It’s no secret that the holidays are a stressful time. Visiting family, cooking up a storm, and making sure to get the perfect present for everyone on your list is enough to make even the most organized person start to feel the pressure. But how does the holiday season impact your furry friends? And, more importantly, what can you do to help with holiday pet stress during this busy time?

Signs Your Cat is Anxious

Changes in Behavior

Some cats LOVE to be around their person, others prefer to be by themselves, but any drastic changes in your cat’s behavior, such as extreme isolation or uncharacteristic clinginess, could indicate that their stress levels are a bit high.

They Have a LOT to Say

If you have a chatty cat, it may be difficult to determine if your cat is more vocal than usual, but changes in the quantity, volume, or tone of your cat’s meow may be due to increased anxiety. They’re stressed and they want you to know it!

“Accidents” Happen

If your cat suddenly “forgets” how to use the litterbox, it’s time to take a hard look at what could be causing your pet so much stress. They can’t tell you what’s wrong, so they have to behave in a way that shows you how they are feeling. It may be smelly and annoying to have to clean up after your pet when they miss the litterbox, but it’s important to understand how they are feeling so you can do your best to improve the situation sooner rather than later. 

Increased Irritability

If your cat starts acting out, biting, and scratching – even when unprovoked – it’s time to take a trip to the vet to figure out what’s wrong. Small behavioral changes could indicate environmental stress but if your cat adopts a whole new personality, it could be a sign that something much more serious is going on. 

How to Help Reduce Holiday Pet Stress

Keep your Kitty Busy

Just like overstimulation can lead to anxiety, understimulation can lead to boredom and acting out. Making sure your cat has plenty of ways to keep busy like cat trees, interactive toys, and of course quality time to play with you, is key to keeping them stimulated and reduce anxiety. 

Quiet Down

Cats have sensitive ears, making the hustle and bustle of the holiday season especially loud and stressful for them. Keeping devices at a moderate volume and giving your cat an area to go to escape the noise are two simple ways to reduce overwhelm and help your cat calm down. 

Talk to a Professional

If your cat is still showing serious signs of stress despite your intervention, there may be something else going on. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet for additional advice, tips, or insight into your cat’s behavior. Remember, your pets are your family too and it’s important to take care of them during the holiday season. 

When it comes to pet stress, know you can always come to The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill for advice and insight into your cat’s behavior. Whether it’s a recent change in attitude or an ongoing behavioral issue, we’ll do whatever we can to assess the situation and help you come up with a solution that works for your pet and your family. Contact the office today to schedule an appointment!

Your cat is just as important to you as the rest of your family, so it’s obvious you want them to enjoy the holiday festivities with you. However, it’s important to remember that cats need a little bit more supervision than your actual relatives. When keeping certain holiday traditions alive this year, keep these tips in mind to ensure you keep your feline friends alive too!

Candles & Fireplaces

Nothing says “Holidays” quite like seasonal candles and a crackling fire – and your cats agree! Unfortunately, they can’t always control their love for a warm fire and risk getting too close for their own safety. Singed whiskers, knocked over candles, and other curious cat adventures can lead to injury and even a loose fire in your home! Always keep candles where your cat cannot reach them and keep a shield/guard in between any open fire and your cat. 

Human Food

Dogs may have the reputation of begging but cats are no strangers to asking for human food. While it’s tempting to give your cats a little extra food during the holidays, be sure you are being conservative and not giving your cat toxic foods like onion, chocolate, and avocado. While your cat may be smart enough to avoid these foods on their own, they may be tempted to try foods with these ingredients and get sick later on. Slivers of lean meat and certain vegetables are safe snacks, but be sure to avoid fatty foods, dairy products, and sugary treats. 

Holiday Chaos

Your cat may be ok with the occasional visitor during the normal weeks, but nothing quite compares to the chaos of houseguests, holiday parties, and general noise of the holiday season. If your cat is showing signs of stress, closing them in a safe, comfortable room where they can hide from the chaos and noise is the best way to calm them down and reduce their stress. 

Traveling

If you’ll be away for the holidays, you may be tempted to bring your cat with you, but the stress (for both of you!) is usually not worth it. While boarding facilities are an option while you are away, cats typically prefer to stay in their own environment. Your best bet is to find a pet sitter (even better if it’s someone your cat knows) who can come to the house 1-2x a day to put out fresh food, scoop the litter, and give your cat the love that they deserve. 

Whether you’re headed home for the holidays or hosting the fam at your place, it’s important to remember your furry friends. If you need help getting your pet ready for travel, finding a boarding facility, or just general wellness, be sure to visit the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill. We’re more than happy to help with all of your cat questions!

It’s finally October, which means it’s officially time to start thinking about Halloween. While your pets might not be the first thing on your mind when you start thinking about costumes, you can start shopping early and come up with some super cute cat Halloween costumes this year. 

1. King of the Jungle 

A great way to get your kitty in the Halloween spirit – when you don’t want to wrestle them into a complicated costume, you can’t go wrong with a lion’s mane. It’ll help your cat get in touch with their heritage (and help you get a super cute Instagram picture).

2. Pizza Cat

If your cat is a little bit more tolerant of wearing clothing, you can’t go wrong with this pizza costume. Cute and cozy, pizza cat will be sure to get you laughs this Halloween. 

3. Christmas Kitty

Another simple costume, this one pulls double duty, giving your cat a cutesy halloween costume and setting you up for a killer holiday card. Who can say no to that?

4. Cowboy Cat

We give you major props if you can get your cat to cooperate long enough to wear this costume but it’s so cute it’s definitely worth it!

5. Bat Cat

For something a little bit easier to get your cat to wear, you can’t go wrong with a bat costume! Not only is it adorable, it straps on just like your kitty’s collar – they won’t even notice!

Reach Out to the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Will you be dressing your cat up for Halloween this year? If so, are you going with a homemade or store bought cat Halloween costume? Either way, we want to see! Send us pictures of your cats dressed up for the big day on social media. Need to discuss something a little more serious? Don’t hesitate to contact us to make an appointment. We would be happy to meet with your favorite feline and get to the root of the issue. Call the office at (856) 662-2662 or come by in person at 35 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

Cats are known for being independent, self sufficient, and downright dismissive of their humans at times. So if you’re thinking, “Why won’t my cat leave me alone?” it could be mean something is wrong. While some kitties can be quite cuddly, a sudden change in behavior from independent to clingy could mean something more serious for your furry friend. 

Anxiety

If your cat is feeling vulnerable or insecure, they may become a bit more affectionate or clingy. This is most often the case with rescue cats or kittens who were separated from their mothers when they were quite young. Speaking in calm tones and stroking your anxious pet gently is often the best way to reassure them and affirm their trust to you. 

Newness

Whether the cat is new to you or you’ve moved to a new space together, it can take a cat awhile to get used to its new surroundings. People, smells, and spaces can all overwhelm your cat, causing them to draw closer to you for support. 

Hunger

Much like dogs (and children) cats are not afraid to let you know that they’re hungry! Clinginess and excessive meow-ing can simply be a sign that you aren’t feeding your kitty enough. As long as they are a healthy weight, you should be alright increasing the portions of food you are dishing out, but if you need a second opinion, The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill is available for help with nutritional planning for your pet. 

Illness

The last reason that your cat may be extra needy is because they are sick or injured. While we hope this isn’t the case,  we recommend giving your pet a once-over to check for outward signs of illness, then take them to the vet if necessary. 

Consult the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Whether you’re enjoying the new affection from your cat or you find yourself thinking, “Why won’t my cat leave me alone?”, your best bet is to take them to the vet to get to the bottom of things. Don’t hesitate to contact us to make an appointment. Call the office at (856) 662-2662 or come by in person at 35 Haddonfield Road, Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

We know better than most that all cats are different. But if there’s one thing that our feline friends seem to have in common, it’s an affinity for making every trip to the vet as difficult as possible. From fighting to get in the car to giving their owners the silent treatment post-visit, every cat handles a trip to the vet a little bit differently. Fortunately, there are some tried and true ways to keep your cat calm for the vet and make this process a whole lot less painful for you (and your pet!). 

Play Doctor

No, we aren’t suggesting you take matters into your own hands when it comes to your cat’s health, but it can be helpful to get your cat used to being handled in a similar way to how they are handled when at the vet. Regularly handling your cat and performing brief check-ups can make the process of going to the vet more familiar (and therefore less scary) for your cat. 

Get Out!

We know that cats make great housepets, but that’s no excuse to keep them cooped up all the time. If the only time your cat leaves the house is to visit the vet, they may begin to only associate their carrier and the car with a vet appointment. Simply taking your cat for a spin (even if it’s just around the neighborhood) can help them feel more comfortable in the car and their carrier, leading to a lot less protesting next time you visit the vet. 

Check Yourself

Does going to the vet stress you out? Your cat can probably tell! By keeping calm and talking to your cat in soft, reassuring words with gentle petting, your cat won’t absorb your stress and will likely remain calm throughout the visit. Have questions? Your highly experienced cat veterinarian already knows the proper method of soothing and handling your feline friend, so follow their lead and your kitty will stay calm cool and collected on their next visit. 

Are you still struggling to get your cat to the vet? Do you have other tips that help make the process easier? We want to know! Once you visit our practice, you are sure to find that the knowledgeable and caring staff at The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill have years of experience in making anxious felines feel completely at ease!

Schools are starting to let out and it’s about to officially be summer vacation. You’ve got your swimsuit, sunscreen, and beach reads packed but wait! What about your furry friends? If you’re not staying with a friend or at a pet-friendly hotel, bringing your cat on vacation probably isn’t an option. While leaving your cat home alone might be tempting, we highly advise against it.

Why Can’t I Leave My Cat Home Alone?

We get this question all the time. Your cat is so self-sufficient. They basically ignore you all day when you are home, so what does it matter if you leave them alone for a few days?

Emergencies

The last thing you want to think about is a disaster in your home while you’re on vacation, but it’s an important possibility to consider – especially when there is a pet at home. In the event of a fire, power outage, or other natural disaster, you want to be sure that your pet is safely evacuated and cared for in your absence.

Stress

You may think your pet doesn’t notice you when you’re there, but they actually do! When you leave for a long period of time – even just a long weekend – your pets notice your absence and the change in routine can be incredibly stressful! If you can’t be with your pet, the comfort of a friend, neighbor, or pet sitter will help keep your pet company and make your vacation less stressful for them.

Destruction

Pets make messes. When left unsupervised, no toilet paper roll, shoe, or piece of furniture is safe from their mischief. Leaving your cat alone for an entire vacation gives them a lot of time to scratch, chew, and attempt to destroy the contents of your home.

What Should I Do with My Cat when I Go On Vacation?

We hope that by now you’ve decided leaving your cat home alone for vacation is a bad idea, but what should you do instead? If you’re going on a short trip, or are having someone else watch your house, asking a friend or neighbor to look after your cat is a great option. For longer trips or if you don’t have anybody available, professional pet sitters and boarding lodges are excellent ways to ensure your kitty is cared for while you’re gone.

Need a recommendation? Want to check that your pet is in tip top shape before your summer vacay? The The Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill is here to help! Contact us by calling (856) 662-2662 and set up an appointment today! Our caring doctors are eager to meet you and your pet.