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Frequently Asked Questions
rev: 11-18-2007
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| Q |
I’ve never owned a kitten before. Do you have any advice? |
| A |
Surely you do not believe that old myth about feline self-reliance, do you?
You should be thankful that cats don’t have thumbs or they just might not need
us at all. But, on second thought, they might well prefer that we open the cat
food and scoop the litter box. After all they are the cat!.
As a new cat owner you should know that it is your job to take care of what your cats need. Click here to read more . . . |
| Q |
Is it true that having a cat in the family good for us? |
| A |
Wouldn’t it be great if all our companions and friends displayed great dignity, self-respect, l
oyalty, cleanliness, and good health habits? It would us all well to emulate these traits so
elegantly displayed by the family cat. And, wouldn’t it be nice if we could purr?
The health rewards of living with a cat seem straightforward, but on closer examination the relationship is more intriguing than it seems. Research from the early 1970s demonstrated that our blood pressure drops when we stroke our cats their blood pressure dropped. Additionally Dr. Erika Friedmann at New York’s Brooklyn College found that cat owners are more likely to survive one year after a major heart attack than people without pets. Another study revealed that cat owners are less at risk of heart disease than non-pet owners. |
| Q |
Are Two Kittens Better Than One? |
| A | In my opinion the answer is Yes, Yes, Yes. It is a lot better to purchase two kittens if your budget allows. Most breeders would prefer that two kittens are taken to keep each other company and may provide a small discount. If you are out at work all day it is worth considering a play pal for your new arrival. |
| Q |
If We Were to Purchase Two Kittens Which Sex? |
| A | Quite honestly this is probably one of the toughest questions to answer. Since all cats are individuals, with each having its own personality, the decision is really just your personal preference. Since both cats will be neutered/spayed there should be no problems. As long as the cat is spayed/neutered then either sex is fine. |
| Q |
Where can we get a Wild or Exotic Cat? |
| A | Non-domestic cats are usually not suitable as pets. As a general rule they are too big, strong, and destructive. Then there is the questions about legality and regulation. Many states, counties, and cities have strict regulations about keeping wild animals as pets. We would encourage you to satisfy your desire to be around wild cats by contacting your local zoo. Zoos often have volunteer programs where you will be able to spend time with the cats and learn more about them. You may even be given the opportunity to educate the public while conducting tours or participating in other public relations programs. |
| Q |
Should I punish my pet if he misbehaves? |
| A |
Never hit your cat or use any sort of physical punishment. This is cruel and may in fact,
create other behavioral problems. If the objectionable behavior has occurred while you were
away from home, punishment is of absolutely no use. Cats cannot be disciplined the same as
you would a dog. Their social structures are completely different. Cats form social groups
only by necessity, and the arrangement is territorial.
Cats and dogs have very short memories, and they won’t understand why you’re in such a bad mood if you hit or scream. If you are present when your pet misbehaves, you might consider giving the dog or cat a quick stream from a water pistol. Cats hate to be surprised, so a squirt of water, loudly clapping your hands, hissing, or other sudden noises to stop unwanted behavior. Rather than punishment, you should concentrate on training your cat to perform appropriate behavior as an alternative to the inappropriate behavior. Just as parents that “child proof” their home, you c an use many of the same techniques to "cat-proof" your home. Perhaps the most simple and effective way to correct your pet is a loud noise such as a clap accompanied by a forceful yell of "NO." |
| Q |
Can I breed from my pet kitten? |
| A | You should not breed it if it was sold to you as a pet. Pedigree kittens are registered; pets are registered on the 'non active' register so that no progeny will be registered. Many breeders insist that people buying pets also sign a contract that their pet will be neutered. If however you contact the breeder and ask if they would allow the cat to be bred from, the breeder may agree and sign the necessary 'transfer' from the 'non active' to the 'active' register, but they are likely to ask for the difference in price from pet to breeder. There may be a genetic reason why the breeder wants the kitten not to be bred from, or they are not of good enough quality/type to breed on from. A breeder is more likely to agree to transfer a female than a male to the 'active' register. |
| Q |
Can I feed my cat a can of tuna fish? |
| A | The human variety of tuna fish contains an enzyme that destroys vitamin B1 (thiamine). Cats who regularly eat tuna can develop a vitamin B1 deficiency, which results in neurological symptoms like dilated eyes, loss of equilibrium, seizures and death if this vitamin is not replaced. The scientific name of this disease is polioencephlomalacia. |
| Q |
Should I feed my cat dog food? |
| A | Cats need taurine for good vision, which is one good reason you should not feed your cat dog food. A cat fed exclusively with dog food can go blind. |
| Q |
Do cats have a good sense of smell? |
| A | The cat’s sense of smell is less well developed than in other predators. A cat relies more on sight and hearing than smell for hunting. |
| Q |
How good is a cats sense of taste? |
| A | Cats can detect acid, salt and bitter flavors very well, however they have poor sensitivity to sugars and tend to avoid sweet foods. |
| Q |
Do cats have good hearing? |
| A | Cats have an extraordinary hearing range that is well beyond that of humans. A cat can hear a mouse moving through grass. Cats have mobile ear flaps called pinnae which help to collect sound and improve hearing. |
| Q |
Why does my cat knead? |
| A | The short answer is “we don’t know.” While no one really knows why a cat kneads, it is certainly the same action that newborn kittens make with their front paws when they are nursing. Animal behaviorist have theorized that instinct causes nursing kittens to knead at their mother's teat which in turn stimulates milk flow. The kitten then associates kneading with the pleasurable experience of feeding, being happy and satisfied. So when your cat kneads on you, he is expressing his happiness. |
| Q |
I'm amazed at how fearless my cat is -- jumping from high places and racing past me when it's on the chase. Should I be concerned that it might get hurt? |
| A | No, in these situations, there's no need for concern. To begin with, cats simply have more lumbar vertebrae than we do -- seven as opposed to five. And according to Thomas Greiner, professor of anatomy and physical anthropology at the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse, cats don't use their vertebrae to support their weight like humans do. Instead, feline vertebrae are meant to enhance the speed of running, and are used as a "spring" while galloping or bouncing after prey. So, cats are designed to jump from high places and race around. In fact, they love it. |
| Q |
What kind of toys will my cat like? |
| A |
You may find it amazing that the pet toy business is a multi-million dollar industry. Toys
range from simple small balls, mouse shaped figures, to complicated mechanical devices. There
are three criteria for judging a cat toy:
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| Q |
Why should I visit my veterinarian? |
| A | There is no substitute for regular visits to your veterinarian to detect disease in its early stages, and to implement vaccination, parasite prevention, dental hygiene and other programs that safeguard your pet from costly and sometimes fatal diseases. |
| Q |
Why is vaccination important? |
| A | All cats are at risk of exposure to various infectious diseases, even if they spend most of their time indoors. Some infectious diseases are life-threatening while others, like rabies, also pose a public health risk. Vaccination to prevent common infectious diseases supports the first goal of medicine — disease prevention. Prevention of infectious disease is more beneficial to your cat than treating disease once it occurs. The animal's natural immune system helps eliminate viral and bacterial infections. Thus, preventive vaccination is one of the most reliable and cost-effective methods of health care available to a pet owner. |
| Q |
How does vaccination work? |
| A | Vaccines contain killed or modified live forms of viruses or bacteria. They stimulate production of protective antibodies in immunocompetent animals that neutralize the natural virus or bacteria if the animal is later exposed. Although vaccines provide protection against infectious disease, they do not treat or cure existing diseases. Some vaccines contain combinations of viruses or bacteria that immunize against several diseases, minimizing inconvenience to the owner and discomfort to the cat. |
| Q |
Why do kittens require more frequent vaccinations than older cats? |
| A | Nursing kittens ingest immunizing antibodies from their mother. These maternal antibodies provide early protection against infectious disease. However, they also neutralize the immunizing agents in vaccines. Maternal antibodies naturally decline during the first 3 to 4 months of life and eventually disappear. For this reason, kittens vaccinated earlier than 12 weeks of age should be revaccinated after 12 weeks of age, This increases the likelihood of long-term protection from vaccination as soon as maternal antibody levels have declined below protective levels. |
| Q |
How often should my cat be vaccinated? |
| A | Immunity to most infectious diseases gradually declines, so periodic revaccination is generally necessary. Frequency of vaccination is dependent on your cat's lifestyle, age and risk of disease exposure. Your veterinarian can determine the appropriate vaccination interval based on your pet's history and individual circumstances. |
| Q |
What about the potential risks of vaccination? |
| A | The benefits of vaccination are usually considered to far outweigh the relatively small risk of vaccine-related adverse effects. Allergic reactions to vaccination and local, injection-site irritation are uncommon, but they do occur. On rare occasions, cats may develop tumors (fibrosarcomas) at the site of injection, including vaccines or even bite wounds. Your veterinarian can advise you of the possible risks associated with vaccination and the steps to take if vaccine-related reactions occur. |
| Q |
What is Rabies? |
| A | Rabies is a viral disease that can affect all warm-blooded mammals, including cats, dogs, wildlife and humans. The virus infects cells of the nervous system, producing incoordination and behavioral abnormalities, such as unusual aggression or withdrawal. Once the signs of rabies appear, the disease is always fatal. Rabies is usually transmitted by bite wounds, often from infected wildlife, which represent the largest reservoir of the disease in the U.S. Vaccines are very effective in preventing rabies. Most states in the U.S. require rabies vaccination of dogs at 1 to 3-year intervals. Many states also require rabies vaccination of cats. |
| Q |
What is Feline Panleukopenia? |
| A | Also known as feline distemper, feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious, often fatal disease of cats. The disease is caused by a parvovirus transmitted by contact with infected cats, their feces or environmental contamination. The virus is highly resistant and capable of surviving in the environment for months. Kittens without prior vaccination or exposure are most susceptible. Signs of acute infection include fever, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, abdominal pain, tremors and incoordination. |
| Q |
What is Feline Respiratory Disease? |
| A | The great majority of feline respiratory diseases results from two easily transmitted infections, feline viral rhinotracheitis (FVR), caused by a herpesvirus, and feline calicivirus (FCV, pronounced kah-LEE-see virus) infection. FVR and FCV infection result in similar illnesses, characterized by nasal and ocular discharge, conjunctivitis, ulcers of the oral cavity, anorexia, depression and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. Cats usually recover in 1 to 2 weeks, although cats with FVR can become persistently infected after returning to normal, shedding the virus during periods of stress. FVR can result in abortion of infected fetuses. Kittens are at greatest risk of FVR and FCV because they usually have had no prior vaccination or exposure and are highly susceptible to infection. Chlamydia psittaci (klah-MID-ee-ah SIT-ah-kye) bacteria are a less common cause of feline respiratory disease, but can increase the severity of FVR or FCV infection. Vaccines are available for FVR, FCV and Chiamydiapsittaci. |
| Q |
What is Feline Leukemia? |
| A | Feline leukemia is a high-mortality disease caused by the feline leukemia virus (FeLV). FeLV produces an initial immunosuppressive infection followed by various other diseases (e.g., respiratory disease, diarrhea, anemia) affecting the immunosuppressed cat. Cats that survive these initial diseases may develop some form of cancer, hence the name feline leukemia. The disease is transmitted by direct contact with infected cats or with contaminated food dishes or litter boxes. Feline leukemia vaccination is now commonplace. |
| Q |
What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)? |
| A | Feline infectious peritonitis begins as an upper respiratory infection that can progress to a widely distributed inflammation of tissues and organs, including peritonitis (inflammation of the abdominal cavity). Although not always present, a classic sign of FIP is abdominal swelling with fluid as a result of inflammation. FIP is caused by a coronavirus that is transmitted by contact with infected cats. Once signs of FIP appear, death loss approaches 100 percent. Cats 2 years of age and younger and elderly cats are most often affected. |
| Q |
What is Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) Infection? |
| A | FIV attacks a cat's immune system, producing a slow-developing immunodeficiency disease that results in chronic secondary and opportunistic infections. These include respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary tract, and skin infections, and general unthriftiness. Various cancers may also develop. FIV infection is lifelong. However, FIV disease is relatively uncommon and most cats remain normal for extended periods until immunodeficiency occurs. |
This list will be expanded as my time permits. |
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| Please e-mail any questions you might to see listed here. | |
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