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News for You and Your Pet
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August 15, 2013
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Dear ,  It's hard to believe summer is almost over. We're celebrating Labor Day in the US, and already, the first signs of fall are in the air: the quality of the light is changing, there's already a bit of a crispness in the air, and before you know it, the leaves will start to turn. September is going to be a busy month for me. I'm kicking the month off as the Learning Ring Sponsor at the National Capital Cat Show, and I'm looking forward to seeing many of our DC area readers there! In this issue:You are your pet's advocate when it comes to health and wellness, and it's important to be aware of even subtle changes in behavior or health. Cats especially are masters at masking illness. By knowing the signs of illness in cats, you can be proactive and get your cat help before a problem becomes serious. I often envy my cats' lives - what's not to love? Cats really have the right idea: do the things that make you feel good, as much of the time as possible. Find out how you, too, can enjoy life more, and be more like your cat.
Wishing you purrs and wags,
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Signs of Illness in Cats
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By Ingrid King
Cats are masters at hiding signs of illness, which is why regular veterinary exams are so important. All cats should get annual exams, and cats seven or older should be seen by a veterinarian twice a year.
However, the most important person in keeping your cats healthy is you! You know your cat better than anyone, and it's up to you to watch for any changes in your cat's normal routine, behavior and attiude. They could be the first indicator that something is wrong.
Many pet guradians don't realize that problems often develop slowly and cats especially don't show symptoms until a disease is already advanced. If you can detect things early, you have a much better chance of addressing a problem successfully, and you'll also save yourself money by avoiding costly veterinary fees for treating an advanced illness.
Look for Subtle Signs of IllnessMost signs start with a subtle change in your cat's behavior, routine or attitude. Watch for
- Decreased energy or activity level
- Changes in appetite or water intake
- Changes in behavior: hiding, refusing to play, becoming aggressive
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or straining to urinate and defecate
- Inappropriate elimination
- Poor coat quality, patchy hair loss, or excessive scratching
- Weight loss or weight gain
- Foul odor coming from the mouth, ears or skin
- Abnormal vocalizations
Is Your Cat ADR?Don't dismiss even subtle changes in your cat's normal pattern - they could be an indicator of a bigger problem. In veterinary medicine, there's actually a "technical term" for this: ADR, which stands for "Ain't Doing Right," and yes, you will actually see this notated in veterinary medical records. If your cat seems ADR to you, don't put off taking her to your vet for a complete exam.
Photo: morguefile.com
©Ingrid King, 2013. All Rights Reserved. |
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Be More Like Your Cat
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By Ingrid King
Our cats do have the best lives, don't they? I often say that in my next life, I'm going to come back as one of my cats.
If I did, here's what a typical day would look like: I wake up when I'm good and ready. I stretch, and then I slowly get up. When I walk into the kitchen, breakfast is being prepared for me, and served on my favorite blue dish. After breakfast, I make the rounds of the house, and take a look out the windows to make sure nothing has changed while I was sleeping. After all that activity, it's time for a nice long nap. The biggest decision: where to take that nap? It may be a bit of a toss up between a sunny spot on the rug, and the lap of the human I love most in this world. Most days, the lap will win.
After my nap, I wake up to find that the human is in the kitchen. Excellent! This must mean more food. Treats are immediately forthcoming. Then I get a nice massage, and my fur is being brushed until it shines. Now it's decision time again: birdwatching? Playing? Another nap? To mix things up a bit, I may choose a different sequence on different days, but ultimately, it always ends with another nap. When I wake up from my second nap, I feel a little hungry - and lo and behold, the human has tuned in to my thought waves, and is already in the kitchen, preparing my meal.
After dinner, the human and I hang out together, and soon it will be time to go to bed (humans don't sleep nearly enough, but night seems to be the one time when cats can get uninterrupted sleep and snuggle time.)
Okay, so maybe this would be a bit of a boring life, but cats have the right idea: life is so much better when you do things that make you feel good. And while our busy human lives may prevent us from doing that all the time, I recommend that you try to be your cat as much of your day as you can.
Here are some ways you can be like your cat - I guarantee you that they will make you feel good:
Stretch. Stretching increases circulation and improves flexibility, balance and coordination. Stretching is especially important as you get older. Stretching comes naturally to all of us, not just cats - you've probably noticed that after you sit in the same position for a long time, you'll feel compelled to stretch before you get up.
Look for the sunny spots, both literally and figuratively. Natural sunlight is important to boost vitamin D levels, something that can be especially challenging this time of year. Experts recommend 20 minutes of unprotected sun exposure every day (wearing sunscreen continuously can reduce the amount of vitamin D a person is able to make). Looking for the sunny side of life in general will improve your sense of well-being.
Get enough sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults are now sleeping only 7 hours per night on average as opposed to the 8 hours sleep specialists recommend. The average cat sleeps between 12 and 16 hours a day. They clearly know something!
Improve your life - be more like your cat!
© Ingrid King, 2013. All Rights Reserved.
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Highlights from The Conscious Cat
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September 7 and 8, 2013 
National Capital Cat Show
Chantilly, VA
September 29, 2012
2:30 - 6:00pm Paradise Springs Winery
Clifton, VA
October 6, 2013
Purcellville Public Library
Purcellville, VA
May 8-10, 2014
BlogPaws Pet Blogging Conference
Las Vegas, NV
Please visit the Events Page on my website
for more information and directions.
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Marketplace
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