Tip of the Day - The Daily Cat Brought to You by Iams

Tip of the Day Archive

Kitty Household Hazards - 2009-11-19

Survey your home for common kitty household hazards, including dangling electrical cords, poisonous plants, garbage disposal switches, drapery cords, open clothes dryers, ripped screen doors and breakables to ensure that your cat is truly safe.

Positive Reinforcement - 2009-11-18

"Punishment" is not in your cat's vocabulary. Positive reinforcement of good behavior -- with treats, attention and verbal praise -- solves most kitty behavioral problems.

Donate Unwanted Toys - 2009-11-17

If your cat snubs a new food or toy, consider donating the unwanted items to a local shelter or animal rescue group. Call in advance to confirm that such donations are accepted.

Widen Your Search - 2009-11-16

Local animal shelters often work together within a community, so don't restrict your pet search to just one type, such as a "no-kill shelter."

Limit Treats - 2009-11-13

Limit treat intake for your cat. Treats should never exceed more than 10 percent of your pet's daily diet.

Help Prevent Hairballs - 2009-11-12

Fur balls occur when cats clean themselves, ingesting their own fur. While these are common, be sure to brush your cat's coat on a regular basis so that this doesn't lead to serious, and even fatal, problems.

No Nipping - 2009-11-11

Mother cats teach their kittens to inhibit biting, so kittens removed from mom at a young age may nip more. Encourage acceptable behavior by offering toys to pounce on instead.

No Bus or Train - 2009-11-10

Neither Amtrak nor Greyhound allows pets, so consider flying or driving to your destination. Check with your carrier before the trip, as each airline has its own policies regarding pets.

Shelter Follow-up - 2009-11-09

Many animal shelters provide follow-up assistance after you adopt your cat. Check with your local shelter to see if pet parenting, behavioral training or other classes are offered.

Vitamins Aren't Always Good - 2009-11-06

Vitamins can often do more harm than good, especially as quality commercial cat foods provide the correct balance of vitamins, nutrients and calories. Check with your veterinarian before considering supplements.

Nose to Tail Exam - 2009-11-05

Give your cat a nose-to-tail exam, making sure that its ears and teeth are clean and odorless, fur is free of parasites, skin is lump- and bump-free, and weight has remained stable.

Litter Preference - 2009-11-04

Don't overfill your cat's litter box, as most cats prefer to dig through approximately two inches of material. Fine-grained litters, such as scoopable and clay varieties, also appear to hold kitty appeal.

Cat Travel in the U.S. - 2009-11-03

With proper documentation, cats can travel freely throughout the United States. Hawaii is the only exception, requiring all entering cats to be quarantined for 30 to 120 days. Check with officials prior to your trip or move.

Warm Food - 2009-11-02

Entice your feline to eat soft food by placing it in a microwave-safe dish and heating it until warm to the touch. The produced aromas and added warmth often appeal to kitties.

Illness Symptoms - 2009-10-30

Common symptoms of kitty illness include hiding for more than a day, loss of appetite, change in litter box routine and lack of grooming. If you detect any of these behavioral changes, meet with your veterinarian.

Birdfeeder - 2009-10-29

To make your cat's day, set up a birdfeeder outdoors and then provide your feline with a comfortable, sunny window seat to watch the avian action.

Fun Toys - 2009-10-28

Many cats enjoy playing with light, bouncy ping-pong balls or plastic practice golf balls. Keep a few on hand for your cat.

Hairless Cat Maintenance - 2009-10-27

Hairless cat breeds, such as a Sphinx or a Peterbald, don't necessarily mean less maintenance. Although these cats are beautiful, unusual and affectionate, their exposed skin often requires more care than that of a typical furry feline.

Helping a Stray - 2009-10-26

If you find a stray but cannot keep it, try socializing it before finding it another home. Train it to use a litter box and to be petted and held, since socialized kitties stand a better chance of being adopted.

Adopt From a Shelter - 2009-10-23

Animal shelters must screen their cats for health and temperament, whereas pet adoption ads posted on the Web or in newspapers by individuals are usually unregulated. Adopting a new cat from a shelter is therefore often the best, safest option.

Toxic Milk - 2009-10-22

Although milk is not toxic to cats, it can cause digestive upset in many felines. Look instead for special cat milk, which has been treated with an enzyme that prevents stomach problems.

Kitty Obesity - 2009-10-21

Obesity can lead to many feline health problems. If your cat no longer has a proportional figure (it loses its "waist"), check with your veterinarian whether your tabby is too tubby.

Scratch Acceptable Objects - 2009-10-20

To train your cat to scratch acceptable objects, sprinkle catnip and a few food treats on a sisal-wrapped scratching post, a corrugated cardboard scratcher or even a non-treated fireplace log. Place it next to the object you wish to protect.

Dangerous Toys - 2009-10-19

Cats love to play with rubber bands, milk rings, string, pins, needles and even dental floss, but these tiny “toys” can be dangerous for your pet. Be sure to keep them out of paw's reach.

Breed Doesn't Deterimne Behavior - 2009-10-16

A cat's gender and breed do not always predict the individual's temperament. Keep your options open when deciding upon whether or not to adopt a particular breed or gender.

Can't have a Cat? Volunteer! - 2009-10-15

If you cannot own a cat due to household restrictions, consider volunteering for a local shelter or animal rescue group. You'll meet new friends who share your fondness for felines, and you'll spend quality time with kitties.

Adult Cat Adoption - 2009-10-14

Consider adopting an adult cat. They require less “startup” time than kittens, are usually spayed or neutered and are most often up-to-date with vaccinations.

Feline First Aid Kit - 2009-10-13

Assemble a feline first-aid kit. Be sure to include hydrogen peroxide, hydrocortisone ointment, absorbent cotton, a pair of tweezers, sterile eyewash solution, and a syringe for giving oral medications.

Creating a Lap Kitty - 2009-10-12

Cats that don't like being held can become lap kitties. Hold and pet your cat while offering treats, which will teach your feline to associate holding with pleasant things: you, attention and food.

Breed Determines Health Issues - 2009-10-09

Try to determine your cat's breed (or breeds), as certain health conditions have genetic links. For example, Persians and Abyssinians tend to be at risk for kidney problems, which are manageable if diagnosed early.

Specific Breed Rescue Groups - 2009-10-08

Animal rescue groups that focus on particular cat breeds are a great adoption resource. Follow-up counseling is often thorough, and fees are usually minimal.

Shelter Disappointments - 2009-10-07

Most shelters take in new animals on a daily basis, so if you don't find a feline that fits your household on your first try, don't get discouraged.

Meowing Checkup - 2009-10-06

Increased meowing may mean that your cat is suffering from hyperthyroidism, a common condition among older felines. Schedule a checkup with your veterinarian to have this checked out.

Mediating Kitty Fights - 2009-10-05

Cats can't "work out" problems, because they're territorial animals. Stop fights between house cats by blowing a whistle, squirting a bit of water or by tossing a soft object, like a pillow, near them.

Avoiding Feeding Disasters - 2009-10-02

To avoid unwanted disasters such as meaty bones causing splintering and bleeding, never feed your cat table scraps. Onions, garlic, tomatoes, chocolate, grapes, raisins and other foods are also poisonous for kitties.

Too Young for Catnip - 2009-10-01

Kittens are usually immune to catnip, so if you have a kitten, refrain from purchasing catnip until your pet is at least 6 months of age or older.

Two Instead of One - 2009-09-30

What's better than adopting one cat? Adopting two! They will keep each other company, and two felines means double the love and affection for you.

Adoption Homework - 2009-09-29

Many cats wind up in shelters because the prior owners had unrealistic expectations about the time, effort and money involved in caring for pets. Do your homework before taking the cat adoption plunge.

Bored With Food - 2009-09-28

If your cat seems bored with its food, offer a wet food with a different texture and flavor. Experiment by placing a few different types side by side to see which one your cat likes best.

Brushing Teeth - 2009-09-25

With a child's toothbrush, a finger brush or a special cat toothbrush, brush your feline's teeth with cat toothpaste on a regular basis. Start slowly and very gently, offering tasty treats to discourage squirming, before attempting to increase brushing times.

Washing the Cat Box - 2009-09-24

When washing your cat's litter box, use mild soap and water. Harsh chemicals can be harmful for your cat, and their odors could discourage future litter box visits.

Different Toy Stimulation - 2009-09-23

Cat toys stimulate different types of behavior in felines. Choose at least one toy to fulfill each of these desired, feline-inclined activities: carrying, wrestling, rolling and cuddling.

Too Many Minerals - 2009-09-22

While spring and purified water are OK, do not quench your feline's thirst with mineral water. Excess minerals can, over time, promote health problems, such as feline urinary tract disease.

Toxic Medication - 2009-09-21

Never give human medications to your cat unless you have been told to do so by your veterinarian. Most people pills, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), are toxic to felines.

Human Medications are Toxic to Cats - 2009-09-18