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Scottish Fold Health Quirks

Steven Fletcher — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:42:07 +0000

You may be familiar with the Scottish Fold breed of cat with its endearing “lop ears”, but do you know about Scottish Fold health quirks? The ruling British cat association thought they did when they barred the cats from championship competition. Early Scottish Fold breeders in the 1960′s were accused of breeding deformed cats for profit, and were even subjected to health and welfare inspector calls. According to the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF), Scottish Folds were banished from competition because the structures of their ears were more subject to infection, mites and even deafness. Since that time, these fears have not been borne out. If there are any health quirks resulting from the Scottish Fold’s ear configuration, it’s only a higher probability of ear wax buildup then with other breeds.
Scottish Fold cats are generally attributed with calm, sweet-tempered dispositions, though of course there is a range of individual variations. They have won a place of distinction and love in the United States, including recognition as a unique breed in championship judging. Although the GCCF has never come around on their acceptance of the Scottish Fold, the breed is also recognized by The International Cat Association.

Here’s an excerpt from J. Anne Helgren’s description of the Scottish Fold, posted on petplace.com.

” . . . The breed’s distinctive folded ears are produced by an incompletely dominant gene that affects the cartilage of the ears, causing the ears to fold forward and downward, giving a cap-like appearance to the head. Smaller, tightly folded ears set in a cap-like fashion are preferred to a loose fold and larger ear. The large, round eyes and rounded head, cheeks, and whisker pads add to the overall rounded appearance. Despite the folded ears, folds still use their aural appendages to express themselves – the ears swivel to listen, lay back in anger and prick up when the treat bag rustles . . .”

Original article here -

And here is a great example of a Scottish Fold kitten on Youtube.

View video on YouTube -

Not all Scottish Folds have folded ears, but for the ones who do, the “cuteness factor” commands a price premium compared to many other cat breeds. If you have a Scottish Fold we would love to hear about your experiences. Just respond in the comments section below. Thanks!

Image credit: “Katoen” by Sibel/Flickr

Kitten Vaccinations

Steven Fletcher — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:04:43 +0000

Kitten vaccinations will be one of the first things you need to learn about when you adopt a kitten. The most common vaccinations are for distemper, rabies, feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), but your veterinarian may not recommend the last two if your kitten will never go outside or if there’s no other cats in your home. Distemper shots are usually given first, at around six weeks of age, and repeated every three weeks until the kitten is about twelve weeks old. Distemper refers to feline panleukopenia, but the typical vaccination also includes vaccines against feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and pneumonitis. FeLV and FIP vaccinations are generally given at around 12 weeks of age, and rabies shots at around 16 weeks.

According to pets.webmd.com, distemper is responsible for many kitten fatalities. Here’s an excerpt from their article.

“Feline Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper)

Feline panleukopenia, also called feline infectious enteritis, is a leading cause of death in kittens. It has been called feline distemper, but it bears no relation to the virus that causes distemper in dogs . . . Panleukopenia can be transmitted to kittens both before and shortly after birth. In such cases, the mortality rate is 90 percent . . . Most cats are exposed to panleukopenia sometime during their life. Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent serious infection.”

Original article here -

The risks of kitten vaccinations have gotten more attention lately, and they’re worth mentioning. A very small percentage of kittens have allergic reactions to vaccines. If your kitten exhibits unusual symptoms after getting shots, such as vomiting or wheezing, you should alert your vet immediately to remedy the reaction. A small percentage of vaccinated kittens also develop fibrosarcoma cancer. If you have concerns about these risks and wonder if they are outweighed by the benefits of vaccinations you should discuss them with your vet.

Image credit: “Kittens!” by Nicolas Suzor/Flickr

Best Cats Health Diet

Steven Fletcher — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 05:26:56 +0000

The best cats health diet is one that provides your cat with feline specific essential nutrients. Because cats are true carnivores, a protein rich diet is very important. The protein should come from an animal source in order to provide essential amino acids, including arginine and taurine which are not produced internally by cats in large enough quantities to keep them healthy. Cats will eat grains if they are flavored attractively, but they are not the healthiest feline food. If you feed your cat dry cat food, it’s important to read the ingredients to determine the proportion of protein rich sources to the overall grain, carbohydrate and fat content. Many cats do not drink enough water voluntarily, so there’s a built-in advantage to canned cat food with its higher water content. Cats also need linoleic, linolenic and arachidonic essential fatty acids, the last of which is only found in animal fats. Cats also have a high vitamin A requirement which can only be satisfied with meat. Their diets should also provide niacin.

Veterinarian Marty Becker just published a post on insidenova.com, with a response to the question of whether canned food or dry food is better for cats. Here’s an excerpt from Dr. Becker’s post.

“Is canned food or dry better for my cat?

Q. My veterinarian says canned food is better for my cat than kibble. Is this true? And if so, why?

A. This may be true for your specific cat, but I’m not comfortable making a sweeping generalization for all cats. I will say, however, that given the chronic dehydration of many cats, it is becoming more common for veterinarians to recommend food with high moisture content as part of an overall program to increase cats’ water intake . . .”

Original article here -

If you have read some of our other posts about best cats health diets, you will recognize that this topic generates a lot of interest and discussion. Because of the vested interests of cat food producers, you may appreciate that challenges to the wholesomeness of commercially sold cat foods are controversial, even when they come from cat care professionals like Dr. Lisa Pierson. We can only hope however, that as we become more knowledgeable as cat guardians, we’ll be able to make the best choices for their health.

Image credit: “Bird Food Cat” by Brian Fuller/Flickr

Easter Dangers to Cats Health

Steven Fletcher — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 20:27:59 +0000

How many Easter dangers to cats health can you think of? According to cbsnews.com there are seven dangers commonly seen around Easter time that can kill a cat. These include Easter lilies, chocolate, Easter basket grass, any candy sweetened with xylitol, rotten Easter eggs, candy wrappers and Easter bunnies. We’re not so sure about Easter bunnies posing a mortal threat to kitty, but the other dangers are very real. A number of flowers, including carnations, azaleas, daffodils, chrysanthemums and many other are poisonous to cats, but the Easter lily in particular can be lethal. Chocolate and xylitol can also be deadly to cats. Finding an old and rotten Easter egg left over from a hunt, might or might not be a problem for inquisitive felines, depending on how determined they are to break one open and eat it. Ingested candy wrappers and Easter basket grass are greater and more likely threats, with the potential to cause serious internal stress which could even require surgery to remove. Becoming aware of these risks may help cat parents to keep these dangers away from their cats and avoid holiday tragedy.

Here’s an excerpt from the article posted today on cbsnews.com.

“

7 Easter treats that might kill your cat or dog

. . . Easter lilies are beautiful and symbolic of many of the virtues of the holiday; however, they — and all other lily flowers — are deadly poison to cats if any part of the plant is ingested. Families with house cats simply should not risk the lethal danger posed to their pets by having lilies anywhere near their cats. All portions of the plant are poisonous to a cat’s kidneys when eaten and, even with prompt veterinary care, treatment is not always successful. Lilies — as beautiful as they are — are life-threatening to cats, and the two should be kept far apart . . .”

Original article here -

Recognizing Easter dangers to cats health doesn’t mean your cat can’t be part of your holiday celebrations. If you’d like to check out some ideas for non-toxic treats for your cat, we hope you’ll read through our free ebook, “17 Ways to Pamper your Cat.” Just leave your contact information in the form to the right of this post, and we’ll get it right to you!

Image credit: “Easter Cat” by L’eau Bleue/Flickr

Fifth Annual Pet Parent’s Day Coming Up

Steven Fletcher — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 05:12:31 +0000

We have Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, even Administrative Professional’s Day, so why not Pet Parent’s Day? Sunday, April 29 will actually be the fifth time this relatively new celebration day has been observed. In honor of the occasion, Veterinary Pet Insurance Company is offering free customizable Pet Parent’s Day e-cards on its Facebook page. Here’s a link to their press release on PRWeb.com, with more details.

http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/4/prweb9367295.htm -

Cat Behavior Clicker Training

Steven Fletcher — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:38:43 +0000

Our cats are pretty independent creatures and many people don’t believe they can be trained, but are you familiar with Cat Behavior Clicker Training? Clicker training, or “operant conditioning” has become very popular for training dogs, but can also work with cats. The basic concept is to produce a clicking sound whenever your cat performs a desired behavior, followed immediately with a treat. Your cat soon discovers that if she performs a certain action she can get you to provide a treat. The clicking sound reinforces that association. The clicking sound works better than your voice because the only time your cat ever hears the clicking sound is during the training. Praising your cat instead of using a clicker could confuse your cat, since you communicate many other things to your cat with your voice. You don’t have to buy an expensive clicker, even a toy clicker works fine as long as the sound is distinctive but not too loud to be startling. Cat clicker training can be used to teach simple tricks, but it can also be used to teach other preferred behaviors, such as using the litter box or using a scratching post.

Brenda F. Barnette, former CEO of the Seattle Humane Society and currently General Manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, has written an informative article about her experience with cat behavior clicker training. Here’s an excerpt from her article, posted on seattlehumane.org.

Clicker Training Cats

“. . . Timing of rewards is critical. Click first, then drop the treat in front of the cat. Click & Treat is the key. Choose one exercise at a time. Click and treat your cat for coming or sitting or fetching (really!); for finding the potty box and the right place to scratch. For more details and resources on clicker training go to www.clickertraining.com. Try to do this exercise several times a week and watch for the time when the cat associates the sound of the clicker with getting a treat. Keep sessions regular but short. When the cat buys into the game plan, then you can add a word or a gesture to indicate the learned movement that receives a treat.”

View complete article here -

Here is one of the best short Youtube videos made so far about cat clicker training

View video on YouTube -

Just as a reality check, we may call it cat behavior clicker training, but from your cat’s perspective she is the one doing the training. She figures out what behaviors on her part will make you give up the treats, then she repeats these behaviors until you are thoroughly trained! As far as the treats go, it’s best to figure out what your cat’s favorites are. We have a few suggestions in our free ebook, “17 Ways to Pamper your Cat.” Just leave your contact information in the form to the right of this post, and we’ll get it right to you!

Image credit: “Is this trick good enough for a treat?” by Isaac Wedin/Flickr

Does Your Cat Suffer from Feline Stress?

Steven Fletcher — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 00:02:16 +0000

Does your cat suffer from feline stress? It’s not that difficult to figure out. Common sources of stress for cats are changes in her environment, a pet parent getting upset, invasion of her territory by another cat or dog (including introduction of a new cat or puppy into the household), separation from her pet parent, or even a dirty litter box. Your cat may respond to a stressful situation by running away or hiding, with aggression, by freezing or she may become submissive to the bullying of another cat. Aggression may mean actively fighting or it might be a passive aggression that shows up as urinating on a wall or piece of furniture. If you recognize signs of stress in your cat the next step is to try to figure out the source of the stress and then either eliminate it or make accommodations. Our cat Scratch was pretty traumatized when we relocated five years ago, crawling between the sheets of my son’s bed and hiding there for several days. He’s since become well-adjusted, but when we had our house roofed last week he reverted to the same hiding behavior. Unfortunately, it’s not always so easy to identify symptoms, causes and fixes, but Pam Johnson-Bennett has recently posted a pretty good article on the topic on her website.

Here’s an excerpt from Johnson-Bennet’s article posted on catbehaviorassociates.com.

“Stress in Cats

. . . The first step is to have your cat examined by the veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical problem. Don’t assume that the cat’s inappropriate elimination problem or aggression toward a companion cat is due to stress until other health concerns have been looked into.

If possible, try to identify the cause of the stress. This isn’t always an easy thing to do because the stress trigger may not be obvious. Still, do your best to try to figure out what might be the source. When it comes to trying to determine any less-obvious cause of stress, it will help if you remember the sensitivity level of a cat’s senses. Your cat hears much better than you and her high-level hearing is especially sensitive. Imagine how ongoing loud music might affect her. Your cat’s sense of smell is also much more sensitive than a human’s so scents that might not bother you could be disturbing to her. It could be the scent of another cat, the odor from having a room freshly painted, pest control chemicals sprayed in the environment, cleansers, etc. When it comes to your cat’s sense of touch, having a room carpeted or having the carpet removed and flooring put down could be disturbing not only from a noise and smell perspective but also from a textural point of view. If you have a cat who already tends to be a bit jumpy and reactive to change, imagine how these types of changes could cause an increase in stress . . .”

Original article here -

So, does your cat suffer from feline stress, or are you not sure? Just as with humans, unresolved stress can eventually lead to a variety of health problems, and certainly a reduction in quality of life, so it’s important to minimize stressors. We have some fun ideas for reducing the stressors in your favorite cat’s life in our free ebook, “17 Ways to Pamper your Cat.” To get your copy, just leave your contact information in the form to the right of this post.

Image credit: “A Nervous Groom” by Steve Jurvetson/Flickr

Cats Health, Fleas and other Parasites

Steven Fletcher — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:20:31 +0000

As we enter the warmer months of the year it’s time to consider cats health, fleas and other parasites. According to an article posted today in thedailyrecord.com (Wooster, Ohio), we have just finished with one of the warmest winters on record. You might ask why that should matter to your cats health? The answer is that milder winters don’t kill off as many intestinal parasites in the soil, such as hookworms and roundworms, so your pets are at greater risk of getting infected. Fleas are also more active with warmer temperatures and higher humidity. Fleas can be carried into your house by any pet that has access to the outdoors, and then transmitted to other pets in the house. Fleas are also hosts to tapeworms, which can be swallowed when your cat grooms herself. And this year may be shaping up as a bad one for fleas. Fox2Now in St. Louis recently aired a spot that considers whether we might be facing one of the worst flea seasons ever. Here’s a link to that video.
Veterinarians Worried Worst Flea Season About To Begin | FOX2now.com – St. Louis News & Weather from KTVI Television FOX2

And here’s an excerpt from Dr. Roger Redman’s article that discusses cats health, fleas and other parasites, as posted on thedailyrecord.com.

“. . . The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration said this has been the fourth warmest winter on record. And with the warm temperatures comes something that most people would like to stay away from — bugs.

Local veterinarians said they’re busier than ever for this time of year. It all boils down to fleas, ticks and other creepy crawly insects that are finding new homes on your dog or cat. When things warm up, fleas get active and adult fleas appear on pets and in the home and yard, when we would normally see them the first of May.

Fleas can cause a broad range of other diseases that include cat scratch fever in people and tapeworms in our pets. Their bite onto a dog or cat can also initiate the intense itch of flea allergy dermatitis, which appears as hair loss, scabs, and biting or itching over the top of the rump . . .”

Original article here -

There are a wide range of approaches and products for managing cats health with respect to fleas and other parasites, some more effective than others, depending on your cat and her environment. We recommend talking to your vet to determine the best prevention and treatment plans.

Image credit: “Roxy Gone Mad” by Robynlou Kavanagh/Flickr

Cats Health Care Conference

Steven Fletcher — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:21:24 +0000

If you live near Fort Collins, Colorado you might consider attending their annual Cats Health Care Conference on Saturday, April 7. It’s free with registration, and is hosted by Colorado State University’s School of Veterinary Science. Topics will include feline music therapy and aromatherapy, dental health and longevity. Read all about it here, in Colorado State’s press release.

http://www.news.colostate.edu/Release/6140 -