Cat Safety and Protection

On the following pages of the cat blog, find articles, information, and products concerning cat health and safety.

Keeping Your Pet Safe This Halloween

by Joi

Bo and Adam with their beautiful Cat Mom, Carly

ASPCA released the following News Alert concerning Pet Safety during this time of year. As Pet Parents, it’s up to us to protect them and keep them safe, so here are ten ways we can do just that:

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1. No tricks, no treats: That bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms can be very dangerous for dogs and cats, and tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if swallowed. If you suspect your pet has ingested a potentially dangerous substance, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are ingested.

3. Keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don’t put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.

6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn’t annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal’s movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe or bark. Keep a look out for small, dangling, or easily chewed-off pieces on the costume that your pet could choke on.

7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not obstruct her vision in any way. Even the sweetest animals can get snappy when they can’t see.

8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets.

9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn’t dart outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

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Keeping Your Pets Safe and Cool in the Summer

by Joi

We recently inherited a new member to our family of 5 humans and 6 cats – - – - – 1 dog. We got custody of “Wednesday,” the sweetest dog you could ever meet, when my mom passed away. He was her baby – she absolutely adored this dog! So, needless to say, we’re doing our best to give him as great a life as possible. Thing is, we’re cat people – so we’re still trying to figure out dog needs! One thing I’ve noticed is the fact that the heat is a whole lot harder on him than it is the cats.

He’s like 900 years old, with failing site and hearing – so we keep him on a runner that we fixed in the yard. I move it around to different parts of the yard to keep things interesting for him – and to locate him in the shadiest parts all day long. But one day last week, Steph (youngest daughter) and I were caught out running errands later than we thought and when we got back, he was not only in the sun – but had turned over his water bowl. Steph and I nearly croaked – we took it a lot harder than poor Wednesday did….but he enjoyed all the fussing and the nice cool bath.

I’ve been reading up online about dealing with pets in the summer – I already posted one link to an article here on the blog, and I’ve found another one that I found useful. (I love the idea about an automatic pet waterer.) Here’s the link >>>>>> Tips to Prevent Heatstroke in Your Pet

By the way, Bo is doing great after his ordeal. He’s back to his old, affectionate, playful self…..just a little jumpier than he used to be. I hope to be back to normal one day, too – his disappearance took an awful lot out of me! Pets become such a part of your life and family that it just turns your world upside down when something happens to them. Thankfully, everything worked out okay, and our world was put back right.

Joi

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Cat Health Quiz

by Joi

Entirely Pets.com has a Cat Quiz that you and your cat might want to fill out. You answer a few questions, then they e-mail you your cat’s “profile.” It’s not 100% accurate, though – for example, they said that “Prissy the ancient” was 24 in human years, making her a young adult. Apparently their system misread something, because – at 18, my Prissy (unfortunately) is nowhere near a young anything.

However, the e-mail did have some great words of advice and suggestions on keeping my girl healthy. Prissy’s strutting around here like she’s the cat’s pajamas as well as the cat – she’s obviously buying into the “young adult” assessment. I’ll never tell.

The website also has a Health Quiz for dogs.

Joi

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Caring for an Older Cat – Keeping Her Safe and Happy

by Joi

The diva above is our much, much, much beloved Prissy. She’ll be 18 in September – and, yes, I know how old that is in human years but won’t allow myself to think about it.

I was reading a few online articles and forum threads this morning about senior cats and dogs. Not only do we have Prissy, when my mom unexpectedly passed away in March, we got full custody of her much loved dog, Wednesday. He, himself is kind of long in the tooth – at least 12.

I learned a few things and thought I’d pass them along, in case any0ne else has a baby or babies that are “getting up there.” If you do, you know full well how it is to go searching for them when they’re out of sight for even a minute – I think I probably drive poor little Prissy crazy! I feel better after reading the following:

  • There are lots of stories of cats living into their 20s.
  • I found an account of a veterinarian who said that the oldest cat he ever treated was 31, and doing nicely!
  • I read about a lady with a cat who, at 19, still ran and played with much younger cats.

Prissy moves a little bit slower – especially after she wakes up – and she’d rather be lifted than jump (but she will and can jump if a human isn’t handy), but otherwise she’s healthy, has a huge appetite and absolutely loves attention. She even “acts out stories” like she’s always liked to do: She’ll take off running through the house, then turn suddenly like something’s after her – then she’ll take off in the other direction. She had a good “rip” yesterday….she hit nearly every room, then collapsed in the office floor looking at me like I’d done something ridiculous.

As a matter of fact, she’s looking at me now. I think she knows she’s getting blogged up….. I just hope she doesn’t find out I gave her real age away. She lies, you know.

Shhhhh…
Joi

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Dangers of Flea Control for Pets

by Joi

From the ASPCA News Alert Wire:

Each year as flea season approaches, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives thousands of calls from pet owners who have accidentally misused flea control products on their cats. There are almost 20 brands of products containing permethrin currently available that are labeled “for dogs only.” When used on cats—even in small amounts—these products can spell big trouble.

“The misuse of flea and tick products can be extremely harmful and even deadly to our companion animals,” says Dr. Steven Hansen, APCC Senior Vice President. Signs commonly seen with permethrin toxicity in cats include tremors, muscle fasciculation and seizures. These symptoms can develop within just hours, or may be delayed up to two days. Most cats have a good chance of recovering with prompt and aggressive veterinary treatment, which may include medication, IV fluids, bathing and other supportive care.

APCC experts urge you to consult with your veterinarian before purchasing products to control fleas on your pet or in your home—and always read the product instructions completely before using any product on your pet. Adds Hansen, “By simply taking the time to read a product label carefully, a pet owner could save his or her animal’s life.”

If you have used a flea control product and notice that your cat is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center’s emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for round-the-clock telephone assistance. For more pet poison prevention tips, please visit APCC online.

When you go to the link mentioned above (and you really, really should go to the link mentioned above!), get a load of the adorable kitten in the top banner – Those eyes!!!

Have a great, safe, fun weekend – especially all you fathers!
Joi

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Dog, and Cat, Days of Summer!

by Joi

I love living in an area of the country (Kentucky) where we have four distinct seasons. Each one has its own traits and characteristics that make it special. And just when I think I can say which of the four is my favorite (like autumn with all its apple cider, pumpkins, and falling leaves), I remember something amazing about another season (like spring with its lemonade, daffodils, and budding leaves). Or summer with grilling out, glasses of Summer Julius, St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball, and gladiolas…. Or, winter with its hot chocolate, Christmas music, and NFL!

I’m pretty sure my outside cats have a favorite season – and it would be any season BUT summer. They’re actually campaigning to move to Minnesota – they hear the winters are long and the fishing’s amazing. While I love the land of the lakes, the husband and catfather’s job is here, so we’d better stay put. Besides, as a native, I’m totally fluent in Kentuckian and would be a foreigner that far north.

I’ve been reading alot lately about making pets more comfortable in the heat. Our cats absolutely hate it. The hot weather makes them thisclose to lifeless. Especially Adam and Svenn – for some reason they practically melt in the heat.

I found a really good article about Keeping Pets Safe in the Summer Months. The main thing, obviously, is to provide plenty of fresh, cool water for your outside babies, as well as some shade. (Fortunately, we have nearly 20 trees in our yard, so that’s not a problem!) In addition to hanging out in apple trees, our cats like to have an occasional ice cube to play with and lick on.

Have a fun weekend – go out and buy your cat a new toy, then you’ll both have a blast!
Joi

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Loving and Caring for Elderly Cats 2

by Joi

My Mouse Pad is officially Prissy free, for now, so I’ll try to finish up yesterday’s post!

  • Touch. Due to arthritis, an older cat may be very sensitive, so she should be handled with care. If she has begun to his or bite when picked up or handled, don’t take it personally – it simply may hurt and she knows of no other way to react. If she has lost weight, you have to be very careful and gentle as there will be bones protruding.

    We also have to be extra careful when grooming an older cat. It would be a good idea to switch to a much softer brush, and to go about the procedure more gently than ever.

    I’ve noticed that everyone in our household handles Prissy like fine china. She’s quite taken with the whole thing.

Here are some other great tips the book recommended:

  • Older cats aren’t as fastidious about cleaning themselves as they once were. Help her out by (softly) brushing her each day.
  • Elderly catslove to sleep in the sun’s rays, so provide a comfortable spot near a sunny window.
  • Keep her away from drafts.
  • Be very tolerant of an older cat’s litter box habits. It’s totally a hit and miss thing. Low-sided boxes are best, and unless you live in a really small house, several litter boxes would be a great idea.
  • Have your cat examined by the vet several times a year.
  • Use Spring or distilled water only.
  • If your cat used to jump onto a favorite spot that she’s no longer able to get to on her own, provide her with some steps or even a few pillows.
  • You may find you older cat seeking you out more than she once did. (Like lying right on a mouse pad!) This is the time to give her the comfort and security she’s looking for. Let her curl up in your lap, greeting her with warmth in your voice and show her just how much she’s loved and cherished. I’ve found that with Prissy, the time benefits me as much as it does her. It’s the perfect way to relax and unwind!
  • You may notice that your cat has started calling out for you, especially at night. She may just be a little disoriented, wondering, “Where did everybody go?” Then again, she may just want a little bit more of that extra attention she’s coming to love so much!

Joi

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Loving and Caring For Elderly Cats

by Joi

This post is written with our little matriarch, Prissy, in mind. For quite awhile now, we’ve been watching signs of age slip up on her. She’ 15, and I don’t even want to think about how old that would translate into human years. I also never allow myself to think about……. because she is most definitely part of the family and her…… would do us all in.

I bought a few books to diagnose Carly’s oddities, and one of them had an article on feline senior citizens. In case you, too, love an older cat, I thought I’d share some of the highlights.

“A cat kept fit with proper nutrition and exercise, living in an environment that provides the right amount of stimulation and a minimal amount of stress stands a greater chance of enjoying more of her golden years than a cat who has been viewed as a “low maintenance” pet by her owners.”

Bodes well for Prissy – The little diva owns high maintenance. Her name says it all!

Below is some great advice the author (Pam Johnson-Bennett) gives for living with these precious little geriatrics:

  • Hearing. Avoid startling your cat. Come well into her field of vision before reaching for her. You may eventually have to make a noise on the ground or wall for her to “hear” the vibrations.
  • Sight. If your cat’s losing her vision, don’t rearrange the furniture any time soon. If you have to redecorate, do so gradually.
  • Smell and Taste. As your cat’s sense of smell begins to decline, she appetite will probably decline as well. (Not a problem for Prissy the pig) Think of it as the times you have a head cold and have to force yourself to eat.

    You can spark your cat’s appetite by warming her food a bit to release more aroma. Of course, be sure to test it as you would baby formula – we don’t want any burned kitty tongues.

    If your cat still doesn’t show any interest in eating, I’d take her to the vet. They’ll know a few mojos to use.

I’ll post more tomorrow, Prissy’s lying right on my mousepad and making it impossible to do very much. As always, my girl comes first, so forgive me, I have a kitty to pamper.

Joi

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