Pay attention to new developments. At the time of this writing, there was some promising news regarding a cat food that lowers allergy triggers. While this and other advances may or may not pan out in the long run, there is always a chance for a game-changer just around the corner. The Indoor versus Outdoor Controversy Get pet insurance. We hope you won't need it, but like they always say, "It's better to be safe than sorry." Adopting an older cat from a shelter can be a great choice. You can visit the cats at a shelter and get a much better idea of their temperament and personality than you can if you get a kitten. The easy care and generous affection of adult cats make them perfect pets for people for whom walking dogs would be difficult or impossible. And study after study confirms the importance of a cat in the lives of those who feel isolated by age or disabilities.

As people, we worry endlessly about the amount of fat in our diets, which experts say is too high. But again, we must realize that cats are not people, and their dietary needs are different concerning fats. As such, commercial cat foods have a fairly high percentage of fat. Some cat breeds require more grooming than others. Longhaired breeds may need a daily brush to keep their coats free from tangles and mats. Shorthaired breeds will often only need a brush once a week or biweekly. Make sure to choose a breed with a coat that you have the time to maintain. Helping give community cats a better life Chapter 1 Together, Forever: A History of Cats and People IN THIS CHAPTER You’re not going to get a definitive answer out of us on this one, even if we had one, which we don’t. Males and females make equally good pets, under one very important condition: altering.

Establish your bedroom as an allergy-free zone.More than one-third of our life is spent sleeping, and so making that time less stressful for the body is very important. Close off your bedroom and reduce dust-collecting surfaces by removing carpets and rugs, wall hangings, stuffed animals, and collectibles from the room. Invest in an air cleaner and keep air ducts and ceiling fans clean. Banish feather pillows and down comforters. Use zippered, dustproof covers on the mattress and pillows. Combat dust mites by washing bedding frequently in hot water. Does your cat need heartworm prevention medication? Ask your veterinarian. The answer may hinge on your cat’s lifestyle and where you live. No one likes to give unnecessary medications. However, in this case, the cost of not erring on the side of giving medications may be high. Although heartworm infestation is rare in cats, it is also not easily treated. In most cases where heartworms are present in cats, veterinarians choose to not treat and simply let the disease take its course because the risks of treating are high. For your cat's sake and for your own, we offer alternatives to spare you both the confusion, anger, and resentment that feline behavior problems cause and to restore contentment and trust in your home -- to help you reclaim the loving relationship you both deserve. Behavior issues are a main cause of shelter surrender - and shelter euthanasia is the number one cause of death in cats - so it's important to learn how to provide an environment your cat can thrive in. You need to make sure that what you're expecting from your cat is fair in two ways: Are you being reasonable? Are you being consistent?

What works in cats is to make them believe that whatever they're doing wrong triggers an automatic response they don't like -- and that you have nothing to do with it as far as they can tell. The couch they used to enjoy clawing is now covered with something they don't like to touch. Every time they get on the counter a tingle of static electricity tingles under their paws or a stream of water hits them in the fanny.

Use water and loud noises: Slyly squirting your cat with a squirt bottle, setting off compressed air in a can (with or without a horn), loudly shaking pennies in an empty soda can, and squeezing a squeaky dog toy (cats don't like the sound, but you can't use this device if you also have a dog, because they do!) are all tools to stop your cat in the middle of a bad act and convince her that maybe a repeat isn't in her best interest. Remember One of the most compelling reasons to adopt a mature cat is that many of these adults have little hope of getting a second chance after they hit the shelter, no matter how healthy, beautiful, and well mannered they are. Kittens are so adorable they’re hard to pass up, and so many people never even look at the cages of adult cats when they’re at the shelter. When people think about adding a cat to their lives, many seem to automatically think kitten. And why not? A kitten seems to make perfect sense, a little fluffball who’ll grow into your household and your heart. For some people, though, an adult cat is a better option and more people are seeing it that way. Even if you’re perfectly set up for a kitten, you ought to consider an adult as well, for you’ll find many wonderful pets among the ranks of grown cats, and most will never get a second chance to show how perfect they can be. Don’t rule out either before you consider each fairly. Everyone loves kittens!

Nonjudgmental listener and ever-affectionate companion, the cat makes a difference in many lives — and with relatively little investment of time and money. Truly, the cat has found a niche again — this time, to stay. Take one small mouse from the freezer. Thaw. Put in blender and purée. Serve at feline body temperature on a clean plate.” As much as your kitten has his own personality, he is not a person, and things that you use or eat every day can be very bad news for your kitten should he swallow them. This table lists foods, medicines, and other items to keep out of a kitten’s reach. Foods People who don’t like cats often complain that a cat chooses a cat hater’s lap out of a whole room full of cat lovers who’d love to offer theirs. This behavior is often given as an example of the independent — or even malicious — nature of the cat. The truth is that something else is at work: Cats feel threatened by direct stares and avoid strangers who take such liberties. In a room full of cat lovers and one cat hater, probably only one person isn’t looking invitingly at the cat — and that’s the one who gets the cat’s vote. Cats love places, not people What to Feed Your Cat - Nutrition plays a major role in how your cat feels and behaves. Knowing what to feed is not as easy as cruising the pet food isle. Learn what cats need by listening to this podcast: https://www.catbehaviorsolutions.org/podcast/episode/46580721/what-to-feed-your-cat

As for the other question of whether cats can be happy living an indoors-only life, the answer is a resounding Yes! Kittens raised indoors become cats who don’t miss the outdoors, and with patience, you can convert even grown cats. Toys, scratching posts, indoor gardens, and screened patios or balconies all make the indoor cat’s life special — as may the addition of a second cat (or even a dog) for companionship. Gina Spadafori is the bestselling author of Dogs For Dummies, which received the President's Award from the Dog Writers Association of America. Dr. Lauren Demos is a board certified feline specialist who in 2017 was elected the youngest president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. Dr. Paul D. Pion is a board certified veterinary cardiologist as well as cofounder, president, and CEO of the Veterinary Information Network, Inc. However, some quantum concepts are certainly worth knowing about, extraordinarily fascinating and straightforward to grasp.

The veterinarian is your kitten’s friend, although an animal care pro you hope you won’t have to see too often. If your kitten has to visit the vet for an illness or injury, ask your vet these questions to explore your options and to consider safeguards against future visits: Cats are among the easiest of animals to live with as pets, which in part accounts for their massive and ever-growing appeal. Cats are naturally quiet, clean, affectionate, and largely self-sufficient, capable of adapting to any kind of dwelling, any definition of family. Forget ancient Egypt, where the cat was honored as a god. The Golden Age of the Cat is now. More is written about cats, shared online about cats, and said about cats today than in all the generations before. Cats are the subject of musicals and movies, of research into their diseases, and of business reports that tally the billions of dollars spent worldwide to keep them healthy, clean, and amused. In the technology-heavy and time-short societies of developed countries, more people are discovering what poets, artists, and cat worshippers have known all along: Cats are much more than dog lite, they are cats: affectionate, beautiful, companions in their own right. FIGURE 2-1: The promise of a lifetime of companionship can be seen in the eyes of a kitten. Adult cat considerations Be aware of the need for boosters beyond the initial kitten series. The law dictates what must be followed for rabies in each state. Discuss your cat’s lifestyle, including if she’s allowed outside, or has any other potential means of interaction with other cats, or dogs or wild animals. This will determine which vaccines your cat needs to protect her health.

Even as cats reign supreme near the top of the pet popularity charts, a lot of people still harbor misconceptions about them. Many of these people would probably enjoy having a cat in their lives if they’d only open their minds and their hearts. Welcome to the third edition of Cats For Dummies, the most easy-to-use, up-to-date reference available on one of the world’s most remarkable animal companions, the cat. We wrote this book out of love for our cats as well as respect and admiration for all cats. And we also wrote it to make a difference for cats and cat lovers everywhere. PDF / EPUB File Name: Cats_For_Dummies_-_Gina_Spadafori.pdf, Cats_For_Dummies_-_Gina_Spadafori.epub If it's a kitten you're bringing home, make sure you start a grooming routine early. Bathing, brushing, and trimming claws will be an event to look forward to, rather than something to dread. Unquestionably, cats are easy-keepers. But anyone who adopts a cat thinking that cats are like houseplants, just more furry, is in for a big surprise. Kittens and cats seek and need attention and affection. They also need both preventive and routine care for any number of common ailments. Behavior problems such as litter-box avoidance are more common than most people think. To care for your cat well, you need a few basic supplies, a high-quality diet, and a veterinarian you know well enough to ask the questions you need answers to if problems arise, and who can help you establish a preventive-care plan to catch and prevent disease.