Yes, Indoor Cats Need Vet Visits

At Pet Angel, when you adopt an animal, you sign an adoption agreement. In the agreement, we require that you take your new family member to the vet within a certain amount of days of adoption. While discussing this, we often times run into potential adopters and current cat owners who do not understand that their indoor cat must go to the vet. It is vital to your animal that they have routine check ups, just like children require while growing. To explain this better, here are three reasons your cat should go to the vet, even though its an indoor cat.

1) Cats are very good at hiding illnesses

Cats hide pain. Its what they do. So when you discover that your cat is showing physical signs of being in pain, it means it is extreme. Often times they will not act themselves, staying away from the family and climbing up high on perches. They will not be as active, and will begin not to eat or drink as much. Their fur may change and become less shiny, and tuffs of it may begin to form from lack of grooming. They may begin to miss the litter box, or not use it at all. These are all signs that your cat needs to go to the vet. They aren't miss behaving, they aren't becoming lazy. They are sick. 

Check out this link for more information. 

2) Cats Peeing outside the litter box can mean a UTI or bladder infection

Cats can not use words like you and your child can to tell you when they don't feel good. They have to communicate it to you in a different way. When your cat pee's outside the litter box, on your bed, on clothing or on the floor, they are not misbehaving. Do not try to re-home them or decide to get rid of them because they are being bad. Instead, take them to the vet. Odds are they had a bladder infection or a UTI. This can be treated with medication, and they will go back to using their box again. They stopped using the box because they know that will get your attention and thats what they want, to tell you they are sick! 

If this isn't it, check out this link to see other reasons they might not be using the box.

3) Your cat needs shots

Just like a child, your cat needs shots. What if your cat gets out and you find them three days later? Do you really want to risk them getting sick when you get them back? What if, why your animal is lost, it ends up in a shelter? At your home it might not be at risk, but in shelters it will be around other cats, and could catch something. A mosquito can get inside, bite your cat and give your cat heart worm, do you really wanna risk your cat getting a serious parasite? I can promise that if you decide, for whatever reason, that you can't keep your animal and call to bring it to us, I'm going to ask you why you didn't take it to the vet in the last 3 years and I'm going to be upset when you didn't care for your cat like you do your child. 

In Conclusion

Treat your cat as though it is a family member. If your kid is sick, you take them to the doctor. You don't try to re-home them or turn them into a foster home. Do the same for your pet, figure out ways to work around the illness and take care of your pet when its not feeling well. Shots will keep them from getting sick, and the love will keep them happy. Besides, you are that cats world, they love you more than you know.

8 Cat Jokes for the Cat Lovers

Ending the month of June, and jumping into July, we figured everyone could use a summer laugh! Here are 8 jokes that only cat lovers will enjoy! Which one's your favorite?!

1) What do you call a pile of cats? 

A meowtian.

2) Where does the cat go after it lost its tail?

The Retail store.

3) Who are cat's going to vote for in November?

Hillary Kitten.

4) Why did the cat wear a dress?

She was feline fine.

5) What did the alien say to the cat?

"Take me to your litter."

6) Do you wanna hear a bad cat joke?

Just kitten.

7) What do you call a cat race?

A meowathon.

8) What do you call a cat that got caught by the police? 

The Pur-patrator.

TNR Basic Training

"There's some feral cat's in my neighborhood, and they're just multiplying! They get into the garbage, I'm scared my dog's going to get one, they keep fighting, my son's allergic and the lady next door feeds them so they're always around my house. I just can't have it."

Raise your hand if you've ever heard that. Now, raise your hand if you heard of the awful way they planned on getting rid of those feral cats.

We have a solution: Trap, Neuter, Release.

Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR) is a humane way to get a handle on the community of cats in your neighborhood. TNR is exactly what it sounds like, trap the cat, fix the cat, release the cat. By using live traps and some canned food, you can catch the cat humanly and safely. They're feral, so throw a sheet or a blanket over the cage when you go and get it and take them to your vet. Vets are trained on how to deal with feral animals and  will put the cat under while still in the live trap. Once the cat is sleeping, they'll take them out, fix them (using dissolvable stitches so you don't have to take them back to have the stitches taken out) and clip the very end of their ear. A few days in recovery in your garage, and you can open the cage and let the cat back out to their colony. 

Most of the time, the two issues with feral cats are over-population and cat fights. Cat fights happen usually between males fighting over "territory" or mates. If males are fixed, they don't have a need to fight over mates because they no longer have mates. Females fight because they are protecting their young. If they are fixed, they will no longer have kittens. This not only stops the fighting but also stops the population of the cats. 

The clipping of the ear is important as well, saving the cat stress and saves you a lot of time. If you catch a cat and the tip of their ear has been removed, you know they have already been trapped and fixed and don't have to go through all the steps just to find out it was already done. 

Fixing a cat also improves their health. When a cat is fixed, it lessens the chance of them getting infections from wounds from fights, because they no longer fight. Illnesses of the reproductive systems, like cancer, also no longer become a worry for the animal's health.

TNR also helps control the population of cat's in rescues and shelters that are already full of cats. To help with this, many shelters and rescues offer programs to get TNR animal's fixed at low cost or for free and have traps available to rent or loan out. If you are interested in using TNR for your neighborhood, contact the rescues and shelters in your area for assistance. This was just the very basics of TNR, to learn more information you can go to Alley Cat Allies or Neighborhood Cats  Both of these websites are extremely helpful in learning everything there is to know about TNR! 

Save A Paw, Don't Declaw!

Often times, potential adopters inform us during the pre-adoption process that they want to declaw their new fur friend. This is our chance to educate our future adopters on not declawing their cat and teaching them alternatives to declawing. "I have kids," "I don't want my furniture ruined" or "I don't want to be scratched" isn't a good reason to remove your cat's claws. Its not fair to put your animal through the procedure of removing apart of their body for your own benefit. Your cat cannot tell you what they want, and you must make the decision for them. We're here to give the cats a voice and tell you why you shouldn't declaw your cat, and what your other options are.

Why You Should Not Declaw Your Cat

The operation to declaw a cat is not humane. Pretend, for a minute, that you decided that you wanted your child to no longer have finger nails. So you bring your 2 year old into the doctor, they put her under, and they chop off her fingers at the knuckles, removing her entire finger tips. Thats what you are doing to your cat when you take her to the vet to get declawed.
The surgery does not just remove off the claw, but they also cut off the bone at the joint so that the claw does not try to grow back. Our fingernails grow from the bone, so if you just peeled your nail off, it would regrow. If you didn't want it to regrow, you have to remove that entire piece of the bone, and this is the same for cats. The pain that the cat will feel after the surgery is high. The cat may appear to seem fine, however, cats are extremely good at hiding their pain until it is nearly too late. It is difficult for them to walk, and hurts them when they do. There can also be complications to adapting without the tips of their paws.
Claw's are something that the cats are born with. It's natural for them to have claws, just like its natural for you to have fingers. When you declaw your cat, your making it easier on you and your lifestyle, but not your cat and their life style. Keeping your cats claw's is definitely one of the best things you can do for your pet.

Alternatives To Declawing

Alright, we convinced you not to declaw your cat. Awesome. So now you're probably wondering what you CAN do so your new family member wont wreck your favorite lazy boy. There are three different alternatives to declawing your cat.

Scratching Posts
Training your fur friend to use a scratching post instead of the furniture may take some time, but is worth it. Try putting the scratching post infront of the spot on the furniture that your cat has been scratching. When you catch them scratching, tell them no, pick them up and relocate them to infront of the scratching post. Getting multiple posts, the kind that are stands that go straight up and down, and the kind that lay down more flat are highly recommended for this. This way if they like to scratch on a rug, you can put them on the flat one, and if they scratch on a chair, you can put them on the vertical one.
Another way to get them to use the scratching post is with cat nip. Rub cat nip on the scratching post, or sprinkle it on the post. The smell causes the cat to scratch where it is, so they will get used to the post instead of your furniture and it will become a habit. When you catch your cat using the scratching post, reward them. They will catch on that it's a good thing to use the post if you give them treats or attention.

Nail Clippers
You can use the same type of nail clippers you use on your cat. To learn how to clip your cat's nails correctly, click on this link to take you to a video by Petco on how to trim the claws. They do not use finger nail clippers in this video, but it works the exact same way as the trimmers they use. It is important to pay attention to the part of the video that explains the "quick." Do not trim that high up on their nails, but do not let the risk of that take away from caring for your cat. Your cat is your family member, just like a child is. Taking care of their nails is a vital part of being a cat parent.

Nail Covers
Another way to protect your furniture and family members from your cat's claws are by using nail covers, such as Soft Paws. These are basically "fake nails" for your cats claws. It uses special nail glue in the cap, and you just slip them on your cats claws, wait a few seconds for it to dry, and then let her go. The covers fall off the cats claws on their own, and you can just pick them up when you run across them and throw them away. When you notice your cat is missing one, you can simply replace them. Soft Paws even come in fun colors that you can choose while ordering.
My family personally uses soft paw's on our cats. They work great, their fun, and they're easy! To learn more about Soft Paws, click here to be taken to their website.

5 Reasons Your Cat Is Your Best Friend

What do you look for in a best friend? Most people want their best friend to be somebody to confine in when they're feeling down. Or someone who will always be by their side and love them no matter what happens in life. Today is National Best Friend Day, and while most of us have human best friends, we want to remind you on why your cat can also be your best friend.

1) Your cat always knows what to do when something is wrong.

When you're upset, sad, frustrated, angry or happy your cat knows what to do: Love on you. They will rub up against your leg, jump up and snuggle up on your lap, and let you give them as many hugs as you need to. Petting a kitty calms you down, feeling the affection your cat gives you brings you bliss and can make you feel better. When you need a hug and some love, your cat is willing to give it to you.

2) Cat's are low maintenance.

When it comes to your relationship with your cat, you can give a little and receive a lot. Put down food and water, provide a clean litter box, give them some attention every day, and they're all set. They will give you entertainment when they chase their toys, welcome you home daily and give you endless amount of love every second you live at home. Having a cat is easy, and the reward is great.

3) Cat's are always down for a slumber party.

No need for a girl's night in with your cat, she will always be down for a cuddle sesh in bed. Cats enjoy sleeping in bed with their humans, and will totally willing to lay next to you and listen to you talk all night. Having a cat means a slumber party every night.

4) Your cat will always give you attention.

There is no need to search for attention when it comes to your kitty. They will always be willing to love you. Hugs when your sad, welcoming you at the door, hoping up on the couch to watch tv, playing with your pen while you try to work, watching you outside through the window, the options are endless.

5) Your cat will always love you.

Who can you turn to if you made a huge mistake? Your best friend right? They won't judge you. Even if said something you shouldn't have said, got fired, totaled your car, broke the shower head off, burned dinner, forgot your anniversary, slammed the door against the wall and punctured it, failed your math exam, said something nasty about somebody else or texted your ex when you know you shouldn't have? Oh wait, your best human friend might yell at you for that... DO NOT WORRY! YOUR CAT WILL NOT! He doesn't care if you hit the garage door, called the neighbor a nasty name or forgot to pick up your kid on time. He will accept you, love you and let you cry it out with him. 

That's what best friends are for. 

So, wish your kitty a Happy Best Friend Day today! They do a lot for you, and you didn't even know it!

Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month

June is celebrated as the National Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month! Most families are stunned to discover that a SUMMER month is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month. Everyone is so busy during the summer, we know. The kids are off from school, you have weekend trips planned for the 4th and a week long trip to Disney to celebrate Jonny's 6th birhtday, getting a kitty right now would just add to it all. But see, this is where you're wrong. Summer is THE PERFECT time to adopt a kitty!

Summer is a good time for your new family member to bond with your family. Although you yourself might be busy with work and having the kids home, its a perfect time for the kitty to merge into your home. The kids are home from school, meaning they have all day to play with your new cat and help them adjust to their new living situation. You won't have to worry about the cat as much, because the kids are there, playing and entertaining your new furry friend. During the summer, more friends and family are able to visit your home, so the animal can learn to love them just as much as they will learn to love you!

A lot of people are worried about adopting a cat in the summer because they go away for camping trips and weekend get aways. But thats PURRRFECT for a cat! Cat's are totally self-sustainable! Nobody needs to come over and let them out three times a day. As long as you put down enough food and water to last them the length of your trip, they will be fine! If you're taking a long trip, longer than 2 night's, and hire a cat sitter to come scoop their litter box, the cat quickly adjusts and will be okay with the cat sitter coming into their home and giving them attention!

In a home, their are window's for a cat to jump up into. From the window they can watch birds and enjoy the fresh breeze through the screen. The sunlight shining through the windows gives "hot spots" on the ground that your kitty will curl up in for a nice little nap. These are all things the cat's cannot do at the shelter. We don't have windows for our animals to jump up into and allow sun to shine into the rescue to lay in. To take a cat home at the beginning of summer means they don't need to live their entire summer at a shelter in a cage and can enjoy all the things that summer offers!

A lot of shelters offer specials on their cats during the month of June to help celebrate Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month. Pet Angel is putting all their cats above the age of 6 months at half off, in hopes of finding them a home before June is over. Contact us at 989-652-0552 to find your new fur friend!

Sparty's Story

When you walk into Pet Angel, You will be welcomed by me! I come running from where ever I am lounging around at to make sure you know you're loved here! They call me the mascot, so I wear the title proudly! I'm a furry, chubby kitty, The name's Sparty. This is my story. 

October 9, 2010 was the Michigan vs. Michigan State Game. MSU won the game 34 to 17, making it the first time since 1967 that MSU had won the game three consecutive years in a row. But MSU fans were not the only winners that day, I won too. That same day, I was found behind the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth. Our president's husband, Jim Engel, runs the hotel there, so when I was found they called Jim and Nancy to come get me. They brought me to Pet Angel and saved me from the harsh winter that was quickly approaching, and I still reside here today.

Jim and Nancy are University of Michigan fans, they actually met at UofM Flint, and since they found me the day of the UofM vs MSU game, they wanted to name me something that had to do with the University of Michigan. I'm kind of the color maize, So it would have worked out perfectly! Nancy came up with a whole bunch of different names, but I didn't like any of them. At all. So, She started naming off names from MSU, and the first one she told me was Sparty, AND I LOVED IT! So thats my name (don't wear it out!)

When I went to the vet for the first time to get fixed and get my shots, The vet discovered that I have FIV. FIV is the cat version of human HIV. It basically makes my immune system not as good as other cats. If an Angel didn't tell you I had FIV, you probably wouldn't know, you can only tell I have a disease because of the little hot spots I get on my back sometimes. The only way that FIV can be passed is through saliva to blood (like a bite) or through sexual intercourse. But I don't bite other kitties, and I'm fixed, so neither of those situations can happen. FIV can't be passed to humans either, so I can't make you sick. However, FIV is something that scares off most adopters, so even though I'm super friendly and love on people, I will probably live out the rest of my life here at Pet Angel. (For more information on FIV, click here)

My story's small, but I am not. I love to eat, I love to play, I love attention, and I love to greet you at the door. I don't live in a cage, I run the main room and make sure that all my friends get adopted. I don't help clean, but I'll make sure all the Angel's are doing their job correctly. I like naps, I like treats, and I would like you to come meet all my friends and take them home! 

Thanks for taking the time out of your day to read my story!

--Sparty