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Love,

Bob

If your cat could talk

Until about 40 years ago the cat was thought to be an outdoor pet, but its independent nature and the relative ease of taking care of its basic needs has made the cat a popular pet in the United States.

In fact, recent studies have shown that there are millions of more pet cats than dogs.

The ease of care for basic nutrition and toileting needs, as well as their independent nature, has led owners to believe that basic pet care for the cat appears to require less effort than other pets, such as dogs.

While they may be surviving, their health concerns are often unrecognized and their needs are not being met.

Here are the top 5 things that your cat would want you to know if it could speak with you.

1. I Need to Visit a Veterinarian. Cats are masters at hiding illness and may show only very subtle signs of sickness. Unless owners are aware of these subtle signs, they may often miss small behavior changes that can signal disease until the disease is in a more pronounced stage.

Proactive preventative health care actions like visiting your veterinarian for annual wellness visits can help with detecting disease before it becomes advanced. Cats also need to stay up-to-date with vaccinations as per AAFP Vaccine guideline recommendations. Senior cats may often need to visit the veterinarian more frequently. Visit www.catvets.com to find a feline practitioner in your area.

2. I Need Active Play. Cats are natural hunters and need an opportunity for play that enables them to express hunting behaviors.

Environmental enrichment for indoor cats is very important because it allows them to play, express their instinctual hunting behaviors and can provide regular exercise.

Cats are greatly influenced by early experiences so socialization during this time is critical. Cats are usually most content when they can dictate the timing of interaction with their owners and other humans.

Like humans, feline obesity is a rising healthcare concern in the U.S. and creating an environment that allows the cat to play and exercise can improve their overall health.

3. I’m Naturally Clean and Highly Sensitive to Scent. Cats often respond negatively to new scent profiles in the home including cleaners, new furniture, visiting people, dogs or other cats. Scent marking indoors can mean the cat feels threatened or it can be a response to changes in their emotional state because of changes in their environment.

Cats need a comfortable quiet place for toileting and in a location where they can avoid contact with other cats and human traffic. They prefer at least 1.5 inches of litter in order to bury their waste. It is also recommended that there be one litter box per cat, plus one extra and in different locations distributed throughout the home environment.

4. I Need Small Frequent Meals. Cats are carnivores, unable to survive or thrive without nutritional nutrients such as taurine that is found only in meat.

Vegetarian diets are not recommended for cats because of the cat’s unique nutritional needs. Your veterinarian should always be consulted first before feeding a homemade diet.

Cats often eat only a few mouthfuls of food at any one time and not a large meal (prey is usually small).

The feeding process for cats is not a social event and thus they prefer to eat alone. Eating meals with other cats in close proximity or placing a bowl in a corner can create stress during the feeding process.

5. I Need a Veterinary Practice That is Cat Friendly. Cats have unique needs that practices must learn in order to provide the best possible health/medical care for the cat.

The entire veterinary team must learn and incorporate feline friendly handling techniques into their practice. Cat Friendly Practices understand that the trip to the veterinarian can be stressful for you and your cat, and they can help provide strategies to decrease the stress associated with the visit.

Practices that understand the distinct needs of cats will be able to provide improved wellness care, valuable education for you the client, and be proactive about diagnosing disease early to ensure a longer, better quality of life for your cat.

Donna Stephens Manley, DVM is the President of the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP). A graduate of Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Stephens Manley has worked in emergency medicine, small animal general practice, feline-exclusive practices and is currently in shelter medicine. Check out the AAFP website at www.catvets.com. Visit www.catvets.com to find out more information on Cat Friendly Practices.

Move that Bus!

Bus riders in Bridport, Dorset England often have an unusual companion on their way to and from work each day – an adventurous, 15-year-old cat named Artful Dodger. Dodger, a beautiful yellow tabby, regularly boards the bus at the stop near his house and takes a 10-mile round trip, much to the amusement of the bus passengers and drivers. Sometimes, Dodger even hops on a lucky rider’s lap for a cuddle. The bus drivers and regular passengers know Dodger, and always make sure he gets off at his stop at the end of each journey. Some passengers even bring Dodger food and treats each day. Dodger’s owner, Fee Jeanes, said she was extremely surprised when she discovered the cat’s secret life. One of her daughter’s friends said she saw Dodger on bus 10 miles from the family’s home. Fee tells the London Telegraph, "I couldn't believe it and panicked. I got into my car to go off and look for him and then at that moment the bus pulled up near our house and lo and behold he got off.” She soon found out that wasn’t the first time Dodger had gone cruising the city by mass transit. "That afternoon I saw Dodger climb on board another bus and I rushed to tell the driver. I was shocked when she told me Dodger was always on there and liked to sit on the seats because they are warm from where people have been sitting.” The bus company, First, told the Telegraph that they don’t mind if Dodger hitches a ride with them, saying, "Given this cat is elderly we suspect it would be eligible for free travel, perhaps a bus puss, if such a thing existed."

My best friend Stanley wrote this...

CATalyst's "Spokescat" Offers Five Resolutions--For Your Cat

December 29, 2011

5 NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS FOR CATS
CAT Stanley Offers Tips to His Fellow Felines on Increasing Their Status With Humans

(THE COMFY SOFA, My House, Annapolis, Md.) Dec. 29, 2011—With the New Year around the corner, I have decided to think about what I could do to make myself a better cat. I feel that “resolutions” is too strong a word; I am a cat and therefore nearly perfect, so while I’m not considering anything major, some minor adjustments could improve my standing in the household.

I would recommend the following list of five small changes to any cat wishing to raise their esteem and standing in the family ranking from a mere step above the family dog to something closer to the status we felines once held in ancient Egypt where we were worshiped as gods, a societal position to which I would like to return.

1. Play with your people every day. I know, they may not need that much attention, but the goofy antics of the dog seem to please them, so in order to elevate your status this is a must. Besides, I hear it’s great exercise, and we could all afford to lose an ounce or two after the holidays. Also, you and I both know when no one is looking tossing that little fake mouse in the air and catching it is tremendous fun, so let your people enjoy playing with you too.

2. Learn to love your carrier. This is important and may take a little time, but your carrier is your safe ticket to getting out of the house more frequently. It will also make trips out of the house less stressful for you, which you have to admit would be nice. If we are ever to be elevated to a divine status, we must be seen outside of our homes! The first step is to have your person watch this video and in no time you will be ready and willing to hop in your carrier at a moment’s notice!

3. Take more outings. I understand that disrupting your nap schedule is a daunting undertaking, but I assure you that mastering the art of walking on a leash (if a dog can do it …) and getting outside with your people is great fun. One extra advantage of being seen outside is this: People will fawn all over a cat on a leash because, while it’s a common sight when it comes to dogs, seeing a cat on a leash is a rare treat for humans. Think of all the head massages and attention! I actually enjoy boat rides with my person frequently and if I can do that, you can certainly take a stroll on a lovely day.

4. Learn a trick. Again, although it pains me to say this, take a cue from the dogs and learn to do something when your people ask you to do it. If our status is to be elevated, we must be considered at least as smart as dogs and doing tricks--at least one simple trick--would help people see how smart we really are. Your people already have a suspicion that you understand every word they are saying, so prove it by letting them teach you a trick.

5. Take better care of yourself. Watch what you eat and schedule a veterinary appointment if you haven’t been to the doctor in the past six months. We will not be seen as gods if we are not well.

Cats unite! Let’s make 2012 the year cats began elevating our status and reclaiming our special place in the world. We all must work together to make this dream a reality, so do your part and resolve to take on these five simple steps to stay happy, healthy and deservedly revered.

For more information on CAT Stanley, including how he got his name, visit his section in the CATalyst Council web site at
http://www.catalystcouncil.org/resources/health_welfare/cat_stanley/index.aspx.



LOVE,

BOBBY ->^. .^<-