February 14th, 2008 at 12:58pm
Under Cat Care+ Cat Owner+ Pet Hazards
By Larry Chamberlain
Losing your cat is a worrying experience, use these ‘How to
find a lost cat’ steps, and try to stay calm. Remember that most
lost cats have not run away from home, we all know about cats
and curiosity.
The first place you will want to search for your lost cat is
right inside your home. It may seem obvious but make sure that
your cat is not shut in a room, less obvious check washing
machines, clothes dryers, dish washers, even refrigerators.
Check garden sheds, garages, basements and attics, look up
trees. An injured cat will hide anywhere, and will not always
respond to your calling, so search every possible space, under
furniture, in boxes, any conceivable space that your cat could
have crawled into.
Next check with your immediate neighbors, ask them to check
their sheds, garages, etc. Ask local children if they have seen
your cat, when and where they last saw it, ask if they know of
any places that your cat could be hiding. If the children are
old enough, and with their parents permission, ask them to help
find your lost cat.
Ask people who are regularly outside your home, joggers, postal
workers, people walking dogs, moms taking kids to school, if
they have seen your cat. Show them a photograph if possible.
It is a good idea to make a search to find a lost cat at night,
but not alone - have someone with you.
Have you, or your neighbors, had anything delivered? It has
been known for cats to climb into the backs of vehicles and get
driven off, phone the company and see if they know anything.
Have you recently moved? Check your old address, if it is a
distance, phone your old neighbors ask them to let you know if
they should find your lost cat.
Post flyers, preferably with a photograph, all around your
neighborhood. Make the flyers stand out somehow, use brightly
colored paper if possible. Do not publish your name and address,
just your phone number, if you offer a reward do not state the
amount. Don’t forget to go back frequently and check that the
flyers are still there, sometimes people take them down. Leave
flyers at your local post office, pet supplies store,
laundromat, gas station, animal shelter and veterinary. Consider
placing a ‘Lost Cat’ classified ad. in your local newspaper.
Return to the same spots that you have already investigated and
search again and again. Call back to the animal shelters and
animal control agencies, in person - do not rely on telephoning.
Do not shrink from checking with the highway department and any
other agency that deals with road kills, you would rather know
if the worst has happened.
Finally have hope, cats are tough creatures and can last for
some time without food and water. It is not too unusual for lost
cats to be reunited with their owners after being missing for
some months.
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By Fred
October 26th, 2006 at 06:00am
Under Cat Care+ Cat Owner+ New Cats
By Kathy Burns-Millyard
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Adding a new member to your feline family is usually more exciting for you than your current cat. Even though they are solitary by nature, most cats eventually learn to accept or at least tolerate newcomers. Because they are very territorial, the way you go about introducing the new cat to your existing cat can mean the difference between success or “cat-astrophe.”
The introduction process can take as little as 10-12 days for kittens and very young cats, to as long as 12 weeks for older cats. It all depends on each cat’s personality. Be sure to give your “first” cat plenty of attention. This will help him feel secure that he is not in competition for your affection.
Confine your new cat to a “safe” room until the introduction process is complete. This should be a small room, such as a bathroom or small bedroom that your current cat rarely visits. Furnish it with a bed, scratching post, food, water and litter box.
In the beginning, your first cat may hiss and yowl at the cat on the other side of the door. Just ignore him and walk away. Never punish him for vocalizing aggressively, it will only cause trouble between the two cats. Be sure to praise and pet your first cat when he acts calmly when near the new cat’s room.
After a few days, take a rag or washcloth and rub it over your new cat as you pet and play with her. Use a different rag to do the same thing with your first cat. At feeding time, put each cat’s scented rag under the other cat’s bowl. This will help them associate the other cat’s scent with something positive-food. Lots of little feedings each day will help them get used to the smell more quickly. Be sure to renew the scent on the rags each day.
Next, you can feed them in closer proximity. Keep your new cat in her “safe” room with the door firmly closed, and place each cat’s dish on their side of the door. Be sure to feed them at the same time. Once they both eat with no growling or hissing, you can move to the next level of the introduction.
Close your first cat in a room he likes to frequent, making sure he has water, some favorite food and a litter box. Let your new cat out to explore the house. After a few hours, put her back in her room and let your first cat out. He will probably hiss and fuss when he smells another cat’s scent in HIS territory. Again, be patient and praise him when he acts calmly. Repeat this activity at least once a day until both cats seem comfortable.
Before you let the cats have full access to one another, let them come face to face in a safe situation. Use two hard plastic doorstops to jam the door to the new cat’s room open a mere 2-3 inches. Check that the door can’t be pushed open any further, and that neither cat can get its head through the opening. The object is to give them a chance to swat paws at one another and even go nose to nose without the opportunity for full body contact. Feed each cat on their respective side of the door. Once they no longer hiss or growl at one another, you can try playing with both of them in the same room.
© 2005, Kathy Burns-Millyard.
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By Fred
