Does Your Kitty Travel Well?

Is your cat fearful of car rides? A visit to the veterinarian? Afraid of their carrier? An article by Dr. Ariana Anderson of Ridge Lake Animal Hospital in Woodbridge, Va gave some really helpful tips on making it easier on your cat and you when preparing to travel. With a little preparation and patience, you can make your pet's experience more comfortable and less stressful. Here are a few tips:

1. Start carrier training when they are young-- make the carrier just another fun hiding place. Put it in a room that your cat likes to be in, preferrably a sunny location. Add a soft piece of bedding to encourage exploration.

2. Encourgage daily entry--put a piece of kibble or a treat in the carrier each day. Praise your kitty if they eat the treat. If not, walk away and wait. They should eat in within a few days...maybe when you are not watching at first! If you try to persuade to quickly, they may become suspicious.

3. Gradually close the door--once your cat goes into the carrier happily when you are around, gently close the door and give a treat. Open the door so that they do not feel trapped. After a few days of this, leave the door closed and walk out of the room for a few moments. Return with a treat. Gradually repeat this exercise with the carrier in different parts of the house.

4. Begin car rides--over the next few days or weeks, place the carrier in the car and go for short car rides. Take a ride to the veterinary clinic just for your cat to get a treat or a friendly pat from the doctor or staff. Reward with a treat. If your kitty gets nervous, go back a step and give treats until they are more comfortable with that level.

5. Cover the carrier when traveling--it will make your cat feel safer. You can add your pet's favorite toys, treats or bedding. Bring these to the clinic with you when you visit so that are familiar things that they can associate with good feelings.

6. Consider using Feliway (pheromonal anti-anxiety spray) just before traveling--this can help with the initial training as well as to make the examination less stressful and your cat more comfortable.

Spa Special

Does Your Pet Look Like This?

Now that the New Year is upon us, we tend to think of January as the month we will begin our resolutions, our diet and exercise programs and/or a new hobby. Obesity in pets is a problem that can lead to orthopedic issues, organ failure, high blood pressure and ligament damage. We offer a free program at NLAH which includes a consultation with Alyson Harms, our weight management technician. It includes a body condition analysis, a feeding guide based on Purina products and monthly weigh-ins. Please give us a call for me details or to make an appointment!

 

January 2012 Spa Package

Cindy has a fun wintery spa package to begin the New Year! With January comes cold weather, snow and dry skin!!! We will be featuring a deep conditioner that will moisturize dry skin, our fan favorite yogurt covered granola treat and an adorable snowflake sock monkey!!! This spa package is only $10 additional and a great way for your pet to begin 2012!y is g the New Year with snowy spa package. This package includes a deep conditioning treatment to help moisturize dryskin, our fan favorite yogurt topped granola treat and a snowflake sock monkey! Start 201this