EVERYDAY CAT CARE

[From Tufts January 2012 Issue]

The American Veterinary Medical Association recently produced a five-minute video, available on its website, about the controversial procedure of declawing. Its recommendations for pet owners boil down to this: First, try some of the many non-surgical alternatives to stop cats from scratching your favorite easy chair or carpet. If these dont work, and it becomes a choice between declawing and surrendering your cat to an animal shelter or, even worse, euthanizing him, consider the surgery.

Heres what is involved in the procedure: Each of the cats claws and the third bone of every toe are removed with a laser, blade or nail trimmers. If the bone is not removed, the claw will eventually grow back. Most often, the procedure involves only the front paws. A laser reduces the risk of bleeding, and some veterinarians believe that it also …

[From Tufts February 2012 Issue]

If you need further motivation to brush your cats teeth regularly, consider this alarming statistic provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association: More than 70 percent of cats show some sign of periodontal disease by age 3.

No, that is not a typo. It is age 3. Not only does periodontal disease cause bad breath, gingivitis and tooth loss, infection in the mouth can spread through the bloodstream to internal organs and lead to life-threatening conditions, including diabetes and kidney disease.

February is Pet Dental Health Month, a vital campaign sponsored by the AVMA and supported by the Veterinary Oral Health Council.

Most people have no idea that dental health is so important to their pets, and thats why Pet Dental Health Month is such a great idea, says Larry Corry, DVM, AVMA…

[From Tufts May 2012 Issue]

Q I know there are dog treats that say on the label that they will prevent tartar and periodontal disease. Any such products for cats?
LaVerne Gurley
Humble, Texas

Dear Ms. Gurley,
A A number of cat treats are labeled as good for the teeth, but none has received the seal of acceptance from the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), the only independent company whose word is accepted by the veterinary community at large. However, there are cat foods for the regular diet that contain the seal, which means the product can help with plaque and tartar control. They include Hill's prescription Diet Feline t/d and Science Diet Oral Care Diet for Cats (go to www.VOHC.org for the complete list).

…

According to new research, cats have a much more refined sense of taste than previously believed, and they are highly sensitive to bitter flavors. The findings may help explain why cats are notoriously finicky, avoiding foods that may be fortified with bitter-tasting vitamins and minerals. Published in the journal PLOS ONE, the study also provides insight into how sense of taste evolved in all mammals, including humans. …

For the cat lover, nothing beats watching a kitten learn. That clever feline brain makes new connections daily, as nature and nurture converge to produce learning and behavior. The socialization period in kittens takes place between weeks two and seven, explains Professor Nicholas Dodman, BVMS, director of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts. Those early weeks are when a kitten most rapidly soaks up knowledge based on her experiences of the environment.

Tufts Position on Declawing Following publication of our article entitled Curb Destructive Scratching in our December 2012 issue, a few readers wrote to us enquiring about Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicines policy on declawing. The schools policy is consistent with the approach outlined in the article. We would consider performing a declawing procedure only in one of the following circumstances: …

Lets face it: The majority of us are feeling the financial pinch these days. One expense most of us are not willing to significantly cut corners on, however, is pet care. According to experts, its typical for cat owners to spend between $500 to $1,000 yearly per cat. The expenses of the first year of ownership can be considerably higher. For starters, you should consider adopting a cat from your local animal shelter instead of purchasing…

In the past two issues of Catnip, Ive shared the plight of my new adopted cat, Tony, and the trouble its been causing for my two resident cats (not to mention my quality of life). Taking the time to make gradual and safe introductions, I thought I was following the best advice of our own Dr. Nick Dodman. I even felt the relative ages made sense (all adults over the age of two but under nine).…

Health benefits of … cat videos? Apparently, cat videos on the Internet dont just make us laugh - they may also deliver health benefits, based on a study recently published online in Computers in Human Behavior. According to Jessica Gall Myrick - a media psychology researcher at Indiana University in Bloomington - watching these videos can boost your energy, heighten your positive feelings while decreasing your negative emotions. …

Its clear as day to me that the readers of Catnip love their cats dearly. It resonates in the letters and Emails we receive each month, sometimes with adorable photos attached. Occasionally, a letter will include a reference to a beloved cat long gone - which isnt surprising to me because the bond we share with the extra-special ones can certainly live within our hearts for a lifetime. …

Are you headed to Graceland this summer, but the thought of leaving your feline friend behind is giving you the blues? No need to check in to the Heartbreak Hotel just yet. The U.S. Travel Association reports that over 49 percent of American leisure travelers consider their pet to be part of the family, and that 18 percent take them along when they travel. …

Former North Texas pet sitter Cathy Phillips relates that after caring for hundreds of animals over her 12-year career, the experience she remembers most vividly is being ambushed by a clients cat during a visit to the home. She initially found him hiding under the bed, but says he then pounced on her as she was about to open the front door to leave. …