The Ontario SPCA and Humane Society has partnered with Arm & Hammer Cat Litter to help pet parents and adopters with litter box best practices.  Our mission is to change the lives of animals in need and keep pets with the people who love them. One of the most common reasons that cats are brought to our animal centres for rehoming is due to litter box issues, and the Ontario SPCA and Arm & Hammer Cat Litter want to combat those issues by providing tips and tricks to help keep your cat happy and healthy.  Litter Box Best Practices:  To help ensure you have happy, healthy ..read more

For many people, moving to a new house is a stressful ordeal.  If it’s stressful for us, imagine how your cat feels.   Cats don’t handle change as well as we do. They become very rooted to their environment, so even the smallest change, like moving furniture within a room, can cause anxiety. Here are some tips to help you manage stress for your furry buddy during a move.   Get them used to the carrier    Bring the carrier out early and leave it in your cat’s favourite room. This will allow them to get used to it slowly. Do the same with packing boxes and ..read more

That sweet, cuddly little fur ball that has stolen your heart has suddenly decided to channel her inner tiger and is shredding your furniture. As a pet parent, understanding why your cat scratches furniture can help you manage this unwanted behaviour.  Scratching is an instinctive behaviour and cats do it for several reasons: To stretch, to communicate, play, seek attention and to maintain healthy claws.  Here are some tips to prevent this behaviour.  Wake up call  Cats will often stretch and scratch after a nap. By providing scratching posts or towers near their nap places ..read more

Providing your cat with the right litter box is essential for their comfort and well-being. With various options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the best fit for your feline friend. We’ve explored the different types of litter boxes to help you find the right one.  Open vs. covered litter boxes  The first decision to make is whether you want an open or covered litter box. Open litter boxes are spacious and provide easy access for your cat. They are a great choice for cats who may feel confined or claustrophobic in covered spaces. On the other hand, covered litter boxes of ..read more

Guest blog by Dr Emmanuel Fontaine, Scientific Communications Veterinarian at Royal Canin North America  The magical moment of welcoming a new kitten into your home is an unforgettable experience. But as enchanting as this event may be, it requires careful planning and consideration. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the essentials of creating a purr-fect environment for your feline companion, from meeting their dietary needs to ensuring their comfort and well-being, empowering you with the knowledge you need to establish a harmonious home for your little furball.  Essential Equip ..read more

Guest blog by Dr Emmanuel Fontaine, Scientific Communications Veterinarian at Royal Canin North America  “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This quote from Benjamin Franklin is something pet parents should always have in mind. This is especially true when thinking about spaying and neutering. Indeed, this is today a common surgical procedure, often performed on kittens as early as 8 weeks. This surgical intervention comes with a myriad of health benefits, including an increased life span and prevention of certain medical disorders, (not to mention its contribution to contr ..read more

Teaching a cat to walk on a leash is different than walking a dog. Sometimes you can cue them to follow you, whereas other times you may be following them. But you CAN train them to do it! Here is a short guide to training your cat to walk on a leash.  Before we get started, it’s important to note that outdoor activity with your cats should always be supervised. Cats left outside to roam freely typically have a lower average life expectancy due to dangers such as traffic, predators and the elements.   Get started with harness training  The cat should be familiar with wearin ..read more

Does your cat ever get the “zoomies”? Although this behaviour is quite normal, it can also be an indicator that your furry friend is looking for some additional activity and enrichment. In today’s blog, we’re going to walk you through the “Touch the target” game and why your cat will enjoy it!  Why the Touch the target game?  The targeting game can be played in very short sessions, with one cat or several. It can also be played frequently or just occasionally, and by one person or several people.  Keep training sessions short, 1-2 minutes, and take many breaks to set the cat up ..read more

Cats love to learn. Knowing that their actions will earn them a reward gives them a sense of control over their environment. In this blog, we’d like to share tips for training your cat!  Why cat training?  Training cats provides mental and physical stimulation, facilitates positive associations with humans, and can build confidence in shy or fearful cats.  When implementing any of the training techniques below, remember to work with patience and consistency.  Keep in mind you can address undesirable behaviours with stress reduction strategies, and you can promote desirable ..read more

In North America, when you think about pet agility courses, you may think only of dogs jumping over bars and through hoops. In reality, many other pets can also do agility courses, and do them well!  In today’s blog, we discuss agility courses, and how your cat can be trained to do them.  Finding motivation  When it comes to training in agility, dogs are motivated by external sources such as food, toys and social praise or attention.  Cats, on the other hand, get rewarded for things they do for themselves and are more internally motivated. Despite this, you should be able t ..read more