Basepaws: Feline DNA Testing

It's no surprise that we love our fur babies. Half of women and nearly a third of men say "I love you" to their cat’s multiple times per day, according a survey conducted by Purina and many cat owners are likely to show their pawed pals some extra love. It's well documented that our furry feline friends make our lives better and generally brighten our mood each day. They can also help lower blood pressure, and cat owners have been shown to have higher self-esteem than those without cats in their lives. Our furry friends make our lives better every day, so it makes purrr-fect sense that since our four legged family members bring us so much happiness and make us feel good.  Basepaws is an at-home, feline-specific genetic test.

Basepaws which was recently featured on Shark Tank and made deals with two investors allows you to learn about breed and ancestry markers that are present in your cat’s DNA explaining the physical traits are in your cat’s genes. So, if you’ve ever wondered where your cat gets the extra fluffiness in his or her tail, now you can find out! Using what we currently know, Basepaws can tell you how closely related your cat is to select cat breeds and wildcats. Later in the year you will get updates including your cat’s health and wellness report, information about their distant ancestral roots, discover maternal/paternal tracing, siblings test, personality prediction, catnip-addict likelihood, physical traits and fun facts!

Basepaws gets DNA from your cat’s cheek cells that rub off onto a cotton swab. When your cheek swab arrives at our Los Angeles facility, we take the DNA out of it with a chemical extraction process. Your cat’s DNA contains more than 20,000 genes, which are spelled out in a unique genetic code that is around 2,700,000,000 letters (nucleotide bases) long. Basepaws takes this DNA and uses sequencing machines to read and record these letters. Basepaws uses your cat’s information to generate an easy-to-read report about their DNA. We will continue to update your cat’s report as we learn more. Once you are part of the Basepaws community you will get constant updates from us as we have new discoveries about the genetics of your cat.Your cat’s first report will include useful information about their breed and an interesting similarity to wildcats. Here is an example of the first personalized Basepaws report that you will receive: https://cdn.basepaws.com/report/sample.html.

In addition to your cat’s personalized report the Basepaws kit includes: membership in the Basepaws community, report updates, personalized recommendations, access to the latest research on cat science, tools to connect owners of similar cats, and discounts on future products that will be specifically formulated for your cat’s genetic needs receiving constant updates. You can also look forward to updates later in the year including:

· Health Report: Discover if your cat's genetics influences their risk for certain health conditions, or if their DNA is carrying a genetic disorder and any health and wellness risks that may be present in your cat’s DNA. Genetic health risks and diseases, carrier status (32 diseases).

· Wellness Report: You will receive tailored assessments and recommendations based on your cat's genetics including diet recommendations.

· Ancestry: You can look forward to receiving updates about your cat's ancestry. Learn about their Breed, as well as their distant ancestral roots. The Alpha Report includes 32 cat breeds and 14 wild cats.

· You will also discover maternal/paternal tracing, siblings test, personality prediction, catnip-addict likelihood, physical traits and fun facts!




As a pet owner, you want to know as much information as possible about any potential health risks for your beloved cat. With knowledge from your cat’s genetics, you can make more informed decisions about their healthcare needs earlier—possibly mitigating or even preventing illness down the road.

Our Thoughts

When I was approached with this review I immediately wanted to participate! My family has had cats as far back as I can remember. I grew up with a long-haired cat who had been an "oops" out of a barn cat that decided to have her babies in the chicken coop feed room. But we always wondered what breeds she actually was because she obviously was a mix of this and that. 

Our current kitty is 13 and he is a registered ragdoll, but as we found out when we did a DNA test on our registers Australian Cattle Dog, sometimes that doesn't mean a whole lot depending on the registry. We were excited to take Julius' sample and send it off, not that we questioned that he is pure breed, but because we were excited to help build a database and hopefully learn more about what we can expect health wise with him in the future. 

Taking the sample was simple. The kit comes with a swab that looks like a large q-tip. One of us held Julius while the other stuck the swab in his cheek and rubbed for the required time. We then follow the preservation directions, closed up the box and shipped it off. Then the waiting started. 

We signed up for email notifications on the DNA which allowed us to follow the process. When the DNA was received, we got an email. The wait time on the DNA sequencing was supposed to be about 8 weeks; we received the DNA report exactly 8 weeks after submission. I was impressed with this because I knew that the base of the DNA database might be limited. 

The DNA test came back with Julius being 99.21% ragdoll. Again, we weren't surprised by this result but it was very interesting to read the report that came with the results. It was in depth but easy to understand. I am really looking forward to seeing the rest of the reports that Basepaws will be coming out with! I will absolutely do this again with a cat if nothing else, than to have an idea of possible health concerns. 

If you are interested in having your cat DNA tested because you are curious, click here to go to the Basepaws Website. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or connect on LinkedIn.

Weruva Wants to Know How Much Your Cat Loves Gravy

With International Cat Day happening on August 8, and Happy Healthy Cat Month in September, now is the perfect time to address the 'cat in the room'—and that's your feline friend's diet. I'll be the first to admit my own cat's diet isn't 'purr'fect. Buddy can be a picky eater, or ignore her water bowl even when it's placed right next to her food. I struggled to understand how I could address these issues. But then I realized I wasn't alone—my cat was just experiencing one of the three most common cat concerns: picky eating, weight gain, and urinary tract issues. 

I learned about the Big 3 by partnering with Weruva [http://www.weruva.com/]—a luxurious, natural pet food dubbed "people food for cats" which is launching a full line of gluten, grain, and carrageenan-free cat food in honor of International Cat Day. It's called B.F.F. OMG! (that stands for Best Feline Friend, Oh My Gravy), and it's all about preventing these Big 3 Cat Concerns.

If your cat has any of these, you might want to consider changing their diet: 

Is your cat picky? Picky eating is usually a problem with texture, since cats are carnivores whose tongues and teeth are perfectly evolved for meat-eating. It's easy to see why a cat might dislike something without real shreds of meat—would you eat a steak with the texture of tapioca? Weruva's food features these shreds of real meat right off the bone, which is why my cat took to it like a duck to water (or a cat to gravy)!

Got a fat cat? The problem is in the kibble. It's filled with unnecessary carbs, which are almost impossible for cats to process (they don't produce amylase, an enzyme which helps humans digest their food). Weruva’s B.F.F. OMG! has no kibble to worry about because it’s 100% real meats in their true form. 

UT-why? Urinary tract issues often stem from dehydration—even if you're giving your cat plenty of water. In the wild, cats stay hydrated through the food they eat instead of what they drink. Cats are used to 'eating' their water—but most wet foods don't have nearly enough hydration to keep them satisfied. All of the products in Weruva's B.F.F. OMG! line are over 85% hydration, which satisfies my cat's hydration needs.

I love Weruva products because they are considered ‘people food for pets.’ The new line of B.F.F. OMG! cans and pouches feature land proteins like boneless and skinless white chicken breast, salmon, beef, duck, lamb and more. All recipes are grain, gluten, and carrageenan free. And if you are a BPA-free home, check out the pouches because they are are BPA-free. Best of all, my kitty loves it!

Health isn't just for humans, and I'm glad I took the time to learn how to feed my BFF properly. Even better, in the process, I found my kitty's new favorite food. She especially likes Weruva's [YOUR CAT'S FAVORITE] flavor, which you can read about at http://www.weruva.com/. You can also explore the whole B.F.F. OMG! lineup there, and find a flavor your cat will 'paw'sitively adore, at Chewy.com

Has your cat experienced one of the Big 3 Cat Concerns? Share your experience in the comments!

Sherpa™ Ultimate On Wheels

Transport your put with ease in the Sherpa™ Ultimate On Wheels™ pet carrier.  This stylish carrier features recessed wheels for easy-glide motion and a detachable padded pull strap making traveling with your pet a breeze. Approved for use on most major airlines and  included in Sherpa's Guaranteed On Board® program.  The Medium Ultimate on Wheels is Guaranteed on Board® on the below airlines. 

My Thoughts

Whether it's a trip to the vet or a car ride, cats aren't the most cooperative companions when it's time to get them into their carrier. Sherpa Ultimate on Wheels helps ease some of that tension with their stylish designs and luxurious interior. Cats can curl up on the sheepskin inside and enjoy a pleasant rest during their travels. The interior is ultra plush and so soft I wish I could crawl into it myself. When you have to take your pet on the go, it's simple to zip the top on and keep your best friend safe inside.  The sides are made of mesh that is sturdy but also provides plenty of ventilation. Best of all, it has wheels, so you can glide across almost any terrain with your pet with little resistance. This makes it so much easier for me to bring my dog and cat to the vet at the same time.

The carrier I tried out comes in an awesome simple black print, making it both a trendy and functional accessory. It's designed to fit perfectly under airline seats, making it great for travel as well as vet visits. Of course, small or toy dogs will enjoy it just as much as cats. When you're done using your carrier, clean up is easy. The insert is machine washable, and the rest of it is easy to wipe down, even if your pet has an accident. The collapsible design makes for easy storage. It won't take up nearly as much space as the traditional carriers.

I absolutely adore the Sherpa pet carrier and can't imagine using any other brand now that I've tried it. And this is only one of the awesome pet supplies available from Sherpa.  To see all they have to offer, be sure to visit their website or follow them on social media.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide- Cat Claw Scratchers

I love my cat, but scratching up the furniture can be a real problem. I would never declaw him, but I needed to find a solution. Cat Claws provides it in a way that is functional and Eco-friendly.  Cat Claws has a whole line of adorable cardboard scratchers that come in cool designs and provide hours of fun for your cat. The best part is, that once they tear it to pieces, you can recycle it!

We received the sofa shaped stretch scrather, and my cats thought it was awesome. I set it up right near by desk since she always likes to be near me. Before she kept scratching up my office chair. Now she leaps right onto the scratcher. She loves scratching it, but she also enjoys simply lounging around on it. Maybe it's that bag of organic cat nip that came with it. Just sprinkle a little on the scrather to give your cat even more incentive to use it.

These adorable scratchers come in a tons of different designs, so you're sure to find something to suit your personal taste. But what I really love about them, is that they are so affordable. They cost a fraction of the price of other scratchers. You might think it's only because this is technically disposable and the others aren't. However, I've tried those pricier brands, and they never last more than a few months either. If you are going to have to replace them either way, why not save money and do the best thing for the environment? Every cat lover should have a few of these in their arsenal.  These fun scratchers would make a great gift for your feline friend's this Valentine's Day, especially the one in cute pink and red colors. Be sure to head over to Cat Claws now to see all the other fun ideas they have to spoil your favorite kitty.

Holiday Gift Guide- M.A.X. Holiday Sofa Cat Scratcher

 I love my cat, but scratching up the furniture can be a real problem. I would never declaw him, but I needed to find a solution.  M.A.X. Holiday Cat Scratchers provide it in a way that is functional and Eco-friendly.  Imperial Cat has a whole line of adorable shapes that come in cool designs and provide hours of fun for your cat. The best part is, that once they tear it to pieces, you can recycle it!

We received a sofa shaped  scratcher with a snowflake pattern, and my cat thought it was awesome. I set it up right near my desk since he always likes to be near me. Before he kept scratching up my chair. Now he leaps right onto the cat scratcher. He loves scratching it, but he also enjoys simply lounging around on it. Maybe it's that bag of cat nip that came with it. Just sprinkle a little on the scratcher to give your cat even more incentive to use it.

These adorable cat scratchers come in a tons of different designs, so you're sure to find something to suit your personal taste. But what I really love about them, is that they are so affordable. They cost a fraction of the price of other scratchers. You might think it's only because this is technically disposable and the others aren't. However, I've tried those pricier brands, and they never last more than a few months either. If you are going to have to replace them either way, why not save money and do the best thing for the environment? Every cat lover should have a few of these in their arsenal. 

Happy Healthy Cat Month: Show the World That You and Your Cat Are Purrfect Together #PurrfectTogether

September is Happy Healthy Cat Month—and there's never been a better time to show our cats some extra love. Recently, the cat lovers at Meow Mix ran the Purrfect Together Survey, which asked cat parents around the country about their special bond with their four-legged friends. Here are some of the meow-nificent results:

83% of cats take naps with their humans

This is surprising—and not because 83% of people love napping with kitty. The bigger question is: Who are the 17% of deprived humans who don't get to experience the joy of napping with their cats? 

80% of cat parents believe they can interpret their kitty's meows

While humans and cats may purr in different languages, that doesn't stop most cat mommies and daddies from understanding what their kitty wants—whether it be some treats, cat nip, or just a snuggle partner.

72% of cat parents love to surprise their kitties with treats

Speaking of treats, nothing makes a cat happier than some spontaneous, unexpected goodies from the person who cares for them the most.

55% of cats love chicken-flavored nibbles

Exciting news: Meow Mix has just released a brand new culinary-inspired food made with real chicken or salmon, Bistro Recipes—a classy meal for a classy kitty! Head over Meow Mix's new Purrfect Together web portal [http://bit.ly/meowsterpieces-newagemama] right meow, and you can download a coupon for $2.50 off any bag of Meow Mix Bistro Recipes. 

And that's not all! You need a classy painting to go with that classy meal. On the Purrfect Together portal, you can enjoy the unique experience of converting a photo of you and your cat into a Meowsterpiece—a digital "oil" painting that helps express and immortalize your cat-love on canvas. I did it, and you should too!

Now it's time to show me how special your human-cat bond is! Post your Meowsterpiece on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the hashtag #PurrfectTogether. Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Wishing a fantastic Happy Healthy Cat Month to you and your feline friend!

Team Up With Cat's Pride for National Adopt a Cat Month in June! #Giveaway

 Oil-Dri Corporation of America  a leading manufacturer of quality cat litter and the inventor of lightweight litter, announces the launch of the new Cat’s Pride® Fresh & Light Ultimate Care®, a revolutionary litter that delivers the ultimate performance  including 10 day odor control, the strongest clumps and low tracking. Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care is the best lightweight litter and is 50 percent lighter than traditional scoopable litters. As part of the launch, Cat’s Pride® is partnering with award-winning actress Katherine Heigl, best known for her roles in “Grey’s Anatomy”, “27 Dresses” and “Knocked Up”, as the face and voice of their integrated marketing campaign. The campaign includes TV, print, digital and radio advertising. In addition, Cat’s Pride is proud to support the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation™, by donating a portion of every Fresh & Light Ultimate Care purchase to support the Foundation’s animal advocacy work.

Cat’s Pride started the lightweight litter trend and continues to innovate with its new product, Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care lightweight litter. The product is 50% lighter and is formulated with highly absorbent minerals and no fillers, guaranteeing 10 days of odor control, the strongest clumps and low dust and tracking. Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care offers the ultimate performance at a great value. The product is offered in a 10 pound jug, in both scented and unscented hypoallergenic varietie

The "Cats are Complicated. Great Litter is Simple.” Campaign has  integrated the marketing campaign featuring Heigl is the brand’s largest media launch ever. This concept features Katherine Heigl as a recurring character—a cat/owner couples therapist—who helps owners have a more meaningful and positive relationship with their cats. She continually reinforces how using the best-performing Fresh & Light Ultimate Care can reduce tensions all around and create healthier interactions between cats and their people. The campaign features the actress in humorous commercials directed by Anne Fletcher, known for films such as “27 Dresses” and “The Proposal”. The integrated campaign continues across all digital, social media, in-store and print platforms.

The Giveaway

One luck winner is going to receive a Cat's Pride Prize Pack that includes:

• Vera Bradley Camocat tote in black and white
• Cat Dancer toy
• Cat Collar
• Coupon redeemable for one 10 lb. jug of new Cat's Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care Litter

The estimated value of the giveaway is $75.To enter, simply fill out the giveaway form below. This giveaway will end on 6/12/16 at 11:59 pm EST. Open to the US only. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Cat's Pride  for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

Vera Bradley Camocat Tote #Giveaway

Vera Bradley Camocat Tote Giveaway

 June is the National Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month and in order to help raise awareness we have partnered to share this giveaway of a Vera Bradley Tote and assorted cat items from Cat's Pride. This event is open to USA residents, 18+ and runs through 6/6/16. Good luck on your entries!

Host: Simply Sherryl

Sponsor: Cat's Pride

Prize Package includes:

Vera Bradley Camocat tote in black and white Cat Dancer toy Cat Collar Coupon redeemable for one 10 lb. jug of new Cat's Pride Fresh & Light Ultimate Care Litter Prize package valued at $75.00

Vera Bradley Camocat Tote Prize Package Make sure to connect with Cat's Pride on Facebook and Twitter for the latest promotions and visit the Cat Care area for great tips on raising a health, happy cat. Disclosure: We reserve the right to make revisions, to cancel, or suspend this contest for any reason. We are not associated with any of the companies named above. The odds of winning are based on the number of entries received Open as indicated above to those 18+ only. Confirmed Winner(s) (by Random.org) will be contacted by email. Winner(s) have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. The sponsor(s) will be responsible for product shipment to winner(s) of this giveaway. Simply Sherryl and any other blog(s) participating are not responsible for product shipment/delivery. This event is in no way administered, sponsored, or endorsed by, or associated with, Facebook and/or Twitter, Google, Pinterest. This disclosure is done in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 10 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements. Entrants must only enter with either one email address, IP address and/or Facebook account, anyone found violating these rules will be disqualified. It is at the sole discretion of the admin of the giveaway if the winner has met the rules or not.

Spring Time Favorites from Chewy.com

Whether you have a dog or a cat, Chewy is your one stop shop for all your pet care needs. I live in a little tourist town, so I don't have many options when its time to get supplies for my pets. Luckily, Chewy has everything I need. From tasty treats, to high end litter, I can have it all delivered right to my door.

This month, I got to test out The World's Best Litter.  Now, that sounds like a pretty tough reputation to live up to, but this litter really does pull through. I have three cats, and normally I go through one large bag of litter each week. This litter is a fraction of the size and the price, and it lasted a full week all on it's own. It clumps nicely and is easy to clean. Even better, there was no odor.  If all that isn't impressive enough, you can even flush the waste right down the toilet! No more running out in the spring rain with bags of dirty litter four or five times a day!

Of course, these are only one example of the products available at Chewy.com. Here are a few  more items on our wish list.

Chewy has everything you need for your pets including food, liter, treats, bones, flea prevention and so much more, and all for prices well below resale. Plus, shipping is free on all orders over $49. To see all they have to offer, be sure to visit their website or follow them via social media. If you have a pet, you can make their life and yours more convenient, by shopping online with  Chewy today.

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