The questionnaire is fairly long but it’s also very thorough and informative. It considers current age, weight, physical activity, diet and feeding practices, health care, behavioral issues, social interaction, possible disease and health conditions, and safety. It also provides detailed information about your answers and some interesting cat data such as the fact that 35 to 45 percent of cats are obese.

I am proud to sat that my cat Ed is 13.1 years younger than the average cat age for his breed (mixed). Considering that the average cat lives 15 to 17 years, he should be around another nine years or so, especially if I start brushing his teeth.

Kelly is a pet writer. She lives in the Boston area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

The “Danger List” is so long (it’s in “The Cat Bible,” if you’re curious) – and cats are naturally drawn to greenery – that the only way to be really safe is to make sure that you designate your potted plants as “off limits” to your cats.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

There’s always pet insurance, but studies show only about 2-3 percent of insurable pets actually are insured. This may be because the monthly cost of the insurance outweighs the total benefits you receive. Or, in these times of budgeting every penny, a monthly fee may just be too much.

Luckily, there are other alternatives for meds. If you belong to a medication savings club at a local pharmacy, you can find out if the medication prescribed for your pet has a human equivalent. This should be covered under your plan. If you have a Walgreens near you, you’re really in luck. They cover many human-equivalent pet medications and you can even put your pet on your account. Another option is using a discount pet med online service such as www.1800petmeds.com or www.petcarerx.com. You’ll often get free shipping and up to a 50% discount. These options will almost certainly cost you less than filling a prescription at the vet.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Washing also applies to areas without zip-off covers – if you can’t remove the cover, keep a big towel or blanket covering the area where the cat spends most of his time hanging out and wash that cover at least once a week.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

The carpet types that are easiest to clean are those that have low pile height and density, fluorocarbon-coated fiber and high-denier filament. What’s the absolute best? Easy-to-clean hard-surfaced floors: linoleum, vinyl, stone, tile, bamboo or wood.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

The ability to locate the direction of a sound is partly determined by the distance between the ears – so it is interesting to note that a great deal of a cat’s brain must be devoted to hearing since she can equal a dog’s auditory performance but her had is much smaller, and therefore has less distance between her ears. A cat’s hearing can even out-perform larger animals like horses.

Radio show host and pet expert Tracie Hotchner is the author of The Dog Bible and The Cat Bible. Click here to follow her on Twitter.

First, wash with soap and water. Then apply a bit of hydrogen peroxide with a cotton ball until it stops bleeding. Apply an ointment such as Neosporin after that. Bandage the area with a bandaid or gauze secured with an ace bandage. At any sign of infection or flu-like symptoms, see your doctor.

If your cat has been scratched by another cat, clean it, apply hydrogen peroxide and press firmly until the bleeding stops. The danger for them is infection so watch it carefully as it heals.

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.

Avoid foods with inferior ingredients for cats such as corn and rice. Cats are carnivores and need a higher protein, lower carbohydrate diet to achieve weight loss. Pay attention to treats as a source of “hidden” calories. Deduct the calories given as treats from the total daily calorie amount.

Cats are often grossly overfed because treat calories are not accounted for. Weigh your cat every week or two and call your vet with questions. Stick to it – your cat will thank you for it!

Dr. Spector is a veterinarian, nutritional advisor & pet lover! For more information about pet health, visit us online at www.vcapets.com.

Obesity is the leading cause of preventable illness and death from conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, heart and lung disease. Cats need to be helped out of the “couch-potato-overeating”" lifestyle we have created for them!

Your vet can identify your cat’s ideal body weight and help you begin a plan of calorie restriction to reach that weight. Add 20 minutes of exercise a day using interactive cat toys and laser pointers. Monitor your cats weight loss progress every 2-4 weeks with your vet. You will need to make frequent adjustments to keep your cat on the right track to a healthy weight.

Dr. Spector is a veterinarian, nutritional advisor & pet lover! For more information about pet health, visit us online at www.vcapets.com.

If your cat isn’t in pain, she can learn to adapt to paralysis, whether from illness or an injury. Cat wheelchairs are available now. There are also diapers for cats which is helpful since a disabled cat has no control over her elimination. There are also lifting harnesses and ramps. A great site to peruse is www.handicappedpets.com. And, remember, a paralyzed cat has just as much love to give as one with four legs!

Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat.