Monkey trying to catch the white arrow on the screen.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Bath Time
You will need:
Frequency depends on your cat; how greasy he gets. It may vary from once a week to once a month.
- baby shampoo (Johnson & Johnson)
- clean socks (to rub with soap)
- warm towels
Frequency depends on your cat; how greasy he gets. It may vary from once a week to once a month.
- Fill the sink up with warm water.
- Let your Sphynx cat feel the water so it has an idea of the temperature.
- Put on the socks on your both hands...then gently lift your cat, and slowly lower in the water.
- Wet your cat's body with water, adding soap on the wet socks...then rub.
- Avoid the eyes & the ears. If water goes into the ears, they can get infected.
- Rinse off the soap completely.
- Rest your cat down on a soft & warm towel.
- Reward him for his patience.
Friday, November 28, 2008
How To Clean Your Cat's Nail Sheath
Black gunk builds up under the nail sheath.
You will see gunk in 2 areas:
1. at the start of nail bed
2. under the skin fold
You can wipe it off with bath wipes or soft tissue wrapped around your finger. Q-tips don't really work well because the tips are too soft & round.
Be careful not to be too rough near the nail bed...if possible, go close to it without touching it.
To clean under the skin fold, hold the skin back with your one hand and clean with the other.
Once you clean them, it may last a week or more until the next cleaning.
You will see gunk in 2 areas:
1. at the start of nail bed
2. under the skin fold
You can wipe it off with bath wipes or soft tissue wrapped around your finger. Q-tips don't really work well because the tips are too soft & round.
Be careful not to be too rough near the nail bed...if possible, go close to it without touching it.
To clean under the skin fold, hold the skin back with your one hand and clean with the other.
Once you clean them, it may last a week or more until the next cleaning.
Trimming Your Cat's Claws
Monkey got his nails trimmed today. I knew they were getting too long because Monkey jumped on my back and made a hole in my shirt :(
You may use claw trimmers, but nail clippers for humans work fine.
Press the paws...the claws will extend out. Then cut only the claw and avoid the "quick," which is the pink part (shown above). Cutting the quick may result in bleeding & pain.
When using human nail clippers, position it vertically, which is perpendicular to the way we use it on our nails. This will minimize nail chipping.
You may use claw trimmers, but nail clippers for humans work fine.
Press the paws...the claws will extend out. Then cut only the claw and avoid the "quick," which is the pink part (shown above). Cutting the quick may result in bleeding & pain.
When using human nail clippers, position it vertically, which is perpendicular to the way we use it on our nails. This will minimize nail chipping.
Double Fun, Double Trouble
Sometimes I think "what if I had another one of these monsters?"
But then I realize, it may be double the fun, but also double the trouble!
Monkey's Favorite Spot
Monkey loves the warm heater.
All the heaters in the house are his favorite chillin'(ha!) spots.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Piggy Back Ride
Whenever my back becomes anything close to horizontal, Monkey sees it as an opportunity for a piggy back ride. Once he's on, he doesn't get off...unless I offer him a snack.
Arm Wrestling
Monkey wanted to arm wrestle...and we both thought it was fair for him to use both arms and I use one. It was a mistake...he beat me.
Hide-and-Seek
Monkey plays this game...
he alternates between hiding and showing himself, like a mix of hide & seek and staring contest. When I hide, he sticks his head out to see more of me...when I stick my head out, he hides.
he alternates between hiding and showing himself, like a mix of hide & seek and staring contest. When I hide, he sticks his head out to see more of me...when I stick my head out, he hides.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Neutering II
For a few days, I had to watch him closely.
After the surgery on the same day, all Monkey could have is water, ice cubes, and a little bit of food. Water for thirst, ice cubes to make his stomach feel better...the doctor said he may feel nauseous from stress and medication. Since he had no food the whole day, he would gobble down the food...so only small portions were allowed.
He had 2 incision marks...which hurt to see! There were no visible stitches, since the doctor used the absorbable ones.
The Elizabethan collar looked way too big for his small body. Monkey was bumping into things while carrying this big thing around his neck. I wanted to take it off for him but could not risk any complications as a result of him licking the surgery area. He had trouble going into the litterbox too. That's when I thought that it should come off. I decided to wait till the morning.
Monkey was looking better in the morning...more awake. He was even running around..just bumping into things. His wound seemed fine too. I decided to take the collar off. I went to work wishing he wouldn't irritate the wound.
When I came home, he greeted me like he usually does. I checked him, and everything was fine. All there was left was to wait for his skin to heal.
After the surgery on the same day, all Monkey could have is water, ice cubes, and a little bit of food. Water for thirst, ice cubes to make his stomach feel better...the doctor said he may feel nauseous from stress and medication. Since he had no food the whole day, he would gobble down the food...so only small portions were allowed.
He had 2 incision marks...which hurt to see! There were no visible stitches, since the doctor used the absorbable ones.
The Elizabethan collar looked way too big for his small body. Monkey was bumping into things while carrying this big thing around his neck. I wanted to take it off for him but could not risk any complications as a result of him licking the surgery area. He had trouble going into the litterbox too. That's when I thought that it should come off. I decided to wait till the morning.
Monkey was looking better in the morning...more awake. He was even running around..just bumping into things. His wound seemed fine too. I decided to take the collar off. I went to work wishing he wouldn't irritate the wound.
When I came home, he greeted me like he usually does. I checked him, and everything was fine. All there was left was to wait for his skin to heal.
Neutering I
Monkey got neutered at 6 months of age.
The day before the surgery, I was advised to give him dinner that is less than the usual amount...that part was easy.
I had to go drop him off at the hospital at 7:30AM. I saw other puppies and kittens waiting there for the same surgery. I filled out some papers, and now just waited for them to call his name. It was my first time away from Monkey. I immediately started to miss him as the nurse took him inside and closed the door. I came back home...and saw all of Monkey's stuff...his house, toys, food bowls...I could not relax. I tried to keep myself busy and be productive. But still, I missed him so much.
It was 4PM when the hospital called me and told me Monkey will be ready to go home in about 30 min and asked me if I can come pick him up at 5PM. I was like, I can pick him up at 4:30!
I arrived at the hospital and told them that I'm Monkey's owner. I waited a few minutes, and the nurse brought out a petcab...and there he was, my Monkeypie. Only then, could I be at ease. He seemed to be a little out of it and had a plastic Elizabethan collar on. I was just glad to hold him again.
The day before the surgery, I was advised to give him dinner that is less than the usual amount...that part was easy.
I had to go drop him off at the hospital at 7:30AM. I saw other puppies and kittens waiting there for the same surgery. I filled out some papers, and now just waited for them to call his name. It was my first time away from Monkey. I immediately started to miss him as the nurse took him inside and closed the door. I came back home...and saw all of Monkey's stuff...his house, toys, food bowls...I could not relax. I tried to keep myself busy and be productive. But still, I missed him so much.
It was 4PM when the hospital called me and told me Monkey will be ready to go home in about 30 min and asked me if I can come pick him up at 5PM. I was like, I can pick him up at 4:30!
I arrived at the hospital and told them that I'm Monkey's owner. I waited a few minutes, and the nurse brought out a petcab...and there he was, my Monkeypie. Only then, could I be at ease. He seemed to be a little out of it and had a plastic Elizabethan collar on. I was just glad to hold him again.
Quick Fix
Uh-oh!! Monkey fell asleep!! He needs a blanket, quick!!
Ahhh...a fingertip towel is perfect.
Laundry Time
Oooh those warm towels feel so good!!
When I pour those straight-out-of-the-dryer towels on my bed for folding, Monkey comes running and rolls around in them until he has made a towel cocoon.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Essential Items For Cat Owners
Monkey's supplies:
- litterbox & litterbox cover/hood
- litter tracking mat
- cat litter (clumping litter) & scoop
- scratching post
- cat bed/hut
- food & water bowl
- dry catfood (I started with Purina Catchow, and now trying out Purina Healthful Life)
- wet catfood (occasional snack)
- Greenies (dental chews/snack)
- toys & stuffed animals
- heating pad for bed (for extra warmth)
- soft blankets & pillows for naps
- grooming wipes ("earthbath")
- ear cleaning solution
- Q-tips & tissues
- Pet toothbrush & paste
- LoTs of LoVe <3...and he returns it too.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Cleaning Your Cat's Ears
You will need: "Virbac Epi-Otic" ear cleanser & Q-tips
Monkey's ears can get very waxy. Before they fill up with black gunk, they need to be cleaned. I use "Virbac Epi-Otic" ear cleanser every other day. You can put some on Q-tips and gently swab the ears. Be careful not to go in too deep. No need to "apply liberally into the ear canal" and soak the cotton ball with the solution as it tells you in the directions. It was never necessary since I clean them so often. When I'm sitting on the sofa, he comes and sits on my lap when he wants to take a nap. That's when I clean his ears. He seems to like it...he just closes his eyes and stays still.
Monkey's ears can get very waxy. Before they fill up with black gunk, they need to be cleaned. I use "Virbac Epi-Otic" ear cleanser every other day. You can put some on Q-tips and gently swab the ears. Be careful not to go in too deep. No need to "apply liberally into the ear canal" and soak the cotton ball with the solution as it tells you in the directions. It was never necessary since I clean them so often. When I'm sitting on the sofa, he comes and sits on my lap when he wants to take a nap. That's when I clean his ears. He seems to like it...he just closes his eyes and stays still.
Monkey's First Visit to the Veterinarian
Monkey's first vet visit was on March 8, 2008.
The bills was $168. O.O An amount I didn't expect. Here's the breakdown:
feline distemper shot & exam $80
ear clean $20
ear cytology $25
fecal exam $ 28
pyrantel (medicine to make sure nothing is found in his poop) $15
And this was just the beginning.
The bills was $168. O.O An amount I didn't expect. Here's the breakdown:
feline distemper shot & exam $80
ear clean $20
ear cytology $25
fecal exam $ 28
pyrantel (medicine to make sure nothing is found in his poop) $15
And this was just the beginning.
Who is Monkey?
Monkey is a male sphynx cat, blue & lavender in color.
He has green eyes, short tiny hair on his body like the skin of a peach.
He was born on Dec 1, 2007. I adopted him in March, when he was just 13 weeks old.
The 3.5 lbs kitten has now grown into a 9 lbs cat.
Lucky me, my friend who originally adopted him gave Monkey to me as a gift...but also because he couldn't take care of him...and who knew I would fall so deeply in love with this hairless creature.
His official name is "Ramseys," but I call him "Monkey" because it sounds cuter and he does run around like a monkey. :)
He has green eyes, short tiny hair on his body like the skin of a peach.
He was born on Dec 1, 2007. I adopted him in March, when he was just 13 weeks old.
The 3.5 lbs kitten has now grown into a 9 lbs cat.
Lucky me, my friend who originally adopted him gave Monkey to me as a gift...but also because he couldn't take care of him...and who knew I would fall so deeply in love with this hairless creature.
His official name is "Ramseys," but I call him "Monkey" because it sounds cuter and he does run around like a monkey. :)
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