Things You Can Do to Enhance Your Cat's Environment

Home , Feline calicivirus, Feline leukemia virus, Feline vaccination

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CATS Things you can do to NEED VARIETY Let your cat show you what toys they prefer enhance your cat’s DON’T LET YOUR PLAYFUL KITTEN GROW TO BE AN UNPLAYFUL CAT environment

Is your cat overweight?2 Playing with toys that release food burns calories 1 Do you have more Does your cat ignore you? than one cat? and controls the amount of Is your cat stressed out? Cats like routine! Set aside If you have food eaten. Every cat needs a private a regular time for a daily several cats, each needs their own food place, safe from other grooming or play session. , household pets or children. bowl, water, litter box and sleeping area.

OUTDOOROR INDOOR Is your cat scratching the furniture? Cats NEED to scratch! A post covered with a “scratchable” surface will save your furniture.

Keeping outside cats Indoor cats are at under supervision in higher risk of obesity a specially designed and have a higher cat friendly area or incidence of urinary on a cat leash tract disease than Is your cat bored? minimizes risk. outdoor cats. Cats enjoy watching birds and outdoor activity. They also like music, the smell of catnip and pheromone sprays.

Estimated Life Spans5

Outdoor Cat Indoor Cat 3 YEARS 15 YEARS

Happy cats are better cats. 3 Common Hazards Encountered Stimulate your cat indoors By nature, cats are solitary by Outdoor Cats4 with toys they love: hunters in the outdoors. A cat stimulated by its environment will be less likely to exhibit obesity, anxiety disorders or house soiling.

Vehicle trauma Infectious disease Aggression from Balls with Bells Furry Mice Catnip Toys or toxins other animals

Safer outdoor and more interesting indoor environments keep your cat happier and healthier. For more healthy cat tips or if you notice changes in your cat's behaviour, contact:

1. Strickler BL, Shull EA. An owner survey of toys, activities, and behavior problems in indoor cats. J Vet Behav 2014; 9(5): 207-214. 2. Rowe E, Browne W, Casey R, et al. Risk factors identiﬁed for owner-reported feline obesity at around one year of age: Dry diet and indoor lifestyle. Prev Vet Med 2015; 121 (3-4): 273-81. 3. Saevik BK, Trangerud C, Ottesen N, et al. Causes of lower urinary tract disease in Norwegian cats. J Feline Med Surg 2011; 13(6): 410-7. 4. Loyd KA, Hernandez SM, Abernathy KJ, et al. Risk behaviours exhibited by free-roaming cats in a suburban US town. Vet Rec 2013; 173(12): 295. 5. American Humane Society This resource was made possible compliments of Royal Canin. cat healthyTM registered trademark of Cat Healthy. All rights reserved. cathealthy.ca KEEP YOUR CAT HEALTHY & HAPPY

PROTECTING YOUR CAT FROM PARASITES ALL CATS, EVEN INDOOR CATS, ARE AT RISK FOR PARASITES THAT CAN MAKE THEM, AND YOU, VERY SICK. CATS ARE EASILY EXTERNAL PARASITES* INFECTED VIA Fleas – are a source of discomfort and disease, including tapeworm and the parasite that causes cat-scratch disease. ILDLIFE W & S Ticks – can carry multiple T E diseases and are a concern P

for cats and humans. R

H T

Mites – are microscopic O parasites that cause irritation and itching.

Lice – are smaller than fleas and live on your ING EAT RO cat’s skin, causing itching D E and irritation. N T S *Fleas, ticks, mites and some lice feed on a cat’s blood.

INTERNAL PARASITES

Heartworm – is transmitted by mosquitoes, often indoors1, and can cause serious illness. AS LE F G IN Roundworms – most cats T will get roundworms in A their lifetime. Eggs can be E

ingested in the environment S or via eating rodents. G U B R E TH Hookworms – can be fatal, & O particularly for kittens, and can infect both cats & and people. IRT FEC D ES O N S Tapeworms – are common H in cats and kittens and O

sometimes appear like S pieces of white rice near your cat’s tail. They usually Over-the-counter come from fleas. products can be ineffective or KITTENS - Many kittens aquire even toxic to parasites from their mother. All your cat. kittens require a minimum of three deworming treatments 2 weeks apart, followed with a broad- spectrum monthly parasiticide until at least 6 months of age. I N S OVER 6 MONTHS OLD - E C T - All cats should receive B UP TO 6 MONTHS OLD ITES After initial deworming, treat parasite prevention monthly until 6-months old. year-round or seasonally, depending on individual risk factors and lifestyle.

Talk to your veterinarian about the best parasite protection for your cat.

1. petsandparasites.org/expert-insights/dogsandcatsareatgreaterriskforheartworminfectionin2016/ TM cat healthy registered trademark of Cat Healthy. All rights reserved. Bayer and the Bayer Cross are registered trademarks of Bayer AG, used under license by Bayer Inc. cathealthy.ca

PANLEUKOPENIA • The virus will survive for up to 1 year in the environment.2 • Transmitted through contact with feces, contaminated food bowls, and litter boxes.2 IT ALL STARTS WITH • Affected cats are lethargic, stop eating, may vomit and have diarrhea. • Cats may die in 24 hours or less.1 • Most common where unvaccinated cats live together.2 • Treatment includes strict isolation, fluid therapy, and supportive care.

• Vaccinate as early Revaccinate as ALL CATS NEED TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST VIRAL INFECTIOUS as 6-8 weeks of age recommended by DISEASES WITH A TRIP TO THE VETERINARIAN. TOGETHER YOU • Booster every 3-4 your veterinarian weeks until at least CAN CREATE AN ONGOING VACCINATION SCHEDULE. 6-8 16 weeks of age WEEKS • Booster in 1 year UPPER RABIES

• Bites from infected animals cause rabies.2 RESPIRATORY VIRUSES • Clinical signs are behavioural changes including aggression and difficulty walking.1 • The incubation period can be as short as 2 weeks and as long as 1 year.2 • The most common respiratory viruses are herpes virus and calicivirus. • There is no effective treatment and rabies is almost always fatal.2 • Cats are usually infected through direct contact with sick cats but • Single dose as early Revaccinate as both calici and herpes virus can be acquired from contaminated food as 12 weeks of age recommended by bowls, bedding, and cages. Herpes virus is viable for less than 24 hours 2 • Booster in 1 year your veterinarian outside the cat, but calicivirus can survive up to 1 month. • Mortality is low but many cats with herpes virus become chronic 2,3 12 carriers and clinical signs may reoccur when stressed. WEEKS

• Vaccinate as early Revaccinate as as 6-8 weeks of age recommended by • Booster every 3-4 your veterinarian weeks until at least 6-8 16 weeks of age INDOOR WEEKS • Booster in 1 year CATS NEED REGULAR VACCINATIONS THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME

FELINE LEUKEMIA (FeLV) VIRUS Vaccinate • Transmitted by contact with an infected cat and its body fluids (saliva, urine) and feces. It can also be transmitted via bites.2,3 • Affected cats show signs of lethargy, not eating and weight loss.3 • Some cats develop immune system dysfunction and succumb to Regularly diseases like cancer and anemia. • Some cats show no clinical signs for an extended period of time. • Treatment is symptomatic and supportive but of limited effectiveness. • By vaccinating and preventing exposure to cats infected with FeLV, KITTENS CATS you minimize the risk for your cat. Kittens get some protection from antibodies in their Adult cats should be revaccinated • Vaccinate as early Revaccinate as mother’s milk but can begin vaccinations as early as 6-8 regularly throughout their as 8 weeks of age recommended by weeks. Vaccinations stimulate their immune system to create lifetime. Discuss a schedule with their own antibodies.1 your veterinarian.1 • Booster 3-4 your veterinarian weeks later 8 • Booster in 1 year WEEKS

SOURCES 1. JFMS 2009 – Volume 11 contains several articles, in particular Feline Herpes Virus: E Thiry et al, p 547-555 Feline Panleukopenia: Uwe Truyen et al, p 538-546 Feline Rabies: T Frymus et al, p 585-593

2. JFMS 2013: AAFP Feline Vaccination Advisory Panel Report, Disease Information Fact Sheets: Feline calicivirus, Feline herpes virus 1, Feline panleukopenia, Rabies, and Feline leukemia virus. Published in the JFMS Volume 15, 785-808 (2013)

3. Sue Little, The Cat. 2012 Saunders.

4. CFIA: Canadian Food Inspection Agency website on rabies; see particularly http://inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/diseases/reportable/rabies/rabies-in-canada/eng/1356156989919/1356157139999

VACS-16-72115-CH/PSTR(E)