Preventing Illness and Injury in Cats

When it comes to giving unconditional love, pet owners know their pets win hands down. In return, we offer them companionship along with food, shelter and safety. For their own good, we must also keep our pets free from illness or injury.

This article provides an overview of how to keep your pet happy and healthy. For more detailed information, use the search engine to find the appropriate articles on specific topics.

Contagious Diseases

The best and easiest way to prevent a variety of common and contagious diseases is to have your pet vaccinated within their first few months of life. Periodic boosters and regularly scheduled checkups will further reduce the chance of contracting many diseases.

Parasites

Regular checkups should include periodic fecal examinations to detect any intestinal . If any are found, your veterinarian will help deworm your pet and keep him worm-free.

Your veterinarian can also help prevent heartworm, which can affect both dogs and cats. Adult worms live in lung arteries and the chambers of the heart, which can damage the heart muscle and lungs, interfering with their function. Routine administration of preventative medication can prevent infection.

Fleas and ticks, the bane of animals since the beginning of time, can also be prevented with appropriate insecticides routinely administered to your pet.

Nutritional Disorders

Feeding a good quality pet food can prevent many nutritional  disorders. Table scraps should be avoided, no matter how cute your cat acts. Regular exercise and play will help reduce the chance of obesity and associated disorders. As your pet gets older, you should talk with your veterinarian about how to adjust his  diet

to match a slowing metabolism.

Reproductive Disorders

Almost all reproductive disorders, including some types of cancer, can be avoided with early spaying or neutering. This can also reduce the chance of your pet developing certain behavioral disorders. All uterine, ovarian and testicular diseases will be prevented if these organs are no longer present.

Toxicity

Preventing toxicities is easily done if you make certain that all potentially toxic items are safely and securely stored away from your pet. Do not allow your cat to roam outdoors. This will prevent ingestion of many different toxic substances found in the environment.

Trauma

Accidents do happen, so no matter how well you take care of your pet, you may still need a trip to the veterinarian. But you can greatly reduce the chances of an accident with one simple action.

Keeping your cat indoors can greatly impact her health and life span. Indoors, she has very little chance of being attacked by a stray animal (which can give her fatal diseases such as feline AIDS, in addition to injuries), or being hit by a car, eating something poisonous, etc.

Besides keeping them safe from physical hazards like other animals or vehicles, your pets will not be in danger of being picked up by a municipal animal officer. Thousands of pets are euthanized each year at shelters because they have gotten lost and had no identification showing they belonged to someone. Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

First Aid Kit for Cats

By: Christian Yost

March 26, 2009

Emergencies can occur any time and the best thing to do is be prepared. Having a first aid kit ready will help to reduce anxiety if an emergency does happen. Keep the kit readily available and periodically check to make sure all the items are up to date and present. A small plastic toolbox or fishing tackle box works well to hold all the necessary equipment.

On the outside of the box, write your name, address and telephone number in case you lose it. Also include the telephone number of your veterinarian as well as the telephone number of a local veterinary

emergency facility.

If you leave someone to care for your pets, make sure to discuss your pets with them. Make sure they understand what you consider an emergency, how to contact you, the name and phone number of a secondary contact person you trust to make decisions on your behalf if you were unavailable, and where to take your pet in case of an emergency.

You may want to consider leaving a credit card number to pay for any unplanned expenses relating to your pet’s health.

Once the emergency information is complete, it would be a good idea to have separate information sheets for each pet. Include a photo of each pet with the name, age, breed, sex, identification (microchipping information), and any health problems. This can help if your pet is lost or if someone unfamiliar with your pet is needed to care for him.

A well-stocked first aid kit for cats includes:

Roll cotton

Some cotton balls

Gauze pads

Gauze tape

Hydrogen peroxide (check the expiration date)

Hydrocortisone ointment

Scissors

Eyewash

Tweezers

Silver nitrate

Oral syringes

Pediolyte® or other balanced electrolyte fluid

Baby food– meat flavors work best

Large towel

Exam gloves

One inch white tape (in addition to gauze tape)

Rolls of elastic wrap

Emergency ice pack

Thermometer (both oral and rectal thermometers can be used rectally)

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Garden & Lawn Hazards in Cats

Garden & Lawn Hazards in Cats

By: Christian Yost

March 24, 2009

In the summer, children love to spend time in the sandbox. Many adults enjoy the peace and tranquility of gardening. If your household includes a cat that also enjoys time outside, a sandbox or garden is often considered an attractive outdoor litterbox. Your cat’s natural preferences for elimination includes soft sand- or soil-type material so the attraction to these areas can be annoying or even hazardous to your health. Fortunately, there are methods that can be used to discourage this unwanted behavior.

Snail and slug baits are frequently used, and if ingested, cause serious and potentially fatal tremors and seizures.

Citronella candles are used to deter mosquitoes but may cause gastrointestinal inflammation in cats, resulting in vomiting and diarrhea.

Mulch. Most mulches are safe if ingested but there is one uncommon but potentially toxic type of mulch. Cacoa bean mulch is made from the hulls of cacoa beans and when fresh has a rich, chocolate aroma. Ingestion of large amounts of fresh mulch can result in chocolate toxicity. To keep your pet safe, keep him away from the mulch until the chocolate aroma has gone. A thorough watering or heavy rainfull often reduces the potential toxicity.

Many products are used to create beautiful lawns and productive gardens. With proper handling, use and storage of these products, illness and potential tragedy can be avoided. Keep lawn and garden products stored in an area that your pet cannot enter. During application of these products, keep your pet confined in a safe area. Should exposure to any of these products occur, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Keeping Your Cat out of the Sandbox or Garden

Keeping Your Cat out of the Sandbox or Garden

By: Christian Yost

March 24, 2009

In the summer, children love to spend time in the sandbox. Many adults enjoy the peace and tranquility of gardening. If your household includes a cat that also enjoys time outside, a sandbox or garden is often considered an attractive outdoor litterbox. Your cat’s natural preferences for elimination includes soft sand- or soil-type material so the attraction to these areas can be annoying or even hazardous to your health. Fortunately, there are methods that can be used to discourage this unwanted behavior.

Sandbox Covers

The most effective way to discourage your cat from using your child’s sandbox is to prevent access to it by covering it when not in use. A hard plastic cover available a local hardware stores does an excellent job. It has the extra advantage of protecting the area from rain and keeping young children from playing while unsupervised. These covers can be secured and are easy to clean.

On the downside, they can require more space to store. An alternative is to use a tarp, which is flexible and requires little space but may need to be secured around the edges to keep it from accumulating rainwater or blowing away.

For the do-it-yourself homeowner, a custom top can be constructed using lengths of PVC pipe. Make a frame slightly larger than the perimeter of the box. Cut a length of hardware cloth and attach in to the pipe with wire or staples. Eliminate all sharp edges. Cover the top with canvas fabric so the wire is not exposed. If your play area is a shape other than rectangular, PVC pipe is a flexible version of PVC and can be bent into curves and circles. Using large whole hardware cloth or chicken wire is not recommended because of the danger of your pet and children becoming entangled.

Spray Repellants

For both sandboxes and gardens, there are a variety of commercial sprays designed as animal deterrents. They contain preparations that are offensive, but not harmful, to cats. Applying these sprays around the box or garden border when it is first installed in the spring is often helpful. Rain and sunlight will decrease their effectiveness so they have to be reapplied regularly on a calm day to discourage drifting. A homemade preparation of garlic and onion works too. In a blender, add 2 cloves of garlic and 1 small chopped onion to 2 cups of hot water. Blend thoroughly. Strain the pulp through a cheesecloth or strainer and discard or add to the compost pile. Use the liquid in a garden sprayer around the perimeter of the sandbox or garden. Let it dry before children and pets have access.

Other Ideas

Some people have tried placing a thin layer of decorative rocks or stones over the soil to make the garden unattractive to cats. Unfortunately, this method is limited to the type of plants in your garden.

Some gardeners have tried mixing mothballs into the soil. The odor of the mothballs is a deterrent to some cats. You must be careful when using mothballs since overexposure can cause illness in your cat.

Given Their Own, They’ll Leave Yours Alone

If the above suggestion still aren’t deterring you determined feline, how about considering a space in the yard/garden that only your cat will enjoy? A small space with cat-attractive plants could be established in a quiet corner of the yard away from children’s activities. Common choices for plants would include catnip and catmint. Both are easy to grow, and provide attractive foliage for the yard. Take an extra litter pan and dig it into the soil so its surface is flush with the ground. Add a little sand and a handful of dirt. Since cats prefer privacy for their eliminations, a quiet hidden spot such as this may do the trick. It will, however, need to be cleaned like any other cat box. One word of caution, both catmint and catnip produce beautiful fragrant flowers that are attractive to bees. To prevent your cat from being stung, remove the flower stalks before they open with a gentle pinch. Don’t forget to dry some catnip for your cat as an extra treat!

If your cat does persist in soiling the sandbox or garden, it is a good idea to check for feces before children get into the sandbox or you start working in the garden. Cats can shed parasites in their feces that are harmful. The sand in the box may also need to be replaced on a regular basis, although replacing dirt is not practical. And all people playing in the sandbox or working in the garden should wash their hands when they are finished.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

How to Kitten Proof Your Home

How to Kitten Proof Your Home

By: Christian Yost

March 24, 2009

Cats are curious critters, and, once you bring your cat home, she will want to explore every inch of your house. Like a small child, your cat will get into things she shouldn’t unless you keep potentially harmful objects out of reach. Like child-proofing for a toddler, cat-proofing your home is vital to your cat’s safety and well being.

Household Hazards

Furniture. Certain types of furniture are potentially dangerous to cats. Reclining chairs can trap a cat that crawls inside, so check for your cat’s presence under the leg rest or inside the recliner before returning it to an upright position. Rocking chairs can roll on a cat’s tail or foot, so make sure your cat isn’t sitting near the rocker when you decide to take a break.

Ironing boards . Irons left standing can topple over and injure your cat, so put them away when you are finished. Don’t leave hot irons unattended.

clothes dryers. Because cats love to snuggle in small, warm spaces, they often crawl into clothes dryers if the dryer door is left open. Many cats have perished when their owners turn the dryer on without realizing the cat is inside. Close the dryer door after you remove a load of clothing to keep your cat from taking a nap in a potentially dangerous location.

Electrical cords. To keep your cat from accidentally electrocuting herself, tie up loose electrical cords or conceal them in hard plastic or rubber runners purchased at the hardware store. If your cat hogs the heat from heating vents in the winter, fit her with an elastic or break-away collar so she can pull away if her identification tags become caught in the grate.

Small objects. Small objects, such as coins, pins, needles, rubber bands, paper clips, staples,nails, screws, yarn, thread, dental floss, earrings and other small jewelry, bells and small balls, left lying around can lodge in your cat’s digestive tract if swallowed. Keep them safely out of your cat’s reach.

Windows. To keep your cat from accidentally falling or escaping through an open window, fasten window screens securely.

Toilets. The toilet can be a popular watering hole for a cat. A small kitten could fall in and drown or a cat could become poisoned if the toilet contains an automatic toilet bowl cleaner. Keeping the toilet lid down may prevent a feline tragedy.Potential Poisons

Plants. Many common household plants are poisonous to cats. They range from lily-of-the-valley and daffodils to rhododendron and hydrangea. Eating them causes symptoms ranging from stomach upset to convulsions or death.If your cat enjoys eating greens, try supplying her with a pot of grass to satisfy her cravings.

Chemicals. Chemical cleaning products are poisonous if your cat ingests them. If using chemical cleaners concerns you, substitute safe cleaning products such as vinegar/water mixtures or baking soda. Cats are fastidious, so if you do use chemical cleaning products wash away the residue so your cat will not get it on her feet or hair. To keep your cat from opening the cupboards where you store cleaning products, attach safety latches to the cupboard doors.

Ovens. When cleaning the oven, close the door to prevent your cat from walking on the chemical oven cleaner, and, after removing your latest culinary creations from the oven, be sure to close the hot oven door to keep your cat from burning her paws if she jumps on it.

Antifreeze. All antifreeze is poisonous to cats. Even antifreeze made of propylene glycol is toxic if your cat ingests enough of it, so keep antifreeze spills cleaned up.

Drugs. Common anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen are extremely toxic to cats as well as analgesics such as aceteminophen (Tylenol). (For more information, see the related article Acetaminophen Toxicity.) If your cat ingests only two regular strength Tylenol tablets within a 24-hour period, it may be lethal. Keep all medicines out of your cat’s reach and don’t let your cat play with pills that might have fallen to the floor. Pick them up and throw them away.No house is 100 percent safe, but you can reduce the risk to your cat and create a cat-friendly environment by vigilantly keeping potential hazards at a minimum. Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Why Indoor Cats Need to Be Happy?

Why Indoor Cats Need to Be Happy?

March 21, 2009

By: Christian Yost

Cats are kept indoors for a number of reasons most relating to health and safety. The most common reasons include minimizing their exposure to outdoor dangers, traumas, toxins and deadly exposure to infections. Cats that are kept exclusively indoors live on average at least twice as long as outdoor cats.

Although the indoor environment may be safer, the indoor environment may not interesting to a curious cat. It is important to create an environment that is enriched, stimulating, and helps supplement what cats normally would get outside.

The following are some ideas and recommendations to help your indoor cat be its happiest!

1. Good litter, litter box, and litter box care – make sure you have an adequate number and size of litter boxes. You should have at least one box per cat PLUS one.

They should be cleaned or scooped daily, litter changed monthly and boxes replaced twice a year. They should also be in a location where your cat feels safe using the box and away from high traffic areas and dogs. Good litter box hygiene is a must for cats! You should use the texture and type of litter that appeals to your cat.

2. Good quality food – indoor cats need good quality food to stay healthy. Choose the best quality food that you can afford. Make sure the label indicates that it is “AFFCO” approved which reflects that they company incorporated the minimal levels of nutrients that should be included in a commercial food.

3. Grow a little cat grass – most cats love cat grass. You can easily grow a small pot or catnip and offer it periodically as a special treat.

4. Toys – cats love to play and making sure your cats have lots of toys that like helps to enrich their environment. Every cat has differences toy and play preferences. At a minimum, have some toys that roll, something with catnip and a toy on a string that can be moved to help stimulate your cat to pounce and play.

5. Play time – cats should be given at least 10 minutes of attention each per day. This should include some playing time and some bonding time.

6. Scratching post – cats have a desire to scratch. Scratching allows them to sharpen their claws, get rid of dead claw pieces and mark territory. Even de-clawed cats like to go through the motions of scratching. You should make sure you have a good spot for your cat to scratch!

The best scratching post is one your cat likes. Make sure it is tall enough for him or her to really stretch out. Keep it in a location where you cat likes to hang out and if you have multiple cats, consider having multiple posts.  All cats need a refuge or place to get away and feel safe. Most “refuges” are boxes, beds or cat carriers in a place off the beaten path of the busy household. It should be a place where your cat can get away, feel safe and rest peacefully. This is especially important in busy households with dogs or multiple cats.

A favorite refuge is a spot on top of a cabinet or dresser that has a small soft area to rest. It should be tall enough for your cat to feel safe and watch the environment. Something as simple as a bed or blanket on a high table or dresser can be a great refuge. Remember, it should be in an area where the dog can not bother your cat and if you have multiple cats, you may need multiple refuges.

8. Visual stimulation – every cat should have the ability to look out the window and be simulated by the environment. A screened in porch is ideal but if that is not possible a nice window seat or window bed is a wonderful addition. Cats love to watch nature and other out-door activities. If possible, consider placing a bird feeder within view of the window.

Perch – cats love to climb and a perch is a wonderful spot for your cat to feel save, observe the environment and climb! Cat trees often have a nice perch and don’t take up much room.

A tall stable cat tree that has a high safe spot for cats to watch the environment. It is especially good in an active room or in a location where your cat can look out the window.

10.Love – cats love to be loved. Take time to let your kitty know you car.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com