Tag Archives: cat scratching post

Cat Care, General Care

5 Ways To Pamper Your Cat On Respect Your Cat Day

There’s a very important pet holiday coming up. Respect Your Cat Day is March 28th! Showing your kitty proper respect doesn’t mean hanging portraits of her or installing catnip gardens and stocked fishponds. It really just means understanding some of Fluffy’s innate needs. A Georgetown, IN vet lists some ‘purrfect’ ways to celebrate this special occasion below.

Scratching Post

Fluffy is very dedicated to keeping her paw daggers sharp, and with good reason. Kitties depend on their claws in the wild, for hunting, defense, and climbing to safety. Your furry buddy will need a good peticure station. A cat tower is ideal, but you can also get a scratching board. This is a great gift for your feline friend!

Playtime

Kitties are actually fierce predators at heart. Let Fluffy indulge her inner lioness! Even if your pet’s ‘prey’ is only a catnip mouse or a rubber ball, pouncing and jumping on it will help her stay active, burn off stress and excess energy, and build confidence. Make sure your furry buddy has lots of toys to bat around. It’s also important to play with your cat regularly. Take a few minutes to hold a wand toy or laser pointer for your kitty.

Window Views

We always recommend that cats stay inside: Fluffy is both safer and healthier indoors. However, indoor pets don’t get as much exercise or stimulation as kitties that are allowed out. It’s important to make sure your feline buddy has ways to amuse herself. Birdwatching is, unsurprisingly, one of Fluffy’s favorite pastimes. A comfy window seat is a must! Or, better yet, put a cat tower before a window that overlooks a birdfeeder.

Hiding Spots

While some cats are bold and fearless, others are very timid. No matter which end of that spectrum your kitty falls onto, it’s safe to say that she will appreciate having some hiding spots to retreat to if she feels scared. Enclosed cat condos are great for this, but you can also give Fluffy things like boxes, paper grocery bags, or homemade pet tents.

Love

At the end of the day, the best way to make your feline pal feel respected is to just pay attention to her. Spend some quality time with your adorable pet!

As your local Georgetown, IN veterinary clinic, we are here to help. Contact us anytime!

Cat Care, General Care

And Meow, A Word About Cat Towers

Does your kitty have a cat tower? If so, that’s great! This may very well be Fluffy’s favorite piece of ‘purrniture.’ A Georgetown, IN vet discusses cat towers in this article.

Benefits of Cat Towers

Although kitties aren’t officially classed as arboreal, or tree dwelling, they certainly do enjoy trees. Fluffy uses them to sharpen her nails, escape danger, hunt birds, and get a good vantage point of her kingdom. She also sometimes just likes to hang out on them. You probably don’t have a tree in the middle of your living room, so a cat tower is the next best thing.

Refreshing An Old Cat Tower

Sometimes cats lose interest in their towers. There are some things you can do to pique your furball’s interest again. First, try cleaning it. Vacuuming might work, but if it’s really stained or worn, you may want to use a shampooer with an attachment. If the covering is beyond cleaning, redo it in carpet. You don’ t need the expensive stuff! Another thing you can try is moving it to a different spot. Sprinkling catnip around it and/or putting toys near it may also help.

Choosing Cat Towers

Kitty towers are not one-size-fits-all. You’ll want to keep your furry pal’s age, health, and purrsonality in mind when you go shopping. Kittens will appreciate towers that incorporate fun toys and offer them lots of things to climb and hang from. Adult cats may be more interested in napping, and like towers with comfy beds and lounging spots. Senior felines can’t climb as well as their younger counterparts, and will need towers with the lowest levels close to the floor. Do you have a scaredy-cat on your hands? Get something that offers your timid furball lots of enclosed hiding spots. If you have more than one cat, choose pieces that will fit all of your kitties at once.

DIY

Is a cat tower a bit too much for your budget right now? Go the DIY route. You can upcycle an old stepladder, bookshelf, or storage shelf by adding wooden planks to the steps to widen them out. Cover the whole thing in carpet or sisal rope, and tell Fluffy to stay off. She’ll immediately hop on!

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

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!