Helpful Hints for Cat Owners

You might be able to buy over-the-counter drugs for your cat, like Kaopectate or Imodium AD for conditions such as diarrhea, but always check with your vet before giving your cat any kind of medication.

Even if your cat is in distress and you may want to help, do NOT give it human pain remedies without first checking with your veterinarian. Tylenol, Motrin, Advil and aspirin or aspirin derivatives, or any medication containing these items are extremely poisonous to cats, and can be FATAL!

Most cats keep their own ears clean, but you might have to lend a hand if your pet is less than diligent in this area. Clean the outer ear gently with a cotton ball moistened with water or mineral oil. NEVER use rubbing alcohol.

Is your cat drooling? Having difficult eating or chewing hard food? Does its breath smell particularly foul? Each is a sign that your cat’s teeth may need prompt attention. Your cat’s teeth can form plaque as often as your own. Make dental care a regular part of its health routine.

If your cat stops eating for a couple of days, don’t think its OK because it can stand to lose a few pounds anyway. Cats can develop fatty liver disease after only a few days of not eating, which can be fatal. The disease itself also causes lack of appetite, which makes the disease worse and so on. It’s a vicious cycle. You and your vet must find the cause of the fasting and correct it. Forced feeding may be required in the meantime.

If your cat is fed a high-quality cat food you can skip the vitamin supplements. In fact, high doses of certain vitamins and minerals can be toxic.

There is a dental space just behind your cat’s large canine teeth which is seemingly tailor-made for a medicine. Remember it for easy access the next time you have to give it liquid medications.

Unless exposed to extreme heat, unlike dogs, cats do NOT pant to cool themselves down. Opened-mouth breathing for a cat is a sure sign of respiratory distress or other stress and requires prompt veterinary attention.

Unlike dogs, cats do NOT wag their tails when they are happy - they wag their tails when they are aggravated. This is different from a gently swaying tail, and can be a prelude to an aggressive act.

As a general rule, avoid giving your cat meat with bones in it. Bones can splinter, and a piece might lodge in its mouth or intestinal tract.

The best preventative for a hair ball? Daily grooming. Commercial treatments are also available - and helpful such as Petromalt or Laxatone - as is a simple dab of petroleum jelly, to be licked and swallowed once or twice a week.

Some playthings that are NOT good for your cat: plastic bags, string or thread, shoelaces, small pieces of foil or plastic, thumb tacks, pins, nails, paperclips. These items can be swallowed causing severe damage to the intestine and can require surgical removal.

Pine cleaning products can be harmful to your cat, as can any strong cleaning solution. Make sure you rinse all cleaned items with lots of fresh water. Only use dish detergent on your cat’s food and water dishes. Make sure you rinse these thoroughly as well.