Taking Kitty to the Veterinary Clinic

Cats get nervous very easily and going to the veterinary clinic makes most cats quite upset. They don’t like to be taken out of their known environment; they don’t like car rides; and they certainly don’t like all the strange sights, sounds and smells of the clinic. I had a cat that got so nervous in the car, she pee’d in the carrier every single time we went to the vet. If you have the resources, there are some veterinarians who make house calls, and this is especially useful for kitties. But even then you will likely have to take a trip to a clinic at some point. You can take steps to make the ordeal a little easier on Kitty. First, bring the carrier into your cat’s living space a day or so prior to the trip, so she can see it, smell it, and even go inside if she wants to, under relaxed circumstances. Make the carrier comfortable with a soft towel or blanket to snuggle into. Cats feel more comfortable if they feel hidden. So cover the carrier with another towel or blanket for the duration of the excursion. This will also serve as back-up bedding in case she soils inside the carrier. Talk to her in a soothing voice during the trip and at the clinic. Kitty may never get used to going to the clinic but you will probably notice that she is a bit more calm if you take these extra steps. Please share any additional tips you have below! =^..^=

Pet Loss and Grief

As caregivers, we share each other’s joys and sorrows in loving these beautiful creatures. Sometimes, only a fellow pet owner can understand the grief of losing a furry (or feathery, or scaly or otherwise) family member. We need time to deal with a death, whether human or feline. I think only by allowing ourselves to feel the loss and taking the time to mourn can we properly move on. We all experience grief in a different way and for different lengths of time; it may even feel different for each pet. So don’t be hard on yourself for what you’re feeling. Seek out others who have lost furry friends, or who at least understand the depth of your love. Don’t push yourself to move on unless it begins to interfere with your work or family relationships. I will take this opportunity to advocate for multiple-pet homes. We can’t always be there for our cats, and having more than one cat means they not only play and keep each other company when we're not at home, but they will be there for you when one of them crosses to the Rainbow Bridge. I don’t think I could bear to come home with an empty carrier to an empty home. So if you don’t already have more than one cat, I hope you will consider adopting another one when the time is right.