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Cattery
of feline companionship bring with them obligations to ensure that your cat receives the care and attention it
needs. A cat is not a demanding pet to keep, however cats need adequate feeding, regular grooming and
proper veterinary care throughout it's life.
This page is all about feline care and what any cat owner should know about keeping their cat healthy. The
sections covered are basic care and nutrition. Please also note that this page is only a summary of feline care.
Cats also need a loving owner who is willing to devote time, love and attention to their cat.
Basic Care
Before you bring your new cat home, it is essential that you prepare for the new arrival. A cat must be provided
with a litter tray, separate food and water bowls, a comfortable basket or bed, a carrier, and a comb or brush.
It is also a good idea to provide toys as a cat will bond quickly with you through quality time spend playing with
your cat. If you wish, you can also provide your cat with other useful items such as a scratching post or cat flap.
Please DO NOT allow your cat to go outside. But, if you are allowing your cat outdoors, it is also very
important to provide your cat with a collar and name tag. Start training your cat at an early age to wear the
collar by putting it on for a short period of time each day until the cat is used to wearing it. A collar must have
an elasticated section so a cat can slip out of it should it get caught. The name tag should contain the cat's name
and your address and telephone number. An identity microchip can also be injected under the skin of your cat's
neck. This is the best way of tracing your cat should it get lost. Consult your vet for advice.
One of the biggest responsibilities of caring for your cat involves taking it to the vet for regular check-ups,
vaccinations and boosters. Choose a reputable vet in your neighbourhood and register your cat with the vet as
soon as you bring it home. If your cat becomes unwell, never try to treat the cat yourself at home. Seek
veterinary advice early to avoid your cat's condition worsing by delayed treatments.
Unless you are planning on breeding from your cat, responsible cat owners must have their pets neutered at the
appropriate age. This is ideally carried out when the kitten is six months old. The procedures for both male and
female cats are routine and usually without complications.
Feline Nutrition
Cats require certain dietary needs and animal derived nutrients in it's diet. They are not vegetarians and are
unable to live long on a completely meat-free diet. A well-fed cat is active and alert with bright eyes and glossy
coat.
Feed your cat prepared foods only from a reputable manufacturer at room temperature. Do not feed your cat
food intended for a dog or another animal. Try to fed your cat at the same time of day and in the same place to
establish a routine. A fresh bowl of water and dry cat food from a reputable manufacter to graze on should be
available at all times. Food bowls and feeding utensils should be kept clean at all times.
Your cat should be fed two or three small meals a day. Kittens require extra feeding. Please visit my new
kittens page for more information on a kitten's dietary needs. The meals should be fresh and disposed of when
the cat is finished.
Your cat can also be served a treat of fresh food a couple of times a week. Cats love fresh fish and chicken.
Make sure you carefully remove any small bones from fish and chicken before serving.
Watch your cat's weight and do not let your cat overeat. Felines like humans suffer health consequences from
being over weight such as heart problems, arthritis and shorter life expectancy. An average adult cat should
weight between 9 to 11lbs varying according to the type of breed. Male cats tend to be heavier in general. If
your cat is over weight consult your vet first to make sure your cat is not over weight due to a hormonal
problem. Once this has been ruled out, your vet can advise you on a feline weight loss plan. It is also important
to consult your vet if your cat refuses food for more than 24 hours.
~ The Truth about Declawing Cats ~
Declawing is an elective surgery cat owners sometimes choose to have done to prevent their pet from
scratching furniture, curtains, other pets, and people. Declawing is a controversial procedure. Some people feel
it is inhumane. Many veterinarians will always counsel the pet owners in alternatives to declaw surgery, while
other veterinarians simply won't do the surgery except in cases of medical necessity.
A cat's remarkable grace, agility, and sense of balance are in part due to its claws, which allow it to establish
footing for walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching. A cat's claws are also its best defence in the
outdoors. I strongly disagree with the practice of declawing, but you can make up your own mind after you
read the real truth about declawing cats below.
What Declawing really is...
The standard declawing procedure calls for the removal of the claw including the germinal (epithelium) cells
responsible for its growth, and part or all of the third phalanx (terminal bone) of the toe. The operation is usually
performed on the front feet, and is actually an amputation comparable to the removal of human fingertips at the
first knuckle. The cat experiences pain in the recovery and healing process.
Declawing can be done at any age, but younger cats tend to bounce back more quickly than older ones. It is
never recommended to take out a cat's back claws. Cats rarely damage anything with their rear claws and their
rear claws are their only defence after the front ones are removed.
What are the Risks involved in Declawing...
The procedure is not without risk. The tourniquet, used to reduce blood loss during the surgical procedure, can
damage the radial nerve and result in paralysis of the leg. This paralysis is usually temporary but can be
permanent. If the incisions come open and expose the remaining bones of the digits, infection can occur and the
wounds must be left open to heal, which can take longer than if sutures were holding the wound closed.
If the declawing procedure is not done correctly, misshapen claws can grow back. An incorrectly positioned
cut during declawing surgery can remove too much of the toe, taking with it part or all of the toe's pad. In
addition, if a bone fragment is left at the surgery site, it may become a source of infection. Both claw regrowth
and infection necessitate additional surgery.
Declawing your cat is a decision that should never be taken lightly and certainly never be done for the owner's
convenience.
Why Cats Scratch...
Scratching is a natural behaviour for cats and a way of fulfilling a cat's strong instinctive need to mark its
territory. Not only do cats mark objects visibly by scratching them, but the scratching deposits secretions from
glands in the feet that can be smelled by other cats. Scratching can also provide valuable stretching and foot
exercise for your cat.
Alternatives to Declawing...
There is a simple alternative available for you and your cat. Introduce a scratching post. You can make one
yourself or it can be purchased. Your cat's scratching post should be tall enough so your cat can stretch
completely when scratching, and stable enough so it won't wobble when being used. It should be covered with
a strong, heavy, rough fiber like the back side of carpeting and lined with catnip.
Make the post a fun place to be by placing toys on or around it, or by rubbing it with catnip, and put it in an
accessible area. If you're trying to discourage your cat from scratching a particular piece of furniture, try placing
the post in front of it, gradually moving the post aside as your cat begins to use it regularly.
A quick squirt from a water bottle will let your cat know when it has made a wrong choice between your
furniture and the scratching post. Training your cat to use its post helps increase the bond between the cat and
owner by increasing communication.
Clipping the nails every week or two keeps nails short and less able to do damage. With the owner's patience
and training, most cats will allow nail trimming.
If possible, get your kitten used to having its feet handled and nails clipped while young. Let your veterinarian
show you how to trim your cat's nails. The only equipment necessary is a good pair of nail clippers. Don't forget
to praise your cat while you clip the nails, and reward him with a treat.
