In January 2013, the Guelph Cat Clinic, your Guelph veterinary clinic devoted exclusively to cats, changed locations.

This is the third location for our Guelph veterinary clinic, which initially was known as the Amberlane Cat Clinic and located on Yorkshire Street.  Renamed the Guelph Cat Clinic in 1995, the clinic moved to 110 Gordon Street in 1999.

Making its new home at 15 Surrey Street W. , the Guelph Cat Clinic remains committed to maintaining a Guelph veterinary clinic for felines, centrally located for easy access from all parts of the city.

Some features of our newly expanded Guelph veterinary clinic include:

•       Additional exam rooms minimizing wait times while maximizing time spent with  the veterinarian
•       Larger area for your pet’s vacation in Kitty Condos, our cats’ only boarding facilities
•       Non-traditional exam room designed with cats in mind
•       State of the art dental suite, including digital xrays
•       Laser declaws

      And, still no barking dogs or dog smells!

The health-care team of the Guelph Cat Clinic are thoroughly enjoying the sunny, spacious new “digs.” And, they think you and your cat will like them too.

Consider giving a cats-only Guelph veterinary clinic a try.

Your cat deserves to come to a clinic that specializes in only cats!

Call today.

Or, visit during our open house www.guelphcat.com

Vacations should be fun and worry free even for our pets.  Consider using a cats-only boarding facility. Guelph veterinarians recommend environmental enrichments, such as toys, food puzzles and climbers, to keep cats engaged. Why should a feline vacation be any different from your own vacation?  Boarding facilities, such as Kitty Condos operated by the Guelph Cat Clinic, offer luxury cat accommodations where cats receive all the love, care and attention they would get at home. The five-paw accommodations, with multi-level living area and a very private litter area, also includes individual playtime where cats can enjoy climbers that promote exercise, a garden window to relax in and Gouldian Finches providing unique live entertainment. Of course, staff are always there to offer a cat cuddle or two.

By using a boarding facility, many vacationers find comfort in the assurance that their pet’s emotional, physical and medical needs are being met, according to Guelph veterinarian Dr. Jocelyn Maggs. If feline guests require medication, this can be dispensed by experienced staff who are uniquely qualified to deal with medical issues, including insulin requirements, that may come up during your cat’s stay.

Most boarding facilities, including Kitty Condos, require that guests bring vaccination certificates to ensure immunizations are current. They also encourage bringing a favourite toy, t-shirt, blanket or bed, which has the scent of home and may be soothing during the cat’s stay. , Providing the best possible living conditions while owners are away, boarding facilities are also flexible in that they offer short stays (days) up to longer stays (months).

To learn more about why the Guelph Cat Clinic has complete confidence that boarding is a safer alternative to leaving your cat home alone, click here…Kitty Condos.

Feed a Healthy Diet – Not all cat food is the same. Your kitten has special nutritional and dietary needs that differ from those of an adult cat, so you want to make sure that the food your are offering addresses those unique needs. Your Guelph vet can recommend a food that will provide the extra protein, calcium and other nutrients your kitty needs for development and ongoing good health.

Provide Ample Exercise – Growing kittens need a lot of exercise to develop their muscles and strong bones. There’s a reason they’re so playful! Make sure that your kitten is given plenty of toys to play with and that you spend time each day encouraging play and interacting with your new four-legged family member. Ask your Guelph vet to suggest some toys and activities.

Groom Often – Just because cats instinctually groom themselves doesn’t mean you don’t have a role to play in that area. If you begin grooming your cat by brushing their fur and cleaning their ears at an early age, it’s much more likely to become an activity that your kitty enjoys. It also allows you to keep a close eye on the health of your kitty’s skin and fur so that if something seems off, you can address it with your Guelph vet immediately.

Commit to Wellness Care - The most important component in keeping your kitten healthy and helping them to grow into a happy, balanced adult is to adhere to a schedule that includes regular veterinary care. Routine wellness visits allow your Guelph vet to develop a complete and accurate picture of your kitty’s overall health, and provides the opportunity to identify and address any potential medical concerns before they become a dangerous and costly problem.

Caring for a new kitten involves a lot more than just love. You also have to make sure that you are providing your new pet with all the things they need to thrive, from nutrition to exercise to veterinary care and everything in between. By following these suggestions and working closely with your Guelph vet, your kitten will have a much better chance of enjoying a long, happy and healthy life.

Signs of Stress

Cats show stress in a number of ways, and ultimately you’re the best person to judge as you know your cat better than anyone else. It’s also much easier to recognize a change in mood or behavior in a cat that is extroverted than one that is more shy in nature. The most common signs that you and your Guelph vet might see in a cat that is experiencing stress include:

• Litterbox issues
• Territorial marking
• Excessive grooming
• Hiding
• Aggression toward people or other pets
• Loss of appetite and restlessness

What Should You Do?

If your feline companion exhibits any of the above signs, the first thing you should do is contact your Guelph vet. You want to be certain that your cat isn’t suffering from a medical condition or illness that is causing the symptoms you’re seeing. If he or she is given a clean bill of health, the next step is to see if you can help your cat overcome the stress and become more balanced.

See if you can identify the source of stress. Is there another pet or a particular person that is making your cat feel uncomfortable? Did you recently make changes to your cat’s environment, such as a move or remodel of your home? Cats are extremely sensitive to change, and it can often cause feelings of stress and anxiety. Discuss it with your Guelph vet – they may be able to help you pinpoint what is causing the issue.

The next step is addressing the source of your kitty’s ill feelings. For example, if a particular family member is at the heart of the problem, have that person feed or give treats to your cat. Ask them to speak softly and soothingly when interacting with your cat. This may help to alleviate the negative feelings and begin to ease the associated stress as the cat becomes more comfortable.

You can also combat kitty stress with fun. Make sure your cat gets enough exercise and play time throughout the day. Provide toys and spend some time interacting with your cat to help build their confidence and improve their mood. Your Guelph vet can provide some specific suggestions for your situation. If you have a multi-cat household, be sure to give each pet individual attention.

Dealing with feline stress isn’t as complicated as it may seen. By knowing what to look for, following these tips and working with your Guelph vet, you should be able to help your kitty overcome their negative feelings and become happy, healthy and balanced.

Type of Food – It may seem like a good idea to grab that bargain cat food and save a few bucks, but it’s your feline companion that will ultimately pay the price. The best way to keep your cat trim and healthy is to ensure you are providing quality food. Ask your Guelph vet to recommend one. (We suggest Medi-Cal Royal Canin Weight Control or Hill’s T/D Diet.)

Portions – Some cats will basically eat as much as you give them, so be mindful of the portion sizes you are offering. Work with your Guelph vet to determine exactly how many calories your kitty should be consuming and measure out the food accordingly using a level measuring cup.

Feeding Frequency – For some owners of obese cats, it’s not the food or the portions that are the problem – it’s the frequency with which they are feeding. Once you know how many calories your cat needs per day, plan out your feedings accordingly. If your cat prefers to eat several times a day, reduce the portions to make sure that the total amount of food you are offering doesn’t exceed the maximum daily calorie intake.

Treats – We love our cats, and we love to shower them with affection and rewards. Some cat owners show this love with treats, which can easily lead to added calories and excess weight gain. You don’t necessarily have to cut all treats out, just try to choose lower-calorie ones. Ask your Guelph vet for some suggestions.

Any of these things can contribute to your cat carrying too much weight, which is a serious medical concern for a variety of reasons. If you’ve tried all of the suggestions listed here and still feel your cat is overweight, speak with your Guelph vet. He or she can work with you to develop a diet, exercise and nutrition plan that will help your cat enjoy a healthier, happier and longer life.