animal care info

Cat Care

		The Cat Mind

		Independent and flexible creatures, cats still need security, regular contact, affection, and their own comfortable surroundings - and depending on the cat - sometimes another feline friend for company.


		Cat Feed

		If you find the mind-boggling array of different cat feeds on the market too daunting, draw a balance and give your cat a mixture of wet and dry food, along with dinner meat and veg scraps (free of bones).

		Most people feed convenience foods, be they canned or packet. Our cats are fed both wet (tinned) and dry (dehydrated biscuits). If they're lucky they also get chicken or fish - cooked, of course. They have dry food (with a constant nearby supply of water) left for them all the time.

		Some people prefer to feed dry food only. If this is your choice and - if agrees with your cat - make sure you get a good quality food and always have plenty of drinking water available, without which a cat can develop urinary tract infections. There are also special diets for cats prone to illness and diseases. Always get your vet's advice.


		Cat Health

		WEIGHT: As with all animals, don't be deceived by a shaggy coat which can camouflage prize prominent rib cages. Feel under the coat to check his weight.

		WORMS: worms can damage internal organs, and so cats need regular worming. Tablets can be bought in shops but please do not buy these. See your vet and get your cat or kitten wormed correctly and safely. See more on WORMS IN CATS.

		FLEAS: Fleas are a fact of life and must be dealt with. All domestic cats and dogs at some time in their life have contact with fleas unless the animals live their whole lives in total isolation indoors.

		If we neglect to deal with fleas then your cat can become very ill and may even die. Yes, the insignificant flea can be the indirect cause of death. After all, that is how the Great Plague spread - rats were infested with contagious fleas. And fleas live by sucking blood. Some fleas are particular about which animal to dine on. Some are not so fussy - grass fleas will hop on and off anything - including humans - for a bit of lunch.

		In badly infested puppies and kittens the blood loss can cause anaemia - severe anaemia can lead to death.

		The flea carries the tapeworm egg. When your pet grooms itself it will swallow the flea - and the egg - and will then have a tapeworm growing inside his intestines. Tapeworm, if not treated, can weaken the animal resulting in loss of condition and weight. In severe cases the tapeworm may cause vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, and weakens the immune system making your pet more susceptible to infection.

		Fleas can also cause a serious skin disease - flea allergy dermatitis. There is intense itching and discomfort, and the skin soon becomes sore and weepy where the poor creature has been scratching and biting at the irritation. This results in a loss of hair, the wound can become open to infection where abcesses may start forming.

		There are many combat-flea preparations in the form of collars, shampoos, sprays, drops on the skin, tablets and injections. There is even a product that acts like a birth control to a flea which breaks its life cycle. Which ever one you use, be sure to consult your vet before treating kittens, puppies and their nursing mothers as these require a special product.

		Some products kill the adult flea and are effective for just that one time. Others give the animal protection for 3 months or more. There are even products that will clear your home of these pests. But which ever one you use, make sure it's suitable for your pet. Many treatments can be bought from a pet shop, but as with wormers and other treatments, the most effective ones are bought from your vet.

		JABS: Cats need vaccinating to provide immunisation against Feline Infectious Enteritis. The cat suffers sever dehydration, and although thirsty, will not be able to drink. It suffers abdominal pain, may vomit and collapse. This disease spreads rapidly among cats, the elderly and kittens are especially vulnerable.

		Feline Influenza - 'cat flu' - is caused by a group of viruses affecting the upper respiratory tract. The symptoms are sneezing, runny eyes and excessive salivation. Eye ulcers and death can occur. Prompt treatment by the vet is needed. POOR HARRY

		It is recommended to also vaccinate against Feline Leuhaemia. All F.A.I.T.H.'s cats are vaccinated against this dreadful virus which is spread by saliva, urine and faeces.


		Cat Exercise

		Cats like short bursts of play and exercise. They don't have the dog's stamina for sustained exercise. This makes them very good household pets because they're happy to spend a lot of time just curled up somewhere warm, sleeping off their 5 minute race along the back of the sofa.

		Don't allow a new cat outside until after he has been kept inside for a couple of weeks, and has been given lots of attention (and maybe some prawns) and knows to call the place home. You'll have to provide a litter tray whilst he has to stay indoors. It is essential that you show him where the litter tray is - especially for kittens - as he won't necessarily know at first.

		When you do let him out of the house, especially if he's just a kitten, go with him and stay with him all the time. Let him out for just a short while, and then take him back in and feed him. This way, you're teaching him the whereabouts of his home and the value of returning to it. Accompanied ventures outside can gradually last longer until his confidence has grown.

		Also - don't allow your cat out until it has been NEUTERED. This will prevent unwanted litters and wanderlust - which can lead to road accidents. Neutered cats usually stay within their territory. Kittens can be neutered at around 5-6 months old.

		A cat flap is a must - you can keep it locked at night to keep your cat safe inside.

		Cats kept entirely indoors must be given lots of play. Set aside a period for playtime each day and encourage your cat to chase paper or feathers on a string, or ping pong balls. Cats also love to show off tossing suitable cat toys around the room. You can buy many different cat scratch posts and play stations with hiding holes and pounce-platforms. Cardboard boxes and chasing things under sheets of newspaper also go down very well.

		If you're out at work most of the day, consider having a pair of cats so they can keep each other amused.


		Cat Grooming

		Get your cat used to being groomed. During moulting the cat will swallow loose hairs as it grooms itself. This causes hairballs which they often vomit back up, but which can also cause serious blockages that need veterinary attention.


		Cat Facts
		An estimated 700,000 kittens are born every year. So don't let your cat have 'just one litter'. Please neuter your cats.

		It's a false economy to let a cat have kittens instead of speying. It costs far more to feed a pregnant cat and her litter than to pay for a speying operation.

		An uncastrated male marks his territory with strong smelling urine. He will spray around the house and garden. He will disappear for days or weeks often turning up injured or ill from untreated wounds. Most cats killed on the roads are un-castrated toms. Most noisy cats are toms, if he's not annoying you he'll be annoying the neighbours, spraying around their property and geraniums, fighting their cats and causing them vet bills and worry.

		Feline Leukaemia Virus and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus are life-threatening diseases, transmitted through cats' saliva, which makes fighting cats more at risk. Neutered cats are less likely to fight, wander or spray.


		Paws for Thought

		If, as a cat, I am called a neuter,
		As that, I'm assured of a much better future.
		I am not constantly harassed by that randy old tom
		And if he was castrated, he wouldn't pong.

		I feel sorry for him, he's turned out at nights
		To wander the streets, and have many fights
		Where as I snuggle up on my owners lap
		Who tells all his friends that 'I'm a wonderful cat '.

		If that randy old tom had the same op. as me
		A much nicer pet to his master he'd be
		The desire would be gone for courting at night
		Vieing with suitors, and the obligatory fight.

		His 'wilder' instincts would cause him no bother,
		He'd enjoy - like me - the home comforts on offer.
		So owners please note - we don't need a suitor,
		We're a home loving cat, when we are known as a neuter.