In honor of the cat show coming to Roanoke this weekend, I will dedicate some blog space to all-things feline this week. Don't run away, dog-lovers. While we shine a spotlight on kitties, we will not ignore pooches, I promise.

Here's a list of ten tips for caring for your cat, courtesy of the Humane Society of the United States and with a little editorial comment from me:

1. Outfit your cat with a collar and ID tag: No matter how you try to body block the door, a determined kitty can get around you and disappear. Only about 5 percent of all lost cats are reunited with their families, so do all you can to make sure Fluffy can find home. And when choosing a collar for a cat, especially a female cat, think bling. She is a diva, after all.

2. Follow local cat registration laws: Roanoke County requires you to register cats just like dogs, meaning you pay a fee after you prove your pet has been properly vaccinated.

3. Keep your cat indoors: Keeping Fluffy confined to the house may seem like a violation of her personal freedom, but it's really the only way to protect your feline from the dangers of life on the outside.

4. Take your cat to the vet for regular check-ups: Not many cats like to visit the doctor, but it's necessary to maintain good health. My kitty, Thai, loves to go to the vet, where he is the center of undivided attention.

5. Spay or neuter your cat: I was a little shocked this is so far down on the list. This is the best thing you can do not only for your cat, but for all your pets and for your community. Please get your kitty fixed. There are way too many homeless cats.

6. Feed your feline a nutritionally balanced diet, including constant access to fresh water: Good advice for anyone. Check with your vet for the right plan for your kitty.

7. Train your cat to refrain from undesirable behaviors, like scratching furniture and jumping on countertops: As someone who experiences "cat-itude" almost every day, I know getting a kitty to comply with your wishes is tough, but it can be done. You just have to make it seem like her idea. More on cat training later this week.

8. Groom your car often for a healthy, soft coat: We bought a brush for Thai and it's like an addiction for him now. He sits in a chair and demands to be brushed. You can just hold the brush still and he rubs himself against it. Since he's been on his beauty regime, he has not hacked up a single furball.

9. Set aside time to play with your cat: Cats don't require the level of exercise that dogs do, but they do need mental and physical stimulation. And cats can be entertained very cheaply. Wadded-up pieces of paper or a flashlight circle on the wall are the best cat toys ever.

10. Be loyal and patient with your cat: Cats are unique and exquisite creatures, and they know it. Remember that cats were worshipped as gods in ancient times; they expect a certain level of reverence from you, their household staff. They are benevolent dictators, though. They will reward you with love and affection, just always on their terms.

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• Posted by Nona Nelson in Purr-worthy Products
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