How to "Cat"ify Your Home

Cats are interesting and social creatures but they love to have their own space.  You can bring out your cats personality and help them have happier lives by making a few simple changes in your home.

1.  Provide lots of resting spaces

We all know cats love to nap, but what they love even more is to nap in a comfortable secure place.  Giving them a special bed with sides and is elevated off the floor is sure to make your cat purr with delight.  This can be as simple as a cardboard box with a fleece blanket, a cat carrier with the top taking off or as fancy as a cat tree with multiple resting spaces.  Be sure to provide one space for each cat in the home and remember to think vertically!

2.  Provide a food and water bowl for each cat

Cats are social and will sometimes enjoy spending time with their friends, but they really like to have their own stuff.  Imagine if you had to share your plate or water glasses with someone else in your home!  It is just an unpleasant for your cat as you can imagine it would be for you and can set your cats up to compete with each other or block access to food or water from each other.

3.  Provide a bathroom for each cat in the house plus one

Again cats don’t like to share their stuff and the bathroom is something they would prefer to have to themselves.  Having a litterbox for each cat in the home plus one extra means the chances of a cat making their own bathroom some place you find unpleasant less likely

4.  Scratching Posts

Cats need to scratch it is their way of leaving post its to let the other cats in the home know what is going on.  If you provide your cats with a centrally located message board that is appealing in a few areas around the house they will be less likely to turn your sofa or favorite chair into one.

5.  Feliway

All cats experience some stressors in life just as we do.  The problem is often times it is hard for us to identify what is upsetting them and many times they are upset by the tiniest things.  To decrease your cats ups and downs in life we can remove what stresses them if we can identify it OR we can use a little plug in that gives off a happy cat scent.  Feliway is a great product and can help to make your home a happier place for your cat.

Article written by:

Lorene Rockwell, DVM

Formerly of Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital

February is Pet Dental Month

February is National Pet Dental Health Month

Let’s work on making it a year-round goal.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the month of February is National Pet Dental Health Month.  This was started to raise awareness to our pets’ oral health which is a fantastic goal.  I support this notion, but all kidding aside, it takes more than one month out of twelve to make a healthy mouth.

Unfortunately tartar happens.  We humans brush our teeth every day, twice a day.  When we visit our dentist (ideally twice a year) they can still find plaque and tartar to remove from our teeth.  Our four-legged friends are not that different in what causes periodontal disease, except that they don’t open up and say “ahhh” nearly as much as we veterinarians and owners would like.  It starts when bacteria and plaque harden to tartar.  This leads to inflammation and infection of the gums which eventually works its way to the roots of the teeth and at its worst, leads to loss of bone, loosening of the tooth, and loss of the tooth.

Even more concerning, advanced dental disease can lead to bacteria in the bloodstream which can cause microscopic damage to the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The key to managing dental health and therefore gum infection and tooth decay is prevention!  Brushing daily to every other day is the gold standard as this keeps the plaque from becoming hardened tartar.  However, when this is not an option, consider daily chewing activities.  When using products to clean you pets’ teeth, make sure they are approved by the Veterinary Oral Health Council and appropriate for your pets’ size and chewing capacity.  There are prescription dental diets that can be used as aids as well, as can a variety of oral rinses, sprays, and enzymatic chews from C.E.T.

Also, have your pet’s mouth checked periodically by your veterinarian.  If we recommend a professional dental cleaning, or dental prophy, take it to heart as we are trying to prevent your pet from having to have numerous teeth extracted.  Regular professional dental care is a great addition to the care you provide at home in order to control plaque and tartar!  Depending on breed, genetics, chewing habits, and home-care routine, some pets may need a professional prophy and evaluation every 6-12 months to maintain oral health – just like us!  Others will need it much less frequently.

Good luck folks!  Keep smiling and don’t be afraid to talk to us about your pet’s dental health, no matter what month of the year it is!

article written by:

Dr. Jessica Smith

Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Happy Halloween! Let's Have a Fun and Safe Time!

In my home, Halloween marks the beginning of the high calorie festivities season.  Costume dreams and candy-fetching master plans are at the forefront of the minds of most children, including my own.  It is a fun day for people of all ages, but for our pets, it can be a far different experience.  With some simple precautions, you can make this a much easier day for your pet. 

• Even for an easy going pet, the visiting trick-or-treater’s can be stressful.  Children are noisy and fast moving already, but in a costume and well “sugared”, kids can be terrifying to some pets.  Pets should be kept indoors and may feel more secure in their own space away from the chaos.  If needed, your veterinarian has calming pheromone diffusers that help alleviate anxiety in cats or dogs. 
• The frequent opening and closing of the door offers opportunity for escape.  Be sure your pet is well identified with a collar and tags at minimum.  A microchip affords permanent identification.  Having your pet stay in their own secure space or at least on a leash will lessen the possibility of escape. 
• Burning candles in Jack-o-Lanterns pose a burn risk and fire hazard.  There are plenty of candle-like options available that do not have an active flame. 
• Candy will make your pet sick.  Most people are well aware of the dangers of a pet eating chocolate.  Fewer people know about xylitol, an artificial sweetener found in more and more “sugarless” products, especially gum.  In dogs, a xylitol overdose causes a dangerous drop of the blood sugar as well as liver failure.  Ingestion requires immediate treatment.  Toxicity issues aside, the sugar, wrappers, sticks or plastic parts of candy will cause significant gastrointestinal upset or even obstruction. 
• As cute as pet Halloween costumes are, be sure they are comfortable and fit appropriately.  The pet should be able to freely move and eliminate.  Be aware of small parts on any costume that could be removed and eaten.

So, plan the costumes and treats for your neighbors, friends, and family, but remember to keep your pets safe and secure on Halloween night! 

And - if you haven't already - make sure to enter our Halloween Pet Costume Contest on Facebook for your chance to WIN $100 in hospital credit! See below for information on how to enter. (Again, please make sure these costumes are comfortable and safe for you pet.) Good luck! 

article written by:

Dr. Laura Rau-Holl

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography is an important medical imaging technique used in humans and pets alike.  Companion Animal Hospital is happy to provide this imaging option as it plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of many medical conditions.  Ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves and their echoes. The technique is similar to the echolocation used by bats, whales and dolphins, as well as SONAR used by submarines. 

An ultrasound exam is a way of looking inside your pet’s body (liver, kidneys, and intestines) without having to perform surgery.  The ultrasound machine transmits high-frequency (1 to 5 megahertz) sound pulses into your pet’s body using a probe.  As these sound waves travel through the body, they hit a boundaries between tissues (for example boundaries between fluid and soft tissue, soft tissue and bone).  When hitting these boundaries, some sound waves are immediately reflected back to the probe, while others travel on further until they reach another boundary and get reflected.  These reflected waves are sensed by the probe and this information is sent to the machine.  The machine calculates the distance from the probe to the tissue or organ (boundaries) using the speed of sound in tissue and the time of the each echo’s return.  The machine’s screen uses this information to form a two dimensional picture your veterinarian has been trained to interpret.   

                

Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool in veterinary practice.  It does a great job of evaluating tissue architecture.  Loss of normal tissue architecture is seen in many diseases, most notably cancer.  Other examples of when ultrasound is used in veterinary medicine include:

• Early diagnosis of pregnancy
• Diagnosis of bladder or kidney stones- even those that can’t be seen on radiographs (x-rays)
• Measuring thickness of organs such as intestines and the bladder
• Echocardiography is ultrasound of the heart and is extremely important in the diagnosis of heart disease.  Recommendations for treatment are heavily based on the ultrasound findings.
• Color Doppler can be used to look at blood flow to different organs in the body.

Ultrasonography is an important part of the diagnosis of many conditions we see in pets.  Please let us know if you have any questions about this imaging modality.  We would be happy to discuss its benefits and whether it may be right for your pet!

article written by:

Derek Williamson, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Vernon Hills and Crawford Animal Hospital

Cat Introductions: Helpful Hints

When the time comes to add a cat to your feline family, planning for a proper cat introduction will help promote success.  Could you imagine if a person came into your home announcing themselves as a new roommate and sat in your favorite chair and commandeered the TV remote?  Sometimes when we bring a new cat home and let the cats “work it out”, we’re creating a similar stressful situation.  While the cats might work it out on their own, we can certainly decrease the chances of problems and make the process easier on everyone.  Here are some tips for a gradual introduction.

• At first the cats should only be allowed to smell and hear each other, not see each other.  Confine your new cat to one room of your house with its own litter box, bowls, toys, etc. Place towels with the scent of the other cat (maybe one they've slept on) underneath each cat’s food bowl and on resting places.  Rub the cat’s toys with the scent of the other cat.  The goal is to have the other cat's scent associated with good things.
• After your new cat is comfortable in her room (maybe after several hours or more likely, several days), switch places for an hour or so (confine your resident cat(s) in the room and allow the new cat out to explore the rest of the house).  Do not allow the cats to see each other in this exchange.  This will help the cats to become more familiar with each other without the stress of confrontation.
• Give favorite treats close to the door of the cat’s room (with one cat on each side of the closed door).  This helps to associate good things with the presence of the other cat.  Try slipping one end of a toy underneath the door to encourage the cats to play with each other under the door.
• Repeat the above steps until there is no hissing, growling or fleeing and all cats seem curious about the cat on the other side of the door.
• Next, wedge the door open about an inch with doorstops.  This allows the cats to see each other, paw if they want to, but they can get away from each other safely if they chose. 
• Then let the cats out together.  When they are first out together, keep the meeting short, and continue to offer food, treats, toys and petting. If any hissing or conflicts occur, distract the cats into another activity - dangle a favorite toy, offer food (use the sound of the can opener to "call" the resident cat to the kitchen), etc.
• Supervise them, not allowing them to be alone together, until they are consistently demonstrating friendly behaviors with each other for at least one week.
• Punishment is not helpful.  It doesn't create the association of "good things" with the other's presence and adds stress to a stressful situation.

As always, if you have any questions or need help with a cat introduction, please call us.

article written by:

Sheila Newenham, DVM

Companion Animal Hospital Mount Prospect

Your Unique Feline Friend

Anyone who shares their home with a cat knows that they are a unique creature.  While every cat has its own personality, there are some underlying innate behavioral characteristics that make them decidedly different from dogs (and people). 

Dogs and people are “pack species” and have evolved as group hunters of large prey.  The cat is an “independent species” and has evolved as a solitary hunter of small prey.  The cat is also a prey item for larger animals (such as dogs).  Being independent by nature is what makes most cats happier with interaction on their terms.  Cats like to feel like they are in control of their situation, therefore changes to their routine or surroundings is challenging for them.  They do not respond to force.

It is important to understand the basics of cat behavior so that we can provide a home that they feel content and safe in.  Knowing how they would use a natural environment helps us to simulate that environment in our homes.  Not only does this make a happy cat that you can live amicably with, but it reduces their stress and anxiety.  It has been found that stress can play a role in illness, particularly urinary tract related illness, in the cat.  Without the proper provisions, normal cat behavior can be problematic in a home. 

From Kitty’s perspective:

1. I want my space.  Have a separate area for food, water, and elimination.  No one should sneak up on me when I am eating or eliminating.  Avoid placement near appliances or vents that could startle me.
2. Litter pan happiness.  The rule of thumb for litter pans is to have one pan per cat plus one (2 cats = 3 pans).  Place a pan on each level of the home.  Most, but not all cats like fine, unscented, clean litter in a large, open pan.  Finding my pan should not be a journey or dangerous adventure.  It shouldn’t be gross.  Experiment with side by side boxes to determine preferences if you are making a change. 
3. Let me hunt. I will hunt birds, bugs, or rodents, but I might have a favorite.  Experiment with toys to find which I prefer.  Do not use fingers or toes as toys.  Be careful of toys with strings attached or toys that are falling apart.  If small parts or a string could be eaten by me, the toy is no longer safe.  (Bugs= lasers, hard kibble, Rodents= balls, furry mice toys on the ground, Birds= feathered toys, suspended toys)
4. … Or let me sleep.  In nature, I am hunting as many as 20 prey items per day.  Between hunts, I rest.  I do not have a pattern to my sleep/wake cycle as my person does and therefore can be more active than my person might like at night.  Adding some play during the day can help to keep me quieter at night.   
5. Let me find my safe place up high. I want to spend my vulnerable sleeping time where nothing will surprise or hurt me.  In nature, I am a prey item for other animals.  I often have a preference for being elevated or hidden away when I am resting.  Perches also provide a means to watch the action from above, check out the outdoors, and satisfy my curiosity without feeling at risk.
6. Scratch that.  I may scratch horizontal or vertical surfaces.  I may prefer sisal, cardboard, or another substrate.  Experiment until you find the favorite.  I scratch to hone my claws, but also to scent mark and stretch.  My scratching areas should be readily available. 

This is short article is only a brief summary of the nuances of cat behaviors.  The best resource for all homes with cats is the website dedicated to Indoor Pets from The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats 

article written by:

Laura Rau-Holl, DVM

Wolf Merrick Animal Hospital, Kenosha, WI