CAT OWNERSHIP

Pets give us priceless love and companionship, but the expenses of that companionship can add up quickly, and sometimes the expenses are unexpected. Preventive care and annual exams help prevent diseases and catch illnesses early before progressing to advanced stages, but emergencies, illnesses and injuries do unfortunately happen.

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Its clear that people in this country love to live with felines. But there is a continued problem with owners failing to take their cats to the veterinarian on a regular basis - and thats why a group of associations partnered with the pet food company Royal Canin to launch the Curiosity Saved the Cat campaign to encourage animal owners to schedule these important wellness exams.

Whether youre a victim of domestic abuse who needs to escape with a cat, or suspect that someone you know is a victim, you might feel paralyzed by the thought that theres nowhere to turn. There is. And knowing what to do can make all the difference for victims of domestic abuse who are reluctant to leave because of fears for their pets safety.

For starters, the nonprofit Animal Legal Defense Fund suggests contacting your local sheriff or police by dialing 911 if you witness animal cruelty. You can also contact your local humane society, animal control officer or SPCA.

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Likely, this will come as no surprise to readers, but according to recent research, cats are living longer and healthier lives than they were fifty years ago. In a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, researchers studied aging cats and concluded that improvements in healthcare and nutrition have helped to extend the life expectancy of the cat.

This summer, I witnessed the happy adoption of adorable kittens into families living in my neighborhood - a couple of brown tabby siblings born to a feral mother, and another few adopted from a local animal shelter. Nothing is quite as fun as a bundle of kittens. The idea certainly tempts me in certain ways - but I quickly realize that adding any new four-legged members to our established family is likely an idea relished only by me.

In todays culture, pets are commonly considered to be beloved family members, and the decisions we make regarding their care often reflect our own philosophical views regarding nutrition, emotional well-being and healthcare. With improved nutrition and medical advances, our pets are living longer, healthier lives - and receiving the type of care once thought out of reach for animals.

While these medical advancements certainly give us hope, they also raise a number of decisions we must make on behalf of a beloved pet regarding a thoughtful, compassionate end-of-life plan.

The concept of hospice care for pets is a relatively new field, and it's experiencing a meteoric rise as more and more pet owners seek an alternative away from cure or early euthanasia to focus on a quality end-of-life. Even though the number of veterinary hospice practices is increasing — and many are mobile — the flip side is that people aren't yet aware of them or are confused about the services they offer.

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Q My husband and I have lived with our cat, Sebastian, for the entire 18 years of our marriage. Unfortunately, Sebastian is starting to show distinct signs of his advancing age (kidney disease, for one thing), and we know its only a matter of time that our family will need to say goodbye to our beloved pet.

In each monthly issue of Catnip, we try to provide a good mix of topics that will hopefully appeal to the wide variety of cat owners who subscribe, and tangibly benefit the beautiful menagerie of cats that grace our lives. Its sometimes hard to pinpoint exactly what makes a good issue versus a great one. …