Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - January '22

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight

tip of tHe tail

Litterbox Woes the most important tip is to keep the litterbox sparkling clean! help prevent future problems. Also a feline pheromone diffuser

The litterbox should be scooped at least once a day. Does daily called Feliway can soothe stresses in your kitty’s life if it is a
sound like a lot? How often do you flush your toilet? Giving behavioral problem.
your cat the litterbox they want increases the likelihood they All cat owners have been there … sniffing around the room
will use it. trying to figure out where your cat has urinated or coming
And now for the cleanup step. It is important to clean any home to a soiled rug. While frustrating, it a problem that can
areas that your cat has soiled thoroughly. If it smells like urine be solved if addressed quickly and if you see to your cat’s
or stool, in a cat’s brain it is an appropriate place to void. medical, behavioral, and litterbox needs. Hopefully the tips
You think bleach, vinegar, or coconut water is up to the job? in this article will keep your cat using the litterbox, so you
Think again! A cat’s nose is 9 to 16 times more sensitive than and your cat can have a happily ever after.
a human's. Head to the pet store and pick up an enzymatic Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
cleaner specifically designed to break down the odors of urine dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
and stool. If the soiled item is easily replaceable like a floor focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
mat or a pillow, it may be easier just to throw it out. Also, think rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics,
Cats urinating and defecating outside the litterbox is a about creative ways to block access to problem areas where and emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center
common and frustrating problem. As much as you may love your cat tends to go outside the box. Close doors to rooms, combines exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy
your furry feline family member, finding pee on your pillow pick up rugs they tend to urinate on, and put an inch of water for pets and their owners. For more information, call (772)
is hard to live with. If not addressed, it can lead to damage to in sinks or tubs that they void in. Cleaning up previously soiled 283-0920, visit www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find
your home, rehoming of your pet, or even euthanasia. Time surfaces and deterring your cat away from problem areas can us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
is of the essence, the longer your cat voids outside the box
the less likely the problem can be solved. Here are some tips
to keep your cat happily using the litterbox. cleveland clinic martin
First, it is important to determine if your cat is going outside
of the box due to a medical problem, a behavioral problem,
or if there is something your cat finds undesirable about the
litterbox. If your cat is experiencing discomfort in the litterbox, HealtH news
it may start to go outside the box because it associates the box
with pain. Arthritis making it difficult to step into the box,
constipation, and bladder problems such as infection, stones,
and feline idiopathic cystitis can all cause pain leading to Common Knee Injuries And Q: What are treatment options for these injuries?
litterbox avoidance. A visit to your veterinarian is the best A: Mild arthritis and degenerative meniscus tears
way to rule out medical problems. Behavioral problems can Treatments may be treated using rest, ice and compression or anti-
also lead to soiling outside the box. When cats are unsure or inflammatory medication. However, if a patient has an
uncertain of their surroundings, the stress can cause them to Whether you’re a acute injury with a swollen, painful knee or instability
mark the home with urine or stool. Something as simple as professional athlete or just during activity, the injury may require surgery to
new furniture, house guests, or an unwelcome neighborhood playing a game of pickup in the backyard, it’s important to reconstruct the ligament or the cartilage. Cleveland
cat lurking around outside a window can trigger marking know how to prevent knee injuries. Cleveland Clinic Martin Clinic Martin Health provides a wide range of minimally
behavior. Whether the problem is determined to be medical Health’s orthopaedic and sports medicine team provides invasive treatment options if reconstructive surgery is
or behavioral, you can work with your veterinarian to find a answers to some commonly asked questions about knee needed.
solution. injuries and treatments. Q: I have knee arthritis and I am having recurrent
The next consideration is to make the litterbox as desirable Q: What are some common knee sports injuries for pain and swelling. This limits my daily exercise
as possible for your cat. Would you rather use the bathroom any age group? regimen and ability to play golf.
in a spacious, sparkling clean hotel with fancy soap, or a A: Injuries can be as complex as a knee dislocation with A: There are many treatment options for moderate
dirty port-o-let at a music festival? When presented with a multiple torn ligaments, or as common as a meniscus tear. to severe arthritis, including cartilage restoration
port-o-let you might decide to head for the woods. The same These injuries can occur at any age and to the recreational or procedures, as well as partial and total knee replacement.
goes for your cat. So what makes an ideal bathroom for your professional athlete. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health’s orthopaedic and
cat? First, you need enough bathrooms. We don’t like sharing Q: What are some tips to prevent these types of sports medicine team provides a comprehensive array
bathrooms and neither does your cat. Ideally, you should have injuries? of options for knee osteoarthritis and can help create
one litterbox per cat, plus an extra. For example, if you have A: We encourage all athletes to remain active and a customized plan to meet each patient’s activity and
three cats, you should have four litterboxes. Next, evaluate conditioned. A daily regimen of exercise will help keep your lifestyle goals.
where in the house your litterboxes are. They should be in quiet joints flexible and your muscles strong. Stretching before Visit ccmartinhealth.org/ortho to learn more about
areas that are easily accessible, where they will be undisturbed activity is also essential in preventing injuries. To be safe, it’s orthopaedic services available at Cleveland Clinic
by sniffing dogs and loud dryer buzzers. Placing litterboxes critical to have realistic expectations and train for your sport. Martin Health.
in multiple locations is also a good idea, that way if your cat
does not like one area they have the option of another. Also,
just like us, cats prefer plenty of space. Your average sized
litterbox does not allow your cat the normal behaviors of
circling, sniffing, and scratching in the litter. Trade in your
litterbox for an oversized under the bed Tupperware to give
your cat lots of room. Next, as any cat owner can tell you, cats
are finicky creatures when it comes to food, their choice of
humans, and their litter. Do not buy whatever litter is on sale;
get your cat the litter that they are used to and happy with.
Another good tip is to take the hood off of your box. We like
hoods on litterboxes because it traps odors in. You guessed
it, most cats do not like hoods because it traps odors in. And

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