You are so excited! You are moving into a new home, changing apartments, or perhaps returning to your parent’s house. Whatever the reason, your move will be stressful for your cat. Cats do not like change - at least most cats. And, unlike dogs, who view home as where you are, cats have strong associations with a geographic place and feel anxious and uprooted when taken to a new location. Your anxiety and move preparations will add to your cat’s concern.

Whether you are packing yourself or having movers, it is a good idea to board your cat during this time. Not only will the cat become anxious seeing everything it knows being removed, but there will be open doors and possibly strangers around. Many cats have left home because of their anxiety over these changes. You can only imagine the added stress to you of trying to find your cat while everything else related to the move is going on.

Unless you will be keeping your current veterinarian after you move, ask your vet for current medical records and a recommendation of a vet that will be close to your new location. Be aware that States and localities have different requirements for vaccinations, so make sure your cat is up-to-date on what is needed for its new home. Call your new vet and introduce your cat. Ask about boarding while the other end of your move - the unpacking - will be going on. It is even more important that your cat be protected when first in his new location because he or she may run away and try to return to his old, comfortable domicile.

Next, when you are physically moving the cat, be sure that he or she has identification tags. It is best to take kitty in the car to the new location if at all possible. Airplane travel has many potential issues for kitty. Place the cat in a traveling crate while he is in the car. Do not let it roam around the inside of the vehicle while you are driving or risk having it jump out when you stop for gasoline or a bathroom break.

Your cat may be too anxious to eat, drink or use the litter box during the trip, but it is best to be prepared with food, water, toys, litter, and treats. Once safely in your new location, keep your pet indoors for at least two weeks until it associates "home" with the new location. Give your pet time to investigate the new digs and establish his dominance. It is best if you give your cat familiar things - like his bed and toys in a secure area of the residence. Be sure to be patient and give your pet lots of attention and reassurance while it is adjusting.

Before you know it, the transition will be over and you and your pet will be happily settled in your new home.

Posted by Barbara.

Cats and kittens love to chase strings and follow objects that are attached to them. This curiosity and pseudo-hunting behavior is hard wired behavior in most cats. But sometimes those "strings" can be dangerous for your cat - they can be carrying electricity. You may want to protect the cords in your house - as well as your cat. Here is a product that can help - CritterCord.

CritterCord is a plastic tube infused with a citrus scent that discourages your pet from approaching or chewing. You can put the CritterCord on phone cords, computer wires, appliance cords, AV equipment cords, and holiday light cords. It is a heavy gage tube made from medical grade tubing. The citrus scent will not disappear because it is infused into the virtually clear plastic. The tubing is pre-slit for easy installation over your cords.

When asked how this product came about the inventors, David Danowski and Justin White report, "We came up with the idea because David’s family cat had an insatiable appetite for chewing on every cord she could find. Chewing on the previous cords was a nuisance (and expensive to replace) and the electric cords were dangerous, not just to the cat, but as a fire hazard as well. We spent just over 6 months testing different ideas until we pinpointed CritterCord The idea generation started back in 2004 and final product testing went on into mid 2005."

You can purchase CritterCord at several pet retailers or online at the CritterCord website.

CritterCord

Posted by Barbara.
 

Sometimes it seems like all the really good treats are on the dog side of the pet food isle at my local supermarket. But I finally found a treat that my finicky felines really like - Yummie Chummies. These are a salmon-based cat treat from Alaska. The treats not only taste great but they are high in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids including omega-3 and omega-6.

Arctic Paws is the manufacturer of Yummie Chummies and has been in business since 1997. They also offer a salmon oil supplement that can be added to your pet’s food. The lip-smakin’ good taste of the salmon oil appeals to your kitty’s discerning palate and you can be happy that the all natural product provides needed oils to smooth your cat’s coat and limit hairballs.

The company website claims that the treats can be used in pet shows to get cats to do tricks and pose beautifully for the camera. I tried this, but all I got was a cat’s tail flipoff - oh well.

Posted by Barbara.