OkcPets Magazine January 2021

January/February 2021 • OKC Pets 15 they become obvious problems and seek care for their pets sooner. They also have the time to finally make that wellness appointment that kept being pushed back. Also, people are getting caught up on dental work that needed to be scheduled and the mass removals. This has unfortunately led to long wait times and lots of back-and-forth phone tag—and, unfortunately, sometimes frustration on both sides. We are doing our best but having difficulty keeping up. There also has been an influx of new pets joining people’s families, whether they are new pet owners or have multiple pets at home already. Most families are doing well with their new members, but some are not having such good luck. Personally, I have seen an increase in behavior issues and behavior consults. The challenges include existing pets who are not happy about sharing their space, the new additions not settling in well or helping new owners learn the ropes of pet ownership. This has also created an unexpected influx of demand on veterinarians; it is a good problem to have and one we are happy to help with. Indoor Environmental Changes Conducive to Happy Cats There are several things that owners can do at home to help with the transitions of new pet ownership or just to re-evaluate their current set up. The most important thing besides food and water is shelter. This involves creating an ideal environment for your pet. For cats, that means knowing what kind of cat you have: a “tree dweller” or a “floor dweller.” Not surprisingly, tree dwellers like to be in high places. It is important to provide them with taller perching places. Ideally, these would be easy to get to with perhaps a few shorter perches leading up to it. It would be nonskid and perhaps have soft bedding on the top perch. Examples are cat trees, wall-mounted shelves meant to accept a cat’s weight and any piece of tall furniture that your cat can easily get to. One of my office cats can oftentimes be found on top of our shelves of food, and a personal cat of mine is always sleeping on top of the fridge. The top of the fridge is a little slick, so I placed a piece of nonskid shelf liner on it. This is a cheap, easily sourced item that comes in a multitude of colors and patterns, can be cut to size and can also be easily disinfected. We use this trick often in the clinic to help cats feel more comfortable on exam tables. Floor dwellers require several places to hide throughout a room. These spots can be cardboard boxes, paper bags, side tables with an open bottom, behind or underneath furniture, or even a sunny windowsill. Underneath the Christmas tree is always a coveted lounging place for my floor dwellers. Each year, it is a race to see who gets there first. One client leaves hers up year-round, and it has become a holiday tree, decorated for the current season. It can be fun getting creative in making “safe spots” for our kitties. Some people have created cat highways along their ceilings throughout their homes, while others have made full apart- ments underneath their stairs for their kitties. Another environmental consideration for indoor cats is proper scratching surfaces. Scratching is a necessary part of any cat’s day. It not only helps maintain their claws but provides stretching and helps scent their territory. This is why declawed cats should still be provided with scratchers. Cats, like people, prefer options. It is important to provide scratching surfaces that your cat is attracted to in several places throughout the home. Some cats prefer vertical over horizontal scratchers. Vertical scratchers need to be tall enough and stable enough that your cat can fully stretch out while scratching. Cats can be picky about the scratching surface. Some prefer sisal while others prefer cardboard. Other options are wood, carpet and my cat’s favorite, yoga mats. Having several scratchers placed through- out the home is key to saving your furniture, carpets, drapes and the side of your mattress. One of my favorite pandemic purchases is sisal cat scratchers that actually wrap around the sofa arm. I am still training myself to not get after the cats for scratching at the sofa. Other indoor environmental considerations for out kitties are litter boxes, food and water. The general rule of thumb is to have a litter box for each cat plus one more. That means a two-cat household should have a minimum of three litter boxes. These boxes should be placed in different quiet or private locations through- out the home. Most cats prefer open boxes, but some like them to be covered. The boxes should be large enough that your cat can easily stand and turn around in it. Older cats require a shorter entrance to the box and sometimes prefer a potty pad over litter. If your cat has a tendency not to squat, he or she may require a tall-sided box. I use a plastic storage container for these cats. Placement of food and water is also import- ant. While tree dwellers may want their bowls placed higher up off the ground, floor dwellers may need their bowls in a quiet cubby out of the way of traffic patterns for the home. If you have dogs or young children, you may need to have the bowls behind a baby gate or other barrier in which the cat can easily come and go, but the others cannot. The bowls should not be next to the litter boxes. Most cats prefer a little separation of the two. I like to make sure to have water bowls and fountains throughout my house so the kitties never have to go far for water. In some cases, I will have clients create a “safe space” for their kitties. This is usually a room that the individual cat can come and go from that kids, dogs or other more outgoing cats do not have access to. In this space are all the resources the cat needs: a place to eliminate, a couple of cozy perching and sleeping spots, food, water and toys. This is usually a spare room or office with a cat tree, a scratcher, a window for sunning and watching the outside world, and perhaps a heated bed. This space is synonymous with a “man cave” or a “she shed” and should be for the kitties to make their own. Sometimes, they will let us enjoy it with them! Outside Environmental Considerations The outside environment deserves some consid- eration also. If you have a cat or cats that need extra space or the stimulation of being outside, there are things you can do to ensure their safe- ty. One of the most popular choices is to build a catio, or screened-in porch. These are essentially enclosed play yards that are typically accessed via a cat door that the kitties can take advantage of whenever they like. If a catio is not feasible for you, perhaps har- ness training your cat is. I have several patients who enjoy taking walks and come to the clinic on their harness. When choosing a harness, it is important to make sure it is properly fitted. I like the shirt-style harnesses as they are hard to get out of. Take time introducing your cat to the harness before putting it on him and taking him outside. It can take weeks to get a cat comfort- able in a harness, let alone being outside in one and attached to a leash, but it can be a worth- while endeavor for some. If you have a larger area or a yard for your cats to enjoy, I recommend cat fencing. It is what I use in my own home. It is a kind of fenc- ing that can be free-standing, or it can attach to an existing fence to keep your cats in the yard and other creatures out. They also have fencing that you can bury to keep diggers from gaining access. My cats have a cat door and can come and go as they please. It has opened up a whole new world for them while keeping my cat mom heart at ease. This pandemic has taught us many things. Hopefully, how to create a better environment for all of us is one takeaway whether that is on a global scale or in our homes. Stay safe and well and have fun creating the ultimate home for your kitties.