. Spas can also be an interesting option. I rarely travel with this interest in peace and nothing more, to escape humanity and focus on me outside my home, but for many people, and for me when I do it, it is therapeutic, wonderful.

If the interest is beach, I focus on the quality of the hotel, regardless of wanting a busy or quiet beach, and the ease of access to the beach. If you do not find any good hotel it is a sign that the city does not have a good structure to receive tourists.

On business trips I look for good hotels, well located, but with a structure focused on the experience inside the apartment and in the restaurant, like having a good hot tub in the room, instead of a sauna, swimming pool, games room, etc. As time on a work trip tends to be dedicated to work, during free time I prefer to relax alone, or meet friends at the hotel.

If I have friends in the destination city, on business trips the time to meet them is short and I prefer that they go to the hotel. This saves my energy to focus on work. If I am traveling for leisure, going out with friends to interesting places in the city is the most likely to happen. But a well-structured hotel is always essential.

In general, another point that I evaluate in my choices are the artistic, cultural and gastronomic options of the chosen destination. So I usually like to travel to big cities, where these options are many. But I have already made many good trips to small and medium-sized cities. If a place has nothing interesting in these aspects, it will not attract much attention. I am able to travel to a place where I normally would not go if a band I love is going to play there, as long as I am very interested in taking advantage of every opportunity to be close to the artists (and there are few artists who arouse this desire in  me). On the other hand, after planning to spend my birthday in the Maldives a few years ago, when I researched the local culture, including asking the hotel where I would stay and found nothing, I gave up. To see beautiful beaches, I can see many others that culturally have more to offer, like many in Brazil and Greece. For me, cultural activities and getting to know the regional cuisine are very important when traveling. I have never stayed in one of these resorts where there are hundreds of activities to do in there, because my interest in culture and art is greater. Maybe one day I'll go, out of curiosity, if I find one with options that keep me entertained all day, possibly in some destination that doesn't have much to offer outside the resort.

Comment how you choose a travel destination.

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Nycka, the nomad

🇬🇧 Getting a cat used to life indoors

I just read a tweet asking what to do with a cat who lives partially outdoors to get used to a new life completely indoors. I have an experience with this and I’ll share it.

My Iduna was adopted when she was 8. She was living in a small house where she only entered to eat and sleep. She was free to go outdoors. I live in an apartment with nylon webs in all windows and the balcony to protect my cats. How do you call these protective webs in your country guys? I’m brazilian and I didn’t discover the name for these webs in english nor in italian. You can see the nylon web and Iduna on my Instagram.

Well, Iduna arrived in this new environment where she couldn’t go out for fun. And she spent a few days meowing in the balcony at night, very sad. But I gave her a lot of love and helped her to feel comfortable although she didn’t appreciate the two cats and a dog I had that time. In a few days she didn’t meow in the balcony anymore. Some time later she started to sleep in my lap while I was meditating. This was her favourite place. When she was in my lap any of her brothers could get close to us and she was extremely calm.

Although Iduna never became really friendly to her brothers I believe to have two cats or more is better as they’ll have another companion to have fun, not depending on the human staff to entertain them. As a plus, you can help to diminish the number of abandoned cats keeping them indoors and having as much as you can deal with and afford.

Cats have strong personalities but they adapt easily to a new life when they feel loved and cherished.

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Nycka, the Nomad 

🇬🇧 Uniqueness

Each child is unique and, in theory, each adult should be unique too. But as many parents try to give limits to their children instead of teaching them how to fly and be authentic, many adults are like shadows, sad, grey, trying to be accepted by others and, for this, hiding qualities that they believe aren’t appropriate.

Caetano Veloso, a brazilian singer, wrote in his song “Gente” (which means people): “people is to shine not to die from hunger”. But the poet is not talking only about the lack of food. Culture nurtures us. To be recognised for being authentic nurtures us. So, spending all life trying to please others instead of discovering the beauty of who we really are is to die from hunger. Are you dying from hunger?

Some years ago I adopted a beautiful cat, like a british long hair, smoke coloured, and she was already 8 years old. Her previous tutor was moving to the apartment of someone from her family who didn’t like cats. I named the cat Iduna, like the goddess who had the apples that guarantee eternal youth to the gods. This cat only ate food with the taste of fish. One day, as the pet shop I went to didn’t have the fish option I bought food with the taste of salmon. Fish food here is usual for cheap food, not for super premium and in this pet shop there was only super premium food. I bought a pack with half salmon taste and half lamb taste. Salmon is a fish. But Iduna didn’t appreciate it. As I already had Thor (yes, I like to name my pets like mythical gods), he ate the salmon food without problems. Seeing Iduna wasn’t liking it, I tried the lamb food for her. And she loved it!

Two weeks ago I went to the pet shop to buy food for Thor. Iduna unfortunately died two years ago after to live with us for some years. I was buying super premium food with chicken taste for him. In that opportunity, as he is loosening a lot of hair, I tried salmon for long haired cats (he is short haired). He didn’t like it. I asked the brand if it was possible to change and they accepted. Then, I changed for the chicken that I knew he likes. Thor isn’t picky. I changed his food a lot of times and usually he eats anything. If he didn’t like that food I prefer to respect and offer one he likes. I already told you how the food in the house of my grandmother was horrible. I don’t try to force anyone, including my cat, to eat something that he doesn’t appreciate. We are unique. His way to ask respect was showing he didn’t like that food and he knows I respect him. Thor shines.

Each one of us is unique. And this uniqueness deserves to be treasured in every possible way. For myself I started treasuring it through clothes. And never abandoned this choice. You can do the same.

Nycka, the nomad

🇬🇧 About age for humans and animals

Sometimes I find texts or questions about what age would a cat or dog be if it were human. Often I see people worried about how to look younger. This post is about these things linked to age.

Age is one thing, maturity is another. Observing from this point of view, we start observing human beings. We can observe 100 different people with the same age and we’ll find different levels of maturity among them. We can observe 100 people with different ages and it wouldn’t be a surprise to find some young people more mature than many older ones. 

So, about what would be the age of an animal if it were a human, I say it’s not a wise question. The chronological age of humans say nothing important at all. Considering this, how to look younger is a minor problem. People should consider how to be more mature, how to find themselves quickly and how to communicate the best of themselves through their appearances. Because when we discover our own beauty, a beauty much more valuable than any other, chronological age is no longer important.

Nycka, the Nomad

🇬🇧 What is like to have a cat?

To tell my story with cats and their influence on my life I must start telling you a bit about my story with dogs.

I had dogs since I was a child. The only periods I remember I didn’t have a dog was from 1999 to 2003 and from 2004 to 2008. When I moved from Montes Claros to Uberlândia in 1998, I had a grey poodle called Nick. He was very sweet and friendly but my grandmother didn’t allowed him to travel with me, and later she neglected him completely, so, the dog died. My father was a farmer and in the farm there were cats, but they only came close to us to eat. They weren’t like companions.

Then, in 2003, my mother bought another dog for me. I called him Beto. It was supposed to be a Lhasa apso. In 2004 I moved to Porto Alegre and my mother took the dog to Montes Claros and gave it to an aunt of mine. Later I discovered Beto grew up like a sheepdog! He became enormous!

In Porto Alegre I knew two women, mother and daughter, who had a dog called Junior, a Bichon frisée. They didn’t know how to control the dog. It respected nobody. As I used boots daily, the dog tried to bite my boots and as I never screamed, Junior started to respect me. I trained it to fix some bad behaviours and I took care of it when my friends traveled. He became very docile with me and obeyed me completely.

Then in 2008, after six months living in Curitiba, I adopted another Lhasa apso, Hércules, this one adult (4 years old) and with pedigree. Hercules didn’t like other male dogs when he came, but I was successful in changing this bad behaviour, and after this, I decided to find a companion to him. And a cat was my choice as we lived in a small apartment.

To have cats and dogs is not an easy task. We must train them, and at the same time we must respect them to be respected, so we prevent bad behaviours as those I had to fix in Junior and Hercules. Thor, my cat, at first, used to bite the wires of my computer and my hands. He was a 3 months old baby who wasn’t accustomed to human beings. His cat mother was abandoned pregnant and injured at night in front of the veterinary clinic where Hércules was vaccinated. The veterinarian rescued the cat, the little cats were born and they were kept in a room where people only entered to put food and water to the cats and to clean the litter. The veterinarian told me that as the babies grew up this way, they could be hard to deal as I adopted Thor when he was already 3 months old. In fact, Thor dislike people at home. But it became the most lovely cat I could imagine.

When we go out, Thor goes like a dog, with the collar and the cord, charmingly walking. He prefers this way than to go in his transportation box, where he screams insanely.

Everyday I learn something with Thor. Those days I wake up willing to give up some of my dreams he make me give up my pessimism instead. He teaches me to be kinder, bolder and calmer. In short, the first year having a cat is a bit hard (physically, not emotionally), but all the rest is worthy the investment. I love dogs, but cats are much more aligned to the person I am today. And Thor is responsible for this new me, in a certain way. I love this cat and I encourage people to open their hearts and their homes to cats because they have so much valuable feelings to share with us!

Nycka, the nomad 

🇬🇧 Reasons to have a pet friendly business

Everyday the “niche” of people who have cats and dogs as if they were members of the family increases, but the number of pet friendly hotels, restaurants, museums, malls, boutiques and many other businesses is not increasing in the same proportion.

Considering the cultural nomads, which are my focus here, to know about this large “niche” not having their needs fulfilled is enough to consider the possibility of having a pet friendly business. You must understand the market, but it’s cheap and easy to discover what these people need. One step is to follow and read this blog, as it shows the point of view of a potential customer with high standards about the well-being of my four legged companions.

Other reasons to change the way your business deal with cats and dogs, or to start a pet friendly business are:

• I’m aware there are people who dislike animals, but they are, by far, a small group compared to the ones who love or accept cats and dogs.
• Many animals are quieter than children. If you accept children, there are no excuses not to accept dogs and cats. Cats, specially, are very quiet and disturb no one.
• Space is not excuse, as cats and many dogs, including many that are not considered small, are able to stay in small spaces for a while. A garden or some “corner” with a pet sitter to exercise the dogs is interesting, allowing the cats to stay with their tutors as many dogs and many cats are not used to each other.
• Someone who travels with pets have, at least, a certain financial level. I’m not sure about all travel companies, but with the ones I observed is more expensive to travel with a pet than with a child and the rules about the small companions, are more rigid for the animals than to the little humans. Someone willing to pay the price and the effort to travel with a pet must be considered as a king or queen and respected.
• Those who does not respect animals usually are not respectful to humans, so, you lose the preference of this target if you make the choice to refuse pets.
• People who have animals, in general, are more friendly and kind. This is what most of pet tutors believe. And obviously we prefer to be surrounded by charming, lovely people, to start new friendships with other people who also love pets, etc.

Considering some of the options above, you lose (a lot of) money not to accepting animals in your business.

These are just some reasons. It’s your choice. But if you choose to do it. Do it right and offer the best for your customers who visit your business with their cats and dogs.

Discover how to promote your business in my media channels reading the media kit.

Nycka, the nomad.

🇬🇧 Cats and dogs

Cats and dogs have emotions and needas, as ourselves. Before to buy or adopt, buy or accept one as a gift, you should consider this.

Dogs need daily walks outside, not only to exercise but also to meet different dogs, to have a social life. Some dogs need mor exercise than others because they have s lot of energy to spend. The cats like to have some company, more than one cat at home. But cats must be kept safe indoors. Dogs and cats must only go outdoors with their tutors and tutors must take care of the health of their animals, offering vaccines, veterinary care and observing the signs the animal gives of their sufferings and dissatisfactions.

We must never scream with them. To be aggressive through words, actions or negligence is the wrong way to conquer their respect and it harms their health and well-being. A tutor can only have the respect of their animals refusing to be aggressive with them. The animals can obey an aggressive tutor for fear, but living in fear causes suffering and makes their lives shorter. To conquer their respect is simple and it’s best for you and them. Follow this blog and my social media channels to discover more on my experiences with cats and dogs and how to conquer their respect.

Nycka, the nomad.

🇬🇧 3 movies to love cats

There are various movies with dogs having important positions and causing strong emotions. I don't know many movies with cats being as lovely and intelligent as they are, so, I listed 3 and in 2 of them the cats are not in a central position. If you know others, tell me.
• Shrek
• Garfield
• Alice in Wonderland

Nycka, the nomad

🇬🇧 Cats, dogs and holidays

What do you do to make your pets happier during the holidays?
I think if you plan to travel, you include them, looking for hotels where they're accepted as well as yourself. Don't you?
If you stay home and organise a party or a meeting with family and friends, do you ask them to bring their pets the same way they'd bring their children? Or do you left the dog alone in the garden or the cat closed in some room not to disturb the guests?
Here, at my house, it's easier I ask someone to get out than to isolate my pets because they bother someone.
Think and tell me what you'll do during next holidays with your cats, dogs or both.

Nycka, the nomad.