Margejane, Author At Cute Kittens Club

Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome

Do you notice an obsessive cleaning of your cat? Do you notice biting and/or do you notice tremors in the back? Do you think your cat has a skin problem or perhaps the spine?

Perhaps it could be due to Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrom or Rolling Skin Syndrom.

What is it?

Hyperesthesia means abnormally increased sensitivity of the skin. It is a rare disease seen in nervous or highly stressed cats. It affects cats of any breed and age. It is not lethal and has no cure.

Read: How much do Cats Sleep? Learn all about Cat’s Sleeping Habits

If your cat suffers from this syndrome, it could show excessive sensitivity when touching any point of the spine, chasing its tail, biting itself, running, jumping … It can also choose to chase things that are not present and have very dilated pupils. They could even get injured by excessive licking/biting and pulling their hair trying to alleviate their discomfort.

What produces it?

The cause is unknown, mainly associated with stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or even many authors associate it with a type of feline epilepsy. Hyperesthesia syndrome could be triggered by problems with electrical activities that occur in the brain and are responsible for controlling predatory behavior, grooming, and emotions.

Must Read: How To Remove Cat Urine Smell From Fabric

An interesting fact is that cats that suffer from it have been shown to have injuries to the muscles of the spine, which either cause or contribute to causing discomfort in the spine.

Signs

During the episodes, muscle spasms occur in the back, and ripples from the shoulder to the tail, rapid and aggressive movement of the tail, dilated pupils can be observed.
These seizures last from seconds to a few minutes and then they run off as if something scares or is chasing them. Some specimens may have seizures during or after the attack.

In some cats it can be easily noticed but in others it is difficult to detect. A lot of attention must be paid to carry out an early diagnosis and, at this point, the role of the owner is fundamental: animals that feel that something is “attacking” their back and, consequently, lick excessively and / or bite and pull their hair from the area they are susceptible to suffering from feline hyperesthesia.

How do we diagnose it?

The diagnosis is obtained by ruling out other conditions and diseases that cause similar symptoms and behaviors: parasites, dermatological problems, musculoskeletal pain…. Once discarded, we can reach the diagnosis of feline hyperesthesia.

First of all, a behavioral history should be taken, the animal examined well. In addition, we must perform a battery of general complementary tests: blood count, biochemistry, and thyroid hormone analysis. On the other hand, investigate if you can suffer from flea bite allergy dermatitis, since in animals with severe joy it can cause itching and irritation of the skin, licking/biting / scratching aggressively and causing injuries to it. It is also important to rule out skin problems, sometimes excessively dry skin can cause itching and ensure the absence of diseases that cause pain in the spine, muscles, or joints, such as trauma, abscesses, anal sac problems, organ damage, tumors.

Treatment is based on reducing stress and changing environmental patterns. In the last case, it can be tried with medical treatment to reduce anxiety, corticosteroids and VNA treatment.

Guidelines for reducing stress.

Hormone diffusers, such as Feliway, are recommended at various points in the house. Its use should be prolonged 24 hours a day.
It is recommended to leave the TV or radio on when leaving the house, even some light if it is at night so that you do not feel alone.
Try to make time every day, at least 5-10 minutes, 3 times a day to play with your cat, with interactive toys, lights …, and change the toys so that he does not get bored with it.
It is important that you have a scratching area at various points in the house since scratching helps relieve stress. One trick: Catnip Spray can be used to induce scratching in these places.
If there is more than one cat in the house, you have to separate the areas for each animal: each one must have individual feeders, drinkers, litter boxes, and rest areas in different areas. Above all, it is important to have more than one item per animal, especially litter boxes and feeding containers.
Provide elevated areas for observation and rest (stairs, raised platforms, high scrapers, shelves …).
Encourage foraging behavior: preferably wet food as it has more odor and more water. It can hide in certain objects or corners of the house, to stimulate the tracking behavior.
Use of agglomerating or normal sands without aromas.
Avoid excessive manipulation, it must be the cat who decides the degree of contact he wants to have with the owners.
VERY IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE: Always feed him at the same time, freshwater changed daily. Daily cleaning of the sandbox.

If you notice an episode is starting, divert their attention. Throwing a toy at him,
stroking him on another part of the body, offering him a snack of food … any of these suggestions can help slow the process.

If Your Cat Gets Too Hot, Do This

by Margejane | Cat Behaviors

Summer is here and it’s HOT outside! Air conditioners are going out left and right because they are overworking themselves in this heat.
We know what to do to cool ourselves off if need be, but if your cat gets too hot it can be dangerous.
Cats can overheat too. Some signs that your cat may be too hot are panting, restlessness, vocalizing, rapid heartbeat, and lethargy. If your kitty is exposed to extreme heat, here are some tips on how to help her cool down.

What To Do If Your Cat Gets Too Hot

1. Put ice in the water bowl. While room temperature water is best for both people and cats, if your cat’s home is too hot then the water
most likely is as well. Adding ice to the water will help cool it down and encourage your kitty to hydrate during extreme heat situations.
Hydration is very important, so ice in the water is important. If you have outdoor cats, be sure to put the water dish in the shade, so as
to keep the water cooler longer.
2. Make dark cooler spaces for your cats to go to around the house. If you can put a box in the closet or a dark place in the house, this will
be a cool, safe escape for your kitty to go to for peaceful rest. A blue towel or blanket also encourages cooling temperatures according
to color therapy.
3. Wrap frozen items in a towel and place them near where your cat sleeps. This is especially helpful for those without air conditioning. In fact,
it’s the old-school air conditioning style for those of us who didn’t have AC growing up. Freezing water bottles work great for this, as
they stay frozen for quite some time.
4. Use a cool damp cloth and wipe down your kitty if he’s too hot. This is actually a great tip for you too. A cool damp cloth can feel like air
conditioning, especially if you have a fan running.

During the summer months, we want to do the best we can at keeping our cats comfortable. Even though kitties prefer a warmer
temperature than most humans, they too can get too hot sometimes. Following the above steps will help ensure a happier and healthier
cat!

See: The 5 Best Cat Fountains in 2021

Source: Twocrazycatladies

How To Remove Cat Urine Smell From Fabric

by Margejane | Cat Behaviors

If you’re a cat parent you’ve probably experienced your cat doing the nasty deed of “going” outside the box. Over the years of working
with pets, I have met many people with cats urinating on towels or dirty laundry. Another one of the popular places for cats to “go” is on
the rug in front of your shower. The nice thing is (if there is a nice thing to this scenario) these can be thrown in the washer to eliminate
the cat urine smell.

Get Rid Of The Cat Urine Smell

But what if your kitty decides to go on the couch cushion, sprays on the side of a chair, or goes in the middle of your carpet? No worries,
we’re here for you. If your cat pees on something that you can’t just throw into the washer, we have a few simple steps to resolve this
issue.

For fabric, while the area is still wet try to absorb as much of the pee as you can.
Re-soak the area with water and again absorb as much moisture as possible.
Apply an enzymatic cleaner to the area allowing it to soak in and completely dry to fully remove the smell

So don’t worry if your home is smelling like cat pee right now. With these simple steps, you can get that smell out and have a fresh home
again in no time. Remember, if your cat is peeing outside the box the first thing we want to do is get them checked by a vet. Inappropriate elimination is
often your furry friend trying to tell you something is not right.

If this is a behavioral issue and not a medical issue, please click here to find helpful ways to get your kitties going back in the box!

RECOMMENDED PRODUCT FOR CAT URINARY ISSUES

Urinary Tract Support Kit

The 5 Best Cat Fountains in 2021

by Margejane | Cat Accessories, Featured

A cat water fountain is a motorized pump that circulates water via a series of filters (or a single filter). It pushes the water up into a fountain stream or bubbler. This system of water movement helps to keep it clean, cool, and aerated – providing water that tastes fresher and better to your feline buddy.

Why should you get a cat fountain?

Your cat needs to drink more water every day, especially if they are on a dry food diet. A cat fountain is one great way to ensure your cat stays hydrated all day long. Cats, as it has been discovered, are naturally attracted to trickling or running water. Hence, a water fountain is a good investment to encourage a good drinking habit for your cat.

Adequate hydration will consequently improve nutrient absorption, enhance better digestion, and assist to flush out bacteria and toxins that can accumulate in your cat’s digestive and urinary tract. Has your cat ever suffered a urinary tract infection in the past? Then you should get her a cat fountain to avoid future infections.

Bonus pro: Are you tired of your cat going to drink from the toilet or sink all time? A cat water fountain is also an effective solution to encourage your cat to hydrate from their water bowl instead of the toilet bowl.

How often should you change the water in your cat’s fountain?

Your cat fountain should be cleaned every 3 – 4 days for several cats and about 5 – 6 days for just one cat. You should consider the number of cats you have, as well as if they have short or long hair. Keep in mind that long-haired cats will typically want more frequent cleaning.

Top 5 cat fountains

1. Catit Flower Cat Water Fountain

Do you have a picky drinker? Well, not anymore! The Catit Flower Pet Fountain is a colorful and inviting water bowl that is sure to be your cat’s favorite. It is an innovative fountain that features a unique and customizable design, encouraging your buddy to drink more water to keep her hydrated and healthy.

It comes with 3 water flow settings, so you can switch between a faucet-like stream, a bubbling top, or a calm flow of water. So enticing your fussy pet to have a drink has never been easier. While your cat enjoys a continuous flow of cool water, there’s a triple-action filter that removes dirt, odors, calcium, and magnesium. Unlike other cat water fountains, this beauty does not give room for debris to settle in and build up. Instead, your cat is always drinking from a clean, hygienic container. We call this flower magic!

Get Catit Flower Waterer at the best price here

2. Frisco Gravity Refill Pet Waterer

The Frisco Gravity Refill Pet Waterer is no ordinary water bowl! It’s a unique self-replenishing oasis that provides seemingly endless hydration for your pet. One amazing thing about the gravity waterer is how it automatically refills the reservoir after your pet drinks, making you rest assured that they won’t be left thirsty when you’re out working (or partying, lol). It features a water bottle on top that has a very large opening for easy refilling and cleaning, and a base with easy-to-lift fitted handles, allowing you to move the water fountain to wherever you want in your home.

The Frisco Gravity water fountain is a perfect product for daily use for cats of all ages, and even other pets as well – from gerbils and hamsters, rabbits, and ferrets to dogs. It comes in a variety of different sizes so you get to pick whichever one best suits your cat’s needs.

Get Frisco Gravity Refill Pet Waterer at the best price here

3. Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain

This product has been designed to increase your pet’s desire to drink more water by exemplifying a natural water source, rather than some boring, stagnant water bowl. It has the capacity to hold a gallon of water, which makes it suitable for owners of multiple pets. In addition, the stainless steel construction offers great resistance to bacteria and makes maintenance simple. In fact, it can be thrown into a dishwasher (excluding the pump)!

It also has rubber feet that prevent sliding and adjustable flow control to minimize splashing. In all, this product is a good choice for both small pets and large, giant breeds.

You can get this amazing product here

4. PetSafe Sedona Ceramic Cat Fountain

The PetSafe Sedona Pet Water Fountain is an elegant water-container upgrade that is perfect for households with many pets. It features a large drinking dish that allows multiple pets to drink at the same time, and it accommodates pets of all sizes. It utilizes a super-quiet pump, so your skittish cats won’t be afraid to approach the water fountain. The PetSafe Sedona Pet Fountain has been manufactured with a sleek design, featuring a ceramic tower and force-resistant transparent plastic dish that reduces spills and splashes. More importantly, it features a replaceable foam filter that captures debris and hair, and an activated carbon filter that removes odors and bad tastes. It is also dishwasher safe (only the top rack).

You can buy this stylish product at the best price here

5. Cat Mate Shell Plastic Pet Fountain

With the capacity to hold as much as 100 ounces of water, the Shell Plastic Pet Fountain by Cat Mate is sure to provide your furry pet with an enjoyable flow of clean water. It features multi-height water drinking platforms with a shell attachment which forms a stream of naturally oxygenated, cold water to entice your “paw-toner”. This innovative water fountain offers 3 stages of filtration, thereby preventing unhealthy debris deposits. It also has minimum and maximum water level indicators so that your cat never goes to an empty fountain with an alarming sound that goes off when the water level is down. You can get this product with free shipping when you use the button below.

Get the best pricing here.

Summary

So there you have them: the 5 top cat fountains for your sunshine. Getting a cat water fountain is a prerequisite for maintaining a long and healthy life for your best bud. To get any of the above amazing products at the best price, use the button below.

Up to 50% off, shop the Ruff & Mews Sales while it lasts!

Why adopting a cat could be beneficial for an autistic child

by Margejane | Cat Behaviors, Featured

Cats have a long history of improving people’s moods and brightening their days, which also appears to be true for children with autism, new research published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing has revealed.

The small study suggests that adopting a shelter cat may help reduce separation anxiety and improve empathy in children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Cats and pets in general, offer unconditional acceptance and someone to talk to and to be heard with. And caring for an animal can help them learn to be responsible, “said Gretchen Carlisle, study author and scientific researcher at the Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction at the University of Missouri in Columbia, United States.

ASD is a brain disorder that affects social skills, communication, and impulse control. In the United States alone, it affects one in 54 children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in that country.

The new work included 11 families who had children with autism between the ages of 6 and 14. The families were followed for 18 weeks after adopting a shelter cat. The researchers used standardized social skills and anxiety scales to choose the children who were likely to respond well to a pet. The cats were also evaluated for temperament.

In general, parents reported an instant bond between child and cat, and the bond remained strong over time, even with the added responsibility of caring for the pet.

The researchers found that the children’s separation anxiety, bullying, and hyperactivity decreased over the study period and they showed more empathy after adopting the cat. Most of the families kept the animal after the study ended.

Carlisle stressed that it’s not that cats are a better choice than dogs, but feline companions may be particularly suitable for some children with autism and their families.

“Many children with autism have sensory issues and when a dog barks in your face it can be really overwhelming, whereas cats just sit next to you and are less overwhelming from a sensory point of view,” he explained.

Cats can also be much easier to care for, especially for parents of children with autism who already carry a heavy load of responsibilities and stress, Carlisle said.

However, he added that the right combination is key.

“We specifically selected cats from 10 months to 4 years because there is previous documentation that younger cats are more sociable with children with autism, and adult temperament tends to establish at 10 months in these animals, so as young as 10 months old, cats already have the adult temperament,” Carlisle explained.

Several autism experts agree that adopting a pet can have benefits for children with autism and their families, always taking into account the information mentioned above. If you have a daughter or son with autism and you have more questions, consult a specialist in the field.