Fundamental Cat Info Flashcards
Behavioural
Cat post
• Cats scratch for 2 reasons:
• to remove the outer husks from their claws
• to mark their territory through scent glands in their pads
•Providing the cat his own space for scratching will deter him from scratching the furniture
• It is a good idea to have at least one post or scratcher on every level in a home so the cat’s space is nearby
Behavioural
Cat bed
• Every cat has their favorite “spot” in the house to nap.
• A bed can be placed in these spots to control pet hair from ending up on furniture and bedding
Travel Carrier
• In many places having unrestrained animals in a car can result in a fine, so a carrier is needed for travel
• It allows a space for safety when in a stressful environment, such as the vet
• In the event of an emergency, it allows the cat to be safely confined
Nutritional
Cat Food vs Dog Food
• Cats are “obligate carnivores” which means they must have meat protein to survive.
• Meat protein contains taurine, which is an essential amino acid for cats
• Due to a cat’s strong meat protein requirement, they should not be fed dog food as an alternative
• Some cat foods are designed to meet a specific need. For example, hairball foods help prevent hairballs by adding additional fiber. A dog food will not be able to meet this need.
Nutritional
Taurine
An amino acid that can only be found in meat proteins.
This amino acid is essentail for a cat’s daily diet, and therefore they are obligate carnivores who cannot replace meat proteins from other sources
Quick
Where the nerves and blood vessels are located in the nail. This is a sensitive area that should not be cut when trimming cat nails.
Nutritional
Indoor Cat Food
• Cats who live primarily indoors may not receive the same level of exercise as those who live outside
• This cat food is designed to have fewer calories because the cat is not burning them off as quickly
Nutritional
Hairball Control Cat Food
• Cats naturally ingest loose fur when they meticulously clean themselves
• This cat food is designed to prevent hairballs from forming in the stomach by increasing the fiber content
Nutritional
Light Cat Food
• Cats can be prone to obesity if they do not participate in daily exercise
• This cat food is designed to have fewer calories to aid in losing weight
Nutritional
Kitten Food
• This cat food is designed to start a kitten off on the right foot as they develop by ensuring proper nutrient levels
Nutritional
Adult Food
• At approximately 1 year, a kitten has now become an adult
• At this point the cat should not be free fed as they are easily prone to obesity (may continue eating despite feeling full).
Follow the directions on the bag for proper feeding amounts
Nutritional
Mature Cat Food
• Cats become “seniors” when they reach 7 years of age
• This cat food is deigned to prevent weight gain and protect the joints as the cat ages and slows down
Nutritional
Canned Food
• Canned food should be a part of a cat’s daily diet
• The moisture in the food encourages water consumption, and most cats love the taste!
Nutritional
Treats
• Treats can be an excellent training tool and addition to a cat’s diet
• For example, treats reward the use of a scratching post, a bed, or coming when called
• Some treats can help with dental health, and others can help prevent hairballs
Behavioural
Toys
• Cats love to play! They often find amusement in regular household items, though they may pose a risk to the cat.
For example, toilet paper, long strings/ribbon, tinsel from a
Christmas tree, plastic wrap, twist ties, and rubber bands should be kept off limits.
• Toys from a pet store are guaranteed to be a safe alternative
- and many toys are interactive between the cat and his owner.
• Toys infused with cat nip are typically cat favourites.
