COLLARS:   All collars on cats are dangerous unless the collar has an elastic insert or is the "breakaway" style.  Cats can strangle if the collar gets caught on something, or injure themselves trying to get the collar off.  If you put a collar on a kitten, please be sure to check that it does not become too tight as the kitten grows! If your cat goes outside, prevent the cat from killing birds by adding a small bell to the collar.

DO NOT feed your cat food made for dogs or use any dog care products on cats.  Dog food and "human" table food lack essential vitamins and minerals cats need such as taurine - an essential amino acid for cats.  Lack of taurine in the diet causes blindness, serious heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy), and may promote urinary tract problems as well.  Feed only well-balanced cat food, appropriate to the age and activity level of your cat.  Avoid dairy products!  Dog flea preparations often kill cats.  Likewise, medications, shampoos and other products made for dogs (or humans) can be toxic to cats.  Never give aspirin to a cat!

SURGICAL CLAW REMOVAL or DECLAWING is an extreme measure in which the entire last part of the ten front toes are amputated.  A graphic comparison in human terms would be cutting off a person's finger at the last joint.  General anesthesia is used for this surgery, which always has a risk of disability or death associated with it.  Because declawing provides no medical benefit to cats, even slight risk can be considered unacceptable.  In addition, the recovery from declawing can be painful and lengthy and may involve postoperative complications such as infections, hemorrhage, and nail regrowth.  The latter may subject the cat to additional surgery.  Declawing not only robs a cat of an integral means of movement and defense, but it can also cause cats to undergo a profound personality change, in which they may become extremely timid or unusually aggressive.  OPTIONS include the use of scratching posts, adhesive plastic nail caps, regularly trimming the cat's nails, and discouragement of unwanted behavior.  Methods of discouragement include placing a sheet over the target furniture or using aluminum foil or double-sided tape on the object.  It is also possible to discourage scratching by using a scent which cats generally do not like, such as the fresh smell of citrus.

 

PLEASE consider making your cat a strictly indoor pet.  The list of risks to outdoor cats include poison (like antifreeze), injury (falls, cars, attacks by other animals or humans, or broken glass), parasites (fleas, ticks, or worms), disease (feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, upper respiratory viruses, etc.), and theft. Believe it or not, pets are regularly stolen by unscrupulous individuals for sale to the animal research industry, for cult use, or as food for snakes.  This is going on throughout greater Richmond and should not be dismissed.  Keep your cat indoors, and you will have a healthier, more socialized, and content family companion.

PROVIDE your indoor cat with toys and a tall, sturdy scratching post made of a rough material such as sisal (hemp-like rope) or a strong woven material (carpeting is rarely a good material for a post), regular claw-clipping (we do not recommend de-clawing!!!), nutritious food, fresh water, and lots of love and companionship.  You will both enjoy it!
 

DO NOT give food made for humans or use any human care products on dogs.  "Human" table foods lack essential vitamins and minerals dogs need.  Feed only well-balanced dog food, appropriate to the age and activity level of your dog.  (Do not feed fish or milk.   Also, caffeine, chocolate and other common items are extremely poisonous to cats and dogs.)  Likewise, medications, shampoos, flea, and other products made for humans or other animals can be toxic to dogs.

PLEASE remember that dogs are extremely social pack animals and should not be left alone for more than a few hours at a time.  Dogs should never be left in a yard alone or chained.  This produces extreme frustration and loneliness, which leads to aggression and other serious behavior problems.  A dog needs and deserves to be trained and to be treated as a family member in your home.

Likewise, dogs should never be allowed to roam.  The list of RISKS to unsupervised dogs includes poison (such as antifreeze), injury (cars, attacks by other animals or humans, or broken glass), parasites (fleas, ticks, or worms), disease, and theft.  Believe it or not, pets are regularly stolen by unscrupulous individuals for sale to the animal research industry, for cult use, or for dog fighting.  This is going on throughout greater Richmond and should not be dismissed.  Keep your dog indoors, and you will have a healthier, more socialized, and contented family companion.

Provide your dog with appropriate toys, exercise, training, nutritious food, fresh water and lots of love and companionship. You will both enjoy it.