Moving and Cat Concerns
Moving can be a difficult situation with which to deal for all member of your family, including your cats. If you will be moving in the near future there are a number of things that you should consider in order to make sure that your cat’s health is not compromised. Don’t forget to think about your furry friends when moving!
First, when you are packing for the move, it might be a good idea to confine your cat to a single room or to have a friend of family member watch your cat for the day. Movers are often caring very heavy items, like sofas and refrigerators, so they shouldn’t have to watch where they step. Your curious kitty could also climb into the moving van or boxes and get packed away! If your cat is fully an indoor cat, the open doors while you are loading your belongings are also a worry, since it is easy for a pet to bolt out the door.
About a month before you move, have your cat wear his or her collar full-time, even if you do not normally put the collar on your cat. All of his or her information should be updated and the tags should reflect your new address. When cats are confused, they often run, and a lost cat in a new neighborhood may not be able to find his or her way home very easily. If your cat needs certain medication, this can be very dangerous. By having his or her wear a collar at all times, at least until he or she gets used to the new location, you can make sure that your cat is returned home if lost.
Important Disclaimer
The stories and information on this site are not meant to diagnose or prescribe for you. If you or your pet has a medical problem, you should consult your medical doctor or veterinarian. The ideas and information on this site have not been endorsed or approved by the FDA. In no event shall the owners of this website be liable for any damages whatsoever resulting from any action arising in connection with use of this information or its publication, including any action for infringement of copyright or defamation. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. Opinions expressed here are those of individual contributors. This web site does not verify or endorse the claims of contributing writers.
We Have Moved!
I spent the last two weeks trying to move the Wholesome Pet Supply News blog to my own server. I had been using the free Google Blogspot service, but it was sometimes slow, was not very flexible and had a number of shortcomings I hope to overcome using a new server that I control and also new blogging software from WordPress.
The transition has been challenging, much more so than I ever envisioned. And it’s not done yet, but at least we are here and can once again provide regular posts pertaining to pet health news, education and information.
I am sorry if any of you were inconvenienced by this move. I hope to make it up to you with more frequent and timely information. Please stay tuned.
Pet Skin Problems
A common problem with pets is skin and coat issues that can cause severe itching, a dull look, and shedding of fur, leading to a coat that has a greasy look, smells bad, has matting or rashes that prompt continuous scratching.
This could be a condition called Mange. Mange is a parasitic infestation of the skin of animals. Common symptoms include hair loss, itching and inflammation, all of which are caused by microscopic mites. Mange is most commonly found in dogs and other canines, but it can occur in other domestic and wild animals. A full description of Mange can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mange.
Check if your pet’s fur appears broken and or there are tiny bumps. If these do not exist, your pet may not have Mange, but possibly a poor diet or lack of vitamins. The importance of a proper diet cannot be overemphasized.
Pet foods should contain all natural ingredients, no chemicals or fillers, and should be fresh. Natural foods will improve your dog’s immune system to resist the conditions that cause skin and coat issues.
Flowers & Plants that can be Harmful to Cats
Cats love plants the way dogs love chocolate, which is strange because cats are mainly carnivores. However, though most animal species learn to stay away from things that make them sick, cats will eat plants over and over with the same results. Does this sound familiar, you lactose-intolerant people out there? Below is a list of potentially harmful flowers and plants along with their levels of toxicity from poisonous, dangerous to downright deadly.
Flower or Plant ……. Level of Harm
Iris ……………… dangerous
Castor Bean ……….. very deadly, one seed can kill
Azalea ……………. dangerous
Foxglove ………….. dangerous
Hydrangea …………. dangerous
Amaryllis …………. poisonous
Japanese Yew ………. dangerous
Daffodil ………….. poisonous
Mistletoe …………. deadly
Hyacinth ………….. poisonous
Honeysuckle ……….. poisonous
Poinsettia ………… can induce vomiting
Pine (Christmas) Tree . ingesting needles or drinking tree water can induce vomiting and gastrointestinal irritation
Lily of the Valley … dangerous
Other Lily ……….. dangerous – can cause acute
(Easter, Tiger, Star-Gazer) kidney failure
Oleander …………. dangerous
Rhododendron ……… dangerous
For food cats love to eat and that will not harm them, please visit http://www.wholesomepetsupply.com/. Thank you!
Smooth Sailing Surgeries for your Cat
If your cat needs surgery, for whatever reason, there are multiple steps you can take to help your cat with this process. There are three main classifications of surgeries. First, elective surgeries are those that you choose to have done, but that do not have to be done. Spaying and neutering fall into this category. The second kind of surgery is called non-elective, and these are surgeries which have to be done for your cat’s survival, but which you schedule. Lastly, there are emergency surgeries, that are done quickly and as your pet needs them, such as if your cat is hit by a car. If your cat is having elective or not elective surgery, there are ways to prepare for this, and if your cat is recovering from any type of surgery, you can do certain things in your home to make this easier.
First and foremost, when your cat is going to have surgery, it is usually best for this to happen when your cat has an empty stomach, unless your vet indicates otherwise. The most common response to the anesthetics used is vomiting, so your cat will have fewer problems if his or her stomach has no food in it. If you deny your pet food for about 12 hours before the surgery, most of the food in the stomach will be gone. In most cases, your cat having access to water is fine. If you have other pets in the house, you may need to confine your cat to one room so that he or she doesn’t eat from other dishes, or you may need to withhold food from all of your pets.
When your kitty goes into surgery, remember that any number of things may go wrong. You’ll be responsible for the vet bill, even if it is higher than the estimate. After the surgery, it may take a day or even longer for your cat to be awake and functioning. You may also be looking at a few days—sometimes more—in the vet hospital for recovery. You should visit during the hours allowed, and volunteer to help feed or care for your cat. This will let your cat know that you have not abandoned him or her.
