Cat House Palooza

12/09/2024

When looking for a new BFF, please consider the blind ones, the deaf ones. The old ones and the ones with missing limbs. They all need and deserve homes. Often these kitties are euthanized so you can be their hero!!!

12/07/2024

How safe is it to allow your cat around the Christmas tree?

Are Christmas Trees Poisonous to Cats?
The most common type of trees that are used for the holidays are fir, spruce, and pine. The needles from these trees are all mildly toxic to cats if they eat them.

Needles can cause gastrointestinal upset and irritation to the mouth due to the oils. However, your cat would have to ingest a lot of them to cause severe toxicity. Fallen needles can also impact, obstruct, or even puncture the lining of the esophagus, stomach, and intestines, leading to severe illness.

Cats will also often lap up the water at the base of the Christmas tree, so it’s important to not use any additives to prolong the life of the tree. The most popular options—fertilizers, preservatives, sugar substitutes (especially xylitol), and aspirin—can be toxic and very harmful to cats. These can cause mild signs, such as belly upset, to severe signs, such as seizures, liver, and kidney issues.

If you do use water additives, get a covered tree base or block off your cat’s access to the tree entirely to avoid ingestion.

Other Christmas Tree Safety Hazards for Cats
The tree itself is not the only concern when it comes to Christmas cat safety. Here are some other dangers to be aware of:

Decorations
Decorations can be even more detrimental than the needles or the water to our feline friends. Ornaments, especially glass ones, can cause choking hazards or lacerations to the mouth and gastrointestinal tract if they fall and shatter. The fragments can also cause blockages or perforations in the intestines or stomach, which can only be treated with surgery.

Tinsel and garlands are also hazardous to cats if ingested. Long, thin, string-like materials such as these often lead to obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

One piece of tinsel may get stuck under the tongue, and then the other end continues to move through the esophagus and stomach and into the small intestine, causing a blockage. This tiny, string-like decoration can become sharp and cut through the intestine once this occurs. Surgical removal and repair is the only treatment. Sometimes, sepsis or generalized infection occurs if there is an intestinal perforation.

Lights and Electrical Cords
Christmas lights and electrical cords are major hazards if chewed, as they can cause shock that results in burns, heart arrhythmia, trouble breathing, and even death.

How to Create a Cat-Safe Christmas Tree
Just because there are certain dangers for cats doesn’t mean you can’t have a Christmas tree. Here are some tips for keeping your cat safe around the tree throughout the holidays.

An artificial Christmas tree can help you avoid the dangers of water additive/tree needle ingestion. However, you will still need to be cautious, since chewing plastic or aluminum can still lead to oral irritation as well as blockage of the intestines if pieces are ingested.

If you want a real tree, try finding a “non-drop” option such as a Nordmann Fir. These trees tend not to drop their needles like other live Christmas tree options.

Partitioning off the entire Christmas tree can be difficult, and not the most elegant choice. However, you can try blocking off the tree with a cat pen or gate to keep your cat out.

Using a heavy tree base or attaching weights to the base can help keep your kitty from knocking it over. You could also attach the tree to the wall to avoid toppling.

Try spraying diluted vinegar or deterrent sprays around the base of the tree, which taste bitter to cats. Some cats will even recoil at the scent of these sprays. These will need to be reapplied, as the scent or flavors will fade.

Motion-activated pet-deterrent air sprays can detect movement up to several feet away, triggering the release of a hiss of air. These air sprays can be placed at the base of the tree to discourage cats from getting too curious.

Use battery-operated tree lights and hide the battery pack in the tree itself to help lessen this risk of electrocution. Also, make sure to tie up all extra wires and electrical cords to avoid easy access to danger.

Overall, if you are not able to keep your cat safe around your Christmas tree no matter how you try to safety-proof it, you should keep your cat out of the room where the tree is kept. Too many injuries can occur, and this is the best way to keep your cat happy and healthy during the holiday season.

From petmd

TNR Works: I skimmed through and didn’t see anything about flocking. So . . .

Is artificial tree flocking toxic to cats?
Flocking contains chemicals toxic to pets and I personally just stay away from it in general. With artifical trees, pretty much any brand will do, just make sure that they don’t shed any plastic (or other) materials that your cat might ingest. I suggest shaking the tree out as you assemble it, just in case.

When making and applying Christmas tree flocking at home, people should never use flammable materials and always keep the mixture away from children and pets. Though most mixtures aren’t poisonous, they can cause intestinal obstructions if eaten, and can irritate the respiratory tract if inhaled.

What happens if a cat eats a flocked tree?
Christmas tree flocking is made out of plastic and is not much of a concern once it’s dry, unless your cat ingested a large amount that could cause an intestinal obstruction. If a large volume was eaten or if it was wet when it was ingested you should contact your veterinarian.

From petreader

12/05/2024

This could have turned into more of a tragedy than it was. Please squeeze the opening of cans flat to prevent injury or death to an animal and never feed your community cats out of an open can.

On the weekend we were contacted about a cat in distress in a warehouse car park.

This poor cat had its head stuck in a cat food tin and was unable to get his head out.

Fortunately, with some clever thinking, the tin was gently removed and thankfully the cat didn’t have any injuries.

How the cat managed to find its way to the warehouse, and in all the torrential rain, we will never know. Already weak and unable to eat or see where he was going he wouldn’t have survived much longer. It was just luck that the warehouse was open as usually they would be closed on a weekend.

It’s an important reminder to always crush and stomp any cans when empty and place them in the bin. Even around your home it’s always good to practice this as even indoor cats can get into trouble.

11/29/2024

The temperatures are dropping in our area. Here's a post from Stray Cat Project with tips to encourage your community cats to use outdoor cat shelters.
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📢 How to encourage an outdoor cat to use a shelter...

In most cases, cats will figure out how to use shelters on their own. Here are a few things you can do to attract them if it doesn't seem like your community cats are using the shelter:

▪️ BE PATIENT. Some cats need a lot of time to get comfortable with a new shelter.
▪️ Loosely fill the shelter ½ to ¾ full of straw, NOT HAY. Replace the straw at least every year (or when dirty).
▪️ Remove any door flaps on the shelter. While doorway flaps help keep cold air out and warm air in, they should not be added until after your cats are used to going in and out of the shelter.
▪️ Do not place food in or near the shelter. Cats instinctively avoid sleeping near food as it attracts other cats and wildlife (predators).
▪️ Location is important. Place the shelter where your cats are already hanging out. More feral/less social cats typically want to shelter farther away from humans. The more secluded the shelter, the more likely cats are to use it.
▪️ Place the shelter near natural cover, as opposed to out in the open where your cats may not feel safe. Cats prefer to move along walls, hedges, or other natural barriers and boundaries. Place the shelter under or up against a building, fence, tree, porch, bush, or some type of overhang.
▪️ Place the shelter with the entrance facing away from the wind, rain, and snow.
▪️ Make sure the shelter is on a flat surface. A wobbly shelter could discourage cats from entering.
▪️ It’s possible that your cats have another shelter where they feel safe. They may already have a shed, crawlspace, or some other shelter they prefer.
▪️ When all else fails, try a new location, but only after giving your cats plenty of time to explore and get used to the current location.

(We thank FeralVilla.com for this great advice!)

💛 THANK YOU to the caregivers who have taken the time to build a feral cat shelter. Protection from the elements is critical, especially during the cold months, and your thoughtfulness will no doubt save many lives this winter. 🐾❄️









(source of photo unknown)

11/28/2024

We are so thankful for our followers. Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

11/27/2024

Tomorrow is the day for wonderful food and making memories with those you love. Please don't let it end up with a mad dash to the emergency vet! Be mindful of what your furry babies are eating. Be safe and enjoy this time of thankfulness. 🦃

11/23/2024

Happy Caturday!!! Looks like Fall is finally here! Did you know that adding kitten food to your community cats food will give them extra energy to stay warm! If you have a tip for helping community cats during the cold months, send us a message!

11/22/2024

Although it will slow down, kitten "season" never really ends. If you have outdoor cats, please get them fixed! If you aren't able to do that, contact a local TNR group for help.

11/19/2024

Fosters are always needed and we all know, there is always room for just one more! If you are in the Arkansas River Valley and are interested in fostering, send us a message with any questions you may have!

11/17/2024

Have you put your Christmas tree up yet? We would love to hear your tips and tricks for keeping the tree safe from our furry friends!

11/16/2024

Please don't use glue traps! Not only are they inhumane, the glue is next to impossible to get out of fur!

11/15/2024

A couple of our fosters are working a cat colony with about 50 black cats! Please Spay and Neuter! In this case, 2 cats became 50+ in a short time!

11/14/2024

For our colony caretakers...

Starting in October half of their food comes from kitten food. They are definitely getting bigger and fluffier!

11/11/2024

Thank you to all veterans, human and animals, that fight to protect us.

To the memory of silent footsteps
That beside us once did fall
We pause but for a moment
And in reverence do recall

For the hand that held the leash
They served our country well
Therefore we who do remain
Will their stories ever tell.

Some did come home
Along with us, tails held high
While others left empty collars
And in foreign soil now silently they lie

They are forever our guardian angels
Clad in soft and coloured fur
As present now in our hearts
As they ever and always were.

- To The War Dog by Christopher Dion

11/09/2024

We see a lot of kittens with gunky little eyes. If left untreated, you risk loss of vision or loss of the eye itself. Please reach out to your care team asap!

Symptoms of Eye Problems & Diseases in Cats
Common symptoms of an eye problem in your cat include watery eyes, discharge, excessive blinking, squinting, or pawing at the eye. If your cat has any of these symptoms, a thorough ophthalmologic exam should be done as soon as possible.

Eye discharge is a typical symptom of an eye problem in your cat. It can range from clear and watery to yellow or green, and can vary in consistency from thin to thick and sticky. Your cat's eye may become very sensitive as indicated by tearing, tenderness to touch, and avoidance of light. Cats also have an extra eyelid at the inner corner of their eyes known as the third eyelid, or nictitating membrane. This membrane may protrude in response to pain or infection. The protrusion appears as a whitish or opaque film that moves over the surface of the eyeball. It can also occur in response to foreign bodies or irritants that lodge in the eye. If the eye becomes cloudy and loses its transparency, this usually indicates a corneal problem or an inner eye disorder. Changes in pupil size to constricted or dilated also may occur with deeper eye diseases. In some eye diseases, the eyelids may become inflamed, leading to swelling, crusting, itching, and hair loss on the eyelids.

EYE INFECTION (conjunctivitis)
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is an inflammation or infection of the clear membrane that covers the outer layer of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelids. The eye often appears very red and swollen with discharge. There are many possible causes of conjunctivitis, including chemical irritants (cleaners, pesticides); allergens (dust, molds, grasses); trauma or injury to the eye; fungal, viral, or bacterial infections; and upper respiratory viruses. Treatment of conjunctivitis will vary depending on the underlying cause, but if infection is suspected, your veterinarian can prescribe antibiotics. If the conjunctivitis is not due to infection, then steroidal eye treatment may be used.

CATARACTS
This is a rare eye disorder seen in geriatric cats. It appears as a clouding or opacity of the eye lens. A cataract can block light transmission to the retina and cause vision impairment leading to blindness. If cataracts are detected in your cat, there is usually an underlying problem, which can be diagnosed by your veterinarian. There are many possible causes of cataracts in cats. Uveitis (inflammation in the eye) is the most common cause of cataract development in cats, and often indicates the presence of disease. Most cataract cases develop secondary to eye inflammation from trauma. Sometimes the cause is genetic. Cataracts cannot be prevented, but the underlying inner eye disease should be treated. There is no known medical treatment to reverse cataracts or shrinking cataracts. Inherited or spontaneous cataracts may be removable.

GLAUCOMA
This is defined as a sustained increase in intraocular (fluid) pressure within the eye. In a normal eye, there is constant production and drainage of a watery fluid called the aqueous humor. When there is a problem with drainage of this fluid, the pressure in the eye can increase. Primary glaucoma involves the function of the drainage area of the eye, and may be inherited, but is rare in cats. Most glaucoma cases are secondary, and develop as a side effect of an eye disorder, such as chronic inflammation, lens luxation (dislocation), tumors, or trauma. In most cases, the cause of glaucoma is not determined. Symptoms include eye enlargement, cloudy cornea, red eye, squinting, painful eye, tearing, and dilated pupil nonreactive to light. In severe cases, glaucoma may lead to blindness. There is no known prevention for glaucoma in cats, except having complete annual exams and aggressively treating any other eye diseases that may lead to glaucoma.

CORNEAL ULCERATION
One of the more common eye diseases in cats is corneal ulceration, defined as a scratch or break in the cornea. This may occur secondary to trauma, infections, and less commonly as a result of an inner eye disease. Many viruses like feline herpes and upper respiratory symptoms may cause ulceration of the cornea. Symptoms of corneal ulceration include holding the eye closed, light sensitivity, redness, eye discharge, and sometimes clouding of the cornea in the area of the ulcer. Diagnosis is typically made after a veterinary exam, but sometimes placing a special fluorescein (orange) dye in the eye is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment includes various topical antibiotics and other medication that may require application several times a day. In serious cases, or ones that do not respond to topical antibiotics, surgery involving eyelid flaps may be needed.

Any cat with red eyes or significant eye discharge should receive a full veterinary exam as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and treatment.

11/08/2024

November is Adopt A Senior month. Please don't overlook these sweet souls. Time may be shorter but the love is deep.

Next time you're looking for a new feline friend, please consider adopting a senior cat!

Most everyone wants a cute little kitten, the kind that will fit in the palm of your hand. Many want a young adult that still acts like a kitten but doesn't have the energy of a kitten. Few want a senior because they tend to be more laid back. So many senior cats that find themselves at the shelter are there through no fault of their own. Perhaps their owner could no longer take care of them, had to move to a facility and couldn't take them or passed away. (Sometimes, the owner just wants a kitten and turns the senior cat over to a shelter and then goes out and adopts a kitten. Don't get us started on those people.) These cats end up at the shelter, heartbroken and homeless. They still need someone to love and they still want a home of their own. Please consider being their savior. They still have lots of love to give. The next time you're at the shelter, please consider a senior cat.

11/07/2024

Please be mindful when bringing g live decorations in to you cats environment. These plants are extremely toxic to kitties!