Tag Archives: cat toys

Cat Care, General Care, General Health

Caring For A Grouchy Cat

It’s Grouch Day! This occasion was made to honor the iconic Oscar the Grouch, but it turns out that many kitties also fit the bill. We certainly have had our fair share of grumpy cats! A Roanoke, VA vet discusses caring for a cranky furball below.

Get Fluffy Checked

If you aren’t sure why your kitty is a little ball of rage, take her to the vet for an exam. You want to rule out medical issues, as there is always a chance that Fluffy is acting out due to pain or illness caused by a health issue.

Offer Safe Targets

It’s important for Fluffy to have things that she can safely take her aggression out on. Make sure that your kitty has plenty of toys to bite, scratch, and kick. It’s also a good idea to play with your feline buddy regularly. Use toys that you can control from a safe distance, such as laser pointers and remote-controlled mice. Your furry friend will (hopefully) be calmer after she’s burned off her zoomies.

Causes

Cats can act up for many different reasons. Take a close look at Fluffy’s living situation, and see if you can find any clues. Does your feline pal have nothing to do but stare at the walls all day? Boredom or loneliness may be the source of her frustration. Have you recently adopted another pet? Jealousy and/or a territorial dispute could be the issue. Kitties that were neglected or abused may simply be acting out of fear. A protective furball may actually be enraged that the neighbor’s cat has once again intruded onto her yard, but is taking her anger out on you.

Don’t Punish Fluffy

Never punish your furry buddy for lashing out. We know, it’s never fun getting bitten or scratched. However, cats don’t understand the concept of punishment. Fluffy won’t know why you’re upset, and could feel threatened. That will only make matters worse! When she acts up, just leave her alone and let her cool down.

Don’t Force Attention

Cats often lash out when they feel threatened. Never corner your feisty feline, and don’t pick her or pet her against her wishes. Always let Fluffy decide when she wants to cuddle.

As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we’re dedicated to offering great care. Please reach out to us for all of your kitty’s veterinary care needs.

Cat Care, General Care

International Cat Day

International Cat Day is coming up August 8th. Kitties around the world will be more than happy to get some extra attention, and perhaps a special gift or two. If you have kids, you may want to take full advantage of this cute holiday. International Cat Day can be both fun and educational! A Roanoke, VA vet lists a few things you can do to celebrate below.

Treats

No animal holiday is complete without some special treats! Fluffy can have store-bought goodies, but she may also appreciate some plain tuna in water, or perhaps some shredded deli meat. Don’t give her any milk, though: despite all of those iconic pictures of cats drinking milk, most of our feline pals can’t digest dairy.

Toys

Kitties are very playful, which is one reason they’re just so much fun to have around. Pick up some new toys for the furball. Or, better yet, have the kids make Fluffy something. You’ll find some great ideas online!

Photo Session

You can never have too many adorable pictures of kids or cats. Kids and cats together? Even better! Snap some cute pictures of your feline buddy. You can play around with different filters and effects after. Frame your favorite. Or, start a collage, and add to it every year.

Box Castle

If there’s two things we know about cats, it’s that they love boxes and are convinced that they are superior beings. Have your youngsters make Fluffy her own box castle. This can be very simple: you can just cut a door and ‘windows’ out of a single box. Or, you can incorporate several boxes, and create features like towers and turrets.

Art

Creativity and the arts are just wonderful for children: they really help kids learn to express themselves. Have your little ones do something fun in honor of Fluffy. They can write a poem or story, draw a picture, or even sing a song about her.

Story Time

There’s no shortage of cute tales about our feline pals. Look into some of the myths and stories about Fluffy, and choose a cat-centric bedtime story from around the world.

Movie Night

Movie nights are purrfect for cuddling cats! Pick a feature that features a feline. Puss In Boots is a good bet.

Please reach out if ever we can be of assistance. As your Roanoke, VA animal clinic, we’re here to help!

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, General Health

7 Ways To Keep Your Cat Happy and Healthy

Cats are very cute and lovable pets, and they have many charming qualities that have helped them earn places in our homes and hearts, as well as on our laps. One great thing about these cuddly little furballs is the fact that they are quite easy to care for. However, they aren’t completely independent. Fluffy needs good TLC in order to thrive. Here, a Roanoke, VA vet discusses keeping kitties happy, healthy, and purring.

Good Food

Proper nutrition will go a long way towards keeping your cute pet in good health. Offer Fluffy the best pet food you can afford. Treats are fine, but don’t go overboard. If your feline pal becomes obese, she could develop some very serious health issues!

Clean Litterbox

While cleaning litterboxes isn’t the best part of having a kitty, it is necessary. We recommend scooping daily, and changing the litter every week or so.

Beds

You may have noticed that cats are rather tired. Apparently, looking cute and doing nothing is really exhausting! Offer your sleepy furball plenty of comfy napping spots. Store-bought beds are great, but Fluffy probably won’t turn her nose up at a soft pillow or blanket in a box.

Playtime!

Cats are hunters by nature, so they are more or less wired to pounce and jump on things. Take time to play with Fluffy every day! Also, make sure she has plenty of things she can play with by herself when you’re out.

Stimulation

You may not think boredom is much of a problem for kitties. However, cats can get irritable, lonely, and unhappy with nothing to do, especially when they are home alone. Fluffy will appreciate having lots of nooks and crannies to explore. Pet furniture is great, but boxes, paper bags, and newspaper tunnels will also work. Kitties also like looking out windows, so offer your furry little voyeur a comfy spot with a good view.

Veterinary Care

It’s probably safe to say that Fluffy would rather take a nap than come visit us, but don’t be swayed. Proper veterinary care is crucial for your cat’s health! Follow your vet’s recommended appointment schedule.

Love

Love is the magic ingredient in any pet care routine. Pay lots of attention to Fluffy, and make sure she feels loved!

Please contact us, your Roanoke, VA vet clinic, anytime. We offer great veterinary care!

Cat Care, General Care

DIY Cat Toys

Did you know that playing is beneficial to your cat, both mentally and physically? Kitties can get bored and unhappy with nothing to do all day. Making sure Fluffy has plenty of toys is very important! You don’t have to break the bank buying cat toys, however. There are lots of great playthings you can make your feline buddy. Making cat toys is also a great rainy-day project for kids. A Roanoke, VA vet lists some cute DIY kitty toys below.

Catnip Mice

For the easy version of this, just take some baby socks, stuff them with catnip, and sew the openings shut. Voila! If you want something a bit more involved, you can use patterns to create specific shapes. Add felt ears and pipe-cleaner whiskers if you like!

Toilet Paper Roll

You can do quite a bit with the cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towels. Cut them into rings, and assemble them into small balls. Then, put some catnip in the middle. Or, put some treats inside the roll, and then fold the corners into an ‘envelope.’ You can also just cut narrow strips into the ends, then fold them back. Look online for more options.

Cardboard Mouse

In just a few minutes, you can turn a piece of cardboard into a little ‘mouse’ for your kitty to bat around. Trace an outline of a mouse shape, and cut it out. To add depth, glue two together, or make a little ‘fin’ section out of another piece of cardboard.

Puzzle Toy

Take the tube from a can of potato chips. You can peel off the label or cover the can with contact paper. Another option is to glue thick wrapping or parcel paper onto it. Be sure to make the edges neat, so the lid still fits! Then, use a round object to trace circles onto the tube. Cut the circles out with an X-acto knife. Drop a catnip mouse into the tube, close the lid, and tell your feline pal not to use it. She’ll immediately start playing with it!

Pipe Cleaner Kitty Toy

It doesn’t get much simpler than this. Take two pipe cleaners, and twist them into a little ball shape. Just be sure there are no sharp parts sticking out! Presto!

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

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!

Cat Care, General Care

4 Cute Ways to Spoil Your Cat

Kitties are very popular pets, and with good reason. Fluffy is not only super cute, she’s also very lovable and cuddly, not to mention entertaining. She’s also quite an easy keeper! Giving your feline buddy good food, a clean litterbox, and regular veterinary care will see to her most essential needs. But what does it take to really pamper a cat? Read on as a Troutville, VA vet lists some super cute ways to spoil your feline friend.

Kitty Garden

We recommend that cats live indoors, as they are both safer and healthier as indoor pets. However, you can still give your furball a taste of nature. Set out some pet-safe plants for Fluffy, so she can peek out at you from behind green leaves and pretend she is a ferocious predator. Just be sure to only choose non-toxic plants. You can find a full list at the ASPCA website here.

Vertical Space

Kitties can’t see very much from floor level, so they often like to climb to higher vantage points to get a better look at their kingdoms. Consider getting Fluffy a cat tower, so she can peer down at her domain. This will also provide Fluffy with a napping spot, a jungle gym, and a manicure station. Your furry friend may also enjoy some wall-mounted furniture, like kitty shelves or a catwalk.

Playthings

Playing is very important to your kitty’s health and well-being. A fun play session will not only get Fluffy off the couch and moving, it will also provide her with beneficial mental stimulation. Classic pet toys, like catnip mice, are fine, but you can also offer your furball a cute modern toy, like a robotic mouse. Offer Fluffy a variety of playthings, and see what she likes best. We also recommend playing with your cat regularly. It will be fun for you both!

Love and Cuddles

We may like to joke about how Fluffy is cold and calculating, but the truth is, kitties are really very emotional, and form very strong bonds with their human pals. Spend time with your feline buddy every day, and pay lots of attention to her. Purrs and kitty kisses are both truly precious gifts in our book!

Please contact us, your Troutville, VA veterinary clinic, with any questions or concerns about your cat’s health or care. We’re dedicated to providing excellent care!