Food Hypersensitivity
By Laurie Buckley on March 7, 2008
Despite the fact that a cat may have eaten a particular food for years, she can become allergic to certain foods anytime. Some common food allergens include beef, pork, dairy, fish, wheat, and corn.
Signs of food hypersensitivity can include the following: an itchy rash around her head, hair loss, and possible skin sores due to scratching. The most common food allergic reactions include gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Treatment will consist of long-term hypoallergenic dietary management.
Posted in Cat Health | Tagged food allergens, food hypersensitivity | 1 Response
Important Stages In Kitten Development
By Laurie Buckley on February 26, 2008
The following is an outline of some of the important stages in your kitten’s development.
The First Two Weeks
- born blind and deaf
- weight at birth will be approximately 3 1/2- 4 ounces
- umbilical cords drop off after two or three days
- unable to regulate body temperature
- highly developed sense of smell
- mother stays with kittens basically around the clock for the first twenty-four hours
- weight will double in the first week
- mother must stimulate each kitten’s elimination process by licking
Two Weeks-Four Weeks
- eyes and ears open at about ten to fourteen days
- milk teeth start to appear
- at three weeks, the kittens are able to eliminate on their own
- the mother shows her kittens how to cover their waste
- social play begins between weeks three and four
- important socialization time
- righting reflex develops
Four Weeks- Eight Weeeks
- able to groom themselves at five weeks
- weaning should be completed by seven weeks
- all baby teeth are in by eight weeks
- continued important socialization time
- play behavior gets rougher as weeks progress
Eight Weeks- Fourteen Weeks
- kittens engage more frequently in object play
- senses will be fully developed by twelve weeks
- adult eye color established around twelve weeks
- adult teeth begin to erupt at fourteen weeks
- adult sleep patterns will begin to develop as weeks progress
Six Months- Twelve Months
- kittens reach sexual maturity
- continued growth at a slower pace
Posted in Kitten Care | Tagged kitten development
How To Apply Eye Medication
By Laurie Buckley on February 19, 2008
To apply eye medication, place your cat on a counter or sit with her in your lap in a “v” position, which means placing the cat between your legs facing away from you. This way is she tries to back up, she has no where to go.
To administer ointment make sure your hands are clean and thoroughly rinsed of soap. You will need to tilt your cat’s head slightly upward with one hand. With your other hand holding the tube of medicine, rest your hand against her cheek so that you don’t accidentally poke her in the eye if she should suddenly move. Now gently pull the lower lid down and apply the amount in a strip along the lid. Don’t worry about rubbing the eyelid as doing so will only cause irritation. The ointment will automatically spread as the cat blinks.
To administer drops, tilt your cat’s head upwards. Rest the hand holding the dropper against the cat’s cheek to prevent injury in the case of your cat suddenly moving. Now drop the prescribed amount into the eye, be very careful not to touch the eye itself with the applicator. Let the cat go to allow her to close her eyes.
Never put any drops in your cat’s eyes unless they were prescribed by your vet.
Posted in Cat Care | Tagged eye drops, eye medication, eye ointment | 1 Response
Wool Chewing
By Laurie Buckley on February 12, 2008
If you’re not familiar with what wool chewing is, this unwanted behavior is exactly what it sounds like. A wool chewing cat can destroy a sweater, a pair of socks or even a blanket in a matter of minutes. It is believed that some cats crave fiber, and that some breeds appear to have a higher need than others. For example, Siamese cats often display this behavior.
To solve this problem you’ll need to remove all temptation. Don’t leave your bed unmade if you have a blanket on it, keep a comforter or bedspread over it. Don’t toss your socks on the floor. And make sure you keep your sweater drawers closed and don’t store any sweaters on shelves where your cat can get to them.
Make the switch to dry cat food if you’re currently feeding only canned. You may even have to offer free choice feeding, meaning leaving it out for the cat to nibble on when she wants. If you’re currently already feeding dry food, speak to your vet about changing to a higher fiber formula. If you own a cat that simply refuses to eat dry food, try to increase the fiber content of her canned meals by adding a half-teaspoon of canned pumpkin or half a teaspoon of bran. Start doing this slowly, add only a few flakes at a time and work up to a half-teaspoon.
Also you may want to grow some kitty greens for your cat to snack on as well.
Posted in Cat Behavior | Tagged cat behaviors, wool chewing | 2 Responses
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