Pros and Cons of having Cats and Babies

Living with a feline pet and a baby can be fun in so many ways. At the same time, it can be dangerous for both of them. Let's take a look at the ups and downs of having cats and babies in your home at the same time.

Pros of having cats and babies

Cats are usually easy to maintain, so having one when you bring your baby home from the hospital will not make your list of responsibilities so much longer than it would be without a cat in sight. Also, since you will not go through too much trouble helping your cat adjust to a new home if you happen to be changing houses while waiting for a new family member, you will probably not have too many problems introducing your baby to the cat. Now, what are the benefits of having your feline and your kid living together?

Cats can be affectionate

Stroking a cat is known to have a calming effect, so having a cat in your home can help your baby feel better when sad or upset. With a cat in their home, your child will grow up with the most sincere and affectionate friend which will help them boost their self-confidence.

They are fun to watch

Cats are explorers so watching them play with toys or any other objects in your home can be a great way to keep your baby entertained. They will play with almost anything and they will inspect every item you bring back home with you. That is why our moving professionals such as evolutionmovingdfw.com always advise cat-owners to keep an eye on their pets while packing boxes for a move or storage since cats tend to play inside them.

Babies react to movement and that is why pets always attract their attention. Some studies even show that children who are raised in homes with pets are less likely to become depressed when they grow up. The presence of a cat in your home will make your new baby happier!

Babies and cats can be perfect playmates

As soon as your newborn starts to interact with people and animals around them, the cat will become their best friend. The good news is that they are not likely to get tired of each other any time soon. For your baby, the cat is their first friend and they grow up knowing that they can always rely on them for love and support. Plus, they are a great source of entertainment.

Children with cats have a better immune system

Pets are great for developing the immune system in children. Children who live with pets are less likely to suffer colds and infections. Even though having a dog is a bit more beneficial in terms of a child's health, kids who grow up with cats also develop immunity to certain illnesses. Plus, the positive effect on a child's mental health is undeniable.

Cats help manage pests

We all know that cats are rodents' worst enemies. OK, you might not have a problem with mice and rats in your home, but cats are also successful in fighting insects and they can be found in pretty much any household. Some of them can be a real hazard to your baby, but if you have a cat, there is no reason for you to worry!

Cons of having cats and babies

Now, let's see some negative sides to owning a cat while being a parent of a very young child.

Some cats tend to shed a lot which can be a problem for children with allergies

The longer the hair in cats the more they will shed, which is not a good thing when you have a baby in that same home. The fact that cat allergies are twice as common as dog allergies, doesn’t help a lot. Make sure you do your research and consult professionals on the subject.

Cats bite too! And they scratch!

Your furniture is at constant risk of getting damaged with a feline pet inside your home, but unfortunately, so are your children. Cats can accidentally scratch your baby while they play with them. It also happens that they bite when they feel insecure around humans. Sometimes they will even do it when they are not in the mood for stroking and cuddling. A bite or a scratch marks here and there won't put your life at risk, but should you risk getting your precious little baby hurt by your pet? Of course not! That's why you should never leave the two of them alone - not even for a second. And, avoid leaving your baby in a swing or on the floor with your cat around.

Some accidents may happen even though your cat is not around

Every responsible cat-owner would try to make their home as cat-friendly as possible even before they bring their feline friend home from the pet store. In some homes, people install cat flaps on their back doors to help their cat access the backyard or home more easily. However, such flaps might be a hazard for your crawling baby. They can get stuck in there or hurt themselves trying to get out. They can even crawl out of home and put their lives in serious danger. Again, there is no need for you to worry if you don't leave your baby unattended which, you will agree, is a matter of common sense whether you own a pet or not.

Cats can be a health hazard if they soil your home

Cats are vulnerable to various infections that can easily be transmitted to a baby if a cat urinates all around the house. But if yours is trained to use a litter box or to go outside when they need to do their business, your baby is safe.

As you can see, having cats and babies at home has its positive and negative sides. Luckily, the negative ones can be either prevented or diminished, so with a little bit of extra care, you will be able to enjoy sharing home with your favorite animal and your child.

Click on the pictures to see where it takes you and the links in the article.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Common Feeding Mistakes in Cats

Diet plays an integral role in the overall health and performance of cats. A balanced diet guards’ cats from different diseases and helps her in growing well.

 Feeding management is one of the critical components in keeping your Scat healthy and active. Feeding mistakes by the owners can lead to several health complications in cats. Many cat owners ask different questions like how to feed cats? What are the various feeding mistakes? What are the health risks associated with lousy feeding habits?

 Here, we will highlight some common feeding mistakes that cat owners commit to preventing health complications in cats.

 A cat cannot speak and tell you her problems unless she gets sick. There are some common feeding mistakes that you must avoid to keep your cat sound.

 WHY OVERFEEDING IS A BAD THING FOR YOUR CAT?

One of the serious mistakes which cat owners make is overfeeding. Some cat owners don’t bother monitoring the feeding frequency and partition the cat's meal. This is the biggest issue. When you offer a cat her meal at once, Remember, this is the instinct of cats to eat everything. If a cat sees a bowl full of food, she will eat it all in one sitting. This thing leads to obesity in cats.

According to Joe Bartges, professor of medicine and nutrition, at the University of Tennessee, «Obesity is the primary nutritional disorder in felines. Moreover, this has been scientifically documented that obesity is a gateway to other health complications in cats such as diabetes, urinary tract, and joint problems in cats. »

According to Marilyn Krieger, a registered cat behavior consultant and owner of the cat coach in the San Francisco Bay area explains that free feeding is one of the significant mistakes that cat parents should avoid. As free food is a substantial reason for weight gain in cats. Instead of this, cats should be fed several times a day, and they should do some struggle while getting food.

Composition of cat’s diet, exercise, and feeding frequency are three main things that are literally useful in keeping the cat’s weight in control.

 Overfeeding is one of the biggest mistakes that cat parents make. It influences cat’s health badly. It is essential to manage your cat’s weight and get a well-designed diet plan after consulting a registered vet/pet nutritionist.

 Feeding frequency matters a lot in maintaining the weight of your beloved feline friend. According to Cornell feline health center, it is acceptable to feed an adult cat once or twice a day with a few exceptions.

 NOTE: Other factors such as physical activity, breed, size, age, health status must also be kept in mind while defining a feeding frequency and diet plan for your cat.

 Always divide the meal of your cat into parts. Don’t feed everything at once. Regular monitoring of your cat's body condition score (BCS) also helps you manage weight issues in her.

 WHY SHOULD YOU CHOOSE AUTOMATIC CAT FEEDERS?

Automatic cat feeders help in programming the feeding frequency of your cat. If you work in an office or go somewhere else, leaving your cat home alone, then having an automatic cat feeder is an excellent idea. Automatic cat feeders have a timer, and you can also feed various instructions accordingly, like when to feed your cat? How many diets to feed? How many times do you want to feed your cat?

Due to these all-important features, automatic cat feeders are becoming so popular around the globe. According to ThePets, when choosing an automatic feeder, you need to know that it gives your cat a calculated amount of food during set hours of the day. This all helps in maintaining your cat’s weight and overall well-being.

WHY ARE TOO MANY TREATS NOT GOOD FOR CATS?

Giving treats to your cats is an excellent thing. It helps in strengthening the bond between you and your feline friend. Additionally, treats also play an important role in correcting several bad behaviors in cats. But a responsible cat parent should keep another aspect of the story in his mind. Offering too many treats, especially with high sugar content/calories, lead to several health complications in cats such as obesity and diabetes. So, this is highly recommended to give your cats treats on special occasions and make a proper schedule. Avoid giving too many treats unnecessarily.

NOTE: This is also important to check the ingredients of any treatment you offer to your cat. This is essential to keep your cat safe from health complications.

HOW TOO MUCH MILK INTAKE CAUSES PROBLEMS IN CATS?

Many cat owners feed a lot of milk to their cats. This is also considered as one of the significant feeding mistakes. Remember, milk is suitable for kittens, not for adult cats. The reason behind this is the lactase deficiency in adult cats. Lactase is an enzyme that digests the lactose (milk sugar) to simple glucose monomers. This is why; cats cannot utilize milk and milk products efficiently. So, giving too much liquid to your cat can put her into gastrointestinal troubles.

A responsible owner must be conscious while giving frozen treats made up of milk to his cat, such as ice creams, frozen desserts, etc. These things can also cause lactose intolerance in your cat. So, always be careful and stay in touch with your veterinarian.

HOW SUDDEN CHANGE IN CAT’S DIET BAD FOR HER?

This is another major mistake that cat parents make. Sudden changes in a cat's diet make her sick and lead to a variety of medical complications. This is always recommended to make gradual changes in the diet of cats. Whenever you switch to a new menu for your cat, kindly introduce that slowly. Your cat will accept it with time.

Click on the pictures to see where it takes you and the links in the article.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN

Moving with cats - how to prepare?

If there is anyone who dislikes moving more than humans, it is cats. Once they adapt to their surroundings, they resist new routines. Though, you already know that. What you may not know yet is how to make moving with cats bearable for your loving pets, so stick with us and learn how to do it the right way!

Prepare your cat for the move

The most unpleasant part of the move for a cat is the time it spends in the carrier. Likely, your pet won't appreciate the seemingly endless time spent locked behind bars. To make it as comfortable as possible when the moving time comes, help your cat adapt to the carrier in advance. The more it dislikes it, the sooner you should start with preparations.

Simply, leave the carrier open in the room your cat spends the most time in. Let the cat explore it and get used to it. You can place food, treats, favorite toys around and inside the carrier to show your cat it is safe. If your feline friend is still anxious about the carrier, talk to the vet. They may prescribe your cat a mild sedative or anti-anxiety medication for the duration of the trip. 

Furthermore, you should seriously consider protecting your cat with pet insurance. Nowadays, every moving company offers basic moving insurance for your belongings - why wouldn't you protect your pet as well? That way, your cat will be insured against any ailment or accidents that may befall them during the trip. Pet travel insurance works in many ways like human travel insurance. However, premiums are calculated after taking the species and age of your pet into account.

During the relocation

Moving is stressful for humans and animals alike. Nourish your cat with the right combination of vitamins and supplements during and after the relocation. You, at least, know what is going on; your furry family member doesn't. Cats are territorial and relocation may upset them quite a bit.

Avoid moving-induced anxieties

The best you can do for your cat and yourself is to seek professional help when moving out of state. However, you should do whatever you can to keep your cat safe and secure on moving day and reduce its stress as much as possible. The safest way to do this is to empty one room in the house completely and move your cat with its belongings there. That room, preferably a bathroom, should remain closed while the movers come in and out. Not only will your cat remain in the house, but you will also be certain where to find it and it won't participate in the moving chaos. The cat shouldn't be in the carrier until the moment you need to leave the home. While in the room, it should have sufficient but not too much food and water, a litter box, a container, and its toys. 

No one knows your cat's daily schedule better than you and you should stick to it, even during the moving process. With feeding and playing coming always at the same time, your cat will go through the ordeal of changing homes much more smoothly. Finally, once you place your cat in the carrier, don't open it until you secure a base room in your new home. Once you move in and cat-proof the first room your cat will explore, place the cat's belongings around the carrier, open it and welcome your furry roommate to its new home with a treat.

After you settle in

Moving into your new home may seem like the end of the relocation process, but moving with cats doesn't stop there. Even though you have brought in your stuff and began unpacking, there is something more you need to consider. You should carefully prepare your new house for your cat. It is their new home, too, though they may not yet accept it as such.

How well they will adapt depends quite a lot on your efforts. You can try to spread its scent around your home by gently rubbing its cheeks and head with a cotton cloth. Then rub the cloth at your cat's level against the doors and furniture to help it get familiar with its surroundings. You will know you were successful once your cat starts rubbing its head against the objects in the house, further spreading the scent coming from its glands and marking its new territory.

Thorough cleaning and cat-proofing

Unless you purchased a brand-new home, it may be that the previous tenants owned pets, which could cause a problem. Your cat may be upset by the scent left by the animals that used to live there, and it may take it longer to adapt to the new environment. Cats are territorial, and the least you can do to help them adjust is to remove any traces of previous residents. Make sure you deep clean any furniture and carpets, steam clean the floors and disinfect all other surfaces. 

As it goes with all relocations, they tend to be quite chaotic. Stacks of heavy boxes, power plugs, cables, and unsecured windows pose a threat to a cat. To properly cat-proof your home, make sure there aren't any nooks or holes where your cat can get stuck or hurt. Also, find and remove any pest-control traps and poisonous or harmful houseplants.

In case your cat is not adapting well

Depending on the size of your new home, it should take from one to three weeks for the cat to get familiar with its new environment. Don't open all doors at once and allow the cat to roam freely right off the bat. Let it get accustomed to one room at a time and explore slowly. Spend as much free time as you can with your cat and it should help it feel more secure. If your presence and care don't prove sufficient and your cat doesn't feel at ease in its new home, take it to the vet and ask for a piece of expert advice. 

Click on the pictures to see what kittens we currently have available and the links in the article.

Until our next cat convo

-MARTIN