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Archive for the ‘Pet Health’ Category

A recent veterinary usage study sponsored by Bayer revealed 58 percent of people owned by cats say their pets hate going to the vet. Of course, this will come as no surprise to those of you who share your life with one or more feline companions.

Many of the kitty parents included in the study admitted they avoid veterinary visits for their cats because every aspect of the ordeal is stress-inducing — from preparing to leave home, to the ride to the clinic, to the visit itself.

Since kitties are masterful at hiding signs of illness, it’s imperative cat owners understand the need for regular professional wellness exams. This is especially true for aging cats and those with chronic illness.

Understanding how to compassionately and respectfully handle a cat on a vet visit can go a long way toward reducing stress and delivering good health care. Unfortunately, feline stress can escalate to fear and/or fear-related aggressive behavior. When this happens, it can alter the results of a physical exam and lab tests and lead to a wrong diagnosis.

According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), one of the developers of the new guidelines, “Understanding innate behaviors and adapting environmental and handling recommendations to minimize stress is a major focus of these Guidelines.”

The new suggested procedures, Feline-Friendly Handling Guidelines, point out certain innate cat behaviors and how you can work with them to potentially make vet visits less stressful.

Vets in the practice who treat felines, as well as all clinic staff, should be knowledgeable about how to safely and effectively manage every type of kitty, from the most docile to the most aggressive.

By Lambeth Hochwald for The Daily Cat

Many is the cat owner who comes home to find the resident feline sprawled out on the couch — in exactly the same place it was several hours before. If this sounds familiar, then your cat is probably in need of a little feline physical fitness.

Exercise is beneficial to your cat in several ways. For one, it can alleviate the boredom that sometimes leads to bouts of bad behavior, says Nancy Peterson, an issues specialist at The Humane Society of the United States in Washington, D.C. A little workout might ward off situations that involve chewing the legs of your dining room chairs, swinging on curtains, playing with your clothing, and so on.

Regular exercise can also keep your pet healthy and prevent disease. According to Peterson, heavier cats face a higher risk of developing heart problems and feline diabetes. And the more your cat exercises, the greater its muscle strength and flexibility, says James R. Richards, a veterinarian and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in Ithaca, New York. “A lot of cats live indoors these days, which is beneficial for their health in terms of keeping them away from infectious agents outdoors. But we have a lot of bored, fat, couch potato cats out there. The high point of their day is when they jump off the couch and head to the feeding dish.”

Consider it your job to keep your cat interested in some sort of exercise, says Jean Duddy, DVM, a veterinarian who specializes in internal medicine at Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston. “If your cat tends to be sedentary and you don’t change that pattern, it will remain sedentary,” she says. “Keep at it even when your cat walks away.”

Experiment with different toys until you find some that capture your cat’s interest and excitement. Some felines love interactive wand-like gadgets that prompt them to leap in the air, while other cats prefer to sit in hiding and pounce on objects, says Peterson. “Even older cats can be enticed to play with most wand toys,” Peterson says. “But regardless of age, what’s most important is to make exercise a routine part of the day. An adult cat will benefit from at least twice-a-day play sessions, preferably at set times.” To keep things fun, rotate the toys on a weekly basis so that boredom doesn’t set in. 

Finally, if your cat is already overweight, be sure to speak to your veterinarian before jump-starting a regular exercise routine. Your vet can rule out any underlying medical issues that should be treated, or considered, in advance.

Lambeth Hochwald is a New York City-based writer and editor who adores a sweet, loyal, adopted little dog named Ginger

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