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Why is my cat unclean?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we will give you some useful tips. The first thing to do is to take your cat to the vet to rule out possible illness-related causes (cystitis, blockage of the urinary tract, etc.).

It is a myth that cats react uncleanly out of protest.

If your velvet paw refuses to go to the litter tray, there may be various reasons for its behaviour. A puddle on the floor or a major mishap on the carpet is annoying. It’s a myth that cats will mess out of protest. They use their urine to mark their territory in nature and in this way make it known that they are in heat. No cat pees or does its big business just for fun or even in protest within the living space. Please never scold your cat too quickly. There are reasons why your cat is behaving like this. Scolding can trigger additional stress in the cat, which in turn can lead to increased uncleanliness.

 

Possible reasons why the cat is behaving uncleanly:

 

  • Health problems
    Firstly, the vet must rule out possible illness-related causes. A bladder infection or blockage of the urinary tract can lead to unclean behaviour and must be treated as soon as possible.
  • Territory marking
    One reason for the uncleanliness may be that your cat is marking its territory.
    Normally cats only mark their territory in the wild. If other animals enter their territory (home), your cat will see the need to defend its territory. It is not uncommon for strange cats to enter unnoticed through the cat flap and dispute your cat’s living space.
  • Stress
    Cats are creatures of habit and hate any kind of change. Stress can be triggered by moving house, renovations, new furniture or a new flatmate (human or animal). Loud noises such as construction noise or loud music can also be a stress factor. Spend a lot of time with your tiger, give it attention and lots of cuddles to help it relax. More on this soon in Recognising and avoiding stress in cats.
White litter tray in the bathroom - Design - pet.interiors

A quiet place for the litter tray is important.

Cat toilet

There are several reasons why the litter tray can lead to uncleanliness.

  • Lack of cleanliness can be one reason why the cat reacts uncleanly. To prevent the litter tray from smelling unpleasant, it should be cleaned daily. Your velvet paw’s nose will also be pleased with a weekly deep clean.
  • The wrong cat litter is being used. The choice of cat litter is huge and the pet market offers a wide range of varieties. I will take up this topic in one of my next posts.
  • The litter tray is too small. The cat has grown or become older and now has too little space to move around in. Some cats don’t like closed toilets. Offer it an additional open toilet (bowl).
  • It is too restless on the toilet. Your cat loves to be left alone when you defecate. Children playing, other pets, a spinning washing machine, draughts or frightening objects, such as a hoover, can disturb the toilet and make the cat react uncleanly.
  • The cat has to share the toilet with others. In principle, there should be one more toilet in the household than there are cats. Cats are very reluctant to share their toilet with other animals.
  • The location of the toilet is unsuitable. If the toilet is next to the food, the cat will be reluctant to use the toilet. Draughts, loud noises or frightening objects also make cats reluctant to defecate in the toilet.

Here you will find tips for the right litter tray.

If the cat is healthy and all disturbing factors have been eliminated, the cat’s uncleanliness should be a thing of the past.

 

White litter tray in the bathroom - Design - pet.interiors

Once all disruptive factors have been removed, the cat will use the toilet again.

Why is my cat unclean?

Why is my cat unclean?

by | Mar 11, 2024 | ,

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we give you useful tips. The first port of call should definitely be the vet, …

What is the best cat litter?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

The choice of cat litter is huge. Mineral cat litter, silica litter, litter made from plant fibres, fine or coarse-grained, with or without fragrance, recyclable and the list goes on. The best cat litter is always the one that is accepted by your cat without reservation. The most expensive cat litter is useless if the cat becomes unclean and no longer uses the litter tray.

It’s not easy to make the right choice, so I’ve put together a short overview of all the important facts here. Thank goodness our Gisela is quite uncomplicated. First of all, we gave her a mineral cat litter, which worked immediately. It clumps very well and the litter very rarely needs to be changed completely. We made sure that it was unscented. Perfume additives can be perceived as pleasant by us human noses, but whether the cat sees it that way is questionable.

Poopoopeedo | Design-Cat-Toilet | pet.interiors

Poopoopeedo is a large, practical and beautiful litter tray.

The mineral cat litter is very popular as a classic clumping litter. The litter is available in different grain sizes, different compositions and with or without fragrances. The urine is well bound (liquid and odour) and the clumps can be easily removed from the litter tray. The mineral litter is very economical and lasts a long time, as only the clumps need to be removed from the toilet. It is therefore also quite inexpensive to buy. Anyone who has to do the shopping on foot or by bike will find the heavy weight of the litter a major disadvantage. It is also not the most environmentally friendly option. Mineral litter is not biodegradable and its clay components are extracted in open-cast mines. Pouring the litter into the toilet also creates a lot of dust, which can be harmful to health.

Compared to mineral cat litter, silica litter is much lighter. This is an advantage when buying, as the light crumbs tend to stick to the cat’s paws and spread around the home, which is a disadvantage.
Unpleasant odours bind quite well without the addition of fragrances. Another advantage is that the silicate litter creates less dust when the toilet is filled.
Unfortunately, the silicate litter does not clump, but the litter absorbs the cat’s urine, the heavier pellets settle at the bottom of the toilet and remain there until the entire litter is replaced. The silicate litter is also noisy when buried. If you are a light sleeper, this can be a problem at night in small flats. Another disadvantage is the higher price.

There are many different versions, from wood or plant fibres to corn kernels and paper litter. The advantages are all pretty much the same. They clump well, making the litter tray easy to clean. Even without fragrances, they absorb odours well, are light in weight and do not create dust. They are made from renewable raw materials and can be disposed of in the organic waste bin. Here too, the disadvantage is that the lighter weight means that the litter will be spread around the home by the cat’s paws. In addition, litter made from recycled paper may contain glue or printing ink and chemical additives.

How can I avoid cat litter crumbling?

Whether and how much cat litter is scrapped out of the toilet can have many causes:

  • Check the fill level in the litter tray. Too little litter can be the cause, as can too much litter.
  • A litter tray mat can catch a lot of litter.
  • If the cat has diarrhoea or a bladder infection, this can lead to excessive scratching when going to the toilet.
  • A large litter tray with a bonnet keeps the litter inside
  • The cat litter is too light, perhaps a change of litter will help

However, please do not experiment too much and too hectically one after the other. Cats are creatures of habit and need time to get used to new things.

You can find more information on choosing the right litter tray here.

Tips if your cat reacts uncleanly.
Why is my cat unclean?

Why is my cat unclean?

by | Mar 11, 2024 | ,

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we give you useful tips. The first port of call should definitely be the vet, …

What does the cat’s hump mean?

Mar 11, 2024 | Cats, General

Pet cat hump - Design - pet.interiors

The cat hump is used to stretch extensively after a nap.

Cats communicate in their very own way and the cat hump is part of their body language. What is our cat trying to tell us? To be able to interpret the cat hump correctly, it is important to pay attention to the cat’s overall posture. Are their ears and hair erect or laid back? Is the cat moving or is it standing stock-still? We have observed the cat’s hump together with the rest of its body language and here are our findings.

 

This nap was good for you
After a relaxing nap, the cat likes to stretch and hunch over. The legs are stretched thoroughly and a long stretch brings them back to reality from the realm of dreams.

 

Leave me alone
If the cat is afraid or feels threatened, it reacts immediately with its cat hump and uses this as a magnifying trick. The enemy should immediately recognise that it has an opponent ready to fight. If the hair is raised and properly fluffed up, the ears laid back, the claws extended and the legs stretched out, the cat’s hump is a single threatening gesture. If it then runs sideways to make itself look even bigger, there is only one correct reaction to its behaviour: To leave the cat alone at all costs. If the cat encounters a dog in this way, it is smarter to confront the dog than to trigger the dog’s hunting instinct by fleeing.

 

I am ready to mate
Cats that are ready to mate combine the cat hump with a steeply raised tail and a wiggling rump. They release small amounts of scent to mark their territory. The young male cat supplements this behaviour with howling to signal his willingness to mate to the female cats in the vicinity.

 

I have pain
A cat’s hump can also have health reasons. If you notice a continuous hump in your cat or tomcat for several days, there may be health reasons for this. Perhaps your tiger has been injured in a fight, has an inflammation or a deformation of the spine, as is also the case in humans. If you notice any of these signs, please consult a vet straight away.

 

Play with me
Does your kitten do a few funny jumps combined with running sideways and a cat hump? If there are no threatening gestures such as extending its claws, raising its hair and hissing, it is an invitation to play.

 

More cuddles please
Does your cat hump you when you stroke it?
Then it wants more attention and enjoys being cuddled. It strokes your legs with its hump, purrs and nudges your hand to signal that it wants more and is happy.

 

There are many variants of the cat hump and only one of them is really a threat. The different types are easy to interpret and, with a little practice, easy to decipher.

Why is my cat unclean?

Why is my cat unclean?

by | Mar 11, 2024 | ,

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we give you useful tips. The first port of call should definitely be the vet, …

Home-baked dog biscuit with quark and egg

Feb 29, 2024 | Dogs, General, Recipes

Today I felt like baking some dog treats again. Our 2-legged family members are not always convinced of my baking skills. But the dog is happy about a homemade dog biscuit. Quark, egg, oat flakes, spelled flour and peanut oil are always in the house for today’s recipe. Instead of peanut oil you can also use pumpkin or olive oil. Sunflower oil is not good for dogs. The better the quality of the ingredients, the better for your pet.

This recipe can also be downloaded at the bottom of the page.

 

Every dog loves homemade dog biscuits.

 

Ingredients:

  • 150 g Quark
    Quark is a great addition to the dog’s diet. Quark is rich in proteins that dogs can process well and digest easily. The lactose content is quite low, but it contains lactic acid bacteria but hardly any milk sugar. Most dogs tolerate quark very well. If your four-legged friend tends to be overweight, choose the lean version so that the dog biscuit won’t hit your hips.
  • 1 Egg
    Eggs provide the dog with important nutrients. They are rich in protein and fat and are characterized by a high proportion of essential fat and amino acids. Amino acids can support the dog’s metabolism, promote the regeneration of muscle tissue and stimulate cell formation. The fatty acids it contains give the fur a healthy shine. The cholesterol and lecithin contained in the egg yolk are required for cell formation. Chicken eggs should only be served to the dog boiled or, as in this case, baked in dog biscuits.
  • 200 g Wholemeal spelt flour
    Spelled consists predominantly of carbohydrates in the form of starch. It has a high proportion of protein and a lot of B vitamins. Potassium and magnesium are also included, as are the trace elements iron and phosphorus. Because it has a high level of resistance, it can be grown with almost no pesticides and insecticides and is therefore contaminated with few environmental toxins.
  • 100 g Oat Flakes
    Oats are particularly easy to digest and digestible. The special fiber stimulates intestinal activity with sufficient fluid intake. Compared to other common grains, oats have the highest content of potassium and magnesium, B group vitamins, iron, manganese, phosphorus, zinc and copper. It also contains protein that is easy for your dog to digest.
  • 50 ml Sesame Oil
    With all oils, you should ensure that they are cold pressed and not refined. Of course, organic products are better suited to supplement your diet. Sesame oil is not always on the radar for dog nutrition. It is very well tolerated because it is a vegetable oil. It has a positive effect on blood lipid levels. It has a high Omega 6 content, so it should only be used sparingly. If you don’t have sesame oil in the house, replace it with olive, pumpkin, rapeseed or linseed oil.

 

Preparation:

  1. Work all the ingredients into a smooth dough.
  2. Separate a small part of the dough and shape into a roll.
  3. Cut off small slices and place on a baking tray.
  4. Bake at 180°C for approx. 20 mins.

 

Important: The biscuits must be stored in an airy place so that they don’t go mouldy!

The finished dog biscuits

Recipe

Recipe download

Which plants are poisonous to cats

Feb 29, 2024 | Cats, General

Rote Kurzhaar-Katze in hochgewachsener Kräuterwiese

It is important to know what plants are poisonous to cats in order to provide them with a cosy and safe home. In our article, we have listed in detail which plants in the home can be dangerous for house pets and which are harmless. You can download these lists at the end of the article.

 

There are many plants that are safe for kitties and some that are a real joy for cats. You might think that Mother Nature has arranged it so that animals automatically recognise which plants are poisonous for cats and which are not. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. It is safer not to rely on your pet knowing what is good or bad for them. Only put up cat-safe greenery decorations. Outdoor cats are better at recognising plant dangers, but here too, safety first!

 

These are toxic plants for cats:

There are a large number of poisonous houseplants. To keep our kitten safe, it is worth going through all the plants and sorting out those that are poisonous to our tiger. You can give them to your parents or friends the next time you visit, provided they don’t have any four-legged friends. There are different opinions about orchids. As there is an incredible variety of orchids, they have not yet been reliably analysed. We do not recommend orchids as houseplants in a cat household.

poisonous plants

Download - List of poisonous Plants

Which cut flowers are poisonous for my cat?

In principle, all cut flowers, unless they come from your own garden, are not good for our velvet paws. Cut flowers are usually heavily sprayed with pesticides and, even if they are not dangerous themselves, they are secondarily poisonous for the house cat. The most dangerous cut flower is the lily. Everything about it is poisonous, even the pollen. Tulips can cause stomach and intestinal irritation and trigger stomach cramps. The daffodil (yellow narcissus) is a popular herald of spring. Like the snowdrop, this cut flower also triggers convulsions, cardiac arrhythmia and colic in our cats. Make absolutely sure that your house cat cannot drink water from the vases. This is also poisonous in most cases.

 

How do I recognise whether my cat has been poisoned?

If these typical symptoms occur in your pet, it is very important to react quickly and consult a vet immediately. In the worst case, poisoning with plants can be fatal.

 

The symptoms of plant poisoning are

  • Diarrhoea and/or vomiting
  • Breathing problems
  • Cramps and colic
  • signs of paralysis
  • Difficulties in coordination
  • extreme salivation
  • increasing weakness

 

Which plants are suitable for my pet tiger?

There are a variety of suitable and non-toxic plants for cats for the garden, balcony and indoor areas. Please look out for toxic fertilisers and ask whether the plants have been treated with chemicals when you buy them.

Suitable plants

Download - List of suitable plants for cats

 

Healthy nibbling fun for cats

The easiest way is to buy ready-grown cat grass from a pet shop or DIY store. Please make sure that it has not been fertilised or treated with pesticides. You can also simply buy wheat, barley and/or oat seed from an organic market. In a sheltered, bright and warm place, you can let the seeds sprout with a little soil and water. This way you have grown a healthy snack for your cat yourself.

A great overview of suitable and unsuitable plants can be found at www.botanikus.de

Why is my cat unclean?

Why is my cat unclean?

by | Mar 11, 2024 | ,

Is your cat messy and no longer using the litter tray? This behaviour can have various causes and in this article we give you useful tips. The first port of call should definitely be the vet, …

Which plants are poisonous to dogs

Feb 28, 2024 | Dogs, General

puppy with lily of the valley - pet.interiors

Puppies explore their environment with their mouths and are particularly prone to chewing a plant that is poisonous to them.

Many dog owners are not aware of how many plants in our immediate vicinity are poisonous to dogs. A large number of plants in our living space, in the garden and in the wild pose a medium to high risk of poisoning for our pets. The health risk can be very high, especially for puppies who explore their environment with their mouths and teeth. With our article we will inform you about plants that are poisonous to dogs, the most common symptoms of poisoning and emergency measures in the event of plant poisoning.

 

How can dogs ingest poisonous plants?

  • the dog chews up a poisonous plant (flowers, stem and/or root) and absorbs the poison through the oral mucosa
  • the dog swallows poisonous plant parts
  • the dog has skin contact with the plant poison, e.g. the contact poison of the meadow hogweed, aconite
  • the dog inhales poisonous pollen, which is rare

 

Information for puppy owners

When a puppy moves in, all plants must be scrutinised. Due to their curiosity and tendency to explore new things with their mouths, all houseplants within reach of the young dog must be checked for their safety. Please do not take any risks and remove all plants that are poisonous to dogs from your living area.

You can find out how to stop your puppy from chewing on objects here.

 

Plants poisonous to dogs

We have compiled a list of plants that are poisonous to dogs. The list includes house and garden plants that are poisonous to your four-legged friend. We cannot guarantee that the list is complete. In particular, new varieties are constantly coming onto the market that may be poisonous to your pet. If you are unsure whether a plant is poisonous to dogs or not, it is better to remove it and not take any risks.

Download list of poisonous plants

Download - List of poisonous plants for dogs

 

A note on mushrooms

The effect of mushrooms on dogs has not yet been sufficiently researched and is therefore generally not permitted for dogs. What is considered digestible for humans is not necessarily true for dogs. This is shown by the example of chocolate. The active ingredient theobromine contained in chocolate can cause severe poisoning in dogs. As a precaution, remove all mushrooms from your garden.

 

The dog has poisoned itself

If you see your dog chewing on a poisonous plant, take it away immediately. Offer him a better alternative, a treat, sausage or, if necessary, a steak to swap the “prey”. Telephone your vet immediately to discuss whether you can take emergency measures, such as giving him charcoal tablets. Take the remaining plant parts with you to the vet. They will help you to identify the poison and the countermeasures to be taken immediately.

 

Symptoms of plant poisoning

  • Apathy shortness of breath
  • Severe and/or bloody diarrhoea
  • Blood in the urine
  • vomiting with or without blood
  • profuse salivation
  • cramps
  • tremors
  • coordination problems, staggering, falling down
  • Pale or blue discoloured oral mucosa
  • Palpitations, cardiac arrhythmia, increased heart rate
  • Shock symptoms
  • Fainting

 

Transport to the veterinarian

Contact the vet first. Make sure that the practice is open. If your dog is able to walk itself, you should leave it alone. If the effects of the toxins weaken the dog’s circulation and cause the body temperature to drop, keep the animal warm with a blanket. If your dog has convulsions, you must transport it in such a way that it cannot injure itself. If you have no means of transport to the vet and the dog is in danger of dying, call the fire brigade (emergency number 112) and ask for help.

 

Important information for the vet

The vet needs to know which poisonous plant your dog has ingested. Bring a sample of the poisonous plant with you, if available. It is also important to know when the plant was ingested. What symptoms and behavioural abnormalities does your dog show and how much of the poisonous plant did your dog ingest?

 

Switzerland, Zurich: Tox Info Suiss
Poison control centre: +41 44 25 15 151
Telephone: +41 44 25 16 666
E-mail: Info [AT] toxi [DOT] ch
Web: toxinfo.ch