How to make your trip to the vet run smoothly

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How to make your trip to the vet run smoothly

Getting your cat to the vet is never an easy feat, from the dreaded carrier to the car trip there isn’t ever much joy associated with it. And to top it all off let’s not forget how incredibly stressful this process can be for your feline friend! There are many stories floating around about the escapades of cat owners, cats, and cat carriers.  I have compiled a list of tips below that will hopefully make the journey just that little bit easier!

  1. The Carrier

The dreaded carrier, the first realisation that your cat will be leaving its comfy surroundings is sure to be a frightening one. Unfortunately most cats won’t willingly be confined, so in order to make its experience in the carrier better there are a few tips you can follow.

  • Turn your carrier into a ‘comfy bed’ that is available at all times, place a pillow or a soft blanket in it and it will soon become your kitties new favourite hidey hole!
  • Use treats and toys as rewards to make your cat’s journey in its carrier a little easier.
  • Close the doors softly and quietly so that no loud noises will startle your cat.

 

  1. The Car

Your cat probably only ever goes in the car when its heading to the vet, so of course it’s going to associate only ‘scary and negative’ things with it. Just like the carrier, if your cat has only had negative experiences associated with it then it is important that you create some level of positivity to connect with it as well. An idea is to place your cat in the carrier, and drive without going anywhere. Doing this every so often will encourage your cat to believe that the car is a safe place and isn’t always associated with scary outcomes!

  1. Preparation

In the hour or so leading up to your cats vet appointment, take some time to bond with your cat. This could mean playing with his favourite toys or simply petting and cuddling him. Giving him this attention will help to calm your cat and remind him that you care and love him and only want the best.

If you follow these 3 simple steps, over time your trips to the vet will become easier and easier. Just don’t forget that it takes patience, however the results you see in time will be very rewarding.

Cats and Hairballs

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Everything you need to know about hairballs

Cats and hairballs, whenever I see a cat coughing up a hairball, it reminds me of the animated Puss in Boots movie, where our hero seems to have quite a problem with hairballs, and often has to stop the action in order to deal with his hairball problem.

Is your cat coughing up hair balls? The occasional hairball is no cause for alarm, but if it’s a regular occurrence for your cat there could be more to it.  Keep reading for more information on hairballs

Ever wondered why your cat coughs up hairballs? Well it all starts with your cats grooming routine; cats being quite interested in how they appear to the rest of creation, one may even say rather vain,  are always making sure their coat is in tip top shape. As cats groom themselves they pull out the dead hairs and most of it passes through the digestive tract with no problems, however sometimes some of the hair will stay in the stomach and form a hairball.

This is not a pleasant occurrence for your cat, as they vomit it up, and it can be quite a painful experience; thus it is important to seek medical attention if this is a regular occurrence in your home.  If you notice any of the following hairball symptoms be sure to contact your vet as these could be an indication of a potentially life threatening blockage:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Ongoing vomiting, retching or gagging without producing a hairball
  • Lethargy
  • Diarrhoea
  • Constipation

There are some helpful preventative tips that you can put in place to try avoid these situations as best as possible including:

  1. Feeding your cat food with added fibre

Feeding your cat a diet rich in fibre will help bind the hair and stimulate the intestine to aid in hairball reduction.

  1. Groom your cat regularly

Grooming your cat on a regular basis will help to remove the excess fur which will equal less fur ending up in their stomach when they do their own grooming. A simple comb or brush each day should suffice and can also provide a fun way to spend some time with your cat!

  1. Use a special hairball product or laxative

 A vet can recommend a suitable laxative or hairball product which can help the hairball to pass through the digestive track.

  1. Small servings of coconut oil, has also been reported to assist with digestive tract issues, including those related to hairballs

Cats and Cucumbers

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Why are cats so insanely scared of cucumbers?

I have spent many hours watching the entertaining antics of cats on you tube, the agility, focus and absolute speed of cat reflexes has always amazed me. Our athletic feline friends definitely have the perfect design for hunting and survival, that’s perhaps why at times they think they are doing you a favour when they saunter up to their food bowl to see what you have served.

I’m sure you have seen those videos floating around where a human has snuck up on their cat and placed a cucumber behind them without them noticing and then waited in anticipation to see the cat’s reaction? These can be classed as funny videos but I am about to tell you why these cats react the way they do.

As you know, cats are generally very aware of their surroundings even to the point that they are known to be ‘hyper-aware, and you may have noticed they’re usually very cautious around the ‘unknown’.  So when a cucumber ‘creeps’ up on them they quickly assume that it is some sort of predator or snake like creature. How a domesticated cat knows what a snake looks like? It’s built into their natural instinct of course!

Dr Roger Mugford, an animal behavioural specialist says “I think that the reaction is due to the novelty and unexpectedness of finding an unusual object secretly placed while their heads were down in the food bowl,” Cats wouldn’t normally find cucumbers lying on the floor, so the sheer novelty of the whole thing generally freaks them out.

Although it can be a relatively funny trick to play on your cat and gauge its reaction, it is best not to try this at home. Veterinary professionals have exclaimed that not only does this cause unnecessary stress on your kitty; it can also be quite dangerous as your cat is unaware of its surroundings in its scared state and could potentially injure itself.

Benefits of Buying the Best Cat Food

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If you have a cat, you want to ensure that you are feeding them cat food containing the best nutrition that is tasty too. There are a number of cat food brands in the market and it can get very confusing to decide which one is the best cat food for your pet. Many foods have fancy packaging and terms that suggest it is very nutritious. However, as  a loving cat owner, you want to be certain that the food you purchase is healthy for your cat. The one way to be sure is to choose Ultimates Indulge’s best cat food products. We are one of the leading  cat food brands in Australia continue to innovate to bring wholesome, nutritious and delicious cat food to the market.
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