Welcome to Tittle-Tattle, an online notebook about cats.  Please understand, these articles are not meant to be used as medical advice.  Always talk to your vet about what is best for your kitty. 

PHOTO OF THE MONTH!

"Daschi" - Shaded Silver Persian

PET FOOD RECALL LIST

     Learn more about the foods that can make your cat sick...(Click HERE)

Tip of the Month

     Keep you cat's food and water bowls clean at all times.  Make sure to sterilize often.  Avoid using plastic bowls - stainless steel is much better.  Plastic can hold bacteria which could cause illness.  Remember - if you wouldn't eat from your cats' bowl, then why would you expect your cat?

MICROCHIPPING

     Over 10 million pets, including cats, get lost each year.  Coping with the loss of a pet can be extremely traumatic.  As a matter of fact, studies show that the trauma on a person can be far worse than everyday events such as a car accident, breaking a bone, or even losing a job.  Unfortunately, very few people microchip their pets. 

     Microchipping is a very safe and simple way to provide permanent identification of your pet.  The chip itself is usually the size of a grain of rice and easily injected into your pet.  Scanners are used by shelters and veterinary clinics all across the United States thus increasing the chances of you being reunited with your pet.  So talk to your vet today about microchipping.

Indoor Cats - Healthier and Happier

     Millions of cats suffer and die each year from the harsh elements of the outdoors.   Cat owners with the best of intentions who allow their fur baby outside, often find great regret; unfortunately, by then, it's probably too late.   Some of the dangers faced by outdoor cats are motor vehicles, attacks from larger animals, cruelty from others, getting lost, poisoning, diseases, and many more.  No neighborhood or cat is immune to these life threatening hazards.  Just like children, cats rely on us to protect them from harm.  Of course cats are drawn to the outside with lots of green grass to roll and trees to climb, but the dangers far outweigh the pleasures.  One way you can help appease your cat's desire to romp the great outdoors is to make life fun in the house. 

There are several things a cat owner can do to make the indoors more fun.  To start thing off, buy your cat a nice scratching post.  Make sure the post is long enough for you cat to enjoy a full body stretch.  This mimics the feeling of stretching against the trunk of a tree.  Toys can excite your cat's prey and hunting instincts.  Cats need an assorted amount of toys including items that he can roll, pounce, and capture.  A cat will be less likely to yearn for the outdoors if these primal instincts are satisfied in your home.  Also, give your cat access to a window which will allow him to view the outdoors.

     Cats may love to wonder outdoors, but for their own good, keep them inside.  Your kitty can be completely happy indoors if given lots of love, toys, and good care.  Remember - a safe cat is a happy cat!

fleas- Summer battle plan

     It's summer time, and we all know what that means - fleas on the rampage.  Get ahead of the game this year by knowing the ins and outs of flea protection.

     It's important to remember that dogs and cats have different needs when it comes to flea control.  You do not want to use a dog flea medication on your cat and vise versa.  As a matter of fact, this mistake could be fatal.  So read the labels carefully.  Make sure you are using the correct mediation and the correct dosage.  Talk to your vet about which product is best for your cat.

     Don't make the mistake of believing that because your cat doesn't go outside, you don't need to worry about fleas.  Fleas often catch a ride into your home by clinging to your shoes and clothes.  Do you have a dog that goes potty outside?  Then your cat is at risk of getting fleas from the dog.  Fleas can find ways of getting into your home, so even indoor cats can get fleas.  Be sure to treat all susceptible animals.  Treating only one is pointless.

     Talk to your vet about products that kill both the adults and the eggs.  Some products kill only the adults, while others kill just the eggs.  If you do not use a product that kills both, you may win the battle, but completely lose the war.

     Cats can be allergic to fleas.  For some cats, only one bite can trigger a dermatitis reaction thus causing a domino effect of health problems.  So don't wait until you have fleas to treat fleas.  Keep an ongoing prevention program going in your home.  This will protect you and your kitty from ever having to deal with these pesky little creatures.

NOTE:  Please speak to your vet before using any flea medication on your cat.

Finicky Felines - How to deal with fussy eaters

     You won't often find wild cats that are fussy eaters.  A wild cat simply can't afford to have this characteristic.  So why do we find fussy eaters in domesticated cats?  Some say that it's the owner's fault for training the cat to be fussy.  Others blame it on certain breeds of cats.  Whatever the reason, it can be very frustrating when your kitty doesn't want to cooperate at dinner time.  So what can you do to solve the problem?

     One of the first things to consider when faced with a fussy eater is illness - especially if your cat suddenly refuses to eat.  Cats that are sick tend to eat very little.  So a vet visit is imperative to ruling out this possibility. If the Doc gives your kitty a clean bill of health, then you might consider placing your cat's food and water bowl in a low traffic area.  Cats are private eaters - they don't like much noise or chaos at meal time.  Giving your cat a peaceful area to eat may just do the trick.

     Another possibility to consider is a recent change of food.  With good intentions, you may have changed your cat's food in an effort to offer variety.  Maybe you thought, I like variety, so why not kitty?  Unfortunately, these sudden changes in food can cause your cat to become a fussy eater.  Eating the same food does not bother your kitty.  Food changes should occur under your vet's orders and gradually mixing the old food with the new food.  This procedure will avoid stomach upset and refusal to eat.

     Has there been any major changes in your home?  Did somebody move out?  Did somebody move in?  These changes can cause your kitty emotional upset.  Just like people, cats tend to eat less when going through emotional trauma.  Reassurance on your part will help your kitty adjust to the changes.  Give  her extra attention.  Maybe there is a special treat she enjoys.  Let her know that everything is going to be ok.  Sometimes the trauma can be so severe that a behavior specialist should be consulted.

    Don't let your finicky eater get the best of you.  Keep your vet involved while you go through the process of isolating the problem.  Remember, there are times when a specialist might need to be consulted.  Most likely the solution is simple.  Once the problem is determined, you can make the adjustments.  It won't be long before your kitty is once again a lean, mean, eating machine.

Upcoming Articles

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Feline Diseases

Cat Dental Care

Obesity in Cats

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