Does your cat make too much noise? Try Kitten Mittens!
Ok, it's not a real product--it's a really funny promo for the upcoming season of one of my favorite shows, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
--Spanno
There are many reasons why cats will urinate outside of the litter box. This post is not going to talk about the reasons so much as trying to address the importance of seeking help early in the process.
The likelihood of a cat inappropriately urinating is about 10% for each cat that you own. So that means if you have three cats there is a 30% chance, five cats 50% chance and 10 cats 100% chance that someone will not be using the litter box. The duration of the problem also has a lot to do with the chance of being able to fix the problem. If the problem has been going on one month or less there is a good chance that we can fix the inappropriate elimination. If the problem has been taking place for 3 months, it is possible to help. If the problem has been persisting for 6 months or more, it is almost impossible to resolve the problem 100%.
When you go see the veterinarian, your visit will include a complete history--so plan on answering a lot of questions--and a physical exam. This is so that the veterinarian has a better chance of determining the triggering event. To help decide if the problem is medical or behavioral your veterinarian may recommend a complete diagnostic work-up that can include blood work, urinalysis with a urine culture (to look for infection), x-rays, and possibly an ultrasound of the bladder. Once the work up is complete the veterinarian will be able to make a treatment plan for your cat. This is not something that will get better overnight. Our goal is always to stop the inappropriate behavior as soon as possible. In order to do that you may go home with a long list of things to do to start the process.
To help your cat your veterinarian may prescribe/recommend several different things for you to do at once. He/she will address any medical problems as well as give you tips on how to change the litter box, household issues, and behavior problems. One litter box tip to try and prevent inappropriate urination in a multi-cat household is to make sure that you have one litter box for every cat that you own plus an extra one and keep all of them very clean. Most importantly, if you are having a problem with your cat’s urination behavior see your vet right away! The longer you wait the less likely that the problem will be able to be resolved.
Photo of a litterbox loving cat from Laruen Paulsen's photostream.
--Dr. Wohlwend
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Dr. Wohlwend is a small animal veterinarian in Renton, WA and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Riana Van Nieuwenhuizen of South Africa shares her home with 11 cats and two snacks dogs. The cats include four cheetahs, five lions, and two tigers. She bought the cats to save the species' from extinction, so she's not completely insane. But still, I can't see this ending well.
Read more about the cats at Mail Online.
--Spanno
Bringing home your new pet for the first time is very exciting but, along with the excitement, comes the daunting task of house training. For some young pets (most kittens) housetraining is almost instinctual, but if your new kitten does not take to the litterbox, there are a few things to check. Be sure to have the litterbox in an easily accessible, quiet location. Also, your kitten’s sense of smell is sensitive and your kitten may find scented litter too strong. Switch to an unscented litter and, to keep the litter smelling fresh, use a litter odor remover like Hartz Nodor.
Puppies need a little more training. Some things to remember when starting:
1. Do not leave a puppy without access to a potty area during the day for longer than your pup’s age in months plus one (in hours). This means a 2-month-old puppy should not be left for more than three hours without a chance to relieve itself. Puppy training pads can provide a suitable area when your puppy needs to be left alone.
2. When you are at home and awake, take your puppy outside at least once per hour. Watch your puppy for signs that once per hour is too long; some young puppies cannot wait this long. Puppy training pads can help while your puppy is loose in the house.
3. Give lots of praise when your puppy potties in the right area.
With a little guidance, you can have your new companion house-trained and a welcomed addition to your family.
--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
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Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
The joys of cat ownership come with one major downside--the litterbox. While there is not much one can do to get away from this necessity, there are some things you can do to help keep your home odor free.
Litter Choice
Using a good quality clumping litter will not only help you during cleaning but will help trap odors. Know that some cats do not like heavily perfumed litter. Other litter varieties have surfaced recently; pine, wheat, and corn litters as well as crystal litters are available. Trial and error may be in order to determine which works best for you and your cat.
Keep It Clean
In addition to daily scooping, litter (even clumping litter) needs to be dumped periodically and the litterbox needs to be scrubbed with bleach and water.
Keep It Fresh
After scooping (between cleanings) remember to top off the litter with new litter. Not only will this keep the litter “fresh” for your cat, but also will keep odors down. A litter deodorizer can also help in-between scrubbings. A product like Hartz Nodor will eliminate the odor without covering-up the odor with a heavy scent. Remember that a cat’s nose is a sensitive organ.
With a little effort on your part, your house can remain odor free.
--Dr. Melinda, Hartz R&D Team
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Dr. Melinda is the resident veterinarian at Hartz and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Hairballs in cats should be taken seriously as many serious problems can arise if they are left untreated. If your cat cannot rid itself of a hairball through defecating or vomiting the hairball may cause a blockage in the intestinal tract. Severe cases of cat hairballs can be life-threatening and may need to be removed surgically. Some common signs of a hairball problem are loss of appetite, vomiting, straining to defecate (constipation) or an increase in the number of hairballs you are finding around the house.
How do Cats Get Hairballs?
Hairballs are formed due to ingestion of too much hair. Cats with long hair are especially susceptible just due to the nature of their coat (long strands of hair) and these cats also have to groom more often to keep themselves clean and free of matts. This does mean that cats with short hair don't get hairballs as hairballs can also be caused by a behavioral problem. Often times, cats that develop hairballs are either compulsive, bored or stressed out. Sometimes they are grooming themselves excessively due to a flea infestation or allergy. You can help this behavior by using a monthly flea prevention and by redirecting their energy and attention to fun activities such as playing and giving them things to play in and around (like boxes, hiding tubes and scratching posts).
Prevention is the Key
An oral laxative, like Laxatone, coats any swallowed hair and contains a lubricant for easy digestion. Diets that are especially formulated to prevent hairballs, like Science Diet Hairball Control, work great and are very palatable. I would recommend the use of these products for anyone who owns a long-haired cat even if they aren't currently having any problems with hairballs. Cat treats with hairball remedy are also available however, there is usually not enough laxative in the treats to be effective. Regular grooming is also an great way to prevent hairballs. Brush your cat as often as possible to get rid of excess hair. By doing this you will decrease the amount of hair your cat will swallow.
Photo from lillyruth's photostream.
--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Many clients ask me "What is catnip and is it safe for my cat?" Catnip is a perennial herb belonging to the mint family. Scientifically it is known as "Nepeta cataria". The plant is a weed-like mint that was introduced to North America from the Mediterranean. The active ingredient in catnip is called Nepetalactone for which cats have a special receptor. The response to this chemical is mediated through the olfactory (smell) system. Nepetalactone is thought to mimic the effects of phermones.
The response to catnip can be very dramatic in some cats: rolling, licking, rubbing, drooling, jumping, running, growling. Most of these behaviors will last 5-15 minutes. Other cats may appear to be sedated after exposure. Some very young or very old cats do not respond as much, or at all, to catnip. Approximately 25% of the cat population does not respond to catnip at all, at any age. This is due to genetics as reactions to catnip are hereditary. Some cats are genetically "programmed" to respond to catnip, some are not.
Despite all of the strange behaviors seen with catnip, it is completely non-toxic to cats. If a large quantity of fresh catnip is consumed, you may see some vomiting or diarrhea, but this is rare and self-limiting. If your cat experiences this, limit the amount of catnip he comes in contact with or withhold catnip all together.
Photo from elrina753's photostream.
--Dr. Hinson
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Dr. Hinson is a mixed animal veterinarian in Tampa, FL and a regular contributor to Wag Reflex.
Answer your cat’s questions and become an expert at reading their mood by observing facial expressions, ears, and eyes. Although you and your cat may speak different languages, it doesn’t mean you can’t communicate with each other. While every cat is different, there is a common code of expression--a set of signals--that you can learn to read easily.
Indicators such as the look in your cat’s eyes, the tone of her voice, the position of her ears and the motion of her tail can provide important clues regarding your companion’s feelings and intentions. For example, if your cat raises his or her head and then lowers it, someone is getting too close or if your cat points his ears and opens his eyes this means it is play time.
As you become more familiar with your cat’s behavioral tendencies, you will begin to better understand their language, like if your cat crouches low to the ground, he is feeling uncomfortable. If your cat stands on his toes, you are probably being asked to pick him up and everyone knows that raised hair on the back and a puffed-out tail are universal signs of hostility or defensiveness.
Answering your cat’s questions is all about listening to your cat’s needs. You can learn a lot from your cat’s wide vocabulary of chirps and meows. You will know when it is time to get up, when your cat is feeling affectionate, or when your cat is hungry. Sometimes your cat might not even have something to tell you but will simply meow in passing just to say hello. Also pay attention to your cat’s actions like when he stops using the litter box--this could mean he is getting a bladder infection. Cats associate the litter box with the pain they feel when urinating and avoid it all costs. Other things that might disturb your cat might have to do with a change in routine. Whatever it is, make sure you are paying attention the signs so you can best serve the needs of your cat.
--Simple Solution Pet Care Team
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Simple Solution specializes in pet care products that cater to the needs of pet owners. Their team regularly contributes to Wag Reflex.
FURminator has launched two new fancy-looking de-shedders to their popular lineup. I haven't tried them out on my hairy beast yet, but I'll let you know if/when I do.
FURminator deShedding Tool with Double Edge
The first is a double-bladed version which is supposed to remove hair "twice as fast". We have one in the office and it's as heavy-duty as the other FURminators. While the base appears blue in this image, it's really black. Every time I look at it, it reminds me of a razor. I can only assume a three-bladed version is in the works.
FURminator deShedding Tool with FURejector
The second new FURminator is just like the original except it solves one my pet peeves (unintended, I swear!). I find it annoying to have to use two hands to get the hair out of the blade. It's difficult when you're using one hand to keep your dog from walking away. This one has what they call a "FURejector", which is a button on the back that ejects the hair trapped in the blade. Again, it looks blue, but it's really black.
If you buy either of these, let us know what you think of them by leaving a comment.
--Spanno
