Cats & Kittens July August 2011 Issue

Playful Pixiebobs! Intelligent, affectionate, loving and playful…a Pixiebob can give you hours of entertainment…playing, loving and cuddling with you. Watch out for fever! It is very important to monitor your kitty’s body temperature to ensure she is healthy. Let’s see why. 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. What’s normal? What's not? Smarten up! Your kitty is very conscious of her looks…let us also help him maintain his sparkling look! When’s the time to seek a vet? As a pet parent, we should learn to observe in detail and know when to take the cat to the vet. How do you decide? Just say ‘no’ aversive training your cat As much as you love him, it can be hard to maintain warm, fuzzy feelings when your cat scratches the furniture, jumps on the counters, or gnaws on plants. Of course, he’s just doing what comes naturally. Yelling or hitting won’t deter the bad behaviour, but it will make your cat fearful of you, which is certainly not your goal. So what can you do?

Just say ‘no’ aversive training your cat

As much as you love him, it can be hard to maintain warm, fuzzy feelings when your cat scratches the furniture, jumps on the counters, or gnaws on plants. Of course, he’s just doing what comes naturally. Yelling or hitting won’t deter the bad behaviour, but it will make your cat fearful of you, which is certainly not your goal. So what can you do?

Remote control

Aversive training uses textures, odours, tastes, sounds, and other methods to correct your cat’s behaviour in a way that’s unpleasant for him, but has nothing to do with you. Let’s say your cat tends to chew on electrical cords, a very dangerous habit. Smear hot sauce on the cords. He’ll quickly learn that chewing on them is no fun at all, and you’re still the good guy. In addition to deterring him from undesired behaviour, you’ll need to provide an acceptable alternative for him to express his needs. Tools of the trade A basic aversive training toolbox contains: Unpleasant textures: Nubby plastic carpet runner, duct tape, rough rocks, anything that won’t feel good to your cat’s paws. Bad tastes: Hot sauce or a non-toxic spray or ointment available at pet supply stores Bad smells: Cologne and citrus scents. Loud sounds: Whistle, can of pennies or pebbles, pot lids, book dropped on floor, hand clapping. Surprises: A squirt from a water bottle, a blast of canned air.

Using your tools

The advantages of having so many training tools are flexibility and creativity. You can pick, choose, and adapt your tools to any situation. If duct tape doesn’t work, try carpet runner. If your cat likes Bitter Apple, use hot sauce. If he ignores a squirt of water, blow a whistle. You can even combine your tools to send a really strong message.

Element of surprise

Aversives such as noises and surprises are effective training tools when you’re home to watch your cat’s movements. If you catch him considering whether or not to jump on the coffee table, kitchen counter, etc, don’t shout at him; instead, interrupt him by squirting him with water, blowing a whistle, or throwing a pillow in his direction (don’t hit him). These actions are intended to startle and distract him from his intended mission. Try to take action from outside his line of sight so he won’t associate it with you. He’ll think the coffee table did it. You can also use noises and surprises if your cat starts scratching or chewing something, tries to run out the front door, or engages in any other type of naughtiness. (Note: Don’t use surprise methods if you have a particularly timid or fearful cat. It’s not good for his nerves.)

Timing is everything

The right timing is crucial to the success of these methods. You have to catch your cat in the act in order for them to be effective. If you squirt him or blow the whistle after he’s finished, he won’t connect the consequence with his behaviour, and your effort will be wasted. But you can’t follow your cat around the house or be home 24x7 to supervise; that’s when your other tools come in handy.

Passive aversive

Passive aversives are training methods that don’t require you to be directly involved—a disagreeable odour, a bad taste, or an uncomfortable texture can make your cat think twice about doing what he’s doing. Here are some of the most common cat habits and ways to reduce or stop them:

Scratching carpet or furniture

• Cover favoured areas with plastic carpet runner, nubby side up, until the cat stops scratching.


• Spray areas with cologne or citrus scents, which cats don’t like and usually avoid. Test surfaces for staining by spraying on a hidden area first.

Jumping on tables, counters, etc.

• Cover with plastic carpet runner, nubby side up.


• Cover large pieces of cardboard with double-sided tape or loops of duct tape, then place cardboard on surfaces. Your cat won’t like his feet sticking to the tape.


• Set a few upside-down mousetraps that will snap when he touches them, but won’t hurt him.


• Tie some soda cans together and set them up on the surface. He’ll knock them over when he jumps up.

Chewing plants, cords, wood, etc.

• Spray plants with Bitter Apple, cologne or citrus scents


• Apply hot sauce, Bitter Apple ointment, or aloe gel to cords, wood, other solid surfaces

Digging in plants

• Cover soil with aluminium foil or small, rough rocks

Feline fun

Your cat’s habits may be incompatible with your lifestyle, but they’re perfectly normal for him. Give him approved outlets for his natural behaviour so he’ll be less tempted to use your stuff. Place scratching posts near his favourite hang-outs so he won’t go for the couch or carpet. Give him a tall cat tree to satisfy his instinct to watch the world from on high. Make sure he has toys of all shapes and materials to keep him from destroying your belongings. And shower him with time and attention as often as time allows.

(This article is contributed by Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). Established in 1954, HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals; www.hsus.org)

When’s the time to seek a vet?

As a pet parent, we should learn to observe in detail and know when to take the cat to the vet. How do you decide?

• Know how much your cat eats. If this amount changes significantly (except in a growing kitten), know what the reason is. See the veterinarian in the absence of a good reason.


• Cats should have good habits, including keeping their fur and anus clean. If you still find your cat does not look as clean as she should be or if she stops grooming herself, seek a vet as chances are that she might not be physically fit to groom herself.


• New problems deserve an answer. Fleas could signal their presence by black flecks and scabs. Excessive matting may indicate a need for better quality fatty acid balance in the diet. If you notice any such abnormalities, seek your vet immediately.


• Lift the cat’s tail and look at the anus. If there are rice like objects, light tan in colour hanging on the anus, they are probably tapeworm eggs. Take your kitty to the vet who will set a proper deworming schedule for your cat. Beginning four months of age, your cat should be dewormed every three months. But, if you have a kitten, she would need to be dewormed every three weeks.


• If the cat (particularly a long haired cat) has faeces clinging to the perianal area, ask your vet to trim the fur in that area. This can prevent infection from having the faeces trapped next to the skin.


• Although you provide an excellent diet, and the cat appears to be in the best health, a yearly veterinary visit is recommended much like a yearly doctor’s visit for humans.

(Kit Humphrey, featured columnist of Cats & Kittens, is a retired physician from Siberian Gatos Cattery in the US)

Smarten up!

Your kitty is very conscious of her looks…let us also help him maintain his sparkling look!

Coat care: Combing and brushing your cat once a week is an excellent habit as it helps reduce the incidence of hairballs. Place your cat on any comfortable surface. Use a fine-toothed comb on short-haired cats and a wide-toothed comb on cats with long hair. Stroke gently and evenly from the head towards the tail. Finish with brushing – always working in the direction the cat’s coat grows.

Dental care: Dental disease can cause sore, swollen gums and loss of teeth. But even more serious, it can allow the bacteria in your cat’s mouth to gain access to the body, which may lead to infections of major organs. Your veterinarian will show you the proper way to brush your cat’s teeth.

Proper dental care should begin when your cat is a kitten. Maintain your cat’s oral hygiene with a weekly tooth brushing with a cat toothpaste. Finger brushes are also available. They fit over your forefinger to make it easy work with your cat – and this is probably the best way to clean a cat’s teeth. Any time you put your fingers in a cat’s mouth, be careful not to get bitten. Always work with your cat from above and behind, to maintain control over your restless patient. Remember, you are going to begin regular tooth-brushing, it is best and very wise to start when your cat is kitten. You can also use dental chews to keep his teeth clean.

Time to call a vet: Cats tend to be fastidiously neat and your cat will clean and groom himself. But, if he begins to neglect his appearance, chances are that there is something physically wrong. Consult your vet immediately.

(Joan 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)

What’s normal? What's not?

Find out about your cat’s behaviour.

• Sleepyheads: Cats love to sleep and will keep sleeping even if it is noisy.


• Scratching: It is a normal behaviour for a cat to scratch. In order to prevent this unwanted behaviour, train him right when he is a kitten.


• Cats eat frequently: Cats eat frequently, sometimes even a nibble. Frequent eating keeps their digestive condition in an optimal condition.


• Fasting for a day or two: Sometimes, a cat does not eat for a day or two – this is normal as long as they do not appear sick. If you have doubts, do consult your vet.


• Hiding litter: Cats are clean creatures and they do not like to show their litter. They cover and hide up their business. So, keep their litterboxes in a secluded place and change litter frequently.


• Not using litterbox: If your cat has suddenly stopped using his litterbox, it could be a sign of illness. Contact your vet immediately.

Ask the Expert..July-Aug 11

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

Q: My cat Rani, who is seven years old, seems to have swollen gums with little bleeding. She also has bad breath. Please help.
-- R Muthy, Bangalore

Dr KG Umesh: There are many oral and respiratory diseases that contribute to bad breath in cats. Feline odontoclastic resorptive lesion, periodontal diseases and feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) are some of the common dental diseases seen in senior cats. Bacteria associated with dental tartar and dental pain due to diseased teeth and gums contribute to the bad breath and bleeding. Control of gingivitis (gums inflammation) should involve regular dental home care, including tooth brushing, use of oral antiseptics, special diets and chews. Professional periodontal therapy including tooth scaling and polishing may be required. Untreated gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which involves the irreversible destruction of the tissues supporting the teeth. Treatment of periodontitis requires professional periodontal therapy, including supra- and subgingival scaling and polishing, root surface debridement and teeth extraction in cases of advanced disease. Older cats should continue to receive regular dental cleanings and extractions to make sure good dental health is maintained. Take your cat to your vet ASAP.

Watch out for fever!

It is very important to monitor your kitty’s body temperature to ensure she is healthy. Let’s see why.

Case file…

Tiger, my tripod feline pal, is usually active, naughty and playful. One day I noticed that he seemed to be in a lot of pain and was finding it difficult to walk or run. I took him immediately to the veterinarian. Tiger’s body temperature was taken and it was 104oF and rising fast. Normal body temperatures in cats range between 100-102.5°F. Immediately, the fever was brought down and Tiger was prescribed some antibiotics. I was also advised to take Tiger’s temperature at different times during the next day. The next day, Tiger’s temperature was 104.5oF and was once again rising. By the time I reached the pet clinic with Tiger, the temperature was above 105oF. Blood tests were done but the results were normal. Over the next three weeks, Tiger was treated with antibiotics to which he responded well and his temperature returned to normal. Tiger continues to be in good health. It is very important to monitor your feline’s body temperature.

What is fever…

A fever (also known as pyrexia) is defined as an abnormally high body temperature which is generated by the body to fight disease. Its purpose is to raise the internal body temperature to levels which will kill bacteria.

Symptoms of fever…

Loss of appetite, lethargy, listlessness, dehydration, shivering, rapid breathing are some of the symptoms of fever.

First aid for fever…

First aid for a cat having high temperature includes using fans and offering cool fresh water to cool the cat. You can also wrap some wet cloth around your cat to temporarily bring down the temperature, but never bathe your cat. You should then take your cat immediately to the veterinarian. If your cat has temperature over 105oF for more than a day or two, it can lead to dehydration, loss of appetite, listlessness, and even brain damage.

Measuring temperature…

Feeling the ears, body or nose is not the accurate way of telling if your cat has fever. The only reliable way to determine if your cat has fever is by taking her temperature. This is done rectally using a thermometer, either digital or mercury. If you are using a mercury thermometer, shake down the mercury to a level below 96ºF (35.6ºC). Lubricate the bulb with a small amount of petroleum or K-Y jelly. Lift your cat’s tail and insert the tip of the thermometer, about one inch, into the rectum. Normal thermometers should be left in there for two minutes. Digital thermometers should be left in until they beep.

You should exercise caution while taking the temperature of your cat. If your cat is not cooperative, seek the help of another person. Your helper can hold the cat while you take the temperature. Also rush your cat to the vet.

When to call a vet…

If the temperature of your cat is above 104°F, you should be concerned and a visit to the veterinarian would be called for. But if the temperature crosses 105oF, it requires immediate attention of the veterinarian.

Besides, very low body temperatures for cats are usually a serious sign and require immediate medical attention.

(Sudhersena is volunteer at the Blue Cross since 1998 and an avid animal lover, owns nine cats and three dogs. She is associated with a number of animal welfare campaigns and programmes)