Is there really any truth to crazy cat lady? Sure there is and for a good reason. Lots of us can be suckers for those sweet, adorable faces that practically scream, “take me home.” I, for one, have fallen victim to the kitty cat eyes many times. Those who take in kitties do so because they see a kitten or cat in need of a warm roof over their heads and a belly full of food. If it were so simple, we would all have dozens of cats purring at our feet. However, in truth, it takes a little more work to keep our furry friends comfy and healthy.
Just like humans, yearly checkups are vital to keeping pets medical health in check. Have your feline housemates spayed and neutered as soon as they are able. Theoretically, your female feline companion can give birth to three litters of kittens per year, with an average of four kittens per litter, in an average lifetime of 15 years for a kitty. It could result in up to 180 kittens in her lifetime. Let’s do our part to control the pet population.
Good quality food is essential to your cats’ ongoing health. My three cats think that they should be fed at least eight times a day; however, I stick to two times, in the morning and evening. Do your research to choose nutritionally sound food. There are a number of vet-recommended foods to choose from. Talk to your veterinarian to determine what is right for your cat.
Have plenty of litter boxes around your home. It honestly depends on what your cats prefer. For me, I have found that my cats are partial to covered litter boxes. Covered boxes help to prevent litter from being scraped outside the box and can also help to contain odours. I have found that clumping litter works best for my cats.
Our feline friends can become stressed very easily. Something that you may not be aware of could potentially cause great stress for your cats. Visitors coming to your home is a welcomed sight for you, but for your cats, it may be upsetting. Doing renovations, bringing a new baby home, adding new pets to your family can all cause stress issues for your felines. There are medications you can use to help calm your stressed cat. Speak to your veterinarian to decide the product that would be right for you and your feline family. There are also over-the-counter products you can use to bring calmness to your home such as Feliway. Feliway is a product that mimics a chemical that cats emit through the glands on their faces when they are feeling calm and want to communicate that to other cats in the area. This pheromone works on cats’ brains to calm them down and help relieve stress and anxiety. I use it regularly as I have three cats and two of these are not particularly fond of each other.
Keeping our fur family healthy throughout their lives will give many years of happiness for you and your family. Having your feline friend crawl onto your lap for a purr and snuggle is the best feeling – enjoy!
If you have any questions, please give us a call at 709-368-7981.
Written by: Sunrise Animal Hospital