Friday, August 1, 2008

IS ALCOHOL BAD FOR YOUR CAT?

You know your cat has a drinking problem when he won't drink out of his water bowl unless there's an olive in it! Actually, cats who are party animals generally prefer beer, and beer swilling among cats may be so prevalent -- although rarely discussed -- that for many years, there's been a law on the books in Natchez, Mississippi, forbidding cats from drinking beer!

"There's evidence that some animals have the urge to be intoxicated. Humans are not the only ones," says Dr. Mike Richards, formerly the head of AOL's Pet Care Forum and now co-owner of Mathews Veterinary Services in Cobbs Creek, Virginia.

"I always thought if animals had access to alcohol, there would be a lot more problems than there are," says Richards.

Still, you don't find many cats going to the Betty Ford clinic for treatment -- although they might need it. Alcohol is harder on cats than it is on dogs or people. Felines are not good at breaking alcohol down, and even a moderate dose may start a cat vomiting; more could cause them to collapse or go into a coma.

So, if your cat starts begging for some beer, treat her like an underage drinker, tell her she's acting like a mad catter, and that the bar is closed.

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A LOVING "PEOPLE" CAT OR KITTEN


The age of that kitty in the window is very important. Some pet stores put kittens out to sell at around 7-8 weeks because they're smaller and cuter then. But if you want what arrives on little cat's feet to grow up to be a friendly healthy cat, your kitten should remain with her mother until she's close to 3 months old.

Still, she should be around people when young. The critical socialization period for kittens is between two to five weeks of age, at which time it's important that they have positive human interaction.

Of course it isn't just those three weeks that matter. Kittens handled from birth develop into warmer, cuddlier, almost dog-like creatures, while kittens lacking this human contact are more likely to become skittish and aloof.