The Purrfect Guide to Thinking Like a Cat Read online

  320.MEDICATION

  Drugs are commonly used to attack the tissue of the gland and to reduce the amount of hormone produced. Blood tests need to be done to get the right dose. Most often, medication takes the form of tablets, but in some countries a gel is available to put on the skin of the ear.

  321.TABLETS

  These drugs are generally cheap and easily available. On the downside, they can cause complications in a small number of cats. These issues include skin reactions, vomiting, and sometimes anemia.

  322.SURGERY

  Surgery can be done to remove one or both glands. It is not very invasive surgery, but all surgeries carry a risk. Your vet may want to stabilize your cat on medications before operating to make the process safer.

  323.COMPLICATIONS

  One serious possible complication of surgery is damage to some of the parathyroid glands—tiny glands that lie close to the thyroid glands themselves. These control calcium in the blood, and damage to them can be serious.

  324.RADIOACTIVE IODINE

  One treatment has radioactive iodine injected under the skin. It is taken up by the blood and into the glands, and the radiation kills the thyroid tissue.

  325.HOSPITALIZATION

  Only special centers are allowed to do this treatment because of the radiation. Normally, your cat will need to stay in treatment for up to 15 days, depending on the center, until the radiation is out of its system. A small number of cats will get low thyroid levels afterward and may need supplements.

  326.LOW-IODINE DIET

  A medical diet that is very low in iodine can be used to manage many cats. On the plus side, there are no side effects, you don’t need to give medication, and you have to feed your cat anyway.

  327.CONS

  If your cat eats elsewhere as well, the change in diet may not be effective. A cat in treatment won’t be allowed any other foods or treats. It’s very important that you do not feed your cat other food if your cat is on thyroid medication.

  328.CANCER

  In some rare cases, the tumor in the thyroid gland is malignant. These cases have a much worse outlook. Your vet will be able to discuss options if this arises.

  329.OUTLOOK

  Many cats as well as humans do very well on a thyroid management program and have long and normal lives afterward. Please don’t leave your cat untreated. Being hyperthyroid is very unpleasant at best, and at worst, deadly.

  SENIOR HEALTH CHECKS

  330.EARLY DETECTION

  As you will have realized from lots of these health tips, there are many diseases that are best addressed early. There are also plenty that don’t show signs until the disease is fairly advanced.

  331.INTERNATIONAL CAT CARE GUIDELINES

  This brilliant welfare organization has very good guidelines for many things. Their screening guidelines are often updated, and they give a clear guide to the best practices for picking up early signs of possible problems. Good screening includes the following:

  332.SCREENING #1: ADULT SCREENING

  When your cat is a young adult, up to the age of 7 years, you should arrange to have an annual health check, including weight monitoring and a full physical examination.

  333.SCREENING #2: MATURE CATS

  Cats are considered mature from 7 to 10 years of age, which is comparable to around 44 to 58 in human years. At this stage, cats should have annual health checkups, and the checkup should include a blood-pressure check as well as a urine sample, to make sure that urine is normal and to see how dilute it is.

  334.SCREENING #3: SENIOR CATS

  Cats are considered senior from 11 to 14 years of age, comparable to around 60 to 74 in human years. This age group should have a health and blood-pressure check anywhere from every 6 months to annually. A urine sample and a basic blood profile should be done annually. Blood and urine tests are excellent ways to detect disease early on.

  335.SCREENING #4: GERIATRIC CATS

  Geriatric cats are 15 to 20 or more years old. This is comparable to around 76 to 100 or more human years. These cats should have a health check every 3 to 6 months, blood pressure and urine tests every six months, and an annual blood test.

  336.SCREENING #5: GOLD STANDARD

  Of course, this is a gold standard. Not everyone can afford these tests, and not all cats are amenable to it all! The reason for stating the ideal number of health checks is that if you do as many as you and your cat can manage, you will be ahead of the game when it comes to prolonging your cat’s life.

  AGING GRACEFULLY

  337.AGING GRACEFULLY

  With old age come changes, and cats show many different behaviors related to their later years. They may take longer to move around, may sleep more, and may increase or decrease contact with you.

  338.PHYSICAL AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES IN OLD AGE

  Hearing can diminish, and eyesight can be affected by medical conditions, such as high blood pressure. This can affect how cats perceive their world. Owners often notice physical changes, such as the cats’ slower movements upon rising, but forget that the cats’ emotions and behaviors are also impacted.

  339.MENTAL AGILITY

  Older cats are capable of learning new things but may need additional patience, for example, when learning new locations, if you have moved to a new house, or when getting used to changes in your lifestyle, such as a new pet or baby.

  340.GROOMING

  Grooming is so important to cats, but an older cat spends less time grooming and will need help from you to keep the coat in good condition. Be gentle and ensure your cat enjoys this.

  341.HOUSE SOILING

  An older cat may need to relieve itself more frequently or may not be able to access the litter box quickly, so ensure the cat can reach a place to relieve itself without having to climb or jump to this location. An older cat may avoid going outside in colder or wet weather, so add a litter box indoors.

  342.A YOUNGER COMPANION?

  You may add another cat to the family, but your older cat needs careful consideration. An elderly cat may not like being bounced on by a kitten! Your older cat may not appreciate having to share space, especially if it has not lived with another cat in the past or if it is usually a little timid.

  343.OUT AND ABOUT

  In retirement, some cats still love to hunt and roam, where others prefer nothing more than to lounge in a warm patch of sunshine. Allow your cat to find favorite places, and perhaps provide a ramp to climb to places once jumped to. Help your cat reach up and down in this way.

  344.FELINE COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION

  As a cat’s brain deteriorates with age, brain capacity can also diminish. Many medical conditions can also give the same symptoms, so get your cat checked at the vet as soon as you suspect senility.

  345.CDS SYMPTOMS

  If suffering Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), the cat may get trapped in corners, forgetting where the litter box is and relieving itself elsewhere. Your cat may not groom properly, may experience time disorientation, or changes to sleeping and waking cycles, and may sometimes exhibit aggression.

  346.CRYING AT NIGHT

  A common sign is for your older cat to cry at night or when you leave the room, yowling in distress. This reflects confusion about previously well-known household routines. This can disrupt your sleep, too, so do ask your vet for help.

  347.MANAGING SENILITY

  Aim to keep to existing routines, and look out for distress signs, such as yowling or sudden aggression. Your old cat will sleep very deeply and may not hear your attempts to rouse it, so go gently.

  348.BRAIN FOOD

  Some companies make foods rich in antioxidants, which help to reduce the signs of cognitive decline. Talk to your vet about whether one of these foods, or a dietary supplement, would suit your cat.

  349.ACTIVITY CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS

  Try enriching your cat’s environment with activity toys, introduced gradually, such as puzzle feeders that force the cat to forage and use its brain t
o work out how to gain the food inside. If your cat enjoys your company, spend a little more time together.

  350.SEVERE DEMENTIA

  Some cats suffer severely with any change in routine, causing them to become more stressed, which in turn worsens the symptoms of cognitive decline. Try to keep routines as similar as possible.

  351.DEALING WITH LOSS

  Should your elderly cat pass away, be aware that your other pets need time and space for grieving. Prepare for pets to have extra support to recover from the loss. Provide nicer food, extra play sessions, and other activities in the early days and weeks.

  SAYING GOODBYE

  352.INEVITABLE

  We have amazing medical and surgical expertise nowadays, just as in human medicine, but sadly, death is inevitable. At least for our pets, we can offer a dignified end.

  353.HEARTBREAK

  Every owner who has ever said goodbye to a beloved pet will have felt the heartbreak that this brings. Many also experience feelings of guilt because it is their decision.

  354.TALK

  This can dwell in your thoughts for months, so make sure you talk to your family and friends as well as your veterinary team. It is an important job to help you through this time.

  355.ULTIMATE KINDNESS

  You make your cat’s life as great as you can. Allowing your cat a pain-free death and an end to suffering is the ultimate kindness you can offer.

  356.GOING PEACEFULLY

  Many owners wish their cats would pass away quietly in their sleep. Sadly, it is very rare for natural deaths to happen this way. If you wait for this, you may well cause suffering to your cats.

  357.KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT

  Try to find out what will actually happen if and when your cat is put to sleep. Many owners dread or fear this stage, but if you know what to expect, you will cope much better because you will be at least partly mentally prepared.

  358.HOME OR AWAY

  Everyone should have the right to manage euthanasia as wanted or needed. If you’d like your cat to be at home in a familiar place with as many, or as few, people as you want, don’t be afraid to ask. There are specific vets who will be able to accommodate your wishes.

  359.SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

  Some owners are desperate to stay with their pets at the end, but many wish to remember them as they were or simply can’t face the prospect of staying. This is YOUR choice, and no one will think any less of you whatever you decide.

  360.HELPFUL INFORMATION

  There are a variety of online resources available to give you help and advice when the time comes. You can find out what will actually happen when your cat is put to sleep. If you’re worried about staying, this may help you decide.

  361.BURIAL

  Depending on where you live, you may have the choice of burying your cat in the yard or garden if you’d like to. An owner may like to know that the cat is there, perhaps in the spot where the cat always chose to lie in the sunshine.

  362.CREMATION

  Almost every vet will offer a cremation service, individual or communal. An individual cremation is done on an individual basis, and you will have the choice of having your cat’s ashes. If you choose a normal cremation, the crematorium will dispose of the ashes.

  363.MONEY MATTERS

  Like all things in life, death comes at a price. Talking about euthanasia costs, related billing, the timing of payments, and the costs of cremation can be very difficult for both you and your veterinary team. Discuss costs and settlement early on to avoid discussing these matters when you are upset.

  364.COPING

  Everyone grieves in different ways, and your vet will have seen every reaction, so don’t feel self-conscious about being upset. It will take time to get over, so be prepared for that.

  365.GRIEF COUNSELING

  In many countries, there are specialist services to help pet owners through grief. Ask your vet or go online if you are struggling to come to terms with the loss.

  366.REMEMBER THE GOOD TIMES

  This may sound silly, but in the weeks and months afterward, look at photos of your cat when younger, talk about the cat with friends and family, and think about the funny or cheeky things the cat did. Laughter and happiness are great antidotes to sadness.

  A CAT’S SENSES

  SIGHT

  367.DID YOU SEE THAT?

  Cats use their eyesight much like humans do, to focus on objects of interest and to convey information to the brain, which interprets it all to get ready for action. However, cats’ eyes are more suited to the purpose of hunting and tracking moving prey, or in some cases, moving toys!

  368.LOW LIGHT VISIBILITY

  Cats are crepuscular, meaning they hunt and are most active at dawn and dusk. They have six to eight times as many cells in their eyes for viewing objects in low light as humans do.

  369.MOVEMENTS

  A cat is much quicker to pick up movement, compared to a human. A cat’s eyesight is ideal for spotting a mouse sneaking around the edge of the room, or a bird hiding in a tree, or your feet walking down the stairs!

  370.CAN CATS SEE TELEVISION?

  The recent introduction of high-quality digital images on television means that cats find it much easier to see the screen. However, their color blindness means they don’t see the images in the same way as we do.

  TASTE AND TOUCH

  371.TASTE TEST

  Cats have taste buds rather like our own, but only approximately 470 compared to our 9,000 or so. Also, the ability to detect sweetness is not as well developed in cats as in humans.

  372.FOOD TEMPERATURE

  Cats want food at room temperature or preferably as warm as live prey. A dish directly taken from the refrigerator is too cool.

  373.TOUCH SENSITIVE

  Every cat likes different amounts of tactile contact. Some love to be stroked, and others find touch uncomfortable. Never assume that all cats enjoy petting.

  374.PETTING

  Allow the cat to approach you, and be cautious to observe body signals, such as the end of the tail flicking impatiently. A good rule is to stroke the cat for only a second or two, and then observe the reaction.

  375.STROKE ME MORE!

  If your cat enjoys your touch, it is likely to rub and push against you for more. Never insist that you continue if your cat does not do this. A cat is notoriously quick to tell you off if you overdo petting.

  SOUND

  376.SOUND SEEKING

  Cats have hearing that helps them navigate toward their goals, detecting and interpreting sound as it is funneled in the ears.

  377.HIGH PITCHES

  Cats detect many sounds that humans cannot, such as the scratching and squeaks of tiny vermin. This ability varies according to age, and loss of hearing in older cats or congenital hearing differences are common.

  378.HEARING RANGES

  Humans and cats have a similar range of hearing on the low end of their scales, but cats can hear up to 64 kHz in their upper range. This is a much higher sound than humans hear, and it’s even higher than the range a dog can detect.

  379.DEAF CATS

  Cats that cannot hear still make use of the other senses and still make excellent pets and family friends. Extra care must be taken, as deaf cats cannot hear outdoor hazards, such as traffic. Hereditary deafness is often related to white pigmentation and blue irises.

  SMELL AND SCENT MARKING

  380.A CAT’S SENSE OF SMELL

  Cats’ noses are renowned for their incredible sense of smell and their ability to detect and analyze many different scents, as well as differentiating between them. Cats use scent to determine territory, familiarity, and approachability.

  381.UNDERSTANDING OUR CATS

  Humans often fail to imagine how smells can help and hinder cats in our world, which is filled with a wide mixture of old, new, and different types of scent. Cats are strongly influenced by the scent landscape of their world.

  382.NOSE CONSTRUCTION

 
; A cat’s nose is delicately constructed, and a cat must never be forced to sniff or contact strong aromas.

  383.SCENT ANALYSIS

  A cat’s nasal cavity contains a rich supply of nerves, linking to the olfactory center in the brain. The vomeronasal organ, also known as the Jacobson’s organ, allows the analysis of scent, primarily pheromones carrying information about emotions and mating.

  384.PHEROMONES

  These substances communicate sexual factors, such as the cats’ maturity or whether females are in heat nearby, as well as information about marked territory or aggressive intent. Recently, pheromones have been artificially created in an effort to calm cats that are stressed.

  EATING AND DRINKING

  385.CHARACTERISTICS

  Cats have particular feeding habits, reflecting their natural instincts. They are not simply fussily rejecting the most expensive food you could find! Quite often, how often the cats eat, rather than what they are eating, is what matters.

  386.EATING ALONE

  Cats like to eat undisturbed. If your home has lots of cats, you need to keep plenty of feeding stations. You certainly need one per cat, with an extra one, too. This is true even if the cats all get along at other times!

  387.FINDING FOOD SOURCES

  Help your cat fulfill natural hunting instincts by placing food into puzzle toys that can be foraged, or allow the cat to hunt around for hidden goodies. This also allows your pet to feed sporadically, rather than having one or two big meals a day—something a cat usually does not like.