Mill Creek Animal Clinic

Mill Creek Animal Clinic

Mill Creek Animal Clinic is a fully equipped veterinary facility with a small practice personal approach.

(708) 361-6002
Email: mcac@millcreekanimal.com

Mill Creek Animal Clinic
12944 South LaGrange Road,<br />Palos Park, IL 60464

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Cat Play

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Friday, August 17, 2018 / Published in Helpful Articles

Cat Play

Cats are intelligent and agile creatures. During play, a kitten or an adult cat makes full use of its surroundings to provide itself with mental and physical challenges. Particularly attracted to moving objects, cats investigate new things on ground level or elevated surfaces alike. Play allows a young animal to practice important life skills without adult consequences. Running, jumping, hiding, and other playful antics could be invaluable later when hunting for food or escaping an enemy.

Play gives you an opportunity to teach acceptable behavior to your cat. Avoid forms of play that encourage a cat’s aggressiveness. No cat should learn that it is acceptable and fun to pounce on, grip, bite, or scratch any part of a person’s clothing or body. Such innocent fun as chasing waffling fingers or toes under the bedcovers could lead to problems later. The target of a cat’s playful attention should be directed away from its human playmate. Introduce a variety of toys for your cat to chase, such as lightweight balls or toys suspended from string or wire. Your cat can simulate attacks without risking injury to anyone.

Young cats often appear to respond to some “phantom” enemy during normal play. The pet may pause as if to listen or look at something and then race away. Some people believe that, during such episodes, the cat is reacting to an imagined object or intruder. It is also possible that the cat is responding to a real stimulus that people cannot understand.

Undesirable Nightime Activity

Juvenile cats are normally very active, sometimes overwhelming their owners. Young cats tend to be more active during evening and nighttime hours and frequently disturb their owner’s sleep. Cats are naturally crepuscular (more active at dawn and dusk) because they have adapted to hunting in relative darkness. If your cat is satisfied with the amount of attention and exercise it gets before your bedtime, chances are good that is schedule of peak activity will gradually match yours. If your young cat tends to nap during the day when you are home, wake up to play.

Though cats frequently seem to amuse themselves when there is no available playmate, they often thrive on additional social interaction with you. To increase your chances of sleeping through the night, play appropriate games with your cat and engage it in other activities it might enjoy, such as brushing, before retiring to bed. Provide a variety of attractive toys to entertain your cat so it is less likely to awaken you.

Once you have gone to bed, consistently ignore your cat’s attempts to get your attention and it will eventually stop disturbing you.

Preventing Damage During Play

“Cat-proof” your home by removing or preventing access to valuable or hazardous objects that will attract your cat. Apply screens on windows to prevent accidental falls or intentional escapes. It is normal for a cat to investigate elevated surfaces (tabletops, mantel) in its territory. Your valuable may be accidentally destroyed in such exploration, or the cat may destroy objects through playful mischief.

If your cat damages items in certain areas, it may be necessary to close the door to that room. Another option to discourage your cat from returning to an area is to make it an unpleasant place to visit. Strips of sticky tape placed sticky side up are an unpleasant surprise for cats to step on, as are cookie sheets filled with water. If your cat is destructive or harmful with its claws during play, keep them well trimmed to avoid damage.

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Clinic Hours

Monday - Tuesday7:00 AM — 7:00 PM
Wednesday7:00 AM — 8:00 PM
Thursday - Friday7:00 AM — 7:00 PM
Saturday8:00 AM — 1:00 PM
SundayClosed

Other Care Tips

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  • Poinsettias: Fact & Myth
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  • Dental Home Care
  • Dental Care
  • Chocolate Toxicity
  • Cats Eyes
  • Cat Play
  • Canine Bloat: Treatment & Prevention
  • Calorie Count in Common Dog Treats
  • Arthritis & Aging

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ATTENTION

COVID 19 UPDATE- 11-3-2020

ALL CLIENTS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS WHEN BRINGING YOUR PET TO THE DOOR OR PICKING YOUR PET UP.

MILL CREEK ANIMAL CLINIC WILL CONTINUE CONCIERGE CURBSIDE SERVICE FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE. WE CONTINUE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO MAKE THIS AN EFFICIENT STRESS FREE PROCESS.  WE WILL EMAIL YOU BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT FOR INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR PETS VISIT.  WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT MILL CREEK ANIMAL CLINIC, PARK IN FRONT OF THE CLINIC OR ONE OF OUR DESIGNATED SPOTS IN THE REAR OF THE BUILDING AND CALL 708-361-6002.  ONE OF OUR TECHNICIANS WILL CHECK YOU IN AND GET ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NEEDED.  WE WILL THEN ASK YOU TO MEET US AT THE DOOR WITH YOUR PET . WE WILL BRING YOUR PET INTO THE HOSPITAL WHERE THE DOCTOR WILL  ASSESS AND PROVIDE TREATMENTS, THEN CONTACT YOU TO DISCUSS EXAM FINDINGS.  PLEASE WAIT IN YOUR CAR AND DO NOT LEAVE THE PARKING LOT!  ONCE ALL SERVICES ARE COMPLETE, THE TECHNICIAN WILL AGAIN ASK YOU TO MEET AT THE CURB AND RETURN YOUR PET TO YOU.

WE ARE ALL FEAR FREE CERTIFIED DOCTORS, SO REST ASSURED WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROVIDE THE MOST STRESS FREE VISIT POSSIBLE FOR YOU AND YOUR PET!

ALL FEES ARE DUE AT THE TIME OF SERVICE.  OUR RECEPTIONIST WILL STORE YOUR CREDIT CARD IN OUR ENCRYPTED COMPLIANT CREDIT CARD SERVER AND CHARGES WILL BE APPLIED AT THE COMPLETION OF THE VISIT.  RECEIPTS AND INSTRUCTIONS WILL BE EMAILED THE SAME DAY.

TELEMEDICINE, PHONE CONSULTATIONS AND PROGRESS CALLS, AS WELL AS EMAIL CONSULTATIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR EXISTING CLIENTS ONLY.  FEES WILL APPLY.

FOOD AND MEDICATION REFILLS ARE AVAILABLE FOR CURBSIDE PICKUP, OR USE OUR ONLINE PHARMACY (ON THE MENU BAR) FOR MEDICATIONS DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME.

PATIENCE PLEASE!  AS THE COVID CRISIS DRAGS ON, THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN SHORT TEMPERS.  WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU, AND WE ARE DOING OUR BEST TO MAKE THE PROCESS SWIFT AND EFFICIENT.  BUT THIS IS MEDICINE, AND EMERGENCIES HAPPEN.  RUDE BEHAVIOR IS NOT ACCEPTABLE ANYWHERE,  AND ANYONE WHO DOES NOT CONDUCT THEMSELVES ACCORDINGLY WILL BE ASKED TO SEEK CARE ELSEWHERE .

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FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE MILL CREEK ANIMAL CLINIC APP IN APPLE STORE AND GOOGLE PLAY.

—
Jay Whittle, DVM
Mill Creek Animal Clinic

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