| One of my childhood friends also grew up not | | | | entrenched in play with a new toy - it really doesn't |
| knowing a thing about cats and had 2 dogs. We lost | | | | take much! |
| touch and many years later, as adults, we reunited | | | | 5 - Keep your cats' nails trimmed. It's safer for you, |
| and learned that we both had cats! | | | | your children, your dogs, and your other cats, of |
| I remember my friend saying that she was such a | | | | course. I also recommend keeping them trimmed for |
| cat lover that she had "everything cat". Cat coasters, | | | | fear of having a claw get stuck on something ie |
| cat placemats, cat salt shakers. | | | | carpet or a fabric sofa, only for the claw to be |
| My love for cats takes on a different flavor. Yes, I | | | | ripped out (sorry!) when the cat tries to free himself. |
| do love cats - I adore them. However, I also love | | | | One of my cats' nails did get caught on a rug and he |
| caring for them! I love feeding them and showering | | | | had to have it removed. It wasn't even that long, but |
| them with the best of everything. I stay on top of | | | | stuff happens. I have also seen ingrown claws as a |
| new products for our feline babies and learn about | | | | result of them growing too long. Not only is this |
| their health challenges as much as possible. After all, I | | | | uncomfortable for your cat, but it can be cause for |
| live cat care every day. | | | | infection. If you find you can't trim your cat's claws |
| It is my pleasure to share with you some basic cat | | | | yourself, call upon a professional who can come to |
| care tips to perhaps help improve the quality of life | | | | your home to do this, or take your baby to a vet's |
| (and perhaps health) of your cats. I will certainly | | | | office for a nail trim. |
| elaborate on several of these points in future posts. | | | | 6 - Please pay attention to recommended food |
| 1 - Cats generally don't enjoy eating and drinking near | | | | portions. If you are not sure, contact your vet for |
| their litter box. They are such fastidious creatures! If | | | | guidance. Many cat people overfeed their cats, which |
| you can afford the space, keep food and water in a | | | | of course may lead to obesity, which in turn could |
| separate location from the boxes. | | | | lead to certain diseases, or in the case of kitten care, |
| 2 - Keep all cat food and water bowls clean! This | | | | do not feed these growing babies enough. |
| may seem very obvious, but you would be surprised. | | | | 7 - Cats are curious and playful. Keep string, rubber |
| Have you ever noticed an orange residue in the | | | | bands, and hairbands out of their reach! An ingested |
| bottom or along the sides of your cats' water bowl? | | | | piece of string can get caught in the intestines, for |
| Uhm, well, that residue is dirt. Change your cat's | | | | example, which of course is very dangerous! Also |
| water at least once per day to keep it fresh and | | | | keep wand and string toys hidden away for the |
| clean. I know when pressed for time, it's tempting | | | | same reason - don't take any chances. I have |
| every once in a while to put fresh food on top of | | | | spoken to numerous people who have paid |
| old, crusted-over food. Please don't! Bacteria lays in | | | | thousands of dollars for surgery due to ingested |
| old, uneaten food. | | | | items that get caught. |
| 3 - Keep your litter boxes clean. One way to ensure | | | | 8 - And one of my biggest cat peeves - take them |
| this is to use quality litter, whether it's clay or | | | | to the vet for regular check ups. Please! Younger, |
| clumping (traditional sand or a more natural material | | | | healthy cats can visit once per year for a wellness |
| like corn or wheat). Ever notice that you could really | | | | check. Cats with health challenges or history and |
| use a shovel and pick to scoop the box of waste? It | | | | senior cats (7+ years) should go to the vet every |
| doesn't have to be that way! Using quality litter helps | | | | 6-12 months. I can go on and on about this most |
| to keep the box clean - if using clumping, you want | | | | important aspect of cat care. You say your cat is |
| the waste to clump, instead of it breaking up into | | | | healthy although he hasn't been to a vet in over |
| small pieces that remain in the box. This will often | | | | three years? As lay people, we really don't know if |
| happen when using a lower quality litter. | | | | our cats are healthy by just looking at them. Vet |
| I recommend keeping a generous level of litter, | | | | visits include a thorough exam where every part of |
| especially when using a clumping variety. This will help | | | | the body is looked at and/or palpated. Vets check |
| to remove clumps from the bottom and sides of the | | | | eyes, ears, mouths for irregularities, including the |
| box without having to really dig and scrape. There is | | | | need for a dentistry. Left untreated, bad teeth and |
| such good litter out there of every variety - you | | | | or gums can lead to infection caused by traveling |
| don't have to spend your valuable time doing a litter | | | | bacteria. Vets ask you questions about your cats' |
| box excavation. | | | | eating and drinking habits, and behavioral changes |
| Another way to keep your boxes clean is to totally | | | | that may be impacted by a health issue. For older |
| dump the litter out at least once per month for | | | | and senior cats, vets take blood and sometimes |
| clumping and about once per week for clay, scrub it | | | | urine, to determine very important information, such |
| clean, dry it and start all over. I guarantee you this | | | | as liver and kidney values. Most importantly, a regular |
| will help to keep your boxes clean and so much | | | | visit to the vet = a proactive visit. Many diseases and |
| easier to scoop! I find that when one just keeps | | | | health conditions are caught early enough to be |
| adding clean litter to old, the accumulation of dirty | | | | treated, as a result of an exam. |
| litter just sinks to the bottom, adding to your need | | | | 9 - Never let your cat drive your car. Okay, as you |
| to pick and dig, because the old, dirty remains just | | | | get to know me better, you will realize that injecting |
| stick to the sides and bottom. And your cat will | | | | humor every once in a while is important to me. |
| definitely appreciate the care you put into the | | | | 10 - And finally, kiss your cats daily, at the very least. |
| maintenance of his box! | | | | He/she will feel loved and I guarantee you will |
| 4 - Have toys available for your cats. I have met so | | | | automatically feel better about your day. |
| many people who insist that his/her cat does not | | | | Thanks for reading! Please post comments and |
| play with toys (any toys!) until I pick up an | | | | questions to foster discussion. Please feel free to ask |
| interactive or catnip toy for her enjoyment. I get so | | | | for specific recommendations regarding any of the |
| much pleasure out of seeing a cat become totally | | | | items I talk about today. |