Cats Tip Sheet Flashcards
Knowledge
over 80 breeds of cats recognized by different cat registries around the world?!
keep in mind that with every breed of cat, there is a certain personality to consider, along with their physical attributes, which can differ greatly between breeds.
A mixed breed cat will certainly fit into your family just as well as a purebred cat; you just won’t have the knowledge oftheir lineage.
Felines provide companionship that can range from aloof and nonchalant to very affectionate.
If your cat is coming into your home as a second addition, it’s important everyone in the household is involved in helping to form a good relationship between her and your existing pet.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Cat Furniture
Your cat will love to explore, climb and scratch.
Cats scratch for two reasons; to remove the dead, outer husks from their claws and to mark territory, both visually and with scent from glands in their pads.
You can lessen the husk-removal scratching by keeping her claws clipped regularly.
Scratching is a behavioural need, so satisfying this need with scratching posts and cat furniture is important.
The use of catnip spray or honeysuckle on cat furniture will attract her to it.
Have the posts and furniture available from the first day you bring her home.
Suggested areas to put them are close to the cat box or in the living/family room area.
This will deter your new companion from staking out your furniture as her own.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Cat Bed or Mat
A cozy cat bed, perhaps scented with catnip to attract her, is a welcoming and secure place to cat nap.
Every cat is different when it comes to napping.
Some prefer to nap under a table or behind the drapes, others in a closet, while some will choose the back of a chair or couch.
Providing a mat or covered bed for your cat, will show her she has a special place all her own, thus protecting your furniture and bedding from excessive hair.
ENVIRONMENTAL
Travel Bag or Carrier
Some cats enjoy riding in a car, but most do not.
For safety and control, keep your cat in a pet travel bag or carrier while travelling to and from the vet, and for other travel needs.
NUTRITIONAL
Cat Food
Cats have an acute sense of smell but have relatively few taste buds compared to humans.
Interestingly, they also are known to be pickier eaters than their canine counterparts.
Not to worry, as there are many premium foods available to suit your cat’s age and lifestyle.
Your cat’s nutritional requirements will vary depending on the age and how much exercise she gets.
Research suggests that canned food should also be offered as it is an excellent way to encourage water consumption, because it is high in water content and most cats love the taste.
Your cat has been fed the best quality of food available to her.
Changing it when she first arrives in her new home can result in stomach upset and diarrhea.
Ask your pet counsellor how much food you should be offering your cat, and at what times of the day you should feed her.
Keep fresh water out at all times.
Milk should not be offered, as it is difficult to digest.
NUTRITIONAL
Skin and Coat Supplement
This is added to your cat’s food to develop and maintain a healthy coat and to noticeably reduce shedding!
Premium cat foods often will have the necessary ingredients your pet requires; however, with seasonal changes, they will benefit from the addition of a coat supplement.
MAINTENANCE
Hairball Remedy Paste -
Cats keep themselves meticulously clean with their daily ritual of grooming.
Because of this, they will ingest hair and hairballs will form in their stomach.
Your cat will regurgitate to get rid of these hairballs.
This can be a source of distress for both your cat and you.
Giving your cat a hairball remedy paste, and treats or hairball remedy food will help to prevent hairballs from forming.
MAINTENANCE
Cat Nail Clippers and Coagulant
Cat nail clippers should be used to maintain the length of your cat’s nails.
Done regularly, this will deter some scratching habits.
Take care not to over trim or cut into blood vessels running through each nail.
Should this happen, have a blood coagulant waiting and ready to use
MAINTENANCE
Brush and Comb
Routine brushing and combing your cat will prevent matts and tangles, and reduce hairballs.
With short-haired cats, use a rubber brush or comb to stimulate natural oils and produce a beautiful shine.
Groom medium to long-haired cats with both a slicker brush and a comb.
For long-haired cats, a de-matting tool is also needed.
MAINTENANCE
Dishes
Choose bowls that are easy to clean and hard to knock over.
Ceramic, glass or stainless steel work best, especially for moist foods, as plastic dishes tend to trap odours.
Cats have very sensitive whiskers and do not like putting their face into a bowl; a wider bowl may be necessary.
Always having fresh water available is important, as dehydration in cats is a common problem.
Most cats tend to drink more if the water is fresh, clean or moving. Consider getting a fountain water dish.
Re-circulating water dishes have carbon filters that remove substances cats are more sensitive to odours and tastes than we are), providing fresh tasting, filtered water with a multitude of health benefits.
MAINTENANCE
Oral Care
Periodontal disease (infections of the structures around teeth) is the most common clinical condition occurring in adult cats & dogs, with 80% showing signs by 5 years of age.
Symptoms could include red & swollen gums, bad breath, pain & tooth loss.
The best defense to maintain oral health is to brush your cat’s teeth using a pet specific toothbrush & toothpaste.
Rinses complement brushing by ensuring the whole mouth receives attention.
Because cats can’t rinse and spit, an easy to use drinking water additive is the ideal choice.
Gels & foams can also be used.
Specialized dental cat food and dental treats are also available, that can help clean teeth through chewing action.
MAINTENANCE
Litter Box and Litter
The litter box should be big enough to accommodate the size of your cat when full-grown.
Most people find it easier having two cat boxes available, placing one on the main floor and the other in the basement or other area their cat frequents often.
If you have more than one cat, multiple litter boxes are a necessity since many cats do not like to use the same litter box.
MAINTENANCE
Clay litter
Clay litter is generally better accepted by kittens.
You may want to gradually change this litter to a clumping (which is easier to sift through) at around 3-6 months.
Try to keep your cat on the litter she is presently used to, as some don’t like certain types, and changing litter when also changing homes could result in her not using the litter box.
MAINTENANCE
Litter Deodorizer
Powdered products and spray deodorizers can be used to reduce litter box odours by adding it regularly to the pan.
MAINTENANCE
Litter-Scoop
This is necessary for spot cleaning, to keep litter fresh and it also makes for fewer pan changes.
Litter pan liners are also handy to use, and make dumping and cleaning your cat box more convenient.
(Expectant mothers should not clean litter pans. Ask your doctor for more details).
