May 08, 2007
What's in This Issue:
- News and Updates
- Grooming Schedule for Cats
News and Updates
My computer is giving me fits and getting ready to die. So, I've got a new Apple Mac Mini on it's way. I'm "over this" with viruses and stuff that gives the blue screen of death!So, in light of this, I have done VERY LITTLE to the website. I've addressed problems as they've come up, but mostly I'm not doing anything.
Keep in touch by reading the BLOG so that you know what's up. I can post to that from just about anywhere by email, so I do.
Grooming Schedule for Your Cat
By reader request, this month's article addresses grooming and what should be done when.If you have a short haired cat, you might think that you don't need to groom her, but you still need to do some inspecting and treat for fleas. I think this topic can be helpful for many. Even me! I'm only human and I have 5 of these little furballs in my life. I don't have family to help groom, so it's all up to me- if they want, my kitties can get away with no grooming for months!
So, what does this all mean? There are things you need to do daily, weekly, monthly and seasonally.
Daily, brush a long-haired cat. If your cat is prone to mats, you may brush it at every opportunity. Keep a brush near you at all times. I also suggest getting a "furminator" tool for this type of fur, as that will reduce the matting a bit.
Weekly, inspect ears, teeth, feet. You are looking for any parasites or injuries. A claw caught in the carpet can tear out and cause an injury. Check for hair or foreign matter in the ears. Check teeth to be sure they aren't loose, the gums are pink and not red or inflamed, look for any broken teeth. This is a good time to give a real good all-over cuddle, too! You can feel the body through the fur and check for injuries or open sores while you are cuddling. Any ear treatments are done bi-weekly or at closer intervals. If your cat has a tendency to scratch, trim the claws weekly. Use the Furminator tool at least weekly whether your cat is short hair or long hair. It removes the loose hair and keeps hairballs from bothering your cat so much.
Monthly, you will be applying flea control and possibly cleaning ears. Check your cat over like you do weekly and perhaps give your cat a bath. Only bathe your cat monthly if you normally do this type of grooming for showing your cat. Otherwise, you would not bathe your cat unless it needed a flea dip or had gotten into something that required a bath to remove and preserve your cat's health.
Seasonally, you might bathe your cat, trim it's fur up or even shave it. Check your cat's eyes and hearing, too. You can check the eyes using a flash light or laser toy - point the light to a spot on the wall or floor and have your cat follow it. Do this with lights on, during the day and at night with all the lights off. You are checking 3 types of vision. Also, have your cat follow your finger (use a feather if you like) to see how the eyes track so you can see if there are problems with distance vision and tracking. If you find any problems, note it for the annual vet visit. Check hearing by talking quietly to your cat, and calling it to you. If your cat normally ignores you, open a can of cat food out of sight of your cat. If your cat comes running, you know it hears just fine!
Annually, you and your cat will see the vet. A good going over is needed, and take in some poop from the litter box for testing. Get vaccinations as needed. Talk about any issues that have come up, discuss the vision tests you did over the year and any problems you might have with matting or hairballs. Have your cat tested for FeLV and FIV while you are there. Get vaccinations for these if the tests are clear. Some vets now test cats for heartworm as well. Again, get vaccinated if the test is clear. Most vets won't waste the time or your money on this test unless there is a reason in your area, so if your vet suggests it, do it.
Be sure to discuss any changes in diet, eating habits and elimination with your vet. She is a wonderful source of medical information.
Keep up with For the Love of Cats for important notices like the recent recall of pet foods and behavior problems you might encounter. Read the BLOG - you can sign up for the blog to be on your homepage with Feedburner by clicking this link:
http://for-the-love-of-cats.blogspot.com/atom.xml
You will get each entry as it's made and a quick way to check for any important updates.
If you run into a problem with your cat's behavior anytime, you can always write to suggest a topic for the newsletter. I also still counsel by email, but I request that you initiate contact by mail instead of by email or contact form right now. See the contact pages for information on counseling.
April Deals
 NEW! FURminator DeShedding Tool (MEDIUM) 2.6" wide edge - $ 33.99 Retail Price: 49.95 You Save: $15.96
Improve the appearance of your pet and your environment with the FURminator shed-less treatment! The FURminator is a special anti-shedding treatment that dramatically reduces the mess and clean up of unwanted pet hair. The secret to the FURminator treatment is a patent-pending tool designed to stop the shedding where it begins in the undercoat of your pet. This revolutionary grooming device utilizes a unique blade that removes loose hair while leaving your pet with a shiny and healthy coat. Proven to decrease shedding by 60-80% and reduce shedding for about four to six weeks. Recommended by doctors for people who have allergies Recommended by Veterinarians. See Pet Photos and a Video for Cats while you visit their site. This device is reviewed in the October 2006 Consumer Reports Magazine, and they say it's better than anything else they tried. I agree! Get one to help with the shedding in your house! | |
 Millers Forge Cat Claw Scissors Hot forged from the the finest quality U.S. steel. The cutting edges have been heat treated to ensure the longest life.
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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.
Thomas Labs Brewer's Yeast with Garlic & Liver (16oz powder)
Adding Brewer's Yeast to your pet's food is a sure way to make them unattractive to fleas. Thomas Labs Brewer's Yeast is pure and additive free. A good way to reduce flea infestation in your home.
You can always write to me about the content in the newsletter.
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