Sometimes, however, they get into something incredibly sticky or stinky, and they need some help. But bathing a cat, if you’re not careful, can be a nightmare of claws and teeth! Discover some professional cat bathing tips, and learn how to safely give your kitty a bath so they always stay affectionate, clean, happy and healthy.

Cat Bathing Tips: Time it Right

The first and most important cat bathing tips involve timing. Make sure you get the bath done when the cat is mellowed out. When they’re laying down for their daily nap is an outstanding time.

Snip and Clip!

Make sure your kitty’s claws have been freshly trimmed. This will limit the number of scratches you suffer in the process of bathing them.

Brush Them out

Give them a good once-over with their favorite pet brush to get matting out and remove loose fur (there might be a lot of it). It’ll help to keep the drain clear. Also, consider putting some cotton in their ears to keep water out.

Give Them Traction

Stability is important to cats. Place a rubber mat in the sink or bathtub so their paws don’t slip around. This will help to keep them calm(er) in the tub.

Water Considerations

Use just 3 to 4 inches of lukewarm water. Don’t use hot water; your kitty is very sensitive to this! Using a handheld spray hose like you would for dishes is a good bet to wet them down. Don’t spray into their ears, nose or eyes. If you don’t have a hose, use a plastic cup or pitcher.

Shampoo to Use

Get a good cat shampoo — human cleaners can dry out their skin and cause problems. Mix it one part shampoo to five parts water, and work from head to tail, with the hair growth. Avoid their face and ears.

When finished, thoroughly rinse them with your pitcher or hose. Make sure they’re completely rinsed out. After this, use a washcloth and plain water to wipe down their face. If it’s extra sticky or grimy, use a solution of shampoo that’s extra-diluted shampoo. Again, be careful around the eyes and ears, and rinse well.

Drying

Wrap your kitty in a large, fluffy towel and keep them in a warm place while you pat them dry. If they’re okay with the noise, a low-setting blow drier can work, but otherwise just pat dry. Also, be sure to run a brush or wide-tooth comb through their hair.

Praise Them

Pets need affection, attention and approval. Give them lots of praise and tell them how good they did. It may make them more amenable to future baths.

Pet Van Lines

Pet Van Lines has years of experience taking care of all kinds of pets, moving them from home to home. If you need help getting your kitty to their new forever home, give us a call for help today!

The post Cat Bathing Tips: How to Give Your Kitty a Bath! appeared first on Pet Van Lines.

If a senior cat is allowed unlimited access to food and its owner does not look for ways to get them active, then the cat is at risk for serious health complications. These include obesity, diabetes, asthma, osteoarthritis, cardiovascular disease and more. To prevent these diseases while improving your cat’s mental and physical health, you will need to determine activities that can help your cat get motivated to move. Dusting off your old VHS copy of Richard Simmons’ “Sweatin’ to the Oldies” won’t work, either. Your activities must fit your kitty’s personal interests and abilities.

While driving cross-country with older cats is part of our pet transportation service, we have heard a few great ideas from our clients on how to give Mr./Ms. Whiskers the time of their life in their golden years without overdoing it. Here are four of the best tips we have heard:

1. Coordinate Your Exercise Regimen With Your Vet

The first step is to ensure your senior cat care plan takes into account your cat’s unique health situation, including their pressing needs as well as their current limitations. During your cat’s next exam, ask the vet to note any conditions that may be helped or hindered by extra movement. For instance, your cat may need to walk around more, but inflammation in the hips may mean that their days of leaping three feet in the air are over.

Get recommendations from your vet, and pay close attention to activities they say you should somehow curb or avoid altogether. Also, since treats are a great motivator for extra movement, see if your vet can recommend a healthier treat or a limit on daily snacking to guide your cat’s get-fit routine.

2. Provide Perches, Ledges, and Trees Accessible to the Elderly

Your senior kitty will not feel motivated to move about the house if your floor, couch, and chairs are literally the only places for them to explore. Instead, ensure that they have high-up perches for observing both you and the outdoors, and make sure these perches can be reached without excess jumping or acrobatics.

For instance, move a side table and chair next to a window ledge where your cat can observe nature outside. Give them a cat tree for overseeing the living room, but add extra steps so that they can easily reach the top. Just a little bit of movement throughout the day is preferable to bursts of energy followed by day-long naps.

3. Make Them Work for Food and Treats

As your cat gets older, food may be their biggest motivator. Take advantage of this! Rather than simply plopping a treat in front of their amiable fuzzy faces, have them chase the treat across the floor or reach a certain point on their cat tree. You can also make DIY cat puzzles out of items normally destined for the recycling bin, turning munch-time into playtime.

As for their regular food, see if you can adjust its location and have the cat go just a little further to reach it. The last thing you want is for kitty to go on a hunger strike because they can’t find their bowl, but if they have to go a few more feet for some kibble, the extra movement adds up.

4. Find Toys They Like

Pet owners are often guilty of buying pet toys they like, but keeping senior cats engaged means discovering toys that drive their inner predator. Some cats prefer to chase things like ribbons, belts and fabric. Others love nothing more than tearing into some feathers, making wands a perfect toy. Still, others enjoy chasing after toy mice, or even battery-powered critters that skitter across the floor.

Be patient when playing, and try to think of ways to make your toy more like prey. For instance, with a cloth belt, you can slowly pull it out of view around a corner. Even the most grizzled kitty cannot resist pouncing at the last moment before the belt wiggles out of their sight.

Use a Pet Transit Service When Moving

Moving to a new home in their senior years places a huge amount of stress on cats. You can make the move easier on them by using a specialised cat moving service. Pet Van Lines’ vehicles and friendly staff transport your kitty in comfort while attending to their every need. Playtime is part of the gig, too, ensuring your grizzled kitty’s cross country trek is enjoyable every mile of the way.

See some of our happy customers and take the time to discover ways to make life easier and more active for your fuzzy friend as they move into their golden years.

The post How to Help Your Senior Cat Get More Exercise appeared first on Pet Van Lines.

1. Puzzle Box

This kitty cat puzzle box is both entertaining and stimulating for your feline friend. Create a fun puzzle for your kitties that harnesses their natural hunting instincts. Sit back and watch the show unfold, or leave it as an engaging activity while you’re away from home.

2. Hardy Feathered Wand

Cats go ga-ga over those wand toys with the strings and feather boas attached to one end, but they never seem to stand the test of teeth. Sometimes within a week or even a day, your furry pal has destroyed your pricey pet store toy. Try this resilient version of a feathered boa wand toy if you’re willing to get a little more crafty.

3. Box o’ Tubes n’ Treats

You don’t need much more than a tissue box and toilet paper tubes to make this little activity box. This is another of the DIY cat toys that serves as both a learning exercise and a fun activity for your best friend. It’s easy to make and provides you and your kitty with more enjoyment than you’d expect.

4. Cardboard Wheel

A homemade cardboard wheel is another great toy that only takes a few minutes of your time to make and only requires a toilet paper tube and scissors. Who knew your kitties would get such a kick out of all the toilet paper tubes you normally throw out?

5. Cute Cat House

We’re always buying cute, comfy-looking beds and toys for our cats, only to have them be more interested in the packaging or boxing than the item itself. Next time you get hold of a good-size box, try making your own cat house out of it. Take some notes from the creator of this cute cardboard house, and be on your way to creating your own cat mansion.

6. Cardboard Scratch Pad

Why pay for something that you can make an even better version of at home? Cat scratchers from the store are often just composed of basic cardboard. Follow these simple instructions to make your very own personalized kitty scratch pad.

7. Cardboard Scratching Post

Scratching posts from the store are even more expensive than the pads. Take a look at this ingenious cat scratching post that you can make at home all by yourself! Not only does making your kitty’s toys at home save you money, it also allows you to personalize their supplies and bond with your feline friend in the process. They may not be the best helpers, but they sure do try.

8. Catnip Pillow

What kind of cat lovers would we be if we didn’t incorporate catnip into one of our DIY cat toys? This adorable catnip pillow is possible for those who have never even picked up a sewing needle. Give it a try, and your kitty will love you for it.

We love cats here at Pet Van Lines, and we’re here for you if you’re planning on relocating with your crazy kitty. Whether it’s down the street or across the country, our cat moving experts will make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible on both you and your companion. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

The post 8 DIY Cat Toys You Can Make Today appeared first on Pet Van Lines.