Cats

Cats have been our companions for centuries, as evidenced by mummified cats in the tombs of ancient Egypt.  Since this time, human and feline interaction has continued to develop, along with our understanding of their needs and the benefits of forging a cat-human relationship.

Nutrition

Cats are true carnivores so they have a specific need for high quantities of animal based proteins and fats. They have unique dietary requirements for certain vitamins, fatty acids and also certain amino acids such as taurine, which can only be supplied by animal tissue (meat) – these requirements must be included to provided a balanced diet.

There are many balanced dry and moist foods on the market. Although rich in iron, Liver can become addictive and because of its high Vitamin A causes disease. Feeding fish exclusively can induce dietary deficiencies unless supplemented with the correct fatty acids.

Kittens should be fed special kitten formulas four times daily until eight weeks of age, three times daily from eight weeks to three months and twice daily from three to six months of age.

Preparing for your new pet

Cats need access to the outside or a litter tray, which will then need to be cleaned regularly. They need to be fed a balanced diet daily and have fresh water freely available at all times. Cats can be very independent but many pet cats enjoy company and playtime.

Health

All cats need regular health checks and need to keep their vaccinations up to date.  Minimum health care should include regular worming, flea control and something to clean their teeth. There are lots of treats and some dry foods that clean teeth. Any changes in eating, drinking, urination, defecation or weight loss or gain should be checked out with a visit to the vet. Theses days there are treatments available for many problems ranging from diabetes to arthritis.

Caution is needed when tackling fleas in cats as they are much more susceptible to insecticide toxicity than dogs. You cannot use dog products on cats or kittens. Please be sure to read the label to confirm that it is a safe preparation for cats and that you are using it at the recommended dilution.

Short haired cats need no brushing and, given a place to sharpen their nails, can take care of their grooming needs themselves. Longer haired breeds usually need daily grooming and some of the flatter faced cats need their faces cleaned a little too.  Not all long haired cats will allow themselves to be brushed and so these may have to be sedated for clipping.  If you need to groom your cat it is a very good idea to start doing so when they are young.

Care and safety

Cats that are not well socialised as kittens may never be very friendly and not all cats are lap cats. It is best to let cats have the choice of being petted or picked up.

Exercise

Cats should be encouraged to exercise.  Contrary to common belief many cats will happily play fetch and chase bright and moving objects and toys.  This is good for their weight control and health.

Breed concerns

All breeds have breed societies so it is wise to find out about a breed’s characteristics before you acquire one to make sure the pet is appropriate to your lifestyle. Remember that pets can live well over 10 years so it is a long term commitment. A Domestic Short Hair (DSH) is the breed we usually see and is friendly, robust and often has the best of all the breeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Can I feed my kitten or cat puppy or dog food?

No. Cats need to get taurine from their diet which is not always included in dog foods.

2.  Should I get my cat desexed?

Yes. Cats have a  breeding season.  During that time all the males gather to compete so most males end up with cat fight abcesses.  The females keep cycling till they get pregnant and can even have more than one litter in a breeding season.  So it is to stop unwanted pregnancies and fighting that are the best reasons for getting all cats desexed.

3.  Can I keep my cat totally indoors?

Yes. Cats are quite adaptable and you can easily make an enriched environment for them indoors. They will need a separate place to sleep, eat and toilet, something for them to sharpen their claws and lots of play to keep them fit.  If you have an outdoors cat it should be brought in after dusk to prevent hunting of wildlife.

4.  Can I feed my kitten and cat milk?

Cows milk is not very good for cats as the level of lactose is too high for cats and excess consumption may result in bloating and diarrhoea. Lactose free milk, as found in the kitten milks, is fine.