Sphynx Health & Information from Autumn-Argus Farm is a collection of relevant articles providing you valuable information on Sphynx health, maintenance, informative ideas, years of breeder experience and other pertinent information. We have selected articles from experts in veterinary medicine, Sphynx breeding and others from around the world. Please do send us your favorite articles to share and we will include them here in our Sphynx Health & Information.
Obviously, we show Sphynx and have found certain foods, practices and therapies that work for us and allow us to present the best possible cats and kittens. Therefore, we have our own opinions and tend to express them here and are always willing to discuss them at any time. Some of these articles are reprinted with permission and as such are duly noted. Now grab your favorite beverage, relax, learn and enjoy!
Please note that not everyone agrees on the same thing, including what foods, medicines, frequencies and a whole plethora of topics. We highly recommend that you listen to your breeder and consult your pet's veterinarian for specific advice for which you are unsure.
Is It Okay to Spoil Your Cat and Pamper Your Pooch?
by Dr. Larry Siegler, DVM
Veterinarian, Only Natural Pet Store, LLC
One of the questions I always ask of new clients that come to see me is "Where does Fido/Fluffy sleep?" I typically ask this amongst a variety of other more health related questions about diet, supplements, exercise, etc. so the client is caught a bit off guard. I smile to myself when almost all of them sheepishly answer "In my bed with me." Many new clients are hesitant at first to tell me how pampered their companions truly are, but once they get to know me, they begin to almost boast about it. I encourage the practice of "spoiling" companion animals – "healthy spoiling" that is.
Do you have an entire closet dedicated to cat or dog toys? Do you spend so much time at dog parks that it has become a major part of your social life? Do your friends raise their eyebrows when you mention that you have to pick your cat up at the groomer's? Do you hide the receipts for your companion's food before your mother comes over? Your Mother may not approve, but your veterinarian will! Play, exercise, proper grooming and top quality food are all good for any animal's health and well-being. And believe it or not, you are in good company. "Spoiling" our animal companions has risen to new heights in recent years.
So what is healthy and what is … well, going overboard? If it's good for the cat or dog, and doesn't bust your budget or cause you stress, it's probably healthy. If you find yourself annoyed by behaviors that have been encouraged by spoiling – like begging, then it's probably not healthy.
One client recently confessed she spent over $600 installing a cat enclosure so her cats could go outside safely. Is this overboard? Well, that depends on what you can afford. For many cat lovers, a one time expense of this sort is an easy decision when they know they are improving their cats' long term mental and physical well being by giving them access to fresh air and playful romps in the yard. Fresh air helps prevent respiratory illness and outdoor time gives cats hours of pleasure in watching the comings and goings of the birds, squirrels, and neighborhood dogs.
Many people spend up to $200 per month (or more) on doggy daycare. Not too long ago there was typically one household member (usually Mom) home with the dog most of the day. Our society has changed and there are more single people with dogs and couples in which both members of the household work. That leaves the dog home alone – bored, lonely and with too little exercise – a perfect setup for "mischief." Doggy daycare is not only healthy for the dog, it relieves all that heavy guilt from leaving your friend behind every day, so it's good for you, too!
When it comes to treats for our dogs and cats we have a thousand different ways to spoil our companions. There are gourmet treats, hypoallergenic treats, designer health treats with herbs or joint support supplements added and, of course, cookbooks for home-made treats. I love feeding my "clients" treats. I keep biscuits handy for dogs and freeze-dried meats for the cats. I also recommend healthy leftovers from your own meals as treats or even part of the diet.
Healthy leftovers include lean meats or fish for both dogs and cats. In addition, dogs may enjoy steamed veggies, tofu, tempe and fruit. Many cats love cantaloupe. (Onions, grapes, raisins and chocolate are to be avoided.) Healthy leftovers are different from "table scraps" which usually include the fat trimmed from meat, poultry skin and the potatoes with gravy left on someone's plate. Give them healthy, nutritious leftovers – not fatty scraps or lots of carbohydrates. Obesity is one of the worst problems our animal companions face. It is our responsibility to help our pets stay fit and healthy. When you give lots of treats or leftovers, cut back on their regular meal to compensate for the added calories. And to avoid the begging behavior, never feed your cat or dog from your plate or from the table. Wait until the meal is over and the dishes are done, then put the leftovers in your companion's own dish for them to enjoy.
So go ahead – indulge your friend. A new leash, a fancy bowl, a cushy bed (for when he's not sharing yours), gourmet treats – whatever fits your budget and makes you both happy! And if your Mom sees the receipt, tell her a veterinarian recommended it!
© 2005 Only Natural Pet Store, LLC
Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission
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Kittens are cute, cuddly balls of fun, and they grow into cats that can be wonderful companions for years to come. However, kittens can also scratch your furniture, dig in your plants, climb your curtains, and insist on playing all night when you want to sleep! Before you bring home a new kitten, make sure you are prepared for the responsibilities and lifestyle changes this charming little creature will bring into your life. Careful consideration now can help prevent frustration and an unhappy ending later. Before you bring home a new kitten, ask yourself the following questions: Do I have enough time for a kitten? Do I have the patience to have a kitten? … Will my home be safe from a kitten? … If it is not appropriate for you, then ask about adopting one of our juvenile or adult Sphynx. We can assist you in the best choice for your home. In identifying the role of taurine, it was found that in cats, taurine is indispensable for the formation of biliary salts that are essential to the digestion of fats in the small intestine. Contrary to other species, the cat cannot use any other amino acid for this function. Therefore, the cat requires a dietary intake of taurine. Autumn-Argus Farm knows the importance of raising our kittens with taurine, only found in meat, as part of their diet. We therefore are proud to specifically recommend Royal Canin to all feline guardians!
Our animal companions are natural hunters and carnivores; just look at their ancestry. The cat on your lap is a true or "obligate" carnivore (meat only diet) and is specially designed by nature to hunt small rodents and birds. Her digestive tract is intended to assimilate raw meat best. Raw food diets have been shown to help the body deal with many common ailments such as flea infestations, hot spots, continual shedding, poor dental & gum health, allergies, gastro-intestinal problems, immune disorders and degenerative diseases.
Diet is the foundation of health. The fresher the diet, the more nutrients are available for the animal's system to utilize in building immunity, healing from illness and warding off disease. Autumn-Argus Farm Sphynx are raised with a diet that includes raw ground chuck, served at room temperature, every day in addition to dry food. You should continue this diet at home and reap the benefits of serving your cat raw meat. It's only natural! Bringing home a new cat or kitten is always exciting. You cannot wait to introduce the new addition to your family and friends; and you are already looking forward to years of happy companionship. The way you introduce your new cat to your household can make a big difference in how well he makes the adjustment.
Kittens have a tremendous amount of energy and curiosity. They love to climb into small spaces, jump up onto high shelves, and play with new objects. They run, and leap, and pounce on anything that moves. Because of this normal, instinctive behavior, the average home may contain many hazards for a kitten. This is especially true with Sphynx. These cats do not just lounge around. You will find many hours of enjoyment with these cats. They are very animated and are loaded with jump, fun, curiosity and a ton of play! Try having them follow a laser pointer (being careful not to shine it in their little eyes or it may harm them) and you will find the funniest moves known to the feline community! However, there are a number of items that can cause your pet harm. The following list will help you keep your kitten safe. Many of the following warnings apply for adult cats as well. |
Over the years, we have found that there are many, many, misconceptions about the immunity that kittens derive from their mothers. When a kitten is born, her immune system is not fully developed. Therefore, on her own, this animal would be completely susceptible to almost any infectious condition. If a serious disease were encountered, the animal would probably die. Fortunately, this is not the case, as Mother Nature has devised a method to provide newborn animals with protection: colostrum, the first milk. The kittens have arrived, have nursed, and are now sleeping with the queen. She will curve her body around them and look very content as they nurse and sleep. The queen should be allowed easy access to food, water, and a litter box. Place everything she needs close by, but out of reach of the kittens. Monitor that she is eating, drinking, and using the litter box. While it's true that most cats will instinctively use a litter box from the time they are young kittens, some basic knowledge about cats and litter boxes can help prevent problems from starting in the first place. And, as we all know, it's much easier to prevent a problem than to deal with it after it's started! Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination in cats of all ages. Stressors such as moving, changes in routine, or changes in the makeup of the family can result in inappropriate elimination. Reducing these stressors or decreasing their impact on the household will benefit your cat (and probably you, too!). However, there are others causes that may required medical attention. Most guardians have never been told the truth about vaccinations. On the contrary, you are likely to get annual notices from your veterinarian that your companion is "due for their annual booster shots". The evidence against vaccinating, however, is overwhelming. Most veterinarians just choose to ignore the research because they don't want to lose the income from giving booster shots to all those animals each year. Ringworm is a well known fungus that can infect cats, dogs, and humans. Many people have either had or known someone that has had a ringworm infection. There are several different forms of the fungus, all of which can infect either you or your pet. The diagnosis and treatment is fairly straightforward for all species, however, some species of ringworm in cats can be much more difficult. Every pet owner should be aware of the symptoms, transmission, and treatment of ringworm.  |
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