Evaluating a Chronically Ill
Cat’s Quality of Life

One of the most difficult decisions that anyone can face is how to provide the best care for our loved ones at the end of their lives. The same applies when those decisions affect our feline family members.

A cat’s quality of life is always a major factor in that decision. If there is little hope for a chronically ill cat to live the rest of his or her life without pain and suffering, then, sadly, euthanasia may be the best option.

Of course, before choosing how to handle the care for a terminally ill cat, it’s extremely important to evaluate several aspects of your cat’s behavior and activity. An article in Veterinary Practice News offered eight categories for cat families to consider:

Pain. Trying to figure out how much pain a cat is feeling is always difficult because cats tend to hide their pain; many don’t “complain” in obvious ways. If a cat adopts an unusual posture or carefully guards a certain part of her body, she may be feeling pain. But pain control is essential, and there is a wide range of possible treatments, including medication, surgery, nontraditional medicine and treatment of the underlying condition that’s causing the pain.

Appetite. A decreased interest in food, or a lack of appetite, is often a telltale sign that a cat is not well. If a cat only picks at his food or doesn’t even show interest in treats he used to like, there is usually a medical reason. Feeding your cat by hand or by syringe, providing heated or canned food or carefully substituting human food are among many ways to intervene.

Hydration. Making sure your cat drinks enough water goes hand in hand with addressing appetite issues. Dehydration can be caused by vomiting or diarrhea—or simply by a cat not drinking as much as he used to—and it can lead to weakness and illness. Possible solutions may include adding moisture to the diet, placing more water bowls around the home or refreshing water bowls more often, and medication.

Hygiene. Cats that don’t feel well sometimes neglect their regular grooming habits—this might result in matted, greasy, dull or foul-smelling hair or sores that don’t heal. Regularly brushing your cat, changing bedding frequently or bathing the cat can help.

Activity/Mobility. Pain, illness and arthritis all can cause a cat to have difficulty getting around when they are older. If a cat falls frequently or lies in one place all day, certain treatments might be able to help—medication, physical therapy, applying heat or providing cat-friendly steps for easier access to elevated spaces.

Happiness/Mental Status. Pet parents can assess a cat’s mental state by considering whether she still plays with toys, people or other cats, and whether she expresses interest in everyday life.

General Behavior Patterns. Significant changes in a cat’s routine behavior also can be warning signs that the cat is dealing with pain. Sleeping or hiding in unusual places or acting much less (or more) attentive to you than usual may indicate a problem.

Owner Perceptions. Finally, some of the most difficult questions to ask are the ones about your own feelings about your cat’s quality of life. Imagining how you would feel if suffering the same level of pain or a similar disease can help put things in perspective, for example.

Cat Hospital’s website offers a Quality of Life checklist, which includes several simple Yes/No questions in each category, to give cat parents a better sense of what to do for a cat who is suffering—whether additional treatment could give the cat more happy and healthy days, or if euthanasia may be a more humane option. But we also strongly recommend that you talk with your Cat Hospital veterinarian if you are concerned about your cat.

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

Say “Cheese!”
Tips for
Photographing Your Cat

As adorable as cats are, capturing that cuteness in photographs can be pretty tricky. For one thing, cats don’t usually see a camera lens and think to themselves, “OK, I’ll sit still for as long as you need.” But with some patience, the right light and a few basic techniques, you can do it. Most of the following tips were provided by Sheri Berliner of Chicago’s Petraits Pet Photography.

Safe at home. It’s often easiest to get good photos when your cat feels comfortable. So begin by thinking of which parts of your home are your cat’s favorite—a window sill, a certain piece of furniture, a favorite room—and photograph him there. Chances are, your “model” will be more content and more likely to cooperate.

Face to face. Get in a position where you can look your cat in the eye. If your cat is most comfortable on the floor, that might mean that you’ll need to lie down on the ground to get the best angle for your photo. On the other hand, you might find that as soon as you get on the floor, your cat will wander over toward you, too close for you to take pictures, so…

Play the angles. An unusual perspective can help you take a unique photo. Stand on a chair or stepladder and aim the camera straight down toward your pet.

The right light. Natural light is best, so try to work with the sunlight that comes through your window during the day. Using a flash can help, but especially indoors or in low light, flashes tend to cause cats’ eyes to look like they’re glowing or have the “red eye” effect. Photo editing software can help correct this problem, but generally it’s easier just to use natural light.

Quick click. Your cat could jump, move or turn at any moment, so using a fast shutter speed can help capture just the right pose.

Toy time. Want to capture your cat looking playful? Give her catnip or a favorite toy to play with during your photo shoot. Most cats aren’t exactly accustomed to posing for photos, so providing treats can also help make it a worthwhile experience for them.

Tidy up. Nothing detracts from an otherwise perfect portrait like background clutter, so clean up the area around your cat, and you won’t have anything to take attention away from your cat’s beauty.

Be ready. Always have a camera nearby. You never know when your cat will do something cute.

Don’t give up. Even professional photographers need more than one or two clicks to get the photo they want, especially with our wonderfully unpredictable cats. So keep shooting until you get the image you want. And if you’re using a digital camera, click away! You can always delete the images you don’t want later.

Whether you’re looking for images suitable for framing, or posting on Flickr or Facebook, these helpful hints—and a little bit of practice—can ensure that you’ll get a quality photograph of your favorite feline.

Positive Black Cat Superstitions

Nothing says “black cat” more than Halloween! But, with so many negative superstitions surrounding them, black cats often get a bum rap. The good news is that there are also quite a few positive superstitions. Here are a few of them, most of which are courtesy of Cat Fancy magazine:

In Great Britain and Japan, having a black cat cross your path is considered good luck.

The Scottish believe that a strange black cat’s arrival to the home signifies prosperity.

According to superstition in France, if you discover a single white hair on a black cat, Lady Luck will smile upon you.

In England, if a black cat resides in the same house as a young woman, she will have plenty of suitors.

Black cats in the South of France are known as “matagots” or “magician cats.” It is believed that good luck comes to owners who treat them with respect and feed them well.

According to Latvian superstition, when a farmer discovers black kittens in his grain silos, he dances with joy because these felines are believed to be the spirit of Rungis, the god of harvests.

On Britain’s Yorkshire coast, fishermen’s wives believe that if a black cat is kept in the house, their husbands will return home safely from sea.

In the English Midlands, a bride is believed to have good luck if she receives a black cat as a wedding present.

Black cats were once regarded as royalty in the homes of English sailors. It was believed that fair weather at sea was guaranteed if these felines were happy at home. At the time, black cats became so exorbitantly priced that very few sailors could afford them.

In Yorkshire, England, owning a black cat is considered to be very lucky.

According to other superstitions, it’s good luck if:

You’re greeted by a black cat at your door.

A black cat enters your home.

You meet three black cats in succession.

You touch a black cat.

You dream about a black cat.

A cat’s tail often gives clues about his mood. For example, an upright tail signals alertness, a drooping tail indicates relaxation, a tail with a twitching tip conveys irritation, a swishing tail means the cat is getting ready to attack and a bristled tail signals defensiveness.

Never feed your cats chocolate, onions, raw fish, raw poultry, bones or food intended for other animals. And avoid feeding your felines raw egg whites, which contain an enzyme that causes the deterioration of biotin, a nutrient essential to a cat’s diet.

Dear Boo:

The people who live with me have been talking for the past few weeks about bringing a new cat home to shack up with us. I’m sure I’ll eventually be glad to have a new feline friend to play with, but I also know that it is my solemn responsibility as a cat to harass the heck out of our new family member as soon as he or she arrives.

Do you have any advice for me or my people if they really do decide to bring a new kitty to the family?

Fondly,

– Solomon

My Dear Solomon:

First, I must congratulate you on living with humans who obviously love cats so much that they’re planning to invite another feline to share your abode.

You also should purr with delight because it appears you are poised to be provided with a new playmate and a lifelong pal. Consider this: When your humans are away hunting mice or whatever they do when they leave, you’ll be able to have gato-a-gato races throughout the house, you’ll have someone to lick your fur and someone to talk to about all of your hopes and dreams.

So, yes, you’ll be glad to have a new feline in the house. But you’re also right that it’s in your nature to give your new roommate a little grief when he or she arrives. Fortunately, there are some things your people can do to make it easier for you to get along with each other quickly. You might want to show the next few paragraphs to your humans so they know exactly what to do.

First, they should schedule an appointment with their Cat Hospital veterinarian, to be sure the new kitty is healthy, and they should know that throughout this acclimation process, they need to make sure to pay plenty of attention to you, the “resident” cat. Often, when a new cat comes into a household, much attention is bestowed upon him or her, and the resident cat gets less attention. That sure won’t help a resident cat want to have a new roommate!

As soon as the humans bring the new cat in, they should put the newbie into a separate room with its own food, water, litter box and toys. That way, each of you will be able to adjust gradually to each other’s scent and sounds. You’ll probably find yourself wandering over to the door of your new cat’s room and trying to play by waving your paws under the door—that’s fine, as long as a veterinarian says both of you are healthy.

After a few days, your people can help you get used to each other’s scent by putting your bedding in the new cat’s room—and vice versa—and by rubbing a cloth around one cat’s mouth and leaving the cloth in the other cat’s room. They also can just rub a cloth on each of you, one at a time. If both of you seem curious about each other, and if your behavior is friendly and not aggressive, your people should definitely reward you with praise and—yummy!—treats. (They should continue to do this throughout the process if you both behave.)

If you and your new feline buddy are getting along thus far, you’re ready to have short periods of direct interaction with each other. It’s also best if your visits are supervised by your person—and for your first visits, I’d recommend having one of you stay in your carrier while the other cat walks near you. Get your people to feed you both at the same time, too, because that can help reduce your stress levels, and you might feel like sniffing each other after you eat. A wonderful after-meal pastime!

Make sure your people know not to leave you and the new cat unsupervised until you have had several interactions without either of you becoming aggressive. (Also, let them know that if they’re bringing a kitten into a home with an older cat, the older cat might need her own quiet space for an extended period of time.) Friendly cats may adapt to each other pretty quickly, but it might take several weeks for other cats. Don’t worry: Your patience will pay off!

Pheromone products such as Feliway (available at pet stores, online and at Cat Hospital) might help you and your new pal feel more comfortable around each other, but even if your people use these products, they should still make your introduction gradual and methodical. I’ve had more than my share of feline roommates, so I know these techniques work, and I know you’ll love having a new partner in crime.

And don’t worry that the new cat will steal your thunder or hinder your style. With a new furry friend on board, you’ll still be Solomon—you just won’t be solo!

– Boo

For more information, see Introducing a New Cat into a Household With Already Existing Cats.

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

Halloween Safety for Cats

It’s a night of scary costumes and tasty treats, but Halloween can be a stressful, frightening and even dangerous holiday for cats. Here are some tips for making sure your felines are happy and safe while you enjoy the tricks and treats of the holiday:

Keep your cat indoors for several days before and during Halloween. All too often, cats (especially black cats) who are outdoors on Halloween become victims of pranks—or worse. The safest place for your cat is indoors, away from potential harm.

Give kitty his own space. Cat guardians know how fast felines can fly, so don’t give your kitty a chance to dart outside when you’re doling out candy to your neighborhood ghosts and goblins. Keep kitty in a secure room during trick-or-treat hours. Turn on a radio or TV at a low volume to help keep your kitty calm during the endless chiming of doorbells and general holiday commotion. This also applies if you’re hosting a Halloween party. Even for the most social kitty, the safest place to be is in a separate room.

Have proper ID. Be sure your cat has a microchip implanted and/or his collar has an up-to-date ID tag, in case of an accidental escape. A current ID will significantly help improve the chances that your feline will be returned to you. (See Treats & Tidbits Spring 2006 and Fall 2007 for more information about microchips and updating your registration information.)

Candy is not dandy. Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can be hazardous if cats swallow them. Chocolate can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and in large doses can even be toxic to your cat. So keep all candy and wrappers away from your feline.

Decorations can spell danger. Candles and dangling decorations are often a part of Halloween celebrations, but keep them out of your cat’s reach. A curious cat can easily tip over a jack o’ lantern and start a fire, or become entangled in a stringy spider web. Consider using flameless LED candles.

Have a Cat-safe Thanksgiving

Halloween might have ghouls and goblins, but Thanksgiving can be just as stressful and potentially dangerous for cats. Here are some tips to keep your cats safe if you’re hosting a holiday feast:

Give kitty a separate room. Just like on Halloween night, the safest place for cats when a lot is going on during Thanksgiving day is in their own room. Some cats thoroughly enjoy visitors, but many find all the noise and activity that goes with Thanksgiving extremely stressful.

Don’t light those table-top candles. If cats are around, decorations with flames can be dangerous for them and for your home. If you must decorate with candles, don’t light them unless your cats are securely locked in another room. Consider decorating with cat-friendly items, like a cornucopia or an attractive bowl or basket filled with fruit. Flameless LED candles are another safe option, and as an added bonus, they are less messy and just as cheerful as the real ones.

Don’t share dinner with cats. Some Thanksgiving foods are just too rich for cats and will cause upset tummies or diarrhea. Other foods, like onions, are actually toxic for cats and should be avoided at all times. It’s OK to sneak a small piece of roasted turkey to your feline, while you’re in the kitchen, of course, but avoid giving your cats table scraps, and no bones!

Feed cats a Thanksgiving meal of their own first. With all of those tasty dishes on the table, cats just might beg for some of your food during dinner. To avoid that, give kitty his own Thanksgiving feast before you sit down to dine. Safe choices include a few bites of turkey and a teaspoon or two of plain canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix). Although not all cats consider pumpkin a tasty treat, many do, and it is an excellent source of fiber.

Give cats extra attention. Cats may feel neglected when your time is consumed with cooking, decorating and entertaining your visitors. Set aside at least 15 minutes for quiet time with your cat about an hour before the guests arrive. Enlist a family member to watch the kitchen and check the turkey. You and your felines will be more relaxed, and you will be able to enjoy your family and friends without feeling guilty.

Include cats when you give thanks. Be sure to give thanks for the cats who have given you so much. Life is infinitely better with their unconditional love, companionship and endless entertainment. And say a prayer for all the cats who have been abandoned during these tough economic times or reside in shelters.

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

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…superstition once held that witches were transformed into feline forms at night? As a result, cats were thought to be clever, with healing and magical abilities.