Kitty Cat Lane Rescue

Pet Tips

Well, it’s that time once again. It starts around this time each year, rain or shine, cold or warm; and behind it leaves a major impact and consequence. Although I’m thrilled that springtime is FINALLY here, I’m not talking about springtime, or daylight savings, or starting this years garden seedlings. I’m talking about “Kitten Season,” and unfortunately, it’s already begun.

Every year, Mother Nature comes calling, but because somewhere along the line little Fluffy and Kitty or others in their feline family were left unaltered and allowed to roam, or worse, were abandoned altogether, many thousands of cats will have more unwanted litters. Worse still, between six and eight million dogs and cats enter U.S. shelters annually, and sadly, many of these animals are euthanized because there simply aren't enough homes for them all. It is SO very important to neuter or spay your pet so they don’t become another one of the sad statistics. Along with helping to stamp out pet overpopulation, here are additional reasons to spay or neuter your pet.

Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives. It can reduce or eliminate a number of health problems that can be very difficult for your pet and expensive for you to treat. Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle. Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease, while making male cats less likely to spray and mark their territory.

Spaying and neutering makes pets better behaved, more affectionate companions. Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to twelve days, often twice a year in dogs, and an average of six to eight days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and will attract unwanted males. Un-sterilized animals exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered. Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood or get into fights, and can make pets less likely to bite. Irresponsible and inexperienced breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks, and can result in actual birth defects such as the radial hypoplasia we saw in our little kitten Tibby’s legs and paws a few years back.

Communities everywhere spend millions of dollars to control homeless and unwanted animals, and shelters are overburdened with these surplus animals; many which are euthanized due to lack of space. Spaying or neutering your pet carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when you considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals. So please make the responsible choice to spay or neuter your pet companion. It’s good for your pet, good for your community, and even has benefits for you.

Helpful Warm Weather Safety Tips:

It feels like it took forever for the warmer weather to return, but it feels like it’s here to stay! After much needed spring cleaning, hopefully we can soon take time to relax and enjoy outdoor activities with friends of both the two and four legged kind. Whether you prefer bicycling or swimming, walking on the beach or a road trip to some place new, please keep these tips in mind to assure your pets enjoy a fun and safe summer.

Each summer, veterinarians treat countless cases of heat emergencies from dehydration to heat exhaustion, shock, and even death. Please remember to provide adequately for your pets to keep them safe when the temperatures rise. Leave fans running for your pets left at home to keep the indoor air circulating, and leave plenty of fresh, cold water available at all times. Ice cubes in their bowls help keep water colder, but in high humidity they quickly melt. Pets drink more on hot days and their water warms fast, so freeze some in small clean margarine tubs or large plastic cups to make extra large ice cubes that last longer. (My dog Chance loves to chew on them for a nice cold treat, too!)

Please never, EVER, leave your pet alone in your car in the heat, even for a short time, or even if parked in the shade with the windows partially open. When it’s hot, it doesn’t take long for the car’s temperature to reach dangerous levels of 120 -140 degrees, and a dog or cat's temperature can rapidly rise to dangerous levels. Heatstroke, brain damage and even death can take place in only minutes!! Although this seems like common sense, you’d be shocked to know how many people STILL do this to their pets, thinking they won’t be leaving their pet for too long, but then disaster occurs. When the temps get warmer, it’s safer to leave your pet at home, in cool, shady comfort.

If you enjoy fireworks, resist the urge to bring your pet along. Most animals are terrified of the loud noises, even when hearing them from a distance or from the back yard at home. Provide a quiet place they can relax or hide indoors, as some become so frightened they get disoriented and run away, particularly cats. The same can happen with loud thunderstorms, so make sure they are also wearing ID tags. Should your pet run away, your chances finding them are greatly improved.

Check your pet often for fleas and ticks, and use the proper type and dosage of flea prevention for your cat or dog. Ask your vet any questions you may have about the right flea protection for your pet. Have your dog tested for heart-worm and administer the correct dosage of preventative medication for that, as well. Be extra sensitive to sick, very young, older and overweight animals in the warmer weather, and call your vet right away with any concerns you may have with your pet’s behavior. They depend on you to keep their health in mind. Please think of your pet’s safety and comfort, and use good sense during the hot months to assure you both can welcome in a safe and enjoyable summer season! Thank you for caring! 

Keeping Fleas Off Your Pet

After our long winters, we love when spring finally arrives! April showers instead of snowstorms, the scent of flowers and freshly mowed lawns, and unfortunately, fleas and ticks. Fleas are a common concern for cats and dogs, and although most fleas do not in fact live on humans, they can bite people and cause skin irritation. Regular preventive treatment should ensure that your pet does not get fleas, but if you are already dealing with a flea problem, cleaning and protecting your environment with a good flea control preparation will stop a minor problem from becoming a major infestation.

Often times, you may not even be aware your pet has a flea problem until the damage is done and your home and pet is infested, so the first step is to determine the culprit is actually fleas and then how widespread the problem is. A cat that has fleas will of course, scratch a lot, and upon closer examination you may see some of these very tiny bugs. A flea comb through your pet’s coat may catch one of the little buggers in the tines. However, even if you cannot see an actual flea you will find their flea debris or dirt, which looks like small grains of black pepper, or sometimes consists of reddish brown specks on your cat or in the fur on the flea comb. The good news is, there are so many good flea treatments and preventative medicines that actually work extremely well these days, (unlike the unpleasant, often unhealthy and even toxic flea collars and powders that used to be on the market,) so taking care of the problem can be relatively easy depending on the severity of the flea outbreak.

Of course, prevention is the best guard against a flea problem, however even in the best of pet families, fleas can and do occur. Although if you’re lucky and you catch the problem before it worsens, any of the monthly flea preventatives such as Frontline Top Spot, Frontline Plus or Advantage work wonders in just a day or two. They also have excellent safety profiles enabling the treatment of kittens and puppies at an early age. I’d recommend any of these monthly topicals, as they are all effective choices for cats and dogs. There are other oral preventatives such as Program, which halts the egg development of any new fleas, however the current adult flea has to bite the cat in order to ingest the IDI chemical, and therefore it would not be the best preventive choice for pets that already have an outbreak of adult fleas. Whatever product you choose, consult your veterinarian to confirm it is the appropriate product and the correct dosage for your pet, read the product directions completely, and do NOT use more than one product at a time. If you have treated your cat with a topical ointment, do not also use an oral preventative. Likewise, if you use a spray or mist to treat your pet’s environment, do not use a topical or oral preventive immediately afterward. Always follow your vet’s advice and the product manufacturer's guidelines.

If you weren’t lucky enough to eliminate the flea problem before it left your cat or dog and the buggers have moved into your home, then you must also treat these fleas in your surroundings in order to be completely rid of the nuisance pest. Depending on the extent of the outbreak will depend on how involved your cleanup must be, as all stages of the fleas must be removed. This includes killing the adult fleas and ensuring that juvenile forms can no longer develop. One easy way to remove up to half of all flea life stages is simply to vacuum regularly and thoroughly, then enclose the vacuum cleaner bag in a separate plastic bag and discard it from your home. Wash your pet's bedding regularly and treat anywhere your pet spends time and where there has been evidence of fleas, including your car, pet carriers, garages and basements.

Frequent vacuuming can help to reduce, but not eliminate, a heavy environmental infestation. Even though it can be somewhat expensive and time consuming, all soft furnishings should be treated. All nooks and crannies should be included, such as gaps between floorboards and moldings. Treatment of the entire house is essential. Anything that is heavily infested, such as pet bedding, should be treated with an appropriate product, laundered, or thrown out. Remember to read all labels carefully and remove children and ALL pets, (including birds and fish,) if the house is highly infested and you decide to use a fogger or a spray. Again, please consult your veterinarian and read all product instructions and warnings.

Then once you’ve done all this hard work to rid your pet and home of fleas, keep them from returning by remembering that prevention is the key! A moment to apply that monthly topical product will save you and you cat or dog a lot of aggravation and a lot of scratching!

   Protecting your pet during a natural disaster.

With the tragic memory of Hurricane Katrina and her turbulent effects still fresh in our minds, the Humane Society of the United States, the North Shore Animal League of America, along with Kitty Cat Lane Rescue urge pet owners everywhere to make plans to protect themselves and their pets. Pets are a part of our families and we need to prepare in advance for their safety and well-being. Although hurricanes are less likely to directly hit us here in Maine, (as I write this article, anyhow!) New Englander’s certainly deal with our share of natural disasters, particularly during the long winter months. It’s better to be prepared than to be caught off guard, putting your pets at risk. Whatever your political affiliation, sadly FEMA was not prepared to deal with the thousands of people and pet victims of Katrina, so it’s best to count on yourself and your own family unit to prepare for severe weather or any devastating crisis.

All pet owners should have an emergency supply kit for their pets along with their own. This kit should include at least a seven day supply of food and water, several bowls, a litter box and cat litter, a manual can opener, and perhaps a favorite toy. Current photos and descriptions of your pets will help others identify them should you and your pets become separated. Pets should always wear up to  date identification, including your phone number and the number of someone out of your immediate area in case your pet becomes lost while you’re not at home. Medications, medical records, a first aid kit, along with your veterinarian’s emergency number should be stored in a secure, waterproof container. Have sturdy leashes or harnesses, and enough carriers to transport your pets safely, as well as blankets or towels for bedding and warmth. Carriers should be large enough to comfortably house your pet for several hours. If the need arises to evacuate an area, ALWAYS KEEP YOUR PET WITH YOU. If it isn’t safe for YOU to stay in the area, then it isn’t safe for your PETS either. Pets that are turned loose or left behind to fend for themselves are likely to become a casualty of the disaster, or a victim of starvation, predators, contaminated food or water, accidents, or exposure to the elements. Many evacuation shelters do not accept pets, so plan in advance where you will go. If you choose to stay at a motel, call ahead to determine if the facility accepts pets. “No Pet” restrictions at hotels and motels may be lifted in an emergency, but ask in advance. Check with friends and family members who live outside your local area to see if they can shelter you and your pets if needed. In any event, DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PETS BEHIND, as they can not fend for themselves! Have a plan ready BEFORE disaster strikes to prevent a larger personal catastrophe upon returning home.

Our KCLR Wish List      

Dry Cat and Kitten food.

Scoopable Cat Litter. (We use tons of both! Literally!)

Store gift cards or cert.’s for these supplies.

Local Veterinarian gift cert.’s for medical care, medications, neutering and spaying services.

Heavy duty (5 to 12 gallon) wet/dry shop vacuum, (to clean up after our messy kitty’s litter boxes, etc.!)  

All-in-one printer, scanner, copier, and fax. (Windows XP compatible - doesn’t need to be new. Ours broke!)

Empty print cartridges w/ print heads for recycle rebates.

Empty bottles and cans to our JD’s redemption account.

Small utility trailer, or help bringing used litter trash to the dump (in the W. Newfield area.) THANK YOU!

Many scientific studies have confirmed that sharing your home with a pet is good for your health, particularly for older adults. It’s been proved that older pet!owners lake fewer doctor visits. They experience such benefits as lower blood pressure and cholesterol, they exercise more, they even recover faster from illness, and live longer, happier lives.

There’s nothing like the unconditional love and companionship a pet provides. And whether you’re a cat person, a dog or a bird person, nothing equals the total acceptance one receives from their pet. They don’t care if your rich or poor, thin or heavy, pretty or plain. Treat them well and provide for their needs, and they love and accept you as you are. I just love spending time with my furry kids; watching their spontaneous play and funny feline antics. My favorite sound is the sweet melody of my cats purring. They’ve made me laugh, and provided years of joy and comfort. There’s nothing else like it! No matter how bad my day’s gone, when my dog offers his paw and a kiss, or a furry little ball of kitty fur plops on my lap, for that moment, all is right in the world!

If you’ve got some room in your heart and home for a dear furry friend, visit your local animal shelter or rescue and adopt a wonderful new friend to enhance your life and who also provides great health benefits. I’m glad I did!

Cold Weather Safety Tips:

As most New Englanders know, no matter the season, the weather changes faster than you can say “Brrrrrr!” One New England saying is: “If you don’t like the weather, wait a minute,” as it’s sure to quickly change, and indeed, change quickly it has done. With the cold temperatures come extra safety dangers for your pets, so please remember Fluffy and Fido so they remain safe and warm during the cold seasons.

Anyone who knows me, knows my firm belief is that an INDOOR cat is a SAFE cat. However, should you choose to let your cat out during the day, please limit the time she is outside and be certain to let her back indoors for the night. The blustery days turn into dreadfully cold nights and the dangers of frost bite and hypothermia are very real with the cold temps and wind chills. Pets should not be left outside for long periods at all in cold and freezing weather, and like humans, younger and older pets are particularly at risk, as well as short haired dogs, all cats and kittens, and puppies. It's best to keep your pet safely indoors once the temperatures drop. During extreme cold, cats often hide or sleep under car hoods trying to find warmth. Then when the car motor is started, the cat can be seriously injured in the fan belt. To prevent a tragic accident, give any cat a chance to leave by knocking on the hood of your car, honking the horn or slamming the door, then waiting a minute before starting the engine. This will give the cat a chance to escape and give you the opportunity to prevent a hazardous situation. An extra moment of your time can save a life, a lot of heartache, as well as costly car repairs.

Get your dog a warm sweater for colder months, especially if you have a small, short haired breed. Make sure the sweater fits snugly and covers his exposed belly. Don’t cut or shave your pet’s hair in the winter. Fur acts as insulation and keeps him warm. And NEVER leave your pet alone in a car in the cold. A car retains the frigid temps and can act like a refrigerator in winter, causing your pet to literally freeze to death! Some common sense and extra care in the wintry months will keep your pet safe and healthy, warm and happy!

Antifreeze is a lethal poison to dogs and cats, even in very small doses. They are attracted to its sweet taste, yet just a few licks can be deadly serious. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills in your driveway, car or garage, and use an animal friendly antifreeze product to prevent accidental poisonings. Always wipe off your pet’s paws when he comes in from the snow or ice to remove salt, ice, antifreeze or other chemicals that may stick to his sensitive paw pads and could harm him if ingested. Notify your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY if you suspect your pet has come in contact with any toxic substance.

See your veterinarian if your pet is arthritic. Arthritis is more uncomfortable during cold and damp weather. Take special care to handle your pet gently. Watch out on icy sidewalks, provide soft, warm bedding, and administer prescribed medications on schedule. Keep your pet's coat well groomed too, as matted fur won't properly protect your pet from the harsh elements.

When the snow starts to fall, (and it will!) remember to keep from piling it next to your dog house or fence. A packed snowdrift can provide an easy boost and a quick escape for your dog to jump over and run away!

Winter burns happen all too often, but with simple precautions you can keep your pets safe and warm all year round. Dogs and cats love the heat, but be sure to keep an eye on your pet when he cuddles up to the fireplace or wood stove. Never allow your pet to be alone with a kerosene, propane, or electric space heater. An accidental bump can result in serious burns or a fire. If your pet is older and needs extra warmth, a hot water bottle tucked in his bed is safer than a direct heating pad, which, even if set on low, can burn. Better yet, invite your pet to cuddle up with YOU, and keep your pet warm AND SAFE on chilly nights! You’ll both stay warm and happy!

Keep Your Pets Safe this Holiday Season

The holidays are times of excess and indulgence. The extra food alone is cause for concern where pets are involved. In my family, my Mom treats everyone to home baked gifts of oatmeal cookies, pretzel mix, and fudge, while my sister Elaine has a huge holiday dinner with twice the selections as a traditional meal, with numerous desserts, as well. It’s tough enough disciplining myself in the midst of all these goodies, but it takes more care keeping your pets from overindulging, and limiting things that could harm them. There are numerous decorations and plants to also be wary of, so keep your holiday season enjoyable and safe for everyone in your family by observing a few holiday pet safety tips.

Keep holiday treats from your pet's reach, and don’t forget those wrapped food gifts under your tree. Even treats meant for Fluffy and Fido, if over indulged, can cause major upset tummies with severe diarrhea, while rawhide treats contain a lot of salt, so give these sparingly. People food, even your yummy turkey or ham dinner, in excess, can make your pet sick. NEVER give your pets gravy or greasy pan drippings, turkey skin, or bones, as they can cause serious health problems! The extreme salt alone can cause seizures! Keep your pets from alcoholic drinks and the garbage bin too, and remember that chocolate is toxic and can prove fatal!

If you use a live Christmas tree, cover the water stand. Pine sap and water is a poisonous drink, and added preservatives are extra toxic. The scent of a real tree may cause your pet to spray or urine mark. Bringing the tree into an isolated room for a day or two so it smells more like home, may help. Trying a pheromone spray around the house may also help with the new adjustment.

Rethink your ornament choices, immediately picking up any that fall. Your pet could experience serious internal injuries should he ingests tinsel, ribbon, or any ornamental item. I no longer use tinsel, glass balls, or hooks at all, because they’re too attractive to pets, and the consequences aren’t worth it! All of these can cause serious intestinal problems if swallowed, and hooks can become embedded in your pet. There are many safer wooden and plastic ornament choices and I loop their ribbon onto the branch. (It keeps you from stepping on fallen hooks, too.) If your cat is tempted by ornaments, decorate the bottom third of the tree with non-breakable ones. If your cats are as active as mine, secure your Christmas tree to a wall or ceiling hook with sturdy fishing line. This will prevent the tree from toppling over should your pet jump on it.

When using indoor holiday lights, be sure they don't hang so low that your pet becomes entangled in them. Unplug cords when you're not at home to supervise your pet. They often find lights and extension cords as appealing chew toys, so cover or tack them down, or try the bitter apple deterrent sprays. A little planning and supervision on your part can PREVENT illness and serious harm.

If you have a bird, keep it safely in its cage when using candles. Additionally, lit candles should be kept out of ANY pet's reach. This is another item I prefer to do completely without. They’re much too dangerous for pet households, as cats can run their tail right through the flame or get burned from hot wax! The risk of fire is too great! They have so many pretty options now that even resemble flickering candles, so why take a chance?

Poinsettias, holly, mistletoe berries and other holiday plants and flowers such as amaryllis bulbs can be extremely harmful if ingested. Check with your veterinarian or local poison control center to find out what holiday plants you should avoid. While a cuddly puppy or kitten may seem to be the perfect gift, sadly, after the holiday season, the population of animal shelters explodes with these “surprise” gifts. Adopting a pet is a long-term commitment not everyone can make. It’s better to choose one during a less stressful time of year for both you and the pet! If your child has her heart set on one, perhaps a stuffed toy with a gift certificate to adopt later on when the holidays are over would be a better plan. Please keep these tips in mind throughout the holidays to avoid potential problems, and keep the entire family happy and safe!

Don’t forget pets when holiday shopping!

Previously, I discussed ways of keeping your pets safe this holiday season, with respect to over indulging and using pet friendly decorations. Now lets discuss something for your pets, by rewarding them with fun and entertaining toys to occupy them during busy times, while providing exercise, and perhaps also saving your furniture and personal belongings in the process.

I don’t know about you, but even long before I founded Kitty Cat Lane Rescue, my cats always had, (and still have) an abundance of cat toys all throughout the house. No matter how many different toys I buy for them throughout the year, I continue buying even more; if not because it’s on sale, then because they’ve destroyed some from playing so aggressively, (or the dog has!) or just because I’m always finding something new while shopping I think they would enjoy. I can guarantee that if I pulled the couch or any chair in my home away from it’s normal position, that one would find AT LEAST a half dozen toy mice of different styles, along with a selection of toy balls of several kinds - foam balls, fur balls, glitter balls and waffle balls. The same goes for the dog. I'm always picking up a nice, large, safe bone for him to chew on; again, of different varieties, and again, you’d find a half chewed supply of them under the couch and the living room chairs. If the toys weren’t enough, there are the numerous beds and cat trees. Now granted, at any time, the number of cats here can increase, and many beds are actually needed with us being a cage-free Rescue, but they’ve got round cat beds, cat tee-pees, fleece cubes, cat fold-out couches, fleece cradles, and the list goes on. And amusingly enough, they pretty much sleep wherever they want to anyway! (Often times, with me, squeezing me out of MY bed!) Then there are scratching posts of all shapes and sizes; the tall cat trees, the shorter ones, some carpeted and some sisal, the kitty condos and carousels, carpeted shelves and sculpted cat houses, and again, the list goes on. Needless to say, my cats, and any cat who stays with us, along with my dog, are pretty much spoiled rotten! Fortunately for them I have no problem with this, as I believe they should be, and it’s my job to do so. The toys and trees provide essential exercise and fun activity, keeping boredom away and preventing serious mischief, such as scratching furniture or destroying other household items that are off limits. The proper dog bones and toys not only alleviate boredom, but provide gentle gum stimulation and teeth cleaning, while keeping your dog from dining on your shoes and out of the garbage bin! Plus if you love your pets as family members, as I do, it’s just plain nice to include them in your holiday gift giving, whether it’s something as simple as a new toy mouse complete with catnip, a ball, a new scratching post or playhouse. Just remember to stay away from jingle bells, strings and elastic toys, bones that chip or sliver, or other easily swallowed and potentially dangerous items.

So please don’t forget a few goodies for your four-legged family members when you’re out shopping for the latest electronic gadgets or CD’s. Your little furry buddy will thank you for it!

Thank you for caring!