Giving kitty pills without losing a finger

One of my cats was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Luckily, this disease is often successfully treated with regular medications. As long as the pills work, my kitty will gain some weight and avoid surgery. I am keeping my fingers crossed. The vet has me giving him a pill twice a day. This is not an easy task. Kitties have fangs, and they like to use them. Here are some ways to give your cat a pill without sustaining any life-threatening injuries.

Hide the pill in wet food.

This trick works well for cats that devour their food. Watch your cat carefully, if he doesn't chew all of his bites, then there is a good chance you'll be able to sneak a pill inside. Ground wet food works the best for this. I always start by putting a small amount in his bowl. I add the pill and cover it up with the food. He thinks he is getting a gourmet meal, but I know what's really inside. Once he finishes this tiny appetizer, I give him the rest of his dinner.

Mash the pill up in milk.

I discovered this technique one night when I was out of wet food. Using a mortal and pestle, I ground up his tiny pill. I mixed the powder into a small bowl of milk, well actually heavy cream (I'm sure he felt spoiled). He lapped up every last drop, leaving behind no trace of the mashed up pill.

Buy a pill pocket treat.

If all else fails, you can always purchase some pill pockets for your kitty. Pet food stores sell a variety of these pill-camouflaging treats. My personal favorite is Feline Greenies® Pill Pockets® Treats. These are pricey, but all of my pets love them. You simply push the pill into the hole, and give kitty the treat. I guarantee that even the most finicky feline will swallow his meds.

There is no reason to lose a finger giving kitty his pills, so try out these methods. If you have another idea, please share it!

Kitty beds are pointless.

As a self proclaimed crazy cat lady, I have quite the collection of cat paraphernalia in my home. In addition to little porcelain figurines and numerous kitty throw pillows (all for my viewing pleasure), I have also acquired an assortment of cat care items that would put PetSmart to shame.

Included in my stash are several unused pet beds. They are soft and fluffy, but my Fluffy just won't sleep in them.

What gives?I decided the only way to solve this mystery was by going directly to my cat. As crazy as it sounds, I chose to study my cat's sleeping habits. Where did she sleep? When did she sleep?

After a long day of following my kitty around, I learned a great deal. First, I found out that she really enjoys doing absolutely nothing. That's my ultimate dream in life - to one day be able to do nothing for hours on end. Sometimes she just wanted to stare at the paint peeling on the wall. Other times she would groom herself in wild positions that would make a gymnast jealous. What she did the most, however, was sleep.

I laid out all of the pet beds that were hiding in my closet, hoping she would pick one to use.

Did she?

No.

Instead, she curled up for a quick cat nap on my bed. Her next resting stop was on the couch. After that, she chose to pass out in the middle of the floor. I swear that she even dozed off in her litter box for a few minutes. The pet beds, however, remained untouched.

So, what did I learn from all of this? I should keep my wallet shut and only buy things that are covered in catnip. The only way these pet beds will be used is if I sleep in them myself.

Is your cat jealous?

Just like people, cats have emotions. Unlike humans, however, they are unable to verbally express their feelings to us. If we drastically change something in their environment, they may become unhappy, or even jealous. The addition of another pet or a new baby may be all it takes to make your cat jealous. How can you tell if you're dealing with a jealous kitty?Kitty is no longer a lap cat.

Your once happy feline may start to spend less time in your lap and more time in isolation. Why would a jealous cat not want attention? It's quite simple. By avoiding you, they are also avoiding whatever is making them feel this way. If a new puppy is running about, they will do anything to stay out of the room. They don't want to see you - their master - giving attention to another creature.

If your cat is avoiding your company, then you need to take more time out of your day to pay attention to him. Create a special time when you can give your undivided attention to your kitty. Give him his favorite treats and play with his favorite toy. During this time, don't bring the jealousy trigger into the room.

Fluffy is fixed but still spraying.

Cats mark their domain by spraying urine in their territory. Even cats that have been neutered may begin doing this if they are jealous of something in their environment. Have you noticed kitty spraying vertically on the walls? If so, then jealously may be the issue. Of course, health problems, such as a UTI, should be eliminated as the cause first.

Instead of reprimanding your cat, give him some extra love. He is craving your affection. Thoroughly clean any sprayed areas with white vinegar to erase the scent. This will deter him from spraying in the same area again. Make sure your kitty has a private area that he can call his own. Buy him a new cat bed, and keep all other animals out of it. Above all, pet and comfort your cat throughout the day.

A jealous kitty is not a happy cat, but this behavior can be reversed. If you have some suggestions of your own, please leave a comment!

Great Lap Cats

While lots of people like pets that are full of energy and a little bit on the hyper side, there are many who prefer a kitty that is a little more laid back. We like to call these felines lap cats. What exactly is a lap cat?

Well, it's a fluffy ball of fur that would rather spend its days sleeping on top of you, than running laps around your house.

The task of choosing a cat can be tough for those that are wanting a calmer kitty. Sometimes looks can be deceiving. A cat that is seemingly lethargic in a cage may just be bored and turn into a fireball at home. So, how can you pick out a lap cat? You have to know what breeds to look for.

Ragdoll

The most relaxed kitty of them all is the Ragdoll. Just as the name implies, the Ragdoll is like having a baby doll. Whenever they are picked up, Ragdolls become completely limp. They crave attention and would prefer to purr in your lap for hours on end. They are also excellent with children. Since these kitties are so docile, it's best to keep them indoors. They are an easy target for other animals to hurt.

Persian

Perhaps the most popular breed in the country, the Persian is a long-haired ball of fluff. They are famous for their gorgeous coats and smooshed faces. When petted, a Persian will close his eyes and purr loudly until he falls asleep. While they are great lap cats, they also require a lot of maintenance. Their fur gets matted easily and must be brushed on a daily basis. Some owners even shave these kitties in the hot months.

Maine Coon

Don't let this giant kitty fool you, the Maine Coon is a big baby. Even though they are avid hunters, the Maine Coon is also a very loyal feline. They are known to follow their owners around the house. While they do no always like to be lap cats, they do enjoy sitting next to their person on the couch. The Maine Coon is calm most of the time and one of the most lovable cats you will ever meet - trust me, I own one.

Strays

OK, so a stray is not really a breed, but they are kitties that are in need of a good home. All of my cats were once strays. Even if they were rambunctious or ornery at first, they soon became complete sweethearts. The trick to turning any kitty into a lap cat is patience and love. The more time you spend with a cat, the more it will bond to you. No matter the breed, a little affection goes a long way.

How many cats is too many?

If you are a cat whisperer, then it can be hard to stop taking in new kitties. After all, you understand what they want and need. You are able to take an "unadoptable" cat and turn him into the perfect pet. This is how one slowly becomes a Crazy Cat Lady. So, the question must be asked. How many kitties is too many?

How much space do you have?

Before bringing home another fluffy feline, you must consider how much space you have in your home. It must be roomy enough for your new addition to have a place where they can escape. Just like people, cats need alone time. If you have too many cats, then they will find it impossible to escape one another and fights will follow. Do you live in a one-bedroom apartment or a six-bedroom estate?

Do you have enough extra cash?

Adding a new pet means spending more money. Not only will you go through kibble and litter at a faster rate, but you will also need to have enough cash in case your kitty needs medical attention. Getting shots and having your cat fixed will cost you a few hundred dollars right off the bat. If your kitty gets ill, then you might spend anywhere from $50-$3000 getting him better. If you don't have the funds for an emergency, then you don't need to bring home Fluffy.

Do your current pets want another kitty around?

This is something we never think about, but our cats have feelings too. Do you have a playful, easy-going cat that gets along with every animal he meets, or do you have a unsocial animal that hisses and growls at new kitties? If you keep introducing new cats to your household, then you may be asking for trouble. You may hurt the feelings of a previous pet, making them resentful toward you. It might be better to give them more attention, rather than bringing home a new mate.

What is the pet limit?

Most cities have pet limits in place, and you cannot go over this amount. If the city finds that you own more pets than is allowed, then they will require that you get rid of some of them. That would be heartbreaking. Instead of breaking the law, help find a new home for the stray with someone that needs a new kitty. Before you adopt a cat, be sure you check out the laws in your area.

 

Does your kitty have arthritis?

No pet owner wants to face the health issues of an aging cat, but it is part of the job title. When your kitty starts to get older, you will be the first one to notice any changes in his normal behavior.

One of the most common ailments that senior cats deal with is arthritis. This painful disorder can dramatically lower your feline's quality of life. Thankfully, however, it is oftentimes simple to treat.

What signs should you be looking for?

Kitty is not as frisky as usual.

Has your cat started becoming more sedentary? Does he no longer jump up on the bed? Do you see kitty stretch more than usual? These can all be signs of arthritis. As your cat's joints become inflamed or the cartilage padding becomes thinner, he will experience a great deal of pain. The easiest way for your kitty to fight the pain is by limiting his movements. Since running and jumping can trigger pain, they will avoid these activities. Your cat may even put on more weight due to the decline in their activity level.

Petting triggers hissing and growling.

Does your kitty no longer liked to be petted on his back? When you hit a certain spot, does he hiss or growl? If so, then he may be feeling pain in these areas. While this is not always indicative of arthritis, it can be a sign. If petting is no longer welcome, then take your cat to a vet right away. They will be able to diagnose the problem.

What if kitty does have arthritis?

Of course, you will be devastated to learn that your feline companion is facing this painful disease, but as his or her owner, it's your job to treat it. Many times, a simple dietary supplement is all you need. One of the most popular ones is a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements lubricate the joints and help encourage growth of new cartilage. If a supplement does not take away all of the pain, your vet may recommend that your kitty takes anti-inflammatory medications or other prescription pills. Remember that arthritis, while not a death sentence, needs to be treated so that your cat continues living a pain-free life.

 

Kitty keeps losing weight

As a self-proclaimed crazy cat lady, I feel that I have a sixth sense when it comes to my kitties. My friends joke that I'm the "Cat Whisperer" because I can usually figure out what they are thinking. I know when are seeking attention or hungry. I can tell if they are wanting to play or needing some space. I even have a special way of making "untouchable" cats learn to trust me.

Every now and then, however, I'm unable to figure out what my kitty needs. Right now, one of my oldest cats is losing a lot of weight. Of course, I'm going to take him to a vet right away, but until then, I did a little research to figure out what could be causing this issue.

Diabetes

One of the most common reasons for a cat to start losing weight is diabetes. Cats with this disease usually start eating less, while drinking a lot more water. They may appear to be more tired than usual, and their urine output may be different.

I don't think my cat has this. He is still eating a lot, and his water intake has not changed. Also, a blood test he had a few months ago didn't point to diabetes.

Cancer

The big "C" is rare in cats, but it's frequently the cause for weight loss. Cancer causes cats to be in a lot of pain, and they may start to become anorexic. Unfortunately, cancer is difficult to treat, and it is often fatal.

I really hope my kitty doesn't have cancer. I haven't noticed a change in his behavior, but of course, I'll leave it up to a vet to figure out.

Parasites

Intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, are a common reason for weight loss. These worms live in the intestines and steal your cat's ingested food. Your cat may be eating more, but still lose weight.

All of my kitties were treated for parasites recently during a routine vet visit, so it's highly unlikely that he has any. Plus, tapeworms are usually noticed as rice-like specs around your cat's anus. His is clean and clear.

Thyroid

An overactive thyroid is sometimes the weight-loss culprit. This is more common in older cats, since their metabolism begins to change. A kitty with a thyroid problem will eat normally and still lose weight. There are medications to help out.

I really think this is my cat's problem. A simple blood test can give me an answer. He eats a lot of food, but still loses weight. He's not in pain and seems very energetic. I hope that it is something we can treat successfully.

Remember to always take your kitty to a vet if you notice any changes in their appearance or behavior.

 

The importance of sterilizing your cats

As cat owners, we want to make sure we do everything possible to ensure a long, healthy life for our furry friends. Our homes are fill with the most innovative cat toys. Our pantries are stocked with the finest cat foods. We even go out of our way to have special time with our kitty. The hardest thing to do is see our animal sick or in pain. I know many pet owners who avoid sterilizing their cats for this very reason. Why should our precious furball undergo an uncomfortable surgery that removes part of who they are?

The answer is simple: Fixing your cat will give him or her better health and maybe even a longer life.

Bob Barker always reminded his audience to spay or neuter their pets before signing off of The Price is Right. He was a huge advocate for controlling the pet population. This is why I started fixing my cats in the first place. I didn't want my cats mating, adding litters of unwanted kittens to the world. Too many pets are homeless, and so many of them will never find a loving owner. For me, this was a good enough reason to always sterilize my pets.

Others, however, don't feel the need to fix their cats. Why should Fluffy have her girl parts removed if she is an only kitty? She always stays indoors, so there's no way that a boy cat could ever mate with her. Spaying is expensive, and Fluffy will have to go under general anesthesia.

To those people, I have to remind them that fixing your cats not only prevents unwanted pregnancies, but it also prevents health issues later on in life.

One of the biggest illnesses early sterilization prevents is cancer. Male cats that are fixed cannot get testicular cancer as they age. When a female is spayed, you are eliminating her chance of developing uterine or ovarian cancer. On top of that, her risk of having breast cancer is greatly decreased. These cancers are very difficult to treat in animals, so it's best to eliminate the source.

Cats that are fixed also have better temperaments. Both female and male cats become calmer. This reduces the likelihood of them instigating fights with other animals. Many untreatable diseases, such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia, are caught from fighting injuries. After watching a kitty die from feline AIDS, I know how painful and devastating this disease can be.

If you're still thinking about the pain your cat will endure during the procedure, consider this: Your cat will be asleep during the entire surgery. They will not feel a thing. After they wake up, your vet will prescribe them painkillers to reduce any discomfort. Most animals are back to their normal selves within a few days.

Give your kitty a better life, and have them sterilized while they are still young.

 

Shelter kitties make the best pets

There are tons of homeless pets in the world. Many of these unwanted souls will end up in a cage at an animal shelter. The lucky ones will be adopted out to loving families that will give them a life of compassion and attention. The unlucky animals will find themselves led down a dark hallway, where they will be "put to sleep" - a nice way of saying humanely murdered.

Even with so many shelter animals in need of a permanent home, lots of people still choose to adopt from a pet store. Why should you pay money for a purebred feline, when you can get a friendly and loving one that will love you unconditionally?

Shelter cats cost less than pet store kitties.

Sure, you may argue with me that you still have to pay money to adopt a pet from a shelter. Even if this amount is equivalent to the price at a pet store, you are getting a much better deal. Pet store cats come with a hefty price tag just because of their breed. If they have papers proving they are a purebred, then they cost even more. The adoption fee that you pay a local shelter goes much further. Your kitty will come with all of his basic shots, such as rabies and distemper. In addition to that, most shelters also include sterilization with this fee. If you choose to purchase from the store, your kitty most likely will need to visit a vet for all these things.

Shelters are overcrowded.

It's a sad reality that most shelters are unable to care for the animals they have on hand. Those that are lucky enough to get a cage only have a limited amount of time to find a home. Most shelters euthanize after a certain number of days. There are many no-kill shelters across the country, but they are usually full and not always accepting more animals. Simply adopting a cat from the local shelter makes room for one more pet have a second chance. Even if you cannot adopt another animal, considering fostering a stray to help control the overcrowding at the shelter.

You're saving a life.

Have you ever walked through a shelter? Every time I visit one, my heart breaks. There are sad faces staring back at you through the metal bars of the cages. All these animals want is a chance to love and to be loved. If you don't adopt from a shelter, the odds of that animal finding a home are slim to none. What happens if no one chooses to adopt? Sadly enough, that animal will be put down. Their body is discarded in the trash, and they were forced to die feeling unwanted and alone. Anyone with a heart knows that saving the life of a stray at an animal shelter is the most rewarding experience. That animal will love you forever.

If you are considering adding another kitty to your house, please visit a local shelter. Spay or neuter the animals that you have to prevent another pet from ending up at a shelter. No animal should ever have to be discarded.

Now this is a crazy cat lady

It seems like the term "crazy cat lady" is used to describe anyone who owns more than one cat and occasionally has cat fur on their shirt. Dog owners are allowed to have more than one pet, and no one picks on a dog lover that may have a few pieces of dog hair on their pants. People who love cats are imagined to be disorganized, dirty and just plain crazy.

Where did this start?

Well, looking around, I was able to find examples of true crazy cat people. This is why we sometimes get a bad rap. Read on, and if you are demonstrating any of the following behaviors, then you are truly the prime model of a crazy cat lady.

Who needs cotton when you have cat fur?

Some of the more crazy of the cat ladies actually wear their pet's fur. No, I don't mean on accident by sitting on a chair after Fluffy has napped there. These people collect the hair from the carpet, furniture or grooming brush and literally turn it into clothing. People wear sweaters made from mohair, so why not cat hair? I'm not willing to go that far...not quite sure I want to wear a scarf knitted from my four-legged friends.

I just wanted a little snack.

Can you believe that there are people who enjoy eating cat kibble? Unless you are starving, I really cannot find any reason why a person would want to eat cat food. The ingredients are questionable. Most of them are byproducts, and cat food includes the parts of animals most humans would consider inedible. Sure, we have all seen a child crawl on the floor and put a piece of dry cat food in their mouth, but they usually don't come back for more. There's a reason that it's called cat food.

But, they are my dependents.

We all know that crazy cat ladies always have more than one kitty. They usually have more than five. Some even have more than 15 or 20. One exceptionally crazy feline person claimed over $12,000 worth of pet deductions on her federal taxes. While you may think that she was locked up for her shenanigans, a savvy lawyer was able to prove to a judge that her deductions were just and fair. Even though the judge sided with her, don't try this at home. She had documentation that showed her expenses were part of a rescue program, not just a crazy hotel for kitties at her home.

So, just because you have a couple of kitties roaming around your house or find it hard to make room in your own bed at night, doesn't mean that you are a crazy cat lady. It simply means that you have a big heart and want to love the creatures that love you unconditionally. However, if I see you nibbling on cat food, wearing a Siamese sweater, while arguing with the IRS about your cat dependents, then I will label you otherwise.

 

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