Easy 12 steps for choosing a cat

2. 1
   Make sure that the establishment will allow you to handle the animal in question before taking it home.
3. 2
   Do not pick a cat just by looks. Much like humans, cats should not be judged by their outer beauty alone. The MOST important aspect of having a great cat is their inner beauty.
4. 3
   Almost all cat breeds are much more similar in both temperament (none perform any work) and body form (they are almost all basically the same shape; some are a little bigger, fluffier, or more colorful) than dog breeds. Some are a little friendlier and some tend toward a few special behaviors such as love of water, but most people would be well suited with a cat of any breed, or, of course, a mongrel.
5. 4
   Do carefully consider the hair length of your cat. A short-hair (smooth glossy coat) or medium-hair (modestly fluffy coat) is best for most people. Long-hair cats such as Persians have long, flowing coats, and a few have no hair (and are hypoallergenic). A short-hair cat is basically self-grooming and need only be brushed every several days to keep surplus shed hair from scattering and check for parasites. A medium-hair cat is more important to brush periodically to maintain a neat, knot-free appearance. A long-hair cat needs brushing every day or two to keep clean and healthy (they also shed a lot). A short-hair cat will be less comfortable on harsh winter days if it gets outside; a bald cat can die easily from cold.
6. 5
   Don't reject the animal if he or she attempts to scratch or bite you. If you have never had a cat before, you might not be aware of how to handle them correctly. Also, every cat has individual likes and dislikes when it comes to being touched. Additionally, be aware of the possibility that the cat was just being playful.
7. 6
   Ask to hold the animal you like. If he/she resists, don't force it. Some cats are very affectionate, but just do not like to be held. Make your hand into a fist and extend it towards the cat. This is a human method for mimicking a feline greeting. If the cat head-butts your hand, this is a friendly greeting. If he/she looks away or backs away, they may not like meeting new people. This is no reason for not adopting them. The cat may also be afraid of people. If you adopt them, you will need to help them get used to people.
8. 7
   Check the kitten or cat nose to tail for signs of illness. Things to look out for that are easily spotted:
   
   
   • Eyes - should be bright and free of discharge.
   • Nose - should not have any discharge or excessive sneezing.
   • Ears - should be free of dark wax, and should not smell bad.
   • Fur - should be clean and free of any bugs. Look in the armpits and on the belly for signs of fleas.
   • Bottom - should be clean and should not have any signs of diarrhea or worms.
   • Chest - breathing should sound clear and not have any wheezing.
9. 8
   Check for signs of diarrhea in the cage or litter box.
10. 9
    Check the pet's veterinary records for which tests and vaccinations the cat has had. This can save you money, since vet bills can be expensive. If the cat is from a shelter, they should be checked for the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) before bringing the new pet to a home that has another cat.
11. 10
    Ask whether there is a veterinarian visit included or available with the purchase/adoption, which will catch anything you may have missed. Even if the veterinarian visit is not included with the purchase price, still bring the cat to a vet as soon as possible after adopting, especially if you have other cats at home. Also, consider that when you pay for the vet visit, you can choose the vet and know that he/she isn't biased.
12. 11
    Or...you can just guess! Go with your gut; studies show that people who make an impulse buy were happier with their purchases later. If you know that cute black fuzzy one in the corner is healthy, that's all you need to know! Check to see if he's friendly and just go with it! He just seems right for you, and there's no denying that. You won't regret this purchase. (This goes solely for which cat to pick--do carefully consider whether to get a cat.)
13. 12
    Make sure you can afford the cat. Feeding and caring for a cat is not free and the costs can add up significantly over time. In particular, veterinary care can be expensive! Even if you have medical insurance for your pet, there may be some treatments that are not covered by insurance. Avoid adding more cats to rescue shelters by examining your budget and making sure you can pay the costs involved in owning a cat.

Neutering your cat

From around the age of 5 to 8 months, kittens reach sexual maturity and are therefore capable of breeding and producing kittens themselves! Most people do not have the time or desire to breed from their cat and do not wish to add to the number of unwanted cats and kittens already looking for homes. Neutering a cat - castration in the male (removal of the testes), and spaying the female (removal of the ovaries and uterus) - not only prevents unwanted pregnancies occurring, but also curbs unwanted behavioural patterns associated with sexual maturity and reduces the risk of certain diseases.

What sex is my kitten? 

Kittens, especially young kittens, can be hard to sex, and therefore, mistakes are often made. If you are in any doubt you should ask your vet (they will check prior to neutering anyway). To tell the difference between the sexes you will need to lift the tail and look at the genitals. In the male, about 1cm below the anus is the opening of the prepuce with the scrotum immediately above this. The anus and prepuce appear like two 'dots'. In the female, the vulva is a vertical slit which is almost joined to the anus, like a letter i.

Spaying a female  

In the past it has been suggested that all female cats should be allowed to have one litter of kittens. However, this is totally unnecessary and of no benefit whatsoever to the cat. It is therefore preferable to have a female spayed before she reaches sexual maturity. Once sexual maturity is reached, the cat will begin to come into season or 'call'. Cycles of sexual activity typically occur every three weeks, and when a cat is 'calling', as its name implies, this can be a very noisy affair! Certain drugs can be used to suppress the sexual cycle, but these carry quite a risk of significant side effects in cats and are not recommended for long-term use. If you are not going to breed from your female kitten, having her spayed will eliminate the sexual behaviour, the possibility of unplanned pregnancies and the risk of diseases associated with the genital tract later in life.

The spaying operation involves the administration of a general anaesthetic and the surgical removal of the ovaries and uterus through an incision made on the flank or belly of the cat. The fur at the site of the incision will have to be shaved before surgery and your vet will ask you to withhold food from the evening prior to the anaesthetic. Usually your kitten will be able to return home the same day and the skin sutures are generally removed after 7 to 10 days.

Castrating a male     

Castrating a male is equally important as spaying a female to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Furthermore, entire male cats have a strong tendency to roam, to be aggressive to other males, to fight and to mark their territory by spraying urine (often indoors!). The aggressive behaviour puts an uncastrated male at much higher risk of serious infectious disease such as feline immunodeficiency virus (feline 'AIDS') andfeline leukaemia virus, both of which are transmitted through cat bites.

Castration involves removing both testes under general anaesthetic through small incisions into the scrotum. As with the spay operation, withholding food from the previous evening will be required to minimise potential anaesthetic complications, and the kitten can usually go home the same day. Usually the skin incisions for a castration are so small that sutures are not required.

How to Stop Bad Cat Behavior with Water

Most cats do not like water, and that is precisely why using water to train a cat works. Obviously, you cannot use water to train a cat to do things like sit or roll over, but you can use a water bottle to discourage them from displaying any unwanted behavior. For instance, they tend to use furniture as scratching postsand they tend to jump up to places they do not belong such as kitchen tables or countertops. These are perfect examples of when it is appropriate to spray your cat with water.

To use this method, simply keep a clean water bottle filled with clean water. Whenever you pet displays this unwanted behavior spray him or her with a few squirts of water. Your pet should immediately stop doing the negative thing. After a few times or repeatedly being sprayed little kitty should learn to associate that behavior with something unpleasant and no longer do it. 

On the other hand, some experts warn that using this method may backfire and instead teach the cat to associate the squirt bottle wit your presence since it cannot spray when you are not around. Thus, instead of stopping the unwanted behavior altogether, the cat may either just avoid doing it in your presence or avoid you altogether. These same experts say to try something else to make the behavior unpleasant such as putting foil over the areas of furniture the cat likes to scratch. 

No matter which technique you choose, remember to always reward your kitty for displaying good behavior. Give him lots of praise and attention when he does something like use a littler pan instead of the floor or use a scratching post instead of a couch. Like children, pets love to receive praise and attention.

Worms in cats

 Cats can get a variety of intestinal parasites, including some that are commonly referred to as “worms.” Infestations of intestinal worms can cause a variety of symptoms. Sometimes cats demonstrate few to no outward signs of infection, and the infestation can go undetected despite being a potentially serious health problem. Some feline parasitic worms are hazards for humane health as well.

What Are the Most Common Types of Worms in Cats?

·       Roundworms 
are the most common internal parasites in cats. Resembling spaghetti, adult worms are three to four inches long. There are several ways cats can become infected. Nursing kittens can get roundworms from an infected mother’s milk, while adult cats can acquire them by ingesting an infected rodent or the feces of an infected cat.

·       Hookworms
 are much smaller than roundworms-less than an inch long-and reside primarily in the small intestine. Because they feed on an animal’s blood, hookworms can cause life-threatening anemia, especially in kittens. Hookworm eggs are passed in the stool and hatch into larvae, and a cat can become infected either through ingestion or skin contact. Please note, hookworms are more common in dogs than in cats.

·       Long and flat, tapeworms 
are segmented parasites and range from 4 to 28 inches in length. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss. Cats acquire tapeworms by ingesting an intermediate host, like an infected flea or rodent. When cats are infected, tapeworm segments-actual pieces of the worm that resemble grains of rice-can often be seen on the fur around a cat’s hind end.

Unlike intestinal parasites, lungworms reside in the lungs of a cat. Most cats will not show any signs of having lungworms, but some can develop a cough. Snails and slugs are popular intermediate hosts of this type of parasite, but cats are usually infected after eating a bird or rodent who has ingested an intermediate host.

How Do Cats Get Worms?

Though means of transmission can vary, one of the main ways that cats get worms is through the ingestion of the feces of infected felines. Mother cats can also pass on worms to their kittens.

What Are the General Symptoms of Worms?

Symptoms differ depending on the type of parasite and the location of infection, but some common clinical signs include:

·       Diarrhea

·       Worms visible in stool or segments of worm seen near anus

·       Bloody stool

·       Bloating or round, potbellied appearance to abdomen

·       Weight loss

·       Vomiting

·       Constipation

·       Coughing

·       Trouble breathing

Caring for aging cats

How can you make your old cat’s life a little easier?

Older cats have certain dietary restrictions that younger cats don’t. They need a lower protein diet, because their kidneys, as they age, will not process protein as well as it did when they were younger. You have to think about their activity levels. They will start having issues with arthritis. So you might want to make life around their house easier. If they tend to jump up and down and off of things, try to figure out ways to make that easier for them. As in the case with Agnes, another thing that older cats tend to have an issue with, since they do not brush their teeth, is really bad dental disease. Agnes just went through a procedure where she had a lot of her teeth pulled, and that’s pretty common with older cats. It makes it easier now; Agnes doesn’t have to suffer with the pain of dental disease. If you've ever had a toothache, you know how horrible that can be. I am sure Agnes now gets a lot of can food, which I am sure she loves. ... You want to do things to keep the quality of their life, which is going to help with the quantity of it.

Shedding in cats

Shedding is a cat’s natural process of losing dead hair. Outdoor cats may lose more hair in the spring and fall and retain more fur in the winter, while indoor cats can shed all year round. Regularly grooming your cat and vacuuming hair from your house should minimize the inconvenience of shedding. However, if you see bald patches in your cat’s fur or notice a significant loss of hair, the underlying cause may be a health-related problem and should be investigated by a veterinarian.

What Would Make a Cat Shed Excessively?

A variety of medical, dietary and stress-related issues can cause your cat to lose more hair than is normal. If you notice he’s losing an excessive amount of hair or has bald patches, please consult your veterinarian immediately. Your cat may be suffering from one of the following health issues:

·       Allergies 

·       Ringworm

·       Bacterial infection

·       Fleas

·       Hormonal imbalance such as hyperthyroidism

·       Poor diet

·       Stress

·       Certain medications

·       Pregnancy or lactation

·       Sunburn

When Is Shedding a Cause for Concern?

If your cat obsessively licks, bites or scratches, if he’s losing patches of hair or stops to scratch or bite the same few spots persistently, then it’s important you take him in for a veterinary exam. There may be a medical, dietary or stress-related issue that needs immediate attention.

How Can I Minimize My Cat's Shedding?

If your cat sheds a lot and your veterinarian has determined that there is no underlying medical cause, there are a few things you can do to minimize his hair loss:

·       Feed him a healthy, balanced diet.

·       Groom him regularly.

·       Examine your cat’s skin and coat during your grooming sessions. Checking for hair loss, redness, bumps, cuts, fleas, ticks or other parasites will be a fast way to determine whether you need to go the vet to solve your pet’s shedding.

What Happens If Shedding goes Untended?

If your cat’s shedding is normal, the worst you may end up with is a hairy wardrobe and home-your cat, however, may suffer from hairballs if she isn’t groomed regularly. If her shedding is due to an underlying medical cause, including allergies, parasites, infections or disease, her health may continue to worsen if you don’t seek veterinary care. Additionally, cats who are not groomed appropriately can become matted-this is especially true for long-haired cats. Matted hair can be painful and lead to underlying skin problems.