Proper Care for Cats

Cats, unlike dogs, are a little bit aloof. But they are cute and cuddly, and they make for good companions. Your cat will get sick in the course of its life, despite your best efforts. During these times, you have to be extra sensitive to how your cat is feeling. Try to see the differences in its behavior. Look for physical symptoms. The earlier you spot the warning signs, the earlier the treatment can begin, the better your chances are at curing whatever is ailing your cat. Sure, your vet will look for any tell-tale signs of an illness but monitoring changes can make a huge difference to your cat's health.

Changes in your cat's behavior

Cats posses the same behaviors larger felines do. When they are suffering from an illness or injury, cats will retire and hide so they can heal in peace. This is because in the wild, any sign of weakness is an incitement to predators and competitors. Look out for small changes in your cat's behavior as this may be your only clue to move along with.

Cats are solitary creatures, but they do stick to a routine and interact with their owner in the course of the day. If your cat chooses to be alone for more than a day, it is very likely that it is experiencing some trouble. If your cat is normally playful or listless but suddenly lost interest in toys or refuses to move at all, your cat maybe in distress. Your cats purring may also be a clue to how it is feeling. Purring, combined with a bad move and excessive defensiveness may be a signal of pain.

When to call a vet
When you notice you cat's strange behavior, give it a careful physical exam. Check for wounds, lumps or difficulty in breathing. Some signs may not be as obvious. If your cat just doesn't seem right to you, call your vet immediately. Here are other things you should do:

• Take your cats temperature. A cat's temperature should be between 101 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 and 38.1 degrees Celsius). A slight increase may be normal, but if your cat's temperature reads 105 degrees F, take him to the vet immediately. Temperatures lower than 100 degrees F are also signs of a serious ailment.
• Check for drastic changes in your cat's appetite or thirst.
• Check for irregularities in your cats bowel movements. Constipation is also a cause for concern. Inspects its stool. It should be firm and consistent. If your see blood, worms or things that appear like grains of rice, take a sample and take it to your vet for testing.
• If you notice a considerable increase in your cat's urination along with a noticeable increase in thirst, it could be a sign of kidney failure or diabetes. Cloudy or bloody urine, plus pain when urinating warrants a visit to the vet.
• Vomiting and diarrhea are fairly common in cats and may be caused by a gastric upset only. However, constant vomiting, projectile vomiting, blood in the vomit and/or unproductive retching may be a sign or a serious stomach problem. Also, persistent diarrhea may signal a number of serious disorders.
• Sneezing, coughing and runny eyes often means a common cold or flu-type illness and usually clears up within a few days. But, if these symptoms persist or are complicated by pus-like discharges, drooling or listlessness or loss of appetite, call your vet.
• Anemia is characterized by pale gums, tongue and lack of energy and appetite. If you think your cat is anemic, take it to the vet immediately. Anemia could be a sign of some other illness.

Article Source: proper care for cats

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How To Talk To Your Cat

If only the tip is moving, he’s irritated.

Sure, you talk to your cat now, but does he know what the heck you’re saying? And do you understand his purrs and meows? If not, it’s time to have a good chat with your furry friend.

You Will Need

• A willingness to look silly
• Attention to pay to his sounds
• A working knowledge of cat body language

Mimic his sounds

Create greater intimacy with your cat by mimicking his meows. Just knowing that you’re attempting to speak his language will make him feel closer to you.



If the tail is swinging from side
to side, he’s PO’d.

 Use his name

Increase your chances of your cat listening to you by using his name when you’re issuing a command.

Men should use a higher-pitched voice when speaking to their cats, because cats respond better to sopranos.

Watch your tone

Like humans, cats seek clues about a person’s mood by listening to his voice. So when you talk to your cat, be sure that your tone matches the message you want to convey.

If you want your cat to know you’re upset that he just peed on the rug, do what his mom would do: Gently pick him up by the scruff of his neck and growl.

Learn his language

Cats have about 100 words in their vocabulary in the form of meows, growls, purrs and hisses. Pay close attention and you’ll begin to learn sound he makes when he’s hungry, angry, fearful and so on.



If he’s carrying his tail tall
and proud, he’s happy.

Read his tail

Learn how to read your cat’s tail. If only the tip is moving, he’s irritated. If the tail is swinging from side to side, he’s PO’d. If he’s carrying his tail tall and proud, he’s happy.

Interpret speed and volume

Figure out kitty’s mood by paying attention to the speed and volume of his mewling. Fast, loud sounds indicate anxiety, while slow, quieter sounds convey confidence.

How To Talk To Your Cat on Howcast

Credit: Howcast

Related Tools / Resources:

FroliCat BOLT Interactive Laser Pet Toy
ABO Gear Happy Habitat for Indoor Cats
Cat
Dr. Seuss's Beginner Book Collection
PetSafe Outdoor Ultrasonic Bark Deterrent

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How to Get a Cat for a Pet

Many people enjoy sharing their lives with cats. However, a cat is a living being with its own bonds to its family. Therefore, go about adopting your new family member carefully.

Steps

1. Mull over your motivations and selection criteria for a cat. Do you want a young cat that needs training and extra attention, or an older cat that is already litterbox trained? Do you already have a pet, and how will they interact? Do your children know how to treat a pet? Are they in danger from a nervous cat or from cat allergens?
2. Research your options. Many commercial pet stores host pets from agencies that care for pets in need of a home. These pets are relatively inexpensive ($100), not any particular breed, and often from homes that are relocating. Other alternatives include looking at pets on online listings such as your local craigslist or similar website. The city pound or other adoption agencies also have numbers that can be found in the phone book. There's always the newspaper.
3. While waiting for your cat, start getting its home ready. Plan where the litter box will go, where it will eat, what will be appropriate areas for it to have some privacy. Be sure to get recommendations on a veterinarian.
4. Go to the pet store. Look at all the cats. Find a healthy cat. The cat's eyes should be clear, the coat should look like healthy hair, and the cat has to be responsive.
5. Pick out a cat. Start asking the shop assistant questions about the cat. Start playing with the cat. If you like the cat, then say to the shop assistant you want the cat.
6. Start shopping for your cat. See  below "Things You'll Need."
7. Introduce your cat to your home in a controlled environment. Have the doors closed and let the cat smell and listen to the environment. This may need to be done with the cat in the carrier if there are other pets or young children in the area.
8. Show your cat where the litterbox, bed, and food is, and provide it with a safe place to hide. Expect a level of nervousness in the first few days. Expect other pets to take a month or more to be come acclimated to a new pet.
9. Some vets recommend keeping the cat indoors for a month so that it understands that your home is its home as well.
10. Take your cat to the vet within the first week of purchase for a check-up. An obviously sick, bad tempered, or incompatible cat may be returnable depending on store policy. Vaccinate and deworm your cat. Make sure it has an implanted microchip for identification should it need surgery or kenneling or it gets lost.
11. Enjoy loving and playing with your cat.

Tips

• A library has plenty of useful resources to take care of your new cat. Take out a few manuals, and use them for your kitty.
• Getting a cat requires lots of time, and love. Before considering buying a kitty, think about these things. Will you be able to handle the cat? Can you afford the cat. If not, a cat isn't right for you.
• Some consider mixed breed cats better because getting purebreds is expensive (some are $7000 US) and plus, if you have a mixed-breed, your cat is unique although may not have the personality typical of some pure breeds.

Warnings

• A pet is an inappropriate gift for a child unless you are prepared to take care of it yourself.
• If you don't take care of your cat, you can lose money and your cat.
• Make sure you can handle taking care of a pet.
• If you have asthma, allergies, and other lung problems, then don't get a cat.
• Dental cleanings are a part of health maintenance and can cost $400-800
• Cats are solitary and do not necessarily welcome another cat in their territory. Your company is often what they want the most.
• Cats can become very expensive especially if they become ill so make sure you are aware of this before purchase and think about pet insurance.

Things You'll Need

• Cat food, wet or dry
• Water bowl, food bowl
• Kitty litter
• Litterbox and sifter
• Transportation device: hard carriers (like plastic cages) are recommended over soft (like bags) as many animals can be hurt in the event of an accident.
• Grooming tools: brush, nail clipper, cornstarch to stop any nail-trimming injury from bleeding.
• Medical: vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, worming medication
• Cat tree/hideout (optional and recommended)
• Scratching post (optional and recommended)
• Simple spray bottle for water (optional and recommended for discipline)
• Kitty toys (optional)
• Catnip (optional)
• Cat bed (optional)

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get a Cat for a Pet. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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