Purrfect your client’s feline knowledge! E-newsletters are a proven way to increase and improve communication with your clients. With that in mind, we have created some content you can use or edit as needed. You can also use it as a guide or template to create your own. We recommend focusing on quick facts and tips about cats and your practice.
November 2024
Safety Reminders for Winter and the Holidays
As we enter the winter holiday season, please remember to take your cat and their environment into account as you decorate, bring in holiday trees and plants, and invite company over.
- Wrapping paper, ribbons, and bow – Please keep these items away from your cat. While they might enjoy playing with these items, if they accidentally ingest them, it can be extremely dangerous to your cat.
- Christmas trees and holiday plants
- The water in your tree stand is not safe for your cat to drink as many trees have chemicals on them which can make your cat sick. Please remember to restrict your cat’s access to the Christmas tree water to prevent any accidents.
- Keep the ornaments on your tree out of your cat’s reach to help prevent them from swatting at them. You don’t want you cat to eat or nibble them as they are not made of materials for your cat to ingest.
- Many holiday plants like amaryllis lilies, paperwhites, and mistletoe are poisonous to your cat. While poinsettias aren’t poisonous, they can upset your cat’s stomach and may cause them to vomit.
- Candles – Try using flameless candles instead of candles with a live flame. This way if your cat accidentally knocks over the candle, your home is still safe.
- Holiday treats – Purchase a veterinarian-approved cat treat instead of sharing some of your holiday food and risking an upset stomach for your cat.
- Family and Friends – Prepare your cat for unfamiliar guests coming into your home, by placing them in a separate room that has their litter box, food, water, sleeping place, and toys. This way you can help prevent your cat from becoming distressed by unfamiliar people and the disruption to their routine.
- Travel – If you are traveling with your cat, please make sure you have an appropriate carrier that is safely secured on the floor behind the driver’s seat and that your cat is wearing proper identification just in case you accidentally get separated.
How to Show Your Cat Affection
Cats are unique and usually independent animals, so you want to understand feline behaviors and your cat’s specific preferences. Here are some tips to help you figure out the best way to show your cat how much you love them while respecting them and their preferences.
- Be patient and let your cat come up to you. Many cats will nuzzle or rub up against you, making it clear they want an embrace or to be petted. They may brush their face against yours, for example.
- Keep an eye out for distress or that your cat is not liking the interaction. Your cat may tense up their body, the pupils of their eyes may dilate, their ears may go back, or start hissing or crying out.
- Try not to force your cat to be petted as they have limits just like we do. Cats tend to prefer short interactions that occur more often.
- Let your cat determine when they are done being petted as they can become aroused if you pet them for too long.If it goes on too long, they will often nip or claw at you to indicate they have had enough.
- Try giving them space, providing their favorite toy, and having a good play session if they are not up for receiving your affection at that time.
- Pay attention to your cat’s cues. If your cat rubs up against you or an object nearby, licks your arm or leg, or curls up beside you, this is the time for a good petting session.
- Know where to pet. Most cats prefer to be petted on the head and neck and may get upset when touched elsewhere. Most cats prefer not to have their feet touched.
- Handle with care. When picking up your cat, please make sure that they feel secure by supporting their back legs and bottom. Also, try to keep your cat as close to your body as possible so they are not dangling in the air. Please avoid holding them with a tight grip and never lift your cat by their scruff as it may be painful for them.
September 2024
Do You Have a Multi-cat Household?
We know that having more than one cat to love is wonderful, but you do need to make sure they get along so every cat is happy and healthy. Intercat tension can sometimes be subtle, showing up as changes in behavior, prolonged staring, or keeping their distance from each other. In more obvious cases, you might notice chasing, swatting, or even fighting. It is important to recognize and manage this tension to keep a peaceful household. According to a recent survey, between 62.2% and 87.7% of multi-cat households experience intercat tension, and 73.3% of these cases begin with the introduction of a new cat into the home.
Recognizing Signs of Intercat Tension
It is essential for cat caregivers to be able to notice positive interactions among cats from signs of intercat tension so you can help your cats be comfortable together.
Here are some signs that cats like each other:
- Mutual Grooming: They frequently groom each other.
- Sleeping Together: They often sleep in close contact and may face each other or touch.
- Friendly Approaches: When they approach each other, their tails are up, and they often touch noses or rub heads or sides.
- Balanced Play: Play is mutual, with each cat taking turns chasing the other. If only one cat does the chasing, it is not play.
- Initiating Interaction: Either cat may start an interaction.
Alternately, here are some signs of possible tension between cats:
- Prolonged Staring: Especially when the other cat is moving.
- Guarding or Blocking Resources: Such as food, water, sleeping spots, litter boxes, or toys.
- Avoidance: Staying far apart and/or away from each other, or hiding.
- Vocalizations: Low growls or hisses.
- Refusal to Enter Rooms: One cat may refuse to enter a room if the other cat is present. This is a great concern if that room contains any of a cat’s key resources, such as food, water, litter box, bed, safe space to rest or hide, etc.
- Change in Normal Behaviors: This can range from not eating, inactivity, disturbed sleep, overgrooming, scratching, urine marking, or not using the litter box.
- Cornering or Chasing: One cat corners, chases, or stalks the other.
- Physical Contact: Biting, swatting, or scratching.
- Vocalization: Loud growls, yowls, or hisses.
- Fighting: Including hissing, growling, chasing, swatting, and pinning.
- Body Positions: Arched back, raised hair, crouched body, fixated stare, flattened ears, and swishing or a puffed tail.
If you notice any of these signs, please contact us right away.
Managing and Preventing Intercat Tension
Creating a positive multi-cat household involves understanding and meeting your cats’ needs:
- Environmental Enrichment: Ensure each cat has access to safe places, multiple and separated resources (food, water, litter boxes, resting places), and opportunities for play and predatory behavior.
- Gradual Introductions: When introducing a new cat, use this step-by-step approach to allow for a smooth transition.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward good behaviors to encourage positive interactions between cats. step-by-step may help your cats to become tolerant of one another.
- Advanced Professional Support: If tension persists, we may recommend seeking specialized support from a board-certified veterinary behaviorist.
Understanding and addressing intercat tension is key to ensuring a peaceful and happy multi-cat household. By recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps to manage and prevent tension, you can help your cats live more harmoniously together.
© Feline Veterinary Medical Association, 2024