WONDER WHY YOUR CAT DOES WHAT HE DOES?
Cat behavior can be confusing, but some understanding could help you interpret your cats actions. Cats tend to be solitary animals and like spending some time on their own. Providing them with a box in an out of the way area will give them a retreat to spend time. Also it gives them a safe place to sleep, which they will do a lot of.
Cats are predators by nature, and need an outlet for this. They don't have to actually hunt, but they need a toy or something that it is OK to play with. Cats are naturally clean animals. If they use a litter box don't place it near their food area because this contradicts their clean nature. Place it somewhere out of the way for privacy.
Finally, cats need to scratch their claws. This behavior keeps their claws short and sharp and signals to other cats where they have been. If they are not given something to scratch, such as a scratching post, they are likely to scratch your couch or your rug or anywhere they see fit. If you keep these cues in mind your cat's behavior may make more sense to you.
HAPPY MOTHER'S
DAY!!
The entire staff
of Simmons Veterinary Clinic would like to wish all the mothers
out there a happy and safe Mother's Day!!
CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN
ORDER!!
You may remember
Tammy our pregnant technician...she and her husband Steve are
the proud new parents of Bentley Michael. He was born April 5th
at 11:57 am. He weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces and was 21
inches long. He is seen here with Mommy at 8 weeks old. Tammy
is now doing webpage work for Dr. Simmons.
CATS VS.
DOGS!!
A dog thinks:
These people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a
nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... They
must be Gods!
A cat thinks:
These people I live with feed me, love me, provide
me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of
me... I must be a God!
EAR INFECTIONS:
RECOGNIZING &
PREVENTING
Ear
infections are a common problem for dogs and cats. The two most
common infections are otitis externa, infection of the ear
canal, and otitis media, the infection of the middle ear. The
cause of the ear canal infection, is most commonly a bacteria or
yeast. It can also be a result of wax build up, thick or matted
hair in the canal, debris, impaired drainage of the ear, mite
infestations or a secondary result of another bodily infection.
Otitis media, an infection of the middle ear, is a common result
of the spread of an infection from the ear canal, where debris,
ulceration, or improper cleaning ruptures the eardrum moving
the infection into the middle ear.
The discomfort your dog or
cat experiences from an ear infection is often displayed in
shaking his/her head or scratching of the ears. Often the
infection causes red and inflamed ears with an offensive odor
and perhaps some yellow/black discharge. If discomfort is
observed and the dog/cat often tilts his/her head this may be a
sign of an infection of the middle ear. As a pet owner, you can
help your pets avoid ear infections by practicing preventative
care at home. A weekly ear cleaning with a veterinarian
recommended ear-cleansing solution could minimize or prevent
infection.
Editor: Tammy S. Randall
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