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…

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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.)

May June 13 | Cats & Kittens

Table of Contents


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.

Precious purring hearts!

In the last issue, we learnt about the various heart diseases in cats. Here are few FAQs about the same.

Mark D Kittleson, DVM, PhD, one of the foremost researchers on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), was asked a series of questions trying to sort out this disease and what it means for breeders. Excerpts:

Q: At what age in males and females can this disease 'actually' be diagnosed?

Mark: In Maine Coons, most males have evidence of the disease by two years of age and females by three years of age but we have seen it developed as late as seven years of age in females and have seen it developed as young as six months of age in kittens from mating two affected cats.

Q: Is there scientific proof that this genetic disease is 100 percent NOT diet related?

Mark: In Maine Coons, American Shorthairs and humans, HCM is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. There has been no evidence of a nutritional cause in any species.

Q: Can two parents 'test' negative throughout their lives and still produce some kittens who may have HCM?

Mark: Yes. This means that either one of the parents had whatever mutation but did not manifest the disease or the affected offspring had a mutation developed spontaneously in-utero.

Q: Does the word 'genetic' mean the kittens are born with it or just predisposed? As soon as the cat reaches adulthood, should it show at that time, since the organs are fully mature?

Mark: Genetic means there is an abnormality in the genome. This may be the form of one base pair mutation or may take the form of multiple abnormalities. The word for a disease that is present at birth is 'congenital'. For HCM, for example, in Maine Coons the disease is not present at birth but develops over time and so it is not a congenital disease in the classic sense.

Q. If a cat tests 'negative' for a number of years, and then reaches say 10-12 years of age, is there a 100 percent chance that she will never have HCM?

Mark: I suspect that there are a fair number of cats who have mild to moderate HCM all their life and then develop something like hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure when they are older and this exacerbates the HCM to become severe. So, it's theoretically possible to have a cat with mild disease (which would be difficult to detect on an echocardiogram) that developed hyperthyroidism when she was 15 years of age and all of a sudden showed up with what appears to be severe HCM.

Q. Is this an all breed cat condition in general or is it more towards specific breeds of cats?

Mark: It's a strange phenomenon. HCM is very common in cats, whether they are mixed breed or purebred, yet it's a rare condition in dogs. And it seems as things progress, more and more purebreds are recognised as having the disease. However, the disease is still most commonly seen in mixed breed cats. If the disease is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait in all cats it would be passed on to 50 percent of all offspring, whether they were purebred or mixed so she would be easy to disseminate a mutation throughout a large population.

Q. Is this condition a game of Russian Roulette?

Mark: You're correct, echocardiographic screening is a bit of a game of Russian Roulette. If not all cats with a mutation manifest the disease, then it isn't seen in all cats on an echocardiogram that can pass on the disease. That's why I always tell people that echocardiographic screening is not going to rid a breed of the disease.

Breeding protocols

HCM can be treated if diagnosed early. There are various medications available to extend the life of our cats. It would be a much better solution to not breed cats who are HCM positive to begin with. To avoid HCM, breeders should note the following:

• A breeding male should be tested every six months if at all possible. Testing should begin when the male is about one year of age and before he is used in a breeding programme.


• A breeding female should be tested prior to each breeding or at least annually. As with a male, the first testing should be done when the cat is about one year old.


• All breeding cats should be tested as long as they are in a breeding programme.


• An affected cat should immediately be removed from a breeding programme, altered (unless clinically contraindicated), and treatment started as ordered by the breeder's veterinary specialist.


• Should HCM be diagnosed in a cat, the breeder of that cat should inform *all* pet parents of near relatives of that cat, including offspring of the affected cat, whether they were sold for pet or breeding purposes.


• Breeders are encouraged to maintain contact at least annually with the pet parents of all cats produced by their cattery. Such continued contact should include a report of any health changes in these cats. This information will assist the breeder when making decisions regarding his/her breeding programme.


• Breeders should make every effort to work with breeding cats who are as free as possible of this disease. Furthermore, it encourages breeders of cats to stress the importance of health for their breeding cats as well as type when breeding animals are selected and mating decisions are made.


• It is recommended that breeders include a warranty statement in their sales contract so both parties are informed of what will be expected should the cat or kitten develop HCM.

(Cánie V Brooks is a TICA All Breed Judge. Breeding and showing Bengals for 14 years, she is currently on the TICA Bengal Breed Committee, TICA Mentoring Committee, Past Officer for seven years in The International Bengal Cat Society.)

Ask the Expert.. May June 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: My cats are two and three years old. What is the best age to neuter and are there any side effects in terms of health?
- Ayush, Delhi

Dr K G Umesh: Spaying/castration is an irreversible means by which a cat is rendered sterile. Spaying at a young age prevents mammary cancer and neutering at any age prevents unwanted kittens, noisy heat cycles, roaming, fighting and possibly even urine marking in the house. The procedure entails complete removal of the uterus and ovaries in females and testicles in males. Surgery is preceded by a fasting period and requires general anaesthesia and hospitalisation. However, most hospitals/clinics discharge cats the same day as surgery. Complications are unusual/rare but may include post surgical haemorrhage or infection. Postoperative care includes restriction of exercise for a week, protection of the incision from contaminants, and daily monitoring of the incision for inflammation or discharge. The incision must stay dry and suture removal is usually performed 7-10 days after surgery. There are also hospitals/clinics, which conduct spaying with Keyhole or Laparoscopy methods, with minimum invasive surgery and on out-patient basis. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what exactly is involved with the operation and also on the best time for it to be performed. The traditional age for spaying is six months. However, the last few years has brought us a great deal of research into 'early' spaying and we now know that there is no problem with spaying as early as eight weeks of age.

Preventing dehydration…

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

Some facts…

A healthy cat should be sufficiently hydrated. Water replaces fluid lost through urine, faeces and respiration and is essential to maintain appropriate health. It is interesting to know that 80 percent of a cat's body weight is made up of water. The amount of water your cat should drink depends on factors like the size of your cat, health condition, weather, food, etc.

Dehydration & its causes...

Dehydration occurs when the fluid levels are less than normal. During summer, your cat will drink more water to replace fluids lost due to heat. Senior cats, nursing cats, and cats suffering from kidney problem, cancer, diabetes, and hyperthyroidism are especially at risk for dehydration. Cats having fever, vomiting or diarrhoea are also prone to dehydration.

Symptoms…

You can know if your cat is dehydrated by lifting the skin on the back of your cat's neck or between the shoulder blades. For a well- hydrated cat, the skin should be extremely elastic and should immediately bounce back. If the cat is dehydrated, the skin will take a longer time to return to normal. If you suspect that your cat is dehydrated, immediately take her to your veterinarian.

Tips to follow…

• Always keep a fresh bowl of water everyday.


• Clean the water bowl daily to prevent from bacteria forming.


• Keep several water bowls around the house so that your cat can have easy access.


• Cats being fed dry food should drink adequate amounts of water.


• If you notice your cat is drinking water more or less than normal, take her to the veterinarian immediately.


• Keep your kitty indoors during hot days.


• If you are feeding outdoor cats, provide them some shade.

(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.)

E-mail your cat's adorable pictures and stories at: info@dogsandpups.net or post it to: Dogs & Pups, 406, Sant Nagar, East of Kailash, New Delhi-110065.