May I Taste My First Champagne, Yes?

Have you ever thought about the broad appeal of kitten pictures. I mean, come on, they are the cutest little creatures on the planet. Who loves them? The young, the old and everyone in between. Is the general love for pictures of these little felines because they are in themselves so cute, or is it because they remind you of that special little kitten you brought home for the first time? I don’t know if we can know the actual reason because it seems that those who love to look at kitten pictures, are generally those who have owned one or two (or more!) in the lifetimes.

Pictures of Kittens are so cute!

I must confess my bias here – for me, kittens are at the top of the cute scale, bar none. I mean, puppies are cute and all, but there is something about pictures of little kittens that put me over the absolute edge. Is it their little paws? Or the little noses? Or that ever-projecting little tale? I don’t know, but I just love-em. When my kids and I find a new cute photo on the internet, we just sit around and stare – it’s like magic. They give such a warm feeling inside.

Pictures of Kittens are so calming!

Again, this is total unscientific …BUT… looking at pictures of kittens is a very calming activity. Is it their innocence? Is it their playfulness? Is it the endless curiosity? Innocence, playfulness, curiosity – these attributes come out in many of the kitten photos I’ve seen. I think some of the best calming pictures of kittens I’ve seen are those when the little felines are peacefully asleep. I always feel so good when looking at these little fur-balls.

Pictures of Kittens – could they help with kitten adoption?

This is clearly a guess – but it occurred to me that those that are caught up in the euphoria of gazing at cute pictures of kittens may be enticed to go out there and adopt one for themselves. It seems logical to me. The kitten photo is unbelievable cute – but wait until they get the real thing – my heart just went pitter-patter. So, here’s a strategy – email your friends cute kitten pictures every so often – maybe they’ll get the bug to go out and adopt one – just a thought!

Somebody Close the Door, I Feel a Draft!

In short, the answer is ‘no’, unless your kitten has gotten into something it shouldn’t lick off of its fur – like a chemical. Cats, in general, do a fantastic job at grooming themselves.

If you must bathe your kitten, then make sure that you keep the environment warm – that is 90+ degrees (F), else, you run the risk of making your kitten sick. Kitten’s don’t have the ability to fully regulate their internal body temperatures.

Make sure that the bathing area is totally free from drafts. So, beware of the kitchen sink that is below a window, as an example.

In terms of bathing detergent for your kitten…considering using a mild dish washing liquid like Lemon Joy. The citrus oil in the dish soap kills fleas, which is an added benefit.

Make the bath as quick as possible. When you are done, wrap the kitten in a towel and towel-dry.

I'm so Happy, I can't stand it!

Talk about a red-hot topic. Is pet health insurance necessary? Is it very helpful? Firstly, one of the things you need to know (especially if you are a first time pet owner), is when it comes to the costs of veterinary services, they can be very expensive. But, don’t run out and buy that policy just yet…

Your first step is to shop around. Do some research on the internet – visit various veterinary clinics and collect the various brochures that they have on display. You are going to need to commit to sitting down for a couple of hours to study this issue and take some notes which allows you to compare the benefits of each prospective plan. Also pay attention to those items that a company is NOT covering – things like chronic conditions (allergies, asthma, diabetes, etc.).

With this information summarized, now it’s time to analyze the data. Look carefully at the benefits verses the costs and start to think about what your true needs are. Now it’s time to look at some reviews on the internet – you are looking for the good, the bad and the ugly. People are usually pretty brutally honest about their opinions about things, so you should start to see who is good and who is better. Also, another good step is to find different forums that talk about pet insurance to interact with fellow pet owner more directly.

Okay, so you’ve narrowed things down. Before you sign anything, make sure you read the fine print. Look for decreasing coverage due to your kitty’s age. This is really boring stuff, but you really need to pay attention. The insurance company is protecting its own interests with that fine print, not yours.

Hey, who's the small fry?

There is a definite transition time period when bringing your new little furball home for the first time.  It is important to realize that a kitten, like a young child is curious and wants nothing more than to test the boundries of its existence (climbing up the drapes, up your leg, etc.).  It’s all about expectation alignment, ultimately – know that this is the way it is.  The way that you can save your sanity during this ‘young’ time is to adequately prepare.  How?  By creating a Kitten Safe Zone – a space, an area where kitty can roam and explore without seriously damaging itself and your stuff.

Here’s a suggestion on how to do this…  Find a cardbox of some size – say three feet cubed – very common and easy to find.  Now, inside the box, organize it such a way that you have a sleeping area, a paper area for going potty on (or if you can fit in a small litter box – great!), a place for water.  Also, don’t forget the fun stuff – the toys, although they can be pretty small.  This system is great because it’s a place where you can put kitty and you’ll know it’s safe – peace of mind!

Realize that your little feline is going to get tired of the box eventually and is going to want to bust loose and explore elsewhere.  Know that he is going to try to escape any way he can – so make sure that box is made a solid cardboard and be careful about sitting the box on a table surface where he can knock it off if he were to hit side hard enough.  Also, you want to make sure that you don’t put the box in direct sunlight – for obvious reasons.  You may not be thinking about the sun factor if you leave early in the morning to go to work, not realizing that the noonday sun could be beating down on that box for hours while you are away.  Also, you should keep the box away from drapes – the drapes give him a target to jump for – and he may just make it.

On the other side, the box is not meant as permanent storage for your cat – but to a safe haven so that you have some peace of mind that you can leave for a while and know he’s not destroying your home.

I love this little bear!

From: jokerscorner.com

In our day and age, many veterinarians super-stress the importance of responsible dental care for your cats.  They tell us that if a dental problem occurs and is left unchecked, it can lead to serious problems with your kitty’s liver, kidney heart and brain.  Is this truth of fiction?

Did you know that 98% of cats with bad breath are suffering from severe plaque build-up.  Kitty bad breath can also be evidence of unhealthy intestines.  And did you know that the quality of your cat’s food can contribute to his breath-quality.

So what can I do?

Brush your cat’s teeth.  If this is uncomfortable for you to do, then take Fluffy to a groomer or even to the vet – it’s that important.

What do I use for Toothpaste?

Whatever you do, don’t use Human toothpaste, which is NOT edible and can give your cat serious stomach problems.  Ask your vet for what he recommends.

Here’s to your Kitty’s Dental Health.

Cat Health
Cat Health

Awww, Man, Doggie Slobber

From: d21c.com

Cats sleep a lot, have you noticed it?  It’s a natural part of being a cat, I’m convinced, because it’s a seemingly universal trait.  And really, cats kind of move at their own pace, don’t they?  However, should you give your sedate kitty a deep whiff of catnip, the party will come alive.  Suddenly this sedate, dormant feline will ‘wake up’ and frolic and be as frisky as a kitten again.

Then…

Two to fifteen minutes pass by and your cat comes back down from the moon and returns to the same sedate cat you’ve come to love – the effects of the catnip totally gone.

So yes, the catnip can have an effect, but why do cats react to it that way?

Did you know that not all cats react to catnip?  It’s true.  About one third to half of all domestic cats are totally unaffected.  In fact, the classic catnip ‘fever’ is inherited – a kitten with one parent who reacts and one that doesn’t has a 50 percent chance (one out of two) of reacting themselves.  Cats that have both parents that react have a 75 percent chance (three out of four) to react to it themselves.  Also, kittens younger than four months usually do not react to catnip – but do that really need it anyway   And catnip has a lessened effect on older cats.

So what is the magic ingredient of catnip that drives the kitties wild?  It’s a oil called napetalactone.  However, researchers still don’t know why it causes cats to go nuts.

Did you know that even big cats – lions, leopards, cheetahs, pumas can also catch the catnip buzz.  Interestingly enough, tigers seem to be immuned.

The catnip buzz seems to come more from topical exposure rather than from ingesting it.  If you watch, most cats with catnip will sniff at it, rub up against it.  Those that eat it can experience the opposite effect, which is act as a sedative instead as a stimulant.

So can this catnip high be dangerous for you feline friend?  Catnip is chemically related to cannibis and effects typically last no more than 15 minutes.  In fact, after about 15 minutes, most cats loose interest altogether.  Interestingly, most cats will not react again for a minimum of an hour.  Also, studies have shown that cats do no become dependant on the substance.

Not all cats react the same way to catnip.  Typically, the response is increase friskiness and playfulness, but there are some cats that actually become more aggressive with its use.

So, in summary, catnip seems to be a safe, recreational drug for your kitty-cat.

Cat Health
Cat Health

A Hard Day’s Night

From: bengalkitties.com

In last post, we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of toilet training your cat.  Today, we are going to get a little more concrete and detail the logical progression of steps.

You will notice that there is a logical progression from one step to the next.  The key to this whole process is patience, patience, patience.  You need to watch your cat and observe any ‘discomfort’ from moving too quickly. 

Step 1
So that your Cat will start to associate his/her litter box with the toilet, you want to gradually inch the litter box toward the toilet until is right next to it.  Remember to do this slowly or it could disorient your cat, having its litter box moved too often and to quickly. 

Step 2
Now it’s time to raise the litter box up to the toilet seat’s level.  The key here is to do this gradually, about a 1/2 to 1 inch per day or so.  Really the amount is up to your cat’s tolerance for change.  Also, make sure that you keep the toilet bowl lid up and the seat down during this phase.

Step 3
Next, you want to move the litter box on top of and resting on the toilet seat.  Again, do this gradually.

Step 4
Next, fit a metal bowl on the inside of the toilet bowl – make sure it’s a snug fit.  Many pet stores carry these.  Otherwise, you can use a larger mixing bowl.  Make sure that the bowl has about 5 small holes on the bottom for draining – a regular drill can be used to make these.  You are going to fill the bowl with flushable cat litter.  Remove the litter box. Make sure to put down the toilet seat.Next, fit a metal bowl on the inside of the toilet bowl – make sure it’s a snug fit.  Many pet stores carry these.  Otherwise, you can use a larger mixing bowl.  Make sure that the bowl has about 5 small holes on the bottom for draining – a regular drill can be used to make these.  You are going to fill the bowl with flushable cat litter.  Remove the litter box. Make sure to put down the toilet seat.

Step 5
The goal is to have your cat plant all four paws on the toilet seat and squat over the toilet.  However, at first, he/she will plant down inside the bowl full of litter.  So now, this is where your work and patience comes in.  You need to watch for when you kitty goes to the ‘litter box’.  You’ll want to gently move the cat while it is excreting from the inside of the metal bowl to the seat, using lot’s positive praise.

Step 6
The next step is to start decreasing the amount of litter in the bowl – again, this is a gradual process.  Cat’s instinctively scratch in the litter to cover their waste, so be prepared for some litter on the floor.

Step 7
Get a new metal bowl, one without any holes in the bottom and replace the one you had been using.  Next, gradually fill the bowl with water – a little at a time.

Step 8
When you have filled the bowl to about 1 inch from its top, it’s time to remove it altogether.  You are basically done and you cat should be toilet trained.

Remember to remember to leave the toilet seat up and flush often.

Cat Litter Box
Cat Litter Box

 

“There’s nothing like snuggling up to a good friend!”
From: d21c.com

Is it possible to toilet train your favorite feline?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  Much of it depends on temperament and personality of your cat.  And much if it depends on your willingness to go through the process.

There are many advantages to toilet training your cat, the largest of which it eliminates the need for a litter box.  Cat litter is not cheap and if you change it often enough, it can really add up to big bucks.  There are also health reasons to get rid of the litter box, especially for pregnant women (see my article on the Toxoplasma Gondii Parasite).  Another benefit is the ease of someone else to watch your cat while your gone – no litter boxes to lug around.  Just explain to your friend that they need to leave the bathroom door open so that Kitty can get in and make sure that they flush semi-regularly – that’s it.

There are a couple of disadvantages to training your cat to use the toilet instead of a litter box.  Because toilet seats can be somewhat slippery, there is a risk of you cat falling in and injuring himself.  In addition, a cat’s urinary pattern can often be monitored for signs of sickness – this becomes harder to do with Kitty using the toilet.  Also, when moving to a new house or location, a cat can become disoriented with a new toilet.

Cat Litter Box
Cat Litter Box

“Easy with the tongue, Shep”

From: freewebs.com

Hopefully you won’t have to give your cat or kitten an injection, but, just in case…

Setting the Mood

It is important for your cat to be relaxed up until the time of the injection.  My cats respond well to having a favorite treat.  Make sure you pet and cuddle with your feline also.  Some also recommend that an injection be giving about the same time everyday.  Also, make sure you get down on Fluffy’s level – you don’t want to come across as threatening or domineering.  Try to make yourself as comfortable as possible.  For those of you who are not comfortable on the floor, you can bring your cat up with you a couch in your lap.

Disguise the Needle

You don’t want your cat to make the connection between a syringe in your hand the slight and momentary pain he or she will feel.  And really, this is important, usually in the very beginning of a injection routine.  You can try to hide the syringe altogether.  I like to use the capped syringe as a play-thing – pet your kitty with it, stroke him.

Confidence

If this is your first time doing this, you are apt to be a little nervous.  Try to relax.  Cats can read your mood and feelings.  The more relaxed you are, the more relaxed he or she will be.  Also, keep your movements fluid and smooth – try to avoid sudden, jerky motions as this signals stress or can over-stimulate your cat.

The Place

The scruff of the neck has long been used as an optimal place for the injection, however, there is research to show that blood supply is lower there than what is optimal to deliver the drug to your cats body.  It is much better to use an area on the stomach (avoid the nipples and navel) or an area near his or her hips.  Also, it is important to not use the same spot over and over again because this may cause a nodule of tissue to form, called a ‘granuloma’, which has poor blood supply.

The Technique

You want to pinch the skin up, pulling it slightly from the cat’s body.  Don’t pinch too hard, just enough to raise the skin.  You are going to inject into the pinched skin because the act of pinching it helps to numb the area.  You want the need angle to be almost parallel with the cat, but slightly raised.  Look at the needle length and then look at the amount of skin you’ve pinched – you want the need to penetrate into the middle of skin mass that you’ve pinched.

Be as quick as possible because you want to puncture through nerve-laden skin as quickly as possible – most of the nerves are at the very surface of the skin.  Once the needle is in, you can slow down a bit since the worst is over.  Slowly push the syringe plunger down until the contents are in your cat and then quickly remove the needle.

Post Injection

It is important to have some cuddling/play time with your kitty just after an injection, doling out lots of affection.  Give lots of verbal praise also.  This helps Fluffy associate positive with the experience.

Cat Injection
Cat Injection