Tag Archives: cat health

Cat Care, General Health

Easy Ways to Keep Your Cat Healthy

February is National Cat Health Month! Kitties are known for being easy keepers. However, Fluffy is quite small and fragile, and she is susceptible to illness and injury. A Georgetown, IN veterinarian offers some tips on keeping your feline buddy healthy and purring in this article.

Good Food

It’s probably no surprise to find proper nutrition at the top of the list. Making sure that Fluffy is getting high-quality food will go a long way towards keeping her healthy. Ask your vet for specific advice, including tips on portion sizes, feeding schedules, and reading labels.

Veterinary Care

Kitties are quite independent, but they still need regular veterinary care. We advise getting Fluffy microchipped and spayed or neutered, and keeping up to date with her exams, vaccines, and parasite control. Also, if you notice anything that could be a sign of illness, don’t wait to see if it resolves on its own. Call your vet immediately.

Clean Litterbox

Dirty litterboxes look and smell bad. They’re also germ magnets! Ideally, you’ll want to scoop Fluffy’s bathroom out daily, and change the litter every week or so. If you have more than one cat, avoid overcrowding by giving each furball her own box.

Keep Kitty In

Although Fluffy may love to run and play outdoors, she’s much safer inside. As soon as your kitty sets her paws outside, she’s exposed to some pretty serious risks, such as traffic, wild animals, and weather.

Catproofing

Our feline pals are very playful, which is one of the best things about them. However, that mischievous streak can get them into serious trouble! Cats don’t know (or care) what is and isn’t safe for them to play with. Keep anything that could be dangerous out of paws’ reach. This includes items with strings or threads, chemicals, medicine, and small or sharp objects.

Climate Control

Did you know that cats can overheat very quickly in summer? Fluffy can also get very sick if she gets too cold. Make sure she always has a comfy shelter. If you leave her home alone, keep the climate control on.

Love

Fluffy’s mental health is also important! Keep your kitty happy and purring by providing things like scratching posts, comfy beds, toys, treats, boxes, and lap space.

Do you need to make an appointment for your feline friend? Contact us, your Georgetown, IN veterinary clinic, today!

Cat Care, General Care

Tips for Keeping an Indoor Cat Happy

Do you keep your cat indoors? If, so, that’s great! There are many benefits to keeping Fluffy inside. She’ll be much less likely to ingest toxic chemicals, such as fertilizer and antifreeze. You’ll also greatly reduce the risk of her getting lost, and keep her safe from cars, predators, and other hazards. Last but not least, you won’t have to deal with your pet leaving you gifts on your doorstep. However, indoor cats don’t get as much activity or stimulation as outdoor cats, so you’ll need to take some steps to keep Fluffy happy and purring. Here, a local Georgetown, IN vet discusses indoor cat care.

Safe Space

Cats may try to make us think that they are fearless and invulnerable, but at the end of the day, they’re very small, and are easily frightened. Make sure Fluffy has a hiding spot in each room. This can be a kitty tent, pet tipi, or an enclosed level of a cat tower. Even a spot behind the couch or under the bed will work.

Scratching Posts

Outdoor cats often use trees as nail-care stations. Indoor kitties, however, need something to scratch. Cat towers are great, but you can also use posts or boards.

Veterinary Care

Even if Fluffy stays indoors, she’ll still need regular veterinary care to stay healthy. Most kitties should come in at least once a year. Ask your vet for specific advice.

Entertainment

We know, Fluffy spends a rather excessive amount of time napping. However, she’ll need entertainment options to amuse herself with when she is awake. Offer your feline friend lots of toys, and play with her every day.

Kitty Garden

Give your cat a little taste of nature by setting out pet-safe plants for her to nibble on and hide behind. You can find a full list of suitable plants online at the ASPCA website here.

Vertical Space

If you don’t have a lot of floor space, consider giving Fluffy some vertical space. Get your kitty a cat tower, or put up a catwalk or some cat shelves.

Live Entertainment

Make sure your furball has at least one comfy spot where she can relax and look out the window. Our feline pals absolutely love birdwatching!

Please reach out to us, your local Georgetown, IN vet clinic, for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!

Cat Care, General Care

5 Easy Ways to Keep Kitty Cool

Summer is just around the corner! As the weather warms up, you may find your kitty spending more time sprawled out on the floor as opposed to curling up in warm blankets. Summer can be hard on our feline friends. After all, Fluffy is wearing a fur coat! Overheating can be very dangerous for cats. Unlike dogs, they don’t have any easy ways to cool themselves off if they get too hot. In this article, a Georgetown, IN vet offers tips on keeping your cat cool this summer.

Give Kitty Access To The Whole House

Cats are very, very good at making themselves comfortable. If you let Fluffy roam freely throughout the house, she will naturally gravitate towards the coolest areas. Don’t be surprised if you find your feline pal sprawled out on the bathroom floor. The tiles often stay cool, even on hot days. Just be careful not to accidentally lock your furball into an attic or shed!

Brushing

Brushing your furry pal regularly will remove dead fur and dander from her coat. This will help keep Fluffy looking and feeling good. It will also increase the insulating qualities of her fur, which will help keep her cool.

Hammock Beds

Did you know that hammocks are cooler than regular beds? This is because they allow air to pass beneath them. It’s quite easy to make your kitty a comfy pet hammock. Get an end table or coffee table with four legs, and a piece of material. Cut the fabric so that it’s just a little smaller than the tabletop. Then, attach the corners to the legs with twine or Velcro, and just tell Fluffy not to use it. She’ll hop right in!

Water

Proper hydration is very important! Make sure your cat always has plenty of fresh water. You can drop an ice cube into the bowl on hot days. Fluffy may also appreciate a kitty fountain.

Climate Control

We recommend that cats live indoors, as they are both healthier and safer staying inside. Keep your feline buddy cool and comfy in rooms that have air conditioning and/or fans. Even if you do let your kitty go outside, keep her indoors during the hottest part of the day.

Please reach out to us, your Georgetown, IN pet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are always here to help!

Behavior, Cat Care, General Health

Why Your Cat is Ignoring Her Litterbox

Has your cat seemingly given up on her litterbox? Noticing more and more accidents outside of Fluffy’s bathroom? There are many reasons why a cat may decide to ignore her box. Here, your Floyds Knob, IN veterinarian helps you get to the bottom of your pet’s bathroom problem.

Cleanliness

Just like you, your cat isn’t fond of doing her business in a dirty bathroom. If you don’t clean your cat’s box enough, she may decide to go elsewhere! Scoop out your cat’s litterbox on a daily basis, and swap out the litter entirely about once a week. This will ensure that your pet’s bathroom stays clean and fresh at all times.

Location

Who wants to use the bathroom in a crowded, noisy place full of other people? Not your cat, that’s for sure. If you put the litterbox in a spot that’s highly trafficked by family members and other pets, your feline friend isn’t likely to take to it. Try placing the box in a quiet, out-of-the-way place like a basement or bathroom. Make sure your cat can access it at all times, even when you’re not at home.

Litter Type

Different cats prefer different types of litter. There is a wide variety, including clumping and non-clumping, scented and non-scented, various granule sizes, and much more. If your cat experiences a litter she doesn’t like, she might decide to simply avoid the litterbox entirely. Try experimenting a bit to find out what your cat prefers.

Negative Conditioning

If your cat was startled while using the litterbox in past years, especially if it happened during kittenhood, she may have a distrust of litterboxes in the present day. This is called a negative conditioning scenario. It might require the help of a professional animal trainer or animal behaviorist to correct. Talk to your veterinarian if you think this might be the cause of your cat’s aversion to her bathroom.

Medical Issues

Various medical issues, from injury and illness to infections like UTIs, could be the root cause of your cat’s anti-bathroom behavior. You’ll want to have your cat examined right away to rule out any medical problems. Set up an appointment with your vet if you can’t seem to get to the bottom of your cat’s issue.

Would you like to learn more about your cat’s behavior and healthcare needs? Call your Floyds Knob, IN veterinary clinic today. We’re here for you!

Cat Care, General Care

Cat Care Hacks

Do you have a kitty? Our feline friends make wonderful pets. Cats aren’t difficult to care for: providing Fluffy with good food, regular veterinary care, and a clean litterbox will cover the basics. Caring for Fluffy does entail some work, however. Below, a Floyds Knob, IN vet offers some great cat care hacks to make your life a bit easier.

Cooling Fluffy Off

On really hot days, drop an ice cube onto the floor for Fluffy to play with. Since cats use their paw pads to regulate their temperature, batting an ice cube around is a great way for kitties to cool off.

Summer Napping Spot

Another way to keep your pet cool is to make her a kitty hammock. You’ll need an end table with four legs, and a piece of material. Cut the material so that it’s a bit smaller than the tabletop, then attach the corners of the fabric to the legs.

Food Spills

Put a dinner tray beneath Fluffy’s food bowls. If your kitty is a sloppy eater, this will contain her messes. It’s also easy to clean!

Fur Busting

Use a squeegee to get pet fur off your couch and carpet. You can also try a damp sponge, or a rubber dish glove. When you do laundry, add white vinegar to the wash. This will help loosen the fur.

Tape Tricks

If Fluffy is jumping on counters, put clear two-sided tape along the edge of the counter. Your frisky feline will hate the sticky feeling! After a few experiences, she’ll probably stop trying, and you can remove the tape.

Scratching

To keep Fluffy from scratching a sofa or chair, put two-sided tape in her favorite scratching spot. Another thing you can do is to attach a piece of carpet to a board. Nail the board to a wall, just high enough so your kitty will have to sit up to use it.

Carrier

Does Fluffy flee the moment she sees her carrier? Make the carrier seem like a comfy den by leaving it out. Add bedding and fun toys, and give her treats and toys near it.

Hunting Halt

Put a dent in Kitty’s hunting habit by tying a bell to her collar. Use a breakaway collar, so your feline friend can’t get caught on things.

Do you have questions about cat care? Contact us, your Floyds Knob, IN animal clinic, today!

Behavior, Cat Care, General Care

9 Ways Cats Help With Housework

Is your cat pampered? It may seem that housecats lead a pretty idyllic life. Fluffy’s schedule is chock full of naps, cuddles, and beauty treatments. Actually, our feline friends are very considerate of their human servants, and often try to lend a helping paw with ordinary household chores. A local Georgetown, IN vet lists some ways cats try to help with housework in this article.

Keeping Laundry Warm

Have you ever found your cat in a basket of fresh laundry? Fluffy is just trying to help out by keeping your laundry nice and warm. She’s also thoughtfully putting fresh cat fur on it. How sweet!

Making Beds

Kitties are always willing to help when it’s time to change your sheets. Fluffy will kindly jump and pounce on the bed.

Clearing Tables

Does your cat sometimes knock small objects off tables or counters? Fluffy is just trying to be helpful by keeping your surfaces clear!

Sleeping

Kitties often spend time every day sprawled out on your floors or carpet. By sleeping in the middle of the room, Fluffy is thoughtfully picking up dust with her fur, helping keep your floors cleaner.

Making Holes In Blinds

Has your cat ever made herself a little door in your window blinds? Your considerate feline friend is just trying to let in as much light as possible!

Furring Your Things

If you have a kitty, you’re probably somewhat accustomed to finding cat hair on your clothes and furniture. Actually, Fluffy sheds on your things deliberately, in order to spur extra rounds of vacuuming and dusting. Cats are so sweet!

Pushing Toys Under The Couch

Fluffy knows that it isn’t polite for her to leave her kitty toys scattered all over the floor. Therefore, she’ll help you out by conveniently pushing her toys under the couch. Our feline friends certainly are thoughtful little furballs!

Knocking Things Under The Stove

Just as Fluffy pushes her toys under the couch, she will also politely bat small items under the stove or fridge, helping your floor stay cleaner.

Wrapping Presents

Your thoughtful feline friend will also gladly help out when it’s time for you to wrap presents for holidays, weddings, or birthdays.

Do you have any concerns about your cat’s health or care? Call us, your Georgetown, IN animal clinic, today! We are happy to serve all of your pet’s veterinary care needs.

Cat Care, General Health, Illness & Disease

Five Signs That Your Cat is Sick

Cats can be fairly mysterious when it comes to how they’re feeling. Because of this, it’s difficult to tell when a cat is ill, as it’s their natural instinct to hide their discomfort or pain. Below, your Georgetown, IN veterinarian tells you about five key indicators of a cat who is feeling sick.

Behavioral Changes

Some of the first signs may include behavioral changes. If you’ve noticed your cat acting extra distant, hiding more than usual, or acting out aggressively when she’s usually friendly, something may be wrong. Excessive vocalization is another possible indicator of ill health. It’s best to get a veterinarian’s opinion if you notice changes like these.

Physical Changes

The way your cat looks physically can be a good indication of her internal health. A dry, dull coat, visible bald patches, an increase in shedding, or an obvious favoring of one limb over another are all signs that something is amiss. If you’ve noticed your cat looking a little different recently, let your vet know promptly.

Eating or Drinking Fluctuations

Have you noticed more cat food left in the bowl recently? Does your cat seem to be drinking water faster than ever before? Don’t chalk these changes up to random chance. Some disorders, like diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, can cause a cat to eat or drink more. Others, such as dental issues or kidney disease, may make a cat consume less. Make your veterinarian aware if you notice fluctuations in your cat’s food and water consumption.

Waste Changes

If you notice differences while cleaning out kitty’s litter box, it may be worth a second opinion. Have your cat’s stools changed drastically in size, frequency, or color? This could be a sign of internal health issues, so place a call to your vet’s office for a professional’s help.

Bad Breath

It may not be the easiest thing in the world to get a whiff of your cat’s breath, but try to take a sniff every once in a while. Especially offensive breath could indicate a rotting tooth, gum disease, oral infections, and more, while fruity-smelling breath is a typical sign of diabetes.

Remember to keep regularly scheduled appointments at your vet’s office so that your veterinarian can keep track of your feline friend’s health. If your Georgetown, IN vet sees your cat consistently, he or she can catch minor problems before they develop into more serious issues.