Pet Illness Symptoms

To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. Your pet may be suffering even though he isn’t showing obvious signs. Advancements in veterinary science have decoded subtle telltale signs of animal distress. Observing your pet’s behavior is vital to managing his or her pain.

The following are common pet illness symptoms that will help you to recognize if your pet is sick.

Abnormal Chewing Habits

If your pet is showing abnormal chewing habits, such as dropping its food or chewing on one side of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat dental disorders and related pain.

Drastic weight gain or loss

Pain directly influences your pet’s weight and eating habits. Animals carrying excess weight have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints. Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access their food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain may also cause pets to gain weight while their eating habits remain the same due to lack of exercise. Pain can also cause animals to loose their appetites which will lead to weight loss.

Avoids affection or handling

Did Fluffy used to be active and energetic, but now sits quietly around the house? Avoiding affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although your pet may appear to be normal before petting or handling it, the added pressure applied to its body may expose sensitive and painful areas. Hiding is also a sign of pain. Because the animal is hurting, she will hide to avoid a vulnerable position (this allows the pet to prevent painful interactions).

Decreased movement and exercise

Osteoarthritis or joint disease is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play. Weight and joint injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary pounds will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and reduce pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises, diets and medical therapies that can help improve your pet’s health.

“Accidents”

Pet owners often believe that “accidents” are a result of behavioral issues. Although behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets with sore joints or arthritis may not make it to a convenient location due to painful obstacles like stairs.

Urinary tract infections also may cause a messy situation. In addition to having “accidents,” symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy, fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating. Even after the urinary tract infection is dealt with it may be necessary to get a new litter box because the cat makes painful associations with the old litter box.

The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral change can be cause for alarm. Being aware of your pet’s habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet’s pain. Pain management is an integral part of your pet’s overall health care.

How To Train Your Cat Quickly and Easily

Can you imagine a nice fluffy Persian or orange tabby cat rolling over, shaking hands, jumping through hoops, or balancing a treat on the end of his nose? If you’re living with shredded drapes and fur-covered kitchen counters, the thought of being able to train your cat may make you laugh.

It’s conventional wisdom that cats can’t be taught new behaviors, that they’re pretty much going to do whatever they want. The secret is, you can teach a cat new tricks, but you can’t do it just by thinking of your cat as a dog with longer whiskers. Here is a list of things to consider when you are learning how to train your cat.

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The Loner

A big part of teaching your cat to be a good roommate is understanding that cats are wired differently than dogs. Dogs are pack animals; being constantly social is in their genes. In the wild, their survival can depend in part on whether they are in the good graces of the rest of their pack.

Wild cats, on the other hand, are generally solitary hunters, evolved to take care of themselves. They don’t have as much invested in earning your approval and keeping you happy all the time. This is why a stern “no” and a shaking finger usually won’t keep the cat off your computer keyboard.

But don’t lose heart. You can teach your cat to be a pleasant roommate. The key lies in understanding that he’s generally going to behave in the way that’s in his own best interest. You could call most cats all day, for example, without seeing the tips of their whiskers. But when the can opener whirrs or the bag of treats rustles, they’re at your feet before you can blink. You can use this same philosophy to teach your cat good behavior by showing him what’s in it for him.

Scratching

One of the most aggravating problems with cats is scratching. Though it may be hard to recall right after your kitty gouges your antique dining room table, claw sharpening is just normal cat behavior. Scratching is your cat’s way of leaving his mark, of telling any visitors that he is the ruler of his kingdom. You’re most likely not going to get your cat to stop scratching completely. You can get him to scratch the right things, however.

A scratching post is vital to getting your pet’s behavior under control. You may want to buy more than one and place them next to his favorite places to scratch–the side of the couch, for example, or the living room drapes. Since he’s using scratching to claim his territory, you may also want to put a post in a prominent place, so he can show everyone the house belongs to him. Then make the posts as attractive as possible. Rub them with a blanket your cat sleeps on, so he’ll recognize his smell and think of the posts as his. You can also rub them with catnip or spray them with catnip spray, which you can find at most pet stores.

When he scratches the post, give him exactly what he craves. If it’s attention, give him lots of love and cooing praise. But if your kitty is the kind that only wants petting when he’s in the mood, then give him a treat or a bit of catnip. (A warning–catnip may not be the perfect training tool. First off, it can make some cats more aggressive and more likely to misbehave.

Also, if your cat has access to catnip every day, it can start to lose its effect on him.) If you catch him scratching something else, don’t yell or threaten him. Violent reactions will only scare most cats, and it will make some defensive and aggressive. Instead, distract him by making a hissing sound or clapping your hands. Then put the nicer-smelling, more attractive scratching post next to him and scratch it a little with your fingertips to give him the right idea.

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Litter Box Training

Litter box training is often one of the easiest parts of living with a cat. Cats naturally prefer to eliminate in soft, sandy material, so most cats will use the litter box by choice. If your cat is going outside of his box, there is probably something about the box that he doesn’t like. The most important thing to check for is a medical problem. If your kitty has a urinary or intestinal tract obstruction, he may associate the pain of trying to go the bathroom with the box itself. Or, he may not like the kitty litter you’re using. Most cats prefer smaller-grained, sandier litter to gravel-sized litter. Some cats also object to scented litters. Remember, though it may smell pleasant and fresh to you, his sensitive nose thinks it’s a perfume explosion.

The next thing you can do is make the litter box as attractive as possible–make it the best place in the house for him to go. Most cats are neat freaks, so cleaning the box out every day will help. Some particularly finicky cats may want you to clean it even more than that. Some cats also prefer to use separate boxes for urinating and defecating. Try setting out two boxes and see if that helps. Finally, you can make sure the box is away from his food and in a secluded corner, where he feels safe and doesn’t have to be on guard.

Biting

It’s the oddest thing–you’re cuddling your cat and he’s purring away like a motor boat, when suddenly he chomps down on your hand. What did you do wrong? Actually, he was just getting a little overstimulated. Sometimes when a cat is really enjoying being petted, he gets overwhelmed and his instincts tell him to get rid of that nervous energy by snapping at you.

Yelling at him won’t accomplish much; he’ll just get tenser and more likely to nip every time you pet him. Instead, withdraw the stimulus completely. If he nips at you, try taking your hand away and not paying any attention to him. He’ll learn that, if he wants attention, biting is a no-no. If you give him lots of treats and cuddling when he’s at his calmest, he’ll learn that calm is the best way to be.

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How To Keep Him Grounded

Nothing compares to the sight of your tabby perched regally on top of the kitchen counter, master of all he sees. Tabletops, counters, mantles, and bookshelves are ideal for cats, allowing them to keep a close eye on everything and make sure they’re not missing out on any fun. They’re not so great for people who don’t want cat hair in their dinner, however, or their knickknacks knocked to the floor. So how do you keep your feline’s feet on the ground?

Some trainers will suggest that a spritz of water from a squirt bottle or a loud hiss or rattle will keep cats away from the counter, and it may work for some pets. The tricky part, though, is making sure your cat associates the punishment with being on the counter and not with you. If they only get punished when people are in the room, and if you make a mad dash for the squirt bottle every time they jump up on the table, it won’t take most cats long to figure out that it’s people they need to keep away from, not the table.

A better way to keep your kitty off the forbidden surface is to cover it with two-sided tape. Cats don’t like it when their paws stick to things, so they will experience something unpleasant every time they jump up, whether or not you’re in the room. Eventually they’ll decide that the counter (or the mantle or the dining room table) is not where they want to be.

You can also use aluminum foil or carpet runners turned nubby-side-up to keep your cat down on the ground. Also, try giving them an even better alternative to the table. If your kitty’s a born climber, you could try getting him a tall cat tree or a cat perch that attaches to a windowsill, which you can find at most pet stores. Again, you can rub it with the oh-so-tempting catnip, and pretty soon the counter won’t be quite so irresistible.

Even if you can’t get your cat to roll over and play dead, you can teach him to be a polite houseguest. If you can be patient and think like a cat, you can reclaim your kitchen table and your upholstery as your own. The best part is, he’ll think it was all his idea.

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Cat Behavioural Problems – Chewing, Scratching, Biting and More

Chewing and scratching are two of the most common cat behavioral problems. If your cat is chewing and scratching your house to pieces, he is probably trying to tell you something – that you aren’t meeting his needs!

Cat Behavioral Problem #1 – General Destructive Behavior and Chewing

Cats are naturally curious and need an appropriate space, such as a play center, where they can climb, rest and scratch to their heart’s content. You should also provide toys for your cat to bat around. Spring-mounted, dangling or bouncy toys are best.

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If you have an indoor-only kitty that has little access to grass or other vegetable matter, you may want to offer him lettuce or catnip to discourage him from chewing on your house plants. Click here to grow your own fresh organic cat grass.

If your cat continues to damage the same piece of furniture or area in your home, keep him away by using child locks, barricades or closed doors. If this isn’t feasible or the problem persists, try using remote punishment, taste and odor aversion, or booby traps as deterrents.

Physical punishment should never be used because it will teach your cat to fear you and it could exacerbate his destructive behavior because he will only avoid the problem areas when you are around.

Cat Behavioral Problem #2 – Scratching

Scratching is a normal behavior for cats – it allows them to mark their territory, condition their claws and stretch. To deter destructive scratching, provide your cat with a good scratching post, trim his nails regularly and keep him away from tempting furniture items and areas in your home. You can encourage your cat to use a scratching post by placing one near his favorite sleeping area and another in a prominent area in your home.

If your cat insists on scratching in an inappropriate area, place a scratching post in that area. You can use food rewards to encourage him to scratch the post rather than the inappropriate area. If your cat continues to scratch, you may also try covering the inappropriate area or furniture item with plastic or double-sided tape. Ask your veterinarian about plastic coverings that fit over your cat’s nails as another option.

Declawing may be a final consideration only after you have sincerely tried to solve the problem but destructive scratching persists. Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using his claws destructively or when clawing presents a significant health risk for people within the household. Declawing can be very traumatic to a cat. You should discuss all behavior modification and treatment options with your veterinarian to help you decide what’s best for your cat and your family.

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How To Toilet Train A Cat In A Few Easy Steps

Learning how to toilet train a cat isn’t hard as long as you know exactly what to do. Here are a few simple steps for your to follow so you can learn how to toilet train your cat fast.

1. Your first step is to gradually move your cat’s litter box into the bathroom.  You can move your cat’s litter box inch by inch until the litter box is directly up against the toilet.
2. Next, gradually raise the litter box up by placing phone books (or something sturdier) under it.  Repeat this daily until the litter box is of equal height to the toilet.  You may need to secure the litter box to the phone books or whatever it’s sitting on so that it doesn’t move when the cat jumps on to it.
3. Now you need to continue to move the box over inch by inch until the litter box is onto the seat.  Continue gradually decreasing the amount of litter in the box until there is only a thin layer (less than 1 inch) of it left.
4. Now, replace the litter box with a “training box”.  You have a few different options here, but the important thing to remember is to make sure that the “training box” can hold your cat’s weight if they step or jump onto it.  The Kitty Whiz trainer is very cheaply made of the thinnest plastic. Cats will tend to want to stand in the litter when they are first learning to transfer to toilet training. Here are our suggestions for making a kitty training box.

• Lift the toilet seat and tape a piece of wax paper over the hole so that the toilet looks like a drum.  Lower the seat over the wax paper.  Add flushable litter.
• Lift the toilet seat and tape a aluminum pan to the edges.  Put the seat down so that it holds the bowl in place.  Add flushable litter.
• Use a commercial training device, sold specifically for this purpose.  We recommend CitiKitty Cat Toilet Training Kit, CatGenie-Self Washing, Self Flushing Cat Box and, although a bit pricier, the Litter Kwitter Cat Toilet Training System is an effective and easy to use system.

If you’re using wax paper or an aluminum pan, cut a hole about one inch in diameter in the center and gradually increase the size of the hole until it is almost gone.  If you’re using a training seat, remove the rings, one at time.  This is done to gradually get the cat used to urinating or defecating into water. Simultaneously, no matter which method you’re using, reduce the amount of litter so that there is no litter when the paper, bowl, or device is removed.

Tips On How To Toilet Train A Cat

• If your cat refuses to use the toilet after you’ve cut the hole to reveal the water, try cutting the hole at the edge of the wax paper/aluminum pan instead. If you are using an aluminum pan, roll up the edge of the piece you just cut to create a wall (or “dam”) to prevent too much litter from falling into the hole.
• If when you remove the “training box” the cat seems confused, try sprinkling a little flushable litter into the water to spark his or her memory.
• Always wait until the cat is comfortable with a setup before changing it. If you rush the cat, this will not work, and you are more likely to have accidents. Don’t ever try to force a cat to do anything that it does not want to do. For example, you should never have to pick up the cat and put it in the litter box or on the “training box”. If you must show or force a cat to do something, you’ve moved too quickly from one stage to the next. Go back to square one.
• This will most likey not work with indoor/outdoor cats, as they will probably just learn to hold it rather than deal with this drama.
• This will work best if you are home full-time for the duration of the training time.
• Flush the toilet after your cat urinates as some cats are shy to defecate onto urine.
• Clean the litter in your training box after each use and sprinkle some catnip in the clean litter.
• Reward your cat with a treat after a successful toilet experience to reinforce a good job well done.

Cat Eating Disorders – Pica in Cats

Does your cat eat Styrofoam, ribbon, cardboard, plastic, paper, wires and everywhere in between?  If he does, he’s not alone.

Many animals suffer from pica, one of the most common cat eating disorders.  It occurs rarely in humans, and dogs.

Pica is formally defined as a medical disorder that is characterized by an appetite for substances that are largely non-nutritive.  This cat eating disorder generally isn’t dangerous, it can cause intestinal obstructions if your cat eats too much.  It also can mean the destruction of household items such as blankets, clothing, furniture, and more if it is not controlled.

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There are several theories as to why cats like to chew on wool and other materials.  Some behaviorists and veterinarians believe that it starts when kittens are weaned too early or too abruptly.  The kittens then suck on fabric to soothe themselves; and the sucking gradually turns into chewing.

Other veterinary specialists think that dietary deficiencies, such as a lack of fat or insoluble fiber, drive cats to seek the missing nutrients in strange foods.  Eating inappropriate things may also be the result of stress, anxiety, or boredom.  Neurological disorders and illnesses such as pancreatitis can also cause this behavior. Pica may even be caused by a combination of two or more of these factors.

Though you may never know exactly why your cat has pica, there are ways you can discourage him from this common cat eating disorder.

• Deter Him. You can make chewed objects unattractive by spraying them with vinegar, hot-pepper sauce, or bitter apple, a bitter-tasting liquid you can buy at most pet stores. You can dab a certain brand of cologne or air freshener on everything you spray; soon your cat will associate the smell of the cologne with the bad taste and will avoid chewing any object you’ve put cologne on.  The bad news is that deterring your cat from chewing one kind of material—your wool sweaters for example—may simply drive him to find a new favorite food—such as your leather shoes or your cotton sheets.  You may also need to try one of the ideas below to help end the cat eating disorder.
• Keep Your Cat Occupied. A bored cat is much more likely to start gnawing than a busy one.  Make sure he has plenty to play with, both when you’re home and when you’re not.  Try leaving him a toy on a string that hangs from a doorknob, or a ball that dispenses treats or food when it’s played with.  Cat trees—tall, carpeted structures with lots of shelves and arms for your cat to climb—are another good option.  Also, give your cat a long play session (20 minutes or more) in the evening and another in the morning, if possible.  If he’s tired he’s less likely to chew.
• Help Him Relax. Stressed-out kitties will engage in strange behaviors just to calm themselves.  If a recent move or a new member or the household—human or nonhuman—has stirred things up at home, try to keep things as quiet and familiar as possible.  Make sure your cat has plenty of his favorite toys and blankets around and that he has a small, comfortable refuge to retreat to when he gets nervous.  His cat carrier, placed in a corner in a closet, may work well.
• Supplement His Diet. Some cat owners have been able to stop wool chewing by adding lanolin—an oil found in wool—to their cat’s food.  Others have had success mixing a little fiber into the food.  Consult your veterinarian before you change your pet’s food, however, as some dietary changes can cause an upset stomach or other health problems.  We recommend supplementing E3 Live natural horse and general pet supplement into your cat’s diet for added nutrients, click here to find out more.
• Give Him Healthy Things to Chew. Try giving your cat smaller, more frequent feedings, so he’ll have something in his bowl when he wants something to nibble.  You might want to try a timed food dispenser, which you could set to release a small amount of food every few hours.  You can also grow a cat garden so he’ll have grass to chew.  You can buy preplanted gardens at some pet stores, or you can grow one yourself by planting a pot of rye or wheat, with a little catnip mixed in.  Click here to get your own cat grass kit.

You may need more than one of these techniques-or all of them-to slow down or eliminate your cat’s eating disorder, but it can be done.  If you need help, your veterinarian or a behaviorist can design a program to retrain your cat.  It is most important that you are patient with your cat, and keep things out of his reach!

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Should I Buy A Pet? Things To Consider Before Buying A Pet

Sure they may be cute and cuddly, but buying a pet may be more expensive and more work than you think.  Be realistic about how much you can afford and don’t ever jump into it.  Buying a pet is a very serious decision.  Here’s a run down of start-up expenses relating to different pets:

• Amphibians, reptiles, and fish: Aquarium, filter, heater, plants, owner’s manual.
• Birds and rodents: Cage, bedding or cage liner, dishes, toys, owner’s manual.
• Dogs and cats: License, collar, leash, brush, toys, dishes, bed, owner’s manual.

Here are some other ongoing costs to consider:

• Food
• Bedding
• Litter
• Grooming or grooming supplies
• Regular veterinary check ups
• Sick, trauma, or emergency veterinary care
• Vaccinations and other medical care as needed

Do you have the time and energy to feed, clean or groom, handle, train, exercise, and take your pet to the veterinarian regularly? Here’s a run down of minimum time needed to provide basic care for a pet:

• Amphibians, reptiles, and fish – 10 minutes per day, plus 3 hours every few weeks
• Hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, and rabbits – 30 minutes per day
• Cats and birds – 30 to 60 minutes per day
• Dogs – More than one hour per day

Remember that these times are bare minimums, and all pets deserve to be in a loving home with people who have the time and energy to take care of them and spend time building the special bond.  Dogs and cats can live up to 16 years of age!  Are you ready to make that type of long term commitment to your pet?

Don’t forget you don’t have to buy a pet.  You can adopt a pet from a local pound or the humane soceity.  Websites like Craigslist and Kijiji have pet sections where people give pets away for free because their owners can no longer care for them.  Personally, I would never purchase an animal from a pet store.  There are so many animals out there that require a good home, love and attention, there is really no need to buy a new one.

Whatever your choice it, understand that getting a pet is a costly and long term committment.  Good luck!

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