August 22 is Take Your Cat To The Vet Day! As a Certified Cat Friendly Practice, our team at West Loop Veterinary Care is committed to the health and well-being of our feline friends. We know that one of the most effective ways to make certain our cats are happy and healthy is to maintain a regular schedule of veterinary care for them. Although preventative care is important for both cats and dogs, it is especially important for cats. That’s because cats are so good at hiding illness and pain. A regular schedule of wellness visits can help detect any underlying health problems or other important changes in your cat’s condition. Take Your Cat To The Vet day is a good reminder to keep your cat on its wellness schedule.

Our team at West Loop Veterinary Care is often asked about cat behavior issues. One of the most common topics among our West Loop cat owners is feline scratching behavior. As a Certified Cat Friendly Practice, our West Loop Veterinary Care team has deep knowledge and insight into your cat’s behavior and what you can do to manage unwanted habits and create good ones.

Feline Scratching Behavior

Scratching is a normal part of your cat’s behavior. Cats scratch items in your home for a variety of reasons, including:

• To remove dead outer layers of their claws
• To mark their territory
• To stretch and flex their muscles
• To express excitement or happiness

Cat Declawing

In the past, many cats were declawed to prevent cats from causing damage to furnishings while they scratched. However, declawing is unnecessary and can cause significant harm to your cat including:

• Short- and long-term pain
• Hemorrhage
• Swelling
• Infection
• Nerve damage
• Behavioral issues

As a Cat Friendly Practice, West Loop Veterinary Care does not perform elective declaw surgery unless it is medically necessary. Instead, our team can work to provide guidance and insight to help you allow your cat to follow its natural behaviors without causing damage to your home.

 

Natural Feline Care Solutions:

 

Suitable scratchers

Provide your cat with suitable scratching options such as scratching posts and pads, cardboard boxes, and/or clean lumber or logs.

 

Cat Claw care

Regular nail trims can prevent injury or damage to household items. Some cat owners find it difficult to trim their cat’s nails. Our West Loop Veterinary Care team can provide nail trim service for your cat. As trained professionals with knowledge about cat care and stress-free visits, our team members can often trim your cat’s nails without inducing too much additional stress for your cat.

 

Synthetic nail caps

Temporary synthetic nail caps can be applied to your cat’s nails to prevent damage to your household and injury to people from cat scratches. These caps are glued over the nails. How long they last is dependent upon the cat and its lifestyle.

 

Environmental changes

Repeated scratching problems and behavior may be related to issues such as anxiety, stress, attention-seeking, or a change in perceived security within the cat’s environment. Here in Chicago’s West Loop, a new construction project or new sounds of the city can lead to stress and related unwanted behaviors for our cats. Our West Loop Veterinary Care team can help you identify potential causes and recommend solutions.

 

Pheromone sprays or diffusers

These products release an odorless copy of the pheromone that helps cats feel more comfortable and less stressed.

 

Our veterinarians and team members at West Loop Veterinary Care can provide guidance on addressing unwanted and problematic behaviors in a feline friendly manner. Give us a call at 312-421-2275 or book an appointment online to speak with a member of our team!