Cat Resources

CatHealthy.ca is a website created by the collaborative efforts of the six board-certified feline specialists in Canada. Learn what they recommend across a wide variety of topics. 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/cat-healthy-for-owners/

CatFriendly.com is maintained by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and has lots of great resources for pet owners. 

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/need-visit-vet/

My cat seems healthy, why should I go to the vet? Health or annual exams are how we can catch problems early, identify changes before they become problems and keep your cat as healthy as possible. Learn about everything that is included in an annual exam. 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/your-cat-and-the-vet/

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/importance-wellness-exams

https://catfriendly.com/veterinary-care/veterinarian-looks-exams/

We make vaccine recommendations based on the most up-to-date research available and tailor our vaccine protocol to your cat's needs. 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/educational-materials/ 

https://catvets.com/guidelines/practice-guidelines/aafp-aaha-feline-vaccination

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WSAVA-Owner-Breeder-Guidelines-2015_1.pdf

From the experts: read what Canadian feline specialist veterinarians are recommending. 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/educational-materials/

https://www.cathealthy.ca/protocols/parasite-control/

Up-to-date information: Concerned about new and emerging parasites? Dr. Scott Weese from the University of Guelph maintains a blog covering infectious diseases in companion animals. https://www.wormsandgermsblog.com/resources-pets/

Looking for more detail?

Companion Animal Parasite Control Council

https://capcvet.org/guidelines/general-guidelines/

Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel Guidelines

https://research-groups.usask.ca/cpep/index.php

Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)

https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/felv/

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/fiv/

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/fip/

Many cats- and their owners- find trips to the vet stressful. There are many ways to alleviate this stress and make the experience more enjoyable for you and your cat. Ask us about options!

https://catvets.com/education/online/videos/cat-owner-video 

https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/cat-carrier-stress-tips

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/how-can-my-pet-have-stress-free-veterinary-visits/

Pet insurance lets you pursue the best treatment available for your pet, without worrying about the price tag.

https://www.ovma.org/pet-owners/pet-insurance/

Bringing the veterinary nutritionist to you!

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu

Boredom and obesity are VERY common, especially in indoor cats and are the root cause of many behavioural and medical problems.

Often how we feed cats is just as important as what we feed them.

https://catfriendly.com/be-a-cat-friendly-caregiver/how-to-feed-a-cat/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/how-often-should-you-feed-your-cat

Feeding toys are a great solution to provide mental activity and exercise- reducing boredom eating and obesity! This website has all kinds of ideas- from the complex to the homemade, including for multi-pet households.

http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com

Play is great for exercise and quality time with your cat.

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/04/whats-a-good-exercise-plan-for-my-pet/

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/basicneeds/preypref

If you know your cat is overweight and want to do something about it please contact us!

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2016/05/think-you-have-a-fat-cat-the-ten-things-you-need-to-know/

https://www.aaha.org/your-pet/pet-owner-education/ask-aaha/is-my-pet-overweight/

Body condition scoring- how we (and you at home!) determine if your cat is overweight, underweight or just right!

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Body-Condition-Score-Cat.pdf

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tf_-rwxqHYU&feature=youtu.be

Fat cats may be cute but the damage from that extra weight is not cute. https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/obesity/

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/09/five-ways-being-overweight-can-harm-your-cats-health/

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952934

The number of calories your cat needs to consume in a day may surpise you. https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Calorie-Needs-for-Healthy-Adult-Cats.pdf

https://petnutritionalliance.org/resources/calorie-calculator?type=cats

Frequently the barriers to weight loss lie within the humans, not the pets. It requires a transition in the way we think about our relationship with our pets and sometimes that transition is rough. With some creativity and time we are confident you can get there!

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/07/battling-the-bulge-troubleshooting-tips-for-pet-weight-loss/

Sick of conflicting advice on the internet and not sure what to believe?

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/The-Savvy-Cat-Owner-s-Guide-to-Nutrition-on-the-Internet.pdf

What to look for on a pet food label

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Selecting-the-Best-Food-for-your-Pet.pdf

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Nutrition-Label-USA-16_9.pdf

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/complete-and-balanced-pet-food

What is an AAFCO Label and why is it important? 

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=8808771

How does my pet's food manufacturer measure up? (Pet Nutrition Alliance Manufacturer Report)

https://petnutritionalliance.org/resources/pet-food-manufacturer-evaluation-report/

Find answers to more of your questions

https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/faq

https://wsava.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Frequently-Asked-Questions-and-Myths.pdf

There are some health hazards to be aware of when feeding a raw diet to your pet.

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/get-facts-raw-pet-food-diets-can-be-dangerous-you-and-your-pet

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/media/3ysdgwxg/alternative-petfoods.pdf

What do "natural", "holistic" and "organic" actually mean in terms of pet food? What is a "by-product"?

https://talkspetfood.aafco.org/faq

From the experts

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/about-home-cooked-diets-for-pets/

Sources for home-made diet recipes:

Hilary's Blend

http://www.completeandbalanced.com

BalanceIt

https://secure.balanceit.com/recipegenerator_ver4/index.php?rotator=EZ

Why should we care about our pet's teeth?

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/oral-cavity-and-dental-disease-in-cats/

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/routine-caregrooming/care-cats-teeth/

How to brush a cat's teeth:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgyMKAquGJOZHeMX7VmuAuCrujjBPPY1O

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/routine-caregrooming/how-to-brush-your-cats-teeth/

Overwhelmed by the number of treats, rinses and powders on the shelves? 

Not sure which actually help? The Veterinary Oral Health Council  (VOHC) is here to help by awarding their seal of approval to products with evidence of efficacy.

http://www.vohc.org/accepted_products.htm

https://www.cathealthy.ca/when-is-it-time-to-go-to-the-vet/

These resources can help reliably and accurately answer your questions if your pet was recently diagnosed with an illness. 

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com

https://catfriendly.com/feline-diseases/

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics

If you are having trouble giving medication to your cat please let us know! If you don't say anything we can't offer to help. 

Sometimes oral medication can be hidden in food or a treat but sometimes this will change how they work. If you are not sure if you can give your cat's meds with food please ask us. Please note sometimes hiding medication in food can make the pet not want to eat.

How to give a cat oral medication (pills): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnikCuQtFOw

How to give a cat oral medication (liquid): 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3meUkY2e4Y

How to apply a cat's eye medication: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doO7tE1UefY

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/senior-care/10-tips/

Wellness Testing or Geriatric Screening means checking blood or urine samples for early signs of disease, before they become apparent. This allows us to start treating diseases as early as possible, improving the chances of maintaining good quality of life for as long as possible.

https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/performing-wellness-testing-can-prolong-your-pet-s-life/

In the last part of your cat’s life, it’s important to give them the care and comfort they need, as well as putting their wellbeing and happiness first. We are here to support you through this last part of your journey together.

Assessing your pet's Quality of Life can help determine when it is time to say goodbye.

https://vet.osu.edu/vmc/sites/default/files/import/assets/pdf/hospital/companionAnimals/HonoringtheBond/HowDoIKnowWhen.pdf

Cats tend to hide their pain so it can be hard to identify and sometimes they show pain in ways you wouldn't expect.

https://www.aaha.org/globalassets/02-guidelines/pain-management/painmanagement_cats_web.pdf

Claire Place Veterinary Hospice provides at home hospice care for pets in the Ottawa area.

http://www.hospicevet.com

We've compiled some of our favourites resources on raising a kitten but if you have any questions reach out to us! 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/checklist-en.pdf

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/first-year-life/

https://catfriendly.com/why-does-my-cat/

https://catfriendly.com/category-page/behavior/

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/problem-solving

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/understanding-cats

Providing exercise and enriching experiences keeps your cat mentally (and physically) healthy. Environmental enrichment is anything your cat sees, smells, hears or interacts with during their day. 

https://www.cathealthy.ca/educational-materials/

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats

https://fearfreehappyhomes.com

Feeding toys are a great solution to provide mental activity and exercise- reducing boredom eating and obesity! This website has all kinds of ideas- from the complex to the homemade, including for multi-pet households.

http://foodpuzzlesforcats.com 

Play is great for exercise and quality time with your cat.

https://vetnutrition.tufts.edu/2017/04/whats-a-good-exercise-plan-for-my-pet/

Teaching children how to safely interact with cats sets them (and the cat!) up for a lifetime of happy, loving feline companionship. It is extremely important to supervise children when they are interacting with your pet and intercede when the cat is showing stress before a bite or scratch happens.

https://catfriendly.com/be-a-cat-friendly-caregiver/cats-kids/

https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/five-lessons-all-children-should-be-taught-and-shown-about-living-with-cats

Minimizing Stress

We don't always realize we are doing things or expecting things from our cats that are causing them stress. Read about common stressors here.

https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats/feline-life-stressors

https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/cat-stress-the-signs-to-look-out-for

Litterbox Habits

Put litter in a box...seems simple, right? There's more to litterboxes that that. House-soiling is one of the most common reasons cats get relinquished to shelters so make sure you're meeting your cat's needs before a problem develops.

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/litter-box/

Scratching Habits

https://catfriendly.com/cat-care-at-home/living-clawed-cat/

Declawing used to be a routing procedure for indoor cats but it is now viewed as a last resort. Read the American Veterinary Medical Association position statement to learn why we are moving away from this procedure.

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/literature-reviews/welfare-implications-declawing-domestic-cats

If you would like to try trimming your own cat's nails at home remember to go slowly to avoid injuring your cat and treats make everything better.

One person: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1XisXBVe8g

Two people: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDbmgt6PrVo

Even if you don't want to try trimming just looking at your cat's nails every few weeks can help you spot problems early (like ingrown or broken nails).

More information on the risks of essential oils for cats. https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/related-resources/cats-and-essential-oils/

A microchip is a small device located under the skin. It is a permanent ID that your cat will have for life and cannot be lost. If they end up in a shelter it is the best way to ensure they get back to you.

https://www.cathealthy.ca/protocols/identification/

If your cat has been picked up as a stray there is a good chance they were taken to a local OSPCA.

https://ontariospca.ca

This handy checklist can help make sure you don't miss any steps when a pet goes missing. https://indoorpet.osu.edu/sites/indoorpet/files/assets/documents/hospital/indoorcat/lost_pets_online_bro.pdf

If a found pet has a microchip but you're not sure which company it is from use this search function from AAHA to figure out which company it is registered to. 

http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org