What makes your cat happy? We share the secrets

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Smokey loves sunny spots for cat-napping. Chester chooses chicken. Summer likes to wear dresses and hang out in airports.

OK, Summer’s a little unusual, but her preference is just an example of the many different things that make cats happy. From snuggling with their favorite humans to swirling around our legs at mealtime to chatting with us about their day, cats express happiness in a variety of ways.

“Every cat is an individual, so it’s going to vary from cat to cat,” says behavior expert Debra Horwitz, DVM. “Some cats like when you spend time with them. If they’re cuddle kitties, they like to sit on your lap. If they’re playful cats, they like if you engage them in interactive games.”

While there’s no doubt that cats love their food, many of them will choose human companionship over a meal or treat, according to a study by the Human-Animal Interaction Lab at Oregon State University. For both pet and shelter cats taking part in the 2016 study, social interaction with humans was the preferred stimulus category for the majority of cats, with food taking second place.

Happy cats snuggle close, purr, bump heads with us -- known as bunting -- and give slow blinks, communicating affection and trust.

Sofiya and Mollie follow owner Sally Bahner around the house. Sofiya “meeps” when Bahner comes into the room. Her cat Tekla hops onto the counter so they can have a conversation. Mollie reaches out and “combs” Bahner’s hair.

At their Florida home, Frank and Relina Sockman’s cats R.J. and Abby enjoy happy hour with the couple. “We all go to the lanai to kick back,” Frank says.

Janiss Garza’s Abyssinian cat Summer makes therapy visits and is a blog star who frequently travels with Garza to conferences. Summer loves strutting her stuff, whether it’s in a hospital, airport or convention center.

Cats play favorites when it comes to letting us know who makes them happy. Sandra Toney is the one who does everything for her cat Angel, but Toney’s husband Ray is the apple of Angel’s eye: “All her love goes to him. She lays across his legs every time he sits in his recliner and has a look that says, ‘He belongs to me.’”

As Angel demonstrates, being in touch with their people -- literally -- is an important part of feline happiness. Brigitte Cowell Moyne’s Savannah cat, Zari, sleeps in bed with her, sprawling on top of one arm to keep her in place. Teo, a Peterbald who loves Moyne’s daughter, sleeps curled around Lola’s head.

Purple sleeps next to Alison Taub, purring as she pets his head, the back of his neck and his throat. Purple is normally high-strung, Taub says, so when he relaxes and snuggles, purrs and “talks” to her, she knows he’s a happy cat.

Routine also makes cats happy. Liz Moe’s Miss Kitty enjoys watching her litter box being cleaned. That makes sense, Dr. Horwitz says. She believes cats are happy when their life is predictable. And that includes knowing when the litter box will be clean. It’s not unusual for cats to wait for their box to be scooped and then immediately jump in to use it.

People, food and routine are important to cat happiness, no doubt, but here are a few more of their favorite things: boxes to sit in, batting at a small ball or wadded-up piece of paper, special toys. Gail Parker’s cats Leo and Athena enjoy loving on their dog buddy Daisy.

But Kim Hundley may have the real answer to what makes cats happy: “Doing whatever they want.”

Q&A

Does cat need

to wear ID?

Q: My new cat will be indoor-only. Does she still need a collar and tag or a microchip?

A: The one thing we know for sure about cats is that they do things their way, and they have ways of getting around our plans for them. No matter how careful you are, there’s always a chance that your cat could slip out an open door or window without anyone noticing. When that happens, wearing an identification tag and being microchipped can be his key to getting back inside.

A collar with an identification tag is the most obvious way to alert someone that your cat has a home with people who love her. Tags are visible and can be engraved with multiple phone numbers: landline (if you still have one), cellphone and your veterinarian’s number. Choose a breakaway collar that will release under pressure in case your cat gets hung up on something.

Of course, collars and tags can come off. Cats are notoriously Houdini-like when it comes to getting out of collars. And collars can be removed by others. Keep a couple of extra collars and tags on hand in case you need to make replacements.

And have a second line of defense to help ensure your cat’s return: a microchip. This permanent form of identification cannot be removed, but of course it’s invisible to the naked eye. Veterinarians and shelters have scanners that can read microchips. Be sure your cat’s microchip is registered with an organization that will provide 24-hour notification that your cat has been found. You can attach the tag with the registry’s phone number to the collar with your cat’s ID tag. Keep your phone number and address up to date with the registry so you can be easily contacted. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Anti-allergy vaccine

may help cat fans

-- From special foods to immunotherapy, researchers are racing to find ways to relieve the sniffling, sneezing and eye watering of people who love cats but are allergic to them. A Swiss company called HypoPet is among the latest to promise a potential breakthrough: a vaccine for cats that neutralizes the protein Fel d 1 -- produced by feline skin, saliva and sebaceous glands -- which causes allergic reactions in humans. The company published a study of 54 cats in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, reporting that all the cats tolerated the vaccine with no ill effects. The vaccine must undergo further testing and receive approval before being brought to market.

-- On any given day, a quick survey of eBay turns up nearly 4,000 items depicting pugs. The devoted pug collector might find such items as brass or ceramic figurines, vintage photographs, silver lockets, teacups, engravings, trading cards and advertising featuring pugs. All of these items are the continuation of a long history of pugs depicted in paintings and statuary. Pugs are a timeless subject for artists. Unlike many breeds, pugs have been around for several centuries. They were included in many 17th- to 19th-century paintings of wealthy people, especially in the Netherlands, where they were favorites of the royal family.

-- The most serious tick-borne disease in cats has a real tongue-twister of a name -- cytauxzoonosis -- more familiarly known as bobcat fever. The serious and often fatal disease is caused by a protozoa called Cytauxzoon felis, carried by the Dermacentor variabilis tick. Ticks that carry cytauxzoonosis are found primarily in southeastern and south-central states such as Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma and Texas. Cats with cytauxzoonosis develop a high fever, become depressed or lethargic, and lose their appetite. The disease is most likely to strike between March and September, when the incidence of ticks is at its highest. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

Museums around the world curate collections focusing on dogs, cats and other animals

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Art, sculpture and other depictions of animals show us how they have changed over the centuries and celebrate their role as family members. That’s right -- we tend to think of pets being part of the family as a relatively new concept, but art tells us that the human-animal bond is as old as time. Museums featuring animal art are found around the world. Here are some to consider visiting if you’ll be in the area.

The American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, North Carolina, holds an astounding collection of cat-centric items, including carousel animals, clocks, fine art, folk art, jewelry and pottery. You won’t find any live cats prowling the premises, but owner Harold Sims is happy to direct you to his cat shelter -- supported by the museum’s admission fees -- or to local businesses with in-house cats.

The American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog relocated to New York City last year from St. Louis. The vast collection comprises paintings, drawings, prints, ceramics, bronzes, trophies, collars and other pupaphernalia. The current special exhibit, through Sept. 29, focuses on 20th century women artists, including Maud Earl and Marguerite Kirmse, who specialized in depicting dogs.

In Alliance, Ohio, the Feline Historical Museum crouches on the first floor of the Cat Fanciers Association headquarters. Prized display items include the silver medal and collar awarded in 1895 to Cosey, a brown tabby Maine coon, at the National Cat Show in Madison Square Garden. Visitors can also see paintings, porcelain and jewelry, or browse the small library of some 700 cat-related books. Occasionally, live cats make appearances at special events, so check the calendar.

The San Diego Museum of Man has exhibits and programs devoted to living with animals. And why wouldn’t it? After all, beginning with dogs, animals have been sharing our lives for more than 15,000 years. The interactive programs range from K9 unit demonstrations to opportunities to hold reptiles and are free to museum members or with museum admission.

Cat- and literature-loving visitors to Key West, Florida, won’t want to miss the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, which not only features the writer’s typewriters, but also more than 40 descendants of his polydactyl (many-toed) cats. Guided tours and unguided visits are available daily from 9 to 5.

If you’re passing through Tupelo, Mississippi, don’t miss the opening of Museum of Dog. Besides paintings, sculptures, photographs and antique dog collars, you can enjoy a collection devoted to Elvis and his dogs (fitting for the birthplace of the King). There’s also a coffee bar and “barkery,” so you and your dog can treat yourselves.

The KattenKabinet in Amsterdam is a museum devoted entirely to artworks featuring cats. As you tour the stately home-turned-display space, you may notice a couple of live cats napping on chairs or strolling through rooms.

Other museums devoted to cats are found in Kuching, Malaysia; Siauliai, Lithuania; Ludvigshafen, Germany; Kotor, Montenegro; Teramo, Italy (which has two cat museums); Cincinnati; Seto, Japan; and Okayama, Japan. The latter three museums focus on maneki neko, the beckoning “lucky cat” figurines so popular in Japan.

Globe-trotting dog lovers have a number of choices as well. The ancient and picturesque town of Passau, Germany, is home to the Dackelmuseum, founded by two dachshund devotees. The collection includes more than 4,500 dachshund-themed paintings, puppets, figurines, stamps and more. If you’re traveling with your own dog, he can visit the museum, too. The Akita Dog Museum in Odate, Japan, is dedicated to the breed designated as a Japanese Natural Treasure. In Martigny, Switzerland, is Barryland, a Saint Bernard museum with kennels so visitors can experience the giant-breed dogs in person. And in Mondragone, Italy, Foof, a museum dedicated to dogs, features exhibits that include dog collars, sculptures and photographs. Bonus: It doubles as a shelter.

Q&A

Blood draws

made easy

Q: My dog hates having blood drawn, but he has a health condition that means it must be done on a regular basis. Is there any way to help him become less fearful about it?

A: Believe it or not, there is. If zoo animals can learn to voluntarily offer a limb for a blood draw -- and they do -- so can your dog. Here are some tips.

First, teach your dog to offer his paw or leg. If he already knows “shake” or “high five,” this will be easy to do.

Ask the veterinary technician or veterinarian to show you how and where to hold your dog’s leg as if he were going to receive a blood draw, as well as where the blood will be drawn. At home, practice holding the leg in position. Moisten the area where the vein is with water or alcohol to prepare him for the sensation and scent of the alcohol rubdown. To simulate the feel of the needle, gently tap the area where the vein is using a toothpick or paper clip. All the while, give your dog high-level treats: cheese, warm deli turkey, hotdogs, whatever he delights in.

Do this daily for a month to help him become accustomed to being handled that way. Let him walk away if he wants, but stop the treats if he does so. Perform the training in a specific place each time so that he knows what’s going to happen there. If he goes to that place on his own, reward him for it and do a quick practice.

Do everything slowly, step by step, until your dog is comfortable with it. The next time you are at the veterinary clinic, continue to provide your dog with high-value treats during the procedure. See FearFreeHappyHomes.com for more tips. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Put on the dog

for Dog Day

-- It’s National Dog Day! Celebrate on Aug. 26 (or any day, for that matter) by giving your dog a special treat or toy, going for a “dog’s choice” walk (he gets to stop and sniff whenever he wants), taking a selfie with your dog, or making banana-peanut butter “pupsicles” by blending two ripe bananas and two tablespoons of peanut butter (make sure it isn’t sweetened with xylitol) and freezing the mix in an ice cube tray or popsicle mold. You may also want to make a donation to one of the many groups working to improve dogs’ lives and health. Some to consider are Morris Animal Foundation, the Grey Muzzle Organization, Waggle Foundation or your local shelter or breed rescue group.

-- Some people look for the perfect retirement town, others for a location with an active outdoor lifestyle. Dog owners want a welcoming attitude toward their pets. This year, Scottsdale, Arizona, is top dog when it comes to pet friendliness. The city was named most pet friendly by WalletHub after comparing 24 metrics, such as number of veterinarians and pet businesses, cost of pet care, amount of pet-friendly parkland and trails, and strength of animal protection laws. Following Scottsdale are Orlando, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Austin, Texas; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Atlanta; St. Louis; Seattle; and Portland, Oregon.

-- Does your pet fish need a visit to the veterinarian? Signs that a fish is feeling under the, er, water, include discoloration, spots, a bloated appearance, inability to rise to the water’s surface, poor appetite or ragged fins. They may be suffering from a parasitic, bacterial or fungal infection, especially if new fish have recently been added to the tank. Find a veterinarian who’s knowledgeable about fish before you need one so you can seek treatment quickly if needed. See fishvets.org for more information. -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.

The right food can help to improve quality of life for cats with chronic kidney disease

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

Old cats and chronic kidney disease go paw in paw. Nearly a third of geriatric cats are diagnosed with the condition. It has no cure, but it can be managed with IV fluids and therapeutic foods.

In fact, diet is the best way to manage chronic kidney disease in cats, but if you’ve ever tried to get a cat to eat something he doesn’t want, you know how frustrating it can be when he needs a special diet. Fortunately, there are ways to meet this nutritional challenge -- once you and the veterinarian know what you’re dealing with.

To “stage” the disease, or see how far along it is, your veterinarian will begin by looking at the cat’s overall condition: weight; body, muscle and coat condition; and any clinical signs typically associated with CKD that might affect the diet choices recommended for your cat. It’s important to know such things as whether the cat’s weight is increasing or decreasing, whether the cat is dehydrated and if his mouth, joints or other areas of the body are painful.

Blood work, a urinalysis and a blood pressure test tell the veterinarian if the cat has any conditions such as anemia, hyperthyroidism, urinary tract issues or electrolyte imbalances. With all of this information in hand, the veterinarian can determine whether the cat is doing well on what he’s currently eating or if he needs a change to a therapeutic diet.

Contrary to what you might have heard, diets formulated for cats with early kidney disease do not restrict protein. Cats, especially seniors, need high-quality protein to help maintain their body weight. Your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic diet with higher protein content but restricted levels of phosphorus. Too much phosphorus increases the risk of further renal damage. Your cat also does not need a sodium-restricted diet, even if she has hypertension (high blood pressure).

If your feline is finicky, you may be worried about getting her to eat a new food. If possible, switch your cat to a therapeutic kidney diet while the disease is still in the early stages. Your cat is likely to still have a good appetite at that point and may be more willing to try something different. Ask your veterinarian for samples of several recommended foods, and see which one your cat likes the best. After she has eaten the food for a week or two, your veterinarian should take another look at her to evaluate her physical condition on the diet.

Cats who have a poor appetite may be suffering from dehydration, an electrolyte or acid-base imbalance, nausea or vomiting, or chronic pain from osteoarthritis or another condition. You and your veterinarian should work together to identify and manage those problems before reaching for an appetite stimulant.

Managing your cat’s dining environment is another way to help improve his appetite. He should have a safe, comfortable place to eat, away from noisy or curious children, dogs or other cats. Try feeding him in a separate room or inside his carrier -- if he enters it willingly and enjoys being inside it. You don’t want him to associate the food with being in an area that he doesn’t like.

Therapeutic kidney diets aren’t one-size-fits-all. To make sure your cat is benefiting from the new food, watch her weight closely. If she’s losing weight, you may need to try a different food, or return to the original diet and use supplements recommended by your veterinarian to help manage the disease.

Q&A

What are a dog’s

vital signs?

Q: What are vital signs in dogs, and what do I need to know about them?

A: Vital signs are just what they sound like: indicators of life and health. Specifically, they are body temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate. It’s a good idea to know what your dog’s vital signs are when he’s healthy and feeling good so that you will recognize the difference if he gets sick.

Normal body temperature for a dog is 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit, but a normal range is 100.2 degrees to 102.8 degrees. Any time your dog’s temperature is lower than 100 degrees or higher than 103.5 degrees, he needs to see the veterinarian right away. A high temperature, or fever, can be caused by heatstroke, bacterial or viral infections, uncontrolled seizures or other conditions. A lower-than-normal temperature may be caused by hypothermia (exposure to cold) or shock, kidney failure or certain types of heart disease.

The normal pulse rate for a dog is 75 to 120 beats per minute (bpm). The rate varies depending on the dog’s size, age and health. You can feel your dog’s pulse if you press your finger against the blood vessel in the V-shaped area where the undersides of the hind legs join the body. To get the bpm, count the beats for 10 seconds, then multiply by 6 to get the total for one minute.

Respiratory rate is the number of breaths your dog takes per minute. In healthy dogs, the normal respiratory rate is 15 to 20 breaths per minute. Get to the veterinarian if you notice that your dog’s breathing is shallow, labored or rapid. More than 35 breaths per minute is cause for concern and warrants a trip to the veterinarian right away. -- Dr. Marty Becker

Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.

THE BUZZ

Future cat food

may block allergies

-- If you love cats but allergies to them make you sniffle, sneeze and feel miserable, the future of cat food may hold hope for you. Researchers at Nestle Purina and the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have preliminary results showing that Fel d1 -- the protein that causes allergies -- may be blocked by adding to cat food an egg product ingredient that reduces or neutralizes levels of the protein in cat saliva, hair and dander. A small pilot study then found that humans with allergies to cats had substantially improved responses when exposed to bedding from cats fed the anti-Fel d1 diet. Don’t rush to get a cat, though; the results must be replicated in a larger human population before an anti-cat-allergy food or supplements can be developed.

-- How should you introduce your puppy to a new object, sound or environment? We suggest taking it slow in our book “From Fearful to Fear Free.” Proceed in a way that helps your pup remain calm and unafraid. Pair new experiences with tasty treats or a favorite toy. Build confidence by letting him become familiar with the new experience at his own pace. The puppy should have a rewarding experience with many different stimuli.

-- When Muncie, Indiana, police officers learned that Muncie Animal Care and Services Shelter was running low on cat food and litter, they came up with a creative solution: People with minor parking tickets could pay their fines by donating an equivalent amount of cat food or litter to the shelter. The four-day promotion last month brought in supplies to care for more than 350 cats and kittens. Even people without parking tickets got in on the action. Maybe the publicity will drive other municipalities to offer similar deals to people with fines to pay? -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker

ABOUT PET CONNECTION

Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts headed by “The Dr. Oz Show” veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, founder of the Fear Free organization and author of many best-selling pet care books, and award-winning journalist Kim Campbell Thornton. Joining them is behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets Mikkel Becker. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/KimCampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.