The Daily Cat

Where can I go to get my cat its shots without running up a large veterinary bill for things I don’t think are necessary?

Tue, 21 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Where can I go to get my cat its shots without running up a large veterinary bill for things I don’t think are necessary?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Talk to your veterinarian about his or her health recommendations for your cat. Share your concerns and have your veterinarian clarify the hierarchy of importance of their recommendation. Together you can decide how to best approach your cat's health. The above having been said, low-cost vaccinations are available through many humane societies, pet stores and other organizations. The nation's largest provider of affordable vaccinations in pet stores is LuvMyPet. You can locate a clinic near your area by visiting LuvMyPet.com.

I adopted a 2-year-old male cat last month, and I’m having trouble finding toys he’s interested in, especially toys he can play with on his own. Any ideas?

Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Congratulations on adopting an adult cat. Adult felines often make the best housemates, and yet they are so often overlooked at shelters and rescue facilities. One reason felines make such good pets is that they are smart -- often too smart for most cat toys. Cats are very in tune with their senses, so if something doesn't smell, look and sound natural and interesting, they generally ignore it. Toys filled with good, strong catnip might grab your feline's attention every so often. If catnip does nothing for your pet, try toys stuffed with dried honeysuckle. Frisky cats might chase any mechanical mouse or similar toy, but I've found that many of these toys make a horrible motor sound when they move, scaring some felines to death. The best toys of this type move in an unpredictable manner and keep going even when they hit an obstacle. Cat toys most popular with felines require owner participation. If you're interested in a toy, your cat will likely investigate it too. Perennial favorites include classics like Da Bird, Kitten Mitten, the Cat Dancer and laser toys. Manufacturers are now making similar products (like Panic Mouse) that are attached to a motor so the pole toy jerks around by itself. You might consider such a toy to keep your cat busy when you are at work or asleep. I also recommend looking at Web sites of major pet stores. Most allow readers to rate individual toys, so you can see which toys were a hit with other cats.

My Siamese cat has been howling and meowing every night for a year. What can I do?

Sun, 5 May 2013 00:00:00 EDT

The sleek and regal Siamese is one of the world's oldest known cat breeds, but they are definitely not famous for being quiet. If your male Siamese has not been neutered, take care of that ASAP, since mating cycles can trigger excessive meowing. A veterinary visit can also rule out health issues that could cause frequent vocalizing, such as hyperthyroidism and hearing loss. Most likely your boy is just naturally quite vocal. Try playing with him close to bedtime. Offer catnip-scented toys if he responds to catnip, or honeysuckle-scented ones if he does not react to catnip. These herbs excite cats initially, but then seem to make felines a bit drowsy once the mild kitty buzz wears down. Any sort of playtime will do, however, as the goal is to work off some of your cat's energy so that he won't feel inclined to do that while you're sleeping.

Catnip does nothing for my cat. Could I be buying the wrong kind, or is there something wrong with my cat?

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Only about half of the cat population is sensitive to catnip, so your cat is in good company and is likely fine. The potent chemical in catnip -- a fragrant member of the mint family -- is nepetalactone. It triggers head rubbing, rolling, leaping and all sorts of playful behaviors in catnip-sensitive felines. If your cat does react to catnip, try growing the plant yourself. Organic catnip is the best option. When dried, it will store for months in an airtight container. The catnip "high" lasts only about 15 minutes, however. By that time, most cats eat the herb, become covered with the stuff or seem to just get bored. Cats that don't react to catnip often go bonkers over dried honeysuckle. Just be sure to never provide your cat with honeysuckle berries, as those are considered poisonous to felines. Some manufacturers, such as Kitty Kottage, are now offering cat-safe toys stuffed with honeysuckle for these catnip non-cravers. It sounds like yours is one of them, so honeysuckle-scented toys might be your best option.

I have adopted seven cats, with no major problems resulting from my mega-multi-cat household. But how many cats do you think are too many?

Sun, 21 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

It's great to hear about your thriving multi-cat household. If you have sufficient room, access to veterinarians to consult with, and a well-organized system to care for the cats, this is a great way to save cats that may have otherwise been euthanized. We all, however, are familiar with media reports about irresponsible, sometimes troubled, owners who have far too many pets than they can properly manage. Conversely, just one cat could be too many for certain individuals lacking the time, space, funds and other feline necessities. So there is no right or wrong precise cat number limit, since there are too many variables to consider. Dr. Nicholas Dodman of the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University recently addressed this very subject at petplace.com. He shared that inappropriate urination and other behavioral problems can surface if an owner has more than 10 cats. In his view, around 10 may therefore be "the magic number."

Photo: @iStockphoto.com/skynesher

How can I keep my cat off the furniture?

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

To your cat, your home is like an urban jungle, and that includes all your furniture and other accessible goodies. Cats are quite practical, however, so the furniture likely holds some function for your feline: easier transportation (such as marching over a coffee table to get to a chair), sleeping area (as on a comfy sofa) or surface for scratching claws.

To keep your cat off any item, make it unattractive to your pet and provide a better alternative. Scratching on a couch or wooden furniture is probably the worst kitty offense; the most important preventive measure in this case is to regularly trim your cat's claws. This helps your pet, since claws can get caught in material. It'll help you too, by preventing couch and curtain rips.

Cats hate the feel and smell of tinfoil and sticky tape, so you can try placing these on areas your cat targets. If possible, spray an odor-neutralizing solution -- sold at pet stores. Since cats usually return to places where they've left their scent, the sprays might throw them off. If you need to protect the fabric of a chair or couch, place a blanket over the furniture temporarily and then spray with the odor neutralizer or a citrus-scented spray, such as one containing orange oil. Cats usually hate citrus smells -- the volatile oils in the fruit rind evolved, in part, to deter curious and hungry animals.

Finally, consider purchasing a cat tree that offers good places for claw scratching, as well as one or more cubbyholes or perches. Place the tree in an area frequented by your cat and sprinkle it with catnip. Make sure the tree is stable and will not tip over when your cat hops on it.

When should a kitten get its first shots?

Mon, 8 Apr 2013 00:00:00 EDT

Kittens typically receive their first round of shots when they are 8 to 9 weeks old. Most vaccinations prevent illness by introducing a small amount of the disease-causing organism into the individual’s body. This stimulates the immune system, leading to the creation of antibodies that can protect your cat against a possible, more full-blown version of the disease. The antibodies diminish over time, so your kitten will need booster shots throughout its life. Your veterinarian will advise you as to when these are needed.

Usually, that first round of shots is a single “cocktail” that will help safeguard your pet against three diseases: feline panleukopenia, which is a contagious and often deadly viral disease; feline rhinotracheitis, which can cause acute respiratory illness; and feline calicivirus, another viral illness that can create severe respiratory problems.

Your veterinarian will likely advise that you have your kitten tested for feline leukemia. You may also need to vaccinate your cat against rabies, as that is required in some states. No vaccination is 100 percent effective, however, so it is a good idea to keep your cat inside at all times, with limited exposure to screens and windows that may have been marked by outdoor animals. Distemper and rabies are just two of the many illnesses that spread more easily to outdoor cats. Your indoor-only kitty will also avoid all of the other obvious outdoor dangers, such as cars and garden poisons.

I have a 16-year-old cat that hates to be brushed. Do you have any suggestions?

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EDT

If your senior kitty was not regularly brushed at an early age, or if it had a bad experience during a grooming session, it could now be brush-phobic. Here are some tips: First, buy a good-quality brush appropriate for your cat’s type of fur. For example, pin brushes are good for long-haired coats, and soft-bristled brushes work better on shorthairs. Start the session by holding your cat and petting it as it prefers. With slow, gentle movements, introduce the brush without your cat seeing it. While your cat is facing forward on your lap, begin to brush its back area on each side, avoiding the more sensitive spine. Always brush from front to back, in the direction of your cat’s fur growth. Don’t pull on tangles -- which elderly long-haired felines are prone to get, since they can’t always groom themselves properly. It’s better to snip off tangles, far away from your cat’s skin, rather than brush through them. If your cat begins to get antsy, stop the grooming session and try it again at another time. The goal is to get your cat to associate such moments with pleasant experiences. Stay relaxed and quiet, always using gentle brushstrokes, because your cat is very sensitive to your own emotions and behaviors. Cats have extraordinary memories for both positive and negative experiences. When your cat learns to link brush time to good times, your problem will be solved.

I have a fixed adult male cat that starts fights with my other cats. How can I get him to stop?

Sun, 24 Mar 2013 00:00:00 EDT

I’m glad that your cat has been neutered, as that procedure helps to curb aggression in male felines. The timing of the neutering can also be important, since males neutered before sexual maturity -- at around 6 months -- are less likely to spray urine, roam and fight. Observe your cats to see if you can pinpoint what instigates the fighting. Sometimes cats will fight over food, a favorite resting spot, toys or other items. Keep a squirt bottle full of water handy to break up the fights. This may help to discourage the bouts from occurring in the first place. You may have to call in a cat behavior specialist, but before you do that, try redirecting your male cat’s aggression. Spend time playing with him to work off his excess energy. It’s better that he pounces on a pole toy feather or a mechanical mouse than on one of your other cats.