On the Edge Feline Behavior & Training

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

Happy National Pet Day, from Gizmo and Mr. Kitty!

07/04/2025

This is a very good article on pets going to the vet. I agree with everything said.

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.petmd.com%2Fcat%2Fgeneral-health%2F10-things-you-probably-shouldnt-do-vets-office-cat%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5hEHwFVhihBLuJLVCINrKlbT1shhdbygnqUe2DME0iJjJGtExSA3CRE8STbQ_aem_UF_vmxPFFyqH_d-JYJaHlQ&h=AT0iT2_WVoU8fIPR24Fk36r5YawRf7SoBJxdoelRpk2iazS5Je8oOIIpeLnH5Hr3rPdEXbcWxYiOFPo5rKhaaj26pHIJaHXIOLXD1Vz9MQJ8Xlb-s4XZEJ5eEABgIaDTTaKRIJuXc-Mt0iTfKRjn&s=1

Are you that one pet parent that causes the vet staff extra stress? Find out how you can help make your pet’s visit go as smoothly as possible for everyone.

17/01/2025

It's hard to believe that people leave their pets behind. I consider them family, and wouldn't leave a child behind. Anyway, here is a list, courtesy of Cornell Feline Center, that you might want to print out in case of emergency. I keep lists on my fridge for both me and the cats. In a panic, one tends to get "analysis paralysis". I have a bucket of lightweight litter that is only for emergencies. You can get disposable litter boxes that look like they're made from egg cartons material. A little folding pocket camping spade that fits on your belt is helpful for cleaning the box and/or digging holes. I also made a first aid kit in a plastic tool box just for animals. I have collapsible food and water bowls in my truck and in the first aid kit. Think about stuff that is lightweight and easily packed.
I would also recommend some Quiet Moments calming chews with melatonin by NaturVet (no, I don't get paid or kick backs from them) that I recommend to my clients, as I have found through experience, work better than most calming products.

05/01/2025

Sharing from the Feral Cat Project...

Extreme weather alert!

Please feed your cats in the afternoon Sunday, ahead of the snow and give them lots of fresh water. Monday morning and afternoon, do not encourage your cats to come out of their shelters. Cats coming out during this event will have snow melting off their fur. This increases their chances of hypothermia. Cats are smarter than we are. If they are not coming out for food, that is normal behavior. Leave their food in feeding stations and make sure it is protected from wind and water. They will come out when it is safe to do so.
Wind is also a deterrent for cats to be out and about. It is their survival instincts. Those instincts have been in place for thousands of years. We all worry about our friends outside but sometimes intervening can be a danger to the cats.
So help them by letting them do what nature has taught them and give them some extra food today!
More tips below:
Leave fresh food and water at their feeding stations.
Do not move any food closer to or inside their shelters! Cats won't sleep where there is food and they will leave and try to find alternate shelter which can lead them into danger.
Do not call your cats out. If they are hunkered down, there is a reason for it.
Some cats may hunker down for a day or two rather than venture out - this is normal.
Take a shovel to create a path for the cats or you may need to dig them out if a snowdrift covers the opening to their shelter door.
If you know of a cat that seeks shelter under a deck, shed, or even under a car to escape the high winds, heavy snow or sleet.....they could get snowed in and trapped. They won’t and can’t dig out.
So, if you don’t know where the cat is, think, “If I was a cat, where would I hunker down?
Mix kitten dry food with cats meals for extra calories, if possible.
Feeding at the high point of the day will give the cats the longest duration before wet food freezes.
Do not mix wet and dry food together in winter months. Dry food freezes but cats often swallow whole.
Ping pong balls floating in water bowls keeps the surface moving and delays freezing.
A teaspoon of salt dissolved in a bottle of water and placed in water bowl will keep the water from freezing. (Make sure the lid is on tightly.)
Very important: Do not dump ice from water bowls at the feeding area. When ice melts, it will create dangerous wet / muddy ground, exposing cats to frigid water.

02/01/2025

There are caveats here. Feeding raw meat to cats is great. You can feed them something other than poultry. Cats are lactose intolerant, so you shouldn't give them dairy anyway .

31/12/2024

Happy Hogmanay and Happy New Year!

24/12/2024

Merry Catmas!

24/12/2024

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from
On the Edge Feline Behavior and Training!

25/11/2024

Please remember that cats can't eat the same things dogs can, even though they may want to.
One caveat to this list- what whipped cream you use can make a difference. Cats are generally lactose intolerant, so don't let them have too much.

A Happy and healthy Thanksgiving to one and all!

13/11/2024

This is helpful if feeding stray and feral cats. Technically, it's not simply high calorie because that could be carbs like grains which are not all good for cats, but high protein for muscles. Muscles, the liver, and heart generate heat.
As mentioned here, younger cats need more calories because they're more active and growing which is why kitten food is suggested for higher calories. Then, they don't need it quite as much in mid life, but need higher protein again when they become seniors (along with less ash and more fiber.) Squashes and pumpkin are good for that. Gauge what you feed by the general age of the cat, too.

29/10/2024

Happy National Cat Day everyone!

21/10/2024

Hi folks,
This is my rant against prescription foods sold by vets. I don't mean to insult vets. I love them, but most are not schooled specially in cat nutrition.

Part of my certification is in cat nutrition.
There is nothing in an Rx diet that requires a vet's prescription, yet the pet stores won't sell it to you without one. It's a marketing ploy. Vets get a kickback for selling the stuff, and charge double what it should be. $4.28 a 5oz can?! Even the best cat foods on the market don't cost that. Don't let your vet sell you that stuff. It contains by-products, grains, and carrageenan (a proven animal carcinogen ). I have checked the ingredients on these and many easily obtainable brands plus ash levels. Some like Weruva, Wellness, Tiki Cat, Soultistic do not have any of that stuff, and with most, the cost is under $3.00 a can.

Anyone that is interested in regulating your cat's diet because of illness should contact a veterinary nutritionist rather than your general vet. Depending on the age, breed, medical issues, etc., different vitamins or minerals may need to be added to cat food. You can do this better on your own. I have talked to a few people who are too lazy to do it on their own , and pay a ridiculous amount of money for the Rx foods, and believe it helps. I don't.

The Aussies and New Zealanders appear to be tops in pet nutrition. One vet did a very extensive analysis of lots of brands from cheap ones to expensive ones in both dry and wet foods. It is available online. The folks Down Under have a number of great brands that are available (and cats love them!), but are only going to be found at the better specialty pet stores, not Petco or PetSmart.