Sweet Dreams

We all hope our pets will be in good hands when we have to leave them --- especially overnight. How can we be sure? Asking the right important questions will assure our pet is receiving the best care!

1) Does your veterinarian recommend this pet care provider? 

2) Do they require vaccines to protect all the pets in their care?

3) Is there a veterinarian on call at all times?

4) How many years have they been in the pet care business? 

5) Are the people you are leaving your pets with knowledgeable, experienced and trained animal professionals?

6) Are cat accommodations separate from the dogs?

7) Each pet has different needs. Do you have the option to customize your pet's stay? 

8) Are you able to select private or group play depending on your dog's preference?

9) Is the location specifically designed for your pet's safety? Clean, safe and free of odor?

10) Did you check for well-maintained fencing and security? 

We would ask similar questions for our children. Pet professionals expect and are prepared to answer these questions as well as provide facility tours. Look for a home away from home to leave your lovable furry family member. At Morris Animal Inn we have over 50 years experience. We invite you to tour our facility. We take special pride in our quality staff. Give us a call and ask us these questions at 973-539-0377 and anything else that is on your mind. We welcome your thoughts and look forward to putting you and your pet's mind at ease so everyone has sweet dreams. We understand every pet is unique and has different needs.

Why Your Cat Needs to Knead

Kneading is a very common behavior for cats. It may just be soft pawing or even a repetitive clawing. Regardless of when or where, if a cat feels the need to knead, they will. Why do cats love this activity so much? 

It's comforting

Kneading represents a period of comfort and safety. During the nursing process, kittens will knead their mom's belly to increase milk flow. Kneading then becomes an instinctive behavior that they carry with them past kittenhood. Its a moment of happiness and contentment. Much like certain food or activities remind you of childhood, kneading brings your cat back to a comforting time.

Your cat is marking their territory. 

Kneading is also a way for a cat to create a safe space. Cats have scent glands on the pads of their feet, and these produce a unique scent. A cat releases this scent to claim territory and define what is theirs. They may also claw to leave signature scratches on something they want to mark as theirs. So, next time your cat is kneading on your lap, consider it a compliment! 

If you don't like your cat's kneading behavior...

Consider redirecting your cat to an area besides your lap. You can simply reward your cat for kneading in a certain area - maybe a blanket or pillow. It is important to remember that kneading is a normal and comforting activity for your cat, so you shouldn't discourage the behavior. 

Now you know why your cat needs to knead. Next time you witness this behavior, you can understand a little better why your cat enjoys it so much! 

Source: aaha.org, cats.lovetoknow.com, catster.com

Communicating with your Cat

Cats are thought to be very complex and independent creatures, so understanding their method of communication can be tricky. Each cat actually develops their own unique and fascinating way of speaking to their owners. Here are some ways that your kitty may be speaking to you. 

Body Language
One way a cat communicates their mood is with their tail. When the tail is held straight up, it expresses confidence. When your cat wraps it's tail around your legs, it communicates friendliness. If it is tucked between their legs, it signals anxiety. 

So, when you come home from a long day at work and your cat rubs up against you and wraps their tail around your legs, that's their way of saying "I missed you!"

Facial Expressions
When felines interact, responding with a slow blink is an official sign of trust. Like a wink between friends, your cat may close their eyes in your presence to show that they are friendly and comfortable with you. It is a signal of acceptance that a cat may only communicate with their owner. 

Vocalizations

Cats develop a vocal language that is unique to them and their owner. Your cat may meow as a way of greeting you, requesting food, or asking for approval. Purring is also a way for your cat to communicate with you. Purring is a sign that your cat wants to be comforted and/or cared for. Pay attention to the different sounds your cat makes, so you can better understand their specific way of speaking to you. 

Cats can easily sense their owner's mood. If you are sad or anxious, your cat most likely knows. Understanding and responding to your cat's language can help deepen the bond you have with each other. 

Source: DailyMail, nymag, webmd, huffingtonpost

9 Quick Tips for Building a Bond with Your Feline Friend

Dogs usually come to mind as being man's best friend, when cats are just as capable to form long-lasting bonds with their owners.  Finding out how to please cats can be mystifying, so here are nine quick tips on how to build a bond with your furry feline friend.

Tip 1: Crazy for Catnip. Fifty percent of cats crave catnip, a fragrant herb from the mint family. The plant’s buds contain an essential oil that evokes chin and cheek rubbing, rolling and kicking, and even leaping into the air. Go for organic, it’s the most potent.

Tip 2: Embrace the Power of Petting. Studies show that people who pet their cats experience a reduction in feelings of anxiety. Petting your cat for just a few minutes releases a healthy amount of “feel-good” hormones. Research shows that the good feelings work both ways, meaning that your cat benefits as well!

Tip 3: Cat’s Tail – Mood Barometer! A loosely upright tail signals confidence. A tail that flicks toward you means, “Hello, my friend.” Whipping the tail from side to side or thumping it on the floor signifies agitation. A lightly twitching tails conveys relaxed alertness. A puffed-up tail indicates total fright.

Tip 4: Schedule Play Sessions. Kittens – and cats young at heart – are most active at dawn and dusk. That’s because they are crepuscular, wired genetically to do their best hunting and plays stalking during those times of day. Let the fun fly!

Tip 5: Buy a Handful of Peacock Feathers. Attach them to the end of a flexible pole and then flag your cat’s attention. Feathers are usually too much of a temptation to resist. In no time, you cat will be running, jumping, and performing amazing body twists and turns to snag those moving feathers.

Tip 6: Treat Your Cat like a CEO: Cat Extra-Ordinaire. Increase your cat’s daily dose of pampering. One easy way is to warm a small blanket in the clothes dryer for 5 to 10 minutes, then drape it on your cat during chilly nights to help her fall asleep. You can do the same for an arthritic cat to help improve blood flow and ease muscle aches.

Tip 7: Catwalk. If you’re cat crazy, think about installing a catwalk on brackets along a wall of your family room or bedroom. It should be 6 to 12 inches wide, and hang about 2 feet below the ceiling. Provide access with a couple of perches. Most cats adore the opportunity to explore the upper strata.

Tip 8: Warm and Cozy. Position your cat’s bed near a source of warmth – near a sunny window or by the fireplace or next to a heat vent. Grab your comforter and a good book, and spend some time with your snoozing friend while you pamper yourself with quiet time as well.

Tip 9: Take the Ho-Hum Out of Food. Add a splash of tuna juice or salt-free chicken broth to commercial dry food. After this saucy feast, your feline may spend extra time savoring these special extras during her post-meal grooming sessions because of the lingering delightful aromas from these toppings.

Source: Tuft’s CatNip

Cat Nail Trimming - A Mani and Pedi for Your Kitty

When you plan your own spa day, make sure that you are planning a regular manicure and pedicure for your cat. An essential part of keeping you and your feline healthy and happy is by making sure you are providing proper nail care. 

NATURAL NAIL CARE:

Cats will groom their claws on their own by taking off the outer sheaths, which is the covering around the nail.  They do this in several situations by scratching their nails on an indoor scratching post, on a tree (if they are an outdoor cat), or by chewing at their nails to expose the new claw.  Cat owners will want to trim their cat’s nails on a regular basis to protect not only their furniture but their own skin.

PREPARATION FOR THE TRIM:

It is important to know the details of how to properly and carefully trim your cats nails before attempting the process.  Your veterinarian should be consulted for direction before attempting this on your own for the first time. 

You will want to avoid cutting the quick of the nail.  The quick is the pink area in the middle of the nail that contains the nerves and blood vessels.  Cutting the quick will cause bleeding and pain if snipped.  Bleeding can be stopped by using styptic powder on the nail which contains the bleeding. You will only want to cut the tip of the nail, which is the sharp white point of the nail. Be conservative in cutting in order to keep away from the quick.  Please be mindful that if your cat has dark claws, you will want a professional to complete the nail trim, as you will most likely not be able to see the quick area.

Use only nail clippers specifically designed for cats.  You will not want to use your own nail clippers as they might split the cats nail.  In pet stores, you will see that there are nail trimmers available that are actually designed to locate the quick of the nail. Now how cool is that?  

TRIMMING PROCEDURE:

Do not upset your feline family member!  Approach your cat during a calm or sleepy state to make the experience as pleasant as possible.  You may also want to get your cat used to you touching his or her paws at times other than trimming, in order to keep from having a negative reaction.  

·         With your fingers, carefully squeeze and apply pressure to the pad of each toe.  This action will expose the nail.

·         Clip just the tip of each nail, which is the sharp white point.  Please be cautious of where the quick is.  Remember that you do not want to cut the quick that contains the nerves and the blood vessels.

·         Keep the Kwik Stop powder handy, in case you do accidently snip the quick!

For a kitten, it is recommended to trim the claws once a week.  This will help you in becoming familiar with the procedure.  For an adult cat, a trim every two to four weeks should be sufficient.

If your cat is not cooperative for the nail trimming process, you should book an appointment with a veterinarian or groomer.   Feel free to contact Morris Animal Inn to book a nail trim during your cat’s next visit with us.

Some words of advice for your kitty: Look sharp but don’t be sharp!

Have you tried cutting your cats nail and were you successful?

We are pleased to have Jeanne, as a contributing writer for If They Could Talk. Jeanne is a member of our Guest Services team and is a passionate cat owner. We look forward to sharing her contribution on interesting and educational pet topics.

REFERENCES:

www.aspca.org: http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-nail-trimming-101.aspx

Cutts, P. (1992). The Complete Cat Book. New York, New York, USA: Smithmark Publishers Inc.

Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. (2008). Hill's Science Diet: The Guide for Lifelong Health. Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc.

Spadafori, G. (2002). Cats for Dummies (Vol. Miniature Edition). New York, New York, USA: Hungry Minds, Inc.

The Iams Company, a division of Meredith Corporation. (1998, 2001). Your New Cat. A Comprehensive Guide to Health, Nutrition and General Care . Meredith Integrated Marketing.