Cats & Kittens July Aug 13 Issue

 

[caption id="" align="alignright" width="200"] July Aug 2013[/caption]

Aristocratic blue!

-by Amanda Bright
The aristocratic Russian Blue is the gem of the feline world. Is it any wonder they are rumoured to have been the pets of the Russian Czars and a favourite of Queen Victoria? Here's more about this amazing breed.

Preventing dehydration…
- by Sudhersena
Even cats can be dehydrated, especially in the summer season. Here's how to prevent dehydration in kitties.

Ask the Expert..
Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Purrfect showing!
-by Blake Gipson
Most cat fanciers eagerly await the chance to share information, stories and histories of their chosen breed(s). Here's more about how a cat show happens.

Whiskas International Cat Show of India 2013

Precious purring hearts!
- by Cánie V Brooks
In the last issue, we learnt about the various heart diseases in cats. Here are few FAQs about the same.

Fleas need to flee.... let’s see how!

The most common cause of skin disease in cats is generally caused by fleas. Often skin diseases are seasonal and fleas are most active in summer and autumn. Here’s how to take care of fleas in your felines.

Watch out for...

The moment you see your cat scratching and chewing at her coat, immediately check, thoroughly, for fleas or flea dirt. If you see a cat who has sores or damp areas, then eczema is very often the cause of the problem. Go over every inch of the cat from the top coat, side and belly and down and inside the legs and tail. Fleas hide all over the coat and in the cat’s bedding. Many cats are not really troubled by fleas but 60 percent can have major problems that can cause serious health risks to your cat. If you are a pet parent of a dog as well, check him as well as they can jump from dogs on to cats and vice versa. Loss of hair is also a good indicator that there may be a problem with fleas.

Fleas management...

Place some clean newspaper on a table and then pick up your cat and stand her on the paper. Start combing and go over the entire body. You will soon see flea dirt drop on to the paper and probably a few fleas as well. Have ready some good quality flea powder that is listed safe for cats. Pick up small amounts in your fingers and starting at the under tail, gently massaging it into the coat. Gradually work through the whole body of the cat taking special care of the eyes and ears.

When finished, roll up the newspaper and burn it – if you just toss it into the bin, the fleas can escape and continue to cause trouble. Make sure you thoroughly wash your hands.

Gently brush and/or comb all the powder out. This takes time but is extremely important because if the cat licks the powder she will get sick. If you have more than one cat, they must all be treated in the same way to eradicate the fleas totally. If you have treated your cat for tapeworm, you should also use the flea powder as fleas can carry tapeworm. A rinse through with nice warm water will leave your cat feeling well loved and much happier. Dry her off well and she will, indeed, be a happy cat. You need to do this every 3-4 months.

Preventive tip...

Pet parents who brush and comb their cats at least three times a week are usually able to avoid flea problems because they pay close attention to their cat’s coat.

(Joan E Henderson is based in Australia and she has judged furry felines in many other countries including USA, Bermuda, Malaysia, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand).

Fun for Fluffy Feline

Check out these FIVE simple games you can play with your cat to keep her amused and active all day!

Pet parents often complain about their cats being lazy and inactive. By nature, cats are extremely playful and curious. They love exploring, hunting for things and chasing down moving objects. But the natural hunting instinct and playful spirit of the domestic cats often get stifled as they spend far too much time indoors. As a pet parent, you can help your cat come out of her sluggishness by constantly engaging her in games and fun activities. This will also help strengthen your bond with your feline companion.

Here are FIVE fun games that you can play with your cat to keep her physically and mentally fit and agile.

1. Chase the ball: You don’t need expensive toys to entertain your cat. A simple ping pong ball would do the trick. Just bounce a ping pong ball on the floor and watch your cat all excited, hopping along with it, trying to grab the ball. You could even roll the ball on the floor, and let your kitty chase it around the house. Ping pong balls are safe toys and being lightweight, they won’t hurt your cat, even if she gets hit by them.

2. Catch it if you can: While a rolling ball mimics the movement of mice, a wand toy mimics a fluttering bird, thereby capturing your cat’s attention. Wand toys are simple to make. Just take a piece of stick and attach a bright, colourful cloth or ribbon to its end. Wave the wand, move it in circular motions, and watch you kitty twist and turn, to get hold of it. Don’t forget to reward your kitty with treats, if she grabs the wand, and wins the game.

3. Follow the flash: Nothing can pique a cat’s curiosity more than a flickering, racing beam of light. Get a flashlight or a laser light and start moving it across the floor and up and down the wall. Move it in quick, irregular motions, and watch your cat pounce on the shimmering light, trying to grab it with her paws, and performing other funny acts, thinking it’s a firefly or some other insect.

4. Wrestling with blanket: Cats love rolling on the bed and hiding under the blanket. The next time you find your kitty lying lazily on the bed, grab a blanket and put your hand underneath. Then, move your fingers up and down and across the blanket. Your cat will instantly jump out of her torpidity, to catch your fingers, and be her usual animated self once again.

5. Bag of fun: That paper bag from the grocery store could be an interesting toy for your cat. Place an empty paper grocery bag in the middle of the room, or where your cat can see it. When your kitty jumps inside the bag, gently poke her from the sides, and move your fingers along the bag to amuse her, while she is busy exploring the bag.

Toy facts

• Like kids, your cat too can become bored with toys. You can keep a couple of toys at hand and give her a few to play with. When she is bored with them, stack them way and take out the rest. Likewise, change them with the earlier ones when she is through with the new ones.


• Include a variety of games in her playtime, and observe how she responds to each of these.


• If she loves a particular game or enjoys wrestling and snuggling with a particular toy, include that more often in her play.


• Make sure the toy you give her is safe.

Ask the Expert.. July Aug 13

Dr KG Umesh (MVSc, MSc (UK)) is a Postgraduate in Clinical Medicine. He is working for WALTHAM as Regional Associate for South Asia.

Q: Polka, my Persian, keeps grooming himself. He kind of retches and vomits some fur too. How can we reduce his excessive grooming habit?
-Kavita, Mumbai

Dr KG Umesh: During the routine activity of grooming, cats swallow varying quantities of hair. Length of grooming is highly variable among cat breeds with short or long hair coat. If small quantities of hair accumulate in the stomach or small intestine, the cat can cough and retch until the hairball is vomited. Occasionally a large mass of entangled hair called trichobezoar accumulates and can be as large as nine cm long. Clinical signs include vomiting, anorexia and may lead to a potentially serious obstruction. This condition is very rare. Hairballs can be diagnosed by radiograph or endoscopy. Hair ball diets containing high fibre diets to bulk the lumen, or lubricant laxatives such as paraffin wax are prescribed to treat the obstruction. Itching in some cats, sometimes, manifests as excessive grooming behaviour. Fleas, allergies, mange or fungal infections that stimulate itching must be ruled out.

For queries about your cat, call us at 1800407112121 (Toll free) (toll free from all BSNL nos.) or email us at whiskas.india@eu.effem.com

The Gentle Giant!

If you are planning an addition of a Maine Coon to your family, you will be happy you did.

One of the oldest natural breeds in North America, Maine Coon is generally regarded as a native of the state of Maine. Maine Coon was developed basically as a ‘working cat’, being able to fend for himself in rough, woody terrain and under extreme climatic conditions. In just looking at a Maine Coon one can see the power she possesses. She is a tall and broad kitty, but with a heart of gold!

Looks that kill…

[caption id="attachment_4701" align="alignright" width="300"] Woodle[/caption]

Here’s a cat with tall ears, broad chest, substantial boning, strong muscles, rectangular body and flowing tail. They have large eyes and ears, essential for detecting prey. They have a long silky shaggy coat, short over the head and long over the back. They have double coat - a soft undercoat and a weatherproof topcoat. They can be Tabbies as well as solid colours and also sometimes have white paws and chests.

Gentle giants…

Maine Coons have an amiable disposition that endears itself to all. For being such a large powerful cat, they are affectionate, loyal and gentle. They love giving head butts to show their affection. It is not uncommon to see breeding males interacting with kittens, grooming and cuddling them as their mothers would. Female Maine Coons make excellent mothers, giving their full attention to their kittens as they grow. The average litter of kittens is 4-5 but can be as large as 7-8. Kittens are playful, curious, funny and delightful. Kittens should stay with their mothers for 12-16 weeks. By that age they are able to function independently and will be a joy to their new home.

Grooming needs…

Grooming a Maine Coon involves a quick combing twice weekly with a Greyhound style stainless steel comb. They are relatively easy to bathe especially if started as kittens but it is not necessary.

Water animals…

One of the interesting things about the Maine Coon’s personality is their love of playing in water. They splash in their waterbowls, slap at running water from the tap and are intrigued by showers. One better be careful or you will have a Maine Coon in the shower with you!

Intelligence beyond words…

They are also adept at opening doors by turning the doorknobs with their front paws and then pushing the door open. One curious thing about Maine Coons is their fascination with watching things fall as they push it off a ledge, countertop or table. It is as if they make a study of the effects of gravity as the objects fall.

Healthy breed…

Being a natural breed, Maine Coons have relatively few health problems. If given proper veterinary care, they live long, healthy lives.

(Kim B Tomblin is TICA approved Allbreed Judge; President - Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association; Chairman -TICA Maine Coon Breed Committee and Breed Section; and Executive Vice President - Tomlin Mill Creek, Inc.)