CATification

A new book, recently released by Animal Planet's Jackson Galaxy, is called Catification. I havn't read the book, but did listen to the "My Cat From Hell" star discussing what he terms CATifying your home.  It is not a new concept.  It it commonly called "adding vertical space" to your home.  And it is a recommendation that I commonly make when doing a Behavior Consultation involving aggression problems between cats in the same family.
Mr. Galaxy talks about adding a super highway above floor level so that felines can get from here to there without interacting with too-active dogs, too-inquisitive toddlers and too-scary visitors.  But this vertical space also allows Miss Shy more control over her interactions with Mr. Toughguy.  Miss Shy can chose to perch above the chaos that we call LIFE, watching it all from the safety of her six foot high perch or shelf or overlook.
One of my cats is a shy cat.  Her name is Posie ( a Neenah Shelter rescue)  that is frightened by just about anything but absolute silence.  She can be found "above ground level" 95% of her day.  Vertical space allows her to adapt to a household with 2 other cats and 2 dogs. 
You may have a cat with similar anxieties.  Many cats without "vertical space" chose to hide under the bed, or in the basement.  Consider CATifying one room in your home  or your whole house and see how the cats respond.  Be creative!  Better yet, send us photos of your CATifying project that we can share on facebook so that we can share the CATtification!

Oh, and the new book, Catification,  may be a great Christmas gift for the cat lover in your life!

MRSA and your cat...

I fielded a question from a client this week about MRSA and cats.  As many of you know, MRSA stands for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus.  MRSA is considered a zoonotic disease.

A zoonosis (pron.: /ˌzoʊ.əˈnoʊsɨs/) (also spelled zoönosis) is an infectious disease that is transmitted between species (sometimes by a vector) from animals other than humans to humans or from humans to other animals (the latter is sometimes called reverse zoonosis or anthroponosis). (Wikipedia)

With the recent Salmonella contamination of many of our pet foods and human foods  in the last year (spinach, tomatoes, peanut butter....) I thought it would be a good idea to share a web page that is one of my favorite sources for information about specific diseases that both people and pets can share (ie zoonotic diseases).  

This web page blog contains well researched information sheets for pet owners on each specific disease such as:  MRSA, Salmonella, Giardia, Rabies, Toxoplasmosis, Cat bites and more.  For each disease, they divide the disease risk into 2 catagories:  Healthy Adult/ Older Children and Young Children/ Immunocompromised persons.

 Here's the link:  http://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/

Worms and Germs Blog is supported by the Ontario Veterinary College's Center for Public Health and Zoonoses.  Please trust this site for fact based information pertaining to safe pet ownership -not just with cats, but the many different species of animals we chose to share our lives with.  We love our pets, but it is good to remember that we can share more than love....

The internet is a powerful tool for knowledge -but sometimes it is not easy to know what to believe.  I hope you find WORMS and GERMS as valuable as I do.  As always, if you found this information helpful, please share with other cat lovers.

Dr. Maureen Flatley
Fox Valley Cat Clinic

Nutritional supplements are not just for people these days. 

In fact, there are many supplements that will benefit your cat's health too.  First let me talk a bit about your choice in supplements.  Nutritional supplements, also called nutriceuticals, are not regulated by the FDA. What that means to you as a consumer is that you must be careful in your selection. Read the labels carefully. Understand the ingredients and their uses, or purchase these items from someone that you trust -i.e. your veterinarian. The supplements carried by the Fox Valley Cat Clinic are from sources that I have carefully researched, and that I use on my own pets. I explain to my clients how they work, and when they should be used -if you trust your veterinarian, then ask them BEFORE using over the counter medications. 

Next, lets look at some safe and very effective supplements that you may want to try for your cat.

 PROBIOTICS are a healthy addition to the diet of  any cat  that has gastrointestinal problems, be it vomiting, diarrhea, constipation or just a sensitive stomach.  Probiotics are given daily mixed into each meal.  Feline probiotics need to be specifically formulated for the carnivorous GI tract, so human formulations (like yogurt) are not an appropriate substitute.  Probiotics enable the healthy bacteria to function as they should, which leads to a normalization of food processing.  This is a simple way to keep the GI tract healthy and happy.

GLUCOSAMINE/CHONDROITIN is a commonly used supplement to maintain healthy joints.  These compounds  helps to keep the joint surfaces lubricated and therefore more functional and comfortable.  Research has shown that 50% of cats over 10 years of age, and > 80% of cats over 15 years of age are suffering from arthritis and/or  degenerative joint disease.  Adding this supplement daily to your older cat's diet may make it easier for them to jump up and down, maneuver stairs, get into the litterbox, and just feel better.  Please remember that senior cats won't show obvious signs of arthritis in its early stages.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS  are a fantastic addition to any feline diet.  In the form of Fish Oil, this high powered supplement is packed with antioxidants and other healthy compounds that benefit the heart, the liver, and the GI tract.  Research has shown a positive benefit when used in cats with heart disease, as well as certain  chronic diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, hypertension and arthritis.  It has a fishy taste and smell, so with this as with ALL supplements, start with a VERY small amount mixed well into the food and gradually work up to the appropriate amount.  Cats instinctively don't like anything that changes the smell of their food, be patient and persistent with any food additive.

The take-away message I want to leave you with is that nutritional supplements can be a safe and effective way to boost the nutritional power of your cat's diet.  And diet is often the key to a healthier cat.  Nutriceuticals do not require a prescription and are easily accessible.  So, at your next wellness visit, ask your veterinarian about nutritional supplements that would be of benefit for you cat.

Thanks for following the Fox Valley Cat Clinic blog -if you found this information helpful, please share it with a friend!

Dr. Maureen Flatley