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Cats have been domesticated since
1600 B.C. Currently, over 37 million
households own at least one cat. Not
only are they great companions, they
are also very helpful with their hunting
instincts. Physicians have proved that
owning a cat can actually reduce
stress and improve an owner's health.
Choosing the right cat is very
important. Pure-bred or mixed breed?
Male or female? Calico or tabby? In
general, male cats are much more
affectionate and friendly while females
are more aloof at first. Calico cats are
typically female and are known for their
distrust. Orange cats are usually male
and are extremely friendly. Siamese
cats are very vocal at night and really
don't like strangers. Ragdoll cats are
very laid-back and playful. Just about
any shelter in any city will have mixed
breeds (called domestic short-,
medium-, or longhaired cats) of any
breed that you are interested in.
1600 B.C. Currently, over 37 million
households own at least one cat. Not
only are they great companions, they
are also very helpful with their hunting
instincts. Physicians have proved that
owning a cat can actually reduce
stress and improve an owner's health.
Choosing the right cat is very
important. Pure-bred or mixed breed?
Male or female? Calico or tabby? In
general, male cats are much more
affectionate and friendly while females
are more aloof at first. Calico cats are
typically female and are known for their
distrust. Orange cats are usually male
and are extremely friendly. Siamese
cats are very vocal at night and really
don't like strangers. Ragdoll cats are
very laid-back and playful. Just about
any shelter in any city will have mixed
breeds (called domestic short-,
medium-, or longhaired cats) of any
breed that you are interested in.
The reason shelters are so over-run with kittens is because cats are induced
ovulators. This means that a female can cycle every time she mates and this can
result in a pregnancy each time! This is different from many mammals such as
humans and dogs that ovulate at specific intervals and pregnancy can only occur
during those intervals. Theoretically, a cat can have litters every 3 months.
Cats are naturally very curious. They can be as destructive as puppies in certain
areas! Never leave a balcony open for your cat to explore. Even though the chances
are good that if she falls she will land on her feet, she may still seriously hurt herself.
Keep toilet lids down. Get any poisonous house plants out of your cat's reach or
remove them from your home completely. Any sewing supplies, especially yarn and
string, needs to be locked up.
ovulators. This means that a female can cycle every time she mates and this can
result in a pregnancy each time! This is different from many mammals such as
humans and dogs that ovulate at specific intervals and pregnancy can only occur
during those intervals. Theoretically, a cat can have litters every 3 months.
Cats are naturally very curious. They can be as destructive as puppies in certain
areas! Never leave a balcony open for your cat to explore. Even though the chances
are good that if she falls she will land on her feet, she may still seriously hurt herself.
Keep toilet lids down. Get any poisonous house plants out of your cat's reach or
remove them from your home completely. Any sewing supplies, especially yarn and
string, needs to be locked up.
There are several necessities you will need for your new pet. It is best to transport
your kitten in a small carrier. As long as it is sturdy, the material does not matter. It is
wise to place a shirt or towel at the bottom of the carrier with your scent on it to help
calm your pet.
A litter box will be needed of course. It is amazing to see how kittens will instinctively
use the box with minimal prompting. Always have one more litterbox than you do cat-2
boxes for 1 cat. Use a high-quality litter and be sure to try to scoop the litter at least
once a day. It is best to empty the entire box once weekly and clean the whole box
with soapy water or diluted bleach. Pregnant females or other people that are immune
suppressed should have another family member scoop the box-cats can carry
Toxoplasmosis and transmit cysts to humans. If an immune compromised person must
empty the box, wear gloves and be sure to scoop at least every day-it takes 24 hours
for the cysts to sit at room temperature and become infective.
Every kitten will need several scratching posts even if you plan on having your pet
declawed. Scratching posts are not for sharpening claws, but rather for stretching,
marking their territory, and cleaning their nails. It is important to provide both vertical
and horizontal posts.
Vaccines: Cats will need vaccines starting at 8 weeks of age. The amount of
vaccines will depend on whether the pet will ever be allowed to go outside. Rabies will
be given at 12 weeks of age. Feline leukemia vaccine can also be given at 12 weeks
of age only if the patient will go outdoors. Cats require three Feline Viral
rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccines- at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
of age. The leukemia vaccine will need one booster. Rabies does not require a
booster. For more information on vaccines, please visit the vaccine information page.
Spay/Neuter/Declaw: Most kittens should be 6 months of age when they are
spayed or neutered. It is not advisable to neuter cats before 6 months of age-there is
suspicion that early neutering may be contributing to male cats developing urinary
blockage when they are adults. Declawing can be performed anytime after 4 months
of age. It is not recommended to declaw any cat that will be venturing outdoors. Many
veterinarians are using a laser to declaw their patients-the recovery is quicker and it
is less painful. You should expect to pay a little bit more for a laser declaw than a
traditional declaw.
Grooming: Most cats need very minimal grooming. They keep themselves very clean
by grooming themselves. Of course, this may predispose them to hairballs. If you
suspect your cat is suffering from hairballs, there are over the counter oral laxatives
that can aid your cat in expelling the hair. Medium and long-haired cats will need to be
brushed at least weekly. The Furminator brush is an excellent tool to aid in removing
loose hair. It is very rare to have to bathe your cat.
There are many unwanted behaviors that your pet can develop including vocalization,
aggressiveness, and urinating outside the litter box. Please visit the behavior page for
more information.
your kitten in a small carrier. As long as it is sturdy, the material does not matter. It is
wise to place a shirt or towel at the bottom of the carrier with your scent on it to help
calm your pet.
A litter box will be needed of course. It is amazing to see how kittens will instinctively
use the box with minimal prompting. Always have one more litterbox than you do cat-2
boxes for 1 cat. Use a high-quality litter and be sure to try to scoop the litter at least
once a day. It is best to empty the entire box once weekly and clean the whole box
with soapy water or diluted bleach. Pregnant females or other people that are immune
suppressed should have another family member scoop the box-cats can carry
Toxoplasmosis and transmit cysts to humans. If an immune compromised person must
empty the box, wear gloves and be sure to scoop at least every day-it takes 24 hours
for the cysts to sit at room temperature and become infective.
Every kitten will need several scratching posts even if you plan on having your pet
declawed. Scratching posts are not for sharpening claws, but rather for stretching,
marking their territory, and cleaning their nails. It is important to provide both vertical
and horizontal posts.
Vaccines: Cats will need vaccines starting at 8 weeks of age. The amount of
vaccines will depend on whether the pet will ever be allowed to go outside. Rabies will
be given at 12 weeks of age. Feline leukemia vaccine can also be given at 12 weeks
of age only if the patient will go outdoors. Cats require three Feline Viral
rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (FVRCP) vaccines- at 8, 12, and 16 weeks
of age. The leukemia vaccine will need one booster. Rabies does not require a
booster. For more information on vaccines, please visit the vaccine information page.
Spay/Neuter/Declaw: Most kittens should be 6 months of age when they are
spayed or neutered. It is not advisable to neuter cats before 6 months of age-there is
suspicion that early neutering may be contributing to male cats developing urinary
blockage when they are adults. Declawing can be performed anytime after 4 months
of age. It is not recommended to declaw any cat that will be venturing outdoors. Many
veterinarians are using a laser to declaw their patients-the recovery is quicker and it
is less painful. You should expect to pay a little bit more for a laser declaw than a
traditional declaw.
Grooming: Most cats need very minimal grooming. They keep themselves very clean
by grooming themselves. Of course, this may predispose them to hairballs. If you
suspect your cat is suffering from hairballs, there are over the counter oral laxatives
that can aid your cat in expelling the hair. Medium and long-haired cats will need to be
brushed at least weekly. The Furminator brush is an excellent tool to aid in removing
loose hair. It is very rare to have to bathe your cat.
There are many unwanted behaviors that your pet can develop including vocalization,
aggressiveness, and urinating outside the litter box. Please visit the behavior page for
more information.