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DIY: How to Care for Your Aging Cat

By Guest Author on Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 | No Comments

When you bring home a kitten for the first time, you turn into a pet parent, checking and double-checking nutrition facts on pet-food labels, sampling shampoos, brushes, and break-away collars, reading about their behavior and psychology, and buying every toy you can get your hands on.  But as they get older and you become more comfortable with their routine, you may allow your attention to detail to wane.  However, as cats age, their needs change over time.  They may have different dietary requirements and they will almost certainly become less active, so here are a few ways to keep up with your cat and ensure that they have a long, happy, and healthy life.

  1. Feed them appropriately.  When your cats reach 1-2 years of age, you switch them from kitten to adult food.  But did you know that you will have to change their food at least one more time during their life, when they become senior pets?  Older animals have very different dietary needs than younger adults.  They will need more of certain nutrients and while young adults usually require reduced caloric intake to avoid unhealthy weight gain, most senior cats don’t digest fats as easily and therefore may need a higher calorie count to avoid losing too much weight.
  2. Learn about possible health problems.  As cats age, they may experience several difficulties including frailty, arthritis, injury, coat and digestive problems, and all the symptoms that generally come with any animal as it ages (vision and hearing loss, dental disease, decreased organ function, etc.).  You can help them in many ways (provide dietary supplements, groom them regularly, and make your home safe for your aging pet), but the best thing you can do is be well informed to expect certain changes and know how to deal with them.
  3. Ask your veterinarian about supplements.  Many older cats can benefit from nutritional supplements such as fatty acids (for a healthy heart and shiny coat), glucosamine (for joint stiffness/arthritis), probiotics (for smooth digestion), and antioxidants (to prevent many chronic disorders).  Your mature cat may benefit from one or all of these supplements (or they may need others…or none at all), but you will need to consult with your veterinarian to find out which ones are right for your pet.
  4. Keep track of their habits.  The best way to know if your cat needs additional care of any kind is to note changes in their habits or behavior.  You are the one who sees them every day, not their vet, so you are best qualified to catch problems and address them early on (or possibly prevent them).
  5. Schedule regular check-ups.  Even if your cat is behaving normally, they may be experiencing some problems you don’t know about (for example, fatty tumors are fairly common in older pets and they can cause problems over time if not found and dealt with).  So make sure you take them in to see the vet regularly and schedule special visits if you notice anything out of the ordinary.

Kyle Simpson writes for Medical Billing and Coding Training where you can find more information about a career in medical billing and coding.

Gourmet Pet Food: Top Five Ingredients to Make Your Own

By Guest Author on Saturday, June 19th, 2010 | No Comments

Your pet deserves the best, but that doesn’t mean you can afford to spend more money on their food than on your own.  And although there are plenty of gourmet options available that promise a shinier coat, alleviation of allergies, and better overall health (and longevity), you just can’t see breaking the bank to feed Mitzy gourmet.  And yet, you are concerned about giving her the best chance for a long, healthy, happy life.  So why not take matters into your own hands?  With these five simple ingredients, you can give your pet the gourmet diet she deserves while saving a little money on the overhead.

  1. Organic meats.  You don’t necessarily have to go for lamb and beef.  Most animals do just as well with the lean protein found in cheaper options like chicken and fish.  And if you buy organic, you know it’s free of hormones and antibiotics (which many claim are the cause of fatty tumors that have become prevalent in pets in recent years).  Also, make sure you select whole chickens, or purchase the organs, since they are rich in vitamins and nutrients. Of course you’ll want to cook any meat, but cut it into chunks so that your pet has something to chew on (for healthier teeth and gums).  You can also swap in eggs once in awhile.
  2. Brown rice.  Since it retains significantly more nutrients than white rice, it is an excellent source of manganese (which helps produce energy, synthesize fatty acids, produce cholesterol, and protect against free radicals), fiber (self-explanatory), selenium (which helps to regulate metabolism, antioxidant defenses, and immunity), and magnesium (which is essential to metabolizing proteins, fats, and carbohydrates).
  3. Whole grains.  Phytonutrients, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, lipids, and sterols found only in whole grains provide nutrients that are vital to the regular function of cells and glands.  So mix it up; replace the rice with other grains like wheat, soy, and barley once in awhile.  And don’t forget about quinoa, which contains complete proteins like those found in animal products.
  4. Fruits and vegetables.  There are certain items that are not suitable for animals, and you probably know what they are either from word of mouth or because your animals won’t go near them (including, but not limited to, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, avocado, and nuts).  You will, of course, want to avoid any produce that can make your animal ill.  Beyond that, you will certainly want to incorporate items like broccoli, peas, carrots, cabbage, and even pumpkin and yams into your animal’s food as a good source of vitamins (just be aware that some may cause upset tummy for Toto, so keep an eye on his stool for awhile).  You can also add such treats as bananas and apples, which most pets love.
  5. Vitamin and mineral supplements.  It’s not easy to ensure that your pet is getting all the vitamins and minerals they need (which are generally included in dry kibble).  So to ensure that they’re not missing out, include a cat- or dog-centric supplement to their daily meals.

Jamie Palovoy is a content writer for Gourmet Food where you don’t have to be rich to enjoy a gourmet meal.

Boo The Ocicat

By Alison Wood on Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 | No Comments

For today’s guest post I would like to welcome Susan Keeping and her ocicat Boo.

My ocicat, Boo, is special in many ways. He has very little eyesight but you cannot tell by looking at him as he gets around very well and hardly ever walks into things. He loves to eat the strangest foods; his favorite people foods are bananas and mushrooms.

He is by far the most intelligent and curious cat I have ever owned. If Boo sees a shut door he must try to open it; he knows his name and comes when I call; he understands the words “out” and “treats” among others; he comes running to the door every day when I come home from work; and, he plays catch with the tops rings of milk jugs, and yes, he does bring them back and drops them at my feet. His latest habit is to run to the balcony door the moment I come in so that we both can go outside and I can brush him, he won’t go outside right away if I don’t.

Boo has a very funny thing he does when he has had enough something I have given him to eat, or if he doesn’t like what I gave he. He will scratch right beside the item of food like he is trying to cover it up in the litter box. That makes me laugh every time he does it.

Boo is very special to me and he makes a great companion. He is definitely a one-person cat and I like it that way.

Is it Possible to Tame/Train a Feral Cat?

By Guest Author on Tuesday, June 8th, 2010 | No Comments

Anything is possible, and in terms of taming a wild, street cat, that is especially possible.  Most feral cats, whether they know or not, desire a place to claim as home.  “Hav-a-heart” traps, commonly used by the humane society, are essential in the capture of a feral cat.  Load it with some fresh, raw meat or fish, set the trap, and wait; before you know, you’ll have a wild, caged cat.  However, before bringing the cat into your home and attempting to tame it, you must, (must!) take it to the vet for a regular check up, vaccines, and neutering.  Never bring a feral cat straight into your home because you never know what that cat may be carrying.

After taking the cat to your local veterinary clinic and upon its receiving the usual shots and exams, bring it home, still sedated, and leave it in whatever enclosure you’ve ascertained.  Make sure to leave out plenty of food and water for when the cat awakes, but this process allows the cat to become adjusted to its new enclosed surroundings and to you.

When the cat first wakes, it will be on edge.  You might find it hissing, scratching, or meowing.  Imagine being removed from an environment you grew completely accustomed to and waking up in a strange new place.  Fret not, speak to the cat in the most soothing voice possible, assuring that it will be okay.  Enter the cat’s space as you attempt to feed it, while maintaining a safe distance in case it scares and wants to scratch, in order to assure the cat that you are a provider of food and a friend.  Let the cat approach you, smell you, and rub on your leg if it feels so inclined.  This is just the cat’s way of attaining information, marking, and showing its appreciation.  Making sudden moves is discouraged, for you might frighten the cat and garner the whole process now null and void.  Gauge the cat’s emotional energy through its behavior, and work around how you see it reacting.

After a few visits and feedings, you may try to pet the cat.  But again, pay attention to the cats behavior! If it seems uncomfortable and sketchy, don’t cross its boundaries.  However, at this point, after you’ve visited with the cat and provided it with food and water, it should be warming up to you.  Approach with caution and very slowly as to not startle the cat.  If successful, then try playing with the cat, allowing it to show off to you and reinforcing the bond that you’ve already begun establishing with it.

Allow two weeks to pass before you bring the cat into your home, which should be plenty of time to insure the beginning of a solid bond between you and the cat.  Let it explore your home, affording it the opportunity to get used to your sounds and smells.  If you catch the cat marking or causing a ruckus, place the cat back in its outside enclosure for awhile, and then reintroduce him into your environment.  Remember, feral cats are outside creatures, and it may take them a few tries to become adjusted to being inside cats.

Don’t lose patience and don’t forget to take the taming process at the cat’s pace.  A cat won’t do want it doesn’t want to do.  But nonetheless, taming a feral cat is more than possible.

Jamie DeSanto is a writer for Online Nursing Programs where you can browse the best online nursing programs in the country.

Cat Naps and Sleeping

By Alison Wood on Sunday, May 16th, 2010 | No Comments

Cats are one of the most relaxing pets on earth and they are also one of the most relaxed animals with their ability to sleep almost anywhere at anytime of the day or night.

Cats can spend over two thirds of their life sleeping but while they may seem to sleep for many hours at a time, they will rarely sleep deeply for more than about 10 minutes at a time. They have the ability to sleep for a short period, commonly called a cat nap, and then awaken in an instant totally refreshed and alert.

For the short periods of time that a cat does go into a deep sleep, its basic senses are still highly alert to any danger that might be around them. This allows it to wake in an instant if necessary and get out of a dangerous situation.

A domesticated cat that feels comfortable and secure in its surroundings will not be so ‘on edge’ all the time and will be able to sleep in a more relaxed manner. In these situations the cat can often be a little sleepy when it awakes and even disorientated for short while. This is a more common occurrence with older cats, and particularly those who have lived in the one house all their life.

Once they see familiar surroundings or people they are less likely to feel anxious, as this anxiety can sometimes cause them to bite or claw someone before realizing where they are. When the cat is in a deep sleep its feet, tail and whiskers can twitch periodically as they are in a state of REM (rapid eye movement).

If the cat is lying in a hot sunny position it can go into a deep sleep and take a little longer for it to become alert after awakening. On awakening it will generally yawn and stretch and often sit for awhile until it is ready to move about again. Unless there is a very good reason, the cat will never feel rushed.

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