Will our lovely cat be OK while we’re away?
OUR five-year-old tabby cat Bella is really attached to me and my wife, she’s a joy to live with. We’re going away for Christmas and are looking for a pet sitter. What should we look out for and what else should we do to keep her happy?
IT’S great to hear you are looking for a cat sitter, as Bella will likely prefer to stay at home rather than go to a strange and unfamiliar place, where she could feel quite stressed or end up in a territorial fight with another cat. It’s important to meet pet sitters face-to-face to see how you – and most importantly Bella – get on with them. When you go away, leave as much detail as possible about her daily routine, and her likes and dislikes. It’s really important to include details of your vet and a letter authorising any treatment while you’re away, in case Bella has an accident or becomes ill. Make sure that pet-sitters have your contact details too. Finally, don’t change anything else in the home as familiar smells will remind Bella of you.
WE recently bought a Labradoodle puppy. She’s four months old and chews everything. How can we stop her from chewing on the Christmas tree? CHRISTMAS brings hidden – and not so hidden – hazards into our homes. Christmas trees can be a big draw for inquisitive pets, with shiny decorations and bright lights grabbing their attention. But sharp tree needles can get stuck in their mouths, noses and eyes. Decorations and fairy lights can also be dangerous if they are broken or chewed and could require surgery if swallowed. Training
classes are a great way to teach commands such as ‘come’ and ‘leave’ to puppies at any time of year but, in the meantime, it’s worth keeping decorations well out of reach. If there are chocolates wrapped under the tree, move these to a safe place as they are toxic to dogs.
ONE of my cats constantly sprays and urinates throughout the house. This has never been a problem with my other cats. I’m forever cleaning up and having to buy new furnishings. What can I do?
YOUR cat’s spraying could be due to stress or
anxiety, or they may be trying to mark out their territory. Cats are naturally solitary animals, and living with other cats can cause stress – of which spraying is a common symptom It’s important that the cats aren’t fighting over resources, such as litter trays and food bowls. There should be at least one of each per cat, plus one extra, spread around your home to avoid clashes. Cat urine also has a particularly lingering odour, scrupulous cleaning might be necessary to break the cycle. Once clean and dry, try placing a bowl of food in the area – this might deter cats from spraying. Professional help from a pet behaviourist may help, so it might be worthwhile discussing this with your vet. Neutering may reduce spraying behaviours.