Digital Babysitters: iPad Apps for Cats

Need to engage your cat? There's an app for that. The same technology that has revolutionized music, information dissemination, and socialization has even begun to cause change in the way modern pet owners entertain their felines. Gone are the days when a simple ball of string can occupy a cat for hours*. In this digital age, it's all about the tablet games.

Most of the games available today consist of some sort of digital mouse or dot darting across the screen to engage the cat's hunting instincts and encourage them to swat at the marker. According to a New York Times Article about apps for cats, the most popular apps to date are Game for Cats, Cat Game, App for Cats, and Cat Toy. Each of these apps are also available on smartphones, but the smaller size makes them significantly less interesting for kitties.

The Game for Cats home screen. Both the dot and the mouse dart around the screen and cats paw at it to "select" a level.

Whether your finnicky feline will engage with any of these games is difficult to predict, but they will undoubtedly be fascinated by the sounds, colors, and movements featured in each for at least a short period of time. Anecdotal evidence suggests that some cats are truly entertained by iPads, but this seems unlikely for those who spend much of their day hunting live prey in the backyard.
One of the potential issues here is practicality with the tablet. Unless you can afford to buy your cat its own, it may be a bit risky to allow it to swat around your personal one. My cat, for one, is not allowed near my smartphone or laptop as she has been known to scratch and bite both of them. It looks like the only way to truly see if these apps are worth downloading is to try them out at home.

Check out this youtube video of a group of cats playing with an iPad. Pretty adorable!

* Just kidding. They love that stuff!

Glow-In-The-Dark Kitties To The Rescue!

What sounds like science fiction has become a reality thanks to a new genetic engineering technique employed by scientific researchers at the U.S. Mayo Clinic. While 5-year-olds across the country may be hoping the technology will be used to breed kittens available to the average consumer, their creation has not been for novelty purposes, as amusing as the image of a neon cat may be.  

Although the modified cats appear to be normal in regular light, they glow under UV lights.

The glow-in-the-dark felines have been lab-bred as part of a medical study about HIV and AIDS. By modifying their DNA with two linked genes - one that fights off Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and one that promotes fluorescence - scientists can track whether the technique has worked by simply looking to see if they glow. The creation of the glowing protein in their tissues indicates that the virus-resistant gene has taken effect as well. Because the glowing cats gave birth to glowing kittens, it is possible that protection against viral invasion can be passed through generations. 

According to an article from Daily Mail UK, "the research will speed up the search for vaccines and treatments against HIV, the Aids virus that has claimed more than 30 million lives around the world".

 FIV and HIV are similar in that they both attack the body's immune system and reduce protection against infection and disease. The primary source of spreading the virus is biting, so it is important to be aware of the health history of neighborhood cats or to keep your kitty indoors. Although the research findings of the study prove its significance, whether genetic manipulation of animals is ethical is highly debated. Even if their existence provides valuable insight into the future of AIDS prevention, is it humane to force them to live their life out in laboratories? Both sides of the argument have solid support and will potentially continue to battle one another for years to come.  

Is animal testing ethical?

Cat Lost at JFK Still Missing After Two-Week Search

LOST KITTY:

LAST SEEN IN AMERICAN AIRLINES CARGO AREA

            Have you seen this cat? He is an 18-pound orange tabby named Jack whose story sounds like a case for Ace Ventura. Nicknamed "the feline fugitive," Jack has been freely roaming New York's John F. Kennedy Airport since his mysterious departure from his carrier crate 14 days ago. Although his method of escape has yet to be determined (or publicly released), the confirmed facts are as follows: On August 25th, Jack was checked into American Airlines flight 177 from JFK to San Francisco as cargo. Half an hour before the flight's scheduled departure, owner Karen Pascoe was alerted of his disappearance. Two weeks and countless news reports later, Jack is still missing in spite of airport-wide search efforts including humane traps and detective canines.


            While Jack and Karen's story serves as a sad reminder that flying with cats is a less-than-desirable experience, some simple tips can increase the likelihood of success and reduce travel-related stress. First and foremost, research airline pet policies to find flights that best suit your needs. Many airlines allow cats to stay under your seat if housed by a carrier approved for in-cabin travel. Fill the carrier with familiar toys and blankets and set it up as a sleeping spot at least one month prior to departure to give kitty enough time to get used to its feel. Cats are much less likely to escape a favorite hideaway than a foreign box when under stress. If possible, book off-peak flights at smaller airports to avoid large crowds and chaos, and be sure to keep your cat's health and identifying information with you at all times.

            In the event that your cat does go missing, look for them in dark, quiet, and out-of-reach places away from loud noises and traffic. Even a bustling airport can be the perfect setting to adhere to general pet search tips. Last but not least, speak up! Jack's facebook page has gained over 13,000 likes and made national headlines. Pressure from Ms. Pascoe, cat fans, and the media have driven American Airlines to step up their search efforts and issue public updates. With the airline under scrutiny and the story circulating around the country, Jack is much more likely to be found than if Ms. Pascoe kept her complaints at bay. She is my cat momma hero!

"Brush Up" on Feline Dental Disease

             While many of us are quick to spot symptoms of illness in our furry friends, we often exhibit little concern when it comes to dental care. Who knew cats could get cavities? According to an article in The Washington Post, about 70% of cats over the age of two have some form of dental disease. A study by Banfield Pet Hospitals, the world's largest general vet practice, yielded similar results: dental disease was the most common ailment found amongst the 450,000 cats treated in 2010. These statistics can sound daunting but the recommended precautions are simple: have your vet check kitty's teeth at his biannual physical, and get her teeth cleaned once a year. Less costly preventative measures include sticking to dry food (it scrapes teeth and sticks less than wet food) and good ole' fashioned brushing. This can be a challenge for owners of finnicky felines, but a gentle introduction and follow-up treats can trick almost any cat into getting his chompers scrubbed. Here is a link to a great tutorial video from the American Veterinary Medical Association:

 How to Brush Your Pet's Teeth

If only it were this easy!

            The implications of dental disease range from sore gums and tooth decay to heart attacks and kidney disease if infection spreads. Yikes! While living with a toothless cat will certainly decrease your likelihood of receiving fang-induced puncture wounds, dental disease and tooth removal is extremely painful and stressful for cats, not to mention expensive. Regardless of your regimen, keep a lookout for telltale signs of dental disease like bad breath, red gums, and drooling. Make a veterinary appointment immediately if any of these symptoms appear since they are likely to progress rapidly. I hope I haven't scared you, fellow cat lovers! As long as you keep on eye on things and follow the recommended steps, your kitty's smile will last a lifetime.

ASPCA Poll Reveals Pet Owner Evacuation Plans

              Those of us with "fur kids" know the gut-wrenching feeling of experiencing an emergency involving our pets: the guilt after leaving them for long periods of time, the concern when they feel sad, and of course, the panic that ensues when they disappear (a cat parent's worst nightmare!) While we may be more or less prepared for basic predicaments, what do we do when an all-out catastrophe calls for a widespread evacuation? Well, according to a new poll released by the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, most of us just wouldn't go! The poll's findings, detailed in The Washington Post and on FoxNews.com, reveal that 42% of cat or dog owners would not evacuate without their pets, 39% would leave them behind, and 19% aren't sure. While it is wonderful to see statistics proving the strength of human-animal bonds, both parents and pets can benefit from pre-disaster planning.

An ASPCA emergency pet shelter for Hurricane Irene victims.

              As cat owners, it is important to be prepared for emergencies beyond the daily stressors we expect (my gadget-loving kitty steals and hides various trinkets on a daily basis, for example). Be sure to invest in a carrier crate and keep it stashed with a blanket and some plastic containers of food and litter in case you ever have to just throw kitty in there and hit the road! Also, keep tags and collars on AT ALL TIMES - I can not stress this enough as cats are prone to slipping away at extremely inconvenient times and will only stop fussing with their collars if they wear them consistently enough to get used to its sensation. Last but not least, consider microchipping, a procedure that securely places identifying information beneath the skin. This way, if all else fails, your kitty friend will come straight back to you as soon as he or she is scanned at a local shelter. I am personally grateful for the microchip I have invested in considering how often I find my cat's collar stuck on a neighbor's tree branch or chewed and frayed to the point of disintegration. More tips for prepping your pets for peril can be found on the ASCPA website's "Disaster Preparedness" page.

An X-ray of a cat with a microchip implant.

Carriers such as this one can increase kitty's safety.