Feline Snoozers Blog

With the cold weather season upon us lets not forget to protect our pets.  Here are a few to remember…

*During cold weather cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars or trucks.  When the motor is started the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt.  If you know of outdoor cats in your area, bang on the hood of the vehicle before starting to give the cat a chance to escape.

*Dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost during a snowstorm.  More animals are lost during the winter months than any other season.  Keep ID tags on all your animals.

*Always wipe off your animals legs and stomach when they come indoors from the sleet and snow. They can ingest salt, antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals while licking their paws.

*Never leave your animal alone in a vehicle during cold weather.  A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.

*Make sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats.

*Your animals like to warm place to sleep in the cold months too.  Make sure they have a warm place off the cold floor and away from drafts.  A cozy dog or cat bed is a nice thing to do for your furry friend.

*As always be smart about not leaving your dog or cat outside in the cold for too long.

Myth: Cats always land on their feet.
Fact: While cats instinctively fall feet first and may survive falls from high places, they also may receive broken bones in the process. Some kind of screening on balconies and windows can help protect pets from disastrous falls.

Myth: Cats should drink milk everyday.
Fact: Most cats like milk, but do not need it if properly nourished. Also, many will get diarrhea if they drink too much milk. If it is given at all, the amount should be small and infrequent.

Myth: Cats that are spayed or neutered automatically gain weight.
Fact: Like people, cats gain weight from eating too much, not exercising enough or both. In many cases, spaying or neutering is done at an age when the animal’s metabolism already has slowed, and its need for food has decreased. If the cat continues to eat the same amount, it may gain weight. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding.

Myth: Cats cannot get rabies.
Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws.

Myth: Indoor cats cannot get diseases.
Fact: Cats still are exposed to organisms that are carried through the air or brought in by the cat owner. Even the most housebound cat ventures outdoors at some time and can be exposed to diseases and worms through contact with other animals feces.

Myth: Tapeworms come from bad food.
Fact: Pets become infected with tape worms from swallowing fleas, which carry the parasite. Also, cats can get tapeworms from eating infected mice or other exposed animals.

Myth: Putting garlic on a pet’s food will get rid of worms.
Fact: Garlic may make the animal’s food taste better but has no effect on worms. The most effective way to treat worms is by medication prescribed by a veterinarian.

Myth: Pregnant women should not own cats.
Fact: Some cats can be infected with a disease called toxoplasmosis, which occasionally can be spread to humans through cat litter boxes and cause serious problems in unborn babies. However, these problems can be controlled, if the expectant mother avoids contact with the litter box and assigns daily cleaning to a friend or other family member.