Should You Bring Your Cat to College?

Increasing numbers of universities are allowing students to bring pets to school with them. But should those policies include cats? Every situation is different, as is every cat, but generally speaking, I’m against temporarily transplanting a cat unless it's absolutely necessary.

Cats are very territory-centric. They are more comforted by their own territory and their own scents than they are even by those of us who feed, pamper and adore them. Relocating a cat isn't a trivial change for them. In fact, it can be quite distressing. It can take a cat a very long time to adjust to such a move. That's a big deal because it will happen again and again whenever there’s a break from school. I see no need to put a cat through all of that stress if you don't have to.

Cats also prefer being on a regular schedule. What happens when you go on a rafting trip one weekend, and a football trip the next and back home the next? What about when you audition for a play or end up in the computer lab every night before a big project is due? Who will care for your cat during those times, and will they be well cared for? No offense, but college students aren't always the most reliable people. They have a lot on their minds. A cat needs to be a priority, not an afterthought.

There are also some unique dangers associated with campus life. I won't be too graphic, but where there are drunken frat boys, there are potential dangers to everyone. Your cat may not have as much fun being there for you as you think they will.

One thing you should definitely do is to leave things with your scent on them at home whenever you visit. A pair of sweatpants or an old t-shirt left in one of your cat’s prime sleeping spots will comfort them in your absence. Yes, they’ll miss you when you're gone, but they’ll still be happier at home and they’ll thoroughly enjoy your visits, even if they sometimes pretend not to. That's just how cats are. They don't like change, but any cat you’ve bonded with will always be your special friend.

Going off to college is about growing up, and a big part of growing up is learning to put others needs before your own sometimes. Think about what's best for your cat and I think you'll conclude, as I have, that they’ll be better off at home.

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Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist

I’m certified in applied animal behavior and have years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.

I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.

CLICK HERE to get help with your cat today!

What to do if You Find Abandoned Kittens

The world is filled with cats who haven't been spayed or neutered. Some are feral and others are pets. In both cases, mothers can sometimes go missing just when the kittens need them the most.

It's important that you confirm whether or not the kittens' mother is still around before you relocate her litter. You can interact with them (your scent will not cause the mother to reject them) and tend to them but don't move them if you suspect the mother is still around.

Some rescuers will put the kittens into a box that they can't get out of and then scatter flour around the box. If you leave the box for a few hours and come back to find paw prints in the flour, the mother is probably still tending to her babies. Also note the cleanliness of the kittens. Mother cats take care of cleaning their kittens, so the longer they're away, the dirtier the kittens will be.

If you discover that the mother is still around, your best bet is to try and help her to provide for her little ones. You can make an inexpensive shelter like this one and provide food and water without interfering with the family. Once the kittens have been weaned at 4-6 weeks of age, they can be socialized and adopted. Of course, the sooner the socialization takes place, the better. If the mother is friendly, it may be possible to relocate the family and socialize the kittens even earlier.

If you determine that the kittens have indeed been abandoned, it's time to take action. The first thing the babies will need is warmth. A plastic bottle filled with warm water and wrapped in a towel will do in a pinch.

Newborn kittens need constant care. Most shelters won't take them because they simply don't have the resources needed to turn them into adoptable cats. Even if they do take them in, the kittens will probably be euthanized. If you have the time and resources, please, by all means, do what you can to save the kittens' lives. If not, you'll need to try and locate a local rescue that will care for them and get them there as soon as possible.

If you decide to care for them yourself, there are plenty of good online resources. Caring for newborn kittens is quite an undertaking, so I usually refer people to the best resource I know: THE KITTEN LADY. She's been rescuing kittens for years and has kindly provided a wealth of information about all aspects of newborn care on her web site. All the information you might need is there for the taking, including links to product sources and very specific instructions on kitten care.

Last but not least, please see to it that the kittens and their mother are all spayed or neutered, even if you choose to allow them to remain feral. This includes following up with adopters if the kittens are adopted out before they're old enough to have surgery. 

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Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist

I’m certified in applied animal behavior and have years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.

I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.

CLICK HERE to get help with your cat today!

Cat-Safe Cleaning Products

Let's face it - cats are clean freaks. They clean themselves throughout the day to keep their coats shiny and their scents in check. But what about the home the cats live in?  We humans are stuck with those cleaning duties, and some of the things we might use to get the job done are potentially harmful to cats.

Most disinfectant household cleaners are unsafe because they usually include phenols or ethanol both of which are deadly to cats. Since cats walk on the surfaces we clean and then lick their paws, it's extremely likely that they'll pick up what we're putting down, so we only want to put down products that are 100% safe. Even after completely dried, a freshly cleaned floor will have some residue left from the cleaning products used.

Phenols and ethanol are particularly destructive to cats' nervous systems. They show up in lots of household products, most notably in Pine-sol and Lysol disinfectant spray. Some products are sneakier, so it could take a little bit of digging on the ingredients list. It's worth the effort to avoid this killer toxin.

Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers often do a better job than the toxic stuff. The Magic Eraser is an abrasive, melamime foam "sponge" that works well on tile, sinks, tubs, counter tops, walls...virtually all hard surfaces. Just be sure to rinse away any of the foam left behind. It's worth noting that there were some internet rumors about the toxicity of the material in Magic Erasers, but that was debunked by Snopes.

Another great product is the dry Swiffer Sweeper. These miracle dusting cloths pick up cat hair like a magnet and leave nothing behind in their wake. Take note that I don't approve of the wet version of the Swiffer. Only the dry version of the sweeper is safe for cats.

The absolute best all-around safe cleaner for everything in your home from windows to floors is a solution of one part water and one part vinegar. You can even use this solution in a steam cleaner for carpets. I won't guarantee that your cats will approve of the smell, but at least it won't harm them, and it will get your home as clean as those toxic cleaners do; possibly even cleaner, since you won't be leaving behind a trail of chemical residues.

Tea tree oil is a problem because it's been shown to be toxic to cats and dogs. In a recent study of the ASPCA's Poison Control Center's database, it was revealed that 77% percent of the cats and dogs who were reported to have come into contact with 100% tea tree oil had an adverse reaction. You're probably using it diluted, but it would be better not to use it at all.

A great replacement for bathroom mildew removers is plain old lemon juice. Just be sure to rinse it away thoroughly as most cats really hate citrus. Lemon juice also works wonders on grease stains in the kitchen.

Furniture polish is awful for cats. A good alternative is plain olive oil. When you're done polishing you can cook up some pasta!

click the image above to visit the Cedarcide web site

As long as you're cleaning, you might want to do a little pest control. Almost all pesticides are a no-no. The only one I've found that's completely safe for cats is Cedarcide. It’s cedar based and it kills most insects on contact. I've used this product for years and can give it my full endorsement.

Disinfecting can be somewhat problematic. While my recommended vinegar solution will destroy many bacteria and viruses, it’s been shown to be ineffective against coronaviruses. According to the European Advisory Board on Cat Diseases, the best product for disinfecting surfaces in feline veterinary hospitals is steam. The second best is 5-6% bleach mixed with water at a proportion of 1:32 or less. Any room where this bleach mix is used must be off limits to cats for several hours due to the toxic chlorine gas that can result.

Simpler is always better when it comes to cleaning products. Many of the so-called natural cleaners on the market contain a plethora of chemical ingredients. Don't buy the hype (or the higher prices). 

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Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist

I’m certified in applied animal behavior and have years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.

I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.

CLICK HERE to get help with your cat today!

How to Help Senior Cats to be Happy and Healthy

Cats are living longer lives these days due to better living conditions and a higher awareness of their needs. It used to be that an eight-year-old cat was considered a senior. Now cats are living into their twenties and beyond, so most consider the senior years to be age 12 and up. But what happens as our cats age?

As each cat ages, the number one consideration will be veterinary visits. You should plan at least two checkups for a senior each year. That way, if a problem occurs, you can catch it and begin treating it before it spirals out of control.

There's really no reason to assume that a senior cat won't live beyond the age of twenty. Many cats do these days. But as they continue to age, there will be additional changes. The most obvious will be their disposition. They may become more grumpy and desire less contact from you. Please don't take this as anything more than their own discomfort. They’ll be dealing with more aches and pains so it's important that they be treated with understanding. Their energy levels will likely wane and they’ll probably sleep more each day than they used to. This is all normal.

To help them feel better, you should make sure they have several private places to sleep that are warm and quiet. There are some great cat beds that reflect the heat of the cat very efficiently. These will be good for them as long as you put them within reach. Most cats jump less as they grow older because they have joint and muscle pain. You may want to consider adding ramps or little steps to help a senior cat get onto the bed. A new litter box that has a lower lip on one side to allow for easier access will also be appreciated.

Many older cats miss the litter box from time to time. It's imperative that you react with love and understanding. A cat's twilight years are hard enough without being blamed for something they can’t control. Take a look at the world from their point of view and you'll see what needs improvement.  

As with people, losing muscle mass can be a problem as a cat ages. Your best bet is to make sure you keep up with the vet visits. Diseases and infections can quickly become life-threatening if a cat doesn't have the bodily resources to fight them off. Some cats eat less due to dental pain, so be sure to have your vet check their teeth and gums. This is especially important if you notice their breath becoming noticeably worse. They should only be fed wet foods as there is a greater risk of dehydration in older cats. If they have dental issues, pâté style foods will be the best thing for them.

You can certainly help a senior keep up their good looks by brushing them and tending to their nails more frequently. Senior cats often groom themselves less as they become less flexible, and movement becomes more painful. They’re also less likely to use scratching posts. Nails can become more brittle as they age so you'll want to keep a close eye on them.

Many senior kitties develop sensory issues as they age. Their eyesight and hearing are likely to go first, so you may find them less responsive to your voice. Rest assured that they still need attention even though they may seem more distant. Dementia may also set in, reinforcing the idea that the cat would rather be left alone. That probably won't be the case as long as you allow them to set the terms and conditions of the interactions. Pay attention to their body language and they’ll tell you all you need to know.

Speaking of which, many seniors chat more vociferously than they did as youngsters. Some attribute this to dementia and think these are cries for help in locating their humans. Some elderly cats get confused about their sleep/wake cycles and will roam about the house yowling at night. If this happens, your best bet is to help them reestablish their cycle by keeping them awake until their normal bedtime.

You also want to minimize big changes in your household. Young cats dislike change. Old cats loathe it. At the very least, you'll want to make sure that your senior cat’s favorite spots remain undisturbed. And under no circumstances should you introduce a new family pet or allow children to have access to them. Both will become thorns in their side very quickly. Like most of us, the less stress they have to deal with each day, the happier they will be.

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Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist

I’m certified in applied animal behavior with years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.

I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.

CLICK HERE to get help with your cat today!

How to Give a Cat a Pill

Every cat needs medications from time to time. It's up to each caregiver to figure out what works best with their own feline friends. It's really just a matter of technique. 

Lure your cat up onto a table or counter so that you can better control them. Don't try to pill them while they’re standing on the floor or sitting on your lap. Once they’re at counter height, hold the pill between the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, and use your other hand to gently hold their head back at a 45° angle. Use the other fingers of your dominant hand to gently open their mouth, then drop the pill onto the back of their tongue.

It'll help to follow this with a little bit of water. I've found it works best to hold a little bit of water in my mouth and drool it in behind the pill. You can also use your own saliva. Yes, it sounds gross, but it will ensure that the pill doesn't get caught in Silver's throat where it can cause him great harm.

This video clearly illustrates the process:

If you still have difficulty, you may want to explore giving your cat liquid medications. In many cases, the medicine can be compounded into a solution that many cats actually like. Look up compounding pharmacies in your area or ask your veterinarian if they could suggest one. 

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Author: Tom Kirby, UW-AAB - cat behaviorist

I’m certified in applied animal behavior with years of experience solving the specific problems faced by cat caregivers like you every day.

I’m here to help you and your feline friends live happier, healthier lives together.

CLICK HERE to get help with your cat today!