Rozzie May Animal Alliance Conway, NH. Mobile Pet Spay & Neutering

The third branch of the RMAA is education.
Sharing information is the answer to
reducing the pet overpopulation problem
facing not only New Hampshire, but the country.

Be sure to check back for new educational topics

Is your cat inappropriately urinating?
Inappropriate urination is actually a common cause of death in cats since many are relinquished to shelters for this reason.Yet, the problem is almost always fixable.
Your cat may have underlying physical problems such as arthritis, diabetes, cystitis, kidney disease, feline cognitive dysfunction (‘kitty Alzheimer’s’) or any number of other physical explanations for inappropriately urinating. These are conditions that require treatment from your veterinarian. So, when a cat has accidents, rule number one is to visit your veterinarian. And, do it sooner rather than later.
Pet owners tend to let “mistakes” turn into habits. This makes the problem more difficult to deal with than had the owner immediately addressed the issue. Sure, any cat can have a “mistake,” but if there seems to be a pattern, talk with your veterinarian.
It’s important to describe to your veterinarian what’s really going on. There are a myriad of reasons cats eliminate outside litter boxes. Cats aren’t very nimble at dealing with change, which can cause anxiety. Therefore, the death of another pet or Uncle Ned moving into the guest room can create enough anxiety that triggers improper litter box behavior. The good news is that help is available through your veterinarian.

What is your cat doing?
spraying:
Cat backs up against walls and/or furniture,
tail quivers, cat may vocalize and urine dribbles vertically.
Marking behavior is often much like cats spray painting to tag
their territories and perhaps to express anxiety
(rarely, cats also mark with stool).
Voiding or house soiling:
Cat urinates on a flat surface, often leaving a puddle.

These tips might help to solve or prevent problems by spraying/marking cats:

Veterinary exam to rule out contributing physical explanation.
Is the cat neutered?
Neuter the cat.

Is the cat seeing/smelling outdoor cats (even rarely other animals) which are causing a territorial response? Is the cat spraying against the wall in an apartment or condominium where another cat is living on the other side of that wall?
Pull down shades or close blinds to prevent seeing outdoor cats.
Consider a motion detector sprinkler or another humane deterrent to dissuade outdoor cats.
When unsupervised, confine spraying cat in a part of the house where outdoor cats or cats on other side of a neighbor’s wall can’t be seen, heard or smelled.

In multi-cat homes, is there a new feline addition? Are various cats getting along?
If it’s a ‘cat vs. cat’ situation, seek professional help to advise behavior modification to broker peace.

Is the cat spraying on a new piece of furniture?
Cover the furniture to protect it.

Add a litter box near where cat is spraying.
Consider spraying a synthetic pheromone product, such as Feliway® (as directed), where cat has sprayed.
If recommendations aren’t successful, seek professional help; and the use of a psychopharmaceutical may be indicated.

These tips might help to solve or prevent problems by a cat house soiling:

Urinating on furniture, in a sink or on a sofa or bed?
Urinating next to the litter box(es)?
On Furniture, in a sink or on a sofa or bed

Veterinary exam to rule out contributing physical explanation.
Cats who require a “litter box perch” are sometimes feeling insecure, threatened and/or generally anxious about other cats (or other pets, even children) in proximity to existing litter boxes.
Make those areas where the cat is urinating unattractive. Affix double stick tape on plastic placemats (cat don’t like to feel stickiness on their paws) or purchase a product called Sticky Paws. A Scatmat (placed on furniture) is flexible PVC which is plugged in, and gives those who jump on it a mild electronic shock. Ssscat!, is a motion detector that sprays air.
Use a baby gate (or another barrier) to keep the dog(s) away from the litter box; (you can cut a hole in it for the cat to go through or raise the gate so the cat can easily squeeze under.

Even if it seems cats are getting along, signaling in cats is subtle. A cat lying in a hallway leading to a box, for example, may be enough to dissuade a second cat from heading in that direction. Cats may be very clear about daily disdain for one another or offer subtle, yet intimidating cues, only in specific contexts.
When cats are not getting along, offer an abundance of resources to them-most importantly, litter boxes (more is better), as well as toys and scratching posts.

Change may cause anxiety; the owners’ work schedule, home construction, a new partner or pet moving in, etc. A cat may choose the owner’s bed over a litter box because it is soft and cushy, offers a secure view, its comforting and smells so reassuring.
Ease anxiety. If a houseguest or new partner has moved in, have that person interact positively with the cat, taking over responsibility for feeding and offering treats; and most importantly, play with an interactive cat toy. If the cat is unwilling to interact, it’s best to ignore the cat.

Use a plug-in synthetic pheromone, such as Feliway, or a pheromone collar (such as SentryHC Good Behavior Calming Pheromone Cat Collar).
Obtain additional professional advice for behavior modification. A psychopharmaceutical may be required.
Next to the litter box
Assuming that the cat is physically well, a cat that urinates next to the box may generally be communicating that the litter box location isn’t so much an issue, but instead the cat finds something aversive about the litter box.

If the owner has switched cat litter brands recently, return to using the previous brand.
Scoop at least once daily.
If the litter box is a year old or more, replace the box.
If the box is covered, consider removing the hood.
If the cat is defecating in the box and urinating just outside the box, sometimes adding a nearby second box will solve the problem.
Obese cats (who may also be arthritic) can have difficultly moving into and out of the box. Either buy an extra-large manufactured litter box, or consider a plastic storage container (the kind you’d keep sweaters in and store under a bed). Low sides are best so it’s effortless for the cat to walk in and out. Also, a veterinarian can suggest a weight loss program and appropriate pain relief, if needed.
If the litter appears to be suspect, allow the cat to choose the litter preference via a litter trial giving three or four choices, literally lining up the boxes like a buffet.

source: Merial Protector volume 9, 2nd quarter 2011

Curious about ear mites?

Most people have heard of ear mites but don't really know what they are. Many pet owners see an inflamed ear with discharge on their pet and assume it is an ear mite infection, which often leads to weeks of improper treatment with over-the-counter remedies. To properly treat an ear infection, it is important to determine if an ear is infected with yeast or bacteria or actually infected with mites. Below you will find answers to common questions about ear mites to help properly diagnose and treat your pet's ear infection.

What are ear mites?
How do I know if my cat has ear mites?
How did my cat get them?
How do I treat my cat for ear mites?
Can my dog get ear mites too?

What are ear mites?

Ear mites are tiny infectious organisms resembling microscopic ticks. They do not burrow as some mites do, but live within the ear canal. The presence of the mites in a cat's ear is extremely itchy and can cause very irritating ear infections. Skin disease can also secondarily result from infection by the ear mite when left untreated. Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats, ferrets, and to a lesser extent dogs. Humans cannot be infected with ear mites

How do I know if my cat has ear mites?

Ear mites are usually detected by examination of a sample of ear wax under a microscope. Infection usually produces a characteristic dry, black, crumbly ear discharge commonly said to resemble coffee grounds. Because of the classical appearance of this discharge, many will diagnose a cat with ear mites based on the presence of this discharge without visual confirmation of the mites under the microscope. It is possible to improperly diagnose based solely on the appearance of the discharge, so here at Rozzie May, we confirm a diagnosis of ear mites by microscopic inspection.

How did my cat get them?

Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. Ear mites most commonly infect outdoor cats. If you have an indoor cat that does not have contact with other cats and was not infected with ear mites when she came into the house, it is not likely that she has ear mites now.

How do I treat my cat for ear mites?

There are numerous products available for treatment ear mites. Most over-the-counter products contain insecticides which do not kill incubating mite eggs. Because of this limitation, such products must be used for at least the duration of the 21 day life cycle of the mite. While these products can work, when consistently and properly administered, three weeks of use is fairly inconvenient and your pet may not allow for appropriate daily treatment. The harsh chemicals in many of these over-the-counter products can also cause severe skin irritations in some animals.
RMAA recommends using a prescription medication to treat ear mites with one treatment. These medications are safe for your pet and effective. Though these medications may cost a bit more than the over-the-counter treatments, they are easy to apply and are much less stressful for you and your pet.
Revolution is the product that we choose for the treatment of ear mites as it also has the added benefit of treating for fleas and intestinal worms. Other safe products include Acarexx, MilbeMite, and Advantage Multi.

Can my dog get ear mites too?

The short answer is yes, however, it is not common. In pets, ear mites most commonly affect cats, ferrets, and to a much lesser extent dogs. Ear mites host preference is definitely the cat. Humans cannot be infected with ear mites.