Long Haired kitties are amazingly beautiful. Touching a well cared feline fur coat is a luxurious pleasure. What many new cat owners are not prepared for is the care a long haired cat might require. The grooming routine varies from cat to cat. Cats are clean by nature but some might need an extra help to keep their coats looking their best.

How much grooming depends on the nature of the coat and on your pet's age, health and life status.

The softer and silkier the coat the more grooming it will require. Older cats tend to become lazy and loose interest in cleaning themselves. This lack of interest could be related to age-related cognitive decline (cat dementia). Overweight cats have a difficult time reaching the back part of their bodies. The area around the tail might get specially dirty since bits of poop and litter could stick to it.

Cats with "pushed" faces need the area around their eyes cleaned daily to prevent excesive tears and infections.

Long haired cats need more brushing than regular cats. Regarless of their beautiful and shinny coats, a mayor concern for these cats is hairballs. Regular combing and brushing will not only keep your apartment cleaner but your cat will also enjoy a healthier life!

Depending on all these factors, your cat might need a little work once a month or every few days. It is a good idea to start grooming your cat since he/she is a kitten. Many kitties absolutely love and enjoy being combed and brushed.

Bathing a cat is a different story. Few cats enjoy a bath. If your cat coat gets greasy or sticky it might require a bath. If you need to give your cat a bath you can find videos and tutorials on the internet. We recommend this one.

Kitty in NY has many long haired clients. Our caregivers will brush and comb your cat following your instructions. Having such a beautiful guest is worth the extra brushing! Contact us and explain what services you need. We propose in-home cat boarding and cat sitting services in New York city. 

At Kitty in NY we do recommend in-home cat boarding instead of travelling with your pet. Cats do not like long trips and will do well in a temporary home until you get back. Avoiding the stress of the trip will be greatly appreciated by your favorite feline. We have clients who boarded their cats for 3/6 months , even for a year. Our caregivers will send you regular updates during the whole boarding period. Contact us and tell us what services you need.

If you need to take your cat on a car, train or air trip you should ensure it is comfortably secure in the right carrier.

You may give your cat the Bach Flower Essence "Rescue Remedy" to help it with the stress of traveling. Give a few drops in his/her water every day. The flower essence will help your cat remain calm.

It can be dangerous (and ilegal) to have a cat loose in your car – it cause an accident by becoming entangled with the driver. If a window or door was opened the cat could escape and get lost.

You need to invest in a carrier which is strong and easy to clean. Cats can urinate/defecate (or vomit) during long trips. Spray the inside of the carrier and car with Feliway before you're ready to go. Feliway sprayt mimics the pheromones cats leave when they are comfortable and relaxed.

Place the carrier where it will be secure if you have to use the brake suddenly but where it has a good air flow (not under luggage in the back of the car). You can secure the carrier behind the front seats or use the seat belt to hold it securely on the seat. The cat could meow initially or even throughout the whole journey – speak calmly and reassuringly to it but do not let it out of its carrier. The meowing will probably drive you mad but the cat is unlikely to be suffering; just voicing its dislike of the situation! Eventually the constant motion and noise of the car will probably induce your cat to sleep.

Taking a plane with your cat

If you intend to travel by plane with your cat then you need to plan well ahead. You have a wide selection of airlines and how they transport your cat may influence your choice. Some airlines allow cats to travel with their owners (there is a weight limit and the size/type of carrier should be taken into account, airlines have all instructions regarding pet travel directions on their websites)  Sometimes cats have to travel in a special part of the hold which is heated and pressurised. Their fee varies from airline to airline, you should contact them to receive a quote.

Obtain a health certificate from your veterinarian. This health certificate should meet the requirements of your state or country of destination, as well as your airline carrier. Be sure to check on the time restrictions. Certificates often need to be obtained within 2 weeks of the flight. Carry the health certificate and your cat's vaccination certificates with you.

Place identification and contact details on the outside and inside the crate. Print 'Live Animal' on the top and sides of the crate.

Clip your pet's nails. This will prevent breakage of a nail if the pet scratches at the crate door.

It is not recommended to travel with kittens under three months old. If possible select a direct flight so that there is no need for your cat to be disturbed for transfers. This may also affect the timing of the flight you choose.

If you know your cat is a bad traveller and has previously been sick or agitated during a trip  it is worth consulting your vet about giving a sedative. However, some cats actually become more agitated with tranquillisers. You should limit the use of tranquilizers as drugs can alter the way cats adjust to temperature changes. Cats also recover from the journey faster when not sedated.

Remember to check all the regulations and requiremensts if you are taking your cat from one country to another. Preventive health requirements such as rabies vaccination (or even quarantine) will vary. Failure to comply with all requirements could be time consuming and expensive.

There is some controversy regarding scheduling and timing of vaccination, its safety and the need for some of the vaccines. What should you do with your cat? Vaccination is a procedure that has benefits and a few risks. It should be studied individually taking into account the lifestyle, age and health of the cat. Your veterinarian can determine a vaccination schedule that will provide a safe protection for your cat.

Vaccines help prevent many illnesses that affect cats. Vaccinating is considered the easiest ways to help your cat live a healthy life. Vaccines help the immune system to fight the invasion of organisms that cause desease. Vaccines contain antigens, which act like the disease causing organism to the immune system but don't actually cause disease. When the vaccine enters the body, the immune system is mildly stimulated. If a cat is ever exposed to the real disease, his immune system is already prepared to recognize and fight it.

Vaccines are important to manage the health of your cats. But a city cat, who never leaves the apartment, doesn't need to be vaccinated against every disease. You should discuss with your veterinarian a vaccination program that fits your cat. Factors that should be taken into account are age, medical history, environment and lifestyle. Most vets highly recommend administering core vaccines to healthy cats. Core vaccines are the ones considered vital to all cats. Core vaccines protect against panleukopenia (feline distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus and rabies. The American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) recommends vaccinating against feline panleukopenia (distemper), feline viral rhinotracheitis, and feline calicivirus every three years. You should talk to your vet about your cat's lifestyle to decide which non-core vaccines should be administered (and how often).

Rabies vaccine is mandatory by law. Check with your vet regarding the frequency *some cat rabies vaccines are licensed for 1 year and others for 3 years.

When your kitten is around six to eight weeks of age, your veterinarian can start administering vaccines at three- or four-week intervals until the kitten is 16 weeks old. Adult cats should visit the vet at least once a year, your veterinarian will help you decide the vaccines program that best fits your cat.

At Kitty in NY we ask our clients to confirm their cat's vaccine program is up to date. We offer a wide selection of home boarding and cat sitting options in Manhattan, Brooklyn or Queens. Your cat will receive personalized care by a true cat lover. Contact us and tell us more about the service you need.