Does your cat become a furry, meowing diva when you’re late with her breakfast? Is Fluffy a bit of a brat when it comes to her toys or playtime? Our feline buddies do take certain matters—such as breakfast and sunbathing—quite seriously. Then again, there are several things that they really just don’t care about. A local Haddon Township, NJ veterinarian shares a few of those in this article.
Your Furniture
Kitties excel at finding the coziest spots to settle in. Fluffy loves to lounge on the back of your sofa or perch on the table while she grooms herself. She isn’t hesitant to use your couch or chair for doing her nails, either … which of course isn’t always very popular with her humans.
Try not to be upset with your pet for using your furniture as a nail-care station! Your kitty isn’t intentionally trying to ruin your belongings; she’s simply following her natural instinct to keep her claws sharp. This makes perfect sense. Cats depend on their nails for survival in the wild. Fluffy uses her sharp little claws as her primary means of protection. They also enable her to ascend to safety and shelter, catch her dinner, and leave her mark on tree trunks.
Your Timetable
Have you ever been awakened by a hangry kitty? These adorable little furballs take their morning meals very seriously. (They also take second breakfast quite seriously, but that’s a discussion for another time.)
And, as you may have already learned, some kitties have a knack for waking up their humans in the middle of the night by pouncing on our toes.
If your pet becomes lively and playful while you’re trying to sleep, consider engaging in some playtime with her before bedtime. Following an energetic playtime, your pet is likely to feel a bit worn out and eager for another nap.
Us (Veterinarians)
Our feline patients aren’t exactly excited to see us. We fully understand. The car ride into our Haddon Township, NJ pet clinic is a significant part of this. While our dog patients often enjoy going for rides, cats usually prefer to remain in their own domains. Many cats often experience more stress from the drive than from their actual appointments! We do all we can to ensure that appointments are quick, easy, and comfortable for our patients. Keep up with your kitty’s appointments!
Your pet’s appointment schedule and veterinary care requirements will change, so it’s important to adhere to your vet’s advice. We suggest that all cats should be microchipped, spayed or neutered, and kept up to date on their vaccinations, check-ups, and parasite prevention. Between visits, watch for any signs of illness. If you observe anything unusual, reach out to your Haddon Township, NJ veterinarian.
Physics
Cats are not just really cute and personable; they’re also incredibly entertaining, especially with their ability to jump, bend, and twist in such playful ways. Fluffy’s acrobatics are quite remarkable! Cats are known for their remarkable flexibility, which is largely due to their unique skeletal structure. That said, we can’t help but be intrigued by some of their bold gymnastic moves. Additionally, these small bundles of fur can rest easily in positions that we would typically think of as, well, knots.
Local Wildlife
Cats are known for having exceptional hunting skills. In fact, we initially became friends with them due to their talent for catching rodents and other pests. Fluffy doesn’t only hunt for her meal. She genuinely finds it rather entertaining. Although it may be adorable to witness your pet’s pride when she presents a dead mouse at your feet, there are some legit concerns here. In fact, your feline pal may be an adorable serial killer. Every year, housecats are responsible for the deaths of billions of small animals. The number of species that are threatened or endangered certainly raises concerns. We suggest keeping your furry little hunter safe and sound indoors and providing her with catnip mice to chase instead of real ones.
Your Comfort
When it comes to napping, does your pet somehow manage to claim the whole bed, leaving you with just a sliver on the edge? Case in point!
Etiquette
Fluffy is incredibly loving and affectionate, which is one of the reasons she can easily melt our hearts. She can be quite unpredictable at times, and may suddenly bite or scratch without any warning, or start grooming herself right in the middle of the room.
Your Plants
Numerous cats enjoy sniffing and nibbling on green leaves. Fluffy is always cute as she peeks out from behind the plants, playfully pretending to be a fierce predator! She certainly isn’t shy about knocking plants over, either.
It’s not a bad thing to have some greenery for Fluffy to experiment with. Cats can indeed benefit from the enrichment that plants provide. Your cat will enjoy the stimulation of being able to smell and taste the leaves. Additionally, gazing through the leaves allows your adorable pet to connect with her wild side.
The big thing is to always prioritize safety. Make sure to choose plants that are safe for your cat. The ASPA provides an excellent list of those here.
Also, be mindful of how you arrange your plants. The macrame holder might seem adorable, but your pet could be tempted to swat at the dangling section, potentially causing the plant to fall down onto her. Place heavier pots at floor level.
The Dog
Fido and Fluffy have experienced quite a tumultuous relationship over the years, and have had many highs and lows throughout their journey. In certain situations, they have indeed formed a strong bond. It’s always super cute to see a kind, patient dog allowing a kitten to pounce on his tail or nap on his back. However, sometimes, the situation can be a bit more challenging. Although dogs are often seen as the aggressors, there are times when the cat takes on the role of the bully! Fluffy isn’t shy about taking over the dog’s bed, either.
Your Job
Although many aspects of life have reverted to pre-pandemic standards or adapted to new post-pandemic routines, the reliance on video conferencing, especially in the business world, appears to be here to stay. While we can’t provide an exact number of how many of our feline patients have interrupted their owners’ Zoom calls or walked across their laptops, it’s fair to guess the number isn’t zero.
That being said, cats occasionally offer a helping paw to their owners during work. If you work from home, you might discover that your cat can be a wonderful coworker, providing comfort, stress relief, and encouragement … even if she occasionally strolls across your keyboard. (Tip: We suggest setting a relatively short screen lock time, like 15 seconds. This will help lower the likelihood that whenever you step away, you return to discover your pet has caused some chaos with whatever you were working on.)
Schedule an Appointment at Our Haddon Township, NJ Animal Clinic
Is your cat due for a check-up? Are you searching for an excellent veterinarian nearby? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at any time. As your Haddon Township, NJ pet hospital, we are committed to providing exceptional care.
