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The Curious Case of the Cat in the Shower

Every time anyone enters the bathroom at our house, it’s cause for a big fuss. That’s because no matter what somebody’s doing in there, our cat Cole must have a part of it. If he hears someone in the bathroom, he rushes in (if the door’s open) and starts getting very vocal. Cole isn’t the most vocal of cats, but he’s not the least either. He chirps for attention, and if there’s a bird he can see out in the yard, the whole house knows it. But even when there’s prey he can see just beyond his reach, Cole is … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Contagious Cautions

Not all boarding facilities are equipped to handle guests (feline or otherwise) with health issues. Because we’re owned by and attached to a veterinarian’s office, the staff at the cats-only boarding facility is trained to do some unusual things. We administer oral medications (pills and liquids), topical medications (like creams applied to the inside of the ear), injections (like insulin for diabetic kitties), and even subcutaneous fluids (for guests who are dehydrated). But sometimes, we get a guest with a serious health issue that could possibly be contagious to other guests. We work very hard to ensure that the ill … Continue reading →

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Kittymas!

I celebrated my two year anniversary at the cats-only boarding facility just two weeks ago. The time has definitely flown by! My anniversary comes right in the middle of our busiest season: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. We had nearly fifty guests for Turkey Day, and are expecting just over fifty guests for Christmas! That’s still a low number, compared to the sixty-five we had my very first holiday season at the boarding facility. But what a way to learn the job! I had plenty of coworkers around for questions and help, and plenty of cats to work with — … Continue reading →

Grooming: Drying Your Pet

My dog Moose is in need of a bath. He’s the kind of dog who needs a bath every few months to keep dander down and coat grease-free. He’s generally good in the bath; I’m not worried about the bath itself. What I’m worried about is the aftermath: drying off. While the temperatures outside are above freezing at the moment, it’s still cold enough that I don’t want to take him out to potty when he’s wet. And it tends to take him a few hours to air-dry. The way I see it, I’ve got two options: Bathe him at … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: My Personal Best

I did something today that I’d never done before at the cats-only boarding facility. It was a feat of Olympian proportions: I bathed four cats. Not all at the same time, mind you — that would be a recipe for disaster for sure. We’re approaching full capacity at the boarding facility this weekend; as I type this, we have forty-eight guests. (Between Christmas and New Year’s, we hit sixty-five guests.) So it’s not surprising that we have many guests who have signed up for extras — special treats or grooming services. Generally, we try to schedule a bath for at … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: The Test

Some days really test your coping skills. Today was one of those days at the cats-only boarding facility. Let me say right off the bat that I have some pretty awesome coworkers. The gal I worked with today did a HUGE share of the work while I dealt with one surprise after another. The worst surprise was the first one… but it really set the tone for the entire shift. The cat who was in the playroom overnight must have gotten spooked or upset or just plain sick — this morning, the room was full of poop. And when I … Continue reading →

Make Bathing Easy: Prep First!

When it’s my turn to do baths at the cats-only boarding facility, the right preparation makes the work a lot easier. Before I even think about fetching a cat into the grooming room, I make sure I’ve set up the hand-held sprayer, towels, shampoo, nail clippers, and blow dryer. You can do the same thing at home to make grooming much easier! What might you need for bathing a pet? Brushes or combs — you can remove a lot of loose hair before the bath with a quick brushing. Tangles and mats can tighten as they dry, so it’s better … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Smelly Cat

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If you were a fan of Friends, you may remember Phoebe’s song called “Smelly Cat”. The lyrics went something like this: Smelly cat, smelly cat… what are they feeding you? Smelly cat, smelly ca-at, it’s not your fault! And hoo boy, did we have some smelly cats at the cats-only boarding facility over the Memorial Day weekend! But just like there are lots of different personalities in our guests, there are lots of different smells. Some cats have food that smells awful. We have one guest (who I adore) who eats the grossest-looking and smelling food. I swear, it looks … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Snapshots

Okay, I’ve been talking a lot lately about being injured in the line of duty at the cats only boarding facility. But I don’t want you to think that it’s all biting and scratching… or that I don’t enjoy my work there. So I thought I’d share a few of my recent favorite moments from the boarding facility. Brothers Will Be Brothers… We have two male cats from the same family (though not related by blood, just by adoption) at the B&B right now. The first time the boys were in the playroom together, I witnessed this interaction: the grey … Continue reading →

Diary of a Cat Care B&B: Accidental Injuries

There are some cats who leave an impression on your heart. Other cats leave an impression on you physically! In my work at the cats only boarding facility, I’ve met both types. For right now, I want to talk about the latter. One thing I’ve noticed is how very unpredictable cats are — especially when compared to dogs. I’ve lived with dogs for years. I’ve learned their little vocal cues and body language. Cats? Not so much. There are some who give warning with a hiss or a growl, and some who act out with very little (if any) warning … Continue reading →