CatBlogger, Author at MyThreeCats.com CatBlog

Is Your Cat Getting Enough Water?

Pet ownership is full of many responsibilities. Which vet to go to and how to best accommodate your pet while on vacation are just two of many decisions that most pet owners eventually face. Simply giving your pet a name is a huge responsibility. Sadly, one of the most important responsibilities of a pet owner is often times one of the most overlooked: making sure your cat gets enough water.

Cats, like all animals, need water to survive. Water is necessary for the liver to cleanse the blood of toxins and also to make sure that organ tissues are healthy. It aids in the metabolism of nutrients for energy, in body temperature maintenance, and in regulating fluid and electrolyte balancing. In other words, a cat needs water for all the same reasons we do.

But your cat doesn’t know all of these facts. The question then becomes: how do you get your cat to drink enough water?

A good starting point is to know how much your cat needs. An average seven pound cat needs about 6-7 ounces of water per day, but if they’re on a dry food diet, they’re only getting about an ounce of water from their food. Cats on wet food diets get more water from their food, but not enough to sustain bodily functions.

Pet fountains are a great way to ensure that your cat is getting enough water. Running water constantly breaks the surface tension of the water and draws oxygen from the air into the water. This process, known as aeration, makes drinking water more appealing cats. And it’s not hard to understand why – would you rather drink water from a bowl sitting on the ground for hours or from a running tap?

Our Drinkwell™ Pet Fountains ensure that your cat is getting aerated water with little maintenance required from you. Not only is the water aerated, but the charcoal filter removes tastes and odors. A fresh, running stream of water is the best way to make sure that your cat is not only encouraged to drink water, but that it has the highest quality of water to drink.

Even just knowing your cats drinking habits can help point out problems. For instance, if a cat is drinking more water than they normally do, it could be an indication that he or she might have diabetes. ‘Drinking too much’ means different things for different cats, which is why it is important to know the regular amount of water your cat drinks.

So, making sure that your cat gets enough water is not only about keeping them healthy and happy, but understanding their habits and needs. Visit www.mythreecats.com for more products and information to help get your cat the water they need to live happy lives.

Make Sure Your Cat Knows About Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Mimi, Supermom, but now a happy housecat.

Feline breast cancer is the third most common cancer among cats after lymphoma and skin cancer. In a 2005 study done at the University of Pennsylvania, “cats spayed prior to 6 months had a 91% reduction…those spayed prior to one year had an 86% reduction in the risk of mammary carcinoma development compared with intact cats.” While breast cancer in cats is more common than in humans, it is far less common than it is in dogs, but cats have the highest malignancy rate and the lowest survival rate of all three. That myth that “it’s good to let a cat have a litter of kittens” has no basis in fact, and can be a death sentence since spaying your cat before she even goes into heat the first time is the best way to avoid breast cancer, not to mention reducing the risks of injury and disease a cat faces while out carousing…not to mention a cat in heat is really annoying to have around. For Breast Cancer Awareness Month, spay your little girl!

October Cat-toon

cat_toon_100109_resize

Debunking Declawing

Onychectomy is a word that many cat owners might be unfamiliar with, but it is one that we all need to learn more about. It is a surgical practice more commonly known as declawing, and for us cats, it’s a procedure that we like about as much as sharing a travel crate with a Chihuahua.

The main reason declawing occurs is because cat owners don’t like their cats scratching their furniture. Supporters of declawing are clearly attempting to resolve the furniture scratching issue with what they feel is a permanent solution – “fix” the cat, and “fix” the furniture problem. What they may not have considered is that there are effective solutions that have been developed and are offered in today’s marketplace that avoid the need for subjecting the cat to surgery (see www.mythreecats.com, Cat Furniture and Scratching and Behavior).

Research has shown that declawing procedures can have several damaging effects on cats. Contrary to public perception, declawing is not anything like a human getting their fingernails cut. In fact, onychectomy most closely resembles digital amputation, where the last bone of each digit is cut off. Studies show that the practice can result in lameness and behavioral issues that make declawed cats equally if not more likely to end up in shelters. Once in shelters, research from San Francisco shelters shows that because of their behavioral problems, declawed cats are twice as likely to be euthanized instead of put up for adoption.

In most of Europe, declawing cats is illegal, and movements are being made in the U.S. to have similar standards. Legislation was introduced this past August to ban the declawing of cats in San Francisco except when it is medically necessary. The passage of such a ban would result in six months in jail and/or a $1,000 fine for anyone who attempts the procedure.

At MyThreeCats.com, we oppose declawing simply because we couldn’t bear to put any of our pets through a painful process that would potentially lead to behavioral and physical problems for the rest of their lives.

Visit www.bogeysblogsphere.wordpress.com to join the discussion or tweet us at twitter.com/bogeythecat to let us know what you think about this important issue.

How To Keep Your Cat Happy While You’re Away

With summer coming to a close, maybe you’ve been thinking about taking one last mini vacation while the weather is still nice. Whether it’s a day-trip or a weekend get-away, one thing is certain: you have to keep your cat happy while you’re away! At MyThreeCats.com, we have plenty of options to keep your cat safe, comfortable and entertained.

The key is to focus on your cat’s main needs while you’re gone: plenty of fresh food and water, a comfortable environment, and fun!

Summer afternoons can be hot and boring, and few things could be worse for your cat than if they aren’t drinking enough water. Cats need to be sufficiently hydrated, so making sure your cat has plenty of fresh, aerated water is crucial. Because many cats prefer constantly running water, MyThreeCats.com offers products that allow your cat to drink fresh water with very little maintenance involved. The Drinkwell® Pet Fountain satisfies your cat’s need for running water in a quiet environment, and the Drinkwell 360 edition is perfect for households with multiple pets who need access to the water bowl.

After making sure that your cat has enough water, it’s important that they’re comfortable. Studies suggest that arthritic cats experience less stiffness when they sleep on wool pads, and our WOOLIES brand cat beds and Igloos are perfect for your cat’s napping habits. Our Nature Nap Ovals also provide perfect locations for your cat to lay and dream about your return home.

Cat trees, condos and perches are ideal to have in your home while you’re away, especially if they’re positioned near your feline’s favorite window. He’ll pass the time away observing the wildlife and other outdoor activities, get ample exercise and have a special place to cat nap. A sturdy, high quality cat tree with sisal or natural wood posts will also provide your cat with a great scratching place, instead of that upholstered living room couch! MyThreeCats.com has nothing but the best quality cat trees.

Finally, once your cat is well hydrated and comfortable, it’s important for them to have plenty of fun and stimulation! When my parents go on vacation, I lose my two best playmates. Though it’s impossible to replace them, cat toys from MyThreeCats.com help fill the void. Our Mini Minnows and Pet Candy® Catnip toys are great options to have for your cats to play with in your absence – I play with them for hours!

There are also some great Cat Sitter DVD’s that can be played for hours, since they run on a continuous loop (we don’t recommend leaving the DVD on for more than a couple of hours, to assure safety using your DVD player). We have too many cat toys to list here, but check out MyThreeCats.com to read about all our fun products.

So take your vacation – you deserve it. But make sure you can leave your house with the peace of mind that your cat is living it up too!