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Christmas Holiday Season is on the horizon!

Please book your spot NOW Phone 9417 6613
at Cat Central
so your cat can enjoy herself too!

CAN YOU HELP?

Since evidence is pointing in the direction that cats have a calming influence on the sick, elderly and children with special needs, a study is presently under way by the University of California Veterinary School at Davis to learn more about the mechanisms of animal-human relationships, and to see if there is an environmental factor involved or even if there is a genetic basis in the formation of these relationships.Companion animal behavior experts at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Ben and Lynette Hart have been working with veterinary geneticist Leslie Lyons to explore more about how these relationships benefit children, and in turn have initiated a multi-part study. They are also examining whether feline genetic traits can help identify positive behavioral characteristics in cats. 

The Harts are interested in learning more about children between the age of 3 and 12 and their relationships with cats, as their part of the study, and are asking adult cat owners with children age 3-12 to take part in the study by responding to an online survey to gather more information. The questionnaire is anonymous, and inquires about the family and how their cat behaves around children, which includes the cat's friendliness, aggressive or fearful behavior. The survey is open to a family member over 18 years of age. It takes about 15 minutes to complete. A comment section is provided where respondents can add any personal details about the family cat. 

For those interested in participating in the survey, it is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ucdcatbehavior. To learn more about the study, visit: the UC Davis website. Please feel free to pass the URL of the survey to friends who wish to participate.

CATS'S EYE VIEW OF THE URBAN LIFESTYLE - SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP!

Cats have really moved from the backyard and taken over the bed in recent times. However, is everything in the modern feline household up to scratch? Based on recommendations developed by various regulatory and welfare are the five freedoms for indoor cats. Freedom from: Hunger/thirst, discomfort, pain/injury/disease, stifled normal range behaviors, and fear and distress. These translate as (a) provision of food and water making up a balanced diet - this is obviously a basic (b) the provision of an environment that is suitable for a domestic cat (with a lot of wild cat traits lets not forget), including adequate space, good shelter, correct temperature, light, low noise and adequate cleanliness (c) adequate health care provision including correct vaccinations (and bearing in mind that vaccination policy has evolved and is a medical procedure not a routine practice), neutering, control of parasites (such as the ear mites, flea and tick) and ad hoc veterary care (d) provision of opportunities for the cat to exhibit natural behavior as near as is practically possible (hunting in the conventional way won't happen but well organized play can substitute and (e) provision of protection for circumstances that would cause fear and distress - sometimes this means hiding from people or other cats! 

The following internet resources are particularly clear and concise overviews on Keeping Cats Happy. Please pass on to anyone considering acquiring a cat or kitten from ANYWHERE.  You may save a feline and your (human) friend from heartaches.

PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report
Code of Practice for the Welfare of Cats
The five freedoms

Dr Kim is delighted to provide a Free Post-Purchase Health Check on Any Cat acquired from Anywhere - within 7 days of purchase / acquisition. Recommend to your friend to Phone 0400 756 331 and take advantage of this fabulous 'Starter Story'. Or at least refer them to www.catclinic.com.au for LOTS of Quality Cat Information.

PET INSURANCE

An overwhelming 96% of pet owners consider their pet as a family member (talk about stating the obvious!). Cats cost on average $1772 per year (mostly in food and litter, but routine health care is a part of it). Insurance is one way to spread out unexpected costs - especially in tough times - but missing out on a take-away coffee a week is not so hard to swallow! Especially on 'set incomes'. Does Medibank insure cats? Yes indeed - Medibank will even insure your cat, as will NRMA and GIO! Your cat can have access to the same medicine, surgery and chemotherapy as you and the other loved ones in your family. The only difference is you have to pay at the time of the procedure - human health is paid for by the Medicare Levy and Private Health Insurance of course. Since even relatively simple procedures such as abscesses and urinary tract infections can end up costing several hundred dollars, Pet Insurance is a way of making ends meet. In the USA, employers are recognising the importance of pets in their staff's families.

Companies offering pet insurance is becoming increasingly popular as owners grapple with the rising cost of caring for their animals and employers look for additional, low-cost ways to keep their workforce happy. The increasingly sophisticated treatments available to animals, from ACL surgery to pacemakers to chemotherapy, have sent pet bills soaring, making insurance a more palatable investment. MORE
Dr Kim recommends Prosure (1 800 424 917) and AFS-PetMed (1 300 732 172) and here is a comparison chart for your perusal!

20 questions to help you choose a pet insurance provider

IS THE WORST PART OF VACATION THE CAR TRIP TO THE CATTERY?

Do you or your cat STRESS OUT over travel to the vets? There are now guidelines to help you make the process more Cat Friendly. Click here to see a video related to this subject. Dr Kim has also seen some very good ideas.

Have a try of these: The favourite, of course, is leave the carrier in the house (not the garage) with a blanket it there, so your kitty can snuggle in. Keeping it high up in a sunny spot is, of course, a favourite tip. However, as soon as you make your booking, your cat is going to KNOW something is up and The Carrier may instantly become The Intruder. So really, the question is - how do you get a recalcitrant cat into a safe container? The answer is - a pillow case! Better than a towel, you can usually bundle a cat up into a pillow case and then either open the top or tip the end of the carrier up so you can lower your cat into the carrier. Close the door and away you go.

Even without a carrier, if you tie the top of the pillowcase with string or a rubber band, you can then sit your fractious feline (on a towel in case of accidents) in a box, on your passenger's lap or in the footwell of your car. Surprisingly, very few felines transported in this way defaecate or urinate when confined in this way. Similarly, they do seem to do better in the fabric 'squashy bags' which are hugged to your side so there is less sway and instability. Obviously, there is less protection if there is a car crash.

The other thing is for you to stay calm during the process! Otherwise your cat is definitely going to try to get away from the carrier that is clearly scaring you!

FLEAZ IS ON THE RIZE AGAIN!

As the weather warms, and the humidity rises .. get ready for the Flea Plague! You can stay ONE JUMP AHEAD! by booking your cat in for a FLEA SPECIAL TREATMENT at Chatswood Cat Central. The Package includes a flea wash, nail clip and application of Advantage or Revolution - ready to go home FLEA FREE - and STAY THAT WAY! Phone 9417 6613 and book now!  The fleas will be hunting your cat and laying 40 eggs per day until you do!

Leonie and Inge can help you with Total Flea Control as well - ask them about the Berger Lampe, and how to use the various Spot-on and tablet treatments MOST EFFECTIVELY! For great advice and the RIGHT flea product - Cat Central 9417 6613