Kitto Blog

Buttons and I have a game. Whenever I head to the laundry room, I usually close the door behind me to prevent a Pied Piper trail of cats from getting in my way. (I’m preettty sure they are onto the fact that we keep their food and treats in there and it arouses their curiosity EVERY time!)

One day as I was folding laundry I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. A very small, white paw was outstretched under the door, begging. “Awww….so sweet” I thought. And then it dawned on me – she really was hoping for a treat! I pulled the bag from the shelf and dropped two within her reach. They disappeared quickly. Well, one did. The other was pushed back under the door for me! I pushed it back. This play continued until finally the treat disappeared for good – and then the paw came back.  : ) This game became a thing between Buttons and I and now I find myself looking forward to it!

Weezy, our paper balls girl has her own game. Unfortunately it is not as fun – for us, that is. She LOVES to play hockey with her little ball, kicking and bouncing it off baseboards all the way to the ‘goal’ — which is under the stove! How she figured this out I will never know, but we are then left with the duty of retrieving them (yes she wants them back!) by laying on the floor on our stomach with a stick to fetch them out! She ‘reminds’ us by laying on the floor herself, paw outstretched under the stove as if reaaaaching for the paper ball she knows she can’t get! Thelma’s playtime is usually chasing random lights from the sun or a reflection on the walls, something that doesn’t usually require our participation.

Playtime is an important time for cats, especially for exercise and development. It is their nature to hunt and chase, so if they can’t get their fulfillment outdoors, then it is even more important to engage them as often as you can. Just like setting up scratching posts around the house, you can easily create play areas with various toys – just make sure that the toys are safe to play with unsupervised, as some can be choking hazards or dangerous because of small parts.

There are times I catch myself ogling Pinterest pics of fantasy cat houses and imagining how much fun they would have in something like that. In the meantime, as long as Buttons gets her treats and Weezy her paper balls, I must say they seem pretty happy!

Recently I had the pleasure of cat sitting for two of the most fun cats – Jack and Millie. I met their mom, Allyssa when she was put in contact with me through a co-worker. Not sure what to do when the family member who usually cared for Jack & Millie was planning to be out of town the same time she was, she decided to give me a try.

I appreciate the trepidation of anyone who reaches out for the first time, as I was in the same boat. It’s a bit of a leap of faith to go from family / friend / neighbor to someone new, and as I often get questions about how folks find me and why they like this service, I asked Allyssa if she could help. Being the spirited, cooperative person she is, she gladly obliged. I sent her 5 quick questions, and here is what she had to say:

1. Tell us a little about your cats.

I have 3 year old very loving and rambunctious little girl (Millie) and a snuggly, although shy 15 year old male (Jack).

2. Have you used a cat sitter before? If not, who usually takes care of them for you?

This is the first time. My family or some close friends usually take care of my kitties when I am out of town.

3. How did you decide to use My Cat Companion?

My first meeting with Maria was wonderful. She was actually at my house about an hour. She asked questions and was so loving to the one cat that actually came out to greet her.

4. How would you rate the experience?

It was great! The house was taken care of and the cats were very calm when I got home. She left me detailed notes about their week and I got daily updates and even some videos of the kitties.

5. You are hired on as Chief Improvement Officer of MCC. Your mission is to improve one thing. What would it be?

Make more Maria’s!! Having more employees would ensure all kitties are taken care of. I know if her schedule gets full she may be limited on who she can help. This is a needed service but not many around town. I’m very grateful I can call on someone who is kind and loving to my cats and also very trustworthy in my home.

Allyssa, I can’t thank you enough! One of the best things about being able to help is spending time with cats like Jack and Millie. Please give them hugs and scratches for me!

No one really thinks about stationary fronts until they park themselves in your neighborhood for a few weeks littering your days with heat and humidity that usually marks the end of summer, not the beginning. Of course, while the sun and warmth are a welcome respite from an unusually long winter, it may be easy to overlook how these dog days affect our kitties.

How hot is too hot for cats? Is our comfy 78 degrees too warm for their furry little bodies? While it is hard to know exactly at what temperature they start to be affected, chances are if you are feeling the heat, they are too.

Feline Hyperthermia, or heat stroke, is a very real, very dangerous thing. If your cat is showing signs of heat stress (panting, lethargy, vomiting, red mouth and tongue) get them to a vet right away. In the meantime, here are some ways to keep them safe and cool.

1. Ice Ice Baby. I’m sure you are already keeping an eye on their water supply, but why not add an extra bowl or two around the house to make sure they stay hydrated where ever they are. Adding a few ice cubes in their bowls will keep the water full and cold as the ice melts. For that matter, just a separate bowl of ice cubes will melt and provide cold water when they need it (although maybe a little water in it will help them understand that it is for drinking!). Really want to get fancy? Crushed ice. Oh yeah.

2. Speaking of Frozen…Freeze a water bottle or two overnight, wrap in a towel in the morning and place near her fav lounging spot. How awesome will that be when she is ready to catch some Zs! Or place a frozen water bottle in front of a fan near her bed to create a neato air conditioner. Ahhhh…..

3. Cat Cooling Mat. Keep in mind, not all cooling mats are created equal. Most are created for dogs, and rightfully so because they contain gels that if poked and injected can be harmful to your kitto. However, Caldera Pet Therapy Gel Pack Inserts for use in pet beds are latex free, non-toxic, non hazardous and microwave and freezer safe. Give this a try with its compatible cover. There are also a variety of cooling pet cots that look super chill.

4. Cold Cat Wipes. You know those popular wipes that are all over the place lately? Several brands are cat friendly. Pop a pack in the fridge and treat your kitty to a cool wipe down twice daily. Or just use a damp paper towel. While most cats don’t like to get wet, something damp and cool will feel good on their hot bodies. Again, make sure the product is formulated for cats – an allergic reaction to the wrong product would take all the fun out of it!

5. Brush and Brush Some More! Welcome to tumbleweed season. Yes, those cute little tufts of fur floating around everywhere is nature’s way of relieving your cat its winter coat. But you can help. Grab a nice, gentle brush (or four) or even a nifty mitt and help your kittos cool off. It’s amazing just how much these things remove and it will certainly alleviate some of the tumbleweeds. Ok, maybe not : ) but they will LOVE you for it. We started with a brush in the laundry room to ‘contain the mess’ (ha!) but now find it just makes more sense to keep a few around the house for frequent brushing. They really do love it and it is so cute how they ‘line up’ when they see the first one getting started!

How do you keep your cats cool? Do tell! We love great ideas, so please let us know. Thanks!

Chronic Kidney Disease can be a problem especially in older cats. Recently, Dr. Jessica Quimby, a board-certified internal medicine specialist with the OSU Veterinary Medical Center spoke with Cameron Fontana of Good Day Marketplace about treatments and clinical trials. This is a really great piece with lots of valuable information. Take a look:

Meet Emma. A beautiful Orange Tabby who loves to be played with, brushed and talked to. She and I had a great time recently as I was helping with her care. An only kitto, she  enjoys a pretty quiet lifestyle with lots of love and attention, which is why her owners were grateful for the hour visits twice daily when they were gone. After their return I received a text pic of her waiting on the stairs for me! It was so sweet, as I know the time we had together really helped alleviate some of the anxiety of her owners absence.

When some folks see the Cheshire Cat / One Hour visit option on the Services page, it occasionally triggers questions. “Why would a cat need a one hour visit? Isn’t that a bit excessive?” Although it may seem so, the short answer is no. Believe it or not, cats can get lonely! As Susan Paretts points out in this great article on The Nest, “While many people think of cats as loners, the truth is that your cat forms a close bond with you and enjoys your company.”

This is so true of my own kittos, and one of the main reasons it became an option. Between playtime, occasional treats, brushing and our daily ‘conversations’, we really give them a decent amount of attention, and I know they appreciate it. In fact, sometimes they seek it out (my earlier posts have numerous examples of this).

Add to that feeding, box cleaning, fresh water, cleaning up after a feeding, putting away toys, and whatever other household details need attention and an hour can disappear in the blink of an eye! I think the big picture here is that the time spent with the cat is really important – whether playing or just chilling on the sofa with a good brushing – and it also can’t be rushed. Keep in mind, cat’s don’t have the same sense of time we do, so they may just be getting comfy when we are thinking it is time to move on.

All in all, every cat is different, every situation unique. In my experience the cats who get the sense that you are there for them and respond favorably far outweigh those who don’t. They are happier, sleep better, and a pleasure to come home to. Just ask Emma. ; )

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