CAT OWNERSHIP

Im crossing my fingers as I say this, but I am very thankful for the extremely mild winter weve experienced in the Northeast! I am already thinking about a new gardening strategy this year - it will be just the second spring of living in this house, and I know I need to make a few changes that allow me, the leafy greens and friendly Mr. Woodchuck to live in greater harmony, or I might as well just plan on going to the farmers market every Sunday.

The next time you're in a pet store, take a look around - you'll be amazed at the variety of litter box choices that are available. You can purchase tall boxes, short boxes, small boxes, huge boxes, boxes with automatic scoopers, boxes of different shapes and colors, and covered and uncovered boxes. Most come with a lid, but not everyone chooses to use them. When in doubt, splurge a little - after all, litter boxes…

In general, if your cat is indoor only and doesn't have exposure to other cats, he or she should have gone through a full kitten series (one vaccine every three to four weeks from six weeks of age until sixteen weeks of age) and then an annual feline distemper and rabies vaccine for three to five more years. After that, your cat should have an annual exam, but vaccines could be reduced to every two…

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Increasingly, we seem to be living in a world where Google It becomes the answer to many questions and concerns, both ordinary and profound. Admittedly, there are advantages to finding the definition of an obscure word in far less time than it takes to pull out the tattered, old Merriam-Webster from the bookshelf. And locating a very good, well-reviewed Thai restaurant in an unfamiliar town has gotten a lot easier, too, thanks to the Internet.…

Recently, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) updated its policy on free-roaming abandoned and feral cats - noting that there is simply not one single solution to reduce this population. This revamped policy hopes to encourage the collaboration between veterinarians, humane groups and wildlife conservation agencies to try to reduce these populations in a humane and ethical manner....

[From Tufts January 2010 Issue] Cats crave consistency in the household routine. Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, veterinarian and director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, provides six tips aimed at keeping your cat safe and reducing the risk of unwanted behavior issues during a home remodeling project: …

[From Tufts February 2011 Issue] John Berg, DVM, a surgical specialist at Cummings School of VeterinaryMedicine at Tufts University, offers some guidance regarding use ofmedical collars on your cat: Although your cat may initially be bothered by the collar, he is likely toadjust quite quickly. Be patient and reward your cat with treats as soonas the collar is applied. Select the proper size for your cat - a collar that is long enough toprevent him from…

One reason to get a variety of toys is because a cat is an opportunistic hunter, and he never knows what prey will become available. The technique the cat uses to catch a birds will be slightly different from the one used to capture a little snake. Although the basic concept of stalking and pouncing are the same, the cat must adjust for each individual hunt. If you provide a variety of interactive toys, you give your cats the opportunity to test their skills. We all like a little variety.

Weights can vary widely among cat breeds. But no breed ought to have a stomach like Fred Flintstone. And while its unlikely that youll be reported to the authorities for over feeding your cat in America, in other countries, things can be a little tougher. Recently, a 41-pound cat in Germany was removed from his owners home and put in a shelter - not to be given up for adoption, but to reeducate the cat in the ways of normal eating.

Probably the best way to have your cat experience the outside world is to let him experience it in an enclosed porch. But what if you dont have a porch? What if all you have is a backyard? The first rule to letting your cat play outside in your backyard is this: Get a cat-secure fence. …

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