Caring for your Senior Cat
Caring for your Senior Cat Caring for your Senior Cat As cats age, they require more specialised care to maintain their health and comfort. Understanding their needs and being proactive in their healthcare can make all the difference in ensuring they live happy, healthy, and comfortable lives in their later years. With proactive care, your senior cat can continue to enjoy their favourite activities, snuggles, and playtime for years to come. In our brochure, we’ll explore various aspects of caring for older cats to help you provide the love and attention your feline companion deserves. We’ll discuss the importance of regular check-ups with a veterinarian, as well as the value of proper nutrition and exercise. We’ll also touch on ways to look out for common senior cat health issues, such as arthritis, dental problems, and cognitive dysfunction. Having an older cat can be a remarkably rewarding experience. These seasoned feline companions bring a unique charm and calm demeanour to a household. Senior cats often require less intensive supervision and tend to be more settled in their habits, making them an ideal choice for individuals with busy lifestyles or those seeking a more relaxed pet dynamic. Additionally, senior cats are usually well-acquainted with basic house manners, eliminating the need for extensive training. Their affectionate nature and gratitude for a loving home make them wonderful companions, fostering a deep and meaningful connection between the owner and the cat. Embracing the companionship of a senior cat not only provides a loving home for an often-overlooked demographic in shelters but also allows pet owners to enjoy the pleasures of a mature and contented feline friend. Click Here to Download Our Cat Care Guide
Feline First Aid
Feline First Aid Feline First Aid Our cats bring joy, companionship, and endless entertainment to our lives. As responsible cat parents, we must ensure their well-being, which includes being prepared for any unforeseen medical emergencies. Just like humans, cats can encounter accidents or health issues that may require immediate attention. In these critical moments, having a well-stocked first aid kit can make all the difference. Let’s explore the importance of being prepared for cat emergencies and the essential items to include in a feline first aid kit. Understanding the Importance of Preparedness: Cats, known for their curiosity and agility, can find themselves in various situations that may lead to injuries or health complications. From minor scrapes and cuts to more serious issues like choking or poisoning, having a first aid kit ready can be a lifesaver. Quick and appropriate action can prevent a minor issue from escalating into a major health crisis, improving the chances of a full recovery. Building Your Feline First Aid Kit: Contact Information: Include contact details for your regular veterinarian and the nearest emergency veterinary clinic. Having this information readily available can save precious time in case of an emergency. Gauze, Bandages, and Medical Tape: These items are essential for covering wounds and stopping bleeding. Be sure to include both sterile and non-adhesive varieties. Gloves and Towels: Protect yourself and your cat by including latex or nitrile gloves. Additionally, keep a couple of clean towels for restraining your cat or cleaning wounds. Digital Thermometer: A digital thermometer designed for pets can help you monitor your cat’s temperature, which is crucial information for assessing their overall health. Scissors and Tweezers: These tools come in handy for cutting bandages and removing splinters or debris from your cat’s fur. Antiseptic Wipes or Solution: Keep the wound clean to prevent infection. Use cat-safe antiseptic wipes or solutions recommended by your veterinarian. Saline Solution: Useful for flushing out debris from your cat’s eyes or wounds. Oral Syringe: Administering liquid medications or providing fluids in case of dehydration is easier with an oral syringe. Hydrogen Peroxide and Activated Charcoal: Consult your veterinarian before using, but having these items on hand can be useful for inducing vomiting in cases of accidental poisoning. Muzzle or Soft Cloth: In stressful situations, a muzzle or a soft cloth can help keep your cat calm and prevent bites. Being prepared for medical emergencies is a responsibility that comes with pet ownership. By assembling a well-thought-out feline first aid kit and educating yourself on basic first aid techniques, you can provide immediate care to your cat in times of need. Remember, while a first aid kit is a valuable tool, it is not a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian for any serious health concerns. Your furry companion deserves the best care, and being prepared for emergencies is a crucial step in ensuring their safety and well-being. Find our feline first aid guide below. Click Here to Download Our Feline First Aid Guide
Kitten Care
Kitten Care Kitten Care It’s incredibly exciting to welcome a new member into your family, especially if they have whiskers. Although kittens fill a home with so much happiness and good vibes, settling them in can be a challenge. Being prepared for their arrival can make a huge difference in settling-in time. The decompression stage can be a little stressful, but once your kitten has become used to their new surroundings, their personality will start to emerge. Phoebe needed a much longer adjustment period than Jellybean because they were raised in different circumstances and had vastly different personalities. A kind couple rescued Phoebe from a life on the streets when she was a mere kitten and because she was feral, she had a hard time getting used to people and would always keep a safe distance until she got to know you. Phoebe needed a few months to warm up to me, but once she did, she became the most lovable cuddle bug ever because I gave her the freedom to approach me on her own terms rather than pressuring her. As she grew older, she’d spent hours on my lap and slept in my arms every night. She grew more reliant on “uppies” and requests for cuddles, proving that even older cats are still kittens at heart.Jellybean, on the other hand, was born indoors, around other kittens, adult cats, lots of human interaction and even a cute little dog. Her mommy was a blind, heavily pregnant feral, and thanks to the selflessness of a feral cat organisation, she was adopted and had her litter of kittens safely. We adopted Jellybean when she was five months old, (about the same age as when we got Phoebe) and was very shy until she got used to us. Where Phoebe would bite or slap you when she felt annoyed, Jellybean enjoys being smothered in affection and is much more tolerant. In our kitten care guide, you can find information on how to help your kitten settle in, as well as how to introduce them to family members and other pets. We’ve included loads of links with additional information and even a feeding guide that can help you make the best nutritional choices for your new kitten. We’ve also included downloadable brochures as an added bonus to assist you in recognizing toxic and cat-safe plants. Although all the information in our kitten care guide has been carefully curated, we still advise you to conduct further research if you have any questions before bringing home a new kitten. We also encourage you to speak with a veterinarian before doing so. Since adopting a kitten entails a commitment of 10 to 20 years, any new pet parent would naturally want the best for them.We wish you the best and a lifetime of fulfilment with your new furry companion. And please tag us on social media with photos of your little furbaby, kitty photos are always welcome! Find our kitten care guide below. Click Here to Download Our Kitten Care Guide
Decoding your cat’s facial expressions
Decoding your cat’s facial expressions Decoding Your Cat’s Facial Expression Cats are notorious for hiding their emotions and to the untrained eye, they often appear aloof or mean-spirited. But as cat parents, we’ve become attuned to even the most minute facial expression and tail twitch. No one could possibly be closer to our cats than we are, but even then, they are experts at concealing pain. So, how do you read cues that your cat might be feeling under the weather? After extensive research, The Université de Montréal developed the Feline Grimace Scale. Grimace scales, which gauge an animal’s level of pain based on its expressions, are incredibly useful for identifying pain in animals who don’t exhibit any outward symptoms of discomfort. You can determine whether your pet is in pain by paying close attention to the position of the ears, the orbital tightening (narrowing of the eyes), the muzzle tension, the position of the whiskers, and the position of the head. There’s even a free app that anyone can use. Visit felinegrimacescale.com to read more about this incredible breakthrough in pain assessment and to download their free training guide. You can also download their free app here. While some cats may not demonstrate any signs of pain, they can show their anger, and others may choose to hide in unusual places. It is important to rule out any illnesses if your cat is exhibiting strange behaviours, so we suggest taking them to the vet. Our guide, which is designed to be helpful, provides numerous examples of the various facial expressions your cat may display when it is feeling happy, excited, nervous, angry, or unwell. Download our free guide here.
My Journey with CKD, the Silent Killer
My Journey with CKD, the Silent Killer My Journey with CKD, the Silent Killer Feline chronic kidney disease, or CKD for short, is insidious and challenging to spot in its early stages. The best way to prevent CKD is to work on prevention from an early age. By feeding your cat a healthy, balanced diet from kitten to senior, and keeping toxins such as cleaning products and toxic plants far away from them, you are giving them the best chance at avoiding CKD in their golden years. Please consult pet food nutritionists and your veterinarian before implementing any changes to your cat’s diet. Older cats are more prone to developing CKD, which is why regular vet visits are crucial because most cats don’t exhibit any symptoms of the disease until it has advanced significantly. When I adopted Phoebe, I could barely afford food for myself, let alone cat food. Naturally, I wanted to give her the best cat food on the market, but I just couldn’t afford it. I had to settle for a supermarket brand, and because no one educated me, I assumed it gave her adequate nutrition. When she was diagnosed with CKD two decades later, I started researching, desperately looking for a cure, and this is when I saw that I was feeding her the wrong type of food and treats: dry food, milk, and tuna. I unintentionally contributed to her kidney health decline, resulting in me carrying the burden of guilt for the remainder of my life.When Phoebe turned 18, I noticed changes in her grooming and litterbox behaviour and started taking her to the vet more frequently. During one of these routine check-ups, Phoebe’s vet noticed that her kidneys felt unusually small, and this is when they made the diagnosis. We kept an eye on her, and despite great difficulty, I tried to transition her to a kidney-friendly diet. Phoebe was very resistant, so getting her to adapt to her new diet required a lot of patience and trial and error. She ate like a truck driver, yet she was losing weight. She had cat acne, which frequently got out of hand and caused her to over-groom and scratch her skin nonstop, and frequent hairballs became the bane of our existence. Fortunately, her veterinarian was able to get her skin condition under control with some antibiotics and cortisone. As she grew older, new symptoms emerged, including a recurrent ear infection (which I initially thought was an ear mite infestation), arthritis, lethargy, weight loss despite her voracious appetite, and dementia-related symptoms. She was losing her hearing and her vision, which caused her to become confused when she couldn’t find me and she would pace the hallway while crying out forlornly. We kept the lights on in the house at night and played her favourite classical music to soothe her. Her vet prescribed subcutaneous fluid therapy, and weekly visits soon became the norm. Over time, she distanced herself more and refused to sleep in my arms like she’s done for such a long time. Even until this day, it’s difficult to fall asleep without her in my arms. We did everything we could to make her as comfortable as possible, including setting up a nursery in a spare room. But we were aware that time was running out.I was both financially and emotionally unprepared for CKD. Phoebe’s wonderful veterinarians did everything possible to help her, and I gleaned a wealth of knowledge about this illness in the process. This is the reason I put together an extensive brochure using all the data I gathered, including my own experience, web research, and even studying The Journal of Veterinary Medicine. It took me almost a year to compile all the data, and despite searching frantically in the hope of discovering a cure, I came up empty-handed. The best course of action is prevention, according to every study I could find. I would suggest the following to cat parents who have an ageing cat in their care: Put money aside for veterinary emergencies because, in the event of an emergency, you’ll need the cash right away and most pet insurance companies only pay out after a certain amount of time. Keep a close eye on your cat, and no matter how small the odd behaviour may seem, take them to the vet just to be safe. When the time comes, stay with your cat until the very end. Discuss an end-of-life plan in advance with your vet. Holding them one last time will show them your love and give them comfort. When you see your feline friend struggle with CKD, it can become too much to handle, but the unfortunate truth is, life moves forward, and obligations rarely get lighter. Take care of yourself, get as much rest as you can, and ask your family members to lend a hand where they can. Pet bereavement counselling is not widely available in South Africa, which made it extremely difficult for me to deal with losing Phoebe. The support of my husband and my in-laws helped me get through. I would not have survived without them. I eventually opened my heart to a rambunctious little black cat who did her best to cheer me up when she saw me crying. There will never be another Phoebe, but I have room in my heart for a tiny house panther. Using the information I gathered, I have taken an active role in Jellybean’s health and am making every effort to keep her from developing CKD. Your cat’s well-being is the top priority, and I encourage you to take this brochure to your vet and discuss it with them. Download the Feline CKD Brochure here
Cats and Plants
Cats & Plants Cats & Plants Decorating your home with the fragrance-filled beauty of a flower arrangement or an array of potted plants is such a joyful pastime. It’s also something new for your cat to explore or chew on! Many horrible accidents have happened because pet owners were unaware of the dangers of the plants they brought into their homes. Some of the most beautiful flowers are highly toxic to cats and should be kept far away. The most common one to avoid at all cost, is the lily. All variants of lilies are toxic to cats. Although some plants vary in their level of toxicity, it’s still better safe than sorry to keep them well away from curious kitty teeth. Sometimes the damage these plants cause can be reversed, but in so many cases, the toxins build up over time and when you least expect it, your cat could develop respiratory ailments and kidney disease. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you recognize the most prevalent plants that ought to be kept away from a home with pets, despite the fact that the list of dangerous plants is ever-expanding. Before bringing any new plants or flowers into your home, always consult your veterinarian.You can download our list of common toxic plants below. Download the List of Common Toxic Plants There are many lovely flowers and plants that are completely safe to have around cats if you absolutely cannot live without them. However, you might have to deal with some of them having very suspicious bite marks if your kitty likes them. While plants are not a staple in your cat’s diet, they can help your feline friend digest their food better. You can support your little chewer’s digestive system by giving them a small amount of cat grass or catnip to chew on every so often. But never forget to consult your veterinarian before including anything new in your cat’s diet. Download our list of cat-friendly plants below. Download the List of Cat Safe Plants
I have a Pet At Home
I Have A Pet At Home I Have A Cat At Home Even though they are unpleasant to think about, medical emergencies are inevitable. In the event of something happening to you, who would take care of your family and pets? It has become commonplace to carry a medical aid card with your health information and next of kin.Many of us consider our pets to be our children, and if something terrible were to happen to us, we would want to know that they are taken care of. We have designed a printable 8.56 x 5.4cm card with all the necessary information so you can make sure your animal companion is well taken care of. This card can be conveniently kept in your wallet or purse for easy access. You can fill it out with important information like emergency contacts, your veterinarian’s information, a description of your pet, and it even has a place to attach a picture.You can download our printable card for free here. Download the Pet At Home Card
Vet Visit Logbook
Vet Visit Logbook Vet Visit Logbook Animals serve as an extension of our families. They’re our best friends, counsellors, confidantes, and so much more than just something to play with when we’re bored. The popularity of emotional support animals is growing, and it’s not hard to see why: they don’t pass judgment on us and they adore us wholeheartedly. In French, a pet is referred to as an “animal de compagnie”, or “animal companion”, perfectly capturing the important role they play in our lives.Our animal companions are family, and we do everything we can to ensure their happiness and health, including taking them to the vet and administering the necessary medication. Keeping track of their health can be challenging, but by keeping all the important information in a log book, you and your vet can have easy access to things such as allergies, medications, weight management and so much more. Our printable logbook is designed to help you keep up-to-date with your cat’s health and their medical history. You can also add emergency contact details for pet sitters and every time you visit the vet, you can make notes to keep a record.You can download and print our free vet visit logbook by clicking the link provided here. Download the Vet Visit Logbook
Welcome To Phoebe Moon Dream
Welcome To Phoebe Moon Dream Welcome To Phoebe Moon Dream Every cat parent is concerned about taking good care of their cats and making sure they have the best possible life. There is a wealth of information available online, but regrettably, some of it may be inaccurate and lead to harmful outcomes. As soon as Phoebe was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, I found the amount of information available to be overwhelming. Without my fantastic veterinarian, I don’t know what I would have done. Every step of the process was carefully explained, and some things that at first seemed completely overwhelming started to make sense to me. They helped me understand even the most bizarre symptoms, arming me with the knowledge I needed to help Phoebe through her illness. When you have concerns about your cat’s health, the first person you should ask is their veterinarian. Do not hesitate to find a new veterinarian if you are unhappy with your current one and uncomfortable bringing your cat there. You’ll eventually find the ideal veterinarian who values your cat as highly as you do through trial and error. Years passed before I finally located Phoebe the ideal veterinary facility. This veterinarian discovered she had kidney problems during a routine check-up, whereas other vets had been unable to identify anything wrong with her health. To the very end, they tried their hardest to provide her with the best treatment options possible while treating her with the utmost respect and care. Never be afraid to ask questions, and always trust your instincts. Having lived with Phoebe for 20 years, and opening my home and heart to a new kitten has taught me so much. I made mistakes that could have been easily avoided if I had all the information I needed at the time. Many times I felt overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start searching for answers, and I wished I had one place that had all the answers I needed on my cat parenting journey. My love for every cat I’ve ever had the opportunity to have had in my life led me to search for the best answers to all my cat-related questions. Countless blogs, vlogs, vet consultations, cat expert tips, and other people’s experiences as well as my own, culminated in my compiling easy-to-digest resources for those like me who are looking for answers. I hope to expand my resource list, covering all cat-related illnesses and helpful information. All of these resources will always be free and you can access them by subscribing to Phoebe Moon Dream’s newsletter. Not only will you have access to the free downloads, but you can also choose to be notified of new products, promotions and exclusive discount coupons. Find the subscription link below. Click Here to Subscribe