Southern Paws & Tails Winter 2022

Editor Ramona Chisolm

Southern Paws & Tails magazine strives to be the local resource for pet lovers in South Carolina encouraging responsible pet care and promoting the rescue and adoption of pets.

The magazine offers accurate, interesting information about the health and well-being of cats and dogs from reputable sources, organizations and animal specialists.

by Karen Fitch

I must admit I haven’t always been a cat person. In fact it wasn’t until my husband and I got our first cat three and a half years ago that my love for cats truly began. Thinking it was only a two-day emergency foster, we made no preparations to permanently keep a cat. But when the cat fell in love with one of our dogs, we did not have the heart to let him go to another foster home. Looking back, I had not the first clue on how to raise a cat. Though it was impulsive, it turned out to be one of the best decisions our family made. Only through trial and many, many errors did we begin to figure it out. So when I was asked to write about preparing for a new kitten/cat, I knew that my experience would simply not work because, in all honesty, there was no preparation. Even when we discovered that one of our rescues arrived pregnant, we just figured it out.

Since our decision was led by our hearts and, not necessarily, our brains, I reached out to two families who I knew to have done a thorough job in preparing for their first cat.

How Many Can You Handle? Like Potato Chips…Can't Have Just One!

For as long as he could remember, 17-year-old Armaan Verma had been asking his parents for a cat of his very own. He fell in love with cats as a toddler, playing with all the neighborhood cats. After his favorite cat Oscar ran off after getting stuck in a neighbor’s raccoon trap, Armaan

and his mother, Mona were devastated. Oscar was eventually found, but sadly for Armaan, Oscar did not return to the neighborhood. Around this time, our newest rescue cat had just given birth to six kittens. After following my social media posts, Armaan’s mother called, saying she wanted to adopt two of the kittens. “My boys,” Mona told me referring to Armaan and his older brothers, were sad (about the loss of Oscar). “It was just like a void in their heart my husband and I wanted to fill, so we took the leap.”

Armaan, determined to prove to his parents that he was ready, began his preparations by volunteering with a local rescue to learn more about cats. When it was time to bring the kittens home, he had already prepared the house. First, he and his family set up a room with their litter boxes, toys, and climbing/scratching posts. They also secured electrical cords and outlets. What they did not realize was how smart the kittens would be at just 10 weeks. Initially, they tried to keep them in one room secured by pet gates to get them slowly used to the house, but that did not last long.

“We did not realize they would be able to jump so high. They were easily jumping almost five feet,” commented Mona.

Needless to say, it did not take long for the new cats, Ikasha and Bertha, to have reign of the entire house, which is why they keep an extra litter box upstairs. I asked the Vermas about scratching, which seems to be a big concern for those getting a cat for the first time.

Armaan did not think much of it, “I don’t think scratching is as big of a deal as people make it out to be.

The Verma’s cats -coming home for the first time, as kittens.

They definitely scratch, but it’s not that bad.”

In regards to the expense of having two, Mona says it is not a huge difference in cost, “Cat food is cheap, and healthy cats usually only go to the vet once a year.”

Mona said the best advice she received was from a co-worker who told her to get two cats, Armaan agreed, “It really helps with development because they have someone to play with, plus it’s not any extra work because you are still doing the same tasks of changing the litter, feeding them, or giving them water, it’s not much more work.”

Armaan‘s best two pieces of advice: Introduce the kitten(s) to new things while it is still developing, prior to six months, and research all the plants you have in the house and theirtoxicity level to cats.

now as an adult cat

Ready for a New Roomie Rover?

Introducing Kitty to Other Pets

Another major concern from pet owners thinking about getting a cat is how he will get along with the dog? Luckily, the cats who we have taken in were used to dogs, so we did not have to figure out how to introduce the two species.

For this question, I asked 12-year-old Jake Cauthen, who has a family dog, but just recently got a kitten. After hanging out with his cousin who had a cat, he became fascinated and decided he wanted one too.

Jake remembers the day his mother brought home Mochi, “ I was surprised that she got me a kitten. And I was excited because I never had much interaction with cats; we always had dogs.”

One of his parents’ concerns was how their dog would react to the kitten. He told me that they slowly introduced the two, bringing both animals into a room and monitoring their behavior. At first it was for short amounts of time, but the time between the two gradually increased. He says today, as long as no food is involved, they are the best of friends.

Bertha, now as an adult cat

Ikasha,

Armaan spending quality time with his new kittens, Ikasha and Bertha (black &white) .

Mochi, with their dog Stella, as a kitten

Ins

purr purr purr purration ation ation ation ations s s s s s

Author Romana Gould shares her inspiring writings and eye-catching photos of her furry friends with an everyday purrspective of gratitude and appreciation. Her gentle observations of joy and love in our lives will appeal to the cat lover in us all.

Relax

by Romana Gould

For a moment, become aware of the room you are in. Become grounded as you sense the chair beneath you. Take a deep breath and as you do this, pull your attention away from the outer world. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Allow cool air to fill your lungs and warm the air with your heart. As you slowly exhale, fill the room with love. With a sigh of relief, you realize that a moment of clarity can make all the difference.

Appreciate Appreciate Appreciate Appreciate

Deep appreciation nourishes the soul. Become present to the gifts in your life that can be found right here, right now. Celebrate the moment as you walk slowly in nature, as you listen to the happy purr of your cat, or enjoy a good meal. The best types of gifts cannot be wrapped with paper and a colorful bow; they are the ones that make your heart glow.

Wonder

Slow down and see the ordinary with the eyes of a child, as if everything were brand new. Become enchanted by twinkling lights, melt yourself into the melody of a song, let the cool winter air kiss your cheek. The best moments happen when you lose yourself in the wonder of it all.

The other concern was scratching. Jake, similar to Armaan, says it is not that bad but recommends getting scratching posts. “She likes to claw on the chair in my room, but I just tell her no and redirect her attention.

Jakes’ biggest advice, “Don’t keep food out or they will overeat. Feed them twice a day.

So Are You Ready for some Cat-panionship?

If you decide to bring a kitten into your family, don’t forget that there still is an amount of work and care that needs to be done after your preparations.

It is very important to vaccinate your kitten. Kittens require shots starting at eight weeks, and need a booster at 12 weeks and 16 weeks. These shots are very important because they protect the cat from deadly diseases such as Feline Leukemia and Rabies.

If you are concerned about the price, there are places that help to provide low cost veterinary care.

If you are in South Carolina, Pawmetto Lifeline’s Care-a-Van, travels to different locations around the state weekly to provide vaccinations and preventive products.

It is also important to spay/neuter your cat before they reach the 12-week mark. Females will stay in heat until pregnant, and it can happen as early as four months old! In turn, unneutered male cats go missing because they will roamuntilthey find a mate.

If you are thinking of that first time cat, just know cats are unique creatures with an array of mannerisms some may find aloof or dismissive. “I like that cats have their own boundaries. I like that you have to work for their attention. The worst thing about themisthe exact thing I like best, the lackof affection.”

And if a kitten is what you desire, make sure you have time to spend with it and guide its behavior. Do not discipline your cat; it will not understand. Jake feels it is best to redirect the cat’s focus. He uses this approach on Mochi when she starts playing too rough with him. He will guide her to her toysorgive hersomething else to focuson instead of hisarm.

If this seems a bit overwhelming, remember there are so many adult cats who are trained and waiting on you. Whether you choose a kitten or adult cat, Armaan stresses, “Just make sure to do your research.”

Mochi as an adult cat today

by Jennifer Marthers

Well, Fall is behind us and colder weather is ahead. Fall is a wonderful time of the year! Leaves fall like snow and the cool air makes mefeel likea youngster of past times. Winter can get rough as you get older andhavemorealiments.

I still miss totally livin’ in the house; but, since my accident I stay in the Florida room at night and usually in thebigpenduringtheday.

In August I got sick! I just felt terrible and I could barely hold my little head up, truthfully. When I walkedmyheadwasdownandmylittle legs just didn’t want to go. I was sick on my stomach too. Jennifer took me toDr.Rosemary.

I was so sick I just plain didn’t care what they did to me. They stuck mewithaneedleforbloodwork; poked on me; stretched me this way and that; did urine check and all sorts of things!I got a shot and wassent home with pills and to rest. I had a fever, my white blood count was low and my back and right back leg were sore. I had some type of infection. When I got home, I was worn out! Crawled in my orthopedic bed, I did, and went soundly to sleepy town. Slept for several hours,ateatinybit,tookmeds and back to sleepy town. The next morningIfelt strongerandbetter

but stayed in the house. Within several daysIwasbackonmyfeetreadytogo!

Go we did… all the way to the beach!!! Yep, we shore did… me, Grandmama, JenniferandTaude(Jennifer’s brother— for some reason I just can’t say Claude! Like I can’t say Christmas either. Comes out Tismas every time.) Igottoridewith Taude. Grandmama didn’t want a dog in her car… so in other words, she kicked me out the car. Oh well, I’d rather ride with Taude and listen to cool tunes cruising down the highways and byways; even though, I wish he’d just let Jimmy Buffett dothe singing. Sorry Taude… you won’t make it in Nashville… Ha! No hard feelin’s buddy… ok!?! When we hit the coast, he rolled down the windows so I could catch the smell of the ocean… oh, so fine…! We had a fantastic time and stayedfor2weeks!

We went back to the beach in Septemberand stayed2weeks.Wehada nice time but I still didn’t get on the beach. Jennifer’s back went south on her so she wasn’t into much. It rained and stormedlotsonthattrip.

Well hang doodle, I got sick again in November. I had to go back to Dr. Rosemary.

I had lost 1½lbsand that really shows up on me. On a good day I weigh a steady 32 lbs. I stay busy even in my old age of probably 14yrs now—thus I keep my figure. Well I got stuck with that needle again, poked and prodded, urine tested again and such. Dr. Rosemary came back witha seriouslook. It seemsI have Renal Failure!! NOT GOOD! I will have an ultrasound, oh shoot…, with an internist at her office on 12-7-22 to see if the adrenal cancer has gone to my kidneys or anywhere else. My little kidney functions were terrible to say the least! My food was immediately changed again to Renal SupportwithChewybeforeweleft.Iwas sent home with an antibiotic because of something else with my urine test. Oh boy Jennifer didn’t hold up well and I went over and sat by her. Dr. Rosemary talked with Jennifer as this is getting closetothetimewhenGrand Daddy

passed away last year so this a rough, tough time for my family. She told Jennifernottoget tooupsetyetasit may not be so negative. She did remind herthat Iam gettingoninage and suffered a near death accident thisyearwiththat stupidtree.

Jennifer was VERY depressed for a week; but, finally pulled on her boots and started stomping around! I think shedecidedtoloveme, havefun with me, spend all the time she can with me and make the best of our time together. Since the weather is cool, she takes me on errands around townwithherandetc.

You know I am getting very old but I don’t get around like a 14 yr. old. That throws people off… I still run, play, and trot and walk briskly! I see fantastically, though my hearing has worsenedsinceSeptember.

I now have a lot wrong with me. Let’s see: Chronic UTI with crystalstreatment/controlled: Cushing’s Disease- treatment/ controlled: probably adrenal cancer; and now renal disease-diet treatment.Ohyes, I take Glycoflextokeepmerunning…lol Wellthishasbeenatoughyearforme and my family. Hope my little self will bearoundtovisitwithyousomemore.

I’m going to trot off to bed and dream of Christmas toys. At this special time of year, remember the homeless little animals. They are out there losing their lives in shelters every day.Takefoodanditems,even used toys, crate mats, bandannas, to yourlocal shelter.If you have room in your home and heart, don’t pity a shelter animal— adopt one!Shelter/ rescue animals have so much love to give.Be proud to have their greatness by your side! Theyarejustwaiting and praying for you to walk through thatdoor!Iknow Iwas…

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View Pet Food Myth Busters - Part One

By Emily Hoppmann, DVM Elgin Veterinary Hospital, Elgin, SC

There are a lot of different pet

food

companies popping-up now. Many have wonderful advertising or marketing campaigns, but the information is not necessarily medically true. One huge problem with these newer companies is that producers of pet foods are allowed to vary the ingredients listed on the back of the bag, as long as they at least produce one single batch that matches the ingredients once every 6 months. This can lead to an owner buying the same type of food as usual, but their pet having signs of gastrointestinal upset (such as vomiting or diarrhea) because it is literally like they have been switched to a new diet overnight. The companies are also not legally required to put on the bag where the ingredients came from, so they could be from anywhere from China to North Dakota – you just don’t know.

Furthermore, we now know that keeping our pets at an ideal body weight or body fat index of 20% can add up to two years to the life of our pet. The feeding guidelines on the back of food are usually suggesting feeding way too much food – they want to sell more food and aren’t all that concerned about making sure our babies are at a healthy weight. You can call the 1800 number on the bag to find out how many calories are actually in a cup of food to be sure that you are feeding your pet the correct

number of calories to maintain a good body weight. You should be feeding your pet based on calories (including treats) and not by what the bag suggests. We are always happy to do a nutritional analyzes to help determine that number and get a weight loss plan in place if needed.

There are a lot of pet food companies to choose from and the salesman working at the pet food store is not educated in pet nutrition. They only know what the manufacturers of the food tell them and what food has incentives for them to sell. It doesn't matter how many new companies emerge with good marketing campaigns. I only trust the companies that have been around for a long time, and the ones whose plants I have visited so that I can feel secure in making my recommendations to each individual patient!

InformationaboutAnimalDigestis it a low-quality ingredient in foodornot?

It is actually a myth that animal digest is considered a substandard pet food

Dr. Emily Hoppmann completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Carolina and graduated from the University of Georgia School of Veterinary Medicine in 2005. She works with pre-veterinaryand pharmacystudents to further their educations. She has many informativearticlesforpetowners. She is the proud owner of the Elgin Veterinary Hospital in Elgin, South Carolina, which she bought in 2011. Since high school, Emily has volunteered with Homeworks, a program like Habitat for Humanity. She enjoys fitness, reading, going to the beach, and rescuinganimals.

ingredient. In some cases, this is because the word "digest" is mistakenly thought to describe the contents of the digestive tract. Actually, the word "digest" in "animal digest" refers to the digestive process used in production, not the ingredients. The process starts with animal protein such as muscle and soft tissue supplied by USDAinspected facilities. These ingredients are hydrolyzed or "digested" to break downtheanimalproteinintopeptides (smaller, more easily digestible type of protein) in a manner similar to digestioninthebody.

About Dr. Emily Hoppmann

The resulting digest is in a liquid, but can also be made into a paste or powder, but in any form it improves the quality offood. Animal digest is extremely palatable and is an excellent source of highquality protein. It is often used in small amounts to enhance the taste of dry pet foods, and spraying animal digest on kibble or mixing it with the food significantly increases the palatability. Animal digest is a high-quality ingredient that provides an excellent source of protein and enhances the palatability of pet foods.

InformationaboutBy-productsIsitapoorqualityingredientin foodornot?

It is a myth that by-products are low quality ingredients that shouldn't be included in pet foods. By-products are actually an excellent source of protein and other nutrients.

A by-product is defined as any ingredient that is produced or left over when some other product or ingredient is made. Broths and gelatin are examples of meat byproducts in human foods. Byproducts in pet foods that meet Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) guidelines come from clean animal parts other than meat, such as liver, kidney, lungs, and spleen. By-products cannot be from feathers, hair, hide, hooves, or intestinal contents.

By-products can actually be more nutritious than meat alone. Muscle meat is deficient in many nutrients, including calcium, other minerals, and vitamins.

Many of these missing nutrients are abundant in meat by-products or poultry by-products. By-products are also an excellent source of protein and amino acids. For example, poultry by-product meal contains 60% to 70% protein and canbehighlydigestible.

Natural,Organic,andHolisticPet Foods-aretheyreallyhealthier?

In grocery stores and pet stores, the terms "natural", "organic", and "holistic" are frequently and freely used on packages to imply that foods with these labels are healthier than those without.

It should be noted that "natural" and "organic" do not mean the same thing. The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) defines and regulates the term "natural" for pet food and animal feed. The term "natural" means any feed or ingredient derived solely from plant, animal, or mined sources that have not been produced by a chemically synthetic process. In addition, natural feed and ingredients do not contain any additives or processing aids that are chemically synthetic. However, chemically synthesized vitamins, minerals, and other trace nutrients are acceptable.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program defines and regulates the term "organic" for pet food and human food. "Organic" refers to the way a crop or animal is grown or raised and handled. Organic crops must be grown on land freefrom pesticides for threeyears.

Organic livestock is fed organic feed, is not given antibiotics or hormones, and has access to the outdoors.

Natural and organic foods are not necessarily healthier than conventional foods. The USDA makes no claims that organically produced food is safer or more nutritious than conventionally produced food. Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way that it is grown, handled, and processed. In addition, not all foods labeled as organic contain only organic ingredients. There are four levels of organic foods: 100% organic, organic (95%), made with organic (70%-95%), and less than 70% organic. Be sure to look for the USDA organic seal as proof of a certified organic pet food. Pet foods with that seal must contain 95% to 100% organic ingredients.

On the other hand, "holistic" is a vague term that can have many different meanings. As it refers to pet foods, "holistic" is not defined or regulated by any regulatory body. Although pet foods labeled as natural, organic, and/or holistic are increasingly popular, the use of these terms can be misleading or confusing when trying to choose the best food for your pet. These terms do not guarantee better nutrition for your pet.

Inthenextissue,wewillcontinue to examine pet food and how to make the best selection for your furryfamilymembers!

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Would You Like to Take Me Home?

See someone you like? Check out these pets at South Carolina animal shelters who are looking for good permanent and foster homes.

Zeus is a young, gorgeous male Pyrenees/Husky mix who was found strayed and never claimed by an owner. He is a love bug, fluffy, playful and energetic. He is smart, very trainable and already being housetrained in his foster home. Zeus will likely be around 90lbs when fully grown and not recommended for a home with cats. He is about 10 months old (as of Dec 16). Age appropriate vaccines and microchip provided.

Homeward Bound Pet Rescue

Zeus Zeus Zeus Zeus

Irmo, SC 803-454-9094

Hendrix, an adult male Boxer mix who is friendly, affectionate, playful. Hendrix is neutered and up to date on vaccinations. He would be good in a home with other dogs.

Fairfield County Animal Adoption Center

Winnsboro, SC

animal.adoption@fairfield.sc.gov

Hendrix Hendrix

Punt, is a pretty, female Labrador Retriever mix who was first adopted from PETSinc in February 2022, after only being there two weeks. Unfortunately, her owner abandoned her in July! Punt is looking for a home who truly believes in furever!

Pets, Inc West Columbia, SC 803-739-9333

Punt Punt

Adopting a dog or cat from a humane society, an animal shelter or rescue group saves a life! Contact the organization about shots/ vaccinations, adoption fees, etc. for any animal that you are interested in adopting.

Please keep in mind that the decision to bring a pet into your family should be a family decision, not a surprise gift. Because owning a pet is a huge emotional, financial, and time commitment, any person taking on this responsibility must be fully prepared.

Cats