YOUR CAT QUESTIONS ANSWERED |
 Having evolved as a desert species cats don't have a strong thirst drive. In nature they get most but not all of their water requirements from the prey they consume. I have even had cat sitting clients who believe that their cat does not need water because they never see them drink!
But cats, like all living things, do need water and there are even times when cat owners may need to encourage their cats to drink more fluids. Examples of this include but are not limited to:
TYPE OF WATER BOWL Choose a bowl from which your cat will want to drink from.
NUMBER OF WATER BOWLS Have several water bowls so that your cat does not need to go far to find one.
LOCATION OF WATER BOWLS Choose a good location for your water bowls.
KEEP THE BOWLS CLEAN Be sure to wash your cat's water bowls every day and refill with fresh water. Use a tiny amount of dish liquid and a scrubbling pad to clean the water bowl and throughly rinse before refilling, DIFFERENT TYPES OF WATER Consider experimenting with different types of water – see if your cat has a preference. Many cats do not like heavily fluorinated water. Try:
OTHER LIQUIDS TO TRY
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According to the latest statistics (2017) there are 95.6 million owned cats in the United States, compared with 89.7 million pet dogs, making cats the most popular pet. A third of U.S. households own at least one cat and more than half of those own at least two. Despite the fact that in the last five years the number of pet cats has increased the number of feline veterinarian visits is declining. Compared with dogs, nearly three times as many cats did not receive any veterinary care in the past year.
The American Association of Feline Practitioners and American Animal Hospital Association recommend a minimum of one annual wellness exam for cats, with more frequent exams for senior and geriatric patients, or those cats with medical or behavioral conditions. Cats age faster than we do, so an annual exam for them is similar to you visiting your doctor or dentist every four to five years. Prevention is always safer and less expensive than treatment, and is why your cat needs to be seen at least once a year by your veterinarian. Cat owners love their cats, so why are cat veterinary visits on the decline? There are multiple reason for this decline. There are many commonly held misconceptions regarding feline veterinary needs. One common misconception is that cats are more self-sufficient than dogs. The truth is that cats require the same amount of attention as dogs. They need proper nutrition, clean water, socialization, play, exercise, and veterinary care. Another common misconception is that cats are healthier and experience fewer health problems than dogs. The truth is that cats are no more or less healthy than dogs, and require annual veterinary exams as much as dogs do. Cat owners may also mistakenly believe that cats will show signs of illness, just as dogs do. The truth is cats are masters at hiding illness and for this reason alone they need regular veterinary wellness exams. As more cats are being kept indoors owners may perceive that cats are not exposed to disease or illness. But even indoor cats can become injured or ill. Vaccination protocols have changed for the better in recent years and many veterinarians aren’t recommending annual vaccinations. This does not mean that cats don’t need annual wellness exams. Misconceptions aside, probably the biggest reason cat owners don’t bring their cats in for annual exams is that the whole experience is just so stressful for the cat and human. Picture frazzled owner chasing frightened cat around the home trying to catch the poor creature and stuff him into a dark, scary box. Usually this scenario ends with the owner getting scratched and or bitten and the cat traumatized before he is even at the veterinary practice. In the car the cat may experience motion sickness and might vomit, urinate, defecate or salivate excessively. Once at the veterinary practice the cat, possibly soaked in vomit, urine, stool, or saliva, will have to sit in a waiting area where there are strange animals, and scary sounds and smells. No doubt the cat owner is also highly stressed and this only makes things worse for the sensitive cat. When cats are stressed and frightened they are more likely to act out in an aggressive manner, making handling for a thorough exam very difficult. These cat owners believe their cat hates going to the vet, and they are right. Sadly, it is possible that the veterinarian and his or her staff don’t enjoy working with cats and aren’t adept at the special handling that the feline species requires. Cats must be approached in a very different way to dogs because there are fundamental differences between the behaviour of these species. Cats are well-armed with teeth and claws, and they know how to use them. Teeth and claws harbor bacteria, and anyone unfortunate enough to be scratched or bitten may suffer from a serious infection; in fact, a cat bite nearly always results in a serious infection if it’s not treated immediately. Complications from cat bites are a leading cause of permanent disability for veterinarians and their staff. According to a 2013 Bayer Veterinary Usage study, just 17 percent of veterinarians prefer cats in general, while 48 percent prefer dogs—although 70 percent own cats and 81 percent own dogs. Twenty percent of veterinarians examined their cats less than once a year. According to the survey, 65 percent of veterinarians found cats easy to work with during examinations, in comparison with 90 percent for dogs. Fifty-seven percent found it challenging to diagnose conditions in cats, in comparison with 34 percent for dogs. According to this same study, 78 percent of veterinary practice owners say cats represent one of the most significant missed opportunities for the profession. The study found that many, but not most, practices are taking steps to increase feline veterinary visits. It is obvious that the veterinary profession in general is failing its feline patients. Much more needs to be done by veterinarians to elevate the status of cats in the veterinary world and cat owners need to demand and seek out appropriate care for their cats. What veterinarians can do to increase cat visits: -Find the un-served/underserved cats in the practice by asking about other household pets on every visit and tracking reminder compliance. -Educate cat owners on carrier use and transporting cats. -Make the waiting room as cat-welcoming as possible by establishing separate areas for dogs and cats and installing visual barriers. -Reserve one or more exam rooms for cats only. -Train all staff regularly in cat-friendly handling. -Review and refine feline exam protocols. -Talk through the exam with cat owners. -Use and dispense feline-friendly medications. -Send home an exam report every time. -Schedule the next exam before the cat leaves the practice. -Join AAFP and become a certified Cat Friendly Practice. Participating in the AAFP’s Cat Friendly Practice Program is one approach for companion animal practices to use in making changes to improve the quantity and quality of feline veterinary visits. The AAFP launched the member program in late January 2012. The program allows practices to evaluate their care of feline patients, their environment for cats, and the relevant skills, training, and education of their personnel. Watching our cats leap through the air and chase their favourite toys definitely gives us the feel-good factor. But did you know that playing with your cat isn’t just fun, it also has a lot of benefits (some of which might surprise you)…
Play provides a safe outlet to perform predatory behaviours, such as stalking, chasing, pouncing, and biting. For cats, who are genetically programmed to hunt, these behaviours are essential to meet their needs as a species. In the wild, cats that rely solely on hunting for their food can spend up to 50 per cent of the day hunting — eating 10 — 20 prey to meet their daily calorie requirement. Despite our pet cats being well-fed, they still retain that natural motivation to hunt. They didn’t get the memo that food will be provided daily. This is because cats are solitary survivors that don’t rely on the support of other cats, and therefore hunting is a solitary activity. If a hunting trip is unsuccessful, the cat won’t eat, which is why cats will still hunt when they aren’t hungry — better to be safe than sorry! Because of this, cats are incredibly opportunistic; if they encounter prey, even unintentionally, they will instantly switch into predatory mode. Though our pet cats are fortunate to have their nutritional needs met through daily feeding of a balanced cat food, play is required to fulfil their welfare need to perform this natural hunting behaviour. Play is particularly important for indoor cats whose only outlet for predatory behaviour is through toys. Without regular play, our hands and feet also risk becoming unwanted targets, especially from kittens and younger cats that are most likely to initiate play. However, we shouldn’t assume that older cats don’t enjoy or need to play, just because they may not initiate it. Cats are opportunistic, so if the opportunity isn’t presented, our older cats may not engage. But the toss of a ping pong ball or the swooping of a feather toy on the end of the wand can see even the oldest of cats instantly switch into play mode. Short play sessions can also help with ageing joints and muscles (just be sure to speak to your vet first if your cat has been diagnosed with arthritis or a condition affecting their movement to ensure this is suitable for them). Owners whose cats have outdoor access are sometimes concerned that playing with their cats will make them hunt more. Fortunately, the opposite is true. Researchers from the University of Exeter found that owners who played with their cats for just 5 — 10 minutes every day with a wand toy and a toy mouse, reported that their cats captured and brought home 25 per cent less prey. And by seeing those predatory behaviours close up — the leaping, pouncing, and batting — we get to see what magnificent and skilled athletes we have in our homes. There is also no doubt that regular active play helps keep our cats in tip-top physical condition. All that stalking, chasing, leaping, and pouncing helps maintain a healthy bodyweight. For those cats that have become overweight, play can be a vital component of a weight loss programme. One study found that a daily 15-minute session of intense play using a variety of toys, combined with other weight loss initiatives, that motivated the cats to move for food, led to significant weight loss in just four weeks. A recent survey of cat owners found that when owners reduced opportunities to play from their cats, they saw an increase in attention-seeking behaviour, vocalisation, destructive behaviour, aggressive behaviour, and reclusive behaviour. This highlights just how important the opportunity to play is for cats. Without it, problems can arise, which at the very least may be frustrating for you, but at worst, represent significant welfare concerns for your cat. Finally, play isn’t just important for your cat’s well-being, it also has many benefits for us humans. It creates a beautiful bonding experience where both cat and owner can have fun together, but it’s important to play safely for everyone involved. The use of long wand toys, where the toy on the end of the wand is well away from hands, is a perfect option for safe play where even children can get involved without the worry of being scratched or bitten. In scientific studies, owners who play with their cats have reported that it has helped them establish and maintain a bond with their cats. In fact, owners who played a variety of games with their cats felt their cats’ experienced a better quality of life than those who played less. Longer reported daily play times have also been associated with owners reporting a closer relationship with their cats. Cats are living much longer now than was the case 20 years ago, thanks to better nutrition, veterinary and home care. In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards.
As many cats are living longer lives what can we do to ensure they are living the best life …..
Cats are the ultimate creatures of habit. They like everything done a certain way - and they like to feel in control. It should come as no surprise that most cats don’t like change. Some felines will struggle to adapt to changes in their routine which may include owners going back to work, spending more time out and about, or heading away on travel.
As humans, we all react differently to change. So, too, do cats. Some - particularly younger - cats don’t seem phased by it. Others - and this is more common with older felines - can become visibly stressed when something about their environment, routine, or anything else shifts. Of course, there’s no way to predict how our cats will behave when faced with change there are a few handy tips below to help make change more palatable to your feline friend. Try introducing any changes gradually. If, for example, you’re having more guests round to your house start by inviting one or two people over for a short amount of time and then build it up. Or, if you’re wanting to introduce a new food do so slowly by mixing a small amount of the new food in with the previous diet. Introduce your cat to as many new experiences as possible when they are kittens. They are more adaptable to change, and getting them used to different stimuli at a young age really does pay off as they get older. Your cat will probably already have a favourite safe space at home. These spaces are more important than ever when your cat is dealing with change and perhaps feeling anxious. Make sure your cat can access their favourite spot, and respect that this is their place of quiet thought. It goes without saying, but be sure to give plenty of attention to your feline friend as they are going through periods of change. This might be a sit on your lap, a chin rub, or even a reassuring presence or a new toy or treat. If you can make the change a positive experience for your cat, they will adapt more quickly. You can do this by leaving, for example, a little treat for them while you are out of the house. Or, if you’re heading away for a few days, make sure your cat sitter can provide them with the same high standard of care that they are used to - somebody who will not only feed them and clean their litter tray, but will also play with them, give them attention, and prepare their meals just the way they like it. It’s a worn-out myth that all cats are aloof, independent, solitary. In reality, they can be highly social and form strong bonds with humans and other animals. Most people are familiar with separation anxiety in dogs, but research suggests that cats, especially those who are deeply attached to their people, also experience separation anxiety when left alone for extended periods. Some cats may do well for short periods of time throughout the day while others have difficulty with longer absences like change in work or school schedules, vacation, or divorce. Here’s what to know about keeping feline separation blues at bay. Separation anxiety is an emotional response triggered by separation from the person or companion pet with whom a cat has a strong bond. The degree of distress ranges from mild to severe, and early cues are subtle and often missed or misinterpreted. The key piece of information is that the behaviour problems occur exclusively when the favourite, bonded individual is absent. Cats begin to express apprehension as the person prepares to leave reacting to departure cues such as picking up keys, grabbing a handbag, or packing a suitcase. The cat may hide, meow excessively, follow the person from room to room, or move between the person and doorway. Here are some problem behaviours triggered by separation anxiety in cats: –Inappropriate urination or defecation, often on personal items like clothing or the bed. This is an anxiety-related behavior, not a spiteful behaviour. –Excessive vocalization, such as loud, persistent meowing –Eating too fast or not at all –Vomiting –Excessive grooming –Destructiveness, such as shredding curtains or furniture or knocking over objects –Exuberant greetings when the person returns home The cause of separation anxiety is unknown, but it’s thought that genetics and environmental factors play a role. Any cat can experience separation anxiety. Kittens who were orphaned, bottle-fed, or weaned too early might be more prone to separation anxiety. Handling kittens during the sensitive periods between 2 and 7 weeks of age prepares them for life’s changes and makes them healthier and more resistant to stress. We may unknowingly contribute to the cause of our cat’s separation anxiety when we are our cat’s sole source of social engagement. We might reinforce it when we reward needy behaviour. Cats sense our emotions and if we’re anxious about leaving, our cat senses it, gets anxious, The first step is a trip to the vet to rule out underlying medical conditions. For example, litter box mishaps may be due to urinary tract infection, allergies may cause fur loss, and loss of appetite may signal other illnesses. If your cat is diagnosed with separation anxiety, behaviour modification strategies reduce stress around the departure routine and provide stimulation while you’re away. Quality time with you on a set schedule sets the foundation. Schedule 10- to 15-minute play sessions with your cat. Choose a time when your cat is calm and relaxed. Play sessions with you should not occur right before leaving or when first arriving home. If your cat is engaged in social activity with you, it might be difficult for him to see you go. Instead, limit social interactions and provide self-play or exploratory items about 20 minutes before your departure. Ditch the food dish. Hide small amounts of food in puzzle feeders and treat dispensers throughout your home so your cat has to hunt for it. While your cat is preoccupied with food, gather your items. Your cat now is entertained and associates positive things, like food, with your leaving. Forgo dramatic exits and entrances. Quietly leave while your cat is eating. When you return, stay calm and reward your cat with a warm greeting when he’s calm and not meowing for your attention. Make your cat’s environment more stimulating. Leave out favourite toys, especially interactive items, for play while you’re gone. Provide elevated vertical spaces such as cat trees, window perches, and shelving. Some cats enjoy hideaways: think boxes, tunnels, and tent beds. Place a bird feeder outside the window or leave the TV on for enrichment. A combination of synthetic pheromones, soothing music, and an article of clothing with your scent on it can help to create a calming, comforting environment. Sometimes certain actions trigger anxiety. If your cat shows signs of anxiety when you pick up your keys, handbag, or coat, practice picking them up several times a day without leaving. If shoes are the trigger, put on your shoes and walk around for a bit, and then take them off. As your cat’s anxiety lessens, gather your items and walk to the door without leaving. Gradually work up to walking out for short periods and returning, casually greeting your cat upon your return. Some cats are less anxious with another pet in the home, but this is a very individual preference and is not always the best solution. Having another cat in the home may be another source of stress and contribute to anxiety. It may not treat the separation anxiety because the critical attachment is between the affected cat and absent person. For extended absences, hire a professional pet sitter. Ideally, your sitter should provide play sessions twice a day to help lessen your cat’s anxiety. You may consider a sitter for overnight stays to maintain a comfort level. Anxiety-reducing medication along with behaviour modification techniques may be the best course of action to help your cat learn to overcome anxiety with the least amount of stress. Discuss the plan of action that is best for your cat with your veterinarian or seek the advice of a certified feline behaviourist. In deciding whether a cat sitter or cattery is best for your cat, it is worth considering the character of our feline friends. Cats are known for their independent nature, which is just one of the qualities that makes them such great pets. Most cats will be perfectly happy being left alone during the day if, for example, you go out to work.
As cats snooze for around two-thirds of their day (and even more in their senior years), they should be fine left to their own devices for shorter periods, as long as you give them plenty of love and quality playtime when they’re awake! However, if you’re going to be away for longer than a day, you’ll need to make sure that your cat is properly cared for. If you can’t find a willing friend, try a cattery or use a pet sitting service. Cats are home-loving, territorial creatures, so try to find a way for your cat to be looked after at home when you go away. They’re unlikely to feel stressed if they’re in their usual environment with its familiar scents, sights, and sounds. You may wish to try a professional pet sitter or cat sitting service, for example. Services vary per person or company, but you can usually expect a pet sitter or cat sitting service to come to your house once or twice a day to feed your cat, play with them and clean out their litter tray. If you can’t decide between a cat sitter or a cattery, it is best to examine both options thoroughly. For that reason, it’s important to do your research to find a reputable, licensed cattery with knowledgeable, caring staff and good, clean, comfortable facilities. We always recommend visiting a cattery in advance to make sure it is clean and that the cats there look warm, relaxed, and happy. You’ll know if it’s somewhere where your cat will fit in and be comfortable. You should be asked to provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations before you can board your cat at a cattery. In case of emergencies, it’s also a good idea to provide the cattery with your vet’s details, your cat’s microchip details, and a record of any relevant veterinary history. If your pet is on any medication, make sure you leave clear instructions on how and when to administer them, as well as anything you’d like them to know about dietary or behavioural issues. The more they know about your cat’s likes and dislikes, the calmer your cat will be, so both you and your pet can relax during your break. It’s natural to worry about leaving your pet in someone else’s care, but a reputable cat sitter or cattery will give you peace of mind that your pet is happy and healthy while you’re away. Not all pet sitters are created equally, nor are they all professionals with impressive qualifications. Most generic pet sitters deal primarily with dogs and while they may be very skilled and knowledgable with the canine species, their experience and skill set with cats might be lacking. Finding a cat sitter you trust is important since they’ll work closely with your cat, have access to your home and will need to be in communication with you while you’re away.
A referral from someone you already trust is a great place to start when finding a pet sitter. For example, you can ask your veterinarian or get a recommendation from a family member or friend. Make sure that your cat sitter is a good fit for you and your cat by asking the right questions. Some questions to ask include:
My job is to make sure that your cat is happy, safe, and well looked after. With all this being said, though, I know that accidents can happen, and cats may become poorly when you are away.
I check on each and every one of my cat customers at least once every day, so if anything were to happen, I’d know about it quickly. Of course, I would contact you to let you know, and I would ensure that we get your cat veterinary help as soon as possible. If it is a dire veterinary emergency where time is of the essence I will immediately take your cat to the Burlington Emergency Veterinary Service in Williston, Vermont. I will keep you up-to-date following any accidents or illnesses, and you can rest assured that I will look after your cat as if they were my own. I always make sure that I have contact details for your vet. Of course, you’ll need to cover any veterinary charges incurred, but that is something that we can sort out on your return. |
AuthorElizabeth Llewellyn lives in South Burlington, Vermont with her three cats. She has owned a cat sitting service since 2002 and has worked professionally with cats in a variety of settings including, veterinary, boarding and breeding catteries, and rescue organizations. Elizabeth is a qualified feline welfare and behaviour specialist. Archives
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