CARING OF CATS PART 3
Dental care
Dental disease is quite common in cats, especially as they get older. You should get your cat’s teeth regularly checked by your vet. Many cats do not show obvious discomfort, although signs of dental disease may include:
• reduced appetite
• halitosis (bad breath)
• dropping food or difficulty in eating
• blood-tinged saliva or drooling
• unusual face rubbing or pawing at the mouth
• behavioural changes, such as becoming quieter or more aggressive
• reduced grooming
• sneezing, nasal discharge or facial swelling Dental disease can be painful and seriously affect your cat’s health and welfare. Bacteria can enter the cat’s bloodstream and affect its heart and kidneys. Consult your vet
Teeth and oral health.
Insurance Pet insurance can cover veterinary costs for illness, accidents and emergencies. There are plenty of options available. Some policies won’t insure older pets over a certain age, so check the small print. Remember that preventative treatment such as vaccination is not covered and neither is treatment for conditions which have occurred prior to the policy being taken out. It is worth taking the time to ensure you get the cover you require. Your vet may be able to offer some advice. Type, age, character and where you live All cats are individuals. Deciding that you want a cat is just the first step and choosing the right cat for you is just as important. Here are some points to consider: Fur length Long-haired cats will need daily grooming and short-haired cats will benefit from weekly grooming. Age and sex A kitten may need more attention than an older cat as they tend to have more energy. You should also make sure that you are able to check and replace their food four times a day until they are about 12 weeks old and three times a day until they are about six months old. Older cats tend to be calmer and they are less likely to need supervision.
Caring for your kitten and Elderly cats.
As regards the sex of your cat, there is very little difference in behaviour once they have been neutered, so this comes down to personal preference. Character Cats can vary quite considerably from lap cat to feral. Their character and behaviour is influenced by both nature and nurture. Everybody’s needs and wishes are different so when you come to see the cats at a Cats Protection branch or adoption centre, talk to the Cat Care Assistant or volunteer about what you are looking for so that they can match you with a suitable cat. Do bear in mind cats behave differently in different environments.
Cats and the law. Pedigree or moggy?
While many pedigree cats are healthy, there is a misconception that, somehow, they are better or stronger than moggies, but adopting a pedigree is not a guarantee of good health. The word pedigree simply means it is from a family of cats which have been bred to meet specific criteria – usually in relation to their appearance. They have rarely been selected for specific health or temperament benefits. If selecting a pedigree cat, we strongly recommend that you take time to learn about the breed to ensure you will both enjoy a lasting and happy relationship. Health Make sure you get as much history as you can about a cat you are interested in. While it is impossible to give a guarantee of good health, try and find out whether a cat has any known previous conditions which are likely to recur, or ongoing medical conditions which might require special treatment. Remember the tiny runt of a litter may look cute, but there may be an underlying reason for it being small. Healthy cats are generally alert and have a good body coat condition and clear eyes, without discharges from the eyes or nose, have good appetites and do not object to being handled. For cats with ongoing conditions, make sure you are prepared for the potential veterinary costs and trips to the vet. Adopt with confidence Every year thousands of people put their faith and trust in Cats Protection when looking for a new addition to the family. Behind each volunteer and member of staff is a wealth of experience and expertise which means when you adopt one of our cats, you can feel safe in the knowledge that they have been given the best possible care. Cats Protection has agreed a set of Minimum Veterinary Standards for the health and welfare of all cats in our care. This means when a cat leaves Cats Protection, it will have been treated to a top-to-tail medical, including:
• examination by a veterinary surgeon
• vaccination at least once against cat flu and enteritis
• treatment against fleas and worms
• neutering if old enough
• microchipping if old enough
Dental disease is quite common in cats, especially as they get older. You should get your cat’s teeth regularly checked by your vet. Many cats do not show obvious discomfort, although signs of dental disease may include:
• reduced appetite
• halitosis (bad breath)
• dropping food or difficulty in eating
• blood-tinged saliva or drooling
• unusual face rubbing or pawing at the mouth
• behavioural changes, such as becoming quieter or more aggressive
• reduced grooming
• sneezing, nasal discharge or facial swelling Dental disease can be painful and seriously affect your cat’s health and welfare. Bacteria can enter the cat’s bloodstream and affect its heart and kidneys. Consult your vet
Teeth and oral health.
Insurance Pet insurance can cover veterinary costs for illness, accidents and emergencies. There are plenty of options available. Some policies won’t insure older pets over a certain age, so check the small print. Remember that preventative treatment such as vaccination is not covered and neither is treatment for conditions which have occurred prior to the policy being taken out. It is worth taking the time to ensure you get the cover you require. Your vet may be able to offer some advice. Type, age, character and where you live All cats are individuals. Deciding that you want a cat is just the first step and choosing the right cat for you is just as important. Here are some points to consider: Fur length Long-haired cats will need daily grooming and short-haired cats will benefit from weekly grooming. Age and sex A kitten may need more attention than an older cat as they tend to have more energy. You should also make sure that you are able to check and replace their food four times a day until they are about 12 weeks old and three times a day until they are about six months old. Older cats tend to be calmer and they are less likely to need supervision.
Caring for your kitten and Elderly cats.
As regards the sex of your cat, there is very little difference in behaviour once they have been neutered, so this comes down to personal preference. Character Cats can vary quite considerably from lap cat to feral. Their character and behaviour is influenced by both nature and nurture. Everybody’s needs and wishes are different so when you come to see the cats at a Cats Protection branch or adoption centre, talk to the Cat Care Assistant or volunteer about what you are looking for so that they can match you with a suitable cat. Do bear in mind cats behave differently in different environments.
Cats and the law. Pedigree or moggy?
While many pedigree cats are healthy, there is a misconception that, somehow, they are better or stronger than moggies, but adopting a pedigree is not a guarantee of good health. The word pedigree simply means it is from a family of cats which have been bred to meet specific criteria – usually in relation to their appearance. They have rarely been selected for specific health or temperament benefits. If selecting a pedigree cat, we strongly recommend that you take time to learn about the breed to ensure you will both enjoy a lasting and happy relationship. Health Make sure you get as much history as you can about a cat you are interested in. While it is impossible to give a guarantee of good health, try and find out whether a cat has any known previous conditions which are likely to recur, or ongoing medical conditions which might require special treatment. Remember the tiny runt of a litter may look cute, but there may be an underlying reason for it being small. Healthy cats are generally alert and have a good body coat condition and clear eyes, without discharges from the eyes or nose, have good appetites and do not object to being handled. For cats with ongoing conditions, make sure you are prepared for the potential veterinary costs and trips to the vet. Adopt with confidence Every year thousands of people put their faith and trust in Cats Protection when looking for a new addition to the family. Behind each volunteer and member of staff is a wealth of experience and expertise which means when you adopt one of our cats, you can feel safe in the knowledge that they have been given the best possible care. Cats Protection has agreed a set of Minimum Veterinary Standards for the health and welfare of all cats in our care. This means when a cat leaves Cats Protection, it will have been treated to a top-to-tail medical, including:
• examination by a veterinary surgeon
• vaccination at least once against cat flu and enteritis
• treatment against fleas and worms
• neutering if old enough
• microchipping if old enough
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