Choosing a Cat
Before buying or adopting a cat, examine its general health and disposition. Its coat should be sleek, without bare patches and completely clean on the hind legs and under the tail. Observe how the cat responds to your holding and petting. Invite it to play by trailing a piece of string. Lack of alertness and playfulness may indicate poor health or former neglect.
Housebreaking
Allow the new cat to explore your home freely, but keep it indoors for 10 days. Provide a litter box, partially filled with an even layer of commercial kitty litter. Remove soiled litter daily with a slotted spatula; the box should be emptied and scrubbed with a disinfectant twice a week. If you have doubts about your new cat's house training, restrict it to an area near the litter box for several days. Even if you plan to allow your cat outside eventually you will need a litter box during the first 10 days while your cat is adjusting to its new home.
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Diet
Cat food, whether canned, moist (in packets) or dry, will provide your cat with well balanced nutrition. To keep a cat from becoming a finicky eater, remove any declined meal, refrigerate it, then present it, returned to room temperature and freshly stirred, at the next feeding.
An occasional table scrap is a treat, but don't feed your cat pork, very fatty meats, poultry skin, or bones of fish or fowl. Fish should be on its menu only once or twice a week. Most cats enjoy looking for additional treats from food left on the table. It's best to remove the temptation.
Some cats eat too fast, causing vomiting. To slow a fast eater, spread its food thinly over a large container such as a roasting pan.
You may be able to discourage your cat from hunting birds, rodents, or other small creatures by tossing a few pebbles at it (while you are out of sight) whenever it stalks one. If you cat hunts, it may pick up diseases from its prey.
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Grooming
Groom your cat with a brush or a comb with rounded tips; this stimulates the skin and removes loose fur. Long-haired cats, especially when shedding, need daily grooming, other cats need brushing every few days.
Even regularly groomed cats swallow fur while cleaning themselves. This can lead to hair balls in the stomach, causing retching and occasionally a blockage in the intestine. If your cat has this problem, add a teaspoon of petroleum jelly to its food twice a week; groom it more often.
When grooming your cat, check for fleas; they may be apparent only from tiny black specks (their droppings). Some cats are allergic to fleas and develop eczema after a few flea bites. To rid your cat of fleas, use only those plea products marked safe for cats.
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General Health
Have a new cat or kitten examined by a veterinarian. Shots against panieucopenia (distemper) and rhinotracheitis and calici (serious respiratory infections) are musts. Rabies shots are advisable, too. Checkups should be done annually, at which time booster shots can be given.
Have a kitten checked for worms. Worming medicine is a mild poison; don't give it to a sick cat, young or old, without the advice of a veterinarian.
Any cat not intended for breeding should be spayed or neutered as soon as it matures sexually (around 6 months for a female and 8 to 9 months for a male). Contrary to popular belief, this will not cause obesity, and it makes a tom cat less likely to wander.
If your cat is off its feed, sneezes often, or seems lethargic, check its temperature with a rectal thermometer that has been lubricated with petroleum jelly. Raise the tail and hold the cat firmly while slipping the thermometer 1 inch into the anus. Read after 3 minutes. A cat's normal temperature ranges between 100F and 103F. Report a temperature about 103F to your veterinarian.
Never give a cat any drug without checking with a veterinarian. Cats are very sensitive to many drugs, prescription and over the counter.
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Traveling With Pets
Before a long trip, have your pet examined by a veterinarian. Make sure that its shots are current. As the veterinarian for a certificate of good health and proof of vaccinations; carry the papers with you. If you're going to a foreign country, consult its national airline or nearest consulate about animal health requirements.
Check accommodation guides for places that accept pets; reserve early. Put an identification tag on your pet's collar; for an extended trip, the tag should bear the name, address, and phone number of a friend or relative who can be reached easily while you are away. Prepare a travel kit containing a thermos for water, a water bowl and a feeding dish, food, a leash, flea spray, a brush, a blanket, and a toy.
Transport small dogs and all cats in a comfortable, well-ventilated pet carrier. If you're traveling by car, strap the carrier securely to the back seat; confine a large dog to the rear of the car with a metal grille sold at pet shops.
Taking you pet regularly on short rides several weeks before a long car trip may help it overcome motion sickness. If it doesn't ask your veterinarian about a tranquilizer.
Don't feed your pet for several hours before departure (3 hours for cats and puppies; 6 hours for dogs; longer if the animal tends to get car sick). During the trip, provide cool water as needed. Exercise a dog frequently on a leash. Don't let a dog put its head out of a car window; flying particles can seriously injure an eye. At your destination, wait at least an hour before feeding your pet. Keep it leashed or in the carrier, away from other animals.
Traveling by air
Because airline policies about pets vary, inquire and book early. Normally you should arrive at the airport about 1 1/2 hours before your flight. If you arrive late, your pet may have to go on another flight. Don't ship your pet in very hot or very cold weather. Most trains and buses don't accept pets.
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Animal Odors
Eliminating dog and cat odors
To control a pervasive odor of a dog or cat, establish a permanent sleeping place and wash any bedding regularly. Where a pet has slept on carpets, scatter baking soda or carpet deodorizer, then vacuum. Also keep your pet well groomed.
Abnormal body odors
If your dog or cat has an extra strong body odor even when it is brushed and clean, consult a veterinarian. It may have a skin disorder known as seborrhea, on ear infection or, in dogs, an impaction of the anal glands. Seborrhea can often be controlled by a medicated shampoo or, in mild cases, a human dandruff shampoo. Signs of a glandular problem are biting or licking abnormally at the rear end or scooting on it. This and ear infections require professional treatment.
An older animal may develop halitosis from deposits on its teeth. Prevention is the best course; give a dog a rawhide bone to chew on for short periods; occasionally feed a cat crunchy dry food. In addition, brush your pet's teeth, using baking soda or toothpaste and a soft brush or a gauze square wrapped around your finger. Clean carefully along the gum line.
Cleaning up animal messes
Whenever an animal messes in the house, scoop up the deposit and blot the area with paper towels. Apply vinegar, lemon juice, or ammonia to neutralize the stain. Scrub the area with soap and water to remove the odor. Commercial preparations are available for applying directly to urine spots to neutralize the odor and the stain.
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Clawing Cats
Protecting your furniture
Cats scratch wood and upholstery to exercise and to sharpen their claws. If your cat doesn't have access to trees, provide a scratching post to prevent furniture damage.
The post should be stable, and tall enough for the cat to stretch out. It can be a bark-covered log or a 2x2 nailed to a base of 1/2 inch plywood and covered with burlap or a piece of wool carpet. Attract your cat to the post by rubbing catnip on the post or by attaching a toy on a string to the top of the post.
If the cat still claws, apply a cat repellant to the furniture or squirt the cat with water from a squirt gun when it claws. When training a kitten, restrict it to the scratching post area until it learns to use the post.
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Fleas
Fleas - small brown, parasitic insects about 1/8 inch long - jump onto their host to feed on its blood. They spend most of their time resting and breeding where the host rests. Development from egg to adult flea takes about 2 months, less in hot weather. Fleas feed on humans when animals are absent.
The best defense is a thorough house vacuuming, with special attention to your pet's bedding. Wash the bedding and let it dry; spray or dust it with a household formulation or carbaryl or malathion. Give your pet a flea inspection often; look for the tiny black specks that are their droppings. Use flea shampoo, powder, or a flea collar as your veterinarian advises. In case of a severe infestation, calling in an exterminator may be the best answer.
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Cold Weather Tips
Please follow these guidelines to protect your
companion animal
when the temperature drops.
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, or be injured or
killed. Cats who are allowed to stray are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies.
- During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars, where it
is warmer. Then, when the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed in the fan belt. To
prevent this, bang loudly on the hood of your car and wait a few seconds before starting the
engine, to give a cat a chance to escape.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs
frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may panic in a
snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season.
- Thorougly wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when she comes in out of the rain, snow or
ice. Check her sensitive paw pads, which may bleed from snow or ice encrusted in them. Also,
salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if she ingests them while licking her paws.
- If you own a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater for your dog. Look
for one with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of her tail on top and
to the belly underneath. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a
refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your companion animal could freeze to death.
- If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only
long enough to relieve himself.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak
during the winter. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the
weather.
- If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food,
particularly protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy.
- Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Because of its sweet
taste, animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To
prevent accidental poisonings, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that
contain propylene glycol rather than the traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Call
your veterinarian or The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NAPCC) if
you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Leave the coat in a longer style, which
provides more warmth. Remember that such a style will require more frequent brushing due to
dry winter air and static electricity. When you bathe your dog, make sure she is completely dry
before you take her out for a walk.
- Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep far away from all drafts and
off the floor, such as in a dog or cat bed or basket with a warm blanket or pillow in it.
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Holiday Tips
Independence Day
Many household pets get very nervous on Independence Day as streets and backyards ring out
with firecrackers and M-80's. To put your pets at ease, please follow these guidelines:
- Keep your pets indoors with the windows closed and air conditioner or radio on. This will
mask noises coming from outside.
- If your pets usually spend time in the backyard, watch out for neighborhood pranksters
throwing firecrackers over your fence to frighten the animals.
- Allow your pets to seek refuge under the bed, behind the toilet or in the closet. Don't drag
them out and say, "It's okay." This well-meant, but misguided, attempt at reassurance can be the
first step in creating a serious phobia.
- If your pets become stressed easily or your neighborhood is a particularly noisy one, you
may wish to ask your veterinarian about the possibility of giving them a tranquilizer or
homeopathic remedy such as rock rose or mimulus. In severe cases, you might want to consider
sending your pets to a quiet, secluded boarding kennel.
- Don't bring your dog with you when you go to view fireworks. Instead, take him or her for
a nice, quiet walk after the festivities have ended.
Holiday Season
As you celebrate the season, it's important to keep your companion animals safe and stress-free.
Here are some helpful hints:
1) Be careful with holiday decorations. Common yuletide plants such as poinsettias, mistletoe,
ivy and holly berries can be poisonous, possibly even fatal. Tree adornments and Christmas and
Hanukkah candles can cause choking or severe intestinal problems if swallowed. Exposed wiring
can electrocute a curious animal who chews on it. Dogs and cats can be allowed to romp through
discarded wrapping paper and empty boxes, but be sure to dispose of all bows, yarn and curling
ribbons.
2) Crowds of people and holiday festivities can frighten animals. If you plan to entertain, you
must plan ahead on your pets' behalf. Make sure they have a "safe haven" where they can retreat.
If you are a cat owner, note that a disruption such as the rearrangement of furniture around the
house for the holidays may cause your feline to stop using the litter box.
3) Pets are not garbage disposals for holiday left-overs. Do not stuff an animal. Poultry bones
can splinter and cause blockages, chocolates are poisonous, and any sudden change of diet, even
for just one meal, can give your dog or cat stomach pain and diarrhea. This is particularly true for
older animals, whose digestive systems are often more delicate and nutritional requirements
more strict. Aluminum foil that has been wrapped around meat and disposable baking pans might
be attractive to a pet, but do not let your companion near these -- ingestion of aluminum foil
may cause vomiting, intestinal blockage or even more serious problems.
4) A Christmas tree should stand in a flat, wide base. You might also want to anchor the tree
with fishing line tied to drapery rods or the wall. Cats often see trees as fabulous climbing posts.
If your feline shows a penchant for this activity, decorate with animal-safe items such as dried
flowers, pine cones or fabric and wood ornaments. You also might want to consider putting the
tree in a room with doors that close. Tinsel and popcorn strands can be deadly to pets, and glass
balls can shatter in an animal's mouth.
5) Please remember that the changes and activity over the holidays can cause an animal stress
and anxiety. By taking proper precautions, you can help your pet enjoy the holiday season.
The ASPCA's Stand on Pets as Gifts
The ASPCA does not approve of pets as gifts. Pets are not inanimate presents -- they are
members of the family. When holiday season comes around, people tend to forget that there is a
10- to 20-year commitment involved in caring for a companion animal. Before obtaining a pet,
the entire family should be consulted. In fact, The ASPCA requires interviews with all adults
living in the household before adopting out a companion dog or cat.
We allow animals to be adopted to families if the parents or heads of household visit our
facilities and talk to our Animal Placement staff. However, we believe that Christmas and the
first night of Hanukkah are not appropriate times for introducing an animal to his or her new
home. At these times there is usually too much activity for an animal to feel comfortable.
If someone wants to adopt an animal from The ASPCA as a gift, our Animal Placement staff will
make two phone calls. The first will ensure that the recipient does indeed want an animal, and the
second will inform that person of the type of animal chosen. Because it is essential that the
animal and the owner form a strong relationship, we recommend that the potential owner come in
to meet the animal before being presented with him or her.
If you're shopping for someone who wants a pet, The ASPCA suggests a book about
responsible ownership. If the person is interested in specific breeds or mixed-breeds, purchase a
book that discusses different breeds. You can always give a gift certificate stating that you will
purchase an animal of the person's choice for him or her after the holidays.
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