Looking for ways to support your local animal shelters beyond volunteering and fostering? Cat’s Pride has partnered with kitten rescuer, humane educator and New York Times bestselling author Hannah Shaw, the go-to “Kitten Lady,” to share tips on how you can show cats you care right from the comfort of your couch.

In addition to these tips, you can always help animals in need through the Cat’s Pride Litter for Good program. Join the Cat’s Pride Club here and nominate your local shelter to receive litter donations.

Take a few minutes to look up the local animal shelters and cat rescue groups in your area. Follow the organizations on social media, and when you see them posting about an adoptable cat, click “share!” You’ll make a big difference by boosting visibility among your network of friends and family!

 

 

Have a birthday coming up? Celebrating a special day? Ask your friends to chip in for your favorite local cat rescue! There’s no occasion too big or too small to turn into a fundraising opportunity, and social media tools make it easy for anyone to add a “donate” button for a nonprofit of their choice. You can even sweeten the deal by offering a fun incentive for people who donate, like a silly drawing, or even a special haiku written just for their cat!

 

If you’d like to help shelter cats but you aren’t able to adopt, consider giving fostering a try! You can provide a temporary home to a litter of kittens, a mama and her babies, or even an adult cat who just needs a safe space to be for a few weeks. Fostering is a short-term commitment with a long-term impact, and it’s something anyone can learn to do. Reach out to your local shelters and rescues and ask how to get started!

 

Crafters, unite! Did you know that shelters and rescues often need supplies that can be handmade? You can get creative and make items like baby blankets, crocheted cat beds, DIY cat toys, and even winter shelters for community cats. Ask your local organizations what kinds of items they’d like to have and start getting crafty!

 

 

Have you ever seen community cats roaming in your neighborhood? Do your part by making sure they’re spayed and neutered! The majority of kittens entering shelters are born outdoors, so it’s up to members of the community to help stop the cycle. Contact your local community cat program and ask how you can help!

 

 

Feature image source.

It’s every pet owner’s worst nightmare. Your feline family member has gone missing. We hope you never encounter this stressful scenario, but these tips can help you spring into action if you do.

 

Always be prepared

One of the easiest ways to make sure kitty returns from a mouse hunt or unplanned stroll in the woods is to make it easier for whoever finds your cat to bring her home. An up-to-date tag on your cat’s collar (and/or microchip) is step one. Temperament tags indicate your cat’s mood can give your rescuer added peace of mind for example, “Fearful, not Feral” or “Afraid, not abused”. We also recommend you keep current photos of your cat readily available, but we know you’ll never have a problem with that.

 

Proceed without delay

Every moment wasted is one less moment you get to spend petting, snuggling or playing. As soon as you suspect your cat is missing, create “MISSING CAT” posters, complete with one of those current photos we talked about earlier. Upload the same poster to all of your social media outlets, and contact your local animal shelter to determine if your cat has already been recovered, or to alert that she may be lost.

 

Be your own search committee

Take walks around your neighborhood multiple times per day, if time permits. Leave food and water outside in the event she returns while you’re away. Call your cat’s name and rattle her favorite toy as you make your way down each street. And make sure to follow up with local shelters every few days.

Cats want to come home as badly as you want them to, and some have even traveled hundreds of miles on their own, to do just that.

 

References

https://www.missingpet.net/advice/cats.html

http://tenthlifecats.org/all-about-cats/lost-cat-tips

https://www.missingpetpartnership.org/recovery-tips/prevention/

 

Even if your cat stays indoors with the AC running, there are plenty of ways the heat can affect your cat. Here’s how to help cats during the dog days of summer.

 

Tip 1: Refresh water regularly and add ice. Drop a couple cubes in there to cool their bodies from the inside out.

Tip 2: Make bare floors available to them. Hardwood and tile floors are naturally cooler than carpeted surfaces. And we got an inside tip that cats like to lie down.

Tip 3: Place a fan on the floor or aim the AC downwards. Let your cat feel the wind in his hairs. All 2 million of them.

Tip 4: Brush them regularly. Thicker coats = hotter bodies. True for humans and cats alike.

Tip 5: Take them to the groomer. Take a little off the top. Many cats love a lion’s cut in the summer months. They get to look cool AND feel cool.

Tip 6: Keep playtime to morning or evening. Playing in the heat can be exhausting. We know from experience.

Tip 7: Draw the curtains. More shade = Less heat plus better sleeping.

Tip 8: Keep them out of the car. Never leave your cat in your car without you for any amount of time. Any necessary trips should be short, and bring some water.

Tip 9: Keep an extra eye on them. If you see your cat acting erratically, call or visit your vet.

 

Summertime is the best, but it can also be brutally hot. Make sure you give some extra love and care, because you know they’ve earned it.

Cats may have nine lives, but it’s up to us to help them hold on to all of them. Here’s what you should have on hand in case of a kitty emergency, and remember—always contact your vet prior to taking any first-aid precautions.

 

Organization

Keep a contact list at the ready with your veterinarian’s information and the poison control center phone number. Make sure to have a cat carrier readily available and a storage container with the First Aid Kit items listed below so you’re not searching for something in an emergency.

 

Bodyguards

Have bandages and gauze handy in case your cat cuts itself or gets scratched. Also, keep in mind that cats don’t always know that you’re trying to help them, so have a muzzle on hand for your protection, a towel to cover their claws, and a cat harness handy so you can help them despite their “self-defense” reactions and thwart an escape attempt.

 

Medicine cabinet

3% hydrogen peroxide and a needleless syringe or eyedropper is necessary if your cat ever swallows non-caustic toxins. Be sure to contact Poison Control in the event of your kitty swallowing a potential poison prior to administering first aid. It’s also helpful to keep a thermometer, eyewash, and swabs on hand.

 

Always contact your vet first in case of an emergency. You can also take a class to learn pet first aid and CPR, because being equipped with pet-safety knowledge and your Cat First Aid Kit may help save one of their nine lives!

Cats are notoriously bad travelers. But if you have to bring your feline on the road or into the sky in 2017, there are a few things we think you should know.

Packin’ smart.

The best way to travel with a cat is to think like one. What might Whiskers enjoy, and what will he definitely need? You know the basics: cat carrier, food, water, and toys. But you’ll also want an up-to-date ID tag, health certificates and/or vaccination records, particularly if you’re traveling a great distance or up in the air. Don’t forget your Cat’s Pride Kat Kit for easy clean-up, a portable and 100% disposable recycled plastic tray that comes ready filled with Cat’s Pride premium litter.

Kitty goes vroom!

If you’re taking a road trip with kitty, check out (and then into) a pet-friendly hotel. Some chains are pet-friendly by design, others vary from property to property, so do your research first to avoid surprises. And before you back out of the driveway, make sure to put that extra seatbelt to good use. It only takes a few seconds to secure a cat carrier, and you both will ride safely!

When cats fly.

Some airlines allow cats in the main cabin, while others only in the cargo hold. If you’re planning on flying, make sure the requirements for your airline meet your and your cat’s high expectations, and comply with federal regulations. Flying could be stressful, so make sure your kitty’s carrier is comfortable, and bring a familiar blanket to help block lights and sounds.

Before you finalize your travel plans, make sure to consult with your veterinarian, especially if your little friend is on medications, recovering from surgery, or if you have any concerns about your trip, whatsoever. Happy trails!

A kitty’s adorableness may be too much to ignore, but there are plenty of reasons to give a senior cat a new forever home.

Say Hello to Mr. (or Mrs.) Predictable.

With cats ages seven and up, what you see is what you get. They’ve learned their life lessons and are generally set in their everyday ways. From appetite for food to appetite for attention, these little bundles of consistency just need consistent love.

Very cool cats, indeed.

Senior cats are calmer. They’ve survived the teenage years and unbridled bouts of curiosity. They still enjoy the occasional play session, but they’re a lot less likely to liberate the stuffing from your living room couch. And speaking of couches, these cats enjoy naps and often will curl up right on your lap.

Easy does it.

Cats may have a reputation for being high maintenance, but seniors are hardly a handful. For starters, they’re usually housetrained (don’t forget the Cat’s Pride), and often already spayed or neutered. Seniors require fewer vaccinations than younger cats. And if you’re worried that “senior” means “old” consider that many cats live to age 20 and beyond, so an 11-to 14-year-old senior could be right up your alley.

Senior cats are among the hardest for shelters to match with a furever home. By adopting a new friend, you just might be saving a life.

Carpet-covered climbing trees, electric mice and leather furniture can only partly fulfill your cat’s insatiable appetite for curiosity. At some point, you’re going to want to set up a play date with another feline friend. Doing so requires an extra dose of patience. Cats are especially protective of their “territory”, so it’s a good idea to choose a neutral site for your initial introduction such as a less-commonly-used room, and then introduce them through a door. And of course, if possible, both owners should be present and sharing a bottle of red wine.

Pass the smell test

Feed each cat their favorite treats, but on the opposite sides of the door so they get used to each others’ smells and realize there’s no cause for alarm. You can also rub the new cat’s face with a sock or a cloth, then do the same with the resident cat—back and forth, to mix up the scents.

The moment of truth

Continue to play with and offer treats to each cat as you slowly open the door and allow your new friends to make eye contact. Don’t get discouraged if they don’t immediately share a warm embrace. It’ll take time before they consider themselves best buds, especially if one of them isn’t really a cat person.

A child is not a toy, but a kitty might not necessarily see it that way. Introducing children to pets – especially cats – can lay the foundation for a lifelong love of animals, so it’s important that it’s done in such way that leaves both the child and the pet feeling safe and secure. Kids can send scaredy-cats’ stress levels off the charts with their laughs, squeals and herky-jerkey movements. Children are also more “cat-sized” – especially when on all fours – so cats could perceive them as a credible threat. On the flip side, cats’ sharp teeth, claws and even the slightest hiss can turn curious kids into panic-stricken scaredy-cats themselves, so follow these tips to keep the peace and make sure everybody wins.

• Give your kitty a heads up by introducing the child’s scent first. A toy or blanket should do the trick.
• Introduce each other with video chat or on speakerphone before actually meeting face-to-face.
• Give your kitty treats during a virtual introduction so this new voice is associated with a handsome reward.
• Let the child know that the kitty is not a toy, and it should never be chased around the room.
• Provide a space in your home that’s just for your kitty – a retreat to feel safe if the introduction takes longer than expected.

Support child labor Once you’ve got the kids acclimated to owning a cat, it’s time to put them to work. Kill three birds with one stone by introducing kids to responsibilities such as feeding your cat, keeping his water bowl fresh or maintaining the litter box — which of course will be no problem with a lightweight litter like Cat’s Pride® Fresh & Light Ultimate Care®. Happy cat. Busy kids. Happy owner.