8 minute read
CAT HEALTH
FEBRUARY NATIONAL CAT HEALTH MONTH
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It’s a great time to celebrate our cats and let them know how much we love and appreciate them. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to ask ourselves if we are meeting all of their needs. Cats are unique and often we misunderstand them and fail to create an environment that meets their needs. We provide for their basic needs but are we providing for enrichment and play. Enrichment means improving or enhancing the living environment of our pets for greater health, longevity and quality of life.
One way to enrich their lives is to safely explore the type dispenser and also a few smaller ones designed to dispense outside together. Screened-in porches or cat enclosures treats or dry food when played with. It encourages slower eating are popular. A less expensive option is a pet tent. It is and simulates hunting for his food. easily set up and provides some contact with the outdoors. Ideal I also use a DIY feeding game for letting your cat be with you when you’re outside. My ultimate using little mice and other small favorite is a pet stroller. Some cats can be trained to walk with a prey and small plastic containers. harness and a leash adding exercise along with the joy of being I put two or three treats or dry outside. food in the container and top it Another way to enhance their lives is by providing opportunities I hide these in a variety of places for play and predatory behavior. Cats are natural hunters and throughout the house for him to in the great outdoors without human caretakers would spend a hunt and catch. great deal of their time hunting for food. For cats, play is more than just having fun. It helps them satisfy their basic predatory It’s also very important to include interactive playtimes with your instincts. Kittens are naturally playful yet engaging adult cats in cat in your daily schedule. Short regular play sessions are best. meaningful play can be challenging. Play that mimics predatory Interactive toys such as wand-type toys with feathers whizzing behaviors exercises the mind and body helping to reduce through the air or mice moving erratically on the floor resemble boredom and obesity. the prey cats innately hunt are great toys for these play sessions. Play with your food! small animals. These play sessions provide positive times to bond with your furry feline. Parenting a pet is often compared with parenting children. There is one importance difference though. We usually tell children to “stop playing with your Enjoy and have fun with your furry feline. Remember cats food” whereas with our furry feline crave attention and love children it’s a good idea to encourage them to play with their food. There is a category from their humans. Celebrate called foraging toys which includes food this month with additional puzzles and treat dispensers which help satisfy a cat’s natural instinct to search for food. Last year I switched my cat to a healthy doses of cuddling, snuggling and togetherness. mostly wet food diet supplemented with some dry food. I use a maze or tower with a mouse or feathered prey. Battery or remote controlled toys simulate the movement of
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Two Ways To Get Balanced And Prepared For The Year Ahead By Jamie Lee
Do you want to feel balanced and peaceful in the new year? Then take a lesson from pets – practice stretching and synchronized (Buddy) breathing. Not only will you be happier, but you will also be developing a deeper relationship with your pet. If you wonder what pets know about stretching and breathing, consider this - most pets wake up and immediately take a deep breath, a long stretch, or a vigorous shake, and there are several good reasons to follow their lead.
ENHANCE POSTURE & BODY
ALIGNMENT Increasing your range of motion reduces stress and muscle soreness. You’ll feel more supple and peaceful, plus you’ll look better and be protected from many common injuries.
BOOST YOUR ENERGY LEVELS
You’ve probably noticed that even small body movements can help you wake up when you start to drift off during a boring meeting. A long stretch is an ideal way to increase the energy flow throughout your body.
REDUCE FEAR, WORRY, ANXIETY
Synchronized breathing can decrease stress and give you inner peace. It can help you focus and deal with daily conflicts and issues.
ENHANCE MENTAL FOCUS
Stretching and Synchronized Breathing can increase oxygen to the brain, enhancing focus and concentration.
Preparing for the day can begin before you even get out of bed.
SEIZE THE DAY-STRETCH
While you’re still in bed, reach your arms over your head and stretch out as far as you can. (Be careful not to disturb your pet) Make sure you breathe deeply. Repeat this stretch as many times as you like.
If you forget to stretch in the morning, don’t worry. Stretching and breathing happen all day long. If you sit at a desk most of the day, set reminders on your phone to make sure that you stand up occasionally and take slow, deep breaths, then twist side to side from the waist. Sit back down and wiggle your toes and roll your head from side to side. Small stretches throughout the day will keep you feeling flexible and focused and give you the energy to engage with your pet when you get home.
A great activity to engage in with your pet is Synchronized Breathing or Buddy Breathing.
BUDDY BREATHING
Find a quiet and comfortable place to sit with your pet. Begin to breathe deeply and slowly while stroking your pet and gazing into their eyes. Your pet’s breathing will begin to synchronize with yours.
Buddy Breathing Benefits
LOWERS STRESS ➠ Deep breathing helps lower heart rate, regulate blood pressure, and helps you to relax, all of which help decrease how much of the stress hormone cortisol is released into your body – less cortisol, less stress.
DEEPENS BONDS ➠ When you gaze into your pet’s eyes, your brain releases oxytocin, the feel-good hormone. Oxytocin promotes happiness and calmness, and it’s a great way to strengthen the bond you share and say, “I love you.”
Follow the examples of the real Zen Masters, our pets. Shake off the fear, anxiety, and depression from 2020 and walk boldly and confidently into the new year.
Jamie Lee is a life-long animal lover, author and speaker, with over 18 years of Reiki experience. She is an Animal Reiki Teacher of Excellence in the Let Animals Lead ® method of Animal Reiki, and a member of the Shelter Animal Reiki Association. She lives with her two rescue pups, Bella and Oscar, two parakeets, and a desert tortoise. https://animal-bonds.com
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