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Choosing a Pet Cat
Basic care for cats
Purebred Basics
Shopping Around
Mixed Breeds
Cat-Proofed House
Big Commitment
First Days
Purebred Basics - at
least a few of the following: Persian, Maine coon, Siamese,
Abyssinian, exotic, Oriental, Scottish fold, American shorthair,
Birman or Burmese. These are the 10 most popular breeds, as
compiled by the Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), the world's
largest breed registry. There are about 40 other cat breeds,
however, some of which are quite new or rare and not yet officially
recognized by many feline associations. The "Top 10" breeds,
along with a selection of these others, are profiled beginning
on page 182.
Considering our long and successful relationship with the
domestic feline, the phenomenon of the purebred cat is a surprisingly
recent one. Cats have graced us with their presence since
the time of the ancient Egyptians, possibly much earlier.
But it took the rise in popularity of cat shows in late 19th
century England to kick-start the selective coupling of the
domestic cat into separate breeds. All but a few domestic
cat breeds are less than 100 years old, and most of them appeared
on the scene far more recently. Compare this to the dog world,
where rudimentary selective breeding started several thousand
years ago.
Shopping Around - When
you begin looking for a feline companion, you'll quickly discover
there is no shortage of candidates; in fact, there aren't
nearly enough homes for all the available cats. You'll find
an almost overwhelming selection at animal shelters and small-scale
private animal rescue groups, pet stores, veterinarians and
breeders. You can also go the informal route, taking a kitten
from the litter of a friend's or neighbor's cat or bringing
in the stray that shows up at your door. Newspaper ads are
another source, especially if you are looking for an inexpensive
adult cat that has already been fixed and vaccinated. But
wherever you start your search, remember the golden rule:
No impulsive decisions. If you have any doubts about the kitten
or cat, keep looking until you find the right one.
Mixed Breeds - The most
popular of all cats has no pedigree. The mixed-breed, or random-bred,
cat — known as the domestic shorthair — that makes up an estimated
95 percent of the world's domestic cat population is the result
of natural selection and random, not selective, breeding.
The cats come in all shapes and sizes, with a great variety
of color, pattern and length of hair. The bushier varieties,
or "domestic longhairs," are usually just grouped in with
the catchall label of domestic shorthairs.
The overall appearance of mixed-breed cats can be traced
to one of the natural types: cobbly, foreign, or in-between.
Mixed breeds bearing a strong resemblance to purebred cats
are fairly common. Longhair random-breed cats, while less
common because of the recessive gene that creates long hair,
often resemble the pedigreed Maine coon of Angora. The temperament
of mixed-breed cats is less predictable than that of purebreds,
though, and probably influenced more by environment than by
genetics.
Cat-Proofed House -
WCats, like a lot of youngsters, will eat almost anything.
And they will play with anything that can move. Strings, yarn,
dental floss, elastics and especially needles and thread are
highly enticing, but if swallowed they can do serious, often
fatal, damage. Store anything string-like and any items small
enough to swallow in a drawer or somewhere that feline paws
can't penetrate. Chewing an electrical cord can be fatal,
and pulling on it may bring down an appliance — in the case
of an iron, possibly a hot appliance. Hanging cords, such
as those for curtains, blinds and lamps can be strangulation
hazards. Bundle all cords or tie them off out of reach.
Try to get all family members into the habit of leaving the
toilet lid down. Cats, especially small kittens or less agile
older cats, can fall in and drown. Make sure all windows are
covered with sturdy screens and, if your cat will be an indoor
pet, watch that he doesn't scoot out as you enter and leave
the house. Keep garbage, a source of such dangerous items
as bones and sharp tins, in a latched trashcan. Stow all breakable
items, utensils and hazardous objects safely in cabinets,
cupboards and drawers; if your cat figures out how to open
doors (some do), use baby proofing latches to keep him out.
Thoroughly clean up puddles of car fluids on your garage floor
or your driveway. Gasoline, oil and brake fluid are all highly
toxic, and the sweet smell of anti-freeze can attract a cat,
with fatal results.
Cats will investigate anything they can fit into, and they
can fit into tight spaces. Always check your dryer before
starting it. Its warmth and darkness make it an attractive
nest. Also check furniture with mechanisms — recliners and
sofa beds — before using or closing them. Plastic bags are
as dangerous for cats as they are for small children. And
don't forget your car. Cats often crawl up under the hood
for a warm nap in cold weather. Get into the habit of banging
on the hood before starting the car to rouse any stowaways.
Big Commitment - Are
you ready? Any doubts? Now is the time to consider what's
involved. Before adopting any pet — cat or otherwise — you
must realize that you are making a long-term commitment. You
have to be prepared to care for the animal for its entire
life. Even when things change in your life, be it deciding
to live with someone, relocating to another city or country,
or having children, you should be willing to make the necessary
concessions to ensure your pet continues to have the kind
of life to which it becomes conditioned. Even going on vacation
means making arrangements for someone to look after your pet.
If you work an inordinate number of hours or travel often,
it may be better to wait until your life is more settled,
or you might consider adopting more than one cat so they'll
have company and stimulation. It's true that most cats accept
being left alone much more easily than dogs, but rarely are
they the aloof, completely independent creatures that many
people seem to believe they are. Cats thrive on the attention
and affection that comes from you.
Don't make a hasty decision. Even if you've decided you're
ready to open your home and your heart to a pet, do some research
to see what having a cat is all about and whether a cat is
the ideal pet for you. Don't choose a cat by default. If you
really want a dog, for instance, but feel that it would be
too much work, perhaps you should put on the brakes. The worst
thing you can do is adopt an animal and find that it doesn't
live up to your expectations. This often leads to neglect
or a sad visit to the humane society to give the cat up. If
you need to learn what having a cat is all about, spend some
time with friends who have cats and pump them for information.
Offering to cat-sit or fostering for your local animal shelter
are excellent ways to practice all aspects of feline care
and to spend time interacting with a cat. You may also find
out whether or not you're allergic to cats before you take
the plunge. But a word of warning: Sometimes allergies don't
surface until you've lived with a cat for a while.
Your pet will count on you to provide a safe environment,
stimulation and exercise through play, good-quality food and
a clean litter box, plus grooming and regular veterinary care.
But all this costs money. Aside from the initial expenses
for accessories and the vet care a new cat requires (vaccinations
and neutering or spaying), you'll likely spend at least $400
to $500 a year on food, litter, a veterinary checkup, professional
grooming and teeth-cleaning by a vet. This doesn't include
potential emergency vet care, which can run into hundreds
of dollars or the additional veterinary expenses of an older
cat. And cats often live from 15 to 20 years.
First Days - Before you bring
your new cat or kitten home, make sure you're ready to take
care of his basic needs. First, find a vet who suits you.
Your new arrival should be examined as soon as possible after
you bring him home. Also make time to poke around a pet-supply
store for food and litter, plus their containers and a few
other essentials.
You'll probably be amazed by the range of cat foods available;
there are different types for different life stages as well
as brands that vary in quality and price. Ideally you should
continue feeding the cat whatever food he is accustomed to.
If it is of low quality, however, you may want to gradually
introduce a better food. Your vet will offer advice. Buy only
a small quantity to start with; or even better, ask if the
store or your vet offers free samples.
Food bowls may be made of plastic, metal, ceramic or glass.
The disadvantage of plastic is that the bowls may become scratched,
creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Even when they are
washed frequently, the bacteria often remains on the bowls'
surfaces. It's best to have a separate water bowl, again preferably
not made of plastic. Wash the food bowl after each meal and
keep fresh water available at all times.
BACK TO TOP
Find your cat needs here at Pet Lifestyle.
Cat Care Basics Guide
This includes - Feeding & Nutrition, Pregnancy, Grooming,
Sterilization, Common Health Problems, Emergency Care.
Cat Choosing Basics This includes
- Purebred Basics, Shopping Around, Mixed Breeds, Cat-Proofed
House, Big Commitment, First Days.
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