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TODAY'S PET TIP
Getting Sick Cats to Eat
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If your cat is acting sick and not wanting to eat, the safest thing is to take your cat to your veterinarian and allow them to evaluate your pet for an underlying cause. It is important not to overlook this important symptom of a problem. There are cats with diagnosed problems that just don't feel well and want to eat. For these pets, there are several things you can try. If your cat does not have interest in his everyday food, you can try offering something special. Sick pets may reach the point where some form of nutrition (within reason) is better than no nutrition. Often offering a cat a small amount of a new food will stimulate their appetite and encourage them to eat. Consider your pet's illness before selecting the foods. For example, if your pet has been nauseous, offer bland foods. Avoid rich or fatty food and table scraps if possible. For diet recommendations for your cats particular problem, check with your veterinarian. To encourage your cat to eat, begin by offering healthier choices, such as a quality, canned or semi-moist pet food, boiled chicken, tuna, etc. Meat-flavored baby food is a tasty, bland food that is good to entice a pet's appetite. Do NOT feed only baby food as a primary nutrient source, as it does not contain enough calories to sustain your pet. Make sure you avoid foods containing onion in cats because onions can be toxic. If healthier food choices are not working, you can try some pet "junk" food. Lower-quality canned food (which is usually more palatable), sandwich meat, etc. are some possible choices. | |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
Heartworm Prevention Guidelines for Cats
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| Feline heartworm disease is a serious parasitic disease caused by a long, thin worm, Dirofilaria immitis, that lives in the blood vessels and heart of infected cats. The disease is spread from dog to cat by mosquitoes. The mosquito bites a dog with heartworm infection, collects some of the microscopic heartworm offspring, and then after a couple of weeks, passes these on to another dog or to a cat. Inside the cat, the microscopic heartworm can grow into a parasite exceeding a foot in length. The life cycle is somewhat complicated. The important thing is to prevent worm development using safe and effective preventative drugs. Learn more | |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
What Is a Fecal Examination?
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A fecal examination is the microscopic evaluation of feces. The test is indicated for pets with diarrhea, straining, lack of appetite or vomiting. Annual fecal examinations are recommended on all animals as part of a yearly health exam. Fecal examinations are also recommended on all kittens. There is no contraindication to performing this test. Negative results help determine health or may exclude the presence of disease and gastrointestinal parasites. Learn more | |
Clothes Dryers can Kill!
 Yes, it is the dryer. Cats love the warmth of the dryer - especially just after finish a load of laundry and are getting ready to take the clothes out. I've seen several situations where a person discovered that the clothes in the dryer were still damp. The owner turns their back and the cat jumps into the dryer. The owner turns back around, restarts the dryer, and walks away with the cat inside the machine. This is a DISASTER! This is so dangerous that I encourage all of my clients to actively work to make the dryer as unappealing as possible to their pets. In fact when I see a cat even close to the dryer I make a hissing sound so the cat is less interested in the “scary” machine. Your cat can still enjoy the freshly laundered clothes, of course; once I take clothes out of the dryer, I'm very happy to place them in a basket or in a spot where the cats can lay on them. (It probably defeats the purpose of doing laundry but they love it so much!) This is a safe way to let cats enjoy their warmth ... but they are NEVER, EVER, EVER allowed to go INSIDE the dryer! Do you know some other common home dangers? Please take a second to read our list and save your cat from a possible problem. Go to: http://www.petplace.com/how- I hope this advice saves a kitty. |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
Cat Food Bowls
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What should you look for when choosing a Cat food bowl? Cat bowls are available in many colors and styles. Finding the bowl that's right for your pet should be easy if you stop to consider a few factors before you shop. Desirable features to look for in a bowl includes that it should be easy to clean, dishwasher safe, tip or spill proof, durable and safe. An ideal choice is a heavy stainless steel bowl or a heavy ceramic bowl. Bowls with rubber bottom and tapered sides are great choices. | |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
Scent Marking by Cats
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Scent-marking is a form of communication, which has territorial and personal implications. It allows cats to advertise their priority with respect to living space, objects, other cats and people. It also serves as a method of advertising the breeding status of females.
Domestic cats often engage in scent-marking of one form or another and while we enjoy their bunting, other forms of marking behavior involve urine, feces, or furniture scratching. These are not as attractive to us! When a cat defecates on its owner's bedspread or urinates on an owner's legs, this behavior should be viewed as a great compliment, signifying close attachment. However, this is often not the pet owner's interpretation. | |
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If your cat likes cat grass, you can buy pre-made containers that have dirt and seed, you just add water. Often these packages will instruct you to add water, cover with saran wrap and place in a warm area for a few days. When the grass starts to sprout, uncover and let it grow. After it is about 4 or 5 inches, you can let your cat take a nibble.
After your cat is done, tuck the grass away and let it have some more time to grow. Offer the grass periodically to your cat but take it away and intermittently allow it to grow. You can also do this yourself by buying cat grass seed (which is often packets of wheat seeds). | |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
Hydration in Cats
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Proper hydration is crucial in the healing process; however, the ill or painful cat may not be interested in drinking. It is important NOT to force water into your cat, as it could lead to aspiration pneumonia if your cat is not swallowing appropriately. Listed below are several options to encourage water intake. 1. Give your cat an ice cube to lick. 2. Give a cat a running faucet or fountain dish from which to drink. 3. Allow your cat to lick water from your hand or your finger. 4. Feed canned cat food, as it has a higher water content. 5. Add warm water, tuna juice or low-sodium broth to your cat's food. 7. Adding an ice cube to the water bowl can encourage some cats to drink. If your cat is weak and not interested in food or water, see your veterinarian. | |
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TODAY'S PET TIP
Cat Scratches
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Cat-scratch Disease (CSD), is an infection in humans that most often occurs after prolonged contact with a young cat. When diagnosed in cats this disease is called feline bartonellosis. It is caused by a bacteria called Bartonella henselae. All ages, breeds, and sexes of cat are susceptible; however, kittens under one year of age, kittens or cats infested with fleas, and feral cats or former strays are more likely to have the bacteria in their bloodstream. Fleas are believed to play a major role in cat-to-cat and possibly cat-to-human transmission. Cats can be infected with the organism for months, or even years, and never show any clinical signs. There is no home care for bartonellosis. Preventive care is based on maintaining good hygiene. Wash your hands after handling pets and wash scratches or bites thoroughly. Never let a cat lick an open wound, and maintain meticulous flea control. | |
