How to Raise a Healthy Kitten

Selecting a Kitten

It is best to choose your kitten from the whole litter, choose the frisky playful, friendly kitten that is confident and happy to approach you rather than the one that hangs back and is shy. The best time to take your kitten home is between 7 and 8 weeks old. Some pedigree breeders like to keep the kittens until 12 weeks old so they can have their initial vaccinations. Some things you have to look for when choosing a new kitten or cat are:

·  The ears should be clean and no unpleasant smells.

·  White blue eyed cats are prone to deafness (all cats eyes are blue at this age) Test this by making sounds outside its field of vision.

·  Eyes should be clear and bright with no sings of weeping.

·  Gums should be pink (not red) and teeth should be white.

·  The coat should be clean and unmated with no fleas or flaky skin.

·  Check under the tail - this area should be spotless in a healthy cat. 

Setting in your new Kitten or cat

It is probably best to have a proper pet carrier to take your new pet home in - to avoid extra stress. At let your new kitten
or cat come out of the carrier at its own time. It will need time to settle down, so make sure it has fresh drinking water and a little food also make sure it can find its way to its bed and litter tray - then leave it alone for a little while. Make sure that children behave gently and quietly around the kitten, kittens need peace and quiet to sleep as well as needing laytime. It is best to keep your kitten confined indoors for a week or so and accompany your kitten on its first trip outside - continue to go out side with your kitten for the next few trips. This will give the kitten a sense of security and encourage it to come when you call. Your new kitten should integrate quite well with other pets, make sure that you can introduce them slowly. Some pets will integrate at all - make sure you keep small mammals and birds away from your kitten as their natural instincts will take over. Once your kitten has overcome its initial fears it will amuse it self for hours with very cheap simple toys like ping pong balls, cardboard rolls and small stuffed animals.

What Equipment your cat or kitten need

A bed: a cardboard box with a blanket or cushion in it - makes an ideal bed for a kitten as the kitten grows you may like to find a more permanent replacement, such as wooden box or a covered bed. You may like to keep in mind that it should ideally be washable when choosing a bed. Place the bed in a quiet, draught free, warm spot.
Grooming tools: - A brush - preferably with natural bristles is very useful for grooming any cat - for long haired cats you will also need a wire toothed metal comb and a pair of rounded scissors to cut out any tangles. A pair of feline claw clippers will complete your pussy cats grooming set.
A collar or harness: Your cat should wear a collar complete with an identification disk. The collar must be elasticized in case it gets caught - for example on a branch whilst climbing a tree. Some owners train their cats to go for walks on a harness or lead.
Toys: There are a huge range of toys available for cats making play of exercising fun and providing stimulation. Many stuffed toys contain catnip - this herb also called catmint appeals to many cats, creating an apparent sense of wellbeing - this lasts for approximately 15 minutes.

A scratching post

- Cats love to scratch. Scratching serves a couple of purposes - firstly it keeps the claws neat and trim - it also marks the cats' territory as other cats will see the marks and smell the scent. The cat has glands between the toes that release this scent as the cat scratches.

A scratching post is the best solution - but the cat will need to be taught to use it from the very beginning. This will save your furniture, avoid using a carpet covered scratching post as the pet cat may see the house carpet as an extension of the scratching post. If the cat ha selected a piece of furniture where it like to scratch - by covering it with plastic for a while the cat will stop scratching there. Cats do not like the feel of plastic.

A litter tray

- A litter tray will be needed when your kitten first comes home and if you intend to leave the cat in at night. Choose a tray
that is deep enough and roomy enough for your cat to turn around in easily. There are numerous varieties of kitty litter available - choose one that suits you. Also a covered litter tray is a great idea as it keeps the smell and the mess inside also creating a more private spot for your cat.

A Cat flap

- Cat flaps are a great idea to allow the cat to go in and out as it pleases. You must be careful however as other cats may also come in. check what flaps are available and choose the one that suits your needs. A cat is quite easily trained to use a cat flap - prop the flap open at first and call the cat through form one side than the other. When it has mastered this, lower the flap a little and use the same procedure - continue to do this until you can close the flap altogether.

Feeding your kitten

Ask the breeder or pet shop for a diet sheet so that you can continue feeding them the same diet and quantities. This will avoid you giving it too much food or an over rich diet which can cause tummy upsets. You should also find out meal times.

Food and feeding your cat

There are three types of cat food available commercially -moist food, semi - moist food and dry food. Cats need meat or fish everyday to be healthy.

·  Moist food as in the canned varieties is preferred by most cats because it closely resembles fresh meat. It also has the
vitamins and minerals that the cat needs. How ever canned foods will not last long once served and it is best to take the food away after an hour to encourage your cat to eat its food in a single sitting rather that picking at it all day long. 

·  Semi - moist food usually comes in a sachet. It keeps well in a bowl without drying out or losing its texture and tastes good to cats. 

·  Dry food contains very little moisture so it is very important to have fresh drinking water available.

Establish a feeding routine where you feed your cat once or twice a day - at the same place and the same time. Leave the food out for an hour then take it away. This will help to make your cat a healthy eater and not pick at the food all day.

Worming

·  The most common worms that affect cats are round worms and tape worms. Cats must be de-wormed regularly. Your vet will give you specific advice on worming products.

Following these simple steps will ensure you, your family and the newest edition to the family will have a happy, healthy and rewarding time together.

Credit: Katharine Logan

Pretty Deadly for Your Cat: 8 Toxic Plants

Houseplants and gorgeous gardens are the pride of many homeowners. We spend hours and lots of money selecting the perfect plant, tilling the soil and helping them to flourish. Plants inside the home have been shown to reduce indoor pollutants and freshen the air. Cut flowers from the florist can show someone that you care and can brighten up the room. But all of this beauty can be deadly... if you have a cat.

Many houseplants are toxic to both cats and dogs. Some can cause mild digestive upset while others can cause irreversible organ damage and death. It is important for all pet owners to be aware of these toxic plants and avoid having them in your home. Cats are especially at risk for poisoning, as they are very curious creatures and can jump up high to reach almost any plant for tasting.

8 Common Toxic Plants:

Lily

Lilies are beautiful and many varieties make beautiful bouquets and houseplants. Easter lilies are popular during the spring and Tiger lilies make their debut in the gardens all summer long. If your own a cat, think again before introducing any variety of lily into your home or garden. All parts of the lily are deadly if eaten by cats, including the pollen! Pollen from cut lilies in floral arrangements has been known to cause death in cats. The toxic principle is still unknown to science but something in the lily causes acute kidney failure in cats. If you have lilies nearby and your cat begins to show signs such as vomiting, anorexia, lethargy and less urination - seek veterinary medical care immediately.

Amaryllis

The amaryllis plant has large, showy blooms in red, white and other colors. It is a common gift around Christmas and Easter each year and bloom indoors and outdoors. The leaves and blooms are toxic to both cats and dogs, causing diarrhea, depression, vomiting, excessive salivation, abdominal pain, anorexia and seizures.

Oleander

Oleander plants are common in subtropical and tropical areas as outdoor ornamentals. They have long, slender leaves and pink to purple blooms. Outdoor cats and dogs can be exposed to oleander poisoning if they decide to take a quick bite of a bright bloom or clippings from landscaping crews. Signs of toxicity include heart arrhythmias, lethargy, hypothermia, vomiting, diarrhea and even sudden death.

Aloe Vera

Aloe is a popular plant to keep at home as a remedy for minor cuts and burns. Just snip off a portion of the plant and rub it on your skin... if you're a human! Aloe plants are toxic to cats and dogs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, seizures and change in urine color.

Baby's Breath

A popular tiny white flower often used in floral arrangements, baby's breath is bite-sized for your curious kitten. Baby's breath's toxic principle causes vomiting, diarrhea and possibly dehydration in cats and dogs.

Diffenbachia

Diffenbachia, also known as "dumb-cane" is a popular houseplant. It is easy to care for and grows attractive tall, slender and sometimes striped leaves. It also contains a very irritating substances called calcium oxalate. Cats and small children often like to nibble on the leaves, causing numbness of the mouth and ulcerations if a large quantity is eaten. Other signs include excessive salivation, pawing at the mouth, difficulty swallowing, anorexia and vomiting.

Mistletoe

Christmas just isn't Christmas without hanging mistletoe. Even if it hangs high in your home, leaves can fall to the floor where dogs and cats can take a nibble. Kissing under the mistletoe may make your heart race, but it can cause just the opposite when eaten by your pets. Signs of poisoning include vomiting, low heart rate, erratic behavior, diarrhea, low blood pressure and difficulty breathing.

Cyclamen

These hardy potted plants are common gifts and are easy to care for. Their bright blooms, leaves and especially roots are toxic to dogs and cats. After ingestion, intense vomiting and diarrhea occur and some deaths have been reported.

"Curiosity killed the cat" and that is often what happens when cats are around the wrong plants. Taking a nibble here and there is annoying but can also be deadly. 

Do your pets a favor by doing a quick inventory of plants in your house and garden - it could save their life!

Credit: Deborah Shores

Cat Psychology - Is My Cat Happy?

As cat owners, we do worry that our cats are happy and want to do whatever we can to make them so. One of the best ways to make sure your cat is happy is to understand their body language and the signs of happiness to give you reassurance and to help spot potential problems.

Signs of happiness

Cats are quite good at body language because that's how they communicate with other cats. Cats have a range of vocalizations that they use to tell the world what they fell and think and when it comes to happiness and contentment, the purr is one of the most obvious. Cats purr when they are happy, feel loved and are comfortable and even if you can't hear them, you can always feel a purr as it rattles through their whole body. Other little noises can be signs of happiness, depending on the cat, little trills and chortles that show they are relaxed.

The physical signs of happiness in their body language is also quite obvious, more for their lack of signs. An angry cat is visibly angry with erect fur, wide eyes, ears forward and a tail slashing the air. Likewise a frightened cat may make themselves small, curl their tail around themselves and duck down to be submissive and less threatening. Yet a relaxed and cat happy cat will have their ears erect to listen to what's going on or swiveling around to follow the conversation. They will tuck their tail loosely around them or leave it lying across the floor. Their fur is smooth and their whiskers sit comfortably.

Happy behaviors

A sleeping cat is often a happy cat as this means they feel comfortable enough in their surroundings to have a nap. If they felt threatened or in danger, they would remain awake and on guard. Similarly, grooming is a sign of being happy. Cats groom themselves to keep their coats in order and do derive pleasure from the act. By concentrating on their grooming and not their wider environment, they are vulnerable to attack therefore will only focus wholly on their grooming when they are happy in their home.

Eating properly is a sign of happiness and healthiness. While cats might try to 'greed' from people for treats or other morsels, this isn't because they are hungry but more a type of game. They may really fancy a little of the fish you are eating but not because they are desperately hungry. A happy cat is one that eats normally, though different cats have a different sense of normal. Some eat their meals in a single sitting while others are grazers who come and go to the food bowl.

Happy kittens

Sometimes with kittens, they may seem angry or vexed at something but this may merely be a part of their play. Kittens learn about the world around them through play and most everything around the house will be a part of this. So while they might hiss or spit at something, whip their tail around or even bite and scratch something, this doesn't mean they are angry and unhappy but simply that they are working their instincts.

For all things cat from food to litter to toys, please see my articles at http://www.petcarechoice.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/productcategory.cat

Credit: Angela Tempest