Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

Catster wants to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world—who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We will interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members.

These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

Meet Professor Chris Tan, a Specialist in Surgery at SASH Alexandria and Hospital Director.

Mission

In your own words, what is the Small Animal Specialist Hospital’s mission and purpose?

SASH’s mission is to help pets and their families live their best life. This is achieved through our unique combination of multidisciplinary 24/7 emergency and specialist veterinary care, world-class facilities and total commitment to our patients and their families.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

I am passionate about all areas of veterinary surgery, especially orthopaedics and education. My goal is to develop the next generation of highly skilled specialist surgeons in Australia and across the world and to improve patient outcomes.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet professional in Australia and at the Small Animal Specialist Hospital?

Being a vet is something that I had always wanted to do and brings new challenges everyday. There is nothing quite like the feeling of seeing sick or injured patients being returned to their owners after making a full recovery. Here at SASH I feel very lucky to work alongside experts in a wide range of disciplines. So I feel comfortable that we are always providing the highest level of care possible.

How big is your team?

The SASH Alexandria team is almost 100 people strong. This includes our amazing veterinarians, nurses, client services, and support team members who work around the clock to make sure the hospital runs seamlessly.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

In general the veterinary industry in Australia, and many parts of the world is experiencing staff shortages. However, we are fortunate at SASH Alexandria to be in a very strong position. We find that many talented people within the vet industry choose to work for SASH because of our reputation and proven track record of high quality of veterinary care.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

We see between 100 and 200 cases per week at SASH Alexandria.

Challenges & Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is balancing my busy schedule of being a Specialist Surgeon while also providing leadership, as Hospital Co-Director to an exceptionally high performing team. Euthanasia and patient loss is never easy. However, I am thankful that as a surgeon, outcomes in my field are generally positive.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

For a relatively new hospital like SASH Alexandria, our biggest challenge is awareness of our services. Lots of local pet owners don’t know we’re here 24/7.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

The most rewarding part of my job is sending home a mended patient to their loving family. We’re really fortunate to be able to work with some of the loveliest and very dedicated owners.

Future

What are SASH’s main goals for the future?

One of our goals is to always innovate and focus on ways to improve patient outcomes. This means investing in our people, facilities, and looking for opportunities for

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

We always recommend making sure your pet gets veterinary treatment in a timely manner. Delaying veterinarian care can be problematic, especially if you notice something isn’t quite right. Regular check ups with your local veterinarian are essential for picking up any issues that may be present and for keeping your pet up-to-date with preventative health. If you are concerned about something after-hours, a 24/7 facility like SASH Alexandria is always available to see your pet.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

One day we had a “Harry Potter” and “Hagrid” in the hospital with us at the same time so it felt more like Hogwarts!

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at the SASH Australia, where can they find more information and get in touch?

If anyone needs emergency or specialist veterinary services, we are open 24/7, 365 days of the year. Our contact details can be found on www.sashvets.com. There, they can also find information about career opportunities within SASH.

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

SASH Alexandria has been growing its services and offerings greatly since we first opened in 2023. We are now proud to offer 24/7 emergency & critical care, surgery, internal medicine, dermatology, oncology, and reproduction. Please feel free to get in touch if you would like to find out more about any of these specialist veterinary services.

The post Small Animal Specialist Hospital (SASH) Vets Australia: Heroes of The Pet World by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

As a cat lover, can you think of anything more awesome than a parade dedicated to cats? If I’ve already piqued your fancy by using “cat” and “parade” in the same sentence, you might want to start planning a trip to Belgium.

The Kattenstoet (which literally translates to “the Cat Parade”) occurs in a small town named Ypres on the French border of Belgium on the second Sunday of May every three years. While this beloved festival celebrates cats, it’s based on a rather horrific tradition of the townsfolk of Ypres once engaged in annually.

Read on to learn more about this unique festival, including its history and what to expect if you plan to attend in the future.

What Happens During the Festival?

The Kattenstoet parade operates much like any other parade—the participants build elaborate floats, hand-sew costumes, and put on performances. It’s not unusual to see modern depictions of cats in this history-focused festival, either. For example, there’s one particularly popular float with a humongous Garfield cat peeking out from a cardboard box.

While most of the festival is feline-focused, some aspects of the parade have nothing to do with cats. Attendees may spot knights in chainmail walking around with spears or folks dressed in medieval garb clutching pieces of fabric. This is just part of the tribute to the town’s history and humble beginnings in cloth manufacturing.

The townspeople of Ypres participate in the festival by decorating their shops with cat displays or baking cat-shaped buns or cookies.

After the parade procession, someone dressed in a jester costume tosses stuffed kitties from the belfry to the eagerly awaiting townspeople below, who hope to catch one of the plushies.

After the jester has run out of cats to toss, a mock witch-burning event occurs, in which the crowd sets a puppet witch aflame.

The festival is a popular tourist event in Belgium, bringing in thousands of visitors and strengthening the local tourism economy. Event organizers expected 50,000 spectators to come from near and far to watch the 2024 parade.

How Did the Parade Come to Be?

While the parade celebrates our adoring relationship with our cats, it wasn’t always this way in Ypres.

During the Middle Ages, the town’s primary industry was cloth making. Cloth makers would use cats to keep their warehouses free of fabric-destroying vermin. These cats were free to roam Ypres as they liked during the winter months, but when they started reproducing too quickly, the town officials realized they were in over their heads. Cats were overrunning the town, and they didn’t know what to do to address the sudden overpopulation. They soon decided it only made sense to get rid of them.

Instead of shipping them off somewhere or dealing with them humanely, they decided to toss cats from the belfry tower to their deaths. They would do this annually during the second week of Lent on a day they referred to as “Cat Wednesday.” This tradition continued for hundreds of years into the 1800s.

It’s also important to remember that, at the time, cats were associated with witchcraft and evil, so getting rid of them was much celebrated, and many looked forward to the event.

Thankfully, the last time a live cat was thrown off the belfry was in 1819.

Ypres officials decided to reignite the tradition in 1937, except they chose to toss stuffed cats from the belfry instead of real ones. The goal was to acknowledge the town’s complicated history with cats and also celebrate them. The tradition was put on the back burner during World War II but was back in full swing by 1946 when town officials added a parade to the fun.

When Is the Kattenstoet?

The Kattenstoet is typically held triennially on the second Sunday of May. The most recent festival was in May of this year, so if you’re hoping to book a trip to attend the next one, you’ll have to wait until 2027.

Final Thoughts

The Kattenstoet parade is something for cat lovers to add to their bucket list. Being surrounded by thousands of other feline-loving humans sounds like a great afternoon to me.

The festival is an excellent way for the town of Ypres to acknowledge its complicated history with cats while also recognizing how much they love and admire them today.

Featured Image Credit: Piqsels

The post Kattenstoet (The Belgian Cat Festival) : Origins & Celebration Facts by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Remember the days when cats were more often family animals who helped out in some capacity around the home (mostly as mousers) rather than being members of the family? Yeah, neither do we. These days, our kitties are full-blown members of the family, which means we celebrate their important occasions, whether that’s a birthday or a pregnancy.

When it comes to pregnant cats, there’s no better way to celebrate than with a kitten shower! What exactly is a kitten shower? It’s a baby shower for cats! Throwing kitten showers for pregnant cats has become more popular recently, so you’ve likely heard about the phenomenon before. Kitten showers are an excellent way to celebrate mama cats and welcome new kittens into your home. In fact, even if you’re simply adopting a kitten, you could still throw a kitten shower to welcome them (even shelters throw kitten showers during kitten season to encourage people to adopt kittens!).

You may not know how to throw a kitten shower, though, which is why we’re here. We’re sharing kitten shower ideas below so you can plan the perfect party for your soon-to-be mama cat!

Before You Begin

You can’t throw a party without making a few preparations, of course.

You’ll also need some supplies, which we’ll cover below. Supplies will vary depending on how extravagant and creative you want to get with your kitten shower.

How to Throw a Kitten Shower

Now that you’ve done your preparations, it’s time to throw a fabulous kitten shower for your incoming kittens!

1. Send Out Invitations

Once you’ve chosen your party date and time and made your guest list, it’s time to send out invitations! Invitations can be as simple or as fancy as you want. Get some cute physical invitations and mail them out like the olden days, or just make a Facebook event page and invite your guest list there. Whatever works best for you.

2. Start a Registry

Make sure your invitations include the link to your registry. You can start a registry on Amazon or a site specifically for registries and add items you will need for upcoming kittens (food, crates, bedding), items for the mama cat (she deserves a push gift!), and items for the kittens (toys and more toys).

3. Get Some Decorations

Decide how you want to decorate and acquire your decorations. This is another area where you can go as big or small as you want. Grab cat-related banners, tablecloths, paper plates, and more to go all out for your kitten shower or put up a few pictures of mama cat (or the new kittens, if adopting) and blow up a few balloons for a simpler vibe. Pinterest is a fantastic place to get ideas for decorating a kitten shower.

4. Plan Party Games

Once your decorations are gathered, decide whether you want to play party games with your guests. If so, you may need to get a few more supplies. Some fun kitten shower party games include Pin the Tail on the Kitty, a cat cookie decorating contest, and a litterbox toss!

5. Pick Your Food

Again, you can get creative as you want with the food for your kitten shower. You might choose to stick to simple finger apps or go all out with a kitty-themed cake. Don’t forget special treats for any furry friends that might be attending! Make some tasty feline snacks or order a few items from a bakery that offers cat-friendly items. If you decide to order food, be sure you place your order far enough out that the food will be ready on the big day.

6. Start Setting Up

Once everything is decided upon and the day of the kitten shower arrives, it’s time to set everything up! Put up decorations, set out food, set up any games you want to play, and ensure everyone in your home is ready to have fun!

7. Don’t Forget the Photos!

Choose a family member or friend to take photos. You’ll likely be quite busy on the day of the kitten shower, but you absolutely want plenty of pictures of the event, so ask someone to act as the dedicated photographer.

8. Do a Safety Check

Before people come to your house, consider the safety and comfort of any pets in your home. Whether it’s a mama cat or another pet, determine how well they’ll deal with having multiple people around. If you have a pet that will be anxious or stressed, consider placing them in a separate room away from the action. If mama cat or kittens might not enjoy the attention, bring them out briefly to greet people, then separate them from the action.

A Few Last Things

There are a couple of things you should avoid during your kitten shower. One is putting your cat (or cats) into costume (unless they just really like being dressed up). As adorable as it is to see kitties in costumes, they usually aren’t fans, and you want your pets to have fun on their big day!

You also want to avoid having any foods at your party that could be toxic to felines. Look into any foods you’re ordering or making to ensure that they won’t harm cats; this way, if something is dropped on the floor and one of the cats in your home snatches it up, you can guarantee they won’t suffer serious side effects.

Final Thoughts

Kitten showers, or baby showers for cats, are a newer trend that is getting more popular. Whether that means celebrating a pregnant cat or simply throwing a shower to welcome new kittens to your home, a kitten shower is a fun and fabulous way to celebrate. Kitten showers are easy to put together and throw, too, as you don’t have to do much more work than you would for a baby shower. They’re also guaranteed to allow you, your friends, and any felines in the home to have a great time!

Featured Image Credit: Sheila Fitzgerald, Shutterstock

The post How to Throw a Kitten Shower! The Baby Shower for Cats by Misty Layne appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Even though it may be gross to think about, familiarizing yourself with a cat’s nasal discharge can help you take better care of them. The color of your cat’s boogers can alert you of potential infections and diseases.

Sometimes, your cat may have black boogers. In most cases, their nasal discharge will appear black or brown when it contains dried blood. Blood in the nasal passage often points to an underlying health issue that requires veterinary attention. So, it’s best to consult your vet if you notice black boogers in and around your cat’s nose.

The 5 Possible Reasons Your Cat Has Black Boogers

A cat’s nasal discharge usually looks transparent, but it can change colors and become more opaque if they get sick. Both environmental factors and internal health issues can affect the color of your cat’s nasal discharge. Here are some common reasons why your cat’s boogers may by black.

1. Respiratory Tract Disease

When a cat’s respiratory tract gets inflamed, it can cause black or brown boogers to form around their nose. Nasal discharge from respiratory tract disease is usually thick and yellow. However, it can have a red tinge with fresh blood or it may appear dark brown from older blood. Along with nasal discharge, cats with respiratory tract disease often have eye discharge and sneezing. They can have runny eyes and noses for several weeks to months.

2. Nose Bleeds

Dark nasal discharge is often caused by blood in the nose, which is known as epistaxis. There are many different causes for epistaxis and the seriousness of the condition varies from mild to severe. It’s most common for epistaxis to be a sign of an infection or trauma. However, it can also be caused by liver failure, feline leukemia virus infection, drug reactions, fungal diseases, hemophilia, and rodenticide poisoning.

3. External Pollutants

Sometimes, black boogers may form around your cat’s nose if they’re exposed to external pollutants. This can occur in urban cities where there’s more smoke, gas, and other airborne particles. It’s also more common for outdoor cats than indoor cats to have darker nasal discharge because they have more exposure to outdoor air and dirt.

4. Rhinitis

Rhinitis refers to when the mucous membranes in the nose become inflamed. Most cases of rhinitis are caused by a viral infection, but it can also be a sign of allergies. The nasal discharge from rhinitis is usually clear, but it can become thicker and more opaque if a secondary bacterial infection occurs. Other signs of rhinitis include sneezing, pawing at the face, labored inhalation, and snoring.

5. Nasal Trauma

A significant injury to the nose or nasal cavity can cause bleeding. Dried blood can gather within the nose and look like black boogers when they fall out. Most cases of nasal trauma will be apparent. An injured nose usually looks swollen, bruised, or discolored. Cats can also experience difficulty breathing, so it’s important for your cat to receive medical attention as soon as possible.

What to Do if Your Cat Has Black Boogers

If your cat’s boogers look like soot or ash, it’s possible that they’ve been exposed to air pollutants. You can usually just wipe their noses clean and remove any bigger particles that are clinging to the outer parts of their nostrils.

If your cat’s boogers are dark brown and look more like dried blood, it’s best to get them to a vet for a checkup. Dried blood in the nasal cavity usually indicates an underlying medical condition that requires veterinary intervention and care. Make sure to take note of any other signs or unusual behaviors from your cat, as this information can be helpful for your vet’s diagnosis.

Since a variety of health issues can cause bloody noses, treatment plans will vary from case to case. Therefore, it’s important to consult your vet before treating your cat. Your vet can provide treatment options and prescribe medication that will help your cat feel better.

Conclusion

Overall, your cat’s boogers may turn black when there’s bleeding in their nasal passages. In some cases, their boogers may be black due to inhaling air pollutants. Causes of blood in the nasal passages will vary. So, it’s important for your cat to see a vet to get a proper diagnosis and ensure they receive the right treatment to help them get better.

Featured Image Credit: Firman Widyasmara, Shutterstock

The post Why Does My Cat Have Black Boogers? Vet-Reviewed Causes & When to Worry by Jessica Kim appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cats are often unpredictable, difficult to read, and aloof. And, for a lot of cat lovers, it is part of their appeal. Most people struggle to be able to read a cat’s mood, so can we expect artificial intelligence, which is said to simulate human intelligence, to be able to read a cat’s emotions or tell when our favorite moggy is happy? AI might be able to estimate a cat’s happiness by analyzing body language and vocalizations, but it still can’t fully replace the nuanced understanding of a cat’s owner.

The Ultimate Poker Face

The biggest challenge when attempting to discern a cat’s feelings is that they have evolved an incredible poker face. They are not social animals like people and, in the wild, cats do not give away feelings of pain, anxiety, or any other emotion for fear that rivals will challenge them, or predators will attack them.

While most domesticated cats live lives of luxury, free from the threat of wild animals, they retain a lot of their wild instincts. Whether AI can detect micro-expressions or see through a cat’s face remains to be seen.

Body Language

Using cameras and learning from past footage of cat movements, AI might be able to recognize, determine, and even use body movements to determine a cat’s mood. While they might not give much away with facial expressions, movements like raising the tail or swooshing their tail can be a good way to tell a cat’s mood.

A cat rubbing its head on its owner’s leg or hand is also another good indication of mood, but so too are raised hackles on the neck. These are all quite obvious movements that should be easy for AI to detect and use the motions to give a best guess as to a cat’s mood.

Vocalizations

Some cats make a lot of noise, and some cats are quiet. But, some cats are prone to becoming more vocal when they feel under threat or are feeling anxious. On the other hand, some cats might be less prone to vocalizing in these circumstances. A change in vocalization patterns is an indication your cat is suffering some emotional change.

Contextual Background

Key to all of these possible signs of anxiety, fear, or even happiness, are context and individuality. Cat play closely mimics hunting, which means a playing cat can also have similar body language and facial expressions. Some cats might have a happier facial expression while they’re playing, and if you have more than one cat, they might have a different facial expression when playing with the other cat compared to when playing with toys.

The point of AI is that it learns. Give it enough background information and let it study the cat’s behavior and an advanced AI would likely be able to identify, at least with a reasonable degree of success, whether a cat is happy or not. However, it would be unlikely to be able to determine this from a single meeting or watching one cat for a short time.

Can AI Tell Us Whether AI Can Tell When a Cat Is Happy?

When we asked an AI tool this question, it gave a long-winded response that started out by saying AI could estimate a cat’s emotional state using facial recognition, body language, vocalizations, and behavioral patterns, while pointing to the differences between individual cats and the need for context when measuring these patterns.

It signed off by stating that while AI can provide insight, it should only ever be used to complement a human’s understanding and observation.

Conclusion

AI aims to mimic or simulate the intelligence of humans, which means it studies and learns. The AI needs background and context, and with this, it would be able to determine a cat’s mood with a reasonable rate of success.

Considering many humans struggle to be able to tell when a cat is happy, an AI, armed with the right information, could achieve a similar result. However, nobody knows their own cat better than that cat’s owner, and it is they who are most likely to be able to determine their feline companion’s mood.

Featured Image Credit: Monster Ztudios, Shutterstock

The post Can AI Tell When a Cat Is Happy? Interpreting Body Language Through Technology by Matt Jackson appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cat owners love their cats; there’s no denying that. But not one has ever remarked how much they love the smell associated with owning cats.

There’s nothing worse than the scent of cat litter taking over your home. If your cat’s litter box stinks up your spaces, you need to reevaluate the litter box system, placement, and cleaning regimen you have in place. Read on to find nine helpful tips and tricks for ensuring your home doesn’t smell like cats live there.

The 8 Tips on How to Remove Cat Litter Smell From a Room

1. Choose the Right Litter Box

While it might seem that litter and waste make your cat’s box smell, it could actually be due in part to the box you’re using. Cats are incredibly finicky creatures, especially when it comes to their toileting habits. A box that’s too small can result in messes and behavioral issues, like eliminating in other places around your home and spreading the odor everywhere.

The litter box should be sized appropriately to accommodate your kitty comfortably. A good rule of thumb is to choose a box at least 1.5 times the length of your pet and as wide as your kitty is long. This ensures you’re not only managing the litter and waste odors but also keeping your cat comfortable.

2. Scoop Litter Daily

We don’t leave our toilets unflushed all day long, as it’s not only gross, but it’ll get smelly, too. The same applies to your cat’s litter.

Make it a point to scoop the litter in the morning and before bed. This will cut back on odors and make your cat happier, as they’re much more likely to use a fresh litter box than one filled with clumps of old pee and poop.

3. Replace the Litter Often

Unfortunately, scooping away the waste and adding fresh litter on top of the old stuff isn’t an effective way to manage odors. You’ll need to completely replace the litter in your kitty’s box at least once weekly to reduce the smells.

When the box is emptied, clean it thoroughly with a soapy solution and warm water.

4. Avoid Using Harsh Chemicals or Heavily Fragranced Cleaners

Cats are very sensitive to smells, so avoid using any chemical or heavily fragranced cleaner on their litter box. An overpowering chemical scent may make them less likely to return to the box to do their business. Use a cleaner that is not overwhelming. A great tip is to clean the box with a non-scented enzymatic spray cleaner after the wash. This will ensure there is no lingering smell left behind.

5. Use a Litter Additive

Litter additives are an excellent tool for controlling litter box scents. They’re typically formulated with active charcoal or baking soda that helps to absorb and remove the unwanted scents, and since some are fragrance-free, they won’t just mask the odor with an artificial scent. There are litter additives that work with all types of litter, regardless of whether you use traditional clay style, crystal, corn, non-clumping, etc.

There are lots of benefits to having a cat, but dealing with bad smells isn't one of them.

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Effective litter additives like Hepper's Advanced Bio-Enzyme Cat Litter Deodorizer can help you keep your home odor-free without having to do a lot of cleaning. This deodorizer is biodegradable, fragrance-free, and effective on everything from litter boxes to cat carriers.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

6. Bypass Scented Litters

While it might seem as if a scented litter will be the answer to keeping your cat’s litter box smelling fresh, these aren’t the best types to use. Most cats don’t like strong scents, which may make them more likely to avoid using their box if you’re using heavily scented litter.

7. Reconsider Your Litter Box Placement

Where you place your litter boxes in your home can have a significant effect on how well the scents carry throughout your spaces. It’s especially true to consider your litter box placement when you have multiple cats.

The ideal place for the box is somewhere with good ventilation. There should be one box on every level of your home so they have access regardless of where their day’s adventures take them.

You might need to put your litter box in an area you can block off or keep doors shut, such as a laundry room or garage. You’ll need to install a kitty door so they still have access, though.

Try to avoid areas with heavy foot traffic or excess noise to ensure your cat feels safe and comfortable when doing their business.

8. Store Used Litter Properly

How you dispose of your cat’s used litter can have a significant impact on the odors in your home. Scooping it directly into your garbage can may not only cause awful scents to linger, but the weight of the waste can poke holes in your bag. This may mean you end up with litter particles sitting in the bottom of your can, smelling up your home.

Instead, scoop the litter into garbage or compost bags and tie the ends in a knot. Take them immediately to your outside trash bin.

You can also invest in a litter disposal system, like the Litter Genie. They come in multiple sizes and can hold up to 4 months’ worth of litter.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing worse than walking into someone’s home and knowing immediately that they have cats, thanks to that tell-tale litter scent. With our eight tips above, you can not only ensure your home won’t fall into that category, but you can also keep your cat healthy and happy with proper litter box hygiene and a regular cleaning schedule.

Featured Image Credit: Robert Petrovic, Shutterstock

The post How to Remove Cat Litter Smell From a Room: 8 Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Most cats enjoy being outside as it gives them fresh air and allows them to practice the hunting sequence they were born to do. But as a responsible owner, you know that inside is the safest place for them.

If you’re interested in introducing the great outdoors to your indoor cat, you should know that it is possible to train a cat to walk on a leash with a harness. When harness and leash training is done correctly, your cat will have the opportunity to explore the outdoors in a safe and controlled environment. This isn’t something that necessarily comes naturally for our feline companions, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be taught.

Read on to find out 10 simple steps for harness training your kitty so you’ll be one step closer to giving them the taste of the outdoors they desire.

The 10 Steps on How to Harness Train a Cat

1. Set Realistic Goals

In a perfect world, every kitty will take to their harness quickly and easily. However, as a cat owner, you know that cats do what they want, when they want, on their own time! Some kitties warm up to the idea of their harness and leash right away, while others may take quite some time to become comfortable with them. You know your pet best, so make sure you’re always watching their body language for signs of anxiety or discomfort.

2. Choose the Right Harness

Before you can begin training, you need to buy the correct harness for your cat’s size. Not all harnesses are created equal, nor are they the same size, so you’ll actually need to take some measurements to ensure a perfect fit.

Not all manufacturers use the same sizing system, so read the measurement instructions provided by your harness manufacturer very closely. You’ll need a soft measuring tape. Most harness sizing charts require your cat’s neck diameter and thoracic girth size, but the exact measurements may vary.

Hold the tape nice and close to the skin to ensure you get the right fit. The harness should be nice and snug but not so tight that it’ll hurt them.

Cats can easily escape from loose harnesses, so make sure yours fits properly before taking your cat out for the first time.

Are you looking for the perfect cat harness? We suggest Hepper's Cat Harness & Leash Set, which includes a nicely designed, machine-washable harness made from soft, sturdy velvet and mesh.

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This harness is easy to put on and take off and features reinforced stitching, reflective stripes, and quick-release buckles. This set also includes a great leash made from durable nylon climbing rope.

At Catster, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

3. Get Your Rewards System in Place

Cats are often very food-motivated, which means having the right treats on hand can make all the difference when training them. Pick a high-value reward that your cat will only receive during harness training to help them form positive (and yummy) associations with the training at hand.

4. Let Them Explore the Harness

As excited as you may be at the prospect of adventuring with your kitty, you must first acclimate them to the idea of the harness before you even try putting it on them.

Lay the harness on the floor and allow your cat to inspect it on their own time. Whenever they approach it, give them a treat to help them form a positive association with it. If they turn their cute little nose up at the harness, try laying some treats on top of it to entice them to explore it further.

Let them sniff and paw at the harness. This will allow them to become familiar with its scent and feel.

This process can be drawn out and tempting to skip, but it’s an integral part of harness training your kitty. You’ll have a much more difficult time training them if you immediately try putting the harness on them without giving them time to explore it first. Forcing them into their harness can be terrifying for your pet and may make them less likely to want to wear it ever again.

5. Familiarize Yourself With the Harness

You, too, need to become familiar with your cat’s harness, especially before you even think about putting it on them the first time. The last thing you want to do is to try to force your kitty into their harness when you don’t even know it works in the first place.

Familiarize yourself with how it goes on and what and where all the bells and whistles are. Try adjusting the buckles or clips a few times so you know how they’re supposed to work. This ensures you will be able to make the proper adjustments confidently when it’s on your cat.

Because there are several different styles of harnesses, you’ll need to read the manufacturer’s instructions to fit it just right for your kitty.

6. Put It on Inside Your House

Once you feel that you’re comfortable with the ins and outs of the harness and that your cat is used to the smell and feel of it, it’s time to try it on.

The first few times you put it on, don’t buckle it shut. The snug feeling of the harness can be pretty scary for your cat at first, so let them get used to how it feels when it’s loose on their body first.

After giving them some time to get used to their harness unbuckled, try fastening it and adjusting the straps so it fits properly on their body. Offer lots of positive reinforcement and a healthy distraction while doing so.

Remember, we want a snug fit, but nothing so tight that it digs into your kitty’s skin. Allowing enough space to place one or two fingers between the harness and your cat’s skin should be about right.

7. Keep Sessions Short

The first few times you put the harness on your cat, leave it on for just a minute or two at a time. As you progress with your training, they can begin wearing it for extended periods. Offer plenty of those aforementioned high-value treats at this stage to reinforce the process.

8. Put the Harness on at Meal or Play Time

Another great way to encourage your kitty to form positive associations with their harness is to put it on them for a few minutes at meal or playtime. Incorporating the harness into everyday activities will help them become accustomed to it quicker, and they may even come to enjoy it.

You may need to sit on the stage for some time, allowing them to wear the harness around the house and go about their day. Do not rush to introduce the leash. The more time you allow your kitty to get used to the harness, the easier it’ll be to propose the idea of exploring the great outdoors.

9. Introduce the Leash

Once you know your kitty is comfortable in their harness, you can begin leash training them. Start off with walking them leashed around your home. Avoid introducing the leash outside.

10. Pull Back at Signs of Stress

Keep a close eye on your cat during the harness training process so you can quickly pick up on signs of them being overwhelmed or stressed. Overstimulating your cat can make them terrified of the harness—and even you!

Final Thoughts

Harness training your cat sounds like a complicated and drawn-out process, but it doesn’t have to be. The steps we’ve shared above should provide you with the framework necessary to get your kitty accustomed to wearing a harness. Once they’re used to the feel of a harness, you can introduce a leash and take the next steps to ensure your cat is safe while you explore the outdoors together.

Featured Image Credit: Abis Photos, Shutterstock

The post How to Harness Train a Cat: 10 Vet-Verified Tips & Tricks by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Veterinarians, vet technicians, practice managers, rescuers, behaviorists, nutritionists, trainers, volunteers, and other animal professionals are the backbone of pet ownership. Helping pets and their families live in harmony and health together.

We want to highlight some of these underrated champions of the animal world. Who we like to refer to as Heroes of The Pet World.

We’ll interview some of the most inspiring vet clinics, animal hospitals, animal shelters, and rehabilitation organizations around the world to share all the wonderful and oftentimes harsh experiences they face while working to help, heal, guide, revitalize, and protect our furry family members. These are the stories of unsung animal superheroes!

For this post, we interviewed Paddock Park Animal Care Center‘s manager, Vicki Bennett.

Mission

In your own words, what is Paddock Park Animal Care Center’s mission and purpose?

I feel that our mission at Paddock Park Animal Care Center is to do our very best to service our patients, clients and community with compassion and competence. We are committed to caring for and helping all pets in need.

What is your individual mission or goal, as a vet professional and as a person?

As a Practice Manager/Technician, I am very committed to helping to provide the best patient care for all pets. I am very passionate about my job and I love the reward of helping the clients and their pets.

Day-to-Day Experience

What is it like being a vet professional in Florida, and at Paddock Park Animal Care Center?

I came to Paddock Park Animal Care Center 42 years ago and have been so blessed to have worked with some of the most amazing and talented veterinarians and technicians in this profession. Another wonderful benefit to this job is building lasting relationships with our clients. My staff here is my family and am so thankful for every one of them. Their love and desire to care for animals is beyond comparison.

How big is your team?

My staff consists of 15 people.

Do you have staffing shortages and how do you deal with them?

There have definitely been times when we have had staffing shortages and it is difficult to get through that. I am very fortunate to have staff that will step up and fill in when needed.

How many animals on average do you help on a weekly basis?

On average, we see between 200-250

Challenges and Rewards

What is the hardest part of your job? How do you handle euthanasia and patient loss?

The hardest part of my job is definitely losing a patient. I know realistically that we can’t save them all but it’s so difficult to lose one. We try our best to make our clients as comfortable as possible when they are saying goodbye to their loved ones. Sedation is given to the pet so that the client can be with them while they go to sleep and then the final injection is given. The client is welcome to spend as much time as they like afterward. We also send sympathy cards signed by each staff member to the client.

What are some of the biggest challenges that your organization faces?

In today’s world, pricing has become so difficult for everyone. Products that have to be purchased by the clinic have increased by such a large percentage and unfortunately increases have to be passed along to the clients. Pricing certainly has an effect on whether or not the client comes into the clinic.

What is the most rewarding part of doing what you guys do?

To me, the most rewarding part of what we do is becoming a part of the team that takes care of the pets. It’s so wonderful to see a client with a new puppy and then take care of that pet through its entire life. We become part of that family and they have so much appreciation for what we do here. It’s such an honor to be part of that.

Impact

What are some of the accomplishments or specific animals that have made a big impact on you as a person or on your team?

Being a part of this team at Paddock Park for so long, I have had the honor of helping so many pets. We rescued an entire horse trailer full of dogs from Hurricane Katrina. They were brought here, examined, and taken care of and we were able to find new homes for all of them. During other hurricanes, we made Hurricane Animal Relief t-shirts to sell and donated the proceeds to organizations that were rescuing pets. On 9/11, we also made t-shirts to sell and donate to the rescue dogs that were injured at the Twin Towers. Recently, there was a post on Facebook asking for someone to help a dog that had been abandoned in a neighborhood. I answered the post and told her to please call me at the clinic and I would see if there was anything that we could do to help. She brought her in on Monday and she was in really rough shape. They had named her Lila and she was such a sweetheart. After examining her, we found that she was positive for heartworms, and hookworms, infested with fleas, needed to be spayed and had a broken leg. Between some of our wonderful clients and our staff, we were able to raise money to help her. As of today, Lila is happy and healthy and is living with a beautiful family in her forever home. Her new name is now Nala Pickles!! This is why we all do what we do!

Future

What are Paddock Park Animal Care Center’s main goals for the future?

We will continue to strive to help animals in need and also educate people on caring for pets.

How can the general public help make your lives easier?

We would really appreciate it if people could please try to understand that if there is a bit of a wait for your appointment, we are helping take care of someone else’s fur baby who is in need of immediate care. I know it’s frustrating to wait but sometimes there is someone more critical to help.

Stories

What are some of the funniest or most outrageous pet names you’ve encountered?

These are some of the funniest pet names over the years: Meatball, Alley Mcsqueal, Gordon Hamsey, Bar B Cue, Blinky Blinkerson, Broccoli, Cat Benatar, and Canada Dry.

How to Support

If someone wants to visit, join, support, or volunteer at your organization, where can they find more information and get in touch?

They can find our information on our website at paddockparkvet.com

Anything else you’d like to tell the pet community?

It has truly been our pleasure to serve our community by taking care of their pets for the past 42 years and we will continue to do so.
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The post Paddock Park Animal Care Center: Heroes of The Pet World by Catster Editorial Team appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Cats are curious and playful creatures, which can lead to them getting injured. When a cat injures their paw or a limb, it is important to seek urgent veterinary care. Your veterinarian will take proper care of the wound and may recommend temporarily wrapping it up in a bandage.

Depending on the extent of the injury, your vet may suggest hospitalizing your cat for a few days or discharge them for home care with clear instructions on managing the wound and the bandage, and regular checks to ensure there are no complications associated with bandaging or healing.

It can be tricky to bandage your cat’s paw or leg because they can easily pull the bandage off, not cooperate, or chew on the wound. However, knowing how to manage a bandage on your cat’s paw or limb is a good skill to have in your arsenal of tricks for being a competent and loving pet owner.

Here are some words of caution, followed by four useful tips for bandaging a cat’s paw.

A Few Words of Caution

Your vet will very rarely ask you to place a bandage on your cat’s leg. There are a few reasons for this. Your cat may very easily chew on or remove the bandage, and young cats and kittens may be too curious and even ingest pieces of the bandage material. This can lead to digestive issues and even a gastrointestinal blockage in some cases, so cats with a bandage usually also have an Elizabethan collar (e-collar) or are supervised as best as possible to avoid these mishaps.

Another reason why bandages should only be placed by veterinary professionals is the risk of things going wrong. For example, bandages can get wet, making them tight on your cat’s skin and underlying tissues. If they are not removed immediately, they will cause significant pain and discomfort to your cat, who will try their best to remove them by chewing, and they may cause the skin and tissue underneath to experience necrosis from a compromised blood supply. This may also lead to an infection, characterized by a very unpleasant odor coming from the bandaged area, with the presence of discharge, and even leading to skin peeling off.

But it can get even worse than this. Sometimes, if the bandage is too tight for days, it can also lead to necrosis of the soft tissue and even fingers and toes. This means that they either have inadequate blood supply or lose it entirely, leading to the tissue dying off. This can also be very uncomfortable for your kitty and predispose them for sepsis, resistant bacterial infections due to prolonged antimicrobial treatment, and repeated surgeries if any affected tissue needs to be removed. When vets place a bandage on your cat’s paw or leg, they will want to get your cat back in for checks and rebandaging quite frequently, usually every 48 hours.

There are only a few rare occasions when vets may place bandages on your cat’s paws or legs. This is usually after orthopedic surgery or to stabilize a fracture. Wounds are rarely bandaged, as they are likely to get worse under a bandage, and generally are left uncovered while the cat is treated systemically with antimicrobials and painkillers. The cat will also generally wear an Elizabethan collar.

Finally, the rare instance you may be asked to place a bandage on your cat’s paw is in the case of a sudden trauma or bleeding. This will be instructed by your vet, as a very temporary measure to prevent ongoing blood loss while getting to the vet clinic. For this occasion, and to understand bandages in cats, in case your vet has placed one after surgery, let’s dive into more detail.

Before You Start: Items Needed for First Aid

As already discussed, if your cat has a bleeding wound, call your vet to let them know you’re coming, and place a temporary bandage on your cat’s wound, so you can get to the vet clinic with some more peace of mind. Ideally, you will need to keep a few essential items on hand in the home for cat first aid, or you can use some of the materials from your first aid kit:

Wear gloves when managing a cat’s wound to keep it as clean as possible and minimize the risk to your own health, particularly if you have any cuts or abrasions on your hands. Make sure the antiseptic solution is a pet-grade vet-approved medicine in case your pet licks it or can ingest some of it. Otherwise use saline to rinse the wound before bandaging if possible, if you feel it’s contaminated with dirt or hair. If the wound is fairly clean, or just bleeding, do not waste time on rinsing. Bandage it as best as possible, and head to the vet.

If your cat has a fractured leg, do not attempt to place a bandage, as your cat will be very painful and may try to bite you. Instead, get them to the vet immediately.

Keep all of these bandaging materials in a clean, dry, and waterproof container to ensure you have them ready and easy to access in an emergency.

The 4 Tips to Bandage a Cat Paw

1. Cleaning the Wound

This is something your vet will do, oftentimes with your cat under an anesthetic, so they can be comfortable and pain-free, allowing the vet to do a thorough clean and rinse. Many wounds will also require suturing. In some instances, your vet may recommend for you to clean or rinse some wounds at home, if your cat allows it, but these wounds are likely to stay opened, rather than bandaged.

In that case your vet will provide you with clear instructions on how to manage a wound, and when to expect your cat back for a recheck. Wound cleaning is usually done by gently rinsing or washing the area with a cloth soaked in a vet-approved diluted antiseptic solution provided by your vet or saline solution. Make sure to use a soft cloth or cotton ball and avoid scrubbing the wound.

After cleaning the wound, in most cases you will not need to apply any topical treatment, as cats are notorious for trying to lick everything off. It will be very important that your cat is resting, usually in a crate depending on the type of their injury, or be restricted to a single room, with minimal exercise. They are likely to wear an Elizabethan collar if the wound is in an area they can reach for licking.

Observe the wound at least twice daily, for any signs of inflammation, redness, discharge, swelling, malodor, or signs of opening up, in which case you will need to seek veterinary attention before your scheduled vet appointment.

2. Bandaging the Wound

If your cat has a bleeding wound, this is really the only time for you to place a bandage. Otherwise this needs to be done by a veterinary professional, as the complications associated with inadequate bandaging may be very severe. Depending on the type of wound, you can use some sterile gauze to soak up any of the blood before placing a bandage e. You can secure this with a bit of medical tape.

Then you will take the sterile bandage and gently but with moderate grip wrap the wound.  Take the bandage from the bottom of the paw, including the whole paw and not leaving any fingers or toes our, and wrap it around in a series of loops and keep moving up and around the paw until you end up above the wound . Then wrap back to the bottom and secure with tape. This creates a kind of solid cocoon around the paw that would be difficult to rub or easily unravel because it has a bit of friction holding the bandage in place. Make sure it’s not too tight so you can place at least one finger comfortably underneath the top of the bandage.

If the bandage is too tight, this can cut off circulation and cause more harm than good. Use good-quality medical tape to keep the bandage strong. If the bleeding is coming through the bandage, add another layer and make it a little bit firmer, but get to your vet as soon as possible. They will be able to stop the bleeding.

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3. Keep the Bandage Dry and Clean

Now we get into the home care instructions, for the rare instances your vet may recommend sending your cat home with a bandage, usually after an orthopedic procedure. It is important to keep the bandage dry and clean. To do this, you can make sure your cat’s food and water bowls are slightly raised, so they cannot knock them over as easily, and it goes without saying, a cat with a bandage and/or with an Elizabethan collar is not allowed in any way to go  outside. The risk of them getting into life threatening trouble is high. If at any point, the bandage gets wet, it’s important to take your cat to the vet straight away, for the bandage to be replaced.

It is also important to check the bandage regularly to make sure it is not too tight or loose, that there isn’t any discharge coming though it, or a bad smell associated with it.

4. Keep Up With Regular Bandage Change Appointments

Finally, it is important to remember to never miss your cat’s bandage change appointment. These are usually every 48 hours or could be a little bit longer.  During the bandage change, your vet will check the wound to make sure it is healing properly and that there are no signs of complications. This is often done under sedation.

The vet may take samples for culture and sensitivity in order to choose the appropriate antimicrobial treatment, they may repeat your cat’s x-rays if they are monitoring bone healing after a fracture repair. Afterwards, they will give you clear information on how the wound is healing, and on any new home care instructions and further checkups.

Conclusion

Bandaging a cat’s paw during a bleeding injury can be a daunting and stressful task, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it can be done with ease. Remember, it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just needs to reduce the bleeding, while you get your cat to the vet. By following these four tips for managing a bandage in cats, you can ensure that your cat’s injury is monitored, allowing you to pick up any early signs of complications. However, if you feel unsure about anything regarding your cat’s injury or the bandage, do not hesitate to reach out to your vet.

• Also see: How to Treat a Burned Cat Paw Pad: Vet-Approved Tips

Featured Image Credit: Prostock-studio, Shutterstock

The post How to Bandage a Cat Paw: 4 Vet-Approved Tips by Nicole Cosgrove appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

It may be hard to imagine a time when drafting the principles of basic animal care was necessary. Sadly, the inhumane treatment of the country’s livestock prompted a 1965 British parliamentary inquiry into their conditions. It eventually led Professor John Webster of the now Farm Animal Welfare Council to draft what would become the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. Professor David Mellor expanded the concept in 1994 with the Five Domains.

The lists might seem like common sense to many pet lovers today, but they needed to be articulated to provide a framework for scientific advancement and future policies. Today, they serve as a global model for organizations like the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). They are supported by federal legislation like the Animal Welfare Act of 1966.

How Do the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare Work?

The application of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare is the providence of the organizations adopting its principles. They include the following:

While they were written with livestock in mind, they also apply to pets and any animals in human care. We can interpret the specifics based on the species. The first freedom is self-evident: Cats should have food and fresh water available at all times. The second, as defined by the ASPCA, includes shelter and a comfortable resting area. For felines, it can mean a covered space or even a box. Research supports their suitability for stress reduction.

The third freedom involves appropriate veterinary care as necessary, with the goal of prompt treatment. The fourth freedom may mean something like providing a scratching post for a cat, for example, as being able to scratch is a physical need and a means of communication. The fifth freedom builds on the previous ones and perhaps is the most challenging of the freedoms. As an example, cats despise changes in their routine, which can manifest as the signs of an illness.

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are subject to interpretation based on the individual animal. For example, some felines are so laidback that little phases them. Some breeds, however, like the Russian Blue, are naturally more fearful than others, making the fifth freedom particularly challenging for these animals. Early weaning before 8 weeks is another factor affecting a cat’s welfare, correlating with more problematic aggressive behavior.

What Are the Five Domains of Animal Welfare?

The goal of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare was to raise awareness about these issues. However, values change. It may have been unthinkable to pamper cats as we do now back when Webster drew up the document. These changing ideas inspired Professor David Mellor and Dr. Cam Reid to update them based on today’s mores. Hence, they published the Five Domains of Animal Welfare.

They include the following:

The first three are Survival-Related Factors. The fourth involves Situation-Related Factors. The fifth is the Affective Experience Domain. Unlike the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare, the domains provide specific examples of do’s and don’ts for each realm. They include details like “A balanced diet,” and “Good fitness level.” Regular updates are part of the model’s application.

Where Are the Five Freedoms and Domains Used?

We mentioned many organizations adopting the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare. That underscores the need they fulfilled. While they may seem common sense, getting them in black and white was a significant step forward, and animals have benefited. The ASPCA uses the five freedoms to raise awareness with public service campaigns. Others, like the World Organisation for Animal Health, make them part of their mission.

Mellor and Reid intended the Five Domains of Animal Welfare to be guidelines, recognizing the subjective nature of interpreting animal emotions. They also rely on current scientific knowledge, which changes with growing research over time and lends credibility to this approach by considering internal and external factors affecting the perception of welfare to the observer and animal.

Of course, cats are different animals than livestock or dogs. An effective view of animal welfare must incorporate these facts into the model. Hence, you’ll see the five freedoms applied differently, reflecting these nuances. The five domains go one step further by recognizing the common survival denominators while leaving room for customization based on what group is using the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare.

Veterinarians can use this information to educate their clients about feline needs. Stress and discomfort often hover under the radar. After all, felines are masters at hiding any signs of distress. The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare provide a framework for vets to work with pet owners to ensure cats get what they need to survive and thrive. After all, they aren’t the aloof creatures some may think of them. They also need compassion.

In recent years, veterinarians around the world have been expanding their knowledge and updating their practices to include a “fear-free clinic” approach. For cats, this involves details like eliminating waiting times, adding multi-cat calming pheromones, placing anti-slip mats over the examination table, having a gentle and considerate approach when handling them, and providing them with sedation, a cat-specific area that is dog-free, and a covered recovery area, just to name a few courtesies. “Fear-free” is a huge movement in the veterinary care world and many practices are obtaining a “Fear-Free Practice Certificate” after actualizing their space and operations to consider all the details that help make the experience less stressful for felines and other pets seen in the practice.

The Benefits of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare

The benefits of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare are clear: They stress the importance and responsibility of caring for animals. After all, it is a privilege to own a feline. Unfortunately, some people may simply be unaware of what good welfare entails. They aren’t intentionally cruel, but they may not know what it means in all areas. The five freedoms spell it out clearly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How Do the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare Deal With Enrichment?

These provisions are covered with normal behavior. That means providing enough space and interactions with cohorts if appropriate. Interactive toys are an excellent way to fulfill this need. Essentially, we must allow cats to be physically and mentally stimulated for a healthy lifestyle.

What Else Does Freedom From Discomfort Cover?

This element is critical for cats, and that includes providing them with whatever it takes to keep them from living in an uncomfortable or potentially dangerous situation or environment, including a space away from dogs and their barking, or doing what it takes to get them recovered after an injury or illness.

Are There Limits to the Application of the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare?

The Five Domains of Animal Welfare address these concerns. For example, both cover diet. However, feeding a cat to obesity is not in the kitty’s best interest. Likewise, a comfortable space is reasonable but doesn’t preclude interaction with people.

A Quick Reference Guide

Conclusion

The Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare identified a problem and offered a solution for livestock stressed by their living conditions. Its principles cross species lines on several fronts. The Five Domains of Animal Welfare are the updated version, with more specific guidelines and information to help caregivers make informed choices, with the latitude to adapt them for different species, like our feline companions.

• Also see: Animal Rights Awareness Week: When It Is & How to Participate

Featured Image Credit: Billion Photos, Shutterstock

The post Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare: How Vets Apply Them to Cats by Chris Dinesen Rogers appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.