Purrfect Spring & Summer Petsitting Tips from Puddles the Cat
Hello Fur-riends,
My name is Puddles. I am a 6-year-old Domestic Shorthair Tuxedo Cat. My mom, Joanie, adopted me from the Nine Lives Cat Cafe in Indianapolis five years ago. My name was Precious, but she changed it to Puddles because of the black puddle marking on my chin. I love my new name and my forever home. My good friend Finley, from Walkadoodles & Whiskers invited me to share my practically purrrfect tips with you, my new feline friends.
But first, here’s a little bit more about me:
I am a proud member of “Felidae,” which is the bioligists’ term for CAT. My cat family includes everything from the tiniest kitten up to 900-pound tigers with 6-inch claws! Hear me roarrr!
My favorite things:
Movie: Harry Pawter and the Prisoner of Catcaban
TV Show: Operation Pet Rescue
Singer: Meowly Cyrus
Hobby: Chirping, also known as twittering at birds from my window.
Book: Lessons in Catmistry
Work: Chipmunk and mice patrol for my mom and my neighbors.
Food: Wellness Chicken and Herring Pate and Purina Proplan
Treats: Temptations or Greenies
Exercise: Walks with my dog siblings, Sherman and Tilly.
Toy: Da Bird Wand available at Hollywood Feed.
Couch cuddles with my family!
Now that we are better acquainted, I want to share my tips for those of you who are getting ready for your Spring and Summer vacations. We felines are often regarded as fiercely independent —yes I’m a Catboss, but this behavior is often construed by humans as meaning that we cats don’t require the same level of attention and care as our canine companions (while you’re away)… are you kitten me?! That simply is not true.
We, domesticated cats, can actually be quite social in the right circumstances and oftentimes in our homes. We just have different ways of showing it than dogs. When you go away, we do miss you and do need some extra care. So, before you leave your feline companions behind, I’d like to share some tips to help you prepare ahead of time.
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, our major behavioral needs include eating (hunting), drinking, elimination (urine and feces), security, play and exploration, climbing, perching, and scratching. Specifically, hunting and feeding needs might be satisfied by giving food in small portions throughout the day and placing food or treats inside toys that require some manipulation to release the food (batting, chasing, rolling, pawing). To add an element of hunting, the cat can be given opportunities to chase, pounce on, and bite toys you dangle or pull in front of the cat. We love ALL of the above!
If you must leave us for 24 hours, most of us are OK, but if you leave us for longer you should make sure someone is coming over to care for your cat daily. Being at home with familiarsurroundings and smells helps alleviate some of our stress of not having you around. Ways we may show stress when you’re away are ignoring the litter box, destructive behavior such as clawing in unwanted areas, vomiting, and/or displaying reclusive or aggressive behavior upon your return. It’s important for us to stay on schedule and have as much attention and familiarity as possible while you’re away.
This is where my friends at Walkadoodles and Whiskers come in and save the day! They offer meow-valous cat care services so you can relax on vacation, knowing your cat will receive the best care while your’e away! They offer 15, 30, 45 or 60- minute visits in your home and will feed your cat, change the litter box, play with your cat, and can even bring in the mail and water your plants! Fur-real! Check it out! And thanks for reading my first blog. Be back soon!
Pawsitively Yours,
Puddles