Healthy Cat Blog
Archive #1
17 May 2004 through 28 June 2004.
Go to my current
Healthy Cat Blog.
Go to
Archive #2 (1 July through 31 August 2004).
28 June 2004
Best Time to Eat!
When's the best time to feed your cat? Is there a best time? Many
veterinarians will tell you that establishing a regular feeding schedule
for your cat is important. However, what constitutes "regular" is often
in debate.
Some people will tell you to feed your cat at set times every day and
then take the food away when your cat walks away from the food. This is
supposed to simulate a "real-life" out-in-the-wilderness experience.
However, cats are domesticated and such a real life experience really
isn't necessary.
The important thing is to feed your cat a high quality cat food.
Whether it's wet or dry food doesn't matter. You should always have
fresh water available for your cat. This is even more important if you
feed your cat dry food.
For more information about establishing a routine that works well for both you and your cat, visit our
cat feeding schedule
page.
24 June 2004
Catnip Heaven
PETsMART delivered my order today. (Actually, it was UPS who brought
it.) It came within the 5-10 days they promise for free shipping. I got
some cat food (Science Diet for Sensitive Skin) and some Greenies and
Eukanuba Dog Food for a dog-lover friend.
And the best thing I got was one ounce of Cosmic Catnip! I opened it
right away and placed about one teaspoon each on the carpet for both of
my cats (in separate rooms). My older cat, Shayla, just rolled in it and
rubbed her face in it and purred for about ten minutes. A little piece
of heaven for her.
It's been a while since I gave my cats fresh catnip, so I’d
forgotten that sprinkling it on the carpet isn’t the best thing to do
for my younger cat, Neko. She likes to start clawing and kneading
wherever the catnip is. So, of course, she started clawing the carpet.
My mistake! I quickly put down some fresh catnip on her cardboard
scratcher and we were all much happier.
It's wonderful to give my cats a little bit of healthy pleasure once in a while. And very entertaining to me!
For info about the effects of catnip on cats, please visit our
catnip
page.
23 June 2004
Reviews for 1800PetMeds and PetCareCentral
Now you can read reviews of these two popular online pet stores.
Actually, 1800PetMeds
is an online pet pharmacy and
PetCareCentral is an online pet store for all sorts of pets.
Special features include an "Ask the Vet" section at 1800PetMeds and a price matching policy at PetCareCentral.
19 June 2004
1800PetMeds Offers Free Shipping Plus $3.00!
Until 31 July 2004, 1800PetMeds is offering FREE SHIPPING on orders over $39, plus they will knock $3 off your order.
When you place your order, enter 8652 in the special offer code box to take advantage of this great offer.
1800PetMeds sells only U.S. FDA/EPA approved medications. They usually
offer free shipping for orders over $49, so now's a good time to stock
up, especially on flea control products.
18 June 2004
Google Search Box for Cat Stuff (and Everything Else)
Search the Internet and MyHealthyCat.com from a Google search box that
I'm adding to pages on this website. This is a new feature from Google
that allows you to search directly from individual websites, like this
one.
The search box looks like this:
Go
ahead and try it. Google will bring up a page with the same results you
get when you search directly from the Google home page. To come back to
My Healthy Cat blog, just hit your browser's back button.
17 June 2004
No Prescription Required for Advantage
In the recent past, you needed a prescription from your veterinarian to
buy Advantage, Program or Frontline flea control. Now you can buy these
products over-the-counter or online without a prescription. Of course,
you can still buy these flea control products directly from your
veterinarian, but you will pay so much more!
The pet pharmacy with the best prices on flea control is 1800PetMeds.
Please note that I'll be updating my
flea insecticides
page soon to reflect this new "no prescription needed" policy.
11 June 2004
Pet Store Reviews
Online pet stores vary in selection, price, and customer service. Over
the past several days, I’ve been reviewing the top online pet stores (e.g.,PETsMART, PetCareCentral, and 1800PetMeds).
Over the next couple of days, I'll be adding the reviews to My Healthy
Cat. For now, if you'd like to see the standards used to review online
pet stores, please visit my page on
Pet Stores.
4 June 2004
Warning about the Banfield Microchip
Banfield pet hospitals, found primarily at PETsMART stores in the United
States, have been using a microchip since February 2004 that cannot be
read by most scanners in the U.S.
If you've had your cat or dog microchipped at a Banfield pet hospital this year, it’s critical that you read this article:
Banfield Microchip.
If you have not had your cat or dog microchipped by Banfield,
this article will still provide you with critical information about
microchipping your cat or dog.
The bottom line is that while microchipping can add extra protection to
help your lost pet get home, a collar with current pet ID tags is still
critical.
3 June 2004
How to Give a Cat a Bath
Probably one of the more unpleasant tasks you may ever have, giving your
cat a bath is no fun! Most cats can go their whole lives without having
to get a bath.
Occasionally, a human-assisted cat bath is necessary. Here are the steps to take if you have to give a
cat bath.
Good luck!
2 June 2004
Reorganizing My Healthy Cat
For the last couple of days, I've been reorganizing the linking
structure of My Healthy Cat. I moved articles under different headings,
such as "cat furniture" and "cat supplies" and "cat food." I wanted to
make it easier for visitors to find what they need.
I think this new structure will work well, as it appears to make it
easier to navigate from related page to related page. If there is ever a
topic you cannot find, visit the
Sitemap.
You should be able to find everything you need there. And if you still can't find what you need, please email us.
30 May 2004
Bookstore Cats
What is it about bookstores and cats?
I was out enjoying a local street fair today when I spotted a beautiful
brown Tabby in a bookstore window. The cat was sitting there enjoying
the sunshine. Well, I wasn't in the market for any books, but of course I
was compelled to go in and pet the cat. The aloof sun worshipper could
care less about me and my undying admiration, but that's OK. I got to
say "hello" and it made my day.
I think it's the air of the bookstore cat that makes them seem so much
smarter and wiser than us mere mortals. And indeed, they probably are.
Judging by how my cats put themselves in front of me and any book I'm
reading, I'm pretty sure cats know how to read, or perhaps they just
absorb the material by osmosis.
And bookstore cats have a pretty large supply of books to read. We
really should consider ourselves lucky when these furry scholars
interrupt their study to give us the time of day.
I don't think I trust a bookstore without a cat.
29 May 2004
Litter Box Olympics
I was watching my older cat, Shayla, in the litter box today. Actually, I
happened to be in the same room and she caught my attention when she
was covering up. Shayla should be in some kind of litter tossing
Olympics competition. Boy, can she make that litter fly!
What takes the most time in cleaning the litter box is not taking out
the soiled litter, but sweeping up around the outside of the box. Of
course, having a covered litter box would help alleviate the problem.
Unfortunately, Shayla is one of those cats who doesn't like a cover. She
is a bit of a nervous cat and wants to see what's around her at all
times.
This reminds me of the many different preferences of different cats.
Some don't mind a covered litter box, some prefer certain cat litter
over other kinds, some don't mind the self-cleaning boxes, and some are
so terrified of them that they won't go anywhere near the contraption.
It's easier to train a kitten to go along with some of the preferences you
may have around your cat's litter box use, like using a covered box.
Older cats are more set in their ways, and some cats change their
preferences as they age (Shayla used to be OK with the covered litter
box).
The important thing to keep in mind is that tending to your cat's litter
box is an important part of being a cat "owner." When you bring a cat
into your home, you are making a commitment to take care of all of his
or her needs. This includes the litter box. Although this is probably
the least pleasant aspect of being a cat parent, it’s still part of the
package. And this is one where if you aren't doing your job, your cat
will let you know by taking her business elsewhere!
Sometimes, finding the right combination of litter, litter boxes,
location for the box, and training your cat to use it can be a
challenge. For helpful information, visit our
Cat Litter Box
page.
28 May 2004
Online Pet Stores
The internet makes it easier than ever to buy all the cat supplies you
need without ever leaving your home. Some pet supply stores specialize
in cat furniture, some in cat lover gifts, some in cat food, some in pet
medications, and of course, many also have supplies for your other
pets. Online selection is endless, and prices are usually better than at
"brick and mortar" pet supply stores.
But what should you look for when choosing an online pet store? Good
customer service is just as important as selection and price, especially
when it comes to returning items and your privacy and security.
I've added an article to help you when choosing online
pet stores.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be adding reviews of each of the major online pet supply stores, so please check back.
27 May 2004
Treating Tapeworm
Did you know that your cat or kitten can get tapeworm from a single
flea? With flea season upon us, it's important to watch out for fleas.
However, if you spot any fleas on your cat or in your cat's environment,
you should also be on the look-out for tapeworm.
Tapeworms are internal parasites that your cat can get from ingesting a
single, tapeworm-carrying flea. The tapeworm attaches to your cat's
intestinal wall and, if left untreated, can make your cat quite ill.
You'll know your cat has tapeworm when you see small rice-like segments
around your cat’s anus or in her feces.
Fortunately, tapeworm is quite easy to treat. An over-the-counter drug called Praziquantel will get rid of tapeworm quickly and safely.
To read more about treating and protecting your cat from tapeworm, click
Tapeworm.
26 May 2004
Vegan Cats?
A friend sent me an article today called, "The Cat That Ate Tofu." It
was about the debate between whether a cat can be healthy on a vegan
diet or if cats need to eat meat. Some of the people interviewed in the
article had transitioned their cats to a vegan diet. Others, although
vegan themselves, did not feel a vegan diet would be healthy for their
cats, even with supplements.
Everyone agreed that cats need certain nutrients, such as taurine,
arachidonic acid and vitamin A. Cats will go blind and deaf without
enough taurine, suffer from reproductive problems without arachidonic
acid, and their growth and bone formation will be stunted without enough
vitamin A. All of these nutrients are naturally found in meat products.
However, vegan cat proponents say that you can get these nutrients by
feeding your cat supplements sold specifically for vegan cats.
Vegan diet proponents were able to site anecdotal evidence to show that
vegan cats are healthy. On the other side, veterinarian Dr. Richard
Pitcairn, author of "Natural Health for Dogs and Cats,"
says that many vegan cats he's treated appear to be less healthy than cats who eat a meat-based diet.
There does not appear to be enough evidence to support a vegan lifestyle
for cats. And I would guess that the pet food industry won’t be paying
for any studies in the near future.
I've been a vegetarian for over 20 years. I would love to be able to
serve my two cats a vegetarian diet. However, I fall along the side of
those who have concern
that it may not be the best for their cat's health.
Interestingly, dogs have no problems with healthy vegan diets!
24 May 2004
PETsMART Sweepstakes
From now until June 6th, PETsMART is giving you a chance to win a $1,000
shopping spree. Everyone who makes a purchase between now and June 6th
at PETsMART.com is automatically entered to win. You can also enter by
mailing a postcard to the address in the Sweepstakes Rules.
The Grand Prize is a $1,000 PETsMART store gift card. First prize is a
$500 store gift card, and second prize is a $250 gift card (don't ask me
why they don't just say 1st, 2nd and 3rd place!).
PETsMART has an excellent selection of everything you need for your cat.
If you were thinking about buying something for your kitty, now's a
great time.
23 May 2004
All About Catnip
Four new articles about catnip will tell you everthing your need to know about catnip and your cat: The Effects of
Catnip;
Catnip Toys;
Catnip Plants;
and
Catnip Addiction
(don't worry, your cat can't really become addicted to catnip).
As I was researching information for these articles, I gave my two cats,
Neko and Shayla, a pinch of catnip each. Both did all the typical
things cats do (roll in it, slobber, scratch the carpet--oops, and
overall have a grand time). But this time, they didn't seem to frolic as
much as they normally do. I think that I may have let the catnip get a
bit dry.
I'm the sort that likes to buy things in bulk to save money, but that's
obviously not a good idea for catnip. The more fresh the catnip is, the
more your cat will enjoy it. Time for me to buy some more!
22 May 2004
Special Promotion at Petcarerx
PetCareRx is offering an additional 10% off everything on
their site for a limited time. In addition to carrying flea control
products like Frontline, Advantage, and Program, they are also a full
service pet pharmacy. And they carry a good selection of other pet
supplies. New customers get $10 off their next two purchases.
21 May 2004
Free Cat Litter Offer!
Naturesearth
is offering a coupon for a free 7lb. bag of Feline Pine® Cat Litter.
Feline Pine® is a natural alternative to clay litter. You should
probably hurry over, as I'm not sure when the offer will expire.
If you plan to change your cat's litter, be sure to read our article on Cat Litter Box Essentials to prevent any problems for you and your cat.
20 May 2004
Goodbye Mei Ling
My co-worker (the other extreme cat lover in my office) had to put down
her cat, Mei Ling, this week. Today, she was describing the process she
went through in making the difficult decision to put Mei Ling down. It
was such a familiar story to me as I have had to do the same for two of
my cats. We know in our gut that it's the right thing to do to end our
beloved cat's suffering, but there is always the doubt we have that
maybe it's not the right time. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to play God
and decide when it's another being's time to go?"
When I had to put down my two cats, Max and Keiko, they were two of the
most difficult decisions I've had to make in my life. I wanted to do all
that I could to save them, but then I had to ask myself who I was
saving them for: for me or for them.
I put down Max in October 1994 and I still sometimes wonder if I let him
suffer for too long; if I shouldn't have relieved his suffering sooner.
I cried every day for two years straight in missing him. I loved that
little black cat so much. But as any of us know who've been on the earth
a while, time does help to dull the pain. When I put down Keiko in
February 2001, I think I made the decision a little quicker. Both Keiko
and Max coincidently had the same health condition: lymphoma.
And now with the passage of time, I'm able to remember the good times.
Max was the best cat in the whole world! He probably didn't seem
exceptional to anyone else, but to me, he was everything. He was with me
through thick and thin. He was a great traveling kitty, too. When he
was a kitten, he'd curl up in my lap when I'd drive somewhere (something
I do not now recommend as there are too many dangers involved!—but he
was used to it from a kitten). When I drove across the country, he
camped with my in my tent and adjusted well to cheap hotel rooms. He was
an amazing and special cat.
And Keiko! My God, Keiko was a crazy cat! She had so much energy. She
lived every day of her short five years to the max. She was a role model
for how we should all live. Thank God for cat trees and cat scratching
posts because that cat loved to climb! Unfortunately, her climbing
wasn’t limited to appropriate cat furniture. I still have some nearly
shredded drapes as a reminder of all her energy!
I miss Max and Keiko, but I am so grateful to have had them in my life.
Our cats are put into our care and it is our responsibility to care for
them to the best of our ability.
Jenny, my co-worker, made the best choice for her beloved Mei Ling. She
loved that little 16-year-old Siamese cat with all her heart. In time,
Jenny's pain will dull. And now Mei Ling is free of her ailing cat’s
body and is on to her next glorious life. Bye bye, Mei Ling. Please say
"hi" to Max and Keiko for me.
19 May 2004
Plants Poisonous to Cats
I've just added a new article about
plants poisonous to cats.
If you suspect your cat has eaten a poisonous plant or other poisonous
substance, you must call your veterinarian immediately. If you can't get
a hold of your veterinarian, in North America, you can call the Animal
Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435. A fee will apply.
In the next few days, I'll be adding a comprehensive list of poisonous
plants. I want to make sure to provide you with the common name,
scientific name, and symptoms of poisoning. As website building is new
to me, in addition to compiling the list, I also have to learn how to
make a proper table!
18 May 2004
Green Duck Cat Furniture
I've just added a new article about
Green Duck Cat Furniture.
Green Duck carries cat scratching posts, cat trees, cat tunnels, and many other pieces of cat furniture.
17 May 2004
First Healthy Cat Blog Entry
This website is continually evolving. I'm adding new articles every few days. I thought a kitty cat blog would be a good way to keep my visitors up-to-date and also to hear from you. If you have any feedback, please feel free to email me. You can use the Contact link to your left.
Use the Search Box to find more feline info. |
If you suspect your cat is ill, please contact your veterinarian immediately.
The material presented in this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended to replace your veterinarian's advice.
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