Cat Safety by Guest Blogger Sydney

Poor Rocky. He gets all overexcited and says too much.

My turn. I am Sydney. The Cat of the House.

I stay inside and I lay low. I am clean. I traveled to the beach and Rocky didn't. I have been with the Family far longer than he has. I am his elder, and despite how he presents things here, he mostly respects that.

I thought it only fitting that I take over his job at the keyboard and present my side of things, keep Rocky from making it look like Buckhead Pet Pals is prejudiced against cats. Of course they aren't.

In my humble opinion (as if I know anything about humility!), dogs are desperate, loud, slobbery creatures given to fits of jealousy. We, on the other hand, are subtle, independent, and often unobtrusive - heck, most of the time we're napping. Plus, we're smart.

Still, we are domesticated, and most of us need human help.

With emphasis on the "smart" part, I now offer my Small Pawful of Basic Cat Safety Tips:

• Indoor cats fare better than outside cats. They are safer. There are fewer hazards. That said, cats need exercise and are natural explorers. If your cat stays inside, give them places to climb and things to tear up (scratching posts) so they don't become bored, destructive, or overweight. (The ASPCA acknowledges the longer lifespan of inside cats and has tips for transitioning your outdoor cat inside.)
• Keep your cat hydrated. It is the hottest summer on record for much of the US. If your cat IS an outdoor cat, make sure they have shaded shelter and fresh water. Inside or out, cats especially love moving water and drink more if they can get it. Cat water fountains appeal to cats and help protect them from the dangers of dehydration. Amazon has a bunch.
• Keep fleas away. Summer is flea season. Use cat-specific flea preventatives quantities recommended by your vet so as not to endanger your cat or kitten in the quest to kill fleas. There is, of course, a tremendous amount of information on the internet about the various flea-prevention methods available. Do your research, then seek your veterinarian's advice.
• Keep your cat identified. Outdoor cats especially need IDs, but inside cats get out - and are less savvy, thereby needing the extra protection of clear identification. Ensure your cat wears a break-away collar and ID at all times, bearing current information. If your cat is too active or too smart for a collar (unlike dogs, we know how to remove them - and often will!), microchipping becomes especially important. These small computer chips (the size of a grain of rice) are injected under the skin by a vet and hold your cat's identifying information. If your cat were to get lost and end up at a shelter, most have the ability to scan chips and will contact you.
• Bring your cat in at night. Cats are nocturnal and, as such, are instinctively most active at night. Indoor cats can get rambunctious, and outdoor cats crave the outdoors. For indoor cats, take time to play with your cat earlier in the evening so she's calmer when its time for you to go to bed. For outdoor cats, train them to come in during the evening with scheduled feeding times. Your cat isn't the only nocturnal creature, and foxes, birds of prey, and fast cars provide specific nighttime hazards best avoided.
• Keep poisonous plants out of your house. Know what houseplants are dangerous to cats. The ASPCA is a good reference.
• Get your cat regular checkups. Cats hide their symptoms pretty well - there is a range of cat-specific illnesses, but by the time you see outward signs, the cat is usually pretty sick. Checkups help you prevent those illnesses before they happen, and ensure the health and safety of your kitty.

I have now done my part to ensure cats get the respect they deserve. I think I'll go take a nap.