Summertime Tips for Cats
Cats do not get a vacation from the dog days of summer, and they need your help to keep summertime annoyances at a minimum. Learn how to keep your kitties cool and free from parasites, hairballs, and other nasty things that savage their comfort during the year's hottest season, with these tips for summertime comfort for cats.Daily Brushing helps prevent hairballs and eliminates tangles and painful mats. Bubba, pictured his, loved his daily brushing by his Dad.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
Why is my geriatric cat vomiting?
Question:Why is my geriatric cat vomiting so much? Despite using daily hair-ball remedy, he is vomiting at least two to three times a week. If I miss one day of this routine, he is guaranteed to vomit. I don't know what else to do. He has had a 4 lb. weight loss over the last couple of years. His geriatric feline profile is normal. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.Answer: I'm not sure what was included in his "geriatric feline profile." How long ago was it done? I assume it was a blood panel, testing kidney function, pancreatic values, hemoglobin, etc.
IMO, a cat should not need hairball remedy on a daily basis. Is he vomiting hairballs every time, or is it food or liquid with some hair mixed in? Many hairball remedies are based on petroleum products, which leach vitamins from the body (most notably, Vitamin A). For this reason, if he is getting the hairball remedy more than once or twice a week, he probably should have some kind of supplement.
Related Reading:
CRF (Feline Chronic Renal Failure)
Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Hepatic Lipidosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
Pictured is Raleigh, in her third year of CRF Photo Credit: © Pat Wolesky
Wordless Wednesday: Where's my Masseuse?
Bell Bottoms, Photo Credit: © Kellie Cranmer
More Wordless Wednesday:
4th of July Survival Kit for Cats
The 4th of July, Independence Day in the U.S., is the most traumatic day of the year for cats. If you live in the U.S., unless you pack a tent, hiking boots, and your cat, and take off for the high country, it is unlikely you'll spend a fireworks-free 4th of July. As with many of our traditional holidays, people tend to forget the meaning of "Independence Day," but concentrate their celebration on "bombs bursting mid-air" and barbecues.Although many municipalities don't even allow the "safe and sane" fireworks anymore, people still seem to find the not-so-safe kind. In my neck of the woods, some fools take the "bombs" literally, as they explode one M-80 after another. These can be devastating to human sanity, to say nothing of the poor cats' nerves. Please take these tips into consideration as the holiday approaches.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy
Must Reads:
Natural Remedies for Stress in Cats
Minimizing Stress and Anxiety in Your Cat
Poll: May 2008 Cat of the Month
Cat Breed of the Week: Norwegian Forest Cat
At first glance, the Norwegian Forest Cat may appear to be a dead ringer for the Main Coon, and it isn't surprising because both cats came from areas with harsh climates. In fact, some may believe that the original Main Coons came from cats left behind by the Vikings in their early expeditions. Legends abound about the "Wegie." The legendary Enchanted Cat of the Forest appears and disappears at will and sees thing that men cannot see.In any event, the"Wegies" as they are lovingly called, have been around for thousands of years, and are personable, handsome cats. Despite the lush appearance of their long coat, they require much less combing than other longhairs, despite a dense undercoat.
Photo Credit: © Kate Campbell, Maelstrom Norwegian Forest Cats
Latest Update on Butch
At the request of a number of readers, I've been posting updates on Butch, who was Cat of the Month in April 2007. Readers who have been following his battle against renal lymphoma will be heartened by the latest update: Cheryl C. writes:
- On Thursday he had his 4th chemo treatment and his renal profile was normal and his kidneys were found to be of normal size and smooth where previously they were enlarged and lumpy. The lymphoma that was seen in his eyes is in total remission. His URI was resolving and he has gained weight. His CBC showed a progressive anemia and we decided to give him a blood transfusion on Friday to help with that. The anemia will be rechecked next Thursday and then Butch is not due for another chemo treatment for 2 weeks. We are praying his anemia will be resolved.
Butch is alert and comes when he is called and still likes to cuddle at night. Although his activity level and appetite are still low they are improving. All the decisions for treatments have been based on the fact that we are seeing continued improvements each week.
Making medical decisions for a loved one who relies solely on you is a heavy burden. I pray everyday that these decisions are the right ones for Butch. Only time will tell.
When I went to your site on Friday I was again revived by the comments posted by you and your readers. It's amazing how meaningful words can be.
Since today marks the end of Adopt a Shelter Cat Month, I want to say that Butch should be the "poster cat" for shelter cats. He languished in a cage for two years, with only caring volunteers as companions. Finally, Cheryl, who had read about Butch on my site, stepped up to the plate. She cared enough to make a difference, and ultimately flew from Ohio to New Jersey to claim Butch as hers. Cheryl has made a huge difference in Butch's life. Had he still been in that shelter cage when his lymphoma was diagnosed, he would have been euthanized. My wish is that every reader who has thought about adopting a cat would vacillate no longer. You don't have to fly across the country, just go to your closest shelter and let a cat choose you. I promise, the rewards will be priceless. Care enough to make a difference.
Project Jersey Kitties
Barn Kitties Rags to Riches StoryPat Hollenack had no idea of the drama that would result when her tenant told her about the stray mother cat and kittens in her barn. The story of their rescue unfolded week by week in the About.com Cats Forum as members ooohed and aaahed at the photos of kittens Pat posted. One thing led to another when E (of the Vowels) embarked on a driving trip to visit a number of forum members.
Watch this amazing story of Tiger Lily, Jersey, Solid, and Piper unravel to an ending that had to be pre-destined, but was only made possible by people who cared to make a difference.
I think this story is a fitting end to Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. However, I've said all along that every month should be Adopt a Shelter Cat Month. Even if you don't happen to live on a farm, you still can make a huge difference to the life of a cat in your nearest shelter. There are always too few good homes for far too many cats. Shelter cats either languish in cages for months to years before finding homes, or are euthanized to make room for more cats.
Please, adopt a shelter cat and make your own happy ending story!
Pictured: The Barn Where it all Started
Photo Credit: © Pat Hollenack
Cat Picture of the Week: Malley
This is my 2yr old male cat named Malley. Malley has a special game he likes to play, he plays fetch with plastic bottle caps. We shoot them across the floor and Malley will go get them and bring them back to you. When he is finished with the cap he puts it back in his toy box. Malley likes to watch me do dishes, play with his room mates Elliott and Diddle, and roll over on his back. Everyone who meets Malley loves him.© Leah Lee
Malley's photo also appears in the June Bi-Color Cats Picture Gallery. I was charmed by Malley's inquisitive look in this photo, along with his apparent intelligence, judging by Leah's description.
My Cat Pictures of the Week are selected from photos submitted to other albums. You may submit your own cat's photo by following the Photo Submittal Guidelines.
Cat Breed Picture Galleries
Pictures of pedigreed (aka 'purebred') cats are a good way to learn more about those breeds. These breed picture albums include photos submitted by both breeders, breed rescue people, and purebred pet owners. They include some of the most popular breeds of cats, including Persians, Siamese, and Maine Coons, along with photos of some breeds seen less frequently.You may submit your own photos of pedigreed cats, by following the Photo Submittal Guidelines. Please use "Cat Breed Photo" as the subject of your email. Pictured here is Aradia, an F3 Bengal kitten.
Photo Credit: © Christina Clark, Witchinghour Bengals
Have you ever needed to find out just a small piece of information about a particular breed of cat? Maybe you just need to settle an argument, or satisfy a niggling question you've wondered about for awhile. Or maybe you've been to a cat show and fallen in love with a particular breed, and you're wondering how suitable it would be as a pet in your family. These Cat Breeds Snapshots are just the answer! Easily navigated by an A to Z listing (No, there's not a "Z" breed yet) these snapshots contain the most pertinent information about each breed listed, with photographs where available. Pictured here is "KLM Heavenly Kid" aka Peanut, a magnificent Javanese cat.
Photo Credit: © Helmi Flick
Cat Breeds & Color Patterns: Know the Difference?
If you don't, you are not alone. Cat lovers who are not actively involved in the cat fancy, often are confused about identifying terms of cats, such as "pedigreed," "purebred," "DSH," and "tabby." Hardly a day passes that I don't receive at least one email with an attached photo, asking me to help identify the "breed" of cat. The correspondent is often disappointed when my reply is, "Your cat is a beautiful example of a tuxedo DSH," or "What a lovely dilute calico domestic shorthair cat."
Because there seems to be such a general fixation on breeds, the purpose of this article is to clarify the difference in semantics, so that the uninitiated cat lover will have a better understanding of these terms. Try to remember that the most important trait of any cat, be it a show-winning pedigreed cat or a nondescript house cat, is its capacity for loving its human. Pictured here is my Jennifur, aka Jenny, who says, "Pedigree, shmedigree." All she knows is that she loves me and I love and care for her.
Photo Credit: © Franny Syufy