There are a lot of very important vaccines that will arise in the veterinarians office during your kitten’s first visits. You may wonder why there are so many of them and are they really necessary. The simplest way to put it is like this; there are “core” and “non-core” vaccines. The core vaccines are the necessary vaccines that every cat should receive. The non-core vaccines are ones that can be given on an as-needed basis as directed by the vet and the lifestyle of the cat.
The rabies vaccine is core. This vaccine is a legal requirement in many states due to the potential spread of a deadly disease. There is also a vaccine called the distemper vaccine and upper respiratory are core and these are given every few weeks until the kitten reaches twelve to sixteen weeks of age. Regular booster shots will keep your kitten healthy.
The feline leukemia vaccine is a very important vaccine that can prevent the incurable FIV disease in cats. This is usually recommended in cats and kittens that are in contact with other cats or that are permitted outdoors. Though this vaccine is a non-core vaccine it is offered no less.
Having your kitten de-wormed is an important part of their young life. Beginning at the age of three weeks they need to be de-wormed several times due to frequent infestation from the lactating Mother and other environmental factors. Even if your kittens fecal test comes up negative a de-worming remedy needs to be put into place to ensure a worm free kitten. With a negative fecal result there can still be eggs present. Worms such as tapeworms can make kitten s very ill with vomiting and diarrhea.
Other hygiene routines should include simple grooming techniques. Brushing a kittens teeth will allow them to become comfortable with the procedure early in their lives so they will become comfortable with it as adults. Also, keeping your kitten well groomed can lead to easier care and bathing into their adulthood. Brusing the coat, bathing, and regular nail trims will greatly increase your kitten acceptance of these things as time goes on. It is much harder to convince an older cat to agree to these steps compared to a kitten who has been raised in this way.
There can be a great relationship built between your existing pet cat and a new, playful kitten. Though this may happen over a period of time you need to be prepared for some possible stress in the beginning.
I am not here to scare you into deciding against it but the reality is that after several years of being king of the castle an older cat may be a bit territorial. Though cats that are confined to the indoors can benefit from a companion the best rule is have the introduction when both are younger.
When this is not possible convert to procedure. The general rule of thumb is that two cats of the same sex can create an environment of rivalry. To avoid this try your best to choose a cat of the opposite sex of your older cat. This will bring the need for a spay/neuter but the medical attributes are beneficial for both cats and this is always recommended.
Be sure that you have your new kitten checked by your family veterinarian before bringing him/her home. With a weak immunity you do not want to risk your kitten bringing a disease home to your older cat. Older cats begin experiencing weakened immune function as well so be weary of a stray kitten.
If possible you may bathe your kitten at a family member or friends house before returning home. This can help to neutralize their natural smell and prevent certain behavior’s from your older cat.
A mandatory isolation period may be required. In which time provide a separate litter box, food dish, and water bowl. The best circumstance would allow the kitten a private room. Though some kittens may be quite anxious to explore, this means of separation may help your older cat to adjust as well. If the kitten is fearful then do not force him/her to exit the room. Allow them to enter the living area on their own terms. Forcing an entrance will induce more seclusion and hiding.
The official introduction, face to face, should come a little later. Allow your older cat to explore the kittens belongings and get a scent. Then allow the kitten to do the same. Let the two meet for a few minutes at a time before allowing full time exposure. Doing the routine in this fashion will save you and your cats a lot of stress.
Why do people love cats? One answer may be because cats possess an innate telepathy that soothes the energy of those around them. When I was young I didn’t like cats. I wasn’t sure why, but I thought they were pompous and displayed poor attitudes, and I usually avoided them. Then when I was 17 years old I had fallen really ill and due to such a high fever, my muscles cramped up, leaving me bed ridden for about two weeks. I was miserable and would silently cry because of the pain I was in. During this time my sister had found a baby kitten; a tiny, furry maine coon and she brought him over to show my mom and me. As soon as she entered the front door the kitten (Sam) jumped out of her arms and ran up the stairs to my room. He managed to run right to me though he was a stranger in my house. I picked him up and he curled into a ball on my lap. He laid there with me for more than two hours, and silently I felt a peace that was foreign to me. As soon as my sister pulled him off me, he was back to his jittery, playful mobile self again. To this day, I love Sam for tending to me when I was sick, and I wholeheartedly believe that he ran to me because he knew he could help ease my pain. This is a prime example of what cats do for us on a daily basis in many ways. There are actually healing groups that bring a medically-approved class of animals over to sick and confined patients to give them a medicinal therapy, using the animal’s love and energy. Cats are amongst these healers. It has also been stated that people who own cats are 40% less likely to be victims of heart attacks.
Another response to that question may be because cats reflect and portray many humanistic mannerisms. Cats are playful, they are mysterious, and they have attitude. These are all welcome traits from one human to the next. We can relate to these behaviors because we emanate many of them ourselves. Cats clearly provide a sense of love, communication, and a zany twist that will often keep their owners on their toes. They bring joy with their purring and their cuddling, and the way they rub their faces along our hands or legs ignites a sense of warmth and soulful comfort. Cats also possess great intelligence which is divided into a keen survival sense, a playful wit, and also a more profound knowledge that enables them to relate to us without the translation of language. Ever notice a cat as it stares intently at the door handle, quietly but directly telling you he wishes to be outside? What about the hungry cat looking at her food bowl, intermittently swapping glances between the bowl and her owner, demanding to be fed? There is no doubt that their intelligence makes taking care of them much easier. Nor can it be questioned that their distinct personalities enable us to relate to them.
Whether it be charm, intelligence, unique mysterious charisma, or just simply a really deeply connected companionship between cat and owner, there is much to love. The warm purring, the soft fur, the beautiful sleek features, the spirited, primitive wild hidden within, and the medicinal healing from one kindred soul to the next are some of the many impressions left lingering after encountering a cat. Yet still, the greatest answer cannot be read in an article, nor can it be heard from the words of others. Why do people love cats? Spend some time around one, and you will feel your answer.
De-clawing a cat may not be a good idea. In the event that your cat accidentally escapes from your house it may not have a way of defending itself against other animals like dogs for instance. To defend itself the cat either claws at it or climbs up a tree for safety. A cat at the mercy of a rabid dog is not a pretty site. Poor Fiona might have been able to climb up a tree if its owner wouldn’t have de-clawed it. De-clawing is somewhat cruel. There are plenty of alternatives to protect your furniture from a scratchy cat.
Get the cat used to getting its claws trimmed and filed from a kitten. Caress your kitty softly on its belly and once it’s relaxed clip the claws one by one, petting your kitten in-between clips. Look at the claw and make sure you do not cut into the quick. It can be painful and make the cat bleed which will then get it nervous the next time you decide to trim its claws. Grab a file and file down the claws from rigid edges to protect you and the furniture from getting scratched.
Another alternative is to get your cat a scratching post. There are some that have compartments for cat nip to attract the cat to scratch on the post only. There are other products like scratch pads that look somewhat to a rug. Having several scratching stations through out the house can help protect your furniture. Don’t forget, you can always invest in couch covers.
Online, in some pet stores or at a vet you can now find what is called as nail caps. They come in different colors and are plastic caps that fit perfectly on the cat’s claws. They may feel a little weird but will get used to having them on in no time at all. Most packages come with about 40 caps so you can reapply them as they come off. Some cats may nip at them causing them to fall off quicker. All you need to do is check them daily and if some have fallen replace them while feeding your cat treats in between. They come with glue and applicator tips and are pretty easy to put on. The glue will secure them on but will not glue them well enough to keep them permanent. They still have their claws and you are happy with your furniture. It can’t get better than that.
Cats are wonderful. Plain and simple. Their canine counterparts are the ones with the renowned title as “Man’s Best Friend” but that has not cut cats out of the rat-race for affection.
While dogs get the label of Man’s best friend, they also require a lot of extra work in comparison to cats. Cats are a very self-sufficient specie and do not require much cat care. They do not require potty-training (in most cases, you can even toilet train some cats) or behavioral training as with most dogs. They are a loving, devoted, self kept treasure. They provide companionship without a ton of effort.
Don’t get me wrong. I am not saying we bring a kitten home, slap them a litter box and go on our way. Cats may be self sustaining by nature but they require nurturing, affection, a healthy diet, exercise and stimulation, vaccinations, and all of the general bases for a happy and healthy life. A cat with a healthy and happy life with carry a happy and loving relationship with you their entire life.
There are general rules to follow when you bring a kitten home. As with all kittens you must be wary of disease, infestation, malnutrition, dehydration, and other varying forms of an unhealthy kitten.
Before bringing home a new kitten be sure to take the kitten in for a veterinary exam. Feline Aids, or FIV, can be spread from Mother to kitten and then to other cats that may already be present in your home. This is a measure of prevention that is the safest way to introduce a new kitten into your healthy home. This initial visit will also introduce your kitten to proper vaccination and de-worming which is a critical step in a kittens first months of life.
Now it is time to bring your kitten home. Be sure that your kitten has a special area for a clean litter box. Generally kittens take to a litter box automatically without any help. Only a few kittens need to be placed gently into the box a few times before they assume the responsibility of using the box permanently. If you have a cat already in the home, using the litter box, the kitten will get the idea right away.
Follow a steady routine for mealtimes to appease your cats desire for structure. And remember to make or purchase stimulating toys for your cat to enjoy. Exercise and mental stimulation are very important for a healthy kitten/cat. Also a scratching post is necessary for healthy cats. Scratching is a natural behavior for cats/kittens. It helps them sharpen their claws and pull away any loose claw material. Don’t let this natural behavior ruin your furniture. You must provide the kitten with a post or they will leave their mark on the furniture.
Keep your cat/kitten updated on all vaccines, monthly medications and prevention treatments for fleas, ticks, FIV, heartworms, and ear mites. Following the basics are simple and prevention is your strongest link to a healthy, happy cat. Taking small steps to create a loving environment will result in big benefits. Your cat will become your best friend. When you take special care of your cat your cat will return the favor with love and affection for years to come.