Cats require plenty of fresh, clean water to maintain urinary health and prevent kidney disease. Senior cats especially need to drink generously to pamper their aging kidneys. So in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, I'm covering the art of getting your cat to drink more water.

When my cat Ivan began to have issues with feline lower urinary tract disease, everyone had ideas to encourage him to drink just a little more.

My veterinarian suggested adding clam juice to his water. Ivan stuck his nose up. A friend gifted him with a kitty water fountain. My inquisitive young cat Longfellow (pictured) found it fascinating, but Ivan regarded it with disdain. I let the tub faucet drip to draw his attention, but the sound drove me crazy.

Keeping Ivan hydrated was becoming a bigger chore than he or I wanted it to be.

I finally decided that simplicity was best. Why stop at one or two water bowls? I went to my cupboard for unused crockery and made water available at a generous number of locations throughout the house. I wanted Ivan and the rest of my cat clan to encounter water bowls throughout the day and be enticed to take a drink.

It worked. I was amazed to see how often I found a cat lapping from a bowl just because it happened to be on his way from point A to point B. Here are some tips for fine-tuning the strategy:

• Put water bowls in places your cat likes to spend time. Cats are usually given two small bowls for food and water, placed where humans aren't likely to trip over them -- often in a busy kitchen where a cat has to dodge feet to get a drink. Give your cat additional options near his favorite lounging spots.
  
  
• Change the water often. A tiny bowl quickly becomes unappealing if it isn't refreshed once or twice a day.
  


• Use bowls you'll like to look at. Additional water bowls don't need to be bland. I have a beautiful pottery bowl from an artists' sale by the door to my living room. A tall handsome crock in the bathroom helps my arthritic senior cat lap without bending her stiff shoulders. How about that old set of china, or the serving bowl you were given that doesn't match a thing? Might they brighten up a corner or a hallway?


• Offer some additional incentives. By placing a sturdy water dish inside your bathtub, you can encourage your four-footed tub-surfer to take another drink, or provide a playful cat with a place to splash to her heart's content without soaking the floor. Toss a ping pong ball in there for some added activity!


• Prevent messes. Outside of the tub, you can help tame a feline water-paddler by placing one bowl inside another. The water your cat splashes out of the first bowl will simply spill into the second. Beautifully glazed plant saucers work well for this, and give you yet another reason to visit your local garden center this spring.

Ivan doesn't have a favorite bowl. He drinks from each and every one. He knows they all were placed there just for him!

However, my senior cat, Cricket (pictured), is three-legged and full of attitude. Her favorite bowl is ceramic, square, painted with lemons and leaves, and sits on a cabinet between two windows in my den. I'm not certain why water tastes better from her special bowl, or why she chooses to climb to drink when there are more convenient bowls all around her. I don't question her royal judgment. If it keeps her drinking, and helps keep her healthy in her senior years, I'm happy!

Tell us: Does your cat have a favorite place to drink water?

We're just about to the end of June, Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, but here's another story that shows a side of cats that some folks never get to see.

Two years ago, the Spicers of North Canton, OH, adopted a kitten they named Pinky Tuscadero. Their oldest cat had died, and they hoped a new feline friend would be great for their other two cats.

"After two weeks of looking on Petfinder.com, I saw one profile in particular which melted my heart," Kathy Spicer says. Miley, as she was called then, had been living on her own during a bitter winter. Woozez Animal Rescue, part of the Coalition for Animal Concerns in Canton, took her in and posted her on Petfinder.

Shy at first, Pinky eventually formed a strong bond with the Spicers' oldest cat, Cleo, but as 2011 dawned, Cleo, at 17, was fading, and Kathy worried about how Pinky would react to the older cat's death. She and her husband decided to adopt another cat.

They found Roxy listed on Petfinder by Independence Animal Control Shelter in Independence, OH. Just from reading about her, they knew she might just be the special cat that would help Pinky deal with the inevitable. Roxy had raised her own kittens in a woodpile before she was rescued and, once at the shelter, she fostered other kittens -- all the more amazing, considering her diminutive size: six pounds. She had a strong nurturing nature.

Roxy was at the shelter for "almost a year, often passed by for the young kittens and the more exotic-looking cats," Kathy says, evidence that "this little grey tabby was meant to be with us." She goes on to say that Roxy "will get the love, attention, good veterinary care, fun and cuddles every animal deserves."

Cleo passed away recently, and Pinky is grieving. But her loss is tempered by the presence of her new friend, Roxy, with whom she is bonding. Friends always help, and Roxy is a natural at befriending.

In honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, we're giving you a step-by-step guide to make vet trips easier for everyone and ensure cats get the healthcare they need. This week we're tackling the cat carrier. (Read our past vet tips posts here.)

For cats, seeing the cat carrier is often the first sign that something bad is about to happen (i.e. a trip to the vet). So the first step to reducing the stress of vet visits (or travel in general) is to create positive carrier associations for your cat -- a process which will take some time and patience, but can be well worth it.

Try these ten simple steps, then check out the bonus trouble-shooting tips from Banfield's expert veterinarian below:

1. Start young: Kittens usually adjust to new experiences and surroundings more easily than adult or senior cats, so start the carrier-training process as early as possible. But fear not -- adult and senior cats can still learn that the carrier is a-okay (my 9-year-old cat Mojo certainly did!).


2. Keep the carrier accessible: Too many cats only see the carrier when it's time to go somewhere, so they begin to stress as soon as the carrier appears. Instead, keep your cat's carrier on the floor and open at all times. Your cat should be free to come and go as he pleases so he doesn't see the carrier as a place where he gets trapped.


3. Make the carrier a nice place to be: Place some comfy bedding in the carrier and toss in a few treats, your cat's favorite toys or some catnip when you first set it up. Check and replenish the supply every few days at random.


4. Feed your cat inside the carrier: If your cat will eat his food inside the carrier, start putting his food dish inside the crate daily. If he won't, try putting his food dish a few feet away and moving it an inch or two closer to the crate each day -- just make sure your cat keeps eating. If he doesn't, move the food a little further away and try moving it closer more slowly. TIP: Some extra smart cats won't enter the crate with you standing nearby -- they think you'll lock them in -- so try moving away and watching from across the room.


5. Get your cat's mind working by teaching an "in" command: Once your cat's confident enough to go into the carrier to eat and get treats, start calling your cat over to the crate to get treats. Toss a treat in the carrier and when your cat goes in say "in." Praise him for as long as he's in the carrier. Once he comes out, toss in another treat and repeat.
   
   Over time, you can start saying "in" first and your cat should go into the carrier on his own -- just be sure to treat him after he does and while he's still in the carrier. Working with your cat around the carrier pairs all of your cat's favorite things together -- playing, learning, treats and you! -- and shows him the carrier's not only safe, but fun.


6. Practice shutting and opening the carrier door: Keep up with steps 1-5, but now start closing the door and locking it before giving your cat the treat after the "in" command. Once he's eaten the treat entirely, reopen the crate, let him come out and repeat. Practice this and gradually increase the amount of time the crate door stays shut. If your cat is calm while the door is shut, give him more treats. If he seems upset or tries to get out, do not treat and try again with less time in the crate.


7. Practice picking up the carrier: After your cat learns that a shut carrier door is okay, try picking up the carrier with him in it and putting it back down gently. Add this to your training routine.


8. Practice walking with the carrier: Once you're able to pick up the carrier with your cat inside and remaining calm, try taking a couple steps and then gently putting the carrier back down, treating him and then letting him out.


9. Practice going outside with the carrier: You don't have to go far -- just outside your front door and back inside could be far enough at first. The key is to make sure kitty remains calm while you repeat this -- you can gradually increase your distance and time over time.


10. Walk around the block: Keep practicing with kitty until you're able to walk all the way around the block with him inside the carrier and remaining calm. Once you can do this you'll know your cat's fear of the carrier has been conquered.

For some cats, actually traveling in the carrier -- or being closed in against his or her will -- will always be a bit unnerving. Karen Johnson, DVM, of Banfield Pet Hospital in Portland, OR, gave us these great troubleshooting tips:
 

• For cats who refuse to enter the carrier with you nearby, try tipping the carrier on its end and putting your cat in rear-end first.


• Make sure your carrier is the right size for your cat and for the function you need it for. (For instance, cats flying in the cabin on an airplane will need a soft-sided carrier.)


• Give your cat time, time and more time. Even if you set up the carrier, "it might be days or even weeks before the cat feels comfortable enough to explore it," says Dr. Johnson. Don't fret, let your cat take the time he needs.


• It's okay if the carrier's not his favorite place. "While the cat may not like the carrier, he or she should learn that it's a safe place," says Dr. Johnson. By knowing the carrier is safe, your cat is less likely to have serious anxiety about being in the carrier -- even if he never likes being inside it.

I've been practicing this routine for nearly three years now and my cat Mojo's a different cat. Before, Mojo disappeared as soon as the carrier appeared. Now, she seeks out her carrier for naps, willingly climbing into and finding comfort in the small space.

Next time: Getting your cat to relax in the car.

This weekend the New York Post ran the story of Copper, Angela Lang's 9-year-old cat who survived a 12-story fall from her New York window, breaking only her paw. Lang's vet pronounced Copper a "miracle cat" for escaping worse damage. (Read the full story here.)

The New York Post reports:

The trouble for Copper started shortly before 11 pm Monday, when Lang was getting ready to give her and another cat, Daisy, their nightly treat.

"Daisy came for a snack and Copper didn't," Lang said. "That's when I realized that she was missing. It took me about two hours to find out that she fell."

Copper had apparently gotten through Lang's 14th-floor window, [which was above a 2-story garage and] was open only about 3 inches wide and held in place by a window lock.

"I didn't think she could fit through the window," said Lang, who had never lived in a high-rise apartment before. "She's never done anything like this, but she is the explorer of the two cats."

Unfortunately, falling from apartment windows is so common for cats that veterinarians have given it a name: feline high-rise syndrome. In fact, the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital in New York City reports that it sees three to five cases each week, according to the ASPCA website. And cats usually don't end up as lucky as Copper.

With the weather warming up and in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, now is a great time to install screens on all your windows -- and to check the screens you already have. Here are some fast facts about window screens and cats from our article on preventing feline high-rise syndrome:

• Even the most agile cats can fall from windows and balconies. Whether your cat is sleeping on a window sill and is disoriented for a moment when he wakes up, or your cat is startled by a sudden noise, all cats may fall victim to feline high-rise syndrome.


• Surviving the fall isn't the only danger. Even if your window or balcony is near the ground, cats who survive the fall may get lost.


• If a cat's head can fit through, so can her body. Like Angela Lang, many pet parents might not realize how small an opening can be for a cat to get through. If you have an unscreened window with bars, be sure that your cat can't fit his head through or he may still get out.


• Cats should be supervised when in screened-in areas. Even the best screens aren't 100% reliable. Loose window screens and determined cats can still spell disaster. (Read the story of Callie, a cat who went through her mom's screened window.) So, be sure to supervise your cat when he's in his screened-in enclosure or near a screened window -- and opt for the air conditioner when you're out.

In January, Petfinder held a live Q&A on Facebook with pet trainers Andrea Arden and Mychelle Blake. We've been posting some of our favorite cat-related questions and answers here in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month. Read all our FurKeeps Q&As here.

Q: I have two cats -- a 4-year-old male and a 3-year-old female. Both were shelter cats and were adopted about a year apart. Recently, the older cat has been picking on the younger one -- she has started to run from him when he walks in the room. Whenever I'm home she follows me around -- I'm assuming because I'll stop her brother from picking on her. She's taken to hiding in the bathtub because the male hates it there.

I've also noticed recently that the female has scabs on the back of her neck, I think because her brother keeps biting her. Any suggestions on what I can do to help calm the male and keep him from picking on his sister? -Lisa R.

A: It's not uncommon for cats to become more aggressive at the onset of social maturity, which is around 2 to 4 years of age, about where your two cats are. Sometimes aggression can also come about due to a medical condition, so I would recommend a vet visit to make sure there's nothing hidden that is causing your male to become more aggressive toward the female.

For cats who are not getting along, you want to separate them for a short time and then slowly reintroduce them while helping to bolster the confidence level of the weaker cat. Here's how:

1. Separate the cats and confine each in a comfortable location.
Since your female finds the bathroom comforting, confine her so that she has access to it.

2. Create new, positive associations in shared spaces.
When your male is not present, work on bringing your female into areas where the aggression has occurred and play with her there with toys, brush her, provide her with treats, etc. You want to make her have a more positive association with these areas and to boost her confidence, which can make the male cat less likely to attack her in the future.

3. Redirect aggression onto toys.
Likewise, have play sessions every day with your male cat to teach him more appropriate ways to play and what things he may bite, such as cat toys. You can plug in a Feliway diffuser as well to help calm him.

4. Do a slow reintroduction with lots of rewards for good behavior.
When you are ready to reintroduce them, make sure that there are plenty of spaces for the cats to go to if they need a break from each other, such as cat trees, cat-appropriate shelves, etc. Give them access to several litter boxes and food and water bowls as well.

Pair the introductions, which should be short, with positive things such as treats, brushing and play.

Mychelle Blake, CDBC
Pet trainer and deputy director, APDT
Las Vegas

Learn more about Petfinder's Train FurKeeps program.

Here's another great found-pet reunion story from our partner, HomeAgain -- this one in honor of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month.

Learn more about the benefits of registering your cat's microchip with HomeAgain.

Oscar got out, but didn't go far - from Kelly in Mansfield, MA
My indoor cat Oscar accidentally got out one cold night in February. Because it was nighttime and Oscar sometimes finds unusual places to sleep for the night, we did not notice he was gone until the morning.

The night he left it was snowing out and very cold. When we realized he had gotten out, I started my search. I went to neighbors' houses and walked around calling his name. No luck; it was like he had just disappeared. Then I remembered he had been microchipped!

I called HomeAgain and they got the word out that he was missing. They also suggested putting up posters, which I did. Five days later, I got a call from HomeAgain. Someone had spotted Oscar.

It turns out he was right across the street in a neighbor's shed. I was so relieved to get that call and know that he was okay.

Although I knew where he was, catching him was another story! He was so scared, when approached, he took off and hid. We even went and got a humane animal trap to try to get him. But, in the end, after nine days in the cold and snow, Oscar broke cover and came home -- we had left a window open in our indoor porch for him.

June is Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month! And we're kicking it off with an adorable video of a mother cat hugging her dreaming kitten.

The cats in the video are definitely lovable -- as are the more than 145,000 adoptable cats posted on Petfinder right now. If you want to help for Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, here are just a few things you can do:

• Adopt a cat! Read our article, Adopting the Right Cat for You, or watch the video.
  
• Foster a cat or kittens for your local shelter or rescue group. If you foster a nursing cat with kittens, you'll be helping a whole family in need, and will get to enjoy nonstop cuteness until the kittens are old enough to be adopted. (Read eight reasons you can foster a cat, even if you think you can't.)
• Help spread the word: Here are 10 simple ways you can promote Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month -- most of which you can do without leaving your computer.

Tell us: What's the cutest thing your pet's ever done?