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 for you below, which you can use or edit as needed. You can also use it as guide or template to create your own. We recommend you focus on quick facts, as well as tips about cats and your practice.
Topic: Traveling with Your Cat
Traveling with your cat soon? Just as we plan for our journeys, we need to plan for our cat’s journey too. Traveling for a cat can cause stress as it a new or infrequent experience, but there are a few ways we can help reduce stress.
Ensure your cat’s carrier is their second home
- The carrier needs to be a regular part of your home so your cat will be familiar with it. We suggest leaving it out in a room where your cat spends a lot of time, placing bedding with your scent in it, and using treats to encourage your cat to use it.
Do a test drive
- After your cat is comfortable in the carrier, take your cat for test drives. These test drives need to be positive experiences for your cat. We recommend driving for a short distance and gradually working up to longer ones. Be sure to monitor your cat for signs they are not enjoying it such as yowling loudly or showing tense body language.
Give yourself time to get your cat into the carrier
- Do not wait until the last minute to get your cat into the carrier. If you cat is already familiar with their carrier, use a few treats to get them into the carrier.
Transporting the carrier to your car
- Be sure to carry the carrier with both arms. This will give you more control and help make your cat feel safer! This is important to practice since the noise and jostling can be stressful for your cat.
- When in the car, we recommend covering the carrier with a towel or piece of cloth to block the view of changing surroundings.
For more information on traveling with your cat, please visit: http://catfriendly.com/travel
Topic: Why Does My Cat Purr?
Purring is a way cats can communicate their presence and/or emotional state to us or even another cat!
Purrs can change meaning depending on their age and pitch. For example, a mother cat will purr to tell her kittens “I’m here.” As kittens become adults, purrs tend to show how they feel such as their contentment. They will purr when they are alone with someone. They may also show their happiness by kneading or bunting. Kneading or bunting is often used when they are with someone.
Purrs can be used if they are anxious or are attempting to appease a dominant cat. When this is the case, their purrs will be at a higher pitch and are usually accompanied by tight body posture. So, the next time your cats purr listen to their pitch and pay attention to the context to decipher their message.
For more information about purring, please visit: https://catfriendly.com/purr
Topic: Hairballs
Hairballs are a classic punchline in cartoons and media, but are they normal?
Hairballs are a wad a fur that gathers in your cat’s esophagus that your cat might vomit up. Normally, all cats will groom themselves and sometimes they accidentally swallow some hair that passes through. However, when it doesn’t hair builds and can cause a hairball. This could be a sign of problem such excessive grooming due to anxiety, skin disease or discomfort, or parasites. What should we do about them? If your cat has more than two hairballs a year, then you should discuss this with your veterinarian. However, if you notice any of these other symptoms, you should seek medical attention for your cat.
- Hacking, but not vomiting a hairball
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Evidence of abdominal pain
For more information on hairballs, please visit: https://catfriendly.com/hairballs