How To Have A Very Meowy Holiday Season

Remember being a kid at holiday time? As the big day neared, you became more and more consumed with thoughts of that whiskered fellow in the red, fur-trimmed suit. Now, however, there’s another whiskered, furry friend who needs to be in your thoughts.

The holidays, especially in cold weather climates like Chicago, can pose dangers to our feline companions. But with a few simple precautions, you can help your cat enjoy a happy and safe holiday season.

	As much as Fluffy might want to tour the neighborhood to enjoy the lights and displays, keep her inside. Outdoor cats are subject to numerous forms of trauma and toxins, not to mention it can be pretty darn cold out there!
	Your holiday decorations may be festive, but they can also be dangerous. Moderate to highly toxic items include mistletoe, lilies, adhesives, chocolate and select liquid-filled lights.
	Low-toxicity items include pine trees, Christmas tree sprays and poinsettias.
	Tinsel and ribbons on packages (or any linear foreign body, such as dental floss, thread, etc.) are often seen as toys for cats, but they can be especially harmful if eaten, causing severe intestinal obstruction or entanglement. This can be life-threatening if not surgically removed promptly, before the intestines have been irreparably damaged.
	Ornaments can be swallowed or even broken, causing damage both internally and externally.
	If Snowflake is a chewer, spray those light cords with a deterrent like Bitter Apple.
	Should you have a Christmas tree, be sure it is sturdy in its stand. Nothing is quite like the sound of a tree full of ornaments crashing to the floor, with a little help from a climbing and curious Kitty, of course.
	Speaking of Christmas trees, if you have a live tree, be sure to keep the water fresh. Water can stagnate and become a breeding ground for bacteria. And that’s not good should Angel decide to take a drink. And don’t put aspirin in the water – aspirin can be extremely toxic to cats.
	Kitties and candles can combine to create combustion. Keep candles where they can’t burn your pet or be knocked over.
	Cats dislike disruption. Make sure your pointy-eared pal has a quiet, safe haven in your home to escape the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
	Keep your driveway or garage free of antifreeze spillage. It tastes sweet to little Tiger but can be fatal.
	And be aware of feral cats. They seek warmth in places like under a car hood. So give a little honk or pound on the hood a moment before starting the engine.

So as the joy of the holidays grows, remember to give pause to protecting our friends with paws. Feline Navidad and very Meowy Holidays to all!

New Year’s Resolutions for You and Kitty?

The New Year is typically a time for resolutions. One of the most common resolutions is to lose weight and get in shape. While you may be considering resolutions for yourself, what about your cat? Is your tabby perhaps a little too tubby?

Obesity in cats is a serious and growing problem – in fact, it is the most common form of feline malnutrition in the United States today. Cats that are overweight are at higher risk for heart and joint ailments along with diabetes and a host of other poor health conditions. Additionally, the average lifespan of an overweight cat, especially if he is obese, is shorter than that of a normal weight cat. But there are things you can do to help keep kitty fit, trim and healthy.

	Veterinary Exams
	Some diseases such as hypothyroidism, although not common, can cause weight gain. So determining why your cat is overweight is critical. To do so, be sure to start with a thorough veterinary examination.
	It’s also extremely important to continue to see your Cat Hospital of Chicago veterinarian regularly, so if any changes do occur in your cat, they can be addressed as soon as possible.

	Nutrition
	Many times, overweight cats are simply being overfed with either too much food, too many feedings or inappropriate snacks such as table scraps or semi-moist cat treats. Consult your Cat Hospital of Chicago veterinarian to help determine the cause of your cat’s obesity and whether your cat needs a special food, portion control or a combination.
	Most cats are unable to control how much they eat when free fed unlimited quantities of food (especially dry food), although a few can. Free feeding means the food is left out all the time. This is especially true of our indoor cats whose activity levels may not be as high, thus their metabolic requirements (i.e., the number of calories they need to maintain a healthy weight) is rather low. To prevent your cats from over-eating when the free-fed/ad lib method of feeding is used, the quantity of food you leave out, at least for the majority of cats, should not be more than what the cat needs to maintain a healthy weight. Your Cat Hospital of Chicago veterinarian can help you determine what that amount you should feed your cat or cats. And ideally, that total amount should be divided over at least 2-3 feedings per day.
	Snacks can be fine for your feline in moderation – as long as they are snacks intended for cat consumption. Look for kitty snacks low in fats, sugars and dyes.

	Exercise
	Along with nutrition, exercise is vital to keeping your cat healthy. Exercise not only burns calories and aids in helping to maintain a healthy weight, it also improves the quality of life for our felines by keeping them mentally stimulated and interested in life.
	Cat toys are a great way to keep kitty up and moving. “Fishing rod” type playthings that feature a toy on the end of a string encourage jumping and chasing which burns calories. But be sure to use such toys with human supervision. The string can be ingested and cause intestinal problems. (continued on next column)

	And watch out for toys that shred easily. Cats can eat tiny pieces of the toy without you knowing.
	Here’s a bright idea. Use a laser light or pen light and let your cat chase the beam. It’ll be fun for both of you. But never shine the light into your kitty’s eyes!
	Cat trees or kitty condos give cats hours of climbing and jumping pleasure. Rub a little catnip in various spots to make the cat tree more irresistible.

Your cat is an important member of your family, one that looks to you for proper care. So when it comes to weight control and health, help your furry friend start the year out on the right foot… um, paw.

For more cat care tips and information, visit:
www.cathospitalofchicago.com.

Dear Boo:

I’ll be throwing a holiday open house soon, but I have two cats, and they’re very social. Is it alright to let them enjoy the party with my guests?

– Perplexed Party Planner

Dear Planner:

A party? I guess my invitation got lost in the mail? Oh well. The answer, dear reader, is in short, no.

While some cats love a good party and enjoy entertaining the guests, moi included, an open house means a constantly opening door. That makes it too easy for your furry friends to slip out unnoticed. Plus, all those humans talking, laughing and milling about can be loud and frightening. So as much as your cats might like to become party animals, it really is best for most cats to let them spend the evening away from the commotion.

Prior to your guests arriving, place your cats in a comfortable, familiar “safe room” that can be shut off from the party. A bedroom where they like to nap or a basement where they usually play would be purrrrfect. And to make the room even more conducive to a couple of kitties, consider the following:

	Your guests will get to enjoy snacks and drinks, so make sure you put bowls of your cats’ food and fresh water in the room. And don’t forget a litter box!
	Place some of your cats’ favorite toys in the room so they can have fun during the party, too.
	Human parties can be a bit noisy, which can be frightening to a feline, so consider placing a radio in the room and play something soothing at a low volume.
	Your cats love you and your scent is comforting to them. Spread out an article of clothing that you have recently worn for them to lay upon. A shirt or sweater will do the trick.
	Tape a sign to the outside of the safe room door advising any curious guests that there are cats inside and to not open the door.
	Once the party is over and before you release your cats, be sure the house is cleaned up of things that could endanger them, like broken glass, party favors and leftover food and drink.
	Oh, and speaking of leftovers, don’t be tempted to feed your felines any. Yes, that includes the smoked salmon. Foods not intended for kitty consumption can cause trouble.

Well, that’s about it. Enjoy your party. And I’ll keep an eye out for my invitation…

– Boo

E-mail your questions to: askboo@cathospitalofchicago.com.

Did you see the Nov. 21 issue of the Chicago Tribune? Cat Hospital of Chicago’s Dr. Currigan was quoted in a front page article entitled “Cats multiplying like rabbits.” In the article, which is about a surprising increase in cats and kittens needing homes this fall, Dr. Currigan provides interesting information about cat reproduction and the relationship between a female cat’s exposure to light and her ability to reproduce. The full article can be accessed at www.chicagotribune.com.
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…changes in litter box behavior could indicate a problem? Under normal circumstances, cats are very clean and careful about their litter box habits, so if you notice a change in your cat’s routine, consult with your Cat Hospital of Chicago veterinarian. We can help you figure out what’s going on with him.




Always pick up your cat by placing one hand under her chest and supporting the rest of her weight with your other hand. This will help her feel more secure. Never pick up your cat by the scruff of her neck because this can cause injuries; only mother cats can do that safely with their kittens. And never pick up your cat by grasping her front legs at her shoulders as this can cause injuries.

The average cat has a “vocabulary” of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing, and of course, meowing.