But there’s one little detail a lot of people forget, and it could turn into a life-or-death situation. Make sure to talk to your vet before you leave.

Tell the vet you’re going away for a while and who’s going to be taking care of your cat while you’re gone. Make payment arrangements in case your cat gets sick while you’re away. Most vets will require credit card information and specific information about what kind of measures or care you’re willing to authorize.

Inform your vet if you want to be contacted in the event your cat gets sick. If so, be sure your vet has a phone number where you can be reached: if it’s a cell phone, make sure you keep it with you and it’s turned on. If you’re in another country where your phone won’t work, give the vet a local message number or an e-mail address that you know you’ll check at least daily.

Make sure you have enough carriers for all your cats, that all the carriers are in working order, and that your sitter knows where they are.

Leave a note for your sitter with feeding instructions, your contact information, your vet’s phone number, the phone number for the nearest emergency vet, and dosing information for any medications your cat is taking.

Do these simple things before you go away and you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing your sitter will have all the information she needs to keep your kitty well and safe.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Symptoms of CH include ataxia (staggering, jerky gait), and a tendency to overshoot or undershoot when pouncing or reaching for objects. Because of their lack of coordination, cats with CH can have trouble eating or using the litter box. The good news is that the disease is not progressive, and cats can easily adapt to their condition with a little extra care to meet their special needs.

Cats with CH should never be let outside, because they have trouble avoiding predators or oncoming vehicles. Use dishes that can’t be tipped over, such as rubber-bottomed steel bowls, to help a CH kitten eat more easily. A litter box with high sides and a low opening can make it easier for a CH cat to support himself while using the toilet.

This sweet video shows the story of Charley, a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia. Cats with CH don’t suffer or have pain as a result of their disease. They live long, healthy lives and can fill your life with just as much joy as a non-disabled cat. All a CH cat needs from you is a safe and loving home and some minor accommodations for his special needs.

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

Flea allergies: Even one flea bite can cause your cat’s immune system to go into overdrive, which can lead to biting, itching, and sores. To solve this problem, make sure you give your cat regular flea preventative treatments.

Food sensitivities: Certain grains such as corn can cause allergic reactions. Low-quality meats or meat byproducts can also cause sensitivity. If you suspect your cat’s food is an issue, feed her a premium-quality food with meat as the first ingredient and grains other than corn.

Chemical sensitivities: Cats can be very sensitive to chemicals and artificial fragrances such as those used in detergents, fabric softeners, dryer sheets, and plug-in air fresheners. Try removing these products from your home and see if that helps.

If all else fails, take a look at the article veterinarian Dr. Patty Khuly recently wrote in her blog about using Zyrtec (cetirizine) to treat cat allergies. Talk to your vet and see what he or she thinks about this. Remember, do NOT give your cat any medications without veterinary supervision!

Cat expert and animal communicator JaneA Kelley is the webmaster and chief cat slave for Paws and Effect, a weekly cat advice column by cats, for cats and their people.

The best thing you can do is to block off the sides of the refrigerator. Some people duct tape a strip of cardboard (or something more attractive) down the sides of the fridge, blocking the cat’s access to the motor area behind.

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.

A kitten needs a greater quantity because he has a tiny stomach and a fast metabolism that burns the fuel up quickly, leaving him ready for more food more often.

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.

One in 400 cats has Diabetes and they can live fairly normal lives for many years. But their owners must expect some changes.

Be prepared to: give insulin injections (your vet can show you how this is done) or oral hyperglycemics; modify your cat’s diet (a high-fiber diet is recommended); and monitor their health by checking for excessive urination or water intake, noting your cat’s weight and behavior, and watching for urinary tract infections.

Above all, establish a good relationship with your vet so they can help you identify these and other hypoglycemic indicators. And keep a positive attitude – Diabetes is something that can be managed with a little extra care.

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.

They are chemical antioxidants that keep the fatty contents of pet food from turning rancid. These chemicals have been linked to birth defects and liver and kidney damage. If a cat ingests them at every single meal it has to take a toll.

The value of BHA and BHT to pet food makers, who still routinely use them, is that once they are doused on kibble, the stuff can stay “fresh” for endless amounts of time.

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.