Who’s Your Match?

Are you looking for a kitten or adult cat? There’s few things as cute as a frisky, fuzzy kitten. But they’re a bit more challenging than a mature cat. Kittens need to be watched constantly, they will chew electrical cords and tumble down stairs. Children may hurt them by overzealous playing or hugging. An adult will be more calm and sedate, but may take longer to adjust to a new environment. Cat or kitten, either will make a loving companion.

Pick a cat that fits your personality. In general, long-haired cats with rounder heads (eg., Persian, Maine Coon) are more laid back, while those with short hair and narrower heads (Siamese, Burmese) are typically more active and high strung. Male cats are usually more easy going, especially when neutered, and females are likely to be more timid and less accepting of other pets.

Bringing Your Kitty Home

Before you bring home your new kitty, you need to prepare for him or her. Cats are territorial and are very nervous and uneasy when coming into a new home, especially adult cats. They will want to explore their new environment, so for the first few days, put them in a small room such as a laundry room or bathroom. Put a litter box, food and water station, bed, a few cat toys and something to climb on. When accustomed to its new environment, you can let it explore the rest of the house while you are home. Soon your new cat will pick its favorite place to lounge—a windowsill, your favorite easy chair, a computer keyboard or your lap. That’s where it will spend 90% of the rest of its life.

Inside or Out?

Will you keep your cat inside your home or let it outside? Cats who are allowed to roam outside have a  shorter life expectancy. That’s due to other animals, diseases and motor vehicles. On the hand, inside-only cats tend to gain wait, get bored and may become irritable. Give them plenty of toys and interact with them often. Also, you might want them to experience both indoors and out: Cats can be trained (with patience) to walk on a leash or put them in a screened in sun room or porch where they can safely experience the outside world.

Health Care

Whether you opt for a male or female, long-haired or short-haired, inside or outside, kitten or cat, your new feline friend will need veterinary care. Cats require kitten vaccinations and annual boosters. You will need to get him or her spayed or neutered. They will require nail trims and dental care, as well as medical care for any conditions that may develop. Cats are notorious for hiding injuries and sickness. You will need to play detective and notice any changes in appetite, weight loss or gain, litterbox habits and general behavior. Take good care of your cat and you’ll be rewarded with many long years of loving companionship.

So if you have a little extra love to give this month, visit your local animal shelter and bring home a new forever friend. Then give Powell Veterinary Service a call to set up a meeting with your new kitty, and get it started on the right foot.

The post Is Your Home Lacking a Cat? first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.

Pumpkin for Pets

Pumpkin is a power food for your pets. Skip the stem, the skin and stringy gunk inside, but the flesh and even the seeds pack a powerful health punch. Here are 6 benefits pumpkin can provide your pets:

• Mashed pumpkin helps with regular digestion. Ironically, if your pet is constipated, or has diarrhea, a few teaspoons in his or her food will alleviate the symptoms.
• Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants and essential fatty acids that help moisturize your pet’s skin and fur. Also, the fiber found in mashed pumpkin can help move hairballs through your cat’s digestive system instead of being hacked up on your shoes or carpet. It can also help prevent hairballs from forming in the first place.
• The oils in pumpkin flesh and seeds may help with urinary problems such as bladder and kidney stones.
• Pumpkin contains high amounts of beta-carotene and Vitamin A for vision health and Vitamin C for joint health and to boost the immune system. It also contains minerals such as zinc, potassium, magnesium copper and iron, which are essential to your furry friend’s health and well-being.
• Pumpkin is loaded with antioxidants that can help prevent some cancers and help your pet stay young and vibrant.
• Pumpkin can also keep your cat or dog fit and trim. Pumpkin has few calories, and the fiber makes your pet feel fuller so he or she eats less.

Serving Up Pumpkin

Both pumpkin flesh and seeds are good for your pets, and you can either use fresh or canned. However, don’t use the canned pumpkin pie filling, which is loaded with sugar, fat, and spices, and don’t use the jack-o-lantern that has been sitting on your front porch for a week as it may contain mold or other organisms that can be harmful. You don’t need to overdo it. Just a couple of teaspoons daily will provide the health benefits you’re looking for.

If you opt to go the fresh route, cut off the top of your pumpkin and scoop out the gunk inside as if you were going to carve it. Save the seeds for roasting. Cut the pumpkin into large pieces, place skin-side up in a roasting pan with a half cup of water, and roast at 350 degrees for about an hour. Remove the skin and mash or puree the flesh.

Spread cleaned seeds evenly on a baking sheet, coat with cooking oil, and roast in a 375-degree oven for 5 or 10 minutes. You can serve them whole as a training treat or grind them up and to your pet’s food. Save a few for yourself. They’re delish.

After constantly being bombarded with warnings about what you shouldn’t feed your cat or dog, it’s nice to find a people-food that you actually should feed them. So give them a treat this Halloween, and any day thereafter.

Powell Veterinary Service wishes you and your furry friends a happy and safe Halloween.

The post It’s Always Pumpkin Season for Your Pets first appeared on Powell Veterinary Service.