Cats for Dummies (For Dummies Series)

Product Information

Books abound about kitten care. Unlike many of themÂthose that seem to require a veterinary medicine degree to figure out Kittens For Dummies explains everything in plain, everyday English. And like the subject itself, this handy reference is full of fun. In entertaining, informative language, the friendly guide gives you the real deal on Cats are a joy to live with, and we want you to find out how much. Even if you’ve owned cats for years, you and your cat will benefit from the new information in this book to improve your cat’s health, happiness, and relationship with you. Soft cat collar (with elastic insert for safety) and an ID tag and a microchip (make sure to register the chip!) The cat then became honored — even worshipped — for a skill we sometimes wish today had been lost along the way: hunting. Before the cat stepped in, rodents had a fine, fat time in the grain storage bins. The cat’s hunting prowess evened the score a great deal and opened the door for small cats from Africa to take over the entire world, carried as useful workers on grain-laden ships throughout the ancient world. Farmers everywhere were grateful for their aid. Interesting fact: Experts believe Hemingway cats, also known as polydactyls, or cats with extra toes, were spread around the world this way. But there's more to owning a cat than having a cute, soft, purring companion. Before you get one, there are a few things you should think about, and a few things that are just plain good to know.

What to Feed Your Cat - Nutrition plays a major role in how your cat feels and behaves. Knowing what to feed is not as easy as cruising the pet food isle. Learn what cats need by listening to this podcast: https://www.catbehaviorsolutions.org/podcast/episode/46580721/what-to-feed-your-cat with problem behaviors like scratching the furniture and missing the litter box—all while learning to understand what your cat is trying to tell you. A lot of different elements (about 60) go into keeping your cat healthy. These nutrients each play a role in keeping your cat’s body functioning well. The following sections explain the most important components of the feline diet. Protein, essential for a cat’s diet In fact, as we will later learn, it is truly impossible to physically conduct Schrödinger’s cat experiment, even if we wanted to. That being said, pleaseunder no circumstances attempt to conduct this experiment.Things You do Your Cat Hates - it's important not to be a source of stress for your cat, so learn how to be more cat-friendly by listening to this podcast: https://www.catbehaviorsolutions.org/podcast/episode/46a182f1/34-things-you-do-your-cat-hates PDF / EPUB File Name: Cats_For_Dummies_-_Gina_Spadafori.pdf, Cats_For_Dummies_-_Gina_Spadafori.epub Unquestionably, cats are easy-keepers. But anyone who adopts a cat thinking that cats are like houseplants, just more furry, is in for a big surprise. Kittens and cats seek and need attention and affection. They also need both preventive and routine care for any number of common ailments. Behavior problems such as litter-box avoidance are more common than most people think. To care for your cat well, you need a few basic supplies, a high-quality diet, and a veterinarian you know well enough to ask the questions you need answers to if problems arise, and who can help you establish a preventive-care plan to catch and prevent disease. Although cats do need care, they are still low maintenance compared to a lot of other pets. Cats are wonderful pets for people who work, people who travel, and people who just want the easygoing companionship a cat can provide. Your cat always keeps up his end of the bargain — make sure that you keep up yours.

Some cat breeds require more grooming than others. Longhaired breeds may need a daily brush to keep their coats free from tangles and mats. Shorthaired breeds will often only need a brush once a week or biweekly. Make sure to choose a breed with a coat that you have the time to maintain. Do not use cancer or allergic reactions as a reason to avoid getting your cat vaccinated. You are much more likely to lose your unvaccinated cat to one of the diseases you should vaccinate against than you are to ever see a tumor in your cat because of vaccination. Outdoor cats are also far more prone to skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. It’s a horrible disease that often results in the loss of their ears, or nose, and is often incurable, even with radical surgeries. Dr. Lauren, who went to veterinary school in Australia, notes that she saw more of this horrible disease there, since cats in other countries are far more likely to roam freely than pets in the United States. Cats love to play. Toy mice, string, feathers, and even empty boxes make for great amusement. Playthings needn't be expensive (they can even be homemade), just make sure there's enough to keep your cat happy, active, and mentally occupied.

Important Things You Should Know Before Bringing a Cat Home

If you don't want your sofa shredded, or your new Louis Vuitton bag ruined, invest in a scratching post. There are so many cat breeds to choose from, all with distinctively different personalities. Taking the time to work out which breed will be the best fit for your family is an important step that shouldn’t be rushed. Some cat breeds will be happy relaxing in an apartment while their owners are at work, while others crave attention and prefer to have as much company as possible. Cat breeders and shelters will also be happy to advise you on what breeds could work for your home and work life.

Technical Stuff We don’t get too deep into veterinary medicine, anatomy, or other topics, but this icon is used to let you know that if you want to go deeper, we have you covered. If you’re ready to welcome a beautiful cat into your home, read this guide! Cats might seem relatively independent and low-maintenance, but they actually need plenty of interaction and care. Whether you’re considering adopting a cat or buying a kitten and watching them grow up, you’ll want to make sure you can provide for their needs for the rest of their life.Does your cat need heartworm prevention medication? Ask your veterinarian. The answer may hinge on your cat’s lifestyle and where you live. No one likes to give unnecessary medications. However, in this case, the cost of not erring on the side of giving medications may be high. Although heartworm infestation is rare in cats, it is also not easily treated. In most cases where heartworms are present in cats, veterinarians choose to not treat and simply let the disease take its course because the risks of treating are high. Even people who profess to dislike cats can’t look at a kitten like the one in Figure 2-1 without saying awwwwwww. Baby animals are all adorable, but kittens seem to have something special going for them. Maybe it’s those large eyes, following every movement intently. The oversized ears, twitching to and fro. The playfulness, chasing and pouncing on everything that moves, be it your fingertip or a piece of kibble batted across the linoleum. The tousled fur a kitten can’t quite seem to groom into the sleekness every adult cat considers her duty to maintain. A kitten is all these things — and more.

Kitty Litter made Lowe, who died in 1995, a millionaire many times over. The name of Kaye Draper’s cat somehow escaped being recorded for posterity. We think a little credit is due to him (or her), too.Don’t neglect your other allergies. Working with an allergist to get them under control may give you enough breathing room to make life with a cat bearable. Remember always that allergies and asthma are serious health problems, not to be taken lightly. The veterinarian is your kitten’s friend, although an animal care pro you hope you won’t have to see too often. If your kitten has to visit the vet for an illness or injury, ask your vet these questions to explore your options and to consider safeguards against future visits: Don’t forget that what your cat drinks is just as important to her well being as what she eats. Water — clean, fresh, and ever-present — is essential to nearly every process of your cat’s body. Because so many cats suffer from chronic dehydration, we recommend a diet high in water, typically canned. Although you still find cats plying their trade as rodent-killers on farms all around the world (see Figure 1-1), the cat’s greater role today is strictly as a companion. And in this, too, the cat excels. People who don’t like cats often complain that a cat chooses a cat hater’s lap out of a whole room full of cat lovers who’d love to offer theirs. This behavior is often given as an example of the independent — or even malicious — nature of the cat. The truth is that something else is at work: Cats feel threatened by direct stares and avoid strangers who take such liberties. In a room full of cat lovers and one cat hater, probably only one person isn’t looking invitingly at the cat — and that’s the one who gets the cat’s vote. Cats love places, not people