Choosing & Caring For A Cat Naturally

 

Preparing to Own A Cat

 

Before you decide to own that cute little kitten there are a few important things to consider. No doubt that is why you are reading this little book

 

First, if you have never lived with a cat you must find out whether you are allergic to them. Allergy is the main

reason that cats are re-homed or sent to a shelter. If he is no longer a kitten by then, sadly, he stands a poor chance of being re-homed. And of course both you and your family will also be very sad

 

If you tend to be allergic to pollen or other airborne allergens it is likely that you, or your children, will also be allergic to cats. It really isn’t possible to live happily with a cat if it makes your eyes and nose itch all the time.

 

If you've never spent much time around cats, try to spend a few hours in a home with them and see if you feel at all allergic. Bring with you any family member who has a tendency to allergy. If it isn’t possible to spend time with a cat you could get an allergy test done. Take your time until you are sure you aren’t going to be affected by cat fur.

 

Next, you may want to consider your lifestyle. Although most cats need less interaction than dogs, a kitten, who has after all just left his playful littermates, can easily become lonely and bored if left alone all day, especially if he is kept indoors. A bored kitten is often a nuisance, scratching the furniture, knocking things over, and generally trying to amuse itself in ways you won’t like. If you work long hours getting two kittens to keep each other company is much kinder.

 

If you have a baby, or are expecting one, it isn’t a good time to get a kitten or cat. Wait until the baby is a little older before acquiring one. Cats can become jealous of a new baby and there is also the danger of the cat lying on a sleeping infant if the crib is not safely covered. You will have enough to do in looking after your baby without having to give time to a new cat.

 

Most homes can manage to fit a cat into them, but just be sure that yours will. Cats need more equipment if they are going to be indoor cats. Indoor cats need a litter box, litter, toys, and a scratching post. You will also need to spend more   time playing with your cat if he is not allowed the freedom to play outside on his own.

 

It seems that indoor cats only exist in the USA. I am not from there and I find the whole concept of keeping a cat indoors difficult to understand. I have read the reasons, that they are safer from mean people, marauding dogs, traffic and illnesses. I guess you know your own  still take the risk because cats so love the outdoors and I can’t imagine one being truly free and happy if they only see it through a window. Keeping a cat indoors is just not a custom I am used to, but I will try not to let my prejudices influence this book!

 

Once you decide that a cat will fit into your household, the next question is whether you want a kitten or an older cat and whether a pedigree or mongrel.

 

Most people can’t resist a kitten, they are so adorable. But consider an older cat  if you want a slightly less energetic pet that doesn’t need training. You can easily find both cats and kittens at a rescue center. If you have small children be sure you don’t choose a cat which has been ill treated. If it has, it may take a great deal of time and patience to renew its trust and turn it into a happy loving pet. A frightened or insecure cat will not put up with little children and may bite or scratch them.

 

When choosing a kitten go for the one that comes to the front to see you. Don’t choose one that hangs back shyly. The outgoing ones make the best pets. I ignored my own instincts on this when I picked up my current cat, Alfie.

 

Luckily my children are grown up and there are no small children around yet. He is lovely and I wouldn’t part with him, but he isn’t the outgoing type and he has taken a lot of time to learn not to bite. He hates to be picked up or bothered in any way unless he so chooses, and will kick us away if he doesn’t feel like being petted. This wouldn’t do for kids, they like to pick cats up and cart them around even dressing them up in dolls clothes, as I used to with my very patient childhood cat. Alfie wouldn’t have any of that!

 

Most kittens are already house trained by their mother. A kitten should never leave its mother before it is 8 old. If it leaves her any sooner it may have some problems that are hard to cure. So always check that it is old enough before you take it.

 

Choosing A Breed

 

There are so many cat breeds as well as plain ordinary moggies without any pedigree at all. How can you decide which is right for you and your family?

 

If you just want a great pet and aren't concerned with owning a specific breed, the best place to look is your local humane society or animal rescue center.

These organizations are usually overrun with healthy cats and kittens just longing for a home.

 

If you are looking for a specific cat breed attending a cat show is a good way to find one. Many exhibitors bring along a few kittens that are for sale. Even if youconditions. For myself 

can't find kittens of the breed you are looking for at the show, you can ask exhibitors to place you on a waiting list for one of their kittens.

 

Do you want a cat that likes to talk to you? Some cat breeds are well known for being very talkative and, although many cat owners love these vocal breeds, some people find it annoying. Breeds that are very vocal are Siamese, Korat, and Burmese. The Scottish Fold, Somali, and the American Curl are very quiet cat breeds.

 

Some of the friendliest cat breeds are the Snowshoe, Abyssinian, Maine Coon, Ragdoll, Tonkinese, and the Himalayan Persian. Less sociable breeds are the Norwegian Forest Cat, the Nebelung, and the Russian Shorthair.

 

If you are looking for a cat who can amuse himself and will not get into constant mischief, then avoid the Sphynx, Siamese, Rex, Balinese, and British Angora breeds, which are very inquisitive and energetic. But if you are at home and have a lot of free time these cats are wonderful company. In fact, the Rex is downright silly in his attempts to amuse those around him.

 

Of course, while you are deciding on a cat breed don't get so caught up in selecting the right temperament that you overlook other important features. One  of the most important things to consider when you are looking for the right cat is whether you want a long haired or short haired breed.

 

People who don't have a lot of time to devote to a pet may want to opt for a short haired breed. Although that fuzzy ball of fluff may look adorable right now, grooming adult long haired cats can take up quite a lot of time. If you neglect your cat's coat, it can tangle and matt up at an alarmingly fast rate, right down to her skin. Once this happens, your only option is to have her shaved  completely,  which can be quite traumatic.I think that I would

Multi Cat Households

 

For many people, a single cat is the ideal situation. However, for others, cats seem to be like potato chips. They can't stop with just one.

 

Is owning more than one cat right for the cat you already own?

If you do want more than one cat it is better to get them both  from the same litter when they are kittens. Most adult cats do not

like the intrusion of another cat or kitten into “their territory”, aka your home. However it isn’t impossible, and a new cat can usually be integrated into the home if it is done with care and understanding of the incumbent’s feelings.

 

Although some people feel that their cats will be more at home with a cat from the same breed, many cats are quite happy to hang out with other breeds. Of course you shouldn’t pair cats with completely different temperaments. A boisterous, clownish Rex cat will not get on well with a self contained Russian Blue for example.

 

How To Integrate A New Cat or Kitten

If you are bringing a new kitten into your home there are ways to make the introduction easier. Don’t bring a kitten home and leave it to fend for itself nor should you present it as a “pleasant” surprise to your resident cat. He will not find the surprise in the least pleasant! Instead of placing the cats together immediately, allow your original cat to gradually get accustomed to the new arrival.

 

Here is a much less threatening way to get your resident cat and the kitten off to a good start in sharing a home.

 

 

·         Hire a kittening pen from your vetinarian (or use a crate), and place it in  a room where your cat doesn’t spend any time. Place the kitten’s food, water, litter tray, bed and toys in the pen. When the kitten arrives put it in the pen but leave the pen door open so he can wander around and explore the room.

 

·         Play with the new kitten when he is awake, as he will feel lonely without his littermates. At the same time be sure to give your cat plenty of attention too, but not more than he wants or usually gets.

 

·         After a few days let your cat meet the kitten by leaving the door to the kitten’s room open. Place your cat’s feeding bowl, with some of his favorite food, in the doorway and at the same time feed the kitten.

·         If this goes off all right continue to feed the two animals in the same room gradually moving the cat’s food closer to the kitten pen.

 

·         Next, exchange the kitten and the cat’s bedding, to accustom them to each other’s scent.

 

·         If all seems to be going well and the older cat is not showing any aggression toward the kitten open the pen and allow them to meet in their own time.

 

·         This whole process could take several weeks or just a few days depending on the cat’s temperament.

 

 

For a smooth transition, be sure your first cat doesn’t have to share his litter box, food and water bowls, scratching post or toys with the newcomer. Cats which are forced to share litter boxes may decide to create their own private litter boxes in other less convenient places!

 

All of this may sound like a great fuss, but it is worth it I promise you. If your cat is faced with a new kitten without any preparation he may attack it or, depending on his personality, he may become very depressed.