How Having a Cat Changes Your Life

It's not as obvious as the changes that come from having a larger and more demanding pet, like a dog, but having a cat changes your life.  Day-to-day habits may have to be changed in order to accommodate a cat, as do larger decisions, possibly even what furniture you get or how you decorate.

You know you're a cat owner if...

 

  • You cover food before leaving it on the counter or table, even if you're only going to the bathroom or turning your back for a few minutes
  • You avoid wearing black clothes, especially anything made of fabric that attracts cat hair
  • You've learned not to toss and turn at night, lest you disturb the feline sleeping with you
  • You close all toilet lids out of habit
  • You choose furniture based on what will look the least like a scratching post to your cat
  • When you decorate, you avoid putting knick knacks and other breakable objects on table tops, dresser tops, etc.
  • You tend to put away (i.e., in drawers) small items such as pens when you are done with them, rather than leaving them on the table or your desk
  • Your lap feels cold without a cat on it

Tonight my husband and I were doing a puzzle, which made me think about how many adjustments we make in our life because of our cats.  I love doing puzzles, but we can't leave them out and work on them over several days, because our younger cat will play with the pieces.  And just last weekend, we had another reminder of this: We were browsing (not seriously) new living room furniture, and many of the couches were upholstered in the yarny, roughly woven kind of fabric that my cats love to scratch.

I don't mind making these adjustments for my cats, of course -- the positive things, like the warmth of a sleeping, purring cat on my lap or keeping my legs warm in bed, make it more than worthwhile to make these little, ultimately unimportant changes to my life!

Can You Toilet Train a Cat?

If you are a cat owner, you are probably well aware that cats possess a high amount of intelligence.  While they don’t readily do tricks like their canine counterparts, it is obviously because they are too important for such frivolity, and not a result of lacking intelligence.  One “trick” many cat owners wish they could teach their cats is to use a toilet instead of a litter box.  Imagine how much easier life with a cat could be if only you didn’t have to clean the litter box!

Training a cat to use the toilet is not only possible, but apparently quite a thriving business.  If you do a Google search for “cat toilet training”, most of the results that appear are products and training resources you have to pay to acquire.  One of the top results was a website that reviews several such products and makes a commission on the sale of those products to viewers like you.

If all of the hype and sales pitch of these websites is to be believed, toilet training your cat is as simple as reading a book and implementing a few small steps.  Taking a look at one of the popular methods, the Litter Kwitter, it appears that training your cat requires just a ring around the toilet filled with litter until they get used to going, and then you can remove it.

Our cats were trained to go outside through a pet door, which was very easy and convenient, but training a cat to use the toilet would be even simpler – no pet doors to let in the cold!

So yes, it appears to be very possible to train a cat to use the litter box, and you can buy kits, such as the Litter Kwitter, for $59 to help you get started.

Ringing in the New Year...

...With a Trip to the Emergency Vet

Owning pets means making yourself vulnerable to a potentially very expensive source of unexpected expenses.

And as most pet owners know, these unexpected expenses never occur when it's convenient.  Here we are on New Year's Eve, and where is our dog?

Hospitalized at the emergency vet, of course.

She'd been coughing since the Thursday before Christmas.  On Tuesday we took her in to our regular vet, and they diagnosed her with pneumonia.  They prescribed antibiotics, and for a couple of days she seemed to be getting better, but today she wouldn't eat and hardly drank any water.  So, in to the emergency care vet we went.

Luckily for Emma (who is the brown dog in the picture above), she should be okay after a night of IV fluids and a couple of different antibiotics.  (The vet took her off the stuff that had caused her to stop eating.)  But our visit to the fur-people's emergency room reminded me of another visit with equally bad timing: the night before Tax Day, 2009, when we took my cat Prince in (he's the white cat shown in the picture).

Prince hadn't been eating on his own for about 6 months -- our regular vet hadn't been able to find anything wrong with him, so I had just been force feeding him 4 or 5 times every day.  Not the most fun thing in the world, but it had kept my beloved cat alive, so I was willing.  Unfortunately, he aspirated some food toward the end, and developed pneumonia -- and when they were running tests to try to determine how bad it was, they discovered he had massive tumors behind his heart (which was obviously the reason why he'd stopped eating).  The ultrasound my vet had done had completely missed them, either because they were smaller then, or because they didn't look high enough.  The emergency vet even had a hard time finding them because of their location.

Being at the emergency vet again made me remember Prince's visit to the emergency vet, which ended in euthanization because it turned out he was so ill.  Luckily Emma has a much different prognosis, but it's been somewhat difficult having to face the sad memories.  Pets are such wonderful companions -- it's hard to give them up, and an especially beloved pet can always resurface in your thoughts at the slightest provocation, even a couple of years later.

Dealing with a Shy Cat

I adopted both of my cats from the local SPCA.  They do their best to get to know the cats and their personalities, but sometimes it is just not possible.  It’s a strange environment for the cat, they don’t know what to expect or what is going to happen to them, and they just do not want to be there.   

When I got my new cat home, she immediately found a safe place to stay.  I attributed this to being in a new house and a new situation, I didn’t push her and let her become comfortable and come out when she was ready.    But even now, two and a half years later, she is still shy.

There really is not much you can do about a cat being shy.  Once it is in their personality, it is likely to stay.  That said, there are things you can do to still interact with your cat. 

  • Get down on the floor and let her come to you.  My cat likes to cuddle, but on her terms.  But being on the floor, she will come to me and crawl all over me.
  • Slow movements.  She still freaks out and runs if I do something quick and startle her.
  • Let her have hiding spots.  When given the chance, she still hides under things.  I don’t know why, but I just let her.  But if I need her out, then I get down on the floor and gently coax her out.  It usually works pretty well.

Ringworm in Cats

Ringworm is a very common fungal infection in cats that is highly contagious and can spread to humans and other animals.  It stays in the environment for up to a year, making it very difficult to eradicate once it is in your home.  Fortunately, the treatment for ringworm is simple and effective, though it can take several months.

Symptoms of Ringworm
Some cats display no symptoms at all, while others will have flaky round patches that may resemble dandruff or small lesions on the skin.  Your vet can diagnose ringworm by looking at the patches under ultraviolet light or taking a sample to be analyzed.

Treatment for Ringworm
Shampoo or ointment are both very effective at treating ringworm in cats.  In some severe cases, oral medication may also be necessary.  The treatment may last several months to ensure the ringworm is completely eradicated.  Be warned that any cats you bring into your home after a ringworm infection will probably also contract the fungus.

If left untreated, your cat can develop ringworm on his entire body, which contributes to skin infections and general discomfort.  Additionally, the humans and other pets in your household will likely contract the disease unless aggressive efforts are made to treat and eradicate it.

The best way to prevent ringworm is to be careful when bringing new cats home, and to wash your hands thoroughly when you touch a strange cat.  Disinfecting anything that has come in contact with an infected cat will help remove it from the environment, but the best treatment is to take steps to prevent it in the first place.
 

Keeping Christmas Cat-Safe

Make sure your favorite pets aren't eating your decorations

 

As someone who has always lived with cats--from when I was a wee fetus till I left for college--our holidays have always been notably tinsel-free. Cats may be known to cause less trouble than dogs to a certain degree, but when it comes to devouring the undigestible, there's no match for them. They're pros. And it gets worse during Christmas, when there's all sorts of shiny, pretty stuff hanging around that's ultimately dangerous for the feline members of the family.
 
Tinsel is, of course, the most obvious offender. Really, anything stringy or shiny should be kept out of the house if you've got an excitable kitty. The combination of its shape and reflectivity will make your cat think that it's probably prey, or at least close enough to be eaten. And while most cats can swallow tinsel and emerge relatively unharmed from the experience, it's not really a risk you want to take. The cord at the center of the stuff can get wrapped around their intestines, causing a blockage of the digestive tract. This will make your cat very sick and may even require surgery if the blockage doesn't clear on its own. 
 
One possible alternative to tinsel could be stringing up your tree with some necklace chains you're not using. Provided they're thick enough, your cats will have a harder time of chewing them up even if you try. And they're actually made of metal, so they provide that slinky, metallic sheen without being dangerous to your pet.
 
If you have the type of cat who will chew on wires, also make sure that your tree lights plug in somewhere that kitty can't get at. Try getting power for the strings of lights from an outlet high on the wall, and be sure to tape any hanging wires well out of the way. You don't want your lights to be chewed through and you don't want your cats to get electrocuted. Trimming the very bottom branches off the trees might also help prevent disasters like broken ornaments or nibbled pine needles. 
 
Conversely, the plant so many have considered to be a Christmas culprit isn't actually as much of a danger as you might think. Poinsettias--those pretty red flowers ubiquitous during this time of year--aren't actually toxic to cats or humans. Sure, you might not want bite marks in your Christmas decor, but don't panic if kitty takes a few nibbles--it won't kill her.

How To Give A Cat Medicine

It's not very fun, but when you gotta do it, you gotta do it
One of my kitties took a turn for the worst last week, and was ultimately diagnosed with liver problems. The good news is, liver problems are very treatable in cats. The bad news is, I have to give him a pill and a dose of liquid medicine EVERY DAY for the next MONTH. Oh wow!
 
If you have never tried to give a cat medicine, you are in for a real treat. Wait, not "treat," I mean "rodeo." 
 
First of all, if you have to give a cat a pill, start by trying Greenies Pill Pockets! Most cats will accept their pill as a delicious treat this way. It's definitely worth a shot!

The first step is to set your stage. Ideally you want to have a stretch of counter space or table top free, something at about waist height, with plenty of room clear. Anything within range is liable to get grabbed by an angry cat and pushed over the edge, so clear that table!
 
Next, set down a towel. This will give your cat something to grip, so that it feels less panicky. It also helps protect the table from scratches, and from flung medicine (which can be sticky). 
 
Finally, set out your medicine. It should be within your reach, but far enough away that the cat can't knock it over.
 
Set the cat down in front of you, facing away, so that its back is against your stomach. Pull the cat in towards you with your left hand, and get the medicine ready in your right. (Or vice versa, if you're left-handed.)
 
If it's a liquid medicine, hold your cat's mouth shut and tilt its head upwards. Try to get the dropper in the farthest back corner of your cat's mouth. Squeeze the medicine in and hold on for a second, enough to ensure that the cat has swallowed it. Your cat will lick its lips when it has swallowed it. 
 
If you let go of your cat too soon, you will be treated to the dreaded "pink sneeze." It is amazing how far a cat can "ptui!!!" a mouthful of liquid medicine!
 
If your cat isn't fooled by pill pockets, you will have to drop the pill down the back of its throat. Hold the cat against your stomach with your left arm, tilt its head upwards, pry open its jaws, and drop the pill as far back as you can. As with liquid medicine, if you see the tongue, your job is done!
 
And good luck!

How Many Litter Boxes do you Need?

"Keep in mind that some cats get very finicky about their litter boxes and expect it to be cleaned out before they even use it."

Common wisdom says that you need one litter box per cat plus one more.  But depending on where you live, this can be difficult.  For this reason, here are a few ideas to help you figure out how many litter boxes you will need.

How Many Cats – If you have one cat, you can likely get away with only one litter box.  The same goes with two cats.  But once you get over this number, then it starts to get tricky, especially depending on how much space you have.

Size of House – Depending on the size of your house will help in determining how many boxes you can accommodate.  If you live in a small place, chances are one or two boxes are the limit.  If you have four cats though, then you may have some issues.  On the other hand, if you live in a large house, you likely are able to accommodate a few more litter boxes if need be.

How often you can Clean the Box – This is an important consideration when deciding on how many litter boxes you need.  With only one cat, you can get away with not doing it every day.  But if you have six cats, and only one box, you need to clean it several times a day. 

Keep in mind that some cats get very finicky about their litter boxes and expect it to be cleaned out before they even use it.   Other cats do not care and will keep on using it no matter how full it gets.  But never fear, if your cat has a litter box issue, they will let you know.

 

Constipation in Cats

Cats are pretty self-sufficient and easy to take care of.  Growing up, we always had at least one cat pal hanging around, and rarely did they need any special medical care.  One problem that could really wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy cat is constipation.  Constipation in cats can be caused by a variety of things, including renal disease, hairballs, not enough water intake and even your cat’s refusal to use the box.

First, you should try to determine what is causing your cat’s constipation.  Make sure his litter box is clean and his water is fresh.  If there has been a change, such as a new addition to the family or a move, try to ease the transition by spending more time with your cat and working to get things back to normal quickly.

If your cat has constipation due to hairballs, you will probably notice hair in his stool or that he is throwing up hairballs.  You can treat with hairball remedy from your local pet store.

Diet changes can help a cat with frequent constipation.  Special high-fiber food blends, mild laxatives and rice bran or powdered psyllium supplements can help too.

If you have tried increasing the fiber in his diet, and all other factors have been considered, take your cat to the vet to have him checked for renal disease or other problems that can contribute to constipation.  In some cases, your cat may appear to have constipation and visually strain with bowel movements, but have another condition, such as colitis or a urinary tract infection.  If you feel your cat is suffering from more than constipation, schedule an appointment with your vet.  It is better to err on the side of caution.

Most cases of constipation in cats can be easily remedied with diet changes and attentive care.

An Allergy to Cats isn't the End

Living proof that you can be allergic to cats and still have them

Last weekend we went to a friend's house, and I was reminded of how miserable some cats make me.

I don't think I really realized how allergic to cats I was until I was old enough to move out of my parents' house -- and then moved back in.  My parents had always had cats, and I had always had sinus problems.  I was constantly stuffy and blowing my nose, and I can remember being treated as a kids for sinus infections that would just never go away.

When I moved out the first time, for the first time in my life I didn't have any pets.  I never noticed anything different -- but when I moved back in, I realized (when all my problems returned) that my sinuses had been clear.  Only this time, I no longer was accustomed to having cats -- I hesitated to say I had built up an immunity over years of living with them, but that's sure what it felt like.  I'd lost that while I was living on my own, and I had to suffer through all the sinus problems in order to get it back again.

Ever since, I've known I'm allergic to cats, but it's never stopped me from having them.  The next time I moved out, I got a cat of my own, and I've always had at least one living with me ever since.  I've learned that some cats, for whatever reason (shedding more? different kind of fur?) bother me more than others -- for example, when we went over to our friends' house, I was miserable, sneezing and stuffy, and when we left I made the mistake of touching my eyes.  Instant itchy eyes!  I used to hate that, and I had forgotten how lucky I was that the cats I have right now don't seem to cause it.

So what's the difference?  I'm not certain, but I think it's how much the cat sheds.  My cats and our friends' cats are all indoor cats, so the problem isn't what's on their fur from outside.  They are all long-haired too, and the cats I had growing up were short-haired and still caused it.  The one thing I noticed was that my friends' cats shed a lot while I was petting them, whereas my cats shed very little.  Luck of the draw, I suppose (though my first cat, who died a couple years ago, shed like crazy -- and caused me all manner of grief).

Knowing this, I'll probably always look for cats that don't shed as much, but even if my next cat causes me more problems than the ones I've currently got, I'd never let that come between us.  There are always such things as allergy pills (the once-a-day variety works great), and as I've learned, the body tends to become accustomed and stop reacting as strongly.

So if you are allergic to cats, don't despair -- it doesn't mean you can't live with them and love them just as much as anyone else!

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