Princess little cat: January 2015

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Annual vet checkup

Keep your cat in tip top health by taking them to the vet every year. Your vet will be able to rule out any medical conditions as well as making sure your cat’s vaccinations are up to date.

Getting the medical all clear

In addition to examining your cat regularly at home for early signs of illness, it’s also a good idea to take them to the vet for an annual check up.

This can be crucial when trying to detect subtle changes in your pet's health. Cats are prone to hiding an illness until it becomes debilitating. If your cat is elderly or has special medical needs, you may need to see the vet more frequently.

Your vet will want to check;

Vaccination status, making sure your cat's up to date for feline flu, enteritis, leukaemia, chlamydia and rabies (if you are planning to travel)
Your cat’s weight and general body condition
Your cat’s heart and respiratory rates
Parasite control
Discuss the latest flea and tick control products, as flea pupae can live all year - round in your home. You should treat monthly with a product recommended by your vet.
Worming routine. This should be every three months, again after veterinary recommendation
Behaviour and personality
Dental care - It may be time for dental cleaning, carried out under anaesthesia

Cat dental care

Healthy teeth and gums makes for a healthy cat. Your vet will check your cat’s teeth during their annual checkup, but you can help prevent gum disease by brushing your cat’s teeth regularly.

Looking after your cat’s teeth

Tooth and gum problems occur in eight out of ten cats over the age of three. Establish a routine of brushing your cat's teeth as early as possible to keep your cat smiling.

Cats tend to accumulate plaque, food debris and bacteria, on the outside of their teeth, but not on the inside. This hardens to form tartar, irritating the gums and causing gingivitis and loss of teeth. The bacteria can even enter the bloodstream and damage the kidneys and other organs.

Danger signals

Signs of advanced gum disease include:

bad breath
reddened gums
yellowish-brown tartar on teeth
drooling

When gingivitis is severe, cats may even drop food from their mouths and lose weight because they are unable to eat. If this happens, your vet may recommend specialist dental care to remove any loose teeth and de-scale using ultra-sonic vibration. This gently removes plaque and tartar without damaging the surface of the teeth.

Brushing

Teach your cat to accept a daily brushing or wiping of its teeth.

First, wash your hands and pull back your cat’s lips. Use a soft brush or a rubber fingertip applicator, plus special pet toothpaste in flavours that your cat will find tasty, like malt or chicken. Never use toothpaste made for humans!

Apply the bristles to the teeth at a 45 degree angle, reaching both the tooth surface and just beneath the gum margin. Use small circular motions on the outside surfaces.

Start slowly and end on a positive note - be persistent but gentle.

If your cat is still very young, do not attempt to brush her teeth. You can still get her used to having her teeth touched from a very early age.

Dental care products

If your cat resists you handling their mouth, oral hygiene gels are available. These contain enzymes that inhibit the bacteria responsible for plaque formation. You can give them to your cat directly or mix them with food.

Dental chews are also available, as well as special dry food diets that contain fibre and exert a brushing action as your cat chews.

Maintaining good dental care is a crucial part of keeping your cat in optimum health. For more information on cat health take a look at our Healthy Cat Checklist.

Common Cat Worms and How to Treat Them

Internal parasites usually live in a cat’s digestive system and are detected by an examination of your cat’s stool. Treatment can begin as early as two weeks of age and should be repeated at two to three week intervals, as determined by your veterinarian.

Kittens can become infected early in life, especially with roundworms, which can be transmitted through their mother's milk. Kittens should be wormed at two, four, six, eight and 12 weeks of age, then every three months for life with an all-wormer. Pregnant and nursing cats should also be treated during mating, before giving birth to a litter and then every three months. Heavy worm infestations in cats should be repeated 10 days after the initial does is administered.

Worming pastes are easy and effective to use for cats that have difficulty eating a tablet, but if you prefer to use tablets, ask your veterinarian for a demonstration during a vet consult.

Common worms and parasites

Tapeworms are common problem for adult cats. Cats can acquire tapeworms by eating a rodent or ingesting a flea that is carrying an immature tapeworm, so flea control is important. Small, white worm segments around your cat’s anus or in their litter pan indicate that tapeworms are present.

Roundworms can be passed on from a mother cat to kittens through her milk. Take a stool sample to the veterinarian when your cat is scheduled for her regular shots to ensure roundworms are not present. These intestinal parasites may cause weight loss, weakness, diarrhoea, or mucus in the stool.

Hookworms may be passed on before birth or when nursing. If possible, keep your adult cat treated at mating and during nursing, and because hookworms can be transmitted through contact with infected faeces, keep them away from other cats’ waste. Hookworms cause anaemia, diarrhoea, weight loss, vomiting or black, tarry stools.

Ringworm is caused by a fungus that lives on the skin and is very contagious - it can even be transmitted to humans. Ringworm appears as oval bare patches on the skin of your cat. To minimise the risk, avoid unnecessary contact with other cats. If you suspect your cat has ringworm take them to the veterinarian as ringworm can only be detected under an ultraviolet light - once detected your veterinarian will be able to administer the correct treatment.

Heartworm is not as common in cats as it is in dogs, as the immune system of a cat is able to eliminate most infections more easily than a dog. Not all infections are eliminated after the mosquito carrying the immature heartworm bites your cat, and these immature stages can develop to become large worms in the heart and vessels of the lungs. Signs of heartworm in cats are varying from case to case, but most cases include sudden death. Ask your veterinarian about the likelihood of heartworm disease in your area.

Other parasites that display similar symptoms as worms are:

Coccidium is an organism that can live in your cat’s intestines that is sometimes ingested through raw or undercooked meat, including rodents. Be sure to clean their litter tray daily, as it takes one to two days for faeces to become infectious. Symptoms can include diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss and loss of appetite.

Toxoplasmosis is a multisystemic parasite that can also be dangerous to humans. Symptoms can include non-specific signs, such as fever and loss of appetite, as well as ocular lesions, difficulty in breathing and diarrhoea.

It is important to treat your cat regularly throughout its adult life. If you have any concerns about treating your cat for parasites, contact your vet.

TOTAL CARE Range

PURINA TOTAL CARE has a wide range of flea and worming products and formats to choose from. Whilst worming your cat is probably not something you look forward to, you can make it easy with the new TOTAL CARE Tasty Intestinal Allwormer. It's a single tiny tablet with great beef flavouring that your cat will be sure to love. Learn more about it on the TOTAL CARE website and pick it up in-store.

Boarding Cats

Taking your cat with you on vacation is, in most owners' cases, simply not an option. Travelling overseas precludes this and the feline talent as escape artists makes it impractical. For many owners, kennelling their pets while they travel is the best solution. Your pet is safe and well looked after and you can relax.

Many owners still worry about leaving their cats in catteries, however, as they are unsure how their cat will cope. Here are some tips on helping your cat have a great holiday too.

Start young

The best time to get your cat used to a cattery or kennel is while they are young. Kittens accept new situations readily and will cope well with change. Book your kitten in to your chosen boarding establishment for a night or two. This will ensure your cat accepts their holiday location throughout life.

If you haven't done this and your cat is now an adult, don't worry too much. Your cat can still accept their new holiday locations later in life. A test night or two, prior to leaving them for a longer vacation period, may help ease your pet into their holiday and may assure you too, that your pet is safe and comfortable.

Cattery check

Most owners relax when they know their pet is comfortable and well taken care of. This means being confident in the care that their chosen boarding establishment offers. It is essential that you do your research when choosing a kennel or cattery. Ask your vet. Ask friends with cats which places they have used. Visit several and see what they have to offer. Ensure they are clean and that the cats in residence at the time look well and happy.

What your cat needs

All cats are individuals and you, as an owner, are best at knowing your cat's requirements - for comfort, diet, grooming and playtime. Check that the boarding facility provides the services your cat needs.

Cats tend not to be too sociable with other cats. For this reason most boarding facilities keep cats separate. If you have more than one cat, you may like them to stay together. Remember, however, that in confined circumstances, they cannot get away from one another so ensure they truly are happy spending time together.

Most cats enjoy a hiding spot within a cage, especially when they are a little unsure of their surroundings. Check that this is provided. If not, can you bring your cat's own bed or box? Bringing items that belong to your cat may help make them feel more secure. Food provided in their own bowl or sleeping on their blanket may ensure continuity of care when away from home. Many establishments discourage this, however, as items can get damaged or lost.

Kennels may or may not have space for exploration and play, either within the cage itself or within an enclosed room or outdoor space. Check that you are getting what your cat requires. These days dog kennels offer extras such as training, sofas or beds (human ones) to snooze on and webcams so you can watch your canine companion while you holiday. Most cat kennels are not quite at this stage but we may see extra services such as these appearing in the future.

Still unsure?

If your cat dislikes boarding, or if you are still unsure of the process, consider other holiday possibilities such as house sitters that will look after your pets or those who will drop in to feed your cat. Remember to leave your contact details and those of your veterinary clinic.

Coming home

Owners are often surprised to find that their cat does not jump for joy when they return home. In fact, quite the opposite and the cat often has a very quiet, watchful phase. This is perfectly normal and does not mean your cat loves you less or is paying you back for leaving. It is simply an animal’s way of integrating themselves back into their social circle. They will be back to normal before long.

If only one animal has been boarding and is then reintroduced to others, keep a watchful eye on proceedings. Interactions are often intense at these times and may even result in short bursts of aggression. Give each pet space and life should return to normal soon.

Cats and children

Children and cats have a special relationship. While cats are often entertained by having a child around, there are also many benefits for children in having a cat in their home:

Children develop a respect for animals when they live alongside them and this helps prepare them for later life. The child learns about the responsibilities in caring for another living creature – even if they don’t always follow through with their tasks!
Children with pets are popular with their peers. The antics of a pet can make good topics of conversation, good school news items and children even learn to read body language from watching their pets.
Children can improve their reading skills by reading to their cat. No one quite knows why this is the case but perhaps the non-judgemental attitude of a cats helps.
Children interact more with other members of the family when there is a pet in the house.
Cats can help balance the increasing presence of technology. A cat is a good reason to turn off the computer or video game and have a play or a cuddle.
Cats can provide unconditional love
Children consider cats to be very important in their lives. Most will tell their secrets to their cat who proves to be a willing listening.

Which pets are best for children?

Breeds such as Ragdolls (who enjoy being cuddled) and the Domestic Short Hair can provide endless amount of fun and are terrific companions to children.

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Moving to a New Home with a Cat

Most cats are not big fans of change. If they could chose, they would prefer to stay where they’re already comfortable and settled in. But, at some point in their lives, most cats must move on to a new location. Making the transition as stress-free as possible for your feline companion can have big benefits, including reducing the risk of fear-based house soiling, excessive meowing and crying, hiding, escape attempts and aggression.

Moving a cat to a new house involves three basic aspects: pre-move preparations, the move itself and settling into the new home. All three sections below apply to a move with a resident pet. The third section is most important if you’re only trying to integrate a new cat into your existing household.

Cats and Excessive Meowing

Why do cats meow? The reasons change as they grow from kittens into cats. Kittens meow to their mothers when they’re hungry, cold, or scared. But once cats get older, they use other vocalizations -- such as yowling, hissing, and growling -- to communicate with each other. Meowing is reserved for their communications with people.

Of course, the amount of meowing varies by breed and even cat. Oriental breeds, especially Siamese cats, are known as great “talkers,” so anyone who doesn’t like meowing probably should steer clear of these breeds.

And some cats just seem to like to hear their own voices, while others seem to want to carry on a conversation with their owners. If your cat is talking a little more than you’d like, try to figure out the cause first. Once you know the reason, you can then work to get your cat to meow less.

Taking Care of a Kitten

Cats meow for many reasons, from the serious to the attention-seeking. They include:

Solving Cat Litter Box Problems

Cats are fastidious creatures, and nowhere is that more evident than in their litter box habits. When your cat won’t use the litter box -- and at least 10% of all cats develop an elimination problem -- the cause could be anything from an unclean box to an illness.

Before you try some easy strategies to get her back in the litter box, have her checked out by a veterinarian to rule out a health problem. If you’ve just introduced a new cat to your household, make sure the litter box is as cat-friendly as possible to prevent a problem in the future.

Cat Litter and Litter Boxes

Your new cat is coming home from the animal shelter tomorrow. Busily you shop, checking off the items on your list, including cat food, toys, a scratching post and myriad other goodies. And at the very top of the list are litterbox necessities. You head to the nearest pet supply superstore, and are faced with row after row of “all things litter.” Pastel-colored clumping litter, good old clay litter, some that’s made from pine and some that’s made from newspaper...What to choose, what to choose?...

Read the Cat Litter and Litter Boxes article > >

WebMD looked at common litter box problems and solutions. Here’s what we found:

These common litter box problems could be repelling your cat:

Your cat may have a medical condition that makes urinating too painful -- in or out of the litter box. Common medical conditions which may affect litter box use include:

Prepare Your Cat for Your New Baby

Today, shelters are still visited by tearful mothers-to-be with cats in tow, having made their appointments after well-meaning relatives or old-school obstetricians have convinced them that keeping a cat risks the health and well-being of their unborn child. Don't succumb to these old wives' tales. Knowing the facts will help provide ways to safeguard both fetus and feline.

The parasitic infection toxoplasmosis is perhaps a pregnant catkeeper's greatest fear. It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy. Since cats can become infected with the parasite by eating small mammals or birds, it is best to keep your cat indoors. Now is not a good time to befriend strays, as they may already be infected.

Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Since cats often use gardens as litter boxes, wear gloves when gardening and when you are washing raw vegetables and fruits, handling raw meat or scrubbing food prep surfaces. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes until your hands have been washed. And do not eat or feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. To prevent any cysts that are passed in the feces from becoming infectious, scoop fecal matter at least twice a day. Better yet, use your "delicate condition" to get your mate to handle the dirt detail.

Some cats resemble little old maids who cannot tolerate change. These are the cats most likely to be affected by a new baby, so use the entire pregnancy to slowly prepare them. Play tapes of baby noises to acclimate your cat to the new sounds he's about to hear, or rub baby lotion on your hands before engaging in a pleasant activity with him to create positive associations with baby odors. Set up nursery furniture as soon as possible, and allow him several weeks to investigate before you select surfaces to declare off limits-such as the changing table and crib-so that he can see there's nothing scary here. However, don't make it so comfortable that he'll want to nap on them. Then, at least one month before the baby arrives, make the surfaces unwelcoming. Cut sheets of cardboard to the size of the furniture surfaces and cover one side with double-sided adhesive/masking tape. Cats tend to avoid sticky surfaces, and by the end of the month, he should steer clear of these sites.

Nighttime Activity in Cats

Cats are known for sleeping long hours, but when they’re not snoozing, they can be very active. Those periods of activity often happen during the night. If your cat attempts to wake you after you’ve gone to bed, he may want to play, eat or simply enjoy your company. Young cats under one year of age in particular can drive their owners crazy from sleep deprivation!

Understand that the cat’s ancestor, the African wildcat, is mostly nocturnal. Domestication has shifted our pet cats’ activity patterns to be more diurnal (awake during the day), but most cats still tend to wake at least twice during the night. The good news is that cats can learn to let their owners sleep in peace.

If your cat restlessly wanders around your house at night meowing or crying, he may be suffering from an underlying medical problem that causes pain or discomfort. If you think this may be the case, take your cat to the vet to rule out medical issues-especially if you notice that he meows excessively during the day as well as at night.

To prevent your cat from disturbing you while you sleep, try the following suggestions: