You are viewing entries tagged 'health'.
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One of the places that seems to naturally attract cats is that space behind the refrigerator – it’s dark and warm there. It’s also a terrible nuisance to try and get a cat out from behind the huge immovable fridge.
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. |
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Kittens do not need food that’s too different from what adult cats consume, but they do need more protein-rich food and they need to eat more frequently.
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. |
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We all know how expensive vet visits can be and medications for pets can be just as abhorrent. But there are a few ways to cut down on pet med costs.
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. |
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When I visited my sister after a few months of absence, I came across her cat Boo Boo walking in circles around the dining room. Immediately shocked, I brought it to her attention. “It’s his Diabetes,” she responded and promptly grabbed the back of his neck and gave him a shot of insulin.
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. |
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Once a week, use hot water to wash anything the cat touches regularly and dry these items in a dryer, as well. Note whether the beds you buy have zip-off covers so that you can easily strip them off and give them a hot washing.
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. |
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Having wall-to-wall or large area carpeting is going to prove to be a problem for you if you are allergic to your beloved cat. It is best if you can minimize or remove the carpeting, but if you feel you must have it, then choose materials that can be easily cleaned.
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. |
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The two ingredients BHA and BHT have been considered toxic for decades, and they used to be found in snack foods for humans, too.
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. |
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Cats (and dogs) can determine the direction a sound is coming from and pinpoint it more specifically than many other animals.
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. |
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You may be seeking information to cure your cat’s bad breath because it bowls you over every time he yawns. But it’s also important to cure because halitosis in a cat often indicates a buildup of bacterial growth or a digestive disorder. The first thing to possibly try a new diet. Consult with your vet about a new food that has enzymes to help control the bacteria.
The next thing to tackle is his teeth. Powered pet toothbrushes and special pet toothpaste can really help but make sure to wait at least a half-hour after eating before brushing your cat’s teeth. Or try adding something like Dental Fresh with chlorophyll to your cat’s water. If his breath continues to be bad after treating the tartar and plaque, see your vet – it could indicate diabetes, kidney or liver disease.
Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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You’ve heard often about therapy dogs but did you know there are therapy cats, too? They are being used in convalescent homes, psychiatric wards, to help autistic children and more.
So how does your feline become a therapy cat? Therapy cats should work well with people, have a calm demeanor and they should be at least a year old. Short-haired cats were used most often in the past but long-hairs, such as Persians, are popular now, too. Stroking or grooming a cat can bring back memories for patients, relieve loneliness and act as a calming presence.
Your cat can get certified through programs such as Pets Helping People, where cats learn to be comfortable in different surroundings. They can also earn their Feline Good Citizen certificate.
Kelly is a dog columnist and pet writer. She lives in the Boston-area with her three pit bulls and one neurotic cat. |
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