Tag Archives: cat scratching post

Cat Care, General Care

Creating a Catio

Do you have a screened porch or patio? If so, you’ve got a perfect spot for a catio! Our feline friends are definitely much safer staying indoors, where they are protected from hazards like weather, predators, traffic, and chemicals. However, they do enjoy getting some fresh air and watching butterflies, birds, and squirrels. Why not give Fluffy the best of both worlds? Read on as a Roanoke, VA vet offers some great tips on making your furry buddy a catio.

Plants

Many of our feline pals love to nibble on plants. Just be sure to choose pet-safe options. If you like potted trees, you can get an Areca palm, a Ponytail palm, a rubber tree, or a money tree. Ferns are also safe, and look great. If you have a brown thumb, you may want to get something hardy, like a spider plant or cast iron plant. African violets and hibiscus are good for pops of color. You can also add some herbs, like thyme, rosemary, and basil. (Bonus: you’ll also have fresh ingredients for cooking.) Catnip is also a must, of course. Check the ASPCA website here for a full list of toxic and non-toxic plants.

Furniture

No catio is complete without some kitty furniture. A cat tower is a great option here! Your cute pet will gain a napping spot, a jungle gym, and a nail-care station, as well as a place to sunbathe and spy on local wildlife. You can also get Fluffy some soft beds, scratching posts, or even a kitty fountain. For extra purrs, plant some cat grass in a shallow storage tote or an old litterbox. Once it’s grown in, your feline buddy will have her own little ‘lawn’ to look smug on. Don’t forget to add a few pieces for yourself! You may find that your kitty’s catio is a great spot for reading, chatting on the phone, or drinking coffee.

Toys

Don’t forget to add a few toys for Fluffy! You may want to opt for plastic or rubber playthings, though. Catnip mice and other fuzzy/fluffy toys will soon get dusty and rained on. You can also try a mechanical ‘swimming’ fish, or a remote-controlled mouse. This is also a good spot to keep a laser pointer on hand.

Is your furry friend due for an exam, vaccinations, or parasite control? Contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, today!

Cat Care, General Care

Respect Your Cat Day

Did you know that March 28th is Respect Your Cat Day? We know, our feline pals demand respect every day. However, while indulging your cat with catnip mice is great, the best way to show your kitty proper respect is to simply make sure that her needs are being met. A local Roanoke, VA vet offers tips on how to do that in this article.

Toys

Although your furry friend will spend a rather excessive amount of time snoozing, she can’t sleep all the time. Make sure your feline buddy has plenty of entertainment options for when she is awake. It’s also important to offer your kitty something to watch. A window seat with a good view is purrfect.

Facilities

Make sure to keep your four-legged friend’s powder room nice and clean. Cats hate dirty bathrooms! We recommend scooping the litterbox out daily, and changing the litter thoroughly every week.

Veterinary Care

We recommend that all kitties be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and kept current on vaccinations and parasite control. Most cats should see the vet for wellness care at least once a year, once they are fully grown. It’s also important to watch for signs of sickness. Fluffy often tries to hide signs of illness, so you may not notice anything until she is quite sick. Call your vet immediately if you notice anything amiss.

Purrniture

Kitties love to explore little nooks and crannies. Get Fluffy some pet furniture with small spaces she can hide in. Cat towers are great as well, as they offer our feline friends scratching posts, jungle gyms, napping spots, and lookout points, all in one.

Comfort

As you may have noticed, cats are rather fond of napping. In fact, sleeping is probably Fluffy’s favorite pastime. Make sure your kitty has plenty of comfy bed and napping spots to snuggle up in. (Of course, your cute pet may ignore her bed and sleep in a shoebox, but that’s beside the point.)

Keeping Kitty Content

Cats may have a reputation for being cold and aloof, but at the end of the day, they can be very affectionate. Pay lots of attention to your furball. Talk to her, play with her, and let her snuggle up with you when she wants.

Please contact us, your local Roanoke, VA pet clinic, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!

Behavior, Cat Care, General Care

Fluffy’s Scratching Habit

Do you sometimes find your cat using your sofa as a nail-care station? Is your kitty slowly shredding your carpets and furniture? Kitties have many adorable habits, but their nail-care routines aren’t always very popular with their human buddies. Read on as a local Roanoke, VA vet discusses Fluffy’s scratching habit.

Why Kitties Scratch

Even if your feline friend looks tremendously pleased with herself after scratching your sofa, she isn’t deliberately trying to ruin your things. Cats have a strong, instinctive urge to take care of their claws, and with good reason. In the wild, kitties need their claws for survival. Although your pampered pet may never need to hunt for her dinner, climb a tree to escape a predator, or defend herself against anything but the vacuum cleaner, she’ll still feel driven to sharpen her claws.

Choosing A Peticure Station

If you want your furry little diva to stop scratching your things, you’ll need to provide her with a suitable nail-care station. Choose something that is tall enough to allow Fluffy to stretch out to her full length. Make sure it doesn’t wobble: if your furball’s scratching post isn’t sturdy, she may become wary of it and stop using it.

Teaching Good Habits

If you just tell Fluffy not to scratch your couch, you’ll probably just get a yawn and a meow in reply. What you’ll need to do is get your cat to form a bad association with improper scratching and a good association with her scratching post. When you see your kitty scratching improperly, do something that will startle and/or annoy her: make a loud noise, squirt her with water, or stamp your foot. Your furball will probably bolt for a quieter spot. When you see Fluffy using her scratching post, reward her with toys, treats, praise, and ear scritches.

Last Resorts

If you aren’t having any luck, contact your vet to set up a nail-trim appointment for Fluffy. This is painless and temporary, just like a human manicure. Claw caps are another option. These cute fake nails for kitties come in many bright colors. Like nail trims, they are also painless and temporary. (Note: we don’t recommend these options for cats that go outdoors, as they need their claws for defense.)

Please contact us, your local Roanoke, VA pet hospital, for all of your cat’s veterinary care needs. We are here to help!