Category Archives: Living with cats

The higher, the better : vertical space and cats

Hello ! Here am I ! Can you see me ? Above, on the left, in the tree !

We, cats, occupy all the space available on our territory, and it includes the vertical space.

Indoor cats must have the opportunity to climb and to reach high positions : a chair, a top of cupboard, the kitchen counter, an edge of window, a cat tree, shelves fixed to the wall just for us, no matter. The access to a high position allows us to observe our environment, to see unnoticed, to feel safe, to have a roundabout way to avoid meeting another cat, and satisfying our natural need to climb.

I am lucky enough to have a catified indoor, and outside, a garden with trees on which I climb, I play, and I hunt : could it be better than that ?

Cats, firecrackers, and fireworks

Happy early birthday, Switzerland ! On Tuesday, August 1st, we’ll celebrate your 726 years !

Unfortunately for us, humans adore celebrating noisily this kind of event : music and fireworks won’t be lacking.

Image Pixabay

Cats, firecrackers, and fireworks

We hate as much the noise as the vibrations caused by these things. Some cats appreciate the fireworks show from the cosy inside of their apartment, but they are rare. Most of them (and us with them !) is going to hide under the bed, or in a cupboard, or where they feel safe.

What to do with your cat during the national holiday ?

If your cat goes out, keep him inside to prevent him from running away. Close windows to damp the noise, and lower blinds or close curtains, or better, shutters. Turn on the television or put some music to have a background noise. The ideal is to stay with your cat and to attend calmly to your usual activities. Bach Rescue Pets drops can be useful. We also know that calming treats are available on open sale in some countries, but we didn’t find it in Switzerland.

If you already know that your cat will be really very put under stress, anticipate and consult your veterinarian : he can prescribe you a light tranquilizer and advise you.

Heat emergency : how to protect your cat ?

For more than a week, we have scorching temperatures. It is horribly warm and wet, our humans cannot sleep, and we all work in slow motion.

How to protect your cat during a heat emergency ?

Here is a brief reminder :

Make sure that he has access to a cool, ventilated, and shaded place.
Make sure that he drinks enough. Put some cool water at disposal in several places.
If needed, refresh him by petting him with a wet towel, or make him play with some water if he likes it.
Your cat will reduce his usual activity instinctively, it’s normal.

If your cat pants, sticks out the tongue, or seems apathetic, he is maybe a victim of a heatstroke : read here how to react quickly and effectively !