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National Cat Health Month is celebrated always during the month of February. It is a time to dwell on your cat’s physical and mental well being with some essential cat care tips. Aside from regular vet checkups and vaccinations, we are urged to notice any signs of illness or lethargy in our felines. So it is also a great time to give them our extra undivided attention with games, training, and very importantly, grooming!
Brief History of our Felines
Cats were honored clear back in Egyptian times and praised for protecting the pharoahs from poisonous snakes. They were used in social and religious practices and as pets. Kitty cats were even mummified with their owners in Egyptian times.
About 3000 years ago Greek traders brought farm cats to Europe. They were valued for pest control. The Romans introduced cats to Britain and when the Vikings invaded and returned home, they took cats with them.
In the Middle Ages black cats were associated with witchcraft and the Plague. But by the 1600s cats were back to being in fashion and were prized on ships for killing rats. And by 1993 pet cats outnumbered pet dogs in American households.
Kitty Care
Feeding
Cats are carnivores and thrive on fish and meat. Wet food is best so they get more protein but also more liquid. In fact I always add some warm water for gravy to my kitty’s meal, and she is all for it. I always provide her with a bowl of fresh water as well. As it turns out the wet food is not nearly as high in calories as dry food. She is given a small amount of dry food every evening. I do watch her calorie count as I don’t want her overweight. And USA-made and sourced food is a must. Blue Buffalo flaked wet food Tastefuls with gravy and their Wilderness Wild Delights give her a good healthy selection along with their dry Tastefuls in chicken and salmon.
As for treats, the best I have found to keep her weight in check are Greenies Dental Treats in salmon, tuna, and chicken. She loves them and they also serve to help keep her teeth in shape.
There are many foods that are not beneficial for our cats and I am linking to one list here for safety.
Grooming – USA-made Products
Wipes
I have found quite a few good USA-made products for grooming. Eye tear stain wipes from Jax & Cali, and pet grooming wipes along with probiotic ear cleaner by Skout’s Honor work well.
Dental
For good, natural USA-made dental products I have been using a water additive by Xymox, Oratene, which appears to be doing the job. I also have single finger wipes, dental gel, and dental spray to try from Oxyfresh should she need more dental help.
Minor Cuts/Scrapes
A healing aid from Vetericyn called Hydrogel is good for minor scrapes, and irritations. She has a small scrape on her upper lip area and it is healing up nicely.
Bathing
If the need arises for a bath, Earthbath provides an oatmeal and aloe shampoo which is fragrance-free and helpful for itchy or dry skin.
Litter Box
Litter box scrubbing wipes from Natures Miracle I find very helpful along with Arm & Hammer’s Double Duty Litter Deordorizer. Naturally Fresh Litter is working well for Josie, my love bug of a cat.
Brushing
Our morning grooming session includes me brushing her with warm water. I found a great brush at an all ‘green store’ called Mamas & Hapas Zero Waste Shop in Milwaukie, Oregon. Josie loves being brushed almost as much as she likes being petted. And, I have found that our brushing regimen helps to keep her dander down.
Nails
My veterinarian tells me to have her nails trimmed every six to eight weeks. Since I am having trouble getting her into her carrier, we are way past due. But I am not one to cut them myself so onto carrier training and calming.
Calming Products
I have tried putting treats in my cat carrier to get her use to it before trying to actually get her into it. Now I am adding Feliway spray which she finally sniffed at today inside when picking up a treat. I do leave her carrier on the floor open so she can maybe start associating it with ‘good’ instead of ‘scary trips with no control’. Today I introduced her to USA-made Pet Honesty calming treats as well. I am slowly trying to get her ‘over’ her carrier fears in preparation for an actual vet visit and her overdue nail trim.
Next in line is getting her to wear her harness and training her to walk with me. My Kitty Holster from Crazy K Farm is a good help at keeping the harness on her body so far. Unfortunately she is still very much against it…but we will get there with the help of Feliway and Pet Honesty…LOL!
The calming treats are good in many instances, ie, July 4th fireworks noise. These treats are also helpful if your kitty is anxiety-prone with, for example, new visitors.
Activity
So far my fur bud loves to look out the window and run from window to window ‘chasing’ birds or squirrels… or play with either her USB butterfly toys while jumping at them thru her tunnel… or with me as I wiggle her Cat Amazing toy wand over her head. Those are all great activities for her. The Cat Amazing wand toy has seven attachments via magnet so she enjoys pulling them off when she can catch them. This USA company also offers treat puzzles which are fun for alone time.
The stand alone toys with sound and movement are the best for my girl.
Walking with me will be my fav activity and hopefully hers in the not too distant future. Interaction with your fur bud is great for their physical and mental health.
I hope the above give you some added ways to celebrate our National Cat Health Month with your feline friends.
Recall Notice
To protect your loving kitty cat, remember to periodically check our FDA.org site for pet food recalls.
Funny Pet Videos
From Big Geek Daddy enjoy animals on the golf course.
Next in line watch just for laughs.
And one more is an adorable golden retriever and a kitten.
Thanks
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