Post by Linsey on May 23, 2007 9:58:53 GMT
Getting a Cat
A cat or kitten makes a very worthwhile pet, providing that it is properly cared for. If you have taken, or are about to take a stray or rescued feline into your home, then you are actively helping such organisations as Cats Protection in their work. There are many more such cats than there are homes available.
Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or kitten please think carefully about what it will involve.
>Cost of feeding and veterinary treatment (including the cost of vaccinations and neutering).
>Making time for play, grooming and companionship.
>Being prepared to accept that it may catch birds and other prey.
>Ensuring adequate arrangements for when you are away from home.
>Making sure your cat or kitten will not become a nuisance to neighbours
KITTENS
Kittens are old enough to leave their mother at eight weeks.
A pretty, lively kitten can be an attractive proposition. Remember, however, that he or she will become a cat after six months and may be with you for the next 14 years. A kitten should be yours for life!
Spaying and Nuetering
1. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) are life threatening diseases for cats. They are transmitted through the cat's saliva which makes fighting cats more at risk. Neutered cats are less likely to wander, protect their territory or get into fights with other cats. They are therefore less likely to get bitten and be infected with these diseases.
2. An un-castrated male cat marks his territory with strong smelling urine. This is called spraying. He will do this inside the house as well as around the garden. He will disappear for days or weeks, often turning up injured or ill from untreated wounds. Most cats killed on the roads and in neighbouring properties are uncastrated toms. Most noisy, singing cats are toms too.
3. From the age of 6 months, a healthy female cat can have up to three litters each year with 5 or 6 kittens in each litter. That adds up to 18 good, caring homes to find each year - just for one cat's kittens. Each year the Cats Protection is left with the problem of finding new homes for over 70,000 unwanted cats and kittens.
4. Neutered cats do not get fat. Only overfeeding makes a cat overweight and then unhealthy. Neutering does not affect a cat's ability to catch mice. However, a neutered cat is more likely to stay close to home and therefore be safer and also makes a better pet.
5. There is no good reason to let a cat have one litter before spaying. It costs far more to feed a pregnant cat and her kittens than to pay for a spaying operation
Be a responsible cat owner and have you cat neutered.
See your Vet now
Spaying a female
should be spayed from 6 months. Be advised by your vet. It's a short stay at the surgery followed by a second visit 10 days later to remove the stitches
Castrating a male
should be castrated from 6 months. Be advised by your vet. It's a simple, routine operation under anaesthetic with a brief stay at the surgery.
With thanx to: www.cats-pembs.org.uk
A cat or kitten makes a very worthwhile pet, providing that it is properly cared for. If you have taken, or are about to take a stray or rescued feline into your home, then you are actively helping such organisations as Cats Protection in their work. There are many more such cats than there are homes available.
Before you take on the responsibility of owning a cat or kitten please think carefully about what it will involve.
>Cost of feeding and veterinary treatment (including the cost of vaccinations and neutering).
>Making time for play, grooming and companionship.
>Being prepared to accept that it may catch birds and other prey.
>Ensuring adequate arrangements for when you are away from home.
>Making sure your cat or kitten will not become a nuisance to neighbours
KITTENS
Kittens are old enough to leave their mother at eight weeks.
A pretty, lively kitten can be an attractive proposition. Remember, however, that he or she will become a cat after six months and may be with you for the next 14 years. A kitten should be yours for life!
Spaying and Nuetering
1. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) and Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) are life threatening diseases for cats. They are transmitted through the cat's saliva which makes fighting cats more at risk. Neutered cats are less likely to wander, protect their territory or get into fights with other cats. They are therefore less likely to get bitten and be infected with these diseases.
2. An un-castrated male cat marks his territory with strong smelling urine. This is called spraying. He will do this inside the house as well as around the garden. He will disappear for days or weeks, often turning up injured or ill from untreated wounds. Most cats killed on the roads and in neighbouring properties are uncastrated toms. Most noisy, singing cats are toms too.
3. From the age of 6 months, a healthy female cat can have up to three litters each year with 5 or 6 kittens in each litter. That adds up to 18 good, caring homes to find each year - just for one cat's kittens. Each year the Cats Protection is left with the problem of finding new homes for over 70,000 unwanted cats and kittens.
4. Neutered cats do not get fat. Only overfeeding makes a cat overweight and then unhealthy. Neutering does not affect a cat's ability to catch mice. However, a neutered cat is more likely to stay close to home and therefore be safer and also makes a better pet.
5. There is no good reason to let a cat have one litter before spaying. It costs far more to feed a pregnant cat and her kittens than to pay for a spaying operation
Be a responsible cat owner and have you cat neutered.
See your Vet now
Spaying a female
should be spayed from 6 months. Be advised by your vet. It's a short stay at the surgery followed by a second visit 10 days later to remove the stitches
Castrating a male
should be castrated from 6 months. Be advised by your vet. It's a simple, routine operation under anaesthetic with a brief stay at the surgery.
With thanx to: www.cats-pembs.org.uk
