What's in This Issue:

• News and Updates
• Is your cat exhibiting strange behaviors?
• Spring Deals
• Apology

News and Updates

• Preliminary Results of the Food Tests With the recent recall of pet foods, it is even more important to know what is in our pet foods. While the Innova EVO seems to have won my in-house testing, there are several pet food producers who make quality food that was NOT affected by the recall. Read the list and see what works for you...

  Pet treats are now on the recall, so keep reading those labels!

  If you think of something I've missed, please let me know! I'll give you credit for the idea and do the research to fill in the blanks.

Is your cat exhibiting strange behaviors?

Sometimes, one of my cats will go off their water bowl and turn up in the bathtub wanting to play in the water. Another will start playing with only the dirty clothes. Then, later I'll get a message or read something on the message boards I cover about a cat suddenly turning angry and unsocial.

If your cat decides to bite instead of snuggle, it might be telling you that it loves you - but if the bites are hard, then it is saying that something is wrong. An unsocial cat may have a problem with loud noises or a new cleaning solution you started using. First, isolate the cat and get it calmed down. After that, you can begin the search for the trigger.

I had a cat owner I counseled who's cat turned on her. She was ill and didn't know it. She had the beginnings of diabetes. Cat's noses are much more sensitive than ours, so the cat knew something was wrong before the person did. Isolate your cat and find out what the trigger is for the behavior.

Now, what about the cat who suddenly decides that the tub, sink or toilet is the place it wants to hang out? Well, see if your cat wants the water or just the cooler porcelain. Run a small stream of water and watch your cat's reaction. A cat who wants the water may begin by playing with the stream of water or come running every time you turn on the tap.

Completely and thoroughly wash your cat's water bowl. Use hot water and soap. If you have a dishwasher and the bowl is rated dishwasher safe, then wash the bowl in that. Be sure to rinse the bowl very well and don't put the bowl through the dry cycle in the dishwasher. Rinse it again, even if you think all the soap is gone. Then fill it with fresh water and offer that to your cat.

If your cat still wants a fresher water source, try a water fountain. There are several on the market, and one will surely fit your budget and decorating style. You might also try using filtered water instead of tap water. Some municipalities put a lot of chlorine and/or fluoride in the water system to protect us. Cat's don't need this in their water, so filter it out for them.

There is a condition called "spica" where an animal will eat everything in sight or only the dirty socks. Or maybe anything made of plastic, or cotton, or wool. If this develops suddenly in your cat, take your cat to the vet. There is no clear cause of this compulsion, but anything that comes on suddenly is something to see the vet about.

Any condition that comes on suddenly needs to be addressed promptly. If your neutered male cat suddenly begins to spray around your home, perhaps it's a UTI - especially if you have been feeding some of the food that was recalled! Check it out right away. Then, if you rule out any kind of kidney or bladder problem and your cat continues to spray or mark your home, use the ideas on the website to re-train your cat to the litter box and deodorize the house. Your cat might be triggered by a female a block away who went into heat or a visiting cat in the neighborhood.

Don't try to discipline your cat. Remember that discipline doesn't work. Cats need to be led to the behavior you desire - just give the cat a reason to do what you want. And no, food or treats aren't enough. Play, interacting with your cat, and love are better incentives.

Now, a strange behavior that I can explain for you: A cat will push or nudge the water bowl around the floor before taking a drink.

This is because the surface of the water is clear and the cat doesn't want a wet nose, just a drink of water. By moving the bowl around the floor, the reflective but clear surface of the water will reflect any ambient light and the cat will know how far down the bowl the water level is. A more successful drink!

A way to help your cat is to put a drop of food coloring in the water that contrasts with the bowl itself. The food coloring in these small doses is not dangerous to your cat. By being able to see the water level, your cat will be able to judge the level of the water in the bowl better. The bowl won't end up in the middle of the room, either!

April Deals

Apology

While I can't guarantee that this won't happen again, I can tell you that I get on it as soon as I know (usually within hours) and try to redirect your links in the newsletter to something comparable. Unfortunately, the allergy-reducing products were unavailable and still are. I have been unable to find a replacement so far.

I will continue to look for these items, but meanwhile, please remember to use a damp cloth and a squirt bottle as you clean so that you don't stir up the dust. That is the best solution I can offer at this time.

This newsletter is produced for YOU, the reader. Please let me know if you want to see anything in here that hasn't been covered for a while. You can view all the past issues and look deeper into the new information I've found.

You can always write to me about the content in the newsletter.

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