Happy New Year from Julius and everyone here at Sir Socks Le Chat. We hope you have a happy, healthy start to 2020!
Happy New Year!
Essential Cat Care (Monthly Cat Care Article)
Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.
If you’re reading this magazine, especially if you’re a regular reader, chances are you already have a cat or three — or, at the very least, are a cat lover like the rest of us here. Although it would be easy to assume that most of our readers are already familiar with the basics of cat care, it’s also possible that some readers might have never had a cat of their own or have come here to learn more about what life with a cat is like. Julius’ post this month highlights a lot of the things cats enjoy doing and having in their home. This article serves to outline the very basics of cat care, what cats need, and what to do to prepare for bringing home your first furbaby.
Before you bring your kitty home, you will need to cat-proof your house and make sure it’s safe for your new friend. You will need to safely store cleaning products and other potentially toxic items out of your cat’s reach. Remember that cats are very agile and can climb. They will be able to jump onto high shelves and climb into cabinets and drawers. You might want to purchase locks or baby-proofing supplies to prevent your cat from investigating places you don’t want them in.
You will need to purchase a cat carrier for transporting your cat. Many shelters will give you a temporary cardboard carrier to take your cat home, but it’s a good idea to purchase a large, sturdy one for safer transport, especially since your cat will need to visit a vet very soon (see below).
Most cats are low-maintenance pets. Some, however, will require more intensive care and attention than others. Very young kittens, very old cats, and cats with special needs or certain health conditions will need more attention than “average” cats. Some need special diets or need medicines administered regularly. When adopting a cat, it’s good to familiarize yourself with any health conditions they might have and what care they will need in the future, including vaccinations. As soon as you get a new cat (or even before you adopt the cat), it’s important to find a veterinarian and consult with them about your cat’s specific needs.
Your cat will need a safe, quiet part of the house that can be theirs. Cats love having boxes and other hidden cubbies where they can hide. They also like having access to soft beds and cat trees.
Your cat will need food/water bowls and a litter box. Their water should be replenished at least once a day. Consult with your vet regarding food choices and an appropriate feeding schedule. Their litter box should also be changed frequently, especially if you are using litter that is not odor-absorbent.
Your cat will appreciate having toys to play with. There are many kinds of toys to choose from, and it might take some trial-and-error to figure out which ones your cat likes best. Your cat will also benefit from having access to a scratching post. It might not completely prevent them from clawing your furniture, but it might help.
Your cat will also need grooming supplies, such as nail clippers and a hairbrush. Trimming your cat’s claws is a good way to protect yourself from scratches, as well as reducing damage to your furniture. Brushing your cat regularly promotes bonding between the two of you and helps prevent hairballs.
Getting a cat can be overwhelming, but it is also extremely rewarding. Cats bring joy to and enrich the entire household, and it’s nice to have a furry friend around to keep you company.
Staying At My House: A Review
I have been staying at the Clarabelle’s House Hotel for the past three years now. Since I’ve been residing here for so long, I thought it was fitting that I write this review to lend other cats some insight into what life would be like here should they decide to turn up meowing at the doorstep.
The accommodations themselves are spectacular. They are spacious and luxurious and will definitely make you feel like the tiger of your jungle. There are large windows for bird-watching and plenty of square meters of plush carpet to lounge on. An added plus: sunlight comes in through those windows and provides perfect places for naps and grooming. This hotel also comes with a good number of premiere napping spots — two cat beds on the floor, a cat tree, a couch, two human beds — as well as a large private litter box room. If exploration is more your style, there are several large closets to play around in, as well as a tantalizing garage, although the door to that playroom is often locked.
The staff here are overall friendly, approachable, and pleasant to be around. They are quiet and generally do not disturb you while you’re staying here. They allow you to have free range of the accommodations most of the time — with the exception of that garage. They are also professional cuddlers and masseuses and are always happy to offer you a massage or snuggle to help you feel better throughout the day. They also offer a complimentary spa service, where you can be brushed and have your nails trimmed for free. They also provide a decent supply of catnip and yarn to keep you entertained during your stay.
One downside, however, to staying here is that room service is sometimes frustratingly slow. I think if you are going to be staying in such a fancy accommodation, you should have decent room service. Room service isn’t bad all the time, but there are definitely mornings where breakfast is served late, sometimes by as much as an hour, and there are other times when room service requests aren’t met in a timely manner. I would sometimes sit by the bathroom sink and yell for 15 minutes or more before fresh water was served to me. And portion sizes are always too small here. I think the kitchen staff likes to cut corners, and it definitely shows.
Overall, I would give this place 3.5 out of 5 stars. This hotel ranks excellently in terms of space, friendliness, cleanliness, and entertainment, but it leaves room for improvement when it comes to room service and meals.
Vocal Issues in Cats (Monthly Cat Care Article)
Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.
Many cats — and especially the early-rising Julius — are quite vocal. They are often especially talkative in the morning and in the evenings. Cats communicate through a variety of trills, purrs, cries, and other vocalizations, but the meow is something special, reserved for kittens talking to their mothers and grown cats talking to their humans.
Sometimes, though, cats lose their voices, just like humans do, and have to temporarily stop chatting. The cat’s voice might become hoarse or squeaky, or the cat might lose its voice altogether. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- an infection, such as laryngitis or an upper respiratory infection
- nerve damage to the larynx
- polyps and/or other growths on the vocal chords
- excessive and/or prolonged meowing
Whatever might be the cause, it’s a good idea to take your cat to the vet to determine the underlying cause of their voice loss. It could be something incredibly simple, such as your cat yelling too much during a car ride, which is easily treated with vocal rest. It could also be something more serious, however, so it’s important to have the vet check on your kitty to make sure they receive appropriate treatment. If your cat has an infection, antibiotics might be on the menu. If it turns out to be polyps or other growths, your cat might require more invasive procedures such as surgery to treat the problem. Sometimes nerve damage to the larynx can cause laryngeal paralysis, preventing the cat from vocalizing. Surgery might also be needed if this is the cause of your cat’s voice issues.
Luckily, the most common causes of voice loss are not nearly so serious. Usually, cats lose their voices from overuse or from laryngitis, which are both relatively easy to treat. With proper care, your little one will be back to meowing soon and singing to you at 5am.
The Early Bird Gets the Worm, but the Early Cat Gets It All
I believe it’s important to start your day off right with an “up and at ’em attitude”. No reason to hide around in bed like a slug or to continually turn off your alarm and delay the inevitable. An early, enthusiastic start to your day, plus a large helping of a healthy breakfast, is the best way to make sure your day will be productive and full of positive energy. I have always lived by these maxims, and so far I think they have served me very well. I am an accomplished emperor, my reign is unopposed, and my empire continues to expand — clearly, I have figured out the wisest way to live a good, happy life, and at so young an age, too! I am wise beyond my years!
The tricky part, however, is convincing the humans that this way of life is beneficial. So far they have not appreciated my attempts at encouraging them to adopt this lifestyle. I rise tirelessly every morning at 5am to try to wake them and introduce them to the benefits of being a crepuscular animal. The quiet, meditative qualities of the dawn hour do wonders for mood, energy, and clarity of mind, and I want my humans to reap all the benefits I have been reaping for years. I try and try to get them to wake up at this golden hour–I climb on their chests, on their faces, on their heads; I nuzzle them with my cold, healthy nose–but they never react well, and they never seem to understand I’m trying to improve their health. They burrow themselves deeper in the blankets, grumbling, waving me away. Sometimes they even scream and cry, throwing pillows over their heads, and then I have to try even harder to pull them from their relentless slumber.
Such lazy creatures of habit! They shoo me out of the room, and then I am relegated to sitting outside of their door, crying at the top of my lungs, trying desperately to warn them that their chance is passing fast. The golden hour wanes away quickly, and it is only afterwards, when it is too late, that they begin to tumble out of bed, stiff and grouchy and unaware that they could have been so vitally energized like me.
You have to get up early, humans! You have to embrace the light of dawn!
Traveling with Your Furbaby (Monthly Cat Care Article)
Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.
Not everyone looks forward to traveling. Some people dislike it more than others–and cats in particular are not usually happy about going on trips. (Or as dogs like to call them, “adventures”.) Cats are often notoriously difficult to travel with. They fight getting in their carriers and are terrified of leaving their territories. They often scream and yowl for the duration of the trip, making it much more tempting to just leave them at home…
So, what’s a pet parent to do when they have to take their little ones out of the house?
Safety is of the utmost importance whenever you have to go on a trip with your pet. It’s a good idea to have your cat wear a collar or harness with your phone number on it in case they get separated from you during transit. It’s also a good idea to know your cat’s microchip information (if they have one), as well as carrying a copy of their vet records, especially if you are traveling by plane. To reduce the risk of escapes, do not let your cat out of its carrier unless you are in a secured place — such as a parked, locked car, or a locked hotel room. If you must allow the cat out of its carrier, be sure it’s wearing a harness with a leash so you can hold onto it if it tries to run.
Another factor of utmost importance is comfort. Your cat needs to be comfortable during the trip — it will help keep them as calm and stress-free as possible. They will need a carrier large enough for them to turn around and stand up in. Preferably, the carrier should have hard sides so it is sturdy enough to protect them from accidental knocks or bumps that might happen during the journey. Be sure to secure the carrier with a seat belt. The safest place in a car is usually the middle rear seat (this is where children are recommended to sit as well).
Don’t forget to pack food and water for your kitty. Your cat will also need access to a litter box if the trip is going to be longer than half a day or so. If you suspect your cat will get especially stressed or upset during the trip, you can ask their vet to prescribe them anti-anxiety medication to help them get through the journey. You should consult with your vet and follow their instructions regarding this.
With some preparation and a good attitude, you and your cat will be ready to take on whatever journey you need to. Your cat might not be super pleased about it, but traveling with your cat does not have to be a nightmare.
Traveling
I don’t know many cats who are fond of traveling. Most of us are extremely busy keeping our territory maintained, and as such, we do not really have time for traveling and we certainly do not volunteer for it. It’s stressful and upsetting to think about our territory being left alone and unattended for even a few hours. Do you know what kinds of things can happen in the span of a few hours? Raccoons could invade! Another cat could break in! Food could disappear!
But alas, sometimes we do not have choices when it comes to traveling or not. If I had my way, I would never leave my empire, but sometimes my human has other plans, and since she controls my food bag, I have to go with her. Cats have superior senses, you know, and I can always sense that a trip is coming. I can always tell that she’s planning something and trying to hide it from me. There are subtle signs that warn of these things…
The bags begin appearing by the door. Always a few, some with things from the bathroom, some with clothes. Is the human just cleaning, or is this something I need to be concerned about?
Things go into the car. One by one, things begin disappearing. The bags start to go. Then things from the fridge come out and disappear.
My collar goes on. Hmm. This isn’t a good sign.
My food bag goes into the car. Oh no. I got excited for a second, but this is definitely not a good sign.
My bowls are gone. It’s really happening. I need to find a place to hide.
My litter box is gone. There’s nothing left. I’m next.
I try to barricade myself somewhere; I try to hide, but it always ends up being futile. There are only so many places where I can hide, and somehow the human always ends up grabbing me and putting me in the fateful little carrier. It’s going to be a long couple hours until freedom comes again….
Being a Full-Time Cat….
It’s hard being a full-time cat and doing a good job at it. A lot of people overlook just how time-consuming and exhausting it really is, especially if, like me, you have a large territory to lord over responsibly. Not every cat has the position of emperor like I do, and let me tell you, it is a huge task to undertake each and every day. But I never shy away from my duties. I am emperor for a reason, and I always strive to show my subjects excellent leadership.
From dawn to dusk and through the night, I am always hard at work maintaining my empire to the best of my ability. It might look like I nap a lot, but I always have one eye open, and I am ready to leap up at a second’s notice whenever anyone needs me. Day in and day out, I have a long list of areas I have to oversee and manage:
- Kitchen activities. I always keep a watchful gaze over cooking and food prep, to make sure that imperial standards are upheld. I frequently have to taste-test what the kitchen produces to ensure it is of top-notch quality.
- Water usage. Whenever water is used in my home, I have to check to ensure that the pipes are working correctly and that the water is of satisfactory taste, temperature, and quality. This includes bathtubs, sinks, and toilets — if I hear a flush, you know I’ll come running to do my job!
- Trash services. I have to routinely inspect the trash to make sure that items are being disposed of correctly and that food is not being accidentally thrown away. Oftentimes, my kitchen staff will mistakenly toss something that is still edible — or at least partially edible — and I have to rectify those situations.
- Cleanliness. I have to make sure that all quarters remain clean and up to standards. I routinely have to clear out dust, cobwebs, spiders, bugs, lint, and other odds and ends that pile up in the corners. I also make a point of licking the kitchen floor at least once a day, to clear it of oil, crumbs, and other bits of food that slip out of the kitchen staff’s hands.
- Security. One of my most time-consuming jobs is patrolling the premises and making sure that my empire’s defenses have not been breached. I have to check all windows, doors, and other points of entry to make sure they are still secure. I try to mark them with my scent to let outsiders know this is the boundary of my territory, although my human doesn’t seem to understand my efforts.
- Day watch/night guard. Another extremely time-consuming job is to keep watch over the empire and keep an eye out for potential threats or intruders. I have several perches throughout my empire where I post myself for my watch sessions. These sessions are extremely fatiguing and have to be broken up with naps, but even then, I always sleep with my senses honed and ready for action.
Between all of these duties, I hardly have time for myself. I’m lucky if I can fit in time to play and time to clean myself. It’s certainly an exhausting job, keeping this empire running right and making sure my humans are safe, but it’s worth it in the end. I am, after all, Emperor Julius, and this is my duty on this earth.
Playtime (Monthly Cat Care Article)
Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.
Cats, just like all of us, benefit from regular playtime. Not only does playtime keep your cat physically fit (the exercise will promote them to build muscle and improve their circulation), it will also provide them mental stimulation, keep them from getting bored, and give them a chance to bond with you over fun activities. Exercise is an important part of keeping your cat healthy and happy.
Cats enjoy playing games that involve utilizing and satisfying their natural instincts to stalk, hunt, and kill prey. They also typically play in short bursts — your cat might play vigorously for 10-15 minutes, “kill” its toy, and then grow tired or bored. It’s recommended to repeat this playtime once or twice a day to keep your cat entertained and well-exercised.
Common toys that cats enjoy include: small toys that resemble prey, such as catnip-stuffed mice or birds, feather wands, and tinkle balls. You can find a wide range of cat toys for sale in most stores. Cats don’t necessarily need special-made kitty toys to have fun, though–many cats also enjoy playing with crinkly paper or toilet paper tubes, which can be found regularly around the house.
It’s important to remember to always supervise your cat when they’re playing, just to make sure they are staying safe. It’s also important to not allow your cat to play with sharp objects that could injure them, as well as items that they could swallow, such as ribbons and rubber bands. Vets also recommend that cats stay away from playing with string and yarn, especially if they are unsupervised. Although these are popular cat toys, they can cause serious internal harm if eaten, and your cat could also get themselves tied up or otherwise entangled in the yarn in dangerous ways. Again, it’s important to keep an eye on your cat while they’re playing. Plus, who wouldn’t want to join in the fun? Playing regularly is good for both you and your feline friend. Stay safe and have fun!
To Eat, or Not to Eat (Monthly Cat Care Article)
Disclaimer: the staff writers here are not vets nor are they qualified to give medical advice. This article’s purpose is strictly to share stories/information and should not be used for diagnostic purposes. Please take your cat to the vet if you suspect anything might be wrong with them. Your vet will know best what to do in your specific situation.
To eat, or not to eat? If your cat is anything like Julius, they might be inquisitive little foodies who want to discover the various tastes the world has to offer. They might want to graze in the garden, steal scraps off your plate, or partake in tantalizing human munchies. Sometimes, however, it might not be apparent that ingesting certain foods isn’t good for them — in some cases, ingesting certain plants or foods could result in serious harm to the curious feline involved. So what is safe for cats to eat, and what isn’t? (Note: cats really should not be eating food that isn’t meant for them, but we all know that sometimes they manage to obtain, ahem, supplementary nutrition from human kitchens and gardens, so it’s good to be prepared with knowledge of what is safe and what is toxic in such cases.)
Some foods and plants are extremely toxic to cats and should not be ingested even in small amounts. Doing so could cause the cat extreme illness or even organ failure. These foods and plants include: Chocolate, raisins, grapes, alcohol, caffeine, onions, garlic, crocuses, lilies, tulips, and daffodils.
If you suspect that your cat has ingested any of these substances, take them to a vet right away, especially if they show signs of distress or if their urine changes color.
Some foods are safe for cats to eat, although they should consume these in moderation. These foods include: cooked meat, cooked fish, oats, rice, eggs, bananas, apples, broccoli, peas, and more. You can check out a longer list here. Cats can also safely enjoy a number of plants and herbs as well, including: wheat grass, parsley, and mint.
Those new friends better stay hidden from Emperor Julius!
Sir Socks Le Chat 