Caring for your Meow’s Ears

Ear infections can cause a lot of pain to your cat. So, here’s more about ear infections.

Cat ear infections can be divided in Pinna and ear canal disease. Infections of the external ear canal, also called the outer ear, are common in dogs, but not very common in cats. This is called otitis externa. The Persian breed appears more prone to ear infections than other breeds of cats. Cats living in wild can have cuts and tears due to thorns and dog bite wounds, which later on get infected.

Watch out for?:

• Odour.


• Scratching or rubbing of ears and head.


• Yellow discharge, which is from bacterial or candid infection.


• Black discharge in the ears due to mites.


• Redness or swelling of the ear canal.


• Shaking of the head or tilting it to one side.


• Pain around the ears.


• Changes in behaviour such as depression or irritability.

Ear mites:

Many cats living together are more prone to ear mite infections. Ear mites can cause several of these symptoms, including a black discharge, scratching, and head shaking. Ear mite infections generally occur most commonly in kittens. Ear mites in adult cats occur most frequently after a kitten carrying mites is introduced into the household. Sometimes, ear mites create an environment within the ear canal, which leads to secondary infection with bacteria and yeast (fungus). After the mites go, secondary bacterial infection grows amongst the dead tissue, debris and inflammatory cells. 

Since cats are very sensitive to drugs and medicines, consult your vet immediately. First, the ear canal is examined with an otoscope, an instrument that provides magnification and light. This permits a good view of the ear canal. This examination allows to determine whether the eardrum is intact and if there is any foreign material in the canal. When a cat is in extreme pain and refuses to allow the examination, it must sometimes be completed under sedation or anesthesia.

Choice of the anesthesia is another issue and should be entrusted with experienced vets who know about “cats.” A cell cytology can be done by taking a smear on the slide and seen under the microscope. Live mites can be demonstrated. In chronic infections, culture and sensitivity test is a good idea. The ear discharge should be collected in a sterile container and sent to the lab.

Elegant ‘n’ lovable: Oriental Shorthairs

I’m pretty…

Oriental Shorthair is a medium-sized cat, with a long, tubular and tapering body, with fine bones and firm muscles. Her legs are long and slim, with small and oval paws, while her tail is long and tapering. The head, set on a long and slender neck, is a tapering wedge with a “banana-profile” and a strong chin. The large ears are wide at the base, and continue the line of the wedge. Their slanted, almond-shaped eyes are a vivid green colour. The fine-textured coat is very short, glossy, silky, close to the body, with no undercoat, which confers it smoothness and a glass-like sheen.

Orientals come in over 300 colours and patterns: solids (white, black, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, cream, cinnamon, fawn), tabbies (blotched, mackerel, spotted, ticked), silvers, bicolours... thus, out of such diversity of colours, you will certainly find a cat who suits your taste.

I’m social ‘n’ playful…

The Oriental cats have a strong personality - they are extrovert, hyper-social and playful, and remain so all through their lifetime. They are talkative and display a wide range of sounds, from the softest ones to those that remind you of an opera diva’s shrill note. Naughty, untiring and sometimes turbulent, they are always ready to frolic. Their lively curiosity combined with their keen intelligence make them natural mischief-makers, especially when there is nobody around to entertain them. The only thing they crave for is affection. They become extremely attached to their owners and when they get the required amount of attention, they return it with interest: companionship, amusing “conversation” and undying loyalty.

Groom me little…

The short coat requires little grooming. Brushing it carefully, once a week, is sufficient to remove loose, dead hair. After that, wiping the coat with a piece of either silk or natural chamois will give it a gorgeous high-gloss glow. It is also advisable to trim the claws and clean the ears once a fortnight.

I love to be around you…

The Orientals are a shining example of an interactive cat. When you come back home, they will eagerly meet you at the door either to show you how happy they feel or to scold you for being so late. They want to be with you every minute of every day. They will invariably follow you all over the house because they want to see everything, experiment everything, and share… everything! “Privacy” is a word that does not exist in the “Oriental cats’ dictionary.” They will be devoted and sensitive friends and they will fill your life with unconditional love.

I’m healthy…

This breed is generally healthy. Some bloodlines, however, can be prone to certain diseases such as gingivitis, cardio-myopathy, and liver and kidney amyloidosis.

So, if you are looking for a companion cat, both loyal and affectionate, the Oriental is the perfect breed for you.

Noicy Cats

While we humans may not yet be adept at holding conversations in cat-speak, cats use their language to communicate with us and other animals. Some cats “talk” more than others, but most cats do make noise some of the time, and they expect us to know what they’re saying. We’re all familiar with the meaning of hissing and growling, but there are many other sounds your cat is capable of making, and a variety of reasons for vocalizing.

Medical reasons: If your cat’s behaviour changes suddenly, the first thing you should do is to take her to your veterinarian for a thorough health examination. Cats often hide symptoms of illness until they’re seriously ill; any change in behaviour may be an early indication of a medical problem. A new vocalizing behaviour, in particular, may indicate physical discomfort stemming from an urgent need for medical attention. A normally vocal cat who stops talking is also in need of a medical checkup.

Breed tendency: Oriental breeds, such as the Siamese, are known to be very vocal. If your cat has a pointed face and a long, lean body, chances are she has some oriental heritage, so “talking” may be a part of her character. If your cat’s chatter bothers you, then avoid giving her any attention when she is vocal because this will only encourage the vocal behaviour. Instead, give her attention when she is quiet.

Attention-seeking behaviour: Some cats “talk” because they know they’ll get a reaction. People may talk back, put out some food, pick up and soothe the cat, or even pick the animal up and temporarily “lock” her in another room. All of these responses will encourage an attention-seeking cat. To discourage this behaviour, simply ignore your cat when she does this, and when she is quiet, pour on the love, feed her, or give her some treats. This will teach your cat, which behaviours you would like her to continue.

Your cat wants to go outside: If your cat was previously an outdoor cat and you plan to keep her safely inside, then good for you! Following are some suggestions to help make the transition easier on both of you:

• Spaying or neutering will rid your cat of those hormonal urges to go out and seek a mate. This will result in a calmer, friendlier cat.


• Schedule play times during the times your cat would normally be outside. This will distract her from her normal routine and establish another, safer routine.


• Be sure your cat has a view of the outdoors and a sunny place to lie. Cats like to watch birds, so putting a bird feeder outside a window is likely to make the window a favourite spot for your cat.


• Run a scavenger hunt. Give your cat a game to play by hiding bits of dry food around the house. Hide the food in paper bags, boxes, and behind open doors. This will give her exercise and keep her busy so she doesn’t think of going outside. This is especially good to do right before the family leaves the house for the day.


• Try to give your cat extra love and attention during this difficult transition.


• Try aversives. If your cat still won’t give up meowing by the door, try an “aversive.” For example, leave a strong citrus scent by the door to help make the area undesirable to your cat. Totally ignore her vocalizations. Whenever she is quiet, give her a food treat and encourage her to play or cuddle.

Grief: After the death or departure of a person or animal in your cat’s life, she may vocalize to express her grief. This can be a normal part of the grieving process. The best thing you can do for her is keep her schedule the same (or as close to it as possible) and spend some extra time cuddling and playing with her. With time, this problem should take care of itself. If your cat does not return to her normal self, consult your veterinarian.

Transition: If your cat is new to your home or has just gone through a change—such as a person or other animal moving into or out of the home—and she has just started her talkative behaviour, be patient. It may be happening due to the transition and will stop on its own if the behaviour is not encouraged. Remember, even scolding can be perceived by your cat as attention, and thus encourage the behaviour.

(Reprinted with permission from The Humane Society of the United States, www.humanesociety.org)

Kitty etiquettes -Jan 08

Our kitty angels are very clean by nature and they keep themselves and their vicinities neat and hygienic. However, a little house training is essential to make them the perfect kids. Cats like to bury their waste, are fastidiously clean and beings of strong habit. These factors make house training very easy.

Catch them early!

By the time they are seven or eight weeks old, kittens will have learnt to tidy up themselves. Many experts believe that they learn this by watching their mothers or siblings. That’s why you will almost never find a cat excreting near her sleep or food area.

Others believe that this behaviour is more instinctive and stems from a desire to conceal their scent from predators or dominant cats.

Either way, if your kitten is around two months old, she has probably already got into the habit of covering up, or if younger, will just need to be shown how by you, her new mother!

Showing the way

If you prefer your cat to use a garden or the outdoors, make sure she has constant access to it. A cat door or flap is invaluable, and once fixed, she will take to it in no time at all.

Train them to use litter box, which dessicates and deodourises the urine and faeces. Once trained, they will follow it through out their life and it will help you to avoid unpleasant smell from your house.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when training your kitty:

• Keep the litter box in a secluded area. Cats are usually shy about their this act.


• Keep the litter box in one place. They don’t appreciate constant moves.


• Place a soaked newspaper in the litter box to draw the kitten towards it. They love its sandy texture and this satisfies their natural urge to dig and bury.


• Use commercially available litter boxes, or make one with a clean milk crate or plastic tub. Just make sure the cat has enough room, and doesn’t accidentally paw the litter over the sides of the tub.


• Restrict access to other tempting, but undesirable places to eliminate, and discourage kitty when she attempts to use another place (punishing cats once the deed is done is rarely effective).

Litter box care

• Cats love a fresh, clean litter box. One of the most common reasons for failure of litter box training is not keeping the litter box clean enough.


• Scoop out clumps of dried litter at least once a day (twice if two cats are using the same box).


• Top up the litter so that it is sufficient for the cat’s needs.


• Once a week, empty out the tray altogether and replace it with fresh litter after washing the box with a mild detergent and drying thoroughly.


• Make sure the box is ventilated so that the litter has a chance to dry completely.


• Try not to change the brand of litter, and if you must, gradually introduce the new brand along with the old.

Once your pet has learnt where her toilet is, and if it meets her needs of hygiene, privacy and constancy, she will almost never want to eliminate elsewhere.

Feline territorial issues

Cats are royal companions who like separate space for their own, just like us. Mostly they consider the area where they spend most of their time as their territory and they are always prepared to defend it against other cats - and other animals as well. The same applies to wild cats (lions, tigers, cheetah and leopards) but they live a different life to their smaller cousins and except for those in zoos, they live free in their natural habitats.

Feline monarchs...

Felines rule their area or territory like an emperor and they won’t allow any intruders in this place. They clearly demarcate their territory from the other and build around a safe spot or their home base. Even cats that are companions and live in a home will consider this home to be their territory and often do not like new cats coming into the house.

Their kingdom...

Their kingdom, the home spot, may be one single area, or a series of areas. It is a place for eating, drinking, sleeping, napping, watching the world or playing. For most companion cats, their home base is closely related to their owner’s home whereas home bases for free-roaming cats are generally near the owners’ home or surrounding yards. All cats who live with their human parents still consider that special places in the home to be their territory and guard it against all others. Sometimes it is a windowsill, on top of a particular cupboard, on top of a scratching post or one special room in the house.

Royal food...

Kitty kings are gourmet for food. They generally raise their empire where they get abundance of food and water. More cats can be seen in such places. When little food and water is available then fewer cats will be seen. Male cats who are not neutered will roam a great deal further than males who have been neutered. They are always on the hunt for mate and will fight to the death with any other male.

Cat wars...

Obviously cats who are free and have no home are inclined to seek an area that is theirs alone, as they do not want to share their territory and the food that is available. In the case of feral cats they seek an area where they are in charge and do not have to combat with other feral cats. Unfortunately a cat’s territory must be staked and this can involve physical confrontation with other wild cats. They often make a lot of noise and try to intimidate their opponents but if that does not work, then the battle can be terrifying and a lot of blood shed. Most attacks are directed to the head or tail region and a lot depends on the strength of the individual cat. Wounds are inflicted by teeth and claws but generally once the fight is over, regardless of the winner, they rarely fight with each other again. One part of fighting males and males who roam free is the spraying of urine. This is scent marking and generally used by tomcats. This is to mark their territory and is almost always done on the boundaries of the territory that the cat considers his/ her own.

Prevention is better than cure...

Cats should not be left to roam free, as they can be injured, hit by cars, treated badly by humans and dogs. For this reason, all cats, who are not registered breeding animals, should be neutered and kept indoors, loved and cared for.

Joan E Henderson of Melbourne, Australia has judged furry felines in Australia, USA, Bermuda, Malasya, South Africa, Hong Kong, Philippines and New Zealand.

British Shorthair... Brits sweetheart

British Shorthair cats are real sweethearts...they are simply irresistible. These calm and cute kitties are natural charmers...what make them even more lovable is their full cheeks, giving a chubby-faced ‘Cheshire cat smile’ look. Here’s a bit more about these antique kitties.

Brits rich heritage

The British Shorthair, probably the oldest English breed of cat, traces her ancestry back to the domestic cat of Rome. This breed was first prized for her physical strength and hunting ability, but soon became equally recognized and valued for her calm demeanor, endurance and loyalty to man. Because of her easy-going nature and intelligence, she has become a favourite of animal trainers, for use in Hollywood films and television commercials.

Meow stunners

These cats are of medium to big size, and have stout, muscular, loudly and semi-cobby body. The tail is short and thick. The head is broad and round, without angles; the snout is definite well, with the short, broad and straight nose in line with the firm jaw. The eyes are big, and round, and are of preferably intense copper or orange colour (in some variety, they can be greenish). The mantle is short, dense, compact to the tact, with good subhair, type “plush”. The most known colour of British Shorthair is blue (British Blue), though they can come in all the uniform colours: black, white, chocolate, lilac, red, cream; besides smoke, chinchilla or the two-colour, calico and tabbys (tiger-striped).

Loving...always

British Shorthairs are very affectionate, they quietly follow you from room to room until they can settle contentedly by your side. Gifted with lasting patience and confidence, Brits are especially good with children and other types of pets. They are very balanced, calm and controlled, with a strong and determined personality. They are always in quite control of their environment, supervising everyone and everything that happens in the family. When gracefulness is observed, the British Shorthair is daily embarrassed, quickly recovering with a ‘Cheshire cat smile.’

Natural charmers

These cute and good-looking kitties are blessed with all the looks...that don’t require much of grooming. The coat is short, plush and dense with luxurious feel and the cat can easily look after it herself...so it’s great to pet such kitty charmers.

Loving care

British Shorthairs are very healthy and long-lived. Care must be taken not to allow her become fat. If your cat seems to be heavy, contact your vet.

(Inputs from M V Maria Luisa Lópe, a Medical Veterinarian, member AVEFA (Association Veterinary Specialists in Felines of Argentina), and a breeder of British Shorthair and Nina of Empire of Glamour Cattery, Châteauguay, Qc Canada, the breeders of British Shorthair (blue, cream, lilac, lilac & cream and blue & cream).

Combating stress level in felines

An ideal home should be a penetralia of peace and we all have dreams about it. It should be a place where you can retreat after a bad day at work. Let’s make our home purrfect for our felines as well. Here are a few ways to make life stress-free for our felines.

• Just like you, cats also need their own personal space. So, create a place, which your cat can claim as his very own. 
  
  


• Your jetsetting lifestyle is not an excuse to connive your cat. Give quality time to your kitty and he will fill your life with happiness. 
  
  


• Everybody loves pleasant voice, including our kitties. Don’t yell or scold him. Talk to him in a cheerful tone and see him react in a positive manner. 
  
  


• If you own a cat family, always give separate space for small kittens and younger cats, otherwise the big one may terrify the smaller ones. 
  
  


• Cat’s hearing is far more acute than humans so noise can severely stress your cats. Sound of vehicles or shouting may make them fearful. Give them a noise-free environment. 
  
  


• Like hearing, cats have a wonderful sense of smell and strong perfumes may irritate them. So be careful while you use that favourite bottle of spray. 
  
  


• Cats are very playful. Playing with them can reduce his stress as well as yours. So, what are you waiting for, pick up that toy and play with your kitty. 
  
  


• Cats need a balanced diet to keep their body healthy and lead a stress free life. Consult your vet to formulate a balanced diet for your cat. 
  
  


• Check out for signs of stress like excessive grooming, pacing up and down the room etc. Your vet can also test his cortisol level - if it is high, your kitty is stressed. Act now to make him happy. 
  
  


• More importantly, love him abundantly and give him attention and you will be blessed with a loving and happy cat.