How to live with, and care for, kittens and cats

Sometimes they get tired of the same food, or sometimes they just don’t want the dry stuff (or the wet stuff) anymore.  Sometimes their food disagrees with them (just like us), or sometimes they need more or less of a certain thing (such as lower ash content for fixed males to avoid crystals in their urine).  I find that dry is better for them because they need to chew it and it helps to keep their teeth cleaner.  Wet is better if your cat is very old and/or has teeth problems.  If you can’t afford wet, a good substitute is to pour dry in a small bowl and add a little warm water.  Let it sit for about five minutes and then fluff like you would rice.  This gives them areas to grab up the food when they eat.  If you have a picky eater, once you find something they will eat, try to stick with it.  Or, you can mix that food in with generic brands so it has the same flavor, but you can save money.

Don't fret if this takes awhile, some cats don't get it at first.  In fact, I have had a cat that didn't want to bathe himself.  When he got older, we put him in the tub and he loved it.  We had to bathe him on occasion even after he finally learned because he would stop cleaning himself.  Secretly, I think he was wanting to play in the water again.

Bathing is an option, especially if the cat got into something; however, cats are generally afraid of the water (not like the silly one named above) so let me give you a few tips on how to clean one if the need arises.

**Gather your supplies ahead of time:  Two thick towels, a face cloth, gloves (optional), shampoo (baby shampoo is best because it is safe if they ingest it or you can get special animal shampoo), a small plastic cup for rinsing (disposable is best), and at least one helper.

**Make sure the water is warm, but not hot and only reaches the cat's belly.

**Draw the water in a small pan in the tub or sink (sinks are easier because you can comfortably stand at them and you have the cabinet right there).

**Lay a towel out close by to dab the cat’s eyes and mouth in case they get anything in them, and to set the cat on once the bath is done.

**Take the cat out of the water and set him/her on the available towel (make sure your helper has a tight grip OR your house will be soaked when the cat tries to run away).  Carefully but quickly rub as much of the excess water off of your cat as possible using the second towel and then let them go.  They will dry themselves the rest of the way.  Just try to keep the house warm until they are relatively dry.

The sunlight is their favorite.  Be sure they have access to the sunlight for several hours in a day; even if it is just a patch on the floor where you set their bed for them.  Window beds are good, as are baskets set on table tops or a small table set under the window.  Whatever you choose, be sure you place something of the cats into it so they know they can use it--like one of their toys or a small sprinkling of cat nip.

They also love to sleep in small enclosed areas because they heat up faster and stay warmer.  If you can’t find your cat, the chances are they have crawled into some tiny little spot somewhere and are sleeping.  I had to board up a little access space under my sink because it led to a small crawl space under the tub and the cats would go in there and sleep.  The only time this becomes a problem is if you don’t see the cat after a few hours.

Cats have several pores throughout their bodies which allow them to dispel excess heat.  Cats don’t usually pant (like dogs) unless they are overheated.  If you see your cat panting, you should take immediate steps to cool them down.  A cool wet facecloth laid over them sometimes helps.  Or you can put them in front of a fan or an air conditioner.  Overheating is a life threatening situation for cats.  If you cannot cool them down enough for their panting to stop, take them to a vet.

**Christmas tinsel-it gets caught in their intestines and can kill them

**Curly ribbon-same as above

**Balloons-they often swallow whole balloons and choke

**Small things that they could swallow (just like kids)-needles on thread are a good example

**Items that could easily break such as glass ornaments-cats might break it and step on it or swallow pieces that could cut them internally

**String, thread, or human hair-anything that is long that they might swallow and get caught in their intestines, watch yarn because some cats will chew a piece off and swallow it

**Plastic Easter Grass 

**Flame of a candle-obvious reasons.

**Plastic--some cats will chew on plastic (reason unknown), but if they break a piece off and swallow it, they could choke or end up with a blockage.  Many times they will vomit up the plastic (usually on your brand new rug).

Cats can smell food a mile away and if there is any food in the trash they will seek it out, even if they are not really hungry.  Scolding and punishing doesn’t work unless you catch them at it because they forget what they did five seconds after they do it.  The best way is to put leftovers, scraps, and meat packaging in a separate bag and take it out to the trash immediately (yes, I said meat packaging-many cats will try to eat the plastic or the absorbent pad because it has the meat blood in or on it). 

You know your cat best, so if he/she begins to act different that is your warning sign.  Here is a list of things to watch for and what they could mean:

**If your cat has suddenly stopped eating--common cause is a bad tooth--uncommon cause could be stomach issues, growths, or aging.  Either way, you should take your cat to be seen by a vet.

**They stop jumping--common cause--they have injured something either by falling, getting hit, or running into something--uncommon cause could be that they are ill.  Either way, you should take your cat to be seen by a vet.  (Often the cat will favor a paw or squeal when picked up because of pain.)

**Cats will sometimes hide if a new cat-especially if the new cat is aggressive-has been introduced into the house.  Try putting the new cat in a separate room and slowly introducing them to the other cat.  Remember that the cats are territorial and your cat was there first and therefore should have first rights.  Don’t let the newer cat dominate.  Spray bottles filled with plain water and set on straight line spraying are very effective to discipline cats or break up a fight.

**If a cat seems to be sleeping more than usual--cats do sleep a great deal, especially if they are indoor cats; however, you can usually tell if the cat is sleeping more than usual.  This is a sign of illness and should be checked out by a vet.  Common cause--internal illness, injury of some sort, not able to eat for whatever reason--uncommon cause could be cancer or kidney disease

**Draining eyes--common cause--respiratory infection--uncommon cause could be an eye injury or an allergy.  Either way, a vet visit is recommended.

**If a cat has suddenly stopped cleaning themselves--common cause-they have a hairball--giving a cat a hairball remedy will usually alleviate the problem (there are foods that are designed to alleviate hairballs as well).  You should be aware that if a cat has a hairball that isn’t passed, it will be thrown up.  Uncommon cause could be they aren’t able to clean themselves due to arthritis or overweight.

**If a cat suddenly changes their personalities--common cause--something is triggering the behavior such as a new cat, a new perfume that is too strong for them, or they have been injured--uncommon cause could be almost anything.  A vet visit is recommended.

**If a cat stops drinking from their bowl--common cause--the water is dirty or too low--uncommon cause--kidney issues.  A vet visit is definitely recommended if this continues over a period of twenty-four hours.

That includes disciplining the humans of their clan.  Cats are territorial, as I said before, so once they have accepted another cat or a human, they consider them part of the clan (or family).  Cats will clean members of the clan and they will share sleeping and eating areas.  They will swat with their paw if you are ‘bad’ in their eyes (using claws for emphasis if needed) and they will nip.  If a cat turns their back on you and snaps their tail at you, watch out!  You are in grave trouble with your cat.

Cats will swat or nip for many reasons, to include love nips if they like the petting you are giving them.  Try not to 'punish' them for this behavior unless they have hurt someone (their swats and nips are usually gentle) or they are in danger somehow.

Please do not de-claw your cats.  De-clawing for a cat would be like someone took your fingernails, one at a time, and ripped them off of your fingers.  The pain is excruciating, the nails do not grow back (so you can’t scratch), and the nerves never heal.  Plus you remove their main source of defense.  Please try to find other means of keeping your cats from scratching your furniture such as a rough rope-covered pole for a scratcher, or special anti-scratching tape.