How to choose the best cat grooming tools.
As the summer heat ramps up, globs of cat hair pop up all over my house. In the corners of a room, on my bedspread, on my sweatshirt, on the dining room chair slipcovers and all over the cat bed. While spring is often worse, shedding is a year-round problem. In fact, shedding can actually become a health issue if left unattended. Cat dander, excess fur, and saliva from self-grooming can be a culprit for feline allergies. Therefore, keeping this at bay is vital for you and your cat’s health and well being. Why Do Cats Need Help With Grooming? A lot of people wonder why cats should be brushed when they groom themselves all the time. I heard a cat groomer once say, “cats don’t groom themselves, they lick.” According to this groomer, licking and grooming are not the same. The fact is, your cat’s sandpaper tongue is not the same as a brush or comb. Brushing a cat is a good habit to begin early on as there are many benefits to it. Not only does it control the dander and loose dead fur, it will reduce those dreaded hairballs. While cats love to bathe themselves, ingesting all that fur is not good for their digestive tracts. Brushing is also great for a cat’s skin. It can help stimulate blood flow, keep skin healthy and control dandruff. Preventing mats is also important for certain breeds since longer fur or undercoats can easily tangle and knot up. Mats can start out small and quickly grow into a big knot that can pull at the skin and cause pain and discomfort. At that point, it is best to take your cat to a groomer to have it trimmed out. Know Your Cat’s Preferences Long fur or soft underbellies can hide lumps or bumps that may cause a cat pain if groomed incorrectly. Additionally, regular grooming can make sure you notice any irregularities as soon as they arise and can then contact your vet. Also, an important note is that not all kitties like you to groom them so be careful at first. My arms have been a cat scratching post many times because the cat simply did not want anyone touching their lovely coat. Getting them used to being groomed can reduce any stress for your cat. What Tool Should I Use to Groom My Cat? Knowing the proper brushes can make a huge difference in a brushout. Cats have all different fur types, so knowing which tool to use is important.
There are many different types of brushes and combs, including:
Here are some quick tips to get you started and hopefully help you avoid some arm scratching mishaps. First, start at the cat’s head and brush in the direction of their fur, working down to their tail. Daily brushing is best and can make a huge difference but even weekly or monthly brushings are better than nothing. Getting your cat used to brushing will make your cat happier and healthier. It can also keep your house cleaner and keep allergies at bay. Regular trips to the cat groomer will keep your cat in tip-top shape and make a dramatic difference overall. It may be a bit of an investment of time and money but you and your cat will thank you.
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Things to consider when choosing where to board a senior cat
As pet medicine advances, our furry friends are living longer and healthier lives. For the devoted pet owner, this means we need to make adjustments to ensure our pets’ health while we’re away. I frequently get phone calls about boarding senior cats whether or not this is “okay.” 15 years and over, we are happy to refer you to vet for medical boarding. This age group needs some extra attention by medical professionals. Geriatric cats are designated at 15 years. At age 10, cats begin to enter the senior years. Having had my cats live to 15+, I understand the concern and what accommodations need to be met to help make these kitties more comfortable while away from their homes. Here are some areas which we focus on with senior cats. Medical Attention Senior cats should be seen more frequently than a younger cat or as recommended by your vet. From regular checkups to monitoring blood work or dental care, older cats require a bit more attention to really enjoy their senior years. Some cats have to take daily medications and supplements. At the cat spa, we have had several cats with daily or even twice daily medications come to stay with us. Unfortunately, finding a facility that will carefully and correctly administer medication can be rare. I boarded my cat Maddie at one place and upon pick up, the kennel stated they didn’t bother giving her her pills since she was “too stressed.” Boarding your cat should give you peace of mind that your cat is being taken care of as if they were at home. At Rock the Cat Spa, you can rest assured that we will administer the medication as needed with kindness and precision. Dietary Requirements Sometimes the cats have special dietary requirements. Overfeeding, underfeeding or feeding a cat the wrong thing can cause many issues. Some of these include:
While all cats are rockstars, older cats may not be quite as agile as they once were. The suites at Rock the Cat Spa take these factors into consideration. Senior cats in The Hotel Catifurnia will be given the lower suites so as not to cause or tempt the cats to jump out onto the floor. The Catz Carlton and Taj Meow both have lower doors in the litter box area to allow for ease of walking straight into the vertical suites. The Purresidential Suites and Fur Seasons have higher beds but also have steps and small cat towers for the cats to walk up or jump in small increments. The spaces are wide enough in each space for the cats to stretch properly and not be cramped or fall off and risk an injury. For accessibility, the litter boxes all have low edges on the boxes. In the common space, there are extra boxes out so when the cat is out roaming for free time, they have a litter box close by just in case they can’t make it back to their suite. Playtime Activity and playtime can be the difference in a senior cat’s quality of life. Some cats have limitations with mobility and energy levels, and it’s important that you pay attention while playing with them. Senior cats may have arthritis and stiffness just as we do! Some easy ways to play with a senior cat (without overexerting!) include:
Senior cats also do not have the energy or endurance of a younger cat so shorter less aggressive play needs to be respected. Playtime is important still to keep their minds active and joints moving. Grooming Having had a senior cat who became unable to groom herself, I understand the need to help out these cats. Daily brushing or helping them clean up is important. Helping when they are unable to reach or bend is important for their coats and to prevent mats, greasiness, skin irritation, and dandruff. There are many different brushes we use here for each unique coat and area of concern. At Rock the Cat Spa, we really try and accommodate each guest and understand the extra care that a senior cat may need. Upon bedtime, a dim soft light lamp and classical music are left on to help provide soothing sounds for the cats to sleep to. A small bedtime snack (a couple cat treats!) are left on their pillow as well if approved by their owner. As your senior cat will rest cozy and calmly here, you will as well knowing that their needs and requirements are being met and exceeded. We are always happy to refer your geriatric cat to a veterinarian boarding facility! "Grief is like a snowflake. Unique and different for everyone."
How I dealt with my cat's passing. It’s hard to believe that it has been four years this week since my beloved Maddie suddenly passed away at the ripe old age of 15. I knew that the day would come as it had 15 years prior with my 18 year old Guenivere. Still, no amount of logical reasoning can prepare you for the death of a pet. No matter what made logical sense to me, the actual days leading up to her death and time afterwards seem surreal and unimaginable even now. Maddie was fine one day and then suddenly, my vet was having the discussion with me over what to do if she passed over the July 4th weekend. I was numb and my mind was spinning as I tried my best to come to grips with it, yet I could not. Two weeks afterwards, my mom came to visit and we made the trip to pick up her cremains and I completely lost it. Complete dry heaves, tears flowing, sobbing from deep inside. She helped me cope and handle my grief in a healthy way which is much easier said than done at times. How to to Grieve in a Healthy Way Losing a pet can be devastating as they truly do become part of the family and we grieve the same as if we did lose an adored family member. The suggestions below are not in any specific order. However, these coping mechanisms worked well for me and are basic tools for handling grief of any sort. Lean on Friends and Family for Support. I’m sure that I drove one of my friends crazy with Maddie stories in the weeks after her passing. Yet, my friend kindly listened, checked in and really was a rock for me and still is, especially this week. Having friends or family who understand what you’re going through can empathize with how devastating this loss is. It can be tough though, as sometimes friends and family don’t understand your pain or feel overwhelmed by it. If you don’t want to turn to friends and family, consider outsourcing your support network. Online support groups and professional help are also great options. Therapists are trained to help with these situations and can sometimes steady us better than anyone else. Unbiased support can help us see things with clarity and advise us in ways that friends and family can’t or may not be able to. Allow Yourself to Mourn Your Pet. It sounds so simple but is the hardest thing to do. Whether the loss was sudden or expected, it is a huge loss. Being sad is expected and encouraged as a healthy way to come to terms with the grieving process. Don’t try to avoid the pain altogether, as this can draw out the grieving process even more. Avoidance is never the best solution since problems may unexpectedly come back even worse. When we lose a person close to us, we have a proper funeral and closure process. While society sometimes still does not understand the pet/human bond, take time to think about the funeral equivalent for your pet. Ask yourself what ways you can honor your pet’s memories and begin the closure process for yourself. Keep the Good Memories Alive When I picked up Maddie’s cremains, I was a mess. I sobbed in my car as my mom watched me. Gently, she said, “tell me a funny story about Maddie as a kitten.” Was it a good distraction to get me focused and out of the parking lot? Yes and no. Discussing good times and funny memories can help shift that raw grief into a good, positive emotion and help one feel better. There will be times to discuss the crazy and bad things the pet did also but try and focus on happy memories for the immediate grieving time. Talking about her did make me feel better, but there are also other ways to re-live these memories. Whether it’s writing in your journal, blog, painting a picture, or planting a new flower garden ( I have a little area called Guenivere’s Garden with lily of the valley and cat statues), do something that will help focus the energy on good and help you feel uplifted. Find Your Calm As many therapists would advise, you should find something to calm and center you. My focus was meditation and relaxation exercises. These strategies helped me control the anxiety and stress that sometimes felt out of control and overwhelming. Exercise can also help. Getting into a new routine to sort of hit a reset button and move things in a new direction can also ease that pain. For example, if you always brushed your cat before bedtime, that empty time can feel upsetting once they’re gone. A new routine may help you cope and retrain you from that now sad memory. Pick new, healthy routines and focus on making them succeed. Take Care of You You matter. You need to take care of you even though grief can be very rough. It’s a tough emotion to grapple with and can be exhausting at times. Allow yourself to sleep a little extra. Encourage yourself to eat right as it can be easy to grab the pint of ice cream instead. Emotions are okay to feel during this time. Don’t punish yourself for feeling human emotions. One of the hardest can be guilt. I found myself in the midst of mental loops that went something like, “if I had taken her to the vet a month earlier...,” or “if I had tried this instead of that...,” and “why wasn’t I more attentive?” Those spirals do no good. Once you catch yourself falling into these patterns, acknowledge how you got there and what triggered the negative emotions. Then, try a coping mechanism that’s worked well for you in the past. My go-to was talking to a friend who always managed to snap some logical thinking back into me and steady me. Deal With Things in Your Own Time “Don’t promise when you are happy. Don’t reply when you are angry. Don’t decide when you are sad.” This quote applies to so many situations, but the last part is an important lesson during grief. To me, the last part is dealing with the memories. The bed, the dishes, the food, the toys, the collars, the physical reminders that really cut us to the core. To this day, I still have a stuffed toy dog that Maddie was given in her first month home. She dragged that thing all over for 15 years and it is torn and in shambles. Initially, it broke my heart to look at, so my immediate reaction was to toss it. Thankfully, my dear friend advised me not to and said to hold off for a while. It was the right advice as if I had thrown it out, I would not be smiling and laughing at memories of her carrying that dog up the stairs while howling at 5 am and dropping at my bedside! If you absolutely can’t bear to have their toys in view, pack them safely into a box and revisit it later. Give these physical memories time, they aren’t going anywhere but the fever high pitch of emotions will diminish. Then make your decision. Don’t Forget Your Other Pets Remember your other pets as they grieve also. Even if they didn’t get along or always seemed annoyed, they were family members to one another, too. They can feel sadness and loss and not understand where their friend went. When Maddie passed, even my Daphne grieved, which surprised me. Three days after Maddie passed, Daphne jumped up on the bed where Maddie had spent her last few days and laid exactly in the same spot, hunkered down and just looked up at me with sad eyes. I realized then that she knew what had happened. She would meow a bit and wander around looking for her companion. Give the other pets some extra love and attention and watch their daily routines. Some may skip meals or act out. If any of the regular routines and behaviors starts to be negative, a call or visit to your vet may be necessary. As you can tell, this post really tugs at my heart. I’ve had customers tell me about their cats passing or recount a story of a prior cat with tears in their eyes. I can understand how they feel, as it can be tough. It’s not something you easily can discuss either, as some may dismiss it. Understanding that pet grief is real is part of coping with it. Having a map can help navigate this journey and help ease the pain. How to prevent and address separation anxiety in cats
Having traveled for work for years, my sweet Maddie knew the second she saw my suitcase that I was leaving her alone for more than a day or two. She would growl and bite my ankles as I packed my clothes. I felt horrible for having to leave her in that state as she was very much attached to me and truly hated to be alone and away from me. After the second time, I learned quickly to place the suitcase out of sight and pack as quickly as possible. For many cats, separation anxiety is a very real issue and can cause destructive behavior issues. So, what are we to do when we have to leave our precious felines? What is separation anxiety? Just like humans, some cats are loners and don’t mind being left to their own devices. Others are social creatures and love attention and being around people. Cats can become attached to their owners and really stress out when we’re away. To express this distress, cats may become upset and even destructive. Heavily attached animals look to their owners for security, so being alone will cause anxiety and stress. Separation anxiety is real and if you have had a cat with it, you can agree that leaving or coming home can cause you stress! Signs of separation anxiety
There are several options to help your cat through separation anxiety and avoid the behaviors listed above. Ways to deal with separation anxiety
Knowing that your cat is being given love and attention can give you peace of mind and help you enjoy your trip. Picking up a happy relaxed cat is worth the money rather than spending time cleaning up the path of destruction at your home. Having dealt with feline separation anxiety, I understand how stressful a trip can be. From leaving a crying cat to coming home and finding a mess is waiting for you, it’s never fun. Finding ways to cope with this anxiety will help you both and bring the stress level down in your home. Help your cat adjust to life without you around again.
During the shutdown, our cats had to adjust to us being home and disrupting their schedules. Cats that had previously been alone all day were suddenly chiming in on conference calls. Even my brother had telemedicine appointments with a patient when all of a sudden, the patient’s cat would appear on camera! After nearly two months, many cats are happy to have us home all the time and enjoy the extra attention. How do we start the adjustment period for them so they won’t experience separation anxiety and bad behavior? Let’s start with a few easy tips to ease this transition to be as painless as possible for both of you.
While most of us are transitioning back to the working world, starting these tips now can ease the stress for our cats before behavioral problems arise. There’s nothing better than coming home to a happy and relaxed that’s excited to greet you. However, if separation anxiety OR destructive behavior occurs, consider cat daycare to help your cat control the loneliness and anxiety of missing you. Whether it is for a short time or regular basis, cat daycare can give the attention and relief that some cats need from being alone. Whether a jungle cat or an adorable kitten, the fact is that cats love to scratch as much as they love to meow. As can be expected, there is always a hidden meaning in why they do what they do. In typical cat fashion, it’s often purely selfish. Since they are going to do what they want, is there a way we can help them and keep our homes from being clawed to pieces? The answer is yes and yes! So, let’s find out what we can do to keep our belongings in one piece and our cats entertained.
Why are cats so physical? Anyone who knows a cat knows that they’re very physical creatures. They hiss, scratch, run and yowl to express displeasure. But, scratching and meowing can also be signs of affection! Many of a cat’s habits come from their ancestors and their innate need to express ownership over the things in their territory. And yes, that includes you. For example, head bumps are more than a simple hello! That sweet little bump that my Maddie used to give me once she jumped on my lap was really a secret message. “Bunting” is a sure sign of their love for you and their desire to keep you to themselves. The bumps activate glands around their head (around mouth, whiskers, ears) and other places on their body (neck, tail and paws). The chemicals released are called pheromones. Pheromones are used as a type of secret communication between cats to signal that you belong to that cat. Only cats can detect and understand these messages. Just as a snowflake, each scent is unique to each cat. Cats scratching around the house is their way of marking their territory with their scents. Cool! Tell me more about why they scratch my things. Along with releasing secret scents and hidden messages, scratching does much more than you would think. The claw marks themselves are also warning signs to other cats that a fearless ferocious cat has been here and to steer clear. I guess cats need to also see to believe? Scratching is also the best way for them to relax and relieve stress or excitement. For example, notice how your cat scratches: they stretch their bodies and elongate their legs and toes. This is a natural massage to release muscle knots and tension. If you notice how your cat scratches, you can pick better toys for them. If your cat is a long horizontal stretcher & scratcher, they probably need something low to the ground almost twice the length of their body. Some cats prefer to stretch vertically, so a hanging toy might be better for them. Finally, you may notice little claws laying around the area they scratch. These ‘nail clippings’ are from the cat scratching to pull off the dead outer layer of the nail and reveal a new one. It is important for them to be able to really sink their claws into a material so they can pull off that layer easily and quickly. Claws grow back fast, usually within 10 days to 2 weeks. Some cats have trouble doing this naturally and may need their nails trimmed. Additionally, some cat owners may not want to wait for this process to happen. Therefore, every 2 weeks or so is the suggested time frame I tell customers for nail clipping. This can also be affected by age, as nail growth tends to slow the older they get. What kind of scratching toys should I get? Having had my oak moldings in my house shredded, I’ve gotten pretty well-versed with all of the options for cat scratch toys on the market. I can tell Daphne’s getting tired of her toys when every so often, I hear the sound of a chair being attacked. There are some really great simple options on the market (or do it yourself) for cat scratch pads.
The short answer: Yes! Of course! Cat posts are the most popular style and super easy to make at home. I would start with a simple cardboard or plywood frame covered in excess carpet, but there are a lot of very creative versions on the internet. If you are the DIY type, search for some styles you’ve seen and liked and start to be creative with some options! A friend of mine used a simple cardboard mailing tube over an old post and his 8 cats were delighted with a fresh tube every so often. You could even re-wrap your old scratching post in something new to get more use out of it! When buying or DIYing anything for your cat, be sure it won’t topple over and injure them. Another factor to consider when choosing a new scratching toy/pad/tower/post is sound. Cats love the sound of scratching! If this sound drives you up a wall, consider a softer material. Any of these options here are still better than your new sofa or door moldings so start off immediately once you bring a new cat home. Replacing the posts as soon as they become worn will also deter kitty from eyeing the nicer things to destroy. All of these can be purchased and tested rather inexpensively and then once decided on which is preferred, keep a small variety around the house in areas that your cat can easily find. Hopefully, you will notice your cat willingly choosing the scratchpad over the chair! Or, when in doubt, send your cat our way for a day of de-stressing at the spa. Since cats are so self-sufficient, do they really need designated kennels? Read on to find out why cats benefit from specific care and how to pick a kennel.
Why do cats need kennels and boarding facilities? This is a question I get asked pretty often since I started telling people about my business. Even now, customers stop in and ask. I have my own personal beliefs about why cats need safe and comfortable boarding facilities but I’ve also compiled some other common reasons cats may benefit from boarding. Attention, please! Many years ago, I left for a long weekend and had a friend stop by to feed my kitty, Guenivere. The friend told me that she would barely stay for 3 minutes. She stayed enough time to dump food in a bowl, open a can of wet food and refill the water. Needless to say, I never asked her to check on Gwen again. However, because of the isolation and loneliness, I came home to her losing her voice. Yes, my sweet Guenivere had meowed so much that she was hoarse and could barely speak anymore. As my vet advised, not all cats are aloof loners. Some are attention seeking and need human interaction (when they decide they want it, of course). While cats may not need to be constantly stroked or cradled, some just need to know that a human is present and that is enough to reduce any anxiety for them. My vet had advised me that anything over 4 days is really pushing the limits for loneliness to set in. Medical attention Whether your cat is diabetic or on an antibiotic, the medicine needs to be administered on a regular basis in a safe environment. It is neither fun nor easy to give a cat medicine but for the cat’s health, it must be done. Some make it easier than others, like the cats who make it nearly impossible, but having someone trained to give them medicine is a huge plus of boarding facilities. Knowing who will be administering the medication is important for the cat’s stress level, which may already be high just by not being around their owner. Medical attention can also mean post-surgery care. As with humans, postsurgical recovery can be important to avoid another surgery or health scare. I recently had a client tell me that his cat was a little Houdini after a procedure and removed the plastic cone and damaged his wound and stitches. This happened while he was at work all day and he thought that the cone would stop any risk of opening the wound. The little stinker had to go back to the vet to be re-stitched and received another round of antibiotics just in case. Cat daycare is available for these situations. If you have a very busy schedule or multiple pets, even a short term stay can help get through the rough first days. Or maybe you have to travel and are unable to postpone your trip. Having the option of a trusted cat daycare can help get kitty on the road to recovery. The human element Watching your fur baby is one of the greatest responsibilities that you may ask of someone. I’ll be the first to admit that I have asked neighbors and friends to stop by and feed and water my cat. Unfortunately, even the best neighbor in the world is likely to slack on care and attention during a quick drop-by. Having someone in my house while I’m away is not comforting to me regardless of new technology that can be set up. It is still a stranger in your house with a key to it! Additionally, even the people who want to provide your cat with more attention can misstep. One time, my cat crawled under the bed and the cat-sitter friend insisted on trying to get her. Unfortunately, she ended up being bitten by my cat, as my cat felt her personal space was being interrupted. I appreciated her wanting to play with Maddie but provoking her to hide and then bite was uncalled for. At a kennel, staff are trained to respect the cat’s desire to calm down. Keeping routine Some cats can be left a bowl of food and will eat at their pleasure and come and go. Others may binge and eat all the food at once only to become sick and make a mess. Your cat may be very adjusted to your routine at home, and having that routine disrupted while still in their home can be very confusing. Cats are intuitive creatures, and being at a boarding facility may help put them in the mindset of “I need to figure out how to adjust” rather than being stubborn. While leaving your kitty at home or asking a friend to check is no cost, sometimes there can be a price you don’t know of that your cat will pay. Trips to the boarder are not often and quickly forgotten. Some upscale boarding facilities are now offering pick up and drop off for a small fee. After some mishaps and not so great experiences asking friends or needing medication handled, I have no question that boarding is the best choice. If we can travel and stay in a nice hotel, shouldn’t your cat enjoy a nice getaway to the spa as well? They may have so much fun that they may not want to leave! While a kennel is the approach I prefer to take, you know your cat best. Take time to research and visit in person and interview us! There can be huge differences in kennels from drop off/pick up times to what type of kennel/room the cat will be in. Interview them as you are hiring them to work for you and take care of your baby. Sometimes spending more can guarantee peace of mind and a happier cat. Pet cancer is a devastating ordeal to go through. Knowing what to expect, what warning signs your cat might show, and how to deal with it can make things better.
There are over 100 types of cancer that can affect our pets. May is Pet Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise both money and awareness to combat these terrible diseases. My experience with pet cancer As our cats get older, the risk of cancer increases greatly. As responsible pet owners, we need to be informed ahead of time on what to look for, what to do, and most importantly, how to help prevent. Sadly, three of my previous pets – all lovely Siamese – have succumbed to cancer. Catrina passed from breast cancer, which is the third most common feline cancer. Guenivere developed Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), which is a type of skin cancer that affects usually the mouth, jaw, and tongue areas. Maddie was found to have a mass either in her lung and chest region. One common thread between all of these different cancer experience: these ladies were all elderly and well into their teenage years. According to the Cornell University Feline Health Center, 30-40% of cats will have at least one cancer diagnosis in their life. Perhaps I stare at my cats too much, but when Maddie was 4 years old, one of her whiskers became puffy and looked similar to an ingrown hair. Immediately, I made an appointment with my veterinarian and a biopsy was done. Thankfully, the tumor was benign. Because I’m an overprotective cat owner, Maddie was left with a little whisker beauty mark instead of something more harmful. Knowing your cat and being familiar with their habits, routines, and body are all ways we can be proactive at detecting illness or cancer early. Of course, even the most attentive cat owner may not detect any early warning signs. Sometimes it’s just impossible to know if something’s wrong, so never beat yourself up if you don’t catch your cat’s cancer early. That being said, there are some other symptoms to look out for. Cat cancer symptoms While Maddie’s whisker tumor was noticeable, her lung mass was not. However, she did display symptoms that were not her typical rambunctious self. Some possible symptoms of cancer for felines include:
Both Guenivere and Maddie exhibited behavioral changes, including hiding. I noticed they were behaving oddly when they started hiding their heads under a blanket or curtain, which was very out of character for them. My veterinarian explained this odd behavior to me: cats are pretty simplistic and think that they can hide from the pain. How does cancer creep up so suddenly? After my girls were diagnosed with cancer, my guilt was overwhelming. I kept asking myself how did I not catch this and prevent it? In these difficult times it’s easy to blame ourselves or our vets. I remember thinking that I took Maddie for yearly checkups, so how did this slip past? My veterinarian explained this to me using cat psychology. Basically, since we’re a different species, no matter how much we love our cats we are still a ‘threat’ to them when they’re sick. The survival of the fittest instinct kicks in and they will mask it, hide and suffer until they can no longer handle it. By then, it can be too late. The best advice I can give is to be proactive with vet visits. It is even suggested by some to increase yearly visits to twice a year after age 7. Check with your veterinarian for what they recommend. There are also some methods of prevention. Some ways to prevent feline cancer include vaccinations, such as FeLV, early spaying/neutering, and maintaining a healthy weight. What kind of cancers are common in cats? Certain types of cancer are more common depending on species. Cats are more prone to certain cancers, including:
If you’re interested in learning more about the intricacies of pet cancer, take a look at the Pet Owner's Guide to Cancer, put together by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. In celebration of National Chip Your Pet Month all May, we've decided to give you the download on all the ins and outs of chipping your pet.
In my perfect world, all cats would be housecats and stay inside where it is safe and cozy. However, the reality is that cats live outside, may escape, or don’t live in a stable situation. In my case, my Daphne is an indoor-outdoor cat and stays indoors at night while only venturing out for a few hours a day into her 2-acre kingdom. Many of us are familiar with indoor-outdoor cats and understand the risks that come with their outdoor roaming. However, it brings them such happiness that we’re unwilling to confine them to the house. Every housecat has a lion inside, after all. Why I Microchipped My Cat I’ve always had lazy indoor-only cats that lounge around in their climate-controlled environment all day and are provided with food and water. I never had to worry about them strolling across the road, running into a wild animal, or as Daphne has done, falling asleep in the backseat of a neighbor’s car. Since she showed up 7 years ago, learning to live with a true indoor-outdoor cat has been a bit of a learning curve. My vet was quick to explain to me that since Daphne was introduced to the outdoors very young, it is impossible to turn off that switch. She explained that some cats have been known to shred the door or door frame to attempt to gain access outside. In other words, I am now the gatekeeper/doorman for my cat! Over the years, it has been fine except for her once being accidentally locked in my neighbor’s garage all night (I was up all night waiting for her to come home!). Oh, and then the sleeping in the car incident. They told me that they were already down the street when she woke up and they turned around to bring her back home to me. I’m so lucky that my neighbors were that nice, but that experience is eventually what led me to call my veterinarian’s office and set up an appointment for her to be microchipped. What are Microchips? First and foremost, it’s important to know that microchips are not GPS tracking devices. They aren’t going to help you find your kitty in the forest. However, they can be especially useful if someone finds your cat wandering around and may prevent your cat from being brought to the pound and adopted by someone else.
It might seem scary or overly-cautious to chip your pet, but the process is surprisingly simple, painless, and cheap. Here are a few things to know before you decide if chipping is right for you.
As I mentioned above, the chips have RFID identifiers in them. The unique registration number associated with you and your pet will be read on the chip if your animal is lost.
For me, this was a no-brainer and brings me peace of mind should Daphne wander off again. I understand that an RFID chip in their animal may be alarming for some people, so I encourage everyone to do some research of their own and talk with their trusted vet about it. This isn’t the perfect solution of an indoor-only cat but, as with anything, one must find a way to adapt to their cat and their unchanging ways. In honor of National Chip Your Pet Month this May, please consider this low-cost option at your next check-up or ask for it upon an adoption. The Invention of Cat Litter
What great event happened between the Great Depression and WW2? The invention of kitty litter! Before 1947, cats were using ashes, paper and even plain old dirt in boxes. At this time, most cats were still not considered house pets and remained outdoors. However, this began to change around the 1940s. Luckily for kitties, in 1947 a businessman named Ed Lowe and his neighbor, Mrs. Draper, were about to change the cat bathroom experience forever. One day, when Mrs. Draper asked for Lowe’s assistance with regard to the cat box he offered some absorbent clay. Lightbulb moment! She loved it. Soon, Lowe marketed his new invention and changed history with his Tidy Cat brand. Thank You, Mr. Lowe! Cat litter remained the classic non-clumping litter style for decades. Fast forward to the invention of scoopable clumping cat litter in the 1980s and the face of the cat litter industry changed for us all. Thomas Nelsen, an inventor, discovered that drying the clay caused it to clump. And thus, another main type of litter was born: the infamous clumping litter. Since Nelsen’s big innovation, the cat litter industry has become more competitive and saturated. Now, many brands are focusing on the newest goal of the millennium: environmental friendliness. There are now many options for eco-friendly litters. Which Kind is Right for You? Cat litter brands have a lot of varieties today, so it's good to know about all of the offerings. Read on to find out about some of the major types of cat litter. Traditional Absorbent Non-Clumping Clay Litter The dried clay has larger pieces that track less than small materials like sand, so it won’t stick to paws as easily and falls away in the box. However, it still tracks a bit and can make a mess. This litter is baked, which helps reduce odor, but it needs to be changed more often. This oldie but goodie can last for up to a week in a box (for one cat) before having to be dumped and completely changed out. Clumping Clay Litter Clumping clay litter can last a little longer, since you can scoop out the solid waste. Most brands recommend changing the litter fully every 2-3 weeks. This is now the gold standard for cats and litter boxes around the world! Environmentally Conscious Litters Many of these newer litters boast several attractive qualities, including being biodegradable and sustainable. Other than these plusses, many of these can also be flushed down the toilet if need be. It’s still recommended to toss the waste in the trash bin as with any other litter.
One of my personal favorites – and I have used it for years – is the paper-based formula. It is made of recycled paper, and I find the no dust feature is a huge plus. As with the above wood litter, it is absorbent but doesn’t clump. I never found there to be an odor issue but for others, they may feel it lacks the odor control they desire. The only drawback to my favorite here is the price. It is much more expensive than the classic clay litter. The texture reminds me of rabbit food pellets and didn’t bother my cat but stepping on one of these in bare feet was a reminder to sweep the floor. This is a great option also if your cat needs to have surgery and needs a larger granule and not a fine texture. Lastly, you could use soil but then every plant you have may become a toilet so be prepared for a surprise in your ficus tree pot! How to Pick the Best Litter for You To pick the best litter, first consider several factors including number of cats, amount of dust, desired odor control, how often you want to change the litter, how much you want to spend, and how important eco-friendliness is to you. For example, ff you have multiple cats, then odor and frequency of changing the litter are going to be high on your list of concerns. Keep in mind that scented litter isn’t always better since some cats simply do not like the artificially added odor and can leave little messages around to ‘tell’ you to turn off the extra odor! Quick Fact: Studies have shown that outdoor cats are most likely to cover their waste in the litter box. Indoor cats often lose this adaptation over time because they don’t feel threatened. If you have an outdoor cat (or a particularly instinctual indoor one!) consider using a low-dust formula. Many companies have studied and tested cats and their litter preference. The preferred litter style is the unscented clumping cat litter. Try out a few and ask your vet, your local pet store and friends what they recommend. You will know quickly if kitty does not like your purchase! Remember, this is as personal to your feline as your toilet paper is to you so give it some thought and hopefully we will never have a cat litter shortage. |
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April 2024
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