CAT OWNERSHIP

[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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Growing up, and as an adult, I've always lived with a cat or two. (Sometimes four.) Most were healthy and lived well into their teens. Unfortunately, a few had chronic illnesses that necessitated more frequent trips to the veterinarian. And to be honest, for many of those visits (especially of the emergency variety), I never stopped to think about the people working in the office — those who greeted us at the front desk, the ones working behind the scenes, or that nice young woman who gently handled my nervous pet at the beginning of each exam.

It seemed that the veterinarian was the star of the show, and not much was known (by me, at least) about the rest of the cast, capable and efficient as they were. I'm guessing that…

Here are some ways to insure a proper introduction without a lot of hissing or flying fur:

1. Before you pick up the new member of the family, set up temporary housing for him in a small room, ideally a bathroom, with food, water, a litter box, and a place to sleep.

2. When you come home, take the new pet directly to the prepared bathroom. The goal here is not to let the resident cat(s) know that it was you who brought in the interloper.

3. At first, just allow the cats to sniff each other under the doorframe. Dont react to hissing or growling.

4. Spend one-on-one time with each pet, making sure that they each feel special.

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As cuddly cute as kittens are, they must be taught how to socialize. As soon as you bring your young feline home, you can begin instilling good manners, self-confidence, and trust in your newest addition to the family.

Expose your impressionable kitten to young people, old people, tall people, short people, people with accents and people wearing hats and other funny clothes that make them look different.

If possible, your kitten should meet other cats and yes, …

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Advice for bad breath
Q My nine-year-old cat's breath has always been slightly unpleasant, but it has become noticeable worse over the past few months. I would like to know what might be causing this, and if there's anything I should be doing.
Natalia Brown

A Dear Natalia: There are many possible causes for bad breath in cats, and many of the reasons are the same as they are for humans. Primary causes can include dental diseases, foreign material stuck…

As the New Year rings in, many people practice the time-honored tradition of writing a list of resolutions. Often, they include some type of weight loss and exercise plan, a return to a long-lost hobby, maybe getting involved in some meaningful charity work and simply trying to be a better person.However, I dont think a research group has ever conducted a study on the percentage of completion of these resolutions - or how quickly they are abandoned for other activities like binging on leftover holiday sweets, or. …