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DIY Cat Enclosure Introduction - Low Budget Do It Yourself ( DIY ) Outdoor Cat Enclosure

DIY Cat Enclosure Introduction This is the introduction video to my Cat Enclosure Tutorial Video Series. We start off by following the star of the show, Flinch, as he runs through the house,...

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What is a Cat’s Normal Body Temperature

Snowy is sitting pretty at his wellness check. Cats have a way of keeping their own body temperature in check. (Posted By Dr. Rebecca Schmidt and Dr. Michelle Miller, Community Contributor

A cat’s normal body temperature can range from 100.5 to 102.5 degrees. Because 101.5 degrees is right in the middle, it’s often referred to as a “normal” body temperature. Being that their body temperature is higher than ours, they can also tolerate higher temperatures (provided they have access to water).
How do cats regulate their body temperature?
When the heat is on, cats regulate their body temperature in different ways.
Cats are smart and, unlike dogs, they will not panic as they become overheated. When their body temperature rises to an uncomfortable level, they will become very quiet and inactive as to not build up more heat in their body. Cats will also seek out cool places (like your basement) and spread out on the floor to reduce body heat. Drinking water is important at high temperatures and cats will look to this resource to stave off dehydration.
Do cats sweat?
If exposed to extreme heat, then cats may begin to sweat from their paw pads and nose. As a last resort, they may pant like a dog to expel heat from their body.
Now you know what happens to kitties as they get hot. Cats are very efficient at reducing their body temperature and tolerating heat. This is most likely attributable to their descent from desert-dwelling species.

Fears As Cats Found Poisoned

Vet Andrew Arnold with Josephine the cat at Donaldson Vets.

By Lindsay Pantry

Eight cats from the same Mirfield estate have suffered painful deaths from antifreeze poisoning during recent weeks.

Vets Helen Hissett and Andrew Arnold, of Donaldson’s Vets on Queen Street, have been shocked by the rise in poisoning cases on the London Park Estate during the cold snap - which is virtually impossible to treat.

They have warned cat owners to be extra vigilant and are pleading with people to keep antifreeze and other chemicals out of harms way.

Miss Hissett said: “Antifreeze is sweet tasting and therefore cats and dogs will readily drink it. But it only takes a small amount to be a lethal dose.

“We hope that this is not an intentional poisoning of cats in the area but I would like people to be aware that if they have a tub of it in the garden or their shed, it can cause a really nasty death.”

Symptoms tend to come on almost immediately after the antifreeze has been ingested and include vomiting, thirst and increased urination and neurological symptoms like wobbliness and knuckling over the limbs.

Miss Hissett added: “Sadly once the cat comes to us there is almost nothing we can do to help. We would virtually have to watch the cat drink it in order to treat it fast enough.

“Enough is enough, there has been too many cats dying this way - we need to make sure people are aware of the dangers. The poisoning effects the liver and kidney and it can almost seem as though the cat is drunk at first.

“One of the cats brought to us had gone blind - it’s pretty nasty.”

To save your plants, give cats their own

Q: We have two cats, and I need some suggestions on how to get them to leave the houseplants alone.

A: Give your cats their own plants and make yours harder to get to. That way you can both be happy.

For your cat's chewing pleasure, always keep a pot of tender grass seedlings - rye, alfalfa and wheat - growing in a sunny spot. Parsley and thyme are herbs that many cats enjoy smelling and chewing, and both can be grown indoors. Catnip is a natural, but the herb is so appealing to some cats that they just won't leave it alone. Keep seedlings out of reach of your pet, or the plant may never get a chance to reach maturity. Once you have a mature plant, snip off pieces to give your cat, stuff into toys or rub on cat trees.

When your cat has its own plants, you can work on keeping him away from yours. Put plants up high or, better yet, hang them. For the plants you can't move out of harm's way, make them less appealing by coating leaves with something your cat finds disagreeable. Cat-discouragers include Bitter Apple, a nasty-tasting substance available at any pet-supply store, or Tabasco sauce.

Remember that some houseplants, especially lilies, are toxic to cats. Check the list provided by the Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA.org/APCC) and re-home any plants that are dangerous to your pets.

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