Cats Archives - Page 4 of 4 - Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill

Five Hypoallergenic Cat Breeds

04.16.15

Are you saddened by your cat or pet allergy? Wipe away your tears! There is a possibility that you can adopt a cat and still avoid red, puffy eyes.

If you want to get technical, 100% hypoallergenic cats do not exist, or research studies have not fully proven it yet. However, there are many breeds that produce fewer allergies than others. We suggest scheduling a play date with a hypoallergenic cat before making a commitment, in case your allergies are severe.

(Helpful fact: Cats produce pet dander, which is an allergen, but the major culprit that accounts for 10% of allergies is most likely a protein called “Fel d1”, which is found in cat saliva.)

Without further ado, here are five cat breeds that people with allergies should consider adopting!

1. Siberian. These majestic creatures hail from Russia. Their gorgeous fur coats make a statement! The Siberian cat is an ancient breed that is believed to be ancestral to all modern long-haired cats. Studies have shown that Siberian cats produce less Fel d1 than other breeds, which is good news for allergic people.

2. Siamese. The Siamese cat is a popular breed that is native to Thailand. They are recognized by their blue, almond-shaped eyes, large ears, a triangular-shaped head, and a thin, sleek body. These cats are intelligent, affectionate, and very social.

3. Balinese. The Balinese originated as a natural mutation of the Siamese breed. These cats are known for their startling sapphire-blue eyes, and Siamese-style point coloration. They are considered to be the most intelligent of the long-haired breeds. The Balinese is another breed that produces low amounts of Fel d1 protein allergy.

4. Bengal. The Bengal cat came about from selective breeding to imitate the felines of the jungle, such as the leopard and ocelot. They are known for their large spots and rosette patterns on their fur. Their taxonomic name is “Asian leopard cat.” These cats may look wild, but they are actually very gentle creatures.

5. Burmese. The Burmese breed originated in Southeast Asia, and later developed in the United States. In 1930, a cat from Burma was bred with an American Siamese, creating the Burmese cat. Both American and British breeders developed two different breed standards that contrast mostly in head and body shape. Both varieties are known for their playful temperaments and vocalization.

And that’s not all! There are many more hypoallergenic cats that give hope to the allergy-plagued world.

Check back for more information about cat breeds and cat facts. And if your own feline friend is in need of medical services or a check-up, you know who to call…the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill! One of our passionate doctors would be glad to lend your pal a hand.

Call us at (856) 662-2662 or see where we’re located and stop in!

On The Rise: Cat Cafés

03.19.15

Photo Credit: Sarah Poe

Are you a cat lover, but not a cat owner? Perhaps your landlord won’t let you keep a cat, despite your pleadings. Or maybe your spouse or roommate has a cat allergy. What a miserable life that must be!

So, how can you get your cuddle fix?

Consider visiting a “cat café.” What is a “cat café”, you ask? Exactly what the name implies! To put it simply, it’s a café with a bunch of friendly cats milling about. You can watch and play with these cats as you sip hot, soothing beverages, for maximum relaxation.

Why is this such a marvelous idea? Aside from the obvious reasons– cats are cute, cuddly, and fun to play with– spending time with animals can be wonderfully therapeutic. Studies have shown that animals can help reduce stress levels and boost your mood. The physical act of petting can be healing, and playing with cats can be a great distraction from the stressors of life.

Placing these kinds of cafés in major cities is a wise idea as well. Many apartment tenants are unable to have pets of their own, and the only other option would be to volunteer at an animal shelter. This is a fantastic middle ground for cat lovers who don’t have the privilege of owning their own fluffy friends.

Who came up with this brilliant business endeavor? The first cat café, “Cat Flower Garden”, opened its doors in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998. The idea has traveled to Japan, Austria, Germany, Russia, Hungary, France, Italy, Spain, Canada and finally the United States!

The first American cat café, “Cat Town Café” opened last fall in Oakland, California, and they have made it their mission to use this café as an adoption agency, so if you make a connection with one of the cats, you may be able to take it home! There are a few other cat cafés in operation, such as:

“Planet Tails Cat Café” in Naples, FL
“Denver Cat Company” in Denver, CO
“The Cat Café” in San Diego, CA
“Purrington’s Cat Lounge” in Portland, OR

There are over 15 cat cafés projected to open over the next year or two. The USA is finally catching up! A woman in Washington, DC is trying to open up a cat café this summer, “Crumbs and Whiskers,” so we may have to make a trip out there just for that. Can we get one in Philadelphia, please? We would definitely endorse that project.

So, whether you’re a cat café entrepreneur, or simply a cat owner, your feline friend is going to need some medical assistance to keep it happily purring. That’s where we come in!

5 Reasons Cats Make the Perfect Pet

02.25.15

Well folks, this is our first blog post! If you’re wondering why we’ve just started blogging now, it simply feels like it’s the right time. With decades of experience as a cat vet in Cherry Hill, we have many cat tails to tell.

We’d like to provide our fellow cat lovers with feline-filled content. Here we will discuss what we’ve learned and experienced over the years at the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill. The goal is to just provide you with something informative yet fun. And what better way to kick off our blog than by professing our love for our feline friends?

Now, unless you suffer from cat allergies, there really is no excuse for not owning a cat. If you do own a cat then you’ll probably agree that the following are the top five reasons cats make for the perfect pet!

#1 Intelligence

Felines are known for their sharp intelligence. While comparing cats and dogs is like comparing apples and oranges, it’s safe to say that cats are super smart in their own right. They are able to hone mental and physical abilities through practice and are great learners of tricks when you take the time to teach them.

Also, a cat never forgets! Move over elephants, a cat’s memory is incredibly powerful. According to Animal Planet, “Once attained, even if by accident or trial and error, most knowledge is retained for life, thanks to the cat’s excellent memory.”

#2 Entertainment

It’s no secret that cats are some of the silliest creatures on this planet. Whether they’re playing with you, another feline friend or just by themselves, they are sure to bring the laughs! As fellow cat owners and expert cat doctors in Cherry Hill, we’ve seen cats do some funny things over the years.

#3 Low Maintenance

Cats are pretty easy to please, as well as easy to housebreak and clean up after. Who doesn’t love that?! Cats make for the perfect pet for neat freaks because you won’t have to deal with repetitive accidents.

Also, not having to walk cats is a bonus. During the rain or freezing cold winters, having to take a pet outside must get tiresome. Just make sure to maintain the litter box, provide food and water, and you will have a happy cat on your hands!

#4 Pest Control

With their supersensitive ears, cats have a knack for seeking out pests. They also have no qualms about eradicating these pests, if/when they get their paws on them! Think of it as nature’s pest control.

#5 Cuteness

Above all else, cats are incredibly cute creatures. Depending on what kind of cat you have, they can be extremely fluffy and make for a great cuddle buddy. Even if your cat isn’t the snuggling kind, they’re still an adorable companion.

Of course there are plenty more reasons why cats are so lovable and make for great pets. But for today, these five should do!

If you’re ever in need of the medical services of a cat doctor in Cherry Hill, look to the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill. We are cat fanatics and, more than anything, we love to help our local feline friends maintain their health and happiness.

For more information on our Cherry Hill cat clinic, please take a look around our site or give us a call at (856) 662-2662!