Q: As your cat ages, they will have an increasing level of susceptibility to UTI infection. This is due to changes in your cat's urinary tract and liver function. Young cats under 7 years of age have a low risk of urinary infections. This is because they are excellent at concentrating their urine, and strong urine is a natural disinfectant that inhibits bacterial growth. If you see signs of blood in a young cat's urine, it is likely that he has a problem not caused by infection, but by crystals, stones, or inflammation from an unknown source that has irritated the bladder lining. There is a distinct risk that crystals will clump together and form a blockage in the urethra the tube the cat urinates out of. If this happens, it is an emergency that needs immediate veterinary attention. Older cats over 7 years of age are at an increased risk of infection. Older cats have a reduced ability to concentrate urine, and as the cat ages he is quite likely to produce dilute urine because of a reduction in kidney function. This weak urine is not a very potent disinfectant and urinary infections become more likely. Again, it is important to treat these infections before they ascend into the kidney and cause significant damage leading to scar tissue formation. Although dilute urine is risk factor for UTI, once your cat has a UTI, regular, steady urination will help him flush his bladder out. Bacteria produce waste products and chemicals that can irritate the bladder lining, causing inflammation. Regular hydration can dilute these factors and limit the amount of time they spend in contact with the bladder wall, helping reduce inflammation and soreness. To increase your cat's water intake, switch him form a dry to a wet food. This automatically increases the amount of fluid he takes in. Also, provide plenty of wide drinking bowls. Cats seem to prefer drinking from wide containers where their whiskers don't touch the side. Some cats will drink more if provided with flowing water such as that from a cat drinking fountain. Other cats dislike the chlorine and chemicals in tap water and are much happier when offered bottled water to drink. Some veterinarians recommend cranberry capsules to reduce the risk of a UTI. The cranberry extract contain proanthocyanidins, which may make it more difficult for bacteria to adhere to the bladder wall. Consult your vet before starting any supplement in your cat. Your vet will approve the supplement and instruct you on an appropriate dose. Do not be tempted to increase the amounts of these supplements, because there is a risk of reducing the urinary pH too much and the extreme acidity could irritate the bladder lining.
A: Understand age's effect on UTI risk. Encourage your cat to drink to flush his bladder. Feed your cat cranberry capsules or ascorbic acid to acidify urine.

Q: It's important to consider which piercing technique you're most comfortable with. Piercing guns, like the ones used at Claire's and Icing, push the earring straight through the skin. Piercing guns, while quick and inexpensive, often cause more infections. The guns can be disinfected but not completely sterilized because they are made of plastic and do not hold up under sterilization techniques used for needles and other professional tools. Although this method is not widely recommended, as it does cause some blunt-force trauma to the ear, it is still common and many people choose it out of convenience. Tattoo shops and professional piercing studios use the hollow needle method, which creates a clean hole instead of forcing the earring through the skin. This method sounds more painful, but many report that it's actually less painful. The hollow needle method is preferable because it won't infect as easily or heal over as quickly if you go without earrings for a long period of time. A good piercer will have ample experience. If you're not confident that they are prepared and experienced enough, it may be worth finding a different piercer or location. It's okay to ask the piercer how much experience they've had. At locations like Walmart, the piercer receives very little training and may not have any experience, so it's better to ask than have something go wrong. Generally, professional piercers should have at least a year of experience before they start working alone. Checking reviews online is a great way to get a feel for the piercer's experience and the quality of service. A dirty studio is a red flag, so look around for general cleanliness. Make sure the piercer uses disposable gloves and sterile packets for each new needle. This is a crucial safety measure. If they don't use proper sterilization techniques, you should probably find a different studio. When you get your ears pierced professionally, you will likely have to choose from the in-store selection. It's important to know how to choose the best and safest earrings, since these will stay in your ears for the next six weeks. Look for earrings free of nickel and cobalt, as these materials commonly cause allergic reactions. The safest earring materials are surgical stainless steel, platinum, titanium, and 14K gold. If these are over your price point, gold and silver are generally safe options as well. The piercer will use a surgical marking pen to place dots where the earrings will go. Examine the dots in the mirror and make sure they're placed where you want them. The piercer can always wipe off and re-draw the dots if needed. Prepare yourself by taking a deep breath and the piercer will guide you through the process, which, for lobe piercings, is usually painless and takes less than a minute. You'll feel a slight pinch on your earlobe, and then you're done. For less common piercings, the pain may be higher and the piercing may take a bit longer. Cartilage is harder to push the needle through, so it may take a few moments to complete the piercing.
A: Decide whether or not you want to use the piercing gun method. Consider the benefits of the hollow needle method. Make sure that the piercer is experienced. Check for cleanliness. Pick the earrings you want to have your ears pierced with. Be careful about choosing a hyper-allergenic material, particularly if you have any metal allergies. Fine-tune the placement of the piercing. Take a deep breath.

Q: If your cat is well-acclimated to you and your home, and is not feeling particularly scared or stressed, getting your cat to come out could be as simple as calling them. If you normally call your cat at dinner time, for treats, or just when you want to give them affection, then your cat probably already associates being called with good things. Call your cat as you normally would for food or companionship. It may be enough just to crinkle a treat bag or tap a spoon on the rim of a food can. If your cat is feeling extremely scared or shy, try setting out food, treats, or catnip near the bed and wait quietly nearby until the cat comes out to eat. If you have a new cat that is still getting acclimatized, this can be a good way to help them get more comfortable in your home. Allow your cat to eat undisturbed and go back under the bed if it desires. After repeating this process a few times, your cat will probably begin to feel safer and start to spend more time out in the open. You may have more luck with canned foods or particularly tantalizing treats like tuna, roasted chicken, or pieces of deli meats. If your cat has a favorite toy, like a "fishing lure" on a string, try dangling it and shaking it around in the cat's line of sight. Toys that make sounds (e.g. toys with bells) may be especially effective for attracting the cat's attention. Dangle the toy near the edge of the bed. Once the cat starts playing with it, slowly back up to lure them out all the way.
A:
Call your cat. Offer your cat food or treats. Lure your cat out with a toy.