Comfort Zone
When you have to be away from your cat, stick one of your dirty T-shirts at the foot of your bed to help her sleep. Your scent will make her feel secure.
Even though you pride yourself on keeping your cat indoors, you still need to practice some precautions in the event your cat suddenly finds herself outside. Try as you may, you can’t always prepare for that back door left partially opened by a visiting friend, a loose window screen, or your cat wiggling out of your arms as you step out of your car from a veterinary visit.
It gives you the most sinking feeling to know that your pampered indoor cat is alone, frightened, confused, and hungry somewhere outdoors. According to recent statistics compiled by the Humane Society of the United States, only two of every one hundred cats plucked from the streets who end up in shelters are safely returned to their owners. The prime reason: Most cats found in the streets are not wearing tags.
That’s why it is important to keep a collar with identification tags on your cat at all times (except for grooming and bath time). Make sure that the collar fits snugly, that it’s neither too tight nor too loose. If you can easily slide just one or two of your fingers under the collar, that’s a good fit. Remember that your cat keeps growing, so periodically check the collar’s fit. You may need to go up a size.
etting an ID tag these days is as easy as buying cat food. That’s because many pet supermarket stores offer do-it-yourself ID tag-making machines that are easy to operate, inexpensive, and quick. In a few minutes, you can put the pertinent information on a tag of the color, size, and shape of your choice. Veterinary clinics and pet mail-order catalogs also offer a variety of ID tags.
Now, if you own a cat who stubbornly refuses to wear a collar and tag, or you want added insurance, a smart option is to make an appointment with your vet to get a tattoo for your cat’s ear. Your cat should be at least 6 months old before getting a tattoo. This unique alpha-numeric code is etched inside your cat’s ear where hair won’t obscure its presence.
You can also ask your veterinarian to surgically implant a microchip under your cat’s skin. About the size of a grain of rice, the microchip is usually implanted between the shoulder blades. Don’t worry — it doesn’t go so deep as to enter the muscle, and it is made of a material that won’t irritate even the most sensitive cats. Many animal shelters — in growing numbers — are equipped with special detection wands so that they can check for identification of rescued cats not wearing collars and tags.