cat
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Fourth of July safety tips
Lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family, and your furbabies, is the ideal for this holiday. While it may seem like a great idea to reward your pets with scraps from the grill and bring them along to watch fireworks, in reality some festive foods and activities can be potentially hazardous to them. Here are some tips on how to keep your furbabies safe on this holiday. Keep your pets on their normal diet. Any change, even for one meal, can give your pet severe indigestion and diarrhea. This is particularly true for older animals who have more delicate digestive systems and nutritional requirements. And keep…
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Scratch that!
Cats have a natural instinct to scratch. Through scratching, they loosen and remove the outer husks of the nails as they grow. Scratching is also a form of exercise and communication for cats. While scratching, cats deposit their scent, from glands present on the paws, and the discarded nail husks, signaling to other cats the extent of their territory. Our indoor cats also use scratching as a precursor to play or to get attention, especially if they’ve been positively reinforced. Many cats will often scratch vigorously in the presence of their owners or other cats as a sign of territorial confidence. With all that scratching, you may worry about your…
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How to make your cat’s carrier a friend, not foe
Choosing the best kind of carrier for your catChoosing the right carrier is fundamental to your cat’s comfort and sense of security—so make sure that your carrier is sturdy, quiet and provides easy access to your cat. Top loading carriers are easiest to access for you and for your veterinary office staff. There are both “soft shell” and “hard shell” carriers available and your choice depends on your preferences. I prefer a hard plastic carrier that is easy to take apart and has a door on top that can be opened for easy access to your kitty, but also makes it a lot easier to place him in the carrier…
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Spaying or neutering your pet
Part of being conscientious pet owner is considering the importance of spaying or neutering your dog or cat. If you’ve ever visited an animal shelter, you’ve seen some of the thousands of pets each year who are homeless. You can’t save them all, but you can help prevent pet overpopulation by spaying or neutering your own pet. Need more reasons to “fix” your pet? Besides preventing unwanted litters, spaying or neutering helps prevent many life-threatening diseases and can head off some irritating behaviors. Although it’s commonly referred to as a spay, this surgery is actually a complete ovariohysterectomy, or the removal of both ovaries and the uterus. Spayed dogs are at much lower risk for mammary gland tumors (breast cancer), and their chances of developing ovarian…
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How bad is it?
How bad is it to spray a cat with water when you’re training her? Cats don’t generally like getting wet and they are quite sensitive creatures. Surprise spritzes with water can really stress them out. Your best bet may be to provide a distraction and redirect your kitten’s attention to an approved activity. Some kittens may even think that a water spray is a game and continue the action that elicited the watery fun. So to prevent scratching on the sofa, place a scratching post or another scratching surface nearby to discourage destruction of your furniture piece. When you catch your furry friend clawing up the sofa, move her to…
