Sunday, May 6, 2012

The Scoop on Feline Constipation


I realize that feline constipation isn't the most appealing topic of discussion, but for anyone who owns or even occasionally cares for a cat, it's an important one.  And we all know how much I love to talk about poop!!

Here's the thing about cats and their poop.  They are unique, complex creatures, and things can go from bad to worse very quickly, which is why it's so important to scoop your cat's litterbox daily, and to have someone else do the same when you're away.  Monitoring your cat's litter is the only way to ensure that everything is functioning as it should.

Lack of turds in the box is a no-brainer, but constipated cats may also show other signs that something is wrong, like straining, lethargy, vomiting, bloating and lack of appetite.  While an occasional brief period of constipation may not be worth panicking over (see my tip on prevention below), if you notice that your cat has been exhibiting any of these symptoms, and the letterbox is empty, take him to the vet!  Constipation in cats can be quite dangerous, so don't delay.


Factors that may contribute to constipation:

- gorging (cats should ideally have several small meals throughout the day)

- inactivity

- obesity

- dehydration

- existing medical conditions like hypercalcemia, hypothyroidism, diabetes, etc. 


Adding a small amount of plain canned pumpkin to your cat's existing diet is an easy way to prevent constipation, but it may not be enough in all cases.  Somewhere around 1/2 teaspoon per meal (introduced very slowly) usually does the trick…..you don't want to overdo it, since a fibre overdose might send the food through your cat's digestive tract a little too quickly, and some cats' systems need more time to absorb the nutrients from the food.  Cat grass provides fibre too, and is readily available at most pet stores….you can even grow it yourself!  Of course, my cats prefer to dig out the cat grass rather than eat it, and then spread the dirt all over my floor, but hopefully your cats aren't brats like mine.  And if you really want to go for it, add a daily abdominal massage to your cat's routine…..he'll either love it or hate it, but it sure gets the ol' pipes a-movin'!

There are lots of websites out there dedicated to pet health, but this is THE go-to resource for Feline Constipation.  It is full of information and extremely helpful tips.  Take a few minutes to at least scan all of the pages….you never know - it could save your cat's life.



Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Cece's DNA Revealed

The results from the cheek swab are in, and no-one guessed correctly!!

It's amazing….although I probably would never have guessed this particular mix, it makes perfect sense. 

CeCe is approx 1/4 Schipperke, 1/4 Chow Chow, 1/4 Australian Shepherd, and 1/4 pure mutt.

The small, fox-like Schipperke is an almost exact description of CeCe, particularly in personality and breed traits. The physical description matches too, minus the fuller, black coat and pointed ears.

"The Schipperke is extremely active and loves to be involved in what is going on around him…" That is an understatement. CeCe is the 'busiest' creature I have ever known.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/schipperke/

Much like the mischievous Schipperke, the Chow Chow is aloof with strangers and a good guard dog, which also accounts for her deep orange/red colour. Oh, and did I mention that the roof of her mouth (and her brother's tongue) is that tell-tale blue!?!

"Affectionate and devoted to family, the Chow is reserved and discerning with strangers." That's my girl.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/chow_chow/

 And finally, a reason for her floppy little ears and insane agility and ball skill: the Aussie Shepherd. The Aussie is another breed possessing strong guarding instincts and occasional aloofness with strangers….it's no wonder I feel like I'm fighting an uphill battle with CeCe's indoor barking and dislike of visitors!

The Aussie "needs a lot of activity and a sense of purpose to be truly content." Yup, that sounds about right.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/australian_shepherd/

If anyone is interested in finding out more about their own dog's DNA, I strongly recommend Wisdom Panel, since they have the largest database of breeds, and are known for providing extremely accurate results. Not all canine DNA testing companies are equal, and I've done the research for you.

Wisdom Panel: http://www.wisdompanel.com/