PET CARE TIPS Tips to help your pet live longer, happier and healthier.
KEEP PETS INSIDE THE HOME. There are many dangers to cats living outside. Catios
are a nice alternative to letting them loose. Dogs should not be relegated to living
outside either. They need attention and supervision. If you don't want a dog living
in your home with you, you should not have one.
PLEASE DO NOT DECLAW YOUR CAT. It is cruel, painful, unnatural and can lead to behavioral
problems. Cats can be trained to use scratch posts. You may also be able to trim
their claws with instructions from your vet.
POSITIVE CATS
CATS THAT TEST POSITIVE for FELV do not have to be put down if they appear
healthy. They can live a normal life for many years, but they have low immune systems
so need extra supplements, high quality food and take precautions from exposing
them to potential viruses and respiratory illnesses. They should be kept indoors
exclusively and in households where they are either the only cat or with other Felv
positive cats.
CATS THAT TEST POSITIVE FOR FIV can live long and with other cats with normal
interaction. They can share food, water, beds, and boxes without transmitting FIV.
Only transmitted through blood. They do have compromised immune systems though,
must be kept indoors and benefit from good nutrition, including the addition of
vitamins (esp. vitamin C) and supplements to keep their immune system strong, and
they need to be protected from viruses and bacterial infections.
Also, test results can be false for different reasons, particularly if the
cat is not in the best physical condition, stressed, nervous, exposure, etc. - re-test
in 30-60 days after they've had a chance to shed the virus if they were merely exposed
to it (regular SNAP test), or get an IFA test sooner to confirm. Kittens
should not be tested until they are at least 13 weeks old and still may not get
an accurate reading. Re-test after 30-45 days.
POISONOUS PLANTS ALERT:
Beware of the Sago Palm - do not let your pet chew on any part of this plant - highly
toxic - can be fatal!
Sago Palms may be attractive and hardy, but they are HIGHLY TOXIC AND LETHAL TO
ANIMALS. Eating just a small amount of this plant will cause a long, suffering death
to your pet. Through the diligence of Susan Medland, there is finally a petition
online asking the large retailers that sell the majority of these deadly plants
(which can even cause illness in a small child) in the U.S. to clearly warn shoppers
of this plant's toxicity to pets (as little as 2 seeds can poison a dog). Look for
further updates (either by mail or email, website) about introducing legislation
to that effect. In the meantime, do not purchase any, get rid of any you have and
please tell others about the plants and the petition. Smaller versions (a la bonsai
trees) are also sold as indoor plants.
Awareness is key in preventing accidental plant poisonings in your pets. Visit www.aspca.org for a complete listing of poisonous plants.
Urgent: Do not give medicine and pain relievers made for humans to your pet.
Some can cause illness or death. Be especially careful that your pet not ingest
anything containing "acetaminophen." Products containing this ingredient
include Tylenol, Tylenol Arthritis, Excedrin, Percocet, Ultracet, Vicodin, Darvocet,
analgesics in general. Keep these and all pain medications in a secure cabinet above
countertop level. If you think your pet has accidentally ingested acetaminophen
or any other potentially dangerous substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA
Animal Control Center emergency hotline at (888) 426-4435 for 24-hour telephone
assistance. In the Valley, you can contact any one of the Emergency Animal Clinics
(see Resource
Page for locations and phone numbers).
THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING PETS INDOORS
DOGS
Dogs should not be left at will in a yard unattended. You'd be surprised how many
ways dogs who are unsupervised, bored and/or curious, get out of a yard. If they
are left out there, day in and day out, all day long, to their own devices, they
dig, chew and other things that you don't want them to do out of boredom and frustration,
and escape and get lost. They are happier, better adjusted dogs when they receive
basic obedience training (along with their masters and family) and live inside with
them. If you must leave your dog out in the yard, make sure that children, visitors
and workers know to securely shut and lock all doors and gates. This is how most
dogs get out and lost from their homes. Of course, in the summer, it is vital that
your dog have shade and plenty of water, and please NEVER, NEVER tie your dog to
anything and leave it unattended.
We also do not recommend the use of doggy doors. Many a cat and dog has been lost
because it can get out a doggy door, get out a gate, and gone forever. Doggy doors
are a cop-out, a lazy alternative to training a dog properly. All dogs can be trained
to not go inside or use a box if you have a small dog.
When taking your dog out of the house or yard, please always have them on
a leash - 1st, it's the law, 2nd for other people's safety, and 3rd, but not least,
for the animal's safety as well. You don't know what your dog is thinking or what
can cause him to run into the street or other unexpected move that could risk its
life.
CATS
It's a fact that inside cats live longer, healthier lives than outside cats. An
indoor cat never faces the dozens of dangers waiting outside your front door. Outdoor
cats live an average of 3 years; indoor cats can live up to 15 years or more.
Cars are the number 1 killer of outdoor cats. No matter how street smart you might
think you cat is, it's only a matter of time. They do not understand about cars.
Then there are the other cats ready to fight and exposure to infectious, sometimes
fatal, diseases from other cats, fleas, ticks, worms, abscesses, cuts, and other
animals. Among the most contagious and deadliest diseases they can catch from other
cats are feline leukemia (FeLV) and the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) which
they can get from sharing water bowls, food and blood from cuts in fights. Cats
can typically carry these viruses from months to years before showing any signs
of illness (meanwhile exposing others to it as well). There is a vaccine for FeLV
(although no vaccine is 100% guaranteed), but none for FIV.
Predators . . . there are dogs that get loose that will kill a cat; we have also
seen coyotes in the neighborhood, and hawks have been known to prey on cats and
small dogs. There are also sick, depraved people/kids who will take a friendly cat
for mutilating or other cruelty. This is horrible way for your loved pet to die.
Poison food put out by people wanting to kill pigeons, rats and even cats. Antifreeze
causes a horrible suffering before death.
What's more if your cats aren't altered, they contribute to the already overwhelming
population of cats - 1000s are put to death by shelters every year for lack of homes
and available space. If your cat is not altered, please do not offer kittens for
free to strangers - they might turn around and sell them to a research lab for $25
- always charge something.
In addition, they needlessly threaten the many wild birds that populate our neighborhood
because of all the trees and vegetation we have.
Outdoor cats are more prone to get lost. Searching for a lost cat without an identification
tag is time-consuming and often heartbreaking. They may be able to fend for themselves
for a time; however, despite what most people think, they are surprisingly ill-equipped
to survive and most ultimately become diseased and may or may not have a consistent
food source. They have a diminished quality of life and succumb much earlier than
house pets.
Cats raised indoors are perfectly content with their world. Cats who have experienced
the outdoors will need some time to get used to an upgraded indoor status, but eventually
they will learn to relax and enjoy the comforts of home if they are given their
own space, cat furniture, toys, etc. You will need to put in a little effort to
make the switch, but if you truly care about them, it's worth it. Calm Cat and Rescue
Remedy are safe, natural liquids you can put in their food or water; or in extreme
cases, your vet can give you a mild tranquilizer for the first few nights. We at
KTN have successfully adapted a number feral cats to the indoors - call us for tips!
Cats raised indoors are perfectly content with their world. Cats who have experienced
the outdoors will need some time to get used to an upgraded indoor status, but eventually
they will learn to relax and enjoy the comforts of home if they are given their
own space, cat furniture, toys, etc. You will need to put in a little effort to
make the switch, but if you truly care about them, it's worth it. Calm Cat and Rescue
Remedy are safe, natural liquids you can put in their food or water; or in extreme
cases, your vet can give you a mild tranquilizer for the first few nights. We at
KTN have successfully adapted a number feral cats to the indoors - call us for tips!
Keeping them in a screened-in porch area or adding on a "catio" (kits of all types
available or make it yourself) might be an alternative. If you still want your pet
to enjoy the privacy of you backyard, be sure it is fenced in, but because a fence
may not prevent other animals from entering your yard, you should always be present
when you provide your cat with this opportunity.
And remember, when transporting your cat, no matter how tame or obedient it is,
please always put it in a carrier or on a leash before removing it from the house.
Carrying it loose and leaving it loose in the car can risk its life as well as yours.
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