Random Bits of Information on Cats

Cats are very common pets, having been domesticated over 9,000 years ago. In most modern cities the domestic cat is a common sight and they are often considered members of the family. In some areas they are raised like livestock to be sold and eaten no different than pigs and cattle.

Cats are also sometimes seen as pests, wandering uncontrolled into people’s yards.  Some people get very angry with neighborhood cats, feral cats, and stray cats, in their yard.  It is important for a cat owner to learn how to keep their cat safe, one way is by building a cat enclosure.

One of the reasons cats are so common, is there fast breeding rate.  Cats come into heat very often and can have 6 (or more) kittens per litter.  Unlike dogs, cats usually have no problems delivering their kittens and rarely require caesarian sections.  The biggest exception being cat breeds (such as the Persian) which have large round heads.

Kittens can be weaned at 6 weeks, but it is better to wean kittens at 8 weeks.  Homes should be kitten proofed before getting a new kitten.  You should have your kitten checked by a vet before bringing it home, it should be vaccinated and wormed too.  Note that it is not uncommon for cats to have heart murmurs – not all are severe.

Kittens should not be allowed outside until they are older (or should be kept indoors always).  Indoor cats are safer and can be quite happy.

When it comes to selecting a new cat, most people want kittens, and sadly few adult cats, and even fewer senior cats, find homes.  There are some concerns with adopting an older cat, but there are also many reasons why people may want to adopt a senior cat.

Many people worry if their cat can make them sick.  In general the answer is “no” but kittens can spread cat scratch disease.

Another concern among cat owners is that cats enjoy being awake at night, so it is a good idea to try to train them to sleep when you sleep.

Cats as pets sometimes do not drink enough water and as such are sometimes prone to having urinary tract problems.  It is important that owners find ways to encourage their cat to drink more water to keep its urinary tract system healthy.  It is also a good idea to pay attention to the magnesium content in dry food, selecting a food with a low magnesium content.  If your cat is not getting enough to drink it can get a urinary tract infection – a clue that your cat may have an infection is if it starts peeing around the home, not in the litter box.

Cats can suffer from diabetes, as such, unless you want to be giving your cat insulin injections daily, it is important to keep your cat’s weight under control.  Cats have many risks related to being obese.  It is a myth that spaying or neutering causes a cat to be lazy.  In general this is related to a lack of stimulation by owners who sometimes expect cats to exercise themselves.  Obesity in pets is easy to prevent.  Note:  Diabetes can be diagnosed with a urine sample.

Be aware that many human medications are toxic to cats.

Cats generally prefer to live alone, not with other cats, however if selected correctly, and introduced correctly, cats can get along.  Cats can even get along with dogs too, but note that certain dog breeds are better with cats than others.

While most cats look somewhat similar there are a few unique cat breeds, such as the Manx and Siamese cats.

Other Tips for Cat Owners

Not all cats like catnip, you can try it for your cat after it is 6 months of age.

Hairballs are not “normal” but are common, try brushing your cat more to remove loose hair, feed a better quality food, and reduce stress to reduce shedding.

Adopting a cat from an animal shelter is often cheaper than taking a “free kitten” to the vet for a check up, vaccination, and worming.  Animal shelters often have health guarantees and may give out many coupons and deals.