Cat Care

Danger to Humans

2009-05-06T13:44:00.000-07:00

Usually cats are not aggressive to people, but they might scratch or bite when they are playing.

As a prevention wounds caused by cats should be cleaned with an antiseptic. Scratches can infect. If this happens to you then you should go to a doctor.

Symptoms of fever after being scratched by a cat can mean fever-of-cats.

Rabies
The saliva of cats, alike what happens with other animals, can transmit rabies. If bitten by a cat in an area where there may be rabies, you should seek a doctor immediately.

Toxoplasmosis
Other diseases and infections may be transmitted to humans, such as toxoplasmosis, which can be present in the feces of cats. Unlike the rabies, these diseases are not serious, but you should maintain good rules of hygiene. Toxoplasmosis that is a disease of which toxoplasma gondii is the causative agent can be dangerous for pregnant women.

Hygiene
To minimize the risks of getting an infection there are important rules of good hygiene, in handling the litter box, and keeping the objects that are in contact with the cat, as his bed (or the place where he sleeps), cleaned. And if the cat shows signs of an infection, these objects should be disinfected.

Cat Kidney Disease

2009-05-05T04:33:00.000-07:00

Symptoms of kidney disease is a growing thirst, frequent urination, loss of weight, difficulty in breathing and ulcers in the mouth of the animal.

The kidney disease may be chronic or acute. For both of them a veterinarian should be consulted.

Older cats tend to suffer more chronic illness. As the cats age there is more chances for the kidneys to deteriorate. In this case, for the cat to survive a careful diet and appropriate medical treatment is needed.

Younger cats are more suffer more acute kidney disease. This is usually caused by an infection and is accompanied by symptoms such as vomiting and dehydration.

Remember that if the cat shows an excessive thirst and urinates often, these are signs of kidney disease.

Cat urine problems

2009-05-04T05:49:00.000-07:00

The urine of cats should present a clear yellow. The cat must urinate with ease. If effort is needed for the cat to urinate and the urine is cloudy or without color, the cat may be sick.

Infections in the bladder, kidney diseases or diabetes are some of the urinary problems that cats may suffer.

In the feline urological syndrome, the bladder is blocked, making that the cat has to endeavor to urinate, expelling bloody urine. It is a painful process that requires immediate attention by a veterinarian.

Cat Gums

2009-05-03T13:31:00.000-07:00

Usually cats don't have dental caries. But gums disease can cause loss of teeth.

Therefore, you must examine the cat's mouth regularly. The cat should be accustomed to have his/her mouth examined up, from kitten.

Brushing the teeth of your cat
You can avoid most problems in your cat's teeth just by brushing his/her teeth. This can be done with a special toothpaste or a solution of water and salt.

Usually dental problems in cats are due to the accumulation of plaque, which can cause gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or an infection in the tooth, causing an abscess.

Gingivitis
Begins to appear a dark red line along the gums. The gum will back as the inflammation develops which may lead to loss of teeth. You should consult your veterinarian quickly.

Cat Flu

2009-05-01T03:06:00.000-07:00

There are several viruses that attack the respiratory system of the cat causing what is known as "cat flu".

Cats can be vaccinated against certain viruses. But there is no vaccine for all of them.

Treatment is based on antibiotics that are administered for some time, after which there must be major nursing care with the cat at home. The sick cat should be kept warm.

Some symptoms of cat flu are the eyes and nose dripping, sneezing and coughing.

Treatment by a veterinarian is very important to get soon as feline influenza can be severe and spread quickly.

Cat Appetite Loss

2009-04-30T05:28:00.001-07:00

Loss of appetite can be caused by a disease. But it may be just a normal behavior of the cat, for example due to warm weather, or due to the fact that the food is not fresh.

You should not try to force your cat to eat. You should try another type of food, giving the cat snacks. Heat several times a day (at the temperature of the body of the animal) food that the cat likes to see if he/she eats. Make sure to give your cat fresh food. After 10 minutes, the food that is not eaten should be removed.

If the cat refuses to eat any food for over 24 hours then you should take your cat to a veterinarian.

Cat Vomiting

2009-04-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

Vomiting one time or another may be normal in cats. It may be a reaction to defend themselves from something that they have swallowed, or it may just be to get rid of the balls that have settled in their stomach.

But the vomiting may also indicate a serious illness, especially if it persists, and is accompanied by blood or diarrhea.

If the cat show pain in the abdomen and demonstrate an excessive thirst, he/she may have been poisoned.

Either way, if the vomiting persists, with the cat vomiting continuously, then you should consult a veterinarian immediately.

Cat Diarrhea

2009-04-28T05:10:00.000-07:00

Diarrhea can be caused by several types of health problems. It can be a symptom of an intolerance to foods, can result from an allergy, or may be a result of a disease such as infectious enteritis of cats.

If diarrhea persists, you should take your cat to the veterinarian who will examine your cat. He will start by verifying whether the abdomen is swollen.

If nothing is done to treat diarrhea, the cat can die of dehydration.

Cat Worms

2009-04-26T05:49:00.000-07:00

Cats can be infested by internal parasites. Lungs can accommodate Strongylus Micrurus which causes respiratory problems. The small intestine can be infested by hookworms, which can cause anemia. And even more common are the nematodes and tapeworms that install themselves in the intestines.

Some of the contamination symptoms by internal parasites are anemia, diarrhea and weight loss. The cats become weakened.

The treatment involves the administration of medicines against worms. These can be a paste that is placed in the cat food, or tablets.
The adult cats should be examined twice a year. The kittens should only be treated with these pills when they are older than a month.

Strongylus Micrurus
If contaminated with this parasite cats can suffer a pleura-pneumonia. The contamination occurs when the cat eats a mouse or a bird that fed on a snail or slug which in turn has eaten larvae of Strongylus Micrurus. One of the symptoms that may indicate contamination by this parasite is a persistent dry cough.

Cat Ears

2009-04-24T05:01:00.000-07:00

The ears of cats are areas especially exposed to all kinds of injuries. Wounds caused by fighting can infect. Continuous scratching can also cause injury and infection. White cats in particular tend to suffer from burns, by the action of cold or by the action of the sun, which may lead to the development of tumors. The veterinarian should be consulted whenever you suspect of these problems.

Mite
The secretion of dark brown wax is caused by mites. Mites are usually a problem only if there is a large quantity of them in the ear of the cat. If they spread to the inner ear they can damage the hearing of the animal. Scratching ears persistently and shaking head are signs of mite infestation.

Usually the problems in ears, like wounds and infections, and infestation of mites, are treated with drops prescribed by your veterinarian.

Cat Eyes

2009-04-23T04:12:00.000-07:00

Eyes should be bright and clear. Discharge, irritation, discoloration, tearing or cloudiness, are all signs of eye problems. Check if the third eyelid is showing. These are situations that need to be addressed or could lead to blindness. Usually the treatment is made with application of drops. But you should never apply drops without the indication of a veterinarian. A veterinarian should be consulted for the most appropriate treatment.

Third eyelid
Cats have a third eyelid. This is a membrane that is located in the inner corner of each eye. The third eyelid may become visible when the cat is sick, with cats flu, or diarrhea. In these cases the third eyelid is usually apparent in both eyes. If the cat damaged one eye in a fight usually only the lid of the damaged eye becomes apparent.
When the third eyelid is visible you should always take the cat to the veterinarian.

Cat Fleas

2009-04-21T05:04:00.000-07:00

It is common in cats the appearance of external parasites such as lice, fleas and ticks. The cat begins to scratch persistently, and it may lead to skin irritation and even to hair loss.

Fleas are generally in the neck and base of tail.

Treatment with application of anti-flea powder:
hold the cat and spread the powder over the hair of the whole body with care not to hurt the cat. Rub the powder along the cat's body. At the end remove the excess powder with the help of a comb.

Treatment with an anti-parasites collar:
This is a complementary treatment to be administered after having treated the places that the cat uses more, like the cat's bed, furniture, etc.. Thus it prevents further infestation. If the collar cause irritation in the neck of the cat it should be removed.

Cat Health Check

2009-04-19T11:03:00.000-07:00

You should be alert to any unusual behavior, such as lack of appetite, or lack of vitality, it may mean that the cat is not well.
If signs of illness persist you should seek a veterinarian, because the health state of the cat may degenerate into a more serious situation.

A healthy cat shows vitality, ease of movement and a bright hair. When the cat is relaxed examine him/her:

Fur
Look for flea, scratches, or lack of hair.

Ears
Check if the cat has dark wax in the ears, if the cat has swelling or if the cat's head is "dropping" to one side.

Butt
Check if the cat urinates without difficulty, if the cat licks the genitals without stopping, or if there are signs of diarrhea.

Eyes
Check if there is excessive secretions or inflammation in the eyelids.

Teeth
Check if the cat's teeth have saliva, if the cat has bad breath, or if the gums are inflamed.

Nose
Look for secretions, if the cat does not breathe easily, if it's sneezing continuously.

It's also not good health signs if the cat has swelling in the body, if the cat presents an unusual posture, or if the cat limps. In these situations you must take a closer look at the affected areas, and may be required the intervention of a veterinarian.

Cat Eating Plants

2009-04-16T03:50:00.001-07:00

Your cat may become an enemy to your plants. The cat that is kept at home can chew the leaves and flowers and try to use the pot soil as his/her litter box.

To avoid this behavior:

Provide a pot of grass to your cat
Spray your plants with a very diluted lemon juice. Cats hate the taste of lemon and will stop chewing the plants
Put a wire net over the soil of your pots to prevent them to be digged. A layer of gravel over the soil will have the same effect.

Cats Cleaning Themselves

2009-04-15T06:40:00.001-07:00

Cleaning themselves is a typical activity of cats. Cats spend hours a day grooming and cleaning themselves.

But cleaning themselves continuously, without stopping, can be a sign of anxiety. Usually this continuous cleaning is limited to an area that the cat bites and licks without stopping. This behavior can even lead to problems of skin and fall of hair.

Try to calm the cat, giving him/her comfort and care. This is particularly indicated if that behavior was caused by a change in the routines of the cat.

If this behavior does not diminish, find a veterinarian who may prescribe tranquilizers or indicate a specialist in animal behavior.

Cats Fighting

2009-04-14T06:51:00.000-07:00

Cats that are not sterilized are more territorial. They will fight other cats to defend their territory and also for a female.

When cats are in real fights, when they are not playing, their tails and back are puffed up (piloerected), teeth are shown, and there are strong bites.

Cat fighting is something that should be stopped, since it can lead to wounds and disease transmission. Through distraction, making a loud noise or dropping something heavy on the floor, you may be able to stop a fight between two cats. Do not try to remove one cat from another or you may get harmed as well.

Just Playing
Playing is an essential part of the development of small cats. In this "fights" cats usually don't show their teeth and don't get injured.

Wandering Cat

2009-04-13T04:02:00.001-07:00

Cats can survive outside without human care, returning to a semi-feral state.

Usually this behavior appears in cats that are not receiving proper care at home, or in male cats that are not castrated.

Break the habit of wandering around by calling the cat regularly at the same time of the day for meals, and closing he/she at home for short periods of time.

Do not despise the appetite of your cat, give food regularly to prevent the cat to depart in search for a meal somewhere outside.

Signs of a wandering cat
Tail up, ears in a vertical alignment, and a confident stride can be typical of a wandering cat.

Hissing Cat

2009-04-12T01:11:00.001-07:00

Usually cats are not aggressive to people. If your cat try to scratch and bite you maybe he/she is ill, or in pain.

Indoor cats, that are always at home, and are not given enough toys, or proper attention, can also become aggressive.

If your cat suddenly becomes aggressive, putting ears down, growling and hissing, it may be signs that your cat is not in good health.

Just playing
Your cat may bite you when you playing with him/her, usually these small bites are not painful.

Clingy Cat

2009-04-11T03:40:00.000-07:00

Usually cats are independent animals, but sometimes they can get excessively dependent, demanding and clingy.

A dependent cat will follow you everywhere, whining constantly to draw your attention.

Some breeds, like the siamese, seem to be more over-attached and clingy than others. If you spend most of your time outside perhaps it's not a good idea for you to have a siamese cat.

Try to keep your cat busy, giving him/her some toys and letting him/her leave home. There are benefits to let your cat go outside. If the surroundings allows it, don't hesitate, let the cat go, let him/her be more independent.

Signs of a clingy cat
Usually follows his/her owner everywhere, jumping on the owner's lap the minute he/she sits. These cats tend to keep ears in a vertical position.

One solution to draw the cat's attention away from you is to get the cat a feline companion, another cat.

Shy Cat

2009-04-10T03:58:00.000-07:00

Usually cats are not shy. If your cat has become suddenly shy, perhaps this is due to a change in his/her routine.

Is your cat shy?
A shy cat has a tired look and walks with his/her tail tucked. Maybe he/she runs away and hide whenever a strange comes closer. A shy cat may never get used to people.

Caressing
Caress your cat and talk gently, rewarding with bits of food.

Shelter
Provide a shelter to your cat. It can be a covered bed so that when he/she feels frightened he/she has a place to feel safe.

Cat Urine Spraying

2009-04-09T05:45:00.000-07:00

Cats have a very strong sense of territory. Usually they mark their territory outside the house, by scrubbing special glands or by "spraying" urine in their territory borders.
If you cat is urinating indoors maybe the cat is disturbed by any change in the household routine. The presence of a new cat can be enough to trigger this behavior.

"Spraying" inside your house can be caused by a disease, you should have your cat seen by a veterinarian.

When the cat has urinated in your house you should use a proper disinfectant or liquid detergent to clean the smell completely, otherwise your cat will return to the same spot and do it again.

If your cat is not yet spayed or neutered, you should consider doing it as soon as possible. This will prevent undesirable urinating behaviors. Check with
your veterinarian to determine when it is the best time for this procedure.

Hunting Cat

2009-04-08T15:24:00.000-07:00

Cats are skilled predators. Hunting is a natural cats' behavior and there's nothing you can do to avoid it.
If your cat is hunting it's not because he/she is hungry. Even well fed home cats will hunt. Usually the prey that cats play with are small rodents or small birds.
Kittens train for hunters by playing with toys.

When your cat offers you the prey
Cats can bring hunted prey to your home. When your cat brings you a prey, you must understand that he/she is only trying to help in getting food to his/her "family". So, don't tell the cat off. If you do it, the cat might "think" the amount of food was not enough and can go hunt for more.

Injured Birds
If the cat brings you a bird still alive, then place the animal in a small well ventilated box and take it to a society of animals' protection. Let the experts take care of the bird. Many of that birds die from shock.

Travel Cat

2009-04-06T07:08:00.000-07:00

Cats are not big fans of traveling. Therefore, they must be transported in a safe carrier. It should be large enough to allow your cat to stand up and turn around comfortably. Should be solid, well ventilated and easy to clean. A cat should always be carried inside a carrier when traveling by car. Never leave your cat alone in the interior of your vehicle for a long time in a hot day, this may be fatal to your pet.

If the journey is long, you must stop every half hour, so the cat can use the litter box, eat and drink.

Moving
Cats are very attached to their house. You should help your cat in the transition to his/her new home. You should not send the cat along with the furniture in the moving truck. You should take him along with you. When you reach the new home feed him/her, give him/her water and let him/her use the litter box. Do not let the cat go out of the new home for the first 5 days.

Traveling Cat
If you need to travel by air, sea or railway, then a small container, approved by the trasportation company, should be used. You can buy it in animals' stores. It should be solid, light and well ventilated. The conbtainer must have posted instructions for feeding the cat, and the name and address of the owner.
You should check the regulations of the transportation company. Usually they don't transport female cats with kittens or cats that have not yet been weaned.

Quarantine
The quarantine of cats is primarily intended to prevent the introduction, in the country of destination, of animals infected with the rabies virus. Rabies can be fatal to animals and to humans. It's transmitted through saliva. Regulations in countries free of rabies are strict. You should get informations (maybe your veterinarian can help) and obtain the necessary documents prior to travel. A cat may have to spend several months in quarantine in the destination country.

Cat Boarding Kennels
If you leave only for a few days you can ask a friend to go to your home once a day to feed the cat. If you do not have anyone to do so, you can leave your cat in a Boarding Kennel.
Sign up in advance, but inspect the premises before deciding which boarding place is best for your pet. Check if the premises are cleaned and that cats will not have physical contact with each othe.. Each cat should have its own cage.

Cat Food

2009-04-05T10:22:00.000-07:00

Cats are a carnivorous animal. That does not mean that can not eat or that they should not eat vegetables. There are even breeds of cats that like fruit in particular, such as the flat head cat of Malaysia.

But there is no doubt that cats need more meat than dogs. Usually cats do not like cereals.

Some owners prepare their own food to their cats. But this requires knowledge on the doses of the various ingredients for the proper satisfaction of the food needs of cats.

There are currently on the market several types of food with adequate nutrients for cats, which are quality guaranteed.

Food for cats on the market

Dry foods
Dry foods are biscuits made of small fish, meat, fats and vitamins. This type of food has some advantages over canned food. It's easy to preserve, and is practical to handle. In addition, dry foods heps the cat to get rid of tartar. But, if only dry food is used, it may be too low in fat and can lead to problems in the bladder causing blockage of the urinary tract of the animal. Thus, you must wet the biscuits with a little milk or water.

The feeding of the cat should not be made solely on the basis of dry foods. This type of diet should be included in a varied menu.

The ideal is to provide dry food to your cat once in the morning. At the end of the day give him canned food or cooked meat, cow, rabbit, chicken, fish (without bones), etc.

Semi-dried foods
They are generally very nutritious, but are more expensive and are not as well preserved as dried or canned foods.

Canned Food
Food which is made of meat and/or fish, salt, gelatin, vitamins, sugar, preservatives and sometimes cereals. These foods are highly nutritious. Are prepared industrially in different varieties, with guarantees of the manufacturers that they have the whole range of constituents such as albumin highly nutritious, fat, carbohydrates and all the essential vitamins in a balanced composition. It is the best substitute food.

Homemade food for cats

Meat
The meat can be beef, rabbit, lamb, or pork. You should always cut the meat into small cubes. Preferably it should be grilled or baked in the oven, as it is best toretains flavors. From time to time is good to give raw meat to your cat. But be careful with pork, it can be infected with a deadly bacteria to cats. The pork should therefore be well cooked. Careful with the bones of rabbits that can chip and therefore should not be given to your cat.

Poultry
The remains of poultry meat left over from people meals are delicious to cats. The kidneys are very appreciated by cats. Careful with bones of birds that normally chip and thus also, like the bones of rabbits, should not be given to your cat.

Eggs
Do not give raw eggs to the cat as they may be contaminated with bacteria. In addition, the raw egg white contains a chemical that neutralizes B vitamin, which is essential for the cat. If they are cooked are a good source of protein. Must be cut and should be given to your pet twice a week maximum.

Milk
Some cats can not digest the lactose in cow's milk and can get diarrhea after drinking milk. There are also cats that do not like milk. Do not insist, water is essential for cats, but milk is not.

Cheese
It is an excellent source of protein. You can make raw cheese, grated or cut to cubes, or cooked with other foods.

Fish
The fish must be fresh, cut and spineless. It can be raw or cooked. You can give your cat canned fish. Canned sardines can even be beneficial to the health of the animal as being served with tomato sauce and olive oil, help the intestines to expel the balls of hair which can accumulate in cat stomach.
A diet based only on fish is an unbalanced diet. This kind of food should also be included in a varied menu.

Vegetables and cereals
The cat should get used from kitten to eat cooked vegetables such as cabbage, spinach, peas, etc.. Along with meat or fish, potatoes can be added provided they do not represent more than one third of the meal.

You can also add grated bread, pasta and even cereals, wheat flakes and corn. They can all be mixed with milk and given on the first morning meal.

Fruit
If your cat likes fruit good. It will not hurt him/her, let the cat eat. If you do not like fruit do not worry about that.

Remember that:

Your cat will thank you a well-planned diet
Water is essential
Fresh food from time to time is the ideal
Each cat should have its own bowl

Outdoor Cat

2009-04-04T13:34:00.000-07:00

Cats like to explore the surroundings and enjoy walking around in external environment. In the first few weeks don't let your cat go out whenever you open a door. Only after the cat is accustomed with the new house you should let the cat go out. The first time the cat go out of the house should be monitored by you.

Your cat should not be allowed to the outside in bad weather. A collar should be used when exiting. The cat must also be vaccinated.

Using the Cat Door
When you have confidence in your cat and you think you the cat can go out alone, it's a good idea to install a cat door so that the cat can do it whenever he/she wants.
The cat door should be installed about 15 cm from the ground. Usually the cats learn easily to use a cat door. If the cat refuses to use the cat door, find a way to keep the cat door open and put yourself at the other side and encourage your cat to come to you.

Type of Cat Door
There are several types of cat doors in the market. Some only open inwards, so the cat can enter always, but not go out when he/she wants. Other ones open for both sides. Other ones have devices which can lock the cat door to avoid for example that the cat goes out at night, or to avoid that strange cats get inside your home.

Avoiding accidents
If you live in a city, in a house surrounded by streets with traffic, and no garden, maybe it's not a good idea to let your cat go out. But even if your home has a garden, there are also some potential hazards that must be considered, and that you should preferably keep away from your cat, such as the existence of sharp utensils and tools, herbicides and fertilizers (should always be locked away from your cat), other animals, cats or dogs, and even poisonous plants in the garden.

Use of collar
When leaving your house the cat should always wear a collar with his/her name and address. Should not be too tight to not irritate the skin, nor so large that the cat can get rid of it.

Use of leash
You can walk a cat with a leash. Should be used with a harness to distribute the force of the leash by the animal's chest. You should first try it in your cat at home and only when the cat is used to it should you try a walk in the park. If the cat refuses to walk with the leash, do not insist.

Indoor Cat

2009-04-03T06:22:00.000-07:00

Cats are different from dogs, because they can have a happy life at home, especially if the cat never experienced a different lifestyle.

Sleep
Cats sleep most of the time, about 16 hours per day. A comfortable bed can therefore contribute much to the satisfaction of your cat.

Play
If your cat is most of the time indoors, be sure to put at their disposal a range of toys for entertainment and exercise. If you do not do that the cat will be bored and restless and can play with any objects of your house, maybe damaging them.

As an alternative you may consider getting 2 kittens instead of one. Thus they will play with one another.

Nails
Cats need to sharpen their nails. Scratching and sharping nails is an instinctive behavior of cats. To avoid that your cat scratches your doors or even your furniture you should give a post to your pet. It can be a trunk, preferably placed vertically, or you can buy one post in animals' stores, which usually has toys and a platform on top for the cat to climb.
Whenever you see that your cats starts to scratch something that you don't want to be scratched, take the cat and put his/her feet on the post.

Avoiding accidents
The interior of a house is not a completely secure space for a cat. There are several dangers to be avoided. Some open lids could be dangerous. You should make sure you close the lid of your washing machine, or the lid of your garbage can. Some plants can be poisonous. Objects on shelves may be overturned. You should also keep the cat away from cooking pots and uncovered food. Some smaller objects can also be dangerous, such as tacks, nails, spools of thread, glue, elastics, etc.

Grass
The cat needs grass as a source of fibers. The grass can also help cats to free themselves from the balls of hair they accumulate in stomach, by vomiting. Provide a ceramic pot that your cat can reach. It may be grass, thyme, sage, or parsley.

Cat discipline

2009-04-02T14:42:00.000-07:00

Because of its independent nature, a cat can not be trained like a dog. But it is important to follow some rules of discipline. If you establish some routines it will be easier to deal with the cat and the cat will enjoy the measures as well.

Cats should be disciplined when they are kitten, because when an adult already have ingrained habits that will be much more difficult to lose.

Cat's name
The cat must know its name. If you call the cat when it's time for bedtime and meals, the cat will soon learn to respond to its name.

Grooming
A long-haired cat should be brushed every day at the same time. A short-haired cat should be brushed at the same time, but just once a week.

Meals
The meals should be served at the same time and same place.

Play with your cat
Playing is important for the cat's development (especially interior cats). Spend at least 10 to 15 minutes per day playing with your cat.

Sleep
You must put the bed of the cat in a quiet place. If he wants to sleep in people's bed, then you should put him in a room apart, place the cat inside its bed and shut the room's door.

Imposing Discipline
You should not punish your cat when he/she is not behaving well.
What you can do is to spray the cat with water, by means of a water gun.
You can also tap very lightly on th cat's nose, but this technique should only be used as a last resort, when everything has failed.

Cats and Dogs

2009-04-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

Introduce the cat to other pets

During the first few weeks you should feed the kitty separately from other pets. Monitor and control the meetings of the kitten with the other animals. What is more difficult is to get an older cat used to a new kitten. An older cat may feel threatened by the small cat.

Shelter

Provide a shelter to your kitty. It can be for example a cardboard box, so that when the kitten comes to your home he will feel safe inside that shelter. There the kitty will begin fitting in.

Introduce the cat to a dog

The dog must be leashed in the first meetings. After they are accustomed to each other, you can leave the two animals alone without problems.

Introduce the cat to a older cat

You should let the older cat smell the kitty. If you see the older cat intends to attack, they should be separated immediately. This is undoubtedly the most difficult meeting, it may take more than a month for them to get used to each other.

Introduce the cat to a rabbit

You should make sure that the kitten doesn't go over the other animal, because even if the kitten only wants to play, it can hurt the other little animal. The meetings with rabbits or guinea pigs should therefore be monitored. These small animals should not be left out of the cage when we have an adult cat at home.

Litter Box Training

2009-03-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

Put the tray with the absorbent gravel in a quiet place. When you realize that the cat is lifting the tail almost urinating or defecating, then take and place the cat inside the litter box. If the cat has evacuated outside the litter box never rub its nose in its waste, as it is done with dogs, because if you do that the cat will associate the smell to that place, and will return in order to evacuate in that place again.

The kittens can be taught to go to the litter box when their age is about four weeks.

Cleaning the litter box:

On a daily basis you should remove the feces and wetted area with a small shovel and put new gravel in.
Remove the entire area once a week, put it inside a plastic bag and place it in the trash. Wash the tray with hot water and let dry. Do not use any detergent because the cat does not like the smell and it can make him stop using the litter box. Fill with new gravel.

Holding a cat

2009-03-31T04:57:00.000-07:00

How to pick up a cat

You must approach the cat carefully. Do not grab the cat. Preferably, let the cat comes to you. Start by caressing the cat slowly. When the cat is getting used to your touch, you can take him from the ground:

You must place a hand beneath the chest of the cat, and the other hand under the back of the cat.
Lift the cat slowly, gently, without sudden movements. Pull the cat to your chest making sure that your arm supports the back of the cat.

How to hold a cat

Cats tend to like to be hold, but only when they want to. Usually a cat does not like to be hold more than briefly. If you caress the cat while holding it will be easier because the cat gets calm. When the cat is starting to struggle, let the cat go. If you do not let the cat go and he is not willing to keep in your arms, the cat can bite and scratch.

A kitten should be hold carefully making sure that you support the whole body with affection.

You can hug a cat supporting its all four feet in your two arms. Or supporting the back of the cat in one of your arms and letting the front paws of the cat on your shoulder.

Cat supplies

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There are several products on the market, designed for cats, at different prices. Look for it in supermarkets and animals' stores.

You should have the following basic supplies on hand to provide your cat with complete and proper care:

Food Bowls

Must have at least one fork and one spoon to handle and to prepare your animal's food. You should have at least two bowls, one for the food and the other one for water. But the ideal is 3 bowls. One for water, one for dry food and the other one for fresh food.

You must keep everything clean, washing everything daily with dish detergent. Do not use disinfectants as some can be dangerous for cats.

Litter box

You should have a tray designed to serve as a toilet for the kitty. It is a container filled with 3-4cm height of an absorbent material.

There are two types of containers: with and without a lid. The lid will close the pan like a box. If the cat is timid he will enjoy this. A toilet closed like a box can also be an advantage if your cat urinate standing, it prevents urine from going outside the board. The bottom of the tray (before placing the absorbent product) must be lined with newspapers or with appropriate fittings.

Absorbent product types:

Reusable - you can wash it and is not absorbent
Clay - is a natural absorbent clay
Lightweight - its main advantage is to be able to be transported
Wood-based - are excellent absorbent for liquids

Even if the cat walk freely outside of your home, it is good habit to have a specific place for toilet. Your neighbors who have a garden, can react badly if the animal choose the flowerbed or lettuce as his toilet.

Grooming

Buy a collection of combs and brushes to keep your cat's coat in excellent condition. Short-haired cats only need to be brushed at the time of the change of hair. Long-haired cats, however, need regular grooming care, to avoid the hair to become intertwined and the brushing a torture to the cat.

Toys

Keep your cat entertained. Buy a collection of toys. Toys are especially important for cats in apartments because they can not fulfill their natural impulse to chase and play with a prey. Balls with or without jingle bells, mouse and bones, are some of the toys that can be found in animal shops.

An economical solution is to use balls of yarn, empty spools of thread, balls of paper, corks, etc..

Bed

Must have a comfortable bed to sleep well. Can be purchased or you can easily do one with a cardboard box. If your cat prefers to sleep outside his bed, in a pillow or in a couch, it can be an almost impossible task to deter your cat from doing so. Try to understand the independent nature, the tendency of cats to follow their own path.

Carrier

It is essential to have a carrier where the cat can be carried safely. It should be large enough to allow your cat to stand up and turn around comfortably. Should be well ventilated and easy to clean.
Can be used for travel or for going to the veterinarian.

Collar with the cat ID

Your cat should always wear a safety collar in the event that he/she escapes outdoors. There are also other more reliable identification options that you can discuss with your veterinarian, such as microchipping.

Get a cat - choosing your pet

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A cat is an extraordinary pet. It's great as a companion, shows a surprising affection and self-confidence. A cat can live inside a house, doesn't need to be taken for a ride daily, and that's why it's the ideal pet to live in a city. These animals are especially appreciated by children and by the elderly.
Here are some tips that you should consider to select your pet:

Male or female?

A female is usually more affectionate and docile than a male. A male is usually larger and more independent, and therefore more likely to wander, being territorial, fighting for females in his territory. But if the male is sterilized, he becomes more docile and more like females.

After being sterilized there is no major behavioral differences between males and females.

Kitten or a cat?

A little cat requires more care and attention than an adult cat. The kitten's curiosity may lead him to go into trouble. So he should be monitored more frequently. He must also be taught to make his needs inside the box. However, a kitten gets used to people more easily, and can easily be educated with good habits. An adult cat can bring with him good habits, but also rooted less desirable habits, which will be harder to get rid of, so the cat has to be more looked after.

If you are not willing to teach a kitten, you may choose an older cat that can be found for example in a kennel. If you choose a kitten please remember that the kitten should only be aparted from its mother when completely weaned, which is about when he reaches his eight weeks of life.

Long-haired or short-haired cat?

A short-haired cat will take you much less time to take care of. The cat is able to do it by his own, almost none of your intervention is necessary. In addition it will be easier to treat wounds and make the cat free from parasites such as fleas.

A long-haired cat has the advantage of a spectacular fur. But you must brush the cat on a daily basis. If not done every day a cat can accumulate balls of hair inside the stomach causing digestion problems. But for those who have time and appreciate the task of brushing, it will be worth to admire the spectacular coat of this type of cats.

Purebred or not?

You should choose a particular breed of cat especially if you intent breeding or exhibitions. You should look for advise from a cat breeder, to achieve a good candidate for winning contests. There are over 100 breeds of cats. The major disadvantage of these cats is their price.

If you just want a feline companion, then choose an animal not purebred. They are not inferior to the other ones, many are as beautiful as purebred cats. There is also a huge variety of appearances. And beyond that, they are cheap, or even free.

Where to buy/acquire?

If you are interested in a specific breed of cat you should look for a breeder.
Animal protection societies are a good place to look for abandoned and lost cats.
Cats can also be bought in animals' stores.

Examine your cat

Be selective when you choose your kitty. Observe the litter and look for some characteristics that identify each kitten's personality. One is alive, one is more funky, one is fearful, another playful, another sleepy, ...
To find out the sex of the kitten you should lift the tail and observe the distance between the anus and the sex organ. The female's vulva is situated near the anus, while the male's penis is not so near the anus.

A cat lives about 15 years. Buying a kitten that is healthy can be the difference that will allow significant savings with the veterinarian:

The back of the cat should be clean. Lift the tail and see if there are traces of discharge or diarrhea.
Watch the ears of the kitten. Must be clean and dry. If there is dark wax or the cat is scratching, it can be a sign of mites inside the ears
Eyes bright and without secretions are a sign of health. Make sure the third eyelid is not in sight.
No secretions from the nose is also desirable. The nose should be slightly moist and velvety.
The gums should be pink, without inflammation. Teeth white, and odorless breath.
The cat must have a rounded belly but not paunchy.
Fur should be smooth, soft and shiny. See if there are traces of fleas or other parasites.

Registration in a Veterinary

When you acquire a cat you should register him in a veterinarian. If you do not know any veterinarian ask your neighbors who certainly will let you know some with good references.
Vaccination is a very important step. There are two basic vaccines. A vaccine against enteritis virus and against feline influenza virus. These two viruses can be fatal to your cat, you should not facilitate. The vaccine is applied, in general, when the cat is nine weeks old. If the cat is already mature make sure he was vaccinated when he was little and has a certificate of vaccines updated. After the first vaccination, the cat will need reinforcements, usually three to four weeks after the first applications.

The veterinarian does a check-up to the kitty and gives you a health certificate.

Is your cat a purebred?

If your cat is purebred make the registration in the appropriate authority for this purpose. Normally the registration is done when the kitty is five weeks of life. It records the name of the cat, details of hair, color and parents. This is especially important if you have plans to present the cat at exhibitions. If you do not know what to do, ask your veterinarian for help. He will give you information on what you have to do. If the cat is already registered, inform the authority to change the owner name.

Sterilization

If you do not want your cat to breed, then you should sterilize your cat. Sterilization avoids the unpleasant sexual behavior of a male, as it marks its territory spreading urine everywhere. If he is out, he will wander around fighting with other males. In the case of a female, if she has some freedom to the outdoors, she will be in heat two or three times a year and then she will want to mate, resulting undesirable litters. If the female is closed in an apartment you can prevent unwanted litters, but it can develop an uninterrupted heat.

Sterilization of a female
Should be sterilized between 4 and 5 months. Never during the heat. The uterus and ovaries are removed.

Sterilization of a male
The male should be castrated at six months age. The testicles are removed. This operation should not be done before the penis is fully developed.