The Finicky Feline

Cats have a reputation for being finicky. Although many cats are overweight and eat just about anything you place in front of them, other cats are just plain picky and will always be thin. Whether a cat is truly finicky or just doesn’t need to eat a lot is up for debate. Sometimes they eat their meals and other times they turn up their whiskered faces as if to say, “You don’t expect me to eat that, do you?” If your cat is a truly finicky eater, mealtimes can be a frustrating and challenging experience.

Solving the Mystery

Illness or other physical problems may cause a cat to stop eating. If your cat suddenly doesn’t want to eat, have her checked by your veternarian to make sure that nothing physical is causing her loss of appetite. Place a chart on your refrigerator to keep track of her food consumption. Knowing what is normal for your cat is vital in determining if she has reduced the amount she eats.

If she is eating less than 50 percent of her normal intake for 4 or more days or eating nothing at all for as little as 48 hours, she could develop serious liver problems. Skipping a meal is fairly safe, but skipping more than one meal could spell trouble.

There are many reasons why your cat might become finicky.

The size of your cat’s bowl may have something to do with how appealing her meals have become. That cute little bowl you bought when she was a kitten is now too small for her to stick her head into and eat. Her whiskers flatten against the sides, and she gets food on her face. As soon as she lowers her head into the bowl, she wants to lift it out again.

Perhaps you are feeding her in a lightweight plastic bowl or on a paper plate that slides around as she eats. If the plate moves around or slides under the furniture, she may become frustrated and decide that eating is just too much trouble. If your cat’s bowl is flat, and the food slides onto the floor behind it, she may give up rather than scrape up the pieces that fell behind or under the plate.

Where your cat’s bowl is placed may contribute to how much or little she wants to approach it. Look at mealtimes from your cat’s perspective. Is the bowl near your dog’s bed? Is it near a noisy piece of equipment such as the washing machine? Is it near a door where family members frequently come and go? Is it in a damp location such as the basement? All of these places may have a negative impact on her appetite.

Sometimes a cat appears to be finicky because she is intimidated by other household members or pets. Perhaps the cat hides under the bed at mealtimes because there’s a loud, overly active child in the house who harasses her as she eats. The child thinks he’s being playful, but his antics frighten the cat. Dogs are famous for wanting to eat cat food when it is available and may scare off your cat before she takes her first bite.

Other causes include spoiled food, food that has become stale because it has been left sitting out too long or food that is overcome with ants or other insects.

If your cat suffers from bad teeth or gums, the condition may reduce her appetite or make it difficult for her to eat.

Cats internalize stress, and if there is any stress or sudden changes in the household such as a family member leaving or new people arriving, or changes in routine such as you working late, your cat may not be as interested in her food.

Cats may eat less in warm weather than they do in the winter months, even though they may not go outside. And, if your cat eats only one kind of food, she may be just plain bored with it.

Foiling the Finicky Eater

Although many cats do well on a diet of only one type of food (if it is complete and balanced), they may lose interest in it over time. The best way to prevent your cat from becoming finicky is to accustom her to a variety of flavors when she is still a kitten. A cat eating only one kind of food may have a more difficult time changing to a new food if a medical condition requires that she be put on a prescription diet.

Make sure your cat has an adequately sized bowl and that it is placed in a location that is appropriate from her point of view. Many cats prefer to be off the floor when there are other pets or small children around, so find an elevated place that is acceptable to you and your cat if tiny hands or floppy feet frighten her off.

If you are feeding your cat only dry food, adding a tasty broth will put variety into her mealtimes. Or, if your cat has problems with her teeth, dry food can be difficult for her to chew. Soften her food in some water from a can of people tuna or in some clam juice. Bouillon or chicken broth also make dry food softer and tastier.

Try feeding your cat canned food or jars of baby food occasionally to entice her to eat. If your cat is stubborn, offer her cooked meats or cooked fish to stimulate her appetite. Warming her food will help bring out the flavor, but be careful it isn’t too hot for her to ingest.

If you’ve just changed your cat’s diet , she may be refusing to eat the new food. Begin offering her a little of the new food mixed in with her old food. Over the course of a few weeks, gradually increase the amount of new food in the mix.

A little creativity and patience will help you keep your cat interested in her meals and keep your stress level down while trying to get your finicky feline to eat.

Please visit us at  www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Giving Your Cat a Pill

By Christian Yost

March 28, 2009

Giving Your Cat Medication With a Minimum of Stress

Partnering with your veterinarian is the key to keeping your cat healthy, and that goes beyond the occasional check-up and immunization. Be sure to schedule veterinary visits at least every six months and to give your cat tender, loving care.

If you do find that your cat needs veterinary care, it’s often necessary to give your cat medications at home after she’s seen the doctor. This, as you may already know, can be a challenge. Most cats aren’t anxious to take medications, and owners often physically struggle with their cats just to get a pill in their mouths. If you’ve ever tried to give your cat a pill, and she managed to get away from you, you know how difficult it is to coax a cat from under the couch.

Besides being a frustrating experience for you, your cat also finds it frustrating and stressful. That’s why it’s important to know an appropriate and easy way to give your cat her medication. Use the following steps to make the medicine go down a little easier.

Step 1: Call for backup. Have a partner hold your cat while you administer the pill. Ideally, your cat should be sitting on a table so she’s at a convenient height to handle. Have your partner hold onto her hindquarters to keep her from backing away from you. If working alone, try sitting with your cat near the corner of the couch�this will help provide a natural barrier to keep her from backing away while you give her the pill. Begin by �palming� your cat’s head. Place one hand firmly over the crown of the skull.

Step 2: Keep your hand on the head and point the mouth upward so her nose is pointing toward the ceiling.

Step 3: With your free hand, take the pill between your thumb and forefinger, then pry open the mouth by inserting your middle finger between the jaws. Your cat should naturally open her mouth. Though she may resist, with gentle pressure, you will be able to get the mouth open.

Step 4: Once the mouth is open, place or release the pill as far back in the mouth as possible and then hold his mouth closed for 5 to 10 seconds. At this point, you must work quickly. If your fingers clear her mouth and you hesitate to close the jaws, your cat will try to spit out the pill. Once the mouth is closed, gently rub her throat to stimulate the swallowing reflex.

After you release her jaws, your cat may still spit out the pill if she hasn’t swallowed. If this happens, it’s probably because the pill was released too far forward on the tongue, which makes it easy for the cat to hold it in her mouth until she’s �free.� Repeat the steps and try to get the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.

With practice and patience, this technique will work without putting a lot of stress on your cat. The method is quick and easy and will keep your cat from dreading pill time.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Fun and Games

By: Christian Yost

March 28, 2009

If your pet is more like a couch potato than a curious cat on the go, it’s time to pump her up. Play. Experts agree on this cat care tip: some of us should do it more. It improves health, enhances appearance and adds a sense of mental well-being. And it only takes a few minutes a day. Exercise. You are your cat’s own personal trainer.

“Exercise benefits felines with increased overall health, including a longer lifespan. “It relieves stress, reduces aggression and keeps cats alert. Exercise just makes cats feel better.” A feline fitness plan may seem strange to you, but there are ways to get your cat in condition.

Let’s Play!
It may sound like work, but to cats, exercise is just plain fun. One of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to keep your kitty fit is to play with her. Just 15 to 30 minutes a day of play can help keep your cat in shape and strengthen the bond between the two of you. Here are some cat care tips to get you and your cat in the habit of regular exercise:

• Start slowly! Build up to 30 minutes of exercise a day, depending on your individual cat.
• Break play sessions into 5- to 10-minute segments throughout the day.
• Choose safe cat toys. Avoid string or other items she can swallow.
• Never force a cat to do an activity. Let her decide.
• If you feel like your cat is getting too wound up, stop playing.
• Play with your cat before meals, not immediately after.
• Have water available at all times.
• Use praise and petting instead of treats to keep her interested.

There are hundreds of cat toys on the market today as well as lots of low- and no-cost toys you can make yourself. “Cats get bored,”. “Have a good variety of toys, but alternate which ones you leave out.”

However, even the best toy won’t get your cat active without you. Cats like interaction. Although the toy is part of that, having a playmate will double her interest and the time she spends exercising.

Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com

Finicky Eater?

By: Christian Yost

March 28, 2009
Is your cat really a finicky eater, or could it be something else? There are many factors to consider when you notice that your cat does not appear to be eating as usual. If you think this is the case, take a closer look at exactly what your cat is eating during a day’s time.

Does your cat eat just a few table scraps or treats? These extras can drastically alter your cat�s normal intake of cat food. It is similar to the feeling you get after eating too much candy or potato chips. Are you interested in a full meal? Neither is your cat.

Feeding Tips for the Truly Finicky Cat
Cats normally eat to meet their energy requirements. However, there is a tendency for humans to think that cats need variety in their diet. This actually is not true. Cats are carnivores whose ancestors ate meat in the wild. It is doubtful that a cat would choose to eat fish one day and chicken the next. Cats thrive on routine and should not tire of one particular flavor of food.
More Feeding Tips

• If, by chance, your cat does start eating less, do not assume that he or she is tired of the food. You many want to look for another factor that is probably causing some stress. Has another animal been added to the household? Has a family member left or died? Have the cat�s surroundings changed, such as a move to a new house? When the stress is removed, your cat will probably go back to a normal diet. If your cat seems healthy, happy and lively, has a good coat and clear eyes, there is little cause for concern.

• Cats have an uncanny ability to smell changes in the world around them. Even a new bowl can disturb a cat�s eating habits. Some cats refuse to eat from a plastic or hard rubber bowl.

• Other factors that may contribute to a change in eating habits are medical in nature. The only way to verify this is to visit your veterinarian. If the medical examination does not verify a problem exists, your cat may be manipulating you in grand style!

What Every Cat Needs

• Regardless of which food you choose to feed, your cat must have plenty of fresh, clean water available at all times. I suggest placing the water three to five feet from the food. This will help prevent your cat from gulping water and air in addition to food.

• Make sure that your cat has a quiet, comfortable place to eat, away from a lot of family confusion.

• And remember, your cat needs to visit the veterinarian regularly. Regular visits help to keep your cat happy and healthy!
• Please visit us at www.siamese-cattailscattery.com