A healthy, well-cared-for cat is not likely to a present a health problem. However, it is up to you to recognize the signs that your kitten is not her usual perky self. This means you need to be very familiar with your kitten’s normal behavior. You should be the one to feed, water, and groom the kitten and clean the litter box. This will give you the opportunity to notice anything that is out of the ordinary.

Consult your veterinarian if your cat shows any of the following signs:

• Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes, or other body openings
• Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting any part of the body
• Difficult, abnormal, or uncontrolled waste elimination
• Becomes less active, listless, hides, or becomes withdrawn
• Abnormal behavior, sudden viciousness, or lethargy
• Vomiting for more than 24 to 36 hours
• Abnormal lumps, limping, or difficulty getting up or lying down
• Sneezing, coughing or eyes that are inflamed
• Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores, and a ragged or dull coat
• Foul breath or excessive tarter deposits on teeth

Medications that cats should NEVER be given:

• Aspirin is extraordinarily easy to overdose in cats because it remains in their system for up to 72 hours (3 days!)
• Tylenol is FATAL
• Benzocaine (the topical anaesthetic) (available in spray and cream forms--- Lanacaine and several hemhherrhoid preparations have lots of benzocaine)
• Benzyl alcohol
• Methylene Blue (used to be used for urinary infections, many cats cannot tolerate it)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin) often used for seizures in other species
• Phosphate enemas (including Fleet enemas): may be fatal

Any strong cleaning solution such as pine cleaning products can be harmful to your cat. Make sure you rinse all cleaned items with lots of fresh water. Only use dish detergent on your cat’s food and water dishes. Make sure you rinse these thoroughly as well.

If your cat should ingest something harmful you can induce vomiting by using:

• Hydrogen peroxide 3% (most effective): One teaspoon every ten minutes; repeat three times
• One-fourth teaspoonful of salt, placed at the back of the tongue
• Syrup of Ipecac (one teaspoonful per ten pounds of body weight)

• has swallowed an acid, alkali, solvent, heavy duty cleaner, petroleum product, tranquilizers, or a sharp object (i.e., something that will cause as much or more damage coming back up)
• is severely depressed or comatose
• swallowed the substance more than two hours ago

DISCLAIMER: The information above is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your veterinarian. It should not be construed to indicate that the information or advice given is safe, appropriate, or effective for your cat. The information provided here has been developed from my own experiences, experiences of colleagues, and my own personal research. It is not intended to be a substitute for consulting an expert!

Bagheera and I (Mowgli) were strolling through the jungle late one evening last week when he began to share some "truths" about the behavior of cats. And he should know -- He is Bagheera!

Cats do not allow closed doors in any room. To get a door opened, they stand on hind legs and hammer it with forepaws. Including a loud Meow if necessary. Once the door is opened, it is not necessary that they use it. Then after a cat has ordered a door opened, she should stand halfway in and out and think about several things for quite a long time. This is particularly important if the human was interrupted to open the door.

Whenever guest come over a cat should quickly determine which guest hates cats the most and sit on that lap. And for the guest who exclaims, "I love kitties!" be ready with aloof disdain, apply claws to stockings or arms, or use a quick nip on the ankle. Always accompany guests to the bathroom. It is not necessary to do anything -- just sit there and stare.

Another truth is that cats have an uncontrollable attraction to the newspaper. When a human is holding the newspaper in front of him/her you can be be sure kitty will jump at the back of the paper. Humans love surprises!

It is also true that when a human is attempting to "make the bed" you can count on the cat to hop on it and curl up in the center , or pounce on the sheet the human is trying to rearrange. If the human tries to ignore the cat by covering her with the sheets, kitty will just move around and try to mess things up. And protest loudly when you're evicted. Humans really love this game.

And this is an important rule, according to Bagheera, "Laundry fresh from the dryer is a perfect bed, since it is warm and soft. As soon as it is put down for sorting, arrange yourself for a nap. If the human removes you, keep returning until the laundry isn't warm anymore. Now it's playtime. Pounce on anything the human tries to move around for folding, especially socks and nylons. For added fun, grab a sock and hide under the bed with it."

And cats should always get enough sleep in the daytime so you are fresh for your nocturnal games. It is important though to maintain one's Dignity at all times. If you should have an accident during play, such as falling off a chair, immediately wash a part of your body as if to say "I MEANT to do that!" It fools those humans every time.

Bagheera Kittens Available

Savannah River Bengals has kittens available

What is the price of a Bengal kitten?

What folks are saying about our Bengals

Famous Cartoon Cats