Cats evolved to work for food. Just because we feed them for free doesn’t mean they don’t still enjoy or need natural hunting behavior

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

You probably have never thought too much about the way you feed your cats. You fill the bowl and set it down. Maybe you set it somewhere up high, so the dog can’t get to it, or feed a cat with a special diet in a separate room so she can’t eat the food your other cats get.

But could you be feeding your cat in ways that are more natural for her? Ways that meet her need to seek, stalk and rush her “prey” -- even if it’s from a bag or can? Researchers are finding that the ways we feed cats can make a difference in their physical and behavioral health.

At the San Francisco SPCA’s Feline Science Symposium in October, Mikel Delgado, Ph.D., explained how cats eat naturally.

“Hunting is cognitive for cats,” Dr. Delgado says. “Cats are all about sneaking up, a slow approach, anticipating the movement of their prey, and choosing the perfect time to pounce and kill.” That cute butt wiggle when they’re about to pounce on a toy is an essential part of the stalking process.

Understanding how cats hunt and eat in a natural environment allows you to feed your indoor cat in a way that mimics normal behavior and adds interest to their day. Here are some things to try.

-- Multiple meals. Cats naturally eat about 12 small meals a day to maintain their weight. That doesn’t mean you have to feed them 12 times a day, but you can measure their daily amount of food into a dozen portions and wrap each one in tissue paper. Set them around the house for your cat to find throughout the day.

“Cats really like rustling sounds,” Delgado says. “They stimulate hunting behavior, and tissue paper is cheap and safe for them to chew and shred. It’s a little messy, but it can be fun.”

-- Food puzzles. Putting food inside a ball or other toy that your cat must manipulate to get food to fall out also helps to satisfy the feline foraging instinct.

“Keep it easy at first so it’s very rewarding,” Delgado says. “It should release food with very little manipulation from the cat.” As your cat learns to use food puzzles -- have two or three types so she doesn’t lose interest -- gradually increase the difficulty.

To get your cat to try out a food puzzle, offer it before mealtimes when he is already a little hungry, or mix some favorite cat treats in with the food. Toss some food next to the puzzle so your cat becomes used to eating near it. He may inadvertently hit the ball, causing it to roll and dispense more food.

Food puzzles can be used with wet or dry food, and they can be purchased or homemade. To learn more about different types of food puzzles, visit foodpuzzlesforcats.com.

-- Fresh is best. Cats eat more when food is fresh. If you feed your cat a few times a day, the food will be fresh more often. This may appeal to finicky felines.

-- Cleanliness is catliness. Wash food dishes after every use. Dirty plates and stale food are unappealing to cats. Delgado purchased a dozen tiny plates at a thrift store. That means she never has to wash a bowl before feeding her cat. She tosses the dirty dish in the dishwasher and puts out fresh food on a clean one.

“With any approach, you don't have to do it all one way or the other,” Delgado says. “You can free-feed your cat part of the day and meal-feed another part of the day or use food puzzles during the day, but out of the bowl at night. Be flexible, and do what works for you.”

Q&A

Puppy tips for

new owners

Q: I’m getting a puppy for Christmas! What do you think are the most important things that new dog owners should know?

A: Congratulations on the beginning of a beautiful friendship. The love of and from a dog is one of the greatest things in the world. Here are my best tips on how to get a great start together.

Most people want to take advantage of the incredible advances in veterinary medicine, but some simply can't afford it. The solution for many is pet health insurance. Several reputable companies offer pet insurance, and it can allow you to give your new dog top-notch care with much less worry about the cost.

There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation when it comes to frequency of vaccines. After puppy inoculations during the first two to four months of life and a booster dose at one year, core vaccinations (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza and rabies) -- those recommended for every dog -- are expected to provide immunity for a minimum of three years. Talk to your veterinarian about non-“core” vaccinations, such as influenza, that may be recommended in your particular area or needed more frequently.

Preventing accidents saves your dog and saves money. To protect your curious puppy from the No. 1 poisoning hazard, keep human and pet prescriptions, as well as over-the-counter products, safely locked away.

Your dog doesn't have to hate going to the veterinarian. If you work with your veterinarian to keep early experiences pleasant -- such as having the staff give your pup pats and treats on every visit -- your dog will look forward to visiting the clinic.

You can save money on care without short-changing your dog. Price-shop for prescription medications, buy in bulk and keep your dog thin to help prevent development of joint diseases such as hip dysplasia or osteoarthritis. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

Videos help

vets see problems

-- Next time you think your dog or cat is acting a little odd, use your phone to videotape him. It’s next to impossible to get pets -- especially cats -- to re-enact their behaviors, so a video can help your veterinarian see what’s going on. That includes recording things like your pet’s behavior while eating; getting in or out of the litter box or on or off furniture; going up or down stairs; or even urinating and defecating. Posture and movement can tell your veterinarian a lot about whether your pet is in pain or what might be causing the pain.

-- If it’s cold where you live, you might think that you can stop giving parasite preventives to your pet until it warms up again, but veterinary parasitologists say that’s a mistake. There are enough warm days in normally cold months for ticks, mosquitoes and fleas to remain viable and pass on Lyme disease, heartworms and other parasite-related conditions. And vector-borne diseases have spread to areas where they used to be uncommon or nonexistent. That makes them a threat to pets in places where those diseases and parasites were previously of little concern.

-- A cat named Rubble turned 31 in May, a birthday that makes him the oldest known living cat. The domestic shorthair lives in the city of Exeter in the United Kingdom. Michelle Foster acquired Rubble as a kitten and says he is a lovely cat, despite becoming a little grumpy with age. He takes medication for high blood pressure, a common condition in cats. Last year, Rubble’s milestone 30th birthday was celebrated at the veterinary clinic where he’s treated, and included his favorite foods and treats as well as a free exam. -- 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.

Many factors go into choosing a pet bed. The most expensive isn’t always the best choice, and what your pet prefers should be at the top of the list

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

When canine Juliet was going through chemotherapy, she experienced some nausea and threw up on her bed. Owner Cristi Bennett wasn’t fazed. Juliet’s bed was waterproof and made specifically for larger, older dogs.

“The memory foam is very thick, and the covering is very tough,” Bennett says. “Nothing soaked in, and it washed up very well.”

Washability is one factor to consider when choosing a pet bed. Size, shape and fabric are important as well.

Take size. The late Gemma, my 6-pound Chihuahua-mix, turned up her nose at the small, round, furry dog bed I offered her. Instead, she sprawled across a larger padded bed. Cavalier King Charles spaniel Keeper, who, at 16 pounds, is more than twice Gemma’s size, loves squeezing himself into that little round bed, though. Harper, a smaller cavalier, prefers a flat, furry, rectangular bed with little padding.

It’s not really a surprise that dogs and cats might be picky about what they sleep on.

“People have specific preferences for different kinds of beds, even though they may all have similar arthritis issues,” says Michael Petty, DVM, a pet pain specialist at Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital in Canton, Michigan. “Dogs are no different.”

He recalls buying a dog bed with inner coil technology that he thought would be perfect for his own dog, but she refused to sleep on it. She didn’t like the “springy” feel of the bed when she stepped onto it, and once she was on it, she found it difficult to stand up.

Shape is a factor, too. “Many dogs like to den and burrow in,” says Mikkel Becker, lead trainer for Fear Free and a Pet Connection co-author. “They like beds they can dig around in and snuggle into.”

On the human side, durability and cleanability are important.

Architect Heather E. Lewis of Animal Arts Design Studios in Boulder, Colorado, has seen an explosion in the number and types of cleanable fabrics.

“We find a lot of high-performance materials, fabrics and surfaces,” she says. “Because I have dogs and kids, I really appreciate things that are cleanable.” An antimicrobial fabric can be helpful if your dog has an oily coat that tends to have an odor.

Dogs appreciate comfortable fabric, too. “Most will bypass harder materials for softer beds,” Becker says. But pay attention to the material you choose if your dog is a chewer, she warns. “Many beds aren’t protected underneath, and dogs can chew them to pieces.”

Dr. Petty recommends going to the store and letting your pet try out several there.

“This may require several trips in,” he says. “Some pet stores or brands may let you have the bed for a trial period.”

Other features to consider:

-- Bolster or no bolster? For some dogs, a bolster provides a sense of security. “One of my dogs loves a bolster; the other would prefer to hang her head off the side of her bed,” Petty says.

-- Easily removable covers or entire beds that can be machine-washed. I throw my dogs’ beds into the washer weekly.

-- Impervious to liquid. “Many older dogs have constant or intermittent incontinence issues,” Petty says. “On the other hand, you don't want them sleeping on plastic. There are technologies that minimize absorption into the fabric.”

-- Bed height and the pet’s physical condition. Raised beds on frames look attractive, but a senior pet with arthritis may not appreciate the climb onto the bed.

-- Firmness. Like people, some pets like a soft mattress, while others prefer one that’s firm.

-- Placement. Cats will likely prefer a bed that’s up high. Access to one may keep them from sleeping on your head at night. Dogs who can’t be in the bed with you will appreciate being as near to your bed as possible. At least, that’s what my dogs tell me.

Q&A

Smoking means

pets inhale, too

Q: I’m a smoker. Is it really bad for me to smoke around my pets? It’s not like they’re inhaling.

A: But they are inhaling. Exposure to secondhand smoke -- your exhalations -- as well as thirdhand smoke from lingering particles has a direct effect on pets. Among other things, they are at increased risk for certain cancers, as well as cell damage and weight gain, according to studies by the University of Glasgow and the University of California, Riverside.

Pets are “passive smokers” in that they are not only exposed to the smoke from cigarettes and pipes, but also because they are much closer to carpets, upholstered furniture and other surfaces where carcinogenic particles cling. They are more likely to lie on or even lick those areas. As cats groom themselves, they increase the amount of smoke and carcinogenic particles that go into their body.

The University of Glasgow studies looked at how much nicotine dogs and cats had in their hair, which shows how much tobacco smoke is entering the pet’s body. Veterinary oncologist Clare Knottenbelt, who led the studies, says in an email: “I was really surprised how much tobacco smoke some pets were taking in. When we looked at cats, we found high levels of smoke exposure even in cats that spent a lot of time outdoors.”

If you can’t give up smoking altogether -- the best protection for yourself and your pets -- you should stop smoking in any areas pets frequent, including family cars and outdoors. Human studies have shown that smoking by an open window or door doesn’t help, as it is more likely to mean that smoke blows into the room.

“If you are smoking outside, you should change clothes when you come back in to avoid exposing your pet to harmful carcinogenic particles,” Dr. Knottenbelt says. -- Dr. Marty Becker

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

THE BUZZ

DNA samples

aid cat science

-- Researchers at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University are seeking DNA samples from healthy cats older than 10 years old to add to their Feline Biobank. By comparing DNA from healthy cats with DNA from cats with one or more common diseases, scientists can better understand the role that genes may play in these conditions. This project could one day assist veterinarians in their ability to diagnose and treat common diseases. If you would like to offer a sample from your cat, email vetbiobank@cornell.edu for more information.

-- Most often pet owners worry about contracting ringworm, a fungal infection, from their dogs or cats, but the condition is zoonotic. That means it can be transmitted by animals to humans but also by humans to animals. Wendy Krebs, DVM, a partner at Bend Equine Medical Center in Bend, Oregon, advises that people with active ringworm infections should avoid touching dogs, cats or horses, or their animals’ grooming tools, until the lesions -- the areas of infection -- have been treated for three to four days with a topical antifungal medication.

-- Welcome with open arms any stray torties who show up on your doorstep. Good fortune comes with them if they decide to stay, according to Scottish and Irish folklore. That’s just one of the beliefs associated with the multicolored cats, whose coats are usually a patchwork of black and red. In the United States, tortoiseshells are nicknamed “money cats.” And dreaming about them is said to make the dreamer lucky in love. Not quite as charming, but still lucky, is the English superstition that rubbing a wart with the tail of a tortoiseshell cat -- still attached to the cat, of course -- will cause the wart to disappear. And in Japan, ghosts and other spirits don’t haunt homes with tortoiseshell cats. -- 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.

Factors that affect feline life expectancy include maintaining a healthy body weight, a high-quality diet and adequate exercise

By Kim Campbell Thornton

Andrews McMeel Syndication

They say cats have nine lives, and eventually that ninth life comes along. Senior cats may show some gray hairs around the eyes and mouth, the lens of the eye clouds over, and they may think twice and walk away instead of jumping onto the kitchen counter.

The average life expectancy for cats is 10 to 15 years, although some live into their late teens or even 20s. Cats are considered mature at 7 to 10 years of age, senior from 11 to 14 and geriatric over the age of 15.

“This can vary a lot between cats depending on their breed and health status,” says Matthew Kornya, DVM, who practices at the Cat Clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. “In humans, some 70-year-old people are healthier than some 50-year-olds, and the same is true for cats.”

Fortunately, you can take steps to ease your cat into her golden years -- and possibly even extend them.

“Cats are already living significantly longer than they were just 10 years ago,” says Drew Weigner, DVM, a feline practitioner in Atlanta and president of the Winn Feline Foundation. “Advances in treating many diseases seen in older cats, such as kidney disease, diabetes and thyroid disease, have led to not only increased lifespan, but also increased quality of life.”

Keeping weight off is key. By now we’ve all seen the videos of Cinderblock, the 25-pound cat bewailing her time on the water treadmill. Excess weight stresses joints, leading to painful osteoarthritis. It’s better if your cat never packs on the pounds in the first place. Measuring food, hiding small amounts around the house so she can hunt for it and scheduling three to five minutes of playtime a couple times daily are all ways to help cats stay active throughout life.

Some aging cats have the opposite problem, losing lean body mass with age. Smaller, more frequent meals and a fountain to encourage water intake can help them to maintain good body condition.

Senior cat dietary needs vary by individual. Some become less able to digest fat, while others have a decreased ability to digest protein. Cats with chronic kidney disease can benefit from therapeutic foods to help manage their condition. Other diet-sensitive conditions include cognitive dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism and osteoarthritis. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your cat, but in general, a highly digestible, nutrient-dense diet is a good choice.

Evaluate whether you need to make changes to your cat’s environment. Putting his food dish on top of the washing machine to keep it out of reach of the dog may have worked well in his younger years, but it may be time to rethink that.

“Make sure cats can easily get to food and water or their litter box without it being a stressful climb or difficult place to get to,” says veterinary technician Harmony Peraza at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.

Don’t smoke around your cat. Exposure to secondhand smoke dramatically increases a cat’s risk of lung cancer and other diseases such as asthma.

Take your cat to the veterinarian if you notice behavior changes such as drinking more water, eating less, not using the litter box, producing only small amounts of urine, prowling or yowling late at night or grooming less thoroughly.

“Arthritis commonly affects older cats and may lead to reduced mobility, inability to groom themselves and difficulty using the litter box,” Dr. Kornya says. “Minimizing arthritis pain can dramatically improve quality of life. Dental health is also of crucial importance, as many older cats suffer from tartar, gingival disease and oral infections that cause chronic pain and may lead to systemic disease. A healthy older cat is free of pain and infection, well-groomed and has a healthy body condition.”

Read more about caring for senior cats at FearFreeHappyHomes.com.

Q&A

Saying “Rabbits”

for good luck

Q: Why do some people say “Rabbit, rabbit” on the first day of each month?

A: This is one of those interesting but little-known sayings or superstitions that people either grow up with or have never heard of before. It’s thought to have originated in Britain.

The idea is that the first words a person says on the first day of the month -- even before greeting their rabbits, dogs or cats -- are “rabbit,” “rabbits” or “white rabbits.” Some people say it twice, others three times. The person who does this will have good luck for the rest of the month, according to the superstition.

Another belief is that saying it will ensure that a present is delivered by the end of the month, or that a wish will come true.

The tradition of saying “rabbit, rabbit” occurs in the United States as well. It’s sometimes associated with New England, but in an informal and completely unscientific poll, plenty of people from New England said they had never heard of the practice.

Storyteller Sue-Ellen Stillwell-Jones, from the Midwest, first heard it when she was in her 20s, from other storytellers. Sally Bahner of Connecticut was familiar with it, and Megan Bellue learned it from a friend from Iowa. A colleague from Ireland told Lynn Miller to say “white rabbit” three times at midnight.

Folklorists have gathered many examples over the years, including from people in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and New Mexico. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, from New York, said “rabbits” on the first of every month, according to one newspaper article. Author Simon Winchester claims to have gone 696 months -- or 58 years -- before forgetting to say it one month.

If you forget, wait until the end of the day, and say “Tibbar, tibbar” -- rabbit backward, in other words. -- Kim Campbell Thornton

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

THE BUZZ

Studies aim to

keep pets healthy

-- Morris Animal Foundation is awarding more than $1 million in grants for 16 canine and feline research projects. Among the studies being funded are one to evaluate the potential of treating aggressive cancers with a new drug derived from a medicinal plant called feverfew; development of an oral vaccine for use in shelters and other multicat environments against feline enteric coronavirus, which can mutate to the deadly disease feline infectious peritonitis; and an inexpensive prognostic test to enable more rapid and appropriate treatment for canine neural injuries, such as strokes and acute spinal cord injuries.

-- Many pets and people were separated during Northern California’s Kincade Fire, and rescuers are turning to social media to help reunite four-legged and two-legged family members. The Kincade Fire Pet Rescue and Reunification page on Facebook posts photos and descriptions of lost and found pets. In Southern California, volunteers from the equestrian community often pitch in to help rescue horses through a Facebook group called Southern California Equine Emergency Evacuation. Cowboy 911, also on Facebook, has listings to help connect rescuers, shelters, owners and animals, including dogs, birds, horses, pigs and even wildlife. Reunification can take months as people seek new housing or more animals are found, so it’s important to continue checking or to renew a lost or found pet’s listing.

-- Often, dog breeds come in different coat varieties. There’s the familiar rough collie -- think Lassie -- as well as a smooth, or shorthaired, collie. Fox terriers have smooth or wire coats; Chihuahuas have short or long coats; dachshunds come in smooth, long or wirehaired coats; Jack Russell terriers have smooth, broken or rough coats; Brussels griffons have rough and smooth coats; Portuguese podengos have smooth and wire coats; and Pyrenean shepherds have smooth- and rough-faced varieties. -- 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.