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All pets need a veterinarian, but it can be hard to know which one to choose. So look for qualifications, experience, and references. Ask plenty of questions such as: Are the office hours convenient? Do you keep detailed records on every patient? Do the doctors take courses to keep their medicine up to date? How do you handle emergencies?

It’s also important to look around the clinic. Check to see if it looks like a clean and safe environment. And of course, ask other pet owners for their recommendations. Your veterinarian should be someone you can rely on, so trust your instincts. If you’re uneasy about someone, keep looking. Don’t settle for a veterinarian that you don’t feel good about.

Through body language and demeanor your cat is a skilled communicator. Here’s how to read the non-verbal messages your cat is communicating:

On Patrol Of Her Territory

1. Perked ears indicate curiosity
2. Tail provides balance
3. Whiskers measure width
4. Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance with a distinct smell
5. Paws planted firmly and confidently on the ground
6. Paw pads act as shock absorbers

Ready To Take Action

1. Tail acts as a counterbalance as center of gravity shifts forward
2. Smooth body fur indicates confidence
3. Forward ears show assertiveness
4. Dilated pupils indicate excitement
5. Concentrated expression
6. Hind legs bent, ready for action

Relaxed and Content

1. Each whisker is used for sensory perception
2. Direct eye contact demonstrates trust
3. Tail in relaxed position
4. Slanted eyes indicate contentment
5. Nose pad receptors
6. Ears always attentive

 

Since cats naturally think of sandy areas as bathrooms, most kittens quickly learn to use a litter box. You can make their job even easier. Upon bringing a new kitten home, place her in a small litter box, pre-filled with small-grained litter. Simulate digging by gently moving her front paws back and forth. Carry her to the box after eating or sleeping, and anytime you see her scratching the floor. Praise kitty whenever she goes in the box.

Sometimes accidents happen. When they do, transfer the mess to the litter box. The smell will encourage kitty to go there in the future. Thoroughly clean the scene of the accident to remove all odors. Never yell at your kitten for such transgressions – her anxiety may lead to more accidents.

 

 

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Scratching is a normal behavior for your cat. It helps your cat keep her nails in good condition. So you can’t really blame her for clawing the furniture, unless you have provided her with an alternative like a scratching post. If your cat has already scratched something, cover the item with plastic and she will likely turn to the post instead. When you catch your cat scratching furniture, try one squirt in her direction (not on her) with water from a squirt bottle and use a firm “no.” When she scratches her scratching post, reward her with praise.

Spraying: Both males and females spray urine to mark their territory, although the behavior is much more common in males. One way to address this is to spay or neuter the cat. Generally cats will exhibit this type of behavior when they feel their territory is threatened, such as bringing a newcomer onto the scene. Consult with your veterinarian about possible health problems that may be causing this behavior.

 

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Scratching is hard-wired into the cat’s brain – it’s what cats do to keep their claws sharp and ready for action. Your kitten will soon feel the urge to scratch, so offer her various items to sink her claws into.

Purchase several scratching posts and pads, or make your own with posts or boards covered with rope or carpet remnants. Place them in strategic places – near her food bowl, her litter box, and her favorite sleeping spot. Experiment with different textures to see what she likes best. Rub on some catnip to pique her interest.

If your kitten tries to claw your carpets, drapes, or furniture, discourage that behavior with one or two sprays in her direction (not on her) with water from a spray bottle. But be sure to reward her with treats and praise when she scratches the right stuff.

 

 

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Litter Box Training

Kittens learn by observing their mother. No training is necessary; you just need to make sure your new cat knows where the box is. You may want to limit your cat’s freedom to the room the box is in until you know she is using it regularly.

When your cat begins to get the idea, don’t take her good behavior for granted. Continue to praise her for using the litter box.

Litter Box Behavior

If your cat’s litter habits change, have her examined by a veterinarian to first rule out any medical problems. Then check to see that it’s not the litter box itself that is dissuading your cat. Is it clean? Is there something about the location that your cat doesn’t like such as new people or pets in the house? Once your cat has adapted to the change, she should revert back to her normal litter habits.

Litter Box Basics

Cats are fastidious and can be very fussy about their litter box, its cleanliness, location and the type of litter used. So be sure to keep your litter box as clean and comfortable as possible for your cat.

Choosing a Litter Box

Get a full-size litter box (kittens may use a smaller box) made of a non-absorbent material, like plastic, for easy cleaning with soap and warm water and to prevent odors from being absorbed by the box.

Placing the Litter Box

When selecting a location for your cat’s litter box, choose a quiet, out-of-the-way place that is easily accessible and will ensure your cat’s privacy. Keep the litter box away from your cat’s eating and sleeping quarters. Once you choose a location, don’t move it or you might confuse your cat. If you have more than one cat or a large house, you might want to place a litter box on each side of the house.

Types of Filler

The core ingredient of most conventional cat box fillers is naturally absorbent clay. While clay provides some odor control, additional ingredients can be added to control the growth of odor-causing bacteria and to diminish dust.

Time-release agents can control odor longer between litter changes. Scooping fillers offer moisture-activated clumping action, so that waste can be isolated and scooped out, leaving behind only clean litter.

Crystal-type fillers are considered state-of-the-art in litter. Non-toxic micropore technology keeps your litter box dry and fresh a long time, which means less work for you. Regular stirring allows you to go up to 30 days between changes (one cat). Silica gel crystals are extremely effective in dehydrating moisture and trapping odor.

Paper fillers are recommended by veterinarians for post-surgical use. *These fillers are 3x more moisture absorbent than clay, **and 99.7% dust free.

*Qualitative results from those veterinarians responding to a survey of a random sampling of veterinarians in the United States. September 2003

**by volume compared to clay

Pellets are designed for low tracking, are tough on odors, and are non-toxic.

Switching Fillers

Ease your cat into the new brand slowly to reduce stress and confusion. Begin by mixing one-third of the new filler with two-thirds of the old. Then, gradually increase the amount of the new brand until your cat becomes used to it.

How Much Filler Should You Use?

The amount of filler you should use varies by filler type. Although it is best to check the directions on the package, the following is a general guide by filler type:

• Conventional: Maintain a depth of 2-3 inches
• Scoop: Maintain a depth of 3-4 inches
• Crystals: Maintain a depth of about 1.5 inches

Cleaning the Litter Box

The litter box itself will need to be disinfected on a regular basis to remove odors.

• Conventional: Remove waste areas daily. Maintain cat box filler at a depth of 2-3 inches for pawing and covering. Clean the cat box with warm water and a mild detergent between complete litter changes.
• Scoop: Remove waste areas daily. Add more filler as needed to maintain a 3-4 inch depth. Clean the cat box with warm water and a mild detergent between complete litter changes.
• Crystals: Scoop out and discard dehydrated solid waste daily. Use your scooper to thoroughly stir crystals daily, which will distribute liquid waste, speed evaporation and increase the life of the product. Clean the cat box with warm water and a mild detergent between complete litter changes.

Disposing of Litter

When disposing of litter, wrap it in two bags and tie it securely. Do not flush the litter down the toilet or dispose of it down a drain, as it can be extremely harmful to plumbing.

Cat Box Diseases

Note:
We want to remind those with suppressed immune systems or pregnant women that a parasite sometimes found in cat feces can cause toxoplasmosis. For more information on toxoplasmosis, contact your doctor. Please wash your hands after handling used litter.

Recently two Western PA animals shelters announced that they have worked an agreement with a local pet store, and the store will now only carry shelter pets in its inventory only. The entire story can be read at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.com. We really applaud the hard work of both the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania, and the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society for helping bring shelter pets in front of new pet buyers.