DEAR PET TALK READERS: This is the last column for 2024, and I want to thank you all for your excellent questions. If I didn’t answer your question (“do cats’ coats affect their temperament? Because all orange cats are crazy!”) it will absolutely be in the queue for 2025.
I also want to offer words of advice that members of Be PAWSitive Therapy Pet Teams have shared with school children and adults throughout this year. We have had hundreds of conversations and here are questions that have been asked frequently about cats. Next week, we’ll share some common questions about dogs.
Why does my cat hide?
Your cat likes to play – but it’s on her terms. When she has enough, and if you are still trying to play with her, she will want to retreat. If she goes under the couch, or a bed, leave her alone. Cats need “quiet time,” and when she comes out, don’t swoop on her. Give her gentle petting – but only when she tells you she’s ready (by approaching you, or lifting her head when you get near her).
Why should my cat go to the vet when they are not sick?
Well, why do you go to the doctor once a year? You are growing and changing – and so is your cat. Unfortunately, many pet owners think that a cat only needs to go to the vet when they are unwell. An annual vet visit is recommended for many reasons. Cats need to have their hearts listened to, temperature taken, ears, eyes, teeth, throat and other parts checked out. You can avoid costly crises by having an excellent relationship with your vet, so that if there are signs of a health issue, it is caught early.
Why don’t cats like to go to the vet?
Look at “going to the vet” through their eyes. First, a big person grabs the kitty, and puts him into a carrier that may have come straight from the attic or cellar. That carrier may have a strange smell that a cat finds obnoxious or scary. Next, the carrier is put into a loud car, and then kitty is brought to a new place with more weird smells. Finally, kitty is yanked out of the carrier to spend time with a stranger who is handling them without so much as a “by your leave.”
Chances are that your vet will be nice and gentle, but that’s a lot of new experiences for a cat. Make their experience less stressful by leaving the carrier out in your home a couple of days before the appointment. Put a familiar blanket in the carrier. An “airline luggage” style of carrier allows kitty to see out, and can be more comfortable for travel. If you can avoid feeding your pet several hours before the vet, they are less likely to vomit.
Finally, many animals will rest if they are in a dark place. Put a blanket over the carrier while you are traveling together. And when you are home, give your pet a treat, and yourself a pat on the back for being an excellent pet owner!
Sally Cragin is the director of Be PAWSitive: Therapy Pets and Community Education. Send questions to sallycragin@gmail.com
