19 Cats and Counting Episode 116 Forever Stick

Do you have a diabetic cat, or one you suspect might have diabetes? It’s much more common that you might think. If fact, 3 times as many cats as dogs develop diabetes. Cats are so skilled at hiding signs of illness that the early stages of the disease can sometimes be hard to spot. Signs include increased thirst, increased hunger, and excessive urination. It is estimated that 1 in 500 cats will become diabetic at some point in their lifetime. The major contributing factor for cats developing diabetes is obesity. In this podcast with our resident veterinarian, Dr. Kelly Cairns, we’ll answer these common questions about Feline Diabetes, and more: 1. What are the signs of feline diabetes? 2. Is there a cure for feline diabetes? 3. Can feline diabetes be prevented? 4. Will I need to feed my cat a special diet? 5. Is this a condition that I can manage at home, or will my cat need to go to the vet for insulin injections? Don’t miss this potentially life-saving episode. EPISODE NOTES: Cats and Diabetes

Sometimes it’s hard to tell when a cat’s issue is a medical one verses a behavioral issue. Is your cat peeing outside of the box because she has a UTI? Or is it due to anxiety over the cats that hang around outside. Is your cat attacking because he doesn’t feel well or is in pain, or is it because he is feeling insecure? The awesome Dr. Rachel Geller is here to talk about Behavioral vs Medical issues, and how to tell the difference. Along with her is Daniel Fissel, an experienced and respected Vet Tech who will talk to use about medical issues that could be the catalyst for issues that later become behavioral. Vet Techs are our unsung heroes, yet they are often the first ones you talk to when explaining your cat’s issues. They work hand in hand with your vet to discover and treat those medical problems to help solve some of those behavioral challenges. EPISODE NOTES: Why is My Cat Being a Brat?

Dr. Kelly Cairns joins Rita and Linda to talk about cats and appetite. Some common questions we hear from cat parents, and we sometimes ask ourselves: Why is my cat hungry all the time? My cat seems hungry but refuses his food, why? Am I feeding my cat too much? Too litter? Is what I am feeding the best and right food for him? Dr. Kelly is here to talk about all that, what may cause a cat to not eat or to overeat, and when it’s time to take your cat to the vet to find out what’s going on. EPISODE NOTES: Why Is My Cat So Hungry?

Meet Jody Teiche, pet health expert and pet parent coach. Her unique holistic approach to pet issue ranging from nutrition to anxiety have helped calm both pets and pet parents alike. She is a Certified Pet Homeopathic Educator and her program, 3 Key Health Pillars Every Pet Parent Should Know (And Why They Lead to a Longer Life), is offered a couple of times a year. Jody focuses on nutrition, anxiety, increasing energy and vitality and giving senior animals a more vibrantly alive life. Join Rita and Linda as they talk with Jody about helping our pets live long, happy, healthy lives. EPISODE NOTES: Meet Jody Teiche

How would you like to buy one toy for your cats that never needs replacing? That you can store away neatly on its own hanger. That you can buy multiple different toys to dangle on the end, PLUS you can add a long lead to make it even more fun for your cats? Enter the Forever Stick at Repounce.com! Created by engineer and cat dad Anton Kreicbergs, this is the more durable and customizable cat toy on the market today. Anton was inspired by his own two cats, handsome Russian Blue brothers, Gorba and Tolstoy, Anton wanted to create a toy that was made to last and that would keep his cats interested. He also insisted upon using sustainable materials that are of the best quality. On top of all that, the handle of the toy is ergonomically designed for the comfort of we humans, too! Linda and Rita love Anton and the Forever Stick, and we know you will too! EPISODE NOTES: Forever Stick

Bryan Kortis was a Manhattan lawyer when he stumbled up some kittens who needed homes. After that experience, he then got involved with TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) and finding homes for animals on the street. Rescue became his passion, and he happy to be making changes happen. Today, this once Manhattan attorney is living in Maui (talk about change!) and has been helping to be reunite and/or rehome cats who were displaced during the Maui wildfires. Linda and Rita found Bryan and his new calling in life fascinating and think what he is doing a-meow-zing things! We think you’ll love Bryan as much as we do! EPISODE NOTES: Bryan Kortis – Saving Maui Fire Cats

Julie Bradford, Partner and Medical Director at Goodvets.com, is here to tell us about a new concept in vet care. Goodvets is an innovative network of animal hospitals that are each co-owned by the local vets who run them. In this structure, local vets get the autonomy they need to run their practices, yet they have the support of a team and the good name of Goodvets.com. Listen as Julie explains how this model works to benefit not only the veterinarians, but also benefits you and your pets, too! EPISODE NOTES: Goodvets

We all love our pets, and we’d do anything for them. But what happens when we can’t, or aren’t there to make sure they are well cared for? Some of us plan for our cats should we pass unexpectedly. But what happens when we are sick, temporarily unable to care for our pets, or wind up having a lengthy hospital stay. A timely topic in view of Rita’s current bout with Covid, what would have happened to her cats had she been hospitalized? Or worse? As prepared as Rita thought she was, there is a big hole in her plans. This is where PetPeaceofMind.org comes in. This wonderful non-profit organization is there to help. Keeping people and pets together when they can is their goal, offering to help find temporary placement for people who find themselves unable to care for the pets due to illness of their own. They also teach hospices how to provide pet care assistance for their patients with pets. Join Linda and Rita as they talk with President and Founder, Dianne McGill. EPISODE NOTES: Pet Peace of Mind

Dr. Kelly Cairns, VP of medical excellence for over 400 Thrive Pet Healthcare clinics, is back with Part Two of our Holiday Safety Tips for cats and dogs. With all the special foods, plants, presents, decoration, as well as people coming into your home, the holidays can be a dangerous time for our pets. How do we keep them safe? Tune is as we talk with Dr. Kelly about everything from Christmas Trees and Menorah’s to how to safely wrap our holiday gifts, so our cats (and dogs) won’t get hurt. We’ll also talk about what to look for in cat toys, so we give our cats enjoyable yet safe presents this holiday season. EPISODE NOTES: Holiday Décor and Cats

Your cat just chewed up one of your plants. Should you be worried? Is it poisonous? If she starts throwing up, should I take her to the vet? Before you panic, there is a place you can contact BEFORE you even head to the vet’s office with your pet: PetPoisonHelpline.com Manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the people at Pet Poison Helpline can tell you if you should be concerned, if you can treat your cat (or dog) at home, or if you need to go to your veterinarian. They’ll even tell you exactly what to tell you vet should it be determined that your cat needs to be seen. Dr. Renee Schimd is here to tell us all about this amazing service. (855) 764-7661 is the number you need to tack up on your fridge, especially for the holiday season when your cats (and dogs) may well eat something they shouldn’t! EPISODE NOTES: Pet Poison Helpline – Just in Time for the Holidays!