indoorcats

Many of us have spent considerable time planning for the care of our family members in the event that we die or become incapacitated. Unfortunately, though, we often fail to consider the needs of our smallest family members: our cats. In the past, most pet owners didnt think about making formal arrangements for their cats in their wills. But all thats changing, according to David Congalton, co-author of When Your Pet Outlives You: Protecting Animal Companions After You Die. "Historically, the problem has been lack of awareness, but thats all changed in the last decade," Congalton says. "Most states now allow pet trusts, and the attitude towards protecting animals has completely changed in courts and legal circles."

You gaze at your adorable feline and wonder: How could you ever live without her? But you know, as a rule, that cats dont live as long as humans. On average, cats live about 14 years. But the good news is that thanks to improved veterinary medicine and owner involvement, cats are living longer and longer, often exceeding the average lifespan by many years. There are many stories of cats living to their mid or late 20s. There seems to be valid documentation for an unneutered female cat named Spike from the United Kingdom who lived to be 31. Spike's case was extremely rare, but more stories come out each year about cats living to very ripe old ages. Could your cat be blessed with an extra long life? While genetics and luck have some influence over a cats lifespan, there are a number of things you can do to increase your cats longevity.

Perhaps one of the scariest thoughts for the owner of an indoor-only cat is that of your cat having to fend for himself in the great outdoors. Julia Albright, DVM, a resident in animal behavior at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals, says, "Keeping your cat indoors is the best way to provide a safe environment for him. Outside your home the cat may be exposed to other cats, cars and predators." However, accidents do happen, no matter how careful we are. A window screen may pop out unexpectedly, or a repairman may leave the door open "just for a second" while he grabs a tool from the truck. But apart from regularly checking window and door screens and making sure that all visitors know that your cat is strictly an indoor cat, the only thing you can do is prepare yourself for the occasion when he does get out.

We are told over and over that we should keep our beloved cats indoors to protect them from cars and other animals. But for those of us who work full-time or travel for business, what do our cats do when theyre home alone? There is some controversy as to whether or not cats need other cats as companions when their humans are away. And there are different views as to how elaborate to get when it comes to leaving toys and amusements for your cat.

The cat toy industry is booming in the United States partly because we love our kitties, but largely because our lifestyles make it difficult for them to engage in instinctual behavior without them. According to Dr. Julia Albright, resident in Animal Behavior at Cornell Universitys College of Veterinary Medicine, "Adult feral cats spend a good portion of the day looking for prey, whereas our indoor domestic cats do not."

If you think snoring partners are bad, consider this: Iris Hunter, 53, from Durham, North Carolina has five cats. The youngest is three and the oldest of the crew is 17. All are domestic short-hairs, with three tabbies among them. And, unfortunately, all of them snore. "At first I thought it was my husband," says Iris, but the snoring actually came from her cats. Snoring pets may bring just as many laughs as snoring spouses, but neither is all that funny. As with humans, snoring in cats can cause sleep deprivation for those who hear it - and is sometimes a sign of serious illness for the snorer.

You need to take your cat to the veterinarian for a checkup. When you retrieve the cat carrier from the closet, your cat disappears. The ensuing chase tires you out and stresses your cat, making his heart beat faster and possibly elevating his temperature. Sound familiar? For many cat owners, getting their cats into a carrier is a battle of wits and wills but necessary preparation for veterinary visits, emergency evacuations, or moving to a new location. "You may want to put your cat in a carrier to keep her from escaping when painters or housekeepers come," says Ellen Lindell, VMD, CatWatchs behavior columnist and a board-certified member (a diplomate) of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists. So why wait until an emergency arises? Getting your cat used to the carrier simply takes foresight and training.

You have a wonderful vacation planned, a two-week escapade to a sunny island after a long year of hard work and stress. Youve been looking forward to it for months, but a nagging problem remains: Who should take care of Tabby while youre away? What you do with your cat when you take a vacation should depend on your cats personality, health condition, age and the resources available where you live. Hiring a pet sitter, kenneling your cat or boarding him with a veterinarian are options for care when you arent home.

Houseplants help add a natural look and feel to any home, but cat owners need to be very careful when selecting plants to spice up their dcor. Our feline friends are notorious for snacking on houseplants. According to ELise Christensen, DVM, animal behaviorist with NYC Veterinary Specialists in Manhattan, there may be several reasons for this: …

Nothing is more appealing to many feline-loving people than snuggling up with a favorite cat companion, whether it be while watching television, reading a book or even catching some Zs. "A lot of people really enjoy sleeping with a cat as long as the person does not have allergies or medical conditions that would make getting a scratch potentially dangerous," says Ellen Lindell, VMD, a board-certified veterinary behaviorist who operates a private behavior specialty practice and is a monthly columnist for CatWatch. "Aggressive cats should be kept out of the bedroom, but if the cat behaves normally, there is no harm in sleeping with her."

The warmer weather brings sunshine, fresh breezes, singing birds - and bugs. Maybe youre the sort of person who encourages your cat when she swipes at a moth, catches it, plays with it and then devours it. Or maybe you cringe when your cat pounces on a beetle and starts crunching on it. Whatever kind of person you are, its likely that you wonder if its safe for your cat to eat bugs. The answer depends on what kind of bug youre talking about.

It's one of the unpleasant aspects of living with cats, but there are ways to make the chore a bit more efficient.