Tag Archives: kitten

Introducing a pet into the family

Introducing a new pet into the family is a lot of fun and also a big responsibility. We’ve produced a ‘to – do’ list, it includes all the pet care essentials you need to consider before you bring your new family member home. The list includes vaccinations – Has your new pet already been vaccinated? Or perhaps they need start a vaccination course? A visit to a new vet can seem a little daunting but don’t worry we have puppy and kitten packages available to protect your new pet from some potentially deadly diseases, ask our friendly team today.

Spring has Sprung!

Spring has Sprung, its time to start getting out and about and back in your garden but are you aware of the pet hazards that could be lurking outdoors? Our Spring Pet Blog discusses the outdoor dangers that could result in a trip to the vets. Understand more about what to watch out for in your garden, read about it here.


Pet obesity – is your pet suffering?

Sadly, pet obesity is becoming more and more common, our Spring Pet Blog explains the extra demands that are placed on your pet when they are carrying more weigh than they should be. Also included, how to access your pets weight from home without the need for scales.

The good news is all of our surgeries offer FREE weight checks for your pet. Phone our friendly teams today and we can give you a suitable time to pop in, weigh your pet and if you need a little extra support, we can refer your to one of our nurses for diet and exercise advice tailored to your pets individual needs.

We hope you enjoy reading our latest Pet Blog, if you have a query regarding any of the articles mentioned please do not hesitate to contact us for more advice.

Don’t forget – Our Pet Healthcare Club is open and still welcoming new members. Our Healthcare Clubs allow you to spread the cost of your vet care essentials across affordable payments on a date that suits you! All plans include monthly parasite protection, annual booster vaccinations and health checks, nail clips, anal gland expression plus a 10 % discount off all other products and services we provide. Sign up today and pay no joining fee.

The Health Benefits Of Owning A Cat

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The Health Benefits Of Owing A Cat

 

The health benefits of keeping a cat

We all know that being a cat-owner is enjoyable (most of the time…) but did you know that having a cat actually boosts your health?

Cats reduce your heart attack risk

A ten-year study of over 4,000 Americans found that people who own cats have “a decreased risk for death due to myocardial infarction” (that’s a heart attack to you and me) “and all cardiovascular diseases (including stroke)”. Even people who already had heart problems before agreeing to participate in the study were found to have a higher survival rate than non-cat-owners. The researchers believe it is because cats help their owners relax, and having a way of de-stressing is associated with lower blood pressure and better health in general.

Cats may help you sleep better

You’ve probably heard that pets in the bedroom are bad for your sleep, but it seems the reality is more complicated than that. A report from the Centre for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona says that 41% of pet owners believe their pet has a neutral or beneficial effect on their sleep quality. However, a fifth of pet owners said that their pets disturbed their sleep. You probably already know which category your own cat falls into!

 

The Health Benefits Of Owning A Cat

Cats keep you mobile

It’s probably not surprising to learn that owning a dog boosts your fitness – after all, you do have to walk it at least twice a day! More surprising that some research even suggests that owning a cat also boosts levels of physical activity as well as mental in elderly people. Older people who owned a pet were found to cope better with everyday activities such as climbing stairs, preparing meals and getting dressed. It didn’t seem to make any difference whether the pet they owned was a dog or a cat. The researchers suggest that this is because taking on a care-taking role gives you a sense of purpose and encourages you to be moderately active. So getting a cat won’t turn you into Usain Bolt, but it might make the difference between leading a highly sedentary life and a moderately active, happier one.

Cats help reduce stress

A few minutes of quality time with you loving moggy can help calm those jangling nerves after a stressful day – just sit and relax together. Is this an old wives’ tale? If you measure certain hormones and chemicals in the human body associated with stress they improve and your blood pressure goes down. So no matter what sort of a day you have had, make room on the sofa for the cat and let it do its magic.

 

cat and team cat dialogue

 

Cats keep you happy!

Maybe you already instinctively knew this, but as we have seen the science backs it up: pet owners are happier. It seems that pets can act as “important sources of social and emotional support” for all pet-owners, including those who already have strong social networks. Pets don’t replace your human friends and they don’t come at the expense of your human relationships – they simply enhance your wellbeing and improve your emotional resilience.

 

 

This blog and images have been supplied by petdialog.co.uk

Blog written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, CERTVC, MRCVS, RCVS.

What to do if your cat or dog gets lost.

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What to do if your cat or dog gets lost.

 

Did you know it is a legal requirement for all dogs over the age of 8 weeks to be micro chipped. All of our surgeries recommend micro chipping your cats too, as it is the most reliable form of identification and your pet will not be able to lose a micro chip unlike an identity tag or collar. Should your dog disappear out of your garden or your cat missed his usual breakfast appointment, don’t panic. Our vets have put together this blog with some useful hints and tips on what to do if the worst should happen. Hopefully you and your pet will never become separated but its good to know what to do, should the worst happen.

 

Missing cats and kittens :

Firstly thoroughly search your home, cats are masters of hide and seek and can squeeze into the oddest spaces. If you are sure your feline is not at home, we recommend contacting all of your neighbours, knocking on doors and posting flyers through letterboxes. Curious kittens often get shut in sheds and garages by accident so ask around as your cat could be closer than you think!

 

 

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Lost dogs and puppies :

Has your dog escaped out of the garden, or slipped out of its collar at your local park? Start by walking an extra lap of the park, squeak their favorite toy and shout their name in a happy cheerful tone, this will hopefully invite them out if they are hiding. Call home, if you have a family member there or a neighbour close by ask them to check around your house – dogs have been known to take themselves home!

 

Remember do NOT panic. Contact all local vets, animal charities and dog wardens in the area. They may ask you a few questions so try and provide as much information as you can :

A description of your pet – colour, sex, breed, age.

Their microchip number.

What area are they missing from.

Your contact information.

Pet Insurance – 

Your insurance company may be able to provide you with additional help and support with the search of your pet. The small print of your policy may also require that they are notified of lost pets in -case it results in a claim.

 

Call your pets microchip company –

inform them of the situation and ensure that they have all of your contact information correct and up to date. You may even want to do this TODAY so should you and your pet ever be separated this should help ensure a speedy reunion if your details are up to date.

 

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Facebook, Twitter and Instagram –

Like it or hate it – social media is a fantastic tool for helping spread the word quickly that your pet is missing. The more people helping with your search the better!

 

Some top tips from our vets :

If your dog or puppy has not quite mastered recall – work with a dog trainer to improve this. If you have to let your dog off leash do it in an enclosed space and attach a long line to their harness to make catching them easier.

 

When training your dog to come back as soon as you call them – no matter how long they take, do not punish them. Give them a big fuss and a treat when they come back – if you tell them off they will take even longer to come back next time!

 

Microchip your pet and ensure that your details are up to date.

 

If you have a new cat or you are moving house, ensure you keep them inside for at least two weeks. This gives them a chance to settle in and feel ‘at home’. When the time comes for going outside, start off letting them out before you feed them – they are less likely to stray if they are hungry and know where their food bowl is.

 

Take loads of pictures of your pet – should the worst happen you will have up to date pictures to use on posters and social media.

 

Neutering your pet – We may rave on about neutering a lot but there are SO many benefits.  Male cats are less likely to fight or stray too far from home. Castrating your male dog reduces testosterone levels which means they will not feel the need to go off in search of a mate. Female dogs can be spooked by other dogs getting ‘over friendly’ with them whilst in season.

 

Is your pet due a trip to the vet?

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We want your pet to be as happy to see us as we are to see them!

  • One of the first things to help create this trust is to drop in, particularly when your pet is young. If you need a reason, our nurses and reception team love cuddles with your puppies and kittens and usually have a spare treat or two for them. We also offer free weight checks, this allows us to keep a record ensuring they’re growing up and gaining weight as they should be.

  • If you are nervous about the visit don’t be! Our staff are highly experienced and have seen and heard it all. If it concerns you then please ask us , no question is too silly. Remain calm and ‘normal’ as your pet will pick up on any anxiety you may be feeling. 

  • When visiting with cats we strongly recommend travelling your cat in a secure carrier not in your arms, even the calmest of cats can get stressed. If you have time, leave your carrier out a few days before your appointment, so your cat can climb in without being rushed. Try leaving a few treats and toys inside to tempt an investigation! Placing a towel over your carrier in the waiting room can help anxious cats  if you need one just ask us.

  • When travelling with dogs Invest in a doggie ‘seat belt’ or secure caged area of your car. If your dog suffers car sickness travel them on an empty stomach. Allow plenty of travel time so you are not rushed or late. Please keep your dog by your side in the waiting room. A vet practice can be a stressful place for pets and your laid back family dog could become stressed and snappy towards other.

  • Practice ‘vet checks’ at home. Your pet is never to young or old to do this training: Gently look inside your pets eyes and ears, teeth and mouth, practice lifting each paw in turn and nail clipping this is something that can be done at home. Read out our free guide on nail clipping> Cats and Dogs. Feel your pet all over from toe to tail. Spend 5 minutes a day practising the ‘all over’ handling and your pet will find an examination ‘normal’, when they come to us.

  • If you are coming in for a specific problem i.e. behaviour or tummy troubles write a diary of events and problems. Try to include what foods they’ve eaten, treats, where they have been park , swimming, times of day all of these things may be useful when finding a diagnosis.

  • Please ask our vets to write notes for you to take home if you are concerned you may not remember something that was mentioned or bring a friend or family member for help and support.

 

We do our very best to ensure that you are seen on time at you appointment time but emergencies and unpredictable cases can happen so please bear with us. Our reception team will endeavour to keep your updated if the consultations are running a few minutes late.

How to train your kitten to play without biting

  • ninja kittens

 

  • Kittens and adult cats are much less likely to bite and scratch us if they have been socialised and handled well when young.

 

  • Kittens have two very important periods of socialisation when they learn normal behaviour, towards other cats and people. The first period is 2-7 weeks of age when handling by various people in a positive manner will increase the likelyhood of them having a friendly approach in future interactions with people.

 

  • Kittens continue to learn by social play  from the age of 7 weeks, and this peaks at around 9-14 weeks of age,  and so when most people first take home their new kitten around 8 weeks of age, they are still in this important socialization period.

 

  • You should not play with your kitten using your hands or feet, and you should not use rough play, whatever the age of the kitten. Instead we recommend the use of a “fishing rod” toy or something similar that induces chasing behaviour e.g. a ping-pong ball. If  your kitten displays pouncing, chasing or biting of human fingers and toes, then they should be ignored.  Kittens like attention so will realise they have done something wrong if you ignore them.  If you are holding your kitten when they bite  or scratch you, then put them down immediately and ignore them.  A few moments later a toy can be provided.  Once your kitten has finished playing and is tired out, you can then stroke and make a fuss of them.

Kitten litter training

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Kitten litter training should  start as soon as you get them home, usually at 6-8 weeks old.

  • Place the litter tray away from the feeding area, in a quiet area, away from busy passageways.
  • Place the kitten on the litter tray immediately after each feed, and reward them with praise if they perform their toilet.
  • Clean the litter tray out daily (scooping out soiled areas and replacing with fresh litter), and completely wash the tray out once weekly.
  • Different types of litter are available,  but some cats may have a preference for a certain type.  I would suggest avoiding types with citrus fragrances. Clumping type sand like clay based litters are usually very well accepted.
  • Clean up any “accidents” with enzymatic washing powder and warm water. Do not use ammonia or hypochlorite containing bleach based disinfectants as they can smell to the kitten like another cats urine, and so encourage them to go toilet again in the same area.
  • You should have one litter tray per cat in the house plus one extra tray, in different locations.

Choosing a healthy kitten – top ten tips

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Choosing your kitten can be difficult when presented with  multiple  cute little ones to pick from.  Below are my top ten tips:

 

 

 

1-Look for one with bright clean eyes, a clean nose and one that is lively. Runny eyes or frequent sneezing can be a sign of infection with cat flu viruses, which can be a persistent problem.

 

 

2-If colour is an issue remember that tortoiseshell coloured domestic short hairs (“moggies”) which are always female, can be very feisty in nature.

 

 

3-Sexing kittens can be tricky if you are not practiced at it. You may want to double check the sex yourself rather than just relying on the owner’s information, or have it checked by your local vet.  When looking under the tail, there is always a bigger gap between the anal ring and penis, than there is between the anal ring and the vulva. It can help to look at a few kittens hopefully of different sex to see the difference.

 

 

4-The kitten should be at least 6 weeks old and should be fully weaned and eating solid foods.
Feel the belly to check for an umbilical hernia. This is a soft fatty swelling under the skin in the middle of the belly and occurs when the hole that the umbilical cord passes through does not close fully at birth. This can allow a small amount of fat to pass through from the abdomen, and if present may need surgical correction at a later date.

 

 

5-Check the coat for fleas or flea droppings. Flea droppings may be easier to spot and look like specks of dirt in the coat,  which if put on damp white tissue paper leave a red stain as they contain traces of blood. Very young kittens heavily infested with fleas can become anaemic, although in most cases a few fleas can be easily treated with a spot on treatment from your local vet.

 

 

6-Check when the kitten was last wormed. Kittens should be wormed when weaned at about 4 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks until 10 weeks of age, often with a liquid wormer such as Panacur. All kittens will be born with some worms, and so will require treatment to eliminate them.

 

 

7-Pedigree kittens can be at higher risk of genetic diseases, although most are usually perfectly healthy.  Some cats may be screened before breeding, to reduce the risk of passing these diseases to the kittens.  Current screening schemes include heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is prevalent in maine coon and rag doll cats), or kidney disease (polycystic kidney disease is prevalent in persians and exotic shorthairs). Further information can be found here http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/registers.php

 

 

8-You may want to see the mum and if possible the dad to give you an idea of temperament and size when adult, although there can be a great deal of variation even within a litter, especially of domestic short hairs  (common “moggies”). This may be more useful with pedigree cats which have less variation.

 

 

9-Check the hair coat of the kitten.  Most cats are short haired, but some may be long haired (even in the same litter of “moggies”)  and they may need more grooming and be more prone to developing matted fur.

 

 

10- Be aware that bottle reared kittens who have lost their mums may be more aggressive than usual in play.

Choosing your kitten – top ten tips

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Choosing your kitten can be difficult when presented with  multiple  cute little ones to pick from.  Below are my top ten tips:

  1. Look for one with bright clean eyes, a clean nose and one that is lively. Runny eyes or frequent sneezing can be a sign of infection with cat flu viruses, which can be a persistent problem.
  2. If colour is an issue remember that tortoiseshell coloured domestic short hairs (“moggies”) which are always female, can be very feisty in nature.
  3. Sexing kittens can be tricky if you are not practiced at it. You may want to double check the sex yourself rather than just relying on the owner’s information, or have it checked by your local vet.  When looking under the tail, there is always a bigger gap between the anal ring and penis, than there is between the anal ring and the vulva. It can help to look at a few kittens hopefully of different sex to see the difference.
  4. The kitten should be at least 6 weeks old and should be fully weaned and eating solid foods.
  5. Feel the belly to check for an umbilical hernia. This is a soft fatty swelling under the skin in the middle of the belly and occurs when the hole that the umbilical cord passes through does not close fully at birth. This can allow a small amount of fat to pass through from the abdomen, and if present may need surgical correction at a later date.
  6. Check the coat for fleas or flea droppings. Flea droppings may be easier to spot and look like specks of dirt in the coat,  which if put on damp white tissue paper leave a red stain as they contain traces of blood. Very young kittens heavily infested with fleas can become anaemic, although in most cases a few fleas can be easily treated with a spot on treatment from your local vet.
  7. Check when the kitten was last wormed. Kittens should be wormed when weaned at about 4 weeks of age and then every 2 weeks until 10 weeks of age, often with a liquid wormer such as Panacur. All kittens will be born with some worms, and so will require treatment to eliminate them.
  8. Pedigree kittens can be at higher risk of genetic diseases, although most are usually perfectly healthy.  Some cats may be screened before breeding, to reduce the risk of passing these diseases to the kittens.  Current screening schemes include heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is prevalent in maine coon and rag doll cats), or kidney disease (polycystic kidney disease is prevalent in persians and exotic shorthairs). Further information can be found here http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/registers.php
  9. You may want to see the mum and if possible the dad to give you an idea of temperament and size when adult, although there can be a great deal of variation even within a litter, especially of domestic short hairs  (common “moggies”). This may be more useful with pedigree cats which have less variation.
  10. Check the hair coat of the kitten.  Most cats are short haired, but some may be long haired (even in the same litter of “moggies”)  and they may need more grooming and be more prone to developing matted fur.