Tag Archives: cat care

General Care

Things We Will Never Understand About Cats

Kitties are very curious little furballs. Fluffy has been at our feet – and on our laps – for thousands of years. We’ve gotten to know her pretty well in all that time. However, there are still a few things about our feline pals that we haven’t quite figured out yet … and maybe never well. A Roanoke, VA vet lists some of them in this article.

Schedules

Fluffy certainly is a creature of habit. Have you ever noticed that your furball tends to stick to set routines for those 43 daily naps, eight meals, and ten meditation sessions? However, it would be nice to know why she always seems to get the zoomies in the middle of the night. 

Teleportation Tactics

Have you ever found your cat in one room, even though you were certain she was at the other end of the house? Juries are still out as to whether or not kitties actually do teleport, or whether they have their own set of rules for things like gravity, time, and pounce velocity.

Sleeping Habits

If we know anything about our feline overlords, it’s that they are extremely tired. Fluffy can sleep up to 20 hours a day. That’s more than almost any other animal in the world, aside from a few bats and possums and, of course, human teenagers. Why do cats need so much shuteye? Is being adorable really that exhausting? We may never know.

Tail Position

Here’s a curious fact: while there is no physical difference between stray and domestic cats, there is one unique distinction between them. Only pet cats hold their tails up when they walk. Strays and feral cats let theirs droop behind them. This may be Fluffy’s way of signaling that she’s taken, but nobody really knows for sure.

Kitty Codes 

In the wild, cats use their claws for defense and hunting, so it makes sense for them to be instinctively driven to keeping those little paw daggers sharp. However, did you know that they also leave scent markers when they scratch? What kitty graffiti messages are they leaving for each other? ‘Mittens was here?’ ‘Fluffy And Rufus Forever?’ It’s probably safe to say that our feline pals aren’t letting on anytime soon.

Please contact us with questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care. As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we’re here to help!

 

 

Cat Care

Fluffy’s Goals For 2023

Happy New Year, Everyone! 2023 is officially in the rearview, and we’re forging ahead into 2023. The start of a new year is a traditional time for people to pause, take stock of things, and set some goals for themselves.  Of course, your feline pal will be supervising you throughout the year, and perhaps even helping a bit. As it turns out, Fluffy even has a few things on her own kitty agenda for the coming year. A Roanoke, VA veterinarian lists some of them below.

Get In Shape

Fitness is always a very popular New Year’s goal for people. Fluffy may also be interested in getting in shape. She may want to increase her sprint speed for those random dashes down the hall, jump higher, or work on her pounces.

Catch The Red Dot

Kitties have been chasing after laser pointers for several years now, which is always cute to watch. Fluffy probably won’t fare any better at this than she did last year, but she’ll still have fun trying.

Supervise The Humans

Our feline overlords like to keep close tabs on where their humans are. (Fluffy may completely ignore you when you call her, but that’s another topic.) Your little buddy will keep a close eye on you. She may even follow you around from room to room! 

Be Helpful

We may poke fun at Fluffy for doing basically nothing all day, but cats actually do try to help us out here and there. Your furball may offer her ‘assistance’ with things like changing sheets, or she may try to clear your coffee table by knocking things off it.

Read More

Have you ever tried reading something, only to find your furry little buddy sprawled out on your book or computer keyboard? Fluffy may be able to read using osmosis!

Be Grateful

It’s important to remember to appreciate the good things in our lives. Cats do this, too! Actually, Fluffy is very thankful for the love and care we offer her. She also appreciates the catnip, toys, lap space, and furniture. She may show her gratitude in odd ways, but that’s just purr for the course.

Enjoy Life

Fluffy really just wants to relax, play, and spend time with her loved ones. Those are all worthy goals!

As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we wish you all a wonderful new year. Contact us anytime!

Cat Care, General Care, General Health

Fall With Senior Cats

Is your feline friend a senior? If Fluffy is over the age of nine, then technically, the answer to that question is yes … even if she still acts like a kitten. Cats are generally pretty easy keepers, so you won’t need to make drastic changes to your kitty’s care regimen as she ages. However, she will become more vulnerable to certain dangers … including several seasonal hazards. A Roanoke, VA vet lists some autumn senior cat care tips below.

Grounding The Furball

We always recommend keeping kitties indoors. However, fall can be particularly treacherous. For one thing, it’s getting dark earlier and earlier. There’s also increased traffic, dropping temperatures, and wild animals, who can get quite aggressive in autumn. Plus, older cats just aren’t as lithe or agile as young kitties, and may not be able to escape certain hazards. Keep Fluffy inside!

Keep Kitty Warm

Senior pets are much more susceptible to temperature extremes than their younger counterparts. Fluffy will get quite chilly on those crisp mornings! Your feline buddy may appreciate a thermal or heated bed or perhaps some extra blankets.

Toxins

Poisons are a major concern at this time of year. Fluffy is at risk of ingesting dangerous substances such as antifreeze, lawn/garden chemicals, and/or molds and funguses. Toxic plants are another hazard. Keep potentially-dangerous plants, such as chrysanthemums, out of paws’ reach. (Tip: check the ASPCA site here for a list.)

Shedding

Did you know that indoor cats typically don’t shed as much as outdoor kitties? This is because they tend to stay at a more stable temperature, and are protected from the seasonal changes that trigger heavy shedding cycles. Shedding also increases the chance of hairballs, which can be quite dangerous. This is another reason to keep your adventurous furball safe and sound indoors.

Candles

We know, candles can add a wonderful cozy glow to your home. Just keep them in places where Fluffy can’t reach them. If you have a fireplace, put a grate in front of it, so your playful pet can’t accidentally get singed.

Food

Fluffy may benefit from taking certain supplements as she ages. Fish oil, for instance, can be quite helpful for kitties with bone/joint issues. Ask your vet for recommendations.

As your Roanoke, VA pet clinic, we love helping our feline patients age gracefully! Please feel free to contact us anytime!

Cat Care, General Care, General Health

7 Ways To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

Cats are very cute and lovable pets, and they have many charming qualities that have helped them earn places in our homes and hearts, as well as on our laps. One great thing about these cuddly little furballs is the fact that they are quite easy to care for. However, they aren’t completely independent. Fluffy needs good TLC in order to thrive. Here, a Roanoke, VA vet discusses keeping kitties happy, healthy, and purring.

Good Food

Proper nutrition will go a long way towards keeping your cute pet in good health. Offer Fluffy the best pet food you can afford. Treats are fine, but don’t go overboard. If your feline pal becomes obese, she could develop some very serious health issues!

Clean Litterbox

While cleaning litterboxes isn’t the best part of having a kitty, it is necessary. We recommend scooping daily, and changing the litter every week or so.

Beds

You may have noticed that cats are rather tired. Apparently, looking cute and doing nothing is really exhausting! Offer your sleepy furball plenty of comfy napping spots. Store-bought beds are great, but Fluffy probably won’t turn her nose up at a soft pillow or blanket in a box.

Playtime!

Cats are hunters by nature, so they are more or less wired to pounce and jump on things. Take time to play with Fluffy every day! Also, make sure she has plenty of things she can play with by herself when you’re out.

Stimulation

You may not think boredom is much of a problem for kitties. However, cats can get irritable, lonely, and unhappy with nothing to do, especially when they are home alone. Fluffy will appreciate having lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Pet furniture is great, but boxes, paper bags, and newspaper tunnels will also work. Kitties also like looking out windows, so offer your furry little voyeur a comfy spot with a good view.

Veterinary Care

It’s probably safe to say that Fluffy would rather take a nap than come visit us, but don’t be swayed. Proper veterinary care is crucial for your cat’s health! Follow your vet’s recommended appointment schedule.

Love

Love is the magic ingredient in any pet care routine. Pay lots of attention to Fluffy, and make sure she feels loved!

Please contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, anytime. We offer great veterinary care!

Behavior, Cat Care, General Health

Your Cat’s Aversion to the Litterbox

Has your cat been eliminating outside of the litterbox, creating messes on your carpets and floors? About one in every 10 cats will experience a litterbox aversion at some point in their life! Here, your Roanoke, VA veterinarian tells you what to do if your feline friend has shunned her bathroom.

See the Vet

First things first—schedule an appointment to have your cat examined at the veterinarian’s office. There is a chance that medical issues, including infection, injury, or disease, could be the cause of your cat’s behavior! You’ll want to have any medical problems taken care of so that your cat doesn’t suffer further.

Many of our older feline companions suffer from arthritis, which can make it difficult for your cat to hoist themselves into the box. Try using a litterbox with low sides if you have an arthritic cat.

Placement

One of the main reasons that cats decide not to use their litterbox is because of where it’s located. Our feline friends are picky about this sort of thing; they don’t want to be disturbed while doing their business. Put the litterbox in a quiet, low-key area of the house where your cat won’t be interrupted by human family members or other pets. In most homes, a basement or laundry room works well.

Cleanliness

Who wants to do their business in a dirty bathroom? Not your cat! If you don’t clean Fluffy’s litterbox often enough, she may decide to go elsewhere. We recommend scooping out your cat’s waste on a daily basis, and changing all litter about once a week. This will ensure that the litterbox stays fresh and will further entice your cat into using it regularly.

Litter Preference

There is a wide variety of litter types out there, and different cats like different ones. There are scented versions, different granule sizes, different base materials… the list goes on and on! You may have to do some experimenting to find a litter type that your cat enjoys using. Ask your veterinarian for help.

Negative Association

If your cat was startled or injured while using a litterbox early on in life, she may associate negative things with the litterbox now. This kind of issue might take the help of a professional animal behaviorist or trainer to correct; ask your vet to put you in touch.

For help with your cat’s bathroom habits, call your Roanoke, VA vet.