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Mentor Interview: Dr. Steffen Stacey Runquist, DVM, Talks about the Special Needs of Indoor Cats
Purina® Cat Chow® brand Cat Food Mentor Dr. Steffen Stacey Runquist, DVM, earned her doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Kansas State University. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Feline Practitioners, and Southeastern Michigan Veterinary Medical Association. As lead mentor on the Purina® Cat Chow® WAY OF LIFE® Experience, Dr. Runquist travels across the country educating cat enthusiasts on how to care for their cats' physical, emotional, and nutritional health during each life stage. Below, she talks about the special needs and nutritional requirements of indoor cats. |
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Purina® Cat Chow® brand Cat Food (PCC): What are the advantages of the indoor cat's lifestyle?
Dr. Steffen Runquist (SR): There are many advantages for indoor cats. They certainly are not exposed to the elements, or to predators outside, and they're also at reduced risk for diseases like the feline leukemia virus [FeLV] and the Feline AIDS virus [FIV]; and as such, they can lead long, healthy lives.
I think that, because indoor cats spend so much time with their owners, they have better, stronger relationships with members of their human family and are more in tune with their owners than cats that may spend time outside.
PCC: If a cat is always indoors, does she need to be vaccinated?
SR: She absolutely does. There are two vaccines that indoor cats should always receive. One is for the viruses that make up the feline distemper vaccine, and the other one is for rabies — because these two diseases can have such an impact on an indoor cat's health. And it's important that every cat owner talk to their veterinarian about what is best for his or her cat based on age, life style, and of course, general health status. I also like to tell cat owners that vaccines are important, but just as important is that yearly check-up because it allows you to have your cat's general health assessed.
PCC: Do indoor cats need extra stimulation through playtime and games?
SR: I do think it's a great idea to set aside an extra 10-15 minutes every single day to play with your indoor cat. That is just to make sure that you're stimulating those natural instincts that they may not otherwise be able to use. I encourage playing and stalking games like fishing games, chasing toys, or feathers, just to keep them active.
This will create a strong bonding time for you and your cat and also helps prevent boredom and stress and keeps them active as well. Another great way to keep your cat stimulated is with food puzzles.
PCC: What do you mean by "food puzzles"?
SR: Food puzzles are available at pet stores and they're either small little toys you can put dry food in and your cat plays with them so the food will come out one piece at a time; or they are puzzles that can sit on the ground that have different compartments you can put food in, which the cats really have to work for. This occupies some of their time, keeps their minds stimulated, and mimics that hunting instinct.
PCC: For those of us with indoor kittens, do you have any tips for kitten-proofing the home?
SR: When you first start out, I think it's important to keep your kitten in a smaller area. A new home can be stressful and overwhelming, and it also gives you a chance to look at what your kitten's mischief habits are going to be.
When you start to incorporate your kitten into the household, try to look at things on her level. Put breakables or dangerous items out of the way. Lock up anything that's hazardous. For kittens that are climbers, I often recommend pulling up curtains from floor level so they're not up on top of those. And try to wrap up window treatment cords or electrical cords because those are often just too tempting for a little kitten.
PCC: As they grow up, do indoor cats have any special emotional needs?
SR: In my opinion, they certainly do. Indoor cats are more in an environment that's unchanging, and, while it's stable, it just tends to be the same from day to day. Oftentimes, too, they're in areas that may be too cramped for them, just like for us. So a one-bedroom apartment that's too small for us is going to be too small for them as well.
It's really important that we have an environment that is stimulating to them emotionally. Cats think of their space kind of three-dimensionally, more so than we do, so you can always build up to make more room for your cat even if you're in a small space. Things like kitty condos or scratching posts that have perches that are higher or a shelf on a wall that's reserved for your cat, or a window perch are ways to give them more area that can keep them stimulated and kind of give them that penthouse space that they want.
Indoor cats, especially those that may be the only cat in the household, rely on us for their social needs. Because of this, it is important we give them attention whenever they ask for it to be sure they are emotionally fulfilled.
PCC: Do indoor cats have any specific physical needs or hurdles?
SR: They do. Obesity is certainly one of the biggest problems and we see more and more cats that are overweight. This can pre-dispose them to diabetes, joint problems and also fatty liver disease, so being sure that they stay a healthy weight is really a priority. We also have indoor cats that tend to shed year-round and because of that they groom often, which can pre-dispose them to hairballs.
PCC: Can nutrition help indoor cats with their physical and emotional well-being?
SR: Good nutrition is an important step in keeping your cat physically and emotionally healthy. Indoor cats may groom more and because of this may have frequent hairballs. Hairballs can certainly cause discomfort in your cat and we're lucky that we can help control hairballs through diet. Natural fiber in the diet can help hair pass through your cats system; helping your cat avoid the discomfort associated with hairballs. Good nutrition can also help your cat maintain a healthy weight and lean muscle mass.
PCC: Speaking of eating, I've observed some indoor cats eat houseplants. What's that about?
SR: There are many different theories as to why cats chew on plants and grass. Some people think that cats will chew on greens because they have hairballs that they want to help pass. Some people think that it may be to help settle an upset stomach. But for some cats it may just be that they like the taste of it.
If you have a cat at home that is a plant chewer, you can certainly grow cat grass or catnip, both safe alternatives. And it's important that, if you do have a plant chewer, you keep all your houseplants out of reach because some can be toxic and some can even be deadly.
PCC: Why do cats scratch the carpet and the furniture? How can this be prevented?
SR: Even in the best-behaved cats, it's a natural instinct. Scratching has a number of functions for cats. Part of it is to stretch their muscles and it feels good. Part of it is to sharpen their claws and help shed that outer layer around their nails. And then it also leaves behind a visual mark for cats and a scent that tells other cats that they were there. So the best thing that you can do is present your cat a good alternative where they're allowed to scratch.
I recommend a good sturdy scratching post tall enough they can really stretch out on. That's important. You also want to make sure that it's in an area where your cat spends a lot of time, like a living room or a kitchen, and preferably near that furniture they're already scratching so they're sure to use it.
And a couple of things with the scratching post: You want to look at the surfaces of it. It needs to be something that can shred and something that your cat is going to like, because cats have preferences like we do. And for your furniture your cat is scratching, try to make it less attractive. Putting double-sided tape or bubble wrap there will feel funny on your cat's paws. She won't want to go back and scratch it. Or, on a light-colored couch, you can put baby powder and when she puts her paws up there, the dust will come out and tickle her nose.
PCC: Do you have cats of your own, and would you like to tell our readers about them?
SR: I have three cats of my own. Grinder, Monkey Man and Nada and they're certainly all individuals. Grinder is kind of our boss of the house. He's kind of a big bully who's my husband's cat and adores him. Nada is my cat. He was the first cat we ever got and he's a little spacey, not our smartest guy, but very fun and very affectionate. And then Monkey Man is our scaredy-cat. He's the one that people don't actually believe we have because he's always hiding when they come over.
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| It is a myth that cats like to sneak into the nursery, lie on the baby's chest and suck their breath. Most cats shy away from babies as their noise and activity levels are unpredictable. It is recommended to keep cats out of the nursery. |
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