By Nomi Berger

April 30th is National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day and we at The Cat’s Meow ask that you consider saving a life by adopting a pet – purr-eferably one of the fabulous felines WE shelter.

With that in mind, we wanted to remind you of the life-affirming roles cats play in our lives, and of our responsibility to pay it forward by saving the lives of those less fortunate. Millions of healthy, adoptable cats across North America are euthanized annually because there aren’t enough homes for them. It’s vital to remember that every animal adopted opens a space for another animal in need. And so, by choosing adoption as the ONLY option, you’re helping decrease the number of cats left homeless each year.

Being a small, foster-based rescue allows us to KNOW each of our furry friends – their personalities, what they like to eat and how they like to play. This vital information enables us to match the right animal with the right adopter, and ensure, to the best of our ability, that they all live happily and lovingly fur-ever.

To view our gallery of assorted, adorable adoptables, we invite you paw-lease click on http://www.thecatsmeowrescue.org/available-for-adoption.html.

Unable to adopt? There are other ways you can make a big difference in countless small lives.

Paw-lease click on http://www.thecatsmeowrescue.org/help-us-help-them.html and learn how you can help us help them – including donating, fostering, spay/neutering and following us on Face Book.

Become a volunteer and we purr-mise to put your compassion and commitment to good use.

We ask you, however, to remember that Adopt a Shelter Pet Day may last a mere 24 hours, but the need to adopt a shelter pet will continue – hour after hour, day after day, month after month, year after year.

Spread the word.

by Nomi Berger
 
With warmer weather and sunnier skies comes the temptation for both humans and felines to bask in its welcome arrival. And that means windows thrown open and doors left ajar.
 
But for cat owners living in buildings of two stories and more – beware. Why? Because lurking in the light is a dark threat that’s commonly called High Rise Syndrome.
 
High Rise Syndrome describes the phenomenon of cats falling from heights greater than two stories (23-30 feet)) and refers as well to the injuries they sustain from just such falls.
 
Kitties usually find themselves in this predicament after being startled from their perch – whether it’s on a window ledge, a rooftop patio or a fire escape – and when they fall, they often suffer injuries more extensive than mere broken bones, especially from heights between two and seven stories. These injuries include bruising to their heart and lungs, fractures of their lower jaw and the roof of their mouth, swelling of their brain, ruptures of their urinary bladder, internal bleeding, and fractures of their ribs.
 
Surprisingly, many cats falling from heights that exceed seven stories sustain fewer and less severe injuries, thanks to their flexibility and their ability to right their bodies and relax as they fall. But for those less fortunate felines, the cost of treating severe High Rise Syndrome is high (ranging from $2,000 to $5,000) and the process of their being rehabilitated and restored to health is long and painful. Depending on the severity of their injuries, these poor pets need true intensive care, requiring a lengthy hospital stay that can include anything from supplemental oxygen therapy and temporary feeding tubes to one or more surgical procedures.
 
Since, according to the axiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, there are several, simple ways for responsible cat guardians to stop this scenario before it starts.
 
Install well-fitting and secure window screens on any windows you intend to leave open.
Whenever possible, open the top section of your windows instead of the bottom.
Close every window before leaving your home and before starting such loud appliances as the vacuum cleaner.
Don’t allow your cat to remain on a balcony unobserved, and never allow her to jump onto the railings.
If you have a patio, move all furniture away from the railings to help keep her from using the back of a chair or the top of a table as a perch.
 
If, despite your precautions and best intentions, your kitty does fall, bring her to your veterinarian or to the closest emergency clinic immediately for assessment. Because the injuries she may have sustained aren’t likely to be apparent to you, “at home” treatment is NOT an option, and she may be in both shock and extreme pain.
 
Then, paws crossed, all will be well, and she’ll have another eight lives to live, love and enjoy with you.

By Nomi Berger

Do Meow Meows Mourn?
 
Paws-itively.
 
For most cats, the passing of a cherished feline companion can be an extremely emotional experience. The intensity and length of their relationship, coupled with the circumstances – sudden or gradual – surrounding their furry friend’s demise will usually determine their response: ranging from no reaction whatsoever to utter and easily recognizable despair.
 
In fact, many animal experts describe three distinct stages of kitty grief.
 
The first stage is known as “activation.” Immediately after the loss of her pussycat playmate, the “survivor” will start looking for her missing companion. She will pace your home, searching here, there and everywhere, often vocalizing or crying out as she attempts to locate her lost friend.
 
The second stage is depression. This phase is characterized by one or more of the following: lethargy, withdrawal (loss of interest in her surroundings, playing and socialization), clingy and needy behavior or its polar opposite, separation anxiety, and loss of appetite. The latter is the most serious with the potential to be life threatening. Because anorexia in cats can lead to hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease), contact your vet immediately if your cat refuses to eat.
 
The third stage is acceptance. This is when many cats exhibit permanent “character changes.” Some will become chattier, friendlier and more approachable. Shy cats in particular may appear to “blossom” without their more assertive counterparts by becoming more outgoing and more active in general.
 
As a concerned cat guardian, there are numerous ways to help your mourning “mouser” as she moves through the grieving process. Keep her routine as normal as possible while lavishing her with extra affection in the form of more cuddles and pets, grooming and playing. Provide her with a quiet and private spot where she can spend time alone should she want it or place a cozy new cat bed close to a sunny window. Offer her some tasty new food to encourage her to eat and warm it slightly to more fully release its aroma. Present her with a new interactive toy to spark some fresh interest in playtime.
 
While some think adding a new cat to their diminished household is the cure for their current cat’s distress, most animal experts caution against it. They consider it a distraction not a cure and that a new pet won’t stop yours from grieving her lost companion. They suggest waiting a few months until both you and your kitty have fully healed. 
 
As with humans, felines differ not only in the way they grieve but in how long they grieve. Your particular pussycat may return to behaving “normally” after only a few days. On the other hand, it could take weeks, even months. If, however, yours seems stuck in the grieving process, speak to your veterinarian and ask to be referred to a veterinary behaviorist or other certified behavioral expert.
 
It may not seem so at the moment, but it will get better in time.

by Nomi Berger
 
While some cat guardians are either extremely blessed or exceptionally adept at getting their furry family members to swallow pills whole without issue, most pet parents seek a safer (sneakier?) solution, known unscientifically as “hiding.”
 
Sound all too familiar? Then you already know that the challenge lies in disguising the pill or capsule’s smell and taste (some smell and taste worse than others) by placing it in something tempting enough for your cat to consume. Consider then, the following suggestions as “food for thought.”
 
Pill pockets: Available at all pet supply stores in various shapes, sizes and flavors, and made by numerous manufacturers, they have built-in pouches to easily hide your cat’s medication. Select the all-natural treats made with such finicky feline favorites as chicken or salmon for the greatest chance of success.
 
Commercial cat treats: Whereas pill pockets are basically treats with a hole in them, most soft and pliable cat treats can be turned into pill pockets. How? By pressing the pill into the treat and “rebuilding” it with the pill inside. Varying flavors will keep kitty keen and prevent her from becoming bored.
 
Freeze-dried raw food cubes: Some cat caregivers give their cats this chilly choice by soaking a cube in warm water for a few seconds until it’s soft. They break the cube in half, place the pill inside one of the halves, and watch the cube disappear in a single swallow. The other half is then given to the pleased-as-punch puss-in-boots as a well-earned reward!
 
Because the next two suggestions require crushing the pills into powder, please ask your prescribing vet if they CAN be crushed. Some pills contain substances that may irritate your cat’s delicate digestive tract if administered directly, and are, therefore, safe only when swallowed whole.
 
If you’re cleared to crush, you can either pulverize the pill in a designated pill crusher found at any pharmacy. Alternatively, if the pill is small enough, it can be ground into powder between two spoons.
 
Tuna: The strong scent seems to mask the smell of the “medicinal powder” enough for most felines to feast on it with little fuss. Flaked tuna is easiest -- provided there’s more tuna than powder – and once it’s been thoroughly mixed should be served at room temperature. (Since too much tuna can be dangerous to cats over time, use it in limited amounts).
 
Whipped cream and cheese spray: Both serve as smooth, slippery base substances
for crushed pills that keen kitties will gobble up with gusto.
 
Should your cat either spit out the pill or refuse to swallow the “spiked” foods, don’t give up. It may simply be a matter of trial and error and experimentation with various techniques.
 
When all else fails, speak to your vet. Some medications can be administered in liquid form or as injections while some pills can be turned into a trans-dermal gel that you put inside your cat’s ear where it’s absorbed through the skin.
 
But, no matter the problem, there IS a solution – for you and your favorite fur ball.