December 25, 2008
What's in This Issue:
Updates to the site
Cat Sitter Article from the Onion
There are entries in Bat Cat Behaviors Help Pages that need responses. I hope you are looking at this page every month and helping by commenting to assist the person with a problem. My answer is to contact the Cat Whisperer and read the section on Correcting Bad Cat Behavior. Some of the entries will make you smile, and others will have you saying "Thank Goodness that isn't MY cat!" so check them out.
Articles
Winter Cat Care
Some Fun Cat Body Language - Friendly
Winter Cat Care
Winter cat care is all about keeping cats warm and dry, and their fur in good condition. This is accomplished by providing shelter and proper food or supplements, and grooming them.Once of my counseling clients found a really cool outfit! They have something called the KatKabin. A really cool shelter that can be used indoors or out. It comes with a comforter with a duvet that can be washed. It has a cat flap to keep out the drafts. Portable, comes in many colors. It is a hard, oval tube that is impervious to wind, snow and rain.
I'm working with them to bring it to you by the time this e-zine is released.
A note about the feral cat - you likely cannot groom it! So, what about a tool that will allow the cat to groom itself? These combs and spring units let the cat rub against them and get a nice brushing in the process. The cats like it, so they are drawn back again and again. I suggest putting a couple out for your feral colony. It will make everyone more comfortable.
Winter foods for the outdoor cat need to be higher in calories than in the summer months. Add some Salmon oil to the food. Some immunity boosters will help too. You can add those to the water bowl. Powdered probiotics can be added to the food bowl or as a paste with the salmon oil. Just mix things up with some hot water and pour over the crunchies. You need to remove and clean the bowl twice a day anyway in the winter time, since other critters will likely be heading for the bowl. This will keep it clean and allow you to add the supplements to keep your colony in top condition through the winter. Some powdered KMR is also a nice additive.
Recipe for Winter Food Additive
- 2 Teaspoons Salmon Oil
- 1 Tablespoon powdered KMR
- 2 capsules probiotics
- 1/2 inch ribbon of Taurine
- 1 inch ribbon of hairball preparation
- 1/2cup hot water
Mix up thoroughly. Bring to room temperature before using. Can be refrigerated if you don't use all of it. Makes 3/4 cup.
Pour the full recipe over 2 cups crunchies. Mix thoroughly to coat the crunchies. If you are feeding less, use the correct proportion, 1 cup crunchies for 1/2 the mixture.
Feed 8 cats once a day or 4 cats twice a day.
Pull the bowl and wash before and after feeding this mixture.
Raw Diets in Winter
If you are interested in feeding a raw diet or you are already feeding one, the winter can provide a unique opportunity for you and your cat. Fresh fish! As with all raw diets, you want to supplement with Taurine for their nervous systems, but cats really love fish. A nice slab of salmon would be especially welcome.Human food-grade salmon is fine, but you don't want to cook it. And a very little bit will do, too! Take your fist, which is the size of a human portion of food. Now, take the pointing finger and middle finger together. That is the size of a cat-size food portion. No more, for sure! A little less, maybe. I suggest the first 2 knuckles only, and supplement if needed using treats.
Some Fun Cat Language
I'm going to be sharing some fun cat body language indicators I recently found. A little each month!The following is a brief guide to cat body language. Keep in mind that these are general descriptions only. When determining your own cat’s body language, take into account the environment she’s in. She may show only some of the characteristics of a certain body posture. In time, as you view your cat in certain situations such as at rest or play, you’ll become familiar with her postures.
Friendly
- ears pointed slightly forward
- smooth hair coat
- vertical tail
- head bunting
- whiskers pointed sideways (relaxed)
- whiskers fanned out, pointed forward (alert)
- nose-to-nose touching
- vocal murmur or acknowledgment
January Offers
 Kitty Comb
 Enzymes and Probiotics
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