One of the first things people ask me when I’m conducting a behavior consultation is, “How long is it going to take before I see results?”

My answer is always the same: Expect it to take some time.

It’s not realistic to expect immediate results and perfect behavior after just a day or two of altering your approach to the situation, although sometimes that does happen. It’s important to realize this upfront so you don’t get impatient when you’ve been doing everything right, yet a week has gone by and the action has not been completely corrected. It’s very easy to decide that the cat won’t learn and must be taken to a shelter when you are already frustrated by inappropriate urination, aggression, furniture scratching, or some other such action that you wish the cat would stop doing.

The fact is, cats are very smart and very capable of learning exactly what you want them to do, and what you don’t want them to do. Altering a cat’s behavior to discourage those unwanted actions and teach them new appropriate ones (Note: I never use the word “train”) is something that does take patience and dedication to accomplish.

Cats learn most effectively using the following techniques:

• Rewards: Cats are very food motivated creatures, and the use of treats is a popular way to reward a cat for doing a desired action. Praise is also a form of reward for cats, but back that praise up with goodies to make it super effective.
• Repetition: It’s very important to repeat an “action and reward” scenario many times over in order for the associations to lock into your kitty’s mind.
• Consistency: Just like with children, a cat will quickly decide that you aren’t serious about something if you don’t act with consistency. Let them know what actions are not appropriate, as well as which ones are. Discourage those unwanted ones by offering alternative acceptable behaviors, and reward those alternative behaviors immediately when they are displayed. Do it every time and without fail.

Your kitty wants to please you, and will fall all over himself trying to do just that once he knows what you want and expect. A happy and loving relationship with your cat can be achieved with time, patience, and consistency. You really CAN have a long life together, and live happily ever after.

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Rita has created the L.U.C.K.Y. C.A.T. Approach to Feline Behavior that is based on these principles: Love, Understanding, Communication, Kindness and YOU being Consistent with the Attention and Time you give to your cat. You can learn more about Rita’s method by visiting www.thecatanalyst.com.

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, but for me, March 17th has a very different meaning. It’s my Sadie’s birthday: she would have been 10 years old today.

It’s been over 3 years since that awful day that I came home to find my Sadie had died in the short 2-hours that I had left the house. She was born with a severe heart condition called VSD, and the veterinarians who met her were all shocked she had lived past her predicted 6-months. Yet she did. She lived nearly 7 years before what I had been dreading her whole life finally happened.

Yes I have other kitties sharing my life, both my own and the wonderful kitties I am lucky to visits each day. But I will never forget my special Sadie.

If a cat can be someone’s soulmate, then she was indeed mine…

I know those of you who are grieving the loss of a special pet know the pain I still feel. To help me get past the sadness, I wrote a book about my experiences as the kitty mom to a cat I always knew would leave me early, and about how I got through it when that awful day came. I wrote it in the hope that it would help someone else going through the pain of losing a special furry friend, and they would know that someone else understands.

You can find my book, Sadie’s Heart, on Amazon.com. Although it is a Kindle book, it can also be read on any computer or tablet with the FREE Kindle Cloud Reader. I hope you will take the time to sit down and give it a read. It might make you feel better. Proceeds from the sale of this book will go toward opening the Heart of Hope Cat Center, a sanctuary that we plan to open as soon as we can get the funding in place.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you, and to my Sadie a very Happy Birthday. I know she is here with me today.
Rita

I am compelled to write to you about a very serious subject today. For the 6th time in recent months, someone I know, a client, is choosing to dump their cats because they are moving in with someone. In this case, the other person has dogs, so the dogs get to stay but the cats must go. One of the cats is deaf, too. I just don’t understand it…

Taking on the responsibility for an animal, whether it’s feline or canine, is a lifetime commitment. It’s not a commitment that is disposable when it no longer suits your purposes or your lifestyle. To me, the commitment is the same as if you had a child. Animals, like children, are helpless beings that are not able to fend for themselves. They depend on us to love them, give them food, give them shelter, and to protect them for their entire lives. In return they love us more unconditionally than any other being on the planet possibly could. We are their very world, and to abandon them is just unconscionable.

As for me, if anyone wanted to set up housekeeping with me and it was conditional upon my giving up my kitties, they would be looking for a new girlfriend. My cats go with me; we are a packaged deal. Case closed!

Please, before you adopt a pet, think about it very carefully. It is a 10 to 15 year (or more!) responsibility. If you cannot commit to it for life, then don’t adopt a pet! If you’ve already adopted a pet, please take your responsibility for that little life to heart. There are so many unwanted lonely animals out there already. Giving up your pets is tantamount to a death sentence for them.

Losing our Kitty friends is a sad but inevitable part of our relationships with them. It’s been 3 years now since I lost my beloved Sadie kitty, and almost a year since my 17-year-old Precious left us last Easter Sunday, yet the pain of their loss is as fresh as yesterday.

Sometimes our friends and family want so badly to see us happy again that they dismiss our feelings and try to force us past the grief before we are really ready to move on. After I lost Sadie, I wrote about her and her illness while the grief of her loss was still very fresh. It’s my hope that sharing my raw emotions and experience loving and losing my sweet Sadie will help someone else who is coping with the loss of their pet to feel a little less alone.

If you are dealing with the loss of a pet, I hope you will consider reading my ebook. You can find it by clicking here: Sadie’s Heart. Proceeds from the sale of this ebook will go toward the opening of our Cat Sanctuary, Heart of Hope Cat Center.

After you read about Sadie, I would be honored if you would share your own story with me and let me know if sharing my Sadie’s story has helped you.

“Wanna go for a ride?”

Say these words to a dog and he’ll be running for the door faster then you can put on your shoes. Say them to a cat and, well, you’re in for a challenge! Take it from me; I drove cross- country with my six kitties when I relocated from South Carolina to California. That was FOUR DAYS in the car! While cats are hardly the happy travelers that dogs are, with a little planning and preparation you can make traveling with kitty a safe and relatively painless experience. If I can do it, so can you!

Before you leave:

• However you are traveling (car, plane, or train), be sure you get a carrier that fits the situation. Larger is not always better, as cats tend to feel more secure when in small spaces. Be sure to line your carrier with absorbent pads in lieu of a litter box; most cats will not use the box when inside a carrier. Also include bedding from home so the carrier has some comforting and familiar smells. It also helps to let your cat play inside the carrier by leaving it out for a few weeks before your trip. The carrier then becomes a safe and familiar place for her.
• Get your cat microchipped and also make sure she is wearing a collar with an ID tag. On the off chance your cat gets lost, having these things will help reunite you and your cat as quickly as possible.
• If you are traveling internationally, well before your trip you should research the requirements of bringing your cat. Some countries require a lengthy quarantine period, as well as proof of vaccinations, before your cat can accompany you.
• Ask your veterinarian for a mild sedative just in case your cat needs some help relaxing during the trip.
• If your trip spans several days and includes over night stops, go to http://www.petswelcome.com/ to find hotels where pets are welcome and accommodations are equipped to handle their needs.

During the trip:

• Your cat may cry and become agitated during the trip, and you may want to medicate her. Talk to her in soothing tones, and offer some treats and some toys from home to help keep her calm. She may just settle down and go to sleep with no need for medication.
• If you are driving, never let her loose inside the car. She could climb under the seats or get under your feet as you are driving and cause an accident. Keep her inside her carrier, or set up a cage or larger crate in the back seat where she can roam about securely. If you do the latter, be sure you use a small carrier to take her to and from the car.
• When you stop at a hotel for the night, and also when you arrive at your final destination, make sure the room where you are staying has no loose wallboard or open ventilation ducts where your cat could hide or escape. Check this BEFORE you let your cat out of her carrier. If you spot a potential problem, ask for another room.

Pay special attention to your cat once you arrive at your final destination to make sure she handled the trip unscathed and that she is settling into her new surroundings well. Offer her some of her favorite foods and treats, and make sure she is eating and acting normally. As long as she is with you, she should come through the journey with flying colors and will be happily purring on your lap no matter where you two may roam.

Editors note: Cats are such creatures of habit and love their own territories so much that travel can become stressful. A good alternative to taking kitty along is to leave her at home and hire a professional pet sitting service, such as Cats90210, to care for your cat in the comfort of her very own home.

Adopting a kitten is a happy and exciting time. You’ve found just the perfect little bundle of fluff and now you are preparing to bring him home. Especially for the first-time kitty parent, knowing what to expect from your kitten’s first days in your home will help you better prepare for his arrival.

Give Kitty Time to Adjust. Once you get your new kitten home, he may feel overwhelmed and scared, and he may try to hide under a bed where you can’t interact with him. After all, he’s just been taken from what is probably the only home he’s ever known. He doesn’t know you or this new environment. It’s best to start him off in a small room, such as a bathroom, where you can visit with him in a quiet place and he can’t hide away. Bring some toys and treats, talk in soothing tones, and let him adjust to his surroundings and begin to feel comfortable with you before you let him explore the whole house. This could take just a few hours or several days.

Prepare A Quiet Place. Put his litter box and food in a quiet place where your kitten will be undisturbed and that he can get to easily. Putting the litter box near Fido’s dog bed is probably not an ideal set up. Be sure to keep the food and litter separated; cats do not like to eat near their litter boxes.

Kitten-Proof Your House. Many hazards lurk in your home, especially for curious kittens. Get down on his level and take a good look around. Make sure there are no buttons, twist ties, or anything else lying around that he may decide to eat. Keep strings and ribbons put away too, as ingesting these items could cause serious health problems or could prove fatal. Keep in mind that kittens are extremely high-energy, and will play with whatever they can reach. Put breakable knick knacks up high to prevent breakage. Likewise put your plants in a place that’s out of reach, too. Some plants are toxic to cats, and he may decide to have a taste!

Two are Better. When it comes to kittens, two are better than one, and will be easier for you, too. Kittens are bundles of boundless energy, and having a buddy to play with will keep your kittens well adjusted. As your kittens get older, those cute little play nips won’t feel so cute to you. Having a kitten buddy to rough house with will enable them to use those natural play behaviors on one another instead of on your hands and feet. Also if you work outside the home, your kittens will be much happier with a friend to spend the day with instead of being at home all day alone.

One last tip: be sure to spoil your new kittens with plenty of love and affection, and they will become your happy little companions for life.

Another year has come and gone. Did you keep your 2010 resolutions or are they going to be on your 2011 list? If you’re like me, you probably made some promises to your cat, too. But if not, there are some things you really should add to your list of resolutions that will make life better for both you and your cat.

Get a Check Up
Some people think if their cat doesn’t go outside or isn’t exposed to other animals that she doesn’t need to be seen by the vet. But even if your cat doesn’t go outside, a once-a-year checkup is important to her continued health and well being, especially as she ages. Call your vet and make that appointment today.

Microchips Keep You Together
You’ve said it a million times: “I need to get my cat a microchip.” So now it’s time to really do it. While you have your cat at the vet for his yearly wellness check, go ahead and get that microchip implanted. Should your cat ever be let outside accidently, a microchip will make it easier for you to be reunited. Here in earthquake prone Los Angeles, the added peace of mind of knowing your cat has a microchip is reason enough to get it done. LA Animal Services microchips all their animals, and also offers microchipping to the public for just $25.

Clean or Replace Cat Toys and Beds
Germy, smelly old cat toys and beds should be cleaned or replaced regularly. These items are a hotbed of bacteria for you and your cat. Offering new and different toys will also keep your cat from getting bored, so it’s ideal to swap toys in and out of use. This will also give you a chance to clean the ones that are washable and toss the ones that are worn out.

Daily Playtime
Make a promise to spend some time everyday playing with and petting your cat. It will make your bond stronger, and it will help alleviate boredom and restlessness in your cat. If you have problems with your cat waking you up in the middle of the night, an intense play session about 15 minutes before bedtime will help tire her out and give her the attention she craves, so she’ll let you sleep through the night.

Clean those Boxes
No one enjoys scooping the litter box, and perhaps you don’t do it quite as often as you should. A dirty litter box can lead to illness, as well as to behavior issues should you cat start avoiding its use. A clean, well tended litter box will be the first place your cat “goes” so scoop it out often. Completely empty and wash out your litter pans with a mild detergent at least once a month if you use clumping litter, more often if you use a non clumping litter.

The Buddy System
I hear a lot of people say “I’ve been thinking about getting another cat to give my cat a buddy.” But they never get past the thinking stage. There are many wonderful cats who are in need of loving homes, so if this is something you’ve been considering then now is the time to do it. A second cat will keep your kitty company while you are at work, and you will feel less guilty about being away all day. True, there will be a period of adjustment for your cats, but it won’t take long for them to become good buddies.

In this troubled economy, more and more families are having trouble keeping food on their own plates, let alone in their pet’s food bowls. It’s a sad fact that many families are having to give up their pets in order to ensure they get the food they need.

Tails Magazine has asked me to share an article with you about helping others to keep their furry family members fed. And if you are someone in need of help, please read this article for some resources that may be able offer you assistance.

Give a Little Kibble, Keep a Family Together

Now back to that first question, “Can’t I just leave my cat alone without a cat sitter for a day or two without issue?” The answer is NO. Cats can get sick and decline rather rapidly, or they can get themselves into a predicament inside your home while they are alone. If no one came by to care for them, your cat could be ill or in danger for many days. Also, animals, yes even cats, need lots of care, love and attention, and your professional pet sitter there to provide quality cat care for your precious felines.

Why not use cat boarding facilities, you might be asking. While there are many excellent cat boarding facilities that provide good cat care, they can be quite costly, especially if you have more than one cat. The cost of cat boarding can be at least DOUBLE the price of a home visit from a professional pet sitter. Additionally, when you use a cat boarding facility you also have to worry about getting your cat into a carrier, driving them to the place, often the day BEFORE your trip, then picking them back up again once you return home. More importantly, cats are territorial creatures, and boarding adds stress to their delicate systems. You may come home to a very sick, and unhappy, kitty cat.

Take your next vacation or business trip with the peace of mind that using a professional pet sitter can bring. Caring for your cat’s well being is our primary concern. Working in partnership with you, we will keep your cat safe, healthy, and happy until you return home to greet them.

Please click on the links above to learn more about me, about our cat sitting and feline behavior counseling services, and about what people are saying about Cats 90210 Professional Cat Sitters. Then call us at 310-734-6918 to set up your FREE get acquainted meeting today.

Rita Reimers
Feline Behaviorist and Founding CEO of Cats 90210 Los Angeles Cat Sitting

Do you remember the shy kid at school? You know the one; she would sit in the back of the room and hide behind her books, avoiding eye contact with everyone. Most people just ignored her, and never made any effort to get to know her. But not you! You knew there was a treasure hiding behind that book. Although she was hard to get to know, once you made the effort she became one of your best and most trusted friends.

It’s the same with the shy cat in your life. And perhaps that’s why you were drawn to that timid little bundle of fur. You brought your shy cat home, and she promptly hid under the bed or behind the dresser, only venturing out to eat or use the litter pan after everyone has gone to bed. Problem is, if you leave her to her own devices, she will stay that way and never bond with you or feel secure in her new home.

Like your shy best friend at school, these shy cats are true treasures, and with patience and the right approach, you can find the key to unlocking their love. Here are some guidelines to help you build a bond that will reward you both for a lifetime.

Don’t Ignore Her. It’s very easy to just ignore the shy cat and let her do as she pleases. But a shy cat can quickly turn into the stereotypical aloof feline if left alone all the time. This doesn’t mean you should crawl under the bed after her. But you should make time to sit beside her hiding place, talk to her in soothing tones and say her name often.

Bribery Works Wonders. Have a supply of kitty’s favorite treats with you as you talk with your shy one. Offer her a piece or two and eventually she will associate your presence with that yummy goodie. She will begin coming out of her hiding place more and more, establishing a bond with you as you give her what she craves. Eventually you will be able to pet her or give her a little scratch behind the ears, and she will begin to interact with you more and hide less.

Love Her Just The Way She Is. As the Billy Joel song says, you have to love her just the way she is. Shy kitties can become the most loyal of cats, but you can’t expect she will suddenly break out of her shell and become friendly with everyone in all situations. Shy cats usually let down their guard only for a few select people and in quiet situations. They quickly retreat to their hiding place when new people or loud noises are around.

Once your shy cat decides to trust you, you have truly won her love and devotion, just as you did when you befriended that shy kid at school. It’s a special bond that can never be broken. While you’re at it, why don’t you give your shy friend from school a call, too?

Cats are like potato chips, it’s hard to stop at one. And really, you shouldn’t. Despite the myth that cats are loners, cats are actually highly social creatures and are happiest when living with other cats. Whether you are looking to adopt an adult cat or a kitten, adopting two at the same time is actually easier for you, as well as for the cats, since they will look out for each other, play together, and keep each other company when you are busy or away from home.

Benefits

Here are a few ways that cats and kittens benefit from being adopted in pairs:
• Emotional Well Being: Cats and kittens that are home alone all day can develop bad habits, largely out of boredom. They may become destructive and break things, they may refuse to use the litter box, opting for your favorite rug instead, or they may even become depressed and ill. Two cats will keep each other company and ensure they do not become bored and lonely, and they will both be happy to greet you with love and affection once you return home.
• Socialization: Cats having the stimulation of another cat will remain active and social, while a cat that remains isolated and alone all day may become unresponsive. Lonely cats often begin to resist interaction with people and may instead opt to hide under your bed. When it comes to kittens, it’s even more important that they have a kitten buddy since they need almost constant stimulation, often more than we humans are able to provide. Additionally, kittens learn social behavior from each other during play, and they teach each other acceptable behaviors as they rough and tumble all over your house. If you already have an adult cat, or if you work long hours, adopting two kittens will be much easier for you. Also keep in mind that kittens who grow up alone often acquire bad behaviors, such as biting, that can be hard to break once they become adults.
• Transition Period: Cats and kittens adopted in pairs will have an easier time and experience less stress and trauma when you bring them home. Remember, they will be in a brand new environment with people who are strangers to them, and having a friend or sibling along will give them a sense of continuity and comfort as they get to know you and their new home.

Choosing Your Pair

When adopting older cats, if possible look for a pair that is already bonded to each other. Since there is no introduction period to go through, it is easier to adopt an already bonded pair than it is add a second cat later. It will also be very satisfying for you to give two cats who already love each other a second chance at living the rest of their lives together. If you are adopting kittens, siblings often transition well together into a new home since they’ve been together since birth. Watching siblings grow up together is a joy like no other, and their antics will amuse you for hours on end.

Give two cats or kittens a loving home today and you will get back twice the love in return. Who could ask for anything better than that!

It’s summertime, and with the spring and summer seasons also comes Kitten Season. That’s right, kittens do have a season when there is a sharp rise in the number of litters and the rescues, shelters, and back alleys become inundated with sweet furry babies.

If you’ve ever considered opening your home to a frisky feline or two, now is the perfect time to visit your local shelter. I know it can be hard to walk into a shelter, but those are the animals that need to find loving homes as quickly as possible.

The Found Animals Foundation, for whom I write a column, is sponsoring a Summer Buddies Program now through the month of September. When you adopt a cat or kitten at one of the Los Angeles shelters, Found Animals will pick up the cost of adopting a second cat or kitten. Adopting two is twice as nice, and offers many benefits to both you are your cat. I’ll be outlining those benefits in next month’s Pet Club Newsletter, so please go to www.foundanimals.org and join the Pet Club today!

And please, don’t forget “Yesterday’s kittens.” There are plenty of wonderful adult cats who need and deserve to have a loving home, but they aren’t always given a second look once the newest batch of kittens arrives. Some of these cats are young adults “left over” from last year’s kittens who weren’t lucky enough to get adopted. Some are cats whose owners have surrendered them for any number of reasons (more often than not, it is NOT a behavioral issue) and who crave the love and companionship of a home again. These cats are often the purrfect companions for busy households that don’t have the time or energy that tiny kittens require.

Whether you chose to adopt a kitten, a cat, or one of each, your feline friends will thank you for giving them a cozy place to live and special place on your bed as well as inside your heart.

One of my clients called me recently, panic filled her voice.  She had recently added a new cat to her feline family, and the rescue organization gave her “the talk” about pet foods. 

“My cats are so picky, they just won’t eat those fancy cat food brands. Am I going to make them sick if I feed them the grocery store brands?”

I have felt this same panic after watching my cats turn up their noses at various “healthy” cat foods in favor of the regular store brands. So I did some research about cat food and started reading labels. While I do not endorse nor denounce any brands in particular, I have found that you do not have to spend a fortune on cat food to provide a healthy diet. Here are a few guidelines to help take the worry out of feeding your cat.

• Research the internet. If you don’t know as much about your cat’s nutritional needs as you’d like, do a little Googling and read the information. But don’t let it overwhelm you. While there are plenty of great unbiased websites, there are also those created by the cat food companies that are aimed at selling you their products, sometimes using fear as a motivator. Be warned that some of what you read may be very upsetting.
• Not all cat food brands are alike. It pays to read the labels. If you see “meat by-products” in the list of ingredients, pass on that brand. Likewise if corn, wheat, or glutens are the main ingredients in the cat food, you may want to choose another brand that lists chicken or fish as the primary ingredient instead. 
• Unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian, feed a combination of dry and canned for optimal health. Canned cat foods can be up to 85% water, while commercial dry foods can be high in starch and calories. Fed separately, they often do not provide total nutrition (depending on brand and the state of your cat’s health). Fed together, they compliment one another.
• Watch those table scraps! If you are feeding a balanced diet, there is no need to feed your cat anything from your dinner plate. In fact some of the foods we eat can be harmful to your cat, such as onions and garlic. Our foods also tend to be too rich for your kitty’s sensitive tummy and vomiting may occur if she shares your dinner.
• Dog and Cat foods are not created equal. If you feed your cat a dog food diet, she will be deficient in the nutrients that cats need to maintain optimum health, such as taurine needed for eyesight and a healthy heart.
• Provide plenty of fresh water. Use a pet fountain to encourage her to drink if she doesn’t readily do so on her own.

If you stick to these guidelines and consult with your veterinarian, you will be feeding your cats the quality and nutrition they need to live a long and healthy life.

We pet Moms can feel a bit left out when it comes to Mother’s Day. I mean, how is your cat or dog supposed to sneak out of the house to buy us a gift anyway? Well now they won’t have to. My talented friend, Laura Silverman, has solved the shopping issue for our furry children by creating a line of beautiful bracelets that show off the love we feel for our pets.

Laura’s beautiful and colorful bracelets are each hand made with sterling silver cube beads that spell out out a four letter message of your pet’s choice. MEOW, WOOF, AND PURR are just a few of the most popular choices. Longer messages can also be created for a charge per additional silver bead. Customize your bracelet by choosing from an assortment of beautiful bead colors. I love my MEOW bracelet, and you will love yours, too!

Please visit Laura’s store on ETSY, Making It, and view her other creations too. Laura is wonderfully talented and I know you will find something at her store that you will cherish for a lifetime.

CATS 90210 SPECIAL: If you mention Cats 90210 or Rita Reimers, Laura will refund the shipping charges if you pay via Paypal!

The economic crisis continues to affect everyone, causing more and more dogs and cats to be given up by their families as they lose their jobs and their homes. This means more older pets than ever before are finding themselves in shelters and rescues, where many will live out the rest of their days without a loving family to call their own.

A few weeks ago, two kitties were surrendered to the rescue I volunteer with, Save-A-Life: Tiger, a male brown Tiger Tabby, and his litter mate, Crash, whom we renamed Lilly, a sweet kitty who looked like a Tabby/Siamese mix. Lilly was extremely frightened and cried loudly as we put her into a cage. I was able to reach in and pet her to calm her down. She then began displaying a very sweet and affectionate personality and a need to be loved and touched. She was very grateful for the love and comfort I offered to her. I wanted to crawl right into the cage with her and hold her. Tiger was put in the cage right next to hers. Although he didn’t cry, his body language told us that he was just as scared as Lilly. His tail was curled tightly around his body, and he turned his back to us. But he, too, responded positively when I reached into the cage to pet him.

Usually Diana, who owns the rescue, waits a week or two before bringing the adult cats back to be shown at the Petco adoptions, in order to let them settle down and regain some sense of security. But these two were different. There was something about Tiger and Lilly that made both Diana and I think they needed to be shown right away. Diana brought them back to Petco the next day. Tiger and Lilly, while still scared, were very eager to receive love and attention from us and often nudged their noses against our hands to ask for petting. A nice couple came into Petco to look at our cats and pick out a new addition to their family. After holding many of them, they both felt a strong pull toward Tiger and Lilly. They adopted them both, keeping brother and sister together.

This story has a happy ending. But they don’t all end that way. The lucky ones find new forever homes. The not so lucky ones get to live out their days in a rescue. The unlucky ones don’t get to live out a full life at all.

Please consider adopting an older cat or dog. These often overlooked pets will give you a lifetime of love and affection given a second chance at having a family to call their own. If you live in Los Angeles, please visit Save-a-Life’s Petfinder Page or come to the Westwood Petco some Saturday or Sunday between 3:30 and 6pm. We’ll help you find your new best friend.

Have you ever visited a pet supply store and felt like the cat section was just an afterthought? Many cat owners have felt this frustration, and some, like me, must visit multiple stores to find all the products they need for their feline family members.

Never fear, The Urban Pet is here! I was recently invited to meet co-owner Zack Grey at his brand new store in Silverlake, and I was quite impressed. The section dedicated to cat products was just as big as the dog section, and everything was neat, clean, and easy to access.  In addition to being a well known and very talented dog trainer, Zack also shares his home with 4 wonderful felines. He wanted fellow cat lovers to feel as at-home in his stores as dog lovers do by offering a variety of products that appeal to cats.

Fun toys for kitty, as well as grooming supplies, litter, cat food, and treats make this the most complete cat department I have ever seen at a pet supply store. There is an entire isle just for the cat litter! Only human-grade cat (and dog) food is carried at The Urban Pet, in an array of popular brands. You are sure to find something for even the most finicky cat palate. 

The $20 yearly membership fee entitles members to significant price discounts, as well as special sales events that offer additional discounts of up to 20%. You do not have to be a member to shop there, but by becoming a member I personally saved more than the membership fee on my first purchase alone. The Urban Pet also hosts vaccination clinics, as well as adoption events. 

The Urban Pet can also be found at their original location in West Hollywood, at Gardner and Beverly. This location is also home to Furtographs, an animal photography studio owned by the talented Andy Stolarek. Yes, he photographs cats as well as dogs, and his work is simply beautiful.

Zack and co-owner Karena Martin would like to see The Urban Pet become a central meeting place for pet owners, a place they can feel comfortable bringing their pets and meeting friends.  Please visit www.theurbanpet.net to learn more about The Urban Pet, and stop by one of their stores today. You will be very happy that you did, as it will easily become one of your favorite places to shop.

Silverlake: 4475 Santa Monica Blvd, Silverlake, CA 90029. 323-664-4700

West Hollywood: 7515 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036. 323-933-2100

Cat ownership brings much joy and companionship into a person’s life. But when kitty begins “missing” her litter box, the relationship between a cat and owner can become strained. Not knowing what else to do, often the owner will surrender kitty to a shelter or rescue. Left abandoned, these troubled cats are usually not re-adopted. Don’t let this setback, which is easy to address, prompt you to needlessly give up on your pet.

Here are seven things you can do to prevent this issue so it never starts.

1. Make sure you have enough litter boxes. While most experts agree that you should have one more box than the number of cats that share them, this isn’t always practical. If you have 1 for every two cats, that should be sufficient if they are scooped often.
2. Place the litter box in a low-traffic area that is easily accessible by your cat. If you put the box in an area that is constantly occupied, your cat may not use it. Likewise, if your cat has to walk past Rover’s sleeping spot to get to the box, she is likely to choose another place to “go.”
3. Don’t put food and litter box next to each other. Cats will not eat where they eliminate, so a litter that is close to the food bowl will probably not be used.
4. Make sure the litter box is large enough to accommodate your kitty. If her hind end sticks out when she is inside, she either will not use it or her aim will be directed toward your floor.
5. Your cat may prefer a litter box without a lid. Although you might like that the lid helps contain spillage and odor, your cat may prefer the wide open spaces of a non-lidded box.
6. Provide a cat litter your cat likes. You might have to change brands or types a few times until you find the one your cat prefers. Be mindful that some types of cat litter are hard on tender paws, especially if your cat is declawed. Fine textured sand-like pieces are easier on paws than large chunky pieces with sharp edges.
7. Clean the box often. Scooping alone isn’t enough. At least once a month, empty the box and wash with hot water and an enzyme killing product such as Nature’s Miracle or Zero Order. Then refill with fresh litter.

Iris Goldman, a long-time client of mine, was amazed at how these simple tips could make such a big difference. “Until I followed this advice, my Cinderella would often find other places to go. I made just a few adjustments to where I place the litter boxes and the type of litter I use, and it made the problem disappear.”

If you follow these steps, your home should stay odor free. Should kitty begin missing the box despite having taken these precautions, this could indicate a serious medical issue. Have your cat thoroughly checked by a veterinarian before assuming the issue is behavioral. Once your cat is given a clean bill of health, consult a cat behaviorist to work with you and your cat. There are solutions if you are committed to working with your cat, your veterinarian, and your behaviorist.

You walk into a pet store, and one of the local shelters is holding adoptions. You walk over to the cages, just to say hello, but once you see the kittens you are hooked. You impulsively decide to adopt one (or two!). It’s so easy to fall in love at first sight when you look into the eyes of a kitten. The sweet little face, tiny paws, boundless energy all captivate us and bring out our parental instincts.

But there are some things to consider before deciding to add a kitten to your household and before choosing which one to adopt.

• Make sure the kittens look healthy. If there is discharge from the eyes or nose, the kitty probably has a cold or an infection. This doesn’t mean you cannot adopt the kitten, but just know she might require some special care and perhaps medication for awhile when you get her home.
• Is the kitten playing with her litter mates or is she sitting by herself? A kitten that sits alone might be less social than her litter mates and may prefer a quiet household without other pets or young children.
• Do you have an older adult cat at home already? If so, you would have an easier job if you adopt two kittens instead of one. Kittens learn social behavior from each other. During rough play, they teach each other acceptable behaviors and they expel that high kitten energy on each other. Your adult cat might not enjoy being the center of these antics, but she might enjoy watching the two of them rough house.
• If you work long house, a kitten might not be the best choice for you, again unless you adopt two. If you want just one kitten, an older cat might be a better choice if you are away at work most of the day.

These are just a few of the things that should be considered before you add a kitten, or any pet, to your life. Animals are a lifetime commitment of 10 to 15 (or more) years, and along the way they will need food, toys, vet care, and plenty of love and affection. If you are not prepared to provide that many years of care, perhaps saying hello at the adoptions, or volunteering with a shelter or rescue, would be a better choice for you.

On a cold and rainy day like today, I can’t help but think of all those homeless kitties living outside, unable to come in from the elements, unable to find food, unable to find warmth, unable to find love.

More cats than ever before are homeless, in part due to this economy. It’s one thing to think of the feral cats living outside; they are (somewhat) used to it.  But I look at my own ten felines lying around me and wonder, “how would you ever have made it if you were living out there?” 

Unfortunately, many people are finding themselves in a position to make painful choices about what they can, and cannot, afford. Often, the family pets lose. Thinking they are doing the “right thing” for Fluffy, many people decide to put their cats outside to live, thinking they will be able to fend for themselves. The truth is, there is a world of difference between a feral cat, one who has street smarts and hunting skills, and the cats we let sleep on our beds with us at night. Your housecat is not used to being out in the cold, is not physically fit, probably cannot hunt, and definitely isn’t savvy enough to handle a fight with a street cat, a dog, or, worse, a coyote.

Ideally, pet ownership is a lifetime commitment. However, if you find yourself in circumstances that are forcing your to give up your cat, the best thing you can do is to research the internet first.  There are many organizations that will help people in need by providing cat food and low-cost veterinary care, so take a little time to search for the ones in your city. If you still cannot keep you kitty, many shelters, while at capacity, will attempt to find room for your cat if at all possible. Some require a donation, as taking care of a great number of animals is costly even for them.  A better solution might be to ask friends and family to temporarily give your cat a home until you are in a position to take her back. 

Your cat will thank you for it.

Articles that may be of help:

Pet Food Assistance Programs: http://tinyurl.com/ydqetcv

Cutting the Cost of Pet Food: http://tinyurl.com/yduna89

Low Cost Pet Products: http://tinyurl.com/y8yqza

Pet Food Coupons: http://tinyurl.com/yaktogq

Help with Vet Bills: http://tinyurl.com/yauddfc

The holidays are upon us again, and in all the excitement and rushing around we sometimes forget about our furry companions. Decorations, holiday preparations, and parties might be fun, but they can create dangers and stress for both you and your cat.

Please consider the following as you prepare for the festivities, so you and your cat and have a peaceful and happy holiday:

• Holiday decorations with glue and glitter may attract your cat, but can cause harm if eaten. Hang those high on your tree or mantle, or better yet avoid them altogether.
• If you put up a tree, your cat may decide to try to climb it. Also, watch those low hanging ornaments; noses and tails can knock them over and your cat may get hurt on the broken pieces.
• Wrapping your packages with ribbons and string may be irresistible to kitty, and she decide to chew on them. These items can get twisted inside your cat’s intestines if swallowed, and that could prove fatal.
• Poinsettia plants are among the most toxic of plants for cats and can be fatal if eaten. Skip them if you have a cat, or you may end up with a very sick kitty and a vet bill you didn’t count on.
• Be careful using candles! Noses and tails could get burned if your cat decides to get too close!
• If you have a party, it might be a good idea to put your cat in a separate room with a cozy bed, his favorite treats, and maybe some soothing music. Put a “do not enter” sign on the door. The sight of a house full of strangers can panic a cat, and all the opening and closing of your front door could also give your cat ample opportunity to escape into the night. I know one person who hires his cat sitter to stay with his kitty in another room whenever he gives a party.

Also, don’t forget to make time to give your cat playtime and lots of love. In the business of the season, it’s easy for your cat to get neglected. Do remember to give your kitty a gift! A special toy or treat will make your kitty feel like she is part of the celebration. 

The love she gives you all year long is worth these simple steps to ensure she remains a healthy and happy part of your family.

When I was just 19 years old, I was driving home from work on a very dark winter night in Buffalo, New York, when I saw something dart across the road. It was a rabbit, and I couldn’t stop in time on the icy road. I hit it, and I cried all the way home. I never forgot it, and to this day I always keep my eyes on the lower part of the road when I am driving, in case an animal darts across my path. I have stopped for many squirrels and, unfortunately, for way too many cats.

Just yesterday I was driving down a residential street in Beverly Hills on my way to a cat sit, when I saw movement at the side of the road just a few houses ahead of me on my left. Suddenly, there was a streak in the middle of the road as a beautiful young cat, maybe six months old, decided to cross the street. She saw me and stopped dead in her tracks. She was frozen like a deer caught in the headlights, and I felt her fear as she looked into my eyes through my windshield. Lucky for her, I was paying attention. I stopped and rolled down my window to asssure her that I wouldn’t hit her, and she continued to cross the street.

Cat lover that I am, I pulled over and got out of my car to make sure she was alright. This pretty little muted tortie greeted me, hoping up on a retaining wall to rub her face against my hand and thank me for not hurting her. Just then, an orange and white kitty came out from the bushes and jumped  up on the wall as well, purring his happiness at having a visitor stop to see him. I felt uneasy leaving them, but they acted as if they lived at this house so I didn’t want to take someone’s pet. A look at the collar of the orange kitty confirmed they were indeed in front of their home. Well, he was at least; my new tortie friend didn’t have a collar. I couldn’t resist saying out loud “You two need to stay out of the street now, and ask your momma to let you come inside!”

I see it all the time; kitties roaming around outside, some with collars and some without, who are obviously not the feral kind. While in the natural cats are outdoorsy type animals, those that live in the city and are domesticated have no place being outside where all sorts of dangers await. For example:

• Your cat could be hit by a car
• She could be taken by a well-meaning stranger, like me
• A dog, raccoon, or other animal could attack them
• People who don’t like animals could hurt them, or worse
• She could be exposed to diseases like Rabies and Feline AIDS (FiV)
• Fleas and Ticks, need I say more?
• Animal Control could pick them up and take them to the pound

Did you know that indoor cats have an estimated lifespan of over 15 years, while their outdoor brethren can expect to live only 5?  If you have a cat in your family that you adore, please please consider keeping them inside. Although it might take some patience to get your cat used to remaining inside, the benefits to her health and longevity will be well worth the adjustment. She will purr her thanks and warm your bed for a very long time!

I have a 10-year-old brother/sister pair of brown tiger tabby cats named Trouble and Sweet Pea. They are both wonderful kitties, great in temperament but as different as night and day. Sweet Pea is a docile kitty and is very true to her name!  It’s rare to see her act any other way than as the submissive girl that she is.

On the other hand, her brother Trouble can be very true to his name. He is sweet and good natured most of the time. He is my unofficial Alpha male, only choosing to exert his power when absolutely necessary. Mostly he struts around acting like he needs nothing from me but food, but then he will sometimes cry at my feet, asking to be picked up and cuddled like a little baby as he kneads my shoulder (OUCH) and rubs his face into my neck as he purrs. If any other kitty comes around while he is snuggling with momma, watch out!  He will definitely smack them until they go away. I have to laugh at what a complete baby this 17-pound cat becomes when he wants momma to hold him as he pretends to suckle like a little kitten.

Then there are times like this morning… He has this one bad habit that I literally cannot see coming. Sometimes when I am sound asleep, he will decide to reach out and grab my nose in his mouth and bite down hard! This morning he woke me by doing this, and I saw stars as I raced to the bathroom with blood pouring out of the two gashes he put in my nose with his teeth. As I leapt out of bed, I did notice that one of  the kittens was lying on the other side of me in bed. I can only deduce that it was an act of jealousy over another kitty straying into his sleeping place beside me. No matter the reason, it was very painful and I admit I cursed him as I was trying to stop the blood!

I tell you this story to let you know there are times when even someone with my 25 years of cat experience cannot predict the actions of our feline friends, nor explain just why they do what they do.  They are, after all, animals with unique qualities and habits that at times cannot be understood.  Even my Feline Behavioral studies can’t help with this one; a behavior that happens while I am asleep cannot really be corrected, since I am not awake to see the signs of a strike about to happen and divert his attention elsewhere.

I suppose I could banish him from sleeping in my bed with me. But I adore my Trouble, despite the pain of this morning, and could never sleep without him beside me.  But I do wonder; I should begin sleeping with one of those masks covering my nose?

I have a houseful of cats, as you no doubt know by now. They range in age from the nearly 6-month-old Peanut to 15-year-old Precious, ten in total. The problem is they don’t always like the same food. Imagine me at meal time with 10 mouths meowing as 20 eyes look up at me, begging me to please feed them something yummy. I can almost hear them say “Please, Mommy, give me something I will love tonight, please please please!” Although we finally got them all on the same good quality hard foods (BG and Royal Canin Selective), they have still been eating Fancy Feast canned food, which I know it not the most nutritionally complete. Not all of them will eat the same type either; 4 of them eat only the grilled variety, 3 of them only the gourmet, and the other 4 like a bit of both on their plates. And sooner or later, they will decide to stop eating flavors that they used to love, leaving me perplexed as to what in heaven’s name to feed them!

As I was lamenting my problem at a local petfood store, the salesperson there recommended that I try Weruva brand canned cat food. He told me that the most finicky cats love this food. I have heard that before about some other brands, so I was a bit skeptical, especially when I saw the $1.89 price on the 5.5 ounce can. I figured I would need 3 of these per meal and I feed my cats canned food three times a day! I love my cats though, and the thought of them turning up their noses at another meal was too much for me to take, especially now that we were through that massive illness I had (see August 24th post). SO I bought a few cans and thought that I was probably wasting my money.

I got home and decided to try the Weruva at their mid day meal. The moment I opened these cans, I had a kitchen full of cats at my feet. Even the ones who usually wait for me to bring the plates to them were coming into the kitchen. I opened the Grandma’s Chicken Soup flavor, and it actually looked like something I would eat. It is human grade food so in theory you CAN eat it yourself. It even smelled good. The food is very solidly packed so two cans was enough to split among my 10. They didn’t just eat it; they inhaled it! My most finicky cat, a 5-year-old Maine Coon named Abby who suffers from IBS, went around to all the other plates as each cat finished, and she licked the plates so clean that they hardly looked as if they ever had any food on them! The next morning we tried the Mack and Jack flavor, and again we had an instant hit! I ran back to the petfood store and bought a case of Mack and Jack and a case of Paw Lickin’ Chicken, the latter being their favorite one at the moment.

It is expensive though, and with so many feline mouths to feed I cannot give it to them at every meal. I give it to them in the morning, and the mid day and evening feedings we revert to Fancy Feast. Four of them will sometimes eat Eagle Rock brand, but not always, and I dearly wish I could afford to give them Weruva exclusively. I wrote to Weruva and told them how much my cats love it and lamented a bit about the price. Stacy Forman herself, who founded Weruva with her husband David, wrote to me the very next day to tell me about a less expensive line that have created called Best Feline Friend, www.bestfelinefriend.com.  So far I have not been able to locate it here in Los Angeles; although I can find it online, the shipping cost would outweigh any savings over the original Weruva brand, but as soon as I locate it I will have my cats review it for you!

Please visit www.weruva.com. This is a company with a feline heart, providing a “Cat House” and loving care for some of the homeless cats in their area. Do give Weruva a try and see if your picky kitties love it as much as mine do!

My friend and fellow pet sitter Jane called me last week to discuss a situation with a cat she was sitting. She was very concerned. Laddie had been acting oddly, not eating, hiding instead of greeting her at the door. He just wasn’t his usual self. Jane was in communication with his owner, but it was the second day of this and Laddie was showing definite signs of distress. The lastest sign was when Jane found him lying on the floor with his head perched at the edge at the Pet Fountain. I headed over to help, as Jane and Laddie’s owner arranged for an emergency vet visit at a local Cat Hospital.

When I arrived, I found that Laddie had collapsed on the floor of the bathroom, trying to hide behind the toilet. His body was so still, at first I was sure that he was dead. But then his head lifted ever so slightly and he uttered a weak meow as I laid my hand on his side. Jane and I worked quickly to gently lift him up and place him inside of a soft cat carrier, his weak cries breaking both of our hearts. There wasn’t a moment to spare.

We arrived at the vet’s office within five minutes, and Dr. Beth immediately took him in to be examined. Laddie’s condition and gone down rapidly and we were all very worried.

We had good reason to be worried. Laddie was diagnosed with a complete urinary blockage, a problem male cats seem to have more frequently than female cats due to the narrow urinary passage in the penis. Laddie had a very high level of toxicity in his body, and later we were told he would not have made it had we not brought him in as quickly as we did. A dietary change was prescribed for Laddie to include wet food in his diet; this will help to insure he is getting adequate water in his system. Adequate water intake is one of the keys to prevention of this condition. He will be watched closely over the next several weeks to be sure there is no permanent damage to his body.

I am happy to report that Laddie is now back home with his very happy mommy and kitty sister. Thanks to Jane’s quick concern and observation of Laddie’s behavioral changes, he will be back to full health again very soon.

If you would like more information about urinary blockages in cats, please consult the following websites:

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/healthcenter/cats/organ/flutd.html

http://www.pets.ca/articles/blocked-urethra-cat-dog.htm

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_urinary_blockage.html

http://www.cat-health-guide.org/feline-urinary-syndrome.html

Rita Reimers, Owner of Cats 90210 Cat Sitters, and Jane Lotte, Owner of Catatude Cat Sitters, offer superior care to the cats of Los Angeles, California.

As you know, I share my happy home with 10 wonderful felines. No, I didn’t set out to become the “Kra-zee Kat Lady” but I have accomplished that station in life nonetheless. I love each and every one of my kitties and I could not imagine my life without any of them.

But over the last two weeks, I had a strange virus infect my brood, and it was very serious. I have never seen anything make my cats so sick, and I watched as it spread from one to another to another. It started with my 14-year-old, Sebastian. Throwing up and diarrhea were accompanied by a severe loss of appetite, and of course it began on a Friday evening. It quickly spread to my two 10-year-old twins, Trouble and Sweet Pea, and it was those two who were hit the hardest. Abby was also showing signs, but she has IBS and is also prone to very bad hair balls plus a finicky appetite, so it was hard to tell if what she has was something other than her usual problems.

By Monday it had spread to 5-month-old Peanut (aka Peanut Butter), who despite throwing up was still running around the house like a fearless lion. He and 6-month-old Boo-Boo were set to be neutered the next day, but I cancelled that and brought Trouble and Peanut in to see Dr. Reina.

Dr. Reina couldn’t put his finger on just what was going on. Peanut had a fever so we put him on antibiotics, and since he was still strong enough to fight me (my arms were bloody from the struggle to get him into his carrier), the doctor gave him subq fluids rather than have me do it at home. I was sent home with two bags of fluid and a handful of needles, with instructions to give these fluids to Trouble, Sweet Pea, and Sebastian (and again to Peanut if needed).

I was able to give them all the subq fluid without any fighting, that’s how bad they all felt. Peanut went into the closet after I gave him his antibiotic, and all still refused to eat.  By Tuesday morning, Peanut was eating and was no longer having any signs of illness, so I wasn’t as worried about him anymore. Sebastian had begun to eat a bit so I was feeling better about him too. But Sweet Pea and Trouble were still so sick that on Tuesday evening I had my mobile vet, Dr. Fox, come over to take a look at them. Because they are both such big cats, Dr. Fox and I were very concerned about their lack of appetite. Although they weren’t depressed and lethargic, it was still worrisome that they had gone so long without food.

Dr. Fox gave Trouble and Sweet Pea each a vitamin B shot to help with their lack of adequate nutrition over the last several days, and he also gave me some transdermal medications for acid stomach and nausea. These would hopefully settle their tummies so they would feel more like eating and to stop them from throwing up. I was to continue the subq fluids. As soon as Dr. Fox left, Sweet Pea threw up all over the bed, and I was up until midnight washing the bed linens. Barely an hour after the clean sheets and spread were back on the bed, she threw up again.

The next day, Wednesday morning, Precious joined in with diarrhea and throwing up.  Pinky also had a touch of diarrhea but was eating fine. Sweet Pea was now beginning to eat, and by mid day was following me into the kitchen to ask for food. Sebastian was back to normal completely. But Trouble still refused to eat. I stopped by Dr. Fox’s house and he gave me yet another transdermal gel, prescription strength Pepcid. I gave it to Trouble, Sweet Pea, and Precious.  All during this time, I had pet sits to do, and I disinfected myself and put on fresh clothes before going to care for my client’s cats, just as a precaution since we really didn’t know what kind of illness were dealing with. I was exhausted from being up all night and all day nursing my cats and caring for other people’s cats. I don’t know how people with children manage it.

By Thursday afternoon, Trouble started eating at long last! It was over 5 days since his last meal and I was so relieved to see him eat a little bit. Precious hadn’t stopped eating for very long, thanks to the medications, and Pinky thankfully never had any symptoms after that one bout with diarrhea. We still had some diarrhea going on with the a few of the older cats, but no more throwing up thankfully.

Friday everyone showed more improvement and I was sure the rest of my cats were going to get away without becoming ill.  But then Smokey began throwing up on Saturday morning. I again broke out the medications for acid tummy and applied them to his ear right away.

It’s now Monday night. After 10 days of illness and some very real concern that I was going to lose my two 10-year-olds, we are on day 2 of no illness! Punkin and Boo-Boo managed to make it without ever becoming ill, I am happy to say, but 8 of my 10 had come down with some degree of this illness. I cannot stress enough how important it is to be aware of changes in your cat’s behavior, including elimination habits and especially eating habits. It takes more vigilance when you have multiple cats to keep track of everyone’s state of health, but it is even more important when you have several cats. Had I not been on top of things and called my veterinarians right away, the consequences could have been much more serious.

Rita Reimers, Owner of Cats 90210 Professional Cat Sitting Service (www.cats90210.com), lost her beloved Sadie kitty in January of 2009. After spending a week in bed, filled with pain, guilt, and grief with nowhere to turn to find other people who have been through it, she decided to write a book about the experience.

A sequel to “Sadie’s Heart”, the book “Sadie’s Heart Two” will be a collection of stories about the love and loss of our beloved cat companions. It is a book meant to warm the heart and uplift the spirit in the face of profound sadness and loss, and it’s goal is to help others feel less alone and guide them beyond the grief to remember the love and joy their kitties leave behind. 

Would you like your story to be considered for inclusion in this book or a future book?  Please send a short paragraph outlining your story to Rita. You can mail it to Sadie’s Heart, 264 S. LaCienega Blvd, Ste 1182, Beverly Hills CA 90211, Email it to sadiesheart@cats90210.com, or fax it to 323-651-1697. Be sure to include your email address and phone number so she can contact you.