• Safe and Healthy Indoor Cats
  • A Cat's Life Stages
  • 10 Tips for a Safer Home
  • Facts about your pet's health
  • Myths and truths on spaying and neutering 

     

    The best feral cat video/documentaries that we have ever seen!
     

    Safe and Healthy Indoor Cats

    Every year in North America, millions of strays (lost) and feral (born outside a home) cats are euthanized in shelters. In Quebec alone, over 350,000 cats are euthanized each year; these are the worst numbers per capita of any province in Canada or any state in the U.S.

    Tons of euthanized animals are sent to rendering plants (there are some large ones in Quebec) where they end up in pet foods along with poor-quality meats from slaughterhouses.

    In addition, many cats and dogs end up suffering horribly in laboratory experiments. If you aren't careful, your own pet could end up in the terrible circumstances just outlined.

    There are many causes for these terrible statistics, but one of the greatest is irresponsible pet "owners" who let their cats outside and do not spay or neuter them. Many get lost and suffer the dangers of extreme weather, disease or worse. If they are not "fixed", they quickly add to the desperate populations of strays and ferals.

    Based on a cat's rate of reproduction, one unspayed female can give rise to a population of almost 400,000 cats in about seven years!

    Many people think that it is natural to let cats roam free. Cats, who are domestic animals, adapt very well to living indoors - they feel it's their territory, and don't feel the need to go outside at all. In addition, the average indoor cat lives about 13 years, compared to between 2 and 6 years for an outdoor cat.

    Outside, cats are exposed to being killed or injured by cars, vicious dogs and people, feral cats and various diseases, viruses and parasites. The life of the lost, injured or sick cat is a life of serious misery!

    If, after reading these words, you strongly feel that your cats spend some time outdoors, there are alternatives to simply letting them roam free. For example, there are harnesses and leads to walk them - cats adapt especially well to these when they are young. In addition, a variety of enclosures can be built, both large (for a back yard) or small (for a balcony or deck).


    The most content and healthy cats are those that live in a safe indoor environment with loving human (and perhaps other animal) companions.


    For more information, please have a look at the following websites:

    http://www.cfhs.ca/Programs/HumaneEducation/GeneralPublic/IndoorCat/index.htm
          




A Cat's Life Stages
 

Birth to 16 weeks
Just learning its way around, your kitten may be somewhat playful, but most likely shy.

16 weeks to 1 year
Your kitten will become very playful and spunky. At approximately six months old, you should have him spayed or neutered.

1 to 8 years
Your young cat is in its prime. Its personality will emerge! Remember your annual visits to the veterinarian.

8 to 12 years
Your pre-geriatric cat may begin to slow down, but its behavior shouldn't change much. This is a good time to think about preventive medicine.

12+ years
Your cat is entering old age, and you may begin to notice some health problems. Your cat will undoubtedly sleep more and move more slowly. It may also become easily irritated. Don't give up on your pet though - he or she may still have some good years to live!




10 Tips for a Safer Home
 

  • Be aware of the plants you have in your house and in your yard. The ingestion of a plant which is poisonous to cats - such as geraniums - can be fatal.

  • When cleaning your house, never allow your cat access to the area where cleaning agents are used or stored. Cleaning agents have a variety of properties. Some may only cause a mild stomach upset, while others could cause severe burns of the tongue, mouth, and stomach.

     
  • When using rat or mouse baits, ant or roach traps, or snail and slug baits, place the products in areas that are inaccessible to your cat. Most baits contain sweet-smelling, inert ingredients, such as jelly, peanut butter, and sugars, which can be very attractive to your pet.
 

 

 
  • Never give your animal any medication unless under the direction of a veterinarian. Many medications that are used safely in humans can be deadly when used inappropriately for an animal. One extra-strength acetaminophen tablet (500mg) can kill a 7 lb. cat.
 

 

 
  • Keep all prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs out of the reach of your cat, preferably in closed cabinets. Pain-killers, cold medicines, anti-cancer drugs, antidepressants, vitamins, and diet pills are common examples of human medications that could be potentially lethal, even in small dosages.
 

 

  • Never leave chocolates unattended. Approximately one half ounce or less of baking chocolate per pound of body weight can cause problems for a cat. Even small amounts can cause pancreatic problems.

 

  • Many common household items have been shown to be lethal in certain species. Miscellaneous items that are highly toxic even in low quantities include pennies (high concentration of zinc), mothballs (contains naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene — one or two balls can be life-threatening in most species), potpourri oils, fabric softener sheets, automatic dish detergents (contain cationic detergents which could cause corrosive lesions), batteries (contain acids or alkali which can also cause corrosive lesions), homemade play dough (contains high quantity of salt), winter heat source agents like hand or foot warmers (contain high levels of iron), cigarettes, coffee grounds, and alcoholic drinks.

 

  • All automotive products, such as oil, gasoline, and antifreeze, should be stored properly. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be deadly in a 7 lb. cat.

 

  • Before buying or using flea products on your pet or in your household, contact your veterinarian to discuss what types of products are recommended. Read ALL information before using a product on your animals or in your home. Always follow label instructions. When a product is labeled "for use with dogs only" this means that the product should NEVER be applied to cats. Also, when using a fogger or a house spray, make sure to remove all pets from the area for the time period specified on the container. If you are uncertain about the usage of any product, contact the manufacturer or your veterinarian to clarify the directions BEFORE using the product.

 

  • When treating your lawn or garden with fertilizers, herbicides, or insecticides, always keep your animals away from the area until the area dries completely. If in doubt, contact the manufacturer. Always store such products in an area that will ensure no possible pet exposure.

    SOURCE:     Jill A. Richardson, DVM
    Veterinary Poison Information Specialist
    ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center)
    1-888-426-4435 / 1-800-548-2423

 



Facts about your pet's health

 
 

How well do you know your pet? Because our pets cannot tell us how they feel, they may become quite ill before signs of their illness become apparent to us. Being aware of their usual behavior and appearance enables us to observe signs of illness and seek veterinary care before a condition worsens.

Healthy dogs combine contentment and alertness. They usually stretch on rising, look relaxed when resting and are responsive to the activities around them. A trip to the veterinarian is in order if you observe:

 

loss of appetite (it is normal for some dogs occasionally to go "off feed" for a day or two, but if the loss of a healthy appetite persists consult your veterinarian)

 

lameness

 

blood in the urine

 

a coat with a harsh feel or dull texture

 

mucus or blood visible in the stools

 

foul-smelling stools

 

repeated vomiting over several days

 

a potbelly or loss of weight

 

a "bloated" or distended belly that's firm to the touch

 

lack of interest in what is happening

 

hiding in dark places

 

persistent coughing or discharge from the eyes and nose

 

scratching or chewing at feet, skin or coat

 

shaking head, scratching ears


A healthy cat is alert and curious about its environment and anything new it encounters. It has a good appetite, rarely overeats and is conscientious about its grooming. Because cats tend to hide an illness, it is important to be alert for these warning signs:

 

hiding for more than 24 hours

 

loss of appetite

 

dull look to the eyes

 

dull, dry coat

 

cries listlessly

 

resents or resists handling

 

drinking excessive amounts of water or not drinking the usual amount of water

 

excessive urination or straining to urinate

 

repeated vomiting

 

blood in urine

 

failing to use litter pan

 

prolonged or severe diarrhea

 

chewing at skin, coat or extremities


For both dogs and cats, a yellowing of the white around the eye and yellow gums are signs of a problem and a trip to the veterinarian is warranted.

Another sign of illness in dogs and cats is dehydration, which can be life-threatening on its own. Among the causes of extreme water loss are diarrhea, vomiting and excessive urination associated with diabetes, heart and renal disease.To test for dehydration, pick up a fold of skin in the middle back area and then release it. Normally the skin will snap back. If it falls back slowly or remains up, your pet is dehydrated. Immediate veterinary care is needed to find the underlying cause and to administer fluids, either intravenously (in the blood vessels) or subcutaneously (under the skin), depending upon the degree of dehydration. This rehydrates the pet until it is drinking on its own.

Keeping a medical record of your pet's vaccinations, illnesses, injuries, surgeries or medication will be helpful when an emergency situation arises and your regular veterinarian is not available.

If you move to another city, ask your current veterinarian for your pet's medical record to give to the veterinarian you select in your new location.

A final thought...

Whenever you have concerns about your pet, avoid the advice of well-meaning friends. Consult your veterinarian. He or she is familiar with your pet and its medical history and has the professional skill and knowledge to diagnose and treat whatever might be the problem.




Myths and truths on spaying and neutering

 

When you adopt a puppy or kitten, you may receive a great deal of misinformation about the effects of neutering and spaying. It's time for a reality check: let's separate fact from fiction and discover the benefits of these procedures for the typical household pet.

Fiction: Females should be allowed to have at least one litter of puppies or kittens before being spayed.

Fact: If you have a female dog or cat spayed before her first heat cycle you are protecting her against mammary tumors. In female cats, the majority of mammary tumors become malignant so spaying provides an important lifesaving benefit. However, if you postpone this surgery until later in her life it does not provide this benefit. Early spaying also helps prevent the development of several reproductive tract diseases. and eliminates uterine infections.

Fiction: A female is calmer, happier and more content if she has at least one litter before being spayed.

Fact:No evidence from behavioral research supports this belief. Some animal behaviorists suggest that this belief can be described as the "placebo effect." The owner expects that breeding will result in a behavior change and this expectation leads to the belief that the behavior has improved.

Good care, proper nutrition and lots of love are the components that keep a pet, female or male, happy and content.

Fiction: Neutering male dogs and cats has no real benefits. Keep dogs in the yard and male cats in the house and everything will be all right.

Fact: Everything will not be all right. You may have a yard with strong fences and you may keep a male cat indoors, but the urge to roam will turn an intact (not neutered) male into an escape artist. Cats can slip out the door or window. Dogs can climb fences and take advantage of unsecured gates.

As male dogs roam in search of females in heat, they are vulnerable to being hit by a car or attacked by other dogs.

If you allow an intact male cat outside, it often has violent fights with other males. Wounds from these fights can be serious and require veterinary treatment.

There are also health benefits to consider. Neutering a male dog eliminates the risk for testicular cancer as well as other testicular diseases.

When intact male cats reach maturity, they typically begin spraying urine that has a strong, offensive odor. Some neutered male cats may spray occasionally, but the urine is not as odorous as that of an intact male. In many instances, this infrequent spraying eventually stops or it can be managed by a veterinarian.

Fiction: Neutering a male cat often results in blockage of the urinary tract.

Fact: Studies of stone formation in the lower urinary tract of males show that early neutering is not related to urethral blockage.

Fiction: Spaying or neutering changes a pet's personality.

Fact: It's true that these procedures may decrease aggressiveness in animals. However, a pet's genetic makeup, its early socialization and the attention and training it receives are the key factors which in shaping its personality.

Fiction: Neutered or spayed dogs and cats become fat.

Fact: It's true that many neutered pets tend to become obese as the result of hormonal changes and a quieter life style. However, this can be prevented. Keep a watchful eye on your pet's body condition and adjust its diet accordingly. Many times eliminating table scraps from its diet will solve the problem. If necessary, reduce the amount of pet food offered by no more than one-fourth the usual amount. In addition to diet management, encourage your pet to exercise. Regular walks and play time with your dog, and regular play periods with y our cat should help prevent obesity.

Fiction: Neutering or spaying makes a pet lazy.

Fact: This procedure usually performed just as a pet is approaching adulthood. Changes in its playfulness and sleeping habits normally develop as it matures. These changes are sometimes attributed to neutering and spaying.

Fiction: You are putting your pet at risk when it is neutered or spayed.

Fact: As in any surgery, neutering or spaying has possible complications which you can discuss with your veterinarian. However, you will find the benefits far outweigh the potential risk of complications, which is minimal.

A final thought

In addition to providing important health benefits, neutering and spaying help control the problem of unwanted pets. A male who escapes from its house can sire litters without its owner's knowledge. Delaying spaying a female can have consequences if she escapes from the house and wanders away. In a couple of weeks, you may discover that puppies or kittens are on the way.

Neutering and spaying your household pets is a sound investment in their health and companionship. You are also doing your part to help control the pet population.