Great Cat Tip of the Day - Brought to you by Catster.com!

Does your kitten need a teething ring?

JaneA Kelley — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:00:02 +0000

Like human babies, cats go through two stages of teething. Baby teeth start erupting at around three weeks of age, and between three and five months of age, the adult teeth start coming in.

Teething can be as uncomfortable for kittens as it is for babies. Although cats do not fuss and cry while their teeth are coming in, they may show behaviors that indicate discomfort such as chewing on inappropriate objects.

PetStages makes a chewing toy called the Catnip Crunchy Chew Stick, which can help relieve the discomfort. The chew stick can be frozen, so it provides a firm chewing surface and the cold that can help ease the pain and irritation of teething. My cats have a bunch of PetStages toys, and they enjoy them very much.

Be sure to check your kitten’s mouth every couple of days and make sure those teeth are coming in properly. If she stops eating or begins to act lethargic, get in touch with your vet right away.

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.

I will shred you! (or, how to trim your cat’s claws)

JaneA Kelley — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:48:03 +0000

Claw trimming is generally a painless procedure. But some cats view it as nothing short of torture. Here are some quick tips for making claw trimming easier for you and your cat.

First, make sure you and your cat are positioned properly. Let your cat sit on a table, facing away from you. Hold him with your non-dominant hand. You can then use your dominant hand to trim his claws.

Use the right tool for the job. A special scissor designed for trimming cat nails is the best choice, but a sharp fingernail clipper will work too.

Make sure you are calm as well. If you come off as anxious and stressed, your cat will pick up on that and it will make him more upset.

If your cat squirms and struggles, or if he is new to claw trimming, do only one or two claws at a time and reward him with a treat afterwards.

If all else fails, have a professional groomer or your vet trim those nails. They can show you their technique, which might make it easier for you in the future.

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.

How to give your cat a kiss, the feline way

JaneA Kelley — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:05:24 +0000

Cats do a lot of talking with their eyes. Whether it’s a narrow-eyed glance of haughty disdain, wide-open eyes staring at you with love and desire, or a wrathful stare at a feline trespasser, their expressions speak volumes.

The most beautiful feline gesture, though, is the slow blink, also known as the “cat kiss.” A cat sending you a kiss will slowly close her eyes, leave them closed for a second, and slowly reopen them.

Try giving your cat a kiss with your eyes and see how she responds. Usually if you give an eye-kiss and your cat is paying attention, she’ll give you one in return.

When you visit a home with a cat, you can try giving the resident cat an eye-kiss. He’ll probably be quite impressed with your good behavior and may even show you some affection.

Most cats won’t respond to eye kisses when there’s a lot of noise and commotion, so it’s best to practice your new kissing skills in a calm and quiet environment.

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.

How can you keep your cat from charging at the door?

JaneA Kelley — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:11:17 +0000

“Door dashing” is a very popular feline hobby, especially for cats that have experienced life outdoors. But it can be very dangerous, not just for the cat but for anyone who happens to be standing in Kitty’s way as he runs between their legs.

To get your cat out of the habit of charging outside at any opportunity, be sure not to greet your cats at the door. Instead, walk over to a place a few feet away from the door before you greet or pet your cat. If you keep doing this, your cat will realize that this is the official greeting location.

To prevent escape as you’re on your way out, say goodbye to your cat in a specific spot like his favorite bed or his cat tree. If your cat insists on following you to the door, toss a ping pong ball or similar toy. This will distract him.

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.

Salon time: How often should a cat be shampooed?

Tracie Hotchner — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:59:12 +0000

In addition to rinsing with warm water regularly, a shampoo twice a month can really reduce the number of allergens on your cat.

Use only lukewarm water (hot water can be counter-productive and stimulate more dander production) and a mild cat shampoo. Some of the cat shampoos on the market are even soap-free. Bathing every other week will condition the skin and hair while removing dander and saliva. Keep the water flow warm and gentle and eventually your furry friend may even look forward to bath 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.

Catsploratorium: The benefits of cat trees for indoor cats

Tracie Hotchner — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:51:46 +0000

Cat trees are a way to create mental stability and physical amusement for cats who would otherwise be “trapped” indoors for their own protection. Indoor cats desperately need mental and physical stimulation and things to do to tickle their curiosities.

A cat tree works towards fulfilling the kitty cat’s need for different vertical levels and hidden spaces and provides climbing, chasing and scratching opportunities.

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.

Cats: Growing younger by the minute

Kelly Modzelewski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:55:55 +0000

Every once in a while, I receive an unsolicited e-mail that isn’t about taking a pill to improve my life between the sheets. The other day, I got a message from Cat Age that challenged me to find out the “real” age of my cat. Being a curious cat owner and wanting to avoid doing the bills, I tried it out.

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.

On the road again: Traveling with your cat

Kelly Modzelewski — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:06:06 +0000

Many years ago, I had to travel with my cat Schmeckie from Colorado to D.C. I was not experienced with this and she and I had a miserable time, Schmeck because she was scared and bored, me because I was deaf from cat howling by the time we got to Kansas.

You can actually train your cat to travel well with a little effort. First, get your cat used to a halter and leash. Have her wear it a few minutes at a time. Eventually venture outside, praising your cat and offering treats. Next, sit in the car with her without the engine running. Then, place her in her carrier in the car and take a short trip, gradually lengthening it.

Start stopping occasionally and walk her in her halter, as you would for a rest stop. Bring a portable litter box on the trip for your cat to use in or out of the car. Remember: plenty of food, treats, and water. And do not forget to get your cat microchipped and tag her before hitting the road.

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

Meow-Wow: When cats act like dogs

Kelly Modzelewski — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:00:04 +0000

There’s a general thought that all cats are aloof, self-sufficient, and would rather have fleas than obey a command. But there is a sub-group of felines that don’t seem to know this and happily come when called, fetch, beg, and even perform tricks.

Some cat owners would say it’s shameful to own a cat who does these things but those of us with such cats know differently. These cats tend to be very affectionate and trainable and have a good sense of humor. Not that there’s anything wrong with the traditional feline. The seriousness of their dignity is often good for a laugh. Among the breeds that tend to act more dog-like are the Burmese and Siamese.

If your cat acts like a dog, you are not alone. There’s even a group here at Catster for those people. But, we must ponder: how do we know it’s not actually dogs that act like cats?

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

The space behind the refrigerator is a dangerous place

Tracie Hotchner — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:00:03 +0000

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.