Oh, my goodness, you’d think we were starving her. This cat has become absolutely ravenous. One hour before feeding time, she is awake and asking for food. She is on an alarm system. No food until the alarm goes off. Period.

She’ll carry on for that last hour, being as obnoxious as she can. She’ll eat the spider webs off the broom. She will play with the wheels of my office chair.

When she does get fed, it’s like feeding time at the zoo. Munch! Munch! Smack! Smack! It actually grosses me out a bit. Then, she’ll have the audacity to hop up on the desk and belch right in front of me. Mommy’s little lady!

If I’m not on time with her dry food, she is on it, playing the obnoxious game. Then, it is time for her yummy. Heaven forbid, if I’m late.

It seems as if she has lost some weight, which is good. However, in place of my fat cat, I have a ravenous beast. I can’t wait until her body catches up with the changes in her diet.

Photo by patbain

Consequence of Weight Loss is a post from: Sophie's World

Our vet was great, giving Sophie lots of love while he conducted a thorough exam. I was expecting it, and we did get the fat cat talk. Sophie weighed in at 15.6 pounds. Dr. Bob wanted her to lose four pounds.

Sophie is a chartreux, a breed that is sometimes described as a potato with toothpick legs. The vet recommended Purina OM as a weight loss diet. I intend to pursue other avenues. I will not feed my cat a Purina product, much less one that is so contrary to feline biology. Cats eat meat, not fiber.

So, anyway, we’ve cut back on both her canned and dry food. We’re getting her moving some more with play and other activities. As the spring warms up, she’ll naturally be a bit more active with all the birds and wildlife.

We have a couple more options to try, because as Dr. Bob warned, we don’t want Sophie to become diabetic. I took his stern warning to heart. We’ll get rid of that potato body whatever it takes.

Get Rid of the Potato Body is a post from: Sophie's World

It behooves the responsible pet owner to spay their pet if they have no intention of breeding their animal. The risks are obvious if your pet is an outdoor animal. Even indoor pets are at risk. If the unthinkable happens and your pet bolts, the last thing you want is a litter of unplanned pets.

Today, the Humane Society reminds us to spay our pets. Yes, it is major abdominal surgery, but consider the alternative? As a pet owner, can you honestly feel no regrets about bringing unwanted pets into the world?

The humane societies of the country employ angels, true angels on Earth who take responsible for the care of unwanted pets. Please, don’t add to their burden Take your responsibility as a pet owner seriously and spay your pet.

Be a Responsible Pet Owner—Spay Your Pet is a post from: Sophie's World

Like people, dental health is important for your pet’s overall good health. Improving your pet’s dental health can be as easy as giving her a dental treat to break down bacteria in her mouth.

Of course, teeth cleaning that is more hands-on is better. Brushing your pet’s teeth or using an oral rinse are more effective. If you’re uncertain whether or not your pet will let you touch its mouth, try to get her used to your touch.

When she’s sleepy, trying playing with her lips and teeth. Teach her that she can trust you near her mouth. Pet toothpaste is often flavored with the things cats love like poultry. You may find your pet begging to have her teeth brushed!

All else aside, being able to handle your cat this way is another way that the two of you can bound. Your relationship becomes more special to you and your pet.

Give your pet the best possible care. That care begins at home.

February is Pet Dental Health Month is a post from: Sophie's World

Shelters are not to blame. Abandoned cats and dogs are a problem. Unfortunately, facilities, medical attention, and most importantly, homes, are just not available. The social nature of pets requires a caring relationship with an owner and a pet. A kenneled pet does not have that opportunity.

Shelter workers and volunteers are the angels of pet care. They take on the emotional burden of caring for animals that may not live. They are the ones rallying for support and dollars to give these abandoned animals some semblance of compassion. Most often the problems lies with the would-be owner.

Pet ownership is a responsibility. Being responsible for another creature’s life is no small task. It requires time, devotion, and yes, money, to be successful. It doesn’t matter whether the pet is spoil rotten, sleeping in bed with you, or if he is kept in a kennel outside until hunting season. Pet ownership requires participation.

This month, if a pet is in your future, consider an adopted pet. I took in an abandoned pet. My precious Sophie was an abandoned rural farm cat. She is the joy of my life, a very intelligent and loving pet. Not sure where to start looking? PetFinder lists pets in shelters and veterinary clinics across the country, all in need of a home. For all the benefits that pets provide, doesn’t it make sense to rescue an abandoned animal?

Photo by wsilver

October–Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is a post from: Sophie's World

The latest threat to pets comes from Virginia where a canine influenza outbreak is spreading. Dogs in four states have been affected. While no people have become sick, the potential exists. The virus is especially dangerous. Virtually every dog that is exposed becomes infected. While not all dogs will develop clinical symptoms, the virus has a morbidity rate of 80%. Certainly, with odds like that, disregard of simple preventive measures comes with a greater price.

During these tough economic times, it’s hard to make ends meet, much less not cut back. Your pet’s health is important, not only for your sake, but your family’s as well. Make preventive care a priority for your pet.

Photo by omniNate

Vaccinations Are Your Best Pet Insurance is a post from: Sophie's World

Daily cleaning of your cat’s litter box accomplishes a couple of things. First, you’re making the box more user friendly. If you think it’s unpleasant, imagine how your cat perceives it up close. Second, changes in your pet’s elimination can alert you to possible underlying conditions such as intestinal parasites or encounters with food or plants toxic to your pet. Finally, since most boxes are made of plastic which absorbs odors, the litter box should be replaced once a year.

Consider also the litter box placement. Can your cat get to the box easily? Is it near or in the line of household traffic? The best placement is an easily accessible area, away from household activities. Take care of your choice of litter. My last cat, Ruby, started inappropriate urination near our fireplace. It wasn’t until we made the connection of the cedar logs in the hearth and the cedar-based litter did the issue end.

Missing the litter box can also be a sign of disease. If nothing else has changed in the home, contact your vet. Running a urine sample can identify conditions such as an urinary tract infection, diabetes, or kidney issues. Many conditions can easily be treated with medication or a change in diet. As it is with most medical issues, early detection and treatment are best.

Having a cat is such a joy. A good relationship with your pet means monitoring her health and behavior. Changes in behavior are one way cats communicate issues needing attention.

What To Do When Your Cat’s Aim Is Off is a post from: Sophie's World

Thinking of pets as little people can have unforeseen consequences. For example, you’re enjoying a tasty meal. Fluffy and Fido are looking up at you with their big, brown eyes. What harm can a bit of meatloaf do? Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Dogs and cats evolved differently over time. Their physiology does not mirror people’s. Thus, they process foods differently.

You probably all know that chocolate is toxic to pets, dark chocolate especially. Other not-so-obvious food items can also be toxic. Avocados, onions, garlic, and chives can all cause gastro-intestinal distress. While we immediately associate cats and milk, cats can be lactose-intolerant. Feeding pets people foods containing xylitol, a sweetener found in bakery items and candy, can interfere with insulin release and possibly lead to liver failure.

While it’s often with only the best intentions, feeding your pet people food can cause serious harm to your pet. For your pet’s sake, stick to the dog or cat food.
Photo by avlxyz

Don’t Harm Your Pet With What You Eat is a post from: Sophie's World

Besides the misery of itching, fleas and ticks can carry other health risks such as tapeworms, tick-borne diseases, and in large amounts, blood loss in young and at-risk pets. Prevention is so much easier these days. A monthly application of a product like Frontline Plus is much easier than the alternative.

Imagine having to bathe your cat with a flea/tick shampoo? At the same time, you would be fogging the house so your cat wouldn’t get re-infested. Fogging is a messy business. All surfaces that come in contact with food must be covered. The entire household has to leave for four hours. Then, there’s the clean up afterward.

Oh, but wait, there’s more. Not only do you have to struggle through the process once, but it needs to be repeated in two to three weeks to kill the larvae of the eggs that just hatched. I think it’s easy to see that a monthly application is preferable.

Think of it like the prevention you take before taking a walk in the woods. Applying a repellent is just part of going outdoors. Besides, the comfort of your pet is foremost whether it’s spring or any other time of year. Prevention just makes good sense.
Photo by Topsoft

Spring Means Fleas and Ticks is a post from: Sophie's World

Flea and tick prevention has come a long way from the flea collar. In fact, flea collars don’t provide adequate prevention. Monthly treatments give your cat (or dog) superior protection by killing eggs before they hatch. Grocery store flea sprays do not. FrontLine is one such product.

Frontline is applied monthly. It is a topical application that is applied between the shoulder blades as close to the skin as possible. Once absorbed, fleas and ticks don’t stand a chance. Adult fleas will be gone within 24 hours.  Advantage is a similar product that acts just on fleas. Both products have cat and dog formulas. One important note: never use dog products on your cat. The results can be deadly.

The true advantage to these products is the ability to kill eggs. With the previous methods of flea control, the only way to rid your pet–and your home–of fleas was to use a flea dip, fog the house at the same time, dip the pet again in two weeks, fog the house again, and hope everything went well. Time consuming, stressful, and expensive. While Frontline and Advantage are not cheap, their benefits far outweigh the cost.

In Minnesota, we were seeing fleas as early as March last year. Flea and tick prevention should begin in the spring and go through the fall until the first hard freeze for optimal protection. Deer ticks which carry Lyme disease, are active in the fall.

Fleas and ticks are no fun for neither your pet nor you. Play it safe. Make flea and tick prevention a priority for your pet.

Flea and Tick Prevention For Your Cat is a post from: Sophie's World