by Nomi Berger
 
When is a cat’s nip more than a nip? When it’s a bite, intentional or not.
 
And bites to the hand can often be serious. Studies have shown that a shocking 80% of cat bites, even those that don’t bleed, become infected. The hand is one of the worst places to get bitten because the tendons and joints are very close to the surface of the skin and are therefore harder to treat if bacteria gets into the wound. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) says that a cat bite can even lead to permanent disability if not treated promptly.
 
Cat bites are twice as likely to become infected because their sharp teeth cause deep puncture wounds, injecting bacteria further inside them. Approximately 400,000 cat bites occur every year in this country, with 66,000 of them requiring trips to the emergency room.
 
Three out of four bite infections are due to Pasteurella Multocida, a bacteria that’s found in a cat’s mouth, and which, if left untreated, can cause cellulitis. Most people recover from cellulitis, but if severe enough, this bacterial skin infection can spread throughout the body and become life threatening.
 
Infections in the hand can destroy cartilage and prevent one’s fingers from moving in the future, while a chronic infection can destroy joints and bones, and lead to amputation. The bacteria can spread to the rest of the body and cause sepsis. If one’s immune system is compromised, other rare complications include bone or heart infections and meningitis. And since rabies, tetanus and other transmittable diseases can occur if the cat is a stray or a stranger, the best protection is keeping one’s tetanus shots current.
 
To reduce your risk of being bitten, it’s essential to understand why cats bite in the first place – including their instincts to hunt and play. Avoid picking up or reaching for cats you don’t know. Look for signs of anxiety or stress in your own cat and pay attention to the signals. But, if you do get a bite, wash it thoroughly with mild soap and rinse it with running water. Pat it dry and apply antibiotic ointment to the wound, then cover it with a clean bandage. Place some ice (an ice pack is best) on it to reduce the swelling, put pressure on the wound, and elevate it.
 
See your doctor as quickly as possible. You’ll likely be put on a regimen of antibiotics and receive a tetanus shot if yours is out of date, and possibly a rabies shot if your doctor thinks it’s necessary.
 
If you treat the wound promptly and seek medical attention swiftly, it’s unlikely that you’ll suffer any serious complications. But then, being prepared for a bite is one part of being an informed and responsible cat owner.

Guest Blog Article by Stephanie N. Blahut

Bringing a cat into your home—whether it’s a kitten or an adult cat—is an exciting time. There's a new furry member in your family, and you can't wait to bond with your latest addition! For your cat, however, it is a different experience. Your pet is being thrust into a completely different environment. It will instantly experience sensory overload: There are different people surrounding it, new smells throughout the entire space, and new sights to see. It's not surprising that it's a stressful and even scary time for your pet. So, it's important that you do your best to help your cat transition.
 
Here are a few tips to consider when welcoming a new cat into your home:
 
Start the transition during the trip home. While you are driving home with your new pet in tow, you are likely thinking about all of the memories you will make together. Your cat, however, is probably very nervous and does not understand what is happening. Make sure that your cat is in a crate for the entire drive, as it is not safe for you or your pet if it is roaming around. Include a blanket or favorite toy from the shelter in the crate. Giving your cat a place to feel secure will help as you begin this transition.
 
Create a private, secure space for the first few days at home. Your cat will be overwhelmed by the magnitude of its new house, so it's important to give it a small room to explore initially. Many homeowners find that a laundry room or small bathroom is best. Prepare the room ahead of time by removing dangerous items and securing any doors or cupboards that the cat may be able to open. Add a few blankets and toys—placing its food, water and litter box in the room, as well. After you arrive home with your cat, open the door to the crate and allow your cat to come out on its own accord. It may take time, but the cat will eventually decide to explore its new space.
 
Allow the cat to explore at its own pace. Sometimes, your cat will need to be in its private room for a few days or even a week before it is ready to discover the rest of the house. Once you feel your pet is ready, simply allow your cat to visit each area of the home at its own pace. Cats often feel most comfortable checking out their new digs during the nighttime, so don't be surprised if you hear the pitter-patter of little paws while you are in bed.
 
Monitor initial interactions with other pets in the home. If you have other pets in the home, you will want to be present the first time they meet one another. Remember that the interactions will vary based on the type of animals that you have in the home and the personalities of those individual animals. Cats will typically paw or bat at dogs in order to establish personal boundaries as well as dominance. Cats may wrestle, bat or completely ignore other cats as they decide who will be the leader of the pair. Work with your veterinarian in order to help all of your pets peacefully coexist within your home.
 
Stay patient throughout the entire transition. This is typically not an overnight transition. The amount of time it takes for your cat to become comfortable with its new surroundings as well as with its new human and animal family members can vary, but it's not uncommon for it to last several days, weeks or even months. It is important that you remain patient with your new pet, your previous pets and yourself. Before you know it, you will all be enjoying your time together as a happy family.
 
Remember that this transition will be different for every cat and every family, because the unique dynamic of your home and the individual personality traits of your new cat will have a significant impact on the process. If you or anyone in your home feels concerned during the transition process, it is important to reach out to your veterinarian. He or she can provide you with customized guidance based on the needs of your cat and of your family.
 
Author bio: Stephanie N. Blahut is Director of Marketing for Figo Pet Insurance. Figo Pet Insurance is committed to helping pets and their families enjoy their lives together by fusing innovative technology — the first-of-its-kind Figo Pet Cloud — and the industry’s best pet insurance plans.  

by Nomi Berger
 
Sometimes, even the most closely watched cat can accidentally escape from the safest of homes. If this happens to your precious pet, the following suggestions should, hopefully, help return her to you.
 
1. Remain calm and stay focused
 
Despite your obvious distress, the longer you wait to “sound the alarm”, the more time your kitty’s been missing and the further the distance she’s traveled. And so, draw that proverbial deep, cleansing breath and spring into action – clear plan in hand.
 
2. Search your neighborhood
 
After unsuccessfully scouring your home from top to bottom, and checking each hiding place, nook and cranny, canvas your neighborhood. Start by going door to door with a photo of your cat. Print and bring flyers containing all of your contact information (especially if kitty’s not micro-chipped) and leave them with your neighbors.
 
3. Place calls and make visits
 
Call animal control services and area rescue groups, then visit your local shelter(s). Speak with the employees, give them some flyers, and check every cat there, including any in the sick/holding area. Check back with the shelter(s) daily because new cats arrive all the time.
 
4. Post flyers
 
For your flyer, use a large, clear photo of your kitty and ensure the words “Lost Cat” or “Missing Cat” can be read easily from several feet away or from a passing car. Hold back tiny details to ask anyone who claims to have found her. Plaster as wide an area as possible with your flyers including local parks and gas stations, restaurants and coffee shops, small businesses, schools and libraries, pet stores and vets’ offices -- wherever there are cork boards or places to affix them, making certain to get permission beforehand when necessary.
 
5. Use social media
 
Post that same flyer on Face Book, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, Instagram, Nextdoor and any other app or web site serving the area in which you live. The power of social media, particularly local Face Book groups, can be especially effective in helping spread the word about your kitty. Ask everyone to RESHARE your post, then send an email or text blast to people you know in your area and ask them to forward it to everyone they know.
 
6. Smells can help
 
Leaving an article of recently worn, unwashed clothing outside may assist your cat in finding her way home because she can pick up and track your scent. Putting out a bowl of her favorite food and setting her litter box outside can also help lure her back home.
 
7. Don’t give up
 
As emotionally and physically exhausting as it is, don’t stop, don’t give up and don’t lose hope. Sometimes it’s useful to search rigorously for several days, then take a break for a day before resuming your search. Remember: many missing or lost cats are ultimately found BECAUSE of the unflagging commitment and determination of their owners.

by Nomi Berger

Every winter, cats die due to being left outside in the cold. That they have fur does NOT ensure their ability to survive out of doors for any length of time when the thermometer plummets.
 
What they DO need is shelter and warmth. And if your precious puss slips outside unseen, she must be found as swiftly as paws-ible or hypothermia will set in.
 
Hypothermia is the extreme lowering of a cat’s body temperature when she’s either been exposed to frigid conditions for too long or if her fur has gotten wet in the cold and the wind. This drop will cause her heart rate and breathing to slow down, and the results of sustained, severe hypothermia can include frostbite, neurological problems (including coma), heart problems, kidney failure, cessation of breathing, and ultimately death.
 
The symptoms to look for are strong shivering and trembling followed by no shivering, sleepiness, weakness or lethargy, fur and skin cold to the touch, a body temperature below 95 degrees Fahrenheit, decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, pale or blue gums and inner eyelids, difficulty walking or breathing, and stupor, unconsciousness or coma.
 
If you suspect your kitty has hypothermia, dry her thoroughly with either towels or a hair dryer set on Low and held a foot away from her. Wrap her in a blanket first warmed in the clothes dryer. Wrap a warm hot water bottle in a towel and place it on her abdomen. Take her temperature with a rectal thermometer, and if it’s below 95 degrees, bring her to your vet or an emergency clinic immediately.
 
If her temperature is above 95 degrees, take it again every ten to fifteen minutes while performing the above-mentioned warming techniques. Once her temperature reaches 100 degrees or more, remove the hot water bottle, but continue to keep her warm. To be doubly certain she’s safe, bring her to your vet the same day since one bout of hypothermia can make her prone to it again.