animal care
Basic Cat Care
Cats are lifelong companions. Sharing your life with a pet is
an important decision. It is a lifelong commitment to your friend's
well being. Cats will give you companionship, entertainment and
a lot of happiness, in return they require time, money and compassion.
Rather than treating your cat as a guest who visits from time
to time please consider him or her to be a member of your family.
As with other members of your family cats deserve loads of time,
love and attention.
Please be sure you are prepared
for the responsibility for more than 15 years.
COLLARS: All
collars on cats are dangerous unless the collar has an elastic
insert or is the "breakaway" style.
Cats can strangle if the collar gets caught on something, or
injure themselves trying to get the collar off. If you put
a collar on a kitten or growing animal, please be sure to check
that it does not become too tight as the kitten grows! If your
cat goes outside, prevent the cat from killing birds by adding
a small bell to the collar.
FOOD: Do not feed your cat food
made for dogs or use any dog care products on cats. Dog food
and "human" table
food lack essential vitamins and minerals cats need such as
taurine
- an essential amino acid for cats. Lack of taurine in the diet
causes blindness, serious heart problems (dilated cardiomyopathy),
and may promote urinary tract problems as well. Feed only well-balanced
cat food, appropriate to the age and activity level of your cat.
Avoid dairy products! Dog flea preparations often kill cats.
Likewise, medications, shampoos and other products made for dogs
(or humans) can be toxic to cats.
CLEANERS: Do not use phenol-based disinfectants or cleaners
around your cat. Lysol, Pine-Sol and similar products contain
phenol. Please read all package ingredients carefully. Phenol
can cause serious liver damage in cats.
MEDICATIONS. Be very careful, for example NEVER give your cat
paracetymol or aspirin. These products cause severe bleeding
problems. Over-the-counter medications can kill cats. Use only
veterinary-prescribed medications.
INDOORS: Please
consider making your cat a strictly indoor pet. The list of
risks to outdoor cats include poison, injury (falls,
cars, attacks by other animals or humans, or broken glass), parasites
(fleas, ticks, or worms), disease (feline leukemia virus, feline
immunodeficiency virus, feline infectious peritonitis, upper
respiratory viruses, etc.), and theft. . Keep your cat indoors,
and you will have a healthier, more socialized, and content family
companion. Indoor cats
PROVIDE your indoor cat with toys and a scratching post, regular
claw-clipping (we do not recommend de-clawing!!! declawing),
nutritious food, clean litter, fresh water, and lots of love
and companionship. You will both enjoy it!
Company: we recommend
adopting two compatible cats, particularly siblings, as they
form a close bond and provide great company for each other.
BRINGING your
cat home. Don't be surprised if she hides under furniture,
or in a cosy corner, for several days. Cats can take a while
to adjust to
their new surroundings and new housemates.
vehicles