Gotta keep 'em separated

How to live in harmony with cats AND small animals

An assortment of pets can be challenging, not the least because sometimes some of your pets are the natural predators of the others.  I was reminded of this a week ago when I first started turtle sitting -- the dogs and cats were extremely interested in said turtle, to the point of requiring close supervision together.

I always had cats growing up, and we also often had smaller animals that had to be separated from the cats at all times.  They quickly became disinterested in the guinea pigs -- I'm not sure if they knew the piggies were pets, as my dad assumed, or they just found them generally uninteresting -- but I also had a gerbil when I was 12, a mouse when I was 15, a dwarf rabbit when I was 17 and a rat when I was 20.  And then of course there was the toad, the snake, and an assortment of goldfish and guppies...

We used to joke about the small animals being "cat TV," because the cats would sit there and watch them move about in their cages.  (My gerbil had a little ball he used to run around in, and the cats would follow him around in that, too.)  But we also knew we had to be very, very careful about keeping the cats separated from the smaller creatures.  The exception was the guinea pigs -- like I said, the cats weren't interested in them for whatever reason, and we could let them run around without any fear of them being stalked by 10 pounds of feline fury.

I was reminded of this the other night when I introduced the cats and dogs to the newest (if temporary -- though they don't know that) addition to the household.  We are keeping the turtle's travel tank on the kitchen counter, and within moments our more aggressively playful cat, Ivan, was up there next to it, watching.  He spent most of the first evening on the counter, actually.  Our more playful dog was also extremely interested, and spent quite some time looking and sniffing (she is big enough to get her nose up to the edge of the counter).

Putting the turtle in the bathtub the next day to allow him to stretch his legs, I realized I was going to have to keep the bathroom door shut when he was in there.  What clued me in?  The fact that, as I put the turtle in the tub and filled it with water, I found I had an audience: Two dogs and one cat, all checking out what I was doing.  (The second cat is also interested but more timid.)

So I've been keeping the bathroom door shut during the turtle's swim sessions, and weighting the lid of his tank while he's in it.  I don't know whether any of the pets would actually cause him any harm, but I think it's safest to assume that -- being predators -- they would, and to operate under that assumption!

Cat Eye Infections: What You Need To Know

Long story short, a cat with an eye infection needs to go to the vet
A cat's eyes are one of its most alluring features. Unfortunately, cats are prone to several different types of eye infections which can be uncomfortable and disfiguring, and can even lead to blindness in the long term if left untreated for too long.
 
Signs Your Cat Has An Eye Infection
You are probably familiar with the cat's so-called "third eyelid," the nictitating membrane which can usually just be glimpsed in the inner corners of your cat's eyes. These membranes may be visible if your cat is sleeping with its eyes slightly open, or if it is very happy and relaxed.

Eye infections can cause a low-grade fever, which in turn can make your cat feel poorly. Your cat may stop eating, and may retreat to a safe area or be unusually lethargic. A sick cat loses interest in its normal routines. Other cats become extremely clingy, and refuse to budge from your side.
 
However, if only one eye has the membrane visible, or if the membrane looks red or swollen, this may indicate an eye infection or damage. An eye infection will often only infect one eye (at least at the beginning) but if the third eyelid is very visible in both eyes, this can be a dual-eye infection.
 
An eye infection may also cause your cat's eyes to be "weepy," either with a clear fluid, or with a pale yellow pus-like discharge. 
 
What To Do About Your Cat's Eye Infection
An eye infection needs to be treated by a vet. Your vet can prescribe antibiotics, either oral or eyedrop form or both, depending on how bad the infection is. An eye infection is as serious for a cat as it would be for a person. If you think your cat might have an eye infection, do not delay. 
 
If left untreated, the eye infection can spread to other parts of the eye. It can cause partial or total blindness, and it can even result in the cat needing to have that eye removed. 
 
In addition to antibiotics, your cat may find it soothing to have a warm damp washcloth gently laid against its infected eye. The heat can help with the itching and discomfort that an eye infection causes, and it can also help clear out some of the gunk. Then again, some cats want nothing to do with this procedure. If your cat isn't interested, don't push it!
 

 

Is Your Cat Having Accidents Outside the Litter Box?

What He or She May Be Trying to Tell You

Litter box problems are probably the top behavioral problem people have with their cats, aside from the unwanted scratching of furniture.  Cats are finicky creatures, not to mention they often will decide not to use their litter box if they are sick or in pain.  Determining why they aren't using the litter box is usually the first step before you can decide what to do about the problem.

Someone posted on this blog the other day with a question about a couple of accidents their cat had.  In their case, the accidents were easily explained, because the cat was physically blocked from getting to her litter box all day.  So if your cat is having accidents, the first thing is to make sure he or she can actually get to the litter box.  If, say, a door that is usually kept open is shut, or if another pet in the house is preventing your cat from getting to the litter box (as my younger cat sometimes does to my older cat), they may have an accident not because of any behavioral issue, but because they truly just couldn't get to the litter box in time.

Another common reason why cats have accidents is because they are hurt or sick.  The usual suspect is a urinary tract infection -- a cat with a UTI or another physical ailment will often pee in a different spot every time.  Whether it's because it hurts and they are holding it too long or trying to find a place to relieve themselves where it won't hurt, or they are trying to tell you something is wrong, a cat that is going to the bathroom all over the house usually has something physical wrong with him or her.

Another thing that can cause a cat to relieve itself outside the litter box is a dirty box.  If your cat is having bathroom problems, you might want to add more litter boxes (especially for multiple cats) and clean them more often.  Also, if you have changed the kitty litter to a new brand or type recently, change it back!  Dirty litter boxes and "weird" kitty litter can cause a cat to start finding other places to do their business.

True behavioral issues are typically easy to spot because the cat tends to go in the same place every time.  It may be because that spot has started smelling like cat urine, or just because it has become a habit.  (And no, many deodorizers don't work -- they cover up the smell as far as we can tell, but the cat, whose sense of smell is much keener than yours, can still smell it.  Cleaning the spot well enough so that not even a molecule of urine is left is often required to get the cat to stop, and even then, you might need to replace the rug or furniture she's peeing on, or rearrange so that she can't access the spot anymore.

Your best bet: If your cat is having litter box problems, always try to determine the reason why, as it may affect what needs to be done to get them to stop.  Rather than discipline or being confined to the garage, they may only need a cleaner litter box, one that is easier to access, or even a trip to the vet to resolve the problem!

Please Help with a Cat Problem

Came home and discovered our cat had defecated on the carpet in the corner of the room. No big deal, cleaned it up but then discovered somehow the kitty door to

our basement (and her litter box) and gotten partially jammed/locked so all day she couldn't get downstairs! So took care of the door but then a short time later,

discovered our cat had also urinated in the center of the couch!! The cushions absorbed the urine as well as the base of the couch (it was 12 yrs old anyway). We have

no choice but to replace the couch but we are confused as to why the cat chose to urinate on the couch and not the carpet, etc??? Also, as we had to secure the cat in the basement while we cleaned...we are now concerned that if she is let back up in the rest of our home, she will still think she can't use the litter box and will do this again, somewhere else...

Is this a real concern? Also, is it a concern that she chose the couch and not just the carpet?

Thank you.

Grow Your Own Catnip

There is nothing quite like catnip to make a cat hysterical, and happy, at the same time.  If you want entertainment that costs nothing, give your cat a little bit of catnip and watch the chaos ensue.  If you want to be able to enjoy the experience on a regular basis, you might try growing some of your own catnip.

A member of the mint family, catnip is very prolific.  In fact, it grows so well that pains must be taken to make sure it doesn’t spread throughout your yard and take over.  You can easily grow a catnip plant in a container, snipping off leaves and branches as needed to give your cat a good time.

Catnip can be planted in the yard, but like all mints, it spreads easily, so beware if you want to have anything but catnip in the yard.  Your cat would probably appreciate the gesture if you planted a lawn of catnip, but the smell, while pleasant in small doses, might be a little overwhelming that way.

Catnip is very hardy, and can live in just about any soil type, with little water.  It also produces small, delicate flowers that are a pretty accent to its rich green leaves.  You can use catnip as an ornamental contrast with other flowers and plants, just be sure to contain it.

Growing your own catnip for your cat pals is easy, and best of all, you don’t have to keep paying for it.  Pick it fresh or hang it to dry, and you can have catnip year round.

Cats Are Beating Us At Our Own Games

Now they're beating us at an iPad game, too!
Friskies has announced the newest app: an iPad game that you play against your cat! Friskies has already been at the forefront of this strangest of tech booms, with their three iPhone apps that were games designed for cats. However, those were single-player games. Now, with the new "You Vs. Cat" game, you actually play head-to-head against your cat!
 
In "You Vs Cat," which debuted this week at the SXSW conference, your job is to flick a little object across the screen. Your cat plays goalie, and "repels the objects by pouncing on them." Not only do many cats enjoy this game… they are actually beating us at it!

According to the latest worldwide statistics, games are running 2,091 to 1,250 in favor of cats. Friskies even brought Buddy, their current worldwide "You Vs Cat" champion, to their SXSW display to play against onlookers. 
 
Other Games Your Cat Always Wins
 
"Your feet are mice, and I shall pounce on them!" 
This game is super cute when your cat is a kitten, which is why most people tolerate it. It is not as fun when you are awakened from a sound sleep by a full-grown cat pouncing on your feet, biting and clawing at your toes through a blanket that is never quite thick enough to protect you.
 
Word to the wise: discourage this play with kittens! If you have an adult cat who is entrenched in the behavior, start sleeping with a spray bottle within reach.
 
"Guess what I hid in your shoe this time!"
When you have a kitten, all too often the answer to the game is "Poop." Why kittens poop in shoes, I can't imagine. But poop in them they do. I learned to turn all my shoes upside-down before going to bed. 
 
Luckily, most kittens grow out of this. As adults, they content themselves with dropping toys in your shoes. The pointier the toy, and thus the less pleasant when you jam your foot into it, the better.
 
"Hope you were done drinking that water!"
It's surprising how many cats drink water with their paws. So inefficient and unsanitary! It's perhaps less surprising that they should choose YOUR glass of water to drink out of. After all, it's so fresh! And it's right there. 
 
  • 10x bonus points if your cat knocks the glass over.
  • 20x bonus points if your cat doesn't tip over the glass, but leaves grains of cat litter in the bottom of your glass.
  • 50x bonus points if you don't spot the cat litter at the bottom of your glass until after you drank from it.

Is It Okay If My Cat Lost A Whisker?

It's normal to find the occasional stray whisker
From time to time, you may find a stray cat whisker on the floor or the couch. This can be somewhat alarming to the new cat owner, since everyone knows that whiskers are very important, sensitive, delicate instruments. You don't expect to find one just lying there on the coffee table!
 
Cats do shed their whiskers, but only one or two at a time. It's similar to the way that we shed eyelashes. It's normal to find one here and there, but if you start finding a lot of whiskers at the same time, something serious might be going on.
 
Finding the occasional stray whisker, however, is not cause for concern.

In talking to other cat owners, I have learned that a surprising number of them collect and keep all of these lost whiskers! Some people think of cat whiskers the way they think of baby teeth, as a sentimental treasure. I have to confess, I don't really feel that way. I may pick the whisker up and play with it briefly - whiskers have a fascinating springiness - but then I drop it in the trash.
 
I have also heard it said that finding a cat's whisker means good luck. Presumably this is because it is such a relatively rare occurrence, much like finding a four-leaf clover. Is it the finding of the whisker that is good luck, or the whisker itself? Sources are divided on the topic. But I did find an Etsy seller who sells cat whiskers as good luck charms. (I hope they are humanely sourced…)
 
It also seems to me that someone's wand in the Harry Potter novels had a cat's whisker inside it. But I could be wrong about that.
 
Whiskers are amazing structures. It is difficult for us to understand what it must be like to have whiskers, because we don't have anything similar. A cat's whisker has actual nerve endings inside it, and is attached to tiny muscles so that the cat can "aim" the whiskers in any direction it chooses.
 
Whiskers are able to physically judge a gap, just like the feelers on a car. But they can also sense air currents, temperature, and barometric pressure drops - allowing the cat to sense, for example, if a moth passes its face in the dark. 
 
Never cut a cat's whiskers! Because they have nerves inside them, this hurts! It would be like cutting off your fingertips or earlobe. If you want good luck, you will have to wait for that whisker to fall out on its own.
 

The Beautiful Ocicat

I happened across a picture of an Ocicat the other day, and I was struck by how beautiful they are.  The Ocicat is a combination of three domestic breeds: Abysinnian, Siamese, and American Shorthair.  Contrary to the name, Ocicats are not descended from Ocelots or any other wild cat, but are so named because they bear a resemblance.

Ocicats are a short haired cat with a spotted coat.  They are very striking, with strong, athletic bodies and a satin sheen to their coats.  Bred accidentally in the 60’s, Ocicats have become increasingly popular and were accepted for shows by The Cat Fanciers' Association in 1987.

Ocicats are somewhat doglike in personality, taking well to learning tricks and even being walked on a leash.   I am sure they are quite the attention getter when walked down the street, because they look like something straight out of the jungle.  Be prepared to get asked about whether or not they are from the wild, as is apparently common with Ocicat owners.

Ocicats enjoy the benefits of hybrid breeding and are healthy and vigorous, with no known inherited health problems.  They come in a wide variety of colors – mainly silvers -- , and some are even solid, but of course excepted from show status.

The main attraction to the Ocicat was initially their beautiful, exotic looking coat, but their winning, easygoing personality has made many Ocicat owners diehard fans.

If you are looking for a cat that is uniquely beautiful, easy to care for and very athletic, look no further than the distinctive Ocicat.

Introducing a New Cat

We talked last week about how cats are not necessarily the solitary creatures many people believe them to be, and in fact can really benefit from the company of another cat.  If you have decided to find a companion for your cat, there are a few things to consider before introducing the new cat to your family.

First, because it is not practical to quarantine a cat, take them to the vet for a health inspection to rule out any communicable diseases.  You don’t want to risk giving your other animals a disease that could be prevented, and a health inspection is a good idea even if you don’t have other animals at home.

Second, remember to take your time.  Start by isolating the new cat in a room by itself to help it get used to the new scents and sounds.  Spend lots of time with the new cat, letting him get to know you and settle in before staging a meeting between cats.

If possible, when introducing the cats to each other, keep the new cat safely confined in a crate to allow the two to meet each other without risk of a fight.  Let them meet this way, and then gradually begin introducing the new cat to the rest of the house.

Some fighting is not uncommon – all animals have a hierarchy that must be established, so the old cat and new must duke it out to see who is the leader.  Just make sure the squabbles don’t get out of hand and be prepared to break up a fight if necessary.

Above all, be patient and take your time.  This is a major change for everyone involved, and can be made more traumatic by forcing the issue.

Once your cats have had a chance to get to know each other, you can relax and enjoy watching the two become friends.

Choosing the Right Pet

Kittens, Puppies, or Rodents, Oh My?

Just the other day, the little girl I nanny for lost the second of her gerbils to old age.  The first one died a couple of weeks ago, and since they were sisters and had been together since birth, I guess it shouldn't be surprising that the second followed so soon.

Almost immediately, she and her brother were talking about what they might choose for a new pet.  Although I discouraged getting another pet so soon, certainly not before they've finished grieving for their gerbils, at some point they will need to decide what the right pet is for them.

Their dad was vetoing a dog, which was apparently the first thing they thought of when their parents said they could get something bigger, something that required a little more care, this time.  I thought about suggesting a cat, but then it occurred to me that a cat might not be the right choice for this family.  The parents are neat freaks and a little type A, and I can't see it going over well if they have to train a kitten not to claw the furniture, or clean up the occasional hairball.

These are the kinds of things you have to consider when you are trying to decide which kind of animal you should keep as a pet.  For instance, if you are very busy, a time-consuming animal, such as a puppy, is probably not the right choice for you.  Likewise, if you are a neat freak, a dog that is going to track in dirt at all times of the year will most likely make you a little crazy.

Whatever type of pet you decide on, rest assured that they are ALL rewarding in their own ways.  Smaller pets can be lots of fun to hold and play with, while cats and dogs are more involved with your daily life.  What works for one person may not work for another, though, so make sure you keep your personal preferences and habits in mind when shopping for a new pet!

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