SAFTY
Cats and kittens are by nature curious, energetic creatures that can easily injure themselves in the home. Kittens should be protected from poisonous contents, household cleaners, toiletries and medications. Many human medications, particularly aspirin, are dangerous for cats because they cannot metabolise them. Cats are fastidious and, unlike dogs don't generally go about eating everything. The danger, however, lies in cats picking up poisons on their paws, which they unwittingly lick while grooming. So if there are any spills, wipe up immediately. Keep cats away from household plants, especially lilies, azaleas, ivy and poinsettias. Also watch out for small, easily swallowed items that can become lodged in a kitten's tiny air passage. Plastic bags should also be out of reach as they could cause suffocation. Electric cables should also be covered in heavy plastic to prevent a naïve kitten from chewing on them. On the same theme, electrical appliances such as tumble dryers and washing machines should be checked before use. Cats have been known to jump into tumble dryers for warmth, and washing machines as a hideaway. Likewise refrigerators and dishwaters can be an attraction for curious cats, so avoid leaving the doors of these appliances open.
FEEDING
Don't feed cats dog food - it will not have enough of the amino acid taurine - needed by all cats for good health and bodily function. Dog food has deficient levels of protein for a cat. Unlike dogs, cats cannot store protein - so they need constant and higher levels of protein. Unlike dogs cats are strict carnivores.
A typical adult cat needs about two and a half times as much protein in its diet as humans. Kittens need even more!
When feeding your cat, be sure that the bowl is wider than the cat's whiskers; otherwise the cat will remove the food and eat it off the floor.
KITTENS
If buying a kitten it should be at least 8 weeks old and if a pedigree should preferably be 12 weeks old. Kittens are more playful than fully-grown cats and will demand more care and attention. If looking for a kitten or cat it is important that they are healthy. A kitten or cat should have the following:
• pink and moist gums.
Avoid : Pale gums are a sign of anaemia
• Should be interested and alert, taking an interest in its surroundings
Avoid : A lethargic cat
• Move freely with its head held high. Spring to the ground easily from a height
• Coat should be clean, dry and slick.
What to avoid: a matted coat, patchy, scaling, circular hair loss (a sign of ringworm).
• Have clean ears
What to avoid: evidence of scratching may indicate ear mites
• Mouth, and nose without discharge
• Have a smooth, clean skin with sleek glossy dry fur
What to avoid: Any holes, breaks or blemishes in the coat
• A healthy cat's tail and rectal region will be clean
What to avoid: Swollen tissue, redness, signs of blood or diarrhoea
Clear bright eyes
What to avoid: Cloudiness, redness, debris, exposed third eyelid, excessive tear production
• pink and moist gums.
Avoid : Pale gums are a sign of anaemia
• Should be interested and alert, taking an interest in its surroundings
Avoid : A lethargic cat
• Move freely with its head held high. Spring to the ground easily from a height
• Coat should be clean, dry and slick.
What to avoid: a matted coat, patchy, scaling, circular hair loss (a sign of ringworm).
• Have clean ears
What to avoid: evidence of scratching may indicate ear mites
• Mouth, and nose without discharge
• Have a smooth, clean skin with sleek glossy dry fur
What to avoid: Any holes, breaks or blemishes in the coat
• A healthy cat's tail and rectal region will be clean
What to avoid: Swollen tissue, redness, signs of blood or diarrhoea
Clear bright eyes
What to avoid: Cloudiness, redness, debris, exposed third eyelid, excessive tear production
HEALTH
Kittens should be vaccinated for the first time at the age of 2 months against cat influenza (an inflammation of the respiratory tract) and feline infectious enteritis (viral infection of the digestive system). A second vaccination will be necessary 3 - 4 weeks later. These vaccinations are boosted every year. At the ages of 9 and 12 weeks your kitten will be vaccinated against cat leukaemia. Afterwards an annual booster will be needed to keep the kitten in good health.
WORMING
Kittens and cats will need worming at regular intervals. Roundworms and tapeworms are common in cats and especially those that hunt. Weight loss, diarrhoea,
Spayed or neutered
Kttens are normally spayed or neutered around six months of age but there is some flexibility. Neutering is believed to enhance the owner's relationship with their cat. Unneutered males will demonstrate tomcat behaviour - roaming, fighting, territorial and spraying urine. With this behaviour, especially fighting, the cats will
