Safety & Comfort While Traveling With Cats

Call me a recluse, but I haven't left the house in nearly a year -- and I like it that way. So imagine my dismay when the people get my kennel out and lock me inside it. Then they pick me up, and carry me outside and into the car. Oh, no! We're going to the vet! I cry.

This is me when I was just 2 months old.

We didn't go to the vet this time. We just drove around, made some stops and came back home. During the trip, I was both scared and curious at the same time. I didn't know what was happening, and I so badly wanted to find out.

Later, I overheard them talking about moving. They said they need to help me, slowly, get used to riding in the car and being in new places. Next time, we're going to someone's house, I think.

Are you planning on moving to a new home with your pets? It can be stressful for cats who are homebodies. We are creatures of habit, and don't particularly enjoy being uprooted. Here are some ways to make the move easier on your feline friends -- and to keep them safe during travel.

1. Keep a collar with your pet's ID tag on at all times during travel. If your cat is not used to wearing a collar, start out a month ahead of time by securing it around your cat's neck for short, then longer increments of time. Keep it on for at least a month after moving, in case your cat escapes.
2. Carry a Bill of Health certificate if you are crossing state lines. You can get one from your veterinarian, certifying that your pet has the required vaccinations.
3. Keep your pets confined for everyone's safety. Especially if they are prone to getting excited and bolting. It can be dangerous to all involved if there is a cat jumping around the car and onto the driver's lap. Keep your pets in carriers or safety harnesses during travel.
4. Leash your pet during stops. Okay, this is just plain common sense. Do not let your cat freely roam at rest areas or gas stations; you never know what a scared kitty might do or escape to. If your cat is not used to being harnessed, start out by securing a harness around her at home, a month ahead of time.
5. Make sure your pets have access to food, water and a litter box. Many cats will drink and eat very little, due to stress, but it's important that they at least drink at least a little each day. Carefully monitor your cat's intake and output, and contact a veterinarian if her eating habits don't return to normal after the move.
6. Prevent carsickness as much as possible. Talk to your veterinarian about prescribing a medication, and discuss ways you can minimize sickness.
7. Carry baby wipes and paper towel in case of accidents. They can happen, especially while your cat is under stress.
8. Carry blankets or bath towels in the car. Keep one at the bottom of the carrier so your cat will feel more comfortable. Use another to cover the carrier -- to provide a warmer environment and to calm an anxious kitty, especially while driving through busy cities.
9. Give your pets a room to themselves. When you arrive at your new home, put your cat in this room with her things, and let her get used to the new environment. Stay a while, talk to your cat and comfort her. Surround her with familiar objects and scents. Once you have settled in, she can have access to the rest of the house.

 What have you done to make your pets more comfortable during travel, and to keep them safe?

Are Siamese Cats at Risk for Health Problems?

As much as I would like to say we Siamese are perfect in every way, there is something you should know about us. Yes, even we are not immune to health problems. There are two defects that are common in the Siamese cat; read Rena Sherwood's article about "Siamese Cats: Common Health Problems" to learn what they are.

~

"Siamese cats are the most popular shorthaired purebred cat. But those beautiful blue eyes and graceful long bodies come at a price...

...Breeders are trying to breed out these health problems, but they may show up after a cat has already been bred."

--continue reading--

Using Essential Oils for Flea Control in Cats

Commercial flea and tick control methods cannot be healthy for your cat; so instead, why not try essential oils for flea control in your pets.

Introduction

Outdoor cats are especially prone to fleas and ticks, although indoor cats can get them from an animal that has been outdoors. They are an annoying problem, especially when they start to bite your pet. Kitty will start to scratch the infected area, which may eventually begin to become irritated and start to bleed. So what’s there to do? Get rid of the problem with flea repellents, of course.


The Problems With Chemical Based Products

The problem with commercial repellents is that they contain harsh chemicals that may cause health problems in your cat. There is not a shortage of chemical based products available over-the-counter, from flea and tick collars to sprays, and even topical drops. However, these products have been found that in large enough doses can cause breathing problems, tremors, vomiting, skin irritations, permanent nerve damage and even death.

Some pets may experience hair loss and sores from flea collars, or where the topical drops have been applied--besides, the chemical fumes released by these products can harm everyone in the house, including you. These toxic drugs can also cause severe skin rashes, loss of hair, epileptic seizures, brain damage... And the list goes on. But could there be a better way to rid your cat of these tiny pests?

Types of Essential Oils for Flea Control

Maybe you have heard that essential oils can control fleas in cats. How effective are they, really? They are nearly as effective as commercial products, and they are much safer. There are several types of essential oils to choose from:

• citronella
• cedar
• peppermint
• rosemary
• eucalyptus
• lemongrass
• lavender 

 How to Use Essential Oils for Flea Control 

• Begin by dropping ten to twenty drops of an essential oil of your choice into a dark-colored, pint-sized glass bottle, along with distilled water. You can mix or match. Shake well before each use.
• Mist the cat before going anywhere, to avoid picking up fleas from another animal.
• Spray the area where you set up the crate or pen at shows. The fleas will avoid you and find another cat to bite.
• Keep the squirt bottle by the door so you can mist your cat before letting her outside, and once she returns.
• For longer term control, place a few drops of oil onto a cotton collar, and renew the oil whenever the aroma begins to fade.
• Place a few drops of oil onto your palms, rub them together, and apply it to your cat’s coat from her neck to the tail base.
• You can also use the solution to soothe your cat after getting bit by flies.

Conclusion

Because many of these plants produce oils that repel insects, they work well to keep insects away from humans and their pets, as well. They are all-natural, mild, and they will leave your pet’s coat looking fresh and healthy. Unlike toxic chemicals, these oils are nature’s own repellents that help with getting rid of fleas. So ditch the Frontline and go natural. Your cat will appreciate its fresh scent more than the harsh, smelly chemicals you use now.

Me -- Loki -- free of fleas.

References:
Essential Oils for Fleas and Ticks
Aromatherapy for Dogs: Tick and Flea Control 


**Note: If your cat begins to show signs of an allergic reaction to the oils, discontinue use immediately and consult with your veterinarian.**

Exploring...

I was left home alone this weekend...again. The people were talking about an "Easter", or something. They took the dog along, as usual, and left me alone with a pile of toys and enough food to last for several days.

I can always tell when they are about to leave me. They pack a bunch of bags, and I try to hide in the suitcase, but they always find me. They get the pink carrier out and put all the dog's things into a bag. I try to hide in there, too, but it never works out.

Oh, well. We Siamese cats can take care of ourselves. And we don't much enjoy traveling, anyway.

They left, and I waited for a while for them to come back, but they didn't, and night came. So, I slept and played with the toys, ate a little, and they still didn't come back.

I was soooo bored...

Hah! Can't get me now...

So I decided to explore. I found this neat place that I can get to by hopping onto the counters, then onto the fridge. From there, it's a piece of cake.

Mom and Dad were none too impressed when they finally came home. They yelled at me to get down, but they can't reach me up here. Don't worry - I can get down when I'm ready.

This morning, I wanted to take a quick snooze up there, but they saw me just as I was leaping up. I tried to hurry, but in the process, my paws slipped and there I was...dangling from the fridge, caught like a deer in headlights. Humiliated, I slunk away and hid in a box until they forgot about the whole incident.

I think I'll wait until they are both gone to try that again....

Paws and kisses,
Loki

The Siamese Kitten: What to Expect

The development of an energetic kitty into an elegant Siamese cat...

I was a pretty cute kitteh, I'll admit. See for yourself. Other than that, I don't remember much of the life I had before my new people took me away from mama cat.

At eight weeks old, I weighed about a pound and a half and by ten weeks, I was up to two whole pounds. From then on, I started gaining about a pound a month. Don't worry, though - I stopped growing long before I hit adulthood. I keep a good eye on my figure.

I was an energetic little feline back then. Don't get me wrong! I was a little nervous in my new surroundings. It took a while to adjust to this new life, but now I practically run the place.

Although, after about a month, I wasn't so sure where my place was. See, my parents brought another creature into the mix. They called it a puppy - well, they have all kinds of names for her: honey, sweetie...Mila. I wasn't so fond.

Nearly a year later, I've gotten used to the little critter running around, although she is a bit of a nuisance at times. We are the epitome of that saying: "fighting like cats and dogs". I love her to pieces, and we do get along at times, but most of the time, she likes to play too rough.

One of our better days.

At more than a year old, I weigh somewhere between eight and ten pounds. I'm not positive, though, since my parents don't keep a scale around here. But I eat good quality food, and the vet says I'm perfectly healthy. So I'm chill about it. The life of the Siamese cat is pretty great.

Until next time.

Paws and kisses,
Loki

A little background

Hey, it's me - Loki - just checkin' in. But of course, you knew that. As y'all know, I'm a beautiful, elegant Siamese. But, you knew that too, I'm sure.

Just in case, though, I'll clue you in to the great applehead Siamese cat. We usually have soft, gorgeous white hair that covers our delicate frame (which is perfectly proportioned, by the way), with a little bit of silver to mask our faces, paws and tails. Okay, well, we Blue Points have silver, anyway. Those silly Seal Points have more like, er, charcoal coloring.

We also love to talk. We are very social creatures, as I'm sure you've figured out. That, naturally, is why my blog is called "Siamese Social Time".

Well, I don't want to talk your ear off too early on, so I'll let you go about your business. But be sure to check in when you can. You can even subscribe to me - check out the column on the right side of my blog.

Paws and kisses,
Loki