How to choose a litter box

Contrary to popular belief, all litter boxes are not made equal. Size does matter when choosing the perfect litter box for a cat. A little research can go a long way for your cat's comfort and how frequently you have to maintain the cleanliness of the box.

First, the bigger your cat is the bigger the litter box should be, especially if you are getting one that has a hood. If you are getting one with a hood, consider the height and that the cat should be able to comfortably sit up to do it's business with ease. Big cats also prefer having ample space to move around in their box before they relieve themselves. A box that is too small, may result in the cat scratching the walls of the box because there is not enough space for his comfort or in extreme cases eliminating outside the box.

It is recommended to buy a litter box that has a built in filter. This keeps the air as fresh as possible and avoids unwanted odors from lingering. If your current litter box does not have an filter, consider placing an external air purifier or a deodorizer close to the box.

Using a plastic liner in your litter box will do a world of good in extending the life of the box. Having a barrier avoids any staining of the box itself or strong odors from penetrating the plastic. It also makes changing out the litter, sanitary and efficient. Periodically spraying down the litter box with sanitizer will eliminate any bacteria build up.

If you would like to avoid having to clean your cat's litter box as much as possible, there are several options available. Automatic litter boxes have self cleaning systems that will sweep the box throughout the day. Your only responsibility would be to change out and replace the container when it is full. California Paws scoops the litter box on each daily cat visit and twice a day when the cat is being boarded. When a cat has a clean litter box, it is unlikely to develop an elimination problem. Always insure that there is 2-3 inches of litter in the box at all time.

If you have multiple cats in your home, you may consider using a multi cat litter formula or having more than one litter box. How often the litter is completely changed depends on the number of cats using it, the type of litter and how soiled it is. If the litter box has a consistent odor even ofter the solids have been scooped and it has been topped off with new litter, it is probably time to change it.

California Paws offers top quality cat sitting in your home or boarding in a home setting. If you or someone you know lives in San Francisco, we hope you will consider using our services. We are the trusted name in cat care, serving San Francisco cats for over 10 years.

CAT SCRATCHING Part 3 The Facts About Declawing

The definition of declawing is to remove not only the claw but also the last connecting bone (distal phalanx) in the cat's toe. In reality, this consists of 10 separate amputations of the each distal phalanx. It is a painful procedure during the surgery, followed by the recovery period with swelling in the toes.

Complications may arise from declawing a cat and include the following:

• Regrowth of a deformed claw.
• Loss of balance and agility due to not having the claws to stabilize it's equilibrium.
• Lameness due to wound infection or footpad laceration.
  
• Hemorrhaging when the bandages are removed.
• Slow and painful healing process due to bone chips that have shattered and were not completely removed during the surgery.
• Chronic back and joint pain due to weakening of the muscles.
  

It is not uncommon for a cat to have a change in it's personality after getting declawed, especially in older cats. Behavioral problems that have resulted from declawing include increased aggressiveness, inappropriate biting and voiding outside the litter box to mark it's territory as it can no longer scratch to leave a mark. In extreme cases, these problem become such a burden that the cat is abandoned. It may die of starvation on the street as it can't catch any prey or end up in an overcrowded shelter and ultimately be euthanized. Claws are a cat's primary defense, without which it is left vulnerable and unable to defend itself. This may present a problem if the cat is an outdoor cat, there is another cat in the home that is not declawed or there are other animals in the home, such as dogs.

In the United States declawing has been popular practice. This may be attributed to most cats in the United States being domesticated and strictly indoor. However there are numerous European countries that consider declawing illegal or extremely inhumane and only to be preformed under extreme circumstances. These include the following countries : England. Scotland, Wales, Italy, France, Germany,Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Slovenia, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Brazil, Australia and New Zealand.

Declawing should used as last resort after all other interventions have been tried. Alternatives to declawing include providing the cat with an object to scratch such as a post or using Soft Paws, which are vinyl nail caps that cover the existing claws. A consultation with an animal behaviorist may be an effective way to develop a behavioral plan on how to curb destructive scratching.

One of the many services that California Paws offers is consultation for behavior problems with cats. Please email us at www.californiapaws.biz. If you or some one you know lives in San Francisco, California Paws also offers cat sitting and in-home boarding. When your furry friend comes to stay with us, we have an array of fun toys and a cat tower to scratch to it's hearts content. Please email us at californiapaws@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

CAT SCRATCHING Part 2 Solutions to avoid destructive cat scratching.

As it is part of a cat's natural instinct to scratch, it is unlikely that this will ever change. However, you do have control of what your cat does scratch and the impact that the scratching will have on you and your property, including your favorite leather recliner or your new curtains that your feline friend has been eying.

The key to avoiding destructive scratching is to provide your cat with an alternate object to focus their scratching on. Scratching posts and cat towers are popular objects to use www.catsplay.com/scratch_poles.php3 . It is recommend that the new object be placed in close proximity to the old object that you are trying to stop your kitty from scratching. It is important that the old object be made as unappealing for your cat to scratch as possible. You may consider placing double sided tape, aluminum foil or sand paper in the are where your cat likes to scratch. When you see your cat getting ready to scratch the old object, move him next to the new object, such as the scratch post and direct your cat to scratch it. In order to extinguish the old behavior, the intervention must be done on a consistent basis. In the initial stages of teaching the new behavior, you can give your cat a treat after each time he successfully scratches the new object. This is a guaranteed way to accelerate the learning curve. Do not remove the double sided tape from the old object until your cat has mastered scratching the new object on a consistent basis.

Trimming your cat's claws is helpful for curbing scratching in unwanted places. When a cat's claws are short and trim all the time, it minimizes the amount of damage that your cat could cause to you or your furniture. Also, it is just not as pleasurable for the cat. Finally, your cat's claws are less likely to get snagged on the carpet, on your wool sweater or in your skin if they are short.

An innovative product available today is Soft Paws www.softpaws.com/about.html. It is a set of vinyl nail clips that are glued on your cat's existing nails. It does not in any way hamper your cat from scratching. However, it does avoid any damage from the scratching as the nails are protected and covered by Soft Paws.

If this is a problem that your cat has, please try the above interventions. We would be interested in how this works for you, and invite you to email us at californiapaws@yahoo.com. Should you require cat sitting or in-home boarding in San Francisco please visit www.californiapaws.biz for more information.

CAT SCRATCHING Part 1 Why cats scratch?

There are cat owners all over the world that have long harbored feelings of frustration wondering why their furry friend proceeds to scratch up all their possessions from the curtains to the furniture. Some may take it personally and even feel guilty thinking that kitty is not happy with them or not getting enough attention.

While in fact, cats do tend to have a temperamental nature, there are several logical reasons which explain the scratching. It is part of their natural instinct to scratch as a way to mark their territory. When a cat scratches, not only does it leave a visible mark, but it's paws also emit a unique scent. If your cat spends a lot of time on your comfortable leather sofa, he may be inclined to scratch it as a way of taking ownership for it. A cats claws serve as one of their best and most important defenses for protections. This is essential for outdoor cats as they may encounter other cats or big dogs outside of the home.

Scratching is an excellent way for a cat to exercise and groom itself. The act of scratching allows the cat to remove the dead outer layer of it's claws. It also exercises the front quarter muscles of the leg and facilitates stretching.

Cats often show affection and pleasure by kneading. This may be on your lap, on something soft or on uneven surfaces such as wicker baskets. When a cat kneads with it's claws out, may do this for the simple reason that it feels good and is relaxing.

Once you understand your cat's need to scratch, it is then possible to channel his scratching to a specific designated object such a scratching post. This is a great compromise and everyone is happy. You can keep your furniture in pristine condition and your cat can scratch his post to his heart's content.

California Paws offers cat behavior consultations and would be happy to answer any questions you may have on cat behavior. Please email questions to californiapaws@yahoo.com. If you live in San Francisco and need a professional cat sitter or cat boarding, consider California Paws, the trusted name in cat care. We welcome you to visit our website at www.californiapaws.biz.

Home Boarding Is The Best Boarding Choice For Your Cat

I am sure that we can all agree that in your absence, your primary concern is that your cat gets the best possible care. Whether you chose to have an in-home cat sitter or to board will depend on several factors. These include how your cat reacts to your being gone, if you have more than one pet, if there are any medical concerns and how easily you cat responds to being in different surroundings. Some cats are highly independent and perfectly content with a daily visit from the cat sitter. Others, however, crave human interaction and get lonely without consistent contact throughout the day. In order to ascertain this, observe your cat’s behavior when you return from a trip. If he shows noticeable behavior changes upon your return, you may want to consider boarding your cat.

Popular boarding services are available in a cattery, veterinary office or a home with multiple cat condos. Most boarding services care for several cats at one time. The ideal boarding choice is in a home setting with you cat as the only pet being cared for. California Paws offers such an option, caring exclusively for one cat at a time in a comfortable home setting. Your cat will have the run of the house and has the freedom to roam at leisure. To assist in minimizing any changes for your cat, it is recommended to provide a detailed description of its daily routine. This is easier to replicate if your cat is the only one being cared for. Cats are creatures of habit and derive much comfort from familiarity.

Cats are by nature a very sensitive to smell; for this reason it is ideal that there be no other pets there. When cats pick up odors of other cats or smells that are unfamiliar, it can make them uncomfortable and agitated. Animal behaviorist, Sasha Vaz, suggests bringing a few of your cat’s toys, bed and even liter box when you board the cat with a sitter. In a boarding service where there are numerous cats, there tends to be many odors. From a behavioral standpoint, this can be rather unsettling and confusing for a cat. The cat’s food tends to be kept in close proximity to the litter box when a cat is kept in a cat condo. However, in a home setting, both the food and litter box are usually in separate rooms at all times. Finally, there is less chance that you cat can pick up any type of airborne illness if he is not exposed to other pets who may be ill.

California Paws, San Francisco’s experts in cat care offer and excellent cat boarding option. Please email californiapaws@yahoo.com, we would be glad to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.

Whose Watching My Cat?

As with any concerned parent, the question of who will be entrusted to care for you furry friend while you are away deserves serious thought. Hiring a professional cat sitter has several benefits. First, all reputable cat care services are licensed, bonded and insured; providing you with the piece of mind that your pet and house are in good and reliable hands. Second, skilled cat sitters are experienced in reading animals, not only their overt language but also their subtle body language. This is a great asset when it comes to identifying health problems and managing crisis situations. Finally, in your absence a cat sitter can maintain the routine that your cat is accustomed to including daily play and attention.

Two popular options available are cat sitting in your home or in-home boarding. Which option you chose will depend on your comfort level and the specific needs of your cat. For example: If your cat is self sufficient, independent, healthy and would not adjust will to new surroundings; cat sitting in your home would be recommended. On the other hand, if you are going to be gone for more than a week, if your cat craves attention or has medical concerns that need to be monitored; boarding in a home setting would be a better option to chose.

The following are criteria to consider when choosing a cat sitter.

• How long they have been in the business?
• Are they licensed, bonded and insured?
• Do they have references?
• What would their routine for each visit include?
• How will emergencies be handled?
• Do they have a website for you to get additional information?
  

California Paws offers a comprehensive array of cat care services in San Francisco. Our website has a wealth of information to share www.californiapaws.biz During the initial consultation meeting with you and your pet, we also review our cat care contract and discuss how every aspect of your cat's care is to be handled in your absence. We pride ourselves in keeping our loyal clients connected with their pet while traveling. This is done through updates by email, text or picture messages sent daily as requested. Our goal is to keep your cat healthy, happy and well cared for until your return. If you or someone you know resides in San Francisco, we hope your will consider our service and we would love to hear from you.