News

Make your next trip to your veterinarian less stressful for your cat -and you - by following these tips: Build up a positive association with the pet carrier by keeping itopen in your home and tossing in treats or a small toy for your catto retrieve. Cover the carriers floor with a towel to encourage your cat to takenaps in the carrier. Select a pet carrier that enables you to easily detach the top toremove…

[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…

I trapped two stray kittens last year and had them treated for ringworm. They were neutered and given two rounds of kitten vaccinations. They also had bad breath so my veterinarian cleaned their teeth and needed to extract some teeth. She informed me that one cats dental problems had migrated into the root. …

Please, I need help on what to do with my chatty cat, Bubba. He is 7 years old. My other cat, Melissa, is 8. Bubba has been a rascal ever since I brought him home. I have had cats for 30 years , but I am puzzled by Bubbas behavior because he talks all the time. …

Ever puzzled by what your cat is trying to tell you? Or wonder what her mood is? One way to communicate better with our cats is by learning how to interpret their body postures - especially the tail position.The versatile tail definitely does more than provide balance or act as a rudder for swim-minded cats. Cats use their tails to signal their moods.

[From Tufts March 2011 Issue] In spite of their reputation for tolerating only dry land, a surprising number of domesticated cats not only tolerate but love pawing water or swimming. Some like to play in standing water; others are fascinated by running water and prefer to drink from a faucet rather than a bowl. …

Cats do have preferences when it comes to the size, shape and design of litter boxes. The number of cats in the home as well as the age, mobility and health condition of the cats also influence litter box use. Some advice: - Most cats prefer open boxes to covered ones. Remove the hood if a house soiling problem develops. …

[From Tufts March 2011 Issue] Spring marks kitten season and a peak time for adoption at local animal shelters. Feline experts urge owners to ensure kittens are spayed or neutered and that they sport two forms of identification: collars and microchips. Many pet owners dont know that cats can become pregnant before theyre a mere six months old, so the American Association of Feline Practitioners has issued a position statement urging veterinarians to sterilize kittens early -…

We have two wonderful 14-year-old cats who are sisters. In November, our veterinarian cleaned their teeth and discovered that the one named Julie had a bladder infection that was treated with an oral medication for two weeks. She lives a comfortable life, napping in a bed buddy located under our dining room table. She regularly uses the litter box located about 12 feet away.

In a free-roaming environment, a cats area is divided up into different sections. These divisions are clearly defined from a cats point of view. The outermost area where the cat roams and patrols for food is referred to as the home range, and may overlap other cats areas as well. Adult males tend to have a larger home range than females, and during mating season, an intact males home range will increase temporarily as he…

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.

If you live with several cats, there's a pretty good chance that you've had at least one four A.M. wake-up call. Whether he wants food, a place on your pillow, or just a bit of playtime, a cat can be mighty persistent.

If you've been getting up to put food in his dish when he sits on your chest at four or five A.M., then you're reinforcing his behavior. Even if you try to hold out as long as possible before you simply can't stand it anymore, every time you get up lets him know his method worked.

Maybe your cat doesn't want food - he merely wants your attention. Out of frustration you may have resorted to locking him out of the bedroom. Although it may work with some cats, in other cases you may end up with having to listen to the endless sound of a cat scratching and pawing at the door or scratching at the carpet.

Cats tend to become more active after dusk. Just as you're winding down from the day, a cat is revving up. After engaging in several catnaps during the day, a cat is ready for play when the sun goes down. You also have to keep in mind that you've been gone all day, so when you come home at night, your cats are stimulated by your presence.

Fortunately, there's an effective and fun method for curbing nocturnal activity base on natural cat behavior.