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Cat Tips from Professional Cat Sitter Jeanne Adlon
Watch for a new cat tip each week.
By Jeanne Adlon
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If you have cats in your home, please make provisions for them in case something should happen and you are unable to care for them. |
| If your vet has asked you to monitor how much your kitty is urinating (which happens with many senior cats) switch from clay to clump litter. |
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Cat carriers with wheels on the bottom are easier carry a very large cat in, but he will be tilted in transport and the wheels can be noisy. Make sure he has treats and comfortable bedding inside. |
| When you adopt a new cat, feed her the diet she has been used to and then gradually add her new food to the bowl. This should make for an easy culinary transition. |
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When changing litter, thoroughly wash out your cat's litterbox before adding new litter. |
For cats that like to scratch on the ground, rather than stretch up on a
vertical scratching post, there are inexpensive horizontal scratchers made from corrugated cardboard. |
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Some cats are attracted to used dental floss, which is not good for them to ingest. Throw it in the toilet or a covered garbage can. |
| If your cat is curious about water, please keep the toilet lid down, especially if you have kittens, which can fall in. |
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Keep your cats’ feeding bowls away from their litterboxes. Kitties prefer a separate area for dining. |
| If a guest is coming to visit you and they are allergic to cats, vacuuming on the day of arrival can stir up the dander in the air. I suggest vacuuming two to three days in advance. |
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If you are looking to adopt a cat, try your local rescue groups who are compassionate and passionate about finding permanent homes for animals. Ask your local veterinarian, at your local pet store or check online to find them. |
| Providing a pet bed for your kitty is a wonderful way to create a space that she can call her own for snoozing and comfort. |
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When new pet and an existing pet are learning to co-habitate and both are behaving well, give each a treat and lots of praise. Positive reinforcement goes a long way. |
| If you have a deaf cat never let him outdoors. To him, it could become a dangerous and frightening world. He is much safer inside with you. |
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Be sure to thoroughly clean your cat’s water bowls daily, particularly during the hot months of the year, and make sure she has plenty of fresh water to drink. |
| If your sweet, friendly cat suddenly becomes aggressive, she might be sick or in pain. Please take her to the vet right away to determine if she has any medical issues. |
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It is important to clip a senior cats' nails often. Their nails seem to grow longer and could get caught in fabric and rugs and perhaps twist a leg. Remember to clip all four paws, please. |
| Summertime can mean fireworks and though we may enjoy them, our cats do not. During a neighborhood fireworks display, I suggest putting your cats in a quiet room with all their essentials (food, water, litter, toys) with the door closed and the blinds down for the duration. |
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Try to make time each day for some interactive play with your indoor cat. It will help her get the exercise she needs and be a fun activity for both of you. |
| If you think your cat isn't drinking enough water, try adding some water to her wet food, making delicious gravy for her to lap up. |
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It is a good time of year to be certain that your window screens have no damage and are secured. As I always say, cats do not come equipped with parachutes! |
| To help with litterbox odor, sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom of the pan, then pour the litter on top of it. |
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If your cat only eats dry food, make sure plenty of water is available. You may also want to treat him to a specially made pet water fountain sold in pet stores. Cats like drinking from running water. |
| When storing dry food, make sure you either use up the old food before opening a new package, or mix up the new and old in a storage container. You don’t want old, uneaten dry food to sit indefinitely at the bottom of a container. |
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When your vet prescribes medication, ask if it can be flavored to taste like tuna or chicken. It will be more palatable for your kitties. |
| If your kitty wears a flea collar, make sure it is not too close to the skin because it can cause irritations. Also remember to remove the excess portion of the collar after measuring the right size for your cat. |
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If company is coming and you don’t have time for a major cleanup, using a 9.6-volt hand-held vacuum on furniture and carpet is great for fast cat-hair pickup. |
| If you are buying new furniture or reupholstering old, use a fabric-protection product on it. Kitty messes do not cause as much damage that way. |
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Do not throw used dental floss in the bathroom waste basket. Place it in a covered garbage can. Once used, floss is attractive to cats and they might swallow it. |
| If you use an expensive brand of cat litter, try mixing it with a less expensive brand to save money — about 2/3 to 1/3. Chances are your kitty won’t notice, but your wallet will. |
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It is important for senior cats to be brushed daily. This helps rid them of loose hair that can be ingested and become internal hairballs. |
| Before letting your cat loose in a new home, make sure you have checked it thoroughly to ensure that it is safe for him, and that there are no unwelcome escape routes. |
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Periodically clean out your cat carrier, particularly if it has bedding. Carriers can accumulate a lot of hair because cats shed more when nervous, and there is sometimes the occasional bathroom accident to attend to. |
| Keep some catnip near where you store your cat carrier. If you ever need to coax him inside, particularly in an emergency, it can help. |
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If your cat goes outside, be considerate of our feathered friends and add a small bell to her breakaway collar. |
| Consider sending Valentine’s Day cards to your friends’ kitties. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday. |
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It’s the new year so please make sure any overweight kitties join you in a weight-loss program. Obesity in cats can lead to all sorts of trouble. |
| Check your floors regularly for small objects that you do not want your kitty to get in trouble with. It is not unusual for them to swallow needles, pins, rubber bands and more — all are dangerous. |
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Sadly, many cats are being given to shelters because their owners feel they can no longer care for them in these tough economic times. If you have a single-cat household, consider adopting a feline friend from a shelter. |
| If you host a New Year’s party, put your cat in a separate room with all her essentials and try leaving on soft, soothing music on low for her. |
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Chasing the light from flashlights and penlights is a fun game for cats, but be very careful with laser cat toys. You do not want to point the laser light at your cat’s face or eyes. |
| Remember to wipe your floors after you come in from the cold. You don’t want your cats licking rock salt or other chemicals used during the winter months. |
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Never leave lit candles or votives unattended. Cats can easily tip them over or burn themselves. |
| If you have trouble getting your cat into a carrier to visit the vet, you may be able to find a vet who makes house calls. I have noticed that this service is becoming more common. |
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If you have smokers visiting your house, make sure you clean out your ashtrays, as tobacco is harmful to kitties. |
| A good way to remove cat hair from furniture is to use a damp sponge. |
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Don't throw used dental floss in an area where your cat might find it. Swallowing dental floss may cause major problems. |
| As winter approaches and we have less daylight, put a nightlight on a timer for your kitty. |
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When you change your kitty’s water bowl, give it a good wash as well. Cleaner is better as far as their food and water bowls go. |
| For interactive play with your kitty that will not wear you out, try a laser toy. My cats love them and I can relax in my favorite chair while doing it. |
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Be sure to seal dry food bags tightly. If possible, keep them in a covered container or even in the refrigerator. Open bags attract bugs and can spoil. |
| Try not to leave out a large amount of wet food when you are going out for the day. Cats do not want to eat old and crusty food any more than we do. Consider giving smaller portions several times a day. |
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If you have kittens, check all closets, the refrigerator, washer, dryer, dishwasher, reclining chair and dresser drawers before closing them. Also make sure the toilet seat is down and the lid closed. Kittens are very fast and can end up in the wrong places quickly. |
| Food treats are fun for cats but instead of just handing treats to them, toss a few across the room. This way they get some exercise. |
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Take leftover canned cat food out of the can, and place it into a plastic container in the refrigerator. It will keep better. |
| A plastic mat under the entrance to the litter pan helps catch the occasional accident and keeps the area cleaner. Keeping a small dust pan and brush nearby also is a good idea. |
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Help your cat beat the summer heat by putting ice cubes in the water dish. |
| Do not throw out old catnip toys. They can be rejuvenated by soaking in hot water for a few minutes. Squeeze the water out, and give the toy to your cat while it’s still damp. Make sure it is warm or cool, but not hot. |
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Always read the label on your cat’s medication to determine whether it should be stored in the refrigerator. Some medications can go bad if left out and could make your cat feel worse. |
| Keep catnip in the refrigerator. It lasts much longer, and your cats will enjoy it more. |
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When you use a cat sitter, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbor or friend just in case they are needed. |
| Cats love moving water. That’s why you will sometimes find them up on the sink drinking out of a dripping faucet. To get them off your countertop but also give them a chance to enjoy fresh, circulating water during the summer, try a cat water fountain, which should be available at your local pet store. |
| Leave a recently worn article of clothing near your cat’s favorite spot. Your scent will comfort him while you are away. |
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Cat Tips from Professional Cat Sitter Jeanne Adlon
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