During the past few decades, people have become more concerned about the effects of second-hand smoke on others. Studies have shown that living in a house with a smoker can be just as hazardous to the people in the dwelling who never smoke. This, of course, begs the question of what effects does smoking have on the pets living in those same households.
When one searches for scientific evidence of the effect of tobacco smoke on cats, it is easy to find. Studies show that there is a strong link between cats living in a smoking household and those in a smoke-free environment. The cats of people who smoke have double the rate of feline lymphoma than those living with non-smokers.
This is a major find since vets have long thought that a virus was the cause of lymphoma in a cat. Now, they are aware of the importance of environmental factors acting as carcinogens with repeated exposure. Tobacco smoke may be just one of many factors in a cat’s environment which needs to be controlled to keep our pets healthy.
Because of a cat’s small size, exposure to environmental contaminants may actually be more harmful that they are for humans. Also, indoor cats probably get a high level of the toxic smokes than the people of the household because people rarely stay home all day. An indoor cat, though, experiences constant exposure without any relief from the smoke.
The cat exposure to the toxins in tobacco may not always come from inhaling the smoke.
Some scientists think that they might also be ingesting these harmful substances when they groom themselves by licking their coats. Scientists also found that the more smokers present in the home, the greater the odds of a cat developing feline lymphoma.
As much as we dislike thinking of our beloved pets having a surgical operation, sometimes they are necessary for the health of the cat. Most owners choose to neuter their cats, and some choose to have their animals declawed for various reasons. These operations are planned, but cats must also have emergency surgeries at various times which are completely unplanned. What should cat owners expect when they take their cat to the veterinarian for a surgical procedure?
First, in preparation for the surgery, the vet may require some screening blood tests. If these test results indicate any liver or kidney problems, or if the cat’s medical history reflects them, the vet may suggest a special prescription diet for some time before the operation to lessen the risks of the surgery.
On the day of the surgery, the doctor will probably give the cat a pre-med injection to calm him, just as a human is given before a major surgery. This will be followed by a type of injected anaesthesia to induce sleep. A gas mask will probably be used to keep the animal asleep during surgery. The cat’s vital signs will be monitored at all times, and he will be given fluids intravenously if needed.
After the surgery, he may be put on a heating pad until he awakens and will often be given pain medications. The vet will also probably give a prescription of pain meds to take at home. Do not give the pet any type of human painkillers. Follow the vets post-operative instructions carefully until the cat begins to move naturally and shows no signs of pain. Call for emergency advice if any strange behaviors occur. In this way, pet owners can make sure that their cat becomes healthy again and experiences no negative side effects from the surgery.
Positive reinforcement, such as praise, treats, cuddling, or rewards, works to teach a child about expected behavior. It is just as effective in changing behaviors in the feline world.
The key to both is consistency.
When training a cat to exhibit a particular behavior, it should be rewarded every single time it responds in an appropriate manner. Rewarding the cat immediately takes some effort. In the beginning, it also requires a sacrifice of time in order to catch the cat when it is acting appropriately. The reward shows the cat that this is the behavior which will receive a good response. This is a slow process and takes some determination.
Owners should not try to force a behavior by moving the animal or manipulating its body in any way. This will only cause the cat to become more fearful of the behavior and of the owner. Neither should an owner ever resort to physical punishment in order to deter a behavior. The Humane Society recommends that cats should never be slapped or hit. This may get the desired results, but it can traumatize the animal.
Once a cat has begun to respond with the appropriate actions to the positive reinforcement, the owner may begin to space out the offered rewards or treats. Instead of receiving a reward for every single instance of good behavior, the cat might receive this treat every other time. As the new behavior becomes more ingrained, the treats can be cut back accordingly until the behavior has finally become a new habit.
Positive reinforcement takes more patience than some other methods of changing behavior, but the rewards are worth time and effort involved. The time spent will result in a happy, well-mannered cat who feels safe in a human environment.
