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Home About Us Adopt Donate Volunteer Foster News Event Calendar Shelter Services Join Our Mailing List Community Support Employment Pet Tips    General Tips    Summer Tips    Prevent Loss    Dog Information    Cat Information Other Agencies A $25 donation is made to MHRHS when you enroll in a ShelterCare pet insurance program via this link. Scales	Tips | Quotes | Poetry | Articles | Links Tips Scratching Prevention Tips A common complaint about indoor cats being destructive is with scratching furniture, doors, and any other surfaces where damage often occurs. Here are some tips to curb this behavior: Please do not immediately resort to declawing a cat. There are many options to try instead which follow: Provide scratching posts. Try ones of different materials (sisal rope, carpet, corrugated cardboard, or wood). There are varieties that stand on their own, hang from door knobs, or lay on the ground. This allows a cat to stretch and use their claws on something that is encouraged. If the cat shows no interest try sprinkling some catnip on it and rubbing it in (it releases the odor more) and praise the cat with attention when he does use it. There are many odors that cats do not like that can be sprayed or rubbed on the surfaces that the cat likes. Substances such as black or cayenne pepper put in water can deter a cat, as well as furniture polish or vinegar. I've also heard that orange or lemon peel rinds work. Having a spray bottle handy with just water in it to use as a discipline technique when the cat does start to scratch where he shouldn't tells him what isn't allowed (but wait until he scratches otherwise he won't know what he is being disciplined for). Place double-sided tape on surfaces. Here is a nice website I found that covers this and a lot of other behaviors: Cat Tips and Tricks. Tips for the Finicky Eater / Putting on Weight For a limited time try (it is recommended to incorporate into a nutritional diet, not replace one): Baby food, usually lamb or veal is suggested. (Please note: Many meat-based baby foods contain some amount of onion power to improve the flavor but onions can cause problems for dogs and cats and should be avoided). Some cats like a certain size of food or shape. Some will only eat small dry nuggets or likes shredded chicken or fish with lots of gravy on it (and may just lick off the gravy, leaving the rest behind). Canned Tunafish or canned Salmon. Try adding low sodium chicken broth to the food, just a bit, to make it more palatable. Some Tips for Urinating Problems Litter Box Problems and Solutions [Microsoft Word Version] [[PDF Version] "By doing research on the net, and by taking the lid off of the litterpan (all my cats have their own covered litterboxes), I found out he [one cat that had a urinating problem] just did not like the lid on." ~ Michele (an MHRHS Volunteer) Lemon juice and baking soda in water works good on getting rid of odors. Quotes Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea. ~ Robert A. Heinlein The cat could very well be man's best friend but would never stoop to admitting it. ~ Doug Larson As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat. ~ Ellen Perry Berkeley A catless writer is almost inconceivable. It's a perverse taste, really, since it would be easier to write with a herd of buffalo in the room than even one cat; they make nests in the notes and bite the end of the pen and walk on the typewriter keys. ~ Barbara Holland If there is one spot of sun spilling onto the floor, a cat will find it and soak it up. ~ Jean Asper McIntosh No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch. ~ Leo Dworken I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat. ~ Edgar Allan Poe My cat speaks sign language with her tail. ~ Robert A. Stern In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this. ~ Terry Pratchett Purring would seem to be, in her case, an automatic safety valve device for dealing with happiness overflow. ~ Monica Edwards There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast. ~ Origin unknown I don't think it is so much the actual bath that most cats dislike; I think it's the fact that they have to spend a good part of the day putting their hair back in place. ~ Debbie Peterson To bathe a cat takes brute force, perseverance, courage of conviction - and a cat. The last ingredient is usually hardest to come by. ~ Stephen Baker No matter how much the cats fight, there always seem to be plenty of kittens. ~ Abraham Lincoln Ignorant people think it is the noise which fighting cats make that is so aggravating, but it ain't so; it is the sickening grammar that they use. ~ Mark Twain Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. ~ Colette Who among us hasn't envied a cat's ability to ignore the cares of daily life and to relax completely? ~ Karen Brademeyer If I called her she would pretend not to hear, but would come a few moments later when it could appear that she had thought of doing so first. ~ Arthur Weigall If there were to be a universal sound depicting peace, I would surely vote for the purr. ~ Barbara L. Diamond Poetry Cat Haiku: Author Unknown Irises alive Insane darting off the walls Then a pleasant nap Whiskers brush across Door jambs, chairs, my human's leg I own all these things In soothing sunlight Stretched out for maximum heat I dream of rodents Your birthday surprise Is freshly crafted claw art I made it myself! Nasty trip to vet Results in white cone torture I dream of revenge Another Cat Poem: Double your pleasure Double your fun Two cats are happier And easy as one! Author Unknown Articles Pregnant Women and Cat Litterboxes Basic/beginner level article on keeping cats safe for Halloween ASPCA article on Halloween Safety Tips Interesting Cat/Kitten Links Behavior Problems Litter Box Problems and Solutions (Microsoft Word Doc) Alternatives to Declawing Cat Tips and Tricks Controlling Undesirable Behavior Behavior problems Litterbox problems Causes for Caution Mistreatment at a local dog and cat boarder Communicating with your cat Messybeast: Cat Communication Feral Cats/Kittens Feral cats are taking over LI parks Alley Cat Allies General Tips Pet Place Cat Tips and Tricks Messybeast: Cat Resource Archive Indoor Cats Resource ASPCA, Animal Poison Control Center: A Poison Safe Home Shelter Sheets: Info about Cats Getting along with other pets There is a fantastic book by Pam Johnson-Bennett called "Cat Vs. Cat" that addresses all of the issues of cats interacting together. Her previous book, "Think Like a Cat," is really good too. One of the things she recommends is to give cats shared good experiences (such as meals, treats or playtime), because then they start to associate that happy feeling with the other cat being there. (opinion thanks to an MHRHS volunteer) Health & Nutrition Helping people help sick pets Great tool for removing ticks Helping your cat mourn the loss of another Possible Remedy for Grieving Pets Feeding your cat: Know the basics of feline nutrition Greenies: A safe or deadly treat? Avoid Cocoa Mulch in Gardening Humor Moggycat: Inspiration and humor for cat lovers Kitten War Cats in Sinks Video proof that Cats have 9 Lives How to decorate a Christmas Tree Miscellaneous NYS's Pet Lemon Law Cat Trivia Quizzes Living with cats and allergies Hypoallergenic, Genetically Engineered Cats SPCA commercial All Grown Up: The Unique Joys of Mature Pets News Adopting a pet can save more than money Animal People News Cat calls 911 to help owner Travel Rescue Remedy (a Bach Flower Essence). Three or four drops placed on the animal's tongue or gums can help ease stress and tension and is a good calming agent for travelling. Also works for humans, and is very safe.