Cat Health

Cat owners should make sure to visit the veterinarian at least once a year for an annual examination and shots. If a cat becomes sick or injured, it is advisable to visit the veterinarian or animal hospital immediately. Your kitten will need a series of vaccines when it is very young. This series of shots is commonly referred to as a "3 in 1". When your kitten is 2,3 and 4 months of age it will receive a combination vaccine that protects your cat from panleukopenia (also referred to as feline distemper), calicivirus and rhinotracheitis. If your cat has not been vaccinated and is four months or older, it will be necessary to administer a series of two vaccinations 2 to 3 weeks apart, followed up with annual vaccinations.

There are two immune system viruses (retroviruses) that can infect your cat or kitten; Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). There is a vaccination available for feline leukemia but not FIV. It is possible that your cat can be infected and show no symptoms for months or years with either of these deadly viruses and the owner should make sure their cats are tested when visiting the veterinarian. Its mother can spread these viruses to a kitten at birth or through a bite of another infected cat. Outdoor and stray cats often carry these infections but neither is transmissible to humans. To ensure that your cat does not become infected with these viruses, it is advisable to keep them indoors. If you do allow your cat to be an outdoor cat, you must vaccinate the animal against the feline leukemia virus. No vaccine is 100% effective but it is an excellent preventative measure to safeguard your cat from ill health.

Aside from FeLV and FIV, there are some other ills that can befall your cuddly companion. Tiny parasites in the form of ear mites are a common problem that is easily transmitted between cats. You may notice your cat scratching its ears or shaking its head, which are two symptoms of ear mites. Take your cat to the vet if this occurs, he or she will clean the ears of your feline friend and administer proper medication. Worms are another problematic medical condition to look out for when caring for your cat or kitten.

Tapeworms and roundworms are common parasites that can infect your companion. Your vet can properly diagnose this nasty bug and prescribe medication to treat your cat. Fleas can transmit tapeworms as well as irritate your cat's skin. Check your cat weekly for fleas and ticks. Fleas are ubiquitous and will be all over your house if found on your cat and flea bombing your living space will be in order in addition to cat-safe flea shampoo or powder. Be sure to treat all domestic animals if you find one flea. Your vet can advise the best treatment program. Male and female cats can develop feline urological syndrome (FUS), which is an infection of the lower urinary tract. As in humans, if your cat is repeatedly visiting the litter box, you see blood in the urine or your cat is making loud cries or straining while urinating you must take your cat to the vet for medication. FUS is more common in male cats and this infection can be fatal if your cat does not receive rapid treatment.

Feeding Your Cat

It is important to feed your kitten wet meals. Feed them five small wet meals a day, more if you have time. Pay careful attention to the ingredients of all foods since a kitten's small body can be very sensitive to foods. Specially formulated kitten foods are ok but not required.

Food supplements help replace nutrients that are destroyed by cooking or otherwise not present. Some supplements are designed to help bridge the gap between raw and cooked food. These supplements can be added to wet or dry foods. It is also good to periodically switch brands of supplements as well as food so that your cat benefits from a variety of nutrients.

Below are 7 tips on feeding cats and kittens.

1. Provide a quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Some cats cannot eat amidst noise and commotion. You might need to serve food away from where your dog eats.
2. Establish a schedule for feedings. Developing a routine is as important for cats as it is for people. Knowing when he is to be fed gives your cat a sense of security and belonging.
3. Structure your cat mealtimes around household meals so that he feels included and part of the atmosphere.
4. Call your cat with the same phrase every mealtime, like "Here, Laddy".
5. Do not feed a cat when he is whining or begging unless it is really time for him to eat. Wait until your cat is quiet and respectful before placing any food in front of him.
6. Do not feed him as soon as you get out of bed. Wait until you have showered, made coffee and gotten the newspaper. You do not want him waking you up each morning to be fed.
7. Use a clean glass, ceramic or stainless steel food bowl that is wide enough for his whiskers. You can use a bamboo bowl for dry food. Do not use aluminum or plastic bowls. Aluminum can get into the food while plastic bowls harbor bacteria and could contribute to what is known as "feline acne."

Cats who regularly eat wet food drink very little water. Cats on raw food diets may only drink once every one or two days. Set out bowls of clean water. However, cats can be very sensitive to the chlorine in tap water. Letting the water sit out for 24 hours will let a lot of the chlorine escape. Using filtered or bottled water will reduce the wait. Change the water daily. Be sure to wash the bowls regularly as dust will collect in the bottom. Do not to let your cat drink out of the toilet bowl. Water in the toilet is not always safe to be drunk and the seat could fall and hurt him.

Catnip is a herb that you can grow indoors or out or buy from a pet store or online catalog. Most cats love it. Catnip helps relieve stress and boredom and also helps provide some fiber in his diet. Contrary to myth, catnip is not addictive to cats. You may, however, have a cat who can pull the catnip jar out of a cupboard and open it. Keep catnip leaves in a sealed container in the refrigerator or freezer. This also helps keep it fresh.

Use loose leaves for eating and rolling in; apply catnip spray to toys. Buy only organic leaves to avoid harmful herbicides and pesticides. Treat your cats to catnip once or twice a week. Declawed cats, spraying cats or cats with litter box problems could use more. Put catnip leaves on a piece of heavy fabric or newspaper. Leave it out for half an hour or so. Roll up the fabric and store it away. Next time, add a little fresh catnip to the pile.

My Kitten Loves Me

Placing a poem on the Darlings. Authors different, I hope like you.


To the tune of " Loves Me":

My kitten loves me, this I know
For his blue eyes tell me so.
Little, fuzzy, white, and black,
I carry him like a sack.

Copyright 1997 by Jessica Perry Hekman.

Additional verses, by various friends; some don't scan when sung to the same tune, but are amusing enough that I've included them:

My kitten loves me, or so it seems
She loves to jump and land on my jeans
While I am wearing them, she climbs up high
Digging her tiny claws into my thigh.
(Erik Ray)

my kitten loves me, she giveth gacky;
barfed up innards making lino tacky.
she calls me to her with her wretching -
not quick enough - on carpet spewing
(Kevin Lyda)

My kitten loves me to bits and pieces
She loves to help me with my thesis
When I'm not looking, I hear her playing
Never thinking she could be flaying
(Erik Ray)

My kitten loves me deeply and dearly
And in the morning she wakes me early
Since I'm not up yet, her dish is null
To let me know it, she sits on my skull
(Erik Ray)

Mel's verses all scan!

My kitten loves me, I will show;
Watch me tell her, "kitten, no!"
Scratching, biting, ripped to shreds -
lots of hairballs on the beds.
(Melanie Dymond Harper)

My kitten loves me, yes, it's true;
Look what she left me in my shoe!
Heads of mice and other bits,
All choice gifts from my dear kit.
(Melanie Dymond Harper)

My kitten loves me, late at night
Caterwauls 'til it gets light.
Sleeps all day then wants her food;
For kitties, truly life is good.
(Melanie Dymond Harper)

My kitty loves me, I'm quite sure
When I leave, he runs out the door
I have to chase him down and then
I bring him back and he tries again.
(Shelly Armstrong Houghton)